A euryhaline fish,lost in the desert: The unexpected metapopulation structure of Coptodon guineensis (Günther, 1862) in the Sebkha of Imlili

Euryhaline Cichlid fish of the species Coptodon guineensis are present in different water holes situated in a dried depression in the desert in the extreme South of Morocco, the Sebkha of Imlili. A genetic survey of this population, using complete sequences of the ND2 gene (mtDNA) and sixteen microsatellite loci, revealed that the fish in the sebkha did not form a single population, but rather a metapopulation. This metapopulational structure may be regarded as good news from the point of view of the conservation of fish in the sebkha. Although small individual populations may have short, finite life spans, the metapopulation as a whole is more stable, because immigrants from one population are likely to re-colonize the habitat, left open by the extinction of another.     

中国的濒危物种及其保护

重点分析了濒危物种的概念，确定原则，阐述了物种保护的三种基因类型，即自养保护、圈养保护和基因保护。简要介绍了国家自然科学基金资助的与物种保护有关的项目。初步探讨限各种不同保护类型中存在的重要科学问题、可能研究领域和方向，以促进我国物种保护和研究的发展。     

中国草原生态功能评价指标体系

草原生态系统是我国陆地上最重要的生态系统类型之一,其生态功能价值是巨大的.对草原生态功能指标体系评价的意义、指标筛选原则和方法等进行了总结,并在现行草原生态功能评估方法研究的基础上,进行了方法研究的新探索-将频度分析法、专家咨询法、层次分析法 (AHP)3种方法有机结合共同运用到评估工作中去,从而提出了一套较为科学的、公平的和可操作的评价指标体系.这一体系由8项元素组成,按权重由大到小依次为水土保持、涵养水源、固碳吐氧、维持生物多样性、净化空气、生态旅游、废弃物处理、营养物质循环.     

非损伤性取样法在保护遗传学研究中的应用

通过对非损伤怀取样法的种类以及毛发的非损伤性取样分析方法、口腔脱落细胞的非损伤性取样分析方法、馆藏标本的非损伤性取样分析方法、粪便的非损伤性取样分析方法和其它样品的非损伤性取样分析方法的介绍,就非损伤取样法在保护遗传学中的应用及其优点、局限性和应用前景作了介绍、分析和讨论。     

上海濒危植物现状及保护对策

通过实地网格化调查、标本查阅及历史资料搜集对上海濒危植物现状及保护对策进行了研究,结果表明:上海共有国家重点保护和濒危野生植物23科27属28种,建议上海重点保护的野生植物有54科82属101种。上海原生植物减少、外来植物增多、生物多样性降低等是上海一些原生植物变为濒危的主要原因。今后应建立上海濒危植物保护体系,重点保护上海的植物多样性中心,并尽快立法公布上海地方重点保护野生植物名录;加强植物多样性保护宣传,保护上海的野生植物资源并防范外来植物入侵。     

Population genetic study of the U.S. federally listed Illinois cave amphipod, Gammarus acherondytes

Worldwide, conservation personnel must balance the needs of endangered species and humans. Studies that provide information of a species’ genetic structure can identify conservation units and help prioritize populations. We used a region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene to examine the population genetics of the U.S. federally listed Illinois cave amphipod, Gammarus acherondytes. Eleven unique haplotypes were identified from nine populations in two hydrologically separate subregions, each of which contained genetically distinct populations. This conclusion is based on (i) subregions form clades in the interspecific phylogeographic analyses; (ii) the between-subregions component in the Analysis of Molecular Variance accounted for a significant fraction (81.45%) of the genetic variation; and (iii) no haplotypes were shared between subregions. These results coincide with the known distribution of G. acherondytes and regional hydrology. We recommend future recovery efforts avoid mixing individuals between subregions to prevent the breakdown of local adaptive gene complexes.     

Molecular evidence on the species status and phylogenetic relationships of Spiranthes parksii, an endangered orchid from Texas

New genetic information on the taxonomic status of an endangered species may have strong implications for its continued protection and that of other listed taxa with questionable species status. While analyzing a more comprehensive project on the molecular phylogeny of North American Spiranthes (Orchidaceae), lack of genetic differentiation between endangered S. parksii, endemic only to Texas, and a common local congener, S. cernua, was discovered. To confirm these results in a comparative context, we focused parsimony analyses on a subset of data from local Spiranthes and the same congeners found elsewhere, expanded by additional local samples of the two focal species. Four DNA sequence segments (two chloroplast, one mitochondrial, one nuclear ribosomal) totaling 3191 base pairs were used separately and together to verify that S. parksii is nested within the same clade as S. cernua, and thus likely to be the same species. Our results concur with another recent investigation using AFLP and microsatellite data that also suggests S. parksii is not unique genetically. Therefore, based on empirical data and the phylogenetic species concept, endangered S. parksii is merely an aberrant local phenotype of and a synonym for S. cernua sensu lato. Our results should be considered during the current review of this orchid’s listing status, despite some recent policy changes on consideration of genetic data after listing.     

