蓝尾石龙子杭州和宁德种群繁殖生活史特征的差异

测定处于不同纬度的浙江杭州和福建宁德的蓝尾石龙子(Eumeceselegans)种群的个体大小和繁殖特征。宁德种群的产卵时间为5月27日—6月22日,早于高纬度杭州种群(6月4日—7月12日)。宁德种群最小繁殖雌体及性成熟个体大小均显著小于杭州种群。宁德和杭州两种群的相对窝卵重无显著差异;当统计去除母体体长的影响之后,两地种群的窝卵数和窝卵重也无显著差异,但杭州种群的卵重量显著大于宁德种群。蓝尾石龙子窝卵数和卵重量呈负相关,窝卵数和卵大小的权衡存在种群间差异。特定窝卵数条件下,杭州种群的卵重量显著大于宁德种群。由此可见,蓝尾石龙子种群间的繁殖生活史特征存在显著差异,而且与母体大小的差异密切相关。推测不同纬度地区的蓝尾石龙子种群的繁殖策略存在差异。     

梁子湖六种沉水植物种群数量和生物量周年动态

研究了梁子湖子湖之一满江湖的六种沉水植物种群数量和生物量在1997.3-1998.3的月动态。结果表明:满江湖沉水植物群落中,优势种为黄丝草、金鱼藻和穗状狐尾藻;六种沉水植物种群最大密度、最大单位面积生物量出现的月份各不相同,但两者变化的趋势一致。黄丝草、穗状狐尾藻种群为增长型种群,金鱼藻、苦草、黑藻种群稳定发展,菹草种群有衰退的趋势。沉水植物群落的最大生物量达到4676g/m2(鲜重,10月),总水草的最大密度为1865枝/m2(11月).根据1997年3-12月植物生长期内的数据,拟合出了六种沉水植物和总水草的生长模型方程。       

高山松及其亲本种群在油松生境下的苗期性状

高山松(Pinus densata)是油松(P. tabuliformis)和云南松(P. yunnanensis)的天然二倍体杂交种, 是为数不多的与亲本种没有严格生殖隔离的同倍体杂交种。为了检测3个种在油松生境下的苗期适应性和生长发育特点, 为高山松成种机制提供数据, 选取了代表高山松及其亲本种遗传多样性的25个种群, 在油松生境下对比分析了苗期11个适应性指标和3个生长发育指标。结果表明, 大部分适应性指标和生长发育指标在种间和种内群体间差异显著, 主要变异存在于种间及种内群体间; 出苗率、2011年11月和2012年10月的封顶率、二年生苗在2012年10月的保存率等指标的种间方差分量较大, 种内变异较小, 是体现种间苗期适应性和生长发育状况的重要指标。油松在大部分适应性指标和3个生长发育指标上均表现最好, 总体适合度高于云南松和高山松; 云南松在封顶率和保存率上都居于最低值, 大部分一年生苗木到11月底仍未出现封顶现象且黄苗比例最高, 二年生苗的存活率为0, 表明云南松在油松生境下适合度最低; 高山松除了在紫苗比例上表现出超亲优势外, 大部分性状居于亲本种之间。此外, 位于青藏高原东北部的高山松祖先种群在适应性上表现较好, 具有在油松生境下发展的潜力; 而位于青藏高原西部的高山松种群及东南部的康定种群对油松生境的适应性较差。研究揭示出生态选择在高山松的同倍性杂交物种形成中起到了关键作用。     

