High level of extra-pair paternity in the socially monogamous Marsh Tits(Poecile palustris)

Background:Extra-pair copulation behavior has been widely studied among socially monogamous birds.Many species revealed high rates of extra-pair paternity.But few of the studies have been carried out in the Asian population.Methods:From 2012 to 2019,we explored the extra-pair paternity of Marsh Tits(Poecile palustris)in Xianrendong National Nature Reserve,Liaoning Province,China.During the study,adult Marsh Tits were captured with mist nets and parental birds,with nest-box traps.Blood samples were taken from the brachial vein.Parentage analyses were carried out using nine highly variable microsatellite loci through Cervus 3.0 software and maximum likelihood approach.Results:Forty-nine offspring(15.08%)from 20 nests(45.45%)were the results of extra-pair fertilization out of a total of 325 offspring in 44 nests.The average extra-pair offspring ratio was 33.54%,with a set varying from 11.11 to 71.43%.Nine extra-pair fathers had been successfully identified,four of whom were the close neighbors of the focus nest while the nests of the remaining five were relatively far.No significant difference was found in the genetic similarity between the social and extra-pair mates of the female,nor in the heterozygosis among the maternal half-siblings.Conclusions:In general,our study proved that the extra-pair paternity in Marsh Tits and its extra-pair mating is independent of the genetic compatibility hypothesis.This complements the understudied bird's extra-pair paternity in Asian area and contributes to the comprehensive insight of birds'extra-pair paternity behaviors.

A high level of extra-pair paternity in the Chestnut Thrush(Turdus rubrocanus)

Extra-pair copulation(EPC)can potentially maximize individual reproductive fitness,and this process may involve sexual selection of male and female traits that reflect individual quality.Previous studies have implied that adult characteristics are associated with the probability of extra-pair paternity(EPP),but it differs between species.Moreover,there are relatively few examples of the adaptive rationale for females’engagement in EPCs based on an examination of these more traditionally recorded traits,in combination with female flight-mediated traits such as wing length.We investigated whether EPP existed in the wild Chestnut Thrush(Turdus rubrocanus)population during three breeding seasons(2019–2021),and whether paternity was related to morphological traits of males and females.Eight highly variable microsatellite loci were used to identify paternity,and generalized linear mixed models were used to analyze the relationship between paternity and morphological traits.We found that EPP existed in the Chestnut Thrush.53.3%(N=41/77)of the broods contained at least one extra-pair offspring(EPO),and 34.6%(N=72/208)of the nestlings were EPO.We also found that male wing length was negatively associated with the probability of EPP and the proportion of EPO.Female body length was positively related to the probability of EPP.Both female body condition and mass were negatively associated with the proportion of EPO.While other traits of male and female did not relate to the probability of EPP or the proportion of EPO.Extra-pair males had better body condition compared to the males they cuckolded.EPO did not differ from their half-siblings in terms of body size or body condition.The results suggest that body size and body condition were associated with EPP in the Chestnut Thrush.This study provides fundamental information for further studies on the evolution and maintenance of EPP in the Chestnut Thrush,and it is also useful for the comparison of EPP among Turdus species.

Extra-pair paternity and antiparasitic defence

Background:Extra-pair paternity(EPP)in birds provides benefits in terms of more offspring,and characteristics for maintenance of this behaviour have been the subject of investigation.Microorganisms are known to be transmitted during mating,especially when mating with multiple partners,and factors reducing this cost of multiple mating are expected.Further,plumage brightness and colour intensity have been shown to be important traits to benefits from multiple mating as predicted by sexual selection.The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the rate of extra-pair paternity and the relative size of the uropygial gland at the interspecific level,as the uropygial gland is an exocrine gland hypothesized to produce antiparasitic substances and further identified to affect plumage brightness.Because of the expected benefits of large uropygial gland in scenarios of sexual selection,we predicted a positive correlation with EPP.Methods:We collected information from the literature of uropygial gland size and frequency of extra-pair paternity of 60 avian species of different families and explored the predicted positive correlation between them.We did so with means of comparative analyses that considered phylogenetic relationship as random factor and included body mass as covariate.We used Markov chain Monte Carlo generalized linear mixed models that were weighted by number of nests used to estimate extra-pair paternity.Results:We detected a positive relationship between level of extra-pair paternity and uropygial gland size at an interspecific level.This finding is consistent with the prediction.Conclusions:We discuss the importance of this result in scenarios of sexual selection and argue that the detected relationship may have arisen by utilizing antiparasitic secretions through secondary sexual characters indicating parasite resistance.

