Intentionally introduced species: more easily invited than removed

Alien species are brought into countries world wide on a massive scale for agricultural production, ex situ conservation, landscape aesthetics, gardens, and ecosystem restoration. Unfortunately, some of these species have escaped and adversely impacted on regional as well as global biodiversity conservation and agricultural production. To reduce such risks, it is necessary to implement specific and effective measures. Since various government departments and institutions are involved in the management of alien species, it is difficult to prevent native and agroecosystems from being invaded by invited species. We propose the establishment of a supervision and inspection continuum over intentional species introduction, similar to that which exists in some countries over unintentional species introductions. Namely, a justification of the necessity to import, a risk assessment, assurances as to provision of an adequate containment facility assessment, and a damage-limitation protocol should that need to be invoked. These requirements should be satisfied before an alien species is knowingly imported, and the necessary follow-up supervision is important post- importation.     

Comparative Effects of Hispidulin,Genistein, and Icariin with Estrogen on Bone Tissue in Ovariectomized Rats

Icariin, Genistein, and Hispidulin have been proven to have estrogen-like and antiosteoporotic activity and can be potentially used for the treatment of osteoporosis. The present study found that Icariin, Genistein, and Hispidulin treatments, emulating estrogen, significantly contributed to bone density. Comparative effects of Icariin, Genistein, and Hispidulin with estrogen on in ovariectomized rats were investigated. Our results showed that genistein was found to have superior bone protective effects against osteoporosis among genistein, Icariin, and Hispidulin.     

Efficient generation of pink-fruited tomatoes using CRISPR/Cas9 system

正Tomato(Solanum lycopersicum)is the leading vegetable crop worldwide and an essential component of a healthy diet(Lin et al.,2014;Du et al.,2017).Fruit color is regarded as one of the most important commercial traits in tomato(The Tomato Genome Consortium,2012).Consumers in different regions have different color preferences.For example,European and American     

Hypothalamic Circuits for Predation and Evasion

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农户对生态环境变化的适应能力及驱动因子——以内蒙古自治区杭锦旗为例

适应性研究是全球变化科学研究的重点领域,其核心宗旨在于提高适应能力。采用主成分分析法,通过构建农户生态环境变化适应能力测量指标体系,对位于库布其沙漠的杭锦旗不同区域和不同生计类型农户对生态环境变化的适应能力进行了定量评价与对比分析,并就农户对生态环境变化适应能力的主要驱动因子进行了探析。结果表明:(1)杭锦旗农户对生态环境变化的适应能力处于较低的水平。其中,南部梁外区农户对生态环境变化的适应能力高于北部沿河区;兼业型农户对生态环境变化的适应能力高于纯农户和非农户。(2)农户对生态环境变化适应能力的驱动因子,由主到次依次为:人力能力及生计多样化程度、耕地及物质财富拥有状况、生态环境意识、基础设施条件和农户从事畜牧业的状况。在此基础上,提出了提高杭锦旗农户生态环境变化适应能力的政策建议。     

树麻雀表型的环境适应进化

树麻雀(Passer montanus)分布范围广、海拔梯度大,也是人类活动的伴随物种。对中国837个样本的10个形态特征与温度、日照、海拔和风速等4个主要环境因子进行相关分析,结果显示:树麻雀的体重、嘴裂、翅长、尾长、跗跖长、脑骨宽、眼间距与日照因子显著相关(P0.05),体重、体长、翅长、尾长、跗跖长与海拔因子显著相关(P0.05),体重、嘴峰、翅长、脑骨长与温度因子显著相关(P0.05),表明树麻雀的形态指标易随环境因子的变化而变化。通过控制经度和海拔两个变量,对形态指标与纬度的偏相关分析表明,体重、翅长、脑骨长和脑骨宽与纬度呈显著正相关(P0.05),体表突出部分嘴峰、嘴裂与纬度呈显著负相关(P0.05),即随着纬度的升高,树麻雀身体逐渐变大,符合贝格曼规律;体表突出部分嘴峰和嘴裂随纬度升高变短,符合阿伦规律。飞行能力与海拔因子呈极显著正相关(n=92,r=0.217,P=0.038),表明树麻雀在高海拔地区具有更强的飞行能力,这也许是它成为广布种的重要原因。