BACKGROUND： In studies concerning cell injury induced by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, current experiments have primarily focused on altered protein levels. In addition, the apoptotic proteins Bax and Bcl-2 have bee...BACKGROUND： In studies concerning cell injury induced by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, current experiments have primarily focused on altered protein levels. In addition, the apoptotic proteins Bax and Bcl-2 have been thoroughly studied with regard to initiating neuronal apoptosis. OBJECTIVE： To establish an in vitro model of oxygen-glucose deprivation and reintroduction in the rat hippocampus to simulate cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury; to observe c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3 （JNK3） mRNA expression in hippocampal neurons following Astragalus injection; and thus to determine changes in the signaling and downstream pathways of neuronal apoptosis at the cellular and molecular level. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, cellular and molecular experiment was performed at the Department of Central Laboratory, Chengde Medical College from February to June 2008. MATERIALS： Astragalus injection, the main ingredient of astragaloside, was purchased from Chengdu Di＇ao Jiuhong Pharmaceutical Manufactory, China. JNK3 mRNA probe and in situ hybridization kit were purchased from Tianjin Haoyang Biological Technology, China, and JNK3 RT-PCR primers were designed by Shanghai Bio-engineering, China. METHODS： Primary cultures of hippocampal neurons derived from Sprague Dawley rats, aged 1 2 days, were established. After 8 days, the hippocampal neurons were assigned to the following interventions： model group, Astragalus group, and vehicle control group, cells were subjected to oxygen-glucose reintroduction after oxygen-glucose deprivation for 30 minutes in sugar-free Earle＇s solution and a hypoxia device, which contained high-purity nitrogen. The normal control group was subjected to primary culture techniques and was not treated using above-mentioned interventions. In addition, the Astragalus and vehicle control groups were treated with Astragalus injection （0.5 g/L raw drug） or sterile, deionized water at 2 hours prior to oxygen-glucose deprivation, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： JNK3 mRNA expression was measured by in situ hybridization and RT-PCR at 0, 0.5, 2, 6, 24, 72, and 120 hours after oxygen-glucose reintroduction. RESULTS： Hippocampal neuronal morphology was normal in the normal control group. Hippocampal neurons exhibited apparent apoptosis-like pathological changes in the model, as well as the vehicle control, groups. The apoptosis-like pathological changes in the hippocampal neurons were less in the Astragalus group. Results from in situ hybridization and RT-PCR showed that JNK3 mRNA expression significantly increased in hippocampal neurons from model group, as well as the vehicle control group, compared with the normal control group （P 〈 0.05）. In addition, JNK3 mRNA expression significantly decreased in hippocampal neurons of the Astragalus group, compared with the model group and vehicle control group （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Astragalus injection inhibited apoptosis-related JNK3 mRNA expression following oxygen-glucose deprivation and reintroduction, and accordingly played a role in inhibiting hippocampal neuronal apoptosis.展开更多
Despite their importance to conservation, reintroductions are still a risky endeavor and tend to fail, highlighting the need for more efficient post-release monitoring techniques. Reintroduced animals are released int...Despite their importance to conservation, reintroductions are still a risky endeavor and tend to fail, highlighting the need for more efficient post-release monitoring techniques. Reintroduced animals are released into unfamiliar novel environ ments and must explore their surroundings to gain knowledge in order to survive. According to theory, knowledge gain should be followed by subsequent changes to the animal＇s movement behavior, making movement behavior an excellent indicator of reintroduction progress. We aim to conceptually describe a logical process that will enable the inclusion of behavior （in particular, movement behavior） in management decision-making post-reintroductions, and to do so, we provide four basic components that a manager should look for in the behaviors of released animals. The suggested components are release-site fidelity, recurring locations, proximity to other individuals, and individual variation in movement behavior. These components are by no means the only possible ones available to a manager, but they provide an efficient tool to understanding animals＇ decision-making based on ecological theory; namely, the exploration-exploitation trade-off that released animals go through, and which underlies their behavior. We demonstrate our conceptual approach using data from two ungulate species reintroduced in Israel： the Persian fallow deer Dama mesopotamica and the Arabian oryx Oryx leucoryx [Current Zoology 60 （4）： 515-526, 2014] .展开更多
Recent estimates indicate that one-fifth of botanical species worldwide are considered at risk of becoming extinct in the wild. One available strategy for conserving many rare plant species is reintroduction, which ho...Recent estimates indicate that one-fifth of botanical species worldwide are considered at risk of becoming extinct in the wild. One available strategy for conserving many rare plant species is reintroduction, which holds much promise especially when carefully planned by following guidelines and when monitored long-term. We review the Center for Plant Conservation Best Reintroduction Practice Guidelines and highlight important components for planning plant reintroductions. Before attempting reintroductions practitioners should justify them, should consider alternative conservation strategies, understand threats, and ensure that these threats are absent from any recipient site. Planning a reintroduction requires considering legal and logistic parameters as well as target species and recipient site attributes.Carefully selecting the genetic composition of founders, founder population size, and recipient site will influence establishment and population growth. Whenever possible practitioners should conduct reintroductions as experiments and publish results. To document whether populations are sustainable will require long-term monitoring for decades, therefore planning an appropriate monitoring technique for the taxon must consider current and future needs. Botanical gardens can play a leading role in developing the science and practice of plant reintroduction.展开更多
Background: Restoring a viable population by reintroduction is the ultimate goal of a large number of ex situ conservation projects for endangered animals. However, many reintroductions fail to establish a population ...Background: Restoring a viable population by reintroduction is the ultimate goal of a large number of ex situ conservation projects for endangered animals. However, many reintroductions fail to establish a population in the wild, partly because released animals cannot acclimate to the native environment of the release site, resulting in very low survival rates. Acclimation training is a technique to resolve this problem, although it does not have positive results in all species. We tested whether acclimation training and soft-release could improve the reintroduction success for captive-bred Cabot's Tragopan(Tragopan caboti), an endangered pheasant in southern China.Methods: Reintroduction of captive-bred Cabot's Tragopan was carried out in the Taoyuandong National Nature Reserve, China from 2010 to 2011. We built a soft-release enclosure for acclimation training in the typical montane habitat of this pheasant. Nine birds were acclimated to the environment of this release site in this cage for more than 50 days before release("trained birds"), while 11 birds remained only in the cage for 3 days prior to release("untrained birds"). Released birds were tagged with a collar radio-transmitter.Results: Post-release monitoring revealed that the survival rate of trained birds was higher than that of untrained birds after 50 days(trained: 85.7%; untrained: 20.0%). Cox regression analysis showed that there was a significant difference in the mortality rates between the trained and untrained birds. In addition, a survey of the habitat of the experimental and the control groups showed significant differences in habitat selection between the groups.Conclusion: Our study suggests that pre-release acclimatization training is an important factor that can lead to improved survival and habitat selection of captive-bred reintroduced tragopans.展开更多
