海南岛的蝎子地理分布研究

蝎目是蛛形动物中较早登陆且又比较原始的类群,在蛛形动物进化历程中占重要地位,是已知最古老的陆生节肢动物之一,具有较高的药用价值和食用价值.本文对海南岛蝎子的生态地理分布进行了研究,从理论上丰富了热带地区蝎目动物的地理分布和物种丰富度等方面的内容;在实践上,拓宽了应用的领域,有利于对不同蝎目动物的资源开发和利用,同时也为保护这类古老的动物提供了依据.经调查,共发现蝎目动物2科3属3种,均为海南已有记录种类,其中钳蝎科2种,分别为等蝎属的斑等蝎和狼蝎属的细尖狼蝎;瘦尾蝎科1种,系链尾蝎属的澳链尾蝎.     

太行山南麓山区不同植被恢复类型土壤理化和细根结构特征

在干旱半干旱地区,由于水分匮乏、土壤贫瘠等因素,将形成一定的裸地斑块,而这些斑块极易造成水土流失、滑坡等灾害,而具有不同植被覆盖的林地则能有效的保持水土。为完善干旱半干旱地区不同植被恢复类型下土壤理化和细根特征,选择太行山南麓山区具有代表性的裸露地、草地、荆条地、侧柏地、栓皮地和刺槐地等植被恢复类型,比较了各植被恢复类型下的土壤养分、粒径及细根状况等差异。研究表明:1)相对于裸露地,有植被覆盖的植被恢复类型拥有良好的土壤及细根状况。2)在不同植被类型中,刺槐林的有效氮转化速率较高;侧柏林有较高的细根参数;草地能够提高土壤中可吸收的磷组分。3)林地类型和土层均对土壤中含水率、黏粒、细根生物量和比根长产生极显著影响(P0.001)。4)各植被类型的对于土壤斑块的利用能力不同;不同植被类型中土壤及细根状况变化量具有一定的相似性,研究为生态恢复中植被类型的合理布局提供了新思路。     

青海省东部地区的自然植被

 青海省东部地区地处青藏高原和黄土高原的交汇地带。该地区受青藏高原和黄土高原的影响,自然植被与青藏高原上的高寒植被和黄土高原上的植被类型均有一定联系,从而形成该区较为复杂的植被类型。据考察,该地区的主要植被类型包括荒漠草原、草原、森林、灌丛、高寒灌丛和高寒草甸,并在该地区形成明显的垂直分布。在海拔较低的河谷低山分布着与黄土高原相连的植被类型;而海拔较高的山地则分布与青藏高原相连的高寒植被,形成有一定过渡性而又独具特色的植被景观。我们认为,该地区是青藏高原和黄土高原的过渡地带。     

京津冀地区自然植被保护与自然保护区布局研究

京津冀一体化,协同发展已上升为国家战略,着力扩大环境容量生态空间,加强生态环境保护合作是京津冀协同发展的具体要求,而促进该区域自然植被的保护和自然保护区布局的优化是生态环境保护的重要组成。文章以京津冀地区的自然保护区基础信息、植被类型信息以及地形地貌信息为基础数据,分析了京津冀地区自然保护区的基本特征,利用GIS的叠加分析功能,研究了京津冀地区的植被保护现状与保护空缺,分析了自然保护区分布与海拔梯度的关系,植被分布与海拔梯度的关系。结果表明:京津冀地区的自然保护区以森林类型为主,其次是内陆湿地类型;京津冀地区的主要森林植被类型得到了较好的保护,草原草甸植被的保护需要加强;自然保护区的分布和植被类型的分布在海拔梯度上具有较高的一致性,在海拔800—1200 m内分布的自然保护区数量最多,也是森林植被类型数量与分布面积最多的海拔段。因此,加强河北省西北部的草原草甸生态系统自然保护区的建设,有助于弥补京津冀地区自然植被保护的不足;加强河北省涞源县-阜平县,井陉县-赞皇县等西部太行山海拔800—1200 m范围内自然保护区的建设,有助于保护暖温带落叶阔叶林生态系统,构建由太行山和燕山森林类型自然保护区组成的生态屏障。     

