沙湖自然保护区鹞属鸟类多样性及其影响因子

在湖北沙湖湿地自然保护区4a的调查中,发现鹞属Circus鸟类有白头鹞C.a.aeruginosus、白尾鹞C.c.cyaneus、白腹鹞C.s.spilonotus 3种,186条样线的调查中共记录到363只.方差分析表明,4a的鹞属鸟类年度间平均数差异不显著.比较鹞属鸟类秋、冬季节平均丰度表明,秋季显著高于冬季.对鹞属鸟类分别进行秋、冬季节同期平均数比较,均无显著性差异.不同生境间鹞属鸟类多样性平均数差异极显著,草甸＞芦苇＞水域＞农田.3种鹞属鸟类的种间相遇概率及频率指数都是白尾鹞＞白头鹞＞白腹鹞.回归模型显示鹞属鸟类数量与环颈雉Phasianus colchicus的数量呈极显著正相关(r2 = 0.98,P ＜0.001).草甸面积变化对栖息于草甸的鹞属鸟类数量有极显著的影响.围网对鹞属鸟类在水域生境出现频次无显著影响.     

白头鹞迁徙和越冬习性的初步观察

于1993－1995年每年的9月至翌年的4月,在贵州省六盘水市钟山区场坝一带进行猛禽迁徙和越冬习性的定位观察时,获得4号白头鹞Circusaeruginosus标本,为贵州省冬候鸟新纪录。同时,还对白头鹞的迁徙作了初步观察。     

白头鹞迁徒和越冬习性的初步观察

于１９９３－１９９５年每年的９月至翌年的４月,在贵州省水盘水市钟山区场坝一带进行猛禽迁徒和越冬习性的定位观察时,获得４只白头鹞Ｃｉｒｃｕｓａｅｒｕｇｉｎｏｓｕｓ标本,为贵州省冬候鸟新纪录。同时,还对白头鹞的迁徙作了初步观察。     

克鲁伦河两岸鸟类资源调查初报

1994—2014年,中蒙俄达乌尔国际保护区科研人员对克鲁伦河流域的鸟类开展了多次实地考察,共记录到鸟类18目52科288种,其中非雀形目鸟类17目30科166种,占鸟类总物种数的57.64%,为本地区鸟类主体。克鲁伦河流域的鸟类以夏候鸟(147种)和旅鸟(66种)为主,占本地区鸟类总物种数的73.70%。本地区鸟类以湿地鸟类为主,共192种,占鸟类总物种数的66.43%。另外草原鸟类主要由隼形目猛禽白头鹞Circus aeruginosus、白腹鹞Circus spilonotus等种类和雀形目鸟类组成。     

基于CHD基因序列的隼形目12种鸟系统发育关系

对12个隼形目物种CHD基因的一段内含子序列进行比较和分析。CHD-W和CHD-Z基因的多态性存在差异,CHD-W基因不适合系统发生学的研究。通过对CHD-Z基因扩增序列构建的NJ和MP树,结果显示隼科鸟类与鹰科和鹳科鸟类关系较远,与传统形态分类和和鸟类新的分类系统不一致。在白腹鹞的分类地位上与传统形态学分类不一致,将白腹鹞归入鹰属一支。NJ树显示鸢属(黑鸢)与鵟属(毛脚鵟)亲缘关系较近,MP树显示鵟鹰属(灰脸鵟鹰)与鵟属(毛脚鵟)亲缘关系较近。NJ和MP树都显示雕属(金雕)和鹰雕属(鹰雕)与其他鹰科各属亲缘关系较远。     

贵州六盘水地区发现白腹鹞

１９９３年１０月１日和１９９４年的９月２０日,作者在贵州省六盘水市钟山区场坝海拔１７８５ｍ处的稻田湿地中,分别获得２号雄性成年白腹鹞标本,经鉴定为白腹鹞指名亚种（ＣｉｒｃｕｓｓｐｉｌｏｎｏｔｕｓｓｐｉｌｏｎｏｔｕｓＫａｕｐ）。标本保藏在贵州省六盘水师...     

