凤头(辟鸟)(虒鸟)繁殖前期行为研究

凤头(辟鸟)(虒鸟)广泛分布于开阔的平原湖泊、江河和沼泽等地带,是环境变化的指示物种.凤头(辟鸟)(虒鸟)在我国分布较广,数量较多,但近年来数量也呈下降趋势,本文通过对凤头(辟鸟)(虒鸟)繁殖前期的行为观察得出了在这一时期的日行为节律以及各行为在1 d中的时间分配比例,1 d中以游水行为为主占37.81%,其他行为情况分别是理羽占22.48%、静栖占13.44%、潜水占11.16%、觅食占10.89%、求偶占3.86%、卧巢行为占0.27%,其他行为占0.08%.凤头(辟鸟)(虒鸟)雌雄个体行为发生的频次无明显差异,只是进入繁殖前期,雌性个体在卧巢行为占很高比例.     

重新认识凤头鸊鷉的繁殖分布和食物结构

凤头鸊鷉(podiceps cristatus)是我国较常见的水鸟之一，其分布较广、数量亦较大，观赏性很强。笔于1999年5月29日在梁子湖开展夏候鸟调查时，通过世代袭猎识鸟多的渔民姜水清辨认图谱，获得凤头鸊鷉（当地人称章鸡）历史以来在梁子湖繁殖。     

圈养麇鹿冬季昼间行为及活动规律

2008年11-12月在济南动物园,采用瞬时扫描取样法、焦点动物取样法和全事件取样法,对9只圈养麋鹿的行为及活动规律进行了研究。结果表明,麇鹿冬季行为时间分配比例依次为卧息（36．45％±7．34％）、取食（24．79％±8．11％）、运动（18．67％±5．93％）、反刍（17．50％±5．52％）、其他（2．59％±0．87％）。在冬季麋鹿的卧息在1d内有1个高峰期（12：30～14：30）,取食在1d中有2个高峰期（8：30～9：30和17：30～18：30）,占糜鹿各种行为比例最多的2种行为在1d中是交替出现的,运动在10：30和15：30各有1个较为明显的高峰期,反刍在1d中有1个高峰期（9：30～11：30）,其他行为在1d中发生的较为随机,没有明显的高峰期。年龄因素对糜鹿冬季昼间的卧息、取食和运动行为的影响差异极显著（P〈0．01）,对其他行为影响显著（P〈0．05）,对反刍行为影响不显著（P〉0．05）;性别因素对糜鹿冬季昼间的行为影响不显著（P〉0．05）。     

黑龙江三江自然保护区春季水禽迁徙初步研究

笔者于2006年4月15日～5月5日,在黑龙江三江自然保护区采用路线法和定点观测法对春季迁徙水禽进行了研究。共记录到水禽35种,隶属于7目9科,总数量15 257只。鸭类最多,达9 898只,其次是雁类,为4 913只,其他还有大天鹅10只,鹭类56只,鹤类34只,鸥类72只,鹬类25只,鸊鷉类15只,凤头麦鸡200只,鸬鹚33只,骨顶鸡1只。统计的游禽共为14 869只,占总数量的97．46％;涉禽共为388只,只占总数量的2．54％。此外,对保护区鸟类资源保护提出了建议。     

北京油鸡就巢产蛋行为特性研究

本文主要研究了散养条件下北京油鸡整个产蛋期间(19～65周)的就巢产蛋行为发生及其特性表现.选用600只18周龄的北京油鸡蛋鸡,为便于行为观察记录随机分为6组,每组单独观察.19～65周龄期间每周末观察记录各组鸡只就巢、产蛋行为发生情况,特别是37～55周龄期间每周选1d由两位专门人员进舍观察记录3次(10:00～11:00、16:00～17:00、20:00～21:00),每组10分钟.结果表明:北京油鸡预产期间(19～21周),产蛋行为表现少(＜1％),此时鸡只无就巢行为发生.产蛋前期(22～28周),鸡只产蛋行为随周龄逐渐增加,尤其是29周之后产蛋行为表现频繁时(58.13％),就巢行为也开始增加并频繁发生(9.47％);而产蛋后期(44周后)产蛋行为显著降低时(46.18％),就巢行为却并没有减少很多(8.29％).37～55周期间油鸡就巢两次的比率占总体典型就巢行为发生的54.7％.平均就巢持续时间,就巢一次的要大于就巢两次的(20.4 d＞17.8 d),典型就巢行为发生率小于非典型就巢行为发生率(9.5％＜12.7％).最后总结了北京油鸡的就巢产蛋行为特性:主要表现为具有阶段性、明显的目的性,记忆性,个体差异性,对声、光的敏感性,以及发生的不同步性.     

凤头麦鸡繁殖行为及巢区格局的研究

凤头麦鸡广泛分布于黑龙江省各沼泡地区，在该省为夏候鸟，每年３月末迁至，１０月中迁离繁殖地。本通过多年的观察研究，对凤头麦鸡迁徒特点，繁殖行为，雏鸟生长发育进行了细致的观察，此外，对其食性进行了初步分析，利用计算机技术对凤头麦鸡巢在巢区中的分布特征，及密度进行了分析，得知其巢的分布形式为集群分布，其巢密度为１７．２－２０．５巢／公顷。     

圈养赤麻鸭繁殖期的行为日节律及时间分配

2011年4—6月,在徐州金桥珍禽有限公司,采用全日制瞬时扫描法对繁殖良好的一对赤麻鸭在繁殖期的行为日节律及时间分配进行了研究,并用独立样本￡检验进行了不同性别在繁殖各期行为的差异性分析。结果表明：繁殖的不同时期赤麻鸭行为时间分配存在明显的性别差异。繁殖前期雌雄赤麻鸭之间的筑巢行为差异极显著（P〈0．01）,警戒行为差异显著（P〈0．05）。繁殖中期孵化行为由雌性赤麻鸭单独承担,雄性主要负责在巢边警戒,雌雄之间的趴卧、孵化及警戒行为差异极显著（P〈0．01）。繁殖后期雌雄行为差异不显著（P〉0．05）,2只赤麻鸭几乎形影不离。赤麻鸭繁殖期行为呈现一定的日活动节律,采食行为集中在上午和下午的喂食时间7：00～8：00及16：00～17：00这2个时间段内,孵化行为所占比例最低,此时雌性赤麻鸭出巢取食;一天中,休息行为在中午呈现一个高峰;警戒行为在清晨达到最高峰。     

平养条件下东乡绿壳蛋鸡就巢性研究

研究通过诱导就巢，观察并统计了东乡绿壳蛋鸡47～66，同龄就巢发生情况。结果表明，观察期内平养绿壳蛋鸡群体平均卧息时间为10.5天（0～81天），除了产蛋外，27.7％母鸡没有发生卧息行为；鸡群平均典型就巢次数为0.43次，群体平均就巢时间为12.3天（0～96天）；超过30％的母鸡表现出典型就巢行为，其平均就巢持续时间约为29天。     

合作猪在舍饲条件下的行为特征观察

观察舍饲条件下合作猪的行为特征,表明：在1d内,公猪走动时间占30％～40％,卧息时间占60％～70％,母猪走动时间占15％～25％,卧息时间占75％～85％,1d内采食时间占4％左右,排粪5～6次。合作母猪性成熟早,发情特征明显。青年公猪40～55日龄出现爬跨行为,80日龄可参加配种。母猪产前18h开始闹圈,产仔持续时间1．5～4．5h。母猪哺乳能力强。合作猪经调圈或合群后产生咬斗行为,以便建立新的位次序列。合作猪抗逆性强,耐粗饲,对高原环境有独特的适应能力。     

合作猪在舍饲条件下的行为特征观察

观察舍饲条件下合作猪的行为特征,表明：在1d内,公猪走动时间占30％～40％,卧息时间占60％～70％,母猪走动时间占15％～25％,卧息时间占75％～85％,1d内采食时间占4％左右,排粪5～6次。合作母猪性成熟早,发情特征明显。青年公猪40～55日龄出现爬跨行为,80日龄可参加配种。母猪产前18h开始闹圈,产仔持续时间1．5～4．5h。母猪哺乳能力强。合作猪经调圈或合群后产生咬斗行为,以便建立新的位次序列。合作猪抗逆性强,耐粗饲,对高原环境有独特的适应能力。     

Territory and nest defence in polyandrous pale chanting goshawks: do co-breeders Help?

The behaviour of polyandrous and monogamous pale chanting goshawks Melierax canorus was investigated to determine if co-breeders, by defending the territory and nest contents, helped to increase the fitness of polyandrous trios. Polyandrous trios consisted of a female and male breeder, as well as a subordinate co-breeding male. Pale chanting goshawk males performed most of the interspecific territorial maintenance duties, as well as participating in aggressive intraspecific interactions against other mates on territory borders. Intraspecific territorial interactions were almost exclusively recorded in high-quality habitat, Karroid Broken Veld, and probably functioned in the defence of foraging habitat and potential mates, In this habitat, males of polyandrous families largely occupied exclusive sections of a territory. It is suggested that the cost of defending territories in Karroid Broken Veld was offset by the co-breeder’s contribution to high-risk, intraspecific territorial defence. During the nestling period females of polyandrous trios stayed at nesting sites for longer periods than did monogamous females and all males, enabling these females to guard the nest and act as sentinels. Predation of nestlings was recorded at the nests of monogamous pairs, but not at those of polyandrous trios. Co-breeders did not guard the nesting site but contributed directly to nest defence by either coming to the female‘s aid when solicited, or attacking potential predators when present at the nesting site. Co-breeders may also have helped indirectly, through activities such as provisioning prey to females that relieved them of their hunting duties. We suggest that the female’s nest guarding and the resulting lower nest predation may hold reproductive and fitness benefits for polyandrous breeders.     

Oogenesis is accompanied by cyclic morphological changes in hepatocytes of Neotropical freshwater fish Piabina argentea

We determined for the first time the reproductive biology of Piabina argentea through macroscopic and microscopic analysis of ovaries and evaluated the morphological changes in hepatocytes. Two hundred and 46 specimens were collected, 204 females and 42 males, between March 2014 and February 2015. Biometrics data were obtained. From females, gonad and liver samples were conducted to histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques. Mature ovaries were used to determine absolute and relative fecundity. Total length and body weight values indicated that females were larger than males. The estimated weight–length ratio showed negative allometric growth. The absolute fecundity average was 171.83 ± 59.89 oocytes per ovary. In addition, females spawning capable and regressing stages were found throughout the sampling period and the presence of all oocyte types in regressing stage ovaries indicated asynchronous oocyte development and multiple spawning. From regenerating to spawning capable stage the oocytes accumulated yolk in cytoplasm became bigger. While in the liver hepatocytes with a larger cell area during regenerating stage and proliferative activity in the spawning capable stage were observed. Thus, our results indicate that P. argentea had an opportunistic reproductive strategy and cyclic morphological changes of hepatocytes occurred during the oogenesis.     

Reproductive management of captive parrots.

