Trichinella sp. in polar bears from Svalbard, in relation to hide length and age

DiaPhragma and masseter muscles from 376 polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ), 252 ringed seals ( Phoca hispida ), 84 bearded seals ( Erignathus barbatus ), and 77 arctic foxes ( Alopex lagopus ) from Svalbard were examined for Trichinella . Infection rates in polar bears varied between 23 and 58%, and between 3 and 67% in arctic fox- None of tne seals were infected. Trichinella in polar bears is probably transferred through cannibalism and scavenging upon polar bear carcasses. Infection rate in arctic fox was high when they preyed upon polar bear carcasses before polar bear hunting was prohibited in 1973. A low infection rate seems more natural when such prey is not available. No difference could be found in infection rate between male and female polar bears. There is only a slight increase in infection rate with age, as calculated from hide lengths, and many adult animals remain uninfected. Geographical isolation of polar bear populations may explain differences in Trichinella infection rates between bears from arctic America and arctic Europe. Possible explanations are that discrete polar bear populations have different food habits, or that they are exposed to different Trichinella strains.     

Total mercury in hair of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from Greenland and Svalbard

Concentrations (ppm = ug/g dry weight) of total mercury (Hg) were determined in hair of polar bears ( Ursus maritimus) from northwestern Greenland (N = 22; period of sampling: 1978-1989), eastern Greenland (N = 44: 1984-1989) and Svalbard (N = 31; 1980). For subadults (2-6 years of life), adults (7-10 years). and old bears (>10 years), concentrations of total Hg in hair were not found to be dependent on age or sex. A decreasing trend in Hg concentrations was found from west to east. The mean concentrations of total Hg in hair (cubs of the year and yearlings excluded) were: northwestern Greenland, x = 8.38 ppm (min.-max.: 4.71-14.19 ppm. N = 21); eastern Greenland: x = 4.58 ppm (min.-max.: 2.50-8.83 ppm. N = 41); and Svalbard, x = 1.98 ppm (min.-max.: 1.02-4.55 ppm, N = 29). Concentrations found in northwestern Greenland were similar to those reported by others from the hair of polar bears sampled within management zone F of the eastern Canadian High Arctic. Concentrations of total Hg in polar bear hair from eastern Greenland were similar to concentrations found by others in contemporary (1988) material collected during spring in western Svalbard. However, the mean concentration of total Hg in the 1980 Svalbard material, which was collected during July-September, was significantly lower than concentrations found in samples taken during late winter and spring in eastern Greenland and at Svalbard, respectively. Presumably the relatively low concentrations found in the 1980 Svalbard sample arc attributable to the period of moult and hence a larger proportion of newly grown hair in the individual samples. In a subsample consisting of internal tissues from 19 polar bears from eastern Greenland (1984-1987), concentrations of total Hg in hair correlated positively with concentrations of total Hg (wet weight) in muscle (N = 6), liver (N = 19) and kidney (N = 19) tissue. For liver and kidney tissue these relationships were statistically significant.     

An Evaluation of Information Meetings as a Tool for Addressing Fear of Large Carnivores

Managing authorities in Scandinavia arrange public information meetings when members of the public express fear because wolves or brown bears approach human settlements. This study aimed to increase the understanding of the potential effect of information meetings on self-reported fear of wolves and brown bears. In total, 198 participants completed questionnaires before and after the information meetings. Nine follow-up interviews were held 1 year later. The quantitative analyses revealed that participants who found the information credible reported a significant increase in social trust and a decrease in vulnerability and fear. The qualitative analyses pointed to the importance of information content and meta-communication, for example, nonverbal cues. It is proposed that, among participants who find the information credible, information meetings may change the appraisal of wolves and brown bears, and therefore they might prove useful as an intervention to address fear of these animals.     

