Abstract:[Objectives] The evolutionary relationship of Felidae has been controversial. As a result, there are highly divergent views on classification of cats at the generic level. The emerging phylogeny using gene or genomic data provides a new viewpoint to understand the evolution of cats. [Methods] This paper reviews the molecular phylogeny of Felidae over recent years, and we deduce the evolutionary history of Felidae in combination twith fossil records. The phylogenies by Johnson et al. (2006) and Li et al. (2016) are used as the core, corroborated by specific fossil records. [Results] Recent molecular phylogenies propose living cats radiated in the Late Miocene and diverged into eight branches. Though the divergent age of these branches largely coincides with fossil evidence, the inferred origination area of some branches is not supported by fossil records. Combing the evidence from these fossil records, we propose that the most living cat lineages are likely originated in Asia except for the Caracal lineage and Leopardus lineage, and living cats experienced at least 30 intercontinental migrations in the process of evolution, far more than those inferred from only molecular phylogeny. [Conclusion] Based on the study of evolutionary history and morphology, we suggest that all the living cats should be classified into Felinae, and subdivided into 15 genera and 40 species.

Abstract:[Objectives] It is of great significance to study the differences of niches among species and the mechanism of how to achieve coexistence in ecological research and the formulation of scientific conservation decisions. Sable (Martes zibellina), Yellow-throated Marten (M. flavigula) and Siberian Weasel (Mustela sibirica) are three small and medium-sized weasel species in the same area of the Qingsong forest. The purpose of this study is to better protect the three species of animals by ascertaining their spatio-temporal niche differences. [Methods] From November 2019 to November 2021, 41 infrared cameras were deployed to monitor the activity rhythm and spatial distribution of three species of animals in Qingsong forest area of Shulan City, Jilin Province, and 10 transects were set to assist the investigation of their distribution. Fig. 1 shows the geographic location and elevation range of the study area. Fig. 2a shows the locations of the infrared camera in the study area, and Fig. 2b shows the locations of the line transect and the sites of the three animals obtained from the line transect survey. Based on the data obtained from the survey, we calculated the circadian and daily activity rhythms of the three species, and predicted the habitats of the three species. The MaxEnt was used to model the habitats of the three species. We randomly set 25% of active sites as test data, 75% of active sites for model construction, check Linear features and Hinge features for feature crosses, set the regularization multiplier to 2.6, repeat the cross validate procedures for 10 times, and finally select the average of 10 runs as the modeling result of MaxEnt. The geographical distribution overlap of these three species was calculated by using ENMTools 1.3. The kernel density method was used to model the daily activity rhythm. The above analysis was performed in MaxEnt 3.4.1, ENMTools 1.3 and R 3.6.3. [Results] There were a total of 29 971 camera working days captured 99 independent valid records of Sable, 81 independent valid records of Yellow-throated Marten, and 163 independent effective records of Siberian Weasel; the line transect survey collected 7 active sites of Sable, 17 active sites of Yellow-throated Marten, and 29 active sites of Siberian Weasel. The results show that Sable is nocturnal (daytime-and-night relative abundance index, DRAI = 70.7%). Yellow-throated Marten is diurnal (DRAI = 90.1%). Siberian Weasel is nocturnal (DRAI = 72.4%) (Fig. 3). The activity time of Sable and Siberian Weasel is similar, but the activity peaks are staggered (Sable’s activity peaks at 21:00 daily and Siberian Weasel’s activity peaks at 19:00 and 2:00, their activity rhythm coefficient of overlap Δ = 0.864) (Fig. 4). Yellow-throated Marten’s activity peaks at 8:00 and 16:00, which are staggered with the activity time of the Sable (daily activity rhythm coefficient of overlap Δ = 0.330) (Fig. 5). Yellow-throated Marten and Siberian Weasel are staggered in time (daily activity rhythm coefficient of overlap Δ = 0.282) (Fig. 6). According to the results of MaxEnt modeling, the habitat area of Sable, Yellow-throated Marten and Siberian Weasel avoided each other in habitat distribution (Fig. 7). The habitats of Sable and Yellow-throated Marten are partly overlapped (Niche overlap Hellinger’s-based I = 0.809, Schoener’s D = 0.531), but they avoid Siberian Weasel (Niche overlay Hellinger’s-based I = 0.590, Schoener’s D = 0.307). The habitats of Yellow-throated Marten and Siberian Weasel have less overlap in areas close to human disturbance (Niche overlap Hellinger’s-based I = 0.752, Schoener’s D = 0.456) (Table 1). According to Jackknife test, we can know the importance of environmental variables. Altitude (52.2%) was the main environmental variable affecting the distribution of Sable’s habitat. Followed by distance to rivers (17.9%), distance to evergreen coniferous forest (12.0%) and distance to residents (5.8%). The main environmental variables affecting the distribution of Yellow-throated Marten habitats are distance to residents (60.3%), followed by distance to deciduous broad-leaved forest (16.5%), distance to deciduous coniferous forest (6.5%) and distance to rivers (12.8%), and the main environmental variable affecting the distribution of Siberian Weasel’s habitat was slope (34.3%). Followed by distance to residents (28.3%), distance to evergreen coniferous forest (13.1%) and distance to deciduous broad (8.0%) (Table 2). Because Sable mainly inhabits coniferous forests in high altitude areas of steep and dangerously steep grade far away from residential areas and near water sources; Yellow-throated Marten is widely distributed in coniferous forests at middle and high altitudes far from residential areas and close to water sources; Siberian Weasel is mainly distributed in areas close to residential areas and cultivated lands with gentle slopes, preferring to live in deciduous broad-leaved forests and avoiding evergreen coniferous forests (Table 3). [Conclusion] Sable, Yellow-throated Marten and Siberian Weasel had differentiated their spatio-temporal niches by choosing different daily activity rhythms and different habitats, thus achieving coexistence in the same area of Shulan Qingsong forest.

