Habitat preferences and habitat restoration options for small‐bodied and juvenile fish species in the northern Murray–Darling Basin

Degradation of instream habitats in the northern Murray–Darling Basin has occurred through numerous stressors, including siltation, clearing of bankside vegetation, intrusion of livestock and impacts of pest species. A better understanding of habitat preferences of native fish species could help guide future instream habitat restoration actions. The habitat choices of seven native fish species, juvenile Murray Cod (Maccullochella peelii), juvenile Golden Perch (Macquaria ambigua ambigua), juvenile Silver Perch (Bidyanus bidyanus), adult Murray–Darling Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia fluviatilis), adult Olive Perchlet (Ambassis agassizii), adult Un‐specked Hardyhead (Craterocephalus stercusmuscarum fulvus) and adult carp gudgeons (Hypseleotris spp.) were tested in preference troughs to help inform potential habitat restoration actions in the Condamine catchment. Each species was given a choice between pair combinations of open sandy habitat, submerged macrophytes, emergent plants and rocky rubble. Habitat preferences varied between species. Murray Cod, Golden Perch, carp gudgeons and Olive Perchlets preferred structure over open sandy habitat, whilst juvenile Silver Perch, Un‐specked Hardyhead and Murray–Darling Rainbowfish did not avoid open sandy habitats. Juvenile Murray Cod preferred rocky rubble habitat over all other habitat choices. Use of complex rock piles to provide nursery habitat for Murray Cod populations is a potential restoration option. Introduction of rock could also benefit Golden Perch and carp gudgeons. Use of emergent plants, submerged macrophytes and rocky rubble for habitat restoration all appear to have merit for one or more species of small‐bodied fishes or juvenile stages of larger sized fishes. Rocky rubble or floating attached macrophytes could be viable restoration options in areas too turbid to establish submerged macrophytes. These habitat interventions would complement existing actions such as re‐snagging and provision of fish passage to assist with sustainable management of native fish populations.     

超声影像分析在高脂血症金黄地鼠模型构建中的动态监测

目的应用超声影象分析评价高脂血症金黄地鼠模型在不同时间点肝脏、主动脉弓部和心脏功能的变化,进一步探讨超声影象分析对高脂血症金黄地鼠不同时期病变的诊断价值。方法 32只叙利亚金黄地鼠分为正常对照组和高脂血症模型组,分别给以正常饲料和高脂饲料,第0、3、6、9、14、16、20、24、40周时监测血脂水平,第20和40周时各组金黄地鼠行超声影象分析和病理学检查。结果高脂饲料喂饲后金黄地鼠血清TC、TG、HDL-C、LDL-C水平显著上升（P〈0.05）,随着高脂喂饲时间的延长,不同时间点主动脉弓部内膜-中膜厚度显著增加（P〈0.000 1）,超声影象分析和病理学结果均显示高脂喂饲金黄地鼠20周时已形成脂肪肝、主动脉弓部已形成动脉粥样硬化病变,至40周时脂肪肝和动脉粥样硬化病变加重。结论超声影象分析可应用于测量高脂血症金黄地鼠模型主动脉弓部内膜-中膜厚度,连续监测脂肪肝和主动脉弓部动脉粥样硬化病变。     

Molecular evidence for Pleistocene refugia at the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau

The role of the Quaternary ice ages in forming the contemporary genetic structure of populations has been well studied in a number of global regions. However, due to the different nature of glaciations and complex topography, their role in shaping eastern Eurasian genetic diversity, particular in areas surrounding the Tibetan Plateau have remained largely unstudied. We aimed to address this question by examining the genetic structure of an alpine forest-associated taxon, the blood pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus) to infer its phylogeographic history. We detected three phylogenetic lineages and four current population groups. By comparing molecular and palaeovegetation data, we found that major glaciations during the Pleistocene have had a major impact upon the current genetic diversity of this species. Coalescent simulations indicate that the populations retreated to different refugia during some glacial periods in the Pleistocene, but persisted through the last glacial maximum (LGM). The most significant recent population expansion was found to have occurred before the LGM, during which palaeoclimatic data indicate that the climate was both warmer and wetter than today. In contrast, during the LGM populations may have adopted an altitudinal shift strategy in order to track changes in alpine glaciers, exemplifying a general response for montane species in the region where alpine glaciations were not large enough to cause qualitative changes in vegetation. Although analysis based on a plumage related gene showed that divergent selection may have contributed to current patterns of intra-specific diversity, demographic isolation is inferred to have played a more dominant role.     

