养殖虾塘常见耐药菌的分离鉴定与耐药基因检测

了解水产养殖区中抗生素耐药菌的分布及抗生素耐药基因的污染现状,有助于科学、合理地使用抗生素。采用诺氟沙星抗性平板和红霉素抗性平板统计虾塘泥样和水样中耐药微生物数量,从中筛选得到60株耐药菌株。基于16Sr DNA序列分析完成部分菌株的鉴定,同时,对耐药菌株携带的喹诺酮类(诺氟沙星)抗性基因gyr A及大环内酯类(红霉素)抗性基因erm B进行了扩增及测序分析。结果表明,虾塘水样细菌在诺氟沙星抗性平板中均未生长,虾塘泥样细菌对诺氟沙星的耐药率分别为0.36%、0.82%;1号虾塘泥样和水样中细菌对红霉素的耐药率分别为23.33%、18.50%,2号虾塘泥样和水样中细菌对红霉素的耐药率分别为20.00%、12.50%。耐药菌16S rDNA鉴定结果如下:南极适冷菌(Rheinheimera sp.)7株、不动杆菌(Acinetobacter sp.)6株、微杆菌(Microbacterium sp.)3株、厦门希瓦氏菌(Shewanella xiamenensis)2株、嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonashydrophila)2株、豚鼠气单胞菌(Aeromonascaviae)1株。1号虾塘gyr A检出率为43.33%,erm B检出率为30.00%;2号虾塘gyr A检出率为10.00%,erm B检出率为70.00%。耐药基因序列比对结果显示,所测菌株序列与数据库中相应耐药基因序列相似性均≥97%。     

浙江沿海藻类共生细菌的生理生化特性研究

利用梯度稀释法,从浙江象山、朱家尖等海域所采集的几种海藻中分离出海洋细菌50株,运用杯碟法研究了其胞外代谢产物活性,结果表明,100%的菌株含有胶原蛋白酶、淀粉酶,96%的菌株含有酪蛋白酶,70%的菌株含有酯酶,30%的菌株含有卵磷脂酶、脲酶,还有6%含微量的壳多糖水解酶。同时将这50株菌分别培养在高温(55℃)、高盐(质量分数5.5×10-2)、酸性(pH4.5)环境中,同样对胞外产物活性进行分析。结果显示:外界环境胁迫下,水解明胶、淀粉、酪蛋白和吐温的酶活性仍然存在,但活性有了很大的变化。因胶原蛋白酶、酪蛋白酶能分解胶原蛋白等成分,淀粉酶具分解淀粉、糖原的作用,因此,这些细菌的产物对其他生物有毒害作用,可能是致病菌,也可能对已知致病菌起抑制、破坏作用。本研究为寻找海洋活性先导化合物,为海洋药物的开发等提供了广阔的前景。     

一株除草剂氰氟草酯降解菌的分离鉴定与降解特性

氰氟草酯(Calofop-buty1)是一种芳氧苯氧羧酸酯类除草剂,其迁移、转化和分解等行为对环境及人类健康具有潜在危害.为了解其微生物代谢机制,从长期使用氰氟草酯的稻田土壤中分离到1株氰氟草酯降解菌株,命名为QDZ-B.菌株QDZ-B的16S rDNA基因序列长度为1 400 bp,在RDP数据库比对结果表明其与寡养食单胞菌属菌株的同源性最近,与模式菌株嗜麦寡养食单胞菌Stenotrophomonas maltophilia(AB008509)的同源性为99.8%.根据表型特征、生理生化特性和16S rDNA序列同源性分析,将菌株QDZ-B鉴定为寡养单胞菌属(Stenotrophomonas sp.).接种量为5%时,菌株QDZ-B在基础盐液体培养基中5 d对100 mg L-1氰氟草酯的降解率约为88.2%.菌株QDZ-B的降解效果与接种量成正相关,但接种量大于5%时,降解效率趋于平稳.菌株QDZ-B降解氰氟草酯的最适温度为30℃,最适pH为7.0.通过质谱分析鉴定了3个菌株QDZ-B降解氰氟草酯的代谢产物,分别为氰氟草酸、氰氟草酰胺和2-氟-3-对-乙氧基苯氧基苯酰胺.     

