Abstract:This study for the first time reported the sessile filter-feeding Ficopomatus cf.macrodon in freshwater in China.Specimen were collected from the stones of a artificial river in the suburbs of Shenzhen(113° 46′ 07.52″ E;22° 43′ 41.91″ N).While dipped the stone in tap water for 20 d,the water tasted brackish.There was a longitudinal ridge on the midline of the tube's coping,and the annulations were not obvious.The length of the polypide was 6.4-8.0 mm.The branchia coronal had 16 gill filaments.The operculum was olivary in shape.The polypide had 7 thoracic segments,and the first capillaceous-like segment had 9-11 collar setae.Thoracic uncinus contained 9 teeth in a single row,47-52 μm in length.Abdominal uncinus contained 11-13 teeth,50-55 μm in width.The length of the ventral chaetae was 506-525 μm.Histology observation showed that the branchia filament,operculum and the surface of collar were constituted by simple columnar epithelium cells.There was a layer of colloid matter on the surface of branchia filament.Mini-sand bestrewed the operculum's coping.Thoracic surface contained numerous secretory cells.Dioecism,with no real germen,each arthromere of mature individual's ventral was filled with dense semen or ovum.The alimentary canal was comprised by mouth,esophagus,intestines and anus.Vertical fascicle on the thoracic dorsal developed well.Chaeto-muscle was carried by the setae,and dorsal blood vessel was on the back of esophagus,big on two sides and narrow on fluctuation.Excretory system had two U-like nephridiums,distributing only in the prothorax,and the excretory pore was in the middle of branchia filament.The brain was above dorsal esophagus,and its transverse section showed a shape of butterfly,with two dorsal horns and two ventral horns filled with dense colloid cells,and inside with some fragmentary collagen.Finally,we compared and discussed modality differences between Chinese specimen and existing species of F.cf.macrodon.

Abstract:The complete mitochondrial Cyt b gene sequences were analyzed to detect the diversity of Schizothorax biddulphi and Diptychus maculates.A total of 41 individuals of S.biddulphi were sampled from 3 localities(Simuhana,Yashi and Kalabeili) and 23 individuals of D.maculates were sampled from 1 locality(Simuhana) of Kezilesu River,West Xinjiang autonomous region.In S.biddulphi,6 variable sites were detected and 4 haplotypes were defined,which has low haplotype diversity(0.525 4) and low nucleotide diversity(0.001 16).Analysis of molecular variance(AMOVA) indicated that all of the genetic variations observed were found within three populations.The average Kimura 2-parameter distances among the three populations of S.biddulphi,the population differentiation values(F_st<0.085 25) and the level of gene flow(N_m>3.18) all showed that there was no genetic differentiation among these three populations,indicating that the three populations belong to a single population.In D.maculates,7 variable sites were detected and 8 haplotypes were defined,and the haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity were 0.830 1 and 0.001 13,respectively.Both S.biddulphi and D.maculates have low genetic diversity,indicating their weak viability to maintain population.

Abstract:In this study,mitochondrial cytochrome b(Cyt b) gene sequencing and random amplified polymorphic DNA(RAPD) technique were applied to study the phylogenetic relationships of four species of genus Macropodus: M.opercularis,M.chinensis,M.hongkongensis and M.erythropterus.The complete sequences of the mitochondrial Cyt b gene(1 155 bp) of 4 species from 14 individuals were sequenced.Combined these sequences with homologous sequences from GenBank Database,M.opercularis and M.concolor were used as ingroup;Pseudosphromenus cupanus,P.dayi,Malpulutta kretseri and Batta splendens were used as outgroup.Moreover,36 random primers were selected from 133 primers,and 749 reproducible bands were amplified in 96 individuals from 10 populations under optimized reaction conditions.Molecular phylogenetic trees based on Cyt b gene sequences were constructed by neighbor-joining(NJ) and minimum evolution(ME) methods,respectively.The results indicated that M.hongkongensis was grouped with M.erythropterus firstly,then clustered with M.opercularis,and M.chinensis was in the outer edge.The UPGMA cluster analysis based on RAPD data was identical to the molecular phylogenetic trees based on Cyt b.The results reflect that: M.chinensis has a distant relationship with other fishes of genus Macropodus;genetic distances between species' were 0.184 5-0.225 3(Cyt b) and 0.653 6-0.746 5(RAPD);M.chinensis and other Macropodus represent two independently evolving natural groups of the same monophyletic group.Genetic differentiation among M.hongkongensis and M.opercularis was obvious,Cyt b sequence divergence between species' was 11.00%,genetic distance between species' was 0.577 7(RAPD),which agrees with the view that M.hongkongensis is a valid species.The genetic diversity between different M.hongkongensis populations was significant,Cyt b sequence divergence was 3.12%,genetic distance was 0.060 1(RAPD).Nei's gene diversity(H_E) and Shannon's Information index(I) between M.opercularis populations were 0.058 2 and 0.086 9,and among populations were 0.016 1-0.031 7 and 0.023 5-0.046 7,respectively,which show that the genetic diversity of M.opercularis mainly between populations too,and the individuals cluster respectively according to their distribution of river basin.

