性别、季节和体型大小对吐鲁番沙虎巢域的影响

2008年6月份至2009年5月份对吐鲁番沙虎的巢域进行调查:2008年6月份至2008年8月份为繁殖季节(RS),2008年9月份至2009年5月份(冬眠期除外)为非繁殖季节(NRS)。利用截趾标志重捕法研究吐鲁番沙虎的巢域,共标记283只吐鲁番沙虎,累计繁殖季节24只,非繁殖季节43只重捕超过3次(其中13只个体在繁殖季节和非繁殖季节均够3次以上捕捉次数,为重复个体),可以用于计算个体巢域面积数据。利用软件MapGis计算最小凸多边形法(MCP)巢域面积,并分析性别、体型大小、季节等因素对巢域的影响。结果表明:吐鲁番沙虎非繁殖季节雄性、雌性与幼体各组间的巢域面积差异均显著,繁殖季节巢域面积差异不显著;雌雄个体不同季节或全年合并比较巢域面积差异性均不显著;非繁殖季节面积与吻肛长(SVL)显著相关、全年成体组的巢域面积与吻肛长显著相关;成体巢域面积季节差异显著(U=41,P=0.046),幼体则没有季节差异(U=159,P=0.537)。因而,吐鲁番沙虎的巢域大小受性别因素影响不大,体型大小对巢域面积有显著影响,由于繁殖、食物资源等的季节变化是影响吐鲁番沙虎巢域最重要的因素。     

吐鲁番沙虎头、体大小的两性异形及其食性的季节性变化

于2008年4月—2009年5月在新疆中国科学院吐鲁番沙漠植物园,捕获155号吐鲁番沙虎(Teratoscincus roborowskii)活体,对其两性异形和食性季节变化进行了研究,并收集单独暂养的吐鲁番沙虎粪便167份用于食性分析,同时测量各项形态学指标,切趾标记后放回原捕获地。结果表明:吐鲁番沙虎成体有两性异形,表现为雄性个体有较宽的头部,成体雌性具有较大的腋胯距;不同年龄组的两性个体头长和雄性个体的头宽随吻肛长都呈同速增长,只有雌性头宽的增长速率在个体发育过程中逐渐减小;吐鲁番沙虎摄入的动物性食物均为节肢动物,植物性食物为刺山柑果实。4—5月的生态位宽度为4.15,6—7月的生态位宽度为4.23,8—9月的生态位宽度为4.48。其中6—7月和8—9月的生态位重叠度最高。     

吐鲁番沙虎的食物化学识别机制

为探究吐鲁番沙虎(Teratoscincus roborowskii)对食物的化学识别能力,从而揭示吐鲁番沙虎摄食刺山柑(Capparis spinosa)果实的机制,采用棉签法研究吐鲁番沙虎对不同类型食物的反应,用弹舌速率(tongue-flick rate,TFR)和弹舌攻击得分(tongue-flick attack score,TFAS)作为响应指标。吐鲁番沙虎在不同食物刺激源和不同成熟程度的刺山柑之间表现出不同的TFR、TFAS。吐鲁番沙虎对乙醇刺激表现出最高的TFR;对成熟刺山柑果实的TFR显著高于腐败刺山柑果实和生刺山柑果实。吐鲁番沙虎对成熟刺山柑果实和香水的TFAS显著高于蒸馏水;成熟刺山柑果实和酒精的TFAS显著高于腐败刺山柑和蒸馏水。结果表明,吐鲁番沙虎具有猎物化学识别能力,验证了犁鼻器化学识别在吐鲁番沙虎定位刺山柑果实上发挥重要作用的假说,并支持部分坐等型捕食者也具有化学识别能力,可以通过弹舌去辨别周围的环境和猎物信息。     

上海农田泽蛙年龄组划分方法的初步研究

对2005年4～10月在上海农田随机捕获的369只泽蛙的体长、体重指标进行测量,通过聚类分析将其划分为4个年龄组.在此基础上结合不同月份的年龄结构特征,以及以往的研究作对照,推断出泽蛙4个年龄组对应的个体年龄以及相应的生长指标特征.结果为体长15～31 mm可鉴定为1龄个体和小于8月龄的2龄个体,32～39 mm个体可鉴定为2龄个体,40～45 mm为3龄个体,48～51 mm为4龄个体,认为该方法可用于泽蛙的年龄鉴别.     

