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The current distribution and prediction of suitable habitat of Eurasian lynx ( Lynx lynx) in China LIU Ke, LIU Yanlin, LI Sheng ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2023, 43 (6): 652-663.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150801 Abstract （824）   HTML （17）    PDF （11663KB）（513）       Knowledge map    Save Eurasian lynx ( Lynx lynx) is widely distributed in northern Eurasia and, is one of the top predators in arid and semi-arid ecosystems in China and plays a significant role in maintaining ecosystem balance. Since the mid-20th century, the Eurasian lynx in China has experienced dramatic population decline and range contraction. However, our knowledge on its distribution status and dynamics is still very limited, which is a critical obstacle to developing specific conservation planning and action. To determine the current distribution of Eurasian lynx in China, we conducted a comprehensive search from multiple sources, including camera-trapping datasets, literature databases, and news reports, on the occurrence records of this species in China from 2010 to 2022. A total of 155 confirmed occurrence records of Eurasian lynx were obtained and were used to construct a species distribution model to predict its suitable habitat across China using MaxEnt with 24 environmental variables of 4 categories. The results showed that Eurasian lynx is currently distributed in 9 provinces, among which Neimenggu has the most occurrence records ( n = 28). The result of cluster analysis showed that these occurrence sites could be grouped into three distinct spatial clusters: northeast, northwest, and southwest China. The averaged model AICc was the lowest when the regularization multiplier (RM) was 4 for the MaxEnt model and the mean AUC of the 10 candidate models was 0.814, indicating good performance of model prediction. The total area of the model predicted suitable habitat in China is 328.74×10 4 km 2, mainly located in northern Heilongjiang, northeastern Neimenggu, northwestern Sichuan, eastern Xizang, Altai, Tianshan and Kunlun Mountains in Xinjiang, and the Qilian Mountains along the border of Qinghai and Gansu. Annual mean temperature, precipitation of driest month and land cover type were the most important factors affecting the habitat suitability of Eurasian lynx in China. Compared to the species range map provided by IUCN, the Tianshan-Altai Mountain Region, northeastern Neimenggu, parts of western Sichuan, and the Qilian Mountains were probably omitted during the IUCN species assessment, and further studies are urgently needed to examine the population and distribution status of Eurasian lynx in these regions. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Dynamic observation of provisioned wild Trachypithecus francoisi in Mayanghe National Nature Reserve, Guizhou ZHANG Peng, YAN Xiugang, SHI Yun, YANG De, WANG Bin, LI Wei, YANG Yuanlu, YANG Zhaohui, WU Guangyang, CAI Zhi, LI Siyao, ZOU Hao, ZHANG Fan ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2023, 43 (6): 753-759.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150707 Abstract （708）   HTML （14）    PDF （2712KB）（543）       Knowledge map    Save From 2009 to 2021, a direct observation method was used to track and monitor a provisioned group of Trachypithecus francoisi in Mayanghe National Nature Reserve. The observation period covered 1 846 days with an average annual working days of 142. In total, 31 adults (15 males, 16 females) were observed and, in addition, 26 babies were born with a male-female ratio of 1.2∶1 (14 male, 12 female) of which 15 infants survived (7 males, 8 females), a survival rate of 57.7%. For the whole group, the average annual monkey group birth rate was about 22.8% and the annual loss rate was about 11.4%. The number of births exhibited a bimodal distribution, peaking from February to April and from July to October. The average reproductive interval of adult monkeys was 18.7 months but shortened to 16.3 months after the death or disappearance of a newborn. During 2019 -2021, the average growth rate of the group was 11.4%, the number of monkeys had generally stabilized and was self-sustaining. However, as of the end of December 2021, the feeding group had dwindled to just nine individuals (two males and seven females) due to individual deaths, disappearances, and expulsions of some sub-adults. There were no infants or juveniles and insufficient sub-adults. Furthermore, the proportion of middle-aged and elderly individuals was high, resulting in an imbalanced age structure. This study provides basic data related to long-term monitoring of wild Trachypithecus francoisi in Mayanghe National Nature Reserve. This has provided an important basis for follow-up scientific research, educational projects, and monitoring and management of Trachypithecus francoisi in the reserve. Moreover, it has ensured that this flagship species and its habitats are effectively protected and sustainably used, so as to promote the high-quality development of biodiversity protection in this region. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Advances in reproductive isolation mechanisms during animal speciation ZHANG Yuxing, WU Hong, YU Li ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2023, 43 (6): 627-643.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150838 Abstract （545）   HTML （93）    PDF （4322KB）（784）       Knowledge map    Save The process of speciation and its mechanism is not only the‘mystery of mysteries’of Darwin, but also a key to understanding the biological diversity in nature, and it is also one of the scientific focuses in the field of evolutionary biology. Speciation refers to the evolutionary process in which a new species diverges from its ancestors, and it is also the process of reproductive isolation or barrier establishment among populations. The exploration and revelation of this process and its inherent genetic mechanism are the key to understanding the phenomenon of biodiversity. By focusing on animal groups, this review systematically describes the ways of reproductive isolation establishment and their molecular mechanisms, then discusses the bottlenecks, challenges and potential opportunities faced by current research on animal reproductive isolations, with a view to providing reference and inspiration for subsequent research on animal speciation. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Seasonal differences in habitat selection of rhesus macaques ( Macaca mulatta) in the Western Sichuan Plateau region SI Huangkai, JIN Zuxiang, ZHANG Kechu, ZHOU Fei, YAO Yongfang, XIAO Hongtao, LI Bajin, Pucuowangjia, XU Huailiang ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2023, 43 (6): 676-688.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150752 Abstract （483）   HTML （14）    PDF （2073KB）（399）       Knowledge map    Save From July 2019 to March 2021, a follow-up survey was conducted on a group of about 40 rhesus macaques ( Macaca mulatta) in Yajiang County, Sichuan Province, to explore seasonal differences in habitat selection in a high-altitude environment. 135 plots (20 m×20 m) were selected based on macaque observations and 60 control plots were set where macaques were not present. 18 ecological factors, such as altitude, grazing intensity, and vegetation types, were measured in each plot and used to calculate a selection index and perform a principal component analysis. The results showed that (1) rhesus macaques preferred staying at higher altitudes (3 900 - 4 300 m) in spring, summer and autumn, but moved toward lower altitudes (3 500 - 3 900 m) in winter; (2) the macaques preferred sunny slopes, while in winter, there was no obvious preference for slope orientation; (3) their preferred habitats were areas with high canopy density (greater than 60%) in spring and low canopy density (less than 60%) in autumn and winter; (4) in spring and winter, they stayed near water sources (less than 100 m away), but preferred habitats were more than 100 m from water sources in summer and autumn; (5) in summer, they preferred to move to forested areas (coniferous forest, alpine oak forest, mixed broadleaf-conifer forest), but in other seasons they favored lowland grasslands (near the river valley) at lower altitude; (6) they avoided areas with high levels of human interference as much as possible in summer and autumn and engaged in more activities in areas with high levels of human interference in winter and spring. Both human disturbance and geographical factors played a significant role in year-round habitat selection. Vegetation factors mainly influenced habitat selection in spring, summer, and autumn, while shelter condition factors mainly affected summer habitat selection. Compared to other low-altitude areas, maximizing access to food and reducing energy consumption are the key factors for macaques to survive and reproduce in plateau environments with low natural productivity. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Application of deep learning in wildlife conservation ZHONG Junjie, NIU Bing, CHEN Qin, CHEN Xiang, WANG Yan ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2023, 43 (6): 734-744.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150774 Abstract （395）   HTML （5）    PDF （4522KB）（301）       Knowledge map    Save Wildlife is one of the vital biological resources, but the increasing human activities and environmental degradation pose a severe threat to the survival of wild animals. Deep learning has emerged as a prominent research direction in the field of artificial intelligence and has been widely applied across various disciplines. Its versatility has demonstrated enormous potential in wildlife conservation, particularly in image recognition, monitoring, and audio recognition. This article introduces several common deep learning algorithms, provides an overview of the applications of different deep learning models in wildlife conservation, and analyzes the current issues and challenges, including limited training data, variability of environmental conditions, and the complexity of wildlife behavior. In the future, to employ deep learning for wildlife protection, in addition to addressing challenges such as data acquisition and utilization, and robustness in image recognition against various interferences, it is crucial to develop more robust and efficient deep learning models that cater to the specific requirements of wildlife conservation. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Distribution of suitable habitat for ungulates in Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve, Guizhou Province MENG Bingshun, HUANG Xiaolong, XIE Bo, WANG Weixi, HUANG Jichi, ZHANG Tao, RAN Jingcheng, ZHANG Mingming ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2023, 43 (6): 664-675.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150756 Abstract （388）   HTML （14）    PDF （20894KB）（446）       Knowledge map    Save The spatial distribution of species and habitat suitability play an important role in the research on interspecific relationships, as well as research on relationships between species and environment. We evaluated and predicted the suitable habitats of four ungulates, Elaphodus cephalophus, Muntiacus reevesi, Pricornis milneedwardsii and Sus scrofa, distributed in Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve. Species occurrence data was based on the monitoring data by infrared cameras deployed in the study area from 2017 to 2022 and we used MaxEnt to model the suitable habitat for each species. The results showed that (1) the suitable habitats for Elaphodus cephalophus were mainly distributed in the eastern part of the reserve, covering an area of 19 993.17 hm 2, accounting for 46.1% of the protected area. The suitable habitats for Muntiacus reevesi covered an area of 15 470.97 hm 2 ( 35.6% of the protected area), distributed in the northern and southern parts of the reserve. The suitable habitats for Capricornis milneedwardsii were mainly distributed in the northern and eastern parts of the reserve, covering an area of 13 884.78 hm 2 (32.0% of the protected area), and the suitable habitats for Sus scrofa covered an area of 20 339.98 hm 2 (46.9% of the protected area), mainly distributed in the northern, eastern and southern parts of the reserve. (2) The suitable habitats of all four ungulates were mainly distributed in the core area of Fanjingshan Reserve. (3) The distribution of Elaphodus cephalophus was mainly influenced by altitude and vegetation type and the distribution of Capricornis milneedwardsii was mainly influenced by altitude, mean diurnal air temperature range and vegetation type. The characteristics of suitable habitats for Muntiacus reevesi and Sus scrofa were relatively similar, affected by mean diurnal air temperature range, isothermality and slope. In general, the distribution of suitable habitats for these four ungulates in Fanjingshan Reserve was the result of the interaction among the biological properties of species, natural environment, human activities and interspecific relationships. These results provide some insight into habitat suitability characteristics and influencing factors of ungulates in Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Population genomic analysis revealed the genetic basis of adaptations to urbanization in the lesser short-nosed fruit bat ( Cynopterus brachyotis) WANG Fei, ZHAO Huabin ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2023, 43 (6): 644-651.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150824 Abstract （348）   HTML （5）    PDF （3516KB）（197）       Knowledge map    Save The lesser short-nosed fruit bat ( Cynopterus brachyotis) is a bat species commonly found in urban areas. A published study showed that rapid urbanization has led to a significant decrease in genetic diversity in this fruit bat. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying this species’ adaptations to urban environments have not been investigated. Based on the published population genome resequencing data from historical samples collected in 1931 and contemporary samples from 2011 - 2012, this study investigated the effects of rapid urbanization on the lesser shortnosed fruit bat and the genetic basis of adaptations to urbanization, using four methods (allele frequency analysis, selection signal detection based on population genetic differentiation, selection signal detection based on haplotypes, and detection of selected loci). Our results show that 669 selected genes were identified in the historical population and these genes were functionally enriched in visual and olfactory pathways. In contrast, 2 013 selected genes were identified in the contemporary population and these genes were enriched in immune, gustatory, and auditory pathways in addition to visual and olfactory-related pathways. These results suggest that rapid urbanization may have affected multiple sensory systems and immune systems in this species. Therefore, adaptive molecular evolution of immune, gustatory, and auditory genes may have occurred in C. brachyotis in response to rapid urbanization. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Feeding behavior of sympatric rodents in the Alxa Desert in response to different grazing patterns LIU Lina, YUAN Shuai, LI Xin, FU Heping, WU Xiaodong ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2023, 43 (6): 689-701.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150800 Abstract （343）   HTML （5）    PDF （12597KB）（131）       Knowledge map    Save The fragile ecosystem of the Alxa Desert is sensitive to human disturbance and different grazing patterns lead to different vegetation resource types, density, distribution, coverage, substrate and animal perception of predation risk. The feeding differences of desert sympatric rodents under different grazing disturbances are of great significance for the maintenance of biodiversity in desert areas. In 2020, infrared camera trap technology was used to observe the feeding behavior of three dominant rodent species, namely Dipus sagitta, Orientallactaga sibirica, and Meriones meridianus, which coexisted in the same area in the Alax Desert. The results showed that: (1) the population density of the dominant rodent species was positively related to their feeding behavior under different grazing patterns. Grazing increased O. sibirica population density, and its feeding behavior also accounted for more in grazing-intensive habitats. M. meridianus had higher population density and more feeding behavior in habitats with low grazing intensity and high vegetation coverage. D. sagitta devoted more foraging effort in more grazing-intensive habitats. (2) Under the same grazing mode, M. meridianus adopted a combined feeding strategy of ‘foraging + feeding + storage’ , while D. sagitta and O. sibirica adopted the feeding strategy of ‘foraging + feeding’ . These results indicated that the feeding behaviors of rodent species with various feeding strategies were affected by grazing patterns according to changing environmental factors such as rodent population density, habitat vegetation, and soil. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Pelage colour change in Hainan gibbon ( Nomascus hainanus) ZHU Changyue, ZHONG Xukai, WANG Yuxin, LI Wenyong, QI Xuming, FAN Pengfei ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (1): 1-13.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150809 Abstract （338）   HTML （7）    PDF （95947KB）（275）       Knowledge map    Save All known species of the genus Nomascus have distinct sexual dichromatism in adulthood. The changes in their pelage colour are used as an important indicator of individuals’sexes, ages, and ontogenetic stages. This study is focused on Hainan gibbons ( Nomascus hainanus), the rarest primate in the world, and combines the data of circa 2 years of continuous field observations and previously collected image data to describe the patterns of pelage colour changes over two crucial stages of their life history: natal coats to juvenile pelages and female fur colour changes during sexual maturity. The results show that monitoring and documenting the ‘crest’ traits, the overall fur colour, and the timing of colour change occurring at the different body parts could operatively assist in determining the age group of an individual, estimating the birth season of an infant, and identifying the fertile females in relatively complex environments, especially in dense rainforest. It was found that the development of the pelage colour change of N. hainanus in infancy was more similar to that of Cao Vit gibbon ( Nomascus nasutus). This supports the latest and accepted phylogenetic position of Hainan gibbons. We also discussed the potential interpretations of the adaptation of their pelage colour change. We advocated that the practicable suggestions described in this study should be integrated with automated data collecting systems, which might help increase the efficiency and accuracy of the population monitoring and conservation of the endangered crested gibbons in the future. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Ontogeny and the influencing factors of bite force and feeding rate of giant pandas ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca) SUN Mengmeng, YAN Xiao, LI Feng, TANG Yong, ZHANG Xinxing, DONG Chao, HUANG Shengjie, ZHENG Yuanming, LUO Yong, ZHOU Shiqiang ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (2): 135-145.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150781 Abstract （336）   HTML （34）    PDF （3796KB）（375）       Knowledge map    Save The biting ability of giant pandas ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca) holds significant importance in terms of food acquisition and male-male competition. Their distinctive dietary preferences and masticatory system render them an ideal species for investigating bite forces. Nevertheless, current studies have predominantly relied on theoretical assessments derived from panda skull morphology, with no empirical animal experimentation conducted. The present study designed a force transducer specifically tailored for giant pandas, and measured body weight, bite forces, and feeding rate in a sample of 46 individuals from various age groups, with a particular focus on juvenile development. The results showed that bite forces at the tip of the incisor of juvenile giant pandas increased rapidly during the dental transitional period, as well as the feeding rate of bamboo shoots. At the end of the dental transitional phase, the bite forces exerted at the incisor point of juvenile giant pandas continued to display a growing trend, albeit at a decelerated rate. Concurrently, the feeding rate reached a state of equilibrium. The utilization of a logistic model revealed that age explains 87.56% of the variance observed in the feeding rate among juvenile pandas. As for the comparisons of age groups, the median bite force value exhibited an upward trajectory in tandem with increasing age. The bite force of 8-month to 12-month age group was significantly lower than the bite forces of all the other age groups; the bite force of 13-month to 18-month age group was significantly lower than those of sub-adult, adults and geriatric group; however, there was no significant difference between the latter three groups. The adult group has the highest feeding rate of bamboo shoots and carrots, followed successively by the sub-adult group, the geriatric groups and the juvenile group. In summary, our study confirmed for the first time the feasibility of measuring bite forces of giant pandas by using force transducer, recorded the developmental process of bite forces and feeding rate of juvenile giant pandas during the dental transitional period, and discussed the effect of age on bite forces and feeding rate, all of which laying a good foundation for future work of giant pandas’ feeding ecology. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Advances in personality research in non-human primates LI Nianlong, ZHAO Haitao, LI Wei, WANG Xiaowei, WANG Chengliang, MOU Junjie, LI Baoguo ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (1): 118-128.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150747 Abstract （321）   HTML （7）    PDF （1428KB）（208）       Knowledge map    Save The study of personality has deepened people’s understanding of individual differences and social organization patterns among group-living animals, making it a hot topic for primatologists and providing new avenues for studying the intersection of social psychology and behavioral ecology. This paper briefly summarizes the definitions, assessment methods, and advances in current primate personality research. Notably, this paper discusses the mechanism of personality formation in terms of hormonal changes, loci-specific differences, and environmental conditions, as well as the function of personality in individual health and cognition, to enhance primate welfare and management. Further exploration of behavioral ecology theoretical questions related to the personalities of primate species is needed. Researchers also need to further explore the personalities and behavioral patterns of individuals in the wild, suggesting in-depth studies on sexual selection, community structure, and spatial dynamics to effectively propose new concepts for endangered species conservation. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Spectral characteristics and sex differences in the song of Skywalker hoolock gibbon ( Hoolock tianxing) GUO Tingyan, MA Haigang, HAN Pu, WANG Zidi, ZHU Changyue, CHU Yuanmengran, ZHANG Lixiang, LI Ruxue, QI Jiaru, LI Jiahua, FAN Pengfei ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (1): 14-25.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150870 Abstract （318）   HTML （8）    PDF （8622KB）（369）       Knowledge map    Save Species of the genus Hoolock were previously thought to lack sexual dimorphism. Identifying sexual dimorphism in vocalizations is helpful for their population dynamics monitoring and behavioral research. In this study, we annotate the song bouts of 11 Hoolock tianxing individuals. We employed k-medoids clustering to divide note types, and we classified phrase types based on the length and note composition of phrases. We also compared sexual dimorphism in notes and phrases. We identified 5 note types: wa, oo, whoop, ow and eek. The range and rate of frequency modulation of wa and ow notes of females were higher than those of males, the frequency features of oo notes were lower than those of males, the range and rate of frequency modulation of whoop notes were lower than those of males. For the phrases use, solitary apes were more similar to the parts contributed by their respective genders during a chorus. Males seldom sing phrase G mainly composed of the whoop note and the ow note, females seldom sing phrase B (wa-whoop) and phrase C (wa-oo-wa-whoop). Our study demonstrated sexual dimorphism in the vocalizations of Hoolock tianxing, which is not only helpful for the monitoring of Hoolock tianxing, but also important for understanding the function of different note types and sex differences. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Effect of exposure to high temperature on energy metabolism and oxidative stress in striped hamsters ZHANG Ruihan, LUO Dan, LUO Xinxin, HU Chenxiao, LIN Long, CHEN Qian, CAO Jing, ZHAO Zhijun ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2023, 43 (6): 710-722.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150822 Abstract （299）   HTML （3）    PDF （2899KB）（152）       Knowledge map    Save The adaptive regulation of animal energy metabolism affects life history characteristics such as growth, development, reproduction, and aging. Metabolic rate and tissue mitochondrial respiration rate are related to free radical levels, which are important factors influencing the aging of the organism. In this study, we investigated the intrinsic link among energy metabolism, tissue respiration rates of major metabolically active organs, free radical levels, and antioxidant capacity in response to high ambient temperature. We used as a model species striped hamsters ( Cricetulus barabensis) that were previously acclimated to room temperature (21 ℃) and warm temperature (32.5 ℃) for 4 weeks and then were acutely exposed to extremely high temperature (37 ℃) for 48 h. The energy intake, metabolic rate, body temperature, mitochondrial respiration rate, and uncoupling protein (UCP) gene ( ucp) expression of brown adipose tissue (BAT), liver and skeletal muscle were measured. The levels of protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde (MDA), and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were also determined. The results showed that the acclimation to 32.5℃ and acute exposure to 37℃ resulted in significant reductions in gross and digestive energy intake, basal metabolic rate, and non-shivering thermogenesis. Cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity was reduced after acclimation to 32.5℃ by 84.2%, 50.0%, and 56.6% in BAT, liver, and muscle, respectively. The liver COX activity decreased further by 23.3% after exposure to 37℃, but COX activity in BAT and muscle was not significantly changed. The acute exposure to 37℃ deceased BAT ucp1 expression by 89.5%, liver ucp2 by 76.2%, and muscle ucp3 by 58.8% in the hamster previously acclimated to 21℃, but it had no significant effect on the gene expression in the hamsters previously acclimated to 32.5℃. Acclimation to 32.5℃ significantly decreased MDA levels in heart, lung, kidney, and muscle, but not in liver and brain, and it significantly increased protein carbonyl levels in the kidney only. Acute exposure to 37℃ significantly reduced protein carbonyl levels in liver and heart, but it had no significant effect on MDA levels in all tissues. In addition, acclimation to 32.5℃ significantly reduced SOD activity in liver and muscle, but did not affect heart, lung, kidney, or brain; and it decreased GSH-Px activity in heart, lung, and kidney, but increased GSH-Px activity in muscle, and had no effect in liver. These findings suggest that (1) the effects of acute exposure to high temperatures on energy metabolism and mitochondrial respiration rate are related to habitat ambient temperature, with the animals at lower ambient temperature being more affected by high temperature; (2) after being acclimated to the warm and acutely exposed to high temperature, the metabolic rate of the organism and mitochondria respiratory decreased, while the liver, heart, lung, kidneys, skeletal muscle, and brain do not show considerable oxidative stress and damage, being inconsistent with the‘free radical hypothesis’ . Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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New records of Paguma larvata in Liaoning Province, China ZHANG Lei, CHANG Jin, FENG Chaofan, WAN Dongmei ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2023, 43 (6): 760-700.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150815 Abstract （297）   HTML （8）    PDF （4273KB）（159）       Knowledge map    Save Paguma larvata is mainly distributed in the central and southern regions in China. It is listed as a near-threatened species in the Red List of China’ s Vertebrates. In the past, there were no records of distribution of this species Liaoning Province. During the camera trapping survey of animal diversity in the Qinglonghe, Bailangshan, and Wuhuading National Nature Reserves in the western region of Liaoning, 215 independent detections of Paguma larvata were captured by camera-trapping with 584 photographs and 106 video clips from January 2022 to May 2023. These image data represent the first record of Paguma larvata in Liaoning Province, which not only plays an important role in the study of biodiversity and species integrity in this province but also provides the basic data for the distribution of Paguma larvata in China. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Individual identification and genetic diversity of Eurasian otters based on microsatellite markers ZHENG Kaidan, WANG Qiaoyun, FAN Pengfei, HAN Xuesong, XIAO Mei, SHEN Limin, DONG Zhengyi, ZHANG Lu ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (2): 146-158.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150814 Abstract （290）   HTML （13）    PDF （4834KB）（260）       Knowledge map    Save Population size and genetic diversity are important basic information for threatened species conservation. As a Class II protected animal, Eurasian otter ( Lutra lutra) was once widely distributed in China, but has experienced severe population decline and range shrinkage over the 20th century. However, only a few studies have been conducted on Eurasian otters in China. Basic research such as population surveys and genetic diversity studies are urgently needed. We collected 270 otter spraints for DNA extraction during 2019-2020 in Yushu City, Qinghai Province and Qingchuan County, Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province. We used 9 microsatellite loci and the SRY gene to genotype individuals and identify sex. Then we estimated the sizes of the two populations based on individual identification and noninvasive capturerecapture method (Capwire). We also assessed their genetic diversity based on the nine microsatellite markers. We successfully genotyped 67 spraints (24. 