海南坡鹿雄鹿发情期的吼叫行为及其在繁殖中的意义

1998年 3～ 5月期间 ,于海南省大田国家级自然保护区的养鹿场内共记录到 7只半野生海南坡鹿(Cervuseldihainanus)雄鹿发情期 4 6次吼叫 ,但未见到雌鹿发出吼叫的现象。记录到的所有吼叫均由年龄大于4 5岁的雄鹿发出 ,其中 1只雄鹿的吼叫达 2 2次 ,占 4 7 8%。雄鹿的吼叫由连续的 3～ 13声组成 ,整个吼叫过程持续 9～ 2 3s ,吼叫频率为 [3 4 74± 6 90 ( 2 5 ) ]声 /min。雄鹿每次的吼叫声数及持续时间存在显著的个体差异。雄鹿的吼叫在白天和夜间均能听见 ,但主要发生于 8:0 0～ 9:5 9及 17:0 0～ 17:5 9两个时间段。吼叫是雄鹿繁殖活动的一个表现指标 ,它与雄鹿的蹭角、泥浴、争斗胜利、交配成功或追逐发情雌鹿等优势行为显著正相关。因此 ,我们认为吼叫是雄鹿发情行为中的一种优势炫耀行为 ,具有明显的繁殖意义。     

四川梅花鹿发情期的几种发声行为

2006 年9 ～11 月在四川省若尔盖县铁布自然保护区,对四川梅花鹿发情期的声行为进行了初步观测,结果表明:在发情期,四川梅花鹿的发声行为可分为雌、雄鹿的报警叫声,雄鹿的吼叫声和求偶叫声。雌鹿的报警叫声持续时间257 ～ 539 ms,频率范围1409. 5 ～ 4474. 6 Hz,主频率3534. 8 ±89.12 Hz;雄鹿的报警叫声持续时间136 ～187 ms,频率范围271.8 ～3910.5 Hz,主频率3244.3 ±79.32 Hz;两者在持续时间、最低频率、最高频率上差异极显著(P < 0.01),在间隔时间上差异不显著(P = 0.624)。吼叫是雄鹿的主要发情行为之一。雄鹿每次吼叫1 声,持续时间1580 ～4972 ms,频率范围234.6 ～6171.4 Hz,主频率2264.6 ± 166.44 Hz。雄鹿吼叫声的主频率存在显著的个体差异(P <0.01)。在整个吼叫过程中,一只雄鹿的吼叫常会引起周围其它雄鹿的吼叫反应。雄鹿每日吼叫的次数与其在繁殖群中的等级序列有关,不同序列等级雄鹿的吼叫频次存在显著差异(P<0.01)。雄鹿的吼叫声在白天和夜晚均能听到,但主要发生在06:00 ～ 08:00、17:00 ～ 19:00 和01:00 ～ 03:00 三个时间段。四川梅花鹿雄鹿的求偶叫声有4 种,其生物学意义与发情炫耀、追逐、激惹和爬跨等行为有关。     

雄性海南坡鹿发情期泥浴、沙浴行为及其在繁殖中的作用

2005年2-5月间,在海南省大田国家级自然保护区文昌保护站的养鹿场内对7只半野生雄性海南坡鹿(Cervus eldi hainanus)的泥浴和沙浴行为、进行泥浴和沙浴行为的雄性个体的年龄、等级序位和交配成功次数进行了观察记录,以确定雄性坡鹿的泥、沙浴行为是否与雄性个体的年龄、等级序位和交配行为相关.本实验对以下3个假说进行了检验:(1)性成熟的雄鹿的泥浴行为多于刚刚性成熟的雄鹿;(2)优势雄鹿泥浴的频次和持续的时间多于非优势个体;(3)泥浴的次数与交配次数正相关.研究期间记录到雄性个体的79次泥浴和171次沙浴行为,性成熟雄鹿的泥浴和沙浴的频次显著地高于刚刚性成熟的雄鹿(P＜0.01,Friedman nonparametric two-way ANOVA);不同等级序位的雄性泥沙浴持续时间没有明显的差异,但是优势雄鹿的泥浴频次显著高于非优势个体(Wilcoxon signed ranks 检验,P＜0.01);雄鹿的泥浴和沙浴的频次分别与交配次数显著正相关(r=0.802, P＜0.05, n=7;r=0.919, P＜0.01, n=7;Pearson 检验).雄性海南坡鹿沙浴与泥浴是雄鹿发情期中的优势炫耀行为,对雄性个体的繁殖成功与否具有重要的意义[动物学报 53(3):417-424,2007].     

