不同Bt棉种植年代棉铃虫种群的波动性不对称

波动性不对称 (Fluctuating asymm etry,FA)是指相对于生物两侧对称发育的一种细微的随机偏离 ,通常用来指示生物在外界环境压力下发育的稳定性程度。 2 0 0 2年在我国北方棉区 1 3个具有 1～ 5 a转 Bt基因棉种植史的市、县采集了棉铃虫上灯蛾 ,测定了各点成虫后足腿节的波动性不对称 (Fluctuating asymmetry,FA)。结果表明 ,1 2个采集地的棉铃虫后足腿节均表现出 FA;相关性分析发现 ,各采集点的 FA值与 Bt棉的种植年代间存在着显著的负相关关系 (r=- 0 .77) ,显示出棉铃虫自然种群对 Bt棉的适应性随着 Bt棉种植时间延长而渐增的趋势。讨论了棉铃虫对 Bt棉的适应以及 FA作为棉铃虫田间种群对 Bt棉早期抗性监测指标的可能性     

转Bt-cry1Ab玉米花粉对异色瓢虫生长发育及体内三种代谢酶活性的影响

用转Bt-cry1Ab基因玉米花粉饲喂异色瓢虫,初步研究了转基因玉米花粉对瓢虫的影响。结果显示,异色瓢虫取食混有适量蚜虫的转Bt-cry1Ab基因玉米花粉时与取食混有适量蚜虫的非转基因亲本玉米花粉时相比,各虫态发育历期没有显著差异;取食转Bt-cry1Ab基因玉米花粉对异色瓢虫的体重增加无明显影响。多数龄期内取食转基因玉米花粉的异色瓢虫体内的α-乙酸萘酯酶活性、乙酰胆碱酯酶活性以及谷光甘肽-S-转移酶活性与对照组相比没有显著差异。用酶联免疫（ELISA）方法在取食转Bt-cry1Ab基因玉米花粉的瓢虫体内未检测到Bt杀虫蛋白。转Bt-cry1Ab玉米花粉对异色瓢虫生长发育没有显著负面影响,初步证明Bt玉米MON810花粉对异色瓢虫是安全的。     

转Cry1Ac/1Ab基因棉花对异色瓢虫生长发育及其捕食功能的影响

【目的】为探究转Cry1Ac/1Ab基因棉花对异色瓢虫生长发育及其捕食功能的影响。【方法】以转Cry1Ac/1Ab基因棉与其亲本常规棉为实验材料,利用取食不同棉花品种叶片的棉铃虫饲喂异色瓢虫幼虫。【结果】与常规亲本棉相比,取食饲喂转基因棉花叶片的初孵棉铃虫幼虫的异色瓢虫幼虫从1龄发育至化蛹期时间延长0.77 d,但差异不显著;除1龄幼虫体重增加(0.0773 mg)外,其余各龄期幼虫体重均有所下降,但差异均不显著;异色瓢虫1、2、3、4龄幼虫对初孵棉铃虫捕食量均随棉铃虫密度的增加而增加,捕食功能反应均符合HollingⅡ圆盘方程。【结论】转Cry1Ac/1Ab基因棉花对异色瓢虫生长发育无显著影响,饲喂取食转Cry1Ac/1Ab基因棉花的棉铃虫对异色瓢虫捕食功能无显著差异。     

转cry1Ab基因玉米对瓢虫科天敌种群动态的影响

【背景】瓢虫科天敌昆虫是玉米田中重要的天敌类群,可捕食多种农业害虫,对害虫有很好的控制作用。为了明确转基因玉米对瓢虫科天敌的潜在效应。【方法】在田间条件下,采用系统调查结合吸虫器方法,研究了cry1Ab基因玉米对玉米田主要瓢虫科天敌种类丰富度和种群动态的影响。【结果】转cry1Ab基因玉米田与其对照田瓢虫类群和优势种群组成相同。春播时Bt玉米田与对照田以龟纹瓢虫为优势种,仅在玉米生长后期Bt玉米田中的龟纹瓢虫数量显著高于对照田,其他时期2种田间龟纹瓢虫的种群动态没有显著差异。夏播玉米田以龟纹瓢虫和异色瓢虫为主,在8月17日Bt玉米田中异色瓢虫数量显著高于对照田,在9月27日其异色瓢虫数量显著低于对照田,而其他时期Bt玉米田和对照田中异色瓢虫优势度以及田间种群动态没有显著差异。【结论与意义】转cry1Ab基因玉米对玉米田重要的瓢虫科天敌丰富度、优势度和种群数量没有不良影响。因此,该转基因玉米可用于农田生态系统的有害生物管理。     

