Abstract:Rest metabolic rate(RMR) was measured using sealed respirometer and critical oxygen concentration(P_crit) was calculated using two-segmented straight lines method on Chinese Bream Parabramis pekinensis weighed 8.13 ± 0.15 g(n=31) at 15,20,25 and 30℃.The RMR was 132.22 ± 4.97,182.67 ± 12.49,218.44 ± 9.20 and 298.32 ± 9.96 mg O₂ /(h.kg) respectively at 15,20,25 and 30℃ with an ascending trend with temperature.There was a significant difference between groups(P < 0.05) except for the RMR at 20 and 25℃.The Q₁₀ value were less than 2 [1.91(15-20℃),1.43(20-25℃),1.87(25-30℃)]in all thegroups.The P_crit was 1.35 ± 0.09,1.16 ± 0.19,0.97 ± 0.12 and 0.86 ± 0.09 mg O₂ /L,S_crit was 13.87% ± 0.74%,13.32% ± 1.72%,12.15% ± 1.35% and 11.34% ± 0.65% at 15,20,25 and 30℃,respectively.The results revealed that P_crit decreased as temperature increasing while S_crit was relative stable with temperature change.Our study suggests that the conclusion of study on hypoxia tolerance capability in fish would be varied with different indices measured.It also indicated that in the process of fish physiological adaptation to hypoxia,the effect of relative oxygen saturation rather than the absolute oxygen concentration played determination role.Therefore,critical oxygen saturation index may be better practical in fish hypoxia tolerance study.

Abstract:The segregations of body color and scale type in progenies derived from selfing and intercross among Yellow Carp(Cyprinus carpio),Blue Carp and Red Carp populations were analyzed.The results showed that the body color and scale type were homozygous in red parents,but heterozygous in yellow parents.In blue parent carps,body color was homozygous,while scale type was heterozygous.Complex and diverse phenotypes of body color in progenies from different cross combinations were observed,such as bluish gray,white,bluish yellow and blue white,in addition to red,yellow and blue.Some red individuals with black on back were also observed.Moreover,the distribution of chromatophores in scales and fin rays were described,and the inheritance characters of body color in carp crosses were analyzed and discussed in this study.

Abstract:The nucleotide sequence of the complete mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) genome was determined in T_akifugu fasciatus.DNA sequencing was based on PCR fragments from 14 primer pairs that were designed on the basis of mtDNA sequences of other related T_akifugu species.The entire mitochondrial genome of T.fasciatus(GenBank accession no.GQ409967) was composed of 16 444 base pairs(bp) in length with 55.8% A + T content,which coded for 22 tRNAs,2rRNAs,13 protein-coding genes,as well as a control region(D-loop) of 819 bp,as was characteristic for mitochondrial genomes of other metazoans.All protein-coding genes of the T.fasciatus mitochondrial genome started with a typical ATG codon,except for COⅠ and ND6 with GTGand CTT.The usual TAA termination codons were found for ND1,ATPase8,COⅢ,ND4L,ND5 and Cyt b,however,the other 7 protein-coding genes had an incomplete termination codons(T or TA).It was comfirmed that the gene arrangement of T.fasciatus could be used to identify other Tetrodontiformes fishes.Transfer RNA(tRNA) genes ranged in length from 64 to 73 nt,and their planar structures showed characteristic clover leaf.Construction of phylogenetic trees based on the entire mitochondrial genome sequence of 19 Tetrodontiformes species constructed by NJ and MP method has suggested that the T.fasciatus has closer relationship to the T.rubripes and T.chinensis,and that they constitute a sister group.The results also suggest that the genus T_akifugu(Tetrodontiformes,Tetraodontidae) can be treated as a monophyletic group.

