Abstract:The effect of climate change on the timing of bird migration is a hot topic in avian ecology. We used the bird banding method to analyze differences in the spring migration timing of two bird species in Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province from 2010 to 2019 (Fig. 1), and further discussed the reasons for the differences. We selected the insectivorous Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus) and granivorous Black-faced Bunting (Emberiza spodocephala) as the target species, and analyzed the changes of migration timing and their correlations in collected individuals with banding numbers. Advanced migration timing, including arrival date, peak periods, and departing date, and shortened residence days were found for these two migratory birds (Fig. 2, Fig. 3), and there were positive correlations between arrival and departing dates of the Yellow-browed Warbler (Table 1, Table 2). We suggest that the earlier growth and development of vegetable and insect food sources for these migratory birds facilitated their earlier arrival. In recent years, Yellow-browed Warblers have arrived in and departed earlier from Qinhuangdao; therefore, they should have arrived at their breeding sites earlier and possibly beneficial for their breeding success and survival rates.

Abstract:As a harmful environmental factor, air pollution has negative effects on human beings and animals both physically and psychologically. Homing pigeons (Columba livia) are ideal models for studying the pollution effects on birds. In order to explore the impact of air pollution on animals, we used a mixed linear model to analyze the effects of six air pollutants (CO, NO2, O3, PM2.5, PM10, SO2) and environmental factors including temperature, season and weather (Table 1) on homing speed and homing time of 285 homing pigeons, participating 64 games held by Chengdu Homing Pigeon Association during the spring and autumn from 2018 and 2019. Every pigeon participated at least 5 races under three levels of distance. The results showed that the concentrations of PM10, SO2, NO2 and O3 were positively correlated with the homing speed, whereas concentration of CO was negatively correlated with it (Fig. 1). O3 model is the optimal fit model of homing speed, followed by NO2 model (Table 2 and 3). Our study suggests that homing speed of homing pigeons is indeed affected by air pollution, but the underlying mechanisms including homing motivation hypothesis and olfactory navigation enhancement hypothesis need further studies.

Abstract:Assamese Macaques (Macaca assamensis) inhabit various habitats; however, few studies have been conducted to document the selection of limestone forests by this monkey. Limestone forest is a unique habitat for primates, due to the patchy vegetation, and a large area of bare rock as well as hourly fluctuations in temperature, likely forcing monkeys to adopt unique adaptation strategy. In this study, we studied habitat use pattern of one group of Assamese macaques living in Guangxi Nonggang National Nature Reserve, Southwest Guangxi, China, to explore how these macaques use and adapt to the limestone forests. We conducted our surveys from September 2012 until August 2013. The instantaneous scan sampling method was used to collect the behavioral data, as well as to record the locations of Assamese Macaque individuals. In addition, the food availability was assessed by monitoring food trees’ phenology. We expressed the monthly utilization proportion of vertical zones as the records’ number of specific locations divided by the total records in each month. Annual and seasonal percentages were obtained by averaging relative monthly values. The differences were estimated using independent samples t-tests in normal distribution data and Mann-Whitney U-test in abnormal distribution data. In fact, for the multiple sample analysis, a Kruskal-Wallis test was used. The stepwise regression was performed to test the effects of the ecological factor on habitat use. Results showed that there were significant differences between different vertical zones in limestone forests (χ2 = 35.738, df = 3, P < 0.001). Cliff had the highest use frequency among the hill zones (41.0% ± 8.8%), followed by the hill slopes (32.7% ± 6.4%), hilltops (25.3% ± 7.1%), and flat land (1.0% ± 2.4%) (Table 2 and Fig. 2). There was no significant seasonal difference in the overall use pattern of the vertical zone by the Assamese Macaques. Different vertical zones were noticed to be used by Assamese Macaques for specific activities (Resting: χ2 = 58.075, df = 3, P < 0.001; Moving: χ2 = 36.709, df = 3, P < 0.001; Feeding: χ2 = 40.786, df = 3, P < 0.001). Specifically, the cliffs were frequently used as resting and moving sites, and the hill slopes were used as feeding sites. The utilization frequency of the cliffs in the fruit-rich season was lower than that in the fruit-lean season, which was contrary to cases recorded in the hill slopes (Table 2 and Fig. 2). As for the slope orientation, the utilization frequency of the north slope was the highest (25.3% ± 10.9%), followed by the east slope (25.1% ± 12.0%), the west slope (20.3% ± 9.9%), then the none orientation slope (18.0% ± 6.2%), and the south slope (11.3% ± 4.7%) (Table 3 and Figure 3). The utilization frequency of the south slope in the fruit-lean season was higher than that in the fruit-rich season. There were significant seasonal differences across different slope directions during the resting actively (χ2 = 13.292, df = 4, P < 0.05), showing that the utilization frequency of the south slope was higher in the fruit-lean season than that in the fruit-rich season (Table 3 and Fig. 3). Assamese Macaques’ habitat use was mainly influenced by fruits availability and environmental temperature. The fruits availability was negatively correlated with resting activity documented on the cliffs (r =﹣0.740, t =﹣3.481, df = 11, P < 0.01) and positively correlated with the resting behavior observed in the hill slope area (r = 0.808, t = 4.329, df = 11, P < 0.01). The utilization frequency of overall activities on cliffs (r =﹣0.617, t =﹣2.477, df = 11, P < 0.05) as well as the utilization frequency of the north slope in feeding (r =﹣0.764, t =﹣3.748, df = 11, P < 0.01) both was negatively and significantly correlated with the average temperature. Our results indicated that Assamese Macaques used the cliffs as a sleeping site and chose high-quality patch nearby for foraging to maximize the feeding benefits, which could be the trade-off strategy between foraging benefits and predation risks. Moreover, temperature also acted as a vital factor in shaping habitats’ use pattern in Assamese Macaques, suggesting behavioral thermoregulation was of great importance for Assamese Macaques to adapt on the limestone forests habitat.

