自然种群中混沌的检测及其在种群动态研究中的意义

混沌现象广泛地存在于自然界,20世纪70年代以来,通过大量的生物模型模拟说明混沌也存在于生物系统中。几十年来生态学家一直在努力寻找混沌在自然生态系统存在的证据,但所获不多,这是源于自然的现实还是由于检测方法的不当和数据的局限?一直困扰着生态学家,自然界中对混沌的检测成为一个要点,也是一个难点。在概述混沌概念和性质的基础上,着重介绍目前在自然生态系统检测混沌的方法,对各种方法的应用条件和范围进行了概述。这些方法包括功率谱法、时间序列的自相关函数分析、模型参数估计、庞加莱截面法、全局和局域李雅普若夫特征指数的估计、吸引子关联维的确定、非线性预测。大量研究结果显示,虽然在自然界检测到的混沌的例子还不多,但其存在却是不容怀疑的。问题是什么样的系统在什么样的条件下会出现混沌?研究表明食物链的结构、种群的迁入和迁出、环境噪音都会对种群的复杂性动态特征产生影响。混沌动态可能对产生系统的多样性和适应性有利,它比随机系统对外界干扰的抵抗能力更强。自然界的变化和系统的维持是持续性和混沌相互矛盾统一的结果。害虫种群复杂性动态的研究为害虫的管理提供了更多的理论依据。混沌控制的理论和方法有可能为害虫管理提供新的思路和途径。在孤立的种群中,混沌会增加种群的灭绝概率,而在集合种群中,混沌动态降低了各局域种群的同步性和同时灭绝的倾向,所以混沌虽然能增加局域种群灭绝的概率,但却能减少整个集合种群灭绝的概率。系统结构及其时空动态与混沌及种群灭绝之间的关系,是保护生物学及生物多样性保护研究的一个重要方面。今后的研究应更多地从种群、群落、生态系统及景观不同层次上的时空动态入手,利用3S等信息技术和空间动态分析方法,研究复杂性动态产生的条件及其在系统调控中的作用机制。     

Regular and chaotic behaviour of cardiac cells stimulated at frequencies between 2 and 20 Hz

We measured the non-linear dynamics of cardiac action potentials by varying the stimulation frequency from 2 to 20 Hz and obtained the following results: (i) When the fast Na⁺ current initiated the action potentials (fast action potentials) periodicity was maintained, i.e. the pattern of action potentials repeated after a finite number of stimuli. Chaotic sequences were absent. The transition from one sequence to the next occurred as a devil's staircase. (ii) When, however, the slow Ca²⁺ current initiated the action potentials (slow action potentials), we observed chaos, i.e. fully irregular behaviour, as well as bifurcations. (iii) Our results confirm the supposition that the global dynamics of cardiac cells can be well described by simple one-dimensional maps which predict these two kinds of behaviour.     

BEHAVIOURAL RESPONSE TO SONG PLAYBACK BY MALE AND FEMALE WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS OF TWO SUBSPECIES

ABSTRACT

Nuttall's white-crowned sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli and the Puget Sound white-crowned sparrow Z. i. pugetensis intergrade through a zone of hybridization in northern California. The songs of the two differ in the sequence of syllable types and in the phonology of the complex syllables. We did a playback experiment to males of both subspecies in the field and to females of both subspecies in the laboratory to determine their response to the two subspecies songs. By making alterations of features of the songs, we also attempted to identify characteristics that account for subspecific recognition. Males of both subspecies were more responsive to their own subspecies song than to that of the other subspecies. Substitution of Puget Sound complex syllables into the Nuttall's song caused a reduction in response by male Nuttall's, but alteration of a Nuttall's song to a Puget Sound sequence of syllables had no effect. Females of both subspecies gave more sexual displays when played a song of their own subspecies than when played that of the other subspecies. Female Nuttall's gave an intermediate response when played Nuttall's songs with Puget Sound complex syllables or when played Nuttall's songs altered to a Puget Sound sequence. Puget Sound females did not discriminate between their own subspecies song and either of the altered stimulus songs separately. They did respond less to a song that combined both alterations than to their own subspecies song.     

