Pleistocene camelids from the Syrian Desert: The diversity in El Kowm

The family Camelidae has been present in Eurasia since the latest Miocene, and several species are recognized, but their evolution is poorly known. The region of El Kowm, central Syria, includes several sites spanning the Early to Late Pleistocene and provides the only abundant fossil record of camelids in the Middle East. Our preliminary results show that several species are present over the sequence, revealing some surprising evolutionary trends.     

SPATIAL AND SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE HUMPBACK WHALE, MEGAPTERA NOVAEANGLIAE, IN THE MEXICAN PACIFIC

From observations of the spatial distribution of humpback whales in the Mexican Pacific between 1981 and 1986, it is possible to recognize four subregions: 1) the southern coast of Baja California; 2) the northern Gulf of California, including the Midriff Islands; 3) the mainland coast of Mexico, including the Isla Isabel and Islas Tres Marias and 4) the Revillagigedo Archipelago. The seasonal distribution of whales near the Mexican mainland and the Revillagigedo Archipelago extends from November to May and is similar to that of other winter breeding grounds, including the Hawaiian Islands. Along the southern coast of Baja California, whales have been observed from September to April, possibly indicating a shorter migratory route. In the northern Gulf of California, however, humpback whales have been reported throughout the year and are occasionally observed feeding during both summer and winter months. The degree of individual movement between the four subregions is still unknown. The number of individual humpback whales identified photographically in recent years suggests that there ate more whales in the Mexican Pacific than previously reported.     

Species diversity and microsite divergence of insects at “Evolution Canyon”, Lower Nahal Oren,Mt. Carmel,Israel (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

Abstract

Local differences in species richness and abundance of buprestid beetles were studied at the microsite “Evolution Canyon”, Lower Nahal Oren, Mt. Carmel, Israel, a model conceived for studying biodiversity evolution in a microcosm of life in nature. 39 species were collected at the microsite, and species richness was higher on the more arid and microclimatically stressful and variable south-facing slope than on the milder, more humid and relatively homogeneous north-facing slope. The interslope differences in abundance were significant in five species. New larval host plants were added for nine species, as well as new data about the regional distribution of buprestid beetles. The results support earlier conclusions in various groups of organisms across phylogeny.     

笼养褐马鸡繁殖期与非繁殖期行为观察与比较

2014年4-10月,利用焦点个体取样法与连续记录法对北京市野生动物救护繁育中心饲养的褐马鸡Crossoptilon mantchuricum繁殖期以及非繁殖期的行为时间分配和活动节律进行了研究。统计了不同性别与不同季节的行为时间分配差异。在繁殖期,雌性褐马鸡的取食时间大于雄性,而雄性褐马鸡的移动、警戒行为时间大于雌性。在非繁殖期,雌雄褐马鸡行为差异变小,但雄性褐马鸡的警戒行为仍然较多。     

圈养大熊猫发情期间行为变化和活动节律研究

在发情期,对动物行为时间分配和活动节律的认识将有助于濒危动物繁育质量的提高。大熊猫为季节性单次发情动物,雄性发情期可持续30 d左右,而雌性大熊猫为几天至十几天,高峰期仅为1~3 d,且有与雄性不同步发情的现象。因此,进行发情期行为学方面的研究则显得尤为重要。采用瞬时扫描取样法和全事件记录法,于2013年3月1日—4月30日对成都大熊猫繁育研究基地的8只发情期大熊猫进行行为时间变化和活动节律研究,每只每周记录2 d数据。结果表明:休息行为是发情期最主要的行为方式(雄性约46%,雌性约53%),其次是摄食和运动行为,而探究、求适和发情行为则较少,发情行为主要出现在00:00—03:00、09:00—11:00和15:00—17:00等3个时段,可配对交配;发情期雌雄个体在休息、求适、运动和发情行为上的差异有高度统计学意义(P<0.01),在探究行为上的差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),而在摄食行为上的差异则无统计学意义;且发情、探究行为与运动行为呈显著正相关(P<0.01)。对发情期圈养大熊猫昼夜活动行为的研究将为大熊猫的人工繁育及其配种提供行为学方面的理论依据。     

Red-rumped Wheatear,Oenanthe moesta,in Turkey

Abstract

Even in areas with a rich insect life inhabited by several species of swallows and swifts, different preferences and species assemblages during aerial hunting can be observed. Geographical differences in distribution and abundance, different habitat preferences, time of season and day as well as different range of hunting flights will influence local species assemblages and coexistence during aerial hunting.     

Grey-headed Woodpecker,Picus canus,in north-eastern Turkey

Abstract

A new record of the Grey-headed Woodpecker in north-eastern Turkey shows, together with published results, that the species apparently is distributed in low density over the whole Black Sea region of Turkey.