人工饲养南黄颊长臂猿行为活动节律的季节性特征

2017年10月-2018年9月,采用瞬时扫描法和目标取样法对南京市红山森林动物园高淳湿地研究中心的南黄颊长臂猿Nomascus gabriellae季节性活动节律进行观察研究,共计扫描4 369次,观察时间累计1 092 h,得到行为数据26 208个,将其行为划分为取食、休息、运动、社会、交配和其他6种。结果表明,休息和运动是南黄颊长臂猿各季节的主要行为类型,其次为取食和社会行为。各行为在不同季节具有明显的节律性,休息一般出现在晨昏和正午;而运动一般出现在上午和下午;取食在各季节存在2个明显高峰,受饲养员喂食时间和频次的影响较大,表现为休息-运动-取食-休息-运动-取食-休息的行为模式。Kruskal-Wallis H分析结果显示,南黄颊长臂猿在不同季节和相同季节不同时段的行为差异有统计学意义:秋、冬季的取食行为明显高于春、夏季,而休息和运动相反。温度、日照、天气、游客量、饲养员日常操作等均影响南黄颊长臂猿的活动节律。     

成年雌性太行山猕猴活动时间分配的季节性变化:食物和温度的影响

活动时间分配是指动物根据环境和自身需求从事各种基本行为和活动的过程,受季节性变化的食物和温度等生态因素的影响。2013年3月至2014年2月,在太行山猕猴国家级自然保护区天坛山管护区,采用目标动物取样法,观察并记录了一个野生太行山猕猴群(WW-1群)内成年雌性个体的活动特征及其季节性变化,旨在了解成年雌性猕猴的日活动时间分配及其影响因素。结果表明:(1)成年雌性猕猴的活动时间分配表现出明显的季节性变化。春季,雌性猕猴花费52.9%时间于休息、19.5%时间于取食、11.8%时间于移动;夏季,用于休息、取食、移动的时间比例分别为53.4%、18.0%和11.3%;秋季,猕猴花费35.9%时间于取食、30.0%时间于休息,15.9%时间于移动;冬季,用于取食、休息和移动的时间比例分别为35.4%、39.7%和8.0%;(2)春季,成年雌性太行山猕猴主要取食种子(35.4%)和树叶(34.3%);夏季,树叶(73.5%)主导其每日食物组成;秋季,主要取食种子(98.1%);冬季,树皮(82.1%)则成为猕猴的主要食物;(3)当每日食物组成以草和树叶为主时,猕猴用于取食的时间增加,移动时间减少;当每日食物组成以种子为主时,则取食时间减少,移动时间增加;(4)随着气温降低,猕猴取食时间增加,而移动时间减少。总之,成年雌性太行山猕猴的日活动时间分配主要受季节性变化的食物资源和气温的影响,它们可通过日活动时间的调整以适应食物和环境温度的季节性变化。     

鄱阳湖越冬小天鹅在高水位年份的昼间时间分配和活动节律

2011年1～2月,采用焦点动物观察法对鄱阳湖康山湖候鸟自然保护区内越冬小天鹅种群进行了时间分配和日间活动节律的研究。通常认为小天鹅是典型的游禽,冬季大部分时间都在水中游动。我们的研究结果表明,93.2%的个体在湿地洲滩生境内活动。2010年鄱阳湖持续高水位导致的水体生境中食物短缺,可能是迫使小天鹅主要在湿地洲滩生境活动的主要原因。取食是小天鹅越冬期间最主要的行为,占52.6%,其次为警戒18.2%、运动10.6%、休息10.0%和理羽8.6%。取食、警戒、运动、休息和理羽行为发生的持续时间存在显著差异,休息行为持续最长,平均为48.4s±2.9s,警戒行为的持续时间最短,平均持续时间为9.5s±0.6s。小天鹅在水域生境和湿地洲滩生境中时间分配存在显著差异,在水域生境以休息为主,在湿地洲滩生境以取食为主。除理羽行为与休息行为发生节律存在显著的负相关,其他行为没有显著的相关性。     

