青海湖斑头雁（Anser indicus）繁殖期的活动性、栖息地利用及其与人的关系

2005年高致病性禽流感爆发,导致青海湖数千只斑头雁和中国其他地区大量家禽死亡。首次应用无线电遥测和颈环标记法对青海湖疫区斑头雁在繁殖期的活动性、栖息地利用及其与人的关系进行了研究。斑头雁主要在蛋岛繁殖,在泉湾、尕日拉、黑马河口、铁卜加河口等地觅食。斑头雁在青海湖的活动区为（309.63±172.72）km^2,活动核心区大小为（49.30±19.61）km^2。个体在不同阶段的活动区大小无显著差异。不同繁殖阶段间活动区较稳定,平均有超过一半（56.6%±24.9%）的活动点落入上一阶段的活动区中。由于成鸟在繁殖后期带领幼鸟离开繁殖场所,因而繁殖中、后期的活动区稳定性相对较差。斑头雁对河口、沼泽、草地和湖泊的利用率依次减少。随着繁殖季节的推移,斑头雁对河口的利用率逐渐减小,对沼泽的利用率则逐渐增加。对斑头雁与人的关系研究表明,在地点方面,斑头雁在蛋岛、黑马河口和泉湾与人的接触强度最大;在时间方面,5月份斑头雁与人的接触强度最大。在这些时间和地点,加强旅游管理和对牧民的宣传对禽流感防控非常必要。     

西藏夯错水鸟多样性及斑头雁繁殖活动区的变化

于2009年4 11月,对西藏夯错的水鸟资源状况进行了调查,旨在了解该地区水鸟资源状况的了解,并为禽流感的防控提供了科学依据。在夯错全年共记录到水鸟26种,隶属于6目10科。夯错也是斑头雁和棕头鸥重要的繁殖地。水鸟春秋季迁徙高峰期在4月份和10月份,这也是水鸟多样性较高的2个月,其主要原因是由于迁徙鸭类数量和种类的增加。卫星跟踪研究表明,在繁殖前期,斑头雁活动区面积较大,主要在夯错及其周围的湿地取食;进入繁殖中期,斑头雁的活动范围减少了许多;繁殖后期,随着幼鸟陆续出壳,父母随即带领幼鸟离开夯错,到其它湿地取食和育雏,因此此期的活动区面积较大。由于夯错面积较小,不能满足斑头雁对食物的需求,因此部分斑头雁选择其它湿地作为主要的取食地,但部分扩散到其它湿地的斑头雁在迁徙前期重新返回夯错,使得该时期斑头雁的数量有呈上升趋势。通过与青海湖水鸟资源状况的比较发现,夯错水鸟种类较少,这可能主要是由于两个湖泊所处地理区划的不同,并由此带来的气候环境的差异,以及植被条件的不同所造成的。这种差异主要是由于夯错海拔较高,紫外线很强,气候干燥,植被单一,栖息地类型多样性较低,因此水鸟的种数也相对较少一些。     

西藏南部羊卓雍错水鸟群落及斑头雁活动区域特征

2009年4月至2010年1月,对西藏南部羊卓雍错的水鸟资源状况进行了调查。采用定点观察的方法,沿湖选择了24个观察点,分别在繁殖前期、中期和后期,以及秋季和冬季进行了6次调查。采用核密度分析(Kernel analysis)的方法,对两只卫星跟踪斑头雁(Anser indicus)的活动区进行了分析。调查期间,记录到水鸟32种31044只,隶属于6目10科。雁鸭类和鸥类分别占水鸟总数73.9%和19.1%,主要是斑头雁、赤嘴潜鸭(Rhodonessa rufina)、赤麻鸭(Tadorna ferruginea)、棕头鸥(Larus brunnicephalus)等。水鸟多样性较高的季节是春秋迁徙季节。羊卓雍错夏季主要的繁殖种群是斑头雁和棕头鸥,也有少量黑颈鹤(Grus nigricollis)的繁殖个体;冬季主要物种是赤嘴潜鸭,经常聚集在融化的冰面上。春季斑头雁的数量增加趋势较为明显;进入繁殖期后,斑头雁处于孵卵阶段,繁殖种群的数量达到2000余只;繁殖后期,斑头雁换羽结束,成鸟带领幼鸟在鸟岛附近的湖边取食,此时观察到斑头雁的数量又有明显的增加;秋季斑头雁的南迁致使种群数量呈下降趋势;冬季许多斑头雁从北方如青海湖等地迁来越冬使得种群数量有所增加,多分布于湖西浪卡子县城附近的沼泽湿地和湖南部的绒波臧布河流的入口处。卫星跟踪结果表明,羊卓雍错是青海湖繁殖的斑头雁重要的越冬地之一,湖西部沼泽湿地和湖南部的河流入口处是其主要活动区域,而且该湖与雅鲁藏布江河谷之间通过斑头雁的往来移动存在着联系,因而是西藏南部禽流感监测的重要地点。     

