Reproduction in captive Taiwan macaques (Macaca cyclopis) in comparison to other common macaque species

Twenty-five years of reproductive and birth data from a Macaca cyclopis colony at the New England Regional Primate Research Center (NERPRC) indicate that these animals are seasonal breeders with a birth peak between February and May. Interbirth intervals have a mean of 587.5 ± 45.6 days. The age at first reproduction for females is 5.08 ±.357 years and for males 5.01 ± .94. The normal menstrual cycle length ranges from 24–31 (mean 27.9 ± .506) days, with “offseason” long cycles ranging from 43–69 days. For 10 females studied prospectively, the sex skin color cycle ranged from 23–34 days and exhibited no long cycles. The peak estradiol value was 1.35 nmol/L on day 11 (range 10–12) of the menstrual cycle. Estradiol values ranged from 0.7–2.0 nmol/L. The peak progesterone value was 23 nmol/L on day 21 (17–23). Progesterone levels ranged from 10–42 nmol/L. The observed lower fecundability of M. cylopis in a timed mating program is consistent with later ages at first reproduction and longer interbirth compared to the other species in breeding colonies at NERPRC. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Differentiall behavioral and adrenocortical responses to stress among three macaque species

Behavioral and adrenocortical responses of rhesus (Macaca mulatta), bonnet (M. radiata), and crabeating (M. fascicularis) macaques were compared in their home cages, during exposure to novelty and during physical restraint. Both behavioral and adrenocortical responses differentiated species in each condition. In all conditions, post-test corticosteroid levels were highest for crabeaters and lowest for rhesus. Rhesus were the most active behaviorally, and bonnets were the most passive, while crabeaters exhibited the greatest signs of behavioral disturbance. Relationships between adrenocortical and behavioral responses varied between groups. Both adrenocortical and behavioral profiles were in accord with the behavior of these three species under more natural conditions. The role of psychophysiological responses in general behavioral dispositions toward the environment is discussed. It is concluded that behavioral dispositions, inclusive of psychophysiological responses, may vary qualitatively even among closely related primate species.     

Comparison of stone handling behavior in two macaque species: implications for the role of phylogeny and environment in primate cultural variation

This study describes the stone handling (SH) behavior of captive rhesus macaques and compares it with that of a captive troop of Japanese macaques with reference to the relative contributions of phylogeny-driven behavioral propensities, environmental differences and socially facilitated learning to the formation of culture. These systematically collected data demonstrate for the first time that two closely related macaque species might share a common cultural behavior, SH. The rhesus troop displayed SH behavioral patterns that was already described in Japanese macaque troops. The one exception was a new pattern not yet seen in any Japanese macaque troop. Differences in the physical environment of the two study enclosures may be responsible for some of the variation in observed SH behavioral patterns in these two troops. These data support the idea that environmental factors can be important for the formation of cultural variation, when the key materials needed to perform the behavior are present in both habitats (stones). Our results are consistent with the prediction made by Huffman and Hirata [The biology of tradition: Models and evidence. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p 267-296] that an interactive triad of phylogenetic, environmental and social factors can be responsible for the formation of cultural variation in primates.     

Hematologic reference values for the fetal long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis)

Complete blood counts (CBCs) were performed on 68 fetal macaque blood samples collected from 31 fetuses by repeat ultrasound-guided cardiocentesis (gestational day [GD] 80–150; term ～ GD 165) with the goal of defining normative hematologic reference values during prenatal life. Lymphocytes were the primary white blood cells (WBCs) observed throughout gestation. Segmented neutrophils were the second highest percent of WBCs and were noted to rise significantly during GD 130–140. Overall, WBCs increased progressively throughout gestation with a transient decline at the beginning of the third trimester (～ GD 110). A steady linear rise in red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin, and hematocrit was observed with a marginal decline close to term; mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) showed a consistent linear decline throughout gestation whereas mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) remained relatively stable. Nucleated RBCs (NRBCs per 100 WBCs) were present on GD 80, showed a sharp decline mid-second trimester (～ GD 90), and were significantly diminished by the beginning of the third trimester (～ GD 110). No quantitative changes in platelets were noted throughout the study period. Evaluations of erythrocyte morphology indicated polychromasia and anisocytosis as typical characteristics throughout gestation with rare occurrence of hypochromasia and poikilocytosis. Howell-Jolly bodies were intermittently observed. These data reveal distinct similarities when compared to prenatal hematologic characteristics for human fetuses and provide baseline data which can be applied to experimental studies where prenatal hematopoietic/hematologic toxicity may be anticipated. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Physiology of maternal separation in a bonnet macaque infant

A bonnet monkey infant (M. radiata) was monitored both physiologically and behaviorally during a separation experiment in which both its mother and other conspecifiecs were removed from its social group leaving the bonnet infant with three adult pigtailed females. The separated infant exhibited the characteristic slouched posture of depression and physiological changes including decreases in the heart rate and body temperature, increases in cardiac arrhythmias, and alterations in sleep patterns, as has been previously described in separated pigtailed infants. Persistent decreases in heart rate and body temperature were noted following reunion with the mother, possibly reflecting a disturbance in the mother-infant relationship secondary to the mother's having come into estrus during the period of separation. This study indicates that the physiological correlates of maternal separation previously described in pigtailed infants are not species specific.     

