金粟兰科的起源,演化及其分布

本文利用形态解剖,孢粉学及化石资料,讨论了金粟兰科的系统;并对其起源,演化和现代分布格局形成等问题做了合理推测,主要结果如下：（１）Ｓａｒｃａｎｄｒａ和Ｃｈｌｏｒａｎｔｈｕｓ的亲缘关系最接近,而Ａｓｃａｒｉｎａ和Ｈｅｄｙｏｓｍｕｍ的系统位置最靠近。Ｓａｒｃａｎｄｒａ是金粟兰科中最原始的属,而Ｈｅｄｙｏｓｍｕｍ则是最进化的属。（２）金粟兰科可能于白垩纪最早期起源于木质部无导管的,具简单两性虫媒花的祖     

THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE PIED STARLING,AND SOUTHERN AFRICAN BIOGEOGRAPHY

Craig, A. J. F. K. 1985. The distribution of the Pied Starling, and southern African biogeography. Ostrich 56:123-131.

The Pied Starling is restricted to South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland, but within this region it occupies a variety of habitats. Its modern distribution is certainly influenced by its association with man. However, a comparison with other vertebrate species, and with patterns of plant distribution, suggests that its geographical distribution has been determined primarily by its evolutionary history. A hypothesis for the origin of this species leads to several predictions concerning biogeography in southern Africa.     

THE LEVEL OF RESERVE PROTEIN AS THE PROXIMATE FACTOR CONTROLLING THE TIMING OF BREEDING AND CLUTCH-SIZE IN THE RED-BILLED QUELEA QUELEA QUELEA

Changes in the fat and flight muscle protein reserves of adult Red-billed Queleas Quelea quelea were followed in two colonies in Tanzania and Botswana. At the start of a breeding attempt the protein reserves were higher that at any other time of the year, particularly in females which had heavier flight muscles (non-fat dry weight) than did the (larger) males at that time. The pre-breeding increase in the labile component of the muscle protein (the actual protein reserve) is calculated at 80% for females, but only 14% for males. The fat reserve was only increased slightly at the beginning of the breeding attempt.
In both sexes, though for different reasons, the protein and fat reserves fell rapidly during the first few days of the attempt, in some individuals to dangerously low levels. During the incubation period there was rapid recovery while the situation during the rearing period appeared to vary between colonies.
It is proposed that the proximate control of breeding is provided by the individual's own body condition, and particularly the state of its protein reserves. No environmental releasers are required for the birds to breed at the appropriate time of the year.
Individual females producing two, three and four egg clutches differed in the rate at which their reserves fell during egg formation. The results are used to support the view that in this quelea the actual clutch-size produced on any occasion is the largest the female can produce before becoming too enfeebled. Thus, clutch-size appears to be determined phenotypically downward from a maximum which is indirectly under genetic control.     

OBSERVATIONS ON THE DISTRIBUTION,EMERGENCE AND BEHAVIOUR OF CENTRAL AFRICAN CHAOBORIDAE

SUMMARY

The distribution of four species of Chaoboras over selected parts of Zimbabwe is given. The effect of temperature on the duration of the larval life cycle is discussed in relation to the generation time and the lunar periodicity of the adult emergence period. There were apparently two generations of larvae present in the habitat at any one time, although these generations were not distinct due to the variations in the time taken by the larvae to complete development at any temperature. The emergence was synchronized to the lunar cycle, but the actual moon phase at which emergence occurred was variable, as the two populations under observation both changed from new moon emergences to full moon emergences during the study. Some observations on the behaviour of adult Chaoboras edulis are given.     

DISTRIBUTION,MIGRATION AND TIMING OF MOULT IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN CLIFF SWALLOW

Earle, R. A. 1987. Distribution, migration and timing of moult in the South African Cliff Swallow. Ostrich 58:118-121. The South African Cliff Swallow Hirundo spilodera breeds in South Africa mainly between 25 and 31S and 24 and 31E. In some years with exceptionally high rainfall the breeding range is more extensive. Man has probably had a pronounced influence on the present-day distribution of this species. Seven winter recovery/collecting localities are known from the lower Congo basin in Zaire. Possible migrating birds were observed in Zambia and Malawi in the east, and on the Namibian coast in the west. The few sight records suggest a direct migrational route over Botswana. Moult takes place between March and September primarily in the winter quarters, but about 2% of the birds handled during March and April started moult before migrating.     

