Yellowing,morphology and behaviour in sexually mature gynandromorphs of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria

The morphology, colouration and sexual behaviour of two gynandromorph adults of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria Forskål are described. In each of these specimens, the left half of the external genitalia has male characteristics and the right half has female characteristics. Yellowing of the epidermis occurs to different degrees in normal sexually mature male and female adult S. gregaria under crowded conditions. Two hypotheses are known to explain this phenomenon. One suggests involvement of a sex‐hormone/receptor complex, whereas the other proposes different sensitivities of the epidermis to the same hormonal environment. To examine which hypothesis is more likely, one gynandromorph adult is kept under crowded conditions and the other is maintained under isolated conditions. In the former, the left half of the body turns bright yellow, as in a sexually mature crowded male, and the right half is brownish with little yellowing, as in a sexually mature crowded female of the same age. The bilaterally divided body colouration may support the second hypothesis. In the second gynandromorph, which is isolated after adult emergence, the body colour remains brownish. Upon sexual maturity, this individual is kept together with normal male or female adults for behavioural observations. It attempts to mount a female but is approached and mounted by males.     

Genetic and hormonal control of melanization in reddish–brown and albino mutants in the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria

The genetic and hormonal control of body colouration is investigated using two recessive genetic mutant strains, the reddish–brown (RB) mutant and an albino mutant, as well as a normal (pigmented) strain of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria. The colour patterns of the RB nymphs are similar to those of a normal strain, although the intensity of the melanization is weaker in the former. Reciprocal crosses between the RB and albino mutants produce only normal phenotypes in the F₁ generation. In the F₂ generation, the normal, RB and albino phenotypes appear in a ratio of 9 : 3 : 4, indicating that two Mendelian units might determine the appearance of dark body colour and the intensity of melanization, respectively. In other words, at least two steps of regulation might be involved in the expression of body colour. Injections of [His⁷]‐corazonin, a neuropeptide inducing dark colour in this locust, fail to induce dark colour in albino nymphs but show a dose‐dependent darkening in RB nymphs in the range, 10 pmol to 1 nmol. Some RB nymphs become indistinguishable from normal individuals after injection of the peptide. Implantation of corpora cardiaca (CC) taken from RB mutants into other RB individuals induces darkening in the latter and CC from RB, albino and normal strains have similar dark colour‐inducing activity when implanted into albino Locusta migratoria. These results suggest the possibility that the RB mutant gene regulates the intensity of melanization, possibly through controlling the pathway of pigment biosynthesis associated with [His⁷]‐corazonin.     

Semi‐field evaluation of the effects of sub‐lethal doses of pesticides,with and without adult Schistocerca gregaria pheromone,on hoppers

Previously, we reported a chain of effects induced by phenylacetonitrile, the gregarious‐phase adult cohesion pheromone of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål) (Orthoptera: Acrididae), on conspecific hoppers. Specifically, the nymphs became hyperactive and displayed high levels of intraspecific predation, as surviving individuals gradually shifted to the solitary phase. The findings suggested that the pheromone could induce a significant level of mortality of the nymphs and predispose them to greater sensitivity to lower doses of insecticides. In this study, we compared the effects of the pheromone and various doses of three pesticides (fipronil, malathion, and carbosulfan) to pheromone‐exposed and unexposed crowd‐reared hoppers in semi‐field enclosures. The pheromone on its own displayed a high level of cumulative mortality of the nymphs (89%). Although combinations with fractional pesticide doses gave control efficiencies that were, in most cases, higher than with individual pesticides, pheromonal and pesticidal effects were only partially complementary, probably because of the feeding‐deterrent effects of the pesticides and the resulting reduction in cannibalism. However, our results demonstrate the possibility of significantly reducing the levels of pesticides used in hopper control and, thus, their negative environmental effects.     

3‐D visualisation,printing, and volume determination of the tracheal respiratory system in the adult desert locust,Schistocerca gregaria

Here, we describe a single micro‐CT scan with a spatial resolution of 10 μm of a 10‐day‐old adult male Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) and we compare our tracheal volume (V_T) determination with published work on the subject. We also illustrate the feasibility of performing non‐invasive ‘virtual dissection’ on insects after performing micro‐CT. These post‐processing steps can be performed using free downloadable 3‐D software. Finally, the values of producing stereo‐lithography (STL) files that can be viewed or used to print out 3‐D models as teaching aids are discussed.     

