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The white-headed langur is classed as a category I species under the Wild Animal Protection Law in China. It is distributed only in Karst hills in four counties (Longzhou, Ningming, Chongzuo and Fusui), in the southern Guangxi province of China. The Mingjiang River and the Zuojiang River form its southern, western and northern boundaries, and the Shiwandashan Mountains restrict its range in the east. Population surveys conducted in the 1980s showed that there were a total of 630 individuals in Guangxi, including 244 in Longzhou and Ningming counties, 117 in six fragments of Chongzuo County and 272 in nine patches of Fusui County. Surveys conducted by our group and Guangxi Forestry Bureau indicated that a total of 580–620 white-headed langurs still live in the above four counties, including 210–240 in Longzhou and Ningming, 90–100 in Chongzuo and 250 in Fusui. According to our statistics, only about 200 km2 of habitat remains within the current range of the white-headed langur and this is separated as a total of 16 patches in 13 townships. Shangjin and Xiangshui in Longzhou county and Tingliang and Tuolu in Ningming, form the largest patch of the range, with total area of 68 km2, while in Chongzuo and Fusui County, the habitat is heavily fragmented with six patches of 43.5 km2 in Chongzuo and nine patches of 88 km2 in Fusui. At present, the white-headed langur is still suffering from heavy habitat deterioration and human disturbance such as cultivation, tree-cutting for firewood, and poachings even though the government has made many efforts to protect this endangered species, such as putting it as a category I species for protection and designating the nature reserve and stations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Characteristics of the gut microbiome vary synchronously with changes in host diet. However, the underlying effects of these fluctuations remain unclear. Here, we performed fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) of diet-specific feces from an endangered mammal (the giant panda) into a germ-free mouse model. We demonstrated that the butyrate-producing bacterium Clostridium butyricum was more abundant during shoot-eating season than during the leaf-eating season, congruent with the significant increase in host body mass. Following season-specific FMT, the microbiota of the mouse model resembled that of the donor, and mice transplanted with the microbiota from the shoot-eating season grew faster and stored more fat. Mechanistic investigations revealed that butyrate extended the upregulation of hepatic circadian gene Per2 , subsequently increasing phospholipid biosynthesis. Validation experiments further confirmed this causal relationship. This study demonstrated that seasonal shifts in the gut microbiome affect growth performance, facilitating a deeper understanding of host-microbe interactions in wild mammals. [Display omitted] • Giant pandas gain more body mass when eating shoots compared with leaves • More SCFAs are produced by the giant panda gut microbiome in the shoot-eating season • GF mice receiving the panda microbiota from the shoot-eating season gain more fat • Butyrate can synchronize host hepatic circadian rhythm to increase lipid production Huang et al. reveal that the gut microbiome can confer a plastic physiological response to seasonal diet shifts in the giant panda via synchronizing host peripheral circadian rhythm. The study sheds light on the causal relationships between the gut microbiome and host phenotype, providing potential avenues to improve host fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giant pandas ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ) are bamboo specialists that evolved from carnivores. Their gut microbiota probably aids in the digestion of cellulose and this is considered an example of gut microbiota adaptation to a bamboo diet. However, this issue remains unresolved and further functional and compositional studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camouflage is essential for animals to avoid predation or attract prey. Camouflage encompasses a spectrum of strategies aimed at rendering detection and recognition more challenging. Crypsis and masquerade emerge as the predominant manifestations of camouflage in the animal kingdom. Unveiling genetic mechanisms of camouflage requires cross-discipline integration, encompassing comparative genomics, population genetics, developmental biology, and neurobiology. The approaches of ecological evolutionary developmental biology provide a pivotal role in deciphering the genetic bases of camouflage. Camouflage is a classic example of a trait wherein animals respond to natural selection to avoid predation or attract prey. This unique phenomenon has attracted significant recent attention and the rapid development of integrative research methods is facilitating advances in our understanding of the in-depth genetic mechanisms of camouflage. In this review article, we revisit camouflage definitions and strategies and then we examine the underlying mechanisms of the two most common forms of camouflage, crypsis and masquerade, that have recently been elucidated using multiple approaches. We also discuss unresolved questions related to camouflage. Ultimately, we highlight the implications of camouflage for informing various key issues in ecology and evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The red panda ( Ailurus fulgens ), a vegetarian member of the order Carnivora, is distributed in Nepal, India, Bhutan, Myanmar, and China. Many populations occur at low densities in small fragmented forest patches and face pressure from habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation, poaching, and developmental activities. Most studies have taken place in China and Nepal; few studies have been conducted in the other countries, creating a gap in documentation. Therefore, there is an urgent need to increase our knowledge regarding the ecology of the red panda and its threats. Based on literature regarding the red panda, we attempt to summarize the progress in research on its current distribution, ecology, and existing threats in the wild, highlight conservation approaches and recommend future directions. Recent studies have focused on wild populations; however, earlier studies emphasized captive. China and Nepal have a wider elevational range in red panda distribution (2000–3800 m) compared to other countries. Bamboo mixed subtropical and temperate forest and other associated variables, including a relatively high cover of bamboo, shrubs, and canopy, high densities of fallen logs, relatively steep slopes, and proximity to water sources, are ecologically important in the habitat. Due to differences in methodologies, prior estimates on population size