中国鹿类动物遗传相关试验分析研究简述

介绍了国内学者对中国鹿类动物与遗传相关的试验研究的基本情况,涉及血液蛋白等分析、性状相关分析、染色体和线粒体相关分析等方面,对各项内容的总体及各项所采用的技术和方法、部分研究成果进行概述,并对其发展趋势进行展望。     

Seasonal migration of male red deer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cervus elaphus</Emphasis>) in southern Sweden and consequences for management

Red deer Cervus elaphus is a highly appreciated and intensively managed game species throughout Europe. A common management objective is a sustainable harvest of large trophies. In southern Sweden, management has mainly aimed at preserving the nominate subspecies C. elaphus elaphus. Seasonal migration of red deer males may, however, complicate both harvest management as well as conservation efforts. I used individually identified male red deer in southern Sweden to observe distance travelled from rutting areas to areas used by males in summer and winter. Adult males were identified by antler shape and photo-documented during rut. Photos from the rut were compared to trophies of deer harvested or found dead, to found cast antlers and to stags photographed during summer. From 1969 to 2007, a distance between rutting ground and summer/winter quarters was established for 96 identified stags. An average distance of 14 km and a maximum distance of 47 km were recorded between rut and summer/winter observations. The seasonal migration of males increases the risk of overexploitation of males with harvest in both rutting areas and wintering areas. Harvest management and conservation efforts may fail if males seasonally migrate outside the management unit. The results suggest that seasonal migration must be considered in harvest management and conservation and that there is a need for a regulation of male harvest. Furthermore, the study stresses that the success in deer management of single hunting units, may be largely dependent on the harvest policies in the near surroundings as well as in areas tenths of kilometres away, suggesting that a successful management must rely on co-operation and co-ordination on a landscape scale.     

鹿类动物数量调查方法探讨

对鹿类动物数量调查方法进行综述。简要介绍了这些方法的理论前提、基本模型、误差来源、适用范围,并给出得到实际应用的种类;评价了它们的优缺点及在现实种群中提高结果正确性的方法和途径。     

Cottonseed feeding delivers sufficient quantities of gossypol as a male deer contraceptive

To define the quantitative and qualitative effects of gossypol (GP) on deer (Cervus elaphus) semen, the animals were fed cottonseed (CS). Adult stags each received 350 g of CS for 109 days. Animals received 15 mg of gossypol per kilogram body weight per day. Quantitative and qualitative parameters of experimental ejaculates (n = 182) were compared to ejaculates (n = 571) of control animals (n = 5) collected during three previous natural reproductive seasons. Ejaculate fractions were evaluated by classical methods used in domestic animals. In this paper, we show that mature male deer fed CS exhibited morphological changes and decreased motility of spermatozoa and abnormalities in spermatogenesis. Radioimmunoassay measured concentrations of various steroid hormones (T-testosterone, A₄-androstenedione, and E₂-estradiol 17β) in separated ejaculate fractions of the CS group were compared to a control group of stags. Generally, mean steroid concentrations in CS-treated deer decreased during the entire sampling period in examined ejaculate fractions. These changes resulted in decreased semen quality with no detectable side effects in the animals. It seems that gossypol fed to the deer in the form of CS serves as an efficient male contraceptive.     

华南梅花鹿的分布和现状

华南梅花鹿(Cervus nippon kopschi) 亚种可能是现存梅花鹿亚种中最濒危的物种。目前主要分布于安徽皖南的泾县、旌德、黟县、宁国,江西的彭泽和浙江的临安等县。 分布的范围仍在不断缩小,种群被隔离,并逐步在分散。本文在野外调查的基础上对该亚种的现在分布区和栖息地的现状进行了分析和描述。由于目前缺乏对华南梅花鹿的生态学和生物学的研究,对该种群尚无有效的保护措施。迫切需要采取有力措施加强对野生梅花鹿的保护。     

The canary in the coal mine: Sprouts as a rapid indicator of browse impact in managed forests

