Sex identification of Eurasian otter (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lutra lutra</Emphasis>) non-invasive DNA samples using ZFX/ZFY sequences

We developed a new PCR/RFLP system targeted to amplify and cut a segment of the ZFX/ZFY gene in non-invasive otter (Lutra lutra) samples. This assay produced one sex-specific fragment in females (XX genotypes) and two fragments in males (XY genotypes), and is intrinsically more reliable than alternative systems (e.g., SRY genes) that are based on the amplification of a single Y-linked fragment. The new primer pair correctly identified the sex of 23 DNA extracted from sexed otter tissues. This procedure was used to sex unknown DNA extracted from otter scats. A multi-tube approach led to identify the sex of 72/91 (79%) samples, using a minimum of two PCR replicates. This procedure is currently used in non-invasive genetic monitoring of Italian otter populations.     

非损伤采样提取DNA技术在猫科动物调查中的应用

<正>猫科动物广泛分布于世界各地(Johnson et al.,2006),全球现存37种猫科动物,其中25种已被国际自然保护联盟(IUCN)列为濒危和易危,86%以上的种群数量处于下降或未知状态(IUCN Red List,2011)。我国有13种猫科动物,占世界种类的35%(王应祥,2003),其中属于国家一级保护的有4种,二级保护的有8种,然而,对这些珍稀物种的生态学研究并不充分(高耀亭,     

Social context affects risk taking by a satellite species in a mixed-species foraging group

Mixed-species flocks of birds form during winter in the easterndeciduous forests of North America. These flocks consist oftwo flock-leading nuclear species, tufted titmouse (Baeolophusbicolor) and Carolina chickadee (Poecile carolinensis), andseveral follower, or satellite, species, including downy woodpecker(Picoides pubescens) and white-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis).Hypotheses explaining the adaptiveness of participation in suchmixed-species foraging groups have focused on increased foragingsuccess and/or decreased predation risk. We tested the predictionthat if nuthatches join nuclear species to reduce predationrisk, they should be more reluctant to visit an exposed feederin the absence of titmice than in their presence. When the feederwas positioned 16 m from forest cover, latency to visit thefeeder was greater for both male and female nuthatches whentitmice were absent. Removal of titmice had no effect on latencyat 8 m. In the absence of titmice, nuthatches visited the feederless frequently at both distances. These results indicate thatreduced predation risk is a benefit that satellite species gainby flocking with nuclear species.     

Genetic variability and size estimates of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) population in the Bohemian Forest Ecosystem

Even though recent years have shown a slow recovery of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) populations from their previous lows, the species is still highly endangered in most parts of its European distribution range. Surprisingly, only a few studies have so far assessed the species’ genetic variability and population density, and they have mostly been carried out only in small territories. In Germany, most otter populations live in protected areas whose management urgently needs data on population sizes and densities as well as on genetic variability of the species under their custody. Thus, we analyzed genetic variability and assessed size and density of the otter population in the Bohemian Forest Ecosystem, an area that had not been included in the few previous molecular studies. The study area comprised of 1500 km², divided into fifteen squares of 10 × 10 km², each of which was sampled in two collection periods. Overall we collected 261 fecal samples (spraints), of which 60 (23%) could be genotyped at least at eight microsatellite loci, yielding 38 distinct otter genotypes. The low genotyping success rate was the result of high ambient temperature at the time of sampling rather than that of high humidity. The population did not show signs of a past bottleneck, indicating a small yet stable population size. Population size was estimated to be 118 (CI_95% 64–163) individuals, with a mean density of 1 animal per 8.5 km² or 3.1 km river length. Our results imply that hunting, requested by local fishpond owners, should remain banned to avoid a decline in (effective) population size.     

凉水自然保护区松鼠和星鸦贮食生境选择差异

2003 年9 月30 日～2005 年10 月8 日,在黑龙江凉水国家级自然保护区,应用样方调查法, 采用Vanderploeg和Scavia 选择系数Wi和选择指数Ei作为衡量指标,对松鼠和星鸦贮食生境选择进行了研究。结果表明, 二者贮食生境选择优先顺序略有不同,松鼠偏爱的贮食生境依次是: 云杉林、原始红松林、人工红松林、针阔混交林、人工云杉林、白桦林、针叶混交林、人工落叶松林、阔叶混交林、冷杉林和其它。星鸦对贮食生境的偏爱程度依次为: 人工红松林、原始红松林、云杉林、人工云杉林、针阔混交林、阔叶混交林、白桦林、针叶混交林、人工落叶松林、冷杉林和其它。在对贮食微生境因子的选择利用上, 二者大致相同,只是在对优势灌丛的选择上略有差异, 松鼠优先选择在狗枣猕猴桃优势灌丛内贮藏红松种子, 而星鸦优先选择在刺五加优势灌丛内贮食。松鼠和星鸦贮食生境选择的差异将对随后的红松天然更新过程产生不同的影响。     

Male‐specific mortality biases secondary sex ratio in Eurasian tree sparrows Passer montanus

