Abstract:Tree-species preferences of Giant Nuthatch during Spring were examined by observing foraging behavior of Giant Nuthatch (Sitta magna) in Zixi Mountain nature reserve, Chuxiong, Yunnan Province from March to May, 2010. Foraging tree-species, foraging tree trunk size and foraging positions were studied by all-occurrence recording. The results showed that Giant Nuthatch mainly foraged on Yunnan Pine (Pinus yunnanensis), the preference index is 43.89 which was much higher than other species' preference index. 97.46% of foraging time and 96.54% of feeding times were recorded on Yunnan Pine. Both of foraging time and feeding times were significantly different between Yunnan Pine and other species (P<0.01). Bigger Yunnan Pine were preferred, 95.60% of feeding times occurred on trunks that bigger than 15 cm in diameter. Among Yunnan Pines' main trunks, branches, sticks and needle-leaves, 61.32% of foraging time and 57.02% of feeding times were recorded on trunks. There was an extremely significant difference between trunk and the other 3 parts (P<0.01). Interspecific competition, insect species and abundance and morphological characteristics may be the reason of those selections for Giant Nuthatch.

Abstract:The study about the nest-site selection and breeding success of the Rufous-tailed Shrike Lanius isabellinus was analyzed based on the measurement of nest characteristic parameter from 58 nests in the breeding season from May to July, 2011 in Anxi Hyper-Arid Desert National Nature Reserve which locates in northwestern Gansu province (N40°21'～40°22',E 96°13'～96°14',Altitudes 1 306 m). All the 58 nests were built at the main braches of trees 2.0 and 2.5 m above the ground. Based on the principal components analyzing on nest success related to the nest site by the nest characteristic parameters, three parameters, nest height above the ground, height and DBH of nest tree, were the most important factors in the nest sit selection. The breeding success of 49 nests was measured, higher reproductive success occurred in those nest built in tree of Branchy Tamarisk Tamarix ramosissima which has higher number of branch (n=5) than those built in Diversifolious Poplar Elaeagnus angusifolia (n=43) and Russianolive Populus euphratica (n=1). The higher canopy density of Branchy Tamarisk may response to the higher breeding success. The clutch size varied from 1 to 6 (n=30), 5 and 4 eggs was the most common clutch size (n=18 and 7). The difference between clutch size and reproductive success ratio was not significant (Chi-square test, χ²=3.921, P>0.05). Among the 54 nests measured and not measured, 37 nests were success (68.52%). All the failed nests were destroyed by intra-specific birds. The amount of failed nests was decrease as the distance increase from neighbor nests. Therefore, we suppose the intra-specific competition resulted from higher local population density.

Abstract:The breeding bird community in south slope of eastern Qinling was surveyed twice in the period May to July in 2008 and 2010. Totally,159 bird species were accumulative observed. Ninety six bird species inhabited in cultivated land (215-650 m), of them Passer rutilans is the dominant species; 135 species were found in deciduous forest (650-1 200 m) and the dominant species is Parus monticolus; 73 species were recorded in deciduous and conifer mixed forest (1 200-2 200 m), Garrulax elliotii is the dominant one. Among the birds observed, 64 species are the new records that have not listed before. Comparing with bird species list given by the field survey conducted in 1978 on bird community, 8 species found in 1978 were not observed in this study. The results of the field survey indicated that the component of breeding bird community in the study area has changed in the period of over 30 years.

Abstract:From September, 2010 to August, 2011, we tested the vigilance pattern of the semi-captive Chinese Water Deer (Hydropotes inermis) with human simulated predator in Songjing, Shanghai, and results suggest that Chinese water deer's vigilance pattern includes hearing and scanning, staring and walking away or running away, and sometimes they bark or stretch their necks while staring. Barking in Chinese water deer mainly functions as an anti-predator behavior against predators instead of sending signals to other deer. Stretching may function as a trial to tell the level of threats from a predator or function as a ritualized behavior which indicates the health status of the water deer. We didn't observe aggressive behavior in Chinese water deer. We used flight initiation distance (FID) as a metric to compare the vigilance level of water deer populations of different captive status, including captive, human supplementary water deer in Huaxia, captive, free grazing water deer in Songjiang, and wild water deer in Yancheng Natural Reserve. The results suggest that the vigilance level differs significantly, which means captive water deer decrease their vigilance level compared to their wild counterparts, however human raised water deer could be trained to increased vigilance level. Experiences with human, size of space, population density and the existence of fences may contribute to the difference of FID.

