Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers from reed parrotbill, Paradoxornis heudei (Aves: Timaliidae)

Eleven microsatellite markers were obtained from reed parrotbill, Paradoxornis heudei, using the fast isolation by AFLP of sequences containing repeats (FIASCO) method as part of an effort to compare levels of genetic diversity in different populations of China. Polymorphism levels ranged form 5 to 11 alleles (mean = 9.27) using 32 reed parrotbills, with the observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.037 to 0.80. Six loci were significant deviated from HWE and nine loci showed linkage equilibrium. The utility of these loci on two other Passeriformes species, vinous-throated parrotbill (P. webbianus) and oriental great reed warbler (Acrocephalus orientalis), were also tested.     

棕头鸦雀的巢生境因子分析和雏鸟的生长发育

2005年4~6月,在四川南充市西华师范大学新校区、西南石油学院和嘉陵江中坝区域内对棕头鸦雀(Paradoxornis webbianus)的繁殖行为进行了观察研究。结果表明,棕头鸦雀4月开始繁殖。影响巢址选择的生境因子主要有7种。雌雄鸟参与筑巢,营巢期5~6 d。窝卵数4~5枚(n=5)。雌雄鸟孵卵,孵卵期13~14 d。孵化率89.47%(n=4)。雌雄参与育雏,育雏期12~13 d。雏鸟离巢率88.24%(n=4)。雏鸟形态生长曲线呈“S”型。     

Extrapair paternity in a flock-living passerine, the vinous-throated parrotbill Paradoxornis webbianus

Understanding the factors that affect the occurrence of extrapair paternity (EPP) is one of the central issues in sexual selection. We investigated genetic parentage and the ecological factors affecting patterns of EPP in the vinous-throated parrotbill, Paradoxornis webbianus , a flock-living species with double broods. Using microsatellite DNA fingerprinting, we determined parentage of 246 offspring in 50 broods over two years (2005 and 2006). Nineteen offspring (8%) from 13 broods (26%) were sired by extrapair males and one offspring (0.4%) was probably the result of intraspecific brood parasitism. The prevalence of EPP varied significantly through the breeding season: 95% of broods with EPP (12/13) occurred in the first of two laying peaks. Parentage assignment revealed that half of extrapair males (6/12) were adjacent neighbours. The distribution of EPP was not significantly related to the ecological factors including breeding density and breeding synchrony. Instead, we suggest that social characteristics such as flocking and weak territoriality may determine the observed pattern of EPP in this study.     

Females may not obtain indirect genetic benefits from extra-pair paternity in vinous-throated parrotbills, Paradoxornis webbianus

In birds, determining what females seek through extra-pair paternity (EPP) is fundamental in the understanding of variation in the incidence of EPP within and between species. I conducted genetic parentage analyses in vinous-throated parrotbills, Paradoxornis webbianus, a typical double-brooded passerine with a strong flock habit. In this species, it is known that the prevalence of EPP varies significantly between two egg-laying peaks; 95% of EPP occurred in the first peak. In the present study, I focused on whether or not females obtain genetic benefits through EPP and its relevance to the biased distribution of EPP between the two laying peaks. I found that females did not obtain ‘good genes’ so that extra-pair young were not better than within-pair young in terms of their body condition at the nestling stage or their survival rate to their first winter. I also found no significant effect of parental genetic similarity and local genetic diversity on the occurrence of EPP, and these genetic correlates were not related to the patchy distribution of EPP. Overall, this study concluded that female parrotbills may not pursue indirect benefits through EPP, and further study testing the possibility of direct benefits will be worthwhile.     

灰冠鸦雀巢及巢址生境的首次报道

灰冠鸦雀(Paradoxornis przewalskii)是狭域分布的中国特有鸟种,分布区仅局限于岷山北部。近年来关于该种的新发现为我们提供了其栖息地和现有分布范围的宝贵信息,但该种的繁殖情况还从未有观察与报道。2013年6月10日,我们在四川省唐家河国家级自然保护区内发现1对正在育雏的灰冠鸦雀及其3只新生雏鸟,对其巢址生境和巢的结构进行了详细记录。灰冠鸦雀筑巢于稀疏的岷江冷杉(Abies faxoniana)和红桦(Betula albo-sinensis)混交林下的浓密缺苞箭竹(Fargesia denudata)丛中,巢址海拔2700 m,位于陡峭阳坡接近林线处。巢为结构精细的杯状巢,高约6.6 cm,深约5.0 cm,巢口内径4.8 cm,外径7.0 cm。巢由干草叶与竹叶编织而成,巢壁外侧装饰有大量绿色苔藓。本报道为灰冠鸦雀野外繁殖的首次记录,为今后深入开展该珍稀鸟种的繁殖生态和栖息地选择研究提供了基本信息。     

