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Wang Z, Yan J, Martin A, Brunton DH, Qu J, He JS, Ji W, Nan Z. Alpine grassland degradation intensifies the burrowing behavior of small mammals: evidence for a negative feedback loop. Integr Zool 2024; 19:240-252. [PMID: 37243518 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Globally, grassland degradation is an acute ecological problem. In alpine grassland on the Tibetan Plateau, increased densities of various small mammals in degraded grassland are assumed to intensify the degradation process and these mammals are subject to lethal control. However, whether the negative impact of small mammals is solely a result of population size or also a result of activity and behavior has not been tested. In this study, we use plateau pika as a model to compare population size, core area of colony, and the number of burrow entrances and latrines between lightly and severely degraded grassland. We test whether the alleged contribution of pika to grassland degradation is a result of increased population size or increased burrowing activities of individuals in response to lower food abundance. We found that grassland degradation resulted in lower plant species richness, plant height, and biomass. Furthermore, the overall population size of pika was not significantly affected by location in lightly and severely degraded grassland. However, pika core areas in severely grassland degradation were significantly larger and had significantly higher densities of burrows and latrines. Our study provides convincing evidence that habitat-induced changes in the behavior of small, burrowing mammals, such as pika, can exacerbate grassland degradation. This finding has significant implications for managing small mammals and restoring degraded grassland ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaiwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jiawen Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Amy Martin
- Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Dianne H Brunton
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University (Albany Campus), Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jiapeng Qu
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China
- Qinghai Haibei National Field Research Station of Alpine Grassland Ecosystem, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China
| | - Jin-Sheng He
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Weihong Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University (Albany Campus), Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Zhibiao Nan
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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Zhou R, Hua R, Tang Z, Hua L. Daily and Seasonal Activity Patterns of Plateau Pikas ( Ochotona curzoniae) on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China, and Their Relationship with Weather Condition. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13101689. [PMID: 37238118 DOI: 10.3390/ani13101689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Exploring the activity patterns of small mammals is important for understanding the survival strategies of these animals, such as foraging and mating. The purpose of the present study was to determine the activity of free-living plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) in different months and seasons (cold and warm seasons), with a particular emphasis on the effects of weather condition. Based on a camera-trapping survey conducted from October 2017 to September 2018, we evaluated the activity patterns and activity levels of plateau pikas inhabiting the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China. The effects of environmental factors on the activity of plateau pikas were examined using the generalized additive mixed model (GAMM). The results showed that: (1) The plateau pikas exhibited unimodal patterns of activity during the cold season (October-April). During the warm season (May-September), the activity patterns of the plateau pikas were bimodal. Their activity levels were highest in June. (2) During the cold season, their activity levels rose gradually over the course of the day to a peak near noon, and they were not significantly higher after sunrise than they were before sunset. During the warm season, their activity peaks were in the morning and afternoon, and their activity levels were substantially lower after sunrise than they were before sunset. (3) The plateau pikas were more active under conditions with lower ambient temperatures and precipitation during the cold and warm seasons. While relative air humidity was positively correlated with the activity of the plateau pikas during the warm season, wind speed was negatively correlated with the pikas' activity during the cold season. Overall, these results collectively indicate that plateau pikas occupy habitats with cool and less windy microclimates during the cold season, and with cool and moist microclimates during the warm season. Information on the time allocation of pikas' activity levels during different seasons should provide a baseline for understanding their potential for adaptation to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem of the Ministry of Education, College of Grassland Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
- Qinghai Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Rui Hua
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem of the Ministry of Education, College of Grassland Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Zhuangsheng Tang
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem of the Ministry of Education, College of Grassland Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Limin Hua
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem of the Ministry of Education, College of Grassland Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
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Structural changes in vegetation coincident with reseeding Elymus nutans can increase perceived predation risk of plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae). Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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4
