Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from the woolly apple aphid Eriosoma lanigerum (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Eriosomatinae)

Eight novel microsatellite primer pairs are presented for Eriosoma lanigerum, representing the first microsatellite markers available for this genus. Loci were characterized for 27 individuals from one single orchard in Central Chile. All loci were polymorphic within E. lanigerum (three to 11 alleles per locus; observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.41 to 0.93), and are therefore useful for population genetic studies within the species.     

RNAi技术在昆虫学中的研究进展及展望

在昆虫中,RNAi是一种对抗外源病毒的天然免疫方式,基于生物体中的这种内在机制而建立的RNAi技术已经被广泛用来研究多种昆虫基因的功能。近年的研究结果表明RNAi技术在抵御害虫和防治益虫疾病方面具有潜在的应用价值,有可能对农业有害生物的控制起到巨大的推动作用。本文综述了RNAi与昆虫免疫、及其在昆虫基因功能研究、害虫控制、益虫疾病控制和昆虫系统生物学方面的最新研究进展,并展望了RNAi在昆虫学研究中的发展趋势。     

松嫩平原农田土壤有机碳变化及固碳潜力估算

基于1979—1985年全国第二次土壤普查和2015年实地采样数据,利用土壤类型法计算了近35年来松嫩平原及其各县农田表层土壤有机碳密度和土壤碳库储量;并分析了松嫩平原农田土壤有机碳密度的空间分布及变化特征;利用饱和值法对松嫩平原及其各县市农田土壤有机碳量的变化趋势进行拟合,估算其农田土壤的固碳潜力。结果表明:(1)2015年松嫩平原农田表层土壤有机碳密度平均值为1.61 kg/m~2,近35年来约有81.59%的农田土壤有机碳密度呈下降趋势,集中分布在松嫩平原北部、东部和东南部地区,以富裕县东部、依安县中部、肇东县西部、扶余县西部等地区土壤有机碳密度下降幅度最大;(2)2015年松嫩平原农田表层土壤有机碳库总储量为233.63 Tg,比全国第二次土壤普查减少了32.62 Tg;(3)2015年松嫩平原农田表层土壤总固碳潜力为-32.7 TgC,呈现出"碳源"趋势,农田土壤单位面积固碳潜力平均值为-1.793×10~(-3)Tg/km~2。     

瓢虫种群对棉花-玉米农田景观格局的响应

本文研究了华北棉花-玉米农田景观格局中龟纹瓢虫Propylaea japonica(Thunberg)和异色瓢虫Harmonia axyridis(Pallas)种群动态,发现农田景观格局中作物类型(棉花与玉米)对两种瓢虫种群密度动态有显著的影响,两种天敌瓢虫都趋向在玉米斑块上栖息。两种瓢虫在棉花斑块上呈现出时间分化,其中龟纹瓢虫在棉花种植的前中期种群密度较大,后期较少;而异色瓢虫在棉花前中期种群密度较少,后期较多,表明农田景观中种植玉米有利于增强瓢虫对棉花害虫的控制作用。进一步的研究表明,农田景观系统中玉米斑块所占的面积比对龟纹瓢虫和异色瓢虫种群密度均产生显著影响。这说明在农田景观系统中开展区域性生态调控的时候,需要考虑到各类斑块组合的面积比例,从而有利于增强多种天敌昆虫的协调控害作用。     

我国农业系统可持续发展协调度分析

农业系统可持续协调发展作为一种发展理念已成为共识,受到我国政府高度重视。采用2004—2015年我国农业生产面板数据,运用熵值法、探索性空间数据分析等方法分析我国农业系统可持续发展协调度情况。研究结果表明:(1)2004—2015年我国各省(市、自治区)农业各子系统可持续能力之间协调度处于不稳定变动态势,且其协调度值较低。(2)从协调度分布来看,协调度处于"比较协调"和"协调"的省(市、自治区)主要分布在我国的东部和东南部地区,其余大多数省(市、自治区)农业各子系统可持续能力之间的协调度处于"不协调"。(3)从空间自相关性来看,各省(市、自治区)农业各子系统可持续能力之间协调度呈正的全局自相关性且相关程度逐渐增大,而大多数省(市、自治区)农业各子系统可持续能力之间协调度的局部自相关性不显著,且其农业各子系统可持续能力之间协调度空间极化不明显,处于较低水平均衡状态。从时空维度、空间相关性方面分析农业各子系统可持续能力之间协调度,为提高我国农业系统可持续发展水平提供政策建议。     

