四川省老河沟自然保护区兽类多样性红外相机调查

自然保护区的生物物种编目是区域性和全国性生物多样性研究与监测的基础,而红外相机调查技术已成为兽类物种编目的重要手段之一。老河沟自然保护区位于四川省岷山北部,位于大熊猫岷山种群分布核心地区,是2012年新建保护区。从2011-2014年,我们把保护区划分为1km×1km的方格,采用红外相机技术,对区内的兽类多样性进行了系统全面的调查。经过9,188个相机日的调查,共记录到分属7目18科的兽类。其中,有81,709份记录可以鉴定出具体物种,包括野生兽类24种,家畜1种（家狗）,分属5目14科,独立探测数总计1,766次。其余未能鉴定出具体物种的兽类记录为小型翼手目、食虫目和啮齿目动物。在24种野生兽类中,食肉目物种数最多,共4科9种;其次为偶蹄目（4科7种）与啮齿目（3科6种）。就独立探测数而言,偶蹄目兽类是记录到次数最多的类群（占总探测数43.97%）,其次是啮齿目（25.61%）和食肉目（22.44%）。被IUCN红色名录评估为“濒危EN”、“易危VU”和“近危NT”级别的物种各3种,被列为国家I级和II级重点保护野生动物的分别为4种和5种。本次调查对老河沟自然保护区内的大中型兽类进行了首次系统性编目,了解了区内兽类群落的物种组成、空间分布与相对多度,为后续的科研项目和保护管理提供了本底数据和基础信息。     

The role of wild mammals in the maintenance of Rift Valley fever virus

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic arbovirus affecting primarily domestic ruminants and humans. Numerous vector species are known or implicated in the transmission of RVFV. The role of mammals in the maintenance of RVFV, and the existence of a wild mammal reservoir in the epidemiologic cycle of RVFV, remain largely unknown. Our objective is to present a detailed review of studies undertaken on RVFV, often associated with wild mammals, with the aim of focusing future research on potential reservoirs of the virus. Natural and experimental infections related to RVFV in several mammalian orders, including Artiodactyla, Chiroptera, Rodentia, Primata (nonhuman), Perissodactyla, Carnivora, Proboscidea, Erinaceomorpha, and Lagomorpha, are reviewed; the first four orders have received the greatest attention. The possible role of wild ruminants, especially African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), is also discussed. Conflicting results have been published concerning rodents but, based on the literature, the likely candidate species include the African genera Arvicanthis and Micaelamys and the widely introduced roof rat (Rattus rattus). Members of the orders Chiroptera and Rodentia should receive greater attention associated with new research programs. For the other orders mentioned above, few data are available. We are unaware of any investigation concerning the orders Afrosoricida and Soricomorpha, which are represented in the geographic area of RVFV and can be abundant. As a first step to resolve the question of wild mammals as a reservoir of RVFV, serologic and virologic surveys should be promoted during epizootic periods to document infected wild animals and, in the case of positive results, extended to interepidemic periods to explore the role of wild animals as possible reservoirs.     

Diagnosis of hypothermia in the European hedgehog,Erinaceus europaeus,using infrared thermography

The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is the most common mammal species admitted to rescue centres in the UK. The temperature of a new admission is useful in assessing health status, hypothermia can indicate shock or impaired health, assessing this can be challenging due to their ability to curl tightly. Measuring body temperature using conventional rectal thermometers is not possible. In order to improve welfare and to maximise successful rehabilitation, it is important to incorporate new technology and understanding into husbandry, assessment and diagnostic protocols and practices used within these rescue centres. This study assessed and diagnosed hypothermia, a common condition of new arrivals as a result of shock, using corneal temperature as recorded by a FLIR E60bx infrared camera, at Prickles and Paws Hedgehog Rescue Centre, Cubert, Cornwall. Corneal temperatures were recorded ranging from 14.3 to 37.4 °C. The thermal camera provided greater accuracy over observational diagnosis made by rescue centre staff, with a significant difference between diagnostic categories, demonstrating misdiagnosis by observation alone of 42% of individuals.. There was a higher mortality within those diagnosed by IRT to be ‘mildly hypothermic’ or ‘hypothermic’, with death occurring within 72 h of diagnosis. These findings provide a basis for further research into the treatment of hypothermia in E. europaeus now that temperature can be more accurately assessed by non-invasive methods.     

