Abstract:The Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) is a unique freshwater subspecies of Neophocaena asiaeorientalis, which is endemic to the Yangtze River of China and is now critically endangered. Because its natural habitat is not expected to improve in near future, ex situ conservation was considered as the most important strategy to prevent it from distinction. However, in theory, without effective human intervention, inbreeding is unavoidable for any ex situ conserved small population. To evaluate the inbreeding level of the ex situ conserved Yangtze finless porpoise population living in Tian-e-Zhou National Natural Reserve, and to provide useful reference information for its population genetic management, 21 polymorphic microsatellite loci were utilized in this study to conduct parentage identification and to analyze relatedness among individuals in this population. As a result, three whole families with certain parents and offspring, together with 1 mother-offspring and 1 father-offspring pair have been detected. Yet, it is impossible to evaluate the inbreeding level of this ex situ conserved population according to so few parentages information. Nevertheless, relatedness analysis showed that the average relatedness index (r) of this population was 0.1182, and of the candidate parent pairs it was 0.1152. Both of them were significantly higher than those of the wild population living in the Poyang Lake. Additionally, in this ex situ conserved population, 26.14% of individual pairs have some relatedness (r > 0.2), which was 6 times higher than that of the wild population. Besides, inbreeding coefficient (Fis) of this population was 0.046. Results from both relatedness analysis and population inbreeding coefficient suggested that this ex situ conserved population is in high risk of inbreeding or has already been suffering from inbreeding. To prevent this ex situ conserved population from inbreeding or at least to mitigate the inbreeding level, on one hand, we recommend removing the adult female F34 and male M45 from this population because they had so many possible relatives. On the other hand, we recommend reintroducing two fertile porpoises (with an optimal sex ration of 1:1) every generation (about 5 years) from wild population or other ex situ conserved populations. Besides, to facilitate future population genetic management, constructing an accurate genetic studbook was proposed for this ex situ conserved population.

Abstract:The survey of habitation and distribution for Equus kiang and Bos grunniens was carried out using the transects and quadrat sampling methods in the east part of Altun Mountain Nature Reserve, Xinjiang during 2012 and 2013. Three transects amounted to 146.9 km and 128 quadrats were set for further analysis. The distribution of two species indicated that Equus kiang mainly appeared in Yixiekepati desert grassland while Bos grunniens preferred to Abadiba meadow grassland.The selection of environmental variables and the influential factors in habitat selection by the two species were analyzed by Vanderloeg and Scavia index as well as factor analysis. The difference of habitat selection was analyzed by using Independent-Sample Test. The results showed that E. kiang prefer the habitats of alpine deserts with the following features, vegetation coverage of <70%, slope of 2°-5°, altitude of 3 800-4 000 m, and soil pH of 8.0-8.5. B. grunniens prefer the alpine desert steppe or swamp meadow with the following attributes: vegetation coverage of >70%), slope of 5°-15°, altitude of 4 200-4 600 m, soil pH of 7.0-8.0. Habitat selection by E. kiang was mainly influenced by vegetation type and slope while habitat selection of B. grunniens was influenced by vegetation coverage. Although there were partial overlaps in resource utilization between two species, significant difference in selection of vegetation coverage and height, altitude and slope were observed for these two species (P<0.05).

Abstract:The steppes of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are widely used by both livestock and wildlife. Both the grazing of large ungulates and the burrowing of small mammals modulate habitats used by other species. We explored the relationship between site occupancy by plateau pikas and habitat variables based on yak grazing,including the extinction and colonization rate of pikas. To accomplish this, the multi-season occupancy model was used with the program PRESENCE. There was a positive relation between vegetation cover and pika extinction rate, but a negative relation between vegetation cover and pika colonization.

