Abstract:Through harp traps, 7 forest bats (6 males and 1 female) and 5 forest bats (all females) were collected respectively in Shixi Village (26° 37.143′ N, 114° 10.875′ E, alt. 777 m) and Zhushachong Forest Farm (26° 33.703' N, 114° 11.232' E, alt. 805 m), both in Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve, Jiangxi Province, China, in July and August, 2013. The typical characteristics of these bats include small-sized body (forearm length 30.16 – 33.85 mm, greatest length of skull 13.90 – 14.76 mm), with long-lanceolated tragus and funnel-shaped ears, but no noseleaf structure. The skull is flattened and its dental formula is 2.1.3.3/3.1.3.3=38. And the characteristics of karyotype include that the chromosome number (2n) is 32, and the fundamental number (FN) is 52. They were identified as Kerivoula titania, a new species of Southeast Asia described in 2007. It is the first record in Jiangxi Province and Mainland China (excluding Hainan and Taiwan). The feature of morphological structure and skull of the specimens were given, and all the relevant measurement data were given and analysed. The data differences between males and females of K. titania in Jiangxi Province, also the data differences between Jiangxi Province and Southeast Asia of K. titania were tested by t-test through SPSS software v19.0. The result show that sexual dimorphism of K. titania is not obvious but K. titania distributed in these two areas may have appeared certain differentiation in morphology. Besides, the karyotype of K. titania were given and analysed. The ecological and conservation status of this bat species in the world also had been discussed. All specimens were preserved in School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University.

Abstract:To study the response properties of constant frequency-constant frequency (CF-CF) combination sensitive neurons in inferior colliculus (IC) of pratt’s roundleaf bat (Hipposideros pratti), and the proportions of facilitatory and inhibitory CF-CF combination sensitive neurons in high frequency representation region of IC, single CF tones with different frequencies and intensities and double CF tones with different interpulse intervals were used to study the responses of combination sensitive neurons in IC. The responses of 77 IC neurons of 7 bats with normal hearing were recorded by intracellular recording method. All data obtained under different stimulation conditions were processed and plotted using Sigmaplot 10.0. Among 77 recorded neurons，37 (48.1%) of them were the CF-CF combination sensitive neurons. Most neurons (24/37) were the inhibitory CF-CF combination sensitive neurons (Fig. 2B) and 13 were the facilitatory (Fig. 2A). These results indicated that there were both facilitatory and inhibitory CF-CF combination sensitive neurons in IC of pratt’s roundleaf bat. And the proportion of inhibitory CF-CF combination sensitive neurons was larger than facilitatory. The CF-CF combination sensitive neurons may play an important role in temporal and spectral integration of information in the echoes from the targets during the navigation of bats.

Abstract:We obtained 87 living Malayan pangolins (Manis javanica) that the Forestry Public Security Bureau of Guangdong confiscated from illegal trader in June, 2011. According to the wear degree of their claws, scales and hair, the behavior relationships between mother and baby, and body weight, they were divided into 4 age groups: cub, sub-adult, adult and senior, and were composted of 3(3.45%), 22(25.29%), 32(36.78%) and 30(34.48%) individuals respectively. The age structure diagram shaped inverse pyramid, it implied Malayan pangolin population was in rapid decline. Sex ratio was 1:1.42(♂:♀)(36:51). The proportion of females was less than that of males, and the female proportion was the lowest in adult group (28.13%). The giving birth records showed one cub at a birth. The pregnancy rate for all females was 36.1%, the greatest fecundity occurred in the adult group (77.78%). The smallest pregnant mother (sub-adult) was 1.95kg in weight. Morphological feature for new born cubs were measured: body weight 143.3±6.67g (120~170g, n=6); body length 14.7±0.29cm(14.8~15.4cm, n=6); tail length 10.1±0.24cm (9.5~11.2cm, n=6). Our research results show in Southeast Asia area Malayan pangolin population has been largely destroyed with severe unhealthy status, if we don’t take effective protective measures, the population will continue to keep a rapid decline trend, even the ecocide is possible as well in near future.