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Chen X, An Z, Wei L, Zhang J, Li J, Wang Z, Gao C, Wei D. Vitamin D 3 Metabolic Enzymes in Plateau Zokor ( Myospalax baileyi) and Plateau Pika ( Ochotona curzoniae): Expression and Response to Hypoxia. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12182371. [PMID: 36139230 PMCID: PMC9495108 DOI: 10.3390/ani12182371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D3 (D3) is produced endogenously from 7-dehydrocholesterol by irradiation and is an important secosteroid for the absorption of calcium and phosphate. Lithocholic acid (LCA) increases intestinal paracellular calcium absorption in a vitamin D receptor-dependent manner in vitamin D-deficient rats. The plateau zokor (Myospalax baileyi), a strictly subterranean species, and plateau pika are endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. To verify whether the zokors were deficient in D3 and reveal the effects of hypoxia on D3 metabolism in the zokors and pikas, we measured the levels of 25(OH)D3, calcium, and LCA, and quantified the expression levels of D3 metabolism-related genes. The results showed an undetectable serum level of 25(OH)D3 and a significantly higher concentration of LCA in the serum of plateau zokor, but its calcium concentration was within the normal range compared with that of plateau pika and Sprague-Dawley rats. With increasing altitude, the serum 25(OH)D3 levels in plateau pika decreased significantly, and the mRNA and protein levels of CYP2R1 (in the liver) and CYP27B1 (in the kidney) in plateau pika decreased significantly. Our results indicate that plateau zokors were deficient in D3 and abundant in LCA, which might be a substitution of D3 in the zokor. Furthermore, hypoxia suppresses the metabolism of D3 by down-regulating the expression of CYP2R1 and CYP27B1 in plateau pika.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqi Chen
- Research Center for High Altitude Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Zhifang An
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Linna Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Jiayu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Jimei Li
- Research Center for High Altitude Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Zhijie Wang
- Research Center for High Altitude Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Conghui Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Dengbang Wei
- Research Center for High Altitude Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-971-531-0695
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Social complexity in plateau pikas, Ochotona curzoniae. Anim Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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6
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Nie H, Liu J, Chen B. Life-history traits and fitness of plateau pika ( Ochotona curzoniae) in alpine meadow ecosystem. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8548. [PMID: 35127047 PMCID: PMC8796910 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) is an endemic mammal living in the alpine meadow ecosystem in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. We studied life history of plateau pika by mark-recapturing method. The research results showed that fitness of plateau pika to its habitat was lower than those of many other mammal species; plateau pika adopted quick growth strategy; the life-history features of plateau pika were accorded with Charnov (Evolutionary Ecology Research, 2002, 4, 749)'s formula about life-history classification, that is, E/α ≈ 1.35, C·E ≈ 1.7, I/m ≈ 0.3, in which E stands for average adult life span; α stands for age at first reproduction; C is reproductive effort; I is the size of an offspring at independence from the parent; m is average adult body mass. There does not exist dimorphism in plateau pikas. The configurations of females and males are similar; the average body mass of males is a little heavier than that of females, but the difference is not significant (F = 1.0854, df = 154, p > .3058). The juveniles exhibit a J-form growth curve before 30-day age and grow slower between 30 and 65-day age and reach body mass equilibrium at about 65 days old. So, 65 days is the maturity age of plateau pika. There are 3 mortality peaks in plateau pika population. The first time is in neonate period, when only one half of juveniles can pass through this period, which implies that juvenile period is influenced strongly by natural selection; the second time is in fecundity peak period, which reflects the cost of reproduction; the third time is in the old age of plateau pika, a significant loss occurs during this period, which is the result of natural selection. The average longevity of females is longer than that of males. A female reaches the maximum life span recorded, that is, 931 days. The average longevity of all individuals is 16.33 months ≈ 490 days. The survival rate of females is higher than that of males, which reflects the cost of reproduction and society role of males. It is the outcome of natural selection. The sex ratio of neonates is 1:1; however, the sex ratio of adults is female: male = 1.31:1, which is caused by higher mortality of males over females in life history. Plateau pikas reproduced two times every year. The average gestation period of females is 18-20 days. The average litter size is 4.57 individual. The average body mass of neonates is 9.28 g. The average litter size of adult female plateau pika does not variate with age. Breeding season is between April and June. The reproductive value and fertility of 15-18 months age females are highest. The reproductive value and fertility increased with age before reproductive value and fertility peak age; however, the reproductive value and fertility decreased with age after peak age. The fitness of plateau pika (r = .1125) was lower than that of American pikas (O. princeps) (r = 2.172). The survival rate was the main factor influencing fitness. The dynamic trend of plateau pika population was coincident with r, that is, the plateau pika population was stable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Nie
