食虫蝙蝠与昆虫之间的相互作用和协同进化关系

食虫蝙蝠与昆虫之间是捕食和被捕食的关系,夜行性昆虫是食虫蝙蝠主要的食物来源。在漫长的协同进化中,蝙蝠施加的捕食压力导致夜行性昆虫一系列特征的进化,其中一部分昆虫进化出能听到蝙蝠的超声波信号并采取逃跑行为或者能通过其它方式躲避蝙蝠,同时昆虫的适应性特征同样影响着蝙蝠的回声定位和捕食策略。本文从蝙蝠捕食昆虫的种类、昆虫对蝙蝠捕食的反应和食虫性蝙蝠对昆虫防卫的适应对策等三个方面对食虫蝙蝠与昆虫之间的相互关系进行了概述。     

Wnt 信号通路与骨髓间充质干细胞成骨之间的关系

Wnt信号通路是由Wnts诱发的一系列相互作用的分子组成。Wnt信号对骨髓间充质干细胞的影响在所有研究中均证实有明显作用,其可调节干细胞增殖、分化及凋亡。研究表明,抑制Wnt信号通路转导可使成骨细胞分化进程受阻,从而抑制骨形成;若诱导Wnt家族成员表达则可使成骨细胞特异性基因表达增加,促进骨形成。本文就Wnt信号通路的作用过程及其与骨髓间充质干细胞成骨诱导的关系做一综述。     

豌豆中脱落酸含量、叶片导性与土壤含水量之间的关系

脱落酸与植物水分胁迫的关系已进行了大量的研究,现已明确脱落酸可以抑制气孔的开放(Jones和 Mansfield 1970,Weyers和 Hillman 1979,Henson等 1989),但它的作用机制仍然很不清楚。已有报告指出,当土壤水分亏缺时,ABA可以作为根与地上部间的通讯信号,由很运到地上部并抑制气孔的开放(Blackman和 Davies1985,Gollan等 1986,Zhang和 Davies     

虉草营养器官解剖结构与抗旱耐涝性及利用之间的关系

为了从显微结构上进一步探讨虉草(Phalaris arundinacea L.)的抗旱耐涝性及与利用的关系,于2011年采用常规石蜡切片技术,对其根、茎叶3种营养器官进行解剖观察。结果表明,虉草根的结构自外而内依次为表皮、皮层、维管束鞘、初生韧皮部和初生木质部;茎由表皮、基本组织和维管束构成;叶片内部结构可分为表皮、叶肉和叶脉3部分。根皮层大的细胞间隙和气腔,初生木质部的后生大导管和茎基本组织解体形成的髓腔都是虉草良好的通气组织,是其耐水淹的主要显微特征。茎、叶片角质化的表皮和叶表皮所含的丰富泡状细胞组是虉草具有抗旱性的主要解剖结构特征。叶肉细胞排列紧密且只有少量气孔分布于叶片下表皮,这样的结构可减少蒸腾;叶肉细胞富含叶绿体,增强光合作用,获得更多的同化产物,确保了植株在干旱条件下也有足够的光合产物来维持正常的生理活动。茎、叶维管束部分大量的木纤维起到支撑作用。虉草根的皮层和维管柱部分、茎的基本组织和维管束部分、叶的叶脉部分都含有大面积的厚壁细胞,厚壁细胞中含有丰富的粗纤维和木质素。丰富的粗纤维、木质素等成分则是虉草能成为新能源燃料植物的必备条件。     

通泉草属3种植物柱头触敏性与花部特征之间的关系

选取3种具有不同传粉环境及花部结构差异明显的通泉草属(Mazus)植物,即毛果通泉草(M.spicatus Vaniot)、长蔓通泉草(M.longipes Bonati)和弹刀子菜(M.stachydifolius(Turcz.)Maxim.),观测其柱头触敏性行为,测量有关花部性状,对它们之间的相关性进行比较分析。结果显示,在相同强度的刺激下,毛果通泉草的柱头最为迟钝(闭合时间最长),弹刀子菜最为敏感,而长蔓通泉草介于两者之间。此外,柱头触敏性最强的弹刀子菜比柱头触敏性相对较弱的长蔓通泉草和毛果通泉草具有更深的花色、更大的单花展示、更长的药柱距以及更大的花粉胚珠比。研究结果表明通泉草属植物柱头触敏性的进化与花部特征密切相关,它们共同影响传粉过程中对传粉者的吸引、花粉落置、传递效率以及植物交配系统的构成式样。     

