栗山天牛成虫羽化与温湿度的关系

栗山天牛Massicus raddei (Blessig)是危害我国东北辽东栎Quercus liaotungensis和蒙古栎Q.mongolicus天然林的重大害虫,生活周期长,3a发生1代,而且生活史整齐,在东北林区的辽宁、吉林和内蒙发育历期基本一致,因而绝大部分的成虫羽化时期出现在同一年份.为了有效防治栗山天牛,利用栗山天牛成虫具有趋光性这一特点,研究发明了诱集捕杀成虫的专用黑光灯,诱杀了大量的栗山天牛成虫,吉林省2008年共诱杀栗山天牛成虫达24.16t.根据每天晚上所诱到的栗山天牛的成虫数量(平均lkg栗山天牛成虫数量为430头,按此折合成重量kg统计),分析栗山天牛在成虫发生期其羽化数量与温湿度因子的关系.结果表明,栗山天牛成虫的羽化高峰期集中在7月下旬至8月上旬;成虫的羽化与林间气温呈显著的正相关关系,与相对湿度则呈显著负相关关系.研究对栗山天牛成虫的发生量与温湿度的关系进行了拟合.研究结果为我国东北林区栗山天牛成虫羽化年份预测预报成虫出现和发生期以及在成虫发生期开展防治提供了依据.     

桑天牛对补充营养寄主的选择性及诱杀药剂筛选

桑天牛Apriona germari(Hope)对补充营养植物的偏好性引起了诸多学者的广泛关注。利用天牛对寄主植物的选择性,开发植物源引诱剂对于天牛的控制具有重要意义。作为植物源引诱剂开发的一个基础工作,本论文研究选择3种主要寄主植物(构树、桑树和杨树)进行桑天牛成虫选择性与取食量的研究;研究显示,构树(Broussonetia parpyrifera(L.)Vent)、桑树(Morus alba L.)和杨树(Populus×canadensis Moench)引诱桑天牛成虫补充营养频率存在显著差异(F=118.9,P<0.01),桑天牛成虫补充营养对于构树具有极明显的选择性;桑天牛对3种植物取食量存在显著差异(F=14.7,P<0.01),桑天牛成虫补充营养时对构树具有明显的偏好性。上述研究为桑天牛成虫诱集捕杀及其引诱剂开发奠定理论基础。同时,为了更好的指导生产实践,本文对两种杀虫剂——虫线清乳油与绿色威雷(触破式微胶囊剂)毒杀桑天牛的效果进行了评价。试验采用林间罩笼方法,测定了两种杀虫剂对桑天牛成虫效果。研究结果表明,虫线清喷施后,显著抑制了桑天牛的取食行为;5 d内桑天牛成虫全部死亡,防治率为100%;绿色威雷喷雾防治桑天牛成虫杀虫作用迅速,150 min内成虫全部死亡,防治效果达100%。上述两种药剂可以作为桑天牛成虫诱集捕杀的候选药剂在生产实践中加以应用。     

栗山天牛成虫取食、交配和产卵行为

通过室内配对饲养和野外观察,本文研究了栗山天牛成虫的取食、交配和产卵行为。结果表明:栗山天牛成虫吸食从栎树树皮受伤处溢出的汁液补充营养。栗山天牛雄成虫比雌成虫更具攻击性,在取食和交配中的雄成虫易发生争斗,交配中的雄成虫攻击性最强。其攻击方式主要是用上颚咬住对手的触角或者足进行拖拽。70%的栗山天牛雄成虫争斗是为了争夺配偶,其次是为了争夺食物资源。栗山天牛成虫完成一次完整的交配经过4个阶段,即:识别、追逐-攀附、抚慰-插入输精-交尾间歇、配后保护。整个交配过程最长可达2 h。试探性插入、插入输精和输精后保护是整个交配过程的重点,持续时间长短不一。雄成虫输入精子的次数与交配持续的时间成正比。雄成虫每次插入输精持续的时间与次数成反比,每次输精间歇时间与次数成正比。雄成虫输入精子之后会再次插入保护,平均持续约1 min。栗山天牛雌成虫产卵于寄主树皮裂缝中。以上研究为了解栗山天牛成虫的行为及其防治提供参考。     

