Agonistic behavior of the crayfish Euastacus armatus and Cherax destructor

The intra- and interspecific agonistic behavior of Euastacus armatus and Cherax destructor from northeastern Victoria were examined. While the agonistic patterns of E. armatus appeared similar to those shown by most crayfish, individuals of C. destructor execute an unusual, highly stylized cheliped “punch” behavior during strong interactions, along with the other behaviors seen in many species. Juvenile C. destructor exhibited gregarious behavior, tending to co-occupy burrows and being physically near each other. Tests showed that the white chelipeds which are characteristic of mature E. armatus affect the outcome of aggressive interactions. When individuals had their chelipeds whitened, they won agonistic interactions more often. This result held for both intraspecific pairings and size-matched pairings with individuals of C. destructor. Individuals of C. destructor won the majority of size-matched pairings with non-whitened individuals of E. armatus.     

Multimodal individual recognition in the crayfish cherax destructor

There is some evidence that macrurans recognize each other as individuals. In freshwater crayfish there are conflicting reports and there is limited information about the sensory mechanisms involved. To determine the extent to which the crayfish Cherax destructor is capable of individual recognition, we performed experiments that familiarized animals with each other and then manipulated their recent success in dominance contests. Crayfish were more likely to win an encounter when paired against a familiar opponent than an unfamiliar one after the manipulation stage. In other experiments, animals were attracted to familiar conspecifics when only visual or chemical cues were present. This demonstrates that C. destructor is able to discriminate between a familiar and an unfamiliar opponent. The results highlight the complex nature of intraspecific communication in crayfish and suggest elements likely to be of importance in the social interactions of groups in the wild state.     

The effect of the chemical environment on interactions in groups of crayfish

Most of our knowledge of social behaviour in crustaceans stems from observations of pairs of animals engaged in conflict. Less consideration has been given to the dynamics of group behaviour. We investigated whether chemical signals affect the dynamic of groups of Cherax destructor. Animals were exposed to odours collected from male, female, moulted or dominant crayfish, or from fish. We observed agonistic encounters in the group during a 15 min period after the introduction of the odour. There was a decrease in threat behaviours when the male odour was added. We conclude from this that an olfactory stimulus can affect the dynamic of group interactions and the results suggest that the outcome is likely to be different from that obtained with paired or single individuals.     

Preliminary host specificity testing of Endophyllum osteospermi (Uredinales, Pucciniaceae), a biological control agent against Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. monilifera

Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. monilifera, indigenous to the Western Cape Province of South Africa, is a serious invader of native vegetation in south-eastern Australia. The rust fungus Endophyllum osteospermi causes witches' brooms on C. monilifera ssp. monilifera in South Africa, and is associated with a reduction in growth and seed production of its host under natural conditions, as well as mortality of severely infected bushes. This rust fungus is considered to be a potential biological control agent for use against C. monilifera ssp. monilifera in Australia. Endophyllum osteospermi has a long latent period, typically between 6 and 24 months between infection and the initiation of witches' brooms. This long latent period makes the logistics of doing traditional host specificity testing, in which all test plant species are inoculated and observed for symptom development, unfeasible for this rust fungus. Germination of aecidioid teliospores and penetration by basidiospores were observed on the surface of excised leaves of 32 test plant species at 4 days after inoculation, and compared to that on C. monilifera ssp. monilifera. Germinating aecidioid teliospores aborted on 14 test plant species, whilst no penetration was attempted on a further 12 test plant species. Penetration only occurred on nine of the 32 test plant species, in addition to C. monilifera ssp. monilifera. Inoculating whole plants of nine selected test plant species confirmed the above results. Therefore, only the test plant species in which penetration occurred, or at least was attempted, need to undergo comprehensive host specificity testing. Pending these results, E. osteospermi may be suitable for release in Australia for the biological control of C. monilifera ssp. monilifera.     

Circadian oscillations of RPCH gene expression in the eyestalk of the crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus

The RPCH and β-actin cDNAs from the crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus were amplified, cloned and sequenced. The primary structure sequences of these cDNAs were compared to other members of the AKH/RPCH family. Fluctuations in the amount of the C. quadricarinatus RPCH and β-actin mRNAs, as cDNAs, were quantified every 3 h by RT-PCR. Single cosinor analysis supports the notion of β-actin and RPCH mRNA circadian behavior in animals subjected to 12 h:12 h light/dark regimes. In constant darkness RPCH mRNA concentration changes to ultradian cycles.     

