Juvenile morphology in baleen whale phylogeny

Phylogenetic reconstructions are sensitive to the influence of ontogeny on morphology. Here, we use foetal/neonatal specimens of known species of living baleen whales (Cetacea: Mysticeti) to show how juvenile morphology of extant species affects phylogenetic placement of the species. In one clade (sei whale, Balaenopteridae), the juvenile is distant from the usual phylogenetic position of adults, but in the other clade (pygmy right whale, Cetotheriidae), the juvenile is close to the adult. Different heterochronic processes at work in the studied species have different influences on juvenile morphology and on phylogenetic placement. This study helps to understand the relationship between evolutionary processes and phylogenetic patterns in baleen whale evolution and, more in general, between phylogeny and ontogeny; likewise, this study provides a proxy how to interpret the phylogeny when fossils that are immature individuals are included. Juvenile individuals in the peramorphic acceleration clades would produce misleading phylogenies, whereas juvenile individuals in the paedomorphic neoteny clades should still provide reliable phylogenetic signals.     

Pleistocene survival of an archaic dwarf baleen whale (Mysticeti: Cetotheriidae)

Pliocene baleen whale assemblages are characterized by a mix of early records of extant mysticetes, extinct genera within modern families, and late surviving members of the extinct family Cetotheriidae. Although Pleistocene baleen whales are poorly known, thus far they include only fossils of extant genera, indicating Late Pliocene extinctions of numerous mysticetes alongside other marine mammals. Here a new fossil of the Late Neogene cetotheriid mysticete Herpetocetus is reported from the Lower to Middle Pleistocene Falor Formation of Northern California. This find demonstrates that at least one archaic mysticete survived well into the Quaternary Period, indicating a recent loss of a unique niche and a more complex pattern of Plio–Pleistocene faunal overturn for marine mammals than has been previously acknowledged. This discovery also lends indirect support to the hypothesis that the pygmy right whale (Caperea marginata) is an extant cetotheriid, as it documents another cetotheriid nearly surviving to modern times.     

Intraspecific competition and high food availability are associated with insular gigantism in a lizard

Resource availability, competition, and predation commonly drive body size evolution. We assess the impact of high food availability and the consequent increased intraspecific competition, as expressed by tail injuries and cannibalism, on body size in Skyros wall lizards (Podarcis gaigeae). Lizard populations on islets surrounding Skyros (Aegean Sea) all have fewer predators and competitors than on Skyros but differ in the numbers of nesting seabirds. We predicted the following: (1) the presence of breeding seabirds (providing nutrients) will increase lizard population densities; (2) dense lizard populations will experience stronger intraspecific competition; and (3) such aggression, will be associated with larger average body size. We found a positive correlation between seabird and lizard densities. Cannibalism and tail injuries were considerably higher in dense populations. Increases in cannibalism and tail loss were associated with large body sizes. Adult cannibalism on juveniles may select for rapid growth, fuelled by high food abundance, setting thus the stage for the evolution of gigantism.     

On the communicative significance of whistles in wild killer whales (Orcinus orca)

Killer whales (Orcinus orca) use pulsed calls and whistles in underwater communication. Unlike pulsed calls, whistles have received little study and thus their function is poorly known. In this study, whistle activities of groups of individually known killer whales were compared quantitatively across behavioural categories. Acoustic recordings and simultaneous behavioural observations were made of northern resident killer whales off Vancouver Island in 1996 and 1997. Whistles were produced at greater rates than discrete calls during close-range behavioural activities than during long-range activities. They were the predominant sound-type recorded during socializing. The number of whistles per animal per minute was significantly higher during close-range behavioural activities than during long-range activities. Evidently, whistles play an important role in the close-range acoustic communication in northern resident killer whales.     

