Seed removal by ants,birds and rodents in a woodland savanna habitat in Zimbabwe

Seed removal from bait stations was studied in miombo habitat in western Zimbabwe. Previous studies of seed predation in southern Africa have largely been conducted in desert ecosystems. However, this woodland-savanna habitat is more mesic and has relatively predictable rainfall patterns. The experiment was conducted in grassy and woody microhabitats in the hot, dry season and early wet season, and followed a year in which precipitation was 69 % of the long-term average. Birds removed the greatest quantity of seeds, followed by ants and then rodents. Previous studies in northern hemisphere mesic environments emphasize the importance of rodents and minor role of invertebrates in seed predation. Although our site appears to have more in common with southern hemisphere desert sites than with northern hemisphere mesic sites, we recognize that our results are likely to reflect a lower limit of consumption by rodents.     

Seasonal habitat requirements of Lemon Dove (Aplopelia larvata) in coastal forest: camera-trap surveys of a reclusive species

The modification of natural habitats requires behavioural plasticity, which may be challenging for ‘specialist’ species. Quantifying habitat requirements and behavioural responses of specialists to landscape transformation is thus a priority for baseline data to inform conservation practices. Using camera-trap surveys of the forest-dependent Lemon Dove Aplopelia larvata in conjunction with detailed microhabitat-scale covariates, we assessed habitat use during two periods in the year: autumn–winter and spring–summer (which largely encompassed peak breeding). We used occupancy modelling of forest-structural covariates to produce models of the probability of occupancy and detection of Lemon Doves in patches of the Indian Ocean Coastal Belt Forest of South Africa. The average occupancy and detection probability as indicated by the top-performing models was 0.39 ± 0.08 and 0.26 ± 0.05, respectively, during autumn–winter, and 0.37 ± 0.08 and 0.25 ± 0.04, respectively, during spring–summer. Although occupancy and probability of detection remained relatively constant between seasons, there was seasonal variation in the influence of individual covariates for both measures. The overall trend of positive influences on Lemon Dove occupancy was that of complex and diverse habitat structures and high plant species richness. The specific covariates that influenced occupancy positively during spring–summer may reflect the ecological requirements for nestling provisioning for both dietary needs and an avoidance of potential disturbance. Thus, while Lemon Doves may be less habitat-specific during autumn–winter, conservation management plans for safeguarding the breeding success of the species are advised to ensure adequate protection of large forest patches with complex and diverse interior structures and minimal disturbance.     

西藏东南部原始森林夏-秋季节鸡类的栖息地利用

本文报道了1995年夏-秋季节西藏东南部原始森林鸡类栖息地的利用方式.记录有7个物种,这些物种大多喜欢在阳坡环境,而回避相对潮湿的阴坡环境.在这一鸡类群落中,白马鸡(Crossoptilon crossoptilon)与藏马鸡(C.harmani)的杂交类型在数量上是最丰富的,其次是血雉(Ithaginis cruentus)和斑尾榛鸡(Bonasa sewerzowi).随后于2001年的调查表明,由于地处偏僻,这些鸡类依然没有遭受人类狩猎和栖息地干扰的影响.     

Microbial pathogens in ticks, rodents and a shrew in northern Gyeonggi-do near the DMZ, Korea

A total of 1,618 ticks [420 individual (adults) and pooled (larvae and nymphs) samples], 369 rodents (Apodemus agrarius, Rattus norvegicus, Tscherskia triton, Mus musculus, and Myodes regulus), and 34 shrews (Crocidura lasiura) that were collected in northern Gyeonggi-do near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) of Korea during 2004-2005, were assayed by PCR for selected zoonotic pathogens. From a total of 420 individual and pooled tick DNA samples, Anaplasma (A.) phagocytophilum (16), A. platys (16), Ehrlichia (E.) chaffeensis (63), Borrelia burgdorferi (16), and Rickettsia spp. (198) were detected using species-specific PCR assays. Out of 403 spleens from rodents and shrews, A. phagocytophilum (20), A. platys (34), E. chaffeensis (127), and Bartonella spp. (24) were detected with species-specific PCR assays. These results suggest that fevers of unknown causes in humans and animals in Korea should be evaluated for infections by these vector-borne microbial pathogens.     

