Abstract:[Objectives] Reintroduction programs have emerged as an important tool for saving and restoring rare and endangered species. Studies on individual survival and reproductive success after release can better optimize release strategies and guide post-release management in different release sites. [Methods] Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the average age of individuals first released in different release sites of reintroduced Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon) in Shaanxi Province, and to compare the survival rate and reproductive success after release combined with the monitoring data after release. Generalized linear mixed model was used to analyze the effects of age, gender, individual source and duration of rewilding training on post-release survival probability at 6 months after release. [Results] The average age of first released individuals in the three release sites was significantly different (F = 40.35, df = 2, P < 0.001). The average age of first released individuals in Ningshan was the largest, which was 6.1 ± 1.9 years old (Table 1). Post-release survival probability of individual in Tongchuan was the highest (65.6%), and post-release survival probability of individual in Qianyang was the second (61.5%). There were significant differences in reproductive success in the first 3 years after release in different release sites (ANOVA, df = 2, P < 0.05), and the highest reproductive success was 57.7% ± 34.3% (n = 14, two, six and six nests were bred in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively) in Tongchuan, followed by 52.3% ± 43.3% (n = 14) in Ningshan (Table 3). Individual age was significantly negatively correlated with post-release survival probability (β =﹣0.21, 95% confidence interval, CI: ﹣0.45 to﹣0.04, P < 0.05, Table 2). However, gender, individual source and duration of rewilding training had no significant effect on survival rate after release. [Conclusions] Based on the differences in survival and reproductive success among the three release sites, we suggest that the release group can be selected according to the age structure of the source population and the genetic composition of the individuals in the specific environment of the release sites. Individuals from different source population can be mixed in captivity at the release site, and then released after appropriate rewilding training. Furthermore, the results showed that autumn may be the best release time of crested ibis.

Abstract:[Objectives] Research on elevational diversity patterns of birds has always been an important subject in the ecology of bird communities. Seasonal change was thought to influence the elevational diversity patterns of bird communities in the mountainous regions. The bird diversity of Gongga Mountains is abundant, but research on seasonal diversity change is still insufficient. Therefore, our study aims to understand the seasonal changes of elevational diversity pattern of birds at the eastern slope of Gongga Mountains. [Methods] We mainly used line transect method to survey the bird diversity in every 400 m elevational band between 1 200﹣4 400 m at the eastern slope of Gongga Mountains (Fig. 1) in breeding seasons (March to June in 2012, 2017, 2018 and March to May in 2016) and non-breeding seasons (September to October in 2012 and November to December in 2017, 2018). We added up all resident/migration types of species numbers and individuals in the breeding and non-breeding seasons every 400 m elevational bands from 1 200﹣4 400 m, then calculated the Shannon-Weiner diversity index, Simpson’s diversity index, Pielou evenness index, Berger-Parker dominance index (alpha diversity), Cody diversity and Bray-Curtis dissimilarity index (beta diversity). We furthermore used the Cody diversity index of the birds’ community and species richness of plant community at each elevational band to calculate their Spearman correlation. We defined dominant species by the percentage of all individual numbers at every 400 m elevational bands during the breeding and non-breeding seasons to check whether these dominant and common species shifted their elevational distribution during the breeding and non-breeding seasons. [Results] 1. Our results show that 36 species of summer visitors reduced during the non-breeding seasons, and the component of dominant species changed significantly during the breeding and non-breeding seasons except for middle elevations (Table 1). 2. There were 4 types of elevational distribution shifts, including a downward shift during the non-breeding seasons, wider distribution during the breeding season than non-breeding seasons, wider distribution during the non-breeding seasons than breeding seasons, and no shifts happened during both seasons. Besides there were more omnivores than insectivores which had wider elevational distribution during the non-breeding seasons than breeding seasons (Fig. 2). 3. Species richness and abundance were highest during the breeding seasons at 2 000﹣2 400 m and during the non-breeding seasons at 1 600﹣2 000 m. The Shannon-Weiner index and the Simpson’s index had a similar pattern, both were unimodal with the highest value at 1 600﹣2 000 m during the breeding seasons, and bimodal with the highest value at 1 600﹣2 000 m and 2 800﹣3 200 m during the non-breeding season. The Pielou evenness index had the highest value at 3 200﹣3 600 m during the breeding seasons, but had the highest value at 1 600﹣2 000 m and 3 600﹣4 000 m during the non-breeding season. The Berger-Parker dominance index was monotonically increased with elevation during both seasons (Fig. 3). 4. The Cody diversity and Bray-Curtis dissimilarity index (beta diversity) showed similar patterns, both declined with increasing elevation, and both had the lowest beta diversity at 3 600﹣4 400 m (Fig. 4 and Fig. 5). Besides, the Cody diversity index had a significantly positive correlation with the elevational diversity of plant community. [Conclusion] The diversity hotspot of birds during the breeding seasons was located at the middle elevations, while it occurred at both low-middle and middle-high elevations during the non-breeding seasons. This seasonal diversity change caused by the migration of birds and the phenology of plants has important impact on the elevational α-diversity patterns of birds. On the other hand, although the seasonal temperature change in the Gongga mountains is significant, the elevational β-diversity patterns of birds during the breeding and non-breeding seasons were relatively stable. This phenomenon has an extremely significant positive correlation with the elevational diversity of plant community, which demonstrate that the component of plant species at each elevational vegetation zones is probably an important factor for the β-diversity pattern of birds. The significant difference of elevational diversity patterns of bird communities in different seasons indicates that we need to pay more attention to the changing of bird diversity, controlling the human activities and protecting the habitats for birds in different seasons in mountainous areas in future diversity research and conservation management.

