Abstract:The concentration of ten kinds of polychlorinated biphenyls in body fat of five East Asian finless porpoise(Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri) and three Yangtze finless porpoise(Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) in Yangtze River Estuary were measured by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The result shows that, the average content of PCBs in Narrow-Ridged finless porpoise in Yangtze River Estuary was 3.38 μg/g, wet weight. The content of PCBs in Yangtze finless porpoise(3.4-12.67μg/g) was significant higher than that in East Asian finless porpoise(0.33-2.21μg/g) (P < 0.05). In these ten kinds of polychlorinated biphenyls, monochlorobiphenyl, dichlorobiphenyl, trichlorobiphenyl were not detected in every individual finless porpoise(＜0.005μg/g),and tetrachlorobiphenyl, pentachlorobiphenyl, hexachlorobiphenyl, heptachlorobiphenyl were all detected in every individual finless porpoise. The average content of hexachlorobiphenyl was 1.48μg/g wet weight, accounting for 43.79% of the total PCBs content. From the composition of PCBs content, the percentage of hexachlorobiphenyl and heptachlorobiphenyl were higher than other chlorinated PCBs in Narrow-Ridged finless porpoise in Yangtze River Estuary. But compared with East Asian finless porpoise, the content of tetrachlorobiphenyl and pentachlorobiphenyl in Yangtze finless porpoise also account for high proportion. This suggests that low chlorinated component of PCBs can be degraded with water dilution and biological transformation, but high chlorinated component of PCBs is not easy to degrade. With the growth of finless porpoise age, high chlorinated component of PCBs in finless porpoise accumulate fast, it will have a more lasting toxicity effect.

Abstract:During October 2012 and April 2013, we recorded the activities of the Asiatic Brush-tailed Porcupine, Atherurus macrourus in the subtropical upland evergreen broad-leaved forest (elevation at c. 1200m) of Yalu Tsangpo valley, Medog, Tibet, by using camera traps. Matching the occurrence of the Asiatic Brush-tailed Porcupine in each month and day with the moon period, we are aimed to discuss the correlation between the activity rhythm of the Asiatic Brush-tailed Porcupine and the phases of the moon. The results indicated that Asiatic Brush-tailed Porcupine was typically nocturnal with a single activity peak during 21:00 and 0:00. The activity rhythm of the Asiatic Brush-tailed Porcupine appeared to have a correlation with the phases of the moon (R2=0.8971): frequent occurrence were recorded at the new moon and waning crescent moon, while rare occurrence were at the full moon, and the occurrence during this period mostly concentrated on dawn and dusk; the occurrence were only recorded in in 20:00-1:00 at the waxing moon and 1:00-6:00 at the waning moon. The obvious avoidance of the Asiatic Brush-tailed Porcupine to the moonlight may bring about a low risk of predation, which is in accordance with the previous studies on other nocturnal rodents.

Abstract:Song repertoire size is often cited as an honest index of male quality. The relationship between repertoire size and survival, for which often using territory tenure as a proxy, has been tested in some species. However, this relationship is still unclear. Some studies have demonstrated that males with large repertoires keep territory long, whereas other studies have failed to support this prediction (Table 1). To make general inferences from this mixed evidence, we quantitatively reviewed the relevant literature based on a meta-analytic approach. We collected the data for 4 species from 12 populations, including Great Tit (Parus major), Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus), Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia), Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler (Horornis fortipes). Mean effect size (Cohen’s d) for the association between song repertoires and territory tenure was 0.60 (95% confidence interval range = 0.38 - 0.82), which was statistically significant (random-effects meta-analysis model, n = 12, P < 0.001) (fig. 1). The degree of association between song repertoires and territory tenure was independent of latitude of study area (Meta-Regression, estimate = 0.00, 95% CI: -0.02–0.02, P = 0.953)(fig. 2), but generally weak in populations with large song repertoires (Meta-Regression, estimate = -0.14, 95% CI: -0.30–0.03, P = 0.110)(fig. 3). Our results provide that repertoire size can serve as a potential signal of territory tenure capability.