Abstract:The Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) is the endemic specie of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, the population in Xinjiang mainly distribute in Kunlun and Altun Mountains regions. A survey on the distribution, population size, population fluctuation and surviving status was conducted from September to November of 2011. Population size and distribution in this area were investigated with sample spot survey and direct count method. A total of 25 sampling points and 164 investigations were conducted during our field surveys. 158 Black-necked Crane individuals were found on the wetlands of Wuzunxiaoer, Tiemulike, Yusup Aleksei, Yaziquan, Qimantag, Tula Ranch and so on. About 126 individuals were recorded in Yixiekepati wetland (N37°15'-37°23',E90°11'-90°20', elevation 3 903 m), which is the largest population observed in this area. Combined with the previous records, it is concluded that there are about 220-260 individuals existing in this region. The numbers of family members are from one to four, and those four types of families account for 5.9%, 60.3%, 29.4% and 4.4% of the records, respectively. Before the October, the basic social unit of cranes was family and they didn't join together. Cranes gathered obviously in the middle of October and the highest numbers appeared on 29 October. All of the cranes migrated out this area until 6 November. In addition, we also found Eurasian Crane (G.grus), Demoiselle Crane (Anthropoides virgo), Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus), Greylag Goose (A. anser) and Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) in this area.

Abstract:The degreasing effect of leather tanning process on one Bryde's Whale, Balaenoptera edeni, skin was evaluated by the adipose content and histological structure. The thickness of derma was varied from 15 to 35 mm at different part with 2.3 times between most and least thickness. The tail contained a few elastic fibers, while the rest of derma were constructed with collagen fiber at 1.08±0.25 μm(n=180)in diameter and those collagen fiber was arranged in a loose reticulation. Adipose cell filled between the collagen fibers and the contents of skin adipose in throat, chest, abdomen and tail were 19.42%, 29.36%, 36.89% and 13.06%, respectively and showed a significant difference (P<0.01) between different parts. In this study the leather was treated throughout a special designed tanning process of degreasing operation at the requirement of minimizing impacts on the skin's quality. The volume proportion of skin adipose in chest and abdomen was reduced from 31.78%±2.69% and 44.80%±3.74% to 4.28% and 6.83% measured by chloroform-methanol method; adipose contents in chest and abdomen were reduced to 4.04% and 5.57%. The overall degreasing rates were up to 86.24% and 84.90%, which was fit with the requirement of making a specimen.

Abstract:The fish resources in Heilongjiang Xingkai Lake National Nature Reserve were surveyed from May 2009 to January 2012. Total of 67 species were accumulatively recorded, 60 of them were indigenous. The realm of fish in Xingkai Lake is formed by 55% palaeoarctic realm species, and 45% oriental realm species, fish species belonged to Cypriniformes was the largest fish group. Most individual of fish harvested was smaller at age of 1-2 in the duration of 2009 to 2011. Over exploration on the fish resource is the main problem in the reserve.

Abstract:A study of the bird composition and distribution patterns was conducted in Mao'ershan region, South China's highest peak, Northeastern Guangxi. Total of 268 bird species representing 51 families and 16 orders were recorded, including 130 residents, 51 summer migrant, 15 winter migrant and 72 passing birds. Based on elevation and vegetation, 7 types of habitat were categorized in this study. The most richness of bird species (156) was occurred farmland in lowland <300 m. The bird species decrease as the elevation increase, 76 species in artificial bamboo (Phyllostachys heterocycla) and fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) forest at elevation 300-600 m, 68 and 64 species in evergreen broadleaf forest (600-1 200 m) and evergreen and deciduous broadleaved mixed forest (1 200-1 700 m) in mid-altitudinal belt, 50 in mixed forest of deciduous broadleaved and conifer tress (1 700-2 000 m), 65 species in high elevation region (>2 000 m). G-F index decrease with the increase of altitude and reaches the minimum in the peak of mountain. Of 181 breeding birds, 149 Oriental birds, 15 Palearctic birds and 17 widely distributed birds, inhabit different altitudinal gradient. The proportion of Oriental birds decreases and Palearctic birds increases with altitude increase. The vertical distribution pattern of bird is determined by several ecological factors in the study area.

