Ornamental traits modification by Rol genes in Osteospermum ecklonis transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Summary Transgenic plants of Osteospermum ecklonis were produced by cocultivation of leaf fragments with Agrobacterium tumefaciens harboring rol genes from A. rhizogenes. The phenotypic alterations caused by the different transgenes were evaluated in field trials. The genetic manipulation produced transgenic plants characterized by the following features: 1) increased number of flowers (e.g., 35SrolC and rolABC); 2) early flowering (e.g., 35SrolC); 3) change of plant growth habit: erect (rolAB, rolABC and 35SrolC) with an increased number of branches (e.g., rolABC). The color of leaves was pale green in 35SrolC and dark green in rolAB transgenic plants. In conclusion this work reports: 1) genetic engineering of the ornamental species O. ecklonis, 2) modification of the main ornamental traits of this species by rol genes, and 3) segregation of the transgenes in the progeny.     

Mapping QTL for climbing ability and component traits in common bean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus vulgaris</Emphasis> L.)

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varies in growth habit from aggressive climbing types to bush beans. Growth habit is determined by a combination of factors including determinate versus indeterminate growth, total plant height, degree of branching and internode length. Together these factors make up climbing ability. The objective of this research was to determine the quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling climbing ability in a F_5:8 recombinant inbred line population derived from an inter-gene pool cross of an aggressive indeterminate climbing bean with type IV growth habit (G2333) by an indeterminate bush bean of type IIb growth habit (G19839). The population was planted in four randomized complete block design experiments across environments that varied in altitude (from 1,000 to 1,750 masl) and soil fertility (low versus high phosphorus). QTL were identified for plant height, internode length and number of branches per plant on a genetic map covering all common bean linkage groups with a total length of 1,175 cM. In addition a scale was developed to evaluate overall climbing ability and was also used to identify QTL. A total of 7 QTL were found for plant height, 9 for climbing ability, 6 for internode length and 1 for branch number. The largest number and most significant QTL were found on the lower half of linkage group B04 suggesting a major pleiotropic locus for growth habit traits at this location of the genome that is distinct from previously characterized genes which control plant morphology of the crop.     

贵阳地区黄刺蛾种群发生规律及防治策略

黄刺蛾Monema flavescens Walker是贵阳地区的园林树木的重要害虫。种群年生活史同时存在1年1代和1年2代现象,其中1年1代的个体数占大多数,大约占虫口总数的3/4。1世代或2世代的个体越冬后的成虫羽化都集中于5月中、下旬;茧内滞育虫态(含预蛹和蛹)长达8～10个月;寄生性天敌昆虫对越冬代有很强的自然控制力,冬季茧的平均寄生率达34%。成虫的黑化个体占2.75%。室内养虫笼中黄刺蛾产下的卵粒有3种形状。研究期间(2004～2007年)发现黄刺蛾在贵阳的寄主植物有所不同,认为不同年份嗜食寄主植物有明显不同。根据黄刺蛾在当地的发生规律及天敌的自然控制力,提出了相应的防治策略和建议。     

Nesting Habit and Alarm Pheromones in Polistes gallicus (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

Alarm pheromones are used in many social insects to elicit an alarm response of nestmates towards disturbances. This chemical alarm channel is especially used by species nesting in closed environments. Polistes gallicus paper wasps typically found their nests on open substrates where visual and vibrational stimuli could be more important than the chemical one to alarm the colony. We investigated, through field bioassays, if, also in this species, workers venom is still the source of alarm pheromones. Our results show that venom volatiles are able to increase the colony defence reaction stimulating more individuals to attack and sting the object of disturbance. Therefore our results suggest the hypothesis that chemical alarm is independent of nesting habit (concealed vs exposed) within the Polistes genus.     

Dormancy of alpine and subalpine perennial forbs

Depth of dormancy of alpine and subalpine perennial forbs in autumn was investigated, which was judged by the number of days required for growth initiation at 24 °C. The depth of dormancy differed depending on Raunkiaer’s life-form and shoot habits. Chamaephytes with perennial shoot-axes showed shallower dormancy than hemicryptophytes with annual shoot-axes, and geophytes with annual shoot-axes showed the deepest dormancy. The results strongly suggest that the dormancy is more endogenously controlled in forbs less hardy to freezing stress. Potential growth ability of alpine herbaceous chamaephytes in autumn is an adaptive advantage, since they utilize the short vegetative period as long as possible. All of the species with annual shoot-axes had winter buds covered with scales. In plants with perennial shoot-axes, percentage of winter buds covered with scales increased with increasing depth of dormancy. The results indicate that the shoot apices are well protected by bud scales in forbs with a long endogeneous-dormant period.     