钻井液及其组分对中肋骨条藻的毒性效应（Toxic Effects of Water-Based Drilling Fluid and Its Components on Skeletonema costatum）

为探讨钻井液及其组分的毒性效应,采用荧光技术研究了一种水基钻井液WBF及其7种主要组分(HXJ、PAC141、KPAM、PolyAL、XC、PolyA、Mud)对海洋微藻中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum)的毒性作用,以未加入WBF或其组分的中肋骨条藻的叶绿素荧光强度为参照,计算得到钻井液及其组分对中肋骨条藻不同时间的EC50值.结果表明:WBF的7种单组分中,PolyA对中肋骨条藻的96h EC50=2×103mg·L-1,为有毒组分,PolyAL的96h EC50=3×104mg·L-1,为低毒组分,其余5种组分无毒;WBF的有毒和低毒组分复配时其毒性与作用时间有关,PolyA与PolyAL在24h之内表现为协同作用,之后主要表现为拮抗作用;WBF的毒性主要取决于其有毒组分,而低毒和无毒组分对钻井液的毒性有协同增强作用.     

土壤栽培和无土栽培菜心中内生细菌比较及分离鉴定

菜心(Brassica parachinensis)是华南地区的一种特色蔬菜.为探究无土栽培和土壤栽培菜心内生细菌的差异,以这两种栽培方式的菜心为材料,分离内生细菌.根据插入序列指纹图谱(IS-PCR)结果进行聚类,对代表性菌株的16S rRNA基因序列进行系统发育分析,并将菌株加入无土栽培营养液中,收获后测定菜心的的相对叶绿素含量(SPAD)和可溶性糖含量.结果显示,从两种菜心中共分离到31株内生细菌,IS-PCR结果将其聚为9个类群,16S rRNA基因鉴定其分别属于Bacillus sp.(芽孢杆菌属)、Rhizobium sp.(根瘤菌属)、Microbacterium sp.(微杆菌属)、Leifsonia sp.(雷夫松氏菌属)、Sphingomonassp.(鞘氨醇单胞菌属)、Alcaligenessp.(产碱菌属)和Agrobacteriumsp.(农杆菌属).土壤栽培菜心中可培养细菌数目多于无土栽培菜心,且土壤栽培菜心中内生细菌的碳代谢更多样化.生理生化实验显示,部分菌株能分泌生长素和铁载体.加入土壤栽培菜心中分离得到的菌株SCG14和SCG0802后,无土栽培菜心的相对叶绿素含量和可溶性糖含量比对照显著提高.本研究表明无土栽培和土壤栽培的菜心中的内生细菌在种类、数目、分布部位和碳源利用能力上有差异;此外,分离得到的菌株能提高无土栽培菜心的相对叶绿素以及可溶性糖含量,有开发为微生物制剂的潜力.(图4表6参35)     

嗜盐光合细菌的分离鉴定及其营养成分分析

从大连海岸的海泥中分离到 4株海洋光合细菌 :菌株C4 10、菌株DS2、菌株E3 和E4,它们都能在厌氧光照下营光异养生长 ,菌株C4 10还能够利用还原性硫化物营光自养生长 .依菌对NaCl的需求 ,菌株C4 10、DS2归属于嗜盐光合细菌 ,菌株E3 和E4属于耐盐光合细菌 .根据形态和培养特征、生理生化特征、光合作用内膜结构、泛醌组成、(G +C)的摩尔百分比等指标 ,菌株C4 10鉴定为Rhodovulumsulfidophilus (嗜硫小红卵菌 )、菌株DS2鉴定为Rhodobiummarinum (海红菌 )、菌株E3 和E4鉴定为Rhodobacterazotoformans.4株菌的营养成分分析表明 ,它们的细胞的最大生长量为 4× 10 9mL-1.粗蛋白含量占细胞干重的 5 5 %左右 ,菌株DS2高达 6 4 .2 % .4菌株所含氨基酸种类齐全 ,特别具备人和动物所必需的氨基酸 .4株菌均含有辅酶Q10和类胡萝卜素 .其中菌株C4 10的类葫萝卜素含量最高 .图 1表 6参 14     

