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07 July 2008, Volume 22 Issue 4

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POPULATION GENETIC STRUCTURE OF RED PANDA ( AILURUS FULGENS) IN QIONGLAI AND XIANGLING MOUNTAINS

WEI Fuwen RAO Gang LI Ming FENG Zuojian

2002, 22(4):  240-247. 

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Red panda ( Ailurus fulgens) is an endangered species and survives mainly in Qionglai and Xiangling Mountains in Sichuan Province , China. Twenty-three individuals of the red panda were sampled from these two main mountains ranges with 17 from Xiangling and 6 from Qionglai. Genetic variations within populations and degrees of differentiation between the two populations were analyzed through DNA extracting from hair , PCR amplifying , and sequencing 569 nucleotides of mitochondrial DNA control region. Based on 569 nucleotides , 23 variable sites were determined and 8 haplotypes were defined between the two populations. Both populations exhibited low levels of nucleotide diversity. Slight differentiation about haplotype diversity was identified between both populations , and the Qionglai population had relatively higher degree of diversity than the Xiangling population. It was revealed that geographical partitioning among all haplotypes was incomplete and subdivision level between the two populations was very low due to high gene flow (Φ_ST = 0.145 , P > 0.05 ; Nm = 2.95) . Combining with cytochrome b data , it is suggested that the two populations might originate from a single ancestral population that has a recent bottleneck effect and might be regarded as one unit for conservation and management.

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DISTRIBUTION AND POPULATION SIZE OF GOLDEN TAKIN IN NIUBEILIANG NATURE RESERVE OF SHAANXI

MA Yingtai TIAN Lianhui

2002, 22(4):  248-253. 

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The distribution and population size of golden takin ( Budorcas taxicolor bedfordi) were surveyed at the Niubeiliang National Nature Reserve , Shaanxi Province in January - April of 1998. The population size was estimated to be 119 - 130 individuals including solitary takins , and they were distributed in the elevation range of 1 900 to2 700 m , among 5 separate winter habitats. They were mainly congregated at altitude between 2 200 - 2 600 m1 Besides a few solitary takins , most of the animals were found in 11 herds. The density was 0.007 3 - 0.007 9 head/ hm²at the reserve1The distribution range of golden takins was dwindled between 1981 - 1998 , and their lowest distribution elevation of takins was 400 m higher than the historical records. The direct reasons were the human disturbance of the surrounding areas , continual lost of their habitats , and the ecological environment in the nature reserve was destroyed.

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DETERMINATION OF SIKA DEER'S FOOD RESOURCES AND LOADING CAPACITY IN TIEBU NATURE RESERVE SICHUAN, CHINA

GUO Yanshu

2002, 22(4):  254-263. 

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From February 1987 to August 2001 , Sichuan sika deer's ( Cervus nippon sichuanicus ) food resources and loading capacity in Tiebu Nature Reserve ( E 102°58′～103°11′, N 34°02′～ 34°12′) were investigated. Sika deer's foraging habitat is divided into four types : subalpine brush meadow , subalpine forest brush meadow , alpine brush meadow and river-valley brush meadow. Their food output were 49.20 g/ m² , 48.09 g/ m² , 57.66 g/ m² , 105.4 g/ m² ( on dry weight basis) respectively. The total effective area for deer foraging in Tiebu Nature Reserve is 37.79km² . The food resources were about 1 989.44 t (on dry weight basis ) . The average daily food consumption per Sichuan sika deer was about 3.61 kg (on dry weight basis) . It is estimated that the maximum theoretical number of deer population is about 1 500 for the reserve but the optimum number is about 450 - 750. The food resource between February and April is the critical factor in limiting the size of deer population in this Reserve. The factors influencing sika deer's food resources and loading capacity in Tiebu Nature Reserve are drought and disturbances from human and livestocks.

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A SIMULATION MODEL FOR POPULATION VIABILITY ANALYSIS OF GIANT PANDA IN MABIAN DAFENGDING NATURE RESERVE

REN Wenhua YANG Guang WEI Fuwen HU Jinchu

2002, 22(4):  264-269. 