BACKGROUND：Previous studies have demonstrated that aquaporin-4 （AQP4） plays a key role in the formation and resolution of brain edema.However,the molecular mechanisms and role of AQP4 in hypoxia-ischemia-induced br...BACKGROUND：Previous studies have demonstrated that aquaporin-4 （AQP4） plays a key role in the formation and resolution of brain edema.However,the molecular mechanisms and role of AQP4 in hypoxia-ischemia-induced brain edema remain poorly understood.OBJECTIVE：To establish a newborn animal model of astrocytic oxygen-glucose deprivation and reintroduction,to observe the correlation between AQP4 and cellular volume,and to investigate the role of AQP4 in the development of brain edema following oxygen deprivation and reintroduction.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING：A comparative experiment was performed at the Experimental Center of West China Second University Hospital between October 2007 and April 2009.MATERIALS：Astrocytes were derived from the neocortex of Sprague Dawley rats aged 3 days.METHODS：Astrocytes were incubated in glucose/serum-free Dulbecco＇s modified Eagle＇s medium,followed by 1% oxygen for 6 hours.Finally,oxygen-glucose deprivation and reintroduction models were successfully established.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES：Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were used to measure expression of AQP4 mRNA and protein in cultured rat astrocytes following oxygen-glucose deprivation and reintroduction.Astrocytic cellular volume,as determined by [3H]-3-O-methyl-D-glucose,was used to represent the extent of astrocytic swelling.RESULTS：During oxygen-glucose deprivation,AQP4 mRNA and protein expression gradually decreased in astrocytes,whereas cellular volume increased in a time-dependent manner （P〈 0.01）.Following oxygen-glucose reintroduction,AQP4 mRNAand protein expression was upregulated,peaked at day 7,and then gradually decreased,but still higher than normal levels （P 〈 0.05）.However,cellular volume gradually decreased （P 〈 0.01）,and then reached normal levels at day 7.CONCLUSION：AQP4 expression highly correlated with cellular volume changes,suggesting that AQP4 played an important role in modulating brain water transport in an astrocytic oxygen-glucose deprivation and reintroduction model.展开更多
Reintroduction is an important strategy to restore or re-establish wild populations of endangered species.Pre-release training is a necessary step to ensure postreintroduction survival.However,studies reported contrad...Reintroduction is an important strategy to restore or re-establish wild populations of endangered species.Pre-release training is a necessary step to ensure postreintroduction survival.However,studies reported contradicting outcomes after pre-release training of juveniles and adults.This study used farmed and feral American mink(Neovison vison)to analyze the influence of captive breeding on the morphology,structure and efficiency of the two major hindlimb levers,the femur and tibia pivoted by hip and knee joints that are essential for locomotion.Results showed that captive breeding did not alter the sexual dimorphism of the two levers that are related to survival in the wild.Captive-bred mink showed slightly altered morphology of the femur and fundamental structure of the hindlimb levers that improved efficiency,but this resulted in reduction of performance related to foraging in both terrestrial and aquatic environments,especially for females.These findings suggest that reintroduction of mustelid as exampled by the mink here should focus on juveniles because the skeletal alterations associated with captive rearing were recorded only among adults and are irreversible in adulthood.In contrast,captive-reared juveniles showed no skeletal alterations and would be expected to recovery from any atrophy of the muscular system caused by captive rearing for shorter durations.Our results support the application of pre-release training of juveniles in enriched environments as a method for alleviating structural alteration of appendages and enhancing locomotion to increase survival probability in complex habitats.展开更多
The wild population of the African lion Panthera leo continues to decline, requiring alternate conservation programs to be considered. One such program is ex situ reintroduction. Prior to release, longterm monitoring ...The wild population of the African lion Panthera leo continues to decline, requiring alternate conservation programs to be considered. One such program is ex situ reintroduction. Prior to release, longterm monitoring and assessment of behavior is required to determine whether prides and coalitions behave naturally and are sufficiently adapted to a wild environment. Social network analysis （SNA） can be used to provide insight into how the pride as a whole and individuals within it, function. Our study was conducted upon 2 captive-origin prides who are part of an ex situ reintroduction program, and 1 wild pride of African lion. Social interactions were collected at all occurrence for each pride and categorized into greet, social grooming, play, and aggression. Betweenness centrality showed that offspring in each pride were central to the play network, whereas degree indicated that adults received （indegree） the greatest number of overall social interactions, and the adult males of each pride were least likely to initiate （outdegree） any interactions. Through the assessment of individual centrality and degree values, a social keystone adult female was identified for each pride. Social network results indicated that the 2 captive-origin prides had formed cohesive social units and possessed relationships and behaviors comparable with the wild pride for the studied behaviors. This study provided the first SNA comparison between captive-bred origin and a wild pride of lions, providing valuable information on individual and pride sociality, critical for determining the success of prides within an ex situ reintroduction program.展开更多
This study demonstrates that a regionally extinct bird species belonging to the long-distance migrants can be reintroduced under the right circumstances.The article first describes the historic distribution of the whi...This study demonstrates that a regionally extinct bird species belonging to the long-distance migrants can be reintroduced under the right circumstances.The article first describes the historic distribution of the white stork(Ciconia ciconia)prior to its disappearance from the Alpine Rhine Valley.Furthermore,the study examines the increase in actual population size between 1984 and 2018,mean reproductive success per breeding pair in the Rhine Valley between 2011 and 2018 and compares different types of breeding sites.Finally,the factors facilitating the successful reintroduction of the species are discussed.展开更多
