Effects of soil characteristics and human disturbance on tiger beetle oviposition

Abstract 1. Understanding species‐specific habitat requirements is important in insect ecology. Co‐occurrence of closely related species can provide insight into microhabitat segregation. Tiger beetles are well suited for such studies, as they occur in multi‐species assemblages, exhibit species‐specific habitat requirements, and are sensitive to anthropogenic modifications of the environment. 2. This study investigated ovipositional microhabitat choice of two sympatric tiger beetles at Point Reyes National Seashore, California, U.S.A., and evaluates how human activity affects that choice. Cicindela oregona is widespread and common whereas C. hirticollis, an undescribed subspecies, is locally threatened. Laboratory experiments tested oviposition‐site selection of the two species in response to variations in moisture, pH, salinity, and grain size. Field experiments tested larval burrow location in response to experimental shading and experimental human disturbance. 3. Laboratory results indicated that while C. hirticollis females preferred a narrow range of moisture levels and fine sands, C. oregona females had more specific pH and salinity requirements and preferred coarser sands. They also differed in timing of activity. Preferences are probably related to prevention of fungal or bacterial infection and avoidance of desiccation and immersion. 4. In the field, significantly more larval burrows were found under experimental shading for both species. In addition, repeated human compaction of the sand significantly decreased the number of larval burrows. 5. Results suggest that protection of microhabitat, restoration of native plants, and limitation of human traffic are vital in the conservation management of tiger beetles.     

Factors influencing breeding success,ovarian cyclicity,and cub survival in zoo-managed tigers (Panthera tigris)

Understanding factors that influence reproduction and offspring survival in zoo populations is critical for management of threatened and endangered species. Examination of long-term data (1989–2011) compiled from the Association of Zoos and Aquarium's zoo-managed tiger breeding program provides the basis for a more thorough understanding of reproduction and scientifically based decisions for effective population management in this endangered felid. Biological and management-related factors that could influence tiger breeding success and cub survival were evaluated using logistic mixed models. Breeding success improved with female age until approximately age five, then declined thereafter. Experienced female breeders had greater breeding success than inexperienced females. Litter size was most predictive of cub survival, with average-sized litters (3–4 cubs) experiencing the highest proportional survival. Management-related factors, such as whether the breeding institution had a recent tiger litter and whether both animals were already located at the same institution, also influenced breeding success and cub survival. These results highlight the importance of institutional husbandry experience and the need to retain knowledge through staff turnovers to achieve optimal reproductive success. Using fecal estrogen data, frequency of ovarian cyclicity and mean cycle length did not differ by female age or parity; thus, lack of cyclicity and/or increased cycle duration are not likely explanations for declining breeding success with age. These results provide valuable reproductive information that should improve scientific management of zoo-based tiger populations.     

Evaluation of fertilization capability of frozen-thawed completely immotile spermatozoa collected from a white bengal tiger after interspecific ICSI with bovine oocytes

The objective of this study was to evaluate the fertilization capability of White Bengal Tiger frozen-thawed completely immotile spermatozoa after interspecific intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with bovine oocytes. The fertilization status of presumptive zygotes was assessed 18 h after ICSI by immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy. The fertilization rate was 34.8% (8/23), as confirmed by the extrusion of two polar bodies, or male and female pronuclei formation. For unfertilized oocytes (65.2%, 15/23), one activated oocyte had an activated spermatozoon but most were unactivated oocytes with unactivated spermatozoa (1/15, 6.7% vs 10/15, 66.7%, respectively, p < 0.05). These results showed that White Bengal Tiger frozen-thawed completely immotile spermatozoa retained the capacity to fertilize bovine oocytes after interspecific ICSI. This is the first report of in vitro produced zygotes using tiger immotile sperm with bovine oocytes by interspecific ICSI technique, which provides an efficient and feasible method for preservation and utilization of endangered feline animals.     

虎源猫泛白细胞减少症病毒的分离鉴定

利用细胞培养方法从中国某虎园送检的腹泻虎肠内容物中分离出1 株细小病毒(TPV/ HT - 69),经系统的形态学、理化学、血清学试验、人工感染试验、PCR 扩增和VP2 基因序列分析,符合猫泛白细胞减少症病毒特征,证明该毒株为猫泛白细胞减少症病毒强毒。     

东北虎免疫球蛋白单克隆抗体的制备与鉴定

【目的】提纯东北虎免疫球蛋白并制备其单克隆抗体(McAb),为东北虎传染性疾病诊断试剂盒研制、疫苗免疫效果评估及基础免疫学研究奠定基础。【方法】以饱和硫酸铵和重组的Protein G相结合,提纯东北虎免疫球蛋白作为抗原,免疫C57BL/6小鼠,和骨髓瘤细胞系Sp2/0-Ag14相融合制备杂交瘤细胞,ELISA和蛋白免疫印迹筛选及鉴定阳性克隆,应用杂交瘤产生的McAb鉴定提纯免疫球蛋白及制备的McAb免疫学活性,非竞争性ELISA法测定了其亲和常数。【结果】得到3株稳定分泌抗东北虎免疫球蛋白McAb的杂交瘤细胞,产生的抗体全部识别免疫球蛋白的重链,通过对猫泛白细胞减少症病毒株(FPV-HLJ)灭活疫苗免疫东北虎的抗体消长的检测,证明提纯的免疫球蛋白及其McAb的免疫活性。【结论】Protein G能够用于东北虎免疫球蛋白的提纯,ATD11杂交瘤产生的McAb与抗原有较强的结合能力和免疫学活性,为今后开展东北虎传染病的诊断方法及疫苗研究奠定基础。     

