绿海龟背甲盾片的变异

通过对 2 92只 1龄绿海龟活体和 114只当年龟标本观察 ,发现 6 0只龟背甲盾片有变异现象。变异部位表现在椎盾、肋盾 ,颈盾和缘盾 ,未发现臀盾变异现象。各部位变异频率依次为椎盾 >椎盾和肋盾同时变异>多个部位同时变异 >肋盾 >颈盾 >缘盾。测量正常龟和变异龟各 15只的背甲长、宽和高 ,经t值检验 ,差异均不显著 ,说明正常龟和变异龟的背甲形状无明显差别 ,盾片数目的变化属个体变异。     

黄喉拟水龟的繁殖生物学研究

1998年4-11月对黄喉拟水龟的繁殖生物学进行了研究,在广东,黄喉拟水龟的产卵高峰期在5-6月,窝卵量1-7枚,平均2.5枚;卵重平均13.95g;长径平均4.34cm;短径平均2.23cm。卵重与卵长径呈正相关关系,在25-32℃、沙床含水量5-10%孵化条件下,孵化时间平衡73.8d,孵化率84.2%。初生稚龟均重9.75g。背甲长平均3.77cm;背甲宽平均2.91cm。稚龟体重与背甲长、宽呈极显著的正相关关系,稚龟经8-11月3个月生长,平均日增重0.149g。稚龟体重、背甲长、宽与日龄呈极显著的正相关关系。稚龟体重与背甲长宽也呈极显著的正相关关系。     

绿海龟稚龟性别鉴定及临界温度

通过组织形态学鉴定、羊水和血液中性激素测定等手段,对惠东港口海龟保护区不同恒温下孵化的绿海龟(Chelonia mydas)进行研究,寻求绿海龟稚龟性别鉴定的最佳方法。结果显示,(1)组织形态学,绿海龟性腺切片分皮层和髓质两部分,卵巢的皮层较厚、基质中有大小不一的未成熟卵细胞,髓质中空腔较少;睾丸的皮层较薄,髓质中空腔较多,呈现出显著的被基质包围的髓质索。(2)性激素测定,当雌二醇与睾酮含量之比E2∶T1.5时,孵出的稚龟为雄性(♂);当E2∶T1.5时,为雌性(♀)。(3)绿海龟性别决定的临界温度在29.4～29.5℃之间,此时孵出稚龟的性比约为1∶1。本文还讨论了各种不同性别鉴定方法的优劣和时期选择。     

四眼斑水龟个体大小和体形的两性异形

研究龟鳖的两性异形对理解形态适应具有重要意义。通过测量41只(21♀,20♂)成体四眼斑水龟(Sacalia quadriocellata)的20个形态特征指标,研究四眼斑水龟个体大小和体形的两性异形。结果表明:除头长、头宽、尾长和尾长肛前段长外,四眼斑水龟其他的形态特征均与背甲长呈正相关。雌性的背甲长、腹甲长、腹甲中线长、腹甲曲线长显著大于雄性;雄性的头长、头宽、后肢长、尾长和尾长肛前段长显著大于雌性;雌雄两性的体重、体周长、前肢长、腹甲宽、肛盾切口长、肛盾切口宽以及除背甲长外的所有背甲形态特征指标均无显著差异。研究结果表明,四眼斑水龟存在个体大小和体形两性异形。     

黄喉拟水龟（♀）与三线闭壳龟（♂）杂交后代的形态特征及其与父母本的比较研究

本研究通过黄喉拟水龟Mauremys mutica（♀）与三线闭壳龟Cuora trifasciata（♂）进行杂交,成功获得了杂种龟。这说明黄喉拟水龟和三线闭壳龟是可以进行属间远缘杂交的,但杂交组合的受精率及孵化成功率均低于黄喉拟水龟的同种组合。杂种稚龟与黄喉拟水龟稚龟在背甲纹路、腹甲黑斑、四肢和尾腹面的皮肤颜色、喉盾前端形状及起点位置、喉盾宽/喉盾缝长、喉盾缝长/肱盾缝长、股盾缝长/肛盾缝长存在差异。1龄前,杂种龟生长快于黄喉拟水龟。形态特征上,杂种龟头顶部淡棕黄色,头侧眼后有两条黑色纵纹,颈腹部淡黄色;背甲棕色,腹甲浅黄色,每一盾片中间都有边缘呈放射状的黑斑;四肢、尾腹面及裸露皮肤部分为黄褐色。形态可量数据分析显示杂种龟在形态上接近黄喉拟水龟。建立了三种龟的形态判别公式,判别的准确率为100%（p<0.01）,判别分析中贡献最大的4个变量分别是腹甲后半部长/背甲长、喉盾宽/背甲长、肱盾缝长/背甲长、股盾缝长/背甲长,可见三线闭壳龟、黄喉拟水龟与杂交种腹部的腹甲后半部长、喉盾宽、肱盾缝长、股盾缝长等参数可作为鉴别三者的直接依据。本实验的结果对杂种龟的鉴定、龟类的杂交育种及养殖生产实践都有一定的借鉴作用。     

