泰国Khao Yai国家公园豹猫的道路生态学

为了解道路对豹猫（Prionailurus bengalensis）空间生态和时间生态的影响,使用无线电追踪技术对6只雌性个体和4只雄性个体进行了为期1—18个月的监测。道路上的车辆主要在白天出现,似乎不影响豹猫的位置或活动,即便在周末或假期车辆增加时,情形也是如此。需要更多的研究来确定本文报道的结果是否代表了该物种的整体情况,或者仅仅特定于KaoYai国家公园。需要该物种更多的自然性方面的数据为野生动物管理者决策提供根据.     

基于红外相机数据评估华南地区豹猫的种群密度和活动节律

可靠的种群密度数据对野生动物的保护和管理十分重要。豹猫(Prionailurus bengalensis)是中国分布最广且常见的猫科动物, 但野生种群密度估算的研究并不多。本研究于2020年6月至2021年5月在香港新界嘉道理农场暨植物园开展红外相机调查, 利用空间标记-重捕法估算当地豹猫的种群密度并用核密度估计方法分析其活动节律。本次调查以网格方式布置红外相机, 在约1.5 km²的研究范围之内设置了19个相机位点, 每个位点安装2台相机以获取豹猫身体两侧花纹来进行个体识别。连续12个月调查共捕获113次有效的豹猫拍摄事件, 当中仅61次事件的照片足够清晰以进行个体识别。基于种群封闭的要求, 我们以2个月为单位将12个月的数据分为6个采样期去分析豹猫种群密度, 结果显示仅两个采样期的估算值最为准确, 分别为0.64 ± 0.31 (0.26-1.55)只/km²和0.87 ± 0.48 (0.31-2.40)只/km², 是已知全球豹猫密度最高的地点之一。结果还发现, 雨季研究地点的豹猫并无明显的日活动节律, 在旱季则偏夜行-晨昏行性多一些, 但也有一定的日间活动; 雨季和旱季的日活动节律无显著差异。本研究是首次以个体识别配以空间标记-重捕模型对中国大陆地区豹猫种群密度调查的研究; 我们也提出一些关于红外相机架设方法的建议, 以提高照片个体识别的准确度并增加重捕次数, 最后提高密度估算的准确度。本研究也进一步证明豹猫适应性极强, 在活动节律上表现出极高的可塑性, 在严格保护下可以恢复健康的种群。     

笼养褐马鸡繁殖期与非繁殖期行为观察与比较

2014年4—10月,利用焦点个体取样法与连续记录法对北京市野生动物救护繁育中心饲养的褐马鸡Crossoptilon mantchuricum繁殖期以及非繁殖期的行为时间分配和活动节律进行了研究。统计了不同性别与不同季节的行为时间分配差异。在繁殖期,雌性褐马鸡的取食时间大于雄性,而雄性褐马鸡的移动、警戒行为时间大于雌性。在非繁殖期,雌雄褐马鸡行为差异变小,但雄性褐马鸡的警戒行为仍然较多。     

河南内乡宝天曼国家级自然保护区豹猫及其潜在猎物之间日活动节律的季节性

日活动节律是动物应对食物可利用性、天敌捕食风险和环境条件等变化的适应性特征。阐明捕食者与猎物之间的日活动节律以及相关影响因素, 对于理解不同物种的生存策略、指导保护对策至关重要。然而, 由于采样方法的限制和人类干扰下的快速环境变化, 人们对许多野生动物日活动节律的了解并不全面, 甚至与实际情况存在偏差。以往认为夜行性的豹猫(Prionailurus bengalensis)被发现有一定程度的日间活动, 并增加晨昏活动, 这说明有必要深入调查豹猫等野生动物的昼夜节律为何存在这些变化。本研究在河南内乡宝天曼国家级自然保护区通过红外相机技术对豹猫及其潜在猎物进行调查, 基于核密度函数比较分析了豹猫与其潜在猎物在冷、暖季节的日活动节律。2016年全年设置了55个红外相机位点, 累计14,972个相机工作日, 获得豹猫及其潜在猎物的独立有效照片1,343张。结果显示, 该保护区内豹猫、蒙古兔(Lepus tolai)和鼠类以夜间活动为主, 其中豹猫有明显的晨昏活动高峰, 而赤腹松鼠(Callosciurus erythraeus)、岩松鼠(Sciurotamias davidianus)、红腹锦鸡(Chrysolophus pictus)和勺鸡(Pucrasia macrolopha)均在昼间活动。活动重叠度分析结果显示, 豹猫与夜行性的蒙古兔和鼠类在冷季和暖季均有较高重叠度(Δ ≥ 0.50), 但与其他猎物之间的重叠度均相对较低(Δ ≤ 0.40)。本研究显示豹猫及其猎物的昼夜节律既有保守性, 也具有一定的季节可塑性, 可能受到季节性猎物分布和环境变化的影响。因此, 需要加强调查研究来充分认识不同物种日活动节律的季节性变化规律及其驱动因素。     

