Socioeconomic development shows positive links to the conservation efficiency of China's protected area network

While the protected area (PA) covers >15% of the planet's terrestrial land area and continues to expand, factors determining its effectiveness in conserving endangered species are being debated. We investigated the links between direct anthropogenic pressures, socioeconomic settings, and the coverage of vertebrate taxa by China's PA network, and indicated that high socioeconomic status and low levels of human pressure correlate with high species coverage, with threatened mammals more effectively conserved than reptiles or amphibians. Positive links between conservation outcomes and socioeconomic progress appear linked to local livelihood improvements triggering positive perceptions of local PAs—aided further by ecological compensation and tourism schemes introduced in wealthy areas and reinforced by continued positive conservation outcomes. Socioeconomic development of China's less developed regions might assist regional PA efficiency and achievement of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, while also addressing potential shortcomings from an insufficient past focus on socioeconomic impacts for biodiversity conservation.     

Seasonal dynamics of arboreal spider diversity in a temperate forest

Measuring and estimating biodiversity patterns is a fundamental task of the scientist working to support conservation and inform management decisions. Most biodiversity studies in temperate regions were often carried out over a very short period of time (e.g., a single season) and it is often-at least tacitly-assumed that these short-term findings are representative of long-term general patterns. However, should the studied biodiversity pattern in fact contain significant temporal dynamics, perhaps leading to contradictory conclusions. Here, we studied the seasonal diversity dynamics of arboreal spider communities dwelling in 216 European beeches (Fagus sylvatica L.) to assess the spider community composition in the following seasons: two cold seasons (I: November 2005-January 2006; II: February-April) and two warm seasons (III: May-July; IV: August-October). We show that the usually measured diversity of the warm season community (IV: 58 estimated species) alone did not deliver a reliable image of the overall diversity present in these trees, and therefore, we recommend it should not be used for sampling protocols aimed at providing a full picture of a forest's biodiversity in the temperate zones. In particular, when the additional samplings of other seasons (I, II, III) were included, the estimated species richness nearly doubled (108). Community I possessed the lowest diversity and evenness due to the harsh winter conditions: this community was comprised of one dominant species together with several species low in abundance. Similarity was lowest (38.6%) between seasonal communities I and III, indicating a significant species turnover due to recolonization, so that community III had the highest diversity. Finally, using nonparametric estimators, we found that further sampling in late winter (February-April) is most needed to complete our inventory. Our study clearly demonstrates that seasonal dynamics of communities should be taken into account when studying biodiversity patterns of spiders, and probably forest arthropods in general.     

半干旱区县域生态安全格局构建——以临洮县为例

生态安全格局的识别与构建是保障半干旱区生态安全及可持续发展的重要途径。以西北内陆半干旱区黄土高原县级行政单位为研究对象,结合RS和GIS技术,在定量评估生态系统服务功能(生物多样性保护、水源涵养、土壤保持)和水土流失敏感性的基础上,识别生态源地,并利用最小累积阻力模型计算阻力面,构建临洮县生态安全格局。结果表明：(1)临洮县生态源地面积为243.79 km~2,占全县总面积的8.55%,生态源地集中分布在南屏山林区、马衔山兰州军马场、太石镇的水源保护区以及沿洮河的河谷农业区。(2)临洮县生态安全缓冲区划分为高、较高、中、低水平生态安全区四个类别,分别占总面积的12.71%、47.81%、32.51%和6.97%,不同生态安全区应采取不同措施以保障区域生态安全。(3)识别的234条总长为493.56 km的生态廊道,185条总长为551.26 km的辐射通道,以及74个生态战略节点共同组成临洮县生态安全格局。研究结果以期为半干旱区县域尺度生态安全格局构建研究提供相关参考,也将为临洮县国土空间总体规划和城市用地合理布局提供重要指导。     

Changes in ant communities along an age gradient of cocoa cultivation in the Oumé region,central Côte d'Ivoire