Abstract:[Objectives] Home range are areas covered by individuals for foraging, courtship and reproduction and other daily activities. Animal home range is affected by seasonal and temporal changes, and such changes reflect the impact of the environment on animals, and are also a manifestation of animals’ adaptation to the environment and selective use of habitat. The use of home range by birds is a visual manifestation of their spatial use behavior, and studying this will help to deepen the understanding of birds’ spatial use behavior. The Saxual Sparrow (Passer ammodendri) is a typical bird of desert environment, and the characteristics of the activity area of this flock of finches and its influencing factors are the focus of this study. The home ranges of Saxual Sparrows were studied using the radio tracking technique in Gansu An’xi Extreme-arid Desert National Nature Reserve in northwest China from May to October in 2017 and 2018. [Methods] In this study, mist nets were used to capture individuals, then we measured body condition indicators and determine their personality. The home range of Saxual Sparrows was studied by radio tracking, which was monitored during and after the breeding period. The kernel density estimation was used to estimate the home range，independent sample t-test was used to compare the home range of individuals with different personalities. The generalized linear model (GLM) was used to examine the body condition factors that may affect the home range of Saxual Sparrows. [Results] In breeding season (n = 16), the home ranges of females and males estimated with fixed kernel (90%) methods were 23.88 ± 4.50 hm2 (Mean ± SE, n = 9) and 32.36 ± 7.24 hm2 (n = 7), respectively, and those with fixed kernel (60%) of females and males were 3.92 ± 0.70 hm2 and 5.55 ± 1.55 hm2, respectively. There was no significant difference in the home ranges between females and males during the breeding season (Table 1). In the post-breeding periods (n = 2), the home ranges of females and males estimated with fixed kernel (90%) were 123.86 hm2 and 272.40 hm2, respectively, and those with fixed kernel (60%) were 23.68 hm2 and 64.88 hm2 respectively. The estimated home ranges (95%FK, 60%FK) in the breeding seasons were significantly smaller than those in the post breeding season in both females and males (Table 1, Fig. 1 and 2). The home ranges of shy individuals were significantly smaller than those of bold individuals (Table 2). Moreover, we found no significant correlations between individuals’ home ranges and their body conditions. [Conclusion] The different home range sizes of the Saxual Sparrow between females and males in the breeding season were possibly related to the sexual division of labor in incubation and brood rearing, and/or the patchily distributions of suitable habitats in the desert environments. When the Saxual Sparrow enters the breeding season, it will center its activities on the nest, while after the breeding season, it tends to live mainly in clusters, and the home range increases significantly.

