陕西青木川国家级自然保护区脊椎动物 物种多样性现状和保护成效

野生动物资源本底是自然保护区开展生物多样性有效管理的基础。为了掌握脊椎动物资源现状和评估保护成效,在2017和2018年,利用样线法和红外相机陷阱法等方法,对陕西青木川国家级自然保护区脊椎动物资源进行了实地调查,并采用专家打分法对该保护区保护成效进行赋值评估。结果表明：（1）青木川自然保护区现已记录野生脊椎动物342种,隶属5纲32目91科233属,其中,国家I级、II级重点保护野生动物分别为10种和41种;与2002年保护区建立初期相比,增加了4目9科46属83种,其中,鸟类物种数增加最多,达55种,两栖类仅增加1种。（2）青木川镇游客总量从2009年的5万余人次/年,发展到2017年的162万人次/年,保护区外围的旅游开发对该保护区脊椎动物及栖息地均有一定的潜在影响。（3）过去30年内土地利用模式变化明显,2001年未建立保护区时,该区域农业用地面积约占总面积的33%,建立保护区后至2018年,农业用地仅占保护区总面积的1%,使得区域内脊椎动物的栖息地面积显著增加。（4）保护区的保护成效显著,主要干扰因素发生变化,表现为保护区脊椎动物物种总数明显增加,栖息地适宜性和区域完整性显著增强,主要干扰因素类型已由早期的农林牧渔活动转变为现在的外围旅游开发。     

After the hotspots are gone: Land use history and grassland plant species diversity in a strongly transformed agricultural landscape

Question: We asked how landscape configuration and present management influence plant species richness and abundance of habitat specialists in grasslands in a ‘modern’(much exploited and transformed) agricultural Swedish landscape. Location: Selaön, south‐eastern Sweden (59°24’ N, 17°10’ E). Methods: Present and past (150 and 50 years ago) landscape pattern was analysed in a 25 km² area. Species richness was investigated in 63 different grassland patches; grazed and abandoned semi‐natural grasslands, and grazed ex‐arable fields. Influence of landscape variables; area, past and present grassland connectivity, present management on total species richness, density and abundance of 25 grassland specialists was analysed. Results: Semi‐natural grasslands (permanent unfertilised pastures or meadows formed by traditional agricultural methods) had declined from 60% 150 years ago to 5% today. There was a significant decline in species richness and density in abandoned semi‐natural grasslands. Total species richness was influenced by present management, size and connectivity to present and past grassland pattern. Landscape variables did not influence species density in grazed semi‐natural grassland suggesting that maintained grazing management makes grassland patches independent of landscape context. The abundance of 16 grassland specialists was mainly influenced by management and to some extent also by landscape variables. Conclusion: Although species richness pattern reflect management and to some extent landscape variables, the response of individual species may be idiosyncratic. The historical signal from past landscapes is weak on present‐day species richness in highly transformed, agricultural landscapes. Generalizations of historical legacies on species diversity in grasslands should consider also highly transformed landscapes and not only landscapes with a high amount of diversity hotspots left.     

Control of laboratory acquired hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Japan

By the end of 1985, 126 human cases of laboratory acquired hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) were recorded in Japan. Seroepidemiological studies revealed that laboratory rats exhibited high IFA titers against Hantaan or related viruses at locations where HFRS patients occurred. Laboratory researchers contracted HFRS more frequently than laboratory animal technicians or caretakers, although a laboratory animal caretaker died of the disease. Inhalation of HFRS-virus contaminated air in an animal facility is the likely cause of infection with this virus. Wound infection during animal experiments may be another important route of infection. Infection of laboratory rats can occur by transferring animals from contaminated to other animal facilities. Tissue fragments or cells of transplantable animal tumors are a potential source of spreading the HFRS virus. Eradication of HFRS virus from a contaminated animal facility can be achieved best by elimination of all animals in the room, especially when human HFRS is associated with an infected colony. In some cases, when IFA titers of the sera of the rats tested were low, infection apparently disappeared without instituting any particular control measures other than ordinary procedures for care and management of laboratory animals. HFRS viruses have not yet been eradicated from all animal facilities in Japan. Therefore, serological monitoring of laboratory rats continues.     

