长爪沙鼠种群繁殖的季节性特征

长爪沙鼠是分布于我国北方典型和荒漠草原及农牧交错区的优势鼠种之一。2000 年10 月至2004 年10 月通过标志重捕法研究了栖息于内蒙古农牧交错区草地生境的种群动态。对其不同季节出生群性成熟特征和种群性成熟比率、繁殖个体比例、个体月补充率等繁殖参数的季节特征研究显示:冬季和春季出生的个体性成熟较夏季出生的个体快,尤雌鼠表现突出,其3 个季节出生群的性成熟时间分别为4. 6 ± 0.2、4. 4 ± 0.8 和7.7 ± 0.4月龄。种群性成熟比率、繁殖个体比例和个体补充率月间差异显著,季节消长明显,即春季最高,秋季(9 ～10月间)最低。结果还显示,种群性成熟比率与气温和降水负相关。长爪沙鼠喜栖于植被稀疏、低矮的干燥沙质土壤环境。从初春到夏末,随降水和气温增加其栖息生境的植被由低矮稀疏变得高而稠密,土壤湿度和粘性亦随之提高,地面种子库因发芽贮量减少,适宜生境的减少可能加剧了社群竞争,抑制了种群的繁殖表现。长爪沙鼠种群繁殖的季节变化反映了其生活史对策中适应高纬度气候和食物的季节波动的重要特征。     

长爪沙鼠肥满度的年龄和季节特征

采用胴体重(去除内脏的体重,记为WN)替代传统计算公式中的体重(W)建立肥满度指标K′＝100WN／L^3(g／cm^3)对长爪沙鼠肥满度的年龄和季节变化特征进行研究。结果显示：该鼠肥满度年龄组间差异显,末成年个体的肥满度明显高于成年个体;各性别年龄组肥满度季节变化明显,趋势基本一致,春季高、夏季最低、秋季又行育肥。在春夏季繁殖期(8月以前),雌鼠的肥满度大于雄鼠。成年雌鼠秋季育肥时间晚于其他个体组。长爪沙鼠肥满度的年龄差异和季节变化反映了该鼠在不同生活时期对环境的生理适应特征和对策。此外,各月肥满度与当月及其后第4个月的夹捕率存在一定的相关关系,提示该指标在短期预测长爪沙鼠种群数量方面可能有其参考价值。     

不同生活史阶段长爪沙鼠尿标记行为的遗传和空间距离效应

气味标记普遍存在于哺乳动物类群中,它能向同类传达领地占有、社会等级及繁殖状态等多种信息。2014年4月至10月,我们在内蒙古锡林郭勒正蓝旗对长爪沙鼠 (Meriones unguiculatus) 野外种群进行了标志重捕,采用中立场的方式测定了不同社群间同性别长爪沙鼠的尿标记行为。通过建立洞群样地坐标后用勾股弦方法计算群间距离,并用微卫星DNA分子标记估算个体间的亲缘系数,以探讨野生动物标记行为是否受个体间空间和遗传距离的影响。广义线性混合效应分析显示,雄鼠间的尿标记强度在繁殖期和贮食期受空间距离或遗传距离的影响均不显著。繁殖期雌鼠间的尿标记强度受空间或遗传距离的影响亦不明显,但在贮食期,遗传距离对雌鼠间标记的强度有显著影响,且遗传距离与空间距离对标记强度有明显的交互作用。本研究结果暗示亲缘关系和空间距离对长爪沙鼠的尿标记行为具有一定影响,这与长爪沙鼠的繁殖或贮食行为相适应。     

