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Black‐and‐white snub‐nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti) rely on behavioral and dietary flexibility to survive in temperate latitudes at high‐elevation habitats characterized by climate and resource seasonality. However, little is known about how elevation influences their behavioral and dietary flexibility at monthly or seasonal scales. We studied an isolated R. bieti population at Mt. Lasha in the Yunling Provincial Nature Reserve, Yunnan, China, between May 2008 and August 2016 to assess the impacts of elevation on feeding behavior and diet. Across our sample, R. bieti occupied elevations between 3031 and 3637 m above mean sea level (amsl), with a 315.1 m amsl range across months and a 247.3 m amsl range across seasons. Contrary to expectations, individuals spent less time feeding when ranging across higher elevations. Lichen consumption correlated with elevation use across months and seasons, with individuals spending more time feeding on this important resource at higher elevations. Leaf consumption only correlated with elevation use during the spring. Our results suggest that R. bieti do not maximize their food intake at higher elevations and that monthly and seasonal changes in lichen and leaf consumption largely explain variation in elevation use. These findings shed light on the responses of R. bieti to environmental change and offer insight into strategies for conserving their habitats in the face of anthropogenic disturbance. Research Highlights: Black‐and‐white snub‐nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti) spend less time feeding in months and seasons when occupying higher‐elevation habitats.Leaves only comprise a higher percentage of the R. bieti diet when occupying higher‐elevation habitats in the spring.Lichen comprise a higher percentage of the R. bieti diet in months and seasons when occupying higher‐elevation habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this experiment was to study the effects of different proportions of Zhangzagu straw instead of peanut vine on the growth performance, nutrients apparent digestibility, meat quality, and serum biochemical indexes of finishing sheep. Twenty-four healthy 'Du x Hu' hybrid finishing rams with the body weight of (32.73± 2.46) kg aged about three months were randomly divided into three groups, with eight replicates in each group and one sheep in each replicate. The control group only added peanut vine. In the experimental Group I, 50% Zhangzagu straw was used to replace peanut vine. In the experimental Group II, 80% Zhangzagu straw was used to replace peanut vine. The pre-feeding period was 10 days, and the formal trial period was 70 days. The results showed that compared with the control group, the average daily feed intake of Group I decreased significantly (P<0.05), and the apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the L* value of flesh color in Group I significantly increased (P<0.05) and the shear force significantly decreased (P<0.05), the pH45 min value in Group II significantly increased (P<0.05) and the shear force value significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the L* value of flesh color in Group II was significantly lower than that of Group I (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the levels of total protein (TP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and cholesterol (CHOL) were significantly increased in Group I (P<0.05), and the TP content in Group II increased significantly (P<0.05). The study indicates that replacing peanut vine with Zhangzagu straw has certain effects on the growth performance, nutrients apparent digestibility, meat quality, and serum biochemical indexes of finishing sheep, and 50% Zhangzagu straw instead of peanut vine has the best weight gain effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating the groundwater recession characteristics and its relation with geological conditions is of critical importance to the estimation of groundwater recharge in regolith-bedrock aquifers, which commonly occur in the mountainous areas of Taiwan. This paper examines the role of geological and hydrogeological factors in controlling rainfall-induced recharge processes. Groundwater and rainfall data were compiled from 29 monitoring wells and rainfall stations situated in the mid- and upper-Choshuei river basin in central Taiwan. In light of analyzing the outcome of the groundwater-level response to rainfall, the relation between the effective rainfall and groundwater-level fluctuation tends to be positive, and rainfall events with high intensity firmly control the groundwater recharge process in Taiwan mountainous areas. Permeable geological units likely dominate the groundwater-level variations. Besides, recession rates in the vertical direction varying with geological conditions were obviously found in each well site. To improve the efficiency of the water table fluctuation (WTF) method on extrapolating recession rates, two rating systems for evaluating hydraulic properties of regolith and fractured bedrock, respectively, were proposed and applied to develop the effective techniques linked to the quantification of recession characteristics varying with depths for each well. By regression analysis, the dependence of the hydraulic property rating system on the recession rate was performed, and the derived regression equation for each well can be used to estimate the recession rate with depths. Finally, the recharge estimation with the above techniques in Taiwan mountainous areas was established, and the present method of estimating recharge was compared with the existing method. The difference between the two methods was obviously found. Thus, recharge estimation in mountainous areas should take account of complex geological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted community interviews and field surveys to determine the distribution and population of the Endangered Shortridge's capped langur Trachypithecus shortridgei, and the threats to the species, in the Dulong and Nu River valleys of north-western Yunnan Province, China. We found that c. 19 groups of T. shortridgei reside in the Dulong valley, mostly located in the southern portion of the valley. According to interview and observational records in the Gaoligong Mountains to the west of the Nu River, 12 individuals and no groups were observed. Family groups consist of one adult male, 2–3 adult females and up to five young. We estimate the population of T. shortridgei in China to be c. 250–370 individuals. Threats to the species include habitat loss and poaching. We suggest several measures to conserve T. shortridgei, such as a review of the Gaoligong National Nature Reserve management strategy, and increasing engagement, education, inclusion of local people in forest management, and the consistency of enforcement. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]