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Table of Content

    27 February 2013, Volume 33 Issue 1
    Footedness from a spontaneously bipedal posture of Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana)in the Qinling Mountains
    ZHAO Dapeng,LI Baoguo
    2013, 33(1):  1-6. 
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    Foot preference is believed to be a better predictor of the cerebral lateralization for language functions than hand preference. Interest in the evolutionary origins of hemispheric specialization in humans has prompted research of limb laterality in nonhuman primates. Comparisons of arboreal and terrestrial primates are crucial for understanding the role of posture and postural instability on foot preference. This is the first study to investigate foot preference in wild Sichuan snubnosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana),a rarely studied arboreal species,in a spontaneously non-locomotive posture (bipedal folding)in the Qinling Mountains of China. All subjects showed significant individual-level foot preference. The monkeys displayed a group-level right-footedness in the bipedal posture. Neither direction nor strength of foot preference was related to sex. These results in wild R. roxellana lend further support to the postural origin theory. To the best of our knowledge,we present the first evidence of footedness in a wild Old World monkey species.
    Shape variation in mandibles of Parascaptor leucura (Mammalia,Talpidae)based on geometric morphometrics:implication for geographic diversification
    HE Kai,BAI Ming,WAN Tao,LI Quan,WANG Yingxiang,JIANG Xuelong
    2013, 33(1):  7-17. 
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    Parascaptor is a monotypic genus distributed across Asia,including Southwestern China,Assam (India),Bengal, and Northern Burma and Laos,all of which possess extremely complex and diverse topography,climate and habitat. To test whether morphological diversification has taken place in these different environments,we examined the mandibles of
    49 P. leucura specimens from 18 localities throughout the distribution area. Geometric morphometric analyses were used to examine the shape variations.The specimens were clustered into three groups—Northeastern Yunnan (group 1),Southern Hengduan Mountain (group 2),and Indian groups (group 3)—congruent with their geographic distribution. We found important distinctions Among these different groups in the horizontal ramus shape such as the length of the lower molar row, the curvature of the ventral margin and the relative depth of the horizontal ramus. Among the three groups,the specimens from Northeastern Yunnan have the shortest molar row and the thinnest and most flattened horizontal ramus. Our results imply that the three geographic groups may represent three subspecies or even full species,strongly warranting a taxonomic revision using comprehensive methods.
    Partial morphological records of a gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus)incidentally caught at Pingtan,Fujian Province,China
    WANG Xianyan,WU Fuxing,MIAO Xing,MOU Jianfeng,TONG Shenhan,ZHU Qian
    2013, 33(1):  18-27. 
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    On November 5,2011,a dead gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus)entangled with a set gillnet was found by fishermen at Pingtan,Fujian Province,China. Notably,this is the first incidental catch of gray whale in Fujian Province,as well as the first record in Chinese waters in the 21th century. This paper reports the external morphological characteristics
    and skeletal measurements of this whale. The whale was a female,its body length and weight were 1 309 cm and 21t respectively, which is the largest gray whale stranded/ by-caught in Chinese waters to date. The cranium of this gray whale was 281cm in length,128 cm in width,and 250 kg in weight. The vertebra,phalanx,rib and V-bone of this whale were different from those reported previously.Specifically,its vertebra arrangement was C7 + T13 + L13 + Ca23 = 56 and phalanx arrangement was Ⅰ1,Ⅱ3,Ⅲ7,Ⅳ5,V3. In addition, this whale had 14 pairs of ribs and 10 V-bones. These findings indicate that the skeletons of gray whales may vary between individuals. This paper also reviews the main threats to the Western North Pacific gray whale.
    Diurnal time budgets and activity rhythm of captive Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis)in spring and summer
    MA Feiyan,YU Xiaojun,CHEN Min,LIU Chaofei,ZHANG Zhiming,YE Jianhua
    2013, 33(1):  28-34. 
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    Diurnal (06:00 -19:00)time budgets and activity rhythms for 24 captive Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis)(12♀,12♂)were observed from March to July,2008 in the Huaxia Park of Pudong,Shanghai using instantaneous scan sampling and all-occurrence recording methods. The behaviors recorded included resting,ruminating,standing,alertness, feeding,moving,auto-grooming,urinating and social behaviors. In both spring and summer,resting was the principal activity of the Chinese water deer,followed by feeding and moving. The diurnal behaviors of the Chinese water deer had a clear rhythm,the active periods were concentrated near dawn (06:00 - 08:00)and dusk (16:00 - 18:00).