川西亚高山针叶林凋落物对土壤理化性质的影响

研究了川西地区亚高山人工云杉林及天然林凋落物变化及其对土壤理化性质的影响.结果表明30 a人工云杉林、40 a人工云杉林及次生林和原始林年凋落量分别为2.67×103 kg hm-2、4.38×103 kg hm-2、4.27×103 kg hm-2和4.77×103 kg hm-2,枯枝落叶层贮量分别为3.19×104 kg hm-2、3.64×104 kg hm-2、1.42×105 kg hm-2和1.45×105 kg hm-2,通过凋落物归还土壤的营养元素(N、P、K、Ca和Mg)的年归还总量依次为82.01 kg hm-2、129.04 kg hm-2、130.57 kg hm-2、170.55 kg hm-2,凋落物年失重率分别为24.35%、22.87%、36.96%和32.23%,人工林凋落物分解一半所需时间约为2.5 a,天然林约为1.6 a.各样地土壤含水量、孔隙度和养分含量大致表现为次生林≈原始林>30 a人工林>40 a人工林.森林年凋落量、枯枝落叶层贮量、养分归还量和年失重率与土壤自然含水率、有机质、N、P、K的含量呈正相关,与土壤容重呈负相关.人工云杉林生态功能的恢复滞后于次生林,凋落物分解缓慢是影响该地区土壤水分和养分状况的重要因素.人工云杉林进入旺盛生长期后,凋落量增加,养分归还量增大,此时期森林对土壤肥力有较高的补给潜力;但凋落物分解过缓,大量养分元素累积于枯枝落叶层,不能及时进入土壤,造成土壤理化性质状况较差.图1 表6 参18     

梧县药用野生稻内生固氮菌分离鉴定与系统发育分析

以广西梧县药用野生稻为材料,采用两种无氮培养基及改变其碳源的无氮培养基分离纯化野生稻内生固氮菌,用乙炔还原法检测固氮酶活性;并结合插入序列指纹图谱进行聚类分析,测定各类群代表菌株的16S r RNA序列分析其系统发育;进一步扩增nif H基因片段以验证固氮菌,并通过生理生化试验筛选出具有较好功能的内生固氮菌.共分离得到27株内生固氮菌,固氮酶活性范围0.872-103.077 nmol m L~(-1) h~(-1);聚类分析6个类群中,类群Ⅰ代表菌株111与嗜麦芽窄食单胞菌(Stenotrophomonas maltophilia MTCC 434T)相似性为99.61%,类群Ⅱ代表菌株与肺炎克雷伯氏肺炎亚种(Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp.pneumoniae DSM 30104T)相似性为99.48%,类群Ⅲ代表菌株23与Kosaconia sacchari SP1T相似性为99.74%,类群Ⅳ代表菌株JX41′与Enterobacter oryzendophytics LMG 26432T相似性为98.51%,类群V代表菌株a32N与肺炎克雷伯氏鼻硬结亚种(Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp.rhinoscleromatis ATCC 13884T)相似性为99.74%,类群Ⅵ代表菌株15C3与变栖克雷伯氏(Klebsiella variicola DSM 15968T)相似性为99.74%.nif H基因片段检测进一步验证分离的细菌为固氮菌,发现类群I未扩增得到nif H片段,有可能代表一类新的固氮体系,有待进一步研究.类群VI 15C3具有产脲酶、较强分泌生长素的能力,且同时具有溶磷解硅、产铁载体和分泌硫化氢的能力,具有较强促生作用,有很好的应用前景.本研究表明梧县药用野生稻内生固氮菌资源具有遗传多样性,并筛选得到一类具有促生特性内生固氮菌,应用前景广泛.     

