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    29 February 2012, Volume 32 Issue 1
    Complete mitogenome of cape hare Lepus capensis (Lagomorpha:Leporidae)and its phylogenetic considerations
    WANG Jialian,YANG Guang
    2012, 32(1):  1-11. 
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    Despite its wide distribution and abundant wild populations,there has been little insight into the phylogeography of the Chinese cape hare (Lepus capensis)and its relationships with other hare species. Moreover,its subspecies taxonomic status has been under debate for years. In present study,we reporte the complete mitochondrial genomic sequence of the cape hare from Yancheng City,Jiangsu Province,China,and that the gene composition / order of which were identical to that observed in most other mammals. Phylogenetic relationships of 12 species from five orders of Euarchontoglires,based on mitogenomic sequences,were reconstructed using Bayesian inference (BI)and maximum likelihood (ML)methods.
    The results strongly supported the monophyly of Lagomorpha,and cape hare and brown hare (L. europaeus)were indicated as sister taxa,having a sister relationship with rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Further phylogenetic analyses of 31 hare samples,based on complete Cyt b sequences,resolved the close phylogenetic relationships between cape hare and mountain hare (L. timidus),Yunnan hare (L. comus)and woolly hare (L. oiostolus),Manchurian hare (L. mandschuricus)and Yarkand hare (L. yarkandensis),respectively. The cape hare collected from Yancheng,Jiangsu in our study,had a close phylogenetic relationship with those from Shandong,Shaanxi and Sichuan Provinces. The present results provided some new insights into the tangled phylogenetic relationships of the cape hare.
    Geometric morphometric of postnatal size and shape changes in the cranium of cape hare (Lagomorpha,Leporidea,Lepus capensis)
    GE Deyan,LV Xuefei,XIA Lin,HUANG Chengming,YANG Qisen
    2012, 32(1):  12-24. 
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    We analyzed the geometric morphometrics analysis of the crana of 58 Lepus capensis of various ages using 180 landmarks/semi-landmarks. These exhibited rapid establishment of structure and allometric growth in different morphological components. Primary size and shape changes occurred from infant to age I (within six months). Nasal size displayed the most prominent positive allometry. Frontal and orbital grew nearly isometrically with the overall size change of the cranium. The parietal,tympanic bulla and foramen magnum displayed negative allometry. Growth trajectories were illustrated for the dorsal,ventral and lateral view of the cranium. Allometric shape changes were observed in the nasal,premaxilla and supraorbital process,as well as in the longitudinal axis of the cranium. The overall shape of the cranium was narrowed. These ontogenetic size and shape changes are beneficial in establishing a complete cranial system in young hares,particularly, in improving ventilation of the respiratory system,enhancing the ability to maintain vigilance,and in stabilization over a diverse range of locomotion activities as well as strengthening the ability for solid food acquisition. This pattern of allometric growth probably is one of the main functional adaptations in herbivorous mammals that have a cursorial lifestyle.
    Sex-age differences in activity budget and position behavior of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)
    LI Dayong,ZHOU Qihai,TANG Huaxing,HUANG Chengming
    2012, 32(1):  25-32. 
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    Data on activity budgets,activity heights,and semi-positional behaviors were collected from one provisioned group of Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta )between November 2005 and October 2006 at Seven-star Park,Guilin, Guangxi Province,using an instantaneous scan sampling method. We compared the activity budgets,activity heights,and positional behaviors by sex-age or age classes. Our results indicated that the Rhesus macaque at Seven-star Park was a semiterrestrial species,and spent much time resting (41. 5% );sitting was the most frequently adopted resting (85.5% ) and feeding (85. 4% )posture. Quadrupedal walking was the most prevalent locomotor mode (64. 5% ). There were sex differences in activity budgets of adult individuals:adult females spent more time grooming than did adult males. They also differed among age classes:resting time tended to increase with age,whereas playing time decreased. There were also significant variations in activity height and locomotor mode for different age classes. Adults were more terrestrial than were other classes. They also walked quadrupedally more frequently than the other ages. Subadults leaped more frequently than did individuals of other ages. Juveniles climbed and bridged more frequently than did adults. These variations may be related to the differences in body sizes and activity levels of different ages,as well as to the discontinuous tree canopies. Our
    results will contribute to understanding the behavioral adaptation of different sex-age classes in rhesus macaques to their social and natural environment
    Effect of reproductive experiences on energy budget during lactation in the striped hamster (Cricetulus barabensis)
    ZHAO Zhijun
    2012, 32(1):  33-41. 
