Behavioral thermoregulation of wild Japanese macaques: comparisons between two subpopulations

We studied the behavioral thermoregulation of Japanese macaques in two troops that live in the coniferous (1,000-1,200 m in elevation) and coastal forests (0-200 m in elevation) of Yakushima. Frequency of sunbathing, huddling, and microhabitat selection during inactivity was compared. The difference in mean annual air temperature between the forests was more than 7 degrees C. In both forests, when the weather was clear, macaques spent more time being inactive in the sunshine in winter than in autumn. In winter, they huddled more often when it was clear than when cloudy. Microhabitat selection to stay in the sunshine during winter differed between the two forests. In winter, macaques spent more time inactive in open habitats in the coniferous forest and in the trees in the coastal forest than in autumn, respectively. This difference is related to the lower crown height in the coastal forest and the large open habitats (logged area) available only in the coniferous forest. In winter, skin temperature measured by temperature-sensitive transmitters was 1.32-1.71 degrees C higher when sunbathing, and 0.83-4.75 degrees C higher when huddling than staying in the shade without huddling. In winter, the proportion with which they stayed in the sunshine or huddled in winter did not differ between the two forests, in spite of the difference in air temperature. This suggests that Japanese macaques respond to seasonal changes in air temperature, not the absolute temperature, and that they acclimatize themselves to thermal conditions that require behavioral thermoregulation only during the season when thermoregulation is most costly.     

Spontaneous restoration of epiphytic lichen biota in managed forests planted on habitats typical for temperate deciduous forest

The study examines the changes of epiphytic lichen diversity in differently aged stands developing after clear cutting and pine planting on fertile habitats typical for deciduous forests. The study was conducted within one large complex consisting of pine, mixed pine-hornbeam and typical old oak-linden-hornbeam forests in northern Poland. Epiphytic lichens were recorded in 50 study plots randomly selected within 5 forest stand classes of a different structure and age, ranging from 80 to over 220 years. Altogether 143 lichen species were recorded, of which only 41 were entirely nonspecific, and were occurring in all the studied forest stand classes. Significant differences in lichen species richness between stand classes were found and the number of species increases with the forest age. Lichen species composition also differs and its changes progress towards restoration of lichen biota typical for deciduous forest consistent with the habitat. The age of the forest has the most significant effect on the biodiversity of lichen biota. Microhabitat space provided by oaks is highly desirable since it greatly enriches lichen biota in forests. Phorophyte specificity of particular lichens were assessed. Hornbeam and oak have the greatest number of species mostly confined to them and constitute a main refuge for lichens with a high conservation value. The changes of lichen biota are basically parallel with the changes of the forest stand structure. The selection of some parts within managed pine forests that should not be assigned for cutting in the future can be a simple procedure which helps to restore and preserve forest biodiversity.     

Resting site selection by large herbivores – The case of European bison (Bison bonasus) in Białowieża Primeval Forest

Resting site selection by European bison (Bison bonasus, L., 1758), the largest terrestrial mammal of Europe, was studied in the free-ranging population in Bia?owie?a Primeval Forest (Poland) in 2009–2010. In total, 104 sites of 21 bison (both collared and uncollared) were analysed to determine the most important microhabitat characteristics selected by resting bison during summer and winter and to study the influence of supplementary feeding on resting behaviour of this herbivore. Resting sites were identified on the basis of GPS locations and activity records collected by GPS collars, as well as direct observations of bison, and were compared with control sites. Microhabitat selection by bison did not differ significantly between the sexes. During summer and winter, bison resting sites displayed a high tree density, low visibility and high complexity (structures providing cover). Summer resting sites were also characterised by a significantly lower abundance of blood-sucking insects and denser canopy than control sites. Winter resting sites showed a lower complexity and higher visibility than summer sites, and were less often located in mixed forest habitats. During winter, bison rested more frequently in forest below 50 years of age than in older forest. Resting sites of non-fed bison were more often located in young coniferous forests, were lower in visibility and situated closer to open areas than sites of bison using supplementary winter feeding, suggesting a trade-off between food and cover. The results indicate that European bison select their resting sites in areas of mosaic habitat structure providing cover from disturbances with access to profitable natural forage grounds.     