敌敌畏对鲫鱼的急性毒性及类球红细菌的解毒作用(Acute Toxicity of Dichlorvos to Carassius auratus and the Detoxification by Rhodobacter sphaeroides)

敌敌畏是使用最为广泛的有机磷农药之一,具有较高的水溶性,对水生动物的危害较大.为初步探讨水体中敌敌畏降解菌对中毒鱼类的解毒作用,测定了敌敌畏对鲫鱼(Carassius auratus)幼鱼的急性毒性,调查了一株敌敌畏高效降解菌——类球红细菌(Rhodobacter sphaeroides)的解毒作用.结果表明:敌敌畏对鲫鱼幼鱼48、72、96h的LC50分别为45.1、30.4、23.3mg·L-1,安全浓度为2.3mg·L-1,属低毒农药.在不同敌敌畏暴露浓度的养鱼水中添加类球红细菌(5×107CFU·mL-1)可以显著降低鲫鱼的死亡率,20mg·L-1和35mg·L-1敌敌畏暴露浓度下,鲫鱼96h死亡率分别由40%和100%降低至0和15%;利用液相色谱检测了敌敌畏在添加和不添加类球红细菌的养鱼水中的降解规律,发现类球红细菌的解毒作用主要是对水中敌敌畏的快速降解,降解过程中没有积累有毒代谢产物.     

对苯二甲酸二甲酯及其异构体的好氧微生物降解

从红树林底泥中以对苯二甲酸二甲酯和间苯二甲酸二甲酯为碳和能源通过富集培养分离到 5株细菌 ,并对其进行了鉴定 ,分别是PasteurellamultocidaSDMTa (多杀巴斯德氏菌 )、KlebsiellaoxytocaSDMTb (产酸克雷伯氏菌 )、Klebsiellasp .SDMTc (克雷伯氏菌株 )、SphingomonaspaucimobilisSDMIy (少动鞘氨醇单胞菌 )和Methylobac teriummesophilicumSDMIr (嗜中温甲基杆菌 ) .这些微生物对对苯二甲酸二甲酯及其异构体间苯二甲酸二甲酯有较强的降解能力 .在pH为 7的条件下 ,浓度为 98mg/L的对苯二甲酸二甲酯 (DMT)可在 36d内被完全降解 ,主要中间产物为对苯二甲酸一甲酯 (MMT)和对苯二甲酸 (TA) .在混合培养条件下 ,浓度达 2 2 0mg/L的间苯二甲酸二甲酯在 35d内降解达 99%以上 ,但其中间产物间苯二甲酸一甲酯 (MMI)不能被降解而在培养液中积累 .根据鉴定出的中间产物 ,对苯二甲酸二甲酯的生化降解途径为 :DMT→MMT→TA→CO2 H2 O .研究结果表明 ,对苯二甲酸二甲酯的 2个酯基的水解是决定其完全矿化的重要起始步骤 .对苯二甲酸二甲酯比间苯二甲酸二甲酯更容易被降解 .图 6表 2参 18     

Rapid,recurring, structured survey versus bioblitz for generating biodiversity data and analysis with a multispecies abundance model

A bioblitz inexpensively and quickly generates biodiversity data, but bioblitzes are often conducted with haphazard, unreplicated sampling. Results tend to be taxonomically, geographically, or temporally biased, lack metadata, and consist of lists of observed taxa that do not enable further analyses or correction for imperfect detection. A rapid, recurring, structured survey (RRSS) uses a structured sampling design and temporal and spatial replication to survey randomly selected sites on a conservation property. We participated in a loosely structured bioblitz and a subsequent RRSS at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve in Springville (St. Clair County), Alabama (USA) to compare observed richness derived from the 2 survey approaches. The RRSS data structure enabled us to fit models that accounted for imperfect detection to estimate abundances, occupancy probabilities, and habitat associations. The loosely structured bioblitz data could not be used in such models. We present a new integrated multispecies abundance model that we applied to avian RRSS data. Our model extension enables estimation for the community, employs data augmentation to estimate the number of undetected species, and incorporates covariates. The RRSS generated a more comprehensive and less biased list of observed taxonomic richness than the loosely structured bioblitz (e.g., 73 vs. 45 bird species and 104 vs. 63 insect families from the RRSS vs. loosely structured bioblitz, respectively). Models fit to the RRSS data identified seasonal patterns in avian community composition and allowed for estimation of habitat–occupancy relationships for insect taxa. The RRSS protocol has potential for broad transferability as a standardized, quick, and inexpensive way to inventory biodiversity and estimate ecological parameters while providing an outreach opportunity.     