辽西中生代鸟类跗跖骨测量数据的统计分析及意义

跗跖骨是鸟类后肢骨骼的重要组成之一,其形态特征对恢复鸟类的行为和习性具有重要的指示意义。本文以鸟类的跗跖骨为研究对象,共观察了200余例有代表性的现生鸟类标本,并对其中15个目中的154例标本进行了多组数据的测量。还将跗跖骨各形态特征进行量化分析研究,引入相关分析和因子分析等统计分析方法。对现生鸟类跗跖骨5组(12个)变量进行分析,研究各变量间的相关程度,对变量进行主成分分析,提取出2个主成分,其中第1主成分包括第Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ三个跖骨的宽度变量;第2主成分包括第Ⅱ跖骨滑车相对于第Ⅲ跖骨滑车的上下及前后位置两变量,以及第Ⅳ跖骨滑车相对于第Ⅲ跖骨滑车的前后位置变量。对这6个变量的分析表明,它们对于区别鸟类的栖息习性具有显著的指示作用。通过对在中国(辽西为主)已发现的25例中生代鸟类跗跖骨远端4个变量的统计分析,表明它们同样具有区别树栖和地栖鸟类的显著意义,而且分析的结果与参考鸟类其他特征(如爪的形态、脚趾的比例等)所得出的结论基本一致。     

连翘花的结构与繁育系统研究

通过定株观察、解剖和人工套袋交叉授粉试验对连翘花的生长发育和繁殖系统进行研究.结果表明:(1)连翘具有2种避免自交的方式,雌雄异位和雌雄异熟.其雌雄异位表现为长雄蕊短雌蕊花型和短雄蕊长雌蕊花型;雌雄异熟表现为长雄蕊短雌蕊花型为雄蕊先于雌蕊成熟,短雄蕊长雌蕊花型表现为雌蕊先于雄蕊成熟.(2)连翘花P/O值测定和户外套袋交叉授粉试验显示,P/O值为2 000±300;不同类型花的异花授粉结果率在50.64%~80.32%,其中短型花的花粉授到长型花柱头的结果率最高,达80.32%,而长型花和短型花的同型花授粉结果率分别为2.92%和34.15%,表明连翘的异花授粉结果率高于自花授粉,以异交为主,其繁育系统属兼性异交.研究结果认为,连翘雌雄异位和雌雄异熟是其自然结果率低下的主要原因,为进一步探讨连翘在木犀科中的系统进化提供了生殖生态学的依据.     

西藏波密柑马蜂的筑巢习性（英文）

柑马蜂Polistes mandarinus在不同的环境中会利用植物材料制作各种不同的蜂巢。我们在2009年5-8月间观察研究了西藏自治区波密县的柑马蜂筑巢习性, 并收集62个蜂巢。柑马蜂利用植物纤维和树脂将它们的巢穴筑于当地居民的木屋檐下。收集的42个在用蜂巢中, 8月末平均拥有79.64±65.28个蜂房, 13.1±10.68个蜂蛹。20个弃用蜂巢中, 平均拥有12.95±3.99个蜂房。8月末, 成功的柑马蜂群拥有约80个个体。研究地的柑马蜂采取3种方式来筑巢, 但以第1种方式最为普遍。第1种筑巢方式筑造的蜂巢以两个蜂房连接巢柄, 结构最为稳定, 所以也应用最广, 后两种筑巢方式筑造的蜂巢均以一个蜂房连接巢柄, 是由于越冬雌蜂在找不到合适的筑巢材料时才采取的建巢方式。     

蜂桶寨自然保护区中华姬鼠和社鼠食性的季节变化及与肠道长度的关系

为揭示啮齿动物食性及其对消化道肠道长度的影响,我们于2008 年在四川省宝兴县蜂桶寨国家级自然保护区内以中华姬鼠和社鼠为对象展开了研究。结果发现社鼠和中华姬鼠均以摄食种子为主,食谱中各食物成分在性别之间无显著差异,但季节变化明显。在各食物成分中,摄入种子百分比与中华姬鼠及社鼠小肠长之间呈显著正相关,而昆虫成分则相反。分析认为,中华姬鼠和社鼠取食食物成分的季节变化,可能与不同季节中食物资源可获得性的不同有关,消化道长度的变化可能体现了对季节性食物资源和能量需求的适应.     

Effects of nitrogen deposition,drought and their interaction,on functional and structural traits of Fraxinus ornus L. and Quercus ilex L.

A controlled experiment was conducted in order to understand how functional and structural traits of species with different leaf habits (Fraxinus ornus and Quercus ilex) shift as a consequence of nitrogen (N) addition (30 kg ha yr^?1) and to explore the effect that N has on the water stress response. The experiment was divided in two stages: stage I, N addition under well-watered condition; stage II, N addition under drought. Functionality of the photosynthetic machinery, growth and biomass partitioning were assessed. The N content at leaf level increases in F. ornus only, which invests resources on photosynthetic machinery, whereas Q. ilex tends to store N in non-photosynthetic biomass, increasing relative growth rate and biomass, resulting in different allometric ratio. This effect may play a role in water stress response. Stomatal conductance of Q. ilex treated with N and subjected to water stress is lower relative to drought treatment. On the contrary, F. ornus takes advantage of N addition that has ameliorative effects on its functionality when drought was imposed. The obtained results, highlighting response mechanisms to multiple stress factors, should help to better understand and assess the performance of forest ecosystems under the foreseen environmental changes.