山西关帝山亚高山灌丛、草甸物种多样性的研究

运用12个多样性指数对12个灌丛群落样地和21个草甸群落样地进行了数量分析,结果如下,1)关帝山亚高山灌丛、草甸群落的物种多样性与海拔有较密切的关系,随着海拔的升高,其丰富度指数明显下降;均匀度指数表现为升高趋势;综合多样性指数也呈下降趋势;2)关帝山亚高山灌丛、草甸群落的物种多样性与坡度有较密切的关系,随着坡度的下降,灌丛、草甸的丰富度呈现平缓下降的趋势;均匀度和综合多样性呈现明显上升的趋势;3)在各多样性指数的变化幅度上,灌丛群落较草甸群落明显.     

不同海拔高寒草甸土壤微量元素含量及其与植被的关系

为了探究高寒草甸微量元素随海拔的分布特征及其与植被的关系。本研究以东祁连山高寒草甸为研究对象,调查并测定了不同海拔下高寒草甸植被群落和土壤微量元素含量,采用冗余分析(Redundancy analysis,RDA)分析土壤微量元素与植被群落的关系。结果表明,高寒草甸植被总盖度、草层盖度、地上生物量、莎草科、豆科和杂类草地上生物量均随海拔的升高呈先升高后降低的趋势,在3 200 m处达最大值,禾本科地上生物量随海拔升高依次降低;土壤钙(Ca)、铁(Fe)、铜(Cu)和锰(Mn)含量随海拔的升高呈先降低后升高的趋势,土壤镁(Mg)、锌(Zn)和钼(Mo)含量随海拔的升高呈先升高后降低的趋势,土壤钴(Co)含量随海拔的升高依次降低,土壤硒(Se)含量随海拔的升高呈波动性上升;相关性分析和RDA分析表明,土壤微量元素Mo和Fe含量显著影响着高寒草甸植被的生长。综上所述,海拔显著影响着高寒草甸土壤微量元素的分布,高寒草甸土壤管理过程中应该关注微量元素Mo和Fe,建议将微量元素Mo和Fe作为高寒草甸土壤健康评价指标。     

高寒湿地旱化过程及其对CO2交换的影响

为研究青藏高原高寒湿地旱化对碳通量的影响,探讨高寒湿地旱化碳通量变化规律,本研究于7-8月生长高峰期以高寒湿地、沼泽化草甸和高寒草甸为研究对象,利用TARGAS-1静态箱法,比较高寒湿地不同退化阶段碳交换的动态差异。结果表明：与高寒湿地相比,沼泽化草甸与高寒草甸植被群落光合速率、生态系统呼吸速率、净生态系统碳交换显著提高（P<0.05）;不同退化阶段土壤温湿度及植被群落生物量存在显著差异（P<0.05）,土壤电导率差异不显著;相比于土壤湿度和土壤电导率,土壤温度对CO₂交换的影响更大,其与净生态系统碳交换呈显著负相关（P<0.05）,高寒草甸的碳交换对土壤温度的敏感性要大于高寒湿地和沼泽化草甸的碳交换对土壤温度的敏感性;在植物生长高峰期,高寒湿地旱化过程土壤温度显著上升,土壤湿度和植物群落生物量显著下降,导致其碳汇功能呈下降趋势。     

三江源区高寒草甸植物多样性的海拔分布格局

三江源地区是我国受气候变化影响最大且最敏感的区域之一。研究高寒草甸植物多样性海拔分布格局及其与环境的关系,能为预测气候变化对植物多样性的影响和响应提供科学依据。本研究以青海三江源地区的6个样地/海拔梯度共78个样方的高寒草甸样地为研究对象,了解高寒草甸植物多样性和群落结构,分析海拔分布格局及其与环境的关系,旨在以空间替代时间的实验系统来揭示植物对气候变化的响应。统计分析发现,6个高寒草甸样地共有植物21科、51属、74种,且在中海拔和高海拔地区,高寒草甸以藏嵩草、高山嵩草、矮嵩草等莎草科植物占优势,低海拔地区高寒草甸则以针茅、早熟禾、垂穗披碱草等禾本科植物为优势种群。方差分析表明,随着海拔的降低,高寒草甸群落的物种多样性和物种丰富度均呈“单峰”分布格局,而均匀度指数逐渐升高。DCA分析发现,高寒草甸植物群落沿着海拔梯度呈现有规律的变化,具有从高寒草甸向高寒草原化草甸的逐渐过渡的特征,海拔梯度明显的影响了植物群落结构和多样性。此外,CCA结果表明,土壤pH值是影响高寒草甸植物群落分布格局的主要因素,土壤含水量、土壤温度、土壤有机碳、碱解氮含量与全钾含量是影响植物群落分布格局的关键因子。综上所述,我们推测气候变化极有可能影响三江源地区高寒草甸植物群落结构与分布格局。     

高寒草甸植物群落退化与土壤环境特征的关系研究

为了阐明高寒草甸群落特征和物种多样性的变化特征及其与土壤环境因子的关系,本文研究了未退化、轻度、中度、重度和极度退化程度高寒草甸群落特征和物种多样性,以及各退化等级的土壤温湿度及其化学性质。结果表明,随着退化程度的加剧,高寒草甸群落高度、盖度、生物量和演替度均逐渐降低,而鼠类活动先加剧后减缓;物种多样性指数逐渐降低,丰富度指数和均匀度指数均先升高后降低;土壤温度逐渐升高而湿度逐渐降低;土壤有机碳含量和全氮含量均逐渐降低,而土壤pH值则逐渐升高。群落演替度、土壤湿度、土壤有机碳和全氮含量与物种多样性表现出正相关,而有效鼠洞数、土壤温度和土壤pH值则与物种多样性表现出显著的负相关。     

