Heterospecific pairing and hybridization between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nasutitermes corniger</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N. ephratae</Emphasis>

The sympatric neotropical termites Nasutitermes corniger and Nasutitermes ephratae are clearly distinguishable based on morphology, nest architecture, defensive secretion composition, and molecular markers. However, given the extensive ecological, geographical, and behavioral overlap of these closely related species, the potential for interbreeding may exist. To explore this possibility, heterospecific pairs were formed experimentally to examine courtship and colony-establishment behaviors, and reproductive potential. Courtship and nest construction behavior occurred in heterospecific pairs in a similar manner to that of conspecific pairs. Survival of pairs depended upon the species of the female partner. N. ephratae females paired with N. corniger males produced as many offspring as conspecific pairs. N. corniger females mated to N. ephratae males, however, produced significantly fewer offspring at 60 days post-establishment than the reciprocal cross or conspecific N. ephratae or N. corniger pairs. This was also the only pairing in which any aggression was observed. Heterospecific pairs and groups formed in mate choice mesocosms, suggesting that species recognition between these two termites is not an important aspect of mate choice. Overall, species mismatch tolerance and hybrid offspring viability are high. The present data, together with previous evidence from defensive secretions and isozyme analysis, suggest that hybridization may periodically occur in nature, and that reproductive barriers between these two species may be incomplete. Hybridization could provide a rare but important source of genetic diversity and may ensure mating opportunities for the more abundant sex of alates in each species.     

Forming a tough shell via an intracellular matrix and cellular junctions in the tail epidermis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oikopleura dioica</Emphasis> (Chordata: Tunicata: Appendicularia)

A postanal tail is a major synapomorphy of the phylum Chordata, which is composed of three subphyla: Vertebrata, Cephalochordata, and Tunicata (Urochordata). Among tunicates, appendicularians are the only group that retains the tail in the adult, and the adult tail functions in locomotion and feeding in combination with a cellulose-based house structure. Given the phylogenetic position of tunicates, the appendicularian adult tail may possess ancestral features of the chordate tail. We assess the ultrastructural development of the tail epidermis of the appendicularian Oikopleura dioica. The epidermis of the larval tail is enclosed by the larval envelope, which is a thin sheet similar to the outer tunic layer of ascidian larvae. The epidermis of the adult tail seems to bear no tunic-like cellulosic integuments, and the tail fin is a simple folding of the epidermis. Every epidermal cell, except for the triangular cells at the edge of the tail fin, has a conspicuous matrix layer of fibrous content in the apical cytoplasm without enclosing membranes. The epidermis of the larval tail does not have a fibrous matrix layer, suggesting the production of the layer during larval development and metamorphosis. Zonulae adhaerentes firmly bind the epidermal cells of the adult tail to one another, and the dense microfilaments lining the cell borders constitute a mechanical support for the cell membranes. The intracellular matrix, cell junctions, and cytoskeletons probably make the tail epidermis a tough, flexible shell supporting the active beating of the oikopleuran adult tail.     

Tracking pigeons in a magnetic anomaly and in magnetically “quiet” terrain

Pigeons were released at two sites of equal distance from the loft, one within a magnetic anomaly, the other in magnetically quiet terrain, and their tracks were recorded with the help of GPS receivers. A comparison of the beginning of the tracks revealed striking differences: within the anomaly, the initial phase lasted longer, and the distance flown was longer, with the pigeons' headings considerably farther from the home direction. During the following departure phase, the birds were well homeward oriented at the magnetically quiet site, whereas they continued to be disoriented within the anomaly. Comparing the tracks in the anomaly with the underlying magnetic contours shows considerable differences between individuals, without a common pattern emerging. The differences in magnetic intensity along the pigeons' path do not differ from a random distribution of intensity differences around the release site, indicating that the magnetic contours do not directly affect the pigeons' routes. Within the anomaly, pigeons take longer until their flights are oriented, but 5 km from the release point, the birds, still within the anomaly, are also significantly oriented in the home direction. These findings support the assumption that magnetically anomalous conditions initially interfere with the pigeons' navigational processes, with birds showing rather individual responses in their attempts to overcome these problems.     

Mn对超富集植物短毛蓼和水蓼生长、Mn吸收及氮素代谢的影响

采用水培的方法,研究了不同浓度Mn(0.0003、0.5、1、2、4、8 mmol · L^-1)对Mn超富集植物短毛蓼(Polygonum pubescens Blume)和水蓼(Polygonum hydropiper L.)叶片铵态氮、硝态氮、游离脯氨酸、可溶性蛋白质含量及氮素代谢关键酶:硝酸还原酶(NR)、谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)、谷氨酸合酶(GOGAT)和谷氨酸脱氢酶(GDH)活性的影响.结果表明,随着Mn处理浓度的增加,短毛蓼和水蓼的根、茎、叶中Mn含量显著增加(p<0.05),在相同Mn处理浓度下短毛蓼中Mn含量均大于同部位水蓼中Mn含量.在Mn处理浓度小于1 mmol · L^-1时,Mn对短毛蓼的株高、株重影响不显著,但对水蓼的影响显著(p<0.05),表明短毛蓼比水蓼更耐Mn污染.Mn处理显著降低了短毛蓼硝态氮含量(p<0.05),提高了可溶性蛋白质含量,浓度为8 mmol · L^-1的Mn处理显著提高了水蓼硝态氮、铵态氮、可溶性蛋白质含量及短毛蓼、水蓼游离脯氨酸含量(p<0.05).Mn引起了短毛蓼和水蓼氮素代谢关键酶活性的变化,显著降低了水蓼叶片NR、短毛蓼叶片GS活性(p<0.05);在Mn处理浓度为1 mmol · L^-1时,短毛蓼叶片NR活性最高,为对照的1.91倍,而2、4、8 mmol · L^-1 Mn处理显著降低了短毛蓼和水蓼GOGAT活性(p<0.05).另外,Mn处理显著提高了短毛蓼和水蓼叶片GDH活性(p<0.05),在Mn处理浓度为8 mmol · L^-1时,短毛蓼、水蓼叶片GDH活性分别为对照的16.29倍和1.29倍.     

