Play in Harbour seals (Phoca vitulina)

Harbour seals in a breeding colony at Miquelon exhibited 13 distinct types of play behaviour, 80% of which was solitary locomotor play. Most play was displayed by yearlings and juveniles, though a significant amount of adult play occurred as well. Mothers and pups rarely played. Yearlings played socially as often as alone, but seals of other age classes played by themselves most often. Only social play resembled adult activities. It is suggested that the function of mammalian play has been obscured by its similarity to adult behaviour.     

大熊猫与黑熊显带染色体的比较研究

以体外培养的大熊猫（Ａｉｌｕｒｏｐｏｄａｍｅｌａｎｏｌｅｕｃａ）与黑熊（Ｓｅｌｅｎａｒｃｔｏｓｔｈｉｂｅｔａｎｕｓ）外周血淋巴细胞为实验材料,应用ＢｒｄＵ复制带显示技术,研究了大熊猫和黑熊染色体晚复制带带型。通过对大熊猫与黑熊显带染色体带型的比较,发现黑熊部分具端着丝粒的染色体与大熊猫部分具中,亚中,或亚端着丝粒的染色体的整个短臂或整个长臂有明显的带型相似性,在黑熊具中,亚中着丝粒染色体中,仅３３     

Wheel-running and rest activity pattern interaction in two octodontids (Octodon degus, Octodon bridgesi)

Wheel-running and other non-photic stimuli influence the rest-activity pattern of diurnal and nocturnal mammals. A day to night inversion of phase preference of activity was described among Octodon degus, when exposed to ad-libitum wheel running. We have studied the rest-activity pattern response in presence of ad libitum wheel-running in wild-captured male individuals from two species of genus Octodon: O. degus (n = 9, crepuscular-diurnal) and O. bridgesi (n = 3, nocturnal). After two months of habituation to laboratory conditions, recordings were performed in isolation chambers under a 12:12 light-dark schedule with or without access to a running wheel. Actograms were constructed from data obtained by an automated acquisition system. O. bridgesi were also recorded under constant darkness, with or without access to wheel-running. Entrained to the light-dark schedule, a crepuscular pattern of activity was evident for O. degus, whereas O. bridgesi displayed a robust nocturnal chronotype. The activity of O. degus observed during the dark phase was enhanced when wheel-running was allowed. No significant change in phase preference was observed for O. bridgesi when wheel-running was allowed. A lengthening of endogenous period was observed in O. bridgesi after wheel-running exposure under constant darkness. Nocturnal and diurnal octodontids exhibit different masking responses to wheel-running.     

Phylogeography and demographic history of the Andean degu,Octodontomys gliroides (Rodentia: Octodontidae)

The Andean degu, Octodontomys gliroides Gervais & d'Orbigny, 1844, has a broad distribution inhabiting pre‐Andean pre‐Puna and Puna environments of tropical South America. In order to understand the phylogeographic patterns of Octodontomys gliroides, we sequenced 579 bp of the mitochondrial DNA control region from 100 individuals collected from 20 populations across its entire distributional range. The phylogenetic and parsimony network, in conjunction with analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), revealed a structured pattern of geographic differentiation of O. gliroides, with the occurrence of two well‐defined evolutionary lineages: lineage A, restricted to Bolivia and Chile, and lineage B, restricted mainly to Argentina. Analysis of population structure inferred three genetic clusters along the distribution of O. gliroides that mostly agree with the four major barriers inferred by BARRIER analysis (e.g. rivers, salt flats, deserts, and mountain systems). In addition to the significant differentiation found among all levels studied, a positive correlation was identified between genetic and geographic distance, similar to as expected under the isolation‐by‐distance model. The most recent common ancestor of O. gliroides was estimated as c. 5.99 Mya, and the divergence between lineages A and B is estimated to have occurred by the Middle Pleistocene, about 0.69 Mya. The mismatch distributions and neutrality tests suggested a signal of population range expansion for both lineages coincident with major climatic changes that occurred during the wet–dry events of the Pleistocene in the Andean Puna region. Bayesian skyline plots (BSPs) for lineage A suggest a long history of constant population size followed by a period of slight to moderate demographic expansion at c. 0.04 Mya, whereas lineage B remained unclear after BSP analysis, probably because of the limited sample size.     

A new host of Trypanosoma cruzi from Jujuy, Argentina: Octodontomys gliroides (Gervais & D'Orbigny, 1844) (Rodentia, Octodontidae).

