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Table of Content

    02 March 2010, Volume 30 Issue 4
    Inter-population variation of diets of golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in China
    Ren Baoping,Li Baoguo,Li Ming,Wei Fuwen
    2010, 30(4):  357-364. 
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    There have been no studies of food habits of golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) for over a decade,and descriptions of these diets are primarily qualitative. Comparing diets of golden snub-nosed monkey populations in different regions is important to understand foraging adaptation to different environments. We compared diets of three geographically distinct populations of golden snub-nosed monkey in Shaanxi,Sichuan,Gansu,and Hubei provinces. In total, 136 plant species belonging to 35 families were confirmed as foods of golden snub-nosed monkey. Although nearly half the plant families were shared among all populations,we found significant differences in the three diets. Dietary variation was influenced not only by plant diversity in those different habitats,but also by the feeding trees preferred by monkeys. Monkeys in Shaanxi and Hubei had a similar dietary spectrum,which differed from the populations in Sichuan-Gansu. However,monkeys in Hubei and Sichuan-Gansu showed a similar pattern on food preference whereas populations in Shaanxi exhibited a different
    food preference. Our analyses suggest that golden snub-nosed monkeys are generalist feeders rather than folivore.
    Pattern and influencing factors of huddling behavior in golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana)
    QI Xiaoguang, WANG Ming, ZHANG Peng, WANG Xiaowei, Kunio WATANABE, LI Baoguo
    2010, 30(4):  365-376. 
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    Huddling behavior could be widely found in non-human primates as the function that keep the body and improve the social affinity. Influenced by the social and environmental factors,it shown flexible patterns among species.By using
    the methods of focal sampling scan sampling from September 2007 to April 2008,the research observed 1 637 cases of huddling behavior in a free-ranging troop of the Golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) at Mt. Qinling,China. The results shown that individuals avoid to rest solitarily and tended to huddling together. Huddling mainly occurred between 2 or 3 individuals,and less for 4 or more individuals hold. Most of the huddles were formatted by adult females and juveniles. Adult males and females with infant mostly appeared in small size huddling. Juveniles joined huddling with 3 individuals more frequently,and females without infants mostly found in 4 or more individuals huddling. There were biased preferences for huddling partner selection in different sex-age classes. Most of the huddling were initiated by adult males and juveniles,however these sex-age classed got less from other. Female initiated less but got more huddling from other individuals. The results show that females were more attractive and affinitive in social interaction of golden snub-nosed monkey. Furthermore,the huddling pattern were flexible depend on the seasonality/. Both the frequency and individual size had
    been found increased in the cold winter. Individuals prefer to huddle on the ground or near the ground during October to November to keep the heats. In spring,individuals tended to huddling in the high layers of trees to avoid infant predator and to forage new buds. This huddling pattern of golden snub-nosed monkey is one of the strategy to adapt extremely mountainous climate and enhance their fitness under polygynous social structures.
    Effects of meteorological factors on singing behavior of eastern black crested gibbons (Nomascus nasutus)
    FEI Hanlan,FAN Pengfei,XIANG Zuofu,MA Changyong,ZHANG Wen,HUANG Tao
    2010, 30(4):  377-383. 
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    Gibbons are characterized by their species-specific calls,which are known to be affected by both biotic and abiotic factors (such as meteorological factors). To identify the effects of meteorological factors on the singing behavior of eastern black crested gibbons (Nomascus nasutus),we monitored three groups in Bangliang Nature Reserve,Guangxi,from August 2008 to October 2009 using all-occurrence recording. Groups sang during 69.7% of days monitored,and sang an average of 1.24 bouts per singing day. Over 90% of the songs were produced between 30 minutes before and three hours after the sunrise. The average duration of the songs was 18. 3 min,and females produced 4. 4 great calls/ duet bout. Gibbons called later relative to sunrise on foggy days than on cloudy or sunny days. They produced shorter bouts and called later on rainy days, presumably because the energy loss and weaker solar radiation. We detected no effect of temperature on singing behavior.