大鳞副泥鳅雌雄个体的形态分析

本文利用数理统计手段研究南四湖大鳞副泥鳅雌雄个体形态差异,结果表明大鳞副泥鳅雌雄个体形态整体差异不显著,但体长/吻腹长指标差异显著;1龄鱼、3龄鱼雌性个体体长、体重大于雄性个体,2龄鱼则呈相反趋势;t检验表明,仅3龄鱼雌雄个体间体长、体重差异显著。     

吐鲁番沙虎对不同食物化合物的反应

化学感受在蜥蜴的生态和行为中发挥了重要作用,而中国特有且罕见的食果性壁虎——吐鲁番沙虎Teratoscincus roborowskii是否具有食物的化学识别能力尚不清楚。采用棉签法研究吐鲁番沙虎对不同食物化合物的反应,以饱和蔗糖溶液作为碳水化合物,纯猪肉脂肪作为脂类的复杂混合物,大豆蛋白粉溶液作为蛋白质,蒸馏水作为对照。用棉签分别蘸这些刺激物,进行60 s弹舌试验。用弹舌速率(TFR)和弹舌攻击得分[TFAS(R)]作为响应食物化合物的指标,以探讨吐鲁番沙虎探测不同类型食物的化学识别模式。结果表明,吐鲁番沙虎对不同食物化合物的TFR和TFAS(R)差异有统计学意义;对蒸馏水、饱和蔗糖溶液的TFR极显著或显著大于脂肪;对脂肪的TFAS(R)极显著大于蒸馏水、饱和蔗糖溶液。这些结果也提示,吐鲁番沙虎能使用犁鼻器检测和识别不同食物化合物。     

西藏林芝市西藏蟾蜍种群的年龄、生长及其他种群特征的研究

为了深入了解西藏蟾蜍Bufo tibetanus的种群特征,积累更多的生物学资料,本研究利用骨龄学方法、辅以生殖腺形态及其组织学结构的观察,对地处高海拔西藏自治区林芝市的一个西藏蟾蜍(♀29只,♂34只)种群的年龄结构、体长、生殖腺的形态和性成熟年龄等进行了分析。结果表明：西藏蟾蜍第三指骨切片中均可清晰观察到生长抑制线;两性个体体长与年龄均呈极显著正相关(P<0.01);各年龄组中两性个体体长无显著性差异,两性的平均年龄无显著差异(P>0.05);两性个体的性成熟年龄一致,均为4龄;雌性的最长寿命为9龄,雄性为8龄。由此可见,该西藏蟾蜍种群在被采集的2014—2015年的年龄结构属于增长型,具有健康发展的潜能。     

镜面环境下吐鲁番沙虎行为谱及PAE编码系统

基于“姿势-动作-环境（PAE）”编码系统对吐鲁番沙虎Teratoscincus roborowskii记录并构建其在独立个体环境、镜像环境及同类个体存在3种情境下的行为谱和PAE编码系统。在3种情境下共描述了吐鲁番沙虎7种姿势、50种动作、8种环境和29种行为,按照功能分为运动行为、警戒行为、冲突行为、展示行为和杂类行为5大类。研究结果显示,吐鲁番沙虎在面对镜子和同类时具有类似的反应,即引起相同的警戒行为,如翘尾、拱腰、抖尾、压头俯身和压头拱尾接近等,但对镜像的反应更强烈（频繁在镜前徘徊、长时间盯着镜子等）。实验结果中的行为谱及PAE编码系统为下一步的镜面测试实验奠定了基础,并有助于了解吐鲁番沙虎的行为功能。     

短吻舌鳎生长特性的研究

用多元统计分析方法对短吻舌鳎的生长规律、生长特性及雌雄之间的生长差异进行了研究。结果表明：1-4龄的短吻舌鳎处于生长期。在生长速度上,1-2龄生长速度最快。以后生长速度逐渐减慢;在生长方式上,1-2龄体长、体高、体厚的生长基本同步,3龄,体高、体厚生长更快,到4龄。以体厚生长最快;生长方式不同,使不同年龄鱼的体型不同。3-4龄鱼比1-2龄更宽厚;在同一年龄组中,雄鱼不仅显著地小于雌鱼,而且比雌鱼更细长、侧扁,用多项式来描写短吻舌鳎的生长过程,并求出生长拐点年龄为2．35龄。     

