Molting and Seasonal Bill-Plate Shedding in the Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea)

Feather molting and bill-late shedding were studied because of the unique features of the whiskered auklet biology; i.e., they continue to visit the colony after departure of their young. Like other auklets, the whiskered auklets begin to molt during breeding and do not lose their capacity for flight. The molt pattern of different wing feathers is adaptive and allows new feathers to be protected (when they are soft and could be easily injured) by old or full-grown new feathers during flight or feeding (diving) due to the different timing of the molt of primary feathers and their coverts. The possibility of combining breeding with molt appears to be related to the feeding features of the species. The species that feed on abundant and highly aggregated plankton are able to molt during breeding. The pattern of bill-plate shedding in the whiskered auklet is similar to that in the crested auklet.     

Breeding Biology of the Crested Auklet (Aethia cristatella,Alcidae, Charadriiformes) in the Northern Part of the Sea of Okhotsk

Biology Bulletin - The breeding biology of the crested auklet, Aethia cristatella, was studied over the period 1989–2019 on Talan Island, Tauiskaya Bay, Sea of Okhotsk. In the early 1990s,...     

Vocal and Optical Indicators of Individual Quality in a Social Seabird,the Crested Auklet (Aethia cristatella)

Indicators of individual quality in ornamentation or in vocalizations have been reported for different animal species. However, no studies have jointly investigated ornamentation and vocalizations in one species. The crested auklet (Aethia cristatella, Alcidae) is a small colonial seabird of the North Pacific and is unusual for a bird in using optical, vocal, and olfactory signals. We estimated the potential for coding individual quality in vocalizations and plumage ornamentation and the relationship between vocal and optical traits in crested auklets. During the summer seasons of 2008–2009, we recorded 359 trumpet calls from 28 individually marked males and measured indices of body size, condition, and plumage patterns of 58 male and 48 female crested auklets from a breeding colony on Talan Island, Sea of Okhotsk. We found strong interindividual differences in trumpet call characteristics. Furthermore, we found that the maximum fundamental frequency of the loudest notes of the trumpet call is negatively correlated with body condition, and head crest length is positively correlated with body size. However, we found no relationship between vocal and ornamental traits. The results suggest that advertising calls of crested auklets signal caller individuality and quality, but future experimental studies should test whether or not this is indeed case.     

Biology of the acid-tolerant fish species Umbra pygmaea (De Kay, 1842)

In The Netherlands, the mudminnow Umbra pygmaea mainly occurs in water bodies with a pH ranging from 3–5 to 4–0, an alkalinity less than 0.1 meq 1⁻¹ and a calcium content below 100 μmol 1⁻¹. The abundance of mudminnows is inversely related to the pH and the presence of predatory fish species. Experimental studies show that If. pygmaea is extremely acid-tolerant. Exposure to media with pH values ranging from 4.0 to 7.0 did not cause mortality or significant changes in blood plasma osmolarity and haematocrit. At pH 3.0 no mortality was recorded although a strong decrease in the plasma osmolarity was observed. Exposure to pH 2.8 and calcium concentrations of 100 or 500 μ mol 1⁻¹ for 10 days caused 70% and 40% mortality respectively. The growth, reproduction and feeding of mudminnows are described. Age-growth and length-age relationships were calculated. Gonadal development started between September and January. The highest Gonado Somatic Index was recorded in spring. Spawning occurred from April to May. Fecundity of a sample of females was assessed. Nematocera provided the main item of diet of U. pygmaea; the microfauna ingested was dominated by Cladocera. The adaptations of mudminnows to acid environments are discussed.     

Breeding Biology of the Parakeet Auklet (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyclorrhynchus psittacula</Emphasis>) on Talan Island (Northern Sea of Okhotsk)