Large-brained birds display lower extra-pair paternity

Extra-pair paternity(EPP)benefits to improve the reproductive success via extra-pair fertilizations without the costs of parental care in males and through improved offspring quality with additional food and parental care in females among species of birds.Variations in the EPP appear to link to behavioral and ecological factors and sexual selection.According to the“relationship intelligence hypothesis”,the cognitive abilities of the birds play an important role in maintaining long-term relationships.Here,we undertook thefirst comparative test of the relationships between extra-pair paternity and brain size,testis size,and life histories among 315 species of birds using phylogenetically controlled comparative analyses and path analysis.After controlling for the effects of shared ancestry and body mass,the frequency of EPP was negatively correlated with relative brain size,but positively with testis size across species of birds.However,the frequency of EPP was not linked to life-history traits(e.g.incubation period,fledging period,clutch size,egg mass,and longevity).Ourfindings suggest that large-brained birds associated with enhanced cognitive abilities are more inclined to maintain long-term stable relationships with their mates and to mutualism with them than to increase the frequency of EPP.

Establishment of paternity testing system using microsatellite markers in Chinese Holstein

To estimate the efficiency of microsatellite markers in paternity testing among Chinese Holstein, 30 microsatellite loci were used to differentiate 330 Chinese Holstein genotypes, according to the calculation of the allele frequency, number of alleles, effective number of alleles, genetic heterozygosity, polymorphic information content （PIC）, and the exclusion probability in this cattle population. The results demonstrated that the exclusion probability ranged from 0.620 in locus BM1818 to 0.265 in locus INRA005 with the average of 0.472 and 11 microsatellite markers exceeding 0.5. The combined exclusion probability of nine microsatellite markers was over 0.99. The result showed that paternity testing of Chinese Holstein was basically resolved using the nine microsatellite markers selected.

Genetic Analysis of Multiple Paternity in an Endangered Ovoviviparous Lizard Shinisaurus crocodilurus

The crocodile lizard （Shinisaurus croeodilurus） is an ovoviviparoug lizard belonging to a monotypic family that originated during the end of the quaternary ice age. A rare species in the wild, the crocodile lizard was listed in CITES Appendix II. Knowledge of the reproductive biology and mating system of this species is important for designing conservation strategies and improving genetic variation. To investigate the paternity of the crocodile lizards and to interpret their reproductive behaviour, we collected saliva from females, potential fathers and offspring in a semi- natural enclosure experiment and analyzed the paternity of the crocodile lizard using 12 microsatellite genetic loci. The overall observed incidence of multiple paternity was 42.9% （6 of 14 clutches） and Fis was 0.089 ± 0.056. These results indicate that the primary mating mode of the crocodile lizard is that males are polygynous while with females are polyandrous, and there is multiple paternity among offspring of the same mother.

PATERNITY IDENTIFICATION ON ABORTED FETAL MATERIAL

After a rape, woman who is pregnamt often elect to abort the fetus.The authors describe 2 cases witers genetic markers ABO, MN,Rh,PGM1,EsD,ACP,GLOI,GPT,HP,Cc and HLA-A,-B were tasted on the aborted fetal material to provide evidence of the genetic constitution of the rapist The results showed that this type of testing is possible for prenatal paternity identification.

An Example of Yak Paternity Assignment by Microsatellite Genotyping

12 cattle microsatellite DNA markers were used for establishing the paternity of 4 Datong Yak calves.The results indicated that paternity can be assigned by use of exclusion method directely when the mother is clearly known and data of all likely sires were obtained. The more the alleles of a locus possessed, the more effectively the paternity can be assigned. Not only the microsatellite DNA marker is a promising tool in establishment of yak detail pedigrees, but also can provide us information of reproductive efficiency of the bull(s) based on the numbers of calves it produced in the herd, which will be useful in speeding up the processes of yak genetics improvement.