Abstract:Abstract: BMP4 is better known for its critical roles in embryonic development, mesenchymal development, organogenesis of a variety of organs and the initiation and progression of tumor. The predicted functionally important residues and 3D structure will be helpful for understanding the function of BMP4 protein and the relationship with other proteins in the BMP signal pathway. The present study aims to identify some functionally important residues and its interaction with corresponding ligands of BMP4 protein. Here, a total of 100 non-redundant protein sequences of BMP4 from various mammals were retrieved from NCBI database. Of the 100 sequences, only 72 sequences have been selected for multiple sequence alignment and the phylogentic tree was split into 10 evenly distributed partitions, namely P1-P10 in order of evolutionary time cut-off (Fig.1). Based on these results, detailed analyses on the evolutionary conservation information were performed through a variety of bioinformatics tools. Conservative analyses show that the TGF?-propeptide domain contains 22 high conservative residues. However, the TGF-? domain only contains 84 class-specific residues (Fig.3). To further explore the functional binding sites of BMP4 protein, the ligand-binding pockets were predicted using software MetaPocket 2.0. The results show that there exists three binding sites and the ligand-binding sites are surrounded the pockets (Fig.4). This study will provide useful information for identifying key residues from functional regions and predicting unknown functional sites in BMP4 family．

Abstract:Cranes (Gruidae) have elaborate vocal displays in communication. We measured sound characteristic from total 15 species within Gruidae. Six variables were measured: duration of note, number of elements within note, minimum frequency of fundamental, maximum frequency of fundamental, minimum frequency of peak, maximum frequency of peak (Table 2). We used a princial component analysis to compress the original six sound variables into three comprehensive sound characteristic: fundamental frequency characteristic, peak frequency characteristic, temporal characteristic (Table 1). We estimated the ancestral sound characteristic by using phylogeny (Fig.3), and found positive relationship between temporal characteristic"s and body weight"s evolutionary changes (Loglinear model, Likelihood ratio = 9.69, P = 0.002; Cohen’s d = 1.48) (Fig.4). We didn"t find any relationship within evolutionary changes in sound characteristic (Loglinear model, Likelihood ratio ≤ 0.15, P ≥ 0.701; Cohen’s d ≤ 0.17) (Fig.5). Independent contrasts show positive relationship between temporal characteristic and body weight (Pearson correlation, r = -0.54, P = 0.048; Cohen’s d = 1.27), and negative relationship between peak frequency characteristic and body weight (Pearson correlation, r = -0.56, P = 0.036; Cohen’s d = 1.37)(Fig.6). Our results provide insight into how evolutionary changes in sound characteristic in a group of non-oscine bird (Gruidae).

Abstract:Studies of vocal signals can offer useful information for avian systematics and biogeography. Geographic variation in songs within species has the potential to induce assortative mating, promote reproductive isolation, and consequently leads to divergence between populations and even speciation. Song playback experiments can be of great use in the studies of inferring phylogenetic relationships and assessing taxonomic ranks in birds. Here we carried out song playback experiments in a Wuhan population of great tit (Parus major minor, belonging to the minor subspecies group which is mainly from China) to explore whether the subjects can distinguish songs of its own subspecies group from songs of a foreign subspecies group, the major subspecies group, which is from the west and the north part of Eurasia. By means of comparisons of the subjects’ responses toward the song playbacks of the major and minor subspecies groups, we explored whether a potential behavioral isolation exists between them. We tested 24 male great tit individuals from nonadjacent territories in Wuhan, China, from March to May, 2014, with 12 birds tested for song playbacks from each group. Songs used for playbacks were of different song types and from different locations in the distribution ranges of both subspecies groups (see Fig. 1, Appendix 1). Each of the 24 song playback files was only for a single use as stimulus in a great tit territory. We used both qualitative and quantitative behavioural parameters to assess the responding behaviour of our subjects during and after the playback. We used Fisher’s Exact Test for comparisons on qualitative parameters between groups. Mann-Whitney U tests were used for comparisons on quantitative responding behaviour parameters between groups. The results suggest that the difference in responses to the playbacks of the two subspecies groups is significant (see Fig. 2, Table 1). The responses to the minor song playbacks are generally intense while the responses to the major playbacks are weak and even there’s no response at all in most subjects (see Fig. 2, Table 2). Our results indicate that a considerable acoustic divergence, which can act as a potential reproductive isolation mechanism, exists between the major and minor subspecies groups of great tits, and thus support the suggestion of separate species in the Parus major complex.

