Nest-site characteristics and aspects of the breeding biology of the endangered Timneh Parrot Psittacus timneh in Guinea-Bissau

Timneh Parrots Psittacus timneh are endemic to the moist forests of West Africa. Concerns over rapid declines in populations due to overharvesting for the pet trade and forest loss prompted the species’ categorisation as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2016. Despite these threats, few data exist on their biology in the wild, impeding the development of effective conservation initiatives to protect populations. One of the few recorded breeding sites for this species occurs in the Bijagós Archipelago in Guinea-Bissau, where chicks have been historically harvested from nests and forest clearance for agriculture is common. We investigated the breeding ecology of Timneh Parrots in the Bijagós Archipelago focusing on two islands that harbour the densest populations. Specifically, we describe nest-site characteristics, breeding phenology and reproductive productivity. Timneh Parrots were found to use secondary nest cavities in 17 species of trees, predominantly nesting in trees between 20 m and 50 m in height. Nest cavities were generally aggregated, with a density of up to 14 nests ha^?1 in some areas, although nests also occurred in isolated large trees. The distribution of nests likely reflected a heterogeneous distribution of large trees containing suitable nest cavities, emphasising the importance of protecting mature trees. Nesting efforts were initiated between early January until late March, suggesting that nest surveillance efforts to deter poaching can be efficiently focused at a small number of key sites during February to May each year, when fledgling chicks are most likely to be present. These data further suggest that the population may be limited by the availability of suitable nest cavities and that the installation of artificial nest cavities could help increase the breeding population.     

一株路德维希肠杆菌的筛选及其对3-苯氧基苯甲酸的降解特性分析

【目的】3-苯氧基苯甲酸(3-phenoxybenzoic acid,3-PBA)的消除是解决拟除虫菊酯类农药污染的关键,目的是从受拟除虫菊酯类农药污染植物根系土壤中分离出3-PBA高效降解菌株。【方法】采用富集驯化、筛选纯化方法,以3-PBA为唯一碳源、能源筛选3-PBA降解菌株;菌株鉴定采用形态、生理生化和16S r RNA序列分析法;并研究其生长降解动力学特性,最后采用Box-Behnken响应面分析确定最佳降解条件。【结果】从川北地区大豆根系土壤中筛选得到1株高效降解菌BPBA031,经鉴定为路德维希肠杆菌(Enterobacter ludwigii);该菌株耐3-PBA浓度达1600 mg/L,其生长降解过程分别符合Logistic生长动力学(μm=0.09149 h~(–1),X_m=1.1145)和一级降解动力学模型(k=0.02085,t_(1/2)=33.24 h);对3-PBA降解的最适条件为34–37°C、3-PBA浓度25–200 mg/L和p H 7.5–8.5;在35.19°C、30.0 mg/L 3-PBA和p H 7.58条件下,该菌株48 h对3-PBA的降解率达83.75%。【结论】路德维希肠杆菌BPBA031是1株高效3-PBA降解菌,可作为生物修复受3-PBA或拟除虫菊酯类农药污染环境的潜在菌株资源。     

一株分离自网箱养殖区沉积物的硫氧化菌B1-1的鉴定及其硫氧化特性

【背景】海水网箱养殖是一种高密度、高投饵的人工养殖方式,其产生的硫化物污染严重影响了海水养殖业的经济效益及可持续发展。【目的】鉴定从网箱养殖区沉积物中分离得到的硫氧化菌B1-1并研究其硫氧化特性,为利用生物技术修复网箱养殖环境提供理论依据。【方法】通过形态观察、生理生化特征及16S rRNA基因序列分析对硫氧化菌B1-1进行鉴定;通过摇床培养对该菌株氧化硫代硫酸盐的最适培养条件(pH、温度、底物浓度、外加碳源、外加氮源、金属离子)进行研究。【结果】该菌株被鉴定为HalothiobacillushydrothermalisB1-1。菌株B1-1生物氧化硫代硫酸盐的最适pH为8.0,最适生长温度为30°C,最适底物浓度为5.0g/L;外加碳源对该菌株氧化能力无显著影响,外加铵盐(硫酸铵或草酸铵)可以将延滞期缩短至12 h,添加Mg~(2+)可以显著提高菌株的氧化能力,氧化率达100%。【结论】Halothiobacillus hydrothermalisB1-1耐盐性较强,对硫代硫酸盐氧化率高,可作为修复受硫化物污染网箱养殖环境的潜在菌株资源。     

