Evolutionary changes in craniomandibular shape in the great cats (Neofelis Griffith and Panthera Oken)

Evolutionary shape changes in skull and mandibular anatomy was analysed in 223 specimens of pantherine felids (Neofelis nebulosa, Panthera leo, Panthera onca, Panthera pardus, Panthera tigris, Panthera uncia) compared to a small‐felid outgroup, consisting of 86 specimens of nine different species, using digital surface morphometry on 25 (skull) and 17 (mandible) landmarks. Shape evolution in the pantherine species is complex and nonlinear, and involves both large‐scale and small‐scale shape changes. Shape changes frequently differ among the ingroup species, but the four large Panthera species (leo, onca, pardus, tigris) bear some resemblance to each other. The leopard and jaguar bear the closest resemblance to each other, and several shape changes are common to the lion and tiger, but have probably evolved convergently as a result of large size. The lion has undergone the largest and most numerous shape changes from a small‐felid outgroup. Certain shape changes in the skull and, in some respects, the mandible of the clouded leopard bear resemblance to those in the four large Panthera species. The snow leopard is often regarded as the most primitive of the extant Panthera, and skull and mandibular shape changes often diverge markedly from those observed in the other five ingroup taxa; its overall skull shape is rather similar to the small‐felid outgroup. This indicates that the shape changes in the clouded leopard are convergent with those of the four large Panthera species. Landmark integration showed no significant correlation with molecular phylogeny, chiefly owing to the snow leopard being placed among the four large Panthera species. A traditional phylogenetic topology with the snow leopard as the basal‐most species of Panthera yielded a weak but nonsignificant phylogenetic signal. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 95 , 766–778.     

大熊猫腰带骨的特点

大熊猫Ailuropoda melanoleuca(David)是世界闻名的稀有珍贵兽类,仅产于我国的少数地区。由于材料的难得,对大熊猫形态学的研究还不多见。在骨学方面,张鹤宇等(1960)曾记述过颅骨及牙齿的比较解剖,朱靖(1974)曾涉及到幼体牙齿生长的序列。Davis(1964)曾进行过较系统的解剖工作,他的研究材料包括3例完整标本和一些零散骨骼,但缺少完整幼体标本(仅有1例幼体头骨)。     

Feeding ecology and morphology of the upper canines in bears (carnivora: Ursidae)

The morphology and mechanical strength of the upper canines in all eight extant species of ursids is analyzed, and the findings are discussed in relation to feeding ecology. Ursids have proportionally smaller canines than other large carnivores with a specialized feeding ecology, such as large felids, and the upper canine morphology is both canid‐like and felid‐like. The giant panda is the most divergent species, and its short, blunt, and cone‐like canines appear well adapted for tearing into bamboo. The almost equally herbivorous spectacled bear has a less derived canine morphology. The large canines of the sun bear are divergent from other ursine ursids, and may be an adaptation for tearing open tree trunks in search of insects. Discriminant Analysis is successful in separating ursid species on the basis of canine morphology, but the canines of ursine ursids, and also of the spectacled bear, show greater resemblance among the species than the marked differences in feeding ecology would suggest. This could be in part due to a short evolutionary history, and in part due to canines not having been subjected to much evolutionary selection as has been the case among other large carnivores, such as large felids. Ursids are probably evolutionarily and ecologically successful due to physical size and strength rather than a derived craniodental anatomy. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Canine morphology in the larger Felidae: implications for feeding ecology

Canine morphology is analysed at seven intervals along the crown in both anteroposterior and lateromedial perspective in seven species of large felids. The puma and the snow leopard have stout, rather conical canines, whereas those of lions, jaguars, and tigers bear substantial resemblance to each other, reflecting their phylogenetic relationships, and are less conical and large. The canines of the leopard are intermediate in morphology between those of the other species, probably reflecting its more generalized diet. The clouded leopard has very large and blade-like canines, which are different from the other analysed species. Canine bending strengths to estimated bite forces appear to differs less among the species than morphology, indicating that the evolution of canines has been constricted with respect to their strength in failure, probably owing to their being equally important for species fitness. However, the clouded leopard again stands out, having a high estimated bite force and rather weak canines in bending about the anteroposterior as well as lateromedial planes compared to the other species. Canine morphology to some extent reflects differences in killing mode, but also appears to be related to the phylogeny. The marked divergence of the clouded leopard is presently not understood.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 91 , 573–592.     

