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Some key questions of ecological impacts of free ranging cats LI Zhongqiu ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (5): 593-601.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150967 Abstract （1458）   HTML （6）    PDF（pc） （1938KB）（3201）       Knowledge map    Save Domestic cats, originally from the Near East, have proliferated globally alongside human migration, establishing substantial populations of free-ranging cats. These feline populations have profound ecological ramifications for both island and continental ecosystems, encompassing direct predation, fear-mediated indirect predation, competition for resources with predators at the same trophic level, disease transmission, and genetic infiltration. Gaining a thorough understanding of the fundamental biology of free-ranging cats is essential for mitigating these impacts, including their population dynamics, reproductive behaviors, and adaptive strategies. While trap-neuter-return (TNR) is a widely adopted management strategy for free-ranging cats, its necessity and effectiveness in wildlife conservation remain contentious. This paper delves into scientific research areas such as free-ranging cat population assessment, ecological impact evaluation, disease risk, and the cultural and managerial aspects of cats. We also present specific recommendations regarding pet registration, breeding regulations, animal welfare, and shelter policies. We hope that these suggestions will provide scientific evidence and practical guidance for effective free-ranging cat management and the conservation of wildlife in the future. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Advances in conservation research of large- and medium-sized terrestrial mammals in China NIE Yonggang, ZHANG Chao, GAO Huayao, LIU Hanqing, XIE Bing ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (5): 559-576.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151101 Abstract （902）   HTML （7）    PDF（pc） （2124KB）（1496）       Knowledge map    Save As one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, China is home to more than 700 mammal species, including flagship species such as giant pandas, snow leopards, snub-nosed monkeys, and Tibetan antelopes. However, exacerbated by climate change and expanding human activities, many large- and medium-sized mammals face severe survival threats, necessitating systematic conservation research. In recent decades, with continuous advancements in research methodologies and technologies, Chinese scientists have achieved a series of groundbreaking research outcomes in mammalian conservation, providing critical foundations for developing scientific management and protection strategies. This paper systematically reviews research progress in the conservation of China’s large- and medium-sized terrestrial mammals from 2010 to 2025, covering aspects such as behavioral and physiological adaptations, population dynamics and species coexistence mechanisms, gut microbiota-host co-adaptation, disease prevention and control, and genetic and adaptive evolution. Looking ahead, it is essential to strengthen research on holistic ecosystem conservation, promote interdisciplinary integration, and actively develop and apply emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. By systematically elucidating the impact of environmental changes on large- and medium-sized mammals, these efforts will guide scientifically informed conservation management to address the increasingly severe challenges of biodiversity conservation challenges. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Advances in conservation ecology of Chinese pangolins HUA Yan, GAO Haiyang, WANG Kai, DOU Hongliang, LI Jun, GUO Ce, SUN Song, AN Fuyu, TANG Lin, LI Yongzheng, ZHANG Zhidong, YANG Wenshan ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (5): 577-592.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150985 Abstract （883）   HTML （4）    PDF（pc） （1968KB）（663）       Knowledge map    Save The Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), a Class I protected species in China, faces critical endangerment due to anthropogenic pressures, habitat degradation, and climate change. Except for Taiwan, the distribution range of Chinese pangolins in China has significantly decreased. The Chinese pangolin’s suitable habitats are shaped by an intricate interplay of factors including vegetation, human activity, climate, and topography. Chinese pangolins are an enigmatic, nocturnal species and possess modest home ranges and subsist primarily on a diet of termites and ants. Their burrowing behavior alters soil structure, enhances forest habitat heterogeneity, and provides additional resources for sympatric species, making them important ecosystem engineers in forest ecosystems. While ex-situ conservation through artificial breeding serves as a crucial complement to in-situ efforts, it presents critical challenges, including low survival rates of rescued individuals, enhanced disease susceptibility, difficulties in formulating appropriate artificial diets, poor sperm quality, and low offspring viability. The primary threats to Chinese pangolins encompass poaching, habitat fragmentation and loss, limited genetic dispersal, and the risk of extinction due to critically small populations. To address these multifaceted challenges, comprehensive conservation strategies need to be developed meticulously, such as bolstering law enforcement, advancing scientific research, safeguarding habitats, refining artificial breeding techniques, enhancing public awareness and education, and fostering international collaboration. Through the concerted implementation of these conservation measures, it is anticipated that the conservation scenario for Chinese pangolins will improve significantly, potentially leading to a gradual recovery of its population size. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Suitable distribution area and activity patterns study of Asiatic black bear in the Yarlung Zangbo River basin LYU Yonglei, WANG Weibo, CUI Yaqian, LIU Ying, ZHOU Wei, WANG Yuan, LIU Feng, WANG Guanglong, HU Jingjing, Pubudunzhu, Bianbaduoji, Danzeng, HU Kai, WANG Xiao-chuan, WEN Zhixin, YANG Qisen ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (5): 629-640.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151021 Abstract （791）   HTML （9）    PDF（pc） （19161KB）（134）       Knowledge map    Save The Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus), belonging to the family Ursidae within the Carnivora order, is classified as a second-class protected wild animal in China. Unfortunately, its population size and distribution range are declining due to habitat fragmentation caused by human activities, intensifying conflicts between humans and bears. To understand the distribution patterns of Asian black bears in the Yarlung Zangbo River basin, we employed the MaxEnt model to analyze its current habitat distribution and influencing factors based on long-term camera trap and field survey data, in conjunction with elevation, aspect, slope and 19 bioclimatic variables. Furthermore, we predicted the trend of habitat change under different future climate change scenarios within this region and investigated the daily and monthly activity patterns using recorded data from camera traps. We found that the AUC value of the best fitted MaxEnt model was 0. 972, indicating high accuracy after screening for climate and terrain factors. The key factors affecting the distribution of Asiatic black bears were altitude, temperature annual range, and precipitation of warmest quarter. Currently suitable distribution areas for Asiatic black bears are mainly concentrated in the Nyingchi region, with a smaller portion distributed in Shigatse and Shannan regions. With increasing temperatures in the future, suitable areas would not change significantly, but they will migrate to higher altitude along Yarlung Zangbo River and its tributaries. The activity pattern of Asiatic black bears in the Yarlung Zangbo River basin was primarily characterized by crepuscular behavior, with peak activity intensity observed during the summer and autumn seasons. This study provides basic data for comprehending the present and future distribution patterns as well as behavioral tendencies of Asiatic black bears. Furthermore, it offers theoretical insights for future conservation and management efforts aimed at mitigating human-bear conflicts in the Yarlung Zangbo River basin. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Assessment of the population size and body scarring of Bryde’s whales in the coastal waters off Weizhou Island, China SUN Xiaodong, ZHANG Yaoyao, NONG Zhiwen, ZHENG Yang, CHEN Mo, ZHENG Jin-song, WANG Ding, MEI Zhigang ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (5): 694-706.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150938 Abstract （779）   HTML （0）    PDF（pc） （18140KB）（756）       Knowledge map    Save The Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) is a Class I key protected species in China, and recent surveys have shown the existence of a stable population in the waters off Weizhou Island in Beibu Gulf, which is currently the only stable population of large baleen whales near the coast of China’s mainland. Our team conducted a photo-identification study in the waters near Weizhou Island from March 2018 to February 2023 and obtained a total of 70 600 pictures. Among them, we recorded 44 724 clear pictures of Bryde’s whales and identified 59 individual Bryde’s whales by dorsal fin notching. However, the individual identification database curve has not yet reached a plateau, and new individuals are still being identified every year. The POPAN model was used to estimate the population size of Bryde’s whales on Weizhou Island to be 89 individuals (CV = 0. 14, 95% CI = 59 - 123). The average annual recapture rate of the Bryde’s whale population in the waters of Weizhou Island during 2018 - 2023 was 35. 8%, and the results of multi-year comparisons showed that 29 individuals (49. 2% of the total) had a higher level of habitat fidelity. Based on body surface injuries, the main injuries were identified as coming from entanglement in net gear and ship strikes. The estimated minimum injury rate for Bryde’s whales in the Weizhou waters during the period 2021 - 2023 was 26. 3% (n = 59, 95% CI = 13. 3% - 39. 3%), and the maximum injury rate was 61. 4% (95% CI = 51. 0% - 71. 8%), suggesting that there is a clear risk of anthropogenic coercion to Bryde’s whales in the Weizhou waters. We call for further strengthening the monitoring and research on the population of Bryde’s whales in the waters of Weizhou Island, as well as the strict implementation of various types of anthropogenic controls to mitigate the threats to the survival of their population. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Habitat suitability analysis for four wild ungulates in Sanjiangyuan National Park under different climate change scenarios WANG Zihan, WANG Dong, HOU Luyi, LI Quanbang, LI Qiqin, WEI Haijuan, LIAN Xinming ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (5): 602-614.