Abstract:Food distribution is one of important aspects in the study of primate behavioral ecology. Although food species and preference of Rhinopithecus roxellana have been investigated in great detail, few studies have focused on its food distribution. In the period between August 2006 and July 2008, we quantified diet composition via instantaneous scans at 30 min intervals for a group of R. roxellana in Qianjiaping (area: ca. 60 km2; altitudes: 1 500~2 663 m), Shennongjia, China (Fig. 1), and meanwhile investigated its food distribution characteristics and seasonally altitudinal variation across its home range via vegetation transects at 200 m altitudinal gradients. The transect locations were selected as follows: 3 mountains were randomly selected from those with peaks higher than each altitudinal gradient between 1 500 m and 2 300 m, and then 1 transect (120 m ? 10 m) was made at each altitudinal gradient approximately at the central position of the eastern slope and western slope of each mountain, respectively; there was only 1 mountain with the peak higher than the altitude of 2 500 m, 1 transect (120 m ? 10 m) was first made at the altitudinal gradient of 2 500 m approximately at the central position of the eastern slope and western slope of this mountain, respectively, and then 1 transect (60 m ? 10 m) was made at the same altitudinal gradient with a distance of at least 500 m from the first transect at the eastern slope and western slope of the same mountain, respectively; those mountains were not counted if they were covered by alpine meadows at each altitudinal gradient; there were 32 transects with the size of 120 m ? 10 m and 2 transects with the size of 60 m ? 10 m in total, covering the area of 3.96 hm2. Within each transect, the DBHs (diameter at breast heights) of all trees (woody plants with the DBH of ≥ 30 cm or the height of ≥ 5 m), and the length and width of the crowns (estimated shrub coverage: length ? width) for all shrubs (woody plants with the DBH of < 30 cm and the height of < 5 m, and all lianas) were recorded. The proportions of tree basal area and shrub coverage at each altitudinal gradient and across the whole area were calculated for plants occupying ≥ 5.0% of the diet (defined as IFPs: important food plants) in any given season. The coverage of fruticose lichens on the surface of all trees and shrubs within each transect was estimated at 5 levels: I = 0%, 0% < II < 5%, 5% ≤ III < 10%, 10% ≤ IV < 20%, V ≥ 20%. The proportions of tree and shrub individuals with each coverage level by fruticose lichens at each altitudinal gradient were calculated, and the relationships between these proportions and altitudinal gradients were analyzed using Spearman rank correlation tests. Results showed that the animals ate at least 15 species of plants (occupying 55.0% of the overall diet) and fruticose lichens (occupying 38.4% of the overall diet) (Table 1). A detailed description of diet had been reported in Liu et al. (2013). In general, the density of food distribution was low across the area. IFPs accounted for 4.2~11.5% of tree basal area and 1.3~13.9% of shrub coverage in any give season (Fig. 2~3). About 89% of trees and 81% of shrubs were not loaded by fruticose lichens, and further only 0.8% of trees and 6.5% of shrubs had the coverage level of V (Fig. 4~5). Both IFPs and fruticose lichens were unevenly distributed across altitudes and mainly found at the altitudes between 1 900~2 500 m (Fig. 2~5), which may determine the limits of ranging altitudes of the animals. Specifically, the proportions of tree basal area of IFPs were highest at the altitudes of 1 900~2 100 m in spring and summer and at the altitudes of 2 100~2 300 m in autumn and winter, respectively (Fig. 2). The proportions of shrub coverage of IFPs were highest at the altitude of 2 500 m in spring and at the altitude of 2 100 m in summer, and were extremely small at any altitude in autumn and winter (Fig. 3). The seasonally altitudinal variation of IFPs might cause the animals to seasonally forage at different altitudes. The proportions of lichen-loading trees increased with altitudes (r = 0.94, P < 0.01), ranging from 5.8% at the altitude of 1 500 m to 23.0% at the altitude of 2 500 m (Fig. 4). The proportions of lichen-loading shrubs also tended to increase with altitudes (r = 0.77, P = 0.07), ranging from 8.7% at the altitude of 1 500 m to 45.5% at the altitude of 2 100 m (Fig. 5).