Brain size of the lion (Panthera leo) and the tiger (P. tigris): implications for intrageneric phylogeny, intraspecific differences and the effects of captivity

Intraspecific encephalization of the lion and the tiger is investigated for the first time using a very large sample. Using cranial volume as a measure of brain size, the tiger has a larger brain relative to greatest length of skull than the lion, the leopard and the jaguar. The Asian lion has a relatively much smaller brain compared with those of sub-Saharan lions, between which there are few differences. The Balinese and Javan tigers had relatively larger brains compared with those of Malayan and Sumatran tigers, even although these four putative subspecies occupy adjacent ranges in south-eastern Asia. Differences in brain size do not appear to correlate with any known differences in behaviour and ecology and, therefore, may reflect only chance differences in intrageneric and intraspecific phylogeny. However, captive-bred big cats generally have a reduced brain size compared with that of wild animals, so that an animal's life history and living conditions may affect brain size and, hence, functional or environmental explanations should be considered when linking brain size differences to intraspecific phylogenies.  © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2009, 98 , 85–93.     

Competition versus opportunism: Diet and trophic niche relationship of two sympatric apex carnivores in a tropical forest

There is a little understanding of how apex carnivores partition their diet to coexist. We studied food habit and trophic niche overlap of two apex carnivores, tiger and leopard in the tropical forest of Similipal tiger reserve, eastern India. We used line transect and scat analysis method, to estimate the prey availability and determine the diet and prey selection of two apex carnivores. Tigers consumed mostly large and medium-sized prey, whereas leopards mostly consumed medium and small-sized prey. Both carnivores were not random in their consumption of prey, sambar and wild pigs were selectively consumed by tigers, whereas leopards selectively consumed wild pigs, barking deer and mouse deer. Dietary overlap between two carnivore species was moderate (Pianka's niche overlap index: 0.55), and trophic niche breadth (Levin's standardized niche breadth) of the leopard (0.52) was greater than that of the tiger (0.37). Overall, tigers exhibited specialized feeding habits, whereas leopards showed generalist feeding habits. Our study highlights the opportunistic nature of leopards and probably a reason for the species successfully coexist with tigers.     

Prey preference of large carnivores in Anamalai Tiger Reserve,India

Prey preferences of large carnivores (tiger (Panthera tigris), leopard (Panthera pardus) and dhole (Cuon alpinus)) in the tropical forest of Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) were evaluated. This was the first study in ATR to estimate the density of prey and the food habits of these large carnivores. The 958-km² intensive study area was found to have a high mammalian prey density (72.1 animals per square kilometre) with wild boar (20.61 animals per square kilometre) and chital (20.54 animals per square kilometre) being the most common species, followed by nilgiri tahr (13.6 animals per square kilometre). When the density figures were multiplied by the average weight of each prey species, a high biomass density of 14,204 kg km⁻² was obtained for the intensive study area. Scat analysis and incidental kill observation were used to determine the dietary composition of these predators. During the study from the period of March 2001 to April 2004, 1,145 tiger scats, 595 leopard scats and 2,074 dhole scats were collected and analysed. Kill data were based on direct observation of 66 tiger kills and 39 leopard kills. Sambar, with a density of 6.54 kg km⁻² was the preferred prey for these carnivores. Sambar constitutes 35% of the overall diet of tiger, whereas it constitutes 17% and 25% in leopard and dhole diets, respectively. Chital was utilized less than sambar in the range of about 7%, 11% and 15% by tiger, leopard and dhole, respectively. Predator diet was estimated more accurately by scat analysis, which reveals 30% of smaller prey species in leopard’s diet, which was not observed by kill data. This study reveals that ATR harbours high prey density, and these large carnivores seem mostly dependent on the wild prey rather than on domestic livestock as in some other areas in the subcontinent. These factors make ATR a potential area for long-term conservation of these endangered carnivores.     

Endophytic fungi and silica content of different bamboo species in giant panda diet

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), one of the most threatened mammalian species in the world, has adapted to herbivorous diet consisting mainly of bamboo (Poaceae: Bambusoidea). The most acute threats to the survival of the giant panda are habitat loss and fragmentation. However, changes in habitat may influence also the quality of giant panda diet through the bamboo species composition as well as their symbiotic leaf endophytes and plant chemical properties. Here we explore species composition and frequency of endophytic fungi and silica content in different bamboo species in the range of giant panda habitat in relation to panda food preference. Silica content of the bamboos varied from 3.7 g/kg to 45.7 g/kg and did not correlate with panda preference and altitudinal gradient. Systemic and vertically in seeds transmitted fungal endophytes or bacterial endophytes were not detected in bamboo leaves. Nearly half of the identified endophytic fungi belonged to genus Arthrinium. Pandas preferred bamboo species naturally occurring in higher altitudes. Furthermore, the total amount of endophytes tended to be lower in samples collected from bamboos in higher altitudes. This draws attention to the importance of more detailed studies on the endophytic fungi-bamboo-panda trophic interactions and the effect of land use and climate change on conservation programs of giant panda.     