中华鳖(Trionyx sinensis)微卫星标记与生长性状的相关分析

利用筛选到的25个微卫星标记,以中华鳖极大、极小两个群体共120个个体为实验材料,分析这些微卫星标记与体重、背甲长、背甲宽、体高、腹甲长及腹甲宽之间的相关性。结果表明:有3个位点与生长性状的相关性达到显著或极显著水平(p0.05或p0.01),其中位点LTF1与体重、背甲长、背甲宽、腹甲长、腹甲宽、体高均极显著相关;位点LTR87与体重、背甲长、和腹甲宽显著相关;位点LT8与体重、体高、腹甲长、腹甲宽显著相关。将同一性状不同基因型之间进行多重比较,结果显示位点LTF1中的BE型,位点LTR87中的BB型,以及位点LT8中的CF型、BC型、AC型、CC型具有明显的生长优势,可作为辅助育种的参考标记。     

平胸龟体测变异观察

平胸龟ＰｌａｔｙｓｔｅｒｎｏｎｍｅｇａｃｅｐｈａｌｕｍＧｒａｙ属龟鳖目平胸龟科。根据中国科学院成都生物研究所历年在国内各省(区)搜集的22号平胸龟标本(9雄、8雌、5幼),初步观测发现雄雌幼之间有以下形态差异(表):1、背甲宽与背甲长之比　雄龟为064～078,雌龟为070～081,幼龟为082～106。背甲宽与背甲长之比值为幼龟>雌龟>雄龟。其中广西龙州一幼龟背甲宽度超过长度。2、腹甲长与背甲长之比　雄龟为074～081,雌龟为079～086,幼龟067～079。腹甲长与背甲长之比值为幼龟<雄龟<雌龟。3、头高与甲壳高之比　雄龟为068～080,雌龟为057～07…     

大别山区黄缘闭壳龟形态生物学的种群特征分析（Ⅱ）

根据腹甲形态以及背甲与腹甲的闭合程度等特征,将大别山区黄缘闭壳龟分为两个自然种群,对其中一个自然种群的形态生物学特征进行研究报道.该自然种群的形态生物学特征为腹甲中部较平,背甲与腹甲完全闭合不紧密,头部、四肢可部分露出,可量性状研究表明,背甲长/背甲宽、背甲长/腹甲长、背甲宽/腹甲宽的统计分析分别为:1.37±0.06、1.04±0.02、1.30±0.04.背甲长与腹甲长的回归方程为Y=1.0512X-1.3141、背甲长与体高的回归方程为Y=0.4665X 0.6157,线性相关极其显著.体重与背甲长、体重与背甲宽、背甲宽与腹甲宽等存在着比较显著的线件关系.而年龄与体重(相关系数为r=0.3640)不存在明显的线性相关性.     

中华草龟(♀)与中华花龟(♂)及其杂种F_1代形态性状对体重的影响效果分析

选择中华草龟、中华花龟及其杂种F1代幼龟共270只,测定了体重、背甲长、背甲宽、壳高、腹甲长等17个形态性状,采用相关分析、通径分析和多元回归分析研究了形态性状对体重的影响效果。结果表明,3种龟的测量形态性状与体重的相关系数均达到极显著水平(P0.01);通径分析显示背甲长、背甲宽、壳高、腹甲长和甲桥长对体重的通径系数达到显著水平,它们是直接影响体重的重要性状,其中背甲长和壳高是影响体重的共同性状;决定系数分析结果与通径分析结果有一致的变化趋势;所选形态性状与体重的复相关指数分别为R2=0.945、0.920和0.958,表明影响体重的主要自变量指标已经找到;利用逐步回归分析方法建立了以背甲长、壳高和腹甲长,背甲长、壳高和甲桥长,背甲长、背甲宽和壳高等3种龟的多元回归方程,分别为:Y=-156.764+9.895X1+17.449X3+14.347X4,Y=-295.040+13.443X1+40.603X3+38.632X9,Y=-280.960+14.908X1+14.290X2+43.129X3。     

