卧龙保护区三江片区大熊猫嗅味树分布初步调查

2011年5月上旬,对四川卧龙国家级自然保护区三江中河杜鹃海子区域大熊猫Ailuropoda melanoleuca发情场的嗅味标记和嗅味树进行了调查,以了解大熊猫的发情场位置,为确定保护区内重点保护区域提供证据,同时增加对大熊猫生物学特性的了解.在海拔2300 ～2800m间,共布设5条样线,每条样线调查一次,测量记录样线上594株乔木的种类、高度、胸径和嗅味标记状况.调查共发现16株被大熊猫标记的嗅味树,其中75.00％位于坡度20°以下平缓上升的兽径和山脊,嗅味树平均胸径为56.5 cm±20.7 cm (n=16),81.25％为铁杉Tsuga spp.,93.75％树皮粗糙,标记中心的平均高度为53.7 cm±20.3 cm (n=16).此外,从调查结果及野外红外触发相机拍摄到的大熊猫行为照片,初步得知杜鹃海子区域是春季卧龙大熊猫发情交配的重要场所,是大熊猫种群的关键栖息地,目前保护区已制定了相应的保护政策,加强对该区域的保护力度.     

秦岭大熊猫的嗅味标记与发情场植被调查

在１９９５年春大熊猫发情季节,对秦岭南坡的一个大熊猫繁殖小组的发情场进行了植被以及嗅味树,嗅味标记的调查。     

甘肃白水江保护区西段大熊猫对生境的选择

采用Vanderloeg和Scavia选择指数,调查分析了白水江保护区西段白马河保护站李子坝至邱家坝区域大熊猫对生境的选择,结果表明:该区域大熊猫喜欢选择海拔高于2500 m的中高山的山脊、坡的上部活动;喜欢在坡度21°~30°的半阴半阳坡活动;喜欢原始的针阔混交林和针叶林;喜欢乔木平均胸径大于50 cm,竹子高度大于2 m、盖度大于75%,生长类型为簇生,生长状况好竹林中活动;对坡形、乔木郁闭度、水源的选择差异不显著,几乎是随机选择。     

基于椭圆脐点突变模型的大熊猫生存状态研究

得益于有力的保护,大熊猫受威胁等级由"濒危"降为"易危"。根据全国大熊猫调查数据,近年来,大熊猫野生种群与栖息地面积总体上均处于持续增加态势;同时,大熊猫栖息地破碎化与局域种群隔离也呈加剧的趋势。两相对比,形成悖论现象,难以正确认知当前大熊猫的生存状态。大熊猫作为高度特化的K对策大型动物,其生存高度依赖于栖息地生态系统,极易受栖息地丧失与破碎化的影响。对大熊猫生存状态的研究,不应局限于栖息地或种群等单项指标的变化,而应基于系统科学的整体视角。结合全国第三、四次大熊猫调查数据,对大熊猫野生种群数量与栖息地及潜在栖息地的面积进行复相关分析,发现大熊猫野生种群数量与栖息地、潜在栖息地的面积之间存在着高度显著正相关,表明三者之间存在着稳定而密切的耦合关系,进而建立了大熊猫种群与栖息地、潜在栖息地之间的耦合函数。突变理论作为一种成熟的系统科学理论,提供了较完备的数学方法,利用系统中少量的关键指标便可实现对系统行为的刻画。基于突变理论,以大熊猫分布区生态系统为研究对象,选取了大熊猫种群数量、栖息地与潜在栖息地的面积为系统关键指标,利用种群与栖息地、潜在栖息地之间的耦合函数,构建了"大熊猫—栖息地"系统椭圆脐点突变模型,对生态系统的稳定性进行研究。发现虽然野生种群数量、栖息地与潜在栖息地的面积均持续增长,但严峻的局域种群生存危机与栖息地的高度破碎化,从总体上削弱了系统的稳定性,大熊猫分布区生态系统的稳定性处于持续下降态势,且濒临系统临界状态,生态系统具有较大的退化压力,大熊猫的生存危机依然严峻。     

