Evolutionary bet-hedging in the real world: empirical evidence and challenges revealed by plants

Understanding the adaptations that allow species to live in temporally variable environments is essential for predicting how they may respond to future environmental change. Variation at the intergenerational scale can allow the evolution of bet-hedging strategies: a novel genotype may be favoured over an alternative with higher arithmetic mean fitness if the new genotype experiences a sufficiently large reduction in temporal fitness variation; the successful genotype is said to have traded off its mean and variance in fitness in order to ‘hedge its evolutionary bets’. We review the evidence for bet-hedging in a range of simple plant systems that have proved particularly tractable for studying bet-hedging under natural conditions. We begin by outlining the essential theory, reiterating the important distinction between conservative and diversified bet-hedging strategies. We then examine the theory and empirical evidence for the canonical example of bet-hedging: diversification via dormant seeds in annual plants. We discuss the complications that arise when moving beyond this simple case to consider more complex life-history traits, such as flowering size in semelparous perennial plants. Finally, we outline a framework for accommodating these complications, emphasizing the central role that model-based approaches can play.     

The effects of selection,drift and genetic variation on life‐history trait divergence among insular populations of natterjack toad,Bufo calamita

Although loss of genetic variation is frequently assumed to be associated with loss of adaptive potential, only few studies have examined adaptation in populations with little genetic variation. On the Swedish west coast, the northern fringe populations of the natterjack toad Bufo calamita inhabit an atypical habitat consisting of offshore rock islands. There are strong among‐population differences in the amount of neutral genetic variation, making this system suitable for studies on mechanisms of trait divergence along a gradient of within‐population genetic variation. In this study, we examined the mechanisms of population divergence using Q_ST–F_ST comparisons and correlations between quantitative and neutral genetic variation. Our results suggest drift or weak stabilizing selection across the six populations included in this study, as indicated by low Q_ST–F_ST values, lack of significant population × temperature interactions and lack of significant differences among the islands in breeding pond size. The six populations included in this study differed in both neutral and quantitative genetic variation. Also, the correlations between neutral and quantitative genetic variation tended to be positive, however, the relatively small number of populations prevents any strong conclusions based on these correlations. Contrary to the majority of Q_ST–F_ST comparisons, our results suggest drift or weak stabilizing selection across the examined populations. Furthermore, the low heritability of fitness‐related traits may limit evolutionary responses in some of the populations.     

基于MFA的生态工业园区物质代谢研究方法探析

物质流分析(Material Flow Analysis,MFA)是国家尺度物质代谢研究的重要手段。首先对国内外不同地域尺度下MFA的研究现状进行了概述总结;在此基础上,从工业区内的企业及其所形成的工业共生网络(Industrial Symbiosis Networks,ISNs)物质核算入手,针对如何在生态工业园区(Eco-Industrial Parks,EIPs)尺度开展物质代谢研究进行了详细论述,并通过引入部门间实物型投入产出表(Physical Input-Output Table,PIOT)对该尺度MFA的核算方法进行了改进,最终构建了EIPs-MFA模型及指标体系。以期为生态工业园区实践中的规划与管理提供方法指导。     

马尼拉陡胸茧蜂对甜菜夜蛾的控害潜能

为评价幼虫寄生蜂马尼拉陡胸茧蜂对甜菜夜蛾的控害潜能,编制了寄主和寄生蜂的实验种群生命表,测定了马尼拉陡胸茧蜂对甜菜夜蛾幼虫的寄生功能反应。结果表明:甜菜夜蛾年龄特征生命表参数为:净生殖力(种群趋势指数)R0(I)=122.0172,内禀增长率rm=0.1522,世代平均历期T=40.8556(d),周限增长率λ=1.1644;马尼拉陡胸茧蜂寄生甜菜夜蛾幼虫的生殖力表参数为:R0(I)=20.2479,rm=0.3045,T=9.8788,λ=1.3559。马尼拉陡胸茧蜂对甜菜夜蛾幼虫的捕食功能反应符合HollingⅡ型模型,a=0.8952,Th=0.0205,Namax=48.78(头)。通过生命表参数比较和功能反应模型分析,可见马尼拉陡胸茧蜂对甜菜夜蛾幼虫的寄生能力强,繁殖速率高,对甜菜夜蛾种群有较强的控制能力;从世代平均历期T的比较可知,在甜菜夜蛾繁殖1代的时间内,马尼拉陡胸茧蜂可以繁殖4个世代,在时间上天敌对害虫的发生是"超前的"而不是"跟随的"。因此在放蜂技术上应采取相应的对策,才能充分发挥天敌的控害潜能。     

旺长期遮光及光照转换对不同肥料条件下烟草叶片光合特性的影响

采用盆栽方法研究了旺长期遮光及光照转换对不同肥料条件下烟草叶片光合速率(Pn)与荧光特性的影响。结果表明,遮光促进两种肥料条件下烟草叶片叶绿素(Chl)和类胡萝卜素(Car)含量的积累,却降低它们的Pn。其中施无机肥的烟草叶片Chl含量增加较多,而50%无机肥+50%饼肥配施烟草叶片的Car增幅显著,从而,施无机肥烟草叶片Chl/Car上升,而无机肥+饼肥配施烟草叶片Chl/Car却下降。无论从自然光转至遮荫条件下还是从遮荫条件转至自然光下,两种肥料条件下生长的烟草叶片的Pn、实际光化学效率(ΦPSⅡ)、最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)及光化学猝灭系数(qP)均急剧下降,但与施无机肥相比,无机肥+饼肥配施烟草叶片保持较高的Pn、ΦPSⅡ、Fv/Fm、及qP,可能是饼肥促进了栽培条件下烟草植株的光生态适应性。     