柴河林区小型啮齿动物群落格局变化

为阐明柴河林区小型啮齿动物群落结构与格局的形成原因,掌握林区啮齿动物群落动态及发展趋势。于2012至2015年在柴河林区的新房子、大青沟和二道河子地区,对针阔混交林、阔叶林、草甸、沿河林和农田5种生境类型,采用铗日法对小型啮齿动物进行了调查。结果表明,棕背?（Clethrionomys rufocanus）和大林姬鼠（Apodemus peninsulae）为柴河林区小型啮齿动物的优势物种,针阔混交林为棕背?最适生境,阔叶林为大林姬鼠最适生境;黑线姬鼠（A. agrarius）和大仓鼠（Cricetulus triton）为农田优势物种,东方田鼠（Microtus fortis）仅在草甸中发现。随生境垂直分布区海拔高度的降低,总捕获率逐渐减低,其中棕背?的种群变化起主要作用;大林姬鼠的捕获率逐渐增加,其对农业经济的干扰适应性更强;褐家鼠（Rattus norvegicus）的分布规律受居民点分布比例影响;红背?（Clethrionomys rutilus）主要分布于海拔相对较高的针阔混交林。通过与孙儒泳等20世纪60年代在此地区的研究结果的比较,最后认为近几十年原始森林的破坏,伴生的次生林和人工林,致柴河林区的针阔混交林向阔叶林的过渡失去先前的典型特征。并发现小型啮齿动物的群落格局变化,虽呈现出自然条件的垂直变化和农业活动影响的规律,但同时存在生境变化的适应性改变,也表现出各地区的区域生境特征对取样点微生境啮齿动物分布的巨大影响。     

Intraspecific functional diversity of common species enhances community stability

Common species are fundamental to the structure and function of their communities and may enhance community stability through intraspecific functional diversity (iFD). We measured among‐habitat and within‐habitat iFD (i.e., among‐ and within‐plant community types) of two common small mammal species using stable isotopes and functional trait dendrograms, determined whether iFD was related to short‐term population stability and small mammal community stability, and tested whether spatially explicit trait filters helped explain observed patterns of iFD. Southern red‐backed voles (Myodes gapperi) had greater iFD than deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), both among habitats, and within the plant community in which they were most abundant (their “primary habitat”). Peromyscus maniculatus populations across habitats differed significantly between years and declined 78% in deciduous forests, their primary habitat, as did the overall deciduous forest small mammal community. Myodes gapperi populations were stable across habitats and within coniferous forest, their primary habitat, as was the coniferous forest small mammal community. Generalized linear models representing internal trait filters (e.g., competition), which increase within‐habitat type iFD, best explained variation in M. gapperi diet, while models representing internal filters and external filters (e.g., climate), which suppress within‐habitat iFD, best explained P. maniculatus diet. This supports the finding that M. gapperi had higher iFD than P. maniculatus and is consistent with the theory that internal trait filters are associated with higher iFD than external filters. Common species with high iFD can impart a stabilizing influence on their communities, information that can be important for conserving biodiversity under environmental change.     

浙江古田山自然保护区鸟类群落生态研究

对古田山地区鸟类进行的调查表明:该地区鸟类群落的主要鸟类共计48种,其中优势种有14种,占29.17％。根据鸟类生境的分布系数分析。中性分布型有(25—100％)28种,占58.33％。不同生境内鸟类群落的种类数目和群体密度存在差异,结构复杂的生境,其鸟类群落由三个分布群组成,如农田村落、农田河滩、混交林和阔叶林;结构简单的生境,如竹林、针叶林和迹地灌丛,其鸟类群落由二个分布群所组成。各种鸟类分布群在鸟类群落内的比例随栖息地结构的变化而改变。由于栖息地结构的变化同样也导致鸟类群落其他参数的变化,如Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Simpson优势度、种间相遇机率PIE等。     

The role of chemical information in shaping the spatial activity of bank voles in a free-living population