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A simulation model for population viability analysis of giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) inhabiting in Mabian Defending Nature Reserve was conducted by using software Vortex 713. The simulation shows that the population size of giant panda for the next 100 years is to decline even without density limitation , inbreeding depression , and catastrophe. When considering inbreeding depression , the population genetic diversity will be reduced and the extinction probability will be increased. Although bamboo blooming can accelerate the population extinction of giant panda , it will not cause a catastrophic effect since the Nature Reserve has quite a few bamboo species. However , poaching would greatly accelerate the population extinction. The conservation strategy for the giant panda populations in Mabian Natural Reserve is to prohibit poaching and to protect their habitats and adjacent corridors.

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THE POPULATION AND DENSITY OF PANGOLIN IN DAWULING NATURAL RESERVE AND THE NUMBER OF PANGOLIN RESOURCE IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE

WU Shibao1 ,2 MA Guangzhi3 TANGMei3 CHEN Hai4 XU Zhaorong5 LIU Naifa1

2002, 22(4):  270-276. 

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A survey was conducted between December 2000 and March 2001 on the population and density of Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla aurita) in Dawuling Natural Reserve , Maoming , Guangdong Province , China. The results showed a population of 65.27 - 156.59 individuals with the average density of 1.85 - 4.43 ind./ km² in this Reserve. The average pangolin density ranged 2.46 - 5.90 ind./ km² in different habitats in the following order :mixed coniferous and broadleaf forest (9.00 - 15.08 ind./ km²) > evergreen broadleaf forest (3.48 - 7.36 ind. /^_km2) > shrub (1.78 - 5.46 ind. / km²) > coniferous forest (0.10 - 2.32 ind./ km² ) . The mean density of burrows in different habitats was 51.39 burrows/ km² with the identical order as the pangolin density : mixed coniferous and broadleaf forest (111.11 burrows/ km² ) > evergreen broadleaf forest (50.00 burrows/ km² ) > shrub (33.34 burrows/ km²) , coniferous forest (11.11 burrows/ km²) . The difference in pangolin burrow density among habitats was highly significant at P < 0.01. According to the density of pangolin population in Dawuling Natural Reserve, it was estimated that a population of 14 273.09 ±5 863.79 individuals in guangdong Province.

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THE INFLUENCE OF MOONLIGHT AND SIMULATINGLIGHT INTENSITY ON THE USE OF MICROHABITAT BY POLECATS ( MUSTELA EVERSMANNI)

WEI Wanhong ZHOU Wenyang FAN Naichang

2002, 22(4):  277-283. 

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The moonlight especially its light intensity is one of predation risks that obviously influenced many animals in using their microhabitats. The radio-tracking in the field and very low light intensities (0.01 to 1.30μE/ m²s ^{- 1}) simulated moonlight in the laboratory were used to study their influences on the use of microhabitats by polecats. Our results showed that the polecats increased the usage of the shrub area with more food. They used shrubs as the shelters to reduce their predation risks. They increased the usage of the shrub areas under bright moonlight was one of the anti-predators strategies1 Regardless of the simulated moonlight intensity used , the polecats mainly utilized the area with more burrows for longer period , and used the areas without burrows for shorter period. These results indicated that polecats have formed a strategy to become anti-predators and not the avoidance-predators during their evolutionary process.

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THE SELECTION OF DENS IN SPRING OF THE CORSAC FOX ( VUL PES CORSAC) IN THE PRAIRIE OF EASTERN INNER MONGOLIA

ZHANG Minghai GAO Zhongxin GONG Shiping WANG Wen ZHANG Yanhui

2002, 22(4):  284-291. 

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This study investigated the selection of dens of the corsac fox during May 2001 in the prairie of eastern Inner Mongolia. We observed 64 dens found and used principal component analysis to analyze the results. Seven factors affecting the selections of dens of corsac fox in decreasing order of importance were as follows : slope position (varying with slope degree and slope height) , water source , vegetation , microclimate , food , human disturbance , and microhabitat. However , the influence of food abundance , slope direction , and direction as well as inclination of the den entrance on the den selection of corsac fox was insignificant.

