顺北典型油气藏上方土壤甲烷氧化菌菌群特征及其勘探意义

【目的】甲烷氧化细菌(MOB)长期以来一直被用作石油和天然气勘探的重要油气指示菌,其仅能利用甲烷作为唯一碳源。根据甲烷氧化菌菌群特征结合地质剖面可以较好地预测深部油气藏,为石油勘探提供良好的数据支撑。由于传统平板培养法只能针对可培养甲烷氧化菌,方法具有一定局限性。【方法】本文采用分子生物学技术结合地球化学烃类指标研究了顺北典型油气藏上方土壤中甲烷氧化菌的分布。【结果】研究结果显示,油气田上方pmoA基因拷贝数与酸解烃含量具有一定的正相关性,且油气区比背景区高0.5–2个数量级。16SrRNA基因高通量测序和pmoA基因的克隆文库结果显示顺北油藏上方土壤中甲烷氧化菌主要以I型为主,水平剖面中甲烷氧化菌随着离油田距离增加存在I型向II型演变的现象,且Methylomonassp.在背景区与油气区的丰度有较大差异,具有良好的油气指示潜力。【结论】综上所述,长期微渗透过程中甲烷氧化菌(MOB)的菌群特征对预测深层油藏具有一定的指示作用,结合地质剖面和地表烃类可以有效预测有利油藏区域。     

Species identification and phylogenetic analysis of Leishmania isolated from patients,vectors and hares in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region,The People’s Republic of China

BackgroundVisceral leishmaniasis (VL) has been declared as one of the six major tropical diseases by the World Health Organization. This disease has been successfully controlled in China, except for some areas in the western region, such as the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, where both anthroponotic VL (AVL) and desert type zoonotic VL (DT-ZVL) remain endemic with sporadic epidemics.Methodology/Principal findingsHere, an eleven-year survey (2004–2014) of Leishmania species, encompassing both VL types isolated from patients, sand-fly vectors and Tarim hares (Lepus yarkandensis) from the Xinjiang Autonomous Region was conducted, with a special emphasis on the hares as a potential reservoir animal for DT-ZVL. Key diagnostic genes, ITS1, hsp70 and nagt (encoding N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate transferase) were used for phylogenetic analyses, placing all Xinjiang isolates into one clade of the L. donovani complex. Unexpectedly, AVL isolates were found to be closely related to L. infantum, while DT-ZVL isolates were closer to L. donovani. Unrooted parsimony networks of haplotypes for these isolates also revealed their relationship.Conclusions/SignificanceThe above analyses of the DT-ZVL isolates suggested their geographic isolation and independent evolution. The sequence identity of isolates from patients, vectors and the Tarim hares in a single DT-ZVL site provides strong evidence in support of this species as an animal reservoir.     

Frecuencia de dermatofitos en una muestra de felinos del área urbana del Gran Mendoza,Argentina

BackgroundThe cat, considered the main reservoir of Microsporum canis, lives in urban areas, and also plays an important role in the emergence of dermatomycoses.AimsTo determine and analyse the frequency of zoonotic dermatophytes in a sample of cats in an urban area of the Gran Mendoza region.MethodsThe animals selected were household cats and cats less than one year old that came from shelters and kennels from urban areas in the Gran Mendoza region. A total of 45 samples from cats with and without dermatological lesions were analysed. These samples were collected through skin scraping, hair removal and Mackenzie brush, respectively. Direct observation was made with KOH and glycerol after heat exposure. Samples were cultured on Sabouraud and Lactrimel agar slants with chloramphenicol and cycloheximide for 30 days.ResultsThe frequency of dermatophytes isolated in this preliminary study was 13.3%. There were not statistically significant differences by source, age, sex, race or dermatological condition. Zoonotic dermatophytes were found in 2 household cats out of the 21 that had direct contact with children or the elderly. M. canis was isolated in 83.3% cases.ConclusionsThe frequency of isolation of zoonotic dermatophytes in the sample of cats in an urban area of the Gran Mendoza region was 13.3%, a value higher than expected. M. canis was the most isolated species.     

