繁殖期根田鼠种群密度对其种群统计参数及个体皮质酮水平的作用

为探讨引起种群密度制约的近因,本研究通过在野外建立的4个面积为50 m×30 m的封闭围栏,研究了繁殖期根田鼠种群密度对其种群统计参数及个体皮质酮水平的作用.在围栏设置高密度和低密度种群,测定了繁殖期根田鼠种群密度对种群补充率、存活率、变化率及个体皮质酮水平的作用.高密度种群的补充率和变化率较低密度种群显著降低,但其种群建群者存活率和子代存活率较低密度无显著变化.种群补充率和变化率分别与种群建群者数量呈显著回归关系.高密度处理建群者的血浆皮质酮含量和脾脏指数均显著高于低密度处理.上述结果说明,繁殖期根田鼠种群对其补充率和变化率存在密度制约作用,围栏种群建群者的数量是产生密度制约的唯一制约因子.密度制约与社群应激之间存在密切关联.社群应激可能是种群产生密度制约的近因之一.     

不同季节长爪沙鼠同生群的繁殖特征及其在生活史对策中的意义

通过剪趾和染毛双重标志的重捕跟踪途径, 结合行为观测研究了栖息于内蒙古农牧交错区草地生境的长爪沙鼠种群繁殖格局。按同生群分组分析的结果显示春季(4～5 月) 出生的雄鼠当年能达到性成熟的个体仅占34.6 % , 性成熟发育历期为3 个月, 其繁殖平均结束时间比越冬鼠早近1 个月。6 月以后出生的雄鼠当年达不到性成熟。达到性成熟的当年雄鼠在繁殖期结束前多数又转入性休止状态。当年雌鼠性成熟历期约2.5 月龄, 初次产仔时间在3.5 月龄左右。6 月份以后出生的雌鼠当年不参加繁殖。各同生群雌鼠1 年中最多产仔次数有差异,越冬鼠可产3～4 窝。4～5 月份出生的雌鼠当年可产1 窝。长爪沙鼠当年生雌、雄鼠非同步发育以及由性成熟的当年鼠与越冬鼠构成的繁殖格局有利于维持家群个体的适合度, 是该鼠生活史对策的重要特征之一。     

种群密度对高原鼠兔类固醇激素水平的影响

本研究于2003 年在野外条件下,通过比较不同密度种群间高原鼠兔的种群增长、4 种类固醇激素水平和肾上腺重量的变化,探讨种群密度与其内分泌水平间的相互关系。结果表明,在最高密度的种群内高原鼠兔种群密度增长最大,在最低密度种群内种群密度增长最小。繁殖盛期时高密度种群内雄性高原鼠兔血浆皮质酮水平显著高于低密度种群内个体,肾上腺重量在不同密度种群间也有显著差异,而血浆雌二醇、睾酮、皮质醇水平均未表现出种群密度间的显著变化。整个繁殖期内,高密度和低密度种群间高原鼠兔的皮质酮水平和肾上腺重量呈现不一致的季节变化模式,高密度种群内繁殖盛期和中期显著高于其它繁殖时期,低密度种群内则无明显变化。不同密度种群内高原鼠兔的雌二醇、睾酮、皮质醇水平的季节性变化具有相似的模式。本研究结果表明,在当前种群密度相对较低的自然情况下,高种群密度不能使高原鼠兔产生强烈的社群应激,从而限制其种群增长。     

布氏田鼠种群生理年龄结构的研究

本文根据胴体重分布将布氏田鼠划分为越冬鼠与当年鼠两组,然后再根据生理学指标将当年鼠划分为性成熟鼠(成年)和性未成熟鼠(幼年)。由于生理年龄与时间年龄不一致,故本文并不强调各种形态指标来划分时间年龄组。5月下半月以前种群主体为越冬鼠,但在当年鼠出现地表面后,当年鼠取代越冬鼠成为种群主体,到7月下半月越冬鼠已降到10％以下。当年生的幼鼠春季生长发育旺盛,很快成为当年成鼠。晚夏和秋季出生的个体当年性不发育成熟。秋季种群主体为当年幼鼠。越冬鼠和大部分当年成鼠从种群中消失。比较种群数量上升与下降年份,春季越冬鼠胴体重的轻重与第一批当年鼠(K_1)出现规模可能是种群数量升降的重要指标。     