8%) with 7 - 9 microsatellites and identified 40 otter individuals. Among them, 10 were from Yushu and 30 were from Qingchuan, with a sex ratio of 4F/5M and 15F/14M respectively. Sex identification failed for two individuals. The estimated population of otters within our study area was 13 (95% CI: 7 - 21) in Yushu City and 75 (95% CI: 59-133) in Qingchuan County. The average observed heterozygosity ( H O) and expected heterozygosity ( H E) of the Yushu population were 0. 680 and 0. 611, while those of the Qingchuan population were 0. 664 and 0. 658, revealing a moderate genetic diversity. Otters in Yushu and Qingchuan have been differentiated significantly ( F ST = 0. 238) and no significant inbreeding was found in both populations ( F IS: Yushu -0. 121, Qingchuan -0. 010). As the first study estimating population size and genetic diversity of Eurasian otters based on fecal DNA in Chinese mainland, our work provides important basic information for otter conservation in China. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Preliminary study on the conflict behavior between sympatric Hainan gibbons and rhesus macaques in the National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest CAI Chenglin, LIU Shuai, LI Ping, QI Xuming, ZHOU Zhaoli, CHEN Yuan, LONG Wenxing ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (1): 129-134.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150855 Abstract （279）   HTML （5）    PDF （2455KB）（181）       Knowledge map    Save Understanding the pattern and the process of interspecific competition among sympatric animals is important, as interspecific competition is a key factor limiting population increase and is of great significance for conservation management. Hainan gibbon ( Nomascus hainanus) is one of the most endangered primates in the world, currently distributed only in the Bawangling area of National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest, Hainan, China. Rhesus macaque ( Macaca mulatta) population, a common species in this area, is growing rapidly in recent years, which may lead to interspecific competition with Hainan gibbons. In this study, we used focal animal sampling and whole-event recording methods to investigate the conflict behavior between one gibbon group (Group E) and one macaque group. Based on the observation of individuals and food patches, we inferred the recorded conflict behavior between these two species was a case of interference competition. Our results provided an important case for understanding the processes and mechanisms of primate interspecific relationships. This study emphasizes that the effects of interspecific competition should be fully recognized in the conservation management of endangered species. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Effects of fostering methods on the growth and development of giant panda cubs with different birth weight WU Kai, LAI Jiaying, WEI Ming, ZHANG Yahui, ZENG Xianyin, WEI Rongping, CAO Xiao-han, HU Zhengquan, ZENG Wen, WANG Chengdong, KONG Fanli ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (2): 217-223.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150705 Abstract （275）   HTML （9）    PDF （2138KB）（195）       Knowledge map    Save In this study, 80 giant panda cubs born between 2012 and 2019 were selected to systematically study the effects of birth weight ([50, 100) g, n = 7; [100, 150) g, n = 25; [150, 200) g, n = 37; [200, 250) g, n = 11), fostering method (female feeding, n = 12; artificial feeding, n = 10; artificial and female alternate feeding, n = 58) and fetal litter size (single, n = 14, and twins, n = 66) on the growth and development of the cubs. We collected the daily gain, milk feeding amount, and eye and ear development during the early development of the cubs (from 0 to 120 days). The results showed that the birth weight of singleton pups was significantly higher than that of twin pups ( P < 0. 05). We also found that the early growth and development of pups are closely related to their cub-fostering methods and birth weight ( R 2 > 0. 973 7). The greater the birth weight of the pups, the greater the growth rate. The lighter the birth weight of the cubs, the lower the shrinkage, but the higher ratio of shrinkage to its birth weight. In addition, the lighter the birth weight of pups, the lower the developmental status of their ears and eyes. In conclusion, our study provides a theoretical basis on the selection of and the improvement of cub-fostering methods for the giant panda. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Preliminary analysis of the molecular phylogeography of Sorex unguiculatus and Sorex gracillimus MEI Xiufeng, CAI He, HAN Meifeng, ZHAO Xinxu, ZHANG Chunfeng, SHI Yanjing, CHEN Huan, TIAN Xinmin, ZHANG Junsheng, LIU Zhu ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2023, 43 (6): 702-709.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150699 Abstract （272）   HTML （2）    PDF （2612KB）（123）       Knowledge map    Save In order to clarify the population phylogeographic relationship and subspecies differentiation of Sorex unguiculatus and Sorex gracillimus, this study analyzed the Cyt b gene sequences of S. unguiculatus (11 samples) and S. gracillimus (17 samples) collected from Northeast China together with Cyt b gene sequences of S. unguiculatus (32 samples) and S. gracillimus (22 samples) downloaded from GenBank. The different geographical populations of the two species showed different geographical patterns. In the phylogenetic tree of S. unguiculatus, there was no correlation between molecular system relation and geographical distribution. In the phylogenetic tree of S. gracillimus, samples from Northeast China were clustered into a separate clade apart from samples from Russia and Hokkaido, Japan. A similar geographical pattern was also observed in the Median-joining network analysis. Neutral tests supported S. unguiculatus has experienced population expansions in the recent past, but S. gracillimus has not experienced dramatic population expansions. The results also supported that S. unguiculatus has no subspecies differentiation. On the other hand, we found that S. gracillimus was divided into two subspecies across the geographic area of this study, one subspecies distributed in Northeast China and the other subspecies distributed in the Russian Far East (from southern Magadan to Primorsky Krai, Sakhalin Island included) and Hokkaido, Japan. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Preliminary study on the diversity of medium and large-sized mammals and pheasants at Chuxiong sub-region, Yunnan Ailaoshan National Nature Reserve YIN Guanghua, QIN Zhongyi, LUO Wenfu, LU Lixiong, LI Han, GAO Wenjun, XU Ping, LI Qianen, YIN Cunquan, LI Genhui, ZHANG Zhiqiang, LI Yuwu, LIU Dong, JI-ANG Xuelong, LI Xueyou ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (2): 237-246.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150751 Abstract （271）   HTML （27）    PDF （4717KB）（207）       Knowledge map    Save Between March 2020 and May 2022, we conducted a systematic camera-trapping survey to understand the diversity of medium and large-sized mammals and pheasants at Chuxiong Prefecture sub-region of Yunnan Ailaoshan National Nature Reserve. We set 153 camera traps along 1 km ×1 km grids, with a total trapping effort of 59 623 days, which yielded 9 309 independent records of wildlife species. A total of 23 medium and large-sized terrestrial mammals and seven pheasant species were observed: 14 families of 5 orders for mammals and 1 family of 1 order for pheasants. Of which, three and 14 species were listed as Class One and Class Two protected species respectively by the Chinese muntjac ( Muntiacus vaginalis, RAI = 7. 52), tufted deer ( Elaphodus cephalophus, RAI = 2. 43),wild boar ( Susscrofa, RAI = 2. 39), macaque( Macaca mulatta, RAI = 2. 26) and Malayan porcupine ( Hystrix brachyura, RAI = 2. 16). Species rank-abundance curve showed that species in the first three ranks were the northern red muntjac, wild boar, and silver pheasant Lophura nycthemera, which together contributed to 65% of the accumulative abundance of the whole community. In addition, our camera-trapping survey recorded numerous human-related inerference such as livestock grazing, indicating that the reserve is under some levels of anthropogenic disturbance. Overall, our first systematic camera-trapping survey provides basic information on the diversity of medium and large-sized mammals and pheasants at Chuxiong Prefecture sub-region of Yunnan Ailaoshan National Nature Reserve. Such knowledge is important for local wildlife biodiversity management and conservation. Wildlife Conservation Law. The five species with the highest relative abundance indices (RAI) were the northern red Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Prokaryotic expression system construction, antibody preparation and tissues distribution of bactrian camel TLR1 XIE Dongxu, ZHANG Rui, Suonanji, LIU Kejiang, WANG Tingwei, WANG Wenhui ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2023, 43 (6): 745-752.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150780 Abstract （269）   HTML （4）    PDF （24011KB）（53）       Knowledge map    Save In this study, we used bioinformatics software to analyze the TLR1 (Toll-like receptors 1) gene and used a prokaryotic expression system to inducibly express TLR1 recombinant plasmids into TLR1 protein. Rabbit polyclonal antibactrian camel TLR1 antibody was generated using the expressed recombinant TLR1 protein, and the expression of TLR1 in organs including bactrian camel heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney was detected by HE staining coupled with immunohistochemical staining of SABC using the prepared TLR1 polyclonal antibody. The size of the protein of interest obtained in this study was 62 kDa, which was the same as predicted by bioinformatics software. TLR1 recombinant protein was mainly expressed in the form of inclusion bodies. In this study, the titer of the TLR1 antibody was determined by indirect ELISA, which showed that the antibody titer result was 1∶ 64 000, and the specificity of the TLR1 antibody was confirmed by Western blot analysis. The results of the present trial of HE staining with immunohistochemical staining of SABC showed that TLR1 was upregulated in cardiomyocytes of bactrian camel hearts, Kupffer cells of the liver, monocytes/macrophages of the spleen, the respiratory bronchiolar epithelium, and type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ alveolar cells of the lung. A positive reaction appeared on the epithelial cells of the distal convoluted tubule of the kidney. In conclusion, the rabbit anti-bactrian camel TLR1 polyclonal antibody has good specificity and can be used for immunohistochemical detection of TLR1 and provides a basis for further investigation of the function of TLR1 in different tissues and organs of bactrian camels. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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The impact of climate on the birth pattern of Rhinopithecus roxellana in different regions LU Zhantao, LAN Guanwei, LI Ruiyuan, SI Xurui, LIU Xingyu, MO Cheng, YAO Hui, QI Dun, XIANG Zuofu ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (1): 26-36.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150858 Abstract （265）   HTML （8）    PDF （1821KB）（154）       Knowledge map    Save The mating and reproduction of most non-human primates undergo strict seasonality, which are not only influenced by their own reproductive mechanisms, but also by the climate, altitude, and food supply in their habitats. Understanding the seasonal differences in the birth of the same primate species residing in different regions can help identify the impact of environmental variables on animal reproduction. From January 2023 to August 2023, by using focal animal sampling, we analyzed the relationship between climate and birth season in two groups of habituated Rhinopithecus roxellana populations in the Sichuan Baihe National Reserve (Baihe group) and the Dalongtan area in the Hubei Shennongjia National Park (Shennongjia group), China. The results showed that births occurred mainly between March and May in the two populations, but a few individuals were born in January, February, July, and August in the Baihe group. The birth patterns of the two groups were different, but the birth events were all distributed during periods of warming temperatures and rising precipitation. We detected a positive correlation between the weekly changes in infant / adult female values (I / F) and the weekly average temperature and precipitation in the Baihe group. The weekly variation of infant / adult female values (I / F) in the Shennongjia group is positively correlated with the weekly average temperature, but the correlation with weekly precipitation is not significant. The increase in temperature may be a factor in promoting the environmental response of pregnant female monkeys to childbirth, while precipitation can trigger reproductive events by affecting the food supply. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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The expression profile of miRNA in the different tissues of forest musk deer ( Moschus berezovskii) YU Miaojie, XU Zhongxian, JIANG Xuemei, WANG Chunhua, ZHAO Chanjuan, QI Wenhua, JIE Hang ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2023, 43 (6): 723-733.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150744 Abstract （263）   HTML （3）    PDF （4155KB）（127）       Knowledge map    Save Forest musk deer ( Moschus berezovskii) is a medicinal economic species and the musk secreted by the male musk deer is an important component of Chinese patent medicine and perfume, which has high medicinal and economic value. miRNAs play an important role in animal cell development, differentiation, apoptosis, and disease development, which are selectively expressed in different tissues. The heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, and muscle tissues of forest musk deer were high-throughput sequenced by using RNA-seq technology on the Hi-seq 2500 sequencing platform. The microRNA expression of these 6 tissues was analyzed by using biostatistics and bioinformatics methods and RT-qPCR was used to verify the sequencing results. The results showed that 1 650 miRNAs co-expressed in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, and muscle tissues of forest musk deer, of which there were 86, 54, 44, 68, 83, and 50 specific miRNAs, respectively ( P < 0.01). The expression levels of co-expressed miRNAs were significantly different in these six types of tissues ( P < 0.05) and the expression levels of some specific miRNAs in the heart were much higher than that in other tissues. KEGG analysis showed that the target genes of specific miRNAs in the liver of forest musk deer were closely related to the Wnt signaling pathway (ko04310), cAMP signaling pathway (ko04024), ECM-receptor interaction (ko04512), Notch signaling pathway (ko04330), and AMPK signaling pathway (ko04152) ( P < 0.01). Nine miRNAs were randomly selected for verification with RT-qPCR in liver tissue of health and abscess forest musk deer and the results were consistent with the sequencing results. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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The relationship between grooming behavior and parasite infections in wild Tibetan macaques ZHANG Jie, CHEN Shiwang, TIAN Hongwei, SUN Binghua, WANG Xi, XIA Dongpo ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (1): 50-57.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150856 Abstract （259）   HTML （5）    PDF （7270KB）（109）       Knowledge map    Save Social grooming is the most extensive and frequent social interaction pattern within non-human primates, while accumulating evidence points that social grooming is not a low-cost investment given the potential health risks associated with parasite infection during the grooming process. This study aimed to investigate the potential health costs of social grooming by estimating the associations between the amount of social grooming given and the type and infection risk of parasites in wild Tibetan macaques ( Macaca thibetana) in MT. Huangshan, Anhui Province, China. Our results showed that a total of 11 species of parasites were found, the highest risk of infection is the Capillaria spp. / Trichostrongylus spp. and Balantidium coli (93%), followed by the Trichuris trichura (54%). As the durations of social grooming initiated increased, the higher the risk of infection with Balantidium coli, while the risk of infection with Ascaris spp. decreased with the increase in social grooming received. In addition, we noted that the risk of infection with Balantidium coli also showed an increasing tendency with the node strength increase in social grooming networks. In general, our results provided empirical evidence for the risk of parasite infections in wild Tibetan macaques, while also offering a new perspective on the trade-off between the benefits and costs of social grooming in non-human primate societies. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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The parameters and pattern of copulation behaviors in Taihangshan macaque ( Macaca mulatta tcheliensis), Jiyuan, China HE Minqiang, TIAN Jundong, LI Wentao, LU Jiqi ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (1): 77-84.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150860 Abstract （251）   HTML （2）    PDF （1894KB）（116）       Knowledge map    Save Survival and reproduction are the nature of animals, and copulation is the key process of sexually reproducing animals, which could be shaped by natural selection and sexual selection. However, it is difficult to observe copulation in the wild, and therefore there is lack of quantitative analyses of wildlife’copulation. In this study, a troop of free-ranging Taihangshan macaques ( Macaca mulatta tcheliensis) was assigned as the study object, and the data of copulation was collected through focal-animal sampling and analyzed within the Macaca genus. The results showed that, (1) the social grooming (49. 8%) was the dominant pre-copulation behavior and initiated by adult females (61. 8%); (2) a copulation cycle was composed of 12 mounting bouts and a successful ejaculation, lasting (719. 4 ± 43. 3) s on average, and the copulation pattern of Taihangshan macaque could be classified as multiple-mount-to-ejaculation pattern; (3) social grooming (19. 4%) and resting (18. 1%) were the main behaviors during the post-copulation period, and the copulation bond could last (2. 1 ± 2. 03) d; (4) the copulation patterns of used macaque species were consistent with the phylogenetic relationship and the traditional taxonomic classification rather than with social style, while the copulatory parameters varied among species. This study quantitatively analyzed the copulatory behaviors, and the copulation patterns of macaque species were relatively conserved according to the phylogenetic relationship and traditional taxonomic classification. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Sleeping tree species selection and patterns of sleeping site use in a wild group of Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys ( Rhinopithecus bieti) at Jinsichang, Lijiang, China REN Baoping, WU Ruidong, LI Dayong, Paul A. Garber, LI Ming ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (1): 37-49.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150813 Abstract （248）   HTML （6）    PDF （15492KB）（125）       Knowledge map    Save Studies of sleeping site use in wild primates offer insights into species-specific patterns of ranging and habitat utilization. From December 2003 to October 2004, we recorded sleeping site use in a wild group of 180 Yunnan snubnosed monkeys ( Rhinopithecus bieti) at Jinsichang, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, China. A programmed auto-released GPS collar was used to track the movements of the monkeys. We obtained 272 GPS nighttime locations and visually confirmed 131 sleeping sites within the group’s 17. 8 km 2 home range. Seventy (53. 4%) sleeping sites were used on only one occasion, whereas the remaining 61 (46. 6%) were used between 2 and 9 times over the 11-month tracking period. On three occasions the monkeys slept in the same site during three consecutive nights and on 16 occasions they reused the same sleeping site on two consecutive nights. Re-use of sleeping areas over consecutive nights accounted for only 7. 0% of our sample and principally occurred during the winter months of November-April (84. 0% compared to the rest of the year). The average time interval between the reuse of the same sleeping site was 50 days. Daily travel distance was significantly shorter (527 m vs. 884 m) when sleeping sites were reused on consecutive nights. Sleeping sites of Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys were used in relation to their proximity to late afternoon and next day early morning feeding sites. Given the large size of the snub-nosed monkey group, we argue that limited reuse of sleeping sites represents a pattern of habitat exploitation characterized by the avoidance of recently visited areas and a foraging strategy of searching for scattered but highly productive feeding sites that are widely distributed across their home range. Furthermore, the monkeys highly selected Himalayan hemlock ( Tsuga dumosa) as sleeping trees and rarely fed in trees that were used as sleep nighttime sleeping sites. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Distribution and conservation status of Lorisinae primates in the middle and lower reaches of Nanxi River in southeastern Yunnan ZHAO Kairui, LIAO Linhong, XIE Lei, DU Yating, DONG Pengmei, XIE Meng, NI Qingyong ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (1): 85-93.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150859 Abstract （247）   HTML （4）    PDF （13883KB）（126）       Knowledge map    Save The Bengal slow loris ( Nycticebus bengalensis) and the pygmy loris ( Xanthonycticebus intermedius) are two species of Lorisinae primates recorded in China. Their unique ecological and behavioral characteristics highlight the importance of research and conservation. However, they are continuously threatened by hunting and habitat loss, resulting in declining populations and shrinking distribution areas. The lack of population and distribution data has hindered the development and implementation of conservation plans. Southeastern Yunnan is a vital region historically known for the presence of Lorisinae primates and the potentially sympatric range of both species. From October 2022 to September 2023, we conducted a detailed assessment of this taxon’s distribution and conservation status in Hekou and Maguan counties by interview and transect surveys. We identified nine forest areas with high encounter rates of loris primates. The results showed that this region remains essential for Lorisinae distribution, especially for the pygmy loris. The local communities have a relatively low level of awareness and knowledge about this taxon, which is significantly influenced by education, age, and economic conditions. The distribution areas of loris primates are mainly located on the edges of nature reserves, and current protection approaches seem to be unreliable. It is urgent to strengthen monitoring and management, establish ecological corridors, and raise awareness among local communities through outreach and education programs. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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The body weight of wild Tibetan macaques ( Macaca thibetana) and its influencing factors SUN Yu, XIA Mengyi, XIA Yingna, WANG Jingjing, LU Jiakai, LIU Shenqi, XIA Dongpo, WANG Xi, SUN Binghua ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (1): 94-102.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150861 Abstract （247）   HTML （3）    PDF （2688KB）（118）       Knowledge map    Save Body weight is an important indicator of primate life history and growth and development characteristics, which can suggest information about the physiological condition, behavioral changes, and ecological adaptations of animals. In this study, we monitored the body weights of 48 Tibetan macaques ( Macaca thibetana) from the YA1 group in the Wild Monkey Valley of Huangshan Mountain, Anhui Province, for 11 consecutive months (July 2022 to May 2023) using floor scales. The mean body weight of male Tibetan macaques (18. 71 ± 2. 33) kg was significantly higher than that of females (11. 79 ± 1. 97) kg, and the rapid development of body weight occurred between 3 and 5 years old in males and between 2 and 3 years old in females. There was a significant positive correlation between body weight and individual social rank in both adult males and females ( P <0. 001). There was significant seasonal variation ( P <0. 05) in body weights of adult Tibetan macaques, with both males and females having their highest body weights in autumn, but males having their lowest body weights in winter and females having their lowest body weights in spring. The body weights of non-pregnant individuals did not differ significantly between seasons, whereas the body weights of pregnant individuals decreased significantly ( P <0. 05) from winter to spring. The present study showed that there was a significant male-female dimorphism in body weight, a significant differentiation in the rapid developmental period of immature body weight, and a significant effect of both season and social rank on body weight in Tibetan macaques. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Sexual interference in Taihangshan macaque ( Macaca mulatta tcheliensis), Jiyuan, north China HAN Mengya, TIAN Jundong, ZHOU Yanyan, WANG Yuwei, LUO Tongtong, LU Jiqi ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (1): 65-76.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150818 Abstract （245）   HTML （2）    PDF （3313KB）（136）       Knowledge map    Save Sexual interference refers to the phenomenon in which an animal is disrupted during mating by other individuals of the same species through various means such as chemical pheromones, facial expressions, sounds, and aggression. Sexual interference behavior, a significant topic in ecological studies of reproductive behavior in non-human primates, exhibits considerable inter- and intraspecific variation. Within species, it is primarily influenced by factors such as sex and age. The present study was conducted in the Wulongkou area of Taihangshan Macaque National Nature Reserve, focusing on the WLK-1A group of Taihangshan macaques. From September 2021 to August 2022, we observed and recorded the mating behaviors of the target individuals by using the focal animal sampling method and the continuous recording method with the expectation of exploring the sexual interference behaviors and their age-sex group differences in Taihangshan macaques. The results showed that (1) sexual interference behavior of Taihangshan macaques only occurred in the mating period, with the peak in November; (2) From the perspective of the initiators of sexual interference, male (adult and sub-adult) individuals accounted for 29. 1%, female (adult and sub-adult) individuals accounted for 14. 9%, juvenile individuals accounted for 7. 5%, and infant individuals accounted for 48. 5%; (3) Both male ( P =0. 011) and female ( P = 0. 033) interrupters used mainly non-contact harassment, while there was no significant difference between the non-contact and contact harassment in juvenile interrupters ( P = 0. 334), and infant interrupters used mainly contact harassment ( P = 0. 001); (4) Male interrupters tended to interrupt the females in the mating pairs ( P = 0. 040). There was no significant difference in the harassment frequency of female interrupters toward males and females of the mating pairs ( P = 0. 157). Sexual interference by juveniles mostly pointed to their mothers (90%) and that by infants all pointed to their mothers. The frequencies, patterns, and targets of sexual interference in Taihangshan macaques show age-sex group differences. Based on functional analysis, this study concludes that sexual interference in both adult males and females supports the sexual competition hypothesis, that in juveniles supports the learning hypothesis, and that in infants supports the separation anxiety hypothesis and learning hypothesis. The results of this study help increase the understanding of the development of sexual interference behavior and its functional differences in non-human primates. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Effects of month age and sex on mother - infant relationship in whiteheaded langurs ( Trachypithecus leucocephalus) LI Jiaxing, ZHOU Yingming, HUANG Chengming, FAN Penglai, ZHOU Qihai ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (1): 58-64.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150784 Abstract （235）   HTML （4）    PDF （1705KB）（125）       Knowledge map    Save Mother-infant relationship of non-human primates is the first social experience in their lifetime, which is very important to infants. This relationship is of great significance to the growth and development, normal social behavior and mental health of infants. Therefore, it respresents one of the hotspots in primatology research. In order to understand the development of the mother-infant relationship of the white-headed langur ( Trachypithecus leucocephalus) and it’s influencing factors, data on the mother-infant relationship were collected from a wild group of white-headed langurs in the Bapen area of the Chongzuo White-headed Langur National Nature Reserve, Guangxi, between September 2009 and August 2010. The duration and frequency of mother-infant behavior were recorded. Combining with the month age and sexes of infants, we explored the effects of different ages and sexes of infants on the mother-infant relationship of white-headed langurs. The results showed that the mother-infant relationship of white-headed langurs was influenced by the month age of infants. The duration of mother-infant behavior was not affected by the sex of infants, but mothers cared for female infants significantly more frequently than male infants. The sex of infants has no effect on grooming behavior and lactating behavior between mothers and infants, but it has a significant effect on embracing behavior between mothers and infants. These results indicate that the infant’s development is a process from dependence on the mother to gradually integrating into the community independently. White-headed langur mothers take different care modes for male and female infants, which may be related to the different social roles of male and female infants in the future. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Cardiomyocyte communication and its gene expression difference between different altitudes yaks based on single cell RNA-seq data HUANG Nating, CHEN Yibo, SONG Na, LI Jingyi, WEI Qing, CHEN Jiarui ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (2): 171-182.