Home ranges and habitat vegetation characters in breeding season of Narcissus Flycatcher and Yellow-rumped Flycatcher

The home ranges of the Narcissus Flycatcher (Ficedula narcissina elisae) and the Yellow-rumped Flycatcher (F.zanthopygia) are measured by radio telemetry in a subalpine forest near Beijing,China.The home range is calculated by 100% Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP),and the area varies from 2,000 to 5,000 m2.The majority of flycatchers can be found in the bottom of valleys and the underside of mountains.It is fairly rare for both Flycatcher species to leave their nests more than 70 m.Individuals of the species in pair-banding and nest-detecting periods have larger home ranges than those in incubation and rearing periods.The levels of canopy coverage in the home ranges of Narcissus Flycatchers are significantly higher than that of Yellowrumped Flycatchers.There are also more tall trees and stumps in the home ranges of Narcissus Flycatchers than in that of Yellow-rumped Flycatchers.The dominant tree species in the home ranges of Narcissus Flycatchers is Dahurian Birch (Betula dahurica),whereas Manchurian Walnut (Juglans mandshurica) is the dominant tree species in the home ranges of Yellow-rumped Flycatchers.     

北京小龙门林场黄眉姬鹟的巢与巢址特征

2003—2006年,在北京小龙门林场共发现黄眉姬鹟(Ficedula narcissina elisae)巢43个。其中34巢筑于天然巢址:开放巢占29.4%,位于树枝间(10巢);洞巢占70.6%,位于树桩顶端凹坑中(10巢)和树洞中(14巢)。开放巢距地高度高于洞巢。黄眉姬鹟的主要营巢树种是棘皮桦(Betula dahurica)。在研究区内共悬挂了100个大洞口巢箱和130个小洞口巢箱,结果发现黄眉姬只利用大洞口巢箱(9巢),不利用小洞口巢箱。以巢为中心,取半径6m的样方测量巢址的植被特征。对海拔、坡向、林冠郁闭度、乔木数量、乔木高、乔木胸径、枯树数量、树桩数量和林下郁闭度等变量进行主成分分析。结果表明,黄眉姬鹟的巢址具有乔木高大、林冠郁闭度高、多枯树和树桩等特征。黄眉姬鹟的繁殖成功率为51.2%,天敌破坏是造成繁殖失败的主要原因。     

Conspecific attraction during establishment of Least Flycatcher clusters

ABSTRACT.   Some birds exhibit clustered breeding in which all-purpose territories are densely packed, leaving intervening but apparently suitable habitat unoccupied. Clustering could be ecologically driven by material resource patterns or socially driven by social or sexual benefits. Least Flycatchers ( Empidonax minimus ) breed in clusters in forests over much of North America. In 2003, we mapped all Least Flycatcher clusters along 18.7 km of secondary roads in central Ontario. In May 2004, we broadcast recorded territorial song in five areas not used by Least Flycatchers in 2003, but in the same study area. During settlement, we found Least Flycatchers in the established clusters, in three of five treatment sites, and in one nontreatment site. However, no pairs were noted at the treatment sites, and no males ultimately remained. One male did, however, defend a territory at a treatment site for 6 d. Despite limited success at attracting Least Flycatchers to new locations, manipulating settlement using social cues could be a useful management tool for some species.     

Habitat requirements of the Seychelles Black Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone corvina: a re-evaluation of translocation priorities

