Female polyandry and size‐assortative mating in isolated local populations of the Japanese common toad Bufo japonicus

In anurans, female polyandry under male harassment is distributed across taxa because of external aquatic fertilization. According to the sexual selection theory, male–male competition for access to females is affected by the operational sex ratio (OSR) and population density. The Japanese common toad, Bufo japonicus, is widespread in mainland Japan, and like the European common toad, B. bufo, it engages in explosive breeding. In this study, we observed the breeding behaviour of B. japonicus in isolated local populations for over four years in two breeding ponds with different population sizes and densities: large‐low (L‐pond) and small‐high (S‐pond). We analysed the relative polyandry ratio in egg clutches laid by females and estimated the size‐assortative mating pattern to be an indicator of male–male competition in the two ponds. Both ponds tended to exhibit a size‐assortative mating pattern; however, the frequency of polyandry was different in the two ponds (L‐pond = 20% and S‐pond = 90%). Our results showed that polyandry could occur without multiple amplexus with a high population density, i.e. eggs were often fertilized by free‐swimming sperm in the small shallow pond. We propose that high female polyandry ratios without continuous male harassment are generated because of a male‐biased OSR and a high population density in the small pond. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 113 , 236–242.     

中华蟾蜍血液生理生化指标的测定

本文对中华蟾蜍（Bufo gargarizans）血液生理和生化指标进行了测定,并对其测定结果进行了t检验。结果显示,中华蟾蜍血液生理生化指标中白蛋白（ALB）、总蛋白（TP）、甘油三酯（TG）、总胆固醇（CHO）、丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、葡萄糖（Glu）、血清钙（Ca）、血清氯（Cl）、血清磷（P）、血清镁（Mg）、尿素（Urea）、血清钠（Na）雌雄问均差异不显著（P〉0．05）;碱性磷酸酶（ALP）、血清钾（K）两项指标雌雄之间差异显著（P〈0．05）;肌酐（Cre）在雌雄之间差异极显著（P〈0．01）,从测定结果可看出中华蟾蜍雌雄间血液生理生化值差异不大。     

Taking the bait: Developing a bait delivery system to target free‐ranging crocodiles and varanid lizards with a novel conservation strategy

In tropical Australia, conditioned taste aversion (CTA) can buffer vulnerable native predators from the invasion of a toxic prey species (cane toads, Rhinella marina). Thus, we need to develop methods to deploy aversion‐inducing baits in the field, in ways that maximize uptake by vulnerable species (but not other taxa). We constructed and field‐tested baiting devices, in situ with wild animals. Apparatus were set next to waterbodies and baited concurrently at multiple locations (over water, water''s edge, and on the bank). Baits were checked and replaced twice daily during the trial; remote cameras recorded visitation by native predators. Bait longevity was compared at sun‐exposed and shaded locations over 12 h. The strength required to remove baits from apparatus was measured in varanids and crocodiles. The device promoted high rates of bait uptake by freshwater crocodiles (47% baits consumed), varanid lizards (19% baits consumed), and non‐target taxa (34% baits consumed). Targeting specific predators can be achieved by manipulating bait location and time of deployment, as well as the force required to dislodge the bait. Crocodiles were best targeted with over‐water baits, whereas varanid lizards preferred baits located at the edges of waterbodies. When testing bait longevity in ambient conditions, during the daytime baits desiccated fully within 12 h, and faster in the sun than in the shade. Based on studies using captive animals, the “pulling force” strength of reptilian predators scaled with body size and was greater in crocodiles than in varanid lizards. We present the first conservation baiting protocol designed specifically for reptiles. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of widespread and taxon‐specific deployment of aversion‐inducing baits to buffer the impacts of invasive cane toads, and our methods are applicable (with modification) to other research and management programs globally.     