人类足迹对东北虎豹国家公园景观破碎化的影响

探讨人类活动对东北虎豹国家公园景观破碎化的影响,对于掌握东北虎豹保护与人类发展之间的矛盾,优化虎豹栖息环境具有重要意义。基于人类足迹理论构建适地化的人类足迹指标体系,结合景观格局分析、回归分析、GIS空间分析等方法,从全局和局部两个角度探讨了各人类足迹指标对东北虎豹国家公园及核心保护区、一般控制区(虎豹潜在栖息地)、一般控制区(人口聚集区)三大管控分区景观破碎化的影响范围及其空间分异特征。结果表明：(1)虎豹公园内较高、高度景观破碎化区域占公园全域面积的8.96%,且主要分布在一般控制区(人口聚集区)中,占比高达60.54%;(2)从公园全域来看,对景观破碎化的影响从高到低的人类足迹指标依次为土地利用状况,交通可达性、人口密度、工矿活动,夜间灯光强度与景观破碎化的相关性不显著;(3)从各管控分区来看,核心保护区、一般控制区(虎豹潜在栖息地)与公园全域具有相似的规律,而在一般控制区(人口聚集区)中,工矿活动的影响程度上升到第二位;(4)从区域上占主导的人类足迹指标来看,以土地利用状况影响为主的区域最为广泛;以交通可达性影响为主的区域分布在春化镇、大肚川镇、春阳镇周边地区;以人口密度影响为...     

虎纹蛙皮肤分泌物抗氧化二肽——Gln/Lys-Met的纯化及鉴定

目前已自青蛙皮肤分泌物中提取出多种属于“第三套抗氧化系统”的多肽,它们具有较强的抗氧化作用.本文从虎纹蛙皮肤分泌物中提取具有抗氧化活性的多肽物质,并检测其活性.利用电刺激虎纹蛙背部腺和耳后腺获得其皮肤分泌物,利用凝胶过滤色谱Sephadex G-50和反相高效液相色谱（reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography, RP-HPLC）进行分离纯化.以2,2-二苯基-1-苦肼基（2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl, DPPH·）清除率为指标,测定多肽的抗氧化活性,经ESI- MS（electrospray ionization mass spectrometry）质谱测定该多肽的相对分子质量.结果显示,自虎纹蛙皮肤分泌物中获得一种具有抗氧化活性的二肽,其分子质量为0.277 kD,可能的氨基酸序列为Gln/Lys-Met.虎纹蛙皮肤分泌物中的该二肽是发挥抗氧化作用的重要组成部分.     

虎血清免疫球蛋白（IgG）的纯化及纯度、活性鉴定

目的 建立高纯度、高活性的虎血清IgG纯化方法。方法 用饱和硫酸铵沉淀虎血清得到IgG粗品;结合Hitrap Protein A亲和层析预装柱及阴离子交换层析法对粗品IgG进一步分离纯化,采用PAGE电泳和Western-Blot免疫印迹法鉴定IgG纯度和免疫活性。结果 80 mL虎血清亲和纯化得到84 mg IgG,阴离子交换层析纯化得到30 mg虎的IgG纯品。结论 建立了简便快速、纯度高、活性好的虎血清IgG的分离纯化方法,为虎血清IgG二级抗体的制备提供了高纯度、活性好的一级抗体免疫原。     

Morphological and physiological identification of medulla interneurons in the visual system of the tiger beetle larva

The morphology of visual interneurons in the tiger beetle larva was identified after recording their responses. Stained neurons were designated as either medulla or protocerebral neurons according to the location of their cell bodies. Medulla neurons were further subdivided into three groups. Afferent medulla neurons extended processes distally in the medulla neuropil and a single axon to the brain through the optic nerve. They received their main input from stemmata on the ipsilateral side. Two distance-sensitive neurons, near-by sensitive and far-sensitive neurons, were also identified. Atypical medulla neurons extended their neurites distally in the medulla and proximally to the brain, as afferent medulla neurons, but their input patterns and the shapes of their spikes differed from afferent neurons. Protocerebral neurons sent a single axon to the medulla neuropil. They spread collateral branches in the posterior region of the protocerebrum on its way to the medulla neuropil. They received main input from stemmata on the contralateral side. Medulla intrinsic neurons did not extend an axon to the brain, and received either bilateral or contralateral stemmata input only. The input patterns and discharge patterns of medulla neurons are discussed with reference to their morphology.     

Nonlinear dynamics and pattern bifurcations in a model for vegetation stripes in semi-arid environments

In many semi-arid environments, vegetation is self-organised into spatial patterns. The most striking examples of this are on gentle slopes, where striped patterns are typical, running parallel to the contours. Previously, Klausmeier [1999. Regular and irregular patterns in semiarid vegetation. Science 284, 1826-1828.] has proposed a model for vegetation stripes based on competition for water. Here, we present a detailed study of the patterned solutions in the full nonlinear model, using numerical bifurcation analysis of both the pattern odes and the model pdes. We show that patterns exist for a wide range of rainfall levels, and in particular for much lower rainfall than have been considered by previous authors. Moreover, we show that for many rainfall levels, patterns with a variety of different wavelengths are stable, with mode selection dependent on initial conditions. This raises the possibility of hysteresis, and in numerical solutions of the model we show that pattern selection depends on rainfall history in a relatively simple way.