Forest managers are frequently confronted with sustaining vegetation diversity and structure in landscapes experiencing high ungulate browsing pressure. Often, managers monitor browse damage and risk to plant communities using vegetation as indicators (i.e., phytoindicators). Although useful, the efficacy of traditional phytoindicators is sometimes hampered by limited distribution and abundance, variable browse susceptibility, and lagged responses. In contrast, sprouts possess traits which make them readily available and attractive to browsers, yet fairly resilient to tissue loss. Here, we experimentally evaluate whether hardwood tree stump sprouts are effective and sensitive phytoindicators of deer browse pressure. We measured sprout abundance and height in fenced and unfenced plots at 17 shelterwood harvested sites scattered across a 6500 km² region where deer densities varied by nearly an order of magnitude. We found browsing did not alter the proportion of stumps sprouting and sprout density; however, browse pressure varied among the four most abundant species. Acer rubrum and Acer saccharum were heavily browsed, although browse pressure on A. saccharum decreased in areas with greater canopy openness. Fagus grandifolia and Prunus serotina were less preferred. Differences in palatability altered size hierarchies. Averaged across all species, browsing reduced sprout height by 39%, relative to protected sprouts. Under ambient browsing, P. serotina was 60–100% taller than other species and significantly taller than A. saccharum and F. grandifolia. However, within fences A. saccharum and A. rubrum doubled in size, relative to browsed individuals, and were as tall as P. serotina. Deer impact on sprout height within unfenced forest stands was negatively correlated with estimated deer densities (R² = 0.46). Thus, we suggest sprout surveys can provide a measure of impact across much larger areas. Our results demonstrate that sprouts, particularly those of Acer species, offer an abundant, easily measured, and reliable indicator of browse pressure. Moreover, browse impacts on sprouts emerged before impacts were detected on seedling abundance, height, or biomass. We argue sprouts can warn of imminent browse risk to seedlings (and perhaps non-woody vegetation) and thereby allow managers to take actions to mitigate or avert losses to the regenerating seedling cohort.     

圈养母幼林麝粪便免疫球蛋白和皮质醇的变化特征

了解母体林麝(Moschus berezovskii)产后及幼体林麝断奶前后的免疫力和应激水平变化特征,可为特殊时期母体及幼体林麝的有效保护与饲养管理提供理论依据。该研究于2010年4至9月,采集哺乳期母体和幼体林麝的粪便样品,通过酶联免疫法对粪便提取液中免疫球蛋白(IgG、IgM和sIgA)以及皮质醇含量进行测定。利用SPSS 22.0对不同阶段母体和幼体林麝粪便样品中的免疫球蛋白和皮质醇水平进行单因素方差分析(one way-ANOVA)及多重比较。母体林麝粪便中IgG、IgM和sIgA的含量测定结果表明,粪便中IgG与IgM含量在分娩后的初期阶段处于较高水平,随着时间推移含量逐渐减少并保持基本稳定,且IgG与IgM表现出类似的变化趋势;sIgA含量在分娩后持续上升,一直持续到第14周后基本保持稳定。幼体林麝粪便中IgG、IgM和sIgA含量测定结果表明,免疫球蛋白表现出明显的变化规律,IgG和IgM含量在断奶(第11周龄左右)后明显下降,sIgA含量在断奶后有所下降,但变化不显著;在第16周龄左右,IgG和IgM含量再次升高,并随着时间的推移趋于稳定,sIgA则无显著变化。母体林麝皮质醇的数据结果表明,其产后的6周内,皮质醇处于较高水平,在第11周左右(断奶期)皮质醇水平有小幅度的升高。幼体林麝皮质醇的数据显示,其在出生后的第11周龄左右(断奶期)皮质醇含量同样呈现出与母体林麝类似的升高趋势,表明断奶这一行为对母体以及幼体林麝均造成一定的生理压力。综上,母体林麝产后的6周内是管护工作的敏感期,幼体林麝成长的第9 ~ 15周龄是其存活关键期。     

The genus Cervus in eastern Eurasia

In 2004, Christian Pitra and co-workers published the first molecular phylogeny of Old World deer which advanced our understanding of the Cervinae immeasurably by demonstrating the non-monophyletic status of the red deer/wapiti group, the chital/hog deer group and the swamp deer/Eld's deer group. Therefore, many conspicuous external features—antler complexity, mane and rump-patch development—turned out to be related not to phylogeny as much as to climatic-related lifestyle factors. At a lower level, molecular genetics has reinforced some conclusions drawn on the basis of morphology or behaviour. Striking examples are the divisions between mainland and Japanese sika and between northern and southern forms of Japanese sika. In this paper, I will look at the species living in what Pitra et al. (Evolution and phylogeny of old world deer. Mol Phylogenet Evol 33:880–895, 2004) identified as the heartland of cervine evolution: eastern Eurasia. I will consider the two species groups in this region that seem to crystallize both the problems of cervine classification and the ways in which the new sources of evidence have opened up new avenues of inquiry.     