The breeding biology of the parakeet auklet was studied in 1989–2012 on Talan Island, which is located in Tauiskaya Bay in the Sea of Okhotsk. In 2008, its population amounted to 3000–4000 individuals, and 70% of the birds nested on the western slope. In 2008, the average density of nesting on this part of the island was 0.018 pairs/m². Most of nests were noted along the slope base (5–20 m a.s.l.), while the largest density in these sites was 0.035 pairs/m². The time of egg laying varied from June 4 to June 14, and the longterm average annual date fell on June 8. The latest date of egg laying (June 12–14) was observed in 1995, 1999, and 2001, which was due to the time of ice crushing nearby the island. Hatching in different years started on July 9–19 and ended in late July–early August. The weight of hatchlings was 20–33 g (on average, 27.9 g). In different years, the maximum weight of 22-to 29-day-old nestlings was 173–263 g. By the time of fledging, their weight had decreased to 168–252 g, while the daily increase in weight for the periods of chicks staying in the nests was 4.06–6.47 g in different years. Young birds left the island in the period from the middle of August to the first ten-day period of September; the average age of fledglings was 31–35 days in different years. The reproductive success of the parakeet auklet varied from 0 to 83.3% (on average, 44.3%) and was mainly determined by the survival of chicks at different stages of their development. The main limiting factor of the reproductive success is the reduction of forage availability and abundance, which is largely due to unfavorable weather conditions (long cyclones with storm winds), as well as various hydrobiological changes in the environment. The influence of anxiety and predation was not significant with respect to adult birds, but these factors can cause death of clutches and chicks, and, being combined with unfavorable weather conditions, their effect increases.     

Assessment of 17 new whiskered auklet (Aethia pygmaea) microsatellite loci in 42 seabirds identifies 5–15 polymorphic markers for each of nine Alcinae species

We isolated 17 microsatellite loci in the whiskered auklet (Aethia pygmaea) and tested them for amplification in 48 species from 13 seabird families (including 42 seabirds). Fifteen of these loci were also tested for polymorphism in 38 of the species, which included nine species of Alcinae (four auklets, Atlantic puffin, dovekie, razorbill and two murre species). On the average, nine loci were polymorphic per Alcinae species.     

Mirror-image responses in pygmy marmosets (Cebuella pygmaea)

Only a few nonhuman species (chimpanzees and orangutans) have displayed mirror-image recognition of themselves by grooming at a spot that can only be seen with the mirror. Pygmy marmosets have never been observed to self-groom, but they do behave toward mirrors in a manner suggestive of the early stages of mirror-image recognition. They displayed a rapid extinction of social threat responses to their own image and of novelty responses to mirrors, but continued to show mirror-specific responses such as following their own image, playing peek-a-boo, and looking at their image throughout a 28-day period of mirror exposure. The pygmy marmosets used a mirror to locate otherwise unseen conspecifics from other groups and directed threat responses toward the real location of these animals rather than to their mirror-image. Pygmy marmosets displayed the precursor behaviors to mirror-image recognition.     

Phenotypic Plasticity of Capitulum Morphogenesis in Microseris pygmaea (Asteraceae: Lactuceae)

Inbred populations of the annual Chilean species Microserispygmaea show phenotypic plasticity in the number of floretsper capitulum. In order to find out how this plastic variationmay arise during development, two inbred lines (A92 and C96)were grown under short day conditions. Groups of plants fromeach strain were transferred to long day conditions at about2 week intervals. In this way we introduced variation for plantsize (number of leaves per plant) at onset of flowering. Thenumber of florets per mature capitulum increased linearly withplant size. After transfer to long day conditions, plants wereharvested daily for light microscopic measurements of meristemwhole mounts. Only the first capitulum of each plant was analysed.All florets were formed after 12 d in strain C96 and after 14d in strain A92. In order to detect the effect of plant sizeon morphogenesis, we performed a multiple regression analysisof developmental parameters on time and number of leaves. Widthand height of the capitulum receptacle increased daily witha growth rate depending on the starting size. Differences inmeristem size were detected already in vegetative plants ofdifferent sizes. In contrast, there was no influence of plantsize on floret primordium size. We combined the multiple regressionmodels in one simple model for prediction of floret numbersfrom numbers of leaves per plant at onset of flowering. Predictionsof this model agree with observed relationships in both inbredlines.Copyright 1994, 1999 Academic Press Asteraceae, capitulum, inflorescence, meristem, meristic character, Microseris pygmaea, morphogenesis, phenotypic plasticity     