A comparison of reproduction in co-occurring chthamalid barnacles, Chthamalus stellatus (Poli) and Chthamalus montagui Southward

Reproduction in Chthamalus montagui Southward and Chthamalus stellatus (Poli) has been compared along gradients of wave exposure and tidal height. The proportion of barnacles carrying egg masses was greatest at low shore levels in both species, although the difference between levels was more pronounced in C. stellatus. Both species were found to breed between the beginning of May and the end of September. The mean number of broods released per season in both species ranged from 1.0 to 2.1 at high shore levels, from 2.2 to 3.2 at mid shore levels, and from 2.6 to 4.4 at low shore levels. C. stellatus predominated low on the shore at an intermediately exposed site and on the mid and low shore at the most exposed site. At these places it produced more broods per year than C. montagui. Development of the embryos of the two species was complete after 3 wk in vivo at 15°C. Eggs containing embryos of C. stellatus were larger than those of C. montagui, and within each species, larger barnacles produced larger eggs. Egg masses of C. stellanus included more eggs than those of C. montagui. Brood size in both species was greatest in shelter and least in exposure. Egg production was, however, similar in the two species when adjusted for differences in body mass. Egg production per unit body mass was greatest at an intermediately exposed site.     

Role of Life History Strategy in the Colonisation of Western Australian Aquatic Systems by the Introduced Crayfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cherax destructor</Emphasis> Clark, 1936

The presence of the yabbie Cherax destructor in a number of wild aquatic systems in the Pilbara and Southwest Coast Drainage Divisions of Western Australia is documented. This is of great concern as all native freshwater crayfishes in Western Australia are endemic and restricted to the southwest, while the Pilbara Division has no native species. An introduced population of C. destructor was sampled monthly from the Hutt River (Pilbara Drainage Division) for determination of life-history and reproductive biology in a wild aquatic system in Western Australia for the first time. Proliferation in that system was attributed to specific traits including: attaining first maturity at the end of its first year of life; a protracted spawning period (July–January); relatively high mean ovarian fecundity of 210.2 (±9.24 S.E.); and a rapid growth rate (curvature parameter K = 0.78 and asymptotic orbital carapace length OCL_∞ = 51.25 mm ascertained from a seasonal von Bertalanffy growth curve) that was comparable to the larger sympatric marron Cherax cainii in this system. The life-history characteristics of C. destructor in the Hutt River were typical of many other invasive crayfish species and it has the potential to impact the unique aquatic ecosystems and the endemic freshwater crayfish species of the region.     

屏边空竹分布区海拔上下边界的土壤真菌群落特征

物种地理分布边界的形成一直是进化生物学中的一个重要课题。植物分布区边界如何影响土壤微生物尚不清楚。屏边空竹(Cephalostachyumpingbianense)是目前已知唯一能够在自然条件下四季出笋的珍稀竹种,仅分布于中国云南东南部,对研究竹类中的狭域分布种具有重要意义。为探究土壤真菌群落与屏边空竹分布边界间的联系,该研究测定了屏边空竹分布中心、分布边界以及分布区外的土壤理化性质,并利用基于真菌内转录间隔区(ITS)序列的IlluminaMiSeq高通量测序技术分析土壤真菌群落变化。主要结果:1)屏边空竹分布边界处土壤pH与速效磷含量显著低于其他位点。2)在分布中心,土壤真菌物种多样性最高,被孢霉属(Moritierella)相对多度显著高于其他位点;在分布边界处,土壤真菌物种多样性最低,担子菌门相对多度大于65.0%。3)土壤pH是驱动真菌群落变异的关键因素,与外生菌根真菌的相对多度负相关,与腐生真菌的相对多度正相关。综上,土壤酸化与磷缺乏可能是控制屏边空竹分布区域的重要土壤属性。土壤中的被孢霉具有溶解磷、缓解土壤酸化等功能,可能是屏边空竹重要的互利共生菌。     

Microhabitat selection in intertidal gobiid fishes: Species- and size-associated variation

Patterns of space use and the individual-based behaviour of microhabitat selection were investigated in three intertidal gobiid fishes, Bathygobius fuscus, Chaenogobius annularis and C. gulosus, from Kyushu, southern Japan. While the three species tended to occupy slightly different types of tidepool, their patterns of distribution largely overlapped in the field. Laboratory experiments involving choice of shelter (i.e. underneath a stone plate) and four different substrate types were conducted to examine size- and time-related variation in habitat selection. The shelter area was preferred by small- and large-sized C. gulosus (day and night), large C. annularis (day and night) and small C. annularis (daytime only), while no preference was evident in small B. fuscus (day and night) and small C. annularis (night). Patterns of substrate choice also differed among species, size groups and between day and night. Size differences in substrate use were evident in B. fuscus and C. gulosus but not in C. annularis, while diel differences were shown by all species groups except large B. fuscus. The gravel and sand substrates tended to be used more frequently than the bare rock substrate, but the strength of preference of a particular substrate type varied among individuals/species. Our results demonstrate that habitat selection by the three gobiid species is variable depending on species, body size and time of day, which must ultimately bear upon mitigating intra-/interspecific interactions in tidepool environments.     

