两种荒漠豆科植物化学计量特征与生境土壤因子的关系

豆科植物是荒漠等干旱生态系统的重要先锋物种,也是生态系统中有效氮的主要来源。为了明确荒漠豆科植物与生境土壤因子之间的关系,该研究以古尔班通古特沙漠广泛分布的荒漠豆科植物弯花黄芪(Astragalus flexus)、镰荚黄芪(Astragalus arpilobus)为对象,测定不同土壤深度(0~5、5~10、10~15 cm)的理化性质,比较分析2种荒漠豆科植物化学计量特征与土壤因子的关系。结果表明:(1)弯花黄芪碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量分别为373.35、25.66、1.03 mg·g^-1,高于镰荚黄芪的331.53、19.59、0.66 mg·g^-1,且二者的N、P含量均差异显著(P<0.05);弯花黄芪的C∶P、N∶P分别为374.38、25.75,均极显著高于镰荚黄芪的166.09、10.12(P<0.01),而弯花黄芪的C∶N(14.62)低于镰荚黄芪(16.99),两种植物的C和C∶N均无显著差异。(2)豆科植物生境土壤在0~5 cm土层的有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)含量最高,且随土层的加深逐渐减少;土壤化学计量比SOC∶TN、SOC∶TP均随土层加深逐渐增大,而TN∶TP值随土层加深逐渐减少;较低的N含量及TN∶TP 显示该区域土壤属于N素缺乏类型。(3)2种荒漠豆科植物与各层次土壤化学计量特征的相关性无一致规律。其中,弯花黄芪立地0~10 cm土层的TN与N∶P间呈负相关关系,TP与P间呈极显著负相关关系,而TP与C∶N间呈正相关关系,SOC∶TN与N∶P间呈极显著正相关关系;在10~15 cm土层中,SOC∶TN与N∶P间呈正相关关系。镰荚黄芪中仅P含量与其立地0~5 cm土层的SOC∶TP具有极显著正相关关系,而大部分化学计量特征间未显示出相关性。(4)弯花黄芪的植物化学计量指标P含量与5~10 cm土层的电导率(EC)间呈极显著正相关关系,N含量与10~15 cm土层的速效钾(AK)间呈正相关关系;而镰荚黄芪N、AP与N∶P与0~5 cm土层的速效磷(AP)间均呈极显著负相关关系,与其他土层未出现相关关系。研究认为,古尔班通古特沙漠土壤N含量以及TN∶TP较低,土壤N元素贫瘠,且该区豆科植物立地土壤养分含量总体偏低;该区弯花黄芪生长的主要限制元素为P,而镰荚黄芪生长的主要限制元素为N和P;植物化学计量特征并非全部由土壤养分特征直接决定,其明显的种间差异显示植物自身遗传特性在土壤 植物计量特征耦合关系的重要性。     

秦岭皇冠优势灌木苦糖果的空间分布格局及种内种间关联

以秦岭皇冠暖温性落叶阔叶林25 hm²森林样地中的优势灌木苦糖果为对象,研究了苦糖果不同径级个体的空间分布格局以及种内种间关系。结果表明: 苦糖果径级结构呈现出下宽上窄的金字塔型,小径级植株数量最多,更新状态较好,处于稳定增长阶段,有利于群落更新和演替。以Ripley's K函数为基础,采用单变量和双变量成对相关函数,在3个零模型(完全空间随机模型、异质泊松模型和先决条件模型)的处理下,树种整体和不同径级以聚集分布为主,且聚集程度随研究尺度的加大而逐渐减小,逐渐趋向随机分布。受到生境异质性、扩散限制、负密度制约等影响,种内不同径级个体之间以正关联为主,但也有一定程度的无关联,未出现负关联的情况。种间关系较为复杂,既有无关联,也有正关联和负关联,但以负关联和无关联为主。     

南京老山秤锤树空间分布格局及种间关联性

以南京老山1 hm 2样地秤锤树(Sinojackia xylocarpa)天然种群为研究对象,运用成对g(r)函数,选择完全随机模型、异质泊松模型与先决条件零模型,分析秤锤树种群结构和空间分布格局及其空间关联性,从空间格局角度来深入认识其种群结构和分布格局及形成该格局可能存在的机制并提出保护建议。结果表明:(1)秤锤树天然种群中小径个体数量占优,属于增长型种群。(2)种内空间分布研究中,基于完全随机模型分析,秤锤树种群在尺度0~26 m时为聚集分布,尺度29~30 m时为均匀分布;基于异质泊松模型分析,秤锤树种群在0~23 m时为聚集分布,尺度27~30 m时为均匀分布。秤锤树空间分布表现为由聚集分布向均匀分布变化。(3)主要种间关联性研究中,秤锤树与朴树(Celtis sinensis)的种间关联性表现为小尺度下负关联,随着空间尺度的增加变为正关联。秤锤树与黄连木(Pistacia chinensis)和秤锤树与三角槭(Acer buergerianum)的种间关联性大致相同,基本为大尺度下正关联,偶尔出现负关联和无关联。上述结果表明,秤锤树种群更新状况良好,种群空间分布以聚集分布为主,其主要受种间竞争、扩散限制与密度制约的影响。基于种群现状开展就地保护与适当干扰其生存群落,是濒危物种秤锤树的科学有效的保护措施。     

