Remarkable genetic diversity detected at river buffalo prolactin receptor (PRLR) gene and association studies with milk fatty acid composition

Prolactin is an anterior pituitary peptide hormone involved in many different endocrine activities and is essential for reproductive performance. This action is mediated by its receptor, the prolactin receptor, encoded by the PRLR gene. In this study, we sequenced and characterized the Mediterranean river buffalo PRLR gene (from exon 3 to 10), and we found remarkable genetic diversity. In particular, we found 24 intronic polymorphisms and 13 exonic SNPs, seven of which were non‐synonymous. Furthermore, the polymorphisms identified in the 3′‐UTR were investigated to establish their possible influence on microRNA binding sites. Considering all the amino acid changes and the observed allelic combinations, it is possible to deduce at least six different translations of the buffalo prolactin receptor and, consequently, the presence at the PRLR gene of at least six alleles. Furthermore, we identified a deletion of a CACTACC heptamer between nucleotides 1102 and 1103 of exon 10 (3′‐UTR), and we developed an allele‐specific PCR to identify the carriers of this genetic marker. Finally, the SNP g.11188A>G, detected in exon 10 and responsible for the amino acid replacement p.His328Arg, was genotyped in 308 Italian Mediterranean river buffaloes, and an association study with milk fat traits was carried out. The statistical analysis showed a tendency that approached significance for the AA genotype with higher contents of odd branched‐chain fatty acids. Thus, our results suggest that the PRLR gene is a good candidate for gene association studies with qualitative traits related to buffalo milk production.     

The Siak, a tropical black water river in central Sumatra on the verge of anoxia

The Siak is a black water river in central Sumatra, Indonesia, which owes its brown color to dissolved organic matter (DOM) leached from surrounding, heavily disturbed peat soils. The dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations measured during five expeditions in the Siak between 2004 and 2006 are among the highest reported world wide. The DOM decomposition appeared to be a main factor influencing the oxygen concentration in the Siak which showed values down to 12 μmol l⁻¹. Results derived from a box-diffusion model indicated that in addition to the DOC concentration and the associated DOM decomposition the water-depth also plays a crucial role in regulating the oxygen levels in the river because of its impact on the turbulence in the aquatic boundary layer and the surface/volume ratio of water in the river. Model results imply furthermore that a reduced water-depth could counteract an increased oxygen consumption caused by an enhanced DOM leaching during the transition from dry to wet periods. This buffer mechanism seems to be close to its limits as indicated by sensitivity studies which showed in line with measured data that an increase of the DOC concentrations by ~15% could already lead to anoxic conditions in the Siak. This emphasizes the sensitivity of the Siak against further peat soil degradation, which is assumed to increase DOC concentrations in the rivers.     

Effects of water discharge on fledging time,growth, and survival of piping plovers on the Missouri River

River flow management and modification is a global issue, and its effects on river-dependent organisms are pervasive. Flow modification can directly affect avian species through mortality or habitat loss, but less is known about indirect and sublethal effects of flow modification on reproductive output in these species. Young birds are more vulnerable to predation between hatching and fledging than after flight is achieved, but tradeoffs must be made to balance growth and survival. Predation pressure appears to be a significant factor affecting the time to fledging in altricial birds, but less is known about this threat for precocial birds. Birds reaching fledging earlier should have greater rates of survival to migration because their predator escape repertoire includes flight at an earlier age. We evaluated the effect of varying outflows from the Gavins Point Dam on the growth, age at fledging, and survival of piping plover (Charadrius melodus) chicks on the Missouri River (2006–2009). The study was characterized by 2 relatively high flow years (2006 and 2009) and 2 relatively low flow years (2007 and 2008). We used success rate in recapturing chicks in capture–mark–recapture models as an index for fledging. We attempted to recapture all chicks (n = 1,099) by hand every 3–4 days throughout the season to acquire morphological measurements. Models indicated that as flows from the dam increased, age at fledging increased. We also found that increasing flows were associated with decreasing daily survival rates (β_flow = −2.401, 95% CI: −4.351 to −0.452). Flow was also negatively related to chick mass gain, but we found less evidence for an effect on wing-chord length. Increased flows covered wet-substrate foraging habitat, and likely affected plover reproductive output directly through chick survival and indirectly through decreased growth and increased fledging times. © The Wildlife Society, 2013     

基于网络特征的道路生态干扰——以澜沧江流域为例

道路网络对区域景观的生态格局和过程产生较大的影响,作为干扰因子,区域道路网络的特征和所产生的生态干扰水平存在一定的相关性.利用GIS和网络分析法,以澜沧江流域县域为基本单元,分析了研究区各县的道路网络特征指数,在揭示了区域道路网络不同特征之间的规律性的基础上,进一步对区域网络特点和生态干扰之间相关性进行了内在关系的探讨.结果表明,澜沧江流域道路网络结构的空间差异很大,流域内各县的道路网络节点数、连接线数目、α环度、β线点率、γ连接度指数等网络特征因子也存在较大差异;道路密度和道路总长度与区域海拔高度呈现较明显的负相关关系;道路密度和区域道路的廊道密度呈现正相关关系,和区域道路的α指数、β指数和γ指数关系可以用倒数模型来拟合.缓冲区分析表明,耕地比例和道路密度线性相关关系显著,而其他类型相关性较差,但区域综合的人工干扰指数(Hd)(1980,2000)和道路网络的特征指数相关显著,而且不同时期的区域景观的斑块密度、平均斑块面积和区域道路网络特征之间也存在较强的相关性,即网络扩展使得区域生态系统受干扰强度增加,破碎化严重,但较短时期内的生态系统变化和道路网络特征之间相关性不显著.     

Effects of stream-crossing by a pipeline on the benthic macroinvertebrate communities of a small mountain stream

Aquatic environmental impact associated with stream-crossing by a pipeline was monitored at Archibald Creek, B.C. for two years. Water chemistry and benthic macroinvertebrates were used as monitoring tools. Results indicated that impacts arising from stream-crossing were short-term and non-residual.Funded by a contract from Canadian Arctic Gas Study Limited, calgary, to Aquatic Environments Limited, Calgary.Aquatic Environments Limited, Calgary.Aquatic Environments Limited, Calgary.     

元谋干热河谷植被的类型研究 Ⅱ.群丛以下单位

本文用法瑞植物社会学学派的方法,并经主分量分析验证,对元谋干热河谷的植被进行了重点在群丛及其以下单位的系统分类研究。结果得到9个群丛以及各群丛之下的6个亚群丛、3个群丛变型和两个群丛相的一套系统单位。     

岷江干旱河谷-山地森林交错带震后生态恢复的关键科学技术问题

作为典型的生态过渡区，岷江干旱河谷-山地森林交错带不仅是藏羌居民生活的重要区域，而且在抑制干旱河谷上延和延伸亚高山森林生态系统的功能等方面具有十分重要的作用。但这种脆弱生态系统极易受到人类活动干扰和自然灾害的损害，使其成为“5．12”汶川大地震中受损程度较高、灾后生态恢复与重建的重点区域之一。基于岷江干旱河谷-山地森林交错带受汶川大地震破坏的特点以及该区的生态重要性和本身的脆弱性，损毁生态系统的快速评估与生态重建规划、生产与生态双赢共建关键技术、震后残存植被保育、水源涵养地植被保护与恢复、震毁植被恢复与重建、耕地生产恢复与重建、边坡综合治理、低效薪炭林改良以及居民聚居点风景林营造等被认为是震后生态恢复的关键科学技术问题。震毁生态系统的生态恢复过程监测与评估、干旱河谷-山地森林交错带生态系统的脆弱性机制及生态学过程、震后生态系统对变化环境的响应与适应机制等可能是未来的重点研究领域。     

Detailed study of a river corridor plant distribution pattern provides implications for river valley conservation

River valleys have been subjected to human-induced changes for centuries, but they are still considered regional hotspots of biodiversity. In central Europe, some vascular plant species demonstrate confinement to the corridors of large rivers. They are termed river corridor plants (RCPs). RCPs are an important component of regional biodiversity and include a high proportion of threatened species, thus they deserve attention. Here we examine: (1) the detailed distribution pattern of RCPs within a river valley, (2) the habitat preferences of RCP species, and (3) the correlation between the richness of RCP species and selected variables. The studied variables include: river bed proximity, distance from the river mouth, floodplain coverage, richness of native, red listed and invasive species, and number of habitats considered to be of Europaean Community importance. Surveys were conducted in 10 transects running perpendicularly to the San River bed (Poland, central Europe). Each transect was divided into 14 plots (1 km × 1 km). In each plot, the site locations of RCPs as well as their habitats were recorded. The occurrence of all vascular plant species in a particular plot was also noted. The richness and abundance of RCP species depended on the distance from the river and the floodplain coverage in a plot. The plots located in the vicinity of the river were the richest in RCP species and usually harbored the largest number of native, red-listed and invasive species. They were also characterized by the largest number of habitats considered to be of importance to the European Community. RCP species differed in the degree of confinement to habitats regarded as typical for them. Some of the RCP species were recorded only within typical habitats while others were found in several different types of habitats, including anthropogenic ones. Knowledge concerning the RCP distribution pattern and its correlates can make restoration initiatives in river valleys more effective. While implementing conservation measures in river valleys, one should keep in mind that: (1) hotspots of RCP and invasive species spatially overlap and (2) anthropogenic linear elements occurring within river valleys constitute important habitats for some RCP species.