不同季节长爪沙鼠同生群的繁殖特征及其在生活史对策中的意义

通过剪趾和染毛双重标志的重捕跟踪途径, 结合行为观测研究了栖息于内蒙古农牧交错区草地生境的长爪沙鼠种群繁殖格局。按同生群分组分析的结果显示春季(4～5 月) 出生的雄鼠当年能达到性成熟的个体仅占34.6 % , 性成熟发育历期为3 个月, 其繁殖平均结束时间比越冬鼠早近1 个月。6 月以后出生的雄鼠当年达不到性成熟。达到性成熟的当年雄鼠在繁殖期结束前多数又转入性休止状态。当年雌鼠性成熟历期约2.5 月龄, 初次产仔时间在3.5 月龄左右。6 月份以后出生的雌鼠当年不参加繁殖。各同生群雌鼠1 年中最多产仔次数有差异,越冬鼠可产3～4 窝。4～5 月份出生的雌鼠当年可产1 窝。长爪沙鼠当年生雌、雄鼠非同步发育以及由性成熟的当年鼠与越冬鼠构成的繁殖格局有利于维持家群个体的适合度, 是该鼠生活史对策的重要特征之一。     

内蒙古农牧交错带长爪沙鼠种群存活的季节格局及其动态机制

了解动物种群存活特征以及相关环境因子对其变化的独立或整合作用过程,有助于阐明动物种群动态的生态学机制。长爪沙鼠（Meriones unguiculatus）是分布于我国北方典型草原、荒漠草原及其毗邻的农牧交错带的优势鼠种之一。2000年10月至2004年10月通过标志重捕法研究了栖息于内蒙古农牧交错区草地生境的种群动态。本文通过MARK软件包中的CJS和MS模型分析了长爪沙鼠半自然围栏种群表观存活率（Φ,简称存活率）的性别（g）差异和年龄（as）特征表现及其季节变化格局,并对种群存活变化的密度和气候效应加以分析,旨在检验长爪沙鼠种群存活显示季节变化特征,并受密度制约和气候条件反馈调节的假设。结果发现,长爪沙鼠种群存活率初始最优模型Φ(t)p(g*t)中重捕时序（t）效应显著（ANODEV,F _27,47 =11.05,P <0.001）,月季效应最优模型Φ(month)p(g*t)也显示存活率 季节变化明显（ANODEV,F _5,69 =31.69,P <0.001）,总体呈现从春季到冬季经历下降再升高的“V”字型动态模式。在无环境因子限制条件下,雌鼠（0.788±0.013）和雄鼠（0.781±0.013）存活率差异不明显;存活率年龄差异表现明显的季节特征（ANODEV,F _5,246 = 67.85,P < 0.001）,繁殖消耗在一定时期影响成年个体的存活。长爪沙鼠种群存活的季节格局反映其生活史对策中适应高纬度气候和食物等资源季节波动的重要特征。进一步统计发现种群存活率受密度制约、与降水负相关,其中密度制约效应具有一定的时滞,降水作用是即时的,上述效应的作用强度在雌、雄鼠的存活反应上有所差异。这些结果暗示密度制约整合水热条件介导最适栖息地环境变化,引发雌、雄鼠存活率差异性反应,进而影响其它种群参数变化,调节种群增长。这可能是北半球高纬度地区小哺乳动物种群调节的一个重要机制。     

基于标记-重捕模型开展野生动物红外相机种群监测的方法及案例

红外相机技术的广泛应用推动了动物种群生态学研究方法的发展和革新, 特别是基于标记-重捕模型框架通过非损伤取样方式对物种数量和密度等种群参数的可靠估计, 为保护濒危物种和评估保护成效提供了有力的科学依据。对于身体上具有独特天然标记的动物(如多数猫科动物), 可依据红外相机拍摄身体上的独特斑点或条纹鉴别个体, 再运用标记-重捕模型, 估计动物种群数量、密度等参数。本文概述了标记-重捕模型的基本原理、特点以及国内外的应用, 特别是近年来发展出的空间标记-重捕模型。总结了从相机布设到数据分析的具体流程、操作原则, 并以青城山家猫为实例, 展示了应用红外相机数据通过空间标记-重捕模型估计种群密度和数量的基本步骤。最后展望了该模型在种群动态、景观廊道设计、资源选择等方面的应用和发展趋势。     

