TAS2R20 variants confer dietary adaptation to high‐quercitrin bamboo leaves in Qinling giant pandas

Sensitivity to bitter tastes provides animals with an important means of interacting with their environment and thus, influences their dietary preferences. Genetic variants encoding functionally distinct receptor types contribute to variation in bitter taste sensitivity. Our previous study showed that two nonsynonymous sites, A52V and Q296H, in the TAS2R20 gene are directionally selected in giant pandas from the Qinling Mountains, which are speculated to be the causative base‐pair changes of Qinling pandas for the higher preference for bamboo leaves in comparison with other pandas. Here, we used functional expression in engineered cells to identify agonists of pTAS2R20 (i.e., giant panda's TAS2R20) and interrogated the differences in perception in the in vitro responses of pTAS2R20 variants to the agonists. Our results show that pTAS2R20 is specifically activated by quercitrin and that pTAS2R20 variants exhibit differences in the sensitivity of their response to the agonist. Compared with pTAS2R20 in pandas from other areas, the receptor variant with A52V and Q296H, which is most commonly found in Qinling pandas, confers a significantly decreased sensitivity to quercitrin. We subsequently quantified the quercitrin content of the leaves of bamboo distributed in the Qinling Mountains, which was found to be significantly higher than that of the leaves of bamboo from panda habitats in other areas. Our results suggest that the decreased sensitivity to quercitrin in Qinling pandas results in higher‐quercitrin‐containing bamboo leaves to be tasting less bitter to them and thus, influences their dietary preference. This study illustrates the genetic adaptation of Qinling pandas to their environments and provides a fine example of the functional effects of directional selection in the giant panda.     

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.     

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.     

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。     

Food Preference,Keeper Ratings,and Reinforcer Effectiveness in Exotic Animals: The Value of Systematic Testing

Food preference describes the behavior of selecting between items for consumption; reinforcer effectiveness is the functional effect of that item in controlling behavior. Food preference and reinforcer effectiveness were examined in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and African elephants (Loxodonta africana). A pairwise comparison between food items was used to assess food preference. High-, moderate-, and low-preference items were selected and tested for reinforcer effectiveness. High-preference items controlled behavior more effectively than less-preferred items. Caregiver ratings of food preferences were also collected for each subject, but these reports did not necessarily coincide with actual subject preferences. Caregiver ratings correlated with the food preferences of only 1 individual of each species; thus, preferences of 1 nonhuman animal may be falsely generalized to all animals of that species. Results suggest that food choice and reinforcer effectiveness should be investigated empirically and not rely on anecdotal reports.     

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.     

Measures of giant panda habitat selection across multiple spatial scales for species conservation

Examining ecological processes across spatial scales is crucial as animals select and use resources at different scales. We carried out field surveys in September 2005, March–September 2006, and April 2007, and used ecological niche factor analysis to determine habitat preferences for the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) across 4 spatial scales: daily movement, core range, home range, and seasonal elevational migration. We found that giant pandas prefer conifer forest and mixed forest at higher than average elevation (2,157 m) of study area in the 4 scale models. However, we also observed significant scale differences in habitat selection. The strength of habitat preference increased with scale for the 2 disturbed forests (sparse forest and fragmented forest), and decreased with scale for 0–30° gentle slope and south- and north-facing aspect. Furthermore, habitat suitability patterns were scale-dependent. These findings highlight the need to determine species–environment associations across multiple scales for habitat management and species conservation. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.     

Energy digestibility of giant pandas on bamboo‐only and on supplemented diets

Endangered giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) are bears (Family Ursidae), within the order Carnivora. They specialize on an herbivorous diet of bamboo yet retain a gastrointestinal tract typical of their carnivorous ancestry. The evolutionary constraints of their digestive tract result in a low extraction efficiency from bamboo (<40% in reported studies). The goal of this study was to determine the energy digestibility of bamboo by giant pandas used in digestibility trials and through subsequent analyses with bomb calorimetry. Seven digestibility trials were conducted (three with bamboo‐only diets and four with supplemental diets). Energy digestibilities ranged from 7.5–38.9% for mixed diets and 9.2–34.0% for bamboo‐only diets. The bamboo‐only trials summarized here represent, to our knowledge, the first empirical data available for energy digestibility on a bamboo diet for giant pandas. Zoo Biol 30:121–133, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Seasonal shifts in giant panda feeding behavior: relationships to bamboo plant part consumption

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is classified as a carnivore, yet subsists on a diet comprised almost exclusively of bamboo. Wild and captive giant pandas use highly selective foraging behaviors for processing and consuming bamboo. These behaviors are for the first time quantified in captive giant pandas over a 5‐year period of time showing highly specific seasonal trends. Giant panda feeding behavior was recorded using live video observations of two giant pandas housed at the Memphis Zoo from November 2003 to June 2008. Leaf was the primary plant part consumed from June to December, whereas culm was consumed primarily from February to May, with both bears displaying similar seasonal shifts in plant part consumption. From May to June, leaf consumption increased significantly (P‐values<0.001); from June to August, leaf consumption remained high and stable. From December to March, leaf consumption decreased significantly (P‐values<0.001). Specific behaviors for bamboo leaf and culm consumption were also observed. Both bears formed wads of leaves before ingestion while feeding on leaf, but the male employed this feeding behavior more often than the female (54 and 33%, respectively). Both bears used similar culm‐stripping behavior (26 and 25%), used to remove the outer layer and isolate the pith for consumption. This study indicates that unique seasonal foraging behaviors observed in wild pandas are also apparent in captive animals in relation to plant part selectivity and feeding behaviors. Zoo Biol 29:470–483, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

秦岭大熊猫冬春季节对巴山木竹竹林生长指标的选择

2004~2005年冬季的12月、1月和春季的4月、5月,在秦岭山系南坡佛坪自然保护区内就大熊猫对构成其主要栖息地和食物来源的巴山木竹竹林的选择进行研究后的结果表明:在冬季,大熊猫栖息地多为幼竹与死竹比例基本持平、密度稳定的巴山木竹竹林,主要取食老竹;在春季,大熊猫更偏好选择竹子密度和盖度略低、竹子粗壮高大、幼竹与竹笋比例高的竹林活动,主要取食幼竹。大熊猫春季栖息地幼竹比例通常高过死竹比例,竹林密度处于增长期。竹林进入发笋期后,稀疏、高大的竹林下的粗大竹笋成为大熊猫的主要食物来源。     

野生大熊猫与放牧家畜的空间利用格局比较

空间利用是野生动物对环境资源的利用模式和活动格局,影响着种群之间的基因交流和生存发展。我们于2010～2012年在四川卧龙国家级自然保护区的“核桃坪”及其附近区域,采用GPS颈圈跟踪技术对分布和放养于该区域的野生大熊猫和放牧家畜—马群进行了定位监测和样地调查。分别选择了3只大熊猫和3个马群的代表性个体的GPS颈圈数据,在地理信息系统（GIS）中通过数字高程模型（DEM）、动物移动模块等工具提取和计算了它们活动区域的地形地势、巢域大小、日移动距离和核域数量,并检验了野生大熊猫和放牧家畜空间利用的差异性。结果表明：野生大熊猫和放牧家畜不同月份和整体之间在海拔高度、坡度坡向、巢域面积、日移动距离和核域数量等方面都具有显著性的差异。野生大熊猫表现为随季节和食物类型（竹笋、竹秆、枝叶）丰度的变化分别活动于拐棍竹林、短锥玉山竹林和冷箭竹林中,活动空间较大（海拔范围、巢域大小）、日移动距离较短和核域数量多等特征的随机扩散模式,且不同个体和月份之间波动性较大;放牧家畜则因初始放养于不同区域的竹林（拐棍竹林、冷箭竹林）和人为干涉程度的大小差异,显示出不同的空间利用格局,但与大熊猫相比,总体而言都具有巢域面积小、日移动距离略大、核域数量极少等“步步为营”空间利用模式的特征,且不同畜群和不同时间之间的变化幅度也小于大熊猫。不同的空间利用格局对环境资源的影响强度截然不同,大熊猫的利用模式有利于竹子资源的更新恢复和生境结构的持续发展,而放牧家畜的利用模式将造成竹子资源的死亡衰败和生境结构的破坏退化。因此,加强放牧家畜的管控,有效协调社区经济发展和生物多样性保护成为卧龙自然保护区（特区）今后工作和管理的当务之急。     

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.     

