荔枝、龙眼及龙荔的茎解剖结构比较

为了观察荔枝、龙眼和龙荔茎解剖结构的异同,采用徒手切片法和组织离析法,对荔枝、龙眼和龙荔20份材料的茎横切面结构和导管分子的特征进行了比较研究。结果表明：（1）各试材的茎横切结构由外到内依次为：周皮、皮层、维管组织、髓和射线,但其结构特征总体上差异较大;龙眼种质的平均髓率（26.19%）显著高于龙荔（22.43%）和荔枝（6.96%）,各试材间,褐毛荔枝的髓率最小（3.37%）,‘三月红’居中（14.14%）,野生龙眼最大（30.27%）;荔枝的树皮率（41.93%）显著大于龙眼（33.21%）和龙荔（29.83%）。（2）各试材的导管密度未见明显规律,以‘三月红’的导管密度最小（93.17 个/mm2）,龙荔次之,为101.78 个/mm2;荔枝的导管总面积/木质部面积的比值显著大于龙眼和龙荔;‘三月红’的射线宽度（22.13 μm）显著大于其它试材。（3）20份试材的导管分子绝大多数属于孔纹式或网纹式,极少数为环纹式或螺纹式或梯纹式;‘三月红’的导管分子内径（35.97 μm）显著大于其它试材,龙荔次之（33.90 μm）;褐毛荔枝的导管分子（238.52 μm）显著长于其它试材。（4）导管分子短、孔径大、端壁倾斜度小（或水平）、无尾、孔纹、单穿孔板均是导管分子进化的特征;在荔枝试材中,‘三月红’的导管分子较为进化,而褐毛荔枝则较为原始。（5）对茎结构特征指标进行聚类分析,结果显示,20份试材首先聚为2大类,荔枝12份试材（除‘三月红’外）聚为第1大类;龙眼6份试材、龙荔及荔枝‘三月红’聚为第2大类;在这2大类的基础上又分为8个组,各组均有独自的显著特征。对荔枝、龙眼和龙荔3类植物茎结构特征的比较可知,总体上荔枝比龙眼原始,而龙荔居荔枝和龙眼之间。     

夏蜡梅和美国蜡梅及属间杂种‘红运’营养器官解剖结构特征比较

采用石蜡切片法对夏蜡梅〔Sinocalycanthus chinensis(Cheng et S.Y.Chang)Cheng et S.Y.Chang〕和美国蜡梅(Calycanthus floridus L.)及属间杂种‘红运’(S.chinensis×C.floridus‘Hong Yun’)叶、茎和根的横切面解剖结构进行了比较观察。观察结果显示:夏蜡梅、美国蜡梅及杂种‘红运’的叶、茎和根的横切面解剖结构有较高的共性,但仍有明显区别。杂种‘红运’的叶片厚度、主脉维管束横截面面积和海绵组织厚度与夏蜡梅比较接近,而与美国蜡梅差异较大;杂种‘红运’叶的栅栏组织厚度与海绵组织厚度的比值(P/S)和栅栏组织厚度与叶片厚度的比值(P/L)均介于2个亲本之间,P/S和P/L 2个指标均为美国蜡梅最高、夏蜡梅最低。杂种‘红运’茎的直径、皮层细胞层数、皮层厚度、皮层厚度与茎半径的比值、木质部厚度和维管束面积等指标的数值均大于美国蜡梅和夏蜡梅。美国蜡梅根的髓部不发达,夏蜡梅根则有明显的髓部,而杂种‘红运’根的髓部较发达;美国蜡梅根的木质部和木栓层均最厚,髓部分布的大型导管数量最多;杂种‘红运’根的皮层最发达,木质部最不发达,髓部的大型导管最少。根据营养器官的解剖结构特征与生态特性的关系推测:夏蜡梅具有不喜强光、稍耐阴的生态特性,美国蜡梅的耐热性和光合能力最强,而杂种‘红运’比其母本夏蜡梅有更好的生态适应性。     