脊椎动物标本资源信息管理系统的研制及应用*

本文介绍了由中国科学院昆明动物研究所研制开发的“脊椎动物标本资源信息管理系统”和用此系统建立的有关标本资源管理库。首先简要说明了建立脊椎动物标本资源信息管理系统的目的和意义,然后详细介绍了该系统的结构设计、数据模型、基本功能和特点,以及本系统创建或应用的物种和地名代码体系。最后介绍了已经用此系统建立的昆明动物研究所标本馆鸟类、兽类和鱼类标本资源管理库的基本情况。     

Faecal pellets of Reeves’ muntjac,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Muntiacus reevesi</Emphasis>: defecation rate,decomposition period,size and weight

Captive muntjac fed on vegetation had a daily defecation rate of 7 to 8.2.pellet groups. Even in the cold month of February 97.6% of pellets decayed within 80 days but for 8 other months the range was 4 to 23 days. Emphasis is given to the need for site-specific information when decay rate is required to assess population size from dung counts. The morphology, dimensions, weight and group size of pellets are described as an aid to distinguish them from the faeces of other cervids.     

Long-term automatic video recording as a tool for analysing the time patterns of utilisation of predefined locations by wild animals

The design and application of automatic video recording systems for wild animals are described. Such systems enable continuous, long-time and repercussion-free surveillance of selected areas in the field. The performance characteristics of a conventional VHS video-tape system are compared to a digital video recording system. The recordings were used to develop daily and annual plots of occurrence for the different species and to display the preferences for darkness, twilight and light phase by the different species over the year. Absolute utilisation frequency as well as relative species composition can be obtained and compared between seasons or different places. The videos also were analysed for time budgets of basic behaviour patterns like feeding, walking, observing, social interaction, flight and comfort behaviour. Automatic video technique is a highly convenient tool for systematic long-term field research on occurrence of wild animal species, daily and annual activity rhythms, behaviour and area utilisation. Such systems can be applied especially to record animals at clearings, feeding or bait places, water sources, salt licks or traps. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Maximal aerobic performance of deer mice in combined cold and exercise challenges

In nature, animals frequently need to deal with several physiological challenges simultaneously. We examined thermoregulatory performance (body temperature stability) and maximal oxygen consumption of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) during intense exercise at room temperature, acute cold exposure, and exercise during cold exposure. Results with exercise and cold exposure alone were consistent with previous studies: there was little difference between maximal metabolism elicited by exercise alone or cold exposure alone in warm-acclimated mice; after cold acclimation (9 weeks at 5 °C), maximal exercise metabolism did not change but maximum thermogenic capacity increased by >60%. Warm acclimated animals did not increase maximal oxygen consumption when exercise was combined with moderate cold (0 °C) and had decreased maximal oxygen consumption when exercise was combined with severe cold (–16 °C). Combined cold and exercise also decreased thermoregulatory performance and exercise endurance time. Cold acclimation improved thermoregulatory performance in combined cold and exercise, and there was also a slight increase in endurance. However, as for warm-acclimated animals, maximal exercise metabolism did not increase at low temperatures. We interpret these results as an indication of competition between thermoregulatory and locomotor effectors (brown adipose tissue and skeletal muscle) under the combined challenges of cold exposure and maximal exercise, with priority given to the locomotor function.Abbreviations BAT brown adipose tissue - T _b body temperature - O ₂ rate of oxygen consumption - O ₂ max maximal O₂ in exercise - O ₂ sum maximal O₂ during cold exposure Communicated by G. Heldmaier     

Differential reproductive response to short photoperiod in deer mice: role of melatonin