石油污染环境中固氮和寡氮营养细菌的分离鉴定及其特性

[背景]石油污染治理中的生物修复因无二次污染、处理成本低等优点受到人们的广泛关注,但由于石油烃向环境中大量输入,导致环境中氮源的相对不足成为制约生物修复效率的关键因素之一,因此筛选能够适应寡氮环境的微生物具有重要的生态意义.[目的]从辽河油田油藏水中筛选在不添加氮源培养基中生长的微生物,为石油污染环境生物修复提供候选菌...     

Scottish-breeding Greenshanks Tringa nebularia do not migrate far

ABSTRACT

Capsule: Scottish-breeding Greenshanks Tringa nebularia migrate largely to Ireland.

Aims: To describe the migration timings and determine the non-breeding areas (staging and wintering areas) of Scottish-breeding Greenshanks.

Methods: Breeding adult Greenshanks were marked with geolocators and/or unique permutations of colour-rings in Sutherland, northern Scotland. Sightings of the colour-ringed birds and data from geolocators on recaptured birds provided information on the migrations and locations of the non-breeding areas.

Results: Scottish-breeding Greenshanks spent the winter mainly in Ireland, with the range also including Wales, southern England and western France. Departure from the breeding grounds, as determined by the geolocators, took place in June and July; the median date for the last day in the breeding area was 16 July. Arrival on the breeding grounds took place in March and April; the median date for the first day back in the breeding area was 7 April. Some birds fed at an estuary close to their territories prior to breeding. There was fidelity to wintering areas, both within and between years. Short-term staging took place during both the southward and northward migrations for some birds, and one bird used the same staging area in different autumns. Members of one pair had separate wintering areas.

Conclusions: Scottish-breeding Greenshanks have a short migration, largely to the coasts of Ireland. The migrations involved short-term staging for some birds.     

锑矿废水影响下水库沉积物中细菌群落结构特征研究

【背景】水库沉积物中的微生物是水生态系统的重要组成部分,在沉积物物质循环中起重要作用。【目的】揭示含锑废水影响下水库表层沉积物中细菌群落结构特征及影响因子。【方法】基于Illumina高通量测序技术,对冷水沟水库表层沉积物细菌群落结构进行研究并分析其与沉积物理化性质的相关性;基于FAPROTAX软件对细菌功能进行预测分析。基于重金属污染负荷指数法评价水库重金属污染情况。【结果】高通量测序结果表明冷水沟水库的细菌群落较为丰富,主要由变形菌门(Proteobacteria,40.32%-20.19%)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes,25.89%-4.44%)、脱硫杆菌(Desulfobacter,9.43%-2.02%)等81个门570个属组成。相关性分析表明,不同提取形态的锑及水溶态锑与多个不同分类水平下的细菌群落有显著的相关性。FAPROTAX软件对细菌功能进行预测,结果表明,化能异养功能细菌占优势(占总细菌的14.59%-23.58%),包括化能异养(Chemoheterotrophy)和需氧化能异养(Aerobic Chemoheterotrophy);此外,与碳、氮、硫元...     

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS ON THE FISH POPULATIONS OF THE RECENTLY-IMPOUNDED KATSE RESERVOIR,LESOTHO

Summary

Katse is a new 35 km long impoundment on the Malibamatso River, a highland tributary of the Orange River in Lesotho. Two fishing surveys in 1996 yielded Barbus aeneus, Labeo capensis, Oncorhynchus mykiss and the occasional Austroglanis sclateri. Length frequency data for the first three species show modes which may represent year classes, although gillnet selectivity also plays a role. Barbus aeneus is abundant throughout the reservoir and could support a subsistence fishery. Labeo capensis is segregated by sex in the breeding season, with males remaining on the spawning grounds at the river mouths while females visit the spawning grounds for a short time to shed their eggs. The absence of small-sized Oncorhynchus mykiss in the catch may be due to pollution from mining and construction affecting the spawning grounds. The catches of larger trout and the outstanding scenery suggest that a tourist sport fishery could be developed on the reservoir based on natural recruitment supplemented, if necessary, by stocking hatchery-reared fish. As the three species are potamodromous, subsistence fishing zones will need to be clearly demarcated to prevent fishing in the vulnerable river mouth areas.     

