Abstract:Ecotourism is regarded as one of the most effective ways to solve the conflict between conservation and community development. However, there are rare discussions on how much ecotourism progress will affect wildlife. To explore whether tourists' noise during ecotourism activities affect Black Snub-nosed Monkeys (Rinopithecus bieti) during ecotourism activities, we record tourists' noise value and viewing distance, tourists number, monkeys’ behaviour, the total number of visible monkeys and the number of monkeys in different age-sex groups by 10-minute instantaneous scanning sampling method from July 5, 2017, to February 8, 2018, in Yunan Shangri-La Yunnan Golden Monkey National Park. The results show that ecotourism significantly increased the environmental noise value, which the noise value (52.42 dB) in the tourist open period was significantly higher than that (47.51 dB) in the non-open period, and the noise value is positively correlated with the number of tourists, and negatively correlated with the viewing distance and the number of visible Black Snub-nosed monkeys (Table 2); There were significant differences in the number of visible Black Snub-nosed monkeys at different viewing distances, and the number reached a maximum (2 046 ind) at the viewing distance of 11﹣15 m. Within the ornamental distance of 1﹣5 m, the resistance ability to the interference of varying age groups was significantly different, and the adult males have the most robust stance ability, followed by adolescent individuals. This study suggests that the ecotourism process in Shangri-La Yunnan Golden Monkey National Park has increased the environmental noise value and disturbed the Black Snub-nosed monkeys. Short tourists' viewing distance and the number of tourists increased disturbance degree. We suggest that the viewing distance of tourists should be strictly limited in the future ecotourism process, with the standard of more than 10 m; slogans should be set up to remind tourists to keep quiet to reduce the disturbance.

Abstract:The background of wildlife resources is the basis for effective management of biodiversity in nature reserves. In order to find out the latest situation of vertebrate resources in Qingmuchuan Nature Reserve and understand the protection effectiveness and main interference factors, we took field surveys from 2017 to 2018 by using the method of line transect and infrared camera trap. We also estimated the main threatening factors on wild vertebrates through analyzing the historical and social economic data, and evaluated the conservation effectiveness by using expert scoring method. We found that: (1) 342 species of wild vertebrates have been recorded in Qingmuchuan Nature Reserve, belonging to 5 classes, 32 orders, 91 families and 233 genera (Table 1), including 10 species and 41 species of national first-class and second-class key protected animals respectively (Table 2). Compared with the initial establishment of the reserve in 2002, 83 species, 46 genera, 9 families and 4 orders were added (Table 1). Among them, the number of bird species increased the most, up to 55 species; Only one species of amphibians was added (Table 1). (2) Tourism was the main economic activity in Qingmuchuan with the changes from 50 000 tourists in 2009 to 1 620 000 tourists in 2017 (Fig. 1). The tourism development in the periphery of the reserve has a certain potential impact on vertebrates and habitats in the reserve. (3) The land use pattern has changed significantly in the past 30 years. When the reserve was not established in 2001, the agricultural land area in the region accounted for about 33% of the total area, and only 1% in 2018 (Fig. 2). (4) The main threatening factor to wild animals in the reserve has changed from agriculture and farming to the current peripheral tourism development during past 20 years (Table 3), and the evaluation analysis showed that the reserve is with higher score of conservation effectiveness (Table 4).

Abstract:From July 2018 to February 2021, we conducted a survey on the bats diversity and conservation status in Yangxi Provincial Nature Reserve using roost surveying and mist-net catching method. We totally identified 13 species representing to six genera in three families (Table 1). It includes five species of Vespertilionidae, five species of Rhinolophidae and three species of Hipposideridae. Six of 13 species including Rhinolophus rex, Aselliscus stoliczkanus, Hipposideros pratti, Myotis altarium, Myotis chinensis, Pipistrellus abramus were found for the first time in this reserve (Table 1). According to the animal geographical regions of China, 11 species belong to the Oriental Realm, and two species are considered to be widespread. Six species are evaluated as Near Threatened (NT), seven as Least Concern (LC) based on China’s Red list of biodiversity(vertebrates) while only one species as Near Threatened (NT) and 12 species as Least Concern (LC) based on IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Table 1). Bats dwell in 20 of 27 surveyed caves. Hipposideros armiger occurred in ten caves and was most widely found. And the following is Rhinolophus pearsonii in 8 caves and R. pusillus in 7 caves (Table 2). Over half of 20 dwellings (55%, Table 2) were disturbed by human activities (e.g., Cave visiting, bats chasing, cave used for livestock, cave sacrifice, destruction of entrance to a cave) which becomes dominant threatening factors for the survival of bats at this area. The strategies as below are suggested to adopt for further species conservation: managing cave visiting by human and livestock (including bat chasing); a conservation education project to better manage cave sacrifice; unblocking the entrance to the cave; and strengthening the repair management for traditional houses of local residents. We also recommend that the long-term survey for bats biodiversity in this reserve should be conducted to understand a dynamic change of species in the future.