阿尔金山自然保护区植物群落生物量和物种多样性的空间格局及其影响因素

以阿尔金山国家级自然保护区的植物群落为研究对象,用样方法调查分析了不同植物群落的物种多样性、生物量的空间格局及其与环境因子间的关系。结果表明:西南高海拔地区主要植被类型为高寒草原,东北低海拔地区主要植被类型为沼泽草甸和高寒草原,西北部中海拔和东南低海拔区域的植被类型则主要为高寒荒漠;植物群落的物种多样性和生物量并未表现出明显的纬度、经度和海拔梯度变化;植物群落的多样性指数与土壤全氮、土壤总碳、土壤有机碳呈显著正相关,与土壤含水量呈极显著正相关;植物生物量与土壤有机碳和土壤含水量呈显著正相关,与土壤全氮呈极显著正相关,与土壤容重呈显著负相关。综上,阿尔金山保护区内植物群落生物多样性与生物量的空间分异是地理因子、土壤因子以及气象条件等综合作用的结果,在保护区尺度上土壤和气象因子对植物群落的影响超过地理因子的影响。     

卧龙自然保护区亚高山草甸的数量分类与排序

在野外植被调查的基础上,采用植被数量分析方法对岷江流域卧龙自然保护区亚高山草甸进行TWINSPAN分类和DCA排序,研究了植物种、植物群落与环境之间的关系.结果表明,该地区亚高山草甸共有植物139种,隶属于31科88属.应用数量分类方法将114个样方分为12个群落类型.在分析不同环境因子间的关系基础上,从定量的角度揭示了影响群落分布的主要因素是海拔梯度和土壤含水量.DCA排序图反映出排序轴的生态意义,第1轴反映了各群落类型所在环境的海拔梯度,从上到下,随着海拔的升高,植物群落或植物种的耐寒性越来越强;第2轴基本上反映了各群落类型所在环境的土壤含水量.排序结果与分类结果比较吻合,反映出植物群落类型和物种分布随环境因子梯度变化的趋势.     

2000—2015年秦巴山区植被净初级生产力时空变化及其驱动因子

基于2000—2015年MOD17A3数据及各驱动因素数据,辅以地统计学理论,利用趋势分析、Hurst指数及相关分析等方法,剖析秦巴山区近16年植被净初级生产力(NPP)时空变化特征,研究气候变化、土壤类型、地形因子、植被类型及人类活动等对植被NPP的影响.结果表明: 秦巴山区植被NPP空间上呈西南高、东北低的分布格局;时间上,近16年呈西北增、东北减的变化特征,在未来呈北部持续性、南部反持续性的发展态势.秦巴山区植被NPP与降雨量和气温呈正相关;暗棕壤、黄壤、紫色土和水稻土4种土壤类型的NPP均值明显高于其他土壤类型;不同植被类型的NPP存在空间分布和变化趋势的差异;NPP的高值主要分布在坡度25°～50°、海拔500～1000 m 以及大于2500 m的区域内;人类活动对NPP具有双重扰动性,表现为正向促进,反向抑制.     

2000—2015年秦巴山区植被净初级生产力时空变化及其趋动因子

基于2000—2015年MOD17A3数据及各驱动因素数据,辅以地统计学理论,利用趋势分析、Hurst指数及相关分析等方法,剖析秦巴山区近16年植被净初级生产力(NPP)时空变化特征,研究气候变化、土壤类型、地形因子、植被类型及人类活动等对植被NPP的影响.结果表明: 秦巴山区植被NPP空间上呈西南高、东北低的分布格局;时间上,近16年呈西北增、东北减的变化特征,在未来呈北部持续性、南部反持续性的发展态势.秦巴山区植被NPP与降雨量和气温呈正相关;暗棕壤、黄壤、紫色土和水稻土4种土壤类型的NPP均值明显高于其他土壤类型;不同植被类型的NPP存在空间分布和变化趋势的差异;NPP的高值主要分布在坡度25°～50°、海拔500～1000 m 以及大于2500 m的区域内;人类活动对NPP具有双重扰动性,表现为正向促进,反向抑制.     