We identified the extent to which ant diversity occurs despite conversion of forests into cocoa plantations by examining the communities across four age classes of plantations (classes I–IV with increasing age from 0–5 to 21–40 years) and in their original forests. An extensive sampling protocol consisting of pitfall trapping, leaf litter sampling, soil sampling and hand sampling was used to characterize ant species richness and composition in three replicates of each age class and in the remaining forest patches. A total of one hundred ant species was found in all habitats combined. While the forest was the richest habitat (73 species), species richness in the different plantation age classes varied as follows (sorted in descending order): class IV (69 species) > class III (57 species) > class I (52 species) > class II (43 species). Age gradient was thus significantly positively correlated with mean species richness and with the relative abundance of some subfamilies. The species composition differed greatly between some plantation age classes and the forest. The two youngest cocoa age classes (I and II) were most dissimilar to the forest. In contrast, forest ants were well represented in the old cocoa age classes (III and IV). Three functional guilds (generalist predators, specialist predators and territorially dominant arboreal species) were in their relative abundance significantly correlated to the age gradient. Overall, cocoa cultivations retaining a floristically diverse and structurally complex forest structure are a suitable management system for the conservation of ant species of the formerly forested habitats.     

Foundations for conservation of intraspecific genetic diversity revealed by analysis of phylogeographical structure in the endangered endemic lizard Podarcis lilfordi

Aim  To describe and analyse phylogeographical patterns in the endangered endemic lizard Podarcis lilfordi from across its remaining range and thereby establish baseline information on genetic diversity that will help determine conservation priorities and assist future reintroduction programs.
Location  Balearic Islands, Spain.
Methods  We analysed mitochondrial DNA (2382 bp sequence from eight genes) from 118 individuals and characterized the relationships among haplotypes using parsimony networks, as well as phylogenetic inference. Analyses of historical gene flow and population growth were used to provide further insights into population histories.
Results  Four unconnected parsimony networks were obtained that mirrored the main clades in the phylogenetic tree: (I) all Menorcan populations, (II) Dragonera, Malgrats and Toro islands (Western Mallorca) (III and IV) and the remaining populations from Cabrera and Mallorca. Two major haplotype groups were detected in Menorca (I) and these provided signatures of a demographic expansion and asymmetrical historical gene flow, respectively, concordant with the expected direction of colonization from south to north of the island. Populations from western Mallorca (II) showed evidence of historical allopatric fragmentation events following isolation around the start of the Pleistocene. In networks III and IV, Cabreran populations appear to have become isolated from north and south Mallorca quite recently, with asymmetric gene flow indicating a northwards dispersal direction.
Main conclusions  P. lilfordi is a genetically diverse species that shows substantial mtDNA structuring both between regions and, at a finer scale, between some islet populations within regions. The precarious state of some islet populations shown here to be quite divergent (e.g. Toro island in western Mallorca) means that conservation of this intraspecific biodiversity requires urgent action.     

汶川地震灾区生物多样性热点地区分析

汶川地震灾区位于长江上游,是我国大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)的主要分布区,被保护国际认定的25个全球生物多样性热点地区之一.2008年5月12日发生的汶川大地震导致该区域生态环境遭受严重破坏,需要识别生物多样性热点地区,指导灾后生物多样性保护.选取物种生境质量、植被景观多样性指数和物种多样性指数作为评价指标,其中生境质量采用InVEST生物多样性模型计算,然后利用空间相关分析中G系数进行热点地区分析,探测出灾区生物多样性的热点区,并在此基础上与现有保护区分布、物种生境分布以及Marxan模型计算出的优先区进行对比验证.结果显示:热点区范围涉及到现有76％的保护区,且保护区内的热点区面积达到灾区所有保护区面积的55％;在选取的69个指示物种中有60个物种位于热点区的生境面积占这些物种在灾区的总生境面积的50％以上,有32个物种在80％左右,热点区内的所有指示物种生境总面积占整个灾区指示物种生境总面积的70％以上.基于空间相关分析方法得出的热点地区基本上与Marxan模型输出的优先保护区范围结果基本一致.但空间相关分析的热点区划分克服了Marxan模型优先保护区分布过于离散,孤岛效应明显的不足.     