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    Energy budgets during peak lactation were measured in striped hamsters throughout the first,second,third and fourth lactation events. The present study showed that 1)asymptotic food intake,milk energy output (MEO),litter size and mass,resting metabolic rate (RMR),nonshivering thermogenesis (NST),mitochondria cytochrome c oxydase (COX) activity of brown adipose tissue (BAT),serum T3 ,T4 and prolactin levels did not differ between the four bouts of lactation; 2)the asymptotic food intake was significantly correlated with MEO,litter mass and RMR.This suggests that striped hamsters with different reproductive experiences are able to compensate for the high energy demands during peak lactation by increasing energy intake and decreasing energy expenditure associated with thermogenesis Sustained metabolic rate (Sus- MR)during peak lactation may be limited by the capacity to produce milk,which is more likely consistent with the prediction of the “peripheral limitation hypothesis”rather than the “central limitation hypothesis”. Limits to SusMR may be independent of the reproductive experiences.
    Diet composition of Apodemus draco and Niviventer confucianus in Fengtongzhai Nature Reserve,China and its effects on their intestinal lengths
    MU Huaqiang,CAO Shanshan,GU Xiaodong,ZHANG Mingchun,HU Jinchu,ZHANG Zejun
    2012, 32(1):  42-47. 
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    We conducted a field survey on the sympatric Apodemus draco and Niviventer confucianus in 2008 in Fengtongzhai Nature Reserve,China to examine the annual diet composition of small rodents and its effects on their intestinal lengths. The results indicated that,for both rodents,seed was the primary component on their annual diet,and that their diet composition varied significantly across seasons. Of the four categories of diet components,percent of seed ingested had a significant positive influence upon the length of the small intestine,and the influence of the remaining diet components varied depending on the species. We believe that the difference of diet composition for the two species across seasons was
    likely related to the availability of food resource in the reserve,and the change of digestive tract length perhaps play an important role in the adaptation to seasonal energy demand and food resources. Therefore,possible interspecific difference should be considered when investigating physiological strategies adaptive to different types of food resources for different species in future research.
    The application of HS-SPME-GC / MS in detecting chemical components in giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)urine
    LIU Yuliang,XIN Qiuhong,LIU Dingzhen,CAI Zhigang,ZHANG Zhihe,LAN Jingchao,WEI Rongping,LI Desheng,HOU Rong
    2012, 32(1):  48-57. 
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    Urine plays an important role in chemical communication between giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). The detection of chemical compounds in giant panda urine is the key to identifying the compositions and assaying the function of each chemical compound. We used headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME)and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/ MS)to pre-treat and analyze the composition of giant panda urine We found 56 peaks and through searching the mass spectrometry library of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST),38 of them were putatively identified .In addition,we also modified the method of cleaning HS-SPME fiber.The results show that HS-SPME-GC / MS is an effective method to detect the volatile and semi-volatile compounds in giant panda urine. It is proved to be an important research tool for revealing the mechanism of chemical communication in the giant pandas.
    Expression of interleukin-6 in gastrointestinal tract of streptococcal pneu monia rhesus macaques
    LUO Qihui,CHEN Lian,ZHANG Yao,CHEN Zhengli,CHENG Anchun,ZENG Wen
    2012, 32(1):  58-66. 
