Abstract:The gonadotropin (GtH) subunit GtHα, FSHβ and LHβ cDNAs were cloned from ovary of rock carp (Procypris rabaudi) through RT-PCR. The nucleotide sequences of GtHα, FSHβ and LHβ are 357, 393 and 444 base pairs (bp) in length, respectively. The open reading frame (ORF) of GtHα encodes 118 amino acid residues of peptide, and the first 23 amino acids comprise a signal peptide. The ORF of FSHβ encodes 130 amino acid residues of peptide, and the first 22 amino acids comprise a signal peptide. The ORF of LHβ encodes 147 amino acid residues of peptide, and the first 28 amino acids comprise a signal peptide. Sequence similarity of GtHα subunit between rock carp and other fish species or vertebrates are much higher than that of FSHβ and LHβ subunits, showing that GtHα subunit is more conservative than FSHβ and LHβ subunits. Expression analysis by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR) revealed that GtHα was ubiquitously expressed in all six tissues examined; the highest level of GtHα transcript was detected in ovary; the expression levels in liver, brain, heart, pituitary and muscle descended in order. FSHβ was expressed in all tissues except for muscle; the FSHβ mRNA was abundantly expressed in ovary, to a lesser extent in brain and heart, at low level in liver and pituitary. LHβ was only expressed in ovary and pituitary, and the expression in ovary was significantly higher than that in pituitary.

Abstract:Allometric growth pattern of Percocypris pingi pingi larvae were studied in the laboratory from the day hatched to 57 days. The total length growth rate of larvae changed from slow to fast at the inflexion point of 25 days after hatching (d). Most organisms of larvae exhibited an allometric growth pattern. The growth of head and tail was faster than trunk, and the inflexion point of growth coefficient was at 22-27 d. The inflexion point of growth coefficient of eye diameter occurred at 14-15 d that was earlier than any other organism growth. The inflexion point of growth coefficient of snout length, appeared at 33-34 d; the inflexion point was at 13-14 d, 31-32 d, 32-33 d, 38-39 d and 43-44 d for pectoral fin, dorsal fin, tail fin, anal fin and ventral fin, respectively. Except for pectoral fin and tail fin, the other fins were highly developed at the inflexion point. In the days after hatching at inflexion point of fins, the swimming of larvae was highly improved. The allometric growth pattern of larvae ensured a quickly development of those organisms which have important function to adapt to the complex environment and increase their survival rate. These results may be useful in cultivating fish fry practice and preserving wild resources.

Abstract:We studied sexual dimorphism and female reproductive trait of the Crab-eating Frogs (Fejervarya cancrivora) based on 58 (35 ♀♀ , 23 ♂♂) adults collected from National Dongzhai Harbor Mangrove Reserve in Hainan Province. We measured eleven morphological variables on all the 58 specimens and weighed clutch mass on 29 pregnant females. The smallest of snout-urostyle length (SUL) was 44.9 mm for female and 45.2 mm for male. Except for the snout length and interorbital length, all the rest morphological traits were positively related to SUL. The SUL of adult female was significantly larger than adult male, while no any difference was found on the measurements of body weight, head length, and head width between female and male. There is sexual dimorphism between male and female in body size, female is larger than male. The clutch mass was positively related to the SUL and body mass. Our data indicate that the female frogs increase reproductive output by the way of increasing their body size.

Abstract:To further study the molecular mechanism of transcription regulation of the mouse(Mus musculus)histone H3K4 methylase gene Smyd3, different 5'-flanking regions of Smyd3 promoter were cloned by PCR and inserted into pMD19-T vector. The pMD19-T vector was digested by two enzymes, and then inserted into pGL3-Basic luciferase reporter vector. The recombination plasmids were transiently transfected into HEK293 cells, and then its fluorescence activity was measured with the dual-luciferase reporter assay after 48 hours. The results showed that pGL3-Basic-Smyd3-1-pGL3-Basic-Smyd3-5 luciferase reporter gene vectors were constructed successfully. Compared with the positive control, construction of promoter recombinants transfected group showed fluorescence activity, and the pGL3-Smyd3-4 fluorescence was most active, about 2-4 times of the others, while the pGL3-Smyd3-5 fluorescence activity was the weakest. This study suggests that the core promoter region of the Smyd3 gene may be located on the up-stream between -533 bp to -42 bp and that the area between -2 026 bp to -533 bp is a transcriptional negative regulation region.