Abstract:In order to understand the resources of amphibians and reptiles in the Shennongjia Dajiuhu Wetland Park, a sparse type of subalpine wetland in China, 12 field surveys were conducted between 2016 and 2018. A total of 16 line-transects (200﹣300 m length) and 24 point-counts (50 m radius) for amphibians, 12 line-transects and 10 point-counts for reptiles were setup for field survey. Questionnaire investigations about amphibians and reptiles were also conducted in 7 local residents. A total of 21 species (2 orders and 8 families) of amphibians were recorded, including 12 species were recorded by field investigation, 2 species were recorded by interview, and 7 species were recorded by references. Seventeen amphibians were oriental realm species, 1 was palaearctic realm species, and 3 were widespread species. Twelve species were listed as Hubei key protected animals; 21 species were listed in the IUCN Red List of Threated Species, including 1 endangered species of Quasipaa boulengeri, and 2 vulnerable species of Liua tsinpaensis and Q. spinosa, and 10 species were endemic to China (Appendix 1). A total of 31 species of reptiles, representing 2 orders and 13 families, were recorded during the period of investigation. Fourteen reptiles were recorded by field investigation, 14 species were recorded by interview, and 3 species were recorded by references. Of them 23 species were oriental realm species, 1 was palaearctic realm species, and 7 were widespread species. Eight species were listed as Hubei key protected animals; 24 species were listed in the IUCN Red List of Threated Species, including 1 endangered species of Mauremys reevesii, and 1 vulnerable species of Naja atra; N, atra was listed in the CITES Appendix II and M. reevesii was listed in the CITES Appendix III; and 12 species were endemic to China (Appendix 2). These results suggest that the amphibians and reptiles in the Shennongjia Dajiuhu Wetland Park are characterized by oriental realm species, endangered species and endemic species to China. This study provides basic data for further research, and for ecological-based conservation and management in biodiversity in the Shennongjia Dajiuhu Wetland Park.

Abstract:Studies on the reproductive biology of species Goniusrosaurus hainanensis was conducted first time from September 2017 to August 2019 basis on 147 of females and 179 males in the Diaoluoshan National Nature Reserve on Hainan Island. The breeding season of this species lasted from March to October but peaked in two months from July to August, respectively. The gravidity ratio of total females reached to 53% and the individual fecundity was 1.9 ± 0.5 eggs, of 80% of females had 2 eggs. In addition, the females had the ability to produce multiple clutches per year. Egg size, clutch size, egg lengths, and egg widths did not significantly correlated with the reproductive characteristics and snout-vent lengths of female individuals. Egg incubation temperatures were 22﹣26 ℃, incubation humidity was 80%﹣95%, incubation periods were 65﹣70 d (n = 4), and duration of the egg-breaking stage was lasted approximately 2 h (n = 4). The ratios of females to males and adults to larvae were 1︰1.2 and 8︰1, respectively. There was no sexual dimorphism with respect to body size.

