Toxoplasma antibodies among bobcats and other carnivores of norther California.

The prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii was investigated among five species of wild carnivores in Norther Ccalifornia. The highest prevalence was among bobcats (Lynx rufus), with 15 of 21 tested being serologically positive. Other results included serological evidence of toxoplasmosis in two of seven raccoons (Procyon lotor), one of three badgers (taxidea taxus) and two of three coyotes (Canis latrans). Two gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) were serologically negative. Oone badger with an indirect hemagglutination antibody titer of 1:8192 was found to harbor T. gondii in its brain tissues.     

利用红外相机技术监测道路对野生动物丰富度的影响——以观音山国家级自然保护区道路为例

2014年7月至2018年10月,利用20台红外相机监测陕西观音山国家级自然保护区一条内部道路对兽类和鸟类活动的影响.监测期间获得照片16168张,共鉴定到13种兽类和14种鸟类,包括4种国家Ⅰ级重点保护野生动物和7种国家Ⅱ级重点保护野生动物.结果 显示,距道路的距离越远,出现的物种种类越多.有2种兽类只活动于距离道路...     

Diet of free-ranging American mink and European polecat in Denmark

Stomach and intestine contents of 211 American minkMustela vison Schreber, 1777 from two areas (Thy and Bornholm) in Denmark and stomach contents of 47 polecatsM. putorius Linnaeus, 1758 from Thy were analysed. Sympatric mink (from Thy) preyed mostly on mammals (55% occurrence), followed by amphibians (36%), birds (33%) and fish (30%), whereas polecat preyed mostly on amphibians (87%) and mammals (34%), and only occasionally on birds (9%) and fish (6%). Allopatric mink (from Bornholm) preyed mostly on birds (50%), followed by mammals (42%), fish (25%) and amphibians (4%). With the possible exception of some amphibians, no endangered species were found in their diet. No differences were found in food composition between wild and escaped farm mink. The concern that mink in general might have a detrimental effect on its prey species and other mustelids in terms of food competition in Denmark may be unjustified. It cannot be ruled out, however, that mink may locally have a seriously negative effect on some specific prey species, and clearly, more data is needed on eg prey abundance and spring and summer mink diet, to make stronger conclusions.     

广西猫儿山自然保护区的兽类和鸟类多样性初步调查-基于红外相机监测数据

红外相机技术是监测兽类和鸟类的重要方法,目前已广泛应用于野生动物资源调查、种群评估和行为生态学等研究领域。2014年7月至2015年1月期间,在广西猫儿山国家级自然保护区布设51个红外相机监测位点（分别位于4种生境和7个海拔区域）,对区内大中型兽类及林下鸟类资源多样性进行了初步调查。研究期间共记录到兽类17种、鸟类30种,包括2种国家I级和7种II级重点保护野生动物。小泡巨鼠（Leopoldamys edwardsi）、红腿长吻松鼠（Dremomys pyrrhomerus）、隐纹松鼠（Tamiops swinhoei）、野猪（Sus scrofa）和赤腹松鼠（Callosciurus erythraeus）的相对丰富度居于兽类前5位,白鹇（Lophura nycthemera）、紫啸鸫（Myophonus caeruleus）、红嘴相思鸟(Leiothrix lutea)的相对丰富度居于鸟类前3位。在不同生境和海拔,兽类和鸟类物种数、多样性指数和均匀度指数存在显著差异。混交林中兽类和鸟类的物种数量、多样性和均匀度指数明显高于其它生境;海拔1400-1600 m鸟类物种数明显高于其它海拔区域。本次监测结果初步了解了猫儿山保护区内大中型兽类及林下鸟兽物种组成、相对数量及空间分布,为后期的科研工作及保护管理提供了丰富的基础资料。     

