Biplanar X-ray motion analysis of the lower jaw movement during incisor interaction and mastication in the beaver (Castor fiber L. 1758)

The first biplanar X-ray motion analysis of mastication and food processing for Castor fiber is presented. While particles are chipped off interaction of incisors involves variable movements of the lower mandible and thus incisors. After jaw opening the tip of the lower incisors can reach different positions anteriorly of the upper incisors. Then the mandible moves upwards and backwards and brings the tips of the incisors into contact. The lower incisors slide along the wear facet of the upper to the ledge when the cheek teeth occlude. The glenoid fossa and lower jaw condyle are in close contact during incisor contact and no transverse movements are observed. Mastication involves interaction of the cheek teeth with no contact of the incisors. When the cheek teeth are in occlusal contact the mandible is moved forward and transverse, or mediolateral. In consecutive power strokes the jaw is moved alternately to the right and left side. When the jaw opens it is brought into a more central but not totally centred position. During mastication the condyles are positioned posteriorly to the glenoid allowing lateral movement of the mandible. The lateral movement is particularly noticeable in the anterior part of the mandible. With the lateral movements of the incisors one glenoid has to move posteriorly, the other anteriorly.     

Habitat selection by European beaver (Castor fiber) colonizing a boreal landscape

The beaver, exterminated in Sweden in the 19th century, was reintroduced in the 1920s. The population is still increasing its range and individuals at the expansion front can still move into optimal habitats. Therefore, there is no need for beavers to occupy marginal habitats, and preferred habitats are not yet altered by the beavers themselves. Salient features of occupied and unoccupied habitats were analysed by partial least square projections to latent structures (PLS) in order to identify the important factors. The tortuosity of streams, and occurrence of grasses and forbs in the ground layer, had the strongest positive effects. Availability of deciduous forest differed univariately between used and unused sites, but added little to the model. It is suggested that variables describing geomorphological stages in stream development will increase both the general applicability and reliability of studies that attempt to assess the quality of beaver habitat.     

Habitat diversity and fish assemblages in an African river basin (Nyagui River, Zimbabwe)

Little is known about the ecology of stream fishes in Zimbabwe and this study investigated fish communities in the Nyagui River basin and is one of the first to examine the relationship between fish assemblages and habitat diversity in Zimbabwe. Fourteen sampling stations were, for convenience, divided into three groups; upper (>1400 m above sea level), middle (1000–14000 m) and lower stations (<1000 m). A total of 24 species were collected, four of which were introduced, and the species composition differed according to the location of the stations. Species that favoured running water and/or rocks were generally absent from the upper stations, reflecting the fact that they were mostly sandy‐bottomed and still. Diversity and relative abundance increased in the mid‐ and low‐altitude stations, which were rockier and faster flowing. Both species diversity and relative abundance increased with the catchment area above each station, which was attributed to increased habitat diversity in larger streams. This view was supported by a strong correlation between habitat diversity and catchment area, and between habitat diversity and species richness and relative abundance. At present, the Nyagui system is relatively unregulated but the Kunzvi Dam, presently under construction, will change this situation and species diversity is likely to decrease owing to the loss of rheophilic species while other groups, notably cichlids and introduced species will increase.     

Distribution pattern of an expanding Osprey ( Pandion haliaetus) population in a changing environment

We studied the nest site selection and distribution pattern at landscape level of the German Osprey population, and demonstrated how to test the predictions of the ideal free distribution theory and its derivatives on such an expanding population. Information about the location and breeding success of each Osprey nest site between 1995 and 2005 was collected through a long-term monitoring programme. Data of land cover types were acquired from the administrations of each federal state and the CORINE Land Cover database. The results showed that Ospreys preferred landscapes with more water bodies and forests. Such sites were also occupied earlier and had higher local population density. However, in the study period of 11 years, there was a gradual shift from forest-dominated landscapes to agricultural land-dominated landscapes. The breeding success increased over time, with no difference in the breeding success between pairs nesting on trees and poles, whereas there was higher breeding success at nest sites surrounded by more agricultural land and less forest. The more efficient foraging in eutrophic lakes in agricultural landscapes was the most likely cause for the higher breeding success. The distribution pattern of the Ospreys did not match the resource allocation, which deviated from the models tested. We suggested that the proximate cues used for nest site selection mismatched site quality due to anthropogenic environmental changes.     