Abstract:Tibetan Bunting (Emberiza koslowi) is a poorly known bird endemic to eastern Tibetan Plateau. In order to understand its distribution, population and life history, since 2005 a six-year long observation has been conducted around Baiyu of Jiuzhi County, Golok Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province. Results show that the distribution range of Tibetan Bunting is around 3 500-4 700 meters above sea level and mainly in Yushu and Golok of Qinghai as well as a small region in A’ba of Sichuan. Compared with previous knowledge, this range is at a higher altitude, and more northeast and restricted. Using line transect method, a stable population of 18-33 individuals has been identified in a 7.4 km² study site. Besides, nesting, breeding and agonistic behaviors of this group are described in detail. Major threats posed on Tibetan Bunting are found to be predation by carnivores, food insufficiency during winter and eggs being trampled by livestock. Since long-term monitoring has been conducted, we find that the population has been stabilizing through establishing community conserved area and working with local herdsmen on targeted conservation actions.

Abstract:Food composition and behavior of Tragopan caboti were studied with methods of field observation and captive observation simulated natural environment from May, 2004 to June, 2012 in Jiangxi Wuyishan National Nature Reserve. 78 species (categories) were recorded for food intake by T. caboti during the study period. Among of these foods, 74 species belong to higher plants in 39 families and 65 genera, 4 species belong to Agaricales Tricholomataceae, Hymenoptera Formicidae, Araneae Araneidae and Odonata respectively. Research results show that T. caboti is phytophagous and trophic broad with strong ability of ingestion learning and environment suitability. But the feeding habits of T. caboti are significant different in different environment condition.

Abstract:By the method of focal sampling, instantaneous scan sampling and all-occurrence recoding, we observed six territory behaviors, included fighting, threatening, displacing, chasing, forehead scrap-marking and defecating-marking, of 6 captive male Chinese Water Deer (Hydropotes inermis) from August 2011 to April 2012 in the Huaxia Park of Pudong, Shanghai. The fecal testosterones were analyzed by radio-immunoassays to investigate the correlation between hormone and territory behaviors. The results indicated that there were significant differences in fighting, threatening, displacing, chasing, and defecating-marking among months (P<0.05, one-way ANOVA analysis). The deer spent significantly more time on all of the six behaviors in November. There were significant differences in fighting, threatening, forehead scrap-marking and defecating-marking between estrus (from October 2011 to January 2012) and non-estrus (September 2011, from February 2012 to April 2012) (P<0.05, Independent samples T test). The deer spent significantly more time on all of the six behaviors in estrus. In estrus, the fecal testosterone concentration level increased obviously than in non- estrus, and it reached the highest level in December (51.16±9.85 ng/g). The fecal testosterone levels were closely correlated with threatening, forehead scrap-marking, defecating-marking and fighting.

Abstract:Illegal trade of Pangolin is becoming more serious, thus forensic identification of criminal material from the molecular level is very urgent and necessary. In order to ascertain whether the processed specimen and scales could be authenticated by DNA molecular technology, total DNA from specimen or scales of Pangolin was extracted with an improved method. Four pairs of primers, which were universal primers for Cyt b gene, primer for complete 12S rRNA sequence, RAPD primer and microsatellite primer were used for amplification. Some amplified fragments were sequenced. The results showed that DNA of almost all these samples could be extracted except for that of the footpad of museum specimen. The extracted DNA could be amplified well with four primers, indicating the value of the present method in species-specific identification and individual recognition study.

