关键词: 复合不育剂, 长爪沙鼠, 种群, 结构, 动态, 荒漠草原

Abstract:

Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) are widely distributed in Inner Mongolia. This species not only has caused damage to grassland or crop production, but has also been a channel for transmitting human plagues in the abovementioned region. From March to October in 2009,we used a contraceptive compound (EP-1) to test its fertility control effect on a wild population of Mongolian gerbils in the Ordos Desert Grasslands, Inner Mongolia. The results show that the breeding, structures and densities of Mongolian gerbil populations were significantly influenced by EP-1. During the first of the two peak breeding periods for gerbil populations, from May to June, juvenile recruitment significantly declined. The proportions of juveniles and of adults fluctuated significantly in the experiment and check areas (P < 0.01). Similar fluctuations were seen in August to October in both areas (P < 0.05,P < 0.01). In the EP-1 treatment area, juvenile recruitment began in June, reached its peak in September, and their population density declined during the population growth period. In the control area, the juvenile recruitment peaked in May, and their population density showed an increase during the breeding period. In summary, reproduction, juvenile recruitment, the proportion of juveniles, and the population densities of Mongolia gerbils were significantly reduced during reproductive periods. These observations suggest that EP-1 is a very effective contraceptive for fertility control of this wild species, and may reduce the risk of damage to grass or crop production as well as the spreading of human plagues.

Key words: Compound sterility, Dynamic, Desert grassland, Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus ), PopulationStructure