多叶斑叶兰繁育系统与传粉生物学研究

为探讨多叶斑叶兰(Goodyera folisa)的繁育系统与传粉生物学特征,对其开花物候、花粉活力与柱头可授性、人工授粉、花的挥发性成分以及昆虫传粉行为进行了研究。结果表明,多叶斑叶兰的唇瓣黄色,萼片白色或白色带红褐色;单花花期为(9.4±0.8)d;花粉在开花后第1天具备活力,柱头在开花后第2天具备可授性,花粉活力和柱头可授性都在开花后第5天达到峰值。去雄套袋和不去雄套袋都不能结实,人工自花授粉、同株异花授粉和异株异花授粉的结实率分别为93.3%、95.0%和96.7%,自然结实率为43.3%。花朵的主要挥发性成分为1-辛烯-3-醇、3-辛醇和N,N-二甲基甲酰胺。多叶斑叶兰传粉者为中华蜜蜂(Apis cerana)。多叶斑叶兰具有自交亲和能力,但在自然界不具有主动自交现象,必须依赖中华蜜蜂传粉,花色及花香气味为吸引传粉者的主要因素。     

Mating and remating of least auklets (Aethia pusilla) relative to ornamental traits

We investigated mating patterns of the least auklet, a smallmonogamous seabird, at St. Paul Island, Alaska, during threebreeding seasons. Least auklets mated assortatively with respectto both plumage color, a trait important in status signaling,and tarsus length, an index of body size. Least auklets mateddisassortatively with respect to the extent of facial plumes,but neither assortatively nor disassortatively for any otherornamental trait (bill color, bill ornament size). Mate fidelitywas lower in least auklets than in some long-lived seabird species;when both members survived to a following year, only about two-thirdsof pairs reunited. Nearly half of the auklets paired in 1 yearobtained a new mate in the following year, either because ofmate disappearance or divorce. Interyear fidelity to mates wasrelated only to male ornamentation; males with larger facialplumes were more likely to reunite with their mates the nextyear than males with smaller plumes. There were no significantdifferences in the ornaments of females in reunited and divorcedpairs. Pairs that reunited also had significantly lighter plumagethan pairs that divorced, and the plumage of males reunitingwith their mates was significantly paler than that of divorcedmales. We conclude that the probability of both divorce andremating in this species is influenced by ornamental traits.Our finding that remating was related to male plumage colorand ornaments is consistent with the idea that remating is influencedby female choice. Pairs that reunited also bred earlier in theseason and had higher reproductive success than pairs with experiencedindividuals breeding together for the first time. We also foundevidence that failure to breed in a given year increased theprobability of subsequent divorce.     

黑卷尾繁殖期领域性的初步研究

鸟类的领域性是鸟类行为生态学研究的一个重要内容。在这方面国外进展很快,但国内工作较少,专文报道除三宝鸟之外,其它颇为罕见。1987年夏季,我们在太原市南郊对该地区的夏候鸟黑卷尾(Dicrurus macrocercus)的领域行为进行了观测。现将资料整理分析如下。一、工作区与工作方法太原盆地的自然环境和鸟类群落状况已有报道,在此不再赘述。工作区选在小马—加节两村之间约190ha的区域内(图1)。其     

Mouse Lemur Biology in Breeding Colonies: Introduction

International Journal of Primatology -     

矮慈姑的传粉机制与交配系统

对矮慈姑（ＳａｇｉｔａｒｉａｐｙｇｍａｅａＭｉｑ）的传粉过程与花粉流作了观察,用同工酶遗传标记法对其一个自然居群的异交率作出定量估计。在自然及人工居群中均观察到虫媒传粉,其中有较大比例的近距离传粉。未检出风媒花粉流。自交可育,同时存在雌雄同株和花序内雌雄花异熟等异交机制。异交率估计结果（ｔ＝４９９％）表明其交配系统为异交／自交兼性系统。作者认为,其较大比例的自交应归因于同株之不同克隆分株间交配的频繁发生     

Population Biology and Breeding Period of the Sand-Bubbler Crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dotilla Fenestrata</Emphasis> (Brachyura: Ocypodidae) from Southern Mozambique

