Species composition of mosquitoes (Diptera, Culicidae) and possibility of the West Nile virus natural foci formation in the South of Western Siberia

In 2004 June-July collections of mosquito adults and small mammals were carried out in two areas of Novosibirsk Region (forest-steppe and steppe zones), where the West Nile virus (WNV) was for the first time recorded in birds with different migration status in 2002-2004. Seventeen species of mosquitoes were found; significant changes in their species composition and abundance, as compared with latest faunistic studies made in the sixties-seventies of the last century, are revealed. WNV markers (antigen, RNA) are found in small mammals; highly sensitive to the WNV replication mosquito species are also found. These facts allow supposing a possibility of the formation of stable West Nile virus natural foci in the South of Western Siberia, under conditions of forest-steppe and steppe zones.     

内蒙古草原繁殖鸟类群聚组成之比较

利用 5月份温带草原鸟类繁殖期 ,在荒漠草原、草原、湿地、沙地和山地等植被 ,选取 1 1个面积 1 0 0 hm2 ( 50 0 m×2 0 0 0 m)同样大小的样区 ,由 3人各隔 1 50 m作平行的穿越线调查 ,并记录所见鸟类的种类与数量。同时 ,也在每一样区任取面积 1 m2 之植被样方 ,记载样方内植物的种类、垂直高度、覆盖度和植物鲜重。调查结果显示草原繁殖鸟类的种类不多 ,在无树的荒漠草原植被是 4～ 6种 ,草原植被在 5～ 8种之间 ,湿地植被 1 5种 ;在有树的沙地植被是 9～ 1 2种 ,山地植被 6种。鸟种多样性和丰富度指数不大 ,由大而小依序是沙地植被、湿地植被、山地植被、草原植被、荒漠草原植被 ;密度也不高 ,由大而小依序是无树草原的湿地植被、草原植被、荒漠草原植被 ,而后是有树草原的沙地植被、山地植被。鸟类食性分布方面 ,荒漠草原和草原植被以食杂性鸟类为优势 ;湿地植被以食虫性鸟类为多 ;沙地植被以食杂与食肉性鸟类为胜 ;山地植被以食虫和食杂性鸟类较多 ,并增加一些食肉性鸟类。     

Diversity patterns of small mammals in the Zambales Mts., Luzon, Philippines

In 2004 and 2005, we conducted a survey of the small mammals on Mt. Tapulao (=Mt. High Peak, 2037 m) in the Zambales Mountains, Luzon Island, Philippines in order to obtain the first information on the mammals of this newly discovered center of endemism. We also tested two hypotheses regarding the relationship of species richness with elevation and the impact of alien species on native mammals. The survey covered five localities representing habitats from regenerating lowland rain forest at 860 m to mossy rain forest near the peak at 2024 m. We recorded 11 species, including 1 native shrew, 1 alien shrew, 8 native rodents, and 1 alien rodent. Two species of Apomys and one species of Rhynchomys are endemic to Zambales; this establishes the Zambales Mountains as a significant center of mammalian endemism. Species richness of native small mammals increased with elevation, from five species in the lowlands at 925 m to seven species in mossy forest at 2024 m; total relative abundance of native small mammals increased from 925 to 1690 m, then declined at 2024 m. Alien small mammals were restricted to highly disturbed areas. Our results support the prediction that maximum species richness of small mammals would occur in lower mossy forest near the peak, not near the center of the gradient. Our results also support the hypothesis that when a diverse community of native Philippine small mammals is present in either old-growth or disturbed forest habitat, “invasive” alien species are unable to penetrate and maintain significant populations in forest.     

Zonal types of host-parasite complexes of arthropods and small mammals in the west Siberian Plain

Comparative analysis of the composition, population structure, and landscape distribution of small mammals and associated parasitic arthropods was performed for the plain part of West Siberia. Four main zonal complexes were distinguished, corresponding to different landscape zones or subzones: tundra, forest, forest-steppe (the northern forest-steppe subzone), and steppe (the southern forest-steppe subzone and steppes). The parasite specificity of each complex is defined by different systematic and ecological groups of arthropods: the tundra complex is defined by epizoic gamasid mites (Acari: Parasitiformes: Mesostigmata), the forest and forest-steppe complexes are defined by ticks (Acari: Parasitiformes: Ixodides) and fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera), and the steppe complex is defined by fleas and nidicolous gamasid mites.     