Body‐color and behavioral responses by the mid‐instar nymphs of the desert locust,Schistocerca gregaria (Orthoptera: Acrididae) to crowding and visual stimuli

The effects of crowding and isolation on body color and behavior were observed for the mid‐instar nymphs of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria. Some of the solitarious (isolation‐reared) nymphs that were crowded for 1 or 4 h during the third instar developed black patterns at the fourth instar, but most individuals remained unaffected. Black patterns appeared in all individuals that were crowded for 1 day or longer, but even after 4 days of crowding the black patterning for some individuals was not as intense as that for the gregarious (crowd‐reared) controls. Isolation of gregarious nymphs caused the black patterns to recede or disappear at the last (fifth) nymphal instar, but it was necessary to isolate the nymphs from the beginning of the first instar to obtain body coloration looking like solitarious nymphs in most individuals. Solitarious nymphs that were allowed to see gregarious nymphs developed different intensities of black patterns depending on the body size and number of nymphs shown. The behavioral phase shift from one phase to another was observed when the nymphs were crowded or isolated for 2 days or longer, as previously reported for the last nymphal instars of the same strain. Behavioral gregarization was induced for isolated nymphs that were allowed to see a group of nymphs through a transparent double wall. These results suggested that body‐color phase shift occurred more rapidly for mid‐instar nymphs than for late instar nymphs but the rate of behavioral phase shift was similar for the two instars.     

Fine‐scale spatial distribution of murundus structures in the semi‐arid region of Brazil

Murundus are earth mounds widespread in most landscapes in the semi‐arid region of Brazil. Evidence obtained from predictive modelling has suggested a termite origin for these structures, opening up new opportunities for further research. Distribution of densely packed murundus at larger spatial scales is most related to climatic regime and soil nutrient availability. However, factors and processes underlying their distribution and density at smaller spatial scales are not yet fully understood. In this study, we adopted an approach based on mapping point data using high‐resolution satellite imagery, multi‐scale second‐order analysis and general linear models to examine the fine‐scale spatial distribution and density of murundus. Our results suggest that the distribution of those structures within densely packed areas is regulated by more than one process acting or interacting across multiple spatial scales. All densely packed murundus showed a significant regular distribution at the distance scale of up to 50 m radially and a completely random distribution across all other upper distance scales. We interpret the regular pattern as a result of competition for foraging territories between different termite colonies during the process formation of densely packed murundus. The random pattern at larger distance scales (above 50 m radially) can be attributed to habitat selection preferences by termite species builders of murundus mediated by local environmental resources and conditions (i.e. availability of food resources and nesting and open habitat), which would be randomly distributed in space. Thus, at finer spatial scales murundus distributions are associated with biotic interactions acting on an abiotic template. On the basis of significant linear correlations, we suggest that the density of murundus is strongly related to local temperature regime with soil‐type influencing its effect on the murundus densities. Our findings provide novel evidences that mound‐building termites are involved in the formation of murundus in the semi‐arid region of Brazil.     

扩展点格局分析方法在灌木种群空间分布格局研究中的应用

当研究对象个体差异很大或者研究尺度与植物大小属于一个数量级时,传统的以种群空间分布的坐标点图为基础的点格局分析方法存在局限性.本文引入一种在传统点格局分析方法基础上发展起来的以栅格数据为分析对象的新方法——扩展点格局分析方法,用以分析具有一定面积和形状对象的空间格局和生态过程,该方法适用于灌木研究对象.以狭域特有种四合木(Tetraena mongolica)种群的空间分布格局分析为例,采用摄影定位法,用图像处理软件及地理信息系统软件将样地信息数字化后,利用扩展点格局分析方法分析了群落中四合木单种的空间分布格局及其与群落中霸王(Zygophyllum xanthoxylum)种群的关系,四合木种群在69～ 99 cm尺度上表现为均匀分布,四合木与霸王在350 ～570cm尺度上表现出显著的负关联关系.结果揭示了灌木种群的空间结构特征.     