秦岭羚牛中独栖现象的初步观察

在群栖的秦岭羚牛种群中,存在着少数单独活动的羚牛, 称为独牛。野外见到独牛50只次, 占见到羚牛总数的4.59 %。独牛中有老年雄性个体、青壮年雄性个体、雌性个体、亚成体和幼仔。在繁殖季节独牛出现的次数最多, 其中大部分是雄性个体, 也有雌性个体。与羚牛的四川亚种不同, 在秦岭亚种中很少见到公牛集群的现象。羚牛种群中独牛的形成主要与繁殖有关, 同时还与疾病及防御迁移有关。独牛在不同季节、不同生境内均可见到 , 绝大多数老年独牛活动区域的海拔高度低于集群的羚牛活动的高度。老年独牛在离群活动后,其活动节律与群体中的雄牛有一定的差异, 这种差异在夜间的活动时间和活动率方面表现得更加明显。     

紫貂冬季活动范围的研究

１９９１至１９９３年１０～１２月的三个冬季中,借助无线电遥测技术对７只紫貂（４雄,３雌）活动范围进行了研究。结果表明雄性紫貂的活动范围为１３．０３ｋｍ２,雌性为７．１８ｋｍ２,雄性的几乎为雌性的２倍。活动范围多为长条形,且多与山脉走向相一致。雄性活动范围的最大距离为５．５０ｋｍ,雌性为４．１７ｋｍ。雌雄个体间的活动范围有部分重叠现象,重叠程度为６２．０％。雄性个体间几乎无重叠现象。影响活动范围大小的因素主要为动物体型大小、食物丰富度和人为干扰等     

上海地区重引入獐野放后的活动规律

野生动物的规律性活动受外界环境和内在生理机制的共同作用,对野生动物的活动规律进行研究是实施科学保护的基础。本文采用无线电遥测技术对重引入上海松江浦南林地和上海滨江森林公园的6只獐(Hydropotes inermis)的活动规律、强度和节律进行了研究,并分析了人为活动对獐活动规律的影响。松江浦南林地3只野放獐的活动强度平均为144.88 m/h,昼间活动强度略低于夜间,从夏季到次年春季活动强度依次降低,春季显著低于其他季节。獐在松江浦南林地每日清晨(5:00~8:00时)和黄昏后(18:00~21:00时)出现活动高峰,午后(13:00~15:00时)存在小活动高峰,只有秋季存在凌晨活动小高峰,夏季和秋季的晨昏型活动节律明显。上海滨江森林公园的3只野放獐活动强度平均为69.90 m/h,昼间活动强度略高于夜间,冬季活动强度显著高于春季。獐在上海滨江森林公园并未表现出明显的晨昏型活动节律,活动高峰出现在接近正午时段(9:00~11:00时),尤其是冬季的雄性。人工投食、游客干扰等人为活动已经对野放獐的活动规律产生了影响。     