云杉花墨天牛成虫对四种寄主松树的取食偏好性

【目的】近年来,松材线虫病扩散到我国的中温带地区,云杉花墨天牛Monochamus saltuarius成为该地区松材线虫的新媒介昆虫。由于中温带地区松材线虫危害松树种类较多,本研究对云杉花墨天牛成虫对4种寄主松树的取食偏好性进行测定,为明确云杉花墨天牛成虫补充营养特性,进而为中温带地区松材线虫病和云杉花墨天牛监测与防治工作提供理论依据。【方法】2020年5月云杉花墨天牛羽化前,在辽宁省抚顺市大伙房实验林场采集被云杉花墨天牛侵入的红松Pinus koraiensis疫木,锯成1 m长木段,两端蜡封,置于养虫笼内,每天收集初羽化的云杉花墨天牛成虫。养虫笼内四角分别放置寄主植物红松、油松P. tabulaeformis、樟子松P. sylvestris var. mongolica和长白落叶松Larix olgensis 3年生树苗,将同一天羽化的5对雌雄成虫配对放入养虫笼中央,调察其在不同寄主松树上的日均取食频次和在寄主松树各部位的日均取食量。【结果】云杉花墨天牛成虫主要停留在油松上,日均取食频次为7.05±3.87次/d,其次是红松、长白落叶松上,停留在樟子松上的频次最少,日均取食频次仅有1.02±0.81次/d;各种寄主松树上雌雄成虫间的日均取食频次差异显著。云杉花墨天牛成虫在4种松树上的日均取食量存在显著差异,其中对油松的日均取食量最高,为129.14±50.23 mm²,占取食总量的62.89%;其次是对红松、长白落叶松,对樟子松的日均取食量最低,为9.87±11.02 mm²,仅占取食总量的4.81%。另外,云杉花墨天牛成虫在同种松树植物的不同部位上取食量差异显著,在4种松树上均主要取食嫩枝。【结论】从云杉花墨天牛成虫补充营养期间在不同松树上取食频次和取食量分析,云杉花墨天牛对油松的选择性明显高于其他3种松树。     

携带松材线虫对松墨天牛成虫肠道和气管细菌的影响

【目的】探究被松墨天牛Monochamus alternatus携带的松材线虫Bursaphelenchus xylophilus对松墨天牛肠道和气管细菌的影响。【方法】野外采集携带松材线虫的松墨天牛成虫后,取出完整肠道和气管进行细菌总DNA抽提后进行16S rDNA基因测序并拼接,并利用生物信息学方法分析松墨天牛成虫肠道和气管细菌组成、结构、丰度和多样性。【结果】携带松材线虫的松墨天牛成虫肠道和气管细菌菌群共检测到15门26纲66目110科201属296种,可操作分类单元(operational taxonomic unit, OTU)数目为444。携带松材线虫的松墨天牛成虫比未携带松材线虫的松墨天牛成虫肠道优势细菌菌群变化不显著,均为变形菌门(Proteobacteria)肠杆菌目(Enterobacterales);携带松材线虫的松墨天牛成虫气管优势细菌菌群为变形菌门肠杆菌目,未携带松材线虫的松墨天牛成虫气管优势细菌菌群为厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)乳杆菌目(Lactobacillales)。携带松材线虫的松墨天牛成虫较未携带松材线虫的松墨天牛成虫气管细菌多样性和丰度升高,细...     

松墨天牛漆酶基因MaLac1的克隆、原核表达及表达谱分析

【目的】本研究旨在克隆并鉴定松墨天牛Monochamus alternatus内源漆酶基因MaLac1,分析其在松墨天牛不同发育阶段的表达水平,为进一步明确MaLac1功能提供依据。【方法】基于松墨天牛肠道转录组测序数据,通过RACE克隆松墨天牛MaLac1基因的全长cDNA序列,并对其进行生物信息学分析;将该基因与pET-32a载体链接构建表达载体pET-MaLac1,导入大肠杆菌Escherichia coli Rosetta (DE3)使其表达;使用qPCR检测MaLac1基因在松墨天牛不同发育阶段(低龄幼虫、老熟幼虫、蛹、雌成虫和雄成虫)肠道中的表达差异。【结果】克隆获得松墨天牛MaLac1的cDNA全长序列(GenBank登录号:KY073340)。MaLac1开放阅读框全长2 067 bp,编码一个含688个氨基酸的蛋白质,预测分子量为78.34 kD,等电点为5.30。SignalP 4.1 Server预测MaLac1在N端包含一个15个氨基酸的信号肽。序列比对分析表明,MaLac1具有典型的昆虫漆酶基因特征,与赤拟谷盗Tribolium castaneum漆酶基因的氨基酸序列一致性达93%。SDS-PAGE检测发现IPTG诱导表达了一条大约78 kD的特异蛋白条带,与推测大小一致。qPCR结果显示,MaLac1在不同发育阶段的松墨天牛肠道中均有表达,其中,在雌成虫肠道中表达量最高,在雄成虫肠道中的次之,在幼虫肠道中的最低。【结论】MaLac1在松墨天牛成虫中表达量显著高于其在幼虫中的,这一结果可能与幼虫和成虫的取食习性差异相关。MaLac1在松墨天牛体内的功能还有待进一步研究。     