环境因子对海南岛野生兰科植物物种组成与分布格局的影响

海南岛是中国兰科植物物种丰富度较高的地区, 了解环境因子对海南岛野生兰科植物物种组成和分布格局的影响, 对于该地区野生兰科植物的保护管理和相关研究具有重要指导意义。基于海南岛野生兰科植物调查分布样方的植被类型、海拔、坡向、坡度、年平均气温、年降水量的数据, 采用典范相关分析探索了环境因子对物种组成的影响, 并计算各个环境因子对物种组成的总效应与净效应, 同时分析了6个环境因子对野生兰科植物分布格局的影响。结果表明, 所选的6个环境因子共解释了海南岛野生兰科植物组成变异的3.7%; 植被类型、海拔、年平均气温、年降水量、坡向、坡度这6个环境因子的总效应与净效应均达显著水平, 但其解释率依次减小。所选的6个环境因子对海南岛野生兰科植物的分布均有影响, 野生兰科植物在海南岛主要分布在中海拔段、5°-35°的坡度范围、阴坡与半阴坡、年平均气温较低且年降水量较高的环境, 并且于原生植被中分布最多。     

白花油麻藤的地理分布及适生区预测

白花油麻藤是豆科黧豆属大型木质藤本植物。运用Diva-Gis软件,结合海拔高度图层和植被图层绘制了白花油麻藤的地理分布图,分析了白花油麻藤的分布规律和生境特性;以Maxent模型作为物种适生性预测模型,温度和降水作为预测的环境因子,预测了白花油麻藤在中国的适生区。结果表明:白花油麻藤在中国27.5°N以南中低海拔10～1200m有分布,如山坡、路旁、沟谷、溪边及林下灌丛;喜温暖湿润气候,广东为白花油麻藤分布最为密集的地区。白花油麻藤的分布与植被类型和海拔有着密切的关系,分布区的植被类型为亚热带常绿阔叶林和热带季雨林,随着植被分布密度的降低和海拔的升高白花油麻藤的分布范围和分布密度呈逐渐缩小的趋势。白花油麻藤在中国的潜在分布区为粤、桂、闽、港、澳、滇、琼、赣、川、黔、藏、湘、浙等省区及交界处,其种质资源的保存及其利用应考虑其潜在分布区。     

Molecular cloning of the ecdysone receptor and the retinoid X receptor from the scorpion Liocheles australasiae

cDNAs of the ecdysone receptor and the retinoid X receptor were cloned from the Japanese scorpion Liocheles australasiae, and the amino acid sequences were deduced. The full-length cDNA sequences of the L. australasiae ecdysone receptor and the L. australasiae retinoid X receptor were 2881 and 1977 bp in length, respectively, and the open reading frames encoded proteins of 560 and 414 amino acids. The amino acid sequence of the L. australasiae ecdysone receptor was similar to that of the ecdysone receptor-A of the soft tick, Ornithodoros moubata (68%) and to that of the ecdysone receptor-A1 of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (66%), but showed lower similarity to the ecdysone receptors of Orthoptera and Coleoptera (53-57%). The primary sequence of the ligand-binding region of the L. australasiae ecdysone receptor was highly homologous to that of ticks (85-86%). The amino acid sequence of the L. australasiae retinoid X receptor was also homologous to the amino acid sequence of ultraspiracles of ticks (63%) and insects belonging to the orders Orthoptera and Coleoptera (60-64%). The identity of both the L. australasiae ecdysone receptor and the L. australasiae retinoid X receptor to their lepidopteran and dipteran orthologs was less than 50%. The cDNAs of both the L. australasiae ecdysone receptor (L. australasiae ecdysone receptor-A) and the L. australasiae retinoid X receptor were successfully translated in vitro using a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system. An ecdysone analog, ponasterone A, bound to L. australasiae ecdysone receptor-A (K(D) = 4.2 nM), but not to L. australasiae retinoid X receptor. The L. australasiae retinoid X receptor did not enhance the binding of ponasterone A to L. australasiae ecdysone receptor-A, although L. australasiae retinoid X receptor was necessary for the binding of L. australasiae ecdysone receptor-A to ecdysone response elements.     

