塔里木兔(Lepus yarkandensis)头骨标本制作及年龄鉴定

Skull specimen preparation and age identification of Lepus yarkandensis

塔里木兔(Lepus yarkandensis)是我国新疆塔里木盆地特有的小型哺乳动物,也是我国兔属物种中形态较为独特的一种。在哺乳动物的研究中,头骨是最坚固、最具恒定性的器官,因此头骨形态学数据是年龄鉴定的重要指标之一。试验首先采用碱腐蚀法制作出新疆7个地区d的86例塔里木兔头骨标本,然后精确测量颅全长,并利用此数据来分析确定塔里木兔的年龄组成。结果表明,碱腐蚀法制作头骨流程简单,所制标本坚固、美观。基于颅全长的塔里木兔年龄组成可分为3个组,分别为幼体组(颅全长≤71 mm)、亚成体组(71 mm<颅全长≤81 mm)和成体组(颅全长>81 mm)。制作的头骨标本和年龄鉴定结果将为塔里木兔形态学和分类学研究提供基本材料和基础数据,并为塔里木兔后续研究及保护利用等提供参考资料。

Lepus yarkandensis is a small mammal unique to the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang,China.It is also a unique species in the Chinese genus.In mammalian studies,the skull is the strongest and most stable organ,andthe data of skull morphology data are one of the important indicators of age identification.In this paper,86 specimens of total cranial length from 7 regions inthe Xinjiang area were firstly prepared by alkali etching,and then the total length of the skull was measured accurately.The data were used to analyze and determine the age composition of Lepus yarkandensis.The results showed that the process of alkali etching was simple,and the specimenswere firm and beautiful.The age of Lepus yarkandensis based on the total cranial length was divided into three groups,the juvenile group(the total cranial length:≤71 mm),the sub-adult group(total cranial length:>71 mm but≤81 mm)and the adult group(the total cranial length:>81 mm).The results of skull specimens and age identification would be basic materials and data for morphological and taxonomic studies of Lepus yarkandensis,and provide reference for follow-up studies of Lepus yarkandensis and protection,utilization,management and development of the small mamalin the future.