Effect of cotton aphids feeding on transgenic cotton varieties on the behavior of Propylaea japonica

本文以GK12、33B和SGK3213种转基因棉和对应的3种常规棉泗棉3号、33及石远321为材料,通过室内测定,研究了取食转基因棉的棉蚜Aphis gossypii Glover对龟纹瓢虫Propylaea japonica Thunberg1～4龄幼虫功能反应的影响.结果指出,龟纹瓢虫对来自转基因棉田蚜虫的捕食量大多高于常规棉田,且捕食量随猎物密度的增加而增大.在1、2龄幼虫期,龟纹瓢虫取食转双价基因棉田蚜虫的数量多高于取食转单价基因棉田的蚜虫数量,但是在3、4龄幼虫时,龟纹瓢虫取食转双价棉田蚜虫的数量多低于取食转单价棉田的蚜虫数量.龟纹瓢虫对来自转基因棉田棉蚜的捕食功能反应符合HollingⅡ型.龟纹瓢虫1龄幼虫取食GK12和SGK321 2个转基因棉田蚜虫的最大日捕食量大于对照,处理时间短于对照;龟纹瓢虫P.japonica 2、3龄幼虫取食33B和SGK321 2个转基因棉田蚜虫A.gossypii的日最大捕食量大于对照,处理时间短于对照;4龄时取食转基因棉田蚜虫的数量都大于对照,处理时间均短于对照,其中取食转双价基因棉SGK321棉田蚜虫的日最大捕食量小于取食单价棉田蚜虫的日最大捕食量.     

取食不同品种棉花的棉蚜对龟纹瓢虫功能反应的影响

本文以GK12、33B和SGK3213种转基因棉和对应的3种常规棉泗棉3号、33及石远321为材料,通过室内测定,研究了取食转基因棉的棉蚜却h／sgossypiiGlover对龟纹瓢虫Propylaea japonica Thunberg1—4龄幼虫功能反应的影响。结果指出,龟纹瓢虫对来自转基因棉田蚜虫的捕食量大多高于常规棉田,且捕食量随猎物密度的增加而增大。在1、2龄幼虫期,龟纹瓢虫取食转双价基因棉田蚜虫的数量多高于取食转单价基因棉田的蚜虫数量,但是在3、4龄幼虫时,龟纹瓢虫取食转双价棉田蚜虫的数量多低于取食转单价棉田的蚜虫数量。龟纹瓢虫对来自转基因棉田棉蚜的捕食功能反应符合HollingII型。龟纹瓢虫1龄幼虫取食GK12和SGK3212个转基因棉田蚜虫的最大日捕食量大于对照,处理时间短于对照;龟纹瓢虫P．japonica2、3龄幼虫取食33B和SGK3212个转基因棉田蚜虫A．gossypii的日最大捕食量大于对照,处理时间短于对照;4龄时取食转基因棉田蚜虫的数量都大于对照,处理时间均短于对照,其中取食转双价基因棉SGK321棉田蚜虫的日最大捕食量小于取食单伊棉田蚜虫的日最大捕食量。     

使用生命表评价烯啶虫胺对异色瓢虫的影响

为正确评估广谱杀虫剂烯啶虫胺对天敌昆虫异色瓢虫Harmonia axyridis(Pallas)的影响,采取滤纸接触法测定了烯啶虫胺(防治蚜虫田间推荐用量)对异色瓢虫影响,并使用生命表研究了烯啶虫胺对异色瓢虫实验种群的影响,为协调害虫的化学防治与生物防治提供参考。结果表明:该剂量烯啶虫胺对异色瓢虫当代(F0)取食具有显著影响,药剂处理后7d内,成虫取食量显著降低;对F0代成虫寿命及雌虫繁殖能力未见负面影响;烯啶虫胺处理对异色瓢虫初产卵、F1代幼虫及蛹的历期没有显著影响;卵孵化率明显小于对照组,幼虫存活率及蛹羽化率没有显著影响。F0代种群净增值力、周限增长率、内禀增长率与对照相比差异不显著,分别为812.66粒(对照899.73粒)、1.084(对照1.093)、0.081(对照0.089),药剂处理种群加倍时间为8.557d,与对照7.888d相比没有显著延长。这些结果说明,大田中使用烯啶虫胺防治蚜虫时理论上对异色瓢虫种群繁殖及发育没有显著影响,但施药初期会影响异色瓢虫的取食量。     