Basal metabolic rates in mammals: taxonomic differences in the allometry of BMR and body mass

No single equation adequately describes the allometric relation between body mass and BMR for mammals. Least squares regression of log-transformed data for 248 eutherian species results in a line with a slope (-0.30) significantly different from that of Kleiber's line (-0.25). Interordinal comparisons of least squares regressions of log-transformed BMR and mass suggest that the Insectivora have a significantly steeper slope to their allometric relationship than do most other orders, while the non-insectivore orders are statistically homogeneous with respect to slope. With respect to elevation, Edentata have the lowest BMRs; Marsupialia, Primates and Chiroptera are indistinguishable from each other but above the edentates; Primates, Chiroptera, Rodentia, Lagomorpha and Carnivora form the next highest homogeneous grouping; and Artiodactyla have the highest BMRs, significantly greater than all but Lagomorpha and Carnivora. Analysis of intraordinal variation within the Rodentia suggests significant heterogeneity among families in BMR-mass allometry.     

Trypanosomes of small mammals in Iran

Trypanosomes in the subgenera Herpetosoma, Schizotrypanom and Megatrypanum were found in 31 small mammals representing nine species of the orders Rodentia, Insectivora and Chiroptera in Iran.     

Genome sizes in afrotheria, xenarthra, euarchontoglires, and laurasiatheria

Topical literature and Web site databases provide genome sizes for approximately 4,000 animal species, invertebrates and vertebrates, 330 of which are mammals. We provide the genome size for 67 mammalian species, including 51 never reported before. Knowledge of genome size facilitates sequencing projects. The data presented here encompassed 5 Metatheria (order Didelphimorphia) and 62 Eutheria: 15 Xenarthra, 24 Euarchontoglires (Rodentia), as well as 23 Laurasiatheria (22 Chiroptera and 1 species from Perissodactyla). Already available karyotypes supplement the haploid nuclear DNA contents of the respective species. Thus, we established the first comprehensive set of genome size measurements for 15 Xenarthra species (armadillos) and for 12 house-mouse species; each group was previously represented by only one species. The Xenarthra exhibited much larger genomes than the modal 3 pg DNA known for mammals. Within the genus Mus, genome sizes varied between 2.98 pg and 3.68 pg. The 22 bat species we measured support the low 2.63 pg modal value for Chiroptera. In general, the genomes of Euarchontoglires and Laurasiatheria were found being smaller than those of (Afrotheria and) Xenarthra. Interspecific variation in genome sizes is discussed with particular attention to repetitive elements, which probably promoted the adaptation of extant mammals to their environment.     

Chagas disease: control,elimination and eradication. Is it possible?

From an epidemiological point of view, Chagas disease and its reservoirs and vectors can present the following characteristics: (i) enzooty, maintained by wild animals and vectors, with broad occurrence from southern United States of America (USA) to southern Argentina and Chile (42ºN 49ºS), (ii) anthropozoonosis, when man invades the wild ecotope and becomes infected with Trypanosoma cruzi from wild animals or vectors or when the vectors and wild animals, especially marsupials, invade the human domicile and infect man, (iii) zoonosis-amphixenosis and exchanged infection between animals and humans by domestic vectors in endemic areas and (iv) zooanthroponosis, infection that is transmitted from man to animals, by means of domestic vectors, which is the rarest situation in areas endemic for Chagas disease. The characteristics of Chagas disease as an enzooty of wild animals and as an anthropozoonosis are seen most frequently in the Brazilian Amazon and in the Pan-Amazon region as a whole, where there are 33 species of six genera of wild animals: Marsupialia, Chiroptera, Rodentia, Edentata (Xenarthra), Carnivora and Primata and 27 species of triatomines, most of which infected with T. cruzi . These conditions place the resident populations of this area or its visitors - tourists, hunters, fishermen and especially the people whose livelihood involves plant extraction - at risk of being affected by Chagas disease. On the other hand, there has been an exponential increase in the acute cases of Chagas disease in that region through oral transmission of T. cruzi , causing outbreaks of the disease. In four seroepidemiological surveys that were carried out in areas of the microregion of the Negro River, state of Amazonas, in 1991, 1993, 1997 and 2010, we found large numbers of people who were serologically positive for T. cruzi infection. The majority of them and/or their relatives worked in piassava extraction and had come into contact with and were stung by wild triatomines in that area. Finally, a characteristic that is greatly in evidence currently is the migration of people with Chagas disease from endemic areas of Latin America to non-endemic countries. This has created a new dilemma for these countries: the risk of transmission through blood transfusion and the onus of controlling donors and treating migrants with the disease. As an enzooty of wild animals and vectors, and as an anthropozoonosis, Chagas disease cannot be eradicated, but it must be controlled by transmission elimination to man.     

