The importance of water-level fluctuation for the conservation of shallow water benthic macroinvertebrates: an example in the Andean zone of Chile

Many researchers have shown the importance of water chemistry and benthic habitat characteristics for the conservation of the freshwater macroinvertebrate biodiversity. However, few authors have examined the physical effect of extreme water-level fluctuations in lakes. The present study set out to determine, through a comparative study between a regulated lake (Laja Lake, LL) and an unregulated lake (Icalma Lake, IL) of the Andean zone of southern Chile, how man-made disturbances of the natural hydrological regime affect the structure of the benthic macroinvertebrate community. The results showed LL had very low values for species richness, density and biomass in comparison with IL, and the community was composed mainly of few individuals belonging to opportunistic taxa such as Chironomidae and Naididae. We suggest that the low values in the regulated lake are potentially explained by littoral zone factors driven by the water-level fluctuations such as: desiccation, freezing of the biota, removal of organic particles from the sediment and absence of aquatic macrophytes.     

The application of environmental ethics in biological conservation: a case study from the southernmost tip of the Americas

Biological conservation is not only about facts and technical measures concerning ecology, rather it must also consider values. This pertains to both the balancing of various human interests and also to the ethical evaluation of human actions towards nature. Here we discuss how environmental ethics can be incorporated into conservation decisions, and what implications the inclusion of ethical valuation has for the practice of conservation biology. While this is done mostly on a rather abstract level, we illustrate this here by applying ethical theory to a case study: the options for management of the introduced North American beaver (Castor canadensis) in the very south of Chile (Navarino Island). The beaver is an exotic species to the area and has substantially altered the ecological systems of the region. We discuss different options for dealing with the beaver (eradicate, control, tolerate, promote) from the viewpoint of anthropocentric environmental ethics and biocentric ethics. The results of our analysis demonstrate the value of ethical discussions in clarifying and underpinning arguments for and against specific actions. At the same time, they also show that ethical arguments do not decrease the need for sound scientific data but, on the contrary, may even increase this demand. We also highlight that the conclusions regarding adequate actions to be taken vary depending on the specific ethical theory embraced.

濒危帽贝铁锈笠螺的活动节律和采食行为的初步观察

铁锈笠螺是地中海最濒危的海洋无脊椎动物,对其生物学知之甚少,缺少对其活动节律和采食行为的了解。使用环氧树脂Eporai1127(原位标记了20个不同外壳长度的个体,并在每个外壳上标有不同的数字,作者在白昼或黑夜的高潮和低潮期收集了有关数据。可能由于云斑厚纹蟹(Pachygrapsus marmoratus)的捕食影响,铁锈笠螺白天的活动和运动多于夜间,但铁锈笠螺采食行为似乎仅限于高潮期。此外,汹涌的海面条件诱导了铁锈笠螺的活动和运动。     

Revealing differentially expressed proteins in two morphological forms of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spirulina platensis</Emphasis> by proteomic analysis

Spirulina is distinguished from other cyanobacteria by its spiral morphology; however, this cyanobacterium has frequently been observed with a linear morphology in laboratory and industrial conditions. In our laboratory conditions, the simultaneously presence of the linear and spiral forms has also been observed. In the present study, the two forms of S. platensis C1 were separated and grown as axenic cultures in order to study the proteins that were differentially expressed in the soluble and insoluble protein fractions of the spiral and the linear forms. Two dimensional-differential gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) was performed to separate differentially expressed proteins that were subsequently identified by mass spectrometry. The differentially expressed proteins suggested two points. First, the morphological change is possibly induced by various environmental stresses such as oxygen level, carbon dioxide level, nutrient availability, and light. Second, the change of cell-shape might be a result of the change in a cell shape determination mechanism. Thus, this study is the first to show evidence at the protein level that may explain this morphological transformation in Spirulina.     

述评典型阿舍利遗址的石器技术及其蕴含的古人类行为

近年来,有关中国含手斧石器工业的研究取得了一系列进展,但是,在更深层次的人群社会行为研究方面的相关工作较为薄弱。本文以肯尼亚Olorgesailie遗址、以色列Gesher Benot Ya‘aqov遗址和英国Boxgrove等典型遗址为例,对国外不同地区、不同阶段阿舍利遗址中有关古人类社会行为的研究案例进行介绍和评述。通过这些述评,一方面促进我们对手斧人群社会行为的深入理解和认识,另一方面,也为推动国内相关研究工作的开展提供有益的启示和借鉴。     

Population structure leads to male‐biased population sex ratios under environmental sex determination

Spatial structure has been shown to favor female‐biased sex allocation, but current theory fails to explain male biases seen in many taxa, particularly those with environmental sex determination (ESD). We present a theory and accompanying individual‐based simulation model that demonstrates how population structure leads to male‐biased population sex ratios under ESD. Our simulations agree with earlier work showing that the high productivity of female‐producing habitats creates a net influx of sex‐determining alleles into male‐producing habitats, causing larger sex ratio biases, and lower productivity in male‐producing environments (Harts et al. 2014). In contrast to previous findings, we show that male‐biasing habitats disproportionately impact the global sex ratio, resulting in stable male‐biased population sex ratios under ESD. The failure to detect a male bias in earlier work can be attributed to small subpopulation sizes leading to local mate competition, a condition unlikely to be met in most ESD systems. Simulations revealed that consistent male biases are expected over a wide range of population structures, environmental conditions, and genetic architectures of sex determination, with male excesses as large as 30 percent under some conditions. Given the ubiquity of genetic structure in natural populations, we predict that modest, enduring male biased allocation should be common in ESD species, a pattern consistent with reviews of ESD sex ratios.     

