The Bio-Geographical Regions Division of Global Terrestrial Animal by Multivariate Similarity Clustering Analysis Method

A novel multivariate similarity clustering analysis (MSCA) approach was used to estimate a biogeographical division scheme for the global terrestrial fauna and was compared against other widely used clustering algorithms. The faunal dataset included almost all terrestrial and freshwater fauna, a total of 4631 families, 141,814 genera, and 1,334,834 species. Our findings demonstrated that suitable results were only obtained with the MSCA method, which was associated with distinct hierarchies, reasonable structuring, and furthermore, conformed to biogeographical criteria. A total of seven kingdoms and 20 sub-kingdoms were identified. We discovered that the clustering results for the higher and lower animals did not differ significantly, leading us to consider that the analysis result is convincing as the first zoogeographical division scheme for global all terrestrial animals.

Multivariate similarity clustering analysis:a new method regarding biogeography and its application in global insects

A new method,multivariate similarity clustering analysis(MSCA)method,was established for biogeographical distribution analyzing.General similarity formula(GSF),the core of MSCA method,can be used to calculate the similarity coefficients between 2 and among any≥3 geographical units.Taking the global insects as example,we introduced the steps to use of GSF and consequent clustering processes of this method in details.Firstly,geographical distributions of certain taxa(e.g.Insecta)were categorized into basic geographical units(BGUs);Secondly,similarity coefficients between 2 and among n BGUs were calculated using GSF.Thirdly,hierarchical clustering was conducted according to values of similarity coefficients(from high to low);then a clustering diagram was generated.Finally,a framework of biogeographical division map was established for the target taxa(e.g.Insecta).We concluded that the MSCA method was efficiently applied in analyzing the biogeographical distribution of given biological taxa;the geographical regions regarding global insects were categorized into 7 Realms with 20 sub-Realms based on the results of MSCA method.

Genetic structure and recent population demographic history of Taihangshan macaque(Macaca mulatta tcheliensis),North China

Massive actions have been and are being taken into protecting the world’s primates from extinction,while the study of the properties of genetic diversity,demographic history,and ecological relationships will benefit the understand-ing of the long-term survival of a species.The Taihangshan macaque(Macaca mulatta tcheliensis),a subspecies of rhesus macaque(Macaca mulatta),is endemic to China and currently restricted to southern Mt.Taihangshan area.Herein,we evaluated the genetic diversity,population structure,and demographic history of this subspecies using mitochondrial(Cytb and high variable region I:HVR I)and nuclear markers(microsatellite loci)of 131 in-dividuals collected from 9 localities covering the distribution range of this subspecies.Both phylogenetic analyses and genetic assignment revealed that the wild populations of Taihangshan macaques could be divided into 2 major highly divergent clades,THS-east and THS-west.Low genetic diversity(π:0.00266±0.00016)but high haplotype diversity(Hd:0.80352±0.015)were detected in the Taihangshan macaques,particularly in THS-east.Analyses of demographic history suggested that the Taihangshan macaques experiencedfirst a stable historical population size from Holocene to early 19th century but a subtle decline and then slight growth in the recent 200 years.We suggest that bridging the neighbor populations(i.e.setting corridors)would facilitate the male-mediated geneflow and subsequently increase the genetic diversity of the Taihangshan macaque populations.

Allomaternal care and‘adoption'in an edge-of-range population of Taihangshan macaques in Northern China

Among mammals,mothers provide maternal care and protection starting from gestation and they ensure nutritional supply via lactation after birth(Clutton-Brock 1991).However,in social mammals,infants may also be cared for by a variety of other group members,such as fathers,siblings,a host of more distant relatives,and even unrelated individuals.Care by individuals other than the mother is known as allomaternal care(nonmaternal care)(Ishizuka 2020).Moreover,adoption of an orphaned infant is a special case of allomaternal care(Chaves et al.2020).

Differentiation in seed hoarding among three sympatric rodent species in a warm temperate forest

Although seed hoarding by rodents has been extensively studied,differentiation in seed-hoarding behaviors among sympatric rodent species has not been well investigated.Using semi-natural enclosures,we demonstrated that three sympatric rodent species showed clear differentiation in food selection,scatter versus larder hoarding behaviors and eating behaviors when offered seeds of four plant species from a warm temperate forest in northern China.The large field mouse Apodemus peninsulae preferred seeds of wild apricot(Prunus armeniaca)and Liaodong oak(Quercus liaotungensis),whereas the Chinese white-bellied rat Niviventor confucianus preferred seeds of cultivated walnut and Liaodong oak,and the David’s rock squirrel Sciurotamias davidianus preferred seeds of cultivated walnut,wild apricot and Liaodong oak.All three rodents showed larder hoarding of seeds from all four plant species,but the large field mouse showed scatter hoarding of wild apricot,and the David’s rock squirrel showed scatter hoarding of Liaodong oak and wild walnut.Acorns of Liaodong oak,which have a soft seed hull,were more often eaten in situ,whereas wild walnuts,which have a hard seed hull and more tannin,were less hoarded by all rodent species.Differentiation in the scatter versus larder hoarding behaviors of sympatric rodent species suggests that sympatric rodents play different roles in the regeneration of different sympatric plant species.