Antisymmetry,directional asymmetry,and dynamic morphogenesis

Fluctuating asymmetry is the most commonly used measure of developmental instability. Some authors have claimed that antisymmetry and directional asymmetry may have a significant genetic basis, thereby rendering these forms of asymmetry useless for studies of developmental instability. Using a modified Rashevsky-Turing reaction-diffusion model of morphogenesis, we show that both antisymmetry and directional asymmetry can arise from symmetry-breaking phase transitions. Concentrations of morphogen on right and left sides can be induced to undergo transitions from phase-locked periodicity, to phase-lagged periodicity, to chaos, by simply changing the levels of feedback and inhibition in the model. The chaotic attractor has two basins of attraction-right sidedominance and left side dominance. With minor disturbance, a developmental trajectory settles into one basin or the other. With increasing disturbance, the trajectory can jump from basin to basin. The changes that lead to phase transitions and chaos are those expected to occur with either genetic change or stress. If we assume that the morphogen influences the behavior of cell populations, then a transition from phase-locked periodicity to chaos in the morphogen produces a corresponding transition from fluctuating asymmetry to antisymmetry in both morphogen concentrations and cell populations. Directional asymmetry is easily modeled by introducing a bias in the conditions of the simulation. We discuss the implications of this model for researchers using fluctuating asymmetry as an indicator of stress.     

Chaotic dynamics of the surface potential of human skeletal muscles determined in electromyography

A new method for differential evaluation of electromyographic data on straited muscles of human lower extremities was developed. This method is based on nonlinear dynamics and thermodynamics and can be used for identification of pathologies. The distance between two trajectories of the potential of two symmetric muscles was the main measured characteristic of coordinated muscle work. These data were used to determine the Lyapunov exponent and the time of forgetting initial conditions, which reflect the generally chaotic dynamics of muscle activity. Application of the theory of deterministic chaos to analysis of electromyographic patterns can improve the diagnosis of peripheral nervous system diseases and the efficacy of treatment control. Quantitation of nonlinear dynamic parameters of muscle activity, clear data representation, high prognostic information content of the Lyapunov exponent and Kolmogorov entropy are among the advantages of the new method.     

Do film soundtracks contain nonlinear analogues to influence emotion?

A variety of vertebrates produce nonlinear vocalizations when they are under duress. By their very nature, vocalizations containing nonlinearities may sound harsh and are somewhat unpredictable; observations that are consistent with them being particularly evocative to those hearing them. We tested the hypothesis that humans capitalize on this seemingly widespread vertebrate response by creating nonlinear analogues in film soundtracks to evoke particular emotions. We used lists of highly regarded films to generate a set of highly ranked action/adventure, dramatic, horror and war films. We then scored the presence of a variety of nonlinear analogues in these film soundtracks. Dramatic films suppressed noise of all types, contained more abrupt frequency transitions and musical sidebands, and fewer noisy screams than expected. Horror films suppressed abrupt frequency transitions and musical sidebands, but had more non-musical sidebands, and noisy screams than expected. Adventure films had more male screams than expected. Together, our results suggest that film-makers manipulate sounds to create nonlinear analogues in order to manipulate our emotional responses.     

Long-call structure and its relation to taxonomy in lion tamarins

Recent evidence on craniodental morphology suggests the acceptance of three species of lion tamarins (Leontopithecus). Confirmatory evidence is presented here using the morphology of long-call vocalizations recorded from several individuals of each type of lion tamarin. Recordings were made of Leontopicthecus rosalia, Leontopithecus chrysopygus, and Leontopithecus chrysomelas at the Centro de Primatologia do Rio de Janeiro (FEEMA) and of L. rosalia at Monkey Jungle in Florida. Thirty separate parameters were measured, and 17 of them differed significantly between populations. In general, L. chrysomelas had higher pitched calls with shorter note duration, while L. chrysopygus, the larger of the animals, had lower pitched calls with longer note duration. L. rosalia was either intermediate to the other two populations or resembled L. chrysopygus. Thus, the results from the analysis of vocal structures closely paralleled the results obtained with more traditional taxonomic methods and suggests that the quantitative analysis of vocal strucures can be a useful adjunct in taxonomy.     

