Tana river red colobus and crested mangabey: Results of recent censuses

Censuses of the Tana River red colobus (Colobus badius rufomitratus) and crested mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus galeritus), primate species endemic to riverine forests of the lower Tana River in eastern Kenya, showed significant population declines for both species between the mid-1970s and 1980s. Red colobus declined in terms of group size and number of groups per forest; the mangabey population declined only in numbers of groups per forest. There was no significant change in mean group age/sex composition between the two time periods for either species. Differences in the feeding and ranging ecology of the two species may explain why the mangabey population suffered a less severe decline than the red colobus. Similarities in census results over 3 years in the late 1980s suggest that the primate populations are no longer decreasing.     

普氏原羚分布、种群和保护现状

普氏原羚(Procapra przewalskii)是青藏高原特有物种, 为了掌握该物种的分布和种群状况, 我们于2014-2015年采用全面调查和直接计数的方法, 对普氏原羚的分布、种群和保护现状进行了调查。结果如下: 普氏原羚分布在青海湖周边12个隔离的分布点, 与全国第一次野生动物资源调查的结果相比, 有多个新的分布点被发现, 分布范围和面积扩大; 调查共发现1,238只普氏原羚, 与2010年以后的调查结果相比, 种群数量维持在一个稳定的水平。然而, 仅有4个分布点位于青海湖国家级自然保护区范围内。尽管刚察县成立了青海湖普氏原羚特护区, 天峻县成立了普氏原羚自然保护站, 但现有的管护力度仍然不够, 且缺乏系统的管理规划。我们建议在天峻县布哈河上游的生格-快尔玛地区成立普氏原羚自然保护区; 同时建立适当的生态补偿机制, 协调保护与社区发展的矛盾; 鉴于目前圈养种群发展迅速, 建议在历史分布区选取合适的地点进行人工繁育个体的迁地放归。     

Distribution and status of the medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis L.) in Turkey

A survey of all the major potential habitats in western Turkey showed that medicinal leeches, Hirudo medicinalis L., are widely distributed over the country and are not rare. They occur in practically all suitable habitats and the only region where they were found to be absent is that of the large river deltas in the south of the country (Çukurova deltas, Göksu delta). There may be zoogeographic reasons for this (Taurus mountains barrier). The application of a semi-quantitative survey method using collecting efficiency (number of leeches collected per hour by a single person) allowed a rapid assessment to be made of its status in a large number of wetlands. Leech density varied considerably from wetland to wetland, and the results enabled a ranking of the Turkish wetlands to be made according to their importance for medicinal leeches. Taking both the leech density and the size of leech habitats into account, the largest populations were identified on the Black Sea coast (Kizilirmak delta, Yeilirmak delta and Karagöl Marshes near Sinop) and in inner and south-west Anatolia (Eber Gölü, Karamik and Sultan Marshes). Commercial exploitation for the pharmaceutical industry and for other purposes takes place at only a few places and does not appear to affect the population seriously. However, many populations are threatened by the draining of their habitats.     

Using patterns of distribution and diversity of Kenyan birds to select and prioritize areas for conservation

Patterns and environmental correlates of species distributions and richness are identified for Kenyan birds at a quarter degree-square scale. This information is used together with iterative complementarity analyses, which employ species richness, taxonomic dispersion and range-restrictedness, to identify priority areas for possible conservation attention. Bird species apparently not conserved by existing protected areas in Kenya are identified. Six avifaunal zones (and one transitional zone) are distinguished based on distributions of suites of bird species. Variation in biotope diversity (the number of forest and aquatic systems) accounts for 79% of the observed variation in Kenyan bird species richness. Although both rainfall and altitudinal range are significantly correlated with species richness, they only explain an additional 3% of the observed variation. The priority areas identified are situated mainly within highlands and coastal lowlands. Although few priority areas are identified in northern Kenya, this region also constitutes a priority, as it contains a suite of xeric species with habitats that are not represented elsewhere in Kenya. The papyrus yellow warbler, Chloropeta gracilirostris, William's bush lark, Mirafra williamsi, white-winged dove, Streptopelia reichenowi, and Jubaland weaver, Ploceus dichrocephalus, are identified as endemics or near-endemics that are probably not adequately conserved in Kenya at present.     

Infraspecific diversity of Cytisus emeriflorus Reichenb. (Leguminosae), an endemic plant with disjunct distribution: Evidence from isozyme data

ABSTRACT

C. emeriflorus is an endemic species occurring in two disjunct areas some 200 km apart: the Pre-Alps of Lombardia and the Pre-Alps of Friuli. Four populations from the western area and five populations from the eastern area were sampled in order to ascertain the amount and the distribution of variation throughout the range of the species. Phenetic measures of isozyme polymorphism were used. Diversity values showed that the species is polymorphic, despite its restricted distribution and the small population size; phenetic distances revealed that partitioning of diversity was largely within rather than among populations. Moreover, little differentiation was found between the two disjunct areas, although the western populations exhibited a slightly higher diversity compared with the eastern ones. The high level of polymorphism and the overall similarity between populations from the two areas may be ascribed to past contacts, and indicate that, despite the present widespread disjunction, the two areas have not evolved independently long enough for divergence to have occurred. There is no evidence that C. emeriflorus is at present genetically depauperated, although its range of distribution must have been much broader in the past; its present reduced distribution area and the small population size may be mainly due to ecological factors.     