雌性圈养大熊猫在卧龙和雅安繁殖习性的比较研究

本研究通过对比研究卧龙和雅安圈养大熊猫Ailuropoda melanolenca来探讨环境变化对雌性圈养大熊猫繁殖习性的影响。中国保护大熊猫研究中心卧龙核桃坪基地(卧龙基地)和雅安碧峰峡基地(雅安基地)的海拔分别是1 848 m±20 m和1 080 m±42 m,2个基地的海拔相差近800 m。通过对比研究10年间13只雌性圈养大熊猫在不同基地(各5年)的繁殖习性,发现其从卧龙基地到雅安基地以后,每胎产仔数的差异有高度统计学意义(P0.01),在卧龙基地的平均每胎产仔数为1.66±0.27,雅安基地为1.28±0.24;在卧龙基地的平均发情时间为90.05 d,雅安基地为75.54 d,在雅安基地的平均发情时间比卧龙基地早14.5 d(P0.05);雌激素峰值在卧龙基地平均为136.1 ng/mg Cr,雅安基地为129.7 ng/mg Cr(P=0.47);在卧龙基地的平均孕娠期为120.3 d,雅安基地为115.3 d,差异无统计学意义(P=0.38)。本研究结果显示,在圈养大熊猫的管理中需要重视环境因子的影响,将来也需要进一步加强光周期和温度对大熊猫发情影响的研究。     

北京东灵山海拔梯度上辽东栎种群结构和空间分布

种群年龄结构和空间分布格局是种群生态学的核心研究内容.为了阐明辽东栎种群海拔梯度分布特点,在北京东灵山地区辽东栎海拔分布范围(1000～1800m)内调查10条样带,研究种群大小级结构和空间分布的变异.种群的平均胸径在海拔梯度上表现出两段式的分布特征,海拔1480m为两段分布的分界点,在每一段内随海拔增加平均胸径也增加, 这反映了海拔梯度上种群的不同发育历史.种群密度、种群的聚集程度、种群的结构在海拔梯度上的分布特征都与平均胸径分布相似,种群密度和聚集程度与平均胸径为负相关系,其分布趋势与平均胸径相反.总体上,东灵山海拔梯度上辽东栎种群还是比较稳定的.辽东栎种群结构和空间分布在海拔梯度上的分布特征是种群发育历史、物种特性、环境、干扰等因素在海拔梯度上综合作用的结果.     

四川小相岭山系大熊猫种群及栖息地调查

小相岭山系是现存大熊猫种群数量最少的山系之一。根据全国第3次大熊猫及其栖息地调查结果,小相岭山系大熊猫栖息地分布在石棉、冕宁和九龙三县,栖息地总面积802.04 km²,大熊猫种群数量有32只。大熊猫在3个位于小相岭山系的自然保护区内种群数量和栖息地面积分别为:四川冶勒自然保护区9只,栖息地面积168.01 km²;四川栗子坪自然保护区14只,栖息地面积306.38 km²;四川贡嘎山自然保护区1只,栖息地面积15.19 km²。在3个保护区大熊猫栖息地总面积为489.58 km²,占各山系大熊猫栖息地总面积的61.05%;有大熊猫24只,占大熊猫种群数量的75.0%。小相岭山系大熊猫meta种群栖息地片段化比较严重,它由2个种群和2个孤立分布点组成。南北方向从成都至昆明的108国道以东的种群A有大熊猫13只,栖息地面积263.54 km², 完整性较好,大熊猫分布比较集中。108国道以西的种群B有大熊猫19只,栖息地面积为538.50 km²,栖息地破碎。该山系大熊猫数量少,栖息地片段化严重,需加强保护。
     

新疆西天山峡谷海拔梯度上野核桃种群统计与谱分析

为了掌握国家Ⅱ级渐危植物新疆野核桃种群的现存状态、预测未来种群的发展趋势,在野核桃自然保护区4条沟谷的不同海拔分别设置样地进行大样本调查.以胸径级结构代表年龄结构,采用匀滑技术编制野核桃种群静态生命表,应用谱分析方法分析野核桃种群的波动周期.结果表明: 野核桃种群的胸径级随着海拔的升高逐渐减小,海拔1241～1380 m (H₁)为19个龄级,最大胸径91.7 cm,海拔1381～1490 m (H₂)为18个龄级,最大胸径82.8 cm,海拔1491～1670 m(H₃)为13个龄级,最大胸径58.9 cm.不同海拔梯度生境同一龄级及同一海拔梯度不同龄级野核桃的期望寿命均存在波动.在3个海拔梯度生境,野核桃种群的存活曲线均趋于Deevey-Ⅱ型,呈增长型年龄结构,有3个死亡高峰,最高死亡率H₁和H₃均为9龄级,分别为55.9%和89.8%,H₂为12龄级,最高死亡率为79.4%.种群的数量动态变化明显受野核桃种群整个生命周期生物学特征的基波影响,并具有大周期内多谐波迭加的小周期波动特征.野核桃为长寿命树种,是野核桃自然保护区植被的主要优势种,现时种群自然更新良好,若无强烈人为干扰或严重自然灾害,将在群落中长期保持优势种地位.     

