Abstract:The Asian Fish Tapeworm(Bothriocephalus acheilognathi Yamaguti, 1934) (Cestoda: Bothriocephalidea) is an important parasite of cultured carp, which has caused worldwide concern, due to its pathogenecity and wide distribution. It was commonly considered to be originated from East Asian, however, reports on its infected host range and distribution in China was limited. Based on authors field investigation and the previous records in literatures, this paper firstly present the detailed host range and distribution of B.acheilognathi in China. In the present research, tapeworms found were isolated from the host's intestine and rinsed in saline solution. Specimens used for morphological identification were fixed with hot (almost boiling) 4% formaldehyde solution, and permanent preparations were stained with iron hydrochloric carmine, destained in 70% acid ethanol, dehydrated in an alcohol series, cleared in clove oil and mounted in Canada balsam. The result revealed that B.acheilognathi occurred in almost all freshwater habitats from north to south China (Liaohe River, Haihe River, IrtySh River, Yili River, Yellow River, Huaihe River, Yangtze River, Min River, Pearl River), infected about 31 freshwater fishes, including 26 from Cyprinidae, 1 from Channidae, 1 from Eleotridae, 1 from Cichlidae and 2 from Poeciliidae. B.acheilognathi from wild fish Opsariichthys bidens and Squaliobarbus curriculus habiting in all Rivers present higher infection prevalence. Based on the epidemiologic characters and the population genetic variations, authors considered that fish O.bidens maybe the primary hosts of B.acheilognathi. As the wide geographic distribution and diverse host, B.acheilognathi represents an attractive model for studies on parasite host switch and speciation. Future research is required to enclose the genetic diversity of B.acheilognathi populations from different definitive hosts.

Abstract:Changtan Reservoir is one of importance drinking water sources in eastern area of Guangdong Province and as well as a national water conservation area. The community structure characteristics of plankton in the Changtan Reservoir was determined and used to assess eutrophication status of the water resource. Water was sampled at 8 point in the reservoir In July 2010 and plankton species composition, abundance and distribution were investigated. Total of 55 species belonging to 6 phyla of phytoplankton were identified. The species belonged to Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta, Cryptophyta and Bacillariophyta were dominated, while species in Dinophyta and Euglenophyta were much less. The density of the phytoplankton was varied from 1.71×10⁶ to 2.44×10⁸ cells/L. The diversity index (H') of phytoplankton indicated that water sampled at Shaping station and Zhuyefeng station were highly polluted. At the same time, 44 species zooplankton belonging to Rotifera, Cladocera and Copepoda were identified. Among the zooplankton, Rotaria was dominant phyla. The indicators species of eutrophication, such as Brachionus forficula, B.caudatus, Filinia longiseta, Keratella valga, and Trichocerca similis were widely distributed in the Reservoir. The abundances of zooplankton were ranged from 40 to 1 588 ind/L. According to the comprehensive trophic state index (TSI) and the plankton community structure analyses, the water in the Changtan Reservoir was slightly eutrophied. The results of Canonical Correspondence Analysis on relationship between phytoplankton and environment indicated that the distribution of phytoplankton in Changtan Reservoir was strongly affected by environmental factors.

