Crossoptilon auritum

Abstract: From 2007 to 2008 we studied the nest-site characteristics of Blue-eared Pheasants (Crossoptilon auritum) in northwest China. Of 12 nests found, four (33.3%) were located under conifers, four (33.3%) in,pock and cave sites, two (16.7%) under fallen trees, and two (16.7%) in thick shrubs. The degree of concealment was highest from the rear of nests (90.8%), followed by the top, left, right, and front. We also assessed 13 habitat variables at nest sites (n=12) and control sites (n=24). Nest-sites on southeast, south and west slopes were selected as nest-sites with higher slope positions and steeper slope gradients. Stepwise discriminate analysis indicated that the Blue-eared Pheasant selected to nest in habitats with higher vegetation cover at heights of 1 m and 2 m, lighter disturbance and higher slope position.

Abstract: The circular mitochondrial genome of Crossoptilon auritum is 16,687 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and a putative control region. All of the genes encoded on the H-strand, except for one PCG (nad6) and eight tRNA genes (tRNAGln, tRNA Ala, tRNA Asn, tRNACys, tRNATyr, tRNASer(UCN), tRNAPro, and tRNAGlu), as found in many other birds’ mitochondrial genomes. All of these PCGs are initiated with ATG, except for cox1 and nad5, which began with GTG, while stopped by four types of stop codons. All tRNA genes have the potential to fold into typical clover-leaf structure. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the genus Crossoptilon was the sister of the genus Lophura.

Abstract: Habitat selection of Blue Eared Pheasant (Crossoptilon auritum) was studied between November and December 2003 in Helan Mountain which geographically locates in 38°21′-39°22′N,105°44′-106°42′E. Total of 62 sites used by the pheasant were located in 25 transects crossing the whole study area. Thirteen habitat factors associated those used sites and 50 random plots were examined in Helan Mounlain. Blue Eared Pheasant preferred conifer forest dominated by Pinus tabulaeformis and Picea crassifolia, and avoided the other three vegetation types. They showed a strong preference for sunny and shady aspect of slope, and avoided half sunny and half shady one. Comparing with random plots, usage sites were characterized by denser tree and shrub, steeper slope, more closed hiding cover, shallower snow and higher altitude. Hiding cover, shrub density, tree density, distance to water resource, and slope degree were critically factors to discriminate usage sites and random plots. The overall classification model developed from those five variables was successfully to distinguish used sites from random ones at probability of 91.7%. Habitat selection of pheasant was mainly related to food and concealment.