Abstract:To explore the effects of X-ray on mouse kidney tissue structure and function,96 mice were irradiated with different dosages (0,1,3,5Gy) of X-ray. At 5、10、15、20 d after irradiation, Changes of kidney weight were examination,kidney-histological structure was observed using bio-microscopy,and content of BUN、Cr in blood were detected by instrument analysis. The results showed that the kidney weight increased in varying degrees,and correlated with the dose,content of BUN、Cr in blood also increased in varying degrees(p<0.05orp<0.01),kidney-histological structure damaged obviously,glomerular was severe swelling；The proximal tubule,distal convoluted tubule epithelium was vacuolization, apoptosis,and necrosis,The tubule structure was disordered and bureaucratic structure could not distinguish. The phenomenon revealed that X-ray radiation seriously affected the tissue structure and function of the kidney.

Abstract:Eleven bats (5 males and6 females) Myotis nipalensis were collected in Yeren Cave (31°55′8.3′′N,110°43′56.5′′E, 282maltitude), Fang County, Hubei Province, and five (1 males and4 females) M. nipalensis were collected in Linggu Cave (31°13′20.9′′N, 119°44′23.3′′E, 123maltitude), Yixing County, Jingsu Province, both on April, 2013. These were both the first records for Myotis nipalensis from Hubei and Jiangsu provinces. The feature of morphological structure and skull of the specimens was given in this paper, and comparison with specimens from Nepal and South Asia. At the same time, we used an Avisoft-UltraSoundGate 116(e) bat detector to record the echolocation calls when the bat was flying in spacious indoor conditions, and the acoustic parameters of these bats were analyzed. We also discussed the taxonomic status and distribution of this bat species in China. The specimens were kept in Guangdong Entomological Institute.

Abstract:The geographical position of Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve is unique,the shallow seas and tidelands is vast, is a important relay station of the migratory bird migration route in the Asian and Pacific area, however at present because the fast proliferation of the Spartina Alterniflora caused the change of the local plant community and the swamp land ‘s structure, thus it has directly caused the drops of the birds biodiversity obviously, therefore the protector take the measure to recover and the optimize the wetland in Dongtan wetland, but while controlling and transforming the Spartina Alterniflora’s fast proliferation mutually the natural reserve transformed into the artificial wetland. This research divide the wetland which be controlled and transformed into four kinds of different artificial wetland types namely Fishing port optimization area namely The First phased project (have repaired), The bird’s habitat optimization area namely The Second phased projects (in repair), the artificial fish-crab pond, the Yao farmland. This research’s goal lies in the analysis the waterflowl’ s community characteristics in the different bird’s habitat as well as the different habitat utilization, and investigate the main factor which affect the bird’s community structure, and then puts forward some scientific proposals for the wetland transformation. Because the massive research in the earlier period indicated the birds quantity and species are rich in spring, can reflect Chongming Dongtan wetland’s ecology situation at present well. Therefore we separately carried on the birds and the habitat factor investigation in the above four kinds of different artificial wetland above from at the end of March, 2013 to the beginning of May,2013 in the flood tide time and the neap season time. This investigation altogether counts waterfowl 2357, subordinates slightly in 7 item 10 branch 45 kinds, in which Anas poecilorhyncha, Gallinula chloropus, Charadrius dubius, Charadrius alexandrines, Bubulus ibis、Tringa erythropus、Tringa glareola and so on are the dominant species. The non-parametric test analysis indicated that, four kinds of artificial wetland waterfowl type the spring, the density multiplicity have the significance difference. The correlation analysis were undertaken between habitat factors and characteristics of bird communities, according to the non-parametric results ,we can summarize that the bare shoal area, water area, the number of habitat islands are the key factors which affect the waterfowl distribution, then we can put forward some scientific suggestion to repair and improve for The Bird’s Habitat Optimization Area.

