Abstract:Chemical communication is a basic and universal intra-and inter-specific communication in spiders. Gustatory hairs are chemoreceptors detecting chemicals from the environment by contacting or close-range olfactory. Up till now, few studies compared chemoreceptors among spiders. Here we studied morphology, quantity and distribution of gustatory hairs in 32 spider species from Pholcidae, Leptonetidae, Telemidae, Thomisidae, Theridiidae by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The typical features of spider gustatory hairs are in "S" or arc shape with open end, and they emerge from the cuticle at a great angle. Spider gustatory hairs usually locate on tarsi and metatarsi of their legs, while some studied species have gustatory hairs on tibia. Except for 3 spider species, Thomisus labefactus and Lysiteles inflatus from Thomisidae and Phycosoma mustelinum from Theridiidae, gustatory hairs are not present on the pedipalps. Quantity of the gustatory hairs varies among the spiders. Morphology, quantity and distribution of gustatory hairs in spiders may be correlated with not only heredity but also habitats and predatory styles.

Abstract:Barbless Carp (Cyprinus pellegrini), which is endemic to lakes of Yunnan plateau, is categorized into the second grade in the list of China key protected animal species. Introgressive hybridization between native Barbless Carp and exotic Common Carp (C.carpio) has occurred extensively in Xingyun Lake. This study assessed the genetic status of the Luosipu original population of Barbless Carp based on morphological, microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA analyses. Morphological analyses showed that all individuals of the Luosipu Barbless Carp sample were strictly intermediate between reference samples of Barbless and Common Carp. Factorial correspondence analysis of microsatellite data indicated that all individuals of the Luosipu Barbless Carp sample fell in between reference samples of Barbless and Common Carp, but were very near to the former. Mitochondrial DNA analysis revealed that all individuals of the Luosipu Barbless Carp sample had the mitochondrial DNA haplotypes of Common Carp. There was obvious inconsistency between nuclear and mitochondrial genetic structures in Luosipu Barbless Carp sample. These results suggest that all individuals of the Luosipu Barbless Carp sample are hybrids. Considering that the Luosipu Barbless Carp population may in fact be a hybrid population, a new captive breeding programme should be found for effectively conserving and restoring Barbless Carp.

Abstract:In order to elucidate the role of estrogen in the female sex differentiation of Takifugu obscurus, partial sequences of CYP19A and DMRT1 cDNA in gonad of T.obscurus were cloned respectively. T.obscurus flies were exposed to 0, 25, 125, 625, 3 125 μg/L aromatase inhibitor letrozole (LE) to investigates the CYP19A and DMRT1 gene expression and histological changes. RT-PCR results showed that the CYP19A andDMRT1 expression level in 25 μg/L LE group did not differ from that of the control. In about 30% of the samples exposed to 125 μg/L or higher LE, both CYP19A and DMRT1 genes were expressed. With the increase of LE concentration, the CYP19A expression level decreased, while the DMRT1 expression level increased. Histologically, the samples treated with 125 μg/L or higher LE exhibited visible intersex gonads during their sex reversal from female to male. Fifty-six days after hatching, about 20% of the samples treated with 125 μg/L LE showed phenotypic female; the samples treated with 625 μg/L LE showed phenotypic male and intersex, without phenotypic female; all samples treated with 3 125 μg/L LE showed phenotypic male, and their CYP19A and DMRT1 expression levels were consistent with those of the control males. Conclusion: Inhibition of endogenous estrogen synthesis allows CYP19A expression downregulation, and DMRT1 expression upregulation inT.obscurus fly, and the occurrence of female-to-male reversal.

Abstract:Coilia nasus is one of the most important commercial anadromous spawning fishes in Yangtze River.In this study we analyzed the age structure and body length on 299 specimens collected at three localities,Jiuduansha (JDS) in Shanghai City,Jingjiang (JJ) in Jiangsu Province,Wuhu (WH) in Anhui Province,from April to May 2009.The results showed that the body length (BL) of C.nasus were 15.8 to 32.8 cm (average 23.3±3.5 cm),52.51% of the specimens were between 18.0 and 24.0 cm.The body weight (BW) varied from 11.83 to 143.80 g with average of 48.19±24.89 g, 59.53% of them weighted from 10.00 to 50.00 g.The body length and body weight of WH population was smallest (ANOVA, P=0.000<0.01). The 299 specimens were aged in 4 classes. Of 51.28% and 53.97% of specimens in JDS and JJ population were aged at 3, respectively. In contract,85.26% of specimen in WH population was aged at 2. Compared to the fishes harvested in 1970s, in the same section in Yangtze River, the values of BL, BW and age of the studied specimens were declined dramatically.The overall sex ratio (♀:♂) was 1:1.57,however, the sex ratio varied between populations, i.e. 1:1.28 for JDS population, 1:1.46 for JJ population and 1:1.97 for WH population, indicated a gradually increase trend of sex ratio along Yangtze River upwards.The average fatness of all specimens were 0.35±0.05,and the maximum value was recorded in JJ population in specimen with same age.The higher fatness of JJ population may explain why fish C.nasus harvested in JJ had a highest commercially value.

