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07 July 2008, Volume 23 Issue 2

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Time Budget of Behavior and Activity Rhythm between Male and Female Amur Tigers ( Panthera tigris altaica) under Enclosed Habitat

TENG Liwei 　LI Feng　LIU Zhensheng

2003, 23(2):  93-97. 

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Data were collected from April 1998 to April 2001 in Heilongjiang Amur Tiger Park with an enclosed Habitat of 144 hm² on the behavioral differences of male and female Amur tigers. Time budget and activity rhythm of 10 individuals (5 males and 5 females) were studied by the use of random, targeting and scanning sampling methods. There were certain difference between male and female Amur tigers in time budget and activity rhythm. As to the time budget, female individuals spent more time in resting, social behavior and other behavior than males. Females spent less time in moving and eating than males. However, standing behavior of male and female Amur tigers was quite similar. By one-way ANOVA of various behavior of male and female individuals, there were highly significant differences in resting, moving, and other behavior. Eating behavior had significant difference between males and females. However, standing and social behavior had no significant differences between them. For the activity rhythm, the significant differences occurred only between onset and duration of peak periods and behavioral intensity. Seasonal variation significance was also analyzed with one-way ANOVA. Our results showed there were highly significant differences in eating and social behavior.Resting, moving, and standing were influenced by seasonal variation significantly.


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Preliminary Analysis on the Habitat Selection of Black Bears in the Minshan Mountains

LU Qingbin　HU Jinchu

2003, 23(2):  98-103. 

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This paper deals with the habitat selection of black bear from the end of March to September in the Minshan Mountains in 1998. Forty samples of 20 ×20 m² and 15 factors were set up for quantitative analysis in the habitat selection of black bear.
The analysis indicates that black bear chooses the peak or slope face of mountain , which is sunny and has bigger slope, moderate shelter wind and which canopy is between 30 % - 50 %. It still chooses the moderate tree and shrub densities and the smaller fallen log and tree stump densities. The selection of tree distance , shrub distance , fallen log distance and tree stump distance is based on moderation. The main component analysis shows that there are five factors affecting the habitat selection of black bears. They are the food abundant (tree density , shrub density , tree and shrub distance) , the disturbing (fallen log density , tree stump density , fallen log and tree stump distance) , the geography (canopy , geographic nature and slope site) , the climatic (shelter wind nature and aspect) and the elevation factor. The most suitable habitat of black bear is that the tree density is 1 226 - 1 625 roots/ha; the shrub density is 1 425 - 1 976 roots/ha; the fallen log density is 120 - 240 roots/ha, the tree stump density is 110- 230 roots/a; the canopy is 3519 % - 4315 %, the geographic nature is 0.6 - 0.7 (slope face) ; the slope site is 0.5 - 0.7(middle slope site) , the shelter wind nature is 0.4 - 0.7 ( moderation) ; the aspect is 49.8°- 153°(sunny slope) ; and the elevation is 1 993 - 2 276 m (The broadleaf forest and the mixed coniferous and broadleaf forest) .


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Daily Activity Rhythm and Time Budget of Sichuan Sika Deers

GUO Yanshu

2003, 23(2):  104-108. 

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Daily activity rhythm and time budget of 287 Sichuan sika deers ( Cervus nippon sichuanicus) were studied by direct observations for 2 934 h at the Tiebu Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, from February 1987 to September 2000. Three activities peaks were apparently in their daily activity rhythm: first peak at 18 : 30 - 20 : 00 , second at 01 : 00 - 02 : 00 , and third at 06 : 00 - 09 : 001 At the same time , three activities troughs were also observed : first at 23 : 00 - 00 : 00 , second at 04 : 00 , and third at 10 : 00 - 15 :00. There were bigger changes of daily active rhythm of Sichuan sika deer at different seasons1 Daily activity frequency ( hour mean) in spring, summer , autumn and winter were 55.29 ±32.97 % , 46.42 ±37.24 % , 48.21 ±35.80 % , 47.75 ±32.21 % ,respectively. They were similar at different seasons ( F = 0.32 < F_0.01 ) . Their annual mean of daily activities of feeding , drinking, moving , and others was 52.07 % with only 5.28 % during day-time mainly for resting and ruminating , and 46.79 % during night-time and dawn. Age , sex , breeding conditions , food resources , climatic factors , and human's interference could affect their time budget of activities.


