表皮穿透和GABAA受体不敏感性在小菜蛾对阿维菌素抗性中的作用

用氚标记阿维菌素点滴处理阿维菌素敏感（ABM-S）和抗性（ABM-R）种群小菜蛾幼虫,结果显示,在5～360 min内的7个不同处理时间,ABM-R种群的平均表皮穿透量比ABM-S种群少1.5倍,处理24 h后,ABM-R种群仍有45.9%的3H-阿维菌素滞留于体表,而ABM-S种群却有98.4%的药剂穿透表皮。放射配体结合分析表明,GABAA受体结合性质的改变是小菜蛾对阿维菌素的另一抗性机制,ABM-S种群（K_d=10.9368±0.4374 nmol/L）和ABM-R种群（K_d=9.8328±0.3933　nmol/L）的受体亲和力无显著差异,但抗性种群的最大结合量（B_max=71.2842±4.9910　fmol/mg 蛋白）比敏感种群（B_max=112.0255±7.8418　fmol/mg 蛋白）降低63.6%,即抗性是受体数目的减少而非结构上的改变。     

Bayesian inference of genetic parameters for ultrasound scanning traits of Kivircik lambs

Ultrasound scanning traits have been adapted in selection programs in many countries to improve carcass traits for lean meat production. As the genetic parameters of the traits interested are important for breeding programs, the estimation of these parameters was aimed at the present investigation. The estimated parameters were direct and maternal heritability as well as genetic correlations between the studied traits. The traits were backfat thickness (BFT), skin+backfat thickness (SBFT), eye muscle depth (MD) and live weights at the day of scanning (LW). The breed investigated was Kivircik, which has a high quality of meat. Six different multi-trait animal models were fitted to determine the most suitable model for the data using Bayesian approach. Based on deviance information criterion, a model that includes direct additive genetic effects, maternal additive genetic effects, direct maternal genetic covariance and maternal permanent environmental effects revealed to be the most appropriate for the data, and therefore, inferences were built on the results of that model. The direct heritability estimates for BFT, SBFT, MD and LW were 0.26, 0.26, 0.23 and 0.09, whereas the maternal heritability estimates were 0.27, 0.27, 0.24 and 0.20, respectively. Negative genetic correlations were obtained between direct and maternal effects for BFT, SBFT and MD. Both direct and maternal genetic correlations between traits were favorable, whereas BFT–MD and SBFT–MD had negligible direct genetic correlation. The highest direct and maternal genetic correlations were between BFT and SBFT (0.39) and between MD and LW (0.48), respectively. Our results, in general, indicated that maternal effects should be accounted for in estimation of genetic parameters of ultrasound scanning traits in Kivircik lambs, and SBFT can be used as a selection criterion to improve BFT.     

Response of wetland plant species to hydrologic conditions

Understanding hydrologic requirements of native and introduced species is critical to sustaining native plant communities in wetlands of disturbed landscapes. We examined plant assemblages, and 31 of the most common species comprising them, from emergent wetlands in an urbanizing area of the Pacific Northwest, USA, in relation to in situ, fine-scale hydrology. Percent cover by plant species was estimated in 2208 1-m² plots across 43 sites, with water depth at time of vegetation sampling measured in 432 plots. Three years of bi-weekly hydrologic data from each of the 43 sites were used to estimate mean surface water level and mean absolute difference (MAD) in surface water level for every plot. Nine assemblages of plant species that co-occur in the field were identified using TWINSPAN. The assemblage richest in native species occurred under intermediate hydrologic conditions and was bracketed by pasture grass dominated assemblages at drier conditions with low water level variability, and Phalaris arundinacea L. assemblages with higher mean water levels and variability. Results suggest minor changes in average water levels (10 cm) or in variability (±2 cm in MAD) could promote a shift from assemblages dominated by natives to those dominated by invasive or alien taxa. Canonical correspondence analysis segregated the species into four groups related to hydrologic gradients. Each species response group was typified by taxa with similar optima for a given environmental variable, with each group related to a characteristic suite of hydrologic conditions. The most common species (P. arundinacea, Juncus effusus L., and Typha latifolia L.), each representing a different response group, exhibited unique responses in occurrence/abundance in relation to water level variability, but were abundant over a wide range of water depth. The realized niches of other species in each response group were more restricted, with peaks in cover confined to narrower ranges of water depth and variability.     