Seasonal changes in the abundance of Microcrustacea in a small pond

Sampling methods, and methods used in extracting, identifying and counting the Microcrustacea in samples are outlined. Numbers of parthenogenetic females and young stages of Daphnia obtusa were highest from March/June to Sept./Nov., with a trough in July. Ephippial females were recorded during some or all of the months from March to Nov. with two numerical maxima, one in early summer and one in autumn. Males were present during the same period as ephippial females. Naupliar, copepodid and adult stages of Cyclops strenuus strenuus were recorded in every month; numbers of all three stages tended to be high from March to Nov. and low from Dec. to Feb. Females were present in smaller sumber than males. Females with eggs sacs occurred every month with two peaks of abundance in April–July and Oct. Adult Canthocamptus staphylinus were absent during the summer/early autumn from June/July/Aug. to Sept./Oct. Numbers were highest from Nov. to May/June with a peak in spring. Females carrying an egg sac were recorded each month with the highest proportion occurring sometime in the period Feb. to May. Possibly two peaks, one in early summer and one in autumn, of total numbers of Cyclocypris ovum were recorded. Comparisons with other available information on the life-cycle of the species are made. The effects on the species of a six-week period of drought in the autumn of 1969 are considered.     

蚜虱净对苜蓿主要害虫及天敌种群数量的影响

在甘肃省定西市九华沟系统研究了喷施蚜虱净对苜蓿主要害虫及天敌种群数量动态的影响。结果表明,施药田蚜虫和蓟马的季节平均数量极显著高于对照田,而盲蝽和瓢虫、小花蝽、蜘蛛等大多数天敌的季节平均数量则极显著低于对照田,寄生蜂与对照田没有湿著差异。喷施蚜虱净对种群数量时序动态的影响在不同害虫和天敌种类中表现不同,5月底施药后7d对照田蚜虫和蓟马的种群数量分别为施药田的4．13倍和5．2倍,此后施药田害虫的种群数量开始迅速增加,到6月底2种害虫的种群数量均与对照田无显著差异,到7月中旬以后反而显著高于对照田。施药对盲蝽种群数量时序动态的影响与蚜虫和蓟马不同,5月底施药后盲蝽的种群数量一直显著低于对照田,直到7月下旬以后,种群数量才恢复到对照田的水平。喷施蚜虱净对天敌种群数量的时序动态有极显著的影响,大多数天敌的种群数量在5月底施药后到7月底都一直显著低于对照田,直到8月上旬才恢复到对照田的水平。施用杀虫剂在防治害虫的同时杀伤大量天敌,使害虫的种群数量迅速增加,甚至造成更严重的为害。因此在菖蓿上使用对天敌杀伤力小的杀虫剂对保持天敌的自然控制能力有重要作用。     

Population dynamics of Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on spring collard and relationship to yield in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas

Seasonal population dynamics of the silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring [formerly known as the sweetpotato whitefly, B. tabaci (Gennadius) Biotype "B"], was investigated on collard (Brassica oleracea L. variety acephala) during spring 1998 and 1999 in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Yield loss caused by whitefly was determined by using insecticides to suppress whitefly populations to a low level. Although B. argentifolii populations of adults and immatures fluctuated greatly from April to June during the two seasons, the relative values were similar. Adult whiteflies first appeared on the plants in early April, increased rapidly within the month, peaked in May, and declined at the end of the season in early or mid-June. Whitefly eggs appeared on plants soon after adults were found, but high numbers of eggs were observed on foliage until late May 1998 and mid- and late May 1999. Nymphs and pupae increased slowly before June 1998 and increased early in May 1999. Whitefly population levels appeared to be positively associated with the availability and the growth of host plants until plant maturation, afterward being negatively related with plant quality in the late season. Temperature, rainfall, and natural enemies were not key factors in regulating population dynamics during the two seasons. Collard plants with heavy infestations of whiteflies were unmarketable because of the damage caused by honeydew and sooty mold on the foliage. Application of a combination of fenpropathrin (Danitol) and acephate (Orthene) not only significantly reduced the whitefly infestation levels but also reduced plant foliar damage, resulting in marketable foliage with six to seven times greater yield and higher quality compared with the untreated plants.     

