Role of thyroxine and prolactin in the testicular status of spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata)

A long term investigation was made on the importance of thyroxine and prolactin in the reproduction of a tropical wild bird, spotted munia, Lonchura punctulata. Different doses of thyroxine i.m. (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 microg; 0.56, 1.12 and 2.24 n mol Sodium salt, Sigma) per day/bird were administered in 0.1 ml of 0.9% alkaline NaCl per day per bird. Similarly various doses of prolactin (1.0, 2.0,. and 4.0 i.u.) were given per day/bird in 0.1 ml of 0.9% alkaline NaCl.Almost normal testicular cycle was observed in vehicle treated birds. All three doses of thyroxine suppressed the cycle almost completely indicating a gonado- inhibitory nature of the hormone. Testicular development in all three prolactin treated groups was also inhibited in peak breeding time which indicates the antigonadal nature of this hormone in the reproduction of this bird.     

Effect of photoperiod and temperature on testicular regression in Channa punctatus

In Channa punctatus testicular regression commonly observed during spawning and postspawing phases of reproductive cycle. In the present study testicular regression was frequently noticed in fish maintained under both long photoperiod-warm temperature (LD 16 : 8-30 degrees C) and short photoperiod-warm temperature (LD 8 : 16-30 degrees C) regimes. Testicular regression was characterized by distortion of cellular boundary of lobules and formation of collagenous capsules containing degenerating germ cells, blood cells and colloidal mass within the lobules. The magnitude of testicular regression was more in fish exposed to short photoperiod regime (R-73.33%, SP-41.67%) than long photoperiod regime (R-50.83%, SP-19.16%) and control group (R-20.83%, SP-16.67%) in both resting (R) and spawning (SP) phases. Further the frequency of testicular regression during resting phase was 73.33% (short photoperiod), 50.83% (long photoperiod) and 20.83% (control) whereas during spawning phase was 41.67% (short photoperiod) 19.16% (long photoperiod) and 16.67% (control). In the present study occurrence of more testicular regression during resting phase than spawning phase may be due to change in the endogenous condition of the fish.     

Involvement of adrenal and thyroid activity in the annual testicular regression of red headed bunting (Emberiza bruniceps)

Thyroid and adrenal activities are closely associated with reproductive cycle and any alteration in these endocrine functions may cause changes in the pituitary-gonadal axis. To understand this interrelationship during testicular senstive phase (month of April) male birds were injected with metapyrone(corticosterone synthesis blocks 1 microg/bird/day & 10 microg/bird/day) and newmercazol (thyroxine synthesis blocks 10 microg/bird/day) over a period of 12 weeks. During late breeding phase (month of August) two sets of birds having large gonad (photosensitive) and regressed gonad (photorefractory) were injected with metapyrone (10 microg/bird/alternate day). Results indicate that decreased activity of both adrenal and thyroid, extended the breeding phase but rate of regression decreased only in the case of bird receiving higher level of metapyrone.However,in the second group rate of gonadal regression was slow only in those bird where treatment was started during photosensitive phase. It may be suggested that optimum level of activity of adrenal and thyroid function are essential for termination of reproduction and any alteration in these function may alter seasonal pattern of neuroendocrine gonadal axis.     

Effects of stewardship on protected area effectiveness for coastal birds

Evaluation of protected area effectiveness is critical for conservation of biodiversity. Protected areas that prioritize biodiversity conservation are, optimally, located and managed in ways that support relatively large and stable or increasing wildlife populations. Yet evaluating conservation efficacy remains a challenging endeavor. We used an extensive community science data set, eBird, to evaluate the efficacy of protected areas for birds across the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts of the United States. We modeled trends (2007–2018) for 12 vulnerable waterbirds that use coastal areas during breeding or wintering. We compared two types of protected areas—sites where conservation organizations implemented active stewardship or management or both to reduce human disturbance (hereafter stewardship sites) and local, state, federal, and private protected areas managed to maintain natural land cover (hereafter protected areas)—as well as unprotected areas. We evaluated differences in trends between stewardship, protected, and unprotected areas across the Gulf and Atlantic coasts as a whole. Similar to a background sample, stewardship was known to occur at stewardship sites, but unknown at protected and unprotected areas. Four of 12 target species—Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger), Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), Least Tern (Sternula antillarum), and Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)—had more positive trends (two to 34 times greater) at stewardship sites than protected areas. Furthermore, five target species showed more positive trends at sites with stewardship programs than unprotected sites during at least one season, whereas seven species showed more positive trends at protected than unprotected areas. No species had more negative trends at stewardship sites than unprotected areas, and two species had more negative trends at protected than unprotected areas. Anthropogenic disturbance is a serious threat to coastal birds, and our findings demonstrate that stewardship to reduce its negative impacts helps ensure conservation of vulnerable waterbirds.     

Effects of habitat fragmentation and degradation on flocks of African ant-following birds.

Tropical rain forests are rapidly cleared, fragmented, and degraded in sub-Saharan Africa; however, little is known about the response of species and even of key ecological groups to these processes. One of the most intriguing (but often neglected) ecological phenomena in African rain forests is the interaction between swarm-raiding army ants and ant-following birds. Similar to their well-known Neotropical representatives, ant-following birds in Africa track the massive swarm raids of army ants and feed on arthropods flushed by the ants. In this study we analyzed the effect of habitat fragmentation and degradation of a mid-altitude Congo-Guinean rain forest in western Kenya on the structure of ant-following bird flocks. Significant numbers of swarm raids were located in all forest fragments and in both undegraded and degraded forest. Fifty-six different species of birds followed army ant raids, forming bird flocks of one to 15 species. We quantitatively differentiated the bird community into five species of specialized ant-followers and 51 species of opportunistic ant-followers. Species richness and size of bird flocks decreased with decreasing size of forest fragments and was higher in undegraded than in degraded habitat. This was caused by the decrease of the species richness and number of specialized ant-followers at swarms, while the group of opportunistic ant-followers was affected little by habitat fragmentation and degradation. The composition of bird flocks was more variable in small fragments and degraded forest, compared to undegraded habitat in large fragments. The effect of habitat fragmentation on flock structure was best explained by the strong decline of the abundance of specialized ant-followers in small forest fragments. To conserve the association of army ants and ant-following birds in its natural state, vast areas of unfragmented and undegraded tropical rain forest are necessary.     

土地利用方式和施肥管理对黑土物理性质的影响

为了探讨东北黑土区土壤水分的调控能力及其影响因素以及土壤水分对降水和不同植被覆盖的响应,以海伦农田生态系统国家野外科学观测研究站内的长期定位试验为基础,利用中子水分仪测定土壤体积含水量,研究裸地、休闲地以及包括单施有机肥、化肥+秸秆还田、单施化肥和不施肥4种处理的农田耕层土壤物理性质和土壤水分动态.结果表明:与休闲地相比,农田土壤容重增加7.47％,而孔隙度、饱和含水量和田间持水量均呈降低趋势,分别下降2.59、6.04和1.90百分点;肥料的施入尤其是施用有机肥和秸秆还田能够改善土壤物理性质;裸地土壤物理性质最差.由于植被耗水量较大,农田和休闲地土壤剖面年平均体积含水量显著低于裸地,施用化肥和秸秆还田可显著降低农田土壤剖面年平均体积含水量.各处理土壤剖面水分变异系数均随土壤深度的增加(0～70 cm深处)而呈先减小后增加趋势.由于植被生长的耗水作用,休闲地和农田土壤水分变化比裸地强烈,秸秆还田加剧了农田土壤水分的变异.土壤储水量的动态变化与降水量之间存在明显相关性,不同土地利用方式和施肥管理对浅层土壤储水量的影响较大,但随着土壤深度的增加,各处理对土壤储水量的影响越来越不明显.     

模拟酸雨对噬藻体PP失活率、野生藻的吸附率、裂解周期及释放量的影响

研究不同pH值的模拟酸雨对噬藻体PP失活率及噬藻体PP感染野生藻的吸附率、裂解周期及释放量的影响.用离心法测定了噬藻体PP对宿主藻的失活率、吸附率,用一步生长曲线法获得了噬藻体PP对宿主藻的裂解周期及释放量.结果表明,在pH 4.0～7.01的条件下:噬藻体PP 7 h的失活率分别为81.9%、74.8%、72.8%、67.1%,且pH4.0组的失活率显著高于与pH7.0组(对照组);噬藻体PP对野生藻的吸附率在45 min时达到最大值,分别为54%、56.9%、67.9%、68.8%,各处理组的最大吸附率均显著低于对照组;噬藻体PP感染野生藻的潜伏期均介于30～90 min之间,释放量分别约为42、52、29、104 PFU·mL-1,各处理组与对照组的释放量存在极显著差异.表明模拟酸雨对噬藻体感染动力学过程的影响具有重要的意义.     

Effects of temperature and size on molting of euphausiid crustaceans

The effects of temperature and body size on the intermolt periods (molting frequencies) of the North Pacific euphausíid Euphausia pacifica and the Mediterranean forms of Meganyctiphanes norvegica, Euphausia krohnii, Nematoscelis megalops, and Nyctiphanes couchii were studied under controlled conditions in the laboratory. Mean intermolt periods for E. pacifica and M. norvegica were inversely and linearly related to temperature, over temperature ranges which the euphausiids normally encounter in the sea. At higher temperatures there was a tendency for three size groups of M. norvegica to approach a minimum intermolt period independent of temperature. M. norvegica cycled for different time periods between 13° and 18°C molted regularly at mean frequencies which would be expected if the animals had been held constantly at the timeweighted means of the two experimental temperatures. The increase in mean intermolt period per unit weight was faster in small, fast-growing M. norvegica than in large, slow-growing adults. This relationship was corroborated by following the changes in the intermolt period of an actively growing individual N. couchii over an 11 month period. Neither feeding nor the time of year of collection affected the molting frequency as long as temperature and animal weight were held constant. No tendency was found for euphausiids of the same species and/or size, and from the same collection, to molt on the same night. Molting occurred at night 80 to 90% of the time for all species, over the temperature ranges normally experienced by the euphausiids in the sea, and over all animal weights tested. There appeared to be a weakening of the night-time molting rhythm at low temperatures. Although neither temperature nor anímal weight substantially affected the night-time molting rhythm, both affected the mean intermolt period. Therefore, both temperature and body size apparently act together to adjust the length of the intermolt period of each individual in increments of whole days, but they exert little control over time of molting within any 24h period. No information was obtained regarding the factors which specify night-time molting over daytime molting within any 24 h period; however, regulation of certain hormone activities is probably involved.     

温度对金钟藤光合特性的影响

研究了在温度升高(15~35℃)的过程中,离体金钟藤(Merremiaboisiana(Gagn.)vanOoststr.)的一些光合生理指标的变化。结果表明,在15~30℃时,随着温度升高,金钟藤的最大光合速率、光补偿点、气孔导度、胞间CO2摩尔分数、光量子利用率、蒸腾速率都随之升高。在外界环境的光照,CO2摩尔分数和湿度一致的条件下,温度升高能促使金钟藤生长加速,合成更多的有机物。所以,全球气候变暖可能是金钟藤爆发成为有害植物的重要原因之一。     

