The 24-hr rhythms of behavior and other physiological functions are based upon an endogenous self-sustained oscillation. This is proven by experiments in which animals, kept in constant conditions, show a freerunning circadian period which deviates to a certain degree from that of the earth's rotation. The 24-hr rhythms of activity are furthermore characterized by typical patterns of which the one with two peaks in one period is most common. Under natural conditions, these two peaks of activity are often closely related to specific stimuli in the environment; e.g. to dawn and dusk. They have therefore been described as being directly caused by the environment. However, one may consider not only the circadian period but also the pattern part of an endogenous system. This hypothesis has been tested in experiments with finches. The results are: 1) Birds kept in artificial light-dark cycles show the same two-peak pattern either in cycles with interposed twilight or in cycles with rectangular changes between light and dark, 2) Under constant conditions, the second peak may disappear; but more often, it either remains or becomes more pronounced tan under conditions of a light-dark cycle. 3) With different levels of constant intensity of illumination, the birds show different circadian periods and different durations of activity; under those conditions, the two peaks keep the same proportional relationship to the activity time regardless of its duration. It is concluded that the basic two-peak pattern of locomotor activity is a persistent property of the circadian oscillating system.

Understanding the interactions between species and their coexistence mechanisms will help explain biodiversity maintenance and enable managers to make sound conservation decisions. Mesocarnivores are abundant and diverse mid-sized carnivores and can have profound impacts on the function, structure and dynamics of ecosystem after the extirpation of apex predators in many ecosystems. The moist temperate forests of Southwest China harbor a diverse community of mesocarnivores in the absence of apex predators. Sympatric species tend to partition limited resources along time, diet and space to facilitate coexistence. We determined the spatial and temporal patterns for five species of mesocarnivores. We used detection histories from a large camera-trap dataset collected from 2004 2015 with an extensive effort of 23,313 camera-days from 495 camera locations. The five mesocarnivore species included masked palm civetPaguma larvata, leopard catPrionailurus bengalensis, hog badgerArctonyx collaris, yellow-throated martenMartes flavigula, and Siberian weaselMustela sibirica. Only the masked palm civet and hog badger tended to avoid each other; while for other pairs of species, they occurred independently of each other, or no clear pattern observed. With regard to seasonal activity, yellow-throated marten was most active in winter, opposite the pattern observed for masked palm civet, leopard cat and hog badger. For diel activity, masked palm civet, leopard cat and hog badger were primarily nocturnal and crepuscular; yellow-throated marten was diurnal, and Siberian weasel had no clear pattern for most of the year (March to November), but was nocturnal in the winter (December to February). The seasonal shift of the Siberian weasel may be due to the high diet overlap among species in winter. Our results provided new facts and insights into this unique community of mesocarnivores of southwest China, and will facilitate future studies on the mechanism determining coexistence of animal species within complex system.

为探明马鹿日活动节律的季节性变化特点,利用自动红外相机技术,于2011年9月至2012年8月在内蒙古赛罕乌拉国家级自然保护区对该地区的马鹿进行了调查研究.结果发现:马鹿日活动节律存在显著的季节性变化(x2=7.905,P=0.048),秋冬两季的活动强度最强,春夏两季的活动强度类似;春夏两季,日活动强度在林缘开阔地生境和林间生境中不存在显著差异(Z=-0.210,P=0.834).马鹿出现晨昏活动两个高峰时段(春季05:00、19:00,夏季00:00、20:00),繁殖需求、食物资源和气候条件可能是造成这一变化的主要原因.在上述两种生境中的活动强度不存在显著差异,说明在本研究区域内马鹿的活动很少受到生境结构变化的影响.本研究结果有助于监测保护区内马鹿的种群对不同生境的季节性选择情况,为保护区更为有效地管理野生动物提供数据支持.

为探明马鹿日活动节律的季节性变化特点,利用自动红外相机技术,于2011年9月至2012年8月在内蒙古赛罕乌拉国家级自然保护区对该地区的马鹿进行了调查研究.结果发现:马鹿日活动节律存在显著的季节性变化(x2=7.905,P=0.048),秋冬两季的活动强度最强,春夏两季的活动强度类似;春夏两季,日活动强度在林缘开阔地生境和林间生境中不存在显著差异(Z=-0.210,P=0.834).马鹿出现晨昏活动两个高峰时段(春季05:00、19:00,夏季00:00、20:00),繁殖需求、食物资源和气候条件可能是造成这一变化的主要原因.在上述两种生境中的活动强度不存在显著差异,说明在本研究区域内马鹿的活动很少受到生境结构变化的影响.本研究结果有助于监测保护区内马鹿的种群对不同生境的季节性选择情况,为保护区更为有效地管理野生动物提供数据支持.

Camera-trapping was used to examine the activity patterns and habitat use of a small carnivore community in southern Taiwan from March 1998 to February 2001. Six small carnivore species occurred in disturbed and successional stage forests in southern Taiwan. The small carnivore community was mainly composed of four species, including small Indian civet Viverricula indica, masked palm civet Paguma larvata, crab-eating mongoose Herpestes urva, and ferret badger Melogale moschata. There were no significant differences of occurrence between dry and wet seasons for small Indian civet, masked palm civet, and ferret badger (p>0.05), whereas occurrence of crab-eating mongoose during the dry season was significantly higher than during the wet season (p<0.02). Small Indian civet were closely correlated to disturbed and mosaic secondary forests and seemed restricted to certain elevations, whereas the distribution of the masked palm civet, crab-eating mongoose, and ferret badger could occur from low to moderate elevations. These results show segregation of temporal distribution and habitat use among these four sympatric carnivore species.

Carnivores have been used as a model to understand the effects of competition in community structure. Behavioral mechanisms that facilitate species coexistence have been poorly explored and may explain the lack of community-wide morphological character displacement in some carnivore assemblages. We use the results of large-scale and intensive camera-trap surveys conducted in the Atlantic Forest of NE Argentina between 2003 and 2008 to describe the spatial patterns of detection and the daily pattern of records of the six wild cat species present in the region (jaguar Panthera onca, puma Puma concolor, ocelot Leopardus pardalis, jaguarundi Puma yagouaroundi, margay Leopardus wiedii, and oncilla Leopardus tigrinus). We use these patterns to generate hypotheses about behavioral differences that may facilitate species coexistence. The larger species were more frequently recorded in the better-protected areas, probably as a result of anthropogenic effects (poaching of cats and their prey). Competitive release from ocelots and jaguarundis may explain why the oncilla and the margay showed the opposite pattern. Morphologically similar species had the most contrasting activity patterns: the margay was exclusively nocturnal and the jaguarundi diurnal. The other species were cathemeral, but alternated their peaks of activity in relation to the relative order of their body weights. The contrasting temporal patterns observed and the ability of pumas and oncillas to adjust their activity patterns to local conditions may facilitate the coexistence of these cat species and explain the lack of character displacement in this assemblage.

Crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) and pampas foxes (Lycalopex gymnocercus) are very similar in body size and food habits, with distributional ranges that overlap extensively in South America. We used camera-trap records of both species obtained at the Iber Nature Reserve (INR), northeastern Argentina, to test the hypothesis that, when living in sympatry, they reduce competition by using different habitats and by being active at different times. Camera-trap records obtained at 2 additional sites inhabited by only 1 of these species, the Atlantic Forest of Misiones (AF) and Lihu Calel National Park (LCNP), were used to determine the activity patterns of these foxes when living alone. At INR, we set 41 camera-trap stations in 2 habitats (shrubland forest and flooded grassland), and in 2 treatments per habitat (with or without cattle). Three stations also were set in gallery forests. We obtained 540 photographs of crab-eating foxes (289 records) and 175 photographs of pampas foxes (115 records) in 1,521 camera-trap days. At LCNP, 27 camera-trap stations (1,002 camera-trap days) provided 109 records of pampas foxes. At AF, 195 camera-trap stations (11,689 camera-trap days) provided 103 records of crab-eating foxes. At INR, crab-eating foxes were more frequently recorded in forest habitats, whereas pampas foxes preferred opened grasslands. However, both species were found in all habitats and their recording rates were not negatively correlated. At INR, crab-eating foxes were nocturnal, with peaks of activity after dusk and before dawn, a pattern similar to that observed at AF and elsewhere. At INR, pampas foxes showed a peak of activity between 0000 and 0400 h and another between 1000 and 1300 h, a pattern that differed from that observed at LCNP and other places, where the species is mostly nocturnal. At INR, pampas foxes reduced their activity at times when activity of presumably dominant crab-eating foxes was high, which may facilitate their coexistence.

The red brocket (Mazama americana) and gray brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) are sympatric in the Atlantic Forest and present a number of ecological similarities in their diet and habitat use, although interspecific competition in these species is poorly understood. This study aimed to compare abundance and produce evidence of niche partitioning between these species. We estimated population density, activity patterns, habitat occupancy, and detection probabilities for the 2 species in a large remnant of the Atlantic Forest of Esp rito Santo, Brazil. Abundance was estimated using the distance sampling technique, and occupancy, detectability, and activity patterns were assessed using camera-trap monitoring at 39 sample sites over a 1-year period. During surveys, we obtained 44 sightings of M. americana and 74 of M. gouazoubira, with 199 records in which the species was not discriminated. We applied a correction for the unidentified sightings to avoid underestimating density. The corrected population size estimates were 3,668 individuals (confidence interval [CI] 95%: 2,989-4,601) for M. americana and 6,701 (CI 95%: 5,857-7,667) for M. gouazoubira. Occupancy probability for M. americana was best described by the large trees density (diameter at breast height > 50 cm) and the edge forest distance, while M. gouazoubira did not present any habitat preferences based on the covariates used for modeling. M. americana was mostly nocturnal, whereas M. gouazoubira was active mainly during the day. We conclude that, despite the abundance of these sympatric species, and their occupation of the same habitats, they may avoid competing for habitat and feeding resources through differences in their activity patterns.

Abstract Time-stamped camera data are increasingly used to study temporal patterns in species and community ecology, including species’ activity patterns and niche partitioning. Given the importance of niche partitioning for facilitating coexistence between sympatric species, understanding how emerging environmental stressors – climate and landscape change, biodiversity loss and concomitant changes to community composition – affect temporal niche partitioning is of immediate importance for advancing ecological theory and informing management decisions. A large variety of analytical approaches have been applied to camera-trap data to ask key questions about species activity patterns and temporal overlap among heterospecifics. Despite the many advances for describing and quantifying these temporal patterns, few studies have explicitly tested how interacting biotic and abiotic variables influence species’ activity and capacity to segregate along the temporal niche axis. To address this gap, we suggest coordinated distributed experiments to capture sufficient camera-trap data across a range of anthropogenic stressors and community compositions. This will facilitate a standardized approach to assessing the impacts of multiple variables on species’ behaviours and interactions. Ultimately, further integration of spatial and temporal analyses of camera-trap data is critical for improving our understanding of how anthropogenic activities and landscape changes are altering competitive interactions and the dynamics of animal communities.

Temporal partitioning of activity among sympatric species can be an important mechanism for species coexistence. Further, if exotic and native species overlap temporally, there is potential for direct competition and antagonism, which may lead to native species extirpation. We 1st assessed if ecologically similar native carnivores of Madagascar demonstrated activity pattern overlap and then explored whether overlap in activity might lead to negative impacts of exotic carnivores on native carnivores. We used photographic sampling to quantify the temporal activity patterns of carnivores at 4 study sites. The activity of the 2 smaller-bodied native species, and , overlapped minimally; these 2 carnivores share a similar generalist diet, which may drive their divergent temporal activity. In contrast, the medium-sized native species, and , were both highly nocturnal; these 2 species appear segregated in their diets. The largest native carnivore, , selectively used crepuscular hours, but overall was cathemeral; it was notably absent or basically so at sites where dogs were most abundant and active throughout the diel cycle. We found to shift from preferred activity periods in the presence of dogs and the exotic Our results suggest that the presence and activity of exotic carnivores can negatively impact native carnivores in fragmented rain forests.

Between August 2009 and April 2013, in the Guanyingshan Nature Reserve, Shaanxi Province, we collected photo data on six ungulates (Budorcas taxicolor, Naemorhedus griseus, Elaphodus cephalophus, Capricornis milneedwardsii, Muntiacus reevesi and Moschus berezovskii) with 18 infrared cameras. Using the relative abundance index (RAI), we analyzed activity patterns and seasonal differences of these six species. The results show that: (1) their total RAI in the study area reaches 58.71%, the RAI of B. taxicolor was 28.02%, and it was 13.24% for N. griseus, 10.08% for E. cephalophus, 4.21% for C. milneedwardsii, 2.26% for M. reevesi, and 0.90% for M. berezovskii. (2) Monthly RAIs (MRAI) of six ungulates reflected seasonal activity patterns; B. taxicolor, N. griseus, E. cephalophus, C. milneedwardsii, M. reevesi exhibited similar activity patterns. These species were most active in summer, became inactive in autumn and winter, and then gradually increased activity in spring. M. berezovskii, on the other hand, was most active in winter and least active in summer. (3) The time-period relative abundance indices (TRAI) of the six ungulates reflect their daily activity patterns. B. taxicolor and N. griseus have similar daily activity patterns with an active peak at 06:00–20:00.The daily activity pattern of E. cephalophus, M. reevesi and M. berezovskii showed obvious crepuscular habits. C. milneedwardsii also has two peaks but at 02:00–06:00 and 20:00–22:00 implying nocturnal activities. (4) Comparative analyses of daily activity patterns among the four seasons showed that B. taxicolor displayed a different pattern in spring with an activity peak at 16:00–20:00. Compared with other seasons, N. gresius, E. cephalophus and C. milneedwardsii have different patterns in winter with either a delayed or advanced activity peak. In the case of M. reevesi, spring daily activity patterns showed two peaks at 00:00–10:00 and 18:00–20:00. Due to a paucity of captures, M. berezovskii showed different activity patterns in all four seasons. (5) Analysis of the nocturnality showed that C. milneedwardsii was obviously nocturnal with a nighttime relative abundance index (NRAI) of 65.81%. Our results help us to understand the activity patterns of these ungulates in Qinling, to monitor their population dynamics, and provide a theoretical basis and data support for the nature reserves to protect the ungulate animals more efficiently.