贵州草海越冬斑头雁日间行为模式及环境因素对行为的影响

2011年12月至2012年2月,在贵州省威宁县草海国家级自然保护区,采用瞬时扫描取样法对越冬斑头雁(Anser indicus)种群进行了日间行为时间分配和活动节律的研究.结果表明,斑头雁越冬期间的主要行为是取食和静息,分别占50.48％和43.79％,并呈现出早上和傍晚的双取食高峰,中午的静息高峰.各时间段的取食、静息和饮水行为存在显著差异.对不同生境中斑头雁行为的统计结果表明,在陆地生境中的主要行为是取食,在浅水沼泽生境中的主要行为是静息,推测食物丰富度和干扰水平是影响不同栖息地行为模式的主要因素.利用偏相关分析环境温度和湿度对斑头雁行为的影响表明,气温是影响斑头雁日间行为模式的主要因素.气温升高时,斑头雁增加静息行为减少取食行为;气温降低时则减少静息行为增加取食行为.     

越冬小天鹅在鄱阳湖围垦区藕塘生境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小天鹅(Cygnus columbianus)越冬行为。结果表明:休息(45.93%)和取食(30.52%)是小天鹅的主要行为;成鸟的修整、飞行和警戒行为均极显著高于幼鸟;小天鹅在10~15℃用于运动行为的时间显著高于其他温度;小天鹅在浅水区的修整时间显著高于深水区;日行为节律方面,小天鹅休息行为小高峰出现在07:00—07:59和13:00—13:59,低谷出现在09:00—09:59和17:00—17:59;小天鹅休息行为在各时段占比较高,表明它们采用休息为主的生存对策。取食行为在17:00—17:59达到峰值,无明显的低谷,小天鹅下午通过增加取食时间来应对夜间能量的消耗;成鸟休息行为的波动幅度小于幼鸟,说明幼鸟休息行为的随机性更大;成鸟的取食曲线波动幅度也小于幼鸟,说明成鸟的取食行为相对稳定,并到傍晚达到峰值,抵御夜间寒冷的气候;深水区的取食和休息行为的曲线波动幅度较浅水区小,可能深水区更适合小天鹅的生存。     

圈养条件下滇池地区越冬红嘴鸥的食物选择

食物对滇池地区越冬红嘴鸥(Latin ridibundus)的影响受到普遍关注.为18只红嘴鸥提供2～6种食物连续圈养4个周期共28 d后放飞,以探讨其食物选择特点.结果表明:1红嘴鸥偏爱新鲜的泥鳅、小鱼、小虾等,但也取食干鱼,以及面包、专用饲料、白菜等;2红嘴鸥昼夜取食,全天食物总消耗量随食物类别增多而增加,为14.4～118.6 g/d,平均(62.67±30.10)g/d,但受取食行为及食物可口性的影响;3红嘴鸥有群体取食特点,少数个体的取食诱导,导致某种食物或者某天的食物日消耗量增大;④改变食物构成时,红嘴鸥要经过1～2 d的取食试探才能正常取食,短期饥饿弱化了这种试探过程;⑤食物不是影响越冬红嘴鸥体重的惟一因素,圈养提供了充足的食物但其体重减少,而同期野外红嘴鸥的体重则从274 g增加到369 g.作者认为,在滇池地区越冬红嘴鸥取食大量面包和专用饲料是对食物短缺胁迫的适应.     

大鸨繁殖期活动时间预算和日节律

2000和2001年的4～7月连续两年,在内蒙古自治区科尔沁右翼前旗东南部的草原上,采用野外直接观察法对野生大鸨的活动时间预算和日节律进行了研究。结果表明,大鸨繁殖期的各种行为活动具有一定的时间分配,其时间预算存在着性别间的差异,同时随活动空间大小、食物条件以及繁殖阶段的不同而变化,在繁殖前期,大鸨的时间预算以取食、休息、行走、观察为主要行为,雄鸨和雌鸨的这4种行为分别占全部行为的87％和93％;到繁殖后期,雌鸨各种行为的时间和强度发生较大变化。大鸨在取食、休息和炫耀等行为上都存在不同程度的日节律,取食和炫耀出现两次高峰,中午大部分时间大鸨处于静栖休息状态。     