季节和集群大小影响震旦鸦雀对人类接近的响应

本研究对震旦鸦雀在人类接近时的行为响应进行了观察,探讨集群大小以及季节性对人类接近时震旦鸦雀行为响应的影响.在人类靠近的情况下,震旦鸦雀个体或 者集群会采取逃逸、哨兵行为和警戒鸣叫或这些行为的组合做出反应,哨兵行为和警戒鸣叫常常伴随出现.人类接近时,出现哨兵行为和警戒鸣叫的个体和集群的比例呈现明显的月变化,在繁殖季节(4-9月),哨兵行为和警戒鸣叫出现的平均比例远低于非繁殖季节(10月-次年3月);出现哨兵行为和警戒鸣叫的集群比例随着集群大小的增加而增加.震旦鸦雀的集群大小呈现明显的季节性变化,繁殖季节以单只和较小集群为主,而非繁殖季节以较大集群为主.人类接近时, 不同季节和不同集群大小中哨兵行为和警戒鸣叫的出现与否呈现极显著的差异,方差分量估计表明警戒行为表现的差异主要由集群大小引起     

上海崇明东滩震旦鸦雀冬季种群栖息地的生境选择

2008年11月-2009年3月,在崇明东滩对震旦鸦雀(Paradoxornis heudei)种群生态进行调查研究,并对震旦鸦雀种群和生境因子的相关性进行分析。运用单因素方差对互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)入侵和芦苇(Phragmites australis)收割造成的芦苇滩涂变化进行分析,并运用多元回归的方法对震旦鸦雀种群的密度和分布以及相关环境因子进行生境选择分析。结果表明,崇明东滩震旦鸦雀种群的密度为(5.08±3.11)只/hm2;震旦鸦雀种群的密度和芦苇直径呈极显著正相关,震旦鸦雀种群的分布和芦苇的高度、密度呈极显著正相关,和食物资源量呈显著正相关;互花米草和震旦鸦雀种群的密度和分布呈显著负相关;互花米草入侵和芦苇收割降低了震旦鸦雀越冬期的栖息地质量,保留一部分生长质量较好的芦苇可以缓解震旦鸦雀冬季种群的生存压力。     

Incomplete lineage sorting or secondary admixture: disentangling historical divergence from recent gene flow in the Vinous‐throated parrotbill (Paradoxornis webbianus)

Although Pleistocene glaciations had a major impact on the population genetic patterns of many species in North America and Europe, it remains unclear how these climatic fluctuations contributed to species diversification in East Asia. One reason for this is the difficulty of distinguishing genetic admixture following secondary contact from incomplete lineage sorting, both of which can generate similar patterns of genetic variation. Using a combination of multilocus analyses and coalescent simulation, we explore how these two processes occurred in the Pleistocene evolutionary history of a widespread East Asian bird, the Vinous‐throated parrotbill, Paradoxornis webbianus. Maximum likelihood (ML) tree identified two major mitochondrial lineages, which are geographically separated in most parts of its range, but are sympatric at a few sampling sites. NJ tree and Structure analysis of microsatellite data set revealed an extensive level of admixture and little population structure, suggesting recent admixture between two formerly separated groups. Networks from nuclear DNA data sets, however, did not indicate any geographically isolated groups but rather a panmictic population, thus support incomplete lineage sorting. By using coalescent simulation approaches, we show that both processes did occur, although at different temporal scales. During the Pleistocene glaciations, probably around 0.1–0.5 Ma (the Marine Isotope Stage 6, MIS6), P. webbianus contracted into two separate refugia, and subsequently accumulated genetic divergence. During the interglacial MIS5, the species expanded into previously glaciated areas allowing the once separated groups to come into contact and become admixed. Taken together, our results indicate the current genetic variation within P. webbianus is a combination pattern of widespread distribution in pre‐Pleistocene, then contraction and fragmentation into separated refugia during glacial advance, followed by recently postglacial expansion and admixture.     

四川唐家河自然保护区发现灰冠鸦雀

灰冠鸦雀(Paradoxornis przewalskii)为中国特有鸟类,隶属于雀形目画眉亚科鸦雀属。目前已知灰冠鸦雀仅分布于甘肃南部卓尼县到四川西北部松潘地区岷山山脉海拔2440～3050m的高山针叶林及河谷竹灌丛中,其分布模式与该区域另一种中国特有鸟类黑额山噪鹛(Garrulaxsukatschewi)类似,两者为典型的狭域分布物种。灰冠鸦雀被IUCN(世界自然保护联盟)和《中国物种红色名录》列为易危(VU)物种。灰冠鸦雀是别列佐夫斯基和毕安科1891年依据俄罗斯中亚考察队1886年在甘肃省南部采集的标本订名的,到目前已知仅有4个分布点,即甘肃岷县、卓尼、舟曲以及…     

Biosystematics of the Psyttalia concolor Species Complex (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Opiinae): The Identity of Populations Attacking Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Coffee in Kenya

The identity of a species of Psyttalia, a parasitoid of tephritid fruit flies in Kenya, was investigated. Individuals reared from coffee infested with Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Medfly) and two other tephritid species in Kenya were compared with individuals of Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti) from a laboratory culture in Italy used in augmentative biological control of olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin). Reciprocal crosses showed full compatibility, with production of viable female offspring. A preliminary morphometric analysis demonstrated that most individuals originating from Italy could be separated from most of those from Kenya based largely on differences in overall size.     