Abstract:Brood parasitism on Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonicus), Yellow-throated Bunting (Ermberiza elegans) and Buff-throated Warbler (Phylloscopus subaffinis) by Himalayan Cuckoo (Cuculus saturatus) were recorded in Kuankuoshui National Nature Reserve, Guizhou, southwestern China, during the 2012-2013 breeding season. And Buff-throated Warbler and Japanese White-eye were the first record of parasitism by Himalayan Cuckoo. Spectrophotometer analysis showed that there was much difference in egg reflectance of spot and background of Himalaya Cuckoo using different host species.

Abstract:Using field observations and molecular analysis, we found a case of multiple brood parasitism in Xiaolongmen National Forest Park, Beijing, China, which the host was the Eastern Crowned Warbler (Phylloscopus coronatus), and the two parasitic eggs belonged to the Oriental Cuckoo (Cuculus optatus). This case belongs to Multiple Parasitism, which means one single host nest has two or more parasitic eggs that belong to one or more parasitic females. In this case, one nestling successfully hatched from the egg, others failed and the two eggs that out of nest were discovered by us. DNA was extracted from the tissue of the above two eggs and fresh blood which belong to parasitic nestling and one host. Portions of the cyt b gene were amplified via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and then the sequences had been compared with cyt b gene sequences in GenBank. The sequences suggested that both the young brood parasite and one egg that failed hatched belonged to the Oriental Cuckoo, the host and another egg belonged to the Oriental Cuckoo. What’s more, the young brood parasite had a pair of patches on palate also could prove it is Oriental Cuckoo. The morphology and molecular evidence were both demonstrated this case was multiple parasitism, and this study will contribute to more insight into brood parasitism.

Abstract:From April to August in 2010,we studied the reproductive ecology of Lanius isabellinus isabellinus in An’xin Extra-arid Desert National Nature Reserve. Breeding season lasts from the end of April to Early August. There were 3-6 pieces of eggs per nest, the average clutch size of L. isabellinus was 4.67±0.57(n=21)eggs and the egg volume was 3.14±0.32 cm3 (n=95), average fresh eggs mass was 3.48±0.20 g (n=20). After laid the first egg, the female birds began incubation, and males were responsible for courtship feeding and guarding. Measured by automatic temperature recorder, the average incubation temperature was 38.19±0.77℃, the duration of incubation was 15-16 days. Nestling period lasted 12-15 days, after nestlings left, the parents birds continued to feed the baby birds, the whole breeding period was up to 31 days at most. Hatching success was 82.50%(n=80), nesting success was 46.94%, fledging success was 62.96%(n=81), nest success rate was 58.62%. During the entire breeding season, three nests of L. isabellinus were found to be parasitized by Cuculus canorus, which accounting for 10.34% of the total nests.

Abstract:Scaly-sided Merganser (Mergus squamatus) is a typical indicator species of forest stream ecosystem, and rarely reported in man-made bodies of water. Wintering population of M. squamatus had been continuously monitored in the Huidong baipenzhu reservoir in Guangdong province from Sep. 2007 to Mar. 2013. The results are as follows: 1) First M. squamatus arrived at Baipenzhu reservoir at the end of September and left in the March of the next year, and stayed here for three months to six months. 2) The largest population of M. squamatus remained stable from 2007 to 2009 (31 in each year), but reduced year after year from 2009 to 2013 (only 12 in 2013). 3) M. squamatus were mainly distributed nearby the DaLuoDong in reservoir, and their home range were between 100.01 hm2 and 180.9 hm2. The man-made water body with large area, cleaned water and less-disturbed by the outside world in this area are possible reasons for M. squamatus wintering here. The studies indicated that the suitable wintering environment and the effective management measures of local natural reserve could contributed to the species wintering here. We propose to classify DaLuoDong into core zone of the Lianhuashan-Baipenzhu Provincial Nature Reserve in order to further strengthen the protection of the M. Squamatus.