Abstract:[Objectives] Chestnut-throated Pheasant (Tetraophasis obscurus) is an endemic species in China and a national Class I key protected wildlife. The study of its roosting habitat selection during the breeding season can enrich the basic information of this species, improve understanding of its survival strategy, and provide a scientific basis for the conservation and in-depth study of this species. [Methods] From March to July of 2021 and 2022, roosting behavior and roosting site selection of Chestnut-throated Pheasant in Sichuan Wanglang National Nature Reserve during the breeding season were investigated by tracking and systematic search method, 34 roosting habitat samples were recorded and 24 environmental factors were measured (Table 1). We first used the chi-square test to analyze the preference of Chestnut-throated Pheasant for slope location. When analyzing the differences between the environmental factors in the roosting samples of Chestnut-throated Pheasant and the random samples, the K-S test was used to determine whether the data conformed to a normal distribution, and the T test for matched samples was used for data that conformed to a normal distribution, and the Mann- Whitney U test was used for data that did not conform to a normal distribution. Environment factors with significant differences were included in a binary logistic regression after Spearman’s correlation analysis to determine the key habitat factors affecting the choice of the roosting habitat of Chestnut-throated Pheasant during the breeding season, and all analyses were performed using SPSS 25 and MuMIn package in R 4.2.1. [Results] The Chestnut-throated Pheasant mainly roosts in coniferous trees, such as Sabina saltuaria, and it is common to roost alone or with another individual, but not in a group. Data analysis revealed significant differences in slope, diameter at breast height of the roosting tree, coverage of trees, average diameter at breast height of trees, coverage of shrub, coverage of leaf, distance to the forest edge, and distance to the nearest tree between roosting and random habitats (Table 2); roosting trees were usually located in the upper slope (χ2 = 5.124, df = 1, P = 0.024), closer to the forest edge and nearest trees, with a larger diameter at breast height and coverage of trees, perch height distance of about 6.62 ± 0.29 m from the ground, and perch length of 1.66 ± 0.13 m; roosting habitats had larger slope and coverage of leaf, while the shrub cover was smaller. A logistic regression model was established to analyze the determinants of roosting site selection for the Chestnut- throated Pheasant, and the results showed that the diameter at breast height of the roosting tree was the primary factor in determining roosting site selection, and the secondary factors were coverage of leaf and slope (Table 5). [Conclusion] our results indicated that safety factors (the diameter at breast height of the roosting tree, slope) and food factors (coverage of leaf) were the most critical factors in selecting the roosting site for the Chestnut-throated Pheasant.

Abstract:[Objectives] The White-faced Plover (Charadrius dealbatus), once a subspecies of the Kentish Plover (C. alexandrines), was identified as an independent species in 2016 and included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species concurrently. To date, little is known about its reproductive behavior. The aim of this study is to enrich the basic data of the White-faced Plover by observing and describing the nest site selection and reproductive behavior of the White-faced Plover. [Methods] The study was conducted in Shanxinsha Island, Qisha Town, Fangchenggang City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (March to July, 2019 and 2020) (Fig. 1). For the nest selection, we interviewed local photographers and fishermen. The breeding situation in 2019 and 2020 is shown in Table 1. We select 3 nests of White-faced Plover for observation every year, and morphological parameter (length, width and depth) and clutch size of each nest, and size of each egg in every nest were counted and measured. After nest selection, the behavior of the target nesting male and female White-faced Plovers during the breeding season was recorded and described using the target animal sampling method; the behavior of White-faced Plovers during the breeding season was counted as a percentage of the total time observed using the all-event sampling method, and when other behaviors resulted in vigilant calling by non-target parents were also recorded together. The time spent at the nest by both sexes was analyzed using a t-test, with significant differences set at P < 0.05, and analyses were completed by SPSS 23.0. During the observation period, male and female adults were distinguished by their breeding plumage: males had brightly colored breeding plumage with a dark brown neck stripe and a bright orange crown; females had dull colored breeding plumage with a light brown neck stripe and a reddish brown crown (Fig. 2). The observation time was from 7:00 to 19:00, and was recorded by infrared cameras at night. [Results] We found that the selection of nest site was mainly determined by intertidal elevation, which were mostly located on the beach or open gravel fields that was not submerged at high tide level. The selection of nest site needed 3﹣7 days generally (n = 6), and their nesting behavior mostly occurred after sunset. There were two nesting patterns: 1) Shallow pits on the beach or open gravel fields, which were mainly paved with stones and shells (Fig. 3a); 2) nests built on the beach with sparse vegetation litter or human wastes (Fig. 3b﹣d). Space among nests were usually not less than 150 m (n = 6). The length, width and depth of nests were 10.4 ± 0.6 cm (9.8﹣11 cm), 7.7 ± 0.1 cm (7.6﹣7.9 cm), and 3.6 ± 0.1 cm (3.6﹣3.7 cm) (n = 6), respectively. The female lays 1 egg per day, usually three to four eggs per cluster (n = 6). The eggs had a pale yellowish base with dense brown patches. The long and short diameter of these eggs were 33 ± 0.3 mm (32.4﹣33.4 mm) and 24.5 ± 0.1 mm (24.4﹣24.5 mm) (n = 21) respectively. Additionally, females spent more time on raising offspring than males (P < 0.01) (female: 582.5 ± 22.6 min, male: 428.8 ± 30.2 min) (Fig. 4). The incubation time for each nest was 28 ± 2 days (n = 6). When the incubation process finished, the nestlings would peck and break the shells, this process could last 18﹣28 hours (n = 21). After the down feathers are dry, they could run fast immediately (Fig. 6a﹣d). Different from Kentish Plover, these nestlings were raised by both females and males. After comparison with Kentish Plover, it found that White-faced Plover mostly nested in light beaches and gravelly areas that were not flooded by water at high tide, and were less dependent on trees and shrubs; Kentish Plover mostly nested in gravelly areas, salt flats, wetlands and bare saline areas with sparse alkali canopies (Suaeda glauca) that had some shade, and rarely chose light beaches as nest sites, and nesting materials were different due to different nest sites; and there were some differences in the time allocation of incubation period. Female White-faced Plovers left the nest for a shorter period of time during daytime incubation, while female Kentish Plover left the nest more frequently, and after the juveniles were able to move, most female Kentish Plover would abandon their families and look for their next breeding partner, with the male looking after the juveniles, while White-faced Plovers were mostly two-parent broods. [Conclusion] The results of the study could not only advance our understanding of the breeding behavior of the White-faced Plover, but also provide first-hand information regarding the ecological habits of the White-faced Plover.