中国瘦棍腿天牛属一新记录种（鞘翅目：天牛科：天牛亚科）

记述中国瘦棍腿天牛属1新记录种:白腹瘦棍腿天牛Stenodryas ventralis(Gahan, 1906)。简述了该种的形态特征,提供了瘦棍腿天牛属中国已知记录种的检索表。研究标本保存在西南大学昆虫标本馆。     

基于CHD基因序列的18种猛禽鸟类系统发育关系

对18个猛禽CHD基因的一段内含子序列进行比较和分析.CHD-W和CHD-Z基因的多态性存在差异,CHD-W基因不适合种间系统发生学的研究.通过对CHD-Z基因扩增序列构建的NJ和ML树显示:隼科与其他猛禽物种关系较远;鹰科鸟类与鸮形目鸟类亲缘关系较近;在白腹鹞的分类地位上与传统形态学分类不一致;长耳鸮、领角鸮、花彩角鸮、西部鸣角鸮的分类地位存在分歧.鸮形目和隼形目鸟类的CHD-W基因大小有明显区别,支持形态学分类结果,与CHD-Z序列分析结果明显不同.     

鹰鹃对白腹短翅鸲的巢寄生

2015年4~8月,在贵州宽阔水国家级自然保护区,记录到1巢白腹短翅鸲(Hodgsonius phaenicuroides)被鹰鹃(Cuculus sparverioides)寄生,寄生率为1/16(n=16)。发现时白腹短翅鸲巢内有1枚白色的寄生卵和2枚蓝色的寄主卵,且卵已凉,疑为亲鸟弃巢。鹰鹃卵重6.09 g,卵大小20.20 mm×27.73 mm;两枚白腹短翅鸲的卵重分别为2.34 g和2.40 g,大小分别为20.05 mm×14.94 mm和19.95 mm×15.09 mm。鹰鹃的卵重量(6.09 g)和大小(27.73 mm×20.20 mm)均明显大于白腹短翅鸲的卵。卵色光谱测量结果表明,鹰鹃和白腹短翅鸲卵色的反射光谱图差别明显,鹰鹃卵在色度和色调上明显低于白腹短翅鸲,但卵色亮度却明显比白腹短翅鸲卵高,为典型的非模拟寄生卵。     

松雀在中国的春夏季分布

2012年7月29日在内蒙古大兴安岭西坡汗马国家级自然保护区野外考察时,记录到1只松雀(Pinicola enucleator)。经查阅文献和检视标本,发现该种在中国实际已有若干春夏季的分布记录。该种已知在某些年份具有爆发式迁徙的习性,繁殖期和越冬期分布范围的年际变化很大。根据上述记录,推测松雀在国内的分布状况除以往所认知的冬候鸟而外,还应是罕见的夏候鸟。而在四川金城山地区的松雀记录实际应为红眉松雀(P.subhimachala)。     

Philopatry and natal dispersal in a sedentary population of western marsh harrier

Dispersal is a key life-history trait because it influences population dynamics and population genetic structure. From a behavioural perspective, the study of natal dispersal requires some understanding of the mechanisms that affect individual movements, because movements of an animal form a path that is continuous throughout its life. Our aim was to investigate juvenile dispersal strategies in the western marsh harrier Circus aeruginosus , between fledging and first breeding attempt (from 1 to 4 years later, depending on the sex and individual). Using radio tracking, we monitored dispersing juvenile harriers and their home-range size variations within a sedentary population in central western France from 2001 to 2007. Juvenile dispersal strategy was mainly characterized by a very high natal philopatry (i.e. birds that remained within the study area) and short-distance dispersal. All but one bird (out of 39) remained within the study area between their first winter and their first spring, and 96.0% during their first spring. The distance moved at 2 years of age was significantly larger for males than for females (3800± sd 3593 m and 935± sd 481 m for seven males and six females, respectively), in contrast to most bird species studied so far. Home-range size was not sex biased and significantly decreased with age. In addition, non-breeding birds had larger home ranges (1603± sd 2128 ha) than breeders (349± sd 185 ha). Using data obtained from other populations, juvenile marsh harrier dispersal strategies appeared to be determined by migratory status (migratory birds dispersing farther) and demographic parameters (juvenile survival or fecundity).     

