中国亚洲象取食植物种类统计与分析

2016年1月至2017年12月,分别采用样线法和跟踪调查法对中国境内分布的野生亚洲象和云南西双版纳亚洲象种源繁育与救助中心的10头圈养亚洲象放养时取食植物进行调查,经分类鉴定,共收集到亚洲象取食植物111种,分属29目、42科、77属,其中新增亚洲象取食植物57种,分属于21目、32科、44属。与文献中记载的中国亚洲象植物性食物进行了汇总,统计得到新的中国亚洲象植物性食物名录,共计32目、62科、162属、240种。多样性分析结果显示,G-F多样性指数为0.84,表明中国野生及圈养亚洲象取食的植物具有较高的多样性,这些植物涉及蕨类植物门、裸子植物门和被子植物门。其中,圈养亚洲象采食植物种类共84种,西双版纳境内圈养亚洲象以禾本科(Gramineae)的甘蔗(Saccharum spp.)、玉米(Zea mays)、马唐(Digitaria spp.)、象草(Pennisetum purpureum)、粽叶芦(Thysanolaena latifolia)等为主要食物,而国内其它地方(北京动物园、广州动物园和昆明动物园)圈养的亚洲象主要饲喂高粱属(Sorghum)的高粱(S.bicolor)或苏丹草(S.sudanense)等。因此,在将来开展野生亚洲象栖息地保护、恢复及食物源基地项目规划与建设时应规避农作物和经济作物,优选亚洲象喜食、速生、生物量大的土著物种,如野芭蕉、棕叶芦、董棕、构树、重阳木、中平树、马唐属及竹类等植物,按照不同季节进行套种,为亚洲象提供更多可口食物。对于圈养亚洲象,需要设计足够面积的食物源基地供放养,补充食物种类,增加运动量,增强体质,提高其生活质量。     

云南思茅亚洲象对栖息地的选择与利用

以思茅市境内栖居的一个由5头雌象(3头成年体,1头亚成体,1头幼体)组成的象群为研究对象,利用痕迹追踪、样线调查和村庄调查等方法对野生亚洲象的栖息地选择和行为进行了初步研究。在栖息地中共记录到野生高等植物457种,组成5种植被类型。旱季象群的活动区域面积是35．67km^2,该活动区域中有3个核心活动区,面积分别是3．65km^2,2．79km^2和3．29km^2,象群对此3个活动核心区域循环利用;在旱季亚洲象经常取食19种野生植物,其中主要取食的有8种,还取食7种农作物,对农作物有一定依赖性,这种依赖的程度随着农田周围森林中野生食物丰富程度的增加而降低;在季雨林中亚洲象主要取食的植物种类最丰富。雨季象群的活动区域面积是18．42km^2,该区域中只有1个核心活动区,面积9．08km^2。雨季亚洲象只取食5种野生植物,另取食5种农作物,农作物为其雨季主要食物。研究结果表明,思茅地区亚洲象栖息地中的野生食物可能不足,人类活动对亚洲象的生存干扰较为严重,亚洲象的行为表现出对栖息地内食物条件和人类干扰的适应。建议尽快遏止日益严重的栖息地片断化趋势,恢复自然植被并为亚洲象提供充足的野生食物是保护该物种的关键。     

西双版纳亚洲象食物源基地对缓解人象冲突的效应

建设食物源基地的目的是招引亚洲象返回保护区深处而减少周边村寨的人象冲突.2005-2010年对勐养子保护区食物源基地内亚洲象活动的监测数据进行统计,分析亚洲象在基地的活动规律,结合基地周边村寨的亚洲象肇事情况,研究了基地对亚洲象和周边村寨的影响,以探讨基地对缓解人象冲突的效应.结果表明:基地提供大量食物招引亚洲象,对缓解人象冲突有一定作用;亚洲象在基地活动的月节律和日节律与当地农作物的播种、成熟时间以及日常劳作时序基本一致;食物匮乏时,亚洲象取食引种的外来植物王草,或是进入周边村寨取食作物,并出现距离基地越近,亚洲象肇事越严重的现象.因此,认为食物源基地建设应格外关注其位置布局和更恰当的植物配置.     