Abstract:Habitat destruction is the main reason for the loss of biodiversity, and it,s a serious threat to the survival of endangered species. The Brown Eared Pheasant (Crossoptilon

Abstract:Hemibarbus medius is an important fish of fisheries in the Beijiang River. However, its biological characteristics are poorly known. In order to determine age and growth simulation of H. medius, 640 specimens were collected from April 2007 to March 2009 in the Beijiang River, Guangdong province. The scales were collected and used for age determination, the standard length, body weight were measured. The annual rings on the scales were formed primarily by the pattern of sparseness-denseness which was visible in the prezone region and the cut of the scales which was present on the rear-side region. The percentage of marginal increment at the scales in H. medius throughout the year showed that the annual rings of the scales mainly formed from March to April and it was formed once a year. The sex ratio of female to male is 1.23:1. The age of female was from 1+ to 6+, mainly in age of 1+, 2+, 3+and 4+, while the male was from 1+ to 5+, mainly in age of 1+, 2+ and 3+. However, there were much more females than males in age 4+-6+. The standard length of specimens ranged from8.4 to 24.3 cm, with the majority (86.20%) were less than 20cm. Body weight ranged from 10.06 to 318.80 g, but most fish (87.82%) were less than 150 g. The relationship between standard length and body weight was W＝0.011L3.149 for females , and W＝0.011L3.135 for males, and W = 0.011L3.148 for the combined sexes. Females and males did not exhibited statistically significant differences in growth. The relationship between standard length and scale radius (R) was L＝6.387 R 0.853 and L = 4.569R + 2.587. The von Bertalanffy growth arameters for combined sexes based on length-at-age data were L∞ = 29.855 0 cm, k=0.223 1 year?1, W∞ ＝483.889 8 g, and t0＝-0.928 2 year. The results of χ2-test shown that it had not statistically significant differences between the measured values of standard length, body weight and the estimated values of standard length and body weight derived from the Von Bertalanffy equations. Growth inflexion point were 4.65 years , when the standard length is about 21.3 cm, and weight 166.30 g. The standard length growth rate in von Bertalanffy functions gradually decreased with age, and the accelerated rate was below zero at all times and inclined to zero. The body weight growth rate in von Bertalanffy functions gradually increased before the growth inflexion point and then decreased, and the accelerated rate was above zero and decreased before the growth inflexion point, and then below zero. Our data suggest that the Hemibarbus medius population in Beijiang River had been overexploited. To protect the population and allow for sustainable utilization, we suggest only fish longer than 17 cm (age 3) should be harvested.

Abstract:There seems to be a correlation between standard metabolic rate (SMR) and other physiological traits (e.g., swimming performance and feeding metabolism) in fishes under either natural habitats or artificial rearing conditions, which attract many researchers to study. Like other behavioral traits, mass-specific SMR (or maintenance metabolism) also varies greatly among individuals. To our knowledge, most studies on these correlations between SMR variation and other physiological traits (e.g., swimming performance and feeding metabolism) focused on the genus Oncorhynchus and Salmon, and those reports on the cyprinid fish are seldom. The objective of present study was to investigate the intraspecies differences in SMR, and its potential relationships with locomotion performance and feeding metabolism in the cyprinid fish. To address our research goals, juvenile common carps (Cyprinus carpio) (body mass: 4.79 ± 0.08 g, n = 36), a fresh water species, which are widely distributed in the rivers, lakes and other water bodies in the China, were used as experimental model and acclimated at 25.0 ± 1.0 oC. Each fish individual was transferred to a respiratory chamber within a continuous-flow respirometer (11 chambers per respirometer), and the SMR of each fish was measured by using a dissolved oxygen meter (HQ20, Hach Company, Loveland, USA). Then, the specific dynamic action (SDA), spontaneous swimming behaviour, critical swimming speeding (Ucrit) and active metabolic rate (MO2active) of the fish were also examined by using both the Blazka-type swimming tunnel respirometer and the continuous-flow respirometer. All correlations between SMR and other parameters were performed with the partial correlation analysis. All values are reported as the mean ± 1 SE, and P < 0.05 was used as the level for statistical significance. The software SPSS (19.0, USA) was used for the data analysis. Our results showed that the SMR of the C. carpio ranged from 76.7 to 317.6 mg / (kg?h) with a CV of 24.4%. The average caudal fin beat bout during 10 minutes observation period (Fig.1 P<0.05) and the peak metabolic rate (Fig.3A, P<0.05) during feeding metabolism were positively correlated with SMR. Additionally, the positive correlations between MO2active and peak metabolic rate (Fig.4A, P<0.05), and metabolic scope for locomotion and metabolic scope for feeding metabolism (Fig.4B, P<0.05) of this fish species were also found. However, relative critical swimming speeding, MO2active, SDA duration and total energy expended on SDA were all not related to their SMR (Fig.2, all P>0.05). The present study suggested that common carp individuals with higher SMR exhibited higher levels of activities and higher digestive capabilities, indicating these correlated physiological traits may benefit it to forage or avoid predator and enhance the ability to food processing.