湖北石首麋鹿昼间活动时间分配

为探讨性别、年龄和季节对麋鹿(Elaphurus davidianus)行为的影响,2006年9月-2007年10月,作者采用焦点取样法和瞬时记录法,将麋鹿昼间活动归为采食、饮水、运动、休息、警觉、其他行为等六大类型,每月6-8 d对湖北石首麋鹿国家级自然保护区麋鹿种群的昼间活动时间分配进行了跟踪观察.结果表明:麋鹿有晨、昏两个采食高峰和一个午间休息期,各种行为类型所占比例依次是:休息53.40％(±5.59％)、采食22.36(±8.34％)、运动11.23％(±0.63％)、警觉5.03％(±1.76％)、其他行为4.42％(±2.06％),饮水2.65％(±0.74％).不同季节,时间分配变化明显.非参数Kruskal Wallis H检验结果显示(n=120),季节、年龄和性别显著影响麋鹿的活动时间分配.除运动行为(x2=16.856,df=3,P＞0.05)和饮水行为(x2=7.667,df=3,P＞0.05)无显著差异外,采食(x2=15.657,df=3,P＜0.01)、休息(x2=13.173,df=3,P＜0.01)、警觉(x2 =13.887,df=3,P＜0.01)和其他行为(x2=16.317,df=3,P＜0.01)在不同季节所占时间百分比均有极显著差异.对不同性别年龄组的活动时间分配采用两个独立样本的Mann-Whitney U检验,各性别-年龄组间的运动行为所占时间比例有极显著差异(P＜0.01),雄鹿与雌鹿之间的警觉行为有极显著差异(P＜0.01),雄鹿花较多时间用于警觉.幼鹿与成年鹿及亚成年鹿之间的采食行为时间有极显著差异(P＜0.01).不同性别、年龄组在不同季节的昼间活动时间分配的差异采用方差(ANOVA)分析后发现:所有年龄组,夏季与冬季饮水、春季与夏季警觉均存在显著性差异(P＜0.01);成体和亚成体麋鹿,春季与冬季警觉、夏季与冬季运动均存在显著性差异(P＜0.01).     

雄性麋鹿的吼叫行为、序位等级与成功繁殖

为探讨雄性麋鹿（Elaphurus davidianus）的吼叫行为与序位等级的关系,以及这种关系在成功繁殖中的作用。2000年7－8月,在北京麋鹿苑选定12头成体雄鹿,用目标取样法观察记录每头鹿的吼叫、圈群和交配行为的发生频次。用有效比值[被雌鹿接受的频次／雄鹿圈群（或交配）的总频次]来衡量雄鹿圈群行为（或交配行为）的有效性。依据雄鹿在发情期的表现状态,把雄鹿归为3类：占有雌鹿群的“群主”（4头）、未占有雌鹿群而挑战“群主”的“挑战者”（5头）和远离繁殖群的“单身汉”（3头）。不同序位等级雄鹿的吼叫频次、圈群（或交配）行为频次、圈群行为（或交配行为）的有效值存在显著差异（P＜0.05）。对吼叫行为的分析表明：“群主”吼叫频次最高,“单身汉”吼叫频次最低。“群主”的有效值最高,“单身汉”的有效值最低。据此认为雄性麋鹿的吼叫行为与其序位等级密切相关,而序位等级又决定了雄鹿参与繁殖的机会。此外,还记录到占群雄鹿的警戒吼叫,这是对Wemmer et al.(1983)警戒吼叫行为仅见于雌鹿的观察结果的补充。     

海南坡鹿繁殖习性的研究

通过野外观察研究,发现海南坡鹿在交配季节有明显的集群行为,雄鹿之间有明显等级序位大系,但序位高的雄鹿没有单独霸占鹿群的现象。本文对群集、争斗、吼叫、泥浴,嗅闻、追逐、爬跨、交配等繁殖行为及脱角、换毛进行了描述。     

