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02 March 2011, Volume 31 Issue 1

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The viewpoint on the study of zoogeography in China

ZHANG Rongzu

2011, 31(1):  5-9. 

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Viewpoints on the study of zoogeography under the existing status in China are presented by the author. Three
aspects have been included:1,studies on zoogeographical region and geographical congruence should be strengthened. It will be help to elucidate the problems of boundary marking between the Palaearctic realm and the Oriental realm in China and the suggestion of the “Tibetan realm”;2,studes on animal habitat - landscape,based on comprehensive viewpoint of ecological zoogeography;3,studies in cultural biogeography should pay attention to influences of agricultural activities, which has existed for generations in China.

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History,current situation and prospects on nature reserves for giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in China

HU Jinchu,ZHANG Zejun ,WEI Fuwen

2011, 31(1):  10-14. 

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The giant panda,a tribute to emperors in ancient China,is an endemic species and regarded as a modern national
treasure. Contributing to extensive illegal hunting,it has become endangered before liberation. During 1950s,Chinese
government initiated the establishment of nature reserves to conserve wildlife and their habitats,and in 1960s,five reserves,
including Wolong,Wanglang,Baihe,Labahe and Taibaishan,were established for the giant panda. Seven more
reserves were established in 1970s,based on the first national ground survey for the giant panda,and the reserves for the
species summed up to thirteen. The second national ground survey (1985 - 1988)indicated that the population of wild giant
pandas was decreased as much as 54% . In 1990s,the total of panda reserves was increased to 36,and by now,there
have been 63 reserves established to protect giant pandas and their habitats,covering about 85% of the remaining habitats
and 50% of individuals. The extant population was estimated about 2000,sparsely distributed in remote western mountane
ranges in China. Chinese government has developed many in-situ and ex-site conservation strategies to conserve the animal
by now. Giant pandas should deserve a promising future.

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Some progress in mammalian physiological ecology in China

WANG Dehua

2011, 31(1):  15-19. 

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Some research progress in physiological ecology of mammals in China (mainly on small mammals) was brifely
reviewed,such as adaptation to different environments,physiological function of leptin and thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue. According to the status in China and the developmental trends in the world,some possibledirections and growing fields were proposed,such as macrophysiology and responses to the global climate change.

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Marine mammal researches in China

HAO Yujiang,WANG Kexiong,HAN Jiabo,ZHENG Jingsong,XIAN Yijie,YAO Zhiping,LU Zhichuang,LI Haiyan,ZHANG Xianfeng

2011, 31(1):  20-36. 

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Researchers in China have studied marine mammals for over 80 years. In recognition of Acta Theriologica Sinica’s
30 year anniversary,we have reviewed the history of this research using an extensive published literature as well as our own research and experience,summarized its progress,and discuss future prospects. Marine mammals in this paper are divided into three groups:whales,pinnipeds,and other marine mammals. We have focused on research examining the ecology, rearing and breeding biology,conservation genetic,acoustics,and conservation biology for selected species. Two main points have been drawn from the review. First,Chinese research on marine mammals is at the forefront of some fields including research on rearing and breeding biology,c onservation biology,and bio-acoustics of river dolphin or porpoise. The second point,unfortunately,is that there is a lack of systematics studies on marine mammals in Chinese coastal waters. Finally, we expect to see significant breakthroughs and real progress on the protection of endangered species in the near future.

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Investigations of stranded and by-caught beaked whales around the coastal waters of Chinese mainland

WANG Peilie,YAO Chiuo-Ju,HAN Jiabo,MA Zhiqiang,WANG Zhaohui

2011, 31(1):  37-45. 

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From January 2009 to February 2010,skull specimens from beaked whales stranded and by-caught around the
coastal waters of Chinese mainland were measured and identified. During that time,five stranded and by-caught species of beaked whales (Ziphiidae)were discovered around Chinese mainland coastal waters including Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris), Baird’s beaked whale (Berardius bairdii), Longman’s beaked whale (Indopacetus pacificus), Blainville’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris) and Pygmy beaked whale (M. peruvianus ). Among them,the Pygmy beaked whale was not only the first record in Chinese waters (including Taiwan Province),but also the first record in the Northwest Pacific Ocean. Pygmy beaked whale is characterized mainly by one pair of spindly teeth in the posterior edge of the mandibular symphysis. After re-analysis of three skull specimens of reported Ginkgo-toothed Beaked whales (Mesoplodon ginkgodens) and comparison with specimens of skull, nasal, mandible and teeth of Ginkgo-toothed beaked whales stranded in Taiwan, three specimens were re-identified as Blainville’s beaked whale. Finally,in this paper,information on stranded and by-caught beaked whales around the coastal waters of Chinese mainland are summarized.