Habitat selection of the Corsican Nuthatch (Sitta whiteheadi) after a fire

The Corsican Nuthatch Sitta whiteheadi is a bird endemic to Corsica Island and has a very small population. Its habitat, Corsican pine Pinus nigra laricio forest, is currently restricted to less than 16,000 ha and is threatened by forest fires. In this article, we aim (1) to evaluate the effects of a large wildfire on a Nuthatch population, and (2) to identify the habitat features that influence the presence/absence of the Nuthatch after fire, so as to promote appropriate forestry practices after fire. The study has been conducted on a study plot of 300 ha which is part of a larger area severely burnt in August 2003. Habitat characteristics have been investigated on 39 plots of 1,225 m² occupied by the bird, and 22 randomly chosen plots without the Nuthatch. We observed a decrease of 37.5% in Nuthatch abundance the first spring after the fire, but the impact showed great local variation as a function of fire severity. Logistic modelling showed that the presence of Nuthatch mainly depended on the degree of crown alteration: the Nuthatch tended to be present when at least one pine had less than 2.5 m of crown burned. We have no evidence of any direct fire-induced mortality, but several effects of fire can explain this population decrease, namely, the reduction of canopy volume, the decrease of the amount of pine seeds, and the reduction of nest-site availability. These results permit us to propose a simple criterion that can help in choosing the plots to be cut where salvage logging is necessary.     

新疆乌伦古河流域蒙新河狸巢穴特征和巢址生境选择

2014年11—12月和2015年4月,采用样方法对新疆乌伦古河流域冷季和暖季早期蒙新河狸(Castor fiber birulai)巢穴特征和巢址生境选择进行了调查研究。确定冷季160个蒙新河狸巢穴和暖季早期158个蒙新河狸巢穴,其中61个地面巢平均长(2.54±1.69)m,宽(1.68±0.91)m,高(0.54±0.32)m。与冷季相比,暖季早期蒙新河狸利用的巢穴生境具有河宽、水域面积、水深和植物郁闭度较大,河岸坡度较小的特征,是由季节更替导致的温度等气候变化引起的,而在其他生态因子选择上无差异(P0.05)。以冷季为例,蒙新河狸巢址生境选择特征表现为:(1)地理分布因子:海拔1000m,临近水域河岸1.0m、坡度75°、水深1.0m、河面宽度和面积适中;(2)隐蔽因子:巢穴隐蔽级较高,附近的植物特征(郁闭度高,乔木密度大、灌木密度低以及高度低)也辅助实现了较好的隐蔽性;(3)干扰因子:巢穴位置选择最近公路或居民点的河流异侧;(4)食物因子:巢穴多选择在密度较高的柳树林中,且距离冬季食物堆较近。建议:寻找适合蒙新河狸生存的其他潜在生境;减少在蒙新河狸生活流域修建水坝,或者在其附近修建蒙新河狸迁徙通道;加强蒙新河狸分布区的保护管理。     

Hybridization between Cottus gobio and Cottus poecilopus in the Odra River drainage basin (Czech Republic)

Comparisons of morphology, nuclear gene sequencing and microsatellites were used to identify 19 hybrids between the related species Cottus poecilopus and Cottus gobio in three rivers of the Odra River drainage basin. All hybrids were the results of backcrossing and no F1 generation hybrid was found. The resulting progeny are fertile and continue in backcrossing with parental conspecifics. A high representation of backcrosses appears to indicate a lack of reproduction barriers within the hybridization process. It was impossible to differentiate individual back-cross categories on the sole basis of six loci. Mitochondrial haplotypes indicate that this is not a one-way process. In our study, hybridization was asymmetrical in favour of Cottus poecilopus.     