Abstract:Sexual dimorphism of body size and body shape widely exists in the animal kingdom. Generally speaking, females should exhibit a greater abdominal volume than males to hold the progeny, when compared with females, males should exhibit more developed attributes that enhance mobility and mating success. We studied sexual dimorphism of body size and body shape in Sacalia quadriocellata based on 43 (22♀♀21♂♂) adults collected from Qiongzhong county in Hainan province. We measured 19 morphological variables on these specimens. As expected, our data indicate that the shell provides a larger abdominal volume relative to shell size in females than in males. In males, larger shell openings offer more freedom to the limbs and to the tail, longer hind limbs enhance mobility, bigger head might serve to clam the female, and the more posterior cloaca in the tail most likely facilitate copulation. All of these characteristics presumably enhance mating success. Our main conclusion is that sexual dimorphism of body size and body shape existed in Sacalia quadriocellata.

Abstract:In this study, the mitochondrial (mt) genome of Cyclemys dentata was firstly obtained; the relationship of 20 turtles was analyzed based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). According to the mtDNA sequence of Cyclemys atripons which had been published in GenBank (No. EF067858), sixteen PCR primers were designed to amplify the mtDNA sequence of the C. dentata (Table 1). These PCR productions were inserted into the pMD-18T cloning vectors respectively, the restructured vectors were sequenced, and these sequencing fragments were spliced by Lasergene 7.0 software. The structure and gene order of C. dentata mtDNA were determined by referring to C. atripons mtDNA, and using tRNAscan-SE 1.21 to predicted tRNAs. Based on 20 turtles’ mtDNA heavy chain protein-coding genes sequences, three phylogenetic trees were constructed by Maximum parsimony (MP), Maximum-likelihood (ML) and Bayesian methods using three programs, respectively. The results indicated that the total length of mtDNA of C. dentata was 16 489 bp (GenBank No. JX455823), similar to other turtles’ mitochondrial genome, it encoded 37 genes, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes (12Sr RNA and 16Sr RNA), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs) and a control region (D-loop) (Fig. 1, Table 2). The bases composition of C. dentata mt genome as same as that of C. atripons, its A T content was 61.51%, and A T content of 13 protein-coding genes were from 57.89% to 67.86%, their GC contents were low (Table 3). The average length of 20 turtles’ mt genomes was 16 692.5 bp, including 34.1% A, 27.0% T, 26.0% C and 12.9% G (Table 4). OL sequence was 28 bp in length; it could fold into a hairpin secondary structure which contained a 10 bp arm and an 8-base ring (Fig. 2). The D-Loop of C. dentata mtDNA contained a central domain (CD), two extended termination associated sequences (ETASs) and three conserved sequence blocks (CSBs) (Fig.3). From the Fig. 4, we knew that the MP, ML and Bayesian trees had analogical topologies, seven species of genus Cuora clustered into a branch, six species of genus Mauremys clustered into another branch, the C. dentata clustered together with the C. atripons. The analysis results of three phylogenetic trees supported the existing classification of these turtles.

Abstract:Morphology and distribution of Argyrophil cells in the digestive tract in the postembryonic development of Salamandrella keyserlingii were investigated by means of silver nitrate method of Grimelius. The result showed: Argyrophil cells first appeared between mucous epithelial cells in the stomach of Salamandrella keyserlingii at stage 41 in round, oval, as well as conical shapes, with their processes extending to nearby cells. Argyrophil cells were first observed in the intestine at stage 42. They mainly distributed between epithelial cells in cone-shape or shuttle-shape. Argyrophil cells appeared in the esophagus as late as stage 43. They mainly distributed between epithelial cells in various forms. According to the morphology of the argyrophil cells, they have endocrine and exocrine functions.