模拟水流扰动对香溪河库湾浮游病毒-宿主动态的影响

【背景】浮游病毒是淡水生态系统的重要组成部分,在调节浮游细菌和藻类群落结构及调控系统物质循环过程中起着重要的作用。水库具有不同于湖泊的水动力过程,产生的扰动可能影响浮游病毒的调控功能。【目的】研究水力扰动对浮游病毒-宿主动态的影响,为阐释水库生境下浮游病毒生态功能提供理论依据。【方法】以香溪河库湾原水为材料,模拟不同流速扰动对病毒-宿主动态的影响;通过病毒丰度、宿主丰度、宿主裂解率、宿主溶源诱导率等参数的变化反映这种动态变化过程,并分析其与环境因子间的关系。【结果】0.05 m/s和0.10 m/s的流速扰动强度对浮游植物和浮游细菌生长有显著促进作用,但扰动对浮游病毒丰度的影响不显著;扰动能促进病毒介导的浮游植物和细菌裂解率上升,而且0.05 m/s扰动强度的促进作用大于0.10 m/s;同时,扰动显著降低了浮游植物溶源诱导率,但引起浮游细菌溶源诱导率的显著上升(P<0.05)。【结论】模拟扰动对浮游病毒-宿主动态过程产生了显著的影响,表明水库浮游病毒维持种群延续的生态策略可能与湖泊浮游病毒存在差异。     

内源微生物驱油及其对油藏微生物活动的影响

【目的】新疆油田六中区为典型水驱普通稠油油藏，水驱效果较差，油藏具有丰富的内源微生物，本研究通过分析内源微生物驱油对油藏微生物活动的影响，确定内源微生物驱油技术在该类油藏的应用潜力。【方法】采用高通量测序及分析化学技术，系统研究实施内源微生物驱油技术后油藏细菌群落结构组成、细菌总数和功能菌群的浓度以及采出液的流体性质，总结内源微生物驱油对油藏微生物活动的影响。【结果】现场试验注入激活剂和空气后，内源微生物被显著激活，细菌群落结构发生明显变化，细菌总数及功能菌群浓度普遍提高了2–3个数量级；各种内源微生物代谢活动显著增强，与地层流体相互作用后，原油明显被乳化，最终石油采收率提高5.2%。【结论】对于内源微生物较为丰富的水驱普通稠油油藏，内源微生物驱油技术对油藏微生物活动的影响显著，具有显著的技术优势和较大的应用潜力，微生物群落结构、功能菌群浓度及其相关代谢产物可以作为评价内源微生物驱油现场激活效果的重要指标，为其他内源微生物驱油现场试验提供技术参考。     

Breeding season habitat associations and population declines of British Hawfinches Coccothraustes coccothraustes

Capsule At both landscape and local scales, breeding persistence in a declining Hawfinch population was greatest where broadleaved woodland cover was high, while at a fine scale, nest sites were associated with openings in the woodland canopy.

Aims To assess which components of habitat are associated with Hawfinch occupancy at landscape (10-km), local (tetrad) and fine (nest) spatial scales, during a period of population decline and range contraction.

Methods Bird Atlas 2008–11 data were used to determine areas of Hawfinch loss and persistence over 20 years. Current habitat was measured and compared to look for correlates that helped explain the differing status at both 10-km and tetrad scales. Fine scale habitat data collected at nest sites were compared with random locations to investigate within-wood nest site selection.

Results At both 10-km and tetrad scales, Hawfinch persistence is more likely where woodland cover is greater. Recent woodland management was less evident in tetrads where the species persisted. At the nest site scale, the only relationship detected was for nests to be close to canopy openings.

Conclusions Maintaining and increasing broadleaved woodland area is likely to benefit Hawfinch. Within woods, maintenance and creation of open areas may enhance nesting opportunities.     