The Great Green Macaw Ara ambiguus is an endangered species whose most important food resource and nesting site in Costa Rica is the mountain almond tree Dipteryx panamensis, threatened mainly by deforestation. In thi...The Great Green Macaw Ara ambiguus is an endangered species whose most important food resource and nesting site in Costa Rica is the mountain almond tree Dipteryx panamensis, threatened mainly by deforestation. In this study, we analyse the suitability of reintroducing A. ambiguus in the South Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica by examining whether the ecological and socio-cultural conditions required for the reintroduction are met in the area. The methods developed in this work include biological sampling, cartographical analysis and semi-structured interviews, among others. We set La Ceiba Nature Reserve as study unit and starting point of the analysis due both to its conservation status, favouring the potential release of individuals, and its ecosystem representativeness. Our results suggest that the habitat is suitable for reintroduction, with frequent presence of D. panamensis in the region, as well as other feeding options and potential nesting sites in the study area. The cartographic study reveals that the species could rely on a forested surface of up to 7000 hectares, which would be sufficient for sustaining a viable population. As for the socio-cultural analysis, illegal logging and low protective frameworks were identified as the main potential threats for the species. Nevertheless, we perceived positive conservation attitudes among local people and a pro-active commitment of political stakeholders. We conclude that a viable South Caribbean reintroduction of A. ambiguus is possible in conjunction with a threat mitigation programme.展开更多
Paphiopedilum armeniacum is a rare and endangered lady's slipper orchid in China.It is distributed around the mid-elevations of the Nu Mountains in southwest China.Due to overharvest,habitat loss,and degradation,w...Paphiopedilum armeniacum is a rare and endangered lady's slipper orchid in China.It is distributed around the mid-elevations of the Nu Mountains in southwest China.Due to overharvest,habitat loss,and degradation,wild populations of P.armeniacum has declined drastically.A combination of approaches involving biotechnology,habitat restoration,and interspecific relationship reconstruction was used to carry out the reintroduction of the species.Integrated conservation program for this species included in-situ protection,ex-situ conservation,and reintroduction,which helped to rebuild a harmonious relationship between local farmers and P.armeniacum.The sustainable utilization of native plant resources in poor areas can promote regional sustainable development which is compatible with species protection.展开更多
Human disturbance and climate change have increased the risk of extinction for rare and endangered wild plant species.One effective way to conserve these rare and endangered species is through reintroduction.In this r...Human disturbance and climate change have increased the risk of extinction for rare and endangered wild plant species.One effective way to conserve these rare and endangered species is through reintroduction.In this review,we summarize the advances in wild plant reintroduction from five perspectives:the establishment of reintroduction biology as an important tool for biodiversity conservation;the importance of genetic diversity in reintroduction;reintroduction under global climate change;recruitment limitation in reintroduction;and reintroduction and ecological restoration.In addition,we consider the future of plant reintroduction strategies.展开更多
This article is a summary of the historical background to Isatis tinctoria in France and elsewhere from the 12th to the 21st century. Isatis tinctoria, also called “Guède”, “Pastel” or “Vouède” accordi...This article is a summary of the historical background to Isatis tinctoria in France and elsewhere from the 12th to the 21st century. Isatis tinctoria, also called “Guède”, “Pastel” or “Vouède” according to the French region origin, is a plant originally used to obtain indigo blue dye mainly to produce colored blue fabrics. A local memory is well established in the Amiens region (northern France) and the Toulouse region (south-western France). No global review of its culture and trade over the long term is known. The aim of this article is to summarize the historical background of Isatis tinctoria in France and elsewhere from the twelfth to the twenty-first century.展开更多
Captive breeding and stocking are commonly employed strategies for enhancing fisheries and conserving endangered fish species.However,hatchery-raised fish often exhibit reduced performance in the wild,displaying alter...Captive breeding and stocking are commonly employed strategies for enhancing fisheries and conserving endangered fish species.However,hatchery-raised fish often exhibit reduced performance in the wild,displaying alterations in physiological,morphological,and behavioral traits.We tested for differences in swimming capacity and metabolic traits between wild and hatchery-reared individuals of the Spanish toothcarp(Aphanius iberus)from 2 different populations.Furthermore,we experimentally tested if these changes translated into fitness differences after their stocking into the wild.There were significant differences in swimming capacity and metabolic traits between wild and hatchery-reared individuals and also between the 2 populations.Captive-bred individuals displayed consistently lower metabolic rates than wild individuals from the same population(30-76% lower).Critical swimming speed rather differed between the 2 populations.Sex-specific differences were observed in maximum and standard metabolic rates,with wild individuals and females generally exhibiting higher values but with some exceptions.During a 3-month experiment,survival rates did not significantly differ between wild and captive-bred fish.Captive-bred individuals started smaller but exhibited rapid growth during the experiment.Initially,larger captive-bred fish had lower body conditions than their wild counterparts,but these differences progressively diminished.In summary,captive-bred individuals of this fish species showed lower metabolic rates,although the differences with wild individuals slightly depended on sex and size.展开更多
The escape and establishment of Iberian wild goats,Capra pyrenaica,from an enclosure in the 1990s marked the beginning of the recovery of the species in the Pyrenees.This population has occupied part of the Prepyrenee...The escape and establishment of Iberian wild goats,Capra pyrenaica,from an enclosure in the 1990s marked the beginning of the recovery of the species in the Pyrenees.This population has occupied part of the Prepyrenees and has contacted another population reintroduced in France since 2014.It coexists with other wild ungulates,including the feral and domestic goats Capra hircus that has been living free since the 1960s.Today it’s the largest Iberian wild goat Pyrenean population.Between 2006 and 2022 we monitored the population and its expansion based on vantage points,itineraries and testimonies.The results indicate:(i)a population,of uncertain genetic origin,in numerical(15%average annual growth)and areal expansion,with the capacity to connect with other populations;(ii)an estimate of at least 500 individuals;(iii)in the process of expansion in contact with Iberian wild goats from France;(iv)sympatry with feral and domestic goat population in its main nucleus whose estimate exceeds 2000 specimens and(v)hybridization with feral and domestic goats.In 2022 sustainable hunt started with a hunting quota of 20 individuals.Genetic characterization and the establishment of an international coordinated monitoring are two of the current priorities.展开更多
Paphiopedilum armeniacum is a rare and endangered lady’s slipper orchid in China.It is distributed around the mid-elevations of the Nu Mountains in southwest China.Due to over-harvest,habitat loss,and degradation,wil...Paphiopedilum armeniacum is a rare and endangered lady’s slipper orchid in China.It is distributed around the mid-elevations of the Nu Mountains in southwest China.Due to over-harvest,habitat loss,and degradation,wild populations of P.armeniacum has declined drastically.A combination of approaches involving biotechnology,habitat restoration,and interspecific relationship reconstruction was used to carry out the reintroduction of the species.Integrated conservation program for this species included in-situ protection,ex-situ conservation,and reintroduction,which helped to rebuild a harmonious relationship between local farmers and P.armeniacum.The sustainable utilization of native plant resources in poor areas can promote regional sustainable development which is compatible with species protection.展开更多
