This paper provides the information on nesting biology of 20 bird species in alpine shrub (4000-4... more This paper provides the information on nesting biology of 20 bird species in alpine shrub (4000-4700 m a.s.l.) or alpine meadow-wasteland habitats (4300-4700 m a.s.l.) in Lhasa region, Tibet. Of these species, three are endemic to the Tibetan plateau and 17 widespread in altitudes. The data on these taxa are all new to the high-altitude environments, especially the upper limit of their breeding distribution. A few species are firstly reported with respect to nesting information in the world. The study will contribute our knowledge for natural history of birds occurring in the harsh, extreme habitats.
The amphibian diversity in paddy field in suburb of Ji'an city was studied during the last two ye... more The amphibian diversity in paddy field in suburb of Ji'an city was studied during the last two years. Eight species were found, which belong to one order and 4 amphibian families. Fauna was consisted of 3 widespread and 5 indomalayan species. Rana limnocharis was the dominant species, and Microhyla ornata was the sub-dominant species in the paddy fields.
The Ground Tit is a large parid species endemic to the Tibetan Plateau. Here we describe its gene... more The Ground Tit is a large parid species endemic to the Tibetan Plateau. Here we describe its genetic breeding system based on 2 years of fieldwork on a population from Damshung, Tibet. Genetic relatedness and parentage were analysed using 16 microsatellite markers and sex was determined with a marker on the Z and W chromosomes. We established that 16 of 75 families (21%) were assisted by one or occasionally two male helpers, which in most cases were young from a previous brood of one or both of the breeding adults. The helpers typically stayed with their families throughout the breeding season. Helpers never obtained any paternity in their own families, but one helper was identified as the sire in the only instance of extra-group (and extra-pair) parentage detected. Thus, the level of extra-group ⁄ extra-pair parentage appears to be very low in this Ground Tit population, and sharing of reproduction within family groups is apparently absent. Our results contrast with the findings from another Ground Tit population in Gansu, further northeast in China, with respect to both the number and sex of helpers and the division of parentage within and among family groups. In Gansu, helpers regularly produced offspring and both extra-pair and extra-group paternity as well as maternity (egg dumping) was common. Differences in family structure, philopatry, territoriality and potential inclusive fitness benefits can probably explain this contrast, and are likely to reflect the relative costs and benefits of co-operative breeding.
Knowledge of altitudinal covariation in interspecific competition and life history of birds inhab... more Knowledge of altitudinal covariation in interspecific competition and life history of birds inhabiting meadow-wastelands in the Tibetan plateau can contribute to our understanding for ecological adaptation of organisms to extreme environments and aid conservation for the unique ecosystem in the world. We reported reproductive ecology of two sympatric Montifringilla snowfinch species (Montifringilla taczanowskii and Montifringilla ruficollis) in a higher altitude wasteland, and compared the data with those of their lower altitude conspecifics. Both species nested in pika burrows and had similar breeding phenology. Nesting habitats of the two species tended to be separated in space as a result of asymmetrical competition, with large-sized M. taczanowskii occupying patches with better vegetation and small-sized M. ruficollis using poorly vegetated patches. In the less harsh lower altitude, however, their nest sites are randomly distributed. Relative to their lower altitude conspecifics, the higher altitude snowfinches had small body sizes but long wings, assuming an adaptation to increasing power demands for flying in thin air. There was a reduced fecundity with increasing altitudes, suggesting an adaptive response to the unpredictable conditions. We argue that the simplified bird community in stressful environments will be more vulnerable to perturbations. This highlights the importance to maintain ecological processes of the ecosystem.
The bird diversity in campus of Jinggangshan University was preliminarily reported in 2006. In or... more The bird diversity in campus of Jinggangshan University was preliminarily reported in 2006. In order to know the variation of bird diversity in the campus, we re-investigated the bird diversity during 2009 to 2012. There were 70 bird species recorded, among which, a total of 29 were newly recorded, while 11 once observed disappeared. The changes were caused by the differences of duration and methods between two investigations and did not indicate an actual variation in campus' bird diversity.