Abstract:In July 2012, using ultrasonic recording devices, we collected courtship calls from male Odorrana schmackeri at Fuxi, Mount Huangshan. We later analyzed the characteristics of these recorded sounds in our laboratory. From our observation, we discovered that breeding activities of O. schmackeri mainly peaked around mid-July. During this peak breeding period, courtship calls, spawning, and other mating activities occurred throughout the day and night, mostly near shallow waters. O. schmackeri calls can be categorized (by note number and sound spectrum) into four different vocal types: single-note, ‘infant'-note, double-note, and multi-note staccato. Among these four vocal types, single-note, double-note, and 'infant'-note are most common. Using the SELENA software, we generated the spectrograms and the corresponding power spectrums for each of the 4 vocal types. Using Sound Analysis pro v1.2, we performed quantitative analysis on the sound characteristic parameters of three vocal types: single-note, double-note, and 'infant'-note. Sound parameters we analyzed include: call duration (ms), note number, note duration (ms), note interval (ms), dominant frequency (Hz), pulse rate (1/s), etc. Our results show that the range of dominant frequency of O. schmackeri is from 1.8 to 4.5 kHz (n = 65). Excluding the ultrasonic range, results of auditory sensitivity peak value from prior electrophysiological experiments were consistent with the range of dominant frequency (3.1 ± 0.7 kHz) in current study. Such consistency indicates that O. schmackeri mainly communicates in this frequency band. Results from our Univariate ANOVA analysis reveal that there were significant differences in the call duration between double-note, single-note and ‘infant'-note (p < 0.01). Results also show significant differences in the intensity of the 2nd harmonic sound between double-note and single-note (p = 0.01). Between the three common vocal types, we have determined that the double-note has the longest call duration (99.5 ± 8.4 ms). Such determination allows us to speculate that this type of call might be used by O. schmackeri as its primary courtship call, and the duration of these double-note mating calls might be able to reflect the overall wellbeing of the caller.

Abstract:To learn the details of the distribution of herpetological resources and species diversity in the Mayanghe Nature Reserve, we conducted field surveys on the herpetological resources in the Mayanghe Nature Reserve in Guizhou from May to June. Totally, 43 species and subspecies of herpetological belonging to 34 genera, 14 families, 4 orders were recorded in the Mayanghe Reserve. The result of the comparison among the Mayanghe Nature Reserve and the Fodingshan Nature Reserve and the Leigongshan Nature Reserve with the Similarity Coefficient of herpetological supported the zoogeography division that the Leigongshan Nature Reserve and Fodingshan Nature Reserve belong to the Southeast of Guizhou Hilly Basin Province, the Mayanghe Nature Reserve belongs to the Northern of Guizhou Middle Mountain and Gorge Province. The G-F Indexes of the Mayanghe, Fodingshan and Leigongshan Nature Reserve were calculated with the G-F formula, the G-F index of amphibians and reptiles in the Leigongshan are highest with 0.23 and 0.50, the G-F index of amphibians and reptiles in the Mayanghe are lowest with -0.20 and 0.25. Correlation of four parameters including the amphibians and reptiles population, the average annual temperature, the annual precipitation and the G-F index of the Mayanghe Nature Reserve, the Leigongshan Nature Reserve and the Fodingshan Nature Reserve were tested, The average annual precipitation in the range 1 158.7-1 450mm, with an average annual temperature in the range 14.02-16.7 ℃, significant positive correlation was found between the amphibians population and the annual precipitation (P=0.045<0.05) in amphibians, and the population of amphibians was uncorrelated with annual temperature(P＞0.05; what’s more, significant positive correlation was found between the population of reptiles and the annual precipitation, and also with the population of amphibian(P <0.05), the population of reptiles was uncorrelated with the annual temperature.