长爪沙鼠脑底动脉Willis环变异缺失遗传特性分析及脑缺血模型高发群体的初步培育

目的研究长爪沙鼠脑底动脉Willis环遗传特性,并定向培育脑缺血高发种群。方法通过对5代定向培育的长爪沙鼠高发群动物共398只动物的右侧颈总动脉结扎模型进行观察,比较长爪沙鼠亲代与子代间脑底动脉Willis环的变异缺失类型,探求其遗传特性,并根据该遗传特性将Willis环后交通支缺失且前交通支缺失或细小的同类型的长爪沙鼠父母所生的子代雌雄个体配对繁殖,定向培育长爪沙鼠半脑缺血模型高发生率种群。结果当双亲的Willis环类型一致时,其子代大部分与其父母一致;而当双亲的Willis环类型不一致时,Willis环前交通支与母亲一致率为60.4%,前交通支与父亲的一致率为48.2%,两者的差异有显著性意义（P=0.015）。长爪沙鼠半脑缺血模型高发生率种群定向培育5代后,行单侧颈总动脉结扎时,一侧脑缺血造模成功率由F1代的40%提高到F5代的75%。结论长爪沙鼠脑底动脉Willis环变异有明显的遗传性,初步培育出了长爪沙鼠半脑缺血模型高发生率种群。     

Jolly-Seber法中种群存活率估算的探讨

在Jolly Seber法中 ,存活率为其核心参数之一。一些作者指出 ,采用Jolly Seber法估算标志重捕数据有时候会出现存活率大于 1的情形。本文就这一情形做了相应的分析 ,认为产生这一现象的原因为标志个体间不具有等捕性或等存活率所致。在设计标志重捕取样的野外调查中 ,应设法提高重捕率以增加估计精度     

应用马尔可夫链模型预测长爪沙鼠和黑线仓鼠种群数量

依据1984～2004年21年在呼和浩特郊区对长爪沙鼠(Meriones unguiculatus)和黑线仓鼠(Cricetulus barabansis)种群数量动态的调查数据,结合优选法(0.618法),应用加权马尔可夫链预测模型,建立了长爪沙鼠和黑线仓鼠种群数量预测模型。应用此模型分别预测了长爪沙鼠和黑线仓鼠2004年的种群数量,预测值与实测值相符,预测准确。同时,预测了未来三年(2005～2007年)长爪沙鼠和黑线仓鼠的种群数量。结果表明,此方法计算简便、准确、可靠,为鼠类种群数量的预测提供了新的方法。     

Jolly—Seber法中种群存活率估算的探讨

在Jolly-Seber法中,存活率为其核心参数之一。一些作者指出,采用Jolly-Seber法估算标志重捕数据有时候会出现存活率大于1的情形。本文就这一情形做了相应的分析,认为产生这一现象的原因为标志个体间不具有等捕性或等存活率所致。在设计标志重捕取样的野外调查中,应设法提高重捕率以增加估计精度。     

长爪沙鼠冷驯化过程中甲状腺激素的变化

22℃室温中的长爪沙鼠血清T₃和T₄浓度较低,肝脏和褐色脂肪组织（BAT）的T₄5'-脱碘酶活力也较低。冷暴露（4℃）1d 后,血清T₃与T₄浓度迅猛增长,随后1-4周的冷驯化中,T₃缓慢上升,T₄逐渐下降,肝脏和BAT 的T₄5'-脱碘酶活力变化与血清T₃和T₃\T₄变化一致。表明冷驯化激活了甲状腺功能,激活了外周组织中的甲状腺激素代谢。     

Comparative aspects of microsomal cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase activities in musk shrew (Suncus murinus), Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus), harvest mouse (Micromys minutus) and rat.

1. The cytochrome P-450 content (0.75 +/- 0.13 nmol/mg microsomal protein) in musk shrew (suncus, Suncus murinus) liver microsomes was lower than that (1.30 +/- 0.26) in rat liver microsomes, but it is approximately the same level as in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus, 1.18 +/- 0.14), harvest mouse (Micromys minutus, 1.11 +/- 0.02) and rat. 2. The hydroxylation activity (based on cytochrome P-450) of medium-chain fatty acids (otanoic, decanoic, lauric and tridecanoic acids) is much higher in suncus, Mongolian gerbil and harvest mouse than in rat, with the exception of the activity of decanoic and tridecanoic acids in Mongolian gerbil. 3. This suggests that cytochrome P-450 species catalyzing the hydroxylation of medium-chain fatty acids are present in these laboratory animals in higher concentrations. 4. The aminopyrine N-demethylation activity based on microsomal protein or cytochrome P-450 in suncus is significantly lower than that in rat, but the N-demethylation activity in Mongolian gerbil and harvest mouse is approximately 1.7-2.0-fold greater than that in rat.     

