土厉螨属(厉螨科)在我国首次发现

土厉螨属 Ololaelaps Berlese,1904的螨类生活于潮湿的表层土壤内,如河流小溪的两岸及草地、森林的潮湿土壤内及多种植物的残渣中。有时可在啮齿类、食虫类和其它小型兽类的窝巢内发现。偶而又可被鸟类连同筑巢物一起带进窝巢内。     

沙漠石蜂的筑巢材料和蜂巢结构

沙漠石蜂Megachile(Chalicodoma) desertorum Morawitz为多种植物的传粉昆虫,在西鄂尔多斯地区是多种濒危植物和荒漠建群植物的重要传粉者。在该地区研究沙漠石蜂的筑巢场所、筑巢材料和蜂巢结构。共调查统计5148个蜂巢的筑巢场所和朝向;选择4个土壤表层成分不同的筑巢地,分别测定其筑巢沙土的机械组成、pH值和土壤紧实度;定点连续观察整个筑巢过程。结果表明:沙漠石蜂95.80%的巢建于岩石表面;土墙、灌木枝条、水泥柱及钢窗框上的巢室数均较少。83.1%的巢室建在东向一面;南向14.2%,西向2.4%,北向仅0.3%;筑巢材料为沙土和唾液制成的泥浆,所用沙土的pH值在8.18～9.34之间、紧实度在1.28～1.84g/cm3之间,其中粒径为0.06～0.15mm的沙土比例最高;1个蜂巢一般由4～10个巢室组成。说明该蜂喜欢将巢室建在朝向东方的岩石表面;筑巢材料主要由唾液和以碱性的粒径为0.06～0.15mm左右的沙土构成。也说明是对干旱炎热的荒漠环境的适应。     

霸王树果实中的红色素

目前,合成食用色素正处于风雨飘摇之中,前途难卜,这促使人们对天然食色用素的研究产生了极大的兴趣。霸王树(Opuntia ficus-indica Mill.)是一种适宜在土地贫瘠、石多、干旱地区生长的野生经济植物,属仙人掌科(Cactaceac),广泛分布在中东及非洲地区。霸王树结出的梨状果实味道甘甜鲜美,富含红色素,是一种多籽浆果。果实的外面是一层厚厚的紫色果皮,上面有一些带刺的裂缝,果皮内包含着紫红色或桔黄色的甜美果浆及一些小黑籽。霸王     

祁连山北坡霸王小枝内叶花性状的坡向差异

植物叶-花生长的资源分配模式,是植物与环境长期相互作用所形成的功能多样性的综合反映。本研究利用Arc GIS建立研究区域的数字高程模型(DEM),采用标准化主轴估计方法(SMA),研究了祁连山北坡荒漠草原不同坡向霸王(Zygophyllum xanthoxylum)种群小枝内叶片和花的生长关系。结果表明:随着坡向从北坡到东坡、西坡和南坡转变,草地群落密度、高度、地上生物量和土壤含水量呈逐渐减小趋势,霸王的小枝生物量、花大小、叶面积和叶数量呈逐渐减小趋势,繁殖分配呈增加趋势;不同坡向霸王叶数量、叶面积与花大小均呈显著的正相关关系(P0.05),标准化主轴斜率显著小于1.0(P0.01),花大小的增加速度大于叶面积和叶数量;随着坡向由北坡向东坡、西坡和南坡转变,叶面积与花大小的异速斜率逐渐减小,叶数量与花大小的异速斜率逐渐增大。坡向差异造成环境因子和植被群落的梯度性变化,影响了霸王小枝内叶花构件的生长速率,体现了荒漠区植物应对异质生境的表型可塑性和生长-繁殖的资源权衡机制。     