Abstract:We studied the age structure,body growth and fecundity of Triplophysa yarkandensis based on 264 samples collected from Kezi River in southern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in May 2008.The age of samples ranged from 2 to 11 years old,most individuals(94.49%) were aged 2 to 4 years old.Average body length and body weight of female were 9.39 ± 2.10 cm and 16.55 ± 15.85 g,and male were 9.17 ± 2.27 cm in length and 15.38 ± 15.20 g in weight,no significant differences between female and males(P > 0.05).Relationships of body length and body weight were W_♀+♂= 0.014 0L^{2.988 9}(r=0.975 4),W_♀=0.016 7L^{2.889 5}(r=0.980 9),W_♂=0.011 7L^{3.083 1}(r=0.975 7).Growth index and annual weight increment appeared peak at four years old,1.86 and 18.79 g per year,respectively.Sex ratio was 0.7∶ 1.0(♀∶♂),and individual matured in two years old.The minimum mature body length and weight of female were 6.2 cm and 4.46 g,meanwhile the male were 4.6 cm and 1.67 g.Absolute fecundity ranged from 6 136 to 405 555 and the mean value was 28 716 ± 42 698,the relative fecundity were from 672 to 6 134(eggs per gram) and the mean value was 2 310 ± 1 427.The distribution of egg diameters showed a single peak,which might indicate one-time spawning of this population.The breeding season was from late May to late June based on the daily growth of 19 juvenile fish captured in August 2008.

Abstract:The early embryonic development of Feirana taihangnicus was studied.The whole process,from fertilization to spiracle formation,took 470.18 hours under water temperature of 11-18℃ and the process was divided into 25 stages according to the embryonic morphological,physiological and behavioral characteristics.Cleavage began from the top of animal hemisphere,and the cleavege furrows of vegetal pole were observed at early stage of blastula.The hatching occurred mainly at the stage of opercular fold closure on the right side.The time of hatching was late.The newly hatched tadpoles can self-feeding.Hidden spawning environment,special attachment of egg masses,big egg diameter and large amount of yolk in the eggs indicated the ecological adaptations to long course of early development under the low water temperature in F.taihangnicus.

Abstract:In order to understand the ecophysiological characteristics of the crested mynas(Acridotheres cristatellus) inhabiting in relative warm area,the metabolic rates(MR),body temperatures(T_b),and thermal conductance(C) at temperature range of 5.0-37.5℃ was measured.Adult mynas were live-trapped by mist net in the Wenzhou city,Zhejiang Province(27°29′ N,120°51′ E) from September to November 2008.Eight crested mynas(four males and four female) were used in this experiment.Body masses to the nearest 0.1 g were determined immediately upon capture with a Sartorius balance(model BT25S).The mean body mass of crested mynas was 117.7 ± 3.4 g.Birds were transported to the laboratory and caged(50 cm × 30 cm × 20 cm) under natural photoperiod and temperature.Food and water were supplied ad lib.MR was measured by using closed circuit respirometer,and temperature was controlled by water bath(± 0.5℃),T_b was measured by insertion of a digital thermometer(Beijing Normal University Instruments Co) into the cloaca,and C was calculated at each temperature below the thermal neutral zone using the formula: C=MR /(T_b-T_a),where T_a is ambient temperature.The thermal neutral zone of mynas was 25.0-32.5℃.The mean metabolic rates within thermal neutral zone of crested mynas were 125.33 ± 2.08 ml O₂ /h,which are 60% of the expectedvalue from their body mass.Mean T_bs of mynas were 41.4 ± 0.1℃.Cs of mynas were 0.06 ± 0.00 ml O₂ /(g.h.℃),100% of the expected value based on their body mass.Below the lower critical temperatures MR increased with declining T_a and the regression equations relating MR to T_a was described as: MR[ml O₂ /h]= 365.30-10.07T_a(℃).The ecophysiological characteristics of crested mynas are: low basal metabolic rate,relatively high body temperature and high thermal conductance.These properties might make them acclimatized to their environments and survive at relative warm temperature areas for this species.