Biology and prey range of Cryptognatha nodiceps (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), a potential biological control agent for the coconut scale, Aspidiotus destructor (Hemiptera: Diaspididae)

Cryptognatha nodiceps Marshall is an important natural enemy used in biological control programmes against Aspidiotus destructor (Signoret), an introduced pest of coconut in many countries. In order to increase our understanding of C. nodiceps, the present study to quantify aspects of the developmental, reproductive and feeding biology under constant environmental conditions (26±2°C, 55-65% RH) was carried out. In addition, methods for culturing the scale and the beetle were developed. The average duration of development was 19.2±0.1 days for males and 19.6±0.2 days for females. Female longevity and lifetime fecundity was 35.6±5.1 days and 141.0±35.6 eggs, respectively. Life table statistics were as follows: reproductive rate, 9.99, intrinsic rate of increase, 0.09, finite rate of increase, 1.1, doubling time, 7.8 days and generation time, 41.1 days. Studies on feeding biology showed that C. nodiceps was oligophagous. The coccinellid fed and reproduced on prey species in two families, Diaspididae and Coccidae. Adults also fed on the coconut whitefly Aleurodicus cocois (Curtis) (Aleyrodidae) but no reproduction occurred on this prey. Aphididae, Psyllidae and Pseudococcidae were not fed upon.     

尾叶樱桃天然种群叶表型性状变异研究

为揭示中国特有植物尾叶樱桃(Cerasus dielsiana)在现代核心分布区天然种群的叶表型地理变异规律及其生态适应性特征, 该研究通过多重比较、巢氏方差分析、相关性分析、主成分分析(PCA)、主坐标分析(PCoA)、非加权配对算术平均法(UPGMA)聚类分析等数理方法, 对来自四川、湖北、湖南、江西、台湾5省8个尾叶樱桃天然种群的11个叶表型性状进行了比较分析, 研究其不同地理单元间叶表型多样性和地理变异规律及对地理气候的响应。结果显示: 1)尾叶樱桃主要叶表型性状变异在种群内和种群间均存在显著差异, 平均变异系数为22.44%, 其中变异系数最大和最小的分别为叶面积(50.83%)与一级侧脉数(7.96%); 平均叶表型性状的分化系数为30.78%, 种群内的变异(51.55%)大于种群间的变异(22.55%)。2) PCA表明对尾叶樱桃叶表型性状变异起主要贡献作用的前三大主成分累计贡献率达到92.400%, 可以综合概括和排序为“大小性状” (73.242%)与“形状性状” (19.158%)。3)叶宽(r = -0.641)、叶面积(r = -0.658)和一级侧脉数(r = 0.659)性状均与经度呈显著负相关或正相关关系, 气温季节变化和最湿季降水量对叶表型性状变异影响较大。4)基于PCoA和UPGMA聚类分析可将8个天然种群划分为4类。尾叶樱桃天然种群叶表型性状变异丰富, 在数量上表现出一定的连续性, “大小性状”是性状间变异的主要来源, 平均表型分化处于中等程度水平, 种群内是叶表型性状变异的主要来源; 各种群间表型分化划分结果与地理位置基本一致, 在地理空间上呈现以经度为主的梯度变异模式, “气候变异性”与“展叶期降水量”是驱动叶表型性状变异的主要气候因子, 推测这是尾叶樱桃在长期进化中与亚热带季风气候环境相适应的结果。     

Natural interploidy hybridization among the key taxa involved in the origin of horticultural chrysanthemums

