Male-biased predation of a cave fish by a giant water bug

Male-biased predation has been described from several epigean species, and in many cases, intrinsic differences between the sexes (such as male ornaments) have been suggested as an explanation. Here we report on male-biased predation of a cave fish (Poecilia mexicana) by an aquatic insect (Belostoma sp.) in a Mexican sulfur cave. P. mexicana use aquatic surface respiration (ASR) to survive in their sulfidic, hypoxic habitat. We found that males typically exhibit more ASR activity than females, which leads to increased exposure to the sit-and-wait predator that catches fish near the water surface. Our finding is novel, because male vulnerability to predation is not directly related to male traits involved in courtship, but rather due to other sexual differences in behavior and ultimately, oxygen demands.     

A preliminary study on mortality attributed to tropical cyclones in Taiwan 2000–2014

Studies on mortality attributed to tropical cyclones often concern large-scale disasters. Attention is rarely paid to small-scale mortality over the long term. To understand the relationship between the environment and the behavior that contributes to mortality, this article uses a classification table to review the 1556 deaths attributed to tropical cyclones, named typhoons, in Taiwan during the period 2000–2014. The results demonstrate that the majority of outdoor deaths are associated with work-related activities, while most indoor deaths occur during non-work-related activities. Taking action, such as stopping the car on a bridge if the tail lights of a vehicle in front disappear, and not walking on the roadside when the road is flooded by muddy water, may help to reduce the likelihood of typhoon-attributed death. The findings also help to dispel four myths associated with typhoon-attributed mortality.     

碱消解-P&T-GC-AFS法同时测定土壤中的甲基汞和乙基汞研究

建立了碱消解-吹扫捕集-气相色谱-原子荧光光谱法(P&T-GC-AFS)同时测定土壤中甲基汞和乙基汞的分析方法.样品在90℃条件下经氢氧化钾/甲醇消解2.5 h,调节pH为5.40,并丙基化衍生后,采用P&T-GC-AFS法测定.方法对甲基汞、乙基汞的线性相关系数分别为0.999 7、0.999 6,检出限分别为0.26、0.41 ng·g -1.在不同质量浓度水平上进行加标回收率实验,甲基汞、乙基汞的回收率分别为90.5%~93.3%、86.5%~89.6%.该方法样品前处理简单、检出限低,适合批量测定土壤中甲基汞和乙基汞.     

Definition of Planarian Mortality in an Acute Toxicity Test: A Case Study on Dugesia japonica Exposed to 1-Octyl-3-methylimidazolium Bromide

In order to define the mortality criteria of planarian objectively,a case study of Dugesia japonica exposed to 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide([C8mim]Br)was performed followed by a recovery culture.The results showed that defining planarian mortality in light of its body disintegration was appropriate.If the disintegrated tissue of a planarian was more than 1/4 of its body length,it would completely degenerate.However,a planarian would regenerate the lost tissue and return to normal after a few days’recovery culture if the disintegrated part was less than 1/4 of body length.Therefore,we propose to use body disintegration as the endpoint of planarian mortality,i.e.,1/4 body length degenerated is the critical threshold of mortality and survival of planarians when exposed to toxicants.This criterion could be adapted in the standardization of testing protocols and comparability of acute toxicity test or other toxicological research using planarian as the test animal.     

Livestock mortality in pastoralist herds in Ethiopia and implications for drought response

Participatory epidemiology methods were employed retrospectively in three pastoralist regions of Ethiopia to estimate the specific causes of excess livestock mortality during drought. The results showed that starvation/dehydration accounted for between 61.5 and 100 per cent of excess livestock mortality during drought, whereas disease‐related mortality accounted for between 0 and 28.1 per cent of excess mortality. Field observations indicate that, in livestock, disease risks and mortality increase in the immediate post‐drought period, during rain. The design of livelihoods‐based drought response programmes should include protection of core livestock assets, and it should take account of the specific causes of excess livestock mortality during drought and immediately afterwards. This study shows that, when comparing livestock feed supplementation and veterinary support, relatively more aid should be directed at the former if the objective is to protect core livestock during drought. Veterinary support should consider disease‐related mortality in the immediate post‐drought period, and tailor inputs accordingly.     

