POLLEN AND FUNGAL SPORE ASSEMBLAGES IN THE PLATEAU PIKA(OCHOTONA CURZONIAE)DUNG AND THEIR ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE IN THE QINGHAI LAKE WATERSHED
The plateau pika(Ochotona curzoniae)is a key species in the ecosystem of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and plays an important role in the evolution of alpine grassland ecosystems.Its impact on alpine ecosystems remains a hot scientific issue at present.In this study,27 plateau pika fecal samples were collected from the alpine meadow and temperate steppe vegetation communities in the Qinghai Lake watershed in the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau for the pollen and fungal spore analyses.The results show that the pollen assemblages from the plateau pika fecal samples are dominated by Artemisia,Poaceae,Cyperaceae,Fabaceae,Asteraceae,Rosaceae,Gentianaceae,etc.Comparison with the soil pollen assemblages in the study area implies that Poaceae and Fabaceae are the primary food sources for the plateau pika.Additionally,plant types including Artemisia,Cyperaceae,Aster-T,Rosaceae,Taraxacum,and Gentianaceae are also consumed in a small proportion.Pollen assemblages are different in the fecal samples from the alpine meadow and temperate steppe,suggesting the composition of the vegetational communities have influences on the plateau pika's food selection.Sporormiella is a predominant taxon in the fecal fungal spore assemblages of the plateau pika,and may be a potential indicator species for monitoring changes in the population density of the plateau pika.In addition,Sordaria,Urocystis,Chaetomium,Pleospora,Fungi type-1,and Fungi type-10 are also important coprophilous fungal spore types.The low percentage of Glomus in the fungal spore assemblage of the fecal samples indicates that the plateau pikas have a low degree of gnawing on the plant roots.This study provides an important basic information for understanding the feeding habits of the plateau pika and its impact on the regional ecosystems,which will be useful for the future management of the grassland resource,ecological restoration,and plateau pika control strategies on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.
Plateau pikafecespollenfungal sporeecosystemQinghai Lake
万方数据
维普
