RESPONSE OF ANTARCTIC FUR SEALS TO IMMOBILIZATION WITH KETAMINE, A KETAMINE-DIAZEPAM OR KETAMINE-XYLAZINE MIXTURE, AND ZOLETIL®

Adult Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) were immobilized with Zoletil^® ( n = 172), ketamine ( n = 30), ketamine mixed with diazepam ( n = 23) and with ketamine mixed with xylazine ( n = 45). Response to all drugs was highly variable. There was a relationship between dose rate and level of immobilization in females given Zoletil^®. Males were slightly more sensitive to Zoletil^® than females but this could have been due to the greater body mass and lower mass-specific metabolic rate of males. The dose required to achieve a level of immobilization declined with greater body mass for Zoletil^® and ketamine but not for ketamine-diatepam. Ketamine and ketamine-sedative mixtures commonly caused mild tremoring and occasionally caused convulsions. Neither reaction was seen with Zoletil^®. Mean doses were, Zoletil^® 1.5 mg/ kg, ketamine 6.9 mg/kg, ketamine-diazepam 6.3 mg/kg ketamine and 6.3 μg/kg diazepam, and ketamine-xylazine 7.3 mg/kg ketamine and 0.62 mg/ kg xylazine. Zoletil^® performs at least as well on Antarctic fur seals as ketamine but it may cause respiratory depression. The dose of ketamine required for Antarctic fur seals was greater than for most other species of seals.     

微小根毛霉感染机理研究

本文在首次报告二例肺结核、糖尿病患者合并感染肺微小根毛霉的基础上,进一步探讨免疫功能受损与微小根毛霉感染关系。本文采用不同剂量~(60)Co-γ全身辐照小鼠,然后以不同途径注射同剂量的微小根毛霉的孢囊孢子,观察动物的感染情况和感染后的真菌检出率,结果发现各种辐射剂量均在辐射后7-14日感染菌的检出率最高;各种脏器感染菌的检出率以脾脏最高(66.7—81.8％);淋巴结最低(0.0—25.0％);其他脏器的感染菌检出率也有不同程度的差异。     

Editorial

Quantitative and qualitative analyses of filming studies reveal that fundamental differences exist between the gaits of the New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) and the Hooker's sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri). Terrestrial locomotion of the latter species is similar to that of terrestrial vertebrates in which the limbs are moved in sequence, alternately and independently. In contrast, the gait of the New Zealand fur seal does not conform to this sequence, the hind limbs being moved in unison. The gaits of both species are defined and illustrated. The limbs of otariids are structurally adapted for a semi-aquatic lifestyle and consequently large oscillations of the centre of gravity are necessary to enable the limbs to be lifted and protracted during terrestrial locomotion. Phocarctos hookeri achieves this by transferring weight in the transverse plane while in A.forsteri it is in the sagittal plane. Hind limb movements are distinctly different; P. hookeri moves each hind limb individually by the combined action of limb protraction and rotation of the pelvis while A. forsteri moves its hind limbs together, predominantly by flexion of the posterior axial skeleton. While terrestrial locomotion in these species is achieved by fundamentally different gaits, post cranial elements of A. forsteri and P. hookeri are barely distinguishable; selection for the behavioural control of terrestrial locomotion has apparently preceded structural modifications. The gaits are considered to be ecological specializations which are adaptations to the mechanical problems imposed by different habitats. Gaits of these species appear typical or representative of members of their inferred subfamilies (Arctocephalinae and Otariinae). The gaits of A. forsteri and P. hookeri are however paradoxical in light of their inferred evolutionary history since the gait of the Hooker's sea lion resembles more closely that of the putative ancestors of otariids (arctoid fissiped carnivores) than does the gait of the supposedly more primitive New Zealand fur seal.     

