The population ecology of the Cinnabar Moth,Tyria jacobaeae L. (Lepidoptera,Arctiidae)

Summary This paper describes the results of a study of the factors determining the abundance and distribution of the Cinnabar Moth in Britain. The main part of the study was on a population of the moth at Weeting Heath in Norfolk. This is an area of sandy heath which is heavily overgrazed by rabbits. Here the moth fluctuates violently in number and periodically it completely defoliates its food plant (ragwort, Senecio jacobaea L.) over large areas. This happened in 1960, 1961, 1967, and 1968.Since 1966, the numbers of the moth have been studied in detail and Life Tables are presented for five years.Adult fecundity varies considerably between years. This is due mainly to fluctuations in adult size resulting from changes in larval density. By comparison adult mortality and dispersal have little effect on fecundity; although there is some evidence to suggest that dispersal is density dependent. Because the number of eggs laid in one generation depends on the size of the previous generation, fecundity tends to be acting as a delayed density dependent factor.Mortality is low during the egg stage, but is high amongst young larvae, due mainly to arthropod predation. As the caterpillars grow they become immune from this predation. They are distasteful to vertebrate predators.A larval parasite, Apanteles popularis, kills many of the fully grown larvae. The highest rates of parasitism have coincided with the lowest densities of the moth, however, so that over the five years it has acted as an inverse density dependent factor.In 1967, the population became so large that the ragwort was completely defoliated, and about 20% of the caterpillars died from starvation. In the following year the population was still large and the ragwort plants were small, owing to the effects of defoliation in the previous year. Food ran out early in the season and about 50% of the larvae starved. Because of the overriding effect of starvation, total larval mortality tends to be density dependent.Mortality is high at, or immediately after, pupation and this is thought to be due primarily to predation by moles (Talpa europaea). Pupal mortality does not appear to be density dependent.The upward growth of the population is limited by food supply. Starvation led to a population crash, so that in 1969 only 62 eggs/150 m² were laid compared with 17110 and 16493 in the previous two years. The rate of recovery of the population after this crash was dependent upon the rapid recovery of the ragwort plants. Owing to the wet summer in 1968, plant numbers actually increased after defoliation, due to regeneration from root buds. This was in spite of the fact that no seed was produced in the area in either 1967 or 1968.The only factor which appears to buffer the population against extinction in years when food runs out early in the season, is the heterogeneity within the moth and ragwort populations. The earliest individuals manage to obtain sufficient food in those patches of ragwort which survive longest.Large fluctuations in number only occur in some localities. Other populations of the moth persist at low density and never eat out their food supply. Some data are presented from such a population at Monks Wood. This site is on a heavy clay soil, rabbit grazing is less marked than at Weeting, and ragwort occurs only at a low density. The lusher vegetation supports a very large population of arthropod predators and these take a higher percentage of the young caterpillars than was found at Weeting. Pupal survival is also low due probably to waterlogging of the soil. Pupae can withstand considerable desiccation, but excessive moisture soon leads to their death.The distribution of the moth in Britain and its use for the biological control of ragwort are discussed.     

利用叶绿素荧光评估草原植物羊草缺磷缺氮状况

羊草(Leymus chinensis)是北方草原的重要牧草。准确评估其营养状况,对维护羊草草原的生产力具有重要意义。以羊草幼苗为材料,利用能同时表征2个光系统光化学活性的叶绿素荧光检测技术,对缺氮和缺磷处理下的叶片光化学活性进行分析。结果表明,缺氮处理20天后羊草叶片叶绿素含量降低近50%。同期缺磷及缺氮处理对PSⅡ功能的影响总体大于PSⅠ。与对照相比,缺氮叶片的Φ(Ⅱ)和Φ(Ⅰ)分别比对照降低了30.3%与38.5%;ETR(Ⅱ)与ETR(Ⅰ)分别降低30.8%和28.9%。缺磷处理组Φ(Ⅱ)和ETR(Ⅱ)的降低幅度约为缺氮的1/2。这些定量研究结果对及时有效地诊断和区分羊草植物氮磷缺乏状况具有重要的参考价值。     