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150963 Abstract （712）   HTML （14）    PDF（pc） （13432KB）（2323）       Knowledge map    Save Climate change and human activities have direct or indirect impacts on the distribution and abundance of species, particularly on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Wild ungulates are vital components of the ecosystem, with their habitat and living conditions playing a decisive role in maintaining ecological balance and stability. Predicting the effects of climate change on their distribution range can provide a scientific basis and reference for the conservation of wild ungulates and habitat restoration in key areas. This study specifically focuses on four species of wild ungulates in Sanjiangyuan National Park, Tibetan gazelle (Procapra picticaudata), Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii), kiang (Equus kiang), and wild yak (Bos mutus). By utilizing the MaxEnt model and ArcGIS software, we conducted an analysis to determine the potential geographical distribution of these four species. Subsequently, we predicted dynamic changes in their habitat suitability and geographical range under two scenarios: low and high carbon emissions for the 2050s and 2070s. The findings revealed that the suitable habitat area for Tibetan gazelle accounted for 52. 22% of the total park area, while corresponding proportions for Tibetan antelope, kiang, and wild yak were 13. 71%, 19. 23%, and 9. 22% respectively. Multiple variables influenced the distribution of these four species. Notably, precipitation-related factors significantly impacted habitat selection by Tibetan gazelle and antelope populations and the antelope demonstrated some adaptability to human activities as well. In the face of future climate change, all four wild ungulates are experiencing a decline in suitable habitats, with the Tibetan antelope being particularly affected by the highest carbon emission concentration scenario. Furthermore, there is a noticeable trend among these species to migrate towards higher latitudes. Although the Sanjiangyuan National Park has encompassed most of the habitats for the four ungulate species, it remains essential to develop tailored protection and management strategies for each species. Specifically, proactive measures such as vegetation restoration should be implemented in habitats that have been or may become damaged to enhance the ecological environment’s quality and provide a more suitable living space for these wild ungulates. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Suitable habitat and daily activity patterns of Ursus thibetanus in Zhaotong, Yunnan Province CHEN Ting, LI Binqiang, LIAO Zhenghang, LI Wei, PENG Can ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (5): 641-654.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151010 Abstract （709）   HTML （6）    PDF（pc） （41882KB）（108）       Knowledge map    Save Understanding the spatial and temporal patterns of species, along with their influencing factors, is crucial for effective species conservation and habitat management. To evaluate the suitable habitat distribution and activity patterns of Ursus thibetanus in Zhaotong, Yunnan Province, we deployed 246 infrared cameras to monitor bears from August 2020 to February 2023. We constructed a MaxEnt model using the distribution data collected from the camera traps and relevant news reports to analyze the suitable habitats for Ursus thibetanus. Additionally, we assessed the daily activity patterns of the bears using kernel density estimation based on the time data captured by the cameras. The results showed that distance to cultivated land, mean diurnal range, temperature annual range, and precipitation of wettest month were the main environmental factors affecting the habitat selection of Ursus thibetanus. These factors collectively accounted for a contribution rate of 87. 6%. The suitable habitats for Ursus thibetanus are mainly distributed in the intersection of Yiliang, Daguan, Yongshan, Yanjin, Suijiang, and Shuifu counties, with an area of 245 508 hm2. Furthermore, the analysis of the protection gap indicates that the suitable habitat area of Ursus thibetanus in the nature reserve is 57 652 hm2, accounting for 23. 48% of the suitable habitat of Ursus thibetanus in Zhaotong. Black bears have frequent activities in summer and autumn, with significant differences in seasonal activity intensity. The activity peak period of Ursus thibetanus is from May to October, and the average low temperature is the main factor affecting their monthly activity. Black bears exhibit morning and evening activity mode, with peaks of activity between 06: 00 - 10: 00 and 16: 00 - 20: 00. The results reveal the temporal and spatial distribution pattern of Ursus thibetanus in Zhaotong, Yunnan Province, and provide references for habitat protection and management of this species. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Research on the adaptation of reintroduced giant pandas to the natural environment YU Xiang, BI Wenlei, HOU Rong, LIU Jiabin, LI Zusheng, FU Mingxia, WU Wei, MA Rui, CHEN Chao, MO Li, SONG Xinqiang, WANG Wei, YANG Hong, ZHANG Qian, QI Dunwu ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (5): 707-716.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151007 Abstract （644）   HTML （2）    PDF（pc） （12279KB）（674）       Knowledge map    Save Animal rewilding is an important means to maintain the long-term survival of endangered wildlife populations. For captive animals, how to quickly adapt to the complex wild environment is an important guarantee for successful survival. Therefore, knowing habitat preference, activity patterns, and utilization of environmental factors is helpful to clarify the process of ecological adaptation of reintroduced animals. In this study, we focused on the preferred habitat within 6 months, home range size, daily movement distance, and use of environmental factors within 12 months of a reintroduced giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). After 6 months later, the reintroduced giant panda showed the similar habitat preference as wild giant pandas in the same area (the coincidence ratio up to 66%), with a utilization (2 721. 3 ± 66. 9) m altitude in the end of one year. Also, the reintroduced giant panda exhibited a 4. 5 km2 home range, moved (293. 2 ± 420. 2) m average distance daily, used a 20. 0° median average slope of the active area in sunny slope and semisunny slope areas. Based on the results, we divide the adaptation process in 4 stages: exploratory period (1 - 31 d), initial stable period (32 - 61 d), wandering period (62 - 91 d), and stable period (after 92 d), after which the reintroduced individual was well adapted to the wild environment. Our study indicates that releasing adult captive females and extending the rewilding training period may benefit reintroduced giant pandas to enter a stable stage in a relatively short period, thereby improving the success rate of reintroduction. The results of this study can provide a basis for further optimization of captive giant panda rewilding training and monitoring programs. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Analysis of patterns and human-related factors influencing brown bears’ incursions into human-settled areas within Sanjiangyuan National Park LI Quanbang, WANG Dong, WEI Haijuan, NIU Shaopeng, LIAN Xinming ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (5): 655-667.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151001 Abstract （640）   HTML （13）    PDF（pc） （16861KB）（231）       Knowledge map    Save In recent years, human-bear conflicts resulting from the incursion of brown bears (Ursus arctos) into human dwellings have emerged as substantial challenges to the implementation of ecological civilization and livelihood improvement initiatives in Sanjiangyuan National Park. Concurrently, the paucity of research on local brown bear behavior and their spatiotemporal responses to human activities has exacerbated the difficulties in managing these conflicts effectively. In this study, conducted from April 2022 to April 2023, twenty camera sites were established in Longma Village, Yege Township, Qumalai County, Qinghai Province. Using infrared camera trap technology over a total of 4 781 effective camera working days, we collected activity data on brown bears, free-roaming dogs, and human presence. The study analyzed the spatiotemporal patterns and human-related influencing factors associated with brown bear incursions into human-settled areas. We found that the proportion of brown bears recorded incursion behaviors reached as high as 79. 56% and the animals entering human dwellings were primarily solitary individuals. Among these incursion activities, the success rate of finding food was 60. 55%. The intrusion activity of brown bear occurred at night, with peak activity observed between 22: 00 and 01: 00. Annual peaks in activity were noted in April and July. In human-inhabited environments, both human and free-roaming dog activities predominantly occurred during the daytime, resulting in a high temporal overlap index. In contrast, the indices measuring temporal overlap between the nocturnal activities of brown bears and the diurnal activities of free-roaming dogs and humans were markedly lower. A significant negative correlation was observed between the intensity of brown bear break-in incursion activities and human activity on a daily timescale. Conversely, long-term correlations revealed significant positive associations between bear intrusions and the activity levels of both humans and free-roaming dogs. Based on the findings of this study, strict management of human-related foods and relevant waste are recommended. This should be complemented by promoting the development and utilization of reinforced housing structures, bear-proof garbage cans, and secure food storage containers. These measures aim to minimize the accessibility of human food and waste to brown bears, thereby reducing their intrusive behaviors and mitigating human-bear conflicts. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Impacts of climate and land-use changes on suitable habitats for Felis silvestris ornate in the Tarim Basin LI Huihuang, ZHUO Yingying, Batubayier, DOU Ziwei, SHARMA Sabina Koirala, WANG Muyang, YANG Weikang ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (5): 615-628.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150958 Abstract （553）   HTML （1）    PDF（pc） （21587KB）（113）       Knowledge map    Save Climate and land-use changes are primary drivers of shifts in species ranges. Conducting relevant research can provide scientific supports for conservation planning and management of endangered species. Felis silvestris ornate, listed as a Second Class species in the National Key Protected Wild Animals in China, remains relatively understudied. This study focuses on the Tarim Basin of Xinjiang as the research area and employs the MaxEnt model to predict the potential suitable habitats of Felis silvestris ornate under current and future 2041-2070 (2050s), 2071-2100 (2080s) climate and land-use change scenarios. The research aims to reveal the distribution pattern of suitable habitats for the species, explore the influencing factors, and conduct an analysis of conservation gaps. The results showed that models had the smallest AICc value with regularization multiplier (RM) = 3. 0 and feature combination (FC) = LQHP. Averaged AUC value of the best-fitted model was 0. 962 indicating high model performance. The current area of suitable habitats for Felis silvestris ornate is 61 456 km2, mainly concentrated in the northern and western parts of the Tarim basin, accounting for 6. 03% of the total area. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), land-use types, and average annual temperature are the most important factors affecting the distribution of suitable habitats for Felis silvestris ornate. In the future, the area of suitable habitat for Felis silvestris ornate will increase to varying degrees. By 2080s (SSP585), the area of suitable habitats will increase by 63. 05% compared to the current area, mainly located in the northern part of the basin. Conservation gap analysis revealed that only 6. 90% and 5. 30% of the suitable habitat area for the Felis silvestris ornate is covered by the nature reserves in the current and future periods, respectively, indicating that the conservation effectiveness of the nature reserve is low in both periods. This study analyzed the dynamic changes in suitable habitats of Felis silvestris ornate in the Tarim Basin under the background of climate and land-use changes, along with its influencing factors, providing solid data support for the conservation and management of this species. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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The production and evolutionary adaptation of alarm calls in small mammals: research progress and prospect Linchu TIAN, Qiangyun LI, Heping FU, Zhishu XIAO, Shuai YUAN, Wei LIU ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (6): 723-742.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151099 Abstract （552）   HTML （28）    PDF（pc） （1984KB）（260）       Knowledge map    Save Alarm calls are a key communication behavior for animals to defend against risks, especially in response to predation threats. The study of their adaptation and evolution is of great significance for understanding the evolution of signal structure in animal vocal communication (including human language) as well as the mechanisms of signal recognition and cognition. Over the years, our understanding about the nature of alarm calls has continued to mature. Simultaneously, the function of alarm calls in conveying information in animal social interactions has been widely recognized. However, it remains unclear the production and driving mechanisms of alarm calls, not only the encoding and transmission of vocalization information but also their impact on multi-level response patterns of receivers. In recent years, with the rapid development of acoustic monitoring, digital signal processing, and artificial intelligence deep learning technologies, research on alarm calls has expanded from discriptive patterns description to a theoretical integration, validation, and mechanistic elucidation. Here, we review studies on alarm calls in small mammals over the past 20 years and briefly outline the research connotations and methods of alarm call communication. From the perspectives of call or vocalization production and adaptation, we summarize the research progress on the risk-driven effects of alarm vocalization information encoding, as well as the current status of research on the impacts of individual identity characteristics, such as age (body size), sex, and social attributes and habitat features on alarm calling. We also systematically summarize various natural selection theories and their controversies regarding the evolutionary adaptation of alarm calls. Finally, based on current application context, we discuss and prospect some key issues on the vocalization and response mechanisms and functional evolutionary adaptation of alarm calls in small mammals for the future. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Ecological adaptations of alarm calls in Brandt’s voles did not support the acoustic adaptation hypothesis Qiangyun LI, Jinhai WU, Siriguleng, Jianping ZHANG, Yumin LIU, Zhishu XIAO, Junhu SU, Wei LIU ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (6): 797-809.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150966 Abstract （522）   HTML （13）    PDF（pc） （5205KB）（331）       Knowledge map    Save Vocal alarm is one of the important survival strategies for animals, where habitat vegetation cover, climatic factors, noise, and call purpose may play a role in the adaptive tuning of animal calls. How the alarm calls of animals adapt to the temporal changes of habitat structure remains poorly explored. The acoustic adaptation hypothesis (AAH) suggests that animal calls should evolve in a direction that facilitates efficient transmission in their environment, but not all empirical reports support its predictions. The alarm calls of Brandt’s voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii) are an important anti-predator behavior. To detect the acoustic characteristics and functional adaptability of their alarm calls, in May, July, and September 2023, the alarm calls of Brandt's voles were collected in the typical steppe area of Xin Barag Right Banner, Inner Mongolia. These calls were then combined with the local historical climate parameters and real-time environmental noise indicators to analyze the relationship between the characteristics of their alarm calls and the habitat. The results showed that the alarm calls of Brandt’s voles exhibit both monosyllabic (13.1%) and multisyllabic acoustic (86.9%) characteristics. Furthermore, the minimum and maximum fundamental frequency were significantly positively correlated with habitat vegetation index and ambient relative humidity, respectively, but significantly negatively correlated with wind speed. The maximum fundamental frequency and fundamental frequency range were significantly positively correlated with ambient noise, while other frequency (i.e. the minimum fundamental frequency) and time (i.e. inter-note intervals of a call) domain parameter showed a negative correlation. Under the environmental conditions of relatively high temperature, abundant rainfall, and low noise in summer (July), the alarm calls of Brandt’s voles were characterized by long pulses with relatively concentrated audio frequencies and high-frequency sounds with loose syllables. In spring (May) and autumn (September), which were relatively dry, windy, and noisy, especially in September, the calls were adjusted to short pulses and broadband low-frequency sounds with dense syllables. The alarm calls of Brandt's voles responded to the seasonal changes in relative humidity, wind, and noise rather than vegetation canopy density, which did not support the acoustic adaptation hypothesis. This difference was also the result of their trade-off between anti-predator risks and benefits and was closely related to the dispersal of their offspring or family relatives. This study provides a basis for the anti-predator acoustic countermeasures related to the adaptation of Brandt’s voles to colonial and seasonal breeding life. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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The impacts evaluation of whale-watching vessels on Bryde’s whales and implications for whale-watching regulations CHEN Bingyao, SUN Jing, MAO Baoneng, GUAN Zehua, JIANG Xinyue, WANG Jing ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (5): 681-693.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150991 Abstract （520）   HTML （0）    PDF（pc） （6438KB）（709）       Knowledge map    Save The Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) around Weizhou Island, Beihai, Guangxi, is the only permanent large whale species in the coastal waters of China and represents the largest known nearshore population of Bryde’s whale in the world. Since 2018, when Bryde’s whales were first reported, the whale-watching tourism has greatly expanded. However, the lack of scientific whale-watching guidance and regulation on whale-watching tourism has likely negative impacts on Bryde’s whales, highlighting the urgent need for impact assessments and scientific whale-watching regulations. Based on direct monitoring from 2022 to 2024, we found that 73. 5% of vessels exhibited a range of problematic behaviors, such as running directly at whales or honking or chasing them too closely. The average number of vessels around whales exceeded five, with a maximum of 24 vessels, and the average whale-watching time was (38. 6 ± 20. 86) min. Vessels approaching Bryde’s whale in parallel pattern caused the lowest whales’avoidance response (30. 34%), whereas direct or turning approaching patterns (35. 35%) caused the strongest reactions, with avoidance response exceeding 60. 00%. When only 1 - 2 vessels were presented around whales, the neutrality response attained 66. 72%, with the lowest proportion of avoidance response. When the distance between Bryde’s whale and vessels was less than 100 m, avoidance response increased to 56. 97%. As the distance increased, the proportion of avoidance response reduced, dropping to 10. 64% when vessels were more than 300 m distant. Based on the results of this study and referring to 30 global whale-watching regulations, as well as communication with local authorities and practitioners, important parameters of whale-watching practices were analyzed, providing a scientific basis for the effective protection of Bryde’s whales around Weizhou Island. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Microhabitat and den site selection of Asiatic black bears in Wangqing National Nature Reserve, Jilin, China DU Hairong, ZHANG Minghai ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (5): 668-680.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151011 Abstract （517）   HTML （0）    PDF（pc） （13658KB）（1069）       Knowledge map    Save In the northeastern region of China, winter is characterized by a snow-covered period that can last up to half a year, with frigid temperatures and scarce food resources. To cope with these harsh environments, Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) hibernate during most of the winter, a period that also coincides with their breeding and early cub-rearing phase. Therefore, hibernation is crucial for the stability of populations in this region, and suitable dens are essential for successful hibernation. This study, conducted between 2015 and 2019 in the Wangqing National Nature Reserve in Jilin Province, identified 24 dens sites through field surveys. Using descriptive statistics, principal component analysis (PCA), and random forest modeling, we examined den structure, microhabitat, and denning habitat to explore the factors influencing den selection and the environmental factors affecting den site choice, thereby revealing the relationship between the microhabitat, denning environment, and den selection. We found that the trees selected for denning were primarily Populus cathayana, indicating a relatively narrow range of tree species compared to other studies. The denning trees had a diameter at breast height (DBH) of approximately (122. 89 ± 13. 60) cm, with den entrances measuring about (39. 26 ± 6. 62) cm in diameter. The orientation of the den entrances fell within the range of solar altitude and was sheltered from the wind, suggesting that temperature plays a significant role in den entrance selection. Entrance orientation accounted for most of the first principal component, and the DBH and entrance size constituted the second principal component. Together, these two components accounted for 0. 