The sand-bubbler crab Dotilla fenestrata (Hilgendorf, 1869) is the most common and abundant brachyuran in the intertidal area of many East African sandy shores. Monthly sampling surveys were performed from March 2001 to February 2002 at Praia do Triunfo, Southern Mozambique. At each sampling survey, 15 stations (0.25 m²) were sampled to a depth sediment of 30 cm. Crabs were identified, sexed, and measured for carapace width (mm). A total of 2456 crabs were collected of which 1247 were males (mean ± sd: 5.36 ± 0.04 mm), 938 non-ovigerous females (5.03 ± 0.03 mm) and 271 ovigerous females (5.15 ± 0.06 mm). The overall size frequency distribution showed a unimodal pattern suggesting a stable population with continuous recruitment. A clear sexual dimorphism was observed, with males being larger than ovigerous females, which in turn, were larger than non-ovigerous females. The overall sex ratio did not differ from 1:1. The annual reproductive cycle of Dotilla fenestrata was continuous and ovigerous females were recorded throughout the year, with peaks of occurrence during the warmer months (February–August). Despite of this continuous cycle, few juveniles were observed during the study period. These observations and the maximum size attained by adults supports the hypothesis that for this burrowing crab, recruitment may occur in different habitat than that occupied by adults. However, the studied area is favourable for growth, since the analysed population attains sexual maturity in smaller sizes than that from close areas.     

黄缘盒龟的繁殖生物学

黄缘盒龟 6～ 7龄达到性成熟 ,繁殖行为主要表现为发情求偶、交配和产卵。发情交配时间为 4～5月和 9～ 1 0月 ,产卵时间为 6～ 7月 ,每只雌龟每年产卵 1窝 ,每窝 1～ 6枚。卵重一般为 ( 1 4 46± 2 2 7,n =2 5 )g ,卵的长径与短径之比为 1 88∶1 ;卵黄和蛋白的质量比为 1 2 2∶1 ;卵黄和卵壳的质量比为 3 1 2∶1。多数受精卵于产出 2 4～ 48h后形成受精环带     

Oberonia pygmaea sp. nov. (Orchidaceae) from Thailand

In the context of an ongoing revision of the orchid genus Oberonia in Thailand, we describe and illustrate a new species under the name O. pygmaea Bunpha, H. A. Pedersen & Sridith. Vegetatively, the tiny new species is particularly similar to O. rufilabris Lindl. (widespread in mainland southeast Asia, including Thailand), whereas its floral morphology comes closest to the much larger O. costeriana J. J. Sm. from Sumatra, Java and Sulawesi. So far, O. pygmaea is only known from Pang Ung in the northern Thai province of Mae Hong Son, but we suggest that it should also be searched for in hill evergreen forest in adjoining parts of the Dawna Range, both in Thailand and Myanmar.     

云南云县黑喉山鹪莺繁殖生态初报

2016年3~9月对云南云县中岭岗村(24°15′42″N,100°02′42″E,平均海拔1 650 m)的黑喉山鹪莺(Prinia atrogularis)繁殖生态进行了研究。研究期间共发现42巢,主要位于杂草丛中(n=37)和灌木丛(茶树)中(n=5),筑巢期一般5~6 d,巢材有蜘蛛丝、苔藓植物、茅草花、茅草叶、铁线莲花、竹根须、枯枝、棕丝、干枯草穗等。巢呈球状,中上部侧方开口,巢重为(8.3±1.7)g,巢长为(13.2±0.9)cm,宽为(8.2±0.5)cm,巢口长(4.9±0.7)cm,巢口宽为(4.0±0.5)cm(n=25)。窝卵数为(3.9±0.4)枚(n=21,3~4枚)。卵的底色为白色、淡绿或者淡粉,遍布褐红色斑点,有的在钝端呈环状。卵重为(1.38±0.09)g,卵长为(17.3±0.7)mm,宽为(12.6±0.3)mm,卵体积为(1.4±0.1)cm3(n=65)。孵卵期(13.9±0.9)d(n=5,13~15 d),育雏期为(13.5±1.3)d(n=4,12~15 d)。利用Logistic曲线拟合雏鸟体重及外部器官增长,雏鸟的体重和嘴峰在5日龄左右增长最快,体长、翼长、跗跖在7日龄增长最快。对繁殖时间和地点较近的28巢进行连续观察,其中有7巢成功、21巢失败。造成繁殖失败的主要原因分别是巢捕食(62%)、亲鸟弃巢(14%)、人为破坏(14%)。     

Assimilation efficiency of Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) chicks fed Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonicus) and Japanese sand lance (Ammodytes personatus)

We investigated the assimilation efficiency (AE) of a piscivorous alcid, Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata), chicks when fed Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonicus) and Japanese sand lance (Ammodytes personatus), which are their main prey species. The assimilation efficiency corrected for nitrogen retention (NR) of the chicks fed sand lance (81.6%) was significantly higher than those fed anchovy (78.0%). The values of assimilation efficiencies for both fish species are similar to those of fish-fed seabird adults and fledglings.