Loss of habitat specialists despite conservation management in fen remnants 1995–2006

Many ecosystems of high conservation value have been shaped by human impacts over centuries. Today, traditional management of semi-natural habitats is a common conservation measure in Europe. However, despite traditional management, habitat remnants may still loose specialist species due to surrounding land-use change or atmospheric nitrogen deposition. To detect trends in species density (2-m² plot scale) and habitat quality in calcareous fens in the pre-Alps of Switzerland, we surveyed 36 traditionally managed fens in 1995/97 and again in 2005/06 (five plots per fen). The fens occurred at three altitudinal levels (800–1000, 1000–1200, 1200–1400 m asl) and were either extensively grazed or mown once a year. Despite these traditional management regimes, species density of fen specialists and of all bryophytes decreased during this decade (vascular plant specialists: ?9.4%, bryophyte specialists: ?14.9%, all bryophytes: ?5.7%). Management had no effect on the number of Red-List species and habitat specialists of vascular plants per plot. However, bryophyte species density was more strongly reduced in grazed fens. Species density of vascular plant generalists increased between the two surveys (+8.2%) but not of bryophytes. Among vascular plants, Red-List species decreased from 1.01 to 0.78 species per plot. Furthermore, between the two surveys aboveground plant biomass, mean plant-community indicator values for nutrients and species density of nutrient indicators increased, whereas mean plant indicator values for soil moisture, light and peat, and species density for peat indicators, decreased. We attribute these changes and the loss of specialist species over the past decade mainly to land-use change in the surrounding area and to nutrient inputs. Thus, despite traditional management, calcareous fens in the pre-Alps suffer from ongoing habitat deterioration and endangered plant species remain threatened. For their long-term protection, we suggest to reduce nutrient inputs and, where necessary, to restore hydrology and adjust grazing management.     

Plant folk medicines among Nicobarese tribals of Car Nicobar Island,India

The present paper deals with investigations of less known medicinal plant lore among the aboriginal Nicobarese tribe of Car Nicobar island, India. Information on 73 species and their therapeutic applications and manner of use are initially documented and described as remedies in folkloric tradition and popular domestic medicine. No chemical principles are identified; no putative herbal remedies are pharmaceutically and medically evaluated. The aim of this paper is to gather information concerning medicinal plants and to provide access to specialists in search of their applications in modern medicine. A brief account of geography, climate, ethnology, and methodology adopted is given. Vernacular name(s) of the plants in the Nicobarese language are incorporated for the first time in the literature.     

Haterozygosity and human evolution

Effects of heterozygosity are well known in the world of plants and animals as a symptom of high hybrid vigour appearing, for example, as greater body size or a modified level of metabolism. Two questions arise: whether effects of heterozygosity occur also in the species Homo sapiens, and if so whether it appears in man in a way similar to that in animals.These questions have been the subject of our investigations during the past 10 years. The present paper aims at showing what the effects of heterozygosity in man consist of and what significance it may have for the processes of evolution.     

Photoperiod,stress and the distribution of leukocytes in the peripheral blood ofNotophthalmus viridescens

Summary Adult newts,Notophthalmus viridescens, were maintained for 8 days at a constant temperature of 11.0±0.5 °C. In one series, the control animals were kept in constant darkness (DD), while the experimental newts were exposed to alternating 12-hour periods of light and dark (LD). In a second series, controlNotophthalmus lived in DD, and experimental animals lived in constant light (LL). In both series, the newts were sacrificed on the ninth day when blood smears were prepared. Differential counts of the leukocytes of animals that lived under the LD regimen were the same as those of controlNotophthalmus (Table 1). However, in newts that were maintained in LL, the neutrophils increased and the lymphocytes decreased relative to those types of cells in the controls (Table 1). Those changes indicate that continuous light constitutes stress for this species.Supported in part by a grant from the Committee on Research, Travel and Sabbatical Leaves, Colby College     

Parasitofauna of freshwater fishes in the Serbian open waters: a checklist of parasites of freshwater fishes in Serbian open waters

As a result of freshwater fish parasitofauna investigations, throughout the past 75 years, the number of parasitic species is presented. This paper reviews the history, current state, and tendencies of the fish parasitofauna studies in Serbian open waters. Up to now, in total 170 parasitic species have been reported. Systematic parasitofauna investigations have been carried out on 54 freshwater fish species in waters of the Danube River Basin in Serbia, also in hill-mountanious watercourses, lakes and salmonid fishpond of Sjenicko-Pesterska plateau (south-west region of Serbia), Homolje area (east Serbia), and in Vlasina lake (south-east Serbia). This data review pointed that it is necessary to continue the investigation on fish parasites in Serbia. The data on freshwater fish parasites are important for evaluation of general influence on the community structure.     