Abstract:The Yunnan Caecilian(Ichthyophis bannanicus) is the Gymnophiona species found only in China.Here we report the dentition of I.bannanicus at different developmental stages.The results show that the teeth of I.bannanicus are derived from the basal layer cells of the oral epidermis.A mature tooth has two parts linked by a fibrous ring,namely pedicel and crown.The teeth are homodont and nail-like with bicuspid.Both maxilla and submaxilla of the adult individuals have two teeth rows,and one or two teeth grow from each locus.But the numbers of teeth and loci in the maxilla are usual more than those in the submaxilla.Moreover,the number of lingual series teeth is more than that of labial series teeth in the maxilla,while opposite trend is observed in the submaxilla.The number and loci of teeth increase at the posterior jaw as individual grows.Numerous teeth are found in the state of replacement or abscission in the sub-adult and adult.Meanwhile,sparse attachment of the functional teeth interlaced with unfunctional teeth change to dense and regular attachment of functional teeth.We also compare the dentition of I.bannanicus with that of other caecilians.

Abstract:The histological structure of cerebellar cortex was observed and expression of RT-97,KGF,Bax proteins in the cerebellar cortex was investigated by immunohistochemistry in Ailurus fulgens.Results showed that cerebellar cortex of A.fulgens consists of molecular layer,Purkinje cell layer and granular layer.RT-97 appeared to express in the Purkinje cell layer,granular cell axon in granular layer and molecular layer as well as medulla.KGF-immunopositive cells were found in all layers.Bax protein was present in the molecular layer,Purkinje cell layer and granular layer.RT-97,KGF and Bax proteins might play different roles in the construction of neuromechanism in cerebellar cortex.

Abstract:The courtship and mating behavior of Chinese Crocodile Lizard(Shinisaurus crocodilurus) were studied by using direct observation methods and video camera recorder in Luokeng Nature Reserve of Guangdong Province.A behavior inventory defining 20 distinctive postures/ gestures were recorded and the general pattern of courtship and mating behavior in S.crocodilurus was:(1) displaying,(2) approaching,(3) licking,(4) neck bite hold,(5) embracing,(6) copulation,(7) detaching.Duration of each behavior is 157.29±33.81 s,15.57±1.59 s,10.86±3.05 s,169.28±31.99 s,66.14±16.08 s,2 417.14±229.30 s and 26.86±9.15 s respectively.The mating system of S.crocodilurus is promiscuity possibly.The courtship and mating pattern of S.crocodilurus is similar to their affinitive relatives.

Abstract:From September 2007 to August 2008,8-11 adult males of Barred Buttonquail(Turnix suscitator) were collected monthly in Chengmai,Hainan Island,China,to study their male cycle.The results showed that seasonal changes in weight and volume of testes,diameter of seminiferous tubule,and thickness of seminiferous epithelium were evident in T.suscitator.The largest testes were observed in July,and the smallest were observed from October to December.Spermatogenesis was intiated in March,very active in April to September when spermatozoa had already appeared inside the lumen of seminiferous tubules,while ceased in November.The annual testicular activities indicate that the breeding season is from March to October,while the non-breading season is from November to next February in T.suscitator.

Abstract:Data on vocalizations and breeding behavior of Emei Shan Liocichla(Liocichla omeiensis) were colected in Sichuan Laojunshan Nature Reserve,Pingshan County from May to August,2005 and January to February,2006 and October,2008.We classified the calls recorded in breeding season and non-breeding season into fourteen sorts including exclaiming call,responding call,foraging call,feeding call,resting call,flying contact call and warning call.The calls which recorded only in breeding season were classified into twelve sorts including occupying territory call,expelling call,escaping call,courtship call.By Spectrographic analysis,we acquired the sonograms and spectral features of all these calls.We also described the behavior of L.omeiensis which occurred before three days of occupying territo,courtship,mating,nest building,oviposition and sitting period in breeding season.

