Genetic analysis of populations of threatened snake species using RAPD markers

Snakes are a particularly threatened vertebrate taxon, with distributions of many species and populations becoming increasingly fragmented. At present, little is known about the degree of genetic differentiation that exists between isolated populations even though such information may be critical to their survival and conservation. As an example of how recently developed RAPD genetic markers can be used in conservation genetics, we present preliminary results from a study which used these DNA-based markers to assess population divergence in two threatened Canadian snakes, the black rat snake ( Elaphe o. obsoleta ) and the eastern massasauga rattlesnake ( Sistrurus c. catenatus ). We present information on the levels of variation and reliability of amplification for fragments generated from five primers. We then use a recently developed analytical technique to estimate levels of nucleotide diversity within populations and sequence divergence between populations. Our results show that intrapopulation levels of divergence as estimated by the methods of Clark & Lanigan ( Molecular Biology and Evolution 1993, 10 , 1096–1111) approximate those found for mtDNA in vertebrates and that diversity between snake populations is small and non-significant when tested using randomization procedures. Thus, our study provides an example of how RAPDs can be applied to conservation genetic studies of vertebrates and suggest that the snake populations we examined have only recently become isolated and maybe considered genetically equivalent from a conservation perspective, although this conclusion needs to be confirmed with other DNA-based markers.     

广东车八岭国家级自然保护区种子植物区系研究

车八岭国家级自然保护区种子植物区系种类丰富,含１６１科６４５属１３４５种（包括种下等级）,并有相当数量的古老种类和１４种珍稀濒危重点保护植物。壳斗科Ｆａｇａｃｅａｅ、樟科Ｌａｕｒａｃｅａｅ、茶科Ｔｈｅａｃｅａｅ、木兰科Ｍａｇｎｏｌｉａｃｅａｅ以及杜英科Ｅｌａｅｏｃａｒｐａｃｅａｅ、安息香科Ｓｔｙｒａｃａｃｅａｅ、全缕梅科Ｈａｍａｍｅｌｉｄａｃｅａｅ等是该区系的主要表征科,构成了其各森林类型的主要树种组成。种子植物区系成分较为复杂,主要表现在科地理成分的广泛性和属地理成分的多样性,而以热带—亚热带成分占明显的优势,热带及温带区系成分均有相当的影响,各类成分交错渗透,叠置分布。本文对车八岭国家级自然保护区植物区系的归属,广东与云南植物区系的关系等争议问题展开了讨论,认为车八岭自然保护区植物区系是中亚热带向南亚热带过渡的区系类型,为华南植物亚区的组成部分,隶属于古热带植物区。广东与云南植物区系关系密切,极可能具有同一起源（华夏植物区系）,宜划入同一植物亚区。     

海南粗榧濒危的原因和保护措施

海南粗榧的根、茎、叶、皮和果实都含有生物碱,具有较强的抗癌功效。由于它本身是一种残遗植物,天然更新能力差,分布数量有限,加以遭到过度的砍伐,已陷入灭绝的边缘。本文通过论述其地理分布、生物生态学特性、栽培技术,分析其濒危原因,提出保护措施,期待把其从灭绝边缘挽救过来,提供更多的资源。     

Is there an energy conservation “system” in brain that protects against the consequences of energy depletion?

A poorly understood marked decrease (circa 50% of control) in local cerebral glucose utilization is caused by sublethal doses of NaCN. The decrease is global, occurring in essentially all brain regions and is entirely reversible within hours, leaving no obvious pathology. This event is not unique to NaCN in so far as a strikingly similar pattern of decreased glucose utilization occus with some other toxins. Nor can it be attributed to a direct action of NaCN since local application by microdialysis to the striatum produces a global depression. These results imply that some widely distributed system or substance is involved. We speculate the existence of a system possibly related to the reticular activating system that senses a fall in energy production and acts globally to make cells quiescent and thus would give some protection from excitotoxic driven damage.Special issue dedicated to Dr. Sidney Ochs.     

