Winter foraging habitat selection of brown-eared pheasant (Crossoptilon mantchuricum) and the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) in Huanglong Mountains, Shaanxi Province

The foraging habitat selections of brown-eared pheasant (Crossoptilon mantchuricum) and the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) were studied in Huanglongshan Nature Reserve Shaanxi, China. Foraging habitat characteristics were measured on the basis of expected differences between species at 183 sites from November to December 2006 and January 2007. The results showed that both species selected foraging habitats with altitude (<1200 m), conifer forest, half sunny and half shady slope, sunny slope, density of trees (<5 individuals/100 m²), cover of shrub (>50%), visibility class (<10%) and distance to water source (<300 m). However, the brown-eared pheasant selected habitats with cover of trees (30–50%), middle or lower slope location, distance to edge of woods (<300 m) and human disturbance (<500 m), and the selection on density of shrub was not observed, compared to the selections on cover of trees (<30%), lower slope location, distance to edge of woods (<500 m) and human disturbance (<300 m), and density of shrub (>500 individuals/100 m²) for common pheasant. We also found that the common pheasant avoid predators by concealment whereas brown-eared pheasant evade predations by running away strategy.     

Nest-site selection of the White Eared pheasant in southwestern Sichuan Province, China

From April to July 2003 and 2004, we surveyed the nest-site selection of the White Eared pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon) in the Zhujie Monastery and in the mountain facing it in Sichuan Province, China. In this paper, we studied the nest characteristics and the clutch size of the pheasant. Habitat sampling method was used to determine the variables that might affect the nest-site selection of the White Eared pheasant. Chi-square test was used to identify which habitat type was likely to be preferred by the bird. Independent-samples t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to find which variables were important for the birds’ nest-site selection. A total of 13 nests were found. Oak shrub was greatly preferred as nest sites (84.62%). Nests under a rock wall (7.69%) and a fallen tree (7.69%) were also found. The average clutch size of a White Eared pheasant is 7.33±0.54 (range, 5–11; n=12). Laying period was between April 27 and May 21. In the Zhujie area, 1 nest was in the forest and 11 nests were in oak shrubs. The species preferred oak shrub as its nesting habitat (χ ²=8.333, df=1, P<0.05). The bird was more likely to place its nest in sites with a high coverage, i.e. 0.5, 1, and 2 m above the ground (independent-samples t test, P<0.05), and with a large shrub diameter (Mann-Whitney U test, P<0.05). The species are more likely to prefer sites with plant cover, shrub cover (independent-samples t test, P<0.05), and shrub height (Mann-Whitney U test, P<0.05) in a relatively small range. Translated from Journal of Beijing Normal University (Natural Science), 2005, 41(2) (in Chinese)     

Nest-site selection of the White Eared pheasant in southwestern Sichuan Province,China

From April to July 2003 and 2004,we surveyed the nest-site selection of the White Eared pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon) in the Zhujie Monastery and in the mountain facing it in Sichuan Province,China.In this paper,we studied the nest characteristics and the clutch size of the pheasant.Habitat sampling method was used to determine the variables that might affect the nest-site selection of the White Eared pheasant.Chi-square test was used to identify which habitat type was likely to be preferred by the bird.Independent-samples t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to find which variables were important for the birds'nest-site selection.A total of 13 nests were found.Oak shrub was greatly preferred as nest sites (84.62%).Nests under a rock wall (7.69%) and a fallen tree (7.69%) were also found.The average clutch size of a White Eared pheasant is 7.33±0.54 (range,5-11;n=12).Laying period was between April 27 and May 21.In the Zhujie area,1 nest was in the forest and 11 nests were in oak shrubs.The species preferred oak shrub as its nesting habitat (X2=8.333,dr=l,P＜0.05).The bird was more likely to place its nest in sites with a high coverage,I.e.0.5,1,and 2 m above the ground (independent-samples t test,P＜0.05),and with a large shrub diameter (Mann-Whitney U test,P＜0.05).The species are more likely to prefer sites with plant cover,shrub cover (independentsamples t test,P＜0.05),and shrub height (Mann-Whitney U test,P<0.05) in a relatively small range.     