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Home range and daily ranging distance of Francois’ langur (Trachypithecus francoisi ) in Nonggang NatureReserve, Guangxi, China

HUANG Zhonghao,ZHOU Qihai,HUANG Chengming,MENG Yuanjun,WEI Hua

2011, 31(1):  46-54. 

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To explore whether Francois’ langurs display a specially adapted strategy in karst limestone hills in relationship
to foraging and home range,we studied a group of Francois’langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi) over 12 months in NonggangNature Reserve,Guangxi,Southwest of China. The group’s total home range was 28.75 hm² . They used 8.35 ±4.24 hm² for home range,with an average daily ranging distance of 661.77 ±130.20 m monthly. Home range size and daily ranging distance showed significant seasonal variations. During the rainy season,the group occupied 5.88 ± 1.68 hm² as home range,with an average daily ranging distance of 589.93 ± 120.5 m. During the dry season, they had a home range of 10.83 ± 4.70 hm², with an average daily ranging distance of 733.61 ± 102.34 m. Further analysis showed that the food availability of fruit and young leaves influenced the group’s home range size and daily ranging distance. As the result, the home range of the langurs decreased when fruit and young were abundant, while when fruit and young leaves were scarce and mature leaves abundant, Francois’langurs increased home range size and daily ranging distance,which was similar to most of Colobinae primates. The results indicated the special futures of karst limestone habitat weren’t strong enough to force the langurs to evolve a special adaptation strategy.

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Preliminary comparison of diet composition of four small sized carnivores at Saihanwula Nature Reserve,Inner Mongolia

ZHANG Lijia,WANG Anmeng,YUAN Li,BAO Weidong,YANG Yongxin,Baterr

2011, 31(1):  55-61. 

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Food habits and competition of sympatric carnivores at Saihanwula Nature Reserve,Inner Mongolia were compared from August to December 2007 by examining fecal content. Food items were evaluated by rate of occurrence in the diet and in weight percentage of total diet. Our study included red fox (Vulpes vulpes), badger (Melesmeles), mountain weasel (Mustela altaica) and leopard cat (Felis bengalensis). The data indicate red fox ingested 15 kinds of food with the following composition:plants (32.6% ), rodents (31.3% ) and birds (18.6% ); weasels were occasionally preyed upon (0.7% ). Although plant occurrence was high percentage,the role of vegetation decreased when calculated in relative weight percentage. Badger consumed more insects (29.3% ) and fruit (57.8% ) in terms of frequency, while mountain weasel preyed upon rodents at a very high rate of occurrence (73.7% ) and weight percentage (99. 8% ). The leopard cat primarily ate birds (27.8% ), especially medium-sized partridge (16.7% ccurrence rate). The index of relative importance indicates that red fox took hare,plants,rodents,and birds as their staple foods;badgers preferred more fruit and insects over other food types;and rodents were the dominant food for mountain weasel (63.9% ), with birds (16.7% ) higher than plants (10.05% ). A comparison of food niche breadth shows that red fox had the largest standardized value (0.2) followed by leopard cat (0.1), badger (0.07) and mountain weasel (0.001). These standardized values correlate with the distribution pattern of main prey groups. Based on food niche overlap,food competition was severe for red fox and badger (O = 0.99), red fox and leopard cat (O = 0.7), and badger and leopard cat (O = 0.6). These species could exist sympatrically in that there is a difference in main food types;red fox preyed more on hare and rodents,leopard cat caught more birds,and badger ate fruits and insects. Mountain weasel distribution and population development may be limited by red fox predation.


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Effects of intra- and inter-specific interference competition on scatter- hoarding behavior of Siberian chipmunk (Eutamias sibiricus) in semi- natural enclosures

JIAO Guangqiang,YU Fei,NIU Kekun,YI Xianfeng

2011, 31(1):  62-68. 