Analyzing social networks is a powerful tool for understanding the ecology of social species.While most studies focus on the role of each group member,few compare groups with different characteristics.The current popu...Analyzing social networks is a powerful tool for understanding the ecology of social species.While most studies focus on the role of each group member,few compare groups with different characteristics.The current population of Przewalski's horses Equus ferus przewalskii at the Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area(Mongolia)includes groups of wild-born and captive-bred individuals with different experiences with the area(acclimatizing,long-term reintroduced,and wild-born),therefore serving as an ideal natural behavioral lab.We filmed 11 groups for 141.5 hours in summer 2018(July),late spring 2019(May,June),and autumn 2019(September,October).Affiliative and agonistic interactions were recorded,and social networks were created.We tested the influence of origin,experience,season,sex,age,relative time belonging to the group,relat-edness,and dominance rank on different network indices at the individual and group levels.We found that groups with greater experience in the area are generally better connected than members of the newly formed groups.However,these strong networks were created by wild-born individuals with very low interaction rates.On the contrary,inexperienced groups composed of captive-bred individuals displayed many inter actions but created weak social networks.The results show a trend of behavioral transition from acclimatizing through long-term reintroduced to wild-born groups,supporting that the newly formed groups of released Przewalski's horses need time to display the typical social behavior patterns of wild-born individuals.Long-term monitoring of released Przewalski's horses is recommended to promote the success of this reintroduction program.展开更多
Reintroduction of captive-bred Chinese giant salamanders is a primary approach for restoring wild populations.Despite previous studies have investigated the habitat preferences of reintroduced Chinese giant salamander...Reintroduction of captive-bred Chinese giant salamanders is a primary approach for restoring wild populations.Despite previous studies have investigated the habitat preferences of reintroduced Chinese giant salamanders,the intraspecific variation in their habitat selection has been neglected.In the present study,30 captive-bred Chinese giant salamanders belonging to 3 groups(i.e.,10 males,10 females,and 10 juveniles)were released into a montane stream to explore whether intraspecific variation in habitat selection occurred in this species using radiotelemetry.Our results indicated that linear home range and daily movement of males were significantly higher than those of females and juveniles.Male sedentariness was significantly lower than that of females and juveniles.No significant differences were detected between females and juveniles in these measures.Importantly,we found that males preferred microhabitats with low water conductivity and deep water depth.Females preferred microhabitats with high water conductivity,low dissolved oxygen and ammonium-nitrogen,and slow current velocity,while juveniles occupied microhabitats with low ammonium-nitrogen.In addition,males and juveniles exhibited higher niche breadth than females.Niche overlap was high between adults and juveniles but low between males and females.Our study revealed the presence of spatial segregation in reintroduced Chinese giant salamanders.Males,females,and juveniles exhibited variation in microhabitat selection.These results provide important information for use when planning strategies for conservation of Chinese giant salamanders.展开更多
Background:One of the most challenging tasks in wildlife conservation and management is clarifying which and how external and intrinsic factors influence wildlife demography and long-term viability.The wild population...Background:One of the most challenging tasks in wildlife conservation and management is clarifying which and how external and intrinsic factors influence wildlife demography and long-term viability.The wild population of the Crested Ibis(Nipponia nippon)has recovered to approximately 4400,and several reintroduction programs have been carried out in China,Japan and Korea.Population viability analysis on this endangered species has been limited to the wild population,showing that the long-term population growth is restricted by the carrying capacity and inbreeding.However,gaps in knowledge of the viability of the reintroduced population and its drivers in the release environment impede the identification of the most effective population-level priorities for aiding in species recovery.Methods:The field monitoring data were collected from a reintroduced Crested Ibis population in Ningshan,China from 2007 to 2018.An individual-based VORTEX model(Version 10.3.5.0)was used to predict the future viability of the reintroduced population by incorporating adaptive patterns of ibis movement in relation to catastrophe frequency,mortality and sex ratio.Results:The reintroduced population in Ningshan County is unlikely to go extinct in the next 50 years.The popula-tion size was estimated to be 367,and the population genetic diversity was estimated to be 0.97.Sensitivity analysis showed that population size and extinction probability were dependent on the carrying capacity and sex ratio.The carrying capacity is the main factor accounting for the population size and genetic diversity,while the sex ratio is the primary factor responsible for the population growth trend.Conclusions:A viable population of the Crested Ibis can be established according to population viability analysis.Based on our results,conservation management should prioritize a balanced sex ratio,high-quality habitat and low mortality.展开更多
The endangered giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is endemic to th e mountains of Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi Provinces in China. The species had nu mbered over 2000 animals in early 1970s, but declined to no more th...The endangered giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is endemic to th e mountains of Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi Provinces in China. The species had nu mbered over 2000 animals in early 1970s, but declined to no more than 1,000 anim als fragmented into perhaps 32 subpopulations in late 1990s as the result of num erous detrimental forces such as habitat shrinking, poaching and bamboo flowerin g. The mass flowering and followed die-off of bamboo played key roles in the dec lination of panda population in the past three decades. It trigged the starvatio n and following high mortality of giant pandas in 1970s over Min Mountains and i n 1980s across Qionglai Mountains in Sichuan Province. The situation of survivor ship is made worse by the fact that the panda habitat is fragmented into many sm all 'islands', each containing only a few pandas. Such small, isolated panda pop ulations are rendered even more vulnerable to extinction form threats such as ha bitat degradation, natural disaster, disease, and the deleterious effects of inb reeding. So restoring the panda habitat and reintroduction pandas to their histo rical habitat might be an important issue for protecting the giant panda in wild .展开更多