Abstract:The investigation on seasonal dynamics of soil oribatid mites community at genus level in Fanjing Mountain National Nature Reserve in Guizhou was carried out in different month of 2001-2002. The abundance of soil oribatid mites in different season from high to low is: spring>winter>autumn>summer, the diversity is: autumn>summer>winter>spring. The community’s compositions of soil oribatid mites are different in the four seasons. Oppiella, Suctobelbella and Xylobates are the significant dominant fauna in each season in Fanjing Mountain. The soil oribatid mites mainly distribute in the surface layer and migrate from surface to deeper layer from summer to winter.

Abstract:The investigation on the avifauna and resources was carried out in Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve and its adjacent areas, including Kunlun Mountain, Qimantag and Kumkol Basin from 2010 to 2012. A total of 166 avian species belonging to 16 orders, 38 families and 90 genera were recorded in the region, accounting for 36.6% of the total bird species in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Among them, Golden-rumped Swallow (Hirundo daurica), Eastern Crowned Warbler (Phylloscopus coronatus) and Japanese Sparrowhawk (Accipiter gularis) are the first records of birds occurred in Xinjiang. The investigation area is between Inner-Mongolia-Xinjiang Region and Qinghai-Tibet Region. Avifauna is characterized by inter-permeation between the Tibetan Type (23 species, 13.9%) and Central Asian Type (49 species, 29.9%). About 69 (42.1%) species belong to the North Type, but most of them are migrants. The Oriental Type is rare (only 1 species, 0.6%). The Yixiekepati is an important wetland for birds’ breeding and migration.

Abstract:The Chinese Catfish Silurus asotus is a commercially valuable aquaculture fish in some regions of China and Japan, and it is widely distributed throughout the freshwater reservoirs, lakes and rivers of China. Due to overfishing, environmental pollution, water conservancy, human production activities and other causes, wild Chinese Catfish has declined rapidly. Its fishery resource has been gradually exhausted in the Huaihe River Basin in the past decades. In order to analyze the genetic structure and demographic history of S. asotus, the mitochondrial cytochrome b(Cyt b) gene sequences were used in the study. The results showed that Cyt b gene sequence contained 841 bp nucleotides and the T, C, A and G contents were 28.59%, 29.55%, 27.44% and 14.42%, respectively. A total of 40 nucleotide sites and 32 haplotypes were obtained from 121 individuals collected in 7 different regions, including Xinyang, Huaibin, Bengbu, Hongze Lake, Yinghe River, Pihe River and Chihe River. The average haplotype diversity (h) and nucleotide diversity (P_i) were 0.884 8, 0.003 8, respectively, showing that there was a high level genetic diversity in the populations ofS.asotus from Huaihe River basin. The AMOVA analysis (total F_st=0.115 0) and the level of N_m values (3.58), as well as the average K2-P distances (0.002-0.009) all revealed that the S.asotus had no obviously geographical differentiation. However, the phylogenetic tree estimated by neighbor-joining (NJ) method indicated that the individuals of S. asotus formed two monophyletic lineages, and the two lineages were not correlated with geographical populations. Neutrality tests, mismatch distribution and network analysis suggested that this species underwent population expansion in the middle and late phase of middle Pleistocene following bottlenecks and/or they originated from a small number of founding individuals. The time that the total population of S. asotus expanded in the Huaihe River was estimated to be 0.17-0.29 million years ago.

Abstract:Nutritional components in the muscle of Megalobrama tarminalis and Parabramis pekinensis were examined and evaluated by routine test method. The protein and crude fat consisted of 18.19% and 3.06% in the muscle M. tarminalis and of 19.38% and 2.89%, in the muscle P. pekinensis, respectively. The crude protein was component of 18 common amino acids, of them 8 were essential amino acids in human body.In dry sample, the total content of amino acids in M. tarminalis was 76.27%, in which 32.17% were essential amino acid. While in the dry muscle sample of P. pekinensis was 77.60%, 31.70% of them were essential amino acid. The ratio of essential amino acid content to total amino acid was 42.18% and 40.85% in the muscle of M. tarminalis and P. pekinensis, that is satisfied the standard of FAO/WHO. The main limited amino acid in the muscle of the two fish species were Met+Cys and Trp, respectively. The essential amino acids index was 63.55 in M. tarminalis and 66.81 in P. pekinensis; while the content of delicious amino acids was 32.81% and 33.80%, respectively. The total content of eicosapntemacnioc acid(EPA)and docosahexaenoic acid(DHA)in fatty acids was high, about 7.96% and 3.11%. The composition of mineral elements in the fish muscle was abundant and with reasonable ratio between each element. The two fish have high nutritive quality and economic value. The quality of M. tarminalis is better based on the content and quality of fat and fatty acid, while P. pekinensis is better on the composition and content of protein and amino acid.

