Reproductive ecology of the glass frog Espadarana prosoblepon (Anura: Centrolenidae) in an urban forest of the Central Andes of Colombia

Population and reproductive behaviour aspects of the glass frog Espadarana prosoblepon are well known for populations from Central America, but similar information is lacking for populations from South America. We recorded the reproductive ecology of a population of the glass frog E. prosoblepon in the city of Armenia, Central Andes of Colombia. With weekly surveys with mark-recapture between December 2013 and November 2015, we monitored activity patterns and evaluated if the probability of males mating is associated to their body size or to chorus tenure (i.e. the number of nights a same individual is calling for attracting a mate). In addition, upon observing an amplexus, we recorded the behaviour of the individuals until oviposition and noted characteristics of egg clutch. We recorded 47 males and 32 females, nine amplexus events, eight ovipositions, and 21 egg clutches (35.4 ± 4.79 eggs per clutch, N = 29). Activity of males and females and the number of egg clutches were positively correlated to rainfall. Mating success of males was not associated to their body size, but it was positively associated to longer chorus tenure; clutches from large females had a higher number of eggs than clutches from small females. Oviposition occurred on average 3.76 ± 1.74 hours after we first observed the amplexus, occurring 93.1% of the time in fronds of Selaginella geniculata at an average height of 1.58 ± 0.44 m. After the oviposition, the male left the site, while the female remained between 30 and 45 min, partially covering the eggs. The reproductive behaviour of E. prosoblepon did not vary widely between a population in Costa Rica and our population in time to oviposition, and mating success of males associated to chorus tenure; however, in our study population we recorded a larger clutch size and the preference for S. geniculata fronds as oviposition substrate.     

Geographical variation in the golden‐striped salamander,Chioglossa lusitanica Bocage, 1864 and the description of a newly recognized subspecies

Morphological and genetic data for the Iberian golden‐striped salamander, Chioglossa lusitanica, demonstrate the existence of two groups with southern and northern ranges, connected by a zone of intergradation in central Portugal. Because reproductive isolation between them is incomplete we consider the groups to be subspecies. The type locality of C. lusitanica (Buçaco near Lousã) is situated inside the mixed zone. This necessitates identification of the nominotypical subspecies. We sequenced a fragment of mitochondrial DNA from one of the species' syntypes and we determined what position over a latitudinal transect maximizes the morphological discrimination between the groups. Both approaches indicate that C. lusitanica from Buçaco represents the southern subspecies. A new subspecies of C. lusitanica is described from a northern locality (Valongo near Porto in north‐western Portugal). A lectotype is designated for Chioglossa lusitanica.     

Effects of fragmentation on genetic variation in populations of the terrestrial earthworm Drawida japonica Michaelsen, 1892 (Oligochaeta,Moniligastridae) in Shandong and Liaodong peninsulas,China

Earthworms are excellent indicators of landscape fragmentation due to their widespread distribution and poor dispersal abilities over water. Based on field studies conducted in the Shandong and Liaodong peninsulas and their associated islands during summer 2009, we analysed the genetic variation of Drawida japonica Michaelsen, 1892 (Oligochaeta, Moniligastridae) using DNA sequences of the 16S and 28S ribosomal genes in samples obtained from 13 localities, 12 of which were islands, one artificially connected to the mainland by man (Yangma SC). We identified 55 haplotypes among 79 samples, based on 1094 bp, including 47 unique haplotypes. The phylogenetic tree topologies showed two distinct clades. A multiple-apex Poisson distribution using a mismatch analysis of nucleotides was also detected. Results of a Tajima D neutral test were not significant (p > 0.05). Genetic divergence among populations was much larger than within populations. A positive relationship between genetic diversity and island area was revealed, but no significant correlation between genetic diversity and distance to the nearest larger landmass was found. These results indicate that the intraspecific genetic diversity of D. japonica has been influenced by geographic isolation (i.e. island habitat). Passive transport via anthropogenic activities or nonhuman vertebrates (birds or mammals) may also play a key role in dispersal.     