Abstract:The Megacystium sinensis was collected as a new genera and new species of Lecithodendriidae from a monkey (Macaca mulatta) in Guangxi, China. This paper reported further observation by histomorphological method of this new species of Lecithodendriidae. The excretory vesicle was very large. The wall of excretory vesicle was single layer columnar epithelium. Two excretory tubes, 35-37 μm long, V-shaped, existed on the top of excretory vesicle. Ovary, Mehlis gland, Vitellarium linked with one side of the Fallopian tube, while uterus linked with the other side of the Fallopian. Vaginal opening was observed on reproductive hole, while other side of vagina was connected to metraterm. Vagina wall was thick muscle layer. In vagina there were some eggs. Cirrus poach was large and oval in shape, and opened to the genital pore, ending at post dorsal acetabulum. Cirrus poach was filled with a bundle of muscle fibers. Cirrus poach had an S-curved ejaculatory duct, U-shaped seminal vesicle, and vas deferens. In mucosal surface of middle ejaculatory duct there was distribution of bundles of muscle fiber. Vas deferens and seminal vesicle were located at the end cirrus poach.

Abstract:In order to clarify the difference in the pharmacokinetic parameters of difloxacin in diseased and healthy Carassius aurutus gibelio and to provide the scientific data for the rational use of difloxacin, C.a.gibelio was infected in wound with the optimal concentration of Aeromonas hydrophila. The pharmacokinetic parameters of difloxacin in the diseased C.a.gibelio were tested through an established reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography method, and data were compared to those obtained from the healthy control C.a.gibelio. The results showed that the concentration-time curves of difloxacin orally administered at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight in the diseased and healthy C.a.gibelio were both in accordance with the first order absorption and open two-compartment models. The pharmacokinetic equations were C=6.227e^-0.109t-8.074e^-2.752t+1.847e^-0.006t and C=110.295e^-0.331t+1.533e^-0.01t-111.828e^-0.412t, respectively. However, compared to the pharmacokinetic parameters of difloxacin in the healthy C.a.gibelio, the difloxacin's absorption, distribution and elimination speeds in the diseased C.a.gibelio were reduced. The distribution half-life, elimination half-life, absorption rate constant, area under a curve of difloxacin in the diseased C.a.gibelio were increased by 4.25 h, 36.17 h, 2.34/h and 74.52 mg·h/L, respectively, and its time on the break point was extended 5.75 h, its peak of plasma concentration was decreased by 61.16% and its reabsorption disappeared. The present study confirmed that the liver and kidney functions of C.a.gibelio could be damaged by A.hydrophila infection, and the absorption, distribution and elimination of difloxacin in the diseased C.a.gibelio could be slowed.

Abstract:The pearl oyster Pinctada fucata is a typical filter feeder, and is also an important marine pearl-producing oyster. In this study, the histological structure of the gill tissue in P. fucata was studied using light microscopy and electronic microscopy for the first time. The gill belongs to heterorhabdic gill type which is composed of two pieces of gill lamellas on each side of the shell cavity, i.e. inner and outer gill lamellas. The gill lamella consisted of two kinds of gill filaments-principal and normal gill filaments. The principal filaments play a supporting role in the demibranch. Nine to twelve normal gill filaments are grouped into a cluster by intrabunchial junctions between every two principal gill filaments. The normal gill filaments are linked by interfilament junctions. The epithelial cells of the interfilament junctions are a kind of flat respiratory epithelial cell, the same as that of the normal gill filaments. The existence of the interfilament junctions expands the surface area of the gill, which is helpful for exchanging air. The frontal cilia and lateral cilia on the surface of the gill filaments are responsible for carrying food particles and exchanging air. The surface cilia of normal gill filaments is a typical "9+2" microtubules structure. The results provided a background for further research on the relationship between the structure and function of gill in the pearl oyster P. fucata.

Abstract:The ovary structure of ovoviviparous teleost, Swordtail Fish (Xiphophorus helleri), was observed using optical microscopy. Swordtail Fish egg development process was divided into six phases. Phase Ⅰ oocyte was in a primitive differentiation state, with clear plasma membrane. Phase Ⅱ oocyte was surrounded by a layer of follicular cells. Phase Ⅲ and Ⅳ oocytes differentiated significantly, with accumulated lipid droplets and yolk granules in the cytoplasm. Phase Ⅴ oocyte was a mature egg, with very thin egg membrane and rich lipid droplets and yolk in the cytoplasm. Phase Ⅵ oocyte entered the degradation stage, with protrusion of the follicular cells into the central oocyte, and yolk absorption. Follicular cells became hypertrophy. The results show that the oocyte development is not synchronous in the ovary of Swordtail Fish.

