Abstract:To clarify the population size and regional distribution of finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) in the estuary of Yangtze River, two surveys were performed in the water surface of 23884km2 in size from June 8th to 11th and September 12th to 19th in 2012 respectively. Eight porpoises in five groups were witnessed in June while no animal was found in September. According to the estimation based on transect of 805km in length, 61 individuals were estimated in June. In addition seven remains and five dead records of the porpoises were collected From the riverside of the Yangtze River in the entire year 2012. Two Yangtze finless porpoises(N. asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) and three East Asian finless porpoises (N. asiaeorientalis sunameri) were identified based on the external characteristics of remains which were relatively intact. The results suggest that the water areas west to Chongming Island and northwest to Changxing Island might be the core distribution regions of Yangtze finless porpoise in the estuary area.

Abstract:Seasonal changes in physiology and behavior are an adaptive strategy for survival and reproduction in small rodents experiencing marked seasonal fluctuation in environmental temperatures, which is also thought to be an important factor driving rodents- seasonal breeding and population fluctuation. The present study is to test the hypothesis whether ambient temperature is a cue to induce adjustments in body mass, energy metabolism and behaviors in rodents. Here, we measured body mass, daily intake, resting metabolic rate (RMR) and open field behavior under different ambient temperature (5.3±2.0℃, 14.7±2.0℃ and 28.4±2.0℃) in wild male striped hamsters (Cricetulus barabensis). Differences in body mass and open field index (total transition, rearing, duration in central area, fecal particles) among low, medium and high temperature groups were examined by one-way ANOVA, followed by least significant difference (LSD) post hoc tests. Comparisons of body mass before and after treatment were analyzed using paired-samples t-test. Effects of temperature on daily intake and RMR were examined using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with body mass as a covariate. The results showed that: ① Low temperature and medium temperature significantly increased body mass from 27.059±0.217g to 28.056±0.184g (t11=-6.291, P＜0.05) and 26.292±0.339g to 27.113±0.341g (t11=-8.027, P＜0.05), respectively, while high temperature had no significant effect (t11=1.796, P＞0.05). ② Temperature treatment had a significant effect on daily intake and RMR. Daily intake in low, medium and high temperature group was 3.122±0.094g, 2.447±0.087g and 1.948±0.090g, respectively, and difference between groups was significant (F2,32=36.576, P＜0.001). RMR was 4.104±0.086ml/(g·h), 3.638±0.079mlO2/(g·h) and 3006±0.082mlO2/(g·h), respectively. RMR was significantly increased in low temperature group (F2,32=39233, P＜0.001). ③ Different temperature caused a different effect on the open field behavior of striped hamsters. Total transition of low, medium and high temperature group was 158±6, 187±5 and 103±3 respectively, total transition in medium group was significant increased compared to high and low temperature group. Rearing was 78±4, 91±5 and 97±5 respectively, rearing in low temperature group was also extremely significant decreased compared to medium and high group (F2,32=4.233, P＜0.05). While the difference of duration in central area and fecal between the groups were not significant. Moreover, striped hamsters in low temperature had obvious shaking behavior. Together, these data support our hypothesis that ambient temperature is a cue to induce adjustments in body mass, energy metabolism and behavior in hamsters. Low temperature increased energy intake and energy expenditure which sustains the basic growth in striped hamsters. Meanwhile, spontaneous activity and exploring behavior in unfamiliar environment reduce in low temperature, thus reduce energy consumption and heat loss. On the contrary, the striped hamsters reduce the energy intake and expenditure in high temperature, which decrease the cost of thermoregulation. The spontaneous activity and exploring behavior also reduce, which may reduce the heat generated by the muscle contraction. These energy metabolism and behavior properties benefit to the survival of hamsters in cold winters and hot, dry summer, also it is consistent with the seasonal breeding of hamsters. So, these properties in striped hamsters may closely relate to their living habits, characterized by a cold winter and hot, dry summer.

