Identifying and prioritizing the restoration of impaired giant panda habitats is a crucial prerequisite for habitat restoration initiatives within the Giant Panda National Park. When park managers decide to undertake habitat restoration work, it becomes imperative to determine the priority areas. The study considers habitat protection and restoration difficulty comprehensively, to establish a multi-criteria decision analysis for evaluating the priority areas of habitat restoration. This method is based on the analytic hierarchy process and ordered weighted averaging (AHP-OWA), and the Yingjing area of the Giant Panda National Park was selected as a case study to assess the adaptability of the method within the National Park. The results indicate that the damaged or impaired habitat covers an area of 4 273. 97 hm², comprising nine types and accounting for 5. 11% of the total area of the Giant Panda National Park in Yingjing County. Notably,low-quality secondary forests, artificial pure forests and mine area constitute the largest types of damaged habitat. The AHP-OWA decision analysis method quantitatively reveals the trade-off in the‘protection-cost’relationship. This method offers a range of priority strategies for restoring damaged habitats under different decision-making scenarios. Ultimately, it provides crucial decision-making support for habitat protection and restoration efforts within the Giant Panda National Park. Irrespective of the various scenarios considered, the study identifies the low-quality secondary forests in the high-density distribution area of giant pandas in the northern region of the Toudao watershed along G108 highway as the habitat restoration areas with the highest priority. Given the diverse types of damaged giant panda habitat with varying vegetation and soil characteristics, future habitat restoration efforts should employ measures such as soil restoration, planting, thinning, or striped clear-cutting, tailored to the specific needs of each habitat type.

The degradation of grasslands caused by overgrazing provides abundant protein food resources for the plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) and changes in the content of essential amino acids (especially methionine) in the food can affect the host intestinal microbial community. In this study, plateau pikas were fed with 0. 26% and 0. 45% methionine diets according to the methionine content in their stomach contents in different degraded grasslands for 50 days. Collected feces were used for metagenomics and non-targeted metabolomics analysis to evaluate the effects of high methionine treatment on intestinal microbial communities and metabolites of plateau pika. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the α and β diversity of the intestinal microbial community of plateau pikas in the high methionine group compared with the low methionine group, but the abundance of Candidatus_Saccharibacteria and Tenericutes was significantly increased and the functions of butyric acid metabolism, taurine, and hypotaurine metabolism were significantly expressed, and the up-regulated metabolites were mainly enriched in primary bile acid synthesis, ascorbic acid and aldehyde metabolism, Th17 cell differentiation, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, B cell receptor signaling pathway, T cell receptor signaling pathway, and NF-κB pathway. On the other hand, the carbohydrate metabolism function of plateau pika microbiota in the low methionine group was significantly expressed, and its up-regulated metabolites were mainly enriched in amino acid metabolism-related pathways. These results suggest that high methionine foods can change intestinal microbes and their metabolites, which may enhance the immune and reproductive performance of the host, and play an important role in improving the individual fitness and population size of plateau pikas.

Gut microbiota are susceptible to environmental stresses and the relative stability of their structure is essential for maintaining animal health. Cortisol, as a stress hormone, not only responds to the current stress condition of the animal but also affects the gut microbiota structure of the animal. However, the covariation mechanism between gut flora and faecal cortisol in Ailurus fulgens has not been investigated yet. We compared the fecal cortisol and gut microbiota structure of Ailurus fulgens in different living environments (captive, semi-free-ranging and wild) to elucidate the patterns of change in cortisol and gut microbiota organisms. The results revealed that among different living environments, the lowest cortisol concentration was found in captive condition (71. 1 ± 21. 6) ng/g, and its concentration was (111. 3 ± 5. 6) ng/g in semi-free-ranging environment, while the highest (5094. 8 ± 5383. 9) ng/g was found in wild environment. Meanwhile, the highest shannon index of gut microbiota of Ailurus fulgens was found in the semi-free-ranging environment (6. 178), followed by the wild condition (5. 535), and the lowest in captive environment (3. 449). Cortisol concentrations in captive Ailurus fulgens showed a significant negative correlation (P<0. 001) with Escherichia-Shigella and a significant positive correlation (P<0. 001) with Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1. In summary, different living environments significantly affect the gut microbiota composition and faecal cortisol concentration of Ailurus fulgens. Reducing the frequency and intensity of environmental changes can effectively reduce their stress and maintain the health and stability of the gut flora, which will provide technical support for the health management of Ailurus fulgens populations.