Between August 2009 and April 2013, in the Guanyingshan Nature Reserve, Shaanxi Province, we collected photo data on six ungulates (Budorcas taxicolor, Naemorhedus griseus, Elaphodus cephalophus, Capricornis milneedwardsii, Muntiacus reevesi and Moschus berezovskii) with 18 infrared cameras. Using the relative abundance index (RAI), we analyzed activity patterns and seasonal differences of these six species. The results show that: (1) their total RAI in the study area reaches 58.71%, the RAI of B. taxicolor was 28.02%, and it was 13.24% for N. griseus, 10.08% for E. cephalophus, 4.21% for C. milneedwardsii, 2.26% for M. reevesi, and 0.90% for M. berezovskii. (2) Monthly RAIs (MRAI) of six ungulates reflected seasonal activity patterns; B. taxicolor, N. griseus, E. cephalophus, C. milneedwardsii, M. reevesi exhibited similar activity patterns. These species were most active in summer, became inactive in autumn and winter, and then gradually increased activity in spring. M. berezovskii, on the other hand, was most active in winter and least active in summer. (3) The time-period relative abundance indices (TRAI) of the six ungulates reflect their daily activity patterns. B. taxicolor and N. griseus have similar daily activity patterns with an active peak at 06:00–20:00.The daily activity pattern of E. cephalophus, M. reevesi and M. berezovskii showed obvious crepuscular habits. C. milneedwardsii also has two peaks but at 02:00–06:00 and 20:00–22:00 implying nocturnal activities. (4) Comparative analyses of daily activity patterns among the four seasons showed that B. taxicolor displayed a different pattern in spring with an activity peak at 16:00–20:00. Compared with other seasons, N. gresius, E. cephalophus and C. milneedwardsii have different patterns in winter with either a delayed or advanced activity peak. In the case of M. reevesi, spring daily activity patterns showed two peaks at 00:00–10:00 and 18:00–20:00. Due to a paucity of captures, M. berezovskii showed different activity patterns in all four seasons. (5) Analysis of the nocturnality showed that C. milneedwardsii was obviously nocturnal with a nighttime relative abundance index (NRAI) of 65.81%. Our results help us to understand the activity patterns of these ungulates in Qinling, to monitor their population dynamics, and provide a theoretical basis and data support for the nature reserves to protect the ungulate animals more efficiently.

The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a social species that defends territories along water bodies. Although some researchers have visually monitored otters during long periods at night, no nocturnal activity of the species has been recorded and giant otters are currently believed to be strictly diurnal. In this study, we present information about the activity patterns of groups of giant otters in the Brazilian Pantanal, using radio telemetry and camera trap data. We captured, implanted transmitters in, and monitored three male giant otters from different groups in the Miranda and the Vermelho Rivers between November 2009 and June 2011. The locations and behavior of the group were recorded at 30-min intervals from 05:00 to 19:00. Camera traps were positioned at the active dens and latrines of eight groups of giant otters in the Miranda, Vermelho and Negro Rivers between June 2010 and October 2011. The groups of giant otters were mostly crepuscular and diurnal, but 31% of the camera-trap recordings were nocturnal. Fishing was the most frequent (64%) behavior recorded by telemetry. Giant otters were recorded exiting the den mostly in the early morning (06:00) and entering the den at the end of the day (16:00 to 19:00). Nocturnal activity appeared to be associated with the need to defecate, prey availability nearby the den and predation risk.

根据相机陷阱调查获得照片的时间,研究了2008年12月～2009年5月唐家河自然保护区内野生扭角羚Budorcastaxicolor的日活动模式。通过对24个1km×1km样方的调查,共完成686个相机工作日的取样量,获得有效的扭角羚捕捉次数709次(冬季322次,春季387次),并分别计算出扭角羚冬季和春季在各时间段的相对活动强度指数RAI。结果显示,扭角羚在冬季和春季的日活动模式没有显著差异(χ2检验,P0.1),每天都有3个活跃时期(凌晨、早上和下午)和3个紧随的不活跃时期。其中,冬季日活动的最高峰出现在下午17:00～18:00(RAI=12.42),最低谷出现在日出前3:00～6:00(RAI=0.00);春季最高峰出现在早上6:00～7:00(RAI=20.16),最低谷出现在日出前2:00～5:00(RAI=0.26)。在春季,扭角羚在上午活跃期的活动强度明显高于下午活跃期,而在冬季则相反。春季与冬季相比,扭角羚上午和下午的两个活跃时间段都有提前,可能是由于不同季节气温和光照差异的影响。研究表明,相机陷阱调查技术是研究野生动物在野外活动模式和活动节律的有效工具,可为今后深入开展扭角羚行为生态学研究和保护区内野生动物的管理提供基础的科学依据。

根据相机陷阱调查获得照片的时间,研究了2008年12月～2009年5月唐家河自然保护区内野生扭角羚Budorcastaxicolor的日活动模式。通过对24个1km×1km样方的调查,共完成686个相机工作日的取样量,获得有效的扭角羚捕捉次数709次(冬季322次,春季387次),并分别计算出扭角羚冬季和春季在各时间段的相对活动强度指数RAI。结果显示,扭角羚在冬季和春季的日活动模式没有显著差异(χ2检验,P0.1),每天都有3个活跃时期(凌晨、早上和下午)和3个紧随的不活跃时期。其中,冬季日活动的最高峰出现在下午17:00～18:00(RAI=12.42),最低谷出现在日出前3:00～6:00(RAI=0.00);春季最高峰出现在早上6:00～7:00(RAI=20.16),最低谷出现在日出前2:00～5:00(RAI=0.26)。在春季,扭角羚在上午活跃期的活动强度明显高于下午活跃期,而在冬季则相反。春季与冬季相比,扭角羚上午和下午的两个活跃时间段都有提前,可能是由于不同季节气温和光照差异的影响。研究表明,相机陷阱调查技术是研究野生动物在野外活动模式和活动节律的有效工具,可为今后深入开展扭角羚行为生态学研究和保护区内野生动物的管理提供基础的科学依据。

We report on the use of infrared-triggered cameras as an effective tool to survey phasianid populations in Wanglang and Wolong Nature Reserves, China. Surveys at 183 camera-trapping sites recorded 30 bird species, including nine phasianids (one grouse and eight pheasant species). Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus and Temminck's Tragopan Tragopan temminckii were the phasianids most often detected at both reserves and were found within the mid-elevation range (2400 3600 m asl). The occupancy rate and detection probability of both species were examined using an occupancy model relative to eight sampling covariates and three detection covariates. The model estimates of occupancy for Blood Pheasant (0.30) and Temminck's Tragopan (0.14) are close to the na ve estimates based on camera detections (0.27 and 0.13, respectively). The estimated detection probability during a 5-day period was 0.36 for Blood Pheasant and 0.30 for Temminck's Tragopan. The daily activity patterns for these two species were assessed from the time/date stamps on the photographs and sex ratios calculated for Blood Pheasant (152M : 72F) and Temminck's Tragopan (48M : 21F). Infrared cameras are valuable for surveying these reclusive species and our protocol is applicable to research or monitoring of phasianids.