中华蟾蜍消化道6种酶的组织化学定位

目的研究中华蟾蜍消化道酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、腺苷三磷酸酶(ATPase)、非特异性酯酶(NSE)、过氧化物酶(POX)和琥珀酸脱氢酶(SDH)等6种酶的分布。方法在消化道的8个部位取材,采用冰冻切片技术、石蜡切片技术、酶的组织化学方法和光密度定量分析。结果 ACP主要分布于胃贲门中贲门腺部,十二指肠和回肠中酶反应呈弱阳性。ALP主要分布于食管、十二指肠至回肠的粘膜上皮,十二指肠酶活性最高。ATPase在消化道各部位均有分布,胃中胃腺部和回肠粘膜上皮酶活性显著较高(P0.05)。NSE和POX在整个消化道粘膜上皮和粘膜固有层均有分布,胃各部位酶活性显著较低(P0.05)。SDH除在食管和直肠酶活性显著较低外,其它部位均有大量分布,十二指肠和回肠酶活性显著较高(P0.05)。结论中华蟾蜍消化道粘膜6种酶的分布同其它动物有相似之处,也有其自身特点。6种酶在消化道中的分布与消化道各部位的生理机能密切相关。     

同水塘分布两种无尾两栖类蝌蚪的竞争策略

实验室条件下,通过活动性水平,变态时的体重、增长率和完成变态所需时间考察同水塘分布的中华蟾蜍(Bufo gargarizans)和高原林蛙蝌蚪(Rana kukunoris)的竞争策略。实验按照2×3因子设计,即:食物资源2个水平(高、低),组合方式3个水平(10只中华蟾蜍蝌蚪,记为B组;5只中华蟾蜍蝌蚪和5只高原林蛙蝌蚪,记为BR组;10只高原林蛙蝌蚪,记为R组)。中华蟾蜍蝌蚪的活动性在食物水平低时显著低于食物水平高时,而高原林蛙蝌蚪的活动性在不同食物水平下无显著差异;食物水平低时,混合组的高原林蛙蝌蚪变态时体重和体重增长率都显著高于R组,而混合组中华蟾蜍蝌蚪与B组相比无显著差异;在不同处理组中,食物水平低时混合组中华蟾蜍蝌蚪幼体期最短。这些结果表明:中华蟾蜍蝌蚪在不同食物资源条件下所选择的生存策略可能不同,即食物资源充足时,增加活动性获取更多食物;食物资源有限时,降低活动性且提前完成变态;与中华蟾蜍蝌蚪相比,在食物资源有限时高原林蛙蝌蚪获取食物能力更强。     

镉对蟾蜍的4种器官乳酸脱氢酶同工酶的影响

以腹腔注射法对蟾蜍(Bufo bufo gargarizans)给镉,处理一周后,观察了4种镉中毒浓度(0．1、0．2、0．4、0．8mg／kg)条件下的蟾蜍心、肝、肾和睾丸中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)同工酶的变化。结果表明：随着镉中毒浓度的升高,心脏LDH同工酶的活性明显升高,睾丸LDH同工酶的活性明显下降,肝中的LDH1、LDH2、LDH3、LDH5在0．4、0．8mg／kg浓度组酶活性明显增加,而LDH4则明显减弱,肾中LDH1的活性随镉浓度的升高而明显升高,其它各酶带活性出现先增强而后又逐渐减弱的现象。结果提示了镉对蟾蜍主要器官LDH同工酶的影响具有组织差异性。     

镉、铅对蟾蜍精巢毒作用的酶学研究

为研究镉、铅对精巢的生化毒作用机理 ,应用氯化镉、硝酸铅溶液对成年雄性蟾蜍进行腹腔染毒 (按镉计 0 .1、0 .2、0 .4、0 .8mg/ kg体重 ;按铅计 1、2、4、8mg/ kg体重 ) ,连续染毒 7d后活体解剖 ,测定分析精巢中各种酶的活性。结果显示 ,在镉染毒下 ,精巢乳酸脱氢酶 (L DH)和酸性磷酸酶 (ACP)的活性随镉染毒剂量的增加而降低 ,而碱性磷酸酶 (AL P)未发现明显变化 ;在铅染毒下 ,乳酸脱氢酶 (L DH)和碱性磷酸酶 (AL P)的活性随铅染毒剂量的增加而降低 ,而酸性磷酸酶 (ACP)未发现明显变化 ;乳酸脱氢酶 (L DH)同工酶在镉、铅染毒下则主要表现为酶带 L DH1 、L DH2 的抑制或缺失和 L DH5活性的增强。因此 ,镉、铅对蟾蜍的雄性生殖毒性机理可能与酶的活性存在着一定的关系 ,L DH可以考虑作为反映镉、铅中毒对精巢功能影响程度的一种有价值的生化指标     

