摘要
第四纪冰期的严酷气候条件对兽类是一个巨大的考验,最重要的影响因素来自低温和低辐射,因为温度和光照对兽类的生殖能力有很大的影响。为了在冰期恶劣的条件下保持种群的稳定,有一部分兽类会选择南迁,而继续留在北方的动物将采取一种新的生存对策,体型变大就是这种对策的表现,这就是所谓的贝格曼法则。本文认为,体型变大的兽类相应地具有较长的寿命,气候总是在任何时间尺度上都存在着波动,兽类采取这种对策的机制就是延长等待时间,以便利用气候波动中出现的适宜繁殖期,使种群得以延续。
Harsh climatic conditions in the Quaternary glacial periods are severe tests to mammals.The most influential factors are low temperature and radiation,because they tremendously affect reproductive abilities of mammals.In order to maintain stabilities of populations in harsh glacial conditions,some mammals would choose to migrate to south,meanwhile,other mammals would choose to stay in north and adopt a new existing countermeasure.The increase of mammals′ sizes is the expression of this countermeasure,which is the Bergmann′s Law.The authors think that the mechanism,which mammals increase their sizes, is not for decreasing their heat loss. The larger a mammal′s size is, the longer its life is.Climate always has fluctuation in any time scales.Therefore,the mechanism,which mammals increase their sizes,is for prolonging their waiting time so that they fully utilize suitable reproductive stages in climatic fluctuation and continue their populations.
出处
《兽类学报》
CAS
CSCD
北大核心
1997年第4期259-265,共7页
Acta Theriologica Sinica
关键词
兽类
冰期
生存对策
贝格曼法则
Mammal
Glacial period
Existing countermeasure
Bergmann′s Law