Vascular plant species richness in relation to habitat diversity and island area in the Finnish Archipelago

Aim The aim of this study is to explore the interrelationships between island area, species number and habitat diversity in two archipelago areas. Location The study areas, Brunskär and Getskär, are located in an archipelago in south‐western Finland. Methods The study areas, 82 islands in Brunskär and 78 in Getskär, were classified into nine habitat types based on land cover. In the Brunskär area, the flora (351 species) was surveyed separately for each individual habitat on the islands. In the Getskär area, the flora (302 species) was surveyed on a whole‐island basis. We used standard techniques to analyse the species–area relationship on a whole‐island and a habitat level. We also tested our data for the small island effect (SIE) using breakpoint and path analysis models. Results Species richness was significantly associated with both island area and habitat diversity. Vegetated area in particular, defined as island area with the rock habitat subtracted, proved to be a strong predictor of species richness. Species number had a greater association with island area multiplied by the number of habitats than with island area or habitat number separately. The tests for a SIE in the species–area relationship showed the existence of a SIE in one of the island groups. No SIE could be detected for the species–vegetated area relationship in either of the island groups. The strength of the species–area relationship differed considerably between the habitats. Main conclusions The general principles of island biogeography apply well to the 160 islands in this study. Vascular plant diversity for small islands is strongly influenced by physiographic factors. For the small islands with thin and varying soil cover, vegetated area was the most powerful predictor of species richness. The species–area curves of various habitats showed large variations, suggesting that the measurement of habitat areas and establishment of habitat‐based species lists are needed to better understand species richness on islands. We found some evidence of a SIE, but it is debatable whether this is a ‘true’ SIE or a soil cover/habitat characteristics feature.     

长白山林线过渡带树岛土壤微生物群落结构和生态功能

林线过渡带是指从郁闭森林上限到树种分布上限之间的区域,过渡带内生物多样性丰富,生态系统结构、功能和生态过程在很小的海拔梯度内发生剧烈变化,因此对全球气候变化和人类活动极为敏感。树岛是在林线过渡带内出现的斑块状或条带形不连续分布的树木集群,树岛内生存的树木通常能达到与较低海拔郁闭森林同样的高度和胸径,因此揭示树岛这一特殊生境的生态特征及其形成机制,对于预测未来气候变化下林线动态具有重要意义。以长白山岳桦林线过渡带一大型树岛作为研究对象,测定了土壤理化性质和土壤酶活性,采用宏基因组测序技术分析了微生物群落结构组成和功能基因丰度,通过与同海拔的开阔区生境进行对比,揭示了树岛这一特殊生境的土壤微生物群落结构特征和潜在生态功能,从土壤养分和土壤微生物学角度,阐明树岛形成的可能驱动机制。结果表明,树岛土壤的含水量、总碳、总氮和微生物生物量显著高于同海拔开阔区（P<0.05）,与微生物r-策略相关的生理生化和遗传学指标,包括纤维素酶活性、放线菌相对丰度、与转录、防御、控制细胞周期相关的基因丰度、小分子碳降解基因丰度,均高于开阔区（P<0.05）。相反的,与微生物K-策略相关的指标,包括酸杆菌相对丰度、大分子碳降解基因相对丰度低于开阔区。揭示了树岛土壤微生物学特征,并从土壤微生物组学角度探讨了树岛形成的潜在机制,认为树岛内土壤养分增加并导致微生物群落r-策略倾向,这种变化反过来也可能促进树岛进一步扩大,进而影响林线动态。     