Abstract:Recently, Influence of human activities and natural disturbances the habitat of Alxa desert in Inner Mongolia was fragmentized, it was lead to the discontinuous distribution of Mongolian Gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) between habitat patches which might be exist a local population in each one. The precondition of metapopulation establishing was that local population was patchy distribution in discrete habitats. Population dynamics of Mongolian Gerbils were investigated by mark-and-recapture method from 2002 to 2012. This study was conducted in four different habitat patches by different use patterns including a prohibited-grazing site, a rotational-grazing site, an over-grazing site and a farmland. The population spatial structure of Mongolian gerbil was tested whether it had the function of a classical metapopulation, respectively, analysis the population dynamics of Mongolian gerbil, calculation the risk of extinction of local population, Spearman correlations used for determines the degree of population spatial synchrony, and the population turnover rate was evaluated for the dispersal ability of Mongolian gerbil. The results showed that: first, this region was suitable habitats for Mongolian gerbils and the different habitat patches can be occupied by local population, and it was captured two to seven times in eleven years. Second, all the local population had a risk of extinction, and rate of extinction reached 1.000 0 in prohibited-grazing site and rotational-grazing site was higher, the lowest rate of extinction in farmland which was 0.333 4. In the 2008, the largest local population had 26 individuals per hectare in over-grazing site, however, it also suffered from extinction in the 2010. Third, the habitat patches was not too isolated to prevent recolonization of the local population. The Mongolian Gerbils had strong ability of dispersal which the population turnover rate more than 50.0% at most month and especially it reached 100.0% was much more month. Fourth, there was significant positive correlation between rotational-grazing site and prohibited-grazing site in the population density of Mongolian gerbil (P<0.05), but between the others habitat patches had no significant correlation(P >0.05). The Mongolian gerbils population fulfills exceptionally well the four conditions of regional persistence of a species as a classical metapopulation in Alxa desert which has a potential value in small mammal metapopulation research.

Abstract:The population size and winter habitat selection of the wild Tianshan Red Deer (Cervus elaphus songaricus) in Hami Mountains of Xinjiang were investigated by using line transects method and remote sensing (RS) technology from December 2010 to January 2011. Twenty eight line transects of 60.1 km in length were distributed in the study area estimated 596.295 km² in size at different habitat. Total of 233 deer were counted. And the average population density was 2.83±1.01 ind/km² and the population size was estimated at 1 684.56±379.71, respectively. The population density and population size were slightly increased compared to the estimation made in 1993. The Ratio of female to male was 2.24:1. The number of fawns and sub-adults were more than adults and old individuals, which demonstrated that a growing tendency of the deer population. Based on the field observation and habitat characters by the LANDSAT TM/ETM+ satellite image in 2006, the habitat of the study area was classified as coniferous forests, meadow land, shrubs, farmland and gobi. Among them, the suitable habitats for the red deer were coniferous forests and shrubs.

Abstract:Based on the field investigational data of Amur Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) in Heilongjiang Province, we construct the investigate and management Informational system of Amur Tiger in Heilongjiang Province with the combination of the technology of geographic information system, computer technology and the technology of investigation and management about wild animal resources. This system is mainly built by Object-oriented programming language C SHARP, ArcGIS Engine embedded component technology and SQL Server database technology and achieve the graphical and visualized management of Amur Tiger's data in Heilongjiang Province. At the same time, this system is able to provide information on the population quantity the spatial variation timely and accurately by analyzing the spatial survey resources and combining natural factors and human factors in the study area as will as to produce information classification of thematic map and the corresponding field distribution statistical chart according to the analysis results. The system is helpful for the user to manage the survey data and information about wild tiger population and their habitat. It can play an important roll in promoting in situ conservation of wild tiger population and their habitat in China.

Abstract:The responses of soil meso-and microfaunal community to the different water-soil erosion controlling methods was investigated in Huangfuchuan Watershed, Inner Mongolia from September 2007 to September 2008. Sampling plots were chosed as Pinus tabulaeformis woodland, Populus simonii woodland, Caragana intermedia shrub, Astragalus adsurgens meadow, and abandoned cropland. Cropland was chosed as control. A total of 14 747 meso-microfauna belonging to 5 phyla, 7 classes and 10 groups were captured. The dominant group was Nematode, which accounted for 95.53% of the total number of meso-and microfauna. The common groups were Acarina and Collembola. Compared to the cropland, the individual number of meso-and microfauna had an increase trend in all of water-soil erosion controlling plots, but had no significance between them (P >0.05). The number of Nematode in A.adsurgens meadow, and the number of Acarina and Collembola in Pinus tabulaeformis woodland and Populus simonii woodland were significant higher than that of in cropland (P<0.05). The soil surface gathering of the vertical distribution of meso-and microfauna were enhanced in different water-soil erosion controlling plots. The results from RDA showed that the significant positive correlations occurred between the individual number of meso-and microfauna, Acarina, Collembola and the litter thickness, average tree (grass) height and soil organic matter. The results suggested that all of the water-soil erosion controlling methods that carried out in the study region were favorable to the restoration of meso-and Microfaunal community. In contrast, the plots which had thicker leaf litter layer (e.g. Pinus tabulaeformis woodland, Populus simonii woodland and abandoned cropland) were more beneficial to the restoration of Acarina and Collembola.

