Present Status of Protection on Chinese Alligator' s Population and Habitat

扬子鳄(Alligator sinensis)是我国特有的古老而珍稀的爬行动物,现阶段野生扬子鳄的分布区域进一步萎缩,成为彼此孤立的点状,残存栖息地的生态环境趋于恶化,野生鳄数量估计为120 ～150条,老年化程度高.扬子鳄的保护管理依据现实状况及时加以调整,加大了野外保护力度,逐步改善野生鳄的栖息生境,实施野外放归工程,初步遏制了野生鳄数量迅速下滑的局面.人工饲养种群数量已逾10 000条,当前人工饲养繁殖的重点是管理好有限的遗传多样性资源.扬子鳄的研究主要涉及形态学、解剖学、组织胚胎学、生态学、生理生化、细胞及分子生物学,人工饲养繁殖技术等方面.营养生理和保护遗传学的应用研究有待加强.     

我国扬子鳄种群及栖息地保护现状

扬子鳄(Alligator sinensis)是我国特有的古老而珍稀的爬行动物,现阶段野生扬子鳄的分布区域进一步萎缩,成为彼此孤立的点状,残存栖息地的生态环境趋于恶化,野生鳄数量估计为120～150条,老年化程度高。扬子鳄的保护管理依据现实状况及时加以调整,加大了野外保护力度,逐步改善野生鳄的栖息生境,实施野外放归工程,初步遏制了野生鳄数量迅速下滑的局面。人工饲养种群数量已逾10 000条,当前人工饲养繁殖的重点是管理好有限的遗传多样性资源。扬子鳄的研究主要涉及形态学、解剖学、组织胚胎学、生态学、生理生化、细胞及分子生物学,人工饲养繁殖技术等方面。营养生理和保护遗传学的应用研究有待加强。     

人工养殖扬子鳄野放初期的活动观察

2003年4月27日,将经过兽医检查挑选出来的两雌一雄人工养殖的健康成年扬子鳄(Alligator sinensis)释放到安徽宣城红星扬子鳄保护点,利用无线电遥测技术测定其释放初期4周内的活动区域,共记录372个位点;还通过白天望远镜观察和夜间灯光计数法观察了它们的活动情况。结果显示：3条扬子鳄经过3-14d后处于不同的稳定区域内,具领域特征;雄性个体的活动区域大于雌性,日活动区域面积的变化也大于雌性;局部环境选择上均趋向靠近岸边并具有茂密植被的区域。     

野放前候选扬子鳄泄殖腔的细菌鉴定

扬子鳄(Alligator sinensis)是中国濒危的物种,野生鳄种群已濒临灭绝。通过放归工程,将挑选饲养鳄放养到野外去扩大野生种群。本文的研究目的是通过检测扬子鳄的健康状况为扬子鳄的筛选提供依据。从 25 条准备进行野放的扬子鳄泄殖腔中筛选出 13 种形态不同的菌株。应用细菌学和分子生物学方法,鉴定它们分别属于 6个属的 8 个种和一个未分类的菌;从扬子鳄生活的水体中筛选出 8 种形态不同的菌株,鉴定它们分别属于 1 个属的 4 个种。经分析,除了未分类的菌之外,从扬子鳄泄殖腔中分离得到的菌株都是非致病性的且不同于扬子鳄生活水体中分离的菌株,因此可以认为这些扬子鳄是健康的,可以野放。由于从标记为 AS12 的扬子鳄体内分离到一个分类地位尚未确定的菌,对它的生理生化特征进行了检测,但这种菌的致病性方面特征尚不清楚,建议不考虑野放标记为 AS12 的扬子鳄个体。     