20年来,红外相机技术在国内外野生动物研究、监测与保护中得到了广泛应用。基于红外相机技术,我国在野生动物生态学研究、动物行为学研究、稀有物种的探测与记录、动物本底资源调查、生物多样性监测及保护地管理与保护评价等领域取得了众多成果。目前,数学模型、统计分析方法和新的概念正在促进红外相机技术在野生动物监测研究与保护管理中的发展和推广应用。同时,随着红外相机技术的成熟、成本降低和应用普及,这一技术也将会被更多的野生动物研究人员、管理人员和自然保护区管理者所采用,并成为全国各级保护地和区域生物多样性监测研究的关键技术和方法。今后,建立并完善系统化的监测网络和数据共享平台、开发新一代的数据分析方法与模型,将是此项技术进一步发展和应用的主要方向。

20年来,红外相机技术在国内外野生动物研究、监测与保护中得到了广泛应用。基于红外相机技术,我国在野生动物生态学研究、动物行为学研究、稀有物种的探测与记录、动物本底资源调查、生物多样性监测及保护地管理与保护评价等领域取得了众多成果。目前,数学模型、统计分析方法和新的概念正在促进红外相机技术在野生动物监测研究与保护管理中的发展和推广应用。同时,随着红外相机技术的成熟、成本降低和应用普及,这一技术也将会被更多的野生动物研究人员、管理人员和自然保护区管理者所采用,并成为全国各级保护地和区域生物多样性监测研究的关键技术和方法。今后,建立并完善系统化的监测网络和数据共享平台、开发新一代的数据分析方法与模型,将是此项技术进一步发展和应用的主要方向。

红腹锦鸡(Chrysolophus pictus)和红腹角雉(Tragopan temmminckii)均为国家Ⅱ级重点保护鸟类.作为两种同域分布的物种,其生态位重叠程度及竞争机制尚不明确.为了探究上述问题我们从2012年7月至2014年11月,在陕西省佛坪国家级自然保护区的9条样线上布设52台红外相机对这两种雉类的集群现象、日活动节律、季节性活动规律和最适活动温区进行研究.研究结果表明:(1)红腹锦鸡和红腹角雉每年8月下旬开始集群,到第二年的3、4月份集群结束,冬季集群最为频繁,而夏季则分散在其各自活动区单独活动.(2)二者皆为昼行性鸟类,活动高峰均出现在清晨和傍晚,但时间生态位存在明显分化:红腹锦鸡有两个活动高峰,分别为7:00时和17:00时;红腹角雉活动高峰为6:00时、9:00时和18:00时.(3)对两种雉类活动频次的季节性差异分析发现,春季活动最频繁,其后依次是秋季、夏季和冬季.(4)红腹锦鸡和红腹角雉选择在接近当月平均气温的时间段出来活动,红腹锦鸡活动的温度范围在-4℃到19℃,红腹角雉的活动温度范围是-1℃到22℃;但不同季节间略有差异,两种雉类在秋冬季大多选择在高于当月平均气温的时间段出来活动,而在夏季的活动温度则要略低于当月平均气温.观测数据证实了两种雉雉类有通过错峰活动减少生态位重叠导致的竞争的现象,但并未见到二者间有明显的适应性温区分化.

红腹锦鸡(Chrysolophus pictus)和红腹角雉(Tragopan temmminckii)均为国家Ⅱ级重点保护鸟类.作为两种同域分布的物种,其生态位重叠程度及竞争机制尚不明确.为了探究上述问题我们从2012年7月至2014年11月,在陕西省佛坪国家级自然保护区的9条样线上布设52台红外相机对这两种雉类的集群现象、日活动节律、季节性活动规律和最适活动温区进行研究.研究结果表明:(1)红腹锦鸡和红腹角雉每年8月下旬开始集群,到第二年的3、4月份集群结束,冬季集群最为频繁,而夏季则分散在其各自活动区单独活动.(2)二者皆为昼行性鸟类,活动高峰均出现在清晨和傍晚,但时间生态位存在明显分化:红腹锦鸡有两个活动高峰,分别为7:00时和17:00时;红腹角雉活动高峰为6:00时、9:00时和18:00时.(3)对两种雉类活动频次的季节性差异分析发现,春季活动最频繁,其后依次是秋季、夏季和冬季.(4)红腹锦鸡和红腹角雉选择在接近当月平均气温的时间段出来活动,红腹锦鸡活动的温度范围在-4℃到19℃,红腹角雉的活动温度范围是-1℃到22℃;但不同季节间略有差异,两种雉类在秋冬季大多选择在高于当月平均气温的时间段出来活动,而在夏季的活动温度则要略低于当月平均气温.观测数据证实了两种雉雉类有通过错峰活动减少生态位重叠导致的竞争的现象,但并未见到二者间有明显的适应性温区分化.

Ecological indicators or indices have been widely used to simplify and measure complex ecosystems. It is critical to identify suitable indicators or indices to improve monitoring and understanding of complex natural systems. Camera trapping is an objective technique that can provide a large amount of information on wildlife. The purpose of our study is to explore the effective ecological indices for wildlife diversity analysis and monitoring in Guanyinshan Nature Reserve of Shaanxi Province, China. Since July 2009, a total of 18 cameras were installed in the reserve from August 2009 to July 2011, collecting 2115 photo captures during these 24 months. We developed five abundance indices, including relative abundance index (RAI), monthly relative abundance index (MRAI), time-period relative abundance index (TRAI), night-time relative abundance index (NRAI) and species abundance index (N) to integrate the information derived from captures. Results are: (1) 27 species were detected and 6 species had high RAI values of over 79.3%, including takin (Budorcas taxicolor), common goral (Naemorhedus goral), tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus), golden pheasant (Chtysolophus pictus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), and mainland serow (Capricornis sumatraensis). (2) MRAI shows a consistent monthly activity pattern of all animals being active in June and July and inactive in February. (3) TRAIs of the most abundant six species show that takin, tufted deer and common goral have the similar daily activity pattern with one peak at dawn and one peak at dusk. The daily activity patterns of golden pheasant and wild boar show that they are most active during the day time, with wild boar being particularly active at noon. NRAIs of mainland serow show the highest nocturnality and of golden pheasant the lowest nocturnality. (4) We estimated abundance of takin, tufted deer and wild boar by using our developed index. The abundance for the three species shows an increasing trend during the 2-year study period, particularly for wild boar. Our results provided an interesting comparison of species diversity and their activity patterns. As trapping continues we will have a consistent source of monitoring data to evaluate changes in species abundance and activities. Therefore, the conclusion is that the methods we used and the indices we developed are capable to estimate species activity patterns and abundance dynamics which are useful for future wildlife management in Guanyinshan Nature Reserve and elsewhere. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Limiting similarity theory predicts that competing species must segregate along one or more dimensions of their ecological niche in order to coexist. In predator communities, interspecific interactions are influenced by a diversity of factors; therefore, the behavioural patterns of composing species will differ due to locally adapted interactions. We deployed 32–41 camera-traps in five study areas across the Iberian Peninsula to investigate the temporal relations between mesocarnivores in SW Europe. The selection for a period of the diel cycle and plasticity in activity patterns was evaluated using the Jacobs Selection Index (JSI) and the coefficient of activity overlap (62 1 ). Furthermore, we investigated whether temporal shifts can facilitate coexistence by reducing activity overlap. Seven species of mesocarnivores were detected and were assigned into one of three behaviourally distinct groups: diurnal (JSI day 65≥650.8), strictly nocturnal (JSI night 65≥650.8) or facultative nocturnal species (0.465≥65JSI night 65>650.8). Most species exhibited substantial flexibility, which allowed them to locally adapt their foraging strategies (intraspecific 62 1 65=650.70–0.77). Mean Δ 1 from all interspecific pairwise comparisons was negatively correlated with the number of carnivore species with ≥10 detections ( r 610.76, p 65=650.02). Our results suggest that temporal segregation is likely to play an important role in facilitating mesocarnivore coexistence, especially with increasing community complexity, where most species’ activity peaks were asynchronous. These results contribute to understanding the dynamics and behavioural strategies of coexisting mesocarnivores, crucial for forecasting the possible outcomes of conservation or management actions.