The Late Pleistocene faunal assemblage from Cava Muracci (Latium,Italy): Palaeoenvironmental implications for coastal central Italy during MIS 3

Palaeoenvironmental information on Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS 3) coastal Latium is sparse, mainly based on studies of isolated faunal assemblages or long pollen records from lake sediments, often of insufficient resolution to aid in palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. This study describes in detail the Late Pleistocene faunal assemblage from layers SU11 and SU12 of Cava Muracci (Cisterna di Latina, central Italy), the first of which is a partially-preserved hyena den. The first multi-disciplinary palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of coastal Latium between 34–44 ka BP, a critical time span for the presence of the latest Neanderthals and the arrival of Anatomically Modern Humans (AMH), is provided combining palaeoecological inferences from a previous pollen study of hyena coprolites with the palaeontological study described here. The results indicate a temperate climate and a landscape characterised by the coexistence of at least three habitats within a short distance between the coastline and the inland mountains, suitable for a wide variety of species.     

Food waste posing a serious threat to sustainability in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – A systematic review

Worldwide, food waste is one of the prime issues threatening food security and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is not an exception. With 427 kg of food wasted per capita per year, the country ranks among the top food wasters. Ironically, the Kingdom has limited arable lands and scarce water resources to support mass-scale agriculture and to feed its increasing population, KSA relies heavily on imports and subsidized food to meet needs. Yet, food is wasted at restaurants, caterers, cafeterias and, especially, by households such that food waste is the single-largest component of the landfills. The review article is based on the grey and scientific literature published in the English and Arabic languages on the issue of food waste in Saudi Arabia. Information sources like Web of knowledge, online resources and the databases available through the King Saud University, Saudi Arabia were accessed and used to collect information on food waste, its social, cultural, economic and environmental impacts and related topics. Since food items and groceries are abundantly available to all living in KSA and they are highly subsidized, the residents take food for granted. According to a recent survey, about 78% of food purchased in KSA is discarded each week in order to make room for new groceries. The factors responsible for food waste include: lack of awareness; and insufficient and inappropriate planning when shopping. Food waste in restaurants, celebrations, social events and occasions are enormous. Waste is common in festivals and special events where the customs is to provide more food than required. There is a need to change society’s food culture, particularly among the women and the youth, as they are largest segment of the society and the prime food wasters. The analysis of the factors responsible for food waste, identified in this article suggests a “Stop Wasting Food” campaign should be launched. It is also recommended to determine and activate the role of extension education to reduce food waste in the KSA through vibrant capacity building programs for youth and women, in particular, and society in general.     

喀斯特天坑内孔雀藓科植物垂直分布特征及其与环境因子关系的研究

喀斯特天坑是一种独特的负地貌,拥有巨大而封闭的空间,形成了适于植物生长发育的特殊生境。为了探索喀斯特天坑内孔雀藓科植物垂直分布特征及环境因子的影响,以贵州猴耳天坑为代表（坑口直径300 m,坑深280 m）,通过野外调查、室内分析鉴定以及典范对应分析（Canonical Correspondence Analysis,CCA）等方法对该天坑内12个样点孔雀藓科植物的分布与主要环境因子的关系进行研究,并进行与其它样地的比较（喀斯特石漠化地带、天坑边缘地带）,探讨其在垂直空间上的分布特征。结果表明：（1）共采集到天坑内孔雀藓科植物3属9种,占中国该科物种总数的47.37%,贵州该科物种总数的69.23%,其中黄边孔雀藓（Hypopterygiumflavo-limbatum C.Muell）较常见,分布于6个样点,出现频率为50%;（2）空气湿度、光照度、林冠郁闭度以及人为干扰度是影响贵州猴耳天坑内孔雀藓科植物分布的主要环境因子,其余环境因子影响程度依次为土壤含水量 > 土壤pH > 坡度 > 空气温度;（3）孔雀藓科植物物种丰富度：喀斯特天坑内 > 天坑边缘地带 > 喀斯特石漠化地带;（4）孔雀藓科植物在垂直分布格局上呈现以天坑底部为生物多样性的中心,由坑口至坑底种类分布逐渐增加,是喀斯特石漠化山区生物天然的避难所。     

Changes in butterfly communities over a 10‐year period in Geum river basin in Korea

One conclusion of this study is that as the road network expands in rural and remote areas the surrounding butterfly populations are generally noted to be decreasing or even disappearing. However, there is one exception, Libythea celtis. This common species, living close to forested areas, have actually increased while thier competing species have decreased according to this study. The endangered species of Korea, Parnassius bremeri, Sinia divina and Argynnis nerippe, which inhabit the area of the study have also decreased or disappeared. Another result of this study is that, while the number of species which inhabit the grasslands have decreased, no similar changes have been noted in the number for the species which inhabit the shrubs. Furthermore, there has been a growth in the numbers of the species that inhabit trees. In addition, the number of individuals has decreased in the grasslands and shrubs but increased in the trees. Overall, the general conclusion of this study is that, while the development of rural and remote areas showed a decrease in the number of specific butterfly species, they are being replaced by more common species.