Geographic Variations in Reproductive Parameters of the Starspotted Dogfish, Mustelus manazo, from Five Localities in Japan and in Taiwan

Geographic variations in reproductive parameters of Mustelus manazo from five localities, four in Japan (Aomori, Tokyo Bay, Maizuru, and Shimonoseki) and one in Taiwan, were investigated from November 1994 to June 1996. Differences in age and length at sexual maturity from Aomori to Taiwan were approximately 3 years and 300mm in TL, respectively, for both sexes. The sharks appeared to mature at a later age and to a larger size in the most northern population, Aomori, and to be faster and smaller in the southern population, Taiwan. Mating, ovulation and fertilization periods were generally during May and August in the four localities of Tokyo Bay, Maizuru, Shimonoseki, and Taiwan. In Aomori, males showed no clear monthly variation in gonad index, and females in Aomori had a protracted reproductive period. Females became pregnant every year in all localities, except Aomori. The Aomori population apparently has a different reproductive cycle. The Tokyo Bay population is distinctive regarding growth and sex ratios of embryos. In all localities, the number of embryos per litter increased relative to total length of mother. There was no geographic variation in reproductive parameters between Maizuru and Shimonoseki. The coast between these last two sampling areas is a continuous steep slope with similar environmental conditions, and mixing of the two populations may occur.     

Shelter site use and secondary sex ratios in the woodlice Armadillidium vulgare and Porcellio scaber (Crustacea: Isopoda)

In grassland populations of the woodlice Armadillidium vulgare and Porcellio scaber (Latreille) the sex ratio in hand collections from beneath wooden offcuts and roofing tiles varied through the breeding season. The proportion of males was higher in these collections from surface refugia than in independent estimates of the population sex ratio taken from soil cores. Collections became female-biased in June and July when most females were carrying broods, most notably in P. scaber . It is suggested that males use surface shelter between foraging events. A. vulgare males are particularly abundant under boards in May as they become active on the soil surface in order to locate mates. Females may find the higher and more equable temperatures in refugia attractive because they reduce brood development time but the cost of this advantage is the risk of failure to balance moisture requirements. These patterns of habitat use by the sexes have important implications for several population processes, the evolution of life-history tactics and the development of mating systems in these species.     

2016年南极斯科舍海南极大磷虾种群结构的时空变化

斯科舍海是南极大磷虾资源分布最为密集的海域,也是磷虾的传统渔场,但该海域磷虾种群结构存在较为显著的年际、季节性与区域性差异.为了解该海域磷虾种群动态,本研究利用2016年1—9月由渔业调查随机收集的样本,对该海域磷虾种群结构的时空变动进行了分析.结果表明: 各月磷虾性比存在显著的差异,1—5月雌性明显占优,而6—9月则呈现相反的趋势.1—9月期间,仅1月出现幼体,且雌性成体的比例与2月相当,占比超过了40%;3—5月,雌性未成体的比例均超过了50%,而雌性成体的比例开始逐月下降;6—8月,雄性未成体的比例达到峰值;9月,雌性未成体的比例显著增加,而雄性成体的比例呈下降趋势.在布兰斯菲尔德海峡内,2—5月,雌性未成体的比例超过一半;1月,乔治王岛东北水域已排卵个体的比例(25.6%)显著高于其他个体,雌性临产个体的比例也较高;6—9月,南乔治亚岛东北水域雄性成体的比例约占一半,雌性成体的比例极低.性成熟度组成显示,1—2月为磷虾产卵盛期,而产卵场出现在乔治王岛东北水域以及布兰斯菲尔德海峡.     

大亚湾裸甲藻种群的季节变化与环境条件的关系

研究了大亚湾1997年7月至1998年6月裸甲藻种群季节变化及其与环境因子的关系。裸甲藻在大亚湾主要出现在4－5月份,并在4月至5月份出现了4个密度高峰,最高密度可达每毫升996个细胞,6月至9月份偶有出现,10月至2月份则未出现。裸甲藻高密度出现的温度、盐度范围分别为25－30℃和24‰-32‰。裸甲藻在大亚湾的出现及4、5月份的密度高峰与水温的季节变化密切相关,3月份水温存在一个急升期,水温由3月初的15.5℃以下上升至3月底的23.5℃左右,为裸甲藻种群密度的急剧增长提供了合适的温度条件。大亚湾盐度的季节波动较小,与裸甲藻种群的种群的季节变化无关。大亚湾氮、磷、硅等营养物质含量丰富,不存在营养元素缺乏,但高密度的裸甲藻种群仅在氮、磷含量及氮磷比分别为50－100μg/L,5-20μg/L和5－30范围内出现,氮、磷、硅3种营养盐的含量及它们之间的比值特别是氮磷比是影响裸甲藻高密度出现的重要内容。     