Nest-site and nesting material used by the Chinese alligator （Alligator sinensis） was studied at the Gaojingmiao Breeding Farm, Langxi County, Anhui, China from May to September 2009. In this study, artificial nesti...Nest-site and nesting material used by the Chinese alligator （Alligator sinensis） was studied at the Gaojingmiao Breeding Farm, Langxi County, Anhui, China from May to September 2009. In this study, artificial nesting materials were placed in 43 potential nesting sites before the nesting season, 11 of which were used. Additionally, eight nests were built at natural sites without artificial nesting materials provided. Seven environmental variables were measured at each nest site： distance from water, height from water surface, sunlight duration, nearest bank slope, nest site slope, vegetation coverage and concealment. Statistical analyses indicated that concealment was significantly different between used and unused nest sites, with concealment being significantly correlated to the use of materials- placed sites. In comparing the nests at artificial vs. natural sites, only the nearest bank slope differed significantly. Further, principal component analysis of natural nests indicated that the duration of nest exposure to sunlight and vegetation coverage were more influential than the other factors studied.展开更多
基金the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province,No.C2006000865
文摘BACKGROUND： In studies concerning cell injury induced by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, current experiments have primarily focused on altered protein levels. In addition, the apoptotic proteins Bax and Bcl-2 have been thoroughly studied with regard to initiating neuronal apoptosis. OBJECTIVE： To establish an in vitro model of oxygen-glucose deprivation and reintroduction in the rat hippocampus to simulate cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury; to observe c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3 （JNK3） mRNA expression in hippocampal neurons following Astragalus injection; and thus to determine changes in the signaling and downstream pathways of neuronal apoptosis at the cellular and molecular level. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, cellular and molecular experiment was performed at the Department of Central Laboratory, Chengde Medical College from February to June 2008. MATERIALS： Astragalus injection, the main ingredient of astragaloside, was purchased from Chengdu Di＇ao Jiuhong Pharmaceutical Manufactory, China. JNK3 mRNA probe and in situ hybridization kit were purchased from Tianjin Haoyang Biological Technology, China, and JNK3 RT-PCR primers were designed by Shanghai Bio-engineering, China. METHODS： Primary cultures of hippocampal neurons derived from Sprague Dawley rats, aged 1 2 days, were established. After 8 days, the hippocampal neurons were assigned to the following interventions： model group, Astragalus group, and vehicle control group, cells were subjected to oxygen-glucose reintroduction after oxygen-glucose deprivation for 30 minutes in sugar-free Earle＇s solution and a hypoxia device, which contained high-purity nitrogen. The normal control group was subjected to primary culture techniques and was not treated using above-mentioned interventions. In addition, the Astragalus and vehicle control groups were treated with Astragalus injection （0.5 g/L raw drug） or sterile, deionized water at 2 hours prior to oxygen-glucose deprivation, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： JNK3 mRNA expression was measured by in situ hybridization and RT-PCR at 0, 0.5, 2, 6, 24, 72, and 120 hours after oxygen-glucose reintroduction. RESULTS： Hippocampal neuronal morphology was normal in the normal control group. Hippocampal neurons exhibited apparent apoptosis-like pathological changes in the model, as well as the vehicle control, groups. The apoptosis-like pathological changes in the hippocampal neurons were less in the Astragalus group. Results from in situ hybridization and RT-PCR showed that JNK3 mRNA expression significantly increased in hippocampal neurons from model group, as well as the vehicle control group, compared with the normal control group （P 〈 0.05）. In addition, JNK3 mRNA expression significantly decreased in hippocampal neurons of the Astragalus group, compared with the model group and vehicle control group （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Astragalus injection inhibited apoptosis-related JNK3 mRNA expression following oxygen-glucose deprivation and reintroduction, and accordingly played a role in inhibiting hippocampal neuronal apoptosis.
基金Acknowledgments O.B-T is supported by a Fulbright post-doctoral fellowship from the United States - Israel Educational Foundation. This study was funded by an Israel Science Foundation （ISF） grant 1397/10 and by the Israel Nature and Park Authority. We thank R. King and A. Dolev for their help during various phases of the project. This is publication number 844 of the Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology.
文摘Despite their importance to conservation, reintroductions are still a risky endeavor and tend to fail, highlighting the need for more efficient post-release monitoring techniques. Reintroduced animals are released into unfamiliar novel environ ments and must explore their surroundings to gain knowledge in order to survive. According to theory, knowledge gain should be followed by subsequent changes to the animal＇s movement behavior, making movement behavior an excellent indicator of reintroduction progress. We aim to conceptually describe a logical process that will enable the inclusion of behavior （in particular, movement behavior） in management decision-making post-reintroductions, and to do so, we provide four basic components that a manager should look for in the behaviors of released animals. The suggested components are release-site fidelity, recurring locations, proximity to other individuals, and individual variation in movement behavior. These components are by no means the only possible ones available to a manager, but they provide an efficient tool to understanding animals＇ decision-making based on ecological theory; namely, the exploration-exploitation trade-off that released animals go through, and which underlies their behavior. We demonstrate our conceptual approach using data from two ungulate species reintroduced in Israel： the Persian fallow deer Dama mesopotamica and the Arabian oryx Oryx leucoryx [Current Zoology 60 （4）： 515-526, 2014] .
基金Guangxi Chairman's Foundation grant #09203-04 to Hong Liu and colleagues supported JM attendance at the IABG conference possiblefunding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service(1448-40181-99-G173)+4 种基金Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (#20161,021010,022647)Miami-Dade County Natural Areas Management and Environmentally Endangered Lands Program (R-80807)Arizona Department of TransportationU.S. Forest ServiceU.S. National Park Service
文摘Recent estimates indicate that one-fifth of botanical species worldwide are considered at risk of becoming extinct in the wild. One available strategy for conserving many rare plant species is reintroduction, which holds much promise especially when carefully planned by following guidelines and when monitored long-term. We review the Center for Plant Conservation Best Reintroduction Practice Guidelines and highlight important components for planning plant reintroductions. Before attempting reintroductions practitioners should justify them, should consider alternative conservation strategies, understand threats, and ensure that these threats are absent from any recipient site. Planning a reintroduction requires considering legal and logistic parameters as well as target species and recipient site attributes.Carefully selecting the genetic composition of founders, founder population size, and recipient site will influence establishment and population growth. Whenever possible practitioners should conduct reintroductions as experiments and publish results. To document whether populations are sustainable will require long-term monitoring for decades, therefore planning an appropriate monitoring technique for the taxon must consider current and future needs. Botanical gardens can play a leading role in developing the science and practice of plant reintroduction.