新绒螨属一新种一新记录(蜱螨目:绒螨科)

蝼蛄新绒螨Neothrombium gryllotalpae,新种(图1-6) 幼螨活体红色。背部具背盾两块,两背盾之间相距3～7微米;前背盾长方形,后侧角圆,前缘凹陷,后缘及两侧缘略凸出,其上具细长条纹;两侧缘有细枝毛3对和感毛1对;在3对细枝毛中,最后方的1对较前两对粗长,感毛顶端1/4处具细枝。邻近前背盾的两侧,各有倒圆锥形眼盘一个,长21微米,基部最宽处为12微米,其上着生眼两个,前眼大,圆形,后眼小,椭圆形。前背盾的各种数据测量如下:     

Carboxylesterases in lipid metabolism: from mouse to human

Mammalian carboxylesterases hydrolyze a wide range of xenobiotic and endogenous compounds, including lipid esters. Physiological functions of carboxylesterases in lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis in vivo have been demonstrated by genetic manipulations and chemical inhibition in mice, and in vitro through (over)expression, knockdown of expression, and chemical inhibition in a variety of cells. Recent research advances have revealed the relevance of carboxylesterases to metabolic diseases such as obesity and fatty liver disease, suggesting these enzymes might be potential targets for treatment of metabolic disorders. In order to translate pre-clinical studies in cellular and mouse models to humans, differences and similarities of carboxylesterases between mice and human need to be elucidated. This review presents and discusses the research progress in structure and function of mouse and human carboxylesterases, and the role of these enzymes in lipid metabolism and metabolic disorders.     

Morphology of the regiones ethmoidalis and orbitotemporalis in Galea musteloides Meyen 1832 and Kerodon rupestris (Wied-Neuwied 1820) (Rodentia: Caviidae) with comments on the phylogenetic systematics of the Caviidae

The present study describes the fetal regions ethmoidalis and orbitotemporalis of the cranium of Galea musteloides and Kerodon rupestris and compares them with Galea spixii and Cavia porcellus . The fetal crania of these representatives of the Caviinae were serially sectioned and 3D plate reconstructions were built. For a broader scope, serially sectioned heads of the caviomorph taxa Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris and Dasyprocta leporina were also examined. The ethmoidal and orbitotemporal regions of the cranium provides characters that are pertinent to the discussion of systematics of the Caviinae. Nine cranial characters were identified as being significant and discussed phylogenetically. Taking the monophyly of the Cavioidea as given, two characters are autapomorphic for the genus Galea: the reduction of the crista semicircularis and the lacrimale forming the 'arco antorbitario' (Kraglievich 1930). Cavia is the sister group of Galea; synapomorphic characters are the extent of the processus palatinus medialis of the praemaxillare and the presence lamina pterygoidea of the alisphenoid. There were no apomorphic characters of the structural complexes examined that could support the Caviinae. The reduced and nonperforated alisphenoid is an autapomorphic feature of the Caviidae. The division of the nasoturbinale is evidence for a sistergroup relationship of the Hydrochaeridae and the Caviidae. Autapomorphic characters for the Cavioidea include the ventrolateral opening of the organon vomeronasale and the lateral prolongation of the lacrimale.     

Plant terpenes and lignin as natural cosubstrates in biodegradation of polyclorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

The objective of this minireview is to examine how cometabolic biodegradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) might be affected by plant terpenes and lignins as natural substrates abundant in nature. The topics covered, hence, are environmental significance of PCBs and PAHs, nature and distribution of plant terpenes and lignin, structural and metaoblic similarities of the natural compounds to PCBs and PAHs, and possible roles of the natural substrates in inducing the biodegradative pathways of PCBs and PAHs.     

水稻胚与胚乳分化发育中的内源多胺

稻胚发育过程中,其内源多胺以腐胺、亚精胺为主。在幼胚分化期,腐胺和亚精胺的含量很高;幼胚分化完成时,其含量急剧下降;直至分化后期才趋稳定。在胚及胚乳发育时期,还出现一种未知多胺X_(22),其含量除在胚分化完成时较少外,在胚发育的其他各期中,含量则一直很高。DNA和蛋白质含量的变化,从分化期开始递增直至物质积累成熟期,其趋势均相同。多胺可能参与胚与胚乳中核酸和蛋白质合成的调节。     

