Abstract:In order to explore the influence of the Three Gorges Project on the wetland birds in the reservoir area, including the changes on diversity, distribution pattern and population quantity, and to provide comparative data of ecological environment after the completion of the Three Gorges Dam, from 2003 to 2013 (except 2011), we carried out a monitoring survey upon the birds′ distribution status during the middle of winter along the main river of the Changjiang River and the 12 primary tributaries, and in 2 lakes (from 2000 to 2013, except 2003 and 2011) of the Three Gorges Reservoir area. The Changjiang River in the Three Gorges Reservoir area is divided into different segments and the lengths are as follows: Chongqing (Chaotianmen Wharf)﹣Changshou (74.20 km), Changshou﹣Fuling (47.80 km), Fuling﹣Fengdu (52.80 km), Fengdu﹣Zhongxian (63.90 km), Zhongxian﹣Wanzhou (89.40 km), Wanzhou﹣Yunyang (old town pier) (63.10 km), Yunyang﹣Fengjie (64.00 km), Fengjie﹣Wushan (40.40 km), Wushan﹣Badong (56.50 km), Badong﹣Zigui (Mao Ping Wharf) (66.20 km), the whole journey is about 618.30 km. We also investigated 12 primary tributaries, their names and the length from the mouth to the upper reachesare as follows: Jialingjiang (56.90 km), Mudonghe (11.60 km), Wujiang (236.25 km), Xiaojiang (69.00 km), Tangxihe (30.00 km), Modaoxi (22.80 km), Meixihe (18.00 km), Daxihe (14.10 km), Daninghe (68.00 km), Yanduhe (25.50 km), Xiangxihe (31.79 km), Jiuwanxi (12.82 km). The total length of these tributary rivers is about 619.49 km. Two artificial lakes were also investigated, one is the Changshouhu Lake of 65.5 km2, about 22 km from the Changjiang River, built in 1956; the other is the Dahonghu Lake of close to 30 km2, about 17 km from the Changjiang River, built in 1958. The annual bird surveys were conducted during 8th to 28th in January. Observers made censuses of the birds at the front deck of a passenger ship by using hand-held binoculars, with unilateral width of 300 m (bilateral width 600 m), and recorded bird species and numbers, also the sample line survey data and information. The ship′s speed range was from 10 to 24 km/hour. After the water level reached 156 m, as daytime long-distance passenger ships were gradually reduced or even disappeared, we took small fishing boats (speed range from 8 to 12 km/h) for the census. For some branch rivers we could not sail (normally before the water level reached 175 m), we made line transects for bird censuses on foot or by low-speed car (10﹣20 km/h). A total of 76 bird species belonging to 8 orders and 14 families were recorded, with one species (Scaly-sided Merganser Mergus squamantus) listed as the Level Ⅰ National Key Protected Wild Animals and 3 species (Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus, Red-necked Grebe P. grisegena and Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata) being the Level Ⅱ. The observed birds were divided into 5 communities: the natatory birds (32 species), the gulls (6 species), the waders (23 species), the river-closing birds (13 species) and the birds inhabiting above the water (2 species, mainly the Sand Martin Riparia riparia). The results indicated that these bird communities were different greatly in reaction to the variation of water environment before and after the water level rising to 139 m, 156 m and 175 m of elevation. Quantity fluctuation of the natatory birds were not obvious before and after the water level rising to 139 m, however, when the water level reached to 156 m (Jan. 2007), their number showed an increasing trend until the final 175 m water level during the fifth winter (Jan. 2013), and soared to the highest value of 3 860 individuals, 2.72 and 2.80 times as many as in the January of 2003 and 2004, when the water level was lower and over 139 m (Appendix 1). The natatory birds in the 2 lakes showed downward trend, with the number of birds fell by 83.29% (in 2009) to 52.96% (in 2013) after the water level of 175 m (2008﹣2013, except 2011) compared with that in 2000 (Appendix 6). In most of the tributaries of the Changjiang River, the number of natatory birds showed small fluctuations or obviously decreasing, only in Wujiang River and Xiaojiang River showed a growth trend. The number of natatory birds in the Xiaojiang River was showing explosive growth phenomenon and then fell sharply (2012﹣2013), the relevant change might be related to the degree of eutrophication. The gulls were mainly distributed in the main channel of the Changjiang River, and their peak values appeared in the early stages of different water storage period (Appendix 2), possibly related to the amplification of the initial impoundment of water, as floating objects on water may be a potential source of food. The wader′s distribution pattern was similar to the natatores, with the number reaching the peaks in the first winter after the 139 m and 156 m water levels, however, without much quantity difference in other years. There were not much waders in most tributaries of the river, only in the Jialingjiang River, Wujiang River, Xiaojiang River, Daninghe River and Meixihe River, there were large number of waders and showed obvious numerical fluctuations between years (Appendix 3). The total number of the river-closing birds and the birds inhabiting above the water (mainly Sand Martin), showed a sharp change in the water level before and after the rise, their numbers dropped significantly, and some species even disappeared (Appendix 4, Appendix 5). In summary, water storage showed positive or negative effects on different communities of birds in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area. It might be positive effects for the swimming and wading birds, for example, water surface expansion (main river channel of the Changjiang River) and water eutrophication (Xiaojiang River), but excessive eutrophication will be a negative impact such as the Daninghe River and other tributaries. It had negative effects for the river-closing birds and birds inhabiting above the water (mainly Sand Martin), as their nesting habitat were flooded and the loss of their food source.