Understanding hybridization and introgression between natural plant populations can give important insights into the origins of cultivated species. Recent studies suggest differences in ploidy might not create such strong reproductive barriers as once thought, and thus studies into cultivated origins should examine all co-occurring taxa, including those with contrasting ploidy levels. Here, we characterized hybridization between Chrysanthemum indicum L., Chrysanthemum vestitum (Hemsley) Ling and Chrysanthemum vestitum var. latifolium (Zhou & Chen), the most important wild species involved in the origins of cultivated chrysanthemums. We analyzed the population structure of 317 Chrysanthemum accessions based on 13 microsatellite markers and sequenced chloroplast trnL-trnF for a subset of 103 Chrysanthemum accessions. We identified three distinct genetic clusters, corresponding to the three taxa. We detected 20 hybrids between species of different ploidy levels, of which 19 were between C. indicum (4x) and C. vestitum (6x) and one was between C. indicum and C. vestitum var. latifolium (6x). Fourteen hybrids between C. indicum and C. vestitum were from one of the five study sites. Chrysanthemum vestitum and C. vestitum var. latifolium share only one chloroplast haplotype. The substantially different number of hybrids between hybridizing species was likely due to different levels of reproductive isolation coupled with environmental selection against hybrids. In addition, human activities could play a role in the different patterns of hybridization among populations.     

The geographic distribution and host range of Capillaria hepatica (Bancroft) (Nematoda) in Australia.

The geographic distribution, host range and prevalence of Capillaria hepatica were recorded in 4629 house mice, Mus domesticus, 263 black rats, Rattus rattus, and 58 Norway rats, R. norvegicus. The parasite was found at five localities, all in or near large towns along the coast. The two Rattus species appeared to be the primary hosts of C. hepatica in Australia. Published and unpublished data on helminth infections of Australian native mammals from 1162 murids (26 species), 3018 marsupials (67 species) and 99 monotremes (two species) were compiled. Only seven animals from three murid species were infected with C. hepatica; all were from the same rainforest in northern Queensland. C. hepatica was distributed widely, occurring in the house mouse, black rat and Norway rat on a 10,850 ha farm but there was no infection in cattle, sheep or goats (abattoir records). Also, 52 rabbits, four cats and one fox (shot samples) and 27 marsupial mice, Sminthopsis crassicaudata (museum specimens), had no sign of C. hepatica infection. Overall, the results indicate that transmission of C. hepatica to native, domestic and feral mammals is rare, presumably because of ecological constraints on egg embryonation and survival. In the light of these findings, the potential use of C. hepatica as a biological agent to control mouse plagues in Australia is discussed.     

Leaf phenotypic variation in natural populations of Cerasus dielsiana

为揭示中国特有植物尾叶樱桃(Cerasus dielsiana)在现代核心分布区天然种群的叶表型地理变异规律及其生态适应性特征, 该研究通过多重比较、巢氏方差分析、相关性分析、主成分分析(PCA)、主坐标分析(PCoA)、非加权配对算术平均法(UPGMA)聚类分析等数理方法, 对来自四川、湖北、湖南、江西、台湾5省8个尾叶樱桃天然种群的11个叶表型性状进行了比较分析, 研究其不同地理单元间叶表型多样性和地理变异规律及对地理气候的响应。结果显示: 1)尾叶樱桃主要叶表型性状变异在种群内和种群间均存在显著差异, 平均变异系数为22.44%, 其中变异系数最大和最小的分别为叶面积(50.83%)与一级侧脉数(7.96%); 平均叶表型性状的分化系数为30.78%, 种群内的变异(51.55%)大于种群间的变异(22.55%)。2) PCA表明对尾叶樱桃叶表型性状变异起主要贡献作用的前三大主成分累计贡献率达到92.400%, 可以综合概括和排序为“大小性状” (73.242%)与“形状性状” (19.158%)。3)叶宽(r = -0.641)、叶面积(r = -0.658)和一级侧脉数(r = 0.659)性状均与经度呈显著负相关或正相关关系, 气温季节变化和最湿季降水量对叶表型性状变异影响较大。4)基于PCoA和UPGMA聚类分析可将8个天然种群划分为4类。尾叶樱桃天然种群叶表型性状变异丰富, 在数量上表现出一定的连续性, “大小性状”是性状间变异的主要来源, 平均表型分化处于中等程度水平, 种群内是叶表型性状变异的主要来源; 各种群间表型分化划分结果与地理位置基本一致, 在地理空间上呈现以经度为主的梯度变异模式, “气候变异性”与“展叶期降水量”是驱动叶表型性状变异的主要气候因子, 推测这是尾叶樱桃在长期进化中与亚热带季风气候环境相适应的结果。     

