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08 March 2009, Volume 29 Issue 1

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Comparison of activity budgets of sympatric Francois’langurs and Assamese macaques

ZHOU Qihai,HUANG Zhonghao,WEI Hua,CHEN Tianbo,HUANG Chengming

2009, 29(1):  1-6. 

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We collected behavioral data from one group of Francois’langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi) and two groups of
sympatric Assamese macaques (Macaca assamensis) during September 2005 - August 2006 at Nonggang Nature Reserve, Guangxi Province,China,using instantaneous scan sampling method. Our objective was to explore the influence of temporal and spatial distribution of food resources on activity budgets of these sympatric primate. Activity budgets were significantly different. Francois’langurs spent a higher proportion of time resting than Assamese macaques. Assamese macaques spent more time moving than Francois’langurs. These sympatric primates adopt different strategies in response to seasonal scarcities of preferred foods. When availability of young leaves and fruits decreased during the dry season,Francois’langurs increased time feeding and moving,and reduced time resting. Conversely,Assamese macaques reduced time moving and spent more time resting. We suggest that the differences in activity budgets of sympatric Francois’langurs and Assamese
macaques were related to the variations in the availability of food resources or their diet composition.

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Aggressive behaviors and the rank order of a provisioned group of Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in Shennongjia

YU Peilong,YANG Jinyuan,BAO Weidong,YU Huiliang,YAO Hui,WU Feng

2009, 29(1):  7-11. 

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We described the function of aggressive behaviors in maintaining the rank order of a provisioned group of Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana). Using behavior sampling and all-occurrence recording method,aggressive behaviors and the rank order were recorded for a group of 45 individuals in Shennongjia Nature Reserve from January to June 2007. The results indicated that eight types of aggressive behaviors were observed,i. e. gugu,grasping,chasing, staring,staring and gugu,driving,plundering food,and fighting,from high-to low- frequency. The recipients did not exhibit significant differences among sex / age classes,while significant sex/ age differences were observed in initiators. Males initiated aggressive behaviors more frequently than females. The frequency of the occurrence of aggressive behaviors among age classes of initiators were:adult >sub-adult > young > juvenile. More aggressive behaviors occurred within onemale
units than among one-male units. According to the dominance index for each unit,the rank order among units was: Chang Mao Unit > Bai Tou Unit > Hong Tou Unit. The higher frequency of aggressive behaviors among intra-unit members suggested the small food provisioning spot might induce more occurrences of aggressive behaviors when intra-unit members grasped food items. We recommended the food provisioning spot be enlarged and food items be given to each individual rather than each unit or the whole group,to reduce the occurrence of aggressive behaviors.


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Food selection pattern for plateau pika in winter

LIU Wei,ZHANG Yu,WANG Xi,ZHAO Jianzhong,XU Qingmin,Zhou Li

2009, 29(1):  12-19. 

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We compared diets of pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) among meadows dominated by Kobresia humilis, Elymus nutans, and forbs,using micro-histological analysis of stomach contents. Our objective was to explain the effects of changing habitats on pikas,and to examine adaptability and foraging strategy for pikas in winter. The results showed that pikas prefer Leontopodium pusillum, Ajania khartensis, Elymus nutans, Oxytropis kansuensis, Ligusticum thomsonii rather than the others, and plant species composition was larger during food shortage winter. In the Kobersia humilis meadow,main food items were A. khartensis of 16.2% , L. pusillum of 11.5% ,O. kansuensis of 11.3% , Artemisia sieversiana of 9.7%, Poa sp. of 7.6% , Ligusticum thomsonii of 7.5%, E. nutans of 5.5% , and total food items of 69.3%. In the E. nutans meadow, main food items were E. nutans of 15.8%,O. kansuensis of 14.7%, L. pusillum of 14.5%, A. khartensis of 14. 2%, Poa sp. of 7.8%, Ligusticum thomsonii of 6.9%, Draba lanceolata of 6.2%, and total food items of 80.1%. In the forbs meadow, main food items were A. khartensis of 20.8%, Ligusticum thomsonii of 20.6%, A. khartensis of 9. 9% , L. pusillum of 9.8% , D. lanceolata of 6.5% , Heterpappus crenatifolius of 5.5% ,and total food items of 73.1%. The diets with habitats,suggesting that they can adapt to changing habitat conditions. The results,which the food items compared in different habitats,indicated that habitat changing had a little influence on food items in winter,and the forbs were the main food resource,it may be decided by food quality. The food availability in different habitats may be the key factor that influenced food items. These results above support to the hypothesis that the food availability and food quality decide food selection pattern further more.


