Multi-locus DNA fingerprinting supports genetic monogamy in Florida scrub-jays

Extensive behavioural and pedigree data on a colour-marked population of Florida scrub-jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens) suggested that this cooperatively breeding species is monogamous, with extremely rare exceptions in which males have two mates. We used multi-locus DNA fingerprinting to test these observations by determining genetic parentage. Despite restricted dispersal and high relatedness between behavioural parents and non-breeding members of the group, DNA fingerprints provided sufficient variability to determine parentage unambiguously in almost all cases. We found no evidence of extra-pair fertilisation of females or egg dumping, and confirmed a suspected case of polygyny in which a mother and daughter laid and incubated in the same nest. Our results confirm that detailed behavioural data allow accurate assignment of genetic parentage in this species. In Florida scrub-jays, large territory size may limit opportunities for cuckoldry, and persistent intense competition for limited breeding space may lead to low variance in the quality of established male breeders. These factors would reduce both the opportunity for, and benefits of engaging in extra-pair fertilisations. Delayed dispersal and cooperative breeding in this species have not evolved as avenues for direct reproduction by unpaired individuals. Received: 25 May 1998 / Accepted after revision: 26 June 1998     

微生物苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)/肉桂酸途径生物转化制L-苯丙氨酸酶源菌种选育

Ｌ苯丙氨酸（Ｌｐｈｅｎｙｌａｌａｎｉｎｅ,ＬＰｈｅ）是生化营养的必需氨基酸之一,作为临床医药用氨基酸输液、食品、饲料添加剂的必需成份和一些抗癌药物苯丙氨酸氮芥、甲酰溶肉瘤素等合成的中间体而得到广泛应用．自１９６５年天冬甜肽（Ａｓｐａｒｔａｍｅ,ＡＰＭ,阿斯巴甜）发现并开发生产以来,这一新型甜味剂日渐风行,导致对高光学纯度ＬＰｈｅ这一主要构成原料需求量激增,人们纷纷开展ＬＰｈｅ的研制生产．在众多生物合成途径中,肉桂酸酶法转化生产ＬＰｈｅ的研究开发因其原料易得价廉,倍受国内外的许多公司和…     

盐碱地养鱼的水质改良

报道了盐碱地池塘、水库、湖泊养鱼中的水质改良技术。池塘水质改良措施主要为加注淡水、施用有机肥、注水与施肥相结合、改造盐碱土质、控制生石灰用量及合理注排水 ;水库、湖泊等大水面水质改良的主要措施是引淡水和增施肥料 (有机肥和化肥 )。     

宝应县畜禽养殖业的现状调研及污染防治对策

调查了宝应县畜禽养殖业的发展现状及分布情况,阐述了该县畜禽养殖业的污染防治状况,分析了污染防治中存在的主要问题,并提出了当地畜禽养殖业污染防治的基本思路和治理措施,对贯彻落实防治措施提出了建议。     

东南亚珠芽魔芋多苗接力生长特性及应用前景

以珠芽魔芋人工诱导开花进行规模化无性育种,可将魔芋繁殖系数从1位数提高约330倍;采用催苗技术让种子及叶面球茎提早出苗,可显著延长魔芋生长周期,使魔芋种植周期由3年缩短为1年;魔芋种子1年生长最高膨大率超过5000倍,当年即形成1180g球茎;魔芋叶面球茎最大膨大率超过100倍,两者种植一季魔芋即可用于加工.突破了魔芋繁殖系数低、膨大率低导致种植周期长的双重困局,显著降低了病害风险,大幅度缩短了魔芋种植周期,从而突破魔芋传统种植区域的地理限制,使魔芋总产量超常规增长.     

Reproduction by subordinates in cooperatively breeding Arabian babblers is uncommon but predictable

In a genetic analysis of the mating system of cooperatively breeding Arabian babblers (Timalidae: Turdoides squamiceps), we identified which individuals in the population are breeding, and how reproductive success was distributed among group members with respect to their dominance rank, for both males and females. The population was characterized by an asymmetrical distribution of reproductive success; behaviorally dominant males produced 176 of 186 (95%) of the offspring in 44 social groups analyzed, and alpha females produced 185 of 186 (99.5%). We evaluated models of reproductive skew by examining genetic and demographic correlates of reproduction by␣subordinates. Subordinate (beta) males that sired young were more likely to be recent dispersers from their natal groups or members of newly formed groups than betas that did not reproduce. Breeding beta males had spent smaller proportions of their lives with the current alpha male and female as alphas than had beta males that did not sire young. One consequence of the linkage of dispersal with breeding in newly formed, nonnatal groups is that beta males that sired young had significantly lower genetic similarity to the alpha males in their groups (based on band-sharing coefficients using multilocus minisatellite DNA fingerprinting) than those that did not sire young. This pattern may occur generally in species in which group membership accrues both through nondispersal of young (forming groups of relatives) as well as through dispersal involving coalitions that sometimes include nonrelatives. Received: 22 July 1997 / Accepted after revision: 5 February 1998     