Paternity Testing of Selected Abaca （Musa textilis L. Nee） Hybrids Using Morphometric Markers

Investigation into the paternity of four abaca （Musa textilis L, Nee） hybrids was done to ascertain the mode of transmission of selected morpho-agronomic traits and to detect possible heterosis. In situ morphological characterization was undertaken using twenty five qualitative and six quantitative characters. Results revealed that a great majority of the qualitative traits were shared by both parents and their hybrids. For the rest, the qualitative traits were inherited from one or the other parent though some variant phenotypes （i.e. chimerism） were also noted in the hybrids. Cases ofheterosis were also observed and this could be exploited to increase fiber yield in the hybrids. Though inconclusive due to factors such as the heterogenous nature of abaca plants in the field and the susceptibility of morphological traits to environmental fluctuations, this study has provided baseline information on abaca hybridity that can be verified using more robust technologies as molecular markers.

PATERNAL INHERITANCE OF PLASTID DNA IN GENUS PHARBITIS

The inheritance of plastid DNA in Pharbitis was studied by the method of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP).Experimental results showed that plastid DNA from Pharbitis was paternally inherited in reciprocal crosses,P. nil ×P. limbata and P. limbata×P. nil hybrids.But,in the cross of P. limbata×P. nil,the possibility of biparental inheritance of plastid DNA could not be roled out in our preliminary experiment.Thus Pharbitis became the third genus among angiosperms characterized with male plastid transmission.The mechanisms of paternal plastids DNA inheritance in Pharbitis is unclear.The authors proposed that dilution,exclusion and/or degeneration of maternal plastid,including their DNA,after fertilization should be considered.

气候变化背景下成都都市圈蓝绿空间格局演变特征及机制

在气候变化加剧的背景下,探明气候因素对蓝绿空间格局演变的驱动机制,对实现可持续发展具有重要意义。利用1980年、2000年、2020年三期土地利用数据和1980–2020年气候数据,基于气候倾向率、动态变化模型、马尔科夫转移矩阵、景观格局指数等方法,借助Arc GIS和FRAGSTATS软件,分析成都都市圈蓝绿空间气候因素及景观格局的时空演变特征,并通过灰色关联度法探讨气候因素对景观格局变化的驱动机制。结果表明:(1)1980–2020年成都都市圈年均气温、降水量和潜在蒸散量均与时间呈正相关,仅年均日照时数与时间呈负相关;空间分布上,降水量趋于均匀分布,其余气候因素在山脉和城镇区域的差异化加剧;(2)成都都市圈蓝绿空间面积在1980–2000年减少22.74 km^(2),在2000–2020年增加62.45 km^(2),蓝绿空间破碎化加剧,斑块边缘复杂度加重,景观类型增加且分布愈加均匀;(3)气候因子与蓝绿空间景观格局指数关联度均值由大到小依次为年均潜在蒸散量(0.78)、年均日照时数(0.76)、年均降水量(0.74)、年均气温(0.72),表明气候因素变化对蓝绿空间景观格局演变具有较强的驱动作用。研究结果可为成都都市圈蓝绿空间规划和管理、气候适应型格局构建提供科学依据和参考。后续拟纳入自然地理、社会经济等因素进行驱动机制的对比分析,并进一步围绕气候适应型景观格局构建、气候变化风险评估、多尺度气候适应型响应等方面进行探索。

父亲媒介教养行为对幼儿问题性媒介使用的影响:幼儿气质的调节作用

父母的媒介教养行为与幼儿自身的气质特征是引导幼儿合理使用媒介的关键要素。采用问卷法对广东省8211名3~6岁幼儿的父亲进行调查,以考察父亲媒介教养行为对幼儿问题性媒介使用的影响,并检验幼儿气质对两者关系的调节作用。结果表明:父亲媒介教养行为与幼儿问题性媒介使用之间存在复杂多样的关联,幼儿气质在父亲媒介教养行为与幼儿问题性媒介使用之间的关联存在调节作用。研究建议:关注幼儿媒介使用内容,发挥父亲积极教养作用;建立高质量的父子沟通,引导幼儿健康使用媒介;尊重幼儿气质差异,灵活调整媒介教养方式。