农林复合环境大草蛉生境选择取向及天敌效能

大草蛉(Chrysopa pallens Rambur)是华北农区优势天敌昆虫之一。华北农区农林复合系统中作物农田、林带所组成的农林生境,就其中的大草蛉对栖息环境、产卵地点、越冬场所等不同生境的选择取向及天敌追随效能展开了多角度研究,结果表明:(1)大草蛉成虫对作物蚜虫具有明显的追随效应,其幼虫对作物蚜虫的空间跟随作用显著,且在不同空间层次均有控制作物蚜虫的表现(空间重叠度指数:P_(幼空间)0.65);大草蛉的采食虫态期与蚜虫的发生期同步(时间重叠度指数:P_(幼空间)0.65)。(2)紧邻农田的林带环境是秋收后大草蛉主要的越冬场所(差异显著性比较:P=0.0010.05,α=0.05),对维系大草蛉在农林生境中的种群延续具有重要作用。(3)大草蛉在林带内的树皮裂缝、地表土层、枯枝落叶下结茧化蛹越冬,并对以上3个地点不存在明显选择性(差异显著性比较:P=0.4660.05,α=0.05);(4)大草蛉在栖息生境中具有季节移动性和偏好选择性双重特点:夏秋两季作物生长期内大草蛉从林带迁飞往农田,偏好在大豆、花生田中栖息(LSD法:P=0.0050.01,α=0.01);农作物秋收后及冬春两季大草蛉栖居于林带中,偏好在杨树萌条林内栖息(LSD法:P=0.0020.01,α=0.01);(5)大草蛉对产卵地点具有选择性,因生境不同表现出一定差异性:在农田生境,大草蛉产卵时节贯穿6至9月,且偏好于花生与玉米田(LSD法:P=0.0070.01,α=0.01);在林带生境,杨树杂木林内具有更高密度卵量(LSD法:P=0.0380.05,α=0.05),产卵时节集中在5至7月。     

张广才岭藏獾洞穴生境选择

2008年9月至2009年8月,在黑龙江省方正林业局新风林场,用不定宽样线法对藏獾洞穴生境选择进行研究,共记录了55组藏獾洞穴,藏獾洞口平均直径为(27.40±7.15)cm,洞深平均为(84.18±22.04)cm,倾角平均为(26.36±9.10)°,洞口总数=3.02个常用洞数+0.80个不常用洞数+0.56个废弃洞数。相对于对照样方而言,藏獾洞穴更偏爱选择位于郁闭度和植被盖度小,灌木密度大、距离近,乔木距离远,距水源和农田近、人为干扰距离远,坡度较缓的向阳中坡位的生境。资源选择函数模型为:logit(p)=246.980-1.059×植被盖度-0.703×距水源距离-1.403×坡度-45.005×坡向,模型的正确预测率为93.9%。     

Structure and spatial variability of mayfly (Ephemeroptera) communities in the upper Hron River basin

Mayflies were sampled from eleven sites in six tributaries of the upper Hron River. Mayfly communities were ordinated and related to environmental factors using multiple regression and principal component analysis. Communities of headwater sites were dominated by Rhithrogena iridina which was gradually replaced by Baetis alpinus, at the lower reaches. Total mayfly species richness was inversely related to stream slope and overall abundance was inversely related to altitude. The prominent factor influencing mayfly communities was a complex longitudinal gradient as proposed by the river continuum concept. There were no significant differences in community composition and structure between the left-and right-hand tributaries of the Hron River.     

Habitat selection and grouping of beetles (Coleoptera)

Beetles were collected by pitfall trapping for a two-year period in seven adjacent habitats in an upland site in North Wales. Positive correlations were demonstrated between number of beetle species and number and diversity of plant species. Similar correlations were shown between beetle numbers and plant species. However, only 15% of the beetle species were herbivores requiring host plants. The degree of habitat selection by individual beetle species was demonstrated, ranging from habitat specialist, being found in one habitat, lo habitat generalist, being found in most habitats. Herbivores were significantly more habitat specialist than predators or scavengers. The grouping of beetles, demonstrated by ordination analysis, was similar to, but less precise than, the grouping of plant species. The beetle groups reflect habitat selection preferences by individual species rather than a functional relationship between beetle species. They provide an example of the centrifugal structure of habitat selection theory.     