分子粪便学及其应用——可靠性、局限性和展望

由于珍稀濒危动物的各种生存状况相当脆弱,已不允许进行破坏性的取样活动,因而长期以来,对这些动物的遗传结构及遗传多样性现状的研究一直都很薄弱。而近年来以分子粪便学为基础的粪便取样分析方法,在很大程度上解决了这一问题。传统的粪便分析方法与分子生物学技术相结合,在不干扰野生动物正常活动的情况下,可对这物种进行物种识别、性别确定、数量调查、遗传多样性、行为生态学、系统地理学、食性及疾病、巢域及分布区范围等多方面的深入研究。虽然分子粪便学由于粪便样品质量问题而具有一定的局限,从而导致其研究结果曾受到怀疑,但是该方法在近10年的发展应用中,其局限性已逐渐被克服而目趋完善,研究结果也得到了国际上的认同。因此,今后该研究方法在珍稀濒危动物行为生态学和保护生物学等研究领导中将具有很大的发展潜力,越来越多的有关珍稀濒危动物保护遗传学的研究将采用该方法进行。     

Implementing artificial insemination as an effective tool for ex situ conservation of endangered avian species

Approximately 503 of the known species of birds are classified as ‘endangered’ or ‘critical’. Captive propagation programs have proven useful in maintaining genetic diversity and restoring wild populations of certain species, including the Peregrine falcon, California condor and Whooping crane. Artificial insemination (AI) has the potential of solving problems inherent to reproductive management of small, closed populations of endangered birds, including dealing with demographic instability, physical and behavioral disabilities, sexual incompatibility, lack of synchrony, and need to maintain gene diversity. In this review, we address the necessary methods and factors that allow AI to be applied effectively to manage rare bird populations. It is clear that semen availability and quality are the greatest limiting factors to implementing consistently successful AI for birds. Behavioral sensitivity to animal handling and the ability to minimize stress in individual birds also are keys to success. Multiple, deep vaginal inseminations can improve fertility, particularly when semen quality is marginal. Laparoscopic methods of semen transfer also have produced fertile eggs. All of these practices leading to successful AI remain dependent on having adequate basic knowledge on female reproductive status, copulatory behavior, endocrine profiles and duration of fertility, especially as related to oviposition. The overall greatest challenge and highest priority is defining these normative traits, which are highly species-specific.     

Characterization of male reproductive anatomy of the endangered Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx)

Reproductive tracts of four male Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) from Shaumari Nature Reserve in Jordan were examined to characterize their reproductive anatomy. Animals were allocated into two groups based on their age: Group 1 (n = 2, males were 12 and 14 mo old) and Group 2 (n = 2, males were 7 and 9 yrs old). Observations regarding the morphology, position and orientation of different reproductive organs were made. The external and internal genital organs of male oryx were similar to other domestic ruminant species with minor differences.     

A new method for calculating Risk Tolerance in the assessment of threatened flora

This paper reports on a proposed method for evaluating threat categories for regional flora, based mainly on phytogeographical data. The method involves the creation of current distribution maps, analysis of threat factors and use of the RAMAS Red List software to facilitate rapid and objective classification of taxa in accordance with 2001 IUCN criteria. In order to ensure a more objective approach by the assessor and reduce the range of uncertainty, an index was created for calculating Risk Tolerance (RT) that enabled adjustment of the results obtained and thus supplemented the software used. For trial purposes, the proposed model was applied to Spanish gypsophilous flora currently protected under Spanish regional legislation. When classified using the new model, the taxa in question were placed in very different categories, ranging from least concern (LC) to endangered (EN), indicating the need to redefine both their current legal status and recommended management measures. Use of this method will enable scientists to optimise available information on the geographical distribution of endangered taxa, and help governments both to optimise their financial investment in conservation and to define their priorities. The authors endorse the use of IUCN categories in legal protection texts, and advocate as essential a greater degree of coordination between scientists and governments.     