Pollen size strongly correlates with stigma depth among Pedicularis species

Darwin proposed that pollen size should be positively correlated with stigma depth rather than style length among species given that pollen tubes first enter the stigma autotrophically, then grow through the style heterotrophically. However, studies often show a positive relationship between pollen size and style length.Five floral traits were observed to be correlated among42 bumblebee-pollinated Pedicularis species(Orobanchaceae) in which stigmas are distinct from styles. The phylogenetic independent contrast analysis revealed that pollen grain volume was more strongly correlated with stigma depth than with style length, consistent with Darwin's functional hypothesis between pollen size and stigma depth.     

Characterization of Depth-Related Changes in Bacterial Communities Involved in Mineral Weathering Along a Mineral-Rich Soil Profile

In this study, we used denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and culture-dependent methodology to characterize bacterial populations and mineral-dissolving bacteria in a mineral-rich soil profile. DGGE and sequencing revealed 13 known bacterial families and 7 unknown populations for the soil profile. Seventy-one isolates could solubilize feldspar. Weathering effectiveness and pattern of the isolates differed among the horizons. The 71 mineral-dissolving isolates were affiliated with 32 bacterial species within 14 genera, among which Bacillus, Burkholderia, and Arthrobacter were dominant. Distinct mineral-dissolving populations were observed between the surface and subsurface horizons. Notably, the deepest horizon showed maximum diversity of the mineral-dissolving bacteria. Furthermore, a significantly higher proportion of the high efficiency mineral-dissolving bacteria was observed in the deeper horizons than in the upper horizons. The results suggested that the soil profile harboured diverse mineral-dissolving populations and the dissolving potential and pattern and the community of the mineral-dissolving bacteria changed with depth.     

Nitrogen availability and uptake by grassland in mesocosms at two water levels and two water qualities

We studied the effect of water table (-5 or -30 cm) and water type (rain- or groundwater) on the above- and below-ground phytomass production, species composition and nitrogen uptake of grassland.Nitrogen mineralization, nitrification, methane production, redox potential and pH at different depths in the profile were measured and used to monitor gradual changes in variables influencing phytomass production.The rise in the water level lowered the nitrogen uptake in the above-ground phytomass from 14.1 to 11.4 g N per m², but the DM production did not decrease and varied from 566 to 690 g per m². The total root mass increased from 82 to 363 g DM per m², with the proportion in the 5 to 10 cm layer increasing the most from 13 to 24%.The high water level lowered the potential N mineralization in the upper 5 cm of the soil from 16.1 to 4.3 g N per m² and in the deeper 5 to 30 cm layer from 12.6 to 9.4 g N per m² respectively, so the importance of the deeper layer as a source of N increased. The total amount of mineral N that accumulated in the 40 cm deep soil cores decreased from 31.3 to 15.5 g N per m². The above-ground vegetation took up 71 to 76% of this amount in the high water level treatment and only 37 to 57% under drier conditions.Redox potential and methane production indicated anaerobic conditions below 5 cm in both level treatments and in the top 5 cm of the high water level treatment. But some nitrification was measured there also, thus aerobic and anaerobic conditions occurred together. The low N mineralization was attributed to low soil respiration.Raising the water level brought about an increase in the above ground biomass of Glyceria fluitans and an increase in root mass, especially deeper in the soil. Both are responsible for the relatively greater fraction of nitrogen that was taken up from the soil, although less N was available. The nitrification indicates that oxygen is transported by the root system to soil microsites and partly compensates for the anaerobic conditions caused by water saturation.The calcareous groundwater raised the pH in the upper soil layer from 5.3 to 5.8 but no effect on N mineralization was measured.     