The origins of aneuploidy research consortium

The presence of high levels of aneuploidy in oocytes and early embryos and their fate is of considerable scientific and clinical importance. The Origins of Aneuploidy Research Consortium (OARC) was established to promote interdisciplinary communication and collaborative research into this topic. Under the umbrella of OARC, a series of papers has now been published in this Special Issue of Prenatal Diagnosis. Recent studies have transformed the view that aneuploidy is usually attributable to meiotic non-disjunction. The molecular basis for the association between meiotic error and maternal age is becoming understood. The clinical significance of mitotic instability in the earliest cells divisions of the embryo is also becoming clearer. An error in the segregation of one or more whole chromosomes from a parent does not invariably result in a non-viable pregnancy or an abnormal outcome. Epidemiologic data allows an assessment of in utero viability, the effect of maternal age, and secondary factors that may affect aneuploidy prevalence. We advocate careful use of nomenclature and revision of educational materials to more accurately explain the complex and often nuanced mechanisms. OARC plans to hold additional workshops, promote additional publications and offer educational resources.     

Psychosocial origins of conflict over pest control strategies

The achievement of consensus on strategies of pest control continues to be an elusive goal, one that is hindered by continuing, and often acrimonious, conflict. Psychosocial factors, such as personal biases, play an important, often hidden role, in maintaining mutual misunderstanding and hostility. One result of personal biases, such as intellectual preferences or styles, is that radically different perceptions of the “problem” are held by antagonists. As a consequence, there is little chance of developing common ground upon which to discuss solutions. In this paper, the role of intellectual style in the spruce budworm controversy is outlined, together with a discussion of the more general problems that personal biases create in the development of integrated pest management strategies.     

不同来源的疏水性有机酸的光谱学研究

选取2个地表水体水样、2个城市污水处理厂二级处理出水水样和2个土样,从中提取出疏水性有机酸(HPO-A).采用紫外-可见光谱、红外光谱和荧光光谱技术,对不同来源的HPO-A的特性进行了比较和表征.结果表明,这6种HPO-A的吸光度均是随着波长的增加而下降.280nm处的吸收系数(A280)和600nm处的吸收系数(A600)均可排序为:土壤HPO-A地表水体HPO-A二级处理出水HPO-A.HPO-A的E253/E203(波长在253nm处的吸光度与波长在203nm处的吸光度的比值)与A600之间缺乏必然的联系.土壤HPO-A中不含有—CH3官能团.C=O官能团在地表水体HPO-A和土壤HPO-A中的含量较高,而脂族化合物在二级处理出水HPO-A中的含量较高.二级处理出水HPO-A中含有酰胺类化合物.类富里酸和类腐殖酸物质是HPO-A中主要的荧光物质.在地表水体HPO-A和二级处理出水HPO-A中,类富里酸荧光物质的相对含量较高.类溶解性微生物代谢产物荧光物质的存在与否与HPO-A的来源无关.     

哈尔滨大气降水氢氧稳定同位素特征及水汽来源

大气降水同位素的研究对于深入理解地区水循环特征具有重要意义.而基于降水样品实测数据在高纬度寒冷地区的研究尚不多见.本文基于2020年7月—2021年6月一个水文年周期内68个大气降水样品,测定了降水中的δD和δ¹⁸O,分析了哈尔滨降水稳定同位素特征及水汽来源.结果表明：(1)哈尔滨大气降水中δD和δ¹⁸O平均值分别为-89.33‰和-12.46‰,具有明显的冬低夏高的特点,年内变化范围均较大,分别为-275.50‰～-3.67‰和-35.68‰～-1.10‰,较全球平均值低67.33‰和8.46‰,较中国平均值低39.33‰和4.46‰.(2)哈尔滨大气降水线方程为：δD=7.66δ¹⁸O+6.29(R²=0.98),斜率和截距与全球的8和10和中国大气降水线的7.9和8.2接近,与东北地区大气降水线的7.20和-2.39相比,斜率差异较小而截距差异明显.(3)氢氧同位素与气温之间的拟合方程为：δD=0.34T-15.40(R2=0.41,p<0.01),δ¹⁸O=2.5...     