Abstract:Acoustic signal is important for bird communication. Differences in vocal characteristics are usually explained by habitat-dependent selection on signal transmission and/or sexual selection by female preference. The organ to produce signals can also be influence signal features. For example, the negative relationship between frequency and body size; negative relationship between frequency bandwidth and beak length. These negative relationships usually stand among species, but it is unclear if such relationships exist within species. We studied the sound from 17 individuals of Emberiza godlewskii, recorded in Beijing Xiaolongmen forest Park during the 2012 breeding season. We measured the maximum frequency, minimum frequency, peak frequency, frequency range, and found that none of these frequency traits was related to body size, or beak length. Possible reasons for these results are the vocal learning, female preferences, and small range of variation within species. Besides, we found peak frequency (6.31 kHz) is widely deviate from value (3.46 kHz) predicted for by empirical formula, which imply other selection than morphological measurement work on the vocal of Emberiza godlewskii.

Abstract:Breeding ecology of Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca) was studied in Hongjiannao (N 39°04′21″~39**°04′43″,E 109°53′12″~109°53′40″) of Shaanxi Province from April to July in 2012 and 2013. The results showed that the Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca) arrives at this breeding area in late April and nesting on branches of Artemisia ordosia, Sabina vulgaris and Hippophae rhamnoides in early May, the cup-shaped nests were upward and made of catkin, deadwood and hay. The nest parameters were measured in 33 of 35; external dimension of nest, internal dimension of nest, nest depth and nest height were 9.62±0.227 cm, 5.21±0.084 cm, 5.05±0.160 cm, 9.03±0.185 cm, respectively. The nest height above ground was 24.91±1.084 cm and located in lower part of vegetation (about 1/3). The mean clutch size was 4.83±0.081, The weight, length and breadth of eggs were 7.49±0.021 g, 17.27±0.057 mm and 12.86±0.080 mm, respectively. Incubation lasted for 11~13 d, Hatching and survival rate of Lesser Whitethroat were 93.7% and 91.4%. The morphological parameters of nestlings were suitable to fit to Logistic curves. The height, canopy and cover area of individual vegetation were the key factors for nest-sites selection, the foul weather and human disturbation were important factors to affect breeding success.

Abstract:Planting reeds is an important way to protect and recover lake wetland, research on birds is helpful to evaluate the recovery efficiency of the wetland ecological function. From June 2010 to May 2011, we conducted a survey on bird community structures in the Suzhou Taihu lake national wetland park. Our results indicated that: fifty bird species which belongs to 11 orders, 28 families were recorded, and there were 39 species of birds in the planted reed wetland and 36 in the original reed wetland respectively, from which 25 species were recorded in both habitats. Resident birds such as Paradoxornis webbianus, Gallinula chloropus, Pycnonotus sinensis and Prinia inornata had always been dominant position in the two wetlands. In general, the change trend of bird species and density were more consistent, the lowest respective in January(11species) and February(25.86pcs/hm₂), reached maximum in May(30species)and June(73.64 pcs/hm₂). Looked from each season, the biodiversity of planted reed wetland was abundant in spring (H′=3.4115) and summer (H′=3.0501), while the evenness index of planted reed wetland was under planted reed wetland in spring(J=0.9935), summer(J=1.0359) and autumn (J=0.8315).All over a year, the diversity and evenness index of planted reed wetland(H′=3.2747, J=0.8939) were under original reed wetland(H′=3.3002, J=0.9209). From the view of the birds community of the two reed wetland, no significant difference were observed in each data, the planted reed wetland restoration was close to original reed wetland.

Abstract:This study summarized the Scutiger species recorded in China and evaluated the resources and habitats of Scutiger species of China. Scutiger species mainly distributed in the alpine mountain and plateau area and laid there eggs in the sluggish streams. In recent years, totally 16 Scutiger species described in China and most of them live in the southwest of China. Among those amphibian species, 13 are endemic to China and accounted for 81.3%, one is critically endangered species, 4 are endangered species. The component of fauna consists 12 oriental species (accounted for 75%) that distribute in Hengduan Mountain and accounted for 62.5%, 3 species were widely distributed in both oriental region and Palaearctic region, only one species was Palaearctic amphibian species. The habitats quality of Scutiger species in China have gone off is the main reason for amphibian population declined sharply. Therefore, the corresponding scientific protection measures have also been summarized, in order to balance the resource utilization and protection.