Abstract:Inherited dominant polydactylous mice (Mus musculus) was obtained by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis. The mutant mice showed an extra digit on the anterior aspect of one hindlimb that varied in phenotypic severity, and some mice had polydactyly phenotype in both hindlimbs. Alcian blue and alizarin red staining indicated that there was no obvious abnormality of other skeletons in polydactylous heterozygotes except an extra toe in the preaxial of hindlimbs. To determine the position of the mutant gene on the chromosome, microsatellite markers were used to scan the whole genome of the N2 polydactylous mice, which were obtained by back crossbreeding F1 (C57BL/6J ×DBA/2J) with C57BL/6J. Finally, the mutant gene was located between D2mit45 and D2mit184, and Alx4 gene was regarded as the candidate gene of the polydactyly phenotype. Sequence analysis of Alx4 gene for polydactylous heterozygotes revealed an A/T transversion mutation that resulted in an amino acid substitution at position 145 in the protein of a lysine codon (K) by a stop (nonsense) codon.

Abstract:The habitat change of Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) from 1976 to was analyzed by comparing the three data set of wild surveys conducted in time period of 1976, 1987, and 2001 and monitoring data collected from 2006 to 2007 in the Qinling Mountains by using the ArcView GIS System. The results show that the size of habitat was 217 100 hm² estimated in the first wild survey (1976), then reduce to 167 000 hm² in the second survey (1986) due to the deforestation in the Qinling Mountains. The trend of habitat loss was improved thereafter. Meanwhile, distribution region of the panda has showed an expanding tendency to the north and the west in the study area after the banning of deforestation which came into effect in 1998. However, the habitat fragmentation of the giant panda in the study was not improved greatly because of the highway construction, and human activity impact.

Abstract:Based on observation of food habit of common birds was observed at a 20 hm² plot from October 2010 to September 2011 in Tiantong Forest Park, Zhejiang, we analyzed the relation between birds and tree species. Among the 3 130 birds of 32 species observed that belong to 5 families and 12 orders 5 species Alcippe morrisonia, Aegithalos concinnus, Parus major, Hemixos castanonotus and Pycnonotus sinensis were dominant. The species of trees perched by birds were correspondingly related to bird species by similarity index and Spearman correlation analysis. Birds Parus major and Aegithalos concinnusmore likely foraged on or near trees of Diospyros glaucifolia, bird Pycnonotus sinensis was near trees of Vaccinium trichocladum and Schoepfia jasminodorain autumn, while birds Hemixos castanonotus selected their forage site near trees of Eurya muricata in summer and autumn.

Abstract:The avifauna and community structure in Luoshan National Nature Reserve,Ningxia, were investigated from October in 2010 to December in 2011. A total of 164 bird species belonging to 98 genera,46 families and 15 orders were recorded, which contributed about 48.81% of the Ningxia birds as far known.Among of them,51 birds are residents,68 are summer visitors,38 are passing migrants and 7 are winter visitors. Among 119 kinds of breeding birds (summer visitors and residents), 88 are Palaearctic birds, which accounts for 73.95% of all breeders. They are composed of 48 species North type (31 species the Palaearctic elements and 17 species Holarctic type), 12 species Northeast type, 2 species Northeast-North China type, 1 species North-China type,13 species Central-Asian type,9 species Mediterranean-Central Asian type and 3 species Highland type. 15 species (12.61%) are Oriental birds and 16 species (13.45%) are widespread ones. Obviously, the elements of Palaearctic realm are dominant in this avifauna. The analysis on bird diversity showed that bird diversities were different among five main habitats and in different season. The highest bird species number and diversity index was in woodland, and G-F index in water area was the highest. The avian species, G-F index, Shannon-Wiener index and Pielou index were the highest in spring. Some conservation suggestions are put forward for birds and their survival environment.