Understanding how environmental change influences the behavior of organisms is central for both ecological understanding and species conservation. We used camera traps to monitor the diurnal variation in activity of 3 ubiquitous terrestrial mammals in neotropical forests ine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus), common opossums (Didelphis marsupialis), and red-rumped agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina) cross a fragmented forest landscape of the southern Brazilian Amazon. Results from a total of 3,086 camera-trap days distributed across 21 forest patches (ranging in size from 2 to 14,480 ha) and 2 undisturbed continuous forest areas were used to test the effects of a series of abiotic and forest disturbance variables on species activity. An information theoretic analysis revealed significant predictors of the temporal distribution of activity that varied among species. Habitat fragmentation affected the activity of both nocturnal species, but effects of habitat patch area depended on interactions with disturbance variables for the common opossum. Of the 3 species investigated, D. novemcinctus exhibited the greatest variation in activity in relation to forest patch size. Armadillos were strictly nocturnal in forest areas > 1,000 ha, whereas their foraging activity switched to a cathemeral pattern, with up to 60% of all photos recorded during the day in smaller forest patches (< 1,000 ha). In contrast, the time since forest patches had been isolated was the only significant predictor of activity patterns for agoutis, a diurnal species exhibiting a bimodal activity pattern. Our results support the hypothesis that behavioral plasticity is an important determinant of species persistence in small forest remnants dominated by edge effects.

From insects to mammals, many animals engage in behaviours known to follow cyclic patterns over days (e.g. singing, diving or foraging behaviours). Many of them are regulated by external factors, such as light intensity, and are thus associated with sunrise, sunset or zenith. However, these astronomical events do not occur at the same time everyday: they vary with both the time of the year and the latitude. Logically, therefore, behaviour timing should be recorded relative to these events. Yet, in the field, recording the timing of behaviour is much less difficult with a clock, which is often deemed a suitable common proxy. In this paper, we assess the potential methodological problems associated with analyzing behaviours on the basis of clock time rather than with the actual position of the sun. To demonstrate the important difference between these methods of analysis, we first simulated a behaviour set at sunrise and compared the time of occurrence with the two methods. We then used a dataset, based on a long-term monitoring of hunting behaviour of African wild dogs, Lycaon pictus, to reveal how using clock time can result in erroneous assumptions about behaviour. Finally, we investigated the occurrence of sun time records in published field studies. As a majority of them did not take into account the relevance of astronomical events, it is probable that many result in faulty behavioural timings. The model presented can change clock-recorded time into actual deviation from astronomical events to assist current protocols as well as correct the already recorded datasets.

We examine the abundance and distribution of Sumatran tigers ( Panthera tigris sumatrae ) and nine prey species in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park on Sumatra, Indonesia. Our study is the first to demonstrate that the relative abundance of tigers and their prey, as measured by camera traps, is directly related to independently derived estimates of densities for these species. The tiger population in the park is estimated at 40 43 individuals. Results indicate that illegal hunting of prey and tigers, measured as a function of human density within 10 km of the park, is primarily responsible for observed patterns of abundance, and that habitat loss is an increasingly serious problem. Abundance of tigers, two mouse deer ( Tragulus spp.), pigs ( Sus scrofa ) and Sambar deer ( Cervus unicolor ) was more than four times higher in areas with low human population density, while densities of red muntjac ( Muntiacus muntjac ) and pigtail macaques ( Macaca nemestrina ) were twice as high. Malay tapir ( Tapirus indicus ) and argus pheasant ( Argusianus argus ), species infrequently hunted, had higher indices of relative abundance in areas with high human density. Edge effects associated with park boundaries were not a significant factor in abundance of tigers or prey once human density was considered. Tigers in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, and probably other protected areas throughout Sumatra, are in imminent danger of extinction unless trends in hunting and deforestation are reversed.

78 We describe conditional circular kernels to test hypotheses in animal activity. 78 The models allow control of the smoothing parameter and density isopleth. 78 We apply our models to camera-trap data on large mammals from the Pantanal. 78 The models adequately describe the timing of main activity peaks. 78 Activity range and activity overlap prove useful in comparing the species.

Spatio-temporal partitioning is a viable mechanism for minimizing resource competition among sympatric species. The occurrence of sympatric large carnivores – tiger Panthera tigris, leopard Panthera pardus and dhole Cuon alpinus – in forests of the Indian subcontinent is complemented with high dietary overlap. We characterized temporal and spatial patterns of large carnivores with major prey species using photo-captures from 50 camera trap stations in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Western Ghats during 2008–2010. We tested whether major prey species' activity and spatial use acted as drivers for coexistence among large carnivores. Tiger exhibited cathemeral activity in the night and is spatially correlated with sambar and gaur, supporting hypotheses related to large-sized prey. Leopard was active throughout the day and is spatially correlated with almost all prey species with no active separation from tiger. Dhole exhibited diurnal activity and spatial use in relation to chital and avoided felids to a certain extent. Leopard exhibited spatial correlation with tiger and dhole, while tiger did not correlate with dhole. Leopard exhibited relatively broader temporal and spatial tolerance due to its generalist nature, which permits opportunistic exploitation of resources. This supports the hypothesis that predators actively used areas at the same time as their principal prey species depending upon their body size and morphological adaptation. We conclude that resource partitioning in large carnivores by activity and spatial use of their principal prey governs spatio-temporal separation in large carnivores.

Data from camera traps that record the time of day at which photographs are taken are used widely to study daily activity patterns of photographed species. It is often of interest to compare activity patterns, for example, between males and females of a species or between a predator and a prey species. In this article we propose that the similarity between two activity patterns may be quantified by a measure of the extent to which the patterns overlap. Several methods of estimating this overlap measure are described and their comparative performance for activity data is investigated in a simulation study. The methods are illustrated by comparing activity patterns of three sympatric felid species using data from camera traps in Kerinci Seblat National Park, Sumatra.

Summary Activity level (the proportion of time that animals spend active) is a behavioural and ecological metric that can provide an indicator of energetics, foraging effort and exposure to risk. However, activity level is poorly known for free-living animals because it is difficult to quantify activity in the field in a consistent, cost-effective and non-invasive way. This article presents a new method to estimate activity level with time-of-detection data from camera traps (or more generally any remote sensors), fitting a flexible circular distribution to these data to describe the underlying activity schedule, and calculating overall proportion of time active from this. Using simulations and a case study for a range of small- to medium-sized mammal species, we find that activity level can reliably be estimated using the new method. The method depends on the key assumption that all individuals in the sampled population are active at the peak of the daily activity cycle. We provide theoretical and empirical evidence suggesting that this assumption is likely to be met for many species, but may be less likely met in large predators, or in high-latitude winters. Further research is needed to establish stronger evidence on the validity of this assumption in specific cases; however, the approach has the potential to provide an effective, non-invasive alternative to existing methods for quantifying population activity levels.

Multivariate measures of association are considered which, in the bivariate case, coincide with the population version of Spearman's rho. For these measures, nonparametric estimators are introduced via the empirical copula. Their asymptotic normality is established under rather weak assumptions concerning the copula. The asymptotic variances are explicitly calculated for some copulas of simple structure. For general copulas, a nonparametric bootstrap is established.