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Life history patterns and population dynamics of Hainan Eld’s deer (Cervus eldi hainanus) in Bangxi Nature Reserve,Hainan

NIE Haiyan,SONG Yanling,ZHENG Youfeng,ZENG Zhigao,ZHANG Qiong,FU Daliang

2009, 29(1):  20-25. 

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We describe life history patterns and analyze population dynamics of an enclosed population of Hainan Eld’s deer (Cervus eldi hainanus), an endemic,precious and endangered mammal which inhabited in Bangxi Nature Reserve of Hainan Province. Average life span among all animals was about 4.6 years (4. 7 years for females,4. 4 for males). Sexual maturity among females began at an average age of females was 16 months. Mean age of females at first parturition was just over 2 years. All offspring were produced in autumn and winter,the rainy seasons of tropical Hainan Island,when vegetation prospered and food was abundant,and favorable for juveniles to survive. The longest reproductive span of females was 8.5 years;among males, it was and the longest reproductive life span of males was about 4 years. Adult females produced an average of 1 fawn/ yr (i. e.,
litter size =1). The sex ratio of neonates (male∶female)was 1.33∶1. The mortalities of males were different from those of females at different age stages:Female mortality was higher than that of males in yearlings (0 -2 years);adult male mortality was higher than that of adult females (3 - 8 years),suggesting that males had paid higher reproductive cost than females. Annual mortality was highest at older ages (- 9 years)and male mortality was almost equal to that of females at senior stage,which showed that the seniors were the weakest and underwent strongest natural selection. A Leslie matrix suggested that,at stable age distribution,λ≈1.011,with a generation interval of≈5.12 years.

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A comparison of two home range core estimators for Tibetan fox (Vulpes ferrilata)

LIU Qunxiu,WANG Zhenghuan,WANG Xiaoming

2009, 29(1):  26-31. 

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Home range core has been defined as the area used intensively by an animal and which contains critical resources for living,such as cover,food,and if applicable,a denning or roosting location. The identification of home range core has received considerable interest among researchers,but it has proven difficult to come to consensus on the best way to quantify it in an objective and accurate way that yields biologically significant information. We documented 199 locations of 3 Tibetan foxes (Vulpes ferrilata) in Gouli Township,Dulan County,Qinghai Province during April 2006,September-October 2006,and January - April 2007. Using these locations,we estimated home range cores using both fixed kernel and harmonic mean methods based on the home range core identification principles of Seaman and Powell (1990). We compared these 2 methods to determine the better one for home range core estimation. Home range core size was influenced by total home range in both methods. Home range core estimated using the fixed kernel method was more sensitive to total
home range area than that using the harmonic mean method,and variable coefficients varied greatly. Home range core size using the fixed kernel method was negatively correlated with sample size,whereas that using the harmonic mean was positively correlated with sample size. Area not actually in the animal’s home range was more easily included in the harmonic. However,to some extent this drawback can be eliminated when home range core was estimated. The harmonic mean method reflected the center of activity more precisely,and more locations of foxes were included in the home range core estimated. For our Tibetan foxes,fixed kernel home ranges showed some more consistency with varying sample size,but harmonic mean was suggested to be the better home range core estimator.

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Nest-site selection by the Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in Liangshui Nature Reserve

RONG Ke,MA Jianzhang,ZONG Cheng

2009, 29(1):  32-39. 

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Nests are important structures for reproduction and survival for tree squirrels. Some investigations showed that the Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)depended on Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) for food. This paper performed a research on nest-site selection of the Eurasian red squirrel in Liangshui National Nature Reserve from June 11th to September 27, 2006 and August 14th to September 21th, 2007. The data of nest-sites (n = 107) were obtained in comparison with random sites (n = 230). Twelve nest tree characteristics and 7 habitat characteristics were respectively measured at each site. Nests in this research were found that in four different conifer species. The statistical analysis showed that despite 59.8 ±4.7% nests were built in Korean
pine,squirrels significantly selected needle fir (Picea) and spruce (Abies nephrolepis) for habitat as nest sites. Nests were built close to the main trunk at a height of 12.4 ± 0.4 m (ratio of nest to tree height = 0.60 ± 0.02) in upper canopy of needle fir and spruce,and in lower canopy of Korean pine. Nest trees were larger (tree height 21.5 ± 0.4 m) and had more access routes (3.6 ± 0.1) than random trees. Nests were built most frequently in middle,lower slope and towards the south. The density (169 ± 4 trees / hm² )and diversity (Simpson index 0.51± 0. 01) of trees surrounding nests apparently was important for Sciurus vulgaris to build nests. Distance to canopy opening (including road) didn’t influence the nest-sites selection by Sciurus vulgaris.