Reproduction period is one of the most important stages of life history in small mammals, during which the maternal energy requirements are maximized in lactation. To meet the energy requirements of their offspring, mothers usually increase energy intake to a ceiling, i. e. the maximal sustained energy intake (mSusEI). The notable plasticity of the digestive morphology and function is important for a variety of animals to cope with the changes in energy requirements. However, so far it is unclear if the mSusEI during peak lactation is constrained by the digestive system. In the present study, body mass, food intake, gross energy intake, digestibility, resting metabolic rate, and milk energy output, as well as the mass of gastrointestinal tracts and the digestive enzymes activity of the small intestine were examined in striped hamsters (Cricetulus barabensis) that were fed with high-fiber diet during lactation. The maternal energy intake and reproductive output were analyzed in the hamsters raising different litter sizes. The activity of digestive enzymes was also compared in the hamsters raising small, medium, and large litter sizes under the high-fiber diet feeding. The results showed that the energy budgets of the hamsters during lactation were correlated with litter size. The mSusEI was not significantly affected by high-fiber diet. The hamsters fed with high-fiber diet decreased digestive energy intake and digestibility significantly, but did not change their gross energy intake, compared to those fed with low-fiber control diet. The milk energy output was significantly decreased in the hamsters fed with high-fiber diet, which could not meet the energy requirements of offspring, resulting in decreased growth rate during the lactation period. The masses of stomach,small intestine, large intestine and caecum, as well as the activity of amylase, maltase and aminopeptidase of the small intestine were significantly higher in the hamsters fed with high-fiber diet than those fed with low-fiber control diet, while neither tract mass nor digestive enzyme activity was significantly affected by litter size. These data indicate that the mSusEI at peak lactation is constrained by the digestive system, providing support for the central limitation hypothesis. Based on the central limits to the mSusEI at peak lactation, the increases of fiber content in diet may decrease reproductive value.

With the intensification of human activities, conflicts between humans and wildlife, especially those protected animals, are becoming one of the major concerns of conservation biology. Non-human primates are highly genetically like human. Non-human primates are highly genetically like humans and are prone to zoonotic diseases. Conflicts with humans can pose a series of serious safety issues. Based on this, we counted 2 000 human-monkey (macaque: Macaca mulatta) conflicts happened in Guiyang from 2014 to 2022. We found that (1) in all incidents, 83% are a group of 3-10 macaques (15% and 2% are one and two individuals, respectively), 60% are male, 10% are female bringing infant, and the remaining 30% could not distinguish between genders; and (2) human-macaque conflict mainly happened within a 10 km radius (0. 065-23. 5 km) centered around Qianlingshan Park, gradually decreasing towards the surrounding area in a diffusion pattern, and negatively with the distance to Qianlingshan Park (-0. 17, R² = 0. 117). From 2014 to 2022, the overall trend of conflicts has raised, and mainly concentrated in January each year and scattered in other months. Because of the lack of natural enemy and feeding of humans, the population of Macaque in Qianlingshan Park grows rapidly, leading to diffusion to city around and robbery. This study revealed spatiotemporal distribution of human-monkey conflicts, which has a guiding meaning for alleviating conflicts between humans and monkeys.

