Influence of digestive morphology on resource partitioning in Amazonian ungulates

Summary Resource partitioning of diet and habitat use was studied in the entire Amazonian ungulate community of Northeastern Peru, which comprises the red brocket deer (Mazama americana), grey brocket deer (M. gouazoubira), collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu), white-lipped peccary (T. pecari), and lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris). Each ungulate species partitioned at least one type of resource from every other species. Digestive morphology had a greater influence on resource partitioning of diet than body size. Neither digestive morphology nor body size were related to segregation of habitats. However, species with similar diets partitioned habitats, whereas species with different diets often used the same type of forest. Increases in habitat breadth of ungulates were positively correlated with increases in dietary breadth.     

青海玉树高原不同生境类型蝶类群落结构与多样性

2016年和2017年的5—8月,在玉树市选取森林、灌木、高寒灌丛、高寒草甸草原和裸岩5种生境进行蝴蝶种类资源和群落多样性的调查,共记录到蝶类个体数1580头,62种,隶属于7科40属。其中古北界19种,占总种数的30%,东洋界2种,占总种数的3%,两界共有种(广布种) 41种,占总种数的67%。蛱蝶科(535只)个体数量最多,占蝶类个体总数的34%。计算并分析了5种生境中蝴蝶多样性指数(H')、优势度指数(D)、物种丰富度指数(R)、均匀度指数(J)和相似性系数(I),结果表明:灌木生境具有最高的多样性指数,较高均匀度指数和物种丰富度指数以及最低的优势度指数;高寒草甸草原蝶类的多样性指数、均匀度指数、物种丰富度指数均为最低,而优势度指数最高。     

江西赣江源区域两栖动物的群落组成和物种多样性特征

赣江发源于武夷山脉南段西麓的高山岭间,该区域独特的地理环境和气候特征蕴育了丰富的生物多样性。然而关于该区域两栖动物群落组成和物种多样性调查非常匮乏,不利于赣江源头两栖动物物种多样性的保护。于2016年4—9月期间在江西赣江源区域采用样线法调查了两栖动物的资源状况、群落组成及物种多样性特征,比较了它们在山地森林区、丘陵森林与农田区和盆地农田区3类栖息地之间的差异性。结果表明:赣江源区域分布有8科23种两栖动物,新增记录3个物种,包括尖舌浮蛙、寒露林蛙和九龙棘蛙,泽陆蛙和饰纹姬蛙为优势种。赣江源区域的两栖动物群落组成和物种多样性存在显著的季节间差异和栖息地间差异;两栖动物季节性繁殖是造成前者差异的主要因素,而土地利用类型、栖息地特征、空间距离、生活习性的物种特性等因素成就了后者差异的出现。因此,春、夏季一般有比秋季见到更高的两栖动物物种丰富度和多样性;山地森林区的两栖动物物种丰富度和多样性最高,盆地农田区次之,丘陵森林与农田区的最低。山地森林区应成为赣江源区域两栖动物多样性保护的优先区域。国家Ⅱ级重点保护野生动物虎纹蛙,在3类栖息地中均有分布,且在盆地农田区和山地森林区能见到更多个体,但农...     

若尔盖不同生境植物多样性与植物竞争强度和生态位重叠度的关系

植物多样性与植物竞争强度和生态位重叠度的关系会随环境发生变化。为探究上述关系在若尔盖地区的表现形式,于2021年8月对若尔盖地区典型的水生、湿生、湿生-中生和中生植物群落进行调查,构建了新的植物竞争强度（Competition intensity,CI）公式并进行测算,计算了植物群落的植物多样性指数（包括物种丰富度、Shannon-Weiner指数、Simpson指数和Pielou均匀度指数）和生态位重叠度（Niche overlap of species,NOS）,分析了植物群落物种多样性指数与CI和NOS的关系。结果表明：1）从水生到中生生境,植物多样性指数均呈增加趋势（P<0.05）;2）湿生-中生生境的CI显著高于湿生生境（P<0.05）,湿生生境的NOS高于水生生境（P<0.05）;CI与NOS无显著相关性,但在湿生生境中两者呈倒抛物线关系（P<0.05）。3）整体来看,植物群落的物种丰富度与CI呈抛物线关系（P<0.05）,与NOS无显著关系（P>0.05）;Shannon-Weiner指数、Simpson指数和Pielou均匀度指数均与NOS呈线性正相关（P<0.05）,与CI无显著关系（P>0.05）;从单个生境看,湿生-中生生境的Simpson指数、Shannon-Weiner指数和Pielou均匀度指数与CI呈线性负相关（P<0.05）,其余生境的上述多样性指数与CI无显著关系（P>0.05）;各生境的植物多样性指数均与NOS无显著相关性（P>0.05）。本研究表明,从水生到中生生境,若尔盖地区的植物多样性呈增加趋势,但植物多样性与物种竞争强度和生态位重叠度的关系较复杂。本研究结果有助于理解若尔盖高原植物多样性的形成机制。     