Compliance with and ecosystem function of biodiversity offsets in North American and European freshwaters

Land-use change via human development is a major driver of biodiversity loss. To reduce these impacts, billions of dollars are spent on biodiversity offsets. However, studies evaluating offset project effectiveness that examine components such as the overall compliance and function of projects remain rare. We reviewed 577 offsetting projects in freshwater ecosystems that included the metrics project size, type of aquatic system (e.g., wetland and creek), offsetting measure (e.g., enhancement, restoration, and creation), and an assessment of the projects’ compliance and functional success. Project information was obtained from scientific and government databases and gray literature. Despite considerable investment in offsetting projects, crucial problems persisted. Although compliance and function were related to each other, a high level of compliance did not guarantee a high degree of function. However, large projects relative to area had better function than small projects. Function improved when projects targeted productivity or specific ecosystem features and when multiple complementary management targets were in place. Restorative measures were more likely to achieve targets than creating entirely new ecosystems. Altogether the relationships we found highlight specific ecological processes that may help improve offsetting outcomes.     

Representation of the world's biophysical conditions by the global protected area network

Protected areas (PAs) are often implemented without consideration of already existing PAs, which is likely to cause an overrepresentation of certain biophysical conditions. We assessed the representativeness of the current PA network with regard to the world's biophysical conditions to highlight which conditions are underprotected and where these conditions are located. We overlaid terrestrial and marine PAs with information on biophysical conditions (e.g., temperature, precipitation, and elevation) and then quantified the percentage of area covered by the PA network. For 1 variable at a time in the terrestrial realm, high temperature, low precipitation, and medium and very high elevation were underrepresented. For the marine realm, low and medium sea surface temperature (SST), medium and high sea surface salinity (SSS), and the deep sea were underrepresented. Overall, protection was evenly distributed for elevation across the terrestrial realm and SST across the marine realm. For 2 variables at a time, cold and very dry terrestrial environments had mostly low protection, which was also the case for low SST and low and medium SSS across most depths for marine environments. Low protection occurred mostly in the Sahara and the Arabian Peninsula for the terrestrial realm and along the Tropic of Capricorn and toward the poles for the marine realm. Although biodiversity measures are of prime importance for the design of PA networks, highlighting biophysical gaps in current PAs adds a frequently overlooked perspective. These gaps may weaken the potential of PAs to conserve biodiversity. Thus, our results may provide useful insights for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to establish a more comprehensive global PA network.     

Quantitative composition of the defensive secretion ofBledius species (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Oxytelinae) is adapted to naturally occurring predators

Summary The adaptation of defensive secretions to their target organisms was examined for the abdominal gland secretions ofBledius furcatus, B. spectabilis andB. arenarius. Therefore the target organisms of the secretion of theseBledius species (i.e. their predators) had to be identified. At the collection sites examined these were the earwigLabidura riparia, the antCataglyphis bicolor, the flyLispe candicans, different carabids of the generaPogonus, Dichirotrichus, Dyschirius, Bembidion andCalathus and the wading birdsHaematopus ostralegus andCalidris alba. The secretion of the abdominal glands contains the toxin ptoluquinone dissolved in either-dodecalactone and 1-undecene (B. furcatus andB. spectabilis) or in octanoic acid and octyloctanoate (B. arenarius). The ratio of these solvents is species-specific. Application experiments using some of the natural insect predators (L. riparia, C. bicolor, Pogonus, Di. gustavii, Dyschirius) revealed that these solvent ratios provided a more effective deterrent than other possible ratios. Thus by combining the solvents in certain ratios, the capability of cuticular penetration and therefore the effectiveness of the defensive secretions are adapted to their natural targets.     

