深圳拟兰，中国兰科一新种

对兰科新种深圳拟兰（Apostasia shenzhenica Z.J.Liu＆L.J.Chen）作了描述和绘图。该新种产中国广东南部,与多枝拟兰（A.ramifera S.C.Chen＆K.Y.Lang）和日本拟兰（A.nipponica Masamune）相近,但本新种的根生有块根;退化雄蕊明显长于花柱,而且上部约1/3不贴生于花柱,可以区别。     

Seasonal abundance of nonbreeding Piping Plovers on a Georgia barrier island

ABSTRACT.   Although breeding populations of Piping Plovers are well studied, their winter distribution is less clear. We studied the seasonal abundance of nonbreeding Piping Plovers ( Charadrius melodus ) during the winters of 2003–2004 and 2004–2005 on Little St. Simons Island (LSSI), Georgia. Our objectives were to determine the relative abundance of individuals from three breeding populations at LSSI, and identify possible differences among populations in arrival time, winter movements, or departure time. We observed up to 100 Piping Plovers during peak migration, and approximately 40 plovers wintered at LSSI. From July 2004 to May 2005, approximately 20% of the Great Lakes breeding population used LSSI. Plovers were not present at LSSI during June. All breeding populations of Piping Plovers had similar patterns of temporal occurrence on LSSI, suggesting no need for population-specific management plans at this site. Our results suggest that LSSI is among the most important wintering sites on the Atlantic coast for Piping Plovers, especially for individuals from the endangered Great Lakes population.     

Structural changes in the femur with the transition to agriculture on the Georgia coast

Structural characteristics of the femur are compared in preagricultural (2200 B.C.–A.D. 1150) and agricultural (A.D. 1150–1550) subsistence strategy groups from the Georgia coast. Using an automated technique, cross-sectional geometric properties used in structural analyses (areas, second moments of area) were determined at midshaft and distal to the lesser trochanter in 20 adults from each group. A significant decline in magnitude of almost every geometric property occurs in the agricultural group. The differences between groups are reduced but still significant for many properties after standardizing for bone length differences. In addition, a remodeling of the femoral cortex to one of relatively smaller medullary and subperiosteal diameter, as well as a more circular cross-sectional shape, is characteristic of agricultural femora. Thus, while the relative cross-sectional area of bone remains the same, the spatial distribution of bone area is different in the two groups. The results strongly suggest a relative reduction in mechanical loadings of the femur in the agricultural group, implying different levels and possibly types of activity involving the lower limb in the two groups. The data are also compared with similar data available for the Pecos Pueblo (agricultural) sample. The comparison indicates that types of activity may have been more similar in the two agricultural samples, but that general levels of activity were more similar in the Pecos Pueblo and Georgia coast preagricultural samples.     

Testing for the Effects of Seasonal and Lunar Periodicity on the Reproduction of the Edible Sea Urchin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tripneustes gratilla</Emphasis> (L) in Kenyan Coral Reef Lagoons

The annual and lunar reproductive cycle of the widely distributed edible sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla (L) was examined through measurements of gonad index, histological examination of gametogenesis, and induction of spawning with KCl injections. The population density and morphological characteristics of urchins at Diani, Kanamai, and Vipingo reef lagoons were also studied as well as the effects of seawater temperature and light on reproduction. Gonad growth started early during the northeast monsoon and reached a peak in June at the beginning of the southeast monsoon followed by a sharp decrease in gonad size of 50% in July and August towards the end of the southeast monsoons. Histological examination of gonads, revealed many different stages of gametogenesis with gametes present throughout the year, indicating continuous reproduction. There was a significant relationship between gonad index and lunar day with spawning occurring between lunar day 7 and 21, but spawning was not in perfect synchrony in the population. The population density of urchins at each reef is variable from year to year and was highest on average at Vipingo. Urchins at Kanamai had the lowest gonad indices, the largest jaws and smallest individuals an indication of food limitation. The gonads (roe) of T. gratilla at all three sites, were perpetually ‘runny’ an attribute that is not suitable for urchin fisheries. Studies to develop techniques to improve roe quality are recommended.     

Untangling cultural inheritance: language diversity and long-house architecture on the Pacific northwest coast

Many recent studies of cultural inheritance have focused on small-scale craft traditions practised by single individuals, which do not require coordinated participation by larger social collectives. In this paper, we address this gap in the cultural transmission literature by investigating diversity in the vernacular architecture of the Pacific northwest coast, where communities of hunter-fisher-gatherers constructed immense wooden long-houses at their main winter villages. Quantitative analyses of long-house styles along the coastline draw on a range of models and methods from the biological sciences and are employed to test hypotheses relating to basic patterns of macro-scale cultural diversification, and the degree to which the transmission of housing traits has been constrained by the region's numerous linguistic boundaries. The results indicate relatively strong branching patterns of cultural inheritance and also close associations between regional language history and housing styles, pointing to the potentially crucial role played by language boundaries in structuring large-scale patterns of cultural diversification, especially in relation to 'collective' cultural traditions like housing that require substantial inputs of coordinated labour.     