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The relationship of the harvesting behavior of plateau pikas with the plant community

LIU Wei,ZHANG Yu,WANG Xi,ZHAO Jianzhong,XU Qingmin,ZHOU Li

2009, 29(1):  40-49. 

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The harvesting behavior,the relative frequencies and percentages of plants harvested by pikas,and the relation
of harvested plants composition with the food items in winter were analyzed by the direct observation and strip sampling methods,and explained the biological significance of harvesting behavior for pikas. The results
showed that pikas harvested plants in June, ahead of the caching time for other rodents. The relative frequency and biomass percentages of plants harvested by pikas were different in three kinds of habitats. In the Kobresia humilis meadow,the plants with the higher harvest relative frequency were Elymus nutans,Scirpus distigmaticus,Oxytropis kansuensis,Lagotis beachystachya,Ajania khartensis, Potentilla anserine, and the higher biomass percentages were the same; only the biomass percentages of L. beachystachya decreased. In the E. nutans meadow,the plants with the higher harvest relative frequency were E. nutans and Poa sp., and the plant with the higher biomass percentage was E. nutans. In the forbs meadow,the plants with the
higher harvest relative frequency were A. khartensis,Artemisia sieversiana,Ligularia virgaurea,Ligusticum thomsonii and Heterpappus crenatifolius,the plant with the higher biomass percentage was A. khartensis. The higher similarity coefficients of the harvest plants relative frequency and the biomass percentages were 0. 7862 and 0. 6100 respectively,while the smaller ones only were 0. 1422 and 0. 1035 between different habitats,and these showed a significant difference. However, in the same habitats,the higher similarity coefficient of the harvest plants relative frequency and the biomass percentages were 0. 9203 and 0. 8490 respectively, and the smaller ones were 0. 6662 and 0. 4440 between different months. This result indicated that plant community change can cause a change of the plant species and compositions harvested by pikas,and showed that
fitness regulation for pikas is related to changing habitats. The correlation analysis between the harvest relative frequency and the food items in winter showed a non-significant positive correlation (r = 0.4075,df =6,P > 0. 05), and it showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0. 8412,df = 6,P < 0.05) between the harvest biomass percentages and the food items in winter.


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Effects of long-term cold-exposure on adaptive thermogenesis in the tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri)

XIE Jing,ZHU Liping,WANG Zhengkun

2009, 29(1):  50-58. 

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The total protein contents,mitochondrial protein contents,state Ⅳ respiratory ability,respiration control ratio
(RCR),Cytochrome C oxidase activity of liver,heart,musculus diaphragma gastrocnemius and brown adipose tissue (BAT) in tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri) and serum thyroid hormone levels were measured during cold exposure (5 ± 1℃)for 1 day,7 days,14 days and 21 days. The results showed that the change of liver mitochondrial protein content was more acute than that for total protein. The mitochondrial protein content of heart and BAT were significantly increased during cold-exposure,however,the reaction of gastrocnemius was more moderate. The state IV mitochondrial respiration of these tissues increased more than did those of the control. The cytochrome C oxidase activity with cold acclimation also significantly increased for all except the gastrocnemius. Liver,gastrocnemius,BAT,heart and other organs were involved in thermoregulation during the thermal regulation process during cold-exposure. Therefore,cold-stress was an important stimulus regulator of the natural environment.

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Behavioral response of lactating Mandarin voles exposed to alien pups

WANG Jianli,TAI Fadao,AN Shucheng

2009, 29(1):  59-62. 