Low protein variability and genetic similarity between populations of the polar bear (Ursus maritimus)

Blood samples from a total of 460 polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ) from various Arctic regions, but excluding the USSR, were collected during the period 1967-1981 to study electrophoretic variation in different proteins. Two hundred and one samples from Alaska, 48 from the Canadian Arctic, 89 from Svalbard, and 21 from Northeast Greenland were collected during the period 1967-1973 and were analysed by vertical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to study transferrin and hemoglobin polymorphism. Thirty-one samples collected in 1974 were analysed by starch gel electrophoresis for 14 enzyme systems in serum and red blood cells. Seventy samples collected from Alaska, the Barents Sea, and Canada in 1980-81 were studied by starch gel electrophoresis, and further analysed for protein variation by thin-layer isoelectric focusing, horizontal polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and two-dimensional electrophoresis. In all, about 75 loci were analysed for variation. The degree of protein and enzyme variation in the polar bear was observed to be relatively low. Starch gel electrophoresis revealed variation of an unidentified serum protein. The distribution of this protein indicates a closer connection between bears in Alaska and Canada compared to those in Greenland and Svalbard, but the differences were not significant. As in many large mammals, the information from protein variation in polar bears has limited use for management purposes. We could not find any simple system usable for identification of discrete populations. On the basis of protein variation as sole criterion, the populations investigated could not be separated. Possible explanations for the uniformity of blood proteins can be exchange of bears between geographical areas and/or a high selective pressure in polar bears.     

准噶尔盆地东南缘绿洲荒漠交错带土壤动物群落特征

为理解准噶尔盆地东南缘绿洲-荒漠交错带土壤动物群落特征,采用国际通用采样方法在2010年4月、7月、9月及11月中旬对该交错带不同生境土壤动物群落进行了调查研究,比较分析了该区土壤动物群落组成、多样性及其季节动态特征。结果表明:①共采集到大、中小型土壤动物9 788只,隶属于4门12纲32目,其中甲螨目、弹尾目、中气门目和前气门目为优势类群,常见类群有垫刃目、鞘翅目幼虫、膜翅目、无气门目、缨翅目和双翅目幼虫,优势类群和常见类群占群落总个体数的96.27%,其他22类群均属于稀有类群,只占总捕获量的3.73%。②在不同生境土壤动物群落组成、个体数量及多样性都表现出了明显的时空变异（P<0.05）,其类群数高低顺序为自然林＞防护林＞牧草地＞灌木林＞耕地＞菜瓜地＞荒草原＞荒漠,而个体数量顺序为菜瓜地＞耕地＞牧草地＞防护林＞自然林＞荒草原＞灌木林＞荒漠。③不同生境土壤动物的垂直分布具有明显的表聚特征,即从地表向下,随着土壤深度的增加土壤动物个体数量逐渐减少。④在不同生境土壤动物个体数量表现出了明显季节变化,其高低顺序为冬季＞秋季＞春季＞夏季。研究结果为进一步开展干旱区绿洲-荒漠生态系统土壤动物生态学的研究奠定了基础。     

珊瑚礁连通性研究进展

综述了国外近20 a珊瑚礁连通性的研究简史,总结了珊瑚礁连通性研究的方法,阐述了"珊瑚礁连通性"的研究对珊瑚礁生态系统管理的重要意义。中国的珊瑚礁连通性研究刚起步,离国外还有很大差距,今后应加强珊瑚幼虫扩散路径、珊瑚群体内(群体间)遗传分化、遗传距离、基因流的研究,对我国海域珊瑚幼虫扩散的走廊加以保护。     

基于多点树轮序列的1768—2006年甘肃降水量变化

选择12个树木年轮宽度年表和28个气象站的降水量资料分别建立甘肃树轮宽度场和降水量场。树轮气候响应分析发现树轮宽度场第一主成分与甘肃28个气象站上年7月至当年6月降水量第一主成分有较好相关性,相关系数为0.580 (p<0.001)。利用线性回归模型重建甘肃上年7月至当年6月降水量第一主成分,方差解释量为33.6% (1961—2006年)。在1768—2006年期间甘肃有11个降水量较多的时期(高于多年平均值)和11个降水量较少的时期(低于多年平均值),分别反映了东亚夏季风较强和较弱的时期。同时,降水量重建序列的低值与西北地区极端干旱历史事件有着良好的一致性。空间相关分析表明该重建序列能够表征甘肃大范围的降水量变化,与实测降水量资料的第一主成分空间变化较为一致。多窗谱分析发现,甘肃降水量具有36.6年(95%)、11.2年 (95%)、4.8年(95%)、3.4年 (95%)、3.1年(95%)、2.6年(95%)和2.4年(99%)的周期变化。甘肃降水量与亚洲中纬度西风区、季风区树轮降水量序列之间存在一定的关联性,甘肃降水量变化与季风降水量的关联要大于与西风区降水量。     