四种昼间啮齿类动物的活动模式及其应用进展

昼间啮齿类动物具有与人类相似的昼夜节律,随着生物钟的发现,近年来此类动物逐渐展露出夜间啮齿类动物所不能替代的优势,以新兴模型的姿态出现在代谢、光反应、神经调节、社会行为等医学研究领域。然而国内尚缺乏此类动物的报道。因此,本文回顾昼间动物时间生态位的调控,着重介绍长爪沙鼠(Meriones unguiculatus)、智利八齿鼠(Octodon degus)、尼罗河草鼠(Arvicanthis niloticus)和羚羊地松鼠(Ammospermophilus leucurus)这四种较公认的昼间啮齿类动物的活动模式和应用进展,以期为时间生物学研究提供有力工具。     

圈养白头叶猴春季昼夜活动节律

2008 年3 ～5 月,采用瞬时扫描法,对上海动物园5 只白头叶猴的行为进行24 h 昼夜连续观察。结果表明:春季圈养白头叶猴一天的活动起于06∶ 00 左右,结束于18∶ 00 或18∶ 30。白天白头叶猴的主要行为为休息、取食和移动,平均频次依次是13.79 次、4.75 次和2.18 次。夜间的主要行为为休息、移动和抓挠,平均频次依次是22.13 次、0.43 次和0.26 次。不同个体昼夜活动节律差异很大。其中,移动、理毛、玩耍和其它行为的差异显著。夜间无理毛和玩耍行为,移动行为在夜间21∶ 00, 00 ∶ 30, 03∶00 和04∶ 30 出现高峰。在22∶ 30, 01∶ 00, 02∶ 00, 03∶ 30, 04∶ 30 和05∶30 则出现抓挠高峰。这预示白头叶猴夜间休息时处于一个“轻睡眠”状态。同时,雌雄白头叶猴昼夜移动行为差异显著。     

性别和温度对中华秋沙鸭越冬行为的影响

2011年11月至2012年3月,在江西婺源采用瞬时扫描法探讨性别和温度对中华秋沙鸭行为的影响.中华秋沙鸭越冬期的主要行为是取食、休息、游泳和修整.时间分配方面,雌雄中华秋沙鸭仅社会行为[雌:(2.13±1.40)％和雄:(3.24±1.55)％]存在显著性差异(t＝-2.258,df＝34,P＜0.05),其他行为差异不显著(P＞0.05).原因有:(1)非繁殖期雌雄中华秋沙鸭主要任务均为生存;(2)雌雄个体大小差异不大,对能量的需求量相似.日活动节律方面,雌雄的取食和休息行为均存在显著的节律性变化,分别为雌:取食(F(10,165)＝5.19,P＜0.05)、休息(F(10,165)＝ 2.56,P＜0.05)和雄:取食(F(10,165)＝ 7.55,P＜0.05)、休息(F(10,165)＝ 3.48,P＜0.05),其他行为节律均不显著(P＞0.05).温度对中华秋沙鸭越冬行为的影响较大,时间分配方面,在＜10℃月份环境下,取食(t＝-2.166,df＝ 16,P＜0.05)行为显著高于＞10℃月份,而游泳(t＝5.096,df＝ 16,P＜0.05)行为则相反,其他行为差异不显著(P＞0.05).这一结果表明,平均温度降低时,中华秋沙鸭需要摄取更多的食物以补充寒冷天气能量的消耗,并减少游泳行为降低耗能.日活动节律方面,＞10℃月份中华秋沙鸭日活动节律,仅警戒(F(10,77)＝1.96,P＜0.05)行为存在显著的节律性变化,其他行为的节律性变化不显著(P＞0.05).＜10℃月份中华秋沙鸭取食(F(10,86)＝ 5.93,P＜0.05)和休息( F(10,86)＝ 3.42,P＜0.05)行为存在显著的节律性变化,其他行为的节律性变化不显著(P＞0.05).研究结果表明,温度可以改变中华秋沙鸭的日活动节律,低温使中华秋沙鸭在夜间消耗较多能量,因此中华秋沙鸭在上午花更多的时间取食来补充能量.休息行为在＞10℃月份,中午和傍晚均有一个小的高峰,而在＜10℃月份从11:00开始(除13:00-13:59)均保持较高的水平.中华秋沙鸭采取这种对策,可能是＜10℃月份,晚上和下午温度较低,为了减少消耗,从下午就开始增加休息行为.低温条件下,中华秋沙鸭增加修整和休息行为,这一结果支持“鸟类在低温环境下通过减少行为活动以降低能量消耗和热量损失”这一观点.     