大熊猫等五种食肉动物血清蛋白和LDH同工酶盘电泳比较

大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)是世界珍稀动物之一,近年来,兽类科学工作者对它进行了多方面的研究,也包括生化方面的工作(潘文石等,1982;Sarich,1973),但与其他食肉哺乳动物相比研究较少,而此又为探讨其分类地位所需。本文应用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶盘电泳,对大熊猫、小熊猫(AilurSs fulgens)、黑熊(Selenarctos thibetanus)、家猫及犬等5种食肉动物的血清蛋白和LDH同工酶进行比较分析,目的在于了解这5种动物的血清蛋白图象和LDH同工酶酶谱以及它们之间的谱型、相对活力、迁移率的异同,进而讨论大熊猫的分类地位。     

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.     

The giant panda is closer to a bear,judged by α- and β-hemoglobin sequences

Summary Using - and -hemoglobin sequences, we made a maximum likelihood inference as to the phylogenetic relationship among carnivores, including the two pandas, giant and lesser. Molecular phylogenetic studies up to 1985 had consistently indicated that the giant panda is more closely related to the bear than to the lesser panda. In 1986, however, a contradictory tree was constructed, using hemoglobins and so on, in which the two pandas link together (Tagle et al. 1986). In contrast to that tree, our conclusion supports the close relationship between bear and giant panda. The surface impression of a close relationship between the two pandas drawn from pairwise amino acid differences is explained by a rapid rate of hemoglobin evolution in the bear compared to that in the two pandas.Offprint requests to: T. Hashimoto     

版纳微型猪近交系SRY基因编码区序列克隆及生物信息学分析

目的获得版纳微型猪近交系(BMI)SRY基因编码区序列并进行分子系统进化研究。方法以看家基因GAPDH为内参,对BMI猪的SRY基因编码区序列进行PCR扩增、克隆和序列分析,并应用Lasergene、Bi-oEdit、ClustalX、MEGA等生物信息学软件同鲸鱼、海豚、鹿、绵羊、牛、海豹、马、海象、熊猫、人、驴、熊、猫、虎和美洲豹等15个物种相应SRY编码区核苷酸序列和氨基酸序列进行了比对分析,在此基础上采用NJ和ME法对其编码区氨基酸序列构建了分子系统进化树。结果 BMI猪SRY基因编码区序列长711 bp,编码236个氨基酸,GenBank登录号为GU991615。BMI猪与鲸鱼、海豚、鹿、绵羊、牛、海豹、马、海象、熊猫、人、驴、熊、猫、虎和美洲豹的SRY基因编码区核苷酸序列相似性分别为83.7%、82.8%、78.4%、78.0%、76.9%、73.3%、73.1%、73.0%、72.9%、72.7%、72.7%、72.2%、71.6%、71.3%、70.8%,相应的氨基酸序列相似性分别为72.8%、54.5%、67.3%、64.5%、61.5%、61.9%、59.5%、61.4%、62.0%、59.1%、59.0%、62.0%、59.6%、59.6%、59.2%。结论 BMI猪同鲸鱼等15个物种的SRY基因编码区核苷酸和相应氨基酸序列具有较高的保守性。NJ和ME方法聚类构建的分子系统进化树表明,BMI猪与牛、绵羊、鹿聚为一个分支,符合分类学地位,它们分别为偶蹄目下的猪科、牛科和鹿科动物。     

Diet and prey profiles of three sympatric large carnivores in Bandipur Tiger Reserve, India

We conducted a field study of diets of three sympatric large carnivores, the tiger Panthera tigris , the leopard Panthera pardus and the dhole Cuon alpinus in Bandipur Tiger Reserve, India, based on analyses of 381, 111 and 181 scats, respectively. The frequency of occurrence of prey items in scats was converted to relative biomass and number of prey consumed using regression equations based on earlier feeding trials. The results showed that although these predators kill ∼11–15 species of vertebrate prey, relatively abundant ungulate species provide 88–97% of biomass consumed by them. Although the dietary niche overlap among the three species was high (Pianka's index of 0.75–0.93), some specialized predation was observed. The largest ungulates, gaur Bos gaurus and sambar Cervus unicolor , provided 73% of biomass consumed by tigers, whereas medium-sized chital Axis axis and wild pig Sus scrofa formed 65 and 83% of the biomass intake of leopards and dholes, respectively. In terms of the relative numbers of prey animals killed by the three predators, chital, which is the most abundant prey species, dominated their diets (tiger=33%, leopard=39% and dhole=73%). The results of the study, in conjunction with earlier work, support the prediction that abundance of ungulate prey species, as well as their availability in different size classes, are both critical factors that facilitate sympatry among the three predators.     