桉树生物技术育种研究进展

本文介绍了桉树组织培养、基因工程转化、桉树遗传图谱构建、数量性状位点(QTL)的定位、桉树DNA指纹图分析、分子水平系统发育研究、遗传结构和遗传多样性等方面的研究现状,探讨了生物技术方法和手段在改良桉树种质资源和培育新品种方面的意义。     

Helpers-at-the-nest have the same provisioning rule as parents: experimental evidence from play-backs of chick begging

Despite the success of kin selection in explaining helping-at-the-nest among communally breeding birds, we know almost nothing about how helpers regulate their chick-feeding effort. This is especially interesting given how much we now know about parental provisioning `rules-of-thumb' and the evolution of chick begging as an honest signal of `need'. This study explores the provisioning rules of helpers and parents in Arabian babblers (Turdoides squamiceps), using tape play-backs to supplement chick-begging signals and increase apparent brood demand. In all eight groups tested, both helpers and parents fed older, noisier broods at higher rates. Total provisioning rates to nests increased during begging play-back days compared to control days. Absolute provisioning rates by helpers and the scale of their responses to play-backs were statistically indistinguishable from those of parents. In both helpers and parents, increases in nest visits during play-backs were associated with reductions in foraging distance from the nest and increases in size of prey delivered. Older birds of both sexes delivered slightly larger prey items, possibly reflecting differences in foraging ability due to experience. These results are consistent with the idea that, like the parents, helpers-at-the-nest in Arabian babblers provision nestlings as part of a strategy of investment, irrespective of helper age, dominance status or sex. In this species, high relatedness within groups may provide parents and helpers with similar kin-selected fitness benefits, although the mutualistic advantages to helpers from simply augmenting group sizes cannot be ruled out. Received: 17 June 1997 / Accepted after revision: 28 February 1998     

Humic substances

GOALS, SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: Changing environmental conditions and handling stress are well known to cause chronic or acute stress situations in fish with subsequent infections. These requires a therapy by means of antibiotics and chemicals. In contrast to the huge number of pathogens, only a few substances are permitted for application as therapeutics in German aquaculture. Hence, there emerges an urgent need for highly effective and residueless alternatives. MAIN FEATURES: The prophylactic stimulation and training of the defense system of fish by alternative approaches becomes increasingly necessary. One approach is the application of dissolved humic substances (HS) of natural or artificial origin. For example, there exist several reports on the positive effect of HS to fishes. These effects shall be considered in detail. Furthermore, the impact of HS on the constitution of parasites and pathogens will be displayed. The reports on this issue are diverse, if not inconsistent. We try to shed some light on these discrepancies. The last aspect covered by this review is the outdated paradigm that calcium ions act as antidotes. In the presence of HS, even the opposite effect may occur. APPROACH: To overcome old paradigms on HS and their potential interactions with fish and fish parasites, we reviewed recent international literature, as well as 'grey' literature. We also include results from own former and ongoing studies. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: HS are able to increase the physiological condition of the individuals and to reduce adverse physiological and histological consequences caused by stress; the mechanism behind remains obscure. HS detoxify heavy metals and organic pollutants. Damages caused by several fish pathogens, such as bacteria and parasites, can be repaired more quickly in the presence of HS. Some parasites--mainly fungi--appear to be directly affected by HS. Comparing the fungicidal effects of HS from various sources, evidence is increasing that the aliphatic moiety may be the effective structures. However, further research is necessary to relate more physiological and anti-pathogenic effects to the chemical characteristics of HS. CONCLUSIONS: HS are not real alternatives to strong traditional therapeutics. However, they show different advantages in repairing secondary, stress induced damages in fish. The ecophysiological relevance of HS in either aquatic systems or aquaculture is getting conspicuously. PERSPECTIVES: The lack of therapeutic and antiparasitic substances in aquaculture requires new strategies and ways of thinking. The search for alternatives to the 'traditional' chemical therapeutics calls for the intensive research. Inevitably, this search will lead to an intensive contemplation on HS as 'health promoting substances' and/or even therapeutics. Basic research is needed to detect the functional groups of the HS responsible for the effects observed. Health promoting effects of first investigations made in vitro to affect pathogens via application of HS and several field studies with HS raises hopes for a broader utilisation of HS to reduce stress consequences in fish and fish pathogens residuelessly.