Seasonal diet and microbiome shifts in wild rhesus macaques are better correlated at the level of nutrient components than food items

Food supply is one of the major drivers of animal behavior,and the gut microbiome is an important mediator be-tween food supply and its effects on physiology.However,predicting the outcome of diet change on microbiome and consequences for the animal has proven extremely challenging.We propose this reflects processes occurring at different scales.Inadequate accounting for the multi-level complexity of nutrition(nutrients,foods,diets)obscures the diet influence on microbiome and subsequently animal.Here,we present a detailed year-round,multi-level analysis of diet and microbiome changes in a wild population of a temperate primate,the rhesus macaque(Macaca mulatta).Total daily food and nutrient intake of 6 male and 6 female macaques was monitored in each of the 4 sea-sons(total 120 days observations).For each individual,we found significant variation in the microbiome between all 4 seasons.This response was more strongly correlated with changes in macronutrient intake than with food items and much of the response could be explained at the level of 6 ecological guilds—sets of taxa sharing similar responses to nutrient intake.We conclude that study of diet,microbiome,and animal performance in ecology will more effectively identify patterns if diet is recorded at the level of nutrient intake.Although microbiome response to diet does show variation in species-level taxa in response to food items,there is greater commonality in response at the level of guilds.A goal for microbiome researchers should be to identify genes encoding microbial attributes that can define such guilds.

Effects of thinning on scatter-hoarding by rodents in temperate forest

Deforestation and thinning are human activities that can destabilize the forest ecological system and,conse­quently,impact significantly on habitat and behavior of forest-dwelling animals.This hypothesis was tested in Yugong in the Mount Taihangshan area by comparing the tracks of tagged seeds of Armeniaca sibirica.in sites of unthinned and thinned forests.Our results showed that:(i)the diversity of vegetation and rodents drastical­ly reduced in sites with thinned forests,compared to unthinned sites;(ii)the amount of both removed and scat­ter-hoarded seeds significantly declined in sites with thinned forests,compared with the unthinned sites;(iii)there was no significant difference observed in the distance of seed dispersal between the thinned and unthinned areas;and(iv)the thinning did not show a significant change to the model of cache size.These results suggest­ed that the thinning of forests negatively influenced the species richness and food-hoarding behavior of rodents.In addition,the results indicated that the weakened scattered-hoarding might be disadvantageous to seedling re­cruitment and forest restoration.

Effects of social and climatic factors on birth sex ratio in Macaca mulatta in Mount Taihangshan area

Sex allocation theory predicts the optimal investment to male and female offspring.However,a biased sex ratio requires explanations as to why the deviation occurs.Rhesus macaque(Macaca mulatta)is the most widely distributed nonhuman primate species and the Taihangshan macaque(Macaca mulatta tcheliensis)occupies the northern limit of all rhesus macaque natural populations worldwide.We observed one macaque troop(Wangwu-1[WW-1])inhabiting Taihangshan Macaque National Nature Reserve and recorded all birth events and the sex of newborn macaques from 2004 to 2013.Our aim was to apply the Trivers–Willard hypothesis to this free-ranging rhesus macaque troop,and to understand the relationship between climatic parameters(precipitation and temperature)and birth sex ratio.We found that the total newborn macaques showed a female-biased sex ratio at birth in the WW-1 troop,but there were no significant biased birth sex ratios in all matriarchs and in high-ranking and middle-ranking matrilineal units.However,the low-ranking macaque matrilineal unit was significantly female-biased.Moreover,we found that the annual precipitation of the previous year was positively associated with the birth sex ratio,and there was an interactive effect of troop size and current winter temperature on the birth sex ratio.The underlying mechanisms for the effects of social and climatic factors on birth sex ratio could be complex,and we discuss several plausible explanations.

Behavioral and physiological responses of striped field mice (Apodemus agrarius) to predator odor

Predation risk is one of the most important selective forces in nature and has significant effects on the behavior and physiology of prey individuals.Prey species have evolved several different traits to reduce and avoid this predation pressure.This research aimed to determine the behavioral and physiological responses of striped field mice to predator risk.In the present study,we compared the agonistic behavior in male and female striped field mice(Apodemus agrarius Pallas,1771)of the same sexes under the odor derived from a male Himalayan weasel(Mustela sibirica).Dyads were subjected to 5 min staged encounters in neutral arenas once a week for 3 weeks during which agonistic and social behaviors were recorded and fecal hormone concentrations were determined using pre-column derivatization and high performance liquid chromatography methods.Furthermore,we also tested the effects of weasel odor on the adrenal glands.The results showed that:(i)male striped field mice did not exhibit any change in body weight and physiological characteristics but their aggressive behavior changed over time,and(ii)females responded to predation risk by significantly decreasing body mass and through increases in fecal cortisol levels and adrenal gland indices.These data show significant sex differences in the body weight,adrenal gland indices and fecal cortisol levels of striped field mouse under predation risk.

Joint meeting of the 6th ICRBM and the 16th R&S held in Potsdam,Germany

The joint meeting of the 6th International Conference on Rodent Biology and Management(the 6th ICRBM)and the 16th Rodens et Spatium(the 16th R&S)was held from 3 to 7 September 2018 in Potsdam,Germany.Approximately 300 participants from 5 continents at­tended the conference.The conference was organized by the Animal Ecology Group of the Institute of Biochem­istry and Biology of the University of Potsdam,and the Vertebrate Research Group of the Institute for Plant Pro­tection in Horticulture and Forests of the Julius Kühn Institute,Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants.