不同退化梯度下大尤尔都斯高寒草原植物种群生态位特征

采用Levins生态位宽度指数(BL_i)和Pianka生态位重叠指数(Q_(ik)),测定不同退化梯度下巴音布鲁克大尤尔都斯高寒草原17种主要植物的生态位宽度及生态位重叠。结果表明,未退化阶段,优势种紫花针茅(Stipapurpurea)的生态位宽度较高,轻度退化与中度退化阶段其生态位宽度减小,重度退化阶段又上升,其它物种根据群落结构变化生态位宽度发生变化。在不同退化梯度下均出现生态位较窄的种群生态位重叠较大的现象,物种间生态位重叠的变化是由种间生态学特性差异与草地退化对种间关系影响共同造成的。研究显示,在巴音布鲁克大尤尔都斯高寒草原,过度放牧导致草地退化,物种生态位重叠总体相对较低。     

退化高寒草甸狼毒群落分类特征及其环境影响因子

狼毒的入侵扩散对青藏高原高寒草甸生态系统的影响和当地畜牧业健康发展的制约日益严重。基于祁连山中段典型样地的群落调查、土壤采样和高精度地形测量数据,采用双向指示种分析（TWINSPAN）、除趋势对应分析（DCA）和冗余分析（RDA）在微观尺度上探讨了退化高寒草甸狼毒群落的分类特征及其对环境因子的响应关系。结果表明：1）TWINSPAN分类将退化草甸狼毒群落划分为3种群丛类型,即Ⅰ）狼毒+紫花针茅+线叶嵩草+披针叶黄华群丛;Ⅱ）狼毒+紫花针茅+委陵菜+美丽风毛菊群丛;Ⅲ）紫花针茅+草玉梅+狼毒+早熟禾群丛。2）RDA分析显示土壤全磷、全钾含量是影响退化草甸狼毒群落分布的主要环境因子,其次是坡向。土壤养分对于狼毒群落空间格局的形成发挥着重要作用,覆盖度高的狼毒群丛对低磷、低钾的土壤环境更敏感。3）随着入侵程度加重,狼毒群丛Ⅲ、Ⅱ、Ⅰ的物种优势度发生明显更替,禾本科植物（早熟禾、紫花针茅）重要值减小（4.10、3.12、2.10）,豆科植物（异叶米口袋、花苜蓿）重要值先增后减（0.28、0.57、0.25）,莎草科植物（线叶嵩草、矮生嵩草）重要值增加（0.23、1.18、2.19）、毒杂草（狼毒、草玉梅、披针叶黄华、乳白香青、青海刺参等）重要值明显上升（6.10、5.14、10.08）,群落Ⅰ和Ⅱ中狼毒替代紫花针茅成为最重要的建群种,狼毒覆盖度呈规律地梯度增加（5.5%、11.0%、29.7%）。本研究反映了狼毒型退化草甸逆向演替过程中的群落构成和环境因子变化特征,可为草地资源管理、退化草甸修复及狼毒综合治理提供参考和依据。     

退化程度对紫花针茅花期种群构件生长及生物量分配的影响

以新疆巴音布鲁克高寒草原建群种紫花针茅种群为研究对象,采用野外调查和室内分析相结合的方法,分析了退化程度对紫花针茅种群构件形态生长和生物量分配的影响。结果表明:随着退化程度的增加,紫花针茅种群高度和个体生物量显著降低(P0.05),分蘖节和茎的直径呈现增加的趋势,而根长、茎长、叶长、花序长呈现减少的趋势。未退化草地生物量分配趋势为营养分配繁殖分配贮藏分配,而退化草地为营养分配贮藏分配繁殖分配。紫花针茅花序生物量与个体生物量呈显著线性正相关关系(P0.05),随着退化程度的增加,花序生物量的增长速率显著降低。紫花针茅种群在不同退化程度的草地中具有较强的形态可塑性。     

黄河源头高寒草原植被退化特征分析

以紫花针茅Stipa purpurea,早熟禾Poa annua为优势植被的高寒草原是黄河源头区典型植被类型之一.由于自然环境变迁以及人为活动的影响,黄河源头以扎陵湖北岸地区为中心的紫花针茅草原和早熟禾草原植被退化十分明显,2002年通过样方调查和植被数量分析的方法,对该地区的退化草地特征进行了系统的调查和分析,结果表明:退化草地植被盖度比未退化区下降10%～55%;优势物种变化,紫花针茅、早熟禾等植物种生长势减弱,物候期推迟,群落优势植物逐步演替为以菊科、豆科等杂类草植物为优势种的群落;物种多样性指数下降55%～79%.由于高寒植被的退化,导致了植被群落整体生态功能的下降,进一步加剧了黄河源头的生态环境恶化.     

黄土丘陵区植被恢复重建模式与演替过程研究

在黄土丘陵区,采用封育与重建相结合的方法,按不同坡位建立植被类型配置模式,即坡上部为山桃(Prunus davidiana)或柠条(Caragana korshinskii)+本氏针茅(Stipa bungeana)+芨芨草(Achanatcherum splendens);坡中部为柠条或沙棘(Hippophae rhamnoides)+本氏针茅+芨芨草;坡下部为沙棘或柠条+芨芨草。20多年的定位观测研究表明:人工灌木林、人工草地和天然草地的植物群落结构及种群类型变化差异显著;封育天然草地本氏针茅种群通过种子和根蘖繁殖已占据优势,其演替过程一般分为4个阶段,即荒山荒坡草地(1年)→杂草群聚生长(2-3年)→本氏针茅种群大量出现,杂草和有毒有害植物大幅度消减,(4-5年)→本氏针茅种群稳定阶段(6-8年)。     

大针茅+羊草草地演替阶段的划分与动态模型的建立

本文对大针茅+羊草草地中主要植物大针茅(Stipa grandis)、羊草(Leymus chinensis)、糙隐子草(Cleistogenes songorica)和猪毛菜(Salsoal cristatum)4种植物的盖度、频度和植被指数进行分析,结果表明:通过SPSS聚类分析,实验区草地可以划分为4个草地演替阶段,即演替晚期阶段、演替中期阶段、演替中早期阶段、演替早期阶段;试验区大部分处于演替中早期阶段,即草地处于重度退化阶段;不同演替阶段的草地变化可通过不同的动态模型来反映。     

甘肃尕海湿地不同海拔草地群落组分及物种多样性研究

以青藏高原东部甘肃尕海湖西侧坡地为研究对象,在尕海湖边到坡地顶部(海拔3 485~3 650 m)内,调查了不同海拔梯度上植物群落物种组成和群落特征数据,分析不同海拔草地群落特征、物种生活型变化及人类活动的影响,以期探讨高寒湿地附近草地群落组分与物种多样性对海拔梯度和人为干扰的响应。结果表明,尕海湖西侧坡地共调查到59种被子植物,分别属于20科46属,其区系特征以温带分布为主,且植物生活型和功能型以多年生和非固氮植物为主。在不同海拔梯度上草地群落可分为早熟禾-银莲花群落、羽毛委陵菜-平车前群落、紫花针茅群落、早熟禾-菭草群落、早熟禾-嵩草群落和嵩草-莎草群落。人类活动严重影响着草地群落特征,即在人类活动较弱的区域以禾本科和莎草科为主,而在人类活动较强的区域,由早熟禾为主的高寒草原群落类型演变为羽毛委陵菜-平车前群落和紫花针茅群落。此外,物种多样性指数与海拔间存在明显的负相关,即物种丰富度、物种密度、相邻群落间共有物种数目和相似性指数随海拔升高而逐渐降低。可见,海拔和人类活动强烈影响着高寒草地群落的组成和多样性,尤其人类活动影响更为剧烈。因而,为保证高寒草地生态系统可持续发展和物种多样性的维持,应采取合理有效的保护措施,尽量减少人类活动的影响。     

应用灰色系统理论评价昭苏马场天然草地质量

以昭苏马场天然草地可食牧草产量、载畜量、牧草覆盖度、土壤含水量、土壤容重、土壤有机质和土壤全量养分含量为主要指标,应用灰色系统理论中关联度分析的方法,对该场11个草地资源类的质量进行评价。结果表明,昭苏马场质量最好的草地是中山山地草甸的穗三毛(Trisetum spicatum(L.)Richt)+山地糙苏(Phlomisoreophila Kar.et Kir.)+杂类草(Herbarum variarum)草地型和高寒草甸的线叶嵩草(Kobresia capillifolia(Dec-ne.)Clarke)+天山羽衣草(Alchemilla tianschanica Juz.)+杂类草草地型(Herbarum variarum),其关联度分别为0.736、0.691;质量最差的草地是河谷草甸的白尖苔草(Carex oxyleuca V.Krecz)+无芒雀麦(Bromus inermisLeyss.)草地型和低山丘陵草原的羊茅(Festuca ovina L.)+草原苔草(Carex liparocarpos Gaudin)+针茅(Stipacapillata L.)草地型、羊茅+针茅+草原苔草草地型和针茅+草原苔草+冷蒿(Artemisia frigida Willd.)草地型,其关联度分别为0.475、0.461、0.475和0.465。根据分析结果,提出昭苏马场天然草地质量分级的方案,划分5个等级,为今后昭苏马场草地资源充分、有效、合理的利用提供依据。     