丛枝菌根真菌对薰衣草耐热性的影响

于不同温度（25℃/20℃、35℃/30℃和40℃/35℃）下测定接种丛枝菌根真菌（arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF）摩西斗管囊霉Funneliformis mosseae、变形球囊霉Glomus versiforme和F. mosseae+G. versiforme 混合菌种处理对狭叶薰衣草Lavandula angustifolia耐热性的影响。结果表明,供试AMF能与狭叶薰衣草根系形成菌根共生体,以混合菌种处理的侵染率最高,达到68%。40℃/35℃下,与不接种AMF对照相比,混合菌种处理的狭叶薰衣草叶片可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白、脯氨酸和叶绿素等含量以及根系活力分别提高了46%、68%、65%、29%和70%;与不接种AMF对照相比,3种温度处理下接种AMF显著增加了狭叶薰衣草植株超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化物酶、过氧化氢酶、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶和硝酸还原酶活性,而降低相对电导率及丙二醛含量。表明接种AMF能增强狭叶薰衣草抗氧化酶活性,减轻高温造成的伤害,增强耐热性,与单一接种相比以混合接种摩西斗管囊霉和变形球囊霉提高狭叶薰衣草耐热性的效应最大。     

Hypersensitivity responses and repeated infections with Lucilia cuprina, the sheep blowfly.

, , and 1992. Hypersensitivity responses and repeated infections with Lucilia cuprina, the sheep blowfly. International Journal for Parasitology 22: 1175–1177. Sheep repeatedly infected with L. cuprina at 2- but not 4-week intervals developed partial resistance to infection after five infections, as measured by larval recovery. However, resistance did not persist for more than three infections. Skin weal responses were measured after injection of larval products simultaneously with each infection. The only correlation between weal size and larval recoveries occurred at infection 1 and indicated a relationship between skin sensitivity and innate rather than acquired resistance. The results suggest that resistance to L. cuprina can develop after repeated infections but that it is short lived and requires frequent larval exposure. A role for hypersensitivity responses was not confirmed by the weal responses but was suggested by the size of wound developed per larva recovered.     

Predation induced changes in behavior and growth rate in three populations of the intertidal snail, Littorina sitkana (Philippi)

We investigated the sublethal effects of a predatory crab, Cancer productus (Randall), on the behavior and growth of its snail prey, Littorina sitkana, by setting up controlled rearing and prey-size selection experiments. L. sitkana were collected from three sites on San Juan Island, WA, USA. These sites varied in snail size, abundance, and vertical distribution, and in the abundance of the crab predator C. productus. Snails from all three populations were raised for 34 days under the following treatments: no-crab control, a non-feeding C. productus encased in mesh box, and an encased C. productus feeding on L. sitkana. The non-feeding crab treatment did not affect snail foraging behavior or growth rate in comparison with the no-crab control. In contrast, the presence of a feeding crab elicited escape behavior in the snails, halted grazing, and consequently reduced growth rates. A population difference in escape behavior was observed: upward migration in snails from rocky shores and hiding in crevices in snails from a mud flat. It thus appears that chemicals leaching from crushed conspecific snails, rather than the presence of the crab predator, act as the “alarm substance” to which L. sitkana react. The magnitude of the growth depression in the presence of feeding crabs was 85%, with no difference among the three populations. Once the feeding crab stimulus was removed, snails in all populations resumed normal growth, suggesting that this response to feeding predators is reversible with changing environmental conditions. Laboratory experiments were set up to determine if all size classes of L. sitkana are equally susceptible to C. productus predation. C. productus consistently selected the largest of three size classes of L. sitkana. These results suggest that slow growth rate and small size in L. sitkana may actually be an adaptation for coexisting with high C. productus abundance, rather than simply a cost of escape behavior.     