Abstract:[Objectives] Mitigating bird strike is a worldwide challenge. The Domestic Pigeon (Columba livia domestica) is the most common bird in airport biodiversity surveys, and is one of the historically high-risk species for bird strikes. It is also the only species that has caused serious bird strikes due to manual release in large numbers. [Methods] From September 2020 to January 2021, we conducted 272 satellite tracking experiments for 681 hours on 149 pigeons (distance from the airport was 0.2﹣9.1 km, with an average of 1.2 km) from 23 households around 4 airports to observe individual flight behaviors (Appendix 1). The specific data of flight period, flight distance and flight height were obtained, and the potential bird strike risk of flight behavior was analyzed, so as to provide a reference for the airport to mitigate the bird strike risk of domestic pigeons. [Results] A single release of pigeons for 1﹣4 h accounted for 78%, 0﹣1 h accounted for 8%, and more than 4 h accounted for 14%. The average flight period is 2.9 ± 1.6 h, the shortest flight period is only 20 min, and the longest flight period is 9 h (Fig. 2). The flight of pigeons from 6:00 to 8:59 accounted for 16%, 9:00 to 11:59 accounted for 24%, 12:00 to 14:59 accounted for 26%, 15:00 to 17:59 accounted for 28%, and 18:00 to 20:59 accounted for 6%. In the dynamic process of free release and return of pigeons, the number of pigeons flying in the afternoon is more than that in the morning, especially from 15:00 to 17:59, when the number of pigeons flying is the largest (Fig. 3). The flight distance of domestic pigeons is usually within 3.0 km, up to 8.9 km. Among the four airports, the flight distance of domestic pigeons tracked in Airport A was mostly between 0.3 and 0.6 km, and up to 4.1 km. The flight distance of pigeons tracked by Airport B is usually between 0.4 km and 3.0 km, up to 8.9 km. The flight distance of pigeons tracked in Airport C was mostly between 0.3 and 0.6 km, and up to 5.2 km. The flight distance of pigeons tracked in Airport D was mostly between 0.1 and 0.6 km, and up to 3.4 km. The flight range of pigeons from 45% of the households overlapped with the airport. Among the four airports, Airport A was not overlapped with the flight range. In Airport B, the flight range of pigeons from 67% of households overlapped with the airport. In Airport C, the ratio of households is 50%, and in Airport D is 45% (Appendix 2). The flight height of 99% of the pigeons was at or below 200 m, and only 1% was above 200 m. Among the four airports, the flight height of 80% of the pigeons near Airport A was 0﹣100 m, while the flight height of most of the pigeons near Airport B (90%), Airport C (89%) and Airport D (89%) was 0﹣50 m. The average flight height of domestic pigeons was 29 ± 28 m (Fig. 4). [Conclusion] The results showed that, the time period in the afternoon, especially from 15:00 to 17:59, should be taken as the key time period of domestic pigeon prevention. And, the area of 10 km around the airport and the height from 0 to 200 m should be taken as the key space range of domestic pigeon prevention. According to Article 58 of the Civil Aviation Law of the People's Republic of China (2021 Amendment), it is clearly stipulated that "birds and other objects that affect flight safety shall not be kept or released". It is necessary to establish corresponding accountability mechanisms and strengthen effective supervision to mitigate the risk of domestic pigeon bird strike.