普里兹湾邻近海域大磷虾幼体的分布与丰度研究

198 9/ 1 990和 1 990 / 1 991南极夏季期间在普里兹湾邻近海域进行了拖网调查 ,对这一海域大磷虾 (Euphausia superba Dana)幼体的分布和丰度进行了研究。1 990年 1月幼体的平均密度为2 6个 / 1 0 0 0米 3 ,2月增至 1 6 2个 / 1 0 0 0米 3 ,3月初达到 2 0 1 1 3个 / 1 0 0 0米 3 (3月为表层高速采集器样品 )。幼体出现高峰看来是在 3月。分布和丰度的年际变化明显。1 990年仅 1 / 2测站出现大磷虾幼体 ,以原蚤状幼体 I期和 期占优势 ,未发现蚤状幼体。1 991年幼体较多 ,2 / 3的测站都有出现 ,而且在外海较普遍地采到蚤状幼体 I到 期。这一年际变化与水温有关。在同一纬度 1月的表层水温 1 991年比 1 990年为高 (高出 0 .0 5 - 1 .2 4℃ )。幼体的平均发育期 (∑ Si Ni/ ∑Ni)平面分布表明 ,愈向北平均性愈高 ,随纬度增加发育期降低。     

Summer diet of the pichi Zaedyus pichiy (Xenarthra: Dasypodidae) in Mendoza Province,Argentina

The diet of the pichi armadillo (Zaedyus pichiy) was determined based on analysis of stomach contents of 26 dead individuals confiscated from poachers near Cerro Nevado, Mendoza Province, Argentina. Sand accounted for 66 ± 24% of stomach contents' dry weight. Beetles were the predominant food item in 14 and ants in 5 stomachs, while 5 animals had mainly ingested plant material. The remainder had mostly fed on fly larvae and arachnids. Coleoptera (mainly adults and Scarabeidae larvae) and plant material (seeds, leaves, and roots) were found in all stomachs examined. All pichis had fed on ants of different species and stages, suggesting that pichis eat any ant species they can find and actively prey on nests. Scorpions and spiders were observed in over 60% of stomachs but represented a low aggregate percent weight. Vertebrates were rarely found. Based on these results, the pichi of Mendoza Province can be described as an opportunistic omnivore that mainly feeds on insects and seems to be the least carnivorous of all carnivore–omnivore armadillos.     

LIVESTOCK VERSUS “WILD BEASTS”: CONTRADICTIONS IN THE NATURAL PATRIMONIALIZATION OF THE PYRENEES

ABSTRACT. The Pyrenees are becoming an environmental reservoir. The acute human depopulation experienced during the twentieth century and the progressive appropriation of large parts of the mountainous territory by the state in order to implement conservation policies have resulted in the return, via reintroduction or natural regeneration, of bears, wolves, beavers, river otters, marmots, mouflon, feral goats, and deer, among other species. This development, however, has not occurred without social and scientific controversy and leads to questions about territorialization and governmentality. Herders perceive wild animals as unregulated public property subsidized by the work of the local populace. Agriculturalists see their fields trespassed on a daily basis by animals they cannot kill because of their protected status. Ranchers, under extremely strict sanitation regulations, see their animals coming into contact with these unchecked wild populations. The work and living space of the mountain communities has fallen under the jurisdiction of external institutions and constituencies that value conservation and ecotourism above local subsistence.     

