贺兰山同域分布岩羊和马鹿的夏季食性

2008年78月贺兰山对同域分布的岩羊和马鹿粪便进行采集,利用粪便显微分析法对二者夏季食性进行了研究。从10个沟系中一共收集了297堆岩羊和305堆马鹿粪便,每堆中捡拾2粒粪粒,组成40个复合样本进行分析。结果表明,夏季在岩羊采食的19科35种(属)植物中,针茅(29.74%)、早熟禾(18.82%)、内蒙古邪蒿(10.30%)、灰榆(7.76%)、冰草(7.47%)是其主要食物,针茅是岩羊夏季的大宗食物;夏季在马鹿取食的11科18种(属)植物中,小红柳(36.26%)、山杨(23.10%)、灰榆(16.84%)等是其主要食物,小红柳为马鹿夏季的大宗食物。夏季岩羊采食植物中,乔木占8.67%,灌木占3.97%,禾本科草本占69.43%,非禾本科草本占17.94%;马鹿采食植物中,乔木占89.61%,灌木占5.38%,禾本科草本占1.03%,非禾本科草本占3.99%。从食物多样性和食物生态位宽度来看,岩羊的Shannon-Wiener指数高于马鹿,而马鹿的Pielou均匀性指数和食物生态位宽度指数高于岩羊,岩羊和马鹿共有9种食物重叠,生态位重叠指数为65.17%。     

贺兰山高山麝冬春季的食性

利用粪便显微分析法对贺兰山高山麝冬春季的食性进行了研究。采集高山麝活动区域内粪样和植物样本,采用频率转换法对数据进行处理,得到高山麝冬春季的食性组成及比例。结果表明:高山麝冬季共取食植物19科30种(属),其中蔷薇科(17.16%)、忍冬科(16.64%)、豆科(15.64%)和莎草科(10.93%)组成了高山麝冬季的主要食物;春季共取食植物20科31种(属),其中蔷薇科(27.37%)、杨柳科(13.28%)和豆科(12.84%)为主要食物;秦氏黄芪(Astragalus chingianus)为冬春季共同的主要食物,分别占冬春季食物的11.33%和11.04%;此外,高山麝也取食乔木类植物,取食量从冬季的9.53%上升至春季的18.67%;根据高山麝粪样镜检结果,计算其取食植物的Shannon指数、均匀度指数、生态位宽度指数,分析高山麝食物组成及其多样性,结果显示,3种指数冬季均高于春季。     

内蒙古典型草原几种不同植物的生长动态比较

选择内蒙古典型草原羊草 大针茅群落中的优势植物羊草、大针茅、冰草和冷蒿,采用多种数量化指标,分别比较一个生长季内的生长动态、绝对生长速率(AGR)、相对生长速率(RGR)。结果表明:植物地上生物量均呈S形增长,8月中旬达到最大值;主要生长季内受降水不足的抑制作用依次为羊草>冰草>大针茅>冷蒿。羊草和冰草AGR均呈双峰曲线,大针茅呈三峰曲线,冷蒿呈单峰曲线。生长主要集中在中前期,AGR大小依次为冷蒿(0.099g.株-1.d-1)>大针茅(0.029g.株-1.d-1)>羊草(0.003g.株-1.d-1)>冰草(0.002g.株-1.d-1)。RGR与AGR有相似的季节性变化,其中羊草、冰草、冷蒿RGR均呈单峰曲线,大针茅呈三峰曲线;生长季初期RGR均表现出最高,生长潜能较大,7月末至8月中旬呈现负值;4种植物的最大净积累效率依次为冷蒿(0.108g.株-1.d-1.g-1)>大针茅(0.064g.株-1.d-1.g-1)>羊草(0.055g.株-1.d-1.g-1)>冰草(0.042g.株-1.d-1.g-1)。不同生活型的生长曲线及生长速率均存在较大差异,但同属于根茎型的羊草和冰草生长动态曲线明显相似。     

