Abstract:The structural characteristics of the kidney, especially the nephron of three anurans (Rana chensinensis,Pelophylax nigromaculata and Bufo stejnegeri) were comparatively observed by electron microscopy, light microscopy with H.E and Toluidine blue staining, and Acid phosphatase histochemical method.The three anurans live in different habitats, such as P.nigromaculata in pond (water type) and B.stejnegeri and R.chensinensis in wetland or hills (terrestrial type) after reproductive period.Obvious differences in distributing patterns of renal corpuscle, number of nephrons, length of renal tubules, the glomerulus filtrate areas, the plasma membrane infolding of proximal tubule and distal tubule were observed among these anurans.The kidney of B.stejnegeri had the strongest activity in the functions of filtration and re-absorption.This study indicates that the diversity and characteristics of kidney structures are resulted from the adaptation to their different life habitats.

Abstract:Data on activity patterns and time budgets were collected from one Thesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) in Nonggang Nature Reserve via instantaneous scan sampling to explore their behavioral adaptation to the Karst habitat from September 2006 to August 2007. Our results indicated: the diurnal activity pattern of rhesus macaques showed morning and afternoon feeding peaks, with a midday resting peak, which represents an adaptation to the changes of diurnal temperature and sunlight.Macaques spent ca.37.3% of their daytime feeding, 29.6% resting, 25.2% moving, 5.5% playing, 2.2% grooming, and 0.2% for other behaviors.Their time budgets varied seasonally: the macaques spent more time playing in the rainy season than in the dry season.There was significant and positive correlation between the monthly percentages of time spent on playing and the monthly proportion of fruits in the diet.They also differed among different sex classes: adult males spent more time moving, whereas adult females devoted more time to grooming.

Abstract:The population size of Black Bear(Selenarctos thibetanus)was estimated based on interviews and the field survey from 2007-2008 in Guangxi.The Black Bear is restricted only to the north, northwest and southwest part of Guangxi mountains and forests with a population about 112-157 individuals.The available habitat size is estimated 5 629 km². The resource of the Black Bear is in a much endangered state due to the habitat loss and abundant hunting.

Abstract:The Amur Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) is critically endangered and there is no confirmed viable population in China.In the winter of 2009-2010, we conducted a field survey in and surrounding the area of Hunchun Amur Tiger National Nature Reserve using line transect method.There are 3 tigers 2 male and 1 female at least found in the surveyed area of 1 182 km² in size and they are transient individuals between China and Russian border.The relative density of ungulate prey is 0.09 for Red Deer (Cervus elaphus), 0.43 for Roe Deer (Capreolus pygargus), 0.12 for Sika Deer (Cervus nippon), and 0.03 for wild Boar (Sus scrofa) by tracks/km, or 0.11, 0.76, 0.07, 0.01 by individial/km² respectively.These values are much lower than those in Russia.Poaching ungulate and habitat fragmentation by human activities, such as small villages attached with cropland patches, frog breeding farms, seasonal logging, collection of wild plants and cattle grazing, were the main reasons for tiger number and ungulate prey declining.Logging ban around the nature reserve, controlling human activity at frog breeding farms, enforcing punishment on poaching, and limiting cattle grazing ranges as soon as possible are fundamental ways to rehabilitate tiger habitat and protect ungulate prey.

Abstract:The breeding behavior of Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) was recorded by All-occurrence Recording Method in Shanghai Zoo from March 9^th to April 7^th, 2010. Three activity peaks occur in daylight hour at 6:00-7:00, 10:00-11:00 (male) or 11:00-12:00 (female), 14:00-15:00 respectively.The activity duration of males are significantly more than that of females (P<0.01).Males spend much more time to get nest materials than females (8.90%±5.04% vs. 6.19%±0.40%), while females spend more time to build nest than males (10.09%±4.81% vs.5.92%±2.62%) (P<0.01).Both male and female take turn in hatching eggs with an average exchange hatching frequency of 1.62±1.08 times/day, however, the female takes more time in hatching than the male (P<0.01).The results indicate that male and female cooperate closely in breeding activity.

Abstract:A survey was conducted on number and distribution of wintering Eurasian Spoonbills (Platalea leucorodia) at Poyang Lake Nature Reserve from Oct.2007 to March 2010. The highest numbers of the spoonbills were 4 757, 10 385 and 7 268 in winters 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively, all recorded in December or January.Of nine lakes in the reserve, Dahuchi, Shahu and Changhuchi were three major sites for the spoonbills, accounting for more than 85% of the total number each winter.The spatial distribution characteristics of winters Eurasian Spoonbills at the reserve was shown by ArcGIS analysis.During daytime, Eurasian Spoonbill moved around in flocks, normally less than 500 individuals in each flock.At present, there are still threats to Eurasian Spoonbills and other waterbirds in Poyang Lake, including intensive fishing activities, as well as potential impact from the Three Gorges Dam.A long-term monitoring program of Eurasian Spoonbills and other migratory birds should be established to strengthen the conservation and management of migratory birds in the reserve and for the whole Poyang Lake basin.