不同生态恢复措施下宁夏黄土丘陵区典型草原植物群落数量分类和演替

进行植物群落数量分类和演替研究对退化草地生态恢复具有重要意义。以宁夏黄土丘陵区典型草原为对象,借助植被数量生态学方法,对封育、水平沟和鱼鳞坑3种生态恢复措施实施0(1年)、3、6、10和15年下的草地植物群落进行了数量分类,研究了群落演替序列及其与土壤因子的关系。结果表明:(1)应用双向指示种(TWINSPAN)结合除趋势对应分析(DCA),将研究样地植物群落类型划分为8个。(2)封育0~15年,植被演替序列为本氏针茅+百里香群落→本氏针茅+大针茅群落→百里香+本氏针茅群落→本氏针茅+大针茅群落→本氏针茅+铁杆蒿群落;水平沟和鱼鳞坑整地后1年到15年,植被演替序列分别为沙打旺+白草群落→早熟禾+赖草群落→本氏针茅+百里香群落→百里香+赖草群落→本氏针茅+大针茅群,沙打旺+白草群落→早熟禾+本氏针茅群落→本氏针茅+百里香群落→百里香+本氏针茅群落;随着恢复年限增加,鱼鳞坑和水平沟措施下植物优势物种变化总趋势是根茎型—疏丛型—密丛型植物,但也存在非线性或螺旋式的变化; 3种恢复措施下,植物群落盖度和地上生物量随恢复年限增加呈上升趋势,其中封育草地增加速度最快,鱼鳞坑最慢。(3)除趋势典范对应分析(DCCA)表明,土壤容重、有机质、真菌、全磷和蛋白酶是影响该区植物群落分布的主要土壤因子。     

藏北紫花针茅高寒草原适宜放牧率研究

通过5年的放牧试验研究了藏北紫花针茅高寒草原地上现存量和草地净初级生产力以及藏系绵羊采食量和采食率,以期能够准确制定藏北高寒草原适宜放牧率。研究结果表明,试验初期放牧强度对藏北紫花针茅高寒草地现存量的影响并不显著;随着试验后期对放牧强度增倍,草地地上现存量随放牧强度增加而减少。放牧样地地上净初级生产力在试验初期高于对照样地,但随着放牧强度和时间的增加,到2010年时对照样地净初级生产力明显高于放牧处理(P<0.05)。绵羊采食量与放牧强度间存在显著负相关(P<0.05);绵羊采食率大小顺序为:重牧>轻牧>中牧。综合分析试验结果,轻度放牧条件下,不仅草地现存量和净初级生产力最大,并且绵羊采食量也为最大,因此建议在牧草生长季内藏北紫花针茅高寒草原放牧率应低于4只/1.67 hm²为宜。     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Evaluation of biohydrogenation rate of canola vs. soya bean seeds as unsaturated fatty acids sources for ruminants in situ

An experiment was conducted to study disappearance of C14 to C18 fatty acids, lag times and biohydrogenation (BH) rates of C18 fatty acids of ground soya bean and canola seeds in situ. Three ruminally fistulated Dallagh sheep were used to determine ruminal BH of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Differences in the disappearance of fatty acids through the bags and lag times were observed between the oilseeds. We saw that the longer the incubation time of the oilseeds in the rumen, the lower the content of C18:2 and C18:3. Significantly higher lag times for both C18:2 and C18:3 were observed in ground canola compared to ground soya bean. BH rates of C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids in soya bean were three times higher than those of canola. These results suggest that the fatty acid profile of fat source can affect the BH of UFAs by rumen micro‐organisms. So that UFAs of canola had higher ability to escape from ruminal BH. It seems that fatty acid profile of ruminant products is more affected by canola seed compared to soya bean seed.     

Serum biochemical values and mineral element contents of tissues in yaks

Serum biochemical values and the wet weight to dry weight ratios of tissues were determined in yaks in Shandan county of Gansu province. The liver, kidney, heart and muscle contents of seven elements in yaks were also analysed. Most serum biochemical values were similar to those of cattle, camels and sheep, but the calcium concentration was considerably above the normal range for other ruminants. The liver contained the highest concentrations of copper, manganese and cobalt and the kidney of selenium, iron and calcium.Abbreviations Alb albumin - ALT alanine aminotransferase - AST aspartate aminotransferase - BUN blood urea nitrogen - Chol cholesterol - Glob globulin - -GT -glutamyl transpeptidase - IP inorganic phosphorus - TP total protein     

Internal Parasites and Haematological Values in Cattle Slaughtered in Buea Subdivision of Cameroon

Tropical Animal Health and Production -