- College of Life Science and TechnologyCentral South University of Forestry and TechnologyChangshaChina
| | - Jike Liu
- College of Life SciencesZhejiang UniversityHang ZhouChina
| | - Baoyang Chen
- College of Life Science and TechnologyCentral South University of Forestry and TechnologyChangshaChina
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7
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Qin Y, Huang B, Zhang W, Yu Y, Yi S, Sun Y. Pikas burrowing activity promotes vegetation species diversity in alpine grasslands on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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Jia Y, Qiu J, Ma C, Wang J, Wang G, Li F. A density estimation model of plateau pika ( Ochotona curzoniae) supporting camera-monitoring programs. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:10566-10581. [PMID: 34367597 PMCID: PMC8328412 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
As an important species in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the roles played by plateau pikas in grassland degradation and protection are controversial. The behavior characteristics and population density of this species are important in answering this question, but these traits have not been fully elucidated to date. Camera-capture methods have been used widely in recent years to characterize or calculate population density with the advantage of simple operation and nonintrusive investigation. However, establishing the relationship between actual population density and monitoring data with the condition that individual identification is not possible is a major challenge for this method. In this study, a model composed of a behavioral module and a burrow system module is proposed and applied to simulate the moving path of each individual pika. Based on Monte Carlo method, the model is used to develop the relationship between population density and recorded capture number, which is compared with the results derived from the random encounter model (REM) based on field observations. The simulated results mixed with the calculated density based on observation data could reach R 2 = 0.98 using linear fitting, with proper parameter settings. A novel index named activity intensity of pikas per population density is also proposed, providing information on both the ecological physical characteristics and monitoring space. The influence of different parameters on this index, mainly the pika number per burrow system, pika activity time outside the burrow, and activity intensity, is discussed. The proposed methodology can be applied to different scenarios in further studies when behavioral characteristics of pikas change for such reasons as climate change and vegetation degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying‐Hui Jia
- College of Water Resources & Civil EngineeringChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jun Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and AgricultureQinghai UniversityXiningChina
- State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience & EngineeringTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Cang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and AgricultureQinghai UniversityXiningChina
| | - Jin‐Zhao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and AgricultureQinghai UniversityXiningChina
| | - Guang‐Qian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and AgricultureQinghai UniversityXiningChina
- State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience & EngineeringTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Fang‐Fang Li
- College of Water Resources & Civil EngineeringChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
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9
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Bhattacharyya S, Adhikari BS, Rawat GS. Seasonal variations in the time–activity budget of Royle’s pika in the Western Himalaya, India. J NAT HIST 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2019.1662130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gopal Singh Rawat
- Department of Habitat Ecology, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, India
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10
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Assessing spatial learning and working memory in plateau zokors in comparison with plateau pikas and laboratory rats. Acta Ethol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10211-019-00320-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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11
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Paruchuri S, Smith AT, Fan Z, Dobson FS. Microhabitat use by plateau pikas: living on the edge. J Mammal 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyz085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractMammals rely on habitat resources for survival and reproduction. We studied microhabitats used by plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Microhabitat features used by pikas include sedge meadows that provide forage, burrows that provide safety from predators and cover for nests, degraded open-dirt patches, and edges between sedge meadow and open dirt patches that often have a “lip” between those microhabitats. We investigated the extent to which these edges might serve as a preferred pika microhabitat. GIS techniques were used to overlay individual pika home ranges, determined by focal and scan sampling, on a digitized map containing microhabitat features. Regions that contained multiple coinciding individual home ranges, referred to as overlap polygons, were categorized numerically based on the number of individual home ranges that overlapped each polygon. These overlap polygons were used as relative measures of pika activity. We tested the spatial relationship between pika activity and the microhabitat features of edges, burrows, and proportional area of sedge. There was a significant relationship between the number of pikas in an overlap polygon and the number of pikas in an adjacent polygon. This pattern was controlled statistically to test whether activity was influenced by the presence of potentially favorable microhabitat features. Most of the variation in number of pikas that overlapped a habitat polygon was associated with the relative amount of “edge microhabitat” between sedge meadow and degraded open dirt patches (Cohen’s effect size, f2 = 0.91). Neither burrow openings nor sedge had a strong influence on the number of pika home ranges that overlapped. The importance of microhabitat edges appeared high for plateau pikas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spurthi Paruchuri