Relationships between food quality and fitness in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, and its distribution over habitats on the Red Sea coastal plain of Sudan

The effect of millet, Pennisetum typhoideum Rich. (Poaceae), leaf nitrogen content on fitness parameters of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria Forsk. (Orthoptera: Acrididae), was studied under laboratory conditions. Locusts reared on high‐nitrogen leaves were larger, developed faster, had higher survival, reproduced more and earlier, and showed greater synchronization than those fed on low‐nitrogen leaves. Active and passive cannibalism contributed to mortality when locusts were reared on low‐nitrogen leaves, but not when reared on high‐nitrogen leaves. Elevated leaf nitrogen content of host plants increased net reproduction and intrinsic rate of increase, and lowered generation time. The findings show that nitrogen content of host plants affects the potential for population increase in the desert locust. Leaf samples of common plant species were collected in the Heliotropium arbainense (Fresen.) (Boraginaceae) and Panicum turgidum (Forssk.) (Poaceae) plant communities on the Red Sea coastal plain of Sudan during the winters of 1999 and 2000. The levels of leaf nitrogen in host plants were comparable to those in the laboratory studies and consistently higher in plant samples from the Heliotropium community than in samples from the Panicum community. Both in 1999 and 2000, locust densities were much higher in the Heliotropium than in the Panicum plant community. It should be assessed whether the desert locust would be attracted to sites where host plants have high leaf nitrogen content, as this would not only increase their fitness, but also the likelihood of gregarization and outbreaks.     

水杉原生种群结构及空间分布格局

水杉(Metasequoia glyptostroboides)是我国特有濒危极小种群物种, 其种群的状态一直被国内外学者广泛关注。分析现存水杉原生种群结构和空间分布格局及其空间关联性, 可以从空间格局角度深入认识水杉原生种群结构和分布格局及可能的形成机理。本文基于湖北利川境内水杉原生种群的野外调查数据, 分析其径级和高度级结构, 同时运用点格局分析中的成对相关函数g(r)以及3个零模型(完全空间随机模型、异质泊松模型、先决条件模型)分析水杉原生种群空间分布格局、各龄级空间分布格局及空间关联性。结果表明: (1)分布于研究区域内的水杉原生种群个体数共5,663株, 已死亡33株, 现存活5,630株, 其中40株濒临死亡, 465株处于衰弱状态, 部分个体呈现不同的形态特征和生长状况, 断梢和蚁害最为常见, 雷击是最致命的危害。(2)水杉原生种群结构分析显示, 其径级结构和高度级结构均呈纺锤型, 自然更新不良。(3)基于完全空间随机模型, 水杉原生种群在各尺度下均呈现聚集分布, 中龄树在较小尺度(r < 3,300 m)上呈现聚集分布, 成年树和老龄树在较大尺度(r < 4,700 m)上呈现聚集分布; 排除生境异质性影响后, 聚集尺度均减小, 所以种群及不同龄级的聚集尺度分别为0-3,000 m、0-2,100 m、0-2,900 m和0-2,500 m, 随后呈现为微弱的随机分布和均匀分布。(4)基于完全空间随机模型, 3个龄级之间在所有尺度均为正关联; 在排除生境异质性影响后, 不同龄级的正关联尺度减小, 均在0-2,800 m呈正关联。综上, 水杉原生种群个体数量正呈现逐步减少的趋势, 种群主要呈聚集分布, 各个龄级间具有正向的关系, 从现有的空间格局来看, 生境异质性、扩散限制和种内竞争是导致该格局的主要原因。     

Hidden founder effects: small‐scale spatial genetic structure in recently established populations of the grassland specialist plant Anthyllis vulneraria

