Abstract:[Objectives] As one of the major groups of vertebrates, the evolutionary relationship of birds has been one of the main focuses of ornithological research. Morphological and molecular characters have been widely used to infer phylogenetic relationships in birds, but morphological characters have long been limited by homoplasy, making it difficult to draw consistent conclusions about phylogenetic relationships. However, benefiting from the molecular data and sophisticated analysis methods, we have gradually reached a consensus on the phylogenetic relationships of birds in recent years. On this basis, it is necessary to re-explore the research value of the neglected morphological data. Therefore, we aim to investigative whether there is a significant difference in the level of homoplasy of different kinds of morphological characters. We proceed to exploring the role of morphological characters with a low level of homoplasy in improving the phylogenetic signals of the molecular data and the level of support on the molecular tree. [Methods] Based on a reliable molecular phylogenetic tree by Prum published in 2015 (Prum tree) and an avian morphological dataset by Livezey & Zusi published in 2006 (Livezey & Zusi morphological data), we mapped the Livezey & Zusi morphological data to the Prum tree using PAUP* 4.0a and calculated the score for the level of homoplasy. We performed the Mann-Whitney U test to explore whether morphological characters are significantly different in their levels of homoplasy. Additionally, we performed a principal component analysis to determine if there was an interconnection between the morphological characters of homoplasy. Lastly, we added the filtered low homoplasy level morphological characters (specifically those with a CI ≥ 0.5 when mapped to the Prum tree) to Hackett’s molecular data. Then we rebuilt the tree using the maximum parsimony method and mapped the character (molecular or morphological character) to the tree (molecular or combined tree). After we got homoplasy outcomes of the mapping above, we performed the Mann-Whitney U test to compare the homoplasy outcomes. Meanwhile, we compared the bootstrap scores for each branch of the two trees (molecular and combined tree) to determine whether the inclusion of morphological data would have an impact on the level of support. [Results] We found different levels of homoplasy in morphological characters, as indicated by the consistency index of the miscellaneous characters scored significantly larger than those of osteological and myological characters (P < 0.01, Table 2), and that of cranial characters was significantly larger than those of the postcranial, body and leg characters (P < 0.05, Table 2). Nevertheless, the principal component analysis indicated that morphological characters are not easily distinguishable from each other. Additionally, adding morphological characters with low levels of homoplasy significantly increased the phylogenetic signals of the molecular data (P < 0.05, Appendix 3) and increased the level of support on branch of the molecular tree. [Conclusion] In summary, morphological characters show different levels of homoplasy, and certain groups of morphological characters can increase the phylogenetic signal of the molecular characters.

Abstract:[Objectives] Urban green spaces are vital components of the urban landscape and hold significant ecological and cultural values. Studying the impact of human activities on bird diversity can provide a theoretical basis for constructing and maintaining ecological urban landscapes. [Methods] This study used the transect method to investigate bird communities in 8 urban green spaces with 3 disturbance levels in Wuhan, China from October 2021 to May 2022. The bird community structure was analyzed using diversity parameters, including species richness, diversity index, evenness index, and dominance index. Differences were assessed using one-way ANOVA. [Results] A total of 100 bird species in 11 orders and 34 families were recorded, including 9 nationally protected birds species at the II-level (Appendix 1). Passerines comprised the majority (76 species, 76% of the total bird species surveyed) of the recorded species, with the most important fauna and resident type were oriental birds (45 species, 45%) and resident birds (42 species, 42%), respectively. During the breeding season, the number of bird species is higher than that during the non-breeding season, primarily due to an increase in summer visitors and passage migrant. Among the bird communities in green spaces with varying disturbance intensities, the highest species richness, Shannon-Wiener index, and uniformity index were observed in mildly disturbed areas, while the species richness, Shannon-Weiner index, and uniformity index are the lowest in areas with moderate interference (Fig. 1). The dominance index was highest in highly disturbed areas, and lowest in mildly disturbed areas (Fig. 1). During different seasons, there are differences in bird diversity and community structure, but seasons do not affect the pattern of bird communities across different levels of human disturbance. [Conclusion] In summary, the bird diversity of urban green spaces in Wuhan is relatively rich, and there was a nonlinear relationship with disturbance intensity, indicating that the difference between human disturbance and natural disturbance in small and fragmented patches may be more conducive to maintaining biodiversity.