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    We examined the expression of interleukin-6 in the gastrointestinal tract,liver and esophagus in rhesus macaques infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae spontaneously.The pathogenesis of streptococcus pneumonia and features of spontaneous Streptococcus pneumoniae infection are discussed.Using common H & E staining,general histological and pathological changes were detected,and the changes of interleukin-6 expression in liver,stomach,jejunum,caecum and esophagus were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. All of the organs inspected showed inflammatory reactions. Hepatic tissue and enteradans were necrotic。The liver,jejunum and caecum showed obvious hemorrhage and hyperemia.Many inflammatory cells infiltrated the gastrointestinal tract. Compared with normal control groups,infected groups had significantly higher expression of interleukin-6 (P < 0.05). The total areas of positive cells in the infected groups were also significantly higher than those in normal monkeys (P <0. 05). Most of the positive cells were concentrated in the mucous layer,while in the liver,were mainly distributed around the blood vessels. Glandular cells,hepatocytes, endotheliocytes,uncuticular epitheliums and lymphocytes all showed positive reactions.As an inflammatory factor,interleukin-6 may play a role in Streptococcus pneumoniae infections and may participate in the clearance of Streptococcus pneumoniae.
    The application of infrared camera in mammal research in Guanyinshan Nature Reserve,Shaanxi
    WU Pengfeng,LIU Xuehua,CAI Qiong,HE Xiangbo,Melissa Songer,ZHU Yun,SHAO Xiaoming
    2012, 32(1):  67-71. 
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    Since July 2009,the total 18 cameras were installed in the Guanyinshan Nature Reserve (GNR),Shaanxi Province.During our 24 months’monitoring from August 2009 to July 2011,we have collected a total of 1 755 mammal photos.The results show (1)a total of 22 mammal species were photographed. The first 6 species selected for analysis based
    on a relative abundance index (RAI)were Budorcas taxicolor,Naemorhedus goral,Elaphodus cephalophus,Sus scrofa,Capricornis sumatraensis and Muntiacus reevesi;their total percentage reaches 86.04% . (2)The monthly RAI (MRAI)for the whole year varies among months. The greatest value of MRAI is acquired in July and the lowest in February. (3)Three of the six selected species demonstrated similar daily activity patterns,which has two peaks,one at dawn and one at dusk.The daily pattern of Naemorhedus goral also has two peaks,but they differe from those of the previous three species. The daily activity pattern of Sus scrofa shows a peak at noon and Capricornis sumatraensis was less active at the period of 10∶ 00- 16∶00. (4)The NRAI gave a clear indication of variation in nocturnality among the 6 species. Capricornis sumatraensis was most active at night and Sus scrofa was opposite.
    Study of the relationship between desert rodent and plant communities in using correspondence analysis
    BAO Junjiang,ZHANG Fushun,WU Xiaodong,FU Heping,YUAN Shuai,ZHANG Xiao dong
    2012, 32(1):  72-77. 
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    From 2006 to 2008,we used live traps to investigate the rodent community in an area of the Alxa desert in which grazing was prohibited. The plant community also was surveyed using quadrat methods in the study areas. The relationship between the rodent and plant communities was analyzed using de-trended correspondence analysis (DCA)and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Based on DCA and CCA,there is a correlation between the rodent community and the plant community. The DCA analysis showed that the rodent community structure varied significantly among the three study years. The seasonal characteristics of the rodent community structure were significantly different in 2007 and 2008, and different between two years,but were the same in 2006. The results of CCA demonstrated that Meriones unguiculatus and Merionesmeri dianus were significantly correlated with the vegetation characteristics;Phodopus roborovskii,Allocricetulus eversmanni and Spermophilus alaschanicus were correlated with shrub height and canopy cover;while Mus musculus and Dipus sagitta were not significantly correlated with the vegetation characteristics.
    Serologic survey for antibodies to parvovirus in canines and felines
    JIN Xiaoxia, WANG Hualei, WANG Shan,LIANG Meng, ZHOU Ming,WANG Wei,LIU Dan,YANG Songtao,XIA Xianzhu
    2012, 32(1):  78-82. 
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    An survey of antibodies to parvovirus was carried out in canines and felines. Three hundred and ninety six serum samples were collected from several domestic or wild canines and felines in different regions of China during 2009 to 2011. Sera from 203 canines samples and from 193 feline samples were tested for antibodies to canine parvovirus virus
    (CPV)and feline parvovirus virus (FPV)respectively using micro-hemagglutination inhibition (HI)and micro-serum neutralization assays (SN). The results of the two methods are highly parallel and consistent. The antibody positive rate to CPV is 28.6% in canines and 42.5% to FPV in felines. We propose that the canines and felines had been infected by parvovirus in different regions of China.