西藏夯错水鸟多样性及斑头雁繁殖活动区的变化

于2009年4-11月,对西藏夯错的水鸟资源状况进行了调查,旨在了解该地区水鸟资源状况的了解,并为禽流感的防控提供了科学依据.在夯错全年共记录到水鸟26种,隶属于6目10科.夯错也是斑头雁和棕头鸥重要的繁殖地.水鸟春秋季迁徙高峰期在4月份和10月份,这也是水鸟多样性较高的2个月,其主要原因是由于迁徙鸭类数量和种类的增加.卫星跟踪研究表明,在繁殖前期,斑头雁活动区面积较大,主要在夯错及其周围的湿地取食;进入繁殖中期,斑头雁的活动范围减少了许多;繁殖后期,随着幼鸟陆续出壳.父母随即带领幼鸟离开夯错,到其它湿地取食和育雏,因此此期的活动区面积较大.由于夯错面积较小,不能满足斑头雁对食物的需求,因此部分斑头雁选择其它湿地作为主要的取食地,但部分扩散到其它湿地的斑头雁在迁徙前期重新返回夯错,使得该时期斑头雁的数量有呈上升趋势.通过与青海湖水鸟资源状况的比较发现,夯错水鸟种类较少.这可能主要是由于两个湖泊所处地理区划的不同,并由此带来的气候环境的差异,以及植被条件的不同所造成的.这种差异主要是由于夯错海拔较高.紫外线很强,气候干燥,植被单一,栖息地类型多样性较低,因此水鸟的种数也相对较少一些.     

青海湖地区斑头雁繁殖习性的初步观察

斑头雁(Anser indica)是我国西部地区较为常见,而经济价值较大的雁鸭类,在青海湖地区数量特别多。它们除繁殖于青海湖中的鸟岛外,在南山的山谷草地、天峻的山谷及黄河上游的扎陵湖等地均有繁殖记录。此种野雁易于驯养,解放后,当地居民曾捕捉雏雁进行饲养,积累了一些经验。青海省是高寒地区,一般家禽不能很好适应这里的生活条件。因此,对斑头雁的驯养问题,已引起当地人民的注意。为此,也引起了我们对野生斑头雁的生物学特性进行观察研究的兴趣。     

青海湖鸟岛斑头雁种群对H5N1亚型禽流感病毒的免疫状况

斑头雁（Anser indicus）是2005年青海湖H5N1型高致病性禽流感的主要被感染物种。为了解斑头雁目前对H5N1亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)免疫状况,2008年春季,在青海湖鸟岛采集该种群弃卵（68枚）和巢卵（125枚）,以血凝抑制试验（HI）检测抗H5N1亚型禽流感病毒的卵黄母源抗体（IgY）。根据测试结果推断,在高致病性禽流感暴发3年后,青海湖鸟岛繁殖的斑头雁种群有26.5%～35.2%的繁殖对可能已经获得了对H5N1型禽流感病毒的免疫能力。另外,以斑头雁巢密度和抗体效价进行相关分析发现,斑头雁母源抗体水平与斑头雁巢密度正相关(r=0.736, P=0.000),表明高密度繁殖群内的母源抗体传递更具有适应性意义。     

云南鸟类新纪录--小白额雁(Anser erythropus)

20 0 4年2月18日上午10时许,笔者与拉市海高原湿地自然保护区工程师彭贵鸿、西南林学院学生李德品和湛健在对拉市海越冬斑头雁(Anserindicus)进行行为学观察研究时,发现一群在湖边麦地中取食的斑头雁中有一只体型较小而颜色较深的雁。通过用10×4 0倍双目望远镜及6 0倍固定脚架观鸟镜观察,并用10倍光学变焦照相机追踪拍照,获得这只雁在湖边与斑头雁一起游泳活动的几张照片。当天累计跟踪观察2 5小时。其间该雁始终与这群约2 5 0只的斑头雁混群活动,或在湖边麦地中取食,或在湖边的浅水区域游泳、栖息。此后几天,我们多次见到该雁仍与那群斑…     