85 of the total variance, indicating that entrance orientation, DBH, and entrance size are the primary factors considered in den selection. The main factors influencing den site habitat selection included the distance to rivers, distance to major roads, gross primary productivity (GPP) in October, and distance to human settlements. The ecological significance of these factors suggests that the primary considerations in den site selection are safety, insulation, and access to food resources. This study provides scientific support for the conservation and restoration of denning habitats for Asiatic black bears in northeastern China. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Research advances in vocal communication behavior and neural mechanisms of common marmosets Qianbing LI, Xiangyu ZHANG, Lixia GAO ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (6): 753-762.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151104 Abstract （503）   HTML （9）    PDF（pc） （7317KB）（55）       Knowledge map    Save Vocal communication is a major way of information exchange among individual animals or groups, exhibiting diversity across different species. The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) has become a prominent non-human primate model in neurobiology, particularly in vocal communication research, due to its rich vocal repertoire, highly developed auditory system, complex vocal communication behaviors, and notable social characteristics. This article reviews the progress in research on vocal communication behavior and its neural mechanisms in common marmosets. It begins by outlining their vocal repertoire and acoustic characteristics. Building on this, the vocalizations are functionally categorized, with a focus on their specific roles and ecological significance in social interactions, foraging behavior, and alarm responses. Next, the neural mechanisms underlying vocal communication in common marmosets are presented, including the neural circuits and regulatory mechanisms of vocal production, as well as the key roles of the auditory cortex, prefrontal cortex, and limbic system in primary sound processing and higher-order functional integration. Finally, based on the current state of research, suggestions for future studies are proposed. This review aims to advance research on vocal communication in common marmosets and provide theoretical references for related fields. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Electrophysiological recording paradigms and advances in the study of auditory basis of echolocation in bats Shiyu ZHOU, Di ZHANG, Huan YE, Jinhong LUO ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (6): 743-752.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.2015-1084 Abstract （485）   HTML （12）    PDF（pc） （3567KB）（84）       Knowledge map    Save As the only mammals capable of powered flight, coupled with their remarkable echolocation ability, bats occupy a unique niche in the night sky and represent one of the most diverse mammalian lineages. Electrophysiological methods, primarily involving the recording of neural activity, significantly advanced our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying bat echolocation. This review details the advantages and disadvantages of three primary electrophysiological recording paradigms: recordings under anesthesia, head-fixed recordings, and recordings during free movement. Recordings under anesthesia are useful for studying the functions of neurons in specific brain regions, but anesthetic drugs may interfere with neural activity. Head-fixed recordings can capture neural activity in awake animals but typically restrict their behavioral range. Recordings during free movement are the recommended electrophysiological paradigm, as they most closely match the animals’ natural behaviors. Recently, the application of new technologies such as optogenetics, chemogenetics, and two-photon calcium imaging have opened new avenues for studying the neural mechanisms of bat echolocation. Future research may combine multiple electrophysiological methods with these emerging technologies to better reveal the neural basis of bat echolocation. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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The long-distance calling of white-headed langurs (Trachypithecus leucocephalus) serves a defensive function for their sleeping sites Yuqian SONG, Bojun YI, Meijie TAO, Dengpan NONG, Qihai ZHOU, Penglai FAN ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (6): 820-830.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151048 Abstract （482）   HTML （7）    PDF（pc） （10824KB）（70）       Knowledge map    Save Long-distance calling is a distinctive vocal signal known for its loudness and long-range transmission, typically emitted by male individuals. It is often inferred to serve important socio-ecological functions, such as territory defense, protection of valuable resources, and mate attraction. The white-headed langur (Trachypithecus leucocephalus) is an endemic primate species in China, inhabiting the karst limestone forests in the southwestern of Guangxi. The role of long-distance calling in the survival and reproduction of white-headed langurs remains unclear. Between February 2023 and August 2023, we collected data on the long-distance calling locations and times of adult males from eight white-headed langur groups, as well as information on their foraging and sleeping sites, in the Banli area of the Chongzuo White-headed Langur National Nature Reserve, Guangxi. We tested the defensive function of long-distance calls concerning two important resources: food and sleeping sites. The results indicated that adult male white-headed langurs initiate their first long-distance calls an average of 38 min after the group departs from the cave, at an average distance of 43 m from the sleeping site. They make their last long-distance calls an average of 39 min before the group returns to the cave, also at an average distance of 43 m from the sleeping site. Additionally, the location of the sleeping site significantly influenced the calling location of the white-headed langurs, supporting the hypothesis that these calls serve a sleeping site defense function. However, foraging locations had no significant impact on calling locations, which did not support the food resource defense hypothesis. These findings indicate that long-distance calling in white-headed langurs is used for defending sleeping sites but not food resources. This study is the first to clarify the role of long-distance calls in defending critical survival resources in white-headed langurs. It enhances our understanding of the adaptive mechanisms and functions of vocal communication in white-headed langurs and provides scientific evidence for the conservation of rare and endangered species. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Research progress on the mechanism and transmission pathway of seismic signals in subterranean rodents Kechi DONG, Limin HUA ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (6): 763-770.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151090 Abstract （468）   HTML （9）    PDF（pc） （1791KB）（39）       Knowledge map    Save Subterranean rodents inhabit dark and complex underground tunnels. Under the action of environmental pressure, they have evolved communication methods that are compatible with the environment, and seismic communication is one of the typical behavioral strategies for their biological evolutionary adaptation. Understanding the location and transmission pathway of seismic signals is the first problem to be solved to improve and develop the research on seismic communication of subterranean rodents. However, the unique habitat lifestyle of subterranean rodents increases the difficulty of seismic communication research, limiting the in-depth development of research on seismic communication of subterranean rodents. This paper reviews the research status of the occurrence mechanism and transmission pathway of seismic signals in subterranean rodents. In general, the signal generation mechanism involves the diversity of foot, head, chest, teeth and nasal snout. The signal transduction pathway includes bone conduction and somatosensory reception.Bone conduction relies on the mandibular-ossicular chain to transmit seismic to the inner ear, whereas somatosensory reception is achieved by mechanical receptors, and the two may work together at different distances to achieve signal reception. The future research direction is prospected from the difference of the role of related parts in the mechanism of seismic signal generation, the transmission pathway of seismic signal, and the application in the management of zokor damage. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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No remarkable differences in behavioral responses in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) to playbacks of recordings of UAV infrasound and conspecific rumble calls Sijia SHEN, Lu WANG, Xu ZHAO, Tao LIU, Xuefeng LIU, Dingzhen LIU ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (6): 842-850.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150977 Abstract （465）   HTML （7）    PDF（pc） （3455KB）（73）       Knowledge map    Save The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology has been widely used in many fields of wildlife study and conservation. It remains, however, highly unknown whether the infrasonic noise generated by the flying UAV will impair the behavior of wild animals, especially species which are sensitive to infrasound. This study investigated the behavioral responses in captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) at Beijing Zoo to playbacks of recordings of UAVs infrasound and the rumble calls of conspecific by employing a Habituation-Dishabituation paradigm. The results show that captive elephants displayed no dishabituation in response to the playbacks of UAV infrasound recordings even though they have got habituated to the playback of conspecific rumble call recordings. Under our experimental paradigm and with the playback equipment currently available, captive Asian elephants did not behaviorally discriminate between the two acoustic recordings. Whether UAV infrasonic noise interferes with intraspecific communication and social behavior in this species remains unresolved; future work should therefore employ UAV noise within an appropriate frequency range and high-fidelity playback systems to clarify this issue. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Progress in the application of deep learning in wildlife image recognition and analysis Shiyu CHEN, Jin HOU, Dan LIU, Jing LIU, Peng LUO, Bochuan ZHENG, Jindong ZHANG ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2026, 46 (1): 20-38.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150954 Abstract （460）   HTML （17）    PDF（pc） （2140KB）（142）       Knowledge map    Save Establishing a comprehensive wildlife monitoring system is the foundation for conducting conservation research. Traditional manual monitoring methods have various limitations, and some monitoring efforts have gradually been replaced by infrared camera trap technology. Nevertheless, the widespread use of infrared camera monitoring technology has introduced challenges in handling and analyzing massive amounts of data. Therefore, it is urgent to find an efficient method to process and analyze a large number of infrared camera data. In recent years, deep learning has been widely applied in the study of wild animal images. In order to comprehensively understand the application progress of deep learning theory and technology in wildlife image recognition, we provide an overview of the relevant research from 2000 to 2024. It elaborates on commonly used network models applications and their research progress in terms of eliminating invalid data, species identification, individual recognition, and behavior recognition. We summarize the status of deep learning in two types of images of wild animals, and emphatically discuss the existing problems and solutions of deep learning in infrared camera images. This paper analyzes the potential of applying artificial intelligence image processing techniques in infrared camera monitoring work and provides recommendations and insights for future development in order to provide ideas and directions for research on individual identification and population monitoring of wild animals. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Preliminary analysis of vocalization patterns and influencing factors of cetaceans in the Beibu Gulf Zongwei LIU, Ping ZHAO, Dezheng GAO, Ying JIANG, Bingyao CHEN, Zhichao LYU, Liangang LYU ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (6): 831-841.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151112 Abstract （458）   HTML （9）    PDF（pc） （16246KB）（55）       Knowledge map    Save Based on the 113-day acoustic data measured in the Beibu Gulf, this paper uses an automatic detection method to detect the click signals of cetaceans in the data, counts the number of signals, and obtains the vocalization patterns of cetaceans during the observation period. Statistical analysis of the number of click signals of cetaceans during the observation period shows that the number of clicks of cetaceans is less in late winter and more in early spring. During the day, it is less and at night, it is more. The influence of hydrological and meteorological factors on the number of click signals of cetaceans during the observation period is analyzed. It is found that the number of click signals of cetaceans is less in late winter and more in early spring. The correlation between sea surface temperature, wind speed, and rain fall and the number of click signals of cetaceans is not obvious, the low-frequency environmental noise is calculated, and it is found that the noise level is high during the day and low at night, which is inversely proportional to the number of click signals of cetaceans during the day and night. This is considered to be caused by the difference in ship noise between day and night. The situation of ship noise during the observation period is analyzed, and it is found that cetaceans’ click signals are affected by ships. When ship noise occurs, cetaceans do not vocalize or have fewer vocalizations. Thus, it is concluded that cetaceans have a certain avoidance phenomenon towards ships. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Subspecies affiliation and population status of rhesus macaque in Qinghai, China Nan SUN, Guogang LI, Shunzhi XUE, Jiqi LU ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2026, 46 (1): 47-59.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151002 Abstract （458）   HTML （13）    PDF（pc） （3697KB）（72）       Knowledge map    Save The rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) is the only non-human primate species currently living in Qinghai Province, distributed solely in the southern forest areas of Yushu and Guoluo Zang Autonomous Prefectures. Identifying the subspecies of wild macaques in Qinghai, understanding their population dynamics, and distribution is of great significance for their conservation. In January 2021, one muscle tissue (Baizha, Yushu) and six fecal samples (Makehe, Guoluo) of rhesus macaque were collected by non-invasive sampling, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed using the 16S rRNA and Cyt b genes. It confirmed that the rhesus macaques distributed in Yushu and Guoluo were the Tibetan subspecies (M. m. vestita) and the Sichuan subspecies (M. m. lasiotus), respectively. From January 2021 to May 2023, infrared camera monitoring yielded 91 present sites and 838 independent events of rhesus macaque. Using MaxEnt modeling, the suitable habitat area for macaques was predicted to be 137 - 385 km² (Baizha) and 207 - 750 km² (Makehe). The results indicated that rhesus macaques preferred the habitat of lower altitude, sloping, river-adjacent, sunny forests and farmlands. Transect surveys and random encounter model were used to estimate the macaque population. Following repeated transect surveys in winter 2021 and 2022, conducting at historical record sites (Baizha and Jiangxi in Yushu, Makehe in Guoluo), a total of 24 macaque groups with approximately 1 580 individuals were recorded, with an increase of 43.8% in individuals compared to 40 years ago. The random encounter model estimated the macaque population in Baizha and Makehe to be 73 - 205 and 413 - 1 497 individuals, respectively. The research can provide references and technical support for biodiversity conservation in Qinghai Province. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Advancements and prospects of software for processing and analyzing terrestrial mammal sound data Yongqiao HUANG, Chengyun ZHANG, Zixin ZHANG, Zezhou HAO ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (6): 784-796.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151036 Abstract （447）   HTML （8）    PDF（pc） （5741KB）（82）       Knowledge map    Save Terrestrial mammal vocalization data processing and analysis software is an essential tool for ecological researchers, enabling automated and efficient handling and analysis of bioacoustic recordings. These tools are vital for delving into the intricate details of animal vocalizations and providing foundational support for ecoacoustic and animal vocalization studies. The rapid advancement of passive acoustic monitoring technology and artificial intelligence has led to a significant increase in the number and variety of vocalization analysis software. Recent developments have seen substantial progress in noise reduction, acoustic indices, data annotation, species identification, and feature extraction. These softwares play a crucial role in archiving bioacoustic data, ensuring the preservation and accessibility of valuable ecological information for long-term monitoring and research purposes. This paper systematically reviews relevant literature and open-source software platforms, outlining the workflow for processing and analyzing terrestrial mammal vocalization data. It aims to discuss the current state of vocalization analysis software and its applications in bioacoustic research, and provides an outlook on the future development and localization of AI-assisted bioacoustic software to enhance analysis efficiency and broaden its applicability. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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The effects of captivity on gut microbiota of wild mammals Yuxiang LI, Xi TIAN, Chunbing LIU, Li YU ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2026, 46 (1): 1-19.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151041 Abstract （437）   HTML （8）    PDF（pc） （2421KB）（109）       Knowledge map    Save Human activities lead to ecosystem fragmentation, accelerated degradation, and permanent decline of biodiversity. Artificial captive breeding is considered an important method for effectively protecting threatened species and is one of the key ways to save endangered animals. However, due to various factors such as food and living environment, animals have undergone significant changes from the wild to the captive environment, leading to a series of problems such as gastrointestinal disorders, infections, and diseases in mammals. The gut microbiota is widely recognized to play a crucial role in maintaining the health of the body, and its disruption and ecological imbalance can directly affect the host’s health. There are many different environmental factors between captive environment and wild environment. This paper discusses the effects of diet change, habitat homogenization, stress and antibiotics on gut microbiota of wild mammals in captivity. The diversity of gut microorganisms of different feeding mammals did not change uniformly, but their composition and structure all changed when they were faced with the simplification of the captive diet. The high homogeneity of the habitats in captivity made the gut microorganisms of mammals show different degrees of humanization. Various stresses in captivity can cause imbalances in mammalian gut microbiota. Direct or indirect use of antibiotics in captivity can alter the composition of mammalian gut microbiota and increase the variety and number of antibiotic resistance genes in gut microbiota. These changes have altered the gut microbiota and impacted the health of captive wild mammals, affecting wildlife reintroduction efforts. Future research direction is also discussed in order to provide guidelines for the protection of wild mammals. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Behavioral response of captive Guizhou snub-nosed monkeys to noise from different sources Jiangming WU, Xiaolong HUANG, Shaochuan CHENG, Wei YANG, Xu ZHANG, Jingcheng RAN ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (6): 810-819.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151024 Abstract （429）   HTML （13）    PDF（pc） （2630KB）（56）       Knowledge map    Save Anthropogenic noise reshapes the soundscape of natural environments, causing adverse effects on the behavior, distribution, and vigilance of wildlife. The Guizhou snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus brelichi) is one of the most endangered primates globally, inhabiting only the Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve in Guizhou. To investigate the behavioral responses of Guizhou snub-nosed monkeys to different noises, from December 2023 to June 2024, we studied Guizhou snub-nosed monkeys in captivity at the Guizhou Snub-nosed Monkey Research Center. Four types of noise, including traffic noise, tourist noise, rural noise, and avian predator call, were played back with a gradient of noise levels (40 dB, 50 dB, 60 dB, and 70 dB), and behavioral changes of Guizhou snub-nosed monkeys were recorded using focal animal sampling method. The results show that the four types of noise stimuli can cause an increase in vigilance time and a decrease in rest in Guizhou snub-nosed monkeys. The vigilance time tends to increase with the intensity of the noise level, and avoidance phenomenon appears when stimulated with a 60 dB noise level. The difference in vigilance time is significant (P < 0.05) among the different types of noise, and the percentage of the total vigilance time to the avian predator is significantly higher than that to the sound of human noise such as traffic noise, tourist noise and rural noise. Captive Guizhou snub-nosed monkeys have a habituation effect on human noise to which they had been exposed for a long time. This study initially reveals the behavioral response patterns of Guizhou snub-nosed monkeys under different noise interference conditions, which provides a basis for subsequent in-depth research on their behavior, the regulation of human activities, and the formulation of conservation and management measures. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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The prospective applications of single-cell transcriptome sequencing in mammalian inner ear research Mengdie ZHANG, Bicheng ZHU, Guanglin HE, Yuzhong ZHANG, Jinchan JIAN, Anqi SHEN, Yunzhu LIU, Kai HE ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (6): 771-783.