Determination on Blood Physiological Parameters of Apodemus agrarius

The study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of blood physiological parameters of Apodemus agrarius （A. agrarius）. Blood physiological pa- rammers of 10 A. agrarius （half male and half female） were determined by automated hematology analyzer. Results showed that difference of A. agrarius hematokrit （HCT） between male and female was significant （P 〈 0.05 ）, and differences of all the other blood physiological parameters between male and female were not sig- nificant （ P 〉 0.05 ）. In the study, blood physiological reference value of A. agrarius was set up, which provided a basis for the bio-research and prophylaxis and treatment of A. agrarius.

Effect of Continuous Light on Rhythm of Apodemus agrarius

[ Objective ] The paper aimed to study effects of continuous light on rhythm of Apodemus agrarius. [ Method ] The changes in rhythm of A. agrarius activities were observed under natural light and 24 h continuous light condition. [ Result] A. agrarius activated at daytime and night, but the activity time at night was longer than that at daytime, and the peak period of activity also occurred at night. When exposed to natural light, the activity time, feeding time and drinking time ofA. agrarius were （27 870±5 252）s, （6 171 ± 1 529）s and （474 ±92） s, respectively; when exposed to 24 continuous light, the activity time, feeding time and drinking time of A. agrarius were （ 19 935 ±2 971 ） s, （5 870 ± 1 988 ） s and （331 ± 117 ） s, respectively. [ Conclusion ] The activity time of A. agraritas changed significantly under two different light conditions, while feeding time and drinking time had little changes.

Comparison of Oxygen Consumption between Clethrionomys rufocanus and Apodemus agrarius

[ Objective] The paper was to find out the difference in oxygen consumption between Clethrionomys rufocanus and Apodemus agrarius. [ Method] The oxygen consumption value of C. rufocanus and A. agrarius was measured using improved closed pressure breathing apparatus, and the oxygen consumption rate was calculated. [ Result] The oxygen consumption of C. rufocanus and A. agrarius increased with the increasing body weight, while the increase amplitude ofA. agrarius was relatively smaller. The oxygen consumption rate decreased with the increasing body weight. [ Conclusion] The result provides a biological basis for breeding and research of experimental rats.

Palatability of Two Kinds of Rodenticides for Apodemus agrarius

[Objective]The paper aimed to compare the palatability of 0.005% brodifacoum bait and 0.005% bromodiolone bait for Apodemus agrarius.[Method]A.agrarius were divided into two groups：brodifacoum group and bromodiolone group,and each group was released with equal amount of poison bait and feed.The daily consumption and mortality of each group was recorded.[Result]The total consumption of poison baits in brodifacoum group and bromodiolone group were64.6 and 40.4 g,respectively.Mortality of A.agrarius was observed in two groups since the 3^rdday after administration,and A.agrarius died completely on the5^thday.The feeding coefficient of poison bait to feed in brodifacoum group was 1.47,and that in bromodiolone group was 0.69.[Conclusion]The palatability of 0.005% brodifacoum bait for A.agrarius was superior to that of 0.005% bromodiolone bait.

Anti-fertility effect of levonorgestrel and/or quinestrol on striped field mouse(Apodemus agrarius):evidence from both laboratory and field experiments

The effect of combined levonorgestrel(P)and quinestrol(E)on the fertility of stripedfield mouse(Apodemus agrarius)has not been evaluated.We performed a series of experiments in both the laboratory andfield to assess the effect of P and/or E on the fertility of A.agrarius.In the laboratory,to test the time-dependent anti-fertility ef-fects of P and E,as well as their mixtures,90 male stripedfield mice were randomly assigned to 6 treatment groups(n=60),and a control group(n=30).Mice in 3 treatment groups were administered 1 of the 3 compounds(1 mg�kg–1[body weight]EP-1,0.34 mg�kg–1 E,0.66 mg�kg–1 P)for 3 successive days(another half for 7 suc-cessive days)via oral gavage;mice were then sacrificed 15 and 45 days after initiating the gavage treatment.Ourfindings indicated that E and EP-1 treatment,but not P or control treatment,significantly decreased the sperm count in the caudal epididymis,as well as the weight of the testes,epididymides,and seminal vesicles.Additionally,fer-tile female mice mated with E-and EP-1-treated males produced smaller pups.These data indicate that E and EP-1 can induce infertility in male A.agrarius.In thefield,the population density of A.agrarius was significantly influ-enced by EP-1,and the rodent density in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group.Overall,our results indicate that EP-1 is an effective contraceptive in A.agrarius,a dominant rodent species in the farmland.