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Using Snow-urine Analysis to Assess Roe Deer Nutritional Status in Different Types of Habitats during Winter

WANG Lijun 　MA Jianzhang 　HONG Meiling1 　XIAO Xianghong

2003, 23(2):  109-114. 

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Snow-urine analysis has provided a new reliable avenue to assess ungulates nutritional status on northern ranges during winter. In this paper , snow-urine analysis was used to analyze 50 samples of roe deer ( Caproelus caproelus) urines and their urines deposited in snow to assess their nutritional status and its changes in Xiaodong Forest Region and Sanjiang Nature Reserve during winter seasons of 1999 and 2000. Results indicated that urines deposited in snow can be analyzed biochemically for urea nitrogen(UN) , creatinine (CT) , sodium (Na) , potassium (K) , calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) to reflect roe deer's nutritional status. Low ratio of urea nitrogen to creatinine (UN∶CT < 4) , potassium to creatinine (K∶CT) and sodium to creatinine (Na∶CT) indicated that roe deers in these two areas remained in an early phase of undernutrition , while roe deers in Sanjiang Nature Reserve during winter season of 2000 were in relatively good condition , which reflected the immediate dynamics relationships between dietary intake , fat depletion and protein catabolism. Under low crude protein and energy content of natural vegetation , and low digestibility of browse during early undernutrition phase, roe deer relied primarily on diet and lipid reserves to partially meet energy requirements , while endogenous protein nitrogen was spared and catabolism was minimal. To make compensation for changes in dietary nitrogen content to some extent , most of the urea nitrogen , K, Na , etc. were reabsorbed in the renal almost remained in a prolonged-reversible tubules and little was lost in the urine. Subadult and juvenile roe deers in these two areas phase of undernutrition characterized by UN∶CT> 4 the same as roe deers in Sanjiang Nature Reserve during winter season of 1999.


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Fecal Testosterone Levels and Reproduction Cycle in Male Red Panda ( Ailurus f ulgens

LI Chun 　WEI Fuwen 　LI Ming 　LIU Xueqing 　YANG Zhi 　HU Jinchu

2003, 23(2):  115-119. 

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Fecal testosterones were analysed from four male red pandas ( Ailurus fulgens) in Chengdu Zoo and Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding by radioimmunoassays from December 1999 to September 2000 , to investigate the hormonal correlations to reproduction and reproductive behaviors. The results indicated that fecal testosterone concentration was obviously higher ( P< 0.01) in reproductive season (from December 1999 to March 2000) than in non-reproductive season (from April to September 2000) , and the fecal testosterone levels were closely correlated with reproductive aggression. In non2reproductive season , the reproductive behaviors such as scent marking, licking anogenital , licking marking , and bleating seldom happened when fecal testosterone concentration stayed in a relatively low at basal level. However, in reproductive season, these reproductive behaviors happened frequently when fecal testosterone level rose obviously. These imply that testosterone is the main physiological factor , which regulates seasonal changes of male red pandas’reproductive activities.
　

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Application of Mitochondrial DNA Sequences in the Species Identif ication of Common Dolphins ( Genus Delphinus) in Chinese Waters

WANG Jialian　YANG Guang　LIU Hai 　ZHOU Kaiya 　WEI Fuwen

2003, 23(2):  120-126. 

