Diseases of the respiratory tract of chelonians.

Diseases of the respiratory tract commonly occur in captive chelonians, and several diseases also have occurred in wild chelonians. Infectious causes include viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Herpesviruses have surfaced as important pathogens of the oral cavity and respiratory tract in Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanii), spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca), and other tortoises in Europe and the United States. Herpesvirus-associated respiratory diseases also have been reported in the green turtle, Chelonia mydas, in mariculture in the Cayman Islands. Of diseases caused by bacteria, an upper respiratory tract disease caused by Mycoplasma sp has been reported in free-hanging and captive gopher tortoises in the southeastern United States and in desert tortoises in the Mojave Desert of the southwestern United States. Mycotic pulmonary disease is commonly reported in captive chelonians, especially in those maintained at suboptimal temperatures. An intranuclear coccidia has been seen in several species of captive tortoises in the United States, and, in one case, a severe proliferative pneumonia was associated with organisms in the lung. The most common noninfectious cause of respiratory disease in chelonians results from trauma to the carapace. Although pulmonary fibromas commonly occur in green turtles with fibropapillomatosis, for the most part, tumors of the respiratory tract are uncommon in chelonians.     

草原与荒漠一年生植物性状对降水变化的响应

草原与荒漠生态系统中一年生植物是高度顺应气候波动、特别是降水波动的特殊类群。本试验以内蒙古草原与荒漠区4种一年生植物为研究对象,通过室内模拟5,20,70和150 mm 4个有效降水梯度,分析了4种一年生植物物候及其形态等性状对降水变化的响应。结果表明,草原与荒漠一年生植物类群生长期通常在40～90(<100)d;随降水梯度的增加,一年生植物的生长期、植物高度、叶长、生物量等均增加,5 mm有效降水能基本完成生活史,70 mm有效降水资源分配达到最佳化,结实量最大;一年生猪毛菜类在不同降水条件下的物候期长短的变化比一年生小禾草类小,倾向于以调整生殖生长期的长短的方式,减少结实量为代价加速种子成熟的方式响应降水量不足;一年生小禾草类能根据降水量变化及时调整各物候期长短以适应生长和繁殖;相同降水条件下小禾草类植物的生长期相对较长;在适应方式上,猪毛菜类植物表现出更强的避旱能力,而小禾草类植物则表现出相对更强的耐旱能力。     

Differences in helminth infections between captive and wild spur-thighed tortoises Testudo graeca in southern Spain: a potential risk of reintroductions of this species

Although the spur-thighed tortoise, Testudo graeca, is one of the most widely distributed species of tortoises, its natural populations are threatened through its whole range. Particularly at south-eastern Spain, the species is mainly threatened by habitat destruction and over-collection, given that this chelonian has been traditionally considered an appreciate pet. As south-eastern Spanish wildlife recovery centers shelter hundreds of captive animals mainly coming from illegal trade or captive-bred, there is a strong debate about what to do with these animals: maintaining them in captivity all along their lives or reintroducing them to wildlife. It is well known that the reintroduction of captive animals supposes a risk for the wild population due to the uncertainty of their genetic origin and to the possible spread of infectious diseases. However, despite the increasing evidence that infectious agents are a potential health hazard for wildlife, little is known about the risk that introduced parasites could suppose for the wild populations of spur-thighed tortoise. The present study investigates for the first time the presence of helminth eggs and worms in faeces from 107 wild and captive individuals collected from mid-March to mid-June 2010, and relates the findings to different environmental and host variables. Sixteen oxyurid species and the ascarid Angusticaecum holopterum were identified. This last nematode and the oxyurid species Tachygonetria palearticus and T. seurati had not been reported in Spanish wild T. graeca previously. The prevalence of oxyurid eggs and worms were 94% and 70%, respectively; while, ascarid eggs and worms were found in 26% and 5% of tortoises, respectively. Ascarid infections affected mostly captive animals and were associated to caparace deformities and symptoms of upper respiratory tract disease (p<0.05). Oxyurid infections were not associated to negative health traits and prevalence increased with age. In free-living tortoises, the distribution of pharingodonid genera also varied according to habitat; moreover, T. longicollis, T. pusilla, T. conica, T. robusta and Mehdiella stylosa where significantly more frequent in wild compared to captive tortoises (p<0.05). Study results highlight important differences in the nematode fauna of captive and free-living tortoises and questions one more time if the reintroductions of captive animals suppose a risk for the wild population since the former ones can harbor and distribute among free populations pathogens like ascarid nematodes.     

Effects of short photoperiod on energy intake,thermogenesis, and reproduction in desert hamsters (Phodopus roborovskii)

Desert hamsters (Phodopus roborovskii) are the least known species in the genus Phodopus with respect to ecology and physiology, and deserve scientific attention, particularly because of their small body size. Here, the responses of energy metabolism and reproductive function to short photoperiods in desert hamsters were investigated. Male and female desert hamsters were acclimated to either long day (LD) (L:D 16:8 h) or short day (SD) photoperiods (L:D 8:16 h) for three months, and then the females were transferred back to an LD photoperiod for a further five months, while at the end of the SD acclimation the males were killed and measurements were taken for serum leptin as well as molecular markers for thermogenesis. We found that like the other two species from the genus Phodopus, the desert hamsters under SD decreased body mass, increased adaptive thermogenesis as indicated by elevated mitochondrial protein content and uncoupling protein‐1 content in brown adipose tissue, and suppressed reproduction compared to those under LD. However, different from the other two species, desert hamsters did not show any differences in energy intake or serum leptin concentration between LD and SD. These data suggest that different species from the same genus respond in different ways to the environmental signals, and the desert adapted species are not as sensitive to change in photoperiod as the other two species.     

Latitudinal and seasonal variation in reproductive effort of the eastern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus)

Geographic variation in life‐history traits among populations of wide‐ranging species is influenced by both spatial and temporal aspects of the environment. Rarely, however, are the effects of both aspects examined concurrently. We collected gravid female lizards (Sceloporus undulatus) from northern (Indiana), central (Mississippi) and southern (Florida) populations, spanning nearly the full latitudinal range of the species, to examine amongpopulation differences in strategies of reproductive energy allocation. Adult females from the southern population were smaller, and produced fewer and smaller eggs in their first clutches than did females from the more northern populations. Southern females were more likely to produce a second clutch, and second clutches were smaller than first clutches for females from the 2 northern populations. Together these trends eliminated population differences in overall reproductive output after accounting for body size. The trend for greater reproductive energy to be allocated to first clutches at higher latitudes, and to later clutches at lower latitudes is corroborated by published data from field studies on multiple populations. Distributing reproductive effort by producing more clutches of smaller eggs may be an adaptive response to the long season available for egg incubation and lizard activity in sub‐tropical southern environments. In contrast, allocating greater resources to early reproduction may enhance maternal fitness in the relatively short activity seasons that characterize more northern sites.     

异型种子植物异苞滨藜的繁殖输出

异苞滨藜是重要的荒漠野生牧草资源,具有褐色和黑色两种异型种子;黑色种子小,种皮光滑,有光泽,包被种子的苞片较小;褐色种子大,包被种子的苞片较大。对异型种子繁殖输出的研究将为探讨其生态适应机制及生活史进化研究提供科学依据。选择准噶尔低山砾质荒漠自然种群中3个不同微生境(陡坡、缓坡和坡底),分别随机选取20株植株,测定植株高度、生物量以及种子的数量,研究种子的输出比例和繁殖分配。结果表明,1)不同微生境中植株的大小有显著差异,山坡沟底植株的个体最大,缓坡次之,陡坡最小。2)植株的总繁殖分配以及褐色种子和黑色种子的繁殖分配随个体的增大而显著增高;异苞滨藜大型植株的繁殖分配高达57.57%,褐色种子和黑色种子的繁殖分配无显著差异;中型和小型植株的繁殖分配小于30%,主要投资黑色种子。3)随植株个体的增大,异苞滨藜3个级别的植株输出的黑色种子的数量和比例均显著大于褐色种子的数量和比例;黑色种子与褐色种子比例为2.16~7.41∶1。异型种子萌发物候的不同步、繁殖输出的“灵活性”是异苞滨藜与荒漠异质环境长期适应的结果。     