中国部分地区实验猕猴巴尔通体感染状况及其遗传特征

【目的】五日热巴尔通体(Bartonella quintana)由体虱在人群中传播,可引起多种人类疾病包括战壕热。为进一步搜集猕猴是五日热巴尔通体自然宿主的证据,本研究调查了国内4个地区实验用猕猴五日热巴尔通体的感染状况,对菌株遗传特征进行了分析。【方法】采集猕猴全血和血清样品各550份,用于菌株分离、核酸和血清IgG抗体检测。应用6个管家基因扩增及测序方法进行菌株鉴定、系统发育及核苷酸多态性分析;应用随机扩增多态性DNA标记(Random amplified polymorphic DNA,RAPD)技术分析不同宿主来源菌株RAPD指纹图谱差异;应用间接免疫荧光法(Indirect immunofluorescence assay,IFA)检测血清中抗五日热巴尔通体IgG抗体水平。【结果】从550只猕猴中分离到8株五日热巴尔通体菌株,带菌率为1.5%;直接PCR检测550份全血核酸的总感染率为8.2%。普通猕猴血清阳性率为19.0%,感染水平明显高于食蟹猕猴(5.6%)。五日热巴尔通体与汉赛巴尔通体RAPD指纹图谱的带型完全不同,猴源和人源五日热巴尔通体菌株Fuller带型基本一致。不同宿主来源菌株核苷酸多态性分析显示,猴源菌株之间差异小,其与人源菌株差异较大。【结论】中国猕猴五日热巴尔通体感染水平较高,普通猕猴自然感染率及抗体水平明显高于食蟹猕猴,猴源与人源菌株的基因型有明显差异。     

新疆不同栖息地赤麻鸭肠道菌群多样性研究

【目的】探讨天山北麓赤麻鸭肠道细菌多样性及其与栖息地环境之间的关系。【方法】于2017年秋季在天山北麓5个栖息地随机采取新鲜的赤麻鸭粪便,用细菌16S rDNA通用引物扩增V3–V4区并进行高通量测序,使用BLAST、USEARCH和QIIME等软件和在线工具分析各栖息地样品菌群组成与差异。【结果】从赤麻鸭粪便样本中共获得16S rDNA有效序列408 036条,聚类产生1 014个操作分类单元(operational taxonomic unit,OTU)。样品中的细菌分属25个门和397个属。在门分类阶元上,变形菌门和厚壁菌门在所有样品中均为优势菌,相对丰度较高的还包括拟杆菌门、梭杆菌门、放线菌门、蓝藻细菌、螺旋体门、Saccharibacteria和迷踪菌门,但以上细菌在各栖息地样品中的相对丰度存在差异。在属分类阶元上,各栖息地样品的菌群组成差异显著,艾比湖、安集海水库、奎屯水库、蘑菇湖水库和八一水库样品的优势菌分别为鲸杆菌属、巨单胞菌属、假单胞菌属、乳酸菌属和链球菌属。对不同样品菌群组成和差异分析表明,赤麻鸭胃肠道菌群组成受环境和食源的影响较大。【结论】新疆5个栖息地赤麻鸭肠道...     

Enhanced attraction of sand fly vectors of Leishmania infantum to dogs infected with zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis

BackgroundThe sand fly Phlebotomus perniciosus is the main vector of Leishmania infantum, etiological agent of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis in the Western Mediterranean basin. Dogs are the main reservoir host of this disease. The main objective of this study was to determine, under both laboratory and field conditions, if dogs infected with L. infantum, were more attractive to female P. perniciosus than uninfected dogs.Methodology/Principal findingsWe carried out a series of host choice experiments and found that infected dogs were significantly more attractive to P. perniciosus than uninfected dogs in the laboratory as well as in the field. Significantly more P. perniciosus fed on infected dogs than on uninfected dogs. However, the fecundity of P. perniciosus fed on infected dogs was adversely impacted compared to uninfected dogs by lowering the number of laid eggs. Phlebotomus perfiliewi, the second most abundant sand fly species in the field site and a competent vector of L. infantum had similar trends of attractivity as P. perniciosus toward infected dogs under field conditions.ConclusionsThe results strongly suggest that L. infantum causes physiological changes in the reservoir host which lead to the host becoming more attractive to both male and female P. perniciosus. These changes are likely to improve the chance of successful transmission because of increased contact with infected hosts and therefore, infected dogs should be particularly targeted in the control of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis in North Africa.     