Circadian Locomotor Activity in Freshwater Decapods: An Ecological Approach

Circadian rhythms of locomotor activity shown by freshwater decapods display different patterns among crayfish, Procambarus, and crabs, when exposed to artificial light-dark cycles. Crayfish are mainly nocturnal while a crepuscular activity is observed in crabs of the genus Pseudothelphusa. In constant darkness, free running rhythms are displayed in unimodal or bimodal patterns by crayfish Procambarus; however, Pseudothelphusa continues to show bimodal rhythms. The many studies using locomotor activity indicate that the rhythm in freshwater crabs is circadian in nature, but that a multioscillatory system may be controlling the overt rhythm. In the present study, the implications of different locomotor activity patterns are analyzed in selected freshwater decapods with regard to the interactions between light and the organisms. Crabs and crayfish are commonly found in similar habitats, often sharing the same environment; however, different patterns of locomotor activity as well as different sensitivities of the bouts of activity with regard to entrainment by light, indicate that distinct temporal niches may exist that result in temporal exclusion or low competition.     

油茶栽培历史与长江流域油茶遗传资源

普通油茶(Camellia oleifera)是我国第一大木本油料作物。普通油茶作为油料作物的栽培历史, 现存确切记载不到1,000年, 长江流域可能是最早栽培油茶的地区之一。普通油茶的野生近缘种是油茶育种宝贵的遗传资源。普通油茶属于山茶科山茶属(Camellia)油茶组(Sect. Oleifera), 其野生近缘种应包括山茶属油茶组和短柱茶组(Sect. Paracamellia)的物种, 但油茶组和短柱茶组的划分仍有争议, 物种间的系统发育关系仍不清楚。油茶组和短柱茶组是山茶属中多倍体出现频率最高的类群, 而且存在突出的种内多倍性现象, 人工选择和种间杂交可能在其中起到促进作用。长江流域是普通油茶的主产区, 也是最主要的野生普通油茶分布区, 拥有丰富的野生普通油茶遗传资源。本研究统计了山茶属油茶组和短柱茶组物种的分布地, 并与野生普通油茶的潜在分布区进行了比较。分析结果显示, 长江流域与珠江流域的分水岭——南岭、苗岭及附近地区是油茶组和短柱茶组物种多样性最高的地区, 同时也是野生普通油茶潜在的高适生区, 可能是普通油茶及其野生近缘种潜在的种间杂交带。物种多样性从南向北呈下降趋势, 可能反映了从南向北的扩散方向。普通油茶及其野生近缘种间的潜在杂交带可能蕴含着丰富的遗传多样性, 为选择育种提供了天然的育种场, 应对这些地区优先开展研究和保护, 挖掘与利用有重要经济价值的遗传资源。     

薹草属少花薹草组（莎草科）小坚果形态和微形态及其分类学意义

利用扫描电镜对少花薹草组（Carex sect. Paniceae）27种及4变种（东亚14种4变种,北美13种）小坚果形态与微形态特征进行比较观察。结果表明（：1）所有材料小坚果的形状为倒卵球形和钝三棱状,组内很一致,长度为1.53～3.59 mm,同种不同居群个体差异不显著（P>0.05）。（2）表皮细胞一般为五至七边形,偶有四边形或八边形,丝柄薹草（C. rouyana）不同个体间有变异;垂周璧式样直或微波状;硅质台平,偶有凹或略凸,具1个中心体,C. filipes var. kuzakaiensis和C. filipes var. tremula中偶见2个中心体,无卫星体,这些性状种内稳定。（3）利用表皮细胞形状、硅质台凹凸情况和中心体个数对于区分近似种具有价值,如白马薹草（C. baimaensis）和线柄薹草（C. filipes）,且可以区分一些种下等级,如线柄薹草及其变种var. kuzakaiensis、var. oligostachys和var. tremula。（4）sect. Paniceae s.s.和sect. Laxiflorae小坚果形态和微形态...     

Phylogenetic relationships within Pyrenodesmia sensu lato and the role of pigments in its taxonomic interpretation