The critically endangered Seychelles Black Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone corvina was once found on at least five of the inner (granitic) islands in the Seychelles archipelago, western Indian Ocean. Currently, it is only found on two islands, with c. 98% of the world population (c. 150–200 individuals) occurring on the 10‐km² island of La Digue. Creation of additional island populations is therefore considered crucial in improving its conservation status. The presence of native broad‐leaved plateau forest in proximity to wetland areas is proposed as an important selection criterion when considering the suitability of other islands for translocation, due to the presumed importance of insect prey (dependent on water) in the diet. We quantified habitat use, territory composition, the effect of water on invertebrate abundance, and foraging and breeding success to determine the importance of native broad‐leaved woodland and wetland areas for Flycatchers. Flycatcher territories contained significantly more native broad‐leaved woodland (88%) than its availability on the plateau (43%); Flycatchers used native tree species significantly more for both foraging (81%) and nesting (95%) than their availability within territories (71%); and territory size varied inversely with the density of native broad‐leaved tree species. Native broad‐leaved forest was associated with semipermanent and permanent water bodies and availability of native forest habitat was a good predictor of territory distribution. The number of aerial insects trapped was higher close to water, but there was no effect of the proximity to water on the number of insects counted on foliage. The majority of identified prey species in adult diet were not dependent on water: Orthoptera and Lepidoptera were the most common prey groups, comprising 66% of identified prey items. There was no effect of proximity to water on foraging or breeding success (c. 35%): depredation was the major factor determining breeding success, and accounted for the majority of nest failures. The importance of wetland areas to Flycatchers therefore appears to have been over‐emphasized. The implications for translocation and conservation of the Flycatcher are discussed.     

Application of petG-trnP sequence to systematic study of Chinese Cupressus species

Chinese Cupressus L. includes five species. The molecular phylogenetic relationship of the Cupressus species and Chamaecyparis L. were determined by comparing 417–479 bp of chloroplast petG-trnP intergenic spacer sequence. In PAUP^* analysis, Platycladus orientalis was used as the functional out group. By using the maximum likelihood method 1 077 trees were examined and the result showed that one tree had a best score of -Ln=2 232.47. The phylogenetic tree clearly showed that Chamaecyparis nootkatensis was diverged from other Chamaecyparis species. Based on the results, together with evidences from other aspects, we consider that Cupressus funebris and Chamaecyparis nootkatensis should be placed in the genus Cupressus. The use of cpDNA intergenic spacer petG-trnP in Cupressus was also discussed. __________ Translated from Journal of Sichuan University (Natural Science Edition), 2005, 42(5): 1033–1037 [译自: 四川大学学报 (自然科学版) 2005, 42(5): 1033–1037]     

Overcoming challenges to morphological and molecular identification of Empidonax flycatchers: a case study with a Dusky Flycatcher

Flycatchers in the genus Empidonax are among the most difficult avian taxonomic groups to identify to species. Observers often rely on calls or songs in the field or detailed morphometrics in the hand to identify species. In January and February 2013, we twice captured an Empidonax flycatcher at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk, Virginia. After being unable to identify the flycatcher to species level using morphometrics and photographs, we extracted DNA from two tail feathers collected during the second encounter to identify the individual genetically. Comparison of cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) with reference sequences in the Barcode of Life Database (BOLD) suggested that the specimen had a >99.8% probability of placement as a Dusky Flycatcher (Empidonax oberholseri). Additional comparisons of NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) to reference sequences in GenBank, however, suggested that the specimen was a Pine Flycatcher (Empidonax affinis), a species not represented in BOLD and confined geographically to a small area in Mexico and Guatemala. After analyzing both COI and ND2 from additional vouchered specimens, the bird caught in Virginia was determined to be a Dusky Flycatcher. We also suspect that some of the sequences in GenBank might derive from incorrectly identified specimens or otherwise could represent overlooked pseudogenes. Because the putative identification, based on GenBank sequences, would have represented the first record of Pine Flycatcher from the United States, our results reinforce the need for carefully vetted and taxonomically comprehensive molecular databases to allow definitive conclusions about sample identity. Further molecular phylogeographic review of this genus is warranted to resolve haplotype ambiguities.     

A preliminary study on designing ecological corridors in Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve with 3S techniques

This paper is based on the fieldwork in Xishuangbanna Natioanl Nature Reserve in Yunnan Province of China. GPS data of Asian elephants were collected and analyzed with the remote sensing satellite photos of the region to estimate the landform physiognomy of different colors. We also analyzed a series of ecological factors including altitude, landform, relief, villages and roads which affected the distribution and movement of Asian elephants. The results suggested the possibility of designing and establishing corridors in Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve to protect the population of wild elephants in the region. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Normal University (Natural Science) 2006, 42(4): 405-C409 [译自: 北京师范大学学报 (自然科学版)]     

Intra-specific relationships among Tibetan Eared-pheasants based on randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis

The Tibetan Eared-pheasant Crossoptilon harmani is a rare species native to China. A captive population has been established in the Beijing Zoo since 1999. In order to determine the kinship of the offsprings in 2001, randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to examine the parenthood of seven Tibetan Eared-pheasants in the Beijing Zoo. To amplify the genomic DNA of each individual, 53 arbitrary primers were selected. The results of amplifications showed that 14 primers had clear and distinct RAPD patterns. Totally, 226 amplified fragments were generated by RAPD in this study. Cluster analysis of the seven Tibetan Eared-pheasants indicated that all the four young birds had the same father (No.5 male). This study provides a practical method to determine the relationship of offsprings whose parents are unknown in birds. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Normal University (Natural Science), 2005, 41(5): 507–509 [译自: 北京师范大学学报 (自然科学版), 2005, 41(5): 507–509]     

Simple technique for distinguishing Yellow‐bellied Flycatchers from Cordilleran and Pacific‐slope flycatchers

Flycatchers of the genus Empidonax are readily misidentified in the field, in the hand, and even in museum collections. We describe a novel plumage feature that can be used to distinguish Yellow‐bellied Flycatchers (E. flaviventris) from the two species that comprise the Western Flycatcher complex, Cordilleran Flycatchers (E. occidentalis) and Pacific‐slope Flycatchers (E. difficilis). The length of the buffy fringing on the anterior edge of each secondary feather, visible on the folded wing, is significantly shorter in Yellow‐bellied Flycatchers than in Western flycatchers, with minimal overlap. A definitive identification can be made using a simple formula that includes measurements of wing chord and the length of the buffy fringing along the outer edge of the first secondary (S1). This method provides definitive in‐hand identification, and the difference in length of the buffy fringing on the secondaries is also a useful field mark for visual identification. Testing our method with 113 museum specimens that had been identified a priori based on locality, we correctly identified 112 specimens. The exception was a specimen from Illinois that had been assumed to be a Yellow‐bellied Flycatcher. However, based on our formula, it was a Western flycatcher and analysis of its mtDNA sequence confirmed this result, proving the utility of our method.     

AFLP analysis of genetic diversity and relationship among some Chinese domestic ducks and wild ducks

The amplified fragment length polymorphic (AFLP) technique was used to analyze the genome DNA polymorphism among 8 breeds of domestic ducks and 2 species of wild ducks. Nine of the 17 selected primers pairs gave reproducible polymorphic DNA amplification bands. The amplified bands ranged from 44 to 83 per primer pair. Of the 513 AFLP markers obtained, 498 were polymorphic. The proportion of polymorphic loci was 97.1%. The genetic distance (D) and similarity coefficients (GS) were calculated based on the polymorphic data. Between domestic ducks D ranged from 0.331 to 0.589, while between domestic ducks and the wild ducks, it ranged from 0.298 to 0.520 (vs. Anas Platyrhynchos) and from 0.316 to 0.522 (vs. A. Poecilorhyncha), respectively. The variance analysis showed no significant difference between the two groups of data, which indicated that both mallard and spot-billed ducks made contributions to domestic duck evolution. A dendrogram was constructed according to the D value. __________ Translated from Journal of Xiamen University (Natural Science), 2005, 44(5): 729–733 [译自: 厦门大学学报 (自然科学版), 2005, 44(5): 729–733]     