苯并[a]芘对马氏珠母贝D型面盘幼虫发育的影响

苯并芘(B[a]P)已广泛分布于海洋环境中,低等海洋无脊椎动物从受精卵开始整个生长发育过程都面临着B[a]P等多环芳烃类污染物(PAHs)的威胁。本实验以热带海洋优势贝类马氏珠母贝(Pinctada maetensii)作为材料,研究B[a]P对马氏珠母贝D型面盘幼虫发育的影响。将幼虫暴露于不同浓度(1、2、4、10和15μg·L-1)B[a]P中,在暴露后第12、24、36、48、72、84小时,分别测定其D型面盘幼虫的死亡率和畸形数。结果表明:B[a]P对D型面盘幼虫死亡率的影响明显,死亡率与时间呈正相关,其中4和10μg·L-1浓度组的响应最敏感。在1～10μg·L-1浓度范围内,死亡率与浓度呈正相关;B[a]P暴露对马氏珠母贝D型面盘幼虫的形态也有显著影响,且随着浓度的增大产生畸形个体的时间越短。另外,B[a]P对马氏珠母贝D型面盘幼虫的半数致死浓度(LC50)随着时间的推移逐渐降低后趋于稳定,48h时LC50趋于稳定,为21.56μg·L-1。研究表明,B[a]P对马氏珠母贝D形幼虫的发育具有不利影响,并可能影响其种群结构。     

大鼠胚胎期PFOS暴露致出生早期死亡及神经系统发育影响的基因组学分析

为了阐明PFOS导致新生儿死亡的可能原因和机制,探讨PFOS致死与神经系统发育的相互联系,利用基因芯片技术,观察了经PFOS饲料染毒后出生1和7d大鼠脑组织基因表达情况,通过基因组学(Gene Ontology)和生物路径(Pathway)对差异基因的功能和相互联系进行分析.结果显示,PFOS染毒后,出生1、7d的大鼠脑皮质组织分别有864、642条基因发生差异表达,差异基因涉及的与PFOS致死相关的生物过程包括中枢神经系统发育、血循环系统、刺激应答、骨骼发育、氧化应激、心脏功能以及pH值调节等.结果表明,PFOS导致的出生早期死亡与神经系统发育有关,PFOS可能通过改变脑组织血氧平衡,影响正常的中枢神经系统功能和发育过程而使新生儿的存活率下降.     

The dynamics of heavy metals in plant-soil interactions

The effects of soil contamination by heavy metals are studied by a mathematical interaction model, validated by experimental results. The model relates the dynamics of uptake of heavy metals from soil to plants. The model successfully fitted the experimental data and made it possible to predict the threshold values of total mortality. Data are taken from soil with Cd, Cu and Zn treatments for alfalfa, lettuce, radish and Thlaspi caerulescens, measuring the concentrations in the aboveground biomass of plants. At low concentrations, the effects of heavy metals are moderate, and the dynamics seem to be linear. However, increasing concentrations exhibit nonlinear behaviors.     

长江口溯河鳗苗开发率估算

利用长江口南支上段东风西沙调查站位(121°15′45′′E;31°40′18′′N)2015年度鳗苗捕捞数据,通过CPUE波动趋势分析,确定当年日本鳗鲡鳗苗溯河汛期特征;进而采用Leslie和Delury两种方法估算东风西沙站位鳗苗资源指标。结果显示,2015年度东风西沙站位出现6个明显的鳗苗补充汛期,两种方法估算的汛期波动规律一致。各汛期捕捞持续时间5~27 d,平均为10.17 d。Leslie法估算的各汛期捕捞开发率43.38%~96.30%,平均77.14%;Delury法估算结果为43.36%~105.37%,平均81.43%;均为较高水平。高开发率表明东风西沙水域樯张网作业方式致使溯河迁移鳗苗处于高度开发状态,减少溯河鳗苗数量,影响长江流域成鳗资源。Leslie法估算日捕捞死亡系数和日捕捞死亡率平均值分别为0.23和20.02%,均分别低于De Lury法估算平均值0.27和22.79%;捕捞死亡系数将为采用年渔获量估算鳗苗资源量提供基础数据。