Abstract:The body color variation and fins development at early life stages of mullet(Liza haematocheila) were continually observed by colleting samples of larvae,juveniles and young fish reared in pond from newly hatching to 39 days after hatching. It turn out that the newly hatched larvae fish does not have melanin, just that the yolk sac with melanoma, two days after hatching surface increased melanin, fin membrane colorless and transparent. 8 dph-day-old larvae had become opaque, black line ventral spots. In the 18-19 dph old-age,larvae transformed into juveniles, the fish back with a lot of snow-like melanin granules in the shade under transparent yellowish spots, 30 dph-day-old juvenile similar to adult fish about the surface with a pale white, brown back belly white.The developmental sequence of the fin in the early developmental stages of larval Liza haematocheila is: pectoral fin, caudal, ventral, dorsal, anal, and the second fin spines. Newly hatched larvae, finfold from edge of the head, the tail back to bypass and ends at the rear edge of the yolk sac, lateral oil balls. 2 dph-day-old larvae with a pectoral fin buds, densely fin membrane at all body, 5 dph-day-old larvae had pectoral and caudal fins film.It had considerable athletic ability, and can play a catalytic role in maintaining body balance. During early development of fins the most obvious change is the growth and development of caudal fin sections. Liza haematocheila larvae had appeared pelvic spines bud base at 12 dph days of age, while the second dorsal fin spines appear at 15 dph. 17 dph: tailbone bent upward, basically developed, long fin 16, with 10, the end of the middle section a few spines has two to three bifurcation, short fin root has 6-8 up and down . Dorsal fin with 11 rays, with five outer most spiny fin spines, the base of support fin bones. To 30 dph, young Liza haematocheila’s fins have fully developed, similar to the adult fish.

Abstract:β-endorphin is a kind of brain-gut peptide and plays important physiological roles. The distributive patterns of β-endorphin in the digestive tract and brain of Schizothorax prenanti were studied using strept avidin-biotin complex (SABC) immunocytochemical method. β-endorphin-positive cells were observed through Olympus microscope and the number and optical density of β-endorphin-positive cells were measured using image analysis software and expressed as Mean ± standard deviations. The results showed that the positive immunoreactions presented brown yellow color (Plate I: 1-14), while negative control in the foregut showed only hematoxylin staining (Plate I: 15). There was no β-endorphin-positive reaction in the esophagus or hindgut. β-endorphin-positive cells were detected in the oropharyngeal cavity (Plate I: 1), foregut (Plate I: 2) and midgut (Plate I: 3), presenting various kinds of forms, such as round, ovoid, tadpole, spindle and cone shapes. The density of β-endorphin-positive cells in the digestive tract was the highest in the foregut (13.10 ± 4.50 number/mm2), medium in the midgut (10.08 ± 2.96 number/mm2) and the lowest in the oropharyngeal cavity (8.52 ± 3.72 number/mm2) (Table 1). β-endorphin-positive reaction was located in the neurons of diencephalon (Plate I: 4-9), mesencephalon (Plate I: 11-13) and metencephalon (Plate I: 14), and the nerve fibers of mesencephalon (Plate I: 10). The density of β-endorphin-positive neurons in the brain was the highest in the eminentia medialis (248.42 ± 84.25 number/mm2), medium in the nucleus anterior tuberis of medium lobe of hypothalamus (150.42 ± 15.08 number/mm2) and inferiors lobes of hypothalamus (141.80 ± 45.36 number/mm2), lower in the nucleus geniculatus lateralis (98.44 ± 28.34 number/mm2), nucleus prerotundus (86.21 ± 18.45 number/mm2), nucleus subrotundus (92.81 ± 11.19 number/mm2), side of fasciculus longitudinalis medialis (95.10 ± 8.23 number/mm2) and layer of purkinje cells of cerebella valvula (88.73 ± 41.20 number/mm2), and the lowest in the corpus mammillare of inferiors lobes of hypothalamus (60.72 ± 10.39 number/mm2) and upper area of tegmentum (47.27 ± 11.95 number/mm2) (Table 1). The distribution patterns of β-endorphin-positive cells in the digestive tract of Sehizothorax prenanti are greatly related to its feeding habits, intestinal functions and structures as well. The distributive characteristics of β-endorphin-positive cells in the brain may be relevant to neuroendocrine activities in different areas of the brain. β-endorphin was widely distributed in the digestive tract and brain of Schizothorax prenanti, further suggesting that this molecular is a kind of brain-gut peptide. This study provided morphological evidence for regulating digestive and neuroendocrine activities by β-endorphin.