新疆棉区转Bt基因棉对棉铃虫生物学的影响

棉铃虫Helicoverpaarmigera高龄幼虫取食转Bt基因棉花组织后 ,化蛹率、羽化率、蛹重、体长均有显著下降 ,在转Bt基因棉花上棉铃虫的取食行为也受到较大的影响 ,表现为取食次数明显减少、吐丝下垂次数明显增加 ;无论是转Bt基因棉花还是常规棉花 ,棉铃虫 3龄幼虫主要分布于繁殖器官上 ,在转Bt基因棉花各繁殖器官上的分布概率为 :花 >棉铃 >棉蕾 ,常规棉花上分布概率为 :棉蕾 >棉铃 >花 ;棉铃虫高龄幼虫取食转Bt基因棉花各组织 ,成虫羽化后产卵量、卵孵化率均有明显下降 ;在较低的棉铃虫虫口密度下 ,转Bt基因棉花对棉铃虫有一定的产卵排趋性。     

棉铃虫对转Bt基因棉的抗性筛选及遗传方式的研究

通过室内筛选获得了棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)对转Bt基因棉的抗性种群,并在此基础上进行了抗性遗传方式的研究。试验结果表明：经16代筛选,棉铃虫对转Bt基因棉的抗性倍数上升到43.3倍。筛选过程中,棉铃虫7日龄幼虫的体重和成虫羽化率变化明显,被选为确定筛选剂量的标准。敏感与抗性棉铃虫杂交,正交、反交的显性度都小于0、杂交过程中雌雄性比基本接近1∶1、假设抗性基因为单基因时的χ²值较低,因此,初步认为棉铃虫对转Bt基因棉的抗性是常染色体单基因控制的不完全隐性遗传。     

湖北棉区转Bt基因棉对棉铃虫的控制作用

2000-2001年通过田间系统调查,表明转Bt基因棉（品种为GK19）在湖北江汉平原棉区对棉铃虫抗性稳定。试验设3个处理：转Bt基因棉化防田（使用化学农药控制害虫）、转Bt基因棉自控田（依靠天敌控制害虫）及常规棉对照田（利用综合防治措施控制害虫）。从棉铃虫的第2代到第5代整个发生期内,即使在不进行化学防治的情况下,棉铃虫在Bt棉田的发生量也保持在极低的水平(最高百株虫量为12头)。室内饲养结果表明,转Bt基因棉对棉铃虫的生长发育（幼虫体重、蛹重）有较为明显的影响,使6龄幼虫体重减少25.6%,蛹重减少18.2%。棉铃虫幼虫取食转Bt基因棉组织后,发育迟缓,相对于常规棉喂养的整个发育历期延长17 d,使棉铃虫在田间的危害减少至少一个世代。另外,接虫试验表明,棉铃虫幼虫在常规棉上的取食时间是转Bt基因棉株上的6.1倍,极大地减轻了棉铃虫的危害程度。     

