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Table of Content

    07 July 2008, Volume 23 Issue 1
    Time Budget of Behavior of Amur Tiger ( Panthera tigris altaica) in Captivity
    TENGLiwei SONG Yanling LIU Zhensheng WANG Xiaoming WANG Yanzhong
    2003, 23(1):  1-5. 
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    The activity rhythms of four captive Amue tigers ( Panthera tigris altaica) were observed in Harbin Zoo between April 1998 and March 2001. The behavioral ethogram was identified by all-occurrence sampling in the preliminary observation from March to April in 1998.Based on the preliminary observation , the behaviors of Amur tiger were recorded at 5 minute interval using instantaneous scanning sampling method from April 1998 to March 2001.The results indicated that sleeping , resting , moving , eating , and other activites had 53.13 % , 22.05 % , 19.57 % , 2.27 % , and 2.98 % respectively in the 24 h time budget for the captive Amur tigers during the study preiod. Drinking , eliminating , grooming , sniffing , playing and standing were considered as other activities in this study. The patterns of activity rhythms of captive Amur tigers did not show any seasonal difference. Two activity peaks were revealed in sleeping , moving , and resting during 24 h cycles with differences in onset time and duration. The peaks of sleeping were recorded at 10 : 00 - 14 : 00 and 20 : 00 - 06 : 00 ; moving at 05 : 00 - 10 : 00 and 14 : 00 - 17 : 00 ; andresting at 05 : 00 - 10 : 00 and 13 : 00 - 20 : 00.Only one peak of eating was found at 16 : 00 - 20 : 00. The duration of sleeping of Amur tigers in winter (December to February) was significantly increased during night time and was significantly decreased during the daytime comparing with other three seasons.
    Demographic Studies on Captive South China Tigers
    WANG Wei SHEN Qingyong YIN Yuzhong
    2003, 23(1):  6-9. 
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    From 1963 - 2000 , a total of 307 South China tigers ( Panthera tigris amoyensis) were recorded in the regional studbook. During 38 years of breeding in captivity , a total of 287 cubs were born with 122 litters in Chinese zoos or parks. Our analyes using SPARKS and GENES softwares indicated that the gene diversity of the South China tigers has been decreased while the inbreeding coefficient has been increased since 1977. The captive population consists of 57 individuals descended from 6 founders with a total of 37 males and 20 females (M/F = 1.85) . Current captive group is distributed in 22 zoos or parks , with a high risk of extinction.
    Genetic Diversity and Population Genetic Structure of Takin ( Budorcas taxicolor)
    LI MENG Shijie WEI Fuwen WANG Jing YONG Yange
    2003, 23(1):  10-16. 
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    Takin ( Budorcas taxicolor) is a large rare animal endemic to Asian continent. It belongs to Bovidae in Artiodactyla and mainly distributes in China and some locations of Burma , India , Nepal and Bhutan. Takin is currently threatened seriously by habitat loss , fragmentation and human activities. In order to develop adequate conservation and scientific management strategies for effectively protecting this endangered species , it is important to understand population genetic structure , evolutionary history and genetic diversity of takin. Based on mtDNA D-Loop 330 base pairs analysis , we investigated the population genetic structure , molecular phylogeography , and genetic diversity of 40 takins sampled from Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi Province , southern Gansu Province , Min Mountains and Qionglai Mountains in Sichuan Province , and Gong Mountains in Yunnan Province.According to sample distribution , they can be divided into three geographic units , i.e. , Qingling , Sichuan and Yunnan. The results indicated that there were only 4 haplotypes in takin samples without sharing haplotype among three geographic units. The average divergence within the 4 haplotypes was 1.66 %. Furthermore , the AMOVA (Analysis of Molecular Variance) analysis and phylogenetic trees also indicated that there was a significant genetic subdivision ( P < 0.000 1) and relatively lower gene flow among geographic units.There was an obvious molecular phylogeographic pattern in takin samples. We suggested that the distribution pattern resulted fromlong-term geographical barriers and the considerable climatic fluctuation in Pleistocene. Thus , we also suggested that the four haplotypes (Qingling , Sichuan 1 , Sichuan 2 , and Yunnan) may be considered as 4 different management units and need to be conserved.
