The role of sense organs in the feeding behaviour of Chinese perch

Experiments were conducted to identify the rules of the individual sense organs in the feeding behaviour of Chinese perch Siniperca chuatsi by determining the consumption of natural food after selective removal or blocking of eyes, lateral lines and olfactory organs, and also by observing the behavioural response to visual, mechanical and chemical stimulation by artificial prey. Chinese perch were able to feed properly on live prey fish when either eyes or lateral lines were intact or functional, but could scarcely feed without these two senses. Chinese perch recognized its prey by vision through the perception of motion and shape, and showed a greater dependence on vision in predation when both visual and mechanical cues were available. Chemical stimulation by natural food could not elicit any feeding response in Chinese perch, and gustation was only important to the fish for the last stage of food discrimination in the oropharyngeal cavity. The sensory basis of Chinese perch in feeding is well adapted to its nocturnal stalking hunting strategy. and also explains its peculiar food habit of accepting live prey fish only and refusing dead prey fish or artificial diets. (C) 1998 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.

瑞香狼毒（Stellera chamaejasme L.）对高寒草甸系统生长和非生长季节碳氮循环的影响及其花粉化感效应

瑞香狼毒（Stellera chamaejasme L.）是瑞香科（Thymelaeaceae）狼毒属的一种多年生野草，有毒。据调查，从20 世纪60 年代开始至今，狼毒在青藏高原东缘的高寒草甸上不断蔓延、密度不断变大，在一些地段甚至成为优势物种。有关狼毒在高寒草甸蔓延的生态系统效应的研究尚未见报道。本文从系统碳、氮循环的角度，分别研究狼毒在生长和非生长季节对高寒草甸生态系统的影响。同时，从花粉化感的角度，深入研究狼毒对当地同花期物种有性繁殖的影响。系统地研究高寒草甸生态系统物质循环过程，特别是非生长季节微生物和土壤碳氮库的动态变化，有助于揭示狼毒在系统物质循环方面的“物种效应”以及这种效应的季节变化，为丰富有关高海拔生态系统，特别是其非生长季的物质循环的科学理论做出贡献。同时，碳氮循环和花粉化感的研究还有助于深刻地理解狼毒作为一种入侵性很强的杂草的特殊的蔓延机制，从而为狼毒的有效防治、高寒草甸的科学管理提供依据。 针对狼毒在青藏高原高寒草甸上蔓延的生态系统碳氮循环方面的影响，开展以下2 方面的研究：（1）在生长季，研究松潘县尕米寺附近（北纬32°53'，东经103°40'，海拔3190 m）的两种地形（平地和阳坡）条件下狼毒对土壤碳氮循环影响及可能的原因。狼毒和其它几个主要物种（圆穗蓼（Polygonummacrophyllum D. Don var. Macrophyllum），草地早熟禾（Poa pretensis L.），四川嵩草（Kobresia setchwanensis Hand.-Maizz.），鹅绒委陵菜（Potentilla anserina L.var. anserine）和鳞叶龙胆（Gentiana squarrosa Ledeb.）的地上凋落物产量以及地上凋落物和根的化学组成被测量。在有-无狼毒斑块下，各种土壤的库（比如，铵态氮、硝态氮、无机磷和微生物生物量）和周转率（包括净矿化、净硝化、总硝化、反硝化和微生物呼吸速率）被测量和比较。（2）在非生长季节，尤其是春季冻融交替期，选取了两个研究地点——尕米寺和卡卡沟（北纬32°59'，东经103°41'，海拔3400 m），分别测定有狼毒和无狼毒斑块下土壤微生物生物量碳和氮、可溶性有机碳和氮以及铵态氮和硝态氮的动态变化。同时，分别在上述两个地点有-无狼毒的样地上，研究6 个主要物种（狼毒、圆穗蓼、草地早熟禾、四川嵩草、鹅绒委陵菜和鳞叶龙胆）从秋季开始、为期1 年的凋落物分解过程。 针对狼毒花粉化感对同花期其它物种可能的花粉化感作用开展以下工作：在实验室中，用一系列浓度的狼毒花粉水浸提液对与它同花期的其它物种以及自身花粉进行测试，测定花粉萌发率；在野外自然条件下的其它物种的柱头上施用上述浓度的狼毒花粉水浸提液，观测种子结实率，同时，观察狼毒花粉的种间花粉散布数量。 生长季节的研究结果表明，狼毒地上凋落物氮含量比其它几个主要物种更高，而木质素-总氮比更低。狼毒显著地增加其斑块下表层土壤中有机质的含量，而有-无狼毒的亚表层土壤在有机碳和总磷方面没有显著差异。狼毒表土中硝态氮含量在平地和阳坡比无狼毒土壤分别高113%和90%。狼毒表土中微生物生物量碳和氮量显著高于无狼毒表土。无论是平地还是阳坡，狼毒土壤的总硝化和微生物呼吸速率显著高于无狼毒土壤；而它们的反硝化速率只在平地有显著的差异。狼毒与其它物种间地上凋落物的产量和质量的差异可能是导致有-无狼毒土壤碳氮循环差异的原因。我们假设，狼毒可能通过增加贫氮生态系统土壤中的有效氮含量提高其入侵能力。 非生长季的研究结果表明，在青藏高原东缘的高寒草甸上，土壤微生物生3物量在11 月的秋-冬过渡期达到第一个峰值；在春季的冻融交替期，微生物生物量达到第二个峰值后又迅速降低。无机氮以及可溶性有机碳氮与微生物生物量有相似的变化过程。微生物碳氮比呈现显著的季节性变化。隆冬季节的微生物生物量碳氮比显著高于生长旺季的微生物碳氮比。这种变化可能暗示冬、夏季微生物的群落组成和对资源的利用有所不同。有-无狼毒斑块下土壤微生物和土壤碳、氮库一般只在秋-冬过渡期有显著差异，有狼毒土壤微生物生物量和土壤碳、氮库显著高于无狼毒土壤；而在之后的冬季和春季没有显著差异。所有6 个物种凋落物在非生长季分解率为24%-50%，均高于生长季的10%到30%。其中在秋-冬过渡期，凋落物开始埋藏的两周时间内，分解最快，达10%-20%。不同物种凋落物全年的分解率和分解过程有显著差异。圆穗蓼在全年的分解都较缓慢（非生长季26%，生长季15%），草地早熟禾和四川嵩草等全年的分解速率比较均匀（非生长季和生长季均为30%，非生长季略高），而狼毒在非生长季分解较快（约50%），而在接下来的生长季分解变得缓慢（约12%）。所有物种的凋落物氮含量在非生长季下降，而在随后的生长季上升。 实验室的花粉萌发试验证明，狼毒花粉对自身花粉萌发没有自毒作用，而其它受试的所有物种（圆穗蓼，秦艽（Gentiana macrophylla Pall. var. fetissowii），湿生扁蕾（Gentianopsis paludosa (Hook. f.) Ma var. paludosa），鳞叶龙胆，椭圆叶花锚（Halenia elliptica D. Don var. elliptica），蓝钟花（Cyananthus hookeri C. B.Cl. var. grandiflorus Marq.），小米草（Euphrasia pectinata Ten.），川西翠雀花（Delphinium tongolense Franch.），高原毛茛（Ranunculus tanguticus (Maxim.)Ovcz. var. tanguticus）和鹅绒委陵菜）的花粉萌发率随着狼毒花粉浸提液浓度的增加呈显著的非线性降低。大约3 个狼毒花粉的浸提液就可以抑制受试的多数物种的50%的花粉萌发。在鳞叶龙胆和小米草柱头上狼毒花粉的数量分别为5.76 个和3.35 个。狼毒花粉散布数量的差异最可能的原因在于是否有共同的传粉昆虫。花的形状（辐射对称VS 左右对称）、植株或花的密度以及花期重叠性可以部分解释这种差异。在野外试验中，我们发现6 个物种（秦艽、湿生扁蕾、鳞叶龙胆、椭圆叶花锚、蓝钟花和小米草）的种子结实率随狼毒花粉浸提液浓度的增加呈显著的非线性降低。鳞叶龙胆和小米草柱头上狼毒花粉的数量（分别是5.76 个和3.35 个）分别达到了抑制它们63%和55%种子结实率的水平。因此，狼毒对鳞叶龙胆和小米草可能存在明显的花粉化感抑制作用。狼毒周围的物种可能通过花期在季节或昼夜上的分异避免受到狼毒花粉化感的影响或者通过无性繁殖来维持种群繁衍，因此狼毒通过花粉化感作用对其周围物种繁殖的影响程度还需要进一步地研究。如果狼毒的花粉化感抑制作用确实存在，那么它可能成为一种自然选择压力，进而影响物种的进化。 Stellera chamaejasme L., a perennial toxic weed, has emerged and quicklydominated and spread in the high-frigid meadow on the eastern Tibetan Plateau ofChina since the 1960s. In the present study, effects of S. chamaejasme on carbon andnitrogen cycles on the high-frigid meadow on the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau ingrowing and non-growing season, and its pollen allelopathic effects on the sympatricspecies were determined. The present study that focused on carbon and nitrogencycles, especially on microbial biomass and pools of carbon and nitrogen innon-growing season, could profoundly illuminate plant-species effects on carbon andnutrient cycles and its seasonal pattern and help to understand spread mechanism ofS. chamaejasme as an aggressive weed. The present study also contributed to furtherunderstand carbon and nutrient cycles on alpine regions in non-growing season andprovide a basis on weed control of S. chamaejasme and scientific management in thehigh-frigid ecosystem. Effects of S. chamaejasme on carbon and nitrogen cycles on the high-frigidmeadow on the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau were determined. The study couldbe divided into two parts. (1) In the growing season, we quantified the effects of S.chamaejasme on carbon and nitrogen cycles in two types of topographic habitats, theflat valley and the south-facing slope, where S. chamaejasme was favored to spreadlitter and root were measured to explain the likely effects of S. chamaejasme on soilcarbon and nutrient cycles. The sizes of various soil pools, e.g. nitrite, ammonium,inorganic phosphorus and microbial biomass, and turnover rates including netmineralization, gross nitrification, denitrification and microbial respiration weredetermined. (2) In the non-growing season study, microbial biomass carbon andnitrogen, soluble organic carbon and nitrogen, ammonium and nitrate weredetermined through the non-growing season, especially in the processes offreeze-thaw of spring in two high-frigid sites, i.e. Kaka valley and Gami temple, onthe eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Meanwhile, litter decomposition of six commonspecies, including Stellera chamaejasme L., Polygonum