Laying dates and clutch size of open-nesting passerines in the Czech Republic: a comparison of systematically and incidentally collected data

Data are presented on laying date and clutch size (n) of Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla (1434), Song Thrush Turdus philomelos (298), Garden Warbler S. borin (260), Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella (254), Blackbird T. merula (231), Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs (206), Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita (202), Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina (95) and Dunnock Prunella modularis (89), recorded during an intensive study (since 1993) in woodland habitats of Eastern Bohemia, Czech Republic (49 °54 ′N, 16 °02 ′E). Results are compared with two other data sets (a local study and national nest record scheme) collected by Czech volunteer ornithologists during 1945–85 and with other published data from central Europe. There is no evidence that the laying dates and clutch size of the nine species changed at the regional scale over the past decades, and mean values generally match their known geographical variability. Significant species differences were found among the three Czech data sets in both laying dates and clutch size. Most of the differences could be explained as an artefact of seasonally biased sampling of nests, which in turn influenced mean clutch size. Even a systematic study with a standard searching effort on fixed plots provided biased data for some species.     

The wintering of migrant Dunnocks Prunella modularis in two Mediterranean habitats after fire

Migrant Dunnocks Prunella modularis are common winter visitors to the Mediterranean area. In a burnt forest, Dunnocks were present from October to April. They occupied definite individual home ranges of 0.18 ha on average (n = 83), at a density of 30 birds/10 ha in the fifth winter and 18 birds/10 ha in the sixth winter following a fire. Birds used visible posts and uttered ‘tseep’ calls often. Counter-calling was particularly frequent in the winter with the highest population density. In a burnt maquis, Dunnocks showed return rates (15%) and median recapture distances (62.5 m) not significantly different from those of territorial wintering Robins Erithacus rubecula. We suggest that Dunnock ranges can be regarded as ‘feeding territories’, promoted by an abundant, predictible and renewable food supply of rock-rose Cistus spp. seeds, characteristic of early Mediterranean successions. Ownership might be proclaimed by ‘tseep’ calls, recalling the behaviour of female Dunnocks during prebreeding territorial conflicts. Further research using colour-ringed birds may confirm Dunnock winter territoriality, exceptional for a migrant and mostly granivorous passerine.     

Effect of polyacetylenic acids from Prunella vulgaris on various plant pathogens

Aims: This study is aiming at characterizing antifungal substances from the methanol extract of Prunella vulgaris and at investigating those substances’ antifungal and antioomycete activities against various plant pathogens. Methods and Results: Two polyacetylenic acids were isolated from P. vulgaris as active principles and identified as octadeca‐9,11,13‐triynoic acid and trans‐octadec‐13‐ene‐9,11‐diynoic acid. These two compounds inhibited the growth of Magnaporthe oryzae, Rhizoctonia solani, Phytophthora infestans, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. raphani, and Phytophthora capsici. In addition, these two compounds and the wettable powder‐type formulation of an n‐hexane fraction of P. vulgaris significantly suppressed the development of rice blast, tomato late blight, wheat leaf rust, and red pepper anthracnose. Conclusions: These data show that the extract of P. vulgaris and two polyacetylenic acids possess antifungal and antioomycete activities against a broad spectrum of tested plant pathogens. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first report on the occurrence of octadeca‐9,11,13‐triynoic acid and trans‐octadec‐13‐ene‐9,11‐diynoic acid in P. vulgaris and their efficacy against plant diseases. The crude extract containing the two polyacetylenic acids can be used as a natural fungicide for the control of various plant diseases.     

甘肃莲花山自然保护区栗背岩鹨的繁殖记录和孵卵节律

2002年5-7月,在甘肃莲花山自然保护区对栗背岩鹨的繁殖生态做了进一步观察。记录了栗背岩鹨卵的大小、形状、颜色,产卵过程和孵卵节律。栗背岩鹨孵卵期为15天,育维期为14天。     

Microscopic structure of the sperm storage tubules in the polygynandrous alpine accentor, Prunella collaris (Aves)