Abstract:[Objectives] The Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus is listed as a national second-class protected animal in China. It is a small raptor that can adapt to both rural and urban environments, and it is of great significance to maintain the stability of urban ecosystem. [Methods] From April to July, 2022, seven Common Kestrels rescued in Beijing were successfully fitted with satellite trackers, and their trajectories were tracked. Based on the tracking data, the migration patterns of each Common Kestrel were identified by using the net squared displacement (NSD)-time curve. The specific migration time, distance and route of migrating Common Kestrel were further analyzed. In addition, 95% and 50% home ranges of migrating and resident Common Kestrels were calculated respectively by using the kernel density estimation (KDE) in the software R 4.1.0. [Results] We found the migration pattern of Common Kestrels in Beijing was partial migration. Among the 7 ind tracked, 4 ind were resident, 1 ind was migratory, and 2 ind could not be determined. The migrating Common Kestrel (N01) migrated from winter habitats in Langfang, Hebei to summer habitats in Xilin Gol, Inner Mongolia, in spring (Fig. 2). Its spring migration distance was 551 km, which lasted for 25 d, with an average speed of 22 km/d, and its autumn migration speed was significantly faster than that in spring, with a total migration distance of 412 km, which lasted for 2 d, with an average migration speed of 203 km/d. Luanping County in Hebei was an important migration stopover during spring migration. The kernel density estimation revealed that there were obvious differences in 95% and 50% home ranges among individuals. In summer habitats, home ranges of the migrating Common Kestrel (N01) were 93.10 km² (95%) and 17.50 km² (50%), while in winter habitats, those were 7.03 km² (95%) and 0.99 km² (50%). The average home ranges of the resident Common Kestrels were 1 165.34 km² (95%, n = 4) and 178.71 km² (50%, n = 4). N02 had the largest home ranges, with an area of 4 320.26 km² (95%) and 648.22 km² (50%), while N03 had the smallest home ranges, with an area of 2.80 km² (95%) and 0.29 km² (50%, Table 2). [Conclusion] The research reveals migratory behaviors, routes, important migration stopover and home ranges of Common Kestrel in Beijing, which provides scientific basis for the targeted protection and management of the Common Kestrel.

Abstract:[Objectives] Acoustic signals play a crucial role in transmitting information and maintaining social stability in animals, especially in gregarious bats which are considered to occupy the ecological niche of the night sky and rely primarily on biological sonar for navigating in the dark. Acoustic signals mediate a variety of life history events in nocturnal bats, including reproduction, foraging, communication and spatial navigation. The parturition is a crucial part of animal reproductive activity, directly determining the survival of offspring and their female parent. There has been little research on the parturition behavior of wild animals, particularly the vocalizations during parturition. In the present study, we aim to document the social vocal repertoire of Rhinolophus luctus and R. affinis during parturition. [Methods] We caught the pregnant bats with mist net or hand net from a nursery colony in Nanyang, Henan Province. All bats were taken into a temporary laboratory near the roost, and then were given mealworms and water. Vocalizations were picked up with the ultrasonic acquisition system using a sample rate of 250 kHz at 16 bits/sample. The pregnant bat’s behavior was monitored via an infrared camera. We measured 8 spectro-temporal parameters from the oscillogram and spectrogram to quantify syllable features (Table 1 and 2). Then multiple statistical analyses were conducted to map the acoustic boundaries of different syllables. [Results] A total of 89 syllables were obtained, among which 6 and 4 types were distinguished from the Woolly Horseshoe Bat and the Intermediate Horseshoe Bat, respectively (Fig. 1). The cumulative sum of the two largest eigenvalues (corresponding to the ?rst two principal components) obtained from the principal components analysis explained 71.36% of the total variation (Table 3). Based on the results of the discriminant function analyses associated with a subset-validation procedure, 40.5% of syllable types were correctly classified, which was significantly higher than expected by chance (Fig. 2a). Multidimensional scaling of mean values of multiple parameters further confirmed notable differences among these syllables in a three-dimensional space (Fig. 2b). In addition, Euclidean distance analysis showed that there were more significant differences between interspecific relationship than intraspecific relationship (Table 4). [Conclusion] Our results indicate that these two bat species use relatively variant social vocalizations with different spectro-temporal features during parturition. Altogether, the data will provide a reference for further work on the function and vocal mechanisms of acoustic communication in nocturnal mammals.