Soluble scute proteins of healthy and ill desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii)

OBJECTIVES: To characterize protein composition of shell scute of desert tortoises and to determine whether detectable differences could be used to identify healthy tortoises from tortoises with certain illnesses. ANIMALS: 20 desert tortoises. PROCEDURES: Complete postmortem examinations were performed on all tortoises. Plastron scute proteins were solubilized, scute proteins were separated by use of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and proteins were analyzed, using densitometry. Two-dimensional immobilized pH gradient-PAGE (2D IPG-PAGE) and immunoblot analysis, using polyclonal antisera to chicken-feather beta keratin and to alligator-scale beta keratin, were conducted on representative samples. The 14-kd proteins were analyzed for amino acid composition. RESULTS: The SDS-PAGE and densitometry revealed 7 distinct bands, each with a mean relative protein concentration of > 1 %, ranging from 8 to 47 kd, and a major protein component of approximately 14 kd that constituted up to 75% of the scute protein. The 2D IPG-PAGE revealed additional distinct 62- and 68-kd protein bands. On immunoblot analysis, the 14-, 32-, and 45-kd proteins reacted with both antisera. The 14-kd proteins had an amino acid composition similar to that of chicken beta keratins. There was a substantial difference in the percentage of the major 14-kd proteins from scute of ill tortoises with normal appearing shells, compared with 14-kd proteins of healthy tortoises. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The major protein components of shell scute of desert tortoises have amino acid composition and antigenic features of beta keratins. Scute protein composition may be altered in tortoises with certain systemic illnesses.     

干旱荒漠区荒漠锦鸡儿种群繁殖对策研究

通过调查荒漠锦鸡儿(Caragana roborovskyi)灌丛的繁殖倾向、克隆生长特性及分株特征,研究荒漠锦鸡儿的繁殖特点并探讨其适应干旱荒漠环境的机制。结果表明:荒漠区荒漠锦鸡儿既可以进行无性繁殖,又可以进行有性繁殖,且无性繁殖所占的比例(95.8%)明显高于有性繁殖(4.2%)。荒漠锦鸡儿由根萌蘖产生无性系分株,其克隆生长构型为游击型。综合分析认为,荒漠锦鸡儿通过游击型克隆繁殖和发达的根系适应荒漠区的干旱贫瘠环境,使其成为荒漠区的优势种。     

荒漠草原不同土壤生境猪毛蒿个体大小依赖的繁殖分配

植物繁殖分配是生活史理论的核心问题,一直受到生态学家们的关注。为了研究荒漠草原异质生境下植物的繁殖分配策略,本研究以生长在风沙土、灰钙土和基岩风化残积土生境下的猪毛蒿为研究对象,调查了不同个体大小的猪毛蒿生物量特征,分析了生物量间的相关关系和位置效应,讨论了繁殖器官的绝对投入量及其繁殖分配特点。结果表明:基岩风化残积土生境下猪毛蒿的地上生物量和地下生物量、营养器官生物量和生殖器官生物量、繁殖体数量和繁殖体重量等均小于风沙土和灰钙土生境。单株猪毛蒿上、中、下部的地上生物量、繁殖体数量、繁殖体重量和单个头状花序重量均未表现出资源投入的差异性(P>0.05)。繁殖器官生物量的绝对投入(lg R)随着个体大小(lg V)的增大而增加,表现出极显著正相关关系(P<0.001),说明猪毛蒿对营养生长和繁殖的资源投入是同时增加的。基岩风化残积土、风沙土和灰钙土生境下猪毛蒿的繁殖阈值分别为2.07、1.96和1.99 g,其繁殖分配和个体大小均呈现出负相关关系(P<0.05)。不同土壤生境下猪毛蒿单个头状花序重量和个体大小、每株头状花序数量间均呈负相关关系,这种差异性一定程度上反映了种群资源配置的表型可塑性,但这些权衡间没有显著的相关关系(P>0.05)。     