小兴安岭地区原麝冬季食性研究

2004年2—3月和2004年11月至2005年1月在黑龙江省通河县龙口林场,对原麝冬季的食性进行了研究。采用粪便显微组织学分析技术分析原麝冬季采食植物的种类组成和比例,并测定了主要取食的9种木本植物及苔藓和蕨类植物的营养成分。研究结果表明,原麝冬季取食的植物共计46科66种,其中兴安杜鹃、光萼溲疏、五角槭、羊胡子苔草分别占32．7％、7．8％、5．81％、5．56％,是原麝冬季主要取食的植物种类,占取食植物的51．9％。木本植物枝叶是原麝冬季的主要食物,在冬季食物组成中所占百分比最高,达75．0％。对草本植物、蕨类、苔藓、地衣的取食量均较小。冬季原麝比较喜欢采食蛋白含量高的植物,采食部位主要为植物木质化较低的当年枝顶端部分。藓类主要出现在1—3月份的食物中。     

托勒南山半圈养白唇鹿食性分析

利用粪便显微分析法和选择指数(E)对白唇鹿粪样28份(暖季)和20份(冷季)进行研究。结果表明,粪样中可识别植物碎片9科15种(属),以莎草科、禾本科、豆科、蔷薇科和蓼科植物为主,莎草科占71.75%±0.74%,其次为禾本科(13.4%±0.89%)、豆科(3.23%±0.37%)、蓼科(2.19%±0.2%)、蔷薇科(1.62%±0.29%)。白唇鹿对食物有很强的选择性,栖息地主要植物有16科68种,而白唇鹿取食9科15种(属)食物,7种(属)植物呈正选择,1种(属)植物呈随机选择,4种(属)植物呈负选择。     

小兴安岭通河林区斑羚冬季食性分析

2004年1～3月在小兴安岭通河林区,使用粪便显微组织学分析方法并结合野外食痕调查,对斑羚（Naemorhedus goral）的冬季食性进行了分析研究。结果表明,斑羚冬季主要以枯草、落叶和当年生枝条为食,共取食20属,22种植物。通过频率转换分析发现,莎草科的羊胡子苔草（Carex callitrichos）和杜鹃花科的兴安杜鹃（Rhododendron dauricum）是其冬季的大宗食物,占食物的百分比分别为31．72％和18．14％。此外,斑羚冬季对苔藓、杨柳科和木犀科植物的取食频次也较高,其百分比分别为7．30％、6．87％和5．25％．     

贺兰山野化牦牛冬春季食性

2008年11-12月和2009年4-5月对贺兰山野化牦牛的冬季和春季食性进行了分析,在其分布的哈拉乌沟收集冬季粪样500 g,春季粪样498 g,利用粪便显微分析法分析贺兰山牦牛取食植物的种类组成和比例,结果表明,冬季牦牛取食11科20种(属)植物,主要取食禾本科(59.10%)和菊科(26.05%)植物,其中针茅(35.86%)、冷蒿(23.96%)、冰草(8.28%)、莎草(7.60%)、虎尾草(6.81%)、芦苇(6.58%)构成了冬季食物总量的89.09%,为冬季主要食物。春季取食植物11科21种(属)植物,主要取食禾本科(52.76%)和莎草科(18.80%)植物,其中针茅(22.72%)、莎草(18.80%)、冰草(13.23%)、狗尾草(9.93%)、唐松草(6.46%)、冷蒿(6.31%)占春季食物总量的77.45%,为春季主要食物。此外,冬春季均取食一定量的毛茛科和豆科植物。冬春季针茅都是贺兰山野化牦牛的大宗食物。冬季食物生态位宽度低于春季,而Shannon-Wiener指数和Pielou均匀度指数均高于春季。     

内蒙古赛罕乌拉国家级自然保护区中华斑羚的季节性食物构成分析

食物是影响野生动物生存的关键因子之一,食性研究是了解野生动物与其生存环境关系的重要内容,也是评价动物生存状况和栖息地质量的基础工作。通过粪便显微分析法对内蒙古赛罕乌拉国家级自然保护区中华斑羚Naemorhedus griseus的食物季节性构成分析,发现中华斑羚全年取食植物16科27属31种,冬季取食植物种类与其他各季节的差异有高度统计学意义(χ~2=28.865,P0.001),食物种类明显低于其他3个季节。各季节取食乔木的比例均最低,且冬季取食乔木种类仅1种。全年取食非禾本科草本种类各季节的差异有高度统计学意义(χ~2=17.213,P0.001),冬季明显低于其他季节。Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和食物生态位宽度由高到低依次为夏季、秋季、春季、冬季,而Pielou均匀度指数由高到低依次为夏季、秋季、冬季、春季。本研究结果表明,中华斑羚的食物选择对栖息地的植被变化具有一定适应性,受植物丰富度和可食部位,以及自身的季节性活动范围和能量平衡等因素的综合影响。     