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151059 Abstract （425）   HTML （4）    PDF（pc） （7297KB）（29）       Knowledge map    Save The inner ear, as the core organ responsible for hearing and balance, possesses an intricate structure with diverse cell types. Single-cell RNA sequencing technology (scRNA-Seq) enables the capture and analysis of gene expression profiles at the individual cell level, providing a powerful tool for in-depth exploration of the functions and molecular mechanisms of the inner ear. We review the significant applications of scRNA-Seq in inner ear research from 2015 to 2024, highlighting important advances in revealing cellular heterogeneity, tracing inner ear development processes, investigating hearing loss mechanisms, and cell regeneration researches. We also discuss the potential application of scRNA-Seq technology in addressing key scientific questions in wildlife research and explore the prospects of single-cell multi-omics techniques in uncovering the adaptive evolution and molecular mechanisms of the mammalian inner ear. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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A new family of mammals recorded in Xizang: Sicistidae Yingxun LIU, Buqing PENG, Xuming WANG, Rui LIAO, Xuan PAN, Shaoying LIU ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2026, 46 (1): 140-147.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151005 Abstract （369）   HTML （14）    PDF（pc） （2947KB）（66）       Knowledge map    Save In August 2023, one specimen was collected from Chentang Town, Dingjie County, Xizang Autonomous Region. Dorsally, the hair of this specimen is dark yellowish-brown, interspersed with short black hair, with no black stripes seen along the back. The ventral hair is light yellowish-brown, and markedly distinct from the dorsal color. The tail is longer than head-and-body length and exhibits distinct dorsal and ventral color. The ears are short and round, covered with thick, short, chocolate-colored hair. Its anterior palatine foramina are shorter, extending backwards only to the level of the middle of the premolar, and the posterior edge of the palate is closely aligned to the third upper posterior molar. The second upper molar teeth are of the same length and width, and have an overall square shape. These characteristics are consistent with those of the type specimen of Sicista concolor leathemi, as are the 4 body measurements and 10 skull measurements. Thus, the morphological traits indicate that the Xizang specimen is Sicista concolor leathemi. A phylogenetic analysis based on Cyt b sequences confirmed that the Xizang individual clusters together with other specimens of S. c. leathemi with strong support (PP = 0.95). The average K2P distance between the specimen and other species of Sicista was 22.9%. We recovered significant differences between Sicista concolor leathemi and the other two subspecies of Sicista concolor. Based on these results, we recognize Sicista leathemi as an independent species. This represents the first record of the family Sicistidae in Xizang. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Study on species density estimation and habitat suitability prediction of spotted linsang (Prionodon pardicolor) in Jiangxi Jiulianshan National Nature Reserve Wei LUO, Mi ZHANG, Changchun WEI, Jun DENG, Zufu ZHANG, Yuying SONG, Weiwei ZHANG ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2026, 46 (2): 230-239.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151023 Abstract （364）   HTML （19）    PDF（pc） （17750KB）（137）       Knowledge map    Save The spotted linsang (Prionodon pardicolor) was once widely distributed in southern and southwestern China as well as South and Southeast Asia. However, its population has drastically declined in recent years. From April 2023 to March 2024, we estimated the population density using infrared cameras and random encounter models, and generated current (2020s) and future (2050s) habitat suitability models using MaxEnt for the spotted linsang in the Jiangxi JiulianShan National Nature Reserve. This study showed that the population density of spotted linsang was (2.039 ± 0.243) civets/km2 in the Reserve. The MaxEnt model showed high accuracy in predicting suitable habitats for both current and future periods. Under future climatic conditions, suitable habitats for spotted linsang within the reserve may decrease by 14.44%, while those outside the reserve will decrease by 46.61% compared to the current period. High-suitability habitats will contract inward in the reserve and migrate to higher altitudes. The main environmental factors affecting the current distribution are distance to rivers, isothermality, vegetation type, precipitation in the driest season, and slope direction. For future distributions, the primary influencing factors are distance to rivers, mean temperature in the driest season, vegetation type, and the coefficients of seasonal variation of aspect and precipitation. This study preliminarily investigated the field ecological habits of spotted linsang and provided scientific support for the conservation of spotted linsang in the JiulianShan Reserve and beyond. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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A preliminary study of endozoochorous lichen dispersal by golden snubnosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in Shennongjia, central China QIN Jianyong, WANG Qin, YAO Hui, YU Yang, XIANG Zuofu ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2025, 45 (5): 717-722.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151081 Abstract （358）   HTML （1）    PDF（pc） （5218KB）（1087）       Knowledge map    Save Golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) mainly feed on leaves, seeds, and fruits. They may also feed on lichens (Usnea diffracta) as staple food when preferred foods are in shortage. Although studies have shown that R. roxellana is a seed disperser, its role as lichen disperser remains unclear. In this study, we cultured fresh fecal samples from wild populations of R. roxellana from Shennongjia, China in the laboratory. We found green algae and ascomycetes, which are mainly composed of lichens, which implies that R. roxellana is a potential disperser of lichen. By feeding captive golden snub-nosed monkeys lichens labeled with non-toxic plastic tabs, we found that the weighted retention time of lichens was (62. 9 ± 7. 0) h (n = 3), suggesting that R. roxellana may be a potential long-distance disperser of lichens given its longer daily travel distance. Therefore, this study significantly increases our understanding of the ecological role of R. roxellana as seed and lichen dispersal vectors in temperate forests, which may contribute to forest restoration and lichen renewal. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Study on the occupancy model of urban mammals using camera-trapping techniques: a case study in Shenzhen, south China Mengchan YANG, Fangfang SUN, Yang WU, Yingyong WANG, Jian ZHAO, Ketong DENG ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2026, 46 (1): 105-115.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150986 Abstract （350）   HTML （18）    PDF（pc） （3131KB）（98）       Knowledge map    Save Urbanization profoundly shapes regional biodiversity. Yet in-depth understanding of how urban wildlife respond to urbanization in China is limited due to the lack of concern and research regarding urban wildlife. In order to provide insights into how the urban biodiversity is maintained, we used an empirical dataset collected from 176 camera traps deployed between August and November 2022 to investigate mammal occurrence and habitat use in Shenzhen, a rapidly urbanizing megacity in south China. Single-season occupancy models were constructed to determine how species occupancy varied under the influence of habitat structure (vegetation cover and distance to rivers), human disturbance (nighttime light) and species interactions (free-ranging pet cats) on site scale in a typical urban region. A total of 10 species of terrestrial mammal (4 orders, 10 families) were detected during the period of survey. The results showed that leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis), wild boars (Sus scrofa), and Chinese ferret-badgers (Melogale moschata) have relative high occupancy and detectability in the study area, while rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) have the highest detectability rate with very low occupancy. Other mammals species exhibit medium to low occupancy and detectability. Vegetation cover is the most weighted factor in the occupancy models of the leopard cats, Chinese ferret-badgers, Indian civets (Viverricula indica), and Pallas’s squirrels (Callosciurus erythraeus). Distance to rivers exerts a stronger impact on the site occupancy of Malayan porcupines (Hystrix brachyura) compared to other species. Pallas’s squirrels and Chinese ferret-badgers present high tolerance to disturbance from human activities, since there is a slightly positive correlation between their site occupancy and nighttime light. The results of two-species occupancy modeling show that both Pallas’s squirrels and hog badgers (Arctonyx collaris) are less likely to co-occur with free-ranging pet cats. The spatial distribution of free-ranging pet cats and other 5 species including leopard cats, however, tend to overlap within the study area. Such an overlap could intensify habitat encroachment and resource competition which may pose a threat to urban wildlife. Our findings underscore the complexity of mammals’ response to anthropogenic features in urban areas, taxa-specific or even species-specific needs should be considered when formulating the ecological-based conservation and management strategies of urban biodiversity. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Study on dietary composition and pest control roles of ten sympatric insectivorous bat species Qiang QU, Li WANG, Hui WU, Jiang FENG ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2026, 46 (2): 209-219.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151075 Abstract （348）   HTML （16）    PDF（pc） （6199KB）（51）       Knowledge map    Save As efficient nocturnal predators, the quantitative assessment of pest control services of insectivorous bats has become a research focus. Accurately analyzing the proportion of agricultural pests in bat diets, particularly comparing dietary differences among different bat guilds with distinct foraging habitat preferences in heterogeneous agricultural landscapes, is crucial for evaluating their pest control services. We used insectivorous bats in the heterogeneous agricultural landscapes of Pu’er City, Yunnan Province as research subjects. Using DNA metabarcoding technology, we systematically analyzed the dietary composition and pest proportion in three bat foraging guilds: open-space foragers, narrow-space foragers and edge-space foragers. The correlation between the insect composition in bat diets and the availability of food resources in their environments was examined. The results showed that the most common insect order among the 10 species of insectivorous bats was Lepidoptera, accounting for 73.1% of the total insects. The proportion of pests in the dietary composition of insectivorous bats was more than 88.7%. There was a significant correlation between insect order composition in bat diets and environmental resources for all three guilds. The proportion of pests in the dietary composition of open space foraging guild was more than 85.0%. The highest diversity was found at the order level in the dietary composition of narrow-space foraging guild. The edge-space foraging guild exhibited a specialized predation pattern on agricultural pests, dominated overwhelmingly by Lepidoptera (99.13%). This study provides a detailed analysis of dietary composition and pest proportions among three foraging guilds in heterogeneous landscapes, confirming the effectiveness of insectivorous bats in pest control. The findings not only offer direct evidence for bats’ pest control functions in the ecosystem but also provide scientific basis for bat biodiversity conservation. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Mammals and birds survey using camera trapping in Guangdong Liannan Bandong Provincial Nature Reserve Gang TANG, Xiangyang HE, Shude WU, Shuiyi LIAO, Wendong LI, Zhishu XIAO, Libiao ZHANG ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2026, 46 (2): 287-298.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151012 Abstract （329）   HTML （17）    PDF（pc） （3254KB）（79）       Knowledge map    Save In order to gain an in-depth understanding of the species diversity in the Guangdong Liannan Bandong Provincial Nature Reserve, we monitored terrestrial birds and mammals based on 72 km grid sites (52 grids inside vs. 20 grids outside) using camera traps inside and outside the reserve for one year. The difference in species diversity between inside and outside the reserve was also analyzed. A total of 5 428 independent photograph (2 287 mammals and 3 141 birds) were collected totaling 19 416 camera-days from March 2021 to March 2022. We recorded 55 species (16 mammals and 39 birds) belonging to 26 families, 11 orders, and 2 classes. Among them, 14 species were listed as Class Ⅱ National Key Protected Species in China (3 mammals, 11 birds). The top three mammal species with the highest relative abundance index (RAI) were Dremomys pyrrhomerus, Sus scrofa, and Callosciurus erythraeus, and the top three bird species with the highest RAI were Lophura nycthemera, Zoothera aurea, and Myophonus caeruleus. The top three mammal species with the highest grid occupancy were Dremomys pyrrhomerus, Sus scrofa, and Paguma larvata, and the top three birdf species with the highest grid occupancy were Lophura nycthemera, Zoothera aurea, and Garrulax pectoralis. Comparing the monitoring data of mammals and birds, species richness, Shannon-Wiener index, and Simpson index were all higher inside the reserve than outside the reserve, while there was no significant difference in the Pielou index. The monitoring results showed that the proportion of carnivore species was relatively high, but with few larger ones. Possible reasons include habitat loss and fragmentation, food shortages, and human activity interference. Comparing with the previous investigation, a total of 8 new records of birds and mammals were recorded in the reserve. This study provides basic data for wildlife monitoring and assessment in the Guangdong Liannan Bandong Provincial Nature Reserve. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Satellite collar data reveals dual-peak activity rhythm of Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) Jiansong ZHANG, Jishan WANG, Zicheng YANG, Mingwei BAO, Bin WANG, Chaoyong XIONG, Rui SU, Fei CHEN ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2026, 46 (2): 251-263.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151015 Abstract （329）   HTML （9）    PDF（pc） （6384KB）（58）       Knowledge map    Save The study of wildlife activity rhythms requires long-term and continuous data collection, which is challenging for animals that are rare, elusive, and sensitive to human disturbance, leading to insufficient understanding of their activity patterns. The efficiency, ease, dependability, and other benefits of satellite-positioning tracking collars make them appealing for tracking and monitoring of wildlife, and the data are increasingly been used to analyze patterns of animal activity rhythms. The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is listed as a ClassⅠ National Key Protected Wildlife of China and is considered Critically Endangered (CR) in China’s Red List. Using satellite-tracking collars, we explored Asian elephant activity patterns in Yunnan Xishuangbanna from June 2023 to May 2024. The activity rhythms of Asian elephant were evaluated using two types of data, activity quantity and movement rate. The Asian elephant with collar had been successfully and effectively tracked for 366 days, and 13 520 data records were collected. Each day throughout the tracking period, the tracked elephant traveled a maximum of 12.79 km, with a daily average of (4.114 ± 0.10) km. Data on the elephant’s daily activity rhythms indicate a distinct bimodal pattern, with the morning hours of 07: 00 - 09: 00 and the evening hours 19: 00 - 21: 00 showing the highest activity levels. Furthermore, analysis of monthly activity rhythm revealed that the elephant’s relative activity intensity varies significantly from month to month (χ2 = 490.303, df = 11, P < 0.01), with the activity frequency peaking in April. The daily activity level of the elephant clearly fluctuates with the season. Daily activity intensity increases from summer to autumn to spring and winter. The wet and dry seasons also differed significantly in terms of activity intensity, with the rainy season having lower afternoon activity intensity than the dry season. Although there are differences in the low and peak times of the elephant activity identified by the two data types during each period, the activity rhythm curves produced by the two data show a similar trend. This study provided a detailed description of the activity rhythms based on various collar data and revealed individual activity rhythms and seasonal differences of the tracked Asian elephant. This study serves as an important resource and guidance for future research and management of Asian elephants. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Characterization of rodent viromes and epidemiology of key viruses in China Xinyu ZHANG, Yuhao WANG, Xuemin WEI, Chao LI, Yuanyuan SHEN, Yifei XU ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2026, 46 (1): 39-46.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150995 Abstract （329）   HTML （8）    PDF（pc） （3314KB）（55）       Knowledge map    Save Rodents exhibit a high taxonomic diversity in China. To understand the diversity of rodent viromes in China and the factors influencing it, we investigate the prevalence of key viruses carried by rodents and discuss measures to prevent and control viral diseases of rodent origin. We obtained sequencing data of Chinese rodent viromes from online databases, and used Fastp for quality control, Bowtie2 to remove host and ribosomal RNA reads, MEGAHIT for assembly, DIAMOND and BLAST for viral species annotation, Pysamstats to splice consensus sequences, and IQ-TREE for phylogenetic analysis. We integrated 426 sequenced libraries across 9 families, 23 genera, and 42 species of rodents, totaling 2 817 individuals. Our analyses recovered 358 viruses belonging to 31 RNA virus families and 9 DNA virus families. We found that viral composition and abundance varied with host species, regional origin, and sampling organ. Among all detected viruses, 38 viruses from 16 viral families were known to be infectious to humans. Most of these human-associated viruses were detected in Muridae, with which humans have close contact. Phylogenetic analyses of Hantaviridae and Coronaviridae revealed that many viruses are distributed across various host species in multiple regions, suggesting potential cross-species and cross-region transmission. This study systematically characterized the virome of Chinese rodents based on virome sequencing data. Our analysis of key viruses indicates the necessity of monitoring viruses carried by Muridae, which offers new insights into the potential emergence of infectious diseases within rodent populations. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Characteristics of Asian elephant group in Nangunhe National Nature Reserve based on spatio-temporal analysis Jingshan WANG, Qiang GUO, Wenguang DUAN, Xu LI, Weibin WANG, Zhisheng WANG, Shaobing YANG ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2026, 46 (2): 240-250.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150901 Abstract （326）   HTML （10）    PDF（pc） （8725KB）（51）       Knowledge map    Save Animal grouping is widespread in natural populations, but detecting individual group membership is still in the stage of empirical identification based on photos and videos, without refined technical details. In this study, we examine grouping characteristics of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) using infrared-triggered camera trapping techniques in Nangunhe National Nature Reserve from November 2022 to May 2023. We deployed 64 camera traps totaling 7 635 effective camera working days. Through meticulous analysis, we identified 255 individually valid photos of Asian elephants and a total of 17 Asian elephants. The capture rates of group and solitary were 18.63% and 16.83% respectively. Through spatial analyses such as distance grouping and correlation, combined with the results of spatial niche overlap, we found that 11 Asian elephants had a high degree of similarity and correlation in their spatial utilization, and formed a group. The spatial activity of two solitaries was highly consistent and formed a small group, while the other solitaries were differentiated. In addition, the activity rhythm data showed that the daily activity rhythm of 11 Asian elephants was highly consistent, and the overall distribution was unimodal. Similarly, the daily activity rhythm of the solitaries highlighted the differences between the small group and the other solitaries. Consequently, the grouping characteristics of the Asian elephants are characterized by a family group of 11 Asian elephants and a small group composed of 2 solitaries, with 4 remaining solitaries. This study fills the research gap in understanding the characteristics of Asian elephant groups in Nangunhe and provides important support for the population management and protection of this species and sympatric species in protected areas. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Preliminary analysis of the molecular phylogeography of Crocidura shantungensis Qiuying GUO, He CAI, Liuqing YANG, Zhihui ZHANG, Meifeng HAN, Jingyu ZHAO, Chunfeng ZHANG, Junsheng ZHANG, Zhu LIU ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2026, 46 (1): 129-139.