Abstract:[Objectives] The Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) dispersed from Africa to the Americas and became an invasive species raising the attention of ecologists worldwide. However, the dynamics of nest space niche partitioning among Cattle Egret and its competitive species is unclear. In order to understand the dynamics of nest space niche partitioning among Cattle Egret and other mixed-species of breeding heron community, the community composition was investigated together with the nest space pattern in Dali old town, Yunnan, China, during the springs and summers of 2012, 2016 and 2021. [Methods] The study site is located in the forest belt (100°09′36″ E, 25°42′14″ N) along Zhonghe River in Dali old town, Yunnan Province. It is composed of two forest patches, namely old breeding sites (A, the breeding sites used by herons in 2012, but not used by herons in 2016 and 2021) and new breeding sites (B, the breeding sites not used by herons in 2012, respectively) (Fig. 1). The number, location and owner of nests were determined by direct observation. The east – west and north – south distribution of nests was assessed using markers set up during the preliminary survey. The distance between nests and the main trunk were estimated using the arm length and step length of the investigator. The height of nests was estimated using a 5 m fishing pole. The niche widths of each heron species were calculated based on Shannon–Wiener diversity index and the niche overlap index formula of Schoener (1968) was used to calculate the niche overlap between two heron species. [Results] The results showed that in 2012 and 2016, the heronry hosted individuals of Cattle Egret, Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) and Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), with Black-crowned Night Heron being the dominant species (Fig. 2). In 2021, the Intermediate Egret (Ardea intermedia) was added in the community and the Cattle Egret became the dominant species (Fig. 2). From 2016 to 2021, the nest density of Cattle Egret increased significantly, while those of Black-crowned Night Heron and Little Egret decreased (Table 1). By comparing the changes of nest space niche widths of the three species occurring both in 2016 and 2021, it was found that Cattle Egret was more generalized in nest site use, while the Black-crowned Night Heron and Little Egret were more specialized (Table 2). The values of nest niche overlap indicated a more intense competition for nesting sites in 2021 between Cattle Egrets and the other two species, with the one against the Black-crowned herons being more pronounced (Table 3). [Conclusion] Our study showed that, during the period 2012, 2016 and 2021, the Cattle Egrets outcompeted the primary dominant and bigger Black-crowned Night Herons in Dali old town of Yunnan Province, China, restructuring the community composition and nest space niche partitioning of the colonial ardeid.

Abstract:[Objectives] The availability of food resources is a key limiting factor of wildlife survival. Therefore, determining the competition status of sympatric species in relation to such resources is important for understanding their ecology and conservation requirements. The aim of this study was to analyze the competition status of sympatric Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) and Chinese Goral (Naemorhedus griseus) regarding diet composition and adaptability in Saihanwula Nature Reserve. [Methods] Using microscopic analysis of fresh fecal samples collected from August 2019 to July 2020 (Fig. 1), trophic niche width and overlap were calculated based on the diet composition of Red Deer and Chinese Goral. Significance tests for inter-seasonal and inter-species diet composition were carried out using a non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis model. [Results] The results showed that Red Deer fed on 48 plant species from 22 families in summer, and Chinese Goral fed on 31 plant species from 15 families. In winter, Red Deer fed on 32 plant species from 17 families, and Chinese Goral fed on 23 plant species from 13 families (Table 1). The frequency of each diet item varied significantly by season (Red Deer: χ2 = 46.6, df = 5, P < 0.01; Chinese Goral: χ2 = 17.4, df = 3, P < 0.01) (Fig. 2), and the trophic niche widths were greater for Red Deer than Chinese Goral in summer (Levin’s index of 13.71 and 5.34, respectively) and winter (Levin’s index of 11.08 and 4.02, respectively). The two species had a large dietary overlap (85.4% in summer, 77.6% in winter), and the trophic niche and diet diversity indices in summer were all significantly higher than those in winter (Table 2). [Conclusion] The results indicate that Red Deer are more adaptable to seasonal changes in food resources, although Chinese Goral may also adjust their feeding strategies. Given the wide distribution range and large population size of Red Deer, it is recommended that more conservation efforts be focused on Chinese Goral and their habitats.

