Preliminary investigation on iodine nutrition in captive giant pandas

Background/ObjectiveThe giant panda belongs to the family Ursidae and, as a species of bear, still retains the simple digestive system of a Carnivoran. However, under the pressure of a specific habitat they had to adapt to a plant mono-diet consisting of bamboo with different species and growth stages around the year. A plant-based diet has relatively low iodine content with risk of iodine deficiency. Furthermore, bamboo contains cyanogenic glycosides releasing cyanide whose detoxification metabolite the thiocyanate acts as antagonist against iodine uptake and storage in the thyroid. To date very little is known about the iodine nutritional status of the giant panda, thus this study was conducted to receive the first information about the iodine nutrition of captive giant panda.Subjects/MethodsHere we investigated the iodine content of bamboo with different plant parts/vegetation stage and species and further compounds of the captive giant panda diet. Next, the urinary iodine (UI) and urinary thiocyanate (UT) levels of infant, sub-adult, adult and geriatric captive giant pandas was measured during the periods when the pandas consume both bamboo leaves- and culm (bamboo leaf-culm stage). Afterwards, the UI of 19 adult giant pandas was measured again for the different iodine intake during bamboo shoot stage. Finally, in this study part also the fecal iodine concentration was analyzed for calculation of total iodine excretion in relation to the iodine intake.ResultsBamboo leaves had the highest iodine content (453 μg/kg dry matter (DM)), followed by the shoots (84 μg/kg DM, p < 0.05), while bamboo culm had the lowest value (12 μg/kg DM, p < 0.05). During bamboo leaf-culm stage, giant pandas of different age groups had different UI and UT levels (p < 0.05). Furthermore, UI and UT were positively correlated among sub-adult, adult and geriatric giant pandas (p < 0.05). In adult giant pandas during bamboo shoot stage, the iodine excretion in feces was not different from that in urine while their total iodine excretion was less than their iodine intake (p < 0.05). Moreover, during bamboo shoot stage, the UI level of adult giant pandas was much lower than noted during bamboo leaf-culm stage (p < 0.05).ConclusionsOur results indicate that UI of captive giant pandas was related to their age as well as to the vegetation stage/part of bamboo they consumed reflecting a different periodic iodine supply. Thiocyanate and fecal excretion should be emphasized when considering the iodine nutrition of giant pandas.     

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。     

圈养大熊猫食谱组成与营养成分分析

为了探讨圈养大熊猫主食竹食谱组成及主要影响因素,并为圈养单位提供科学合理的食物营养配比和饲养管理建议。本研究通过对成都大熊猫繁育研究基地１０ 只成年大熊猫４ 年（２００９. ０３ －２０１３.０２）的饲养数据,３只成年大熊猫１ 年（２０１２. ０７ －２０１３. ０６）的觅食行为观察数据,以及投饲的３ 种竹笋和５ 种主食竹常规养分和总黄酮含量的统计分析。结果发现,基地圈养大熊猫偏好竹笋,喜食巴山木竹叶、白夹竹茎和苦竹茎,随机采食箬竹叶和刺竹茎;基地大熊猫根据投饲竹种类和季节的变化,形成了较为稳定的食谱组成;对投饲竹各部位成分比较分析发现,投饲竹养分含量的变化呈现出一定的规律性：其中粗蛋白、粗脂肪、蛋白质和能量比都以竹叶最高,竹枝次之,竹茎最低;干物质和粗纤维的含量则以竹茎最高,竹枝次之,竹叶最少;竹茎和竹枝呈现钙少磷多的现象,而竹叶则是钙多磷少;各投饲竹不同部位总黄酮含量以叶中最高,枝中其次,茎中最低。研究结果表明,圈养大熊猫主食竹食谱的选择遵循能量和营养学的规律,选择适口性强、营养价值高的食物假说。     

2008年汶川地震后拐棍竹无性系种群的更新状况及影响因子

为揭示2008年汶川地震后大熊猫主食竹拐棍竹无性系种群的天然更新状况及影响因子,研究了3种不同地震干扰强度(强度、中度和对照)生境中拐棍竹的生长和发笋状况.结果表明:在3种生境中,拐棍竹存活笋的基径为中度干扰和对照生境显著大于强度干扰生境,存活笋的高度为对照＞中度干扰＞强度干扰.其发笋密度在3种生境中无显著差异,但强度和中度干扰生境中的存活笋密度显著大于对照,并且1年生和2年生竹密度与死亡竹密度之间呈极显著正相关.拐棍竹的发笋密度、存活笋密度、1年生、2年生和多年生竹密度之间均呈显著正相关,1年生和2年生竹密度与砾石和滑坡土壤盖度呈显著负相关,存活笋密度与郁闭度之间呈显著负相关.     

Impact of livestock grazing on biodiversity and giant panda habitat

Livestock grazing occurs in many protected areas for wildlife and has become a threat to wildlife worldwide. Livestock grazing within protected areas causes negative effects to rare wildlife (e.g., giant panda [Ailuropoda melanoleuca]) and their habitat. We used the 2,000-km² Wolong National Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, southwestern China, to document the effects of livestock on the giant panda and its habitat. We monitored arrow bamboo (Bashania fangiana), wildlife sign (i.e., feces and tracks), and characteristics of plant communities in intact habitat (IH; limited livestock grazing) and disturbed habitat (DH; with grazing disturbance) to assess the effects of livestock grazing and the responses of giant pandas and sympatric species across spatial and temporal scales. Bamboo coverage and the height and basal diameter of bamboo in IH were greater than those in DH, whereas the number of herbaceous species and herbaceous coverage in IH were lower than those in DH. Wildlife signs in IH were greater than those in DH; specifically, giant panda and red panda (Ailurus fulgens) signs were greater, whereas signs of sambar (Rusa unicolor) and tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus) in IH were similar to those in DH. Livestock grazing reduced bamboo, which may threaten the long-term survival of the giant panda. Our results have implications for understanding and management of livestock grazing in the Wolong National Nature Reserve and elsewhere. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.     

秦岭大熊猫食物基地的初步研究

本文从研究大熊猫食物基地的角度出发,比较系统地讨论了秦岭大熊猫分布区的自然环境和竹林的基本概况。研究结果表明：1、奏岭大熊猫分布区的竹种资源丰富,有6属14种,竹林面积约8.43万公顷。2、构成大熊猫食物基地的竹种有3属3种,面积约占该区竹林总面积的99.7％。3、根据竹林类型、环境及大熊猫的利用状况,秦岭大熊猫的食物基地可以划分为3个小区。4、在正常情况下秦岭大熊猫食物基地至少可供7倍于今数量的大熊猫生存。     

圈养大熊猫野化培训期的生境选择特征

大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)是我国特有的珍稀物种,也是世界上最濒危的野生动物之一。为了将人工繁育的部分大熊猫个体重引入其历史分布区或复壮野生种群,中国保护大熊猫研究中心从2003年开始进行圈养大熊猫的野外放归工作,通过野化培训以提高圈养大熊猫适应和选择野外环境的能力。对野化培训大熊猫"淘淘"的生境选择研究表明:该野化培训大熊猫幼仔经常活动于新笋密度较大的区域[生境与对照:(2.68±1.14)对(1.58±0.66)],却避开成竹密度过大[(9.91±2.51)对(12.18±4.68)]、竹子较高[(4.57±1.09) m对(4.98±0.66) m]以及枯死竹过多[(2.52±0.86)对(3.39±1.33)]的区域;喜欢活动于离水源[(1.59±0.67)对(2.19±0.87)]和隐蔽场所较近[(5.37±2.14) m对(8.35±7.76)m],以及距离乔木较远[(3.09±0.69) m对(2.70±0.42) m]和郁闭度较低[(1.85±0.57)对(2.10±0.47)]的区域(P < 0.05),新笋密度大小是该栖息地在整个野化培训期间是否被利用的最重要因素。该野化培训大熊猫幼仔保持着与带仔母兽相近的生境选择特征,对竹子环境的选择也与卧龙野生大熊猫相似,野化培训对该大熊猫幼仔产生了积极的作用。野化培训大熊猫幼仔形成的家域和核域面积分别为9.21 hm² 和1.93 hm²,占野化培训圈面积的51.95%和10.89%,其中家域面积仅有卧龙野生大熊猫的1.4%-2.4%,所以在以后的野化培训过程中需要采取增加野化培训圈中环境丰富度等方式,促进野化培训大熊猫形成较大的家域面积。     