Influence of high-fiber diet on bacterial populations in gastrointestinal tracts of obese- and lean-genotype pigs

Bacterial populations from gastrointestinal tracts of genetically lean and obese pigs fed a low- or high-fiber diet (0 or 50% alfalfa meal, respectively) were enumerated with rumen fluid media and specific energy sources. Total culture counts in rectal samples declined 56 (P greater than 0.05) and 63% (P less than 0.05) in lean and obese animals, respectively, 3 weeks after feeding the high-fiber diet. After 8 weeks, culture counts had risen and were similar to those obtained before alfalfa was fed (0 week). At slaughter, 12 to 17 weeks after feeding the high-fiber diet, total counts from rectal samples of lean pigs continued to rise and were 13% greater than the 0-week counts, whereas counts from obese animals declined 37% (P greater than 0.05). The number of cellulolytic bacteria in rectal samples of lean-genotype pigs fed the high-fiber diet increased 80 and 71% from 0 to 3 weeks and 3 to 8 weeks, respectively. This overall increases from 0 to 8 weeks in lean pigs was significant (P less than 0.05); however, these increases were not seen in obese pigs. These data suggest that the microflora is initially suppressed when exposed to a high-fiber diet and that later some adaptation takes place, apparently more so in lean than in obese pigs. When specific energy sources were used to delineate the distribution of different bacterial populations in the cecum, colon, and rectum, trends could be detected between high- and low-fiber diets. These data also support the concept that bacteria populations from different sites in the large bowel differ.     

高纤维食物对海南社鼠能量代谢的影响

自然界中食物质量常存在季节性变化,可影响小型哺乳动物的生理特征及其生存和分布。为研究高纤维(低质量)食物对栖息于贵州遵义的海南社鼠(Niviventer lotipes)能量代谢的影响,通过饲喂标准兔饲料(高纤维)或鼠饲料(低纤维)处理海南社鼠4周,实验期间测定动物的体重和能量摄入,使用开放式代谢仪测定动物的能量消耗,并在实验处理结束后解剖动物进行身体成分分析。研究发现,饲喂兔饲料的海南社鼠实验期间体重持续下降,到实验结束时为饲喂鼠饲料动物(对照组)体重的62.8%。饲喂兔饲料4周后,动物的整体基础代谢率和非颤抖性产热显著下降,分别为对照组的55.1%和63.4%。饲喂兔饲料的海南社鼠干物质摄入、消化能和消化率显著降低,分别为对照组的63.7%、38.8%和71.8%;身体成分分析显示,主要内脏器官重量以及消化道的重量和长度也显著下降。研究结果表明,饲喂高纤维的兔饲料后海南社鼠没有增加食物摄入来补偿消化率的下降,消化道形态尤其是小肠和盲肠的重量和长度没有适应性增加,虽然动物可通过降低基础代谢率和非颤抖性产热节约能量,但动物能量利用效率太低不能维持能量平衡而体重显著下降,海南社鼠对高纤维...     

Influence of high-fiber diet on bacterial populations in gastrointestinal tracts of obese- and lean-genotype pigs.