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。     

基于红外相机技术的白鹇日活动节律研究

2014年5月至2016年4月,利用红外相机技术,系统调查和分析了浙江古田山国家级自然保护区内白鹇(Lophura nycthemera)的性比、集群方式和日活动节律。调查期间共获得244个有效位点的数据,累计58 890个工作日,收集到33 276份白鹇的照片和视频,有效探测5 687次,统计出雄性成体(含亚成体)3 946只次,雌性4 179只次,雌雄性比为1.06︰1。记录到群体大小从2至12只不等,群的组成方式多样。日活动节律分析的结果显示,白鹇的日活动时间段为5:00~18:00时,于6:00时、11:00时和16:00时有3个活动高峰,其间于10:00时和14:00时出现两个活动的低谷。雌雄个体的日活动节律基本一致,但雄性个体相比雌性清晨的活动高峰延长1 h(雌性6:00~8:00时,雄性6:00~9:00时),而午后的静息低谷推后1 h(雌性14:00时,雄性15:00时)。日活动节律密度函数分析结果显示,白鹇的日活动节律存在季节性变化。白鹇在春季和冬季存在早晚两个明显的活动高峰,而夏季和秋季在6:00~18:00时都较为活跃。同时,相比其他季节,白鹇在冬季早晨开始活动的时间推迟,傍晚结束活动的时间提前。不同季节的比较表明,白鹇在冬季和春、夏季的日活动节律重叠程度最低。白鹇日活动节律在低海拔带(200~700 m)和高海拔带(700~1 200 m)上存在差异,低海拔带个体在夏季和冬季的傍晚比高海拔带个体活跃。本研究结果为保护区内白鹇的保护管理提供了基础的科学依据。     

无线电遥测技术研究澳门犬蝠的捕食区面积

2015年5~12月,利用无线电跟踪方法对澳门路环3只犬蝠(Cynopterus sphinx;2♂♂,1♀)的捕食区进行研究。结果发现,3只犬蝠的月平均捕食区面积的大小差异显著(F_(3,23)=77.854,P0.000 1),2雄性的捕食区面积分别为(1.6±0.4)hm2(n=8)和(17.9±6.6)hm~2(n=8),雌性为(31.7±4.7)hm2(n=7);3只犬蝠的捕食区离日栖息地的平均距离差异亦显著(F3,23=16.034,P0.001),2雄性分别为(53.6±12.4)m和(446.2±68.8)m(二者均n=8),雌性为(606.9±94.7)m(n=7);2雄性的捕食区存在部分重叠,但是雌性与2雄性的捕食区均无重叠。此外,不同月份犬蝠的捕食区面积呈现出一定的差异,冬季(11月和12月)捕食区面积相对较大,且雌性的10月份捕食区面积比相邻月份有所减少。本研究说明,犬蝠的捕食区通常靠近其日栖息地,捕食区面积中等,其面积大小具有较为明显的季节变化。     

Survival of radiocollared adult leopard cats<Emphasis Type="Italic">Prionailurus bengalensis</Emphasis> in Thailand

From December 1999 to December 2002, we radiocollared 25 adult (17 M, 8 F) leopard catsPrionailurus bengalensis Kerr, 1792 in Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand. We found no difference in annual survival rate between adult males (0.96 ±0.05) and females (0.87 ± 0.13), and we found no difference in mean seasonal survival rates between the dry (0.95 ± 0.04) and wet season (0.97 ± 0.04). We estimated a pooled mean annual survival of 0.92 ± 0.06 for adult leopard cats, and also estimated annual survival rates of 0.83 ± 0.24 and 0.53 ± 0.21 for leopard cats in 2 other studies. We believe our high mean annual survival estimate of adult leopard cats was related to our study site being located within a remote wildlife sanctuary with minimal anthropogenic effects.     

First documentation of leopard seal predation of South Georgia pintail duck

Leopard seals are regular winter visitors to Bird Island, South Georgia, where they mostly prey on fur seals and penguins, and to a lesser extent on Antarctic krill and fish. Leopard seals can exploit many different species, but there are no records of predation on flying shorebirds in the wild. On 4 October 2008, an individually identified juvenile leopard seal female was observed killing and eating a South Georgia Pintail duck. It also preyed on Antarctic fur seals and gentoo and macaroni penguins during its 2-month temporary residency around the island. The varied diet of this seal exemplifies the generalist prey utilization typical of its species. Long-term diet studies at Bird Island and the published record suggest that predation on ducks is a rather exceptional finding; individual ducks are more likely to escape leopard seal attacks than penguins and provide a far less substantial ration. This note documents the first observation of this species of duck in the diet of leopard seals.     