南极磷虾资源丰度及其与海冰和表温的关系

根据2003—2010年南极磷虾48.2区产量数据结合该区域海冰和SST数据,分析了磷虾产量的时空分布,探讨了海冰和SST对南极磷虾资源丰度的影响。结果表明,48.2区的渔汛期为3—7月,主要作业时间为2—8月,产量约占该渔区年产量的99.3%。回归分析表明,磷虾CPUE变动与海冰和SST面积变化关系明显。磷虾CPUE与海冰总面积年间变化呈现显著的负相关(R=0.80),与海冰密集度为90%—100%的海冰面积负相关系数最大(R=0.84);年内变化关系则为一元二次多项式回归模型,CPUE随海冰面积的递增先增大后减小,与海冰密集度为60%—70%的海冰面积相关系数最大(R=0.94)。磷虾CPUE与SST为-2—3℃时的总面积年间变化负相关性不显著(R=0.46),但与SST为1—2℃时的面积呈现显著的负相关(R=0.91);年内变化关系也为一元二次多项式回归模型,CPUE随SST面积的递增先增大后减小,与SST为0—1℃时的面积相关系数最大(R=0.97)。     

SPACE‐TIME MODELING OF GRIZZLY BEARS*

ABSTRACT. An appropriate conceptual leap can be made from human geography to physical geography by applying space‐time continuum modeling to zoogeomorphology—the alteration of the landscape by animals. Drawing on the work of Torsten Hägerstrand, we propose a space‐time continuum model of grizzly bears, a geomorphic agent. Through both data‐driven and conceptual applications, the model traces where and when grizzly bears are likely to wield a geomorphic impact. The model further demonstrates that geographers have much to gain by merging concepts from human and physical geography.     

1978年以来广州市居民职住地选择行为时空特征与影响因素的代际差异

1978年以来,中国体制改革重塑了个体日常时空行为及其在生命过程中的活动轨迹,但鲜有文献解析长时间序列下不同代际群体对职住政策调整做出的响应及其代际差异。基于时间地理学视角与代际差异理论,将广州市微观个体职住地变动历程与代际问题相结合,利用问卷调查分析1988年和1998年居民职住制度改革前后,不同代际居民职住地变迁行为时空特征及其影响因素的结构性差异。结果发现：① 在居住地和就业地变迁方向方面,各代际居民住房迁出地主要集中于老城区,就业地变迁围绕两个城市中心,形成由老城核心地域向内城、近郊扩散的变迁过程。② 职住地距离变化方面,居民平均职住距离由1988年之前的4.91 km增至1998年之后的6.46 km,20世纪90年代出生居民（简称90后,下同）的职住分离度大于其他群体。③ 在职住地变迁率方面,住房商品化和就业社会化极大地增加了居民职住地选择自由度,60后和70后在1998年之后的迁居率分别为113.16%与112.33%,就业地变迁率分别为148.68%与197.26%,二者都远高于住房改革前的比例。④ 驻留时长方面,职住自由化使得驻留时长明显缩短。60后变化最为明显,该群体在一个居住地的居住时长由1988年以前的14.43年缩至1998年以后的5.43年,就业地驻留时长由12.43年降至3.95年;80后与90后在1998年以后的职住地驻留时长明显较短,70后相对较长。⑤ 能力、组合及权威制约中的房价、婚姻状况、学历、福利分房及下岗等因素对职住地变迁表现出明显代际差异,因子女上学及同事关系等组合制约对就业地变迁无显著群体差别。     

土地覆被及生态服务价值变化的多时间尺度模拟——以四川省渔子溪流域为例

根据渔子溪流域1986年和1994年的遥感影像土地覆被解译资料为基础,建立了模拟渔子溪流域生态环境变化的Markov Chain模型和Patch-dynamics模型,并以2002年遥感影像资料作为验证数据对模型进行了误差分析。以此为基础,分别以1年和8年的时间尺度对渔子溪流域土地覆被及其生态服务价值的变化进行了模拟,结果表明,时间尺度对模拟结果具有显著影响：在1年和8年的模拟尺度下,以Markov Chain模型得到的流域生态服务价值在1986~2018年间变化的相对误差为20%;不同土地覆被类型在不同步长下模拟结果的相对误差不一样,表明不同土地覆被类型变化的特征时间尺度不一样,以Patch-dynamics模型的模拟结果为例,步长为1年比步长为8年的相对误差大的土地覆被类型为耕地 (-8.2%/-5.6%)、有林地 (-0.5%/-0.4%)、草地 (0.7%/0.4%) 和居民建设用地 (-29.9%/-16.4%),它们的年际变化较大,其变化趋势不稳定,受到人为偶然因素的影响明显;而相对误差较小的土地覆被类型为灌木林 (-1.5%/-1.7%) 和永久冰雪覆盖 (27.3%/41.9%),它们的变化趋势较为稳定,主要受比较稳定的自然因素的影响。研究还表明,采用Markov Chain模型的模拟结果与采用Patch-dynamics模型的模拟结果总体上是一致的,但后者的模拟结果更稳定、更可靠。     

Haul-out pattern of itinerant male Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) at Laurie Island, South Orkney Islands

The seasonal haul-out pattern of itinerant male Antarctic fur seals ( Arctocephalus gazella ) was determined by regular counts at Mossman Peninsula, Laurie Island, South Orkney Islands, from 1996 to 2005. Small numbers of animals began to arrive at the beach in late December/early January (mean date 28 December Ø 15 days, n= 10). Peak numbers of animals ashore changed considerably between seasons. In 1996, 1998 and 2001, peak numbers were registered in March (6/3, 18/3 and 6/3, respectively). Numbers peaked in 1997, 1999 and 2005 at the end of January/beginning of February (26/1,2/2 and 28/1, respectively). In 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004 peaks were registered in the third week of February (15/2, 22/2, 14/2 and 20/2, respectively). Peaks in numbers of seals ashore also varied between years, being minimum during 2001 (2531 individuals) and maximum during 2006 (16 610 individuals). In March 1998 the coasts of Laurie Island were surveyed by navigating inflatable boats near the shoreline; 18 haul-out places were identified. The big differences in peak numbers, as well as in the dates of peak events among years, suggest that local conditions could have an effect on the numbers of animals hauled out in a given year. It may therefore be difficult to predict trends from summer censuses in non-breeding places.     

小兴安岭森林落叶分解与土壤动物的作用

在小兴安岭地区对 12种落叶分解过程和土壤动物作用进行了研究。采用不同网孔分解样袋 ,排出不同类别土壤动物作用的方法。结果表明 ,落叶分解消耗率 :大孔 >小孔 >对照 ,即大型、中小型土壤动物和微生物的共同作用 >中小型土壤动物和微生物的共同作用 >只微生物的作用。三年平均分解消耗率分别是 2 8.9% (大孔 )、 2 8.2 % (小孔 )和 2 6.2 % (对照 ) ,到第三年末 ,三种样袋 12种落叶平均分解程度分别达到 86.7% (大孔 )、 84 .6% (小孔 )和 78.7% (对照 )。分解初期土壤动物的作用逐渐增大 ,到第二年 10月土壤动物的作用达到了最大值 ,随后土壤动物的作用逐渐降低 ,大型土壤动物的作用小于中小型土壤动物的作用。落叶种类不同 ,分解时间不同 ,土壤动物作用也不同。     

Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Paschim Kusaha Village of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve,Sunsari District,Nepal

Human-wildlife conflict has been one of the most trouble-causing issues in many areas of Nepal including Eastern Nepal. This study assessed the human-wildlife conflict status in Paschim Kusaha Village of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR), Sunsari District, Nepal. Data were collected from 47 respondents of different households through questionnaire surveys and formal and informal interviews. Results revealed that the most destructive wild animals were wild elephants, wild boar, and wild water buffalo and the most raided crops were paddy (63.83 %), maize (19.15%), and potato (17.02%). Most of the encounters between humans and wildlife were recorded at night (after dusk and before dawn) (78.72%). Local people were suffering from damage of physical properties, human harassment or nuisance, and depredation of cropland due to wild animals. A total of 70% of respondents had a positive attitude towards conservation despite disturbing human mortality records (22 deaths in the last five years) from the reserve area and surrounding. Awareness of wildlife behavior together with conservation and easy access to compensation schemes were suggested to minimize conflicts in the area.     

