Noninvasive genetics provides insights into the population size and genetic diversity of an Amur tiger population in China

Understanding population size and genetic diversity is critical for effective conservation of endangered species. The Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) is the largest felid and a flagship species for wildlife conservation. Due to habitat loss and human activities, available habitat and population size are continuously shrinking. However, little is known about the true population size and genetic diversity of wild tiger populations in China. In this study, we collected 55 fecal samples and 1 hair sample to investigate the population size and genetic diversity of wild Amur tigers in Hunchun National Nature Reserve, Jilin Province, China. From the samples, we determined that 23 fecal samples and 1 hair sample were from 7 Amur tigers: 2 males, 4 females and 1 individual of unknown sex. Interestingly, 2 fecal samples that were presumed to be from tigers were from Amur leopards, highlighting the significant advantages of noninvasive genetics over traditional methods in studying rare and elusive animals. Analyses from this sample suggested that the genetic diversity of wild Amur tigers is much lower than that of Bengal tigers, consistent with previous findings. Furthermore, the genetic diversity of this Hunchun population in China was lower than that of the adjoining subpopulation in southwest Primorye Russia, likely due to sampling bias. Considering the small population size and relatively low genetic diversity, it is urgent to protect this endangered local subpopulation in China.     

A comparison of food habits and prey preferences of Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) at the southwest Primorskii Krai in Russia and Hunchun in China

A small, isolated Amur tiger population ranges across the southwest Primorskii Krai region in Russia and Hunchun region in China. Many individuals, with “dual nationality,” cross the border frequently. Formulating effective conservation strategies requires a clear understanding of tiger food requirements in both countries. While the diets of tigers ranging in Russia is clearly understood, little is known of the tigers' feeding habits in China.. We used scat analysis combined with data on the abundance of 4 prey species to examine Amur tiger diet and prey preferences in Hunchun. We examined 53 tiger scat samples from 2011 to 2016 and found that tigers preyed on 12 species (11 species in winter), 4 of which were domestic animals with 33.58% biomass contribution; this was the first record of Amur tigers eating lynx in this area. Tigers showed a strong preference for wild boar (Jacobs index: +0.849), which were also the most frequently consumed prey, and a strong avoidance of roe deer (Jacobs index: ?0.693). On the Russian side, domestic animals (just dog) were rarely found in tiger scat, and tigers did not show strong avoidance of roe deer, but of sika deer. We also found red deer footprints during winter surveys and that tigers ate red deer on the Chinese side, while there was no record of red deer feeding on the Russian side. Reducing or eliminating human disturbance, such as grazing, is essential to recovering tiger prey and habitat in this area and the Sino‐Russian joint ungulate annual survey is indispensable for prey estimates of this small, isolated Amur tiger population.     

圈养东北虎繁殖行为特点观察

通过对圈养东北虎近5年的繁殖行为观察,总结了动物繁殖期发情行为、交配行为的特点。研究结果表明繁殖期动物的发情行为有周期性,交配行为有兴奋期、高潮期、消退期过程性特点,认为圈养东北虎繁殖期界限并不明显,全年可发情交配。     

笼养羚牛繁殖生物学的初步研究

对上海动物园笼养羚牛种群20 a间的繁殖记录进行了统计分析,并将笼养羚牛和野生羚牛的各项繁殖指标进行了比较分析。结果表明：笼养条件下出生的雌性和雄性羚牛个体的首次成功繁殖年龄分别为4岁和5岁;笼养条件下出生的羚牛包括26只雌性和11只雄性,雌雄性比为2.36：1;羚牛的出生主要集中在1～4月,3月出生的个体最多;笼养羚牛首次繁殖年龄和幼仔出生季节与野生羚牛不存在显著差异。上述研究结果表明,影响羚牛繁殖的因素主要包括气候、环境、温度和湿度等。     