野放前候选扬子鳄泄殖腔的细菌鉴定(英文）

扬子鳄(Alligator sinensis)是中国濒危的物种,野生鳄种群已濒临灭绝。通过放归工程,将挑选饲养鳄放养到野外去扩大野生种群。本文的研究目的是通过检测扬子鳄的健康状况为扬子鳄的筛选提供依据。从25条准备进行野放的扬子鳄泄殖腔中筛选出13种形态不同的菌株。应用细菌学和分子生物学方法,鉴定它们分别属于6个属的8个种和一个未分类的菌;从扬子鳄生活的水体中筛选出8种形态不同的菌株,鉴定它们分别属于1个属的4个种。经分析,除了未分类的菌之外,从扬子鳄泄殖腔中分离得到的菌株都是非致病性的且不同于扬子鳄生活水体中分离的菌株,因此可以认为这些扬子鳄是健康的,可以野放。由于从标记为AS12的扬子鳄体内分离到一个分类地位尚未确定的菌,对它的生理生化特征进行了检测,但这种菌的致病性方面特征尚不清楚,建议不考虑野放标记为AS12的扬子鳄个体。     

中国扬子鳄（Aligator sinensis）物种资源现状

１９９４年８～９月,对安徽扬子鳄国家级自然保护区扬子鳄资源进行了抽样调查,见到有鳄活动痕迹的洞口１０４个,用光点计数法实见鳄７７条,访问法计数为２５３条,由此分析保护区内有鳄６６７～７４０条,其种群年龄锥体为上宽下窄,反映出扬子鳄在野外生存形势严峻。该年,安徽省扬子鳄繁殖研究中心存鳄４３７６条,其中种鳄２４８条,孵化幼鳄１５４２条,其它不等龄鳄２５８６条,种群年龄锥体为上窄下宽,是一个迅速增长的种群,生存形势良好     

中国扬子鳄(Alligator sinensis)物种资源现状

1994年8～9月,对安徽扬子鳄国家级自然保护区扬子鳄资源进行了抽样调查,见到有鳄活动痕迹的洞口104个,用光点计数法实见鳄77条,访问法计数为253条,由此分析保护区内有鳄667～740条,其种群年龄锥体为上宽下窄,反映出扬子鳄在野外生存形势严峻。该年,安徽省扬子鳄繁殖研究中心存鳄4376条,其中种鳄248条,孵化幼鳄1542条,其它不等龄鳄2586条,种群年龄锥体为上窄下宽,是一个迅速增长的种群,生存形势良好。     

影响扬子鳄产蛋量的因素分析

1997～2006年对安徽省扬子鳄繁殖研究中心内的扬子鳄亲本、F1代和F2代繁殖鳄群体在冬眠环境条件、采食量、年龄等方面进行观察,对各代繁殖鳄的年产蛋数量进行统计。用SPSS11.0软件中的one-way ANOVA方法分析比较人工饲养鳄各代群体之间及人工饲养鳄与野生鳄群体之间年产蛋数量的变化关系,结果显示区域内扬子鳄所建造的洞穴数量和其所建造洞穴的质量决定着圈养鳄的冬眠质量,鳄的冬眠质量影响到鳄体内的性腺系统正常发育,最终影响扬子鳄次年能否参加产蛋;年采食量影响鳄的产蛋数量。通过第1、2、5年间产蛋量F值检验(F值=4.866,P=0.009<0.05),得出圈养条件下扬子鳄的产蛋数量是随着产龄的增加而呈增长的趋势。     

扬子鳄的保护遗传学研究进展

保护遗传学是主要研究与灭绝风险相关的遗传因素以及如何利用遗传学管理方法降低物种灭绝风险的科学,是保护生物学和分子遗传学的交叉学科.近几十年来,遗传学研究在生物多样性保护的理论和实践中发挥着越来越重要的作用.本文回顾了AFLP、mtDNA D-loop、RAPD、微卫星DNA、MHC等DNA分子标记技术在扬子鳄的样品采集、生物多样性、个体鉴定、繁殖管理、野外放归等保护遗传学方面研究所取得的一些进展.对扬子鳄保护的工作提出了建议:重建扬子鳄的谱系;加大对扬子鳄的放归力度;加强饲养种群之间的基因交流;借鉴密河鳄的管理经验.     