INDIVIDUALITY IN THE VOICE OF FUR SEAL FEMALES: AN ANALYSIS STUDY OF THE PUP ATTRACTION CALL IN ARCTOCEPHALUS TROPICALIS

Like most otariids species, the Subantarctic fur seal breeds on land in large, dense colonies. Pups are confronted by the long and repetitive absences of their mother throughout lactation. At each mother's return, pups have to find her among several hundreds of congeners. This recognition process mainly relies on acoustic signals. We performed an acoustic analysis on 125 calls from 20 females recorded during the 1999–2000 breeding season on Amsterdam Island (Indian Ocean). Ten variables were measured in both temporal and frequency domains. To find the acoustic parameters supporting individual signature, we assessed the differences between individuals using Kruskall-Wallis univariate analysis of variance. For each variable, we also calculated the potential of individuality coding (PIC) as the ratio between the between-individual coefficient of variation and the mean value of the within-individual coefficients of variation. We found that the frequency spectrum, the characteristics of the frequency modulation of the initial and middle part of the call and the call duration exhibit an important individual stereotypy (PIC values ranging between 1.5 and 3), whereas features relative to amplitude and the frequency modulation of the final part of the call are weakly individualized (PIC values between 1 and 1.2).     

Influences of habitat features and human disturbance on use of breeding sites by a declining population of southern fur seals (Arctocephalus australis)

Southern fur seals Arctocephalus australis in Peru have declined gradually over the past decade, and declined dramatically (72%) as a result of low food availability during the severe El Niño in 1997–98. In 1999, seals abandoned some historically important breeding sites. This is particularly alarming because new sites were not colonized. Our objective was to examine how habitat features and human disturbance influenced whether sites were currently used, abandoned or apparently not used in the past by fur seals for breeding. Data were collected on 14 variables at 70 potential breeding sites at three guano reserves in Peru. Discriminant analysis revealed significant multivariate differences among sites currently used for breeding, abandoned sites and unused sites ( F =5.97, P <0.00001), and the model classified 74% of sites correctly. Currently used sites were less likely to have human disturbance and more likely to have offshore islands, stacked rocks, tide pools and abundant shade. Separate discriminant analyses for each reserve produced similar results. Habitat associated with thermoregulation (e.g. shade or pools) may be more important to fur seals in Peru, which breed at lower latitudes and are at greater risk of overheating on land than other populations. Habitat with minimized human access may be especially important to seals in small populations in which individuals may perceive themselves as more vulnerable because of decreased vigilance and dilution effects. Seals in our study selected breeding habitat with stacked rocks, which create shade and tide pools for thermoregulation and make human access difficult; but pups might suffer higher mortality in this habitat. We hypothesize that fur seals in Peru may exhibit an Allee effect, whereby suitability of habitat varies with population abundance.     

REPRODUCTION IN THE FEMALE SUBANTARCTIC FUR SEAL, ARCTOCEPHALUS TROPICALIS

The reproductive tracts of 89 female subantarctic fur seals, taken at Gough Island between November 1977 and October 1978, were examined. Females started ovulating at age 4 yr and all 6-yr-old females were sexually mature. They are mono-ovulatory, alternating between ovaries, and only single embryos were found. Females older than 13 yr ( n = 11) showed poor follicular development and some failed to ovulate. The gestation period (first recorded ovulation to first recorded birth) was 360 d, while delayed implantation (first recorded ovulation to first recorded implantation) lasted for 139 days. Follicle numbers in the functional ovary declined sharply after ovulation while the corpus luteum increased in size until at least 1 mo prior to parturition. The number of follicles in the contralateral ovary increased after midwinter (June/July), and the mean size of the largest follicles peaked prior to ovulation in December. The mean size of the largest follicles increased in both ovaries near implantation time, after reaching a low subsequent to, ovulation. The regressing corpus albicans, conspicuous for approximately 3 mo after parturition, could not be detected macroscopically within one year postpartum. Subantarctic fur seals at Gough Island have a distinct postreproductive class of older females. The pregnancy rate for all females ≥4 yr of age was 79%, and it was 84.5% for the sexually mature group of ≥6 yr of age, while the mean age at puberty was 4.80 yr.     