圈养扭角羚繁殖行为观察

记录了南昌动物园l雄1雌2只扭角羚的发情、交配、分娩、哺育等一系列繁殖行为,并与其栖息地野外行为习性进行了比较,为动物园在扭角羚的异地保护中制定科学的管理、营养及展出策略提供了必要的依据。观察结果显示:与野生扭角羚的行为相比,一方面圈养扭角羚基本保持了其野生状态下的繁殖行为习性,如雌性表现出较强的母性行为。但另一方面,圈养扭角羚的群体行为比较单调、呆板,如雄性常有强制性的交配行为发生:圈养扭角羚的觅食行为受到动物园食谱的限制,在营养失衡时容易产生异食癖行为;圈养扭角羚在缺少自然隐蔽空间时,容易产生应激而引发亚健康状态,可导致雌性的繁殖失败。     

Female reproductive success in a species with an age‐inversed hierarchy

In most group‐living mammals, reproductive success declines with increasing age and increases with increasing rank. Such effects have mainly been studied in matrilineal and in “age positive” hierarchies, which are stable and in which high ranking females often outperform low ranking ones. These relationships are less well‐understood in age‐inversed dominance hierarchies, in which a female's rank changes over time. We analyzed demographic data of 2 wild, unprovisioned groups of gray langurs (Semnopithecus schistaceus) near Ramnagar, Nepal covering periods of 5 years each. Female rank was unstable and age‐inversed. We measured reproductive success via birth rates (57 births), infant survival (proportion of infants surviving to 2 years) and number of offspring surviving to 2 years of age (successful births) for 3 age and 3 rank classes. We found that old females performed significantly worse than expected (birth rate P = 0.04; successful births P = 0.03). The same was true for low ranking females (P = 0.04, and P < 0.01, respectively). Infant survival was highest for young and middle‐aged as well as for high and middle ranking females. Overall, the results for these unstable hierarchies were rather similar to those for stable hierarchies of other mammals, particularly several nonhuman primates. Compared to a provisioned population of a closely related species, the wild and unprovisioned population examined (i) showed stronger age effects, while (ii) female reproductive success was equally affected by rank. Future comparative studies are needed to examine whether captive or provisioned populations deviate predictably from wild populations.     

Pup Growth Rates and Breeding Female Weight Changes in Two Populations of Captive Bred Degus (Octodon degus), a Precocial Caviomorph Rodent

Caviomorph rodents are renowned for comparatively long gestations and producing relatively precocious offspring. The degu (Octodon degus) is one such caviomorph, originating in central Chile and providing communal pup care within wild groups. Reported are pup growth data for two populations of captive bred degus in Britain and Chile (representing wild populations), for the first time analysing pup development over the postpartum and weaning period in detail. Pups in both colonies were found to be similarly precocial at birth as assessed by open eyes and presence of full body hair. Degu pups in the British colonies put on weight at a rate of 2–3 g/day, while pups in the Chilean colonies put on weight at a rate of 1–2 g/day over the first 14 days. At birth, individual neonates weighed 5 ± 1% of maternal mass for the British sample and 6 ± 0.5% for the Chilean sample. Sexual dimorphism occurred in the weight and growth rates of pups in both samples, despite the lack of sexual dimorphism in adults of the species. Data for breeding female weight changes were also analysed, providing the first reported observations for this crucial period. Pregnant female weight gain was found to vary over the course of gestation, and post partum weight changes varied significantly between breeding females in accordance with litter size.     

Restoration of reproductive potential following expiration or removal of melengestrol acetate contraceptive implants in golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia).

Although reversible contraception is important to successful management of small populations, there are concerns about the reversibility of melengestrol acetate (MGA), the most commonly used implant in captive animals. Female golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia) placed in potential breeding situations after surgical MGA implant removal showed a 75% return to reproduction within 2 yr, unlike golden-headed tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas), which have had a 29% return to reproduction following implant removal. This rate was indistinguishable from the breeding probability for newly formed pairs involving nonimplanted females. Litter size, stillbirth rate, and infant survival rate were not significantly different between nonimplanted and implant-removed female golden lion tamarins. However, females with implants left in (and assumed to have expired) showed higher stillbirth and infant mortality rates than did females with implants removed. For seven female golden lion tamarins for which reproductive histories before and after MGA implantation were available, litter size was unaffected by MGA implantation and subsequent removal. Infant survival rate for these females appeared to be lower after removal but was indistinguishable from rates in the nonimplanted females. Prior reproductive experience, length of time with an implant, and age of the females did not affect the probability of breeding for females after removal of the implants. Overall, breeding probability of nonimplanted females declined with age. Although the results of this study confirm the reversibility of MGA implants in golden lion tamarins, there appear to be some effects on viability of offspring, particularly offspring born to females with implants left in and presumed expired.     