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Andrew T Smith
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Zhaofei Fan
- School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - F Stephen Dobson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
- Auburn University Museum of Natural History, Auburn, AL, USA
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12
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Smith AT, Badingqiuying, Wilson MC, Hogan BW. Functional-trait ecology of the plateau pika Ochotona curzoniae in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau ecosystem. Integr Zool 2019; 14:87-103. [PMID: 29316275 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Understanding a species' functional traits allows for a directed and productive perspective on the role a species plays in nature, and thus its relative importance to conservation planning. The functional-trait ecology of the plateau pika Ochotona curzoniae is examined to better understand the resilience and sustainability of the high alpine grasslands of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). The key functional traits of plateau pikas are their abundance and behavior of digging extensive burrow systems. Plateau pikas have been poisoned over a significant part of their original geographic distribution across the QTP, allowing comparison of ecological communities with and without pikas. Nearly all mammalian and avian carnivores, most of which are obligate predators on pikas, have been lost in regions where pikas have been poisoned. Most endemic birds on the QTP nest in pika burrows; when pikas are poisoned, burrows collapse, and these birds are greatly reduced in number. Due to the biopedturbation resulting from their burrows, regional plant species richness is higher in areas with pikas than without. The presence of pika burrows allows higher rates of infiltration during heavy monsoon rains compared to poisoned areas, possibly mitigating runoff and the potential for serious downslope erosion and flooding. Thus, the functional traits of plateau pikas enhance native biodiversity and other important ecosystem functions; these traits are irreplaceable. As plateau pikas are not natural colonizers, active re-introduction programs are needed to restore pikas to areas from which they have been poisoned to restore the important functional ecological traits of pikas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T Smith
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Badingqiuying
- School of Geographical Sciences, Qinghai Normal University, Xining, China
| | - Maxwell C Wilson
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Brigitte W Hogan
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
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Behaviour and reproductive fitness of postdispersal in plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) on the Tibetan Plateau. MAMMAL RES 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-017-0344-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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14
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Zhang L, Qu J, Li K, Li W, Yang M, Zhang Y. Genetic diversity and sex-bias dispersal of plateau pika in Tibetan plateau. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:7708-7718. [PMID: 29043027 PMCID: PMC5632614 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Dispersal is an important aspect in organism's life history which could influence the rate and outcome of evolution of organism. Plateau pika is the keystone species in community of grasslands in Tibetan Plateau. In this study, we combine genetic and field data to character the population genetic pattern and dispersal dynamics in plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae). Totally, 1,352 individual samples were collected, and 10 microsatellite loci were analyzed. Results revealed that plateau pika possessed high genetic diversity and inbreeding coefficient in a fine-scale population. Dispersal distance is short and restricted in about 20 m. An effective sex-biased dispersal strategy is employed by plateau pika: males disperse in breeding period for mating while females do it after reproduction for offspring and resource. Inbreeding avoiding was shown as the common driving force of dispersal, together with the other two factors, environment and resource. In addition, natal dispersal is female biased. More detailed genetic analyzes are needed to confirm the role of inbreeding avoidance and resource competition as ultimate cause of dispersal patterns in plateau pika.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangzhi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau BiotaNorthwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of SciencesXiningQinghaiChina
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological GenomicsNorthwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of SciencesXiningQinghaiChina
| | - Jiapeng Qu
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau BiotaNorthwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of SciencesXiningQinghaiChina
| | - Kexin Li
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau BiotaNorthwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of SciencesXiningQinghaiChina