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Common dolphins , genus Delphinus , are regarded to be composed of two species , i.e., long-beaked common dolphins ( D. capensis) and short-beaked common dolphins ( D. delphis). However , the taxanomic status of Chinese common dolphins is still uncertain up to date. In this study , 366 base pairs (bp) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region and 336 bp of mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) gene from 12 common dolphins collected in Chinese waters were sequenced and combined with previously published homologous sequences of common dolphins from the Eastern Pacific waters , to address the systematic status and patterns of genetic variation of common dolphins in Chinese waters. Sequence comparison showed that the Chinese common dolphins share the same diagnostic site with recognized long-beaked common dolphins from the Eastern Pacific waters. The sequence divergence between haplotypes from Chinese common dolphins and long-beaked dolphins was much lower than that from short-beaked common dolphins. Phylogenetic tree reconstructed by using neighbor-joining algorithm implemented in the computer software MEGA (molecular evolutionary genetic analysis) version 210 found a monophyletic clade including Chinese common dolphins and long-beaked common dolphins , suggesting a relatively close relationship between them. Therefore , the Chinese common dolphins should be referred to as long-beaked common dolphins , Delphinus capensis.


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Karyotypes of Seven Species of Vespertilionidae Bats

GU Xiaoming 　LU Jing 　HAN Jianling 　PENG You 　TU Yunyan

2003, 23(2):  127-132. 

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The karyotypes of seven species of vespertilionidae bats were reported in the paper. Pipistrellus pipistrellus and P.coromandra have diploid chromosome number (2n) of 26, in which the autosomes consist of 10 pairs of biarmed chromosomes, 2 pairs of small uniarmed ones , and a fundamental number (N.F) of 44. The main difference between P. pipistrellus and P. coromandra is that No. 3 of the former is metacentric while the latter is submetacentric. Myoti myoti luctuosuss , M. daubenttoni and M. altarium all have 2n = 44 , including 4 pairs of metacentric chromosomes , 17 pairs of telocentric ones and 1 pair of sex ones, and their N.F are all 50. The karyotypes of Myotis myotis luctuosuss and M. daubenttoni are alike and are different from that of
M. altarium. Nyctalus noctula velutinus has 2n = 36 , comsisting of 7 pairs of metacentric chromosomes , 1 pair of submetacentric ones , 9 pairs of telocentric ones , and 1 pair of sex onces , and N.F = 50. Ia io has 2n = 50 , including 24 pairs of telocentric chromosomes , and 1 pair of sex ones in which X is the largest metacentric chromosomes , and N.F = 48.


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Dynamics of the Rodent Community in Cropland of the Western Sichuan Plain : Trends and Periodicity

GUO Haiyan 　ZENG Zongyong 　WU Pengfei 　ZENG Tao 　CAI Hongxia

2003, 23(2):  135-138. 

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The time series analysis method was applied to character the trends and periodicity of the 3 variables of a 8-species rodent community in the Western Sichuan Plain , including biomass , Shannon index and Simpson index. Results suggest that : (1) Fluctuations of the 3 variables all showed increasing trends. The trend of biomass is parabola function , Shannon index and Simpson index are exponential and sine functional respectively , and (2) biomass showed one-year periodicity. The annual periodicity of the variable is synchronized with growth and harvest of rice-wheat , rice-rape , or aize-sweet-potato in subtropical agriculture ecosystem in Sichuan. The above adaptive traits resulting from coexistence of rodents and people probably make the rodents respond to cultivation quickly , such as environmental changes like yield increasing , so that increasing trends of 3 community variables were observed. Or the 3 community variables may be increased during the increasing period of their natural fluctuations. In order to
characterize ecologically we need long-term study of the community.


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Characteristics of Relative Fatness in Mongolian Gerbil ( Meriones unguiculatus) in Different Ages and Seasons

LIU Wei 　WAN Xinrong 　WANG Guanghe 　ZHONG Wenqin LIU Wendong

2003, 23(2):  139-144. 