A survey of gastro-intestinal parasitic infection in domestic and wild birds in Chittagong and Greater Sylhet,Bangladesh

A survey of gastrointestinal parasitic infection as determined by faecal examination was conducted among domestic and wild birds in Bangladesh. Birds were sampled from households, wet markets and wetlands in Chittagong and Greater Sylhet districts during April 2012 to February 2013. Mist nets were used to catch resident wild and migratory birds. The overall prevalence of parasitic infection ranged among locations from 25 to 55% in indigenous domestic ducks (live bird samples = 304), 20% in resident wild birds (environmental faecal samples = 40) and 40% in migratory birds (live bird samples = 35). The prevalence of parasitic infection was significantly higher in indigenous domestic ducks collected during summer (39%) than winter (22%) (p = 0.04). In domestic indigenous ducks and Muscovy ducks, both single and multiple types of parasitic infections were found. However, other domestic birds and wild birds often had a single type of parasitic infection. Ascaridia spp. with an average egg load of 50–900, was commonly detected in faecal samples of domestic and wild birds in this study. Other identified parasites were Capillaria spp. and Heterakis spp. both in domestic and wild birds. Improvement of biosecurity measures for household duck farms through educating and motivating household farmers could help mitigate the effects of parasitic infection on production.     

Concentrations of retinol, 3,4-didehydroretinol, and retinyl esters in plasma of free-ranging birds of prey

This study investigated vitamin A compounds in the plasma of healthy free‐ranging Central European raptors with different feeding strategies. Plasma samples of nestlings of white‐tailed sea eagle [white‐tailed sea eagle (WTSE), Haliaeetus albicilla) (n = 32), osprey (Pandion haliaetus) (n = 39), northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) (n = 25), common buzzard (Buteo buteo) (n = 31), and honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus) (n = 18) and adults of WTSE (n = 10), osprey (n = 31), and northern goshawk (n = 45) were investigated with reversed‐phase‐high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC). In WTSE, northern goshawks and common buzzards retinol were the main plasma component of vitamin A, whilst in ospreys and honey buzzards, 3,4‐didehydroretinol predominated. The median of the retinol plasma concentration in the nestlings group ranged from 0.12 to 3.80 μm and in the adult group from 0.15 to 6.13 μm . Median plasma concentrations of 3,4‐didehydroretinol in nestlings ranged from 0.06 to 3.55 μm . In adults, northern goshawks had the lowest plasma concentration of 3,4‐didehydroretinol followed by WTSE and ospreys. The plasma of all investigated species contained retinyl esters (palmitate, oleate, and stearate). The results show considerable species‐specific differences in the vitamin A plasma concentrations that might be caused by different nutrition strategies.     

Scatter‐hoarding rodents as secondary seed dispersers of a frugivore‐dispersed tree Scleropyrum wallichianum in a defaunated Xishuangbanna tropical forest,China

Local extinction or population decline of large frugivorous vertebrates as primary seed dispersers, caused by human disturbance and habitat change, might lead to dispersal limitation of many large‐seeded fruit trees. However, it is not known whether or not scatter‐hoarding rodents as secondary seed dispersers can help maintain natural regeneration (e.g. seed dispersal) of these frugivore‐dispersed trees in the face of the functional reduction or loss of primary seed dispersers. In the present study, we investigated how scatter‐hoarding rodents affect the fate of tagged seeds of a large‐seeded fruit tree (Scleropyrum wallichianum Arnott, 1838, Santalaceae) from seed fall to seedling establishment in a heavily defaunated tropical forest in the Xishuangbanna region of Yunnan Province, in southwest China, in 2007 and 2008. Our results show that: (i) rodents removed nearly all S. wallichianum seeds in both years; (ii) a large proportion (2007, 75%; 2008, 67.5%) of the tagged seeds were cached individually in the surface soil or under leaf litters; (iii) dispersal distance of primary caches was further in 2007 (19.6 ± 14.6 m) than that in 2008 (14.1 ± 11.6 m), and distance increased as rodents recovered and moved seeds from primary caches into subsequent caching sites; and (iv) part of the cached seeds (2007, 3.2%; 2008, 2%) survived to the seedling stage each year. Our study suggests that by taking roles of both primary and secondary seed dispersers, scatter‐hoarding rodents can play a significant role in maintaining seedling establishment of S. wallichianum, and are able to at least partly compensate for the loss of large frugivorous vertebrates in seed dispersal.     

基于MapGIS平台的阿拉善荒漠区啮齿动物群落专家系统中推理机的研究与实现

本研究在前期研发阿拉善荒漠区啮齿动物群落专家系统的基础上,对开垦、轮牧和过牧3种不同类型生境中啮齿动物优势种子午沙鼠(Meriones meridianus)、三趾跳鼠(Dipus sagitta)和小毛足鼠(Phodopus roborovskii)相对数量与8个不同植物因子动态关系进行定量非线性分析,借助MapGI...     