Abstract:Frogs can distinguish various colors even at the scotopic light level, however, the dynamic neural mechanism of cerebral neural activity in color perception is not yet clear. To explore this, electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded when different colors (blue, green and yellow) were presented to the Emei Music Frog (Nidirana daunchina), and the power spectrum of each EEG rhythm for each color was calculated. Firstly, EEG signals of the telencephalon, diencephalon and mesencephalon were collected when the colors were presented. Then, four rhythms including delta (0.5﹣5.5 Hz), theta (5.5﹣8.5 Hz), alpha (8.5﹣17 Hz) and beta (17﹣45 Hz) were extracted. Finally, the power spectrum of each frequency rhythm was analyzed using Welch’s method with a Hamming window and 0.5 Hz resolution. The statistical analysis was conducted using the three-factor (color, brain region and gender) repeated measures of ANOVA and Least Significant Difference (LSD). Results showed that (1) for delta rhythm, the power spectra induced by blue, green and yellow were 9.952 ± 0.421, 9.930 ± 0.370, 9.460 ± 0.393, respectively; while for theta rhythm, the power spectra induced by blue, green and yellow were 1.881 ± 0.316, 1.770 ± 0.299, 1.711 ± 0.319, respectively (Fig. 2); (2) the sequence of power spectra for delta or theta rhythm was blue > green > yellow (P < 0.05, the difference between blue and green in delta, and that the difference between green and yellow in theta did not reach statistical significance, Fig. 2 and Table 1); (3) the power spectra of theta, alpha and beta evoked in the left diencephalon were 1.945 ± 0.341, 3.020 ± 0.280, ﹣5.832 ± 0.248, respectively and were significantly higher than those in the right counterpart respectively (P < 0.05, Fig. 2 and Table 1). In conclusion, these results show that blue color induces higher arousal level, and that color perception exhibits left-hemisphere lateralization.

Abstract:Peripheral blood cells were characterized in Polypedates megacephalus and Hylarana guentheri by the Wright-Giemsa staining method, and the data were compared with those previously recorded in Theloderma corticale. The results showed that the peripheral hematocytes of all three species were composed of erythrocytes, leukocytes and thrombocytes. The blood cells of the three species had the same commonality in morphology and structure (Fig. 1), while there were also remarkable differences in the shape, size and quantity (Fig. 2, Table 1﹣4). The nuclei of the red blood cells of H. guentheri were (23.56 ± 2.78) μm × (14.25 ± 1.62) μm in long diameter and short diameter, respectively, significantly larger than in P. megacephalus and T. corticale. There was no significant difference in size between neutrophils and lymphocytes, but the long diameter and short diameter of neutrophils and lymphocytes of T. corticale were the largest. In terms of the number of cells, the number of red blood cells in T. corticale was (24.33 ± 9.46) ×104/mm3, significantly lower than that in P. megacephalus or H. guentheri. while the number of white blood cells of P. megacephalus was (1.40 ± 0.40) ×104/mm3, which was the least among the three species, significantly different from the other two species (P < 0.05). These differences may be related to living environment and living habits of the frogs.

Abstract:Exploring the controlled artificial propagation is an important way of species conservation for Chinese Sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis). To accomplish it, the artificial cultured parental population is a basic demanding. In this study, by daily observation of feeding behavior (feeding proportion, feeding frequency and daily bait ratio) and monthly measurement of growth parameters (body length, body weight, body circumference and condition factor) on 14 artificial cultured reserve parental Chinese Sturgeon (15-year-old; body length, 183﹣235 cm; body weight, 71.5﹣180.5 kg), we investigated the annual variation of feeding behavior and growth performance of reserve parental Chinese Sturgeon under natural water conditions. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze the variance between different month groups, and different sex. Post-hoc Duncan Multiple Comparison Test was used to analyze the variance between months. The results showed that, both feeding proportion and feeding frequency changed significantly between-month and exhibited an obvious inter-monthly variation feature. Similar variation disciplinarian, with no significant difference (P > 0.05), were found between male and female in most of the examination time point except feeding proportion in September (P < 0.05, Fig. 2). For feeding proportion, the highest was 86.9% ± 8.6% in April, while the lowest was 35.4% ± 28.5% in July (Fig. 2). For feeding frequency, the highest was 3.01 ± 1.35 times in March, while the lowest was 0.70 ± 0.63 times in July (Fig. 3). The daily bait rates of both compound bait and fresh bait present down first and then up trend. For compound bait, the lowest daily bait ratio was 0.02% in October, while the highest was 0.19% in January. And for fresh bait, the lowest daily bait ratio was 0.12% in June, while the highest was 0.99% in April (Fig. 4). The average annual feeding proportion of fresh food was 62.57% ± 15.63%, but the compound food was only 18.39% + 17.61%, which indicated an obvious preference of fresh food in Chinese Sturgeon. Negative correlations were obtained between compound food daily bait rate, fresh food daily bait rate, total feeding proportion, female feeding proportion, total feed frequency, female feed frequency and water temperature by Pearson correlation analysis (Table 1). The parental Chinese Sturgeon displayed a slower-growing feature, and the body circumference, body weight and condition factor showed down first and then up trend. Except condition factor, no significant difference can be detected in other growth parameters during the experimental period (Table 2). Although few inadequacies may occurred in experimental conditions and sampling process, such as the square fish pond with shallow water may cause spatial stress effect, monthly inspection and sampling may cause sampling interference, the results obtained in the present study still can be referred for improving cultivation techniques of Chinese Sturgeon. To improve feeding and growth of Chinese Sturgeon, water temperature regulation, suitable breeding facility, reducing interference and optimizing feed composition should be provided during the feeding management.