Regional differences in the morphology of the goat epididymis: a light microscopic and ultrastructural study

The goat epididymis, based on morphological differences, was divided into five regions; regions I and II, and the proximal part of region III constituted the head; the distal part of region III and region IV, the body; and region V, the tail. The epithelium of all regions contained principal and basal epithelial cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes and macrophages. In addition, regions II to IV also contained a few apical cells. Clear cells were absent. The epithelium varied in height from the tallest in region I (88 +/- 33 microns) to the shortest in region V (38 +/- 5 microns). Conversely, the luminal diameter, thickness of smooth muscle wall, and luminal sperm concentration were highest in region V. The irregular epithelial height of regions I and IV accounted for a stellate lumen in contrast to the oval lumen of the other regions. Whereas the lumen of region I contained only a few sperm, those of regions II, III, and IV were filled with sperm. Principal cells were the only cell type that showed striking cytological differences between regions. While they contained absorptive features (canaliculi, pinocytotic and coated vesicles, and subapical vacuoles) in all regions, the principal cells of region II were filled with large, heterogeneous vacuoles (up to 5 microns in diameter), suggesting that they may be preferentially involved in transporting and digesting particulate material. Besides absorptive features, principal cells of all regions contained morphological correlates of protein synthesis such as highly developed Golgi complexes in the supranuclear area and numerous cisternae of RER near the Golgi body and in the infranuclear cytoplasm. The cisternae of RER were more developed in region IV, and in some instances, they were distended with flocculent material resembling newly synthesized protein. Unlike the protein synthesizing organelles, principal cells of all regions lacked morphological correlates of steroid hormone synthesis. These results are compared with previously published data on the regional differences in the epididymis of other species, especially with those of the rat and the bull, in an effort to understand the significance of the epididymis in sperm maturation.     

CuZn-Superoxide Dismutases in Rice: Occurrence of an Active, Monomeric Enzyme and Two Types of Isozyme in Leaf and Non-Photosynthetic Tissues

Rice leaves and seed embryos contain four isozymes of CuZn-superoxidedismutase (SOD) and two isozymes of Mn-SOD. CuZn-SOD I is amajor enzyme in leaves, but not in embryos or etiolated seedlings.CuZn-SODs II,III and IV were found in the embryos but were alsofound as minor isozymes in leaves. CuZn-SODs I, II and IV were purified to homogeneity from riceleaves. CuZn-SODs I and II had similar properties with respectto molecular weight, dimeric structure, absorption spectrumand metal content, but their amino acid compositions differedfrom each other. The absorption spectrum of CuZn-SOD IV wassimilar to that of isozymes I and II, but this enzyme was amonomer with a molecular mass of 1.7 kDa. Antibody against CuZn-SODI from rice did not cross-react with isozymes II and IV. Antibodiesagainst CuZn-SOD from spinach leaves cross-reacted with isozymeI but not with isozymes II, III and IV. By contrast, the antibodiesagaist CuZn-SOD from spinach seeds cross-reacted with isozymesII, III and IV but not with isozyme I. Thus, the isozyme thatis expressed mainly in leaves (CuZn-SOD I) and the isozymesexpressed mainly in non-photosynthetic tissues (CuZn-SODs II,III, IV) are immunologically distinct. (Received October 7, 1988; Accepted January 27, 1989)     

Identification of thyroid regulatory elements in the Na-K-ATPase α3 gene promoter

A –1027 bp to +108 bp region of Na-K-ATPase ₃ gene promoter has been searched for the presence of thyroid response elements (TRE). Computer analysis of this sequence using a consensus TRE sequence revealed the presence of four putative TRE rich regions referred to as regions I (–636 to –457 bp), II (–218 to –106 bp), III (–106 to –6 bp) and IV (–6 to +108 bp). Cotransfection of the luciferase linked full length construct as well as constructs progressively devoid of the TRE rich regions in Cos1 cells revealed that regions I and III are positively regulated by T ₃ whereas there are some sequences in region II which can suppress the positive regulatory effect of region III but not of region I, TRE IV seems to have no functional role. EMSA of the three functional TRE rich regions (I, II and III) showed strong and specific interaction with thyroid hormone receptor (TR) cloned and expressed in baculovirus. The overall results suggest the regulation of Na-K-ATPase ₃ gene by T ₃ is complex involving several thyroidal regulatory elements.     

