Polygyny in the red-winged blackbird: do females prefer monogamy or polygamy?

Five hypotheses have been proposed to explain polygyny in the red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). We categorized the hypotheses into three groups based on female preference for unmated versus monogamously mated males: (1) the “polygyny threshold” model, “sexy son” hypothesis and the “asynchronous settlement” model, which assume that females prefer unmated males to mated males on breeding situations of homogeneous quality; (2) the “neutral mate choice” hypothesis, which assumes that females have no preference; and (3) the “cooperative female choice” model, which assumes that females prefer monogamously mated males to unmated males. We tested the direction of female preference in two field experiments. In both experiments, newly settling females were given a choice of two adjacent territories, one defended by an unmated male and the other by a monogamously mated male. Male mating status was randomized with respect to the variation in territory quality and male quality. Early in the breeding season, significantly more females settled with the unmated males than with the mated males. Although more females settled with the unmated males than with the mated males late in the breeding season, the difference was no longer significant. Female settlement late in the season appeared to be related to the tenure of the resident females: the new females avoided territories where the resident females were in early stages of their nesting, but settled on territories where the resident females were in late stages. The pattern of female settlement shows that females prefer unmated males to mated males. The preference is consistent with the polygyny threshold model, sexy son hypothesis and the asynchronous settlement model, and inconsistent with the neutral mate choice hypothesis and the cooperative female choice model. For this reason, the latter two hypotheses are unlikely to explain the occurrence of polygyny in our population of red-winged blackbirds. Received: 1 December 1994 / Accepted after revision: 28 October 1995     

可持续发展:制度供求与政府责任

社会范围内可持续发展目标的实现。必须有健全的正式制度与非正式制度供给并配合有强有力的实施机制。然而．由于国家的制度供给功能与地方政府行为异化可能引致经济活动偏离制度目标．非正式制度供给主体的行为异化、经济发展水平及制度成本的非均摊皆可导致制度供给不足并由此引起诸多不可持续现象。本文旨在通过对可持续发展制度供求的理论分析．从可持续发展制度供求的内在要求上。阐述制度供求的非均衡状态对可持续发展的影响。探讨我国在可持续发展战略实施中制度供给不足的原因。明确提出中央政府和地方政府相应的制度供给责任。以改变不可持续发展的现状。     

The Structure of Energy Supply for Tissue Adaptation in Small Mammals Differing in Ecological Specialization

Multivariate factor analysis of the data on liver bioenergetics of mountain and forest voles has been performed. The specific features of tissue energy metabolism are best differentiated in the space of characters pertaining to the succinic acid oxidation system. The role of the dominant oxidation substrate in the structure of energy supply for the adaptation of tissue to a set of environmental factors in specialized and widespread species is discussed.     

Armaments and ornaments in the rock sparrow: a possible dual utility of a carotenoid-based feather signal

Females often base their mating preferences on male sexual secondary traits that are used to settle contests among males. Such traits are likely to be honest indicators of male quality if they are constantly used during costly male–male agonistic interactions. Carotenoid signals have been shown to work as a handicap because they are costly to produce. However, the role of carotenoids as “honest” signals during male contests is less clear, and it is not known whether a carotenoid-based trait can serve in both male–male competition and female choice. In this study, we studied the dual function of a carotenoid feather ornament in the rock sparrow (Petronia petronia), a bird species in which both sexes have a yellow throat patch whose size positively correlates with phenotypic measures. First, we investigated, in a field study, whether the size of a male’s yellow patch correlates with his ability to acquire a territory. Second, we tested the signal function of the yellow patch in two male–male interaction in captivity experiments. Finally, we measured female preference for males differing in throat patch size in a mate choice experiment. Our experiments revealed that the size of a male’s throat patch positively correlated with the number of nest boxes he was able to defend. Moreover, in controlled conditions, males with relatively large yellow patches had earlier access to food than those with small patches. Also, in an experiment in which a dummy rock sparrow with an experimentally manipulated yellow patch was positioned near a feeder, latency to feed by focal birds positively correlated with dummy patch size. Lastly, in a dichotomous mate choice experiment, females showed a proximity preference for males whose patch was experimentally enlarged. Taken together, these results suggest that the same carotenoid feather signal may be used in both male–male competition and female choice in this passerine bird.     

社会发展综合实验区生态建设及科技引导途径

本文提出了社会发展综合实验区建设的实质就是协调好人口、资源与环境间的生态关系，为了促进社会—经济—自然复合生态系统的持续发展，探讨了科技引导实验区生态建设的途径。     

中国可持续发展指标体系建立的原则及结构

本文从中国的现实情况出发，借鉴了国外研究可持续发展指标体系的经验，提出了中国可持续发展指标体系的建立原则和结构。     

对退耕还林中农民选择权认识的经济学分析

农户决策行为和反应机制无疑是考察项目可持续性的一个重要方面。本文应用微观经济学理论．结合退耕还林工程的实际情况．提出理论假说：贫瘠土地退出种植是经济发展到一定水平的自发结果。并根据三省遐耕还林的实际调查数据。采用计量模型对退耕还林农户选择权认识问题进行检验。研究结果表明退耕还林工程的可持续性还存在一定隐患，退耕还林工程不仅要和当地的经济发展紧密结合。在操作方法上还需进一步改进。     

武汉市大旅游网络建设研究

从地理位置、对外经济联系、国内和省内经济地位、旅游资源丰度等方面分析了武汉市发展旅游事业的有利条件；论证了建设以武汉市为中心，向郊区（县）、省内和邻省延伸的旅游网络的必要性和可行性及发展国际旅游的潜力；提出了大力加强景点和基础设施建设，改善周边交通条件，壮大地方航空公司等加快旅游业发展的对策和措施。     

USING GROUND WATER BASINS AS STORAGE FACILITIES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA1

ABSTRACT: Southern California, now in its fifth consecutive year of drought, has always relied heavily on imported water from the Owens Valley, the State Water Project, and the Colorado River. For various reasons, these sources are now decreasing and water suppliers are being forced to look for new sources. One possible alternative is to store water obtained during peak supply periods for use during dry periods in ground water storage basins. The Santa Ana River Basin in Orange County has already been developed, and is being used to provide water to 25 cities in Orange County. The San Juan Basin, also in Orange County, is being studied as a possible future storage basin. This paper examines some of the positive and negative aspects of developing and using ground water storage basins in Southern California.     

市场经济体制下的排污收费工作

在社会主义市场经济条件下，环保的根本出路在加强法制。应在当加强和完善排污收费法制建设的同时，深化改革，引入竞争机制，并把排污收费贯穿于环境监理的全过程。