Analysis of nutrient components of food for Asian elephants in the wild and in captivity

Thirty-seven wild plants as food for Asian elephants in the field in Simao, Yunnan province, China and five cultivated plants as food for captive elephants in the Beijing Zoo were collected and analyzed for their main nutrient components. Protein, fat, fiber, dry material, ash as well as major microelements: calcium, kalium, zincum, sodium in the food were analyzed by standard methodology. No significant differences were found between the wild plants taken in the field and forage provided in captivity. However, the calcium content in the forage is significantly less than the average of those in the wild plants. It is suggested that the increase in calcium intake may contribute to the relief of low plasma calcium diseases of elephants in captivity. Translated from Journal of Beijing Normal University (Natural Science), 2006, 42(2): 184–188 [译自: 北京师范大学学报 (自然科学版)]     

Integrated assessment and changes of ecological environment in the Daning River Watershed

Based on Remote Sensing (RS), Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and the Spatial Principal Component Analysis (SPCA) method, the integrated assessment and changes in the ecological environment of Daning River Watershed are studied in this paper. The watershed is located in the Three Gorge Area in China. The result of the integrated assessment showed that level 9 had the biggest proportion in the year 1990, which was about 40%. In the year 2000, however, there were no levels with a proportion significantly bigger than the others. By comparing the assessment results in 1990 and 2000, it is discovered that the ecological environment in Daning River Watershed in 1990 was better than that in 2000. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Normal University (Natural Science), 2006, 42(2): 200–203 [译自: 北京师范大学学报 (自然科学版)]     

A study on the relationship between vegetation pattern and environment in the upstream of Minjiang River, China

The vegetation pattern in the upstream of Minjiang River, and its relationship with environment factors, such as landscape position (elevation, slope, aspect), precipitation and temperature and soil are analyzed in this paper. The data used in this paper were based on the landscape map derived from 1994 TM imagery. The results were as follows: 1) dominant landscape types were forest, shrub land and grassland, which were very similar in terms of area ratio (32.87%, 31.85% and 28.44%, respectively); 2) the patch shape of conifer forest and mixed forest was complicated while that of broad-leaved forest and cultivated land was simple; 3) the fragmentation of conifer forest and mixed forest was serious in contrast with low fragmentation of broad-leaved forest and cultivated land; and 4) closed scrub and grassland had a high contagion and good connectivity while mixed forest had a lower contagion and bad connectivity. In addition, the vegetation distribution pattern of upstream of Minjiang River was closely related with elevation and temperature, but the relationship between vegetation and precipitation was not statistically significant. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Normal University (Natural Science), 2005,41(4) [译自: 北京师范大学学报(自然科学版), 2005,41(4)]     

Predators of Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata nests in southern England as determined by digital nest-cameras

Capsule Avian predators are principally responsible.

Aims To document the fate of Spotted Flycatcher nests and to identify the species responsible for nest predation.

Methods During 2005–06, purpose-built, remote, digital nest-cameras were deployed at 65 out of 141 Spotted Flycatcher nests monitored in two study areas, one in south Devon and the second on the border of Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

Results Of the 141 nests monitored, 90 were successful (non-camera nests, 49 out of 76 successful, camera nests, 41 out of 65). Fate was determined for 63 of the 65 nests monitored by camera, with 20 predation events documented, all of which occurred during daylight hours. Avian predators carried out 17 of the 20 predations, with the principal nest predator identified as Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius. The only mammal recorded predating nests was the Domestic Cat Felis catus, the study therefore providing no evidence that Grey Squirrels Sciurus carolinensis are an important predator of Spotted Flycatcher nests. There was no evidence of differences in nest survival rates at nests with and without cameras. Nest remains following predation events gave little clue as to the identity of the predator species responsible.

Conclusions Nest-cameras can be useful tools in the identification of nest predators, and may be deployed with no subsequent effect on nest survival. The majority of predation of Spotted Flycatcher nests in this study was by avian predators, principally the Jay. There was little evidence of predation by mammalian predators. Identification of specific nest predators enhances studies of breeding productivity and predation risk.     