2012年夏季西北冰洋浮游动物群落特征

北冰洋夏季海冰覆盖面积在2012年达到低值。为了了解海冰变化对浮游动物群落的影响, 利用夏季西北冰洋22个站位的网采样品, 通过种类组成和丰度研究了群落的类型、结构和地理分布, 探讨了其分布特征与环境因子的关系。根据记录到的54种(类)浮游动物, 21站位可以划分成在地理上基本隔离的三个浮游动物群落: 楚科奇海南部群落, 藤壶幼体数量占优, 站位丰度百分比在56.6%—79.8%之间, 桡足类次之(18.0%—42.2%), 同时还含有少量的白令海种类;楚科奇海中北部群落以广布性桡足类占绝对优势(62.3%—96.8%), 藤壶幼体次之(0—30.9%);深海群落浮游动物的丰度极低, 组成上以桡足类为主(71.6%—89.8%), 且多数是体型较大极地种。楚科奇海陆坡边缘的M06站丰度较高但是种类组成与深海站位相似, 没有归入任何群落。两个浅水群落优势种都是北极哲水蚤(Calanus glacialis)、伪哲水蚤类(Pseudocalanus sp.)、圆胃住囊虫(Oikopleur vanhoffeni)以及藤壶幼体(Barnacle larva), 但优势度各异。深海群落优势种较多, 北极哲水蚤(Calanus glacialis)、极北哲水蚤(Calanus hyperboreus)、细长长腹水蚤(Metridia longa)以及北极拟真刺水蚤(Paraeuchaeta glacialis)等体型较大的桡足类优势度较高, 体型较小的矮小微哲水蚤(Microcalanus pygmaeus)、长腹剑水蚤(Oithona similis)优势度相对较低。与群落类型按维度和深度的变化趋势一致, 统计分析显示表层温度和表层盐度是最重要的影响因子。与海冰覆盖面积较高的2003年相比, 群落类型和地理分布没有显著变化, 但是楚科奇海浮游动物丰度增加了1—2倍, 深海群落丰度降低而组成上大型种类比例升高。     

Calorific value, lipid content and radioactivity of common species from Hornsund, Southwest Spitsbergen

In the summer of 1981 the common flora and fauna of 28 species from Hornsund were collected, and the energy value, lipid content and global activity determined. It was found that the plants had low energy values, varying from 12.26 ± 0.42 kJ g⁻¹ dry weight to 15.45 ±1.00kJ'dry weight. The highest values in animals were noted in Liparis liparis (Pisces) 22.15 ± 0.89 kJg⁻¹ dry weight, and Sagitta elegans (Chae-tognatha) 20.64 ± 0.49kJg⁻¹, the lowest being in Orchomene minuta (Amphipoda) 11.30 ± 0.74kJg⁻¹d.w. The lipid contents in the species studied were mostly low, the mean range from lowest to highest being 1.37-8.60% for plants and 7.14–31.93% for animals, and they were proportional to the energy value. Both the energy values and lipid contents were comparable to those in similar species from other waters. The global fi activity in the organisms analysed was not high; at the same time plants had a higher content of radioactive isotopes, 1.97-61.9pCi g⁻¹ d.w., than animals, 5.2-17.8pCi g⁻¹ d.w.     

Indirect Tracking of Drop Bears Using GNSS Technology

Animal tagging and tracking has been a fundamental tool in the quest to increase our knowledge and understanding of biogeography and ecology for about 50 years. Monitoring animal populations is also necessary for conservation purposes and to limit negative effects on the human population, particularly in an era of human expansion into traditional animal habitats. The use of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology has been responsible for significant advances in this field by providing the ability to obtain accurate, regular and frequent estimates of the changing distributions of many rare animal species. Employing conventional GNSS-based animal tracking methods to study drop bears is extremely difficult due to their habitat. The dense tree canopy regularly causes extended periods of complete GNSS signal loss, and sensors are often damaged during attacks on prey. This paper proposes an indirect, GNSS-based method for tracking drop bears. This involves tracking the prey rather than the predator in order to map the population of drop bears in a particular area. The method can be used to effectively estimate the number of drop bears in the study area. Analysis of the collected data provides valuable insights into the hunting behaviour of drop bears and has implications for a better understanding of the geographical distribution of other rare species, including hoop snakes and bunyips.