macrophyllum D. Don var.Macrophyllum, Poa pretensis L., Kobresia setchwanensis L., Potentilla anserina L.var. anserine and Gentiana squarrosa Ledeb., were also examined under theabove-mentioned experimental design through one whole-year, which began in theautumn in 2006. In the study of pollen allelopathy, several work, including in vitro study oneffects of extract of pollen from S. chamaejasme on sympatric species and pollenfrom itself, field experiments on effects of pollen extract with the same regime ofconcentrations on seed set and field observation on heterospecific pollen transfer ofS. chamaejasme to six of those sympatric species has been done. The results in the growing season showed that aboveground litter of S.chamaejasme had higher tissue nitrogen and lower lignin: nitrogen ratio than thoseco-occurring species. S. chamaejasme significantly increased topsoil organic matter,whereas no significant differences were found for organic C and total P in subsoilbetween under-Stellera and away-Stellera locations. The nitrate in Stellera topsoilwas 113% and 90% higher on the flat valley and on the south-facing slope,respectively. Both microbial biomass C and N were significantly higher in Stelleratopsoil. Gross nitrification and microbial respiration were significantly higher inStellera topsoil both on the flat valley and on the south-facing slope, whereassignificant differences of denitrification were found only on the flat valley. Thedifferences in the quantity and quality of aboveground litter are a likely mechanismresponsible for the changes of soil variables. We assumed that S. chamaejasme couldenhance their spread by increasing nutrient availability in N-deficient ecosystems. The results in the non-growing season showed that microbial biomass achievedthe first summit in late autumn and early winter on the eastern Qinghai-TibetanPlateau. In the stages of freeze-thaw of spring, microbial biomass firstly achieved thesecond summit and subsequently sharply decreased. Inorganic nitrogen, solubleorganic carbon and nitrogen had a similar dynamics with that of microbial biomass.Ratio of microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen had an obviously seasonal pattern.The highest microbial C: N were in the non-growing season, which weresignificantly higher than those in the growing season. The seasonal pattern inmicrobial biomass C: N suggested that large changes in composition of microbialpopulation and in resources those used by microbes between summer and winter.Generally, microbial biomass and pools size of carbon and nitrogen in Stellera soilwere significantly higher than those under adjacent locations in late autumn andearly winter, but there were not significant differences in winter and in spring. Litterof all the focal species (Stellera chamaejasme L., Polygonum macrophyllum D. Donvar. Macrophyllum, Poa pretensis L., Kobresia setchwanensis Hand.-Maizz.,Potentilla anserina L. var. anserine and G. squarrosa Ledeb.) decomposed about24%-50% in the non-growing season, which were higher than those in the growingseason (ranged from 10% to 30%). Litter decomposed 10%-20% within the first twoweeks in late autumn and early winter. Significant differences in the whole-yeardecomposition rate and in the processes of decomposition were found among species.Polygonum macrophyllum decomposed slowly through the whole year (26% and15% in the non-growing season and in the growing season, respectively). Certainspecies, such as P. pretensis L. and K. setchwanensis, decomposed at a similar rate(30% both in the non-growing and in the growing season, slightly higher in the8growing season than those in the growing season), whereas S. chamaejasmedecomposed more rapidly (about 50%) in the non-growing season and subsequentlydecomposition became slow (about 12%) in the growing season. Litter nitrogencontents of all the focal species firstly decreased in the non-growing season and thenincreased in the growing season. In vitro experiments of pollen allelopathy, the results showed that pollen from S.chamaejasme was not autotoxic, whereas pollen germination in all the sympatricspecies (Polygonum macrophyllum D. Don var. Macrophyllum, Gentianamacrophylla Pall. var. fetissowii, Gentianopsis paludosa (Hook. f.) Ma var. paludosa,Gentiana squarrosa Ledeb., Halenia elliptica D. Don var. elliptica, Cyananthushookeri C. B. Cl. var. grandiflorus Marq., Euphrasia pectinata Ten., Delphiniumtongolense Franch., Ranunculus tanguticus (Maxim.) Ovcz. var. tanguticus andPotentilla anserina L. var. anserina) decreased nonlinearly as the increasingconcentrations of extract of pollen from S. chamaejasme. Pollen Extract of threepollens from S. chamaejasme generally inhibited 50% pollen germination of most ofthe focal species. 5.76 and 3.35 pollens from S. chamaejasme were observed in fieldon stigmas of G. squarrosa and E. pectinata, respectively. Differences inheterospecific pollen transfer of S. chamaejasme could be attributed to the primaryreason whether they shared common pollinators. Flower morphology (e.g.zygomorphic or actinomorphic), plant or floral density and concurrence in floweringphonologies could explain, in part, the differences in heterospecific pollen transfer.In field experiments, the results showed that seed set in six sympatric species(Gentiana macrophylla Pall. var. fetissowii, Gentianopsis paludosa (Hook. f.) Mavar. paludosa, Gentiana squarrosa Ledeb., Halenia elliptica D. Don var. elliptica,Cyananthus hookeri C. B. Cl. var. grandiflorus Marq. and Euphrasia pectinata Ten.)decreased nonlinearly as the increasing concentrations of extract of pollen from S.chamaejasme. According to the nonlinear curves, the amounts of pollens from S.chamaejasme on stigmas of G. squarrosa and of E. pectinata (i.e. 5.76 grains and3.35 grains, respectively) could reduce 63% and 55% seed set of G. squarrosa and ofE. pectinata, respectively. Thus, allelopathic effects of S. chamaejasme on G.squarrosa and E. pectinata could be realistic. The sympatric species of S.chamaejasme could avoid pollen allelopathy of S. chamaejasme to sustainthemselves. This highlights the need to study how much pollen allelopathy in S.chamaejasme influences the sympatric species through divergence in seasonal ordiurnal flowering phonologies or through asexual reproduction. If pollen allelopathyin S. chamaejasme was confirmed, it could be as a pressure of natural selection andthus play an important role in species evolution.