Abstract:In March 2013, two diseased alligator snapping turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) were collected from a aquarium in Chengdu (Sichuan Province, China) and they were transferred alive to the Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province. Symptoms included energetic dispirited, crawled in weakness, slow response to external stimulation; local redness and swelling in the the neck and limbs, plastron ulcerated and perforated (Fig. 1). Bacteriologic test, pathology observation and PCR detection were performed to identify the etiological factors of alligator snapping turtle. Bacteriologic test was negative; Histopathologically, the lesions were appeared in multi-organs and tissues, especially in kidney, liver, lung and heart. The main pathologic lesions were degeneration, necrosis and infiltration of the inflammation cells, and with acidophilic or basophilia cytoplasm of inclusions. Intracytoplasmic inclusions may be found in various cell types, including (Fig. 2). In addition, The PCR results of two samples were positive for ranavirus. A 500 bp fragment (Fig. 3) of the major capsid protein gene was amplified and sequenced. GenBank BLAST searches on the sequences revealed identities of 95% to 99% with that of ranavirus. From the PCR results and pathological character, we speculated that ranavirus infection caused the death of the alligator snapping turtle.

Abstract:Acipenser dabryanus lives only in the Yangtze River and Chin-sha River, and its natural populations have been damaged severely by long-term over-exploitation and increasing pollution. In 1988, the fish was listed as class Ⅰ state protected animal. It is immediately required to develop conservation measures for its populations, which requires both management and understanding of its biogeographical and biological chracteristics. Beacuase of the decline of natural spawning colony resource, there is litter knowledge about the sperm physio-ecological characteristics. Healthy male A.dabryanus individuals which had been cultured by our institute were selected and their spermatozoa were collected. The density of spermatozoa was determined by counting using a haemocytometer after 1 000× dilution of samples with 0.65% NaCl extender, and the results from three replicates were averaged. Milt concentration was enumerated by using milt collected into standard centrifuge tubes and centrifuged at 4 000 r/min for 30 min. The sperm cell volume percentage in the total volume of semen was calculated from 5 replicates. Semen pH was measured with a precision test paper. Ionic composition of seminal plasma was measured by the atomic absorption spectrophotometry method with the use of a AA_220 spectrometer (Varian USA). The effects of different aqueous solution on the sperm motility were measured by using different sources of test water, and Na , K sensitivity of sperm motility was assessed by activating sperm with 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120 mmol/L NaCL and 0.01, 0.05, 0.10, 0.50, 1.00, 1.50 mmol/L KCl, respectively. For testing the motility of spermatozoa, 1 μl of milt was mixed directly with 30 μl of the experimental solution, placed on a glass slide and examined under 400× magnification. The ultrastructure of spermatozoa was observed by using SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and TEM (transmission electron microscopy). All statistical analyses were conducted with SPSS STATISTICS, Version 17.0. For multiple comparisons between groups with LSD method, statistical significance was declared at P < 0.05. Results were presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). The results showed that the sperm density of A.dabryanus was 0.63 × 109 to 2.73 × 109/ml, with the average of 1.52 × 109/ml, the concentration of sperm was 3.18% to 12.98%, with the average of 7.67%, and the pH value was between 7.5 and 7.9 (Table 2). The ions composition in seminal plasma of A.dabryanus included Na , K , Ca2 , Mg2 , Cu2 , Zn2 , and Na was the main ion in seminal plasma, followed by K , Mg2 , Ca2 , Cu2 , Zn2 . There was significant difference in the concentration of Na , K , and Zn2 (P < 0.01), but no significant difference in Ca2 , Cu2 , Mg2 (Table 3). In A. dabryanus, the Na , K concentrations were lower than in teleostean fish (Table 4).The sperm had the highest motility in river water, and the fast movement time (FT) and lifetime (LT) were 142 s and 373 s, respectively (Fig. 1). The activity of A. dabryanus sperm in NaCl solution reached the highest when its concentration was 20 mmol/L, with the FT and LT being 66.7 ± 7.1 s and 177.0 ± 14.9 s, respectively (Fig. 2a). When the concentration of K was 0.05 mmol/L, the motility of sperm was the highest, while the FT and LT were the longest, which were 109.0 ± 16.1 s and 189.3 ± 12.4 s, respectively (Fig. 2b). The average length of the nucleus was 5.67 ± 0.20 μm (Table 5). Three intertwining endonuclear canals traversed the nucleus longitudinally from the acrosomal end to the basal nuclear fossa region. There were three mitochondria in the midpiece. The flagellum (63.16 ± 2.79 μm in length), originating from the centriolar apparatus, had a typical 9 2 eukaryotic flagellar organization (PlateⅠ). Some A. dabryanus sperm characteristics are reported here, but further investigations are needed in order to improve our knowledge of reproductive biology of this species and to establish gamete management methods.

Abstract:Pearl-scale goldfish（Carassius auratus） is a rare goldfish variety. To demonstrate the mechanism of its mutation, the microstructures of the scale of Crown Pearl-scale goldfish and Ranchu goldfish were studied by H.E and special staining methods. The results showed that: a) the middle of Crown Pearl-scale goldfish scale was more thickened than of Ranchu Goldfish; b) the collagenous fiber in the scales of Crown Pearl-scale Goldfish were looser and more disorganized than in Ranchu Goldfish, c) the fiber layer of Crown Pearl-scale goldfish scale was full of loose connective tissue matrix and cells, which was a first discovery in scales of the Osteichthyes. The mutation of Pearl-scale goldfish scale is mostly due to the change of fiber layer in the scale.

Abstract:In order to elucidate the role of Sox9 in gonadal differentiation of Scatophagus argus, the full length cDNA of Sox9 was cloned from testis of S. argus using RT-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). To investigate effect of aromatase inhibitor letrozole (LE) on Sox9 gene expression and gonadal development, juveniles were fed with diets containing LE 50 mg/kg and gonadal development was observed histologically and the expression of Sox9 was measured with quantitative real-time PCR. RACE results (Fig. 1) showed that full length cDNA of 2 759 bp contained a 31 bp 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR), a 1 288 bp 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) and a 1 440 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 479 amino acids. A HMG (high mobility group) box containing a specific motif, two nuclear localization signal (NLS) sequences and a nuclear export signal (NES), was found in the deduced amino acid sequence of SOX9 (Fig. 1). The amino acid sequence had a high similarity to SOX9 of other species, and the percent identity compared with Epinephelus akaara, Xenopus laevis, Homo sapiens, Gallus gallus, and Mus musculus was 61.5%-96.0%. The expression levels of Sox9 mRNA in different tissues were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. The highest expression level was detected in brain, intestine and fin (Fig. 3). Histological results showed sex reversal could be induced by LE, and the degenerating oocytes and proliferations of spermatogonia were observed in gonad from LE treatment S. argus (Fig.4). The expression level of Sox9 mRNA was up-regulated significantly at 20d, reached its peak at 40 d after treatment with LE but was declined markedly at 60 d (Fig.5) . These results suggest that Sox9 is highly conserved. Masculinization can be induced by LE treatment and Sox9 may be one of the important factors initiating the masculinization of S. argus during sex reserval.

Abstract:Pharmacokinetics of norfloxacin nicotinate in Songpu mirror carp（Cyprinus carpio specularis）was studied in this experiment. To integrated mere aggregation method and two-step method, fify-four Songpu mirror carp were divided into three groups randomly and oral administed of norfloxacin nicotinate in a single dose of 10, 30, 60 mg/kg, respectively. Then fish in each dose group were divided into three groups, and blood was collected at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 h after administration alternately, fish were kept alive during the whole process. The concentration of norfloxacin was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the pharmacokinetics of norfloxacin nicotinate in plasma of Songpu mirror carp was analysed by 3p97. The results showed that R2 approached 1 in the norfloxacin concentration range of 0.1 to 100 mg/L (Fig.2), the average recovery was ranged from 97.26% to 99.06% in different concentrations (Table 1). After a single oral administration of three doses respectively, the concentrations versus time of norfloxacin in plasma (Fig.3) were all well described by two-department open model with first-order absorption. The absorption half-lives (t1/2ka) were 0.165, 0.061, 0.043 h, respectively; the elimination half-lives (t1/2β) were 18.282, 29.969, 42.051 h, respectively; the peak times (Tmax) were 0.333, 0.327, 0.302 h, respectively; the maximum content (Cmax) were 4.780, 6.247, 12.689 mg/L, respectively; the area under concentration-time curve (AUC) were 32.698, 53.015, 174.998 mg·h/L, respectively; the apparent volume of distribution (Vd) were 1.044, 4.347, 4.561 L/kg, respectively (Table 2). The results showed that with the increase of dose, the absorption and elimination rate of norfloxacin was accelerated, the pharmacokinetic characteristics were significantly influenced by dosage.