建议开展扬子鳄保护遗传学和开发利用研究

扬子鳄是一种人工饲养繁殖成功的濒危野生动物。１９９２年获ＣＩＴＥＳ成员大会批准,允许子二代鳄的商业性开发利用。作者分析了我国扬鳄保护、养殖现状和扬子鳄群体的跗特征,认为一方面扬子鳄野生资源仍受到威胁,另一方面随着饲养各群数量的增加,养殖费用不断增长,扬子鳄在潜在经济价值也示能实现。鉴于此,提出加强动用现代生物技术对扬鳄保护遗传学和开发利用研究的建议。     

利用卫星追踪颈圈对圈养野生双峰驼野化放归的监测

2012-2014年,通过对甘肃敦煌西湖国家级自然保护区野化放归的两峰野生双峰驼（Camelus ferus）佩带卫星追踪颈圈进行跟踪监测,利用最小凸多边形法和内核法开展了放归生境中野骆驼的活动范围和空间利用研究。研究期间,分别进行了22个月(ID:108444)和9个月(ID:108445)的跟踪监测,获得了3403个(ID:108444) 和1573个(ID:108445)定位成功的GPS位点。野骆驼放归后的前两个月仍存在一定的对圈养环境的依赖,两个月后野骆驼的活动范围开始向外扩展,直至四个月后,基本扩展至整个放养的围栏,活动范围分别从9.5109 km²增加到19.3694 km2 (ID:108444),8.8943 km² 增加到19.4192 km² (ID:108445)。整个监测期间,95% Kernel活动范围分别为7.7181km² (ID:108444) 和 3.0321 km² (ID:108445)。从整个监测期间(ID:108444)的50% Kernel活动范围（0.2811 km²）来看,野骆驼整个放归期间仍然比较依赖原先的圈养环境;野骆驼存在对胡杨疏林的偏好;同时,放归的野骆驼仍然保持了对人的亲近行为。从2013年整年来看,放归野骆驼实际生境利用,春、秋两季范围大,夏、冬两季范围较小。放归的野骆驼不同季节对主要生境的利用也有所不同,最为明显的是夏季,野骆驼活动范围集中在荒漠地区,避开植被多的区域以避免蚊虫叮咬。本研究进一步了解了野骆驼的行为习性及其适应环境的行为对策,为野骆驼圈养种群的科学管理和进一步野化放归提供了理论依据。     

Stocking of captive-bred fish can cause long-term population decline and gene pool replacement: predictions from a population dynamics model incorporating density-dependent mortality

Releasing captive-bred fish into natural environments (stocking) is common in fisheries worldwide. Although stocking is believed to have a positive effect on fish abundance over the short term, little is known about the long-term consequences of recurrent stocking and its influence on natural populations. In fact, there are growing concerns that genetically maladapted captive-bred fish can eventually reduce the abundance of natural population. In this study, we develop a simple model to quantitatively investigate the condition under which recurrent stocking has long-term effects on the natural population. Using a population dynamics model that takes into account a density-dependent recruitment, a gene responsible for the fitness difference between wild and captive-bred fish, and hybridization between them, we show that there is little or no contribution of recurrent stocking to the stock enhancement without a replacement of the wild gene pool by the captive-bred gene pool. The model further predicted that stocking of an intermediate level causes a reduction, rather than enhancement, of population size over the long term. The population decline due to stocking was attributed to the fitness disadvantage of captive-bred fish and strong overcompensation at recruitment stage. These results suggest that it would be difficult to simultaneously attain population size recovery and conservation of the local gene pool when captive-bred fish have fitness disadvantage in the wild, although caution is needed when applying the predictions from the simplified model to a specific species or population.     