长江上游朱杨溪江段圆筒吻鮈种群参数和资源量

圆筒吻鮈为长江上游特有种,三峡、向家坝、溪洛渡等梯级水利工程的建设,可能对其物种生存产生较大影响。为了解三峡工程蓄水后、金沙江一期工程蓄水前该物种的种群动态,2007-2009年对长江上游朱杨溪江段的圆筒吻鮈进行了调查,利用体长频率数据对其种群参数和资源量进行了估算。长江上游朱杨溪江段圆筒吻鮈渔获群体体长范围为69.0-268.0mm,体重范围为3.9-230.4 g,平均体长为(181.4±26.9)mm,平均体重为(78.5±33.0)g;优势体长组为125.0-225.0 mm,约占总数的93.0%。圆筒吻鮈体长体重关系为:W=1.58×10~(-5)L~(2.95)(R~2=0.94,P0.01,n=401),为匀速生长类型,可用Von Bertalalfffy生长方程描述其生长规律。圆筒吻鮈生长参数为,L_∞=361 mm、k=0.21a~(-1)、t_0=-0.68;死亡系数为Z=1.70、M=0.50、F=1.20。其开捕体长为163.4 mm资源开发率为0.70超过了其资源最适开发率(0.60)而接近最大开发率(0.75)。2007-2009年朱杨溪江段圆筒吻鮈年渔获量分别为6716尾(0.50t)、22772尾(1.87 t)和16139尾(1.20 t),平均值为15209尾(1.19 t)。由体长股分析法估算出2007-2009年朱杨溪江段圆筒吻鮈年资源量分别为16361尾/km(1.25 t/km)、13922尾/km(1.74 t/km)和26836尾/km.(1.93 t/km)均值为19040尾/km(1.64 t/km)。目前圆筒吻鮈资源开发率偏高,建议提高开捕体长至193.5 mm,降低其开发率。建议逐步引导渔民转产转业,实施全年禁渔措施,加强筒吻鮈等特有鱼类的保护。     

Population genetics of Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in the upper Athabasca River basin

Freshwater ecosystems are negatively impacted by a variety of anthropogenic stressors, with concomitant elevated rates of population decline for freshwater aquatic vertebrates. Because reductions in population size and extent can negatively impact genetic diversity and gene flow, which are vital for sustained local adaptation, it is important to measure these characteristics in threatened species that may yet be rescued from extinction. Across its native range, Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) extent and abundance are in decline due to historic overharvest, invasive non‐native species, and habitat loss. In Alberta''s Eastern Slope region, populations at the range margin have progressively been lost, motivating us to better understand the amount and distribution of genetic variation in headwater habitats and some downstream sites where they continue to persist. Across this region, we sampled 431 Bull Trout from 20 sites in the Athabasca and Saskatchewan River basins and assayed 10 microsatellite loci to characterize within‐ and among‐population genetic variation. The Saskatchewan and Athabasca River basins contained similar levels of heterozygosity but were differentiated from one another. Within the Athabasca River basin, five genetically differentiated clusters were found. Despite the evidence for genetic differentiation, we did not observe significant isolation‐by‐distance patterns among these sites. Our findings of ample genetic diversity and no evidence for hybridization with non‐native Brook Trout in headwater habitats provide motivation to ameliorate downstream habitats and remove anthropogenic barriers to connectivity towards the goal of long‐term persistence of this species.     

