华南虎、东北虎、孟加拉虎的D-100p和ND5序列及其在系统进化分析中的应用

本文采用PCR和质粒克隆测序方法,获得了华南虎线粒体D-loop区的480bp序列和东北虎、孟加拉虎线粒体D-loop区的503bp序列;同时还获得了这三个虎亚种和金钱豹线粒体ND5基因5’端309bp的部分序列。根据D-loop序列分析,华南虎与孟加拉虎、东北虎的平均距离(p-distance)分别为0．11088和O．11087,而东北虎与孟加拉虎间的平均距离为0．00994;根据ND5序列分析,华南虎与孟加拉虎、东北虎的平均距离分别为0．11434和0．11758,而东北虎与孟加拉虎间的平均距离为0．00324。三个虎亚种的mtDNA D-loop和ND5序列比较表明,华南虎是这三个虎亚种中最为古老的亚种。     

Chromosome-scale genomes reveal genomic consequences of inbreeding in the South China tiger: A comparative study with the Amur tiger

The South China tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis, SCT) is the most critically endangered subspecies of tiger due to functional extinction in the wild. Inbreeding depression is observed among the captive population descended from six wild ancestors, resulting in high juvenile mortality and low reproduction. We assembled and characterized the first SCT genome and an improved Amur tiger (P. t. altaica, AT) genome named AmyTig1.0 and PanTig2.0. The two genomes are the most continuous and comprehensive among any tiger genomes yet reported at the chromosomal level. By using the two genomes and resequencing data of 15 SCT and 13 AT individuals, we investigated the genomic signature of inbreeding depression of the SCT. The results indicated that the effective population size of SCT experienced three phases of decline, ~5.0–1.0 thousand years ago, 100 years ago, and since captive breeding in 1963. We found 43 long runs of homozygosity fragments that were shared by all individuals in the SCT population and covered a total length of 20.63% in the SCT genome. We also detected a large proportion of identical-by-descent segments across the genome in the SCT population, especially on ChrB4. Deleterious nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphic sites and loss-of-function mutations were found across genomes with extensive potential influences, despite a proportion of these loads having been purged by inbreeding depression. Our research provides an invaluable resource for the formulation of genetic management policies for the South China tiger such as developing genome-based breeding and genetic rescue strategy.     

The year of the tiger and the year of tiger genomes!

Tigers are endangered apex predators. They typify endangered species because they are elusive, rare, and face numerous threats across their range. Tigers also symbolize conservation. However, it is very difficult to study tigers because of their stated nature. Also, tiger conservation is a geopolitically sensitive topic, making it difficult to use the studies to propose evidence-based management that allows their recovery, especially in the context of conservation genetics. Zhang et al. (Mol. Ecol. Resour., 2022) have created very valuable and rare resources to aid the community in conserving tigers. First, they present chromosome level genome assemblies of a South China tiger and an Amur tiger. Second, they present whole genome sequences of 16 captive South China tigers. Additionally, by using the assemblies they model the demographic history of these populations, estimate inbreeding and the potential threats they face in captivity. This approach is particularly important because genetic management is now the only remaining option for South China tigers, because they are extinct in the wild. In other words, captive individuals are our only hope for some day restoring the wild populations of South China tigers.     

华南虎血常规两种测定方法的比较应用

通过全自动血细胞分析仪与人工镜检法分别对华南虎(Panthera tigris amoyensis)血常规进行分析,并对获得结果做比较分析,探究建立适合华南虎血细胞分析的方法。收集临床华南虎血液标本40份,分别使用全自动血液分析仪和人工显微镜检法对红细胞、白细胞进行计数检测,并对白细胞进行分类分析。如人工计数和仪器计数获得的数据均符合正态分布,则应用配对样本T检验比较差异性,否则应用非参数检验(两个相关样本:Wilcoxon带符号秩检验)。相关性采用Spearman分析,以P <0.05为差异有统计学意义。结果表明,通过两种方法获得的红细胞计数、白细胞计数、中性粒细胞比率、嗜酸性粒细胞比率结果差异均不显著(P> 0.05);淋巴细胞比率、单核细胞比率和嗜碱性粒细胞比率,两种方法检测结果具有显著性差异(P <0.05)。红细胞计数(r=0.915)、白细胞计数(r=0.832)、淋巴细胞比率(r=0.832)、中性粒细胞比率(r=0.481)应用两种方法获得的结果相关性均较好。单核细胞比率(r=0.283)、嗜酸性粒细胞比率(r=0.309)、嗜碱性粒细胞比率(r=0....     

Phylogeography and genetic ancestry of tigers (Panthera tigris)

Eight traditional subspecies of tiger (Panthera tigris),of which three recently became extinct, are commonly recognized on the basis of geographic isolation and morphological characteristics. To investigate the species' evolutionary history and to establish objective methods for subspecies recognition, voucher specimens of blood, skin, hair, and/or skin biopsies from 134 tigers with verified geographic origins or heritage across the whole distribution range were examined for three molecular markers: (1) 4.0 kb of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence; (2) allele variation in the nuclear major histocompatibility complex class II DRB gene; and (3) composite nuclear microsatellite genotypes based on 30 loci. Relatively low genetic variation with mtDNA,DRB,and microsatellite loci was found, but significant population subdivision was nonetheless apparent among five living subspecies. In addition, a distinct partition of the Indochinese subspecies P. t. corbetti in to northern Indochinese and Malayan Peninsula populations was discovered. Population genetic structure would suggest recognition of six taxonomic units or subspecies: (1) Amur tiger P. t. altaica; (2) northern Indochinese tiger P. t. corbetti; (3) South China tiger P. t. amoyensis; (4) Malayan tiger P. t. jacksoni, named for the tiger conservationist Peter Jackson; (5) Sumatran tiger P. t. sumatrae; and (6) Bengal tiger P. t. tigris. The proposed South China tiger lineage is tentative due to limited sampling. The age of the most recent common ancestor for tiger mtDNA was estimated to be 72,000-108,000 y, relatively younger than some other Panthera species. A combination of population expansions, reduced gene flow, and genetic drift following the last genetic diminution, and the recent anthropogenic range contraction, have led to the distinct genetic partitions. These results provide an explicit basis for subspecies recognition and will lead to the improved management and conservation of these recently isolated but distinct geographic populations of tigers.     

圈养华南虎的个性评估及其性别差异

个性研究在动物生态研究和迁地保护中发挥着重要作用.华南虎(Panthera tigris amoyensis)作为最濒危的虎亚种,目前仍然缺乏对其个性特征的研究探索.本文通过个性特征主观评价法对6只圈养华南虎进行个性评估,并对比不同性别的华南虎个性特征的差异,使用新异物体测验进一步验证个性特征主观评价法的结果.最终提取...     

福建梅花山圈养华南虎遗传状况分析

华南虎是世界上密切关注的旗舰物种,在过去的10 年间没有发现野生华南虎存在的证据,因此它是极度濒危的虎亚种。福建梅花山圈养华南虎群体是整个圈养华南虎群体的重要组成部分,拥有 12 只华南虎。基于组合长度为 3934 bp 的线粒体序列分析发现梅花山圈养华南虎拥有 3 种线粒体单倍型; 而基于 20 个微卫星位点基因型分析显示梅花山圈养华南虎一共有71 个等位基因,平均等位基因数是3. 55,等位基因丰度的平均值是3. 32,平均期望杂合度和多态信息含量( PIC) 分别为0. 513 和0. 445。这些提示梅花山华南虎圈养群体维持着较高的遗传多样性。     

圈养华南虎钩端螺旋体感染情况调查

钩端螺旋体病(Leptospirosis)为致病性钩端螺旋体引起的人畜共患传染病,在世界范围内分布(Levett,2001),可感染鼠科、猴科和犬科等多种动物(Desvars et al.,2012).人或动物通过接触带菌动物的粪便、尿液污染的水和土壤而感染(娄银莹等,2019),可造成黄疸、急性肾功能衰竭、出血性素质...     