Abstract:The nucleotide sequence of the complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genome was determined in Hippocampus trimaculatus. The complete mitogenome of H. trimaculatus was 16,529 bp with the GenBank Accession No. KJ956892, and it consisted of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 12S rRNA gene, 16S rRNA gene and 1 control region (D-loop). The heavy DNA strand (H-strand) carried most of the genes: 12 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA and 14 tRNA. ND6 and eight tRNA genes were encoded on the L-strand. The lengths of 22 tRNA genes ranged from 66 to 76 bp, and all of them could fold into the typical cloverleaf-shaped secondary structure. The lengths of intergenic nucleotide are range from 1 to 14 bp with 7 overlaps inside. While four of the seven overlaps??ATP8 and ATP6, ATP6 and COIII, ND4L and ND4, ND5 and ND6?? are typical overlap sites of the teleost. The overall base composition of H. trimaculatus is 32.7% A, 29.3% T, 14.6% G and 23.4% C, with a slight A + T rich feature (62.0%). The gene order and composition of H. trimaculatus were similar to those of most other vertebrates. Two phylogenetic trees constructed by Neigbour-joining and Bayesian methods showed basically the same result. Seven species of genus Hippocampus clustered into a branch, which supported the existing classification of these seahorses.

Abstract:Crabs are important components of benthic fauna of tidal marsh ecosystem. Grazing on living salt marsh plant leaves and causing nest failure of birds nesting on tidal marsh plants indicate that crabs could climb on salt marsh plants. However, plant-climbing behavior of tidal marsh crabs is poorly understood. Chiromantes neglectum, which was formerly identified as C. dehaani in Changjiang River estuary while C. dehaani actually distributes in coastal wetlands of south China (see Komai et al. 2013 for details), is a dominant zoobenthic species of tidal marshes of Changjiang River estuary. We studied the diel plant-climbing behavior of the mudflat crab, C. neglectum, in a Phragmites-dominated tidal marsh in Changjiang River estuary through directly observing and estimating diel variation of densities of crabs on reed shoots and marsh surface. We used Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM) to analysis the effects of sample sites, observation dates, observation time and combinations of these factors on total crab density (the sum of climbing crab density and marsh surface crab density), climbing crab density, marsh surface crab density and percent of climbing crabs (climbing crab density/total crab density). Bonferroni test was used to analysis the differences among observation times and also observation dates. We found significant diel variations of both climbing crab density and marsh surface crab density (Fig. 1 and Table 1, all P < 0.05). Combining the diel variations of both climbing crab density and marsh surface crab density and field observations, it revealed that most C. neglectum individuals began to climb on reed shoots after dusk (17:00–19:00) and come down to marsh surface from reed shoots before dawn (5:00–7:00) (Fig. 1). There was a significant diel variation for the ratio of climbing crab density to total crab density (Figure 1 and Table 1, P < 0.05). The percent of climbing crabs was higher during the nighttime (from 0.16 to 0.34 during 19:00–5:00) than during the daytime (from 0.02 to 0.15 during 5:00–19:00) (P < 0.05). The total crab density varied significantly among observing bouts (P < 0.05) with significantly higher total density during the nighttime than the daytime, indicating that C. neglectum individuals were prone to using burrows during the daytime, thus had a diel movement pattern among burrow, marsh surface and reed shoots. Furthermore, we found significant differences among observing dates for total crab density, climbing crab density, marsh surface crab density and percent of climbing crabs (Fig. 2 and Table 1, all P < 0.05). It seems that plant-climbing behavior of C. neglectum was related to grazing on leaf blades of reed shoots and affected by the diel variation of light intensity. Further studies are needed to reveal what factors and how these factors affect plant-climbing behavior of C. neglectum and how plant-climbing behavior of C. neglectum relate to ecological processes of salt marsh ecosystems.

