Chinese alligator hatchlings in captivity are fragile and have a high mortality rate within first year.The body mass gain of reptile animals is closely related to their feeding behavior and gut microbiota.This study a...Chinese alligator hatchlings in captivity are fragile and have a high mortality rate within first year.The body mass gain of reptile animals is closely related to their feeding behavior and gut microbiota.This study analyzed the intrinsic factors influencing the allometric growth of Chinese alligator hatchlings based on their body mass gain,feeding behavior,and gut microbiota.This information would enhance the health management of Chinese alligator hatchlings.There was a significant correlation between the total distance moved,the average number of conspecifics nearby,and body mass gain.Chinese alligator hatchlings with a greater growth rate showed greater activity and more independent behavior during feeding than those with a lower growth rate.Moreover,after feeding started,some functions of the gut microbiota showed significant relationships with growth rate and feeding activity.Chinese alligator hatchlings with a greater growth rate showed greater levels of heme biosynthesis than those with a lower growth rate,and feeding activity was inhibited by long-chain fatty acid biosynthesis.These results elucidate the relationships between health,feeding behavior,and the gut microbiota of Chinese alligator hatchlings.Understanding the intrinsic factors of their health and feeding behavior can improve the health management of Chinese alligator hatchlings in captivity for conservation.展开更多
Influence of temperature on egg incubation of the wild Chinese alligator was studied during the summer seasons of 1999 and 2000(July to October and August to September,respectively)at three observation sites, Zhuangto...Influence of temperature on egg incubation of the wild Chinese alligator was studied during the summer seasons of 1999 and 2000(July to October and August to September,respectively)at three observation sites, Zhuangtou of Xuanzhou County,Shuangkeng and Zhongqiao of Jingxian county, Anhui Province. One nest at each of the above sites was monitored, bearing 19,17 and 19 eggs,respectively. According to the width of the band on the eggs, we estimated the dates that the eggs were laid. We recorded both the nest temperature and atmosphere temperature with an automated temperature data logger (HOBO Temp) during the whole observation period.We found that the average nest temperature maintained around 25 26℃ during incubation throughout day and night,within over two thirds of time in each day the nest temperature being higher than the atmosphere temperature. Analysis of our data revealed that alligator nests have buffering effect on the inside temperature. Higher nest temperature (27 30℃)increased the hatching rate. It was also noticed that the hatching rate varied considerably from site to site(between 0 100%). We conclude that climate is an important factor influencing egg hatching in the wild, and prolonged rainy season which caused large temperature fluctuation can decrease the hatching rate of the alligator eggs.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.32000355,32170525,32370561)Anhui Science and Technology Major Project(202003a06020028).
文摘Chinese alligator hatchlings in captivity are fragile and have a high mortality rate within first year.The body mass gain of reptile animals is closely related to their feeding behavior and gut microbiota.This study analyzed the intrinsic factors influencing the allometric growth of Chinese alligator hatchlings based on their body mass gain,feeding behavior,and gut microbiota.This information would enhance the health management of Chinese alligator hatchlings.There was a significant correlation between the total distance moved,the average number of conspecifics nearby,and body mass gain.Chinese alligator hatchlings with a greater growth rate showed greater activity and more independent behavior during feeding than those with a lower growth rate.Moreover,after feeding started,some functions of the gut microbiota showed significant relationships with growth rate and feeding activity.Chinese alligator hatchlings with a greater growth rate showed greater levels of heme biosynthesis than those with a lower growth rate,and feeding activity was inhibited by long-chain fatty acid biosynthesis.These results elucidate the relationships between health,feeding behavior,and the gut microbiota of Chinese alligator hatchlings.Understanding the intrinsic factors of their health and feeding behavior can improve the health management of Chinese alligator hatchlings in captivity for conservation.
文摘Influence of temperature on egg incubation of the wild Chinese alligator was studied during the summer seasons of 1999 and 2000(July to October and August to September,respectively)at three observation sites, Zhuangtou of Xuanzhou County,Shuangkeng and Zhongqiao of Jingxian county, Anhui Province. One nest at each of the above sites was monitored, bearing 19,17 and 19 eggs,respectively. According to the width of the band on the eggs, we estimated the dates that the eggs were laid. We recorded both the nest temperature and atmosphere temperature with an automated temperature data logger (HOBO Temp) during the whole observation period.We found that the average nest temperature maintained around 25 26℃ during incubation throughout day and night,within over two thirds of time in each day the nest temperature being higher than the atmosphere temperature. Analysis of our data revealed that alligator nests have buffering effect on the inside temperature. Higher nest temperature (27 30℃)increased the hatching rate. It was also noticed that the hatching rate varied considerably from site to site(between 0 100%). We conclude that climate is an important factor influencing egg hatching in the wild, and prolonged rainy season which caused large temperature fluctuation can decrease the hatching rate of the alligator eggs.
