Ladybird population dynamics in potato: comparison of native species with an invasive species, Harmonia axyridis

Following the detection of the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis, in 2003 in potato crops in Belgium, a study was carried out between 2004 and 2006 on the phenology of this species compared to native species in potato. The results confirmed the success of H. axyridis, with high population levels in 2004 and 2005. In 2006, aphid populations were very low and no H. axyridis larvae were sampled in potato, but the indigenous species Coccinella septempunctata and Propylea quatuordecimpunctata were detected. A species by species comparison of the date of first larvae detection, the larvae population peak, and the difference between this peak and the aphid population peak was performed. Results showed a clear correlation between C. septempunctata and P. quatuordecimpunctata and potato aphids, with a delay of 3.5 and 6.5 days between the aphid and ladybird population peaks for the two native species. H. axyridis arrived 7–8 days after the two indigenous species and the larval peak population occurred 15.8 days after the aphid population peak. This meant that H. axyridis had to complete its larval development with very low aphid populations or even with no aphids at all. The reason for its late arrival and the possible food resources used by H. axyridis larvae are discussed.     

Decline of a sylvatic focus of Schistosoma mansoni in Guadeloupe (French West Indies) following the competitive displacement of the snail host Biomphalaria glabrata by Ampullaria glauca

Summary Grand Etang lake in Guadeloupe is a focus of intestinal schistosomiasis characterized by the virtual absence of human contact and the presence of a heavily infested rat population. The lake, with a surface area of 0.03 km², is situated in rain forest at an altitude of 450 m. Originally it contained an extensive belt of the floating plant Pistia stratiotes which provided a favourable habitat for Biomphalaria glabrata, the intermediate host snail of Schistosoma mansoni. In 1974 and 1975, a low prevalence (about 3%) of S. mansoni was observed in B. glabrata while a high prevalence (about 60%) was recorded in rats. The rat population was infected with another trematode, Ribeiroia guadeloupensis, which requires two intermediate hosts, B. glabrata and the fish Tilapia mossambica. In 1976, the prosobranch snail, Ampullaria glauca, was accidentally introduced into the lake. By 1980, this snail had spread over half of the lake and had caused marked regression of the P. stratiotes layer. Concomitantly, the population of B. glabrata declined to such a point that in 1985 only a small colony remained in the northern section of the lake. The consequences of these changes are reflected in a rapid decline of S. mansoni in the rat population from 61.3% in 1980 to 34.8% in 1981, 6.5% in 1982, 2.8% in 1983, 11.6% in 1984, and 0% in 1985 and 1986.     

中国淡水硅藻新记录——偏肿内丝藻兴凯变种

于2016年5月对浙江省仙居国家公园进行藻类多样性调查时,发现了中国淡水硅藻的1个新记录种——偏肿内丝藻兴凯变种[Encyonema ventricosum var.hankensis(Skvortzov) RodionovaPomazkina]。该文采用光镜和扫描电镜对偏肿内丝藻兴凯变种浙江种群的形态特征进行了观察和描述,并将其与该种的其他地理种群及内丝藻属其他相似物种的形态特征进行比较,同时讨论了该物种的生境特征。结果表明:(1)偏肿内丝藻兴凯变种壳面均具明显背腹之分,背缘明显拱起,腹缘轻微波曲;端部呈头状至喙状。(2)偏肿内丝藻兴凯变种浙江地理种群在背部中央区域具一孤点,而其兴凯种群对孤点这一特征未有描述。(3)偏肿内丝藻兴凯变种在俄罗斯的兴凯湖和贝加尔湖等地有分布,该种在中国是首次报道。     

Population Biology of Maculinea rebeli (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) on the Chalk Grasslands of Eastern Westphalia (Germany) and Implications for Conservation