Abstract:We tested the effects of food tannin and saponin on diet selection of mice(Mus musculus domesticus) by using natural seeds and artificial food with different amount of tannin or saponin.We also investigated the effects of feeding experiences on diet selection.The results showed that:(1) regardless of feeding experiences,mice preferred to consume more seeds with lower tannin(i.e.Castanea henryi) or saponin(i.e.Arachis hypogaea) over those with high tannin(i.e.Quercus variabilis) or saponin(i.e.Camelia oleifera);(2) feeding experiences for mice could enhance its ability to identify tannin or saponin levels in seeds,resulting in less food intake;and(3) food intake of mice significantly decreased with the increase of food tannin or saponin level.Our study indicates that food tannin or saponin can highly influence food selection by animals and feeding experiences can promote the animals to identify and use different kinds of food.

Abstract:Birth behavior of Gayal(or Minthun,Bos frontalis) cow was directly observed in semi-wild management farm in Lushui County,Yunnan.Thirteen out of 17 females left their herd 11.23 ± 7.14 d in average before they gave birth to look suitable birth site.Usually the birth sites were relatively flat at higher position near creek or rive with abundant food and sunshine.The mothers and their calves rejoined the herd a 5.57 ± 2.64 d later after birth.Females(n=6) made more watchful walking 24 to 12 hour before gave birth,they showed impatience and mounting behaviors 12 to 5 hour before birth.From 3 to 1 hour before birth,females cleared the birth sites.Six cows gave birth in the duration from 7 am to 6 pm,but 4 of 6 cow produced calf from 6 to 7 o'clock in the morning.Cows got up and lay down(7.00 ± 6.00 times in average) during thedelivery course.It took 25.00 ± 5.00 min for the cows delivered their calves completely.Placenta was expelled 5.60 ± 1.80 h later after the calve was born.The birth weight was 16.46 ± 2.56 kg(n=6,♂ 1 + ♀5) and cow clicked,lactated and looked calf.It took 52.70 ± 29.69 min for new born calf to stand up,and then took 38.7 ± 29.14 min to suck milk and 61.33 ± 1.53 min later to be able walking.

Abstract:Methodology used to attach the pop-up tags on the body of Chinese Sturgeon(Acipenser sinensis) was introduced.It includes manufacture of pre-buried body,handling skills,such as implantation of pre-buried body and attachment of pop-up tags.The application of attachment method for Chinese Sturgeon was also evaluated in this paper.

Abstract:Comparing to the well-known mark-recapture method,two methods including volume-area-pixel transformation(VAPT) and quantitative quadrat-shooting were developed to survey the number of tadpoles of Bufo gargarizans gargarizans,Fejervarya multistriata and Pelophylax nigromaculata,in Kuankuoshui National Natural Reserve,based on the different distribution characteristics of tadpole groups.The result indicated that VAPT and quantitative quadrat-shooting are scientific and applicable.The development and application of the two new methods would provide a beneficial supplement in the census of tadpoles.Integration with quadrate census for the adult,the two methods would provide integrity of quantitative population survey of Anura species.

Abstract:The stream fish diversity in Hunan Hupignshan National Nature Reserve was investigated from August 2007 to September 2008,and 3 420 fish specimens were collected,incuding 39 species,belonging to 35 genera,16 subfamilies,11 families and 4 orders.,Among them 5 species were herbivorous,18 carnivorous and 15 omnivorous.Moreover,Beaufortia szechuanensis and Liobagrus anguillicauda were the new records in Hunan Province.The fish diversity index(H′) was 2.612,the abundance index(D) was 3.461,and the evenness index(J) was 0.706.In the study area,21 species adapted to mountain streams with fast flow were dominant,accounting for 51.2% of the total species.Two species,Phoxinus oxycephalus and Onychostoma barbata(whose relative abundance were 23.6% and 23.4%,respectively) were the most dominant species.