Abstract:COⅢ and HNF-1α sequences of Chelydra serpentina were obtained by using PCR amplification and sequencing in order to study the phylogenetic relationships of turtles. The homologous sequences of other turtles were downloaded from NCBI, and analyzed together with the sequences of C.serpentina. After alignment, 757 bp consensus sequences of COⅢ and 769 bp consensus sequences of HNF-1α were obtained. A total of 324 variable sites were detected in the COⅢ sequence, accounting for 42.8% of total sequences, and there were 230 parsim informative sites. The average contents of T, C, A and G were 27.5%, 26.6%, 30.8%, and 15.1% respectively, the content of A+T (58.3%) was bigger than that of G+C (41.7%), and the ratio between transition and transversion was 2.62. In the HNF-1α sequences, we detected 112 variable sites, accounting for 14.6% of total sequences, and 67 parsim informative sites were also found here. The average content was found to be 26.1% in T, 23.1% in C, 28.3% in A and 22.6% in G, the content of A+T and G+C were 54.4% and 45.7%, respectively, and the ratio between transition and transversion was 1.42. Interspecific, intergenus and interfamily genetic distances were calculated based on the kimura-2-parameter model, and the phylogenetic trees were constructed using neighbor joining (NJ), maximum parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. The results indicated that kimura-2-parameter distances among 4 genus within Bataguridae based on COⅢ sequences ranged from 0.090 to 0.153, with an average of 0.129, the distances among 7 families within Testudines ranged from 0.150 to 0.207, with average value 0.177, and the kimura-2-parameter distances among 11 genus of Emydidae and Bataguridae based on HNF-1α sequences ranged from 0.003 to 0.051, with an average of 0.016, the distance among Chelydridae , Emydidae and Bataguridae were from 0.044 to 0.067 with average value 0.053. According to the genetic distance and phylogenetic trees, Bataguridae is closer to Testudinidae than that of Emydidae to Testudinidae. The data indicate that Emydidae may be redivided into two clades. Chelydridae and Cheloniidae have a close relationship, while Macroclemys temminckii and C.serpentina may be combined into one genus.

Abstract:To investigate the effect of D-xylose on lipid metabolism of rats(Rattus norregicus)with hyperlipemia and its related molecular mechanism, high-fat diet was used to feed the Wistar male rats to generate the hyperlipemia model, and normal diet was used to feed the same batch rats as normal control group. Then all the rats with hyperlipemia were divided into four groups, i.e., high dose D-xylose interfering group (1.2 mg D-xylose per gram body weight per day), medium dose D-xylose interfering group (0.6 mg D-xylose per gram body weight per day), low dose D-xylose interfering group (0.3 mg D-xylose per gram body weight per day), and control hyperlipemia group. Intragastric administration of D-xylose was performed in interfering groups, while the normal control group and hyperlipemia control group were administrated with equivalent amount of normal saline. After 6 weeks, all the rats were sacrificed for obtaining testing samples. The body fat content was measured; a portion of liver samples was used for frozen section in order to survey the pathological changes and another portion of liver was homogenized to test the biochemical changes; Western blot was employed to check the HDL-R expression changes; while the blood samples were used to test the biochemical changes. After D-xylose treatment of rats with hyperlipemia, significant difference was observed in the body weight and the ratio of body weight to fat tissue weight between each drug treatment group and hyperlipemia model group (P<0.05).The expression levels of GSH-Px, LPL and HL were significantly different among these groups (P<0.05), but the total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein and triacylglycerol in rats treated with D-xylose were not reduced significantly (P>0.05). Pathological features in the group treated with high concentration of D-xylose was evidently eased than in hyperlipemia model group, medium or low dose treatment group: liver cell necrosis was reduced significantly, the hepatic lobule was complete, steatosis and inflammatory infiltration were mild. HDL-R protein expression level showed significant difference between normal control group and hyperlipemia model group, while HDL-R expression in the group treated with a high concentration of D-xylose was closer to the control group. Therefore, after the treatment of D-xylose, liver fatty change and liver necrosis of the rats with hyperlipemia have been alleviated, and the deficiency of HDL-R in liver cells has been improved. All the results indicate that D-xylose plays an important role in improving the damage of hyperlipemia to liver cells and organ function in rats.

