The Phenotypic Variation in Moso Bamboo and the Selection of Key Traits.

This research aimed to explore the diverse phenotypic characteristics of moso bamboo in China and pinpoint essential characteristics of moso bamboo. In this study, 63 grids were selected using the grid method to investigate 28 phenotypic traits of moso bamboo across the entire distribution area of China. The results suggest that the phenotypic traits of moso bamboo exhibit rich diversity, with coefficients of variation ranging from 5.87% to 36.57%. The phenotypic traits of moso bamboo showed varying degrees of correlation. A principal component analysis was used to identify seven main phenotypic trait indicators: diameter at breast height (DBH), leaf area (LA), leaf weight (LW), branch-to-leaf ratio (BLr), leaf moisture content (Lmc), wall-to-cavity ratio (WCr), and node length at breast height (LN), which accounted for 81.64% of the total information. A random forest model was used, which gave good results to validate the results. The average combined phenotypic trait value (D-value) of most germplasm was 0.563. The highest D-value was found in Wuyi 1 moso in Fujian (0.803), while the lowest D-value was observed in Pingle 2 moso in Guangxi (0.317). The clustering analysis of phenotypic traits classified China's moso bamboo germplasm into four groups. Group I had the highest D-value and is an important candidate germplasm for excellent germplasm screening.

Increasing intrusion of high salinity water alters the mariculture activities in Zhanjiang Bay during the past two decades identified by dual water isotopes.

The decrease of river runoff caused by the intensified human activities (e.g. artificial dams) and increasing intrusion of high salinity water in the coastal bays have become a worldwide environmental problem. However, the mixing can hardly be identified by traditional method with temperature and salinity due to the complicated water sources in the coastal area. Thus, it is difficult to quantify the impact of intrusion of high salinity water on coastal ecological environment. Here, seasonal dual water isotopes (δD and δ18O), hydrographic parameters, and nutrients were investigated in a typical semi-enclosed mariculture bay in South China Sea (SCS), to quantify the intrusion of high salinity water and its impact on the water environment. The results showed that salinity in the bay has increased significantly (18%) over the past two decades due to the decrease of runoff and dredging activity. Zhanjiang Bay is mainly affected by the seawater from the SCS in outer bay, and the seawater from the outer bay (89%) was significantly higher than that of freshwater (7%) in summer, despite the increase in freshwater input from the river during this period. In winter, the intrusion of high salinity water increased (accounting for 94%) due to the decrease of runoff input. However, the contribution of groundwater was similar in summer (4%) and winter (5%). The estimation results from the relationship of δ18O-salinity and δD-salinity showed that the intrusion of high salinity water has increased significantly for the past two decades (increased by 23%). This resulted in the area suitable for oyster breeding is decreasing, and the oyster breeding activities have been gradually moving to the inner bay. Moreover, the nutrients in Zhanjiang Bay were mainly originated from freshwater input in summer (54%-90%), while it changed to the SCS input from the outer bay in winter (40%-97%). This study suggests that the intrusion of high salinity water significantly increases the salinity, and seriously retains the pollutants of freshwater in the bay, which poses a great threat to the oyster breeding activities in the semi-enclosed bay.

[Chemical constituents from Bidens bipinnata].

To investigate the chemical constituents of the whole plants of Bidens bipinnata, the separation and purification of constituents were performed by chromatography on macroporous resin, silica gel, MCI and Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data as quercetin (1), quercetin-3-0-alpha-L-rhamnoside (2), keampferol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), keampferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside (4), 3', 5-dyhydroxy-3, 6, 4'-trimethoxyl -7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside flavonoid (5), 7, 8, 3', 4'-tetraflavanone(6), (2S)- and (2R)-isookanin-7-O-beta-D- glucopyranoside (7a/7b), (2S)- and (2R)-3'-methoxy-isookanin-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (8a/8b), 6, 7, 3', 4'-tetrahydroxyaurone(9), maritimetin (10), esculetin (11), 3-O-caffeoyl-2-methyl-d-erythrono-1, 4-lactone (12), (7S, 8R) balanophonin-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (13), eugenyl-O-beta-apiofuranosyl-( 1"-6') -O-beta-glucopyranoside (14), and (+)-syringaresinol-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (15). Compounds 8, 13, 14, and 15 were isolated from this genus for the first time. Compounds 1 and 6 were potent inhibitors against HSC-T6 cells in vitro and compounds 1, 2, 6, and 7 were capable of decreasing the inflammatory cytokine production of macrophage cells in vitro.

Macaca thibetana at Mt. Emei, China: III. Group composition.

Data on group composition at the end of the 1986 birth season were collected from six groups of Macaca thibetana. All adult males, the members of group A, and some conspicuous animals were recognized individually. Fourhundred survey sessions were completed. The mean group size was 38.3 (SD = 13.8, range: 28-65); the number of adult females was the best correlate of total group size. The mean adult sex ratio (F:M) across groups was 3:1 (SD = 1.9, range: 1.5-6.5:1), which significantly deviated from 1:1. Sex ratios (F:M) in newborns, juveniles, and all members did not significantly deviate from 1. The ratio of immature animals to adults was 1.5 to 1 (average of groups); that is, 60% of the population was composed of immature animals, and the population was growing.

Macaca thibetana at Mt. Emei, China: II. Birth seasonality.

Birth censuses were conducted every 2 or 3 days for each of six groups of Macaca thibetana along trails at Mt. Emei in southwest China from March 7 to June 15, 1986. Based on direct observations and the timetable of forehead hair growth and behavior, each of 32 infants could be placed in one of sixteen 14-day periods of the 1986 birth season. The mean estimated birth date was March 27 (SD = 39 days); the median estimated birth date was March 14. Sex ratios in newborns and yearlings did not deviate significantly from 1:1. Seasonal birth timing was correlated with the altitude of the range (r = -0.84, P < .05); that is, infants were born earlier in the season at higher altitudes.

Macaca thibetana at Mt. Emei, China: I. A cross-sectional study of growth and development.

Six free-ranging groups of Macaca thibetana were studied at Mt. Emei, in southwest China. Patterns of growth and development observed during the study are described for this species for the first time. Data were collected mainly during the birth season of 1986. Food handouts made possible the measurement of body weight and sitting height. Changes in fur color and growth of forehead hair were noted. Dark hair appeared on the broad white forehead of infants at the end of the third month. A triangular patch formed about 30 days later, and full cover developed within 4.5 to 5 months. For the first 1 or 2 weeks, the fur was blackish; it then became yellow, and by the age of 3.5-4.5 months, it was brown or blackish, i.e., adult color. Growth data on body weight and sitting height for different age-sex classes were collected. For adult males, body weight was 18 kg, sitting height (SH) 55 cm, and ponderal index 33. For adult female, body weight was 13 kg, sitting height 47 cm, and ponderal index 27. Females were considered to be adult at age 5 years.