Abstract:Sexual size dimorphism is common in animals. Understanding the differences in sexual dimorphism of body size between closely related species could provide evidence for insight into the underlying mechanisms driving sexual dimorphism of body size. Previous studies on Great Tit (Parus major) and many other birds have reported obvious sexual size dimorphism in morphometric traits such as bill length, tarsus length and wing length, and that the sexual size dimorphism of bill length of Great Tit may vary by seasons. The Cinereous Tit (P. cinereus) was once regarded as a subspecies of the Great Tit and it is similar to the Great Tit in various aspects of morphology and behaviors. Aiming to provide supplementary information about the interspecific difference in sexual size dimorphism between closely related species, we explored sexual and seasonal differences of Cinereous Tit in six morphometric traits including bill length, bill-head length, tarsus length, wing length, tail length and body length. From 2018 to 2020, a total of 226 individuals (96 females and 130 males) were captured in the Dongzhai National Nature Reserve of Henan Province, China. The relationships of each of the above morphometric traits with sex and season were analyzed using linear mixed models, in which each morphometric trait was treated as the dependent variable, and sex, season and their interaction as explanatory variables. Moreover, as there were three persons who attended the measurements of the birds, person ID was treated as a random factor to account for inter-person differences in measurements. The results showed that there were different degrees of sexual size dimorphism among the six morphological traits (Table 1), and the males were significantly larger than the females in all traits except bill length which showed no significant differences between the sexes. Moreover, seasonal variation was found for tarsus length and tail length: the tarsus length in autumn was significantly shorter than that in winter and breeding season, while the tail length in breeding season was significantly longer than that in autumn and winter. Despite of the seasonal differences in bill length and tail length, the sexual differences in the six morphological measurements did not significantly change with seasons. These results suggest that the patterns of sexual size dimorphism and seasonal differences of morphological traits of the Cinereous Tit are not same as those of the Great Tit. Future studies are warranted to investigate the reasons for the existence of sexual size dimorphism and seasonal variation of morphological traits in Cinereous Tit as well as the reasons for the inter-specific differences in sexual size dimorphism and seasonal patterns.

Abstract:Corticosterone (CORT) is one of the most important glucocorticosteroid in birds. When subjected to human interference, capture, harsh environment and other stress stimulation, the hypothalamic-pituitary- adrenal (HPA) axis is activated and corticosterone would be synthesized in large quantities, which then modifies physiology and behavior. Capture followed by the collection of blood samples over 5﹣30 min is a widely used stressor in studies of stress-induced corticosterone in birds. Stress-induced corticosterone is essential for individual survival. However, current results on the changes of plasma stress-induced corticosterone during the breeding seasons and its relationship with reproduction are significantly different, and experimental studies in different species are still needed. In our study, Varied Tits (Sittiparus varius) were caught with mist nets in the courtship periods (from March to April in 2019); and about 50 μl blood samples were taken by puncturing the brachial vein within 10﹣15 min. Parental birds were captured with nest-box traps when the nestlings were 6﹣8 days old, and blood samples were taken within 10﹣15 min. After centrifugalization, all blood plasma samples were analyzed for stress-induced corticosterone concentration by avian corticosterone ELISA kit. Independent sample t-test was used to compare the stress-induced corticosterone concentration during the courtship periods and nestling feeding periods. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the relationships between stress-induced corticosterone of parental birds in nestling feeding periods and the reproductive investment of Varied Tits. The results showed that, compared with the courtship periods, the stress-induced corticosterone concentration of Varied Tits increased significantly in nestling feeding periods (female: t(29, 29) =﹣10.782, df = 56, P < 0.05; male: t(50, 31) =﹣10.207, df = 43.099, P < 0.05; Fig. 1). And there was no significant difference between male and female parental birds (courtship: t(29, 50) =﹣0.684, df = 77, P > 0.05; nestling breeding period: t(29, 31) = 0.078, df = 58, P > 0.05; Fig. 1). The concentration of stress-induced corticosterone had no significant effect on reproductive parameters (P > 0.05; Fig. 2), feeding investment and nest defense (P > 0.05; Fig. 3). Our studies presented differences of plasma stress-induced corticosterone in breeding seasons of Varied Tits, and provided scientific basis for the researches and protection of Varied Tits.

