Detection and molecular characterization of feline hemoplasmas in wild felid species in Iran in the Middle East

Three feline hemoplasma species exist in felids: Mycoplasma haemofelis, ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’, and ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis’.The aims of the study were to determine the presence of, and molecularly characterize, any hemoplasmas in wild felids, including the endangered Persian leopard in Iran, the Middle East.Blood samples were collected from 19 wild felids, including three Persian leopards. Using species-specific hemoplasma PCRs and ELISA serological testing for feline leukaemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), two Persian leopards were found to be infected with ‘Ca. M. haemominutum’ and were seropositive for FIV. Partial 16S rRNA gene sequences were generated for these ‘Ca. M. haemominutum’ species and subsequent phylogenetic analysis revealed 97.70% to 99.45% sequence identity with those found in domestic cats from Iran and other countries.This study confirms the presence of ‘Ca. M. haemominutum’ and concurrent FIV antibody in wild felids in Iran. This represents the first report of hemoplasma in wild felids in the Middle East as well as the first report of infection in Persian leopards.     

Spatial density estimate of the snow leopard,Panthera uncia,in the Central Tibetan Plateau,China

Knowledge of large carnivore population abundance is essential for wildlife management and conservation, but these data are often difficult to obtain in inherently low-density species. In particular, the snow leopard, Panthera uncia, an enigmatic cat occupying remote mountains in Central Asia, has received insufficient assessments of its population abundance because of logistical and methodological challenges. Here, we aimed to develop a robust density estimation of snow leopards based on 81 days of camera trapping within a contiguous and previously unsurveyed 1950 km² area of habitat on the Tibetan Plateau (Mayue Township, Shenzha County, Tibet Autonomous Region, China). By applying spatially explicit capture–recapture models, we produced an estimate of 1.40 (95%CI: 1.06–1.84) individuals per 100 km². Results also suggested sex-specific variation in the range of movement around activity centers, with male (N = 10, σ = 4.02) movement considerably greater than female (N = 8, σ = 1.84) movement. The findings can serve as a reliable baseline reference for assessing the population trends of this endangered felid species with future estimates. This study will provide context to contribute toward a better understanding of ecological factors shaping the distribution and abundance of snow leopards and the related conservation measures needed to sustain their long-term survival on the Tibetan Plateau.     

Blue sheep in the Annapurna Conservation Area,Nepal: habitat use,population biomass and their contribution to the carrying capacity of snow leopards

The Himalaya region of Nepal provides a habitat for the endangered snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and its principal prey species, the blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur). The aim of this study was to describe the habitat, the distribution and the population structure of blue sheep, and to estimate their contribution to the carrying capacity of snow leopard in the upper Mustang region of Nepal. Blue sheep were recorded at altitudes from 3209–5498 m on slopes with gradients of 16–60° and aspects of 40°NE to 140°SE. A total of 939 blue sheep were counted in the upper Mustang region, and 98 were counted in the Yak Kharka region of Manang district; however, upper Mustang had the lowest population density of blue sheep recorded within their distribution range in Nepal (0.86 blue sheep/km²). The results of the study show that a higher density of blue sheep is associated with greater plant species diversity. The most important species present in the blue sheep habitat were Kobresia pygmaea, Artemesia spp., Lonicera spp., Lancea tibetica, Poa spp., Astragalus spp. and Ephedra gerardiana. It is estimated that the existing blue sheep population biomass of approximately 38 925 kg in the upper Mustang region could support approximately 19 snow leopards (1.6 snow leopards/100 km²).     

黄腹角雉笼养种群与野外种群的遗传多样性——为再引入项目进行的种群内近交水平评估

利用笼养种群在适宜栖息地开展再引入工作是保护和恢复濒危动物野外种群数最的有效方法.近交衰退是影响笼养种群健康程度的主要风险,因此需要在开展再引入项目前对笼养种群的近交程度进行评估.本研究以微卫星为遗传标记,对我国特有濒危雉类——黄腹角雉(Tragopan caboti)的一个笼养种群和一个野外种群的近交水平进行了评估和...     

