Genetic diversity of Chinese domestic goat based on the mitochondrial DNA sequence variation

The aim of this study was to characterize the genetic diversity of domestic goat in China. For this purpose, we determined the sequence of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region in 72 individuals of the Yangtze River delta white goat, and reanalysed

Diversity Variation of Ground-dwelling Beetle(Insecta:Coleoptera) Communities in Jiaozi Mountain, Yunnan, China

对云南轿子雪山自然保护区地表甲虫物的种组成及生物多样性季节变化进行了连续跟踪调查.调查结果如下:(1)通过对4种典型微环境样地(草地、灌丛、林地以及农田生态系统)连续3次跟踪连续调查,共获得标本2451头,分别隶属于24科.其中步甲科(Carabidae)为优势类群,占总数的62.10%;隐翅虫科(Staphylinidae)其次,占12.77%.可能由于海拔、气温等因素影响,该地区昆虫活动高峰期较短.(2)通过对4种典型微生态环境中地表甲虫的生物多样性的比较,表明不同生境内甲虫的多样性指数存在动态变化,在不同生境片区内甲虫存在迁移活动,甲虫多在灌丛中越冬,并随季节及食物源迁移.

Implications of changes in trophic diversity and food webs on fisheries and the environment

Most of the earth's ecosystems are experiencing slight to catastrophic losses of biodiversity, caused by habitat destruction, alien species introduction, climate change and pollution (Wilcove et al., 1998). These human effects have led to the extinction of native fish species, the collapse of their populations and the loss of ecological integrity and ecosystem functioning (Ogutu-Ohwayo & Hecky, 1991; Witte et al. , 1992a; Mills et al., 1994; Vitousek et al., 1996). Food webs are macro-descriptors of community feeding interactions that can be used to map the flow of materials and nutrients in ecosystems (Jepsen & Winemiller, 2002). Comparative food web studies have been used to address theoretical questions such as 'does greater trophic connectivity increase stability?' (Cohen et al., 1990), and 'does the number of trophic levels increase with productivity?' (Briand & Cohen, 1987). Answers to such questions have obvious applications for natural resources management. From a multi-species fisheries standpoint, there is a need to understand consumer-resource dynamics within complex trophic networks.

The diversity of aquatic flora and their importance in the Victoria and Kyoga lake basins

A great part of Uganda is endowed with water bodies in the forms of rivers and open water lakes. These bodies are never alone. They are either flanked or associated with plants, which are adapted to the wet conditions. They are so characteristic that they are part and parcel of the aquatic ecosystems. They occupy various positions depending on the amount of water in the relevant habitats.

The diversity and abundance of zooplankton in the Lake Victoria and Kyoga basins and their relationship to fish production

Biological diversity of an ecosystem is considered a reliable measure of the state of health of the ecosystem. In Uganda's large lakes, the Victoria and Kyoga, the past three decades have been characterized by profound changes in fish species composition following the introduction of the piscivorous Nile perch (Oguto-Ohwayo 1990). Over 300 haplochromine cichlid species comprising a wide range of trophic groups were lost along with a host of non-cichlid fishes which occupied virtually all available ecological niches and in the lakes (Witte 1992). A second major ecological event has been the gradual nutrient enrichment of the water bodies (eutrophication) from diffuse and point sources, while at the same time pollutants have also gained entrance into the water systems in pace with indusfrial development and human population increases in the lake basins. Eutrophication and pollution have drastically altered the physical and-chemical character of the water medium in which different fauna and flora thrive. In Lake Victoria these alterations have resulted in changes of algal species composition from pristine community dominated by chlorophytes and diatoms (Melosira etc) to one composed largely of blue-green algae or Cyanobacteria (Microcystis, Anabaena, Planktolyngbya etc) (Mugidde 1993, Hecky 1993).