藏羚的觅食生物学

介绍了可可西里地区藏羚（Pantholops hodgsoni）的取食生境、取食行为以及食物组成等。藏羚的取食生境主要为高寒草甸和高寒草甸草原,分别由3种和5种草场型构成,建群种为紫花针茅类;取食的植物种类多达430多种,主要为禾本科和莎草科的植物;取食行为全天发生频繁,一般集中在上午10：00-11：00和傍晚18：00-19：002个时段;消化能力极强。     

西双版纳勐海县勐阿水库对亚洲象迁移活动和人—象冲突的潜在影响

2020年1—12月,采用半结构式访查法、痕迹跟踪调查法和无人机跟踪调查法相结合的方法,对拟建西双版纳勐海县勐阿水库涉及区域的亚洲象种群结构、迁移路线等进行了调查,并采用样方法和3S技术对该区域亚洲象取食植物和栖息地适宜性进行了调查和分析,以探讨拟建勐阿水库可能对亚洲象迁移活动和人—象冲突的潜在影响。结果表明：(1)拟建勐阿水库区域活动的亚洲象小种群被称为澜沧江西部种群或西双版纳勐海—普洱澜沧种群,仅由19头亚洲象(10头雄性,9头雌性)组成,有2条亚洲象迁移路线穿越该区域;(2)在研究区域共统计到亚洲象取食植物12目19科32属33种,基本能满足该象群的取食需求;(3)海拔、坡度、植被隐蔽度及食物资源等生态因子的适宜性分析结果显示,大部分区域(包括占总面积14.61%的最适生境和占总面积82.05%的相对适宜生境)都能满足该亚洲象小种群的基本生活需求;(4)2条亚洲象迁移路线中的1条将因水库建设而阻断,迫使该象群改变原来的迁移路线;(5)水库淹没区的植被将被永久破坏,原本连片的适宜栖息地也将受到进一步切割和压缩影响;(6)当食物资源无法满足亚洲象生存需求时,它们可能会选择进入可在较短时间内获得大量食物的农耕区取食农作物和经济作物,随着人流、车流大量增加,亚洲象与人相遇的概率也会大幅度增加。分析认为,拟建勐阿水库将淹没1条迁移通道,对亚洲象迁移活动造成阻碍,迫使象群改变路线,还可能导致更为严重的人—象冲突。建议在水库工程设计和建设过程中采取有效的保护管理措施,减少工程项目对亚洲象种群及其栖息地的负面影响;水库建设和管理部门、林业和草原管理部门等应加强对亚洲象活动的监测和预警,避免亚洲象肇事造成人员伤亡和更大的经济损失。     

Diet composition and foraging ecology of Asian elephants in Shangyong, Xishuangbanna, China

The composition of the diet and the foraging ecology of the Asian elephant in its natural habitat were studied from 1998 to 2000 in the Shangyong National Natural Reserve located at Xishuangbanna, China, using field observation and dung analysis. A total of 106 plant species were recorded as being eaten by Asian elephants, 83 of which were identified in the elephants' dung. The plant families that contributed to a major proportion of the elephants' diet in the study area were: Gramineae (8 spp., 10.0%), Moraceae (7 spp., 9.9%), Papilionaceae (4 spp., 8.4%), Araliaceae (3 spp., 6.6%), Vitaceae (3 spp., 5.7%), Apocynaceae (3 spp., 4.6%), Musaceae (1 spp., 4.2%), Zingiberaceae (3 spp., 3.7%), Myrsinaceae (3 spp., 3.6%), Rosaceae (3 spp., 3.6%), Euphorbiaceae (5 spp., 3.3%), Ulmaceae (2 spp., 3.0%) and Mimosaceae (4 spp., 2.9%). The most important plants in the elephants' diet were Ficus spp. (Moraceae, 9.0%), Dendrocalamus spp. (Gramineae, 4.5%), Musa acuminata (Musaceae, 4.2%), Microstegium ciliatum (Gramineae, 3.5%) and Amalocalyx yunnanensis (Apocynaceae, 3.1%). Asian elephants consumed a variety of plants in terms of life forms, including trees, vines, shrubs and herbs. Early successional plant species constitute a higher proportion of the diet than late successional plants (42 spp. taking 59% vs. 32 spp. taking 37%). Browsing species accounted for a larger proportion of the diet compared to grazing species (77 spp. taking 91% vs. 6 spp. taking 9%). The number of plant taxa (species, genus, family) in elephants' diet each month negatively correlated with monthly rainfall and mean temperature. The study may help to develop proper strategies for wildlife management especially with regard to the human-elephant conflict, which is now a serious issue in the conservation of Asian elephants in this area.     

