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07 July 2008, Volume 25 Issue 1

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Winter Bed-Site Selection by Blue Sheep ( Pseudois nayaur) in Helan Mountains , Ningxia , China

LIU Zhensheng,CAO Lirong,WANG Xiaoming,LI Tao,LI Zhigang

2005, 25(1):  1-8. 

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Winter bedding sites used by blue sheep Pseudois nayaur were studied using transect lines methods in Helan Mountains , Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from November to December , 2003. Ninety-four sites used by sheep and fifty random plots were located and measured during 25 transects surveys crossing the entire study area. Blue sheep preferred bed sites dominated by elm Ulmus glaucescens , and avoided beds dominated by Chinese red pine Pinus tabulaeformis and Qinghai spruce Picea crassifolia. Sheep showed a strong preference for slopes exposed to the sun, and avoided shady slopes. Comparing bed sites with random plots, bed sites were characterized by lower tree density , lower food abundance , lower wind speed and shallower snow cover. In Mountains blue sheep frequently used caves as their beds , accounting for 62.77 % of total beds. Beds in caves were associated with steeper slopes , more sheltering cover, lower wind speed , higher temperature and no snow cover. Results of principal component analysis showed that the first 7 principal components explained 80.09 % of the total variance among all bed sites habitat variables. PCA indicated that sheltering cover , wind direction , wind speed , snow depth and distance from rocks were importantfactors in bed-site selection.

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Diurnal Time Budget and Activity Rhythm of Hainan Eld's Deer Fawns under Different Breeding Conditions during Spring

WANG Lijun HONG Meiling CHEN Xingjun

2005, 25(1):  9-13. 

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Diurnal time budgets and activity rhythms of 10 Hainan eld's deer ( Cervus eldi hainanus) fawns were recorded using instantaneous scan sampling in Ganzaling Nature Reserve, Hainan Province, February 20 - April 6 , 2003. Feeding, resting and ruminating made up the majority of diurnal activity time. Time penned deer spent feeding , resting , ruminating , standing and moving differed ( P < 0.01) from that of semi-free fawns ; semi2free fawns spent more time feeding and moving than penned fawns , and less time resting , standing and ruminating. Under penned conditions, peaks of feeding were recorded at 09:00-10:00, 11:00-12:00 and 16:00-18:00, and peaks of resting at 10:00-11:00 and 13:00 - 16:00. Under semi-free conditions , no distinct peaks of feeding were observed , fawns spent much time on searching and handling food , the peak of resting was found after 14:00.

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Taxonomic Status of Roe Deer in Northeastern China Based on Mitochondrial DNA Sequences

ZHANG inghai XIAO Chaoting Koh Hungsun

2005, 25(1):  14-19. 

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Roe deer play an important ecological role as a main food resource for large carnivores and is an important game species. They are distributed widely across northeastern and northwestern regions of China. However , the taxonomic status of Chinese roe deer is still in dispute because there have been no genetic analyses of the phylogenetic relationship of Chinese roe deer to other populations.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a highly sensitive marker suitable for studies of closely related taxa or populations because it is maternally inherited and has a relatively rapid rate of change . We utilized PCR technique and DNA sequencing to analyze portions of mtDNA Cyt b gene (415 bp) and parts of the mtDNA control region sequence (764 bp) to assess the taxonomic status of roe deer in northeastern China. Specimen collections were made from Wanda Mountains (46°15′N , 133°16′E) , Lesser Khinghan Mountains (47°10′N , 128°54′E) , Great Khinghan Mountains (52°10′N , 123°15′E) , Sanjiang Wetland Nature Reserve (46°30′ N , 133°15′E) , and Jilin Xianghai Wetland Nature Reserve (45°40′N , 122°20′E) . We compared results of our sequencing to those derived from European and Siberian roe deer (from GenBank) to assess their phylogenetic relationship.
The average divergence of Cyt b gene and the control region sequence between roe deer from northeastern China and Europe was 4.12 % and 4.89 % respectively , indicating sufficient variation to consider them separate species. However , divergence between northeastern Chinese and Siberian roe deer was only 1.61 % (Cyt b) and 2.44 % (control region) . Considering similarities in body size and antler characteristics , we believe roe deer of northeastern China and Siberia should be regarded as a single species , distinct from European roe deer. We propose that the scientific name of roe deer in northeastern China should be changed to Capreolus pygargus from Capreolus capreolus. Assuming the cytochrome b gene diverged at a rate of 0102 nucleotide distance/million years , we infer that roe deer from northeastern China diverged from the European species about 2 illion years ago , while divergence with Siberian roe deer was only about 800 thousand years ago.
Additional specimens from other localities in China are needed for further research of the taxonomic status of roe deer in China.