Abstract:For the further understanding of the growth and development pattern during the second year culture of pond-reared male Eriocheir sinensis, this study was designed to investigate the changes of growth parameters, gonadosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI), length of chela hair and their coverage ratio on the front chela during the second year culture of male E. sinensis using culture experiment, vivisection and microscopic observation, and their relationships were further analyzed among these indices. We used the software SPSS 17.0 to analysis the experimental data, and did homogeneity of variance test by Levene. When the data did not meet the homogeneity of variance, arcsine or square root were performed for the percentage data. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test for experimental results, and Tukey s-b(K) was used for multiple comparisons. When the data was converted still not satisfied with the homogeneity of variance, we used Games-Howell nonparametric test for multiple comparisons. When P<0.05, it was significantly different and we drew charts on EXCEL. Then, the overall appearance and composition of mature reproductive system were photographed and described for the male E. sinensis. The results showed that: (1) The significant increase mainly existed during the period of March to August for the body weight (BW), carapace length (CL), carapace width (CW), and body thick (BT) during the second year culture of pond-reared male E. sinensis (Table 1), and the highest of weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) were found during April to May (Fig. 1); no significant differences were found for the body weight and the other morphological parameters during the period of September to December (Table 1). The changing trend of condition factor (CF) was shown as ‘high-low-high’, and the lowest CF was recorded at May (Table 1). (2) The gonadal development was very slow during the early stage (March to May), and it was difficult to find male gonad for this period. The testis was eye-visible from June, and the GSI increased significantly from July to November (Fig. 3 A). At July, spermatophore could be found in seminal vesicle for some crabs while the volume of accessory gland increased rapidly until August. Overall, there was a significant negative correlation between GSI and HIS (Fig. 3 B) while significant positive correlations were found between GSI and BW before the puberty molting (Fig. 4 A) as well as GSI and month (Fig. 4 B). (3) The hair length and the coverage ratio on the front chela increased significantly from April to August and no significant change was found during the other months (Fig. 6). There were significant positive correlations between hair length and coverage ratio on the front chela, hair length and BW, hair coverage ratio of chela and BW, hair length and GSI, as well as hair coverage ratio and GSI (Table 2). (4) The reproductive system of mature male E. sinensis consisted of internal and external parts, and the internal parts mainly included testis, vas deferens (divided into anterior, median and posterior parts), accessory gland, and ejaculatory duct while the external part was made of penis and petasma. The posterior vas deferens was also named as seminal vesicles because it contained plenty of spermatophores for mature males (Fig. 7). In conclusion, there were close relationships for growth, goandal development and secondary sexual characteristics during the second year culture of pond-reared male E. sinensis. The composition of male reproductive system is complex, and further study should be conducted to investigate the gonadal development pattern and staging for male E. sinensis.