A field experiment was carried out in two types of forest environment — a relatively homogenous mixed coniferous forest with low plant species diversity and a reach and spatially differentiated alder wood. Spatial variation in activity of voles was sampled by placing ink pads and paper inside PVC waterpipes laid in a line on the forest floor. In the first stage of the experiment, use of space by bank volesClethrionomys glareolus (Schreber, 1780) was analysed without any bait in track collection tubes. In the second stage, we used an attractant in the form of scent collected from alien bank vole individuals of different sex (males, females), age (juveniles, adults) and physiological state (sexually active and not active). In the coniferous forest the distribution of number of visits in tracking tubes was of aggregated character both before and after providing odour of alien individuals. In the alder wood the aggregation level that had been initially lower than in the coniferous forest increased after providing scent. As a consequence, placing scent of alien individuals resulted in decreasing differences in animal distribution in both habitats. The results allow also to the supposition that the reaction to scent depends on sex, age, and the physiological state of the donor.     

青海互助北山国家森林公园不同生境的蝶类多样性研究

为了进一步探讨高海拔地区蝴蝶种类和数量与生境结构之间的关系,1993–1997年每年的7月对互助北山国家森林公园不同生境类型(谷间平原、温性草原、针阔叶混交林、高寒灌丛草甸)中蝶类群落的结构、数量和多样性进行了调查。共获得蝴蝶标本4,745头,86种,隶属于8科57属。种类较丰富的类群主要有:粉蝶科豆粉蝶属(Colias)6种、菜粉蝶属(Pieris)5种、绢粉蝶属(Aporia)4种、云粉蝶属(Pontia)3种,蛱蝶科网蛱蝶属(Melitaea)3种;个体数量以粉蝶科和灰蝶科为最多。不同的生境蝶类在种类组成和个体数量上有明显差异,其中以针阔叶混交林物种数(44种)最多,谷间平原个体数量(1,969只)最多。物种多样性指数以针阔叶混交林中最高,高寒灌丛草甸最低;均匀度以针阔叶混交林最高,谷间平原最低;优势度以高寒灌丛草甸最高。从不同生境蝶类成分的特有性上分析,特有属和特有种含量高低依次为针阔叶混交林(20属24种)>高寒灌丛草甸(8属8种)>谷间平原(6属7种)>温性草原(5属6种)。不同生境类型间蝶类种类的相似性系数在0–0.4259之间。蝶类种类组成的聚类分析结果显示:谷间平原与温性草原最先聚为一类,然后与针阔叶混交林聚为一类,最后与高寒灌丛草甸聚为一类。为保护该地区的蝶类物种多样性,应加大宣传力度,建立自然保护区,继续加强本底资源调查。     

水鹿冬季生境选择性的初步分析

1996年10月至12月,用样带法对井冈山水鹿冬季生境选择进行了研究,分析和讨论了林型、隐蔽程度、坡度、离水源距离、人为干扰程度、坡向、坡位、海拔这8类生态因子对水鹿生境选择的作用。发现井冈山水鹿冬季以针叶林、常绿阔叶林和针阔混交林为主要生境。     

The cost of habitat selection in prairie voles: an empirical assessment using isodar analysis

The ideal free distribution assumes that habitat selection is without cost and predicts that fitness should be equal in different habitats. If habitat selection has a cost, then individuals should only move to another habitat when potential fitness in the new habitat exceeds that in the source habitat by an amount greater than the cost of habitat selection. We used isodar techniques to assess the cost of habitat selection. In an experimental landscape, we monitored density, movement, and reproductive success of adult female prairie voles, Microtus ochrogaster, in adjacent paired habitats with low and high cover. We tested the following hypotheses: (1) adult female prairie voles exhibited density-dependent habitat selection; (2) the cost of habitat selection was density-independent. Habitat quality based on population density and fitness of adult females was higher in high cover habitats. Net movement was from low cover to high cover habitats. The results indicated that adult female prairie voles exhibited density-dependent habitat selection. Furthermore, there was a significant cost of habitat selection, and the cost was density-independent.     