父亲低头行为对幼儿问题行为的影响及其机制研究:有调节的中介模型

父亲参与教养是高质量家庭教育的重要组成,数智时代给父职教育带来了新的挑战,父亲低头行为是否以及如何影响儿童成长开始引起学界重视。采用问卷调查法对广东省817位3~6岁幼儿父亲进行调查,探究父亲低头行为对幼儿问题行为的影响及其作用机制。结果显示,父亲低头行为对幼儿问题行为有显著正向预测作用,且幼儿屏幕使用在父亲低头行为和幼儿问题行为间起中介作用,幼儿性别调节了父亲低头行为与幼儿屏幕使用的关系。研究结论:父亲低头行为通过增加幼儿屏幕使用进而增加幼儿问题行为的风险,女孩在父亲低头行为与幼儿屏幕使用间的调节作用显著强于男孩。研究建议:父亲及其他教养者应积极反思自身电子媒介教养行为,恰当引导幼儿合理使用电子产品,并提升教育的性别差异意识。

The effects of advanced paternal age on fertility

Modern societal pressures and expectations over the past several decades have resulted in the tendency for couples to delay conception. While women experience a notable decrease in oocyte production in their late thirties, the effect of age on spermatogenesis is less well described. While there are no known limits to the age at which men can father children, the effects of advanced paternal age are incompletely understood. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding advanced paternal age and its implications on semen quality, reproductive success and offspring health. This review will serve as a guide to physicians in counseling men about the decision to delay paternity and the risks involved with conception later in life.

Advanced paternal age and reproductive outcome

Women have been increasingly delaying the start of motherhood in recent decades. The same trend is seen also for men. The influence of maternal age on fertility, chromosomal anomalies, pregnancy complications, and impaired perinatal and post-natal outcome of offspring, has been thoroughly investigated, and these aspectsare clinically applied during fertility and pregestational counseling. Male aging and reproductive outcome has gained relatively less attention. The purpose of this review is to evaluate updated and relevant literature on the effect of paternal age on reproductive outcome.

Developmental Toxicity in Mice Following Paternal Exposure to Di-N-Butyl-Phthalate (DBP)

Objective The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of paternal Di‐N‐butyl‐phthalate （DBP） exposure pre‐ and postnatally on F1 generation offspring,and prenatally on F2 generation offspring.Methods Male mice were exposed to either 500 mg/kg or 2 000 mg/kg of DBP for 8 weeks,and mated with non‐exposed females.Three‐quarters of the females were sacrificed a day prior to parturition,and examined for the number of living and dead implantations,and incidence of gross malformations.Pups from the remaining females were assessed for developmental markers,growth parameters,as well as sperm quantity and quality.Results There were no changes in the fertility of parents and in intrauterine development of the offspring.Pups of DBP‐exposed males demonstrated growth‐retardation.Following paternal exposure to 500 mg/kg bw of DBP,there were almost twice the number of males than females born in the F1 generation.F1 generation females had a 2.5‐day delay in vaginal opening.Paternal exposure to 2 000 mg/kg bw of DBP increased the incidence of sperm head malformations in F1 generation males;however,there were no changes in the fertility and viability of foetuses in the F2 generation.Conclusion Paternal DBP exposure may disturb the sex ratio of the offspring,delay female sexual maturation,and deteriorate the sperm quality of F1 generation males.

Paternò-Büchi反应的区域选择性

Paternò-Büchi(P-B)反应,即羰基-烯的[2+2]光环化加成反应,利用其特殊的区域及立体选择性可以合成一些结构精巧的取代氧杂环丁烷。随着P-B反应在有机合成中越来越广泛的应用,人们对P-B反应的区域选择性的研究也越来越深入。在P-B反应发现之初,人们一直用“最稳定的双自由基规则”解释其区域选择性,这一规则对有些体系却不适用,近年来有人开始运用“自旋化学”理论来解释区域选择性。本论文结合作者的研究工作,评述了近年来P-B反应的区域选择性的研究进展,重点阐述了反应温度、反应物的取代基对P-B反应区域选择性的影响及其规律。