Countries committed to implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity's 2011 2020 strategic plan need effective tools to monitor global trends in biodiversity. Remote cameras are a rapidly growing technology that has great potential to transform global monitoring for terrestrial biodiversity and can be an important contributor to the call for measuring Essential Biodiversity Variables. Recent advances in camera technology and methods enable researchers to estimate changes in abundance and distribution for entire communities of animals and to identify global drivers of biodiversity trends. We suggest that interconnected networks of remote cameras will soon monitor biodiversity at a global scale, help answer pressing ecological questions, and guide conservation policy. This global network will require greater collaboration among remote-camera studies and citizen scientists, including standardized metadata, shared protocols, and security measures to protect records about sensitive species. With modest investment in infrastructure, and continued innovation, synthesis, and collaboration, we envision a global network of remote cameras that not only provides real-time biodiversity data but also serves to connect people with nature.

Abstract At least six species of wild cats live in Sumatra. Many are globally threatened and yet their ecology is poorly understood. We investigated ecological characteristics and spatial and temporal overlap among cats in central Sumatra using data from systematic and opportunistic camera trapping in five major forest blocks. We developed occupancy models assessing probability of site use by each cat based on (1) photo-trap rates of other species at the same locations and (2) landscape-level factors extracted from geographic information systems. We also used two-species co-occurrence models to assess spatial overlap and used kernel density estimates on circular data to assess temporal overlap between species pairs. We photographed five cat species: Sumatran tigers, Sunda clouded leopards, Asiatic golden cats, marbled cats and leopard cats. Four cats were present in all sampling blocks and one sampling block had all five cats. Spatially, cat distributions varied among forest types, within the sampling blocks and across elevation. We placed camera traps at elevations ranging from 6 to 460 above sea level. The five cats used statistically different elevations, with golden cats found at highest elevation. Site use by tigers and leopard cats negatively covaried with distance to protected areas. Clouded leopard presence covaried positively with altitude. Leopard cat presence covaried with the photo-trap rate of tigers, whereas the presence of tigers covaried with the photo-trap rate of non-cat carnivores. We found little evidence of spatial avoidance among cats at camera sites. Temporally, species more similar in size, or with similar-sized prey, had lower overlap, suggesting temporal avoidance. We identified six mechanisms promoting coexistence of central Sumatra cats. Knowledge of interspecific interactions may improve the effectiveness of management aimed at conserving the increasingly threatened wild cat community.

61We quantified prey and predator activity levels using camera traps and telemetry.61Timing of agouti kills by ocelots was disproportionate to agouti activity levels.61Agoutis woke up later and went to sleep earlier as food availability was higher.61Agoutis avoided activity at high-risk times more strongly as access to food was higher.61This study provides quantitative empirical evidence of the trade-off between food and fear.

In July 2009,eighteen infrared cameras were installed in Guanyinshan Nature Reserve in Shaanxi Province, located in the Liangfengya area (middle and high altitude)and the Xigou area (low altitude) e collected a total of 1 195 photos of wild boar during the 45 months from August 2009 to April 2013.We defined 9 types of wild boar behavior: standing, walking, running, feeding, drinking, preening, rutting, rooting and sitting/resting. Each of 1 195 photos was examined carefully and we summarized the percentage of each type of behavior in each season. We introduced two indices as monthly relative abundance index (MRAI) and time - period relative abundance index (TRAI ) to discuss annual activity and daily activity of wild boar respectively. A simple model was used to estimate the change of population density of wild boar yearly. The results show that (1) in spring, behaviors with the great majority of wild boar are walking, feeding and standing (36% ,25.6% and 17.4% respectively);in summer, walking, standing, feeding and running are the most common behaviors (35.7% , 23.6% ,17% and 16.5% respectively);in autumn, proportions for feeding, walking and rutting are 50.3% ,19.3% and 17.8% respectively; and in winter, the behaviors of feeding, walking and standing are dominant having proportions of 53.7% ,26.7% and 11.9% respectively. (2)The activities of wild boars are more frequent in August, September and December based on the MRAI values, and wild boars are more active during the daytime according to the TRAI values. Especially, we got peak values at the period of 14:00 -16:00,and low values at the period of 22:00 -04:00 at the year scale. The activity patterns across the four seasons are different. (3)Finally, the population density of wild boar increased from 2009 to 2012. All of these results can help us to know population dynamics and activity patterns of wild boar,and then we might manage to take effective measures to reduce kinds of damage.

In July 2009,eighteen infrared cameras were installed in Guanyinshan Nature Reserve in Shaanxi Province, located in the Liangfengya area (middle and high altitude)and the Xigou area (low altitude) e collected a total of 1 195 photos of wild boar during the 45 months from August 2009 to April 2013.We defined 9 types of wild boar behavior: standing, walking, running, feeding, drinking, preening, rutting, rooting and sitting/resting. Each of 1 195 photos was examined carefully and we summarized the percentage of each type of behavior in each season. We introduced two indices as monthly relative abundance index (MRAI) and time - period relative abundance index (TRAI ) to discuss annual activity and daily activity of wild boar respectively. A simple model was used to estimate the change of population density of wild boar yearly. The results show that (1) in spring, behaviors with the great majority of wild boar are walking, feeding and standing (36% ,25.6% and 17.4% respectively);in summer, walking, standing, feeding and running are the most common behaviors (35.7% , 23.6% ,17% and 16.5% respectively);in autumn, proportions for feeding, walking and rutting are 50.3% ,19.3% and 17.8% respectively; and in winter, the behaviors of feeding, walking and standing are dominant having proportions of 53.7% ,26.7% and 11.9% respectively. (2)The activities of wild boars are more frequent in August, September and December based on the MRAI values, and wild boars are more active during the daytime according to the TRAI values. Especially, we got peak values at the period of 14:00 -16:00,and low values at the period of 22:00 -04:00 at the year scale. The activity patterns across the four seasons are different. (3)Finally, the population density of wild boar increased from 2009 to 2012. All of these results can help us to know population dynamics and activity patterns of wild boar,and then we might manage to take effective measures to reduce kinds of damage.

2012年10月至2013年4月,在西藏墨脱县雅鲁藏布江河谷海拔1 200 m附近的山地亚热带常绿阔叶林生境中,使用固定红外相机拍摄的方法,对帚尾豪猪(Atherurus macrourus)的活动情况进行记录。将记录到帚尾豪猪在每月每日各时间段的出现频次与月光周期相对应,计算帚尾豪猪的夜行性指数、活动模式和相对丰富度指数,分析帚尾豪猪的活动节律与月光周期的相关性。结果显示,帚尾豪猪为典型的夜行性动物,其活动模式为单峰型,每天的活动高峰为21:00~0:00时。帚尾豪猪的活动节律与月光周期存在相关性(R2=0.897):新月期和残月期活动较频繁,在活动不频繁的满月期显现晨昏活动趋向;上弦月期仅在上半夜(20:00~1:00时)活动,下弦月期仅在下半夜(1:00~6:00时)活动。帚尾豪猪强烈回避月光,或许是为了降低捕食风险。

2012年10月至2013年4月,在西藏墨脱县雅鲁藏布江河谷海拔1 200 m附近的山地亚热带常绿阔叶林生境中,使用固定红外相机拍摄的方法,对帚尾豪猪(Atherurus macrourus)的活动情况进行记录。将记录到帚尾豪猪在每月每日各时间段的出现频次与月光周期相对应,计算帚尾豪猪的夜行性指数、活动模式和相对丰富度指数,分析帚尾豪猪的活动节律与月光周期的相关性。结果显示,帚尾豪猪为典型的夜行性动物,其活动模式为单峰型,每天的活动高峰为21:00~0:00时。帚尾豪猪的活动节律与月光周期存在相关性(R2=0.897):新月期和残月期活动较频繁,在活动不频繁的满月期显现晨昏活动趋向;上弦月期仅在上半夜(20:00~1:00时)活动,下弦月期仅在下半夜(1:00~6:00时)活动。帚尾豪猪强烈回避月光,或许是为了降低捕食风险。