紫花含笑（♀）与灰岩含笑（♂）及其杂种F1代叶表皮微形态和叶结构的比较观察

通过比较观察紫花含笑（♀）和灰岩含笑（♂）及其杂种F1代叶表皮微形态和叶结构发现,紫花含笑和灰岩含笑在叶表皮微形态及叶解剖结构方面有很大差异。杂种F1代个体间在叶表皮微形态及叶解剖结构方面变异很大,为连续的数量遗传;其中57．7％以上的杂种F1代气孔密度高于父母本。杂种F1代矮化型植株叶片气孔密度较小,推测其抗寒性较强,可以通过进一步杂交改良,获得矮化型的盆栽含笑新品种。观察结果可为深入探讨含笑属种间杂种F1代的遗传变异,并从这些杂种F1代中选育观赏新品种积累科学资料。     

三种植物生长物质对大豆叶茎解剖结构的影响

在大田栽培条件下,大豆‘垦农4号’于开花始期叶面喷施植物生长物质2-N,N-二乙氨基乙基己酸酯（DTA）、氯化胆碱（CC）和SOD模拟物（SODM）,并比较不同植物生长物质影响大豆叶片、叶柄和茎的解剖结构。结果表明,喷施植物生长物质后30d,叶中栅栏组织厚度及栅海比均增加;喷施SODM、DTA的叶中主脉维管束横截面积和木质部导管数目增加,CC对主脉维管柬横截面积和木质部导管数目的影响不明显;喷施3种植物生长物质的叶柄表皮细胞厚度、叶柄维管束横截面积和导管数量增加,茎部薄壁组织、韧皮部和木质部厚度增加,茎的直径也增加。     

盐胁迫对3种平欧杂种榛幼苗叶片解剖结构及离子吸收、运输与分配的影响

研究盐胁迫下3个品种平欧杂种榛幼苗叶片解剖结构和离子代谢特征,以揭示盐胁迫响应与适应机制及不同品种的耐盐性差异。以‘达维’、‘辽榛7号’、‘玉坠’2年生压条苗为材料,在盆栽条件下经轻度、中度、重度(分别为50、100、200 mmol/L NaCl)盐胁迫处理,设对照为0,研究幼苗叶片显微解剖结构参数和Na~+、K~+、Cl~-、Ca²⁺含量的变化及其在根、茎、叶中的吸收、运输和分配特征。不同品种平欧杂种榛叶片厚度、上表皮厚度、下表皮厚度、栅栏组织和海绵组织厚度随着盐胁迫程度的增强呈现出先增加后降低的特点,轻度和中度胁迫下各参数显著高于对照。中度盐胁迫显著提高了各品种叶片结构紧密度。盐胁迫导致平欧杂种榛根、茎、叶Na~+和Cl~-含量明显高于对照。盐胁迫下,Na~+和Cl~-在叶中的绝对含量明显高于茎和根,但二者的增幅以根中最大,叶中最小,表明平欧杂种榛根系首先会吸收并截留一定数量的Na~+和Cl~-,然后将其运输至茎和叶中。与对照相比,轻度和中度盐胁迫下根、茎对K~+和Ca²⁺的吸收保持稳定或减少,叶对K~+和Ca²⁺...     

紫花含笑(♀)与灰岩含笑(♂)及其杂种F1代叶表皮微形态和叶结构的比较观察

通过比较观察紫花含笑(♀)和灰岩含笑(♂)及其杂种F₁代叶表皮微形态和叶结构发现,紫花含笑和灰岩含笑在叶表皮微形态及叶解剖结构方面有很大差异。杂种F₁代个体间在叶表皮微形态及叶解剖结构方面变异很大,为连续的数量遗传;其中57.7%以上的杂种F₁代气孔密度高于父母本。杂种F₁代矮化型植株叶片气孔密度较小,推测其抗寒性较强,可以通过进一步杂交改良,获得矮化型的盆栽含笑新品种。观察结果可为深入探讨含笑属种间杂种F₁代的遗传变异,并从这些杂种F₁代中选育观赏新品种积累科学资料。     