Studies of the behavior of Amazon parrots throughout a reproductive trial indicate that activities such as food gathering, which may occupy large fractions of the activity budget of wild parrots, occupy little time in captivity. This may be one factor contributing to the large percentage of time during which Amazon parrots are generally inactive in typical captive conditions. The extent of inactivity in captive Amazons creates an open time niche wherein enrichment devices might play a role in improving their well being. Studies of the reproductive endocrinology and the behavior of parrots suggest that hand rearing may impair adult fertility and nest box use. Hand rearing may also cause adult Cockatiels to lay eggs on cage floors rather than in nest boxes. However, the use of nest boxes with oversized nest entrances can be very effective in alleviating chronic floor laying in Cockatiels. Another egg-laying problem in Cockatiels, unwanted egg laying, can be prevented by the use of long-acting formulations of the superactive GnRH agonist, leuprolide acetate, which presumably [figure: see text] acts in birds, as in mammals, by down-regulating pituitary GnRH receptors. Manipulations to limit the increases in prolactin normally seen during incubation in poultry can significantly increase egg production. As clutch size in Cockatiels may also be limited by rising prolactin levels, such manipulations may be effective in stimulating egg production in parrots. An alternative approach for increasing flock egg production is to place foster eggs in nests of Cockatiel pairs that are slow to lay. This technique stimulates males to increase their nest-oriented behavior and, subsequently, may stimulate egg laying in some females that might not otherwise have laid eggs. The parental phases of reproduction in Amazon parrots are often a time of heightened aggressiveness towards humans, but low levels of serum testosterone in males during that time suggest that this particular interspecies aggressiveness may not be dependent on elevated testosterone levels. Occasional human handling during the nestling stage may produce a degree of tameness comparable with hand-reared chicks, yet not impair adult reproductive performance. Such handling may also alter the immune status of captive parrots, and possibly reduce the serum corticosterone response to handling. If so, occasional human handling during the nestling stage could improve the adaptation of parrots to captivity.     

Ostriches’ reproduction behaviour and mastery of natural incubation under farming conditions

This study describes the ostriches’ behaviour in natural incubation and two key elements to improve this way of reproduction: artificial introduction of eggs in the nest and modifying the nest location when not adequate. Six females and 3 males were observed during four reproduction seasons. The results show that it is possible to lead ostriches change the nest. Eggs incubation was the male and the main female’s responsibility; the second female of the trio shared this task in 85% of cases. Presence of eggs incited ostriches to sit in the nest. Incubation per se began when the couple took turns in a regular way to perform this role; mating and laying stopped. Hatching was marked by a higher aggressiveness among parents who watched over the nest to ensure the hatching of late eggs and continued to sit in the nest as long as there were eggs. The mean fertility and hatchability of set eggs were 58.68 and 41.55% respectively. Fertile eggs had less than 12 days of storage when introduction into the nest. Viability at 3 months of the chicks kept with their parents was higher than that of the chicks reared by our care (82% and 57% respectively).     

Behavior and reproductive performance by stalled breeding females on a commercial swine farm

The behavior of stalled females pigs was observed to investigate the relations between behavior and reproductive performance. A commercial farrow-to-finish farm equipped with a computerized recording system with approximately 300 female pig inventories was visited three times to observe three postural behaviors (lying, standing, and sitting) and three stereotypies (vacuum chewing, drinker playing, and bar biting) of stalled females at 15-min intervals for 6 h (25 times including 0 min of one zero-time sampling) after feeding. Relative frequencies (%) of the postural behaviors and the stereotypies for 6 h were expressed as a percentage of a total of 25 time observations. Statistical models for reproductive performance included each behavior, parity, and day of visit. Among 609 pregnant females observed at our three visits, the means in relative frequencies (%) of lying, standing, sitting, vacuum chewing, drinker playing, and bar biting for 6 h were 60.1 +/- 0.91, 32.3 +/- 0.87, 7.60 +/- 0.44, 12.7 +/- 0.65, 0.4 +/- 0.06, and 0.2 +/- 0.50%, respectively. Among 514 farrowed females of the 609 pregnant females, the means of total pigs born, pigs born alive, pigs born dead, birth litter weights, pigs weaned, and adjusted 21-d litter weights were 12.3 +/- 0.13, 11.2 +/- 0.12, 1.1 +/- 0.06, 17.1 +/- 0.18 kg, 10.3 +/- 0.08, and 68.1 +/- 0.40 kg, respectively. Females showing a high relative frequency (> or = 36%) of vacuum chewing during gestation produced fewer (P < 0.05) total pigs born (11.7 +/- 0.38 vs. 12.6 +/- 0.22) than those showing no vacuum chewing. No relationships were found between vacuum chewing and other performance measurements such as pigs born alive, pigs weaned, and adjusted 21-d litter weights. Neither postural behavior nor the other stereotypies were related to reproductive performance. The farrowing rate was not related to any postural behavior and stereotypy in logistic regression mixed models. This study suggests that a subpopulation of females exists on commercial farms that frequently exhibit vacuum chewing and give birth to fewer total pigs. High frequency of vacuum chewing in those females may be indicative of their suboptimal reproductive performance.     