Premating isolation is determined by larval rearing substrates in cactophilic Drosophila mojavensis. VIII. Mating success mediated by epicuticular hydrocarbons within and between isolated populations

We tested the hypothesis that intrademic sexual selection has caused sexual isolation between populations of geographically isolated populations of cactophilic Drosophila mojavensis, and was mediated by epicuticular hydrocarbons (EHCs), contact pheromones in this system. Sexual selection and sexual isolation were estimated using a Baja California and mainland population by comparing the number of mated and unmated males and females in each of four pairwise population mating trials. EHC profiles were significantly different in mated and unmated males in the interdemic (Bajafemale symbol x Mainlandmale symbol and Mainlandfemale symbol x Bajamale symbol), but not the intrademic mating trials. A small number of EHCs was identified that best discriminated among mated and unmated males, mostly alkadienes with 34 and 37 carbons. Females showed population-specific preferences for male EHC profiles. However, EHC profiles between mated and unmated males in the intrademic mating trials were not significantly different, consistent with undetectable sexual selection estimated directly from numbers of copulating pairs vs. unmated adults. Thus, sexual isolation among populations was much stronger than sexual selection within these populations of D. mojavensis.     

Age and growth of yellow eels, Anguilla anguilla, in the estuary of the Guadalquivir river (south-west Spain)

A total of 1068 eels were examined from a population located in the Guadalquivir river estuary (37°N, 6°25'W). Maximum ages recorded were 4 + (males) and 7+ (females), and maximum lengths were 39-1 cm (males) and 54.1 cm (females). No growth was recorded between November and April, most occurring in May and, to a lesser extent, in June-October. Females grew to be larger than males. A classification analysis, based on 17 different European eel populations revealed that populations in brackish waters grew faster than those in fresh waters, but latitude also had an influence. Length-weight relationships obtained for three eel categories (males, females and undifferentiated) were used to estimate relative condition: condition cycles were similar between sexes, with increases in autumn and decreases in winter. There were monthly fluctuations in the sex ratio, and females dominated significantly in the combined catch (234 males/276 females).     

Identification and characterization of subpopulations in undifferentiated ES cell culture

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent cells derived from the inner cell mass (ICM) and the epiblast, and have been suggested to be a homogeneous population with characteristics intermediate between them. These cells express Oct3/4 and Rex1 genes, which have been used as markers to indicate the undifferentiated state of ES cells. Whereas Oct3/4 is expressed in totipotent and pluripotent cells in the mouse life cycle, Rex1 expression is restricted to the ICM, and is downregulated in pluripotent cell populations in the later stages, i.e. the epiblast and primitive ectoderm (PrE). To address whether ES cells comprise a homogeneous population equivalent to a certain developmental stage of pluripotent cells or a heterogeneous population composed of cells corresponding to various stages of differentiation, we established knock-in ES cell lines in which genes for fluorescent proteins were inserted into the Rex1 and Oct3/4 gene loci to visualize the expression of these genes. We found that undifferentiated ES cells included at least two different populations, Rex1(+)/Oct3/4(+) cells and Rex1(-)/Oct3/4(+) cells. The Rex1(-)/Oct3/4(+) and Rex1(+)/Oct3/4(+) populations could convert into each other in the presence of LIF. In accordance with our assumption that Rex1(+)/Oct3/4(+) cells and Rex1(-)/Oct3/4(+) cells have characteristics similar to those of ICM and early-PrE cells, Rex1(+)/Oct3/4(+) cells predominantly differentiated into primitive ectoderm and contributed to chimera formation, whereas Rex1(-)/Oct3/4(+) cells differentiated into cells of the somatic lineage more efficiently than non-fractionated ES cells in vitro and showed poor ability to contribute to chimera formation. These results confirmed that undifferentiated ES cell culture contains subpopulations corresponding to ICM, epiblast and PrE.     