基于线粒体Cyt b基因和CR序列的养殖貉(Nyctereutes procyonoides)种群遗传多样性和结构分析

貉(Nyctereutes procyonoides)是一种重要的经济动物。经过50年的人工驯养繁育,国内养殖种群不断扩大,但对其遗传多样性和结构了解很少,难以开展有效的遗传管理。本研究分析了东北、华北地区养殖貉种群(N=160)的线粒体细胞色素b(Cyt b)基因和控制区(CR)序列,并与已经发表的同源序列进行比较。结果定义了5个Cyt b基因和6个CR序列单倍型,其中与俄罗斯产乌苏里亚种共享单倍型分别是3个和4个。种群遗传多样性分析表明,养殖貉种群单倍型多样性处于临界点(Hd=0.50)、核苷酸多样性处于较高水平(Pi>0.5%),但二者均明显低于俄罗斯野生乌苏里貉种群。这种遗传多样性模式可能主要是由奠基者效应(founder effect)导致的。此外,红褐色型貉遗传多样性水平显著低于野生型和白色型貉。系统发育分析表明国内养殖貉种群分为3个世系,主要是乌苏里亚种、与同亚种的俄罗斯野生种群亲缘关系密切。研究还发现有1个单倍型(CH5-DH5)与越南产指名亚种共享同一个单倍型世系。这说明建群引种中可能偶然引入了华南地区分布的指名亚种。综上分析,我国养殖貉种群已经出现遗传多样性下降的迹象,需要监控种群遗传多样性的变化,引入具有新基因型的野生貉种,制定科学的交配模式,避免近交衰退。     

中国黑叶猴圈养种群现状分析

应用种群管理软件SPARKS 1.6及PMX对中国黑叶猴圈养种群的现状进行了统计分析。截至2012年12月31日,黑叶猴谱系记录了574只个体,目前种群存活个体数量为318只,分布在34家动物园或机构中。圈养种群野外捕获个体主要来源于20世纪70-90年代,目前保持稳定状态。圈养出生个体数则一直保持上升状态,是维持黑叶猴圈养种群增长的主要来源,2012年圈养出生数量占种群总数的87.4%。种群周期增长率λ=1.042,性比M：F=1：1.04,目前种群中能够繁殖的个体共1 10只（♂48只,♀62只）,显示为一个增长的种群;黑叶猴国内圈养种群有58个建立者,基因多样性GD=96.67%,平均近亲系数F=0.0207。建议增加各机构之间的合作繁殖,避免小种群的近亲繁殖,保证黑叶猴圈养种群的自我维持和健康发展。     

Reproductive capacity of free-roaming domestic cats and kitten survival rate

OBJECTIVE: To determine reproductive capacity of naturally breeding free-roaming domestic cats and kitten survival rate. DESIGN: Prospective cohort and retrospective cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: 2,332 female cats brought to a trap-neuter-return clinic for neutering and 71 female cats and 171 kittens comprising 50 litters from a cohort study of feral cats in managed colonies. PROCEDURE: Data collected for all cats included pregnancy, lactation, and estrus status and number of fetuses for pregnant cats. Additional data collected for feral cats in managed colonies included numbers of litters per year and kittens per litter, date of birth, kitten survival rate, and causes of death. RESULTS: Pregnant cats were observed in all months of the year, but the percentage of cats found to be pregnant was highest in March, April, and May. Cats produced a mean of 1.4 litters/y, with a median of 3 kittens/litter (range, 1 to 6). Overall, 127 of 169 (75%) kittens died or disappeared before 6 months of age. Trauma was the most common cause of death. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results illustrate the high reproductive capacity of free-roaming domestic cats. Realistic estimates of the reproductive capacity of female cats may be useful in assessing the effectiveness of population control strategies.     