Bacterial populations from gastrointestinal tracts of genetically lean and obese pigs fed a low- or high-fiber diet (0 or 50% alfalfa meal, respectively) were enumerated with rumen fluid media and specific energy sources. Total culture counts in rectal samples declined 56 (P greater than 0.05) and 63% (P less than 0.05) in lean and obese animals, respectively, 3 weeks after feeding the high-fiber diet. After 8 weeks, culture counts had risen and were similar to those obtained before alfalfa was fed (0 week). At slaughter, 12 to 17 weeks after feeding the high-fiber diet, total counts from rectal samples of lean pigs continued to rise and were 13% greater than the 0-week counts, whereas counts from obese animals declined 37% (P greater than 0.05). The number of cellulolytic bacteria in rectal samples of lean-genotype pigs fed the high-fiber diet increased 80 and 71% from 0 to 3 weeks and 3 to 8 weeks, respectively. This overall increases from 0 to 8 weeks in lean pigs was significant (P less than 0.05); however, these increases were not seen in obese pigs. These data suggest that the microflora is initially suppressed when exposed to a high-fiber diet and that later some adaptation takes place, apparently more so in lean than in obese pigs. When specific energy sources were used to delineate the distribution of different bacterial populations in the cecum, colon, and rectum, trends could be detected between high- and low-fiber diets. These data also support the concept that bacteria populations from different sites in the large bowel differ.     

Apolipoprotein B gene expression in rat intestine. The effect of dietary fiber.

The effect of the dietary fiber on apo B mRNA level was studied in the intestine of rats that were fed either fiber-free or high-fiber (30% sugar-beet fiber) low-fat diets for 3 weeks. The fiber diet studied does not affect jejunal apo B mRNA levels but decreases the level of ileal apo B mRNA. In the rat cecum, in both fiber-free and fiber groups, we failed to detect the apo B mRNA. The test fiber diet feeding markedly increased fecal bile salt and cholesterol excretions. We suggest that dietary fiber can modify apo B expression in the intestine. The increased fecal bile salt excretion might be involved in such a modification.     

T4 metabolism in age matched heavy and light rats with good and bad feed efficiency following high- or low-in-fat diet

Rats, fed two diets (high or low in fat content), were at the and of the feeding-period separated in light and in heavy animal groups. The leaner rats from the diet group high in fat content show opposite to the heavier animals of this diet group significantly increased T4 distribution spaces, significantly shortened T4 half life time and lower feed efficiency. T4 serum values, absolute T4 degradation per day and body mass and free thyroxine index in these leaner rats also increased significantly. However comparing heavy rats feed a diet low and light rats fed a diet high in rat content the latter show also a decreased feed efficiency, but no differences in T4 serum concentration or T3 binding capacity of serum proteins, free thyroxine index and T4 degradation. The results in T4 metabolism are discussed in relation to feed efficiency of the investigated animal groups.     

Circadian variation in circulating pyrogen: possible role in resistance to infection

In the rat, body temperature (bt) is highest, and plasma iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) concentrations are lowest at night while the rat is most active; the inverse is true during the day. Based on data implicating endogenous pyrogen (EP) as a mediator of the rise in body temperature and fall in plasma trace metal levels during infection we hypothesized that the circadian rise in body temperature and fall in plasma Fe and Zn levels may be attributed to a cyclic release of EP. To test this hypothesis: (1) Rats were injected ip with an antipyretic dose of sodium salicylate (300 mg/kg). The result was a reduction (P less than 0.05) in bt at night. (2) Rats were injected during the day with 1 ml each of plasma collected from rats during the night. As a control, rat plasma collected during the day was injected at this same time point. A rise (P less than 0.05) in bt was observed only in animals who had received plasma collected at night. These results support the hypothesis that a pyrogen, perhaps EP, is present in the plasma of rats at night. The release of EP during periods of greatest activity may have an adaptive role since rats are more likely to come into contact with pathogens during these times. If EP were released during periods of activity, the likelihood of severe infection occurring would be diminished. To test this hypothesis, two groups of rats were injected with Salmonella typhimurium, one group at midnight (A) and one group at noon (B). The mortality rate was 25% in group A and 60% in group B (P less than 0.025). These data support the hypothesis that the immune/host defense of rats to S. typhimurium is more effective at night, possibly due to an increased level of circulating pyrogen.     