雄性麋鹿的交配机会、社会等级和皮质醇水平

我们在北京麋鹿苑研究了发情期雄性麋鹿的社会行为、社会等级和血清皮质醇水平,并分析了三者间的相互关系。按照雄性麋鹿的行为,将雄性麋鹿分为优势群和从属群。优势群包括群主和挑战者,从属群包括单身汉和被淘汰群主。使用SJ—Ⅰ型事件记录器进行常规行为取样,用放射免疫分析法测定血清皮质醇含量。发现：(1)优势雄鹿的发情行为频次明显高于从属雄鹿;(2)攻击行为的发生频次在两组间无显著差异;(3)血清皮质醇含量在两组间也无显著差异。由此我们认为,发情期雄性麋鹿的社会等级序位影响许多行为的表达,优势雄鹿成功交配的机会比从属雄鹿多。而攻击行为和肾上腺皮质醇的分泌与社群等级无明显相关,可能是麋鹿在圈养状态下的一种适应策略,这将有利于缓解发情期雄鹿的紧张,从而允许更多的能量投放在发情交配上。     

半圈养条件下秋冬季水鹿行为时间分配的研究

对秋冬两个季节半圈养条件下水鹿行为的时间分配研究表明,水鹿在秋季时间花费最多的行为是休息,在冬季时间花费最多的则是站立。ｔ检验的结果显示,与秋季相比,雌雄水鹿在冬季都减少了休息和反刍的时间,而站立的时间增加。在冬季雌鹿站立的时间多于雄鹿,而雌鹿臣地休息的时间少于雄鹿。同样,在秋季雌鹿站立的时间极显著多于雄鹿。     

麋鹿繁殖行为和粪样激素水平变化的关系

１９９７年７－９月和１９９８年３－７月间,在江苏大麋鹿保护区共观察到麋鹿的２７种繁殖行为,雄鹿有１７种,雌鹿有１０种,在１９９８年３－７月间,利用放射免疫分析法（ＲＩＡ）测定了鹿麋样中的性激素水平,包括雄鹿的睾酮,雌鹿的酮,雌鹿的孕酮、雌二醇和雌三醇。实验结果表明：１许多繁殖行为的发生频次和持续时间表现出明显的季节变化（Ｐ〈０．０５）,如雄鹿的求偶行为、标记行为和性行为及雌鹿的性行为等在发情期有一     

猕猴不同性别年龄组个体时间分配和姿态行为的差异分析

2005 年11 月至2006 年10 月,对生活在广西桂林七星公园内的一群半野生猕猴进行观察,采用瞬时扫描取样法收集不同性别-年龄组个体的活动时间分配、活动高度和姿态行为的数据。研究结果表明:七星公园猕猴属半地栖性灵长类动物,花费较多的时间休息(41.5% );坐是猕猴最主要的休息姿态
(85. 5% )和觅食姿态(85. 4% ),四足行走是最主要的移动模式(64.5% )。成年个体的活动时间分配表现出明显的性别差异,主要表现为成年雌猴花费更多的时间相互理毛。不同年龄组个体的活动时间分配也表现出显著差异。休息时间随年龄的增长而增加,而玩耍时间则表现出相反的趋势。猕猴的活动高度和移动模式也表现出明显的年龄差异。成年个体花费更多的时间在地面活动。在移动过程中,成年个体采用四足行走的频率明显高于其它年龄组个体;亚成年个体跳跃最多;少年个体采用攀爬和架桥的频率明显高于成年个体。这些差异可能与个体在不同发育阶段的体型和活动水平差异以及林冠的不连续性有关。本研究结果将有助于了解猕猴不同性别年龄组个体对其栖息的社会和自然环境的行为适应机制。     

我国古籍中有关麋的一些记载

麋(Elaphurus davidianus)自19世纪末以来,在其故土--中国已经绝迹。本世 纪50年代,英国曾将这种珍稀动物送还北京动物园,最近又送回22只,其中20只散放在 它最后的栖息地--北京南郊的南海子。因此麋在中国古代的生存情况又引起人们的注 意。虽然Mollendorff(1877)曾对古文献中一些有关麋的记载作过报道,但比较粗略。 主要对麋的名字作了考证,还有许多问题未涉及。最近谢成侠(1985)又报道了麋的一 些历史情况;黄宝玮(1983)曾对甲骨文中之麋加以研究。但尚有不足。本文拟对麋作 进一步的历史动物学介绍。     

