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This study aimed to investigate the effect of LyPB on the intestinal microflora of giant pandas with indigestion, using high-throughput sequencing (HTS) technology. The species distribution and microfloral density and diversity before and after administration of the LyPB probiotic agent were analyzed. LyPB evidently has the ability to adjust the floral imbalance in the panda's intestine. To test the effects of LyPB on the microflora of the panda gut, fecal samples were taken from a healthy giant panda (Anan) without administration of LyPB and from a dyspeptic giant panda Yangyang before and after LyPB administration. Compared with the sample obtained from healthy Anan (anan-c) and that obtained from dyspeptic Yangyang before LyPB administration (yangyang1), the sample taken from Yangyang (yangyang2) after LyPB administration displayed a significant increase in the operational taxonomic unit index. An increase in the Chao index indicated an increase in the microfloral richness, while an increase in the Shannon index indicated an increase in microfloral diversity. At phylum and genus levels, a significant increase was observed in the density of probiotic bacteria of phylum firmicutes, genus Streptococcus, while a drastic reduction in the density of Escherichia coli/Escherichia coli Shigella/bacteria of genus Shigella was observed. Data obtained in this study shows that LyPB preparations successfully improve the microbial structure within the panda's intestinal canal by significantly increasing the effective microbial community and decreasing the number of pathogenic microbes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Burmese python ( Python bivittatus) has recently suffered large population declines in the wild in China due to illegal capture, overexploitation, deforestation and the loss of its natural habitat. Greater knowledge of the genetic diversity and structure of wild P. bivittatus populations is needed to help ensure its effective management. In this study, we investigated the genetic diversity and population genetic structure of wild P. bivittatus in China in detail. 109 P. bivittatus individuals from five distribution areas in Guangdong (GD), Guangxi (GX), Hainan (HN), Fujian (FJ) and Yunnan (YN) province of China were collected, and their genetic structure and diversity were analyzed. Eight highly polymorphic microsatellite loci were utilized to reveal high levels of genetic diversity in the P. bivittatus population. Genetic diversity was highest in GX, and lowest in GD. All geographic populations demonstrated a bottleneck effect indicating recent population decline. F and AMOVA analyses revealed that there was moderate genetic differentiation among the five populations, and that only 10.59 % of total genetic diversity occurred among populations. F values between populations were positively correlated with their geographical distances. Genetic structure analyses revealed that the HN, GX and GD populations, which were geographically closest, were assigned to a genetic cluster, while the YN and FJ populations constituted a single cluster, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By the contingent value method, we studied the non-use value of wetland ecosystem service of Hongxing National Nature Reserve (HNNR) in Heilongjiang Province, northeast China. The proportion of respondents willing to pay (WTP) for protection of HNNR was 63 %. The WTP ratio was affected by geographical area, contact nature, personal preferences, and familiar degree of the respondents. The WTP value was affected by age, education level and career of the respondents. The mainly reasons for people rejecting to pay for protecting HNNR were 'I am not familiar to HNNR' and 'I had no capacity for additional spending because of low income'. Weighted average individual WTP value was CNY 59.26 Yuan ind. year for all the respondents with WTP. The total non-use ecosystem service value of HNNR was CNY 1430 million Yuan in 2013. The heritage value was highest followed by existence value and option value. From the high ecosystem service value in HNNR, it is very important to construct nature reserve for protecting natural ecosystems and human sustainable use of natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four isozymes, such as Malate dehydrogenase (MDH), Alchol dehydrogenase (ADH), Peroxidae (POD) and Esterase (EST) in six tissues (heart, liver, kidney, muscle, eye, gonad) of Martes zibellina L., were analyzed by means of vertical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The results indicated that the zymograms of these four isozymes in different tissues were different from each other, i.e. there existed apparent tissue-specificitity in these isozymes in Martes zibellina L.. Characteristic enzyme band was found both in POD zymogram and in EST zymogram. Moreover, the characteristic enzyme band in POD isozyme would be of some value to sexual identification of Martes zibellina L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moose ( Alces alces cameloides) is typically representative of the fauna of the frigid temperate zone and has been put on the Chinese second priority list of protected animals. The moose of northeast China is on the southern most edge of its distribution in Asia. To study resource selection characteristics of moose and their response to human disturbances and forest resource variables, the field work was conducted in Heilongjiang Provincial Shengshan Forestry Farm, which is located in the northwestern slope of Lesser Khingan Mountains, northeastern China, from January to March in both 2006 and 2007. A total of 428 plots were examined within the study area. Signs of moose use were found in 19 plots. Based on the analysis of resource selection function, we found that moose selected areas with higher densities of mixed deciduous broadleaf patch and mixed coniferous and broad leaf patch, and a higher NDVI value. Moose avoided settlement 6 km away and remained low probability of occurrence within 3 km from roads, whereas higher within 4 km from trails. Our results suggested that the behavior of avoidance for human disturbance (i.e. settlement and roads) may indirectly pose habitat loss. Therefore, resource selection function models and corresponding graphs of important habitat disturbances can be used to guide and evaluate future development plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nest-site selection patterns of Red-crowned cranes ( Grus