Abstract:The expression of AQP1, 2 in kidney of filial Meriones meridianus was investigated by immunohistochemistry combined with stereological method, and the expression intensity of AQP1, 2 was analyzed by IPP professional image analysis software. Results showed that there was expression of AQP1, 2 in kidney of filial M.meridianus at postnatal day 1, 7, 14, 21, and 32. AQP1 immunopositive cells mainly distributed in the epithelial cells of proximal convoluted tubule and thin segment of medullary loop in kidney at postnatal day 1, 7, 14, 21, and 32，while AQP2 expressed on the apical plasma membrane of collecting duct principal cells at postnatal day 1, 7, 14, 21, and 32. Surface area density and average optical density of AQP1 positive cells in proximal convoluted tubule and thin segment of medullary loop and AQP2 positive cells in collecting duct in kidney of filial M.meridianus increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01) at postnatal 7 day, but there was no significant difference from postnatal day 7 to postnatal day 32 (P>0.05). The results showed that the expression level of AQP1, 2 positive cells in kidney of filial M.meridianus increased at postnatal day 7, when the ability of water reabsorption of proximal convoluted tubule, thin segment of medullary loop and collecting duct increased. AQP1, 2 might play an important role in urine concentrating of filial M.meridianus kidney to regulate the balance of water in kidney.

Abstract:In total of 302 bird species, in 63 families, have far been recorded in the last decade years in Wuyuan, NE Jiangxi of SE China, 143 species in 32 families of the nonpasserines while 159 species in 31 families the passerines. Characteristically, Wuyuan though small but is virtually supporting independent subpopulation of some birds such as: the Bluecrowned Laughingthrush (Garrulax courtoisi), of over 250 individuals counted in the breeding seasons in 2011-2013; the Pied Falconet (Microhierax melanoleucos), of about 120 birds in total with some 40 breeding pairs at up to 50 breeding sites as far found; the Japanese Waxwing (Bombycilla japonica), a small resident flock of over 70 birds counted recently; and a big flock of over one thousand Mandarin Ducks (Aix galericulata) found widely distributed in Wuyuan all the year through. Besides, a record of both the Japanese Night Heron (Gorsachius goisagi) and the Whiteeared Night Herron (Gorsachius magnificus) incidentally happened to Wuyuan, a county of long tradition of over a thousand years on the preservation of its socalled Fengshui woods, and, with its modern practice of delimiting over 200 sites for establishing the socalled miniprotectedareas all over the county.

Abstract:Erhai Lake is located west of Yunnan, and it is the important wintering region and foraging site on midway when birds migrating. However, few information on bird diversity and seasons changing in shore habitats of Erhai is available. We made transect survey on bird species diversity and abundant seasonally on 4 fixed lines in the west bank of Erhai with total length of 48.2km in January, March, April, July, October, November 2011. We carried transects 4 times each season in winter and summer, and 8 times in spring and autumn. A total of 115 bird species (belonging to 38 families and 13 orders) was accumulatively recorded, of 7 species were ranked as Ⅱ the list of important protected species in China. We accumulatively observed 61 species of resident birds, 7 summer birds and 39 visitor and 8 passing migrants. According to the habitat chosen of these birds, 19 species were natatores, 22 species grallatores, 7 species raptores, 3 species terrestores, 8 species scansores and 56 species passeres. The species evenness index and diversity index showed a highest value in autumn. Among 5 habitats recognized in the study area, bosky owned the largest species diversity index and evenness index and. the zone close to lake shore held the highest proportion (33.82%) of bird abundant accumulatively recorded in the study period. Boscage and water region close to lake shore were favorite habitat for birds that inhabited in lake shore. According to our study results, we suggested to provide more foraging habitat to the shorebirds by constructing more sandy beach and soil beach near the lake bank. Planting trees along the road round the Erhai Lake will be helpful to reduce human disturbance to birds.