Abstract:[Objectives] The varying degrees of interactions between species are central to community structure and dynamics. As a significant interspecific relationship, predation and environmental factors are important elements determining the spatial distribution of predators and prey. It is important to clarify the spatial-temporal relationship between predator and prey for the maintenance of biodiversity as the two most critical dimensions of the niche axis. Galliformes are one of the food components of Yellow-throated Marten (Martes flavigula). Blood Pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus) and Yellow-throated Marten are common sympatric species in southwest montane forest ecosystem, and they overlap in spatial distribution. However, the spatial and temporal coexistence mechanism between them are nevertheless unclear. [Methods] From August 2018 to October 2020, we set up 61 infrared cameras located in Liziping National Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province (Fig. 1), and undertook a study on two relatively common species in southwest China——Blood Pheasant and its predator Yellow-throated Marten through infrared camera photographs. The lowest elevation of the site was 1 850 m and the highest was 4 199 m. The latitude and longitude, altitude, habitat types, distance to the nearest river and other information of each site were recorded. We recovered camera data every three months, then sorted out the data, identified species, and recorded the time information of photos. Based on the Kernel density estimation, we analyzed the temporal relationship of Blood Pheasant and Yellow-throated Marten, and plotted the daily activity rhythm curves. All the analyses were conducted in R, v.4.1.2 (package overlap). Select the infrared camera data from May to August in 2019 and 2020, and repeat the survey every 15 days to establish the detection history matrix of Blood Pheasant and Yellow-throated Marten at each survey site. Four environmental factors were selected as the sample covariates (Table 1). Then, we analyzed the spatial relationship between them by using the occupancy model (program PRESENCE, v.2.13.17). Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare the occupancy of Blood Pheasant in the presence and absence of Yellow-throated Marten. [Results] With 13 790 accumulated camera-days, we obtained 2 373 independent valid photos of wild animals, which included 98 Yellow-throated Marten and 156 Blood Pheasant. Daily activity rhythm curves were plotted for Blood Pheasant (n = 156) and Yellow-throated Marten (n = 98). The curves of Blood Pheasant showed an obvious bimodal pattern with two activity peaks in one day: 9:00 and 18:00, while the activity peak of Yellow-throated Marten was at 15:00 (Fig. 2). In addition, the Yellow-throated Marten has a small amount of activity records at night. The curves also showed an overlap in daily activities between the two species (Δ4 = 0.78) (Fig. 2). The result of simple single-season model analysis revealed that the spatial distribution of the two species was affected by environmental factors: altitude and distance to the nearest river were the most important factors to probability of use sites of Blood Pheasant, and the area occupied by Yellow-throated Marten was mainly affected by slope (Table 3). The two-species single season model was used to evaluate the spatial distribution of the two species and the results showed that: (1) Under the mediation of altitude factor, the probability of using site of Blood Pheasant while Yellow-throated Marten presence was significantly lower than that in the absence of Yellow-throated Marten (Wilcoxon rank sum test, P < 0.01), (2) With the increase of altitude, the spatial relationship between Blood Pheasant and Yellow-throated Martens showed a trend from separation (species interaction factor value is less than 1) to coincidence (species interaction factor value is greater than 1) (Fig. 3). [Conclusion] In Liziping National Nature Reserve, the spatial predation relationship of Blood Pheasant and Yellow-throated Marten was different due to the influence of altitude factors, and there were some differentiations in time utilization, which increased the chance of co-existence between predator and prey. Meanwhile, it also showed overlap in the temporal and spatial niches. Our results confirm that Galliformes account for only a small part of the total intake of Yellow-throated Marten. This paper reveals the characteristics of incomplete differentiation in the temporal and spatial niches, providing an example and fundamental information for further understanding the spatial and temporal relationship between predator-prey in montane forest ecosystem.