Abstract:The investigations on bird resources by 7 sample points and 6 lines transects were carried out from 2006 to 2009 in 3 habitats in Tiantong National Forest Park,Zhejiang Province,China.Totally,142 species belonging to 45 families and 16 orders were recorded.Among them,75 species are involved in the Oriental realm,59 species belong to the Palaearctic realm,and 8 species are widely distributed.There are 59 residents,30 migrants,30 winter visitors and 23 summer visitors,23 species under second degree of national protection,49 species in the Sino-Japan Migratory Birds Protection Agreement,9 species in the Sino-Australia Migratory Birds Protection Agreement,1 species in CITES appendix Ⅰ and 23 species in CITES appendix Ⅱ.A Japanese Robin(Erithacus akahige),the new avian record of Zhejiang Province,was found in January 23th in 2009.The avifauna of the investigating area is oriented towards Oriental-realm.And the residents predominate in bird list at the study area.There is no absolute dominant bird species due to the rich habitat diversity.The bird diversity and evenness in forest and farmland are both higher than those in the wetland.

Abstract:The vertical distribution and vertical migration of dominant crustacean species was studied by sampling water at different depths at the Wenxin Island site(29°38′10.5″N,119°01′54.1″E) in Qiandao Lake in June,September and December of 2004 and March of 2005.The planktonic crustaceans dominantly distributed at the depth of 10-21 meter from the surface.Different seasons had different The distribution depths of planktonic crustaceans varied seasonally and they sampled from deep to shallow in December,September,June and March.The vertical distribution range was greater in spring and summer than that was in autumn and winter.The dominant species of planktonic crustaceans mainly distributed in the upper middlewater depth(10-21 m)though they were found at all the water samples.The ranges of the vertical distribution varied with species and time.An obviously diel vertical migration was detected in species Neutrodiaptanus incongruens,Cyclops vicinus,Schmackeria forbesi,Daphnia hyaline and Bosmina longirostris.The trend of vertical movement in Neodiaptomus schmackeri,Diaphanosoma brachyurum was not identified clearly.Illumination,temperature and diet resource were the principal environmental factors driving the diel vertical migration.

Abstract:The important biological characteristics of juvenile Lamprotula leai,such as development,behavior,growth and change of shell shape,were observed by light microscopy.The results showed that the average shell length of newly fallen juvenile was 208.5 μm.After development and growth for 75 days at 23.9-32.8℃,it became the larval mussel with the average shell length of 10.12 mm.The relationships among shell length(L),shell height(H) and age(t) were L=0.220 4 e^{0.051 2t}(R²=0.993 5),H=0.227 7 e^{0.041 8t}(R²=0.994 2),and H=0.781 5 L^0.814(R²=0.998 1),respectively.Based on the change of behavioral features,the juvenile development of L.leai can be divided into crawling stage and burying stage.Furthermore,the crawling stage can be divided into juvenile dropping stage,straight back stage and umbo extruding stage through the change of shell shape,which shows dynamic changes during development and growth juvenile L.leai.

Abstract:The embryonic and larval development in Salvelinus leucomaenis was studied for the first time by 4 different methods of fixation by Bouin's,by 5% formalin,by transparent agent and vivisectional observation.The zygote of S.leucomaenis was demersal,telolecithal,orange and spherical.At 3.40-8.89℃,the larvae with a yolk sac hatched after 6 stages of embryonic development which lasted for 1 944 h.The body of the newly hatched larvae measured 17.89 ± 0.32 mm in length.Pterygiophore developed completely and the"parr.mark" appeared on the 73rd day post-hatch.On the 350th day the larvae were almost the same as adult fish in their appearance.The characteristics of the embryonic development in Saleucomaenis were discussed by comparison with other species.The ideal method for researching the eggs with thick membrane was to strip the membrane after eggs were fixed by Bouin's fluid.