Abstract:Procambarus clarkii is an alien invasive crayfish species which is widely distributed in wetlands in China. Clarification of P.clarkii population genetic structure will help to understand its spread process. Here, we analyzed the population genetic structures of 9 populations of 151 crayfish individuals in Huaihe river based on the COⅠ region. The results showed that the 624 bp long COⅠ region aligned across 25 haplotypes. AMOVA showed that intra-population variation (92.20%) was much higher than inter-population variation (7.80%). Haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity were moderate, and the differentiation among populations was non-significant (F_st=0.078). Phylogenetic tree shows that the genealogical clusters do not match the sample locations well, suggesting that genetic differentiation among them is not remarkable, while the gene flow is evident.

Abstract:Morphology and histology of the digestive system of Capitulum mitella were observed by light microscopy. The results showed that the digestive system consisted of digestive gland and digestive tract. A pair of long cystic digestive glands contained four types of cells: secretory cells, resorptive cells, inocyte cells and embryonic cells. The digestive tract consisted of mouth, esophagus, stomach, gut, rectum and anus. The mandibulate mouthpart comprised of a labrum, two palpuses, two mandibles and four maxillas. From inner to outer, the wall of the digestive tract was divided into four layers: mucous layer, submucous layer, muscular layer and outer membrane. The wall of the thin and short oesophagus was lined with cuticle without basement membrane and possessed a layer of thick circular muscle and radiating muscle. The stomach was sacculate, and the gut was the longest in the digestive tract. Histological structure of the stomach and the gut was similar to each other. Both of them lacked cuticle, and their epithelium cells were covered with well-developed microvilli. The rectum was slender. The most obvious difference between the rectum and other parts was that 16 groups of longitudinal muscle distributed in its outer membrane. Histological structure of the anterior rectum, covered with well-developed microvilli, was similar to that of the stomach and the gut. The wall of the posterior rectum gradually degraded, but 16 groups of longitudinal muscle in its outer membrane gradually developed. The anus possessed well-developed longitudinal muscles and circular muscles which circled around outside of the anal wall. Histological structure of C.mitella in various parts of the digestive tract was different, reflecting differences in their functions.

Abstract:The liver microstructure and ultrastructure of 8-month-old, 20-month-old and 30-month-old Oncorhynchus mykiss were observed by both light and electron microscopy. The results showed that the hepatic capsule thickness varied with age. The parenchyma showed tube-like arrangement of two-hepatocytic plates encircling central venous radially. The hepatocytic microvilli extended from hepatocytes into biliary passages and towards the space of Disse. The hepatic stellate cells (HSC) were located in the space of Disse with irregular shape and angular nuclei and rich in heterochromatin and paranuclear lipid droplets. Cytoplasmic processes radiated randomly from the cell body and round sinusoid. There were free ribosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex and mitochondria in the cytoplasm and cytoplasmic processes. There were macrophages in the sinusoid, but Kupffer cells were not evident in the liver. The stromal reticular fiber increased with age. HSC and sinusoid developed perfectly in all age groups. Vessels and bile ducts were observed to scatter without any apparent order within the parenchyma. The portal area was arranged as solitary biliary, biliary-arteriole, biliary-venous and venous-biliary-arteriolar tracts. Structural differences of the portal area between different ages were observed. It was mainly the biliary solitary tube at 8-month old, while there were mainly biliary-arteriole type at 20-month-old and venous-biliary-arteriolar type at 30-month-old. These results indicated that the liver structure varied with in O.mykiss.