Grazing, social and comfort behaviour of Ankole and crossbred (Ankole × Holstein) heifers on pasture in south western Uganda

The aim of this study was to assess the grazing, social and comfort behaviour of the indigenous purebred Ankole cattle breed and crossbred (Holstein × Ankole) animals under typical management conditions in south western Uganda. Twelve focal animals in each of four groups (two groups per genotype) were observed regarding their grazing, social and comfort behaviour on pasture.No significant differences in grazing behaviour patterns (eating, walking, standing) were found between the genotypes. Resting occurred only very rarely in both genotypes. Walking distances of Ankole and Ankole × Holstein crosses were also similar. There was no difference in the occurrence of agonistic interactions between the two genotypes. However, Ankole cattle engaged in more non-agonistic social interactions than their crossbred counterparts. Individual distances were lower in Ankole heifers and more herd mates were found within a radius of 5 m around the Ankole animals. The most important comfort behaviour pattern in both genotypes was self-licking, which occurred to similar frequency in Ankole and crossbred heifer groups. Crossbred animals scratched themselves and rubbed on objects more often than Ankole heifers.Although Ankole cattle and their Holstein crosses did not differ in grazing, distances walked and agonistic behaviours, the significant differences between the two genotypes in herd cohesion and comfort behaviour may pose challenges on the management of crossbred animals under extensive open grazing conditions as present in south western Uganda. Thus, apart from (re)productive performance traits, behavioural traits of both genotypes may also be taken into account for breeding decisions and management under current production conditions.     

Habitat selection by two Mediterranean species of Aplysia: A. fasciata poiret and a. depilans Gmelin (Mollusca : Opisthobranchia)

Factors influencing habitat selection were examined in two species of Mediterranean Aplysia. Animals and egg masses were found in four types of habitats that varied in degree of exposure to wave action. Both species were frequently found in groups. Neither species was common in areas cut off from the surge of the sea. No difference in food preference was observed. A. depilans Gmelin were primarily found in areas subject to greater wave action, while A.fasciata Poiret dominated the calmer habitats. Both species were common in intermediate environments. In late summer, when A. depilans are absent, A. fasciata penetrated some environments previously dominated by the former. Morphological and behavioural features of A. depilans and A.fasciata are consistent with adaptation to rough and calm habitats, respectively.     

Behavioural responses of three linyphiid spiders to pitfall traps

The behaviour of three linyphiid spider species (Araneae: Linyhiidae) towards pitfall traps was investigated in an experimental arena. Capture efficiencies were low with a mean of between 16 and 57 traps being encountered before spiders were caught. Survival time, trap encounter rate, trap entry rate and reactions towards vegetation were all found to be species-specific. These behaviours are considered to affect differentially pitfall trap efficiency and may partially explain the lack of clear relationship between pitfall trap catch and density found in published studies.     

Review: Factors affecting fouling in conventional pens for slaughter pigs

This review assesses factors affecting fouling in conventional pens for slaughter pigs. Fouling of the pen happens when pigs change their excretory behaviour from occurring in the designated dunging area to the lying area. This can result in a lower hygiene, bad air quality, extra work for the farmer, disturbance of the pigs’ resting behaviour and an increase in agonistic interactions. A systematic search was conducted and results narrowed down to 21 articles. Four factors were found to affect fouling directly: insufficient space allowance, the flooring design of the pen, the thermal climate and pigs’ earlier experience. Further, these primary factors are affected by secondary factors such as the shape of the pen, the weight of the pigs and especially the heat balance of the pigs, which is affected by several tertiary factors including, for example, temperature, humidity and draught. Results indicate that the most important factor to control when trying to prevent fouling of a pen is the pen climate. An appropriate climate may be accomplished through floor cooling in the designated lying area, sprinklers above the designated dunging area and by ensuring a more optimal ambient temperature curve that also fits the weight of the pigs in different stages of the production. All in all, fouling of the pen in conventional slaughter pigs is a multifactorial problem, but it is important to focus on increasing the comfortability, and especially the climate, of the designated lying area.     