布氏田鼠种群繁殖特征研究

越冬田鼠每年可繁殖3胎,第1胎幼仔生于4月下旬到6月上旬,第2胎幼仔生于5月中旬到7月上旬,第3胎幼仔生于6月中旬到7月下旬。种群上升年份(1987)各胎幼仔出生高峰比1988年的提前10天左右。1987年越冬鼠第1胎集中,如4月下半月,1987年怀孕率为100%,而1988年只有44.44%。6月上半月以前越冬鼠为种群繁殖的主体,而后被当年生鼠所取代。从4月下半月到9月上半月共出生4批同龄群。K₁和K₂组生长发育旺盛,当年就参加种群繁殖,可怀孕1—3胎。K₃组生长发育较慢,当年并不性成熟,越冬后性成熟成为种群越冬鼠的主体。K₄出生晚,数量少,很少能度过漫长寒冷的冬季而成为种群的无用或潜在的繁殖力量。本文还发现越冬鼠的平均胎仔数显著高于当年鼠：种群上升年份越冬鼠平均胎仔数高于种群下降年份,而当年生鼠的平均胎仔数年度间则没有显著性差异。     

安徽皇藏峪自然保护区青檀种群数量动态

根据野外调查资料编制皇藏峪自然保护区不同生境青檀种群的静态生命表,绘制存活曲线、死亡率曲线、消失率曲线以及4个生存函数曲线,分析种群数量特征。同时,结合种群动态量化方法和时间序列预测模型,分析种群数量动态变化。结果表明:1)不同生境青檀种群径级结构大体呈金字塔型,中、幼龄阶段个体数量丰富,老龄阶段个体数量相对较少,种群在发育过程中存在一定波动性,但种群数量变化动态指数Vpi和Vpi’(考虑外部干扰时)均大于零。种群属稳定增长型。2)不同生境青檀种群在幼龄阶段死亡率较高,随着龄级的增加,死亡率逐渐降低。进入生理衰老阶段时,阳坡、阴坡种群死亡率再次上升,而坡谷种群由于老龄个体受到较好保护,死亡率略有下降。3)不同生境存活曲线存在差异,阳坡、阴坡种群趋于Deevey-Ⅱ型,坡谷种群趋于Deevey-Ⅲ型。4)生存分析表明,阳坡、阴坡种群具有前期锐减、中期稳定、后期衰退的特点;坡谷种群表现为前期锐减、中后期稳定的特点。5)在未来2年、5年中,不同生境青檀种群呈增长趋势。     

EP-1 不育剂对长爪沙鼠野生种群增长的控制作用

长爪沙鼠在内蒙古地区的分布非常广泛,长期以来由其造成的“鼠害” 不仅给农牧业生产带来危害,而且还传播疾病。2009 年3 ～ 10 月,在内蒙古鄂尔多斯荒漠草原,利用复合不育剂左炔诺孕酮- 炔雌醚(EP-1)
对长爪沙鼠野生种群进行了不育控制试验研究。结果表明,复合不育剂EP-1 对长爪沙鼠种群结构和种群密度均有显著影响,在5 月和6 月两个繁殖高峰期,不育剂EP-1 显著降低了幼体出生的数量,实验区与对照区幼体组
成差异和成体组成差异均达到极显著(P < 0.01)。在8 ～ 10 月,实验区和对照区种群结构组成中,幼体之间、成体之间差异均达到显著和极显著(P < 0.05, P < 0.01)。在整个发育生长期,实验区长爪沙鼠幼体种群从6 月
份开始出现,9 月达到数量最高值,幼体种群全年呈现下降趋势。而对照区幼体种群从5 月份开始出现,且数量在5 月份达到全年的最高值,幼体种群与实验区相反呈增长趋势。实验区种群总体数量全年呈下降趋势,而对
照区相反,呈增长趋势。因此,复合不育剂EP-1 显著降低了长爪沙鼠种群的繁殖率、幼体出生比例和种群密度,可以对长爪沙鼠野生种群起到有效的繁殖控制作用,进而降低该鼠对农牧业生产的危害和对人类疾病传播
的风险。     

爆发型种群铜锤草增长的密度调节

“生态入侵”已成为国际上生态学领域关心的热点问题之一 ,尤其对引种引起的生态灾难已越来越受到人们的广泛关注。以引进种铜锤草为研究对象 ,通过实验从形态及数量动态、产量等方面考察铜锤草种群调控特点。研究表明 ,铜锤草种群的密度制约主要有以下特点 :①铜锤草单株构件具有随种群密度的增加调节自身数量和生物量的能力 ,以叶构件的数量和生物量对密度的反应最灵敏。②密度对种群数量动态的调节表现在个体和构件两个水平。铜锤草种群叶构件调节表现出各密度种群单株叶密度有如下趋势 :低密度种群 >中等密度种群 >高密度种群 ,而个体数量调节仅出现在高密种群。③密度对单株生物量和小鳞茎产量影响极显著 ;单株生物量与种群密度的关系基本符合 - 3/2幂定律 ,小鳞茎产量与种群密度也表现出近似的幂函数关系。     