Impact of transgenic cotton plants on a non-target pest, Aphis gossypii Glover

Abstract.  1. Transgenic crops have shown great promise for the control of target pest insects, but in some cases they can also influence non-target species. This study investigated the impact of Bt and Bt+CpTI transgenic cottons on the non-target cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, by comparing life-table parameters, feeding behaviour, and the fluctuating asymmetry of morphological traits of aphids reared on transgenic cotton and those on untransformed control plants.
2. Aphids on the Bt+CpTI cotton showed a shorter reproductive duration and maximum lifespan, lower survival rates and potential maximum fecundity, and an earlier occurrence of peak daily mortality in the first or second generation. However, the aphid population soon developed fitness and overcame the negative effect in the second or third generation. The aphids on the Bt cotton had significantly longer reproductive durations in the first generation, higher survival rates in the third generation, and apparently larger potential maximum fecundity in all three generations.
3. The percentages of accumulated duration of feeding waveforms E1 and E2 were significantly lower in aphids on the Bt+CpTI cotton than in those on the Bt or control cotton, whereas the frequencies of moving and finding feeding sites, and probe behaviour were significantly higher.
4. Fluctuating asymmetry in three morphological characters of aphids reared on transgenic and control cotton was detected. The fluctuating asymmetry value of the third segment of antenna in aphids on Bt+CpTI cotton was significantly higher than that of aphids on Bt or control cotton. Based on the fluctuating asymmetry value, the stress of cotton on the aphids could be ranked as Bt+CpTI cotton > Bt cotton > control cotton.     

不同类型品种棉花上棉蚜适生性及种群动态

通过田间调查、室内网罩盆栽苗测定选择性等方法,考察了常规棉（泗棉3号,石远321）、杂交抗虫棉（辽棉19号,鲁棉研18号）、转单价基因抗虫棉（国抗12号,中棉所32）和转双价抗虫棉（SGK321,中棉所41）4种类型8个品种棉花上棉蚜的适生性及种群动态。结果表明： 棉蚜在各棉花品种上的种群动态有明显差异（P<0.05）,单株蚜量以转单价基因抗虫棉中棉32上最高,常规棉泗棉3号上最低,分别为297.81头/株和76.88头/株。棉蚜对4种类型棉花品种的选择性有明显差异（P<0.05）,其中对转单价基因抗虫棉有很强的选择性。根据棉蚜实验种群的参数判断,其在不同品种棉花上的生长发育、存活及繁殖存在显著差异： 若虫发育历期常规棉石远321上最长（6.46天）,双价棉中棉所41上最短（5.75天）; 存活率转单价基因抗虫棉中棉32上最高（88.21%）,双价棉SGK321上最低（76.46%）; 单雌产蚜量杂交抗虫棉辽棉19上最大（44.48头）,双价棉SGK321上最小（33.51头）; 内禀增长率转单价基因抗虫棉中棉32上最高（0.3695）,双价棉中棉所41上最低（0.3389）。综合评价,棉蚜的生存和繁殖适合性在转单价基因抗虫棉上最高,在双价棉上最低。     

转Bt基因抗虫棉对棉蚜的杀虫剂敏感性及解毒酶系的影响

采用浸叶法,以亲本常规棉作对照,室内测定了吡虫啉和辛硫磷对在转Bt基因棉上取食不同世代棉蚜Aphis gossypii Glover的毒力,并用酶标仪测定了转Bt基因棉对棉蚜酯酶、羧酸酯酶和乙酰胆碱酯酶活力的影响。结果表明,棉蚜对吡虫啉和辛硫磷的敏感性并未受Bt棉的影响,2种杀虫剂对分别取食Bt棉1代和多代（60代以上）的棉蚜与取食亲本常规棉棉蚜的LC₅₀值之间均无显著差异。在抗虫棉GK12上取食1代和21代的棉蚜,其酯酶、羧酸酯酶和乙酰胆碱酯酶的活力与取食亲本常规棉的棉蚜之间差异不显著。可见,转Bt基因棉对棉蚜的杀虫剂敏感性和解毒酶活力无显著影响。     