Agonistic and proximity patterns in enclosed mouflon (Ovis gmelini) ewes in relation to age, reproductive status and kinship

Agonistic and proximity patterns of mouflon sheep (Ovis gmelini) were studied in a group of enclosed females during two lambing periods. A non-random linear-tending hierarchy almost stable over the 2-years was found. Age was correlated to social rank and to the distribution of agonistic acts by females. The rank of the yearling females was linked to the rank of their mothers. The age of the animal and the degree of relatedness with its congeners appeared as main determinants of the proximity patterns of ewes. Strong associations between closely related females (especially mothers and daughters), brought out the existence of a familial structure in mouflon. Otherwise, we found a strong inter-attraction between yearlings, which received a large number of aggressions from older females. That revealed peer grouping superimposed on familial structures. Age also seemed to influence ‘sociality’ of females, older females tending to associate less with conspecifics than younger ones.     

Habitat availability,social attraction and nest distribution patterns in longear sunfish (Lepomis megalotis peltastes)

Synopsis Two forces, limited availability of preferred habitat and social attraction between conspecifics were hypothesized to explain nest aggregation in male longear sunfish. In the laboratory, males cluster their nests within a small segment of a much larger uniform area of nesting habitat. In the field, large areas of unused habitat suitable for nesting were found, suggesting that nesting aggregations are not formed as a result of limited preferred habitat. Males appear to be socially attracted during breeding, and social nesting presumably is a successful reproductive strategy for at least a portion of the population.     

Feeding and oviposition preferences of Drosophila buzzatii for microbial species isolated from its natural environment

Mature, mated female Drosophila buzzatii were given a choice of nine microbial communities actively growing on cactus homogenate in laboratory population cages. All communities contained identical naturally occurring bacteria, and comprised bacteria only and bacteria plus one of eight yeast species. Relative frequency of each yeast species ingested and number of eggs laid on each community were measured daily for three successive days. Flies generally preferred to feed and oviposit on those yeast species which are most abundant in rots of Opuntia cactus, and Pichia caclophila was the most preferred yeast. Light intensity, position of the yeast in the cage, and probably aggregation behaviour affected preference. Direct observation of adults was found to be inadequate for determining feeding preference. The ability of the flies to discriminate between yeasts developed with time. By day three, there was a significant correlation ( r = 0.96) between the yeasts preferred for feeding and those preferred for oviposition. Feeding preference may be determined in part by oviposition preference; and the latter appears to be the most fruitful avenue for future research into habitat selection by D. buzzatii-     

Slug foraging behaviour: Attraction to food items from a distance

Slug foraging paths recorded using time lapse video techniques under infra-red light were fitted to a correlated random walk model. Analyses were carried out on slugs in arenas where no food was present, as well as those containing commercial molluscicides at two rates of application. Slugs were found to search randomly in empty arenas and those containing commercial metaldehyde baits, but deviated from random search patterns when in the presence of commercial methiocarb bait. Differential attraction from a distance is suggested as a cause of these differences.     

Cooperative Breeding in the Lake Tanganyika Cichlid Julidochromis ornatus

Cooperative breeding has been described for several cichlids from the genus Julidochromis (Perciformes: Cichlidae) under laboratory conditions, but field evidence is scarce. Here we describe the breeding system of the cichlid Julidochromis ornatus (Boulenger) in Lake Tanganyika (Zambia). Groups defended a breeding shelter under a large flat stone. Smaller group members stayed and fed under or close to the stone, actively guarded by the larger group members. Six out of 28 groups were newly established by breeders, joined by subordinates from a large pool of independent fish (comprising 50–70% of the total population), and four groups were seen to dissolve during a total of 77 observation days. Breeding groups consisted of a large breeding male and female with zero to five smaller subordinates (average 2). Larger breeders and subordinates were found in larger groups. All group members participated in territory defence and -maintenance, but the breeders were only present at the shelter 48% of the time, in contrast to the subordinates which guarded the breeding shelter 94% of the time. Smaller group members showed submissive behaviours to larger group members. We conclude subordinates in J. ornatus are helpers, but we did not find evidence that helpers increased the group’s current reproductive success. Personal observations combined with a literature review revealed at least 19 species of Lake Tanganyika cichlids show evidence of cooperative breeding, entirely confined to the substrate breeding tribe of the Lamprologini (24% of 80 species in total): 2 Chalinochromis spp., 5 Julidochromis spp., 12 Neolamprologus spp. More effort should be put into detecting cooperative breeding in American and Asian substrate breeding cichlid species.