盐生植物碱蓬二型果实表生细菌的群落组成及促生属性

【背景】碱蓬(Suaeda glauca Bunge)主要生长于含盐碱土壤,具有果实(种子)二型现象,而种子栖居有众多微生物,它们对种子萌发和幼苗建成具有重要影响。【目的】对碱蓬异型果实表生细菌的群落组成及相关细菌的促生属性进行观察研究,探讨不同类型果实表生细菌的群落组成及相关细菌的促生功能属性是否存在差异。【方法】利用纯培养方法对碱蓬二型果实的表生可培养细菌进行分离纯化,基于16S rRNA基因序列分析初步确定分离菌株的系统发育地位,并对获得菌株进行固氮、溶磷、解钾、产铁及产IAA能力的定性检测。【结果】碱蓬二型果实具有不同的表生细菌群落组成及分布比例,A型果实表生细菌分属于3纲15属,其优势属组成主要是短小杆菌属(34.33%)、芽孢杆菌属(13.43%)和泛菌属(10.45%);B型果实表生细菌分属于4纲20属,其优势属组成主要是短小杆菌属(12.77%)、芽孢杆菌属(17.02%)和冰冻小杆菌属(14.89%)。碱蓬二型果实的表生细菌多样性指数也存在差异,A型果实的Shannon多样性指数、Margalef丰富度指数和Shannon均匀度指数显著低于B型果实;而A型果实的Berger-Parker优势度指数显著高于B型果实。碱蓬二型果实表生细菌在固氮、溶磷、解钾、产铁及产IAA能力等促生属性上的菌株分布比例存在不同变化趋势,A型和B型果实均具有较高比例固氮菌株及较低比例溶磷菌株;但在解钾菌株和产IAA菌株分布比例上具有不同变化趋势,A型果实的解钾菌株所占比例显著高于B型果实,而产IAA能力菌株所占比例显著低于B型果实。【结论】盐生植物碱蓬具有明显不同的2种类型果实,其不同类型果实具有不同的表生细菌群落组成及分布比例,且在促生功能菌株的分布上也存在不同变化趋势。     

Group characteristics,site fidelity,and photo‐identification of harbor porpoises,Phocoena phocoena,in Burrows Pass,Fidalgo Island,Washington

Little is known about harbor porpoises at the individual level or local group structure. Group characteristics, site fidelity, and photo‐identification of harbor porpoises were investigated off Fidalgo Island, Washington State. Harbor porpoise presence was affected by season and rip tide strength (Wald χ² P < 0.04); calf presence was influenced by season and tide (Wald χ² P < 0.0075). Average group size (2.32 ± 1.38, n = 266) was influenced by season, behavior, and calf presence (F₇ = 9.71, P < 0.0001, R² = 0.294). Fifty‐three individuals were identified using a matrix of primary, secondary, and confirmation markings that were stable over months/years. Over 35% were resighted in more than 1 mo (range 1–7, = 1.83); 15.1% were seen in more than 1 yr, suggesting some level of residency. Despite having higher effort, presence and group size were significantly lower in Summer. Variations in the significance of rip tide strength and tides relate to calf presence and support other findings that harbor porpoise population structure is complex and varies at small spatiotemporal scales and may also vary between populations and habitats. This study identifies variables affecting group characteristics and emphasizes the importance of research on local populations of harbor porpoises.     