蜾蠃亚科物种的筑巢生物学研究现状

蜾蠃(Eumeninae)是胡蜂科(Vespidae)中种类最丰富的一个亚科,已知204属3 800种,分布广泛、筑巢策略多样,其生活方式从绝大多数独居到极少数种类的原始社会性,对研究社会性昆虫演化具有重要价值。繁殖期筑巢是蜾蠃亚科物种生活史的重要阶段,也是子代繁殖成功的重要保障。按照其筑巢习性传统上可将蜾蠃亚科物种分为挖掘型、租住型和建造型3种类型。然而,蜾蠃亚科物种的筑巢在同种雌性中也具有很强的可塑性和建造不同类型的巢的习性。不论采用何种筑巢类型,蜾蠃亚科常用泥筑巢,也有一些种类用嚼碎的叶子或碎石子筑巢,甚至有少数种类会用植物材料或鸟粪等伪装巢。食物供应是蜾蠃筑巢过程中最大的精力和时间投资。大多数独居的蜾蠃是截断式为子代巢室内供应食物(将瘫痪的昆虫猎物作为幼虫的食物),一些具有原始社会行为的蜾蠃是渐进式供应,尤其是在猎物稀缺的情况下表现更明显。蜾蠃亚科主要捕猎鳞翅目(Lepidoptera)[尺蛾科(Geometridae)和卷蛾科(Tortricidae)]和鞘翅目(Coleoptera)[叶甲科(Chrysomelidae)和象鼻甲科(Curculionidae)]科幼虫,在农...     

霸王和木本猪毛菜在遮风和不遮风环境下的表型特征差异

植物的表型特征是对环境适应的结果。霸王(Zygophyllum xanthoxylum)和木本猪毛菜(Salsola arbuscula)是新疆达坂城大风区的主要植物,也是该区植被恢复潜在的先锋植物。在达坂城柴窝堡,通过野外盆栽实验,对霸王和木本猪毛菜持续吹风和遮风处理90 d,定量分析这两种植物在遮风和不遮风环境下其地上部分的生长和空间构型差异。结果表明:(1)与遮风下的相比,自然大风中的霸王和木本猪毛菜其株高、叶长度、单叶面积、单株叶面积均减小,顺风向基径均增大,尤其是霸王,其株高减小了一半多。木本猪毛菜的叶片数量增多,叶宽增大,霸王的叶片数量减少、叶宽度、叶柄长度、叶柄直径均减小;(2)遮风下的木本猪毛菜其植冠在四个方向均匀生长,而自然大风中的植冠空间构型在迎风面和背风面出现明显的不对称,一级分枝数增多,主茎弯曲角度、枝倾角、叶倾角均减小。霸王没有出现一级分枝,主茎弯曲角度减小,叶倾角增大。可见,霸王主要通过减小地上部分各器官来响应大风环境,而木本猪毛菜除减小各器官之外,还减小各器官之间的角度,形成更紧凑的构型,以此适应大风环境。     

祁连山北坡霸王花大小-数量权衡关系的坡向差异

权衡关系是植物生活史对策理论的基础,花大小-数量的权衡关系对理解花构件的资源分配具有重要意义。本文采用GIS与实验生态学相结合的方法,研究了祁连山北坡荒漠草原不同坡向霸王(Zygophyllum xanthoxylum)花大小-数量的关系。结果表明:随着坡向由北坡向东坡、西坡、南坡转变,草地植物群落的高度、密度、地上生物量、土壤含水量以及霸王的花大小、分枝数和枝干重呈逐渐减小趋势,霸王的花数量和繁殖分配逐渐增大;北坡和南坡霸王的花大小和花数量之间呈极显著负相关(P0.01),异速斜率显著小于-1,东坡和西坡霸王的花大小和花数量之间呈显著负相关(P0.05),异速斜率接近于-1。不同坡向霸王在花大小与花数量间"此消彼长"的资源分配权衡关系,反映了植物优化生境适应性的种群繁殖策略。     

太白山锐齿栎树干基部两种蚂蚁的筑巢生态学及其蚁巢、体表真菌组成研究

本文研究了太白山锐齿栎景观林带树干基部筑巢的两种蚂蚁的筑巢生态学及其巢内真菌的组成.研究结果表明:亮腹黑褐蚁Formica gagatoides Ruzsky是锐齿栎林中的优势蚁种,可在地表及树干上活动,主要取食栎树枝条上蚜虫所分泌的蜜露及其他昆虫和植物材料;盘腹蚁Aphaenogaster sp.仅在蚁巢周围活动,捕...     