The population biology of Maculinea rebeli Hirschke, 1904, on dry grassland biotypes in different successional stages was investigated in the summers of 1990 and 1991 in the district of Höxter (North Rhine–Westphalia, Germany). The population characteristics of M. rebeli were studied by mark-recapture and eggshell counts on the larval host plant Gentiana cruciata. Pitfall traps, ant baits, excavating and counting of ant nests were used to examine the Formicidae community and the nest density of Myrmica sabuleti. In 1990, the total population of M. rebeli was estimated as 528 individuals, with subpopulations varying from 2 to 273 individuals. Populations existed in areas differing in size and vegetation structure. However, the limiting factor for population size was the density of the host ant population. The differences in population size did not depend on the size of the habitat or the density of the larval food plant. The butterflies can switch their host. In the absence of M. schenki, the colonies of M. sabuleti can maintain M. rebeli populations. Adult males and females have a maximum life expectancy of 13 days. The females prefer to oviposit on G. cruciata plants of 10–30cm height. Only plants which stuck out of the surrounding vegetation were oviposited on. The average number of eggs deposited per female was 100–150. Low density populations are probably most threatened. Therefore, future protective measures should work towards further maintaining and optimizing the habitats of the small populations, as well as creating the prerequisites so that dense stable populations of M. rebeli can develop.     

Forest fragmentation and plant reproductive success: a case study in four perennial herbs

We assessed the effects of habitat fragmentation on reproductive success in natural populations of four forest herbs with differing life-history traits and whose distribution patterns appeared to be negatively affected by decreased habitat size and/or increased isolation: Carex sylvatica, Galium odoratum, Sanicula europaea and Veronica montana. Our aims were to test (1) whether habitat size and isolation are positively correlated with population size and isolation, respectively, (2) whether plant reproductive success, a major component of plant fitness, is reduced in small and/or isolated populations when also accounting for differences in habitat quality (edaphic conditions, light intensity) and the effects of plant size, and (3) whether species with different life histories are affected differently. There were significant positive relationships between habitat and population size and between habitat and population isolation in some, but not all of the species. We mostly found no negative effects of small population size or isolation on reproduction. However, reproductive success was reduced in small populations of Sanicula, and this effect was independent of differences in plant size and environmental conditions. The reduced fecundity in small populations may be a consequence of the Allee-effect, a possible mechanism being pollen limitation. Furthermore, the proportion of flowering ramets was reduced in small and isolated populations of Galium, which may have been caused by changes in population structure. Lastly, we found some evidence for largely outcrossing, non-clonal species to be more sensitive to reductions in population size, at least in terms of their reproductive success.     

南方红豆杉迁地保护小种群适应性进化机制研究

为了解南方红豆杉迁地保护种群的适应性进化机制,以南京中山植物园内南方红豆杉迁地保护栽培种群和扩散的衍生种群为材料,以引种初始地江西野生种群为对照,对南方红豆杉群落的结构、遗传多样性及遗传结构进行分析和研究。结果表明,南方红豆杉野生种群和迁地保护种群均维持着较高水平的遗传多样性,其中野生种群遗传多样性稍高于迁地保护小种群,但迁地保护种群中南方红豆杉个体密度大于野生种群。同时,种群内的遗传变异所占比例大于种群间的。整体来看,南方红豆杉迁地保护种群还处于演替早期,存在不明显的奠基者效应,有进一步演替发展的可能。     

Genetic Variation in Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. sinensis (Elaeagnaceae) Revealed by RAPD Markers

Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. sinensis is endemic to China, and it is a dioecious, outcrossing plant. Although many studies have been undertaken mainly on its agricultural, nutritional, medical, and ornamental value, little is known about its population genetics. This study uses random amplified polymorphic DNA to investigate the genetic diversity and population genetic structure of 13 natural populations of the subspecies sinensis. Fifteen primers amplified 107 reproducible bands, with 95 (88.79%) being polymorphic. The gene diversity within population was 0.168, considerably lower than that of tree species and most perennial, outcrossing species, but higher than that of annual or short-lived, selfing species. The Gst value showed that 18.3% of the total genetic variation resided among populations, a little lower than that of outcrossing species. The present results are quite similar to those previously reported in another subspecies, H ssp. . rhamnoides rhamnoides. The low genetic differentiation among populations in ssp. sinensis may be attributed to the long-distance dispersal of seeds facilitated by birds, in addition to its characteristics of outcrossing, wind pollination, and widespread distribution. No association between genetic distance and geographical distribution was found. The population relationships revealed by the UPGMA dendrogram parallel this result, in that genetic distance did not increase with geographic separation. This pattern of population differentiation may imply the adaptation of ssp. s populations to the local environment, given that its habitats vary greatly across its distribution.     