吐鲁番沙漠植物园部分食果脊椎动物口宽和刺山柑果实大小和形状的关系

口宽是动物能够获取食物大小的限制性因素之一。2016年7月至10月在吐鲁番沙漠植物园对当地食果动物进行观察记录并采集新鲜刺山柑(Capparis spinosa)果实, 测量果实的重量和长/短径, 并和食果脊椎动物的口宽进行了比较分析。结果刺山柑果实的大小对大耳猬(Hemiechinus auritus)、子午沙鼠(Meriones meridianus)和吐鲁番沙虎(Teratoscincus roborowskii)的口宽来说不存在限制(果实大小匹配度指数<0), 吐鲁番沙虎的口宽和刺山柑果实大小最为接近。刺山柑果实长径增长速率显著大于短径增长速率, 由于上述三种没有口宽限制的物种中, 大耳猬和子午沙鼠有切割和咀嚼食物的能力, 这一异速增长现象可能是吐鲁番沙虎的口宽对刺山柑果实的形状产生了选择压力的结果。研究结果支持刺山柑果实大小和形状与采用吞食方式的食果脊椎动物口宽大小匹配的假说。     

Growth, size and age at maturity of the agile frog (Rana dalmatina) in an Iberian Peninsula population

The mean age of a population of agile frogs (Rana dalmatina) from the Iberian Peninsula was estimated using mark and recapture and skeletochronology. Life-history parameters, including growth rate, body length, age and size at maturity, sexual dimorphism and longevity, were studied. The regression between age and snout-vent length (SVL) was highly significant in both sexes. Males reached sexual maturity at two years of age, although sometimes they can reach it at only one year of age. The average SVL at maturity was 51.75 mm (standard error (SE) = 0.71; n = 45). Females reached sexual maturity at two years of age with an average SVL of 62.14 mm (SE = 2.20; n = 14). A subset of the female population reached sexual maturity at three years of age. Growth was rapid until sexual maturity was reached. There was an overlap of SVL between different age classes. Growth was continuous, fulfilling the conditions of Von Bertalanffy's model. The growth coefficient (K) was 0.840 in males and 0.625 in females. The maximum SVL was greater in females (73.00 mm) than in males (59.50 mm). Sexual dimorphism was significantly biased towards females in all age classes. The maximum longevity observed was 6 years in females and 8 years in males. Management strategies for agile frogs should take into account factors such as these life-history characteristics.     

Lack of correlation between seminal and plasma HIV-1 viral loads is associated with CD4 T cell depletion in therapy-naïve HIV-1+ patients

The present study was conducted to investigate a possible correlation between plasma (PVL) and seminal viral load (SVL) on treatment-na?ve HIV-1-infected patients in Vitória, ES, Brazil. We also evaluated whether the progressive immunosuppression associated with HIV disease (as evidenced by declining CD4 T cell counts) has any impact on the correlation between PVL and SVL HIV-1. Viral load on paired blood and semen samples from 56 consecutive treatment-na?ve patients were evaluated and compared to CD4 cell counts. Viral load and T cell counts (cells/microl) were determined by NASBA and by flow cytometry, respectively. Overall, a strong positive correlation between PVL and SVL (rho = 0.438, p = 0.001) was observed. However, when patients were grouped according to their CD4 counts, this correlation was only significant among patients with CD4 counts > 200 cells/microl. Results presented here demonstrate the existence of a strong correlation between PVL and SVL on patients with CD4 cell counts > 200 cells/microl, suggesting that this association may correlate with disease progression.     

Survival rate and sex ratio in habu,Trimeresurus flavoviridis (Viperidae), on the subtropical Okinawa Island,Japan

We examined the age structure and sex ratio of a viperid snake,Trimeresurus flavoviridis, based on samples collected by hand by local inhabitants, habu hunters and by baited traps in the middle and south of Okinawa Island, Japan. Small individuals had a low possibility of capture in all the collecting methods. The age structure was estimated through summing up the age frequency in each snout-vent length (SVL) class in samples with a similar SVL structure. From the age structures, annual survival rates of adult females and males were estimated to be 0.7 and 0.8, respectively. In most samples the sex ratio was biased towards males, especially in March and August and in large individuals. However, the female proportion increased in June.     

