Conservation status of Chinese species: (2) Invertebrates

A total of 2441 invertebrate species were evaluated using the IUCN Red List Criteria and Regional Guidelines. Approximately 30 experts were involved in this project, which covered a wide range of species, including jellyfish, corals, planarians, snails, mollusks, bivalves, decapods, benthic crustaceans, arachnids (spiders, scorpions), butterflies, moths, beetles, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, sea stars, acorn worms and lancelets. In general, invertebrate species in China were found to be severely threatened, with 0.9% being critically endangered, 13.44% endangered and 20.63% vulnerable. All species of hermatypic corals and planarians are threatened. More than 80% of evaluated species face serious threat due to habitat destruction by coral collection, logging, non‐woody vegetation collection, timber plantations, non‐timber plantations, extraction and/or livestock. Other threats are intrinsic factors, harvesting by humans, alien invasive species and pollution. The main intrinsic factors contributing to the high levels of threat are limited dispersal and restricted range. No conservation measures have been taken for 70% of the threatened invertebrates evaluated. Existing conservation measures include: strengthening of national and international legislation (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), increasing public awareness, studying population trends/monitoring, and establishment of protected areas. The major conservation measure employed is strengthening of policies. Relative to the situation worldwide (2006 IUCN Red List), there is little information available about invertebrate extinctions in China.     

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.     

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、...     

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.     

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。     

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。     

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.     

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。     

Obtaining Wisent early blastocyst in vitro is a basic for protection and creation of biodiversity for this threatened species

Wisent, or European bison (Bison bonasus), is listed as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and is therefore protected by international law. For the first time, a Wisent embryo has been obtained in vitro. This procedure creates a new opportunity to protect and increase Wisent reproductive potential and thereby opens new possibilities for the establishment of a controlled and broad reserve of the gene pool.     

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.     

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.     

利木赞牛杂交改良对草原红牛肉质的影响

将纯种草原红牛和含1/2利木赞血缘的改良草原红牛各16头在相同营养水平和饲养条件下进行10个月的集中舍饲育肥，研究了2组牛生长速度、产肉率及眼肌面积、大理石花纹和嫩度等肉质水平。结果显示, 改良牛的体高、体长、胸围、体质量、增重、屠宰率和净肉率等极显著或显著地高于草原红牛（P<0.01或P<0.05），改良牛的眼肌面积比草原红牛增8.39%，大理石花纹等级和嫩度剪切力值也略大于草原红牛，但差异均不显著(P>0.05)。试验结果表明，利木赞牛对草原红牛的肉用性能改良效果显著，且对草原红牛的肉质没有明显影响,草原红牛保持了其原有肉质好的品种特性。     

Breeding density of the southern ground hornbill,Bucorvus leadbeateri,in the communal areas surrounding the Matobo National Park,Zimbabwe

The southern ground hornbill, Bucorvus leadbeateri, is on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as a ‘Vulnerable’ species with a decreasing population. Despite a myriad of threats, including loss of nesting sites, accidental poisoning and persecution, there has been no detailed study of the southern ground hornbill in Zimbabwe. We collected data on nest sites and usage for 42 nests over three breeding seasons in the communal areas surrounding the Matobo National Park. For the active nests in the breeding seasons of 2008/9 and 2009/10 the mean nearest neighbour distances were 4.41 km and 3.53 km, respectively. Most nests were found in granite crevices (67%) while the remainder were found in five different tree species. Most nests (90%) were in areas of subsistence crop farming, the remainder (10%) were found in forests and open savannas. The high breeding density of the southern ground hornbill in the communal areas surrounding the Matobo National Park in Zimbabwe could be attributed in part to traditional Ndebele culture which, for the most part, protects this species. Food also appears to be relatively abundant under communal farming conditions.     

宁夏贺兰山国家级自然保护区脊椎动物标本统计、管理及名录

宁夏贺兰山国家级自然保护区现有脊椎动物标本329件,113种。分别隶属于4纲18目42科。属于国家重点保护的有47种,被列入《中国濒危动物红皮书》的有29种,被列入国务院2000年发布的《国家保护的有益的或者有重要经济、科学研究价值的陆生野生动物名录》的有55种。科学保存、管理这些动物标本对于我国的野生动物科学研究和保护有着及其重要的意义。本文统计整理了保护区现有脊椎动物标本的种类、数量、来源、存放地、管理现状及名录,为保护区动物标本的科学、规范管理提供依据,同时为保护区动物学的基础科学研究提供资料。     

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。     

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。     

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。     

江西老虎脑省级自然保护区鸟类生物多样性研究

2017年11月至2018年4月,利用样线法对江西老虎脑省级自然保护区鸟类生物多样性进行研究。结果表明:(1)共记录到124种鸟类,隶属13目44科,其中6种国家II级重点保护鸟类,3种被中国脊椎动物红色名录评估为近危(NT)物种;(2)鸟类生物多样性指数为3.98,均匀度指数为0.82;(3)在季节性构成上,冬候鸟32种,夏候鸟28种,留鸟59种,以及5种旅鸟。在地理区系构成上,东洋界61种,古北界45种,广布种18种;(4)老虎脑保护区内常见鸟类有树麻雀(Passer montanus)、白头鹎(Pycnonotus sinensis)、丝光椋鸟(Spodiopsar sericeus)等14物种。通过对江西老虎脑鸟类多样性的研究,为鸟类资源的保护与管理提供依据。     

大美洲鸵人工孵化技术研究

大美洲鸵,现已被列入IUCN世界濒危动物红色名录（NT）。近年来,众多动物园饲养管理人员对大美洲鸵的饲养管理进行了深入的研究,但有关大美洲鸵人工孵化技术的研究尚属于空白阶段。本研究基于1998年至今的孵化经验和实践操作,着重从大美洲鸵卵的处理、孵化前准备及孵化技术3个方面内容进行探讨。研究显示：1）种卵的新鲜度、形状、大小、重量、卵壳厚度、消毒过程等因素对孵化成功率有直接影响：2）待孵的大美洲鸵的种卵,贮存温度控制在15～20℃间,相对湿度约70％～75％,入孵时必须对种卵进行6h左右的预热处理;3）大美洲鸵的孵化温度宜控制在36．3—36．8℃,可随冬夏环境温度做±0．2℃的调整,孵化湿度宜控制在48％～60％左右;4）通风凉卵应以箱体内温度为准,而非时间长短,一般当箱体内温度降至25～28℃时,可关闭箱门,继续孵化;5）翻卵可通过机器自动控制,每2h1次,全天设定为12次;6）通过照卵查看胚胎的发育状况,以便及时调整孵化方案。一般入孵前照卵1次,孵化中期每周照卵1次,落盘后每天照卵1次;7）“人工助产”可进一步提高出雏率,但要注意“火候”。