The proper latin designation of Duvaucel’s gecko,with comments on specimens of historical note

Abstract

Duvaucel’s gecko is properly referred to as Hoplodactylus duvaucelii; other renderings of the specific epithet are incorrect. The existence of some historically important specimens of the species, including a newly rediscovered syntype, is noted.     

广西弄岗国家级自然保护区蛤蚧分布与种群数量

2008年5～6月,采用访问调查和样线法,对弄岗国家级自然保护区蛤蚧Gekko gecko的分布和种群数量进行了调查.结果表明,弄岗片蛤蚧分布较多,陇山片和陇呼片分布较少;用样线法重点对弄岗片蛤蚧数量进行调查,根据统计数据计算出种群密度为13.45对/km2.     

不同地理区域蛤蚧的RAPD分析

应用随机扩增多态性DNA（RAPD）技术,对6个不同地域（河池、南宁、桂林、百色、越南、泰国）的蛤蚧（Gekko gecko）进行了遗传多样性和系统发育分析。21个RAPD引物共扩增了218个位点,片段大小在200～2000bD,其中184个是多态位点,占84．4％。地域之间的遗传距离指数在0．0112～0．9631,遗传相似性系数在0．3817～0．9888之间,根据遗传距离指数和遗传相似性系数,用NTSYSpc 2．10软件包中的UPGMA法构建了系统聚类图,结果均显示南宁地区、桂林地区、百色地区和河池地区先聚在一起,再和越南聚在一起,最后和泰国群体聚类。这与形态地理分布特征相一致。     

Potential impacts of intraguild predation by invasive Asian house geckos

The introduction of the Asian house gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus, to mainland Australia has sparked considerable debate in regard to its potential impacts on native lizard species. Their historically patchy distribution across Australia has gained attention as populations have spread into peri‐urban and native bushland. Hemidactylus frenatus potentially pose a threat to native species through competition and predation. I documented some activity of H. frenatus during the day, including foraging, which may broaden the potential impacts to diurnal species. Here, I highlight (i) the potential impact of predation by H. frenatus on native lizards and (ii) the need for empirical studies directly quantifying competitive encounters, with special interest in intraguild predation.     

Comparative studies on the structure and adhesion of setae in <Emphasis Type="Italic">G. gecko</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">G. swinhonis</Emphasis>

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and histological techniques were used to observe and study the setae structures of two gecko species (G. gecko and G. swinhonis) and the relationships between these structures and the adhesive forces. The SEM results showed that the setae of these two species were densely distributed in an orderly fashion, and branched with curved tips. The setae of G. gecko had cluster structures, each cluster containing 4–6 setae whose terminal branches curved towards the center of the toes at ∼ 10°, the tips of the branches like spatulae and densely arrayed at an interval of less than 0.2–0.3 μm. On the contrary, the branch tips in the setae of G. swinhonis were curled, and the terminal parts of setae curved towards the center of the toes at various angles. Usually the setae of these gecko species branch twice at the top at intervals greater than that of G. gecko. The histological observation found that inside the setae of these two species there were plenty of unevenly distributed contents, such as epithelia, fat cells, pigmental cells and muscle tissue, but no gland cells existed. The results of functional experiments suggested that modifying the structure of gecko’s setae could reduce its adhesive ability dramatically, demonstrating the positive correlation between the structure of the gecko’s setae and its adhesive ability. The above results provide important information in designing bio-mimic setae and bio-gecko robots.     

蛤蚧豆状核的结构及其与顶盖前端的纤维联系

运用Nissl法和辣根过氧化物酶(horseradish peroxidase,HRP)追踪标记技术,研究蛤蚧(Gekko gecko)豆状核的结构及其与顶盖前端的纤维联系。Nissl染色显示,蛤蚧豆状核细胞大小没有明显差别,由背内侧细胞密集部和腹外侧细胞稀疏部组成。将HRP注射于顶盖前端,结果豆状核背内侧部和腹外侧部分别接受同侧顶盖前端脑室内、外侧纤维的传入,核内标记有浓密的神经丛和大量纤维末梢,并在该核腹外侧部及其邻近区域发现少量大胞体标记细胞。推测豆状核腹外侧部的大胞体细胞及其邻近区域的大胞体细胞可能具有相同的功能,且该核可能形成离顶盖通路和副视系统相联系的交通要道。     

Pest problems: The view of the New Zealand Forest Owners' Association

Abstract

Plantation forests are very important to the New Zealand economy. They cover 1.3 million hectares (5% of the total land area) of New Zealand; 72% of all planted production forests are in the North Island, 40% in the central North Island. The total log volume cut is 14.8 million m³/yr, and the foreign exchange earnings from plantation forestry is $1.9 billion.