Abstract:Species richnenss of amphibians and reptiles was surveyed on 53 transects in Dabie Mountain during September, 2006 to July, 2013. Twentyone amphibian species, belonging to 8 families, 2 orders and thirtyfive reptile species, belonging to 8 families, 2 orders, were found. The main distribution pattern of Amphibians and Reptiles in Dabie Mountain is SouthChina type, the main faunal specification is Central China Realm and South China Realm. Five speices, Mauremys mutica, Coluber spinalis, Pareas boulengeri, Amphiesma sauteri and Plagiopholis styani are first recorded in Dabie Mountains, and Protobothrops dabieshanensis was the new snake species reported in 2012. Species of Cynops orientalis, Bufo gararizans, Fejervarya multistriata, Pelophylax nigromaculatus, Rana chensinensis, Dinodon rufozonatum, Elaphe carinata, Rhabdophis tigrinus and Zaocys dhumnades are dominant in Dabie Mountains. In consideration of the Amphibian-Reptile biodiversity and characteristic faunal specification of Dabie Mountain, more attention is required to the species conservation in this region.

Abstract:The digestive tract represents a functional link between energy intake and energy allocation in vertebrates. Its mass and length are highly sensitive to environmental adaption, and is of flexibility. In this paper, sexual and seasonal differences in body mass, snoutvent length (SVL), wet and dry carcass mass indices, as well as wet and dry mass indices, and length indices of total digestive tract and different portions (oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine) of digestive tract (Two way ANOVA) were measured in black-spotted pond frog Pelophylax nigromaculata captured in summer (8 males, 8 females, n = 16) and autumn (10 males, 9 females, n = 19) 2012, and in spring (9 males, 8 females, n = 17) 2013, respectively from Liaocheng city, Shandong province, China. If some indices showed significant sexual differences, seasonal variations of those indices for any gender were further analyzed by one way ANOVA. The results were as follows: 1) Body mass and SVL in females were higher than in males, and both were higher in autumn than in spring or summer for both sexes. Wet carcass mass index in males was higher than in females, and was greater in summer than in autumn for both sexes. No sexual and seasonal differences were found for dry carcass mass index. 2) All the wet mass indices of total digestive tract and different portions of digestive tract except for oesophagus wet mass index in females were higher than in males. All the wet mass indices of total digestive tract and different portions of digestive tract except for the stomach wet mass index in spring or autumn were greater than in summer. Both total digestive tract and stomach dry mass indices in females were higher than in males, but not for the oesophagus, small intestine and large intestine dry mass indices. All the dry mass indices did not show seasonal differences. 3) No sexual differences were found for the length indices of total digestive tract and different portions of digestive tract except that large intestine length index in females was higher than in males. The length indices of total digestive tract, oesophagus and stomach in spring and autumn were higher than in summer, but not for small and large intestine length indices. These results indicate that the mass and length of different portions of digestive tract in Pelophylax nigromaculata change with seasons, and display some flexibility characters, which may be related to the functions of digestive organs and diversities of life environments.

Abstract:Hybridization was carried out between Silurus asotus (♀) and S. meridionalis (♂) by means of artificial insemination. The embryonic development of hybrid F1 was investigated and the morphological characteristics of each period were described for the clarification of early ontogeny of the hybrids and further verification of the feasibility of hybridization between the S. asotus and S. meridionalis. The fertilized eggs were treated with 0.3% trypsin to remove the stickiness. Observation and photographing were performed by using stereo microscope Leica MZ16 A. Sampling and observation were taken at intervals of 15min at early stage while this was conducted every 30min after gastrula. The size of fertilized eggs and the length of embryos were measured by means of appendix software of Leica DC500 photography system. The fertilized eggs were greenish, spherical in shape. The swollen zygotes were 2.50±0.14mm in diameter and became heavily adhesive with a jelly coat. Under water temperature 24.5±0.6℃, it took 48min after fertilization to form blastoderm, about 1h 35min to undergo cleavage, 4h 23min to develop to early blastula stage, 7h 22min to early gastrula stage, 11h 23min to neurula stage, then to organ differentiation and gradual perfection stage. Larval hatching took place at 28h 49min after fertilization and all larvae hatched at 40h 33min. The fertilization rate, hatching rate and malformation rate were 89.7%, 55.3% and 5.9%, respectively, which indicated that there was a low cross-incompatibility between female S. asotus and male S. meridionalis. The overall embryonic development process and the morphological characters were much closer to those of its maternal fish, S. asotus, featuring significant characteristics of maternal inheritance.