Abstract:During the 21st century, nearly half of amphibians are facing survival threats for different reasons. In China, such situation is serious in Yunnan Province. A unique floating Carex swamp wetland is in Beihai Wetland, Tengchong County, Yunnan Province, which has an important value of scientific research in China and world. Besides, amphibians have often been thought to serve as a particularly desirable ecological indicator species. They can be used to assess environmental conditions. The amphibian resources survey is beneficial to promote Beihai Wetland protection and restoration. From May, July to August 2019, and from May to June and September 2020, the amphibian resources survey was investigated. The investigative methods were mainly based on transect lines. 8 transect lines were choosen (Table 1). Besides, interviewing helped to confirm species. There were 21 species of amphibians, including 1 invasive species. 20 indigenous species belong to 2 orders, 7 families and 17 genera (Table 2). Compared to the last survey (2008), 5 species were recorded in Beihai Wetland for the first time (Table 4). They were Leptobrachella tengchongensis, Rhacophorus rhodopus, Zhangixalus smaragdinus, Chiromantis doriae and invasive species American Bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus = Rana catesbeiana). 2 families and 8 species were newly revised (Table 4). G-F index was used to analyse data. The G-index reflected the diversity at genus level. The F-index reflected the diversity within and among families. Average fauna resemblance (AFR) was used to compare Beihai Wetland with surrounding areas. Firstly, the results show that the G index of amphibians in Beihai Wetland is 2.842, the F index of amphibians is 5.001 and the G-F index of amphibians is 0.432. Secondly, the average fauna resemblance (AFR) value of Beihai Wetland is similar to Tengchong (Gaoligong Mountain National Natural Reserve), Longling (Xiaoheishan Nature Reserve), Yingjiang (Tongbiguan Nature Reserve) and Lushui (Gaoligong Mountain National Natural Reserve) (Table 3). Thirdly, the abundance of American Bullfrogs is far greater than that of indigenous species. American Bullfrogs have become the dominant species and have formed breeding populations. Therefore it is necessary to take a set of protective measures. Fourthly, it is important to establish a monitoring program for amphibians. The monitoring systems are helpful to evaluate wetland ecological health.

Abstract:The identification and selective preference for different habitats is one of the important abilities to ensure the survival and reproduction of fish. The preference of Rare Minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) for different habitat and the effects of nutrient status, number of components and environmental illumination on this behavior were tested. Sand, aquatic plants, and stones were used in a variety of permutations and combinations in tank to create different habitat types. The behavior was quantified based on the time spent of fish in each area of tank and frequency of midline crossing. The effects of nutrient status, number of components and environmental illumination was tested under following condition respectively by the controlling the variable method: (1) Two groups of nutritional status of fish: food-deprived and well-fed. Fish of food-deprived was stopped feeding for 24 h; (2) Four groups of ambient illumination: 500 lx, 1 000 lx, 1 500 lx, 2 000 lx; (3) Four groups of number of components: one, two, four, eight aquatic plants. Data were checked for assumptions of normality and assumptions of homogeneity of variance by using Kolmogorov- Smirnov and Levene tests and were analyzed by One Way Analysis of Variance and least significant difference (multiple-comparison tests). Statistical process and tests were done using the SPSS and Office Excel. Results showed that Rare Minnow had obvious preference to different habitat types (P < 0.05), and this preference degree was highest when containing only aquatic plants, and was lowest when containing only rocks (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3). This preference was not affected after food-deprived of 24 h (P > 0.05, Fig. 5), but was significantly affected by the number of habitat components (P < 0.001, Fig. 4) and environmental illumination (P < 0.001). It increased with the increase of number of aquatic plants and illumination, and was most obvious when containing 8 aquatic plants (Fig. 4) or under the illumination of 1 000 lx (Fig. 6). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that Rare Minnow had obvious preference to environment composed of aquatic plants and this preference was affected significantly by some environmental factors such as illumination and number of habitat components.