Effects of herbivore species richness on the niche dynamics and distribution of blue sheep in the Trans-Himalaya

Aim To understand the community structure of mountain ungulates by exploring their niche dynamics in response to sympatric species richness. Location Ladakh and Spiti Regions of the Western Indian Trans‐Himalaya. Methods We used the blue sheep Pseudois nayaur, a relatively widely distributed mountain ungulate, as a model species to address the issue. We selected three discrete valleys in three protected areas with similar environmental features but varying wild ungulate species richness, and studied blue sheep’s diet and habitat utilization in them. Habitat variables such as slope angle, distance to cliff and elevation at blue sheep locations were recorded to determine the habitat width of the species. Faecal pellets were collected and microhistological faecal analysis was carried out to determine the diet width of blue sheep in the three areas with different ungulate species richness. Blue sheep’s niche width in terms of habitat and diet was determined using the Shannon’s Index. Results The habitat width of blue sheep had a negative relationship with the number of sympatric species. However, contrary to our expectation, there was a hump‐shaped relationship between blue sheep’s diet width and the sympatric species richness, with the diet width being narrower in areas of allopatry as well as in areas with high herbivore species richness, and the greatest in areas with moderate species richness. Main conclusions We suspect that the narrow diet width in allopatry is out of choice, whereas it is out of necessity in areas with high herbivore species richness because of resource partitioning that enables coexistence. We suggest that interactions with sympatric species lead to niche adjustment of mountain ungulates, implying that competition may play a role in structuring Trans‐Himalayan mountain ungulate assemblages. Given these results, we underscore the importance of including biotic interactions in species distribution models, which have often been neglected.     

Attitudes of local people towards the mountain nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni) in Munessa,Ethiopia

Due to their direct dependence on wildlife products for subsistent use, people living in poverty are often viewed as being in conflict with wildlife conservation. We studied the attitudes of local people towards mountain nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni) in Munessa, Ethiopia. A household survey (n = 214) was used to examine the socio‐economic characteristics and beliefs of local people from three peasant associations and one village. Generally, the study revealed that local people had positive attitudes towards mountain nyala, its conservation and population increase, which is consistent with our predictions. For example, a greater percentage of the respondents had positive (62.5%) rather than negative (37.5%) attitudes towards mountain nyala and its conservation. Moreover, the larger proportion of the respondents had positive (66.67%) rather than negative (33.3%) attitudes towards an increase in mountain nyala population. However, compared to socio‐economic characteristics, beliefs towards mountain nyala were more powerful and consistent predictor of attitudes and explained much of the variances of the two groups of the dependent variables. Thus, informing local communities about the value of mountain nyala (e.g. recreational and economic) through conservation education, advocating the need for sustainable utilization and introducing an economic benefit sharing may improve positive attitude and increase participation of local people in conservation and management of the mountain nyala population in Munessa.     

Individual Heterogeneity in Use of Human Shields by Mountain Nyala

The ‘human shield hypothesis’ describes the situation where prey species use humans as shield from natural predation. We tested the human shield hypothesis in a population of mountain nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni) subjected to predation from the nocturnal spotted hyena (Crocuta Crocuta) in the Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia by radio‐marking 15 mountain nyala (seven females and eight males) and tracking them for up to 2 yr. Occurrence of hyena estimated by faecal transects decreased close to human settlements substantiating the occurrence of a zone with lower risk of hyena predation. The diurnal pattern in the average distance between mountain nyala relocations and human settlements was consistent with the human shield hypothesis with significantly shorter distances during night (when exposed to predation) than during day. However, mountain nyala showed large individual heterogeneity in use of human shields. While nearly all individuals occasionally moved out of the park to human settlements during night, the frequency of such excursions varied from 0% to 71%. The excursions occurred year‐round and were not driven by seasonal access to crops. We have previously demonstrated a strong negative effect of humans on the large‐scale distribution pattern of mountain nyala. The use of human shield documented here is indicative of a positive small‐scale effect of humans. Our study thus supports the view that the effect of human–wildlife interactions can be scale‐dependent.     