新疆西天山峡谷海拔梯度上野核桃种群统计与谱分析

为了掌握国家Ⅱ级渐危植物新疆野核桃种群的现存状态、预测未来种群的发展趋势,在野核桃自然保护区4条沟谷的不同海拔分别设置样地进行大样本调查.以胸径级结构代表年龄结构,采用匀滑技术编制野核桃种群静态生命表,应用谱分析方法分析野核桃种群的波动周期.结果表明:野核桃种群的胸径级随着海拔的升高逐渐减小,海拔1241~1380 m(H1)为19个龄级,最大胸径91.7 cm,海拔1381~1490 m(H2)为18个龄级,最大胸径82.8cm,海拔1491~1670 m(H3)为13个龄级,最大胸径58.9 cm.不同海拔梯度生境同一龄级及同一海拔梯度不同龄级野核桃的期望寿命均存在波动.在3个海拔梯度生境,野核桃种群的存活曲线均趋于Deevey-Ⅱ型,呈增长型年龄结构,有3个死亡高峰,最高死亡率H1和H3均为9龄级,分别为55.9%和89.8%,H2为12龄级,最高死亡率为79.4%.种群的数量动态变化明显受野核桃种群整个生命周期生物学特征的基波影响,并具有大周期内多谐波迭加的小周期波动特征.野核桃为长寿命树种,是野核桃自然保护区植被的主要优势种,现时种群自然更新良好,若无强烈人为干扰或严重自然灾害,将在群落中长期保持优势种地位.     

放牧对甘肃多儿保护区大熊猫小种群形成的驱动探讨

小种群是在自然因素或人为活动影响下,形成具有生存风险的隔离或异质种群,认识其形成原因并制定保护对策是开展救护行动的基础。野生大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)具有许多相互隔离的小种群,各小种群的生存状况决定该物种的整体保护成效。本文以甘肃多儿保护区大熊猫种群为例,在对保护区内大熊猫进行种群分布、空间利用、干扰状况调查的基础上,开展栖息地适宜性评价,分析了保护区大熊猫有效利用空间及其时空格局与环境容纳量。结果显示：(1)保护区适宜栖息地面积5 789.2 hm²,次适宜栖息地面积18 165.6 hm²,共占保护区总面积43.9%。优质栖息地主要分布在工布龙区域,该区域森林和生态系统保持原生状态,也是保护区大熊猫的主要分布区;(2)工布龙区域总面积9 949.7 hm²,其中适宜和次适宜栖息地共5 129.4 hm²,牧场是大熊猫栖息地的主要干扰因子,放牧干扰下工布龙区域适宜和次适宜栖息地面积共减少12.9%,破碎化水平加剧;(3)牧场与大熊猫栖息地镶嵌分布,导致适宜栖息地隔离,放...     

Floral scent and intrafloral scent differentiation inMoneses andPyrola (Pyrolaceae)

Floral scent was collected by headspace methods from intact flowers, petals, and stamens of four species ofPyrolaceae. The scent samples were analyzed by coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The floral scent inPyrola spp. is differentiated into a characteristic petal scent—phenyl propanoids and a characteristic stamen scent—methoxy benzenes. InMoneses the scent is characterized by isoprenoids and benzenoids, with a larger proportion of benzenoids in the stamens compared to the petals. Specific anther scents may promote foraging efficiency in buzz-pollinated species and enhance flower fidelity. Variation in floral scent composition is consistent with the taxonomic relationships among the genera and species examined.     

The scent of fear

In this study we tried to find out if fear can be detected from human body odours. Female subjects wore under-arm axillary pads while watching a terrifying film. Saliva cortisol samples were taken before and after the film presentation as a hormonal measure for the fear response. The fear experience itself was measured by Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. A "neutral" film, shown one day after the "fear" film, was used as a control in a repeated measures design. In part two of the experiment, the axillary pads were presented to female subjects in a triple forced choice test. Results show that subjects were able to discriminate between fear and non-fear axillary pads, suggesting that women are indeed able to detect "the scent of fear". A direct correlation between induced fear, changes in cortisol levels and smell ratings could not be established. Thus cortisol levels are probably not the inducer of the scent of fear and a hypothetical fear pheromone could have other origins.     