棕头鸦雀分类问题商榷

棕头鸦雀的分类有过几次较为系统的整理研究。因其飞羽外缘有栗红色与褐色两种类型,前者又可分为红胸、灰胸两类群,故在分类上各学者持有不同意见。或将其分为3个种,或归并为1种。本文依据作者工作结果,从地理分布、形态及骨骼性状进行分析研究,认为棕头鸦雀具栗红翅缘的红胸、灰胸两类群在中国西南地区的云、贵、川三省的亚种分布接触地带彼此混交并有居间个体,不应独立为两个不同种。栗红翅缘褐色翅缘两大类群尚未发现重叠分布,形态明显间断,一直未见有中间类型。两大类群在头骨的泪骨突起和方骨形态上有明显差异,建议将它们分为Paradoxornis webbianus和paradoxornis brunneus。前者再分为红胸、灰胸两亚种组。对少数有争议的亚种也提出了处理意见。     

First mapping of the main high conservation value forests (HCVFs) at national scale: The case of Italy

Forest certification is one of the many tools that have been developed to achieve sustainable forest management. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) was the first organization to develop an independent forest certification scheme in early 1990s. FSC standards introduced the concept of high conservation value forests (HCVFs) that identifies forest areas with high conservation values (HCVs) according to six different categories including environmental services, social and cultural values, rare, threatened or endangered species, and ecosystems and habitats. HCVFs are becoming more relevant even beyond forest certification purposes, and the concept is increasingly being adopted and used as a tool for improving forest management operations. This paper represents a preliminary study for the identification and mapping of the main HCVFs in Italy. It is based on existing information and available datasets and identifies some out of six existing HCVs categories. The extent of forest areas identified as HCVFs in Italy varies according to the HCV category taken into consideration. Altogether, the HCVs investigated correspond to about 66% of the Italian forest. This preliminary study on HCVFs in Italy and GIS tools had proved to be a useful support for the identification and analysis of investigated areas for the purposes of both facilitating certification processes and improved management of national forests.     

芦苇收割对震旦鸦雀觅食活动的影响

芦苇(Phragmites australis)湿地具有重要的社会经济价值和特殊的自然保育意义,芦苇收割是芦苇湿地管理的主要手段,往往对栖息于芦苇湿地中的动物群落产生影响,尤其对专食芦苇昆虫的鸟类影响较大。2007年1～4月,在长江口崇明岛崇西湿地科学实验站研究基地芦苇收割前后通过样方法研究了芦苇收割对震旦鸦雀(Paradoxornis heudei)觅食的影响。研究表明,芦苇收割显著减少了震旦鸦雀潜在食物资源,改变了震旦鸦雀觅食分布并使震旦鸦雀提前转移到新生芦苇枝上取食,芦苇收割后残留老芦苇枝对震旦鸦雀取食具有重要影响。芦苇收割时保留一定的斑块状和条带状老芦苇有利于震旦鸦雀利用新芦苇枝上潜在食物资源,可以在一定程度上缓解芦苇收割引起的震旦鸦雀食物短缺。     

Neonatal screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia in North-Eastern Italy: a report three years into the program

AIMS: To evaluate the incidence of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in the Northern Italian population and the efficiency of the North-Eastern Italy screening program. To adjust cut-off levels for 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) in relation to gestational age and birth weight, comparing the benefits in terms of reduction of recall rates with the two approaches and ultimately choosing the better of the two. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Since September 2001, blood samples from neonates born in North-Eastern Italy have been screened with a fluoroimmunoassay method for 17-OHP determination (DELFIA). A preliminary cut-off level of > or = 30 nmol/l was set both for term and preterm newborns. The values of 17-OHP were analysed using statistical methods in relation to gestational age and birth weight in order to modify the cut-off on the basis of our data. RESULTS: After 33 months of screening we screened 128,282 newborns and detected 6 affected babies. During the first 8 months of screening among the recalled babies, 89.6 and 78.1% were preterm and low-birth-weight newborns, respectively, with a recall rate of 2.59% for premature neonates and of 4.94% for babies with birth weights < 2,500 g. We chose a new cut-off value of 50 nmol/l for preterm newborns only and, after 4 months, the recall rate was reduced to 0.83% for these infants and to 1.83% for low-birth-weight infants. CONCLUSION: After 33 months of screening for CAH in North-Eastern Italy, we report an incidence of 1:21,380. In 5 out of 6 affected babies, the diagnosis was established only after a positive screening test, which prevented a severe salt-wasting crisis in these babies. The cut-off level related to gestational age led to a significant reduction in the number of false-positives among preterm babies.We therefore intend to continue with the screening program for CAH in North-Eastern Italy, keeping a gestational-age-related cut-off in the hope that our data may encourage a national screening program for CAH.     

