Development of novel microsatellite markers for Holothurian scabra (Holothuriidae), Apostichopus japonicas (Stichopodidae) and cross-species testing in other sea cucumbers

Thirty-five new microsatellite loci from the sea cucumbers H olothurian scabra(Jaeger, 1833) and Apostichopus japonicas(Selenka, 1867) were screened and characterized using the method of magnetic bead enrichment. Of the twenty-four polymorphic loci tested, eighteen were consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after a modified false discovery rate(B-Y FDR) correction, whereas six showed statistically significant deviations(CHS2 and CHS11: P 0.014 790; FCS1, FCS6, FCS8 and FCS14: P 0.015 377). Furthermore, four species of plesiomorphous and related sea cucumbers(Holothurian scabra, Holothuria leucospilota, Stichopus horrens and Apostichopus japonicas) were tested for mutual cross-amplification using a total of ninety microsatellite loci. Although transferability and universality of all loci were generally low, the results of the cross-species study showed that the markers can be applied to identify individuals to species according to the presence or absence of specific microsatellite alleles. The microsatellite markers reported here will contribute to the study of genetic diversity, assisted breeding, and population conservation in sea cucumbers, as well as allow for the identification of individuals to closely related species.     

Assessing the dye‐tracer correction factor for documenting the mean velocity of sheet flow over smooth and grassed surfaces

In the investigation of overland flow hydraulics, mean flow velocity (V) is frequently estimated using the measured surface flow velocity (Vs) multiplied by a correction factor, α. In total, 291 tests were performed in a flume with three beds [smooth glass (GL), sandpaper (SD), and plastic grass (GR)] to investigate α under submerged and non‐submerged flows, and Vs was observed using dye‐tracer method whilst V was calculated by the measured water depth and flow rate. For GL with 5.2% slope and 100 < Re < 5000 [Reynolds number (Re)], α ranged from 0.35 to 0.79, with an average of 0.54. For SD with slopes ranging from 2.6% to 25.9% and 300 < Re < 1200, α varied from 0.18 to 0.48 with an average of 0.32. Raindrop impacts decreased α for GL at 5.2% slope, but the effect diminished for SD as the slope increased. The α‐values less than the theoretical value of 0.67 in laminar flows may be attributed to the greater spatial variability in overland flow compared with channel flow. For GR with non‐submerged flows and Re < 4200, α varied inversely with sediment concentration (SC) at 5.2% slope but was only slightly related to SC at steep slopes of 15.6% and 25.9%. The α‐values were approximately 0.8 for turbulent flows and even greater than 1.0 under high flow discharges. This finding may relate to sheet flow disturbance and retarded surface velocity due to the protruding scattered grass stems. For each surface, α varied positively with Re; α was inversely related to slope for SD but positively related to slope for GR. There was a positive relation between h and α for GL and SD but a negative relation for GR, which highlights the importance of flow inundation status to α. The inundation ratio (h/Δ) is a promising indicator for predicting α; thus, further investigations using different submerged and non‐submerged surfaces are required to predict α effectively based on (h/Δ). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface energy balance of Keqicar Glacier,Tianshan Mountains,China, during ablation period

The meteorological data of ablation season in 2005 were recorded by two automatic weather stations on Keqicar Glacier, in the southwest Tianshan Mountains of China. One is operated on the glacier near the equilibrium line with an altitude of 4,265 m (Site A) and another is operated on the glacier ablation area with an altitude of 3,700 m (Site B). These data were used to analyze the meteorological conditions and the surface energy balance (SEB) of Keqicar Glacier. Net radiation was directly measured, and turbulent heat fluxes were calculated using the bulk aerodynamic approach, including stability correction. The ablation value of 0.68 m w.e. derived from four ablation stakes is in close correspondence to the modeled value of 0.71 m w.e. During the observation period, net radiation accounts for 81.4% of the total energy with its value of 63.3 W/m². The rest energy source is provided by the sensible heat flux with a value of 14.4 W/m². Energy is consumed mainly by melting and evaporation, accounting for 69.5% and 29.7% of the total energy with their values of 54.0 and 23.0 W/m², respectively. Radiative energy dominates energy exchanges at the glacier-atmosphere interface, governed by the variation in net shortwave radiation. Net short-wave radiation varies significantly due to the effects of cloudiness and the high albedo caused by solid precipitation. Wind speed influences the turbulent heat fluxes distinctively and sensible heat flux and latent heat flux are much larger in July with high wind speed.     