Abstract:The types and distribution of mucous cells stained with AB-PAS (AB,pH2.6) in the gill and digestive tract of Hippocampus japonicus and Hippocampus trimaculatus were studied. The results shows that the gill and digestive tract of Hippocampus japonicus and Hippocampus trimaculatus has mucous cells. There are types Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ mucous cells in the gill of Hippocampus japonicus and Hippocampus trimaculatus. The mucous cells’s types and amount is different among the parts of digestive tract. There are most TypeⅠ cells in the esophagus of Hippocampus japonicus while there are most type Ⅳ cells in the esophagus of Hippocampus trimaculatus. Hippocampus japonicus?s small intestine only have type Ⅰ, however, all three types (typeⅠ, type Ⅲ and type Ⅳ ) are founded in the small intestine of Hippocampus trimaculatus and among the three types type Ⅰcells exists most. Furthermore, three types (typeⅠ, type Ⅲ and type Ⅳ)cells are also founed in the large intestine of Hippocampus japonica ,but there are more type III cells in the large intestine of both Hippocampus japonica and only type I cells in the large intesting of Hippocampus trimaculatus. Four types (type I, type II, type Ⅲ and type Ⅳ) cells are discovered in the rectum of both Hippocampus japonicus and Hippocampus trimaculatus. The rectum of Hippocampus japonicus have most type Ⅲ cells while the rectum of Hippocampus trimaculatus have most type Ⅳ cells.

Abstract:The complete cDNA sequences of Aquaporin 3 (AQP3) from gills of Sarotherodon melanothern was cloned using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The full length of AQP3 cDNA was 1894 bp, containing 912 bp open reading frame and encoding 303 amino acids, with a 98 bp 5’ untranslated regions (UTR) and 884 bp 3’-UTR. The amino acid sequence comparison showed that AQP3 of S. melanothern shared the highest identity with Oreochromis mossambicus (94%). Relative tissue expression of AQP3 mRNA under different salinity stresses were estimated by real-time quantitative PCR. The higher expression were detected in skin, gill and muscle than in other tissues at 0 and 15 salinity, moreover, the expression level in 15 salinity was lower than that in freshwater in all tissues. The expression level was higher in intestine than in other tissues at 30 salinity. The results suggested S. melanothern could utilize AQP3 in different tissue to respond to water transfer under different osmoregulation process.

Abstract:There were 63 female Pseudobagrus truncatus which ovaries at stage Ⅳ collected from the Yangtze River’s tributaries-MinJiang river in April-May 2013. The data for body length （L） , body weight （M） , net body weight （W） , ovary weight （Wa） were measured. The lapilli were used to determine the ages and egg diameters were measured with the aid of a vernier calipers. Counted with gravimetric method, the individual absolute fecundity （F） was obtained, and used for calculating the relative fecundity per centimeter （FL）, relative fecundity per gram （FW）, coefficient of maturing （GSI）, fullness （K）, and other indices. Based on these measurements and calculations, the relationships between the individual fecundity and the morphological indices of 63 female specimens of P. truncatus were studied. The results showed that the ages of the specimens ranged from 2 to 5 years old（Table 1）. The individual absolute fecundity （F）, ranged from 566 to 6 758 eggs （average 3 056 eggs ）. The individual relative fecundity per centimeter （FL）, ranged from 68 to 469 eggs （average 234 eggs） and the individual relative fecundity per gram （FW） , ranged from 45 to 349 eggs （average 145 eggs）(Fig. 3). The absolute fecundity and length relatively fecundity were power correlated with body length, body weight and coefficient of maturing, respectively. While weight relative fecundity was only power correlated with the coefficient of maturing, but not correlated with other morphological indices. Multi-regressive analyses showed that the individual absolute fecundity was significantly correlated with body weight and coefficient of maturing, the relative fecundity per centimeter was significantly correlated with body weight, net weight and coefficient of maturing, while the relative fecundity per gram was only correlated with coefficient of maturing. The multiple stepwise regression equation were as follow: F = 16 370.714 3 284.028 GSI 58.361 M，（n=63, R2 = 0.973, P < 0.01）; FL = 251.749 18.961 M 684.273 W 3 268.421 GSI，（n=63, R2 = 0.852, P < 0.01）；Fw = 138.590 837.641GSI，（n=63,R2 = 0.539, P < 0.01）. The distribution of egg diameter showed that P. truncatus was the fish with onetime spawner a year.