| | - Wenjing Li
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau BiotaNorthwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of SciencesXiningQinghaiChina
| | - Min Yang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau BiotaNorthwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of SciencesXiningQinghaiChina
| | - Yanming Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau BiotaNorthwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of SciencesXiningQinghaiChina
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological GenomicsNorthwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of SciencesXiningQinghaiChina
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15
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Five-year population dynamics of plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) on the east of Tibetan Plateau. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-017-1109-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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16
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Badingqiuying, Smith AT, Senko J, Siladan MU. Plateau PikaOchotona curzoniaePoisoning Campaign Reduces Carnivore Abundance in Southern Qinghai, China. MAMMAL STUDY 2016. [DOI: 10.3106/041.041.0102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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17
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Wilson MC, Smith AT. The pika and the watershed: The impact of small mammal poisoning on the ecohydrology of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. AMBIO 2015; 44:16-22. [PMID: 25331028 PMCID: PMC4293360 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-014-0568-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Revised: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
With approximately 20 % of the world's population living in its downstream watersheds, the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) is considered "Asia's Water Tower." However, grasslands of the QTP, where most of Asia's great rivers originate, are becoming increasingly degraded, which leads to elevated population densities of a native small mammal, the plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae). As a result pikas have been characterized as a pest leading to wide-spread poisoning campaigns in an attempt to restore grassland quality. A contrary view is that pikas are a keystone species for biodiversity and that their burrowing activity provides a critical ecosystem service by increasing the infiltration rate of water, hence reducing overland flow. We demonstrate that poisoning plateau pikas significantly reduces infiltration rate of water across the QTP creating the potential for watershed-level impacts. Our results demonstrate the importance of burrowing mammals as ecosystem engineers, particularly with regard to their influence on hydrological functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell C. Wilson
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Box 874501, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501 USA
| | - Andrew T. Smith
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Box 874501, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501 USA
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Marston CG, Danson FM, Armitage RP, Giraudoux P, Pleydell DRJ, Wang Q, Qui J, Craig PS. A random forest approach for predicting the presence of Echinococcus multilocularis intermediate host Ochotona spp. presence in relation to landscape characteristics in western China. APPLIED GEOGRAPHY (SEVENOAKS, ENGLAND) 2014; 55:176-183. [PMID: 25386042 PMCID: PMC4223806 DOI: 10.1016/j.apgeog.2014.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Understanding distribution patterns of hosts implicated in the transmission of zoonotic disease remains a key goal of parasitology. Here, random forests are employed to model spatial patterns of the presence of the plateau pika (Ochotona spp.) small mammal intermediate host for the parasitic tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis which is responsible for a significant burden of human zoonoses in western China. Landsat ETM+ satellite imagery and digital elevation model data were utilized to generate quantified measures of environmental characteristics across a study area in Sichuan Province, China. Land cover maps were generated identifying the distribution of specific land cover types, with landscape metrics employed to describe the spatial organisation of land cover patches. Random forests were used to model spatial patterns of Ochotona spp. presence, enabling the relative importance of the environmental characteristics in relation to Ochotona spp. presence to be ranked. An index of habitat aggregation was identified as the most important variable in influencing Ochotona spp. presence, with area of degraded grassland the most important land cover class variable. 71% of the variance in Ochotona spp. presence was explained, with a 90.98% accuracy rate as determined by 'out-of-bag' error assessment. Identification of the environmental characteristics influencing Ochotona spp. presence enables us to better understand distribution patterns of hosts implicated in the transmission of Em. The predictive mapping of this Em host enables the identification of human populations at increased risk of infection, enabling preventative strategies to be adopted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher G Marston
- School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool. L3 3AF, UK. Tel: +441512312401
| | - F Mark Danson
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Manchester. M5 4WT, UK. , ,
| | - Richard P Armitage
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Manchester. M5 4WT, UK. , ,
| | - Patrick Giraudoux
- Department of Chrono-environment and Institut Universitaire de France, University of Franche-Comté, Place Leclerc, 25030 Besançon cedex, France.
| | - David R J Pleydell
- INRA, UMR-1351 CMAEE, Domaine Duclos, Prise D'eau, 97122 Petit Bourg, Guadeloupe.
