雌性选择与雄鸟鸣唱的进化

鸣唱是许多鸟类的重要的雄性第二性征之一。雄性鸣唱包含着丰富的信息：物种、领域质量、遗传状态和生理状态。这些信息可被雌性用来判断潜在配偶的素质,而雌性对复杂鸣唱的偏爱反过塑造了鸟类的鸣唱。一般认为雌性选择的调控基因位于决定性别的W染色体上。     

配偶选择中“听众效应”及鸣唱对雌性灰文鸟行为的影响

配偶选择是性选择研究核心问题之一。雌性通过选择高质量的雄性配偶获得直接利益,如资源、营养和保护等,也可以通过获得高质量雄性提高后代的适合度。配偶选择研究对于研究性选择机制和进化均具有重要意义。目前,对配偶选择的研究主要集中在影响配偶选择的因素及雌性"听众效应"中雄性-雄性竞争方面。鸣唱对配偶选择的影响和雄性"听众效应"中雌性-雌性竞争的研究对于探索鸟类配偶选择中信号交流、调整的方式及选择策略均具有重要意义。以灰文鸟为对象,研究了雄性鸣唱对雌性配偶选择的影响及雄性"听众效应"对雌性灰文鸟同性竞争行为的影响进行了探讨。实验一利用双向选择装置,以配偶鸣唱(求偶鸣唱或非求偶鸣唱)和非配偶鸣唱(求偶鸣唱或非求偶鸣唱)对雌鸟进行刺激,观察雌鸟对两端鸣唱的偏爱状况。实验二主要观察雌鸟之间在无听众、听众为熟悉的雄性和听众为配偶条件下的竞争行为。结果表明,雌性灰文鸟大多偏爱配偶鸣唱,相对于配偶的非求偶鸣唱更偏爱非配偶的求偶鸣唱。求偶鸣唱比非求偶鸣唱更具有吸引力,求偶鸣唱更能刺激雌性灰文鸟配偶选择的积极性,这种积极要付出更多的时间和资源,但雌鸟可以通过选择更高质量的雄性配偶获益。在配偶雄性作为听众条件下雌鸟攻击行为最高,显著高于熟悉雄性为听众的条件下,并且两者都显著高于无听众条件下雌鸟的攻击行为。雌性灰文鸟会基于不同"听众"而对雌-雌竞争行为做出适当调整。上述研究结果对于深入理解鸟类的性选择行为机制具有重要帮助作用。     

雄性大熊猫对化学信息行为反应的年龄差异

化学通讯对哺乳动物的生存和繁殖起着重要作用。研究了雄性大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)对同伴个体尿液气味行为反应的发育模式。结果显示,在成年雌性个体的尿液气味刺激下,雄性个体表现显著多的嗅闻行为和嗅闻/舔舐环境行为,但是嘶咬气味刺激物的行为明显减少。在雌性个体的尿液气味刺激下,不同年龄段的雄性个体行为表现不同,成年雄性个体表现较亚成年和幼年个体显著多的舔舐行为。此外,成年个体和亚成年个体均表现较多的嗅闻/舔舐环境行为,而幼年个体则无该行为表现。幼年个体较成年和亚成年个体表现显著多的气味涂抹行为,而且嘶咬气味刺激物的时间较亚成年个体显著多。幼年个体和亚成年个体对雌性和雄性个体尿液气味刺激的行为反应不存在显著差异。研究结果表明,雄性大熊猫对同种个体尿液中化学信息的行为反应呈现出年龄差异。     

雄性大熊猫对化学信息行为反应的年龄差异

化学通讯对哺乳动物的生存和繁殖起着重要作用。研究了雄性大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)对同伴个体尿液气味行为反应的发育模式。 结果显示，在成年雌性个体的尿液气味刺激下，雄性个体表现显著多的嗅闻行为和嗅闻/舔舐环境行为，但是嘶咬气味刺激物的行为明显减少。在雌性个体的尿液气味刺激下，不同年龄段的雄性个体行为表现不同，成年雄性个体表现较亚成年和幼年个体显著多的舔舐行为。此外，成年个体和亚成年个体均表现较多的嗅闻/舔舐环境行为，而幼年个体则无该行为表现。幼年个体较成年和亚成年个体表现显著多的气味涂抹行为，而且嘶咬气味刺激物的时间较亚成年个体显著多。幼年个体和亚成年个体对雌性和雄性个体尿液气味刺激的行为反应不存在显著差异。研究结果表明，雄性大熊猫对同种个体尿液中化学信息的行为反应呈现出年龄差异。     

