野生大熊猫行为谱及PAE编码系统

行为谱是动物行为学研究的基础。大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)是生物多样性保护中的旗舰物种,其行为生态的研究备受关注,然而由于大熊猫数量稀少且警惕性强,很难在野外进行观察,有关其行为谱等基础行为研究结果主要是基于圈养大熊猫的观察研究。为了促进野生大熊猫行为学的深入研究,2015年1月—2016年6月,2018年8月— 2019年4月我们在卧龙自然保护区基于红外相机图片和视频数据,利用PAE编码系统建立了野生大熊猫行为谱和PAE编码系统。研究共计在14种环境背景中记录到大熊猫12种姿势、52种动作、56种行为。一方面,本研究结果基本涵盖了大熊猫的主要行为,并发现了一些未在圈养大熊猫行为谱中记录到的行为,如野生大熊猫利用植物的茎进行自我除雪行为;另一方面丰富了观察大熊猫行为的环境因素。以上结果为深入研究野生大熊猫行为生态学提供了基础信息。       

卧龙圈养大熊猫遗传多样性现状及预测,

以中国最大的大熊猫圈养种群—四川卧龙中国大熊猫保护中心的圈养种群为对象,以８个大熊猫微卫星位点为分子标记, 探讨了大熊猫圈养种群的遗传多样性, 并与邛崃野生种群及其他７个濒危物种进行比较。微卫星数据表明, 圈养种群的遗传多样性水平(A＝5.5, He ＝0.620, Ho＝0.574) 低于邛崃野生种群(A＝9.8,He＝0.779,Ho＝0.581),但高于其他7 个濒危物种的种群(He＝0.13~0.46)。在此数据的基础上对未来100个世代内圈养种群遗传多样性的变化情况做出了预测。结果表明假设种群数量比现在扩大一倍, 经历100个世代后也只会使平均等位基因数少减少0.4。因此继续增加野生个体对保持遗传多样性的意义已经不大, 建议该圈养种群的保护策略应将重点放到制定更有效的繁殖计划以避免近交上。     

野生大熊猫现状、面临的挑战及展望

截至2003年底,我国野生大熊猫种群数量达1596只,分布在陕西、四川和甘肃3省的45个县境内,总栖息地面积达2304991hm^2。与第2次大熊猫调查相比,野生大熊猫生存状况已得到改善,分布范围扩大、栖息地面积增加、种群数量进一步增长。本文在第3次大熊猫调查的基础上,就野生大熊猫种群及栖息地现状进行了分析,指出未来保护大熊猫所面临的3个方面的挑战,即来自物种自身生物学特性的挑战、栖息地破碎化及隔离小种群未来命运的挑战以及大熊猫保护与社区经济发展需求相冲突的挑战。作者还就我国大熊猫保护前景进行了展望,即自然保护区数量将进一步增加,栖息地状况将进一步改善;种群数量在总体保持稳定的基础上将逐步增长,但局部小种群灭绝风险将加剧;圈养种群将形成能自我维持的种群,圈养个体通过培训将逐步放归到隔离野生小种群中以改变其命运。     

Gut microbiota in reintroduction of giant panda

Reintroduction is a key approach in the conservation of endangered species. In recent decades, many reintroduction projects have been conducted for conservation purposes, but the rate of success has been low. Given the important role of gut microbiota in health and diseases, we questioned whether gut microbiota would play a crucial role in giant panda's wild‐training process. The wild procedure is when captive‐born babies live with their mothers in a wilderness enclosure and learn wilderness survival skills from their mothers. During the wild‐training process, the baby pandas undergo wilderness survival tests and regular physical examinations. Based on their performance through these tests, the top subjects (age 2–3 years old) are released into the wild while the others are translocated to captivity. After release, we tracked one released panda (Zhangxiang) and collected its fecal samples for 5 months (January 16, 2013 to March 29 2014). Here, we analyzed the Illumina HiSeq sequencing data (V4 region of 16S rRNA gene) from captive pandas (n = 24), wild‐training baby pandas (n = 8) of which 6 were released and 2 were unreleased, wild‐training mother pandas (n = 8), one released panda (Zhangxiang), and wild giant pandas (n = 18). Our results showed that the gut microbiota of wild‐training pandas is significantly different from that of wild pandas but similar to that of captive ones. The gut microbiota of the released panda Zhangxiang gradually changed to become similar to those of wild pandas after release. In addition, we identified several bacteria that were enriched in the released baby pandas before release, compared with the unreleased baby pandas. These bacteria include several known gut‐health related beneficial taxa such as Roseburia, Coprococcus, Sutterella, Dorea, and Ruminococcus. Therefore, our results suggest that certain members of the gut microbiota may be important in panda reintroduction.     