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Sex Identif ication of Cetaceans by PCR with Sry-Specif ic Primers

WANG Jialian YANG Guang ZHOU Kaiya WEI Fuwen YAN Jie

2005, 25(1):  20-23. 

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Sex-determining region Y (Sry) gene located in the short arm of the mammalian Y chromosome directs the sexual development of male. In this study, a 221-bp fragment of cetacean Sry genes was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) through a pair of primers designed based on the conserved region of other mammalian Sry genes. Eighty seven sex-known cetacean specimens in Nanjing Normal University were accurately determined sex with the simultaneous amplification of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b (cyt b) gene fragments as positive control, which proved the efficiency of the present molecular technique. The established molecular method was applied to sex eighteen finless porpoises Neophocaena phocaenoides, two bottlenose dolphins Turiops trucatus, three indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins T. aduncus, three baiji Lipotes vexillifer, five striped dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba , and two pantropical spotted dolphin S . attenuata. This study provided a simple, rapid, and accurate approach for cetacean sex identification.



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cDNA Cloning and Sequence Analysis of Growth Hormone Receptor ( GHR) from Giant Panda

LIAO Mingjuan ZHANG Zhihe ZHANG Anju ZHU Muyuan

2005, 25(1):  24-31. 

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The gene encoding giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) growth hormone receptor (GHR) was amplified by RT-PCR from the liver total RNA. Cloned into pGEM^.®_-T vector, the PCR product was sequenced and analyzed subsequently. The results indicated that the open reading frame (ORF) of giant panda GHR is 1 917 bp , which encodes a 638 amino acid precursor containing a signal peptide of 18 amino acids and a mature peptide of 620 amino acid. Mature GHR of giant panda possesses similar GHR architectural structure from human, dog, and pig, all including a 246 amino acids extracellular domain, a hydrophobic transmembrane region of 24 amino acid followed by a 350 amino acid cytoplasmic region, and all conserved landmarks of GHR were also found in giant panda GHR from sequence alignment. Sequence analysis revealed a fairly high similarity between giant panda GHR and GHR from mammals ranging from 69 % to 93 %, and a medium level similarity of 60 % with the birds and reptiles. But the amino acid similarity decreases to only 30 % for fish species. Despite the great similarity, giant panda GHR has its own specificity in the amino acid compared to GHR from other mammals, suggesting possible difference on biological function.

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Diversity of Small Mammals Communities at Different Habitats in Alashan Region, Inner Mongolia

FU Heping WU Xiaodong YANG Zelong

2005, 25(1):  32-38. 

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The diversity and species component of small mammal communities were measured with trap-day method in Alashan region of Inner Mongolia from August to September 1998 and 1999, and in October 2002. The 54 sites were selected in different habitats. The area of the site was 10 hectare in which 400-500 traps were arranged. A total of 866 individuals were captured with 22 606 trap-days during investigation period, and 20 species of small mammals were recorded in the study sites. The results of analysis on diversity of small mammal communities showed that Shannon-Wiener diversity index was 1.186 – 1.589; Pielou evenness index was 0.630 9-0.861 8; Simpson dominance index was 0.234 9 – 0.415 7; Margalef richness index was 0.931 8 -2.020. Based on similarity indices of the communities , the 8 communities could be clustered together at the level of 0.093 5 with systematic clustering , which could be divided into 4 types as follows: Drought2enduring type including community Ⅴand Ⅶ; Arid type including community Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ; Ecotone type that was from farmland to forest including community Ⅵ and Ⅷ; and Forest type including community Ⅳ. The diversity and species component of small mammal communities were determined by the difference of habitats and affected by human activities.

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Spatial Niche of the Rodents in Summer in Tangjiahe Nature Reserve

WANG Yanni ZHOU Caiquan ZHANGJun ZHOU Youbing HU Jinchu XIONG Yaowu

2005, 25(1):  39-44. 