青岛地区暗绿绣眼鸟繁殖生态研究

暗绿绣眼鸟每年４月２０日迁来，５月中下旬筑巢，筑巢期７天。筑巢期间交配，巢成后即产卵。每窝产卵４枚，年产１窝。孵卵期１０天。雏鸟均在孵卵期的最后一上小时内全部出壳。经亲鸟喂食１１天，雏鸟出飞离巢。     

大分舌蜂营巢生物学

于2009和2010年对广东河源大分舌蜂Colletes gigas的巢穴结构及生物学习性进行了初步研究。对分布在同一区域大分舌蜂的巢穴进行了挖掘, 详细记录了两个巢穴的结构; 挖出的卵、 幼虫及蛹的形态进行了解剖镜和电镜观察, 并做了简要描述。另外, 还通过分子及形态学方法对与大分舌蜂共用筑巢场所的另一种分舌蜂进行了鉴定。研究发现大分舌蜂喜欢在沙土中筑巢, 并且有集中筑巢的习性。大分舌蜂的巢穴由一条主道和几条虫室道组成, 虫室建在主道及各个虫室道的末端。大分舌蜂往年的巢穴可以被翌年羽化的大分舌蜂再次利用, 沿主道重新建造自己的虫室道或扩展原有的虫室道。大分舌蜂在中国南方专性取食山茶科植物尤其是油茶的花粉及花蜜, 蜂粮由于花蜜含量较多而呈液体状。通过进一步比较COI与28S D2区数据, 甄别出同一巢区中还存在另一种分舌蜂属物种, 表明大分舌蜂可以与另一种分舌蜂Colletes sp.共用筑巢场所。     

中华食蜂郭公虫的生物学特性和行为观察

中华食蜂郭公虫Trichodes sinae Chevrolat是西鄂尔多斯地区重要传粉昆虫火红拟孔蜂Hoplitis pyrrhosoma Wu的寄生性天敌。文章报道中华食蜂郭公虫除成虫外各虫态的形态特征、生活史及幼虫和成虫的行为等生物学特性。该虫在西鄂尔多斯地区1年发生1代,越冬幼虫于4月上旬开始化蛹,5月中旬陆续羽化出巢,成虫取食植物补充营养后,开始交尾、产卵。1龄幼虫能够寻找并钻入火红拟孔蜂的巢室,取食火红拟孔蜂幼虫,直至结茧化蛹。室温条件下,卵期约6~8d,幼虫期约260~280d,蛹期约40~50d;雄虫寿命约28~30d,雌虫寿命约35~40d。     

Nesting Biology of the Bee Hoplitis princeps (Morawitz) (Hymenoptera,Megachilidae) in Crimea

Bionomics of Hoplitis princeps (Morawitz) was studied in Crimea. The species is confined to coastal psammophytic habitats and has one generation per year. Females nest in sand and excavate burrows near roots of various plants. The nests consist of 1 or rarely 2 cells arranged either side by side or one by one; one nest with 3 cells made by two different females was also discovered. The building material was masticated leaves of Astragalus varius subsp. eupatoricus Sytin; the provision was pollen and nectar from the same plant species. The cleptoparasitic bee Stelis aculeata Morawitz was discovered in the nests. The differences in the nest structure between H. princeps and a closely related species H. fulva (Eversmann) are discussed. The need for conservation of the H. princeps habitat in Crimea is substantiated.

     

Phylogeny and biogeography of bees of the tribe Osmiini (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)

The Osmiini (Megachilidae) constitute a taxonomically and biologically diverse tribe of bees. To resolve their generic and suprageneric relationships, we inferred a phylogeny based on three nuclear genes (Elongation factor 1-alpha, LW-rhodopsin and CAD) applying both parsimony and Bayesian methods. Our phylogeny, which includes 95 osmiine species representing 18 of the 19 currently recognized genera, is well resolved with high support for most basal nodes. The core osmiine genera were found to form a well-supported monophyletic group, but four small genera, Noteriades, Afroheriades,Pseudoheriades and possibly Ochreriades, formerly included in the Osmiini, do not appear to belong within this tribe. Our phylogeny results in the following taxonomic changes: Stenosmia and Hoplosmia are reduced to subgeneric rank in Hoplitis and Osmia, respectively, Micreriades is recognized as a subgenus in Hoplitis and the subgenus Nasutosmia is transferred from Hoplitis to Osmia. We inferred a biogeographic scenario for the Osmiini applying maximum likelihood inference and models of character evolution. We provide evidence that the Osmiini originated in the Palearctic, and that extensive exchanges occurred between the Palearctic and the Nearctic. The latter finding may relate to the fact that many osmiine species nest in wood or in stems, facilitating dispersal by overseas transport of the nests.     