Abstract:[Objectives] Feeding height is crucial for the expression of natural behavior and animal welfare of captive birds. However, literatures about this issue are unavailable so far. This study is to explore the optimal feeding height of caged Blue-eared Pheasant (Crossoptilon auritum), which is a class II national protected animal species in China, to provide a reference for feeding and to improve the quality of feeding management and welfare. [Methods] We designed and made a feeding trough with 14 different heights, ranging from 0 cm to 70 cm (Fig. 1). Then we used this feeding trough to observe the feeding sequence of the C. auritum on either seed or vegetable in each box at different heights at Beijing Zoo. According to the feeding order of C. auritum to the trough of fourteen heights, the feeding behavior of different heights was assigned with a value. The first feeding height was assigned with a value of 14, which decreased successively, and the height without feeding was assigned with a value of 0. The experiment was repeated three times. R software was used to analyze the preference value data. Regression analysis of feeding preference values versus feeding height was performed using OriginPro 2021. The t-test method was used to analyze the feeding habits of C. auritum with different body heights. [Results] The results showed that captive Blue-eared Pheasant had different preferences for the height of the trough when feeding on seed food (corn kernels) and leaf-used lettuce (Lactuca sativa). The preferred feeding height of seed food was 0 cm, and the preferred height range of leaf-used lettuce was 15﹣25 cm (Fig. 2). We found that the feeding rejection rate increased when the feeding trough height was 65 cm and above (feeding rejection rate ≥ 38.9%, Fig. 2). The preference value of Blue-eared Pheasant decreased with feeding trough height when they feed on corn kernels (regression analysis: y =﹣0.564x + 43.146，R2 = 0.946, y represents preference value, and x represents feeding trough height), and the preferred height when they feed on leaf-used lettuce increased from 0 cm to 25cm first, and then decreased (regression analysis: y =﹣0.014x2 + 0.543x + 26.487, R2 = 0.952, y represents preference value, and x represents feeding trough height, Fig. 3). In addition, body height of adult Blue-eared Pheasant showed no significant effect on feeding height preferences (t-test, Fig. 4 and 5). [Conclusion] Our study showed that captive Blue-eared Pheasants preferred different trough heights in feeding different food types, and show different patterns of height change with different food types. The results were correlated with feeding behavior of wild Blue-eared Pheasant, which provide a reference for the breeding of captive Blue-eared Pheasant.