Sustainability of the South China tiger: implications of inbreeding depression and introgression

The South China tiger (Panther tigris amoyensis) is critically endangered with 73 remaining individuals living in captivity, all derived from six wild founders since 1963. The population shows a low level of juvenile survivorship and reproductive difficulties, and faces a huge conservation challenge. In this study, inbreeding depression and genetic diversity decline were examined by using pedigree data and 17 microsatellites. The constant B, which is related to the number of lethal equivalents, was estimated to be 0 for the offspring of noninbred parents, but was >0 for the offspring of inbred parents and for all offspring. Percentage of successfully breeding tigers inversely correlated with inbreeding level (r = −0.626, α = 0.05). Taken together, these findings suggest the population is suffering from inbreeding depression in juvenile survivorship and fecundity. No significant correlation was detectable for the mean litter size with f of either dams (r = −0.305, α = 0.46) or kittens (r = 0.105, α = 0.71), indicating litter size was not strongly subject to inbreeding depression. The average number of alleles per locus was 4.24 ± 1.03 (SE), but effective number of alleles was only 2.53 ± 0.91. Twenty-one alleles carried by early breeders at 13 loci were absent in the present breeders and potential breeders. Multilocus heterozygosity was inversely correlated with inbreeding levels (r = −0.601, α = 0.004). These findings suggest rapid allelic diversity loss is occurring in this small captive population and that heterozygosity is being lost as it becomes more inbred. Our phylogenetic analysis supports past work indicating introgression from northern Indochinese tigers in the population. As no wild representatives of the South China tiger can be added to the captive population, we may consider the alternate scenario of further introgression in the interest of countering inbreeding depression and declining genetic diversity.     

The complete mitochondrial genome analysis of the tiger (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Panthera tigris</Emphasis>)

The complete mitochondrial genomes of five tiger samples from three subspecies (P. t. sumatrae, P. t. altica, and P. t. tigris) were successfully obtained by using 26 specifically designed Panthera-specific primer sets. The genome organization and gene arrangement of the five tiger samples were similar to each other; however polymorphic tandem repeat sequences were observed in the control region (CR). This led to a difference in the genome lengths obtained from these five samples with an average size of 16,994 bp for the five tiger mitochondrial genomes. The nucleotide base composition was on average as follows: A, 31.8%; T, 27.0%; C, 26.6%; G, 14.6% and exhibited compositional asymmetry. Most of tiger mitochondrial genome characteristics are similar to those of other common vertebrate species; however, some distinctive features were observed in the CR. First, the repetitive sequence 2 (RS 2) contained two repeat units of 80 bp and the first 15 bp of what would be the third repeat motif. The repetitive sequence 3 (RS 3) contained 47–50 repeat motifs of a shorter 8 bp (ACGTAYAC)_n. Second, length heteroplasmy polycystosine (poly-C) stretches was observed at the end of the HV I locus in all tiger samples.     

Global population genetic dynamics of a highly migratory,apex predator shark

Knowledge of genetic connectivity dynamics in the world's large‐bodied, highly migratory, apex predator sharks across their global ranges is limited. One such species, the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier), occurs worldwide in warm temperate and tropical waters, uses remarkably diverse habitats (nearshore to pelagic) and possesses a generalist diet that can structure marine ecosystems through top‐down processes. We investigated the phylogeography and the global population structure of this exploited, phylogenetically enigmatic shark by using 10 nuclear microsatellites (n = 380) and sequences from the mitochondrial control region (CR, n = 340) and cytochrome oxidase I gene (n = 100). All three marker classes showed the genetic differentiation between tiger sharks from the western Atlantic and Indo‐Pacific ocean basins (microsatellite F_ST > 0.129; CR Φ_ST > 0.497), the presence of North vs. southwestern Atlantic differentiation and the isolation of tiger sharks sampled from Hawaii from other surveyed locations. Furthermore, mitochondrial DNA revealed high levels of intraocean basin matrilineal population structure, suggesting female philopatry and sex‐biased gene flow. Coalescent‐ and genetic distance‐based estimates of divergence from CR sequences were largely congruent (d_corr = 0.0015–0.0050), indicating a separation of Indo‐Pacific and western Atlantic tiger sharks <1 million years ago. Mitochondrial haplotype relationships suggested that the western South Atlantic Ocean was likely a historical connection for interocean basin linkages via the dispersal around South Africa. Together, the results reveal unexpectedly high levels of population structure in a highly migratory, behaviourally generalist, cosmopolitan ocean predator, calling for management and conservation on smaller‐than‐anticipated spatial scales.     

