Diel migration and vertical distribution of Cladocera in Lake D. Helvecio (Minas Gerais,Brazil)

Six genera of Clad ocera (Diaphanosoma, Daphnia, Ceriodaphnia, Moina, Bosmina, Bosminopsis), each of them usually with only one species were found in Lake D. Helvecio, a natural valley lake located in the eastern part of Brazil. Diurnal migratory movements of the organisms observed in this lake showed a different pattern in different species. Closely related species, which explore the same food source, live in different layers, thus avoiding interspecific competition. The migratory behaviour of the species was studied mainly in relation to temperature and oxygen distribution in the lake. Thus, analyses were made in the summer (January, 1978) when a strong stratification occurs with the establishment of a thermocline and an oxycline. Comparisons were made also with the data obtained in winter (July, 1978), when a complete mixing of water occurs.     

麦秸覆盖夏玉米对其苗期生长发育的生化他感作用研究初报

麦秸覆盖夏玉米对其苗期生长发育的生化他感作用研究初报张玉铭,马永清（中国科学院石家在农业现代化研究所,０５００２１）ＡｌｌｅｌｏｐａｔｈｉｃＥｆｆｅｃｔｏｆＷｈｅａｔＳｔｒａｗＭｕｌｃｈｉｎｇｏｎＳｅｅｄｌｉｎｇＧｒｏｗｔｈａｎｄＤｅｖｅｌｏｐｍｅｎ...     

Thermoregulation and roost selection by reproductive female big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) roosting in rock crevices

A free-ranging maternity colony of big brown bats Eptesicus fuscus roosting in rock crevices along the South Saskatchewan River in south-eastern Alberta, Canada, was studied to understand better the discrepancy that exists in the literature regarding torpor use by reproductive female bats. Using radio-telemetry, thermoregulatory patterns and roost microclimate were recorded for pregnant, lactating and post-lactating females. Relative torpor use is described in several ways: the proportion of days on which torpor was used, depth, minimum body temperature, time spent in torpor, and a comprehensive torpor unit (degree-min). Pregnant and lactating female E. fuscus used torpor to the same extent overall (degree-min), but pregnant bats used torpor less frequently and with more time in deep torpor. Torpor was used to the greatest extent after weaning (post-lactation). Evidence is presented that the cost:benefit ratio for deep and prolonged periods of torpor may be highest during lactation. Microclimates of rock-crevice roosts mirrored the use of torpor throughout reproduction by bats. Lactation roosts (deeper, larger opening size) were more thermally stable and remained warmer at night compared to the shallow roosts used by pregnant and post-lactating females. It is shown that conclusions about relative use of torpor can differ depending on the units of comparison, necessitating measurement of all aspects of torpor (depth, duration and frequency). Comprehensive measurements, individual-based normothermic temperatures, and a definition of torpor that accounts for all energy savings, allow a more accurate depiction of patterns and facilitates inter-study comparisons.     

Genetic similarity in long-eared owl communal winter roosts: a DNA fingerprinting study

The long-eared owl is a nocturnal predator which winters communally and breeds in the same areas in loose colonies during the spring. We tested the hypothesis that roosts, particularly stable roosts, are formed by close relatives, a condition under which group-related behaviours such as information sharing or helping at nest are more likely to be developed. DNA fingerprinting analysis was used to examine genetic similarity within and between two long-eared owl populations, one wintering in a traditional roost and the other in an unstable roost, and both breeding around their roosting sites. Although genetic similarity within roosts was higher than that between roosts, the difference was not significant. Observed genetic similarity within roosts was smaller than that reported in the bird species whose roosts work as information centres. On the other hand, the presence of some closely related individuals in the roost and behavioural observations suggest that co-operation between kin might have occurred, at least in one of the two study sites.     

Flight responses in a wind tunnel of the parasitoid Microplitis croceipes to three spring and three summer host plants of Heliothis spp.

Flight responses of the parasitoid, Microplitis croceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to two phenological stages of spring host plants (crimson clover, Trifolium incarnatum L., hairy vetch, Vicia villosa Corbiere, and cutleaf geranium, Geranium dissectum L.) and summer host plants (cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., sorghum, Sorghum bicolor L., and soybean Glycine max (L.) Merr.) of Heliothis virescens (F.), were measured in a dual choice situation in a wind tunnel. Preflowering clover was more attractive than preflowering geranium, followed by preflowering vetch. Clover was preferred over geranium in flowering stages as well. No within species differences were detected for the two phenological stages. Preflowering and flowering cotton and soybean were preferred over preflowering and flowering sorghum. The findings could be important in pre-determining release sites for M. croceipes in the field.     