    Population Characteristics and Fawn Survival in Musk Deer ( Moshus moschiferus)
    XU Zhengqiang XU Hongfa
    2003, 23(1):  17-20. 
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    Musk deer were first translocated to Chongming Island , Shanghai , in 1980s. After nearly 20 years , we evaluated the population characteristics of musk deer on Chongming Island , and we also quantified fawns mortality. There were 74 fawns born from 1998-2000. Adult deer being reproductive comprised about 51.1 % of population. The age structure suggested an increasing population. The survivorship curve indicates that the most death happened in fawn period. Sex ratio data suggested male-biased mortality during fawn period. Annual survival of female fawns exceeded survival of males ( P < 0.05) , which resulted in femalebiased sex ratios in adult. Early-born fawns experienced higher survival than late-born ones (P < 0.05). Diseases were the most important factor in causing fawn death (45.9 %) .
    Survey of the Status of the Dugong in the Beibu Gulf , China , with Remarks on the Indian Humpbacked Dolphin ( Sousa plumbea)
    ZHOU Kaiya XU Xinrong TANG Jinsong
    2003, 23(1):  20-26. 
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    Field studies on the dugong ( Dugong dugon) funded by the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation was conducted along the coast of Guangdong , Guangxi and Hainan Provinces from 15 September to 17 November , 2000 to update the information regarding the conservation status of the dugong in the Beibu Gulf . A total of 36 boat surveys were conducted , and 203 questionnaires were collected from people of different occupations. A small group of 5 dugongs was sighted off the coast of Gangmen (19°08′N , 108°39′E) , Dongfang City , Hainan Province on 6 September. According to the questionnaires , at least 2 dugongs were killed accidentally at the end of 1999. The evidence obtained during the surveys indicated that dugongs were greatly reduced in distribution and number compared with those in the 1980s. However , they still existed in some areas in the Beibu Gulf . Based on the results of the surveys , it is suggested that the conservation of dugongs and their habitats along the west coast of Hainan Province should be considered as the highest priority. Groups of 7 and 4 Indian humpbacked dolphins ( Sousa plumbea) were sighted at the mouth of Dafeng River (21°36′N , 108°54′E) , Beihai City , Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on 3 and 4 November , respectively. The small group sighted off the coast of Beihai belonged to the only Sousa plumbea population known to occur in Chinese coastal waters. It is recommended that Sousa plumbea should be included as one of the key protected species in the Guangxi Hepu National Natural Reserve for Dugongs.
    Study on Herd Structure and Daytime Activity Rhythm of Argali ( Ovis ammon karelini) in Autumn of Tianshan
    GUO Songtao YU Yuqun LI Baoguo GU Zhengqin TU Xunjiang WANG Xinjun
    2003, 23(1):  27-30. 
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    The herd structure and the daytime activity rhythmwere observed in September , October and November of 1998 on a total of 76 groups with more than 460 individuals of Argali ( Ovis ammon karelini) in Tianshan. The group size and structure of Argali were quite different around rutting period. The colony changed from single , or male , female , mother - baby group to mainly a mixed group. The average group size changed significantly at P < 0.01 from 8.3 ±4.6 before rutting to 15.9 ±11.1 after rutting period. The herd mixings of group behavior around rutting period in Argali were significant in their daytime rhythm especially among males.
    Characteristics of the Summer Tibetan Fox ( Vulpes ferrilata) Den Habitats in
    WANG Zhenghuan WANG Xiaoming WU Wei Patrick Giraudoux QIU Jiamin Kenichi Takahashi Philip S Craig
    2003, 23(1):  31-38. 