扁担木叶片和次生木质部解剖和水分生理特征的可塑性

基于叶片和次生木质部解剖特征及水分生理指标观测,研究了淮北相山不同群落中扁担木的表型可塑性.结果表明,扁担木叶片结构表现出中生特点：叶为异面叶,较薄,角质层不甚发达,气孔密度较小.次生木质部表现出旱生特点：导管频率和复孔率较高,导管分子短而窄,纤维很短,射线很低.扁担木叶片、次生木质部的解剖和水分生理特征均表现出一定的可塑性,其可塑性指数高低顺序为次生木质部解剖特征（0.24）＞水分生理特征（0.19）＞叶片解剖特征（0.18）.与侧柏林和混交林相比,灌丛中扁担木个体对干旱生境有一定的适应能力,表现在次生木质部导管分子短,导管频率高,单孔率低,木纤维短,射线矮小,具有较大的相对输导率和较小的脆性指数;叶片水势、组织含水量、自由水含量较低,叶面积、比叶面积较小,而束缚水含量、束缚水自由水比值较高.扁担木的解剖和生理可塑性,使之能忍受群落演替早期的干旱生境,更好地适应演替后期的中生环境,从而成为广布种和混交林中的优势种.     

紫花苜蓿叶输导组织解剖结构和光合特性对外源氮的响应

以紫花苜蓿品种‘甘农3号’和‘陇东苜蓿’为研究材料,采用室外(防雨网室)盆栽营养液砂培法,研究了2种氮素形态(NO3--N,NH4+-N)的5个氮素水平(0、105、210、315、420mg·L-1)处理对叶片输导组织解剖结构及光合特性的影响。结果显示:(1)与无氮处理相比,供氮处理下‘甘农3号’和‘陇东苜蓿’输导组织的解剖结构和光合特性发生明显变化,叶片输导组织维管束、木质部和韧皮部面积显著增大,导管数显著增多,净光合速率、气孔导度、叶面积和叶绿素含量均显著增加,且在210mg·L-1供氮水平下达到最大值。(2)2种氮素形态相比,‘甘农3号’和‘陇东苜蓿’叶片输导组织维管束面积、木质部面积、韧皮部面积、导管数、净光合速率、气孔导度、叶面积、叶绿素含量均表现为NH4+-N处理好于NO3--N处理。(3)2品种相比,叶片输导组织维管束面积、木质部面积、韧皮部面积、导管数、净光合速率、气孔导度、叶面积、叶绿素含量表现为‘甘农3号’大于‘陇东苜蓿’。研究表明,氮素能通过改善紫花苜蓿叶片输导组织的解剖结构和光合特性,促进紫花苜蓿光合作用;各处理中以NH4+-N、210mg·L-1表现最佳,维管束面积最大,木质部、韧皮部面积大且发育好,导管数最多,而且‘甘农3号’表现更优。     