Abstract:[Objectives] Wildlife reintroduction is an important means of protecting endangered populations, but the risk of disease at the release site may affect the health of the introduced species, leading to the failure of reintroduction projects. Disease risk assessment (DRA) is used to identify, prioritize, and design mitigation strategies to address these risks. The purpose of this study was to assess the gastrointestinal parasitic diseases risk of Przewalski’s Horse (Equus przewalskii) reintroduced to the Inner Mongolia Daqingshan National Nature Reserve for the first time, and put forward corresponding prevention and control suggestions. [Methods] On the basis of traditional literature research and combined with field investigation results, this study conducted the expert review, identified, and rated the threat factors, and assessed the risk assessment of parasitic diseases, one of the important factors affecting the health of Przewalski’s Horse population in China. Among them, the field investigation clarified the infection intensity of the eggs, and the molecular identification of the parasite species was carried out by metabarcoding. The taxonomy of each OTU representative sequence was analyzed by BLAST against the Nematode ITS2 v.1.0.0 database using confidence threshold of 0.97. The results of the field survey, such as the distance from the release site, infection rate, infection intensity, and parasite species, were used as the basis for assigning points. [Results] A total of 44 parasites were identified, belonging to 5 classes, 7 orders, 8 families, and 19 genera, causing 10 high-risk parasitic diseases, 13 medium-risk parasitic diseases, and 21 low-risk parasitic diseases (Appendix 3). The domestic horses and donkeys in the reintroduction site carried Parascaris equorum, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicostephanus longibursatus, and Cylicostephanus goldi, which are at higher risk of disease in Przewalski's Horse (Table 3). Xiaojing Village, Kuisu Village. and Dishui Village were all low-risk areas, while Changhan Naobao Village was not banned for grazing and carried Poteriostomum ratzii, which had not been documented and had not been found in Przewalski's Horse parasites worldwide (Table 3). It is therefore identified as a high-risk area. Domestic horses and donkeys around reintroduced sites are at risk of cross-infection with parasites from released Przewalski's Horses, whether in direct or indirect contact. [Conclusion] This study considered that with appropriate disease prevention and control measures, Przewalski's Horse could be reintroduced to the Inner Mongolia Daqingshan National Nature Reserve. It is suggested that the villages in the Inner Mongolia Daqingshan National Nature Reserve should limit the range of activities of domestic horses and donkeys, regularly deworm the livestock, clean stalls, strictly implement the policy of banning grazing, and increase the water source of Przewalski’s Horses far away from villages. Long-term monitoring of parasitic diseases of reintroduced population is also suggested, to effectively prevent the occurrence and spread of parasitic diseases.

Abstract:[Objectives] Melatonin (MEL) is a molecule that conveys photoperiodic information in animals, which is also involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis. The present study aims to investigate the effects of exogenous melatonin on body mass, energy metabolism and thermoregulation in Eothenomys miletus. [Methods] E. miletus were placed at 25 ± 1 ℃ with a photoperiod of 12 L∶12 D (day and night 12 hours each) and received intraperitoneal injection of melatonin (20 μg/kg) daily for 28 days. Body mass, body temperature, food intake, water intake, thermogenic capacity and hormone concentrations were measured. Continuous changes in body temperature, food intake, water intake, resting metabolic rate (RMR) and nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) were measured by repeated measures covariance analysis (with body mass as a covariate). Body mass changes during acclimation were analyzed by repeated measurements, and body mass differences between groups were analyzed by independent sample t test. Differences of serum hormone contents, protein content in liver and brown adipose tissue (BAT), enzyme activity and other indicators between groups were analyzed by covariance analysis (with body mass as a covariate). The relationship between uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) content, thyroxin 5′-deiodinase (T45′-DII) activity and serum triiodothyronine (T3) content was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. [Results] The results showed that exogenous melatonin injection significantly reduced body mass and food intake (Fig. 1a, Fig. 3a), while water intake increased (Fig. 3b). Core body temperature and interscapular skin temperature increased significantly (Fig. 1b, Fig. 2), resting metabolic rate and nonshivering thermogenesis also increased significantly (Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b). Mitochondrial protein content and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity in liver and brown adipose tissue increased, there were also significant increases in total protein in brown adipose tissue, uncoupling protein 1, α-glycerophosphate oxidase (α-PGO) and thyroxin 5’-deiodinase activities, but there were no significant effects on total liver protein or α-glycerophosphate oxidase in liver. Serum concentrations of leptin and triiodothyronine were significantly increased, while thyroxine (T4) was significantly decreased. Moreover, testicular mass was significantly reduced after melatonin injection (Table 2), suggesting that melatonin caused gonadal degeneration in E. miletus. Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between uncoupling protein 1 content and triiodothyronine concentration (Fig. 5a), and a positive correlation between thyroxin 5′-deiodinase activity and triiodothyronine content (Fig. 5b), suggesting that thyroxin 5’-deiodinase may play an important role in the melatonin-induced thermogenesis of brown adipose tissue. [Conclusion] In conclusion, exogenous melatonin may reduce body mass in E. miletus by inhibiting feeding and increasing thermogenesis.