Abstract:[Objectives] Little Gland Frog Glandirana minima is an endemic amphibian species in Fujian, China. It is evaluated as Critically Endangered (CR) in the Red List of Vertebrates in China, as well as Endangered (EN) by IUCN. It is listed as the second-class state key protected wildlife in China. Little Grand Frog has an extremely small population, but currently, it is not covered by any nature reserve in Fujian Province, facing a great risk of extinction. Moreover, since its first report in the late 1970s, there has been very little research available, which is not conducive to the implementation of relevant protection measures. Conducting field investigations and reassessing the endangered level of this species help to gain a deeper understanding of its survival and expansion capabilities in the wild, and to provide scientific data for formulating conservation strategies for the G. minima. [Methods] From July 2019 to August 2021, a continuous survey was conducted on the distribution, quantity, reproductive behavior, habitat, and microenvironment of the G. minima in its historical distribution points and the surrounding area of Fuzhou using visual encounter surveys and call counting methods. The number of the G. minima at each distribution point was determined by selecting the maximum count obtained from multiple surveys, accounting for variations in survey frequencies at each point. The total number of G. minima was determined by aggregating the counts of at each distribution point. The key identification features of the G. minima were determined through the utilization of image capture techniques and direct field observations. At the same time, according to the evaluation criteria of the IUCNRed List of Threatened Levels and Standards (version 3.1), a reassessment of the endangered level of the G. minima was conducted based on survey data. [Results] The main recognition feature of the G. minima is the longitudinal skin ribs with varying lengths in 8 rows on the back and the side (Fig. 1a and c), consistent with the description of the type specimen. Juveniles are similar to adults, with only shorter longitudinal skin edges (Fig. 1f). The population distribution shows significant changes compared to the historical records. Among the four historical distribution points of the G. minima (black triangles in Fig. 2), only the type specimen location (Lingshi Temple, Fuqing) still has the distribution of the G. minima (the southernmost black triangles in Fig. 2), and three new village level distribution points have been discovered around it; we did not find the distribution of the G. minima in three other historical sites (Yongquan Temple in Fuzhou, Fangguangyan in Yongtai, and Wenshu Temple in Changle), but a total of eight new village level distribution points have been discovered in other parts of their administrative regions (Fig. 2). In addition, 11 village level distribution points in 5 counties were newly found outside the administrative regions of historical distribution points (Fig. 2). Overall, there are 22 new village level distribution points added compared to historical distribution points. The area of the distribution region is 4 800 km² (Fig. 2), which is six times the size of the historical distribution region. The suitable habitats for the G. minima are waterlogged fields, streams, ponds, small pool and mountainous areas with an altitude of 10﹣740 m (Table 1), with abandoned rice paddies being the main habitat (Table 1). The population size shows a characteristic that depends on the suitable habitat area, with a total of 459 ind among all distribution points (Table 1). Among them, 82.6% are distributed in areas with elevations above 100 m (Table 1). The preferred habitats are broad-leaved forests (Table 1). The breeding period is from May to July, and tadpoles can undergo metamorphosis in the same year or the following year. The reevaluation results show that the threatened state of the G. minima is between Endangered (EN) and Vulnerable (VU). [Conclusion] The G. minima has strong adaptability to its habitat. However, anthropogenic changes in the water environment are the main threat faced by the G. minima. Drought can reduce the number of G. minima. Therefore, protecting the abandoned rice paddies, their microhabitats, and water sources, on which they rely for survival are key focuses of future conservation work. The G. minima is only distributed in a narrow region in Fuzhou and its northern area, further research is needed to reveal the internal mechanism of its narrow distribution.