云南哀牢山国家级自然保护区景东辖区黑长臂猿种群数量和分布

为掌握哀牢山国家级自然保护区景东县辖区黑长臂猿种群数量和分布状况,2005年9～11月采用访问调查法及鸣声定位法对该区域进行了调查。调查结果显示:该区域内20世纪50～80年代,在19个地区曾有黑长臂猿分布,但现在黑长臂猿分布范围已大为减少,目前仅在9个地区发现有9群黑长臂猿。50年代至今至少有13只黑长臂猿被猎杀。狩猎和栖息地破坏是造成该区域黑长臂猿种群数量减少及分布范围缩小的主要原因。     

SOME RESULTS OF BIRD-BANDING IN THE CONGO (KINSHASA)

The global Blue Swallow Hirundo atrocaerulea was classified as Vulnerable in 2010 on account of its small and rapidly declining population estimated at less than 1 500 pairs. We undertook this study to gain a better understanding of the current status and threats facing this migratory species. Three previously unknown areas that might be part of the species' non-breeding range were identified in Kenya and northern Tanzania. Within its breeding range we identified three previously unknown areas of potentially suitable habitat, one in Tanzania and two in Malawi, which require further exploration. Population viability assessment predicted that the Blue Swallow population will decline by 8% in 10 years. The overall probability of extinction of the species in the wild is 3%. Minimum viable population size analysis suggests that a goal for the long-term conservation of the Blue Swallow should be to mitigate current threats that are driving declines such that the population increases to a minimum of 3 600 individuals. This should consist of at least 900 individuals in each of the four clusters identified, along with a minimum of 500 individuals in at least one of the meta-populations per cluster. The four clusters are located in (1) the southeasten Democratic Republic of the Congo, (2) highlands of southern Tanzania and northern Malawi, (3) eastern highlands of Zimbabwe and (4) South Africa and Swaziland. The current proportions of the Blue Swallow population in strictly protected and unprotected areas on their breeding grounds are 53% and 47%, respectively, whereas on their non-breeding grounds the corresponding percentages are 25% and 75%, respectively. Our reassessment of the Blue Swallow's risk of extinction indicates that it continues to qualify as Vulnerable according to the IUCN/SSC criteria C2a(i).     

A checklist of the dragonflies (Odonata) of Kenya

A checklist of Odonata has been compiled for Kenya. It is based on an inventory of museum material, publications and personal observations made between 1978 and 1997. Changes of scientific names and synonyms are documented. The list contains 194 valid dragonfly species recorded for Kenya.     

滇金丝猴（Rhinopithecusbieti）现状及其保护对策研究

滇金丝猴（Ｒｈｉｎｏｐｉｔｈｅｃｕｓｂｉｅｔｉ）是我国特有的珍稀濒危动物,生活在海拔３８００～４３００ｍ的原始冷杉林中,但有时也会在４３００～４７００ｍ的低矮灌丛、草甸和流石滩上活动达数小时之久,甚至能跨越近千米的无林高海拔地带,因而它们是海拔分布最高的非人灵长类。松萝是它们的主要食物,取食松萝的时间占总取食时间的９１％。猴群活动范围可达近百平方公里。笔者在历时８年的野外考察中,已查明这一物种的全部现存自然种群只有１３个,分布在云南的德钦、兰坪、潍西、丽江和西藏的芒康这五县境内,其现存种群数量为１０００～１５００只;所有现存自然种群几乎均处在相互隔离的状态,群间已不可能进行基因交流,充分表明它们已到达灭绝边缘。然而其栖息地内的商业伐木规模仍在继续扩大,周围的人口压力正在不断增加,各猴群均面临不同程度的偷猎压力。这一现状委实令人担忧。如何拯救这一“国宝”应引起我国保护学家和各级政府有关职能部门的重视     

陕西省水鸟种群和地理分布研究

水鸟是湿地野生动物中最具代表性的类群,是湿地生态系统的重要组成部分,灵敏并深刻地反映着湿地环境的变迁.2002年以来,省林业厅鸟类调查组对我省的鸟类资源及分布进行了全面系统的调查,结果表明陕西省湿地水鸟有10目20科113种.本文阐明了我省水鸟的种类、地理分布及保护价值,并讨论了陕西湿地水鸟种群现状、面临的威胁和相应的保护对策.     

观音山自然保护区和佛坪自然保护区大熊猫种群的分布格局

2007年10月和2008年4月,对佛坪自然保护区和观音山自然保护区内大熊猫的活动痕迹进行了样线调查,研究了该区内大熊猫种群及其同域主要伴生动物的分布情况,并分析了影响大熊猫活动分布格局的环境因素.结果表明：观音山和佛坪自然保护区的大熊猫及同域主要伴生野生动物的分布格局基本一致,大熊猫在观音山自然保护区的活动痕迹密度、范围均小于佛坪自然保护区;研究区内2个大熊猫高密度等级的活动中心均分布在佛坪自然保护区内;观音山自然保护区内的大部分地区无大熊猫活动;羚牛、斑羚、野猪等大熊猫主要伴生动物在观音山自然保护区内的活动痕迹数量高于佛坪保护区;人类干扰可能对大熊猫种群活动的分布格局产生影响.