不同播期辣椒和番茄上烟粉虱成虫与捕食性天敌之间的关系

为了科学施药,合理利用和保护自然天敌进行烟粉虱的综合防治,用灰色系统分析方法、生态位分析方法和空间格局聚集强度指标分析方法,对春、秋两季辣椒和番茄田烟粉虱成虫及其主要捕食性天敌在数量、时间、空间格局等方面进行分析,结果表明:辣椒和番茄田烟粉虱成虫的捕食性天敌依次是粽管巢蛛、八斑球腹蛛、草间小黑蛛和小花蝽,两季辣椒田烟粉虱成虫的种群数量差异极显著(t=7.9063,t>t0.01).两季辣椒田中,八斑球腹蛛、异色瓢虫、粽管巢蛛、草间小黑蛛和龟纹瓢虫差异极显著(t>t0.01),锥腹肖蛸差异显著(t>t0.05).棚内天敌种类和数量较少.秋-冬季番茄田烟粉虱成虫数量显著高于辣椒田(t=2 4564,t>t0.01),而春-夏季两种作物上烟粉虱成虫种群数量没有明显差异,t=1.4628,t＜t0.05).     

单侧与双侧PVP治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折临床疗效比较及骨水泥渗漏的危险因素分析

摘要 目的：比较单侧与双侧经皮椎体成形术（PVP）治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折（OVCF）的临床疗效,并分析骨水泥渗漏的危险因素。方法：回顾性分析2019年5月~2020年12月期间本院收治的205例OVCF患者的临床资料,根据入路方式的不同分为单侧组和双侧组,例数分别为104例和101例。对比两组围术期指标、视觉模拟评分（VAS）、Oswestry功能障碍指数（ODI）、Cobb''s角和椎体前缘高度,记录两组骨水泥渗漏及其他并发症发生情况,采用单因素及多因素Logistic回归分析骨水泥渗漏的影响因素。结果：与双侧组相比,单侧组手术时间缩短,骨水泥注入量、术中透视次数减少（P<0.05）。两组术前、术后3个月、末次随访时VAS、ODI评分均呈下降趋势（P<0.05）。与术前相比,两组术后3个月及末次随访时的椎体前缘高度均升高,Cobb''s角均缩小（P<0.05）。两组并发症发生率组间对比无统计学差异（P>0.05）。PVP患者骨水泥渗漏与骨水泥黏度、皮质断裂、骨折严重程度、骨折位置、年龄、CT值、骨水泥注入量有关（P<0.05）。骨水泥渗漏的危险因素主要有骨水泥注入量>6 mL、骨折严重程度为重度、CT值>63HU、骨水泥黏度为低、皮质断裂（P<0.05）。结论：单侧与双侧PVP治疗OVCF效果相当。其中单侧可减少骨水泥注入量,缩短手术时间,减轻术后疼痛,促进术后功能恢复。而PVP手术最常见的并发症为骨水泥渗漏,受到骨折严重程度、皮质断裂、骨水泥黏度等因素的影响。     

经单侧经皮椎体成形术小剂量与常规剂量骨水泥灌注治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折的疗效对比研究

摘要 目的：探讨经单侧经皮椎体成形术（PVP）小剂量与常规剂量骨水泥灌注治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折（OVCF）的疗效。方法：回顾性分析2017年3月~2019年2月期间我院收治的OVCF患者92例,均采用经单侧PVP治疗,根据骨水泥灌注剂量将患者分为A组46例和B组46例,A组给予常规剂量（2.6～3.5 mL）骨水泥灌注,B组给予小剂量（1.5～2.5 mL）骨水泥灌注。对比两组围术期指标、视觉模拟评分表（VAS）和Oswestry功能障碍指数（ODI）评分、Cobb 角和伤椎椎体前缘高度比、骨水泥渗漏情况及其他并发症发生情况。结果：两组术中出血量、手术时间对比无统计学差异（P>0.05）。对比两组术后1个月、术后6个月VAS、ODI评分无差异（P>0.05）,两组术前、术后1个月、术后6个月VAS、ODI评分呈下降趋势（P<0.05）。两组术后1个月、术后6个月Cobb角均较术前减小（P<0.05）。B组术后1个月、术后6个月伤椎椎体前缘高度比较A组更低（P<0.05）。B组渗漏总发生率较A组更低（P<0.05）。对比两组其他并发症无差异（P>0.05）。结论：经单侧PVP小剂量与常规剂量骨水泥灌注治疗OVCF,均可有效改善患者临床症状,减轻疼痛,促进运动功能恢复,但常规剂量骨水泥灌注治疗患者伤椎椎体前缘高度比改善更佳,而小剂量骨水泥灌注渗漏总发生率较低。     

Intrasexual competition and canine dimorphism in anthropoid primates.

