Conservation status of Chinese species: (1) Overview

The first comprehensive evaluation of more than 10 000 species in China based on the IUCN Red List Criteria and Regional Guidelines is complete. More than 100 experts have been involved in this evaluation, which covers a wide range of species, including invertebrates, vertebrates, gymnosperms and angiosperms. The present paper summarizes the major conclusions of the project. The number of threatened species in China was found to be much high than previously expected. In the past, the estimated percentages of species in each phylum that were endangered was 2‐30%. In this comprehensive evaluation, the percentages of threatened species were found to be 7.4‐100%. Compared with the status of threatened species worldwide (IUCN Red List 2006), groups such as fish, mammals and gymnosperms face much higher levels of threat in China then they do globally, and other groups, such as crustaceans, reptiles and birds, face lower levels of threat. Given the dire conclusions of this study, we recommend that more research be done on the threats faced by those groups of organisms that are most threatened.     

Conservation priority of global Galliformes species based on phylogenetic diversity

In this study, based on phylogenetic diversity (PD), I develop a conservation strategy for Galliformes species around the world. A cladogram of 197 Galliformes species derived from a previous study was used for calculating PD metrics. Branch length is an important aspect of the phylogenetic information a tree can convey, but 2 traditionally‐used metrics, the number of phylogenetic groups to which a taxon belongs (I) and the proportion that each taxon contributes to the total diversity of the group (W), are fully node‐based and do not take branch length into account. Therefore, to measure PD more appropriately, I combined a branch‐related metric, pendant edge (P), in addition to I and W. A final combined rank for Galliformes species was obtained by summing the ranks of the 3 metrics. My results showed that the 5% top priority species for conserving evolutionary potential were Galloperdix lunulata, Haematortyx sanguiniceps, Margaroperdix madagarensis, Syrmaticus soemmerringii, Coturnix pectoralis, Polyplectron napoleonis, Alectoris melanocephala, Xenoperdix udzungwensis, Afropavo congensis and Syrmaticus reevesii. The current species priority ranking based on pylogenetic diversity and the official International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ranking of Galliformes species was significantly correlated when considering the 5 categories of IUCN (critical endangered, endangered, vulnerable, near threatened and least concern). This indicated the feasibility of introducing the PD index into the network of IUCN regional Red List assessment. The 5% top priority countries selected using the complementarity principle possessing diversified Galliformes genetic resources were China, Indonesia, Mexico, India, Colombia, Australia, Brazil, Angola, Congo and Japan (in descending order). China, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, India and Colombia are consistently selected among the 4 top priority sets of richness, rarity, endemicity and PD. This result indicated that the priority result from PD is highly congruent with conventional measures. Along with other conventional ecological attributes, the alternative conservation scenario based on PD is reasonable and can be adopted in systematic conservation planning.     

Distribution and Conservation Status of Catarrhine Primates in Côte d'Ivoire (West Africa)

C?te d'Ivoire holds 18 catarrhine taxa, with 3 endemic to C?te d'Ivoire and neighbouring Ghana. Nine of the taxa occurring in C?te d'Ivoire are listed as threatened at the global level. However, information on their conservation status within the country is available for only a limited number of taxa. In order to assess the current distribution of primates and their conservation status, we conducted foot surveys and interviews in protected forests in the southern part of C?te d'Ivoire. Our data suggest that 22 out of 23 surveyed forests have lost 25-100% of the primate taxa expected to occur in these areas. The only exception is the Ta? National Park where all of the expected primate taxa were encountered. Based on our surveys, we propose an updated national list according to the IUCN Red List criteria for all diurnal primate species of C?te d'Ivoire.     