Abstract:In this study, histologic methods were used to study the organizational structure of female ovary development induced by eyestalk ablation in red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). Total of 60 female crayfishes in phase II were selected and the experiment was divided into four groups as well as two time points (group 1: control for 15 days; group 2: control for 30 days; group 3: treatment for 15 days; group 4: treatment for 30 days). The data was analyzed using SPSS 19.0 statistical software. Our results show that 30 days after eyestalk ablation, the individual body-length increased significantly, from (11.50 ± 2.30) cm increased to (18.20 ± 3.40) cm(P<0.05)(Table 1); GSI index growth from 4.56% ± 2.81% to 8.05% ± 2.51% (P<0.05), as well as body-weight and chelicerae-long index also increased(P>0.05). 30 days after eyestalk ablation, the oocytes observed by electron microscope were quickly developed from phase II through stage III to VI stage(Table 2), Oocyte volume becomes larger, more rounded; Vacuole compressed smaller; yolk granules accumulated gradually accelerated, finally fill the entire intracellular space; cytoplasm in follicular cells becomes thinner(Figure 1). These results indicated that eyestalk ablation could significantly accelerate the yolk granules in oocytes of accumulation, and speed up the individual growth.

Abstract:Aiming to determine the mechanisms by which the funnel-web spider (Allagelena difficilis (Fox)) reacts to multiple external stimuli, the sensilla on its body surface were studied by scanning electronic microscope (SEM). Six male and female spiders that are fixed in 70% alcohol solution were rinsed several times with distilled water. Having been dehydrated in alcohol of different concentrations, they are displaced with tert-butyl alcohol. Finally, the sample was observed after critical point drying and metal films. The investigation found that there are several types of sensilla on the body surface of Allagelena difficilis. Hair sensilla are dominant, which include trichobothrium (Fig.1), gustatory hairs (Fig. 2), tactile hairs (Fig. 3), sigmoidal setaes (Fig. 4), spines (Fig. 8 and Fig. 10) and plumose hairs (Fig. 9), are found on various parts of the body surface. The sandwich-like mechanosensory organs (Fig. 6) are the second most common in amount and are distributed widely over the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the spider’s abdomin as well as the legs. The cell half-ball-like mechanosensory sensilla (Fig. 7), single slit sensilla and the lyriform organs (Fig. 5) are mainly dispersed over the surface of the spider’s legs.

Abstract:Ark shell (Anadara broughtonii) is one of the most important and widely cultured commercial bivalves in our country. In order to avoid over cultivation, it is necessary to find a way to estimate the carrying capacity of certain water areas. The study on feeding physiology and filter feeding ability of ark shell may help to understand the carrying capacity. In this study, we investigated the filter-feeding effect of ark shell on Cylindrotheca fusiformi in dark condition, and the filter-feeding ability, functional reactive type and the filter-feeding effect of ark shell on algae were analyzed. Data were analyzed by using the one–way ANOVA and chi-square test. All analyses were performed with a significance level of P < 0.05. The results showed that in the condition of 20℃, the mean filter feeding rate of the juveniles significantly increased with the increasing algae concentration (P < 0.05) (Fig.1); meanwhile, the filter feeding rate in 0 - 4h was much higher than others in each concentration groups (Table 1). The pattern of function response was classified as Holling-Ⅱ type, and the fitted Holling disc equation was at 20℃ (Fig.3). The attacking coefficient was 1.019 5 at the same time. Based on this disc equation, the maximum feeding amount of each ark shell (shell length 30 - 35 mm) was 500 (× 107 cells/L) per day. The filter feeding rate (Fig.2) and the attacking coefficient (Table 2) tended to increase first and then declined in the range of 10 - 25℃ and reached peak level at 20℃, supporting that 20℃ was the most optimum feeding temperature. Besides, a strong intraspecific mutual interference was found in the filter-feeding activity of ark shell. Both of the average filter-feeding quantities and the filter-feeding efficiency declined with the increasing ark shell density, thus the power function equation for the density to C. fusiformisid was (Fig.4). In addition, the associated response equation was developed to connect the density of ark shell and the concentration of C. fusiformis (Table 3). The results suggest that the ark shell possess a strong potential filter-feeding capacity at 20℃，and there be existed an obvious characteristic of “negative density effect” between the average filter-feeding quantities / the filter-feeding efficiency and the density of juveniles.