Changes in the blood of newts,Notophthalmus viridescens,following the administration of hydrocortisone

Summary Adult newts,Notophthalmus viridescens, were injected with suspensions of hydrocortisone acetate (experimentais) or with distilled water (controls). Forty-eight and 72 hours after treatment, blood smears were prepared, and differential counts of leucocytes were made for the experimental and control animals. At 48 hours, the distributions of neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes and lymphocytes were much the same in the two groups of newts (Table 1). However, by 72 hours after injection, increases in neutrophils and decreases in lymphocytes were obvious in the animals which had received hydrocortisone. Such changes were not seen in the controls (Table 2). The changes in the distribution of the white cells seen 72 hours after treatment are very similar to those known to occur in mammals treated with adrenal steroids and to those described earlier in two species of frogs injected with hydrocortisone. Details of some differences in the responses of the amphibians are discussed.Supported by National Science Foundation COSIP grant, GY-7661, to Sweet Briar College.     

The relief of pain in laboratory animals

The data concerning the types of analgesic drugs available and the experimental evidence for their efficacy in laboratory species are reviewed. The information is then extrapolated to the clinical situation to provide guidance as to methods of achieving effective analgesia in experimental animals. The most generally useful agent at present seems to be buprenorphine which can be used to provide effective, long lasting analgesia in a wide range of species.     

Studies on the Genus Paeonia (1)—Report of Karyotypes of Some Wild Species in China

In the present paper 8 species with 15 populations of the genus Paeonia L. (if P. papaveracea and P. japonica are recognised as species) were collected from Sichuan, Shaanxi and Hebei provinces (see the Appendix for detail of the materials). The micrographs of their somatic metaphase (also Mii in the case of P.veitchii) are shown in Plates 1-4, the karyotype formulae, ranges of chromosome length and classification of karyotypes according to Stebbins (1971) are shown in Table 5: the idiograms in Figs. 1-2, and the parameters of chromosomes in Table 1-4. The essential points are mentioned as follows: (1) Chromosomes of the various species in the section Modan have so far been examined and they are all diploid, the two species in the section Onaepia are also diploid, and thus tetraploids exist only in the section Paeonia. (2) Chromosomes in the genus Paeonia are relatively stable except for the differentiation of ploidy. The karyotypes (Table 1-4) show no differences among different taxa in Sect. Modan and the same can also be said about the taxa in Sect. Paeonia (Table 1). Not only are the karyotypes very similar, but also among the members within either section have the same parameters of chromosomes, and, differences, if occur, are not statistically significant. Between the two sections, however, the situation is different. The arm ratios of the first pairs of chromosomes in Sect. Modan are 1.53, 1.52 and 1.48 (Table 1), but those in Sect. Paeonia are 1.12-1.28 (Table 2-4), 95% confidence limits are 1.46-1.60 for the section Modan and 1.07-1.28 (1.21-1.35 only for PB85078) for the section Paeonia, not overlapping, which indicates that the two sections have differentiated in respect of the first pairs of chromosomes. (3)The population PB85024, which belongs to the P. obovata complex, has a karyotype of 2B (stebbins, 1971), which is a new one in the genus Paeonia. This karyotype is a stable one, for several individuals in the population are uniform in this respect, which shows that Stebbins’ (1971) generalization that all the species in Paeonia have 2A does not hold true. (4) Three populations of P. obovata complex studied in this work from Sichuan and Shaanxi are all tetraploids, and one from Hebei is a diploid. From the present work and the previcus reports, the materials from Japan and Korea, no matter whether flowers are pink or white, are diploids, those from Heilongjiang Province (with both pink and white flowers) (Liu Ming-yuan, personal communication) and from Heibei Province (with pink flowers) in China are also diploids, the one from Sakhalin (pink flowers) is tetraploid, those from Priamur of the Soviet Union are a tetraploid (with white flowers) and a diploid (with pink flowers), and those from Shaanxi (the Qinling Range) and western Sichuan (with both pink and white flowers) are all tetraploids. As far as we have now known, ploidy in this particular complex is correlated with the geographical distribution: diploids are found in the central part, tetraploids occur in the northern limits, and in the south letraploids are the only cytotype. (5) The materials of P. mairei from western Sichuan and Shaanxi (the Qinling Range) are found all to be tetraploids, which shows that two cytotypes, diploid and tetraploid, exist in this species, but the geographical distribution pattern of these two cytotypes is to be revealed in the future investigation.     