The status of habitat of great white and pink-backed pelicans in northeastern KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa: a review

Habitat change, mainly through the actions of humans, poses a threat to great white (Pelecanus onocrotalus) and pink-backed (P. rufescens) pelicans in northeastern KwaZulu-Natal, the southernmost distributions of these species on Africa’s eastern seaboard. This study assessed the relative importance and state of the potential pelican habitat in the northeastern KwaZulu-Natal region, focusing particularly on Lake St Lucia and the Phongolo River floodplain. Great white pelicans breed on islands in Lake St Lucia. Should these islands be lost through falling water levels or their becoming joined to mainland by deposits of silt, or by flooding, no suitable habitat for their breeding will remain in the region. By contrast, the pink-backed pelican nests in trees, and there appears to be plentiful alternative habitat. Lake St Lucia and, to a lesser extent, the Phongolo River floodplain, are important foraging areas for both pelican species. The hydrology of both these systems has been affected by human activities.     

雄性白冠长尾雉在农田-人工林中的活动区及其栖息地组成的初步研究

2003年3月至8月,我们在湖北省仙居顶林场对雄性白冠长尾雉(Syrmaticus reevesii)在农田-人工林中的活动区及其栖息地组成进行了初步研究.雄性白冠长尾雉的活动区面积为33.17±12.55 ha(MCP)、21.05±5.61ha(95%Fixed Kernel),其活动区核心部分的面积为3.92±0.27 ha.活动区、核心区和活动距离的季节差异不显著.杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)人工林是雄性白冠长尾雉活动区和及其核心部分的主要组成部分.雄性个体在春季和夏季对栖息地都有明显的选择性,如均显著利用杉木林而回避阔叶林,但在春节明显回避灌丛.各栖息地类型的植被结构可能是决定其利用程度的主要原因.     

半干旱沙地生境变化对植物地上生物量及其碳、氮储量的影响

研究了科尔沁沙地沙丘固定过程中的流动沙丘、半固定沙丘和固定沙丘以及草地4种生境类型的植物地上生物量及其碳、氮含量与储量特征。结果表明,沙地生境变化对植物叶干重、枝干重、总生物量及其碳、氮含量与储量均有显著影响(P<0.01);固定沙丘的叶干重、枝干重、总生物量及其碳氮储量均大于流动沙丘与半固定沙丘,草地的叶干重、枝干重、总生物量、枝和总的碳储量、枝的氮储量均小于固定沙丘而大于流动沙丘;半固定沙丘叶、枝及总碳含量与枝的碳储量大于流动沙丘,而叶、枝及总氮含量小于流动沙丘。一年生植物分别占流动沙丘、固定沙丘和草地总生物量的63.99%,79.28%,70.86%;灌木占半固定沙丘总生物量的73.15%;C₃植物生物量分别占流动、半固定、固定沙丘和草地总生物量的39.99%,90.87%,96.01%和82.67%。固定沙丘上的一年生植物和C₃植物的生物量、碳氮储量在4个生境中最高;半固定、固定沙丘和草地中C₃植物碳含量及其储量、氮储量均高于C₄植物。沙丘固定过程中生物量及其碳氮储量逐渐增加,固定沙丘植被具有较大的碳氮固存潜力,一年生植物、C₃植物对其碳氮的固存具有重要的贡献作用;沙丘固定过程中C₃植物对C₄植物生物量的下降具补偿作用。     

松嫩平原草甸生境甘草种群生殖构件表型可塑性及变化规律

采用大样本取样,对松嫩平原羊草草甸甘草种群生殖构件进行了表型可塑性分析。结果表明,在籽实完熟期,甘草种群单个生殖分株的生物量为23.99±12.99 g;豆荚生物量和豆荚数分别为13.55±10.03 g和67.10±48.83个;种子生物量和种子数分别为3.55±2.61 g和265.00±194.50粒;生殖分配Ⅰ和生殖分配Ⅱ分别为51.19%±13.21%和13.44%±3.65%。各生殖构件表型观测数据最大值比最小值高2.1~21.1倍。豆荚和种子形成均需要分株积累6.2 g以上的生物量。豆荚生物量、豆荚数、种子生物量、种子数分别与分株总生物量呈极显著(P<0.01)的线性正相关关系;豆荚数、种子数、生殖分配Ⅰ、生殖分配Ⅱ分别与叶生物量分配和豆秸生物量分配呈极显著(P<0.01)的幂函数负相关关系。甘草种群生殖分株同时具有同速和异速2种不同增减过程的表型可塑性调节。     

Blue sheep in the Annapurna Conservation Area,Nepal: habitat use,population biomass and their contribution to the carrying capacity of snow leopards