Zonal types of host-parasite complexes of arthropods and small mammals in a flat part of Western Siberia

Within a flat part of Western Siberia distribution of the small mammals and parasitic arthropods connected with them is accompanied by formation zonal host-parasite complexes dated for corresponding landscape zones or subzones: tundra complex dated for a tundra zone; forest complex dated for a forest zone (including subzones northern taiga, middle taiga, southern taiga and subtaiga); forest-steppe complex dated for a northern forest-steppe subzone; steppe complex dated for a southern forest-steppe subzone and steppe. Parasitic specificity of each type of a complex is defined by arthropods of different systematical and ecological groups: a tundra complex is defined by epizoite gamasid mites (Mesostigmata), forest and forest-steppe complexes is defined by tick (Ixodides) and fleas (Siphonaptera), steppe complex is defined by fleas and nidicolous gamasid mites.     

Spatial heterogeneity of a ground beetle (Coleoptera,Carabidae) population along a forest-steppe transect: Local level of consideration

Carabid diversity has been studied in the forest-steppe in southern West Siberia along a continuous 180-m transect from the center of a small birch forest outlier through steppe and mesophytic meadows to a single tree. Carabid communities characteristic of open and forest habitats are different. Communities of open habitats are more differentiated than forest ones. The former can be further subdivided into steppe and meadow variants. Some species are generalists, exhibiting no preferences to particular open habitats.     

Defaunation and fragmentation erode small mammal diversity dimensions in tropical forests

Forest fragmentation and defaunation are considered the main drivers of biodiversity loss, yet the synergistic effects of landscape changes and biotic interactions on assemblage structure have been poorly investigated. Here, we use an extensive dataset of 283 assemblages and 105 species of small mammals to understand how defaunation of medium and large mammals and forest fragmentation change the community composition and diversity of rodents and marsupials in tropical forests of South America. We used structured equation models to investigate the relationship between small mammal species, functional and phylogenetic diversity with forest size, forest cover and the occurrence of medium and large mammals. The best‐fit model showed that defaunation reduced functional diversity, and that species diversity of small mammals increased with forest patch size. Forest cover did not affect functional and phylogenetic diversity. Our results indicate that occurrence of medium and large sized mammals (probably acting as predators, or competitors of small mammals) and forest patch size help to retain species and functional diversity in small mammal communities. Further, the number of species in a small mammal community was critical to the maintenance of phylogenetic diversity, and may have a pronounced influence on the ecological functions played by small mammals. Identifying how phylogenetic and functional diversity change in function of human pressures allows us to better understand the contribution of extant lineages to ecosystem functioning in tropical forests.     

An overview of biodiversity and conservation status of steppes of the Anatolian Biogeographical Region

The Anatolian Biogeographical Region is unique in the Palearctic realm, with high plant and butterfly species richness and populations of globally threatened birds, mammals and herptiles (amphibians and reptiles). It is a place of diverse land-use practices, dating back to the earliest farming practices in the world. Among 10,930 species of vascular plants, birds, butterflies, mammals and herptiles distributed in Turkey, we identified 1130 living predominantly in steppic environments and being classified either as threatened, near-threatened or data deficient at the national level, if not globally. A total of 28 effective protected areas were present in the region, covering 1.5 % of the 391,597 km² land area. Only 16.2 % of the threatened and near-threatened species (n = 809) were distributed within the protected area network, ranging from 94.1 % for birds to as low as 12.9 % for vascular plants. The total area of steppe and steppe forest vegetation has been reduced by at least 44 % of its former extent due to diverse habitat destructive activities. The most significant threats arise from unsustainable agricultural activities including overgrazing, conversion to croplands and afforestation. To maintain steppe diversity, we propose a “to-do list”, including mainstreaming biodiversity, effective implementation of Turkey’s Rangeland Act, conducting effective environmental impact assessments, establishing an effective site network for steppe biodiversity conservation and filling gaps in scientific knowledge.     

