The North American «Hipparion Datum and implications for the Neogene of the Old World

A large sample of skulls and associated dentitions of Cormohipparion sphenodus (Cope, 1889). new combination, is described from Miocene deposits of Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, and California. This species is morphologically more advanced than the most primitive species of the genus, C. goorisiMacFadden & Skinner, 1981, and more primitive than a third and more advanced species of this genus. C. occidentale (Leidy, 1856). In several characters such as configuration of the preobrital fossa, size, hypsodonty, shape of protocone, and complexity of enamel plication, C. sphenodus is morphologically similar, and potentially related to, some Old World Vallesian «Hipparion. In addition, based on radiometric calibration of stratigraphic sequences in Nebraska and California, C. sphenodus spans an interval of time from about 13.6 to 11 Ma. Inasmuch as the Old World «Hipparion Datum is calibrated at about 12 Ma, we conclude that C. sphenodus exhibits the morphological and chronological prerequisites to have been directly ancestral to some of these Old World forms.The hipparion horses apparently were a polyphyletic assemblage of several genera, and their biogeographic and biochronologic history is more complex than classically thought. Several dispersal events involving these horses may have occurred between the New and Old Worlds during the late Miocene.     

鄱阳湖围垦区藕塘越冬白鹤的时间分配与行为节律

2016年12月—2017年3月,采用瞬时扫描法研究了鄱阳湖围垦区藕塘生境中白鹤Grus leucogeranus越冬期的行为,共扫描2560次,23219只次,包括18031只次成鹤和5188只次幼鹤。结果表明,觅食(41.78%)、警戒(25.02%)、修整(15.00%)和休息(10.84%)是白鹤越冬期的主要行为。与自然生境相比,藕塘生境中白鹤主要采取多休息和修整的策略来节省能量支出。成鹤的觅食行为(35.29%)显著低于幼鹤(62.42%)(F_(1,12)=45.977,P0.01),警戒行为(28.66%)则显著高于幼鹤(10.26%)(F_(1,12)=38.975,P0.01)。家庭群成鹤觅食行为(43.96%)极显著高于非家庭群成鹤(27.04%)(F_(1,12)=60.169,P0.01)。家庭群成鹤需要喂食幼鹤,它们花费更多的时间觅食弥补能量的消耗。行为节律上,白鹤各时段觅食行为占总行为的比例均较高,11:00—11:59出现明显高峰,占总行为的48.64%。警戒行为无明显的低谷和高峰。成鹤在各时段的觅食行为比例均明显低于幼鹤,成鹤和幼鹤的觅食曲线变化趋势相似,即觅食比例的升高和降低比较同步。成鹤在各时段的警戒行为和修整行为比例均明显高于幼鹤,成幼鹤的休息行为比例在各时段差别不大,均在14:00—14:59有个明显的高峰。家庭群成鹤的觅食行为比例几乎在各时段均明显高于非家庭群,家庭群成鹤的修整行为和休息行为在大部分时段均低于非家庭群成鹤。因此家庭群成鹤采取多取食,少休息和修整的策略提高自身的适合度,同时保证对后代的抚育。     

黑颈鹤越冬期间植物性食物的显微分析

黑颈鹤与草海越冬期间共取食４７种植物。莎草科植物是主要食物,占７６．５４％,栽培植物仅占２．１４％。植物地一块茎是黑颈鹤取食的主要部位,占３５．１４％,其次为秆状茎,花果和叶。块状戏几乎全来自莎草科植物。酸模的种子占全部花果类食物２７．５４％。比重很大,尤其在越冬前期。我们还对５种主要食物植物或其部位进行了方差分析,得出的结论是食物的性差异是主要的,且非常显著。     

Satellite tracking and avian conservation in Asia

Using satellite tracking, we have followed the migration of birds in Asia for more than 10 years. We have investigated the migration patterns of around 15 species of birds, focusing on, but not limited to, cranes (Gruidae) and storks (Ciconiidae). To relay bird locations, we employed platform transmitter terminals in combination with ARGOS satellites. Location data were then utilized in a variety of applications, from determining migration routes, stopover patterns and wintering sites, through more advanced analyses including using various data overlays to examine habitat use, occupation of nature reserves, differential migration patterns between adults and juvenile birds, and the connectivity and network structure of migration pathways. We have also developed recommendations for spatial improvements to nature reserves. We emphasize the importance of continued empirical research and development of analytical methodologies involving satellite location data in concert with effecting conservation outcomes using satellite-derived data.     