松墨天牛成虫对寄主颜色的视觉选择研究

为验证视觉信息在松墨天牛Monochamus alternatus Hope成虫寄主选择中的作用,并探索其对寄主健康状况的偏好,本文通过林间对寄主云南松针叶的色彩比对,选取国际标准色卡对应卡色作为视觉信号源,对松墨天牛雌、雄成虫的视觉选择进行了研究。研究表明,松墨天牛雌虫选择最多的颜色分别是:棕红色(选择率26.67%),赭石棕(选择率20.00%),栗棕色(选择率16.67%);松墨天牛雄虫选择最多的颜色为:信号褐(选择率26.67%),棕红色(选择率23.33%),栗棕色(选择率20.00%)。雌、雄成虫均偏好选择棕褐色系,对应于林间衰弱和濒死寄主针叶呈现的颜色,说明松墨天牛成虫通过视觉判断偏好攻击长势衰弱的林木,属于次期性蛀干害虫。     

福建龙岩新罗区松墨天牛成虫活动规律初步研究

利用福建农林大学研发的APF-Ⅰ型松墨天牛持久型诱芯和专用配套ZM-808型诱捕器诱捕松墨天牛成虫,摸清其在福建龙岩市新罗区的活动规律,为松材线虫病的防控提供依据。结果表明,新罗区松墨天牛成虫在3月下旬开始活动,为活动初期;活动盛期在5月中旬至7月中旬;7月下旬至11月上旬为活动末期;11月中旬至翌年3月上旬无松墨天牛成虫活动。5个诱捕器全年共收集松墨天牛成虫824头,其中雌虫701头,雄虫123头,雌雄比为1:0.18,收集到的松墨天牛成虫雌虫数量多于雄虫数量。根据松墨天牛成虫的活动规律,在松材线虫病防控工作中,松墨天牛诱捕器诱杀应在3月下旬至10月中下旬进行;每年3月底前应将不明原因枯死松树清理干净,同时加强林间松墨天牛成虫防治工作,杜绝传播隐患。     