Abstract:Reproductive molt has special significance for Brachyura because it determines crab’s two different growth phases for postlarval development: the puberal phase and the mature phase and only after this molt, the crab has the ability to mate. However, the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus, one of most important marine economic species in China, the process of reproductive molt and mating still has not been observed in detail. Our study recorded this process and relative mating behaviors under the laboratory-reard condition based on the daily external characteristic examination and real-time infrared videography in the mating season. As the prepubertal female progressed towards the reproductive molt, the abdomen of female P. trituberculatus changed from faint shades of blue to dark blue that eventually covered the entire abdomen while the propodus of the swimming leg finally formed a red crescent. These female particular external characteristics appear in pre-molt stage and therefore, may be as one kind of visual signals for subsequent mating activitie as pheromone. The mating process started from the behavior of courtship embrace while the copulation occurred immediately after reproductive molt. It was a continuous course including following post-copulatory guarding embrace. But compared with the prolonged pre-and/or post-copulatory embrace, the time used for molting and mating was very limited. So this may be a reproductive strategy adopted by P. trituberculatus: for one thing, the female can make her reproductive molt and soft-shell mating completed safely and orderly within a limited time by mean of embrace; for another thing, as compensation, male can quarantee paternity by formation of sperm plug in the female reproductive tract to reduce mating chance and sperm competition.

Abstract:Webs are used to capture prey, therefore the structure and mechanical properties of the webs can affect the efficiency of prey capture and foraging investment. Is there an Effect of the prey experience on tensile behavior and properties of silk fiber? In this paper, tensile properties of forward and returning preying dragline silk, when A. bruennichi preyed on T. molitor and the effects of the predator experience on tensile properties of radius silk before and after mending were examined and investigated using electric single-fiber tensile apparatus. The data dealt with Spass 17.0. Figure 1 and table 1 show that compared with forward preying dragline silk (Du=12.2±2.5 mm, Fu=5.12±0.53 cN), return preying dragline silk reduces investment in the elastic region and increases investment in the yield and hardening region(Du=23.94±0.50 mm, Fu=8.07±3.70 cN, PD=0.001＜0.01, PF=0.242＞0.05), moreover returning preying dragline silk present higher toughness. Figure 2 and table 2 show that compared with initial radius silk (Du=7.18 mm, Fu=0.51 cN), radius mending silk under no feeding T. molitor increases investment of tensile properties (Du=9.73±0.94 mm, Fu=3.37±0.85 cN). However, radius mending silk under feeding T. molitor reduces investment of tensile properties (control silk：Du=21.93 mm, Fu=9.877cN, mending silk：Du=18.47±3.43 mm, Fu=3.01±1.4 cN). In addition, Figure 1 and 2 also demonstrated that two types of tensile behaviors present in tested samples of spider silk: one is the typical of tensile behavior similar with dragline silk; the other one is the tensile behavior of material of the viscous flow, which reflects the tensile properties, is the strategy of another kind of materials. It can content with the demand that spider silk dissipate absorb kinetic energy of prey and spider itself when it fall down. This study shows that spider can adjust mechanical properties of spider silk according its prey experience following cost-benefit principles in order to adjust prey inputs.

Abstract:Mitochondrial inheritance mode of some bivalves is different from standard mitochondrial inheritance (SMI), which is named doubly uniparental inheritance (DUI). Hyriopsis schlegelii is a freshwater bivalve, is it DUI? The paper researched the complete mitochondrial genome of male H. schlegelii using PCR, shot-gun sequencing technology, and analysised DUI of mitochondrial genome of H. schlegelii according to the mtDNA characteristics, protein-coding genes, tRNA-His gene and the difference of non-coding region of male and female H. schlegelii. The results show that the mitochondrial genome sequences of male and female contain 15 961 and 15 939 base pairs, respectively. Two mtDNA sequences contain identical genetic constitution and gene arrangement including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 28 non-coding regions ranged from 1 to 393 bp in size. Compared the protein-coding genes of two sequences, there was no difference in sequence length, and the ratios of transition, transversion and amino acid difference were 1.01%-7.34%, 0.00%-0.62% and 0.00%-9.35%. There was 2.72% transition and transversion of COX1 and 7.5% of COX2 between male and female. There was no extra male sequence of a 3′ C-terminus codon extension of COX2. 12SrRNA gene of male contains 5 bp transition and the ratio was only 0.6%; 16SrRNA of male was 9bp longer than that of female and the transition ratio was 1.2%. The location of tRNA-His was the same between male and female, which was encoded on the H strand and was located between COX2 and ND3. There is no control region in non-coding regions. There were identical potential polypeptides in the non-coding regions between tRNA-Glu and tRNA-Tyr of male and female, which were not the male-specific proteins. Constructing a molecular phylogenetic tree based on COX1 genes using neighbor-joining methods (MEGA 4.0 software), the results show that H. schlegelii and Hyriopsis cumingii are the closest relationship than others; male Pyganodon grandis, Venustaconcha ellipsiformis and Quadrula quadrula, which was DUI species, were monophyletic, female were the other monophyletic. In conclusion, there is a litter difference between male and female H. schlegelii. But there is much less different from male and female of other freshwater shellfish and there is probably no DUI about mitochondrial genome in inheritance of H. schlegelii.

Abstract:Two specimens of the genus Gloydius were collected in Liaoning Province on 8th August, 2013. They are identified as G. intermedius, which is the first discovery of this species in Liaoning Province. This paper described these two specimens and compared them with those from the other localities. Its distribution pattern and biogeographic characteristics were discussed preliminarily.

Abstract:Six adult and seven larvae (hatched out by a clutch of eggs, clutch size 7) forest skink lizards were collected at Lingnan Nature Reserve, Huangshan, Anhui, China from June to September 2011. The thirteen specimens are identified as Sphenomorphus incognitus which is a new lizard record to Anhui Province. The specimens are deposited at the Museum of Huangshan University．By checking 13 specimens, variations were founded: Rostral slightly concave; precloacals four, medial two enlarged sharply; tail slightly compressed, height/width of tail middle ratio ranging from 1.23 to1.71 (mean=1.49); dorsum brown with two lines dark speckles；dorsal tail tip of adult and larva brown. The finding of this species in Anhui will benefit us to further study on geographical distribution and morphological variation and ecology of S. incognitus.

Abstract:Non-lethal effect has become an important part of predation risk, which shows increasing influence over density-mediated interaction. With complex anti-prey strategy and behavior, birds provide good examples for non-lethal effects study. This review summarized progress in non-lethal effects studies on birds. Previous work showed that non-lethal effects tolerance could affect individual fitness and population regulation and dynamics. Moreover, birds’ evaluation on non-lethal stimulation is influenced by many factors, eg. individual condition, perching height and group size. Knowledge and understanding of non-lethal effect on birds may play a key role in predation risk trade-off theory, population modelling, and coexistence of human being and birds.

Abstract:The hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis integrates internal and external cues via intricate network of neuroendocrine systems that, ultimately acting on gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) system, to regulate reproductive function in mammals. To date, neurokinkin B is proposed as a critical factor on modulating pulsatile GnRH secretion as well as kisspeptin. A large number of previous studies have confirmed that neurokinkin B suppresses GnRH system and luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion, thereby affecting the onset of puberty and reproduction. However, whether the stimulation or inhibition of LH secretion by NKB remains controversial. In addition, the signaling pathway how NKB acting on GnRH neurons is not clear or whether steroid hormone participate in this Physiological processes, which is currently a subject of intense research in the field. The distribution and bilateral network of NKB and NK3R, as well as effects of NKB on GnRH pulse generator, are systematically elaborated and the remaining unsolved problems are also discussed in this paper.