and habitat area have varied. The genetic diversity of red pandas is high in China, but a lack of such data in other range countries makes subspecies classification unclear. Movement, microbiota, pathogens, and threats have been insufficiently documented; thus, we recommended extensive research in these areas. Furthermore, regional cooperation in research, data sharing, and policy implementation are urgently needed to protect wild panda populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competition often occurs between two or more sympatric species that use similar ecological niches. During competition, a superior species may exclude the competitor from parts of its fundamental niche or make it go extinct. Determining the potential competition between two sympatric species including an endangered one has important implications for conservation management. We evaluated potential food competition between the wild boar and the giant panda in a key national nature reserve established primarily for the giant panda protection. We monitored foraging plots for 9 years, conducted food macronutrient analysis, and combined our analysis with long-term population monitoring results for two species. The wild boar population increased dramatically in the past 18 years, benefiting from conservation policies of the Chinese government, whereas the giant panda population decreased. We found evidence for competition for bamboo shoots, an important seasonally limiting resource. The wild boar had a higher utilization rate at foraging plots than giant panda, which also avoided plots used by wild boar. This study indicates key seasonal food competition may exist between wild boar and giant panda. This competition for a key food resource may have negative impacts on giant panda populations, particularly under the substantial increase of the wild boar, yet this possibility has not figured prominently in conservation planning and policy for panda reserves. We suggest long-term monitoring of this competitive relationship across reserves to determine when and where management intervention is needed. And, we might need more flexible policies instead of the current "one size fits all" one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract As certain extreme weather events are becoming frequent and intense, conservationists must identify areas across species' ranges recurrently affected, especially with regard to threatened species. Focusing on the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and historical flood frequency distribution, we determined overlaps between panda distribution affected by floods and nature reserves. We also examined the correspondence between areas subject to high flood exposure densities, areas with high panda habitat use, and areas that exhibit high human density. Of the 67 reserves established for giant panda conservation 7 included areas with the highest flood exposure densities while having a mean exposure ranging between 20 and 75%. In Sichuan province up to 32% of areas of high habitat use were subject to low flood density, and 10% overlapped with areas subject to high flood density. We also found that 40% of the total area with high human density was subject to a high flood density. Our findings indicate that high frequency of flooding is affecting areas of nature reserves where people are rather than areas which pandas are using more intensively. In areas occupied by pandas, strategies should remain focus on mitigating habitat degradation and fragmentation caused by human activities that can also reduce habitat resilience to floods. Management aimed at reducing vulnerability and enhancing resilience in flood-prone areas is warranted if we are to prevent negative indirect impacts on panda habitat driven by human responses to increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events in the coming decades. Highlights • Areas inside giant panda nature reserves are highly exposed to floods. • Frequent flooding is affecting areas with people rather than areas used by pandas. • Building resilience is crutial for preventing additional pressures on panda habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Small features in ecological systems are often underrepresented in conservation monitoring, management and policy. Tree cavities and other forms of refuge play disproportionately large ecological roles due to their importance for shelter and rearing vulnerable offspring. Giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) cubs are highly altricial, and dependent on dens. In Fengtongzai—a reserve with cavity-containing old growth forest—we measured 19 structural and microhabitat variables in potential tree dens. We also established data loggers in rock cavities in Foping Nature Reserve (which due to logging does not contain old growth) and tree cavities in Fengtongzai to monitor temperature and humidity inside and outside dens to evaluate microclimatic buffering. Fengtongzai pandas selected tree dens that were better concealed, with large interiors and entrances but smaller entrance to interior ratios. Microclimate inside dens differed dramatically from ambient conditions outside: in cold weather dens were warmer, in hot weather dens were cooler, dens were less humid and dens had more stable microclimates. Dens used by maternal pandas were warmer, drier and less variable than tree and rock cavities that were not used. Tree dens showed better capacity to buffer against extremes of temperature and humidity than did cave dens. Our findings have important conservation implications, including the value of den sites and the need for better monitoring and management. Specifically, management practices that preserve large old trees may increase carrying capacity and any experimentation with artificial dens as a conservation intervention should reference our findings on structural and microclimatic characteristics of preferred den sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The explosive growth in genomic data has provided novel insights into the conflicting signals hidden in phylogenetic trees. Although some studies have explored the effects of the GC content and parsimony informative sites (PIS) on the phylogenetic tree, the effect of the heterogeneity of the GC content at the first/second/third codon position on parsimony informative sites (GC1/2/3 PIS ) among different species and the effect of PIS on phylogenetic tree construction remain largely unexplored. Here, we used two different mammal genomic datasets to explore the patterns of GC1/2/3 PIS heterogeneity and the effect of PIS on the phylogenetic tree of genes: (i) all GC1/2/3 PIS have obvious heterogeneity between different mammals, and the levels of heterogeneity are GC3 PIS  > GC2 PIS  > GC1 PIS ; (ii) the number of PIS is positively correlated with the metrics