星天牛对青皮垂柳挥发物的电生理及行为反应

【目的】考察星天牛Anoplophora chinensis对不同生理状态青皮垂柳Salix ohsidare挥发物的选择偏好性,深入探究星天牛对虫害青皮垂柳与健康青皮垂柳行为选择差异的原因。【方法】利用动态顶空吸附法,分别收集虫害和健康两种生理状态下的青皮垂柳枝条挥发物,通过气相色谱 质谱联用仪(GC-MS)对收集的挥发物样品进行鉴定与分析,采用触角电位仪(EAG)和Y型嗅觉仪分别分析星天牛对挥发物样品中鉴定的主要化合物的标准化合物的电生理以及行为反应,通过大笼行为实验和林间诱捕试验分析单一挥发性化合物及其双组分和三组分配方对星天牛成虫的诱捕效果。【结果】健康青皮垂柳枝条挥发物中共鉴定出3种主要化合物,包括α-蒎烯、3-蒈烯和樟脑,而虫害青皮垂柳枝条挥发物中鉴定出5种主要化合物包括α-蒎烯、β-蒎烯、3-蒈烯、β-罗勒烯和樟脑。另外虫害青皮垂柳枝条挥发物中的樟脑含量显著高于健康青皮垂柳枝条中的,3-蒈烯在两种挥发物中含量差异不显著,而健康青皮垂柳枝条挥发物中的α-蒎烯含量显著高于虫害青皮垂柳枝条中的。EAG实验表明,星天牛成虫对α-蒎烯、3-蒈烯和β-罗勒烯3种化合物的EAG反应相对值较高,并且随这3个化合物浓度的升高而逐渐增大;星天牛成虫对β-蒎烯和樟脑的EAG反应相对值差异不大,且这2个化合物浓度变化对EAG反应相对值无明显影响。Y型嗅觉仪实验表明,在1 mg/mL浓度下,α-蒎烯、3-蒈烯和β-罗勒烯吸引星天牛雄成虫数量均显著高于对照组（石蜡油）,β-罗勒烯吸引的星天牛雌成虫数量显著高于对照组;在10 mg/mL浓度下,3-蒈烯吸引的星天牛雄成虫数量显著高于对照组。大笼行为实验表明,三组分虫害配方D(α-蒎烯∶3-蒈烯∶β-罗勒烯=42∶30∶103)、α-蒎烯和β-罗勒烯吸引的星天牛成虫数量最多,显著高于双组分健康配方H(α-蒎烯∶3-蒈烯=105∶38)和3-蒈烯吸引的成虫数量。林间诱捕试验表明,α-蒎烯和虫害配方D对星天牛成虫的诱捕效果最好,诱捕的成虫数显著高于β-罗勒烯和健康配方H诱捕的成虫数,而3-蒈烯和空白对照组没有诱捕到星天牛成虫。【结论】虫害和健康青皮垂柳枝条挥发物中共有的α-蒎烯和虫害青皮垂柳枝条挥发物中特有的β-罗勒烯是对星天牛成虫具有引诱作用的两种重要寄主植物挥发性化合物,而3-蒈烯抑制了α-蒎烯对星天牛成虫的引诱作用。我们推测,虫害青皮垂柳挥发物中特有的β 罗勒烯是造成虫害青皮垂柳比健康青皮垂柳更容易受到星天牛危害的原因之一。     

天牛性信息素、引诱植物和植物性引诱剂的研究与应用

由于目前所拥有的各种天牛防治方法都难以获得理想的防治效果,研发新型天牛控制技术势在必行。其中利用引诱剂是最具潜力的研究领域之一。对天牛的性信息素、引诱植物和植物性引诱剂3个方面的研究及应用作了综述。天牛雌、雄成虫均可释放性信息素进行两性间的通讯联系。天牛性信息素的分泌部位因天牛种类不同而存在着差异。雄、雌成虫触角上均有感受性信息素的感受器,但报道较多的是雄虫感受器。迄今已鉴定出13种天牛性信息素的化学结构。一般而言,天牛成虫的嗜食树种,对天牛具有较强的引诱作用,可作为诱饵树种使用。寄主植物的某些挥发性物质对天牛成虫也有独特的引诱效果。除此之外,对天牛性信息素、引诱植物和植物性引诱剂研究与应用中存在的困难也进行了讨论,并对它们的应用前景做了展望。     

Apparent widespread gene flow in the predominantly flightless planthopper Tumidagena minuta

1. To determine whether dispersal biology can predict the pattern of population‐genetic variation among insect populations accurately, allozyme variation was assayed for populations of a saltmarsh planthopper, Tumidagena minuta, in which > 99% of the adults are flightless. 2. The pattern of genetic isolation by distance in T. minuta was compared with that in other insects, to determine whether it was similar to isolation by distance in other sedentary insects. 3. In contrast to predictions, the pattern of isolation by distance in T. minuta was most similar to that seen in the most mobile insects in a recent review of population‐genetic variation in insects. Furthermore, population‐genetic subdivision over a spatial scale of > 400 km was weak. 4. Possible causes of the apparent contradiction between dispersal biology and population‐genetic structure in this species are discussed. The results for T. minuta highlight the fact that although mobility is generally correlated with gene flow in insects, studies of population‐genetic variation must be combined with direct studies of dispersal to understand fully the degree to which populations exchange individuals.     