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150817 Abstract （229）   HTML （7）    PDF （5119KB）（102）       Knowledge map    Save As the most important organ for blood circulation, the heart plays an important role in the environmental adaptation of animals. Cardiomyocyte is the main functional cell in the animal heart, however, gene expression changes and cellular communication in cardiomyocytes of yaks living at high altitudes are still unclear. To study the effect of yak cardiomyocytes in the process of adaptation to the plateau environment, yaks in high altitude areas (Qilian, Qinghai, altitude 4000 m) and low altitude areas (Xunhua, Qinghai, altitude 2 600 m) were taken as research objects, and the cellular communications and ligand-target gene regulations in cardiomyocytes and other cells were predicted based on the 10× singlecell RNA sequencing data. In addition, the functions of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between different altitude yak cardiomyocytes were annotated. The results showed that yak cardiomyocytes were most highly correlated with the endothelial cells and epithelial cells. The expression level of ligand and receptor of CD74_COAP and CD74_APP was relatively higher in the cardiomyocyte-dendritic cell and cardiomyocyte-macrophage, the vitality of ligands and receptors was relatively higher in TNF signal pathway; The immune related pathway ligands, such as PTPRC, PECAM1, ITGB2, ANXA1, BDNF had a significant influence on all ‘cell pairs’and the PI3K-Akt signal pathway showed the highest potential score in ligand-target gene regulation; The functions of DEGs between high and low altitude yak cardiomyocytes were mainly enriched in metabolic pathways as the oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis pathways. These results suggest that yaks may maintain their homeostasis by strengthening the connection between cardiomyocytes and other cells and regulating the processes related to immune action. Meanwhile, high-altitude yaks enhance their aerobic and anaerobic metabolism of cardiomyocytes to acquire more energy to adapt to the harsh environment of high altitude. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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The roles of color signals in the sexual selection of non-human primates LIN Jinhuang, YAO Hui, WU Feng, XIANG Zuofu ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (1): 103-117.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150757 Abstract （222）   HTML （2）    PDF （1498KB）（129）       Knowledge map    Save The phenotypic coloration of animals is polychrome which includes plumage, pelage, and skin. It plays an important role in intraspecific communication, predation defense, and thermoregulation. The role of phenotypic coloration in sexual selection deserves to receive considerable critical attention. Non-human primates are an excellent model for investigating the role of phenotypic coloration in sexual selection, owing to their varied and complex pelage and bare skin coloration, mating systems, and visual systems. However, few studies on this subject were conducted in China. Based on a review of studies on the role of phenotypic coloration under sexual pressure in non-human primates, we found that intersexual selection prefers brightly colored individuals due to potential health conditions, while intrasexual color is more likely to represent rank and individual competitive desire. Mandrills ( Mandrillus sphinx) and rhesus macaques ( Macaca mulatta) are the main study subjects in skin coloration studies. The color signal is analyzed in most studies but pelage coloration is rarely involved. Overall, the physiological mechanisms and genetic expression related to phenotypic coloration need to be further explored. Visual model is a more accurate color signal receiving method than spectroscopy and digital photography, but digital photography is a more convenient and operable method in most of the current research conditions. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Difference of gut microbial structure between Rhinopithecus brelichi and Macaca thibetana in Fanjingshan Nature Reserve HUANG Xiaolong, LI Haibo, ZHANG Xu, CHENG Shaochuan, YAN Yuying, YANG Wei, MENG Bingshun, WANG Cheng, YANG Jie, RAN Jingcheng ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (2): 183-194.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150837 Abstract （221）   HTML （16）    PDF （8172KB）（122）       Knowledge map    Save Gut microbial are closely related to animal health. Gut microbiota has evolved with the host and formed a complex microecosystem with the gastrointestinal tract of animals. To compare the Rhinopithecus brelichi and Macaca thibetana on gut microbial composition and functions, a total of 42 winter fresh feces samples were collected from Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve in China, and a 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing was performed. The results showed that the gut microbial Chao1 and Shannon indexes of R. brelichi were significantly higher than those in the M. thibetana ( P < 0. 05). The β–diversity based on bray-curtis distance matrix found that there were some similarities and differences in the gut microbial community structure between the two groups. At the phylum level, Firmicutes was the dominant phylum, and the relative abundance of R. brelichi was higher than that of M. thibetana. At the genus level, except Acinetobacter and Oscillospira, which were relatively abundant, the other dominant bacterial genera were different between the two species. LEfSe analysis showed that the microorganisms like Coprococcus, Blautia, and Akkermansia related to metabolic pathway had significantly different relative abundance between the two species. Functional prediction of PICRUSt showed that the gut of the two groups of microorganisms were mainly involved in metabolism, genetic information processing, environmental information processing, and cellular processes. At level 2, there were 3 types of metabolic pathways with significant differences ( P < 0. 05). Different species and numbers of individuals and different food sources of the two primates resulted in significant differences in gut microbiota composition and characteristics of R. brelichi and M. thibetan in the Fanjingshan. PICRUSt functional prediction showed that there were significant differences in the abundance of functional genes of gut microbiota in the two groups, suggesting that the two groups could adapt to the changes of in food resources by adjusting their gut microbiota. These results can provide a scientific basis for future in-depth study of the gut microbiome of the two primate species with highly overlapping ecological niches, and also have a certain reference value and practical significance for the establishment of artificial protection intervention measures for the two species in the field. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Relationship between maternal fecal cortisol levels and mother-infant behaviors in early nursing period of giant panda ZHOU Xiao, YANG Bo, ZENG Wen, LI Guo, YANG Changjiang, WANG Jing, XIE Qingyang, LIU Huaiting, WANG Rui, LUO Bo, ZHANG Mingchun, HUANG Yan ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (2): 209-216.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150741 Abstract （218）   HTML （3）    PDF （1995KB）（153）       Knowledge map    Save Giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is an altricial species. The early period of nursing is critical for the survival, growth and development of the cub, and also the most vulnerable period for the young. In order to understand the relationship between maternal cortisol levels and mother-infant behaviors during the early nursing period, and improve the survival rate of cubs in the aspect of behavioral adaptation mechanism, were monitored the concentration of fecal cortisol of 7 mother pandas in the early nursing period (0-75 days) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, we observed the behaviors of 3 pairs of mother and infant using the focal animal sampling method. The results showed that the fecal cortisol concentration of mother panda decreased with the cub’s growth by days ( r = -0. 950, P < 0. 001) in the early nursing period. Before and after weaning, there was no significant difference in maternal cortisol concentrations ( t = -0. 935, P = 0. 361). The changes in maternal cortisol concentrations had significant positive correlations with communicating ( r = 0. 0918, P < 0. 001), cub calling ( r = 0. 777, P = 0. 001) and resting ( r = 0. 731, P = 0. 002) behaviors. Furthermore, cortisol concentrations were negatively correlated with feeding ( r = -0. 608, P = 0. 016) and not correlated with licking ( r = 0. 366, P = 0. 179). Results indicated that the cortisol concentration of the mother giant panda was related to the growth and development of the cub during the early nursing period. We hypothesize that the stress intensity of the mother might decrease with the improvement of the cold resistance and independent activity ability of the cub. In addition, cortisol may be involved in the regulation of maternal behavior, which can help the mother respond positively to the demand signals of her cub, enhance maternal behavior, and thus improve the survival rate of her cub at the early stage of nursing. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Effects of artificial feeding on the composition of gut microbiome of longtailed hamster CAO Kanglin, TAO Mengfan, REN Yue, HOU Yu, JIA Biantao, YANG Xingen ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (2): 195-208.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150808 Abstract （208）   HTML （5）    PDF （10022KB）（68）       Knowledge map    Save The alteration in diet is a pivotal factor contributing to modifications in the gut microbiota of small mammals. When transitioning from their natural habitat to captivity, wild animals undergo drastic changes in their lifestyle, however, the succession processes underlying the establishment of intestinal microbial community structure from artificial feeding remain incompletely elucidated. To clarify the effects of artificial feeding on the composition of gut microbiome of small mammals, natural populations of long-tailed hamster ( Cricetulus longicaudatus) were captured using cage trapping from Lishi District (LS), Xi County (XX) and Zuoquan County (ZQ) in Shanxi Province in summer (from July to September) of 2022. Based on 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing, we analyzed the differences of intestinal flora in different ecological environments, and explored the succession process of artificial feeding on the gut microbial composition. The results showed that Firmicutes were significantly enriched in XX and ZQ populations while bacteroides were significantly enriched in LS population. Intestinimonas is a common dominant genus in the three populations. After 35 days of artificial feeding, Bacteroides were significantly enriched in the three populations and their relative abundance tended to be consistent. The relative abundance of Muribaculacea in ZQ population was 48. 