The diversity of macro invertebrates in the Victoria and Kyoga lake basin and their relationship to ecosystem functioning

Aquatic macro-invertebrates encompass all those organisms that be seen with unaided eyes. Most macro-invertebrates are categorised as semi-aquatic in that they are aquatic in early stages, but live as terrestrial organisms as adults, while others like gastropods, bivalves, Oligochaetae, Hirudinae and ostracods are exclusively aquatic. Some of them such as mayflies lay eggs in water and subsequent stages also live in water until adulthood when they emerge to live a terrestrial life. In others, eggs are laid near the water, while some like members of Tendipedidae (midges) lay their eggs on the leaves of aquatic macrophytes and after hatching their larvae creep into water

Fish species diversity in the Victoria and Kyoga lake basins: their conservation and sustainable use

Introduction of exotic fish species especially the Nile perch Lates niloticus, is believed to be responsible for the decline of fish species diversity in lakes Victoria, Kyoga and Nabugabo.About 60% of the haplochromine cichlids are thought to have become extinct from L. Victoria due to predation by the Nile perch. However there are many lakes satelite to the lakes Victoria and Kyoga basins which still have fish fauna similar to that of the main lakes. many of the satellite lakes are separated from the main lakes in, which Nile perch was introduced by extensive swamps that provide a barrier to Nile perch .A survey was carried out in a number of these satelite lakes and an inventory made of existing fish species. Their distribution and relative abundances were also determined. The lakes studied included Nawampasa, Nakuwa,Kawi Lamwa Gigate, Nyaguo, Agu, Nabugabo. Kayanja, Kaytigi, Mburo, Kachera and Wamala.Some habitats within the main lakes Victoria and Kyoga, especially those with rocky outcrops· and macrophyte cover that provide refugia for endangered species from Nile perch,were also surveyed) Various stations along the River Nile were also sampled to quantify the fish species that are still resent. Kyoga minor lakes were found to have the highest number of fish species especially of haplochromine cichlids. Many haplochromine trophic groups that were thought to be extinct from 1. Victoria still occur in these lakes.!Some of the satellite lakes, especially lakes Kayugi, Mburo and Kachera still contain .healili populations of oreochromis. I esculentus that could be used as brood stock in fish farming. Many of these lakes should .I ( I therefore be protected for conservation offish species diversity

The diversity of amphibians, reptiles and mammals and their importance in the Victoria and Kyoga lake basins

The shore margins of Lakes in the Victoria basin are highly dented and mostly swampy, fringed by Papyrus and other wetland vegetation types important habitats for herpetofauna and wetland adapted mammals. Of recent, the extent of the 'wetland' has been extended in several places by the Water Hyacinth (Eichornia cryaseps). Ecologically, amphibians are important in many ways; they are mostly predators, acting as primary and secondary carnivores. Their prey consists mostly of insects, some of which are pests to crops or disease vectors. They are also inter-inked in food chains, often acting as food for other vertebrates, such as pigs, birds, snakes and sometimes man. Because of their ectothermic physiology, the life history and ecology of amphibians often differ markedly from that of birds or mammals (McCollough el ai, (992).Amphibians are known to be an easily recognisable taxon in given habitats; and populations are sometimes specialised within a narrow habitat. This makes it easy and practical to monitor changes in composition over time, given different onditions (Heyer el al 1994, Phillips 1990). Impacts on their habitat are reflected in changes in numbers and species diversity in a short time. These are some of the factors that have made amphibians to be recognised, nowadays, as good indicators of habitat change

Genetic status of selected fish taxa in relation to conservation of genetic and species diversity in the Victoria and Kyoga Lake basins

Cichlids are known for their explosive radiation especially in the African Great Lakes marked with a high level of lake endemism. These fishes have been characterized mainly along trophic and habitat differences, by variation in morphological structures such as teeth and jaws and by differences in body shape and coloration. Cichlids are important as a microcosm of macroevolution. The explosive radiation, young evolutionary scale, and the isolation of groups characterized with high levels of endemism and presence of living fossils makes the group important for evolutionary and genetic studies. Lake Victoria region cichlids which are isolated and relatively more recent in evolution were the last to be appreciated in their diversity. Recently Ole Seehausen has found scores of rock fishes in Lake Victoria which were up to then thought to be absent from the Lake and only known to occur in Lakes Malawi and Tanganyika. Greenwood put together the species groups of Lake Victoria, and later in the early 1980's revised the classification of haplochromine species to reflect the phyletic origin and interrelationship of the various groups in Lake Victoria region. Melan Stiassny has been interested in early evolution of cichlids while the likes of Paul Fuerst and Lees Kaufman and Axel Meyer have been interested and are working to explain the speciation mechanisms responsible for the explosive radiation and evolution of cichlids. Locally S.B Wandera and his student Getrude Narnulemo are spearheading the biodiversity and taxonomic studies of cichlids in Lake Victoria region

Fish species diversity, and the biology and ecology of common fish species in Lake Albert

Lake Albert contributes about 10% to the national fish production. It supports a multi-species fishery based on endemic species. To local fishermen, Lake Albert is a lifeline providing food and income.