Identification of sympatric bat species by the echolocation calls

One hundred and thirty-eight echolocation calls of 63 free-flying individuals of five bat species (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Myotis formosus, Myotis ikonnikovi, Myotis daubentoni and Murina leucogaster) were recorded (by ultrasonic bat detector (D980)) in Zhi’an village of Jilin Province, China. According to the frequency-time spectra, these calls were categorized into two types: FM/CF (constant frequency) / FM (R. ferrumequinum) and FM (frequency modulated) (M. formosus, M. ikonnikovi, M. daubentoni and M. leucogaster). Sonograms of the calls of R. ferrumequinum could easily be distinguished from those of the other four species. For the calls of the remaining four species, six echolocation call parameters, including starting frequency, ending frequency, peak frequency duration, longest inter-pulse interval and shortest inter-pulse interval, were examined by stepwise discriminant analysis. The results show that 84.1% of calls were correctly classified, which indicates that these parameters of echolocation calls play an important role in identifying bat species. These parameters can be used to test the accuracy of general predictions based on bats’ morphology in the same forest and can provide essential information for assessing patterns of bat habitat use. __________ Translated from Journal of Northeast Normal University (Natural Science Edition), 2006, 38 (3): 109–114 [译自: 东北师范大学学报(自然科学版)]     

Effects of intercropping with persimmon on the rhizosphere environment of tea

The rhizosphere environment of tea (Camellia sinensis Kuntze) intercropped with persimmon (Diospyros kaki) differs from monocultures of tea. A trial was conducted to determine the effects of intercropping with persimmon on root exudates and soil nutrient condition of tea. Amino acid exuded in intercropping was three times higher than that in monoculture. Phenol, phenol/amino acid ration, dissolved sugar, and total organic acid were also lower in intercropping. The value of pH in soil was higher, and soil nutrient condition of rhizosphere, especially available nutrient, was not as well in intercropping as that in tea grown alone. While soil nutrient of non-rhizosphere was better than that in monoculture, tea quality and soil nutrient condition were better in intercropping ecosystem. __________ Translated from Journal of Southwest China Normal University (Natural Science), 2005, 30(4): 715–718 [译自: 西南师范大学学报 (自然科学版), 2005, 30(4): 715–718]     

A comparison of in vitro anticancerous activity and mechanism of ethanolic extracts from different Ganoderma genus

Five ethanolic extracts from the mycelia of Ganoderma lucidum, G. tsugae, G. oerstedii, G. subamboinense, and G. resinaceum were respectively studied on their anticancerous activities against leukemic HL-60 cell line in vitro. Results showed that all five extracts potently inhibited HL-60 proliferation. The extract from G. lucidum mycelia exerted the highest activity. Annexin V/PI bivariate flow cytometric analysis further revealed that the five extracts significantly induced early apoptosis in HL-60 cells. The results illustrate that not only G. lucidum but also other Ganoderma species can inhibit cancer cells, and their mechanisms are related to induction of apoptosis. __________ Translated from Journal of Shanghai Normal University (Natural Sciences), 2005, 34(2): 77–81 [译自: 上海师范大学学报 (自然科学版), 2005, 34(2): 77–81]     

NOTES ON THE BREEDING BEHAVIOUR OF MARICO AND PALLID FLYCATCHERS IN THE CENTRAL TRANSVAAL,SOUTH AFRICA

Frost, S.K. 1990. Notes on the breeding behaviour of Marico and Pallid Flycatchers in the central Transvaal, South Africa. Ostrich 61:111-116.