To explore the daily activity rhythm of Cervus nippon kopschi with its sympatric ungulate, and its temporal niche differentiation, we set 51 infrared cameras in Qianqingtang region of the Zhejiang Qingliangfeng National Nature Reserve and conducted monitoring from December 2014 to November 2016. We analyzed the seasonal differences and overlaps of daily activity rhythms by using the Kernel Density Estimation and Overlap index calculation. Four species of ungulates were recorded in the study area, which were the Cervus nippon kopschi, Muntiacus reevesi, Sus scrofa and Capricornis milneedwardsii. Muntiacus reevesi exhibited the highest relative abundance index (30. 43), followed by Cervus nippon kopschi (8. 83), Sus scrofa (7. 47), and Capricornis milneedwardsii (0. 02). Cervus nippon kopschi, Muntiacus reevesi and Sus scrofa tend to have more similar daily activity rhythms, with the highest activity during dawn and dusk. However, when evaluating daily activity rhythm curves,we detected significant differences among those three species. The daily activity rhythm of Cervus nippon kopschi and sympatric ungulates varied across seasons. In spring, the daily activity patterns of Cervus nippon kopschi were relatively uniform, while Muntiacus reevesi (05: 00-07: 00, 17: 00-19: 00) and Sus scrofa (11: 00-13: 00, 16: 00-18: 00) displayed two clear peaks. In summer, there were two activity peaks for Cervus nippon kopschi, Muntiacus reevesi, and Sus scrofa, with significant differences in the daily activity rhythm between the Cervus nippon kopschi and Muntiacus reevesi (△ = 0. 819 4; P<0. 001), as well as between Muntiacus reevesi and Sus scrofa (△ = 0. 821 2; P<0. 001). In autumn and winter, two activity peaks were observed for Cervus nippon kopschi, Muntiacus reevesi, and Sus scrofa, but with no significant differences. The differentiation in daily activity rhythm of Cervus nippon kopschi and sympatric ungulates might be due to the species’physiological characteristics, diets, and habitat changes. Our study provides a theoretical basis for understanding the coexistence mechanism of sympatric ungulates.

The wild boar (Sus scrofa) is a widely distributed species but its distribution in the Zhejiang Province has been little investigated. Conflicts between wild boars and people in the forestry production area of Zhejiang hilly area have become increasingly intense in the past years. In this study, we explored the relationship between forestry production and wild boars in Changshan County (109 900 hm2), in the hilly areas of western Zhejiang Province. Infrared cameras were used to investigate the abundance and distribution of wild boars in the non-harvest (January-August and December) and harvest (September-November) seasons of forestry crops in 2022. 15 634 independent photographs were obtained from a total of 12 738 camera working days using 50 camera sites. We also analyzed the effects of other animals, human activities, and environmental factors on the distribution and activity patterns of wild boars using species association scales, kernel density estimation, and generalized linear models. From the non-harvest to the harvest season of forestry crops, we found that the distribution frequency of wild boars increased from 0. 26 to 0. 55, the distribution overlap area between wild boar and other species decreased, and the distribution frequency of 13 species of small and medium-sized birds and mammals decreased in the surveyed area. Compared to the non-harvest season, the daily activities of wild boars in the harvest season reduced in the 12: 00-17: 00 period and increased in the 19: 00-24: 00 period. Negative binomial regression analysis indicated that the environmental factors affecting the distribution of wild boars mainly included three variables: shrub cover, slope, and distance from the roads. Our findings indicated that the distribution of wild boar in the hilly forestry production areas of Zhejiang Province was mainly influenced by forestry production activities. The results provide an important theoretical basis for investigating wild boar habitat selection and the development of wild boar-related management methods.