若尔盖湿地3种两栖类的种间竞争及畜牧业对其食性的影响

从空间、时间、食物3个方面研究了若尔盖湿地3种两栖类的种间竞争，运用生态位理论探讨了3种两栖类利用环境资源的能力以及它们之间的共存模式，研究了3种两栖类年周期食性，并考察了畜牧业对3种两栖类食性及食物竞争格局的影响；此外，还通过实验室研究对2种两栖类幼体的种间竞争策略进行了考察。主要结果如下： 1、两栖类的空间资源利用状况：在3种两栖类成体生态位宽度的比较中，岷山蟾蜍（Bufo minshanicus）成体在牧场性质(0.41)、牛粪数量(0.42)、植被盖度(0.20)、地表温度(0.50)、地表湿度(0.51) 5个维度上的生态位宽度最窄；而倭蛙（Nanorana pleskei）成体在牛粪数量(0.81)、植被高度(0.63)、植被盖度(0.47)、小水体距离(0.68) 4个维度上的生态位宽度最宽。在3种两栖类亚成体生态位宽度的比较中，岷山蟾蜍亚成体在牧场性质(0.66)、牛粪数量(0.58)、植被高度(0.64)、小水体距离(0.51)、地表湿度(0.79) 5个维度的上生态位宽度最宽；倭蛙亚成体在牧场性质(0.39)、牛粪数量(0.30)、地表温度(0.18)、地表湿度(0.33) 4个维度上的生态位宽度最窄。高原林蛙（Rana kukunoris）在地表温度（成体：0.62；亚成体：0.56）、地表湿度（成体：0.84；亚成体：0.60）两个维度上具有较大的生态位宽度值，而在小水体距离维度上（成体：0.27；亚成体：0.14）的生态位宽度值则很小。比较3种无尾两栖类在不同生长阶段（成体、亚成体）的生态位宽度，发现高原林蛙和倭蛙的亚成体对栖息环境的要求更高。3种两栖类空间资源利用的相似程度很高，高原林蛙与倭蛙之间的生态重叠度(0.87)较之它与岷山蟾蜍(0.81)的生态位重叠度更大。 2、两栖类的日活动节律：高原林蛙成体、亚成体、岷山蟾蜍亚成体活动的最低气温为0℃、2℃、8℃；岷山蟾蜍和高原林蛙亚成体出现的数量与气温成极显著的正相关（r=0.797, p<0.001；r=0.794, p<0.001），高原林蛙成体出现的数量与气温有一定相关性（r=0.456, p<0.05）；晴天时两栖类的活动性明显高于阴天（p<0.001）；多云转晴天气，高原林蛙和岷山蟾蜍亚成体出现两次日活动高峰，分别为中午12:30左右和下午15:30～16:30之间；多云天气，高原林蛙和岷山蟾蜍亚成体出现两次日活动高峰，分别为9:30～10:30之间和15:30～16:30之间。 3、两栖类的食物资源利用状况：春、秋两季，高原林蛙最主要的食物是蜉金龟科(Aphodiidae)昆虫，相对重要性指数(IRI)最高（春季：35.28%，秋季：28.57%），其次为昆虫的幼虫，以及双翅目的毛蚊科(Bibionidae)、蝇科(Muscidae)、丽蝇科(Calliphoridae)昆虫，秋季，蝗虫是高原林蛙食物组成中的重要部分；岷山蟾蜍最主要的食物是蚂蚁(IRI，春季：85.54%，秋季：49.70%)，其次为蜉金龟科、象甲科(Curculionidae)、步甲科(Carabidae)、粪金龟科(Geotrupidae) 等鞘翅目昆虫；倭蛙春季的最主要食物也是蜉金龟科昆虫(IRI，春季：13.41%)，其次为蚂蚁、毛蚊科昆虫、昆虫的幼虫以及狼蛛科(Lycosidae)。3种两栖类中，倭蛙的食性生态位宽度相对较宽（0.43），而岷山蟾蜍（0.09）和高原林蛙（0.22）的生态位宽度较窄，与春季相比，两栖类在秋季的食谱更宽。以利用食物种类为标准，春季高原林蛙与倭蛙的生态位重叠度(0.40)比它与岷山蟾蜍的生态位重叠度（0.33）更大。 4、畜牧业对两栖类食性及食物竞争格局的影响：以藏牦牛粪为食物或寄居场所的昆虫，如蜉金龟科、粪金龟科、毛蚊科、蝇科、丽蝇科昆虫和某些昆虫幼虫，是3种两栖类食物谱中最主要的组成部分，蜉金龟科昆虫在高原林蛙食谱中的比例更高，高原林蛙可能从畜牧业发展中获得更多的好处，使之在食物竞争方面处于优势地位。与无放牧样地相比，在有放牧样地的中，两栖类食谱中的蜉金龟科昆虫数量更多(有放牧：31.94%；无放牧：21.32%)、出现频率更高(有放牧：76.38%；无放牧：44%)。然而在不同样地上（有放牧/无放牧），两栖类的食物组成无显著性差异(P=0.188)，两栖类的数量(P=0.075)、肥满度(P=0.537)均没有显著差别。 5、两栖类幼体的竞争策略：实验室条件下，通过活动性水平，变态时的体重、增长率和完成变态所需时间考察自然条件下常同水塘分布的中华蟾蜍（Bufo gargarizans）和高原林蛙蝌蚪的竞争策略。结果表明：中华蟾蜍蝌蚪在不同食物资源条件下，所选择的生存策略可能不同，即食物资源充足时，增加活动性获取更多食物，食物资源有限时，降低活动性且提前完成变态；与中华蟾蜍蝌蚪相比，在食物资源有限时高原林蛙蝌蚪获取食物能力可能更强。 This paper presented the study of competition of three amphibians (Rana kukunoris, Nanorana pleskei, Bufo minshanicus) based on spatial, temporal and dietary scales in Zoige wetland. We measured coexistence patterns of three amphibians and analyzed their ability of exploiting resource. Effects of grazing on the diet composition and diet competition of amphibians were analyzed by their diet composition during spring and autumn. Furthermore, we examined the competitive ability of larval common frogs (Rana kukunoris)and common toads(Bufo gargarizans) in a laboratory experiment, and analyzed their competitive strategies respectively. The results were as follows: 1 .The status of using spatial resource Niche breadths of B. minshanicus adults on 5 dimensional axes including character of pasture(0.41), number of yaks dung(0.42), vegetation coverage(0.20), temperature (0.50)and humidity(0.51) of ground surface were narrower than adults of R. kukunoris and N. pleskei. Niche breadths of B. minshanicus subadults were broader than R.kukunoris subadults and N.pleskei subadults on 5 dimensional axes including character of pasture (0.66), number of yaks dung (0.58), vegetation height (0.64), distance to small waterbodies (0.51), humidity of ground surface (0.79). Niche breadths of N. pleskei subadults were the narrowest in three anurans subadults on 4 dimensional axes including character of pasture (0.39), number of yaks dung (0.30), temperature (0.18) and humidity (0.33) of ground surface, niche breadths of N. pleskei adults were the broadest in three anurans adults on 4 dimensional axes including number of yaks dung (0.81), vegetation height (0.63) and coverage(0.47), distance to small waterbodies(0.68).Comparatively, niche breadths of R. kukunoris were broader on the two microclimate factors including temperature(adults：0.62；subadults：0.56) and humidity (adults：0.84；subadults：0.60)of ground surface, but was narrow on distance to small waterbodies(adults：0.27；subadults：0.14). Strategies for using habitat resource of adults and subadults of the three species anuran were different. Generally, subadults of R. kukunoris and N. pleskei needs better habitat condition. It was quite similar that three anurans exploited spatial resource, Niche overlap between R. kukunoris and N. pleskei (0.87) was greater than that between R. kukunoris and B.minshanicus(0.81). 