大熊猫化学通讯在饲养管理及保护上的应用

Chemical Communication in Giant Pandas:Application in Husbandry and Conservation

在长期进化过程中,大熊猫形成了以肛周腺分泌物和尿液为主要标记物的嗅味通讯方式。在建立领域、繁殖育幼等活动中,嗅味标记传达标记者的身份信息,调整标记者和接受者的行为,是大熊猫这种独居动物个体之间交流的重要手段。大熊猫化学通讯研究主要在圈养种群中开展,有效改进了大熊猫饲养管理技术,在促进圈养大熊猫正常发情和母性行为表达方面以及人工育幼工作方面都起到了积极作用。野生大熊猫化学通讯研究较少,但对嗅味树和嗅味站的调查指出了大熊猫野生种群的重点保护区域,对保护区的规划和管理具有指导意义。总的来说,对大熊猫化学通讯的了解有助于保护工作的开展,但目前这一领域还需要更深入的研究工作。本文最后将气味丰容和嗅味对大熊猫发育的影响作为新的研究方向进行了简要探讨。

In the course of evolution, giant pandas developed a special method of olfactory com- munication which uses anogenital gland secretions and urine as main scent marks. In activities like marking territory, reproduction and nursing, such scent marks reveal identifications of the markers and coordinate behaviors of both signalers and receivers. As a solitary species, giant pandas rely heavily on this method to communicate between individuals. Studies on chemical communication in giant pandas were mostly conducted within captive populations. Results from these studies helped us improve the husbandry techniques, encourage natural estrous and maternal care, and facilitate hand-rearing of cubs. In the wild, chemical communications are not well known, but some scent- trees and scent-posts were investigated to ascertain leks, the most important areas for a wild pan- da population and sites of importance for the management and planning of nature reserves. In summary, knowledge of chemical communications in pandas are basic and significant for conser- vation, and more study is needed of this subject. We also discuss here potential for future studies of olfactory enrichment and the effects of odor on development of giant panda.