Abstract: The relationships between the moonlight , lunar cycle , light intensity and activity of polecats were studied in the field and laboratory by using radio-tracking techniques and simulating light intensity. Field data showed that the polecats were nocturnal animals , the moonlight did not affect the activity of the polecat. Both of the male and female had same active patterns during different seasons , reproductive and non-reproductive period. The beginning time and ending time of the polecat did not relate to the lunar cycle and the time of the sunset and sunrise. The laboratory data also showed that the polecats were mainly nocturnal animals even though they increased the daily active time because of the change of the environment , the light intensity did not affect the active patterns and the time of the polecat. All of those indicated that the polecats had relatively stable active rhythm. They did not appeared to reduce the active time and change the active patterns in bright moonlight and high light intensity during the activity phases as an anti-predator response , they might reduced the high predatory risk by using different refugees such as burrows.

Key words: Polecat (Mustela eversmanni), Moonlight, Activity

摘要： 采用野外研究与室内研究相结合的方法研究了月光周期和光照对夜行性动物艾虎活动的影响。野外无线电遥测结果表明, 艾虎的日活动时间不受月光周期的影响, 雌雄艾虎在不同的季节及繁殖期和非繁殖期都有相对稳定的活动时间, 其开始活动和结束活动的时间与月光周期和日出、日落都没有明显的相关性。室内模拟研究结果也表明, 由于环境条件的变化, 艾虎增加了白天的活动时间, 但仍然以夜间活动为主, 光照强弱对艾虎的活动格局和活动时间没有明显的影响。以上结果表明昼夜变换使艾虎形成了相对稳定的生物钟节律, 艾虎在取食过程中可能利用洞道等隐蔽场所降低明亮月光期的高捕食风险。

关键词: 艾虎, 月光, 活动