Abstract:During spermatogenesis of most animals, the basic proteins associated with DNA are continuously changing: somatic-typed histones are partly replaced by spermatoza-specific histones, which are then replaced by transition proteins, which in turn are finally replaced by protamines. With replacement of sperm basic nuclear proteins (SBNP), nuclei progressively undergo condensation. The nuclei of spermatozoa in Chinese crab Eriocheir sinensis (Decapoda, Crustacea) are found to be uncondensed. However, the mechanism of nuclear uncondensation is not clear. To study histone H3 dynamics during E. sinensis spermatogenesis, H3 coding sequence of E. sinensis was amplified by PCR and cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET-30a(+), which was then transferred into Escherichia coli Rosetta (DE3) and induced to express the recombinant His/H3 protein by 0.2mmol/L isopropyl β-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG). Meanwhile, the recombinant protein was purified through Ni-NTA Agarose affinity chromatography and purified protein was used as antigen to inoculate Oryctolagus cuniculus to produce antiserum. The polyclonal antibody was tested using western blotting method. Finally, H3 gene coding region from E. sinensis was cloned, prokaryotic expression vector pET-30a-H3 was constructed. SDS-PAGE showed that a 21 ku protein was expressed successfully in Rosetta (DE3), and the recombinant protein existed in the form of supernatant and inclusion body, and recombinant protein was purified well through Ni-NTA Agarose affinity chromatography. Western blot showed that the polyclonal antibody had high specificity. In summary, coding sequence of histone H3 in E.sinensis was successfully cloned, prokaryotic expression vector pET-30a-H3 was constructed and recombinant protein was purified. The polyclonal antibody with high specificity was produced, which might provide fundamental basis for further study of histone H3 dynamic changes during E. sinensis spermatogenesis.

Abstract:Three ecotypes of Coilia nasus were identified: the anadromous stock migrated between the Yangtze River and sea, the freshwater stock resided in the Yangtze River and its adjoining lakes, and the landlocked stock in lakes isolated to the Yangtze River. In order to find parasite indicator to separate the three stocks of C. nasus, species composition and diversity of helminth communities were investigated. A total of 10 species of helminths were found in 407 C. nasus from the 9 sampling localities: 3 of monogeneans, Heteromazocraes lingmueni, Helciferus tenuis and Sinomazocraes changjiangensis in the gills; 1 of digenean Elytrophallus coiliae in the stomach; 3 of nematodes, Anisakis simplex, Contracaecum sp. and Eustrongylides sp. in the intestine; 3 of acanthocephalans, Acanthosentis cheni, Arhythmacanthus parasiluri and Brentisentis yangtzensis in the intestine and the pyloric caeca. H. lingmueni and A. cheni with rather high prevalence and mean abundance were found in the 3 ecotypes of C. nasus. The marine helminths, such as H. tenuis, Contracaecum sp. , and E. coiliae were only found in the anadromous stock, which suggested that the 3 helminths can be used as biological tags for discrimination of the anadromous stock. The freshwater helminths, such as S. changjiangensis, A. parasiluri and B. yangtzensis, with low infection levels were only found in the freshwater stock, which suggested that the 3 parasites can be used as indicator for the freshwater stock. Mean species richness and the Brillouin diversity index were highest in helminth community in the anadromous stock, higher than 1.25 and 0.19, respectively. Species richness and diversity in the other two stocks were lower than 0.79 and 1.12, respectively. The low diversity in helminth communities of freshwater and landlocked stocks was due to the low infection levels of freshwater parasites and the loss of marine helminths, which was probably caused by the salinity decrease and the absence of the intermediate hosts of marine helminths in freshwater habitat. In addition, geographical isolation could also prevent exchanging of the anchovy and helminths and then lead to decrease of diversity in the landlocked stock.