Limited seed dispersal shapes fine-scale spatial genetic structure in a Neotropical dioecious large-seeded palm

Seed and pollen dispersal contribute to gene flow and shape the genetic patterns of plants over fine spatial scales. We inferred fine-scale spatial genetic structure (FSGS) and estimated realized dispersal distances in Phytelephas aequatorialis, a Neotropical dioecious large-seeded palm. We aimed to explore how seed and pollen dispersal shape this genetic pattern in a focal population. For this purpose, we genotyped 138 seedlings and 99 adults with 20 newly developed microsatellite markers. We tested if rodent-mediated seed dispersal has a stronger influence than insect-mediated pollen dispersal in shaping FSGS. We also tested if pollen dispersal was influenced by the density of male palms around mother palms in order to further explore this ecological process in large-seeded plants. Rodent-mediated dispersal of these large seeds occurred mostly over short distances (mean 34.76 ± 34.06 m) while pollen dispersal distances were two times higher (mean 67.91 ± 38.29 m). The spatial extent of FSGS up to 35 m and the fact that seed dispersal did not increase the distance at which male alleles disperse suggest that spatially limited seed dispersal is the main factor shaping FSGS and contributes only marginally to gene flow within the population. Pollen dispersal distances depended on the density of male palms, decreasing when individuals show a clumped distribution and increasing when they are scattered. Our results show that limited seed dispersal mediated by rodents shapes FSGS in P. aequatorialis, while more extensive pollen dispersal accounts for a larger contribution to gene flow and may maintain high genetic diversity. Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.     

What causes conspecific plant aggregation? Disentangling the role of dispersal,habitat heterogeneity and plant–plant interactions

Spatial patterns of plant species are determined by an array of ecologica factors including biotic and abiotic environmental constraints and intrinsic species traits. Thus, an observed aggregated pattern may be the result of short‐distance dispersal, the presence of habitat heterogeneity, plant–plant interactions or a combination of the above. Here, we studied the spatial pattern of Mediterranean alpine plant Silene ciliata (Caryophyllaceae) in five populations and assessed the contribution of dispersal, habitat heterogeneity and conspecific plant interactions to observed patterns. For this purpose, we used spatial point pattern analysis combined with specific a priori hypotheses linked to spatial pattern creation. The spatial pattern of S. ciliata recruits was not homogeneous and showed small‐scale aggregation. This is consistent with the species’ short‐distance seed dispersal and the heterogeneous distribution of suitable sites for germination and establishment. Furthermore, the spatial pattern of recruits was independent of the spatial pattern of adults. This suggests a low relevance of adult‐recruits interactions in the spatial pattern creation. The difference in aggregation between recruits and adults suggests that once established, recruits are subjected to self‐thinning. However, seedling mortality did not erase the spatial pattern generated by seed dispersal, as S. ciliata adults were still aggregated. Thus, the spatial aggregation of adults is probably due to seed dispersal limitation and the heterogeneous distribution of suitable sites at seedling establishment rather than the presence of positive plant–plant interactions at the adult stage. In fact, a negative density‐dependent effect of the conspecific neighbourhood was found on adult reproductive performance. Overall, results provide empirical evidence of the lack of a simple and direct relationship between the spatial structure of plant populations and the sign of plant–plant interactions and outline the importance of considering dispersal and habitat heterogeneity when performing spatial analysis assessments.     

Genetic structure,spatial organization,and dispersal in two populations of bat‐eared foxes

We incorporated radio‐telemetry data with genetic analysis of bat‐eared foxes (Otocyon megalotis) from individuals in 32 different groups to examine relatedness and spatial organization in two populations in South Africa that differed in density, home‐range sizes, and group sizes. Kin clustering occurred only for female dyads in the high‐density population. Relatedness was negatively correlated with distance only for female dyads in the high‐density population, and for male and mixed‐sex dyads in the low‐density population. Home‐range overlap of neighboring female dyads was significantly greater in the high compared to low‐density population, whereas overlap within other dyads was similar between populations. Amount of home‐range overlap between neighbors was positively correlated with genetic relatedness for all dyad‐site combinations, except for female and male dyads in the low‐density population. Foxes from all age and sex classes dispersed, although females (mostly adults) dispersed farther than males. Yearlings dispersed later in the high‐density population, and overall exhibited a male‐biased dispersal pattern. Our results indicated that genetic structure within populations of bat‐eared foxes was sex‐biased, and was interrelated to density and group sizes, as well as sex‐biases in philopatry and dispersal distances. We conclude that a combination of male‐biased dispersal rates, adult dispersals, and sex‐biased dispersal distances likely helped to facilitate inbreeding avoidance in this evolutionarily unique species of Canidae.     