野生大熊猫生态学研究进展与前瞻

在现代食肉目动物中,大熊猫无疑是最为引人注目的物种之一,既在科学上具有重要的研究价值,同时亦是世界自然保护的象征。自20 世纪80 年代初期我国政府与世界自然基金会合作开展野生大熊猫生态学研究
以来,迄今已积累了大量有关该物种及其栖息地的生态学知识,近年来3S 技术及分子生物学技术的推广应用将野生大熊猫生态学研究提升到了一个崭新的高度。本文在综合大量历史文献的基础上,从栖息地生态学、觅食
生态学、繁殖生态学、行为生态学、分子生态学、种群生态学和群落生态学等不同方面就野生大熊猫生态学的研究现状进行了梳理,力图归纳已有研究发现,阐明研究结果的科学价值及在保护生物学上的意义。同时,结
合研究与保护管理工作的需要,对未来研究方向进行了前瞻。     

大熊猫与同域动物在海拔分布上的生态位分化

大熊猫（Ailuropoda melanoleuca）是中国的特有物种,其成功放归可能受放归地气候、栖息地、同域动物等多种因素的影响。本研究在野外调查的基础上,基于生态位理论等方法,探讨了栗子坪国家级自然保护区大熊猫与其大中型同域动物的空间关系。调查结果表明,该保护区内大熊猫同域动物共20种,分别属于2纲5目,其中东洋型分布物种占优势（30%）。大熊猫同域动物分布海拔显著低于大熊猫的分布海拔（P＜0.05）,大熊猫分别与灵长目等5个目的动物在海拔分布上均存在显著的生态位分化（P＜0.001）。灵长目动物在空间分布上与大熊猫分布相异,而其他目的动物与大熊猫空间分布类似。偶蹄目动物痕迹数量占比最高（54.14 %）,而食肉目的小熊猫与大熊猫样线共同遇见率达到了43.75%。本研究结果表明,该地大熊猫同域动物较为丰富,在海拔分布上与大熊猫存在生态位分化。该研究可为圈养大熊猫的放归提供参考依据。     

Impact of livestock on giant pandas and their habitat

Livestock production is one of the greatest threats to biodiversity worldwide. However, impacts of livestock on endangered species have been understudied, particularly across the livestock–wildlife interface in forested protected areas. We investigated the impact of an emerging livestock sector in China's renowned Wolong Nature Reserve for giant pandas. We integrated empirical data from field surveys, remotely sensed imagery, and GPS collar tracking to analyze (1) the spatial distribution of horses in giant panda habitat, (2) space use and habitat selection patterns of horses and pandas, and (3) the impact of horses on pandas and bamboo (panda's main food source). We discovered that the horse distribution overlapped with suitable giant panda habitat. Horses had smaller home ranges than pandas but both species showed similarities in habitat selection. Horses consumed considerable amounts of bamboo, and may have resulted in a decline in panda habitat use. Our study highlights the need to formulate policies to address this emerging threat to the endangered giant panda. It also has implications for understanding livestock impacts in other protected areas across the globe.     