Abstract:During Oct, 2010 and Oct, 2012, we totally sampled 2346 individuals in the population of Rice frog Rana limnocharis in Ji’An, Jiangxi Province. Using the hierarchical clustering method, the age structure of the population was divided into six age-groups. We treated the group-age as a relative age of each individual, and then calculated the mean relative age of different individual flocks according to year and habitat. Results showed that the mean age of the population of rice frog has a regularly seasonal variation. Two breeding peaks occurred in each year, which leading to lower value of mean age in corresponding month. Foraging dispersal may be the causation of higher mean age value of individual flocks in dry lands.

Abstract:To explore water temperature and 17β-estradiol (E2) influence on the growth of the young Chinese giant salamander Andrias davidianus, 18 groups were formed of factors interaction among 3 water temperature、2 E2 concentration and 3 exposure time, and added 3 water temperature groups as control. The weight of the young Andrias davidianus, which post-hatching 143 d、182 d、248 d fed after 5 hours, was calculated, when exposed E2 for 4 hour per days. The liver microstructure was observed in young Andrias davidianus post-hatching 143 d using histological method, in order to reveal the mechanism of E2 effect on liver. The results showed the growth of the young Andrias davidianus is fast at (20?1)℃, less at (13?1)℃, slowest at natural river water temperature. E2 have adverse effects on growth of the young Andrias davidianus at (20?1)℃. In addition, the toxity of E2 increased with the exposure time and E2 concentration increase. Vacuolization in hepatic cell and enlargement in hepatic sinusoid are observed in the liver of the young Andrias davidianus at 25 μg/L E2. Moreover, epithelium cell in the liver capsule migrated into the inner tissue at 250 μg/L E2. Growth of the young Andrias davidianus was inhibited attributed to liver damage, which caused by the E2.

Abstract:Fish meal is the main protein source in the feed of Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensi). Squid liver meal and soluble fish protein concentrates have high protein content and many attractive materials, and may be the alternatives to fishmeal in turtle feed. Changes in feed composition can affect the antioxidant capacity of animal. Effects of supplementation of squid liver meal and soluble fish protein concentrates in feed on the antioxidant capacity of P. sinensis, were studied in this experiment, with an attempt to explore which would be more suitable to replace fishmeal in turtle feed. Three experimental groups were designed: control group (white fish meal group, WFM), squid liver meal (SLM) group and soluble fish protein concentrates (SFP) group. Nutritional compositions of three diets were similar. For the diets of SLM and SFP, 5% white fishmeal of control diet was replaced with squid liver meal and soluble fish protein concentrates respectively. The culture experiment lasted 8 weeks. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) content and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) of liver and serum of turtle and activities of serum alkaline phosphatase and lysozyme were determined. The experimental data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Duncan’s test. MDAs of liver and serum of SLM were both significantly lower than those of control group, and T-AOC of liver and serum of SLM were both higher than those of control group. No significant differences were showed in MDA of liver and serum and T-AOC of serum between SFP and control group, but liver T-AOC of SFP was significantly lower than that of control group. The results show that 5% supplementation of squid liver meal in diet can improve the turtle’s antioxidant capacity, and supplementation of squid liver meal in diet is better than soluble fish protein concentrates for Chinese turtle.