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Lactating Mandarin voles (Lasiopodomys mandarinus) were exposed to alien pups of different ages,and aggression and retrieval behaviors of mandarin vole dams were observed during the lactation period at 2 days (L2),6 days (L6), 10 days (L10),14 days (L14)and 20 days (L20). During the early lactating period (L2,L6),attacking frequencies of dams toward alien pups with different ages was significantly different (P &lt; 0.05),but this effect was not found during the mid (L14,L10) and late (L20)lactating periods (P &gt;0. 05). Dams displayed more aggression toward 14-day-old alien pups throughout the lactating period (P &lt; 0. 05),while attack behaviors of dams at different lactating times did not show significant differences while exposed to alien pups with the same age (P &gt; 0.05). These results suggest that attacking behavior of dams to alien pups may be related to age of alien pups but not to lactating time of dams.

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Cryopreservation of the captive black bear (Ursus thibetanus) semen

LIU Wei,LIU Jingzi,ZHANG Xingji,JIN Longfu,JIN Riming,CUI Chengdu

2009, 29(1):  63-68. 

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Semen was collected from 23 adult captive black bears. The ejaculates were diluted in three different extenders (Ⅰ:Tris-lactose-fructose-yolk,Ⅱ:Citric acid-glucosesucrose-yolk,Ⅲ:Tris-citric acid-fructose-glucose-yolk ). Thereafter, the diluted semen was stored at 4℃ . In the first part of this study,we evaluated the preservation time until sperm mobility rate declined to 0.3 in the three extenders. In experiment 2,we compared three different concentrations of glycerin in the cryoprotectants on frozen-thawed sperm viability,mobility,abnormality and intact acrosome rate of sperm. Finally, we compared computerized slow-stage and static liquid nitrogen vapour freezing methods. The results were as follow:When the mobility rate of sperm is over 0.3,the preservation time (175.42 ±3.04 h) in extender Ⅲ was longer than in extenders Ⅰ and Ⅱ (P < 0. 01),the preservation time in extender Ⅱ was longer than in extender Ⅰ (P <0.01). When using
3.5% glycerin as a cryoprotectant in extender Ⅲ,frozen-thawed sperm viability (41.75 ±3.46% ),mobility (32.63 ±5.27% ) and intact acrosome (85.62 ±4.58% ) rate of sperm were significantly higher from the other groups (P <0.01), and the abnormity (29.32 ± 8.22% ) rate of sperm was significantly lower than in the other groups (35.95 ± 8.04% , 36.07 ±7.72% ) (P ﹤ 0.01). When using automation of cryoapplication,frozen-thawed sperm viability,mobility and intact acrosome rate of sperm were significantly higher than ambi-step cryoapplication (P < 0.01),and abnormity rate of sperm was significantly lower than ambi-step cryoapplication (P < 0.01).

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The sterility effect of tripterygium glucosides (Tripterygium wilfordii) on male Brandt’s voles

LI Jimeng,ZHENG Min,GUO Yongwang,HAI Shuzhen,WU Xinping,JI Lili,SHI Dazhao

2009, 29(1):  69-74. 

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We tested the anti-fertility effects of Tripterygium wilfordii on adult male Brandt’s voles (Lasiopodomys
brandtii) during the mating period. We tested two experimental protocols:allowing voles to ingest the preparation freely, and forcing ingestion continuously. We examined effects at 3 dosages:80mg/ kg,120mg/ kg and 160 mg/ kg. Dosages of 120 mg / kg and 160 mg / kg both caused testis organ coefficients to decrease,but the difference of dosage in groups was not significant (F_(3,21) = 2.197,F _0.05 =3.07,P > 0.05). However,there was a dosage effect on the quantity and vigor of sperm in epididymis (F _(3,21) = 17.305,F _0.05 = 3.07,P < 0.05), and the density and activity of sperm appeared to decline with an increase in dose. Sperm abnormalities also increased with dose. Doses of 80 mg/ kg and higher not only produced atrophy in the epididymis but also damaged testis organization. At a dose of 120 mg /kg,mean number of embryos and reproductive rates of Brandt’s voles were reduced. We documented no abnormalities among descendant offspring of treated voles. The optimal dosage of Tripterygium wilfordii was between 120 and 160 mg/ kg. We observed no significant
difference in effect between male voles allowed to ingest the treatment freely and voles forced continuously to ingest the treatment.

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Clinical and pathological observations of mink,fox and raccoon dog canine distemper

WANG Junwei,REN Weijie,JIANG Ping,WANG Zhiliang,GUO Peiyuan

2009, 29(1):  75-80. 