The long‐term establishment success of founder plant populations has been commonly assessed based on the measures of population genetic diversity and among population genetic differentiation, with founder populations expected to carry sufficient genetic diversity when population establishment is the result of many colonists from multiple source populations (the ‘migrant pool’ colonization model). Theory, however, predicts that, after initial colonization, rapid population expansion may result in a fast increase in the extent of spatial genetic structure (SGS), independent of extant genetic diversity. This SGS can reduce long‐term population viability by increasing inbreeding. Using 12 microsatellite markers, we inferred colonization patterns in four recent populations of the grassland specialist plant Anthyllis vulneraria and compared the extent of SGS between recently established and old populations. Assignment analyses of the individuals of recent population based on the genetic composition of nine adjacent putative source populations suggested the occurrence of the ‘migrant pool’ colonization model, further confirmed by high genetic diversity within and low genetic differentiation among recent populations. Population establishment, however, resulted in the build‐up of strong SGS, most likely as a result of spatially restricted recruitment of the progeny of initial colonists. Although reduced, significant SGS was nonetheless observed to persist in old populations. The presence of SGS was in all populations associated with elevated inbreeding coefficients, potentially affecting the long‐term viability of these populations. In conclusion, this study illustrates the importance of studying SGS next to population genetic diversity and differentiation to adequately infer colonization patterns and long‐term establishment success of plant species.     

基于零模型的宁夏荒漠草原优势种群点格局分析

植物种群空间分布格局是多种生态过程综合作用的结果。明确植物优势种群个体的空间分布格局与形成机制有助于认识种群生态适应对策与群落多样性维持机制。以宁夏荒漠草原优势种群蒙古冰草、短花针茅、牛枝子和牛心朴子为研究对象,采用完全空间随机零模型分析其种群空间分布格局特征,并通过异质泊松零模型与泊松聚块零模型探讨生境异质性、扩散限制等因子在其空间分布格局形成过程中的作用。结果显示:(1)完全空间随机零模型下,4个物种在<4 m尺度范围内表现为聚集分布,随尺度增大,逐渐过渡到随机分布和均匀分布。(2)在排除生境异质性的异质泊松零模型下,蒙古冰草种群在整个研究尺度上表现为随机分布;牛枝子、短花针茅和牛心朴子种群仅分别在0—0.2、0.1—0.4 m与0—0.2 m尺度范围内发生偏离,表现为均匀分布与聚集分布,其他尺度均为随机分布。(3)在排除扩散限制的泊松聚块零模型下,所研究种群均表现为随机分布。综上,荒漠草原优势种群在小尺度范围内主要表现为聚集分布;生境异质性与扩散限制均是驱动其空间分布格局形成的重要因子,相对而言,小尺度空间范围内扩散限制的作用更为显著。     

Microsite specialization and spatial distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Geonoma brevispatha</Emphasis>, a clonal palm in south-eastern Brazil

We tested the hypotheses that: (i) reproductive Geonoma brevispatha, an understorey clonal palm endemic to South American swamps, is most abundant in more brightly lit microsites but the abundance of juveniles is not responsive to light availability, (ii) the species is restricted to the transitional zones between flooded and well-drained microsites, (iii) if hypotheses (i) and/or (ii) are accepted, the microhabitat specialization they represent should be reflected in the spatial distribution of the individuals at distinct scales. The study was carried out in a swamp forest in south-eastern Brazil. Soil moisture was autocorrelated at distances up to approximately 1m, reflecting a fine-scale microtopographic pattern of flooded pits and channels delimited by drier mounds. The first hypothesis was rejected, but the second hypothesis was accepted. No genets occurred on flooded microsites. A juvenile emergence experiment showed that seeds were unable to develop into juveniles under flooded conditions, but canopy openness did not influence the number of juveniles emerging. The third hypothesis was accepted. Individual genets were randomly distributed at scales corresponding to soil moisture patches, but were aggregated at larger scales. Juvenile genets were positively associated with reproducer genets. Our results indicate that palms may specialize on narrow parts of moisture gradients in swamp forests, and that this specialization can exclude them from even subtly distinct microhabitats.     

