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    07 July 2008, Volume 27 Issue 4
    A winter wildlife survey in the northern Qiangtang of Tibet Autonomous Region and Qinghai Province, China
    George B. Schaller, KANG Aili, HASHI Tashi-Dorjie, CAI Ping
    2007, 27(4):  309-316. 
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    We surveyed wildlife along a 1 692 km transect of uninhabited terrain in the northern Qiangtang Nature Reserve of Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) and the Kekexili Nature Reserve of Qinghai from 1 -23 November,2006. The Tibetan antelope (chiru) (Pantholops hodgsoni) was the most abundant ungulate in this desert and alpine steppe at 4 800 - 5 200 m. We tallied 5 999 chiru within a 2 km strip (1 km on either side of our travel route)or 1.77 chiru/ km2 and with a local variation of 0.03 -9.21/ km2. Chiru in TAR appeared to have congregated at some sites for the December rut. It remains unclear to which migratory population these females belong and where they calve and where the males are at other seasons. Mean size of male herds was 6.3 and of female herds 6.4 but large aggregations with 100 or more animals of both sexes were also observed. The young: female ratio varied from 37 - 42∶ 100. We observed low densities of other ungulates in both TAR and western Kekexili but they increased in the eastern Kekexili where habitat conditions were less severe. Of the total number of wild yak (Bos grunniens) in the transet,73% (n =977) were in eastern Kekexili, as were 48% (n =527) of kiang (Equus kiang), and 95% (n = 146) of Tibetan gazelle (Gazella picticaudata). The northern Qiangtang is an important winter area for chiru, and Kekexili is critical for conservation both as a calving ground for several chiru opulations and as a refuge for a substantial wild yak population. Several communities inhabited by pastoralists, east of the Golmud-Lhasa highway, have initiated wildlife conservation programs.
    A preliminary survey of population size and habitats of Marco Polo sheep (Ovis ammon polii )in Taxkorgan Nature Reserve,Xinjiang,China
    GONG Minghao,DAI Zhigang,ZENG Zhigao,ZHANG Qiong,SONG Yanling
    2007, 27(4):  317-324. 
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    Marco Polo sheep (Ovis ammon polii)are threatened by overgrazing,habitat destruction,poaching,and disease.We conducted a survey of population size and habitat availability of Marco Polo sheep during summer 2005 in Taxkorgan Nature Reserve,Xinjiang,China. We identified the distribution of sheep within the reserve by interviewing local people and reserve staff We divided the study area into four search regions (I,II,III,IV)according to landscape features, and searched for sheep on foot,on horseback,and by vehicle in each region. Once sheep were located,group size,age, and sex of the animals were noted and habitat variables within 200 m of the group recorded. The pooled habitat data was used to model the habitat requirements of Marco Polo sheep,and on this basis,we estimated the amount of suitable habitat
    within the reserve. We estimated the population density of sheep in each region of the reserve,and estimated there were between 1 500 and 1 700 sheeps inhabiting the area.Marco Polo sheep were not evenly distributed throughout Taxkorgan reserve, but were concentrated on the Pamir Plateau. We estimated the total area of Marco Polo sheep distribution within the reserve to be 4 012 km2 ,with 641 km2 of this area comprising suitable habitat;however only 75% of this area (482 km2 ) was available to the sheep. We provide conservation suggestions for Marco Polo sheep based on these results,the most important of which is that the entire Pisiling area should be incorporated into the reserve because the highest density of the Marco Polo sheep was found there.
    Distribution pattern and zoogeographical discussion of mammals in Xin-jiang
    HUANG Wei,XIA Lin,FENG Zuojian,YANG Qisen
    2007, 27(4):  325-337. 