To identify wild hosts of Trypanosoma cruzi, surveys were conducted in the subandean valleys of Jujuy Province, Argentina, between June 1986 and March 1987. Seventy two mammals from 13 different species were examined by xenodiagnosis. Fifty two of them were mostly rodents trapped at the localities of Maimará, León and Tilcara, and the remainder had been kept in captivity at the Estación Biológica Experimental, in Jujuy. Trypanosoma cruzi infection was detected only in 2 Octodontomys gliroides (2 pos./8 exam. 25%) from all 72 examined mammals. Isolates were called Octodontomys Argentina 1 and 2 (OA1 and OA2). Both infected animals were caught at the archaelogical ruin of Pucará, at Tilcara. Repeated searches for triatomines in the ruin itself and in neighbour houses rendered negative results. Groups of mice inoculated with either OA1 or OA2 isolates became infected between 7 (OA1) to 12 days (OA2) postinoculation PI. Parasitemia peaks were observed between day 12th-14th PI. Scarce amastigote nests were found in myocardium and skeletal muscle. Mortality was observed only for mice inoculated with OA1. Isoenzyme patterns of OA1 and OA2 were identical to one found in dogs and slightly different from that of human parasites in Argentina. Bones from Octodontomys sp., were recently found in a cave, dated 10200-8600 BC, in Pumamarca, near Tilcara, Jujuy. There are evidences that O. gliroides cohabited with man in ancient times and was associated to the domestic cycle of T. cruzi transmission, playing a role like that of domestic caves in Bolivia.     

圈养大熊猫受配后的行为研究

1999～2002年,对成都大熊猫繁育研究基地的8只健康大熊猫20只次受配后行为进行了观察,以了解大熊猫配种后的行为变化,结果发现有以下4种情况：1)妊娠反应明显;2)妊娠反应不明显;3)假妊娠;4)无任何反应。并对这4种情况从行为上进行了探讨,明显的妊娠反应是怀孕产仔大熊猫的普遍规律,在产前27d左右明显减食、拒食,静卧安静休息时间在91％以上,有明显的临产反应,外阴、乳房发生明显的变化;不明显的妊娠反应是怀孕产仔大熊猫的特殊情况,有所减食,静卧安静休息时间无明显变化,也无明显的临产反应,有的外阴变化不大;假妊娠反应类似于明显的妊娠反应,出现在部分受配和未受配的大熊猫中,食欲变化有波动,到一定时间后食欲、活动量及外阴逐渐恢复;无任何反应是受配后一直无任何与妊娠有关的行为表现,食欲、活动情况如常。     

提高圈养大熊猫仔兽存活率的研究

1998～2001年,对提高圈养大熊猫仔兽存活率进行研究,采用了母兽育幼、人工辅助育幼、保姆育幼、人工育幼等多种方法,特别是模仿大熊猫母兽的育幼行为和活动以及用人工巢进行人工育幼。人工巢制作简单,操作方便,育幼时的温度、湿度及呼吸的新鲜空气与母兽育幼环境近似,也便于科技人员观察、抚摩,促进幼仔身体活动及护理幼仔。采集母兽的初乳及常乳饲喂;抽取健康母兽的血液制成口服血浆,适量喂仔;用美国产的两种奶粉配制的人工奶,代替母兽常乳收到良好的育幼效果。在本项研究的4年中,将卧龙大熊猫育幼成活率由54．16％平均提高到90．32％,创大熊猫育幼史的最高水平,为大熊猫的迁地保护提供了新的应用技术和方法。     

A reliable, non-invasive PCR method for giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) sex identification

We developed an inexpensive, fast and reliable PCR method for sex identification of giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) by using one pair of primers to co-amplify homologous fragments with size polymorphism that located at amelogenin (AMEL) exon 5. In giant panda, a 63 bp deletion in exon 5 of Y-linked allele provides a significant discrimination between AMELX and AMELY, thus the amplification products can be distinguished simply by agarose gel electrophoresis, exhibiting sex-specific banding patterns (male: 237 bp, 174 bp; female: 237 bp). Both blood and feces samples from known-sex giant pandas were successfully amplified. Cross species test also revealed that this method could be applied to other Ursidae species. These authors contributed equally to this work.     

大熊猫食道梗阻一例报告

首次报道了一例大熊猫患罕见的食道梗阻症的发病经过、临床诊治及解剖病理变化。并对发病原因及预防措施等进行了分析和探讨。     

Antibodies to human-related H3 influenza A virus in Baikal seals (Phoca sibirica) and ringed seals (Phoca hispida) in Russia

Antibodies to influenza A virus were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the sera from two of seven Baikal seals (Phoca sibrica) and from five of six ringed seals (Phoca hispida) in Russia. In a hemagglutination-inhibition test using H1-H15 reference influenza A viruses, ELISA-positive sera from one Baikal seal and four ringed seals reacted to A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2) and A/Bangkok/1/79 (H3N2) strains. One ringed seal serum sample reacted to A/seal/Massachusetts/1/80 (H7N7). The present results suggested that human-related H3 viruses were prevalent in Baikal seals and ringed seals inhabiting the central Russian Arctic.     

The Problem of Adult Play Fighting: A Comparative Analysis of Play and Courtship in Primates

Although play fighting, like play generally, is predominantly a feature of the juvenile phase, such behavior persists in the adults of many species. There are two major contexts in which adults engage in play fighting – with juveniles and with other adults. The least attention has been given to adult–adult play. However, one pattern that has been noted by several authors is that the most commonly occurring context of adult–adult play fighting is during courtship, and that this is more likely to occur in solitary species. Supposedly, such play could function to overcome the aggressiveness of potential pairmates unfamiliar with one another, or as a means of evaluating mate quality by one or both partners. By contrasting the presence and degree of play fighting during courtship with the degree of male–female familiarity, the hypothesis that the former is influenced by the latter is tested. Data on 35 species of primates, from 15 families, were compiled from the literature and compared using a method of independent contrasts that incorporates information on phylogenetic relationships. A significant regression was found, with the degree of male–female familiarity accounting for 40% of the variance in courtship play. Therefore, our data support the hypothesis that play fighting in courtship is influenced by male–female patterns of association. However, the data also indicate that other factors must influence the occurrence of play fighting amongst adults, not only during courtship, but also in nonsexual contexts. The broader context of adult–adult play in mammals is discussed.     

An improved,chromosome-level genome of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

BackgroundThe iconic giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), as both a flagship and umbrella species endemic to China, is a world famous symbol for wildlife conservation. The giant panda has several specific biological traits and holds a relatively small place in evolution. A high-quality genome of the giant panda is key to understanding the biology of this vulnerable species.FindingsWe generated a 2.48-Gb chromosome-level genome (GPv1) of the giant panda named “Jing Jing” with a contig N50 of 28.56 Mb and scaffold N50 of 134.17 Mb, respectively. The total length of chromosomes (n = 21) was 2.39-Gb, accounting for 96.4% of the whole genome. Compared with the previously published four genomes of the giant panda, our genome is characterized by the highest completeness and the correct sequence orientation. A gap-free and 850 kb length of immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene cluster was manually annotated in close proximity to the telomere of chromosome 14. Additionally, we developed an algorithm to predict the centromere position of each chromosome. We also constructed a complete chromatin structure for “Jing Jing”, which includes inter-chromosome interaction pattern, A/B compartment, topologically associated domain (TAD), TAD-clique and promoter-enhancer interaction (PEI).ConclusionsWe presented an improved chromosome-level genome and complete chromatin structure for the giant panda. This is a valuable resource for the future genetic and genomic studies on giant panda.     

大熊猫精浆蛋白的SDS-PAGE电泳研究

本试验采用SDS-PAGE对大熊猫精浆进行电泳并对电泳条带进行分析,探讨特异条带与大熊猫精液质量的关系。结果显示：大熊猫精浆SDS-PAGE电泳共分离得到12条蛋白谱带,其中6个条带为所有个体大熊猫精浆样品所共有,共有条带的相对量在不同个体之间不存在差异（P〉0．05）。试验中部分大熊猫精浆出现的特异蛋白带和共有带蛋白含量与精液质量无相关性。     

The Chromosomes of some octodontids with special reference to Octodontomys (Rodentia; Hystricomorpha)

The chromosomes of three species (Octodontomys gliroides, Octodon degus and Ctenomys talarum) of octodontid hystricomorph rodents are compared. — The diploid numbers are 38, 58 and 48 respectively. No polymorphic chromosomes were noted in the specimens available. The sex chromosomes are heteromorphic and pair end to end in meiosis. — The karyotypes are compared on the basis of the extreme specialisation of the habitat of the three species. The asymmetric karyotype of Octodontomys can be compared more readily with that of a Ctenomys ancestor than with that of its present-day relative, Octodon.     

