英语听力：自然百科 墨西哥“水怪” 濒临灭绝
时间：2019-01-22 作者：英语课 分类：自然百科2008年
英语课
Beneath the tourist gondolas 1 on Lake Xochimilco in Mexico lives a creature that resembles a monster. Known as the “water monster” or “Mexican walking fish”, the axolotl is type of salamander.
The Ambystoma Mexicano, this species, is the axolotl of Xochimilco. It's in severe danger of extinction 2. Basically, the causes of extinction are water contamination, destruction of habitat, the introduction of exotic fish including tilapia and carp, and people hunting them to eat or to keep as pets.
Historically, abundant populations of axolotls lived in the once-giant lakes of Xochimilco and Chaco, near Tenochtitlan, which is modern-day Mexico City. Today the number of axolotls in the wild is not known. But the population has reportedly dropped from about 1500 per square mile in 1998 to a mere 3 25 per square mile this year.
The animal is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Some are pushing for a series of sanctuaries 4 in canals, cleared of invasive species. Others are considering repopulating the lake with axolotls bred in captivity 5. More research is needed to make sure the process doesn’t link to disease and genetic 6 problems from inbreeding.
But conservation has faced daunting 7 challenges. The axolotl’s natural habitat has all but vanished, and what remains 8 is severed 9 polluted. Out species of fish have been introduced which threaten to out-compete the salamander. But as the clock ticks, time is running out for this ancient Mexican monster.
n.狭长小船( gondola的名词复数 )；货架（一般指商店，例如化妆品店）；吊船工作台
- When the G-Force is in motion, the gondolas turn as well. 当“惊呼狂叫”开始旋转时，平底船也同时旋转。 来自互联网
- Moreton Engineering &Equipment Co. Ltd. -Services include sales tower crane, gondolas, material hoist construction equipment. 山明模型工作室-制作建筑模型，包括售楼模型、规划模型、比赛模型等。 来自互联网
n.熄灭，消亡，消灭，灭绝，绝种
- The plant is now in danger of extinction.这种植物现在有绝种的危险。
- The island's way of life is doomed to extinction.这个岛上的生活方式注定要消失。
adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过
- That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。
- It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。
n.避难所( sanctuary的名词复数 )；庇护；圣所；庇护所
- The designation of special marine reserves and marine sanctuaries shall be subject to the State Council for approval. 海洋特别保护区、海上自然保护区的确定，须经国务院批准。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- After 1965 he acquiesced when they established sanctuaries on that soil. 1965年以后，他默认了他们在那块土地上建立庇护所。 来自辞典例句
n.囚禁；被俘；束缚
- A zoo is a place where live animals are kept in captivity for the public to see.动物园是圈养动物以供公众观看的场所。
- He was held in captivity for three years.他被囚禁叁年。
adj.遗传的，遗传学的
- It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。
- Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。
adj.使人畏缩的
- They were faced with the daunting task of restoring the house.他们面临着修复房子的艰巨任务。
- Starting a new job can be a daunting prospect.开始一项新工作有时会让人望而却步。
n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹
- He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
- The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。