利用SRAP分子标记对北极狐遗传多样性的研究

相关序列多态性（SRAP）是近年来发展起来的一种新型分子标记技术,具有稳定、简便、中等产率、高共显性等优点。本试验利用北极狐的基因组作为模版,首次把SRAP方法引入到哺乳动物中进行分析,对北极狐SRAP反应条件进行了优化,产物用非变性的聚丙烯酰胺凝胶分离,得到的结果清晰、稳定、多态性高,结果用NTSYS-pcversion 2.1软件对北极狐群体的遗传多样进行了初步的分析。     

应用虫克丁防治北极狐食毛症的研究

本文对虫克丁防治北极狐食毛症和自咬症的效果进行了研究 ,结果表明 ,虫克丁可以防治狐食毛症而不能防治自咬症。     

The potential of oral vaccines for disease control in wildlife species

Numerous infectious diseases caused by bacteria or viruses persist in developed and developing countries due to ongoing transmission among wildlife reservoir species. Such diseases become the target of control and management programmes in cases where they represent a threat to public health (for example rabies, sylvatic plague, Lyme disease), or livestock production (for example bovine tuberculosis, brucellosis, pseudorabies), or where they threaten the survival of endangered animal populations. In the majority of cases, lethal control operations are neither economically feasible nor publicly supported as a practical means for disease management. Prophylactic vaccination has emerged over the last 15 years as an alternative control strategy for wildlife diseases, mainly driven by the success of widescale oral rabies vaccination programmes for meso-carnivores in North America and Northern Europe. Different methods have been trialled for the effective delivery of wildlife vaccines in the field, however oral vaccination remains the most widely used approach. Successful implementation of an oral wildlife vaccine is dependent on a combination of three components: an efficacious immunogen, a suitable delivery vehicle, and a species-specific bait. This review outlines the major wildlife disease problems for which oral vaccination is currently under consideration as a disease management tool, and also focuses on the technological challenges that face wildlife vaccine development. The major conclusion is that attenuated or recombinant live microbes represent the most widely-used vaccines that can be delivered by the oral route; this in turn places major emphasis on effective delivery systems (to maintain vaccine viability), and on selective baiting systems, as the keys to wildlife vaccine success. Oral vaccination is a valuable adjunct or alternative strategy to culling for the control of diseases which persist in wildlife reservoirs.     

幼狐脑炎母源抗体消退情况监测

本研究采用微量中和实验的方法,对30日龄、45日龄、60日龄幼狐的传染性脑炎母源抗体进行检测。结果显示,30日龄幼狐的传染性脑炎母源抗体水平较高,中和抗体平均效价为1：48.3;在45日龄断乳期该母源抗体平均中和抗体效价显著下降到1：18.3;在60日龄该母源抗体基本消失,多数中和抗体效价低于1：2.9。实验结果表明,45-50日龄对幼狐进行传染性脑炎疫苗首免,能避开免疫空白期和母源抗体干扰,获得较好免疫效果。     

Emergence of canine distemper in Bavarian wildlife associated with a specific amino acid exchange in the haemagglutinin protein

A widespread, severe outbreak of canine distemper encephalitis was observed in wildlife in Southern Bavaria in the spring and summer of 2008. The haemagglutinin (HA) genes of six representative canine distemper virus (CDV) samples originating from five red foxes and one badger during this outbreak had a Y549H amino acid substitution in the HA protein compared to sequences from two captive domesticated ferrets which succumbed to CDV in the same area 2 years earlier. As this specific substitution at the receptor-binding site has been hypothesised to contribute to the emergence of CDV and its spread to novel hosts, the outbreak in wildlife in Southern Bavaria might, directly or indirectly, be associated with a Y549H amino acid exchange.     

北极狐出血性肠炎病原分离鉴定

从排血便为主要临床特征的濒死期育成北极狐肠内容物中分离到 ５ 株革兰氏阳性大杆菌,各株菌的 ３７℃ ８ 小时厌气肉肝汤纯培养上清液 ０２ｍ ｌ小鼠尾静脉注射,１２ 小时内 １００％ 死亡。生理生化鉴定证实分离菌为产气荚膜杆菌（ Ｂ．ａｅｒｏｇｅｎｅｓｃａｐｓｕｌａｔｕｓ）。血清定型结果表明,分离的 ５ 株菌均为 Ａ 型产气荚膜杆菌。以饲喂狐的变质鱼浸出液静脉注射小鼠引起死亡,并从该浸出液中也分离到 Ａ 型魏氏梭菌,证实该病的发生是饲料传播。     

The Lushan earthquake and the giant panda: impacts and conservation

Earthquakes not only result in a great loss of human life and property, but also have profound effects on the Earth's biodiversity. The Lushan earthquake occurred on 20 Apr 2013, with a magnitude of 7.0 and an intensity of 9.0 degrees. A distance of 17.0 km from its epicenter to the nearest distribution site of giant pandas recorded in the Third National Survey was determined. Making use of research on the Wenchuan earthquake (with a magnitude of 8.0), which occurred approximately 5 years ago, we briefly analyze the impacts of the Lushan earthquake on giant pandas and their habitat. An earthquake may interrupt ongoing behaviors of giant pandas and may also cause injury or death. In addition, an earthquake can damage conservation facilities for pandas, and result in further habitat fragmentation and degradation. However, from a historical point of view, the impacts of human activities on giant pandas and their habitat may, in fact, far outweigh those of natural disasters such as earthquakes. Measures taken to promote habitat restoration and conservation network reconstruction in earthquake‐affected areas should be based on requirements of giant pandas, not those of humans.     

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.     

FISH mapping of 10 canine BAC clones harbouring genes and microsatellites in the arctic fox and the Chinese raccoon dog genomes

Cytogenetic mapping of the arctic fox and the Chinese raccoon dog were performed using a set of canine probes derived from the Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) library. Altogether, 10 BAC clones containing sequences of selected genes (PAX3, HBB, ATP2A2, TECTA, PIT1, ABCA4, ESR2, TPH1, HTR2A, MAOA) and microsatellites were mapped by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) experiments to chromosomes of the canids studied. At present, the cytogenetic map on the arctic fox and Chinese raccoon dog consists of 45 loci each. Chromosomal localization of the BAC clones was in agreement with data obtained by earlier independent comparative chromosome painting. However, two events of telomere‐to‐centromere inversions were tentatively identified while compared with assignments in the dog karyotype.     

The effect of O,O-dimethyl-O-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl) phosphorothioate (fenchlorphos) on cholinesterases in the blue fox (Alopex lagopus).

Four blue fox bitches were used in the experiments. Two foxes were given fenchlorphos in the feed, one 100 mg/kg body weight and the other 200 mg/kg daily for 30 days. The maximum inhibition of plasma Cholinesterase was 65 and 69 %, respectively. The corresponding values of the erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase were 43 and 63 %.For the third bitch given 0.4 mg/kg as a single dose i.v. the effect was only measurable as a small transient decrease of the plasma Cholinesterase level.Eighty % of the plasma Cholinesterase of the fourth fox, given 500 mg/kg as a single oral dose, was inhibited on the third day. The erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity level only showed a slight decline. This fox vomited during feeding the day after administration.Symptoms as salivation, tremors, diarrhea, pinpoint pupils and respiratory distress were never seen in any of the foxes.It was concluded that fenchlorphos administration in the feed in doses recommended to dogs is well tolerated by healthy foxes as far as Cholinesterase inhibition is concerned.     

Mixed‐method study on medicinal herb collection in relation to wildlife conservation: the case of giant pandas in China

Medicinal herb collection has historical and cultural roots in many rural communities in developing countries. Areas where herb collection occurs may overlap with biodiversity hotspots and crucial habitat of endangered and threatened species. However, impacts of such practices on wildlife are unknown and possibly underestimated, perhaps due to the elusive nature of such activities. We examined this phenomenon in Wolong Nature Reserve, China, a protected area in the South‐Central China biodiversity hotspot that also supports a community of Tibetan, Qiang and Han people who use herb collection as a supplementary source of livelihood. We adopted a participatory approach in which we engaged local people in outlining spatial and temporal dynamics of medicinal herb collection practices. We found that the overall spatial extent of herb collection increased in the past two decades. We then overlaid herb collection maps with localities of giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) feces collected over two time points in the reserve. Using a Bayesian parameter estimation, we found evidence for declined giant panda occurrence in the areas most recently impacted by emerging medicinal herb collection. Our methodology demonstrates the potential power of integrating participatory approaches with quantitative methods for processes like herb collection that may be difficult to examine empirically. We discuss future directions for improving explanatory power and addressing uncertainty in this type of mixed‐method, interdisciplinary research. This work has implications for future attempts to understand whether and how prevalent but subtle human activities may affect wildlife conservation.     

Eastern barred bandicoot recovery: the role of the veterinarian in the management of endangered species

The eastern barred bandicoot, Perameles gunnii, formerly widespread on the volcanic plains of western Victoria, has been reduced to a single, rapidly-declining, remnant population at Hamilton. Recovery of this critically endangered species has included local management, in an attempt to stabilise the wild population, captive breeding and reintroduction to selected sites. Veterinary advice and assistance have been an integral part of the investigation, planning and implementation phases of the program. The development of appropriate, standardised techniques has enabled successful treatment of problems in the captive colony. Husbandry, including the hand-rearing of pouch young has been refined. Parasitism, identified as a contributor to poor health or death, has been investigated. Experimental development of techniques for the attachment of radio-transmitters to bandicoots has enabled improved field research to take place. Fox predation, a major limiting factor in the recovery program, has been studied in detail, in order to refine control protocols.     

水貂、狐、貉胴体脂肪的高级脂肪酸测定

利用气象色谱仪对水貂、狐、貉胴体脂肪的脂肪酸组成进行测定,并通过不饱和脂肪酸所占比例和必需脂肪酸中亚油酸含量对其生物学价值进行了初步评定。     

The pikas of China: a review of current research priorities and challenges for conservation

Of the approximately 30 extant species of pika (Ochotona; Ochotonidae; Lagomorpha), at least 23 occur in China. Of these, 8 are endemic, and 3 are classified as Endangered by the IUCN. Research into most Chinese species is scarce, and there is much to learn about basic aspects of their ecology. We reviewed the literature on the 23 Chinese Ochotona species, with the aim of highlighting knowledge gaps and biases in research allocation. Specifically, we identify (1) which pika species receive the most attention from researchers, (2) which topics are the most frequently studied, and (3) how well research satisfies conservation priorities. We covered a total of 879 articles, most of which were written in English or Chinese. Around 75% of all publications focused on the plateau pika Ochotona curzoniae. Seven species were represented by 10 or fewer publications each. Endangered and endemic species were particularly poorly represented. 204 papers treated pikas as a pest, while 13 studied conservation issues. Nine species were considered possible targets for pest control, including some poorly known endemics. We make some recommendations on how research into Chinese Ochotona could be improved, including: (1) recognizing that the current species-level taxonomy may be an ineffective way to prioritize conservation research in Ochotona, (2) directing more research toward threatened and endemic species, subspecies, and populations, (3) researching the ecosystem engineering effects of pikas, (4) collecting basic data on natural history of the many understudied species, and (5) researching threats, including climate change and pest control campaigns.     

Potential Pathogens Reported in Species of the Family Viverridae and Their Implications for Human and Animal Health

The Viverridae is a family of nocturnal carnivores including civets, genets and African linsangs. While a list of known organisms isolated from a species is an essential tool for population management, this review represents the first attempt to collate published reports of organisms isolated from viverrids. A wide range of organisms, including 11 viruses, eight bacterial species, one internal arthropod species, representatives from eight genera of protozoan, 21 genera of nematode, seven genera of cestode, eight genera of trematode and six genera of external arthropod (mites, ticks and louse), have been reported in literature spanning over a century of research. Many of these are capable of infecting multiple hosts, including humans. This is of concern given the anthropogenic factors that bring humans and domestic species into close contact with viverrids, facilitating transmission and spillover of organisms between groups. These factors include trade in viverrids for human consumption, captive management in zoos, rescue centres or on commercial breeding farms, and the increasing overlap of free‐ranging viverrid distribution and human settlement.     

Thresholds of population persistence for the Yangtze finless porpoise: implications for conservation managements

The Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis), a critically endangered species, is the only cetacean species in the Yangtze River following the functional extinction of baiji (Lipotes vexillifer). To inform conservation actions, two important questions need to be addressed: what is the threshold value of survival rate, and what is the threshold value of population size? We calculate the instantaneous rate of population increase () for the Yangtze finless porpoise for various combinations of the calf and the non-calf survival rates. We also test the probability of extinction for different minimum carrying capacities for 100 and 500 years using a stable population model. The threshold value of the non-calf survival rate is never lower than 0.869, but current estimates from field data have been far below this threshold. Our model based on extinction probability and carrying capacity suggests that the threshold for the population size to persist 100 years required 113 animals, and 472 animals are required to persist 500 years. Therefore, we recommend establishing an ex situ reserve network to guarantee the minimum 100-year carrying capacity. To ensure the long-term population viability, we suggest establishing two in situ reserve zones in two lakes and their surrounding reserves to meet a minimum 500-year carrying capacity. In addition, measures to avoid further habitat fragmentation should be priority.     

Implementation of Optimum Contributions Selection in endangered local breeds: the case of the Menorca Horse population

Limiting the inbreeding rate (?F) while maximizing genetic gain for any trait of economic interest is especially important in small populations of local breeds, like the Menorca Horse. In this breed, dressage performance is important for the profitability of the breed and should be accounted in the selection criterion. The aim of this study was to assess if a breeding programme aiming at improved dressage performance is feasible in such a small breed. To perform the analysis, animals that were currently available for breeding (between 3 and 20 years) were used. Selection was based on the estimated breeding values for dressage obtained by BLUP. The pedigree and molecular coancestry between potential breeding horses was used (separately or in combination) to account for the restriction on ?F. Results show that it is possible to avoid large increases in inbreeding while obtaining acceptable levels of genetic gain (i.e. a ?F of 1% would imply a maximum loss in genetic gain of 2%). Thus, the Menorca Horse population is suitable for a management procedure which jointly optimizes the response to selection and the levels of variability and inbreeding (Optimal Contribution selection). Regarding the source of information used to calculate the relationships, molecular information would provide a greater range of solutions to increase genetic gain than using pedigree coancestry (gain was 1–4% higher for the same levels of restriction on the increase in inbreeding).     

The ecological potential of the kudu for commercial production in savanna regions

Abstract

This paper considers the choice of a browsing ungulate to supplement cattle in savanna regions susceptible to problems of bush encroachment, and evaluates the kudu in particular. Relevant aspects of its ecology considered include (i) the vegetation components utilized at different seasons and in different areas, with regard to principal food species, reserve dry season species, rejected plant species and potential food limitations; (ii) social grouping patterns and home range extent; (iii) population densities, reproductive parameters, survival rates and population dynamics in relation to rainfall; (iv) impact on the vegetation of browsing and branch breakage. Features of the kudu are compared with those of other browsing ungulates, including giraffe, eland, impala and goats. It is concluded that the kudu is a prime candidate for inclusion alongside cattle in mixed species ranching enterprises in most regions of savanna vegetation.     

江西野生水土保持禾草资源介绍

总结了江西主要野生水土保持禾本科植物资源,并在此基础上阐述了10种具有较好水土保持、固沙等功能的禾草,可为江西水土保持草类植物的开发与利用提供参考。