荒漠孑遗植物裸果木种子时空扩散特性

裸果木(Gymnocarpos przewalskii)是亚洲中部荒漠区少有的第三纪孑遗物种,由于气候变化及人为干扰,其自然种群分布范围不断缩小。种子扩散作为植物生活史过程中的重要阶段,不仅对物种生存及其多样性至关重要,还影响物种分布范围和局部丰度。2015年和2016年分别在新疆哈密地区,采用布设种子收集器的方法,对其自然种群种子扩散的时空动态进行了定点连续观测。结果表明:该物种于当年6月上旬开始扩散,2015年略早于2016年。每年种子扩散持续时间约两个月,扩散趋势为单峰曲线,且呈集中大量扩散的模式,扩散高峰期与当年初次月降水高峰期吻合;在顺风的正南和东南方向上,种子扩散密度大且距离远;种子扩散主要集中在母株冠幅下,随着距母株距离的增加,种子扩散密度减少,二者间存在极显著的负相关性(P0.01),由于裸果木枝条繁多,对风力强度起到了一定的阻碍作用,可能是造成种子集中扩散在母株下的原因。裸果木种子扩散受外界环境(降水、风向)和自身因素等方面的影响,当种子在大量降水前完成扩散,将有利于种子在适宜的微生境萌发,是对多风、干旱的恶劣生境的一种长期适应。     

USING ISOLATION BY DISTANCE AND EFFECTIVE DENSITY TO ESTIMATE DISPERSAL SCALES IN ANEMONEFISH

Robust estimates of dispersal are critical for understanding population dynamics and local adaptation, as well as for successful spatial management. Genetic isolation by distance patterns hold clues to dispersal, but understanding these patterns quantitatively has been complicated by uncertainty in effective density. In this study, we genotyped populations of a coral reef fish (Amphiprion clarkii) at 13 microsatellite loci to uncover fine‐scale isolation by distance patterns in two replicate transects. Temporal changes in allele frequencies between generations suggested that effective densities in these populations are 4–21 adults/km. A separate estimate from census densities suggested that effective densities may be as high as 82–178 adults/km. Applying these effective densities with isolation by distance theory suggested that larval dispersal kernels in A. clarkii had a spread near 11 km (4–27 km). These kernels predicted low fractions of self‐recruitment in continuous habitats, but the same kernels were consistent with previously reported, high self‐recruitment fractions (40–60%) when realistic levels of habitat patchiness were considered. Our results suggested that ecologically relevant larval dispersal can be estimated with widely available genetic methods when effective density is measured carefully through cohort sampling and ecological censuses, and that self‐recruitment studies should be interpreted in light of habitat patchiness.     

Density‐dependent fitness,not dispersal movements,drives temporal variation in spatial genetic structure in dark‐eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis)

Some studies have found that dispersal rates and distances increase with density, indicating that density‐dependent dispersal likely affects spatial genetic structure. In an 11‐year mark–recapture study on a passerine, the dark‐eyed junco, we tested whether density affected dispersal distance and/or fine‐scale spatial genetic structure. Contrary to expectations, we found no effect of predispersal density on dispersal distance or the proportion of locally produced juveniles returning to the population from which they hatched. However, even though density did not affect dispersal distance or natal return rates, we found that density still did affect spatial genetic structure. We found significant positive spatial genetic structure at low densities of (postdispersal) adults but not at high densities. In years with high postdispersal (adult) densities that also had high predispersal (juvenile) densities in the previous year, we found negative spatial genetic structure, indicating high levels of dispersal. We found that density also affected fitness of recruits, and fitness of immigrants, potentially linking these population parameters with the spatial genetic structure detected. Immigrants and recruits rarely nested in low postdispersal density years. In contrast, in years with high postdispersal density, recruits were common and immigrants had equal success to local birds, so novel genotypes diluted the gene pool and effectively eliminated positive spatial genetic structure. In relation to fine‐scale spatial genetic structure, fitness of immigrants and new recruits is poorly understood compared to dispersal movements, but we conclude that it can have implications for the spatial distribution of genotypes in populations.     