Tri-trophic interactions between Bt cotton, the herbivore Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae), and the predator Chrysopa pallens (Rambur) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Tri-trophic impacts of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton GK12 and NuCOTN 99B were studied using a predator, the great lacewing Chrysopa pallens (Rambur), and its prey, the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii Glover, in laboratory feeding experiments. The parental nontransgenic cotton cultivar of GK12 was used as control. The predator was fed with uniform (aphids from a single cultivar) or mixed prey (aphids from the three cotton cultivars provided on alternate days). Mortality and development of the immature stages, pupal body mass, adult sex ratio, fecundity, and egg viability of C. pallens were measured. When fed GK12-originated aphid prey, pupal body mass of C. pallens was significantly higher than that of the control, more females emerged, and these females laid significantly more eggs. Other parameters were not impacted. Females emerging from larvae maintained on NuCOTN 99B-originated prey laid fewer eggs than those maintained on GK12. Other measurements did not differ significantly between the two Bt cotton cultivars. Compared with the control, mixed feeding significantly prolonged pupal development time and increased pupal body mass and percentage of females but did not affect other parameters. These results indicate that C. pallens is sensitive to aphid prey from different cotton cultivars. Transgenic Bt cotton GK12-originated aphid prey has no adverse impact on survival, development, and fecundity of C. pallens. Between the two Bt cotton cultivars, NuCOTN 99B-originated aphid prey provided to C. pallens in the larval stage may lower female fecundity. Mixed feeding of C. pallens with the two Bt cotton-originated prey and non-Bt prey may have some adverse impacts on pupal development.     

Within-plant distribution of cotton aphids, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), in Bt and non-Bt cotton fields

Knowledge of the vertical and horizontal distribution of Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on genetically modified cotton plants over time could help optimize decision-making in integrated cotton aphid management programs. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the vertical and horizontal distribution of A. gossypii in non-transgenic Bt cotton and transgenic Bt-cotton over time during two cotton seasons by examining plants throughout the seasons. There was no significant interaction between years and cotton cultivar treatments for apterous or alate aphids. Considering year-to-year data, analyses on season-long averages of apterous or alate aphids showed that aphid densities per plant did not differ among years. The number of apterous aphids found per plant for the Bt transgenic cultivar (2427 apterous aphids per plant) was lower than for its isoline (3335 apterous aphids per plant). The number of alate aphids found per plant on the Bt transgenic cultivar (12.28 alate aphids per plant) was lower than for the isoline (140.56 alate aphids per plant). With regard to the vertical distribution of apterous aphids or alate aphids, there were interactions between cotton cultivar, plant age and plant region. We conclude that in comparison to non-Bt cotton (DP 4049), Bt cotton (DP 404 BG (Bollgard)) has significant effects on the vertical, horizontal, spatial and temporal distribution patterns of A. gossypii, showing changes in its distribution behaviour inside the plant as the cotton crop develops. The results of our study are relevant for understanding the vertical and horizontal distribution of A. gossypii on Bt cotton cultivar (DP 404 BG (Bollgard)) and on its isoline (DP 4049), and could be useful in decision-making, implementing controls and determining the timing of population peaks of this insect.     

Albino corpus cardiacum extracts induce morphometric gregarization in isolated albino locusts, Locusta migratoria, that are deficient in corazonin

Abstract.  The neuropeptide [His⁷]-corazonin, present in the central nervous system and corpus cardiacum, is known to mimic a 'gregarizing' effect on phase-related morphometric ratios (hind femur length/maximum head width and fore wing length/hind femur length) when injected into locusts reared in isolation. However, an albino strain is known to exhibit phase-specific changes in these ratios in response to rearing density, although it is deficient in [His⁷]-corazonin. To examine whether there is a second factor responsible for this phenomenon, perhaps a corazonin-like factor that has lost its dark-colour inducing activity, methanol extracts of corpora cardiaca taken from crowd-reared albino nymphs of Locusta migratoria are injected into isolated-reared second-stadium albino nymphs and reared to adults in isolation. The hind femur length/maximum head width and fore wing length/hind femur length ratios are significantly different from those of control oil-injected counterparts, and shift significantly towards the values typical for crowd-reared gregarized individuals. The results indicate that the corpora cardiaca contain a factor similar to [His⁷]-corazonin, although it has no dark-colour inducing activity.     

Leaf surface factors of transgenic Bt cotton associated with the feeding behaviors of cotton aphids: A case study on non-target effects