对白枕鹤领域的初步研究

1986-1988年的3-5月间,在黑龙江省林甸县对白枕鹤的领域进行了研究。三年中,对8个巢的领域研究结果表明,白枕鹤多年连续利用同一领域,占据的最大领域面积为10.7平方公里,平均不超过7.0平方公里,并随繁殖过程而缩小,至雏期活动和防御范围只有1.5平方公里左右。多数白枕鹤的领域内包括一片耕地为固定觅食区,但小于无耕地的领域面积。     

鄱阳湖滨藕塘生境中白鹤取食行为研究

2016年12月—2017年2月和2017年12月—2018年1月,采用焦点动物法对鄱阳湖滨藕塘生境中白鹤(Grus leucogeranus)的取食行为进行观察,共记录921只次成鹤和547只次幼鹤的取食行为。结果表明,白鹤栖息水深为(17.29±8.75)cm(n=1468),取食水深为(18.84±10.32)cm(n=600),单次取食持续时间为(3.10±1.69)s(n=600),取食频次为(12.24±3.89)次/min(n=1012),取食成功频次为(1.78±1.59)次/min(n=1468),取食成功率为(16.26±14.41)%(n=1012)。成鹤取食成功频次(SymbolcA@~2=70.797,df=1,P=0.000)和取食成功率(SymbolcA@~2=5.356,df=1,P=0.020)均显著高于幼鹤,表明成鹤取食能力较幼鹤强,成鹤可以获得更多的能量。成鹤除维持自身能量支出外,还需要花费较多的能量用于辅食和警戒行为。成幼鹤的取食频次和单次取食持续时间无显著差异,这与成幼鹤的体型大小、能量需求和体内氧气储存量类似有关,也与多数研究认为幼鹤觅食经验不足,觅食成功率低,需要靠多次取食来补偿能量的观点不同。成鹤取食水深极显著高于幼鹤(SymbolcA@~2=50.945,df=1,P0.0001),这可能与体型和取食经验有关。不同栖息水深下白鹤的取食成功率(SymbolcA@~2=15.297,df=4,P=0.004)和取食成功频次(SymbolcA@~2=23.155,df=4,P0.0001)均存在极显著差异。不同时段的取食频次、取食成功频次和取食成功率均无显著差异,这可能与藕塘生境中白鹤采取触觉取食有关。此外,白鹤昼间取食行为无明显节律性,因此昼间能量需求相似,取食参数没有显著差异。     

宁夏中卫黄河沿岸迁徙灰鹤停歇模式

中途停歇地是候鸟重要的能量补给地及休息站,对其顺利完成迁徙有着重要作用。为了解灰鹤(Grus grus)迁徙途中的停歇模式,于2013年和2015年冬季,采用卫星跟踪技术在贵州草海保护区成功跟踪了4只灰鹤。结果显示,其中3只灰鹤在宁夏中卫市境内的黄河和清水河流域湿地停歇,表明该地区为灰鹤迁徙时的重要停歇地。春季迁徙时,灰鹤在2月初至3月初到达中卫,平均停留(24.5?6.7)d(15~30 d,n=4),2月底至3月底迁离;秋季迁徙时,10月末至11月初到达,平均停留(32.0?4.2)d(29~35 d,n=2),至11月底迁离。停留期间主要的活动范围为中宁县境内的长山头水库、黄河河心岛及同心县境内的清水河周边区域。2017年3月18日,采用夜栖地直接计数法进行实地调查,共发现灰鹤636只,其日间活动范围和卫星跟踪结果类似。此次发现的灰鹤停歇地均未纳入自然保护体系,建议当地林业部门在灰鹤迁徙期间加强管理,可适当投食,以减少灰鹤误食耕地中经农药包衣处理的玉米(Zea mays)种子造成的死亡。     

内蒙古胡列也吐的鹤类及保护

胡列也吐位于内蒙古自治区呼伦贝尔盟陈巴尔虎旗境内 ,地理位置在东经 4 9°4 8′,北纬 1 1 8°2 7′ ,总面积为 4 0km2 。 1 998年笔者对本区的鹤类资源进行了为期一年的调查。本区共有 5种鹤栖息 ,本次共记录到 4种鹤计 78只。其中白头鹤 52只 ,丹顶鹤 1 1只 ,白枕鹤 4只 ,蓑羽鹤 1 1只。灰鹤在本区有分布 ,但本次调查未见。此外还记录到我国最大的白头鹤夏季集群。     

Minimum population size and distribution of Grey Crowned Cranes Balearica regulorum in Rwanda: an aerial and ground survey

The iconic Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum is facing an increase in threats to its wetland habitat and poaching for the captive trade market. This has resulted in an enduring long-term decline in population numbers, which led to the species being listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List. In Rwanda, Grey Crowned Cranes are threatened by human factors often driven by conditions of poverty, livelihood disadvantage and lack of conservation awareness. Previous population estimates suggested there were fewer than 500 Grey Crowned Cranes left in Rwanda. The Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association and its partners have been working to eliminate the illegal trade and boost the population numbers in Rwanda. In August 2017, the first national census of Grey Crowned Cranes in Rwanda was carried out to serve as a baseline and to increase the accuracy of previous estimations. The survey was conducted over three days using both aerial and ground survey techniques. The results show that at least 487 Grey Crowned Cranes occur in Rwanda and include details on distribution and habitat type. Challenges for Grey Crowned Crane conservation at different sites are discussed, such as wetland transformation for agriculture, and illegal activities in protected marshlands. To ensure the long-term viability of this species, there is a need for upscaling of conservation efforts in key crane areas, continued monitoring of the crane population including trans-boundary collaboration, and strategies to promote the sustainable use of wetlands.