利用无线电遥测位点分析红腹锦鸡的生境利用

为了解红腹锦鸡(Chrysolophus pictus)的生境利用及其季节变化以及对距森林边缘不同距离的生境的利用情况，我们于1996年1月-8月、1998年11月-1999年9月分别在陕西佛坪和贵州宽阔水自然保护区，采用无线电遥测位点与随机点相比较的方法，从不同时空尺度定量分析了红腹锦鸡的生境利用。两研究区共遥测24只红腹锦鸡个体(亚成体和成体，6♂，15♀，3亚♂)，其遥测位点分布与随机点比较，冬、春和夏季3季节中均有极显著差异，落入各区域的活动位点与其期望位点数之间也存在着极显著差异。这说明红腹锦鸡对生境的利用不是随机的，而是有选择地利用。红腹锦鸡对距森林边缘不同距离的生境的利用有选择性，并存在着明显的季节变化。分析结果表明，红腹锦鸡在冬、春季对森林边缘和林缘开阔区的利用较多，有一定偏好。红腹锦鸡在两研究区的生境利用模式相似，但在对森林边缘和林缘开阔区的利用强度上，宽阔水研究区显著大于佛坪研究区[动物学报49(2)：179一184，2003]。     

褐马鸡生态和生物学研究

褐马鸡(Xrossoptilon mantchuricum)生态生物学研究是“中国珍稀濒危雉类生态和生物学研究”课题的部分工作,该课题组是在本所郑作新教授领导下进行的。 马鸡属(Crossoptilon)是我国特产属。该属有褐马鸡、蓝马鸡(Crossoptilon auritum)和藏马鸡(Crossoptilon crossoptilon)等3种。 褐马鸡别名角鸡、褐鸡,古代称鹃,是我国特有的珍稀濒危的一类保护动物(图版Ⅰ:1)。 古时从汉武帝起(公元前156—87年)就有武将戴鹖冠之制以识其勇,一直到了清代,不用鹖冠而改用蓝翎和花翎的制度,但依旧沿用鹖羽。从上面历史记载,表示由于褐马鸡具有斗死乃止的本性,历代帝王就利用它的尾羽来激发武将的斗志。     

四川王朗国家级自然保护区血雉的日活动节律

血雉Ithaginis cruentus是分布在青藏高原东部至喜马拉雅山脉的珍稀濒危雉类物种。本研究使用红外相机调查技术,于2014—2018年在四川王朗国家级自然保护区168个标准公里网格内布设调查位点283个,其中249个有效位点上总有效工作量为26 123相机日,共拍摄到血雉照片与视频合计8 907份(占鸡形目Galliformes总数的71.46%),独立探测922次(占鸡形目总数的70.11%),相对多度指数35.29。基于核密度函数绘制了血雉的日活动节律曲线,结果显示,血雉为严格的日行型动物,所有记录均发生在05∶50—19∶50;日活动曲线整体呈现单峰模式:活动强度在日出后快速增加,在09∶00—11∶00达到最高,之后强度逐渐降低,在18∶00后快速下降。在不同季节,血雉的日活动节律模式存在差异,繁殖期与非繁殖期的日活动节律模式差别较为明显。本研究基于可靠的调查手段和充足的数据量,分析了血雉的日活动模式,表明红外相机技术是动物行为研究的有效工具,为血雉及其他森林雉类行为生态的深入研究提供了基础资料与信息。     

利用红外相机研究白冠长尾雉日活动节律与人为干扰的关系

白冠长尾雉(Syrmaticus reevesii)为我国特有珍稀濒危鸟类, 其面临的人为干扰压力日趋严重。为更好地了解白冠长尾雉对不同人为干扰强度的响应, 我们于2018年3月至2019年4月, 在其东部分布区的河南连康山国家级自然保护区(连康山)、湖北中华山鸟类省级自然保护区(中华山)和湖北平靖关村及三潭风景名胜区(平靖关), 利用红外相机技术研究了其日活动节律, 并借助重叠系数测算了其与人为干扰在时间上的重叠程度以及与人为干扰之间的关系。结果表明, 连康山的人为干扰强度最高, 而中华山和平靖关的人为干扰强度接近且均低于连康山。雄性白冠长尾雉繁殖期和非繁殖期的日活动节律在三地之间的差异均不显著; 雌性白冠长尾雉繁殖期日活动节律在平靖关与连康山之间存在显著差异, 而非繁殖期日活动节律在中华山与连康山之间、平靖关与连康山之间均存在显著差异。各地白冠长尾雉日活动高峰和人为干扰出现的高峰也存在差异, 呈现出较为明显的错峰活动现象, 其中在人为干扰最强的连康山, 白冠长尾雉的活动与人为干扰的重叠程度最低。这些结果表明白冠长尾雉的日活动节律可能受人为干扰的影响, 且在行为方面表现出一定的可塑性, 它们可以通过调整日活动节律来适应人为干扰。     

Molecular evidence for Pleistocene refugia at the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau

The role of the Quaternary ice ages in forming the contemporary genetic structure of populations has been well studied in a number of global regions. However, due to the different nature of glaciations and complex topography, their role in shaping eastern Eurasian genetic diversity, particular in areas surrounding the Tibetan Plateau have remained largely unstudied. We aimed to address this question by examining the genetic structure of an alpine forest-associated taxon, the blood pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus) to infer its phylogeographic history. We detected three phylogenetic lineages and four current population groups. By comparing molecular and palaeovegetation data, we found that major glaciations during the Pleistocene have had a major impact upon the current genetic diversity of this species. Coalescent simulations indicate that the populations retreated to different refugia during some glacial periods in the Pleistocene, but persisted through the last glacial maximum (LGM). The most significant recent population expansion was found to have occurred before the LGM, during which palaeoclimatic data indicate that the climate was both warmer and wetter than today. In contrast, during the LGM populations may have adopted an altitudinal shift strategy in order to track changes in alpine glaciers, exemplifying a general response for montane species in the region where alpine glaciations were not large enough to cause qualitative changes in vegetation. Although analysis based on a plumage related gene showed that divergent selection may have contributed to current patterns of intra-specific diversity, demographic isolation is inferred to have played a more dominant role.     