| | - Qian Wang
- Sichuan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China. ,
| | - Jiamin Qui
- Sichuan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China. ,
| | - Philip S Craig
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Manchester. M5 4WT, UK. , ,
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Xie L, Zhang X, Qi D, Guo X, Pang B, Du Y, Zou X, Guo S, Zhao X. Inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and nitric oxide production in plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) at high altitude on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Nitric Oxide 2014; 38:38-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2014.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2013] [Revised: 02/19/2014] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Wangdwei M, Steele B, Harris RB. Demographic responses of plateau pikas to vegetation cover and land use in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China. J Mammal 2013. [DOI: 10.1644/12-mamm-a-253.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Qu J, Li W, Yang M, Ji W, Zhang Y. Life history of the plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) in alpine meadows of the Tibetan Plateau. Mamm Biol 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2012.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Zgurski JM, Hik DS. Polygynandry and even-sexed dispersal in a population of collared pikas, Ochotona collaris. Anim Behav 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2012.01.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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23
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Behavioral mechanisms of male sterilization on plateau pika in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau. Behav Processes 2011; 89:278-85. [PMID: 22206991 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2011.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2011] [Revised: 12/03/2011] [Accepted: 12/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Fertility control is an alternative non-lethal method in the management of rodents. Previous modeling suggests that the efficacy of male sterilization depends on mating systems of animals, but behavioral mechanisms of male sterilization have not been investigated. Here we investigated the behavioral mechanism of the sterilant quinestrol in reducing the fertility of plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) inhabiting the Qinghai-Tibet plateau. Male pikas treated with quinestrol showed reduced aggression compared to control males, but they showed significantly higher levels of territorial behavior such as long-calls and long-chases. Levels of long-call and long-chase were negatively correlated with the number of newborn pikas in the family. Single-baiting of quinestrol effectively sterilized male pikas and reduced the pregnancy rate of female pikas; this was likely achieved by increased territorial behavior of sterilized pikas which resulted in unsuccessful invasions by fertile adult male pikas. Our study reveals a novel behavioral mechanism, increased territoriality in sterilized males, in the fertility control of plateau pikas.
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Yin B, Yang S, Wei W, Zhang Y. Male reproductive success in plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae): A microsatellite analysis. Mamm Biol 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2008.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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27
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Olson LE, Blumstein DT. A trait-based approach to understand the evolution of complex coalitions in male mammals. Behav Ecol 2009. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arp040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Abstract
Spatiotemporal distributions of key resources are hypothesized to underpin sociobiological patterns. Burrow availability and quality is of paramount importance to fossorial animals. The southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) burrows in both hard and friable soils. Theoretical and empirical studies suggest that the harder substrate should promote closer geographical clustering of burrows than in softer soils. Clustered burrows are expected to be associated with larger group sizes. If sociality is driven by constraint rather than advantage, patterns of spatial and temporal distribution of animals within and among groups may show indications of avoidance or even antagonism, and 'making the best of a bad job' via positive kin associations to offset the disadvantages of high-density living. To test these ideas, we compared warren relatedness and social structure of L. latifrons on friable soils (Nullarbor Plain) and hard calcrete (Brookfield Conservation Park, BCP). Individuals were sampled by noninvasive collection of hairs for genotyping to identify individuals and to estimate their space-use and associative behaviour with respect to relatedness. Burrows in calcrete were indeed more clumped, and warren and group size larger. Differences in spatiotemporal organization and relatedness structure between sites were in the expected direction: (i) Nullarbor males associated and shared warrens less than at BCP; and (ii) Nullarbor spatial relatedness patterning data were not consistent with proposed female breeding dispersal, in contrast to those at BCP. Under Nullarbor (low density) conditions, cooperation or tolerance between males may be less advantageous, and accessing or digging burrows should be less of a constraint for juvenile females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faith M Walker
- Australian Centre for Biodiversity Analysis, Conservation and Management, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