Influence of nests of leaf‐cutting ants on plant species diversity in road verges of northern Patagonia

Abstract. It has been suggested that ant nests are the most frequent small‐scale disturbance that affect vegetation patterns. However, their effects on plant diversity are little studied. We document effects of nests of the leaf‐cutting ant Acromyrmex lobicornis on physical‐chemical soil properties and their influence on plant diversity near road verges in a desert steppe in NW Patagonia, Argentina. We analysed nest soils and controls for nitrogen, phosphorus, organic matter, moisture retention capacity and texture. We also analysed the vegetation on 42 nests (30 active and 12 abandoned or without life) and 42 areas without nests. Soil around nests had a greater nutrient content and capacity to retain moisture than control soils, which is mainly due to the presence of organic waste that the ants deposit on the soil surface. We found no association between the occurrence of nests and specific groups of plants, but plant diversity was higher at nest‐sites than at nearby non‐nest sites. This increased diversity – which is also found on abandoned nests – is mainly due to the occurrence of a larger number of native and exotic plant species on nest‐sites that are uncommon elsewhere in the study area. The most abundant plant species showed similar cover values at nest and non‐nest sites. This suggests that changes in diversity are associated to edaphic changes caused by nests rather than by changes in competitive balance caused by dominant species exclusion. We propose that the nests of Acromyrmex lobicornis, through increasing the availability of resources, generate favourable microsites that can function both as ‘refuges’ for less frequent native species, and as‘stepping stones’ for less frequent exotic plant species.     

Nest site selection by yellow-faced honeyeaters Lichenostomus chrysops

When choosing subsequent nest sites, species that produce multiple broods in a single breeding season have the option of dispersing from a site where they previously suffered depredation, i.e., a predator-avoidance tactic. In our study on yellow-faced honeyeaters Lichenostomus chrysops it was found that 89% of nest failures were attributed to nest depredation, the primary cause of reproductive failure. Pairs re-nested further from depredated nesting attempts than from successful nesting attempts and progressively higher above the ground as the breeding season progressed. Pairs nesting in dioecious Coprosma quadrifida plants only nested in non-fruiting male plants. Artificial nests were used to test the hypothesis that nest height and plant preferences were strategies to reduce the risk of depredation. There was no evidence that either higher nests or nests in non-fruiting C. quadrifida achieved reduced levels of depredation during 14 days of artificial nest exposure. Specific nest site characteristics were not found to be associated with nest outcome for either natural or artificial nests. Our study provides further evidence that species may choose a diverse range of nest sites in order to avoid predators from developing specific search images and then, following depredation, compensate by rapidly re-nesting away from the failed attempt.     

Effects of nest-site characteristics and parental activity on cowbird parasitism and nest predation in Brown-and-yellow Marshbirds

ABSTRACT Nest‐site selection and nest defense are strategies for reducing the costs of brood parasitism and nest predation, two selective forces that can influence avian nesting success and fitness. During 2001–2002, we analyzed the effect of nest‐site characteristics, nesting pattern, and parental activity on nest predation and brood parasitism by cowbirds (Molothrus spp.) in a population of Brown‐and‐yellow Marshbirds (Pseudoleistes virescens) in the Buenos Aires province, Argentina. We examined the possible effects of nest detectability, nest accessibility, and nest defense on rates of parasitism and nest predation. We also compared rates of parasitism and nest predation and nest survival time of marshbird nests during the egg stage (active nests) with those of the same nests artificially baited with passerine eggs after young fledged or nests failed (experimental nests). Most nests (45 of 48, or 94%) found during the building or laying stages were parasitized, and 79% suffered at least one egg‐predation event. Cowbirds were responsible for most egg predation, with 82 of 107 (77%) egg‐predation events corresponding to eggs punctured by cowbirds. Nests built in thistles had higher rates of parasitism and egg predation than nests in other plant, probably because cowbirds were most active in the area where thistles were almost the only available nesting substrate. Parasitism rates also tended to increase as the distance to conspecific nests increased, possibly due to cooperative mobbing and parental defense by marshbirds. The proportion of nests discovered by cowbirds was higher for active (95%) than for experimental (29%) nests, suggesting that cowbirds used host parental activity to locate nests. Despite active nest defense, parental activity did not affect either predation rates or nest‐survival time. Thus, although nest defense by Brown‐and‐yellow Marshbirds appears to be based on cooperative group defense, such behavior did not reduce the impact of brood parasites and predators.     