Abstract:An investigation of commercial fishing was carried out in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River with the purpose to study the status of fish resources in May-June and September-October 2018. Total fish catch was estimated based on the fishery statistic data. The length-structure VPA method was applied to evaluate the stock size of Coreius heteroteron, Parabramis pekinensis and Tachysurus vachelli. The biomass of the firstly five species were 1 077.36 tones, 2 190.74 tones, 58.57 tones, 1 010.54 tones, and 14.55 tones. The total fish biomass for reaches of Yichang City, Shishou City, Honghu City, Wuhan City and Hukou County were 623.25 tones, 698.19 tones, 0.41 tones, 148.65 tones and 0.032 tones (Table 2﹣6), respectively. The results may provide information for assessing protection potentiality and developing fish resource conservation strategy.

Abstract:In natural waters, the spawning reefs of Sepioteuthis lessoniana are mostly distributed in small rocks, broken shells and seaweed clumps, which interact with environmental pollutants. Therefore, certain deep studies have become extremely important to obtain insights into the adaptation of its structure and function to sophisticated environment during the breeding. Herein, the histological structure and cell type of the nidamental gland of adult S. lessoniana were observed by tissue slice techniques and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the surface of the nidamental gland was smooth and milky, with parallel lines on the surface (Fig. 1). and the nidamental gland was composed of three subdivisions: glandular wall tissue, secretory lobe and connective tissue. The glandular wall tissue was composed of the outer membrane layer and the muscular layer, which was located outside of the gland (Fig. 2a). The secretory lobe was the most important structure in gland and was layered (Fig. 2d). Connective tissue mainly existed in the junction of glandular wall tissue and secretory lobe, basement membrane of secretory lobe, and extracellular matrix between secretory cells (Fig. 2a﹣c). Further, the cell composition of the secretory lobes was dissected. The secretory lobes comprised two cell types, supporting cells and secretory cells (Fig. 3a). The supporting cells were small, oval in shape, located at the base of the secretory lobe, and the organelles in the cells were rare, and only a few mitochondria were observed (Fig. 3a, c). However, the secretory cells were large and rectangular with a large number of organelles, including mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex, visible in the cells (Fig. 3a, d, e). And we observed surprisingly few vesicles and protein vesicles, which were likely concentrated on the outside of the cell. Together, cilia were abundantly produced (Fig. 3b, f). We conclude that the nidamental gland is a typical secretory gland, and that primary function of the gel-forming substances is to form the third layer, which plays an essential role in protecting the fertilized egg against various environmental pollutants.

Abstract:During the investigation into parasitic pathogens of fishes in urban areas of Urumqi and Bachu County, Xinjiang, from September 2018 to October 2019, monogenean parasites were found in the gills of both Ictalurus punctatus and I. nebulosus. The morphology of the parasitic species was basically the same between the two fish species, except for the bar morphology. The parasites were tentatively identified as Ligictaluridus pricei of Ancyrocephalidae, Ligictaluridus (Fig. 1, 2). To verify the the species identified by morphology, molecular identification was performed with the construction of a phylogenetic tree. The 28S rDNA sequences of parasites from the two fish species were amplified, and the phylogenetic tree and genetic distance matrix were constructed after sequence comparison. The similarity between the parasites from the two species and L. pricei was above 98%, and the phylogenetic tree showed that they closely clustered into a same branch with a confidence of 100 (Fig. 4, 5). The same genetic distance between the parasite from the two species and L. pricei was close to zero, showing a high degree of similarity and kinship (Table 3). Therefore, according to the morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis, it was determined that these two fishes were infected with the same parasite. The findings of the study can provide a basis for the disease control of artificially cultured catfish in Xinjiang region.