Experimental predation studies of malacophagous larvae of Sepedon fuscipennis (Diptera: Sciomyzidae) and aquatic snails

Experimental studies were conducted under both laboratory and field conditions to determine the effects of prey density, three levels of prey aggregation, water depth, and predator density on the number of snails killed per larva of Sepedon fuscipennis. Of these factors, predation rates were most influenced by prey density and water depth. The number of small (2–4.5 mm) Lymnaea palustris killed per larva of S. fuscipennis increased at a decreasing rate as prey density increased under shallow water conditions. Larvae killed a mean of 14 snails at a prey density of 200/m², while an average of 24 snails were killed per larva of S. fuscipennis at a prey density of 4000/m². This functional response to prey density was largely confined to third-instar larvae, and as water depth was increased the response was not apparent.A field study in which larval densities of S. fuscipennis were manipulated showed that the population density of smaller individuals of L. palustris (< 4.5 mm) was reduced when predator density was increased. Populations of Physa integra, Gyraulus parvus, and larger L. palustris were not significantly reduced by the malacophagous larvae at the levels tested.     

Niche partitioning of avian predators in northern grasslands amended by biosolids

Many food webs are affected by bottom‐up nutrient addition, as additional biomass or productivity at a given trophic level can support more consumers. In turn, when prey are abundant, predators may converge on the same diets rather than partitioning food resources. Here, we examine the diets and habitat use of predatory and omnivorous birds in response to biosolids amendment of northern grasslands used as grazing range for cattle in British Columbia, Canada. From an ecosystem management perspective, we test whether dietary convergence occurred and whether birds preferentially used the pastures with biosolids. Biosolids treatments increased Orthoptera densities and our work occurred during a vole (Microtus spp.) population peak, so both types of prey were abundant. American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) consumed both small mammals and Orthoptera. Short‐eared Owls (Asio flammeus) and Long‐eared owls (Asio otus) primarily ate voles (>97% of biomass consumed) as did Northern Harriers (Circus hudsonius, 88% vole biomass). Despite high dietary overlap, these species had minimal spatial overlap, and Short‐eared Owls strongly preferred pastures amended with biosolids. Common Ravens (Corvus corax), Black‐billed Magpies (Pica hudsonia), and American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) consumed Orthoptera, Coleoptera, vegetation, and only a few small mammals; crows avoided pastures with biosolids. Thus, when both insect and mammalian prey were abundant, corvids maintained omnivorous diets, whereas owls and Harriers specialized on voles. Spatial patterns were more complex, as birds were likely responding to prey abundance, vegetation structure, and other birds in this consumer guild.     

Habitat islands and the equilibrium theory of island biogeography: testing some predictions

Summary Species-area data from a study of marsh birds are used to test five predictions generated by the equilibrium theory of island biogeography. Three predictions are supported: we found a significant species-area relationship, a non-zero level of turnover, and a variance-mean ratio of 0.5. One prediction is rejected: the extinction rates were not greater on small islands. The results of one test are equivocal: the number of species on each island was not always the same. As Gilbert (1980) suggests, a strong species-area relationship alone does not validate the theory. The avian communities we studied were on habitat islands, not true islands, and underwent complete extinction annually. Thus caution must be used before applying the theory to these and other habitat islands.     

Changes in the Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus diet in Eastern Poland across decades promote insects and reptilians,but not birds and rodents

We investigated temporal changes in diet composition of the Montagu''s Harrier Circus pygargus breeding in natural habitat (calcareous peat bog) in SE Poland. We characterized diet composition in a three‐year period (2007–2009), based on pellet analyses. We investigated whether diet composition was affected by years or stage of breeding. We compared diet of the studied population between 2000s and 1990s and with other populations. We found that the food of the studied population was dominated by insects and mammals (by number) and mammals and birds (by biomass). Biomass and abundance of main prey items differed between studied years because of different air temperatures. We found some interannual differences in contribution of some prey items including higher number of thermophilic prey (insects and amphibians) in warmer years. Comparison of pellet composition in the 1990s and 2000s revealed significant increase in the abundance of thermophilic prey (insects and reptiles) and decrease of mammals including Microtus voles and birds. Those changes may be linked to habitat changes in areas neighboring peat bogs and climate change‐induced changes in prey communities. The studied population was able to respond to changes in foraging habitats and prey composition by opportunistic foraging on easily available prey. The diet of the studied population is the most similar to the geographically closest populations foraging in similar habitats and characterized by high contribution of insects.     