基于红外相机技术分析不同人类干扰强度对森林动物栖息的影响

云南江城县地处西双版纳生物多样性保护的优先区域,历史上未展开过全面系统的爬行动物资源调查。本研究于2019年5月至2020年9月期间,先后7次(5 ~ 10 d/月,8:00时至次日04:00时),调查江城县全域爬行动物多样性。调查采用固定样线法,共设置207条样线,每条长4 km,本次调查共记录爬行动物2目17科39属51种,其中国家一级重点保护野生动物物种1种,圆鼻巨蜥(Varanus salvator),国家二级重点保护野生动物物种7种。本次调查发现2新种和1种中国分布新记录及1种云南分布新记录,新种为伯仲钝头蛇(Pareas geminates sp. nov)和滇南竹叶青蛇(Trimeresurus goui sp. nov),中国新记录种为老挝拟须唇蛇(Parafimbrios lao),云南新记录种为崇安斜鳞蛇(Pseudoxenodon karlschmidti)。通过分析发现,江城县爬行动物物种多样性丰富,该区分布的物种区系以东洋界为主,单属种较多,与喜马拉雅-横断山具有一定的联系。其6类生态型中,灌丛石隙型最丰富。垂直分布多样性最丰富的是山坡地带海拔700 ~ 1 500 m。江城的地理位置以及气候与植被环境,是研究季雨林爬行动物多样性组成的典型区域,本次调查研究弥补了该地区爬行动物多样性文献资料的空白,建议未来维持现有的森林分布格局,加强对该地区爬行动物多样性的研究、监测和保护。     

Sarcocystosis among Wild Captive and Zoo Animals in Malaysia

Sarcocystis sp. infection was investigated in 20 necropsied captive wild mammals and 20 birds in 2 petting zoos in Malaysia. The gross post-mortem lesions in mammals showed marbling of the liver with uniform congestion of the intestine, and for birds, there was atrophy of the sternal muscles with hemorrhage and edema of the lungs in 2 birds. Naked eye examination was used for detection of macroscopic sarcocysts, and muscle squash for microscopic type. Only microscopically visible cysts were detected in 8 animals and species identification was not possible. Histological examination of the sections of infected skeletal muscles showed more than 5 sarcocysts in each specimen. No leukocytic infiltration was seen in affected organs. The shape of the cysts was elongated or circular, and the mean size reached 254 × 24.5 µm and the thickness of the wall up to 2.5 µm. Two stages were recognized in the cysts, the peripheral metrocytes and large numbers of crescent shaped merozoites. Out of 40 animals examined, 3 mammals and 5 birds were positive (20%). The infection rate was 15% and 25% in mammals and birds, respectively. Regarding the organs, the infection rate was 50% in the skeletal muscles followed by tongue and heart (37.5%), diaphragm (25%), and esophagus (12.5%). Further ultrastructural studies are required to identify the species of Sarcocystis that infect captive wild animals and their possible role in zoonosis.     

Intestinal carriage of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis by wild birds and mammals in Japan

Fecal specimens were obtained from wild birds and mammals in the eastern part of Shimane Prefecture, Japan, an area where serotype 1b, 2b, 3, and 4b strains of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis were found to be prevalent in humans. Each of 869 animals, including 259 wild birds and 610 wild mammals, was screened for yersiniae. A total of 37 strains of Y. pseudotuberculosis were isolated from 34 (5.6%) mammals, including 23 raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides), eight deer (Cervus nippon), two hares (Lepus brachyurus), and one marten (Martes melampus), and from two (0.8%) birds, including one eastern spot-billed duck (Anas poecilorhyncha) and one wigeon (Anas penelope). The Y. pseudotuberculosis isolates collected belonged to virulence plasmid-positive (serotypes 1b, 2b, 3, 4b, and 6) and virulence plasmid-negative (serotype 5a) strains, the most predominant serotype being 4b. The close relationship between the regional distributions of Y. pseudotuberculosis in wild animals and humans suggests that wild animals are an important source of infection.     