Abstract:In this article,the dissociation and culture of neurons isolated from the subesophageal ganglion(SUB) of the Ornithoctonus huwena are described.The basic electrophysiological properties of voltage-gated Na⁺,K⁺ and Ca²⁺ channels on the cultured neurons were studied by means of whole-cell patch-clamp technique.The culture medium used for the nerve cells contained(g/L): glucose 0.7,fructose 0.4,succinic acid 0.06,imidazole 0.06,L-15 13.7,Hepes 2.38,yeast extract 2.8,lactalbumin 2.5,penicillin 200 IU/ml,streptomycin 200 mg/ml,bovin calf serum 15%;pH 6.8.The suitable culture was 27±2℃ for 2-4 h.Most cells were in good condition and above 90% cells survived in the cell culture dishes.The shape of the soma of the nerve cell was in an ellipse and that of neural cell appreared like a spoon,with a single axon.The size of these cells varied from 10 to 30 μm.Whole-cell patch-clamp showed high-voltage-activated(HVA) calcium currents and two types of outward potassium currents including delayed rectifier potassium currents and rapid outward potassium currents on spider neurons.The potassium currents could be inhibited by TEA-Cl and 4-AP.Sometimes,small voltage-gated sodium currents were also recorded in the experiment.

Abstract:This paper described a simply improvement for the cage by using a movable stick and a special pincers that can be used to measure animal infants' body weight and size without touch them.This improvement would avoid of abandon of infants that handled by hand.

Abstract:The species composition and diversity of terrestrial molluscs in 9 different habitats of Tianmu Mountain in Zhejiang were reported in this paper.Approximately 1 034 specimens were collected,and 33 species and subspecies belonging to 12 families 21 genera were recognized.The result of diversity analysis showed that: the values of species richness indexes d_MA of 9 habitats range from 0.733 to 3.656,species diversity indexes H′ range from 0.779 to 2.409,and evenness indexes J_SW range from 0.562 to 0.909.Based on Jaccard similarity,the clustering dendrogram of 9 habitats was made.The results showed that no significant regularity of species diversity and cluster relationships of terrestrial molluscs among 9 habitats were found.The nine habitats are all near human places at low altitudes.The species composition and diversity of terrestrial molluscs in the 9 habitats are deeply affected by the disturbance of human activities.

Abstract:To utilize biomanipulation technique in eutrophication control of Dianshan Lake,the dynamics of zooplankton community structure including species composition,population dynamics,and standing crop were investigated in Dianshan Lake from January 2005 to December 2006.One hundred and twenty eight species of zooplankton were found,of which 29 species of 23 genera were Protozoa,51 species of 23 genera were Rotifera,33 species of 15 genera were Cladocera and 15 species were Copepoda.The annual average density of zooplankton was 6 965 ind/L,and protozoa and rotifera was accounted for 62.19% and 36.77% respectively,peaked in spring;the annual average biomass of zooplankton was 6.00 mg/L,dominated by rotifera(51.65%) and cladocera(38.38%),peaked in summer.The diversity index H′ of each zooplankton community had a significant positive correlation with its evenness index J and protozoa diversity index H′ showed a significant negative correlation with its density.Based on zooplankton density and dominant species composition,it indicated that Dianshan Lake was in eutrophication status.And the diversity index of protozoa has a good indication of water quality.

Abstract:In order to investigate acute,chronic and joint toxicity of sublethal concentrations of endosulfan and dieldrin,the half-effect concentrations of endosulfan and dieldrin to Moina macrocopa were tested respectively,and the effects of endosulfan（0,52 and 208 μg/L） and dieldrin（0,12 and 48 μg/L） on the life table demography of the cladoceran were studied.The results showed that the EC₅0 values to endosulfan and dieldrin for M.macrocopa were 834.9 and 185.8 μg/L,respectively.The endosulfan concentration affected significantly the life expectancy at birth,generation time and net reproductive rate,but did not influence the intrinsic rate of population increase of M.macrocopa.The dieldrin concentration affected markedly only intrinsic rate of population increase.The interactions between endosulfan and dieldrin concentrations on all the life-table demographic parameters of M.macrocopa were not significant.Compared with those when the concentration of endosulfan was zero,endosulfan at 52 and 208 μg/L decreased markedly the life expectancy at birth,generation time and net reproductive rate.Compared with those when the concentration of dieldrin was zero,dieldrin at 48 μg/L increased the intrinsic rate of population increase of M.macrocopa.

Abstract:We tested the host-specificity of Triangle Muessl(Hyriopsis cumingii)by infecting Yellow Catfish(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) and Nile Tilapia(Tilapia nilotica) with its glochidia and the correlations between time course of excystment of glochidia,number of transformed juvenile and host fish species,body weight were analyzed.In addition,the plasma biochemical indexes of tilapia which were infected by glochidia of triangle mussel were determined and non-parasitized tilapia group was set up.The results showed the number of transformed juvenile from yellow catfish and tilapia per unit body weight stood at 26 435±6 430,26 327±3 091 respectively,whereas there was no obvious difference.As body weight of host fish increased,the number of transformed juvenile did actually.The peak time of detached juveniles form yellow fish and tilapia appeared at the 8th,7th day post-infection respectively with water temperature ranging from 23℃ to 25℃.In particular,the glochidia attached tilapia detached earlier than yellow fish.There were no obvious change in concentration of plasma biochemical indexes of parasitized tilapia,such as total protein(TP),albumin(Alb),glucose(Glu),total cholesterol(TC) and high density lipoprotein(HDL),whereas the concentrations of triglyceride(TG) and low density lipoprotein(LDL) significantly declined(P=0.001,0.020).There was no obvious difference in concentration of all indexes of non-parasitized tilapia either.The results will provide reference to find key factors to metamorphosis development of triangle mussel.

Abstract:A 467 bp full-length cDNA sequence of metallothionein(named as HCMT) gene was obtained using rapid amplification of cDNA end(RACE) technique in Hyriopsis cumingii.It consists of a 92 bp 5′ untranslated region(UTR),a 216 bp open reading frame(ORF) and a 159 bp 3′UTR.The translated protein was composed of 71 amino acids,with a molecular weight of 7.1 ku,and its calculated isoelectric point was 7.24.The contents of cysteine and glycine in the predicted HCMT amino acid sequence were 29.6% and 14.1%,respectively.The conserved motif CKCXXXCXCX of molluscan MT was also found in HCMT.A specific pattern of molluscan MT C-X-C-X(3)-C-T-G-X(3)-C-X-C-X(3)-C-X-C-K was located at the C-terminal.The predicted protein sequence analysis showed that the MT of H.cumingii had the typical characteristics of MT family and shared a high similarity with that of other molluscans.

Abstract:The objective of this study is that the influence of different algal species on growth of pre-mature clam Meretrix meretrix,in order to find appropriate algae for temporary-keeping and fattening of M.meretrix.The test is divided into five groups,single feeding Chlorella vulgaris(Group A),Isochrysis zhanjianggensis(Group B),Chaetoceros calcitrons(Group C) and Platymonas halgolandica(Group D),respectively,and mixed feeding is E group.The results showed that the pre-mature clam M.meretrix feeding on whether unicellular alga or mixed alga,there are no prominent influence on shell length and body weight growth(P>0.05),but there are significantly different in proximate composition such as protein,lipid,sugar and fatty acids in some test groups(P<0.05).E group have been made the lowest content of protein(63.57%),there are significant difference compared to other groups;the content of lipid(8.17%) is higher than other group except D group,there are no significant difference compared to other group except D group(8.64%);the content of total sugar(7.08%) is higher than other groups except C group(7.62%),there are significantly different compared to other groups.The contents of linoleic acid(C18:2),linolenic acid(C18:3) and arachidonic acid(C20:4) in C group are 2.06%,2.28% and 6.50%,respectively.They obtain the highest level and there are significant difference compared to other groups.The contents of eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA) and docosahexenoic acid(DHA) are the highest in D group(8.51%) and B group(10.33%),respectively.

Abstract:To clone the upstream untranslated region of CYP9G2 from diamondback moth,the genomic walking was performed according to the routine procedure based on PCR amplification using the outer adaptor primer(AP1) and CYP9G2 specific primer(GSP1).After T-A cloning,positive clones were confirmed by nested PCR using the outer adaptor primer(AP2) and CYP9G2 specific primer(GSP2) as forward and reverse primers.Analysis of the upstream DNA sequence of CYP9G2 showed that 5 cis-acting elements existed in the upstream sequence of CYP9G2.One of the elements was a putative initiator of arthropoda,three of them were CAAT-like boxes,and the other one was an antioxidant-response-like element.This kind of genome walking could be used in rapid cloning of the promoters and other upstream regulatory elements in genes that only cDNA sequence was available,mapping of intron/exon junctions,and walking bidirectionally from any sequence-tagged site or expressed sequence tag.The method is simple,reliable and efficient.

