Reproduction and behavior of plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae Hodgson) under predation risk: a field experiment

• Autorzy: Yang Shengmei , Yin Baofa , Cao Yifan , Zhang Yanming , Wang Jinlong , Wei Wanhong
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

The mixture of the feces and urine of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus) was used to increase the perception of predation risk of plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae Hodgson) in the field. The influence of the predation risk on the reproduction and behavior of plateau pikas was examined through comparing reproductive characteristics and five different kinds of behavior between treatment and control plots. The results showed that 1) the body weight of the pikas was not significantly different between treatment and control plots. 2) The reproductive period of the pikas extended from March to later August in both treatment and control plots. The pregnant ratio, developed testes ratio, reproductive success and sex ratio of the pikas were not significantly different between the treatment and control plots. 3) The pikas increased their observing and calling frequencies and decreased their moving and feeding frequencies when exposed to red fox's feces and urine. 4) The increased red foxs feces and urine had no influence on the behavior of the pikas when the number of their natural enemies increased; the pikas obviously increased the observing frequencies and sharply decreased the calling frequency so as to decrease the direct predation risk. 5) There were no significantly behavioral differences between males and females as well as between adults and young. 6) The results reject the hypothesis l that the red fox's feces and urine as indirect predation risk suppresses the reproduction of the pikas and support the hypothesis 2 that the pikas can make decision by changing behavior to avoid the predation risk they encountered whenever.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

behavior; plateau pika; predation risk; red fox; reproduction

PL

drapieżnictwo; lis; Ochotona curzoniae; rozmnażanie; szczekuszkowate

• Wydawca: Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences
• Czasopismo: Polish Journal of Ecology
• Rocznik: 2007
• Tom: Vol. 55, nr 1
• Strony: 127--138
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 45 poz.,Rys., tab.,

Twórcy

autor

Yang Shengmei

• College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, 12 Wenhui Road, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu Province, China

autor

Yin Baofa

• College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, 12 Wenhui Road, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu Province, China

autor

Cao Yifan

• Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 59 Xiguan Street, Xining 810001, Qinghai Province, China

autor

Zhang Yanming

• Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 59 Xiguan Street, Xining 810001, Qinghai Province, China

autor

Wang Jinlong

• Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 59 Xiguan Street, Xining 810001, Qinghai Province, China

autor

Wei Wanhong

• College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, 12 Wenhui Road, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu Province, China
• Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 59 Xiguan Street, Xining 810001, Qinghai Province, China

• College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, 12 Wenhui Road, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu Proyince, China,

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