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PECH ROGERP, ARTHUR ANTHONYD, YANMING ZHANG, HUI LIN. Population dynamics and responses to management of plateau pikas Ochotona curzoniae. J Appl Ecol 2007. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2007.01287.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Yang J, Zhao XQ, Guo SC, Li HG, Qi DL, Wang DP, Cao JH. Leptin cDNA cloning and its mRNA expression in plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) from different altitudes on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2006; 345:1405-13. [PMID: 16730654 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.05.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2006] [Accepted: 05/07/2006] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Leptin, an adipocyte-derived hormone, plays an important role in body energy homeostasis. Plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae), an endemic and keystone species living only at 3000-5000 m above sea level on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is a typically high hypoxia and low temperature tolerant mammal with high resting metabolic rate (RMR), non-shivering thermogenesis (NST), and high ratio of oxygen utilization to cope with harsh plateau environment. To explore the molecular mechanism of ecological acclimation in plateau pika, we first cloned pika leptin cDNA and compared its mRNA expression in different altitudes (3200 and 3900 m) using real-time RT-PCR (Taqman probe) technology. The full-length pika leptin cDNA was 3015 with 504 bp open-reading frame encoding the precursor peptide of 167 amino acids including 21 residues of signal peptide. Pika leptin was 70-72% homologous to that of other species and was of similarly structural characteristics with other species. The pika-specific genetic diversity in leptin sequence occurred at twenty sites. With the increase in altitude, there were larger fat store and high level of ob gene expression in plateau pika. Our results indicated that leptin is sensitive to cold and hypoxia plateau environment and may play one of important roles in pika's ecological adaptation to harsh plateau environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Yang
- Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, PR China
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Zhao TB, Ning HX, Zhu SS, Sun P, Xu SX, Chang ZJ, Zhao XQ. Cloning of hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha cDNA from a high hypoxia tolerant mammal-plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae). Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2004; 316:565-72. [PMID: 15020255 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.02.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 is a transcription factor composed of HIF-1alpha and HIF-1beta. It plays an important role in the signal transduction of cell response to hypoxia. Plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) is a high hypoxia-tolerant and cold adaptation species living only at 3000-5000 m above sea level on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. In this study, HIF-1alpha cDNA of plateau pika was cloned and its expression in various tissues was studied. The results indicated that plateau pika HIF-1alpha cDNA was highly identical to those of the human (82%), bovine (89%), mouse (82%), and Norway rat (77%). The deduced amino acid sequence (822bp) showed 90%, 92%, 86%, and 86% identities with those of the human, bovine, house mouse, and Norway rat, respectively. Northern blot analyses detected two isoforms named pLHIF-1alpha and pSHIF-1alpha. The HIF-1alpha mRNA was highly expressed in the brain and kidney, and much less in the heart, lung, liver, muscle, and spleen, which was quite different from the expression pattern of mouse mRNA. Meanwhile, a new variant of plateau pika HIF-1alpha mRNA was identified by RT-PCR and characterized. The deduced protein, composed of 536 amino acids, lacks a part of the oxygen-dependent degradation domain (ODD), both transactivation domains (TADs), and the nuclear localization signal motif (NLS). Our results suggest that HIF-1alpha may play an important role in the pika's adaptation to hypoxia, especially in brain and kidney, and pika HIF-1alpha function pattern may be different from that of mouse HIF-1alpha. Furthermore, for the high ratio of HIF-1alpha homology among the animals, the HIF-1alpha gene may be a good phylogenetic performer in recovering the true phylogenetic relationships among taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- T B Zhao
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Tsinghua Institute of Genome Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China.
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Abstract
Multi-male mating (MMM) by females is relatively common among mammals, occurring in at least 133 species and several evolutionary benefits of MMM have been proposed. The most convincing explanation is that MMM confuses paternity, thereby deterring infanticide by males. A second explanation for females that are unlikely to experience infanticide is that MMM is a consequence of sexual harassment. Mate guarding and, perhaps even in some cases, behavioral monogamy, might have evolved in response to the threat of infanticide and the subsequent tendency for females to mate multiply. Benefits relating to improved genetic fitness of offspring do occur in some species, but do not provide a widespread explanation for the evolutionary origin of MMM; if cryptic female choice through sperm competition is adaptive to females it probably evolved as a consequence of, rather than a precursor to, female promiscuity. Here, we provide support for the original hypothesis of paternity confusion for MMM, rather than for the more popular good genes or sperm competition hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry O Wolff
- Department of Biology, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152-6081, USA.
