The influence of fire on rodent abundance at the N’washitshumbe enclosure site,Kruger National Park,South Africa

The relative population numbers of rodents were studied in nine habitats in and outside the N’washitshumbe enclosure site, Kruger National Park, before and after burning the firebreaks that surround the enclosure. Trap success was exceptionally high, and the field work is suspected to have coincided with a Mastomys population explosion. This genus dominated the small mammal communities before and after the burn, and never disappeared from the burnt patches. Its numbers also did not crash directly after the burn, as have been reported in most other studies. Movement from the burnt areas was observed, which may have had a significant impact on the numbers of rodents caught both inside the enclosure and in the more natural areas outside. Our study suggests that fire can be investigated as a tool to keep rodent densities down in areas where they are nuisance animals, especially when used in conjunction with models that forecast outbreaks of Mastomys. It also emphasizes the value of long-term studies informing management strategies for animal damage control and biodiversity and ecosystem conservation.     

Ecotourist trail-use affects the taxonomic,functional and phylogenetic diversity of mammals in a protected area: lessons for conservation management

Ecotourism, by definition, aims to engage peoples’ interest in wildlife and the environment. The use of tourist roads and trails to access sites within protected areas (PAs) can detrimentally affect the behavior and distribution of species. The way mammals respond to anthropogenic pressures may differ across taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic groups; nevertheless, how ecotourist trail-use affects these different diversity remains under-investigated. Here, we assessed 6 metrics of taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity for a mammal community in a PA in central China, recording how Trail use (using Trail type as a proxy) and habitat variables affected sightings and signs of mammals across 60 replicate 0.5 km transects. We then examined how Trail use affected the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity indices of species (>1 kg). Using generalized liner mixed modeling, we identified that more used trail types had a greater adverse effect on all diversity richness indices than did less used trail types. Consequently, tourist pressure was associated with a general tendency to homogenize the site's mammal community. In contrast, the effects of Trail Types on all diversity evenness indices were non-significant. Furthermore, more developed and more heavily used trail types had a greater, significant negative effect on taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic richness, whereas these richness indices were unaffected by minor trail types, used less intensively. As a general principle, lower biodiversity indices reduce ecosystem resilience, and so it is vital to better understand these responses to balance public access against biodiversity management in PAs.     

哺乳动物嵌合体制作及分析进展

嵌合体技术对研究哺乳动物早期胚胎的发育,探索细胞分化规律,掌握基因的表达调控规律,建立遗传疾病动物模型等具有重要意义。本文分别就近几年来嵌合体动物的制作方法及分析手段作一简要概述。     

哺乳动物胚胎冷冻技术的研究进展

胚胎冷冻保存已广泛用于胚胎移植、动物克隆以及动物资源保护.此技术的应用需保证胚胎在冷冻-解冻后具有较高的成活率.自从1972年小鼠胚胎冷冻保存获得成功以来,许多学者在简化冷冻程序,缩短冷冻时间,方面进行了深入的研究.本文就胚胎冷冻的原理、保护剂、冷冻方法以及解冻方法等方面进行了综述.     

甘南夏河高寒草甸高原鼢鼠和高原鼠兔秋季栖息地特征

2010年至2014年连续5年对甘南夏河高寒草甸高原鼢鼠(Eospalax bailyei)和高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)的分布与其地形、植被因子等进行了调查,分析两小型哺乳动物秋季越冬前的栖息地利用特征。结果表明,其秋季栖息地利用与地形和植被特征显著相关。高原鼠兔易选择坡地、半阳坡和坡中位的地形,而高原鼢鼠易选择平地、阳坡和坡底位的地形;植被盖度是影响高原鼠兔分布的重要因子。地上生物量非中等的平地是两小哺乳动物共存的主要分布地,两小型哺乳动物的种群动态与植被盖度和生物量均显著相关(P0.05);鹅绒委陵菜(Potentilla anserina)、花苜蓿(Melissilus ruthenicus)、柴胡(Radix bupleuri)和美丽风毛菊(Saussurea pulchra)4种植物多度与两小型哺乳动物的分布显著相关。     

哺乳动物胚胎冷冻原理及研究进展

哺乳动物胚胎冷冻研究始于 5 0年代 ,先后在小鼠、大鼠、兔、马、牛、绵羊、山羊等动物胚胎上获得成功。目前该方面的研究进展很快 ,部分家畜的冷冻胚胎已逐步走向商品化应用。本文比较全面的综述了哺乳动物胚胎冷冻的原理、方法过程和冷冻胚胎的解冻及解冻后保护剂脱除。