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The effects of intra- (different gender)and inter-specific (Apodemus penisulae) interferences on scatter-hoarding behavior of Siberian chipmunk (Eutamias sibiricus) were investigated in 10 m × 10 m semi-natural enclosures in Heilongjiang province in September 2009. Four treatments were established and performed within two batches, i. e. , control group with single chipmunk;intraspecific intrasexual interference competition;intraspecific inter-sexual interference competition; and inter-specific interference. Our results showed that:(1) Female chipmunks scatter-hoarded more seeds than did males; (2) Inter-specific interference by A. penisulae significantly increased seed scatter-hoarding by chipmunks, while intra-specific interference showed no influence;(3 ) Both intra- and inter-sexual interference showed no effect on scatter-hoarding of chipmunks;(4) Male chipmunks scatter-hoarded more seeds when interfered by females,but did not change when interfered by males;(5) Both inter-and intra-sexual competitions showed no significant influence on scatterhoarding of female individuals.

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Relationship between reproductive output and basal metabolic rate in striped hamster (Cricetulus barabensis)

ZHAO Zhijun

2011, 31(1):  69-78. 

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This study was aimed at evaluating the relationships between reproductive output and basal metabolic rate (BMR), energy budget and sustained metabolic rate (SusMR)during lactation in striped hamsters (Cricetulus barabensis) body mass, food intake, BMR, milk energy output (MEO) and body composition of the females, as well as litter size and litter mass were measured. Body mass decreased by 15.0 ± 0.8% throughout lactation, but food intake and gross energy intake increased significantly and the maxima were 13.9 ± 0.3 g / d and 222.1 ± 5.3 J/ d, respectively, which were 121% higher than during early lactation and 288% higher than in non-reproductive controls. MEO was 62.4 ± 2.3 kJ / d during peak lactation. BMR was 49.7 ± 1.1 kJ / d at weaning,and litter size and litter mass averaged 4.7 ± 0.2 and 50.5 ± 1.6 g. BMR was higher by 48% in the females during late lactation than early lactation. The correlation between BMR and the gastrointestinal tract was higher in lactating hamsters compared with controls. BMR was significantly positively related to litter size, litter mass,weight of mammary glands and MEO. It is suggested that the limitations on SusMR are set at a level of 4. 47 × BMR in first lactating hamsters. There might be a “trade-off in energy relocation”between BMR and reproductive output, i. e. the magnitude of increased BMR during late lactation was reduced by a decrease in body mass,which would be in favor of reproductive output.

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Preparation of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin inclusion with Levonorgestrel and Quinestrol (EP-1) and its influence on the reproductive organs Brandt’s voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii)

WANG Dawei,LIU Qi,LIU Ming,LI Ning,HUANG Baohuan,LIU Xiaohui

2011, 31(1):  79-83. 

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EP series rodent contraception is mainly composed of levonorgestrel and quinestrol. However,neither component do not readily dissolves in water,which limits the precision of research and application. In the present study, solubilization was measured in hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD) inclusion complexes of levonorgestrel and quinestrol, respectively. Afterwards,the effects of treatment times (after 2 and 4 weeks)and doses (0,1, 2, 4 mg/ kg) of EP-1 inclusion complexes on reproductive organs were investigated using a gastric gavage method. The results showed that the solubility of levonorgestrel and quinestrol reached 4 mg /mL and 0. 5 mg/ mL in 20% aqueous HPCD solution,respectively. For females, there were no significant differences after 2 or 4 weeks between the control and treatment groups that received gavage. For males,the average weight of reproductive organs of the group that received gavage for 2 weeks of 2 mg/ kg group was less than that of the control group. Our results indicate that the solubility of EP-1 was significantly enhanced by forming inclusion complexes with HPCD; the suppressive effects on reproduction in male Brandt’s voles is more obvious than those in females. Moreover,inclusion did not affect the anti-fertility effect of EP-1.

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Lack of mitochondrial DNA sequence divergence in two subspecies of the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius mantchuricus from Northeastern China and nearby Far-eastern Russia and A. a. coreae from the Korean Peninsula)

Hung Sun Koh, Shar Seter, ZHANG Minghai, WANG Jinxing, Kyung Hee Jang, Davaa Bazarsad

2011, 31(1):  84-89. 