基于椭圆脐点突变模型的大熊猫生存状态研究

得益于有力的保护,大熊猫受威胁等级由"濒危"降为"易危"。根据全国大熊猫调查数据,近年来,大熊猫野生种群与栖息地面积总体上均处于持续增加态势;同时,大熊猫栖息地破碎化与局域种群隔离也呈加剧的趋势。两相对比,形成悖论现象,难以正确认知当前大熊猫的生存状态。大熊猫作为高度特化的K对策大型动物,其生存高度依赖于栖息地生态系统,极易受栖息地丧失与破碎化的影响。对大熊猫生存状态的研究,不应局限于栖息地或种群等单项指标的变化,而应基于系统科学的整体视角。结合全国第三、四次大熊猫调查数据,对大熊猫野生种群数量与栖息地及潜在栖息地的面积进行复相关分析,发现大熊猫野生种群数量与栖息地、潜在栖息地的面积之间存在着高度显著正相关,表明三者之间存在着稳定而密切的耦合关系,进而建立了大熊猫种群与栖息地、潜在栖息地之间的耦合函数。突变理论作为一种成熟的系统科学理论,提供了较完备的数学方法,利用系统中少量的关键指标便可实现对系统行为的刻画。基于突变理论,以大熊猫分布区生态系统为研究对象,选取了大熊猫种群数量、栖息地与潜在栖息地的面积为系统关键指标,利用种群与栖息地、潜在栖息地之间的耦合函数,构建了"大熊猫—栖息地"系统椭圆脐点突变模型,对生态系统的稳定性进行研究。发现虽然野生种群数量、栖息地与潜在栖息地的面积均持续增长,但严峻的局域种群生存危机与栖息地的高度破碎化,从总体上削弱了系统的稳定性,大熊猫分布区生态系统的稳定性处于持续下降态势,且濒临系统临界状态,生态系统具有较大的退化压力,大熊猫的生存危机依然严峻。     

An ARMS-based technique for sex determination of red panda (Ailurus fulgens)

Molecular sexing is a key component in the investigation of wild populations. In this study, we developed a fast, accurate and reliable amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) technique for sex determination of red panda based on the exon 4 of the ZFX/ZFY gene. The amplicons were distinguished simply by agarose gel electrophoresis, exhibiting one fragment in females (X: 300 bp) and two in males (X: 300 bp, Y: 166 bp). Robustness of this ARMS system was confirmed by testing both 43 captive red pandas using DNA samples with known-sex and 10 wild red pandas using faecal DNA samples with unknown sex.     

Characterizing the spatial distribution of giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in fragmented forest landscapes

Aim To examine the effects of forest fragmentation on the distribution of the entire wild giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) population, and to propose a modelling approach for monitoring the spatial distribution and habitat of pandas at the landscape scale using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro‐radiometer (MODIS) enhanced vegetation index (EVI) time‐series data. Location Five mountain ranges in south‐western China (Qinling, Minshan, Qionglai, Xiangling and Liangshan). Methods Giant panda pseudo‐absence data were generated from data on panda occurrences obtained from the third national giant panda survey. To quantify the fragmentation of forests, 26 fragmentation metrics were derived from 16‐day composite MODIS 250‐m EVI multi‐temporal data and eight of these metrics were selected following factor analysis. The differences between panda presence and panda absence were examined by applying significance testing. A forward stepwise logistic regression was then applied to explore the relationship between panda distribution and forest fragmentation. Results Forest patch size, edge density and patch aggregation were found to have significant roles in determining the distribution of pandas. Patches of dense forest occupied by giant pandas were significantly larger, closer together and more contiguous than patches where giant pandas were not recorded. Forest fragmentation is least in the Qinling Mountains, while the Xiangling and Liangshan regions have most fragmentation. Using the selected landscape metrics, the logistic regression model predicted the distribution of giant pandas with an overall accuracy of 72.5% (κ = 0.45). However, when a knowledge‐based control for elevation and slope was applied to the regression, the overall accuracy of the model improved to 77.6% (κ = 0.55). Main conclusions Giant pandas appear sensitive to patch size and isolation effects associated with fragmentation of dense forest, implying that the design of effective conservation areas for wild giant pandas must include large and dense forest patches that are adjacent to other similar patches. The approach developed here is applicable for analysing the spatial distribution of the giant panda from multi‐temporal MODIS 250‐m EVI data and landscape metrics at the landscape scale.     