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    The characteristics of summer den habitats of the Tibetan fox (Vulpes ferrilata) were studied in Shiqu County in western Sichuan province during July 2001. Over 230 km were sampled by line transects (totally 40 km , ranging between 4 200 and 4 500 m of altitude) . For each fox den , 7 ecological factors (water distance , den direction , slope direction , slope degree , position in the slope , vegetation type and small mammal pika or rodents den number) were recorded in 5 ×5 square meters centred on the den. 91 Tibetan fox dens were found. Among them 54 dens were fully described and classified by a principal component analysis (PCA) followed by a cluster analysis (complete linkage hierarchical ascendent classification on euclidian distance) . The first four factors of the PCA represent 85 % of the total variance. Water distance , slope degree and the position in the slope are the three most important variables contributing to the first factor. This factor represents 42.8 % of the total variance. Small mammal den number and vegetation type are also important in the latter 3 factors. In the cluster analysis , dens were grouped into three main groups (A: 26 dens , B : 22 dens , and D: 6 dens) . Group A is more coincident than group B , and both these two groups comprised the group C. Group C is quite different from group D , water distance is the main reason coursing the difference. The water distance in group C is no more than 500 m , but longer than 800 m in group D. Tibetan fox dens are mainly in middle (6815 % of 54 dens) and sunny or half sunny slope (92.6 %) , lower position in the slope (87.04 %) and with moderate water distance to den ( < 500 m) (87.04 %) . The directions of the fox dens range from 35°to 360°(88.9 %) . Most dens were located in grasslands(96.3 %) with moderate slope (68.52 % are between 5°and 25°) . In addition , small mammal dens were always found in the 5 m ×5 m sample squares , at a various number. It is suggested that the relationship between small mammal dens and fox dens distribution should be studied in the future.
    A Preliminary Research on Small Mammal Community Structure at Tangjiahe Natural Reserve , Sichuan Province , China
    WANG Yu WANG Xiaoming2 HU Jinchu CHEN Limin
    2003, 23(1):  39-44. 
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    From April to November 1989 , the rodent community was sampled in the Tangjiahe natural Reserve , Sichuan Province , China. A total of 846 individuals were captured with 11 000 trap-days during the research period , and 21 small mammal species were recorded in the study site1 All data were analyzed with ANOVA (variance analysis) .There were four small mammal communities : C1 , Niviventer niniventer + Apodmus chevrieri + Aoriculus squamipes small mammal community ; C2 , N1 niniventer + A1chevrieri small mammal community ; C3 , N1 niniventer + Apodmus draco + Niviventer andersoni small mammal community , ; and C4 , Ochatona thibetana + A1chevrieri small mammal community. With ANOVA and multiple comparisons , the dominant species were analysed in each rodent community. The results show that both N. niniventer and A.chevrieri were equal dominant species in C1 community ; O.thibetana and A.chevrieri were also dominant species in C4 community ; N. niniventer and A.chevrieri were respectively first and second dominant species in C2 community ; and N. niniventerand A. draco were also respectively first and second dominant species in C3 community. In addition , comparisons were made on the methods between ANOVA and capturing percentages to decide the dominant species in each community. The results show that the former was more suitable than the capturing percentages in deciding the dominance species within rodent community in Tangjiahe Natural Reserve. The diversity and evenness indexes of small mammal community were caculated with the Shanno - Weiner formula. The results show that the diversity index of the community increased with the species increasing in small mammal community ( r = 0.7360 < r0.05 = 0.878 , P > 0.05) , and the evenness index also had the same trend. The diversity and evenness indexes declined with the increasing of the dominant species percentages in small mammal community , and thus , the dominant species the small mammal community reached prominence ( r = - 0.9985 < r 0.05 = - 0.878 , P < 0.05) .
    Effects of Introventricular Injection of CRH on Thermogenesis and Regulation of BAT in Meriones unguiculatus in Acute Cold Exposure
    YANG Ming LI Qinfen HUANG Chenxi
    2003, 23(1):  45-51. 