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    Xinjiang is located in the northwestern portion of China. Altogether,138 species of mammals belonging to 8 orders and 22 families have been recorded by the authors in Xinjiang. Among them,119 species (86.2% of the total number of the mammals) are considered to be Palaearctic and 9 species to be Oriental mammals,with the others considered to be widely spread mammals. On the basis of regions of investigation,we identified 85 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTU) for clustering. Then the information of mammals in each was used to compute composition similarity for the 85 OTU using
    Ward's methods of cluster analysis. According to the composition of clustering analysis and of the local landform in Xinjiang etc. , the zoogeographic distribution can be divided into three grades. First, the region of northern part and Hami Basin is separated from the others in Xinjiang. Second,the region of the Altay Mountains is separated from the others in the north,while the region of northern Karakorum-Kunlun Mountains and southern Tarim Basin is separated from the others in the south. Third,the deltaic region of Yily,the region of southern Junggar Basin,the region of Tarbagatai Mountains and
    the northwest of Junggar Basin and the region of Hami Basin and western Tianshan Mountains are all separated from each, while the region of southern Tianshan Mountains and Pamir Altiplano and the region of northern Tarim Basin are separated from each other. Obviously,the distribution of species is associated with the environments where they live,and some natural barriers can restrict dispersal of mammals.
    Effects of habitat quality on activity budgets of the Francois'langur (Trachypithecus francoisi)
    HUANG Chengming,WEI Xiansheng,ZHOU Qihai,LI Youbang,HUANG Zhonghao
    2007, 27(4):  338-343. 
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    We collected behavioral data from Francois'langur (Trachypithecus francoisi) in Fusui Rare and Precious Animal Nature Reserve and Nonggang Nature Reserve,Guangxi Province,China,between September 2005 and August 2006, to explore effects of habitat quality on activity budgets. Habitat quality in Fusui was considered lower than in Nonggang Langurs living in the low quality habitat (Fusui) engaged more in resting and feeding,and spent less time moving and in social activities than did the group in the high quality (Nonggang). We suggest that activity budgets of Francois'langur were influenced by the difference in the availability of food resources and diet composition in two habitats. Although we documented a difference in the time at which activities peaked,the diurnal activity patterns of langur groups in the two Reserves showed similar patterns. There were two feeding peaks,one in the morning another in afternoon,with a midday resting peak in diurnal activity patterns. Peaks in moving behavior often occurred before feeding peaks.
    Dominance hierarchy of Sichuan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) OMUs in Qinling Mountains by feeding superiority
    WANG Xiaowei, LI Baoguo,W U Xiaomin, HE Pengju, HU Yongle
    2007, 27(4):  344-349. 
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    Between May 2005 and May 2006 ,we studied the dominance hierarchy of provisioned Sichuan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) OMUs,by feeding superiority,at Yuhuangmiao village in the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in the north slope of Qinling Mountains, Shaanxi of China. The feeding superiority of each OMU was quantified by calculating a dominance index of 3 feeding parameters including feeding time, feeding frequency and feeding sequence in provisioned areas and the dominance hierarchy were ranked according to the number of dominance index. The results showed that LP (unit name) > JB > BZT > JZT > DB > PK > RX > FP. By comparison with a dominance index of aggression-submission using Spearman Correlation Test, the results of the two methods were extremely significantly correlated (R= 0.976, P < 0.001). Thus,the dominance index of 3 feeding parameters, in comparison with dominance index of aggression-submission, is feasible and easy in operation, which may facilitate the study of dominancy hierarchy in non-human primates under provisioning conditions of nature and captivity.
    The effect of predation risk on the feeding behavior of the steppe polecat in different starvation conditions
    YANG Shengmei,WEI Wanhong, YIN Baofa, FAN Naichang,ZHOU Wenyang
    2007, 27(4):  350-357. 
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    In order to investigate the trade-off between the starvation risk and predation risk in the feeding process of the steppe polecat (Mustela eversmanni),the feeding behaviors of 6 adult steppe polecats in the patches with different food quantities were observed under three predation risks and four starvation levels by using two-choice test in the laboratory, with upland buzzard (Buteo hemilasius) as predator. The results showed that under no predation risk,firstly,all of the polecats took equal food in different patches with same frequency whether they were starved for 0 or 1 day, but they spent longer feeding time in the patch with more food (P<0.05); secondly,they spent more time and obtained more food in the patch with high quantity (P <0.05), but their feeding frequency was not different when they were deprived food for 2 or 3 days (P> 0.05). When facing lower predation risks,all of the animals only got food from the patch with less food and no upland buzzard under 4 different starvation levels (P<0.05). And when there were high risks,polecats had to use the food from the patch with an upland buzzard; they spent same time in two different patches under the no starvation condition, but spent longer time in the patch with food and upland buzzard than in the patch without food and enemy when starved for 1,2 or 3 days (P<0.05). It was also found that their food intake amount was proportional,but feeding time and frequency were inversely pro orti nal t thei star atio time what ver t e lev ls of he pr dati n risk they facing (P < 0. 05). Under the same starvation conditions,polecats took the same amount food in all of 3 predation risks,but compared to no predation risk,low and high predation risk made them decrease their active time and feeding frequency significantly (P <0. 05). These results indicated that the polecat could make a trade-off between the starvation risk and predation risk according to the need for energy. They were inclined to the risk-aversion when the starvation risk was lower than the predation risk and preferred to risk-proneness when the starvation risk was higher than the predation risk. It could be concluded that the feeding strategy of the polecat was to decrease the active time and energy consumption and get the largest net energy in unit time.