Potential carcinogenicity of some transition metal ions

Potential carcinogenicity of some transition metal ions was tested using a direct-current polarography method. The measurements were based on the reduction of tested compounds in an anhydrous solution using α-lipoic acid as the detection compound. The potential carcinogenicity was expressed in terms of the parameter tg α, which is known to directly correlate with the carcinogenicity of tested compounds. For the metal ions tested, tg α was found to decrease in the following sequence: Fe(III) > Pb(II) > V(IV) > Fe(II) > Mn(II) > Cu(II). Zero values of tg α were found for Cd(II) and Mn(III).     

基于综合指数法的白龙江流域生物多样性空间分异特征研究

大中区域尺度上生物多样性空间分布格局识别是制定和实施区域生物多样性保护计划的前提条件,也是生物多样性保护确定优先区域研究工作迫切需要解决的关键问题之一。拟以甘肃白龙江流域为例,结合InVEST模型和遥感、GIS技术,以区域生境质量、植物净初级生产力和景观状态指数为评价指标,应用归一化处理方法,构建区域生物多样性空间格局综合评估方法,在栅格像元尺度上开展白龙江流域生物多样性评价及其空间分异特征分析。结果表明:白龙江流域生物多样性较为丰富,空间分异特征明显。生物多样性较高的区域(Ⅰ和Ⅱ级以上)面积约占39.80%,且主要集中在自然保护区和林业管护区。生物多样性较低的地区主要分布在舟曲-武都-文县的白龙江两岸及其以北区域、宕昌县岷江沿岸、高寒稀疏植被区和高山积雪-裸岩区。     

Optimized Spatial Priorities for Biodiversity Conservation in China: A Systematic Conservation Planning Perspective

By addressing several key features overlooked in previous studies, i.e. human disturbance, integration of ecosystem- and species-level conservation features, and principles of complementarity and representativeness, we present the first national-scale systematic conservation planning for China to determine the optimized spatial priorities for biodiversity conservation. We compiled a spatial database on the distributions of ecosystem- and species-level conservation features, and modeled a human disturbance index (HDI) by aggregating information using several socioeconomic proxies. We ran Marxan with two scenarios (HDI-ignored and HDI-considered) to investigate the effects of human disturbance, and explored the geographic patterns of the optimized spatial conservation priorities. Compared to when HDI was ignored, the HDI-considered scenario resulted in (1) a marked reduction (∼9%) in the total HDI score and a slight increase (∼7%) in the total area of the portfolio of priority units, (2) a significant increase (∼43%) in the total irreplaceable area and (3) more irreplaceable units being identified in almost all environmental zones and highly-disturbed provinces. Thus the inclusion of human disturbance is essential for cost-effective priority-setting. Attention should be targeted to the areas that are characterized as moderately-disturbed, <2,000 m in altitude, and/or intermediately- to extremely-rugged in terrain to identify potentially important regions for implementing cost-effective conservation. We delineated 23 primary large-scale priority areas that are significant for conserving China''s biodiversity, but those isolated priority units in disturbed regions are in more urgent need of conservation actions so as to prevent immediate and severe biodiversity loss. This study presents a spatially optimized national-scale portfolio of conservation priorities – effectively representing the overall biodiversity of China while minimizing conflicts with economic development. Our results offer critical insights for current conservation and strategic land-use planning in China. The approach is transferable and easy to implement by end-users, and applicable for national- and local-scale systematic conservation prioritization practices.     