Habitat use of nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) in an Austrian pine forest

The Steinfeld in Lower Austria supports a population of European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) which was extensively studied during 1997 and 1998. The study area encompassed a pine forest of 20 km². The population densities of 1.05 and 1.25 territories/km², respectively, lies within the range found in central European populations. Annual monitoring until 2001 has shown the population to be stable. To gain an insight into habitat use of the species, various habitat-related parameters were measured inside and outside the territories, namely structure of trees, density of trees, structure of undergrowth vegetation and structure of clearings. Discriminant analysis was applied to assess the factors responsible for habitat choice of the Nightjar population. The findings showed that the Nightjars territories were frequently centered on a large clearing with an area of at least 0.7 ha. Clearings less than 50 m wide were not colonized. The requirement for a minimum width of a clearing in addition to a minimum area probably relates to better hunting conditions. Nightjars prefer trees where the lower edge of the crown is on average 4.38 m higher than at control points so that males can churr from dead branches immediately below the canopy. Such trees were found on the edge of clearings in the forest, and the edge of a clearing thus had a pronounced effect on the quality of a territory. In contrast to reports in the literature, neither the proportion of bare patches of ground nor the average height of undergrowth vegetation was found to be decisive for territory selection.     

黄河三角洲丹顶鹤秋冬季生境选择机制

影响水禽生境选择要素可分为水、食物、隐蔽物和干扰4类,对其划分等级标准,确定采样点的生境类型。在研究区内分秋冬两季调查丹顶鹤(迁徙期和越冬期)生境选择机制的差异;在不同时期按区域的特点和丹顶鹤的生活习性分别选择样点;经过实地野外调查后再利用方差分析和频数对丹顶鹤生境选择机制进行研究。结果表明,迁徙期影响丹顶鹤生境选择的主要因子是干扰,最适生境为远离人类干扰、有浅水域分布的、植被覆盖率较低的地区;越冬期影响丹顶鹤生境选择的主要因子是食物,最喜欢选择人类干扰相对较小的、有水域分布的、动物性食物占主导地位的植被覆盖率较低的地区栖息。     

广西扶绥白头叶猴对栖息地的选择与利用

为了解白头叶猴（Trachypithecus leucocephalus）的栖息地利用规律及其影响因素,2016年2月至2017年1月,采用瞬时扫描取样法对广西崇左白头叶猴国家级自然保护区一群白头叶猴的栖息地利用进行了研究。结果表明,白头叶猴对山体不同部位的利用存在显著性差异（χ² =39.467,df=3,P<0.001）,其中,对崖壁（56.75±9.55）%的利用比例最大,其次是对山坡（39.42±10.93）%和山顶（2.98±2.54）%的利用,而对山脚（0.84±1.47）%的利用频率最低。白头叶猴对不同微生境类型的利用存在差异（χ²=27.709,df=3,P<0.001）,其中对乔木（49.37±12.31）%的利用比例最大,其次是裸岩（24.05±13.61）%,随后依次为藤本（15.48±8.01）%和灌木（10.87±5.45）%。白头叶猴主要在山坡上觅食,利用崖壁移动、休息,进行社会活动;主要利用裸岩进行社会活动,觅食、移动、休息主要发生在乔木上。从整体来看,白头叶猴在雨季对乔木的利用频率显著大于旱季（Z=-2.680,n=12,P=0.007）;雨季在山坡觅食频率显著大于旱季（Z=-2.517,n=12,P=0.012）,而在崖壁觅食频率刚好相反（Z=-2.842,n=12,P=0.004）;白头叶猴雨季在乔木休息的频率显著大于旱季（Z=-2.355,n=12,P=0.019）。白头叶猴对栖息地的利用受到温度的影响。白头叶猴对乔木的总体利用频率随着平均温度的升高而增加（r=0.664,n=12,P=0.018）;觅食时,对崖壁、裸岩的利用频率均与平均温度成负相关关系（崖壁：r=-0.685,n=12,P=0.014;裸岩：r=-0.600,n=12,P=0.039）;休息时,对乔木的利用频率与平均温度呈正相关关系（r=0.650,n=12,P=0.022）。不同季节,白头叶猴对栖息地的利用方式不同。白头叶猴的栖息地利用模式可能是在觅食利益和捕食风险之间作出的权衡,并受到环境温度的影响。     

Mortality and female fecundity in an expanding black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis minor) population