黄腹山鹪莺稳定的配偶关系限制雄性欺骗者

多数鸟类通过性特征限制在同性竞争和配偶选择中的“欺骗者”存在,与此相反,雀形目扇尾莺科部分物种表现出繁殖季节性特征消退的身体特征变化模式.在广州市南沙区通过“目字笼”对黄腹山鹪莺配偶关系稳定性的限制机制进行研究,发现虽然雌性个体到访原配个体和对照个体的次数几乎相同,但是雌性个体对原配雄性的单次选择时间明显长于对照雄性个体,总计选择时间也明显长于对照雄性个体.选择实验过程中,原配雄性的跳动次数明显高于对照个体雄性,以竖尾扑哧和鸣声恐吓等为代表的威慑行为次数也明显高于对照雄性个体.结果说明,雌性更青睐于原配个体,配对时间越长,忠诚度越高,而且原配雄性比入侵雄性个体表现出更高的活跃度和威慑行为.繁殖季节性特征消退的物种可以通过保持稳定的配偶关系以限制“欺骗者”存在.可以推测繁殖的巨大投入和雌性之间的同性竞争可能是产生这种配偶稳定性的主要原因.     

氯虫苯甲酰胺对黑肩绿盲蝽捕食功能的影响

为协调褐飞虱Nilaparvata lugens (Stal) 的化学防治和生物防治提供参考, 本研究采用稻茎浸渍法研究了氯虫苯甲酰胺对黑肩绿盲蝽Cyrtorhinus lividipennis (Reuter) 捕食褐飞虱功能反应的影响。结果表明: 在氯虫苯甲酰胺的推荐剂量下, 黑肩绿盲蝽功能反应模型的结构没有改变, 但影响到了模型的各项参数。在推荐剂量下, 氯虫苯甲酰胺可降低黑肩绿盲蝽的瞬时攻击率(a′); 药剂处理后黑肩绿盲蝽若虫对褐飞虱卵、1龄若虫和2龄若虫的处理时间(Th)比对照分别增加163.03%, 104.21%和95.11%, 而黑肩绿盲蝽成虫对它们的处理时间则分别增加81.97%, 102.45%和99.52%; 药剂处理后黑肩绿盲蝽日最大捕食量(Na*)降低, 其寻找效应(S)也减弱。研究表明氯虫苯甲酰胺对黑肩绿盲蝽捕食作用存在着不良影响。     

稻田氮肥施用量对黑肩绿盲蝽捕食功能的影响

在实验室条件下研究了黑肩绿盲蝽Cyrtorhinuslividipennis Reuter在不同含氮量稻株上对褐飞虱Nilaparvata lugens Stal卵和低龄若虫的捕食能力、对褐飞虱卵的捕食功能反应以及褐飞虱蜜露和水稻伤流液对其捕食 能力的影响。结果表明,黑肩绿盲蝽对褐飞虱卵和若虫的捕食量均与寄主植物的含氮量呈显著 负相关。黑肩绿盲蝽在相同氮肥施用量的稻株上连续饲养2代后对褐飞虱卵的捕食能力没有改变 。黑肩绿盲蝽对褐飞虱卵的功能反应呈Holling Ⅱ型方程,其参数瞬时发现率(a)和处置时间(T_h)只与寄主含氮量有关,而与黑肩绿盲蝽种群和褐飞虱卵的来源无关。 在高氮量稻株上黑肩绿盲蝽种群对褐飞虱卵的瞬时发现率(a)下降导致了功能反应的减弱, 而在相同含氮量稻株上黑肩绿盲蝽种群之间的捕食功能没有明显差异。黑肩绿盲蝽成虫取食水 稻伤流液和褐飞虱蜜露时寿命明显延长,取食高氮稻株的褐飞虱分泌的蜜露对延长黑肩绿盲蝽 雌成虫寿命的作用最大。但是,在高氮稻株上褐飞虱蜜露显著降低黑肩绿盲蝽的捕食能力。这 些结果表明黑肩绿盲蝽对褐飞虱自然控制作用的下降是稻田过量施用氮肥后褐飞虱种群增加的 主要原因之一。     

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.     

