Dietary shifts affect the gastrointestinal microflora of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

Giant pandas exhibit seasonal changes in bamboo plant part preference. The influences on the gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) microbial populations were evaluated during a 14‐month period for a pair of adult male and female giant pandas housed at the Memphis Zoo using traditional culturing methods to enumerate eight bacterial groups (total anaerobes, total aerobes (TAR), streptococci (STR), total enterics, Escherichia coli, Bacteroides spp., lactobacilli and Clostridium spp.). Both the male and female pandas altered bamboo consumption behaviours, with a sharp decrease in leaf preference in April 2010 and returning to high levels of leaf preference from June to October, corresponding to significant shifts in the densities of TAR, STR, and lactobacilli and Bacteroides spp. These findings indicate seasonal changes in food preference affect the assemblages of microbial populations within the GIT of the giant panda and contribute to a better understanding of the importance of bamboo in this species’ foraging strategy.     

Distinctive diet‐tissue isotopic discrimination factors derived from the exclusive bamboo‐eating giant panda

Stable isotope analysis is very useful in animal ecology, especially in diet reconstruction and trophic studies. Differences in isotope ratios between consumers and their diet, termed discrimination factors, are essential for studies of stable isotope ecology and are species‐specific and tissue‐specific. Given the specialized bamboo diet and clear foraging behavior, here, we calculated discrimination factors for carbon and nitrogen isotopes from diet to tissues (tooth enamel, hair keratin and bone collagen) for the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), a species derived from meat‐eating ancestors. Our results showed that carbon discrimination factor obtained from giant panda tooth enamel (ε ¹³C_{diet‐enamel} = 10.0‰) and nitrogen discrimination factors from hair keratin (Δ¹⁵N_diet‐hair = 2.2‰) and bone collagen (Δ¹⁵N_{diet‐collagen} = 2.3‰) were lower, and carbon discrimination factors from hair keratin (Δ¹³C_diet‐hair = 5.0‰) and bone collagen (Δ¹³C_{diet‐collagen} = 6.1‰) were higher than those of other mammalian carnivores, omnivores and herbivores. Such distinctive values are likely the result of a low‐nutrient and specialized bamboo diet, carnivore‐like digestive system and exceptionally low metabolism in giant pandas.     

秦岭亚成体大熊猫在野化培训基地适应期的行为观察

采用聚焦动物取样法和扫描取样法记录观察3只秦岭亚成体大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)在秦岭佛坪野化培训基地早期适应过程中的行为,依据拟定的行为类型在观察数据中随机筛选出有效记录并进行相关统计,结果表明:3只大熊猫白天的活动时间远远大于其在圈养环境下的活动时间,行为的多样性明显增大,食物期待、刻板行为大大减少;它们对集体的依赖程度随着时间的推移也越来越小,并且有分开的趋势;3只大熊猫在对环境逐渐熟悉适应之后,休息地点从圈舍周围、栖架向山坡及山坡顶部逐渐转移,各自的休息地点也相对固定。     

Corridor connecting giant panda habitats from north to south in the Min Mountains,Sichuan, China

The giant panda faces severe threats from habitat fragmentation and isolation. Currently, giant panda populations have been fragmented into 30 habitat patches. The disappearance of isolated small populations and studies on the genetic diversity of various populations have shown that small isolated panda populations are at a high risk of dying out completely. Habitat fragmentation has seriously impaired the ability of the giant panda to resist climate changes and other natural disasters, such as large‐scale, synchronous bamboo blooming. The Min Mountains have the largest population of pandas in China, numbering 581 individuals and accounting for 52% of the total (1114) in China. Geographic isolation means that giant pandas in the Min Mountains are divided into two populations (population A in the north and population B in the south). Population B, which had only 42 individuals in 1989, is severely threatened by high‐density human populations and the loss of genetic diversity. However, we have identified an important corridor connecting the two populations. This paper explains the importance and the feasibility of reestablishing this corridor. Due to the special geographic locations of these two populations (two rivers block the migration of giant pandas between south and north), the corridor is the only passage for giant pandas in the region. Recent studies have also shown an increase of giant panda activity in the area of the corridor. However, vegetation in the corridor has been severely degraded. Bamboo forest must be restored in this area to provide food for the pandas during migration. The effects of human activities must be reduced in order to maintain panda habitat. We believe that a restored corridor will be of great benefit to the survival of giant pandas in the Min Mountains, especially for population B. Successful re‐establishment of a corridor will be a valuable model for corridor construction in the future.     