Microsatellite variability reveals the necessity for genetic input from wild giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) into the captive population

Recent success in breeding giant pandas in captivity has encouraged panda conservationists to believe that the ex situ population is ready to serve as a source for supporting the wild population. In this study, we used 11 microsatellite DNA markers to assess the amount and distribution of genetic variability present in the two largest captive populations (Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Sichuan Province and the China Research and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda at Wolong, Sichuan Province). The data were compared with those samples from wild pandas living in two key giant panda nature reserves (Baoxing Nature Reserve and Wanglang Nature Reserve). The results show that the captive populations have retained lower levels of allelic diversity and heterozygosity compared to isolated wild populations. However, low inbreeding coefficients indicate that captive populations are under careful genetic management. Excessive heterozygosity suggests that the two captive populations have experienced a genetic bottleneck, presumably caused by founder effects. Moreover, evidence of increased genetic divergence demonstrates restricted breeding options within facilities. Based on these results, we conclude that the genetic diversity in the captive populations is not optimal. Introduction of genetic materials from wild pandas and improved exchange of genetic materials among institutions will be necessary for the captive pandas to be representative of the wild populations.     

Important population viability analysis parameters for giant pandas (Aliuropoda melanoleuca)

Population viability analysis(PVA) is a tool to evaluate the risk of extinction for endangered species and aid conservation decision-making.The quality of PVA output is dependent on parameters related to population dynamics and life-history;however,it has been difficult to collect this information for the giant panda(Aliuropoda melanoleuca),a rare and endangered mammal native to China,confined to some 30 fragmented habitat patches.Since giant pandas are long-lived,mature late,have lower reproductive rates,and show little sexual dimorphism,obtaining data to perform adequate PVA has been difficult.Here,we develop a parameter sensitivity index by modeling the dynamics of six giant panda populations in the Minshan Mountains,in order to determine the parameters most influential to giant panda populations.Our data shows that the giant panda populations are most sensitive to changes in four female parameters:initial breeding age,reproductive rate,mortality rate between age 0 and 1,and mortality rate of adults.The parameter sensitivity index strongly correlated with initial population size,as smaller populations were more sensitive to changes in these four variables.This model suggests that demographic parameters of females have more influence on the results of PVA,indicating that females may play a more important role in giant panda population dynamics than males.Consequently,reintroduction of female individuals to a small giant panda population should be a high priority for conservation efforts.Our findings form a technical basis for the coming program of giant panda reintroduction,and inform which parameters are crucial to successfully and feasibly monitoring wild giant panda populations.     

Assessing vulnerability of giant pandas to climate change in the Qinling Mountains of China

Climate change might pose an additional threat to the already vulnerable giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). Effective conservation efforts require projections of vulnerability of the giant panda in facing climate change and proactive strategies to reduce emerging climate‐related threats. We used the maximum entropy model to assess the vulnerability of giant panda to climate change in the Qinling Mountains of China. The results of modeling included the following findings: (1) the area of suitable habitat for giant pandas was projected to decrease by 281 km² from climate change by the 2050s; (2) the mean elevation of suitable habitat of giant panda was predicted to shift 30 m higher due to climate change over this period; (3) the network of nature reserves protect 61.73% of current suitable habitat for the species, and 59.23% of future suitable habitat; (4) current suitable habitat mainly located in Chenggu, Taibai, and Yangxian counties (with a total area of 987 km²) was predicted to be vulnerable. Assessing the vulnerability of giant panda provided adaptive strategies for conservation programs and national park construction. We proposed adaptation strategies to ameliorate the predicted impacts of climate change on giant panda, including establishing and adjusting reserves, establishing habitat corridors, improving adaptive capacity to climate change, and strengthening monitoring of giant panda.     