不同季节圈养麋鹿免疫和应激水平的变化及相关性

麋鹿Elaphurus davidianus是我国Ⅰ级重点保护动物,IUCN红皮书列为野外灭绝物种。本研究采用非损伤性取样(noninvasive sampling)及酶联免疫吸附测定(enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)技术,对江苏大丰国家级自然保护区圈养麋鹿的免疫生理和应激生理指标进行了测定。结果表明:雌、雄麋鹿3种免疫球蛋白IgA、IgG和IgM含量秋季和夏季均高于冬季。雌性麋鹿IgG含量在各季节均高于雄性个体,比雄性个体具有更强的体液免疫;而雄性麋鹿IgM含量在各季节均高于雌性个体,雄性个体对异源免疫应答更灵敏。雌、雄麋鹿粪便皮质醇水平与IgM水平呈正相关,与IgG水平呈显著正相关,IgG是适合用于探测麋鹿免疫生理状态的指标,为麋鹿放归种群的监测和健康评价提供科学依据。     

条纹短攀鲈的雄性个体大小、雌性偏好以及雄性之间的竞争

本研究考察了条纹短攀鲈(Trichopsis vittata)雄性个体的身体大小对雌性个体性偏好的影响以及对雄性之间竞争的影响。本研究设立了两种处理来研究雌性个体的性偏好以及雄性之间的竞争。在一种处理中,放入同样大小的雄性个体,而在另一种处理中,放入大小不同的雄性个体。结果表明,雄性个体的大小不影响雌性条纹短攀鲈的性偏好。在对雄性之间竞争的研究中,发现个体较大的个体获胜的次数比较多。在个体大小相同的处理中,雄性之间打斗的持续时间比另一种处理中的打斗持续时间长。对这两种处理中不同对抗行为的比较表明,个体大小相同处理组中的发声、咬、以及总体对抗行为发生得更为频繁。对个体大小不同处理组中的大、小个体的进一步观察也揭示出体型大的个体比体型小的个体有更多的追逐行为和更少的逃脱行为。这些结果表明,在雄性个体比雌性个体大的物种中,体型的性两型可能与雄性之间的竞争有关,而不是与雌性偏好有关。     

Songs of Holcostethus strictus (Fabricius): a different repertoire among landbugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Songs emitted during mating by male and female Holcostethus strictus were recorded as substrate vibrations. Spectra of the vibrational signals have a dominant frequency peak between 100 and 260 Hz and in this respect reflect the general characteristic of the family Pentatomidae. Songs of H. strictus differ from the song repertoire of the southern green stink bug Nezara viridula (L.) (Pentatomidae) in many respects. The female calling and courtship songs differ in echeme and phrase duration. The male calling song is composed of spectrally different subunits. The male courtship song is characterised by three types of spectrally and temporally different echemes. The male copulatory song is composed of echemes of two types, which constitute a phrase of less regular temporal structure. In H. strictus, males start to sing first and female songs are less complex than in N. viridula. The female calling song is evoked by male calling and does not trigger male response. The female and male courtship song phrases are superimposed on one another and we have not observed any obvious regularity in their exchange. The possible role of different songs in H. strictus is discussed and compared with that in other pentatomide landbug species.     

Temporal processing of vibratory communication signals at the level of ascending interneurons in Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

During mating, males and females of N. viridula (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) produce sex- and species-specific calling and courtship substrate-borne vibratory signals, grouped into songs. Recognition and localization of these signals are fundamental for successful mating. The recognition is mainly based on the temporal pattern, i.e. the amplitude modulation, while the frequency spectrum of the signals usually only plays a minor role. We examined the temporal selectivity for vibratory signals in four types of ascending vibratory interneurons in N. viridula. Using intracellular recording and labelling technique, we analyzed the neurons' responses to 30 pulse duration/interval duration (PD/ID) combinations. Two response arrays were created for each neuron type, showing the intensity of the responses either as time-averaged spike counts or as peak instantaneous spike rates. The mean spike rate response arrays showed preference of the neurons for short PDs (below 600 ms) and no selectivity towards interval duration; while the peak spike rate response arrays exhibited either short PD/long ID selectivity or no selectivity at all. The long PD/short ID combinations elicited the weakest responses in all neurons tested. No response arrays showed the receiver preference for either constant period or duty cycle. The vibratory song pattern selectivity matched the PD of N. viridula male vibratory signals, thus pointing to temporal filtering for the conspecific vibratory signals already at level of the ascending interneurons. In some neurons the responses elicited by the vibratory stimuli were followed by distinct, regular oscillations of the membrane potential. The distance between the oscillation peaks matched the temporal structure of the male calling song, indicating a possible resonance based mechanism for signal recognition.     