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Epidemiological,clinical and pathological characters were observed and analyzed in fur-bearing animal populations suspected of canine distemper (CD)in Shandong,Hebei,Liaoning and Jiangsu Provinces from June to October, 2006. The tissue samples were used to isolate and identify bacteria and detect CDV specific nucleic acid,and pathological characters of liver,spleen,lung,brain,bladder were observed. The results showed that this CD was mainly caused by allocation and transportation of raccoon dogs and minks carrying CDVs. Pathological lesions were characterized as haemorrage of whole body tissues,and the severity levels to CDV from highest to lowest were raccoon dog,fox and mink,respectively. Histopathology featured alveolar wall thickening;inflammatory cell infiltration;eosinophilic global inclusion bodies forming in alveolar epithelial cell and urothelial cell intracytoplasm;bronchi epithelium deformation,necrosis and defluvium;lymphocyte infiltrating;apyogenous demyelination encephalitis emergence;distinct haemorrhage and necrosis in spleen,kidney, heart,liver,stomach and intestinal tract. Pathological comparison of lung,liver,brain,kidney and bladder indicated that there were no obviously differences apart from the pathological changes between minks,fox and raccoon dogs. However, differences of pathological lesions existed in the same species of animals depending on the course,the type,and complications of disease.

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Isolation and identification of blue fox parvovirus and sequence analysis of its VP1 gene

LIU Haifang,HU Chuanwei,XIE Zhijing,NI Changpeng,JIA Yun,JIANG Shijin,ZHANG Xingxiao,YANG Dubao

2009, 29(1):  81-85. 

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A parvovirus strain isolated from the feces of blue foxes in Tai’an,It was identified was parvovirus by a series of physicochemical assays,viral hemagglutination test and by examining animals exposed to it. The primers were designed based on the VP1 genes of the strains of CPV and FPV in Genbank. The VP1 gene of the isolate was amplified by PCR, which was cloned into pMD18 - T vector,sequenced and analyzed. The ORF of the VP1 gene of the isolate included 2 256 bp and encoded 727 amino acids. The nucleotide homologies of VP1 genes between the isolate and the CPV,FPV references are from 98.7% to 99.5% . Phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolate and FPV had the smaller inheritance distances. The 375th amino acids of the VP1protein of the isolate were identical to those of CPV,but the 223th,236th, 246th,466th,707th and 711th amino acids of the VP1 protein were consistent with those of FPV. The sequence of the VP1 gene of the isolate suggested transition between FPV and CPV. It implied that the isolate was blue fox parvovirus,named blue fox parvovirus Taian isolate (BFPV - TA),and blue fox played an important role in CPV appearance.

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The enlightenment to China:the current situation of macaque crop damage in Japan and research progresses in macaque management

ZHANG Peng,Kunio Watanabe

2009, 29(1):  86-95. 

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Japan is facing the problems of monkey crop damage as serious as China and many other primate range countries. An introduction of Japanese studies on macaque crop damage and associated management techniques may improve the relative studies
in China and reduce the human-wildlife conflicts. Therefore,the paper reviewes the history,social and ecological backgrounds, and current management technologies of monkey crop damage in Japan. The management technologies are summarized in two categories: emplacing physical barriers and emplacing psychological barriers. The applying conditions of these barriers are described. In order to polish the Chinese policy of wildlife management,the paper provided the management models from theoretical perspective and executive perspective respectively,and emphasized the coexistence of man and wildlife in China.

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Measurements of major internal organs and digestibility of wild pigs (Sus scrofa) captured from Ziwulin ountains,Gansu

GUN Shuangbao,MA Yanping,WANG Gang

2009, 29(1):  96-100. 