Abstract:We examined social structure and daily activity pattern of Silver Pheasant (Lophura nycthemera) and its seasonal variations based on the camera-trapping data collected from May 2014 to April 2016 in Gutianshan National Nature Reserve, Zhejiang Province. An extensive sampling effort of 58 890 camera days across 244 sample sites was achieved, resulting in 5 687 independent detections with 33 276 pictures and videos of Silver Pheasant. We identified 3 946 males and 4 179 females and the sex ratio was (F︰M = 1.06︰1). Group size varied from 2﹣12 individuals. Silver pheasants were diurnal and active from 5 am to 6 pm (Fig. 1) with three activity peaks at 6 am, 11 am and 4 pm, respectively, and least activity at 10 am and 2 pm. Both sexes showed similar daily activity pattern except that males had a longer active duration in the morning (females: 6﹣8 am; males: 6﹣9 am), while the least active time occurred one hour later for males (females: at 2 pm; males: at 3 pm). Kernel density estimation showed that the daily activity patterns of Silver Pheasant varied among seasons (Fig. 2), with two apparent activity peaks in the morning and at dusk during spring and winter, however, activity peaks were less obvious during summer and autumn. In winter, the starting time of the activity postponed, and the ending time of the activity shift earlier in a day compared to other seasons. The daily activity patterns of Silver Pheasant between winter and spring or summer had lowest temporal overlap. Individuals at higher elevation (700﹣1 200 m) were less active at dusk compared to those at lower elevation (200﹣700 m) during summer and winter (Fig. 3). This study provided basic information for the management of the species in the reserve.

Abstract:Bird song is a vocal behavior that serves as a means of territory defense and/or mate attraction during the breeding season. In non-Passeriformes birds, vocalizations are often simple and stereotyped, without song behavior. However, for certain non-Passeriformes birds, such as cuckoos (Cuculidae), their vocalizations, although stereotyped (Fig. 1), are also important in territory defense and attracting females, similar to the function of songs in Passeriformes birds. During the breeding season, birds face the trade-offs in investment between breeding and survival. Bird song as a costly sexually display, its activity can be influenced by bird′s life history and ambient environment. In this study, we investigated the daily variation of call activity of Large Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx sparverioides, based on recordings from Xiaolongmen National Forestry Park (40°00′N, 115°26′E) in Beijing. These audio recordings were collected with recorders (Wildlife Acoustics, USA) from May 30th to June 1st in 2016, and May 14th to June 25th in 2017. Detections of Large Hawk Cuckoo call events were obtained with automated sound recognition in Kaleidoscope Pro 4.0.3 software (Wildlife Acoustics, USA), with the accuracy rate and detection rate for detecting of 60.26% and 44.71%, respectively (Fig. 2). In general, there is more investment in vocal behavior in Large Hawk Cuckoo than most other sympatric bird species in our study area (Fig. 3). There were two peaks (more than 100 calls per hour in each recorder) in vocal output, with one around 3:00, and the other around 19:00 (Fig. 4). The Large Hawk Cuckoo also had nocturnal calls, with about 50 calls per hour in each recorder at midnight (Fig. 4). We discussed the potential relationship between daily vocal pattern and life history of the bird.