Democracy versus development: New urban debates

The politics of development includes subtexts of choice, as underpinned by community consensus (or lack of it), against the larger backdrop of a liberal democracy, with its intricate power structures that influence the choice of concepts and often lead to complicity rather than consent. A dilemma exists between the understanding of field-level practitioners and that of academics, whose understandings of progress differ. Progress can (and often does) imply long-term change across generations whereas development is often more a matter of crisis management and delivering tangible results to end-users. This makes it a bone of contention across political systems, irrespective of local or global dynamics. Development can emerge as a tool to be wielded for power and further political mileage at the expense of progress. Progress cannot be studied as a counterpoint to development as the sense of history is often missing in development interventions. Development tends to be piecemeal as its very logic often stems from the rationale of power. This is not to suggest, however, that development is only about politics; it is definitely more than the politics of everyday life and involves all of civil society that requires its critical and immediate attention. In this sense, it has become a priority for politicians with an underlying agenda designed to out-manouevre dissent and all statements of protest.     

A palaeo-hydrogeological model for arsenic contamination in southern and south-east Asia

An argument is presented in which areas of natural arsenic contamination of modern groundwaters throughout Asia have a common origin. Arsenic originally accumulated in oceanic ferro-manganoan sediments of the eastern Palaeo-Tethys. This was further concentrated through oceanic crustal extinction in what later became the south-east Chinese accreted mineralised terrain. Proto-Himalayan uplift of this area created the palaeo-drainage systems of the Ganges – Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Mekong, and Red Rivers, with consequent headwater erosion of arsenic-rich sediments. Their downstream deposition as immature and easily redistributed Neogene sandstones, silts, and iron-rich clays has created secondary and tertiary reservoirs of adsorbed and authigenic arsenic, from which the current arsenic-rich groundwaters have evolved. Considering river basins within the above palaeo-hydrogeological framework provides a basis for assessing the risk of arsenic in groundwater basins of south and south-eastern Asia.     

A framework to measure the wildness of managed large vertebrate populations

As landscapes continue to fall under human influence through habitat loss and fragmentation, fencing is increasingly being used to mitigate anthropogenic threats and enhance the commercial value of wildlife. Subsequent intensification of management potentially erodes wildness by disembodying populations from landscape-level processes, thereby disconnecting species from natural selection. Tools are needed to measure the degree to which populations of large vertebrate species in formally protected and privately owned wildlife areas are self-sustaining and free to adapt. We devised a framework to measure such wildness based on 6 attributes relating to the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of vertebrates (space, disease and parasite resistance, exposure to predation, exposure to limitations and fluctuations of food and water supply, and reproduction). For each attribute, we set empirical, species-specific thresholds between 5 wildness states based on quantifiable management interventions. We analysed data from 205 private wildlife properties with management objectives spanning ecotourism to consumptive utilization to test the framework on 6 herbivore species representing a range of conservation statuses and commercial values. Wildness scores among species differed significantly, and the proportion of populations identified as wild ranged from 12% to 84%, which indicates the tool detected site-scale differences both among populations of different species and populations of the same species under different management regimes. By quantifying wildness, this framework provides practitioners with standardized measurement units that link biodiversity with the sustainable use of wildlife. Applications include informing species management plans at local scales; standardizing the inclusion of managed populations in red-list assessments; and providing a platform for certification and regulation of wildlife-based economies. Applying this framework may help embed wildness as a normative value in policy and mitigate the shifting baseline of what it means to truly conserve a species.     