LC/MS/MS identification of 20-hydroxyecdysone in a scorpion (Liocheles australasiae) and its binding affinity to in vitro-translated molting hormone receptors

Recent advances in mass spectrometry (MS) technology have facilitated the detection and quantification of minor components in organisms and the environment. In this study, we successfully identified 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) in first instar nymphs (7 days after hatching) of the scorpion Liocheles australasiae, using tandem mass spectrometry combined with high-performance liquid chromatography (LC/MS/MS). This substance was not found in adults after the fifth stage. Other possible molting hormone candidates such as makisterone A (MaA) and ponasterone A (PoA), both of which are reported to be the molting hormones of a few arthropod species, were not detected in this scorpion. The ligand-receptor binding of 20E and its analogs was quantitatively evaluated against the in vitro-translated molting hormone receptor, the heterodimer of ecdysone receptor (EcR) and the retinoid X receptor (RXR) of L. australasiae (LaEcR/LaRXR). The concentrations of ecdysone (E), MaA, 20E, and PoA that are required to inhibit 50% of [(3)H]PoA binding to the LaEcR/LaRXR complex were determined to be 1.9, 0.69, 0.05, and 0.017 μM, respectively. The activity profiles of these 4 ecdysteroids are consistent with those obtained for the molting hormone receptors of several insects. The binding of a non-steroidal E agonist, tebufenozide, to EcR was not observed even at high concentrations, indicating that the structure of the ligand-binding pocket of LaEcR is not favorable for interaction with tebufenozide.     

LiDAR as a rapid tool to predict forest habitat types in Natura 2000 networks

Management strategies for the conservation of biodiversity can be developed only with precise information on the spatial distribution of organisms on relevant, mostly regional, spatial scales. Current surrogates for approximating the distribution of biodiversity are habitats mapped within a number of national and international frameworks (e.g., Natura 2000), even though conventional habitat mapping is time consuming and requires well-trained personnel. Here we evaluated the use of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) to map forest habitat types to simplify the process. We used available data of habitat types for the Bavarian Forest National Park as a basis to predict habitat types with LiDAR-derived variables. Furthermore, we compared these results with predictions based on extensive ground-based climate, soil and vegetation data. Using linear and flexible discriminant analyses, we found that LiDAR is able to predict forest habitat types with the same overall accuracy as the extensive ground data for climate, soil and vegetation composition. Subtle differences in the vegetation structure between habitat types, particularly in the vertical and horizontal vegetation profiles, were captured by LiDAR. These differences in the physiognomy were in part caused by changes in altitude, which also influence tree species composition. We propose that the most-efficient way to identify forest habitat types according Natura 2000 is to combine remote-sensing LiDAR data with well-directed field surveys.     

The contribution of different habitat types to species diversity of Baltic uplift islands