卧龙自然保护区大熊猫生境恢复过程研究

保护与恢复生境是有效保护大熊猫的重要途径,通过样方调查法研究了卧龙自然保护区大熊猫（Ａｉｌｕｒｏｐｏｄａ　ｍｅｌａｎｏｌｅｕｃａ）恢复生境的群落结构特征,共调查了原始生境、２０世纪２０一３０年代砍伐后自然恢复生境、４０一５０年代砍伐后自然恢复生境、７０年代以后自然恢复生境以及６０一７０年代人工林等５个生境类型,２１个样方。研究结果表明：各生境类型的物种丰富度、物种多样性、植株数（高度＞５ｍ）、乔木层的平均胸径和最大平均胸径,以及大熊猫的生境成熟度都存在显著差异,竹子的生物量及更新能力也有一定差异。人工林与原始生境的群落相似性低于其他自然恢复生境与原始生境的群落相似性。研究发现,大熊猫生境恢复包括大熊猫可食竹类资源的恢复以及生境群落结构的恢复。可食竹类资源恢复所需时间相对较短,仅需约２０一３０ａ;生境的植物群落结构的恢复则要长的多,一般恢复时间５０ａ左右才能成为大熊猫的适宜生境,恢复时间为７０一８０ａ的生境与原始生境的群落结构已十分接近。通过人工造林恢复生境,无论从竹子资源的恢复,还是从植物群落结构的恢复方面,均不是一种有效地恢复大熊猫生境的方式。     

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.     

放牧对冶勒自然保护区大熊猫生境的影响

四川冶勒自然保护区周边村民的牲畜基本上都在保护区内放养。为研究放牧和大熊猫对竹类的利用及放牧强度与竹类的关系 ,利用Forageratio选择指数 ,Pearson相关分析和联列表独立性检验 ,对调查数据进行分析。结果表明 ,大熊猫活动区海拔为 2 870～ 390 0m ,并喜欢选择竹类盖度为 5 0 %～ 10 0 % ,竹类高度 2～ 3m ,竹类生长状况好的竹林。而放牧海拔为 2 70 0～ 4 0 0 0m ,放牧对竹类的盖度、高度、生长状况没有选择性 ,为随机利用。放牧海拔与大熊猫活动海拔无显著相关。大熊猫在放牧生境活动的频率较低 ;放牧生境中竹类的成竹平均密度和竹子平均密度都低于大熊猫活动生境 ,枯死竹比例高于大熊猫活动生境。放牧强度与竹类的有、无和竹类盖度是相关联的 ,大熊猫出现与否也与放牧活动相关联 (在 95 %的置信度 ,P <0 0 5 )。放牧强度强的生境没有大熊猫活动 ,竹子的盖度也较低。由于放牧活动对竹类的生长和盖度造成影响 ,从而影响大熊猫对放牧生境的利用 ,在保护区内应采取一定的措施控制放牧活动。     

同域分布大熊猫和水鹿生境利用分异特征

野生动物的生境利用特征研究是动物生态学核心问题之一,同域分布动物对生境的利用特征及共存机制是其重要组成部分,也是实现珍稀濒危物种保护与栖息地恢复的基础。基于空间利用和生境因子选择差异研究了卧龙自然保护区同域分布大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)和水鹿(Rusa unicolor)的生境利用关系,探讨了同域分布野生动物在生境因子选择和空间利用的分异特征。结果表明:(1)空间利用上,大熊猫和水鹿的空间重叠系数为58.35%,其中,在原始林和次生林生境中的空间重叠系数分别为66.58%和36.64%,二者在原始林中的空间重叠较高;(2)生境因子选择上,大熊猫和水鹿对物理因子的选择有坡位、离小路距离和离水源距离3个变量有显著性差异,对生物因子的选择有乔木密度、灌木盖度、灌木密度、竹林盖度、幼竹密度、幼竹基径、幼竹高度、成竹高度和死竹密度9种变量有显著性差异;(3)大熊猫和水鹿都表现为更偏好原始林生境,但大熊猫对原始林的依赖性更强。分析同域分布动物的生境利用关系有利于深入了解不同动物对资源的空间利用特征及共存机制,可以为保护区制定珍稀野生动物保护和栖息地恢复政策提供科学依据。     

Back-and-forth shifts in habitat selection by giant pandas over the past two decades in the Daxiangling Mountains,southwestern China

Habitat selection is a complex process, and animals may change their habitat selection over time. However, we have a poor understanding of temporal variation in habitat selection of endangered giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), which has limited the development of conservation strategies for them. This study examined giant panda habitat selection in three stages of the past two decades (2001–2002, 2011–2012, and 2019–2020) in the Daxiangling Mountains, southwestern China. We applied the resource selection function to estimate the probability of species occurrence with five limiting habitat factors, i.e., elevation, slope, aspect, tree diameter at breast height, and bamboo cover. We found that giant pandas consistently selected for south- and west-facing slopes with mid-elevations and large trees in the three stages. However, there were shifts back-and-forth in the choice between higher and lower elevations and between higher and lower bamboo cover across the three stages. We suggest that the giant panda habitat selection had important consequences for gaining the high availability of palatable bamboo and good shelters. The back-and-forth shifts might be the result of changes in the type, spatial distribution, and intensity of human disturbance. Our study provides insights for improving our understanding and approaches for quantifying temporal variation in habitat selection in giant pandas and other species, suggesting that adaptive conservation and management in response to changing environments is needed.     