浙江省兽类区系及地理分布

浙江省兽类区系过去有一些报道。Swinhoe(1874)曾记录宁波附近的毛冠鹿;Ping(秉志,1924)记录过定海1只幼抹香鲸;Sowerby(1933)又记述过浙江啮齿动物3种和Allen(1938-1940)浙江兽类43种;Ellerman ＆ Morrison-Scott(1951)记录浙江兽类26种;崔秀亭等(1959)报道了庆元县小型哺乳动物22种;诸葛阳(1962)报道过杭州市郊区啮齿类和食虫类12种;温业新等(1981)记述了浙江翼手类19种。最近我们查看了浙江博物馆收藏多年的兽类标本40种,其中为本省新记录的有9种。根据我们在1958-1960年、1962-1964年对本省兽类作过的调查资料,特别是1979-1981年比较系统地对杭州、加兴、金华、丽水、温州及舟山等地区的二十多个县,进行了调查。现将结果报道如下。     

四川地震灾区灾后一年农村小兽监测报告

为了了解四川汶川5.12大地震后灾区害鼠的种群数量变化和群落演替,预防鼠传疫病的发生,指导灾后的媒介生物控制和鼠源疫病防控。从2008年6月至2009年6月,每月对重灾区的都江堰、彭州、什邡、绵竹、北川和汶川6地灾区进行1次小兽(鼠情)监测。选择农田和村庄2种主要生境,采用夹日法进行调查。其中农田生境的捕获率达7.35%,主要捕获到啮齿目(Rodentia)和食虫目(Insectivora)两类,其中啮齿目为1.49%,食虫目鼩鼱科(Soricidae)为5.86%。捕获的种类有褐家鼠(Rattus norvegicus)、大足鼠(Rattus nitidus)、黄胸鼠(Rattus tanezumi)、小家鼠(Mus musculus)、黑线姬鼠(Apodemus agrarias)、巢鼠(Micromys minutus)、针毛鼠(Niviventer fulvescens)、四川短尾鼩(Anourosorex squamipes)与臭鼩(Suncus Murinus)。村庄区域的捕获率为12.50%,主要捕获的亦是食虫目鼩鼱科的四川短尾鼩,高达10.02%,啮齿目的捕获率为2.48%。捕获的种类有褐家鼠、黄胸鼠、小家鼠和四川短尾鼩。结果表明,经过灾后的各种控制措施,鼠害得到有效的控制,啮齿目种类的捕获率基本低于3%。但食虫目鼩鼱科的捕获率较高,特别是都江堰、彭州、什邡、绵竹四地的四川短尾鼩种群数量高于已有报道的同期水平,并维持较高的繁殖力,且大量进入房舍区域。另外,黑线姬鼠的繁殖率也不低。需密切关注四川短尾鼩和黑线姬鼠种群动态趋势。据以往类似研究结果,结合初步调查数据和从控制鼠传疾病的角度考虑,灾区鼠情的监测要有中长期的思想准备,至少持续3a以上时间。     