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Powell RA, Proulx G. Trapping and marking terrestrial mammals for research: integrating ethics, performance criteria, techniques, and common sense. ILAR J 2003; 44:259-76. [PMID: 13130157 DOI: 10.1093/ilar.44.4.259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We propose that researchers integrate ethics, performance criteria, techniques, and common sense when developing research trapping programs and in which members of institutional animal care and use committees address these topics when evaluating research protocols. To ask questions about ethics is in the best tradition of science, and researchers must be familiar with codes of ethics and guidelines for research published by professional societies. Researchers should always work to improve research methods and to decrease the effects on research animals, if for no other reason than to minimize the chances that the methods influence the animals' behavior in ways that affect research results. Traps used in research should meet performance criteria that address state-of-the-art trapping technology and that optimize animal welfare conditions within the context of the research. The proposal includes the following criteria for traps used in research: As Criterion I, killing-traps should render >/= 70% of animals caught irreversibly unconscious in </= 3 min (calculated with 95% confidence). As Criterion II, live-traps should trap >/= 70% of animals with </= 50 points scored for physical injury (calculated with 95% confidence). The types of traps described include killing-traps (snap traps, rotating jaw traps, snares, pitfalls, and drowning sets), common sets, and the common types of live-traps (box and cage traps, pitfalls, foothold traps. snares, corrals and nets, and dart collars). Also described are trapping methods for specific mammals, according to which traps fulfill Criteria I and II for which species, and techniques for short-term, long-term, and permanent marking of mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger A Powell
- Department of Zoology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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Abstract
Evolutionary theory suggests that mating systems should have substantial effects on gene dynamics of local populations. In polygynous species, local 'breeding groups' may produce significant genetic structure, due to genetic differences among groups, and rate of loss of genetic variation from such populations may be considerably slowed. We examined possible influences of the variable mating system and family group structure on genetic properties of a population of plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae). Pika gene dynamics were examined via F-statistics and effective population sizes (N(e)), calculated from genetic correlations within and among individuals and families. Genetic correlations were estimated from mating patterns, population demography, and dispersal patterns. Substantial genetic structure within the population was indicated by a strongly positive F(LS). Genetic influence of natal dispersal out of pika families was indicated by a strongly negative inbreeding statistic (F(IL)=-0.34). Effective size of the population was not greatly different from the census population, whereas a traditional estimate of effective size of the population was much lower, indicating that the family structure of the pikas results in a slowed loss of genetic variation over time. Thus, even though mating patterns of plateau pikas were variable, family structure had a strong influence on pika gene dynamics.
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Abstract
Monogamy is typically considered to have evolved either because biparental care is important for offspring survival, or because males are unable to monopolize more than one female due to females being too dispersed. Here, in the first phylogenetic analysis of the evolution of monogamy in mammals, we show that neither of these explanations is consistent with the distribution of monogamy across mammal species. Monogamy evolved significantly more often in the absence of paternal care than in its presence. Furthermore, monogamy does not normally occur in species where female ranges are large. Rather, the most common feature of mammalian monogamy is that it evolved where females were solitary and occupied small, exclusive ranges, enabling males to monopolize them.
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Affiliation(s)
- P E Komers
- Department of Zoology, Uppsala University, Sweden
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Abstract
The plasticity of behaviour consists of an array of behavioural responses to varying environmental conditions. It is widely predicted that the range of behavioural responses will increase with environmental variability. According to this prediction, the slopes of a response curve representing behavioural plasticity would be identical in environments with different variability. However, the range of behaviours can also increase with the slope of the curve, so that in a given range of environments, the plasticity of behaviour would vary. For example, where two environments are similar in terms of resource availability, the costs of exploiting the resource may differ. An improved ability to assess costs and benefits is predicted to increase behavioural plasticity because it decreases the costs and increases the benefits of alternative behaviours. Moreover, because trade-offs change with age and plasticity is related to trade-offs, plasticity should also change with age. While the ability of animals to adjust to current trade-offs is fundamental for behavioural ecology, demonstration of ranges, slopes, and shapes of plastic behavioural responses is virtually absent from the literature. Knowledge concerning the ability of animals to adjust to environmental fluctuations is important for making predictions about population viability, but empirical evidence is greatly needed to validate current generalizations.
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