湖北五峰后河国家级自然保护区鸟类多样性

为了解湖北五峰后河国家级自然保护区(以下简称后河保护区)鸟类物种多样性及其区系组成的变化, 我们通过样线、红外相机调查和检索文献资料相结合的方法获得了后河保护区鸟类名录, 并将其与后河保护区1999年科学考察结果进行对比分析。本研究于2017-2019年共在后河保护区内设置了82 km的鸟类调查样线, 共在309个位点上放置了红外相机, 累计99,586个相机日。我们用“后河” “鸟类” “湖北省”等关键词搜索相关出版物, 并查阅中国观鸟记录中心经审核后发布的鸟类信息, 结合样线和红外相机调查结果形成后河保护区鸟类名录。共整理得到后河保护区鸟类255种, 隶属于16目55科。其中, 国家I级重点保护野生鸟类2种, 包括中华秋沙鸭(Mergus squamatus)和金雕(Aquila chrysaetos); 国家II级重点保护野生鸟类46种, 包括红腹角雉(Tragopan temminckii)、棉凫(Nettapus coromandelianus)、松雀鹰(Accipiter virgatus)、灰林鸮(Strix aluco)、蓝鹀(Emberiza siemsseni)等。此外, 后河保护区有11种中国特有鸟类, 占我国特有鸟类种数(n = 93)的11.83%。在区系成分上, 后河保护区鸟类以东洋种为主(151种, 占59.22%), 其次为广布种(55种, 占21.57%)。与1999年科学考察结果相比, 鸟类增加了116种, 其中有15种国家重点保护野生鸟类。在区系组成上, 后河保护区内东洋种占比增加, 包括分布区向北扩散的物种成分。此外, 本次调查未记录到20世纪在保护区内有分布的白冠长尾雉(Syrmaticus reevesii)和海南鳽(Gorsachius magnificus)。本研究表明, 后河保护区鸟类物种多样性高、特有种及珍稀濒危物种丰富, 具有极高的保护价值和意义。通过对比分析后河保护区内野生鸟类动态变化, 可为保护区生物多样性监测方案设计和保护对策的制定提供科学依据。     

A high‐throughput transient expression system for rice

Rice is an important global crop and represents a vital source of calories for many food insecure regions. Efforts to improve this crop by improving yield, nutritional content, stress tolerance, or resilience to climate change are certain to include biotechnological approaches, which rely on the expression of transgenes in planta. The throughput and cost of currently available transgenic expression systems is frequently incompatible with modern, high‐throughput molecular cloning methods. Here, we present a protocol for isolating high yields of green rice protoplasts and for PEG‐mediated transformation of isolated protoplasts. Factors affecting transformation efficiency were investigated, and the resulting protocol is fast, cheap, robust, high‐throughput, and does not require specialist equipment. When coupled to a high‐throughput modular cloning system such as Golden Gate, this transient expression system provides a valuable resource to help break the “design‐build‐test” bottleneck by permitting the rapid screening of large numbers of transgenic expression cassettes prior to stable plant transformation. We used this system to rapidly assess the expression level, subcellular localisation, and protein aggregation pattern of nine single‐gene expression cassettes, which represent the essential component parts of the β‐cyanobacterial carboxysome.     

Structural Characterization of the Glycoprotein GP2 Core Domain from the CAS Virus, a Novel Arenavirus-Like Species

Fusion of the viral and host cell membranes is a necessary first step for infection by enveloped viruses and is mediated by the envelope glycoprotein. The transmembrane subunits from the structurally defined “class I” glycoproteins adopt an α-helical “trimer-of-hairpins” conformation during the fusion pathway. Here, we present our studies on the envelope glycoprotein transmembrane subunit, GP2, of the CAS virus (CASV). CASV was recently identified from annulated tree boas (Corallus annulatus) with inclusion body disease and is implicated in the disease etiology. We have generated and characterized two protein constructs consisting of the predicted CASV GP2 core domain. The crystal structure of the CASV GP2 post-fusion conformation indicates a trimeric α-helical bundle that is highly similar to those of Ebola virus and Marburg virus GP2 despite CASV genome homology to arenaviruses. Denaturation studies demonstrate that the stability of CASV GP2 is pH dependent with higher stability at lower pH; we propose that this behavior is due to a network of interactions among acidic residues that would destabilize the α-helical bundle under conditions where the side chains are deprotonated. The pH-dependent stability of the post-fusion structure has been observed in Ebola virus and Marburg virus GP2, as well as other viruses that enter via the endosome. Infection experiments with CASV and the related Golden Gate virus support a mechanism of entry that requires endosomal acidification. Our results suggest that, despite being primarily arenavirus like, the transmembrane subunit of CASV is extremely similar to the filoviruses.     

Transgenic barley: A prospective tool for biotechnology and agriculture

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is one of the founder crops of agriculture, and today it is the fourth most important cereal grain worldwide. Barley is used as malt in brewing and distilling industry, as an additive for animal feed, and as a component of various food and bread for human consumption. Progress in stable genetic transformation of barley ensures a potential for improvement of its agronomic performance or use of barley in various biotechnological and industrial applications. Recently, barley grain has been successfully used in molecular farming as a promising bioreactor adapted for production of human therapeutic proteins or animal vaccines. In addition to development of reliable transformation technologies, an extensive amount of various barley genetic resources and tools such as sequence data, microarrays, genetic maps, and databases has been generated. Current status on barley transformation technologies including gene transfer techniques, targets, and progeny stabilization, recent trials for improvement of agricultural traits and performance of barley, especially in relation to increased biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, and potential use of barley grain as a protein production platform have been reviewed in this study. Overall, barley represents a promising tool for both agricultural and biotechnological transgenic approaches, and is considered an ancient but rediscovered crop as a model industrial platform for molecular farming.     