The breeding behaviour of Marico and Pallid Flycatchers (Melaenornis mariquensis and M. pallidus) was studied at the Nylsvley Nature Reserve, South Africa, between September 1980 and January 1981. The flycatchers are morphologically similar but occur in different although sometimes adjacent woodlands. The two species do not differ in their breeding seasons, nor in their clutch sizes. The incubation period, previously unrecorded for Pallid Flycatchers, is 14 days and the fledging period 17 days. Marico Flycatchers fed their chicks more frequently than Pallid Flycatchers and helpers were observed at two Marico Flycatcher nests.     

Postglacial population expansion of Dacrydium pectinatum (Podocarpaceae) in Hainan, southem China, based on cpDNA trnL-F nocoding sequence data

This study determined the sequences of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) trnL-F non-coding regions of individuals of a tropical coniferous species, Dacrydium pectinatum, collected from 12 natural populations located in Hainan Province, southern China. Sequence length varied from 868 bp to 876 bp, indicating length polymorphism. Base composition in the sequences was high in A+T content between 64.17% and 64.95%, and no recombination event occurred (Rm = 0). Thirty haplotypes were identified based on statistical parsimony algorithm by running the TCS program. Populations of D. pectinatum in Hainan were lacking genetic differentiation. Such a deduction was supported by the observed F _ST values (0.00), AMOVA (24.17% of molecular variance attributed to difference among populations, P>0.05), high values of Nm (ranging from 1.92 to 2.50) and the branching structure in neighbor-joining (NJ) tree constructed from haplotypes. A ‘star-like’ pattern was exhibited in the TCS network of trnL-F haplotypes, and majority of the haplotypes coalesced near the tips in NJ tree. Gene genealogies of cpDNA haplotypes proposed a recent population expansion of D. pectinatum in Hainan, which was further supported by the results from Tajima’s D test and mismatch distribution analysis. Our data, in conjunction with geological and palynological evidences, showed that in the Holocene, due to global warming, refugee populations of D. pectinatum in Hainan might experience a range expansion. __________ Translated from Acta Scientiarum Naturalium Universitatis Sunyatseni, 2005, 44(5): 70–74 [译自: 中山大学学报 (自然科学版), 2005, 44(5): 70–74]     

Taxonomy of the Narcissus Flycatcher Ficedula narcissina complex: an integrative approach using morphological,bioacoustic and multilocus DNA data

The taxonomy of the Narcissus Flycatcher Ficedula narcissina–Yellow‐rumped Flycatcher Ficedula zanthopygia complex from East Asia has long been debated. Most authors recognize two species: F. narcissina, with the subspecies narcissina (most of Japan and Sakhalin Island), owstoni (south Japanese islands) and elisae (northeast China) and F. zanthopygia (monotypic), although species status has been proposed for elisae and sometimes for owstoni. Here, we revise the taxonomy of this complex based on an integrative approach utilizing morphology, songs and mitochondrial and nuclear DNA for all taxa. All taxa were diagnosably different in plumage, and there were also structural differences among them, although the northernmost populations of owstoni (sometimes recognized as jakuschima and shonis) were somewhat intermediate in plumage, structure and male plumage maturation between southern populations of owstoni and narcissina. All taxa had different songs, and a discriminant function analysis of four song variables correctly classified 100% of all songs. A strongly supported phylogeny was recovered based on three mitochondrial genes and three nuclear introns (total of 3543 bp), revealing a sister relationship between F. zanthopygia and the other taxa, between F. n. narcissina and F. n. owstoni, and between F. n. elisae and F. n. narcissina + F. n. owstoni. The corrected COI distances among the three F. narcissina subspecies ranged from 2.8% (narcissina–owstoni) to 8.2% (narcissina–elisae). We suggest that the congruent differences in multiple independent traits and the deep genetic divergences among the four taxa in the F. narcissina–F. zanthopygia complex support treatment of all of these taxa as separate species. However, we acknowledge the paucity of data for F. owstoni and recommend further studies of this taxon. We suggest listing both F. elisae and F. owstoni, which have small and fragmented populations, as globally threatened.