浙江古田山亚热带常绿阔叶林叶衰老物候影响因子研究

该文选取浙江省古田山亚热带常绿阔叶林72种木本植物,探究气候因素、系统发育关系和功能性状对亚热带常绿阔叶林叶衰老物候的影响。结果表明,叶变色期在9—12月,落叶期在10—12月。每月落叶物种数与月均温、月均降水量和月均日照时数没有显著相关性,每月叶变色物种数与月均温和月均日照时数呈弱相关;落叶性对叶变色期和落叶期具有显著影响;植物间系统发育关系对叶变色期和落叶期没有显著影响。因此,生物和非生物因子都会影响常绿阔叶树种的叶衰老,这对于提高秋季物候预测模型具有重要价值。     

谷类作物β-葡聚糖合成酶基因家族的研究进展

Beta-葡聚糖是由β-(1,3)和β-(1,4)糖苷键连接的非纤维素多糖,主要分布在谷类作物籽粒胚乳及糊粉层中,在高尔基体合成,经由囊泡运输到质膜,最终在细胞壁上沉积。通过增加胆汁酸排泄,延迟葡萄糖吸收,β-葡聚糖可有效降低胆固醇及血糖水平。Beta-葡聚糖合成酶基因家族成员最早在水稻(Oryza sativa)中得到鉴定,后在其他作物中陆续被发现。该基因家族包括3个主要成员：CslF、CslH和CslJ亚基因家族,起源于不同分支,经过趋同演化,执行合成β-葡聚糖的功能。Beta-葡聚糖基因家族成员均受到负选择压力,演化过程中序列高度保守。CslF亚家族基因成员相对较多,常在染色体上形成基因簇,CslF6是介导β-葡聚糖合成的主效基因。CslF亚家族在叶基部等幼嫩组织中表达水平相对较高,且明显受到光照强度的影响;CslH和CslJ亚家族成员较少,其中CslH亚家族在叶尖等成熟组织中的表达水平高,而CslJ亚家族在籽粒中有较高的表达水平。该文综述了β-葡聚糖合成酶基因家族成员的系统发育关系、表达模式,β-葡聚糖合成酶的亚细胞定位,以及作物中的定向育种研究进展,提出β-葡聚糖合成酶基因家...     

珍稀濒危植物细果秤锤树开花生物学特性和繁育系统

为了解珍稀濒危植物细果秤锤树（Sinojackia microcarpa）开花特征和有性繁殖,对其花部形态特征、开花动态、花粉胚珠比（P/O）、柱头可授性、花粉活力、套袋试验、访花昆虫及访花频率进行观测。结果表明：（1）细果秤锤树的杂交指数（OCI）为4,单花期5~7 d,种群花期可持续20 d左右。花粉与胚珠比为4 093.21±498.56。开花后第3天的花粉活力最高（76.21%）,而开花后第7天时花粉活力较低（18.37%）。细果秤锤树柱头最适可授期在开花后第2天。（2）套袋试验表明,细果秤锤树存在部分自交不亲和性,同时不存在无融合生殖,传粉昆虫是其完成生殖过程所必需的,且异株授粉能够提高其坐果率和结籽率。细果秤锤树的访花昆虫有3目5科7种,主要访花昆虫有黄胸木蜂（Xylocopa appendiculata）、熊蜂（Bombus sp.）、胡蜂（Vespa sp.）、中华蜜蜂（Apis cerana）、黑带食蚜蝇（Episyrphus balteatus）、其中熊蜂平均访花频率最高,达（8.67±0.21） 次·h^-1。对该物种开花生物学特征与繁育系统进行深入研究,有利于进一步探究其濒危机制,为后续珍稀濒危植物的研究提供理论依据和参考。     

The application of reproductive technology to endangered species breeding programmes

Captive breeding plays an increasingly important role in species conservation, but special problems are encountered in achieving the ideal of a demographically stable but genetically diverse population. Breeding programmes involving co-operation among a number of centres are now being developed which will overcome some of these difficulties by identifying individual animals, genetic lineages or age cohorts from which to breed. Application of techniques such as artificial insemination, embryo transfer and semen collection and storage, as well as the monitoring of reproductive status will contribute to the success of such programmes. The usefulness of these procedures for various population problems is discussed and criteria for their appropriate implementation within breeding programmes is outlined.     

Genotype and phenotype associations with drought tolerance in barley tested in North Africa

A review is presented of genetic strategies deployed in a 3-yr project on drought tolerance in barley. Data were collected on genetic, physiological and agronomic traits in non-irrigated and irrigated field trials in Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia. A wide range of barley germplasm (developed from African and European cultivars, adapted landraces and wild barleys) was tested, and positive traits were found in each gene pool. The contrasting environments of the three North African countries had major effects on plant/genotype performance. Genetic effects were also detected, as were genotype × environment interactions. A range of strategies were deployed to investigate the physiology and genetics of quantitative traits associated with field performance. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis was performed using backcross lines, recombinant inbred lines and doubled haploid mapping populations. A detailed genetic map was generated in the Tadmor × (ER/Apm) recombinant inbred lines, an important mapping population specifically developed by ICARDA (Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas) and CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center) to study drought. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for grain yield and other important morphological and physiological traits were also identified in a population of doubled haploids derived from F2BCj plants from a cross between a cultivar and a wild barley accession. Significantly, the wild parental line was found to contribute a number of positive alleles for yield. Effects of major developmental genes could explain many of the responses observed. QTLs were found to cluster around major genes controlling flowering time (sghI), plant stature (sdwI and arie.GP) and ear type (vrsl), and it is highly likely that the associations represent pleiotropic effects. Some QTLs were associated with candidate genes such as dehydrins and rubisco activase. One of the most significant results was the identification and generation of material that out performed the best local standards in the three participating North African countries; the selected lines have now entered local breeding programmes. The strategies adopted provided information on physiological traits, genotypes and genetic markers that could be used for marker-assisted selection. Target QTLs and their associated genetic markers may be deployed in marker assisted selection programmes to match crop phenology to the field environment.     