Transformation of bird and mammal faunas in steppe ecosystems under the impact of plowing: The example of Saratov steppes

The impact of plowing on the bird and mammal faunas of steppe landscapes is considered using the example of steppes in the Saratov Region. It is shown that the faunas of ground-nesting birds and small mammals in crop-rotation fields represent impoverished variants of the same faunas in natural steppe land-scapes with their characteristic diversity of habitats. As a rule, dominance in the fields belongs to bird and mammal species that, prior to extensive plowing of the steppes, inhabited intrazonal landscape elements. Only a few species characteristic of zonal steppe habitats have adapted to living in crop-rotation fields.     

中国针茅属植物的地理分布

本文论述了中国针茅属植物的地理分布、生态特点及其与植被分布的关系。中国针茅属有32种1亚种及4变种,据该属各个种所处环境中的气候和土壤等因素的变化,不同种的分布也各异。属的分布区的类型属于吴征镒(1979)的中国植物区系分区的泛北极植物区中的6个植物亚区,即亚洲荒漠植物亚区,欧、亚森林植物亚区,青藏高原植物亚区,中国-喜马拉雅植物亚区,欧、亚草原植物亚区及中国-日本森林植物亚区。     

Characteristics of zonal distribution of the gamasid mites connected with small mammals and their nests in Western Siberia

Analysis of long-term data on the fauna, landscape distribution, and structure of communities of the gamasid mites (Acari:Parasitiformes:Mesostigmata) connected with small mammals and their nests in the plain part of Western Siberia is carried out. By now, presence of 249 gamasid mite species is established in the territory under study, including 193 free-living and 56 parasitic species. Gamasid mites are represented by the maximal number of species on small mammals and in thers nests in northern forest-steppe (102 and 105 species respectively). Nine parasitic species from two ecological groups (epizoic and nidicolous) were found in all landscape zones of the West Siberian Plain, namely: 1) epizoic species Laelaps clethrionomydis Lange, 1955, Laelaps hilaris C. L. Koch, 1836, and Hyperlaelaps arvalis Zachvatkin, 1948 (obligatory non-exclusive hematophagous); 2) nidicolous species Androlaelaps casalis Berlese, 1887 (obligatory non-exclusive hematophagous), Eulaelaps stabularis C. L. Koch, 1836, Haemogamasus nidiformnes Bregetova, 1955 (facultative hematophagous), Haemnogamnasus ambulans Thorell, 1872 (obligatory non-exclusive hematophagous), Hirstionyssus isabellinus Oudemans, 1913, and Hirstionyssus eusoricis Bregetova, 1956 (obligatory exclusive hematophagous). Last three species demonstrate the mixed type of parasitism. The population of gamasid mites on small mammals is most specific in tundra, southern forest-steppe and steppe; the fauna of gamasid mites in nests is most specific in southern forest-steppe and steppe.     

Effects of rain forest logging on species richness and assemblage composition of small mammals in Southeast Asia

Aim The effects of logging and habitat degradation on the richness and abundance of small mammals in Asian rain forests are largely unknown. This work compares the species richness, dominance and evenness of small non‐volant mammals between logged and unlogged forests, and assesses whether assemblage variability (β‐diversity) is similar between forest types. Location Southeast Asia, northern Borneo (Sabah, Malaysia), Sunda‐shelf. Methods We surveyed species‐rich assemblages of small non‐volant mammals in three unlogged and three logged forests for 2 years. At each forest site, we sampled a permanently marked transect and two additional sites in three trapping sessions. All analyses were performed at both levels to include the effects of local abundances and point estimates, separately from the relative abundances of species on a more regional scale. Results We trapped a total of 1218 individuals of 28 species. Eleven common species accounted for 95% of all captures. Species richness and diversity were significantly higher in unlogged forest (27 species) than in logged forest (17 species). This was mainly attributable to the smaller number of rarely recorded species in logged forest (five compared with 16 in unlogged forest, with a total of fewer than 10 captures). However, all common species were present in both logged and unlogged forests, and our analyses revealed similar patterns of dominance, evenness and fluctuations in abundance. Hence overall assemblage composition in multivariate space did not differ greatly between forest types. Assemblages of Muridae and Tupaiidae showed similar population fluctuations in space and time, indicating that the ecology of these taxa may be partially driven by the same environmental factors. Main conclusions Although species were distributed patchily within sites, analyses at local and regional scales revealed similar patterns in diversity and assemblage variability, suggesting that effects of forest modification did not differ extensively locally and regionally, but had a profound effect on rare species. Our results emphasize the importance and conservation value of logged forest stands that are able to hold a large proportion of the small mammals also found in unlogged forests. Rare and more specialized species are more vulnerable to forest degradation than commonly caught species, resulting in the complete loss, or a decrease in numbers, of certain groups, such as arboreal small mammals and Viverridae.     