东北虎林园虎粪的资源化利用研究

目前黑龙江东北虎林园有东北虎1000多只，每天会排出大量的粪便，之前仅将虎粪作为垃圾处理，耗费大量的人力、物力和财力，而且还存在处理不及时造成对水源、空气、土壤等污染的问题。本研究通过系统比较野生东北虎和人工圈养东北虎粪便的矿物质含量，分析不同饲喂条件下人工圈养东北虎虎粪的矿物质含量和营养组成，在充分认识虎粪的环境污染问题的基础上，探讨虎粪的有效利用问题，提出了虎粪可作为沼气池发酵原料和有机肥料等潜在的利用途径，为改善和美化东北虎林园的环境，同时为开发虎粪资源，变废为宝提供了新的思路。     

母羊胎次与配种日期对内蒙古白绒山羊产羔数的影响

文章通过分析母羊胎次与配种日期对内蒙古白绒山羊产羔数的影响,确定内蒙古白绒山羊的最佳配种时间,以提高其繁殖效率.试验数据来自于内蒙古白绒山羊种羊场1998-2013年的繁殖记录.利用SAS 9.0软件的GLM程序确定母羊胎次、配种日期对产羔数的显著性影响.结果表明,母羊胎次和配种日期对产羔数影响极显著(P< 0.01).母羊第1胎产羔数最低(1.37),随着母羊胎次的增加,产羔数显著增加,第6胎之后产羔数开始下降;配种周期为9月29日-10月16日的产羔数最高(1.76),且母羊发情月份和发情高峰主要集中在10月份,所以在生产中此阶段可以作为内蒙古白绒山羊的配种期.     

Comparison of various reproductive status in Sika deer (Cervus nippon) using fecal steroid analysis

The feasibility of fecal steroid analysis for pregnancy diagnosis and sex determination were tested in sika deer (Cervus nippon). Feces were collected from captive sika deer in June (non-breeding season and late-pregnancy period) and October (breeding season), and also from the rectum of 24 female sika deer (19 pregnant and 5 non-pregnant females) shot as part of programs for population control in February and March (mid-pregnancy period). In mid- and late-pregnancy periods, fecal progesterone concentrations were significantly higher in pregnant female than in male and non-pregnant female deer. In October, fecal testosterone concentrations were higher in adult male deer, and no difference was found between young males and females. These results suggest that fecal steroid analysis would be a useful means for estimating pregnancy status and for detecting adult male among wild deer.     

不同分娩季节对齐卡新西兰兔产仔性状的影响

为探讨分娩季节对母兔产仔性能的影响,利用2010-2013年度665只齐卡新西兰母兔共计1 649窝次的产仔性能记录,按不同分娩季节进行了比较分析.结果表明：分娩季节极显著影响齐卡新西兰母兔的产仔性状（P＜0.01）,其中春季产仔数、产活仔数、初生窝重以及初生个体重均为最高,秋季产仔数和产活仔数较低,夏季初生窝重和初生个体重最小.由于产仔数是繁殖性能最重要的衡量指标,研究表明,齐卡新西兰母兔繁殖的最佳季节为春季.     

The effect of carbadox on reproduction when fed to Swine up to 60 kilograms body weight

Forty female and ten male pigs were used to study the effect of carbadox on reproductive performance when included in the diet at a level of 55 mg/kg from one week of age through approximately 60 kg body weight. Five replicates, each consisting of eight females and a pair of littermate boars, all crossfostered, were used. One boar reared on medicated feed and another on an unmedicated diet, were bred to two groups of four littermates. One female in each pair had been fed the medicated diet, and the other the unmedicated diet. The same breeding scheme was carried out for two parities. The following observations were made: length of estrous cycle, weaning-to-estrus interval; conception rate; age and weight at first estrus, at breeding, at 109 days of gestation, at farrowing and after farrowing; gestation length; and litter size and weights at birth and 28 days. The results showed that carbadox had no apparent effect on reproductive performance.     

Effects of Parity of Dam and Breeding Date on the Litter Size of Inner Mongolia White Cashmere Goats

The article through the analysis and research to the effects of parity of dam and breeding date on the litter size of Inner Mongolia White cashmere goats,determine the optimal mating time of Inner Mongolia White cashmere goats,in order to improve the efficiency of reproductive.Data used were 1998 to 2013 reproductive performance records collected from the Arbas stock farm in Inner Mongolia,China.The GLM procedure of SAS 9.0 software was used to determine the significant effect of the parity of dam and breeding date,the results showed that the parity of dam and breeding date had significant effect on litter size (P< 0.01).Litter size was the lowest in 1st parity does (1.37),the significantly increase in litter size with advance in parity and decline after six parity;Mating cycles for September 29th to October 16th had the highest litter size (1.76),and the estrous months and estrus peak time mainly concentrated in October,so this stage in production could be used as breeding period of Inner Mongolia White cashmere goats.     

圈养东北虎育幼期行为观察

2017年3月19日昆明动物园1头雌性东北虎产下3只幼仔。本项研究通过监控视频,使用瞬时扫描法,记录了雌虎及幼虎在此日后30 d内的行为并进行了整理和分析;观察结果显示,雌虎在哺乳初期的行为以休息和哺乳为主,分别占到了行为总频率的55.13%和19.21%,而幼虎在哺乳初期的行为以休息和吮乳为主,分别占到了71.25%和12.98%。不同时期雌虎出现的休息、哺乳、亲幼虎行为差异显著(P<0.05),移动、进食和其他行为的差异极显著(P<0.01);幼虎表现出的休息、吮乳、拱拔、张望、玩耍和其他行为在6个时期都呈现极显著差异(P<0.01),亲雌虎行为差异显著(P<0.05),而移动行为在不同时期的差异不显著;幼虎在哺乳初期还有新的行为发育出现。     

Climate,female traits and population features as drivers of breeding timing in Mediterranean red deer populations

Understanding the factors that lead to variation in the timing of breeding in widespread species such as red deer (Cervus elaphus) is crucial to predict possible responses of wild populations to different climate scenarios. Here, we sought to further understand the causes of inter‐annual variation in the reproduction timing of female deer in Mediterranean environments. An integrative approach was used to identify the relative importance of individual, population and climate traits in the date of conception of free‐ranging deer, based on a dataset of 829 hinds culled during 12 years. We found that a population trait, density, was the most important factor explaining the variation in conception dates, with greater densities causing later conception dates. Body mass was the second in importance, with heavier females conceiving earlier than lighter ones. Almost equally important was the spring real bioclimatic index, a measure of plant productivity, causing later conception dates in the least productive springs (drier and hotter). Another climatic component, the end of summer drought, showed that the sooner the autumn arrives (greater rainfalls and cooler temperatures) the earlier the conception dates. Interestingly, age class was found to be a minor factor in determining conception date. Only older females (≥10 years old) conceived significantly later, suggesting reproductive senescence. This study highlights not only the importance of population and individual traits but also the influence of climatic parameters on the deer reproductive cycle in Mediterranean environments, giving valuable insight into how reproductive phenology may respond to seasonality and global climate changes.     

扎龙湿地丹顶鹤种群数量调查及保护

根据野外调查以及人工驯养繁育丹顶鹤的数量统计,研究了近30 a（1981～2010年）扎龙湿地丹顶鹤种群的变动。结果表明,扎龙保护区野生丹顶鹤数量维持在300只左右,是我国最大的野生丹顶鹤繁殖种群,占世界迁徙野生丹顶鹤总数的25%,而这些主要得益于扎龙保护区再建区30 a来,通过严格管护、科学研究、社区共建、环境教育及实施有效补水等一系列举措,使保护区核心区生态完整性和原始性得以保持,湿地面积占保护区总面积的75.7%,为丹顶鹤等珍稀濒危鸟类提供了良好的栖息繁殖场所。同时保护区在人工饲养繁育丹顶鹤领域积累了丰富的实践经验,丹顶鹤人工驯养种群达到300多只,已成为中国丹顶鹤人工驯养繁育科学研究基地,保护区探索出的人工繁育丹顶鹤的野化途径和方法,对野生丹顶鹤种群数量的补充起到了积极作用。