Abstract:Photostimulation affects a range of physiological and behavioral characters in birds. However, whether such changes would be affected by photoperiod largely remain unknown. In order to reveal the role of photoperiods in mediating the responses of male Java Sparrow (Lonchura oryzivora) to photostimulation, a total of 18 Java Sparrows were randomly separated into three groups with each containing six individuals. These three groups were housed in separate chambers and exposed to mid photoperiod (12L︰12D, supplemented with artificial lights between 6:00 to 18:00), artificial long (16L︰8D, lights on 6:00 to 22:00) and short (8L︰16D, lights on 6:00 to 14:00) photoperiods respectively. In either case, artificial lights were provided with white fluorescent lamps (light intensity at cage level 550 lx) which were operated by automatic programmed devices. After 30 days, the birds belonging to each photoperiodic group were subsequently separated into two subgroups each with three individuals. Each photoperiodic experiment group was provided uninterrupted light for 72 h and the control group remain unchanged with the behavior in both groups being completely monitored by digital cameras. The quantity of corticosterone in serum was estimated by ELISA Kit and serum proteins were separated and identified by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis after 72 h photostimulation. Videos were then analyzed, with the length of all kinds of behavior (activity, nest, petch, feeding and preening) being recorded. Behavioral data and the changes of corticosterone were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The migration rate of SDS-PAGE gel (Rf value) was calculated, and the serum protein zoning was divided according to the range of Rf. The results showed that: 1. Photoperiod affected the behavior of Java Sparrow (Fig. 1). 2. Photoperiod affected corticosterone hormones in male Java Sparrow, with the response of corticosterone in mid photoperiod differed from the other two photoperiods (Fig. 2). 3. Serum protein components were affected by photoperiod (Table 1). All these results suggested that photoperiod mediated physiological responses of male Java Sparrow to photostimulation.

Abstract:Northern Three Toed Jerboa (Dipus sagitta) is one of dominant rodent pests in the western desert in Inner Mongolia. Study on home range of D. sagitta have theoretical and practical significance in exploring rodent reproductive strategies and the population dynamics. An experiment was conducted in Alax desert in order to investigate home range of D. sagitta subjected to successive grazing during April to October between the year of 2012 to 2014. Rodent was captured by living trapping method. The influence of grazing treatment on the home range of Northern Three Toed Jerboa between each gender and seasons, were tested using mixed effect model. Relation between plant factors and body mass within the home range was analyzed by partial redundancy analysis method. The results showed that the population density of D. sagitta in grazing exclusion sites was higher than that in successive grazing sites (Fig. 1). Successive grazing decreased height, coverage, density and biomass of herbage and shrub height significantly (Fig. 2). The home range of females in the field with successive grazing was larger significantly than that in grazing exclusion sites only on the month June (P < 0.05, Fig. 3a). The home range of males in grazing exclusion sites was significant larger than that in successive grazing sites on July (P < 0.05, Fig. 3b). No any remarkable difference was found between the habitat treatments in other seasons (P > 0.05, Fig. 3b). Although the treatment of successive grazing had no significant effect on the male′s home range (P > 0.05), it did extended the female′s home ranges (P < 0.05, Fig. 4, Table 2). Meanwhile, home ranges, both male and female were positive associated with the biomass of annual herbage (Fig. 5). It indicated that the home range of female jerboas was more sensitive to the food availability decreasing than males, especially during lactation period. While breeding was one important factors influencing the home range size for males. The Resources defending Hypothesis could be one for the home range change of D. sagitta due to grazing reducing the food availabilty.