A number of factors, including sexual selection, body weight, body-weight dimorphism, predation, diet, and phylogenetic inertia have been proposed as influences on the evolution of canine dimorphism in anthropoid primates. Although these factors are not mutually exclusive, opinions vary as to which is the most important. The role of sexual selection has been questioned because mating system, which should reflect its strength, poorly predicts variation in canine dimorphism, particularly among polygynous species. Kay et al. (1988) demonstrate that a more refined estimate of intermale competition explains a large proportion of the variation in canine dimorphism in platyrrhine primates. We expand their analysis, developing a more generalized measure of intermale competition based on the frequency and intensity of male-male agonism. We examine the relative influences of predation (inferred by substrate use), female body weight, body-weight dimorphism, diet, and sexual selection on the evolution of anthropoid canine dimorphism. Intermale competition is very strongly associated with canine dimorphism. Predation also has a marked effect on canine dimorphism, in that savanna-dwelling species consistently show greater canine dimorphism than other species, all other factors being held equal. Body-weight dimorphism is also strongly associated with canine dimorphism, though apparently through a common selective basis, rather than through allometric effects. Body weight seems to play only a minor, indirect role in the evolution of canine dimorphism. Diet plays no role. Likewise, we find little evidence that phylogenetic inertia is a constraint on the evolution of canine dimorphism.     

Stride length and its determinants in humans, early hominids, primates, and mammals

Primate stride lengths during quadrupedal locomotion are very long when compared to those of nonprimate quadrupedal mammals at the speed of trot/gallop transition. These exceptional lengths are a consequence of the relatively long limbs of primates and the large angular excursions of their limbs during quadrupedalism. When quadrupedal primates employ bipedal gaits they exhibit much lower angular excursions. Consequently their bipedal stride lengths do not appear to be exceptional in length when compared to other mammals. Angular excursions of the lower limbs of modern humans are not exceptionally large. However, when running, humans exhibit relatively long periods of flight (i.e., they have low duty factors) when compared to other mammals including primates. Because of these long periods of flight and their relative long lower limbs, humans have running stride lengths that are at the lower end of the range of stride lengths of quadrupedal primates. The stride length of the Laetoli hominid trails are evaluated in this context.     

Interactions between aroids and arboreal mammals in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest

The Brazilian Atlantic rainforest harbours at least 129 non-volant mammal species. There is also a diverse and numerous epiphytic flora associated with this Neotropical rainforest, including several species of Araceae. Nevertheless, knowledge of the ecology of this group of plants and its interaction with animals is poor. In this study we investigated the interactions between epiphytic aroids and arboreal mammals in the Atlantic forest. We carried out the field work between November 1995 and June 1997 in the Parque Estadual Intervales, southeastern Brazil, a still well preserved forest area of approximately 490 km². We analysed faecal samples from primates (Cebus apella and Brachyteles arachnoides), collected during observations in the field, and marsupials (Didelphis aurita, Micoureus demerarae, Gracilinanus microtarsus), collected from animals captured monthly or bi-monthly in live-traps. We recorded 17 species of Araceae in the study area. The seeds of eight species occurred in the faecal samples: Anthurium harrissi, Monstera adansonii, Philodendron corcovadense, P. appendiculatum, P. exymium, P. crassinervium, P. obliquifolium, and Heteropsis oblongifolia. Aroids were present in faecal samples of the primates during most of the year, with a mean monthly percentage of occurrence of about 56.2%. For marsupials, aroids also were a seasonally important food source, as between November and June the mean monthly percentage of occurrence in faecal samples was about 26.5%. Our data indicate that aroids are an important food source for arboreal and semi-arboreal mammals and that these animals may play an important role as seed dispersers of this group. Aroids and arboreal mammals appear to interact more strongly in Atlantic forest than in other Neotropical forests.     

Intra-sexual competition alters the relationship between testosterone and ornament expression in a wild territorial bird

In a reliable signalling system, individual quality is expected to mediate the costs associated with ornamental displays, with relatively lower costs being paid by individuals of higher quality. These relative costs should depend not only on individual quality, but also on levels of intra-sexual competition. We explored the current and delayed effects that testosterone implants have on bird ornamentation in populations with contrasted population densities, as a proxy for intra-sexual competition. In a replicated experiment, we manipulated testosterone in 196 yearling male red grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus in autumn in populations of high and low levels of intra-sexual competition. Males were assigned to one of three exogenous testosterone (T) treatments: empty implants (T0), small T implants (T1) or larger T implants (T2). We monitored subsequent changes in testosterone levels, ornament size and carotenoid-based colouration, carotenoid levels and body condition from autumn to spring. Testosterone implants increased testosterone levels, comb redness and comb size, and decreased body condition but these effects depended on levels of intra-sexual competition. Specifically, T2-implanted birds increased testosterone levels and comb size more, and reduced body condition more, in populations where intra-sexual competition was low. In the following spring, testosterone levels of T2-treated birds kept increasing in populations where intra-sexual competition was high but not in populations where intra-sexual competition was low. Our results highlight that levels of intra-sexual competition alter the relationship between testosterone levels and ornament expression, influencing their condition-dependence; they also indicate that the outcome of standard hormone manipulation conducted in free-living animals vary depending on the population context.     

A relationship between GC content and coding-sequence length

Since base composition of translational stop codons (TAG, TAA, and TGA) is biased toward a low G+C content, a differential density for these termination signals is expected in random DNA sequences of different base compositions. The expected length of reading frames (DNA segments of sense codons flanked by in-phase stop codons) in random sequences is thus a function of GC content. The analysis of DNA sequences from several genome databases stratified according to GC content reveals that the longest coding sequences—exons in vertebrates and genes in prokaryotes—are GC-rich, while the shortest ones are GC-poor. Exon lengthening in GC-rich vertebrate regions does not result, however, in longer vertebrate proteins, perhaps because of the lower number of exons in the genes located in these regions. The effects on coding-sequence lengths constitute a new evolutionary meaning for compositional variations in DNA GC content. Correspondence to: J. L. Oliver     

Differential scaling patterns of vertebrae and the evolution of neck length in mammals

Almost all mammals have seven vertebrae in their cervical spines. This consistency represents one of the most prominent examples of morphological stasis in vertebrae evolution. Hence, the requirements associated with evolutionary modifications of neck length have to be met with a fixed number of vertebrae. It has not been clear whether body size influences the overall length of the cervical spine and its inner organization (i.e., if the mammalian neck is subject to allometry). Here, we provide the first large‐scale analysis of the scaling patterns of the cervical spine and its constituting cervical vertebrae. Our findings reveal that the opposite allometric scaling of C1 and C2–C7 accommodate the increase of neck bending moment with body size. The internal organization of the neck skeleton exhibits surprisingly uniformity in the vast majority of mammals. Deviations from this general pattern only occur under extreme loading regimes associated with particular functional and allometric demands. Our results indicate that the main source of variation in the mammalian neck stems from the disparity of overall cervical spine length. The mammalian neck reveals how evolutionary disparity manifests itself in a structure that is otherwise highly restricted by meristic constraints.     

Measuring the relationship between dietary quality and body size in primates

The feeding niche and the body size of any species are fundamental parameters that constrain the evolution of many other phenotypic characters. Moreover, previous work has shown that body size and diet are correlated, as a consequence of the negative allometry of metabolic rate. Unfortunately, the precise form of the association between body size and diet has never been specified, principally because no suitable cross-species measure of diet has been advanced. Here we develop a measure of diet that is sensitive over the whole spectrum of primate feeding niches, and use this measure to define the relationship between body size and diet for a sample of 72 primate species. Subsequently, we present several examples of how behavioral and ecological hypotheses can be tested by examining the extent to which particular species deviate from the general diet-body size pattern.     

Sexual size and shape dimorphism and allometric scaling patterns in head traits in the New Zealand common gecko Woodworthia maculatus

Sexual dimorphism in shape and size is widespread across animal taxa and arises when natural or sexual selection operates differently on the sexes. Male and female common geckos (Woodworthia maculatus; formerly Hoplodactylus maculatus) in New Zealand do not appear to experience different viability selection pressure, nor do males appear to be under intense pre-copulatory sexual selection. It was therefore predicted that this species would be sexually monomorphic with regard to body size and the size and shape of the head. In line with the prediction, there was no sexual difference in head width, depth, or length or in lateral head shape. However, contrary to prediction, males had a larger body and lateral head size than females. This study suggests that males, at least on Maud Island, NZ, might be under stronger pre-copulatory sexual selection than previously recognized and thus have evolved larger heads (i.e. lateral head size) for use in male combat for females. Allometric scaling patterns do not differ between the sexes and suggest that head width and depth are under directional selection whereas lateral head size is under stabilizing selection. Diet ecology – an agent of natural selection common to both sexes – is likely largely responsible for the observed patterns of head size and shape and the lack of sexual dimorphism in them.     

The relationship between dispersal ability and geographic range size

There are a variety of proposed evolutionary and ecological explanations for why some species have more extensive geographical ranges than others. One of the most common explanations is variation in species' dispersal ability. However, the purported relationship between dispersal distance and range size has been subjected to few theoretical investigations, and empirical tests reach conflicting conclusions. We attempt to reconcile the equivocal results of previous studies by reviewing and synthesizing quantitative dispersal data, examining the relationship between average dispersal ability and range size for different spatial scales, regions and taxonomic groups. We use extensive data from marine taxa whose average dispersal varies by seven orders of magnitude. Our results suggest dispersal is not a general determinant of range size, but can play an important role in some circumstances. We also review the mechanistic theories proposed to explain a positive relationship between range size and dispersal and explore their underlying rationales and supporting or refuting evidence. Despite numerous studies assuming a priori that dispersal influences range size, this is the first comprehensive conceptual evaluation of these ideas. Overall, our results indicate that although dispersal can be an important process moderating species' distributions, increased attention should be paid to other processes responsible for range size variation.