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Relative fatness is an important general indicator of physiological body condition of small mammals and reflects their adaptive ability to the environment. The relative fatness of Mongolian gerbils ( Meriones unguiculatus) was studied from March to November 1997 in TaiPuSi Banner, Inner Mongolian in China. It was calculated by the formula : K′= 100W_N/L³ (g/cm³ ), where L indicated the naso-anal length , and W_N was the carcass body weight minus all internal organs. The removal of all internal organs is to exclude the possible ones caused by the weight of food in digestive canal , embryos or pregnancy and sexual organs. Results indicated that the relative fatness changed significantly with age which relative fatness of sub-adult individuals was significantly higher than that of adult ones. Its seasonal changes of different sexual age groups were in accordance with this rule : relative fatness of rodents becomes high in spring , lowest in summer and fatted again in autumn in high altitude zones. Our results indicated that the relative fatness of the female was higher than that of the male before August ; and the relative fatness of the sub-adult and adult male groups were fatted until September or October , while that of the female group fatted until November. Combined with the life-history characteristics , it was concluded that Mongolian gerbils adjusted its hysiological conditions to adapt to the environment in different life stages. In addition , the monthly relative fatness in males negatively correlated to its monthly population relative size , and relative fatness in the adults had a significant positive correlation with the population size 4-month later. Our results indicated that using relative fatness as an indicator in forecasting relative size of population in Mongolian gerbils has its reference value.


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Habitation Pattern in Farmhouse of the House Rodents in Dongting Plain Area

ZHANG Meiwen 　WANG Yong 　GUO Cong 　LI Bo

2003, 23(2):  145-152. 

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An investigation was carried out on habitation pattern of rodent pests inhabiting in residential premises in countryside in Dongting plain area of Hunan Province, China. The result of the investigation indicated that Rattus norvegicus, Mus musculus, and Rattus flavipectus were the main rodent species inhabiting in farmhouse. Generally , the trap-successes are the highest in the kitchen, followed by hovel, and the lowest are in bedroom. The investigation indicated that the types of floors and the building structures of farmhouses were the factors influencing the activity and habitation of rodent pests. The trap successes of rodent pests in the houses with fired brick wall and concrete floor were low and the species trapped were mainly house mice. However, the trap successes in the houses with clay brick or wood wall and clay floor were much higher and the species trapped were mainly Norway rats with high proportion of house mice. Moreover , the living standard and living custom of farmers also affected the activities and inhabitation of rodent pests. The rodent densities were much lower in tidy and clean houses and the dominant species were house mice rather than Norway rats. Therefore, in order to have the best rodent pest control, relevant control measures should be employed according to various environmental conditions such as building structures of the farmhouses, living customs of farmers, rodent density, and dominant rodent species.


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Analysis and Comparison of Hereditary Features of Field Vole ( Microtus fortis) from Three Different Regionsield

XIE Jianyun 　PAN Yiqing 　SHAO Weijuan 　WANG Shengchang 　GAO Cheng

2003, 23(2):  153-160. 

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We use methods of chromosome G-band , biochemical markers , and RAPD markers of DNA to analyze hereditary features of Microtus fortis from a) lakesides of Dongting Lake , Hunan province ; b) field of Qingtongxia county , Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region ; and c) grassy marshland of Jinshantun , Yichun county , Heilongjiang province. Results indicate that the chromosome number of voles from Hunan and Ningxia is 2N = 52 , while voles from Heilongjiang is 2N = 42. Results of biochemical sites indicate that the voles from these three regions are all non-even in heredity ; the individual RAPD genetic distance of voles from Hunan, Ningxia and Heilongjiang is 0.244 (0.143 - 0.353) , 0.226 (0.161 - 0.294) , 0.541 (0.375 - 0.692), respectively. The RAPD genetic distance of voles from Hunan and Ningxia is 0.367 , while the genetic distance of the first hybridized generation (Hunan and Ningxia) and their parents is under 0.310 ; but the genetic distance between voles from Heilongjiang and voles from Hunan and Ningxia is 0.619 , 0.633, respectively. In brief , the voles from these three different regions are all non-even in heredity , but voles from Hunan and Ningxia are similar in chromosome numbers , biochemical sites , and genome RAPD markers. The voles from Ningxia and Hunan may hybrid , while the voles from Heilongjiangcan't hybrid with the voles from the other two regions. The heredity of voles from Heilongjiang is quite different from voles of the other two regions , Thus its species position should be studied further.