Summary Inhibitory photoperiod differentially effects reproduction in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus nebrascensis). Pituitary-testicular function is arrested in about one-third of short-day exposed males (reproductively responsive mice), while an equal number remain fertile (reproductively nonresponsive mice). Both phenotypes are found in natural populations and their disparate reproductive responses have a genetic basis. To assess whether this difference is attributable to a prepineal/pineal or post-pineal mechanism, we compared spermatogenic responses of known and unknown phenotype to exogenous melatonin. Melatonin significantly reduced mean sperm number in long-day housed mice of unknown phenotype. But, individual responses ranged from azoospermia to normal spermatogenesis, and this range was not significantly different from that previously recorded for short-day exposed mice. Reproductively nonresponsive males were unaffected by melatonin administration when housed under long or short daylength. In contrast, melatonin significantly suppressed sperm production in reproductively responsive males housed under long photoperiod, but had no additional suppressive effect in short-day housed mice with regressed testes. These data demonstrate that melatonin is only effective in eliciting testicular regression in reproductively responsive males. Taken together, these results suggest that differential testicular response to photoperiod are caused by a post-pineal mechanism.Abbreviations LD long day - SD short day - 16L:8D 16 h light, 8 h dark - 8L:16D 8 h light, 16 h dark     

浙江清凉峰国家级自然保护区华南梅花鹿栖息地适宜性评价

理解环境因子对物种空间分布的影响,评价栖息地适宜性现状并预测潜在分布区,对野生动物的管理和保护具有重要意义。华南梅花鹿（Cervus pseudaxis）属国家I级重点保护野生动物,现仅分布于安徽、浙江、江西等狭小片区内。浙江清凉峰自然保护区千顷塘区域是华南梅花鹿的重要分布区,但其面积较小,严重限制了华南梅花鹿的种群发展,亟需对千顷塘及周边区域的栖息地质量进行评价,为华南梅花鹿的保护和野外放归提供科学依据。本研究利用红外相机监测千顷塘区域华南梅花鹿的分布,结合遥感等技术手段获得地形、植被、水源以及人为干扰等8种环境因子,利用MaxEnt构建华南梅花鹿栖息地适宜性模型,对以千顷塘为中心50 km×50 km的范围进行栖息地适宜性评价。研究结果表明,华南梅花鹿倾向于选择海拔1050-1240 m范围内,距道路100-900 m和距人口聚居区3200-3800 m的相对平缓地带。千顷塘区域华南梅花鹿栖息地保护较好,适宜栖息地面积为2224 hm2,占该区域39.1%。千顷塘周边适宜性较高的区域主要为位于其西南部约10 km的山区,该区域为华南梅花鹿提供了3253 hm2的潜在适宜栖息地。建议降低保护区千顷塘区域内的人为干扰,并在其西南部山区尝试开展圈养种群的野外放归工作,以促进其种群发展。     

Cranial suture closure pattern in water deer and implications of suture evolution in cervids

Interspecific diversity exists in cranial suture closure patterns among mammalian species. Suture closure patterns partly reflect phylogenesis, but it has also been claimed that it is influenced by biomechanical factors. Here we provide the first report on the cranial suture closure pattern in water deer. Among cervids, the water deer is an exceptional species, as it is the only one without antlers. Instead, the male water deer possess prominent canines, which are utilized during male-male combats. This unique morphological setting allowed us to examine whether the presence of prominent canines affects cranial suture closure. We found that the only sexual difference in cranial suture closure pattern is the closure of the interfrontal suture in males, which is found in some other cervid species as well. Except for the interfrontal suture closure, timing and sequence of cranial suture closure were comparable between both sexes, suggesting that the presence of prominent canines in males has no influence on cranial suture closure pattern. Our results indicate that interfrontal suture closure in males is a phylogenetic pattern, i.e. an apomorphy for Capreolini, Hydropotini and Alceini.     