We describe the microscopic structure of the sperm storage tubules (SSTs) of the polygynandrous alpine accentor, Prunella collaris. The SSTs were found at the utero‐vaginal junction of the oviduct and were composed of a single layer of columnar epithelium. The cells of the tubule proper were non‐ciliated and had a round or oval nucleus in their basal portion. Their cytoplasm was finely or coarsely vacuolated due to lipid inclusions. Under the electron microscope, the epithelial cells exhibited a number of mitochondria, Golgi bodies, occasional lysosome‐like dense bodies, granular endoplasmic reticula, junctional complex, and tonofilaments. The apical margin of the cells was fringed with numerous microvilli. The epithelial lining of the SSTs was devoid of mucous cells, but showed occasional infiltration of lymphoid cells. No contractile elements were found in association with the SSTs, but a close apposition of unmyelinated nerve fibres to the basal part of the SST cells was recognized. Intraluminal sperm were arranged in bundles, and their heads were orientated towards the distal portion of the SSTs. Evidence for engulfment of sperm by the SST cells was obtained for the first time. A sign of atrophy or regression of the SSTs was found in one specimen.     

夏枯草PvDXS基因的克隆和表达分析

该研究在夏枯草转录组测序的基础上设计特异引物,采用逆转录PCR技术获得该基因的全长核苷酸序列,并进行生物信息学分析,采用qRT-PCR法分析PvDXS在夏枯草不同组织及不同外源性物质诱导下的表达量。结果表明:克隆得到的PvDXS基因开放阅读框2 181 bp,编码726个氨基酸,理论分子量为78 040.47 D,等电点为6.75,PvDXS蛋白具有Transketolase_C结构域和Transket_pyr结构域,系统进化树结果表明,PvDXS蛋白与丹参、长春花的DXS(SmDXS2、CrDXS2)亲缘关系较近,推测PvDXS属于第Ⅱ类DXS蛋白。qRT-PCR分析表明,PvDXS基因在叶中表达量高于果穗及茎。对果穗施加7种外源性物质处理24 h后,GA₃处理组该基因表达量升高,其他6种外源性物质处理后表达量均降低,其中CaCl₂、SNP、SA处理后该基因的表达量显著降低。PvDXS基因在不同组织中表达量差异较大,且受外源物质诱导表达。这为进一步研究PvDXS基因对夏枯草萜类成分合成途径中的功能及表达调控奠定基础。     

安徽省唇形科植物地理分布新记录

<正> 在安徽省植物志的编写过程中,陆续发现了一些唇形科植物的地理分布新记录,除前已报道外,现继续报道于下: 1.曲茎假糙苏 Paraphlomis foliata(Dunn)C. Y. Wu et H. W. Li in Act. Phytotax.Sin. 10(1): 66, 1965.     

Territoriality and song as flexible paternity guards in dunnocks and alpine accentors

I compare paternity defense strategies in the variable matingsystems of alpine accentors Prunella collaris and dunnocks P.modularis. I show that in dunnocks breeding territoriality functionsexclusively for mate defense. Male investment in territorialityincreases with the number of females they are defending, andwhen females are removed males sharply decrease their song outputand eventually abandon their territories. Further, I show thatpaternity defense strategies vary in relation to group composition.In single-male groups there is greater investment in territorialdefense and less investment in mate guarding during the femalefertile period than in multimale groups. I discuss the influenceof the contrasting habitats of dunnocks and alpine accentorson their paternity defense strategies.     

Isolation,Purification and Antioxidant Activity of the Polysaccharide of Prunella vugaris (Labiatae)

This report described the isolation and purification of the polysaccharide from Prunella vugaris L. (PP2). The best combination of isolation conditions had been obtained through the orthogonal experiment. Paper Chromatography , agarose gel electrophoresis and ultraviolet spectroscopy had been introduced to determine the purity of the PP2 and fractional deposition and gas chromatography had been applied to analyze the monosaccharide constituents of PP2. By the chemical simulation in vitro, the antioxidant activity of PP2 had been studied . The results of the experiment showed that PP2 had significant scavenging effect on oxide radical, hydroxide radical and univalent radical NO₂ but poor scavenging effect on organic radical. PP2 could prevent the membrane lipid from peroxidation and reduce hemolysis of red cells and production of MDA as well .     

夏枯草多糖的提取、分离与纯化技术研究

对夏枯草多糖的分离纯化方法作了探讨,通过正交试验,筛选出最佳工艺条件。采用纸层析、琼脂糖凝胶电泳和紫外分光光度法对多糖纯度进行鉴定,红外光谱法对多糖分子结构进行分析,通过分级沉淀和气相色谱仪分析了多糖的单糖组成。