85%, which was significantly higher than that in the wild environment. Our study shows that the diversity of the gut microbiota of C. longicaudatus is different in distinct ecological environments. After long-term artificial feeding, the similarity of gut microbiome of different C. longicaudatus populations increased significantly, indicating that diet change has a great impact on the diversity and community composition of gut microbiome, and the composition of gut microbiome of C. longicaudatus may play an important role in nutrition metabolism. The results provided a scientific basis for a better understanding of the ecological adaptability of the intestinal microbiome of C. longicaudatus, and the utilization of food as a means to regulate the population of detrimental. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Research advances on spatial memory on animal movement GUO Xiaoyi, WANG Wei, GU Jiayin, JIANG Guangshun ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (2): 224-236.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150787 Abstract （201）   HTML （7）    PDF （1952KB）（154）       Knowledge map    Save Many animal groups show strong directionality and regularity as they move within home ranges or migrate seasonally over long distances. They can integrate significant spatial cues for destination recognition, navigation, and memory of the types of food available in the habitat, the distribution of food patches and the season of food maturity, and construct spatial cognitive maps, showing a strong spatial memory capacity. This article comprehensively reviews the research methods of captive experiments, field experiments in natural environments, observation and analysis of natural state movement trajectories, and exploration of animal spatial memory in digital virtual experimental environments. The characteristics and application ranges of these research methods are summarized, and future research trends are prospected. The integration of multiple disciplines, multiple application scenarios, and the development of animal spatial memory ecological models have become the main development trends in this field. The study of animal spatial memory can provide new perspectives for in-depth exploration of animal habitat utilization mechanisms, intrinsic movement driving forces, and the maintenance mechanisms of biodiversity. In addition, this research field can also provide scientific basis and reference for wildlife management practices such as endangered species conservation, alleviating human-wildlife conflicts, and improving the welfare of captive animals. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Spatiotemporal variation of composition and diversity of small mammals in Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport YUAN Daohuan, CHENG Shoujie, YUAN Qianmin, JI Yu, QIN Jiao, LIANG Yitian, LIU Quansheng ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (2): 252-258.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150826 Abstract （200）   HTML （3）    PDF （1976KB）（129）       Knowledge map    Save Bird strikes are a serious threat to the safe operation of the global aviation industry, and many birds feed on small mammals. Therefore, understanding the species composition, density, distribution and population dynamics of small mammals inside and outside of airports is of great significance for airport bird control and flight safety. To understand the characteristics and spatiotemporal variation of the species, quantity, and diversity of small mammals in the runway area and peripheral areas of Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, four small mammal surveys were carried out in Shenzhen Airport from November 2021 to July 2022. A total of 152 small mammals from 6 species, 4 genera, 2 families, and 2 orders were captured by 1 343 effective clips. Rattus losea (37. 50%) and Mus caroli (36. 84%) were the dominant species. The capture rate of the four surveys was 11. 66% ± 2. 42%, and the seasonal variation of the capture rate was not significant. The total capture rate and rodent capture rate in the airport were significantly lower than those outside the airport. Species richness index and Shannon-Wiener index were the highest in November, while Pielou index was the lowest. Species richness index and Shannon-Wiener index inside the airport were slightly lower than outside the airport, while Pielou index was higher than outside the airport. The results indicate that small mammals should be controlled both inside and outside the airport to reduce the attraction of birds such as birds of prey, thereby reducing the risk of bird strikes at the airport. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Parentage testing and genetic diversity of Tibetan antelope individuals in or among mating groups Saiqinggaowa, WANG Zihan, LI Quanbang, WANG Dong, LIAN Xinming ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (2): 159-170.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150807 Abstract （198）   HTML （9）    PDF （3890KB）（125）       Knowledge map    Save Tibetan antelope ( Pantholops hodgsonii), an endemic species of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, exhibits group living and sexual segregation behaviors. Outside the rutting season, male and female Tibetan antelope live separately. In this study, a total of 188 fresh fecal samples were collected from 32 groups of Tibetan antelope in the Kekexili region of the Sanjiangyuan National Park in late December 2021. Genetic diversity analysis and parentage testing were conducted using ten highly polymorphic microsatellite loci. The findings revealed that out of the 188 fresh fecal samples, genetic identification confirmed the presence of 145 individual Tibetan antelope. Among them, ten Tibetan antelope individuals (eight females and two males) sequentially appeared in different groups over time. Field observations indicated three mechanisms for recombination among mating groups including group dissolution, male departures or arrivals to/from existing groups, and female departures or arrivals to/from existing groups. Notably, there was considerable genetic differentiation between individuals that changed groups compared to those remaining within their original group composition. Male Tibetan antelopes moved to groups with a higher proportion of females than their previous ones, thereby increasing their potential for acquiring more mates and enhancing opportunities for gene inheritance. The average number of alleles across the ten microsatellite loci was 16. 1, with an average polymorphic information content of 0. 766. Observed heterozygosity (Ho) ranged from 0. 607 to 0. 993 with a mean value of 0. 819. Expected heterozygosity (He) ranged from 0. 575 to 0. 930 with a mean value of 0. 798. These results indicated a high level of genetic diversity within the Tibetan antelope population. At the group level, out of the total parent-child relationships observed ( n = 32), fourteen (43. 75%) occurred within the same group, predominantly in mother-daughter relationships (71. 43 %), while only four (28. 57%) involved males (mother-son/father-daughter/father-son). By comparing the average coefficients of relatedness between groups with or without males, our findings suggested that the presence or absence of males had minimal impact on genetic relatedness among group members, indicating that closest genetic relationships within mating groups were primarily among females. Our findings demonstrated that low levels of inbreeding in Tibetan antelope populations and highlight female-female associations as key drivers for forming stable groups and facilitating communication and transmission of migration information due to their higher relatedness compared to males. These results provided scientific evidence supporting further validation of the collective memory conjecture regarding Tibetan antelope migration. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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A new method for identifying individuals of François's langur based on observations of white spots on the groin YAN Xiugang, QI Xiaoguang, GUO Yanqing, ZHANG Peng, WU Ankang, YANG Zhaohui ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (2): 247-251.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150732 Abstract （187）   HTML （6）    PDF （22419KB）（81）       Knowledge map    Save The François’s langur ( Trachypithecus francoisi) is a nationally protected animal in China. Individual identification of the François’s langurs is essential for monitoring, research, and conservation management. Mayanghe National Nature Reserve in Guizhou Province is the largest habitat for wild populations of the François’s langur. In this study, three groups of wild François’s langurs within the experimental area of Mayanghe Reserve were selected. The instantaneous scan sampling method was used to observe the gibbon groups, and digital cameras were used to photograph the ventral groin patches of 16 adult and sub-adult females. By comparing the results, we found that there were individual differences in the patterns of ventral groin patches among François’s langurs, suggesting that these patterns can be used as a method for identifying individuals. This study provides new insights and research methods for individual identification of François’s langurs and contributes to the fundamental data for studying their behavior in the wild. Furthermore, it offers a scientific basis for the conservation and management of François’s langurs. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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The research on restoration priority assessment of damaged giant panda habitats based on multi-criteria decision analysis of AHP-OWA HE Hui, JIANG Min, XIE Wenwen, HUANG Yu, ZHANG Yueming, WU Sujuan, ZHANG Pan, QI Cheng, LUO Chuan, LI Junlin, LUO Peng, YANG Hao ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2024, 44 (4): 395-410.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150878 Abstract （184）   HTML （7）    PDF （46983KB）（147）       Knowledge map    Save 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 hm 2, 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. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2023, 43 (6): 701-701.   Abstract （162）      PDF （1344KB）（179）       Knowledge map    Save Related Articles | Metrics