Abstract:The instantaneous scan method was used to study time budget and activity rhythm of four captive Great Spotted Woodpeckers (Dendrocopos major) in Beijing Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center from June to August in 2011.One-way ANOVA were used to analyze the differences in activity rhythm between hours and diurnal time budget between male and female. The birds spent their time mainly in resting, flying & walking, and foraging at frequency of 36.24%, 26.96%, and 17.69% respectively. Except for foraging, preening and other behavior, the time budget of each behavior were not difference significantly between male and female (P>0.05). The diurnal activity of the four birds had a significant rhythm with an activity peak in the morning and rest peak at midday. No significant difference was detected in frequency of flying and walking, preening, resting and jumping between male and female (P>0.05), however, male foraged with a higher frequency than the female did (P<0.05).

Abstract:To study the changes of renal cell apoptosis after acute exhaustive exercise and the protective effect of taurine, forty six male mice (Mus musculus) were randomly divided into control group, exhaustive exercise group (instant group, 12, 24 and 48 hours after exercise group), and taurine group (12 and 24 hours after exercise group), 8 mice in each group. Changes of cell apoptosis, Bcl-2 and Bax expressions, nitric oxide(NO)content, constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity of renal tissue were detected. The results showed that renal cell apoptosis level first increased, and then decreased, with a peak level at 24 h (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, Bax expression in exercise group significantly increased (P<0.05). Bcl-2 expression of exercise groups significantly decreased except for instant group (P<0.05). The ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 increased, and reached a peak level at 24 h(P<0.05), and then decreased. The NO level of exercise group was significantly higher than that of the control group 24 h and 48 h after exhaustive exercise (P<0.05), and iNOS activity increased at the same time (P<0.01). The activity of cNOS had no significant change. Compared to the exercise group, the apoptosis level, Bax expression, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and iNOS activity of taurine group decreased at the same time point (P<0.05), while Bcl-2 expression increased (P<0.05). The results indicate that acute exhaustive exercise leads to renal cell apoptosis, and that iNOS, Bax, Bcl-2 and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio may play an important role in the process of renal cell apoptosis. Taurine can inhibit renal cell apoptosis by regulating iNOS activity, Bax and Bcl-2 expression as well as the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio.

Abstract:Domestication of cattle, one of the important animal in farming culture, has a long history in China. The objectives of the study were to reveal the maternal genetic background of Pingliang native cattle and to assess its potential to be improved into a high quality beef genotype. A total of 88 Pingliang native cattle were sequenced for their mtDNA D-loop HVS region. The haplotypes and phylogenetic relationship of 23 Chinese local cattle population including Pingliang cattle were jointly analyzed. Ninety five haplotypes were identified and they distributed into two major phylogenetic groups reconstructed following phylogenetic and network analyses, representing the distinct mtDNA genomes of Bos tauraus and B. indicus cattle, respectively. Pingliang native cattle was derived from these two maternal genetic backgrounds, which might have migrated and expanded into the Central China following different introductions from north and south for the taurine cattle and from south to north for the zebuine cattle. Whereas a movement from west to east was observed for both cattle genetic backgrounds, and Pingliang cattle distributed in both maternal genetic backgrounds.

Abstract:Based on the literature review, questionnaires and trainer interview we designed a standard personality trait table to test and analyze the behavior of puppies 60-day-old. Three breeds, German Shepherd Dog, Labrador Retriever Dog, English Springer Spaniel were involved in this study. The results showed that the puppies showed their personality in three traits, i.e. sociability, playfulness, curiosity/fearlessness. The difference in personality between breeds was found. The playfulness showed by Labrador Retriever Dog was significantly higher than German Shepherd and Springer Spaniel (P<0.01); the sociability trait of German Shepherd was significantly higher than the Labrador Retriever and Springer Spaniel (P<0.01), and Labrador Retriever puppies displayed a significantly higher curiosity/fearlessness trait than German Shepherd and English Springer Spaniel (P<0.01). The results showed that the standard personality trait table has better reliability and validity, it can be used to describe and compare puppy individual difference.

Abstract:Three living specimens of Odorrana kuangwuensis and two living specimens of O. nanjiangensis were discovered in the comprehensive survey process of Mt. Daba Nature Reserve in Chongqing on 23 June, 2012. The specimens were identified as O. kuangwuensis and O. nanjiangensis. The two species are new amphibian records to Chongqing Municipality.

Abstract:Five species of amphibians were recorded for the first time in this province during several herpetological surveys carried out from 2010 to 2012 in Jiangxi Province. They are: Xenophrys huangshanensis, X. mangshanensis, Amolops chunganensis, Odorrana tormota and O. yizhangensis.

Abstract:An adult snake specimen was collected at Lingnan Nature Reserve, Huangshan, Anhui, China on July 26, 2010. It was identified as Sinomicrurus kelloggi which is a new reptile record in Anhui Province. The specimen is deposited at the Museum of Huangshan University.

Abstract:During field survey on wildlife diversity at Beijing Sizuolou nature reserve in September 2011, two snake specimens including a young one were collected and identified as Sibynophis chinensis, which is the first record of wintering individual in Beijing.

Abstract:A reptile specimen which was identified as Sibynophis chinensis was collected at Mixing Road, Xinglong, Chengde, Hebei Province, China on July 22, 2012. The specimen was deposited in the Herpetological museum of Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Abstract:On May 24 of 2012, a total of 640 Relict Gulls (Larus relictus), including 285 individuals observed sitting on nest, were counted in Aotai Lake, a wetland located at western suburban of Hohhot City of Inner Mongolia. Those Relict Gulls were observed on the four islets in the lake and nesting in the areas 20-50 cm above the water level. This finding brought with an unknown breeding site of the Relict Gull.

Abstract:Batch fecundity and spawning frequency are necessary for evaluating the reproductive potential of multiple spawners, and the reproductive potential is a key mechanism determining fish recruitment and developing sound biological assumptions for stock assessment. The study of batch fecundity and spawning frequency started in the 1980s. During these last thirty years, hydrated oocytes method is the most popular for estimating population batch fecundity, and postovulatory follicles method is the best for population spawning frequency. Though the two methods have some defects, they are undeniably to be the most practical and proven methods.

Abstract:Predators can not only control population size of prey through direct killing, but also influence reproductive outputs and population dynamics of prey through predation risk effects, which are the costs incurred by prey’s anti-predator behavioral change. Predation risk effects can have even stronger influences on prey population dynamics than direct killing of prey, but there have been relatively smaller number of field studies about the impacts of predation risk effects on population dynamics of preys during the past decades. This paper reviews the progress of researches about predation risk effects on population dynamics of preys with emphasis on introduction of several classical case studies involving Wolf (Canis lupus)-Elk (Cervus elephus) system in Yellowstone National Park of USA and Predator-snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus) system in Yukon of Canada. This paper elaborates two hypotheses (predator-sensitive-food hypothesis and predation stress hypothesis) that have been proposed to illustrate the mechanisms underlying the impacts of predation risk on nutrition, reproduction and population dynamics of preys. There is evidence to support both hypotheses, but more researches are needed to further verify them. Considering that there have been few field studies about predation risk effects on prey population dynamics in China and the fact that many endangered species are facing increasing natural and anthropogenic stresses in China, I put forward recommendations and urge to conduct researches on predation risk effects (in addition to direct predation effects) on population dynamics of endangered ungulate preys in China.