臭氧处理对圈养大熊猫食用竹笋的保鲜

<正>竹笋是大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)最为喜爱的天然食物。竹笋相对于竹叶和竹茎含水量更丰富,粗纤维含量更低,适口性更好;大宗养分、微量元素、必需氨基酸等含量丰富(周昂等,1996;唐平等,1997;周材权等,1997),而丹宁等具有微毒性的次生代谢物含量却最少(赵晓红等,2001),更利于大熊猫对生活必需营养的吸收     

Food preference,food quality and diets of three herbivorous gastropods (Trochidae: Tegula) in a temperate kelp forest habitat

Summary The relationship between food preference and food quality (i.e. a food's contribution to growth and reproductive development) was examined in the laboratory for 3 species of herbivorous kelp forest gastropods (Tegula). The preference hierarchies of the 3 Tegula for 6 common algal species are the same: giant kelp (Macrocystis) is the most preferred food and brown algae are consumed at higher rates than red algae. Despite their strong preference for Macrocystis, the 3 species had significantly greater growth and/or reproductive development on a mixed-algae diet than on either brown or red algae alone. Laboratory preferences of the snails did not correspond closely with caloric content, estimated availability or quality of the algal species used in this study. However, the 3 Tegula are subject to strong benthic predation and Macrocystis provides an important spatial refuge in nature. The potential role of non-nutritional factors such as predator avoidance on the formation of food preferences is discussed.     

Mandible of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) compared with other Chinese carnivores: functional adaptation

The aim of this study was to understand the mandible of the giant panda in morphometric terms to explore differences between the giant panda and other carnivores distributed in China, in terms of functional adaptation. Twelve mandibular variables were studied using bivariate (allometry) and multivariate (principal components analysis, PCA, and discriminant functional analysis, DFA) tools. When deviations were produced from allometric baselines consisting of all the species studied, the giant panda displayed a much more developed mandibular structure than the bear, leopard, and tiger. This may be related to its specific dietary preference for bamboo, which has very strong fibers. Results also indicate that the mandibular structure among carnivores mainly reflects the differences in their dietary preferences and functional adaptation. Three groups were found referring to dispersal profiles expressed by the first two axes of PCA and DFA: (1) the two panda species – the herbivorous carnivores; (2) the black bear – the omnivorous carnivore; and (3) the tiger and leopard – the hypercarnivores. Nevertheless, a significant separation between the two panda species was also found with the profiles displayed by the first and third axes of DFA. In addition to no close evolutionary relationship and phylogenetic development, a noticeable separation between the two panda species found in DFA analysis may be associated with their variation in consuming different parts of the bamboo plant: the giant panda feeds on stems and the red panda feeds on leaves.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 92 , 449–456.     

用间接遥感方法探测大熊猫栖息地竹林分布

竹子是野生大熊猫赖以生存的唯一食物。探测大熊猫栖息地内的竹林分布状况,有助于深入了解大熊猫及其栖息地的空间分布格局与特点,并为评估其栖息地适宜性、破碎化程度和生态承载力提供科学依据。由于大熊猫的主食竹大都生长于林下,直接通过遥感影像解译的方法很难实现对其分布密度的探测。以佛坪自然保护区的两大优势竹种——巴山木竹和秦岭箭竹为例,在运用遥感和GIS方法获取空间连续的环境变量时,引入了林上和林下的光照条件,通过分析不同竹种与各环境要素之间的关系,建立竹子密度的预测模型,最后在GIS空间分析技术的支持下实现了对林下竹子密度的绘制。研究结果显示:该方法能够比较准确地预测出林下竹子的分布状态,对两种竹子的密度预测精度均可达到70%以上。     