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We analyzed the spatial niche breadth and spatial niche overlap among rodents in Tangjiahe Nature Reserve during summer, 2003. We defined 4 habitats according to the elevations and vegetation types: A. Evergreen-broadleaf forests (below 1 600 m); B. Evergreen and deciduous broadleaf forests (1 600 - 2 000 m); C. Conifers and broadleaf mixed forests (2 100-2 400 m); D. Subalpine coniferous forests+subalpine bushes and meadows (2 400 - 3 600 m). The Hongshi River, Wenxian River, Shiqiao River, Xiaowan River and Caijiaba were selected to be the main investigated routes. A total of 204 rodents belonging to 12 species were captured in 5 120 trap-days. Apodemus chevrieri , A. draco and A. peninsulae were the most widely distributed in the reserve. We discussed the relationships between distribution and niche breadth, as well between competition and niche overlap among species.

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Factors Influencing Habitat Selection of Root Voles ( Microtus oeconomus)

CUI Qinghu J IANG Zhigang LIAN Xinming ZHANG Tongzuo SU Jianping

2005, 25(1):  45-51. 

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We studied habitat selection of root voles (Microtus oeconomus) at Haibei Alpine Meadow Ecosystem Research Station, the Chinese Academy of Sciences , July - September 2002. Stepwise regression indicated that shrub height, dicotyledon biomass, number of competing rodent species, Poa density, and distances from power line poles, pasture fences, and shrubs significantly influenced runway length. Significant factors influencing runway branch number were shrub height, number of competing rodent species, Poa density, and distances from power line poles, and pasture fences. Factors significantly influencing burrow number were shrub height, soil moisture, and distance from pasture fences. The influences of most habitat variables on vole habitat selection were directly or indirectly related to interspecific competition and predation risk. Risk of predation increased and habitat utilization decreased with decreased shrub height and Poa dominance, and with increased proximity of pasture fences and power lines. The presence of plateau pikas ( Ochotona curzoniae) resulted in increased habitat openness, thus increased risk of predation and decreased habitat utilization by root voles. Overall, at a microhabitat scale, risk of predation and inter-specific competition were the main factors which influenced habitat selection by root voles during the study period.

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Memory and Recognition of Conspecif ic Odors in Brandt's Vole

LIN Lin ZHANG Li

2005, 25(1):  52-56. 

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To investigate odor recognition and memory among Brandt's voles ( Microtus brandti), We tested reactions to odors of their mates and to those of novel individuals of the opposite gender after the mating pair had been separated for 12 hours, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, and 7 days. Males showed significantly more interest in novel female odors than in familiar odors after being separated for 12 hours, 1 day and 2 days. Females showed no significant differences in odor choice preferences. There were no significant differences in odor preference among either males and females after separation of 2, 3, 5 and 7 days. These results suggested that males can retain odors in memory for about 2 days. Olfactory signals play an important role in individual communication and the social structure of Brandt's voles.

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Histological Structure of the Vomeronasal Organs and Accessory Olfactory Bulbs of Male Mandarin Voles ( Microtus mandarinus) at Different Postnatal Ages

DING Xiaoli TAI Fadao

2005, 25(1):  57-62. 

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We investigated the vomeronasal organ (VNO) and accessory olfactory bulbs (AOB) of male mandarin voles (Microtus mandarinus) at postnatal 0, 5, 15, 25 days of ages using histological method. The VNO was stained using Pischinger method while AOB was stained using hematoxylin-eosin method. In the mandarin vole, which continues to grow during most of its adult life, VNO and AOB were well developed before birth. However, full development of VNO and AOB did not occur until postnatal 25 days. At birth, mandarin vole had the basic structure of VNO and AOB of the adults. From age 0 to age 25 days, the thickness of vomeronasal epithilium, the length of the vomeronasal duct, and the size of the gland increased with age. The dorsolateral vessel became larger and numbers of other vessels increased. The size of AOB, the length of the granule cell and the mitral cell zones, and the density of granule cells increased with age also, while the density of mitral cells increased from age 0 to age 15 days, then declined. Voles of age 25 days and the adults had the similar densities of mitral cells as those of age 5 days. These results suggest that possibly at postnatal age 5 days, the structure development of VNO and AOB was complete, and possibly at postnatal 25 days, VNO and AOB were fully functional.

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Effects of the Protein Level and Energy Concentration of Concentrated Diets

YANG Chunhua ZOU Xinghuai ZHANG Guiquan

2005, 25(1):  63-72. 