基金supported by the State Forestry Administration of China and the National Key Technology R&D Program of China(No.2016YFC0503200)
文摘Background: Restoring a viable population by reintroduction is the ultimate goal of a large number of ex situ conservation projects for endangered animals. However, many reintroductions fail to establish a population in the wild, partly because released animals cannot acclimate to the native environment of the release site, resulting in very low survival rates. Acclimation training is a technique to resolve this problem, although it does not have positive results in all species. We tested whether acclimation training and soft-release could improve the reintroduction success for captive-bred Cabot's Tragopan(Tragopan caboti), an endangered pheasant in southern China.Methods: Reintroduction of captive-bred Cabot's Tragopan was carried out in the Taoyuandong National Nature Reserve, China from 2010 to 2011. We built a soft-release enclosure for acclimation training in the typical montane habitat of this pheasant. Nine birds were acclimated to the environment of this release site in this cage for more than 50 days before release("trained birds"), while 11 birds remained only in the cage for 3 days prior to release("untrained birds"). Released birds were tagged with a collar radio-transmitter.Results: Post-release monitoring revealed that the survival rate of trained birds was higher than that of untrained birds after 50 days(trained: 85.7%; untrained: 20.0%). Cox regression analysis showed that there was a significant difference in the mortality rates between the trained and untrained birds. In addition, a survey of the habitat of the experimental and the control groups showed significant differences in habitat selection between the groups.Conclusion: Our study suggests that pre-release acclimatization training is an important factor that can lead to improved survival and habitat selection of captive-bred reintroduced tragopans.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30825039,30973236,30872346,30770748Chinese Postdoctoral Training Grant,No. 20070420575+1 种基金Application Basic Research Foundation of Sichuan Province,No. 2008JY0131Youth Science and Technology Foundation of Sichuan Province,No. 07zq026-135
文摘BACKGROUND：Previous studies have demonstrated that aquaporin-4 （AQP4） plays a key role in the formation and resolution of brain edema.However,the molecular mechanisms and role of AQP4 in hypoxia-ischemia-induced brain edema remain poorly understood.OBJECTIVE：To establish a newborn animal model of astrocytic oxygen-glucose deprivation and reintroduction,to observe the correlation between AQP4 and cellular volume,and to investigate the role of AQP4 in the development of brain edema following oxygen deprivation and reintroduction.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING：A comparative experiment was performed at the Experimental Center of West China Second University Hospital between October 2007 and April 2009.MATERIALS：Astrocytes were derived from the neocortex of Sprague Dawley rats aged 3 days.METHODS：Astrocytes were incubated in glucose/serum-free Dulbecco＇s modified Eagle＇s medium,followed by 1% oxygen for 6 hours.Finally,oxygen-glucose deprivation and reintroduction models were successfully established.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES：Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were used to measure expression of AQP4 mRNA and protein in cultured rat astrocytes following oxygen-glucose deprivation and reintroduction.Astrocytic cellular volume,as determined by [3H]-3-O-methyl-D-glucose,was used to represent the extent of astrocytic swelling.RESULTS：During oxygen-glucose deprivation,AQP4 mRNA and protein expression gradually decreased in astrocytes,whereas cellular volume increased in a time-dependent manner （P〈 0.01）.Following oxygen-glucose reintroduction,AQP4 mRNAand protein expression was upregulated,peaked at day 7,and then gradually decreased,but still higher than normal levels （P 〈 0.05）.However,cellular volume gradually decreased （P 〈 0.01）,and then reached normal levels at day 7.CONCLUSION：AQP4 expression highly correlated with cellular volume changes,suggesting that AQP4 played an important role in modulating brain water transport in an astrocytic oxygen-glucose deprivation and reintroduction model.
基金funded by China State Forestry and Grassland Administration Project for Rescue and Captive Breeding of Endangered and Rare Wildlife(2018).
文摘Reintroduction is an important strategy to restore or re-establish wild populations of endangered species.Pre-release training is a necessary step to ensure postreintroduction survival.However,studies reported contradicting outcomes after pre-release training of juveniles and adults.This study used farmed and feral American mink(Neovison vison)to analyze the influence of captive breeding on the morphology,structure and efficiency of the two major hindlimb levers,the femur and tibia pivoted by hip and knee joints that are essential for locomotion.Results showed that captive breeding did not alter the sexual dimorphism of the two levers that are related to survival in the wild.Captive-bred mink showed slightly altered morphology of the femur and fundamental structure of the hindlimb levers that improved efficiency,but this resulted in reduction of performance related to foraging in both terrestrial and aquatic environments,especially for females.These findings suggest that reintroduction of mustelid as exampled by the mink here should focus on juveniles because the skeletal alterations associated with captive rearing were recorded only among adults and are irreversible in adulthood.In contrast,captive-reared juveniles showed no skeletal alterations and would be expected to recovery from any atrophy of the muscular system caused by captive rearing for shorter durations.Our results support the application of pre-release training of juveniles in enriched environments as a method for alleviating structural alteration of appendages and enhancing locomotion to increase survival probability in complex habitats.
文摘The wild population of the African lion Panthera leo continues to decline, requiring alternate conservation programs to be considered. One such program is ex situ reintroduction. Prior to release, longterm monitoring and assessment of behavior is required to determine whether prides and coalitions behave naturally and are sufficiently adapted to a wild environment. Social network analysis （SNA） can be used to provide insight into how the pride as a whole and individuals within it, function. Our study was conducted upon 2 captive-origin prides who are part of an ex situ reintroduction program, and 1 wild pride of African lion. Social interactions were collected at all occurrence for each pride and categorized into greet, social grooming, play, and aggression. Betweenness centrality showed that offspring in each pride were central to the play network, whereas degree indicated that adults received （indegree） the greatest number of overall social interactions, and the adult males of each pride were least likely to initiate （outdegree） any interactions. Through the assessment of individual centrality and degree values, a social keystone adult female was identified for each pride. Social network results indicated that the 2 captive-origin prides had formed cohesive social units and possessed relationships and behaviors comparable with the wild pride for the studied behaviors. This study provided the first SNA comparison between captive-bred origin and a wild pride of lions, providing valuable information on individual and pride sociality, critical for determining the success of prides within an ex situ reintroduction program.
文摘This study demonstrates that a regionally extinct bird species belonging to the long-distance migrants can be reintroduced under the right circumstances.The article first describes the historic distribution of the white stork(Ciconia ciconia)prior to its disappearance from the Alpine Rhine Valley.Furthermore,the study examines the increase in actual population size between 1984 and 2018,mean reproductive success per breeding pair in the Rhine Valley between 2011 and 2018 and compares different types of breeding sites.Finally,the factors facilitating the successful reintroduction of the species are discussed.