蜂桶寨自然保护区小熊猫觅食特征和营养对策

2002 年4 ～11 月,在蜂桶寨自然保护区对小熊猫的觅食特征和营养对策进行了研究,并采用Vanderloeg 和Scavia 选择指数Ei衡量小熊猫对竹笋和竹茎年龄的选择程度。结果表明,小熊猫食物由竹叶(70.5% )、竹笋(22.1% )、野果(7.2% )以及毛(0.2% )等组成。小熊猫几乎全以冷箭竹为食,未发现采食短锥玉山竹。春季食物主要由竹叶和竹笋组成,夏秋季主要由竹叶和果实组成,而冬季以竹叶为主。小熊猫对竹笋、竹叶的觅食具有很强的选择性。基径在3 mm 以上被采食竹笋,E_i的值为0.071 9 ～0. 094 4,竹高在10 ～70 cm 未被采食竹笋, E_i 的值为0.149 6 ～0.1989。对不同年龄竹茎和竹叶的选择在各个月份间存在变化,4 ～6 月一年生、二年生和多年生竹竹叶E_i分别为0. 036 2 、0.224 8 和0.487 6, 7 ～8 月三者E_i分别为0.0071、0.0027 和0. 0098,9～11 月特别喜食当年生老笋上的竹叶(E_i =0.552 1)。此外,小熊猫在6 ～ 8 月还特别喜食已展开(53.4% )和未展开的卷曲嫩叶(36.3% ),不喜食较老的竹叶(10.3% )。小熊猫的食性及其对食物的选择体现了在长期进化过程中觅食对策的优化,可最大化觅食过程中的物质或能量摄入。     

Independent Mating Preferences for Male Body Size and Coloration in Female Trinidadian Guppies

Although females in numerous species generally prefer males with larger, brighter and more elaborate sexual traits, there is nonetheless considerable intra‐ and interpopulation variation in mating preferences amongst females that requires explanation. Such variation exists in the Trinidadian guppy, Poecilia reticulata, an important model organism for the study of sexual selection and mate choice. While female guppies tend to prefer more ornamented males as mates, particularly those with greater amounts of orange coloration, there remains variation both in male traits and female mating preferences within and between populations. Male body size is another trait that is sexually selected through female mate choice in some species, but has not been examined as extensively as body coloration in the guppy despite known intra‐ and interpopulation variation in this trait among adult males and its importance for survivorship in this species. In this study, we used a dichotomous‐choice test to quantify the mating preferences of female guppies, originating from a low‐predation population in Trinidad, for two male traits, body length and area of the body covered with orange and black pigmentation, independently of each other. We expected strong female mating preferences for both male body length and coloration in this population, given relaxation from predation and presumably relatively low cost of choice. Females indeed exhibited a strong preference for larger males as expected, but surprisingly a weaker (but nonetheless significant) preference for orange and black coloration. Interestingly, larger females demonstrated stronger preferences for larger males than did smaller females, which could potentially lead to size‐assortative mating in nature.     

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。     

Clonal regeneration of an arrow bamboo, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fargesia qinlingensis</Emphasis>, following giant panda herbivory

Characteristics of giant panda herbivory sites and clonal regeneration of an arrow bamboo Fargesia qinlingensis following giant panda grazing were studied in the Qinling Mountains of China. Three types of plots were located in a pandas’ summer habitat in 2002: herbivory (naturally grazed by giant pandas), clipped (simulated panda herbivory), and control. Average area of herbivory sites was 2.92 m² and average distance from herbivory sites to the closest tree (dbh > 10 cm) was 1.0 m. Pandas avoided thin bamboo culms with basal diameters <5 mm. Average height of stumps of culms grazed by panda was 0.67 m and average density of grazed culms was 9.0 culms m⁻². Annual culm mortality rate was significantly greater in herbivory and clipped plots than in control plots while annual recruitment rate was not significantly different among the three plot types in 2003. Neither recruitment rate nor mortality rate were significantly different among the three plot types in 2004. Annual recruitment rate was significantly greater than annual mortality rate only in control plots in both 2003 and 2004, suggesting static ramet dynamics in disturbed plots (herbivory and clipped). Density of new shoots was not significantly different, but basal diameter of new shoots was significantly less in herbivory plots compared to control plots in 2002. Differences of annual mortality rate and growth of new shoots found between control plots and herbivory plots suggest that clonal regeneration of F. qinlingensis culms was negatively affected by giant panda grazing. Therefore, no evidence of a clonal integration compensatory response to panda herbivory was found in F. qinlingensis.