Effects of inlake application of glyphoste and 2, 4‐D to control shoreline water hyacinth on diversity and abundance of associated macrofauna

The purpose of inlake herbicide trials was to assess on the aquatic environment and resources, of in-lake of weeder 64 (2,4-0 amine) and Rodio (Glyphosate) water hyacinth the effects application to control water hyacinth. The experiments reported here specifically studied the effects of the herbicides on the diversity and abundance of aquatic macrofauna associated with the water weed. Results from this and similar experiments which assessed herbicide efficacy on water hyacinth; dissipation in water, impact on water quality, algal biomass and on diversity and abundance of zooplankton and macrofauna were all to be evaluated as input into the environmental impact assessment exercise required to facilitate decisions on the use of herbicides to control water hyacinth in Uganda.

Fishery methods and fish diversity in the Kilombero River in south-eastern Tanzania

Assessment of common fishery methods and of fish diversity was undertaken in two fishing camps on the Kilombero River in south-eastern Tanzania in surveys towards the end of the dry season, 1994. Fishermen identified 23 different types of fish that they caught on a regular basis. Only 19 species of fish, belonging to 17 genera and 11 families were, however, identified according to Linnean taxonomy. Hooks, nets, traps and spears were used to catch fish. Fish were either sold fresh. or preserved for storage and long-distance tranport by smoking or frying. based un frequency distributions of the numbers of fish landed over a 4 day period at one of the camps, a Shannon-diversity index of 1.95 was calculted. The fork (or total) length of 480 fish and the weight of 413 fish were measured and length frequency distributions as well as length-weight relationships determined for the six most common species. It is concluded that local fishing methods applied in the Kilombero River allow for sustainable fish production.

SPECIES DIVERSITY DYNAMICS OF FRAGMENTED TROPICAL RAINFORESTS IN THE LOWER-LANCANG/ UPPER-MEKONG RIVER BASIN

　在澜沧江下游/ 湄公河上游的滇南西双版纳地区,通过样方法比较了热带雨林的连片与3 个小片断的物 种多样性变化趋势。与连续森林比较,片断热带雨林的植物物种丰富度和物种多样性指数都比较低,而且有相当低 比例的大高位芽、中高位芽和附生等生活型植物,而藤本、小高位芽和矮高位芽等生活型植物的比例则较高;泛热 带、热带亚洲至热带非洲的区系成分比例较高,而当地成分则减少;群落的上层树木比下层树木更加稳定。同样,动 物的物种多样性指数和均衡度在片断热带雨林中都较低,与其密切相关的是片断热带雨林的环境质量,而不是片 断的大小。此外,也探讨了片断热带雨林物种变化与森林小气候的关系,阐明了由凉湿向干暖转化的“林内效应"是 其物种变化的重要原因之一。

A new species of Amolops (Anura : Ranidae) from Yunnan, China, with a discussion of karyological diversity in Amolops

We describe a new species, Amolops tuberodepressus, from the mountainous regions of Jingdong County, Yunnan Province, China. This species differs from all other congeners in a combination of both karyological and morphological characteristics. Morphologically, the new species resembles A. mantzorum, A. kangtingensis, A. jinjiangensis, and A. liangshanensis occurring in southern Sichuan and northern Yunnan and may easily be confused with those species. However, Amolops tuberodepressus differs from those species by the presence of a distinct tympanum, flatter supratympanic fold, flatter tubercles on the flanks, and absence of a dorsolateral Fold. Karyological evidence also strongly supports the distinctness of the new species. A consideration of one Karyological character demonstrates that species of Amolops in southwestern China all share secondary constrictions on chromosome pair six. In view of the morphological similarity among species df Amolops in southwestern China, these species may have only recently diverged from a common ancestral species.