    Effects of predation risk on cultivated walnut (Juglans regia) seeds hoarding behavior by David's rock squirrel (Sciurotamias davidianus) in enclosure
    WANG Wei,ZHANG Hongmao,ZHANG Zhibin
    2007, 27(4):  358-364. 
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    More studies are needed to be done on how seed-hoarded rodents adjust their hoarding behavior to trade off the predation risk and net benefit of hoarding. In September 2006,the study was conducted in semi-natural enclosures in the Donglingshan Mountain of northwest Beijing,to work on the fate status,distributions,micro-habitat selections and removal distances of buried seeds of cultivated walnut (Juglans regia) after hoarded by David's rock squirrel (Sciurotamias davidianus) with which were compared when predation risk,Siberian weasel (Mustela sibirica),was endued or not. The objective was to test the effects of predation risk on seed hoarding behavior of S. davidianus. The results showed that,under predation risk,the proportions of removed seeds and buried seeds significantly declined,while those abandoned seeds were not significantly different,and the spatial distribution,microhabitat location and removal distance of buried seeds in enclosure were not significantly different. These results suggested that S. davidianus significantly decreased proportions of removed seeds and buried seeds when predation risk existed,but had no significant effects on their spatial selection,micro-habitat selection and removal distances when they hoarded seeds. These insignificant cases were likely caused by the fence effect.
    Observation on the adaptation of Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis) to artificial feeding
    YU Daoping,JIANG Wenghua,HAN Demin
    2007, 27(4):  365-369. 
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    A total of 24 Yangtze finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis)were captured from Tongling section of the Yangtze River in 1989,1992,2001 and 2003. Various temporary feedings were conducted for up to 88 days in the mainstream of the Yangtze River. It was found that the behavioral adaptation of the finless porpoises to the artificial feeding consisted of three types:(1)Refusing food;(2)Vigilance;(3)Accepting food. Our paper suggested that the average time of refusing food lasted 2.4 d (3 days for adults and only 1.5 days for juveniles). There was a distinct difference in the time of refusing food between adults and juveniles (P < 0.01). Daily food intake showed an ascending tendency in both winter and spring,but a significant difference (P< 0. 01)was found between the two seasons. The duration of vigilance spent by the porpoises was less than 3 min after the second week,but this behavior went on for a long period. Based on observations in winter,the fact that,by the seventh week,food intake in 40 minutes by Yangtze finless porpoise decreased to less than 7% of body weight was a response to artificial feeding.
    Home range size and overlap of Tibetan foxes (Vulpes ferrilata)in Dulan County,Qinghai Province
    LIU Qunxiu, Richard B.Harris, WANG Xiaoming, WANG Zhenghuan
    2007, 27(4):  370-375. 
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    We documented home ranges for 3 radio-marked (2 ♂,1 ♀)Tibetan foxes (Vulpes ferrilata) in Gouli township, Dulan County,Qinghai Province,China in Sep. 21 - Oct. 21, 2006 and Jan.14 - Jan. 20, Feb. 6 - Feb.12 and Mar.13 - Apr. 8,2007. Home anges of 3 collared Tibetan foxes were quantified using the fixed kernel ethod,and a simple index of home range overlap was also calculated. Mean home range size was 6.4 km2 (SE = 0.4)and the mean core area was 1.6 km2 (SE = 0.2). Home ranges and core area of all 3 foxes overlapped. Percentage home range overlap was 50% - 60% ,and overlap of core areas was 7% - 20%.