    The deer spent significantly more time resting but significantly less time standing,urinating,auto-grooming and moving in summer than they did in the spring (One-way ANOVA )analysis and Mann-Whitney U Test ). Compared to males females spent significantly more time standing and ruminating,but significantly less time resting,auto-grooming and displaying alertness. As to the females,there were more significant difference in standing,urinating,auto-grooming,moving and social behaviors and significantly difference in feeding between spring and summer. In spring,the females spent more time standing,urinating,auto-grooming and moving than in summer. Females spent more time feeding and on social behaviors because they have high energy pregnancy and post-partum requirements in summer. To the males,resting,feeding,autogrooming, alerting and social behaviors showed more significantly differences than standing,ruminating,urinating and moving between spring and summer. In spring,they spent more time on feeding,auto-grooming,alerting,standing,ruminating, urinating,moving and social behaviors,except resting. The results indicated that the Hydropotes inermis in the Huaxia Park had time budgets and activity rhythms similar to those of the wild population and the welfare of the deer was well satisfied. We believe that the results will be useful to new management practices and could be the theoretical basis for release to the wild in Shanghai.
    Characteristics of seasonal reproduction in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)
    LIU Wei,WAN Xinrong,ZHONG Wenqin,WANG Jianqing
    2013, 33(1):  35-46. 
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    The Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)widely distributed in semi-arid,typical steppes,and desert grasslands in the north of China and is one of dominate rodents. We studied reproduction and population dynamics of Mongolian gerbils under semi-natural conditions in south-central Inner Mongolia using monthly capture-recapture methods from
    October 2000 to 2004. In this study,we analyzed seasonal changes in reproductive parameters such as cohort-specific age of sexual maturity,proportion of sexually mature gerbils, proportion of reproducing gerbils,and the ratio of recruits to reproductive females. Mongolian gerbils displayed significant seasonal fluctuations in reproductive performance. We found that age at the sexual maturity of females born in winter (4.6 ± 0. 2 month)and spring (4.4 ±0.8 month)was younger than that of gerbils born in summer (7.7 ± 0.4 month). Reproduction primarily occurred in spring and ceased in autumn. We also found that increased temperature and precipitation from spring to summer negatively affected maturation proportion. Mongolian gerbils prefer habitats with short,sparse vegetation and dry,loose,sandy soil. Increases in temperature and rainfall enhance vegetation growth;consequently, tall,dense,moist vegetation might reduce the suitability of habitats and retard reproduction of Mongolian gerbils. Therefore,pronounced seasonal dynamics of reproduction may reflect a vital feature of life-history strategies of Mongolian gerbils:adaption to seasonal changes in climate and food abundance in northern high latitudes.
    Effect of food deprivation on food hoarding behavior by male Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)
    YANG Huidi,WANG Dehua
    2013, 33(1):  47-54. 
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    Compensatory increases in food hoarding are commonly observed after a period of food deprivation in some species, including laboratory rats and Siberian hamsters. However, faced with food deprivation,the changes of food hoarding are different in male Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). In the study,gerbils were undergoing food deprivation for daily 22 hours consecutive 3 days or 20 days,or 48 hours fast and measured food hoarding. After they were sacrificed and body fat and serum leptin were measured. For example, daily food deprivation for 22 hours could induce food hoarding in some,but not all,gerbils that normally did not display food hoarding.However,increases in energy challenge (repeated 3 days or 20 days food deprivation,or 48 hours fast)didn’t induce food hoarding in gerbils that didn’t display food hoarding under food deprivation condition. Further,male Mongolian gerbils also exhibited a bimodal expression of food hoarding with free access to food. We did not detect relationships between food hoarding and body weight,body fat,or serum leptin levels.Combined these data suggest that food deprivation is an important factor to induce food hoarding,but food hoarding is not influenced by increases in food deprivation in male Mongolian gerbils.
    Effects of food restriction on energy metabolism in male Eothenomys miletus
    YANG Shengchang, ZHU Wanlong, HUANG Chunmei, YU Tingting, GAO Wenrong, WANG Zhengkun
    2013, 33(1):  55-62. 
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    We investigated physiological adaptation under conditions of food restriction in Eothenomys miletus inhabiting the Hengduan Mountain region. Adult male E. miletus were randomly assigned either to a control group (food ad libitum)or a food restriction group (80% of calorie intake relative to control),and body mass,resting metabolic rate (RMR), nonshivering thermogenesis (NST),body fat content,serum leptin levels,liver mass,brown adipose tissue (BAT)mass,and morphological parameters of the digestive tract in male E. miletus were measured. The results showed that body mass,body fat content,RMR,NST,BAT mass,liver mass,large intestine length and small intestine length in the food restriction group were lower than those in the control group. In contrast,caecum content mass in the food restriction group was significantly higher relative to that of the control group. In addition,serum leptin levels were positively correlated with body mass and body fat content. These results suggest that E. miletus apply physiological adjustments to adapt to reduced food availability by reducing body mass,body fat content and energy metabolism. Serum leptin may participate in the regulation of energy balance and body mass in E. miletus during food restriction.
    Variation in aggressive behavior of plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) during different breeding seasons
    CHEN Qianquan,QU Jiapeng,ZHANG Yanming
    2013, 33(1):  63-67. 