Abstract:Scale morphology, growth and squamation chronology were described for the Schizothorax davidi reared in the laboratory. The results showed that the onset and completion of scale formation occurred at 62 and 110 days post hatching (dph), respectively, and the scale appearance was related to age. The onset of six locations of scale development, which were the lateral line near the posterior border of gill cover, the lateral line near the middle of caudal peduncle, the base of anal fin, the base of pelvic fin, the base of dorsal fin, and isthmus, occurred at 62, 71, 79, 83, 91 and 104 dph, respectively. Furthermore, the results of the histological observation revealed that five steps can be distinguished in the scale formation and development: early morphogenesis, late morphogenesis, early differentiation, late differentiation and scale fold. In addition, the pattern of scale formation may be useful in enhancing understanding of systematics, functional morphology and habitat use.

Abstract:Olfactory sac and olfactory lamellae cell of wild grey mullet (Mugil cephalus, 35.5-40 cm in length) are studied by technology of paraffin section and transmission electron microscope. The results show that the olfactory organ of grey mullet has two flat ellipsoidal olfactory sacs in the both side of the head. Each sac has an incurrent and an excurrent nostril interlinked with the outside world. In size, the olfactory sac is smaller than the eye and the average ratio between them is 0.8. The ratio between length and breadth of the olfactory sac is 2.09. There are 18-25 lanceolated primary olfactory lamellas in the olfactory sac which are perpendicular to left and right sides of raphe at a orderly up-inclined arrangement state. Olfactory lamella is really a composite that is composed of two layers of olfactory epithelium and a central core. The central core is located at the central part of the olfactory lamella, which is composed of loose connective tissue and large amount of capillaries. The olfactory epithelium is divided into sensory area and non-sensory area.The inside of the olfactory lamella is the olfactory sensory area, which have developed cilia in a continuous distribution state. The non-sensory area has fewer cilia that located in the edge of olfactory lamella. By means of light microscope and transmission electron microscope, the results show that the cells of olfactory epithelium can be broadly divided into five categories: basal cells , supporting cells, ciliated non-sensory cells, ciliated receptor cell and rod cells. Conclusion is that the grey mullet is a fish that both good at sight and smell.

Abstract:Gill Na -K -ATPase activities, serum concentrations of ions and hormones, specific growth rates and feed conversion efficiency in juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) (body weight of 7.16±0.07 g), which have been reared at salinities 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 for 60 days, were investigated. The results showed that Na -K -ATPase activities and Na concentrations were 3.48-8.30 μmol ADP/mg protein/h and 169.99-180.00 mmol/L, respectively, the levels of which increased with the rise of water salinity, the highest ones all were observed at salinity 36, and lowest ones all at salinity 12. Na -K -ATPase activities and Na concentrations in the fish reared at salinity 12 was significantly lower than those in the control (P<0.05). K and Cl- concentrations were 2.37-3.47 mmol/L and 136.67-142.00 mmol/L, respectively, both of which had no significant differences between groups (P>0.05). Growth hormone and cortisol levels were 0.41-1.66 and 35.33-76.41 ng/ml, respectively. Growth hormone levels was the lowest in the fish reared at salinity 12, and the highest at salinity 36, both of which had significant differences in comparison with that of the control (P<0.05); while cortisol levels was the highest at salinity 12, and the lowest at 36, with no significant differences compared with that of the control (P>0.05). Specific growth rates and feed conversion efficiency were 1.45-2.00 %/day and 1.12-1.38%, respectively. Although both were the lowest at salinity 12, they were not significantly correlative with salinity. Thus, the results indicated that the changes in salinity could have significant impacts on Na -K -ATPase activities in gill, concentrations of Na ions, growth hormone and cortisol in serum of juvenile turbot. The results from this study provide important reference for salinity selection in turbot mariculture.