C57-ras致癌性转基因小鼠模型的脏器及血液学参数

目的测定自主建立的致癌性转基因动物模型C57-ras小鼠的血液生理生化值和主要脏器重量,计算脏器系数并作统计学分析。方法选取同窝C57-ras转基因阳性和阴性小鼠,雌雄各半,采血,测量血液生理指标和血清生化指标,并称主要脏器重量。结果 C57-ras转基因阳性雌鼠和阴性雌鼠间比较,NEUT、NEUT%存在显著性差异（P〈0.05）,PCT存在极显著性差异（P〈0.01）。C57-ras转基因阳性雄鼠和阴性雄鼠间比较,RBC、HCT、PLT、PCT存在显著性差异（P〈0.05）,MON%存在极显著性差异（P〈0.01）。血清生化指标中,ALT和TG存在显著性差异（P〈0.05）。主要脏器重量和脏器系数比较结果显示,除C57-ras转基因阳性雌鼠和阴性雌鼠在肺重量存在极显著性差异（P〈0.01）外,其余均无显著性差异（P〉0.05）。结论新建C57-ras致癌性转基因小鼠模型和正常C57BL/6小鼠的主要生物学特性基本一致,利于该模型在致癌性安全性评价等领域的实际应用。     

两种石楠叶绿素荧光参数日变化的比较研究

以红叶石楠和光叶石楠为试验材料,研究了两种石楠叶绿素荧光参数的日变化。结果表明：随着日间光照强度的不断变化,即时最大荧光产量（Fm＇）、光系统Ⅱ实际量子产量（Yield）和光化学淬灭（qP）呈现出“V”型曲线;非光化学淬灭（qN）呈现出单峰曲线;表观光合电子传递速率（ETR）则呈现出双峰曲线;到黄昏时各参数基本恢复至早晨的水平,表明两种石楠均未发生光合机构的破坏。红叶石楠的Fm’、Yield、ETR、qP均高于光叶石楠,说明红叶石楠对光能的利用效率高于光叶石楠,表现出对当地环境更高的适应性。     

Alternative parasite development in transmission strategies: how time flies!

Among parasitic platyhelminths with complex life cycles, it has been well documented that transmission opportunities are the main forces shaping the diversity of life‐history traits and parasite developmental strategies. While deviations in the development pathway usually involve shortening of life cycles, their extension may also occur following perception of remaining time by parasites. Polystoma gallieni, the monogenean parasite of Hyla meridionalis, is able to trigger two alternative developmental strategies depending on the physiological stage of the tadpoles upon which larvae attach. The distribution and reproductive outputs of both resulting phenotypes were surveyed to address questions about the dynamics of transmission in natural environments. Because modifications in the completion of life cycles can have drawbacks which may perturb the dynamic equilibrium of the resulting host–parasite systems, experimental infestations were also performed to assess parasite–parasite interactions. Our results suggest that the bladder adult phenotype, which involves transmission between frogs and tadpoles, is supplied secondarily by the branchial phenotype which involves transmission between tadpoles and metamorphs. They also support the occurrence of finely tuned trade‐offs between hosts and parasites and highlight positive trends behind the extension of direct life cycles, in which host‐derived signals account for the remaining time to achieve parasitic transmission.     

Genetic variation in flowering phenology and avoidance of seed predation in native populations of Ulex europaeus

The genetic variation in flowering phenology may be an important component of a species’ capacity to colonize new environments. In native populations of the invasive species Ulex europaeus, flowering phenology has been shown to be bimodal and related to seed predation. The aim of the present study was to determine if this bimodality has a genetic basis, and to investigate whether the polymorphism in flowering phenology is genetically linked to seed predation, pod production and growth patterns. We set up an experiment raising maternal families in a common garden. Based on mixed analyses of variance and correlations among maternal family means, we found genetic differences between the two main flowering types and confirmed that they reduced seed predation in two different ways: escape in time or predator satiation. We suggest that this polymorphism in strategy may facilitate maintain high genetic diversity for flowering phenology and related life‐history traits in native populations of this species, hence providing high evolutionary potential for these traits in invaded areas.     

Heritability of resistance to oxidative stress in early life

Oxidative stress has recently been suggested to play an important role in life‐history evolution, but little is known about natural variation and heritability of this physiological trait. Here, we explore phenotypic variation in resistance to oxidative stress of cross‐fostered yellow‐legged gull (Larus cachinnans) chicks. Resistance to oxidative stress was not related to plasma antioxidants at hatching, which are mostly derived from maternal investment into eggs. Common environmental effects on phenotypic variation in resistance to oxidative stress were not significant. Heritability was relatively low and nonsignificant in hatchlings, but interestingly, the chicks of age 8 days showed high and significant heritability (h² = 0.59). Our results suggest that resistance to oxidative stress is determined mainly by the genotype as chicks grow. Further work is required to explore the genetic role of oxidative stress in life‐history evolution.