Abstract:[Objectives] Abandoning eggs after nesting was a rare biological phenomenon for breeding Red-crowned Cranes (Grus japonensis), but it does occur occasionally. So far, it was unknown whether the parents of Red-crowned Cranes abandon eggs due to internal or external disturbances. Egg was the reproductive unit and the starting point of growth and development of birds. The important role of eggshells should be to bear the weight of hatching parents, to exchange gas with the outside world, to prevent excessive loss of water in eggs, to protect embryonic development, and to form organs and tissues such as bones. By comparing the differences of ultrastructure and element content between abandoned and normal eggshells, we explored the reasons why G. japonensis abandon eggs, and hoped to provide a reference for the protection of Red-crowned Crane and the formulation of corresponding protection strategies. [Methods] From 2014 to 2020, 6 abandoned eggs and 6 normal hatching eggs of breeding G. japonensis were collected in Zhalong National Nature Reserve, Heilongjiang Province. We studied the eggshells ultrastructure, element content, the thickness and density. The ultrastructural differences were compared by scanning electron microscopy (Hitachi X-650, Japan), the element content was measured by inductively couple plasma spectrometry (Agilent 7500, USA), the thickness was measured by electronic micrometer (Mitutoyo 422-230/0﹣25 mm, Japan, ± 0.003 mm), the mass of eggshell samples was weighed by electronic balance (Sartorius BSA124S, Germany, ± 0.1 g)，and the density was measured by drainage method. The data were analyzed using SPSS (16.0 version). The thickness, density and element content of eggshells between abandoned and normal eggs were compared by t-test (Independent-samples). The thickness of surface layer of crystal, palisade layer, cone layer and shell membrane in the ultrastructure of the eggshell were compared between two groups respectively. All results were expressed as Mean ± SD, and P < 0.05 was taken to be statistically significant. [Results] The thickness and density of abandoned eggshell were 68.0% (P < 0.01) and 71.5% (P < 0.01) of normal eggshell respectively (Table 1). The thickness of the surface layer of crystal, palisade cone layer and eggshell membrane accounted for 5.5%, 86.9% and 7.6% in the normal eggshell, and the thickness of the surface layer of crystal, palisade cone layer and eggshell membrane accounted for 3.9%, 85.9% and 10.2% in the discarded eggshell respectively (Table 2). The ultrastructure of abandoned eggshell was different from normal eggshell, including uneven thickness of the surface crystal layer, no obvious boundary between the surface crystal layer and the palisade layer, cracks and strip cracks in the outer layer, tiny spherical hollow structures and cavity structures similar to karst cave in the cone layer of the fence, and fewer sheet-like protrusions on the surface of shell membrane fiber in the abandoned eggshell (Fig. 1). Among the 23 elements were measured, the contents of Ca, Na, P, Mg and K in abandoned eggshells were significantly lower than in normal eggshells (P < 0.05), and there were no significant differences in the contents of Fe, Zn, Cu, Sr, Ag, Ni, Ba, Cr, Mn, Bi, As, B, Ga, Mo, V, Co, Ti and Sc (P > 0.05) (Table 3). [Conclusion] From the analysis of eggshell structure and elements, the abnormal contents of eggshell elements, structural and functional defects may be one of the reasons for egg abandonment by their parents, which may be related to the interactions of habitat resources occupied by themselves, reproductive pressure with other birds, food availability and survival strategies.

Abstract:[Objectives] This study aims to understand the biodiversity status of amphibians and reptiles in Changqing Branch Areas of Giant Panda National Park and promote the effective management of the reserve. [Methods] Field investigations were carried out in 2021 May, July and October, and the survey areas were divided into 5 km × 5 km sample areas. Each sample area was set with 1 to 3 survey transect lines, each of which was 500 m to 2 000 m long (Fig. 1). Site coordinates, altitude and habitat types were recorded, and species were identified by morphology and DNA barcode. [Results] 437 amphibian and reptile specimens was obtained, 37 species were identified by morphological characteristics and DNA barcoding, and 14 species were recorded in combination with literature, a total of 51 species of amphibians and reptiles were recorded. Among them, 15 species of amphibians belong to 13 genera, 8 families, 2 orders. There are 36 species of reptiles, belonging to 22 genera, 6 families, 2 orders. 26 species are endemic to China, and 14 species are listed in The Red List of China’s Vertebrates (Appendix 1). The amphibians and reptiles in the reserve are mainly Oriental species, with a small number of widespread species and Palaearctic species. Among the Oriental species, there are 10 amphibians and 21 reptile species, mainly from central China. The composition of amphibian and reptile fauna further indicates that the Qinling Mountains are in the transitional zone between Palaearctic and Oriental boundaries (Table 1). The diversity index of amphibians and reptiles in Changqing Branch Areas is high and the species diversity is complex. Amphibians and reptiles all had higher rank meta-diversity at family level and lower rank meta-diversity at genus level. In addition, the indexes of reptiles were higher than those of amphibians, indicating that the diversity of reptile family and genus in Changqing Branch Areas was higher than that of amphibians (Table 2). The Oriental species are dominant in different vertical altitudes, and they are concentrated at an altitude of 500﹣2 000 m. In the Palaearctic, the number of widely distributed species also concentrated below 2 000 m (Table 3). Therefore, the core distribution area of amphibians and reptiles in Changqing Branch Area is 500﹣2 000 m above sea level. [Conclusion] 15 species of amphibians and 36 species of reptiles were recorded, accounting for 53.6% and 63.2% of the total number of amphibians and reptiles in Shaanxi Province. Compared with Changqing Reserve, Huangguanshan Reserve, Sangyuan Reserve comprehensive scientific investigation, 5 species of amphibians and 5 species of reptiles were newly added. This survey is helpful to fully understand the general situation of amphibian and reptile resources in Changqing Branch Areas of Giant Panda National Park, and provide basic information for scientific conservation and management.