BIODEGRADABILITY OF HYDROCARBONS BY CYANOBACTERIA1

Five cyanobacterial species (Phormidium sp., Nostoc sp., Anabaena sp. Aphanothece conferta, and Synechocystis aquatilis) isolated from the Suez Canal coast at the city of Ismailia (Egypt) were tested for biodegradation of four hydrocarbon (HC) compounds: two aliphatic compounds (n‐octadecane and pristine) and two aromatic compounds (phenanthrene and dibenzothiophene). High degradation efficiencies for the two aliphatic compounds were measured for A. conferta (64% for n‐octadecane and 78% for pristine) and S. aquatilis (85% for n‐octadecane and 90% for pristane). However, the other biodegradation percentages ranged between weak and moderate percentages.     

Intraspecific Genetic Diversity of Undaria pinnatifida in Japan, based on the Mitochondrial cox3 Gene and the ITS1 of nrDNA

The intraspecific genetic diversity of the kelp Undaria pinnatifida (Harvey) Suringar (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) was investigated using DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 3 (cox3) gene and internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) of nuclear ribosomal DNA in plants collected from 21 localities along the Japanese coast between 2001 and 2003. Morphological variation was also examined and compared with the genetic diversity. Cox3 analyses of 106 plants revealed 9 haplotypes (I–IX) that differed from each other by 1–7 bp (all synonymous substitutions). Haplotype I was distributed in Hokkaido and the northern Pacific coast of Honshu, while haplotype III was found along the Sea of Japan coast of Honshu. Other types were found along the central and southern coast of Honshu. ITS1 analyses of 42 plants revealed 0–1.7% nucleotide differences, but plants from the Sea of Japan coast and northern Japan had similar sequences. The lower genetic differentiation along the Sea of Japan and northern coasts might be due to the recent establishment (after the middle of the last glacial period) of the Sea of Japan flora. The cox3 haplotype of cultivated plants was found in natural populations occurring close to cultivation sites (Naruto, Tokushima Pref., and Hokutan, Hyogo Pref.). This suggests that cultivated plants possibly escaped and spread or crossed with plants of natural populations. Morphological analyses of variation in 10 characters were conducted using 66 plants. The results showed no significant local variation owing to the wide variation in each population and did not support any forma previously described. No correlations between the morphological characters and cox3 haplotypes were detected.     

广东省蛇类新纪录-双全白环蛇

2011年9～10月,分别在广东省乳源瑶族自治县南岭国家森林公园和始兴县车八岭国家级自然保护区采集到游蛇科(Colubridae)白环蛇属(Lycodon)标本3号,经鉴定为双全白环蛇(Lfasciatus),为广东省蛇类新纪录.     

福建及中国其他沿岸海域中国鲎资源分布现状调查

采用调访渔民、浅海底拖网、野外观测潮间带亲鲎产卵和幼鲎孵育情况等调查方法,重点调查了福建沿岸海域中国鲎(Tachypleus tridentatus)资源分布和数量,并走访调查了浙江省、广东省、海南省、广西壮族自治区和台湾地区金门岛等地代表性的中国鲎栖息地,对中国沿岸海域中国鲎资源现状作了较全面的调查。结果表明,大部分海滩已多年未见中国鲎上岸产卵,中国鲎在上岸之前已被渔民通过底拖网捕获,能见到幼鲎的海滩寥寥无几,中国鲎已经从大部分海域消失,中国鲎资源量濒临枯竭。目前尚存少量中国鲎的海域主要是东山湾和北部湾海域。金门岛海域则因为人工放流和设立了中国鲎保护区,中国鲎资源得到较好的恢复。中国鲎资源衰竭的主要原因是人类的过度捕捞、栖息地的破坏和海域环境污染等。中国鲎资源的保护迫在眉睫。建议将中国鲎列入国家级重点保护动物名录,增设中国鲎自然保护区,加强渔业管理以及人工增殖放流等措施。     

广东南岭国家级自然保护区珍稀濒危植物及其保护

经调查,广东南岭国家级自然保护区共有珍稀濒危植物46种,隶属于29科39属,其中属于国家重点一级保护的有5种,二级保护的有29种.建议将19种列入国家保护名录,20种列入省级保护名录,其中包括广东新分布6种,粤北及南岭特有种9种.分析了广东南岭珍稀濒危植物面临的主要威胁是人为破坏,并针对所受威胁提出了相应的保护措施.