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    This study investigated effects of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) on thermogenesis of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and its regulatory mechanism in groups of male Mongolian gerbils ( Meriones unguiculatus) . Gerbils were introventricularly injected with 8μg of CRH or 2.5μg of CRH receptor blockerα-helical CRH 9 - 41 and then exposed to 4 ±1 ℃for 3 hours. Two other groups of gerbils were injected with the same volume of physiological saline as the former groups and kept in regular temperature (RT, 24 ±2 ℃) or exposed to 4 ±1 ℃as controls. Weight , protein content and T45′- D Ⅱactivity of BAT, uncoupling protein. (UCP1) mRNA content in BAT, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) content in hypothylamus , levels of T3 , T4 , norepinephrine (NE) and corticosterone content in serum were measured. As compared with RT - control , the weight of BAT decreased and UCP1 mRNA content was promoted in cold control group1 TRH content in hypothalamus was decreased while levels of T3 , T 4 and NE in serum , and T45′- D Ⅱof BATwere increased in cold group. It was suggested that cold exposure activated hypothalamus- pituit ary-thyroid (HPT) axis and sympathetic nervous system , and increased thermogenesis of BAT in Mongolian gerbils. In the CRH injected animals , weight and protein content of BAT and UCP1 mRNA content in BATwere decreased while content of TRH in hypothalamus , and T3 , T4 and T3/T4 in serum were decreased , however , NE in serum and T45′- D Ⅱactivity of BAT were increased markedly as compared with gerbils with cold control. It was speculated that CRH may restrain HPT axis and therefore , suppress the gene expression of UCP1 by decreasing content of UCP1 mRNA. CRH may also activate central sympathetic nervous system resulting in higher level of serum NE and then increase activity of T45′- D Ⅱof BAT in CRH injected group than that in cold control group. The activated sympathetic nervous system may increase thermogenesis of BAT which consume fat as source of energy. The 2.5μg of CRH receptor blockerα-helical CRH 9 - 41 injected introventricularly did not cause marked change in the
    parameters measured. This may be due to the insufficient dosage used in the experiment.
    Effects of Tannic Acid on the Food Intake and Protein Digestibility of Root Voles
    LI Junnian LIU Jike TAO Shuanglun
    2003, 23(1):  52-57. 
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    The effect of tannic acid on the food intake and protein digestibility of root voles (Microtus oeconomus) was studied by food balance method under 10 %or 20 % protein diets with tannic acid in diet at 0 , 3 % , or 6 %. The results indicated that tannic acid significantly inhibited the food intake during the first 5 days , however , it did not influence the food intake between 6th and 9th days. Tannic acid affected the protein digestibility of the voles at 10 % protein diet ; while there was no significant effect of tannic acid on the food intake and protein digestibility of the voles at 20 % protein diet. Our results has confirmed the hypothesis that plant secondary compounds can inhibit the food intake and protein digestibility of small vegetarian mammals.
    Reproduction and Postnatal Growth of Microtus fortis fortis under Artif icial Feeding Conditions
    HU Zhongjun WANG Yong GUO Cong ZHANGMeiwen
    2003, 23(1):  58-65. 
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    Preliminary studies on the reproduction and postnatal growth of Microtus fortis fortis were carried out under laboratory feeding conditions. The animals could be bred all year round with mean litter size , gestation period , mean breeding intervals , and the ratio of females to males of 3.8 ±1.5 , 20 - 21 days , 39.3 ±26.4 days , and 1.48 , respectively. New-born pups could erect their ears completely 3 days after birth ; lower and upper front teeth begin to emerge at day 4 and day 5 , respectively ; open their eyes at day 7 - 8 ; could be weaned at day 20 ; and could be sexually matured at around day 55. All three sigmoidal growth models , i.e. , logistic , Gompertz and Von Bertalanffy equations , are fitted well with growth data of body weight , body length , tail length , and hind foot length from birth up to the age of 120 days. In this studies , Von Bertalanffy equation was chosen for the growth of body weight , body length , and tail length , and logistic equation was selected for the growth of hind foot length. The growth of Microtus fortis fortis could be divided into four stages : infancy phase , from birth to 10 day old ; juvenile phase , from 11 to 20 days old ; subadult phase , from 21 to 55 days old ; and adult phrase , over 56 days old. In addition , we compared preliminarily the differences of growth and development , and reproduction characteristics between of M. f. fortis and of M. f. calamorum.
    Food Selectivity and Influencing Factors in Ruminants
    LI Junsheng SONG Yanling ZENG Zhigao
    2003, 23(1):  66-73. 