Size of the vomeronasal organ in wild Microtus with different mating strategies

Most studies on mammalian vomeronasal organ (VNO) have been on laboratory-bred animals. Our present study examines the VNO in wild-caught meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus: n=16) and prairie voles (M. ochrogaster: n=15). These species vary in their mating strategies and degree of parental care by males. M. ochrogaster exhibits pair bonding and more paternal care compared to M. pennsylvanicus, a promiscuous species. We hypothesize that sexual dimorphism will occur in the promiscuous species based on previous studies which suggest that those who exhibit more aggressive or masculine behavior have larger VNOs. Our results support our original finding that VNOs are not different in size in wild Microtus spp. that vary in male parental tendencies. However, the present study also indicates that M. pennsylvanicus, the species exhibiting more disparate parental tendencies, exhibited larger VNOs in females than males. This is the reverse of previous findings on rats, and we hypothesize that this difference may be due to mate selectivity and/or maternal aggression.     

A survey of abnormal repetitive behaviors in North American river otters housed in zoos

Stereotypic behaviors, indicating poor welfare and studied in a variety of species (especially carnivores), appear related to characteristics of current and past environments. Although North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) often develop abnormal, repetitive, possibly stereotypic behaviors, no published reports describe otter housing and management or characterize how these variables relate to abnormal repetitive behavior (ARB) occurrence. The first author developed surveys to gather data on housing, individual history, management, and the prevalence of ARBs in otters housed in facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Consistent with anecdotal evidence that otters are prone to ARBs, 46% of river otters in the study exhibit them. ARBs were mostly locomotor and often preceded feeding. Exhibits where otters were fed and trained housed a greater percentage of nonhuman animals with ARBs. This study supports the Tarou, Bloomsmith, and Maple (2005) report that more hands-on management is associated with higher levels of ARBs because management efforts are only for animals with ARBs. Escape motivation, breeding season, feeding cues, and ability to forage may affect ARBs in river otters and should be investigated.     

Microbiological monitoring of Guinea pigs reared conventionally at two breeding facilities in Korea.

In this study, microbiological monitoring of guinea pigs reared conventionally in two facilities was performed twice in 2004, with a three-month-interval between surveys. This study was based on the recommendations of the FELASA Working Group, with some modifications. In serological tests in the first survey, some animals from facility A showed positive results for Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Sendai virus, pneumonia virus of mice (PVM), and Reovirus-3 (Reo-3); facility B showed a positive result only for E. cuniculi. The results of the second survey were similar to the first, except for the presence of Sendai virus; all animals from the two facilities were Sendai virus-negative in the second experiment. No pathogenic bacteria were cultured in the organs of any of the animals in the first survey. However, in the second survey, Bordetella bronchiseptica was cultured from the lung tissue of two 10-week-old animals from facility A. Chlamydial infection was examined by the Macchiavello method, but no animal showed positive results. Tests using fecal flotation or the KOH wet mount method showed no infection of endoparasites, protozoa, ectoparasites, or dermatophytes in any animal in both surveys. However, in the histopathological examination, an infection of protozoa-like organisms was observed in the cecum of some animals from facility A. The present study revealed that microbiological contamination was present in guinea pigs reared conventionally in two facilities in Korea, suggesting that there is a need to improve environmental conditions in order to eradicate microbial contamination.     

Methods for obtaining more complete species lists in surveys of lichen biodiversity

We tested two methods to obtain more complete species inventories in surveys of lichen biodiversity. The first was to employ eight lichenologists (all experienced, some specialists) acting as individuals in parallel in a competitive survey. The second was to organize those lichenologists into two competing teams. We show that overall recorded biodiversity is distinctly higher than the part of lichen biodiversity recorded by each single lichenologist (45–66%) or team (79–83%). Use of these methods in a survey of epiphytic and epixylic lichens resulted in a list containing 112 species in 1 ha, 192 species in 12.5 ha and 212 species for 30 km² of lowland floodplain old‐growth forest in southeastern Czech Republic. Eleven recorded species are new to the country; four are rediscovered after more than 50 years. In comparison, few previous surveys of mixed montane forests in the same region have yielded more than 200 species, even though it is certain that those forests have greater lichen diversity than our lowland forest.     