Bilateral palpebral reduction and concurrent mycoplasmosis in a wild Agassiz's desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)

A wild Agassiz's desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii, with bilateral eyelid reduction and plaques of tissue covering the superior surface of both corneas was examined in the field and subsequently submitted to the University of Florida for diagnostics. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), from a swab of both corneas, was positive for Mycoplasma agassizii. Two months later, the tortoise was euthanatized and necropsied. There was increased bulbar exposure associated with dermal excoriation of periocular scales in both superior and inferior palpebra resulting in an increased palpebral fissure opening. Concurrently, there was bilateral conjunctivitis of the nictitating membranes and squamous metaplasia of the bulbar conjunctiva. Using PCR, Mycoplasma testudineum, another pathogen of tortoises, was identified in both nasal cavities, and the upper respiratory tract histopathological findings were consistent with those described for M. testudineum in Agassiz's desert tortoises. Although eye disease has been reported in desert and gopher (Gopherus polyphemus) tortoises with mycoplasmosis, widespread loss of palpebral tissue, conjunctivitis of the nictitans, and squamous metaplasia of the bulbar conjunctiva have not been reported in tortoises.     

Teasing apart socially‐induced infertility in non‐reproductive female Damaraland mole‐rats,Fukomys damarensis (Rodentia: Bathyergidae)

The Damaraland mole‐rat is a subterranean mammal exhibiting extreme reproductive skew with a single reproductive female in each colony responsible for procreation. Non‐reproductive female colony members are physiologically suppressed while in the colony, exhibiting reduced concentrations of plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) and a decreased response of the pituitary, as measured by the release of bioactive LH, to an exogenous dose of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH). Removal of the reproductive female from the colony results in an elevation of LH and an enhanced response of the pituitary to a GnRH challenge in non‐reproductive females comparable to reproductive females, implying control of reproduction in these individuals by the reproductive female. The Damaraland mole‐rat is an ideal model for investigating the physiological and behavioral mechanisms that regulate the hypothalamo–pituitary–gonadal axis. In contrast, we know less about the control of reproduction at the level of the hypothalamus. The immunohistochemistry of the GnRH system of both reproductive and non‐reproductive female Damaraland mole‐rats has revealed no significant differences with respect to morphology, distribution or numbers of immunoreactive GnRH perikarya. We examined whether the endogenous opioid peptide beta‐endorphin was responsible for the inhibition of the release of the GnRH from the neurons indirectly by measuring LH concentrations in these non‐reproductive females following single, hourly and 8 hourly injections of the opioid antagonist naloxone. The results imply that the endogenous opioid peptide, beta‐endorphin, is not responsible for the inhibition of GnRH release from the perikarya in non‐reproductive females. Preliminary data examining the circulating levels of cortisol also do not support a role for circulating glucocorticoids. The possible role of kisspeptin is discussed.     

Quantitative analysis of production traits in saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus): I. reproduction traits

Repeatability and phenotypic correlations were estimated for saltwater crocodile reproductive traits. No pedigree information was available to estimate heritability or genetic correlations, because the majority of breeder animals on farms were wild‐caught. Moreover, as the age of the female breeders could not be accounted for, egg‐size measurements were used as proxies. The reproductive traits investigated were clutch size (total number of eggs laid), number of viable eggs, number of eggs that produced a live, healthy hatchling, hatchability, average snout–vent length of the hatchlings and time of nesting. A second data set was also created comprising binary data of whether or not the female nested. Repeatability estimates ranged from 0.24 to 0.68 for the measurable traits, with phenotypic correlations ranging from ?0.15 to 0.86. Repeatability for whether a female nested or not was 0.58 on the underlying scale. Correlations could not be estimated between the measurement and binary traits because of confounding. These estimates are the first published for crocodilian reproduction traits.     