Binding of ligands to a one-dimensional heterogeneous lattice. II. Intercalation of tilorone with DNA and polynucleotides

The interaction of tilorone with DNA and five synthetic polydeoxyribonucleotides [(I): poly[d(A-T)]·poly[d(A-T)]; (II): poly[d(A-C)]·poly[d(G-T)]; (III): poly[d(G-C)]·poly[d(G-C)]; (IV): poly(dG)·poly(dC); and (V): poly(dA)·poly(dT)] has been investigated. Binding isotherms for the homopolymers were obtained by microdialysis equilibria using ¹⁴C-labeled tilorone and interpreted with different models: exclusion effect, associated or not associated with cooperativity, or variable exclusion. Affinity appears to be related more to local structure than to base composition and decreases in the following order: (I) > (II) > (III) > (IV) > (V). Intercalation in circular DNA was demonstrated by electrophoresis migration and electron microscopy, which yielded an average unwinding angle of 7° per bound dye. The behavior observed in CD and UV spectroscopy shows a sequence similar to the affinities. Tilorone seems to be less intercalated in (IV) and not at all in (V). The experimental binding isotherm of tilorone to DNA was well fitted on the basis of a model where DNA acts as a heterogeneous lattice built with the six different possible couples of adjacent base pairs, each potential site behaving as if it were in the corresponding homopolymer. The results are discussed in terms of specificity of alternating Pyr-Pur sequences and related to theoretical calculations on intercalation energies of DNA.     

Protein composition of human submandibular secretions

The protein composition of human submandibular saliva obtained from a single donor has been investigated, and 21 proteins have been resolved. On Sephadex G-100, submandibular secretions (unstimulated) separated into four fractions, I, II, III, and IV. Each fraction was analyzed further by isoelectric focusing and disc gel electrophoresis. The major components detected in each fraction along with their isoelectric point (pI) are as follows: I, blood group specific substance (2.3), immunoglobulin A (5.0–6.0), and immunoglobulin G (4.5–6.5); II, albumin (4.9), two glycoproteins (5.0), and acid phosphatase (5.2); III, three phosphoproteins (4.3–4.4), isoamylase 1A (5.9), isoamylase 1B (6.4), unidentified protein (7.1), lysozyme (>10), and a basic protein (>10); and IV, isoamylase 2A (5.9) and isoamylase 2B (6.4). Isoamylase 1A and IB are glycoproteins. Stimulated submandibular secretions were also resolved into four protein fractions by gel filtration. Fraction III, compared with unstimulated secretions, showed the greatest percent increase in protein. Analysis of this fraction by disc gel electrophoresis demonstrated the presence of four protein bands which were not detected in the unstimulated secretion. One of these proteins is tentatively identified as a phosphoprotein and two as basic proteins (pI > 10). The protein composition of submandibular, parotid, and sublingual secretions is compared.     

Clade-specific chromosomal rearrangements and loss of subtelomeric adhesins in Candida auris

Candida auris is an emerging fungal pathogen of rising concern due to global spread, the ability to cause healthcare-associated outbreaks, and antifungal resistance. Genomic analyses revealed that early contemporaneously detected cases of C. auris were geographically stratified into four major clades. While Clades I, III, and IV are responsible for ongoing outbreaks of invasive and multidrug-resistant infections, Clade II, also termed the East Asian clade, consists primarily of cases of ear infection, is often susceptible to all antifungal drugs, and has not been associated with outbreaks. Here, we generate chromosome-level assemblies of twelve isolates representing the phylogenetic breadth of these four clades and the only isolate described to date from Clade V. This Clade V genome is highly syntenic with those of Clades I, III, and IV, although the sequence is highly divergent from the other clades. Clade II genomes appear highly rearranged, with translocations occurring near GC-poor regions, and large subtelomeric deletions in most chromosomes, resulting in a substantially different karyotype. Rearrangements and deletion lengths vary across Clade II isolates, including two from a single patient, supporting ongoing genome instability. Deleted subtelomeric regions are enriched in Hyr/Iff-like cell-surface proteins, novel candidate cell wall proteins, and an ALS-like adhesin. Cell wall proteins from these families and other drug-related genes show clade-specific signatures of selection in Clades I, III, and IV. Subtelomeric dynamics and the conservation of cell surface proteins in the clades responsible for global outbreaks causing invasive infections suggest an explanation for the different phenotypes observed between clades.     