Effect of gestational exposure to nonylphenol on the development and fertility of mouse offspring

Nonylphenol (NP), a kind of environmental chemical, is thought to imitate endogenous hormones, inhibit the actions of hormones, and induce reproductive abnormalities. A number of experimental animals, usually rats, have been used to evaluate the potential reproductive toxicity of NP. However, the findings of previous studies were contradictory in some cases. Therefore, we used ICR mice as a biomodel for in utero study of NP. After mating, 8- to 12-week-old females were assigned to four groups (n=8) for subcutaneous injections from day 5 to 20 of gestation. Group I animals received corn oil alone as a control, while the mice of groups II, III and IV received NP at concentrations of 1/1000, 1/100 and 1/10 of the LD(50), respectively. A dose-dependent decrease was observed in terminal body weights of males of the F1 generation; however, a very small negative effect was only found in the females of the NP1/10 group. No significant effect was found on the liver weights of both sexes. The weights of the testis and epididymis were slightly decreased in the NP1/10 group. The NP1/100 treatment increased ovary weight considerably. The uterus weight tended to be increased in the NP treatment groups; however, there were large variations. The gestational exposure of the groups had no significant effect on the rate of pregnancy (94.4-100%) and the number of fetuses per litter (13.6-14.3 males, 12.3-13.7 females) compared with the control group. However, the overall mortality of fetuses/embryos was increased considerably in the NP1/100 (male: 13.9%) and NP1/10 (female: 9.8%) groups. These results suggest that exposure to NP in utero possibly affects the body weight and some reproductive organ weights, but does not influence the potential fertility of the F1 generation.     

不同周龄SPF级SD大鼠胰腺自发性病变的组织学观察

研究不同周龄SPF级SD大鼠胰腺自发性病变的种类及其病变发生率,为药物安全性评价提供背景资料。收集3年安评试验中11、19、31周龄试验对照组大鼠胰腺制作病理切片,光学显微镜下观察SD大鼠胰腺病变的种类及组织形态学特点,并统计其病变发生率。结果显示,大鼠胰腺主要出现了以下病变:①单核细胞浸润:11周龄大鼠该病变的总体发生率为0.6%,其中雌性为0,雄性为1.25%;19周龄大鼠该病变的总体发生率为1.0%,其中雌性为1.0%,雄性为1.0%;31周龄大鼠该病变的总体发生率为1.0%,其中雌性为0,雄性为1.96%。②腺泡细胞空泡变性:11周龄大鼠未观察到该病变的发生;19周龄大鼠该病变的总体发生率为1.0%,其中雌性为0,雄性为2.0%;31周龄大鼠该病变的总体发生率为3%,其中雌性为2.1%,雄性为3.9%。③腺泡细胞萎缩、腺管增生:11周龄大鼠未观察到该病变的发生;19周龄大鼠该病变的总体发生率为0.5%,其中雌性为0,雄性为1.0%;31周龄大鼠该病变的总体发生率为3.0%,其中雌性为1.0%,雄性为4.9%。结果表明,SPF级大鼠胰腺可发生单核细胞浸润、腺泡细胞空泡变性、腺泡细胞萎缩及腺管增生等自发性病变,且病变发生率可随着年龄的增加而增加。     

Fertility control of Rattus nitidus using quinestrol: effects on reproductive organs and social behavior