The scent of age

In many species, older males are often preferred mates because they carry 'good' genes that account for their viability. How females discern a male's age is a matter of question. However, for animals that rely heavily on chemical communication there is some indication that an animal's age can be determined by its scent. To investigate whether there are changes in body odours with age, and if so their composition, mice were trained in a Y-maze to discriminate urine odours of donor mice of different ages: Adult (3-10 months old) and Aged (more than 17 months old). Trained mice could discriminate between these two age groups by odour alone. To determine the chemical basis for these discriminations, studies were performed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. These analyses demonstrated differences in the ratio of urinary volatiles with age. The most prominent differences involved significantly greater amounts of 2-phenylacetamide and significantly lower amounts of methylbutyric acids in Aged animals relative to Adult animals. Fractionating and manipulating the levels of these compounds in the urine demonstrated that the mice can distinguish age based on variation in amounts of these specific compounds in the combined urine.     

The adult scent glands and scent of nine bugs of the superfamily Coreoidea

In most of the six coreoid genera examined there are differences in the scent gland complex. This comprises a median, ventral, metathoracic reservoir with either one, two, or three pairs of accessory glands.

The nine adult bugs examined all produced a colourless, single-phase scent, the components of which were similar although the relative proportions varied. Either n-hexanal or n-hexyl acetate, or both, were usually the major constituents (about 90 per cent of the total) and n-hexanol and acetic acid were also present in amounts varying from traces to about 10 per cent. In one species n-butanal was detected and in two species n-butyl butyrate and (probably) butyric acid were present.

The characteristic, ester odour of these coreoid bugs is quite unlike that of pentatomid bugs examined so far and the two groups do not possess a single component in common; nevertheless there are interesting analogies between the scent components of both groups.     

Trends in floral scent chemistry in pollination syndromes: floral scent composition in hummingbird-pollinated taxa

We studied an assemblage of 17 species of bird-pollinated Ecuadorian plants (from 14 angiosperm families), including taxa pollinated by short-billed (trochiline) and sickle-billed (hermit) hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are widely supposed to ignore fragrance while visiting flowers. We collected floral headspace odours in order to test the general prediction that specialist hummingbird-pollinated flowers are scentless. In nine out of 17 of these species we failed to detect any odours using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), whereas the remaining eight species produced trace levels of volatile compounds. Most of these odour compounds were of terpenoid or lipoxygenase derivation and are commonly emitted by vegetative as well as floral plant tissues. Further studies will be required to determine whether these weak odours attract alternative pollinators, repel enemies or represent vestiges of a scented ancestry.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 146 , 191–199.     

Trends in floral scent chemistry in pollination syndromes: floral scent composition in moth-pollinated taxa

KNUDSEN, J. T. & TOLLSTEN, L., Trends in floral scent chemistry in pollination syndromes: floral scent composition in moth-pollinated taxa. Floral scent from 15 moth-pollinated species in nine families was collected by head-space adsorption. The chemical composition was determined by coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The typical floral scent of moth-pollinated flowers contains some acyclic terpene alcohols, their corresponding hydrocarbons, benzenoid alcohols and esters and small amounts of some nitrogen compounds. The floral scent composition of sphingophilous flowers can be distinguished from that of phalaenophilous flowers by the presence of oxygenated sesquiterpenes. The flowers of three of the studied species had the general appearance and floral scent composition of moth-pollinated flowers, but contained no nectar reward. These species probably rely on deceptive pollination by naive visitors, which are deceived by the similarity of the flowers' morphological and scent chemistry to that of rewarding moth flowers. The finding of similar or structurally closely related floral scent compounds in both temperate and tropical species from both the Old and New worlds suggests that floral scent composition has been selected by a specific group of pollinators, moths that have similar sensory preferences. The functions of floral scent in moth-pollinated flowers are discussed in relation to an often observed over-representation of male moth visitors.     

Wolf scent marking with raised-leg urination

Raised-leg urinations were performed almost exclusively by dominant male and female wolves (Canis lupus). The alpha male and female in two captive groups showed full raised-leg urinations (RLUs) throughout the year. Each alpha male and female sniffed and marked on one another's marks frequently; however, the pair that bred did more marking and more double marking. They increased their marking frequency prior to and during the breeding season, decreased it at the time of parturition, while the female was in the den, and then increased to a moderate level when the female took part in pack activities again. Because the alpha pair was the principal sender and receiver of the message within the group, it is likely that double marks function to maintain and advertise the pair bond. Because the group that did not breed also did not double mark frequently, the presence of double marking in a captive group may be diagnostic of the viability of the group as a pack.