环青海湖斑头雁种群数量动态模拟及趋势分析

斑头雁是青海湖候鸟中的优势种之一,其未来种群数量的变化对青海湖的保护决策具有重要作用。利用STELLA图形化建模软件,从动力学出发,构建了青海湖地区斑头雁种群数量变化的动态模型。在该模型中,根据前人和青海湖自然保护区对斑头雁的观测研究结果,设置了班头雁的交配、产卵、孵卵、育幼、迁入、迁出、死亡等过程的模型参数。根据斑头雁在青海湖的活动时间,设置以年为模拟单位,选取1/7为模拟步长,对未来25年的青海湖斑头雁种群变化趋势进行了模拟,并进行了灾害模拟。模拟结果表明,未来青海湖斑头雁的最大种群数量,将在20 000余只的饱和数量之内变化。2006—2008年斑头雁观测数据验证表明,该模型模拟结果可信,其方法对青海湖的其他鸟类研究也具有一定的参考价值。     

西藏阿里班公错斑头雁的种间巢寄生行为

2016年6月2日,我们在对西藏阿里地区班公错鸟岛进行鸟类调查时,发现了斑头雁(Anser indicus)将卵产于棕头鸥(Larus brunnicephalus)的巢中,是一种间巢寄生行为。对于发生这种现象的原因,我们初步推测,一种原因可能是繁殖地的巢址和巢材资源短缺,鸟岛上巢材可能无法满足两个鸟种筑巢的需要,个别斑头雁由于巢材短缺,无法顺利筑巢,因此将卵产于棕头鸥的巢中。另一种可能原因是,某些斑头雁由于巢被破坏或卵被捕食,在迁徙之前已没有时间再完成下一轮的繁殖活动,由于斑头雁与棕头鸥食性差异较大,但由于斑头雁为早成鸟,孵出的雏雁不必接受棕头鸥纯肉食的饲喂,也使得这种巢寄生成为可能。     

青海湖四种繁殖水鸟活动区域的研究

2006年4-9月,采用彩色标记、无线电遥测和卫星跟踪等方法,对青海湖四种繁殖水鸟斑头雁（Anser indicus）、棕头鸥（Larus brunnicephalus）、渔鸥（L．ichthyaetus）和鸬鹚（Phalacrocorax carbo）的活动区域进行了研究。采用“绳套法”捕捉了45只斑头雁,其中6只于4月安装了无线电发射器,6只于7月安装了卫星发射器;采用“拉网法”捕捉了104只棕头鸥,其中6只于4月安装了无线电发射器;采用“绳套法”捕捉了51只渔鸥,其中2只于4月安装了无线电发射器;采用“扣网法”捕捉了75只鸬鹚,其中6只于5月和6月安装了无线电发射器,4只于8月安装了卫星发射器。通过研究,获得了上述四种繁殖水鸟在青海湖的活动区域,即：斑头雁有3个主要的活动区域,棕头鸥有1个,渔鸥有4个,鸬鹚有2个。其中从鸬鹚岛、蛋岛、布哈河口、铁卜恰河口至泉湾区域是上述四种繁殖水鸟共有的活动区域,该区域也是春秋迁徙季节众多水鸟的重要取食地和停歇地。     

Maximum Running Speed of Captive Bar-Headed Geese Is Unaffected by Severe Hypoxia

While bar-headed geese are renowned for migration at high altitude over the Himalayas, previous work on captive birds suggested that these geese are unable to maintain rates of oxygen consumption while running in severely hypoxic conditions. To investigate this paradox, we re-examined the running performance and heart rates of bar-headed geese and barnacle geese (a low altitude species) during exercise in hypoxia. Bar-headed geese (n = 7) were able to run at maximum speeds (determined in normoxia) for 15 minutes in severe hypoxia (7% O₂; simulating the hypoxia at 8500 m) with mean heart rates of 466±8 beats min⁻¹. Barnacle geese (n = 10), on the other hand, were unable to complete similar trials in severe hypoxia and their mean heart rate (316 beats.min⁻¹) was significantly lower than bar-headed geese. In bar-headed geese, partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide in both arterial and mixed venous blood were significantly lower during hypoxia than normoxia, both at rest and while running. However, measurements of blood lactate in bar-headed geese suggested that anaerobic metabolism was not a major energy source during running in hypoxia. We combined these data with values taken from the literature to estimate (i) oxygen supply, using the Fick equation and (ii) oxygen demand using aerodynamic theory for bar-headed geese flying aerobically, and under their own power, at altitude. This analysis predicts that the maximum altitude at which geese can transport enough oxygen to fly without environmental assistance ranges from 6,800 m to 8,900 m altitude, depending on the parameters used in the model but that such flights should be rare.     

Control of breathing and adaptation to high altitude in the bar-headed goose

The bar-headed goose flies over the Himalayan mountains on its migratory route between South and Central Asia, reaching altitudes of up to 9,000 m. We compared control of breathing in this species with that of low-altitude waterfowl by exposing birds to step decreases in inspired O(2) under both poikilocapnic and isocapnic conditions. Bar-headed geese breathed substantially more than both greylag geese and pekin ducks during severe environmental (poikilocapnic) hypoxia (5% inspired O(2)). This was entirely due to an enhanced tidal volume response to hypoxia, which would have further improved parabronchial (effective) ventilation. Consequently, O(2) loading into the blood and arterial Po(2) were substantially improved. Because air convection requirements were similar between species at 5% inspired O(2), it was the enhanced tidal volume response (not total ventilation per se) that improved O(2) loading in bar-headed geese. Other observations suggest that bar-headed geese depress metabolism less than low-altitude birds during hypoxia and also may be capable of generating higher inspiratory airflows. There were no differences between species in ventilatory sensitivities to isocapnic hypoxia, the hypoxia-induced changes in blood CO(2) tensions or pH, or hypercapnic ventilatory sensitivities. Overall, our results suggest that evolutionary changes in the respiratory control system of bar-headed geese enhance O(2) loading into the blood and may contribute to this species' exceptional ability to fly high.     

基于数字地形模型的斑头雁潜在生境分析

建立了青藏高原地区的数字地形模型,并将其应用在斑头雁(Anser indicus)的潜在生境提取与分析中。通过数字高程模型、水系模型、湖泊及环湖活动区模型和植被模型的GIS叠置,提取了斑头雁的潜在生境,并对来自青海湖的11只斑头雁的卫星跟踪数据进行了验证分析。结果表明,斑头雁的潜在生境(湖泊与环湖活动区构成)共有275处(以湖泊为单位),湖泊水体总面积约为10306.4km2,59处生境已验证有斑头雁停留的踪迹,其中部分湖泊周围的验证点可能是斑头雁飞行时的定位点而不是停留定位点,目前还无法证实。繁殖地、迁徙停留地和越冬地比较集中,迁徙路线较固定。     

Evolution of muscle phenotype for extreme high altitude flight in the bar-headed goose

Bar-headed geese migrate over the Himalayas at up to 9000 m elevation, but it is unclear how they sustain the high metabolic rates needed for flight in the severe hypoxia at these altitudes. To better understand the basis for this physiological feat, we compared the flight muscle phenotype of bar-headed geese with that of low altitude birds (barnacle geese, pink-footed geese, greylag geese and mallard ducks). Bar-headed goose muscle had a higher proportion of oxidative fibres. This increased muscle aerobic capacity, because the mitochondrial volume densities of each fibre type were similar between species. However, bar-headed geese had more capillaries per muscle fibre than expected from this increase in aerobic capacity, as well as higher capillary densities and more homogeneous capillary spacing. Their mitochondria were also redistributed towards the subsarcolemma (cell membrane) and adjacent to capillaries. These alterations should improve O₂ diffusion capacity from the blood and reduce intracellular O₂ diffusion distances, respectively. The unique differences in bar-headed geese were much greater than the minor variation between low altitude species and existed without prior exercise or hypoxia exposure, and the correlation of these traits to flight altitude was independent of phylogeny. In contrast, isolated mitochondria had similar respiratory capacities, O₂ kinetics and phosphorylation efficiencies across species. Bar-headed geese have therefore evolved for exercise in hypoxia by enhancing the O₂ supply to flight muscle.     

Have wing morphology or flight kinematics evolved for extreme high altitude migration in the bar-headed goose?

Bar-headed geese (Anser indicus) migrate over the Himalayan mountains, at altitudes up to 9000 m above sea level, where air density and oxygen availability are extremely low. This study determined whether alterations in wing morphology or wingbeat frequency during free flight have evolved in this species to facilitate extreme high altitude migration, by comparing it to several closely related goose species. Wingspan and wing loading scaled near isometrically with body mass across all species (with power scaling exponents of 0.22 and 0.47, respectively), and wingbeat frequency scaled negatively to mass (scaling exponent of -0.167). Bar-headed geese had the largest wingspan residual and smallest wing loading residual from these allometric relationships, suggesting that they are at the top end of the wing size distribution. These morphological characters of bar-headed geese were not outside the normal variation exhibited by low altitude species, however, being within the prediction intervals of the regression. This was particularly true after the data were corrected for phylogeny using the independent contrasts method. Wingbeat frequencies of bar-headed geese during steady flight were the same as low altitude geese, both with and without correcting for phylogeny. Without adjusting other kinematic features (e.g., wing motion and generated wake structure) to supplement lift generation in low air densities, the metabolic costs of flight in bar-headed geese at high altitude could exceed the already high costs at sea level. The apparent lack of morphological and kinematic adaptation emphasizes the importance of physiological adaptations for enhancing oxygen transport and utilization in this species.     