japonensis) and the effects of environmental variables were studied during the years of 2002-2008 in Zhalong Nature Reserve, Qiqihar city, northeast China. The nest-site selection pattern of Red-crowned cranes included two orders and three choices: the choice of nest-site habitat type within the macro-habitat order, nest zone selection and nest-site microhabitat selection within the micro-habitat order. Various habitats (such as Carex swamps and reed fire districts) can be selected as the nest sites for Red-crowned cranes, of which reed swamps (93.15%) are given a preference. Factor Analysis reveals that the micro-habitat selection are affected by four main factors: fire, security (concealment / disturbance), incubation (conditions, nest-material), and food. Further analysis reveals that Red-crowned cranes have certain adaptability to the changes of nesting habitat quality in the Zhalong wetlands. In conclusion, fire, reeds, and water were the most important variables for nest-site habitat selection of Red-crowned Cranes in Zhalong Nature Reserve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat loss and fragmentation have been associated with the decline of endangered species. In 1987, a catastrophic fire in the northern Great Hing’an Mountains of China, where the main habitat of sables. ( Martes zibellina) is located, aggravated the loss and fragmentation of the forest landscape. Due to restricted distribution and low population density, sables were listed in the national first-grade protected species in China. The objective of this paper was to identify to what extent the habitat of sables had been restored 13 years after the fire. Based on the behavioral data, which came from field survey information by radio-tracking, GPS (Global Positioning System) and forest inventory data, suitability habitat maps were derived using the Ecological Niche Suitability Model (ENSM). In addition, the habitat structure was analyzed with selected landscape indices. Although forest cover mostly had been restored by 2000, the results indicated that, compared to the pre-fire situation, the areas of suitable habitat had been reduced significantly, especially those of less suitable, marginally suitable and moderately suitable designation. Fragmentation was aggravated, and suitable patches were found to be further isolated with the exception of those in most suitable areas. The ratio of the patch perimeter to area in unsuitable, moderately suitable and suitable areas decreased, while the ratios within other suitability types increased. Moreover, the percentage of soft boundaries decreased slightly, which can influence the redistribution of sables. The results above indicated that the suitable habitat had deteriorated, and the restoration of the sables’ habitat remained to be done. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The food availability, composition of the diets and selective grazing of the Mongolian gazelle ( Procapra gutturosa) were studied in Hulunber Grassland in Nei Monggol. The food availability of Mongolian gazelle showed seasonal changes. The plant biomass was higher in spring and summer than that in autumn and winter. The fecal compositions of the gazelle demonstrated that fibrous parts occupied 62.4%, 74.8%, and 66.0% in spring, autumn, and winter, respectively. The Mongolian gazelle preferred to graze Compositeae, Leguminosae, Allium spp. and other forbs in spring and autumn, while the grasses, such as Aneurolepidium chinense and Stipa spp. were selectively feeding in winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fecal indicators of nutritional status of wild ungulates were less constrained than that of blood, rumen contents, or urine analyses. Thus, we compared the nitrogen and fiber concentrations of feces with those of the rumen contents of Mongolian gazelles ( Procapra guttrurosa) in Hulunbeier Grassland. Rumen contents and fecal nutritional concentrations varied in different seasons. Dietary nitrogen concentrations only increased linearly with increase nitrogen concentration in fecal in winter. There was a positive correlation between rumen NDF (neutral detergent fiber) and fecal NDF concentrations. But the regression coefficient was small ( r=0.3917). There was a significant regression equation between rumen contents ADF (acid detergent fiber) and fecal ADF concentrations, as well as ADL (acid detergent lignin) concentrations. Nitrogen concentration was found to be negatively correlated with NDF, ADF, and ADL concentrations both in rumen and in fecal compositions. Our data suggest that fecal nitrogen, ADF, ADL concentrations may assess winter dietary qualities that are in protein, crude fiber and lignin concentrations for Mongolian gazelles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stomach compartments of 51 Mongolian gazelles ( Procapra guttrurosa) were weighed and the data were compared with total body weight. The total tissue weights ranged from 2.70% to 2.82% of body weight. Rumens were the heaviest, occupying about 75% of the total stomach, followed by reticulums (9%–11%), abomasums (8%–10%) and omasums (4%–6%). The weights of rumens were directly proportional to body weights and weights of omasums and abomasums were inversely related to body weights. Stomachs of the Mongolian gazelle were of the “mixed feeder” in terms of total weight and contribution of each compartment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors discussed the administrative system of export quota and its method of calculation in the international wildlife trade. Three methods for determining wildlife export quota in China was put forward, based on the trend and status, domestic use, and historical export of wildlife resources. They include the single factor method, the double factor method, and the multiple factor method. In addition, the approaches and measures to establish and carry out the administrative system of wildlife export quota in China were discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study on winter food constitution of Mongolian gazella ( Procapra gutturosa) was conducted in Hulunbeir grassland(Xinbarhuyou Banner, Hulunbeir League, Inner Mongolia) from spring 1994 to summer 1995. With microhistological analysis technique of feces, 21 plant species were identified to be availlable for Mongolian gazella as forage in winter and their nutritive trait were analyzed. Some foraging behavior of Mongolian gazella were also discribed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]