Abstract:[Objectives] Results of chelonian market survey can reflect the scale and trend on chelonians use as well as its supervision effect. Reports on market survey in Guangzhou show that there was a larger demand for chelonians trade as well as more serious illegal trade of chelonians in Southern China since 1990s. This study was conducted to grasp the status and changing trend of Guangzhou chelonians market trade from 2010 to 2019. [Methods] We conducted a 10-year market survey on Guangzhou market, including special investigation and random sampling inspection at different times. We used market observation and interview with market sellers to record the species, origins and individual numbers of chelonians traded in Yuehe pet market and Tianjia food market monthly during the special investigation from August 2010 to July 2011. The same methods were used totally 15 times to record the same information of chelonians trade in Yuehe pet market (9 times), Tianjia food market (4 times) and Xinfu farmer’s marke (2 times) in Taiping Town, Conghua Distric of Guangzhou during the random sampling inspection from 2012 to 2019. Besides, we collected and summarized the information of identification reports on the illegal chelonians trade confiscated in Guangzhou from 2010 to 2019. In order to investigate the variation trend of the species and quantity of turtles sold in the pet market and the ratio of the species and quantity of wild turtles, farmed turtles and illegal trade to the species and quantity of turtles sold in the market in the past 10 years, we select the survey data of August 2010, May 2011 in the Yuehe pet market and the one random survey data respectively during the random sampling inspection in the Yuehe pet market from 2012 to 2019, with time as the independent variable (X axis), and the types of turtles sold and the total number of turtles sold per market survey as well as the ratios of the types and numbers of farmed turtles sold per market survey, the types and numbers of wild turtles sold per market survey and the types and numbers of illegal trade turtles to the types and numbers of turtles sold per market survey were taken as dependent variables (Y-axis). A dot plot was made in Excel and linear regression analysis was perfomed in SPSS. [Results] In the special survey period, 74 chelonian species belong to 42 genera and 12 families were found being sold in Guangzhou markets. Among them 41 species come from wild, accounting for 2.01% of the market individuals, 33 species come from farm, accounting for 97.99% of the market, and 40 species are identified as illegally traded, accounting for 3.74% of the market. During the 8 years following the special investigation, 45 chelonian species were sold in the market, with 18 wild species accounted for 1.13% of the market individuals, 27 farmed species accounted for 98.87% of the market, and 21 illegally traded species accounted for 2.29% of the market. According to the statistics of material evidence identification cases during the 10-year period, there were 638 individuals of 19 species illegally traded in Guangzhou market with 7 farmed species, 12 wild species, and 339 wild individuals, accounting for 53.13% of the total number of individuals. Besides, except Aldabrachelys gigantea and Indotestudo forstenii, the others 17 species of illegal traded turtles have been recorded in the market survey. Results of trends analysis on the chelonian species in the Yuehe pet market indicating that the market trade types of turtle species showed a decreasing trend (R2 = 0.865, F = 51.332, P < 0.001), the ratio of farmed turtle species increased (R2 = 0.885, F = 61.481, P < 0.001), the wild turtle species decreased (R2 = 0.885, F = 61.481, P < 0.001), and the illegal traded turtle species decreased (R2 = 0.560, F = 10.179, P = 0.013, Fig. 1). Results of trends analysis on changes of chelonian individual quantity showed that the individual numbers of market trade turtles having a downward trend (R2 = 0.586, F = 11.334, P = 0.010), with the farmed turtles steadily increased (R2 = 0.713, F = 19.881, P = 0.002), the wild turtles showed a downward trend (R2 = 0.733, F = 22.007, P = 0.002), and the illegal traded turtles showed a downward trend (R2 = 0.669, F = 16.160, P = 0.004, Fig. 2). [Conclusion] Since 2010, the trade scale of chelonian species in Guangzhou market showed a downward trend, and the number of chelonian species decreased significantly. According to the data analysis of pet market records, the proportion and quantity of turtle species from farmed sources increased, the proportion and quantity of turtle species from illegal trade decreased, and the proportion and quantity of wild turtles species decreased, although wild individuals were still sold in the market. Compared with previous market surveys in Guangzhou, these results show that the illegal chelonian trade has been effectively curbed. Although much progress seen above, we strongly propose that authorities should standardize the farmed turtle management, strengthen market supervision, and effectively eliminate the illegal trade of chelonian and other wildlife in domestic market even further.