内蒙古中部蒙古野驴春季食性分析

2012年3~5月和2013年3~5月,在内蒙古自治区中部的中蒙边境地区,采用粪便显微组织学分析方法并结合野外观察,分析研究了蒙古野驴(Equus hemionus hemionus)春季的食物组成。在取食点采集植物标本并进行种类鉴定发现共有20科45种植物;野外共观察到蒙古野驴取食群162次,群体平均大小为29.32头,采集粪样175个,将采集到的粪样按月分组,并组成6个混合粪样组。粪样显微分析结果表明,分布于内蒙古自治区中部地区的蒙古野驴,在春季共取食15科31种植物,其中实际采食比例(DR)禾本科植物54.88%、藜科植物17.37%、柽柳科植物6.64%、豆科植物6.52%;在取食植物中,克氏针茅(Stipa krylovii)(24.38%)、芨芨草(Achnatherum splendens)(15.11%)、珍珠猪毛菜(Salsola passerina)(9.92%)、狗尾草(Setaria viridis)(6.97%)、红沙(Reaumuria soongorica)(6.64%)、雾滨藜(Bassia dasyphylla)(5.67%)、糙隐子草(Kengia squarrosa)(5.10%),是主要取食植物种类,占取食植物的73.79%。春季采食的植物种类数比冬季多,各种植物在食物组成中所占的比例的差异不显著,低选择性是蒙古野驴春季取食对策的显著特征。     

放牧对布氏田鼠主要食物选择的影响

动物的食物选择受食物资源量、质量和喜好度决定。尽管放牧可减少鼠类的喜食植物的数量和质量,但其如何影响鼠类的食物选择尚不清楚。本研究于2014年5月至10月,在内蒙古锡林郭勒盟锡林浩特市毛登牧场的大型试验围栏内进行了布氏田鼠的食物选择实验。利用大型实验围栏内5年连续放牧处理所构建的植被变化条件,采用扣笼试验,调查了布氏田鼠对其三种主要植物的取食情况。研究发现：连续放牧后,糙隐子草的盖度增加,而羊草、克氏针茅盖度降低;糙隐子草的盖度显著高于羊草、克氏针茅,成为各季节的优势植物种类。放牧对布氏田鼠取食羊草、克氏针茅和糙隐子草的绝对取食频次均无显著影响。在季节上,布氏田鼠对克氏针茅和糙隐子草的取食在三个季节均无差异,但布氏田鼠对羊草取食的绝对频次夏季显著高于春季和秋季;布氏田鼠对三种植物的喜好程度依次为羊草>克氏针茅>糙隐子草,但季节和放牧因素对布氏田鼠对这三种植物的喜好度无显著影响。结果表明,布氏田鼠的食物选择及食物组成相对稳定,表现为其对放牧或季节因素造成的喜食植物资源量的变化具有很好的适应性,推测是其调整取食努力来实现食物组成的平衡。     

藏羚的觅食生物学

介绍了可可西里地区藏羚（Pantholops hodgsoni）的取食生境、取食行为以及食物组成等。藏羚的取食生境主要为高寒草甸和高寒草甸草原,分别由3种和5种草场型构成,建群种为紫花针茅类;取食的植物种类多达430多种,主要为禾本科和莎草科的植物;取食行为全天发生频繁,一般集中在上午10：00-11：00和傍晚18：00-19：002个时段;消化能力极强。     