珍稀植物蒜头果野生植株结实量及果实特征研究

该研究对云南省广南县不同分布点的野生植株大小与结实量,果实、果核性状特征,果皮与果核性状间的关系进行了分析。结果表明:(1)野生成年植株个体间结实量差异大,单株结实量从几十个至几千个,变异系数可达136.38%。结实量与冠幅有正相关关系(R=0.592,P0.01),与胸径和树高无相关关系(P0.05)。(2)扁球型果实平均纵径37.10~40.36 mm,变异系数7.28%~8.65%;平均横径41.15~45.03mm,变异系数6.44%~9.31%;平均果实重量35.77~47.29 g,变异系数18.99%~21.44%。野生蒜头果果实大小差异明显,单个果实重量差别为3.4倍。(3)果核平均纵径27.50~31.69 mm,变异系数7.13%~10.99%;平均横径30.94~34.16 mm,变异系数6.47%~9.41%;平均果核重量14.03~18.77 g,变异系数17.37%~22.68%。单个果核重量差别为3.7倍。(4)平均果皮纵向厚度4.33~4.80 mm,变异系数20.22%~26.91%;平均横向厚度5.10~5.44 mm,变异系数12.92%~20.98%;平均果皮重21.62~28.51 g,变异系数20.01%~24.12%。该研究结果表明野生蒜头果单株结实量、果实和果核大小、果皮厚等表型性状存在广泛的多样性,其资源为人工定向培育和开发利用提供了较为丰富的选择材料。     

西沙群岛草海桐的抗逆生物学特性

热带珊瑚岛由于光照强、季节性干旱明显、土壤贫瘠、保水能力差而少有植物生长。草海桐(Scaevola sericea)是一种典型的热带滨海植物,是西沙群岛珊瑚岛植被中的主要建群种,在海岛和海岸带防风固沙及植被生态恢复等方面发挥着重要作用。该研究对西沙群岛自然环境下草海桐的形态解剖学特征、抗氧化能力、抗逆性物质含量及营养元素含量等进行了研究。结果表明:草海桐具有阳生性植物特征,叶片及上表皮厚、气孔密度小、导管直径及水力导管直径大,有利于其适应珊瑚岛干旱环境; 其体内的超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶活性与其他受胁迫植物相比较要高,脱落酸含量也较高,表明草海桐对珊瑚岛环境具有较强的适应性及抗逆性; 其根际土壤养分含量偏低,但植物体内营养元素含量却较高,表明草海桐对土壤养分的利用效率高。这说明草海桐能够很好地适应干旱、贫瘠的珊瑚砂环境,具有较强的抗逆及适应能力。     

珍稀濒危植物紫荆木生态学研究进展

珍稀濒危植物作为生物多样性的重要组成部分,是保护生物学研究的核心内容之一。紫荆木(Madhuca pasquieri)为现状稀有种,IUCN名录中濒危等级为VU易危,在中国被列为国家重点保护野生植物(Ⅱ级)和极小种群野生植物,是稀有的油料树种和珍贵的用材树种,具有极高的药用价值。在全球气候变化和生境破碎化的大背景下,紫荆木的现状研究和保护策略的制定显得尤为重要。该文介绍了紫荆木自然地理分布、群落生态学特征,归纳总结了国内外的保护应用及研究现状。目前针对紫荆木就地保护、迁地保护、化学成分、人工培育技术等方面已开展了一些研究工作,但研究仍处于初级阶段。下一步可完善紫荆木分布信息,并结合野外调查和长期实验,系统研究其生物及生态学特性。同时,将就地保护、迁地保护和回归有机结合,应用分子生物学技术加强紫荆木育种、繁殖和栽培技术的研究,建立繁殖培育基地,并积极开发其经济价值,在园林绿化中推广应用。     

碱蓬浮床对海水养殖尾水中氮磷修复效果研究

海水养殖尾水中总氮、总磷超标是引起沿海水体富营养化的主要原因,为研究碱蓬浮床对海水养殖尾水中氮磷的去除效果,该研究设计加入碱蓬(Suaeda salsa)浮床和不加浮床的两组对比实验,通过比较修复前后碱蓬株高、生物量、含水率、根长以及各部位氮、磷的含量变化,以及水体中总氮(TN)和总磷(TP)的去除效果,探究浮床中碱蓬对总氮和总磷的吸收及其生长特性,验证碱蓬浮床对海水养殖废水中氮、磷等的去除能力。结果表明:浮床中碱蓬株高、鲜重、干重、含水率、根长较修复前均有显著增加,说明浮床中盐生植物碱蓬能够适应含海水养殖尾水水培环境;经碱蓬浮床修复,水体中总氮、总磷均明显下降,其中碱蓬对海水养殖尾水中的总氮总磷去除贡献率分别为16.10%和78.15%,浮床中碱蓬会在叶片和根系中积累氮磷。