Reproduction of wild Japanese macaque females of Yakushima and Kinkazan Islands: A preliminary report

Wild Japanese macaque females of the Yakushima and Kinkazan populations exhibited similar reproductive features. (1) Births/female/year (BR: 0.27–0.35) was lower than those of provisioned troops, but (2) infant mortality (IM: 0.23–0.25) was higher than those of provisioned troops. (3) The interbirth interval (IBI) following the death of infants was 1.5–1.6 years, shorter than that following surviving infants (2.2–2.4 yrs). (4) Birth sex ratio (BSR) did not differ from 1∶1. There was no consistent correlation between (5) female age and IM, (6) maternal rank and offspring BSR, or (7) maternal rank and reproductive success. On the other hand, (8) BR of Yakushima females was significantly lower than that of Kinkazan females. In particular, (9) Yakushima females stopped reproduction earlier than Kinkazan females, although (10) the first birth of Yakushima females was about one year earlier than Kinkazan females. (11) BR exhibited a humped curve against female age in Yakushima, but it was uncertain whether old-aged females of Kinkazan exhibited a post-reproductive life span (PRLS). (12) The survivorship for female juveniles was lower than that for male juveniles in Yakushima, whereas the survivorship for male juveniles was lower than that for female juveniles in Kinkazan. These data may indicate that Yakushima females more severely compete for resources than Kinkazan females, because of high population density, whereas the population density of Kinkazan might be limited by climate (e.g. heavy snow) rather than density dependent ecological effects.     

New Taxa of Morus (Moraceae) from China

Three New species and one new variety of the genus Morus (Moraceae) are described from China. They are Morus gongshanensis, M. hastifolia, M. trilobata, M. mongolicavar. longicaudata.     

我国鼎湖山小皮伞属的分类研究

本文报道了广东鼎湖山小皮伞属(Marasmius Fr．)的34个种,其中新种4个,国内新记录20个。新种为拟花味小皮伞(M·pseudo-euosmus Zheng et Bi sp nov.),近刚毛小皮伞(M. subsetiger Bi et Zheng sp. Nov.),脐状小皮伞(M．Umbilieatus Bi et Zheng sp．nov．)及 近血红小皮伞(M. subaimaru Bi sp．nov.)。     

盘单毛孢属与五隔盘单毛孢属的新种*

盘单毛孢属的7个新种与五隔盘单毛孢属的1个新种被报道,它们是鱼尾葵盘单毛孢、苏铁盘单毛孢、杜英盘单毛孢、藤黄盘单毛孢、毛状盘单毛孢、圆柏盘单毛孢、萨拉卡棕盘单毛孢及枇杷五隔盘单毛孢。     

中国多辐藻属(Myriactula)三个新记录种

报道中国产粘膜藻科(Leathesiaceae)多辐藻属(Myriactula)三个新记录种:阿拉伯多辐藻(Myriactula arabica)、粗丝多辐藻(M.clavata)和马尾多辐藻(M.sargassi)。     

中国叉丝壳属分类研究——Ⅴ.忍冬科上的新种和已知种

本文报道寄生于我国忍冬科植物上的叉丝壳属白粉菌5个种:双盾叉丝壳Microsphacra dipeltae Yu et Lai sp. nov., 二郎山叉丝壳M. erlangshanensis Yu sp. nov.,忍冬叉丝壳M. lonicerae(DC.)Winter,万布叉丝壳M. van-brunctiana Gerard和荚蒾叉丝壳M.viburni(Duby)Blumer,前二者为新种;对新种作了汉文和拉丁文描述,并附有形态图。每一个种都列有寄主种类和国内外分布,并讨论了它们与邻近种之间的区别。     

小菇属三新种

本文报道了产自吉林省的小菇属(Myceno)三个新种:具核小菇(M.nucleata X.He et X.D.Fang),黄囊小菇(M.xanthocystidium X.He et.X.D.Fang)和棘囊小菇(M.brevispina X.He et X.D.Fang)。     

Carotenoids in petals of some perennial Medicago species

The petal carotenoids of several Medicago species, some of them considered as intermediate between the genera Medicago L. and Trigonella L. were investigated. Characteristics common to all species were: (a) the carotene fraction was small (0·2–4·4%) compared with the xanthophylls and their epoxy derivatives, (b) lutein, lutein-5,6-epoxide and violaxanthin constituted 83·7–98·1% of total content and thus were the prominent group in all species, (c) no single carotenoid of appreciable amount was characteristic to any species, (d) groups of related species tended to have similar quantities of major carotenoids.     