Abstract:The molt times and morphological features changes of the Liaohe population Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis ) were further explored. Molting and growth of juveniles of the Liaohe population Chinese mitten crab was studied in outdoor net cages by recording carapace width and length, body weight, molting frequency, and observing the changes of morphological features. Male and female crabs molt 11 times in the whole experiment stage. The experiment selected 200 male and female crabs respectively, and lasted for 111 days in 2014. Male and female crabs molted 11 times in the whole experiment. In the end, 34 male crabs and 42 female crabs survived. The Special Growth Rates of male and female crabs were 0.0989±0.0173g/d and 0.0951±0.0171g/d respectively. The abdominal morphological changes of female crab were very obvious in molt process, changing from triangle to ovoid (Fig.5). Chela-foot sufficient of male crab grew significantly faster than that of female crab. A handful fluff and a small amount of fluff appeared on the inside and outside of the chela-foot sufficient venter respectively after the eleventh molt (Fig. 6 and Fig. 7). The results show that molt times of Liaohe population Chinese mitten crab is likely to be 20 times and the time interval is changed by carapace width or carapace length index (Fig. 8) in whole life, in addition, some interesting phenomenon were observed.

Abstract:Research on the shells microstructures of thirteen species of bivalve which belong to six family using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The 13 species are respectively Meretrix lusoria，Meretrix lyrata，Meretrix meretrix，Paphia undulata，Ruditapes philippinarum，Ruditapes variegata，Clausinella isobellina，Anadara clathrata，Tegillarca granosa，Chlamys farreri，Sanguinolaria aauta，Coecella turgida，Atrina pectinata. Methods: Three samples from each structure were fixed with 2.5% pentanediol, and then, cut the shells separately into 0.5 cm x 0.5 cm of small pieces. All sections of small pieces should be grinded before observed by the scanning electron microscope. Samples would be measured and taken pictures after them were observed. Resluts:The results show that the shell surface microstructures have some differences in different species. These differences mostly manifested in the compose and arrangement of the crystal. There are five types in the shell surface morphology of the corneum：smooth，granular，irregular polygon and special honeycomb structure. The crystal of the shell prismatic layer are prism-like shapes,short column,flakes and irregular shape. There are two kinds of directions in the arrangement of the crystals in different shells: perpendicular to the cross-section，another is parallel to the cross-section．The shape of the crystal in nacre of thirteen kinds of shells are granular,brick-shaped,rounded shape,massive and irregular polygons.The thickness of the corneum,prismatic layer and nacre in different shells are also different．Conclusion:Research on the microstructure of the shells，so that to provide a basis for classification.

Abstract:The testis development and spermiation process of Aurelia sp. were observed according to experimental ecology and microscopy. Moreover, all data were analyzed by SPSS 13.0 software. The process of testis development was shown in table 1 and the result showed that it needed about 40 days from ephyrae to medusae, which bell diameter and weight of medusae reached 7.50±0.71 cm and 28.70±6.60 g respectively. Meanwhile, the testis began to appear and develop. The testis became mature after 60 days’ rearing, and its bell diameter and weight was 11.77±0.51 cm and 83.54±10.36 g, respectively. Moreover, the width of testis was about 1.05±0.08 mm at that time. The testis began to degenerate after 90 days since the ephyra stage, and almost disappeared at 110 days. The width and length both grew as the bell diameter being larger in the process of testis development. The process of testis maturation of Aurelia sp. was shown in figure 2, which showed the different growth stages of sperm follicles. The maturated male gonads would release sperms once the environment was suitable. The maturated testis released sperm filament containing large amounts of sperms (figure 3A), then the sperm filament (figure 3B) went through gastric circulation groove and gastric-oral arm groove successively, and left the body through oral arm groove finally (figure 3C). Furthermore, the vitality of sperm was also tested and relationship between Aurelia sp. percentage of active sperm and time was shown in figure 4, which indicated that the highest moving time and life span was 4 h 30 min and 10 h respectively (temperature, 22℃; salinity, 30 and pH, 8.0). In conclusion, the testis of Aurelia sp. develops rapidly, the spermiation is simple, and the sperm is of high motility and long life span. Those reproductive strategies are not only laid a solid foundation for Aurelia sp. outbreak but also one of the reasons why this species may be alive for long on the earth.