Primary growth and morphological markers of interannual growth limits in Cupressaceae from Patagonia

The present study shows experimentally that primary growth of the native Patagonian Cupressaceae Austrocedrus chilensis (D. Don) Pic.-Serm et Bizz., Fitzroya cupressoides (Molina) I. M. Johnst. and Pilgerodendron uviferum (D. Don) Florin is potentially continuous. External morphological markers of interannual growth limits have been identified for the main axes of these species after several years of observation. Such limits correspond with axis portions in which internodes are relatively short and leaves have a small distal free end forming an acute angle with the axis. The causality of these results and their utility for studying the productivity, adaptation to different environments, population management and conservation of these threatened species are discussed.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 146 , 285–293.     

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.     

大熊猫及其近缘种rDNA序列变异和系统进化关系

应用ｒＤＮＡ间隔区Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎ转换技术研究大熊猫及其近缘种的分子系统关系。通过比较大熊猫、小熊猫、黑熊、马来熊、浣熊和猞猁的ｒＤＮＡ间隔区限制性内切酶图谱,用最大似然法和简约法构建它们的分子系统树。结果表明大熊猫与熊具有较近的亲缘关系,与小熊猫和浣熊的亲缘关系较远。     

Prevalence of seropositivity to pathogens in small carnivores in adjacent areas of Lazovskii Reserve

The prevalence of infectious diseases in wild and feral carnivores is poorly known in Primorsky Krai, where rare species such as the Amur tiger and the Far East leopard roam. In this study we evaluated the prevalence of seropositivity in feral (cats, dogs) and wild (raccoon dog, badger, American mink, Far Eastern wild cat) carnivores to various pathogens: distemper virus, parvovirus, feline immunodeficiency and feline leukemia virus, feline coronavirus, Toxoplasma gondii, Mycoplasma sp., and Chlamydia sp. It was shown that seropositivity occurred significantly more frequent in feral animals than in wild ones. The highest percentage of seropositive animals was observed in feral dogs. It is these diseases that can be dangerous for the Amur tiger and the Far East leopard, thus affecting their populations.     

凉山山系大熊猫和黑熊适宜生境预测及重叠分析

研究同域物种的分布格局及重叠状况对物种的区域整合保护管理及区域生物多样性保护具有重要实践价值。本研究基于全国第四次大熊猫调查及长期野外调查数据, 利用MaxEnt模型预测了凉山山系两种同域分布的熊科动物——大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)和黑熊(Ursus thibetanus)的适宜生境, 基于适宜生境预测结果, 分析了两个物种的生境需求因子、生境破碎化现状及重叠状况。结果显示: (1)大熊猫和黑熊的适宜生境分布格局相似, 主要分布在凉山山系的山脊地带, 适宜生境面积分别为1,383.84 km²和2,411.49 km²; (2)两个物种的适宜生境都较为破碎, 且存在一些隔离分布区, 相较而言, 黑熊适宜生境的连通性要优于大熊猫; (3)两个物种生态位重叠度较高(D = 0.654, I = 0.901), 适宜生境重叠面积为958.29 km², 分别占大熊猫和黑熊适宜生境总面积的69.25%和39.74%; (4)两个物种对环境因子的选择和响应表现出了相似性和差异性。相似性在于对两个物种生境分布影响最大的两个因子均为距居民点距离和海拔; 差异性在于对大熊猫生境分布影响次之的因子是植被类型和最冷季均温, 而黑熊的是年最大EVI指数和距道路距离。为了更有效地保护两个物种, 应加强对人类干扰的控制和植被的恢复, 对栖息地实行连通管理, 并建立多物种保护规划。     

The shape of the mandibular corpus in large fissiped carnivores: allometry,function and phylogeny

Mandibular corpus shape variability was investigated in seven families of both extant and extinct mammalian carnivores using two‐dimensional landmarks and geometric morphometric methods. The landmark configuration represents the position of the fourth premolar relative to the canine and the lower carnassial, plus related features of the corpus profile. Between families, the corpus manifests differences in shape and allometry. Additionally, families differ in the relationship between the angle α (a carnassial trait proxy for hypo‐hypercarnivory) and mandibular corpus shape. When phylogenetic relatedness is taken into account using five different phylogenies as covariates, interspecific scaling is still present but the relationship between α and corpus shape is no longer significant. This suggests that the allometric relationship reflects the physical constraints of mastication, resulting in relatively increased corpus depth with higher loads. In contrast, the angle α is related to corpus curvature and this relationship is phylogenetically constrained by the reduction of the molar battery in large feliforms early during the carnivore radiation. In summary, large fissiped carnivores show extensive functional convergence in mandibular corpus shape although the evolutionary routes leading to such functional convergence are different. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 154 , 832–845.     

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。