2014年4月至11月,在卡拉麦里山有蹄类自然保护区的22个水源地安放66台红外相机,其中在8个野放普式野马(Equus przewalskii)利用的水源地放置了16台红外相机,对野放普氏野马在水源地的活动节律和时间分配进行了研究。16台相机累计工作1 068 d,获得野放普氏野马有效照片2 051张。研究发现,野放普氏野马在水源地不同时段的有效照片数量符合正态分布,且季节间存在极显著差异。野放普氏野马在水源地不同时段的有效照片数量,春季远低于夏季和秋季(P0.05),而夏季与秋季差异不显著(P0.05)。野放普氏野马饮水频次春季极显著低于夏季和秋季(P0.01),夏季与秋季差异不显著(P0.05)。普氏野马在水源地具有稳定的日活动节律,时间分配上呈典型的钟形,13:00~17:00时达到高峰,20:00~次日5:00时快速下降,3:00~6:00时是一天中的低谷,在5:00~13:00时快速上升。不同月份野放普氏野马的日活动差异指数α(t=8.364,df=7,P0.01)和昼行性指数β(t=19.519,df=7,P0.01)均存在极显著差异,且β值为0.660.54,表明野放普氏野马活动以昼间为主。季节间活动差异指数存在极显著差异(单样本K-S检验,t=7.851,df=23,P0.01)。独立多样本Kruskal-Wallis检验季节性活动强度指数γ值差异不显著(χ~2=0.162,df=2,P0.05)。通过在卡山保护区固定水源地的实时监测,初步明晰了野放普氏野马在水源地附近的活动节律及其季节性水源地利用,从而为野放普氏野马的生态学研究及保护措施的制定提供科学依据。

2014年4月至11月,在卡拉麦里山有蹄类自然保护区的22个水源地安放66台红外相机,其中在8个野放普式野马(Equus przewalskii)利用的水源地放置了16台红外相机,对野放普氏野马在水源地的活动节律和时间分配进行了研究。16台相机累计工作1 068 d,获得野放普氏野马有效照片2 051张。研究发现,野放普氏野马在水源地不同时段的有效照片数量符合正态分布,且季节间存在极显著差异。野放普氏野马在水源地不同时段的有效照片数量,春季远低于夏季和秋季(P0.05),而夏季与秋季差异不显著(P0.05)。野放普氏野马饮水频次春季极显著低于夏季和秋季(P0.01),夏季与秋季差异不显著(P0.05)。普氏野马在水源地具有稳定的日活动节律,时间分配上呈典型的钟形,13:00~17:00时达到高峰,20:00~次日5:00时快速下降,3:00~6:00时是一天中的低谷,在5:00~13:00时快速上升。不同月份野放普氏野马的日活动差异指数α(t=8.364,df=7,P0.01)和昼行性指数β(t=19.519,df=7,P0.01)均存在极显著差异,且β值为0.660.54,表明野放普氏野马活动以昼间为主。季节间活动差异指数存在极显著差异(单样本K-S检验,t=7.851,df=23,P0.01)。独立多样本Kruskal-Wallis检验季节性活动强度指数γ值差异不显著(χ~2=0.162,df=2,P0.05)。通过在卡山保护区固定水源地的实时监测,初步明晰了野放普氏野马在水源地附近的活动节律及其季节性水源地利用,从而为野放普氏野马的生态学研究及保护措施的制定提供科学依据。

长期以来,野生动物(特别是兽类)监测面临着极大困难,具体表现在:(1)许多野生动物种群数量日渐减 少,甚至濒临灭绝;(2)未经许可,许多珍稀种类禁止采集实体样本;(3)许多动物昼伏夜出,活动隐秘,很难观察到实体,甚至很难发现痕迹;(4)许多动 物仅分布在人稀罕至的森林或其他生境中,监测难度大、成本高;(5)野生动物行为习性和生存空间多种多样,难以形成统一的监测方法和技术标准.20世纪 90年代以来,“3S”技术、分子生物学技术、数码影像技术(如自动相机技术或红外相机技术(automated-camera monitoring technology或cameratrapping)等开始广泛应用于野生动物的监测与研究.

长期以来,野生动物(特别是兽类)监测面临着极大困难,具体表现在:(1)许多野生动物种群数量日渐减 少,甚至濒临灭绝;(2)未经许可,许多珍稀种类禁止采集实体样本;(3)许多动物昼伏夜出,活动隐秘,很难观察到实体,甚至很难发现痕迹;(4)许多动 物仅分布在人稀罕至的森林或其他生境中,监测难度大、成本高;(5)野生动物行为习性和生存空间多种多样,难以形成统一的监测方法和技术标准.20世纪 90年代以来,“3S”技术、分子生物学技术、数码影像技术(如自动相机技术或红外相机技术(automated-camera monitoring technology或cameratrapping)等开始广泛应用于野生动物的监测与研究.

兽类类群和物种多样,分布范围广,适应于多种生境类型,对栖息地变化特别敏感,是生物多样性保护管理与评价的关键指示类群.中国兽类多样性监测网是由中国科学院近年来推动建立的中国生物多样性监测与研究网络的专项网之一,重点对分布于我国境内的陆生兽类物种多样性及资源进行监测与研究.针对当前我国兽类监测研究面临的三大根本任务(兽类物种有什么？在哪里？有多少？),当务之急是应尽快建立和完善我国兽类各类群的监测技术规范,制定常态监测计划,全面建设全国性的兽类多样性监测网络技术体系和监测数据公共信息平台.本文在总结国内外兽类监测研究的基础上,提出了我国陆生兽类多样性监测网的建设规划,重点介绍该监测网的科学目标、布局、监测技术和监测数据产品等.本文也总结了近年来我国陆生兽类多样性监测网建设所取得的重要进展及存在的问题,为全面推动我国兽类多样性联网监测明确发展方向.

兽类类群和物种多样,分布范围广,适应于多种生境类型,对栖息地变化特别敏感,是生物多样性保护管理与评价的关键指示类群.中国兽类多样性监测网是由中国科学院近年来推动建立的中国生物多样性监测与研究网络的专项网之一,重点对分布于我国境内的陆生兽类物种多样性及资源进行监测与研究.针对当前我国兽类监测研究面临的三大根本任务(兽类物种有什么？在哪里？有多少？),当务之急是应尽快建立和完善我国兽类各类群的监测技术规范,制定常态监测计划,全面建设全国性的兽类多样性监测网络技术体系和监测数据公共信息平台.本文在总结国内外兽类监测研究的基础上,提出了我国陆生兽类多样性监测网的建设规划,重点介绍该监测网的科学目标、布局、监测技术和监测数据产品等.本文也总结了近年来我国陆生兽类多样性监测网建设所取得的重要进展及存在的问题,为全面推动我国兽类多样性联网监测明确发展方向.

