Dung beetle assemblages on tropical land‐bridge islands: small island effect and vulnerable species

Aim Using dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) in a tropical land‐bridge island system, we test for the small island effect (SIE) in the species–area relationship and evaluate its effects on species richness and community composition. We also examine the determinants of species richness across island size and investigate the traits of dung beetle species in relation to their local extinction vulnerability following forest fragmentation. Location Lake Kenyir, a hydroelectric reservoir in north‐eastern Peninsular Malaysia. Methods We sampled dung beetles using human dung baited pitfall traps on 24 land‐bridge islands and three mainland sites. We used regression tree analyses to test for the SIE, as well as species traits related to local rarity, as an indication of extinction vulnerability. We employed generalized linear models (GLMs) to examine determinants for species richness at different scales and compared the results with those from conventional linear and breakpoint regressions. Community analyses included non‐metric multidimensional scaling, partial Mantel tests, nestedness analysis and abundance spectra. Results Regression tree analysis revealed an area threshold at 35.8 ha indicating an SIE. Tree basal area was the most important predictor of species richness on small islands (<35.8 ha). Results from GLMs supported these findings, with isolation and edge index also being important for small islands. The SIE also manifested in patterns of dung beetle community composition where communities on small islands (<35.8 ha) departed from those on the mainland and larger islands, and were highly variable with no significant nestedness, probably as a result of unexpected species occurrences on several small islands. The communities exhibited a low degree of spatial autocorrelation, suggesting that dispersal limitation plays a part in structuring dung beetle assemblages. Species with lower baseline density and an inability to forage on the forest edge were found to be rarer among sites and hence more prone to local extinction. Main conclusions We highlight the stochastic nature of dung beetle community composition on small islands and argue that this results in reduced ecosystem functionality. A better understanding of the minimum fragment size required for retaining functional ecological communities will be important for effective conservation management and the maintenance of tropical forest ecosystem stability.     

Extracellular DNA Inhibits Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium and S. enterica Serovar Typhi Biofilm Development on Abiotic Surfaces

Extracellular DNA (eDNA) was identified and characterized in a 2-day-old biofilms developed by Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium SR-11 and S. enterica ser. Typhi ST6 using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and enzymatic extraction methods. Results of microtitre plate assay and CLSM analysis showed both Salmonella strains formed significantly more biofilms in the presence of DNase I; Furthermore, a remarkable decrease of biofilm formation was observed when eDNA was added in the inoculation. However, for the pre-established biofilms on polystyrene and glass, no significant difference was observed between the DNase I treated biofilm and the corresponding non-treated controls. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that eDNA is a novel matrix component of Salmonella biofilms. This is the first evidence for the presence of eDNA and its inhibitive and destabilizing effect during biofilm development of S. enterica ser. Typhimurium and S. enterica ser. Typhi on abiotic surfaces.     

不结球白菜乙烯响应因子基因的克隆与表达分析

采用cDNA-AFLP技术,以不结球白菜雄蕊突变系‘苏白2号’及其保持系花蕾为实验材料,分离出1条编码乙烯响应转录因子的基因,命名为NhccERF1。结果显示:(1)序列分析表明,NhccERF1基因长807bp,编码268个氨基酸。(2)RT-PCR分析发现,花期NhccERF1基因在花瓣、雄蕊及花柱中表达量均显著高于保持系。(3)实时定量荧光PCR(qPCR)发现,蕾期喷施乙烯(ET)能促进NhccERF1基因的表达,外施AgNO3抑制该基因表达。研究推测NhccERF1基因可能在雄蕊变异中发挥重要作用。     

吉林省辽源地区羊肚菌根际土壤真菌多样性及群落组成

为探究羊肚菌Morchella与不同土壤生长环境及土壤理化因子的关系,以吉林省辽源市的野生和栽培两种生境为样地,采集羊肚菌根际土壤样品为材料,通过Illumina MiSeq高通量测序技术,对羊肚菌土壤真菌群落结构和多样性进行研究,同时分析土壤理化因子对其真菌群落多样性及优势菌属的影响.通过Alpha多样性分析发现:与...     

注重学生对教科书的质疑

学生在学习过程中有质疑，才会有对教学内容的深入思考，才会有创造性和批判性思维品质的萌生，进而才会深入理解教学内容。论述在教学过程中如何注重学生对教科书的质疑，容纳学生各种不同意见，激励学生大胆提出自己的构想，将学生对教科书的质疑。作为增强学生理解知识和拓展知识视野的契机。     

Optimization of <i>Agrobacterium tumefaciens</i>-Mediated Genetic Transformation of Maize

Immature embryos of inbred maize (Zea mays) lines (H8183, H8184, and H8185) were used for Agrobacterium infection. We used the β-glucuronidase gene (GUS) as the target gene and the glufosinate resistance gene (bar) as the selection marker. We conducted research on several aspects, such as different genotypes, coculture conditions, screening agent concentrations, and concentrations of indole-3-butytric acid (IBA), 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA), and ascorbic acid (Vc) in the differentiation medium. We optimized the genetic transformation system, and the obtained results indicated that among the three lines studied, the induction rate of H8185 was the highest at 93.2%, followed by H8184, with H8183 having the lowest induction rate (80.1%). The best coculture method was that using the N6 coculture medium layered with a sterile filter paper. Using orthogonal analysis, we found that the optimal combination of the three factors in the differentiation medium was A₃ (1 mg mL⁻¹ IBA), B₃C₁ (1.6 mg mL⁻¹ 6-BA), and D₃ (1.5 mg mL⁻¹ Vc). Through GUS staining analysis, Bar test-strip analysis, and polymerase chain reaction, five transgenic plants were finally obtained. This study established the optimal conditions for genetic transformation in maize.