The first description of population density and habitat use of the mainland clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa within a logged-primary forest in South East Asia

The mainland clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is classified as vulnerable under the IUCN Red List, meaning that it faces a high risk of extinction in the wild. However, hardly any ecological research has been published on this species apart from several radiotelemetry studies in Thailand and Nepal, and one camera-trapping study in India. Here we present findings on the clouded leopard from a camera-trapping study conducted in Temengor forest reserve (a logged-over forest) and Royal Belum State Park (a primary forest) within Peninsular Malaysia. Using the spatially-explicit capture-recapture method, the density from Temengor forest reserve and Royal Belum State Park was estimated at 3.46 ± SE 1.00 and 1.83 ± SE 0.61, respectively. Clouded leopard habitat use was found to be highly influenced by the availability of small and medium prey species and therefore intrinsically highlights the potential conservation importance of species such as pig-tailed macaques, porcupine, mouse deer and small carnivores. These findings provide the first estimates of density and habitat use of this species in a logged-primary forest from both Peninsular Malaysia and South East Asia. Our study provides important baseline information on clouded leopards and contributes to filling up the knowledge gap that exists in understanding the population ecology of this species, not only within Peninsular Malaysia, but also on a regional level.     

Occurrence of Three Felids across a Network of Protected Areas in Thailand: Prey,Intraguild, and Habitat Associations

Clouded Leopard, Leopard, and Tiger are threatened felids in Southeast Asia, but little is known about the factors influencing their distributions. Using logistic regression, we assessed how habitat variables, prey detection patterns, and presence of intraguild predators affect the occurrence of these felids across 13 protected areas within Thailand. Our analysis is based on data from 1108 camera‐trap locations (47,613 trap‐nights). Clouded Leopard and Leopard are associated with habitat where Red Muntjac and Eurasian Wild Pig were most likely to be present. Tiger are associated with habitat with a higher likelihood for the presence of Gaur, Eurasian Wild Pig, and Sambar. Clouded Leopard and Tiger were both weakly associated with areas with mature evergreen forest. Besides availability of prey, associations with potential competitors also appear to influence the distribution of these felids, although the strength of these effects requires further investigation. Occurrence rates for Clouded Leopard were no different in protected areas with Leopard versus without Leopards. Leopard had similar occurrence rates regardless of the presence of Tiger, but Leopards were less likely to be detected at the same camera‐trap points with the larger felid. Our results suggest that the two most commonly photographed prey species in the study areas serve as key prey species, Eurasian Wild Pig for all three carnivores and Red Muntjac for Leopard and Clouded Leopard.     

Reproductive physiology of the clouded leopard: I. Electroejaculates contain high proportions of pleiomorphic spermatozoa throughout the year

Ejaculates were analyzed from clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa) subjected to a regimented anesthesia/electroejaculation protocol. Group I males (n = 4), maintained individually in an environment with natural fluctuations in photoperiod, were electroejaculated on the same day at monthly intervals (January-December). Group II clouded leopards (n = 8), maintained in random zoo populations throughout the U.S., were evaluated on a single occasion. Phase contrast and electron microscopy indicated a high proportion of structurally abnormal spermatozoa in seminal fluid (Group I range, 14.8-78.9%; Group II range, 32.3-93.0%), the predominant deformity being a tightly coiled flagellum. Semen quality, including spermatozoal concentration and the incidence of abnormal sperm forms, varied (p less than 0.05) among males. Evaluating the numbers of motile spermatozoa/ejaculate (MS/E) among individual males from Group I on a monthly basis suggested a seasonal influence; gradually increasing MS/E values with peaks in June and July were observed in three of four animals. A simultaneous analysis of international breeding records for captive female clouded leopards demonstrated that 46.2% of parturitions occurred in March and April, indicating that most estrual periods occurred from late December through February. These data suggest that a physiological asymmetry may exist in peak reproductive performance between the male and female clouded leopard, perhaps as a result of differing adaptations to the captive environment. Motile spermatozoa can be recovered throughout the year using electroejaculation and, when used over time, a standardized procedure can determine a hierarchy of seminal quality among males of unknown reproductive potential. The relatively high proportions of structurally abnormal spermatozoa in the ejaculates of the clouded leopard may be related to a low degree of genetic variation within the species and/or hyperadrenal activity in captive populations.     