汶川地震对大熊猫栖息地的影响与恢复对策

 大熊猫是生物多样性保护的旗舰种, 保护大熊猫及其栖息地是保护生物多样性和生态系统功能完整性与稳定性的重要保障体现。汶川地震灾区位于大熊猫重点分布区岷山-邛崃山, 地震及其次生灾害导致该区27个大熊猫自然保护区不同程度受损, 8.3%的大熊猫栖息地因地震而被破坏。地震及其次生灾害对大熊猫栖息地的影响主要表现在: 1) 地震埋没和砸毁大熊猫赖以生存的主食竹, 地震可能诱发主食竹开花, 威胁到大熊猫的健康和食物安全; 2) 地震及其诱发的土壤和山石运动显著影响森林的动态特征, 森林大面积丧失或质量下降; 3) 地震改变大熊猫栖息地生境特征, 大熊猫个体交流的廊道阻断, 形成“生殖孤岛”, 遗传多样性降低, 栖息地破碎化进程加快。应对震后大熊猫栖息地恢复的主要对策有: 1) 重新评估震后大熊猫栖息地质量, 并重新规划现有大熊猫保护区群的布局; 2) 应用地理信息系统、遥感及数学模型等手段与野外实地实证研究相结合的方法, 全面查清震后大熊猫栖息地主食竹资源状况及分布规律并及时监测其动态, 复壮更新大熊猫主食竹; 3) 利用天然植被自然恢复和人工重建等措施恢复因地震而退化或丧失的大熊猫栖息地。     

气候变化对邛崃山系大熊猫主食竹和栖息地分布的影响

气候变化对生物多样性的影响,特别是珍稀濒危物种的影响是当前的研究热点。全球气候变化对大熊猫的影响一直受到广泛关注。根据野外调查的大熊猫活动痕迹点、竹类分布点和主食竹扩散距离数据,采用Maxent模型,利用植被、地形、气候等因素,在RCP8.5下分析了2050年和2070年邛崃山系大熊猫主食竹分布及栖息地变化趋势。结果显示:(1)未来大熊猫适宜生境及主食竹气候适宜区面积均有所减少,到2070年分别减少37.2%和4.7%;(2)未来主食竹分布范围总体向高海拔扩展,但面积持续减少,到2070年分布面积比当前减少8.3%;(3)大熊猫栖息地未来有向高海拔扩张的趋势,在低海拔地区退缩明显,到2070年较当前减少27.2%;但到2070年大熊猫栖息地面积加上非栖息地有主食竹分布的面积,较现有大熊猫栖息地面积大1.5%;(4)受气候变化影响较严重的区域是邛崃山系南部以及低海拔地区,其余区域所受影响相对较小;(5)未来需要加强对受气候变化影响严重区域的监测与保护,特别是邛崃山系中部的大熊猫集中分布区。     

大熊猫视力的定量化

有大量的研究提出,大熊猫具有发达的嗅觉和听觉系统但是视力很差。 虽然有些关于大熊猫视力和色觉方面的研究,但是至今我们对大熊猫的具体视力值方面的内容知之甚少。为了定量化大熊猫的视力值,我们观察并记录了8只圈养大熊猫（雌:雄=4:4）对于移动不同水平黑白相间条纹宽度的纸片的行为反应。我们发现,在测量距离为50 cm的情况下,大熊猫能够区分大约为0.46mm宽的黑白相间条纹。这个研究结果为大熊猫视网膜结构的解剖学研究提供了行为学支持,也为今后研究大熊猫的通讯和认知提供一定的参考。     

野生大熊猫种群数量调查方法研究进展

大熊猫(Ailuropodamelanoleuca)是中国特有珍稀野生动物,被誉为野生动物保护领域的"旗舰物种"。大熊猫种群数量的变化可以实时反应大熊猫种群动态,提供大熊猫分布区域、栖息地质量等最直接的信息,是制定大熊猫保护方案的基础,也是有效实施大熊猫保护措施的前提。综述了几种传统野生大熊猫种群数量调查方法(包括直接计数法、数学模型法、距离-咬节分析法及分子生物学方法),以及近年来最新应用于野生动物种群数量调查的红外相机技术、足迹鉴定法,讨论了传统方法中可能存在的问题、分析新方法的应用前景,并针对今后的野生大熊猫种群数量调查提出了一些建议与展望。     