利用气孔保卫细胞周长及叶绿体数目鉴定油菜种间杂种研究

以白菜型冬油菜‘陇油7号’、‘陇油9号’(AA,2n=20),芥菜型油菜‘冬芥’(AABB,2n=36),甘蓝型油菜‘vision'(AACC,2n=38),种间杂种‘陇油7号’ב冬芥’、‘陇油9号’בvision'为试材,对其叶片气孔保卫细胞周长及叶绿体数目进行统计分析,探讨一种快速鉴定油菜种间杂种的简易方法,并用SSR标记法对气孔保卫细胞周长及叶绿体分界法可靠性进行进一步验证.结果显示:(1)油菜亲本及种间杂种气孔保卫细胞周长在不同叶片间变异程度接近,而同一叶片的气孔保卫细胞周长下部位变异程度较小.(2)不同类型油菜亲本及其种间杂种叶片气孔保卫细胞周长和叶绿体数存在明显的分界线,具体判定分界值为:周长＜58.90 μm为白菜型油菜、周长58.90～75.83 μm为种间杂种F1、周长＞75.83 μm为甘蓝型或芥菜型油菜;叶绿体数10～12个为白菜型油菜、14～16个左右为杂种F1、18～19左右为甘蓝型或芥菜型油菜.(3)随机选择经叶片气孔保卫细胞周长和叶绿体数分界特征值鉴定的油菜种间杂种单株40个,用SSR分子标记法对鉴定结果显示,有37个单株具有杂交种带型为真杂种,两种方法鉴定油菜真杂种的吻合率达97.5％.研究表明,白菜型、甘蓝型、芥菜型油菜及其种间杂种的叶片气孔保卫细胞周长及叶绿体存在特定的分界线值,据此可以方便有效地鉴定油菜种间杂种,即当植株气孔同时满足保卫细胞周长在58.90～75.83 μm、叶绿体数在14～16个左右时,则可判定其为真杂种.     

小花山桃草营养器官解剖结构及其生态适应性研究

通过石蜡切片法对外来入侵植物小花山桃草进行解剖学方面的研究,旨在揭示其入侵和蔓延的结构基础。结果表明：小花山桃草根的次生结构中次生木质部所占比例较大,约占整个横切面的2/3,导管数量多,平均达138.25个,管腔大,管径为85.37 μm;根和茎的木栓层均较发达,由6～7层扁平细胞组成;根和茎的次生韧皮部中存在大量含针晶细胞;小花山桃草的叶具典型的旱生植物叶片的结构特征：表皮为复表皮,上下表皮均有气孔分布,上表皮气孔密度为180 mm^-2,下表皮气孔密度为266 mm^-2;栅栏组织为双栅型,近轴面栅栏组织细胞2～3层,排列紧密而整齐,含叶绿体较多;叶片主脉木质部发达,由多列导管组成。上述特征说明小花山桃草的解剖结构对干旱生境有较强的适应性。     

Phylogeny of cardinalfishes (Teleostei: Gobiiformes: Apogonidae) and the evolution of visceral bioluminescence

The cardinalfishes (Apogonidae) are a diverse clade of small, mostly reef-dwelling fishes, for which a variety of morphological data have not yielded a consistent phylogeny. We use DNA sequence to hypothesize phylogenetic relationships within Apogonidae and among apogonids and other acanthomorph families, to examine patterns of evolution including the distribution of a visceral bioluminescence system. In conformance with previous studies, Apogonidae is placed in a clade with Pempheridae, Kurtidae, Leiognathidae, and Gobioidei. The apogonid genus Pseudamia is recovered outside the remainder of the family, not as sister to the superficially similar genus Gymnapogon. Species sampled from the Caribbean and Western Atlantic (Phaeoptyx, Astrapogon, and some Apogon species) form a clade, as do the larger-bodied Glossamia and Cheilodipterus. Incidence of visceral bioluminescence is found scattered throughout the phylogeny, independently for each group in which it is present. Examination of the fine structure of the visceral bioluminescence system through histology shows that light organs exhibit a range of morphologies, with some composed of complex masses of tubules (Siphamia, Pempheris, Parapriacanthus) and others lacking tubules but containing chambers formed by folds of the visceral epithelium (Acropoma, Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia). Light organs in Siphamia, Acropoma, Pempheris and Parapriacanthus are distinct from but connected to the gut; those in Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia are simply portions of the intestinal tract, and are little differentiated from the surrounding tissues. The presence or absence of symbiotic luminescent bacteria does not correlate with light organ structure; the tubular light organs of Siphamia and chambered tubes of Acropoma house bacteria, those in Pempheridae and the other Apogonidae do not.     

