The primary structure of hemoglobin from amur-leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis)

The complete amino acid sequence of the major component of hemoglobin from amur-leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) is presented. The major component accounts for more than 90% of the total hemoglobin. Separation of the globin subunits was achieved by ion-exchange chromatography on CM-cellulose in urea. The sequence was studied by automatic Edman degradation of tryptic and hydrolytic peptides. Alignment was carried out with human hemoglobin sequence. The NH₂ terminus is blocked with Ac-serine. The data are compared with other mammalian hemoglobins and results are discussed with respect to sequence and physiology.85th communication on hemoglobin.     

雪豹的微卫星DNA遗传多样性

利用微卫星DNA标记,对来自青海囊谦县、治多县以及甘肃阿克塞县3个地区的36份雪豹(Panthera uncia)粪便DNA样品进行了遗传多样性研究。结果显示,在8个微卫星位点上共检测到57个等位基因,有效等位基因数为2.190~5.488,平均每个位点的等位基因数为7.130,基因频率分布不均匀;期望杂合度为0.543~0.847,平均0.759;多态信息含量为0.458~0.829,平均0.722;表明这8个微卫星位点均为高度多态性位点,有较丰富的遗传多样性。3个样地雪豹居群之间的遗传距离与地理距离相关,地理距离最近的青海省囊谦县和治多县的雪豹居群遗传距离最小。根据雪豹平均遗传分化度Fst(0.053)、平均基因流(4.488)以及STRUCTURE聚类分析结果(当K=1时,ln P(D)值最大),推测3个居群间虽然有一定的遗传距离,但均来自同一个种群,暂无分化现象。     

三江源地区雪豹保护优先区规划

为了将有限资源合理投放到关键区域, 实现物种保护成效的最大化, 找出质量最好的栖息地及它们之间的迁徙通道是制定保护规划的第一步。本研究以三江源的雪豹(Panthera uncia)栖息地为对象, 基于野外调查数据和高分辨率卫星遥感数据, 利用物种分布模型、保护规划模型和连通度分析工具, 找出了三江源地区雪豹的核心栖息地分布和潜在迁徙通道位置, 分析了目前保护中的潜在威胁, 并提出了针对三江源西、中、东三块区域的不同保护对策。结果表明: (1)三江源西部核心栖息地比较小而破碎, 但迁徙通道较多且没有明显窄点, 未来应关注青藏线的潜在阻碍作用, 同时应防范道路沿线的野生动物盗猎; (2)中部区域横跨玉树-杂多-囊谦的雪豹栖息地是三江源最大的核心雪豹栖息地, 在连通其他种群中也处于中心地位, 应通过种群监测确定其健康稳定, 对开发、偷猎等威胁防微杜渐, 保持其源种群的作用; (3)东部区域人口密度高, 受人类活动的影响最大, 需保证阿尼玛卿、年保玉则两块核心栖息地的质量, 并重点监测甘德县境内的省道处雪豹的迁徙通道是否畅通。三江源地区雪豹栖息地总体质量较好, 建议将维持核心源种群的稳定性, 保持种群间迁徙通道的畅通作为三江源的雪豹景观保护工作的整体目标。未来应充分利用天地一体化监测手段, 开展重要保护物种栖息地状况的评估和预警, 尤其是非保护地区域物种核心栖息地的开发建设活动。     

祁连山国家公园青海片区雪豹栖息地适宜性评价

雪豹是全球生物多样性保护的旗舰物种,精准评估雪豹栖息地质量可为其种群保护提供科学参考。本文选取地形、气候、植被类型和人为干扰等环境因子,采用景观连接度和MaxEnt模型两种方法,对祁连山国家公园青海片区雪豹栖息地质量进行评价。结果表明：高适宜栖息地主要分布在研究区的西部和中部,适宜面积占青海片区总面积的71.8%～77.5%,两种方法预测的适宜栖息地重叠区为8 979.1 km2,占青海片区总面积的56.7%;39.8%～43.3%的适宜栖息地分布在一般控制区,56.7%～60.2%的适宜栖息地分布在核心保护区;疏勒河源区适宜栖息地面积最多,石羊河源区适宜栖息地面积最少,黑河源区适宜栖息地面积占比最高,约为77.1%～91.8%。适宜栖息地面积整体呈现自东向西递增的趋势。一般控制区分布有较大面积的雪豹栖息地,人类活动将是一般控制区雪豹栖息地的潜在威胁。本研究对优化雪豹就地保护措施提供科学借鉴与参考。     