湖北五峰后河国家级自然保护区鸟类多样性

为了解湖北五峰后河国家级自然保护区(以下简称后河保护区)鸟类物种多样性及其区系组成的变化, 我们通过样线、红外相机调查和检索文献资料相结合的方法获得了后河保护区鸟类名录, 并将其与后河保护区1999年科学考察结果进行对比分析。本研究于2017-2019年共在后河保护区内设置了82 km的鸟类调查样线, 共在309个位点上放置了红外相机, 累计99,586个相机日。我们用“后河” “鸟类” “湖北省”等关键词搜索相关出版物, 并查阅中国观鸟记录中心经审核后发布的鸟类信息, 结合样线和红外相机调查结果形成后河保护区鸟类名录。共整理得到后河保护区鸟类255种, 隶属于16目55科。其中, 国家I级重点保护野生鸟类2种, 包括中华秋沙鸭(Mergus squamatus)和金雕(Aquila chrysaetos); 国家II级重点保护野生鸟类46种, 包括红腹角雉(Tragopan temminckii)、棉凫(Nettapus coromandelianus)、松雀鹰(Accipiter virgatus)、灰林鸮(Strix aluco)、蓝鹀(Emberiza siemsseni)等。此外, 后河保护区有11种中国特有鸟类, 占我国特有鸟类种数(n = 93)的11.83%。在区系成分上, 后河保护区鸟类以东洋种为主(151种, 占59.22%), 其次为广布种(55种, 占21.57%)。与1999年科学考察结果相比, 鸟类增加了116种, 其中有15种国家重点保护野生鸟类。在区系组成上, 后河保护区内东洋种占比增加, 包括分布区向北扩散的物种成分。此外, 本次调查未记录到20世纪在保护区内有分布的白冠长尾雉(Syrmaticus reevesii)和海南鳽(Gorsachius magnificus)。本研究表明, 后河保护区鸟类物种多样性高、特有种及珍稀濒危物种丰富, 具有极高的保护价值和意义。通过对比分析后河保护区内野生鸟类动态变化, 可为保护区生物多样性监测方案设计和保护对策的制定提供科学依据。     

山西芦芽山褐马鸡越冬栖息地选择的多尺度研究

1998～2000年在山西芦芽山自然保护区对褐马鸡的越冬栖息地选择进行了研究。采用4种空间尺度(10m、100m、300m和距离尺度),对影响褐马鸡越冬栖息地选择的主要因子进行了深入分析,并建立了褐马鸡越冬栖息地选择的逻辑斯谛回归模型。在300m尺度上．活动点和非活动点的生境类型有针叶林、针阔混交林、灌木林和草丛等。活动点周围针叶林面积显著高于非活动点(F=-3．116,P=0．002),虽然针阔混交林在两者中的面积比例都较小,但活动点周围针阔混交林的面积明显地低于非活动点(F=-2．255,P=0．024)．在灌木林和草丛的面积上两者无显著差异。这表明褐马鸡在300m尺度上喜欢活动于针叶林较多的地域,由于冬季针阔混交林不如针叶林能提供很好的隐蔽条件,褐马鸡避免选择针阔混交林;在100m尺度上,活动点和非活动点的生境类型有针叶林、针阔混交林和草丛,无灌木林生境,活动点的针叶林面积明显地高于非活动点(F=-2．931,P=0．003)。这表明褐马鸡在100m尺度上虽然倾向于选择针叶林,但对其它类型的生境如针阔混交林和草丛是可以利用的,这可能与其广泛取食活动有关。褐马鸡大尺度上的隐蔽条件满足以后,在小尺度上主要是为了获取更为丰富的食物。在距离尺度上活动点距居民点的距离、距道路的距离显著大于非活动点(F=15．621;6．048,P=0．000;0．018)。通过逐步逻辑斯谛回归分析,发现距灌草丛的距离、距居民点的距离、100m范围内针叶林的面积、树高以及食物的丰盛度是冬季褐马鸡栖息地选择的重要因子。以另外一个研究地收集的数据对所建立的栖息地选择模型的可靠程度进行了检验,结果表明该模型能有效地对褐马鸡的越冬栖息地进行预测。