Comparative Analysis of Coat Color Morphs in a Polymorphic Population of the Northern Mole Vole

Long-term stationary observations (1985–2000) on a polymorphic population of the northern mole vole (Ellobius talpinus Pall.) in Kurgan oblast were performed using the mark-recapture method. Original data were obtained on the abundance and structure of this population, which comprised individuals of three color morphs: black, brown, and intermediate (bicolor). Each morph proved to have its specific features with respect to abundance, age and sex composition, migration, birthrate, mortality, and life span. In general, this polymorphism contributes to population heterogeneity and the maintenance of population homeostasis.     

Infant handling and mortality in yellow baboons (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Papio cynocephalus</Emphasis>): evidence for female reproductive competition?

This study examines negative and positive infant handling behavior in 24 free-ranging yellow baboon infants (Papio cynocephalus) studied over a 5-year period in Mikumi National Park, Tanzania. We test predictions of the female reproductive competition hypothesis to explain patterns of infant handling behavior by adult females (excluding the infants mother) in relation to observed cases of infant mortality by age 3 months (25% of infants in this study). Results show that: (1) low-ranking infants received more negative infant handling than high-ranking infants; conversely high-ranking infants received more positive infant handling; (2) female kin engaged in higher levels of positive infant handling than did non-kin, whereas non-kin showed higher levels of negative infant handling; (3) rates of negative infant handling varied by season, with high levels at the onset of the rainy season; and (4) high level of negative infant handling was a significant predictor of infant mortality by age 3 months (infant rank and sex did not predict survival). We discuss how the occurrence and interpretation of infant handling behavior in the literature has likely been confused by different definitions of this behavior, as well as differences in the socio-ecological context in which this behavior occurs.Communicated by C. Nunn     

扬中县土壤背景值及其与恶性肿瘤死亡率关系

本文对我国癌症高发区扬中县土壤环境背景值作了论述,并与同期调查的全国和江苏省土壤背景值进行对比,采用多元素综合效应比值、相关、多元回归分析法,探讨了癌症发病率与土壤微量元素间的关系。     

河北近岸海域浮游细菌与病毒的关系

运用荧光显微技术,从2006年7月~2007年10月,分季度采样,对河北北戴河和天津沿岸海域的浮游细菌和病毒进行了调查。结果表明,浮游细菌和病毒具有明显的时空分布特点,细菌丰度超过106/mL,病毒丰度超过107/mL。病毒总数与细菌总数之比VBR为1.75~26.51,平均为6.22。运用超离心和电子显微镜对2007年春季样品进行检测,发现被病毒感染的细菌总频度为3%~5%,引起的细菌死亡率为28%~55%,平均为41.5%。揭示浮游病毒感染是浮游细菌死亡的重要原因,同时病毒在海洋系统物质循环和能量流动中扮演重要角色。     

Response of successive three generations of cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), fed on cotton bolls under elevated CO2

The growth, development and consumption of successive three generations of cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera （Htibner）, fed on cotton bolls grown under elevated CO2 （double-ambient vs. ambient） in open-top chambers were examined. Significant decreases in protein, total amino acid, water and nitrogen content and increases in free fatty acid were observed in cotton bolls. Changes in quality of cotton bolls affected the growth, development and food utilization of H. armigera. Significantly longer larval development duration in three successive generations and lower pupal weight of the second and third generations were observed in cotton bollworm fed on cotton bolls grown under elevated CO2. Significantly lower fecundity was also found in successive three generations of H. armigera fed on cotton bolls grown under elevated CO2. The consumption per larva occurred significant increase in successive three generations and frass per larva were also significantly increased during the second and third generations under elevated CO2. Significantly lower relative growth rate, efficiency of conversion of ingested food and significant higher relative consumption rate in successive three generations were observed in cotton bollworm fed on cotton bolls grown under elevated CO2. Significantly lower potential female fecundity, larval numbers and population consumption were found in the second and third generations of cotton bollworm fed on cotton bolls grown under elevated CO2. The integrative effect of higher larval mortality rate and lower adult fecundity resulted in significant decreases in potential population consumption in the latter two generations. The results show that elevated CO2 adversely affects cotton bolls quality, which indicates the potential population dynamics and potential population consumption of cotton bollworm will alleviate the harm to the plants in the future rising CO2 atmosphere.     

高氯酸钠对斑马鱼胚胎的毒性效应

采用斑马鱼胚胎发育技术方法研究高氯酸钠对斑马鱼胚胎的急性毒性效应,配制一系列高氯酸钠的浓度,对受精1h的胚胎进行染毒暴露,最后对斑马鱼胚胎的心率,孵化率,死亡率,畸形率进行统计分析。研究结果显示,高氯酸钠(NaClO4)浓度的增加,斑马鱼胚胎的心率和孵化率降低、死亡率和畸形率增加。斑马鱼48hpf的胚胎心率高浓度组比对照组下降了35%;72 h的孵化率由对照组的88%降低到高浓度组的36%;144 h的死亡率由对照组的5%增加到72%;144 h的畸形率由对照组的2%增加到91%,主要畸形表现为心包囊肿(PE),脊柱弯曲(AM),鱼鳔缺失(SBD)等。结果表明,高浓度的高氯酸钠(NaClO4)对斑马鱼胚胎发育有明显的剂量效应作用。