Abstract:The partial mitochondrial DNA D-Loop sequence was amplified in two populations(Egyptian and 88 strain) of Nile tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus)(AJ and XH) and Blue tilapia(‘Xia′ao No.1',O.aureus)(ALY) by PCR technique.The length of this region was 575-581 bp.Compared with its homology,one conserved block(CSB-D) in the central conserved sequence block domain(CSB) and three conserved sequence blocks(CSB1,CSB2,CSB3) in the conserved sequence block domain(CSB) were successfullyidentified.A total of 28 haplotypes were detected in 76 individualities.The number of haplotypes was 12 in the AJ population,10 in the XH population and 9 in the ALY population.Only one haplotype(XH06) was shared by three populations,and one haplotype(XH10) was shared by AJ and XH populations.Genetic diversity analysis indicated some genetic differentiations between AJ and XH(N_m=0.77),AJ and ALY(N_m=0.02),as well as XH and ALY(N_m=0.02).The nucleotide diversity(Psub>i) of AJ(0.042 4) or XH(0.031 1) was higher than that of ALY(0.001 2).It could be concluded that the purity of ALY was much higher,and that AJ and XH had a high level genetic diversity.The mtDNA D-Loop region could reflect the genetic resource characteristics and could be used to study genetic diversity of tilapia populations.

Abstract:In this study,26 microsatellite loci from the second-generation genetic linkage map of tilapia(Oreochromis spp.) were used to analyze the genetic structure of the GIFT strain Nile tilapia(O.niloticus) consisting of 60 families introduced by Freshwater Fisheries Research Center.A total of 124 alleles were detected in the population by 26 microsatellite primers,and the number of allele at each locus ranged from 3 to 7,with an average of 4.8.The average observed heterozygosity was 0.622 1 while the average expected heterozygosity was 0.642 3.The average polymorphism information content(PIC) was 0.633 4.Out of 26 detected loci,25 loci were in a high polymorphism degree(PIC > 0.5),while the remaining 1 locus was in a medium polymorphism degree.The results indicate rich polymorphism information content and large geneticdiversity in the population.This introduced GIFT strain Nile tilapia population has a large selection potential and may be used as a base population for further selection.

Abstract:A high quality cDNA library from the venom gland of Chinese Gloydius shedaoensis shedaoensis was constructed using SMART(switching mechanism at 5′ end of RNA transcript) technique.Total RNA was extracted using RNAiso reagent kit and mRNA was purified using Poly(A) Purist^TM kit,respectively.Singlestrand cDNA was synthesized using reverse transcription PCR and double-strand cDNA was synthesized and amplified using LD(long-distance) PCR.The cDNA fragments with the size over 400 bp were fractionated and ligated to pDNR-LIB vector.Recombined plasmids were then elelctrotransformed in Escherichia coli DH10B strains.The capacity of the constructed library was 8 × 10⁷ cfu /ml.The size of most inserts was larger than 1 000 bp.The percentage of the selected recombinant clones was very high(100%).Thus,a cDNA library from the venom gland of G.s.shedaoensis has been successfully constructed.It has a high recombinant expression level,and can be used for cloning and expressing bioactive protein genes from G.s.shedaoensis and for studying their biological functions.

Abstract:The analytical system was constructed for the amplified fragment length polymorphism(AFLP) in Red-crowned Crane(Grus japonensis).The 5 couples of Red-crowned Crane were scanned by AFLP marker using the selective 28 primer combinations.The polymorphism and genetic cluster graph were acquired applying 10 individuals belonging to the 5 couples of Red-crowned Crane.A total of 551 polymorphism sites of the total of 1 114 bands were amplified from them.The percentage of polymorphism is 49.5%,each primer couples made 20-66 polymorphism sites.Primer E4M1 made the most,66 polymorphism sites;and primer E6M1 made the least,20 polymorphism sites.The similarity coefficient between the 10 Redcrowned Cranes was calculated,which were all in 0.71-0.88.The genetic distance and the UPGMA tree of 5 couples of Red-crowned Crane had been acquired.Cluster analysis showed that No.1 had close relationship with No.2;No.3 had also very close relationship with No.4;and the other 3 couple cranes had far genetic relationship.These showed that Red-crowned Crane has the behavioral mechanisms to identify the relationship.The study content about breeding behavioral mechanisms of Red-crowned Crane was more abundant,and puts forward some suggestions for studying deeply and founding reasonable breeding system for Semi-captive Red-crowned Crane population.