Sexual Predators,Energy Development,and Conservation in Greater Yellowstone

Abstract: In the United States, as elsewhere, a growing debate pits national energy policy and homeland security against biological conservation. In rural communities the extraction of fossil fuels is often encouraged because of the employment opportunities it offers, although the concomitant itinerant workforce is often associated with increased wildlife poaching. We explored possible positive and negative factors associated with energy extraction in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), an area known for its national parks, intact biological diversity, and some of the New World's longest terrestrial migrations. Specifically, we asked whether counties with different economies—recreation (ski), agrarian (ranching or farming), and energy extractive (petroleum)—differed in healthcare (gauged by the abundance of hospital beds) and in the frequency of sexual predators. The absolute and relative frequency of registered sex offenders grew approximately two to three times faster in areas reliant on energy extraction. Healthcare among counties did not differ. The strong conflation of community dishevel, as reflected by in‐migrant sexual predators, and ecological decay in Greater Yellowstone is consistent with patterns seen in similar systems from Ecuador to northern Canada, where social and environmental disarray exist around energy boomtowns. In our case, that groups (albeit with different aims) mobilized campaigns to help maintain the quality of rural livelihoods by protecting open space is a positive sign that conservation can matter, especially in the face of rampant and poorly executed energy extraction projects. Our findings further suggest that the public and industry need stronger regulatory action to instill greater vigilance when and where social factors and land conversion impact biological systems.     

Cost‐effective conservation of an endangered frog under uncertainty

How should managers choose among conservation options when resources are scarce and there is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of actions? Well‐developed tools exist for prioritizing areas for one‐time and binary actions (e.g., protect vs. not protect), but methods for prioritizing incremental or ongoing actions (such as habitat creation and maintenance) remain uncommon. We devised an approach that combines metapopulation viability and cost‐effectiveness analyses to select among alternative conservation actions while accounting for uncertainty. In our study, cost‐effectiveness is the ratio between the benefit of an action and its economic cost, where benefit is the change in metapopulation viability. We applied the approach to the case of the endangered growling grass frog (Litoria raniformis), which is threatened by urban development. We extended a Bayesian model to predict metapopulation viability under 9 urbanization and management scenarios and incorporated the full probability distribution of possible outcomes for each scenario into the cost‐effectiveness analysis. This allowed us to discern between cost‐effective alternatives that were robust to uncertainty and those with a relatively high risk of failure. We found a relatively high risk of extinction following urbanization if the only action was reservation of core habitat; habitat creation actions performed better than enhancement actions; and cost‐effectiveness ranking changed depending on the consideration of uncertainty. Our results suggest that creation and maintenance of wetlands dedicated to L. raniformis is the only cost‐effective action likely to result in a sufficiently low risk of extinction. To our knowledge we are the first study to use Bayesian metapopulation viability analysis to explicitly incorporate parametric and demographic uncertainty into a cost‐effective evaluation of conservation actions. The approach offers guidance to decision makers aiming to achieve cost‐effective conservation under uncertainty.     

Comparison of the insecticidal effects of water extracted and intact aromatic plants onAcanthoscelides obtectus,a bruchid beetle pest of kidney beans

Summary Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) is one of the most damaging pests of kidney beans,Phaseolus vulgaris L. worldwide. However, aromatic plants from the families Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Myrtaceae and Poaceae can protect kidney beans by direct or delayed insecticidal effect, through increased adult mortality and inhibition of beetle reproduction (both oviposition and adult emergence). The efficiency of hydrodistillated and intact plants fromThymus vulgaris andT. serpyllum, Mentha piperata, Rosmarinus officinalis, Satureia hortensis, Eucalyptus globulus, Laurus nobilis, Origanum vulgare, andCymbopogon nardus was compared. For both extracts,Origanum vulgare had the best effect. The insecticidal effect was induced by more than the essential oils because no significant difference was noticed between distilled and intact plants extract. Inhibition of reproduction was particularly important. These results suggest that lipidic as well as non lipidic, allelochemicals, such as phenolics, or non-protein amino-acids, or flavonoids may be involved in the toxicity of aromatic plants to this beetle.