    Comparison of morphological characters of skull between the blue sheep and the dwarf blue sheep
    LIU Yande,ZHOU Caiquan,HUANG Chengsi,HU Jinchu
    2007, 27(4):  376-379. 
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    The data on skull morphology of the blue sheep and the dwarf blue sheep were reported in this paper. The data involved the measurement and comparison of skull variables between two species. Measured characters include the following: length of the cheek tooth row,greatest inner length of the orbit,greatest mastoid breadth,least breadth between the orbits,zygomatic breadth,least height of the occipital region,greatest breadth of the occipital condyles,greatest neurocranium breadth,foramen infraorbital breadth (least distance), greatest palatal breadth,least breadth between the bases of the horn cores,least distance between the horn core tips,distance between the horn core tips,greatest tangential distance, horn core basal circumference, greastest (oro-aboral)diameter of the horn core base,least (dorso-basal) diameter of the horn core base,and length of the outer curvature of the horn core. Univariate analysis and discriminant analysis were applied to those measurements. The results indicated that: (1) Skulls of the 2 species were very similar in shape, but thedwarf blue sheep was thinner and narrower. The horn straight also faces on curls upwards,the horn base narrower,and the
    older individuals healing together. Compared with the skull of dwarf blue sheep,that of the blue sheep is more spacious, the horn is thicker and longer,and separates more on both sides,has a longer curvature,the inside horn ridge is longer and shows an S-bend,a sharp angle towards the rear base of a wide angle,not merging. (2) The results of univariate analysis indicated: Of 18 measurements of skull morphology, the differences of greatest mastoid breadth, least breadth between the orbits,zygomatic readth,greatest neurocranium bread,greatest palatal breadth,horn core basal circumference, greasiest (oro -aboral ) diameter of the horn core base are extremely significant (P< 0.0 1 ); the differences of least height of the occipital region,greatest breadth of the occipital condyles,foramen infraorbital breadth (least distance),distance between the horn core tips, greatest tangential distance,and least (dorso-basal )diameter of the horn core base are significant (P < 0.05). The univariate analysis showed the accuracy rate of discrimination for the blue sheep was 100.0% and for the dwarf blue sheep was 83.3% . Cross validation is done only for those cases in the analysis. In cross validation,
    each case is classified by the functions derived from all cases other than that case. The accuracy rate for the dwarf blue sheep was 83.3% , while for the blue sheep was 100% . The two horn distinctions function may distinguish the blue sheep from the
    dwarf blue sheep.
    Construction of a cDNA library of blood of Elaphurus davidianus
    WU Hailong, WAN Qiuhong, FANG Shengguo, ZHANG Linyuan, XIA Jinshi, ZHONG Zhenyu
    2007, 27(4):  380-384. 
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    Total RNA was extracted from the blood of Père David's deer (Elaphurus avidianus)with Trizol reagent and mRNA was further purified using a purifying kit for mRNA. According to the manual of cDNA Synthesis system from Stratagene, we constructed a cDNA library of the blood of Père David's deer. Our aim was to isolate some genes of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) for the deer. The cDNA library has a capacity of 1.96 ×106 clones, and 95.6 % of them are recombinant clones. The average size of the inserted cDNA fragments is about 1.0 kb,which meets the requirement of a standard cDNA library. The second exon of DQA gene (193 bp) was successfully amplified from the library using a primer pair designed by our lab. These results show that the blood cDNA library constructed is useful for isolation of MHC
    genes of Père David's deer.
    The isolation of new microsatellite loci in Rousettus leschenaulti and theirapplicability in closely related species
    SHAO Weiwei,HUA Panyu,ZHOU Shanyi,CHEN Jinping
    2007, 27(4):  385-388. 
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    Rousettus leschenaulti is mainly distributed in tropical and semi-tropical areas. Populations are large and this species eats fruits,such as longan and litchi. In China,it has been subjected to large-scale killing and the population size has decreased dramatically. In order to study its population structure and genetic diversity,we constructed an enriched DNA microsatellite library of this species,and obtained four pairs of special polymorphism microsatellite primers. Moreover, we examined the applicability of 10 microsatellite markers of Rousettus leschenaulti in four closely related species (Cynopterus brachyotis, Cynopterus sphinx, Eonycteris spelaea, Macroglossus minimus).