Islands are vulnerable ecosystems worldwide, increasingly exposed to human pressure, global climate change and invasive species. Thus, understanding island species diversity is key for nature conservation. Recent studies on insular plant communities indicated that habitat-specific species composition and richness might largely affect diversity patterns observed at the island scale. In consequence, habitat-based approaches are needed to (i) estimate how environmental changes at the habitat scale may affect island diversity, and to (ii) estimate the contribution of different patches of the same habitat to island diversity with respect to habitat-specific environmental constraints.In the present study, we tested these habitat-to-island diversity relationships for shoreline habitats (brackish reeds, salt marsh, rocky shore, tall herbs) and island interior habitats (rocks, semi-natural grassland, pioneer forest, coniferous forest, mixed forest) using 108 islands of three Baltic archipelagos in Sweden. These islands differed in terms of island-scale variables describing effects of island configuration and distance, and habitat-scale variables representing the effects of habitat area, abiotic environment and land-use.The studied habitats differed in their contribution to island species diversity, called habitat specificity. Shoreline habitats shared many common specialist species adapted to extreme conditions like sea salt or bird grazing, while habitats of the island interior harbored mainly species adapted to the specific conditions of a single habitat. We found high variability in habitat specificity as a consequence of habitat-specific environmental factors. Variability was highest for grasslands, where it was related to abandonment and soil fertility, stressing the importance of grassland management for maintaining island biodiversity. Habitats with high habitat specificity through either high species richness or many habitat-specific specialists should be the primary targets for biodiversity management.     

Local adaptation of stress related traits in Drosophila buzzatii and Drosophila simulans in spite of high gene flow

We addressed the question if local adaptation to a thermal gradient is possible in spite of a high gene flow among closely spaced populations of two species of Drosophila from the island of La Gomera (Canary Islands). Variation in multiple traits related to stress resistance in different life stages was measured in both species in flies collected from five localities at different altitudes and thereby with different climatic conditions. Based on microsatellite loci, the populations were not genetically differentiated. However, 18 of the 24 independent traits measured showed significant differentiation among populations of Drosophila buzzatii, but only nine of 25 for Drosophila simulans. This difference in the number of traits might reflect higher habitat specificity and thus higher potential for local adaptation of D. buzzatii than D. simulans. We found clinal variation, as some traits showed significant linear regressions on altitude, but more on altitude cubed.     

Molecular cloning and electrophysiological studies on the first K(+) channel toxin (LmKTx8) derived from scorpion Lychas mucronatus

LmKTx8, the first toxic gene isolated from the venom of scorpion Lychas mucronatus by constructing cDNA library method, was expressed and characterized physiologically. The mature peptide has 40 residues including six conserved cysteines, and is classified as one of alpha-KTx11 subfamily. Using patch-clamp recording, the recombinant LmKTx8 (rLmKTx8) was used to test the effect on voltage-gated K(+) channels (Kv1.3) stably expressed in COS7 cells and large conductance-Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK) channels expressed in HEK293. The results of electrophysiological experiments showed that the rLmKTx8 was a potent inhibitor of Kv1.3 channels with an IC(50)=26.40+/-1.62nM, but 100nM rLmKTx8 did not block the BK currents. LmKTx8 or its analogs might serve as a potential candidate for the development of new drugs for autoimmune diseases.     

Habitat selection and coexistence of invasive cockroach species (Dictyoptera) in sugar-cane fields on Réunion island

Selection of habitat has a profound influence on interactions among species and the assembly of ecological communities. We investigated habitat preferences to understand how different cockroach species coexist in sugar-cane fields on Réunion island.Cockroach populations belonging to a guild of seven species were surveyed during one annual cycle in eight sugar-cane fields that differed by several environmental factors, in order to investigate ecological features of cockroach species and their patterns of coexistence.Structure variations of the cockroach communities were analyzed at the field scale, at the sample unit scale, and according to variations of environmental conditions related to the annual sugar-cane growth cycle. A canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was used to elucidate relationships between species diversity, population abundance and environmental characteristics.The examination of partitioning at different spatial and temporal scales evidenced that each species occupied a particular type of habitat. The main factors influencing spatial habitat selection were at the sample unit scale: presence of ants, edge effect, soil moisture and granulometry, at the field scale: irrigation, annual rainfall, altitude and age of the field. Although a pair of species shared the same type of habitat, annual population peaks of each species did not coincide in time. This suggests that resource partitioning is based both on ecological factors and interspecific competition.Factors enhancing cockroach coexistence and factors favoring population outbursts are discussed as well as specific invasive capacities of these cockroaches and the role of the cockroach community in the sugar-cane trophic web.