Seasonal waterbird population changes in Lashihai Lake in northwest Yunnan, China

We studied the waterbird population at Lashihai Lake, Yunnan Province, China, which is a Ramsar Site(Wetland of International Importance), to determine seasonal variation in the species composition and size of the waterbird population. The study was conducted at five selected spots along Lashihai Lake at the same time each week from August 2011 to September 2013. In total, 62 waterbird species were recorded, of which 38.71%, 35.48%, 16.13%, and 9.68% were winter migrants, passage visitors, residents, and summer migrants, respectively. We found important seasonal changes in waterbird species composition and population size. Waterbird species richness was highest from September to the following April, with the total species numbers peaking in December. Total individual numbers peaked twice from late November to early December and mid-to-late February. However, waterbird species and individual numbers were comparatively lower from May to August. The change in species composition was determined by the arrival and departure dynamics of winter migrants and passage visitors. Winter migrants primarily caused the periodic changes in population size. Of concern,species and overall waterbird numbers seemed to be lower than the numbers in historical records. The decline of waterbird numbers implies that environmental changes caused by the implementation of the dam upstream of Lashihai Lake may have had adverse effects on this waterbird population. This study confirms the existence of major seasonal changes in species composition and size of the waterbird population at Lashihai Lake. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate that this wetland is of high conservation importance for waterbirds using the Central Asian–Indian and Asian–Pacific migratory routes.

Genotype-environment interaction in Cordia trichotoma(Vell.)Arráb.Ex Steud.progenies in two different soil conditions

Investment in silvicultural techniques is noticeably lacking,especially in breeding programs for non-conventional wood species.Studying genotype×environment interaction(G×E)is essential to the development of breeding programs.Thus,this study aimed to estimate genetic diversity of and the effects of G×E interaction on two progeny tests of Cordia trichotoma,including the estimation of genetic gain and genetic diversity after selection.For the experiment,30 progenies of C.trichotoma were tested at two sites with differing soil textures.Diameter at breast height(1.30 m above soil surface,dbh-cm),total height,diameter at 30 cm from the soil,first branch height,and survival were all monitored for four years.Statistical deviance,best linear unbiased estimator,and harmonic mean of relative performance of genetic values(MHPRVG)were all calculated to predict breeding values,estimate genetic parameters,and analyze deviance.All quantified traits varied significantly among progenies by soil type,with greatest variation recorded for genetic variability.Heritability of the progenies led to predictions of genetic gain,ranging from 7.73 to 15.45%,for dbh at four years of age.The calculated decrease in genetic diversity after selection showed that this parameter should be monitored in subsequent breeding cycles.G×E was low for all tests.The best-performing progenies proved most stable and best adapted to the different environmental conditions tested.

Status of Distribution of Great Bustard in Northeast Area of China

Great bustard is one of the enelangered species in China. It breeds in China. The breeding area is not complete, but scattered, which is from the northeast of Neimenggu grassland to the sand land of Hulunbeier. This breeding areas are isolated by Daxing’an Mountain, which are Neimeng, Songnen Plain and Kerqin sand land. The total area is about 7810 km2. The estimated total number of Great Bustands in the Northeast area of China is 377 birds.

CNVbase:Batch identification of novel and rare copy number variations based on multi-ethnic population data

Human genetic variants have long been known to play an important role in both Mendelian disorders and common diseases. Notably, pathogenic variants are not limited to single-nucleotide variants. It has become apparent that human diseases can also be caused by copy number variations （CNVs）, especially patient- specific novel CNVs （lafrate et al., 2004; Sebat et al., 2004; Redon et al., 2006; LuDski, 2007; Zhan~ et al.. 2009： Wu et al.. 2015）.