Abstract:In situ, ex situ, and in vitro conservation are the principal means of wild animal protection at present. Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) not only continuously produce new cells through self-renewal, but also produce sperm through cell differentiation, and thus they have broad application potential for in vitro conservation of Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens). However, SSCs in testes are rare, and their purification and culture are very important for scientific research and applications. [Objectives] To explore the feasibility of SSCs enrichment and culture in Red Panda. [Methods] Testes were collected post mortem from a 3-month-old Red Panda and were used to generate cell suspensions following two-step enzyme (1 g/L collagenase Type IV and 0.25% trypsin-EDTA) digestion. ITGA6 was used as a molecular marker of SSCs, and the ITGA6- positive cells were enriched by magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS). ITGA6-positive cells were seeded into the cell culture plate coated with laminin and cultured with the medium containing GDNF (20 μg/L), EGF (10 μg/L) and bFGF (10 μg/L). RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining were used for the cell colonies identification. [Results] The purity of ITGA6-positive cell after sorting was 74.27% ± 8.73%, which was significantly higher than that before sorting (32.60% ± 3.06%) (Fig. 1). After 10 days of culture, SSC colonies were observed under the microscope (Fig. 2). The results of RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining showed that ITGA6, PLZF, THY1 (SSC markers), VASA, and DAZL (germ cell markers) were specifically expressed in MGSC colonies (Fig. 3 and 4). [Conclusion] The overall results demonstrated the feasibility of ITGA6 as a molecular marker of Red Panda SSCs for cell purification and cultivation.

Abstract:[Objectives] In order to explore the characteristics of the endocrine cells of the digestive tract of the urodele amphibians, we studied the morphological characteristics, distribution area, and distribution density of argyrophilic cells in the digestive tract amphibians of Hynobius maoershanensis and Pachytriton inexpectatus in the Maoershan Nature Reserve. The present study should accumulate basic information for comparative histology and endocrinology studies of the urodele amphibian digestive tract, and provide a basis for morphological studies of urodele amphibian digestive physiology. [Methods] Each part of the digestive tract was separated by anatomical means, and the experiment was performed using routine paraffin sectioning, Grimelius staining, block observation, photo counting, and other procedures. The original data were converted into LN logarithm, and all the data were in line with normal distribution after examination. Duncan multiple comparison and one-way analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis of argynophila cells in different parts of digestive tract (Microsoft Excel 2016 and SPSS26.0 software), and results of density distribution were expressed by Mean ± standard error (Mean ± SE). [Results] The results showed that there was undulate distribution of argyrophilic cells in digestive tract from esophagus to rectum of these two animals, and the distribution of density peak appeared in esophagus (H. maoershanensis 2.00 ± 0.69; P. inexpectatus 3.42 ± 0.31), but the lowest densities were in ileum (H. maoershanensis 1.45 ± 0.50) and rectum (P. inexpectatus 1.63 ± 0.97), respectively. The density of argyrophilic cells in each part of digestive tract of P. inexpectatus was higher than that in H. maoershanensis, and the difference is significant in esophagus, cardia, duodenum and ileum, but not in stomach, pylorus and rectum. We compared the argyrophilic cells in different parts of the digestive tract of the same species, the distribution peak of density in both H. maoershanensis and P. inexpectatus were appeared in esophagus, with significant differences were found between Hynobius maoershanensis esophagus and the duodenum, ileum and rectum (P < 0.05), and between the P. inexpectatus esophagus and all other parts (P < 0.05) (Table 1). The argyrophilic cells had various shapes, including round, elliptical, pyramidal, fusiform, etc., which could be divided into two types: closed type and open type (Fig. 1). [Conclusion] H. maoershanensis lives in a swampy environment where rich in silt and fallen leaves, and prefers small and easily digestible foods such as frog tadpoles and earthworms, while P. inexpectatus lives in a rocky and coarse sandy mountain stream and prefers to feed on shrimps, crabs and snails, etc. The morphological characteristics and density of distribution of argyrophilic cells in the digestive tracts of these two species have their own characteristics, which may be related to their habitat and feeding habits.