Abstract:As an important adaptor protein in the intracellular signaling of Toll-like receptor superfamily, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) plays a crucial role in the innate immune response. The full cDNA sequence of MyD88 (GenBank Acession number: JN032017) has been isolated by RACE-PCR method in Tilapia(Oreochromis aureus). The MyD88 gene is 1 611 bp, including a 155 bp 5'-terminal untranslated region (UTR), a 589 bp 3'-UTR and an 867 bp open reading frame (ORF), which encodes a polypeptide of 288 amino acids. The MyD88 protein contains the typical TLR and IL-1R-related (TIR) domain and death domain (DD). Homology analysis revealed that the predicted amino acid sequence of Oreochromis aureus MyD88 shared the highest identity 85.8% to Siniperca chuats, 70%-82% to other fishes, and 63%-66% to mammals. The phylogenetic tree based on MyD88 proteins from 15 species showed that O.aureus shared the closest relationship with Siniperca chuatsi and Larimichthys crocea, all pertaining to Perciformes. Expression of MyD88 was determined by real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) in different tissues. The results revealed that MyD88 transcripts were expressed in all tested tissues, being strongly expressed in the ovary, moderately expressed in intestine, spleen, liver, kidney, gill and blood, and weakly expressed in muscle and testis. This study will lay a foundation for further exploring the role of MyD88 in the TLR signaling in Tilapia.

Abstract:To determine the expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor(GABA_BR)gene in different tissues of Carassius auratus gibelio, GABA_BR1 gene in different tissues was amplified by RT-PCR, cloned and sequenced, its phylogenetic tree was constructed using the neighbor-joining method on the basis of homology comparison with GABA_BR1 amino acid sequences in the Gen Bank database, and additionally, the level of its expression in different tissues was further analyzed. The cDNA was 383 bp in length which encoded 127 amino acid residues.The real time PCR results showed that the GABA_BR1 gene was distributed in brain, liver, kidney, heart, intestine, muscle, bladder, gill, muscle, fin, spleen, ovary, and testis. The GABA_BR1 gene was expressed in different tissues, from high level to low level as follows: brain > caudal fin > testis > heart, intestine, bladder ovary, spleen, gill, muscle > liver, kidneys. The study confirmed the wide expression of GABA_BR1 gene in the tissues of C. auratus gibebio, with the highest expression in the brain tissue.

Abstract:Distribution and morphological characteristics of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) cells in the digestive tract of Bufo raddei were observed by avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex immunohistochemical method. The results were as follows: 5-HT cells distributed throughout the whole digestive tract with the highest density in the stomach pylorus, the second highest in the fundus, and the lowest in the rectum. The distributive density of 5-HT cells in esophagus, cardia, fundus, and pylorus was significantly higher than that of any other region of small intestine and rectum. The ratio range between open and closed populations of 5-HT cells recorded along the digestive tract was 2.48-4.71. Most cells along the digestive tract belonged to the open population, which were pyramid-like, shuttle-like, or irregular in shape. The closed population was occasionally observed, round or oval in shape. Morphological characteristics of 5-HT cells in the digestive tract of B.raddei are similar to those of other amphibians, but the distributive pattern of these cells has its own characteristics, and this may be related to the diet and life habitat of this species, which is good at feeding on small animals with weak activities.

Abstract:This study summarized the new amphibian species recorded in Jiangxi Province and evaluated the species diversity. In recent years, Totally 58 amphibian species distributed in Jiangxi Province, of 23 were accumulatively recorded in recent years. Among those amphibian species, 40 are endemic to China, and 2 are nationally protected as the second ranked species,. The component of fauna consists 54 oriental species that distribute in the Central China and South China. No Palaearctic amphibian species were recorded, and 4 species were widely distributed in both oriental region and Palaearctic region. The ecological types of amphibians mainly were consisted of running water type, followed by Terrestrial and Quiet-water type. The result of hierarchy clusters analysis by the amphibian species distributed in 13 protected areas indicated 4 significant clusters: Ganbei, Gandongbei, Gannan, Ganxi, which partially supported the amphibian zoogeographic division of Jiangxi Province early proposed. Meanwhile, amphibians in Luoxiao Mountains were suggested to be a separate zoogeographic division, named Ganxi (Luoxiao) mountain area.