我国东部沿海地区酸雨来源研究

 1992～1995年间在我国东部沿海地区进行了降水和气象观测，分析了降水的酸度和化学组成与降水采样时的来流方向的关系，计算了丹东凤凰山和泗礁岛采样时的后推气流轨迹。发现我国东部沿海地区出现酸性很强的酸雨，推断酸雨来自周边国家和地区。由于当地地理位置和气象条件的差异，不同的时间和不同空间里影响的程度也不同。北方沿海的图们和丹东凤凰山的酸雨主要来自朝鲜半岛和日本。东南沿海地区则较为复杂，冬春季可能受到日本和朝鲜半岛的影响     

The structure of stereotyped calls reflects kinship and social affiliation in resident killer whales (Orcinus orca)

A few species of mammals produce group-specific vocalisations that are passed on by learning, but the function of learned vocal variation remains poorly understood. Resident killer whales live in stable matrilineal groups with repertoires of seven to 17 stereotyped call types. Some types are shared among matrilines, but their structure typically shows matriline-specific differences. Our objective was to analyse calls of nine killer whale matrilines in British Columbia to test whether call similarity primarily reflects social or genetic relationships. Recordings were made in 1985–1995 in the presence of focal matrilines that were either alone or with groups with non-overlapping repertoires. We used neural network discrimination performance to measure the similarity of call types produced by different matrilines and determined matriline association rates from 757 encounters with one or more focal matrilines. Relatedness was measured by comparing variation at 11 microsatellite loci for the oldest female in each group. Call similarity was positively correlated with association rates for two of the three call types analysed. Similarity of the N4 call type was also correlated with matriarch relatedness. No relationship between relatedness and association frequency was detected. These results show that call structure reflects relatedness and social affiliation, but not because related groups spend more time together. Instead, call structure appears to play a role in kin recognition and shapes the association behaviour of killer whale groups. Our results therefore support the hypothesis that increasing social complexity plays a role in the evolution of learned vocalisations in some mammalian species.     

Synthetic organic microstructures and the origins of cellular life

The Science of Nature -     

Prenatal identification of small mosaic markers of different chromosomal origins

In situ hybridization using a series of alphoid DNA probes has demonstrated the origin of two small accessory mosaic marker chromosomes ascertained from 1079 amniocenteses. These markers appeared to be de novo, derived from acrocentric chromosomes, and identical by traditional cytogenetic staining (G, Q, C, AgNOR, Hoechst-distamycin). Molecular characterization showed that one marker had originated from chromosome 14, the other from chromosome 22. Clinical outcome in both cases was normal.     

多输入多输出系统的相干性的问题分析

从相干性的来源入手,依次介绍了常相干性、偏相干性、重相干性的物理意义和运算关系,并研究了在实际试验中对相干性的估计和误差方面的问题。此外,还列出了一些对相关性理解和利用方面的一些命题,并依次进行了论证。     

青岛大气总悬浮颗粒物中微量元素的含量特征及其来源解析

利用2012年12月在青岛连续采集的31个总悬浮颗粒物样品(TSP),分析了其中13种微量元素的浓度,讨论了微量元素的浓度特征,并运用正矩阵因子分析法(PMF)定量解析了气溶胶中元素的来源.结果表明,青岛气溶胶中微量元素的总浓度为(7.37±4.19)μg·m-3,以Al和Fe的浓度最高,对总浓度的贡献约为92%,其次为Zn和Pb,分别贡献了3.7%和1.6%,Mn、Ba、Cu、Sr、As、V、Cd、Co和Cs的浓度依次降低,其贡献均低于1%.依据富集因子这些微量元素可以分为3类,Al、Fe、Mn、Co、V、Sr和Ba主要来自地壳源的贡献,Cs和Cu受地壳源和人为源的共同影响,Zn、As、Pb和Cd则主要受人为源的影响.雾霾天时主要来自人为源的元素相比地壳源的元素更多的在大气中累积,雨雪天时降雨/雪对地壳元素的湿清除作用明显高于人为源的元素.12月青岛气溶胶中Fe和Mn主要来自土壤源的贡献,其次为生物质燃烧和机动车一次排放源;Co主要来自土壤源、生物质燃烧和燃煤源的贡献;Zn主要来自机动车一次排放源、土壤源和生物质燃烧源的贡献;Cu则主要来自冶金工业源的贡献;As主要来自燃煤源的贡献;Pb和Cd主要来自机动车一次排放源和冶金工业源的贡献.     