Remains of Holocene giant pandas from Jiangdong Mountain (Yunnan,China) and their relevance to the evolution of quaternary environments in south-western China

Two subfossil partial skeletons of male giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) were recovered, along with remains of 16 other mammalian species, from a natural sinkhole on Jiangdong Mountain (south-western Yunnan, China). The panda and other mammalian bones from the sinkhole's upper chamber yielded tightly clustered accelerator mass spectrometry corrected radiocarbon ages of 8470–8250 yr BP, and the panda remains from the lower chamber were found to be 5025 ± 35 yr BP. The bones represent a natural accumulation of mostly large mammals (>30 kg), which had fallen accidentally into the sinkhole. The Jiangdong Mountain mammal assemblage comprises mostly obligate forest-dwellers such as the giant panda, Asian elephant and Sumatran rhinoceros, but the presence of the horse and gaur suggests a more open woodland habitat. Giant pandas were distributed widely in southern China during the Pleistocene, but are now restricted to dense stands of bamboo within temperate forests surrounding the Sichuan Basin. The evidence from Jiangdong Mountain indicates that suitable habitat for pandas extended west of the Salween River through the mid-Holocene. Rapid deforestation of the area in historical times is suggested by an accumulation of cave fill below the opening of the sinkhole containing pieces of an early to middle Ming Dynasty bowl.     

湖北烟草内生真菌生物多样性和种群结构分析

【目的】研究传统药用植物烟草(Nicotiana tabacum L.)内生真菌的丰富度,揭示其种群多样性和群落结构,为烟草内生真菌资源的有效利用奠定基础。【方法】采用组织分离法进行烟草内生真菌的分离,通过形态学和分子生物学相结合的方法进行菌株分类鉴定,以香农多样性指数及相对分离频率反映内生真菌物种多样性及分布规律。【结果】从不同组织部位、不同生长时期、不同海拔样地的健康烟草中共分离获得539株内生真菌,根据r DNA-ITS系统发育分析鉴定为31属73种,香农多样性指数为2.78,曲霉属Aspergillus和镰孢属Fusarium为优势菌群,其相对分离频率分别为22.63%和12.99%。其分布规律表现为茎部内生真菌的多样性高于叶部和根部;随着生育期的延长,内生真菌多样性逐步增多;随着海拔高度升高,内生真菌的种类和数量呈现降低的趋势。【结论】烟草内生真菌具有丰富的生物多样性,其分布表现出组织、生长时期、海拔高度专化性。阐明内生真菌在烟草中的分布规律,可以为烟草内生真菌在农业生产领域的开发应用提供科学依据。     

Synergistic effects of anthropogenic disturbances on giant pandas

Livestock grazing and the collection of bamboo shoots are the main threats to giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) habitat in the Liangshan Mountains in China. It is important to clarify the effect of these disturbances to the giant panda to formulate targeted management policies. Based on species distribution models and daily activity models, we investigated the effects of livestock grazing and bamboo shoot collection on giant pandas from May 2021 to July 2022. Our results indicated the giant panda's suitable habitat in the reserve covered 51.83 km² (15.02% of the reserve area). Grazing and bamboo shoot collection led to losses of 19.08 km² and 7.68 km² of suitable habitat, respectively. Together, the 2 activities resulted in a loss of 28.35 km² of suitable habitat, which was more than half of the area of panda habitat. The areas of suitable habitat for giant pandas significantly overlapped with the areas affected by both disturbances. Giant pandas did not show significant differences in daily activity rhythms under a single disturbance, but the daily activity rhythms of giant pandas differed when we compared the area combining the 2 disturbances with the undisturbed area. Our study reveals that the anthropogenic disturbances in the reserve have varying effects on the suitable habitat range and daily activity rhythm of giant pandas and evidence of a synergistic effect. Therefore, when formulating relevant conservation policies, it is important to fully evaluate the extent and characteristics of anthropogenic disturbances in shaping the population distribution and habitat preferences of the giant panda and other wildlife to enhance the efficacy of conservation management practices.     

