Process-oriented ecological modeling approach and scientific workflow system

A scientific workflow system is designed specifically to organize, manage and execute a series of research steps, or a workflow, in a given runtime environment. The vision for scientific workflow systems is that the scientists around the world can collaborate on designing global-scaled experiments, sharing the data sets, experimental processes, and results on an easy-to-use platform. Each scientist can create and execute their own workflows and view results in real-time, and then subsequently share and reuse workflows among other scientists. Two case studies, using the Kepler system and BioVeL, are introduced in this paper. Ecological niche modeling process, which is a specialized form of scientific workflow system included in both Kepler system and BioVeL, was used to describe and discuss the features, developmental trends, and problems of scientific workflows.     

Minimum area requirements of breeding birds in fragmented woodland of Central Argentina

The breeding avifauna of 25 woodland fragments (0.85–280 ha) was studied between 1996 and 2004 in Córdoba, Argentina. A distinctive feature of the avifauna of the fragments studied is the low area requirement of most of the species. Of the 54 woodland species recorded, 32 (59.3%) require c . 1 ha and 43 (79.6%) needed no more than 3 ha. Also noticeable is the relatively high number of individuals of most of the species. Both characteristics suggest a good tolerance to fragmentation. However, nine species (16.7%), the area-sensitive species, need fragments of 80 ha or larger. Moreover, eight resident species have apparently become extinct in the fragments that were studied, including the five large species that originally inhabited the area. Proportional odds and log linear models were fitted to relate the minimum area requirements of these species to various ecological characteristics (body size, diet, habitat use, migratory status, and nest type). Closed nesters, resident, woodland exterior, and medium-size species were the groups requiring larger areas. No apparent pattern was observed between area requirements and diet. A recent law prohibits woodland removal, which is a positive step towards the conservation of the fragments. The results suggest that as long as the present amount of woodland is maintained, the situation of the avifauna of the fragments is relatively secure, at least in the short term.     

Expanded thermal niche for a diving vertebrate: A leatherback turtle diving into near-freezing water

The global distribution of extant reptiles is more limited than that of mammals or birds, with low reptilian species diversity at high latitudes. Central to this limited geographical distribution is the ectothermic nature of reptiles, which means that they generally become torpid at cold temperatures. However, here we report the first detailed telemetry from a leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) diving in cold water at high latitude. An individual equipped with a satellite tag that relayed temperature-depth profiles dived continuously for many weeks into sub-surface waters as cold as 0.4 °C. Global warming will likely increase the foraging range of leatherback turtles further into temperate and boreal waters.     

Correlations between the psychological peculiarities of an individual and the efficacy of a single neurofeedback session (by the EEG characteristics)

Modifications of different EEG rhythms induced by a single neurofeedback session (by the EEG characteristics) directed toward an increase in the ratio of the spectral powers (SPs) of the α vs θ oscillations were compared with the psychological characteristics of the tested subjects (the group included 30 persons). A generally accepted neurofeedback technique was used; the intensity of acoustic white noise served as the feedback signal. EEG potentials were recorded from the C3 and C4 leads. Psychological testing was carried out using Eysenck’s (EPQ), Rusalov’s (OST), and (16 PF) questionnaires. The directions of changes in the SPs of EEG frequency components were found to significantly correlate with some individuality-related peculiarities of the tested subjects. The SP of the δ rhythm correlated with the EPQ scale “neuroticism,” OST scale “social plasticity,” and 16 PF factors H (“parmia”), I (“premsia”), and Q₃ (“self-control of behavior”). The SP of the θ component demonstrated correlations with the OST scales “ergisity,” “plasticity,” and “social temp” and with 16 PF factors M (“autia”), Q₄ (“frustration”), and Q1 (“exvia”). The SP of the α rhythm correlated with 16 PF factors Q₃ (“self-control of behavior”), G (“strength of superEgo”), O (“hypothymia”), L (“protension”), and N (“shrewdness”). The SP of the β rhythm correlated with the OST scale “emotionality,” while that of the γ rhythm showed correlations with the 16 PF indices L (“protension”) and M (“autia”). Changes in the ratio of the α vs θ SPs correlated with the EPQ scale “neuroticism.” Thus, our data confirm the statement that a high individual variability of the results of a single (first in the series) neurofeedback session is to a great extent related to peculiarities of the individual psychological pattern of the subject. Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 38, No. 3, pp. 239–247, May–June, 2006.     

水杨酸调控盐胁迫下羽衣甘蓝种子萌发的机理

盐胁迫是植物种子萌发与植株生长的重要限制因子。以羽衣甘蓝(Brassica oleracea var.acephala)名古屋为材料,研究不同盐分对其种子萌发的影响,探索水杨酸(SA)及其合成抑制剂氨基茚磷酸(AIP)处理对羽衣甘蓝种子萌发的调控效应。实验结果表明,150与200 mmol·L^–1 NaCl处理后的羽衣甘蓝种子活力显著降低。盐胁迫显著降低种子的吸水速率、种子活力与幼苗质量,降低苯丙氨酸裂解酶活性与内源SA含量,提高过氧化氢(H2O2)与超氧阴离子(O2^–.)含量。SA可以缓解盐胁迫对羽衣甘蓝种子活力的抑制作用,通过促进内源SA合成,从而提高种子吸水率与种子活力,促进种子对K^+、Mg^2+的吸收,降低Na+含量。此外,外源施加SA能够显著增强超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化物酶活性,降低H2O2与O2^–.的积累。相反,氨基茚磷酸(AIP)处理能够增强盐胁迫对种子萌发的抑制作用,推测这与AIP处理能够显著降低种子内源SA含量密切相关。研究表明外源SA主要通过提高保护酶活性、降低活性氧积累和维持体内离子平衡来增强羽衣甘蓝的耐盐性。     