Resumen. Estudiamos la biología reproductiva de Leptopoecile sophiae en la zona alpina del sur de... more Resumen. Estudiamos la biología reproductiva de Leptopoecile sophiae en la zona alpina del sur de Tíbet, entre los 4110 m y los 4780 m de elevación. Esta especie es la que comienza a criar más temprano entre los paserinos, iniciando la puesta de huevos a principios de abril y terminando a fines de junio. Localizamos sus nidos con forma de cúpula sobre 13 especies de arbustos a una altura promedio de 0.9 m (rango 0.2-2.5 m) por encima del suelo. El tamaño de la puesta promedió 4.7 (rango 4-6) huevos, disminuyendo a lo largo de la estación. El tamaño de la nidada fue 4.3 (rango 2-6) al momento de la eclosión y 3.8 (rango 1-5) al momento de emplumamiento. La incubación duró 20.5 (rango BREEDINg BIOLOgy Of ThE WhITE-BROWED TIT-WARBLER (LepTopoeCiLe Sophiae) IN ALPINE ShRUBS, SOUThERN TIBET Biología Reproductiva de Leptopoecile sophiae en Arbustos Alpinos del Sur de Tíbet abstract. We studied the breeding ecology of the Whitebrowed Tit-Warbler (Leptopoecile sophiae) in the alpine zone of southern Tibet, elevations 4110-4780 m. The earliest breeder among local passerines, the species initiated egg-laying in early April and ended by late July. We located its domed nests in 13 species of shrubs at an average height of 0.9 m (range 0.2-2.5 m) above the ground. Clutch size averaged 4.7 (range 4-6) eggs, declining through the season. Brood size was 4.3 (range 2-6) at hatching and 3.8 (range 1-5) at fledging. Incubation lasted 20.5 (range 16-23) days, and nestlings fledged at 17.5 (range 14-21) days of age, when they were 4% above the adult weight. Of the nests we observed 66% fledged at least one young. Most pairs were monogamous, and both sexes shared all nesting duties. We noted two females attending a single nest, with a brood of normal size, and egg dumping by an additional female. At the population level, the sex ratio of offspring, determined by sexual differences in plumage of nestlings older than 6 days, did not deviate from equality. Birds breeding late in the season, however, tended to raise more females.
The Tibetan Ground Tit Pseudopodoces humilis is a high-altitude passerine endemic to the Tibetan ... more The Tibetan Ground Tit Pseudopodoces humilis is a high-altitude passerine endemic to the Tibetan Plateau. A 4-year study in alpine meadows in Northern Tibet at 4300 m asl demonstrated that rather than using Pika Ochotona spp. holes as previously reported, the birds excavated one nest burrow themselves in spring and another after breeding, which they used for roosting in winter. Both the nesting and winter-roosting burrows comprised a straight tunnel leading to an ellipsoid chamber. There were no significant differences in placement or structural characteristics between the two types of burrows, except that winter-roosting burrows had a significantly smaller entrance diameter. Most burrows were 100–160 cm long and their chambers 20–40 cm deep. Tibetan Ground Tits tended to maximize the thermal benefits of their burrows by adjusting their spatial and structural characteristics in response to local solar radiation and wind regimes. Burrows tended to be oriented towards the sun and away from prevailing winds, presumably to maintain burrow temperature. Longer tunnels could function to save heat from solar radiation or reduce wind-disturbance, while shorter tunnels allow chambers to be warmed sooner in situations where wind potentially reduced soil temperatures. The thermal benefits to the birds of burrow architecture are likely to play a crucial role throughout the year in these extreme alpine environments.
This paper provides the information on nesting biology of 20 bird species in alpine shrub (4000-4... more This paper provides the information on nesting biology of 20 bird species in alpine shrub (4000-4700 m a.s.l.) or alpine meadow-wasteland habitats (4300-4700 m a.s.l.) in Lhasa region, Tibet. Of these species, three are endemic to the Tibetan plateau and 17 widespread in altitudes. The data on these taxa are all new to the high-altitude environments, especially the upper limit of their breeding distribution. A few species are firstly reported with respect to nesting information in the world. The study will contribute our knowledge for natural history of birds occurring in the harsh, extreme habitats.
The amphibian diversity in paddy field in suburb of Ji'an city was studied during the last two ye... more The amphibian diversity in paddy field in suburb of Ji'an city was studied during the last two years. Eight species were found, which belong to one order and 4 amphibian families. Fauna was consisted of 3 widespread and 5 indomalayan species. Rana limnocharis was the dominant species, and Microhyla ornata was the sub-dominant species in the paddy fields.
The Ground Tit is a large parid species endemic to the Tibetan Plateau. Here we describe its gene... more The Ground Tit is a large parid species endemic to the Tibetan Plateau. Here we describe its genetic breeding system based on 2 years of fieldwork on a population from Damshung, Tibet. Genetic relatedness and parentage were analysed using 16 microsatellite markers and sex was determined with a marker on the Z and W chromosomes. We established that 16 of 75 families (21%) were assisted by one or occasionally two male helpers, which in most cases were young from a previous brood of one or both of the breeding adults. The helpers typically stayed with their families throughout the breeding season. Helpers never obtained any paternity in their own families, but one helper was identified as the sire in the only instance of extra-group (and extra-pair) parentage detected. Thus, the level of extra-group ⁄ extra-pair parentage appears to be very low in this Ground Tit population, and sharing of reproduction within family groups is apparently absent. Our results contrast with the findings from another Ground Tit population in Gansu, further northeast in China, with respect to both the number and sex of helpers and the division of parentage within and among family groups. In Gansu, helpers regularly produced offspring and both extra-pair and extra-group paternity as well as maternity (egg dumping) was common. Differences in family structure, philopatry, territoriality and potential inclusive fitness benefits can probably explain this contrast, and are likely to reflect the relative costs and benefits of co-operative breeding.