Reactions of zoo visitors to free-ranging monkeys

This study assessed the potential of two types of primate exhibit both for enhancing zoo visitors' interest, knowledge, and enjoyment and for promoting conservation education. Visitors' reactions to a free-ranging group of cotton-top tamarins were compared with their responses to caged tamarins in three ways: 1) timing how long visitors spent at each exhibit, 2) recording the comments made by visitors about the exhibits, and 3) asking visitors to respond to questionnaires about the two exhibits. The results showed that the free-ranging group of tamarins provoked wider comment from members of the public than caged groups and that visitors were willing to spend much more time looking for and watching monkeys in trees than monkeys in cages. Visitors felt that improvements in the animals' welfare were obtained from allowing them to live free in the trees, thought that they could learn more from such groups than from caged animals, and enjoyed seeing the free-ranging tamarins more than the monkeys in cages. These results suggest that developing more naturalistic zoo exhibits can have considerable benefits not only for the animals involved, but also for public education in conservation issues. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Mother-cub relationships in giant pandas in the Qinling Mountains,China, with comment on rescuing abandoned cubs

Six cases of mother-cub relationships in wild giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) were observed in the Qinling Mountains, China. It was found that panda cubs are normally left alone in the den for 4–8 h while mothers forage. The mother's absence during bouts of foraging should be considered when rescuing abandoned cubs in order to avoid adding to the decline of the wild population. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Distribution and conservation status of primates in Bioko island,Equatorial Guinea

Ten species of non-human primates are indigenous to Bioko; half of these are endangered and between five and eight are endemic subspecies. Recent data on their status and distribution have been lacking. In 1986, a ten-week survey of the island was carried out to determine the distribution and status of the primates and the natural vegetation, and to evaluate the effects of man on them. This paper presents the results of that survey, gives an update of conservation achievements since 1986, and highlights current concerns. Between 1974 and 1986 it is probable that numbers of all Bioko primates rose as a result of an increase in habitat and of reduced hunting. At the time of the survey there was considerably more natural, undisturbed, vegetation remaining in Bioko tran expected. Much of this vegetation occurs within two large blocks that are of outstanding importance to the conservation of species in tropical Africa, particularly of plants and primates.     

Conservation,protected areas and the global economic system: how debt,trade, exchange rates,inflation and macroeconomic policy affect biological diversity

The main characteristics of the dominant economic system, including the increasing use of markets and money are described. The global system has expanded trade, including international trade, and production tremendously. While this system has the potential to favour nature conservation, in practice the opposite has occurred. Difficulties raised for conservation of biodiversity by short-term economic crises such as deficits in a country's international payments, the adoption of policies for structural economic adjustment, international capital flows, international loans and foreign aid as well as debt-for-nature swaps are discussed. As explained, it is politically difficult in market economies to support nature conservation at the expense of economic growth and as more economies develop and become market economies this problem spreads. Given global interdependence of nations, an important issue is the distribution of net benefits from biodiversity conservation between developed and less developed countries. Possible distributions of benefits and related issues are discussed. In conclusion, the importance of political lobbying by nature conservation groups in developed market economies is emphasised as a means of ensuring correction of market failures. Unfortunately, no economic system is likely to prove satisfactory in itself in conserving biodiversity so political action by conservationists is always required.     

Cultural responsibility in the preservation of local economic plant resources

Understanding the relationships between indigenous people and their threatened economic plants can aid the conservation effort on many levels. Understanding ethnic perceptions of the taxon is critical toin situ andex situ conservation projects and enhances the accompanying educational effort. Examples are discussed from the experience of a grassroots conservation group in southwestern United States, Native Seed/SEARCH. Four levels of economic plant vulnerability are examined among 1) wild-harvested plants, 2) husbanded wild plants, 3) domesticates, and 4) wild relatives of domesticates. Legal interpretations of endangered husbanded and domestic plants are discussed, and further documentation encouraged. Genetic dynamism of threatened indigenous crops is examined and the concept of Systems Conservation (i.e. the plant/human interactive systems) is introduced. Guidelines are offered for incorporating better cultural responsibility intoex situ conservation strategies. The concept of Biocultural Restoration is introduced with an example from an O'odham community. Examples are given of ways indigenous peoples and their knowledge can assist in the conservation effort.     

陇东黄土高原若干轮作技术方案水保效能评价分析

陇东黄土高原若干轮作技术方案水保效能评价分析李锋瑞,高崇岳（兰州大学生物系７３００００）（甘肃草原生态研究所兰州７３００２０）ＳｏｉｌａｎｄＷａｔｅｒＣｏｎｓｅｒｖａｔｉｏｎＥｆｆｉｃｉｅｎｃｉｅｓｏｆｓｅｖｅｒａｌＲｏｔａｔｉｏｎＰａｔｔｅｒｎｓｏ...