The Influence of Substrate on Male Responsiveness to the Female Calling Song in Nezara viridula

The female calling song (FCS) of the southern green stink bug Nezara viridula is composed of vibrational pulse trains that include either short pulses and a long pulse (FCS-1) or just short pulses (FCS-2). Their function in communication was studied by investigating male vibratory responses to natural and artificial signals on artificial and natural substrates. On a loudspeaker membrane, FCS-1 triggered in males from a Slovene and a French population significantly more courtship songs (MCrS) than FCS-2. Experiments with artificial signals showed that male responses are modulated by the duration of pulse trains and pulse repetition time. On a bean plant, males of both populations responded in the same way to the two types of female calling song pulse trains. Moreover, a laser vibrometer study of the transmission of different natural and artificial vibratory signals through the bean plant showed that the pulses of a high repetition rate are prolonged and fused at distances from the emitter. We conclude that female calling song pulse trains of different temporal structure have the same function in vibrational communication of the species. The temporal and spectral structures of the female calling songs of N. viridula are discussed in terms of effective transmission through plants.     

Variability of vibratory signals and mate choice selectivity in the southern green stink bug

The southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula, has a complex mate recognition system that implicates chemical and acoustic signals. To localise a sexual partner acoustically, a male and female alternate between the male courtship song (MCrS) and the female calling song type 1 (FCS1). Although previous research has revealed that both signals show geographical variability, until now no studies have explored the form of this variability. We analysed the temporal and spectral characteristics of MCrS and FCS1 pulse trains of males and females from a French and a Guadeloupe population. Pulse train duration of the MCrS varied within and between populations. Likewise, spectral and temporal parameters of FCS1 varied within and between the two populations. Although females did not show any behavioural responses to pre-recorded MCrS, males responded to pre-recorded FCS1 by emitting a higher number of MCrS per minute. Furthermore, males modulated the repetition rate of their MCrS pulse trains to match those of the FCS1. All males responded to FCS1 from French and Guadeloupe females despite the temporal differences in these songs; however, they responded with a shorter latency and a higher rate of MCrS/FCS1 pulse trains to the songs of females from their own population. In choice experiments with two alternatives, responses to FCS1 were inhibited when males received a simultaneous female call from another Pentatomidae sympatric species, Acrosternum hilare. We conclude that, although males prefer FCS1 from their own population, they recognise FCS1 from French and Guadeloupe N. viridula females as species-specific female calls. Variability of vibratory signals might play a role in mate choice.     

The structure and function of songs emitted by southern green stink bugs from Brazil, Florida, Italy and Slovenia

Nezara viridula (L.) (Pentatomidae: Heteroptera) from Brazil, Florida, Italy and Slovenia, communicate by vibratory songs associated with long‐range calling and close‐range courting, rivalry and repelling. Each song is composed of spectrally and temporally different units. Spectrally different pulses of duration less than 300 ms are present in the male calling song. The female calling song is characterized by pulse trains composed of pulses shorter than 150 ms and pulse trains composed of a longer (> 700 ms) and shorter (< 250 ms) pulse. Shorter and longer pulses have different spectral characteristics. The male and female courtship songs are characterized by fusion of shorter (< 150 ms) pulses into a pulse train usually followed by a shorter (< 200 ms) postpulse in the case of the male courtship song. The female repelling song is a several seconds long vibration of irregular temporal structure. The short (< 400 ms) male rival song pulses are frequency modulated. The dominant frequency peaks of the songs investigated lie between 70 and 130 Hz. The dominant frequency and the microstructure of song spectra show no population specificity. The average duration varies more in calling than in courtship songs. The repetition time varies extensively in songs of different populations. Normal communication followed by copulation was observed between mates from Slovenia and Brazil and between mates from Florida and Italy. The potential role of different temporal and spectral parameters for species recognition and mate location is discussed in view of the expected distortion of the characteristic signal structure during transmission through plants.     

Species Recognition During Substrate-Borne Communication in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nezara viridula</Emphasis> (L.) (Pentatomidae: Heteroptera)

The information code in the temporal and spectral characteristics of the substrate-borne communication signals produced by insects has been primarily studied in insects in the suborder Auchenorrhyncha. In the present study we investigated which of the female calling song (FCS) parameters in Nezara viridula (L.) (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae) are essential for recognition by conspecific males. In playback experiments we measured male vibrational responsiveness to FCS signals varying in the durations of pulse trains and inter-pulse train intervals, repetition times, duty cycles, and dominant frequencies, and determined the preference range for each specific parameter. Males were able to distinguish songs of different temporal and frequency parameters and responded best to values characteristic of the song of conspecific females. Signal recognition is achieved on the basis of two temporal filters tuned to the durations of the pulse train and inter-pulse train interval. Males responded best to the dominant frequency characteristic of conspecific songs, which are tuned to the resonant properties of the herbaceous plants used for intraspecific signal transmission during communication.     