    Recognition to different kinship opposite-sex urine odors in root vole (Microtus oeconomus)
    SUN Ping,YU Honghao,ZHAO Xinquan,XU Nan,ZHAO Yajun
    2007, 27(4):  389-394. 
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    To test the perceptual abilities of root voles (Microtus oeconomus) to recognize their opposite-sex relatives,behavioral response patterns were recorded in a behavioral choice case. The urine odors from different kinships,which relationships were 0,0.25,and 0.5 respectively,were used as odorants. The results indicated:Female root voles showed evident differences to the 3 kinds of odors. There were significant differences in approach latency and sniff time among different stimuli. The differences in sniff frequency and countermarks among different stimuli were non-significant. Male root voles showed no bias to the 3 kinds of odors. There were non-significant differences in approach latency and sniff time among different stimuli. The differences in sniff frequency and countermarks among different stimuli also were non-significant either. In conclusions,female root voles can discriminate urine odors from different kinship opposite-sex individuals but males cannot.
    Energy budget of Apodemus chevrieri during cold exposure
    WANG Bei,XU Weijiang,JIANG Wenxiu,LIAN Xiao,CAI Jinhong,YIN Xiquan,WANG Zhengkun
    2007, 27(4):  395-402. 
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    In order to understand the relationship between energy budget and ambient temperatures in Apodemus chevrieri, body mass,body temperature,energy intake,digestable energy intake,digestability,and metabolizable energy intake were measured during cold exposure (5 ± 1℃ ,42 d). Results showed that body mass and body temperature decreased to the lowest level after 28 days and then remained stable. After being kept in cold acclimation for 14 days,there was a significant difference between the cold-exposed and the control animals in body mass. Energy intake,digestable energy intake,and metabolizable energy intake increased and showed significant differences between the cold-exposed and the controls after 14 days acclimation,and then reached a maximum after 21 days. Digestability and metabolizable energy efficiency were not significantly different from controls. During cold exposure, Apodemus chevrieri can reduce absolute energy demands by reducing body mass,and increases energy intake,digestable energy intake and metabolizable energy intake to maintain the physiological function. These physiological adjustments in Apodemus chevrieri during cold exposure were related to the microenvironment
    such as low latitude,high elevation,and lower average ambient temperature.
    The structure of corsac fox'dens in Hulunbeier grassland
    JIN Kun,LIAO Zhidong,GAO Zhongxin
    2007, 27(4):  403-406. 
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    At present it is lack of the ecological data about corsac forx (Vulpes corsac) in China. Nine non-breeding corsac fox'dens were dug and measured in Hulunbeier grassland in Inner Mongolia,of which six have one tunnel and one entrance for their own and another three have two tunnels and two entrances for each. The mean width of den entrance is 27. 3 cm and the mean height of entrance is 22.7 cm. The mean length of the dens is 207.3 cm and the mean distance is 54.7 cm from the ground to the deepest point of the dens. Although corsac fox used to expand rodent’s dens as its own dens,which is the main source of the dens,sometimes it digs dens by itself too. Corsac fox'dens are very narrow and long corresponding with its stature. In the measured twelve dens'tunnels,there are nine with a bend. Corsac fox' dens are generally distributed in open grasslands,riverine gentle incline or steep hills.
    Mitochondrial DNA D-loop polymorphism among four populations of Reed voles (Microtus fortis)
    XIE Jianyun,FENG Jie,SHAO Weijuan,BAI Xiong,HU Jianhua,GAO Cheng
    2007, 27(4):  407-412. 
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    Four populations of Reed voles (Microtus fortis) were used to check genetic polymorphisms of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)D-loop by means of RFLP analysis.The PCR fragments of this region were digested with 15 restriction endonucleases: 10 with no variation and the other five including Eco T22I, Eco RV, Hap II, Hind III and Xba I, indicating polymorphisms among different individuals.Ten haplotypes were eventually recovered among sampled 40 individuals.The
    genetic divergence among these haplotypes ranged respectively from 0. 0014 to 0.0168. All vole samples clustered into two distinct branches:Voles from Dongting Lake and some voles from Qingtongxia comprised one branch,and voles from Heilongjiang and the rests from Qingtongxia comprised the other branch. These findings suggested that the mtDNA D-loop region in this species provides informative variations for population research and phylogeography in the future.