圈养金钱豹血液生理生化指标的测定

血液指标是反映动物生理机能和健康状况的重要指标,为了解和掌握圈养金钱豹的血液生理生化指标,测定了56头次金钱豹的40项血液生理生化值,并按年龄和性别进行分组比较。结果显示,血清磷(P)成体金钱豹雌雄间雌性LYMPH、ALB、P高于雄性,差异显著(P<0.05),雌性MO GR、BUN低于雄性,差异显著(P<0.05)或者极显著(P<0.01);亚成体金钱豹雌雄性之间,雌性CK、AST高于雄性差异显著(P<0.05)或者极显著(P<0.01),雌性P/O低于雄性差异显著(P<0.05);成体金钱豹雄性与亚成体雄性之间亚成体RBC、LYMPH、Ca、P/O、ALP、P高于成体,差异显著(P<0.05)或者极显著(P<0.01),亚成体WBC、PMN、GLB、ALT、TP、AST低于成体差异显著(P<0.05)或者极显著(P<0.01);成体金钱豹雌性与亚成体雌性之间,亚成体ALB、VLDL、Ca、A/G、ALP、P/O、P高于成体,差异显著(P<0.05)或者极显著(P<0.01),亚成体TP、GLB、AST低于成体,差异显著(P<0.05)或者极显著(P<0.01)。说明了建立金钱豹血液生理生化指标的必要性。     

猫泛白细胞减少症病毒的分离与鉴定

应用猫肾传代细胞(FK),采用同步接毒的方法,从8份狮、虎、豹病料中分得6株病毒,经与标准病毒作交叉免疫电镜等系统鉴定,证明与猫泛白细胞减少症病毒的特性基本相符,从而首次证实在我国动物园狮、虎、豹等猫科动物中存在猫泛白细胞减少症。     

Multiple ocular colobomas in the snow leopard (Uncia uncia)

Two singleton female snow leopard cubs are reported with bilateral central upper lid colobomas. In addition, one cub had a coloboma of the fundus in one eye extending from the lower optic disc region. Surgical treatment by wedge resection was successful in both cases. Details of ocular colobomas in other snow leopards reported in the literature are described and it is suggested that the exact etiology of the condition in this species may be discovered by further study of similar colobomas in the domestic cat.     

An initial coprological survey of parasitic fauna in the wild Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis)

The Amur leopard, one of nine recently recognized subspecies of leopard, is still the most threatened by a stochastic procession of extinction. Evaluation of the potential danger to the conservation of the Amur leopard originating from disease urgently needs to be studied. Unfortunately, research on the potential risk to Amur leopards caused by disease is rare. In terms of parasitic diseases that affect this species, even basic data for parasitic fauna are absent. The aim of this study is to acquire this knowledge to improve the general understanding of Amur leopard parasites. Seven parasite species, including 3 nematodes (Toxocara cati, a capillarid‐type parasite, and a Metastrongyloidea‐type parasite), 2 cestodes (Spirometra sp. and Taenia sp.), 1 trematode (Paragonimus sp.), and 1 protozoan (Cystoisospora felis), were found in this research. Toxocara cati occurred most frequently, followed by Spirometra sp.     

卧龙自然保护区雪豹的生境选择偏好与食源结构特征

近年来,人类活动范围不断扩大,对雪豹(Panthera uncia)所处高海拔生态系统侵入不断增加,对雪豹生存已造成威胁。准确掌握雪豹生境选择偏好与食源结构特征,可以完善雪豹基础研究,提高雪豹保护管理效率。因此于2019年7月对卧龙自然保护区内雪豹集中分布区域进行野外调查,研究雪豹对各生境因子的选择偏好情况;分析粪便组成,明确雪豹食源结构。结果显示:雪豹偏好于海拔3500—4500 m、坡度31°—45°且地形较为崎岖的无家畜活动区域,在坡位的选择上,雪豹偏好于山脊与上坡位,避开中、下坡位与山谷。在植被类型选择上,雪豹偏好草甸与高山流石滩,同时也会选择稀疏且基径较小的灌丛。雪豹倾向于选择草本植物稀疏,低矮的区域。雪豹动物性食源以岩羊(59.26%)为主,家畜(25.93%)与啮齿目(22.22%)次之,鸟类(7.41%)占比最少。植物性食源以禾本科(59.26%)、苔藓植物(44.44%)与莎草科(33.33%)为主,灌木及其他植物占比较少。本文丰富了雪豹的基础研究内容,为卧龙及其他保护区雪豹保护管理工作中相关政策的制定提供参考依据。     

金钱豹猫瘟热疫苗免疫后血清抗体水平的检测

金钱豹经2种猫瘟热灭活疫苗和1种弱毒疫苗免疫接种后,间隔不同的时间采血分离血清,用SPA-ELISA和HI两种方法测定猫瘟热血清抗体效价。结果猫瘟热灭活疫苗和弱毒疫苗均能有效诱导金钱豹产生较高效价的抗体,抗体持续时间相对较长。3种疫苗免疫效果比较显示,美国Fort Dodge猫三联灭活疫苗免疫效果最好。在猫瘟热血清抗体检测中,SPA-ELISA和HI的吻合率达到93%以上。     

isiXhosa name for leopard

The confusion among some speakers of isiXhosa concerning the meaning of ingwe can probably be traced to John Ayliff’s dictionary of the language published in 1846. There he gives ‘tiger’ as ingwe and ‘leopard’ as ihlozi. He clearly treats the two as distinct species. This is contrary to South African usage in English and Afrikaans in which tiger/tier is an alternative name for leopard/luiperd. The confusion does not appear in twelve other languages in which ingwe (or a cognate) means leopard in southern Africa, and not another species.     

Otters and Anglers Can Share the Stream! The Role of Social Science in Dissuading Negative Messaging About Reintroduced Predators

The reintroduction of mammalian predators often has been met with controversy among citizens near reintroduction sites primarily because of concern for predation of livestock, pets, and game species. The river otter (Lontra canadensis) is an example of a predator widely reintroduced in the United States that has in some cases been negatively depicted in the media because of its predatory habits (i.e., fish eating). The reintroduction of river otters in Missouri, Ohio, Kentucky, and Illinois was followed by negative media messages pertaining to otters preying on fish. In contrast, the reintroduction of river otters in Pennsylvania (PA) was accompanied by positive media portrayals and overwhelming public support. This opinion piece reviews factors that likely contributed to public acceptance of river otter reintroduction in PA, emphasizing the importance of applying social science theories and methodologies as a basis for determining and accurately depicting public attitudes toward the reintroduction of mammalian predators.     

Chemical characterization of milk oligosaccharides of an African lion (Panthera leo) and a clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)

The Carnivora include the superfamilies Canoidea and Feloidea. In species of Canoidea other than the domestic dog, Canis lupus, the milk contains only traces of lactose and much larger concentrations of oligosaccharides. In this study, lactose was found to be the dominant saccharide in the milk or colostrum of two species of Feloidea, namely the African lion (Panthera leo) and the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). In addition to lactose, the following oligosaccharides were characterized in the milk of a lion; Neu5Gc(α2‐3)Gal(β1‐4)Glc (3′‐NGc‐SL), Fuc(α1‐2)Gal(β1‐4)Glc (2′‐fucosyllactose) and GalNAc(α1‐3)[Fuc(α1‐2)]Gal(β1‐4)Glc (A‐tetrasaccharide). The colostrum of a clouded leopard contained 3′‐NGc‐SL, Gal(α1‐3)Gal(β1‐4)Glc (isoglobotriose) and A‐tetrasaccharide. These oligosaccharides differ in some respects from those previously identified in another species of Feloidea, the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta). These milks contained 3′‐NGc‐SL and A‐tetrasaccharide, while spotted hyena colostrum did not; however, it contained Neu5Ac(α2‐3)Gal(β1‐4)Glc (3′‐NAc‐SL) and Gal(α1‐3)[Fuc(α1‐2)]Gal(β1‐4)Glc (B‐tetrasaccharide).     

Assurance of the existence of a trans‐boundary population of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) at Tsagaanshuvuut – Tsagan‐Shibetu SPA at the Mongolia–Russia border

The existence of a trans‐boundary population of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) that inhabits the massifs of Tsagaanshuvuut (Mongolia) – Tsagan‐Shibetu (Russia) was determined through non‐invasive genetic analysis of scat samples and by studying the structure of territory use by a collared female individual. The genetic analysis included species identification of samples through sequencing of a fragment of the cytochrome b gene and individual identification using a panel of 8 microsatellites. The home range of a female snow leopard marked with a satellite Global Positioning System (GPS) collar was represented by the minimum convex polygon method (MCP) 100, the MCP 95 method and the fixed kernel 95 method. The results revealed insignificant genetic differentiation between snow leopards that inhabit both massifs (minimal fixation index [F_ST]), and the data testify to the unity of the cross‐border group. Moreover, 5 common individuals were identified from Mongolian and Russian territories. This finding clearly shows that their home range includes territories of both countries. In addition, regular movement of a collared snow leopard in Mongolia and Russia confirmed the existence of a cross‐border snow leopard group. These data support that trans‐boundary conservation is important for snow leopards in both countries. We conclude that it is crucial for Russia to study the northern range of snow leopards in Asia.     

健康与患脱毛症云豹毛中几种元素比较研究

目的:通过对9只来自野外和园内养大的云豹毛中锌、铜、铁、钙4种元素检测,了解云豹对这4种元素代谢特点与产生脱毛症的关系.方法:从云豹尾部的上1/3处采毛,用原子吸收光谱法检测.结果:在所检测的9只云豹中,其中3只患脱毛症的云豹毛中铜元素含量都低于4.4 μg/g,其他3种元素所测结果表明与脱毛症均没有直接关系.结论:铜元素缺乏可能与云豹息脱毛症关系密切.     

Activity patterns in southern Kalahari leopards

Preliminary results based on two satellite-tracked adult leopards in the arid, open savanna of the southern Kalahari indicated that most movement occurred at night, with some movement in the daytime to seek shade.     

斑点蒙古马TRPM1和RFWD3基因分型及分子选育方案制定

被毛颜色不仅是品种和个体鉴别的重要依据,而且也是制定选育方案时需要考虑的重要性状之一。TRPM1和RFWD3是决定豹点毛色表型的2个关键候选基因。本研究首次将60匹斑点蒙古马为研究对象,对2个基因进行分型,从分子水平对其毛色做出鉴定,验证斑点蒙古马的毛色基因型是否与已公布的马豹点毛色研究结果一致。结果:60匹斑点蒙古马TRPM1基因与对照组(非斑点毛色马)相比,均存在C/T(ECA1 108 249 293)杂合位点;通过测定RFWD3基因的3′调控区序列, ECA3 23 658 447上存在3种不同的多态性,分别为T/T、T/G和G/G。本研究为今后斑点蒙古马的分子育种奠定理论基础。     

The effects of prey depletion on dietary niches of sympatric apex predators in Southeast Asia

Resource depletion exerts opposing pressures on co-occurring consumers to expand diets while limiting overlap with competitors. Using foraging theory as a framework, we tested the effects of prey availability on diet specialization and overlap among competing Asian predators: dhole, leopard, and tiger. We used scat analysis from a prey-poor site, combined with a quantitative synthesis of 40 other diet studies, to determine biomass of different prey types consumed by each predator. We then assessed diet composition in relation to prey density, and compared diet breadth and overlap between prey-poor and prey-rich sites. In prey rich areas, all three predators specialized on energetically profitable medium and large ungulates (>30 kg), resulting in narrow, overlapping niches. Each predator shifted toward less profitable small-bodied prey (≤30 kg) as preferred ungulates declined, whereas consumption of preferred ungulates was unrelated to small prey abundance, as predicted by foraging theory. Diet breadths doubled under prey depletion (except leopard), but overlap declined as diets diverged via species-specific traits that facilitated capture of different types of alternative prey. Asia's apex predators adapt similarly to depletion of mutually preferred ungulates by switching to more numerous but less profitable small prey. Yet they can also partition a depleted prey base through intrinsic niche differences, thereby avoiding competitive exclusion. Our findings illuminate the stabilizing properties of adaptive foraging and niche differences in ecological communities, and provide insights into the behavior and resilience of Asia's endangered apex predators in response to prey depletion in the heavily poached forests of this region.