Dibenzofuran: Bakterielle Mineralisierung

The degradation of uniformly¹⁴C-labelled dibenzofuran (DBF) by the strainPseudomonas sp HH 69 and a consortium consisting of the DBF-degrading Pseudomonas strain NRM and an accompanying Nocardia-like strain NRH, was monitored in liquid-batch cultures and in different soil samples. Experiments involving the strain and a consortium in aereated liquid cultures (batch process) showed that DBF was utilized as a source of energy and carbon. Thereby, more than 65% of DBF is rapidly converted to CO₂, about 20% to biomass and only about 10% to slow-degrading intermediate metabolites, respectively. The same microorganisms also exhibited comparable degrees of degradation efficiency in various types of soils contaminated with DBF. For instance, DBF, uniformly distributed in sterile soil samples, in concentrations between 0.2 to 200 ppm, was converted to CO₂, within 10 days, to the extent of about 75% by the strainPseudomonas sp. HH 69.     

耐热石油烃降解混合菌的筛选及其群落结构分析

对克拉玛依采集的部分石油污染土壤进行了筛选,得到了5组石油烃高效降解混合菌,其中混合菌KL9-1在45℃的条件下,通过7 d的降解,稀油的降解率达到43.27%,稠油的降解率达到20.09%。混合菌KL9-1经过多次分离纯化后,获得3株具有石油烃降解能力的优势单菌,3株单菌对稀油的降解率都在30%以上。结合分离单菌株的形态、生理生化特征和16S rDNA基因序列的分析结果,初步鉴定KL9-1-1为Pseudomonas putida,KL9-1-2和KL9-1-3为Pseudomonas sp.。     

一株菲降解菌的特性及相关降解基因的克隆

从石油污染土壤中分离到一株菲降解菌2F5-2.根据该菌株生理生化特征和16S rDNA序列相似性分析,将其初步鉴定为鞘氨醇杆菌属(Sphingobium sp.).该菌株在10 h内对100 mg/L的菲的降解率为100%.降解菲的最适温度为30℃,最适pH为7.对降解途径的初步研究显示,该菌株通过水杨酸途径降解菲.克隆了编码芳香烃双加氧酶α亚基的基因phdA,它与菌株Sphingomonas sp.P2、Sphingobium yanoikuyae B1、Sphingomonas sp.ZP1中phdA的同源性分别为97.9%、98%和100%,表明该基因具有保守性.图6参16     

生物表面活性剂与蒽降解菌的协同降解效应

对蒽生物降解中铜绿假单胞菌S6分泌的生物表面活性剂的作用进行了研究.结果表明,在接种蒽降解菌A10之前1d及与接种A10同时投加60mg.l-1的生物表面活性剂能够最大程度地促进蒽降解,相比于未添加表面活性剂的样品,降解率分别提高了16.50%和18.03%.过高浓度的生物表面活性剂会在一定程度上抑制蒽的降解.对蒽降解过程的分析表明,提前投加生物表面活性剂能明显促进蒽的降解且一直保持较好的降解效果.蒽降解过程中,生物表面活性剂能够被微生物利用,具有生物可利用性,是一种环境友好的生物制剂.     

白腐菌Trametes hirsute对六氯苯的降解及其条件优化

在液体体系下,筛选了5株白腐菌,对六氯苯进行了降解研究,并优化了白腐菌Trametes hirsute TH对六氯苯的降解条件.结果表明,不同白腐菌均能降解六氯苯,其中白腐菌Trametes sp.TR对六氯苯降解率最高,达90.21%;而白腐菌T.hirsute TH对六氯苯降解率为87.08%,但生物量最高,达3.33 g/L.通过响应面法优化白腐菌T.hirsute TH降解六氯苯的条件,结果显示,转速、接种量和培养时间是影响六氯苯降解的主要因素.优化后的最佳条件为:转速125 r/min,菌丝接种量8%(V/V),培养时间2 d,温度28 ℃,pH为7.在优化条件下,2 d内白腐菌T.hirsute TH对浓度为10 mg/L的六氯苯降解率和降解量分别可达91.52%和2.288 mg L-1 d-1.图2表7参17     

Effect of pH on biologic degradation of Microcystis aeruginosa by alga-lysing bacteria in sequencing batch biofilm reactors