Abstract:The Dusky long-tailed shrew (Chodsigoa furva) is one of the least known shrews. Currently, only five specimens are recorded. In November 2018, a specimen of Chodsigoa was collected from Zhamu, Bomi, Linzhi, Tibet (29°48′25″ N, 95°41′56″ E) at an altitude of 3 400 m. We compared its morphology with that of other species in the genus. We also sequenced the complete Cytochrome b gene (Cyt b) and obtained homologous sequences of other Chodsigoa species from GenBank. Maximum-likelihood inference and Kimura 2-parameter (K2P) distances were used to estimate the phylogenetic status of the specimen. The dorsal pelage of the specimen is dark gray and the ventral pelage is imperceptibly lighter; the tail is obviously longer than the head and the body length, dark brown above and slightly pale below, and naked at the tip. Its skull is strong, its braincase is well-domed, and the zygomatic plate is very narrow (Fig. 1, Table 1), which is consistent with the characteristics of Chodsigoa furva. The maximum likelihood tree based on the complete Cyt b gene showed that the individual forms a monophyletic clade with other specimens of C. furva (popularity rating BS = 100, Fig. 2). The genetic distance between them was 2.25%﹣2.34%. Based on the morphological and molecular evidence, we confirm that the individual belongs to C. furva, making it the first record of this species in Tibet, China.

Abstract:The Lancang-Mekong River is an international river, and is one of the richest areas of fish biodiversity in the world. There is a total of 37 Nemacheilid species in the Lancang River basin in China. Due to the difficulty in classification and identification of Nemacheilidae, there are still some species that have not been discovered, described or accurately identified in the Lancang River basin. Many surveys of fish diversity were conducted during 2015 to 2019 in the Lancang Jiang basin in both Puer and Xishuangbanna prefecture, Yunnan Province. Among collected fish species, there are three nemacheilid fish species which never been recorded from China before; The important character of the collected fish specimens were measured (Table 1), and the morphological characters were compared with relevant literatures. They were identified as Nemacheilus longistriatus, Schistura nudidorsum and S. latidens, respectively. Nemacheilus longistriatus is the only loach species of Nemacheilus distributed in China, and is herein described from main stream of Langcang River in Menghan Town (Fig. 1). It is distinguished from its congeners in Southeast Asia by its colour pattern consisting of an obvious bold black midlateral stripe and 9﹣12 dark saddles along back (Fig. 2). S. nudidorsum is described from Nan’a River in Jinghong City and Nanju River, a tributary of Nanlan River in Menghai County (Fig. 3), and is distinguished by scales present in the predorsal area, 8﹣11 faint dark bars on flank, narrower than or equal to interspaces, in the predorsal area usually wider at its upper extremity and usually not meeting its homologues on the dorsal midline, and lateral line completed (Fig. 4). S. latidens was collected from the main stream of Weiyuan River in Fengshan Town (Fig. 5), and it differs from any other species of genus Schistura in having a broad, short, often exposed processus dentiformis on the upper jaw, mouth width approximately equal to 2/3 of the head width, 7﹣10 relatively regular dark black stripes on body, and a complete basial caudal bar (Fig. 6). In this paper, the three newly recorded fishes of Lancang River are described, which has certain guiding significance for the identification of Lancang River fish species, and provides scientific basis for the investigation and conservation of fish resources in Lancang River.

Abstract:Troglonectes Zhang, Zhao & Tang 2016 fish included 10 species, all were small cave freshwater fish endemic to China, original records showed that most species (7 species) distributed in underground rivers in the Karst areas of Guangxi, few species (3 species) recorded in Guizhou Province, China. Four loach specimens of genus Troglonectes were collected during cave biodiversity survey from 2018 to 2019 within Xiaoqikong scenic area, Libo County, Guizhou Province, China (Table 1). Through the morphological comparison, it was found that similar to T. barbatus (Table 3), the key morphological taxonomic characteristics showed the same, such as: dorsal fin rays, pelvic fin rays and caudal fin rays; phylogenetic tree analysis and genetic distance analysis based on the mitochondrial 16S rRNA and Cyt b reconstruction showed that four specimens were clustered into a highly supported clade with T. barbatus from the type locality (Fig. 2); genetic distances of 16S rRNA and Cyt b calculated based on Kimura 2-parameter showed that the genetic distances between these specimens and T. barbatus were 0.4% and 0.2%, respectively, which were much smaller than those congeners of genus Troglonectes (genetic distances of 16S rRNA was 2.4%, and Cyt b was 6.1%) (Table 2). In this study, 16S rRNA and Cyt b molecular markers were used to study the phylogenetic relationship and genetic distances of genus Troglonectes. The comprehensive morphological and phylogenetic analyses indicated that four specimens were belonged to the weakly bearded cave loach of the genus Troglonectes Loach, family Carabidae, new distribution record of Troglonectes fishes in Guizhou Province.