Selection and characterization of somatic hybrids between Lycopersicon esculentum and Lycopersicon peruvianum

Somatic hybrids of the cultivated tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum, and a wild species, L. peruvianum, were obtained by fusion of leaf protoplasts from both species in the presence of poly-ethylene-glycol (PEG) or in an electric field. The somatic hybrids were selected on the basis of kanamycin resistance of L. esculentum and the plant regeneration capacity of L. peruvainum. Chromosome counts in root tips and the determination of the number of chloroplasts in guard cell pairs revealed that the majority of these hybrids was tetraploid (2n = 4x = 48). The remaining hybrids were at the hexaploid level with chromosome numbers between 64 and 72. The hybrid nature of the regenerated plants was confirmed by analysis of isozyme markers and by their morphology. Most hybrids did flower and set fruits and seeds after selfing. According to RFLP analysis 6 out of the 10 hexaploid hybrids contained two genomes of L. esculentum and four genomes of L. peruvianum. One of these hexaploids had genomes of two different L. peruvianum genotypes and was therefore considered to be derived from a triple protoplast fusion. The hexaploid plants were less fertile than the tetraploids and more resembled L. peruvianum.     

Comparison between a native and exotic adelgid as hosts for Laricobius rubidus (Coleoptera: Derodontidae)

Laricobius rubidus LeConte, native to eastern North America whose primary host is Pineus strobi Hartig, has been observed in association with Adelges tsugae, an exotic and lethal pest of hemlock trees in eastern North America. Pineus strobi and A. tsugae were used to evaluate host preference and suitability of this predatory beetle to determine in part its suitability as a potential biological control agent of A. tsugae. In a paired-choice oviposition test, L. rubidus preferred to oviposit in P. strobi ovisacs over those of A. tsugae. However, in the no-choice oviposition test, there was no significant difference in the mean number of eggs laid by L. rubidus females in P. strobi or A. tsugae ovisacs. There were no significant differences in larval developmental time or survivorship for L. rubidus reared on a diet of either P. strobi or A. tsugae. Laricobius rubidus completed development to the adult stage on A. tsugae indicating that it is a suitable host and therefore has the potential to contribute to biological control of A. tsugae in the eastern United States. The introduction of a congener, Laricobius nigrinus to eastern North America may result in competition with L. rubidus on A. tsugae, but the inability of L. nigrinus to complete development on P. strobi suggests that the two congeners will not compete on the primary host of L. rubidus.     

Determination of the maximum and minimum lethal temperatures (LT50) for Loxosceles intermedia Mello-Leitão, 1934 and L. laeta (Nicolet, 1849) (Araneae, Sicariidae)

In this study, the maximum and minimum lethal temperatures (LT₅₀) of L. intermedia and L. laeta were determined in two treatments: gradual heating (25–50°C) and cooling (25°C to −5°C), and 1 h at a constant temperature. In gradual temperatures change, L. intermedia mortality started at 40°C and the LT₅₀ was 42°C; for L. laeta, mortality began at 35°C and the LT₅₀ was 40°C. At low temperatures, mortality was registered only at −5°C for both species. In the constant temperature L. intermedia showed a maximum LT₅₀ at 35°C and L. laeta at 32°C; the minimum LT for both species was −7°C.     

Is the insect or the plant the driving force in the cinnabar moth — Tansy ragwort system?

Summary The interactions between cinnabar moth, Tyria jacobaeae L. and its food plant, tansy ragwort, Senecio jacobaea L. were studied for 4 to 6 years at 9 sites in North America to assess if the herbivore drove the dynamics of the plants or if the plants determined the dynamics of the insects. Cinnabar moth larval density is not closely related to changes in the size and spacing of tansy ragwort plants although high densities of larvae were associated with a high proportion of rosettes the next year. Fluctuating moth populations live in areas where rosettes are small, closely spaced and numerous compared to flowering stem plants. This situation is also associated with greater larval dispersal which may lead to over exploitation of the food supply. The coefficient of variation of both the size of rosettes and the distance between clumps of plants is associated with the coefficient of variation in moth density. This suggests that the plants may be driving the dynamics of the insect populations. The size of the moth egg batches is correlated to the size of the flowering stem plants in the previous year, indicating an adjustment between moth fecundity and food plant size. The conclusion is that environmental factors such as weather and soil type determine to a large degree the characteristics and variation in the plant populations and this in turn controls the dynamics of the insects. The relation of this situation to the biological control of weeds is discussed.     

Current Status of the Stem-boring Weevil Listronotus setosipennis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Introduced Against the Weed Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae) in Australia

Effects of the stem-boring weevil Listronotus setosipennis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on different growth stages of the weed Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae) was evaluated in a glasshouse and field cages, and its field prevalence in Queensland, Australia was assessed. In the glasshouse, L. setosipennis reduced the plant height by 51%, number of leaves by 78%, flower production by 63% and plant biomass by 54% in rosette stage plants. Damage by L. setosipennis in rosette stage plants in the field cage reduced the primary stem height by 26% and flower production by 38%, but the impact on total plant height, basal stem width, root length, number of branches, root biomass and total plant biomass was not significant. In both glasshouse and field cages, the impact of L. setosipennis on preflowering and flowering stages of parthenium was not significant. L. setosipennis was recorded in 48% of the parthenium-infested sites (n=132) sampled and 16% of the sites showed high to very high levels of incidence. L. setosipennis was more prevalent on alluvial and black soils than on clay and sandy soils. L. setosipennis is a promising biocontrol agent for regions with prolonged dry periods and erratic rainfall pattern.     

陕西子午岭北桑寄生的种群生命表与生存分析

陕西旬邑县子午岭的北桑寄生(Loranthus tanakae)寄生于子午岭优势种和建群种辽东栎(Quercus liaotungensis)上。该文通过调查子午岭北桑寄生的年龄结构, 编制了北桑寄生的静态生命表, 绘制了存活曲线、死亡率曲线、消失率曲线和生存函数曲线, 分析了种群的动态变化。结果表明: 子午岭北桑寄生种群存活曲线属于Deevey II型, 有较为稳定的死亡率, 消失率曲线和死亡率曲线变化趋势基本一致, 均有两个高峰, 一个出现在5龄, 另一个出现在10龄, 危险率曲线在6龄出现一个波动, 生存率曲线和累计死亡率曲线分别呈下降趋势和上升趋势, 均表现为前期高于后期, 北桑寄生在8龄后进入衰老期。由生存函数曲线年龄阶段看出, 子午岭北桑寄生种群具有前期、中期稳定, 后期衰退的特点。     

长白落叶松过氧化氢酶LoCAT1基因克隆及表达分析

为了解长白落叶松过氧化氢酶(CAT)基因的相关信息,探究该基因在长白落叶松不同组织中及不同逆境胁迫下的表达特性,本研究根据长白落叶松转录组数据库中获得的CAT1基因全长序列设计引物,克隆得到长白落叶松CAT1基因,命名为LoCAT1。该基因完整的开放阅读框(ORF)长度为954bp,共编码317个氨基酸。系统进化树分析结果显示,LoCAT1基因与北美云杉、银杏等CAT基因亲缘关系较近。利用实时定量RT-PCR技术分析了LoCAT1基因在长白落叶松中的组织表达特异性和应对非生物胁迫的表达模式。结果表明:LoCAT1基因在长白落叶松的根、茎、叶中均有表达,其中在茎部表达量最低,在叶中相对表达量最高。在非生物胁迫下,LoCAT1基因在长白落叶松根、茎、叶中的表达均发生了变化,但表达模式不同。在NaCl处理后,根和茎中LoCAT1基因均表现为下调表达,在12h时表达量最低,而叶中LoCAT1基因表达在24h明显受抑制,随后被上调表达,胁迫96h时表达量最高。PEG6000处理后,根和茎中LoCAT1基因的表达在胁迫早期被明显抑制,随后被上调表达。而叶中LoCAT1基因的表达在所有时间点均表现为上调表达。本研究推测长白落叶松LoCAT1基因可能参与了植物响应逆境胁迫的应答。     

Chemotaxonomy in marine algae: Secondary metabolite synthesis by Laurencia in unialgal culture

The application of chemistry to taxonomy assumes that the secondary metabolites of an organism used in chemotaxonomic investigations are quantitatively constant and independent of the continually changing physical and chemical factors experienced in nature. To determine the extent to which chemical changes occur with varying environmental conditions in marine algae, we have investigated the haloterpenoids of Laurencia snyderae Dawson, L. subopposita (J. Agardh) Setchell, and L. pacifica Kylin. Gas chromatographic and thin-layer chromatographic comparisons were made of the haloterpenoid components from both natural populations and from cultured algae grown under varying conditions of temperature and photoperiod. In addition, L. spectabilis Postels and Ruprecht, L. gardneri Hollenberg, L. undulata Yamada, L. nipponica Yamada, L. intermedia Yamada and L. okamurai Yamada were cultured and, where appropriate, their secondary metabolites compared to those reported in the literature. It was found that normal secondary metabolites synthesis occurs in culture and is largely unaffected by modification of the culture conditions. Furthermore, the chemical compounds produced are both qualitatively and quantitatively identical to those produced in the natural populations. In order to study the effect of genetic variables on secondary metabolites, we have investigated sympatric populations of L. pacifica that are morphologically similar but chemically distinct. These populations were intrafertile, but not interfertile in culture. The unique secondary metabolites of the populations and their reproductive isolation probably reflect genetic differences.     

Distribution and dispersal in populations capable of resource depletion

Summary Theoretical predictions from a simulation model of insect distributions and dispersal among isolated food plants have been tested with data gathered from 13 Cinnabar moth populations. Agreement with the predictions was good. Egg batch size was equal to or slightly larger than the number which could be supported by the average food plant. Egg batch distribution was more clumped when density was high and when egg batch size was small relative to food plant size. The tendency for larval dispersal was lower in populations in areas where plants were widely spaced. These findings indicate that the Cinnabar moth has the genetic or phenotypic flexibility to adjust egg batch size, egg distribution, and larval dispersal to characteristics of the habitat. A hypothesized model is proposed to describe the interactions between larval dispersal, food plant response to defoliation, and population fluctuations for the Cinnabar moth and its food plant, tansy ragwort.     

A life table for the cinnabar mothTyria jacobaeae,in Oregon

The cinnabar moth,Tyria jacobaeae L. (Arctiidae), was introduced into Oregon in 1960 against the weed tansy ragwort,Senecio jacobaea L., and in 1970 an intensive study of a population of this biological control agent was initiated. Field sampling methods were devised, and laboratory investigations of feeding and larval development were conducted. Results of the study were analyzed and reported as partial life tables, where possible mortality factors were identified and quantified. The most important mortality factor in both 1970 and 1971 was starvation after defoliation of host plants. Other factors identified included pupal death, emergence failure, egg predation, and larval ingestion of eggs.     

Floodplain and upland populations of Amazonian Himatanthus sucuuba: Effects of flooding on germination, seedling growth and mortality

Himatanthus sucuuba is a tree species that occurs in Central Amazonian white water floodplains and in non-flooded uplands. The objective of this paper was to verify whether flooding causes differences in germination percentages, seedling mortality as well as alterations of leaf number and biomass increments, related to the habitat of origin of the seeds (várzea floodplain versus terra firme upland, in the following V and TF, respectively). To test this effect, seeds from populations of both habitats were collected, and germination percentages were calculated under different experimental conditions. One hundred seeds collected in three sites of the floodplain and one hundred seeds from three sites of the upland were placed in trays for germination in a greenhouse in the Amazon Research Institute (INPA) in Manaus, Brazil. Seedlings with a height of 7 cm were then subjected to a period of 120 days of flooding in tanks with three treatments: control, waterlogging (root system and the base of the stem), and complete submersion. Ground water from the INPA was used in the tanks and was changed at weekly intervals. Germination percentages were high in most treatments. Seedling mortality was significantly higher in seedlings originating from upland, reaching 100% in submerged seedlings. On the other hand, várzea-originated seedlings showed no mortality under waterlogging or submergence.

Height growth of waterlogged seedlings from floodplains exceeded that of the control. Submerged seedlings did not grow, independently of the origin, and those originating from uplands died after about 100 days. Number of leaves and leaf area were significantly lower under partial submersion than in the control, independently of the origin of the seeds. Under total submersion abscission of all leaves was verified 30 days after inundation for seedlings of both origins. In the V population, all seedlings survived the waterlogged period, whereas in the TF population, 30% of the seedlings died when subjected to waterlogging. With complete submergence, in the V population 30% of the seedlings had died after 120 days, in the TF population after 90 days mortality was 100%. The results show that germination, seedling growth and seedling survival in H. sucuuba differ among populations of floodplain and upland sites: V plants performed better than TF plants under waterlogging and under submersion. The results strongly indicate that ecotypic differentiation exists between these two populations of H. sucuuba individuals in the two habitat types, which may be enforced by a strong selective pressure due to the regular occurring flood pulse.     

外源褪黑素对干旱胁迫下黑麦草和苜蓿抗氧化能力及养分吸收的影响

以黑麦草和苜蓿为对象,分别叶面喷施和根施100 μmol·L^-1的褪黑素溶液,在干旱胁迫下测定了生物量、丙二醛(MDA)含量、相对电导率、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性、养分含量(有机碳C、全氮N、全磷P)等指标,研究外源褪黑素对干旱胁迫下植物抗氧化能力及养分吸收的影响。结果表明: 干旱胁迫下,黑麦草和苜蓿的地上、地下生物量显著降低,外施褪黑素能够有效缓解干旱胁迫对黑麦草和苜蓿生长的抑制作用,叶面喷施和根施褪黑素使干旱胁迫下黑麦草的生物量分别增加14.5%和29.6%,苜蓿的生物量分别增加36.6%和49.1%。干旱胁迫下,黑麦草的SOD、POD活性和苜蓿的SOD活性显著降低,外施褪黑素显著提高黑麦草和苜蓿的SOD、POD、CAT活性,减少叶片中MDA的积累,使叶片相对电导率显著下降,抗氧化能力显著提高。干旱和外施褪黑素对黑麦草和苜蓿有机碳含量无显著影响。干旱胁迫下,黑麦草叶片和根中的N、P含量以及苜蓿根中的N含量降低,外施褪黑素提高黑麦草和苜蓿根和叶片中的N、P含量,这表明褪黑素对干旱胁迫下黑麦草和苜蓿的养分吸收有一定的调节作用。施用褪黑素不仅能改善植物的抗氧化能力,还能调节养分吸收以增强植物对干旱胁迫的适应性,而且叶面喷施褪黑素效果好于根施。     

Alternative temperate forages containing secondary compounds for improving sustainable productivity in grazing ruminants

The use of alternative temperate forages to improve the sustainable productivity of grazing ruminants, relative to grass-based pastures, is reviewed. Particular emphasis is placed upon forages containing secondary compounds for sustainable control of internal parasites, for increasing reproductive rate in sheep, reducing bloat risk in cattle and for reducing methane production as a means of lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

Of the forages reviewed, the herb chicory (Chicorium intybus) and the condensed tannin-containing legumes Lotus corniculatus L. and sulla (Hedysarum coronarium) offered the most advantages. Chicory and sulla promoted faster growth rates in young sheep and deer in the presence of internal parasites, and showed reduced methane production in other studies. L. corniculatus was not as effective as chicory and sulla in promoting growth of lambs in the presence of internal parasites. Grazing on L. corniculatus was associated with increases in reproductive rate in sheep, increases in milk production in both ewes and dairy cows and reduced methane production, effects that were mainly due to its content of condensed tannins (CT). Grazing ewes on L. corniculatus during mating and very early pregnancy may also reduce lamb mortality. However, there are no data on the effect of mating ewes, which are grazing chicory on their reproductive performance, an important omission. Risk of rumen frothy bloat in cattle grazing legumes is reduced when the forage contains 5 g CT/kg dry matter (DM) or greater. Gene transfer techniques aimed at achieving this for lucerne (Medicago sativa) have made progress, but CT concentration needs to be further increased from calculated values of 0.75–1.25 g CT/kg DM in the transformed plants. Bloat control may be achievable in genetically transformed legumes before increased amino acid absorption, as the concentration of CT required for bloat control is lower (5 versus 30–40 g/kg DM) than that required to cause increased amino acid absorption and is not affected by differences in CT structure.

Key plant characteristics for improved sustainable productivity are a high ratio of readily fermentable: structural carbohydrate and the presence of CT and certain other secondary compounds.

Taking into account both nutritional and agronomic considerations, chicory is considered one of the best emerging plants for grazing livestock, with L. corniculatus being more suitable for areas with dry summers and warm winters. Some of the agronomic limitations of L. corniculatus and sulla could be reduced by mechanical harvesting and their inclusion as a component in total mixed rations (TMR), instead of grazing.     

湿地植物大花百合种群的性系统特征

开花植物性系统特征是植物在长期适应进化过程中逐渐形成的繁殖策略, 它在一定程度上影响了物种的种群结构及其在生境中的分布格局, 因此性系统特征一直是植物进化与生态学领域的研究热点。本研究于2012年和2020年在吉林省金川泥炭沼泽湿地, 通过样地调查取样的方法, 研究了湿地植物大花百合(Lilium concolor var. megalanthum)的性系统特征以及不同性别表型植株的比例、密度及空间分布格局, 并探究了大花百合植株个体大小和其性别表达的联系, 比较了不同性别表型的花粉实际可育性和来源不同的花粉授粉处理结实后的种子活力。结果显示, 个体水平上, 大花百合具有雄花植株、两性花植株和雄花两性花同株(即雄全同株) 3种性表型; 种群水平上, 具有雄花的个体充当父本, 通过花粉向下一代传递基因, 而具有两性花的个体主要充当母本, 通过胚珠实现基因的传递。2020年大花百合雄花植株占种群内开花植株的39.14%, 相比2012年雄花植株比例增加了22.80%; 大花百合种群分布密度为0.06株/m², 较2012年下降了0.09株/m²。从2012年到2020年, 总体表现为种群密度降低, 雄花植株相对比例增加的趋势。两性花植株和雄花植株在小尺度范围主要呈聚集分布, 随着尺度增大, 趋于随机分布。雄花植株显著小于两性花植株, 但鳞茎资源分配显著高于两性花植株。大花百合植株的性表达遵循大小依赖的性分配假说: 个体较小的植株表达为雄花植株, 而个体较大的植株则为两性花植株或雄全同株。在不同授粉处理下的结籽率和种子萌发结果表明, 大花百合自花授粉结籽率和坐果率显著低于异花授粉, 雄花植株和两性花植株花粉可育性以及对两性花植株授粉后所获得种子活力无显著差异。大花百合雄花植株的出现可能是对有限环境资源条件适应的结果, 反映了湿地条件下该植物在生长和繁殖资源之间的权衡策略, 在长期的湿地演变过程中, 这种性系统特征的出现具有一定的适应性意义。     

秦岭华北落叶松林乔木种群结构与更新

华北落叶松(Larix principis-rupprechtii)在秦岭属于外来物种。以种群径级结构代替年龄结构,采用静态生命表、生存曲线分析方法,探讨了秦岭华北落叶松种群以及群落中其他乔木的年龄结构和自我更新能力,同时与本地树种华山松林的乔木种群特征进行了比较。结果表明:华北落叶松种群密度较高,幼苗数量少且死亡率较高,种群内其他乔木树种仅有极少量幼苗,乔木的自我更新能力较差。由生命表从动态的角度分析,华北落叶松是一个衰退型种群,华山松则为稳定发展的种群。建议对华北落叶松采取适当间伐,人工促进更新。