Macroevolutionary integration of phenotypes within and across ant worker castes

Phenotypic traits are often integrated into evolutionary modules: sets of organismal parts that evolve together. In social insect colonies, the concepts of integration and modularity apply to sets of traits both within and among functionally and phenotypically differentiated castes. On macroevolutionary timescales, patterns of integration and modularity within and across castes can be clues to the selective and ecological factors shaping their evolution and diversification. We develop a set of hypotheses describing contrasting patterns of worker integration and apply this framework in a broad (246 species) comparative analysis of major and minor worker evolution in the hyperdiverse ant genus Pheidole. Using geometric morphometrics in a phylogenetic framework, we inferred fast and tightly integrated evolution of mesosoma shape between major and minor workers, but slower and more independent evolution of head shape between the two worker castes. Thus, Pheidole workers are evolving as a mixture of intracaste and intercaste integration and rate heterogeneity. The decoupling of homologous traits across worker castes may represent an important process facilitating the rise of social complexity.     

The impact of European Directives on estuarine and coastal science and management

Many recent developments in European marine and estuarine science have been against the demands of European Union legislation. The implementation of certain statutes, the role of scientists and the nature of the data required are discussed using examples from the UK, the Netherlands and Portugal. This includes the implementation of the EU Directives on Urban Waste-water Treatment, the control of Nitrates, the designation of Species and Habitats, the control of Dangerous Substances, the statutory requirement for Environmental Impact Assessments and the recently proposed Water Framework Directive. For these, the integration of physical, chemical and biological monitoring and investigation is discussed in relation to the science dictated by the legislative and administrative requirements. Each of these Directives requires the development of generic guidelines and protocols for implementation and the use of national enabling legislation. This indicates that, in several cases, the science should concentrate on monitoring and assessment in a well-structured and quality-controlled manner. The paper concludes by summarising developments based on similarities in the implementation of present and proposed Directives across Europe.     

Artificial insemination in South American camelids and wild equids

An overview of the present status of the use of artificial insemination (AI) in South American camelids and wild equids is offered. Technical aspects of semen collection, dilution and cryopreservation have limited the development and use of AI in camelid and equid species. To-date, efficiency is low but progress has been made and viable offspring have been produced through the use of AI in domestic South American camelids using both fresh and frozen semen. The origin, composition, and function of the viscous component of camelid seminal plasma remain a mystery and an obvious area for future research. A better understanding of the normal constituents of seminal plasma will enable the rational design of semen extenders suitable for camelids. Post-thaw sperm viability is very low, and studies are needed to address questions of optimal freezing and thawing procedures as well as the insemination dose. The basis for differences in reported pregnancy rates with sexed and frozen semen in domestic equids, and the ultimate success of AI in wild equids will require continued research into the "stallion effect", extenders and cryoprotectants, optimal volume and number of spermatozoa, temperatures during handling, processing an transport, and insemination techniques. In both camelids and equids, research on domestic species under controlled conditions provides and excellent opportunity to develop effective semen handling techniques for application in wild and endangered species of the respective families.     

Properties of plant aminotransferases

The occurrence and properties of plant aminotransferases are considered in relation to the known characteristics of corresponding animal and bacterial aminotransferases. Development of aminotransferase systems during seed germination and plant development is examined and changes in the activity of various systems are discussed in relation to environmental factors and endogenous hormone changes. Purification and substrate specificity of various plant aminotransferases are considered and the evidence for substrate multispecificity shown by certain enzymes is related to similar findings with some animal and bacterial aminotransferases. The physical and kinetic properties of plant aminotransferases such as their molecular weight, sedimentation coefficient, subunit composition, pyridoxal phosphate requirement, effect of pH and cations on activity, and their mechanism of action are reviewed and compared to similar observations from animal and bacterial aminotransferases. Finally, the intracellular location and functions of plant aminotransferases and their isoenzyme composition are discussed and compared to those of corresponding animal enzymes.     

Biocontrol of Pests of Apples and Pears in Northern and Central Europe: 1. Microbial Agents and Nematodes