Abstract:In order to achieve hemosiderosis,the rats were fed with iron-supplemented diet or injected with iron polysaccharide complex intraperitoneally(i.p.) or intravenously(i.v.).Hemosiderin deposit was detected in the sclera,iris,ciliary body,and interstitial connective tissue of the choroid and macrophages lying in the interlobular connective tissue of lacrimal glands in all animals that received iron i.v.Also,little or no iron deposit was detected in the eye and lacrimal glands in animals that received iron i.p.and in individuals that were fed with an iron-enriched diet and the control rats.No transferrin was detected in the eye and lacrimal glands,either in the control rats or in the rats received iron.Therefore,iron deposition may be responsible for the ophthalmologic abnormalities in hemosiderosis syndromes,such as lens opacities and angioid streaks.

Abstract:This study used Real-Time PCR technique to quantitatively analyze the expression of the maternal mRNA(Mater,Zar1,Dnmt1 and GDF9) in growth-maturation-aging process of ovine oocytes and investigated the effect of caffeine,DTT and vanadate on the level of maternal mRNA in aged oocytes,respectively.The results showed that the expression of GDF9,Mater and Zar1 decreased gradually from germinal vesicle phase to MⅡ phase,while the expression of Dnmt1 decreased gradually from 12 h of maturation culture.The level of all above maternal mRNAs was the lowest at MⅡ phase and increased with aging.The expression of Mater,Dnmt1 and GDF9 in caffeine treated-or DTT-treated aged oocytes was lower than that of aged oocytes(P < 0.05),but not different from that of matured oocytes(P > 0.05).The expression of Mater,Zar1,Dnmt1,and GDF9 in vanadate-treated oocytes was the highest and significantly higher than that of MII group except for Zar1(P < 0.05).Conclusion: the level of Mater,Zar1,Dnmt1,and GDF9 is in contrast with oocytes quality.Both caffeine and DTT delay aging progression to some extent and improve the oocyte quality.On the contrary,vanadate accelerates aging progression.

Abstract:A number of amphibian samples were collected in Dingzhai Village and Jiamachi Village located in Xianfeng County,Hubei Province,China,from June to September in 2009.Among of them,Paramesotriton chinesis was identified to be a new record of Hubei Province.

Abstract:In May 2007,A male albino larvae of Ichthyophis bannanicus(Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae) was captured in Liuma Town,Beiliu County,Guangxi Province.The individual is completely albinism.It is measured as: the body mass 9.1 g,total length 195 mm,tail length 3.85 mm,body width 10.36 mm,snout length 3.09 mm,caudal fin height 5.71 mm,snout-tip to first groove 9.47 mm,snout-tip to second groove 13.41 mm,internasal space 2.42 mm,interorbital space 5.17 mm.It is found that the tail length,body width and caudal fin high are greater than the parameter range of normal individuals,while the snout-tip to second groove is less,the other data are in the normal range.

Abstract:Olfaction communication plays a significant role in maternal recognition of terrestrial mammals.Precocial species(ungulates) rapidly and selectively recognize and form bonds with their offspring by olfactory cues during the immediate postpartum period,which may be a sensitive period for establishing maternal recognition.Parturition experience,release of oxytocin and nitric oxide contribute to underlying the selective recognition of offspring within sensitive period.Contrast with precocial species,many studies have confirmed that establishment of maternal recognition is based on the familiarity from cohabitation with pups before weaning in altricial species(e.g.rodents).They can not rapidly develop a specialized maternal recognition and bonding with pups after parturition.Recognition between own and alien pups does not necessarily ensure discriminative maternal care.Experimental technique and standard of assessing recognition are critical for studying maternal recognition in rodents.Shortly after birth,mothers of primates,including humans,are capable of forming an early maternal recognition by the scent of their newborn infants.Processes of pregnancy and parturition induce a high state of plasticity of the olfactory system,which may facilitate maternal olfactory learning in mammals.It is also possible that hard-wired perceptual processes are involved in maternal recognition.