Abstract:During the last decade years, more field records of the Japanese Night Heron (Gorsachius goisagi) have emerged in the mainland China revealing a wider range of the appearance of the bird from the Yalu river estuary of the very NE Chinese coast to the Gulf of Tonkin of the SW Chinese coast. For details – Liaoning: 23rd April 2012, one bird seen standing on mud, by David Melville. Jiangsu: 1). 1st May 2007, one bird seen on grassland in Langshan Botanic Garden of Nantong city and photoed by Jia Tao–gen; 2). 4th Oct. 2011, 3 birds on mud at Rudong recorded by DWX. Zhejiang: 1). 3rd Feb. 2010, HFQ noticed a bird skin in a private collection and learned that the bird got from the local market years ago; 2). 25th May 2011, one bird found in Hangzhou Botanic Garden and photoed by local birders (see the photo on cover page), the bird stayed there on 26th and left on 27th May. Fujian: 1). 31st Dec. 2010, one injured bird found by students at Mawei of Fuzhou, then, on 17th Dec. 2011, one bird seen and photoed by birders at Wushan of Fuzhou; 2). 14th–16th May 2009, one bird found taking activities in different places in Xiamen (Amoy); 3). JHD recently noticed three undated bird skins in the collection of the Dept. of Biology, Xiamen University. Guangxi: Migrant, found in Guilin, Hengxian, Hepu, Beihai, Qinzhou, Fangcheng, by Zhou Fang et al. (2011). Besides, following the records on 25th and 27th April 2006 near downtown of Wuyuan, NE Jiangxi of SE China, by HFQ and LJS (He et al. 2007), four more records of the bird from Wuyuan by DWX, i.e., 15th April 2010 at Dazhangshan of N Wuyuan, 26th May 2010 at Xücun of W Wuyuan, 23rd April 2012 at Dazhangshan again, and 21st May 2013 at Zheyuan of N Wuyuan, reconfirming Caldwells’ description (1931) that the bird “Recorded from Kiangsi, March to May”.

Abstract:Satellite tracking showed that one female Scaly-sided Merganser Mergus squamatus breeding at Dailing of Heilongjiang Province wintered in Yuanling County of Hunan Province in 2011. In January 2014, 26 Scaly-sided Mergansers were discovered in Yuangjiang River catchment in Yuanling County, indicating it is an important wintering ground for this species.

Abstract:From August 2013 to November 2013, three kinds of birds were seen and taken down in Changdu area, Tibet. The three of them were identified as White-collared Yuhina ( Yuhina diademata )、Little Bunting ( Emberiza pusilla ) and Black-necked Grebe ( Podiceps nigricollis ) , respectively. On the basis of literatures, these three birds are new records in Tibet.

Abstract:A Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) was recorded at Qianmutang, Tangxun lake, Wuhan, Hubei province during April 7-25_th, 2014, which was a new record for the province, and a rare record for inland, China.

Abstract:In the winter of 2013,authors surveyed waterbirds at the north shore of Yellow River in Jinan. On the November 30th and December 4rd ,7th , we found 3 ducks were very different from others in the same water area(36°74′29.0″N， 116°98′41.3″E， 19m above sea level) in the Reservior of Queshan, they were swimming with Little Grebe(Tachybaptus ruficollis), Green-winged Teal(Anas crecca), Great Crested Grebe(Podiceps cristatus), Smew(Tadorna ferruginea), Goosander (Mergus merganse) or along, while diving to feed. How long they diving were longer than other ducks. With the help of canon 7D witch EF100-400MM lens, we took pictures for them which were lagely white; bread, back dark brown; scapulars pearl gray; stubby bill shows pink band; long tail is conspicuous in flight.

Abstract:The avian species diversity was monthly investigated and monitored in Hunan Hupingshan National Nature Reserve from January 2012 to December 2013. Among the observed birds, two species named respectively White-throated Spinetail Swift (Hirundapus caudacutus) in Apodiformes and Large-billed Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus magnirostris) in Passeriformes, were the new bird records of Hunan Province.