天山地区秃鹫（Aegypius monachus）繁殖生物学及种群分布状况

Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus) is a large scavenger that breeds in high mountain and plateau areas. As the state key protected species, there is little information on it and lack of the research about reproductive biology and population distribution in China. In recent years, due to the loss of habitat, population situation is grim. We surveyed thousands of kilometers in the Tianshan Mountains of Xinjiang for the past ten years, found several breeding points about Black Vultures, more or less. Based on this, we have a preliminary understanding for its habits and the population situation. We propose used the sample line method and the sample point method to evaluate its population size, cluster structure and population dynamics. Using the improved information theory and multiple regression equation establish the prediction model about habitat and nest factor. And applying the resource selection function that reveals the selectivity factor of vultures in habitat, nest site, combining with geographic information system to evaluate. We carry out biological research through locating observation, satellite tracking, electronic tags, camera traps, and food analysis. Using focus sampling observes and records reproductive behavior, building behavior spectrum. It stays near the nest until Oct/Nov. I believe it is learning how to fly and soar and memorizing the topography of it's birth area. It is training for the marathon as opposed to a sprint. Then one day it leaves the reserve and goes south. Obviously to save the species it needs to be protected all along the migration route. Through the analysis of toxicology, compare the content of chemical substances in the different tissue in the body, obtaining the concentration process of chemical substances in food chain. Analysis the factors of pollution, habitat loss, the lack of food, fertility decline, veterinary drug abuse, human disturbance and power lines effect on the population and survival of Black Vulture, and determine the main parameters by population viability analysis, putting forward the protection and management measures.

秃鹫是繁殖于高海拔地区的大型食腐鸟类，属于国家重点保护物种。以往仅有少数描述性报道，且疑点诸多，缺乏繁殖生物学及种群状况研究。近年由于栖息地丧失，种群状况堪忧。十多年来在新疆天山山脉数千公里范围里调查，零星发现了几个秃鹫繁殖区，对其习性和种群状况有了初步认识。拟采用样线和样点法，评估其种群大小、集群结构和动态变化。运用改进的信息理论方法、多重回归方程建立生境巢址因子间预测模型,并应用资源选择函数揭示秃鹫对生境、巢址因子选择性,结合地理信息系统进行评价。借助定位观察、卫星跟踪、电子标记、红外监视、食物分析，展开生物学研究。采用焦点取样法观察记录繁殖行为，并构建行为谱。通过毒理分析，比较化学物质在其体内不同组织的含量，获得猛禽食物链中的富集过程。分析污染、生境丧失、食物匮乏、繁殖力下降、兽药滥用、人为干扰与高压电线等因素对种群及生存影响，且通过种群生存力分析确定影响主要参数，提出保护管理措施。

秃鹫（Aegypius monachus）俗称“座山雕”，是中国8种鹫类中数量较少的一种。秃鹫的繁殖区主要在西部，新疆天山是其主要繁殖地。研究内容包括种群状况、繁殖生态、迁徙过程、面临的威胁等。连续四年的野外研究，每年二三月开始在天山考察，一直到十一月。期间，一共跟踪观察了6个秃鹫窝，利用红外相机记录秃鹫的繁殖行为，回收到大量的图像包括录像资料。卫星跟踪了4只秃鹫和兀鹫（仅1只），基本上掌握了大型食腐猛禽的活动规律，为亚成鸟行为学研究奠定了基础。秃鹫孵化过程需2个月，在猛禽中孵化时间最长。秃鹫生活在食物链最顶端，以动物尸体为食，育雏期较长。秃鹫窝选择在悬崖之上，未发现在大树上筑巢。通常一窝只产一枚卵，繁殖成功率比较低，属于濒危物种。4月下旬，雏鸟破壳而出，体重约160克。经过约90天的哺育，体重接近8~9 kg，7月末幼鸟开始离窝。但是，一直到10月幼鸟每天都会回到窝里，依靠老鸟喂食，整个繁殖周期超过8个月。不同于其他大型猛禽，亲鸟是呕吐式哺育幼鸟。每日的喂食次数随着幼鸟长大而日趋减少，每次的喂食量却逐渐增加。首次观测了秃鹫的迁徙过程，包括日飞行距离，最快速度和迁徙的路线。一只飞往云南，另外一只冬季在青藏高原活动。当地威胁因素包括栖息地丧失、放牧干扰和天敌袭击。主要天敌有灰狼、狐狸、乌鸦及其他猛禽（如金雕和雕鸮）。食物缺乏也是其繁殖成功率比较低（25~50%）的原因之一。四年培养硕士研究生5人，完成或发表论文报告16篇，SCI至少1篇，2017-2019年项目主持人马鸣以第一作者公开出版专著3部。期间与多国合作与交流，出访了5个国家。研究增加了两个亮点，一是天葬的意义，二是鹰笛负面调查。研究的实际社会价值远远大于经济价值，特别是在政策和法律法规制定方面，起到积极作用。疫情当前，秃鹫的百毒不侵，对于新冠COVID-19/SARS/H5N6禽流感等流行病的发生、传播、抗性（抗体）、免疫、共生、流行等方面研究，可能会带来免疫学和仿生学方面颠覆性成果，意义和影响深远，以及对于今后的防疫和抗疫工作会有启发和帮助。