    Mating behavior of captive wolves (Canis lupus) in Heilongjiang,China
    SHA Weilai,ZHANG Honghai,KONG Fanfan,CHEN Lei,ZHANG Chengde
    2010, 30(4):  384-389. 
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    In order to better understand mating patterns and processes of captive wolves (Canis lupus), we observed 4 pairs in the Harbin North Forest Zoo for about 25 days (225 hours in total)from October 2005 to April 2006. We used focal animal sampling and all occurrence recording. Mating behaviors usually occurred during 8∶ 00 - 10∶00 am and 14∶00 -16∶ 00 pm. Among 741 mounts recorded,46 copulations were observed (6. 2% ). The mating period lasted for 5 - 14 days. We observed copulatory locks during copulations. After copulatory lock and several repeated twitches,male wolves would ejaculate. Female wolves displayed obvious sexual solicitations and acted in concert with male mounts by standing
    still with their tails to one side,and haunches bent forward. There were no differences in the twitching times (P = 0. 827), but we did observe differences in the durations of copulatory locks (one-way ANOVA,F = 71.43,P < 0.001) among the four male wolves. The mean mating duration was 534 ±402 seconds,with the longest 1 588 seconds and the shortest 28 seconds.
    The genetic divergence and gene flow pattern of two muntjac deer (Muntiacus reevesi) populations,Wannan and Dabie Mountains,from the effect of Yangtze River and the late Pleistocene glacial oscillations
    SHI Wenbo,WANG Hui,ZHU Lifeng,ZHU Qiongqiong,HAN Demin,CHANG Qing,ZHANG Baowei
    2010, 30(4):  390-399. 
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    The muntjac deer (Muntiacus reevesi) is a widespread species in South China,which makes it an excellent target species in phylogeography and population genetics studies in the South China area. Using 770 nucleotides of the mitochondrial DNA D-loop region from 101 individuals from Wannan (WN)and Dabie mountains (DB),we explored the genetic diversity,effective populations,population demographic history and gene flow pattern between the two populations. In these populations,higher genetic diversity and larger effective population size were observed in the Wannan population (h =0.952,π = 0. 0168, NE =146830) than in the Dabie population (h =0.734,π =0.0077,NE = 19840). Based on Mismatch Distribution Analysis, a significant population expansion sign was detected in the Wanan population (0.157 Mya),which might have been triggered by the warm fourth interglacial stage of the Pleistocene. The demographic history analysis indicated that Pleistocene climate fluctuations had imprinted a strong genetic signal in the genetic background of muntjac deer. In addition,an asymmetric gene flow pattern was discovered between the Wannan and Dabie populations (MWNDB =0.36;MDBWN =75.00). The asymmetric gene flow pattern might be attributable to the landscape changes of the Yangtze River in the Pleistocene glacial oscillations, which may reflect the totally different effects of barriers in the glacial period and interglacial stages.
    Elevational diversity of small mammals in Luoji Mt. Nature Reserve,Sichuan Province
    MA Jun,WU Yongjie,XIA Lin,ZHANG Qian,MA Yong,YANG Qisen
    2010, 30(4):  400-410. 
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    We surveyed elevational diversity of nonvolant small mammals in Luoji Mountains Nature Reserve during April to August,2009. We sampled nonvolant small mammals using in kill traps in seven sites at elevations varying from 1 800 to 4 150 m. Within each site, we sampled along three separate transects. In 10 500 trap nights, we captured 491 individuals representing 15 species,8 genera, and 5 families. We found correlations between elevation and relative abundance, abundance and diversity index of nonvolant small mammals. We found that sampling sites on cool (generally northerly) aspects slopes and near to nearest water source had higher richness and diversity than those on warm (sunny) slopes and far from nearest water source. Maximum richness and diversity occurred at mid-elevations (2 200 - 2 600 m) where precipitation was richest and several types of plants reached their maximum diversity and richness. Richness and diversity were lowest at high (> 3 800 m) and low elevations (< 2 000 m). Highest diversity and richness was also associated with mid-and lowelevation deciduous broad-leaved forests, and with subtropical theropencedrymion sampling sites;low diversity and richness with alpine scree,alpine meadow and river valley tussock sites.

    Analysis on species richness pattern of plague host rodents and the environmental factor in plague epidemic areas in China
    WANG Lijun,ZHOU Lizhi,MA Yong
    2010, 30(4):  411-417. 
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    Understanding the geographical distribution of plague and other vector diseases is helpful for the disease prevention and control. It is important to analyze the factors affecting the geographic distribution of the vector diseases,and then to predict their occurrence trends. In this study,the relationship between the species richness of host rodents and environment factors nationwide,and the principal factors that affected the rodent plague,were analyzed on the basis of environment data and the geographical distribution of rodent epizootic and host rodents. The results show that the highest species richness of host rodents was in the boundaries of arid and monsoon regions,with the highest positively correlated to altitude difference. The species richness of host rodents was relatively higher in regions where rodent plague had occurred,and relatively lower in non-plague regions. Factor analysis on the environmental variables which affected the occurrence of rodent plague reveals that numbers of vector fleas, annual temperature, rainfall, average relative humidity and sunny hours are factors and the climate factor played a dominant role;that landscape factor,which was composed of altitude differences and numbers of vegetation, soil and geomorphic types was another principal factor;and that the third factor was topography and host. Regions where rodent plague may occur might spread together with the migration of the host rodents under conditions of national climate change to more aridity and warmth.

    No Bruce Effect in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)
    WANG Yuting,ZHAO Xin,ZHU Shuiping,LIU Dingzhen
    2010, 30(4):  418-423. 
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    The Bruce Effect is a type of pregnancy block caused by chemosignals emitted by unfamiliar males. It is thought to be an adaptation in females that prevents male from committing infanticide. This phenomenon was first discovered in mice (Mus musculus) by Hilda M. Bruce, and has been tested in many other species of rodents with mixed results. Whether the Bruce Effect is a common phenomenon in laboratory rodents is unknown. Here, we tested weather the Bruce Effect occurs in golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) by exposing pregnant female hamsters to either hovel males or their mates one day after mating. We also measured female mass, average embryo mass, adrenal gland, spleen, ovary and uterus to determine if pregnant females became stressed after being exposed to novel males. We found no difference in the percentages of postabort, body weight, embryo mass and the mass of organs (adrenal gland, spleen, ovary and uterus)between the treatment and control female groups. Our results show that the Bruce Effect does not exist in golden hamsters, and thus is not common to all laboratory animals.

    Effect of light on activity patterns of Mandarin voles ( Lasiopodomys mandarinus)
    and KM mice ( Mus musculus)
    2010, 30(4):  424-429. 
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    Light exerts an important influence on activity patterns of nocturnal and diurnal mammals. Under laboratory conditions and exposed to four levels of light intensity,< 20 Lux,200 Lux,800 Lux,and 1 600 Lux,variations in body mass and behavior of Mandarin vole ( Lasiopodomys mandarinus) and KM mouse ( Mus musculus) were investigated via employing focal animal sampling auto-video system for 24 hr. Under a light intensity of 800 Lux,behavior of experimental animals were recorded for 12 hr with different light durations ( 12L∶ 12D and 0L∶ 24D) . The data were analyzed by using twoway ANOVA in SPSS for Windows ( version 13. 0) . The results showed that: 1) the interaction between light intensity and species was remarkable,the resting behavior was significantly and negatively related to light intensity in Mandarin voles,
    while this behavior was not significantly affected by light intensity in KM mice; 2) behavioral patterns of movement were to the reverse of resting behavior mentioned above both in Mandarin voles and KM mice; 3) under high light conditions,the
    relative activity in Mandarin voles was significantly greater than that in KM mice; and 4) light intensity differentially influenced body masses of the two rodent species: body mass was positively related to light intensity in Mandarin voles,whereas body mass in KM mice appeared not to be remarkably affected by light intensity. This research tested different light adaptations between subterranean and ground inhabiting rodent species. Light would enhance activities for subterranean rodents, and appeared to change activity pattern unobvious.
    Evaporative water loss and thermoregulation in tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri)
    XIE Jing,SHAN Zhenguang,ZHANG Lin,WANG Bei,WANG Zhengkun
    2010, 30(4):  430-438. 
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    Evaporative water loss (EWL) and energy metabolism were measured at different temperatures in tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri) from the Kunming area of Yunnan Province. The thermal neutral zone (TNZ) of T. belangeri was 30-35 , and the average EWL was 2.82 mg H2O/g·h within the TNZ. EWL in T. belangeri increased as the temperature increased, the maximal EWL was 3. 878 mg H2O/ g·h at 37.5 . EWL plays an important role in the regulation of body temperature. Compared with the ecophysiological characteristics of sympatric species in the same area,we concluded that T.belangeri has the typical characteristics of tropical small mammals in metabolism,body temperature regulation and EWL, but it shows some ecophysiological characteristics adapted to the subtropical plateau climate.
    First confirmation of the distribution of tundra shrew (Sorex tundrensis) in China
    LIU Yang,WANG Hao,LIU Shaoying
    2010, 30(4):  439-443. 
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    Four specimens (NM1,NM2,NM3,NM4) of genus the Sorex were trapped by the pitfall trap method in Eerguna National Nature Reserve,Inner Mongolia,China,in August,2008. All specimens are small,with tail lengths less than 32 mm,and resembled S. minutissimus. The length of the condylo-incisive length varied from 16.50 to 17.24 mm , which exceeded that reported for S.minutissimus (15 mm). To identify the taxonomic status of the specimens,we sequenced

    mitochondrial cytochrome b genes. We combined our data with sequences of Sorex retrieved from GenBank to construct a phylogenetic tree. Our 4 specimens from Inner Mongolia clustered with S. tundrensis, and formed a well supported monophyletic clade. We found that the genetic distances between downloaded S. tundrensis sequences and our sequences were very small. Thus, we consider these four specimens to be S. tundrensis and are a new record of the species in China.