Abstract:The method of cross-amplification can be used to obtain microsatellite marker quickly and effectively. This study amplified microsatellite loci of Macroclemys temminckii using published microsatellite DNA primers from related species. In M.temminckii, 8 microsatellite loci which had polymorphism were found in 69 microsatellite markers. By analyzing PCR amplification products, a total of 30 alleles were detected, and the average number of alleles was 3.75. The observed heterozygosity (H_o) ranged from 0.041 7 to 0.954 5, and expected heterozygosity (H_E) was 0.041 7 to 0.811 8. PIC value was from 0.040 0 to 0.759 2, averaging 0.423 2. After chi-square test, some loci were found to correspond to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. In general, these loci are good molecular markers that can be used for studying genetic structure for M.temminckii.

Abstract:The community structure and seasonal dynamic of birds at 5 habitat in Erenhot of Inner Mongolia were investigated from May in 2010 to April in 2011. A total of 124 bird species were recorded along the belt transect and at fixed-radius point. The bird species belong to 15 orders, 34 families, of them 19 birds are residents, 72 summer visitors, 29 passing migrants and 4 winter visitors. Among the birds bred here, 82 species belong to Palaearctic realm, 9 species of Oriental realm. Totally 13 species are characteristically as the Central Asian type, that indicated the main characteristics of the avifauna geographic type in the study area. The bird community was greatly different between the 5 habitats, the highest and lowest diversity index of bird occurred in woodland and in residential area, respectively. The bird species component was difference between seasons, the species numbers of bird in spring was highest in spring and lowest in winter.

Abstract:We conducted a study on time budget behavioral daily rhythm of Ferruginous Ducks (Aythya nyroca) at the Baihu Lake in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from July to November 2012 and recorded their behaviors and time budget. Six types of behaviors were identified as forage, maintain, locomotion, resting, alert and other including all the behaviors not mentioned above. Ferruginous Ducks spent their 56.7% active time in foraging, 13.8% in locomotion, 11.8% in maintenance, 11.2% in resting, 5.1% in alert and 1.4% in other behavior. The ducks invested their active time on forage, rest and maintain was extremely different (P<0.01) between the periods of July to September and October to November, But they did not change their time duration in locomotion behavior between the same periods (P >0.05). The active pecks of foraging, resting and maintaining varied with time period, while locomotion behavior peaked at 12:00-13:00 during the study period. The ducks scatter foraged on the water surface, but they usually rested together. A large group (about 37 individuals) was observed in the middle of October before they left in late October for migration.

Abstract:To get better insight of the very unique physiological and biochemical features of Tetraogallus himalayensis, twenty-one blood parameters were tested and then compared with those of Hyline Variety Brown Chicken(Gallus gallus domesticus var. Hyline). Results showed that the size of red blood cell in T.himalayensis was different from that of Hyline Variety Brown Chicken, with the longitudinal diameter and the value of the longitudinal diameter × transverse diameter larger than those of the latter (P<0.01). The MCV and MCH in T.himalayensis were extremely bigger (P<0.001), while the AST and the serum CHO in T.himalayensis were significantly higher than that in Hyline Variety Brown Chicken (P<0.01). The rest physiological and biochemical parameters measured were not different between these two birds. It is suggested that there are some differences between the two birds in terms of blood physiology and biochemistry. The adaptability of T.himalayensis to plateau hypoxemia may be partly related to the bigger size of red blood cells, as well as higher MCV and MCH.