Abstract:To study the relationship between infective characters of Capillaria hepatica in Mongolian Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) and the density of rodents and raptors, this research selected 14 experimental areas in Abagaqi and Dongwuzhumuqinqi in Xilinguole League, Inner Mongolia during July 2004. We used the number of burrow method to efficiently investigate the density of M. unguiculatus. Standard killing trap method was adopted to capture rodent samples and we observed and counted the density of raptors within 3 km2 over the experimental area at the same time. Captured rodents were subsequently dissected to check the infection of parasites. The regression analysis was used to analyze the data. Altogether 1 058 rodents were captured, and raptors were observed for 69 times (Table 1). As a result we found that the relationship between infection rate and rodent density was extremely significant (P < 0.01, R2 = 0.926), and so did the relationship between infection rate and raptor density (P < 0.01, R2 = 0.853). The infection rate would increase with the rising of rodent density and raptor density. Moreover, there is a significant duplicate effect between rodent density and raptor density. The predation of raptors would shorten the diffusion period of C. hepatica and aggravate the hepatic capillariasis.

Abstract:33 bat specimens were collected during the field survey from July to September 2015 in Xingren County, Pingba County, and Xiawutun Town, Jingnan Town of Xingyi City of Guizhou Province and kept in the Animal Specimens Room, School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, China. These specimens were identified as Myotis siligorensis (which is new to Guizhou Province) based on morphological evidences and molecular phylogenic analyses. The main taxonomy characteristics are listed as follow: small body size, the forearm length is 36.03 ± 1.50 mm (32.66﹣38.98 mm, n = 33); long and narrow ears; straight and slender tragus; third metacarpal length is longest, fifth metacarpal length is shortest; Penile length is 4.52 ± 0.84 (2.85﹣5.75 mm, n = 21); narrow and prominence skull; the greatest length of skull is 13.87 ± 0.74 (13.00﹣14.88 mm, n = 8), the brain-case height is 6.36 ± 0.24 (6.03﹣6.74 mm, n = 8); smaller auditory bullae; sagittal crest thin and weak; the maxillary 1 and 2 incisors inclined to the central, the first maxillary incisor has a main cusp and 1 attached tip; second incisor smaller than the first incisors, separated from canine by small diastema; smaller premolar (P3) was located in the tooth row. The data of morphology and skull measurements consistent with M. siligorensis. In the Bayesian phylogenetic tree, the collected specimens formed a cluster with M. siligorensis with posterior rate 99%. The molecular phylogenic analysis furtherly proved that these specimens are M. siligorensis, and the genetic distance is 0.03 only. It seemed that the species of M. siligorensis have a continuous distribution in Southeast Asia.

Abstract:Vertebrate developmental biologists typically rely on a limited number of model organisms to understand the evolutionary bases of morphological changes. Embryonic staging series are important tools in the study of morphological evolution as they establish a common standard for future studies of embryonic development. In this study, we observed and recorded the processes of embryonic development for the Japanese Gecko (Gekko japonicus) from oviposition to hatching. We incubated all eggs at 28℃, and clarified staging series based on external morphology of the embryos, including the head, pharyngeal arch, limb, digits and features of the appearance of scalation and pigmentation, which would provide some references to the research on embryonic development of egg-laying reptiles. For G. japonicus, eggs were laid when they developed to stage 28 within the female′s body and hatched at stage 42. The duration of each developmental stage varied from two to nine days (Fig. 1). A series of developmental stages of embryos was shown (Fig. 2). Somitogenesis was also well underway, with 30﹣33 pairs of somites evident at the time of laying. At stage 28, optic vesicle, pharyngeal arches and otic placode were visible, and the heart was visible as a single, curved endocardial tube protruding from the thoracic cavity. Forelimb buds were present as small protuberances, whereas the hindlimb buds were not yet visible by the second day after oviposition (Fig. 2a). Forelimb and hindlimb buds were observed as distinct protuberances at stage 29 (Fig. 2b). Then the limb buds were plate-like at stage 30 and the paddle-like autopodium could be seen at stage 31 (Fig. 2c, d). After two weeks of incubation, the forelimbs and hindlimbs were divided into three distinctive segments: stylopodium, zeugopodium, and autopodium at stage 32 (Fig. 2e). At stage 34, condensations of all five digits were visible in the autopodium of both forelimbs and hindlimbs (Fig. 2g). The interdigital webbing was deeply incised, and digits 1 and 5 were noticeably shorter than digits 2, 3 and 4 at stage 35 (Fig. 2h). Claws were present on all digits at stage 37 (Fig. 2j). Skin pigment and scale development were observed from stage 37 to stage 42 (Fig. 2j﹣o). There were differences between different species in incubation periods and embryonic stages (Table 1). The data provided by the staging series can be used for future studies of evolution and development.

Abstract:The aim of this research is to explore the role of taurine in immunoregulation and oxidation defense in amphibians. The individuals of Hoplobatrachus rugulosus were administered with different dosages of taurine solution by gastric perfusion for 7 days. After that, respiratory burst of spleen macrophages, peripheral blood phagocytic activity and gastric lysozyme activity and concentrations of serum malonaldehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) were determined. Statistical tests were performed using SPSS 17.0. Data are expressed as Mean ± Standard error of the mean (S.E.M.). To determine the existence of statistical differences between different concentrations, one-way ANOVA was used, followed by LSD test (with a degree of significance of P < 0.05). The results indicated that taurine increased both intensity of splenic macrophage respiratory burst and peripheral blood phagocytic activity in a dose-dependent manner, reaching to peak at 0.8 g/L. However, emergence of conditional toxicity was observed when the concentration of taurine exceeded 0.8 g/L (Fig. 1a and b). No significant change of gastric lysozyme activity was found among different taurine concentrations (Fig. 1c). Serum MDA content was decreased with increasing taurine concentrations, while serum GSH was increased in a dosage-dependent mannerin a certain concentration range (peak reached at 1 g/L) and the emergence of conditional toxicity was observed when the taurine concentration exceeded 1 g/L (Fig. 2a and b). Overall, taurine can markedly improve the immune function and increase antioxidant ability of the H. rugulosus within a certain concentration range and the best dosage to satisfy the nutritional requirement is about 16﹣20 mg/kg body weight basing on our investigations.

Abstract:The present experiment analyzed the effect of atrazine and chlorpyrifos single or joint exposure on the activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and malondialdehyde (MDA) at different time periods and concentrations in Salamander (Hynobius leechii) tadpoles from northeastern China. With the increase of exposure time and elevation of concentration in each treatment group, the activities of SOD, CAT and GSH-PX decreased significantly, while the level of MDA increased significantly (shown in Fig. 1, 3, 5), indicating that exposure of H. leechii tadpoles to atrazine and chlorpyrifos, single or joint, impairs antioxidant system and produces a toxic effect. After 21 days of exposure, the activities of various enzymes in the low or moderate concentration group was not different as compared to their counterparts at the end of revovery, while the high concentration group showed significant improvement of enzyme activities after recovery (shown in Fig. 2, 4, 6).

Abstract:Humpback (Culter dabryi) which belonging to the genus Culter is a common economical fish which lives in lake and river from south to north in China. The purpose of this study was to clarify population characteristics. We totally collected 592 specimens from Lake Changhu, Hubei Province, in September 2015 to August 2016 and measured the body length and body weight of each individual, collected scales to investigate the marks for each of fish. The results showed that the ring mark on the scales mainly was cutting type and sparse-dense type (Fig. 1), there were 7 age classes ranging 1 to 7 in the population, particularly the age classes of fish 1 to 4 years old took advantage in quantity, which accounted for 91.38% of the total population (Table 1). The standard length of the samples ranged 71﹣388 mm, of 55.07% of them within the range of 101﹣200 mm; the total weight was with the ranged of 4.0﹣916.2 g, of which 68.75% individuals weigh in 4.0﹣149.9 g (Fig. 2). The relationship between body weight and body length was described by the equation: W = 0.008L3.148(n = 592, R2 = 0.995, P < 0.01) (Fig. 3). The T test showed that the growth of Humpback belonged to the “constant speed” type; and it was no significant difference between the males and females. According to the growth, the growth rate and acceleration growth rate equation of body length and body weight were described as Lt = 49.103[1﹣e-0.194(t + 0.268)]，Wt = 1668.330[1﹣e-0.194(t + 0.268)]3.148. The growth inflexion point of the body weight and length was 5.64 years old, and its corresponding body length was 33.4 cm and body weight was 502.4 g (Fig. 4). The present mortality coefficient of Humpback is 0.80 (Fig. 5), natural death coefficient is 0.42，fishing mortality factor is 0.38，resource exploitation rate E is 0.48 / year. According to the method of body length analysis, the amount resources of the Humpback were estimated to be 1 809 710 individuals (15.18 t) in 2015﹣2016 (Fig. 6). In order to maintain the stability of the Humpback resources, it is suggested to catch those fish that is more than 33.4 cm in length.