从野外大熊猫的粪便估计年龄及其种群年龄结构的研究

本文对野外大熊猫粪便中的竹秆咬节及切缘与竹叶残片量度和破碎状况的研究,并以此对已知年龄个体的牙齿切片和齿冠磨损程度进行验证,发现通过粪便分析,可将野外大熊猫种群,大体划分为4个年龄组。     

中华竹鼠胃肠道内分泌细胞分布型的研究

本文用免疫组织化学方法（ＰＡＰ法）对１０种ＧＩＥＣ在中华竹鼠（Ｒｈｉｚｏｍｙｓｓｉｎｅｎｓｉｓ）１５个胃肠段中的分布作了观察和统计分析,以探讨中华竹鼠胃肠内分泌细胞与其特殊食性的适应关系．结果表明：中华竹鼠胃肠中可能至少有７种免疫反应活性内分泌细胞。与大熊猫相比,尽管都以竹类为主食,但由于取食行为不同,它们ＧＩＥＣ的分布型不尽相同．这些结果从一定程度上表明ＧＩＥＣ的分布不仅与食物组成相关。也可能与取食行为有关。     

Elimination and molecular identification of endophytic bacterial contaminants during in vitro propagation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bambusa balcooa</Emphasis>

Bambusa balcooa is an economically important, multipurpose bamboo species, decidedly used in construction industry. Availability of natural bamboo is depleting very rapidly due to accelerated deforestation and its unrestrained use. The large number and timely supply of saplings are the need of the hour for the restoration of bamboo stands. Micropropagation, being the potent alternative for season independent rapid regeneration, is restricted in bamboo because of endophytic contamination. An in vitro attempt has been taken to overcome the endophytic contamination by using broad spectrum antibiotics as surface sterilant as well as a media component. Ampicillin sodium salt (5 mg/ml for 30 min) as a surface sterilant was found as the best treatment for high bud breaking (80%) coupled with high branching and low contamination (20%) but it was found ineffective to control the contamination during multiplication stage. Then, two endophytes were isolated and minimum inhibitory concentration was determined through antibiotic susceptibility test for successful eradication at multiplication stage. Finally, contamination free cultures were obtained when streptocycline (100 μg/ml) and gentamicin sulphate (75 μg/ml) were added into the medium. The two isolated endophytes, BB1 and BB2, were identified through 16S rDNA techniques and NCBI-BLAST algorithm with 99% sequence similarity with those of Janibacter sp. (KX423734) and Serratia marcescens strain (KX423735). To our knowledge, this is the first report for B. balcooa where antibiotics were used as surface sterilant as well as medium component, to control endophytic bacterial contaminants, followed by their identification.     

佛坪自然保护区食竹鸟兽种类的初步调查

1991~2004年采用检查死亡个体的胃或嗉囊内容物、新鲜粪便和在野外直接观察动物采食的3种方法,在陕西佛坪国家级自然保护区对食竹的鸟兽种类进行了初步调查。巴山木竹和秦岭箭竹是大熊猫采食的主要食物资源。除大熊猫外,采食这两种竹的鸟兽有38种,隶属6目14科,其中鸟类9种,兽类29种。大量采食、中等采食和少量采食竹类的物种分别为1种、5种和33种,所占比例分别为2.6%、12.8%和84.6%。39种鸟兽均采食竹笋,其中32种只采食竹笋。黑熊和野猪是食竹笋量比较大的大型兽类,羚牛、鬣羚和斑羚3种牛科动物全年都采食竹类,其中以羚牛对竹叶的采食量最大。这些食竹鸟兽一方面直接与大熊猫竞争食物资源,特别是竹笋,另外也会间接地影响大熊猫对竹类的利用。     

盐生植物翅碱蓬的内生真菌多样性分析

【目的】对辽宁省盘锦市双台子河口国家自然保护区的盐生植物翅碱蓬(Suaedaheteroptera Kitag.)的内生真菌进行研究。【方法】利用传统分离方法对翅碱蓬的根、茎、叶组织进行分离和纯化,根据形态学和理化特征,并结合rDNA-ITS序列分析对菌种进行鉴定。【结果】共分离得到内生真菌49株,这些内生真菌分属于13个属,其中小丛壳菌属(Glomerella)、链格孢属(Alternaria)、毛盘孢属(Colletotrichum)和枝孢属(Cladosporium)为优势菌属。翅碱蓬的内生真菌分布具有一定的组织特异性,两种不同生境中的翅碱蓬内生真菌群落丰富度差异较小,相似度较高,但在某些种属上存在特异性。【结论】翅碱蓬体内含有丰富的内生真菌资源,其内生真菌具有很高的宿主特异性,而且其分布受生境影响。