Working with mahouts to explore the diet of work elephants in Myanmar (Burma)

At an elephant camp in central Myanmar (Burma), we interviewed mahouts and veterinarians to describe the diet of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in a mixed-deciduous forest. Elephants showed a broad dietary breadth (103 plant species from 42 families); consumed mostly browse (94% of plant species); and were very selective about plant parts [e.g., many trees were eaten exclusively for their bark (22%) or fruits (14%)]. The fruits from 29 plant species were recorded to be eaten by elephants. Several of these were found as fruit remains, seeds, or seedlings in elephant dung, suggesting a role of Asian elephants in seed dispersal. Work elephants and their mahouts prove to be a rich source of information to understand wild elephant ecology.     

西双版纳植物区系的特点与亲缘

西双版纳植物区系经初步资料整理统计有种子植物 3336种 ,隶属于 1 1 4 0个属 ,大约 1 97个科。植物区系成分构成是热带分布的科和属分别占总科和属数的 60 .1 %和 83.5% ,在热带分布属中 ,又以热带亚洲成分占优势 (占 32 .8% )。通过植物区系组成和地理成分分析 ,认为该植物区系是热带性质的 ,属于热带亚洲区系的一部分 ,并带有明显热带边缘性质和几种地理成分交汇的特点。西双版纳植物区系与广西热带植物区系和海南热带植物区系在发生上同源 ,主要来自于古南大陆与古北大陆区系成分的融合 ,在发展上受热带亚洲植物区系的渗透和强烈影响。     

Population structure and behaviour of crop-raiding elephants in Kibale National Park, Uganda

We examined patterns of crop raiding by elephants across gender and age classes in relation to elephant life history and sociobiology and estimated the quantitative contribution of crops to elephant diet in Kibale National Park (KNP). Elephant dung‐boli sizes were used to estimate age and sex, while the presence of crop remains in the dung of crop‐raiding elephants was used as evidence of repeated raiding. To estimate the expected proportion of elephants raiding per age class, the age distribution of raiders was compared with the age distribution of all KNP elephants. Elephants raiding crops were predominantly males. They began raiding in expected proportions at 10–14 years while a higher than expected proportion raided crops at 20–24 years. These results suggest that crop raiding is initiated at an age when male elephants leave their families and a large proportion of elephants raid when they are approaching reproductive competition. Evidence from dung of crop raiders, suggests that repeated raiding increases with age. Crop raiders derived 38% of their daily forage from the short time spent raiding, consistent with expectations of foraging theory. Males may be more likely to learn crop raiding because they are socially more independent and experience intense mating competition than females.     

Shit Happens (to be Useful)! Use of Elephant Dung as Habitat by Amphibians

Although elephants are commonly cited as an example of ecosystem engineering, cases involving Asian elephants are missing in the literature. In a dry environment of southeastern Sri Lanka, I examined 290 elephant dung piles and found a total of six frogs from three different species in 1.7 percent ( N =5) of the dung piles. This suggests a facilitative role of elephants by providing habitat for amphibians.
     