The Himalaya region of Nepal provides a habitat for the endangered snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and its principal prey species, the blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur). The aim of this study was to describe the habitat, the distribution and the population structure of blue sheep, and to estimate their contribution to the carrying capacity of snow leopard in the upper Mustang region of Nepal. Blue sheep were recorded at altitudes from 3209–5498 m on slopes with gradients of 16–60° and aspects of 40°NE to 140°SE. A total of 939 blue sheep were counted in the upper Mustang region, and 98 were counted in the Yak Kharka region of Manang district; however, upper Mustang had the lowest population density of blue sheep recorded within their distribution range in Nepal (0.86 blue sheep/km²). The results of the study show that a higher density of blue sheep is associated with greater plant species diversity. The most important species present in the blue sheep habitat were Kobresia pygmaea, Artemesia spp., Lonicera spp., Lancea tibetica, Poa spp., Astragalus spp. and Ephedra gerardiana. It is estimated that the existing blue sheep population biomass of approximately 38 925 kg in the upper Mustang region could support approximately 19 snow leopards (1.6 snow leopards/100 km²).     

Picking a tree: habitat use by the tree agama,Acanthocercus atricollis atricollis,in South Africa

We studied tree agama (Acanthocercus a. atricollis) habitat use in the Magaliesberg mountain range in northern South Africa using sightings of marked individuals, and in a few cases, radio-telemetry. Acanthocercus a. atricollis preferentially selected thorn trees (46%; Acacia karroo), followed by common sugarbush (10%; Protea caffra) and dead trees (9%). The type of tree selected was unrelated to lizard age class or sex. Multivariate analysis failed to show any age class or sex effects for specific tree physical characteristics, but did reveal a preference for trees with greater diameter, canopy cover and incidence of parasitic plants. We suggest that more ‘complex’ trees may enhance crypsis, facilitate escape from predation, or provide a foraging advantage. Acanthocercus a. atricollis selected night-time perches higher than those used during the day, possibly further offsetting predation risk.     

Trait‐mediated seed predation,dispersal and survival among frugivore‐dispersed plants in a fragmented subtropical forest,Southwest China

By tracking the fate of individual seeds from 6 frugivore‐dispersed plants with contrasting seed traits in a fragmented subtropical forest in Southwest China, we explored how rodent seed predation and hoarding were influenced by seed traits such as seed size, seed coat hardness and seed profitability. Post‐dispersal seed fates varied significantly among the 6 seed species and 3 patterns were witnessed: large‐seeded species with a hard seed coat (i.e. Choerospoadias axillaries and Diospyros kaki var. silvestris) had more seeds removed, cached and then surviving at caches, and they also had fewer seeds predated but a higher proportion of seeds surviving at the source; medium‐sized species with higher profitability and thinner seed coat (i.e. Phoebe zhennan and Padus braohypoda) were first harvested and had the lowest probability of seeds surviving either at the source or at caches due to higher predation before or after removal; and small‐seeded species with lower profitability (i.e. Elaeocarpus japonicas and Cornus controversa) had the highest probability of seeds surviving at the source but the lowest probability of seeds surviving at caches due to lower predation at the source and lower hoarding at caches. Our study indicates that patterns of seed predation, dispersal and survival among frugivore‐dispersed plants are highly determined by seed traits such as seed size, seed defense and seed profitability due to selective predation and hoarding by seed‐eating rodents. Therefore, trait‐mediated seed predation, dispersal and survival via seed‐eating rodents can largely affect population and community dynamics of frugivore‐dispersed plants in fragmented forests.     

The Status of Selected Minerals in Soil,Forage and Beef Cattle Tissues in a Semi-arid Region of Zimbabwe

Five districts in the Matabeleland region, an arid western area of Zimbabwe, were investigated for the status of Ca, P, Na, Cu and Zn in soil, forage and cattle during the wet and dry seasons over a period of one year. The cattle came from the natural grazing lands and were not supplemented at the time of sampling. Some deficiencies in soil Zn and P were found in the districts of Lupane and Bulilima-mangwe, respectively. Dry season soil Ca, Cu and P concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than rainy season values owing to leaching in all five districts. Most forage samples had mineral concentrations below the critical levels known to be adequate for animal requirements. Forage levels of Ca, Na, Cu and Zn significantly increased (p < 0.05) with advancing maturity, while P significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in almost all the districts. Marked deficiencies of minerals were found in cattle tissues and these levels followed the seasonal trend seen in the forage. These results indicate that cattle in Matebeleland are deficient in P, Ca, Cu and Zn and that grazing areas in the region cannot provide adequate levels of the five minerals studied.     

Economic impact of an epizootic of pseudorabies in a commercial swine herd in Ohio, achieving test negative status and quarantine release by use of vaccination and test and removal.