Comparative study of the mandibular gland secretion of four species of Myrmica ants

The mandibular glands of the two species of ant, Myrmica ruginodis and Myrmica sabuleti contain a similar mixture of compounds, but the proportions are different. M. sabuleti produces ethanol, propanone, methylpropanal, 3-hexanone, 3-hexanol, 3-heptanone, 3-heptanol, 3-octanone, 3-octanol, 6-methyl-3-octanone, 6-methyl-3-octanol and 3-decanone. With the exception of 3-decanone these compounds were also found in M. ruginodis. These compounds were also found in M. rubra and M. scabrinodis.In both species now studied, the mandibular gland contents attract the workers and cause a large increase in their linear speed. In M. sabuleti these behavioural activities are due to 3-octanone and 3-octanol: the attraction of these two compounds in a synthetic mixture is exactly like that of an isolated mandibular gland; the compounds act in synergy to cause an increase in the ants' linear speed. Workers of M. ruginodis specifically respond to a mixture of ethanol, 3-octanone and 3-octanol: the alcohol only moderates the ethological action of the ketone, which is a true attractant and causes a very large increase in the ants' velocity; ethanol also attracts workers, acting in this respect in synergy with 3-octanone.These chemical and behavioural results are combined with those previously reported (Cammaerts-Tricot, 1973; Morganet al., 1978) to explain the responses of M. rubra, M. ruginodis, M. sabuleti and M. scabrinodis workers to isolated mandibular glands from each of these four species.     

Minidiscus,a New Recorded Nanodiatom Genus for China

Minidiscus trioculatus, M. comicus and M. chilensis are new records for China, and M. subtilis, is a new species. They differ from Thalassiosira species by their strutted processes and one single labiate process being distant from valve margin and they differ from each other by their areola patterns on valves and distribution patterns of strutted processes and the labiate process. A key to the species of Minidiscus is given. Minidiscus subtilis Gao, Cheng et Chin sp. nov., figs 7-8 Valves disc-shaped, slightly concave in center, weakly silicified, 3.5-5.5μm in diameter. Areola unequally radiate-striate, striae 8.5 / lμm. A narrow valve mantle without striae. Three strutted processes and a single labiate process located in the central area of the valve. Among them, one strutted process in the very center with the other two adjacent to it, forming an isometric triangle with the labiate process between the two subcentral strutted processes. Two small satellite pores in each base of the strutted processes. M. subtilis differs from M. chilensis mainly by their radiate striae continuously distributed from the valve center tothe margin.     

Morphological, morphometric, meristic and osteological evidence for two species of hake (Actinopterygii: Gadiformes: Merluccius) in Argentinean waters

Morphologically, both classic and landmark-based morphometry and meristic analyses of 241 specimens of Merluccius, along with the re-examination of six paratype specimens of Merluccius hubbsi, the holotype and three paratypes of Merluccius patagonicus and the syntype of Merluccius australis revealed the presence of only two species of Merluccius in Argentinean waters. Internal structures (hyomandibula, urohyal and sagitta otolith) of M. hubbsi were compared to those reported for M. patagonicus and were shown to have identical morphology. Type specimens of M. patagonicus showed a complete overlap in morphometric and meristic characters with M. hubbsi, whereas M. australis had a greater number of second dorsal and anal-fin rays, and more lateral-line scales. In addition, M. australis had a smaller eye and longer snout than M. hubbsi and M. patagonicus. The results indicate that there is no evidence for a third hake species in Argentinean waters. Merluccius patagonicus is a synonym of M. hubbsi.     

建立液相芯片方法检测鉴别结核分枝杆菌复合群、鸟分枝杆菌与副结核分枝杆菌

运用液相芯片技术原理,以分枝杆菌菌种(群)特异基因序列IS6110、IS1081、IS1245和F57为目标基因,设计筛选4套扩增引物和杂交探针,建立同时检测鉴别结核分枝杆菌复合群、鸟分枝杆菌和副结核分枝杆菌的四重液相基因芯片检测方法。对13种共54株分枝杆菌菌株以及23种常见微生物样品的检测结果显示,四重液相芯片方法可特异检测鉴别目标菌种(群),与其它分枝杆菌菌种或微生物无非特异交叉反应;检测敏感性达2.1×101-2.5×102基因拷贝或0.06-0.74 fg DNA;组内检测变异系数和组间检测变异系数均<10%。采用四重液相芯片方法从临床结核疑似人痰样和牛组织样品中检出结核致病菌,检出率分别达75.6%(99/131)和94.9%(37/39),显著高于培养法(38.9%和53.8%)。对副结核疑似临床样品的检测试验结果显示,四重液相芯片方法与荧光PCR方法的阳性符合率为83%(24/29)。对四重混合模板的检测试验结果显示该液相芯片方法可鉴别不同菌种混合感染。四重液相芯片方法的检测周期<1 d,其中对纯化DNA模板的检测时间可在2-3 h内完成。