西双版纳不同斑块望天树种群的密度、结构和生物量

 根据5个不同斑块的野外调查数据,分析了残存分布在西双版纳的国家一级保护稀有树种望天树（Parashorea chinensis）的种群密度与数量、 年龄结构与生物量动态, 组建了不同生长发育阶段的望天树个体生长与年龄的回归模型、个体生物量模型及种群年龄结构模型, 编制了不同 斑块的望天树种群及整个种群的静态生命表、存活曲线和年龄结构图。结果表明,不同斑块的望天树种群因种群年龄及所受到的干扰方式的不 同,其种群密度和年龄结构差异很大,不同年龄阶段的死亡率也不同。面积最小的斑块缺乏成熟个体,并出现龄级结构缺省的现象。不同斑块 局部种群的生物量随林龄的变化近似于Logistic增长,但各斑块局部种群的最大生物量以及生物量随时间的动态变化有所不同。整个种群的年 龄结构为稳定增长型种群,1～60龄的种群个体的死亡率随林龄的增加而下降,60～150龄的个体死亡率随林龄的增加而上升,180 龄后种群呈 现生理衰退,个体出现死亡高峰。种群的生物量在180 龄前呈Logistic 增长,此后,生物量下降。部分斑块受到严重的人为干扰,已严重威胁 其局部种群的生存。     

围栏条件下母体密度应激对根田鼠 F1代性器官指数的影响

为探讨自然条件下母体密度应激对根田鼠F1代性器官指数的影响,通过在围栏内建立不同密度的母体种群获得相应的F1代个体,以此建立了不同密度的子代种群,并测定了母体种群建群者的血浆皮质酮含量,将建立子代种群后剩余的F1代个体带回实验室饲养.实验结束后,测定了全部F1代个体的性器官指数及皮质酮含量.结果表明,高密度母体种群建群者的皮质酮含量显著高于低密度母体种群建群者;出生于高密度母体种群的F1代个体处于高密度子代种群,其性器官指数显著低于出生于低密度母体种群且处于低密度子代种群的F1代个体,而皮质酮含量显著高于后者;出生于高密度母体种群的F1代个体处于低密度子代种群,其性器官指数及皮质酮含量与出生于低密度母体种群且处于低密度子代种群的F1代个体间无显著差异.此外,实验室饲养条件下,出生于高密度和低密度母体种群的F1代个体间的睾丸指数无显著差异.本研究结果说明,在根田鼠种群中,单一的母体密度应激对子代的性器官指数无影响,但生前应激子代在性成熟后,当再次遭遇密度应激时,其性器官指数显著降低,母体密度应激和当前环境对种群的未来繁殖能力具有耦合效应.     

Reproductive characteristics of free-livingCalomys venustus (Rodentia, Muridae)

Calomys venustus showed a cyclic seasonal pattern of reproductive activity characterized by a period of repose and a variable length of the period of sexual activity between August—September to May—June. The study was done from 1983 to 1999. During this time the population density increased from October—November to the end of autumn and sharply decreased in winter. Three peaks in rate of pregnancy were recognized in the breeding period: spring, summer and late summer. The average litter size was different among the three peaks in rate of pregnancy. The reproductive pattern had a peak at the beginning of the spring produced by overwintering animals, and another peak in summer-autumn caused by the reproductive activity of young born in the same period in which they breed. The spring cohort exhibited the greatest breeding contribution suggesting that this cohort is principally responsible for the yearly peak in abundance.     

Some population dynamics of the Bank vole, Clethrionomys glareolus and the Wood mouse, Apodemus sylvaticus in mixed woodland

The population dynamics of Clethrionomys glareolus Schr.and Apodemus sylvaticus (L.) in mixed woodland in County Durham, were studied from March 1963 to January 1965. Two areas of 0.9 ha (2.25 acres) each were trapped monthly and information was obtained on population size, reproduction, survival and growth from marked animals.
Clethrionomys populations increased from June to an autumn peak; then declined, at first rapidly, but then more slowly in winter, before reaching a spring trough. The breeding season of Clethrionomys was from May to December; juveniles were caught from mid-June to December. Survival was in general poor during the breeding season but good at other times. Survival of young born early in the summer was particularly good on one of the areas and some individuals lived long enough to breed in two successive years. On both areas young born early in the year matured rapidly and bred in the year of their birth. Young born in late summer and early autumn ceased growing at a weight of about 14.5 g, remained immature, and formed the bulk of the overwintering population. Growth was completed at the time of sexual maturation the following spring.
Trapping failed to provide adequate samples of juvenile Apodemus in summer to account for subsequent recruitment. The possibility that a substantial proportion of the adult population of this species was also either trap shy or had emigrated temporarily is discussed. Breeding occurred from April until the following January, but the numbers trapped remained very low throughout the early months of the breeding season. Large scale recruitment of young fecund animals into the trap-revealed population occurred during the autumn. Apodemus males continued to grow rapidly during the winter.     

Energetics of a population of the isopod Asellus aquaticus: Life history and production

SUMMARY. A population of Asellus aquaticus in Wistow Lake, England, was sampled at monthly intervals from September 1973 to September 1974. The mean population density was 586 m⁻² in autumn 1973 but it fell to 67 m⁻² by autumn 1974. Evidence suggests that the lower density in autumn 1974 was due to premature mortality of gravid females. The cause of this is not known.
Gravid females were present from February to June and July to September, giving rise to spring and autumn cohorts. The larger members of the spring cohort reproduced in the autumn, the remainder in the following spring. The autumn cohort reproduced mainly in the following spring but later than the spring cohort. The bimodal length-frequency curves were analysed to separate the two cohorts and to estimate growth and production of each cohort separately. The overwintering spring cohort had a faster relative growth rate than the smaller individuals of the autumn cohort. Thus the spring cohort showed a P/B ratio of 2.62 for the period September–April compared with a ratio of 1.81 for the autumn cohort. The highest ratio of 6.42 was shown by the spring cohort in the summer (May–September).
Annual population production (P) was 3004.9 mg dry wt m⁻² from a mean biomass (B) of 757.2 mg dry wt m⁻². The P/B ratio of 3.96 is double the value reported for A. aquaticus in Sweden.     

Density-dependent variation in lifetime breeding success and natural and sexual selection in Soay rams

Variation in male lifetime breeding success (LBS) is central to understanding selection, yet it has rarely been measured in natural populations of large mammals. Here, we first describe variation in the opportunity for selection in cohorts of Soay rams (Ovis aries) on the archipelago of St. Kilda, Scotland, that were born during years of varying population density. Variation in LBS is closely coupled with demography, as rams born in years of low density following population crashes enjoy greater LBS than do those born in high-density years. Paradoxically, the opportunity for selection was greatest in the largest cohorts, those born in years of high population density, owing to low juvenile breeding success and overwinter survival. Variation in longevity and the contribution of nonbreeders were the most important components of the total variance in LBS in cohorts born in years of high density, while variation in fecundity was more important in cohorts born in low-density years. The opportunity for sexual selection is thus stronger in cohorts born in low-density years, as many rams in these cohorts survive to compete for mates as adults in subsequent ruts. Variation in population density in the year of birth also influenced the intensity of selection. Individuals born in years of high population density underwent strong natural selection in favor of longer hindlimbs over their first winter. In contrast, in cohorts born in low-density years, there was no natural selection on hindlimb in the first year of life. Longer hindlimbs were associated with increased fecundity over the entire lifetime of individuals born in low-density years. Natural and sexual selection thus act on the same trait in the same direction at different life-history stages in Soay rams, depending on the population density experienced in the year of birth.     

Effect of adults on juvenile reproduction of Calomys venustus (Muridae: Sigmodontinae)

Abstract We tested the hypothesis that adult overwintering Calomys venustus inhibit maturation and reproduction in young‐of‐the‐year from the first cohort. The study was carried out in four 0.25‐ha enclosures (two control and two experimental), each situated on natural pasture. This study was conducted between August 1997 and March 1999 and had two parts: removal of overwintering male (ROM) and removal of overwintering female (ROF). For the ROM treatment overwintering males were removed immediately after the first cohort of juveniles were born, in the ROF treatment overwintering females were removed after the first cohort were weaned. Weekly censuses were taken for three successive days over 6 weeks. The sexual maturation and reproductive condition of juveniles were compared between treatments (overwintering male or female removal) using repeated‐measures anova . The repeated measures factor was the age of juveniles. Removal of overwintering males and females did not affect sexual maturation of juveniles, however, overwintering males influenced the onset of reproductive activity of juvenile females at the beginning of the breeding period.     

川金丝猴圈养种群现状分析

川金丝猴(Rhinopithecus roxellartae)圈养种群大多饲养在中国的动物园中。根据《川金丝猴国际谱系簿2002》记录,到2002年12月31日种群存活数量185只,包括野外捕获个体和圈养出生个体。近年圈养出生数量一直保持增加,到2000年超过野外捕获个体数量,现在种群的增加更多地依靠圈养出生个体数量的增加。近12年中种群繁殖率不断提高。每年新生幼仔中野外捕获个体组产仔比率逐年减少,圈养出生个体组产仔比率逐年增大,但到2002年前者仍高于后者40％。两组动物的繁殖率都有上升趋势,野外捕获个体组的繁殖率大多高于圈养出生个体组的繁殖率,二者有明显差异。种群遗传状况是基因多样性保存量较高,各小种群的基因多样性却处于较整体低的水平。提高子代的繁殖率,增加各机构之间的合作繁殖以提高小种群的基因多样性保持量,这两者对于种群的健康发展是非常重要的。     

Some properties of Red deer (Cervus elaphus) at exceptionally high population-density in Scotland

This paper records some features of Red deer ( Cervus elaphus L.) at very high population density on a Scottish island. About half the total population was shot-out in autumn 1974, and half the remainder in autumn 1975, with special searches for deer which had died of natural causes during the intervening year. In all, the animals examined amounted to 80% of the original population, and from the data gathered it was possible to (i) assess the structure and reproductive features of the original population; (ii) examine the level of animal performance at this exceptionally high population-density; and (iii) check for any changes in performance arising from the initial reduction in density.
The sex-ratio of adults in the original population showed a small excess of hinds, stags being apparently subject to a higher mortality rate than hinds after about six years of age. In performance, these deer were much the same as those living elsewhere on Scottish hill-land at relatively high population-density, i.e. with delayed puberty and poor breeding rates in hinds, and with much smaller adults than in woodland habitats. But, contrary to expectation, the general level of performance was not unusually low for Red deer on Scottish hill-land, and there was no evidence of transmissible diseases or excessive parasitism. It was also surprising that the animals showed no improvements in performance following their first reduction; if anything, they were slightly poorer after one year at reduced density. This may have been a temporary consequence of the severe disruption of existing behaviour patterns brought about by the sudden loss of many groups of deer.     

Captive breeding of cheetahs in North American Zoos: 1987–1991

From 1987 to 1991, the North American captive cheetah population increased by 38% (to 266 animals), due to importation and captive breeding. This population constitutes 26% of the world's captive cheetahs and 36% of all reproductively successful animals. Since 1956, 33% of all cubs born in North America occurred during this 5-year period. Because of importation of animals from breeding programs abroad, East African (A. jubatus raineyi) genes have been introduced into the North American cheetah population, and 39% of all cubs born during 1987--1991 were South African/East African hybrids. Also during this time, the breeding population and effective breeding population increased by 86% and 72.6%, respectively. The incidence of infant mortality decreased from 37% (last recorded for the years 1956 to 1986) to 28% (averaged over 5 years), although infant mortality during the latter period ranged from 15% (for unrelated parents) to 41% (for related parents). Management recommendations implemented to increase fecundity and population size appear to be successful, although the founder base of the population still has only been increased from 52 cheetahs in 1986 to 72 animals in 1991. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The life history and production of Asellus aquaticus (Crustacea: Isopoda) in the River Ely, South Wales

SUMMARY. A population of the isopod Asellus aquaticus was studied for sixteen months in the organically polluted River Ely. South Wales. There were two complete generations each year. The overwintering population released young (the spring-brood) over the period April-June. These animals in turn produced their own offspring (summer-brood) in late July-October. Each generation died after breeding and the overwintering population was comprised entirely of animals from the summer-brood.
Seasonal patterns of mortality were related to water flow, temperature and life-cycle stage. Individual growth rates were affected by both temperature and life-cycle stage.
Annual population production (P) was 195.68 g wet wt m^-2, mean annual biomass (B) was 32.98 g wet wt m^-2 and the annual P/B ratio was 5.93.     

Experiments on Spirulina culture on waste-effluent media and at the pilot plant

The prevalence of the microsporidian, Nosema herpobdellae, in the leech, Erpobdella octoculata, collected from a eutrophic English lake, was examined at monthly intervals over two years. The leech has an annual life cycle and, for each cohort, infection appeared in recently recruited animals in early autumn and prevalence levels rose to a peak in late autumn or winter before declining till the cohort died out the following autumn. Prevalence levels never exceeded 9%. The effect of the parasite on young leeches was difficult to assess, but there was some evidence of parasite-induced host mortality in older animals.