Parasite age-intensity relationships in red-spotted newts: does immune memory influence salamander disease dynamics?

Acquired immune memory in vertebrates influences transmission and persistence of infections, with consequences for parasite dynamics at both the individual and population levels. The potential impact of acquired immunity is of particular interest for salamanders, whose acquired immune systems are thought to be less effective than those of frogs and other tetrapods. One way to examine the importance of acquired immunity to parasite dynamics at the population level is by examining the relationship between host age and parasite infection intensity. Acquired immunity reduces infection rates in older animals, causing decreased parasite intensity in older age classes and leading to curvilinear age-intensity relationships for persistent parasites and convex age-intensity relationships for transient parasites. We used age-intensity relationships to look for the signature of acquired immunity for 12 parasite taxa of red-spotted newts (Notophthalmus viridescens), using data from a 2-year parasitological survey of six newt populations. We estimated ages from snout-vent length (SVL) based on the relationship between SVL and skeletochronologically-derived ages in a subset of newts. We found evidence of acquired immunity to two parasite taxa, bacterial pathogens and the protist Amphibiocystidium viridescens, whose convex age-intensity relationships could not be easily explained by alternative mechanisms. Our results suggest that the acquired immune response of newts is sufficient to influence the dynamics of at least some parasites.     

Age inTayassu pecari according to dental eruption

The determination of the age composition of a population is considered to be a fundamental parameter for the analysis of life-history strategy of the species. In the Tayassuidae, the determination of relative age has been primarily based on molar tooth wear, sometimes combined with other external characteristics, such as hair color or body size. The present study examined the dental composition of white-lipped peccariesTayassu pecari (Link, 1795) . Through the determination of the erupted dental pattern and its relation to the body weight of the animal, six age classes were established. The presence of molar teeth was considered the most accurate parameter for establishing age classes for white-lipped peccaries.     

A skeletochronological study of breeding females in a population of Japanese clouded salamanders (Hynobius nebulosus)

The age structure of breeding females of Hynobius nebulosus has not been studied sufficiently. We estimated the ages of 76 individuals from a population in Kyoto by using skeletochronology. The mean age and snout-vent length (SVL) of this population were 4.6 years and 55.7 mm, respectively. It was estimated that the youngest females breed two years post hatching at a mean SVL of 46.5 mm, but a larger number of individuals begins breeding at three years and a mean SVL of 52.2 mm. Because most males also start to breed at three years, there seems to be no gender difference in the timing of sexual maturation. The age of the oldest female was estimated to be 11.8 years. It is possible that the life history of H. nebulosus is characterized by early maturation and arrested growth, and short longevity.     

Structure of the femora and autotomous (postpygal) caudal vertebrae in the three-toed skink Chalcides chalcides (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) and its applicability for age and growth rate determination

The limbs of the three-toed skink Chalcides chalcides are reduced to such a degree that the three digits are too small for skeletochronology. This study, performed on animals collected near Isernia (central Italy), describes the structure of the caudal vertebrae, which are often naturally lost due to autotomy, in order to determine whether they can be used to obtain data on age and growth with skeletochronological techniques. The reliability of the autotomous caudal vertebrae for skeletochronology was verified by performing skeletochronological analyses also on femora. Although the identification of the lines of arrested growth (LAGs) was easier in femora than in autotomous caudal vertebrae, a high correspondence of the LAG count between the two bones was observed. Females were larger and lived longer than males (4 and 3 years, respectively). For both sexes, the snout vent length (SVL) was significantly correlated with age. For both sexes, sexual maturity was attained after two hibernations from birth, beginning at the 20th month of age. At first reproduction, males had an SVL of 91–106 mm and females one of 111–150 mm. Von Bertalanffy growth curves of age versus SVL showed that females had slower growth rates than males for attaining their asymptotic SVL (females: 197 mm; males: 143 mm). The results provide the first data on age and growth of C. chalcide, and show that autotomous caudal vertebrae are reliable alternatives for obtaining such data for limb-reduced reptiles, avoiding the need to sacrifice or disable animals, as occurs when long bones are used.     