A cost-effective blood DNA methylation-based age estimation method in domestic cats,Tsushima leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus) and Panthera species,using targeted bisulphite sequencing and machine learning models

Individual age can be used to design more efficient and suitable management plans in both in situ and ex situ conservation programmes for targeted wildlife species. DNA methylation is a promising marker of epigenetic ageing that can accurately estimate age from small amounts of biological material, which can be collected in a minimally invasive manner. In this study, we sequenced five targeted genetic regions and used 8–23 selected CpG sites to build age estimation models using machine learning methods at only about $3–7 per sample. Blood samples of seven Felidae species were used, ranging from small to big, and domestic to endangered species: domestic cats (Felis catus, 139 samples), Tsushima leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus, 84 samples) and five Panthera species (96 samples). The models achieved satisfactory accuracy, with the mean absolute error of the most accurate models recorded at 1.966, 1.348 and 1.552 years in domestic cats, Tsushima leopard cats and Panthera spp. respectively. We developed the models in domestic cats and Tsushima leopard cats, which were applicable to individuals regardless of health conditions; therefore, these models are applicable to samples collected from individuals with diverse characteristics, which is often the case in conservation. We also showed the possibility of developing universal age estimation models for the five Panthera spp. using only two of the five genetic regions. We do not recommend building a common age estimation model for all the target species using our markers, because of the degraded performance of models that included all species.     

Meta‐replication,sampling bias,and multi‐scale model selection: A case study on snow leopard (Panthera uncia) in western China

Replicated multiple scale species distribution models (SDMs) have become increasingly important to identify the correct variables determining species distribution and their influences on ecological responses. This study explores multi‐scale habitat relationships of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) in two study areas on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau of western China. Our primary objectives were to evaluate the degree to which snow leopard habitat relationships, expressed by predictors, scales of response, and magnitude of effects, were consistent across study areas or locally landcape‐specific. We coupled univariate scale optimization and the maximum entropy algorithm to produce multivariate SDMs, inferring the relative suitability for the species by ensembling top performing models. We optimized the SDMs based on average omission rate across the top models and ensembles’ overlap with a simulated reference model. Comparison of SDMs in the two study areas highlighted landscape‐specific responses to limiting factors. These were dependent on the effects of the hydrological network, anthropogenic features, topographic complexity, and the heterogeneity of the landcover patch mosaic. Overall, even accounting for specific local differences, we found general landscape attributes associated with snow leopard ecological requirements, consisting of a positive association with uplands and ridges, aggregated low‐contrast landscapes, and large extents of grassy and herbaceous vegetation. As a means to evaluate the performance of two bias correction methods, we explored their effects on three datasets showing a range of bias intensities. The performance of corrections depends on the bias intensity; however, density kernels offered a reliable correction strategy under all circumstances. This study reveals the multi‐scale response of snow leopards to environmental attributes and confirms the role of meta‐replicated study designs for the identification of spatially varying limiting factors. Furthermore, this study makes important contributions to the ongoing discussion about the best approaches for sampling bias correction.     