Molecular phylogeny of Phebalium (Rutaceae: Boronieae) and related genera based on the nrDNA regions ITS 1+2

Parsimony analyses of the internal transcribed spacer regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS 1 & ITS 2) for 38 taxa sampled from the Phebalium group (Rutaceae: Boronieae) and two outgroups confirm that, with the exception of Phebalium sensu stricto and Rhadinothamnus, six of the currently recognised genera within the group are monophyletic. The data indicate that Phebaliums. str. is paraphyletic with respect to Microcybe, and Rhadinothamnus is paraphyletic with respect to Chorilaena. Rhadinothamnus and Chorilaena together are the sister group to Nematolepis. Drummondita, included as an outgroup taxon, clustered within the ingroup as sister to Muiriantha and related to Asterolasia.The phylogeny suggests that the evolution of major clades within a number of these genera (e.g. Phebalium) relates to vicariance events between eastern and south-western Australia. Leionema is an eastern genus, with the most basal taxon being the morphologically distinct Leionema ellipticum from northern Queensland. Leionema also includes one species from New Zealand, but this species (as with some others) proved difficult to sequence and its phylogenetic position remains unknown. Taxonomic changes at the generic level are recommended.The authors wish to thank Paul G.Wilson, PERTH, for advice and discussion, and Paul Forster, BRI, for collecting and providing material of Leionema ellipticum. The project was supported by a Melbourne University Postgraduate Award (to BM), the Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS), Australian Systematic Botany Society and Wolf Den (Australia) Investments.     

Molecular identification of Taenia spp. in wolves (Canis lupus), brown bears (Ursus arctos) and cervids from North Europe and Alaska

Taenia tapeworms of Finnish and Swedish wolves (Canis lupus) and Finnish brown bears (Ursus arctos), and muscle cysticerci of Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus), Alaskan Grant's caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) and Alaskan moose (Alces americanus) were identified on the basis of the nucleotide sequence of a 396 bp region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene. Two species were found from wolves: Taenia hydatigena and Taenia krabbei. The cysticerci of reindeer, caribou and one moose also represented T. krabbei. Most of the cysticercal specimens from Alaskan moose, however, belonged to an unknown T. krabbei-like species, which had been reported previously from Eurasian elks (Alces alces) from Finland. Strobilate stages from two bears belonged to this species as well. The present results suggest that this novel Taenia sp. has a Holarctic distribution and uses Alces spp. as intermediate and ursids as final hosts.     

Planting densities and bird and rodent absence affect size distributions of four dicots in synthetic tallgrass communities

Variability in the size distributions of populations is usually studied in monocultures or in mixed plantings of two species. Variability of size distributions of populations in more complex communities has been neglected. The effects of seeding density (35 or 350 seeds/species/m²) and presence of small vertebrates on the variability of size distributions were studied for a total of 1,920 individuals of 4 species in replicated synthetic communities of 18 species in northern Illinois. End-of season height and above-ground biomass were measured for prairie perennials Dalea purpurea (purple prairie clover), Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower), Desmanthus illinoensis (Illinois bundleflower) and Heliopsis helianthoides (early sunflower). Variability in biomass distribution of the four target species was twice as great at low than at high densities when small vertebrates were excluded. Our results suggest that inter- and intraspecific competition may affect all individuals more under high-density conditions, thereby reducing the variability in their biomass distributions within this community. This result, a consequence of plant-plant interaction, is obscured when small birds or mammals are present, presumably because either or both add variance that overwhelms the pattern.     

Seven new calochroid and fulvoid species of Cortinarius

We describe seven new European species of Cortinarius. All species are based on analyses of morphological and DNA sequence data. They all belong to a well-supported clade comprising most species traditionally treated in Cortinarius subgenus Phlegmacium sections Fulvi and Calochroi (i.e. the/Calochroi clade). All taxa are either fulvoid (containing anthraquinoid pigments) or calochroid (without these pigments). Morphological and ecological data are presented for all species and compared with similar species. A dichotomous key is presented for C. calochrous and similar species, including all six newly described calochroid species. The calochroid species C. albertii, C. chailluzii, C. cisticola, C. sancti-felicis, C. selandicus and C. vesterholtii spp. nov., and the fulvoid species C. langeorum sp. nov. are described.     