Song characteristics and morphological traits in four populations of the grasshopper Chorthippus biguttulus L.

We investigated four populations of the grasshopper Chorthippus biguttulus with respect to differences in morphological traits and characteristics of their communication signals. A special focus was laid on possible correlations between morphological and song traits of males that could be used by females to infer quality cues of potential mates. We also tested whether females exhibit preferences for males of their own population. Specific song features (onset accentuation, offset, syllable period) of males—but not of females—differed between populations. We observed size differences both in males and females from different populations, but the size ranks of the two sexes were not always correlated. Environmental factors appear to have a strong influence on different size traits, compared to genetic origin. In all populations a specific song feature, the accentuation of syllable onsets, showed a similar correlation with a morphological trait, hind leg size, but its correlation with other size indicators sometimes differed in sign. Females did not prefer songs of males from their own population. The best predictor for song attractiveness was—unexpectedly—not the onset accentuation but the offset depth.     

Sex ratio variation in gynodioecious Lobelia siphilitica: effects of population size and geographic location

Variation in population sex ratio can be influenced by natural selection on alternate sex phenotypes as well as nonselective mechanisms, such as genetic drift and founder effects. If natural selection contributes to variation in population sex ratio, then sex ratio should covary with resource availability or herbivory. With nonselective mechanisms, sex ratio should covary with population size. We estimated sex ratio, resource availability, herbivory and size of 53 populations of gynodioecious Lobelia siphilitica. Females were more common in populations with higher annual temperatures, lower soil moisture and lower predation on female fruits, consistent with sex-specific selection. Females were also more common in small populations, consistent with drift, inbreeding or founder effects. However, small populations occurred in areas with higher temperatures than large populations, suggesting that female frequencies in small populations could be caused by sex-specific selection. Both selective and nonselective mechanisms likely affect sex ratio variation in this gynodioecious species.     

Morphological Differences Between Radopholus citrophilus and R. similis

SEM observations of the external morphology of populations of Radopholus citrophilus and R. similis revealed several diagnostic differences. The cloaco-spicular orifice on males of R. citrophilus had three to seven genital papillae (anterior hypoptygmata), whereas males of R. similis were either smooth or had one or two shorter genital papillae (anterior hypoptygmata). Females of R. citrophilus had four annules in the region of the vulval opening, but R. similis had five annules in the same region. The labial disc and lateral lips appeared to be of diagnostic significance, but these areas were more susceptible to artifacts due to fixation. An unknown population of Radopholus from Puerto Rico with a chromosome number of n = 4 was morphologically similar to R. similis. These morphological differences provide additional support that R. citrophilus and R. similis are distinct species.     

Age structure and body size of the Chuanxi Tree Frog Hyla annectans chuanxiensis from two different elevations in Sichuan (China)

Age, body size, and growth patterns in the subtropical anuran Hyla annectans chuanxiensis from high (Dengchigou Protection Station) and low (Lingguan Town) elevations in Baoxing County of Sichuan province (China) were described using skeletochronology. Females were significantly older than males at the low-elevation site, but there was no significant difference between the sexes at the high-elevation site. Age at sexual maturity of both males and females was 2 years at the high-elevation site, whereas males matured at 1 year and females at 2 years at the low-elevation site. Males and females from the low-elevation population reached a maximum age of 3 and 4 years, respectively, whereas males and females from the high-elevation population reached a maximum age of 4 and 5 years, respectively. At both sites, females were significantly larger than males. Females and males from the high-elevation population were larger than individuals from the low-elevation population. When the effect of age was controlled, the differences in body size of the two populations were significant only for females. Von Bertalanffy growth curves indicated that the growth rates in males was greater than in females in both populations. They also showed that the growth of both sexes slowed at an earlier age in the low-elevation population than in the high-elevation population. The findings suggest that age is a major factor underlying body size patterns for both sexes, but that the elevation of the locality affects the body size of females.     