尼日利亚不同区域黑猩猩社群的栖息地比较

研究了尼日利亚三处黑猩猩群落的生境结构,并利用点中心四分样方法评估了植被。共记录了38科150种植物,其中位于尼日利亚东北部的Gashaka Gumti国立公园Kwano栖息地(A区)有28科70种、位于尼日利亚东南部的Cross Rivers国立公园Butatong区域(B区)有36科120种、位于尼日利亚西南部的Ise森林保护区(C区)有30科92种。23科(60.53%)34种植物(22.67%)为三个区域的共有种,包括Afzelia africana、Drypetesgilgiana、Blighia sapida、Brachystegia eurycoma、Tetrapleuratetraptera等。在所有区域,对黑猩猩重要的科包括夹竹桃科(羊角棉Alstonia boonei、Picralima nitida)、含羞草亚科(腺瘤豆Piptadeniastrumafricanum、Tetrapleuratetraptera)、云实亚科(Brachystegiaspp.、Daniellia ogea)、桑科(非洲毒箭木Antiaris africana、Bosqueia angolensis、Ficusspp.)和梧桐科(Colaspp.、Sterculiaspp.)。在所有区域中,1m-10m高的树木是最常见的,胸径分布为B区最高,次之为C区,A区最低。结果表明,在尼日利亚的黑猩猩生境中具有重要的关键性植物,植物的垂直分层结构是尼日利亚黑猩猩生境管理的重要方面。     

Seed dispersal potential of Asian elephants

Elephants, the largest terrestrial mega-herbivores, play an important ecological role in maintaining forest ecosystem diversity. While several plant species strongly rely on African elephants (Loxodonta africana; L. cyclotis) as seed dispersers, little is known about the dispersal potential of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). We examined the effects of elephant fruit consumption on potential seed dispersal using the example of a tree species with mega-faunal characteristics, Dillenia indica L., in Thailand. We conducted feeding trials with Asian elephants to quantify seed survival and gut passage times (GPT). In total, 1200 ingested and non-ingested control seeds were planted in soil and in elephant dung to quantify differences in germination rates in terms of GPT and dung treatment. We used survival analysis as a novel approach to account for the right-censored nature of the data obtained from germination experiments. The average seed survival rate was 79% and the mean GPT was 35 h. The minimum and maximum GPT were 20 h and 72 h, respectively. Ingested seeds were significantly more likely to germinate and to do so earlier than non-ingested control seeds (P = 0.0002). Seeds with the longest GPT displayed the highest germination success over time. Unexpectedly, seeds planted with dung had longer germination times than those planted without. We conclude that D. indica does not solely depend on but benefits from dispersal by elephants. The declining numbers of these mega-faunal seed dispersers might, therefore, have long-term negative consequences for the recruitment and dispersal dynamics of populations of certain tree species.     

Diet and distribution of elephant in the Maputo Elephant Reserve, Mozambique

The distribution and diet of the elephants of the Maputo Elephant Reserve were studied using dung counts, satellite tracking and faecal analysis. The results were compared with earlier data from before the civil war in Mozambique. The elephant population decreased during the civil war, but 180 animals still remain. Earlier studies described the elephants as preferring the grass plains. Currently, the elephants prefer the dense forest patches over the high quality forage found in the grass plains. Water salinity affected distribution; elephant dung piles were found closer to fresh water in the dry season. A total of 95 different plant species were identified in the faeces. The percentage of grass was relatively low compared with other studies, increasing at the beginning of the rainy season. At the end of the dry season, elephants concentrated on the few available browse species with young leaves, but generally preferred grass species to browse species. Diet composition was mainly affected by season and less by habitat. The elephants have changed their habitat preference in reaction to poaching, and probably increased the contribution of browse species in the diet. The presence of forest patches has been vital for the survival of the elephants.     

Observations on the length of the intestinal tract of African <Emphasis Type="Italic">Loxodonta africana</Emphasis> (Blumenbach 1797) and Asian elephants <Emphasis Type="Italic">Elephas maximus</Emphasis> (Linné 1735)

The digestive tract of elephants is surprisingly short compared to other herbivorous mammals. However, measurements relating the length of the intestine to the body mass of the respective individual are rare. In this study, we report such data for an African elephant and an Asian elephant. Our data support the hypothesis that Asian elephants have a longer intestinal tract than their African counterparts. These findings are in accord with the observation of longer retention times and higher digestion coefficients in Asian as compared to African elephants. This difference between the species could be the reflection of slightly different ecological niches, with Asian elephants adapted to a natural diet with a higher proportion of grass.