Abstract:[Objectives] The radular morphology of four Pleurotomariidae species, i.e., Bayerotrochus teramachii, Mikadotrochus hirasei, M. salmianus, and Entemnotrochus rumphii from the East China Sea were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We provide clear SEM images of the radula of Pleurotomariidae to further discuss the application of radula to Pleurotomariidae taxonomy. [Methods] The shells were broken into pieces using a hammer, and the visceral mass was removed with a dissecting needle to obtain the internal tissue. The radula was removed using a knife and analyzed under an anatomical lens (CEWEI PXS9-T). Any remaining soft tissue was soaked in 10% NaOH for 4 h, until complete dissolution, following which they were cleaned using an ultrasonic cleaner (GT SONIC-D2) for 2 min, rinsed in distilled water, dried. Radula samples were mounted on sticky tabs, sputter-coated with gold, and imaged under low vacuum. The prepared samples were sputter-coated with gold, using a Cressington Sputter Coater 108auto, and analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM; TESCAN Vega3). Cleaned radulae that haven't been used for SEM were mounted on a glass slide in water, covered with microscopic glass, and observed under a compound microscope (CEWEI PXS9-T). Radular teeth were photographed using a camera attached to the microscope. The portion of the radula that was not coated was observed using an optical microscope. [Results] The radula of Pleurotomariidae species is different from that of most gastropods, with six different types of teeth: rachidian tooth, inner lateral teeth, outer lateral teeth, sickle teeth, filament-tipped teeth and paddle-shaped teeth (Fig. 2). The four Pleurotomariidae species in this study all have 1 rachidian tooth, 2 or 3 inner lateral teeth, 20﹣25 outer lateral teeth, 16﹣32 sickle teeth, 35﹣62 filament-tipped teeth and 10﹣26 paddle-shaped teeth (Table 2). [Conclusion] The morphological differences of the radula are less within genera and greater between genera, which is mainly reflected in rachidian tooth, inner lateral teeth, and the cusps and bases of sickle teeth. The radula of E. rumphii has 26 vertical rows of paddle-shaped teeth, unlike the previous study which had 10 vertical rows. The transition between sickle teeth and filament-tipped teeth and filament-tipped teeth and paddle-shaped teeth are described in-depth, two criteria were proposed to help to determine the number of these three types of teeth.

Abstract:On October 17th 2020, one female bat was collected by handheld-netting from Zhuoni Country, Gansu Province (103°30′37″ E，34°35′00″ N). Its forearm length is 59.98 mm; ears are large and connect at the anterior bases; tragus fringed with hair anteriorly and dorsally; upper lip is wrinkled; muzzle projects beyond upper lip; terminal half tail extended beyond the membrane; feet are of a distinct fleshy pad; toe edges with white bristles; dorsal fur is black-gray and paler at base. The skull is elongated with a greatest length of skull (GTL) of 24.05 mm; zygomatic arch is straight; its upper incisors and upper canines are large, while lower incisors are small. Its dental formula is 1.1.2.3/3.1.2.3 = 32. All characteristics mentioned above are consistent with the East Asian Free-tail Bat (Tadarida insignis). Such identification is also supported by phylogenetic evidence based on Cytochrome b gene segment (Cyt b). The finding represents the first chiropteran record of T. insignis in Gansu Province, China.