POLYMORPHISM AND PARALLELISM IN THE AFRICAN BUSH-SHRIKES OF THE GENUS MALACONOTUS (INCLUDING CHLOROPHONEUS)

PART 1 Remarkable parallelism exists between two groups of shrikes in the genus Malaconotus: (1) small-billed birds (formerly Chlorophoneus) comprising the polymorphic species multicolor and nigrifrons, the dimorphic olivaceus and the monomorphic sulfureopectus; (2) large-billed birds (formerly Malaconotus sensu stricto)—of the species blanchoti, cruentus, lagdeni, gladiator and alius (and including monteiri). Characters and ranges of the various species are set out and parallelisms between the two groups are listed. M. monteiri is thought to be a colour phase of cruentus rather than a race of blanchoti. It is suggested that the parallelisms are due to the two groups having derived from a common ancestor and that the existing “Malaconotus”, which are monomorphic, may derive directly from polymorphic ancestral stock. part 2 The polymorphism in “Chlorophoneus” can be accounted for by three genes with two alleles each, all interacting with polygenic systems. The homology of the morphs with the colour patterns of monomorphic populations is discussed, and their distributions in the two groups summarised. The interaction of polymorphism with continuous variation in determining the proportion of red to yellow carotenoid is discussed. The evidence bearing upon the status of monteiri is considered. The difference in the incidence of polymorphism between the groups is considered in the light of the analysis into dimorphisms. Some suggestions are made on the significance of parallels between the groups.     

THE MIGRATION PATTERNS OF QUELEA QUELEA IN AFRICA

Red-billed Queleas migrate, at the beginning of the wet season, away from their dry-season concentration areas and towards areas where rain started several weeks earlier. Considerable fat deposits are accumulated for this “early-rains migration”. The direction taken by the migrants, the distance they must fly, and the timing of the movement are dependent upon the timing of the rains and the way the rain-front moves. On the return “breeding migration” individuals in breeding condition stop to breed (in large aggregations) wherever they find conditions suitable for the founding of colonies. The location of the colonies can vary greatly from year to year. The migrations performed by several populations, in different parts of Africa, are predicted on the basis of general rainfall patterns, and the predictions tested against the facts available. There is evidence that individual females are able to produce a succession of broods in the same breeding season, at colonies which may be very far apart, and probably with different mates. The adaptive value of this “itinerant breeding” is discussed. Many other bird species, which breed at a particular phase of the wet-season/dry-season cycle, are expected to perform similar “itinerant breeding”.     

THE BREEDING BIOLOGY OF THE BLACK-FACED DIOCH QUELEA QUELEA IN NIGERIA

A study of the breeding biology of Quelea quelea in Nigeria, and particularly at a large breeding colony near Lake Chad, showed that losses of eggs and young were extremely small. 95% of eggs laid hatched successfully, and 87% give rise to fledglings. Nestling deaths were density-dependent and apparently due to starvation.
The incubation period was 10 days or less. By day, eggs were heated to 34°- 37° C. by the sun; at night the females incubated. The nestlings were initially fed mainly on insects, their diet gradually changing to one of seeds—mostly of the grass Echinochloa pyramidalis . The deep body temperatures of young birds were determined. It is suggested that the nestlings left the nest after, on average, 11¹/₂ days to escape intolerable temperature conditions in the nest.
Fat reserves were accumulated by nestlings and fledglings, and were utilized when the young became independent. The adults put on fat during the incubation period and lost it during the time spent feeding nestlings.
It is concluded that the most common clutch-size of Q. quelea , which is everywhere three, corresponds to the largest number of young the parents can normally nourish. This conforms to Lack's theory on the significance of clutch-size, and gives no support to Skutch's opinion that the theory does not apply to tropical birds.     

FEEDING ECOLOGY OF THE BLACK-FACED DIOCH QUELEA QUELEA IN NIGERIA

The results of a three-year study of the diet of Quelea quelea in the Lake Chad region of Nigeria indicate why this bird periodically does extensive damage to crops of dry-season guinea-corn.
The normal food of the birds in the early dry-season consists of small grass seeds collected off the ground. As the supply of these diminishes there is a gradual change-over to larger seeds.
In years when this change begins early, it is liable to coincide with the ripening of the cereal crop and severe damage may be caused.
At the beginning of the rains the dry-season food supply is lost owing to the simultaneous germination of the seeds over large areas.
The birds lay down fat reserves in preparation for this lean period.
After a short time the birds migrate south to regions where rain has been falling for some weeks.
In the short period spent in these parts, Queleas feed on ripening grass seeds—including those of cultivated millet.
There is evidence for considerable mortality during this time of food scarcity and it is suggested that the numbers of Queleas are limited by the food supply.
The significance of communal roosting is discussed. It is proposed that the phenomenon is related to food finding, the roost being considered as an information centre for the large area prospected by the birds constituting the roosting community. A method is outlined by which information on food availability within the feeding area may feasibly be transmitted within the community.     

MYS2多态位点在中国26个人群中分布的研究

对中国26个人群中Y染色体小卫星分位点MYS2的分布进行了研究,结果显示：MYS2*4是常见的等位基因类型,MYS2*3在中国不同人群中分布差异很大（0-32.4％）;并对该位点在不同人群中分布的频率进行了AMOVA分析,结果为：不分组、南方人群和北方人群的遗传学差异分别为7.76％、8.11％和1.42％。南北方人群间、东北和西北人群间的差异分别为4.34％和1.57％。结论：MYS2是研究中国人群遗传结构有价值的多态位点,中国不同人群之间存在一定的遗传学差异,中国南方人群间的遗传学差异较大,再次证实了中国人群的南北差异。