Abstract:The ultrastructure and development of the sperm of sea cucumber Acaudina leucoprocta were observed by using scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). As expected, spermatogenesis was divided into five periods: spermatogonium, primary spermatocyte, secondary spermatocyte, spermatid and mature spermatozoon. Spermatogonia had the biggest volume. Chromatin condensation and a pair of centriole were found in spermatocyte. The mature spermatozoon belonged to primitive type, consisting of head, middle piece and tail. The head was spherical in shape with apical acrosome, and chromatin was condensation in the nucleus. Mitochondria complex and centrioles were observed in the middle piece, and the flagellum showed a simple "9+2" type.

Abstract:The gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the digestive system of Chlamys farreri was analyzed by immunohistochemical ABC staining. The results showed that GABA-positive cells existed widely in the epithelium of labellum, labia oris, and intestine. Besides, the positive granules were centralized in the dissociative sides of epithelium. There were no GABA-positive cells in the epithelium of stomach. Positive cells were also observed in both the epithelium and connective tissue of hepatopancreas, and some of them were accumulated in lumps in the epithelium. It can be concluded that GABA is abundantly distributed in the digestive system in C.farreri and it may be involved in the regulation of digestive function.

Abstract:The microstructures and fibrous composition of egg cases of three middle-size spiders, Parasteatoda tepidariorum (Theridiidae), Leucauge blanda (Tetragnathidae) and Hippasa holmerae (Lycosidae) were examined using SEM technique and amino acid analysis. The shapes of the egg cases of the above-mentioned three spiders are pear-shaped, flabelliform ellipsoid and ellipsoid respectively. The outer cover of the egg case of P.tepidariorum is only composed with one type of silk fiber with even diameter, whereas outer covers of other two spiders’ egg cases mainly consist of cylindrical gland silk together with a few other glands silk. The amino acid composition of cylindrical gland silk form P. tepidariorum egg case is very different from that of conserved Spidroin of cylindrical gland from other spiders, which indicates that cylindrical gland silk consists of unknown Spidroin. It needs to be identified through the further investigation of molecular biology. According to the amino acid composition and SEM, the gland origin of silk fiber with different diameter was analysized.

Abstract:Influences of salinity on hatching rate and larval vitality in NEW GIFT Nile Tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus) were investigated.Eight different levels of salinity were set as follows: 3‰,6‰,9‰,12‰,15‰,18‰,21‰,24‰ and freshwater at temperature of 28±0.5℃.The hatching time,incubation period,hatching rate and deformity rate of the embryos were observed.Four broods of newly hatched larvae were used to for starvation tests and SAI (survival activity index) evaluation.The normal embryonic development and high hatching rate (89.0%-92.7%) were observed at salinities from 6‰ to 15‰,while low hatching rate occurred at a salinity of both less than 3‰ and more than 18‰.The result show that the suitable salinity for the survival of larval hybrid tilapias ranges from 3‰ to 15‰.Salinity below 2‰ or over 17‰ is not suitable for the larvae.At salinities from 6‰ to 15‰,the SAI values were high.The SAI of larvae was positively related with hatching rate of fertilized eggs.

Abstract:The complete cDNA sequences of two distinct somatostatin receptor genes (SSTR2 and SSTR3) were isolated from Siniperca chuatsi brain and cloned by means of rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE).The full length of SSTR2 cDNA was 1820 bp,containing 1146 bp open reading frame and encoding 382 amino acids,whereas the full length of SSTR3 cDNA was 1874 bp,containing 1458 bp open reading frame and encoding 486 amino acids.Five domains were detected in SSTRs: the N-terminal domain,seven putative transmembrane domains (TMD),three extracellular loops (ECLs),four intracellular loops (ICLs) and the C-terminal domain.NJ phylogenetic tree showed that SSTR2 and SSTR3 formed two independent branches,and that the amino acid sequence similarity between SSTR2 and SSTR3 was 51.2%,which indicated that they were encoded by two different genes.A wide tissue expression of SSTR2 and SSTR3 mRNA were revealed by real-time quantitative RT-PCR,with the highest expression of SSTR2 mRNA in liver,and SSTR3 mRNA in stomach,suggesting that they may be involved in different physiological regulations.