Syphacia obvelata in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus): natural occurrence and experimental transmission

An adult from a research colony and a litter of 5-week-old Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) from a pet store were found to have pinworms identified as Syphacia obvelata. The infected gerbils were allowed to cohabitate with uninfected gerbils. Similarly, infected gerbils were caged with uninfected mice and infected mice with uninfected gerbils. Results of these studies showed that Syphacia obvelata can be transmitted from gerbil to gerbil, gerbil to mouse, and mouse to gerbil.     

High resistance of cultured Mongolian gerbil cells to X-ray-induced killing and chromosome aberrations.

The Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) is known to be one of the most radioresistant animals. We have examined the X-ray sensitivity of normal diploid fibroblasts from Mongolian gerbil embryos compared with those of cultured embryo cells obtained from various laboratory animals and a normal human. There was a wide difference in X-ray sensitivity for cell killing among different mammalian species. The D0 values for Mongolian gerbil cells ranged from 2.08 to 2.28 Gy, values which are twice as high as those for human cells. The mean D0 value for human cells was 1.06 Gy. Mouse, rat, Chinese hamster, and Syrian/golden hamster cells showed similar D0 values ranging from 1.30 to 1.56 Gy. When cells were irradiated with X rays, ten times more chromosome aberrations were detected in human cells than in Mongolian gerbil cells. The frequencies of chromosome aberrations in other rodent cells were between the values for cells from humans and those from gerbils. These data indicate that the Mongolian gerbil cells are resistant to X-ray-induced cell killing and chromosome aberrations, and that the radiation sensitivity of mammalian cells in primary culture may be reflected by their radioresistance in vivo.     

A second acromelanistic allelomorph at the albino locus of the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

A new autosomal recessive coat color mutant in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) is described: chinchilla medium (symbol c(chm)). The mutant has typical acromelanistic features similar to those of several acromelanistic c locus mutants of other species of mammals. Previously a more severe form of acromelanism (c(h)c(h)) has been described in the Mongolian gerbil. The new allele shows to be allelic with this form. On a nonagouti background compound heterozygotes (aac(chm)c(h)) show an intermediate phenotype that is very similar to that of the Siamese mouse (Mus musculus) and rat (Rattus norvegicus). Homozygotes (aac(chm)c(chm)) display a very dark acromelanistic phenotype reminiscent of that of the sable rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The gray phenotype (gg) in the Mongolian gerbil resembles the albino locus phenotype chinchilla (c(ch)c(ch)) in mice. We show that the new mutant is not allelic with gray. Fertility and viability of the new mutant are within normal range.     

EP-1 不育剂对长爪沙鼠野生种群增长的控制作用

长爪沙鼠在内蒙古地区的分布非常广泛,长期以来由其造成的“鼠害” 不仅给农牧业生产带来危害,而且还传播疾病。2009 年3 ～ 10 月,在内蒙古鄂尔多斯荒漠草原,利用复合不育剂左炔诺孕酮- 炔雌醚(EP-1)
对长爪沙鼠野生种群进行了不育控制试验研究。结果表明,复合不育剂EP-1 对长爪沙鼠种群结构和种群密度均有显著影响,在5 月和6 月两个繁殖高峰期,不育剂EP-1 显著降低了幼体出生的数量,实验区与对照区幼体组
成差异和成体组成差异均达到极显著(P < 0.01)。在8 ～ 10 月,实验区和对照区种群结构组成中,幼体之间、成体之间差异均达到显著和极显著(P < 0.05, P < 0.01)。在整个发育生长期,实验区长爪沙鼠幼体种群从6 月
份开始出现,9 月达到数量最高值,幼体种群全年呈现下降趋势。而对照区幼体种群从5 月份开始出现,且数量在5 月份达到全年的最高值,幼体种群与实验区相反呈增长趋势。实验区种群总体数量全年呈下降趋势,而对
照区相反,呈增长趋势。因此,复合不育剂EP-1 显著降低了长爪沙鼠种群的繁殖率、幼体出生比例和种群密度,可以对长爪沙鼠野生种群起到有效的繁殖控制作用,进而降低该鼠对农牧业生产的危害和对人类疾病传播
的风险。     

Aldehyde dehydrogenase of the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus.