湖北省纽荷尔脐橙果实品质状况的研究

以纽荷尔脐橙为试材,分析了湖北省13个产地果实的常规品质和果皮色差值。结果显示,不同产地纽荷尔脐橙果实品质差异明显。系统聚类结果表明,秭归县、巴东县和兴山县的常规品质聚为第一类,长阳县、郧县、公安县、枝江市和宜都市聚为第二类,而丹江口市、阳新县、通城县、天门市和京山县聚为第三类;就果皮色差值来看,长阳县、郧县、兴山县和宜都市聚为第一类,巴东县、京山县、枝江市、丹江口市、阳新县、公安县、秭归县聚为第二类,天门市和通城县聚为第三类。综合分析常规品质和果皮色差值可以看出,三峡库区的兴山县、秭归县、巴东县纽荷尔脐橙综合品质最好,邻近三峡库区的长阳县、宜都市、枝江市,丹江库区的郧县和卷桥库区的公安县次之,丹江口市、阳新县、京山县,尤其是天门市和通城县的品质表现不如上述各个产地。因此湖北省纽荷尔脐橙应重点集中在三峡库区这一优势区域内优先发展,同时向其邻近的适宜地区辐射,而在其它产地宜选择小气候适宜地区适当发展。     

The Influence of 1800 MHz GSM-like Signals on Hepatic Oxidative DNA and Lipid Damage in Nonpregnant,Pregnant, and Newly born Rabbits

The aim of our study is to evaluate the possible biological effects of whole-body 1800 MHz GSM-like radiofrequency (RF) radiation exposure on liver oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation levels in nonpregnant, pregnant New Zealand White rabbits, and in their newly borns. Eighteen nonpregnant and pregnant rabbits were used and randomly divided into four groups which were composed of nine rabbits: (i) Group I (nonpregnant control), (ii) Group II (nonpregnant-RF exposed), (iii) Group III (pregnant control), (iv) Group IV (pregnant-RF exposed). Newborns of the pregnant rabbits were also divided into two groups: (v) Group V (newborns of Group III) and (vi) Group VI (newborns of Group III). 1800 MHz GSM-like RF radiation whole-body exposure (15 min/day for a week) was applied to Group II and Group IV. No significant differences were found in liver 8 OHdG/10⁶ dG levels of exposure groups (Group II and Group IV) compared to controls (Group I and Group III). However, in Group II and Group IV malondialdehyde (MDA) and ferrous oxidation in xylenol orange (FOX) levels were increased compared to Group I (P < 0.05, Mann–Whitney). No significant differences were found in liver tissue of 8 OHdG/10⁶ dG and MDA levels between Group VI and Group V (P > 0.05, Mann–Whitney) while liver FOX levels were found significantly increased in Group VI with respect to Group V (P < 0.05, Mann–Whitney). Consequently, the whole-body 1800 MHz GSM-like RF radiation exposure may lead to oxidative destruction as being indicators of subsequent reactions that occur to form oxygen toxicity in tissues.     

Climate and vegetation in China IV. Distribution of tree species along the thermal gradient

The aim of this study was to examine correlations between vegetational zones and thermal climate on the basis of analysis of the thermal distribution of main-component trees in each zone. The whole and main thermal distribution ranges for 73 tree species were obtained from their distributions along the warmth index (WI) gradicnt. Cluster analysis using the WI values at the upper and lower limits of the main distribution ranges as parameters gave seven species groups. The geographical distributions of the species in each group were described. Moreover, the frequency distribution curves of the seven species groups were determined along the WI grandient, and four borderlines (lines I, II, III and IV) were found among them. The WI values at the lines I, II and IV were 50, 90, 175°C month, respectively, and corresponded to boundaries between the subarctic and cool-temperate zones (I), the cool-and warm-temperate zones (II) and the warmtemperated and subtropical/tropical zones (IV), respectively. Line III corresponded to a WI of 135°C month. The WI values at the forest limit and at the lower limit of the subarctic forest were estimated, and their averages were 15.2 and 49.6°C month, respectively. In conclusion, thermal climatic zones in China could be divided by the following WI values: alpine (arctic) zone, WI<15; subarctic zone, 15–50; cool-temperate zone, 50–90; warm-temperate zone, 90–175; subtropical/tropical zone >175°C month.     

Do hotspots fall within protected areas? A Geographic Approach to Planning analysis of regional freshwater biodiversity

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