Abstract:A total of 60 middle-age and aged (above 10 years) Cynomolgus Monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) with normal fasting plasma glucose (FPG) values (3.20 mmol/L≤FPG<5.50 mmol/L) were fed by high energy diet for twelve months. After feeding, they were classified into two groups, normal FPG group and induced high FPG group (FPG≥5.50 mmol/L). Diabetes-associated gene expression profiles of peripheral blood leukocytes of the two groups were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR before and after high energy diet, respectively. The results showed that FPG and triglyceride (TG) of induced high FPG group were strikingly higher than normal FPG group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), cholesterol (TCHO) between the two feeding groups (P>0.05). Among 36 diabetes-associated genes tested, 19 genes (including angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE), phosphorylase, glycogen, liver (PYGL), aquaporin 2 (AQP2)) displayed a similar expression pattern between induced high FPG group and normal FPG group and they were significantly up-regulated or down-regulated after high energy diet feeding (P<0.05), while expression variation of all these 19 genes were stronger in induced FPG group compared to normal FPG group. The expressions of ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY), selectin-L (SELL), synaptosomal-associated protein 23 (SNAP23) and syntaxin 4A (STX4) were significantly different only in induced high FPG group (P<0.05).

Abstract:A male Megophrys brachykolos was collected from Songtao county near Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve in June, 2012. It is identified as a new amphibian record in Guizhou province.

Abstract:The bird resources were monthly investigated and monitored in Hunan Hupingshan National Nature Reserve from May 2011 to June 2012. Among the observed birds in Passeriformes by taking pictures, four bird species of Passeriformes such as Turdus boulboul, Cyornis rubeculoides, Emberiza godlewskii, and Aegithalos fuliginosus, were identified to be the new bird records of Hunan Province by checking their morphological characteristics.

Abstract:19世纪中叶,英国鸟类学家Robert Swinhoe曾两次报道紫水鸡(Porphyrio porphyrio)在福建厦门的记录:当他本人第一次看到1只饲养在他人笼舍中的个体时,即判定它肯定不是P.poliocephalus[Latham,1801]而有可能是P.smaragdinus[Temminck,1827]^[1];两年后,当Swinhoe得到1只活体时,他认为该鸟应当是P.smaragdinus之下的一个亚种,同时,考虑到该鸟在形态上与P.smaragdinus略有差异,Swinhoe又"试探性地"将它命名为Porphyrio coelestis sp.nov.^[2]。无论Swinhoe当年的分类意见得当与否,他的这两次记录,都应当是发表于正式学术刊物上论证紫水鸡在中国有见的最初记录。

Abstract:It has been reported that endogenous opioid system including enkephalin exists in mollusk and other invertebrates and plays an important role in their physiological and biochemical such as growth and reproduction. This review updates the research findings about enkephalin in mollusk and other invertebrates, including its location,isolation and identification, as well as its related enzymes. The functional and mechanistic research of the enkephalin in invertebrates is still at a preliminary stage and needs to be further explored.

Abstract:Amphibian metamorphosis is an ideal model system to understand the action of the thyroid hormone (TH) on the remolding of tissue and organ. Firstly, the characteristics and functions of three types of deiodinases are reviewed. Emphasis is laid on the structure, the types and functions of thyroid hormone receptors. The remolding of tissue and organ in amphibian metamorphosis regulated by TH is described. Meanwhile, interactions among TH, deiodinase and thyroid hormone receptors in amphibian metamorphosis are discussed. Finally, future perspectives for amphibian metamorphosis studies are proposed.

Abstract:Geoemydidae is the largest and most diverse family in the order Testudines. The early study on phylogeny of Geoemydidae was conducted based on morphological and cytological features. In recent years, with the increasing molecular data and advanced morphology methods, the studies on phylogeny of Geoemydidae have been developed in many aspects, but its phylogenetic relationship is still uncertain. This review describes the origin of monophyly of the Geoemydidae; the most recent reassignment of the genus Batagur, Cuora and Mauremy; the intergeneric relationships among the genus Batagur, Pangshura, and Hardella, as well as Cyclemys, Heosemys, and Notochelys; the interspecific relationships in the genus Cyclemys and Rhinoclemmys, in order to offer references in phylogeny and conservation biology research of Geoemydidae.

Abstract:For a long time, researches on giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) have been insufficient due to their less number and difficulties of sampling by conventional methods such as destructive and invasive sampling. But fecal samples are easy to collect, easy to keep after simple treatment and noninvasive to the giant pandas. This paper outlined the application of feces in giant panda research in the fields of food compositions, nutrient absorption, population survey, individual identification, fecal steroid hormones, parasite and pathogenic microorganism. Finally, this paper discusses the prospects of applying feces in research of giant panda.