Milk production responses and rumen fermentation of dairy cows supplemented with summer brassicas

Forage brassicas, such as summer turnip (ST; Brassica rapa) and forage rape (FR; Brassica napus), are used as supplementary crops during summer. However, studies with lactating dairy cows fed these forages are limited and report inconsistent productive responses. The aim of this study was to determine dry matter intake, rumen fermentation and milk production responses of dairy cows in mid-lactation supplemented with and without summer (‘ST’ or ‘FR’) brassicas. Twelve multiparous lactating dairy cows were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design balanced for residual effects over three 21-day periods. The control diet consisted of 16.2 kg DM of grass silage, 2.25 kg DM of commercial concentrate and 2.25 kg DM solvent-extracted soybean meal. For the other two dietary treatments, 25% of the amounts of silage and concentrates were replaced with FR or ST. The inclusion of forage brassicas had no effects on milk production (24.2 kg cow/day average) and composition (average milk fat and protein 43.2 and 33.6 g/l, respectively). Dry matter intake was 0.98 kg and 1.12 kg lower for cows supplemented with FR and ST, respectively, resulting in a greater feed conversion efficiency (1.35 kg milk/kg DM for ST and FR v. 1.27 kg milk/kg DM for the control diet). Intraruminal pH was lower for cows supplemented with ST compared to the control diet; however, it did not decrease below pH 5.8 at any time of the day. After feeding, the concentrations of total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in rumen contents increased with ST supplementation compared to the control diet. Inclusion of FR in the diet increased the molar proportion of acetate (68.5 mmol/100 mmol) in total SCFA at the expense of propionate, measured 6 h after feeding of the forage. The molar proportion of butyric acid was greater with ST and FR supplementation (13.1 and 12 mmol/100 mmol, respectively) than in control cows. The estimated microbial nitrogen (N) flow was 89.1 g/day greater when supplementing FR compared to the control diet. Based on the haematological measures, the inclusion of summer brassica forages did not affect the health status of the animals. These results indicate that mid-lactation dairy cows fed brassicas are able to maintain production despite the reduced intake, probably due to improved rumen fermentation and therefore nutrient utilization.     

大兴安岭泥炭地不同菌根类型木本植物叶片凋落物分解及其温度敏感性差异

以我国大兴安岭多年冻土区泥炭地常见的3种外生菌根木本植物(细叶沼柳Salix rosmarinifolia、白桦Betula platyphylla和柴桦B.fruticosa)和4种欧石楠菌根木本植物(笃斯越桔Vaccinium uliginosum、狭叶杜香Ledum palustre、甸杜Chamaedaphne calyculata和小叶杜鹃Rhododendron parrifolum)为研究对象,通过315天培养试验测定10和20℃叶片凋落物分解过程中的碳(C)累积矿化量和重量损失,并分析其温度敏感性。结果表明:外生菌根植物叶片凋落物的C矿化量和重量损失在10和20℃均高于欧石楠菌根植物;外生菌根植物凋落物分解过程中C矿化量的温度敏感性系数高于欧石楠菌根植物,但重量损失的温度敏感性系数低于欧石楠菌根植物;在每一培养温度下,C矿化量和重量损失均与凋落物全氮(N)和全磷(P)浓度呈正相关,与C/N和C/P呈负相关;尽管C矿化量的温度敏感性系数与凋落物初始化学组成无显著相关性,但重量损失的温度敏感性系数与凋落物全N和全P浓度呈负相关,与C/N和C/P呈正相关。本研究结果为认识和预测气候变暖及其引起的物种组成变化对北方泥炭地植物凋落物分解的影响提供理论依据。     

植酶Q9对大田遮阴夏玉米产量和衰老特性的调控作用

黄淮海夏季太阳辐射量降低以及种植密度增加引起了夏玉米冠层光照不足,产量大幅降低。本试验选用夏玉米品种‘登海605'(DH605)为试验材料,设置3个遮阴处理:花粒期遮阴(S₁)、穗期遮阴(S₂)和全生育期遮阴(S₃),以大田自然光照为对照(CK),并选用化控试剂植酶Q9(原液稀释100倍)对遮阴处理和CK进行外源调控,即花粒期遮阴-植酶Q9(S₁Q)、穗期遮阴-植酶Q9(S₂Q)、全生育期遮阴-植酶Q9(S₃Q)及大田自然光照-植酶Q9(CKQ),化控处理以同时期喷施清水为对照,探讨植酶Q9对大田遮阴夏玉米衰老特性的调控作用。结果表明: 遮阴显著降低了夏玉米的叶面积指数(LAI)、功能叶片叶绿素相对含量值(SPAD值)和净光合速率,进而显著降低了夏玉米产量。同时,遮阴夏玉米穗位叶的超氧物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性显著降低,丙二醛(MDA)、游离脯氨酸含量显著增加,可溶性蛋白含量显著降低。喷施植酶Q9后,S₃Q和S₂Q的LAI、功能叶片SPAD值和净光合速率显著提高;S₃Q、S₂Q、S₁Q的MDA和游离脯氨酸含量显著降低,可溶性蛋白含量和POD活性显著提高,S₂Q、S₃Q各时期的SOD和CAT活性显著提高;S₃Q、S₂Q、S₁Q的产量分别较S₃、S₂、S₁平均提高19%、8%、7%,CKQ与CK间无显著差异。因此,喷施植酶Q9通过提高弱光胁迫下夏玉米的光合能力,延缓叶片的衰老,增加产量,可有效缓解弱光胁迫导致的减产危害。