Abstract:Traditional bird monitoring methods have the limitations of long investigation time, large consumption of manpower and material resources, as well as inaccurate identifications. In recent years, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing technology has been widely used in the field of ecology, however, it is still a lack of developed methods for its application in bird survey. In this study, a micro-UAV (DJI Mavic 2) equipped with a visible light camera was used to conduct a waterfowl survey in the West Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve in Hunan Province. Four survey areas were selected inside the reserve where the target species were concentrated. With flight routes in each area planned and the flight and shooting parameters set appropriately, remote sensing data were collected (Fig. 1). Meanwhile, the birds’ response to the disturbance caused by the shooting process was ranked and recorded (Table 1). Subsequently, the image splicing software PTGui Pro 11.0 was employed to splice the collected images and adjusted their color balance. Finally, based on the synthesized remote sensing image, the classification and annotation table of waterfowl was established and the waterfowl in the image were manually interpreted. Also, the disturbance ranks of the investigation to the waterfowl was analyzed statistically. We conducted 11 flights in this study, of which the largest flight sites had an area of 18 hm2 and the resolution of 0.012 m/pixel at the flight altitude of 75 m. We successfully obtained data from ten survey flights. We tried to identify and count, in our obtained images, six main waterfowl species with relatively large body size: Ardea alba, A. cinerea, Anas crecca, Mareca falcata, Cygnus columbianus and Vanellus vanellus (Table 2, Fig. 2). The results showed that the four target species can be identified and counted accurately with the remote sensing images, however, the A. crecca and M. falcata could not be distinguished from each other. Alarm rating records show that the drone investigation had a minor impact on waterfowl. In conclusion, it is feasible to conduct rapid remote sensing monitoring of large and medium sized waterfowl in wetland based on micro-UAV equipped with visible light cameras. In order to achieve relatively higher accuracy of interpretation and prevent excessive interference to waterfowl at the same time, parameters such as flight altitude, flight speed and image overlap need to be set appropriately.

Abstract:Austwickia chelonae infects reptiles, birds, mammals, etc., causing skin diseases or deaths in the wild and domestic animals. In recent years, this pathogen outbroke in the rescue population of the first-class protected animal—Crocodile Lizards (Shinisaurus crocodilurus). Traditional methods for pathogen detection are labor-consuming and time-costing. Therefore, this study developed a highly specific and convenient method for the detection of Austwickia chelonae based on its whole genome sequence, and applied this method to the risk prediction of skin disease in crocodile lizards. Among the three pairs of specific primers for A. chelonae detection developed in this paper, primer set AC3 shows the best results.

Abstract:From December 10, 2019 to January 2020, a single bird of the Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca) was continuously observed and photographed at the Dishui Lake of Nanhui East Shoal in Pudong New Area, Shanghai. It is proven to be a new bird record in China.

Abstract:The Reeves’s Pheasant Syrmaticus reevesii has been listed as a vulnerable species because of its small distribution range and decreasing population. In May 2020, a male Reeves’s Pheasant was found in Guangxi Yachang Orchidaceae National Nature Reserve, northwestern Guangxi. As the first confirmed record of Reeves’s Pheasant in Guangxi, this population was thought to be in low density and separated from neighboring populations in Guizhou because of the habitat loss and dam construction. For its conservation management, a detailed survey about its distribution range and population in northwestern Guangxi is urgently needed.

Abstract:The Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) is a national first-class wildlife protection animal in China. From 2010 to 2018, we used line transects and point transects to monitor the population of Black Stork at Zhangye Heihe Wetland National Nature Reserve. We also collected the breeding information of Black Stork in our study area. According to our investigation, the largest population of Black Stork appeared in late September every year, ranging from 120﹣430 ind. During the spring migration season, Black Stork arrived at our study area in March and April, while some individuals bred here and others kept migrating. During the autumn migration season, some Black Storks arrived in the middle of August, while most of them arrived in late September, and they stayed here until late October. A small population stayed in this area during winter. From 2012 to2018, we systematically checked 9 nest sites and found 37 active nests totally. All the nests were built on cliffs, mainly built by twigs. The nests were plate-shaped, with outer diameter of 110﹣170 cm, inner diameter of 40﹣70 cm, inner depth of 4﹣7 cm, height of 45﹣84 cm. Egg laying period lasted 6﹣8 d and the clutch size was 4 or 5. According to measurements of 19 eggs, the short axis was 47﹣55 cm and the long axis was 63﹣71 cm. Parents began incubation after the first egg was laid and both sexes participated in incubation. The incubation period lasted 33 or 34 d and it took 3﹣5 d for all nestlings hatched. Both sexes brooded the young. Nestlings needed up to 70 days to gain flight ability and they usually fledged at 100 days old. According to the 37 nests, the hatching rate was 55.2%, and 2.6 ± 0.6 nestlings fledges per nest on average. We hope our findings could provide more information for conservation and comparative study of Black Stork.

Abstract:In 2018 and 2019, in order to improve their reproductive performance, we conducted artificial breeding studies of captive Chinese Monals (Lophophorus lhuysii) in the Fengtongzhai National Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province. Eight (3♂, 5♀) adult individuals were raised in 4 cages, of which 2 cages were 1 male and 1 female, 1 cage was 1 male and 2 females, and 1 cage was 1 female. In 2018 and 2019, 16 fertilized eggs were collected, with a fertilized rate of 44.44% (Table 1). Of these, 12 were artificially hatched, with a hatching rate of 75%. The regression equation between daily egg weight loss (Y1) and hatching days (X) during incubation is Y1 = 0.375 + 0.001 X (F = 2.995, P > 0.05), indicating the correlation between them is not significant. The regression equation of egg weight (Y2) and hatching days (X) is Y2 = 83.451﹣0.385X (R2 = 1, P < 0.01), which showed a significant correlation (Fig. 1). In conclusion, under the present conditions, the key to improve the breeding performance of captive Chinese Monals is to construct suitable cage breeding facilities and improve the artificial hatching conditions.

Abstract:Dajinshan Island is the highest and largest bedrock island in Shanghai and located on the northeast corner of Hangzhou Bay. Due to less human interference, the vegetation maintains a better status and retains the original background of precious animal and plant resources in Shanghai. We surveyed the diversity of amphibians and reptiles located in Dajinshan Island from May 2017 to October 2018. In total, 2 species of amphibians belonging to 2 families, respectively, and 8 species of reptiles belonging to 3 families were detected in this survey. We found that the reptile diversity in Dajinshan island is also the highest in Shanghai. Compared with previous survey results, the composition of amphibians and reptiles has changed. Gekko japonicus, Pelophylax plancyi, Takydromus septentrionalis and Oocatochus rufodorsatus distributed on the island have now disappeared, and Bufo gargarizans, Ptyas dhumnades, Calamaria septentrionalis and Lycodon rufozonatum are newly recorded in this survey.

Abstract:As a pair of sister-species, the Sillem’s Rosefinch (Carpodacus sillemi) and Tibetan Rosefinch (C. roborowskii) are two endemic birds with limited distribution in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China. Since they were discovered and described, knowledge of the biology of the two birds has been very limited with scarce studies and reports, and the Sillem’s Rosefinch is one of the least known birds in the world. Based on the existing literatures, and data obtained from our own field observations, we summarized the taxonomy, distribution, breeding biology of these two species here. Furthermore, with a preliminary comparison of the juveniles of both rosefinches, we supported the previous taxonomical proposal of both species belonging to the genus of Carpodacus. We encourage more Chinese ornithologists to do researches on this pair of highest altitude living sister-species in the future.

Abstract:Birds use sounds to communicate, and large amounts of information are transmitted by vocalizations. We summarized the current research progress on the relationship between bird vocal behavior and individual fitness including individual status (physical parameters, hormone levels and health conditions), social status and reproduction (sexual selection and breeding success). We found that the relationships between song traits and single physical parameter were different according to the traits examined. Bird vocalization could be regulated by various hormones, and related with the individuals' social ranks. Both male and female songs are related with reproduction, but there are differences in the strategies of parents’ vocal behavior. The effect of vocalization on reproductive fitness is also influenced by other factors, such as taxa and mating system. The biological information represented by bird vocalization is a comprehensive manifestation of individual body condition, and its influence on individual fitness is more complicated. In order to interpret the biological information represented by vocalizations, we need to consider multiple parameters from multiple prospects, such as social grade, physical condition and reproduction.

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