Aboveground plant production and nutrient content of the vegetation in six peatlands in Alberta,Canada

We examined the effects of water level, surface water chemistry, and climatic parameters on aboveground primary plant production, and the tissue nutrient concentrations in the dominant herb species in a bog, three fens, and two marshes. In the fens, total NPP correlated best with NO ₃ ^- and total phosphorus surface water concentrations in 1993 and 1994. Total NPP in the marshes correlated best with alkalinity in 1993, and with soluble reactive phosphorus in 1994. Climatic parameters, such as mean annual growing season temperature, growing degree days, and precipitation, had the most notable effect on moss growth, whereas shrub and herb production correlated significantly with the water level relative to the moss surface. Herb production correlated positively and shrub production correlated negatively with the water level relative to the moss surface. Tissue nutrient concentrations of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and total phosphorus (TP), and the C:N quotient in Carex lasiocarpa exhibited similar trends in the fens and the marshes. Carbon tissue concentrations in C. lasiocarpa remained unchanged, whereas N and TP tissue levels decreased throughout the growing season. In the site with the highest NPP and presumably the highest stand density, C. lasiocarpa exhibited the highest tissue N and TP levels. Furthermore, TP tissue concentrations in C. lasiocarpa were substantially higher in the marshes than in the fens. Tissue nutrient concentrations in Eriophorum vaginatum in the bog showed variable response patterns. N tissue levels increased, whereas tissue TP concentrations decreased from late June to late August. In the bog, E. vaginatum exhibited similar tissue TP levels to C. lasiocarpa in the fens; however, they were both substantially lower than those found in C. lasiocarpa from the marshes.     

Is female investment in defence correlated with breeding success in Hen Harriers Circus cyaneus

CapsuleThe intensity of parental defence, irrespective of the value of offspring, may be one of the proximate causes of breeding success, reflecting the quality of breeders.

Aims To test whether female Hen Harrier investment in defence towards a human predator influences breeding success.

Methods Generalized linear mixed models were used, with nest content, date of visit, the interaction (nest content*date), breeding success (number of fledglings/clutch size) and presence or absence of male as explanatory variables. ‘Female’ was included as a random variable in the model. Alarm call rate by a female Hen Harrier during the first three minutes after my arrival at a nest was used as a dependent variable (as an indicator of parental investment in defence towards a human predator).

Results Females were present and alarmed in 100% of visits whereas males were present in 37% of visits. The individual variations in female investment in defence, after controlling for the principal determinants of nest defence, were significantly correlated with breeding success of each pair.

Conclusion The relationship between female investment in nest defence and reproductive success can be explained through differences in female quality. Good quality females, as measured by the level of investment in nest defence, probably also invested more in other breeding aspects not controlled in this study obtaining higher reproductive success.     

Parental differences in brood provisioning by Hen Harriers Circus cyaneus

Capsule Females varied their provisioning patterns according to brood age and brood size, whereas males did not.

Aims To quantify how parents balance the needs of their offspring for food and protection.

Methods We studied 13 nests from hides and spent on average 101 hours per nest monitoring prey types, provisioning rate and the time spent at the nest by both sexes in relation to brood size and brood age.

Results Males always provided more food than females. Males brought similar amounts of prey items irrespective of brood size and nestling age, whereas females brought more prey and bigger items to larger and older broods. Females spent less time brooding larger broods, particularly early on.

Conclusions Hen Harrier parents share the provisioning burden, with each parent delivering prey as a function of brood care requirements, hunting capability and the behaviour of the other parent.     

On the trophic spectrum of Pelophylax ridibundus (Pallas, 1771) (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae) in western Iran

Using the stomach flushing technique, a total of 188 specimens of the Marsh Frog, Pelophylax ridibundus, were flushed, of which 129 had at least one food item in the stomach. The diet consisted of Annelida, Mollusca, Arthropoda and Chordata with Arthropoda being the most abundant group. Both diet volume and number of food items per stomach were significantly larger in April than in August. The proportion of frequency of occurrence (FOi%) of food categories did not show a constant food item in flushed materials. Pelophylax ridibundus prefers Diptera, Coleoptera, Amphipoda and Hymenoptera over other food categories. The Index of Relative Importance (IRI) for food categories differs between sexes and seasons. Differences were found in the food volume and the number of food items between seasons, but not between sexes. Prey volume is positively correlated with frog size.