Dermatophytosis of tiger caused by microsporum canis

Microsporum canis was isolated from the inflammatory skin lesions of a Bengal tiger in April, 1979. In clinical findings rounded area of alopecia, 3 to 8 cm in size was observed on the right haúnch and the tail. The skin lesions were covered with thin scales, but the inflammatory changes were not severe. Findings, on physical examination, were unremarkable and the animal appeared healthy except for the skin lesions. The infected hairs were invaded by the fungal elements and arthroconidia were around the hair shaft. Cuticles and cortex of the infected hairs were brittle. They were evidently digested and were easily pulled out from the hair follicles. In mycological findings numerous and typical macroconidia were observed. By cross mating of a isolate from tiger andNannizzia otae(–) strain, cleistothecia were produced. Both organic iodide and undecylenic acid ointment were effective for therapy. In this paper the dermatophytosis of tiger caused byM. canis is described.     

Refuges and risks: Evaluating the benefits of an expanded MPA network for mobile apex predators

Aim

Concurrently, assessing the effectiveness of marine protected areas and evaluating the degree of risk from humans to key species provide valuable information that can be integrated into conservation management planning. Tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) are a wide‐ranging ecologically important species subject to various threats. The aim of this study was to identify “hotspots” of tiger shark habitat use in relation to protected areas and potential risks from fishing.

Location

Southwest Indian Ocean, east coast of South Africa and Mozambique.

Methods

Satellite tags were fitted to 26 tiger sharks. A subset of 19 sharks with an average period at liberty of 197 (SD = 110) days were analysed using hotspot analysis to identify areas of core habitat use. The spatial and temporal overlap of significant hotspots with current and planned marine protected areas as well as risks from fishing and culling was then calculated.

Results

There was a 5.97% spatial overlap between tiger shark hotspots and marine protected areas, which would increase significantly (p < .05) to 24.36% with the expansion of planned protected areas in South Africa and could be as high as 41.43% if Mozambique similarly expanded neighbouring protected area boundaries. Tiger sharks remained largely coastal, but only showed a spatial overlap of 5.12% with shark culling nets in South Africa. Only three sharks undertook open ocean migrations during which they were more likely to interact with longline fisheries in the region.

Main conclusions

This study demonstrates how spatial information can be used to assess the overlap between marine protected areas and the core habitats of top marine predators and highlights how congruent transnational conservation management can improve the effectiveness of protected areas. Core habitat use of marine apex predators may also be indicative of productive habitats, and therefore, predators such as tiger sharks could act as surrogate species for identifying key habitats to prioritize for conservation planning.

     

Genetic diversity and structure analyses on the natural populations of diploids and triploids of tiger lily, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lilium lancifolium</Emphasis> Thunb., from Korea,China, and Japan

Tiger lily, Lilium lancifolium Thumb. is an endemic species in Korea. Genetic structure and diversity of diploid and triploid tiger lily accessions were analyzed using SSRP and IRAP molecular markers. All genetic indices analyzed showed that the diploids hold higher genetic variations compared to the triploids which were collected from Korea, China, and Japan. All variations found in triploids were also found in diploids to support the autotriploidy of L. lancifolium. It was also revealed that the triploid populations have experienced population regrowth from small population after population bottleneck. The population and phylogenetic analyses showed that analyzed tiger lilies were partitioned into three populations, Pop 1 from West Sea of Korean Peninsula, Pop 2 from South Sea of Korean Peninsula and Pop 3 of triploids in which many accessions of West Sea and South Sea were admixed in each partitioned group. Although the level of population differentiation is not extensive, F_ST analysis revealed some level of differentiation among the three populations. The analyses of genetic structure and phylogenetic dendrogram revealed admixture in some accessions among populations. All the results obtained in our analyses imply that autotriploid tiger lilies were originated from a small number of accessions of diploid L. lancifolium.     