Sarcocystosis among Wild Captive and Zoo Animals in Malaysia

Sarcocystis sp. infection was investigated in 20 necropsied captive wild mammals and 20 birds in 2 petting zoos in Malaysia. The gross post-mortem lesions in mammals showed marbling of the liver with uniform congestion of the intestine, and for birds, there was atrophy of the sternal muscles with hemorrhage and edema of the lungs in 2 birds. Naked eye examination was used for detection of macroscopic sarcocysts, and muscle squash for microscopic type. Only microscopically visible cysts were detected in 8 animals and species identification was not possible. Histological examination of the sections of infected skeletal muscles showed more than 5 sarcocysts in each specimen. No leukocytic infiltration was seen in affected organs. The shape of the cysts was elongated or circular, and the mean size reached 254 × 24.5 µm and the thickness of the wall up to 2.5 µm. Two stages were recognized in the cysts, the peripheral metrocytes and large numbers of crescent shaped merozoites. Out of 40 animals examined, 3 mammals and 5 birds were positive (20%). The infection rate was 15% and 25% in mammals and birds, respectively. Regarding the organs, the infection rate was 50% in the skeletal muscles followed by tongue and heart (37.5%), diaphragm (25%), and esophagus (12.5%). Further ultrastructural studies are required to identify the species of Sarcocystis that infect captive wild animals and their possible role in zoonosis.     

三江源国家公园兽类物种多样性及区系分析

为了解三江源国家公园野生兽类的分布现状,2015-2017年对园区进行了实地调查。根据调查结果并参考相关文献资料,三江源国家公园内野生兽类共62种,分别隶属8目19科44属。园区内兽类呈现出物种多样性高,珍稀濒危物种多,特有种多的特点：三江源国家公园内的兽类物种多样性G-F指数为0.77,表明该区域物种多样性处于很高水平。根据中国物种红色名录,20个物种受威胁（极危、濒危和易危）,比例为32.26%,远高于国家整体水平;中国或青藏高原特有种29种,占46.77%。三江源国家公园在动物地理区划上属于古北界青藏区,在地理分布型上,以古北界成分为主,东洋界成分为辅,以古北界高山型成分最多,有25种,且资源量大,表明三江源国家公园的兽类以适应高寒气候的特殊种类为主。3个园区的平均动物区系相似性比较结果表明,长江源园区与澜沧江源园区为共同关系,黄河源园区与长江源园区和澜沧江源园区为密切关系。近些年,三江源地区的兽类保护工作取得了很好的效果,并得到国内外认可,本研究结合园区生物多样性和区系特点,根据保护现状,提出了今后的监测保护建议。     

Delirium prevalence in a Colombian hospital,association with geriatric syndromes and complications during hospitalization

BackgroundThe aim of this paper is to describe the prevalence of Delirium and the factors associated with its presentation and complications identified in a geriatric unit in Colombia.Material and methodsThis is a retrospective observational study that included all patients admitted consecutively for two years in a geriatric unit of a hospital in Bogotá, Colombia. We assessed delirium prevalence with the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). The independent variables were age, sex, functional impairment (Barthel < 90), malnutrition (MNA < 12), pressure ulcers at admission, state of the social support network, number of comorbidities, polypharmacy (5 or more drugs), complications such as ICU requirement, hospital stay, in-hospital functional impairment and mortality were also evaluated. As an exclusion criterion: not having CAM registered in the medical record, all the patients had this information.ResultsWe studied 1599 subjects with a mean age of 86 years (IQR 9). Delirium prevalence was 51.03%. Delirium was associated with a higher rate of: pressure ulcers on admission [OR 3.76 (CI 2.60–5.43 p < 0.001)], functional impairment [OR 2.38 (CI 1.79–3.16 p < 0.001)], malnutrition [OR 2.06 (CI 1.56–2.73 p < 0.001)], and infection [OR 1.46 (CI 1.17–1.82 p < 0.001)]. Moreover delirium has a higher association with mortality [OR 2.80 (1.03–7.54 p = 0.042)], in-hospital functional decline [OR 1.82 (1.41–2.36 p < 0.001)], and longer hospital stay [OR 1.04 (1.04–1.09 p = 0.006)]; independently of age, sex, pressure ulcers on admission, functional impairment, malnutrition, dementia, infection and limited social network.ConclusionOur study suggests that infectious diseases and geriatric syndromes such as, functional dependence, pressure ulcers, malnutrition or major cognitive impairment are independently associated with the presence of delirium on admission. Additionally, the presence of delirium is independently associated during hospitalization with complications, longer hospital stay, functional impairment and mortality.     