Dealing with many correlated covariates in capture–recapture models

Capture–recapture models for estimating demographic parameters allow covariates to be incorporated to better understand population dynamics. However, high-dimensionality and multicollinearity can hamper estimation and inference. Principal component analysis is incorporated within capture–recapture models and used to reduce the number of predictors into uncorrelated synthetic new variables. Principal components are selected by sequentially assessing their statistical significance. We provide an example on seabird survival to illustrate our approach. Our method requires standard statistical tools, which permits an efficient and easy implementation using standard software.     

Estimates of population size of white-chinned petrels and grey petrels at Kerguelen Islands and sensitivity to fisheries

White-chinned petrels Procellaria aequinoctialis and grey petrels Procellaria cinerea are among the most frequently killed seabird species by accidental bycatch, and both species have received strong conservation concern. Data on population size are required to evaluate the impact of bycatch and to establish management plans. We estimated the population size of both species at Kerguelen, Southern Indian Ocean, from 2004 to 2006 by explicitly taking into account detection probability of burrows using distance sampling and burrow occupancy. A total of 31 line-transects were distributed across the eastern part of Kerguelen, representing a total length of 566 km. Detectability was low (from 0.19 to 0.54 for white-chinned petrels, 0.58 for grey petrels). Burrow densities varied from 1.37±0.67 to 25.77±5.23 burrows ha⁻¹ for white-chinned petrels and was 2.78±0.79 burrows ha⁻¹ for grey petrels. For white-chinned petrels, these densities were extrapolated to the entire surface area of vegetation and there were 234 000 (186 000–297 000) active burrows on Kerguelen. For grey petrels, the number of active burrows for the eastern part of Kerguelen was 3400 (1900–5600). Based on these estimates, the potential biological removal method suggests that the additional mortality on birds caused by the fisheries operating around Kerguelen can be considered a serious threat for the species at least at the regional scale of the Southern Indian Ocean, especially for grey petrels.     

马尾松毛虫种群动态的时间序列分析及复杂性动态研究

自从May(1974)指出即使是简单的种群模型也能揭示混沌动态以来,自然种群是否存在混沌一直具有争论,如何检测自然种群的混沌行为也成为种群动态研究的一个难点,通过时间序列分析和反应面模型建模的8方法分析了马尾松毛虫的复杂性动态,用自相关函数对马尾松毛虫发生的时间动态分析的结果认为动态是平衡的,其周期性不显著,而具有一定的复杂性,这种类型可以是减幅波动,有限周期或弱混沌,波动主要由系统内因引起,进一步采用反应面模型估计全局李雅普若夫指数和局域李雅普若夫指数结果均为负,显示马尾松毛虫种群动态不存在混沌现象,但是在增加一个小的噪音以后,局域李雅普若夫指数变为在0以上的波动,说明系统对噪音非常敏感,噪音对松毛虫种群动态具有很大的影响,可以将其从非混沌状态变为混沌,研究结果认为全局郴雅普若夫指数λ是一定时间内两个变动轨迹的总平均偏差,而随着种群动态的波动,指数也是波动的,所以对于检测自然种群的混沌来说不是一个好的指标,局域李雅普若夫指数λM能更好地表示自然种群混沌的存在和产生混沌的条件,对害虫管理来说对种群暴发初期的预测是尤其重要的,而此时又最难于预测,所以对种群动态的监测就尤为重要,由于马尾松毛虫的代间种群动态为第一级密度相关,前一代的虫口密度与下一代的虫口密度相关性最强,所以前一代预测下一代是最可靠的。     

The socioecology of the black mangabey (Cercocebus aterrimus) near Lake Tumba,Zaire

Socioecological data were gathered in a two-year study of black mangabey monkeys in a secondary forest on the west bank of Lake Tumba, Zaire. The mangabeys of the study area lived in multi-male, multi-female groups numbering between 14 and 19 individuals. They were completely arboreal, fed mostly on fruit and nuts, and frequently were associated with other species of arboreal monkeys. Their predators were human hunters and the crowned hawk-eagle. The primary vocalizations of black mangabeys were analyzed and their social contexts compared with those of closely related gray-cheeked mangabeys, to which they were found to be very similar.     