Knowledge of altitudinal covariation in interspecific competition and life history of birds inhab... more Knowledge of altitudinal covariation in interspecific competition and life history of birds inhabiting meadow-wastelands in the Tibetan plateau can contribute to our understanding for ecological adaptation of organisms to extreme environments and aid conservation for the unique ecosystem in the world. We reported reproductive ecology of two sympatric Montifringilla snowfinch species (Montifringilla taczanowskii and Montifringilla ruficollis) in a higher altitude wasteland, and compared the data with those of their lower altitude conspecifics. Both species nested in pika burrows and had similar breeding phenology. Nesting habitats of the two species tended to be separated in space as a result of asymmetrical competition, with large-sized M. taczanowskii occupying patches with better vegetation and small-sized M. ruficollis using poorly vegetated patches. In the less harsh lower altitude, however, their nest sites are randomly distributed. Relative to their lower altitude conspecifics, the higher altitude snowfinches had small body sizes but long wings, assuming an adaptation to increasing power demands for flying in thin air. There was a reduced fecundity with increasing altitudes, suggesting an adaptive response to the unpredictable conditions. We argue that the simplified bird community in stressful environments will be more vulnerable to perturbations. This highlights the importance to maintain ecological processes of the ecosystem.
The bird diversity in campus of Jinggangshan University was preliminarily reported in 2006. In or... more The bird diversity in campus of Jinggangshan University was preliminarily reported in 2006. In order to know the variation of bird diversity in the campus, we re-investigated the bird diversity during 2009 to 2012. There were 70 bird species recorded, among which, a total of 29 were newly recorded, while 11 once observed disappeared. The changes were caused by the differences of duration and methods between two investigations and did not indicate an actual variation in campus' bird diversity.
Resumen. Estudiamos la biología reproductiva de Leptopoecile sophiae en la zona alpina del sur de... more Resumen. Estudiamos la biología reproductiva de Leptopoecile sophiae en la zona alpina del sur de Tíbet, entre los 4110 m y los 4780 m de elevación. Esta especie es la que comienza a criar más temprano entre los paserinos, iniciando la puesta de huevos a principios de abril y terminando a fines de junio. Localizamos sus nidos con forma de cúpula sobre 13 especies de arbustos a una altura promedio de 0.9 m (rango 0.2-2.5 m) por encima del suelo. El tamaño de la puesta promedió 4.7 (rango 4-6) huevos, disminuyendo a lo largo de la estación. El tamaño de la nidada fue 4.3 (rango 2-6) al momento de la eclosión y 3.8 (rango 1-5) al momento de emplumamiento. La incubación duró 20.5 (rango BREEDINg BIOLOgy Of ThE WhITE-BROWED TIT-WARBLER (LepTopoeCiLe Sophiae) IN ALPINE ShRUBS, SOUThERN TIBET Biología Reproductiva de Leptopoecile sophiae en Arbustos Alpinos del Sur de Tíbet abstract. We studied the breeding ecology of the Whitebrowed Tit-Warbler (Leptopoecile sophiae) in the alpine zone of southern Tibet, elevations 4110-4780 m. The earliest breeder among local passerines, the species initiated egg-laying in early April and ended by late July. We located its domed nests in 13 species of shrubs at an average height of 0.9 m (range 0.2-2.5 m) above the ground. Clutch size averaged 4.7 (range 4-6) eggs, declining through the season. Brood size was 4.3 (range 2-6) at hatching and 3.8 (range 1-5) at fledging. Incubation lasted 20.5 (range 16-23) days, and nestlings fledged at 17.5 (range 14-21) days of age, when they were 4% above the adult weight. Of the nests we observed 66% fledged at least one young. Most pairs were monogamous, and both sexes shared all nesting duties. We noted two females attending a single nest, with a brood of normal size, and egg dumping by an additional female. At the population level, the sex ratio of offspring, determined by sexual differences in plumage of nestlings older than 6 days, did not deviate from equality. Birds breeding late in the season, however, tended to raise more females.
The Tibetan Ground Tit Pseudopodoces humilis is a high-altitude passerine endemic to the Tibetan ... more The Tibetan Ground Tit Pseudopodoces humilis is a high-altitude passerine endemic to the Tibetan Plateau. A 4-year study in alpine meadows in Northern Tibet at 4300 m asl demonstrated that rather than using Pika Ochotona spp. holes as previously reported, the birds excavated one nest burrow themselves in spring and another after breeding, which they used for roosting in winter. Both the nesting and winter-roosting burrows comprised a straight tunnel leading to an ellipsoid chamber. There were no significant differences in placement or structural characteristics between the two types of burrows, except that winter-roosting burrows had a significantly smaller entrance diameter. Most burrows were 100–160 cm long and their chambers 20–40 cm deep. Tibetan Ground Tits tended to maximize the thermal benefits of their burrows by adjusting their spatial and structural characteristics in response to local solar radiation and wind regimes. Burrows tended to be oriented towards the sun and away from prevailing winds, presumably to maintain burrow temperature. Longer tunnels could function to save heat from solar radiation or reduce wind-disturbance, while shorter tunnels allow chambers to be warmed sooner in situations where wind potentially reduced soil temperatures. The thermal benefits to the birds of burrow architecture are likely to play a crucial role throughout the year in these extreme alpine environments.
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