Influence of cadmium concentration and length of exposure on metabolic rate and gill Na+/K+ ATPase activity of golden shiners (Notemigonus crysoleucas)

Although metabolic rate is considered to be useful as a general indicator of the biological effects of exposure to metals, it is seldom measured in conjunction with specific physiological, biochemical or cellular parameters. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the influence of cadmium (Cd) exposure on metabolic rate and gill Na(+)/K(+) ATPase activity in golden shiners (Notemigonus crysoleucas). Shiners were exposed to six levels of Cd (ranging from control to the maximum sublethal concentration) for 24- and 96-h periods. After 24-h, metabolic rate and Na(+)/K(+) ATPase activity of individual fish were strongly correlated. Shiners exposed to the four highest Cd concentrations (500, 800, 1100, and 1400 μg L(-1)) for 24-h exhibited a shock response that was characterized by mean values for metabolic rate and Na(+)/K(+) ATPase activity that were significantly lower compared to the control. Although results for 96-h exposures reflect a repair/recovery phase, there was no significant correlation between metabolic rate and Na(+)/K(+) ATPase activity. Metabolic rate of shiners was significantly elevated (65-100%) at all concentrations compared to the control after 96-h, whereas Na(+)/K(+) ATPase activity did not differ from the control. Elevated metabolic rate after 96-h likely reflects the influence of a variety of energetically demanding processes associated with repair and recovery.     

秦岭川金丝猴的携带死婴行为

母婴纽带是灵长类社群中最为稳固和重要的社会关系之一,雌性对后代的照料行为是其繁殖投入的一种形式,但雌性对死亡后代的照料不但没有回报,甚至还可能影响其后续繁殖,然而在许多灵长类中却存在母亲对死亡后代的携带和照料行为。本研究于2013年10月至2014年06月采用焦点动物取样法和全事件记录法观察和记录了4例秦岭川金丝猴（Rhinopithecus roxellana）母亲携带和照料死婴行为,以期探讨影响秦岭川金丝猴死婴携带和照料行为的相关因素,为死婴携带和照料行为的相关假说提供数据支持。研究表明携带死婴的雌性均表现出紧张和悲伤的情绪,并存在针对死婴的理毛和嗅吻等行为;死婴的年龄、腐烂与否都不影响雌性携带和照料的时间;出现于交配末期的死婴,雌性对其携带和照料时间变短,这可能有利于雌性进入新的繁殖状态;结合栖息地食物物候和死婴的体重,发现雌性对死婴的携带和照料受到能量成本的限制。     

山西芦芽山褐马鸡越冬栖息地选择的多尺度研究

1998～2000年在山西芦芽山自然保护区对褐马鸡的越冬栖息地选择进行了研究。采用4种空间尺度(10m、100m、300m和距离尺度),对影响褐马鸡越冬栖息地选择的主要因子进行了深入分析,并建立了褐马鸡越冬栖息地选择的逻辑斯谛回归模型。在300m尺度上．活动点和非活动点的生境类型有针叶林、针阔混交林、灌木林和草丛等。活动点周围针叶林面积显著高于非活动点(F=-3．116,P=0．002),虽然针阔混交林在两者中的面积比例都较小,但活动点周围针阔混交林的面积明显地低于非活动点(F=-2．255,P=0．024)．在灌木林和草丛的面积上两者无显著差异。这表明褐马鸡在300m尺度上喜欢活动于针叶林较多的地域,由于冬季针阔混交林不如针叶林能提供很好的隐蔽条件,褐马鸡避免选择针阔混交林;在100m尺度上,活动点和非活动点的生境类型有针叶林、针阔混交林和草丛,无灌木林生境,活动点的针叶林面积明显地高于非活动点(F=-2．931,P=0．003)。这表明褐马鸡在100m尺度上虽然倾向于选择针叶林,但对其它类型的生境如针阔混交林和草丛是可以利用的,这可能与其广泛取食活动有关。褐马鸡大尺度上的隐蔽条件满足以后,在小尺度上主要是为了获取更为丰富的食物。在距离尺度上活动点距居民点的距离、距道路的距离显著大于非活动点(F=15．621;6．048,P=0．000;0．018)。通过逐步逻辑斯谛回归分析,发现距灌草丛的距离、距居民点的距离、100m范围内针叶林的面积、树高以及食物的丰盛度是冬季褐马鸡栖息地选择的重要因子。以另外一个研究地收集的数据对所建立的栖息地选择模型的可靠程度进行了检验,结果表明该模型能有效地对褐马鸡的越冬栖息地进行预测。