Monitoring ungulates in steep non-forest habitat: a comparison of faecal pellet and helicopter counts

Faecal pellet counts have been widely used to monitor the abundances of introduced ungulates in New Zealand, but ground-based sampling cannot be conducted safely in the steep non-forest habitats that are common in New Zealand's Southern Alps. Helicopter counts may be an effective technique for monitoring ungulates in steep non-forest habitat. We evaluated the relationship between faecal pellet and helicopter counts of ungulates (primarily feral goat Capra hircus) at 12 non-forest sites in the Southern Alps. Within each site we counted the numbers of ungulates from a helicopter on three occasions and the number of intact faecal pellets along 30 transects. Mean observed densities of feral goats derived from helicopter counts ranged from 0.0 to 20.2 km^?2. There was a positive curvilinear (concave down) relationship between faecal pellet and helicopter counts. Compared with faecal pellet counts, helicopter counts were cheaper, could identify ungulate species and provided estimates of absolute density. Helicopter counts are a cost-effective method for monitoring ungulates in the steep non-forest habitats of New Zealand's Southern Alps.     

生态恢复方式对喀斯特生境苔藓植物物种组成的影响

为探究生态恢复方式对苔藓植物的影响，研究了自然弃耕和退耕还林等生态恢复方式对重庆市中梁山喀斯特地区不同生境类型下苔藓植物物种组成特征的影响。结果表明，研究区有苔藓植物15科26属41种，其中藓类39种，苔类2种，美灰藓(Eurohypnum leptothollum)为主要优势物种；研究区石生藓类植物占比较大，生活型以平铺型和丛集型为主，各生境物种多样性及相似性指数整体偏低，但相比弃耕杂草地、灌木林和经济型林地，竹林和马尾松林中苔藓植物具有更高的物种多样性；冗余分析表明，郁闭度和光照强度是影响苔藓植物分布的关键环境因子，乔木林为苔藓植物的生长提供了更适宜的生境。因此，相比于自然恢复和经济性林地等恢复方式，退耕还林是喀斯特退化生境更为理想的生态恢复方式。     

同域分布中华鬣羚与中华斑羚时空生态位特征

为了解同域分布有蹄类在环境复杂的山地森林生境中以何种方式维持种间关系以实现稳定共存,基于物种分布模型与日活动模式分析了四川省岷山、邛崃、大相岭、小相岭和凉山五大山系同域分布中华鬣羚(Capricornis milneedwardsii)与中华斑羚(Naemorhedus griseus)的时空生态位特征。结果显示:(1)在四川省五大山系,中华鬣羚的适宜栖息地面积为28006.07 km²,占研究区总面积的26.18%,其中高适宜栖息地面积为10015.90 km²,中华斑羚的适宜栖息地面积为21073.32 km²,占研究区总面积的19.71%,其中高适宜栖息地面积为8396.22 km²;(2)中华鬣羚与中华斑羚在生境因子选择上相似性高、栖息地重叠面积大,其空间生态位重叠度指数D=0.776,I=0.949,其适宜栖息地的主要重叠区域位于岷山和邛崃山系;(3)中华鬣羚与中华斑羚的日活动节律重叠指数为0.812;(4)中华鬣羚与中华斑羚属于同域分布的资源利用型竞争物种,中华鬣羚的存在会显著影响中华斑羚的日活动节律(P=0.016);二者同域分布时都会增加其昼间活动强度,并增加活动高峰期的强度及持续时间。本研究初步分析了中华鬣羚与中华斑羚的时空生态位特征,揭示了二者在空间、时间生态位上种群共存及种间竞争的耦合关系。研究有利于深入理解同域分布动物时空生态位特征、近缘物种的共存机制及种间竞争关系,为有蹄类等珍稀野生动物种群及栖息地的保护提供科学参考。     