Comparison of peptidase activities in some fungi pathogenic to arthropods

Peptidases, highly specific toward several synthetic chromogenic peptides, were found in the mycelia of four arthropod pathogenic fungi: Aphanomyces astaci, Beauveria bassiana, Metarrhizium anisopliae, and Paecilomyces farinosus. A. astaci peptidases had high hydrolyzing activities toward most of the peptides, especially those with arginine in the P1 position, while those of B. bassiana and P. farinosus readily hydrolyzed peptides with valine and arginine, as well as proline and tyrosine in the P2 and P1 positions, respectively. The hydrolyzing capacities of M. anisopliae peptidases were similar to A. astaci, but showed lower specific activities. Casein or azocoll was only hydrolyzed by A. astaci peptidases. B. bassiana and M. anisopliae had a very low hydrolyzing capacity toward casein and could not degrade azocoll. P. farinosus had no hydrolyzing activity toward casein or azocoll. Only peptidases from the crayfish pathogen A. astaci could degrade the crayfish cuticle. The peptidase preparations of A. astaci and B. bassiana hydrolyzing MeO-Suc-Arg-Pro-Tyr-pNA or Bz-Phe-Val-Arg-pNA were of the serine type. The possible importance of peptidase activity of arthropod pathogenic fungi in the infection process is discussed.     

真光层深度的遥感反演及其在富营养化评价中的应用

真光层深度直接影响水体中浮游植物的分布和初级生产力以及水体生态环境,是水生态研究的一个重要参数.利用2006年10月24日～11月2日太湖水下实测光谱数据和光合有效辐射(PAR)数据,通过数据的处理和分析,尝试建立真光层深度与水面以下遥感反射率的关系模型,并利用真光层深度与透明度的关系,建立水体富营养化真光层深度评价模型.研究结果表明:真光层深度与归一化遥感反射率具有很好的相关性;选用特定波段的归一化反射率作为变量,建立两者的关系模型能较好的反演真光层深度,所建立的模型算法中,指数模型拟合方程的综合效果好于其他模型,波段比值算法反演精度要好于单波段算法;利用利用真光层深度进行富营养化评价具有一定的应用价值,利用该模型对太湖水体进行富营养化评价,得出太湖西部湖区大部分已富营养化,东部湖区处于中营养化和轻度富营养化状态.     

Characteristics of sugarcane white leaf phytoplasma transmission by the leafhopper Matsumuratettix hiroglyphicus

The leafhopper Matsumuratettix hiroglyphicus (Matsumura) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is the most important vector of sugarcane white leaf (SCWL) phytoplasma that significantly affects the sugarcane crop in Asia. Here, we aimed to study the characteristics of SCWL phytoplasma transmission by M. hiroglyphicus. To this end, the stylet penetration activities performed during the acquisition access period (AAP) and inoculation access period (IAP) were investigated by the direct current electrical penetration graph technique and confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Additionally, the latent period (LP) of SCWL phytoplasma in the vector was determined by qPCR and localised by fluorescent in situ hybridisation. The results indicated that the acquisition of SCWL phytoplasma occurred during phloem ingestion (waveform D), whereas its inoculation was associated with salivation into the phloem sieve element (waveform C). The minimum AAP was 15 min and the minimum duration of phloem ingestion was 2.35 min. The minimum LP of SCWL phytoplasma in the vector was at least 14 days; then, SCWL phytoplasma moved to the salivary glands of the insect, enabling the transmission of the pathogen to the host plants. The minimum IAP for a successful transmission of SCWL phytoplasma to the host plants was 11–12 min, with a minimum duration of salivation into phloem of 1.35 min. The female vectors had higher SCWL phytoplasma copy numbers than the male vectors, and displayed faster AAP, IAP, and LP. Overall, our findings provide important information related to the feeding behaviour of M. hiroglyphicus and its effect on the transmission of SCWL phytoplasma.