Changes in ranging and agonistic behavior of vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) after predator‐induced group fusion

Socio‐ecological theory predicts that group fusion in female‐philopatric primate species will be rare because females experience increased costs by associating with non‐relatives. Indeed, fusion has been reported only 14 times in only 4 female‐philopatric cercopithecines despite many years of observation. Here, we describe changes in ranging and agonistic behavior of vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) after the fusion of two groups, the sole group fusion during 11 years of observation, induced by a brief but intense period of apparent leopard predation. Before fusion, both groups made few incursions into the other group's territory and spent most of the time in their own territories. After the fusion, the amalgamated group shifted its activities and used both territories in similar proportion. Rates of female agonism increased after fusion, particularly in the 2 weeks following fusion, and the small group females assumed the lowest ranks in the female dominance hierarchy. Rates of agonism returned to prefusion rates a month later. Although rates of high‐intensity interactions (i.e., chases) did not increase after fusion, small group females were more likely to be the recipients of, and lose, agonistic interactions than large group females; a small group female and her infant were attacked and wounded by a coalition of large group females shortly after the fusion. The observations presented here reveal that the circumstances surrounding group fusions are more variable than previously realized, but are still in accordance with expectations from socio‐ecological theory that predation can favor the formation of larger groups. In this case, under threat of severe predation, individuals may have surrendered group autonomy for the greater security of larger numbers. Am. J. Primatol. 72:634–644, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Fecal steroid metabolites and reproductive monitoring in a female Tsushima leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus)

Although the Tsushima leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus) is one of the most endangered mammals in Japan, its reproductive physiology and endocrinology have been not elucidated. The objective was to establish the non-invasive monitoring of reproductive endocrinology in a female Tsushima leopard cat and to identify the types of fecal reproductive steroid metabolites in this species. Fecal concentrations of estrogen and progestin were determined by enzyme immunoassays, from 60 d before to 60 d after the last copulation, during three pregnancies. Fecal estrogen metabolite concentrations were increased before/around the mating period and after mid-pregnancy. Fecal progestin metabolite concentrations increased after the last copulation and remained high during pregnancy. The gestation period was 65.0 ± 0.6 d (mean ± SD). Fecal extracts were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography for identification of fecal metabolites. Fecal estrogens were identified as estradiol-17β and estrone. Fecal progestins during pregnancy contained 5α-reduced pregnanes: 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one, 5α-pregnan-3β-ol-20-one and 5α-pregnan-3,20-dione, and nonmetabolized progesterone was barely detected in feces. In conclusion, measurement of fecal estrogen and progestin metabolites was effective for noninvasive reproductive monitoring in the Tsushima leopard cat. An immunoassay for fecal estradiol-17β concentrations seemed useful to monitor follicular activity, whereas an immunoassay with high cross reactivity for 5α-reduced pregnanes was useful to monitor ovarian luteal activity and pregnancy.     

USE OF MIDAZOLAM/PETHIDINE AND TILETAMINE/ZOLAZEPAM COMBINATIONS FOR THE CHEMICAL RESTRAINT OF LEOPARD SEALS (HYDRURGA LEPTONYX)

We immobilized 200–550-kg leopard seals ( Hydrurga leptonyx ) on sea ice in Prydz Bay, Antarctica (68°25'S, 77°10'E) between November 1997 and February 2000. Midazolam (0.18–0.27 mg/kg)/ pethidine (1.0–1.5 mg/kg) was administered by dart to 16 leopard seals. Unpredictable immobilization, poor airway maintenance, and our inability to fully assess the suitability of flumazenil (0.003–0.01 mg/kg), naloxone (0.01–0.013 mg/kg), and naltrexone (0.05–0.12 mg/kg) as reversal agents limited suitability of midazolam/pethidine. Tiletamine/zolazepam 1:1 (0.5–1.5 mg/kg) was, therefore, administered to 19 leopard seals. It produced faster induction (19 ± 3 min), more effective and reliable response to dose (rank correlation: r _s= 0.88, n = 18), and better pulmonary ventilation and faster return of cognitive function upon recovery, in comparison to midazolam/pethidine. Best results were achieved with tiletamine/zolazepam (1.2–1.4 mg/kg) which safely immobilized seven of nine seals for 20–30 min. Entry to the water upon darting was minimized, but not eliminated, by the use of lightweight air-pressurized darts and a thorough knowledge of leopard seal behavior.