Managing for multiple species: greater sage-grouse and sagebrush songbirds

Human activity has altered 33–50% of Earth's surface, including temperate grasslands and sagebrush rangelands, resulting in a loss of biodiversity. By promoting habitat for sensitive or wide-ranging species, less exigent species may be protected in an umbrella effect. The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) has been proposed as an umbrella for other sagebrush-obligate species because it has an extensive range that overlaps with many other species, it is sensitive to anthropogenic activity, it requires resources over large landscapes, and its habitat needs are known. The efficacy of the umbrella concept, however, is often assumed and rarely tested. Therefore, we surveyed sage-grouse pellet occurrence and sagebrush-associated songbird abundance in northwest Colorado, USA, to determine the amount of habitat overlap between sage-grouse and 4 songbirds (Brewer's sparrow [Spizella breweri], sage thrasher [Oreoscoptes montanus], sagebrush sparrow [Artemisiospiza nevadensis]), and green-tailed towhee [Pipilo chlorurus]). During May and June 2013–2015, we conducted standard point count breeding surveys for songbirds and counted sage-grouse pellets within 300 10-m radius plots. We modeled songbird abundance and sage-grouse pellet occurrence with multi-scaled environmental features, such as sagebrush cover and bare ground. To evaluate sage-grouse as an umbrella for sagebrush-associated passerines, we determined the correlation between probability of sage-grouse pellet occurrence and model-predicted songbird densities per sampling plot. We then classified the sage-grouse probability of occurrence as high (probability >0.5) and low (probability ≤0.5) and mapped model-predicted surfaces for each species in our study area. We determined average songbird density in areas of high and low probability of sage-grouse occurrence. Sagebrush cover at intermediate scales was an important predictor for all species, and ground cover was important for all species except sage thrashers. Areas with a higher probability of sage-grouse occurrence also contained higher densities of Brewer's sparrows, green-tailed towhees, and sage thrashers, but predicted sagebrush sparrow densities were lower in these areas. In northwest Colorado, sage-grouse may be an effective umbrella for Brewer's sparrows, green-tailed towhees, and sage thrashers, but sage-grouse habitat does not appear to capture areas that support high sagebrush sparrow densities. A multi-species focus may be the best management and conservation strategy for several species of concern, especially those with conflicting habitat requirements. © The Wildlife Society, 2019     

Testing and interpreting the shared space‐environment fraction in variation partitioning analyses of ecological data

Variation partitioning analyses combined with spatial predictors (Moran's eigenvector maps, MEM) are commonly used in ecology to test the fractions of species abundance variation purely explained by environment and space. However, while these pure fractions can be tested using a classical residuals permutation procedure, no specific method has been developed to test the shared space‐environment fraction (SSEF). Yet, the SSEF is expected to encompass a major driver of community assembly, that is, an induced spatial dependence effect (ISD; i.e. the reflection of a spatially structured habitat filter on a species distribution). A reliable test of this fraction is therefore crucial to properly test the presence of an ISD on ecological data. To bridge the gap, we propose to test the SSEF through spatially‐constrained null models: torus‐translations, and Moran spectral randomisations. We investigated the type I error rate and statistical power of our method based on two real environmental datasets and simulations of tree distributions. Ten types of tree distribution displaying contrasted aggregation properties were simulated, and their abundances were sampled in 153 regularly‐distributed 20 × 20 m quadrats. The SSEF was tested for 1000 simulated tree distributions either unrelated to the environment, or filtered by environmental variables displaying contrasting spatial structures. The method proposed provided a correct type I error rate (< 0.05). The statistical power was high (> 0.9) when abundances were filtered by an environmental variable structured at broad scale. However, the spatial resolution allowed by the sampling design limited the power of the method when using a fine‐scale filtering variable. This highlighted that an ISD can be properly detected providing that the spatial pattern of the filtering process is correctly captured by the sampling design of the study. An R function to apply the SSEF testing method is provided and detailed in a tutorial.     

BAmSA: Visualising transmembrane regions in protein complexes using biotinylated amphipols and electron microscopy

Membrane protein (MP) complexes play key roles in all living cells. Their structural characterisation is hampered by difficulties in purifying and crystallising them. Recent progress in electron microscopy (EM) have revolutionised the field, not only by providing higher-resolution structures for previously characterised MPs but also by yielding first glimpses into the structure of larger and more challenging complexes, such as bacterial secretion systems. However, the resolution of pioneering EM structures may be difficult and their interpretation requires clues regarding the overall organisation of the complexes. In this context, we present BAmSA, a new method for localising transmembrane (TM) regions in MP complexes, using a general procedure that allows tagging them without resorting to neither genetic nor chemical modification. Labels bound to TM regions can be visualised directly on raw negative-stain EM images, on class averages, or on three-dimensional reconstructions, providing a novel strategy to explore the organisation of MP complexes.     

Local cryostimulation acutely preserves maximum isometric handgrip strength following fatigue in young women

Several types of cryostimulation have been recently proposed to rapidly lower skin temperature therefore gaining a possible neuro/muscular recovery after strenuous exercise or, more generally, in sports. Local cryostimulation may be a viable and relatively portable tool to obtain physiological benefits in previously-efforted muscular districts. However, cohesive and standardized cryo-exposure protocols are lacking as well as the righteous procedure to efficaciously combine duration, treatments and temperature in relation to desirable effects on muscular strength. In this randomized-controlled study, fifty young women were tested for maximum isometric handgrip strength, before and after exhausting contractions.Following the fatiguing protocol, the intervention group (cryo, n = 25, 24.7 ± 2.5 years, BMI 21.7 ± 1.8 kg/m²) underwent a 6-min local cryostimulation (−160 °C) on the extensor-flexor muscles of the dominant arm, while control-matched peers sat rested in a thermo-neutral room (22 ± 0.5 °C). Handgrip tests were repeated at baseline (T0), after cryostimulation (T1), and 15 min after T1 (T2). Throughout the protocol, the AUC of the strength performance was significantly higher in the cryo- compared to control group (P = 0.006). In particular, following fatigue and cryostimulation, the cryo group preserved higher strength at T1 with respect to controls (26.8 ± 2.8 vs 23.9 ± 2.8 kg, Bonferroni's post-hoc, P < 0.01). Likewise, ventral and dorsal temperature, recorded with a thermal camera, were lower in cryo- than control group (P < 0.0001).In conclusion, a brief session of local cryostimulation may acutely preserve maximal isometric force in young women following a fatiguing protocol. These findings may have implications in orchestrating strategies of district muscular recovery.     

金钱松群落优势种群种间联结及群落稳定性研究

种间联结反映了植物群落中的种间关系和群落稳定程度,对群落恢复和目标物种的保护具有重要意义.为了解金钱松群落的种间关系及群落稳定性,采用方差比率法(VR)、x2检验、联结系数(AC)、共同出现百分率(PC)、Pearson相关系数、Spearman秩相关系数以及M.Godron稳定性测定等数量分析方法,对浙江长兴金钱松群...     

4种槭树叶功能性状及其关系对季节变化的响应

以牡丹江地区的白牛槭（Acer mandshuricum）、茶条槭（Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala.）、糖槭（Acer saccharum）、五角槭（Acer pictum subsp. mono）4种槭树为研究对象,分别于春季、夏季和秋季进行取样,测定叶片性状指标（叶厚度、气孔长度、气孔宽度、气孔密度、叶脉密度、比叶面积及色素质量分数）,分析叶片各性状的季节变化趋势,并探讨色素与叶性状间在不同季节下的关系。结果如下（：1）4种槭树均表现为在夏季具有较高的叶厚度、较低的比叶面积和气孔密度,在秋季具较高的比叶面积和叶脉密度、较低的叶厚度。（2）4种槭树均为在夏季有较高的叶绿素a、b,在秋季色素质量分数均降低,季节变化区间分别为叶绿素a 77.40%～98.80%,叶绿素b 85.60%～99.53%,类胡萝卜素4.29%～78.52%。（3）色素与叶性状关系密切,季节动态下色素与比叶面积、气孔密度、叶脉密度正相关,与叶厚度、气孔长度、气孔宽度负相关（P<0.05）,但不同季节相关性略有差异。4种彩叶植物的叶片在应对不同季节的气候条件时形成了不同的构建策略...     

侏罗纪中蜉属和珠蜉属蜉蝣昆虫化石研究的新进展

长期以来,我国昆虫化石研究者所确认,并为众多地层古生物工作者所引用,作为地层对比和确定地质时代的两种侏罗系蜉蝣幼虫化石:西伯利亚中蜉(MesobaetissibiricaBrauer,RedtenbacheretGanglbauer,1889)和古珠蜉(MesonetaantiquaBrauer,RedtenbacheretGanglbauer,1889)在我国境内并不存在。迄今为止,这两个种仅局限于俄罗斯西伯利亚下侏罗统。此前,被我国昆虫化石研究者分别归入中蜉属(MesobaetisBrauer,RedtenbacheretGanglbauer,1889)和珠蜉属(MesonetaBrauer,RedtenbacheretGanglbauer,1889)的所有种类,其科级和属级分类位置有误。它们包括:西伯利亚中蜉,三间房中蜉(MesobaetissanjianfangensisHong,LiangetHu,1995),黑斑中蜉(MesobaetismaculataHong,LiangetHu,1995),古珠蜉和北票珠蜉(MesonetabeipiaoensisWang,1980)。道虎沟组、海房沟组、九龙山组和三间房组的水生蜉蝣组合完全不同,彼此不能对比。我国侏罗系—下白垩统蜉蝣幼虫全部是湖相,为原地埋藏,而非河流相,异地埋藏类型。