The aldehyde dehydrogenase (Aldehyde:NAD(P) oxidoreductase E.C. 1.2.1.3. and 1.2.1.5) phenotype in several tissues of the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus, has been established. The tissue distribution of gerbil aldehyde dehydrogenase is similar to that of the rat, with liver possessing the majority of the aldehyde dehydrognease activity. Male kidney and testis possess significantly more activity than female kidney and ovary. The substrate and co-enzyme specificity of gerbil liver aldehyde dehydrogenase is also similar to that of rat and mouse liver. Gel isoelectric focusing resolves one major gerbil liver aldehyde dehydrogenase isozyme at pI 5.3. Mouse liver is resolved into two major isozymes at pIs 5.3 and 5.6 and rat liver aldehyde dehydrogenase into one major isozyme at pI 5.4. Gerbil liver aldehyde dehydrogenase is functional over a broad pH range with an optima at pH 9.0. Rat and mouse liver aldehyde dehydrogenase possess sharp pH optima at pH 8.5.     

Weak mixed lymphocyte culture response in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus).

A study was made to determine whether the mixed lymphocyte culture test could detect histocompatibility differences between two strains of the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus. A semi-micro mixed lymphocyte culture was developed using 6 X 10(5) stimulating and responding cells per 0.12 ml culture volume at a ratio of 1:1. A culture period of 120 hours was found to be optimal. Although a weak allogeneic response was demonstrated with the Uclp:(MON) strain responding to stimulating cells from the MON/Tum strain, the reverse was not seen. A mixed lymphocyte reaction to xenogeneic (mouse) cells was demonstrated, and response to the mitogen, phytohemagglutinin, was strong. These data and the low stimulation index obtained in allogeneic culture supported the view that histocompatibility differences among different strains of the Mongolian gerbil are weak.     

Comparative studies on the pattern of infection with Giardia spp. in mongolian gerbils

Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) were inoculated with known numbers of Giardia cysts isolated from humans, beavers and mice. The pattern of cyst release in the feces was studied for a period of 35 days. After a latent period of 5 days, animals infected with G. muris release cysts in their feces every day until day 14. Gerbils infected with human or beaver isolates released cysts in their feces intermittently for 30 days. These results indicated that the mode of cyst release in these animals was characteristic of the parasite, and was independent of the host. Mongolian gerbils acquire complete resistance upon homologous species challenge but demonstrate only partial protection when challenged with a different species of Giardia. We concluded that the Mongolian gerbil model could be useful in epidemiological studies for two reasons: it can be used for determination of cyst viability, and for the identification of the etiological agent.     

Genetic consequences of group living in Mongolian gerbils

Social behavior can shape the local population genetic structure of mammals. Group living can increase pairwise genetic relatedness of mammals at a local level but differentiate the genetic structure at a population level through offspring philopatry and nonrandom mating. Our study aimed to test the hypothesis that social groups of Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) would consist of genetically related individuals due to offspring philopatry and would have distinct genetic structures because of restricted gene flow among social groups and nonrandom mating. We genotyped 327 wild gerbils, live captured from 28 social groups in Inner Mongolia, China, using nine microsatellite loci. The within-group pairwise genetic relatedness coefficient averaged 0.28 ± 0.14 (standard deviation), whereas the average pairwise genetic relatedness coefficient of the whole gerbil population was 0.0 ± 0.2. Additionally, the value of the global F statistic (F(st)) was 0.21, suggesting a substantial genetic differentiation among social groups of Mongolian gerbils. The Bayesian clustering divided the 327 gerbils into 23 distinct genetic clusters. Therefore, our results show that high within-group genetic relatedness and among-group genetic differentiation are the genetic consequences of group living in social mammals because of restricted gene flow, female philopatry, and nonrandom mating within social groups.