Abstract:Four wild populations of Pampus argenteus were sampled from nature coast area of Huanghua City in Hebei Province(PH),Lianyungang City in Jiangsu Province(PJ),Zhoushan City in Zhejiang Province(PZ) and Huilai City in Guangdong Province(PG),respectively.The capture was conducted in May 2008.The muscle nutritional composition of P.argenteus from 4 different areas was measured by conventional biochemistry.As a result,crude protein content in the muscle of fish from PZ and PJ was significant difference(P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in other each pair of populations.There was no significant difference in crude fat content among the four populations(P>0.05).Fish from PJ had the highest total and essential amino acid contents(65.14% and 27.32%,dry weight).The following was fish from PZ(64.31% and 26.42%,dry weight).The lowest total and essential amino acid contents(60.32% and 25.47%,dry weight) were in the muscle of fish from PH.There was significant difference of total and essential amino acid content among the four populations(P<0.05).Fish from PJ and PZ had higher essential amino acid index(EAAI)、amino acid score(AAS) and chemical score(CS) than those of the other 2 populations.The total saturated and unsaturated fatty acid contents in the fish muscle from four populations shown significant difference(P<0.05).Fish from PJ and PZ had higher polyunsaturated fatty acid content than those from other two populations.It was apparent that the nutritional quality of fish from PJ and PZ was better than those from PH and PG.Based on the clustering analysis,the difference of amino acid content in fish from PJ and PZ was smallest,while having the biggest difference with that from PG.For fatty acids,fish from PZ and PH had similar content,also had the biggest difference with that from PG.

Abstract:The structural features of esophagus and stomach in Tetraogallus himalayensis have been studied by microscopy.The results show that the crop of T.himalayensis is developed.The esophagus wall is made up of four concentric layers,mucosa,submucous layer,muscularis and adventitia.The mucosa membrane is thicker than others.Mucosa epithelium is stratified squamous.Esophagus gland is rich in lamina propria.The direct open of orifice of gland is found in mucosal epithelium.The muscular layer is developed,sonsisting of circular fibers and longitudinal fibers.The stomach wall is also composed of mucosa,muscularis and adventitia.Gastric submucous is not developed or unobserved.The muscular layer is composed of internal longitudinal and external circular fibers.The evidence indicates that the structural features of the esophagus and stomach may be related to its digestive function and habitat.

Abstract:The diurnal rhythm of 3 Tibetan fox pups was recorded by focus and instantaneous scan sampling methods between March 6 and April 25,2007,and time budget of these pups were calculated.Resting took most part of daily behavior,hunting and playing were observed frequently.The active period of Tibetan fox pups were concentrated on dawn(8:00-9:00) and dusk(16:00-19:00),and they spent much time on resting in day time.Gamboling,running and intimacy behavior increased and resting behavior decreased when adult fox appeared.

Abstract:The nestlings' calls of Coot(Fulica atra) were recorded and played back in Anbang River Wetland Nature Reserve,Heilongjiang in the breeding season from April to June in 2008 to analyze the influence of background noise on the activity of the birds.The results of playback-experiment indicated that the noises made by tourists,tractors and cars did disturb the normal movements of coot during the season.

Abstract:Most of the Mollusca and Crustacean are economic species.The diseases related to environmental deterioration and germ plasm degeneration have caused great economic loss.More and more studies have been focusing on the immune defense system of Mollusca and Crustacean.As a key part of prophenoloxidase-activated system,phenoloxidase(PO) plays an important role in initial immune defense of invertebrates.The function,tissue location and expression,gene cloning and sequence analysis,as well as phylogenetic analysis of PO in Mollusca and Crustacean are reviewed in this paper.The results from sequence and phylogenetic analysis evidently indicate that although the tyrosinase from Mollusca and the PO from Crustacean are isoenzymes,their encoded genes are quite different.This evidence challenges to the widely accepted view that PO belongs to invertebrates,while tryosinase belongs to vertebrates.Therefore,PO only should be specified to arthropod,while the tryosinase should be referred to mollusca and other non-arthropod as well as vertebrates.

Abstract:Temperature-dependent sex determination(TSD) has been studied extensively over the past several decades in a variety of reptiles.Sexual differentiation of gonads is sensitive to temperature during thermosensitive period(TSP).Two patterns have been demonstrated in chelonians: ① males from cool temperature while females from warm temperature(TSD Ⅰa) and ② females from both cool and warm temperatures,while males from intermediate temperature(TSD Ⅱ).The possible mechanisms of TSD caused by sex steroid hormone levels have been studied.Several groups have provided direct support for the hypothesis that the physical stimulus of temperature is transduced into an endocrine signal that directs the sex-determination process: specifically,estrogens and their precursors,aromatizable androgens,stimulate the female-determining cascade and inhibit the male determining cascade.Preliminary results show that expression of Sf1,Mis,Sox9,Dax1,Wt1 and Dmrt1 is affected by temperature,which may be involved in sex determination..Hypotheses on the evolutional significance of TSD are introduced,and each of these explanations remains partly but not fully plausible.