Abstract:[Objectives] Vigilance behavior is a kind of animal response to external risks that can detect or avoid dangers in advance to improve survival rate, when it occurs, the distance between animals and external risk source is defined as vigilance distance. Habitat changes and human disturbance caused by rapid urbanization have a significant influence on the vigilance behavior of wildlife. The vigilance distances of populations adapted to urban environments involves changes in behavior and physiology, reflecting phenotypic plasticity or evolution. The objective of this study was to explore the relationships between vigilance distance of Microhyla fissipes and the changes of habitat and human activity intensity caused by urbanization along an urbanization gradient (urban-suburban-rural). [Methods] In this study, we selected M. fissipes as study species, and measured 100 M. fissipes male individuals (urban: 15 males; suburban: 51 males; rural: 34 males) from 22 study sites (urban: 3 sites; suburban: 10 sites; rural: 9 sites) along an urbanization gradient (urban-suburban- rural) between May and August in 2020 and 2021 in Shanghai, China. We used the percentage of impervious surface (including buildings and roads) in each 2 km-radius landscape to represent the urbanization index of these study sites. In addition, we also collected the human population density of each study site to represent human activity intensity. Then we tested the normality of vigilance distance using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and general linear models were used to test the effects of urbanization index and human population density on vigilance distance of M. fissipes in each study site. [Results] We found that the vigilance distance of M. fissipes ranged from 2.8 m to 5.1 m (mean 3.9 ± 0.5 standard deviation) (Table 1). By ranking all possible candidate models based on their Akaike’s information criterion corrected (AICc), urbanization index was the most important predictor in the best model (ΔAICc < 2) (Table 2). Model average coefficients showed that vigilance distance of M. fissipes was significantly negatively correlated to urbanization index (P < 0.01) and also negatively related to human population density, although not significant (P > 0.05) (Table 3). [Conclusion] Our founding suggested that amphibians change the vigilance distance in response to urbanization, which benefits us to understand the response mechanism of amphibian behavior to urbanization.

Abstract:[Objectives] The present study aims to investigate the effects of water level changes on morphological phenotypes, immune function and stress responsiveness ability in tadpoles of the Dark-spotted Frogs (Pelophylax nigromaculatus). [Methods] The variations in metamorphosis duration, body size and percentage of different subtypes of leukocyte in the circulation blood, as well as the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes were measured in the laboratory in the constant water level group and in the rapid, moderate and slow reduction groups at metamorphosis completion. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software packages (SPSS 19.0 for windows). One-way ANOVA or one-way ANCOVA and multiple comparisons were used to compare the differences of the parameters mentioned above among different groups. Results were presented as means ± standard error, and P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. [Results] The results showed that the rapid reduction group significantly reduced the metamorphosis duration of tadpoles (Fig. 1a, P < 0.05); the snout to vent length (SVL) of froglets was significantly declined in the rapid reduction group compared with that of any other group (Fig. 1d, P < 0.05), both the body mass (Fig. 1b, P > 0.05) and body width (Fig. 1c, P > 0.05) displayed lower values in the rapid desiccation group, but no significant differences were found among different groups. The percentage of neutrophils was significantly higher in the rapid reduction group than that of any other group (Fig. 3c, P < 0.05), the percentage of monocytes was significantly higher in the constant water level group than that of the moderate reduction group (Fig. 3e, P < 0.05), and no significant group differences were observed for the percentage of eosinophils (Fig. 3f, P > 0.05), basophils (Fig. 3b, P > 0.05) or lymphocytes (Fig. 3a, P > 0.05). The ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes was significantly higher in the rapid reduction group than that of any other group (Fig. 3d, P < 0.05). [Conclusion] The accelerated water level reduction can lead to smaller froglet individuals, natural immunity represented by both neutrophils and monocytes displayed different patterns, and accompanying with increased stress response ability, which may be detrimental to the survival of froglets.

Abstract:[Objectives] The Pan’s Box Turtle (Cuora pani) is endemic to China and listed under level-II protection on the “List of Wildlife under Special State Protection”. Due to illegal trade and habitat destruction, its wild population is quite small. The aim of this study was to reveal the genetic diversity and genetic structure of C. pani by using mitochondrial and nuclear gene markers, so as to provide suggestions on population protection and management for C. pani in China. [Methods] In this study, Cyt b, ND4 and R35 genes were sequenced from 14 individuals, including 6 from Guangyuan, Sichuan and 8 of unknown origin. Nucleotide and haplotype diversity and group history dynamics of the samples were determined using DnaSP 5.0 software. The MEGA-X software was used to calculate the variable site, parsimony information site, genetic distance and base content of the sequence, and all haplotypes based on the Kimura 2-parameter model to build maximum likelihood tree. [Results] Results showed that two Cyt b, ND4 and R35 haplotypes were identified in the 14 samples and one new haplotype was identified in each gene (Table 3). The haplotype and nucleotide diversity of each gene marker were Cyt b (haplotype diversity 0.440, nucleotide diversity 0.000 41), ND4 (0.143, 0.000 19) and R35 (0.154, 0.000 63) (Table 4). The average genetic distance (p) of each haplotype was less than 0.01. Phylogenetic analysis based on the three combined gene datasets showed that C. pani and C. aurocapitata were monophyletic clades. Neutral detection and nucleotide mismatch analysis showed that C. pani populations may not have experienced population expansion events in recent history (Fig. 2). [Conclusion] The population of C. pani has low genetic diversity, small intraspecific variation and low ability to cope with environmental changes. Therefore, it is suggested that the basic research and protection of the wild population of C. pani in China should be strengthened, and artificial breeding should be regulated to avoid inbreeding and population recession.