Fertility control has been identified by studies in the laboratory and the field as a more appropriate and long‐term control strategy for rodent pests than lethal control. In this study, we investigated the effects of quinestrol on mass of reproductive organs and on social behaviors in female and male Himalayan field rats (Rattus nitidus). A total of 16 adult females and 16 adult males were randomly assigned to 4 groups. One male and one female group were fed rice with 0.005% quinestrol by weight for 7 days, and another 2 groups were fed rice only. After 7 days, rats were assigned to 10 min dyadic encounters between groups, and investigation, aggression, defense and attack latency were quantified. All animals were killed on day 10, and reproductive organs were dissected and weighed. Dyadic encounter data showed that there were obvious changes in social behaviors of quinestrol‐treated rats. Quinestrol significantly inhibited the investigative behavior of quinestrol‐treated males toward control females in Rattus nitidus, but seldom affected investigation between control males and quinestrol‐treated females. Aggression of control females toward quinestrol‐treated males was higher than that of quinestrol‐treated females, and defense of quinestrol‐treated males toward control females was more remarkable than that of control males. Quinestrol remarkably decreased wet masses of epididymis and spermotophore in males and ovaries in females, but had no effect on wet masses of testes and uteri after quinestrol treatment. These results indicate that the anti‐fertility effects of quinestrol on R. nitidus are attributed to not only suppressing reproductive organs but also impacting social behaviors associated with territory defense and mate choice.     

Ovarian and testicular function in the blue fox (Alopex lagopus) after oral administration of fenchlorphos during the breeding season

The possible effect of fenchlorphos, 0-0-dimethy1-0-(2.4.5-trichlorophenyl) phosphorothioate, upon the reproductive endocrinology in blue foxes (Alopex lagopus) was investigated. Five females were administered fenchlorphos orally at a dose of 100 mg/kg daily from 10 days before oestrus and up to the 21st day of gestation. This dose represents the therapeutic dose for the treatment of sarcoptic mange. Blood samples were collected for the analyses of progesterone, oestradiol-17β and luteinizing hormone (LH) in plasma. The vixens were ovario-hysterectomized on day 23, except 1 animal in the control group which was operated on day 17. Additionally, sperm quality and mating performance in 3 male blue foxes, which were administered 100 mg/kg fenchlorphos daily during the first 3 weeks of the mating season, were examined.Pregnancy was recorded in 2 medicated and 4 control animals. No pathological changes were observed in the uterus and the ovaries. The plasma concentrations of the hormones were similar to those obtained from the control group. No evidence of any disturbances concerning spermatogenesis in the males was observed. However, their libido appeared to be reduced. None of the males achieved a mating during and after the period of medication.     

Studies on the critical water mass, rehydration capability and potential, acute chill tolerance and supercooling point of Argas (Persicargas) walkerae (Acari: Argasidae)

The critical water mass, defined as the water mass remaining in a dehydrated tick in the non-ambulatory state, differed only slightly between light and heavy mass groups of Argas walkerae and averaged 23.6% and 23.2%, respectively, in males and 28.4% and 28.0%, respectively, in females. All ticks survived dehydration to 50%, 75% or 100% of their critical water mass, and 95% of them rehydrated during their subsequent incubation at 95% relative humidity (RH) and 28 degrees C for 14 days and regained their ambulatory status. Unfed adults were able to balance water loss frequently over a period of several months. When ticks were repeatedly dehydrated at 0% RH for 14 days, females and males suffered 50% mortality after 16 and 19 cycles of de- and rehydration, respectively, over a period of 278 days and 337 days, respectively. Water itself was not attractive to either dehydrated or non-dehydrated ticks and drinking was not observed. After submergence in water for 3 days, most of the dehydrated adult ticks gained mass. Judged by 50% mortality, larvae tolerated short-term extreme chilling to -24 degrees C, nymphs 1 to -22 degrees C, nymphs II to -20 degrees C, females and males to -19 degrees C. None survived tissue freezing. At a chilling rate of 0.3 degrees C/min, mean supercooling points (SCP) ranged from -25.9 degrees C in eggs to -16.5 degrees C in unfed females. The SCP of all other stages was significantly higher than that of eggs. Mean SCPs of unfed adult ticks dehydrated to 50% or 75% of their critical water mass were significantly lower than that of fully hydrated ticks. The SCPs of ticks acclimated by several weeks exposure to 0 degrees C or to 38 degrees C were significantly lower than those of adult ticks kept constantly at 28 degrees C.