Intraspecific genetic variation and competition interact to influence niche expansion

Theory and empirical evidence show that intraspecific competition can drive selection favouring the use of novel resources (i.e. niche expansion). The evolutionary response to such selection depends on genetic variation for resource use. However, while genetic variation might facilitate niche expansion, genetically diverse groups may also experience weaker competition, reducing density-dependent selection on resource use. Therefore, genetic variation for fitness on different resources could directly facilitate, or indirectly retard, niche expansion. To test these alternatives, we factorially manipulated both the degree of genetic variation and population density in flour beetles (Tribolium castaneum) exposed to both novel and familiar food resources. Using stable carbon isotope analysis, we measured temporal change and individual variation in beetle diet across eight generations. Intraspecific competition and genetic variation acted on different components of niche evolution: competition facilitated niche expansion, while genetic variation increased individual variation in niche use. In addition, genetic variation and competition together facilitated niche expansion, but all these impacts were temporally variable. Thus, we show that the interaction between genetic variation and competition can also determine niche evolution at different time scales.     

地老虎六索线虫的生物学特性调查

在岳阳地区农田菜地,寄生于小地老虎幼虫Agrotis ypsilon的线虫都是地老虎六索线虫Hexamermis agrotis。田间调查其寄生率高达44%~68%。并对地老虎六索线虫的生活史及温度、湿度、土壤肥料、日照等自然因素对该线虫生存繁殖的影响进行了调查。     

芥蓝田主要害虫种群生态位研究

2001年秋季在福州郊区对芥蓝田BrassicaalboglabraBailey害虫种群的生态位进行了初步研究,研究结果表明:蚜虫、粉虱和小菜蛾为秋季芥蓝田的优势种害虫,菜青虫、黄曲条跳甲和斑潜蝇为随从种害虫。这些主要害虫的生态位在时间、空间维度和时-空二维上存在明显分化,各种害虫对资源的竞争主要集中在对空间资源的竞争,即随着时间的推移,害虫间的竞争主要集中在对植株上可获得的产卵、取食和栖息的空间资源的竞争。     

芦苇与入侵植物互花米草的光合特性比较

以上海崇明东滩湿地外来入侵植物互花米草与本地种芦苇为研究对象,对它们的光合特性进行了比较研究,结果表明:(1)与芦苇相比,互花米草具有更高的表观量子效率(AQY)、CO2羟化效率(CE)和最大净光合速率(pmax);(2)生长季节初期,互花米草午间时段的光合、气孔导度和蒸腾速率均高于芦苇,各指标与光、温的变化基本一致;(3)互花米草的净光合速率曲线呈“单峰”型,测定指标在强光合辐射、高温条件下迅速上升,芦苇则表现出明显的“午休”现象;(4)在生长季节初期(5月份)和活跃期(9月份),互花米草的净光合速率显著高于芦苇,而在生长季节后期(11月份)则低于芦苇。该项研究有利于解释互花米草生长迅速,生产力高,竞争性强的生理生态学特性。     

沙棘木蠹蛾卵和幼虫空间分布的地统计学分析

沙棘木蠹蛾(H olcocerushippophaecolus Hua,Chou ,Fang et Chen)是近几年在内蒙古、辽宁、山西、宁夏和陕西等地大面积爆发的一种钻蛀性害虫,其危害发生在幼虫期,主要危害沙棘(H ippophae rhamnoidea)的根干部。为了有效地控制其危害,深入了解种群的空间结构,利用地统计学方法分析了两种受害程度不同的林分内沙棘木蠹蛾幼虫种群和重度受害林分内卵块的空间分布特性。结果表明:两种受害程度不同的林分内,沙棘木蠹蛾的危害具有显著差异,轻度受害林分内无虫样本所占的比例较大,达70 % ,而重度受害林分内不到2 0 % ;虫口密度在轻度受害林分内超过6头/株的只有6 .9% ,而重度受害林分内高达31.9%。根据全方向的变异函数曲线图分析得知:重度受害林分和轻度受害林分内幼虫种群的空间依赖范围分别为7.3m和87.4 18m,而局部空间连续性强度分别为0 .914和0 .178。重度受害林分内幼虫表现较强的空间聚集性,而轻度受害林分则表现为随机分布。在重度受害林分中,单株沙棘树上沙棘木蠹蛾卵块数量最多的为11个,最少的为1个,有卵株率达72 %。分别采用四种不同的理论模型来拟合卵块的实际变异曲线图,得知其全方向的变异函数曲线为指数型,空间依赖范围大小为3.6 m,局部空间连续性强度为0 .876 ,卵块在重度受害林分中呈现较强