Abstract:Hedgehogs in the genus Mesechinus (Family Erinaceidae) include four species: M. dauuricus, M. hughi, M. wangi and M. miodon. M. wangi is only distributed in Mt Gaoligong, southwestern Yunnan, China. M. hughi is distributed in the north central part of China, and there is an isolated distribution area in the south of Anhui, China. Other two species are mainly distributed in the central and northern China (include Shaanxi, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, et al.), and extend to Mongolia, Russia and other countries. But there is no record of the genus Mesechinus in Zhejiang, China. One specimen (Fig. 1) of Mesechinus was collected from Mogan Mountain (30°36′27″ N, 119°51′39″ E, altitude 601 m), Deqing, Zhejiang Province, China, on September 13th, 2021. Its ear is short and no longer than the surrounding spines, which is short and thin and nearly whole white. Most spines have four sections: white constituting the basal two-thirds, followed by a black ring, narrow light ring, and black tip. The skull features (Fig. 2, Table 1) are basically the same as those described by M. hughi. We sequenced the complete cytochrome b gene (Cyt b) and obtained homologous sequences of other Mesechinus species from GenBank. The p-distance of Cyt b was 0.35% between the populations in Zhejiang and Anhui, ranges from 4.92%﹣5.27% between the populations in Zhejiang and Shaanxi, and more than 7% between the populations in Zhejiang and other hedgehogs. The maximum likelihood tree based on the complete Cyt b gene showed that the specimen forms a monophyletic clade with other specimens of M. hughi (popularity rating BS = 97, Fig. 3). Based on the morphological and molecular evidences, we confirm that the specimen belongs to M. hughi, making it the first record of this species in Zhejiang, China. It is also the new distribution area found in the south of Changjiang River after the discovery of M. hughi in Anhui Province. M. hughi is widely distributed in the hilly and mountainous areas of western Zhejiang China. Its habitat is mainly woodland, and it is distributed in the same area as the E. amurensis. The known altitude range is from 30 m at the lowest to 700 m at the highest. There were accurate records in Changxing, Anji, Deqing, Yuhang, Linan, Chunan and so on in Zhejiang, China. The Huangshan Mountain area was adjacent to the hilly and mountainous areas in western Zhejiang, shares similar characteristics in terrain, landform, vegetation and so on. It is speculated that M. hughi should be widely and continuously distributed in southern Anhui and western Zhejiang, but it needs to be further investigated.

Abstract:From January 2017 to May 2022, three species of bird were observed and photographed in Cili County, Zhangjiajie City, and Hunan Hupingshan National Nature Reserve, Hunan Province. Three species are Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), Northern Boobook (Ninox japonica), Short-toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus). By reviewing literatures and photographs, all three species were confirmed as new records of bird in Hunan Province.

Abstract:During the amphibian survey in Xueshan Town, Weining County, Guizhou Province, China on 6 August, 2020, six specimens were collected (27°04′09″ N, 104°04′44″ E, altitude 2 218 m). Compared the specimens with other species of the genus Odorrana (Table 1) by morphological and molecular evidences, the specimens were identified as O. jingdongensis, which is the new record of Guizhou Province, China. Morphologically, we mainly compared measurement data (Table 2) and diagnosis characters (Fig. 1), the result showed that the specimens from Guizhou were similar to O. jingdongensis. Molecularly, we constructed Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) inference phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene and calculated the genetic distances between species of the genus Odorrana using Kimura two-parameter model in MEGA v6.0. The ML and BI trees of the mitochondrial DNA dataset presented almost consistent topology, both showed that the four specimens from Guizhou were clustered with the O. jingdongensis with a high support (0.97/92, BI/ML) (Fig. 2). The genetic distance between the specimens from Guizhou and O. jingdongensis from type locality was 0%, which is much lower than that between Odorrana species range from 1.3% to 9.5% (Table 3).

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