Abstract:Stable isotope analysis samples require proper treatment before isotope mass spectrometry analysis, but there has not been established standard method of how to prepare the sample. Combining with the stable isotope analysis testing process of avian tissues, this paper introduces the sample pretreatment methods, such as cleaning, drying, isolation and purification, grinding, storage, and so on, which are involved in stable isotope technology applications of Ornithology; discusses the different tissues commonly used pretreatment methods and Sproblems to be solved in sample analysis. Aim to provide scientific reference and technical support for the application of stable isotope technique inSornithology

Abstract:One specimen collected in Hengdaohezi county (44°48′44″ N, 129°02′04″ E, alt. 740 m), Heilongjiang Province, China, is identified as the slender shrew (Sorex gracillimus) according to the morphological and molecular analysis. The species is considered to be formal record to the mammalian fauna of this province. Skull is almost nearly circular (Fig. 1a). Kiss is very narrow (Fig. 1). The behind tip is larger than the previous from maxillary incisors (Fig. 2a). The unicuspid of maxillary is each getting smaller (Fig. 2a). Mandibular incisor extends forward very long (Fig. 2b). Mandibular incisor on the cutting edge has four tines and three deep notch. Canines is small, and is 1/2 high of premolars (Fig. 2b). Skull indices of the sample were measured (Table 1). Condylobasal length of skull was 13.29 mm. Height of cranial was 4.25 mm. Orbital spacing was 7.84 mm. Cranial breadth was 7.84 mm. Length of the upper tooth was 6.23 mm. Similarity in 1 140 bp Cyt b complete sequence of specimens and known sample of S. gracillimus is 96%. Similarity with S. caecutiens and S. minutus respectively are 91% and 89%.

Abstract:Quite recently, the authors reviewed all the relevant reports on Garrulax milnei milnei since the bird described by Père A. David in 1874, and showed its relatively long absence in wild around its typy locality in the last decades years (He et al. 2015). Then, during March–October 2015, the Jiangxi Wuyishan NNR carried out series of surveys together with 57 infrared–triggered cameras fixed at 29 locations above 1700 m the elevation for seeking the bird specifically. Whereas, either the current field effort or the results of the newly fixed cameras plus those results of in total of 300 cameras fixed in the whole area of the nature reserve since October 2009, no record of the bird could be identified since so far. It is hence to suggest that the current status of Garrulax milnei milnei might be considered to be in such a situation of in between Critically Endangered (CR) and [functionally] Extinct in the Wild (EW).

Abstract:Disuse leads to skeletal muscle atrophy in non-hibernating mammals. Despite facing prolonged periods of hibernation disuse, skeletal muscles in hibernators are well protected, characterized with integrative structure and excellent contractile ability during hibernation. Therefore, hibernators provide a natural model to study the mechanisms preventing disuse muscles atrophy. Understanding the mechanisms of the physiological adaptation in hibernators’ skeletal muscles is one of the major topics in physiological ecology field. However, such mechanisms in hibernators have not yet been elucidated. In this paper, physiological adaption of skeletal muscles to hibernation disuse is reviewed with respect to morphology, fiber type distribution contractile property. Moreover, the review focuses on the potential adaptive mechanism, including protein metabolism, regulations of growth, differentiation and metabolic type, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial structure and oxidative capacity.

Abstract:无

Abstract:Long-tailed Broadbill (Psarisomus dalhousiae) Found in Medog County, Tibet, China

Abstract:During the summer and autumn avian survey of National Field Station for Forest Ecosystem in Shennongjia, Hubei from August to November in 2015，we found an previous un-monitoring bird species three times in Xingshan County, Hubei Province. It was identified as the lesser necklaced laughingthrush by consulting the related literature and historical record data where the bird record wasn’t reported.

Abstract:The author in 2013 July at the Laojun Mountain in Luanchuan County of Henan province Luoyang city scenic area, peak on the west side of dream Valley, found 2 red breasted Flowerpecker (Dicaeum ignipectus). The discovery of Henan province for the first time record. In this paper, the morphological characteristics, species distribution were introduced and reported.

Abstract:A Cackling Goose was recorded at Boquan section of Fu River, Dongxihu District, Wuhan, Hubei province on November 22nd, 2015, which was a new record for the province, and the second confirmed record for mainland China.