Temporal Variation in the Relative Abundance of Fruit Bats (Megachiroptera: Pteropodidae) in Relation to the Availability of Food in a Lowland Malaysian Rain Forest

The aims of this study were to investigate the diet and relative abundance of fruit bats in a lowland Malaysian rain forest and to test the hypothesis that the local assemblage structure of fruit bats varies significantly over time in relation to the availability of food. In total, 352 fruit bats of eight species were captured during 72,306 m² mist‐net hours of sampling between February 1996 and September 1999. Three species of fruit bats (Balionycteris maculita, Chironax melanocephalus, and Cynopterus brachyotis) that fed on a wide range of “steady state” and “big bang” food resources were captured continuously throughout the study period, with no significant variation in capture rates over time. In contrast, five species that fed exclusively or almost exclusively on “big bang” food resources were sampled intermittently, with significant temporal variation in the capture rates of two species (Cynopterus horsfieldi and Megaerops ecaudatus). Significant variation in the capture rates of the remaining three species (Dyacopterus spadiceus, Eonycteris spelaea, and Rousettus amplexicaudatus) could not be detected due to small sample sizes. Since ephemeral “big bang” food resources were only sporadically available within the study area and were associated with large canopy trees and strangler figs, these results suggest that food abundance, or the availability of specific food items, may be important factors limiting local fruit bat species diversity in old‐growth Paleotropical rain forest. Thus, only three fruit bat species were locally resident within the forest throughout the study period. Therefore, further studies on the ranging behavior and habitat requirements of Malaysian fruit bats are required to assess the adequacy of existing reserves and protected areas.     

Phenological growth stages of North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)

The BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt, Chemische Industrie) scale is used to describe the phonological growth stages of North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). Eight principal growth stages for germination and bud development, leaf development (crop canopy), root and perennating bud formation, peduncle elongation and inflorescence development, flowering and fruit set, development of fruit, ripening of fruit and senescence, and 42 secondary growth stages are described. A practical use of the scale is proposed with reference to the timing of application of agrochemicals for disease control.     

Influences of habitat features and human disturbance on use of breeding sites by a declining population of southern fur seals (Arctocephalus australis)

Southern fur seals Arctocephalus australis in Peru have declined gradually over the past decade, and declined dramatically (72%) as a result of low food availability during the severe El Niño in 1997–98. In 1999, seals abandoned some historically important breeding sites. This is particularly alarming because new sites were not colonized. Our objective was to examine how habitat features and human disturbance influenced whether sites were currently used, abandoned or apparently not used in the past by fur seals for breeding. Data were collected on 14 variables at 70 potential breeding sites at three guano reserves in Peru. Discriminant analysis revealed significant multivariate differences among sites currently used for breeding, abandoned sites and unused sites ( F =5.97, P <0.00001), and the model classified 74% of sites correctly. Currently used sites were less likely to have human disturbance and more likely to have offshore islands, stacked rocks, tide pools and abundant shade. Separate discriminant analyses for each reserve produced similar results. Habitat associated with thermoregulation (e.g. shade or pools) may be more important to fur seals in Peru, which breed at lower latitudes and are at greater risk of overheating on land than other populations. Habitat with minimized human access may be especially important to seals in small populations in which individuals may perceive themselves as more vulnerable because of decreased vigilance and dilution effects. Seals in our study selected breeding habitat with stacked rocks, which create shade and tide pools for thermoregulation and make human access difficult; but pups might suffer higher mortality in this habitat. We hypothesize that fur seals in Peru may exhibit an Allee effect, whereby suitability of habitat varies with population abundance.     

Nesting activity,breeding success and colony size for the Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus on Heron Island

Abstract The Capricorn Group of islands in Australia's Great Barrier Reef Marine Park sustains one of the world's largest breeding populations of the Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus. Heron Island, a 13.5 ha coral cay which supports tourist and research station leases as well as a national park, is the third largest nesting island in the group. Sample censuses of breeding burrows were conducted each year between 1985 and 1990 and a further survey was completed in 1993. These returned estimates of between 13 264±1387 and 16 337±1545 active burrows (Y±SE). Burrow densities within each of the habitats monitored showed no significant trends between years, although there were large differences in burrow density between habitats. There were roughly the same number of burrows in the developed (west) and national park (east) halves of the cay. A miniature video camera system (burrowscope), which allowed nesting chambers at the ends of burrows to be inspected, was used in 1989, 1990 and 1993. This demonstrated that around half the burrows were occupied by incubating birds. Variations were found in the distribution of incubating birds between habitats, although this did not remain constant between the years. In the 1993 season, breeding activity was traced from the burrow establishment to fledging stage. Fifty-one per cent of burrows were used for breeding (eggs laid), 77% of eggs hatched and 80% of chicks produced a fledgling. Overall breeding success for the island was estimated at 61%. In 1993 the area designated as Buildings was found to have significantly lower hatching success compared with natural habitats. Most mortality occurred at the egg stage; however, in the Fringe habitat, mortality was highest at the chick stage. Previous surveys have estimated the breeding population from burrow counts. It now appears that only about 30% of such burrows produce fledglings.