内蒙古典型草原生长季内不同植物生长动态的模拟

在内蒙古典型草原退化的羊草 大针茅(Leymus chinensis Stipa grandis)群落中,选择不同退化阶段的优势植物羊草(Leymus chinensis)、大针茅(Stipa grandis)、冰草(Agropyron michnoi)、冷蒿(Artemisia frigida),采用Logistic模型分别对其一个生长季内的生长动态及其差异进行模拟和比较研究。主要研究内容和结果如下:①联系资源种群动态模型的一般形式,给出了个体生长模型的数学依据;②通过对Logistic模型进行求解和全面深入的分析,采用数学方法结合生态学理论,将植物生长划分为4个阶段,确定了速生期和突变点;③结合模型分析诠释了模型的物理意义;④对植物的可持续生长期从生态学的角度给出了时间概念上的定义及相应的解释,并由此对草地管理及可持续利用提出了保护建议;⑤通过拟合结果表明,4种植物生长均符合Logistic增长,拟合方程分别为:y=(0.200)/1 e~(2.032-0.060t),y=(1.205)/1 e~(2.608-0.0421t),,y= (0.156)/1 e~(1.858-0.040t),y= (3.177)/1 e~(2.770-0.077t),决定系数均在0.9以上,达到了显著性水平,保证了所求参数的有效性和可靠性;⑥由模型求出了植物的最大生长速度,从大到小依次排列为:冷蒿6.112×10-2(g/(株.d))>大针茅1.267×10-2(g/(株.d))>羊草2.995×10-3(g/(株.d))>冰草1.561×10-3(g/(株.d)),其中冷蒿的最大生长速度是羊草的20倍,大针茅的4.8倍,冰草的39倍;分属于3种不同生活型的羊草、大针茅、冷蒿在生长速度及相应的生长曲线上均存在较大差异,而作为同一生活型(life form)的不同植物相比较,羊草生长速度约为冰草的1.9倍,二者差异不大,在整个生长季内呈现明显相似的动态变化。     

河南太行山自然保护区猕猴冬春季食性分析

2008年11月-2009年4月,在太行山猕猴国家级自然保护区采集了40份太行山猕猴粪样和38科91种植物标本,用粪便显微组织学分析法研究了太行山猕猴的冬春季食性。结果表明:1)太行山猕猴在冬季采食植物13科21种,其中栓皮栎、青冈、羊胡草、露珠草、大叶榉是其冬季的主要采食植物,共占所采食植物总量的55.4%;小叶榉、千金榆、南蛇藤、君迁子等10种是常见采食植物,共占所采食植物总量的39.1%;第三类是少见采食植物,包括板栗、毛栗、辽东栎,蒙古栎、黄荆等5种,共占所采食植物总量的5.2%;2)共记录到猕猴春季采食植物24科37种,其中栓皮栎、青冈、早熟禾、大叶榉、小叶榉、千金榆、鹅耳枥、枳椇、构树、博落回等10种为主要采食植物,共占所采食植物总量的70.8%;唐松草、白丁香、紫丁香等14种是常见采食植物,共占所采食植物总量的23.4%,少见采食植物包括马齿苋、铁线莲、槐、胡枝子等16种,共占所采食植物总量的5.7%;3)部分植物在冬季和春季均被猕猴取食,但在2个季节所取食的部位有所不同,在冬季主要取食嫩芽和果实,在春季则主要取食花和叶。太行山猕猴在春季的取食植物比冬季更广泛。     

贺兰山马鹿冬季食性分析

2003年11月-2004年2月在宁夏贺兰山国家级自然保护区和内蒙古贺兰山国家级自然保护区,利用粪便显微组织学分析技术结合野外啃食调查对马鹿阿拉善亚种(Cervus elaphus alxaicus)冬季食性进行了研究.从7个沟系中一共收集了219堆马鹿粪便中捡拾粪粒,组成14个复合样本进行分析,其结果表明,灰榆(27.37%)、山杨(11.75%)、蒙古扁桃(9.83%)、金露梅(8.12%)、锦鸡儿(6.52%)等植物的当年枝和落叶以及禾本科草本植物(7.51%)是马鹿冬季主要食物,其中灰榆为大宗食物,针叶树种(杜松、油松、青海云杉)和其他草本植物所占比例均较小.马鹿对灰榆、山杨、蒙占扁桃、金露梅、锦鸡儿和杜松有正选择性;而对禾本科草本植物、油松和青海云杉有负选择性.马鹿对它们选择性的强弱顺序为:山杨＞杜松＞锦鸡儿＞蒙古扁桃＞金露梅＞灰榆＞禾本科草本植物＞油松＞青海云杉.马鹿取食乔木36.8%、灌木44.7%、禾本科草本植物8.0%和非禾本科草本植物10.5%,这4类植物的利用性与可利用性存在极显著差异,乔木和灌木的利用性高于可利用性;禾本科草本植物和非禾本科草本植物的利用性低于可利用性,说明马鹿的食物以木本植物镲为主,草本植物为辅.Spearman相关分析得出马鹿对食物的选择性与水分、灰分、粗蛋白、粗脂肪、粗纤维和无氮浸出物之间无明显的相关关系.被啃食植物中粗蛋白含量较高,蛋白质不是越冬马鹿的限制因子,而能量可能是影响冬季马鹿采食较为关键的因子.马鹿冬季采食策略主要是以最小的能量消耗获取最大的能量收益.     

贺兰山同域分布高山麝和阿拉善马鹿秋季食性的比较研究

对贺兰山同域分布的高山麝和阿拉善马鹿秋季的粪便进行采集,利用粪便显微分析法对二者秋季食性进行了研究。分别采集高山麝和阿拉善马鹿活动区域内粪样和植物样本,分别获得两种动物40个复合粪便样本,采用频率转换法对数据处理计算,得到贺兰山同域分布的高山麝和阿拉善马鹿秋季的食性组成及组成比例。结果显示,高山麝秋季共取食植物20科30种(属),其中蓝锭果忍冬(11.96%)、秦氏黄芪(10.17%)、密齿柳(8.32%)、折枝绣线菊(6.82%)、内蒙野丁香(6.18%)组成了高山麝的主要食物;阿拉善马鹿秋季共取食植物12科29种(属),其中针茅(22.15%)、灰榆(21.14%)、早熟禾(16.90%)、小叶金露梅(11.62%)、山杨(10.00%)为阿拉善马鹿秋季的主要食物。高山麝和阿拉善马鹿共有9种食物重叠,生态位重叠指数为83.75%。秋季高山麝取食的Shannon-Wiener指数、Pieou均匀性指数、食物生态位宽度指数和最大的物种多样性指数均高于阿拉善马鹿。     

西藏牦牛SRAP遗传多样性及分类进化研究

用4对SRAP分子标记引物对西藏11个牦牛类群和四川麦洼牦牛的DNA进行扩增,研究其遗传多样性和分类关系。结果表明,在335头牦牛中,共得到29个基因位点,其中有19个多态位点,多态率占65.52%。12个牦牛群体间的Nei’s遗传多样性和Shannon多样性指数分别为0.048 2和0.073 4,遗传相似系数在0.781 1-0.989 1。巴青牦牛和康布牦牛的遗传多样性指数较其他类群高,分别为0.095 5和0.090 0;桑日牦牛类群的遗传多样性指数最低,仅为0.008 5。这些结果表明,12个牦牛类群的SRAP遗传多样性较低。根据Nei’s遗传距离,利用UPGMAM构建聚类关系图结果显示,嘉黎牦牛、帕里牦牛、类乌齐牦牛、桑桑牦牛、康布牦牛、巴青牦牛、丁青牦牛、斯布牦牛和麦洼牦牛聚为一大类,然后依次才与桑日牦牛、工布江达牦牛和江达牦牛相聚在一起,显示在SRAP分子遗传标记所反映的牦牛基因组的遗传结构中,江达牦牛、工布江达牦牛和桑日牦牛与其他牦牛群体间的亲缘关系较远,牦牛的这种亲缘关系与其地理分布也不一致,说明这12个牦牛的起源、演化关系较复杂,有待于进一步研究分析。     