山西芦芽山自然保护区星鸦的繁殖生态

2007～2009年,在山西芦芽山国家级自然保护区对星鸦的繁殖生态进行了研究,结果表明：在本区星鸦主要分布在海拔1 500～2 500 m的针叶林或针阔混交林带;繁殖前3月的种群密度为0.25只/km,繁殖后的8月种群密度为0.43只/km;繁殖期为4～7月,最早产卵期为4月19日,窝卵数为3～5枚,孵化期为17～18 d,孵化率为83.2%,巢内育雏期18～19 d,幼乌离巢率为96%;星鸦的食物主要以昆虫为主,占总食物量的76.7%。     

Biology of Larks (Aves: Alaudidae) in the Central Namib Desert

1. The biology of six species of larks in the Namib Desert near Walvis Bay, South West Africa, was studied in 1964, 1965 and 1966.

2. All species reproduced following rainfall in summer and autumn months, with the appearance of green grass and abundant insects on which the birds fed.

3. The primarily insectivorous species, Certhilauda albofasciata, shows no seasonality in moulting and testicular development, and reproduces whenever local rainfall results in favourable feeding and nesting circumstances, while the primarily granivorous Spizoeorys starki and Eremopterix verticalis have markedly seasonal testicular and moulting cycles timed so that reproduction occurs only during the late summer and autumn months. Ammomanes grayi is intermediate in food habits and in timing of moulting and reproduction, and C. albescens and Mirafra naevia may also be intermediate in this respect.

4. S. starki and E. verticalis are the only larks that normally drink, but flocks of both species were observed that were independent of drinking water.

5. Larks avoid heat stress during daytime by keeping to the shade of stones, tufts of vegetation and mouths of rodent burrows; and nests are nearly always placed on the shady side of a stone' or tuft of grass.

6. It is suggested that larks may be successful desert occupants because they have not become highly specialized and therefore can tolerate rapidly and severely changing environ-mental conditions associated with drought and irregular rainfall.     

Susceptibility of reproduction in female pigs to impairment by stress or elevation of cortisol

It is generally agreed that stress can impair reproduction. Furthermore, it is often thought that cortisol, which is secreted during stress as a result of activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis, is associated with this stress-induced impairment of reproduction. It has been hypothesized that reproduction in females is particularly susceptible to disruption by acute stress during the series of endocrine events that induce estrus and ovulation. Nevertheless, we found no support for this conjecture when we subjected female pigs to repeated acute stress or repeated acute elevation of cortisol during the period leading up to estrus and ovulation. Conversely, studies have demonstrated that prolonged stress and sustained elevation of cortisol can disrupt reproductive processes in female pigs. Nevertheless, in each study that demonstrated this effect, there were some animals subjected to the prolonged stressor or the sustained elevation of cortisol in which the reproductive parameters that were measured were not affected by the treatment. We propose that reproduction in female pigs is resistant to the effects of acute or repeated acute stress or acute or repeated acute elevation of cortisol even if these occur during the series of endocrine events that induce estrus and ovulation. Furthermore, while reproductive processes in some individuals are compromised, reproduction in a proportion of female pigs appears to be resistant to the effects of prolonged stress or sustained elevation of cortisol.     

Resistance to Invasion and Resilience to Fire in Desert Shrublands of North America

Settlement by Anglo-Americans in the desert shrublands of North America resulted in the introduction and subsequent invasion of multiple nonnative grass species. These invasions have altered presettlement fire regimes, resulted in conversion of native perennial shrublands to nonnative annual grasslands, and placed many native desert species at risk. Effective management of these ecosystems requires an understanding of their ecological resistance to invasion and resilience to fire. Resistance and resilience differ among the cold and hot desert shrublands of the Great Basin, Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan deserts in North America. These differences are largely determined by spatial and temporal patterns of productivity but also are affected by ecological memory, severity and frequency of disturbance, and feedbacks among invasive species and disturbance regimes. Strategies for preventing or managing invasive plant/fire regimes cycles in desert shrublands include: 1) conducting periodic resource assessments to evaluate the probability of establishment of an altered fire regime; 2) developing an understanding of ecological thresholds associate within invasion resistance and fire resilience that characterize transitions from desirable to undesirable fire regimes; and 3) prioritizing management activities based on resistance of areas to invasion and resilience to fire.     