Habitat suitability assessment can explore the suitable space and habitat quality for species from a macro perspective. Assessing the environmental factors affecting species distribution and predicting suitable habitats are crucial for effective species conservation and habitat management. Understanding the habitat suitability of Capreolus pygargus is not only beneficial to the understanding and conservation of this species, but also helpful to explore the potential population of sympatric animals. In this study, 114 valid sites of Capreolus pygargus were recorded by infrared camera method in the eastern Yanshan Mountains in 2018, 2022 and 2023, and the habitat suitability of this species in the area was evaluated using MaxEnt model. The results showed that the total suitable habitat area of this species was 8 523 km², accounting for 14. 59% of the total study area. Highly suitable habitats accounted for 1. 83%, mainly distributed in the central and eastern parts of the country. Medium suitable and low suitable habitats accounted for 3. 78% and 9. 00%, respectively, and were mainly located in the surrounding area of high suitable habitats. Temperature annual range, maximum temperature of warmest month and vegetation type were the main environmental variables affecting the habitat suitability of Capreolus pygargus in the eastern Yanshan Mountains, while precipitation of the wettest month and altitude had relatively little effect. Capreolus pygargus preferred environments with temperature annual range between 39.4-44.0°C, maximum temperature of warmest month between 22.7 °C and 27.7 °C, precipitation in the wettest month exceeds 155. 8 mm, and about 775. 7 m above sea level in the eastern Yanshan Mountains. Common vegetation types in temperate zones such as broadleaved forest, coniferous forest, and shrubland were suitable for Capreolus pygargus. This study clarified the distribution and key environmental influencing factors of suitable habitat for Capreolus pygargus in the eastern Yanshan Mountains, filled the gap in the study of the habitat of wild Capreolus pygargus in this area, and provided a theoretical basis for animal protection and habitat management in the future.

Heat shock protein beta-11 (HSPB11) is a member of the small heat shock protein family, which has the functions of anti-apoptosis, promoting cell survival, and maintaining cell morphology. Under heat stress, dysautophagy is one of the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury, incomplete repair of kidney injury, and chronic kidney disease. The basic autophagy of kidney cells is key to maintaining kidney homeostasis, structure, and function. To study the role of yak HSPB11 on heat-stressed MDBK cell activity and apoptosis. Cells were divided into control group, heat stress group, and treatment group. PCR amplification, bioinformatics analysis, prokaryotic expression vector construction, CCK-8 method, acridine orange staining method, fluorescent enzyme labeling assay, fluorescence quantitative PCR, and other methods were used. A 757 bp amplified fragment of yak HSPB11 was obtained. Phylogenetic tree showed that the similarity between yak HSPB11 and Bos taurus HSPB11 was 99%. pET-32a-HSPB11 recombinant plasmid was successfully constructed and expression yielded about 35 kDa of yak HSPB11. The yak HSPB11 concentration of 10. 0 μg/mL was screened to be the optimal concentration as the treatment group. The results showed that the relative activity of cells was significantly different between the control group and the heat stress group (P = 0. 004), and the relative activity of cells was significantly different between the heat stress group and the treatment group (P<0. 001). In the heat stress group, the cells contracted and the nucleus lysed in fragments, while in the treatment group, cell lysed was rare. In addition, the nucleic acid fluorescence intensity of MDBK cells in the heat stress group was significantly higher than that in the control group and treatment group (P<0. 001). The mRNA expressions of caspase-3, caspase-9 and Bcl-2 in the heat stress group were significantly higher than those in the control group and treatment group (P<0. 001). In summary, it is hypothesized that yak HSPB11 alleviates MDBK cell damage by heat stress through the apoptotic pathway, which provides basic information for exploring the function of yak HSPB11.