Serological survey of virus infection among wild house mice (Mus domesticus) in the UK

The serological prevalence of 13 murine viruses was surveyed among 103 wild-caught and 51 captive-bred house mice (Mus domesticus), originating from several trapping locations in northwest England, using blood samples obtained during routine health screening of an established wild mouse colony. A high proportion of recently caught wild mice were seropositive for mouse hepatitis virus (86%), mouse cytomegalovirus (79%), mouse thymic virus (78%), mouse adenovirus (68%), mouse parvovirus (59%) and minute virus of mice (41%). Seroprevalences of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), orthopoxvirus, reovirus-3 and murid herpesvirus 4 (MuHV-4, also called murine gamma-herpesvirus [MHV-68]) were low (3-13%), and no animals were seropositive to Sendai virus, pneumonia virus or polyomavirus. Seroprevalence in wild-caught animals that had been in captivity for over six months was generally consistent with the range found in recently caught wild animals, while seroprevalence was generally much lower in captive-bred mice despite no attempt to prevent viral spread. A notable exception to this was LCMV, which appeared to have spread efficiently through the captive population (both captive-bred and wild-caught animals). Given the known viral life cycles in laboratory mice, it appears that viral persistence in the host was an important contributing factor in the spread of infection in captivity.     

Carry-over effect of captive breeding reduces reproductive fitness of wild-born descendants in the wild

Supplementation of wild populations with captive-bred organisms is a common practice for conservation of threatened wild populations. Yet it is largely unknown whether such programmes actually help population size recovery. While a negative genetic effect of captive breeding that decreases fitness of captive-bred organisms has been detected, there is no direct evidence for a carry-over effect of captive breeding in their wild-born descendants, which would drag down the fitness of the wild population in subsequent generations. In this study, we use genetic parentage assignments to reconstruct a pedigree and estimate reproductive fitness of the wild-born descendants of captive-bred parents in a supplemented population of steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The estimated fitness varied among years, but overall relative reproductive fitness was only 37 per cent in wild-born fish from two captive-bred parents and 87 per cent in those from one captive-bred and one wild parent (relative to those from two wild parents). Our results suggest a significant carry-over effect of captive breeding, which has negative influence on the size of the wild population in the generation after supplementation. In this population, the population fitness could have been 8 per cent higher if there was no carry-over effect during the study period.     

Genetic admixture between captive-bred and wild individuals affects patterns of dispersal in a brown trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmo trutta</Emphasis>) population

Genetic admixture between captive-bred and wild individuals has been demonstrated to affect many individual traits, although little is known about its potential influence on dispersal, an important trait governing the eco-evolutionary dynamics of populations. Here, we quantified and described the spatial distribution of genetic admixture in a brown trout (Salmo trutta) population from a small watershed that was stocked until 1999, and then tested whether or not individual dispersal parameters were related to admixture between wild and captive-bred fish. We genotyped 715 fish at 17 microsatellite loci sampled from both the mainstream and all populated tributaries, as well as 48 fish from the hatchery used to stock the study area. First, we used Bayesian clustering to infer local genetic structure and to quantify genetic admixture. We inferred first generation migrants to identify dispersal events and test which features (genetic admixture, sex and body length) affected dispersal parameters (i.e. probability to disperse, distance of dispersal and direction of the dispersal event). We identified two genetic clusters in the river basin, corresponding to wild fish on the one hand and to fish derived from the captive strain on the other hand, allowing us to define an individual gradient of admixture. Individuals with a strong assignment to the captive strain occurred almost exclusively in some tributaries, and were more likely to disperse towards a tributary than towards a site of the mainstream. Furthermore, dispersal probability increased as the probability of assignment to the captive strain increased, and individuals with an intermediate level of admixture exhibited the lowest dispersal distances. These findings show that various dispersal parameters may be biased by admixture with captive-bred genotypes, and that management policies should take into account the differential spread of captive-bred individuals in wild populations.     

Intraspecific differences in behaviour and physiology: effects of captive breeding on patterns of torpor in feathertail gliders

Studies on the physiology of mammals and birds are often conducted using captive-bred individuals and it is commonly assumed that the resulting data are representative of individuals living in the field. To investigate whether these assumptions are justified, we quantified morphological, behavioural, and physiological variables of the small marsupial feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus). We compared three populations: (i) individuals from a cool-temperate, montane area, (ii) individuals form a subtropical, coastal area, and (iii) captive-bred individuals. Captive-bred gliders differed from the montane field gliders in morphology (longer tails and snouts), behaviour (longer activity periods) and physiology (less frequent torpor, shorter torpor, shallower torpor, higher metabolic rates during rest and torpor, and slower rates of rewarming). Most of these differences were also apparent between the captive-bred and the coastal field gliders. Unlike both field populations, captive-bred gliders often became hypothermic and were unable to rewarm. In contrast to the other physiological variables, the minimum body temperatures defended during torpor and the corresponding air temperatures differed between the montane and coastal field gliders, but were similar in coastal field and captive-bred gliders. Our study shows that morphology, behaviour and physiology can be strongly affected by breeding in or acclimation to captivity. The poor expression of torpor and thermal performance of the captive-bred gliders raises the question of whether they possess the physiological capability for survival in the wild. Even though captive breeding appears to have only minor effects on some physiological variables, data from captive-bred individuals should only be extrapolated to the field with caution.     

Multiplex PCR amplification of 13 microsatellite loci for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aquila chrysaetos</Emphasis> in forensic applications

The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is an endangered raptor, which is threatened mainly by illegal egg and nestling robbery. Here we describe a fluorescently labeled, multiplex PCR method using 13 microsatellite markers, which provides a powerful tool for the individual identification and parentage testing of the Golden eagle. This test should be applicable to both forensic analysis and population studies. Fifteen polymorphic loci from A. chrysaetos were cross-amplified. Subsequent PCR condition optimization led to the successful co-amplification of 13 different loci in a single PCR reaction. Fifty samples from wild-living individuals and 89 samples from captive-bred individuals were examined. The results indicated that both populations have similar levels of moderate inbreeding, unsurprising in a small population. This probability of excluding a random individual in parentage analysis was 0.9912 for the wild population and 0.9932 in the captive-bred one in the case that both the individual and its mother were examined together. The probability of identity was estimated to be 3 × 10⁻⁸ for the wild and 4 × 10⁻⁸ for the captive-bred populations. Given the size of the Slovak golden eagle population, this test should therefore be sufficient to reliably identify individual raptors and assess parentage in both conservation studies and forensic analysis.     

Probable genetic origin for a large number of cataracts among captive-bred vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops)

During a period of 6 years, uni- or bilateral cataracts occurred in 55 captive-bred vervet monkeys, representing 27.6% of all offspring produced in that time. Fifty-eight percent of all cases were detectable only by ophthalmoscopy. A total of 30% of cases were offspring of wild-caught parents, 40% from first-generation captive-bred parents, 4% from second-generation captive-bred parents, and 26% from parents of which one was wild caught. Cataracts that could be observed macroscopically appeared at about 6-8 mo of age. A sample of juvenile vervet monkeys with cataracts and their parents had no antibodies against rubella virus, herpes simplex virus, or toxoplasma gondi, and all except two wild-caught breeding females had no antibodies against cytomegalovirus. Plasma vitamin D3 (25 [OH] D), calcium, phosphorus, and glucose concentrations of six cataract cases were comparable to a control group of healthy individuals. The exclusion of these extraneous factors, as well as the fact that the majority of all cases were related, was considered evidence of hereditary etiology. Males and females that had either produced offspring with cataracts or were related to individuals with cataracts were replaced. To date, 35 babies have been born, and no new cases have since occurred.     

Assortative mating among animals of captive and wild origin following experimental conservation releases

Captive breeding is a high profile management tool used for conserving threatened species. However, the inevitable consequence of generations in captivity is broad scale and often-rapid phenotypic divergence between captive and wild individuals, through environmental differences and genetic processes. Although poorly understood, mate choice preference is one of the changes that may occur in captivity that could have important implications for the reintroduction success of captive-bred animals. We bred wild-caught house mice for three generations to examine mating patterns and reproductive outcomes when these animals were simultaneously released into multiple outdoor enclosures with wild conspecifics. At release, there were significant differences in phenotypic (e.g. body mass) and genetic measures (e.g. G_st and F) between captive-bred and wild adult mice. Furthermore, 83% of offspring produced post-release were of same source parentage, inferring pronounced assortative mating. Our findings suggest that captive breeding may affect mating preferences, with potentially adverse implications for the success of threatened species reintroduction programmes.