Abstract:The species of the genus Enterostomula (Prolecithophora, Cylindrostomidae) belong to marine oganisms. Up to now, 3 species have been described. Species of the Cylindrostomidae family have never been reported in China. Species in the genus (E. graffi de Beauchamp, 1913)have been described for 100 years, but their gonoducts and ways of laying eggs have not been discovered yet. Since the locality, morphology and function of the genital ducts have not been confirmed for years, the classification of this genus is influenced. A species in genus Enterostomula, was collected from the coast of Shenzhen Bay in Shenzhen City (22°31′N, 113°56′E) in Guangdong Province. This study observed longitudinal, transverse and horizontal continuous paraffin sections in order to rebuild the mode pattern of its inner structure. Through the observations of its living body and ontogenesis, the epidermal patterns from the ventral side and dorsal side of the species were described in detail. The morphological study showed that most individuals had two black bands on the dorsal surface. The turbellarian had 2 pairs of dark black eyes. The turbellarian was hermaphrodite, with one testis and one ovary. The bursa seminalis was located between the ovary and the uterus. The uterus, connected with a tiny vulva, was located at the posterior end of the body. According to the characteristics above, localities of testis and vitellaria of the species matched the description of the Enterostomula graffi de Beauchamp, 1913. It was confirmed as a new recorded species, Enterostomula, Cylindrostomidae, a newly recorded family in order Prolecithophora in China. Some morphological characteristics were firstly described in this paper such as: (1) the bursa copulatrix and the female gonoduct of this species were located in their ventral side (Plate Ⅲ: 4, 5) (The bursa copulatrix, consisting of muscles, was bursiform and connected with the uterus and the female gonoduct); (2) obvious secretory glands around the female gonoduct (Plate Ⅲ: 4); (3) the foramina of the female gonoduct, the combination of the penis pore and the mouth (Plate Ⅱ: 6, 7); (4) a hemispheric nest made of mucus secreted by itself to dwell in or lay eggs; (5) no bands were found at the back of the hatched larvae and 2 obvious thick black bands were found 4 d after incubation (Plate Ⅰ: 10, 11); and (6) the bands at back of different adult individuals varied obviously, black longitudinal lines were found at their ventral side (Plate Ⅰ: 1, 8). This paper measured the “bursa seminalis” referred by Jones (1941). It had a diameter of 58μm and the wall consisting of a single layer of secretory cells was 15μm thick, thus it was considered to be a structure of the uterus (Plate Ⅲ: 3, 5, 8). In this paper, some specimens contained ova and spermatozoa in the “plasma mass of germeria” referred to Jones (1941). Thus, the bursa seminalis was considered to be the portion for fertilization (Plate Ⅲ: 1, 2).

Abstract:To understand the structural characteristics and functions of cilia in the nephridium of Phascolosoma esculenta, the distribution and morphological structure of cilia were investigated by light and electron microscopy. Cilia are widely present in the nephridium, including the inner face of the nephrostome. Furthermore, the surface of multiciliary cells on the adventitia bears tufts of cilia while the free surface of columnar and cuboidal epithelial cells is sparsely ciliated. Structurally, a cilium can be divided into a ciliary shaft, transitional zone, basal body and ciliary rootlets. Ciliary shaft is composed of a canonical “9+2” microtubule structure and the coated membrane. The peripheral doublet microtubules are continuous with the axoneme of basal body by transitional zone. The area between ciliary shaft and basal body is the transitional zone, where the central microtubules terminate. The cilia are anchored by the ciliary rootlets projecting from the cylindrical basal body, which shows a “9 0” arrangement of microtubules. Cross striations within the conical rootlets have a 70nm periodicity. Rootlets, made up of microfibrils, contain a long rootlet and two short rootlets. It can be probably concluded that cilia in the nephridium are mainly responsible for promoting the flow of the coelomic fluid, improving the function of filtration and directing mature spermatozoa and eggs into the nephridium.