In this paper, the effect of pH on biological degradation of Microcystis aeruginosa by alga-lysing bacteria in laboratory-scale sequencing batch biofilm reactors (SBBRs) was investigated. After 10 d filming with waste activated sludge, the biological film could be formed, and the bioreactors in which laid polyolefin resin filler were used to treat algal culture. By comparing the removal efficiency of chlorophyll a at different aerobic time, the optimum time was determined as 5 h. Under pH 6.5, 7.5, and 8.5 conditions, the removal rates of Microcystis aeruginosa were respectively 75.9%, 83.6%, and 78.3% (in term of chlorophyll a), and that of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD_Mn) were 30.6%, 35.8%, and 33.5%. While the removal efficiencies of ammonia nitrogen (NH ₄ ⁺ - N) were all 100%. It was observed that the sequence of the removal efficiencies of algae, NH ₄ ⁺ - N and organic matter were pH 7.5>pH 8.5>pH 6.5. The results showed that the dominant alga-lysing bacteria in the SBBRs was strain HM-01, which was identified as Bacillus sp. by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification of the 16S rRNA gene, Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) analysis, and comparison with sequences in the GenBank nucleotide database. The algicidal activated substance which HM-01 strain excreted could withstand high temperature and pressure, also had better hydrophily and stronger polarity.     

Body color change and serum steroid hormone levels throughout the process of sex change in the adult wrasse, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudolabrus sieboldi</Emphasis>

Gonadal sex steroid hormones are the principal factors that directly control the gonadal and morphological alterations during sex change in hermaphrodite fish; however, the physiological mechanism of action by which these hormones govern body coloration is poorly understood. The protogynous wrasse Pseudolabrus sieboldi is a good model for understanding the physiological mechanisms of gonadal and body color change during sex change in hermaphrodite fish. To obtain information on the relationship between sex steroids and body color change during the process of gonadal sex change, we analyzed body color, gonadal histology, and serum levels of sex steroids. Body color was analyzed using a quantitative analytical method based on the hue value. Compared to other body parts of the fish, the anal fin changed color the most, becoming increasingly redder in association with gonadal changes that converted ovaries to testes. Levels of serum 11-ketotestosterone (11KT) increased as the gonadal sex change proceeded, whereas no significant change was observed in estradiol-17β (E2) levels. Moreover, we found a significant correlation between the hue value of the anal fin and serum 11KT levels, but not E2 levels. These results suggest that androgen, but not estrogen, plays a principle role in the changes in both gonadal morphology and body color in the transformation from female to male in this species. To our knowledge, this is the first quantitative demonstration of the relationship between body color and serum steroid levels during sex change in fish.     

一株菲降解菌的分离鉴定及其降解条件研究

以菲为研究对象,从克拉玛依稠油污染土壤中筛选到1株对菲具有较好降解效果的菌株JZ3-21。通过形态观察、生理生化指标及16S rDNA序列分析对该菌株进行了鉴定。该株菌的16S rDNA序列与Pseudomonas属的相似性达99%,结合分离菌株的形态、生理生化特征和16S rDNA基因序列的分析结果,初步鉴定该菌株为恶臭假单胞菌（Pseudomonas putida.）。对其降解条件进行了研究,结果表明：在40℃,pH 8.0,接种量为1.5%的条件下,菌株对初始质量浓度为100 mg.L-1的菲在64 h内的降解率高达94.2%。该菌对高质量浓度菲有较好的耐受性,其最高耐受质量浓度可达2 000 mg.L-1。     

Porphyrobacter sp.D22F的降解特性及其在石油降解菌群中的生态位

为揭示多环芳烃(Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,PAHs)降解微生物资源的多样性和石油降解菌群的优势菌,研究了从南海沉积物中分离得到的一株PAHs降解菌D22F的降解特性及其在石油降解菌群D22-1中的生态位.对菌株D22F进行16S rRNA基因同源性分析及透射电镜观察以初步确定其种属,通过培养法、气相色谱质谱联用(GC-MS)测定其多环芳烃降解范围和降解率,通过简并引物PCR扩增其PAHs双加氧酶大亚基基因片段并进行系统发育分析,采用变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)监测石油降解菌群中的优势菌.结果表明,与菌株D22F的16S rRNA基因相似度最高的模式株为产卟啉杆菌属Porphyrobacter tepidarius DSM 10594T(AF465839;98.55%).该菌株能降解萘、甲基萘、苊、硫芴、菲、蒽等;对初始浓度为0.2 g/L菲10 d后的降解率可达90%以上.从其基因组DNA中克隆到的PAHs起始双加氧酶大亚基基因phnAc与Novosphingobium aromaticivorans DSM 12444中的质粒pNL1(CP000676)上的bphA1f基因相似度最高,达到99.41%.DGGE谱图显示,菌株D22F是石油降解菌群中的3种优势菌之一,在传代菌群中可稳定存在.Porphyrobacter sp.D22F为产卟啉杆菌属(Porphyrobacter)中首株以低分子量PAHs为唯一碳源和能源的菌株,是石油降解菌群的优势菌.     

Removal of steroid hormones from mariculture system using seaweed Caulerpa lentillifera

•Steroid hormones could be removed efficiently from mariculture system using seaweed; • Caulerpa lentillifera was the most efficient seaweed for removal of steroid hormones; • More than 90% of E₂ or EE₂ were removed within 12 h using Caulerpa lentillifera; • The removal included the rapid biosorption and the slow bio-accumulation; •The hormones and nutrients in mariculture wastewater could be simultaneously removed. The removal of steroid hormones from the mariculture system using seaweeds (Caulerpa lentillifera, Ulva pertusa, Gracilaria lemaneiformis, and Codium fragile) was investigated. The results illustrated that both 17β-estradiol (E₂) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE₂) could be removed by the seaweeds at different levels, and the Caulerpa lentillifera was the most efficient one. More than 90% of E₂ or EE₂ at concentration of 10 μg/L was removed by Caulerpa lentillifera within 12 h. Processes including initial quick biosorption, the following slow accumulation, and biodegradation might explain the removal mechanisms of E₂/EE₂ by Caulerpa lentillifera. E₂/EE₂ removal was positively related to the nutrient level and the initial concentration of steroid hormone. A significant linear relationship for E₂ and EE₂ existed between the initial pollutant concentration and the average removal rate. The highest removal kinetic constant (k) value was obtained at 30°C as 0.34 /h for E₂ and at 20°C as 0.28 /h for EE₂, demonstrating the promising application potential of Caulerpa lentillifera in the water purification of the industrialized mariculture system with relatively high water temperature. Simultaneous and efficient removal of E₂ and EE₂ by Caulerpa lentillifera was still achieved after 3 cycles in the pilot-scale experiment. The steroid hormones and nutrients in mariculture wastewater could also be simultaneously removed using Caulerpa lentillifera. These findings demonstrated that Caulerpa lentillifera was the promising seaweed for the removal of steroid hormones in mariculture systems.     

氯氰菊酯降解菌的筛选鉴定及其降解特性研究

从农药厂废水排放口附近的污泥中分离到1株能降解氯氰菊酯的细菌LQ-3.根据其形态、生理生化特征和16S rDNA(GenBank Accession No.FJ222585)序列分析,将该菌株鉴定为Starkeya sp..LQ-3菌株只能以共代谢方式降解氯氰菊酯,在有酵母粉、蛋白胨、葡萄糖等营养物质存在的条件下,5 d内对20 mg·L-1氯氰菊酯的降解率达到72.1%.LQ-3菌株降解氯氰菊酯的最适温度为30 ℃左右,pH值为7～8.LQ-3菌株还能降解功夫菊酯、甲氰菊酯、联苯菊酯和溴氰菊酯.酶的定域试验表明,LQ-3菌株降解氯氰菊酯的酶属于胞外酶.     

Enhanced enzymatic removal of anthracene by the mangrove soil-derived fungus, Aspergillus sydowii BPOI

• A. sydowii strain bpo1 exhibited 99.8% anthracene degradation efficiency. • Four unique metabolic products were obtained after anthracene degradation. • Ligninolytic enzymes induction played vital roles in the removal of anthracene. • Laccase played a crucial role in comparison with other enzymes induced. The present study investigated the efficiency of Aspergillus sydowii strain bpo1 (GenBank Accession Number: MK373021) in the removal of anthracene (100 mg/L). Optimal degradation efficiency (98.7%) was observed at neutral pH, temperature (30℃), biomass weight (2 g) and salinity (0.2% w/v) within 72 h. The enzyme analyses revealed 131%, 107%, and 89% induction in laccase, lignin peroxidase, and manganese peroxidase respectively during anthracene degradation. Furthermore, the degradation efficiency (99.8%) and enzyme induction were significantly enhanced with the addition of 100 mg/L of citric acid and glucose to the culture. At varying anthracene concentrations (100–500 mg/L), the degradation rate constants (k₁) peaked with increasing concentration of anthracene while the half-life (t_1/2) decreases with increase in anthracene concentration. Goodness of fit (R² = 0.976 and 0.982) was observed when the experimental data were subjected to Langmuir and Temkin models respectively which affirmed the monolayer and heterogeneous nature exhibited by A. sydwoii cells during degradation. Four distinct metabolites; anthracene-1,8,9 (2H,8aH,9aH)-trione, 2,4a-dihydronaphthalene-1,5-dione, 1,3,3a,7a-tetrahydro-2-benzofuran-4,7-dione and 2-hydroxybenzoic acid was obtained through Gas Chromatography-Mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A. sydowii exhibited promising potentials in the removal of PAHs.     

Impacts of n-alkane concentration on soil bacterial community structure and alkane monooxygenase genes abundance during bioremediation processes

Petroleum hydrocarbons, mainly consisting of n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are considered as priority pollutants and biohazards in the environment, eventually affecting the ecosystem and human health. Though many previous studies have investigated the change of bacterial community and alkane degraders during the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons, there is still lack of understanding on the impacts of soil alkane contamination level. In the present study, microcosms with different n-alkane contamination (1%, 3% and 5%) were set up and our results indicated a complete alkane degradation after 30 and 50 days in 1%- and 3%-alkane treatments, respectively. In all the treatments, alkanes with medium-chain length (C₁₁-C₁₄) were preferentially degraded by soil microbes, followed by C₂₇-alkane in 3% and 5% treatments. Alkane contamination level slightly altered soil bacterial community, and the main change was the presence and abundance of dominant alkane degraders. Thermogemmatisporaceae, Gemmataceae and Thermodesulfovibrionaceae were highly related to the degradation of C₁₄- and C₂₇-alkanes in 5% treatment, but linked to alkanes with medium-chain (C₁₁-C₁₈) in 1% treatment and C₂₁-alkane in 3% treatment, respectively. Additionally, we compared the abundance of three alkane-monooxygenase genes, e.g., alk_A, alk_P and alk_R. The abundance of alk_R gene was highest in soils, and alk_P gene was more correlated with alkane degradation efficiency, especially in 5% treatment. Our results suggested that alkane contamination level showed non-negligible effects on soil bacterial communities to some extents, and particularly shaped alkane degraders and degrading genes significantly. This study provides a better understanding on the response of alkane degraders and bacterial communities to soil alkane concentrations, which affects their biodegradation process.

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A protein signal triggers sexual reproduction in Brachionus plicatilis (Rotifera)

The defining feature of the life cycle in monogonont rotifers such as Brachionus plicatilis (Muller) is alternation of asexual and sexual reproduction (mixis). Why sex is maintained in such life cycles is an important unsolved evolutionary question and one especially amenable to experimental analysis. Mixis is induced by a chemical signal produced by the rotifers which accumulates to threshold levels at high population densities. The chemical features of this signal were characterized using size exclusion, enzymatic degradation, protease protection assays, selective binding to anion ion exchange and C3 reversed phase HPLC columns, and the sequence of 17 N-terminal amino acids. These studies were carried out over two years beginning in 2003 using B. plicatilis Russian strain. When rotifer-conditioned medium was treated with proteinase K, its mixis-inducing ability was reduced by 70%. Proteinase K was added to medium auto-conditioned by 1 female ml⁻¹ where typically 17% of daughters became mictic and mixis was reduced to 1%. A cocktail of protease inhibitors added to conditioned medium significantly reduced degradation of the mixis signal by natural proteases. Conditioned medium subjected to ultrafiltration retained mixis-inducing activity in the >10 kDa fraction, but the <10 kDa fraction had no significant activity. The putative mixis signal bound to an anion exchange column, eluting off at 0.72 M NaCl. These fractions were further separated on a C3 reversed phase HPLC column and mixis-inducing activity was associated with a 39 kDa protein. Seventeen amino acids from the N-terminus have strong similarity to a steroidogenesis-inducing protein isolated from human ovarian follicular fluid. The 39 kDa protein is an excellent candidate for the rotifer mixis induction signal.     

Identification of the sex pheromone of Conogethes pluto: a pest of Alpinia

In recent years, Conogethes pluto (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) has become a major pest of Alpinia and other ornamental gingers in the Northern Territory and Queensland, Australia. This pest damages the flowers and bores into the stems, causing substantial losses to production. Currently, no synthetic sex pheromone is available to monitor or control this pest. This work aims at the identification of the sex pheromone of this pest. Analysis of the sex pheromone gland of female C. pluto by gas chromatography/electroantennogram detector revealed the presence of seven candidate pheromone compounds that elicited electroantennogram responses. Using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis and micro-derivatization reactions, six compounds were identified as (E)-10-hexadecenal, as the main pheromone compound, (Z)-10-hexadecenal, hexadecanal, (E)-10-hexadecen-1-ol, (10E,12E)-hexadeca-10,12-dienal and (3Z,6Z,9Z)-tricosa-3,6,9-triene as minor pheromone compounds. In two-field trapping experiments, C. pluto responded to the six-component blend, and three of six compounds, i.e., (E)-10-hexadecenal, (3Z,6Z,9Z)-tricosa-3,6,9-triene, and (10E,12E)-hexadeca-10,12-dienal were shown to be necessary for attraction. In a subsequent experiment testing various doses (i.e., 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg) of the six-component blend, the largest number of males was captured in traps baited with a lure loading of 1 mg. The availability of the sex pheromone of C. pluto will enable monitoring and provides the basis for additional control options for this pest.     

Identification of two alkane hydroxylases involved in long-chain n-alkane degradation by Dietzia sp. DQ12-45-1b北大核心CSCD

The aim of this study was to identify genes involved in long-chain alkane degradation in Dietzia sp. DQ12-45-1b. Functional genes were annotated by genome analysis. Induction of alkane hydroxylase genes by C28 n-alkane was analyzed by using quantitative real-time PCR in wild-type Dietzia sp. DQ12-45-1b and its alkW1 gene knockout mutant strain M 5-5. From the genome of Dietzia sp. DQ12-45-1b, two homologues, G1 and G2 genes were annotated, which showed 50% amino acid sequence similarity with AlmA from Acinetobacter sp. DSM17874, and 48% amino acid sequence similarity with LadA from Geobacillus thermodenitrificans NG80-2, respectively. In addition, G1 showed 71% amino acid sequence similarity with G1a, and G2 showed 34% and 87% amino acid sequence similarities with G2a and G2ß, respectively, which were annotated from Dietzia sp. E1 genome. In addition, the alkW1 gene knockout strain M 5-5 could grow with C28 n-alkane as the sole carbon source, indicating the presence of potential long-chain alkane hydroxylase gene(s) other than alkW1 in Diezia sp. DQ12-45-1b. Accordingly, induction of G1 and G2 genes was observed when Dietzia ap. DQ12-45-1b and alkW1 knockout mutant strain M 5-5 grew with C28 n-alkane as sole carbon source. The results indicated that G1 and G2 genes are mostly responsible for the degradation of long-chain alkanes in Dietzia sp. DQ12-45-1b, which has unique multiple alkane hydroxylase systems.     

灭线磷在稻田土壤和田水中的降解动态和残留分析

采用气相色谱法研究了10%灭线磷GR(颗粒剂,下同)中灭线磷在广东省、湖北省两地水稻田土壤和田水中的残留降解动态和最终残留量.研究结果表明灭线磷在土壤和田水中的添加回收率分别为82.85%～93.70%和85.03%～98.17%.灭线磷在稻田土壤和田水中降解动态符合一级动力学指数模型,在广东省和湖北省稻田土壤中的半衰期分别为9.73 d、10.70 d,田水中的半衰期分别为0.83 d、0.85 d.10%灭线磷GR以(1800 g(a.i.)·m~(-2)和2700 g(a.i .)·hm~(-2)两个剂量施药后,灭线磷在广东省土壤中的最终残留质量分数为0.002 3～0.0034mg·kg~(-1);2700 g(a.i.)·hm~(-2)施药后,灭线磷在湖北省土壤中的最终残留质量分数为0.001 7 mg·kg~(-1),1800 g(a.i.)·hm~(-2)施药后,在土壤中未检测出灭线磷.     

Isolation and application of an ibuprofen-degrading bacterium to a biological aerated filter for the treatment of micro-polluted water

Ibuprofen (IBU) is widely used in the world as anti-inflammatory drug, which posed health risk to the environment. A bacterium capable of degrading IBU was isolated from activated sludge in a sewage treatment plant. According to its morphological, physiologic, and biochemical characteristics, as well as 16S rRNA sequence analysis, the strain was identified as Serratia marcescens BL1 (BL1). Degradation of IBU required the presence of primary substrate. After a five-day cultivation with yeast powder at 30°C and pH 7, the highest degradation (93.47%±2.37%) was achieved. The process of BL1 degrading IBU followed first-order reaction kinetics. The BL1 strain was applied to a small biological aerated filter (BAF) device to form a biofilm with activated sludge. IBU removal by the BAF was consistent with the results of static tests. The removal of IBU was 32.01% to 44.04% higher than for a BAF without BL1. The indigenous bacterial community was able to effectively remove COD_Mn (permanganate index) and ammonia nitrogen in the presence of BL1.

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Comparative studies on the sex pheromones of Ostrinia spp. in Japan: the burdock borer, Ostrinia zealis

Summary. To gain insight into the evolution of the sex pheromone communication system in Ostrinia (Lepidoptera Pyralidae), the sex pheromone of the burdock borer, O. zealis was analyzed by means of gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD), GC-mass spectrometry and a series of bioassays. Four EAD-active compounds were detected in the female sex pheromone gland extract, and these were identified as tetradecyl acetate (14:OAc), (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9–14:OAc), (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (E11-14:OAc) and (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (Z11-14:OAc). The average amounts (ratio) of the four compounds in single sex pheromone glands were 2.5 ng (13%), 11.6 ng (61%), 4.1 ng (21%) and 0.9 ng (5%), respectively. In a wind-tunnel bioassay, the ternary blend of Z9-, E11- and Z11-14:OAc at a ratio found in the sex pheromone gland elicited the same behavioral responses from the males as did virgin females. 14:OAc did not show any enhancement or inhibition of the males’ behavioral responses when added to the ternary blend. The attractiveness of the 3-component lure to O. zealis males was also confirmed by field trapping experiments. Based on these results, we concluded that the sex pheromone of O. zealis is composed of Z9-14:OAc, E11-14:OAc and Z11-14:OAc at a ratio of 70:24:6. The evolutionary changes of the sex pheromones in Ostrinia are also discussed based on the presently available information on the sex pheromones and phylogenetic relationships of Ostrinia spp. Received 25 September 1998; accepted 2 December 1998.     

Digit ratios have poor indicator value in a wild bird population

Early androgen exposure is known to have long-lasting effects on phenotype, behaviour and even fitness, but difficulties in measuring the exposure hinders the study of its importance in evolutionary context. Digit ratios have been highlighted as a potential easy-to-measure indicator of early steroid exposure, as they have been suggested to reflect steroid, mainly testosterone levels during prenatal development. However, evidence for digit ratios reflecting early steroid levels is weak, as experimental studies, especially in wild populations, are scarce. We studied the association between maternally derived yolk androgens and digit ratios (2D:4D, 2D:3D and 3D:4D) using both correlative data and a rather high level of experimental elevation of yolk androgens in a passerine bird, the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca). We also examined whether digit ratios have indicator value in an evolutionary context by studying correlations between digit ratios and reproductive traits, secondary sexual traits and exploratory behaviour. We did not find any association between digit ratios and yolk androgen level either in correlative or experimental data. Digit ratios were neither related to any of the reproductive and secondary sexual traits or exploratory behaviour measured. There was, however, a sex difference in 2D:3D and 3D:4D of adult birds (due to second and fourth digits being shorter in females), which was not apparent in fledglings or captivity-raised juveniles. This suggests that either the sex difference may develop as late as during the sexual maturation for breeding. These results indicate that, in this species, digit ratios are not reliable markers of maternally derived yolk androgen exposure and that they bear little relevance as correlates of the adaptive traits we measured.