Density-Dependent Natal Dispersal Patterns in a Leopard Population Recovering from Over-Harvest

Natal dispersal enables population connectivity, gene flow and metapopulation dynamics. In polygynous mammals, dispersal is typically male-biased. Classically, the ‘mate competition’, ‘resource competition’ and ‘resident fitness’ hypotheses predict density-dependent dispersal patterns, while the ‘inbreeding avoidance’ hypothesis posits density-independent dispersal. In a leopard (Panthera pardus) population recovering from over-harvest, we investigated the effect of sex, population density and prey biomass, on age of natal dispersal, distance dispersed, probability of emigration and dispersal success. Over an 11-year period, we tracked 35 subadult leopards using VHF and GPS telemetry. Subadult leopards initiated dispersal at 13.6 ± 0.4 months. Age at commencement of dispersal was positively density-dependent. Although males (11.0 ± 2.5 km) generally dispersed further than females (2.7 ± 0.4 km), some males exhibited opportunistic philopatry when the population was below capacity. All 13 females were philopatric, while 12 of 22 males emigrated. Male dispersal distance and emigration probability followed a quadratic relationship with population density, whereas female dispersal distance was inversely density-dependent. Eight of 12 known-fate females and 5 of 12 known-fate male leopards were successful in settling. Dispersal success did not vary with population density, prey biomass, and for males, neither between dispersal strategies (philopatry vs. emigration). Females formed matrilineal kin clusters, supporting the resident fitness hypothesis. Conversely, mate competition appeared the main driver for male leopard dispersal. We demonstrate that dispersal patterns changed over time, i.e. as the leopard population density increased. We conclude that conservation interventions that facilitated local demographic recovery in the study area also restored dispersal patterns disrupted by unsustainable harvesting, and that this indirectly improved connectivity among leopard populations over a larger landscape.     

Small-scale spatial genetic structure in the Central African rainforest tree species Aucoumea klaineana: a stepwise approach to infer the impact of limited gene dispersal, population history and habitat fragmentation

Under the isolation-by-distance model, the strength of spatial genetic structure (SGS) depends on seed and pollen dispersal and genetic drift, which in turn depends on local demographic structure. SGS can also be influenced by historical events such as admixture of differentiated gene pools. We analysed the fine-scale SGS in six populations of a pioneer tree species endemic to Central Africa, Aucoumea klaineana. To infer the impacts of limited gene dispersal, population history and habitat fragmentation on isolation by distance, we followed a stepwise approach consisting of a Bayesian clustering method to detect differentiated gene pools followed by the analysis of kinship-distance curves. Interestingly, despite considerable variation in density, the five populations situated under continuous forest cover displayed very similar extent of SGS. This is likely due to an increase in dispersal distance with decreased tree density. Admixture between two gene pools was detected in one of these five populations creating a distinctive pattern of SGS. In the last population sampled in open habitat, the genetic diversity was in the same range as in the other populations despite a recent habitat fragmentation. This result may due to the increase of gene dispersal compensating the effect of the disturbance as suggested by the reduced extent of SGS estimated in this population. Thus, in A. klaineana, the balance between drift and dispersal may facilitate the maintenance of genetic diversity. Finally, from the strength of the SGS and population density, an indirect estimate of gene dispersal distances was obtained for one site: the quadratic mean parent-offspring distance, sigma(g), ranged between 210 m and 570 m.     

Impact of dispersal on population growth: the role of inter-patch distance

Dispersal can play a key role in the dynamics of patchy populations through patch colonization, and generally this leads to distance-dependent colonization. Less recognised are the roles of dispersal and inter-patch distance on the growth of a population after colonization. We use a laboratory mite model system in which both juveniles and adults can disperse to explore the impact of dispersal, and particularly inter-patch distance, on population dynamics. We examine the dynamics of patches after colonization by manipulating the presence of a dispersal corridor to a source patch at two inter-patch distances. Consistent with many field studies, the results show colonization was slower in more distant patches. Following colonization, the effect of the dispersal corridor on dynamics was dependent on inter-patch distance. In patches near the source, the number of adults tended to increase at a faster rate, and juveniles at a slower rate when connected with a dispersal corridor. In contrast, adult numbers grew slower and juveniles tended to grow faster when connected with a corridor in more distant patches. In the long-term, equilibrium adult numbers were lower in patches connected to the source patch at both distances. These results are likely to be driven by the effects of inter-patch distance on dispersal mortality, and the effects of dispersal on patch abundance and within-patch competition. These results confirm that distance is important for patch colonization and also show that distance can affect population density after colonization. The effects of dispersal and distance on local dynamics could be important in the dynamics of patchy populations in increasingly fragmented landscapes.