Sex allocation theory predicts that parents bias the offspring sex ratio strategically. In avian species, the offspring sex ratio can be biased at multiple growth stages, although the mechanisms are not well known. It is crucial to reveal a cause and timing of biased offspring sex ratio. We investigated (i) offspring sex ratio at multiple growth stages, from laying to fledging; and (ii) the stage at which offspring sex ratio became biased; and (iii) the cause of biased offspring sex ratio in Eurasian tree sparrows Passer montanus. Sex determination of 218 offspring, including hatchlings and unhatched eggs from 41 clutches, suggested that the offspring sex ratio was not biased at the egg‐laying stage but was significantly female‐biased after the laying stage due to higher mortality of male embryos. Half of the unhatched eggs showed no sign of embryo development (37/74, 50.00%), and most undeveloped eggs were male (36/37, 97.30%). Additional experiments using an incubator suggested that the cause of embryo developmental failure was a lack of developmental ability within the egg, rather than a failure of incubation. This study highlights the importance of clarifying offspring sex ratio at multiple stages and suggests that offspring sex ratio is adjusted after fertilization.     

Temperature effects on spawning and egg development in Eurasian perch

Spawning, egg strand development and embryo survival was studied during 1995–1996 in perch Perca fluviatilis exposed to heated effluent from two coastal nuclear power plants on the Baltic. Spawning was earlier and more prolonged in the heated areas. Although the fertilization rate was high, most egg strands sampled in the heated areas did not develop to hatching. The egg strands disintegrated within a few days of spawning, and egg mortality was very high. All samples collected from reference areas developed up to hatching. Exposure to high temperatures during the final maturation of the gonad influenced the follicular mechanism producing the jelly membrane which constitutes the matrix of the egg strand. Effects were observed in fish in open effluent areas as well as in an enclosed research basin. These results suggest that there is a conflict between optimal reproduction and temperature preference in temperate area fish. Fish are attracted to cooling water effluent, at the expense of reduced reproductive performance.     

基于视频监控系统的欧亚水獭活动节律初报及红外相机监测效果评估

欧亚水獭(Lutra lutra)是淡水生态系统保护的旗舰物种, 目前三江源或为其在中国仅存的连片栖息地之一。然而, 该区域欧亚水獭基础生态学信息尚属空白, 已开展的工作也多依赖于红外相机而可靠性有待评估。本文基于2018-2020年间在青海玉树通过视频监控系统和红外相机收集到的数据, 在分析区内水獭活动节律的同时, 对红外相机监测的有效性和准确性进行了评估。结果表明, 在玉树, 欧亚水獭在每日17时至次日9时活动频率较高, 每年12月至次年6月间拍摄频率较高; 繁殖期或随每年10月个体交配而开始, 至次年6月幼崽独立而终止。红外相机约可捕获69.18%的水獭出现事件, 且拍摄率随事件持续时间的延长而提高; 通过红外相机可以准确地描述出水獭活动节律, 仅有约半数红外相机影像可以准确还原事件主题(56.28%)和多只个体参与的事件中的个体数量(49.35%)。因此, 在使用红外相机对欧亚水獭进行行为学研究时应对这一情况进行充分考虑。     

The effects of hoarding habitat selection of Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) on natural regeneration of the Korean pines

Cone-cores discarded by Eurasian red squirrels were used to study the habitat selection of Korean pine-seeds hoarding, in forest patch Nos. 16 and 19 in Liangshui Nature Reserve, China. Ten transects with a total length of 15 km were uniformly set, and data from 343 valid samples were collected in a 369 hm² area. One hundred and eighty four were hoarding samples which were determined according to the cluster analysis based on the number of the cone-cores, while the other 159 were control samples. The principal component analysis, using 11 habitat factors, suggested that the distance from Korean pine forest, forest type, number of Korean pine seedlings, density and type of bush significantly influenced the habitat selection of hoarding by Eurasian red squirrels. The results of Bailey’s method indicated that the squirrels showed (1) preference for natural coniferous forest, natural fir and spruce forest and planted spruce forest; (2) avoidance of planted Korean pine forest and planted larch forest; and (3) random use of natural Korean pine forest. Moreover the distance from the Korean pines in the range of 150–600 m showed no effect on the habitat selection of hoarding by the Eurasian red squirrels. More than 50% of the cone-cores were discarded in either fringe or gap of the Korean pine forest with more cone-cores found at <300 m than at 300 m away (One-Way ANOVA; df = 3, 183, F = 5.76, p = 0.0009). This demonstrated that the Eurasian red squirrels could take the cone-cores out of the Korean pine forest. The density of bushes in samples of hoarding area was significantly lower than that in control samples (Kruskal–Wallis test; df = 1, χ² = 83.99, p < 0.0001). The number of the Korean pine seedlings in samples of hoarding area was significantly higher than that in the control samples (Kruskal–Wallis test; df = 1, χ² = 104.13, p < 0.0001). This illustrated that the hoarding habitat favoured the germination of the Korean pine seedlings. In conclusion the behavior of hoarding Korean pine seeds by the Eurasian red squirrels can promote the regeneration and dispersal of the Korean pines.     

Isolation and characterization of tetramicrosatellite DNA markers in the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra)

Eight new tetramicrosatellite loci for Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) were designed. Polymorphism of these eight loci in 29 otter individuals was tested. The results indicated that the allele numbers of each of loci ranged from three to five and the observed heterozygosity from 0.483 to 0.828. These new loci can be useful for population genetic research on otters and help improve the resolution of individual identification using noninvasive method.