牦牛生态类型的分类

为进一步弄清中国牦牛的遗传资源及其类型划分,利用微卫星DNA、随机扩增多态性（RAPD）、扩增片断长度多态性（AFLP）等3种分子遗传标记技术研究了麦洼牦牛、九龙牦牛、大通牦牛和天祝白牦牛的分类;并结合作者对牦牛染色体和血液蛋白多态性的研究结果探讨了中国牦牛类群的分类.结果：①根据微卫星位点的等位基因频率进行聚类分析,表明麦洼牦牛和九龙牦牛的遗传距离最大（1.506）,麦洼牦牛2个群体之间的遗传距离最小（1.062）.5个牦牛群体被聚为两大类,四川九龙牦牛单独成一大类,其他牦牛群体聚为一类.②根据RAPD和AFLP两种分子遗传标记的分析,表明天祝牦牛和大通牦牛的遗传距离最小（0.0336）,九龙牦牛和天祝牦牛的遗传距离最大（0.0414）,4个牦牛品种被聚为两大类,九龙牦牛品种聚为一类,其它3个牦牛品种聚为一类.大通牦牛和天祝白牦牛在较近的水平上首先聚为一类,然后在较远处与麦洼牦牛聚为一大类.③根据染色体特征和血液蛋白位点的基因频率进行聚类的结果与微卫星DNA、RAPD、AFLP的聚类结果相似.中国牦牛可分为以九龙牦牛和麦洼牦牛为代表的两个类群（型）.这与蔡立等将中国牦牛分为“青藏高原型”和“横断高山型”的结果是一致的.而与其他学者的分类结果有较大的差异.结合中国牦牛品种（群体）的地理分布、生态条件、育成史及其分化的实际情况,作者认为中国牦牛分为两个大的生态类型是合理的.     

Occurrence of alfalfa (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Medicago sativa</Emphasis> L.) populations along roadsides in southern Manitoba,Canada and their potential role in intraspecific gene flow

Alfalfa is a highly outcrossing perennial species that can be noticed in roadsides as feral populations. There remains little information available on the extent of feral alfalfa populations in western Canadian prairies and their role in gene flow. The main objectives of this study were (a) to document the occurrence of feral alfalfa populations, and (b) to estimate the levels of outcrossing facilitated by feral populations. A roadside survey confirmed widespread occurrence of feral alfalfa populations, particularly in alfalfa growing regions. The feral populations were dynamic and their frequency ranged from 0.2 to 1.7 populations km⁻¹. In many cases, the nearest feral alfalfa population from alfalfa production field was located within a distance sufficient for outcrossing in alfalfa. The gene flow study confirmed that genes can move back and forth between feral and cultivated alfalfa populations. In this study, the estimated outcrossing levels were 62% (seed fields to feral), 78% (feral to seed fields), 82% (hay fields to feral) and 85% (feral to feral). Overall, the results show that feral alfalfa plants are prevalent in alfalfa producing regions in western Canada and they can serve as bridges for gene flow at landscape level. Management of feral populations should be considered, if gene flow is a concern. Emphasis on preventing seed spill/escapes and intentional roadside planting of alfalfa cultivars will be particularly helpful. Further, realistic and pragmatic threshold levels should be established for markets sensitive to the presence of GE traits.     

Parasites of the feral sheep of Pitt Island,Chatham group

Abstract

Samples from the feral and domestic sheep on Pitt Island were examined for parasites. The feral sheep had never been treated against parasites, and most were due for extermination. The domestic sheep were examined by way of comparison. The sheep ked (Melophagus ovinus) and the chorioptic mange mite (Chorioptes bovis) were found on feral but not domestic sheep. The sheep body louse (Damalinia ovis) was found on domestic but not feral sheep. Lung nodules and liver lesions, presumed to be caused by parasites, were significantly more prevalent in domestic than in feral sheep. The prevalence of Cysticercus tenuicollis cysts and Sarcocystis spp. macrocysts was similar in feral and domestic sheep. The species of intestinal nematode and their relative abundance in feral sheep were similar to those in mainland sheep. Fewer feral sheep were found to have antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii when compared with other breeds; the proportion with antibodies to Sarcocystis ovicanis differed little from that in the mainland flocks, however. The data are compared with information from the Campbell Island feral sheep flock.     