Abstract:Grimelius method was used to study the distribution and morphological features of argyrophilic cells in the digestive tract during post-embryonic development of Chinese Yellow Quail (Coturnix aponica). Results showed that argyrophilic cells did not exist in oral cavity, esophagus, ingluvies and cloaca portions, but distributed throughout most of the other portions in different densities. The argyrophilic cells distributed in a wavelike pattern. In most developmental stages, argyrophilic cells were rich in glandular stomach and colorectum, less rich in ileum, and much less in duodenum, jejunum and cecum. With the development, argyrophilic cells in different portions were all increased, reached a peak at 100 days, and then decreased. Argyrophilic cells were observed mostly in glandular stomach leaves, between the epithelial cells and in the lamina propria. They were in different shapes, mainly round, oval, tapering, fusiform etc. According to their structure and morphology, we classified argyrophilic cells in the digestive tract into four types and they might have endocrine, exocrine and paracrine functions. The distribution of argyrophilic cells was possibly related with the feeding habit and living environment of Chinese yellow quail.

Abstract:A total of seventy-nine bird species were recorded in a survey from December 2009 to December 2010 in urban forest of Ya'an. Avian diversity and evenness index were calculated by season, habitat and time period. The value of Shannon-Wiener Index for avian diversity was lower in summer and winter by season, and in farmland by habitat. The dominant species of birds were Paradoxornis alphonsianus, Pycnonotus sinensis, Aegithalos concinnus, Garrulax sannio in the study area. Dicrurus hottentottus, Garrulus glandarius, Parus major and P.monticolus had the highest value in niche wideness calculated based on perching sites. Species composition and habitat of birds in Ya'an have changed significantly since 1960s.

Abstract:To study the effects of hypoxia on adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH)and blood parameters in Gansu Zokor (Myospalax cansus),we measured the number of red blood cell (RBC),hemoglobin concentration(HGB),hematocrit (HCT),mean corpuscular volume (MCV),mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH),and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration(MCHC)contents by using Sysmex KX-21N hematology analyzer before and after the hypoxia treatment,and also measured the adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH)contents by SN-695A RIA γ measuring instrument before and after hypoxia.The value of RBC,HGB,HCT,and ACTH were significantly higher in the condition that oxygen concentration was 14.1%,10.5%,and 6.5%,while the measurement of MCV did not change significantly,MCH and MCHC decreased after hypoxia adaptation.After intraperitoneal injection of ACTH,the RBC,HGB,and HCT contents all increased evidently.Hypoxia activated hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)and increased ACTH contents in serum,further increased corticosterone(CORT).Those change resulted in the higher value of RBC,HGB,and HCT that would improve the oxygen carrying capacity of blood and adaptation ability of Gansu Zokor to hypoxia.

Abstract:An piscivorous fish, Parachromis managuensis, was recorded in Wanquan River, Qionghai, Hainan, China. This species of fish is confirmed to have established wild population and may negatively affect the native fish species due to its predatory nature. The authorities should ban the human behaviors of releasing exotic fish in any nature water.

Abstract:A sample of lizard was collected from Jiuwanda Mountain in Xiutang Village of Congjiang County,Qian Southeast of the Buyi and Miao Nationality Autonomous Prefecture,in Guizhou Province on July 30,2011.It was identified as Eumeces capito which was a Reptilian new to Guizhou Province.

Abstract:Excessive deposition of fat will lead to various diseases, such as heart disease, hypertension,hypertriglyceridemia, type Ⅱ diabetes etc. Mice (Mus musculus) and porcine (Sus domesticus) are commonly used models for studying lipid accumulation, but more and more researches show that lipid deposition is a very complex physiological process involving in various regulation networks of fat metabolism. Many key fat regulatory genes and fat metabolism pathways found in mammals are conserved in Caenorhabditis elegans. Therefore,C.elegans is a powerful genetic model for fat biology research. This article summarizes the progress of fat deposition in C.elegans.

Abstract:Bruce effect is a kind of pregnancy block caused by unfamiliar male’s chemosignals. It has been studied in different aspects, from behavior to endocrine, to neural mechanism and to evolutionary significance. Here we review studies on Bruce effect in rodent species, especially in mice (Mus musculus). The evolutionary significance of Bruce effect is discussed. The potential chemosignals inducing pregnancy block are also summarized. Lastly, we also suggest the trends and perspectives of studies in this area.

Abstract:In recent years, more attention has been put on non-invasive sampling method for monitoring physiological status of wildlife. In this article, we reviewed factors of animal fecal steroid hormone detection accuracy during the detection, hoping to provide a reference for the accurate application of fecal steroid hormone detection technology in wildlife. The factors include the freshness, volume and storage of the sample, daily rhythm and seasonal variation of hormone metabolism, age, sex and reproductive state of animals, etc.