Mammalian toxoplasmosis in birds

Naturally occurring infections with Toxoplasma have been sought in several species of wild birds, and one case has been found in a locally caught pigeon—the first known demonstration of toxoplasmosis of the mammalian type in birds in eastern North America. Experimental infections with a strain of Toxoplasma of human origin have been studied in pigeons, song sparrows, grackles, and chickens. Some of the birds became acutely ill and died within a few days or a week; others became chronically ill and exhibited no symptoms during the period of observation which, for certain birds, lasted more than 6 months. There was no indication that the parasites were in any way modified by such prolonged exposure to conditions in the avian host, except where chicks were experimentally employed. In the latter case, there was a definite indication of lessened virulence after twenty serial passages.Grackles with experimental infections exhibited an easily demonstrable parasitemia for at least as long as 5 days, during which as little as 0.1 ml of their blood was infective to mice.Two young pigeons, fed for 2 weeks by a mother with an acute case of toxoplasmosis, failed to become infected, but proved susceptible when later inoculated with parasites. They developed a chronic infection, characterized by a rise of antibodies in much the same fashion as in mammals having the disease. The antibody curve remained high for the entire period of observation (6 months).Mouse brains from experimentally induced cases of toxoplasmosis remained infective for as long as 18 days when stored in an ordinary electric refrigerator and immersed in sterile Difco skim milk. Exposure to higher temperatures however showed that 55 °C for 5 minutes is lethal to the parasite, and that in some cases they are no longer viable after an exposure of equal duration to 50 °C.     

Characterization of Avian-like Influenza A (H4N6) Virus Isolated from Caspian Seal in 2012

正Dear Editor Marine mammals are widely distributed and can be found almost in all coastal waters and coastlines around the world. The interface areas between marine and terrestrial environments provide natural habitats for aquatic and semiaquatic mammals as well as for reservoir species of avian influenza viruses (AIV)(Runstadler et al. 2013). Previous     

Intestinal carriage of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis by wild birds and mammals in Japan.

Fecal specimens were obtained from wild birds and mammals in the eastern part of Shimane Prefecture, Japan, an area where serotype 1b, 2b, 3, and 4b strains of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis were found to be prevalent in humans. Each of 869 animals, including 259 wild birds and 610 wild mammals, was screened for yersiniae. A total of 37 strains of Y. pseudotuberculosis were isolated from 34 (5.6%) mammals, including 23 raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides), eight deer (Cervus nippon), two hares (Lepus brachyurus), and one marten (Martes melampus), and from two (0.8%) birds, including one eastern spot-billed duck (Anas poecilorhyncha) and one wigeon (Anas penelope). The Y. pseudotuberculosis isolates collected belonged to virulence plasmid-positive (serotypes 1b, 2b, 3, 4b, and 6) and virulence plasmid-negative (serotype 5a) strains, the most predominant serotype being 4b. The close relationship between the regional distributions of Y. pseudotuberculosis in wild animals and humans suggests that wild animals are an important source of infection.     

浙江德清野化放归朱鹮的繁殖行为

人类干扰影响着野生动物的栖息、生存、繁衍等各个环节。干扰强度不同,对野生动物的负面影响也不同。为了了解不同强度人类干扰对野生动物栖息的影响,2021年1月,在浙江百山祖国家级自然保护区,根据人为干扰综合强度预先设定点位,布设40台红外相机。40个点位被分为4种干扰区,干扰强度从低到高依次为基本无干扰区、干扰轻微区、干扰较轻区和干扰较重区,每区10个点位,监测365 d,共监测14 585相机日。研究表明：(1)拍摄到野生动物独立照片4 256张,其中兽类3 485张,鸟类771张。除啮齿类动物外,拍摄到31种动物,其中兽类14种、鸟类17种,另外有3张因照片不够清晰而未能识别鸟的种类。国家一级重点保护野生动物2种,国家二级重点保护野生动物9种。(2)基本无干扰区、干扰轻微区、干扰较轻区及干扰较重区所拍摄到的野生动物独立照片数量和种类分别为1 798张29种(兽类15种,鸟类14种)、1 308张23种(兽类15种,鸟类8种)、756张19种(兽类12种,鸟类7种)、394张18种(兽类13种,鸟类5种),各区之间的独立照片数量差异极显著(P < 0.01)。随着人类干扰强度的增加,拍摄到的独立照片数量逐渐减少,拍摄到的独立照片数量与人类干扰强度之间存在极显著的负线性关系(P < 0.01)。同时,随着人类干扰强度的增加,拍摄到的野生动物种类也逐渐减少,尤其是鸟类减少幅度更大。(3)国有林内23台相机拍摄到3 163张,计33种(兽类16种、鸟类17种);集体林内17台相机拍摄到1 093张,计22种(其中兽类13种、鸟类9种)。集体林内平均每台红外相机拍摄到的照片数量为国有林的46.75%,差异极显著(P < 0.01),这可能是由于早些年份的林木采伐使栖息地遭受不同程度的破坏,并导致生境片段化,进而影响野生动物栖息。因而,对于野生动物保护来说,栖息地保护是一项相当重要的工作。     