Phylogeny and Megasystematics of Phagotrophic Heterokonts (Kingdom Chromista)

Heterokonts are evolutionarily important as the most nutritionally diverse eukaryote supergroup and the most species-rich branch of the eukaryotic kingdom Chromista. Ancestrally photosynthetic/phagotrophic algae (mixotrophs), they include several ecologically important purely heterotrophic lineages, all grossly understudied phylogenetically and of uncertain relationships. We sequenced 18S rRNA genes from 14 phagotrophic non-photosynthetic heterokonts and a probable Ochromonas, performed phylogenetic analysis of 210–430 Heterokonta, and revised higher classification of Heterokonta and its three phyla: the predominantly photosynthetic Ochrophyta; the non-photosynthetic Pseudofungi; and Bigyra (now comprising subphyla Opalozoa, Bicoecia, Sagenista). The deepest heterokont divergence is apparently between Bigyra, as revised here, and Ochrophyta/Pseudofungi. We found a third universal heterokont signature sequence, and deduce three independent losses of ciliary hairs, several of 1-2 cilia, 10 of photosynthesis, but perhaps only two plastid losses. In Ochrophyta, heterotrophic Oikomonas is sister to the photosynthetic Chrysamoeba, whilst the abundant freshwater predator Spumella is biphyletic; neither clade is specifically related to Paraphysomonas, indicating four losses of photosynthesis by chrysomonads. Sister to Chrysomonadea (Chrysophyceae) is Picophagea cl. nov. (Picophagus, Chlamydomyxa). The diatom-parasite Pirsonia belongs in Pseudofungi. Heliozoan-like actinophryids (e.g. Actinosphaerium) are Opalozoa, not related to pedinellids within Hypogyristea cl. nov. of Ochrophyta as once thought. The zooflagellate class Bicoecea (perhaps the ancestral phenotype of Bigyra) is unexpectedly diverse and a major focus of our study. We describe four new biciliate bicoecean genera and five new species: Nerada mexicana, Labromonas fenchelii (=Pseudobodo tremulans sensu Fenchel), Boroka karpovii (=P. tremulans sensu Karpov), Anoeca atlantica and Cafeteria mylnikovii; several cultures were previously misidentified as Pseudobodo tremulans. Nerada and the uniciliate Paramonas are related to Siluania and Adriamonas; this clade (Pseudodendromonadales emend.) is probably sister to Bicosoeca. Genetically diverse Caecitellus is probably related to Anoeca, Symbiomonas and Cafeteria (collectively Anoecales emend.). Boroka is sister to Pseudodendromonadales/Bicoecales/Anoecales. Placidiales are probably divergent bicoeceans (the GenBank Placidia sequence is a basidiomycete/heterokont chimaera). Two GenBank ‘opalinid’ sequences are fungal; Pseudopirsonia is cercozoan; two previous GenBank ‘Caecitellus’ sequences are Adriamonas. Electronic Supplementary Material Electronic Supplementary material is available for this article at and accessible for authorised users. [Reviewing Editior: Patnck J. Keeling]     

Diversity and structure of shrew communities in montane forests of southeast Kenya

As a step towards setting conservation priorities for declining moist forests in southeast Kenya, we assessed for small mammal diversity and distribution. These habitats are under severe pressure due to increased demand an forests products and arable land, yet there is a dearth of information an impacts an biodiversity. Over an eight-month period, we used a combination of box and pitfall traps with drift fences to study 13 forest fragments in five geographic areas ranging between 3°28′−4°10′ S and 38°28′−39°2b′ E. We recorded 12 species including 10 soricids and two macroscelids in 31440 trap nights. Diversity estimates using rarefaction method indicate a species richness of 12, consistent with our collection. There were six unique species, each limited in distribution to one forest fragment. Our record of Crocidura cf. selina in Kyulu Hills is the first outside Mabira forest in Uganda where it is considered endemic and endangered. We also report the first record of C. fuscomurina in Kenya, white those of C. Luna and Suncus megalura are first in the southeast of the country. By providing new ranges to four species, our study is of significance to the biogeography and conservation of forest small mammals in the region.     