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To determine the degree of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) divergence between two subspecies of Apodemus agra- rius (A.a. mantchuricus from Northeastern China and nearby far-eastern Russia and A. a. coreae from the Korean peninsula) and to confirm the taxonomic status of the Korean subspecies,we obtained partial sequences of the mtDNA cytochrome b gene (1 054 bp) and the control region (860 bp)of these two subspecies. These sequences were compared to the corresponding haplotypes of these two subspecies,obtained from GenBank. It was observed that the A. a. mantchuricus sequences were somewhat divergent and could be separated into two or three subgroups,and we propose further DNA analyses with additional specimens to confirm the subspecific status of A. a. mantchuricus. Additionally, the sequences of A. a. coreae, from Korea,were similar to the two subgroups in A. a. mantchuricus (one subgroup of two haplotypes in the cytochrome b; another subgroup of two haplotypes in the control region),from Longjiang and Harbin in Northeastern China, indicating that the genetic diversity of these mice based on mtDNA sequencing is not concordant with their current classification based on morphological characters. We conclude that A. a. coreae from Korea is an endemic subspecies, with only morphological distinctness from A. a. mantchuricus, though we propose further analyses with other DNA markers to reexamine the subspecies status of A. a. coreae. We also conclude that the Korean peninsula did not act as a refugium for A. agrarius during the last glaciation.

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Polymorphism of MHC - DQA2 in black muntjac (Muntiacus crinifrons)

ZHU Feihu,YAN Jichun,LUO Taolin,YU Jian,WU Hailong

2011, 31(1):  90-96. 

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A set of nested primers specific to cattle DQA loci was used to amplify genomic DNA of the black muntjac
(Muntiacus crinifrons) using PCR. The obtained sequences showed high similarity to those of DQA2 exon 2 sequences from cattle, sheep, and sika deer. Based on the sequences,a new pair of primers specific to DQA2 locus of the black muntjac was designed and used to analyze samples of this species using PCR - SSCP and sequencing. In total,four distinct DQA2 exon 2 sequences were obtained from forty individuals and no more than two sequences were detected in any of the samples at the same time. Furthermore,no insertion/ deletion or stop codon was found in the sequences. These results suggest that the four alleles obtained in this study might originate from a single DQA locus and that the locus might be expressed and functionally important. The ratio of nonsynonymy substitutes (dn)and synonymy substitutes (ds) in the peptide binding region, PBR, was significantly larger than 1 (P < 0.05), implying that the DQA2 locus might have undergone some forms of balanced selection as was supported by the results of several model tests in CODEMEL and four amino acid sites (α11、α58、α62、α66), all located in the PBR,were revealed to be acted by balancing selection. Phylogenetic relationships between DQA alleles of several artiodactyls showed that the four DQA2 alleles of black muntjac were first grouped with analogues of cattle rather than with that of sika deer,suggesting a trans-species polymorphism pattern and a common ancient DQA2 gene pedigree between black muntjac and cattle. Finally,it should be pointed out that frequencies of the four DQA2 alleles detected in this study were found to be significantly diverged and only two heterozygotes were detected from forty samples. The Whalund effect and /or null alleles existing in the process of PCR amplification may explain the allele pattern.

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Cloning and prokaryotic expression and purification of CDC42 cDNA from Hainan Eld’s Deer

ZHANG Wei,CHEN Pinlin,LEI Ming,CHENG Ying,CHEN Huan,CAO Xianying,DU Li,ZHANG Donglin,LIU Tao,XU Shiying,FU Yunnan,QI Chao,WANG Fengyang

2011, 31(1):  97-102. 

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Cell division cycle 42 (CDC42)cDNA of Hainan Eld’s Deer (Cervus eldi hainanus) was amplified by RT -PCR, subcloned into a pET42a vector and transformed into E. coli host cells. Protein expression was induced by IPTG and analyzed by SDS - PAGE and Western blot. The results showed that the CDC42 cDNA from Hainan Eld’s Deer (hdCDC42)contained a 576 bp ORF encoding 191 amino acids. A 54 kD fusion protein with a Histag was induced by IPTG and confirmed by Western blot using anti His-tag monoclonal antibody. The results indicate that prokaryotic expression vector of CDC42 from Hainan Eld’s Deer was constructed and expressed successfully.

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Cloning and fusion protein expression of the S100A4 gene in sika deer

WANG Datao,ZHAO Haiping,CHU Wenhui,YANG Fuhe,XING Xiumei,WANG Guiwu,LI Chunyi

2011, 31(1):  103-107. 