Sedative and cardiopulmonary effects of medetomidine and reversal with atipamezole in desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii).

Ten desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) were given i.m. injections of 150 microg/kg of medetomidine. Sedation was achieved in all tortoises by 20 min postinjection and was accompanied by a significant decrease in mean heart and respiratory rates, systolic, diastolic, and mean ventricular pressures, and mean ventricular partial pressure of oxygen (PO2). There was no change in mean blood pH, HCO3, Na+, K+, ionized calcium values, and mean ventricular partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2). There were statistically significant but clinically insignificant changes in mean base excess and pH-corrected ionized calcium values. Atipamezole given to five of the tortoises at 0.75 mg/kg i.m. significantly reversed the sedative effects of the medetomidine, with all tortoises returning to a normal state by 30 min after administration of the reversal agent. In comparison, the other five tortoises given an equal volume of physiologic saline in place of atipamezole (control group) remained significantly sedated for the duration of the study. In addition, the heart rate and ventricular PO2 returned to baseline, but the respiratory rate and ventricular blood pressures were not significantly altered by the atipamezole as compared with those of the control group. These cardiopulmonary and physiologic effects are similar to those seen in some domestic mammals. Medetomidine can be used to safely induce sedation in desert tortoises. For procedures lasting greater than 120 min, supplemental oxygen should be provided. Atipamezole will reverse the sedation but not all of the cardiopulmonary effects, thus necessitating continued monitoring after reversal. Future studies should address the anesthetic and cardiopulmonary effects of medetomidine in combination with other agents such as ketamine and/or butorphanol.     

库姆塔格沙漠东南部胡杨液流变化及其对环境因子的响应

于2018年4月-10月(春季4月、夏季7月、秋季9月)利用PS-TDP8树木茎流监测系统对库姆塔格沙漠东南部胡杨(Populus euphratica)的液流速率变化进行监测,采用相关分析及逐步回归法分析气象因子(太阳总辐射、空气温度、风速、空气相对湿度)对胡杨液流的影响.结果表明:胡杨茎干液流日变化趋势呈几字"宽峰...     

库姆塔格沙漠植物群落类型及其多样性

采用线路调查法研究了库姆塔格沙漠植物群落类型及植物物种多样性。结果表明,库姆塔格的植被可划分为山前戈壁荒漠植被、沙漠植被和荒漠草甸植被3大类型,其中沙漠南部山前戈壁的荒漠植被17类,沙漠东缘和北缘的荒漠草甸植被12类,沙漠植被13类。因分布区域的差异,不同植物群落的物种多样性存在一定差异,南缘戈壁荒漠植物群落较稳定,物种多样性水平高,多样性指数平均为1.437,均匀度和优势度指数分别为0.824和0.302;沙漠植物群落物种组成稀少,群落稳定性差,多样性指数平均为0.725,均匀度指数为0.533;盐化草甸类植物群落多样性水平不高,群落相对较稳定,多样性、均匀度、优势度指数分别为0.804、0.807、0.547。戈壁荒漠植物群落随着气候环境干旱程度的加剧,多样性水平趋于减少,北缘植物群落多样性在中部地段明显升高,这与土壤结构组成有必然的联系,两条经度线上植物群落多样性变化与区域地形地貌及水文条件具有密切的关系。     

圈养扬子鳄繁殖能力的探查

为了探查扬子鳄人工种群的繁殖能力,对1996~2005年安徽省扬子鳄繁殖研究中心的亲本鳄和子一代鳄繁殖情况进行观察和研究。经过对其繁殖参数的统计分析,得出亲本鳄与子一代鳄在卵的短径和重量、窝卵数、卵受精率和孵化率、出壳一周内雏鳄的死亡率以及雏鳄生长量方面无显著性差异,即子一代鳄的繁殖能力与亲本鳄的相同。该结果表明目前圈养扬子鳄的繁殖能力尚未降低。