合作市高寒草甸空间分布规律研究

通过3S技术将合作市(甘肃省甘南州)不同类型高寒草甸的遥感影像与地形因子相叠加,分析高寒草甸的空间分布规律。结果表明:研究区海拔主要分布在3057.25～3704.13m范围内,地势陡峭,各坡向面积分布均匀。随海拔增加,高寒灌丛草甸与非高寒灌丛草甸面积所占比例均表现为先增大后减少。随坡度增加,高寒灌丛草甸面积所占比例呈先增大后减少趋势,而非高寒灌丛草甸面积所占比例呈递减趋势。高寒草甸的坡向分布规律性明显,高寒灌丛草甸和非高寒灌丛草甸面积所占比例均以西北-东南轴对称。高寒灌丛草甸以海拔3704.13～3919.75m、坡度25°～35°、西北坡向为最优生境;非高寒灌丛草甸以海拔3488.50～3704.13m、坡度0°～2°、东南坡坡向为最优生境。地形因子是影响研究区高寒草甸空间分布的重要因素,这对未来科学合理地利用高寒草甸,及最大程度地开发草甸生产潜力,具有指导价值。     

不同海拔高度温、湿度对土壤养分的影响

本研究选择不同海拔的高寒草甸为研究对象,对不同海拔梯度温度、湿度及土壤养分进行了研究,研究结果显示:随着海拔的逐渐升高,地表温度逐渐降低,土壤湿度逐渐增大,土壤养分含量总体变化规律不明显,土壤全钾含量与温度呈负相关关系,且达到显著水平。     

坡向和海拔对高寒山地草甸植被分布格局特征的影响

为探讨坡向和海拔对小尺度山体植被分布格局特征的影响,本研究以青藏高原东端日月山支脉为研究对象,利用冗余分析及方差分解等方法,对同一山体不同坡向及海拔的39个样方内土壤水分状况、植被分布格局特征进行分析及定量分解。研究结果表明：阴坡物种丰富度最高,阳坡次之,山脊最低;物种丰富度在3类样地中均为中等海拔时最高;阴坡土壤含水量最高,山脊最低,阴、阳坡土壤含水量均随海拔升高逐渐降低,山脊则变化不显著;方差分解表明,海拔对土壤含水量的贡献率最高,坡向对植被物种多度的贡献率最高;多数植被的分布更加倾向于中度海拔的阴坡地段。因此,在利用小尺度高寒山地草甸时,应优先考虑坡向导致的植被分布格局的变化,进而实现对小尺度高寒山地草甸的精确利用。     

山地草甸植被生物多样性及群落稳定性对坡向的响应

为研究不同坡向山地草甸的植被生物多样性与群落稳定性差异,本研究选取了东祁连山金强河流域4个坡向(阴坡、半阴坡、半阳坡、阳坡)的山地草甸,进行植被特征的调查,并分析了其功能群组成、多样性指数和群落稳定性的变化规律。结果表明：物种的盖度、高度、地上生物量、植被含水率、土壤含水量和莎草科地上生物量从阴坡到阳坡呈递减的趋势,禾本科和豆科呈先升高后降低的趋势,杂类草呈递增的趋势;Godron稳定性结果表明,阳坡群落处于不稳定状态。同一群落多样性大小与其群落稳定性并不存在相关关系。综上,山地草甸不同坡向草地植被特征差异显著,坡向影响着草地生产力与群落稳定性。建议在草地管理中考虑不同坡向草地植被特征变化,采取灌溉、施肥和割草等抚育措施,使植被进行正向演替更新,提高山地草甸群落的生物多样性和群落稳定性,增加其生态系统服务能力。     

藏北高原高寒草甸地上生物量与气候因子的关系

采用收获法测量了藏北不同海拔高度(4300~4700m)2010年(6~8月)嵩草草甸群落地上总生物量,通过相关分析和多重回归分析法探讨了地上生物量与土壤温度、土壤含水量、空气温度、相对湿度、饱和水汽压亏缺以及比湿的关系。结果表明:总体而言,随着海拔高度的升高地上生物量逐渐增加,地上生物量与相对湿度、比湿以及土壤含水量分别呈极显著的正相关关系,与饱和水汽压亏缺呈极显著的负相关关系,而与土壤温度、空气温度呈不显著的负相关关系;相对湿度和饱和水汽压亏缺共同解释了地上生物量94%的变异,其中相对湿度的贡献较大。相对湿度是决定高寒嵩草草甸沿海拔分布的主导因子。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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

Tropical Animal Health and Production -     

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.     

Chemotaxis of macrophage in inflammation

Our particular attention in this article was given to natural mediators for macrophages isolated from the sites of tissue injury. A number of chemotactic factors, which may satisfy many criteria making them acceptable as inflammatory leucocyte chemotactic factors, has been separated. Among them, our laboratory has isolated three macrophage (monocyte) chemotactic factors (MCF-a, -b and -c). Their purification, characterization and functional specificity are discussed.     

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