Artificial insemination in the Giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleaca)

Artificial insemination was carried out on three adult captive Giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). Oestrus in these animals was detected by behavioural observations and by the rise in urinary oestrogen metabolites. Semen was collected from a mature male by electroejaculation. Changes in the quality of semen and the size of the testes indicated a seasonal fluctuation in sperm production. Spermatozoa were capable of penetrating zona-free hamster oocytes and remained viable for up to five days at 15–20°C in a modified Tyrode's medium. After freezing and thawing in a cryopreserving diluent, approximately 50% of spermatozoa recovered progressive motility and displayed a similar velocity to spermatozoa prior to freezing. Unusual protrusions of the acrosome of the panda spermatozoon were noted.
Following insemination, one female conceived and gave birth, after a gestation of 159 days, to two cubs, one of which subsequently died. Another female exhibited a rise in circulating progesterone but pregnancy was not confirmed.     

A new genotype of Cryptosporidium from giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in China

Fifty-seven fecal samples were collected from giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) in Sichuan and examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts by Sheather's sugar flotation technique. An 18-year-old male giant panda was Cryptosporidium positive, with oocysts of an average size of 4.60 × 3.99 μm (n = 50). The isolate was genetically analyzed using the partial 18S rRNA, 70 kDa heat shock protein (HSP70), Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein (COWP) and actin genes. Multi-locus genetic characterization indicated that the present isolate was different from known Cryptosporidium species and genotypes. The closest relative was the Cryptosporidium bear genotype, with 11, 10, and 6 nucleotide differences in the 18S rRNA, HSP70, and actin genes, respectively. Significant differences were also observed in the COWP gene compared to Cryptosporidium mongoose genotype. The homology to the bear genotype at the 18S rRNA locus was 98.6%, which is comparable to that between Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis (99.2%), or between Cryptosporidium muris and Cryptosporidium andersoni (99.4%). Therefore, the Cryptosporidium in giant pandas in this study is considered as a new genotype: the Cryptosporidium giant panda genotype.     

Eliciting Low-Risk Thyroid Cancer Treatment Preferences Using Clinical Vignettes: A Pilot Study

ObjectiveWhile surgical resection has been the traditional standard treatment for small (≤1 cm), differentiated thyroid cancers, active surveillance (AS) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are increasingly considered. The aim of this study was to explore patient preferences in thyroid cancer treatment using a series of clinical vignettes.MethodsThyroid cancer survivors and general population volunteers were recruited to rank experience-driven clinical vignettes in order of preference. Rankings were compared using Wilcoxon signed rank. Formative qualitative methods were used to develop and refine clinical vignettes that captured 4 treatments—thyroid lobectomy (TL), total thyroidectomy (TT), AS, and RFA—along with 6 treatment complications. Content was validated via interviews with 5 academic subspecialists.ResultsNineteen volunteers participated (10 survivors, 9 general population). Treatment complications were ranked lower than uncomplicated counterparts in 99.0% of cases, indicating excellent comprehension. Counter to our hypothesis, among uncomplicated vignettes, median rankings were 1 for AS, 2 for RFA, 3.5 for TL, and 5 for TT. Trends were consistent between thyroid cancer survivors and the general population. AS was significantly preferred over RFA (P = .02) and TT (P < .01). Among surgical options, TL was significantly preferred over TT (P < .01).ConclusionWhen treatments for low-risk thyroid cancer are described clearly and accurately through clinical vignettes, patients may be more likely to choose less invasive treatment options over traditional surgical resection.     

Haul-out behavior of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in Hood Canal, Washington

The goal of this study was to model haul-out behavior of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in the Hood Canal region of Washington State with respect to changes in physiological, environmental, and temporal covariates. Previous research has provided a solid understanding of seal haul-out behavior. Here, we expand on that work using a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) with temporal autocorrelation and a large dataset. Our dataset included behavioral haul-out records from archival and VHF radio tag deployments on 25 individual seals representing 61,430 seal hours. A novel application for increased computational efficiency allowed us to examine this large dataset with a GLMM that appropriately accounts for temporal autocorellation. We found significant relationships with the covariates hour of day, day of year, minutes from high tide and year. Additionally, there was a significant effect of the interaction term hour of day : day of year. This interaction term demonstrated that seals are more likely to haul out during nighttime hours in August and September, but then switch to predominantly daylight haul-out patterns in October and November. We attribute this change in behavior to an effect of human disturbance levels. This study also examined a unique ecological event to determine the role of increased killer whale (Orcinus orca) predation on haul-out behavior. In 2003 and 2005 these harbor seals were exposed to unprecedented levels of killer whale predation and results show an overall increase in haul-out probability after exposure to killer whales. The outcome of this study will be integral to understanding any changes in population abundance as a result of increased killer whale predation.