Occupancy,density, and activity patterns of a Critically Endangered leopard population on the Kawthoolei-Thailand border

Large carnivores have been largely extirpated from Southeast Asia due to deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and poaching. Estimating the density of endangered carnivore populations, and identifying relationships between species occupancy and both environmental and anthropogenic factors, is essential for effective conservation planning. Recently, the IUCN conservation status of the Indochinese leopard (Panthera pardus delacouri) was upgraded to “Critically Endangered.” We surveyed Kweekoh Wildlife Sanctuary in Kawthoolei, an area administered by the Karen ethnic group in eastern Myanmar, to quantify (1) leopard population density using spatially explicit mark-resight (SMR) models, (2) leopard occupancy as influenced by important ecological variables, and (3) potential differences in activity between melanistic and spotted leopard morphs. Leopard density was estimated to be 1.39 ± SE 0.22/100 km². Leopard occupancy (ψ = 0.43; 95% credible interval: 0.26–0.67) increased further from roads, at relatively higher elevations, and in areas with higher relative abundance of wild boar. Leopard activity was cathemeral, with higher activity during night hours, and significant overlap (Δ = 0.84; 95% confidence interval: 0.71–0.96) between melanistic and spotted morphs. However, melanistic leopards were more active during twilight hours than spotted individuals whose activity did not significantly vary throughout the day. Indochinese leopard density estimates in Kweekoh were among the lowest reported from Southeast Asia. Leopard occupancy was highest in the sanctuary's core areas, suggesting the presence of negative anthropogenic impacts along the sanctuary borders. We suggest our low density estimates warrant immediate and decisive conservation action, including better protection for leopards, their habitat, and their prey.     

Female reproductive cycles of wild female felids

Many felid species are endangered because of destructive human activities. As a result, zoos are being tasked with sustaining genetically healthy populations in case of catastrophic extinctions. Unfortunately, with the exception of a few species, most felids do not reproduce well in captivity. The ability to track reproductive activity via hormones is key to developing successful ex situ breeding programs. Through the development of noninvasive fecal hormone monitoring techniques, a high degree of variability in estrous cycle characteristics has been found to exist across the taxon, including the type of ovulation. For example, although all felids have induced ovulations, the occurrence of spontaneous ovulations varies across species, and even between individuals within a species. Clouded leopards, fishing cats and margays frequently have spontaneous ovulations, whereas these are rarely observed in the cheetah, tigrina and ocelot. There are marked species differences in the impact of season on reproductive function, with some being exquisitely sensitive to photoperiod (e.g., Pallas' cat), some moderately affected (tiger, clouded leopard, snow leopard), and others that are not influenced at all (e.g., ocelot, tigrina, margay, lion, leopard, fishing cat). One of the greatest challenges remaining is overcoming the problems associated with highly variable ovarian responses to ovulation induction therapies used with assisted reproductive procedures, like artificial insemination (AI). Success is relatively high in the cheetah and ocelot, but few pregnancies have resulted after AI in clouded leopard, fishing cat and tiger. Current knowledge of the reproductive physiology of nondomestic felids, including aspects of the anatomy, behavior and ovarian cycles will be presented, and how the rapidly growing endocrine database is aiding ex situ management efforts.     

四川东南地区云豹(Neofelis nebulosa)分布区变化及其成因

物种的分布变化是衡量生物多样性变化的一个重要层面,也是生物多样性变化研究领域备受关注的热点。根据对四川省东南地区6县14个乡镇的访问调查,分析了四川省东南部云豹（Neofelis nebulosa）分布区的变化趋势,并对近10年潜在有无云豹分布的区域在1988年和2017年的景观格局进行对比分析,探讨了四川东南地区云豹分布区变化的原因。结果显示：（1）40年前云豹曾在调查区域广泛分布,近40年来云豹分布范围呈现逐渐缩减的趋势,到近10年潜在有云豹分布的仅3个县3个乡镇;（2）天然阔叶林是云豹适宜的生境,潜在有云豹分布地区阔叶林在近30年里均是面积最大的景观类型,30年间增加了18.13%。潜在无云豹分布地区阔叶林在30年前占比为13.67%,30年间减少了39.29%,其主要景观类型在30年间由农业用地转换为竹林类型;（3）30年间,潜在有无云豹分布地区阔叶林破碎化程度均加剧,而潜在无云豹分布地区的破碎化程度较潜在有云豹分布地区严重;（4）潜在有无云豹分布区域居民野生动物保护意识均不强烈,在潜在无云豹分布区域的保护意识和意愿稍高;（5）本研究认为,早在40年前由于人为捕杀和土地开垦,就导致云豹种群在研究区域内衰退,近30年虽然农业用地大幅转换为竹林使森林总面积增加,但并未对云豹的保护起到积极作用,阔叶林的生境退变则使前期已经衰退的云豹种群分布区持续缩减,以致难觅踪迹。