Abstract:Morphological measurements, hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining were employed to determine the age-dependent variations in body size and heart position of the farmed king ratsnakes, Elaphe carinata, under two years old, and in the thickness of epicardial, myocardial, and endocardial layers, and collagen fiber content in those under fifty days old. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software packages (SPSS 19.0 for windows). One-way ANOVA and multiple comparisons were used to compare the differences of body mass (BM), total body length (TBL), ratio of BM to TBL, fatness, heart-to-head distance, and heart position relative to total body length, as well as the thickness of epicardial, myocardial, and endocardial layers, and collagen fiber content among different age groups. Results were presented as means ± standard error, and P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. BM, TBL and the ratio of BM to TBL all showed the highest value in the 2-year old group, secondarily in the 1-year old group, and then dropped significantly in the other age groups (Table 1, P < 0.05). However, fatness in the 3-day or 7-10-day old group was significantly higher than that of 1-year or 2-year old group (Table 1, P < 0.05). Heart-to-head distance in the 1-year or 2-year old group was significantly higher than that of any other age group (Table 1, P < 0.05), but heart position relative to total body length showed no significant difference among groups (Table 1, P > 0.05). Within 50 days of postembryonic period, the thickness of myocardial layer was significantly higher in the 50-day old group than that of 3-, 20- or 30-day old group (Table 2, P < 0.05), but no significant differences were found for the thickness of both epicardial and endocardial layers (Table 2, P > 0.05); Collagen fiber content of myocardial layer and heart wall layer in the 50-day old group was greatly higher than that of 3- or 20-day old group (Table 3, P < 0.05). The relative position of the heart did not change significantly, but the thickness of myocardial layer was greatly increased and more collagen fiber content was observed with the developmental process, suggesting that the heart function of Elaphe carinata is gradually enhanced after the first slough and active feeding.

Abstract:Captivity is one of the main methods to protect wild Forest Musk Deer (Moschus berezovskii) in China. However, parasitic disease is the main factor limiting the reproduction of captive individuals in the process of population rejuvenation. To investigate the response of parasite community in the digestive tract to different perturbations, we performed a perturbation experiment in captive Forest Musk Deer, by using compound drug albendazole ivermectin powder and single drug avermectin powder to suppress macroparasites, and monitored the consequences of dynamic changes in its community and other parasite species. We randomly selected 60 adult male Forest Musk Deers and divided them into different treatment groups: albendazole ivermectin group (20 ind), avermectin group (20 ind), and control group (20 ind), the control group without any treatment. We collected fresh fecal samples after anthelmintic disturbance for eight weeks for the experiment of egg floatation and count of eggs and oocysts based on Wisconsin’s egg counting method. Then we did the Kruskal-Wallis test, Wilcoxon test, Mann Whitney test, and Two-way ANOVA test of the data. The results showed that the parasite infection of Forest Musk Deer was mixed in both control group and albendazole ivermectin group after anthelmintic treatment, with coccidia being the dominant parasite taxa. The number of coccidia was higher than that of nematode or cestode (P < 0.05) (Fig. 1). In the avermectin group, only coccidia was found (Fig. 1). The prevalence and average infection intensity of coccidia in treatment group were higher than those in the control group after interference, while treated Forest Musk Deers had a lower (27.15%) nematode infection rate compared with control individuals (42.15%) (Fig. 1, Fig. 2). The reinfection of nematode and cestode in albendazole ivermectin group was quicker than that in avermectin group after interference (Fig. 4, Fig. 5). Therefore, this study has proved that parasitic infection of digestive tract is common in Forest Musk Deer, and that competitive interactions between multiple parasite infections exist in the digestive tract. The analysis of community dynamics indicated that parasite communities in the digestive tract have diverse responses to different disturbance strategies, and that the compound medicine can cause greater perturbation to the coccidia and the recovery ability of parasite community is in proportion to perturbation degree. These results have provided a rare and clear experimental demonstration of interactions between helminths and co-infecting parasites in wild vertebrates. We suggested that the Forest Musk Deer breeding center should strengthen scientific and planned deworming, and continuously monitor parasite infection.