Antimicrobial Resistance in Escherichia coli Isolates from Swine and Wild Small Mammals in the Proximity of Swine Farms and in Natural Environments in Ontario, Canada

Wild animals not normally exposed to antimicrobial agents can acquire antimicrobial agent-resistant bacteria through contact with humans and domestic animals and through the environment. In this study we assessed the frequency of antimicrobial resistance in generic Escherichia coli isolates from wild small mammals (mice, voles, and shrews) and the effect of their habitat (farm or natural area) on antimicrobial resistance. Additionally, we compared the types and frequency of antimicrobial resistance in E. coli isolates from swine on the same farms from which wild small mammals were collected. Animals residing in the vicinity of farms were five times more likely to carry E. coli isolates with tetracycline resistance determinants than animals living in natural areas; resistance to tetracycline was also the most frequently observed resistance in isolates recovered from swine (83%). Our results suggest that E. coli isolates from wild small mammals living on farms have higher rates of resistance and are more frequently multiresistant than E. coli isolates from environments, such as natural areas, that are less impacted by human and agricultural activities. No Salmonella isolates were recovered from any of the wild small mammal feces. This study suggests that close proximity to food animal agriculture increases the likelihood that E. coli isolates from wild animals are resistant to some antimicrobials, possibly due to exposure to resistant E. coli isolates from livestock, to the resistance genes of these isolates, or to antimicrobials through contact with animal feed.     

龙溪—虹口国家级自然保护区兽类和鸟类多样性红外相机调查结果初报

掌握野生动植物本底资源是各级自然保护区生物多样性监测研究和保护管理的重要环节。为了建立龙溪-虹口国家级自然保护区内兽类和鸟类多样性资源的长期监测机制,于2013年9月至2014年11月,我们采用红外相机技术在龙溪沟和虹口峡谷等区域按公里网格布设了57个监测点,调查地面活动的兽类和鸟类。红外相机累计工作达11,847个工作日,共记录到兽类和鸟类物种61种,其中兽类5目12科21种,鸟类3目10科40种,包括猎隼（Falco cherrug）、光背地鸫（Zoothera mollissima）、长尾地鸫（Zoothera dixoni）、灰翅鸫（Turdus boulboul）、锈脸钩嘴鹛（Pomatorhinus erythrogenys）、红嘴鸦雀（Conostoma aemodium）和褐鸦雀（Paradoxornis unicolor）7种鸟类为保护区新记录种。调查到的兽类被列为国家I级和II级重点保护野生动物的分别为4种和5种,被IUCN红色名录评估为“濒危EN”和“易危VU” 的物种各3种,被评为 “近危NT”级别的物种有4种;鸟类被列为国家II级重点保护野生动物的有5种,被IUCN红色名录评估为“濒危EN”的物种有1种。本次调查补充更新了龙溪-虹口自然保护区地栖息鸟类名录,初步了解了保护区内地面活动大中型兽类和鸟类的物种组成和分布,为保护区建立野生动物红外相机常规监测和保护管理提供了基础数据。     

深圳兽类物种资源调查及其影响因素分析

2014年4月至2015年10月对深圳市不同区域的兽类进行实地调查,共调查到8目15科32属49种,其中翼手目4科12属24种占比达49.0%,啮齿目3科8属13种占比26.5%,食肉目3科5属5种占比10.2%,鼩形目1科3属3种占比6.1%,其他4个目各1种,分别占比2.0%;发现1种广东省兽类新纪录,8种深圳市兽类新纪录。按景观生态以及生境情况,将深圳市划分为11个区域,通过相关性分析发现,不同区域兽类物种丰富度与其人口密度呈负相关,与植被条件以及距市区距离呈显著正相关,但是与生境斑块面积没有显著相关性;多元回归分析表明,植被条件为最主要的影响因素,且植被条件、距市区距离、人口密度三者间具有相关性。与此同时,对所调查到兽类的栖息生活类型、区系特征、濒危现状等进行了分析。     