Epidemiologic Research on Malformations Associated with Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate in Japan

To investigate malformations associated with cleft lip and cleft palate, we conducted surveys at neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and other non-NICU facilities and to determine whether there are differences among facilities. The regional survey investigated NICU facilities located in Oita Prefecture, including 92 patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) or cleft palate (CP) that occurred between 2004 and 2013, and the national survey investigated oral surgery, plastic surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology facilities located in Japan, including 16,452 patients with cleft lip (CL), CLP, or CP that occurred since 2000. The incidence per 10,000 births was 4.2, 6.2, and 2.8 for CL, CLP, and CP, respectively, according to the national survey, and 6.3 and 2.9 for CLP and CP, respectively according to the regional survey. These results indicated comparable incidences between the two surveys. In contrast, when the survey results on malformations associated with CLP and CP according to the ICD-10 classification were compared between the national survey conducted at oral surgery or plastic surgery facilities and the regional survey conducted at NICU facilities, the occurrence of associated malformations was 19.8% vs. 41.3% for any types of associated malformation, 6.8% vs. 21.7% for congenital heart disease, and 0.5% vs. 16.3% for chromosomal abnormalities. These results indicated that the incidences of all of these associated malformations were significantly greater in the survey conducted at NICU facilities and similar to the findings from international epidemiological surveys. When comparing the survey conducted at obstetrics facilities vs. NICU facilities, the occurrence of associated malformations was similar results as above. The incidence of CLP and CP was not different between surveys conducted at NICU facilities vs. non-NICU facilities; however, when conducting surveys on associated malformations, it is possible to obtain accurate epidemiological data by investigating NICU facilities where detailed examinations are thoroughly performed.     

Diagnosis of ecto- and endoparasites in laboratory rats and mice

Internal and external parasites remain a significant concern in laboratory rodent facilities, and many research facilities harbor some parasitized animals. Before embarking on an examination of animals for parasites, two things should be considered. One: what use will be made of the information collected, and two: which test is the most appropriate. Knowing that animals are parasitized may be something that the facility accepts, but there is often a need to treat animals and then to determine the efficacy of treatment. Parasites may be detected in animals through various techniques, including samples taken from live or euthanized animals. Historically, the tests with the greatest diagnostic sensitivity required euthanasia of the animal, although PCR has allowed high-sensitivity testing for several types of parasite. This article demonstrates procedures for the detection of endo- and ectoparasites in mice and rats. The same procedures are applicable to other rodents, although the species of parasites found will differ.     

In Memoriam

Practicing physicians are just becoming aware of the animal rights movement, which during the 1980s spawned numerous acts of violence against research facilities throughout the United States. The animal rightists are challenging physicians to show moral justification for the human exploitation of nature and the world of subhuman species. They have aroused public interest in animal welfare, sparked protective legislation for experimental animals, and indirectly encouraged the creation of committees to oversee the conduct of animal experimentation and the conditions of animal confinement. This controversy has necessitated a closer look at the questions of animal experimentation and animal rights against the backdrop of human experimentation and human rights. Physicians and specialists in animal care seek to alleviate suffering and anxiety, and, as moderates, they may be able to bring both sides of the animal rights controversy together in a spirit of mutual tolerance and in the common cause of promoting both human and animal welfare.     

Guidelines for the prevention and control of tuberculosis in non-human primates: recommendations of the European Primate Veterinary Association Working Group on Tuberculosis

Background  Effective tuberculosis (TB) control requires accurate diagnostic methods but the tuberculin skin test has serious limitations. Both false-negative and false-positive reactions are common, resulting in the spread of the infection and devastating TB outbreaks. Results of questionnaire surveys concerning TB testing practices in primate housing facilities showed great differences in testing practices. Although there was some uniformity regarding the sites of application, the amounts of tuberculin used and the time intervals for retesting, a great deal of variety was revealed considering the types of tuberculin preparations, the interpretation of tests and the susceptibility of animals.
Conclusion  Here, we summarize the most common practices as regards TB control and prevention for non-human primates, and attempt to establish a uniform guideline based upon our experience with primate husbandry and care programmes as well as recent developments in the literature. The present guideline represents a consensus recommendation intending to harmonize the existing protocols.