Telemetry research on elusive wildlife: A synthesis of studies on giant pandas

Telemetry studies that track animals through space and time can lead to advances in scientific understanding that are vital in conservation efforts. For example, telemetry studies of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) have shed light on many aspects of panda biology, but small sample sizes in each separate study make it difficult to draw broad conclusions. To overcome this problem we conducted the first synthesis of all 5 panda telemetry studies conducted to date. Using these data we investigated patterns in 6 main topics: home range, space–use interactions, core areas, movement patterns, seasonal migration and natal dispersal. We found that panda home range sizes do not vary between 2 main mountain ranges (Qionglai and Qinling), as was previously believed. Our results also suggest that female pandas increase their movement in the mating season: a behavior typically attributed only to males. We found and summarized telemetry and genetic evidence for female natal dispersal in the giant panda. Our synthesis highlights the need for additional research relating panda behavior to human disturbance factors, and can aid future studies on giant pandas as well as other species.     

Transcriptome sequencing of black and white hair follicles in the giant panda

With the completion of the draft assembly of the giant panda genome sequence, RNA sequencing technology has been widely used in genetic research on giant pandas. We used RNA-seq to examine black and white hair follicle samples from adult pandas. By comparison with the giant panda genome, 75 963 SNP loci were labeled, 2426 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and 2029 new genes were discovered, among which 631 were functionally annotated. A cluster analysis of the DEGs showed that they were mainly related to the Wnt signaling pathway, ECM–receptor interaction, the p53 signaling pathway, and ribosome processing. The enrichment results showed that there were significant differences in the regulatory networks of hair follicles with different colors during the transitional stage of hair follicle resting growth, which may play a regulatory role in melanin synthesis during growth. In conclusion, our results provide new insights and more data support for research on the color formation in giant pandas.     

不同年龄大熊猫肠道菌群及其酶活特征分析

旨在探究年龄对大熊猫个体肠道微生态的影响。本研究采集大熊猫（Ailuropoda melanoleuca）（J₁（亚成年大熊猫个体）、J₂（成年大熊猫个体）、J₃（老年大熊猫个体））的新鲜粪便,基于16S rRNA基因技术,测定不同年龄的大熊猫个体肠道细菌组成,分析其物理和化学特征及酶活特异性,利用冗余分析（redundant analysis,RDA）分析大熊猫肠道微生物菌群丰度与其环境因子之间的关系。结果表明：在门水平上,变形菌门的相对丰度随着年龄的增加而升高,厚壁菌门的相对丰度随着年龄的增加而降低;在属水平上,链球菌属的相对丰度随着年龄的增加而降低;淀粉酶和纤维素酶的酶活力在J₂肠道最高,淀粉酶活力在J₃肠道最低,纤维素酶活力在J₁肠道最低,蛋白酶活力在J₁肠道最高,在J₃肠道最低;厚壁菌门和拟杆菌门的相对丰度均与淀粉酶活力和还原糖含量呈正相关,变形菌门的相对丰度与还原糖含量和氨基酸含量呈负相关。研究表明,不同年龄大熊猫个体的肠道微生物菌群的表现特征不同,其肠道细菌优势菌的相对丰度与其消化酶等环境因子存在相关性;建议需对亚成年大熊猫加强饮食和生活环境管理,并可以通过添加益生菌等方式加强对老年大熊猫肠道健康的管理。     

大熊猫致病性催产克雷伯菌的分离鉴定

从2只分别患急性腹泻伴红色黏液便和急性腹泻伴严重血尿症大熊猫体内分离出3株克雷伯菌,经生化鉴定后确认3个分离株均为催产克雷伯菌。小鼠致病性试验表明3个分离菌株均具有较强的致病性,文章就催产克雷伯菌对大熊猫的致病性和致病特点进行了初步分析。     

圈养老年大熊猫肠道菌群16SrDNA克隆文库的建立

为了研究老年大熊猫肠道菌群的构成,本试验对3只圈养老年大熊猫粪便细菌构建16S rDNA克隆文库,采用限制性内切酶Hinf Ⅰ、Msp Ⅰ对其进行限制性片段长度多态性(restriction fragment length polymorphism,RFLP)及测序分析.结果显示,老年大熊猫肠道细菌主要由变形菌门和厚壁菌门组成;变形菌门中又以大肠埃希氏菌属为主,其次为假单胞菌属、志贺氏菌属、气单胞菌属;而厚壁菌门中以链球菌属为主,其次为魏斯氏菌属、梭菌属;此外还发现一定比例的未培养细菌.本试验第一次建立了较丰富的老年大熊猫肠道菌群的克隆文库,为分析比较各年龄层大熊猫的肠道菌群结构的异同提供了参照,也为合理饲喂老年大熊猫,保障老年大熊猫的健康提供重要信息.     

老年大熊猫的饲养管理与医疗保健要点

老年大熊猫的数量随着圈养时间的推移在逐年增加,由此带来的老年大熊猫饲养管理问题也越发凸显出来;因此,研究老年大熊猫的饲养管理以及探寻老年大熊猫医疗保健方法,对于提高老年大熊猫的福利具有现实意义。本文对中国大熊猫保护研究中心圈养老年大熊猫的饲养管理和保健措施进行总结,阐述老年大熊猫的日常管理、医疗保健等饲养管理要点,通过个性化的饲料与饲喂方法,定期体检、早发现早诊断,定期修剪趾甲,防暑防寒,适当活动,避免应激等措施,提高了老年大熊猫的生活质量和体质,对保持大熊猫种群整体的健康水平极其重要,为逐步开展大熊猫养老研究提供了科学依据。     

圈养小熊猫对栖息地点的选择及其行为观察

为了解圈养条件下小熊猫对人工环境的选择和行为习性,为笼舍的设计和改进提供理论依据,在春夏两季对圈养的10只小熊猫进行了行为观察。结果表明,与野生小熊猫白天主要以活动行为为主不同,圈养小熊猫白天以睡和卧等安静行为为主（68.32%）,对行为发生的地点具有明显的选择性（P〈0.001）,而且几乎不受气温和天气的影响（P〉0.05）。自然生长的树为圈养小熊猫的首选地点（53.6%）。小熊猫在地面主要以活动行为为主（83.06%）,对笼箱的结构和材料没有明显的选择性（P〉0.05）。因此,圈养小熊猫笼舍内最好能种植树木,而笼箱的结构和材料则依景观的需要进行设置。     

圈养大熊猫的行为训练

大熊猫行为训练是针对圈养大熊猫医学检查和繁殖需要进行的,有利于饲养管理和减少应激反应。本文详细记录了大熊猫行为训练的方法、过程及训练目标,把医学检查和繁殖需要分解到具体的目标动作,并规范动作要求（站,坐,趴,躺）,从食物和训练技术上严格把关,分析解决训练过程中存在的问题,建立安全有效的训练方法,形成科学规范的大熊猫行为训练程序,为提高繁殖力和医疗检查提供方便条件,达到提高圈养大熊猫生存福利的目的。     

圈养大熊猫主食竹的氨基酸分析

拟通过对大熊猫主食竹中氨基酸含量及其相互间比例的分析,为圈养大熊猫的饲料配方中平衡氨基酸提供理论参考依据。采集了大熊猫喜食的3个产地4种竹叶和竹杆样品各1 7个,共34个样品,并测定了其中1 7种氨基酸的含量。结果表明,竹样品中谷氨酸(Glu)含量最高,其中竹叶中为1 .37%±0 .1 8% ,竹杆中为0 .2 8%±0 .0 6% ;其次为天冬氨酸(Asp)、亮氨酸(Leu)、丙氨酸(Ala)、缬氨酸(Val)、赖氨酸(Lys)、脯氨酸(Pro)、甘氨酸(Gly)、苯丙氨酸(Phe)、酪氨酸(Thr)、丝氨酸(Ser)、精氨酸(Arg) ;半胱氨酸(Cys)含量最低,竹叶中为0 .0 7%±0 .0 4% ,竹杆中为0 .0 4%±0 .0 5 %。竹叶中除Cys含量显著(P <0 .0 5 )高于竹杆外,其余所有氨基酸含量都极显著(P <0 .0 1 )高于竹杆。竹叶中总非必需氨基酸(NEAA)的平均含量为6.2 8%±0 .79% ,竹杆中为4.32 %±2 .5 8% ;竹叶总必需氨基酸(EAA)平均含量为4.66%±0 .5 9% ,竹杆中为3.2 0 %±1 .98%。竹叶和竹杆中NEAA/EAA平均比值分别为1 .35±0 .0 8和1 .2 2±0 .47。     

Can science save the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)? Unifying science and policy in an adaptive management paradigm

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca David, 1869) is an iconic species for global conservation, yet field research has only recently advanced to the point where adaptive management is possible. Here, we review recent developments in giant panda conservation science and propose a strategic plan for moving panda conservation forward. Because of scientific, funding, political, and logistical hurdles, few endangered species management programs have embraced adaptive management, wherein management decisions are shaped iteratively by targeted scientific research. Specific threats, such as habitat destruction, anthropogenic disturbance and fragmented nonviable populations, need to be addressed simultaneously by researchers, managers and policy‐makers working in concert to understand and overcome these obstacles to species recovery. With the backing of the Chinese Government and the conservation community, the giant panda can become a high‐profile test species for this much touted, but rarely implemented, approach to conservation management.     

集体林权制度改革对四川岷山山系大熊猫栖息地的影响与对策

四川北部的岷山山系是中国野生大熊猫最主要的活动区域。调查表明，四川岷山山系12个县市有森林面积21659．6km^2，其中集体林面积10500km^2；大熊猫栖息地总面积851824．0hm^2，建有22个保护区，共有528888hm^2的大熊猫栖息地和400只野生大熊猫在保护区内得到了有效保护；集体林大熊猫栖息地面积达190064．6hm^2，占大熊猫栖息地的22．31％。集体林权制度改革加大了对大熊猫及其栖息地保护的难度。本文提出了要尽快制定《大熊猫保护法》；协调好跨区域大熊猫栖息地的保护；制定相关政策，采取置换、赎买、移民搬迁等方式，保护大熊猫及其栖息地；要落实相关政策，实施生态补偿；要发动社会力量采取建立保护小区、协议保护等参与大熊猫的保护；林下开发利用要避开大熊猫发情和孕育期，达到既有效保护大熊猫，又使林农生产生活得到可持续发展。     

Ecological scale and seasonal heterogeneity in the spatial behaviors of giant pandas

We report on the first study to track the spatial behaviors of wild giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) using high‐resolution global positioning system (GPS) telemetry. Between 2008 and 2009, 4 pandas (2 male and 2 female) were tracked in Foping Reserve, China for an average of 305 days (± 54.8 SE). Panda home ranges were larger than those of previous very high frequency tracking studies, with a bimodal distribution of space‐use and distinct winter and summer centers of activity. Home range sizes were larger in winter than in summer, although there was considerable individual variability. All tracked pandas exhibited individualistic, unoriented and multiphasic movement paths, with a high level of tortuosity within seasonal core habitats and directed, linear, large‐scale movements between habitats. Pandas moved from low elevation winter habitats to high elevation (>2000 m) summer habitats in May, when temperatures averaged 17.5 °C (± 0.3 SE), and these large‐scale movements took <1 month to complete. The peak in panda mean elevation occurred in Jul, after which they began slow, large‐scale movements back to winter habitats that were completed in Nov. An adult female panda made 2 longdistance movements during the mating season. Pandas remain close to rivers and streams during winter, possibly reflecting the elevated water requirements to digest their high‐fiber food. Panda movement path tortuosity and first‐passage‐time as a function of spatial scale indicated a mean peak in habitat search effort and patch use of approximately 700 m. Despite a high degree of spatial overlap between panda home ranges, particularly in winter, we detected neither avoidance nor attraction behavior between conspecifics.     

小熊猫源铜绿假单胞菌耐药性和耐药基因的研究

为了鉴定小熊猫(Ailurus fulgens)肺源致病菌并研究其耐药性和耐药基因,从死亡小熊猫肺部组织中无菌分离培养致病菌,进行革兰氏染色及16S rDNA测序鉴定。采用纸片扩散法(K-B法)进行细菌药敏试验和小鼠致病性试验,应用PCR法检测分离株的28种β-内酰胺酶相关基因、6种氨基糖苷类修饰酶基因(AMEs)、外膜蛋白D2基因(oprD2)、磺胺耐药基因(qacE△1-sul1)、3种整合子基因(intⅠ1、2、3)和主动外排泵调节基因(mexR)等共40种耐药基因。肺组织样品中分离培养的1株菌鉴定为铜绿假单胞菌,革兰氏染色阴性,药敏试验对氯霉素敏感,对β-内酰胺类、头孢类、氨基糖甙类、大环内酯类、硝基咪唑类、喹诺酮类和利福霉素等均具有耐药性,小鼠表现与小熊猫相似的症状而死亡。5种耐药基因TEM、aac(3)-Ⅱ、ant(3″)-Ⅰ、qacE△1-sul1、intⅠ1为阳性,其他35种为阴性。该小熊猫肺源铜绿假单胞菌具有较强的致病性和多药耐药性,其耐药机制与5种耐药基因有关。     

大熊猫粪团表层和内部类固醇激素含量比较

大熊猫粪团表层和内部的类固醇激素含量是否存在显著差异,关系到取样量、取样精度及相似研究的可比性。通过测定5只大熊猫(3♀2♂)粪团表层和内部类固醇激素(雌二醇、睾酮、皮质醇)含量并对其进行相关性分析,结果表明:大熊猫粪团雌二醇、睾酮、皮质醇在粪团表层和内部的含量均存在显著差异,并呈显著正相关。     

Nutrient and mineral composition during shoot growth in seven species of Phyllostachys and Pseudosasa bamboo consumed by giant panda

During the annual period of bamboo shoot growth in spring, free‐ranging giant pandas feed almost exclusively on the shoots while ignoring the leaves and full‐ height culm. Little is known about the nutritional changes that occur during bamboo shoot growth, if nutritional changes differ among species, or how these changes might influence forage selection. Our objective was to examine the nutrient and mineral composition during three phases of shoot growth (<60, 90–150 and >180 cm) for seven species of bamboo (Phyllostachys (P.) aurea, P. aureosulcata, P. bissetii, P. glauca, P. nuda, P. rubromarginata, Pseudosasa japonica) fed to captive giant pandas at the Memphis Zoo. Total dietary fiber content of bamboo shoots increased (p < 0.0001) from an overall species average of 61% dry matter (DM) at < 60 cm to 75% DM at shoot heights > 180 cm, while crude protein, fat and ash exhibited significant declines (p < 0.05). Phyllostachys nuda had the overall greatest (p = 0.007) crude protein (21% DM) and fat (4% DM) content, and lowest overall total fibre (61% DM) content compared to the other species examined. In contrast, Pseudosasa japonica had the overall lowest crude protein and fat, and relatively higher fibre content (9%, 3% and 74% respectively). Concentrations of Zn and Fe were highest in shoots <60 cm (10–50 μg/g DM) and decreased (p < 0.05) during growth in all species examined. Concentrations of Ca, Cu, Mn, Na and K varied among species and were largely unaffected by growth stage. Due to their higher concentrations of nutrients and lower fibre content in comparison to culm and leaf, bamboo shoots should be a major component of captive giant panda diets when available.     

圈养大熊猫营养不良综合征研究

通过血液生化检测、病理组织学、临床表现等综合分析4只大熊猫的资料,认为消化吸收障碍是引起大熊猫营养不良综合征的原因;1.5岁之前是大熊猫饲养管理的关键时期;频繁排黏液、生长发育与食物转换不协调、致病菌的作用、过敏物质的刺激等均可引起消化道疾病,严重的消化道疾病引起消化吸收障碍,导致营养吸收和消耗负平衡;为适应营养不足,机体减少甲状腺素分泌,表现出低甲状腺素（低T3）综合征;营养不良严重时可导致动物衰竭死亡;通过早期预防,改善发育过程中的精饲料和粗饲料的饲喂方式,可以减少疾病发生。及时治疗,防止出现慢性过程,必要时使用甲状腺素、强的松调整等综合措施,患病动物有望好转。