Identifying factors that affect demographic parameters and how those factors act is vital for understanding population dynamics, especially of endangered species. Moreover, specific ideas in the population dynamics of large herbivores underpin the management of the critically endangered black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis). We studied an expanding black rhinoceros population since its establishment in 1986 in the Great Fish River Reserve, South Africa, through 2008 when managed removals interrupted natural dynamics. During the study, only 13 animals died, of which nine were subadults. In a linear modelling context, we used information-theoretic methods to evaluate the influence of independent variables expected to affect demographic parameters. For females, age at first reproduction (AFR) increased with abundance, but there was no effect of abundance on adult fecundity as measured by inter-birth intervals (IBIs). We evaluated these results in the theoretical context of population dynamics of large herbivores, in particular, Eberhardt’s proposal of a specific sequence in which demographic parameters first respond to increasing density. Our observations are consistent with Eberhardt’s prediction that immature individuals are impacted before adults, but the relative timing and magnitude of density effects on immature individuals was unclear. Rainfall did not influence AFR or IBIs. Maternal age influenced IBIs but much of the observed variation in IBIs was not accounted for by structural variation. Studies of populations more nearly approaching a stable age distribution and carrying capacity are needed to resolve remaining uncertainties and ambiguities in the life history of the black rhinoceros in particular and megaherbivores in general.     

Helminth community structure in an expanding white-winged dove (Zenaida asiatica asiatica) population

Helminth communities of 171 fledged white-winged doves (Zenaida asiatica asiatica) from the expanding eastern population in Texas (USA) were examined from hosts collected 11 June to 19 September 1997 within their historical range, new breeding periphery, and an intermediate area. Eleven helminth species, representing 435 individuals, were found. Helminths occurred in three microhabitats, of which the small intestine was the most commonly occupied. Nematodes dominated numerically (76% of total worms), followed by cestodes (17%), and trematodes (7%). Infracommunities were species-poor; the most complex infracommunity consisted of three helminth species, which occurred in three host individuals, followed by two species that occurred in 13 hosts. The remaining 155 doves had one (70) or no (85) species. The overall helminth component community was species-poor and was dominated by Ascaridia columbae which occurred in 26% of the white-winged doves and accounted for 65% of all helminth individuals. Prevalence and abundance of A. columbae varied by geographic region and host age, but not by host sex. Helminth component communities varied by geographic region, host age, and host sex. These differences were primarily attributable to unique occurrences of uncommon species within specific host subpopulations. Results suggest that the white-winged doves' multimodal regional abundance pattern, sympatry with other columbids, and granivorous diet may be more important in shaping helminth community structure than the influences often associated with geographic range expansion.     

松嫩平原苍鹭秋季栖息地选择及适宜性分布

苍鹭（Ardea cinerea）是松嫩平原湿地的常见鸟种,松嫩平原也是苍鹭重要的栖息地。为了了解苍鹭潜在栖息地的适宜性分布,利用GPS/GSM卫星跟踪技术,结合遥感影像和地理信息系统,应用Maxent模型对松嫩平原苍鹭秋季潜在的栖息地进行了评价,并对其适宜性分布进行了分析。结果显示：水源距离和绿度指数是影响松嫩平原苍鹭秋季栖息地适宜性的重要环境变量;松嫩平原内苍鹭适宜栖息地面积为2761.06 km²（占研究区域的1.24%）,主要分布在大庆（756.86 km²,占适宜栖息地面积的27.41%）、白城（537.14 km²,占适宜栖息地面积的19.45%）、齐齐哈尔（439.43 km²,占适宜栖息地面积的15.92%）等地市行政区,以大庆市杜尔伯特蒙古族自治县（429.90 km²,占适宜栖息地面积的15.57%）、白城市镇赉县（334.92 km²,占适宜栖息地面积的12.13%）、大庆市肇源县（185.54 km²,占适宜栖息地面积的6.72%）等县级行政区为主;其中,15.79%的适宜栖息地依次受到莫莫格保护区（10.34%）、扎龙保护区（3.47%）、向海保护区（0.67%）、查干湖保护区（0.54%）、大布苏保护区（0.41%）、乌裕尔河保护区（0.36%）等国家级自然保护区的保护。建议对未受到保护的零星小面积栖息地给与更多关注。