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The significance of the effects of the protein level (Crude protein, CP) and energy concentration ( Gross energy, GE) of concentrated diets on the diets'digestibility for two sub-adult giant pandas were studied by grouping according to two intersecting factors (2CP ×2GE). The results indicated that the CP level of concentrated diets produced significant effect on the digestibility of CP, hemi-cellulose and GE of the diests ( P < 0.05), and extremely significant effect on that of crude fat ( P <
0.01) (the correlation coefficients were 0.7830, 0.7618, 0.5504, 0.6723, respectively). The GE concentration produced significant effect on the digestibility of nitrogen free effusion (NFE), neutral detergent fibe (NDF) and GE of the diets ( P <
0.05), and extremely significant effect on that of crude fat ( P < 0.01) (the correlation coefficients were 0.5569, 0.6047, 0.5052 , 0.7411, respectively). The interacting effect of the two studied factors was significant on the digestibility of NFE, NDF and GE ( P < 0.05). For the digestibilities of crude fat, hemi-cellulose for Trial 1 - 4 and crude fat, hemi-cellulose, NDF, cellulose and GE for Trial 1 - 5, the linear regression of digestibility and the two assessed factors was significant (α= 0.05) (among them, for crude fat of Trial 1 - 4 and crude fat and hemi-cellulose of Trial 1 - 5, the regression was extremely significant (α= 0.01). By comparing every kind of digestibility of the diets (using LSR method) between different trials, the obvious conclusion could be drawn that Formula 1 (CP 2 ×GE 2 , ie. CP 20.61 % ×GE 19.53 MJ / kg) was the optimum formula, because all digestibilities of Trial 1, except for that of lignin, were the highest among the five trials.

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Motile Sperm Separation and Sperm Capacitation in Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

CHEN Yongchang CHEN Xuejin

2005, 25(1):  73-76. 

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Selection of fine quality rhesus monkeys'semen is needed for in vitro fertilization protocol, which is an important method for studying the biology of monkey reproduction. Semen was separated by the swim up and Percoll density gradient centrifugation methods, after which intact sperm rate, motility rate, concentration of sperm and fertility rate showed no great differences. Caffeine and dbcAMP were used during sperm capacitation, the result showed that rhesus oocyte can be fertilized when both caffeine and dbcAMP are added. The conclusion is that both caffeine and dbcAMP are necessary for inducing sperm capacitation, which affects the ability of sperm to bind to the zona and to undergo the acrosome reaction.

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New Record of Bat Species-Rhinolophus marshalli from China

ZHANGLibiao LONG Yongcheng ZHANGJinshuo ZHANG Shuyi

2005, 25(1):  77-80. 

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One species of bats, Rhinolophus marshalli, were collected in Bailong Cave, Mile County, Yunnan Province, China, on 8 September, 2003, this was the first record from China. And a total of 7 individuals were collected, but due to the small population of this species in this cave, we remained only one individual to make specimen (male), and others were released after being measured. Diagnosis of this specimen: the internarial spetumforms a large cup-shaped structure, with the sides expanded into "wings", cup-like internarial expansion trapezoid in outline rather than subcircular; sella broad, semicircular above as in R. rex and R. paradoxolophusbut much shorter, its lateral margins originating at the edges of the internarial cup rather than just within them, the lower part of the sella equal in width to the cup for a distance of about 1 mm, above its junction with the cup, the sella then narrowing so that basally the sella has small lateral lobes at this point; the anterior leaf is large, covering most of the upper lip and extending a few mm beyond the muzzle, it has a narrow, deep median anterior cleft; posteriorleaf higher than in R. rex and R. paradoxolophus, more nearly triangular and less rounded; nasal swellings higher, more inflated than in the allied species; infraorbital canal short. The dorsal fur is about 9 mm, in length, the hairs are dark brown, with pale bases; the underparts are smoky grey. The ears are very large and funnel-shaped, with a large antitragus half the length of the ear. Measurements, status, comments on taxonomy and distribution are provided.

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Alarm Calls of Nonhuman Primates

ZHAO Yingchun SU Yanjie

2005, 25(1):  81-85. 

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Alarm-calling behavior is important in the social communication of nonhuman primates. Based on related studies, the paper introduced two systems (functional reference system and urgency reference system) and alarming functions of the calls, and reviewed the developmental process of production, comprehension and usage of alarm calls. Meanwhile, the influential factors including predators'hunting techniques, individual differences and learning were discussed. In the preliminary study of Sichuan golden monkeys'alarm calls, it was found that different levels of dangerous information embedded in males, females, and infants'calls. Future researches on more species will help to understand more about alarm calls of nonhuman primates.