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In order to better understand the function of S100 calcium binding protein A4 in antler development of sika deer
(Cervus nippon), we cloned S100A4 genes from total RNA of cultured antlerogenic periosteum cells using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), S100A4 gene sequences were compared with closely related animal species in NCBI. Full lengths of S100A4 genes were inserted into a vector plasmid pLEGFP-C1 (retroviral express vector). The recombinant plasmid pLEGFP-S100 and pVSV-G (envelope vector) were co-transfected into GP2 -293 cells (packaging cell line) using lipofectimin 2000,and the resultant viral supernatants were collected. The cultured pedicle periosteum cells were then infected with virus in the supernatants. Results showed that S100A4 gene was a relatively conserved gene, and had about 90% homology with several species. Recombinant retroviral vector pLEGFP-S100 could effectively deliver a gene.

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Clinical investigation of pneumonia in the red panda (Ailurus fulgens) caused by the non-pigmented strain of Chromobacterium violaceum

XIU Yunfang,SHAO Liangping,LI Bichun,XU Suhui,WU Shangming,WANG Longbo,WANG Dechun,ZHOU Lunjiang,CHEN Yucun

2011, 31(1):  108-112. 

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This clinical investigation reports several cases of pneumonia in the red panda (Ailurus fulgens) which occurred
at Fuzhou Giant Panda Research Center in July,2008. Among 7 infected animals,3 red pandas died within 3 days after showing symptoms of high fever and severe respiratory disease. Necropsy results showed a white foamy discharge in the trachea; suppurative necrosis and massive congestion in the lung;turbid pleural and pericardial effusions;a liver with multiple atrophic foci and focal congestive necrosis. Through bacterial isolation and identification, the pathogen was confirmed to be non-pigmented Chromobacterium violaceum. Based on GenBank database of 16S RNA gene sequences for Chromobacterium violaceum,primer pairs (5’GAG CAA ACA GGA TTA GAT ACC 3’;5’TTA CGG TTA CCT TGT TAC GAC 3’) were designed to amplify a 739 bp gene fragment by PCR. The nucleotide sequences obtained subsequently were compared to seven strains of Chromobacterium violaceum from the GenBank database and found to be 98 8% identical to strains CV09 and ESBV4400 as well as 98.2% , 98.0% , 94.9%, 93.1% and 92.8% identical to strains AY117554,EAV2, AJ871127,LMG3953 and JS1, respectively Intraperitoneal inoculation of 5 mice with the isolated pathogen culture resulted in the death of all mice within 2 - 3 days,a reflection of the virulence of this isolate Several measures were implemented to control the spread of infection including disinfecting of the grounds,housing environment,and water supply. We further tested the clinical isolate for antibiotic susceptibility and based on these findings,the 4 remaining asymptomatic pandas were all treated twice daily intramuscularly with Cefoperazone sodium for two days in combination with oral dosing of Sulfamethoxazole twice a day for four days,and no new case was seen after the treatments. This investigation indicates that the rapid onset of infection and high fatality rate of Chromobacterium violaceum in the red panda should be noted and we conclude that trauma or injury to these animals in combination with pathogen contaminated surroundings and water supplies are the main reasons for onset of the infection.

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Successful rearing of a giant panda cub with a low birth weight

HUANG Xiangming,ZHANG Zhihe,WANG Chengdong,LAN Jinchao,LI Mingxi,HOU Rong

2011, 31(1):  113-116. 

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The average weight for neonatal giant panda cubs in captivity is approximately 142.6 ± 39.4 g. Occasionally
there are some that have a body weight lower than 70 g. These smaller neonates have a high mortality rate. In 2006, a female panda at the Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding,gave birth to twins. One of the neonatal cubs had an extremely low birth weight of 51 g. This cub was weak,had a low body temperature of 33.4 ℃, and was unable to nurse. We successfully reared the cub by maintaining his normal temperature in an incubator, and providing him with the appropriate amount of colostrum. When the cub gained enough body weight and strength to nurse,he was switched out with his sibling on the mother. The neonate in this study is the smallest giant panda born in captivity that survived. This article will compare the following aspects of the rearing of this underweight cub to those of normal weight cubs:environmental temperature, daily nursing bouts,and behavior of mother with cub. This investigation offers a method for rearing underweight giant panda cubs in the future.