两种典型养鸡模式的能值分析

畜禽养殖的有机化过程被认为是实现养殖业持续发展与保障食品安全的重要途径.运用能值分析方法对两种典型养鸡模式——家庭有机饲养和林地散养进行了系统分析,并结合Castellini等人对意大利所做的同类研究(工业规模化笼养和草地散养)进行了横向对比.结果表明,林地散养生产系统的能值产出率为1.11,与家庭有机饲养系统相近,而在环境负载率和可持续发展能力方面的表现,均差于家庭有机饲养生产系统,说明林地散养模式尽管通过提高系统生产空间,理论上接近畜禽养殖的有机化理念,但由于大量的禽舍建筑、医药及其饲料等方面的外部资源输入,反而使得系统的环境负载率提高,可持续性大大下降.与意大利的结果比较发现,我国两个养殖系统的社会经济成本高、对外部不可再生资源的依赖程度较高,有机化目标并没有很好的实现.因此,我国现有的有机化畜禽养殖方式和外部制度都有待进一步改进和创新.     

Testing hypotheses on the dispersal and evolutionary history of freshwater mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionidae)

The relationship between dispersal and differentiation of the European freshwater mussel Unio pictorum (Linnaeus, 1758) was studied with molecular genetic methods. Forty‐two populations from France, Italy and central Europe were analysed. Genetic relationships were assessed from the geographical distribution of allele frequencies at 17 enzyme loci. Neighbouring groups of populations show small to moderate mean genetic distances (0.020 < D_mean < 0.263). With a few exceptions the genetic affinities of the populations are the closest within the same drainage basin. In central Europe and Northern Italy genetic differences between drainage systems are relatively large. Populations from north‐eastern Italy are genetically similar to Danubian populations. Mussels from the islands of Corsica and Sardinia are more closely related to populations from the Italian peninsula than to French populations from the Rhône drainage system. Genetic relationships within U. pictorum from central Europe reflect palaeogeographical relationships between river systems during the Pliocene and Pleistocene. Literature data on two North American unionid species and one European fish species show the same relationship between genetic diversity and the history of drainage systems, although the correlations are less strong. In France and Italy this correspondence is much less evident. Population dynamic processes and human activities leading to populational bottlenecks might have obscured it.     

Geographic variation in parasitism rates of two sympatric cuckoo hosts in China

Rates of brood parasitism vary extensively among host species and populations of a single host species. In this study, we documented and compared parasitism rates of two sympatric hosts, the Oriental Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus orientalis) and the Reed Parrotbill (Paradoxornis heudei), in three populations in China. We found that the Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) is the only parasite using both the Oriental Reed Warbler and Reed Parrotbill as hosts, with a parasitism rate of 22.4%-34.3% and 0%-4.6%, respectively. The multiple parasitism rates were positively correlated with local parasitism rates across three geographic populations of Oriental Reed Warbler, which implies that higher pressure of parasitism lead to higher multiple parasitism rate. Furthermore, only one phenotype of cuckoo eggs was found in the nests of these two host species. Our results lead to two conclusions: (1) The Oriental Reed Warbler should be considered the major host of Common Cuckoo in our study sites; and (2) obligate parasitism on Oriental Reed Warbler by Common Cuckoo is specialized but flexible to some extent, i.e., using Reed Parrotbill as a secondary host. Further studies focusing on egg recognition and rejection behaviour of these two host species should be conducted to test our predictions.     

Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] and ischemic cardiopathy: correlation between radial immunodiffusion (RID) and radioimmunoassay methods (RIA)

The anomalous lipemic values are considered as a risk factor in coronarial pathology. We are separately studying different lipemic factors, Lp(a) in the present paper. May be our 38 clinical cases are still a too small number to demonstrate any correlation between Lp(a) haematic content and arterial pathology, and we will continue this study in the evolution of the pathology, eventually until the infarctus. For the moment, we established the significance of correlation between two methods in two laboratories of ours (in Pavia, Italy, and in Lisboa, Portugal). Correlation is more than 0.9. Assays were done on the same air mailed samples.