二色仙人掌，中国仙人掌科一新归化种

2019年4-6月,在江苏省西南部句容市郭庄镇虬山,首次发现二色仙人掌(Opuntia cespitosa Rafinesque)归化种群。该种群主要生长在海拔46～90 m的废弃采石场上,分布范围东西长510 m,南北宽260 m,面积约13.26 hm2。二色仙人掌开花结实的成年植株共计910棵,其中最大灌木平卧茎长轴上叶状茎10个,树龄可达10 a,大概在2010年就生长于虬山。在句容虬山采石场关闭时,采石场工作人员可能将盆栽的二色仙人掌就地丢弃,从而导致该归化种群的发展。比较了二色仙人掌与中国仙人掌属已知其余4种归化植物的形态特征,并编制了分种检索表。此外,讨论了二色仙人掌的传播机制及其入侵风险。     

Metapopulation genetic structure of two coexisting parasitoids of the Glanville fritillary butterfly

We investigated the metapopulation genetic structure of two specialist parasitoids, Cotesia melitaearum and Hyposoter horticola, attacking the Glanville fritillary butterfly (Melitaea cinxia) in the Åland Islands south-western Finland. The host butterfly persists as a classic metapopulation in a network of 4,000 small habitat patches within an area of 50 by 70 km . The two parasitoids are known to differ greatly in their population dynamics and spatial pattern of occupancy in local host populations. Analysis of genetic population structure using F_ST and clustering of multilocus genotypes revealed a distinct large-scale spatial structure in C. melitaearum but a very weak pattern in H. horticola. This result is consistent with the known difference in the dispersal range (much longer in H. horticola) and population size (much greater in H. horticola) of the two parasitoids.     

Simultaneous determination of two human urinary metabolites of N,N-dimethylformamide using gas chromatography–thermionic sensitive detection with mass spectrometric confirmation

Two human urinary metabolites of the industrial solvent N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), N-hydroxymethyl-N-methylformamide (HMMF) and N-acetyl-S-(N-methylcarbamoyl)cysteine (AMCC), were assayed using a new analytical method (gas chromatography and thermionic sensitive detection). Clean-up of urine samples includes a liquid–liquid extraction step followed by a solid-phase extraction step to separate HMMF and AMCC from other urine components. During clean-up, AMCC is converted into ethyl-N-methylcarbamate (EMC), and during gas chromatography, HMMF is degraded in the injector to N-methylformamide (NMF). All the validation data necessary for a quantitative procedure are given. The method was applied to urine samples from workers exposed to DMF and from the general population. The results were confirmed by mass spectrometric determination. For this purpose a further liquid–liquid extraction step was introduced in the clean-up procedure. Background levels of AMCC in the general population were identified.     

Direct and indirect impacts of predation by fish on the zooplankton community: an experimental analysis using tanks

The impact of Pseudorasbora parva, a common zooplanktivorous fish species in Japan, on a zooplankton community was analyzed in experimental tanks, half of which were stocked with the fish. Different zooplankton species showed different responses to the introduction of the fish. In the presence of the fish, the populations of the large cladoceran Ceriodaphnia and the predatory copepod Mesocyclops were reduced, but the population of the herbivorous copepod Eodiaptomus and the small cladocerans Bosmina fatalis and Bosminopsis deitersi increased relative to the controls. The increase of Mesocyclops seen in the control tanks might have suppressed the populations of the small cladocerans, which are vulnerable to invertebrate predation. The results suggest that the population densities of the large prey items preferred by the fish, Ceriodaphnia and Mesocyclops, were controlled directly by fish predation, but the population densities of the smaller and less preferred zooplankton were controlled indirectly through the food-web cascade.     

Effects of predator-released chemicals on some life history parameters of Daphnia pulex

The effects of chemicals released by fish and Chaoborus larvae on some life history traits in Daphnia pulex were studied in an in situ enclosure experiment. The mean size of Daphnia individuals was smaller in the presence of fish-released cues. Also the minimal size of an egg bearing female in the presence of fish exudates was smaller than in the population exposed to the chemicals released by Chaoborus larvae as well as in the control population. Fish-released chemicals caused the increase in clutch size in Daphnia. There were no statistically significant differences between the studied life history parameters of the control and Chaoborus treatments. The results are discussed in reference to recent laboratory research.     