From 2018 to 2023, wild Pseudois nayaur were found to have died of unknown causes continuously in Helan Mountain National Nature Reserve of Ningxia, which was confirmed to be positive for peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) nucleic acid through anatomical sampling and real-time fluorescent RT-PCR detection. Vero cells were used to isolate some strains of PPRV, and RT-PCR was used to amplify the full-length fragments of PPRV F gene from diseased domestic sheep and wild animal samples in Ningxia. DNASTAR Lasergene and MEGA X were used to compare and analyze the PPRV F gene sequence and construct a phylogenetic tree to analyze its molecular genetic characteristics. The results show: the homology of F gene of PPRV strains infected by domestic sheep and Pseudois nayaur of Helan Mountain in different years in Ningxia was above 99%, among which the 2023 strain had the highest homology of 99. 8% with that in January 2018 and 2019, and 99. 6% with the PPR epidemic strains in 2014 and 2016 in Ningxia and China/XJYL/2013(KM091959. 1) of Xinjiang. Genetic analysis showed that the PPRV of wild Pseudois nayaur and domestic sheep in Ningxia belonged to the central Asian branch of gene Ⅳ line. Therefore, it is speculated that the epidemic of PPR in Ningxia and neighboring provinces may have spread in the wild animals of Helan Mountain through different ways, and it is necessary to strengthen the surveillance of PPR and other wild animal diseases.

On August 15, 2015, an adult male Blainville’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris) was found stranded on the beach of Shibi Village in Wenling Town, Changle District, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province. This specimen showed no apparent signs of physical trauma on its body surface but succumbed despite rescue attempts. In our investigation, we conducted a comprehensive pathological autopsy, which included collecting external morphometric data and detailing an anatomical description of the skeletal system. The whale measured 405. 0 cm in total body length and exhibited a dark gray epidermis with interspersed white, round or oval-shaped wound spots. The post-mortem examination revealed no pathological anomalies in any internal organs. Notably, the absence of food chyme in the stomach and the minimal presence of digestive fluid suggest that the whale had likely not ingested food for some time before its death. Cranial measurements indicated a skull length of 690.0 mm. The vertebral formula was recorded as C7+T10+L11+Ca18 = 46, with 10 pairs of ribs and 9 V-bones. The morphological characteristics of the skeletal system were consistent with existing records, with all observed counts and dimensions falling within the species’typical range. Additionally, this paper compares and analyzes the historical stranding and anatomical records of the Burkholder’s beaked whale in the waters of China, indicating its widespread distribution. However, basic information on this species is still lacking, and there is an urgent need for investigation and research.

Since its discovery in 1907, Sicista caudata is represented by only a few specimens, and morphological and molecular data are scarce. Six specimens of S. caudata were collected in the mixed forest of Hengdaohezi region, Heilongjiang Province, China (altitude about 740 m, 44°48′44″N, 129°02′04″E) between April and October 2023. Morphological characteristics of S. caudata were summarized based on the original description and the new specimens. The dorsal hairs of the body are brownish yellow or brown, without a longitudinal line. The ventral hairs are grayish yellow or grayish white. The dorsal of the front and hind feet are of the same color, covered with white hairs. The color of the dorsal of the tail is similar to the color of the dorsal of the body, while the ventral color of the tail is slightly lighter. The color of the tail is non-bicolor. The head-and-body length ranges from 60 to 71 mm, and the tail length from 100 to 116 mm. The tail is 1. 5 times longer than the head-and-body length. The greatest length of the skull ranges 19. 6-20. 9 mm. The phylogenetic tree shows that S. caudata specimens from Heilongjiang, China and from Sakhalin, Russia form sister lineages with a genetic distance of 0. 037 6.

The golden snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) has marked seasonal changes in facial color and reproductive activity. Quantitative measurement of color is the premise of studying color change, and it is also the first technical problem that must be solved to reveal the mechanism of color change. In this study, a digital camera was used to capture facial portraits and a standard color card was used to calibrate the photo colors. Then, the facial colors were digitized using Image J software. The reliability of photo digital measurement in the study of golden snub-nosed monkeys’facial colors was verified by measuring the facial colors with B/Y value. The results show that the digital photo measurement method can significantly distinguish the difference in individual facial color between birth season and mating season. This proves that the facial color is related to the season to some extent, and digital photography is a reliable method to evaluate the facial color change of golden snub-nosed monkeys.