2.Daily activity rhythm R. kukunoris audlts were active when air temperatures were as low as 0℃, R. kukunoris subadults were active at 2℃, B.minshanicus subaudlts were active at 8℃. Positive correlation was found between activities of amphibians and air temperature, Subadults of R.kukunoris, (r=0.797, p<0.001), Subadults,of,B.minshanicus, (r=0.794, p<0.001), andbadults,of,R.kukunoris(r=0.456, p<0.05).Amphibians were more active during sunny days than cloudy days. In cloudy turning into sunny, R. kukunoris and B.minshanicus subadults had two active peak: at noon about 12:30 and 15:30～16:30 pm; in cloudy, R. kukunoris and B.minshanicus subadult had two active peak too : 9:30～10:30am,15:30～16:30pm. 3.Diet analysis Aphodiidae was the most commonly consumed food item by R. kukunoris based on index of relative importance (IRI) during spring (35.28%) and autumn (28.57%) in Zogie wetland. Besides Aphodiidae, larval insect, dipterans such as Bibionidae, Muscidae, Calliphoridae also were important food item for R. kukunoris, in autumn, locust was one of important food item for R. kukunoris. The most important food item for B.minshanicus during spring (IRI:85.54%) and autumn (IRI:49.70%) was ants, following, was coleopterans, such as Aphodiidae, dung beetle. Aphodiidae (IRI:13.41%) were the most important consumed food item by N. pleskei during spring too, following, was ants and Bibionidae. Dietary breadth of N. pleskei (0.43) were greater than R. kukunoris (0.22) and B. minshanicus (0.09). As a whole, Dietary breadth of amphibians during aurumn were greater than spring. Based on prey item, dietary overlap between R. kukunoris and N. pleskei (0.40) was greater than that between R. kukunoris and B.minshanicus (0.33) during spring. 4.Effects of grazing on the diet composition and diet competition of amphibians Amphibians are an important part of the pasture ecosystems as prey and predator. In Zogie wetland, major diet of amphibians was closely associated with dung of yaks, for example, Aphodiidae, Bibionidae, Muscidae, dung beetle. Dung of yaks was major diet and habitat of these insects. Proportion of Aphodiidae was higher in diet composition of R. kukunoris than N. pleskei and B.minshanicus, with development of pasturage, R. kukunoris may have a diet competitive advantage over N. pleskei and B.minshanicus. Number of Aphodiidae in diet composition of amphibians was higher in samples with grazing (31.94%) than in those without grazing (21.32%). Occurrence Frequency of Aphodiidae in diet composition of amphibians was higher in samples with grazing (76.38%) than in those without grazing (44%). However, There was not significantly different on diet composition (P=0.188), and number (P=0.075) and the relative fatness (P=0.537) of amphibians between grazing samples and without grazing. 5.Competitive strategies of amphibian larvae I examined the competitive ability of larval toads (Bufo gargarizans) and frogs (Rana kukunoris) which co-occur in the nature pond by activity level, the growth rate and mass at metamorphosis and larval period in a laboratory experiment. The results suggest: In laborary, B.gargarizans adapted himself to different food level by changing activity. At high food level, B. gargarizans increased activity to gain more diet. At low food level, B. gargarizans decreased activity and achieved early metamorphosis. When food resource was limit, R. kukunoris could gain more food than B. gargarizans.

小鲵属分子系统发育研究

小鲵属为亚洲特有的有尾两栖类，是小鲵科之模式属。现记载小鲵属动物有29种，占全科物种数一半以上（Frost, 2007），为小鲵科第一大属。该属分布跨越古北界和东洋界，分布于中国、朝鲜、韩国、日本等地区，其系统学研究一直以来颇为中外学者所关注。澄清该属的物种分类问题，阐明其种间的系统发育关系对整个小鲵科的系统演化与分布格局关系的研究具有关键性意义。 本论文以中国及周边地区的小鲵属物种为主要对象，主要利用分子生物学实验与生物信息学途径相结合的手段，运用支序系统学与分子进化生物学理论及分析方法，展开系统发育的研究。在此基础上诠释现存的分类问题，并探讨该属系统发育关系。 研究材料上，本研究采用野外采集与网络下载数据相结合的方法，获取了较为全面的小鲵属物种DNA序列资料。技术手段上，选取了线粒体DNA的Cytb、12S、16S、NADH 2、COI等多个基因部分片段序列，对小鲵属开展了较为全面系统的研究。分析方法上，针对小鲵属物种各类群的具体情况，运用了处于领域前沿的多种分析方法。应用PAUP、MrBayes、Modeltest、Mega等软件，采用了最大简约法（MP）、邻接法（NJ）、贝叶斯推断（BI）及K2P遗传距离分析等方法。 本研究对小鲵属进行了较为全面的系统发育研究，弥补了有关小鲵属系统发育研究的不足，并得出了以下结果： （1）关于豫南小鲵Hynobius yunanicus的有效性，基于细胞色素b序列的系统发育关系联合形态和染色体组型等证据证明了豫南小鲵是商城肥鲵的同物异名。 （2）获得了较为全面的小鲵属物种系统发育树，并以此解释了北海道滞育小鲵、东北小鲵、中国小鲵与义乌小鲵等存在的分类问题。 （3）本研究利用DNA条形码技术对小鲵属及小鲵科物种进行了鉴定，再次证明豫南小鲵为商城肥鲵的同物异名；并认为猫儿山小鲵与挂榜山小鲵为同物异名。 综上，本研究较为完整地勾勒了小鲵属的系统发育关系全貌，并对小鲵属物种的起源进行了推测。 Hynobius, the type genus of the Family Hynobiidae, is the only exclusively Asian salamander genus. This genus which contains 29 species (beyond half of total Family), is the key group in Hynobiidae. The genus distributed across Palaearctic and Oriental Realm, and was found in China, Korea, and Japan. Systematics of genus Hynobius draws attention of researchers all the times. Resolving the taxonomic and phynogenetic questions of Hynobius is very important to the evolutionary research of Family Hynobiidae. Firstly, studies on systematics of genus Hynobius based on morphology, karyotype and molecular phylogeny of Hynobius are reviewed along with existing questions of this genus. The sequential reaserch project of phylogenetics is perspectively outlined. Using molecular data, we compared Hynobius yunanicus with a sympatric species Pachyhynobius shangchengensis. Our cytb sequences associating with karyotypic and morphological data supportted that H. yunanicus is not a valid species, but a synonym of P. shangchengensis. Because of phenotypic plasticity, some morphological characters are not even suitable for identifying hynobiids. The taxonomy of hynobiids is still controversial to a certain extent (Zhao et al. 1993; Fei, 1999; Chen et al. 2001; Zeng et al. 2006) and needs to be resolved by a new method. Here we examined the utility of COI barcoding for the discrimination of hynobiids. Meantime, the taxonomy of this Family was looked-over again. Our result show that the DNA Barcoding based on COI is easier and more rapidly than classic methods. And the DNA Barcodes data supported the actual taxonomy of Hynobiidae. Based on the achievements of our research, the phylogeny of Hynobius was reconstructed including some new species (H. maoershanensis, H. guabangshanensis, etc). Besides the phylogenetics of Hynobius was outlined, some questions and the hypothesis about the origin of genus Hynobius was put out.

大熊猫“盛林1号”放归监测

大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)是我国特有的珍稀濒危物种，国家Ⅰ级重点保护野生动物，被称为“国宝”。目前，大熊猫被局限在我国中西部的岷山、邛崃、大相岭、小相岭、凉山和秦岭6大山系中。对大熊猫的保护和研究，我国政府、保护生物学科研人员、社会各界及国际保护组织都做了大量的工作。根据全国三次大熊猫调查结果显示，大熊猫栖息地片段化现象依然存在，形成多个隔离的大熊猫小种群。尤其在小相岭、大相岭、岷山B和岷山C种群，大熊猫数量较少，且栖息地破碎，面临较大威胁。有的山系大熊猫种群数量些已低于最小可存活大熊猫种群的数量，如果不采取人工措施，这些种群的大熊猫存在灭绝的危险。 将圈养大熊猫放归野外，以补充野外大熊猫种群数量，增加其遗传多样性，复壮和扩大野生大熊猫种群，是大熊猫人工繁育的最终目标。为降低放归的风险性，在放归人工繁育大熊猫前，将救护存活的野生大熊猫先有计划放归野外，并对其进行跟踪监测，对积累大熊猫放归经验，进一步研究大熊猫野外生物学习性，丰富放归地大熊猫种群遗传多样性，为人工繁育大熊猫放归野外夯实基础，具有十分重要的意义。2005年8月8日，国家林业局和四川省人民政府联合将救护野生大熊猫“盛林1号”放归于龙溪－虹口国家级自然保护区内岷山B大熊猫种群栖息地，并进行系统监测研究。成功的积累了一些放归经验和放归大熊猫的生物学资料，为人工繁育大熊猫的放归奠定了一定基础。 2005年8月至2007年6月期间，我们采用GPS无线电项圈、粪便DNA检测和红外线自动触发相机陷阱的方法，对大熊猫“盛林１号”进行了追踪监测，获得了以下成果： 1.通过分析“盛林1号”放归后了活动趋势和采用两种贝叶斯方法，利用目前五大山系的已有微卫星遗传数据，检测“盛林１号”与五大山系的遗传关系的远近，推测其来源于邛崃山系的可能性较大。 2.收集了大量“盛林1号”野外生境选择数据。我们认为“盛林1号”放归后经历了应急期、初步稳定期、长途迁徙期三个阶段（这可能是今后放归大熊猫都必经的三个时期），并与当地大熊猫种群已发生交流。目前“盛林１号”仍在寻找适合的巢域。 3.结合过去监测数据分析，在放归区域大熊猫和羚牛尽管同域分布，但由于食性不同，对微生境选择还是有着很大差异，因此保护管理对策要有针对性。 4.“盛林1号”的放归是成功的。救护大熊猫异地放归工作应继续开展，但要改进放归后的监测技术。要改进现有对人工饲养大熊猫野化培训方法和放归方式，才能真正将人工繁殖个体放归野外。 Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is an endangered species endemic to China. It was listed as National Protected I Class Species and is crowned as “National treasure” of China. The populations of Giant Panda are limited in 6 mountain system in Center-West of China, i.e. Mingshan, Mt. Qionglai, Mt. Daxiangling，Mt. Xiaoxiangling, Mt. Liangshan and Mt. Qinling. The results of the Third National Survey on Giant Panda showed that the habitats of Giant Panda is still fracted and Giant Panda population is divided into several isolated small populations. Population B from Mt. Daxiangling, Mt. Xiaoxiangling and Mt. Mingshan and Population C from Mt. Mingshan are very small with very fracted habitat and are more endangered. Several populations in those mountain systems are smaller than Minimum Viable Population of Giant Panda. It is very possible that those populations will be extinct without artificial help. The ultimate Goal of Reintroduction caged Giant Panda to wild is to increase wild population size and genetics diversity and rebuild and expand wild Giant Panda population. It is of significant to return rescued wild Giant Panda to wild and monitor their behavior before reintroduction artificial reproduced Giant Panda. It will increase our knowledge on reintroduction of Giant Panda. Aug 8th, 2005, “Shenglin 1”, a rescued wild Giant Panda was returned to Longxi-Hongkou National Nature Reservoir, which is habitat of Giant Panda Population B of Mt. Mingshan. A systematic monitor was carried out on “Shenglin 1”, and the successful return enriched our biological knowledge on Giant Panda reintroduction. It will be very help for future conservation work on reintroduce artificial reproduced Giant Panda. “Shenglin 1” was tracked with GPS collar, DNA in feces and infrared-trigged camera from Aug 2005 to Jun 2007. 1. Locomotion behavior and microsatellites comparison with Giant Panda from the 5 mountain systems indicated that “Shenglin 1” is possibly from Mt. Qionglai. 2. Habitat usage of “Shenglin 1” was studied. It was suggested that there were 3 phases after return, i.e. emergency response, preliminary stable phase and long distance locomotion, which could be a general process for other returned Giant Panda. It was indicated that there was some interaction between “Shenglin 1” and local population. “Shenglin 1” is seeking for suitable home range now. 3. Monitor data also indicated that microhabitat preference of Giant Panda and takin (Budorcas taxicolor) are different because of different diet, though they are sympatric. It was suggested that conservation management for the two species should be plan in particular. 4. The reintroduction of “Shenglin 1” is a successful case. The program of return rescued Giant Panda to other habitats is of value and should be continued. However, more improvement is needed for the monitor technique. More improvement is need for feralization and returning before we return artificial reproduced Giant Panda to wild.

Dinoflagellate cysts as potential indicators of industrial pollution in a Norwegian Fjord

Variation in dinoflagellate cyst assemblages through the last approximately 300 years was studied in two sediment cores, one from the heavily polluted Frierfjord, and one from the adjoining, relatively unpolluted Brevikfjord, in order to docu1ent possible dinoflagellate responses to pollution. Changes in the cyst-flora were compared with historical information on the development of industry and also with geochemistry of the sediments, reflecting aspects of pollution. In the Frierfjord core, increasing pollution was accompanied by a decrease in cyst concentration, possibly reflecting reduced production, at least of dinoflagellates, and a shift toward more heterotrophic species, possibly reflecting reduced light penetration in the euphotic zone, or increased production of prey for the heterotrophs. These trends seem to have reversed as pollution decreased after about 1975, suggesting that cyst assemblages contain signals that may prove useful for tracing the development of pollution. Cyst assemblages in the Brevikfjord core only showed minor changes.

Identification of factors affecting the growth and survival of the settling Japanese flounder larvae, Paralichthys olivaceus

A series of experiments were conducted to identify the factors that affected the growth and survival of the settling flounder larvae Paralichthys olivaceus. Settling larvae 24 days after hatching (DAH) were reared in 10-l experimental tanks up to 40 DAH, and two of the following factors were changed as controlled factors in each experiment: light regime (24L:0D or 12L:12D), prey density (1500, 3000, or 5000 Artemia l(-1)), shelter (sand or no sand) and stocking density (5, 10, or 15 fish l(-1)). Early settling larvae (24-35 DAH) experienced little mortality (less than 10% of the overall mortality) that was not significantly affected by above factors. In contrast, late settling larvae (36-40 DAH) suffered high cannibalistic mortality which was significantly influenced by each of the above factors. Larvae experienced significantly lower mortality at 10 fish l(-1) level than at other densities. Larvae at 15 fish l(-1) level had higher mortality than at 5 fish l(-1) when all other factors were identical. Larvae at 3000 and 5000 Artemia l(-1) treatments survived significantly better than at 1500 Artemia l(-1), but no significant differences in larval mortality were found between the two higher densities. Larvae suffered higher mortality at low prey density or at the absence of sand when they were exposed to longer photoperiod. Low stocking density significantly improved the growth of the settling larvae. The average daily instantaneous growth rate (G) at 5 and 15 fish l(-1) treatments were 0.050 and 0.034, with the coefficient of variation (CV) in final length at 16.4 and 23.5, respectively. Daily instantaneous growth rate increased significantly from 0.033 in the 1500 Artemia l(-1) to 0.041 and 0.045 in the 3000 and 5000 Artennia l(-1), respectively, but no significant difference in larval growth existed between the two higher prey densities. These findings suggested that the optimal prey density for growth and survival of the settling flounder larvae at a stocking density of 5 - 15 fish l(-1) was around 3000 Artemia l(-1) . Larvae that were exposed to 24L showed 20% increase in growth ( G = 0.046, CV = 18.7) than those exposed to 12L ( G = 0.037, CV = 20.5). Longer exposure to light significantly improved larval growth, provided sufficient food was available. Sand substrate did not show significant effects on larval growth, possibly because the larvae spent most of the time swimming or feeding in the water column during this stage. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Observations on the nocturnal activity and feeding behavior of Anguilla japonica glass eels under laboratory conditions

Glass eels of the temperate anguillid species, Anguilla japonica, clearly showed a nocturnal activity rhythm under laboratory conditions. Light-dark cycle was a determinant factor affecting their photonegative behavior, nocturnal locomotor activity, and feeding behavior. Under natural light conditions, glass eels remained in shelters with little daytime feeding, but came out to forage during darkness. They moved and foraged actively in the following dark, and then their activity gradually declined possibly because of food satiation. They finally buried in the sand or stayed in tubes immediately after the lights came on. Under constant light, glass eels often came out of the shelters to forage in the lights but spent little time moving outside the shelters (e.g. swimming or crawling on the sand). Glass eels took shelter to avoid light and preferred tubes to sand for shelter possibly because tubes were much easier for them to take refuge in than sand. Feeding and locomotor activities of the glass eels were nocturnal and well synchronized. They appeared to depend on olfaction rather than vision to detect and capture prey in darkness. Feeding was the driving force for glass eels to come out of sand under constant light. However, in the dark, some glass eels swam or crept actively on sand even when they were fully fed. The lunar cycles of activity rhythms of glass eels that have been observed in some estuarine areas were not detected under these laboratory conditions.

Feeding resumption, morphological changes and mortality during starvation in Japanese flounder larvae

Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus larvae established first feeding 3 days after hatching (DAH) at c. 17degreesC. Non-fed fish reached irreversible starvation at age 5 DAH. Non-fed fish showed similar feeding rate and feeding intensity as the fed fish when they were provided with prey before 5 DAH, after which the starved larvae did not feed even when prey became available. None of the six morphological measurements examined (total length, body height, eye height, head height, gut height and myotome height) showed significant differences between the non-fed and fed larvae until 5 DAH. Normal development continued only in the fed group, and the non-fed larvae showed reverse growth or body collapse after 5 DAH. Owing to the shrinkage and collapse at the top of head due to starvation, head height could be a sensitive indicator of starvation in Japanese flounder larvae. In the fed treatments, high mortality occurred from first feeding (3 DAH) to irreversible starvation (5 DAH), accounting for about two-thirds to three-quarters of the overall mortality (46-52%) throughout the experiments. This mortality was not prey density or larval density dependent. Mortality during the same period in the non-fed larvae accounted for about a third of the overall mortality (100%). (C) 2002 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cannibalism in Japanese flounder juveniles, Paralichthys olivaceus, reared under controlled conditions

Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the effects of sand substratum, light, starvation, fish density and size variation on cannibalism among Japanese flounder juveniles, Paralichthys olivaceus. Cannibalistic behavior (biting and swallowing) increased significantly with starvation except in darkness, where juveniles could not find and attack their prey. Cannibalism occurred more frequently in heterogeneous than in the homogeneous size groups. Cannibalism was more frequent in light than in darkness at each starvation level. With sufficient food present, sand had no significant effect on cannibalism among homogeneous size juveniles, but played an important role in discouraging predation among members of the heterogeneous size groups. With sufficient food present, the rate of cannibalism was generally low and there were no significant differences in cannibalism among fish density levels of the homogeneous juveniles, With starvation, the cannibalism rate was significantly higher in high density groups than in the lower ones. Our results indicate that size variation, starvation and Light are the major factors affecting cannibalism in flounder juveniles, while sand and fish density only have a limited effect on cannibalism, depending on the nature of other factors. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Feeding behaviour of Japanese flounder larvae under laboratory conditions

Tank-reared Japanese flounder larvae, Paralichthys olivaceus, had a major feeding peak in the morning and a secondary peak in the afternoon throughout the larval development, with light being the primary factor regulating their feeding activity. The larvae consumed rotifers in preference to Artemia for up to 10 days, after which the food preference shifted to Artemia. Feeding rates of the larvae prior to 10 days post-batch depended on prey density, but in the old larvae, feeding rates were independent of prey density. Maximum feeding rate occurred at 19 degrees C. The occurrence of the attack posture, after its onset at first feeding (2 days post-hatch), increased up to 25 days, began to decrease when the larvae prepared to settle down, then disappeared after settlement. The occurrence frequency of the attack posture was positively related to fish density, but inversely related to starvation duration, and occurred most frequently at 19 degrees C. This posture depended on prey density in larvae prior to 10 days post-hatch, but became independent of prey density as the larvae developed. It was obvious that, for flounder larvae, attack posture was a behavioural character closely related to feeding and subject to larval development and environmental factors. (C) 2000 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.

Food utilization of adult flatfishes co-occurring in the Bohai Sea of China

Stomach contents were examined of 4527 adult individuals of 12 flatfish species collected during the 1982 - 1983 Bohai Sea Fisheries Resources Investigation. Their food habits, diet diversity, similarity of prey taxa, trophic niche breadth and diet overlap were systematically analysed. Ninety-seven prey species belonging to the Coelenterata, Nemertinea, Polychaeta, Mollusca, Crustacea, Echinodermata, Hemichordata and fish were found and five of them were considered to be principal prey for flatfishes: Alpheus japonicus, Oratosquilla oratoria, Alpheus distinguendus, Loligo japonicus and Crangon affinis. Among the flatfishes, Paralichthys olivaceus was piscivorous, whereas Pseodopleuronectes yokohamae and Pseudopleuronectes herzensteini both had polychaetes and molluscs as their main prey groups. Pleuronichthys cornutus was classified as a polychaete-mollusc eater, with a strong preference for crustaceans. Verasper variegatus, Cynoglossus semilaevis, Eopsetta grigorjewi and Cleisthenes herzensteini ate crustaceans. Kareius bicoloratus was classified as a mollusc-crustacean eater: Cynoglossus abbreviatus, Cynoglossus joyneri and Zebrias zebra were grouped as crustacean-fish eaters. However, Z. zebra also took polychaetes and C. abbreviatus and C. joyneri preyed on some molluscs. Trophic relationships among the flatfishes were complicated, but they occupied distinctive microhabitats in different seasons and selected their specific prey items, which was favourable to the stability of the flatfish community in the Bohai Sea.

捕食风险与动物行为及其决策的关系

The research progress of the effect of predation risk on animals’behavior and their decision was introduced in the paper. In recent decade , a lots of researches dealt with effects of predation on prey foraging behavior (including when to feed , where to feed , what to eat , how to consume) , habitat selection and defensive behavior in the various types of ecological systems. The results showed that animals had the ability to assess and control their risk of being pred in ecological time and they could incorporate this information with their making of decision during the lifetime. Some researches suggested that the decision reflected apparent trade-offs between the risk of predation and the benefits to be gained from enaging in a given activity. It was stressed that predation risk was an important and necessary trade-off factor for animals’decision making. In addition , the effect of indirect predation at community level was one of the forces of shaping community structure and become an important way for studing mechanism of community organization. At the population level , it also may be significant advers effecting on population distribution , density and reproduction.

Molecular evidence for double maternal origins of the diploid hybrid Hippophae goniocarpa (Elaeagnaceae)

Homoploid hybrid plant species are rare, and the mechanisms of their speciation are largely unknown, especially for homoploid hybrid tree species. Two contrasting hypotheses have been proposed to explain the origin of Hippophae goniocarpa: (1) it is a diploid hybrid originating from H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis x H. neurocarpa ssp. neurocarpa, and (2) it originated via marginal differentiation from H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis. Regardless of which of these hypotheses is true (if either), previous studies have suggested that H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis is the only maternal donor for this hybrid species. In this study, we aim to elucidate the maternal composition of H. goniocarpa and to test the two hypotheses. For this purpose, we sequenced the maternal chloroplast DNA trnL-F region of 75 individuals representing H. goniocarpa, H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis, and H. neurocarpa ssp. neurocarpa in two co-occurring sites of the taxa. Seven haplotypes were identified from three taxonomic units, and their phylogenetic relationships were further constructed by means of maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and network analyses. These seven haplotypes clustered into two distinct, highly divergent lineages. Two haplotypes from one lineage were found in H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis, and five (representing the other lineage) in H. neurocarpa ssp. neurocarpa. Hippophae goniocarpa shared four common haplotypes from both lineages, but the haplotypes detected from the two populations differed to some extent, and in each case were identical to local haplotypes of the putative parental species. Thus, both H. rhamnoides ssp. sinensis and H. neurocarpa ssp. neurocarpa appear to have together contributed to the maternal establishment of H. goniocarpa. These results clearly demonstrate that the marginal origin hypothesis should be rejected, and support the hybrid origin hypothesis. Hippophae goniocarpa exhibits a sympatric distribution with its two parent species, without occupying new niches or displaying complete ecological isolation. However, this species has effectively developed reproductive isolation from its sympatric parent species. Our preliminary results suggest that H. goniocarpa may provide a useful model system for studying diploid hybrid speciation in trees. (c) 2008 The Linnean Society of London.