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150949 Abstract （320）   HTML （3）    PDF（pc） （2629KB）（65）       Knowledge map    Save In order to clarify the phylogeographic relationships, refuge during the ice age, and subspecies differentiation of Crocidura shantungensis, the complete sequence of Cyt b gene of C. shantungensis collected from the eastern and northern regions of China, complemented with sequences available from GenBank, were analyzed together, totaling 297 sequences. A total of 128 haplotypes were found in the 297 samples of C. shandongensis. Nucleotide diversity is 0.010 77. The phylogenetic tree shows four main clades. Clade 1 includes East Asian individuals and is mainly composed of haplotypes from the eastern and northern regions of China (Heilongjiang, Hebei, Liaoning, Shanxi, Shandong, Inner Mongolia), Russia Far East, eastern Mongolia, Korean Peninsula and Republic of Korea islands. Clade 2 includes some haplotypes from Taiwan, China. Clade 3 includes haplotypes partly from the Republic of Korea islands. Clade 4 includes some haplotypes from the Jeju-do Island in Republic of Korea. A similar geographical pattern was also observed in the Median-joining network analysis. The largest genetic distance (0.020 6) occurred between Taiwan of China and the Republic of Korea islands, and the largest genetic differentiation (0.758 8) occurred between Taiwan of China and the Jeju-do Island in Republic of Korea. The smallest genetic distance (0.010 8) and genetic differentiation (0.272 2) occurred between East Asia and Taiwan of China. Neutral tests indicate C. shantungensis experienced two population expansions. The results of the Median-joining network suggest that the ice age refuges of C. shantungensis were Changbaishan Mountains (Heilongjiang and Liaoning) and Shandong Peninsula (Shandong) of China, and the Korean Peninsula. The geographic areas included in this study are divided into 4 geographic subspecies. One subspecies (C. s. shantungensis) is distributed in the eastern and northern regions of China (Heilongjiang, Hebei, Liaoning, Shanxi, Shandong, Inner Mongolia), Russia Far East, eastern Mongolia, Korean Peninsula and Republic of Korea islands. The other subspecies is found in Taiwan, China. The third subspecies is found in the Republic of Korea islands, and the fourth subspecies (C. s. quelpartis) is found in Jeju-do Island in Republic of Korea. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Construction of the expression vector for the PRDX1 gene in Tarim red deer and its bioinformatic analysis Buweihailiqiemu ABABAIKERI, Aibibula ABUDULA, Buhailiqiemu YIMINGAILI, Huabin ZHAO ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2026, 46 (2): 153-170.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151026 Abstract （311）   HTML （15）    PDF（pc） （18732KB）（112）       Knowledge map    Save To investigate the structural and functional characteristics of Peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1)，which may play an antioxidant role in the adaptation of the Tarim red deer (Cervus elaphus yarkandensis) to arid environments, this study amplified the coding sequence (CDS) of the PRDX1 gene (CeyPRDX1) using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). The CDS sequence was successfully cloned into the pcDNA3.1 (+) vector to construct an expression vector and named pcDNA3.1 (+) -CeyPRDX1. The pLJM1-EGFP Lentivirus vector with EGFP fluorescent label was used to construct overexpression vector of CeyPRDX1 (pLJM1-CeyPRDX1-EGFP), and its subcellular localization was observed in the cytoplasm and nucleus of human HaCaT cells. The results of homology comparison and phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that CeyPRDX1 has the highest homology and the closest phylogenetic relationship with Eastern European red deer (Cervus elaphus) and red deer (Cervus canadensis). Bioinformatic analysis revealed that CeyPRDX1 is a conserved, hydrophilic protein without N-glycosylation or transmembrane regions, and interacts with various antioxidant proteins. This study provides a foundation for future functional research on the CeyPRDX1 gene. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Exploring the function of immune cells in the heart of high-altitude yaks based on transcriptomic sequencing data Xun ZHANG, Nating HUANG, Jingyi LI, Jiarui CHEN, Qing WEI ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2026, 46 (2): 171-183.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151004 Abstract （307）   HTML （10）    PDF（pc） （11888KB）（49）       Knowledge map    Save Hypoxia can affect the redox state of animal tissue cells, leading to endoplasmic reticulum（ER）stress. The heart plays a crucial role in the regulation of oxygen supply and demand in the body and is particularly susceptible to damage under ER stress. Yaks, which live year-round in high-altitude hypoxic environments, have adapted well to these conditions. However, the changes in immune cell functions within the hearts of high-altitude yaks in response to hypoxia-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress are not yet fully understood. To address this, we selected yaks from two different altitudes in Qinghai Province, China: Qumalai County (4 500 m) and Xunhua County (2 600 m). We then used transcriptome and single-cell transcriptome sequencing to investigate differences in immune-related gene expression and functional changes in major immune cells in the hearts of yaks from high and low altitudes. This study aims to deepen our understanding of the adaptive changes in the immune characteristics of yak heart tissues. The results from transcriptome sequencing data showed that, compared to low-altitude yaks, upregulated genes in the hearts of high-altitude yaks were primarily enriched in pathways related to ER stress, damaged cell clearance, and the removal of misfolded proteins, all of which are associated with immune function. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) revealed that pathways related to ER stress, damaged cell clearance, and the removal of misfolded proteins were activated in the heart tissues of high-altitude yaks. RT-qPCR experiments confirmed that the expression levels of immune-related genes (eg.LCP1, HLA-A, IGHM, FCGR3) were significantly higher in the heart tissues of high-altitude yaks compared to those of low-altitude yaks (P < 0.05), and the expression trends were consistent with the transcriptome results. Single-cell transcriptome sequencing results showed a decrease in the frequency of lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells in the heart tissues of high-altitude yaks. Furthermore, the sequencing revealed that upregulated genes in these three types of immune cells in high-altitude yaks were significantly enriched in immune pathways, including Fcγ-R-mediated phagocytosis, T-cell receptor signaling, and antigen processing and presentation, all of which are involved in the clearance of cellular foreign bodies. In summary, the enhanced phagocytic, cytotoxic, and immune complex clearance capabilities of immune cells in the hearts of high-altitude yaks effectively ensure the removal of increased misfolded proteins and other foreign bodies induced by ER stress. This adaptation helps them better cope with the high-altitude hypoxic environment. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Influence of group size on home range and habitat use of white-headed langurs Youjian DENG, Jianzhong LIN, Shijun WU, Dengpan NONG, Chengming HUANG, Penglai FAN, Qihai ZHOU ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2026, 46 (2): 220-229.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151019 Abstract （304）   HTML （17）    PDF（pc） （4502KB）（54）       Knowledge map    Save Group size is one of the key factors influencing home range and habitat utilization in primates. However, whether group size affects the home range and habitat utilization in folivorous primates remain unclear. From September 2017 to August 2018, we studied four groups of white-headed langurs (Trachypithecus leucocephalus) in the Banli area of Chongzuo White-headed Langur National Nature Reserve, Guangxi. We systematically collected data on home range, daily travel distance, and habitat utilization to investigate the effect of group size on home range and habitat use in this species. The results showed no correlation between the home range of white-headed langurs and group size, possibly due to high population density of langur groups and low availability of high-quality sleeping sites, which may limit the expansion of their home ranges. However, the average daily travel distance of larger groups was significantly greater than that of the smaller ones. While small groups preferred to rest on cliffs and forage on slopes and hillfoot, larger groups used hill feet habitats significantly more and correspondingly decreased use of hilltop and cliffs compared to smaller ones. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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The effects of vitamin A in food on the testes of male Spermophilus dauricus in laboratory hibernation Yihan MA, Zhenshan LIU, Xi CHEN, Xiaohan LIU, Xia PENG, Xinyu LIU, Xin XING, Ming YANG ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA    2026, 46 (1): 73-84.   DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151017 Abstract （300）   HTML （11）    PDF（pc） （4857KB）（35）       Knowledge map    Save Seasonal reproduction is a strategy for mammals to adapt to environmental changes. Daurian ground squirrel (Spermophilus dauricus) is a hibernating species and a typical seasonal breeder that mates and reproduces only once a year after emerging from hibernation in the wild. Under laboratory conditions, the artificial mating and breeding technology after hibernation is still immature, and this species has not yet been domesticated as a laboratory animal. Vitamin A (VA) can be metabolized into retinoic acid (RA) within mammalian organisms. Recent research has revealed that RA promotes the differentiation of spermatogonia, the meiotic division of spermatocytes, and the transformation of round spermatids into mature spermatozoa. To explore whether VA from food, after digestion and absorption, can be metabolized into RA in the body of Daurian ground squirrel and affect the gonads, this study divided male Daurian ground squirrels into three groups, which were fed with food containing different levels of VA throughout the year. Group 1VA was fed with food containing the standard amount of vitamin A (17 500 IU/kg), Group 2VA was fed with food containing twice the amount of vitamin A (35 000 IU/kg), and Group 0VA was fed with food without added vitamin A. At the end of hibernation, samples were taken to determine the morphological and histological indicators of the testis and epididymis, and to detect the differentiation of spermatogonia in the testes, as well as the levels of VA, RA, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone (T) in the serum. The results showed that the levels of VA, RA, GnRH, LH, FSH, T in the serum, as well as the expression levels of retinoic acid gene 8 (Stra8) and meioticrecombination protein 8 (Rec8) in the testes of Spermophilus dauricus in Group 2VA and Group 1VA, were significantly higher than those in Group 0VA. However, there were no significant differences in the aforementioned indicators between Group 2VA and Group 1VA. This indicates that vitamin A can be metabolized into retinoic acid in the body of Daurian ground squirrel, promoting the development of gonads and spermatogenesis in male Daurian ground squirrels during seasonal reproduction. Adding an excessive amount of VA in the food has no significant effect on the gonads of male Daurian ground squirrels, but removing VA from the food does inhibit the differentiation of spermatogonia and the occurrence of sperm. This suggests that vitamin A in food is very important for the successful reproduction of Daurian ground squirrels under artificial breeding conditions. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）