Wild bird migration across the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau: a transmission route for highly pathogenic H5N1

Background

Qinghai Lake in central China has been at the center of debate on whether wild birds play a role in circulation of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1. In 2005, an unprecedented epizootic at Qinghai Lake killed more than 6000 migratory birds including over 3000 bar-headed geese (Anser indicus). H5N1 subsequently spread to Europe and Africa, and in following years has re-emerged in wild birds along the Central Asia flyway several times.

Methodology/Principal Findings

To better understand the potential involvement of wild birds in the spread of H5N1, we studied the movements of bar-headed geese marked with GPS satellite transmitters at Qinghai Lake in relation to virus outbreaks and disease risk factors. We discovered a previously undocumented migratory pathway between Qinghai Lake and the Lhasa Valley of Tibet where 93% of the 29 marked geese overwintered. From 2003–2009, sixteen outbreaks in poultry or wild birds were confirmed on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and the majority were located within the migratory pathway of the geese. Spatial and temporal concordance between goose movements and three potential H5N1 virus sources (poultry farms, a captive bar-headed goose facility, and H5N1 outbreak locations) indicated ample opportunities existed for virus spillover and infection of migratory geese on the wintering grounds. Their potential as a vector of H5N1 was supported by rapid migration movements of some geese and genetic relatedness of H5N1 virus isolated from geese in Tibet and Qinghai Lake.

Conclusions/Significance

This is the first study to compare phylogenetics of the virus with spatial ecology of its host, and the combined results suggest that wild birds play a role in the spread of H5N1 in this region. However, the strength of the evidence would be improved with additional sequences from both poultry and wild birds on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau where H5N1 has a clear stronghold.     

Physical conditioning: Effect on the myoglobin concentration in skeletal and cardiac muscle of bar-headed geese

• 1.1. A 12 week program of treadmill exercise (0.7 m/sec, 30 min per day, five days per week), significantly increased the myoglobin concentration of the femorotibialis medius muscle in bar-headed geese as compared to nonexercised controls.
• 2.2. The myoglobin concentration differed among various muscles within a bird. The highest myoglobin concentrations were found in the primary flight muscle, the pectoralis major, and in cardiac muscle.
• 3.3. By physically conditioning their muscles, bar-headed geese may improve the oxygen flow to mitochondria and, thereby, enhance their ability to exercise under conditions of low oxygen partial pressures.

     

Constrained by available raptor hosts and islands: density-dependent reproductive success in red-breasted geese

In this paper we aim to explain the distribution of red-breasted geese Branta ruficollis over different nesting habitats. To be safe from land predators red-breasted goose colonies were restricted to i) islands on rivers, ii) cliffs with peregrine falcons Falco peregrinus , and iii) the close proximity of snowy owl Nyctea scandiaca and rough-legged buzzard Buteo lagopus nests. Among years nest site availability varied by fluctuations in numbers of owls and buzzards in association with cycles in lemming abundance, but the total number of goose nests found in the study area did not vary. The distribution of geese, in combination with data on reproductive success, suggested a despotic mechanism: at cliffs, goose numbers were constant among years with an invariably high reproductive success, whereas large fluctuations in numbers on islands coincided with opposite trends in success. Apparently, geese nesting with owls or buzzards moved to the few islands present in the study area during years when these birds of prey were absent. Consequently, in such years the average density of geese on islands was more than twice as high as at cliff colonies (5.4 and 2.3 pairs per ha of foraging habitat, respectively). Colony size at cliffs may have been restricted by territorial behaviour of the geese, though there is evidence that, additionally, the host falcons also limited the number of nesting geese. Apparently rare in closely related species, we observed a negative density-dependent effect on reproductive success during the nest phase, and attribute this to limited food resources, reinforced by the high frequency of territorial interactions. This leads to the conclusion that, in addition to predation pressure, nesting density is an important agent in the link between lemming cycles and goose breeding success.