High Levels of Antimicrobial Resistance among Escherichia coli Isolates from Livestock Farms and Synanthropic Rats and Shrews in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam

In Mekong Delta farms (Vietnam), antimicrobials are extensively used, but limited data are available on levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among Escherichia coli isolates. We performed a structured survey of AMR in E. coli isolates (n = 434) from 90 pig, chicken, and duck farms. The results were compared with AMR among E. coli isolates (n = 234) from 66 small wild animals (rats and shrews) trapped on farms and in forests and rice fields. The isolates were susceptibility tested against eight antimicrobials. E. coli isolates from farmed animals were resistant to a median of 4 (interquartile range [IQR], 3 to 6) antimicrobials versus 1 (IQR, 1 to 2) among wild mammal isolates (P < 0.001). The prevalences of AMR among farmed species isolates (versus wild animals) were as follows: tetracycline, 84.7% (versus 25.6%); ampicillin, 78.9% (versus 85.9%); trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, 52.1% (versus 18.8%); chloramphenicol, 39.9% (versus 22.5%); amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, 36.6% (versus 34.5%); and ciprofloxacin, 24.9% (versus 7.3%). The prevalence of multidrug resistance (MDR) (resistance against three or more antimicrobial classes) among pig isolates was 86.7% compared to 66.9 to 72.7% among poultry isolates. After adjusting for host species, MDR was ∼8 times greater among isolates from wild mammals trapped on farms than among those trapped in forests/rice fields (P < 0.001). Isolates were assigned to unique profiles representing their combinations of susceptibility results. Multivariable analysis of variance indicated that AMR profiles from wild mammals trapped on farms and those from domestic animals were more alike (R² range, 0.14 to 0.30) than E. coli isolates from domestic animals and mammals trapped in the wild (R² range, 0.25 to 0.45). The results strongly suggest that AMR on farms is a key driver of environmental AMR in the Mekong Delta.     

A survey of intraspecific predation within the class Mammalia

The occurrence of cannibalism in mammals was studied during a general review of cannibalism (Polis, 1981). In total, there were 146 references documenting intraspecific predation in 75 species of mammals distributed between seven orders. Of these references, 138 refer to cannibalism whereas eight studies refer to intraspecific killing unaccompanied by cannibalism. Of the papers that specified the identity of both the predator and the prey, approximately 80% referred to infanticide (including cannibalism). It appears that infanticide often functions as part of a reproductive strategy. Juveniles and adults are occasional intraspecific prey for some species of Insectivora, Chiroptera, Primates, Lagomorpha, Rodentia, Carnivora, and Artio-dactyla. Cannibalism was best documented for the carnivores, rodents and primates. In general, cannibalism often occurs during normal predatory activities and is a function of low food availability, environmental stress, and a high density of conspecifics.     

Characterizing Pneumocystis in the Lungs of Bats: Understanding Pneumocystis Evolution and the Spread of Pneumocystis Organisms in Mammal Populations

Bats belong to a wide variety of species and occupy diversified habitats, from cities to the countryside. Their different diets (i.e., nectarivore, frugivore, insectivore, hematophage) lead Chiroptera to colonize a range of ecological niches. These flying mammals exert an undisputable impact on both ecosystems and circulation of pathogens that they harbor. Pneumocystis species are recognized as major opportunistic fungal pathogens which cause life-threatening pneumonia in severely immunocompromised or weakened mammals. Pneumocystis consists of a heterogeneous group of highly adapted host-specific fungal parasites that colonize a wide range of mammalian hosts. In the present study, 216 lungs of 19 bat species, sampled from diverse biotopes in the New and Old Worlds, were examined. Each bat species may be harboring a specific Pneumocystis species. We report 32.9% of Pneumocystis carriage in wild bats (41.9% in Microchiroptera). Ecological and behavioral factors (elevation, crowding, migration) seemed to influence the Pneumocystis carriage. This study suggests that Pneumocystis-host association may yield much information on Pneumocystis transmission, phylogeny, and biology in mammals. Moreover, the link between genetic variability of Pneumocystis isolated from populations of the same bat species and their geographic area could be exploited in terms of phylogeography.     