Geographic variation in hatchling size in an oviparous skink: effects of maternal investment and incubation thermal environment

Geographic variation in offspring size can be viewed as an adaptive response to local environmental conditions, but the causes of such variation remain unclear. Here, we compared the size and composition of eggs laid by female Chinese skinks (Plestiodon chinensis) from six geographically distinct populations in southeastern China to evaluate geographic variation in hatchling size. We also incubated eggs from these six populations at three constant temperatures (24, 28 and 32 °C) to evaluate the combined effects of incubation temperature and population source on hatchling size. Egg mass and composition varied among populations, and interpopulation differences in yolk dry mass and energy content were still evident after accounting for egg mass. Population mean egg mass and thus hatchling mass were greater in the colder localities. Females from three northern populations increased offspring size by laying larger eggs relative to their own size. Females from an inland population in Rongjiang could increase offspring size by investing relatively more dry materials and thus more energy into individual eggs without enlarging the size of their eggs. The degree of embryonic development at oviposition was almost the same across the six populations, so was the rate of embryonic development and thus incubation length at any given temperature. Both incubation temperature and population source affected hatchling traits examined, but the relative importance of these two factors varied between traits. Our data show that in P. chinensis hatchling traits reflecting overall body size (body mass, snout‐vent length and tail length) are more profoundly affected by population source. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 113 , 283–296.     

Germination and emergence characteristics of triazine-susceptible and triazine-resistant biotypes of Solanum nigrum

1. Seedling emergence patterns of triazine-susceptible and triazine-resistant Solanum nigrum in the field were studied in Wageningen, the Netherlands. Emergence patterns were similar in the first year, but in the second year resistant seedlings emerged faster and the number of resistant seedlings was higher. To explain emergence patterns, a germination experiment was carried out.
2. Seeds from two populations with triazine-susceptible and -resistant biotypes were buried in late autumn and exhumed monthly during spring. Germination was assessed in incubators at different constant temperatures.
3. The lowest temperatures for germination of seeds from the Achterberg population ranged from 20°C on 1 February to 10°C on 1 May for the susceptible biotype, and from 15°C on 1 February to 10°C on 1 May for the resistant biotype. The lowest temperatures for germination of seeds from the Zelhem population ranged from 25°C on 1 February to 10°C on 1 May for the susceptible biotype, and from 15°C on 1 February to 10°C on 1 May for the resistant biotype. The minimum germination temperature of seeds from the resistant biotype appeared to be lower than that of the susceptible biotype.
4. Emergence patterns in the field could be explained by soil temperature and different minimum germination temperature requirements of seeds from the triazine-susceptible and -resistant biotype. This knowledge can be used to manage triazine-resistant biotypes of S. nigrum by the timing of soil cultivation.     

Seasonal monitoring of Drosophila suzukii and its non-crop hosts in Wuhu,Eastern China

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is a serious pest that prefers fresh fruits and is native to Southeast Asia. In our study, apple cider vinegar bait traps were used to capture and monitor the population dynamics of this native pest in Wuhu City, China, from May/June 2017 to May 2018. The research was conducted at 15 locations in two fruit orchards in Wuhu. Traps caught more adults in general in a Meiling blueberry orchard than in a Xicun mixed orchard, and the highest trap counts occurred near harvest time (October). Females had more mature eggs from September to November, and the number of mature eggs declined thereafter. We found several non-crop hosts, which can provide food and reproductive resources for D. suzukii and are common in forests and field margins. By comparing the number of captured adults in the Meiling and Xicun orchards, we found that blueberry was preferred by D. suzukii among the fruits in our search. Fruit ripening times differed among crops; therefore, fly populations moved between crop and non-crop habitats during the year or had varying population dynamics on different crops in different seasons. The D. suzukii population and the number of mature eggs decreased in summer and winter but increased in spring and autumn. Drosophila suzukii had higher survival rates with blueberry than those with other fruits, and D. suzukii could use four non-crop species growing around the orchards as host plants.