Abstract:Relative fatness index is widely used to uncover the relationship between environment factors and animal individual's survival and reproduction. Changes in relative fatness of Apodemus draco and Niviventer confucianus across age classes and seasons were investigated from April to December 2008 in Fengtongzhai Nature Reserve, Sichuan province, China. The results showed that differences of the relative fatness between males and females for A.draco across age groups were not significant. However, it was significantly different among seasons for their relative fatness, and changed from the highest in olds, higher in adults, lower in sub-adults and then the lowest in juveniles. The relative fatness in sub-adults was not significantly different among seasons, contrary for adults which was highest in spring while lower in summer-autumn and winter. For N.confucianus, its fatness was not significantly different across age groups. However, for N.confucianus sub-adults, their relative fatness was significantly different among seasons. The relative fatness for the two species was not significantly correlated with elevations. Higher relative fatness of A.draco in old classes than those in juvenile classes probably implied that the old individual possessed high ability to adapted to changing environment conditions. Meanwhile, the relative fatness of seasonal changes in adults may be affected by availability of food resources and breeding energy demand across seasons. Adult and old individuals of N.confucianus can maintain stable relative fatness through some measures. However, regulating ability of N.confucianus sub-adult ones is relative weaker, which results in the lowest fatness in summer-autumn.

Abstract:We investigated the expression of aquaporins (AQP) 1 and 4 in pancrease of Yarkand hares (Lepus yarcandensis) to understand the role of AQP in adaptation to the drought environment. We observed the histological structure of pancrease in Yarkand hares by using H.E staining, detected expressions of AQP1 and AQP4 in pancrease by using immunohistochemistry, and compared these data with those domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus curiculus). Results showed that AQP1 was localized in microvascular endothelial cells, blood cells, centroacinar cells and intralobular ducts basal membrane. AQP4 was localized in the acinus and tralobular duct basal membrane, and pancreatic islet cell membrane. Compared with domestic rabbits, except for intralobular ducts, the expression of AQP1 was lower in the pancreas of Yarkand hares. And the expression of AQP4 was lower in the endocrine portion. These results indicate that the Yarkand hare has increased expression of AQP1 in intralobular ducts of pancrease, which may improve the ability for adaptation to the arid environment, and strengthen the ability for concentrating the pancreatic juice, so as to keep body water. Compared with domestic rabbits, expression of AQP1 and AQP4 is lower in the pancreas of Yarkand hares, indicating that the level of water metabolism in the pancreas of Yarkand hares is lower than in domestic rabbits, which may be related to insufficient food.

Abstract:In order to analyze the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the extron 2 of heart fatty acid binding protein gene (H-FABP) and its relationship with some meat quality traits in Merino Sheep (Ovis aries var. Merino), and to provide a theoretical foundation for the marker-assisted selection, we measured intramuscular fat (IMF) content, muscle fiber diameter and muscle fiber density of 150 Merino sheep, and used polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) technique to analyze the SNPs at the exon 2 of the H-FABP gene. It was shown that the exon 2 of H-FABP gene displayed AA, AB and BB genotypes. There were mutation of 939(A/G) and deletion of C in both AA and BB genotypes, and 789 (T/C) in BB genotype, which led to valine convertion to alanine. The BB genotype was advantageous genotype of IMF and there were significant difference between BB and AB (P<0.05), and extremely significant difference (P<0.01) between BB and AA. The correlation of BB genotype and muscle fiber diameter was negative. These results indicate that the exon 2 of H-FABP gene of Merino Sheep shows polymorphism and that H-FABP gene may be a major gene or a major gene-linked gene for meat quality of Merino Sheep.

Abstract:Due to its powerful regeneration capability, planarian has become the model organism of developmental biology and regenerative biology. Furthermore, planarian also shows unique reproductive characteristics and draws more and more attention. Recently, researches on planarian reproductive biology are mainly focusing on two aspects: 1. mechanism of asexual to sexual reproduction switch; 2. cloning, expression and function analysis of reproduction-related genes. As for the mechanism of reproduction switch, works mainly include the discovery of sexualization of planarian, the seasonal change of sexualization, the downstream events after sexualization, and the exploration of sex-inducing substance. Till now, the reproduction-related genes DjPTK1, vasa-like genes (DjvlgA/DjvlgB), DeY1, Dryg, nanos-related genes (Djnos/Smednos/Dr-nanos) and Drpiwi-1 have been cloned, and their expression patterns and functions have been explored. Furthermore, the problem and future tendency in planarian reproductive biology have also been summarized.