犬尾田鼠在斑块生境中更喜好内部区域

我们在斑块化的景观中实验测定了犬尾田鼠(Microtus canicaudus)的生境喜好,验证下列假说:在一斑块生境中,与边缘区域相比,雌性田鼠喜好内部区域.在低密度和高密度时成年雌性的巢区在生境内部区域分别占100% 和76%.高密度时在边缘区域雌性的捕获率较低,这种差异在低密度时更突出.在高密度时通过选择性去除生境内部和边缘区域的一些雌体,边缘区域13只雌体中8只(占62%)的巢区发生从边缘到内部区域的转移,内部区域20只雌体中只有3只(占15%)的巢区向边缘区域转移.动物的繁殖率、生存和体重在两个区域之间没有差异.但是,边缘区域个体的巢区比内部区域的要小.这些结果支持一些关于其他啮齿动物的研究观察结果(如鼠平类和田鼠类),但与草原田鼠不同.因此在一斑块生境中,与边缘区域相比,长尾田鼠更喜好内部区域,边缘区域与内部区域的比率可潜在影响动物的生境选择,也可能会影响斑块化生境中的种群统计学特征.     

大雾岭保护区穿山甲冬季生境选择

1999年12月至2001年2月,对大雾岭自然保护区穿山甲冬季栖息地的选择进行了研究,结果表明对林型选择的先后次序为针阔混交林、灌木丛、常绿阔叶林、针叶林;最偏爱针阔混交林,最不喜爱针叶林.多选择陡坡(30～ 60°);干扰源距离较远(>1 000 m),干扰程度小;林下草灌层盖度高(81% ～ 100%),隐蔽程度好; 阳坡或半阴半阳坡;中低海拔(760 ～ 1 500 m);中下坡位;水源距离较近(<500 m);乔木郁闭度适中(31% ～ 70%)的生境.较少选择上坡位,林下草灌层中低(0 ～ 50%),乔木郁闭度偏高(71%～ 100%)或偏低(0～ 30%),阴坡的生境.对洞口设置的要求是多朝南,而且要求隐蔽条件好,多数为全隐蔽或半隐蔽;最不喜爱将洞口设置在裸露、隐蔽程度差的生境,强力避免洞口向北.坡度、干扰源距离和林下草灌层盖度是影响穿山甲冬季栖息地选择的关键环境因子.     

Density-dependent habitat selection: Testing the theory with fitness data

Summary According to density-dependent habitat selection theory, reproductive success should decline with increased density. Fitness should be similar between habitats if habitat selection follows an ideal free distribution; fitness should be dissimilar between habitats if habitat selection is modified by territorial behavior. I tested these assumptions by examining a variety of fitness estimates obtained from white-footed mice living in nest boxes in forest, forest edge and fencerow habitats in southwestern Ontario. As expected, mean litter size declined with increased population density. Litter sizes, adult longevity and the proportion of adult animals in breeding condition were not significantly different among the three habitats. The success at recruiting at least one offspring to the adult population and the number of recruits per litter were much greater in the forest than in either of the other two habitats. Fitness was thus unequal among habitats and the results confirm both assumptions of density-dependent habitat selection theory for territorial white-footed mice.     

The effects of habitat manipulation on population distribution and foraging behavior in meadow voles

Individuals, free to choose between different habitat patches, should settle among them such that fitness is equalized. Alternatives to this ideal free distribution result into fitness differences among the patches. The concordance between fitnesses and foraging costs among inhabitants of different quality patches, demonstrated in recent studies, suggests that the mode of habitat selection and the resulting fitness patterns may have important implications to the resource use of a forager and to the survival of its prey. We studied how coarse scale selection between habitat patches of different quality and quitting harvest rate in these patches are related to each other and to fine scale patch use in meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus). To demonstrate these relationships, we manipulated habitat patches within large field enclosures by mowing vegetative cover and adding supplemental food according to a 2×2 factorial design. We tracked vole population densities, collected giving‐up densities (GUDs, a measure of patch quitting harvest rate), and monitored the removal of seeds from lattice grids with 1.5 m intervals (an index of fine‐scale space use) in the manipulated habitat patches. Changes in habitat quality induced changes in habitat use at different spatial scales. In preferred habitats with intact cover, voles were despotic and GUDs were low, but increased with the addition of food. In contrast, voles in less‐preferred mowed habitats settled into an ideal free distribution, GUDs were high and uninfluenced by the addition of food. Seed removal was enhanced by the presence of cover but inhibited by supplemental food. Across all treatments, vole densities and GUDs were strongly correlated making it impossible to separate their effects on seed removal rates. However, this relationship broke down in unmowed habitats, where GUDs rather than vole density primarily influenced seed removal by voles. GUDs and seed removal correlated with predation on tree seedlings formerly planted into the enclosures, demonstrating the mechanisms between coarse‐scale habitat manipulations and community level consequences on a forager's prey.     