庞泉沟自然保护区寒温性针叶林演替优势种格局动态分析

以华北落叶松和青杆为主的寒温性针叶林是庞泉沟自然保护区的重要林型,也是主要保护对象之一。通过空间代时间构建庞泉沟自然保护区寒温性针叶林演替的时间序列,序列1是华北落叶松单优群落稳定发展的过程,序列2是从华北落叶松单优群落演替至华北落叶松-青杆共优群落再到青杆单优群落的过程,采用点格局分析法和与Monte-Carlo拟合检验对演替过程中华北落叶松和青杆的分布格局及其相互关系进行了研究。结果表明:(1)序列1在华北落叶松单优群落稳定发展过程中,华北落叶松的分布格局由集群分布趋向于随机分布,甚至在0—2.5 m上表现为均匀分布,驱动力是种内竞争引起的自疏现象。序列2从华北落叶松单优群落演替至青杆单优群落过程中,华北落叶松的分布格局同样是由集群分布趋向于随机分布,驱动力主要来自于由于青杄侵入扩散而形成的种间竞争;青杄集群的尺度逐步增大,驱动力主要是种群拓殖和种内竞争。(2)二者种间关系,在华北落叶松单优群落阶段无明显相关,共优阶段由于竞争在0—6.5 m尺度上呈显著正相关,在青杄单优群落,青杄竞争获胜,在0—2.5 m尺度上无明显相关,二者种间关系的变化主要来自于群落剩余资源驱动下的种内种间竞争。     

Age‐ and sex‐related differences in the spatial ecology of a dichromatic tropical python (Morelia viridis)

Abstract: Despite outnumbering their temperate counterparts, tropical snake species have been poorly studied. Yet, the few tropical species that have been studied show a variety of behavioural traits beyond those described in temperate species. Here we reveal both age and sexual differences in the movements of tropical green pythons (Morelia viridis: Pythonidae). We radio‐tracked 27 individuals (17 females and 10 males) for up to 18 months, locating individuals during both the day and night. The home range size for adult females (mean ± SE of 6.21 ± 1.85 ha) was correlated with snout–vent length. Neither adult males nor juveniles had a stable home range. Adult females had stable home ranges that overlapped considerably with those of other females and yellow individuals. Multiple radio‐tracked adult males passed through the territory of radio‐tracked adult females during the study. Females of all sizes were more likely to change position each day than males. There were no differences between the sexes or size categories in the distances moved in most months, although the variation in movement distances was higher in the dry season than during the wet season. In the wet season (January–March) movement distances increased and these were size‐ and sex‐related. This increased activity may be associated with mate searching. Males of M. viridis may maximize their rate of encountering mature females by roaming rather than maintaining a home range. Juvenile green pythons moved distances equal to adult snakes in most months despite their comparatively small size.     

放牧干扰和种内竞争对伊犁河谷黑鳞顶冰花种群空间分布格局的影响

植物种群格局分析已有大量研究,但是大多数研究都是从格局推测过程,而很少根据已知的生态过程来检验格局。以新疆伊犁河谷分布的黑鳞顶冰花为研究对象,在放牧干扰和无放牧干扰地点分别建立了8个重复样地(样地面积2 m×2 m),分析放牧干扰和种内竞争两种生态过程对黑鳞顶冰花种群空间分布格局的影响。两个地点共测量了4677株,其中放牧地点819株,未放牧地点3858株。在放牧干扰下,8个样地的黑鳞顶冰花均在小尺度(r < 2 cm)上表现为随机分布,在大尺度(r > 2 cm)上表现为聚集分布,主要与放牧践踏形成的生境异质性有关;在无牧条件下,8个样地黑鳞顶冰花种群均在小尺度上表现出显著的均匀分布特征,在较大尺度则显示为随机分布特征,前者主要与种内资源竞争过程有关,后者主要与生境均质化有关。无论在无牧还是放牧干扰下,黑鳞顶冰花种群最大聚集规模与种群密度之间均存在显著的负相关关系。放牧干扰下各样地种群最大聚集规模介于20.26-168.71 cm²之间,平均值54.61 cm²,明显高于无牧条件的8.26 cm²。放牧干扰和种内竞争两种生态过程产生了明确且不同的空间分布格局,放牧导致黑鳞顶冰花个体出现更大程度的空间聚集,突出显示出干扰在种群空间分布格局形成中的重要性。