The effect of pseudorabies in a commercial farrow-to-finish operation on selected production and economic values was estimated. Pseudorabies was first diagnosed in this herd by circle testing done in March 1988, as a required part of follow up from another herd that had been diagnosed with pseudorabies in the area. A pseudorabies virus vaccination program was initiated in the herd at that time. The mean litter size of pigs born alive varied from 9.26 to 10.02 pigs/litter throughout the study period; however, there was a twofold increase in suckling pig mortality and a 2.6-fold increase in nursery pig mortality when the months of the epizootic were compared with pre-epizootic months. In the 6-month period following the epizootic, suckling pig mortality was three-fold higher than that reported in the preepizootic months. Total net loss for this operation was estimated at $99,700 from when the epizootic started until eradication, when calculating losses directly. The major economic losses (76.5% of total loss) were related to suckling pig mortality, which was $16,240 during the epizootic or $24/inventoried sow/week; $19,395 in the 6 months following the epizootic or $3.8/inventoried sow/week; and $40,628 thereafter until eradication 26 months later or $0.37/inventoried sow/week. Nursery pig mortality losses were 12.6% of total net losses; $754 during the epizootic, $357 in the 6 months after the enzootic, and $11,444 thereafter until eradication 26 months later. Sow culling and deaths accounted for 9.4% of net losses that took place from 6 months after the epizootic until eradication.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Comparison of learning ability and memory retention in altricial (Bengalese finch,Lonchura striata var. domestica) and precocial (blue‐breasted quail,Coturnix chinensis) birds using a color discrimination task

The present study sought to assess the potential application of avian models with different developmental modes to studies on cognition and neuroscience. Six altricial Bengalese finches (Lonchura striata var. domestica), and eight precocial blue‐breasted quails (Coturnix chinensis) were presented with color discrimination tasks to compare their respective faculties for learning and memory retention within the context of the two developmental modes. Tasks consisted of presenting birds with discriminative cues in the form of colored feeder lids, and birds were considered to have learned a task when 80% of their attempts at selecting the correctly colored lid in two consecutive blocks of 10 trials were successful. All of the finches successfully performed the required experimental tasks, whereas only half of the quails were able to execute the same tasks. In the learning test, finches required significantly fewer trials than quails to learn the task (finches: 13.5 ± 9.14 trials, quails: 45.8 ± 4.35 trials, P < 0.05), with finches scoring significantly more correct responses than quails (finches: 98.3 ± 4.08%, quails: 85.0 ± 5.77% at the peak of the learning curve). In the memory retention tests, which were conducted 45 days after the learning test, finches retained the ability to discriminate between colors correctly (95.0 ± 4.47%), whereas quails did not retain any memory of the experimental procedure and so could not be tested. These results suggested that altricial and precocial birds both possess the faculty for learning and retaining discrimination‐type tasks, but that altricial birds perform better than precocial birds in both faculties. The present findings imply that developmental mode is an important consideration for assessing the suitability of bird species for particular experiments.     

Comparison of radiography,scintigraphy and ultrasonography in the diagnosis of patellar chondromalacia in a horse,confirmed by arthroscopy

Patellar chondromalacia is rarely reported in the horse. In this study, several noninvasive diagnostic modalities were combined to diagnose patellar chondromalacia in a horse, later confirmed by arthroscopy. Radiography failed to demonstrate pathology; nuclear scintigraphy localised the disease process to the left femoropatellar region; and ultrasonography identified pathological changes within the affected joint. It is possible that this disease is underreported in the literature due to the difficulty in accurately diagnosing the condition.     

Severe seizures associated with traumatic brain injury managed by controlled hypothermia,pharmacologic coma,and mechanical ventilation in a dog

Objective – To describe the management and outcome of a dog presenting with intractable seizures associated with traumatic brain injury. Case Summary – A spayed female Wheaten Terrier was presented to an emergency clinic with neurologic deficits (modified Glasgow coma scale of 10) shortly after a road traffic accident. Seizures were uncontrolled despite aggressive pharmacologic intervention. Controlled hypothermia to achieve a rectal temperature of 33–35°C (91.4–95°F) was initiated as a protective measure to reduce intracranial pressure and cerebral metabolic rate, and to assist with seizure control. Intubation and mechanical ventilation were required to protect the airway and manage hypercapnia associated with hypoventilation. The patient went on to make a full recovery, although behavioral changes were noted by the owners for an 8‐week period following injury. New or Unique Information Provided – To the author's knowledge, this is the first instance of therapeutic hypothermia reported in the veterinary literature. A short review of this treatment modality is provided.