Abstract:The Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler or Blackish-breasted Babbler（Sphenocichla humei）, has been discovered and photographed during a field survey in Medog（Motuo）County, Nyingchi Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, China（29°35′45″N，95°28′25″E, alt. 1437m, Fig. 1）. This is the first record of this species in China except the disputed area occupied by India. This species, together with Cachar Wedge-billed Babbler（S. roberti, Fig. 2）were once considered as two subspecies of Wedge-billed Babbler Sphenocichla humei sensu lato, but has been upgraded to a full species based on distinct morphology and vocalisations.

Abstract:Seven living specimens of frogs were collected from Haihu Wetland Park on 25 May 2014, which were identified as Pelophylax nigromaculaus. After more than 100 years when Mocquard first recorded it，we collected the specimen for the first time, and this confirmed the distribution of this species in Qinghai Province. This discovery provided usefully distributional information for P. nigromaculatus.

Abstract:In order to supplement P. crocea Dai-qu Stock cytogenetic data, the karyotype of net-cultured P. crocea in Xiangshan Bay was studied by microscopy. PHA (8-10μg/g) and colchicine (1-2μg/g) were injected in vivo and kidney cells were subsequently collected. Then, the cells were subjected to low permeating and Carnoy’s fixation. Finally, air-drying method was performed to make chromosome samples. The results showed that the diploid chromosome number of P. crocea Dai-qu Stock was 2n=48 and its karyotype formula was 2n=24st 24t with NF=48. The relative length of chromosomes ranged from 2.60±0.43 to 5.53±0.70 in P.crocea Dai-qu Stock. Neither sex chromosome nor satellite chromosome was found. In conclusion, The karyotype of P. Crocea in this study differs from previous report.

Abstract:Due to highly conserved morphology, the taxonomy of Asian snail-eating snakes remains contentious and has been frequently revised. Based on the references and our research results,this paper summarizes the studies on the classification of Asian snail-eating snakes in morphology and molecular phylogeny, including affirmation of the family,genus and species. This article lists the geographical distribution of each species of Asian snail-eating snakes too,and bring forward the problems of systematics in these snakes. The main points are as follows: ① The Asian snail-eating snakes should be a separate Family instead of a A Subfamily within Colubridae. ②Aplopeltura and Asthenodipsas are valid genera. Pareas carinatus and P. nuchalis are genetically quite divergent from other species of Pareas, also differ from other Pareas in cephalic scalation and distribution pattern. So, Pareas can be divided into two genera in theory; ③ The molecular phylogeny suggests a distant relationship between Pareas chinensis and P. formosensi, and supports the validity of the former species; ④ The integrative taxonomic approach suggests the validity of Asthenodipsas tropidonotus, and describe Asthenodipsas lasgalenensis as the new species. In conclusion, Pareatidae was recognized to comprise three genera and 17 species: Aplopeltura boa；Asthenodipsas laevis; Asthenodipsas malaccanus; Asthenodipsas vertebralis; Asthenodipsas tropidonotus; Asthenodipsas lasgalenensis; Pareas boulengeri; P. carinatus; P. formosensi; P. chinensis; P. hamptoni; P. iwasakii; P. margaritophorus; P. monticola; P. nuchalis; P. stanleyi; P. nigriceps.

Abstract:One snake specimen,identified as Pseudoxenodon macrops,was collected in Wuyishan National Natural Reserve, Jiangxi, eastern China, in July 2014. This is the first record of snake species for Jiangxi Province. Measurements of this specimen were provided in this paper.

Abstract:In May 4, 2014, about fifteen twenty-seven, we in a paddy field near the town of Lingshan Luoshan County, Xinyang city of Henan province (N31.952626 E114.330535 Eve joy,, Eve joy, inspection found 1), only the glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) foraging in the paddy field, grooming, and a video camera, the birds from the observation site about 10 meters, after the shooting went to the paddy field. The next day, and on the same site observation, the bird is not in place.

Abstract:As a new record bird in Tibet, the little egret (Egretta garzetta), was found by authors in the national second terrestrial wildlife resources survey. From September 2013 to June 2014, the little egret was seen in Basu County, Gongjue County, Mangkang County and Changdu County in Changdu Prefecture.

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Abstract:7 birds of Piciformes were discovered on April 24th , June 9th and June 27th 2013 in Sanjiangyuan Make He national nature reserve of Qinghai Province. As a result of identification, they are Dendrocopos hyperythrus, which are the new birds records of Qinghai Province.