笼捕法和陷阱法对森林小型兽类多样性监测效率比较

<正>小型兽类包括食虫目(Insectivora)、啮齿目(Rodentia)、翼手目(Chiroptera)、兔形目(Lagomorpha)等,物种数量多,分布广,适应能力强,对环境变化敏感,因此其群落组成和种群数量变化可较好地反映生境变化的质量和人类活动的干扰程度(肖治术等,2002;李俊生等,2003;仝磊和路纪琪,2010)。小型兽类多样性一直是生物多样性和生态环境监测与评价的重要指示类群之一(周立志和马勇,2002)。统计动物毛发、粪便、巢穴、叫声、足迹等动物痕迹以及直接观察等方法已被广泛用于兽类物种监测和种群密度估计(Eberhardt and Van Etten,1956;Bider,1968;Gannon     

针茅水孔蛋白基因多态性分析及其地理分布

以分布于内蒙古的草甸草原(森林草原)、典型草原、荒漠草原上的7种针茅属植物为材料,利用聚合酶链反应-单链构象多态性(PCR-SSCP)方法,分析了水孔蛋白基因的外显子1和内含子1的遗传多态性.结果表明:外显子1有AA、BB和CC 3种基因型,内含子1有DD、EE、FF和GG 4种基因型;种间存在基因多态性,种内没有多态性,所有种均表现出遗传的单态性和100%的纯合度.从基因型地理分布看,AA基因型在草甸草原、森林草原、典型草原及荒漠草原区的针茅种上均有分布,BB、CC基因型只分布在荒漠草原区的针茅中;DD基因型分布于草甸草原、森林草原及典型草原区的针茅属植物中,荒漠草原区分布有EE、FF、GG等3种基因型.荒漠草原区的植物是旱生程度最强的一类草原群落,该区的3种针茅具有丰富的遗传多态性.     

Ground beetles of the Ukraine (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

A review of the ground beetles of the Ukrainian fauna is given. Almost 750 species from 117 genera of Carabidae are known to occur in the Ukraine. Approximately 450 species of ground beetles are registered in the Carpathian region. No less than 300 species of ground beetles are found in the forest zone. Approximately 400 species of Carabidae present in the forest-steppe zone are relatively similar in species composition to those in the forest territories. Some 450 species of Carabidae are inhabitants of the steppe zone. Representatives of many other regions of heterogeneous biotopes such as forest, semi desert, intrazonal, etc. can be found in the steppe areas. The fauna of Carabidae (ca. 100 species) of the lowlands of southern Ukraine (sandy biotopes), situated mostly in the Kherson region, is very peculiar. The fauna of the Crimean mountains contains about 300 species. Conservation measures for the Carabidae are discussed.     

都江堰地区小型哺乳动物群落与生境类型关系的初步研究

于2000年10月底至11月初,对都江堰地区中亚热带常绿阔叶林带不同生境类型中小型哺乳动物群落的多样性变化进行了初步研究。其捕获小型哺乳动物12种,其中啮齿目（Rodentia）鼠科（Muridae）10种,食虫目（Insce-tivora）JuQin科（Soricidae）2种,总捕获率为10.67%,在所调查的7个生境中,以干扰较轻的次生林中小型哺乳动物物种多样性指数（1.8438）和均匀度（0.9475）最高,灌丛、次生林1、原生林和弃耕地均有较高的多样性指数,农田受人类的干扰最严重,物种单一,优势度（0.5703）明显;柳杉林中的多样性指数（1.3380）和均匀度(0.8313）均较低。但原生林的物种多样性指数（1.4305）略低于次生林（1.8475和1.4610）,灌丛（1.6398）和弃耕地(1.6566）。根据不同生境内群落相似性指数进行系统聚类,7个生境在相似性指数0.0952处全部聚合在一起,灌丛、原生林和次生林中主要分布有森林型小型哺乳动物,聚为一类,为森林群落型;柳杉林和农田以大足鼠（Rattus nitidus）为优势种,聚为一类,为农田群落型;弃耕地一方面由于群落多样性指数较高（1.6566）,另一方面其农田型小型哺乳动物仍占较高比例（46.67%）,所以在聚类图中另成一类,为农林交错型。结果表明,人类活动过度干扰的生境（如农田、柳杉林）多样性指数最低,适度干扰的生境（如次生林、灌丛、弃耕地）多样性指数最高,干扰较少的生境（如原生林）多样性指数略低。     