Molecular Identification of Hookworm Isolates in Humans,Dogs and Soil in a Tribal Area in Tamil Nadu,India

BackgroundHookworms (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale) remain a major public health problem worldwide. Infections with hookworms (e.g., A. caninum, A. ceylanicum and A. braziliense) are also prevalent in dogs, but the role of dogs as a reservoir for zoonotic hookworm infections in humans needs to be further explored.Conclusions/SignificanceIn our study we regularly detected the presence of A. caninum DNA in the stool of humans. Whether this is the result of infection is currently unknown but it does warrant a closer look at dogs as a potential reservoir.     

Declines of ground-nesting birds in two areas of upland farmland in the south Pennines of England

CapsuleWe present evidence of large declines in numbers of breeding waders and passerines in some upland areas since the 1970s.

Aims Changes in numbers of ground-nesting birds are documented for two areas of the Pennines and are qualitatively related to recent land-use history.

Methods Territory mapping was used to estimate bird numbers on two areas (76 and 99 ha) in the Pennines for which more than 10 consecutive years of data were available from the BTO's Common Birds Census archives.

Results At both sites there were large declines in Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Snipe Gallinago gallinago, Skylark Alauda arvensis, Twite Carduelis flavirostris and Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus. The two sites differed in the timing of the declines but for Twite the trends were almost identical. By the late 1990s, numbers of most ground-nesting birds were far lower than in the 1970s. There was relatively little change in numbers of species breeding at either site.

Conclusions Progressive changes in land-use, involving loss of rough grassland and a switch from dairy to sheep farming, may have contributed to the declines at one of the sites. However, there was no obvious change in land-use or habitat loss at the other site where population declines began 5 to 10 years earlier. Such declines have probably occurred widely in moorland-edge areas during the last 30 years and multiple factors may be responsible.     

Status and population trends of Starling Sturnus vulgaris in Great Britain

Capsule Starling populations have declined markedly since 1964, with the greatest declines in pastoral areas in the south and west of Britain.

Aims To establish the size of the Starling population and its recent decline in different habitats and regions.

Methods We use distance-based transect sampling to establish, for the first time, robust estimates of population size in different habitats and regions. We then analyse long-term trend data from two extensive monitoring schemes using generalized additive models to find correlates of the population decline.

Results The mean national breeding population of Starling over the period 1994–2000 was estimated at about 8.5 million birds, with a 95% confidence interval of 8.1–10.8 million. Most Starlings (36%) occur in southern Britain and densities are greatest in suburban habitats. Populations in both suburban areas and the wider countryside declined by over 50% between 1964 and 2000, being greatest in the south and west of Britain and in areas of livestock farming.

Conclusions Changes in pastoral farming practices are likely to account for at least some of the decline in the wider countryside, probably related to changes in food resources, though these are largely unquantified.     

Altitudinal segregation between Ural Owl Strix uralensis and Tawny Owl S. aluco: evidence for competitive exclusion in raptorial birds

Capsule The Owls were significantly segregated in space with the most important factor being altitude.

Aims To establish if the segregation between Ural and Tawny Owl on the level of habitat selection is due to different habitat requirements of the species or a consequence of competitive exclusion.

Methods Seven variables were recorded for habitat of Ural Owls, Tawny Owls that live in sympatry with Ural Owls and Tawny Owls that live in allopatry with Ural Owls. Data were gathered in five mountain areas covered with similar continuous montane forest inside and outside known Ural Owl distribution in Slovenia. Owl territories were surveyed in 2001 using playback method. Evidence for segregation was searched for using discriminant function analysis.

Results The altitudinal distribution of Tawny Owls sympatric to Ural Owls was restricted to low elevations with Ural Owls at high elevations. Where Ural Owls were absent, Tawny Owls widened the altitudinal part of their ecological niche to the mountaintop.

Conclusion Segregation between Tawny and Ural Owls is due to competitive exclusion, with the less competitive Tawny Owl being out-competed by the superior Ural Owl. The forests at foothills are influenced by human presence and therefore avoided by Ural Owls. In areas where both species live in sympatry, these areas act as refugia for Tawny Owls.     

Botanical Soceity of Edinburgh

Background: Economic activities are substantial factors in alien plant establishment and invasions. Climate also plays an important role in the distribution of alien species.

Aims: We evaluate the relationship between alien species density and both climatic and socio-economic factors at the scale of provinces located in a latitudinal-bioclimatic gradient in Chile.

Methods: We used generalised linear models with backward selection to evaluate the relative importance of each parameter (human population, gross domestic product, length of traffic routes, crop cover, abandoned crop cover, artificial plantations, protected areas, annual rainfall and temperature) on species density. We compared the average species density among climate types.

Results: Alien density was higher for provinces located in the most populated areas with Mediterranean and temperate oceanic climates (south-central Chile) and decreased for less populated provinces in the north and the southernmost parts (desert and sub-Antarctic wetlands). Human population, length of traffic routes and annual rainfall significantly explained the variation in alien species density in Chile.

Conclusions: Although human population still increases, the results can be used especially in high priority conservation areas where traffic routes and human settlements can be objectively reduced or managed, to reduce the potential increase in the number of alien species.     

Staging site fidelity of Greenland White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons flavirostris in Iceland

Capsule Based upon resighting histories of marked individuals, a high level of site loyalty was found for Greenland White-fronted Geese staging in Icelandic stopover areas in spring and autumn.

Aims To determine levels of within- and between-season staging site fidelity, to assess whether offspring adopt the staging areas of their parents and to determine relationships between Icelandic staging areas and winter provenance of individuals.

Methods Sequential resighting histories and recoveries (2658 observations) of 415 different individually marked geese were analysed from the period 1986–99.

Results In spring, > 90% of goslings associated with parents and siblings and all goslings were subsequently seen <4 km from where they were first sighted with parents in spring. Ninety-six percent of all multiple within-spring resightings of 192 marked individuals were within 4 km of each other; three geese moved 88 km from the southern to the western staging areas. Four percent of the 45 marked geese seen in two consecutive springs and none of the 27 birds seen in consecutive autumns moved more than 4 km between years. By contrast, significantly more (12%) moved greater than 4 km in subsequent seasons between spring/autumn (n = 56) and autumn/spring (n = 49). All these individuals shifted to Hvanneyri Agricultural College in autumn, the only declared hunting-free area for Greenland White-fronted Geese. Based upon resighting histories and recoveries of shot birds, Scottish wintering birds were more likely to use southern staging areas, and Wexford (Ireland) wintering birds were generally more likely to be seen staging in the western lowlands in Iceland.

Conclusions Given the apparent cultural reinforcement of patterns of use of staging areas in Iceland, the high levels of site loyalty and the relatively limited exchange between southern and western staging areas, we argue for strategic refuge designation throughout both staging areas to protect the population.     

Habitat preferences for Long-eared Owls Asio otus and Little Owls Athene noctua in semi-arid environments at three spatial scales

Capsule There is a relationship between owl numbers and the availability of the agri-forest patchwork.

Aims To model habitat preferences at three different scales of two predators largely neglected within the framework of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies.

Methods We studied habitat preferences of Long-eared Owls and Little Owls by comparing habitat composition around 28 and 78 occupied territories respectively with 55 non-occupied territories in Alicante (eastern Spain). Generalized linear models were used to examine patterns of habitat preference at three different spatial scales: nest-site, home range and landscape.

Results At the nest-site scale, Long-eared Owls preferred wooded areas with few paved roads while Little Owls preferred arid plantations. Furthermore, the probability of finding an occupied territory increased with the proximity of another occupied territory in the surroundings. The home range scale models mirror the feeding requirements of the owls. Thus, Long-eared Owls occupied areas with high percentages of forest, arid plantations, edges between these two land uses, short distances between nests, with presence of conspecifics and little human disturbance. Little Owls occupied arid plantations with high availability of linear structures and the proximity of villages. At the landscape scale, Long-eared Owls eluded extensive forests, and Little Owls preferred arid plantations.

Conclusions We suggest a hierarchical process of habitat selection for both owls regarding fitting trophic resources at the broadest scales and adequate sites for breeding and roosting at the smallest scale. EIA studies must consider that protecting small areas around single nests may not be an efficient conservation option compared with preserving clusters of territories for both species.