桃红岭自然保护区梅花鹿对春季栖息地的利用

2005年3~5月在江西桃红岭自然保护区对华南梅花鹿(Cervus nippon kopschi)春季栖息地的利用进行了初步研究。选择10类生态因子,并设置256个10 m×10 m样方。选择指数的结果表明,梅花鹿喜欢灌丛和灌草丛、郁闭度较低、灌木盖度较小、食物丰富度高、半阴半阳及向阳、中坡位、坡度平缓、水源距离较近、人为干扰距离>800 m和海拔高度在300~450 m的环境。并对目前桃红岭梅花鹿栖息地存在的一些问题进行了初步分析。     

Comparison of accuracy of ultrasonography, progesterone, and pregnancy-associated glycoprotein tests for pregnancy diagnosis in semidomesticated reindeer

The aim of the study was to compare transrectal ultrasound with progesterone (P4) and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) as pregnancy detection methods for semidomesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in field conditions. Female reindeer (n = 195) were scanned transrectally by a 7.5-MHz linear array transducer, and blood was sampled either in December 2005 (n = 33), December 2006 (n = 92), or January 2007 (n = 70) during early or mid gestation. Plasma levels of P4 and PAGs were assessed by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Based on calving records, the sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and the overall accuracy of the three tests were calculated. The overall calving rate calculated from the calving records was 86.2%. The overall accuracy of transrectal ultrasound was 99.5%. The sensitivity and specificity of transrectal ultrasound were 99.4% and 100%, respectively. In the plasma P4 test, the threshold level of 5.0 nmol/L gave the highest overall accuracy (94.9%). The sensitivity of the P4 test decreased from 96.4% to 81.5%, when the threshold level increased from 5.0 nmol/L to 8.0 nmol/L, while the specificity remained at 85.2% over the range of these cutoff values. The overall accuracy of the plasma PAG test decreased from 96.4% to 64.1% when the plasma PAG threshold level increased from 0.5 ng/mL to 3.5 ng/mL, whereas sensitivity decreased from 99.4% to 58.3%. Specificity increased from 77.8% to 100% when the plasma PAG threshold level reached 3.0 ng/mL. Transrectal ultrasound showed higher diagnostic values than those of plasma P4-RIA and PAG-RIA in diagnosing pregnancy of reindeer, with the advantage that diagnoses can be made in real time in field conditions.     

大兴安岭原麝冬季的生境选择

2005年3～4月和2006年3月,在黑龙江省大兴安岭呼中自然保护区,采用机械布点法随机设置样线,对原麝(Moschus moschiferus)冬季生境选择进行了研究。对海拔、乔木密度、雪深、隐蔽度、食物丰富度、坡度和倒木数量进行2个独立样本的Mann-Whitey U检验,找出生境利用样方与任意样方的生态因子的差异。U检验的结果表明,原麝冬季喜欢活动在相对海拔高、乔木密度小、雪层浅、隐蔽度高、坡度陡且喜食食物丰富的区域;对植被类型、坡位、坡向、距水源距离、距人为干扰距离、动物干扰和碎石坡7个名词性变量采用卡方(Chi-square)统计进行显著性检验,卡方检验的结果表明:原麝冬季偏好远离人为干扰、接近碎石坡、阳坡和其他动物干扰较少的针阔混交林中;对以上14个生态因子进行主成分分析,结果表明,前6个特征值的累计贡献率达到72·318%,可以较好地反映原麝生境特征,根据主成分分析结果,将原麝冬季生境选择影响因子分别命名为空间因子(海拔、坡度、距碎石坡距离)、干扰因子(距人为干扰距离、距水源距离)、坡向因子(坡向、乔木密度)、坡位因子(坡位、动物干扰)、食物因子(食物丰富度、隐蔽度)和倒木因子(倒木数量)。     

A review of the genus Rusa in the indo-malayan archipelago and conservation efforts

Genus Rusa, belonging to the deer family Cervidae is native to the Indo-Malaya Archipelago (IMA). However, detailed information on the Rusa genus in the IMA is limited. This review provides comprehensive information on the Rusa genus in the IMA including, threats and conservation efforts. There are four species of deer in Rusa genus, which is Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor), Javan deer (Rusa timorensis), Visayan spotted deer (Rusa alfredi) and Philippine deer (Rusa marianna). Despite their wide distribution in the South Asian and Southeast Asian regions, they are under serious threats. Some conservation efforts that are being done to protect and conserve them among others are; (1) facilities protection, (2) habitat enrichment programme, (3) Ex-situ conservation, (4) legislations, and (5) captive breeding. Conservation through genetics is also an important step in conserving these species. Recommendations for conservation of the genus are also discussed; 1. maintenance of ecosystem. 2. more effective monitoring system on the existing protected area. 3. ex-situ conservation, and 4. habitat monitoring.