The viral, bacterial, fungal and nematode pathogens of arthropod pests of apple and pear in northern and central Europe and their use as biocontrol agents are reviewed. Baculoviruses are important viral pathogens of several lepidopterous pests of apple and pear but other viral pathogens have not been investigated in depth and are little known. The granuloviruses of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (CpGV), and to a lesser extent, of the summer fruit tortrix moth, Adoxophyes orana (AoGV), have been researched extensively and are exploited as biological control agents. Commercial development and use has been limited because of their high costs, slow action, short persistence and specificity relative to broad-spectrum pesticides. The widespread development of strains of codling moth multi-resistant to insecticides and the desire to reduce dependence on pesticides have improved the commercial prospects of CpGV and use is likely to increase. The development of a genetically improved egt-strain of CpGV (lacking the ecdysteroid-UDP glucosyl transferase gene) in the UK is a significant breakthrough, though commercialization in the UK may be difficult due to adverse public attitudes to the release of genetically-modified microorganisms. Future research and development approaches include further genetic manipulation of CpGV and AoGV to improve potency, speed of kill and/or persistence, improvement of formulation (to reduce UV light sensitivity) and development of cheaper mass production techniques and possibly in vitro production. A systematic search for baculoviruses and other viruses of apple and pear pests is likely to reveal important new opportunities. The most important bacterial pathogen used as a biological control agent is Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). However, Bt products currently available have limited effectiveness against many orchard pests due to the pests' cryptic life habits. The HD-1 Bt strain has been investigated and used extensively for control of leaf-rolling tortricid larvae and is widely used, but efficacy is moderate. Advances in biotechnology and genetic engineering provide opportunity for development of Bt strains designed specifically to control orchard pests, but this has not yet been done for commercial reasons. Other research approaches include the evaluation of new Bt products developed for other markets worldwide and the bioassay of strains from Bt collections against specific apple or pear pests. Entomopathogenic fungi provide good opportunity for development as biological control agents of apple and pear pests. The main factor limiting their effectiveness is the requirement for high humidities and moderate temperatures for spore germination and development. For foliar pests, a useful starting point for research might be the control of sucking pests which excrete honeydew (e.g. Cacopsylla sp. or aphids) or those that inhabit protected microenvironments (e.g. Dasineura sp.). Key areas for research are improved formulation, the selection of low temperature-active strains, field evaluation and avoiding possible adverse effects of fungicides. An alternative approach is to examine the exploitation of entomopathogenic fungi in soil, to which many species of entomopathogenic fungi are adapted ecologically. Apple and pear orchards provide long-term stable habitats where populations of entomopathogenic fungi in soil are likely to be large. There are few important soil pests of apple or pear. However, many species spend part of their life in soil, mainly to pupate or overwinter, where they may be targeted by fungal entomopathogenic biocontrol agents. Entomopathogenic nematodes have many attributes which favour them as biological control agents. However, their requirement for surface moisture for survival and movement means there are only limited prospects for using them as biological control agents for foliar pests. As with entomopathogenic fungi, there are better prospects for control of pests that occur in soil. Microbial pathogens and entomopathogenic nematodes are important components of the natural enemy complex of apple and pear orchards and more effort needs to be devoted to fostering them and exploiting them as biocontrol agents in sustainable, biologically-based Integrated Pest Management programmes. They can in many cases be mass produced at low cost by bulk fermentation processes and applied as sprays (as 'biopesticides') and are, at least potentially, ideal biological control agents for many apple or pear pests. Important general characteristics are their comparative environmental and human safety, compatibility with other control strategies in Integrated Pest Management programmes and reproductive capacity. They tend to be effective in a narrower range of environmental conditions than pesticides, but there is considerable potential to improve their effectiveness by improved formulation, strain selection and genetic manipulation. They are often host-specific and thus, offer restricted marketing opportunities, which is a significant barrier to development and commercialisation. Registration procedures and associated fees for microbial agents are a further significant barrier. Such requirements do not apply currently to nematodes.     

Cdc42 protein acts upstream of IQGAP1 and regulates cytokinesis in mouse oocytes and embryos

Cdc42 and Rac1 Rho family GTPases, and their interacting protein IQGAP1 are the key regulators of cell polarity. We examined the role of Cdc42 and IQGAP1 in establishing the polarity of mouse oocyte and regulation of meiotic and mitotic divisions. We showed that Cdc42 was localized on the microtubules of meiotic and mitotic spindle and in the cortex of mouse oocytes and cleaving embryos. IQGAP1 was present in the cytoplasm and cortex of growing and fully-grown oocytes. During maturation it disappeared from the cortex and during meiotic and mitotic cytokinesis it concentrated in the contractile ring. Toxin B inhibition of the binding activity of Cdc42 changed the localization of IQGAP1, inhibited emission of the first polar body, and caused disappearance of the cortical actin without affecting the migration of meiotic spindle. This indicates, that in maturing oocytes accumulation of cortical actin is not indispensable for spindle migration. In zygotes treated with toxin B actin cytoskeleton was rearranged and the first and/or subsequent cytokinesis were inhibited. Our results indicate that Cdc42 acts upstream of IQGAP1 and is involved in regulation of cytokinesis in mouse oocytes and cleaving embryos, rather than in establishing the polarity of the oocyte.