Molecular species identification and population genetics of chondrichthyans in South Africa: current challenges,priorities and progress

Molecular genetic techniques, such as DNA barcoding and genotyping, are increasingly being used to assist with the conservation and management of chondrichthyans worldwide. Southern Africa is a shark biodiversity hotspot, with a large number of endemic species. According to the IUCN Red List, a quarter of South Africa's chondrichthyans are threatened with extinction. South Africa's commercial shark fisheries have increased over the last decade and there is a need to ensure sustainable utilisation and conservation of this fisheries resource. Here, we give an overview of the molecular techniques that are used to assist in the identification of species, cryptic speciation and possible interspecific hybridisation, as well as the assessment of population structure and reproductive behaviour of endemic and commercially important chondrichthyan species of southern Africa. We discuss the potential application of these techniques for management and conservation of several species affected by South African fisheries. Acquiring baseline barcode data of all chondrichthyans in southern African waters and assessing the population structure of exploited species on a local and greater regional scale are recommended as research priorities. Future prospects should also include high-throughput molecular marker development and investigation of intraspecies functional variation using next generation sequencing technology.     

2岁日本猴睾丸的形态及组织学结构研究

为了探明日本猴睾丸的形态及组织学特征,本实验测量了2岁雄性日本猴及睾丸的基础形态和参数,并通过石蜡切片,苏木精一伊红染色法研究了睾丸的组织学结构。结果发现,2岁幼年日本猴睾丸平均长轴长11．9mm,短轴平均长7．0mm,重0．3073g。光镜下可见幼年日本猴睾丸组织结构明显,有睾丸纵隔、小叶和曲精细管,曲细精管未形成管腔,管内主要是单层排列的精原细胞,未见明显的支持细胞、初级精母细胞、精细胞和精子。本实验为进一步研究日本猴的繁殖性能,保护日本猴这种濒危动物提供了参考。     

黑龙江倭肯河自然保护区鸟类资源多样性及保护

为了加强黑龙江倭肯河保护区鸟类资源管理,2010年春季和秋季对保护区鸟类资源进行了初步调查。调查表明:在黑龙江倭肯河自然保护区共记录鸟类17目44科116属222种,包括雀形目鸟类98种,非雀形目鸟类124种,其中水禽75种;从区系特征上看,共有古北界鸟类148种,东洋界鸟类5种,广布种69种;国家及地方重点保护鸟类72种,占鸟类种数的32.43%,其中国家级重点保护鸟类36种,还有列入IUCN世界濒危鸟类名录的鸟类.37种,列入《濒危野生动植物种国际贸易公约》((CITES)附录鸟类37种。从物种多样性分析,本区鸟类目、科、属多样性均较高,分别为1.736,2.156,1.805;但均匀性较低,分别为为0.748,0.649,0.643。从多样性指数和均匀性指数看,保护区鸟类科的多样性指数为最高,而目的均匀性指数为最高。本研究为保护区进行鸟类资源管理及保护提供了科学依据。     

The perspective of the incompatible of nucleus and mitochondria in interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer for endangered species

Taking into account the latest Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature in which 25% of all mammals are threatened with extinction, somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) could be a beneficial tool and holds a lot of potential for aiding the conservation of endangered, exotic or even extinct animal species if somatic cells of such animals are available. In the case of shortage and sparse amount of wild animal oocytes, interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT), where the recipient ooplasm and donor nucleus are derived from different species, is the alternative SCNT technique. The successful application of iSCNT, resulting in the production of live offspring, was confirmed in several combination of closely related species. When nucleus donor cells and recipient oocytes have been used in many other combinations, very often with a very distant taxonomical relation iSCNT resulted only in the very early stages of cloned embryo development. Problems encountered during iSCNT related to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)/genomic DNA incompatibility, mtDNA heteroplasmy, embryonic genome activation of the donor nucleus by the recipient oocyte and availability of suitable foster mothers for iSCNT embryos. Implementing assisted reproductive technologies, including iSCNT, to conservation programmes also raises concerns that the production of genetically identical populations might cause problems with inbreeding. The article aims at presenting achievements, limitations and perspectives of iSCNT in maintaining animal biodiversity.     

