Local genes for local bacteria: Evidence of allopatry in the genomes of transatlantic Campylobacter populations

The genetic structure of bacterial populations can be related to geographical locations of isolation. In some species, there is a strong correlation between geographical distance and genetic distance, which can be caused by different evolutionary mechanisms. Patterns of ancient admixture in Helicobacter pylori can be reconstructed in concordance with past human migration, whereas in Mycobacterium tuberculosis it is the lack of recombination that causes allopatric clusters. In Campylobacter, analyses of genomic data and molecular typing have been successful in determining the reservoir host species, but not geographical origin. We investigated biogeographical variation in highly recombining genes to determine the extent of clustering between genomes from geographically distinct Campylobacter populations. Whole‐genome sequences from 294 Campylobacter isolates from North America and the UK were analysed. Isolates from within the same country shared more recently recombined DNA than isolates from different countries. Using 15 UK/American closely matched pairs of isolates that shared ancestors, we identify regions that have frequently and recently recombined to test their correlation with geographical origin. The seven genes that demonstrated the greatest clustering by geography were used in an attribution model to infer geographical origin which was tested using a further 383 UK clinical isolates to detect signatures of recent foreign travel. Patient records indicated that in 46 cases, travel abroad had occurred <2 weeks prior to sampling, and genomic analysis identified that 34 (74%) of these isolates were of a non‐UK origin. Identification of biogeographical markers in Campylobacter genomes will contribute to improved source attribution of clinical Campylobacter infection and inform intervention strategies to reduce campylobacteriosis.     

Colony‐level behavioural variation correlates with differences in expression of the foraging gene in red imported fire ants

Among social insects, colony‐level variation is likely to be widespread and has significant ecological consequences. Very few studies, however, have documented how genetic factors relate to behaviour at the colony level. Differences in expression of the foraging gene have been associated with differences in foraging and activity of a wide variety of organisms. We quantified expression of the red imported fire ant foraging gene (sifor) in workers from 21 colonies collected across the natural range of Texas fire ant populations, but maintained under standardized, environmentally controlled conditions. Colonies varied significantly in their behaviour. The most active colonies had up to 10 times more active foragers than the least active colony and more than 16 times as many workers outside the nest. Expression differences among colonies correlated with this colony‐level behavioural variation. Colonies with higher sifor expression in foragers had, on average, significantly higher foraging activity, exploratory activity and recruitment to nectar than colonies with lower expression. Expression of sifor was also strongly correlated with worker task (foraging vs. working in the interior of the nest). These results provide insight into the genetic and physiological processes underlying collective differences in social behaviour. Quantifying variation in expression of the foraging gene may provide an important tool for understanding and predicting the ecological consequences of colony‐level behavioural variation.     

固体介质中的重金属源解析及其在中国近海沉积物中的应用

沉积物中重金属源解析对甄别人为活动与自然变化对近海生态系统演化的影响有重要作用.本文总结了近年来污染物源解析常用的多元统计分析、地球化学方法和地质统计分析3种主要研究方法,剖析了不同方法的优劣及适用性,提出正定矩阵因子分析、Pb同位素示踪在重金属来源定量化研究中具有良好应用前景.梳理了中国近海沉积物中重金属来源的主要研究结果,发现河口和海湾是沉积物重金属受人为来源影响剧烈的典型近海区域,不同定量解析方法(多元统计分析、背景值估算、Pb同位素分析)均表明中国近海沉积物重金属的人为来源贡献率接近或超过50%.当前中国近海沉积物中重金属源解析研究还存在源识别端元模糊、解析结果缺乏相应的可靠性评价等问题.据此提出近海沉积物重金属源解析研究应使用多种解析技术手段综合、集成与优化,提高源解析的准确性;建立完善指标体系,筛选代表特定人为活动和自然过程的指标;甄别人为源重金属入海方式及过程,为沉积物数据信息的解译提供理论基础.     

水文变异下长江荆南三口河道内生态需水量变化及贡献因素

基于1951—2015年长江荆南三口5站实测原型年径流量序列,采用Mann-Kendall等方法检测其径流序列的突变年份.在此基础上,运用GEV概率密度最大流量法计算荆南三口河道内生态需水量,并从多时空尺度视角分析河道内生态需水量的时空差异及其贡献因素.结果表明: 研究期间,新江口、沙道观、康家岗、管家铺和弥陀寺水文站的第一次径流突变年份分别为1990、1959、1959、1972和1972年,并将第一次突变以前的月均流量序列作为水文变异前的水文序列.在水文变异条件下,长江荆南三口1—12月的各月生态需水量分别为69.63、26.15、55.65、452.65、2166.44、4660.83、10875.66、9966.49、7868.38、4773.60、1655.01和338.49 m³·s^-1.新江口、沙道观、康家岗、管家铺和弥陀寺5个水文站的年均生态需水量分别为901.57、507.00、221.30、1438.03和581.62 m³·s^-1.水文变异后,荆南三口满足河道内生态需水的频率大幅下降,由变异前的55%以上下降至变异后的20%以下,生态需水缺乏现象严重.影响荆南三口河道内生态需水时空变化的因素主要为不同时期水利工程、各行业用水量等人类活动.     

生态贫困视角下的贫困县多维贫困综合度量

作为国家扶贫开发决策实施的重要单元,贫困县贫困程度及其致贫原因的识别和评估是国家“精准扶贫”战略实施的前提和保障.本文从生态贫困的视角,设计了顾及自然环境-经济-社会可持续协调发展的县级别多维贫困度量指标体系,构建基于贫困指数-最小方差模型(PI-MVM)的县级多维贫困度量模型,以6个连片特困区的249个县为典型研究区,系统揭示片区-县级层面上的贫困程度、致贫原因及其空间分布特征.结果显示: 各片区的综合贫困程度由北向南逐渐加重,各片区县存在“从北向南、从东到西,贫困程度逐渐加重”的趋势;乌蒙片区西部、秦巴片区西北部各县贫困程度的高-高聚集现象突出;秦巴中南部以及乌蒙片区受自然环境因素影响较大,贫困程度较深.一般致贫型片区县较多,主导致贫型片区县聚集在贫困程度较低的片区;经济因素对贫困的缓解作用逐渐下降,自然环境、社会发展因素的影响逐渐明显.研究结果可以更加精准地全面把握贫困县的贫困区划特征,为指导研究区早日脱贫提供辅助决策技术支撑.     

基于陈述性偏好法的三江平原湿地生态保护价值比较

陈述性偏好法是当前用于评估环境物品非市场价值的主要方法,包括条件价值评估法(CVM)和选择实验(CE).本文利用陈述性偏好法对三江平原湿地的生态保护价值进行评估,基于随机效用理论构建陈述性偏好方法的支付意愿评价模型,求出基于CVM与CE的三江平原湿地生态保护价值的支付意愿(WTP).结果表明: 基于CE的平均支付意愿为每年379元,不同选择属性的边际支付意愿分别是水源涵养为每年114.00元,湿地面积为每年72.55元,自然景观为每年59.55元,生物多样性为每年37.09元;CVM的平均支付意愿为每年134元.分析支付意愿的影响因素,并对受访者拒绝支付原因进行探讨.CE方法得到受访者的支付意愿显著高于CVM方法,社会经济属性中受教育程度和个人平均年收入与受访者的支付意愿呈显著正相关,而拒绝支付原因没有显著差异.CE可以进行多属性、多水平分析,求出湿地各选择属性的支付意愿,因此CE比CVM更能揭示受访者的偏好信息,其评估结果更接近于实际.