The present paper reports case study results of the risk assessment of transgenic Bt cotton on a non-target pest, cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii. Several types of techniques, i.e., electrical penetration graph (EPG), light and electron microscopy, bioassays and chemical analysis, were applied to investigate physical and chemical leaf factors of 2 transgenic Bt cotton lines (GK12 and GK19) and their pa-rental non-Bt cotton line (Simian3) associated with searching and feeding behaviors of cotton aphids on leaves or leaf extracts of cotton plants. EPG results showed that there were some differences among behaviors of cotton aphids on 2 Bt cotton and 1 non-Bt cotton lines. Cotton aphids performed similarly to leaf surface extracts from 3 cotton lines; and leaf surface chemicals, mainly volatiles and waxes, were almost identical in the components and concentrations among the cotton lines. However, three cotton lines were quite different from each other in the densities of certain kinds of covering trichomes. Therefore, the relationships between the physical characteristics and the searching behaviors of cotton aphids on the three cotton lines were constructed as the regression equations. Glandular trichomes and covering trichomes with 5 branches influenced the cotton aphids' searching behaviors effectively; and other trichomes with other branches affected aphids in varying ways. These results demonstrated that leaf surface physical factors of transgenic Bt cotton lines different from their parental non-Bt line could affect the penetration behaviors of non-target cotton aphids. Cotton aphids penetrate and feed more easily on two Bt cotton lines than on the non-Bt cotton line.     

Stylet penetration behaviors of the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii on transgenic Bt cotton

Stylet penetration behaviors of cotton aphids Aphis gossypii Glover on a transgenic cotton line "GK-12" expressing Bt toxic protein of Cry1A (Bt cotton) and a non-Bt conventional cotton line "Simian-3" (CK cotton) were recorded with the direct current electrical penetration graph (DC-EPG) technique. Cotton aphids reared on Bt cotton (abbreviated as Bt-aphids) and its parental non-Bt control line (CK-aphids) for more than 20 generations each, were used for recordings on two cotton lines. Among 47 selected parameters reflecting the activities of aphid stylets within plant tissues, there were eight parameters of CK-aphids showing significant differences between the performances of CK-aphids on Bt cotton and CK cotton, while for Bt-aphids, all the parameters were statistically equal between the performances on the two cotton lines. All parameters with significant differences indicated that CK-aphids could penetrate into Bt cotton more easily, but the phloem saps of Bt cotton were not as good as those of regular cotton for CK-aphids. Based on the present results, we concluded that there were some factors in Bt cotton affecting penetration behaviors of CK-aphids, but it just took several generations for CK-aphids to completely adapt Bt cotton, and Bt-aphids could feed on two cotton lines without difficulty.     

Reproductive biology of two nontarget insect species, Aphis gossypii (Homoptera: Aphididae) and Orius sauteri (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), on Bt and non-Bt cotton cultivars

Transgenic Bt cotton, engineered to continuously produce activated delta-endotoxins of the soil bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis, holds great promise in controlling Helicoverpa armigera and other lepidopteran pests. However, it also may impact the invertebrate community, which needs to be clarified. The effects of Bt cotton on two nontarget insects, Aphis gossypii and Orius sauteri, were assessed under semifield and laboratory conditions. Mean total duration of nymphal stages of A. gossypii was shorter (5.9 versus 6.3 d), and rm was higher (0.418 versus 0.394) on conventional Simian 3 (the most frequently planted non-Bt cotton in northern China) than on Bt transgenic NuCOTN 33B (the first Bt cotton commercially planted in China). Mean duration of fourth-instar O. sauteri was significantly longer on transgenic GK-12 (3.7 d) than on NuCOTN 33B (3.2 d), but no different from Simian 3. Mean total mortality was significantly lower on Simian 3 (3.7%) than on GK-12 (14.8%). During the fourth instar, the predator consumed a significantly higher number of prey on Simian 3 (202.3 prey) than on NuCOTN 33B (159.0), whereas the mean total number of A. gossypii prey consumed during the nymphal stage was significantly higher on Simian 3 (336.8 prey) and GK-12 (330.3 prey) than on NuCOTN 33B (275.7). No detrimental effects were detected on development (nymphs, adults, and progeny eggs), fecundity, longevity, and egg viability of O. sauteri on Bt cotton aphids compared with non-Bt cotton aphids. These results suggest that Bt cotton cultivars GK-12 and NuCOTN 33B have no direct effect on nontargets A. gossypii and O. sauteri. Germplasm divergence may account for the negative effects observed on A. gossypii and O. sauteri when reared on NuCOTN 33B or NuCOTN 33B-fed aphids. The biological meanings of the small difference observed between GK-12 and Simian 3 on survival of O. sauteri will require close monitoring over longer time periods.