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    In order to explore the variation of aggressive level in a plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae)population during different breeding seasons and test the predictions of evolutionary game theory,the methods of mark recapture and neutral arena were used to measure the frequencies and durations of fight behaviors of plateau pikas in the wild from May to August 2009. Frequencies and durations of fight behaviors between males from later May to early June were significantly higher than those from later July to middle August,while no significant differences of these two parameters between female were detected during the whole study period. Frequencies and durations of fight behaviors between males were significantly higher than those between females from later May to early June,while no significant differences of these two parameters between sexes were detected among other periods. The initiator of a fight was always the winner. Aggressor proportions in the population declined after the peak of reproductive cycle,which coincided with the predictions of evolutionary game theory.
    Female Brandt’s vole’s memory and recognition of male individual odors in different cohabitation periods
    XIONG Yan,LI Qilin,JIN Yanfei,ZHANG Li
    2013, 33(1):  68-73. 
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    Chemical signals play important roles in the social recognition of rodents including individual identification,learning and memory. Males and females may recognize each other after cohabiting for a period of time. The research studiedthe effect of the cohabitation duration on the memory and the recognition of female Brandt’s vole (Lasiopodomys
    brandtii
    ) . Male and female voles were kept in mating pairs and cohabited for 12 hours,18 hours and 24 hours together. After being separated for 6 hours,both spouse and novel males’individual odors were presented to female voles for a 20 minute odor preference test. The results showed that females spent more time staying in the observation box with spouse odors,and their odor investigating behaviors on spouse male odors were also more than those on novel male odors. The duration and frequency of females’ investigating behaviors were significantly related to the cohabitation duration with their mates. These results suggest that female Brandt’s voles can remember and recognize their mates after 24-hour cohabitation, and the female vole’s olfactory memory can be maintained at least 6 hours or more.
    Effects of mifepristone at different doses on reproduction of female mice
    HUANG Xiaoli,LIU Quansheng,QIN Jiao,GUO Mingfang,TIAN Weijin
    2013, 33(1):  74-81. 
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    In order to determine the suitable dose of mifepristone for use in pest rodent control,female mice were fed with mifepristone at different doses every two weeks by gastric gavage. Reproductive parameters were determined during and after the treatments. There was a dose-dependent relationship between the anti-fertility effect of mifepristone and the doses of mifepristone during the administration. Reproduction was not inhibited significantly when the dose of mifepristone was below 1. 25 mg / kg,while the reproductive rate was reduced at 2. 5 mg/ kg. When the dose of mifepristone was 5 mg /kg,not only was the reproductive rate reduced,but the litter size also decreased significantly. Reproduction was inhibited completely when the dose of mifepristone was more than 10 mg/ kg. After cessation of administration,there was a dose-effect relationship between female mices’ reproduction and the doses of mifepristone. After stopping treatment,reproductive capabilities of mice gradually returned to a level that was the same as that of the control group. When considering the costs and benefits of rodent control,the dose of mifepristone used should be based on the dose which just inhibits reproduction completely.
    The faunal composition and distribution of small mammals in Erlang Mountains
    SUN Zhiyu,LIU Shaoying,GUO Yanshu,LIU Yan,LIAO Rui,GUO Zhenwei
    2013, 33(1):  82-89. 
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    From June to July in 2006 and May in 2011,the faunas and distribution of small mammals (Insectivora,Rodentia and Ochotonidae)in the Erlang Mountains was surveyed. We sampled small mammals using kill traps at five sites at elevations varying from 1 800 to 3 437 m,Within each site,we sampled along separate quadrates in different vegetation.
    In 4 550 trap nights,we captured 300 individuals representing 28 species,15 genera,6 families and 3 orders. There were 19 species on the east slope,all of which belonged to the Oriental realm. There were 17 species on the west slope,2 of which belonged to the Palaearctic realm,14 of which belonged to the Oriental realm,and 1 of which is widely distributed.The Himalayan-Hengduan mountains type is preponderant on both the east and the west slopes.The small mammals’ species and quantity are the most in mountainside both the east and the west slope. The small mammals’combination and dominant species are different at different elevations and in different vegetation.
    Preliminary comparation of three feeding methods for South China tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis )cubs
    LI Shizhou,LEI Shengqiao,CHEN Wu
    2013, 33(1):  90-93. 
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    In this study,9 tiger cubs,born to two tigresses from the Guangzhou Zoo and the Shaoguan South China Tiger domestication and breeding research base,were fed using three methods:breast-feeding,artificial feeding,and comprehensive feeding respectively. Three feeding methods were compared through measuring the daily average increased body weight of these cubs. The results showed that 5 cubs that were fed by artificial feeding and comprehensive feeding were all survive, the survival rate was 100% ,and their daily average weight gain was higher than that of breast-feeding. Two of four cubs which were fed by breast-feeding were alive,only half of breast-feeding cubs survived.
    Black muntjac (Muntiacus crinifrons)found at in Jiangxi Wuyishan
    2013, 33(1):  94-94. 
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