The hydrocarbons and other organic compounds generated through abiogenic or inorganic processes are closely related to two science subjects, i.e., energy resources and life＇s origin and evolution. ＂The earth＇s prim...The hydrocarbons and other organic compounds generated through abiogenic or inorganic processes are closely related to two science subjects, i.e., energy resources and life＇s origin and evolution. ＂The earth＇s primordial abiogenic hydrocarbon theory＂ and ＂the serpentinization of abiogenic hydrocarbon theory＂ are the two mainstream theories in the field of related studies. Ser- pentinizafion generally occurs in slow expanding mid-ocean ridges and continental ophiolites tectonic environment, etc. The abiogenic hydrocarbons and other organic compounds formed through the serpentinization of ultramafic rocks provide energy and raw materials to support chemosynthetic microbial communities, which probably was the most important hydration reac- tion for the origin and early evolution of life. The superposition of biological and abiological processes creates big challenge to the identification of the abiogenic organic materials in serpentinite-hosted ecosystem. Whether abiotic （inorganic） process can form oil and gas resource is a difficult question that has been explored continuously by scientific community for more than a century but has not yet been solved. However, some important progress has been made. The prospecting practice of abiogenic hydrocarbons in commercial gases from the Songliao Basin, China, provides an important example for exploring abiogenic natural gas resources.展开更多
Rattlesnakes use chemical stimuli in ambush site selection and for relocation of envenomated prey through atrike-induced chemosensory searching. Shifts in responsiveness to prey chemicals have been documented in many ...Rattlesnakes use chemical stimuli in ambush site selection and for relocation of envenomated prey through atrike-induced chemosensory searching. Shifts in responsiveness to prey chemicals have been documented in many snakes, and often correlate with prey commonly taken as snakes increase in age and size as well as geographical locations of the species. For instance, neonate rattlesnakes that prey primarily on ectotherms responded most strongly to chemical cues of commonly taken lizard prey, whereas adult rattlesnakes that prey primarily on small mammals responded significantly to chemical cues of com- monly taken rodents. In the current study, 11 Prairie Rattlesnakes Crotalus viridis viridis which were classified as large neonates based on measures of snout-vent length （SVL） and body mass, yet chronologically were at or near adulthood, were tested for their responsiveness to chemical extracts of natural and non-natural prey items. Although the snakes had eaten only neonate lab mice （Mus musculus）, they responded significantly more to chemical cues of natural prey items and particularly to chemical cues of prey normally taken by subadults （Peromyscus mice and Sceloporus lizard）. These results suggest that ontogenetic shifts in re- sponsiveness to natural prey chemical cues are innately programmed and are not based on body size or feeding experience in C. v. viridis. This does not imply, however, that growth and experience are without effects, especially with novel prey or rare prey that have experienced recent population expansion [Current Zoology 59 （2）： 175-179, 2013].展开更多
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 41172133, 41272146, 41103022)
文摘The hydrocarbons and other organic compounds generated through abiogenic or inorganic processes are closely related to two science subjects, i.e., energy resources and life＇s origin and evolution. ＂The earth＇s primordial abiogenic hydrocarbon theory＂ and ＂the serpentinization of abiogenic hydrocarbon theory＂ are the two mainstream theories in the field of related studies. Ser- pentinizafion generally occurs in slow expanding mid-ocean ridges and continental ophiolites tectonic environment, etc. The abiogenic hydrocarbons and other organic compounds formed through the serpentinization of ultramafic rocks provide energy and raw materials to support chemosynthetic microbial communities, which probably was the most important hydration reac- tion for the origin and early evolution of life. The superposition of biological and abiological processes creates big challenge to the identification of the abiogenic organic materials in serpentinite-hosted ecosystem. Whether abiotic （inorganic） process can form oil and gas resource is a difficult question that has been explored continuously by scientific community for more than a century but has not yet been solved. However, some important progress has been made. The prospecting practice of abiogenic hydrocarbons in commercial gases from the Songliao Basin, China, provides an important example for exploring abiogenic natural gas resources.
文摘Rattlesnakes use chemical stimuli in ambush site selection and for relocation of envenomated prey through atrike-induced chemosensory searching. Shifts in responsiveness to prey chemicals have been documented in many snakes, and often correlate with prey commonly taken as snakes increase in age and size as well as geographical locations of the species. For instance, neonate rattlesnakes that prey primarily on ectotherms responded most strongly to chemical cues of commonly taken lizard prey, whereas adult rattlesnakes that prey primarily on small mammals responded significantly to chemical cues of com- monly taken rodents. In the current study, 11 Prairie Rattlesnakes Crotalus viridis viridis which were classified as large neonates based on measures of snout-vent length （SVL） and body mass, yet chronologically were at or near adulthood, were tested for their responsiveness to chemical extracts of natural and non-natural prey items. Although the snakes had eaten only neonate lab mice （Mus musculus）, they responded significantly more to chemical cues of natural prey items and particularly to chemical cues of prey normally taken by subadults （Peromyscus mice and Sceloporus lizard）. These results suggest that ontogenetic shifts in re- sponsiveness to natural prey chemical cues are innately programmed and are not based on body size or feeding experience in C. v. viridis. This does not imply, however, that growth and experience are without effects, especially with novel prey or rare prey that have experienced recent population expansion [Current Zoology 59 （2）： 175-179, 2013].
