The Population Resources, Habitat Selection And The Protection Research Of Gloydius Liupanensis

Gloydius liupanensis is a kind of native small poisonous snake in Liupanmountain areas in China. Since it is discovered, the report of its study is still few,and only is limited in the systematics and the understanding of its survival status isalso less. During2012and2013, the study used the field investigation, laboratoryfeeding, computer model to research the population of Gloydius liupanensis, habitatselection, biological characteristics and species protection and management in detail.Specific results are as follows:1. Population and ecological distribution characteristicsField investigation found that the whole distribution area of Gloydius liupanensisis about2000km2, its whole population is about200000, and that the population in thesample region is estimated between107200and160800. In the small terraindistribution, population in the hill and valley is the highest than in the slope anddistribution rate can reach43.3%, while population on the ridge is lowest than otherand the distribution rate is only10.4%; In terms of small habitat distribution, Gloydiusliupanensis prefers to live near the forest edge grass land and hill stream, where thedistribution percentage is67.2%, while only5.5%in the lakes and reservoirs habitat;Population distribution is cluster, belonging to the cluster distribution.2. Population age structure and sex ratioAccording to the survey, the ratio of Gloydius liupanensis' age structure is:old adult:adult:subadult:young=0.6:1:0.2:0.7. Adult and old adult are more than thesubadult and young, the population birth rate is lower, and the population will bedeclining in the next few years. Sex ratio is59.5%. Female is more than male, and theproportion of male and female keeps balance.3. Habitat selectionHabitat factor distribution frequency analysis, principal component analysis andcluster analysis showed that nine habitat factors, including vegetation tape, distancefrom woods edge, distance from water, humidity, temperature, illumination intensity,altitude, slope and soil texture,have an important effect on the habitat selection ofGloydius liupanensis, gradually. In order to gain enough calories, safer habitats andmore opportunities for hunting, the snake perches on sunny slope or half sunny-yinslope, brush-weeds and dispersed rocks habitat, usually distributes at an moderate altitude, close to water and woods edge, and also chooses higher temperature andhumidity, stronger illumination intensity habitat.4. Biological characteristicsLaboratory feeding and specimens anatomy found that the diet range of Gloydiusliupanensis is wide. The adult mainly eats amphibians and small rodents, while theyoung and subadult mainly eat reptiles, insects and annelid. Continuous observation inthe wild in early August found that its activities have obvious rhythmic in the sunnyweather conditions, its unkennelling hole activity peak is from8:30to10:30AM andfrom15:00to17:30PM; Day rhythm also has seasonal change. It has obvious revoltbehavior. When threatened by the outside, it would show various instinctive reaction.Reproductive way is the typical ovoviviparity, that is, the young snake is born directlyfrom the parent body. After birth, it can move immediately, and eat in more than tendays.5. The potential threatThe field investigation found that the potential threat of Gloydius liupanensismainly includes habitat fragmentation, the interference of eco-tourism, environmentalpollution and climate change. Liupan mountain national nature reserve has developedeco-tourism massively in recent years, and roads, canals, housing and so on are beingbuilt in many areas, which causes native habitat destroyed and habitat fragmented andalso will seriously affect the snake's normal activities and reproduction;Increasingvisitors seriously interferes its normal activities; Environmental pollution and climatechange could also have an enormous influence on its survival.6. Management and protection recommendationsAt present, the understanding of the endemic species in Liupan mountain for thereserve is still lacking, management and protection work is also blank, and basicscientific research facilities and management is relatively backward. According to thecurrent survival situation of Gloydius liupanensis, some feasible recommendationsand measures are put forward, such as: strengthening the propaganda and education,raising local residents awareness of the protection, strengthening research protectionof Gloydius liupanensis and controlling the ecological tourism reasonably.