黑龙江珍宝岛自然保护区鸟类多样性及保护

黑龙江珍宝岛国家级自然保护区位于虎林市东部，总面积23750hm^2。多样的生态环境，为鸟类提供了良好的栖息生境。本区共记录有鸟类251种，占全省鸟类种数的67．84％，包括雀形目鸟类106种，占本区鸟类种数的41．15％；非雀形目鸟类145种，占本区鸟类种数的58．85％。从留居类型看，包括夏候鸟132种，冬候乌9种，旅乌66种，留鸟39种，偶见5种。从区系特征上看，本区共有古北界鸟类161种，占本区鸟类种数的6414％；东洋界鸟类7种，占2．79％；广布种83种，占33．07％。有国家Ⅰ级重点保护鸟类9种，国家Ⅱ级重点保护鸟类43种，列入CITES附录的有49种，列入IUCN《世界鸟类红皮书》的有30种。许多种类处于濒危状态，有些种类已经在本区绝迹。本文在对保护区鸟类多样性进行分析的同时，对鸟类资源的保护及濒危鸟类的恢复提出了建议。     

海南孔雀雉:一种濒危稀有的热带鸟类

海南孔雀雉(Polyplectron katsumatae)为我国的特有鸟类,同时也是世界上体型最小的孔雀雉,仅分布于海南岛的热带山地雨林中.最近海南孔雀雉从灰孔雀雉(P.bicalcaratum)的亚种中被提升为种,同时被IUCN列为“濒危”等级,是目前我国最濒危的雉类物种之一.本文提供了关于海南孔雀雉的分布、生境、...     

吉林莫莫格春季白鹤觅食地生境初步研究

白鹤为大型涉禽,由于栖息地丧失,数量减少,已被CITES列为附录I,IUCN红皮书列为全球濒危物种,并被列为国家I级重点保护鸟类。2010年5月,笔者在吉林莫莫格自然保护区对白鹤春季迁徙停栖地生境进行了调查:采用GPS定位技术和直接观察法对白鹤栖息生境进行测定,共获取70个1 m×1 m的样方,测定其春季觅食地植物的类型、盖度、高度、植被密度等;结果显示:春季白鹤觅食地主要植被有扁杆蔗草、野稗、虎尾草、芦苇、荆三棱、水葱、酸模叶蓼、东方蓼等;植被平均高度52 cm,植被密度≥100棵/m~2,盖度≤75%。根据实地调查,春季迂徙季节,白鹤在莫莫格自然保护区的主要食物是扁杆蔗草,并且喜爱在植被密度低的地区觅食。     

Diversity,endemism and conservation of the freshwater crabs of China (Brachyura: Potamidae and Gecarcinucidae)

China lies at the heart of the global center of freshwater crab diversity in tropical Asia, where the 2 most diverse families occur: Potamidae (505 species, 95 genera) and Gecarcinucidae (344 species, 59 genera). China stands out as the country with the highest species richness of freshwater crabs globally. Its fauna comprises 243 species in 37 genera and in 2 families, and species discovery is still progressing at a rapid pace. The vast majority of the species are distributed in southwest, south central and eastern China in the Oriental zoogeographical region. China also stands out as having a highly endemic freshwater crab fauna at the species level (96%) and at the genus level (78%). Although the recent International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list conservation assessment found only 6 out of 228 species (2%) to be threatened (5 potamids and 1 gecarcinucid), the majority (more than 75%) of Chinese species are regarded as data deficient, so the number of threatened species is likely to be a serious underestimate. Threats from increasing habitat destruction and pollution are a major concern due to the rapidly growing economy and massive developments taking place in China. There is therefore an urgent need for increased species exploration and for the development of a conservation strategy for China's threatened (and potentially threatened) endemic freshwater crab species.     

广西田东县作登林区珍稀濒危野生动物资源初步调查

2011年3—7月,采用样线调查、访问调查、市场调查以及查询资料等调查方法对广西田东县作登林区的珍稀濒危野生脊椎动物进行了调查。结果显示,作登林区有珍稀濒危野生动物约47种,占该林区野生动物216种的21．8％。其中,两栖类1种,爬行类13种,鸟类20种,兽类13种,有国家级重点保护野生动物27种,CITES附录物种29种,《中国物种红色名录》中受胁物种24种。在珍稀濒危野生动物中,常见种12种,少见种22种,稀有种13种。     

Isolation of microsatellite loci and reliable genotyping using noninvasive samples of a critically endangered primate,Trachypithecus leucocephalus