Abstract:In this paper, the morphology, development and behaviour of a brown-green turbellarian, collected from the sea near Shenzhen Bay Sports Center in Shenzhen City (22°30′58″N, 113°56′1″E) Guangdong Province, was carefully observed. Its taxonomy and geographical distribution was also discussed. The results indicated that, symbiotic Zooxanthella microadriatica and hyphal brown granules were within the epiderm. Its head was blunt round shape, with a pair of granular brown ocellus and a statocyst. Two caudal lappets laid coordinately on both sides of the tail. The shape and size of the caudal lappets were related to the stretch status of the tail. It was hermaphrodite, with two genital openings behind the mouth, and the female genital opening was anterior to the male one. The paired oocyte laid in ventral body and paired testes laid in dorsal body. Seminal bursa was dumbbell shape, within 2-12 bursal nozzles. The vagina was inverted T-shaped, and its epiderm consisted of prismatic cells. Sperm in testis gathered into bundle, extended towards the rear of the body to false seminal vesicle, and gathered into seminal vesicle. The penis was surrounded by seminal vesicle. It moved under the water with the swing of cilia, or wiggled both sides of the body appearing papilionaceous swimming. It preferred to prey on miniature turbellarians and rotifer. When artificial feeding, it could ingest Cladoceran. Through contrastive study, this turbellarian was identified as Heterochaerus australis Haswell, 1905 of the genus Heterochaerus (Acoela, Convolutidae), and it is a newly recorded order and species of turbellarian in China.

Abstract:During the survey on the amphibian and reptile diversity in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in June 2013, over twenty specimens of the racerunners were captured at the town of Bajiahu, Jinhe County. Among them, four were identified as variegated racerunner, Eremias vermiculata, which is the first record in the north of the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This discovery enriches our understanding of the distribution data of the variegated racerunner, and will facilitate the investigation of its phylogeographical pattern and testing the barrier effect of the Tianshan Mountains to gene flow.

Abstract:This study applied morphological characters and DNA sequence data to identify the two specimens of Batrachuperus collected from Banma County, Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province in August, 2012. Two mitochondrial genes Cyt b（754 bp）and COⅠ（582 bp）of the two specimens were sequenced and the sequences of four related Batrachuperus species: B. karlschmidti, B. pinchonii, B. tibetanus and B. londongensis were downloaded from GeneBank. The maximum-parsimony (MP) and maximum-likelihood (ML) phylogenetic trees of these Batrachuperus species were constructed according to Cyt b and COⅠ genes with outgroups Liua tsinpaensis and L. shihi. The phylogenetic trees show that: the two specimens and three known sequences of Batrachuperus karlschmidti form a high supported clade. Based on the phylogenetic trees and the morphological characters that the Body without marble mark, the labial folds well developed and measurements of type, the two specimens were identified as B. karlschmidti, which is found from Qinghai Province for the first tmie.

Abstract:One female specimen of Brachytarsophrys chuannanensis was collected when conducting resources investigation of amphibious and reptiles in Longquan temple, Heiwan Riverin, Jiangkou county (27°51′06″N, 108°41′06″E, elevation 559 m) of Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve from 24-31 July 2013. The species is a new record of amphibians in Guizhou Province, China. It was preserved in Guizhou provincial key and special laboratory for biodiversity and ecology appliance of Guiyang University.

Abstract:Rusty-throated Parrotbill (Paradoxornis przewalskii) is endemic to China with a severely restricted range in northern Minshan Mountains. Recent discoveries provide us valuable information on its habitat and current distribution, whereas no observation on its breeding has been reported. We observed one breeding pair of Rusty-throated Parrotbill and their three newly hatched offspring on June 10, 2013, at Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, and documented their nesting habitat and nest structure. The nest was located in dense Fargesia denudata bamboo undergrowth with sparse Abies faxoniana and Betula albo-sinensis canopy, located close to the tree-line at 2 700 m asl on a steep south-facing slope. The elaborate cup-shaped nest was 6.6 cm of height, 5.0 cm of depth, 4.8 cm of inner diameter and 7.0 cm of outer diameter. The nest was constructed from dry grass and bamboo leaves, decorated with green moss. This report provided basic information to guide further studies on the breeding ecology and habitat selection of this rare species.