Basis of selective predation by the aquatic larvae of the salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum

SUMMARY. 1. The effect of several factors on feeding selectivity by three size classes of larvae of Ambystoma tigrinum (Green) was examined. Five types of invertebrate prey were used: Chaoborus, Daphnia , damselflies, Hyalella and water boatmen.
2. Five variables were examined in relation to the electivity indices associated with each prey type: ease of prey consumption, ease of prey capture, relative prey size, prey activity, and microhabitat overlap. No single variable explained the observed electivity.
3. For small larvae (snout-vent length, SVL, <2.5cm) relative prey size was correlated with electivity. For large larvae (SVL >6.5cm), ease of prey consumption, prey activity, and relative prey size predicted electivity values. However, none of the measured variables was related to electivity values found for medium sized larvae (SVL >3.5 and <5.5cm).     

Radial growth of Pinus sylvestris growing on alluvial terraces is sensitive to water-level fluctuations

Along the Alpine river Lech (Tyrol, Austria), poorly grown Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stands dominate on dry alluvial terraces, which are made up of coarse calcareous gravel. Here we evaluated the impact of environmental factors, such as precipitation, temperature and water table, on annual variability of radial growth. Tree-ring chronologies from six stands comprising different age classes were developed by extracting two core samples from more than 15 trees per plot. Pearson correlations were applied to determine the influence of environmental factors. Close inverse correlations (r2 > 0.35) between maximum water table during the growing period and annual increments of adult stands indicated that water surplus in the rooting zone was the primary growth-limiting factor. Drought stress reduced growth only in some extremely dry years. Results provide evidence that dominance of P. sylvestris on gravelly alluvial terraces is caused not only by tolerance of soil dryness and nutrient deficiency, as previously assumed, but also by a dynamic multilayered root system which allows adaptation to highly variable soil-moisture conditions.     

浙江丽水中华大蟾蜍和黑眶蟾蜍蝌蚪对水位变化的表型响应

全球气候变暖引发栖息地干涸将对生活在水中的无尾类幼体提出了挑战。通过浙江丽水中华大蟾蜍(Bufo gargarizans)和黑眶蟾蜍(Duttaphrynus melanosticus)蝌蚪在实验条件下对不同水位变化的表型响应,检测表型可塑性的遗传性和环境近因性影响。结果表明,水位变化对中华大蟾蜍蝌蚪早期发育历期、头宽和体重影响不显著,对体长影响显著,其中逐减水位最大、恒低水位最小,慢波、恒高与快波、逐增水位依次减少;水位变化对黑眶蟾蜍蝌蚪早期发育历期、体长、头宽和体重影响均显著;发育历期以恒高水位最大,恒低水位最小;体长以逐减水位最大,恒低、快波和慢波水位显著偏小,逐增和快波水位居中;头宽以恒低水位最小,逐增水位居中,其余较大;体重以恒低水位最小、恒高水位最大,其余居中。水位变化对中华大蟾蜍蝌蚪的变态时间、体长、头宽和体重影响均不显著;水位变化对黑眶蟾蜍蝌蚪的变态时间、体长和体重影响均显著,对头宽影响不显著;恒低水位的变态时间最长,恒高水位的变态时间最短,其他水位变化之间差异不显著;恒高水位的体长最大,恒低和快波水位最小,其他居中;逐增和快波水位的体重最大,恒低水位最小。研究结果表明,繁殖季节不同的中华大蟾蜍和黑眶蟾蜍蝌蚪响应水位变化的表型可塑性差异显著,长期在容易发生干旱和水位变化的冬季繁殖的中华大蟾蜍蝌蚪的表型可塑性低,在雨水充沛的春季繁殖的黑眶蟾蜍蝌蚪的表型可塑性高,表现出表型可塑性的种间差异和遗传性;在早期发育过程中,两种蝌蚪体长的共同的表型变异与缺乏遗传基础的环境近因性影响有关;黑眶蟾蜍蝌蚪对低水位或水位下降作出减速分化的消极响应,响应程度与环境信号的强弱直接相关。