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Genomic Library Construction and Perspectives on Applications in Conservation Genetics

LIN Hui FANG Shengguo

2005, 25(1):  86-90. 

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The construction of a genomic library is essential to research on genome structure and function. A comprehensive genomic library makes it possible to screen and isolate any DNA fragments from it. With the emergence of various vector systems in recent years, genomic libraries have also developed. Among these vector systems, the bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) is presently the most widely used due to its higher transformation efficiency, lower chimerism level, ease with which inserted fragments can be isolated, and larger capability. Because of increasing human population, environmental destruction, and the rapid development of molecular genetics in recent decades, the newfield of conservation genetics, employing the theories of conservation biology and molecular genetics, has come on the stage. The construction of a genomic library of endangered wildlife, which has been playing a more and more important role in species conservation strategy, is the most effective means to save the genome resource and to provide material support for advanced research in conservation genetics.

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Characteristics of the Summer Tibetan Gazelle's Distribution and Habitat in Shiqu County of Sichuan Province

LU Qingbin WANG Xiaoming HU Jinchu WANG Zhenghuan

2005, 25(1):  91-96. 

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The distribution, size and habitat of Tibetan gazelle (Procapra picticaudata) population have been investigated in Shiqu County of Sichuan Province from June to August of 1999 and July to August of 2003. 195 sampling belts (3 km ×3 km)
were made in total, which covered 10.8 % of the whole grassland. The results showed that average density of Tibetan gazelles was 0.117 individuals/ km² in Shiqu County, and their population size was about 1 901 individuals. They mainly occurred from4 200 to 4 700 m altitude (88.3%). Aggregation characterized distribution pattern of Tibetan gazelles that can be divided into three types: male-only groups (42.1%), female-only groups (21.1%) and mother-offspring groups (36.8%), with main group size varied from 2 to 8 individuals (83%) and mean group size 4.8 individuals.
42 sampling plots (20 m ×20 m) were set at least every 100 m apart. Factor analysis indicated that more away from residence (69%) and closer to water source (93%) were characteristic of Tibetan gazelle habitat1 It was usually located in sunny (79%), drafty (83%) and smooth grassland slope (95%) with favorable concealing condition (52%), where vegetation was mainly 5-8 cm in height (62%) and 75%-90% in canopy (64%).

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Daily Activity Rhythm of Captive Red Pandas ( Ailurus f ulgens)

HAN Zongxian WEI Fuwen LI Ming ZHANG Zejun HU Jinchu

2005, 25(1):  97-101. 

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Daily activity rhythms of three radio-collared captive red pandas were monitored individually at 15 minute intervals for 3 continuous days each month at Yele Nature Reserve, Xiangling Mountains, June-October 1995. Our data indicated that mean rate of activity (0.51) of captive red pandas was lower than that of wild red pandas. Three captive red pandas showed similar daily activity patterns, being least active during night and more active during daytime. Mean rate of activity during daylight (0.58) was higher than during nighttime (0.41). Daily mean durations of activity and rest were 12.21 hours and 11.79 hours, respectively. Active times of captive red pandas accounted for 50.6% of each 24 hours, of which 66.5% were recorded during daylight and 33.5% during night. Two active peaks appeared at 07:30-09:15 and 17:30-19:00. We recorded a mean of 2.17, 2.13 and 0.88 long, mid-length, and short resting bouts daily, which had mean durations of 3.47, 1.65 and 0.87 hour, respectively Among these long rests, 46.1% occurred during daytime and 53.8% during nighttime.

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An Attack on Humans by Francois Langur ( Trachypithecus francoisi) in the Wild

HUANG Chengming LI Youbang ZUO Yi QIN Huaiping

2005, 25(1):  102-104. 

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We documented a case of a young male Francois langur attacking humans near Lenglei village near Longgang Nature Reserve, Guangxi, on August 17, 2002. Shortly after we parked our car and sounded its horn, a young male Francois langur rushed out of the forest into the road-side trees. It appeared excited or annoyed, incessantly charging back and forth between the trees to a rocky area, from the rocks to the car. Nearby villages were frightened, and stayed far away; one person was seen to be attacked. Data collected from interviews showed there had been 15 persons and 2 dogs attacked since early 2001.