Genetic information can be critical in identifying conservation priorities and developing conservation strategies. There is an urgent need for noninvasive genetic tools to study the wild populations of Asian colobine monkeys. The majority of these species are threatened with habitat destruction, population reduction and even extinction, but generally lack information on their genetic diversity and population structure. Genetic sampling and tissue collection have been scarce in these species owing to strict regulations on manipulation of endangered species, and the difficulties and risks associated with capturing these arboreal and fast‐moving monkeys in the challenging environments that they inhabit. These difficulties have hindered the development of molecular genetic markers, which are usually derived from tissues or blood. In this study, we present a method for de novo microsatellite isolation and genotyping using DNA from noninvasive origins of a critically endangered Asian colobine, the white‐headed langur (Trachypithecus leucocephalus). Genomic DNA isolated from hair was shown to be sufficient for microsatellite enrichment and isolation, with similar isolation efficiencies as from tissue DNA. We identified and characterized 20 polymorphic microsatellite loci, and evaluated their amplification success and genotyping reliability with 86 field‐collected fecal samples. These results show that this panel of loci can produce reliable genotypes from fecal samples, and represent a useful tool for noninvasive investigation of genetic structure, individual identification and kinship assessment in this highly endangered species. Our approach can be applied to conservation genetic studies of other wild species that lack sequence information and tissue samples.     

Rapid assessment of montane anuran communities in the Albertine Rift: Hyperolius castaneus Ahl, 1931 as an umbrella species for conservation

The species richness of seven montane anuran communities of the Albertine Rift was assessed with visual and acoustic transects. A total of 28 anuran species were detected. The highland anuran communities at (2000–2800 m) were dominated by up to nine Albertine Rift endemic species considered threatened by IUCN Red List criteria, whereas the community at lower elevation included mainly wide-ranging, least-concern species. Cluster analyses of the presence/absence data on the overall array of species indicated that Ahl’s reed frog (Hyperolius castaneus) is a suitable umbrella species for the highland Albertine Rift endemics. Hyperolius castaneus was always among the first species collected at each site, either by visual detection or by acoustic detection based on the characteristic advertisement and aggression calls which were emitted during the day and at night. The ease of its detection in the field makes this species an ideal candidate for rapid assessments of priority sites for conservation measures.     

全球海龟资源和保护概况

世界现存海龟仅2科6属7种,都属国际濒危物种。生物界很难找到像海龟—类受到众多世人强烈关注的动物了,国际上亦十分重视海龟的保护工作,不仅专门成立了海龟专家小组(MTSG),制定了许多国际公约,定期出版《海龟通讯》(MTN)等期刊,还成立了一些影响力广泛的国际组织,并经常召开一些与海龟保护相关的国际会议,掀起了全球范围的拯救海龟大行动。本研究概述了海龟资源现状、致危因素、国际保护措施及成果。近年来全球海龟资源总量呈直线下降趋势,海龟面临的主要生存威胁有:渔业副获、直接捕食、沿海经济发展、环境污染与疾病、全球变暖等。最后,简要介绍了海龟重要的经济、科研、观赏、文化和生态价值,并呼吁全人类共同保护海龟。     

黑龙江大佳河自然保护区的猛禽及保护

通过2002～2005年对大佳河自然保护区猛禽的调查研究，记录猛禽25种，分属2目3科，占黑龙江省猛禽种数的60．98％，其中隼形目17种，鹗形目8种，国家Ⅰ级重点保护鸟类2种，国家Ⅱ级重点保护鸟类23种，列入CITES附录Ⅰ的2种，附录Ⅱ的23种；列入IUCN红皮书濒危种类2种，易危种类13种。本文对保护区猛禽的数量分布、种群结构及栖息生境进行了分析，并对其保护提出了建议，为研究猛禽资源保护和管理提供基础资料。     

南京地区圈养黄颊长臂猿核心种群的遗传多样性分析

黄颊长臂猿属于IUCN濒危物种,仅分布于老挝、越南和柬埔寨。该物种微卫星的研究尚未报道。本研究,对黄颊长臂猿SSR位点进行筛选,并对南京地区圈养黄颊长臂猿种群进行了遗传多样性分析,统计了等位基因数、有效等位基因数,计算了群体杂合度、多态信息含量(PIC)、亲缘系数等参数。结果显示,共获得黄颊长臂猿11个多态性微卫星位点,等位基因数在2—5之间,多态信息含量为0.175—0.701,观测杂合度(Ho)为0.067—0.8,期望杂合度(He)为0.191—0.770,其个体间亲缘系数普遍偏高。该圈养群体遗传多样性属于中度多态,为圈养种群的科学化管理提供依据。     

Combining spawn egg counts,individual photo-ID and genetic fingerprinting to estimate the population size and sex ratio of an endangered amphibian

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, 41% of the world's amphibian species are threatened with extinction, making them more threatened than any other vertebrate group nowadays. Given the global amphibian crisis, comprehensive understanding of demographics and population trends of declining and threatened species is essential for effective management and conservation strategies. Counting egg spawns is widely used to assess population abundance in pond breeding anurans. However, it is unknown how such counts translate into robust population size estimations. We monitored the breeding activity of the Natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita), combining egg string counts and individual photo-identification with Capture-Mark-Recapture population size and operational sex ratio estimation. Male Natterjack toads were identified by the pattern of natural markings with repeated ID of the same individual confirmed for 10% of the samples using genetic fingerprinting. We identified 647 unique individuals within a closed study population at Caherdaniel, Co Kerry. Population estimates derived from egg string counts estimated a breeding population of 368 females (95% CI 353–384) and Capture-Mark-Recapture estimated a breeding population of 1698 males (95% CI 1000–2397). The female:male sex ratio was conservatively estimated at 1:5 (95% CI 1:3–1:6) where 62% ± 6% of females were assumed to spawn. These substantially departed from any priori assumption of 1:1 which could have underestimated the breeding population by up to 72%. Where amphibian absolute population size estimation is necessary, methods should include empirical survey data on operational sex ratios and not rely on assumptions or those derived from the literature which may be highly population and/or context-dependent.     

Endangered species and nature conservation: science issues and challenges

The issues and challenges facing us in ensuring the survival of as many species and ecosystems as possible call for a renewed research focus to address how to improve management strategies and policy making now and into the future. The key issues to be addressed by activities of the International Union of Forest Research Organization's (IUFRO) Task Force on Endangered Species and Nature Conservation include such issues as: (i) preventing species from being listed by maintaining species populations at sufficient levels that they do not require listing; (ii) recovering threatened and endangered species; (iii) developing management practices and strategies; (iv) balancing actions affecting suites of threatened or endangered species; (v) developing conservation strategies for species without definitive taxonomic treatments; (vi) dealing with global change; (vii) dealing with invasive species; and (viii) restoring critical habitats.     

人工生境已成为鄱阳湖越冬白鹤的重要觅食地

受自然生境退化和土地利用方式改变的影响,越来越多鸟类依赖于人工生境生存。白鹤为IUCN极危物种,全球种群数量约3 500～4 000只,其中约98%的个体在鄱阳湖越冬。白鹤曾被认为是专性栖息于浅水生境中的鸟类,在鄱阳湖主要在浅水区取食水生植物苦草的冬芽。然而,近几年大量的白鹤离开自然生境,前往稻田和藕田觅食。本研究基于2010/2011～2017/2018年越冬季五星垦殖场(目前发现白鹤数量最多的人工生境)的白鹤调查数据,首次报道了人工生境中白鹤数量的长期动态。结果表明白鹤数量呈现逐渐增长的趋势,2016/2017～2017/2018年越冬季增长至1 115只,约占全球总数量的30%。由此可见,人工生境已成为白鹤的重要觅食地。觅食地改变使白鹤面临高强度的人为干扰,对此,建议加强白鹤对人工生境的适应性研究,评估白鹤的生存现状,为保护政策的制度提供科学依据。白鹤等依赖于水生植被生存的鸟类的觅食生境变化表明鄱阳湖水生植被退化严重,生态环境质量不断恶化。