Coloration in New World orioles

Summary Although sexual dichromatism in birds is usually ascribed to sexual selection, some workers argue that avian coloration is better explained by predation-related selection pressures. Supporting evidence for these latter hypotheses comes primarily from broad interspecific comparisons, which can be biased by a variety of factors. This study examines the predation-based hypotheses of Baker and Parker (1979), particularly the Predator Deflection Hypothesis, with reference to two closely-related oriole species: Icterus parisorum, which is dichromatic, and I. gularis, in which both sexes are brightly coloured. To test the prediction that bright coloration serves to divert the attention of predators away from cryptic young, rates of predation on nests of conspicuous (2 years of age or older) and dull-coloured (first-year). I. parisorum males were compared. The results showed equal predation on the young of males in both age/plumage classes. The Predator Deflection Hypothesis also predicts that, once a predator has been detected, brightly-coloured birds should attempt to distract it, whereas cryptic individuals should not. Tests using models of avian predators showed that this was not the case: cryptic I. parisorum females responded as aggressively toward the model as did conspicuous conspecific males. The same was true for I. gularis. Overall, the results did not support the idea that bright coloration has evolved in response to predation pressure in these species.     

Sperm design and variation in the New World blackbirds (Icteridae)

Post-copulatory sexual selection (PCSS) is thought to be one of the evolutionary forces responsible for the rapid and divergent evolution of sperm design. However, whereas in some taxa particular sperm traits are positively associated with PCSS, in other taxa, these relationships are negative, and the causes of these different patterns across taxa are poorly understood. In a comparative study using New World blackbirds (Icteridae), we tested whether sperm design was influenced by the level of PCSS and found significant positive associations with the level of PCSS for all sperm components but head length. Additionally, whereas the absolute length of sperm components increased, their variation declined with the intensity of PCSS, indicating stabilising selection around an optimal sperm design. Given the diversity of, and strong selection on, sperm design, it seems likely that sperm phenotype may influence sperm velocity within species. However, in contrast to other recent studies of passerine birds, but consistent with several other studies, we found no significant link between sperm design and velocity, using four different species that vary both in sperm design and PCSS. Potential reasons for this discrepancy between studies are discussed. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Sequestration of cucurbitacin analogs by New and Old World chrysomelid leaf beetles in the tribe Luperini

Summary Two South American polyphagous leaf beetles,Diabrotica speciosa andCerotoma arcuata, selectively accumulated the bitter tasting compound 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin D in their body after ingesting root tissues of cucurbit plants. Similarly, three Asian Cucurbitaceae-feeding specialists in the genusAulacophora were found to sequester the same compound. Cucurbitacin analogs were shown to deter feeding by a bird predator, indicating an allomonal role for these compounds in cucurbitacin-associated chrysomelid leaf beetles both of New and Old Worlds. The strong affinity to cucurbitacins, selective sequestration of the analogs and consequent protection from predators suggested an ecological adaptation mechanism developed in common among these two geographically isolated subtribes in the Luperini.     

世界替代农业及其发展趋势

本文对世界替代农业的主要类型和特点、中国的生态农业与发达国家的替代衣业的区别以及世界替代农业存在的主要问题进行了较详细的阐述，最后对世界替代农业的发展趋势作了展望。     

Strategic Environmental Assessment and the World Bank Group

Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is mandated by an increasing number of countries and agencies. SEA has become a reliable and useful tool in reducing environmental and social impacts of plans, policies and programmes. The main elements of SEA are outlined with examples. The status of SEA in the World Bank is discussed. The case is presented that the World Bank should apply SEA to country lending strategies, programme lending, technical assistance, and to its budget.     

世纪之交土壤学研究的挑战和契机──从第16届世界土壤学大会看土壤学的未来

第１６届国际土壤学大会包括全会和４５个分会,内容涵盖土壤学所有分支并反映了本世纪土壤学的进展。本文综述了土壤学在全球资源与环境问题中的重要地位,分析了世纪之交土壤学面临的挑战和契机,提出土壤学只有拓展与其它学科以及社会的联系,服务于社会的可持续发展,保持自己的特色并在基础研究和应用研究中不断创新,才能在未来更好地生存和发展。     

Structure and function of the stomachless digestive system in three related species of New World silverside fishes (Atherinopsidae) representing herbivory, omnivory, and carnivory

We explored possible diet-related specializations in the digestive tract of stomachless fishes by summarizing the diets, verifying the absence of a stomach, and comparing gut lengths, microvilli surface areas, and activities of five digestive enzymes in four taxa of silversides from southern California coastal waters. For the comparisons, we examined these gut features in Atherinops affinis from both estuarine and kelp-forest habitats, and Atherinopsis californiensis and Leuresthes tenuis from open coastal habitats. A. affinis was found to be primarily herbivorous in estuaries and carnivorous in kelp forests, whereas As. californiensis was shown to be somewhat omnivorous but mainly carnivorous, and L. tenuis strictly carnivorous. Estuarine A. affinis exhibited the longest gut, largest microvilli surface area, and highest amylase and maltase activities, all arguably reflecting responses to an algal diet. In contrast, kelp-forest A. affinis displayed the highest trypsin activity and generally similar microvilli surface areas and aminopeptidase, amylase, and maltase activities to the two other carnivorous taxa. All four taxa showed similar lipase activities that compared closely with published values for other fishes. Taken together, our results reveal striking differences in gut structure and function among the four taxa, but especially between the estuarine and kelp-forest populations of A. affinis. Further studies are required to assess the roles of genetic variation and phenotypic plasticity in explaining the differences in these herbivorous and carnivorous taxa.