Abstract:[Objectives] Musk-extraction from captive Alpine Musk Deer Moschus chrysogaster by Musk Deer breeding unit with relevant qualificationshas become an effective measure to provide musk sustainably. However, the related musk-extraction operation (MEO) may cause behavioral-physiological stress on Musk Deer because it involves manipulations such as capturing, holding of Musk Deer and musk-extracting handling. [Methods] This study was conducted in the breeding Center of Musk Deer in Xinglongshan, Gansu Province, between November and December, 2020. We determined the levels of fecal cortisol metabolites and activity of 46 male Musk Deer with MEO. Generalized linear model and analysis of variance were used to explore the potential behavioral-physiological effects from MEO on Musk Deer of different ages. [Results] We found that the level of fecal cortisol metabolites in adult Musk Deer after MEO (85.28 ± 5.00 ng/g) was significantly higher than before (56.08 ± 8.64 ng/g) (P < 0.05, Fig. 1), and it increased after MEO, peaking on the third day after MEO and recovering to normal level on the fourth day after MEO (Table 1). However, cortisol level in elderly Musk Deer was not affected by MEO (P < 0.05, Fig. 1). Activity level in elderly and adult Musk Deer decreased after MEO and reached the lowest values on the second day after MEO (elderly:59.04% ± 4.54%, adult:73.03% ± 7.71%) and then gradually recovered. However, only the elderly Musk Deer show significantly lower level of activity than that before MEO (74.09% ± 3.97%, P < 0.05, Table 2). [Conclusion] It was found that the MEO can cause behavioral-physiological stress on captive male Musk Deer, in which there existed the significant differences between age-classes.

Abstract:[Objectives] To provide basis for future research on gender generation and reproductive adaptation strategies of Corbicula clams, the sex composition of C. fluminea in the section Dingcheng of Yuan River, Hunan Province, was verified, and the potential sexual transition among male, female and hermaphrodites was also explored based on their shell length. In addition, the morphological characteristics was compared between monoflagellate and biflagellate sperms. [Methods] Histological techniques were used to analyze the sex composition and the morphology of sperms. The differences of head length between monoflagellate and biflagellate sperms were compared using T-test. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze the shell length among sexes and the length differences among tails of sperms, and multiple comparisons were performed using least-significant difference (LSD). [Results] The minimum shell length at sexual maturity is 2.92 mm in males, 5.66 mm in females, and 5.30 mm in hermaphrodite individuals, respectively (n = 770), and their sex ratio was approximately 1︰1︰6 (n = 697) (Fig. 3). The average shell length of hermaphrodites (22.55 ± 0.33 mm) was significantly greater than that of the males (20.44 ± 1.03 mm) (P < 0.05) and the females (19.79 ± 0.99 mm) (P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between males and females (P > 0.05) (Table 1). The C. fluminea population in the Yuan River can produce both monoflagellate and biflagellate sperms. The head length of monoflagellate sperms ranged from 4.93 to 21.79 μm, with a mean value of 14.27 ± 0.82 μm, and that of biflagellate sperms ranged from 10.29 to 22.04 μm, with a mean value of 15.62 ± 0.62 μm, with no significant difference between these two types of sperms (P > 0.05) (Table 2). The average length of long tails (38.07 ± 1.44 μm) was significantly greater than that of short tails (31.08 ± 1.60 μm) and the tails of monoflagellate sperms (30.15 ± 1.75 μm) (P < 0.01), while no significant difference in average flagella length was observed between the short tails and the tails of monoflagellate sperms (P > 0.05) (Table 2). [Conclusion] Our results indicated that the C. fluminea population in the section Dingcheng of Yuan River was protandrous, and with possible transition from male and/or female to hermaphrodite. There are two types of sperms:monoflagellate and biflagellate sperm with different tail length. The differences in motility and fertilization ability between coexisting monoflagellate and biflagellate sperm are worthy of further study.

Abstract:[Objectives] Metaphire is one of the dominant genera of earthworm family Megascolecidae and is widely distributed in eastern and southern China. However, there are relatively few new species reports of this genus in recent years. [Methods] Morphological taxonomy methods and DNA barcode technology were used to identify the new species. Genetic distance between species were calculated using the Bootstrap and p-distance methods. [Results] Herein, three new species of earthworms belonging to the genus Metaphire (Oligochaeta:Megascolecidae) from China were described. They are named M. xiangtoumontis Dong & Jiang sp. nov., M. hanbaiduensis Dong & Sun sp. nov. and M. changbaimontis Dong & Shen sp. nov. (Fig. 1﹣3). M. xiangtoumontis belongs to the M. insulana-group, it has two pairs of spermathecae in 7/8﹣8/9. M. hanbaiduensis belongs to the M.houlleti-group, it has three pairs of spermathecae in 6/7﹣8/9. M. changbaimontis belongs to the M.glandularis-group, and it has two pairs of spermathecae in 6/7﹣7/8. Morphological descriptions, pictures, morphological comparisons with similar species, and COI barcode data for all the new species were provided. Additionally, sequences of the other species that are closely related to the new species were retrieved from GenBank (Table 1). The pairwise distances between each new species and the other related species are greater than the interspecies genetic distance (usually less than 1 %) and meets the range of intraspecies genetic distance (8.3%﹣13.0%, and above), so they have at least species level genetic difference (Table 2). [Conclusion] In summary, based on different morphological characters combined with the genetic evidence, we could conclude that the three new species are different from the previously described species and from each other. In addition, M. changbaimontis was the first new specie record of the earthworm genus Metaphire that collected in Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve.

Abstract:[Objectives] Forest Musk Deer Moschus berezovskii is first class protection wildlife in China. In order to protect the wild Forest Musk Deer population and meet the demand for natural musk in traditional Chinese medicine and other industries, China began to raise Forest Musk Deer artificially in the 1950s. Maintaining high genetic diversity of the population is the key factor to realize the sustainable growth and release of the captive Forest Musk Deer population into the wild. [Methods] In Fengxian County, Shaanxi Province, we collected feces samples from 95 Forest Musk Deer in two captive populations and kept all the samples in a lab refrigerator at﹣20 ℃ until DNA extraction. We selected published tetranucleotide microsatellite loci, then identified microsatellite loci that can be reliably amplified from fecal DNA. The forward primers of these loci were colored with fluorescent dyes and used to analyze the genetic diversity of 95 captive Forest Musk Deer. [Results] Twenty-five tetranucleotide microsatellite loci of Forest Musk Deer were obtained, of which 21 could be steadily amplified from fecal DNA, and two of them had chaotic peaks that were not suitable for analysis (Appendix 1). For the 19 microsatellite loci, there were 7 loci with polymorphism information content > 0.5, which were high polymorphism loci, and 10 loci were consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05) (Table 1). Among the two populations studied, 95 individuals had 99 alleles and 43.880 5 effective alleles, the mean of Shannon’s index and polymorphism richness were 0.930 6 and 0.428 3 respectively. The mean observed heterozygosity was 0.449 4, and the mean expected heterozygosity was 0.467 5. The genetic diversity of the Fumin farm population was higher than that of the Haixing farm (Table 3). All the Forest Musk Deer individuals came from four gene clusters. The Forest Musk Deer of the Fumin farm mainly came from gene cluster 1 and 2, and the Forest Musk Deer of the Haixing farm mainly came from gene cluster 3 and 4 (Fig. 2). [Conclusion] The selected microsatellite loci were 13 more than the previous studies, which can provide a reference for future studies on genetic diversity of Forest Musk Deer based on fecal samples. The captive Forest Musk Deer in Fengxian County, Shaanxi Province showed high genetic diversity but a tendency to inbreed. The genetic differentiation of Fumin Forest Musk Deer farm and Haixing Forest Musk Deer farm was small, and there was a large gene flow. It is suggested that the provenance of each captive population can be changed to increase the degree of heterozygosity.

Abstract:During the fieldwork in November 2022, we collected 10 specimens of the gekkonid genus Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata:Gekkonidae) in Qingyuan, Zhejiang Province, China, and identified them as H. hongkongensis by morphological comparisons and phylogenetic analyses. This is the first record of Hemiphyllodactylus in Zhejiang Province. In this study, the morphological characteristics of our specimens were compared with the type specimens of H. hongkongensis. Using mitochondrial ND2 gene sequences, we performed Bayesian phylogenic analyses in MrBayes 3.1.2 and calculated the uncorrected genetic distances within Hemiphyllodactylus in MEGA 7. All the new sequences in this study have been deposited in GenBank, and the other sequences used were retrieved from GenBank (Appendix 1). The morphological characteristics of the specimens collected in this study were consistent with those of the type specimens of H. hongkongensis:small body size (snout-vent length, SVL 44.44 ± 3.89 mm in adult females, n = 6; SVL 44.74 ± 2.97 mm in adult males, n = 4); the unique combination of 5 or 6 chin scales; a manual lamellar formula of 3(4)-4-4-4; a pedal lamellar formula of 3(4)-4(5)-4(5)-4(5); 24 or 25 continuous femoral and precloacal pores; 13﹣15 dorsal scales contained in diameter of eye; and 9 or 10 ventral scales contained in diameter of eye. In addition, Bayesian phylogenetic analyses recovered a well-supported clade consisting of our specimens and the type specimen of H. hongkongensis from Hong Kong, China (Fig. 3). According to ND2, the uncorrected genetic distance between our specimens and the type specimen of H. hongkongensis was 1.6%﹣1.7% (Appendix 2). In summary, the specimens collected in Qingyuan, Zhejiang Province were determined to be H. hongkongensis, which was the first record in Zhejiang Province. We further updated the elevation-range of H. hongkongensis, which is 550 m higher than the previous record.

Abstract:The Roughskin Sculpin Trachidermus fasciatus is an annual carnivorous fish that undergoes short-distance catadromous migration. It has been found in the coastal areas of the Yellow Sea, Bohai Sea, East China Sea, and estuaries. Recent reviews have indicated the potential disappearance of Roughskin Sculpin from the Bohai Sea region. In China, this species is classified as a second-class protected wild animal. This study reports the discovery of Roughskin Sculpin individuals at the Luanhe River Estuary, Hebei, China. In July 2022, July 2023, and October 2023, 1, 19，and 1 Roughskin Sculpin individuals were recorded, respectively (Fig. 1 and 2). Mitochondrial Cyt b gene sequencing of the specimens confirmed their identification as Roughskin Sculpin (Fig. 3 and Table 1). To gain further insights into the distribution and conservation status of this species, we reviewed historical and current distribution records (Table 2), as well as the breeding and release activities of the Roughskin Sculpin along the coastal areas of China. The literature on the Roughskin Sculpin in the Bohai Sea area of Hebei Province and the fish species found in the Luanhe River Estuary was reviewed. Roughskin Sculpin have mainly been reported in the seas of Beidaihe and Qinhuangdao. However, there were only limited records available for the Luanhe River Estuary, with only one early record and one investigation in 2010. Up to now, evidence of the releasing of Roughskin Sculpin has not been found along the coast of Bohai Sea. The discovery of Roughskin Sculpin in two consecutive years suggests the presence of a breeding migratory population in the Luanhe River Estuary, contradicting to the previous assumptions. The recovery of the Roughskin Sculpin population in this area can be attributed to factors such as the unobstructed migratory passage at the Luanhe River Estuary, the consistently good water quality of the Estuary and nearshore sea, and the relatively light fishing pressure. Further monitoring is necessary to understand the migration range and breeding habitat of the Roughskin Sculpin. Additionally, stricter inspections and fishing bans should be implemented.

Abstract:A survey on the diversity of Chiroptera was conducted in Qianfoshan National Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, China in August 2021. A male adult Kerivoula bat was collected during the survey by using a two-bank harp trap. Its forearm length is 29.95 mm. It is covered with dense and soft dark brown hair, and the auricle is round and funnel-shaped (Fig. 1). The bat sounds were recorded by using an Acoustic Bat Detector (Pettersson D1000X, Pettersson Elektronik AB) and were analyzed with the software Batsound 3.3 (Pettersson Elektronik AB). The echolocation signal is the frequency modulated (FM) type, and the harmonic frequency during flight is reduced from 231.4 ± 8.5 kHz to 88.8 ± 1.9 kHz, with the dominant frequency mostly being 118.7 ± 2.3 kHz (Table 1, Fig. 5, 6). Phylogenetic trees were also constructed based on COI, Cyt b, and Rag2 genes, respectively (Fig. 2﹣4). The external, morphometric, acoustic and molecular phylogenetic evidences support the identification of Dark Woolly Bat K. furva. This discovery confirmed the occurrence of this rare species in Sichuan Province of China.

Abstract:[Objectives] Waterbird monitoring plays a crucial role in understanding population dynamics and guiding conservation efforts, but it has traditionally been a time-consuming process. In this study, our objective is to integrate unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing with convolutional neural networks (CNN) to achieve rapid and accurate estimation of waterbird populations. [Methods] We employed the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom UAV to capture high-resolution remote sensing images in the West Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve in Hunan. The UAV was flown at an altitude of 75 m, with its camera positioned in a vertically downward-facing orientation. We obtained images with a ground resolution of 1.2 cm/pixel, Table 1 displays the waterbirds captured in the images. We selected 503 images to construct a dataset, including two categories:Anas crecca/A. falcata and Cygnus columbianus, with 3 778 and 395 samples respectively. The dataset has several training sets of different sizes (Table 2) and a validation set of 3 032 samples. For each training set, we independently developed Mask R-CNN and YOLOv3 models, evaluating their performance using the validation set. Evaluation metrics include average precision, recall, precision, and F1-score. [Results] When identifying A. crecca/A. falcata, Mask R-CNN model achieved a recall rate of 93.00% and a precision of 90.83% (Table 4, Fig. 4), while the YOLOv3 model achieved a recall rate of 93.00% and a precision of 88.79% (Table 5, Fig. 5). After reaching 178 ind for A. crecca/A. falcata in the training set, further augmentation did not result in a significant improvement in the performance of both models. When identifying C. columbianus, the performance of both models improved with an increase in the size of the training set. The Mask R-CNN model achieved a recall rate of 84.00% and a precision of 84.38% (Table 6, Fig. 6), while the YOLOv3 model achieved a recall rate of 90.00% and a precision of 81.69% (Table 7, Fig. 7). The Mask R-CNN model detected images at a speed of approximately 12 images/s, while the YOLOv3 model detected images at a speed of 20﹣30 images/s. [Conclusion] Our study proposes a potential solution for efficient and accurate waterbird population monitoring in natural habitats. Our models demonstrated high accuracy in identifying A. crecca/A. falcata, the recognition accuracy difference between Mask R-CNN and YOLO was minimal. Remarkably, by integrating UAV remote sensing with CNN, our approach demonstrates the potential for training highly efficient and accurate waterbird identification models with minimal annotated data—perhaps requiring fewer than 250 ind per waterbird species, as suggested by our results.

Abstract:This article reviews the research history of Chinese Paddlefish Psephurus gladius in the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China, and also simply reviews the early ichthyology history of China. In the period of late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China, the ichthyology research of China has undergone the transformation from Western to China, and the research of Chinese Paddlefish also has undergone this process. In this period, Chinese Paddlefish was a kind of common species in the Yangtze River, and is well known by the Western for its particular appearance and large bodily form. Because China did not start ichthyology research in the period of the late Qing Dynasty, the western researcher first conducted the morphology, taxonomy, and anatomy researches of Chinese Paddlefish, meanwhile, some westerners who came to China also described the Chinese Paddlefish in their travel notes, leaving us a number of important document literature. In the Period of the Republic of China, China established The Biology Laboratory of Science Society of China and the Natural History Museum of Academia Sinica, initiated native ichthyology research. These two institutions also first conducted domestic research on Chinese Paddlefish and had indelible contributions to protecting national rights and promoting national status. During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, these two institutions relocated to the Beipei in Chongqing and continued ichthyology research behind the frontline, which also included some surveys about Chinese Paddlefish. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the ichthyology research of China entered a new stage and the research into Chinese Paddlefish had become more deeply.

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