苦马豆素致糖基转移酶活性改变对小鼠生殖激素分泌的影响

苦马豆素是疯草主要有毒成分,抑制α-甘露糖苷酶的活性,引起N-聚糖加工过程失调。笔者课题组前期研究得出:苦马豆素致糖蛋白激素(促卵泡素和促黄体素)糖基化位点上糖链结构发生改变,引起促性腺激素功能发生改变。而苦马豆素中毒对家畜生殖激素分泌的调节机制尚不明确。苦马豆素腹腔注射对小鼠进行染毒,收集妊娠期和分娩期小鼠的血液、子宫和卵巢组织,检测糖基转移酶活性、生殖激素水平及其受体mRNA和类固醇限速酶蛋白质表达量。结果表明:在妊娠和分娩期,苦马豆素致子宫内膜固有层大量低聚糖蓄积,显著抑制N-聚糖加工过程关键糖基转移酶的活性(P0.05);染毒组小鼠血液的生殖激素包括促卵泡素(FSH)、促黄体素(LH)、雌激素(E2)和孕酮(P4)水平显著低于对照组(P0.05)。在整个妊娠周期,染毒组小鼠4种激素受体mRNA的表达量显著低于对照组(P0.05)。在妊娠后期,染毒组小鼠3-β羟基类固醇脱氢酶(3-βHSD)和芳香化酶(CYP19A1)蛋白表达量显著低于对照组(P0.05)。苦马豆素可使N-聚糖加工紊乱,引起促性腺激素分泌降低,进一步降低生殖激素受体和性类固醇激素限速酶的表达量,致使性类固醇激素分泌下降,导致生殖激素分泌紊乱,最终结果造成机体繁殖性能下降。     

碲化镉量子点Cd~(2+)释放对小鼠肝、肾组织毒作用的研究

探讨碲化镉量子点(cadmium telluride quantum dots,Cd Te QDs)Cd2+释放与其体内毒性之间的关系。将24只雄性ICR小鼠(24.7~26.8g)随机分为4组,每组6只,分别为0 nmol组(对照组)、5 nmol染毒组、50 nmol染毒组和500 nmol染毒组(以Cd2+的摩尔浓度计算)。采用尾静脉注射方式进行染毒,染毒组注射0.15 ml不同浓度的Cd Te QDs溶液,对照组注射同等体积的生理盐水。染毒24h后小鼠脱臼处死,计算脏器系数,进行血常规和血清生化指标分析以及肝、肾组织的病理组织学检查。选取金属硫蛋白(metallothionein,MT)作为生物体内游离Cd2+水平的生物标志物,通过酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)和免疫组织化学技术检测小鼠肝、肾组织中的MT水平。结果表明,各染毒组小鼠肝、肾脏器系数与对照组相比,差异无统计学意义(P0.05),尿素氮水平与对照组相比显著降低(P0.01)。随着染毒剂量增加,小鼠肝、肾组织病理改变逐渐加重,肝细胞可见不同程度的水性样变和肿胀;肾小管管腔水肿、肾上皮细胞水样变性,以及远曲小管水肿。染毒组小鼠肝、肾组织中MT的含量与对照组相比明显升高(P0.05),且随着染毒剂量增加MT表达增强。研究结果提示,Cd Te QDs对小鼠肝、肾组织具有一定的毒作用,其毒作用大小与Cd Te QDs降解释放的游离Cd2+含量呈正相关。     

镉胁迫下钙对鲫鱼镉吸收和抗氧化酶活性的影响

为探讨钙对镉致鲫鱼毒性效应的影响,以鲫鱼为材料,试验分5组,分别为空白对照Ⅰ组,单独染镉Ⅱ组(镉0.05mg·L~(-1)),镉钙联合组(Ⅲ组:镉0.05 mg·L~(-1)+钙40 mg·L~(-1);Ⅳ组:镉0.05 mg·L~(-1)+钙80 mg·L~(-1);Ⅴ组:镉0.05 mg·L~(-1)+钙120mg·L~(-1)),水体染毒处理35 d后,检测鲫鱼肌肉、鳃中镉质量分数,肝胰脏中T-AOC、CAT、T-SOD活性及MDA质量摩尔浓度。结果表明,染镉组和镉-钙联合组鲫鱼肉、鳃Cd~(2+)的质量分数均显著(P0.05)高于对照组,而镉-钙联合组鲫鱼肉、鳃中Cd~(2+)的质量分数均低于单独染镉组,且鱼鳃中Ⅳ和Ⅴ组差异显著(P0.05)。鲫鱼肝胰脏T-AOC、T-SOD和CAT活性表现为单独染镉组均显著低于(P0.05)对照组;而镉-钙联合组其活性均高于单独染镉组,其中T-AOC、CAT活性在两个处理间的差异均达显著水平(P0.05),T-SOD活性仅在Ⅳ和Ⅴ组间差异显著(P0.05)。肝胰脏中MDA质量摩尔浓度表现为染镉组和镉-钙联合组均显著高于(P0.05)对照组,而镉-钙联合组又显著低于(P0.05)单独染镉组。由此可见,在水体中补充适量的钙剂可降低镉在鲫鱼体内的蓄积,并且对镉致鲫鱼肝胰脏抗氧化系统损伤有修复作用。     

载带苯并[a]芘的纳米碳／二氧化硅颗粒引起大鼠氧化应激作用的研究

通过人工制备载带B[a]P的纳米碳(C)和纳米二氧化硅(SiO2)颗粒,采用气管滴注染毒方式,以7.5mg·kg-1(以体重计)的染毒剂量急性染毒大鼠,观察染毒24小时后载带B[a]P的纳米C/SiO2颗粒对机体产生氧化应激损伤的联合毒性效应.结果表明,在急性染毒后大鼠外周血中反映机体脂质过氧化损伤程度指标的丙二醛(MDA)含量表现为染毒组较对照组显著增加(p<0.05),表明纳米颗粒诱发机体发生了氧化应激反应.在急性染毒后各组大鼠肺泡灌洗液中谷胱苷肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)和超氧化物岐化酶(T-SOD)活力与对照组相比显著增加(p<0.05)(载带B[a]P的纳米SiO2组除外);载带B[a]P的纳米SiO2组肺泡灌洗液中GSH-PX活力与对照组相比无显著差异,而与单纯纳米SiO2组和B[a]P组比较显著降低,推测与抗氧化酶的一过性增高有关;载带B[a]P的纳米C组肺泡灌洗液T-SOD活力与其单纯纳米C组和单纯B[a]P组比较显著增加(p<0.05),由此表明载带B[a]P的复合纳米C/SiO2颗粒在致机体氧化损伤效应方面二者存在一定的协同作用.     

邻苯二甲酸二乙基己酯与双酚A联合染毒对小鼠学习记忆障碍及淀粉样前体蛋白酶解通路的影响

研究邻苯二甲酸二乙基己酯(diethylhexyl phthalate, DEHP)与双酚A(bisphenol A, BPA)联合染毒对小鼠学习记忆障碍及淀粉样前体蛋白(APP)酶解通路的影响。选用昆明种小鼠80只,随机分为空白对照(CT)组、BPA染毒组(1 mg·L^(-1))、不同浓度的DEHP染毒组(100、250和500 mg·kg(-1))、不同浓度的DEHP染毒组(100、250和500 mg·kg^(-1))与联合染毒组。经口灌胃染毒,以0.01 mL·g(-1))与联合染毒组。经口灌胃染毒,以0.01 mL·g^(-1)的剂量灌胃,7次/周,持续6周。使用Morris水迷宫、避暗、跳台的行为学实验方法检测2种污染物单独及联合染毒对小鼠学习记忆的影响;检测小鼠大脑组织中丙二醛(MDA)的含量和单胺氧化酶(MAO)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)的活性;采用酶联免疫分析(ELISA)法检测脑组织中的β、γ-分泌酶活性和Aβ_(1-42)的含量;Western Blot法检测APP、PS1、BACE1和Tau的蛋白表达水平;免疫组化法观察小鼠脑组织海马区HE染色情况。行为学测试结果表明,与CT组比较,单独染毒处理组小鼠学习记忆能力出现障碍,空间探索能力较弱;联合染毒组与单独染毒组相比,小鼠于目标象限停留时间短,穿台次数少,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);生化学指标结果显示,随着毒物浓度增加,脑组织中MAD含量、MAO和AChE活性逐渐增加,CAT活性逐渐降低,联合染毒组的变化更为明显,染毒处理组β、γ-分泌酶活性和Aβ_(1-42)含量增加,联合染毒组比单独染毒组酶活性增加更明显;各组差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。DEHP与BPA单独染毒,对小鼠脑组织均显示有神经毒性作用,会造成小鼠学习记忆功能障碍;随着联合染毒组DEHP浓度的增加,联合染毒组与对应剂量的单独染毒组相比,小鼠行为学测试结果与生化指标变化更加明显,采用效应相加模型对其联合毒性作用进行评价,表现为协同作用;染毒组小鼠脑组织神经递质明显减少,具体机制可能与氧化应激及APP酶解通路的作用有关。     

丙烯腈诱导的氧化应激对大鼠肝脏内质网应激信号通路的影响

为探讨丙烯腈(acrylonitrile,ACN)诱导的大鼠肝脏氧化损伤对内质网应激(endoplasmic reticulum stress,ERS)信号通路的影响,我们将50只SPF级成年雄性SD大鼠按体重随机分为5组,每组10只。各组分别以12.5、25.0、50.0 mg·kg~(-1)ACN灌胃染毒,N-乙酰半胱氨酸(N-acetylcysteine,NAC)干预组先用300.0 mg·kg~(-1)NAC灌胃30 min后再灌50.0 mg·kg~(-1)ACN,对照组以0.5 mL·(100 g)~(-1)的玉米油灌胃,1次·天~(-1),6天·周~(-1),共计13周。染毒结束后,检测肝脏组织氧化还原酶活力及丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)含量,GRP78、CHOP及caspase-12 mRNA及蛋白表达水平。结果显示:低、中ACN组大鼠肝脏GSH含量显著低于对照组(P0.05);低ACN组大鼠肝脏GSH-Px活力、SOD活力及MDA含量均显著高于对照组(P0.05);中、高ACN组大鼠肝脏CAT活力明显低于对照组(P0.05)。NAC干预后可逆转ACN诱导的大鼠肝脏GSH含量、MDA含量及SOD活力的变化。RT-PCR结果显示,高ACN组大鼠肝脏GRP78、CHOP、caspase-12 mRNA表达水平与对照组比较均升高(P0.05)。NAC干预后,CHOP、caspase-12 mRNA表达水平与高ACN组比较均降低(P0.05)。Western Blot结果显示,高ACN组大鼠肝脏GRP78、CHOP、caspase-12蛋白表达水平与对照组比较均升高(P0.05),NAC干预后可逆转以上作用。结果表明,ACN慢性染毒对大鼠肝脏的氧化损伤可激活ERS信号通路,NAC可减轻氧化损伤的程度而阻断ERS信号通路,这可能是ACN产生肝脏毒性的机制之一。     

铅与纳米SiO2联合染毒对A549细胞氧化损伤的影响

为了研究铅与纳米SiO2联合染毒所致的细胞损伤特征,并从氧化应激方面探讨其可能的作用机制。用铅和SiO2处理A549细胞,采用四唑盐(MTT)比色法检测细胞存活率,评价铅和SiO2联合染毒所致的细胞损伤特征;采用硫代巴比妥酸(TBA)比色法检测细胞内丙二醛(MDA)含量,评价铅与SiO2联合染毒所致细胞的氧化应激状态;检测了细胞内抗氧化物还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量以及细胞内抗氧化酶的活性,以评价铅与SiO2联合染毒对细胞抗氧化系统的影响。将实验数据进行ANOVA分析。结果表明,铅、SiO2单独染毒组各指标没有明显改变;而联合染毒能造成细胞氧化损伤,表现为细胞存活率、GSH水平、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性显著低于对照组及2个单独染毒组(P<0.05),细胞内MDA含量显著高于对照组及各单独染毒组(P<0.05)。可见,联合染毒可引起明显的细胞毒性,氧化损伤可能是铅与SiO联合染毒致肺细胞毒性损伤的作用机制之一。     

双酚A对纳米二氧化钛理化特性及其DNA损伤效应的影响

纳米二氧化钛(nano-Ti O2)应用领域广泛,由于其对有机物或生物分子有吸附作用,二者相互反应,对各种细胞可能产生与nano-Ti O2单独作用时不同的毒性作用。为探讨双酚A(BPA)对nano-Ti O2理化性质的影响,以及BPA和nano-Ti O2联合暴露对人胚肝L-02细胞的DNA损伤效应。用不同缓冲液,测定不同浓度的BPA(0、0.1、1、10 mol·L-1)对不同浓度nano-Ti O2(0、0.1、1、10 mg·L-1)的粒径、表面电位和吸附能力的影响;然后测定不同浓度BPA和nano-Ti O2联合暴露对人胚肝L-02细胞DNA双链断裂、DNA损伤关键修复酶h Msh2基因(h Msh2)、O6-甲基鸟嘌呤甲基转移酶(MGMT)和DNA依赖蛋白激酶复合物催化亚基(DNA-PKcs)的m RNA表达水平表达的影响。结果表明在不同缓冲液中,随着BPA浓度的增加,nano-Ti O2粒径增加,表面电位上升,在细胞培养液DMEM中这一变化趋势最为明显;但在不同缓冲液中nano-Ti O2对BPA的吸附能力无明显差异。单独nano-Ti O2暴露不引起DNA双链断裂,对DNA损伤修复关键酶的表达也无明显影响,但nano-Ti O2可加重BPA的DNA双链断裂效应。与相应剂量的BPA单独染毒组比较,nano-Ti O2与BPA混合染毒组的细胞DNA双链断裂损伤加重(P0.05),h Msh2、MGMT和DNA-PKcs的基因表达水平明显上升(P0.05)。上述研究结果显示BPA可促进nano-Ti O2团聚,但团聚的nano-Ti O2仍可吸附BPA。单独nano-Ti O2暴露无DNA损伤作用,但nano-Ti O2可加重BPA的DNA双链断裂效应。其中h MSH2、MGMT和DNA-PKcs都参与2种污染物联合暴露所致的DNA损伤修复。     

2,3,7,8-四氯二苯并对二噁英对大鼠卵巢颗粒细胞雌二醇和孕酮分泌的影响

为研究2,3,7,8-四氯二苯并对二噁英(TCDD)对体外原代培养大鼠卵巢颗粒细胞活力和雌二醇(Estradiol,E2)、孕酮(Progestone,P)分泌的影响,探索TCDD对卵巢颗粒细胞的毒性作用阈值和程度,对未成熟SD大鼠卵巢颗粒细胞进行了原代培养,并设2组体外染毒实验:终浓度分别为0.1、1、10、100nmol·L-1TCDD染毒24h和10nmol·L-1TCDD染毒1、3、6、18、24h.染毒结束后采用MTT法检测细胞活力,RIA法检测收集培养液中的E2和P含量.结果表明,1、10、100nmol·L-1TCDD可显著抑制大鼠卵巢颗粒细胞活力和E2、P的分泌,与阴性对照、0.1%DMSO组、0.1nmol·L-1TCDD组比较差异均有显著性(p<0.05);10nmol·L-1TCDD染毒6、18、24h可明显抑制细胞活力和E2、P的分泌,与对照组和短期染毒组(1h、3h)差异均有显著性(p<0.05).痕量的TCDD可显著降低大鼠卵巢颗粒细胞活力并抑制细胞E2和P分泌,对大鼠卵巢颗粒细胞的毒性作用阈值可能为1nmol·L-1或更低.TCDD的生殖毒性作用可能与直接对卵巢颗粒细胞的毒性作用和抑制甾体激素的生物合成以及分泌有关.     

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.     

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.     

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.