Susceptibility of the endangered California tiger salamander, Ambystoma californiense, to ranavirus infection

Emerging infectious diseases are implicated in the declines and extinctions of amphibians worldwide. Ranaviruses in the family Iridoviridae are a global concern and have caused amphibian die-offs in wild populations in North America, Europe, South America, and in commercial populations in Asia and South America. The movement of amphibians for bait, food, pets, and research provides a route for the introduction of ranaviruses into naive and potentially endangered species. In this report, we demonstrate that the California tiger salamander, Ambystoma californiense, is susceptible to Ambystoma tigrinum virus (ATV). This virus has not been previously reported in California tiger salamander, but observed mortality in experimentally infected animals suggests that California tiger salamander populations could be adversely affected by an ATV introduction.     

华南虎现状及谱系分析

华南虎目前处于极危状态。野生个体已极为少见,只有中国一些动物园内饲养着 53只。按其亲缘关系分为上海系和贵阳系,上海系的华南虎携带优秀的多子基因,但其子代的生活力不强;而贵阳系的虎虽然产子率不高,但子代的生活力很强,现存的6只贵阳系华南虎具有极高的基因保存与基因研究价值,应建立基因库。这些虎分散饲养于22个单位,大大降低了适龄虎的交配繁殖机会,浪费了本已有限的珍贵资源,是抑制其种群发展的最主要因素。目前其种群的年龄结构非常合理,育龄虎占种群的62.3％,幼龄虎为28.3％,高龄虎很少,仅为9.4％,今后种群的发展乐观。     

Distribution, Habitat, and Behavior of Rockfishes, Sebastes spp., in Nearshore Waters of Southeastern Alaska: Observations From a Remotely Operated Vehicle

We examined distribution, habitat, and behavior of rockfishes, Sebastes spp., with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) in coastal waters <90m deep of southeastern Alaska from 1998 to 2000. We identified black, S. melanops, canary, S. pinniger, China, S. nebulosus, copper, S. caurinus, dusky, S. ciliatus, harlequin, S. variegatus, Puget Sound, S. emphaeus, quillback, S. maliger, redstripe, S. proriger, rosethorn, S. helvomaculatus, silvergray, S. brevispinis, tiger, S. nigrocinctus, yelloweye, S. ruberrimus, and yellowtail, S. flavidus, rockfish. Quillback and dusky rockfish were the most widely distributed species, China and harlequin rockfish were the least widely distributed species. Species richness was greater at sites on or near the outer coast than at sites in more inside, sheltered waters. Most (>75%) observations of rockfish were over complex bottoms of boulder and rock or in vertical bedrock wall habitats. Few rockfish were observed over soft bottoms with no relief. Median depth of observation was 30m for black, copper, dusky, and yellowtail rockfish and >30m for all other species. Median temperature of observation ranged from 6.1°C for harlequin rockfish to 9.4°C for black rockfish. Size of fish was positively correlated (p 0.036) with depth for dusky, quillback, and yelloweye rockfish. Species often observed alone were China (67%), copper (46%), quillback (46%), and rosethorn (43%) rockfish. Most (70%) observations of harlequin, Puget Sound, silvergray, tiger, and yelloweye rockfish were in mixed species assemblages. When first observed, the behavior of most rockfish species was swimming or hovering. Notable exceptions were China, harlequin, rosethorn, and tiger rockfish; 33–57% were resting on bottom or in a hole or crevice.     

Diurnal Tiger Beetles (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) Capture Prey Without Sight

Although much research has examined the process of prey capture by tiger beetles, an underlying assumption in this work is that tiger beetles are principally, or even exclusively, visual predators. Because this assumption is untested, we performed a series of experiments on four diurnally active tiger beetles in the Genus Cicindela. Individual beetles were placed in chambers in complete darkness and allowed to forage on apterous Drosophila for 6 h. Contrary to expectations, adults of all tested species captured more than 90% of prey items. These results show that other modalities can be used by tiger beetles during prey capture. Beyond potentially providing an explanation for observed night activity in tiger beetle species, the significance of these findings lies in the need to test underlying assumptions of even well-studied organisms.