Population Dynamics, Resource Use, and Conservation Needs of the Delhi Sands Flower-loving Fly (Rhaphiomidas Terminatus Abdominalis Cazier) (Diptera: Mydidae), an Endangered Species

The Delhi Sands Flower-loving Fly (Rhaphiomidas terminatus abdominalis Cazier), the only Dipteran listed as endangered in the United States, is a large, nectar-feeding pollinator fly, found only in remnants of a sand dune ecosystem in southern California. A five-year observational study was conducted in a 3.7ha preserve. Legal and biological constraints limit accuracy of population data because marking individuals was not possible. The population on the preserve appeared to be stable over the period of observation. Little variation in number of flies observed from year to year was found. Spatial distribution of fly observations differed for each fly generation, but reasons for this are not clear. Distribution of male and female flies differed from each other most of the time. Understanding aspects of the fly's ecology and behavior and the ecosystem dynamics is necessary to effectively plan for conservation and recovery of the species. Preserves must provide all of the elements needed for continued survival of the species through maintenance of its dynamic habitat.     

永瓣藤濒危因素探讨

水瓣藤（MonimopetalumchinenseRehd．）是卫矛科（Celastraceae）的一个单种属植物,被列为国家二级珍稀濒危保护树种。永瓣藤濒危的因素主要是：（1）种子萌发障碍;（2）传粉受精不良,胚珠通常败育,结实率偏低;（3）种子成熟后胚因休眠或失水而失活;（4）人类活动对自然生态环境的严重干扰和破坏。本文提出了消除威胁生物多样性的社会因素、加强亚热带阔叶林生态系统的保护、重视自然保护区以外的就地保护工作、深入研究迁地保护的有效方法等保护策略。     

Comparison of visual survey and seining methods for estimating abundance of an endangered,benthic stream fish

We compared visual survey and seining methods for estimating abundance of endangered Okaloosa darters, Etheostoma okaloosae, in 12 replicate stream reaches during August 2001. For each 20-m stream reach, two divers systematically located and marked the position of darters and then a second crew of three to five people came through with a small-mesh seine and exhaustively sampled the same area. Visual surveys required little extra time to complete. Visual counts (24.2 ± 12.0; mean ± one SD) considerably exceeded seine captures (7.4 ± 4.8), and counts from the two methods were uncorrelated. Visual surveys, but not seines, detected the presence of Okaloosa darters at one site with low population densities. In 2003, we performed a depletion removal study in 10 replicate stream reaches to assess the accuracy of the visual survey method. Visual surveys detected 59% of Okaloosa darters present, and visual counts and removal estimates were positively correlated. Taken together, our comparisons indicate that visual surveys more accurately and precisely estimate abundance of Okaloosa darters than seining and more reliably detect presence at low population densities. We recommend evaluation of visual survey methods when designing programs to monitor abundance of benthic fishes in clear streams, especially for threatened and endangered species that may be sensitive to handling and habitat disturbance.     

In-situ Protection Management and Conservation Study of Some Medicinal Plants

1　IntroductionManyplantwereusedin pharmaceuticalindustrieswhilesomearestillusedinfolkmedicinesindifferenttraditionalways .However ,duetomodernizationthetraditionaluseofherbalmedicineshasdecreased .Furthermore ,theunsustainableexploitation ,deforestation …     

Genetic assessment of population restorations of the critically endangered Silene hifacensis in the Iberian Peninsula

In order to preserve endangered plant populations and recover their evolutionary potential and ecological behavior, some restoration measures generally involve the reinforcement of the population size in existing natural populations or the reintroduction of new populations. Genetic monitoring of both natural and restored populations can provide an assessment of restoration protocol success in establishing populations that maintain levels of genetic diversity similar to those in natural populations. The highly threatened Spanish species Silene hifacensis (Caryophyllaceae) has only three natural reduced mainland populations in the Iberian Peninsula, following decline and extinction that occurred during the late 20th century. Preterit restoration strategies were essentially based on the implantation of new populations and reinforcement of certain existing populations using transplants mostly cultivated in greenhouses. In the present contribution, levels and patterns of genetic variability within natural and restored populations of Silene hifacensis were assessed using the molecular technique AFLP. Our results pointed out significant genetic diversity differences across the three existing natural populations though their population fragmentation and progressive loss of individuals have not had an impact on the global genetic diversity of this species. For restored populations, their levels of genetic diversity were similar and even higher than in natural populations. As a result, the past restoration protocols were successful in capturing similar and even higher levels of genetic diversity than those observed within natural pools. However, inbreeding processes have been detected for two restored populations. Finally, the main source of plant material for the long-time restored transplants appears to be the natural population of Cova de les Cendres. This study demonstrates, once again, how genetic markers are useful tools to be taken in consideration for endangered plant species conservation plans.