Abstract:Six species of ciliates isolated from plateau swamp wetlands in Gannan, Gansu Province were studied and described. They are Notohymena selvatica, Wallackia bujoreani, Steinia sphagnicola, Condylostomides etoschensis, Euplotes muscicola, and Blepharisma steini. Of them, N. selvatica,W. bujoreani, and S. sphagnicola were firstly recorded from soil biotopes of China.

Abstract:A snake specimen was collected in Hubei Shennongjia National Nature Reserve from the annimal resource surveys in May, 2012. The specimen was identified as Boiga kraepelini (Colubridae). which is reported in Hubei Province for the first time.

Abstract:A total of 118 juvenile Toad-headed Lizards (Phrynocephalus frontalis) were collected in September 2011 from Kubuqi desert (40°12′N,111°06′E), Inner Mongolia. We measured snout-vent length, head width, tail length and abdomen length to analyze their sexual dimorphism. by t-test and regression analysis. The male was significant larger than the female in snout-vent length (SVL) (t=3.702, df=116, P<0.001). The mean SVL of males was 36.3mm while the mean SVL of females was 34.0mm. The male had a bigger head (t=4.616, df=116, P=0.002) and longer tail (t=3.958, df=116, P<0.001), while the female had bigger abdomen (t=2.292, df=116, P=0.024). All the morphological traits measured were positively related to SVL.

Abstract:Electrode implantation and wireless stimulation are widely used in investigating brain functions in conscious, freely moving animals. Electrode adapter connecting the wireless stimulator and the implanted electrode needs to be fixed upon the skull. The specialization in bird bone makes it difficult for long-term fixation of the adapter. Here describes a 9-channel electrode adapter for chronic movement induction in the pigeon (Columba livia). It is 12.8mm long, 9.5mm wide, 5.5mm high, and weights 0.42g. According to the characteristics of pigeon's skull, we roughen the skull surface, upon which the electrode adapter is mounted, by means of drilling a series of pits. This process forms a few “contact cones” to increase the contact area between the skull and the electrode adapter when binding by the dental cement. Additionally, three micro-screws are used to reinforce the binding at the specific point of the skull. These processes effectively extend the duration of the adapter on pigeon's head. The preliminary experiments have shown that all the tested adapters (n=6) are fixed on the skull stably for at least 6 months without influence on pigeon's normal activities. The adapter and its fixation method are suitable for longterm investigation of brain functions in freely moving birds and would provide inspiration for other animal studies.

Abstract:Neuropeptides are small protein-like molecules excreted by neuroendocrine tissues.Recently, the economic value of cephalopods is highly awared by the public, and the research on cephalopods neuropeptides is widely conducted.Using techniques of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to isolate and purify, mass spectra (MS) to identify, and immunocytochemistry to target neuropeptides, they are found to play an important role in reproductive regulation.These neuropeptide studies will provide important data for supporting the cephalopods artificial breeding.This review updates the research findings about seven groups of cephalopods neuropeptides including their classifications, locations, structures, and functions, as well as their development application prospectives.

Abstract:Crustacean’s life history composed of molting, which was closely related to the crustacean growth, development, reproduction. Comparing with other creatures, Crustaceans grew discontinuously by molting: the complete shedding of the hardened exoskeleton and the formation of a new one, and the body width and weight to achieve a leapfrog growth in a relatively short period of time. Variability in growth was manifested as more or less frequent molting, depending on intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic factors that affected aquatic crustaceans molting include molting hormone, moltinginhibiting hormone, ecdysteroid receptor, retinoid X receptor and gonad development. Extrinsic factors that affected molting include temperature, light, salinity, food supply, Ca2+ and pollution. In this review, we summarized the principal factors which affect the growth of aquatic crustaceans molting, focusing on influence of the intrinsie mechanism, and provided an overview of research progresses in the molting of aquatic crustaceans at home and abroad. Finally, we discussed the future direction of development of aquatic crustacean molting and growth.

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Abstract:On 15 November 2013, a Pectoral Sandpiper （Calidris melanotos）was found in an agricultural field near Dongzhaigang National Nature Reserve, Hainan. This was the first record of this species in Hainan.

Abstract:A New Record of Birds in Hebei Province——Short-tailed Shearwater

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