火红拟孔蜂蜂体携带花粉形态的研究

野外调查火红拟孔蜂采访植物种类,采用扫描电子显微镜研究火红拟孔蜂采访植物及雌蜂腹毛刷上携带花粉的形态.结果表明该蜂采访植物有20多种,其中蜂体携带花粉种类有14种,还有7种未能确定到种;远多于直接观察到采访的植物(10种)种类.蜂体花粉包括蒺藜科、豆科、藜科、旋花科、百合科、胡颓子科等,花粉形态长球形、近球形、三角形、扣合状等4种类型;纹饰包括网状、穴状、条纹状、颗粒状、脑纹状 5 种纹饰类型.蜂体花粉中的比例以四合木最大;说明对濒危植物四合木的异花授粉具重要意义.     

Size-assortative nest choice in the absence of competition in males of the sand goby,Pomatoschistus minutus

Synopsis Size-assortative choice of nest site is commonly found among fish with paternal care. This pattern can be explained either by the superior competitive ability of large males for preferred large nests, or by a choice of nest size that is related to the male's own body size. Choice of nest size was studied in males of a small marine fish, the sand goby Pomatoschistus minutus, by providing artificial nest sites in laboratory and field experiments. A positive correlation between nest size and male size, indicating a size-assortative nest choice process, was found in both aquarium and field experiments. This is argued to be the outcome of a preference for an optimal nest size and not to be due to competition, as (a) a surplus of nest sites was available to the individuals in nature; (b) in the aquarium experiments, single males of all sizes, when offered a choice between a smaller and a larger nest site, showed a preference for nests in proportion to their body size and not for the largest available nests; and (c) in the aquaria, when single males were offered only a small or only a large nest site, small males abstained from building nests in the large sites, whereas in the small nest sites males of all sizes built nests. My conclusion is that size assortative nest choice occurred in the absence of competition, which thus is not a necessary condition for size-assortative nesting, contrary to what is commonly assumed in many studies. This preference may represent a compromise (or trade-off) between the advantage of a nest large enough to accommodate many eggs and a smaller one with lower maintenance and defence costs.     

Testing hypotheses about the function of repeated nest abandonment as a life history strategy in a passerine bird

Nest structures are essential for successful reproduction in most bird species. Nest construction costs time and energy, and most bird species typically build one nest per breeding attempt. Some species, however, build more than one nest, and the reason for this behaviour is often unclear. In the Grey Fantail Rhipidura albiscapa, nest abandonment before egg‐laying is very common. Fantails will build up to seven nests within a breeding season, and pairs abandon up to 71% of their nests before egg‐laying. We describe multiple nest‐building behaviour in the Grey Fantail and test four hypotheses explaining nest abandonment in this species: cryptic depredation, destruction of nests during storm events, and two anti‐predatory responses (construction of decoy nests to confuse predators, and increasing concealment to ‘hide’ nests more effectively). We found support for only one hypothesis – that abandonment is related to nest concealment. Abandoned nests were significantly less concealed than nests that received eggs. Most abandoned nests were not completely built and none received eggs, thus ruling out cryptic predation. Nests were not more likely to be abandoned following storm events. The decoy nest hypothesis was refuted as abandoned nests were constructed at any point during the breeding season and some nests were dismantled and the material used to build the subsequent nest. Thus, Grey Fantails are flexible about nest‐site locations during the nest‐building phase and readily abandon nest locations if they are found to have deficient security.     

Factors associated with nest survival of Black‐throated Sparrows,desert‐breeding nest‐site generalists

Black‐throated Sparrows (Amphispiza bilineata) are common breeding birds throughout the desert regions of North America and can be considered nest‐site generalists. Information about how spatial (e.g., vegetation) and temporal factors influence nest survival of these sparrows is lacking throughout their range. Our objective was to examine the spatial and temporal factors associated with nest survival of Black‐throated Sparrows at the nest and nest‐patch scales in the predator‐rich environment of the northern Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico. We used a logistic‐exposure model fit within a Bayesian framework to model the daily survival probability of Black‐throated Sparrow nests. Predation was the leading cause of nest failure, accounting for 86% of failed nests. We found evidence of negative associations between nest survival and both vegetative cover above nests and shrub density within 5 m of nests. We found no support for other habitat covariates, but did find strong evidence that daily survival rate was higher earlier in the breeding season and during the egg‐laying stage. A decline in nest survival later in the breeding period may be due to increased predator activity due to warmer ambient temperatures, whereas lower survival during the incubation and nestling stages could be a result of increased activity at nests. A generalist approach to nest‐site selection may be an adaptive response to the presence of a diverse assemblage of nest predators that results in the reduced influence of spatial factors on nest survival for Black‐throated Sparrows.