Gamergates in the myrmicine genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Metapone</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera:Formicidae)

Gamergates (i.e. mated reproductive workers) are mostly known from ant species within the Ponerinae. We report here the discovery of gamergates in two species of the subfamily Myrmicinae. Until now, mated reproductive females in colonies of myrmicine species have been considered morphologically distinct from the worker caste. However, in two species of the myrmicine Metapone (Metapone madagascarica and a newly discovered, not yet described Metapone species) all workers have six ovarioles and a spermatheca; and some of them are mated. There are no morphological differences between mated and non-mated workers. Field observations and laboratory studies indicate that colonies of the Metapone species can reproduce with gamergates only.     

Influence of conservation tillage on winter bird use of arable fields in Hungary

Bird use of conservation tillage-established (CT—seedbed preparation without soil inversion) crops was assessed at two adjacent sites in western Hungary, in comparison with conventionally established (mouldboard ploughed—P) fields. Bird abundance was assessed in a typical rotation of spring-sown maize and winter wheat in three consecutive winters. In the first winter, several species and the guild of seed-eating passerines were significantly more abundant on CT established plots, in both crop types. In the second winter, only starlings were more abundant on CT plots. In the third winter, only skylarks favoured CT over P plots. In combination with agri-environment scheme measures designed to provide resources for biodiversity, conservation tillage could play a role in softening the impact of agriculture on farmland birds in Hungary and elsewhere in Eastern Europe, in addition to its potential for reducing soil erosion and diffuse pollution.     

机动车排出物对人体健康危害的研究

运用基因、ＤＮＡ、染色体，细胞和整个动物为终点的远期危害测试系统，对各类机动车排出尾气的有机提取物的致突变性及潜在致癌性进行了评估，同时运用流行病学方法对接触人群进行调查，结果表明：（１）柴油车，助动车的颗粒有机提取物包含１００多种化学物，（２）Ａｍｅｓ、ＵＤＳ微核及ＳＨＥ细胞恶性转化试验为阳性结果，具有突变性及致癌性。（３）它们能使人胚细胞形成转化灶并发现其中的ｃ－ｍｙｃ，ｐ２１及ｂｃｌ－２表达     

含铅,无铅汽油车尾气排出物遗传毒性比较

利用台架试验模拟汽车行驶工况，收集了发动机使用无铅汽油，含铅汽油燃烧后的尾气颗粒物，对其中吸附的有机物进行了提取，并以Ａｍｅｓ试验，中国仓鼠肺细胞体外微核实验等方法，从基因，染色体水平检测了两种颗粒提取的遗传毒性。