Specific enumeration of lactic acid bacteria in ragi tape by colony hybridization with specific oligonucleotide probes

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are among the integral microflora of ragi tape, a dry starter of Balinese rice wine, brem. The species diversity and population level of LAB present in different types of ragi tape were studied by colony hybridization using 16S and 23S rDNA targeted oligonucleotide probes. These probes were DB6, Lbc, Wgp, and Rpt, which were specific for Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus curvatus, Weissella spp., and Pediococcus pentosaceus, respectively. Results revealed that P. pentosaceus and Weissella spp. were the predominant LAB in ragi tape, whereas L. curvatus and E. faecium were associated specific to types of ragi tape. A 21-mer species-specific oligonucleotide probe, Rpt, that targets the 16S rDNA of P. pentosaceus was developed in this study and found to be highly specific to be used as an effective tool to enumerate population of this species in ragi tape and its population changes during rice wine production. It was detected that LAB showed active growth during the early stage of brem fermentation. A succession of growth of LAB population during the fermentation was observed in which the heterofermentative LAB, Weissella spp., grew first, followed by the proliferation of P. pentosaceus.     

Life history of the Onopordum capitulum weevil Larinus latus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The population structure and stage-specific survival of the capitulum weevil, Larinus latus, a potential control agent for weedy Onopordum thistles in Australia, was studied in its native range in Greece. Although fecundity of this univoltine insect was low (35.4 eggs/female), survival was relatively high, with 45% of eggs reaching adulthood when protected from predators and parasitoids, and 23% surviving when exposed to these natural enemies. Other mortality factors of importance for immature stages were a failure to establish, due largely to oviposition by females on inappropriate sites on the thistle capitula, and inter- and intraspecific competition for larval resources. Once emerged, adult losses due to overwintering mortality and net migration were estimated at a further 48%. Despite these losses there was a net doubling of the population at the study site between Onopordum flowering seasons. The data suggest that movement of adults occurs both within and between patches and that variability in population size relative to the resource base is low. Overall, L. latus may be considered a K-strategist which forms relatively stable populations over a fragmented habitat and which maintains its population integrity through a certain degree of annual redistribution. The implications of these data for the potential effectiveness of L. latus as a biological control agent of weedy Onopordum spp. are discussed.     

珍稀濒危植物黄杉种群结构与空间分布格局北大核心CSCD

为了解珍稀濒危植物黄杉种群的生存现状和更新机制,对贵州省威宁县黄杉自然保护区内天然分布的黄杉(Pseudotsuga sinensis)群落的结构特征和空间分布格局进行了研究。结果表明,黄杉种群的中龄级个体数较多,幼龄级和老龄级个体相对较少,呈典型的“∩”型结构。种群结构动态指数V_(pi)(13.49%)和V′_(pi)(0.05%)均大于0,种群属于增长型,但增长幅度逐渐降低,对外界干扰敏感度较高。种群存活曲线趋于Deevey-II型,生命期望值单调下降,死亡率呈“V”型,有2个死亡高峰,第1个出现在I龄级,第2个出现在IX龄级。黄杉种群除部分样地(Q2和Q7)呈均匀分布外,大部分样地呈集群分布;随龄级的增加,空间分布格局由集群分布逐渐趋向于均匀分布。因此,黄杉种群濒危的主要因素是幼树个体无法及时补充种群,建议加强对幼苗的抚育和通过适度干扰,促进黄杉种群的更新。     

RFLP mapping of I1, a new locus in tomato conferring resistance against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici race 1

Summary The inheritance and linkage relationships of a gene for resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici race 1 were analyzed. An interspecific hybrid between a resistant Lycopersicon pennellii and a susceptible L. esculentum was backcrossed to L. esculentum. The genotype of each backcross-1 (BC₁) plant with respect to its Fusarium response was determined by means of backcross-2 progeny tests. Resistance was controlled by a single dominant gene, I1, which was not allelic to I, the traditional gene for resistance against the same fungal pathogen that was derived from L. pimpinellifolium. Linkage analysis of 154 molecular markers that segregated in the BC₁ population placed I1 between the RFLP markers TG20 and TG128 on chromosome 7. The flanking markers were used to verify the assignment of the I1 genotype in the segregating population. The results are discussed with reference to the possibility of cloning Fusarium resistance genes in tomato.     