Abstract:Abstract: We studied the diet of Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) from field survey of plants and microhistological analysis of feces. The study was conducted from February to April 2013 in the Nanhaizi Wetland of Baotou. The results showed that: Whooper Swan spring-diet mainly constituted dockleaf knotweed(Polygonum lapathifolium), corn (Zea mays), liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and common cattail (Typha latifolia). We found a significant difference in the the frequency of each plant consumed in different migratory periods by Whooper Swan. Before the ice of Yellow River is melted, the first eighteen migrating Whooper Swans mainly fed on dockleaf knotweed, accounting for 99.4%. ; After the ice of Yellow River is melted, one hundred and twenty Whooper Swans immigrate again, mainly feeding on corn, accounting for 69.7% of their diet followed by liquorice and common cattail in relatively small proportion, 18.3% and 11.2%, respectively. These results suggest that there is a close relationship between the wetland dominant plants species and agricultural products on the feeding behaviour of Whooper Swans .

Abstract:Two male specimens, collected from Tielong Cave (33°43′38.8″N, 107°26′37.9″E, altitude 1 250 m) in Taibai County, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, on 22 August 2011, were identified as Rickett's Big-footed Myotis (Myotis ricketti). This is the first record for Myotis ricketti from Shaanxi Province. The specimens are stored in the Shaanxi Institute of Zoology. The bats had relatively large body with a forearm length of 58 mm (56.17 - 57.05 mm). This bat species characterize in part by the relatively large feet and by the wing membrane arising from the tibia or the ankle. With an average foot length of 20 mm (19.45-19.87 mm), the feet enormous, and with strong and sharply recurved claws as long as the tibia. The morphological measurement, distribution and protective status were presented. We also contrasted these specimens with those that were found in Hunan, Anhui and Guizhou Province.

Abstract:Three males and a female of bats were collected using mist nets in the 3rd Cave of Fengyan (N26°15'15', E118°16'55', altitude 536 m), Fengyan Village, Meixian Town, Youxi County, Sanming City, Fujian Province, in July, 2013. 17 external and 25 skull indicators were measured by using calipers, and compared with the same species from the island of Hainan, Java and Seram. Their body sizes are relatively small with the body mass of 7.1-9.8 g and the forearm of 41.7-43.7 mm. Their ears are short and broad. Dense, short and erected pelage reaches the back of the nose. The color of pelage is blackish brown and dark brown on the back and belly, respectively. The neck shares a similar color with the belly. The wings are very long and narrow. The length of 2nd phalanx of 3rd digit is about three times longer than 1st phalanx of 3rd digit. Skulls have low and slightly wide rostrums and high, large and round craniums with the greatest skull length of 13.87-14.17 mm and the cranial height of 6.21-6.73 mm. They were identified as Miniopterus pusillus and were the new record in Fujian Province. The specimens were preserved in the College of Life Science, Henan Normal University.

Abstract:The major histocompatibility complex (MHC), a gene-dense genomic region present in all jawed vertebrates, are the most polymorphic genes in vertebrate genomes. They play key roles in immune function via immune-recognition and -surveillance and host-parasite interaction. MHC genes are increasingly common for studies of immunology, genetics, and evolution as well as conservation biology. The organization and evolution of MHC genes vary considerably among vertebrate lineages. MHC genes have been well characterized in mammals, birds, amphibians and fishes, but little is known about their organization in reptiles, despite the fact that reptiles occupy an important phylogenetic position for understanding the evolutionary history of vertebrates MHC genes. Here, we review the molecular structure, the maintaining mechanisms of MHC polymorphism and their function in reptiles. We also review the field and focus on the successful applications of MHC-typing for population genetic studies and conservation management in reptiles. We conclude this review by proposing several directions where future research is needed.