Sesamoids and Morphological Variation: a Hypothesis on the Origin of Rod-like Skeletal Elements in Aerial Mammals

Enigmatic rod-like skeletal structures that support compliant membranes (patagia) in aerial mammals have been often considered as neomorphic elements or as evolutionary novelties, and their origin has remained poorly understood. A potential source of skeletal plasticity and, probably, of morphofunctional innovations are sesamoids, which were recently demonstrated to have a common cellular origin with bone eminences. In this review, I compile information regarding anatomy, evolution, and development of rod-like skeletal elements in extant gliding and flying mammals and propose a working hypothesis on the origin of these structures. Rod-like skeletal elements, namely, the calcar in bats (Chiroptera), the unciform element in Anomaluridae (Rodentia), and the styliform cartilage in Pteromyini (Rodentia: Sciuridae), would derive from sesamoids, which, in turn, would have the same origin as eminences of long bones (or bones with a long-bone-like growth), i.e., calcaneus, ulna, and pisiform, respectively. Rod-like skeletal elements exhibit several features of sesamoids. However, further developmental data are needed to confirm this hypothesis, particularly whether these structures share a cellular origin and molecular developmental pathways with sesamoids and bone eminences. If this hypothesis were supported, a new role for sesamoids in generating morphofunctional innovations in mammals and, potentially, in other aerial amniotes, would be recognized. Rod-like skeletal elements, which are key in the evolution of aerial locomotion, might constitute an example of pre-existing traits that acquire novel functions through relatively little developmental plasticity.

     

利用红外相机监测四川大相岭自然保护区鸟兽物种多样性

红外相机调查技术已成为地栖兽类与鸟类物种多样性研究的重要手段之一, 2017年10月至2018年10月, 我们在四川大相岭自然保护区布设167台红外相机进行生物多样性监测。红外相机累计工作6,738个工作日, 共获得独立有效照片3,317张, 其中野生兽类2,673张、野生鸟类644张。鉴定出野生兽类5目14科23种, 野生鸟类5目11科33种。国家一级重点保护野生动物有3种, 即大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)、四川羚牛(Budorcas tibetanus)和林麝(Moschus berezovskii); 国家二级重点保护野生动物有10种, 分别是藏酋猴(Macaca thibetana)、黑熊(Ursus thibetanus)、小熊猫(Ailurus fulgens)、黄喉貂(Martes flavigula)、中华鬣羚(Capricornis milneedwardsii)、水鹿(Cervus equinus)、血雉(Ithaginis cruentus)、白腹锦鸡(Chrysolophus amherstiae)、白鹇(Lophura nycthemera)和红腹角雉(Tragopan temminckii)。其中, 属于《中国脊椎动物红色名录》中极危的有1种, 即林麝, 易危的有9种, 近危的有10种; 被IUCN红色名录评估为濒危的有2种, 易危的有5种, 近危的有3种; 被CITES附录I收录的有4种, 附录II收录的有6种。新记录物种7种, 分别是灰鼯鼠(Petaurista xanthotis)、水鹿、黄颈啄木鸟(Dendrocopos darjellensis)、星鸦(Nucifraga caryocatactes)、白眉鸫(Turdus obscurus)、蓝短翅鸫(Brachypteryx montana)和红翅噪鹛(Trochalopteron formosum)。物种相对丰富度最高的3种动物分别是毛冠鹿(Elaphodus cephalophus, RAI = 125.26)、藏酋猴(RAI = 64.71)和红腹角雉(RAI = 43.34)。本次监测初步掌握了四川大相岭自然保护区内大中型兽类和林下活动鸟类的种类组成和相对多度, 为野生动物的研究与保护管理提供了参考依据。