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Heart,lung,liver,stomach,large intestine and small intestine of wild pigs captured from the Ziwulin Mountains, Gansu were measured and compared with those of Bamei,a local domestic pig breed. Each group included two males and one female with body weights ranging from 33 kg to 43 kg. In addition,feed digestion of wild and Bamei pigs were determined in two males and one female with body weights of 53 ± 2.3 kg using a total feces collection method. Results showed that only the relative weight of lung of the wild pigs (2.1%)was significantly (P < 0.01)larger than that of Bamei. All the remaining measurements of wild pigs including lengths of large intestine (3.36 ± 0.38 m)and small intestine (14.15 ±0.31 m),lumen volumes of stomach (1.82 ± 1.36 L)and large intestine (5.91 ± 1.04 L),and weights of stomach (0.38 ±0.05 kg),large intestine (0.47 ± 0.04 kg)and small intestine (0.60 ±0.03 kg)were all less than those of Bamei (P < 0.05). Digestive indices of wild pigs including daily digestible mass of crude protein (0.23 ± 0.13 kg) and crude fiber (0.06 ±0.03 kg), percent digestibility for crude fiber (45.7 ± 1.8% )and daily intake of crude fiber (2.44 ±0.15 kg)were all lower than those of Bamei (P < 0.05). However,percent digestibilities of wild pigs for crude protein (75.9 ± 1.3%) and phosphorus (36.2 ± 2.3% ) were higher than those of Bamei (P < 0.05). These results suggest a potential benefit in development of management strategies for domestic production of wild pigs.

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A new subspecies of Ochotona forresti in southeastern Tibet,China

CHEN Xiaocheng,LI Wenjing

2009, 29(1):  101-105. 

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Three specimens of Ochotona forresti were collected from southeastern Tibet in 1977 and 1979. After a careful study,considered to be a new subspecies of Ochotona forresti. It is described as follows:
Ochotona forresti duoxionglaensis subsp. nov.
Holotype: 1♂,NIPB 77139,adult,collected from Duoxiongla Mountain (elevation:4 200 m),Motuo County,
southeastern Tibet, August 27,1977 by Prof. Cai Guiquan.
Paratypes: 2 ♀♀, NIPB 79072,adult,and NIPB 79071,subadult,collected from Bangzong valley (elevation:
4100 m), Milin County,southeastern,Tibet,September 14,1979 by Prof. Wu Jiayan.
Type specimens are deposited in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Museum of Biological Specimens,Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology,the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Diagnosis: Similar to Ochotona forresti osgoodi with larger bullae, (LAB 11.1 - 11.4 mm). Differences from other subspecies are as follows: O. f. duoxionglaensis is much bigger;greater skull length 40 7 - 41 4 mm;skull is much higher, height of skull 36.71% - 37.0% of greater skull length;Long hairs in front of ears are white. Forehead is black and brown,and sides of the faces are drabble grey. From back to buttocks are deep black,and the sides of the body are light black.
Remarks: Long hairs in front of the ears are white. Hairs inside ears are grey-white,back of ears chestnut,and edge of ear black and brown. Nape dark hoary grayish,belly and groin washed with buff,but middle of belly yellow. Fore and hind feet above grey,hind feet stouter. Fore claws longer than those of hind feet,terminal pads of toes blackish and not hidden by hair,conspicuous.
Skull: Relatively large,GLS 40.7 -41.4 mm. ; Comparatively convex in superior profile, BCH/ GLS about 36.71%- 37. 0% ; Bullae large,LAB 11.1 - 11.4 mm; Palatal and incisive foramina completely confluent,like a gourd or violin. There are no small vacuities at the anterior end of frontals. Nasal bone short but broad. The orbits are much bigger,and its greatest inner length is much longer than length of diastema.
Occurrence and habits:Found only in Motuo and Milin,southeastern Tibet. Habitats are in alpine shrub meadows,or in edge of forests.

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Molecular identification of a animal specimen of Cervidae

LI Jin,TAO Aiai,MENG Kai,WU Hailong

2009, 29(1):  106-108. 

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An undetermined animal specimen of Cervidae deposited in the Museum of Anhui Normal University has many
characteristics similar to male sika deer excect for both buckhorns without any ramus. In the present study,a partial sequence of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene was cloned and sequenced,then submitted to NCBI for blast. The results showed that the target sequence of the examined animal had great similarity to that of sika deer with the sequence difference between the two animals only 0.9% ,which was inside of the range of cytochrome b gene sequence variation within species (0 - 3% ). Similarly,phylogenetic analysis based on the the cytochrome b gene fragment for 11 deer using Neibor-joining method also indicated that the animal was highly related to sika deer. Therefore,the animal was identified as an individual of sika deer with morphological variation in the buckhorn. Because the animal was from Jing county Anhui Province,and given the current distribution of sika deer in China,the specimen was tentatively identified as Cervus nippon pseudaxis.