Multiple Factors in the Evolution of Animal Coloration

Many of the subjects about which biologists disagree concern the interpretation of function. Morphological, physiological and behavioral characters can simultaneously serve several various functions, all of which are subject to natural selection. These may operate synergistically, but when two produce opposing effects, the one possessing the greater survival value at the time is selected. Often a compromise between several different evolutionary functions results. When the functions under consideration are viewed from a wider angle, a synthesis between differing opinions can sometimes be achieved and a greater understanding of the phenomenon obtained. It should be remembered that, even if an adaptation is invoked for only a brief time during the life of its possessor, it might well be selected merely because of its transient value then. This contribution is not a review, nor is it concerned with the biochemistry and physiology of pigmentation. Rather, it is a discussion of some of the diverse functions that have been ascribed to animal colours. A few typical examples are considered, chosen mainly from among tropical animals including human beings.     

伊犁河谷核心区夏季碳质气溶胶污染特征及来源解析

为研究伊犁河谷PM_2.5中碳组分特征及来源,于2021年7月19—29日在其核心区伊宁市及周边3个县(伊宁县、察布查尔县和霍城县)设置6个监测点位采集PM_2.5样品.采用热光法测定了样品中有机碳(OC)和元素碳(EC)的质量浓度,深入分析了夏季伊犁河谷核心区PM_2.5中OC和EC的浓度特征,并用最小比值法定量估算了二次有机碳(SOC)的浓度.此外,综合使用8种碳组分丰度及正矩阵因子分解模型定量解析出PM_2.5中碳质气溶胶的来源.结果表明：夏季采样期间该区域PM_2.5、OC、EC的平均浓度分别为(21.9±2.0)、(5.0±0.6)、(0.6±0.1)μg·m^-3,且呈现出伊宁市碳组分浓度高于周边3县的规律.OC、EC浓度显著相关,反映出二者有较高的同源性.整个区域SOC的平均浓度为(2.1±0.9)μg·m^-3,在PM_2.5中的占比为9.4%,在OC中的占比为40.1%,反映出OC主要来自一次排放,但二次生成也...     

东海赤潮高发区沉积物中有机碳、有机氮的分布及其来源

对2005年和2006年采集的东海沉积物中有机碳和有机氮的含量进行了测定,结果表明:2005年东海表层沉积物中有机碳含量的变化范围为0.32%~0.82%,平均值为0.65%,而2006年为0.043%~0.78%,平均值为0.32%;2005年表层沉积物中有机氮含量的变化范围为0.047%~0.11%,平均值为0.091%,2006年为0.006%~0.10%,平均值为0.046%。2005年采集的柱状样品中HB08站位有机碳和有机氮含量的变化规律相似,随着深度的增加呈现先降低后又增加,最后又降低的趋势,有机碳含量的变化范围为0.33%~0.57%,平均值为0.43%;有机氮含量的变化范围为0.045%~0.080%。平均值为0.057%;而RB12站位有机碳和有机氮的分布有些差异,有机碳的含量为0.32%~0.52%,有机氮的含量在0.047%~0.072%,2006年表层、2005年采集的HB08和Rb12柱状样中有机碳和有机氮的比值主要在7~10,均说明沉积物中的有机物主要来源于海洋的浮游植物。