Abstract:The microtubular cytoskeleton in the cortical ciliature of the Oxytricha platystoma was visualized by direct fluorescent labeling of FLUTAX and laser scanning confocal microscopy.The distribution pattern of base-associated microtubules was found to be in accordance with that of adoral zone membranelles (AZM), dulating membranes (UM), frontal-ventral-transverse cirri (FVTC), and left-right marginal cirri (L-RMC).The microtubular cytoskeleton of the AZM comprised of membranelle brackets and its connected microtubules as well as the base-associated microtubules.The base-associated microtubules of the UM contained well-developed microtubule cytoskeletal net.The confluence of AZM and UM contained the oral-end bracket and postoral microtubules.The base-associated microtubules of the FVTC, L-and RMC contained anterior longitudinal microtubules (ALM), posterior longitudinal microtubules (PLM) and transverse microtubules (TM) or radiate microtubules (RM).The results show that cortical ciliature base microtubules of O.platystoma have their species specificity, such as, UM of the O.platystoma form well-developed microtubule net at the base of the special long cilia series.The structure of such large AZM, UM and the base-associated microtubule skeleton have not been reported in ciliates.In addition, the oral-end bracket and postoral microtubules may be prevalent in hyportrichia ciliate base of adoral ciliature microtubules.

Abstract:By using immunohistochemical S-ABC technique, AChE and M₁ receptor in the embryos and larvae of Arenicola brasiliensis were detected.The results showed that AChE and M₁ receptor were positivity stained from unfertilized eggs to 5-setiger larvae.However, their distribution was distinctive at different phases.For example, at the cleavage stage AChE and M₁ receptors were mainly distributed in the plasma membrane and perinuclear cytoplasm, while at the larval stage they were mainly detected in the head region, digestive tract, the areas where cilia grew, and setae etc.Furthermore,AChE and M₁ receptors had a similar distribution pattern in embryos and larvae.The results indicate that ACh may act as an important regulator during embryo and larvae development.

Abstract:The metaphase chromosomes of golden cuttlefish (Sepia esculenta) were prepared from the oosperm and embryo cells by air drying. The karyotype was analyzed. The results showed that there were 92 telocentric chromosomes and the karyotype was 2n=44m+32sm+10st+6t, NF=168.

Abstract:As a routine and important polymorphic marker, mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit Ⅰ (COⅠ) gene was used to analyze the genetic diversity for two populations of Oratosquilla oratoria from Shenzhen and Shanwei coast of Guangdong Province. The result revealed that 21 of the 592 bp (3.55%) nucleotides were variable, among which 18 and 3 sites were identified as transition and transversion respectively. The substitution saturation analysis indicated that COⅠ gene was not satured in O.oratoria and could be used as an effective molecular tool for population genetic studies. Totally, 15 haplotypes were detected. The nucleotide diversity and haplotype diversity were 0.007 55 and 0.971 respectively. The fixation index (FST) was 0.036 between two populations, suggesting little differentiation between them. There was no geographic clustering of haplotypes in the UPGAM tree and the network. Genetic distances among haplotypes ranged from 0.047 6 to 0.428 6, with an average value of 0.214 1. In summary, a high level of genetic diversity and little genetic differentiation are observed in O.oratoria from the eastern coast of Guangdong province.

Abstract:The egg sac is the place of spider laying eggs and breeding offspring for the protection of future generations. Argiope bruennichi, a common forestry spider, generally produces eggs 3-6 times and weaves 3-6 egg cases. In this program, the weight, biomass of egg sacs and egg sac numbers of A.bruennichi fed at room temperature are studied. The results show that increased biomass decreased with the increase of the number of spawning egg sacs, but the input for egg sac increased successively; the input of the egg sac silk has also increased with the increase of spider invest for egg mass, which puts more energy for offspring; the number of eggs of per egg mass increased, and per egg weight reduced with the increase of the numbers of spawning egg sacs.

Abstract:Mitochondrial DNA control region of Schizothorax prenanti was sequenced and analyzed by comparing with other species. The content of A and T in the control region of S.prenanti was higher than that of G and C. Compared with mammals and other species of Cypriniformes, several conserved sequence blocks were identified in the mitochondrial DNA control region of S.prenanti, including extended terminal associated sequences (ETAS), blocks of central domain (F, E, D, B-box) and conserved sequence block (CSB1-3).