Effects of temperature on photosynthesis and respiration in hermatypic corals

Photosynthesis and respiration rates of the reef corals Pocillopora damicornis (Linn.), Montipora verrucosa (Lamarck), Porites compressa Dana and Fungia scutaria Lamarck were measured under controlled temperatures. Results indicate that coral metabolism is closely adapted to ambient temperature conditions. Tropical corals measured at Enewetak, Marshall Islands, showed greater primary production compared to maintenance requirements at elevated temperatures than did subtropical varieties of the same species in Hawaii. Photosynthesis: respiration (P:R) ratios were significantly and negatively related with temperature between 18° and 31°C for all Hawaiian corals, whereas at Enewetak this ratio generally showed a curvilinear relationship for this temperature range. Extrapolations of P:R regressions on temperatures to a value of 2.0 (estimated as a minimum required for long-term functional autotrophy) coincide for Hawaiian specimens with published upper lethal temperatures. Extrapolation of P:R regressions for Enewetak specimens at temperatures above 25°C suggests lethal temperatures for these corals to be 2 to 5 C° higher than for Hawaiian corals, in good agreement with recent experimental findings. Interspecific differences in P:R temperature regressions for Hawaiian corals correlating with upper lethal temperature tolerances are described.Contribution No. 505 of the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology.     

Effects of temperature on pyrolysis products of oil sludge

Temperature is the determining factor of pyrolysis, which is one of the alternative technologies for oil sludge treatment. The effects of final operating temperature ranging from 350 to 550°C on pyrolysis products of oil sludge were studied in an externally-heating fixed bed reactor. With an increase of temperature, the mass fraction of solid residues, liquids, and gases in the final product is 67.00%–56.00%, 25.60%–32.35%, and 7.40%–11.65%, and their corresponding heat values are 34.4–13.8 MJ/kg, 44.41–46.6 MJ/kg, and 23.94–48.23 MJ/Nm³, respectively. The mass and energy tend to shift from solid to liquid and gas phase (especially to liquid phase) during the process, and the optimum temperature for oil sludge pyrolysis is 500°C. The liquid phase is mainly composed of alkane and alkene (C₅–C₂₉), and the gas phase is dominantly HC_S and H₂.     

温度对小叶海金沙生长的影响

用野外调查测定和室内模拟的方法研究了温度对小叶海金沙生长的影响.结果表明,小叶海金沙疯狂生长群落中的温度比正常生长群落高,且温度与其净光合速率呈极显著正相关,而这两种类型群落内大气相对湿度以及光照差异较小.此外,土壤养分和土壤pH与小叶海金沙的生长速度无明显的关联性.根据研究结果推测:温度可能是小叶海金沙疯狂生长原因之一.     

岩溶表层带土壤温度和含水率对呼吸作用的影响

全球环境变化对岩溶区的碳循环产生重要的影响,而土壤呼吸作用在全球环境变化的影响和反馈的过程中具有十分重要的作用。因此,以岩溶区的岩溶表层带为研究对象,研究了土壤呼吸作用与土壤温度和大气降水量之间的响应机理和内在联系。研究结果表明：岩溶表层带的土壤呼吸作用具有单峰型的季节性变化特征。洼地0~5、10~20 cm 的土壤呼吸速率在范围变化分别为82.58 mg· m-2· h-1至412.89、151.39 mg· m-2· h-1至523 mg· m-2· h-1,最大值出现在8月中旬。坡地0~5、10~20 cm的土壤呼吸速率在范围变化55.05 mg· m-2· h-1至412.89、137.63 mg· m-2· h-1至495.47 mg· m-2· h-1,最大值出现也在8月中旬。洼地的土壤呼吸作用相对强于坡地,主要是由于坡地土壤相对洼地土壤较薄并且容易被降水冲刷搬运。在大气降水量不成为限制土壤呼吸作用的因子下,土壤温度为主要控制土壤呼吸作用的因子。因此,该研究可为控制土壤呼吸作用缓和大气CO2的升高和温室效应应对策略,为国家固碳减排的科学决策提供理论依据。     

Effects of temperature on the mortality and growth of Hawaiian reef corals

Three common species of Hawaiian reef corals, Pocillopora damicornis (L.), Montipora verrucosa (Lamarck) and Fungia scutaria Lamarck, were grown in a temperature-regulated, continuous-flow sea water system. The skeletal growth optimum occurred near 26°C, coinciding with the natural summer ambient temperature in Hawaii, and was lowest at 21° to 22°C, representing Hawaiian winter ambient. Levels of approximately 32°C produced mortality within days. Prolonged exposure to temperatures of approximately 30°C eventually caused loss of photosynthetic pigment, increased mortality, and reduced calcification. Corals lived only 1 to 2 weeks at 18°C. The corals showed greater initial resistance at the lower lethal limit, but ultimately low temperature was more deleterious than high temperature. Results suggest that a decrease in the natural water temperature of Hawaiian reefs would be more harmful to corals than a temperature increase of the same magnitude.Contribution No. 504 of the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology.     

不同温度处理对金钟藤种子萌发的影响

主要研究了恒温25、28、30℃不同处理下温度对金钟藤种子荫发的影响，并采用发芽率、发芽指数、活力指数、芽长和胚根长等指标对金钟藤种子发芽效果进行了评价。结果表明，随着温度的升高，金钟膝种子发芽率、发芽指数、活力指数均上升。此外，随着温度的升高，芽和胚根出现不同的生长趋势，芽生长增加而根生长减少，进一步显示其地上部分受温度影响会加快生长，预示其入侵危害可能加剧。鉴于金钟膝日前在广州的危害情况，文章提出应将金钟滕列为潜在的入侵植物，加强研究，尽早开展预防和控制措施。     

Effects of temperature on feeding and activity in the crab Scylla serrata

The effect of temperature on feeding, duration of emergence and movement by the crab Scylla serrata (Forskal) was measured under laboratory conditions using infrared time-lapse photography. Little difference was found between experiments carried out at 25° and 20°C. All parameters measured declined at 16°C. At 12°C emergence time and movement were 24 and 33% respectively of the level at 25°C. At 25°C, 65% of crabs fed, but none did so at 12°C. No statistically significant difference was found between male and female crabs in the parameters measured.     

Effects of water temperature and mixed layer depth on zooplankton body size

Ecological consequences of global warming include shifts of species ranges toward higher altitudes and latitudes as well as temporal shifts in phenology and life-cycle events. Evidence is accumulating that increasing temperature is also linked to reduced body size of ectotherms. While temperature can act directly on body size, it may also act indirectly by affecting the timing of life-cycle events and the resulting population age and size structure, especially in seasonal environments. Population structure may, in turn, be influenced by temperature-driven changes in resource availability. In a field mesocosm experiment, we investigated how water temperature and mixed surface layer depth (a temperature-dependent determinant of light availability to phytoplankton) affected population dynamics, population age and size structure, and individual size at stage (size at first reproduction) of Daphnia hyalina during and after a phytoplankton spring bloom. Mixed layer depth was inversely related to the magnitudes of the phytoplankton spring bloom and the subsequent Daphnia peak, but had no effect on the body size of Daphnia. Conversely, temperature had no effects on abundance peaks but strongly affected the timing of these events. This resulted in at times positive, at other times negative, transient effects of temperature on mean body size, caused by asynchronous changes in population size structure in cold versus warm treatments. In contrast to mean body size, individual size at stage consistently decreased with increasing temperature. We suggest that size at stage could be used as an unbiased response parameter to temperature that is unaffected by transient, demographically driven changes in population size structure.     

温度和砷酸根对砖红壤中Cd（II）吸附动力学的影响

土壤中砷和镉同时存在的现象普遍存在,但目前对砷酸根与Cd(II)在可变电荷土壤表面协同作用的机制还了解不多。用一次平衡法研究了288 K和308 K温度条件下Cd(II)在昆明砖红壤表面的吸附动力学,比较了加入砷酸根对Cd(II)吸附动力学的影响。结果显示,加As(V)和升高温度均不仅增加Cd(II)的吸附量,而且提高了吸附反应的速率。Cd(II)在砖红壤表面的吸附反应进行的特别快,几乎在30 min内达到准平衡,假二级动力学方程能很好拟合30 min内的吸附动力学数据(r2>0.999 5)。从反应速率常数计算得到的活化能的结果表明,加As(V)显著降低了Cd(II)吸附反应的活化能,这是As(V)促进可变电荷土壤吸附Cd(II)的根本原因。