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Present Status of Studies on Eco-Biology of Takin

ZENG Zhigao ZHONG Wenqin　SONG Yanling 　LI Junsheng 　ZHAO Leigang 　GONG Huisheng

2003, 23(2):  161-167. 

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Takin ( Budorcas taxicolor) is a large ungulate belonging to the Bovidae. Taxonomically it is regarded as a special species between sheep and cattle. Four subspecies of the takin have been identified in the world and China holds the significant proportion for this species. Most research work on this species has been conducted in China by Chinese researchers since 1960s. In this review , major results of research on takin have been summarized in ten areas : geographical distribution , population size , habitat , seasonal movement , grouping behaviour , home range , daily activity rhythm , feeding habit , breeding , and defending behaviour.


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The Role of Leptin in the Regulation of Body Weight,Reproduction and Immunity in Mammals

LI Xingsheng 　WANG Dehua

2003, 23(2):  168-175. 

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Leptin is mainly an adipocyte-secreted , obese gene encoded hormone with 16 KD molecular weight. It is a 167 amino acid protein whose amino terminal signal sequence is cleaved during secretion. It circulates as a 146 amino acid peptide in mouse and human plasma. Leptin has a broader role in the regulation of body weight , sexual maturation and reproduction , immunity and glucose metabolism. Much evidence showed that leptin is not only an adipocyte-secreted hormone , but also a neuroendocrine regulator. In this paper , we reviewed the roles of leptin in the regulation of body weight , reproduction and immunity. It includes the following aspects : seasonal change of leptin levels in serum; the effect of environmental factors such as photoperiod , temperature, and food composition on serum leptin levels ; the interactions between leptin and uncoupling proteins , hypothalamus neuropeptide Y, insulin , and thyroid in the regulation of body weight and thermogenesis ; and the roles of leptin in reproduction and immunity.


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Effects of Food Restriction on Physiological Conditions of Small Rodents

LIANG Hong 　ZHANG Zhibin

2003, 23(2):  175-182. 

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Food plays an important role in population regulation , but its mechanisms and impacts are still poorly understood. This paper reviews recent progress about the effects of food restriction on physiological conditions of small rodents. There is a close relationship between nutritional status of rodents and the activities of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and gonadal axis. The consequences of food restriction include inhibiting growth and endocrine , delaying puberty onset , inducing abnormal estrous cycles , inhibiting ovulation and resistance to disease. Food restriction results in a reduction in body temperature and resting metabolic rate. Food restriction also affects sex ratio and growth of subsequent offspring. Various ways and periods of starvation can cause different changes in endocritic function. Of small rodent , food hypothesis is a remarkable hypothesis on population regulation. Studying nutritional ecology of rodents is helpful in understanding the dynamic mechanisms of their population.


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Pathological Anatomy and Analysis of Death Causes for a Chinese White Dolphin

WANGDing 　LIU Renjun 　ZHAO Qingzhong YANG Guang 　XU Xinrong HUANG Zongguo XIN Jianjun 　CHEN Bingyu

2003, 23(2):  183-184. 

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A Chinese White Dolphin ( Sousa chinesis) was found to strand in a beach in Xiamen on February 2 , 2002. For investigating the causes of this death , pathological anatomy was carried out on February 21 , 2002 on site , and age determination and other histological pathology analyses were carried out in laboratory later. This specimen was 1.92 m long , and weighted 78 kg. The age was estimated as 1.5 years as an infancy individual. The body shape looked normal , except some skin was off because of decomposing. One fish was found in the stomach. No other fatal pathological changes were found in respiratory , digestive , reproductive and other systems. But , several bloody areas were found underneath the skin , and especially on the surface of the brain. Based on the results above , it is considered that this dolphin was killed by explosion for cleaning up the navigation channel that happened in the area several days before the specimen was found. For protecting the dolphins in this area , some conservation measures are proposed.