Predatory spider mimics acquire colony-specific cuticular hydrocarbons from their ant model prey

The integrity of social insect colonies is maintained by members recognising and responding to the chemical cues present on the cuticle of any intruder. Nevertheless, myrmecophiles use chemical mimicry to gain access to these nests, and their mimetic signals may be acquired through biosynthesis or through contact with the hosts or their nest material. The cuticular hydrocarbon profile of the myrmecophilous salticid spider Cosmophasis bitaeniata closely resembles that of its host ant Oecophylla smaragdina. Here, we show that the chemical resemblance of the spider does not arise through physical contact with the adult ants, but instead the spider acquires the cuticular hydrocarbons by eating the ant larvae. More significantly, we show that the variation in the cuticular hydrocarbon profiles of the spider depends upon the colony of origin of the ant larvae prey, rather than the parentage of the spider.     

Toxic effects of wastewater from various phases of monosodium glutamate production on seed germination and root elongation of crops

To make a comprehensive assessment on monosodium glutamate (MSG) wastewater pollution, a pollution exposure experiment was carried out on the seed germination and root elongation of wheat, Chinese cabbage and tomato by using the wastewater discharged from different processing phases of MSG production. The results showed that there were significantly positive linear relationships between the inhibitory rates of wheat seed germination and root elongation and the COD_cr of the mother liquor scraps. The toxicity of MSG wastewater to the test crops was in the order of tomato > Chinese cabbage > wheat, indicating that tomato was the most sensitive to the wastewater, and could be considered as an ideal toxic bioindicator. The half-effect concentrations (IC₅₀) based on the seed germination and root elongation of the test crops exposed to the wastewater discharged from various processing phases of MSG production was 22.0–32 432 and 17.3–3320 mg/L, respectively. Translated from Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2006, 17(7): 1286–1290 [译自: 应用生态学报]     

大型车车身覆盖件冲压成形特征分析及选材研究

为满足大型车身覆盖件冲压成形要求并实现钢板与零件的对路供应 ,必须在深入解析零件成形特征的基础上 ,确定高应变部位的成形敏感材料参数。在材料力学性能测试和成形极限分析的基础上 ,对侧围外板的冲压成形特征和成形敏感参数进行了分析。结果表明 :侧围外板零件高应变部位的变形方式为胀形 深拉延变形 ,n值和r值为影响侧围外板零件成形的主要材料敏感参数     

Landmark memories are more robust when acquired at the nest site than en route: experiments in desert ants

Foraging desert ants, Cataglyphis fortis, encounter different sequences of visual landmarks while navigating by path integration. This paper explores the question whether the storage of landmark information depends on the context in which the landmarks are learned during an ant's foraging journey. Two experimental set-ups were designed in which the ants experienced an artificial landmark panorama that was placed either around the nest entrance (nest marks) or along the vector route leading straight towards the feeder (route marks). The two training paradigms resulted in pronounced differences in the storage characteristics of the acquired landmark information: memory traces of nest marks were much more robust against extinction and/or suppression than those of route marks. In functional terms, this result is in accord with the observation that desert ants encounter new route marks during every foraging run but always pass the same landmarks when approaching the nest entrance.     

Inter and intra-population variation in shoaling and boldness in the zebrafish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Danio rerio</Emphasis>)

Population differences in anti-predator behaviour have been demonstrated in several species, although less is known about the genetic basis of these traits. To determine the extent of genetic differences in boldness (defined as exploration of a novel object) and shoaling within and between zebrafish (Danio rerio) populations, and to examine the genetic basis of shoaling behaviour in general, we carried out a study that involved laboratory-raised fish derived from four wild-caught populations. Controlling for differences in rearing environment, significant inter-population differences were found in boldness but not shoaling. A larger shoaling experiment was also performed using one of the populations as the basis of a North Carolina type II breeding design (174 fish in total) to estimate heritability of shoaling tendency. A narrow-sense heritability estimate of 0.40 was obtained, with no apparent dominance effects.     

盘锦市近岸海域生物资源现状及几点建议

根据异养细菌丰度、浮游动物、浮游植物与底栖动物的生物量分布及种类组成等现场调查结果和近期海洋渔业生产资料，论述了盘锦市近岸海域生物资源现状。并根据该地区油气资源开发和海洋生物资源（尤其是经济贝类资源）保护的需要提出了几点建议。     

辽东湾海冰晶体结构及其内部叶绿素的初步研究

本文介绍了１９９６年冬季首次辽东湾生态环境调查中的海洋背景条件。扼要地阐述了辽东湾海冰一般概况，分析辽东湾冰样晶体结构、存储条件及其与冰内和冰下海水叶绿素之间的关系。辽东湾冰内叶绿素符合其它结冰海区的一般规律。根据辽东湾冰层底部实测盐度变化规律阐明海冰对冰下海水营养盐的贡献。最后对深入开展结冰海区生态环境调查工作的技术、侧重点和意义做了讨论。     

Mitigation of the Impact of Tropical Cyclones in Northern Australia through Community Capacity Enhancement

Community mitigation of hazard impact requires hazard knowledge and preparedness on the part of the members of diverse and complex communities. Longitudinal research in the tropical cyclone prone north of Australia has gathered extensive datasets on community awareness, preparedness and knowledge, in order to contribute to education campaigns and mitigation strategies. Data have been used to identify issues of vulnerability to cyclones and capacity to deal with the hazard. This has been developed as a community vulnerability and capacity model that may be applied to diverse communities in order to assess levels of capability to mitigate and deal with the cyclone hazard. The model is presented here in a simplified form as its development is evolving and ongoing.     

沸腾炉底灰的特性研究

用化学分析、Ｘ射线能谱、扫描电子显微镜、偏光显微、激光粒度分析仪等仪器地沸腾炉燃烧所产生的底灰的化学成分、颗粒形貌、粒度、物理性质和工艺性质等系统的分析，并一全国电厂煤粉炉产煤灰的特性进行了对比，结果表明，沸腾炉产底灰具有形态不规则、矿物相中无莫来石矿物、未燃烬炭量低、细底低、比表面积小、火山炭活性高等特点，为沸腾炉底灰的加工利用提供了重要的科学依据。