High mitochondrial DNA diversity of an introduced alien carnivore: comparison of feral and ranch American mink Neovison vison in Poland

Aim Invasive alien species usually exhibit very high adaptation and rapid evolution in a new environment, but they often have low levels of genetic diversity (invasive species paradox). Genetic variation and population genetic structure of feral American mink, Neovison vison, in Poland was investigated to explain the invasion paradox and to assess current gene flow. Furthermore, the influence of mink farming on adaptation of the feral population was evaluated by comparing the genetic structure of feral and ranch mink. Location Samples from feral mink were collected in 11 study areas in northern and central Poland and from ranch mink at 10 farms distributed throughout the country. Methods A 373‐bp‐long mtDNA control region fragment was amplified from 276 feral and 166 ranch mink. Results Overall, 31 haplotypes, belonging to two groups from genetically diverse sources, were detected: 11 only in feral mink, 12 only in ranch mink and eight in both. The genetic differentiation of feral mink from the trapping sites was high, while that among ranch mink from various farms was moderate. There was no significant relationship between genetic and geographic distance. The number of trapping sites where given haplotypes occurred correlated with the number of farms with these haplotypes. The mink from two sites were the most divergent, both from all other feral mink and from ranch mink. Comparison of mtDNA and microsatellite differentiation suggests male‐biased dispersal in this species. Main conclusions American mink in Poland exhibit high genetic diversity and originate from different source populations of their native range. The process of colonization was triggered by numerous escapees from various farms and by immigrants from Belarus. The genetic structure of local feral mink populations was shaped by the founder effect and multiple introductions. The genomic admixture that occurred during mixing of different populations might have increased the fitness of individuals and accelerated the invasiveness of this species.     

牦牛白细胞介素2(IL2)基因cDNA 的分子克隆和表达研究

目的克隆牦牛免疫基因并研究其免疫特性。方法以伴刀豆球蛋白A（ConA）激活的体外培养的牦牛血液淋巴细胞,提取激活淋巴细胞的总RNA,用RT—PCR方法,从中克隆出白细胞介素2cDNA,连接到T载体上测序,并亚克隆到pC,EX4T-1表达质粒,在大肠杆菌进行了重组表达,纯化融合表达YIL2产物,MTT比色法测定其体外刺激牦牛血液淋巴母细胞增殖的免疫活性。结果YIL2cDNA序列分析显示：在其编码区442位点的一个碱基发生突变（由C突变为T）,从而导致终止密码子（TAA）出现,使YIL2蛋白表达提前终止,与其它牛IL2蛋白相比少了8个氨基酸。MTT比色法测定结果表明重组牦牛IL2蛋白体外能显著促进牦牛淋巴母细胞的增殖。结论本实验成功克隆了牦牛IL2基因,其原核表达产物具有显著的免疫活性,这为研制新型免疫增强剂来提高牦牛对各种疾病的抵抗力,增强牦牛疫苗的免疫保护率奠定了基础。     

Mitochondrial DNA sequence diversity and origin of Chinese domestic yak

In order to clarify the origin and genetic diversity of yak in China, we analysed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences (approximately 891 bp) in 52 individuals from four domestic yak (Poephagus grunniens) breeds, as well as from a hybrid between yak and cattle (Pianniu). Twenty-five samples were further selected for partial (420 bp) cytochrome b sequencing based on control region sequence information. Two yak samples shared sequences with Chinese cattle (Bos taurus); the remaining yak mtDNAs converged into two major clades in the phylogenetic analysis. Genetic diversity varied substantially among the breeds, with the hybrid Pianniu yak demonstrating the highest diversity. Our results suggest that the Chinese yak was domesticated from two distinct matrilineal sources or from a heterogeneous pool containing both divergent lineages, with occasional gene introgression from cattle.     