Behavioral and physiological responses of striped field mice (Apodemus agrarius) to predator odor

Predation risk is one of the most important selective forces in nature and has significant effects on the behavior and physiology of prey individuals.Prey species have evolved several different traits to reduce and avoid this predation pressure.This research aimed to determine the behavioral and physiological responses of striped field mice to predator risk.In the present study,we compared the agonistic behavior in male and female striped field mice(Apodemus agrarius Pallas,1771)of the same sexes under the odor derived from a male Himalayan weasel(Mustela sibirica).Dyads were subjected to 5 min staged encounters in neutral arenas once a week for 3 weeks during which agonistic and social behaviors were recorded and fecal hormone concentrations were determined using pre-column derivatization and high performance liquid chromatography methods.Furthermore,we also tested the effects of weasel odor on the adrenal glands.The results showed that:(i)male striped field mice did not exhibit any change in body weight and physiological characteristics but their aggressive behavior changed over time,and(ii)females responded to predation risk by significantly decreasing body mass and through increases in fecal cortisol levels and adrenal gland indices.These data show significant sex differences in the body weight,adrenal gland indices and fecal cortisol levels of striped field mouse under predation risk.

张广才岭东部两种姬鼠两性异形比较研究

为了解朝鲜姬鼠(Apodemus peninsulae)和黑线姬鼠(Apodemus agrarius)的两性异形特征,在黑龙江省张广才岭东部农林交错区,采用铗日法采集同域分布的两个优势物种朝鲜姬鼠和黑线姬鼠,分别测量其外部形态和内脏特征等形态指标,并对其两性异形比较研究。结果表明,两种姬鼠的外部形态和内脏特征的两性异形差异不显著,均属于雌雄同形,表现出雄性的主要形态特征略大于雌性的,朝鲜姬鼠雄性前足长、心脏重、脾脏重均大于雌性的;黑线姬鼠雄性体长、后足长、体重、心脏重、肝脏重均大于雌性的。朝鲜姬鼠和黑线姬鼠的雄雌体长比值分别为1.021和1.043,体长两性异形程度指数分别为0.021和0.041;雄雌体重比值分别为1.065和1.161,两性异形程度指数分别为0.061和0.139。两种姬鼠两性的部分局部形态特征均与其体长以及体重呈显著正相关。

黑线姬鼠和大林姬鼠消化系统中过氧化物酶的比较分析

为给黑线姬鼠(Apodemus agrarius)和大林姬鼠(Apodemus peninsulae)实验动物化及农林害鼠防治等研究提供基础生化数据,采用PAGE方法比较分析2种鼠消化系统中过氧化物酶的分布和活性并建立电泳谱图。结果表明,黑线姬鼠和大林姬鼠消化系统中过氧化物酶均有表达,同种个体间以及2种鼠间消化系统中过氧化物酶的活性和分布存在明显差别。

Developing, testing and application of rodent population dynamics and capture models based on an adjusted Leslie matrix-based population approach

Small rodents in general and the multimammate rat Apodemus agrarius in particular, damage crops and cause major economic losses in China. Therefore, accurate predic- tions of the population size of A. agrarius and an efficient control strategy are urgently needed. We developed a population dynamics model by applying a Leslie matrix method, and a capture model based on optimal harvesting theory for A. agrarius. Our models were parametrized using demographic estimates from a capture-mark-recapture （CMR） study conducted on the Qinshui Forest Farm in Northwestern China. The population dynamics model incorporated 12 equally balanced age groups and included immigra- tion and emigration parameters. The model was evaluated by assessing the predictions for four years based on the known starting population in 2004 from the 2004-2007 CMR data. The capture model incorporated two functional age categories （juvenile and adult） and used density-dependent and density-independent factors. The models were used to assess the effect of rodent control measures between 2004 and 2023 on population dynamics and the resulting numbers of rats. Three control measures affecting survival rates were considered. We found that the predicted population dynamics of A. agrarius between 2004 and 2007 compared favorably with the observed population dynamics. The models predicted that the population sizes of A. agrarius in the period between 2004 and 2023 under the control measure applied in August 2004 were very similar to the optimal population sizes, and no significant difference was found between the two pop- ulation sizes. We recommend using the population dynamics and capture models based on CMR-estimated demographic schedules for rodent, provided these data are available.The models that we have developed have the potential to play an important role in pre- dicting the effects of rodent management and in evaluating different control strategies.