    Serologic survey for antibodies to H5 subtype influenza A virus in tigers
    GAO Yuwei,ZHOU Ming,LIU Dan,WANG Wei,WANG Ligang,YANG Songtao,ZHU Xiaowen, HUANG Geng,WANG Tiecheng,XIA Xianzhu
    2010, 30(4):  444-448. 
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    To explore the prevalence of the H5 subtype influenza A virus in captive tigers in China,the antibodies of 309 tigersserum samples,which were collected from Harbin, Yichang, Guilin, Shanghai, Zhengzhou, and Tangshan between 1998 and 2009,were detected using the hemagglutination inhibition test (HI). All 20 samples collected from April of 1998 to April of 2002 were HI antibody negative. Among 24 of 31 samples collected from July of 2002 to June of 2003 whose clinical signs such as fever and pneumonia were obvious, HI antibody were positive. Surprisingly, the antibody titers of paired sera from two tigers without clinical signs also were HI antibody positive. Of 220 samples randomly collected in 2004 in Harbin,14 of 28 samples collected from tigers with clinical signs were HI antibody positive. In addition, we found that 43 samples collected from tigers without clinical signs also were positive with 110 - 180 antibody titers. In 2009, only 3 out of 43 samples were HI antibody positive. These results indicate that H5 subtype influenza virus have already acquired the ability to infect tigers and pose a threat to captive tigers and public heath.

    Seasonal variations in the activity budgets of the white-headed langur
    ZHOU Qihai,HUANG Henglian,TANG Xiaoping,HUANG Chengming
    2010, 30(4):  449-455. 
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    We collected behavioral data from a group of white-headed langurs (Trachypitheucs leucocephalus) between August 2007 and July 2008 at Fusui Rare Animal Reserve,Guangxi Province, China using the instantaneous scan sampling method. Our goal is to investigate the influences of temporal and spatial distribution of temperature and food resources on diurnal activity budgets of white-headed langurs. Our results indicated that white-headed langurs showed morning and afternoon feeding peaks,with a midday resting peak in accordance of changes of diurnal ambient temperature. There were marked seasonal changes in activity cycles:more time was spent resting in the midday resting peak in the rainy season than in the dry season. On the contrary, there was a minor midday feeding peak in the dry season. Langurs spent ca. 46.4% of their daytime resting, 29.0% moving, 20.3% feeding,4.3% for other behaviors. Their activity budgets varied seasonally: the langurs spent more time in moving + feeding and less time on resting in the dry season than in the rainy season.There were significant correlations between the monthly percentage of time spent on various main activities and the monthly proportion of young leaves and mature leaves in the diet.

    Development and application of primers for molecular identification of
    self-biting individuals among minks
    LI Yumei,DING Xuemei,SUN Boxing,SHI Xudong,FANG Hengtong,ZHAO Yun,ZHAO Zhihui
    2010, 30(4):  456-459. 
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    DNA samples obtained from healthy and self-biting Jinzhou Black minks were amplified by PCR with 100 random primers. A DNA fragment corresponding to self-biting cases was identified and marked as S356. The DNA fragment was purified and cloned into PMD18-T vector, subsequently, transformed into E. Coli JM109 and sequenced. We applied the SCAR label technology to detect the molecular marker S356 among the healthy and self-biting minks. Based on the sequence of S356, two pairs of SCAR primers,S356 - 8001 and S356 - 8002,were designed and used in PCR detection. The result showed that the target DNA fragment was amplified from 29 of 30 self-biting minks (96.67% positive correspondence rate) with the SCAR labeling primers S356 - 8001 and S356 -8002. However, there was no target fragment detected from healthy minks. The DNA fragment was denominated as DS356800, which could be used as a genetic marker to differentiate potential self-biting individuals from healthy minks, and could form a guideline for future anti-disease genetic breeding to eliminate the self-biting disease from mink populations.

    A new record of Myotis altarium and its karyotype in Guangdong,China
    ZHANG Yanjun, DENG Baisheng, LI Yuchun, GONG Yuening, Masaharu MOTOKAWA,Masashi HARADA,Yuta SHINTAKU6,WU Yi
    2010, 30(4):  460-464. 
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    A new record of Myotis altarium was found in Guangdong Province when a survey was conducted in Nanling National Nature Reserve in September 2009. Its features are described in detail and compared with the original description.Comparisons between its morphological measurement data and published data,as well as the analytical results of its karyotype (2n = 44, FN = 50),it can be identified as Myotis altarium. In this study, echolocation calls of Myotis altarium were found to be frequency modulated and of short pulse duration. We also found that the maximum frequency and pulse duration in holding status and flying status are greatly different.