Abstract:Planting reeds is an important way to protect and recover lake wetland. Birds diversity is a good indicator to evaluate the recovery efficiency of the wetland ecological function. To examine the planting reeds affected the birds diversity, we set two sample lines(1.5 km and 1.0 km) in the planted reed wetland, and three sample lines (one 1.5 km and two 200 m)in the original reed wetland in the sample area in Suzhou Taihu lake national wetland park. A survey has conducted on bird community structures in two kinds of reedbed from June 2010 to May 2011, and the differences between them has analyzed by using ANOVA. A total of 50 bird species belonged to 11 orders, 28 families were recorded, among which 39 and 36 species were found in the planted reed wetland and in the original reed wetland respectively, and 25 species were recorded in both habitats. Resident birds such as Vinous-throated Parrotbill (Paradoxornis webbianus), Common Moorhen(Gallinula chloropus), Light-vented Bulbul(Pycnonotus sinensis)and Plain Prinia (Prinia inornata) were dominant species in the two kinds of wetland. In general, the change trend of bird species and density was consistent, with the lowest value in January(11 species)and February(25.86 birds each hectare), reached maximum in May (30 species) and June (73.64 birds each hectare). The bird community biodiversity of planted reed wetland was higher in spring (H′=3.411 5) and summer (H′=3.050 1), while the evenness index of planted reed wetland was lower in spring (J=0.993 5), summer (J=1.035 9) and autumn (J=0.831 5). Throughout the year, the diversity and evenness index of planted reed wetland (H′=3.274 7, J=0.893 9) were lower than that of original reed wetland(H′=3.300 2, J=0.920 9). No significant difference was observed between the two reed wetlands, indicating that the planted reed wetland restoration was close to original reed wetland.

Abstract:on September 13, 2013,11 a.m, in the yinshan mountains daqingshan (belongs to Inner Mongolia wulanchabu city ZhuoZi coutry, geographic coordinates 41°02.881"N, 112 ° 02.922" E, at an altitude of 1526 m) found that the Long-tail Minivet (Pericrocotus ethologus),for the birds new distribution record in Inner Mongolia.

Abstract:The trace of the greater flamingo(Phoenicopterus roseus)is rarely to be found in China comparing with its widely distribution among other countries worldwide. It was found by the staffs of Keluke-Tuosu lake nature reserve management bureau on November 12_th, 2013. Seven juveniles were seen at the Keluke lake southwestern shore water inlet area, Haixi autonomous prefecture, Qinghai (37°15′07″N and 96°51′06″E,the elevation of 2803m). Now was a new record of bird in Qinghai.

Abstract:As an endemic fish species to the Yangtze River drainage in China, Sichuan taimen (Hucho bleekeri Kimura) were historically distributed in the upper reaches of the Minjiang River in western Sichuan and in the Xushui and Taibai rivers, two tributaries in the upper reaches of the Hanjiang River at the southern foot of the Qinling mountain range. Since the 1960s, the distribution range of the species has dwindled and the population size has decreased rapidly and few records of the species were documented from 1990s. In this study, 19 adult Sichuan taimen were captured in September 2012 in the Taibai River, one of the upper tributary of the Hanjiang River. Detail morphological characteristics comparison of the four specimens in the rediscovered group from those specimen that have been documented in Dadu River, upper Minjiang River and Qingyijiang River have proofed to be the true species. It is not only the rediscovery of the species in the Taibai River during the past 15 years, but also the largest groups of Hucho bleekeri documented in the nearly past 30 years in the whole country. The rediscovery will contribute for the future population enhancement and recovery of this endangered species.

Abstract:Bird survey was carried out in Medog County, Tibetan Autonomous Region from October to November, 2014.Among the observed birds, two species including Falco severus and Halcyon smyrnensis have been identified to be the new bird records for Tibet.

Abstract:A juvenile snake of the family Colubridae was collected in Hunan Mangshan National Nature Reserve on April 20, 2013. Based on its morphological characters, the snake was identified as Bella Rat Snake (Maculophis bellus), which is the second record of this species in Hunan Province. The first record of M. bellus in Hunan Province was reported in 1982. The specimen of the snake was kept in Mangshan Nature Museum. This new record provides further information on the morphology and distribution range of this species.