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    Food selection is one of the main research contents in nutritional ecology of ruminants. This review expounds the conceptsand several studying methodologies on food selection , and summarizes its major influencing factors such as features of animal morphology , nutritional quality of plants , physicochemical defense of plants , physiological features of animals , and characteristics of behaviors. The correlation and functional mechanisms of these factors comprise the basic research contents of this studying field.
    Progress of Research on Olfactory Communication in Rodents
    ZHANGLi SUN Ruyong FANGJiming
    2003, 23(1):  74-82. 
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    The paper is a review on research of olfactory communication in rodents for the past 40 years. It mainly introduced the sources and components of olfactory signals , and their mechanisms on physiological behavior of rodent. Faeces , urine , secretion of skin gland , etc. are main sources of odor in rodents. The component analyses on these chemical signals have been focused mainly on structures , components and behavioral effects of pheromones. Currently , among the research areas in neuro-pathway of olfactory communication in rodents , main olfactory system , vomeronasal system , and their olfactory communication functions are still the focal points. Research on pheromones and their impacts on behavioral responses in neuro-endocrine mechanism is also one of the hot studies in animalsolfactory communication. Studying the impact of odor signals on animal behavior and physiology of animal will assist in revealing the important role of olfactory communication in social behavior of rodents.
    AILING: the First Domesticated Tibetan Antelope
    SU Jianping LIAN Xinming CAO Yifan CUI Qinghu ZHANG Tongzuo
    2003, 23(1):  83-84. 
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    AILING, a male and the first successfully domesticated Tibetan antelope ( Pantholops hodgsoni) , seen on the cover page , was saved by the conservators of Kekexili National Natural Reserve in early July of 2001. He has lived with a herd of sheep and goats belonging to a family of Tibetan herdman for about 17 months , and been matured by 115 years of age with enlarged scrotums , descended testicles , adult-male-like body color and sexual behaviors. He has a body length of 117.8 cm , ear length of 10.8 cm , horn length of 32.2 cm , shoulder height of 79.6 cm and buttocks height of 78.2 cm. He has the same characteristics as the domestic animals , such as not fearing of people and other animals , adapting to the extensive husbandry , tying to the artificial supplementary food. All these mean that AILING has been a domesticated animal , which makes the off site conservation of Tibetan antelope possible.
    Studies on the Prediction of Autumn Population of Clethrionomys rufocanus in Forest Area of Changbai Mountains
    JIN Jianli YANG Chunwen ZHANG Guangchen
    2003, 23(1):  85-88. 
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    Research methods of predicting population of Clethrionomys rufocanus in a forest area of Changbai Mountains of Heilongjiang Province were studied from 1991 to 1996. At a representative coniferous-broadleaved mixed forest , the spring season's captured rate , biomass of herb plants in July , and slopes were chosen as prediction factors to carry out investigation. The results of the autumn's population of Clethrionomys rufocanus in various situations were analyzed by linear programming. The reliability of the results predicted by the captured rates was verified through actual investigation data. It indicated that spring season's female captured rate of Clethrionomys rufocanus can generally predict its autumn population. On this basis , it should be combined with biomass of herbaceous plants in July to forecast autumn population a step further.
    Studies on the Unessential Trace Elements in Skeletons of Plateau Zokor and Plateau Pika
    SUO Yourui LI Tiancai
    2003, 23(1):  89-91. 
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    The contents and distributions of six unessential elements were analyzed in the whole bone , cranium , backbone , and leg bone of plateau zokor (Myospalax baileyi) and plateau pika ( Ochotona curzoniae) . These trace elements are Pb , Cd , As , Sb , Bi , and Hg. The results indicated that the contents of Pb , Cd , As , Bi and Hg in skeleton of plateau zokor are higher than that in skeleton of plateau pika with significant differences in Pb , Bi , and Hg. The contents of Hg and Cd between plateau zokor and plateau pika are significantly correlated while the contents of Sb and Bi are less correlated. In the skeletons of plateau zokor and plateau pika , the distributions of Hg , Pb , As , and Bi are mostly in the head bones , leg bones , backbones , and backbones , respectively. The contents of these six unessential trace elements in skeletons are related to not only to their ecological environments and food but also the cooperation and antagonism among these elements.