Most lichens of the family Teloschistaceae (Ascomycota) produce yellow-orange-red anthraquinone pigments. However, the genus Pyrenodesmia encompasses species in which anthraquinones are absent and replaced by a gray pigment Sedifolia-gray. It was shown recently that these species are related to taxa with both anthraquinones and Sedifolia-gray (Caloplaca xerica group, C. haematites group, and C. cretensis) and to species with a brown pigment instead of both anthraquinones and Sedifolia-gray (C. demissa, C. obscurella, and C. reptans). Nevertheless, relationships between mentioned anthraquinone-containing and anthraquinone-lacking species remained unclear. In total, 8 DNA loci from 41 species were used here to resolve these uncertainties. We concluded that C. demissa, C. obscurella, and C. reptans are rather distant from the core of Pyrenodesmia, and we place them outside of Pyrenodesmia sensu lato. Within Pyrenodesmia sensu lato, three lineages were revealed and recognized on a generic level: the genus Pyrenodesmia sensu stricto (21 species), the genus Kuettlingeria (14 species), which is resurrected here, and the genus Sanguineodiscus (4 species), which is newly described here. The genus Pyrenodesmia includes taxa that never contain anthraquinones, but Sedifolia-gray. It matches with the former C. variabilis group. Taxa of the genera Kuettlingeria and Sanguineodiscus have anthraquinones in their apothecia and Sedifolia-gray in their thalli. The genus Kuettlingeria includes the former C. xerica group plus C. cretensis and C. diphyodes. The genus Sanguineodiscus includes the former C. haematites group and C. bicolor. The identity of Kuettlingeria (Caloplaca) diphyodes was clarified and the name Pyrenodesmia helygeoides was resurrected. Twenty-four new combinations were proposed.     

西藏马鹿与同域野生有蹄类、家畜草青期食性比较

西藏马鹿为我国特有种,曾一度被认定为野外灭绝。在其生境中有多种食性相近的野生有蹄类及家畜同域分布,探究青藏高原特殊环境下西藏马鹿与这些有蹄类的食物资源种间竞争与共存关系十分必要。2013年和2014年8—9月,采用粪便显微分析法确定了桑日县西藏马鹿自然保护区西藏马鹿、白唇鹿、藏原羚、牦牛、山羊草青期食物组成,并比较分析了西藏马鹿与同域野生有蹄类、家畜之间的食物重叠和分化状况。结果表明: 西藏马鹿与其他有蹄类具有相似的可食植物种类组成,但所占食谱比例不同。西藏马鹿主要可食植物多为其他有蹄类次要可食植物,其中弱小火绒草为西藏马鹿(在动物食谱中的百分比为11.2%)与牦牛(10.2%)共同的主要食物,西藏柳为西藏马鹿(9.6%)和白唇鹿(11.4%)共同的主要食物。从科级水平来看,豆科植物为西藏马鹿(21.4%)与藏原羚(42.5%)的共同主要可食植物,莎草科植物为白唇鹿(49.2%)、牦牛(33.4%)、山羊(50.3%)的共同主要可食植物。菊科植物作为西藏马鹿(29.6%)的主要可食植物,也是白唇鹿(7.6%)、藏原羚(11.6%)、牦牛(17.3%)和山羊(14.1%)的次要可食植物。禾本科植物作为西藏马鹿(7.1%)次要可食植物,较其他4种有蹄类(白唇鹿13.6%、藏原羚12.3%、牦牛11.5%、山羊16.0%)所占比例低。西藏马鹿与其他有蹄类食物重叠度均高于0.5,与牦牛的重叠度最高(0.65)。西藏马鹿食物多样性指数(1.32)、均匀度指数(0.37)和生态位宽度指数(15.79)均较高。与2007—2008年相比,西藏马鹿食物组成变化较大,豆科植物比例增大,莎草科植物比例降低,食物质量总体有所提高。西藏马鹿与家畜之间存在较高的食物资源竞争,这将进一步影响西藏马鹿的分布范围和生存空间。     

不同树种对刺沙棘钉毛蚜的耐害性

在野外自然感染条件下,以新梢卷叶恢复率作为耐虫性指数,分析了20个不同树种对刺沙棘钉毛蚜的抗虫程度及其耐害补偿能力。结果表明:1)除桃树、沙枣和榆树外,其它树种均为刺沙棘钉毛蚜的寄主树种。2)在所有沙棘树种中,沙棘品种和沙棘杂交种最为感虫,而沙棘种和亚种则抗虫性较好。3)不同树种卷叶恢复程度差异较大。在危害高峰期,卷叶率较低的树种,如橙色、棱果沙棘等,在自身耐害补偿功能和自然天敌的影响下,其卷叶可以完全恢复正常,表现出较强的耐害性;而卷叶率高的树种,如优胜、楚伊、乌兰格木等沙棘品种,由于受害程度较重,自身耐害补偿功能力有限,卷叶不能完全恢复正常,恢复率不到50%,表现出较弱的耐害性;苹果和云南沙棘卷叶恢复率分别为55.6%和50%,耐害性居于上述两者之间。