Terrestrial small mammal diversity and abundance in central Benin: comparison between habitats,with conservation implications

We performed a terrestrial small mammal species inventory in the Agoua and Wari‐Maro forest reserves (Benin). Four localities were sampled, and in each locality, three habitats were surveyed: dense forest, open forest or woodland savannah and shrub savannah. This is the first comprehensive inventory for small mammals in central Benin. We captured 794 small mammals representing twenty species (six shrew species, fourteen rodent species). Three new species that need to be described were recorded. We observed a mixture of both true forest species and of species adapted to a wider range of habitats ranging from savannah to forest clearings. Species with either Sudanian or Guinea–Congolian affinities were recorded, as well as a new species endemic to Togo and Benin. This rich biodiversity underlines the urgent need for an effective protection of these forests. The Sudanian species Crocidura cf. foxi was more abundant in Wari‐Maro than in Agoua forest, while the Guineo–Congolian species Praomys misonnei and Hylomyscus sp were only captured in Agoua forest. These results are in agreement with the fact that these two forests belong to two distinct chorological zones.     

On the structure of rodent communities in tropical forests of southern Vietnam

The abundance, species diversity, and spatial distribution of small mammals were studied in two localities in southern Vietnam: the Cat Tien National Park and the Binh Chau Nature Reserve. Rodents were trapped on the ground and in the tropical forest canopy (2–12 m above the ground), marked, and released on the spot. Species diversity of small mammals in undisturbed tropical forest (9 species) was higher than in disturbed tropical forest (14 species). The rat Maxomys surifer and the squirrel Callosciurus flavimanus were dominant. In undisturbed forest, the frequencies of rodent occurrence on the ground and in the canopy were of the same order; in disturbed forest, rodents occurred in the canopy an order of magnitude less frequently than on the ground.     

Movement trajectories and habitat partitioning of small mammals in logged and unlogged rain forests on Borneo

1. Non-volant animals in tropical rain forests differ in their ability to exploit the habitat above the forest floor and also in their response to habitat variability. It is predicted that specific movement trajectories are determined both by intrinsic factors such as ecological specialization, morphology and body size and by structural features of the surrounding habitat such as undergrowth and availability of supportive structures. 2. We applied spool-and-line tracking in order to describe movement trajectories and habitat segregation of eight species of small mammals from an assemblage of Muridae, Tupaiidae and Sciuridae in the rain forest of Borneo where we followed a total of 13,525 m path. We also analysed specific changes in the movement patterns of the small mammals in relation to habitat stratification between logged and unlogged forests. Variables related to climbing activity of the tracked species as well as the supportive structures of the vegetation and undergrowth density were measured along their tracks. 3. Movement patterns of the small mammals differed significantly between species. Most similarities were found in congeneric species that converged strongly in body size and morphology. All species were affected in their movement patterns by the altered forest structure in logged forests with most differences found in Leopoldamys sabanus. However, the large proportions of short step lengths found in all species for both forest types and similar path tortuosity suggest that the main movement strategies of the small mammals were not influenced by logging but comprised generally a response to the heterogeneous habitat as opposed to random movement strategies predicted for homogeneous environments. 4. Overall shifts in microhabitat use showed no coherent trend among species. Multivariate (principal component) analysis revealed contrasting trends for convergent species, in particular for Maxomys rajah and M. surifer as well as for Tupaia longipes and T. tana, suggesting that each species was uniquely affected in its movement trajectories by a multiple set of environmental and intrinsic features.