黄河玛曲砾质网状河段河间湿地形态特征及发育程度

河间湿地是网状河流体系中与多河道系统同等重要的地貌单元,其特征和发育程度与河道系统共同决定着网状河流的特性。本文以黄河玛曲网状河段作为研究对象,利用高分辨率Google Earth影像对研究河段河道与河间湿地等微地貌单元进行提取,利用湿地面积与湿地数对河间湿地的组成进行了分析,利用河间湿地面积占比、岸线密度、分汊点密度3个地貌参数,对河间湿地群体（河间湿地与分支河道特定组合体）的平面形态及多河道发育程度进行了研究。结果表明,河间湿地个体以中小型的为主,河间湿地群体则以大型和巨型的为主。河间湿地群体的发育程度与河间湿地群体面积（S_u）明显相关,河间湿地面积占比（P）随S_u的增大而增大,P值70%是河间湿地发育成熟的指标,而P值80%基本是河间湿地发育的上限值,此时河间湿地与分支河道基本达到动态平衡态。岸线密度、分汊点密度随S_u的增加呈减小趋势,这种变化主要是由于不同大小河间湿地群体中河道发育过程差异导致。黄河玛曲段河间湿地群体的形成在于弯曲主河道的主导作用、地形限制因素削弱导致的河道带的发育,以及植被维护的河岸使得河间湿地群体得以较长时间保存。     

Dynamic Parameters of Plant Communities Partially Reflect the Soil Quality Improvement in Eco‐Reclamation Area of an Opencast Coal Mine

The influence of soil physicochemical properties and the relationship between the plant community and edaphic factors have been studied through monitoring the community dynamic parameters and analyzing the soil properties from four plant plots at the Pingshuo opencast coal mine eco‐reclamation area. The results are obtained as follows: (1) the law of the quantity variation of total N and available K is affected by the different kinds of plant configuration mode. It is Robinia pseudoacacia + Pinus tabuliformis (SIV) > R. pseudoacacia (SV) > R. pseudoacacia + P. tabuliformis (SI) > R. pseudoacacia + Ulmus pumila + Ailanthus altissima (SIII). The quantity is close to or exceeds the level of the original geomorphology. The average content of available N has the following order: SIV > SI > SIII > SV; the average content of available P SV > SIII > SIV > SI, both are far below the level of the original geomorphology; pH SIV < SIII < SI < SV; bulk density SI < SIV < SV < SIII, moisture content SIV > SIII > SI > SV; in the soil layer of 20–40 cm, except the available P, other physicochemical factors are in accordance with the factors of the surface soil; (2) the population average density, height and diameter at breast height (DBH) have no obvious relevance with the average density of the stumpage; (3) the average density, height, and DBH of R. pseudoacacia are closely related to pH and the content of available N and available P and all the index can be fitted by the equation of linear regression of the edaphic factors mentioned above. The principal component analysis shows that the magnitude of the impacts of three kinds of edaphic factors on the R. pseudoacacia population has the following order: pH > available N > available P. The average density of U. pumila is closely related to the moisture content of the soil. This regression model can be used to direct the cultivation and propagation of R. pseudoacacia and U. pumila population at the mine eco‐reclamation area.     

利用GLASS LAI数据分析1982-2012年亚马逊热带雨林变化

利用1982-2012年的GLASS LAI数据,结合世界粮农组织(FAO)2000年发布的全球生态环境分类图,对亚马逊热带雨林31年的植被变化进行了综合分析,采用点与面相结合的分析方法,全面地反映雨林植被的变化情况。不同于过去研究中固定研究范围或直接研究整个南美洲区域,本文采用动态静态边界相结合的方法,在考虑热带雨林动态范围变化的同时也强调研究区域的内部变化。结果显示,亚马逊热带雨林叶面积指数在31年中整体呈现波动变化,进入2000年以后,热带雨林范围内平均叶面积指数先下降后增加,整体相对稳定。在空间分布上,由于人类毁林开荒,巴西境内的热带雨林以及热带雨林部分边缘地带的叶面积指数在31年中明显下降,热带雨林东南边界持续收缩;除此之外,雨林内部的叶面积指数波动上升,这是受到全球气候变暖的影响。结果与过去的研究进行对比,具有较好的一致性。研究论证了利用具有中国自主知识产权的GLASS LAI数据可以进行长时间序列大尺度的地表植被状况监测。     

Growth performance,digestive enzyme activities and serum nonspecific immunity of the red tilapia ( Oreochromis mossambicus × Oreochromis niloticus ) fed diets supplemented with ultrafine powder of Enteromopha prolifera

Journal of Oceanology and Limnology - The present study evaluated effects of ultrafine powder of the green macroalgae Enteromopha prolifera as dietary supplement on growth performance, digestive...