Influence of dietary fiber on xylanolytic and cellulolytic bacteria of adult pigs

Xylanolytic and cellulolytic bacteria were enumerated over an 86-day period from fecal samples of 10 8-month-old gilts that were fed either a control or a 40% alfalfa meal (high-fiber) diet. Fecal samples were collected from all pigs on days 0, 3, 5, 12, 25, 37, 58, and 86. Overall, the numbers of xylanolytic bacteria producing greater than 5-mm-diameter zones of clearing on 0.24% xylan roll tube medium after 24 to 36 h of incubation were 1.6 X 10(8) and 4.2 X 10(8)/g (dry weight) of feces for the control pigs and those fed the high-fiber diet, respectively. After 1 week of incubation, a large number of smaller zones of clearing (1 to 2 mm) appeared. Besides Bacteroides succinogenes and Ruminococcus flavefaciens, which produced faint zones of clearing in xylan roll tubes, three strains which closely resembled B. ruminicola hydrolyzed and used xylan for growth. The overall numbers of cellulolytic bacteria producing zones of clearing in 0.5% agar roll tube medium were 0.36 X 10(8) and 4.1 X 10(8)/g for the control pigs and those fed the high-fiber diet, respectively. B. succinogenes was the predominant cellulolytic isolate from both groups of pigs, and R. flavefaciens was found in a ratio of approximately 1 to 15 with B. succinogenes. Degradation of xylan and cellulose, measured by in vitro dry matter disappearance after inoculation with fecal samples, was significantly greater for pigs fed the high-fiber diet than that for the controls. These data suggest that the number of fibrolytic microorganisms and their activity in the large intestine of the adult pig can be increased by feeding pigs high-alfalfa-fiber diets and that these organisms are similar to those found in the rumen.     

Influence of dietary fiber on xylanolytic and cellulolytic bacteria of adult pigs.

Xylanolytic and cellulolytic bacteria were enumerated over an 86-day period from fecal samples of 10 8-month-old gilts that were fed either a control or a 40% alfalfa meal (high-fiber) diet. Fecal samples were collected from all pigs on days 0, 3, 5, 12, 25, 37, 58, and 86. Overall, the numbers of xylanolytic bacteria producing greater than 5-mm-diameter zones of clearing on 0.24% xylan roll tube medium after 24 to 36 h of incubation were 1.6 X 10(8) and 4.2 X 10(8)/g (dry weight) of feces for the control pigs and those fed the high-fiber diet, respectively. After 1 week of incubation, a large number of smaller zones of clearing (1 to 2 mm) appeared. Besides Bacteroides succinogenes and Ruminococcus flavefaciens, which produced faint zones of clearing in xylan roll tubes, three strains which closely resembled B. ruminicola hydrolyzed and used xylan for growth. The overall numbers of cellulolytic bacteria producing zones of clearing in 0.5% agar roll tube medium were 0.36 X 10(8) and 4.1 X 10(8)/g for the control pigs and those fed the high-fiber diet, respectively. B. succinogenes was the predominant cellulolytic isolate from both groups of pigs, and R. flavefaciens was found in a ratio of approximately 1 to 15 with B. succinogenes. Degradation of xylan and cellulose, measured by in vitro dry matter disappearance after inoculation with fecal samples, was significantly greater for pigs fed the high-fiber diet than that for the controls. These data suggest that the number of fibrolytic microorganisms and their activity in the large intestine of the adult pig can be increased by feeding pigs high-alfalfa-fiber diets and that these organisms are similar to those found in the rumen.     

Evaluation of some biological parameters of Opuntia ficus indica. 2. Influence of seed supplemented diet on rats

The present research was undertaken to evaluate some biological parameters in rats fed with a supplemented diet with Opuntia ficus indica powder seeds. Feed intake and body weight of rats were measured every two days during nine weeks of treatment. Digestibility, feed conversion efficiency and protein efficiency ratio were determined. No difference in digestibility was noticed between the different diets. The results indicated a significant decrease in body weight of rats receiving a diet partially substituted with O. ficus indica powder seeds, probably due to a significant decrease in serum-free thyroxin (FT(4)) compared to the control group. In the treated group, a decrease of glucose concentration in blood and an increase of glycogen in liver and skeletal muscle were noticed. A significant increase in HDL-cholesterol was noted in the group receiving the supplemented diet with O. ficus indica powder seeds. These results suggest that O. ficus indica seeds can be used as a healthy food.