气候变化背景下我国东北三省农业气候资源变化特征

基于1961-2007年中国东北三省72个气象台站的气象资料,分析了东北三省全年及温度生长期内的平均气温、≥10 ℃积温、降水量、日照时数和参考作物蒸散量等农业气候资源的变化特征.结果表明：研究期间,东北三省年均气温总体呈升高趋势,其气候倾向率为0.38 ℃·10 a^-1;温度生长期内≥10 ℃积温同样呈上升趋势,且积温带逐渐北移东扩,全区高于3200 ℃·d积温带面积增加了2.2×10⁴ km²,2800～3200 ℃·d积温带北移0.85°、东移0.67°,2400～2800 ℃·d积温带北移1.1°;东北三省年日照时数显著下降,且以松嫩平原东部、吉林省中西部平原、辽河平原西部的减少尤为明显,全区年日照时数高于2800 h的区域面积由13.6×10⁴ km²缩小到4.1×10⁴ km²,2600～2800 h的区域向西推进了1.5°;全区温度生长期内日照时数平均为1174 h,与1961-1980年相比,1981-2007年温度生长期内的日照时数高值区明显减少,日照时数1200～1400 h的区域向西推进了0.9°;1961-2007年间,研究区年降水量及温度生长期内降水量均呈下降趋势;黑龙江省全年参考作物蒸散量整体呈增加趋势,吉林省中西部平原区有所减小、东部山区呈增加趋势,辽宁省均呈减小趋势,与1961-1980年的年均值相比,1981-2007年年参考作物蒸散量高于900 mm区域向西推移了约1°;黑龙江省和吉林省绝大部分区域温度生长期内参考作物蒸散量逐年增加,而辽宁省绝大部分区域以小于14 mm·10 a^-1的幅度在减少.     

Papaya transformed with the Galanthus nivalis GNA gene produces a biologically active lectin with spider mite control activity

Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) lectin has previously been shown to have anti-feedant and insecticidal activity towards sap-sucking insects. However, its effectiveness against plant-parasitic mites has not been demonstrated. In this study, the commercial papaya (Carica papaya L.) cultivar Kapoho, which is highly susceptible to mites, was transformed with the snowdrop lectin (G. nivalis agglutin [GNA]) gene. Polymerase chain reaction confirmed the presence of the transgene and six independent transformed lines were selected for expression analysis. Western blot analysis showed that the lines expressed a recombinant protein with a molecular weight similar to that of the native snowdrop lectin. Leaf extracts containing the recombinant GNA protein agglutinated trypsinized rabbit erythrocytes thus, showing the GNA protein to be biologically active. ELISA and indirect measurement from the agglutination assay showed there to be variation in GNA expression among the lines produced. A laboratory bioassay using carmine spider mites (Tetranychus cinnabarinus) suggested improved pest resistance in the transgenic papaya plants. This is the first report that a transgenic plant expressing the GNA gene possesses enhanced resistance to a plant-parasitic mite.     

Development and Evaluation of a PCR Based Assay for Detection of the Toxic Dinoflagellate, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gymnodinium catenatum</Emphasis>(Graham) in Ballast Water and Environmental Samples

Gymnodinium catenatum is a bloom forming dinoflagellate that has been known to cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in humans. It is being reported with increased frequency around the world, with ballast water transport implicated as a primary vector that may have contributed to its global spread. Major limitations to monitoring and management of its spread are the inability for early, rapid, and accurate detection of G. catenatum in plankton samples. This study explored the feasibility of developing a PCR-based method for specific detection of G. catenatumin cultures and heterogeneous ballast water and environmental samples. Sequence comparison of the large sub unit (LSU) ribosomal DNA locus of several strains and species of dinoflagellates allowed the design of G. catenatum specific PCR primers that are flanked by conserved regions. Assay specificity was validated through screening a range of dinoflagellate cultures, including the morphologically similar and taxonomically closely related species G. nolleri. Amplification of the diagnostic PCR product from all the strains of G. catenatum but not from other species of dinoflagellates tested imply the species specificity of the assay. Sensitivity of the assay to detect cysts in ballast water samples was established by simulated spiked experiments. The assay could detect G. catenatum in all ‘blank’ plankton samples that were spiked with five or more cysts. The assay was used to test environmental samples collected from the Derwent river estuary, Tasmania. Based on the results we conclude that the assay may be utilized in large scale screening of environmental and ballast water samples.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the horn fly, Haematobia irritans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae)

The horn fly, Haematobia irritans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae), is a cosmopolitan livestock pest that has caused a great negative impact on the animal production sector throughout the world. Here, we describe 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci isolated from H. irritans. The number of alleles found ranged from two to eight per locus and the expected heterozygosity from 0.1421 to 0.7702. These loci are potentially useful for the fine-scale genetic characterization of horn fly populations and provide fundamental information for pest management and planning of control programs.     

Non-random distribution of individual genetic diversity along an environmental gradient

Improving our knowledge of the links between ecology and evolution is especially critical in the actual context of global rapid environmental changes. A critical step in that direction is to quantify how variation in ecological factors linked to habitat modifications might shape observed levels of genetic variability in wild populations. Still, little is known on the factors affecting levels and distribution of genetic diversity at the individual level, despite its vital underlying role in evolutionary processes. In this study, we assessed the effects of habitat quality on population structure and individual genetic diversity of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) breeding along a gradient of agricultural intensification in southern Québec, Canada. Using a landscape genetics approach, we found that individual genetic diversity was greater in poorer quality habitats. This counter-intuitive result was partly explained by the settlement patterns of tree swallows across the landscape. Individuals of higher genetic diversity arrived earlier on their breeding grounds and settled in the first available habitats, which correspond to intensive cultures. Our results highlight the importance of investigating the effects of environmental variability on individual genetic diversity, and of integrating information on landscape structure when conducting such studies.