云南哀牢山国家级自然保护区野生鸟兽的红外相机初步监测

红外相机技术目前已成为调查监测大中型兽类和地面活动鸟类的一种常规手段,在自然保护区物种资源编目中具有重要的应用价值。在2014年10月至12月期间,我们采用红外相机技术在云南哀牢山国家级自然保护区北部布设了40个相机位点,布设密度为1台/2 hm2,对中山湿性常绿阔叶林野生鸟兽进行了一次初步调查。相机累计工作1961个有效工作日,共获得野生动物独立有效照片566张,鉴定出隶属4目9科的10种兽类和2目4科的10种鸟类。相对丰富度指数较高的前2种兽类和3种鸟类分别为红颊长吻松鼠（Dremomys rufigenis）、野猪（Sus scrofa）和白鹇（Lophura nycthemera）、长尾地鸫（Zoothera dixoni）及斑背燕尾（Enicurus maculatus）。属于国家II级重点保护野生动物的有4种,被IUCN红色名录评估为“易危 VU”级别的物种有2种,列入CITES附录II和III的物种分别有2种和3种。本次调查仍有多种重要大中型兽类和鸟类未被记录,但是为保护区后续的野生动物红外相机常规监测和保护管理提供了基础信息。     

Evidence of exposure of waterfowl and other aquatic birds to the hemagglutinating duck adenovirus identical to EDS-76 virus

Serum and fecal samples from 12 species of aquatic birds were studied for evidence of exposure to a hemagglutinating duck adenovirus (DAV). DAV is serologically indistinguishable from egg-drop syndrome-76 virus. A total of 285 serum samples were tested by the hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) test. Forty-two percent of the birds had HI antibodies, with titers ranging from 8 to 256. Wild ducks showed the highest frequency of antibodies (56%) while in coots and grebes, antibody was less frequent, 33% and 26%, respectively. Attempted virus isolations from 79 fecal samples were unsuccessful. The data support the hypothesis that DAV is indigenous in wild duck populations and suggest that infection and viremia are limited in time and occur at a very early age.     

Results of serological examination for leptospirosis of domestic and wild animals in the Upper Nile province (Sudan)

195 domestic and 766 wild animals were serologically examined for leptospirosis. Cattle was found to be positive at titres 1 greater than or equal to 400 in 63.5%, namely 50.6% for Tarassovi, 17.1% for Sejroe-Hebdomadis, 9.4% for Bataviae, 1.2-3.5% for Icterohaemorrhagiae, Cynopteri, Autumnalis, Australis, Pomona and Grippotyphosa. Sera from 35 animals reacted with the serovars from two or more serogroups. Of 7 sheep 1 was positive for Pomona and 18 goats proved to be negative. 10.2% of wild mammals were positive at titres 1 greater than or equal to 100, namely 3.5% for Icterohaemorrhagiae, 3.1% for Javanica, 1.7% for Pomona and 0.1-0.8% for Sejroe-Hebdomadis, Grippotyphosa Pyrogenes, Australis, Ballum, Bataviae, Cynopteri and Canicola. The sera of 10 animals were simultaneously positive with the serovars of two serogroups. Erinaceus albiventris, Eidolon helvum, Tadarida condylura and T. pumila, Cercopithecus aethiops, Genetta sp., Ichneumonia albicauda, Canis adustus and C. aureus, Felis silvestris, Leptailurus serval, Arvicanthis niloticus, Mus sp. and species from the subfamilies Tragelaphniae, Reduncinae and Gazellinae were serologically positive. The positivity rate in rodents was only 1.2%.     

Rabies antibodies in sera of wild birds

Three hundred forty-three birds representing six orders and 22 species were examined serologically for antibodies against rabies. Low passive hemagglutination titers were observed in 23 samples. Fifteen of 65 (23.1%) predatory birds and 8 of 278 (2.9%) non-predatory birds were positive. Rabies antibody positive sera from non-predatory species were from species commonly thought to be scavengers suggesting the importance of the oral route for the presentation of rabies virus to birds.     