Habitat selection by feral cats and dingoes in a semi‐arid woodland environment in central Australia

Habitat use by feral cats and dingoes was examined within a heterogeneous semi‐arid woodland site in central Australia over 2 years. Density estimates of feral cats based on tracks were higher in mulga habitat than in open habitat. Isodar analysis implied that this pattern of habitat use by feral cats was consistent with the consumer‐resource model of density‐dependent habitat selection, which is an ideal free solution. The reason why mulga supported higher densities of feral cats was unclear. Foraging success of feral cats may be higher in the mulga because the stalk and ambush hunting tactics typically employed by felids are well suited to dense cover. Mulga may also have offered feral cats more protection from dingo predation. Dingo activity was distributed uniformly across habitats. The dingo isodar was statistically non‐significant, suggesting that habitat selection by dingoes was independent of density.     

Effects of yak dung patch dropped in cold season on soil and pasture on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

To clarify how dung patches from grazing yaks affect soil and pasture in the alpine meadow of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, yak dung was collected, mixed and redistributed in a cold grazing season. The soil physical and chemical properties and forage growth were then monitored under the yak dung patch, and 10 cm and 50 cm from the edge of yak dung patches. The result has shown that yak dung significantly improved soil moisture, total organic matter, and soil available N and P under or close to the dung patches. The forage production at 10 cm from the dung patch (303 g/m²) was significantly higher than that at 50 cm from the dung patch (control) (284 g/m²) in the second year, while the production was similar to the control in the first and the third year. The process of yak dung decomposition was slow and yak dung remains were observed 3 years after the drop. The dung patches also formed a strong ‘shell’, very difficult for plant underneath to penetrate and grow. Therefore, almost all plants under yak dung patches died, leading to decline in forage yield in the first, second, and the third year. In practice in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau regions, yak dung is often collected as fuel by the local farmers. Removing yak dung from alpine meadow may on one hand lead to losses in soil nutrients, but on the other hand reduces some of the negative effects, e.g. the reduction of forage yield under yak dung patches.     

A chromosome‐scale reference genome and genome‐wide genetic variations elucidate adaptation in yak

Yak is an important livestock animal for the people indigenous to the harsh, oxygen‐limited Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau and Hindu Kush ranges of the Himalayas. The yak genome was sequenced in 2012, but its assembly was fragmented because of the inherent limitations of the Illumina sequencing technology used to analyse it. An accurate and complete reference genome is essential for the study of genetic variations in this species. Long‐read sequences are more complete than their short‐read counterparts and have been successfully applied towards high‐quality genome assembly for various species. In this study, we present a high‐quality chromosome‐scale yak genome assembly (BosGru_PB_v1.0) constructed with long‐read sequencing and chromatin interaction technologies. Compared to an existing yak genome assembly (BosGru_v2.0), BosGru_PB_v1.0 shows substantially improved chromosome sequence continuity, reduced repetitive structure ambiguity, and gene model completeness. To characterize genetic variation in yak, we generated de novo genome assemblies based on Illumina short reads for seven recognized domestic yak breeds in Tibet and Sichuan and one wild yak from Hoh Xil. We compared these eight assemblies to the BosGru_PB_v1.0 genome, obtained a comprehensive map of yak genetic diversity at the whole‐genome level, and identified several protein‐coding genes absent from the BosGru_PB_v1.0 assembly. Despite the genetic bottleneck experienced by wild yak, their diversity was nonetheless higher than that of domestic yak. Here, we identified breed‐specific sequences and genes by whole‐genome alignment, which may facilitate yak breed identification.