Abstract:Qingcaosha Reservoir, a reservoir located at the Yangtze River Estuary, is the largest water source of Shanghai. As a semi natural semi artificial reservoir, its ecosystem is affected by source water, but also influence by its own unique temperament. Rotifers are one of the most effective organism group as monitors for water quality. It can well reflect the current status of water in reservoirs, such as the eutrophication timely and provide the biological reference for reservoir management. The community structure of rotifer was investigated from 2014 to 2015 according to the characteristics of rotifers horizontal distribution and temporal distribution. We took the data on the species composition, dominant species, quantitative distribution and community characteristics of rotifer and used cluster analysis to analyze the diversity index of Rotifer Community Structure. Redundancy analysis was used to illustrate the relationship between rotifers and environmental factors. Total of 32 species of rotifers were identified in two year period. Of which 20 species were recorded in the year 2014 with 7 dominant species; twenty six species with 2 dominant species were collected in 2015 (Table 2, 3, Fig. 5). The Polyarthra trigla was the only one species dominantly in the two years. Among those 8 species belonged to oligo group with a lower density (156.37 ± 119.48 ind/L) in 2014 than that in 2015 (237.12 ± 252.86 ind/L), respectively. The annual biomass of rotifers was higher with the number are 0.1316 ± 0.1146 mg/L in 2014 than that 0.1229 ± 0.1371 mg/L in 2015 (Fig. 2), respectively. The seasonal variation and horizontal distribution of Rotifers was showed in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Cluster analysis was performed based on Rotifer biomass, biomass and diversity index (Table 4, Fig. 6), the results indicated that the horizontal distribution of rotifers had a great relationship with the shape and geographical characteristics of the reservoir. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that water temperature, dissolved oxygen, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and density of phytoplankton were the main environmental factors which influenced the density of Phytoplankton in the reservoir (Table 5, Fig. 7).

Abstract:The difference of growth performance between one-year precious crabs Chinese Mitten Crab (Eridcheir sinensis) and two-year normally mature crabs has been remained unclear. Therefore, we compare the growth performance, coverage ratio of venter, gonadosomatic index (GSI) and hepatosomatic index (HSI) between one-year precious crabs (PF) and two-year normally mature crabs (NF) through monoculture in this study. The results showed that: (1) The individuals of PF were weighed more heavy than the individuals of NF significantly during 1st﹣2nd and 7th﹣8th molts for males (P < 0.05), while for the females the body weight difference showed a significant difference between crabs of PF and NF during 1st﹣5th and 7th molts (P < 0.05, Fig. 2), crabs of PF were more heavy; (2) The carapace length and carapace width of PF individuals were larger than NF individuals for both females and males with no significant difference (Fig. 3, Fig. 4); (3) In term of weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR), PF individuals possessed higher WGR after 1st﹣2nd molts but lower WGR after 3rd﹣8th molts; a downward trend were showed in the SGR of the two families during the juvenile crab culture stage, and NF individuals were higher than PF individuals with significant differences during 3rd﹣4th molts for both males and females (P < 0.05, Fig. 5, Fig. 6); (4) The PF individuals possessed longer interval during the 1st﹣5th molts but shorter interval during 6th﹣8th molts than NF individuals (Fig. 7); (5) The lower molting frequency in juvenile crab culture stage and higher molting frequency in adult crab culture stage of PF individuals (Fig. 8, Fig. 9); (6) In terms of the coverage ratio of venter by sternite, PF individuals was always higher than NF individual with no significance difference (P > 0.05, Fig. 10); (7) For both males and females, no significant difference were observed on the GSI and HSI between FP and NP individuals after their puberty molting (P > 0.05) (Fig. 11). In conclusion, both PF and NF individuals could complete puberty molting and gonadal development through monoculture with significant difference existed on the growth patterns between them, this would provide theoretical foundation and reference material for further study on the individual biology of E. sinensis.

Abstract:An adult male specimen (Fig. 1 and Table 1) of Rana hanluica Shen, Jiang, and Yang, 2007 (Anura: Ranidae) was collected on 24 August 2016, from Fengyang Forest Station (28°11′51″N, 119°49′2″, altitude 1 100 m), Liandu, Lishui, Zhejiang. Ten tadpoles (Figs. 2 and 3; Table 2) were collected on 14 February 2017 at the same locality as above. This species is new to Zhejiang Province.

Abstract:Three snake specimens (2♂, 1♀) were collected on 2 Sep. 2016 at Xinxing County, Yunfu City, Guangdong Province, China. They were identified as Rhynchophis boulengeri which is new to Guangdong Province. Specimens are deposited at Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources.

Abstract:As a common species in Yunxian County, Yunnan, little information is available concerning the breeding biology of Black-throated Prinia (Prinia atrogularis). From March to September in 2016, we conducted field studies on the Black-throated Prinia in this region. Logistic growth curve was used to fit the nestling weight and external organ growth data. The Black-throated Prinia bred from early March to late September in our study area. During the study period a total of 42 nests were found, mainly located in the weeds (n = 37) (Fig. 1a) and shrubs (tea tree) (n = 5). The process of nest building lasted 5 to 6 days, with both females and males involved. Nest materials included lichen, withe, slender root, fine grass leaves and stems, and so on. The shape of the nest was spherical, and the openings of the nests were in the middle and upper part of lateral side, with length of 4.9 ± 0.7 cm, and width of 4.0 ± 0.5 cm (n = 25) (Fig. 1a). Nests weighted 8.3 ± 1.7 g, with length of 13.2 ± 0.9 cm, and width of 8.2 ± 0.5 cm. Female laid one egg every morning and the average clutch size was 3.9 eggs (3﹣4 eggs, n = 21), with fresh weight of 1.38 ± 0.09 g, 17.3 ± 0.7 mm × 12.6 ± 0.3 mm in size, and 1.4 ± 0.1 cm3 in volume (n = 65) (Fig. 1b). The incubation period was 13.9 ± 0.9 d (n = 5, 13﹣15 d). The nestling period was 13.5 ± 1.3 d (n = 5, 12﹣15 d). Logistic curve showed that nestling weight and culmen length grown fastest at about 5 days old, body length, wings, tarsus of nestling grown fastest at about 7 days old (Fig. 2, 3). 14 of 42 nests were too far to observe their breeding results, for the 28 nests we monitored, 7 succeeded and 21 failed. The main reasons for nest failure were predation (62%), nest desertion (14%) and human disturbance (14%).

Abstract:Seven new bird records were found during the field surveys from 2013 to 2016 in Qinghai Province, China, including the Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus), the Eurasian Gloden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus), the Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), and four buntings (Latoucheornis siemsseni, Emberiza citronella, E. buchanani, E. elegans). These findingsnot only provide the basis for the extension of their population distribution, the study of migration routes and the protection and monitoring of birds, but also provide a reference for their potential distribution.

Abstract:The Tufted Deer (Elaphodus cephalophus) was captured by eight camera-traps photographs in January, August and September of 2016 at two forest farms within the Liupan Mountain National Nature Reserve in Guyuan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. This deer was recorded mainly in the subtropical area of China, and northeastern Burma. It was first recorded in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Abstract:White-nose syndrome (WNS), an infectious disease outbreaking in 2006 drove a large amount of bat species to face the threat of death. Some studies show that WNS is caused by psychrophilic fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, which leads to a series of aberrant behaviors of hibernating bats by invading cutaneous tissues. These aberrant behaviors in turn cause rapid depletion of limited fat and energy stores, as well as death of infected bats. In this paper, we review the studies on disease symptom, transmission rule, pathogenesis and immune genetic response and suggest some directions of future researches in this field.

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