2014年5月至2016年4月,利用红外相机技术,系统调查和分析了浙江古田山国家级自然保护区内白鹇(Lophura nycthemera)的性比、集群方式和日活动节律.调查期间共获得244个有效位点的数据,累计58 890个工作日,收集到33 276份白鹇的照片和视频,有效探测5 687次,统计出雄性成体(含亚成体)3 946只次,雌性4 179只次,雌雄性比为1.06:1.记录到群体大小从2至12只不等,群的组成方式多样.日活动节律分析的结果显示,白鹇的日活动时间段为5:00～ 18:00时,于6:00时、11:00时和16:00时有3个活动高峰,其间于10:00时和14:00时出现两个活动的低谷.雌雄个体的日活动节律基本一致,但雄性个体相比雌性清晨的活动高峰延长lh(雌性6:00 ～ 8:00时,雄性6:00～9:00时),而午后的静息低谷推后lh(雌性14:00时,雄性15:00时).日活动节律密度函数分析结果显示,白鹇的日活动节律存在季节性变化.白鹇在春季和冬季存在早晚两个明显的活动高峰,而夏季和秋季在6:00～ 18:00时都较为活跃.同时,相比其他季节,白鹇在冬季早晨开始活动的时间推迟,傍晚结束活动的时间提前.不同季节的比较表明,白鹇在冬季和春、夏季的日活动节律重叠程度最低.白鹇日活动节律在低海拔带(200～700m)和高海拔带(700～1 200m)上存在差异,低海拔带个体在夏季和冬季的傍晚比高海拔带个体活跃.本研究结果为保护区内白鹇的保护管理提供了基础的科学依据.

2014年5月至2016年4月,利用红外相机技术,系统调查和分析了浙江古田山国家级自然保护区内白鹇(Lophura nycthemera)的性比、集群方式和日活动节律.调查期间共获得244个有效位点的数据,累计58 890个工作日,收集到33 276份白鹇的照片和视频,有效探测5 687次,统计出雄性成体(含亚成体)3 946只次,雌性4 179只次,雌雄性比为1.06:1.记录到群体大小从2至12只不等,群的组成方式多样.日活动节律分析的结果显示,白鹇的日活动时间段为5:00～ 18:00时,于6:00时、11:00时和16:00时有3个活动高峰,其间于10:00时和14:00时出现两个活动的低谷.雌雄个体的日活动节律基本一致,但雄性个体相比雌性清晨的活动高峰延长lh(雌性6:00 ～ 8:00时,雄性6:00～9:00时),而午后的静息低谷推后lh(雌性14:00时,雄性15:00时).日活动节律密度函数分析结果显示,白鹇的日活动节律存在季节性变化.白鹇在春季和冬季存在早晚两个明显的活动高峰,而夏季和秋季在6:00～ 18:00时都较为活跃.同时,相比其他季节,白鹇在冬季早晨开始活动的时间推迟,傍晚结束活动的时间提前.不同季节的比较表明,白鹇在冬季和春、夏季的日活动节律重叠程度最低.白鹇日活动节律在低海拔带(200～700m)和高海拔带(700～1 200m)上存在差异,低海拔带个体在夏季和冬季的傍晚比高海拔带个体活跃.本研究结果为保护区内白鹇的保护管理提供了基础的科学依据.

在动物行为生态学研究中,了解动物的活动节律是分析其生存策略的重要前提.基于2013年3月-2014年2月北京松山国家级自然保护区红外相机监测资料,通过相对丰富度指数分析10种最常见兽类的季节性节律和日活动节律.结果显示:(1)岩松鼠Sciurotamias davidianus、北花松鼠Tamias sibiricus、亚洲狗獾Meles leucurus、猪獾Arctonyx collaris、豹猫Prionailurus bengalensis和貉Nyctereutes procyonoides在夏季活动最频繁,果子狸Paguma larvata、中华斑羚Naemorhedus griseus和野猪Sus scrofa在秋季活动最频繁.通过分析松鼠的年活动节律,推测其可能为2013年11月人为放生至保护区的新物种.(2)果子狸、中华斑羚、猪獾、豹猫和野猪为典型的夜行性动物,北花松鼠、松鼠Sciurus vulgaris和岩松鼠为昼行性动物.(3)依据兽类探测红外相机的行为表现,发现不同种类动物对红外相机产生了回避或受到吸引的行为.研究表明,红外相机是一种长期监测林地兽类活动节律的有效技术手段,可为制定区域性生物多样性保护措施提供数据支持.

在动物行为生态学研究中,了解动物的活动节律是分析其生存策略的重要前提.基于2013年3月-2014年2月北京松山国家级自然保护区红外相机监测资料,通过相对丰富度指数分析10种最常见兽类的季节性节律和日活动节律.结果显示:(1)岩松鼠Sciurotamias davidianus、北花松鼠Tamias sibiricus、亚洲狗獾Meles leucurus、猪獾Arctonyx collaris、豹猫Prionailurus bengalensis和貉Nyctereutes procyonoides在夏季活动最频繁,果子狸Paguma larvata、中华斑羚Naemorhedus griseus和野猪Sus scrofa在秋季活动最频繁.通过分析松鼠的年活动节律,推测其可能为2013年11月人为放生至保护区的新物种.(2)果子狸、中华斑羚、猪獾、豹猫和野猪为典型的夜行性动物,北花松鼠、松鼠Sciurus vulgaris和岩松鼠为昼行性动物.(3)依据兽类探测红外相机的行为表现,发现不同种类动物对红外相机产生了回避或受到吸引的行为.研究表明,红外相机是一种长期监测林地兽类活动节律的有效技术手段,可为制定区域性生物多样性保护措施提供数据支持.

2012年3月—2013年3月,利用红外相机技术在湖北省广水市蔡河镇对野生白冠长尾雉的活动节律和时间分配进行了研究。利用16台红外相机在40个相机位点对白冠长尾雉进行了监测。累计1774个相机日,拍摄到2242个独立视频,其中白冠长尾雉的视频占18%,共记录538只次,雌雄比为1.43∶1。结果表明,白冠长尾雉每日有两个活动高峰期,上午雄性个体的活动高峰期比雌性个体早两个小时。白冠长尾雉的主要行为是移动和觅食,分别占到总频次的40.71%和33.10%,其余5种行为依次为:警戒9.29%,梳理7.14%,休息5.00%,对抗2.62%,育幼2.14%。雌性白冠长尾雉的警戒行为频次比例显著高于雄性个体(P0.05)。不同季节之间取食行为、移动行为、对抗行为比例之间有显著差异,冬季的取食行为比例明显高于夏季(P0.05),夏季移动行为比例显著高于秋季(P0.05)和冬季(P0.05),而警戒、梳理、休息和育幼行为比例则无显著差异。

2012年3月—2013年3月,利用红外相机技术在湖北省广水市蔡河镇对野生白冠长尾雉的活动节律和时间分配进行了研究。利用16台红外相机在40个相机位点对白冠长尾雉进行了监测。累计1774个相机日,拍摄到2242个独立视频,其中白冠长尾雉的视频占18%,共记录538只次,雌雄比为1.43∶1。结果表明,白冠长尾雉每日有两个活动高峰期,上午雄性个体的活动高峰期比雌性个体早两个小时。白冠长尾雉的主要行为是移动和觅食,分别占到总频次的40.71%和33.10%,其余5种行为依次为:警戒9.29%,梳理7.14%,休息5.00%,对抗2.62%,育幼2.14%。雌性白冠长尾雉的警戒行为频次比例显著高于雄性个体(P0.05)。不同季节之间取食行为、移动行为、对抗行为比例之间有显著差异,冬季的取食行为比例明显高于夏季(P0.05),夏季移动行为比例显著高于秋季(P0.05)和冬季(P0.05),而警戒、梳理、休息和育幼行为比例则无显著差异。