Abstract:Gut microbiota regulate the material and energy metabolism of organism and participate in immunity and disease prevention, which is helpful to maintain the normal physiological activities of animals. Aix galericulata was selected to explore the possible mechanism of microbiota- inducing enteritis in birds. Two scientific questions were concerned: 1) which (several) bacteria may induce enteritis in A. galericulata? What kind of pathogenic mechanism may cause enteritis in A. galericulata? High-throughput sequencing was utilized to analyze the gut microbiota of both healthy animals and those with enteritis, and comparisons were carried out on the diversity and composition between the two groups. A total of 2020 97% operational taxon units (OTUs) were identified from the gut microbiota of A. galericulata. The number of common OTUs in healthy group and enteritis group was 564 (Fig. 2). The alpha diversity index of healthy group was higher than that of enteritis group, but without significance (P > 0.05). At phylum level, Firmicutes (73.46%), Bacteroidetes (11.15%) and Proteobacteria (8.72%) were the main compositions of the gut microbiota in A. galericulata (Fig. 3). At genus level, Kurthia (24.74%) and Lactococcus (8.47%) were the most abundant taxa in healthy group, and Clostridium sensu stricto 1 (29.65%) and Lactobacillus (12.40%) were main components in enteritis group. There is significant difference in gut compositions between healthy group and enteritis group (P < 0.05). In the enteritis group, a total of 25 microbial classifications were found significantly higher than those of healthy group. Among them, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Escherichia-Shigella and Desulfovibrio bacteria are the most abundant (liner dicriminant analysis value > 5, P < 0.05) (Fig. 6). Clostridiales, Desulfovibrionaceae and Bacillales play important function in the gut of A. galericulata (Fig. 7). The conclusion is that the high contents of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Escherichia-Shigella and Desulfovibrio may destroy the balance of intestinal microbial community, cause the decline of immunity, and then serve as important factors inducing the enteritis of A. galericulata.

Abstract:Beaks contain a lot of ecological information as feeding organ of cephalopods. According to the measurement of the morphological parameters of the beak from 303 Berryteuthis magister shevtsovi samples collected by Chinese jigging vessels in the Japan Sea in January 2018, the morphologic growth characteristic of beaks was studied. A total of 12 external morphological parameters of upper and lower beaks were analyzed by using SPSS. When the cumulative contribution rate of principal components was greater than 75%, the external morphological parameters with high coefficient were selected as the characterization parameters. Linear, exponential, power and logarithmic mathematical models were used to fit the relationship between external morphological parameters of beaks and mantle length (ML) and body weight (BW) by Excel. Akachi Information Criterion and correlation coefficient were used to compare the growth models. The principal component analysis showed the upper hood length (UHL), upper rostrum length (URL) and upper rostrum width (URW) could account for 80.71% of morphological characteristics of upper beak, and were selected main morphological parameters of upper beak and lower hood length (LHL), lower crest length (LCL) and lower rostrum length (LRL) could account for 81.57% of morphological characteristics of lower beak, and were selected main morphological parameters of lower beak (Table 2 and 3). Results of the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed that there was no significant gender difference in the relationships between all morphological characteristic parameters and mantle length and body weight. According to equation fitting and Akaike’s information criterion, the relationship between UHL and ML was most suitable to be expressed by a linear equation, while the relationship between URL, URW, LHL, LCL and LRL and ML was most suitable for a logarithmic equation; the relationship between UHL and BW was described by linear function (Fig. 4), and logarithm functions were best for URL, URW, LHL, LCL and LRL. The determination of characteristic parameters and growth equation laid the foundation of population identification and resource assessment by using beak morphology in the further.