文摘The Great Green Macaw Ara ambiguus is an endangered species whose most important food resource and nesting site in Costa Rica is the mountain almond tree Dipteryx panamensis, threatened mainly by deforestation. In this study, we analyse the suitability of reintroducing A. ambiguus in the South Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica by examining whether the ecological and socio-cultural conditions required for the reintroduction are met in the area. The methods developed in this work include biological sampling, cartographical analysis and semi-structured interviews, among others. We set La Ceiba Nature Reserve as study unit and starting point of the analysis due both to its conservation status, favouring the potential release of individuals, and its ecosystem representativeness. Our results suggest that the habitat is suitable for reintroduction, with frequent presence of D. panamensis in the region, as well as other feeding options and potential nesting sites in the study area. The cartographic study reveals that the species could rely on a forested surface of up to 7000 hectares, which would be sufficient for sustaining a viable population. As for the socio-cultural analysis, illegal logging and low protective frameworks were identified as the main potential threats for the species. Nevertheless, we perceived positive conservation attitudes among local people and a pro-active commitment of political stakeholders. We conclude that a viable South Caribbean reintroduction of A. ambiguus is possible in conjunction with a threat mitigation programme.
基金supported by the Special Fund for Ecological Forestry Construction of Guangdong Provincal Finance Department [Yue Cai Zi Huan [2021]15]the Central Finance Fund for Forestry Reform and Development [Yue Cai Zi Huan [2019]5,[2020]99]
文摘Paphiopedilum armeniacum is a rare and endangered lady's slipper orchid in China.It is distributed around the mid-elevations of the Nu Mountains in southwest China.Due to overharvest,habitat loss,and degradation,wild populations of P.armeniacum has declined drastically.A combination of approaches involving biotechnology,habitat restoration,and interspecific relationship reconstruction was used to carry out the reintroduction of the species.Integrated conservation program for this species included in-situ protection,ex-situ conservation,and reintroduction,which helped to rebuild a harmonious relationship between local farmers and P.armeniacum.The sustainable utilization of native plant resources in poor areas can promote regional sustainable development which is compatible with species protection.
基金supported by the National Key Fundamental Research Development Plan (2009CB421101)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (40871249,30670370)
文摘Human disturbance and climate change have increased the risk of extinction for rare and endangered wild plant species.One effective way to conserve these rare and endangered species is through reintroduction.In this review,we summarize the advances in wild plant reintroduction from five perspectives:the establishment of reintroduction biology as an important tool for biodiversity conservation;the importance of genetic diversity in reintroduction;reintroduction under global climate change;recruitment limitation in reintroduction;and reintroduction and ecological restoration.In addition,we consider the future of plant reintroduction strategies.
文摘This article is a summary of the historical background to Isatis tinctoria in France and elsewhere from the 12th to the 21st century. Isatis tinctoria, also called “Guède”, “Pastel” or “Vouède” according to the French region origin, is a plant originally used to obtain indigo blue dye mainly to produce colored blue fabrics. A local memory is well established in the Amiens region (northern France) and the Toulouse region (south-western France). No global review of its culture and trade over the long term is known. The aim of this article is to summarize the historical background of Isatis tinctoria in France and elsewhere from the twelfth to the twenty-first century.
基金supported by the supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science,Innovation and Universities(MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033)the European Union(NextGenerationEU/PRTR)through projects CGL2016-80820-R,PID2019-103936GB-C21,TED2021-129889B-I00,and RED2022-134338-T.
文摘Captive breeding and stocking are commonly employed strategies for enhancing fisheries and conserving endangered fish species.However,hatchery-raised fish often exhibit reduced performance in the wild,displaying alterations in physiological,morphological,and behavioral traits.We tested for differences in swimming capacity and metabolic traits between wild and hatchery-reared individuals of the Spanish toothcarp(Aphanius iberus)from 2 different populations.Furthermore,we experimentally tested if these changes translated into fitness differences after their stocking into the wild.There were significant differences in swimming capacity and metabolic traits between wild and hatchery-reared individuals and also between the 2 populations.Captive-bred individuals displayed consistently lower metabolic rates than wild individuals from the same population(30-76% lower).Critical swimming speed rather differed between the 2 populations.Sex-specific differences were observed in maximum and standard metabolic rates,with wild individuals and females generally exhibiting higher values but with some exceptions.During a 3-month experiment,survival rates did not significantly differ between wild and captive-bred fish.Captive-bred individuals started smaller but exhibited rapid growth during the experiment.Initially,larger captive-bred fish had lower body conditions than their wild counterparts,but these differences progressively diminished.In summary,captive-bred individuals of this fish species showed lower metabolic rates,although the differences with wild individuals slightly depended on sex and size.
基金funded by the Government of Aragon through several consultancy projects from 2006 to 2022
文摘The escape and establishment of Iberian wild goats,Capra pyrenaica,from an enclosure in the 1990s marked the beginning of the recovery of the species in the Pyrenees.This population has occupied part of the Prepyrenees and has contacted another population reintroduced in France since 2014.It coexists with other wild ungulates,including the feral and domestic goats Capra hircus that has been living free since the 1960s.Today it’s the largest Iberian wild goat Pyrenean population.Between 2006 and 2022 we monitored the population and its expansion based on vantage points,itineraries and testimonies.The results indicate:(i)a population,of uncertain genetic origin,in numerical(15%average annual growth)and areal expansion,with the capacity to connect with other populations;(ii)an estimate of at least 500 individuals;(iii)in the process of expansion in contact with Iberian wild goats from France;(iv)sympatry with feral and domestic goat population in its main nucleus whose estimate exceeds 2000 specimens and(v)hybridization with feral and domestic goats.In 2022 sustainable hunt started with a hunting quota of 20 individuals.Genetic characterization and the establishment of an international coordinated monitoring are two of the current priorities.
基金This work was supported by the Special Fund for Ecological Forestry Construction of Guangdong Provincal Finance Department[Yue Cai Zi Huan[2021]15]the Central Finance Fund for Forestry Reform and Development[Yue Cai Zi Huan[2019]5,[2020]99].
文摘Paphiopedilum armeniacum is a rare and endangered lady’s slipper orchid in China.It is distributed around the mid-elevations of the Nu Mountains in southwest China.Due to over-harvest,habitat loss,and degradation,wild populations of P.armeniacum has declined drastically.A combination of approaches involving biotechnology,habitat restoration,and interspecific relationship reconstruction was used to carry out the reintroduction of the species.Integrated conservation program for this species included in-situ protection,ex-situ conservation,and reintroduction,which helped to rebuild a harmonious relationship between local farmers and P.armeniacum.The sustainable utilization of native plant resources in poor areas can promote regional sustainable development which is compatible with species protection.