Competition of bloom-forming marine phytoplankton at low nutrient concentrations

Competition of three bloom-forming marine phytoplankton (diatom Skeletonema costatum, and dinoflagellates Prorocentrum minimum and Alexandrium tamarense) was studied through a series of multispecies cultures with di erent nitrate (NaNO3) and phosphate (NaH2PO4) levels and excess silicate to interpret red tide algae succession. S. costatum outgrew the other two dinoflagellates in nitrate and phosphate replete cultures with 10 mol/L Na2SiO3. Under nitrate limited (8.82 mol/L NaNO3) conditions, the growth of S. costatum was also dominant when phosphate concentrations were from 3.6 to 108 mol/L. Cell density of the two dinoflagellates only increased slightly, to less than 400 and 600 cells/mL, respectively. Cell density of S. costatum decreased with time before day 12, and then increased to 4000 cells/mL (1.5 mg/L dry biomass) at NaNO3 concentrations between 88.2 and 882 mol/L with limited phosphate (0.36 mol/L NaH2PO4) levels. In addition, P. minimum grew well with a maximal cell density of 1690–2100 cells/mL (0.5–0.6 mg/L dry biomass). Although S. costatum initially grew fast, its cell density decreased quickly with time later in the growth phase and the two dinoflagellates were dominant under the nitrate-limited and high nitrate conditions with limited phosphate. These results indicated that the diatom was a poor competitor compared to the two dinoflagellates under limited phosphate; however, it grew well under limited nitrate when growth of the dinoflagellates was near detection limits.     

Resistance and biosorption mechanism of silver ions by Bacillus cereus biomass

Biosorption of silver ions onto Bacillus cereus biomass was investigated. Overall kinetic experiments were performed for the determination of the necessary contact time for the attainment of equilibrium. It was found that the overall biosorption process was best described by pseudo second-order kinetic model. The crystals detected by scanning electron microscope and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy suggested the precipitation was a possible mechanism of biosorption. The molecular genetics of silver resistance of B. cereus biomass was also detected and illustrated by a whole cell sensor tool.     

Adsorptive property of Cu^2＋-loaded montmorillonite clays for Escherichia coli K_（88） in vitro

The Cu²⁺-loaded montmorillonite clays (MMT-Cu) may be a good material for the adsorbed and eliminated pathogenic bacteria from aqueous solution.     

SCADA系统在污染物治污工况在线监控系统中的应用

本文介绍了SCADA系统在内蒙古自治区重点污染源治污工况在线监控系统中的应用,系统以西门子成熟S7—200系列可编程序控制器为在线监测设备,基于OPC（OLE for Process Control）技术,以WINCC为监控平台,实现了自治区内重点污染源企业治污工况的远程监测、污染物排放的有效管理。     

Genotoxicity removal of reclaimed water during ozonation

Genotoxicity in wastewater and reclaimed water now is gaining increased attention because of genotoxins' potential damage to the ecosystem and human health. The effect of ozonation on genotoxicity in reclaimed water was investigated. It was found that ozonation decreased the genotoxicy dramatically in three tertiary treatment plants. In the further batch ozonation experiment in laboratory,secondary effluent sample used exhibited the genotoxicity of(41.1 ± 4.1) μg 4NQO/L. Ozonation with a dose of 10 mg O3/L completely removed the genotoxicity in secondary effluent. However,after ozonation, the dissolved organic carbonvalue of the sample didn't change much but the specific ultraviolet absorbance(SUVA) value dropped sharply. With the help of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ozonation was found to change chemical aliphatic carbon and C–O of the dissolved arganic matter, which might be the reason of the significant decreases of SUVA and genotoxicity.     

南京市黑臭河流水体中细菌多样性的研究

以南京市城南河为研究对象,分别提取上中下游的水体样本,分析水质中的氮、磷、COD等水质指标,并利用变性梯度凝胶电泳技术(DGGE)分析了城南河不同位置的细菌多样性。结果表明:城南河水体中的平均总氮为30.06 mg/L,总磷为6.14 mg/L,COD为42.03 mg/L,均超过国家V类水质标准。结合外观,城南河属于严重污染的典型黑臭河流。DGGE分析的结果表明:城南河具有较高的细菌多样性,优势菌群主要是变形菌门和拟杆菌门2大类群,且不同取样点细菌种类差别不大。