基于红外相机技术调查长青国家级自然保护区兽类和鸟类多样性

野生动物多样性的有效保护与管理,需要大范围、长时间的系统监测网络的支持。红外相机调查技术近年来已成为自然保护区鸟兽调查的最有效工具之一,为了解和掌握区域性乃至全国性的生物多样性现状,提供了最直接和最基础的数据。长青国家级自然保护区位于秦岭南坡,地处秦岭自然保护区群的核心地带。自2008年至2011年,使用被动式红外触发相机调查技术在长青保护区内调查了大中型兽类与鸟类的本底资源。共完成有效调查位点435个,相机工作日15767d。获得兽类有效拍摄3 282次,记录到分属5目12科的21种野生兽类和1种家畜,其中国家一级和二级重点保护野生动物各有5种,被IUCN物种红色名录评估为濒危（EN）、易危（VU）、近危（NT）的物种分别有2、3、4种。食肉目和偶蹄目是本次调查兽类记录中物种数量（分别有9种和7种）和有效拍摄数（分别占兽类有效拍摄数的13.5%和84.0%）最高的两个类群,食肉目中相对多度指数最高的物种是大熊猫（Ailuropoda melanoleuca, 12.30）,偶蹄目中最高的物种是羚牛（Budorcas taxicolor, 114.04）。保护区内大型兽类（食肉目和偶蹄目）物种多样性沿海拔梯度,大体呈现中部高、两侧低的单峰模式,海拔1600-2200 m的中等海拔段是大型兽类多样性最高的区域。鸟类有效拍摄191次,记录到分属4目8科的17种鸟类,其中国家二级重点保护野生动物物种8种。鸡形目雉科鸟类是有效拍摄数最高的类群,占全部鸟类拍摄数的79.8%。调查中记录到的林猬（Mesechinus hughi）和鹰雕（Spizaetus nipalensis）为长青自然保护区的新记录种。调查结果提供了较为全面的区内大中型兽类和鸟类群落的本底信息,为后续的保护管理规划和长期监测提供了数据支持和指导。     

西藏珍稀野生动物资源与分布的研究

西藏珍稀野生动物有125种,隶属于16目29科86属。其中：哺乳类52种,隶属于5目13科34属;鸟类69种,隶属于8目13科49属;其它种类4种。本文择其重要种类介绍了西藏珍稀野生动物的分布。     

Prevalence of serologic types of Pasteurella multocida from 57 species of birds and mammals in the United States

The serologic types of 265 isolates of Pasteurella multocida collected from 50 species of wild birds and seven species of wild mammals over a 22-yr period were determined with the gel diffusion precipitin test. Antigens prepared from these isolates reacted with reference P. multocida antisera representing serotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, and 15. Antigens from some isolates reacted slightly with antisera from more than one serotype. Overall, gel precipitin reactions involving serotype 1 (65%) and 3 (20%) were the most prevalent.     

Cytochrome b evolution in birds and mammals: an evaluation of the avian constraint hypothesis.

Patterns of molecular evolution in birds have long been considered anomalous. Compared with other vertebrates, birds have reduced levels of genetic divergence between groups of similar taxonomic ranks for a variety of nuclear and mitochondrial markers. This observation led to the avian constraint hypothesis, which identifies increased functional constraint on avian proteins as the cause for the reduction in genetic divergence. Subsequent investigations provided additional support for the avian constraint hypothesis when rates of molecular evolution were found to be slower in birds than in mammals in a variety of independent calibrations. It is possible to test the avian constraint hypothesis as an explanation for this avian slowdown by comparing DNA sequence data from protein-coding regions in birds and homologous regions in mammals. The increased selective constraints should lead to a reduction in the proportion of amino acid replacement substitutions. To test for such a decrease, we calculated the numbers of amino acid replacement substitutions per replacement site (dN) and silent substitutions per silent site (dS) for the complete mitochondrial cytochrome b gene using 38 avian and 43 mammalian comparisons that were phylogenetically independent. We find that dN/dS is significantly smaller in birds than in mammals. This difference cannot be explained by differences in codon bias affecting dS values. We suggest that the avian slowdown can be explained, at least in part, by a decreased tolerance for amino acid substitutions in avian species relative to mammalian species.