Suitability of three aphid species for Aphidius gifuensis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): Parasitoid performance varies with hosts of origin

Oviposition behavior and offspring fitness of the parasitoid Aphidius gifuensis (Ashmead) were compared on three aphid species, Sitobion avenae F., Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and Aphis gossypii Glover using wasps collected from both S. avenae and M. persicae. A. gifuensis produced more mummies and adults on S. avenae and M. persicae than on A. gossypii regardless of the host of origin. Mummy production was influenced by attack rate and percentage of aphids superparasitized. The F₁ generations from S. avenae and M. persicae were more female-biased and wasps were larger than those from A. gossypii. Although there were significant differences in development time of A. gifuensis in the three aphid species, the difference was generally shorter than one day. Fewer mummies were produced when A. gifuensis was transferred between S. avenae and M. persicae, but no significant difference was observed in emergence rate, percentage of female offspring, or body size. The effects of host species on A. gifuensis female performance and offspring fitness are discussed, along with the potential for using A. gifuensis to control M. persicae and A. gossypii.     

Genetic diversity and structure of Pinus dabeshanensis revealed by expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) markers

Assessing patterns of genetic variation in rare endangered species is critical for developing both in situ and ex situ conservation strategies. Pinus dabeshanensis Cheng et Law is an endangered species endemic to the Dabieshan Mountains of eastern China. To obtain fundamental information of genetic diversity, population history, effective population size, and gene flow in this species, we explored patterns of genetic variation of natural populations, in addition to an ex situ conserved population, using expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeats (EST-SSR) markers. Our results revealed moderate levels of genetic diversity (e.g., H_E = 0.458 vs. H_E = 0.423) and a low level of genetic differentiation (F_ST = 0.028) among natural and conserved populations relative to other conifers. Both contemporary and historical migration rates among populations were high. Bayesian coalescent-based analyses suggested that 3 populations underwent reductions in population size ca. 10,000 yr ago, and that two populations may have experienced recent genetic bottlenecks under the TPM. Bayesian clustering revealed that individuals from the ex situ population were largely assigned to the ‘red’ cluster. Additionally, our results identified private alleles in the natural populations but not in the ex situ population, suggesting that the ex situ conserved population insufficiently represents the genetic diversity present in the species. Past decline in population size is likely to be due to Holocene climate change. Based on the genetic information obtained for P. dabeshanensis, we propose some suggestions for the conservation and efficient management of this endangered species.     

Advances in the Study of the Systematics of Ophiopogoneae in Asparagaceae

The systematic studies of the Ophiopogoneae in Asparagaceae were reviewed in respect of morphology, anatomy, micromorphology, cytology, molecular phylogenetics, biogeography, genome size, and exploiting and utilizing of plant resource, to provide reference for further studies on Ophiopongoneae.     

Taxonomy on crane flies in family Tipulidae and Limoniidae (Diptera: Tipuloidea) from Yaoluoping National Nature Reserve,Anhui, China

The paper reports 13 species from Yaoluoping National Nature Reserve,Anhui,China,including a new species and a new subspecies,Tipula (Emodotipula) alexanderi Men,sp.nov.and Nephrotoma impigra anqingensis Men,subsp.nov.The female of Libnotes (Libnotes) pseudonohirai Men,2015 is described and illustrated for the first time.The males of Holorusia henana Yang,1999 and Tipula (Vestiplex)jiangi Yang & Yang,1991 are redescribed and illustrated with new morphological characters.A key to all species is provided.     

利用红外相机技术对安徽省鹞落坪国家级自然保护区大中型兽类及林下鸟类的调查

鹞落坪国家级自然保护区位于大别山脉南麓的核心地带。2014-2017年, 作者采用红外相机技术对鹞落坪国家级自然保护区的大中型兽类及林下鸟类进行调查。研究共布设了72个相机位点, 累计完成16,658个相机工作日, 获得独立有效照片2,142张, 共记录野生兽类9种、鸟类15种, 隶属8目15科。包括国家一级重点保护野生动物1种, 即安徽麝(Moschus anhuiensis), 国家二级重点保护野生动物2种, 分别是勺鸡(Pucrasia macrolopha)和白冠长尾雉(Syrmaticus reevesii)。相对多度排名前五的兽类分别为小麂(Muntiacus reevesi)、野猪(Sus scrofa)、赤腹松鼠(Callosciurus erythraeus)、猪獾(Arctonyx collaris)和岩松鼠(Sciurotamias davidianus)。相对多度排名前五的鸟类为白冠长尾雉、勺鸡、松鸦(Garrulus glandarius)、灰背鸫(Turdus hortulorum)、红嘴蓝鹊(Urocissa erythroryncha)。此外红外相机还拍摄到大量人类活动照片, 表明当地人类活动较为严重, 应加强管理。本研究初步了解了保护区内大中型兽类和林下鸟类群落信息及人类活动的干扰情况, 为保护区未来的保护和管理工作提供了数据基础。     

A plausible model for bimodal p53 switch in DNA damage response

p53 is a tumor suppressor and the p53 dynamics displays stimulus dependent patterns. Recent evidence suggests a bimodal p53 switch in cell fate decision. However, no theoretical studies have been proposed to investigate bimodal p53 induction. Here we constructed a model and showed that MDM2–p53 mRNA binding might contribute to bimodal p53 switch through an intrinsic positive feedback loop. Lower damage favored pulsing while monotonic increasing was generated with higher damage. Bimodal p53 dynamics was largely influenced by cellular MDM2 and elevated p53/MDM2 ratios with increasing etoposide favor mono-ubiquitination. Our model replicated recent experiments and provided potential insights into dynamic mechanisms of bimodal switch.     

New species of subgenus Tipula (Sivatipula) from China,with redescription of T. (S.) parvauricula and a key to all known species of the Oriental Region (Diptera,Tipulidae, Tipula)

Species of Tipula (Sivatipula) biprocessa sp. n. from Guangxi, China is described and illustrated as new in the subgenus Tipula (Sivatipula) Alexander, 1964. Tipula (Sivatipula) parvauricula Alexander, 1941 is redescribed and illustrated based on additional morphological characters. Semen pump of this subgenus is discussed. A key to all described species in this group is compiled.     

球孢白僵菌Pr1蛋白酶基因cDNA克隆与序列分析

从球孢白僵菌菌株Bb202中克隆了昆虫蛋白酶Pr1的基因。使用特异性引物,分别以基因组DNA和mRNA为模板进行PCR反应,得到了球孢白僵菌的Pr1蛋白酶基因cDNA和结构基因序列。测序结果表明球孢白僵菌Pr1蛋白酶结构基因全长大小为1606bp,含有3个内含子,分别为69、61和68bp。其ORF全长1140bp,预测编码379个氨基酸残基。成熟蛋白理论分子量为38.8kD,理论等电点为8.06。为进一步研究球孢白僵菌Pr1基因,并构建高毒力工程菌株提供了理论基础。     

濒危植物都支杜鹃雄蕊数目描述的修正

通过对都支杜鹃5个种群（包括模式产地）的雄蕊数目进行统计、对馆藏标本进行查询和对模式标本采集人进行采访,修正了现有文献对都支杜鹃雄蕊数目（一个关键鉴别特征）的描述——应是12~15枚,而非10枚;本文还对同地点栽培的都支杜鹃和云锦杜鹃的形态进行观察,发现都支杜鹃与云锦杜鹃诸多形态特征差异显著,支持都支杜鹃是一个独立的“好种”。