Comparison of Substrate-Borne Vibrational Signals of Two Congeneric Stink Bug Species, Thyanta pallidovirens and T. custator accerra (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Vibrational signals (songs) were recorded and compared for two stink bug species, Thyanta pallidovirens and T. custator accerra. Females of both species produced two songs. Male T. pallidovirens also produced two songs, whereas male T. c. accerra produced four. Songs emitted by females of both species were comparable in structure and function, as was one of the male-produced songs. During the courtship phase of mating behavior, males of both species emitted a song with similar function but different temporal and spectral properties. Basic properties of songs, such as the dominant frequencies, were similar to those of songs of other pentatomid species, but the extensive use of frequency modulation and overlapping duets were novel. Differences in songs, combined with differences in male-produced pheromones, may play a role in the reproductive isolation of these congeners.     

Vibrational communication and mating behaviour of Dichelops melacanthus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) recorded from loudspeaker membranes and plants

Vibrational communication is important for successful mating in various stink bugs species. The vibrational signals from males and females of Dichelops melacanthus Dallas (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are recorded from a nonresonant substrate (i.e. a loudspeaker membrane) to characterize the temporal and spectral properties of these vibrational signals, as well as on a resonant substrate (i.e. bean plants) to obtain information about how these signals are altered when they are transmitted through the plants. On the loudspeaker membrane, D. melacanthus males and females emit only one male or one female song, respectively. However, when the insects are placed on bean leaves, a more complex repertoire is recorded, with three different songs for each sex. The first female and male songs appear to have calling functions and the third male and female songs are emitted during courtship. The second female and male songs are emitted after the first song, although their functions in mating behaviour are not clear. The identified repertoire is similar to those of other Neotropical stink bugs, starting with songs 1 and 2 and developing into song 3. Frequency modulation is observed in the female songs recorded from the loudspeaker membrane and the plants. The signals recorded from plants present higher harmonic peaks compared with the signals recorded from the loudspeaker membrane. The presence of species and sex‐specific songs during mating confirms the important role of vibrational communication in mate location and recognition. The temporal and spectral characteristic signals are influenced by the substrate used to record the songs emitted by D. melacanthus.     

Sexual differentiation and seasonal variation in response to conspecific and heterospecific acoustic signals

Interspecific territoriality is frequently reported between closely related species; however, few studies have demonstrated interspecific territoriality between distantly related species living in sympatry. We conducted playback experiments to investigate territorial behaviour in male and female White‐bellied Wrens (Uropsila leucogastra) in response to simulated conspecific and heterospecific intruders during the breeding and non‐breeding seasons. We explored whether heterospecific songs of the Happy Wren (Pheugopedius felix), a distantly related species and ecological competitor, elicited antagonistic responses from focal White‐bellied Wrens, and whether such responses differed between the sexes. We also examined whether male and female responses to conspecific and heterospecific rivals varied with season. We found that male White‐bellied Wrens always responded to conspecific song, and responded significantly more to heterospecific song compared to a control stimulus (Tropical Parula, Setophaga pitiayumi). In contrast, although female White‐bellied Wrens responded strongly to conspecific song, their response to heterospecific song did not differ significantly from the control stimulus. The proportion of males that responded to heterospecific songs and the proportion of females that responded to conspecific songs varied seasonally, showing significantly lower responses during the breeding season. The intense responses of male White‐bellied Wrens to playback of heterospecific songs suggest that they recognise ecological competitors based on their vocal signals. Furthermore, the decrease in agonistic interactions during the breeding season is in line with the hypothesis that aggressive behaviour may be detrimental to reproductive and parental activity, and the hypothesis that heterospecific animals pose less of a threat during the breeding season.     

The role of signals of different modalities in initiating vibratory communication in Nezara viridula

Signals of different modalities are involved in the behaviour of the green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.) (Pentatomidae, Heteroptera). Long range attraction is mediated by male pheromones, resulting in aggregation of bugs on the same plant where vibratory signals, vision and various chemical signals become important. Both males and females sing spontaneously. When both are on the plant, males start vibratory communication as often as females. Females induce the exchange of vibratory signals spontaneously or triggered by the male pheromone while males initiate the duet either spontaneously or after seeing the female. Males and females sing spontaneously and respond to signals of different modalities more often in the daylight than in the dark. Long lasting autonomous emission of the female calling song is present when triggered by the male pheromone and males respond to female calling predominantly by the emission of the courtship song.