Rotifer Population Dynamics in Two Coupled Habitats: Invasion of Chaos

We study the role of interactions between habitats in rotifer dynamics. We use a simple discrete-time model to simulate the interactions between neighboring habitats with different intrinsic dynamics. Being uncoupled, one habitat shows periodical oscillations of the rotifer biomass while the other one demonstrates chaotic oscillations. As a result of the exchange of rotifer biomass, chaos replaces regular oscillations. As a result, the rotifer dynamics becomes chaotic in both habitats. We show that the invasion of chaos is followed by the synchronization of the chaotic regimes of both habitats, and this synchronization increases as coupling between the habitats is increased. We also demonstrate that the biological invasion of the rotifer species, which show chaotic dynamics, to a neighboring habitat with intrinsically regular plankton dynamics leads to the invasion of chaos and the synchronization of chaotic oscillations of the plankton biomass in both the habitats.     

A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE ACOUSTIC COMMUNICATION IN URUGUAYAN CTENOMYS (RODENTIA,OCTODONTIDAE): BASIC SOUND TYPES

ABSTRACT

Subterranean rodents are interesting organisms for communication studies because of their fossorial way of life. Acoustic communication in the South American genus Ctenomys has not yet been studied even though this species is geographically widespread. This paper represents a preliminary survey of Ctenomys vocalizations. Three types of vocal signals were identified: S-, C- and G-signals. Using field, laboratory and literature data, we provide interpretations on the possible functions of these signals. S-signals are harsh and low-pitched putative spatial localization signals that may also encode for sexual identification. C-signals are relatively high-pitched and narrow-banded FM vocalizations that are sexual signals used by females in a copulatory context. Finally, G-signals are harsh and patternless sounds that are aggressive signals used in direct encounters with con- or hetero- specific individuals.     

Species and sex differences in the screams of chimpanzees and bonobos

We examined screams of chimpanzees and bonobos to investigate interspecific and intraspecific variability in call structure. Measurement of 11 acoustic features of screams revealed differences between and within species. One-way analyses of variance and discriminant function analyses show that the calls of chimpanzees and bonobos differ primarily in spectral characteristics. Spectral features also account for acoustic differences between the sexes. These acoustic variations may be attributable to differences in body size and social dispersion between the two species and sexes. The effectiveness with which an acoustic feature could be used to discriminate the two species and female bonobos from male bonobos is negatively associated with its relative variability. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that optimal signals for group identification vary little within groups but differ widely between groups.     

Suppression of Chaos in a One-dimensional Mapping

The suppression of chaos in an one-dimensional model of malignant tumor growth is presented. As a result, a steady-state and differentperiodic motions, embedded in the chaotic attractor, arestabilized.     

Dialects in wild chimpanzees?

Chimpanzees emit a loud, species-typical long distance call known as the pant hoot. Geographic variation between the pant hoots of chimpanzees living in two neighboring populations, the Mahale Mountains and Gombe Stream National Parks, Tanzania, was examined. Analysis of six acoustic features revealed subtle differences in the way chimpanzees from the two populations called. Individuals from the Mahale study site uttered one section of their pant hoots at a faster rate and with shorter elements than animals from Gombe Stream. In addition, individuals at Mahale delivered broader-band, higher pitched “climax” elements than males from Gombe. While genetic factors, anatomical differences, variations in the use of calls at the two sites, and changes in calling over time may account for the variability between populations, we suggest the additional possibility that differences in pant hooting may be due to learning. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.