New geographical distribution and host records of rust fungi from northern Thailand

Ten species of rust fungi (Crossopsora 2, Maravalia 1, Pileolaria 1, Puccinia 1, Ravenelia 1, Sphaerophragmium 1, Uredo 2, and Uromyces 1) are newly recorded together with six new host plants in Thailand.Contribution no. 194, Laboratory of Plant Parasitic Mycology, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan     

Foreign exploration for Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and associated natural enemies on avocado (Persea americana Miller)

Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara was discovered attacking avocados in California, USA, in 1996. Host plant surveys in California indicated that S. perseae has a highly restricted host range with larvae being found only on avocados, while adults were collected from 11 different plant species. As part of a management program for this pest, a “classical” biological control program was initiated and foreign exploration was conducted to delineate the home range of S. perseae, to survey for associated natural enemies and inventory other species of phytophagous thrips on avocados grown in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, and Brazil. Foreign exploration efforts indicate that S. perseae occurs on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1500 m) from Uruapan in Mexico south to areas around Guatemala City in Guatemala. In Costa Rica, S. perseae is replaced by an undescribed congener as the dominant phytophagous thrips on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1300 m). No species of Scirtothrips were found on avocados in the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, or Brazil. In total, 2136 phytophagous thrips were collected and identified, representing over 47 identified species from at least 19 genera. The significance of these species records is discussed. Of collected material 4% were potential thrips biological control agents. Natural enemies were dominated by six genera of predatory thrips (Aeolothrips, Aleurodothrips, Franklinothrips, Leptothrips, Scolothrips, and Karnyothrips). One genus each of parasitoid (Ceranisus) and predatory mite (Balaustium) were found. Based on the results of our sampling techniques, prospects for the importation of thrips natural enemies for use in a “classical” biological control program in California against S. perseae are not promising.     

Changes of dung beetle communities from rainforests towards agroforestry systems and annual cultures in Sulawesi (Indonesia)

Little is known about how tropical land-use systems contribute to the conservation of functionally important insect groups, including dung beetles. In a study at the margin of Lore Lindu National Park (a biodiversity hotspot in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia) dung-beetle communities were sampled in natural forest, young secondary forest, agroforestry systems (cacao plantations with shade trees) and annual cultures (maize fields), each with four replicates (n = 16 sites). At each site we used 10 pitfall traps, baited with cattle dung, along a 100 m transect for six 3-day periods. The number of trapped specimens and species richness at the natural forest sites was higher than in all land-use systems, which did not significantly differ. Each land-use system contained, on average, 75% of the species richness of the natural forest, thereby indicating their importance for conservation. However, a two-dimensional scaling plot based on NESS indices (m = 6) indicated distinct dung beetle communities for both forest types, while agroforestry systems and annual cultures exhibited a pronounced overlap. Mean body size of dung beetles was not significantly influenced by land-use intensity. Five of the six most abundant dung beetle species were recorded in all habitats, whereas the abundance of five other species was significantly related to habitat type. Mean local abundance and number of occupied sites were closely correlated, further indicating little habitat specialisation. The low dung beetle diversity (total of 18 recorded species) may be due to the absence of larger mammals in Sulawesi during historical times, even though Sulawesi is the largest island of Wallacea. In conclusion, the dung beetle fauna of the lower montane forest zone in Central Sulawesi appears to be relatively robust to man-made habitat changes and the majority of species did not exhibit strong habitat preferences.