大熊猫粪便乳酸菌的分离鉴定

大熊猫作为国家保护动物,其健康问题备受瞩目。为了维护大熊猫的肠道健康,本研究从大熊猫肠道内分离出适宜于大熊猫肠道环境的乳酸菌菌株,有望将其制成熊猫肠道微生物制剂,从而改善大熊猫肠道菌群环境。从雅安市宝兴县蜂桶寨自然保护区选取圈养与野生大熊猫的粪便,通过体外培养分离出9个菌株。分离菌株经过革兰氏染色镜检、过氧化氢产气、菌落形态观察等方法与技术初步鉴定为乳酸菌。对这9株乳酸菌进行耐酸试验、耐胆盐试验、抑菌能力试验和产酸能力等测试,筛选出了3个适应性较强,有望制成调节大熊猫肠道内环境平衡作用的微生态菌剂的菌株。16S rRNA基因序列分析表明:分离菌株J1、J2和J4分别为融合魏斯氏菌（Weissella confusa）,海氏肠球菌（Enterococcus heynei）和非解乳糖链球菌（Streptococcus alactolyticus）,有望被应用于大熊猫肠道微生态制剂的研究。     

Habitat correlates of the red panda in the temperate forests of Bhutan

Anthropogenic activities and associated global climate change are threatening the biodiversity in the Himalayas against a backdrop of poor knowledge of the region's threatened species. The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is a threatened mammal confined to the eastern Himalayas, and because of Bhutan's central location in the distributional range of red pandas, its forests are integral to the long-term viability of wild populations. Detailed habitat requirements of the red panda are largely speculative, and there is virtually no ecological information available on this species in Bhutan. Between 2007 and 2009, we established 615 presence/absence plots in a systematic sampling of resident habitat types within Jigme Dorji and Thrumshingla National Parks, Bhutan, to investigate broad and fine-scale red panda habitat associations. Additional locality records of red pandas were obtained from interviewing 664 park residents. Red pandas were generally confined to cool broadleaf and conifer forests from 2,110-4,389 m above sea level (asl), with the majority of records between 2,400-3,700 m asl on south and east-facing slopes. At a finer scale, multivariate analysis revealed that red pandas were strongly associated with old growth Bhutan Fir (Abies densa) forest dominated by a dense cover of Yushania and Arundanaria bamboo with a high density of fallen logs and tree stumps at ground level; a high density of trees, dead snags, and rhododendron shrubs in the mid-storey; and locations that were close to water. Because Bhutan's temperate forests that encompass prime red panda habitat are also integral to human subsistence and socio-economic development, there exists an inadvertent conflict between the needs of people and red pandas. As such, careful sustainable management of Bhutan's temperate forests is necessary if a balance is to be met between the socioeconomic needs of people and the conservation goals for red pandas.     

基于线粒体12S对中国两大山系大熊猫西氏贝蛔虫种群遗传多样性的分析

大熊猫是中国特有的珍稀濒危物种,而西氏贝蛔虫是大熊猫体内最为常见的肠道寄生虫,对野生和圈养大熊猫危害极大。考虑到大熊猫因分布区域的差异而形成了不同的亚种以及寄生虫与宿主间广泛的协同进化关系,西氏贝蛔虫是否也存在与大熊猫相适应的亚种分化一直是野生动物学家极其关注和热议的话题。为此,本文选择中国两大山系（岷山和邛崃）大熊猫种群体内共计34株西氏贝蛔虫虫体样本进行种群遗传多态性研究。利用PCR技术扩增出了岷山（14株）和邛崃（20株）西氏贝蛔虫的线粒体12S基因全序列并对其做了遗传多样性分析。结果表明：（1）34个样本包含9个单倍型,呈现出一个高单倍性多样性和低核苷酸多样性的特点;（2）负的Tajima's D和Fu's Fs中性检验值及“多峰型”的种群歧点分布图暗示种群不久前曾经历过突增长的现象;（3）低的种群间的分化系数和高的基因流表明两个地理种群间未形成显著的遗传分化;（4）系统发育树和单倍型网络图表明两山系种群分布无区域特异性。因此,岷山和邛崃山系的大熊猫体内的西氏贝蛔虫种群遗传变异性较低,分化不明显。该发现不仅暗示了西氏贝蛔虫与其宿主（大熊猫）的进化不同步,而且还为不同区域大熊猫西氏贝蛔虫病的监控提供了理论依据。