COMPUTER ANALYSIS OF BIRD SOUNDS: A GUIDE TO CURRENT METHODS

ABSTRACT

Bioacoustics researchers can use a computer as a powerful tool to measure, classify, compare and synthetise sounds. Vocalisations on tape are commonly converted to a digital format suitable for a computer by using an analogue to digital converter and then a Fourier transformation. Alternatively, sonagrams can be measured, for example by using a digitising pad or an image analysis system. Correlations and indices of similarity have been used to compare sounds, but variations in both the time and frequency dimensions of a noise are a problem. A solution may be the use of pattern recognition methods such as elastic matching and time warping. These methods are briefly described and assessed.     

一中国白酒酒曲中的丝状真菌菌群

采用6种不同的培养基,分别于25℃、32℃、42℃以及50℃培养分离从而对某一中国白酒酒曲中的丝状真菌菌群进行研究.从酒曲中共分离得到886株丝状真菌,分属于接合菌,子囊菌和无性型真菌的20属,45种.其中最为丰富的是无性型真菌(28种),其次是接合菌(10种)和子囊菌(7种).对发酵起主要作用的为那些嗜热和耐热的种属,包括:宛氏拟青霉,伞枝梨头霉,梳棉状嗜热丝孢菌,微小根毛霉,金孢霉属一种和红曲属的几个种.文中还对一些在发酵中起重要作用的丝状真菌的特性进行了探讨.     

Heterozygosity at neutral and immune loci is not associated with neonatal mortality due to microbial infection in Antarctic fur seals

Numerous studies have reported correlations between the heterozygosity of genetic markers and fitness. These heterozygosity–fitness correlations (HFCs) play a central role in evolutionary and conservation biology, yet their mechanistic basis remains open to debate. For example, fitness associations have been widely reported at both neutral and functional loci, yet few studies have directly compared the two, making it difficult to gauge the relative contributions of genome‐wide inbreeding and specific functional genes to fitness. Here, we compared the effects of neutral and immune gene heterozygosity on death from bacterial infection in Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) pups. We specifically developed a panel of 13 microsatellites from expressed immune genes and genotyped these together with 48 neutral loci in 234 individuals, comprising 39 pups that were classified at necropsy as having most likely died of bacterial infection together with a five times larger matched sample of healthy surviving pups. Identity disequilibrium quantified from the neutral markers was positive and significant, indicative of variance in inbreeding within the study population. However, multilocus heterozygosity did not differ significantly between healthy and infected pups at either class of marker, and little evidence was found for fitness associations at individual loci. These results support a previous study of Antarctic fur seals that found no effects of heterozygosity at nine neutral microsatellites on neonatal survival and thereby help to refine our understanding of how HFCs vary across the life cycle. Given that nonsignificant HFCs are underreported in the literature, we also hope that our study will contribute toward a more balanced understanding of the wider importance of this phenomenon.     

菲菊头蝠不同地理种群回声定位声波差异及其影响因子

回声定位声波地理差异及其形成原因是蝙蝠生态学研究领域一个基本而关键的问题,对于探索物种生存机制、物种形成及其保护具有重要科学意义。本研究从较大地理尺度上(9个地理种群)研究了菲菊头蝠(Rhinolophus pusillus)回声定位声波结构的地理差异,并进一步探讨了影响回声定位声波地理种群差异的因素。结果表明,菲菊头蝠雌性的体型较雄性略大,其主频较高。不同地理种群之间回声定位声波差异明显,包括脉冲持续时间、脉冲间隔、主频以及带宽在不同的地理种群之间均表现出一定程度的差异。进一步分析发现,不同地理种群之间的雌性菲菊头蝠前臂长和体重均与主频呈较弱的负相关,降雨量与雌性的主频呈较强的正相关;而不同地理种群之间的雄性前臂长、体重和降雨量与回声定位声波参数均无相关性;此外,地理距离、温度、湿度均与雌雄回声定位声波参数无相关性。本研究结果表明,菲菊头蝠不同地理种群间的回声定位声波出现明显差异,其中,体型和降雨量为主要影响因子,说明蝙蝠回声定位叫声的进化主要受到了当地生境的影响,表现出动物对不同生境的适应性进化。