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EXCAVATING EFFECTS OF PLATEAU ZOKOR ON THE PLANT BIOMASS AND THEIR RESPONSE PATTERNS IN ALPINE MEADOW

ZHANG Yanming LIU Jike

2002, 22(4):  292-298. 

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The research work was conducted in alpine meadow north of Qinghai Province in 1998. We mainly explored the plant biomass which roots had been impaired by excavation of plateau zokor. The results showed that the above and belowground biomasses of dicotyledons were obviously decreased at first colonizing , and the biomasses of monocotyledons over burrows in which the excavated soil was backfilled was significantly increased in primary vegetation. In contrast , both the above and belowground biomass were significantly decreased in the area that soil layer thickness is 3 -5 cm only over burrows in which have been used continually in all season. However , there were not statistically distinct effects on the overlying vegetation where the burrows were under 10 cm in the same vegetation area. But whatever above and belowground biomass greatly decreased in the overlying vegetation of burrows where plateau zokors colonized over 10 years in which the vegetation was obviously different with surrounding environment. The results indicated the hypothesis that the excavation under ground by plateau zokor caused negative effect for the dicotyledons of taproots , but could promote the growth and development of the monocotyledons to some extent was correct.

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THE GROWTH INDEX AND ITS CHANGES OF MAIN INTERNAL ORGANS IN CRICETULUS MIGRATORIUS

LIAO Lifu LI Wei WANG Chen NIE Shicheng

2002, 22(4):  299-304. 

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The internal organs were measured in Cricetulus migratorius in the same age group of different seasons or in different age groups of one season under laboratory conditions. Results indicated that the growth of liver , heart , lung , spleen and kidney with body weight was conformed to relative growth formula (RGF) of Huxley Y = b x^k (aged from newborn to 25 days of fast growth period) , liver Y = 0.013 47 x^{1.515 9} ; heart Y = 0.000 18 x ^2.163 ; lung Y =0.028 48 x ^{0.798 2} ; spleen Y = 0.000 24 x ^{1.583 6} and kidney Y = 0.000 241 8 x ^{2.310 4} , which were all highly correlated. After the age of 25 d , the growth did not conform to the Huxleys RGF formula. The testis was similar to the formula before the age of 60 d , Y = 0.000 001 08 x ^3.0494 , r = 0.989 9. The organ indexes were highest before the age of 25 d except sex organs. The sex organ indexes were relatively stable in the different ages of sexual maturing , and the other organs varied significantly in the different sex and age groups in the sexual maturing (the female index were higher than the males) . The body weight and testis indexes varied significantly in different seasons in the age of 10 months while the other organs did not. It is suggested that the age factor is an important reference index for body weight to compare organ index whether it is significant or not.

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MAXIMUM METABOLIC RATE OF MAMMALS

WANG YuShan WANG ZuWang WANG Dehua Zhang ZhiBin

2002, 22(4):  305-317. 

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Maximum metabolic rate (MMR) is defined as the physiological limit of metabolism during short time in animals. The paper reviews the related concepts , measurement methods , its changes during developmental procedures , two different methods for inducing MMR and its repeatability , its limiting factors , and effecting factors including including body size , phylogeny , environment temperature , altitude above sea level , parasite and virus. The relationship between MMR and nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) and basal metabolic rate (BMR) , and its evolutionary strategies are also reviewed. Since the relationship between MMR and BMR involves the aerobic capacity model for the evolution of endothermy , thus , this review also introduces its related biochemical basis and the tests to verify such relationship. In the last part of this paper , we suggest the future research directions in this field.

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CHANGES AFTER SNOW OF THE POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS OF ROOT VOLE ( MICROTUS OECONOMUS) IN HAIBEI ALPINE MEADOW

SUN Ping ZHAO Xinquan XU Shixiao ZHAO Tongbiao ZHAO Wei

2002, 22(4):  318-320. 

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