Abstract:Three specimens of Glyphoglossus were collected from Chongqing Wulong Fairy Mountain National Forest Park in May 2021. The specimens were identified as G. yunnanensis (Amphibia, Anura, Microhylidae) by morphological and molecular data, which is a new record of this species in Chongqing municipality. Seventeen morphological characteristics of the specimens were measured (Table 2) and their habitats (Fig. 1) were also described. The construction of maximum likelihood trees for 16S rRNA gene fragments associated with 10 different geographic populations of G. yunnanensis populations showed that the sequences of specimens from Wulong, Chongqing, clustered with those from G. yunnanensis frog locality, and the genetic distance between them was 0.6%, much smaller than that between species of the genus Glyphoglossus (Table 2 and Fig. 2). This new locality in Wulong, Chongqing extends the distribution area of this species northeastward for more than 350 km in China (Fig. 3). The new record of G. yunnanensis in Chongqing will play an important role in understanding the potential distribution area and pedigree geography of this species.

Abstract:Odorrana liboensis is only known from its type locality, Maolan National Nature Reserve, Libo County, Guizhou Province, China. In August 2021, two specimens（1 male, 1 female）of the genus Odorrana were collected from Nongyao, Napo County, Baise City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China (23°01′21″ N, 105°50′58″ E). The specimens were identified as O. liboensis, representing a newly recorded species of Amphibian in Guangxi. Morphologically the two specimens are basically consistent with type specimens of O. liboensis, with slight differences in body size and abdominal color. The phylogenetic tree constructed based on sequences of mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene showed that the two specimens were clustered together with O. liboensis from the type locality with a support value of 100% and a genetic distance of 1.5%. This study shows that there are genetic and morphological differentiations between the two specimens and the type specimens of O. liboensis, which provides basic data for the research of frog biogeography.

Abstract:In November, 2021, 2 amphibians were collected from Puhe Wetland Park, Liaozhong District, Shenyang (41°30′55″ N, 122°78′30″ E, elevation 30 m). After comparison of morphological characteristics, they were confirmed as species of Rana, Ranidae and Anura.In order to determine the taxonomic relationship of this species and further determine their distribution characteristics, we conducted in-depth research and analysis on them. We used second high-throughput sequencing to sequence the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, and constructed a phylogenetic tree to analyze the phylogeny of 19 species of Rana (Table 1). This species of Rana has the closest genetic distance to R. coreana from Korea and Kunyu Mountain in Shandong Province, China, and clustered into a branch in maximum likelihood tree, which suggested an intraspecies relationship (Fig. 2 and Table 2). Based on morphological analysis and phylogenetic comparison, it was determined that the collected specimen was R. coreana (Fig. 1). R. coreana is a new record of amphibians in Liaoning Province. The discovery brings the number of frog species in Liaoning province to 5.

Abstract:Many zoonotic diseases are found in wild animals and present a serious risk to human health, in particularly the virus carried by birds flying freely around the world is hard to control. There are three main bird migration routes which cover the most areas of China. It is important to investigate and fully understand the types of avian transmitted diseases in key areas on the bird migration routines and its impacts on both birds and human health. However, no literature is available in how about the risk of virus carried by migrating birds, and how to predict and reduce this risk of virus spreading to human being so far. In this paper, we first reviewed the main pathogen types carried by birds, including coronaviruses, influenza viruses, parasites, Newcastle disease virus (NDV), etc., and then discussed the spread risk of avian viruses to human being and animals in key areas of biosafety prevention. We also analyzed and discussed the risk of cross-spread of diseases among different bird species in nature reserves located on bird migration routes which provide sufficient food sources for migratory birds and attract numerous birds. Diseases transmitted by wild birds pose a serious threat to poultry farms, where high density of poultry may become avian influenza virus (AIV) reservoirs, cause a risk of avian influenza outbreaks. Airports are mostly built in suburban areas or remote areas with good ecological environment. There are important transit places for bird migration and densely populated areas, which have serious risk of disease transmission. Finally, this paper puts forward the following prevention suggestions from three aspects. First, establish and improve the monitoring and prediction mechanism of migratory birds, and use laser technology to prevent contact between wild birds and poultry. Second, examine and identify virus types carried by birds in their habitats and carry out vaccination. Third, protect the ecological environment of bird habitat, and keep wild birds in their natural habitat, so as to reduce the contact between wild birds and human and poultry, and thus reduce the risk of virus transmission.

Abstract:

Abstract:

Abstract: