The genetic diversity of the populations for 14 wild green peafowls (Pavo muticus) and 18 captive green pea-fowls was investigated by using the technology of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Totally 161 and 16...The genetic diversity of the populations for 14 wild green peafowls (Pavo muticus) and 18 captive green pea-fowls was investigated by using the technology of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Totally 161 and 166 ampli-fied bands were obtained by using 23 arbitrary primers to amplify the genomic DNA of wild and captive green peafowls re-spectively. The results showed that the average relative genetic distance of the wild and captive green peafowls popula-tions was 0.0555 and 0.1355, respectively, and difference of the average relative genetic distances between the two popu-lations was 0.1635. The Shannon diversity index for the wild and captive green peafowl populations was 0.4348 and 1.0163, respectively, which means that there exists significant difference in genetic diversity between the two populations, and the genetic diversity of wild green peafowl was low. The two populations originated from two different families according to analysis by the UPGMA method. This research can provide the theoretical basis for supervising genealogies management of peafowl populations.展开更多
Background： Understanding the changes in population dynamics, including demographics, distribution and threats is essential for species status assessing.The endangered Green Peafowl （Povo muticus） has experienced s...Background： Understanding the changes in population dynamics, including demographics, distribution and threats is essential for species status assessing.The endangered Green Peafowl （Povo muticus） has experienced sharp population declines and d stribution range diminishing both in China and Southeast Asia. Field population surveys have not been conducted in China since the 1990s, which hindered conservation planning and decision-making.Methods： With interview and line transects methods, we figured out the population and distribution changes of Green Peafowl across its historical ranges over the past three decades in China during 2014-2017.Results： The Green Peafowl once habituated in 54 counties in China. Nearly 60% of the distribution counties were lost in the past three decades, with the left 22 counties distributed in central, southern and western Yunnan, SW China. Population decrease detected in all distribution areas except for Shuangbai and Xinping county where more than 60% of the total population is located. Only about 30% of the former bird population were recorded with the same interviewing method as 20 years ago.Three birds, 1 carcass, 6 calls and 12 footprints were detected along the 865 km line transects, indicating extremely low encounter rate of Green Peafowl in field. Sharp decreases in flock sizes were also detected, from 8-20 birds per flock in the 1990s to 3-5 birds at present. Poaching and habitat conversion are two widespread and long-lasting threats, while poison tion affect regional population＇s survival. Large flocks of 18 ng caused mortality in the past and hydropower construc -27 birds were discovered in the field, which increases our confidence of population recovery of this endangered pheasant in China.Conclusions： Only interviewed bird number and counts based on line transects were presented in this study, without further population estimation due to limitation of the data sets. Although the actual population of this cryptic bird must be underestimated, dramatic population declines and distribution concentrations of the endangered Green Peafowl occurred over the past 30 years in China undoubtedly.展开更多
DEAR EDITOR,The green peafowl (Pavo muticus) is one of the most threatened pheasants in the world. In China, it is widely appreciated for its beauty as well as historical and cultural value, but current populations nu...DEAR EDITOR,The green peafowl (Pavo muticus) is one of the most threatened pheasants in the world. In China, it is widely appreciated for its beauty as well as historical and cultural value, but current populations number less than 500 individuals. Recently, Tang and colleagues reported in Science that the green peafowl is likely to become extinct due to the construction of the Jiasajiang Level 1 Hydropower Station within the Red River Upstream District (RRUD) and thus called for a stop to this project (Tang et al., 2019). According to our recent surveys, however, this species is still extant in 22 counties of Yunnan Province, China, among which, only two within the RRUD have been predicted to be affected by floods from the hydropower station. Therefore, the conclusion that the species will likely go extinct in China upon completion of the dam is unwarranted. In fact, construction of the Jiasajiang Level 1 Hydropower Station was stopped in August 2017. The main challenge for green peafowl conservation is that over 65% of the population occurs outside of protected reserves in China. Fortunately, the Chinese government has adopted an Ecological Redline (ERL) strategy to achieve ecological civilization plans, thus bringing new hope to the conservation of green peafowls both inside and outside of protected reserves. As a top conservation priority for China, the government is fully committed to conserving this peafowl.展开更多
文摘The genetic diversity of the populations for 14 wild green peafowls (Pavo muticus) and 18 captive green pea-fowls was investigated by using the technology of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Totally 161 and 166 ampli-fied bands were obtained by using 23 arbitrary primers to amplify the genomic DNA of wild and captive green peafowls re-spectively. The results showed that the average relative genetic distance of the wild and captive green peafowls popula-tions was 0.0555 and 0.1355, respectively, and difference of the average relative genetic distances between the two popu-lations was 0.1635. The Shannon diversity index for the wild and captive green peafowl populations was 0.4348 and 1.0163, respectively, which means that there exists significant difference in genetic diversity between the two populations, and the genetic diversity of wild green peafowl was low. The two populations originated from two different families according to analysis by the UPGMA method. This research can provide the theoretical basis for supervising genealogies management of peafowl populations.
基金the financial supports from the Biodiversity Conservation Fund from Yunnan Environmental Protection DepartmentSpecial Funds for Green Peafowl Investigation from State Forestry Administration of the People’s Republic of Chinasupported by the Key Laboratory of Special Biological Resource Development and Utilization of Universities in Yunnan Province
文摘Background： Understanding the changes in population dynamics, including demographics, distribution and threats is essential for species status assessing.The endangered Green Peafowl （Povo muticus） has experienced sharp population declines and d stribution range diminishing both in China and Southeast Asia. Field population surveys have not been conducted in China since the 1990s, which hindered conservation planning and decision-making.Methods： With interview and line transects methods, we figured out the population and distribution changes of Green Peafowl across its historical ranges over the past three decades in China during 2014-2017.Results： The Green Peafowl once habituated in 54 counties in China. Nearly 60% of the distribution counties were lost in the past three decades, with the left 22 counties distributed in central, southern and western Yunnan, SW China. Population decrease detected in all distribution areas except for Shuangbai and Xinping county where more than 60% of the total population is located. Only about 30% of the former bird population were recorded with the same interviewing method as 20 years ago.Three birds, 1 carcass, 6 calls and 12 footprints were detected along the 865 km line transects, indicating extremely low encounter rate of Green Peafowl in field. Sharp decreases in flock sizes were also detected, from 8-20 birds per flock in the 1990s to 3-5 birds at present. Poaching and habitat conversion are two widespread and long-lasting threats, while poison tion affect regional population＇s survival. Large flocks of 18 ng caused mortality in the past and hydropower construc -27 birds were discovered in the field, which increases our confidence of population recovery of this endangered pheasant in China.Conclusions： Only interviewed bird number and counts based on line transects were presented in this study, without further population estimation due to limitation of the data sets. Although the actual population of this cryptic bird must be underestimated, dramatic population declines and distribution concentrations of the endangered Green Peafowl occurred over the past 30 years in China undoubtedly.
文摘DEAR EDITOR,The green peafowl (Pavo muticus) is one of the most threatened pheasants in the world. In China, it is widely appreciated for its beauty as well as historical and cultural value, but current populations number less than 500 individuals. Recently, Tang and colleagues reported in Science that the green peafowl is likely to become extinct due to the construction of the Jiasajiang Level 1 Hydropower Station within the Red River Upstream District (RRUD) and thus called for a stop to this project (Tang et al., 2019). According to our recent surveys, however, this species is still extant in 22 counties of Yunnan Province, China, among which, only two within the RRUD have been predicted to be affected by floods from the hydropower station. Therefore, the conclusion that the species will likely go extinct in China upon completion of the dam is unwarranted. In fact, construction of the Jiasajiang Level 1 Hydropower Station was stopped in August 2017. The main challenge for green peafowl conservation is that over 65% of the population occurs outside of protected reserves in China. Fortunately, the Chinese government has adopted an Ecological Redline (ERL) strategy to achieve ecological civilization plans, thus bringing new hope to the conservation of green peafowls both inside and outside of protected reserves. As a top conservation priority for China, the government is fully committed to conserving this peafowl.