of “good” gene tree topologies, and excluding the third codon position (C3) decreases the quality of gene trees by removing too many PIS. These results provide novel insights into the heterogeneity pattern of GC1/2/3 PIS in mammals and the relationship between GC3/PIS and gene trees. Additionally, it is necessary to carefully consider whether to exclude C3 to improve the quality of gene trees, especially in the super-tree method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reintroduction is an important approach in the conservation of endangered species and in recent decades a number of reintroduction programs have been conducted for conservation purposes. Generally, the success rate of reintroduction is low, but long-term monitoring of most reintroduction programs remains uncommon and this may influence the evaluation of reintroduction. The giant panda is a flagship species of biodiversity conservation. The Chinese government runs a giant panda reintroduction program and here we present reintroduction monitoring data from 2009 to 2015 for three giant pandas released into a small isolated wild population in western Sichuan, China. The results indicate that all three giant pandas display similar activity patterns to wild giant pandas, however, the wild-caught female demonstrated better adaptive ability to the wild environment than the two captive-born individuals in that she established a stable home range in the quickest time and gave birth to a cub. Genetic analysis indicates that new genetic material has been introduced into the local population. Our study provides the latest update on the giant panda introduction program and indicates that it is progressing well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food resources are patchily distributed in the environment and carnivores and herbivores have adopted different foraging strategies to maximize feeding efficiency. One interesting strategy is that of the giant panda, a member of the Carnivora that has evolved into a bamboo specialist. Giant pandas forage discriminately, but it remains unknown how nutritional hierarchical levels and landscape configuration heterogeneity affect foraging patch selection. Here, we used global positioning system collars to track wild giant pandas at high resolution (<10 m) and sampled foraging patches for nutritional hierarchical level analysis. We predicted that giant pandas select foraging patches with microhabitat characteristics that decrease energy expenditure during foraging according to optimal search theory. We introduce the concept of nutrient load as the product of local patch nutrient concentration and predicted that relatively efficient nutrients in fluctuating nutritional environments may determine foraging patch selection in giant pandas. This is the first time that microhabitat characteristics, key nutrients and foraging behavior have been studied in combination in giant pandas. We used random forest (RF) and generalized linear mixed-effects models (GLMMs) to infer habitat and nutritional factors that may influence foraging patch selection and utilization. Our results reveal that giant pandas select foraging patches with a topography that likely decreases energy expenditure. Giant pandas also favor protein-rich foraging patches, probably because protein can be digested and assimilated faster than cellulose and this maximizes net energy gains. These data provide a new perspective on foraging patch selection strategies in heterogeneous habitats of diet-specialized species under constant nutritional challenge. Improved conservation planning can be undertaken according to our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Serum samples from 92 giant pandas in three captive facilities were tested for antibodies against five viruses of carnivores. Antibody titers against canine distemper virus (CDV) in two facilities in which giant pandas were vaccinated were variable. The canine adenovirus (CAV-1) and canine parvovirus (CPV) titers in vaccinated group were both positive, but titers were not high and varied among individual except one vaccinated panda had extremely high CAV-1 titer, indicating infection with the field virus following vaccination. Our results suggest that the vaccines used for these giant pandas do not elicit consistent antibody titers. Antibody titers against CDV, CPV and CAV-1 in unvaccinated giant pandas were highly variable, especially CPV titer. Almost half of sera were CPV antibody positive, and CPV titers were high enough to suggest infection with the virus. Canine coronavirus (CCV) and canine parainfluenza virus (CPIV) titers were not detected in all serum samples. The results of this study emphasize the need for research on infectious diseases of giant pandas and development of suitable vaccines for the species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Diverse protists inhabit in the giant panda gut ecosystem. • Fungal communities are more sensitive to sampling site than other microorganisms. • The neutral model could predict the distribution of most of microbial ASVs. • Diet is the main driving factor of ARGs variation in the giant panda gut microbiome. • Two multitrophic communities are identified, which all contribute to ARGs variation. The mammal gut is a rich reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and the relationship between bacterial communities and ARGs has been widely studied. Despite ecological significance of microeukaryotes (fungi and protists), our understanding of their roles in the mammal gut microbiome and antibiotic resistome is still limited. Here, we used amplicon sequencing, metagenomic sequencing and high-throughput quantitative PCR to examine microbiomes and antibiotic resistomes of 41 giant panda fecal samples from individuals with different genders, ages, sampling sites and diet. Our results show that diverse protists inhabit in the giant panda gut ecosystem, dominated by consumers. Higher abundance of protistan consumers was detected in the elder compared to sub-adult and adult giant pandas. Diet is the main driving factor of variation in ARGs in the giant panda gut microbiome. Weighted correlation network analysis identified two key microbial modules from multitrophic communities, which all contributed to the variation in ARGs in the giant panda gut. Protists occupied an important position in the two modules which were dominated by fungal taxa. Deterministic processes made a more important contribution to microbial community assembly of the two modules than to bacterial, fungal and protistan communities. This study sheds new light on how key microbial modules contribute to the variation in ARGs, which is crucial in understanding dynamics of antibiotic resistome in the mammal gut, particularly endangered species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]