中华大蟾蜍卵母细胞质膜存在钙依赖性的氯离子通道

本文采用双微电极电压钳方法研究了中华大蟾蜍卵母细胞内源性电压门控型离子通道的成分及其生理特性。卵母细胞去极化至 -30 mV 及更正电压时,有一持续的电压依赖性外向电流出现。钾离子通道拮抗剂四乙基氯化氨(tetraethy-lammonium chloride, TEA, 10 mmol/L)和 4- 氨基吡啶(4-aminopyridine, 4-AP, 10 mmol/L)协同作用时,该电流只能被抑制到最大电流幅度的(23.4±0.72)%。但是,上述浓度的TEA和4-AP 与氯离子通道拮抗剂5- 硝基-2, 3- 苯酚丙胺苯甲酸盐 (5-nitro-2,3-phenypropylamino benzoate, NPPB, 30 μmol/L)、无钙 Ringer 氏液或钙离子通道拮抗剂维拉帕米(40 μmol/L)协同作用时,可分别将此外向电流抑制到最大电流幅度的(2.1±0.08)%、(2.2±0.04)% 和(3.1±0.15)%。结果表明,中华大蟾蜍卵母细胞质膜上除有钾离子电流之外,还存在钙依赖性的氯离子电流。     

不同水温条件下中华蟾蜍蝌蚪的表型可塑性研究

对中华蟾蜍Bufo gargarizans蝌蚪在不同水温下生长以及变态情况进行了观察,测量了不同发育时期的全长、尾长、体宽,记录了不同温度条件下各时期出现的起始时间和持续时间;比较了不同温度条件下的发育状态,发现高温可以明显加速生长,比对照组提前17天变态.方差分析得出高温下变态前的体长、尾长、体宽、尾高、前肢长都与对照组有明显差异（P＜0.01）,说明高温虽然加速了生长,但也使得变态能量积累不够,体形偏小;21℃时,全长、尾长与对照组差异不显著,其余变量差异显著,说明这个温度下,蝌蚪发育时间充足,积累能量多,趋向于形成较大的个体.这种在水温变化时所呈现出来的表型可塑性有利于适应异质性的环境,急速发育导致的提前变态可以使其避开干旱的危害.但是这种表型可塑性能力也有其局限,推测小个体的成体可能会在生长繁殖中付出代价.     

Classification,inhibition, and specificity studies of the vitelline coat lysin from toad sperm

The sonicated supernatant of the sperm of the toad, Bufo japonicus, can digest easily the vitelline coat (VC) of uterine eggs, and to a lesser extent the VC of coelomic eggs, but not that of activated eggs. The VC lysis and fertilization were competitively inhibited in the presence of t-butyloxycarbonyl-L-Gln-L-Arg-L-Arg-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide (Boc-Gln-Arg-Arg-MCA), suggesting the involvement of proteases in the fertilization process. Starting from a sonicated supernatant, a potent VC lysin, possessing hydrolytic activity on Boc-Gln-Arg-Arg-MCA, was obtained by anion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The activity of the partially purified lysin was inhibited by diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) and by such trypsin inhibitors as soybean trypsin inhibitor, leupeptin, and (p-amidinophenyl) methanesulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride, but not by chymostatin, E-64, and ethylene glycol bis(β-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid. The molecular weight of the lysin was estimated to be 32K, based on the fluorographic image of ³H-DFP binding to the lysin on sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. The VC lysin was most active at pH 7.0–7.6 and under low ionic strength equivalent to fresh water. The release of the VC lysin was induced upon incubation of sperm with the contents of oviducal pars recta granules (PRG), which are known to induce the acrosome reaction. We conclude that the protease studied here represents the VC lysin of toad sperm that is involved in fertilization by digesting the VC of uterine eggs, probably released as a result of the acrosome reaction induced by PRG.