Abstract:Pomacea canaliculata and P. maculata have similar morphological characteristics. They are the two most common and highly invasive apple snail species, which seriously damage crops and aquatic ecosystem in China. The present study identified the species and analyzed the genetic diversity of 40 samples of Pomacea spp. from five sampling sites in Suzhou city, Jiangsu Province, based on their mitochondrial cytochrome I oxidase subunit (COI) and nuclear gene (EF1α) sequences. Some genetic diversity parameters were analyzed by DnaSP 5.0, and the base composition, the number of nucleic site replacement were analyzed by MEGA 7.0. A Bayesian phylogenetic tree was constructed using PhyloSuite. The results showed that a total of 40 mitochondrial COI gene sequences with a length of 605 bp were obtained in 40 samples, and a total of 74 variable sites and 4 haplotypes were detected among all sequences (Table 1). The 34 samples in Suzhou were P. canaliculata, and the other 6 samples were P. maculata. Among them, three haplotypes (PcaH1﹣PcaH3) were found in P. canaliculata and one haplotype (PmaH1) was found in P. maculata (Table 1). The haplotype diversity (h) and nucleotide diversity (π) of P. canaliculata were 0.399 and 0.017, respectively. Only one haplotype was found in P. maculata. Compared with other invasive areas of China, the genetic diversity of P. canaliculata and P. maculata from Suzhou city were low. Based on the phylogenetic relationship of mitochondrial COI gene, it was suggested that P. canaliculata probably traced back to Argentina, while P. maculata in Suzhou city were probably originated from Brazil. In addition, Zhoushi town in Kunshan city was a newly discovered sympatric distribution area of these two species. Based on nuclear gene (EF1α) sequences, 28 nuclear gene (EF1α) sequences with a length of 430 bp were obtained in 9 samples selected from Suzhou City and Kunshan City after cycle sequencing. A total of 40 variable sites and 9 haplotypes (EFHAP1﹣EFHAP9) were detected among all sequences (Table 1). Eight haplotypes (EFHAP1﹣EFHAP5, EFHAP7﹣EFHAP9) were found in P. canaliculata and two haplotypes (EFHAP5 and EFHAP6) were found in P. maculata (Table 1). Phylogenetic tree analysis based on mitochondrial COI gene and nuclear EF1α gene suggested that there was genetic exchange between P. canaliculata and P. maculata (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2), indicating that hybridization between P. canaliculata and P. maculata exists.

Abstract:One small-sized bat specimen was collected on 23rd, November, 2019 from Baiyun mountain forest park, Lishui, Zhejiang (28°29′51″ N, 119°54′34″ E, 306 m). The main characteristics were diagnosed as follows: The forearm length was 35.4 mm; the ear conch was semi-transparent, rounded and funnel-shaped; the caudal vertebras were absent; the interfemoral membrane was poorly developed and in “∧” shape; the color of pelage was blackish brown on the base and russet on the tip; the wing membrane was dark-brown (Fig. 1). Based on morphological (Table 1) and molecular (Fig. 3) data, this specimen was identified as Tail-less Leaf-nosed Bat (Coelops frithii), which is the first record in Zhejiang Province. In addition, CT scanning and computer-assisted 3D-image reconstruction techniques were utilized to scan and reconstruct the skull of this specimen (Fig. 2). With these two non-destructive sampling techniques, osteological structures and features were obtained, while the skull remains intact. New digital approach was demostrated for osteological description and biological study in small mammals.

Abstract:One adult male and 12 tadpole specimens of Oreolalax were collected from Xujiaba, Weixin County, Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province, China in August 2019. The morphological characteristics of the specimens are consistent with the type specimen: the tympanum is relatively obvious, the male has large, thick nuptial spines on the first and second finger. the tips of the fingers and toes are rounded. the sides of the body have more than ten orange-red tubercles. The axillary gland and the femoral gland are large and round, orange-red. The tadpole is large, the entire body is transparent or purple. The corners of the mouth have many additional papillae that extend to the inside of the lower lip. The papillae also have many small teeth. So the specimens were identified as O. rhodostigmatus. It was a new record of amphibian in Yunnan Province.

Abstract:This paper provides an overview of the equilibrium sensory organ structures in Coelenterate. Statocyst lacks cilia at the end of the holdfast in fairy palm Corymorpha palma. Open and closed statocysts lie on the bell margin of Leptomedusae. The statocysts of Narcomedusae lie on the exumbrellar surface just above the exumbrellar nerve ring, with a sensory club (Aegina) and a sensory papilla carrying a sensory club (Solmissus). The statocysts of Trachymedusae lie around the margin above the exumbrellar nerve ring. Rhopalia locate on the edge of the umbrella in Scyphozoa and slightly above umbrella edge in Cubomedusae. Statocysts or apical organs of Ctenophores locate at the aboral end of the bodies. This article has great significance for understanding the structures and functions of equilibrium sensory organs of aquatic invertebrates, and it might also be a useful supplement to the current zoological textbooks.

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