Habitat preferences of ungulates in closed savanna of central Africa

Habitat preferences of fifteen species of ungulate were studied between July and September 1975 in dry savanna woodland of Mwabvi Game Reserve, Southern Malawi, Central Africa. Thirteen vegetation types were recognized using vegetation transects and plotless sampling techniques (but three of these are omitted from further analysis here either because of the difficulty of sampling in a representative manner or because of their infrequency). A combination of six methods was used to study habitat preferences since each had particular advantages or disadvantages, although quadrat sampling of fresh pellets/spoor counts was the most satisfactory and so used predominantly. The most common and widely distributed species was the Greater kudu, although abundance estimates in different habitats varied according to the method used. Pellet/spoor counts showed heavy use of open grassland by kudu which was not detected by daytime drives. Temporal patterns of activity indicated that the species was moving into more closed woodland during the day and only coming out into open grassland at night. Relative abundance estimates of a species may also be affected by changing group size. The mean group size of kudu increased in more open vegetation, although group size in warthog did not show this relationship. Some species, e.g. impala, reedbuck, and klipspringer showed narrow habitat preferences, occurring in only one or a few vegetation types, whilst others, e.g. kudu, sable, duiker, suni, and grysbok showed much broader preferences. Mixed Colophospermum mopane /Acacia woodland had the highest species diversity but rather low abundance. Open grassland and Acacia/Albizia woodland had high species diversity together with the greatest abundance of ungulates. Open Julbernardia/Diplorynchus, Brachystegia/Julber-nardia woodland, and particularly Pterocarpus/Diplorynchus/Combretum hill woodland had the lowest species diversity and abundance of ungulates. Ready access to cover and availability of suitable food plants probably account for the preferences of certain vegetation types over others, whilst the different behavioural ecology and food preferences of each species account for individual species differences. Access to water probably also determines habitat preferences in particular species, and studies during the wet season may show different distributions.     

Migratory Disturbance Thresholds with Mule Deer and Energy Development

Fine-scale movement data has transformed our knowledge of ungulate migration ecology and now provides accurate, spatially explicit maps of migratory routes that can inform planning and management at local, state, and federal levels. Among the most challenging land use planning issues has been developing energy resources on public lands that overlap with important ungulate habitat, including the migratory routes of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). We generally know that less development is better for minimizing negative effects and maintaining habitat function, but we lack information on the amount of disturbance that animals can tolerate before reducing use of or abandoning migratory habitat. We used global positioning system data from 56 deer across 15 years to evaluate how surface disturbance from natural gas well pads and access roads in western Wyoming, USA, affected habitat selection of mule deer during migration and whether any disturbance threshold(s) existed beyond which use of migratory habitat declined. We used resource and step selection functions to examine disturbance thresholds at 3 different spatial scales. Overall, migratory use by mule deer declined as surface disturbance increased. Based on the weight of evidence from our 3 independent but complementary metrics, declines in migratory use related to surface disturbance were non-linear, where migratory use sharply declined when surface disturbance from energy development exceeded 3%. Disturbance thresholds may vary across regions, species, or migratory habitats (e.g., stopover sites). Such information can help with management and land use decisions related to mineral leasing and energy development that overlap with the migratory routes of ungulates. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.     

Morphological criteria to identify faecal pellets of sympatric ungulates in West African savanna and estimates of associated error

Indirect surveys may prove to be useful tools in complementing classical direct counts when monitoring ungulate populations and may also promote better understanding of the precise structure and functioning of the rich ungulate communities of African savannas. However, the identification of faecal pellets can be difficult where several sympatric species occur. This study develops simple field criteria for distinguishing between pellets among ten sympatric West African ungulates. A discriminant analysis was performed, using the mean of measurements of pellet groups from different species to pinpoint and characterize the most useful morphological criteria for separation between them. The mean diameter of pellets within each pellet group proved to be the most valuable variable for species segregation, whilst the second axis separated species by mean indent depth. The pellet groups of six of the ten designated species could be identified with a minimum misclassification error. However, no simple morphological variables emerged to permit discrimination between hartebeest and topi, or between bushbuck and Bohor reedbuck pellets. Once pellet groups have been identified, their density and spatial distribution may provide useful information on the use of space and habitat of sympatric species, over given periods.     

安氏薮羚的性二型对采食行为的影响(英文)

安氏薮羚(Tragelaphus angasii)是具有性别体二型的动物,其体型大小的差异可能对采食行为和生境选择有显著影响.利用连续行为取样法检测了雌雄个体在生境和植物利用上的差异,记录采食植物种类和采食高度并进行了性别间比较.在每个采食周期末,采用点中心方形样方法(PCQ)对植被进行一次调查,利用判别函数分析鉴别雌雄个体之间在种类和高度上是否存在差异.雌羚在三类生境中花费的采食时间相似,但雄羚表现出对砂地林的偏好.另外,在同一生境内雄羚利用更多的木本种类且采食较高的部位,而雌羚喜欢采食低层草本植物.安氏薮羚雌雄个体在生境内具有食性(采食种类)和空间(生境斑块)上的分离.我们认为这是由性二型引起的性别间营养与能量需求差异和不同繁殖策略造成的,最终使得精食者动物在具有复杂结构空间异质性的生境内表现为空间性别分离