基金funded by Prague Zoo,the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences(IGA-20213104)Nadace"Nadani Josefa,Marie a Zdenky Hlavkovych."。
文摘Analyzing social networks is a powerful tool for understanding the ecology of social species.While most studies focus on the role of each group member,few compare groups with different characteristics.The current population of Przewalski's horses Equus ferus przewalskii at the Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area(Mongolia)includes groups of wild-born and captive-bred individuals with different experiences with the area(acclimatizing,long-term reintroduced,and wild-born),therefore serving as an ideal natural behavioral lab.We filmed 11 groups for 141.5 hours in summer 2018(July),late spring 2019(May,June),and autumn 2019(September,October).Affiliative and agonistic interactions were recorded,and social networks were created.We tested the influence of origin,experience,season,sex,age,relative time belonging to the group,relat-edness,and dominance rank on different network indices at the individual and group levels.We found that groups with greater experience in the area are generally better connected than members of the newly formed groups.However,these strong networks were created by wild-born individuals with very low interaction rates.On the contrary,inexperienced groups composed of captive-bred individuals displayed many inter actions but created weak social networks.The results show a trend of behavioral transition from acclimatizing through long-term reintroduced to wild-born groups,supporting that the newly formed groups of released Przewalski's horses need time to display the typical social behavior patterns of wild-born individuals.Long-term monitoring of released Przewalski's horses is recommended to promote the success of this reintroduction program.
基金supported by the National Key Programme of Research and'Development,Ministry of Science and Technology(2016YFC0503200)the Biodiversity Survey and Assessment Project of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment,China(2019HJ2096001006)+1 种基金the Construction of Basic Conditions Platform of Sichuan Science and TechnologyDepartment(2019JDPT0020)China Biodiversity Observation Networks(Sino BON).
文摘Reintroduction of captive-bred Chinese giant salamanders is a primary approach for restoring wild populations.Despite previous studies have investigated the habitat preferences of reintroduced Chinese giant salamanders,the intraspecific variation in their habitat selection has been neglected.In the present study,30 captive-bred Chinese giant salamanders belonging to 3 groups(i.e.,10 males,10 females,and 10 juveniles)were released into a montane stream to explore whether intraspecific variation in habitat selection occurred in this species using radiotelemetry.Our results indicated that linear home range and daily movement of males were significantly higher than those of females and juveniles.Male sedentariness was significantly lower than that of females and juveniles.No significant differences were detected between females and juveniles in these measures.Importantly,we found that males preferred microhabitats with low water conductivity and deep water depth.Females preferred microhabitats with high water conductivity,low dissolved oxygen and ammonium-nitrogen,and slow current velocity,while juveniles occupied microhabitats with low ammonium-nitrogen.In addition,males and juveniles exhibited higher niche breadth than females.Niche overlap was high between adults and juveniles but low between males and females.Our study revealed the presence of spatial segregation in reintroduced Chinese giant salamanders.Males,females,and juveniles exhibited variation in microhabitat selection.These results provide important information for use when planning strategies for conservation of Chinese giant salamanders.
基金The study was supported by Shaanxi Forestry Bureau and National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.31872245 and 31572282).
文摘Background:One of the most challenging tasks in wildlife conservation and management is clarifying which and how external and intrinsic factors influence wildlife demography and long-term viability.The wild population of the Crested Ibis(Nipponia nippon)has recovered to approximately 4400,and several reintroduction programs have been carried out in China,Japan and Korea.Population viability analysis on this endangered species has been limited to the wild population,showing that the long-term population growth is restricted by the carrying capacity and inbreeding.However,gaps in knowledge of the viability of the reintroduced population and its drivers in the release environment impede the identification of the most effective population-level priorities for aiding in species recovery.Methods:The field monitoring data were collected from a reintroduced Crested Ibis population in Ningshan,China from 2007 to 2018.An individual-based VORTEX model(Version 10.3.5.0)was used to predict the future viability of the reintroduced population by incorporating adaptive patterns of ibis movement in relation to catastrophe frequency,mortality and sex ratio.Results:The reintroduced population in Ningshan County is unlikely to go extinct in the next 50 years.The popula-tion size was estimated to be 367,and the population genetic diversity was estimated to be 0.97.Sensitivity analysis showed that population size and extinction probability were dependent on the carrying capacity and sex ratio.The carrying capacity is the main factor accounting for the population size and genetic diversity,while the sex ratio is the primary factor responsible for the population growth trend.Conclusions:A viable population of the Crested Ibis can be established according to population viability analysis.Based on our results,conservation management should prioritize a balanced sex ratio,high-quality habitat and low mortality.
文摘The endangered giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is endemic to th e mountains of Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi Provinces in China. The species had nu mbered over 2000 animals in early 1970s, but declined to no more than 1,000 anim als fragmented into perhaps 32 subpopulations in late 1990s as the result of num erous detrimental forces such as habitat shrinking, poaching and bamboo flowerin g. The mass flowering and followed die-off of bamboo played key roles in the dec lination of panda population in the past three decades. It trigged the starvatio n and following high mortality of giant pandas in 1970s over Min Mountains and i n 1980s across Qionglai Mountains in Sichuan Province. The situation of survivor ship is made worse by the fact that the panda habitat is fragmented into many sm all 'islands', each containing only a few pandas. Such small, isolated panda pop ulations are rendered even more vulnerable to extinction form threats such as ha bitat degradation, natural disaster, disease, and the deleterious effects of inb reeding. So restoring the panda habitat and reintroduction pandas to their histo rical habitat might be an important issue for protecting the giant panda in wild .
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC, No.30770312)
文摘Nest-site and nesting material used by the Chinese alligator （Alligator sinensis） was studied at the Gaojingmiao Breeding Farm, Langxi County, Anhui, China from May to September 2009. In this study, artificial nesting materials were placed in 43 potential nesting sites before the nesting season, 11 of which were used. Additionally, eight nests were built at natural sites without artificial nesting materials provided. Seven environmental variables were measured at each nest site： distance from water, height from water surface, sunlight duration, nearest bank slope, nest site slope, vegetation coverage and concealment. Statistical analyses indicated that concealment was significantly different between used and unused nest sites, with concealment being significantly correlated to the use of materials- placed sites. In comparing the nests at artificial vs. natural sites, only the nearest bank slope differed significantly. Further, principal component analysis of natural nests indicated that the duration of nest exposure to sunlight and vegetation coverage were more influential than the other factors studied.