不同生境下假臭草生长特征分析

通过测定庄稼地、弃耕地、桉树林、公路边4种生境下假臭草叶面积(LA)、比叶面积(SLA)、LDMC和株高等形态特征、植株各构件生物量及生物量分配比和假臭草种群盖度、密度等种群数量性状,研究不同生境类型下假臭草个体的形态特征、生物量及生物量分配和种群生长状况的差异。结果表明:光照和土壤养分对假臭草的形态特征、生物量及生物量分配和种群数量性状的影响显著;低光照、高土壤养分生境下假臭草的LA、SLA、株高较高,假臭草叶片的LDMC较小,植株的花序数较少,生物量主要向叶和茎器官进行分配,根和花果器官的生物量分配则受到限制;高光照、养分贫瘠生境下假臭草的LA、SLA、株高较低,假臭草叶片的LDMC较大,生物量主要向根和花果器官进行分配,种群的盖度、密度、生物量和高度等种群数量性状较低,种群生长状况较差;高光照、肥沃养分生境为假臭草的最适生境,假臭草构件的资源配置较为优化,株高、基径粗、冠宽和花序数等形态指标较大,种群盖度、密度、生物量等种群数量性状较大,种群生长较好。     

Molecular and morphological differences between two geographic populations of Salanx ariakensis (Salangidae) from Korea and Japan

Geographic variations of a salangid, Salanx ariakensis, from Korea and Japan, based on partial mtDNA cyt b gene sequences and morphometric data, are presented and compared with Salanx cuvieri from China. Analyses of molecular variance (AMOVA) suggested that the two populations of S. ariakensis differed significantly from each other in pairwise fixation index (F _ST = 0.43), although their reciprocal monophyly was not constructed in the phylogenetic analysis. The phylogenetic analysis, however, supported the reciprocal monophyly of S. ariakensis (Korean population + Japanese population) and S. cuvieri. Differences in genetic structure between the two populations of S. ariakensis were suggested by diversity indices, mismatch distribution shape, and minimum spanning network. In particular, diversity indices indicated that the Korean population was historically larger and more stable than the Japanese population. In addition, both the principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) for morphometric characters, and the Kruskal–Wallis test for some meristic characters, showed that the two populations of S. ariakensis differed from each other, although morphological differences between the two populations of S. ariakensis were smaller than those between S. ariakensis and S. cuvieri. Such morphological differences were consistent with the differences in mtDNA.     

A New Method to Estimate the Population Size of Coconut Mite, Aceria Guerreronis, on a Coconut

Studies of the coconut mite, Aceria guerreronis, often require accurate assessment of the population density on individual infested coconuts. Here an efficient and accurate method was developed to estimate its population density on an infested coconut. The coconut mites were removed by washing the bracts and surface of an infested coconut with 30 ml of a detergent solution. Shaking the wash for 5 s allowed the mites to distribute uniformly. The number of mites in the first 1 ml of the first wash (X) yielded a very accurate predictor of the total number of mites on a coconut (Y): Y = 30.1X (R² = 0.99; p <0.0001), also confirming that the wash was indeed homogeneous. The advantages and disadvantages of this method are discussed.     

The effect of bacteria on interspecific relationships between the euryhaline rotifer Brachionus rotundiformis and the harpacticoid copepod Tigriopus japonicus

Inconsistent results have been obtained on the population growth of Brachionus rotundiformis and Tigriopus japonicus, when results from single-species and two-species mixed cultures are compared. Bacteria growth was not regulated in these experiments, which could be the cause for this. In order to test this possibility, we conducted similar experiments under axenic and synxenic (with presence of one species of bacteria) conditions. The population growth of B. rotundiformis was suppressed by the presence of T. japonicus in axenic cultures. T. japonicus could not persist in axenic cultures, but its population increased when grown in synxenic cultures. T. japonicus used RT bacteria strain as a food source, while these bacteria were toxic to B. rotundiformis. These results suggest that bacteria can modify the interspecific relationship between B. rotundiformis and T. japonicus.