Integrating population size analysis into habitat suitability assessment: implications for giant panda conservation in the Minshan Mountains,China

Compared to conventional approaches, the integration of population size analysis with habitat suitability assessment on a large scale can provide more evidence to explain the mechanisms of habitat isolation and fragmentation, and thus make regional conservation plans. In this paper, we analyzed the habitat suitability for giant pandas in the Minshan Mountains, China, using the ecological-niche factor analysis (ENFA) method, and then evaluated the current conservation status of this endangered species. The results showed that (1) giant pandas were distributed in a narrow altitudinal range in which vegetation cover was dominated by coniferous forest, mixed coniferous and deciduous broadleaf forest, and deciduous broadleaf forest with scattered bamboo understory, and (2) roads and human settlements had strong negative effects on the panda habitat selection. According to habitat analysis, the total habitat area of giant panda in the Minshan Mountains was 953,173 ha, which was fragmented into 12 habitat units by major roads, rivers, and human settlements. The habitat of the mid-Minshan was less fragmentized, but was seriously fragmented in the north. The panda population size estimation showed that 676 individuals inhabited the study area, and 94.53% of them were in the mid-Minshan, but small panda populations less than 30 individuals inhabited the isolated and fragmented habitat patches in the north. The nature reserves in the Minshan Mountains have formed three conservation groups, which covered 41.26% of panda habitat and protected 70.71% of panda population of the study area, but there still exists two conservation gaps, and the connectivity among these reserves is still weak. Due to habitat isolation and extensive human disturbances, giant pandas in the north (i.e., Diebu, Zhouqu, and Wudou) are facing threats of local extinction. In order to protect pandas and their habitats in this area, some effective conservation approaches, such as establishing new reserves in gap areas, creating corridors among patches, and seasonally controlling traffic flux in key roads, should be implemented in the future to link these isolated habitats together.     

Habitat selection of feral cats (Felis catus) on a temperate,forested island

Abstract Habitat selection of mammalian predators is known to be influenced by availability and distribution of prey. The habitat selection of feral cats on Stewart Island, southern New Zealand, was investigated using telemetry of radio‐tagged cats. Compositional analysis of the habitat selection of radio‐tagged cats showed they were using the available habitats non‐randomly. Feral cats avoided subalpine shrubland and preferentially selected podocarp‐broadleaf forest. The avoidance of subalpine shrubland by cats was probably due to a combination of the presence of a large aggressive prey species, Norway rats Rattus norvegicus, and the lack of rain‐impervious shelter there. Most cats also used subalpine shrubland more often in dry weather than in wet weather. Cats did not preferentially select all the other habitats with only smaller rat species, Rattus rattus and Rattus exulans, present however. Cats were probably further influenced by the availability of large trees, in podocarp‐broadleaf forest, that can provide shelter. Cats were also more active in dry rather than wet weather which supports this conclusion. Home ranges of feral cats on Stewart Island were some of the largest recorded, probably because of limited primary and alternative prey.     

A preliminary assessment of the habitat selection of two Palaearctic migrant passerine species in West Africa

We investigated the habitat selected by two Palaearctic migrants (Pied Flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca, Willow Warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus) in a patchy landscape in Ivory Coast and compared it with the habitat selection of Afrotropical species in the same foraging guilds. Transect counts were used to test the hypothesis that migrants use more open and more seasonal habitats and have a broader use of habitats compared with resident species. Habitats compared were, in order of decreasing tree density, gallery forest, an isolated forest and bush/tree savanna. The isolated forest had the most pronounced seasonal changes (deciduous trees) and was the one with the most diverse vegetation structure. The habitat where both migrants were most frequent was the isolated forest, and thus occurred in the habitat with the most pronounced seasonal change. Diversity of habitats selected was highest in migrants but in the Pied Flycatcher this was possibly an artefact due to subdominant individuals being excluded from the preferred habitat by territorial birds. Potential competition for habitat with Afrotropical species was found to be low.     

Leaf-cutting ant nests support less dense and impoverished seed assemblages in a human-modified Caatinga dry forest

Regenerating forests make up an increasingly large portion of tropical landscapes worldwide and regeneration dynamics may be influenced by leaf-cutting ants (LCA), which proliferate in disturbed areas and collect seeds for fungus culturing. Here, we investigate how LCA influences seed fate in human-modified areas of Caatinga dry forest. We evaluate the seed deposition and predation on Atta opaciceps nests, foraging habitat surrounding nest and control habitat away of nest influence of 15 colonies located along a forest cover gradient during the rainy and dry seasons. For each habitat, four 50-cm² plots were established and all seeds on the soil surface were collected along 1 year. We recorded 13,628 seeds distributed among 47 species and 36.57% of the total seeds did not show any sign of predation. Nest mound habitats supported low-density and species-poor seed assemblages, which were taxonomically distinct from the control habitats. These effects only occurred in the rainy season. The proportion of undamaged seeds were similar across the habitats. While forest cover did not influence seed assemblage in terms of species richness or seed predation, it did interact with habitat type via increments in seed abundance as forest cover increased across the nests. Forest cover also affected seed composition, but only in the rainy season. These results indicate that LCA decrease seed deposition in areas under their influence, particularly on the nest mounds. As LCA profit from human disturbance in the Caatinga, their role as seed ‘sinks’ should be enhanced in disturbed Caatinga patches, particularly during the rainy season, when most of the plant recruitment occurs. Our findings reinforce the importance of LCA as drivers of forest dynamics and resilience in human-modified landscapes.     

Climate-induced changes in the small mammal communities of the Northern Great Lakes Region

We use museum and other collection records to document large and extraordinarily rapid changes in the ranges and relative abundance of nine species of mammals in the northern Great Lakes region (white-footed mice, woodland deer mice, southern red-backed voles, woodland jumping mice, eastern chipmunks, least chipmunks, southern flying squirrels, northern flying squirrels, common opossums). These species reach either the southern or the northern limit of their distributions in this region. Changes consistently reflect increases in species of primarily southern distribution (white-footed mice, eastern chipmunks, southern flying squirrels, common opossums) and declines by northern species (woodland deer mice, southern red-backed voles, woodland jumping mice, least chipmunks, northern flying squirrels). White-footed mice and southern flying squirrels have extended their ranges over 225 km since 1980, and at particularly well-studied sites in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, small mammal assemblages have shifted from numerical domination by northern species to domination by southern species. Repeated resampling at some sites suggests that southern species are replacing northern ones rather than simply being added to the fauna. Observed changes are consistent with predictions from climatic warming but not with predictions based on recovery from logging or changes in human populations. Because of the abundance of these focal species (the eight rodent species make up 96.5% of capture records of all forest-dwelling rodents in the region and 70% of capture records of all forest-dwelling small mammals) and the dominating ecological roles they play, these changes substantially affect the composition and structure of forest communities. They also provide an unusually clear example of change that is likely to be the result of climatic warming in communities that are experienced by large numbers of people.     

长白山红松针阔叶混交林林下光合有效辐射的基本特征

利用长白山红松针阔叶混交林连续3年的光合有效辐射（PAR）观测数据,与林冠上方PAR值相对比,分析了林冠下5个不同水平位置探头的PAR时空特征.结果表明:林木冠层上方的PAR日总量年变化呈双峰甚至多峰趋势,主要受降水和云雾等天气状况的影响;林下PAR日总量年变化表现为非生长季与冠层上方变化趋势一致,在生长季数值较小且趋于稳定.典型晴天时林下5个探头的PAR值在时间和大小分布上有较大差异.在空间变化上,非生长季林下PAR变异系数较小,约为0.15;生长季的变异系数较大,在0.22以上,最高值在8月.生长季典型晴天太阳高度角为38°～48°区间(9：00—10：00和13：00—14：00)时,林下PAR空间变化较大.