Potential impacts of logging on intertidal infaunal communities within the Kitimat River estuary

ABSTRACT

Efficiently evaluating industrial activities plays an essential role in determining the extent to which human–ecosystem interactions may lead to species loss, disrupted community dynamics, and degraded ecosystems. Intertidal habitats offer a unique opportunity in this regard, as they are species rich ecosystems that exhibit rapid community turnover and pronounced responses to ecological disturbances. In an attempt to use these dynamic communities to identify the impact storage of harvested logs is having on the Kitimat River estuary, surveys evaluating the biotic and abiotic conditions within surrounding mudflats were conducted. The intertidal mudflats of the Kitimat River Estuary varied spatially and temporally, and with differences in the infaunal community, as well as the abiotic sediment conditions between reference mudflats, and mudflats potentially impacted by logging activities. While these differences were pronounced, we cannot at this time link these differences to the logging activities at impacted sites. We also observed evidence that suggests that the infaunal community of these intertidal mudflats have changed substantially since the 1970s, with the establishment of a community of polychaetes, as well as the appearance of the invasive clam Mya arenaria, and the invasive Cumacea Nippoleucon hinumensis. Beyond contrasting impacted and reference mudflats, the current health of these mudflats, as indicated by the infaunal community assemblage, is currently unclear. More research is required to determine if organic enrichment has occurred at these habitats, as well as to further elucidate the current health of these intertidal mudflats.     

Yugoslavian and other records of the Italian freshwater goby,Padogobius martensii,and a character polarization in gobioid fishes

Padogobius martensii, a freshwater gobiid fish from the Po basin and adjoining rivers of northeastern Italy, is now recorded from Yugoslavia (Dalmatia), and further rivers of the Italian Adriatic seaboard. Diagnostic features are summarized, with special reference to another freshwater goby of the area, Orsinigobius punctatissimus. The origin of the Dalmatian populations is discussed with reference to sea-level changes in the postglacial Adriatic basin. Meristic polymorphism in dorsal pterygiophore sequence is described in the various P. martensii populations and its significance noted for polarization of character states in this feature.     

影响LiNbO3波导型F-P滤波器性能的因素

分析了影响LiNbO3波导型F P滤波器性能的3个因素:传输损耗、端面缺陷、温度变化.推导了在考虑波导损耗时的功率传输函数表达式,制作的质子交换LiNbO3光波导的传输损耗为0.35 dB/cm左右,指出在F P腔长较短(0.5~1.0 mm或更短)时,传输损耗不是影响滤波器性能的主要因素.引入端面缺陷因子来分析缺陷对滤波器功率传输函数和精细度的影响,经分析表明要使滤波器保持良好的性能,其缺陷因子不应远大于20 nm.最后分析了温度对滤波器性能的影响,指出温度变化使F P腔的中心波长发生漂移,但对峰值功率传输系数和精细度无影响.     

无穷级数新的积分判别法

利用有界变差函数的性质,建立了比Cauchy积分判别法更广泛的新的积分判别法;利用实分析中的Lebesgue逐项积分定理,推广了文献[7]中一个数项级数收敛性判别法.     

变拓扑机构可变运动副设计目录研究

可变运动副作为变拓扑机构改变拓扑结构的关键所在,其结构设计是变拓扑机构构型综合的难点.基于可变运动副拓扑变化方式的研究,构建可变运动副设计目录,用于可变运动副的结构设计.分别针对可变运动副的改变轴线方位、改变数目和改变类型等三类拓扑变化过程,分析可变运动副的约束变化特征,并采用运动副约束函数的算术运算进行描述.在归纳设计可变运动副结构形式的基础上,对可变运动副拓扑变化方式、约束变化特征和对应结构等设计信息进行分类和汇编,构建可变运动副设计目录.应用实例表明,采用可变运动副设计目录,能快速有效地设计可变运动副结构,为含可变运动副的变拓扑机构构型综合提供了方便.     

和而不同:英语中的中国因素

中国从19世纪初到现在接触和使用英语已有近两百年的历史,由于中西文化的相互影响和渗透,许多汉语的词汇逐渐进入英语,成为英语的一部分。中国英语以英国英语为核心,但有着鲜明的中国特色。本文拟从语言变异:中国因素的融入根源、顺应理论:验证中国因素的表现特色、英语全球化、本土化:引导中国因素的发展趋势三个方面阐释英语中的中国因素。