Chemical communication plays an important role in survival and reproductive success in mammalian species. In the present study, we examined the ontogenetic pattern of behavioral responses of male giant pandas (Ailuro...Chemical communication plays an important role in survival and reproductive success in mammalian species. In the present study, we examined the ontogenetic pattern of behavioral responses of male giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca ) to urine odors of conspecific individuals. Our data showed that exposure to the urine of adult females induced a significant increase in sniffing and environmental sniffing/licking behaviors, but a decrease in biting behavior, in males. Males of different ages displayed specific behaviors to female urine odors. Adult males spent more time licking than juvenile and sub-adult males. Further, sub-adult and adult males displayed high levels of environmental sniffing/licking, which was absent in the juvenile males. Juvenile males displayed scent rubbing behavior significantly more frequently than sub-adult and adult males, and also spent more time showing biting behavior than sub-adult males. Finally, juvenile and sub-aduh males showed no difference in response to female and male urine odors. Together, these data suggest that chemosensory cues from conspecific urines induce age-specific responses in male giant pandas.展开更多
In this study, non radioactive Digoxigenin labeled ribosomal DNA(rDNA) probes were used for Southern blotting analysis to study the molecular phylogeny of the giant panda and related species. Restriction maps in the ...In this study, non radioactive Digoxigenin labeled ribosomal DNA(rDNA) probes were used for Southern blotting analysis to study the molecular phylogeny of the giant panda and related species. Restriction maps in the regions of rDNA spacers were compared between giant panda( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ), lesser panda( Ailurus fulgens ), Asiatic black bear( Selenarctos thibetanus ), sun bear( Helarctos malayanus ), raccoon( Procyon lotor ) and lynx( Felis lynx ). Phylogenetic trees for these species were constructed using maximum likelihood and parsimony method. The results show that in respect to rDNA RFLPs, the giant panda is more closely related to bear than to lesser panda; while the lesser panda is slightly related to the raccoon.展开更多
In order to survey the infectious situation of canine coronavirus (CCV) in giant panda population, a virus neutralization test detecting specific antibodies against CCV in giant panda抯 sera was established by using t...In order to survey the infectious situation of canine coronavirus (CCV) in giant panda population, a virus neutralization test detecting specific antibodies against CCV in giant panda抯 sera was established by using two-fold dilutions of serum and 100 TCID50 of the virus. The 62 sera samples of giant pandas, which were gathered from zoos and reserve region of Sichuan Province, China were detected. The neutralization antibody titer of 1:4 was recognized as the positive criterion, 8 sera samples were detected to be positive, and the positive rate was 12.9%. The titers of neutralizing antibody ranged from 1:8 to 1:32. It was the first comprehensive investigation on neutralization antibodies against CCV in giant panda population in China. The results of study showed that the infection of CCV in giant panda population was universal, which has posed a threat to the health of giant panda. Therefore, it is incumbent on us to study safe and effective vaccines to protect giant panda against CCV infection.展开更多
The goal of the giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ) breeding program is to develop a self sustaining,genetically diverse population.Due to the common problems about sexual incompatibility and a limited number of...The goal of the giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ) breeding program is to develop a self sustaining,genetically diverse population.Due to the common problems about sexual incompatibility and a limited number of captive born males that breed naturally,artificial insemination (AI) has become a critical genetic management tool.It is common practice,however,to combine natural mating and AI using semen from non breeding males.From 1998 to 2000 at the Wolong breeding facility,12 of 18 (66.7%) females produced 20 cubs following combined natural mating and AI.The objective of this study was to determine the efficiency of AI without natural breeding.In 1998 and 2000,seven females were anesthetized for transcervical AI on two consecutive days.Ejaculates from six males were collected by electroejaculation,diluted in an egg yolk diluent containing 0% or 4% glycerol and used either fresh or following cold storage at 4℃ (for 24 or 48 h) or cryopreservation using the pellet freezing method.Mean (±SEM) ejaculate traits in six male sperm donors were:ejaculate volume,3.3±0.5 ml;sperm concentration,1,429.8±235.4×10 6/ml;sperm motility,81.7±2.1%;progression (0~5,5=best),3.1±0.1;and normal sperm,79.3±9.2%.For AI (n = 14) in seven females,mean inseminate traits were:spermic volume inseminated,2.4±0.3 ml;sperm motility,73.5±2.9%;progression,2.5±0.1;and total motile sperm inseminated/AI,684.2±118.2×10 6.Four of seven (57.1%) females became pregnant and produced five cubs of which four survived.Mean gestation and litter size was 131.5±9.7 days and 1.3±0.3 cubs/litter,respectively.These results indicate that the efficiency of AI is sufficient for recovering valuable genes from non breeding individuals to enhance genetic diversity in the ex situ population of giant pandas.展开更多
In this study,we used remotely sensed data,GIS modeling,and statistical methods to evaluate the damage caused by the Wenchuan Earthquake (May 12,2008) to the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) habitat in the World N...In this study,we used remotely sensed data,GIS modeling,and statistical methods to evaluate the damage caused by the Wenchuan Earthquake (May 12,2008) to the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) habitat in the World Nature Heritage Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuary (WHSGPS) in China.A landscape ecological analysis found increases of landscape heterogeneity,complexity,and fragmentation in the giant panda habitat after the earthquake.A terrain analysis found that slope and elevation are directly associated with the distribution of the damaged areas.As slope and elevation increase,the size of the damaged area keeps increase until to a peak,and then starts to drop.The total area of the damaged vegetation in our study area is 114.26 km 2,accounting for 3.78% of the study area;30.46% of that 114.26 km 2 is located in the Core Zone of WHSGPS.There are 18.57km 2 of the damaged vegetation located in the identified suitable giant panda habitat,accounting for 1.75% of the total area of suitable giant panda habitats in the study area.Based on these findings,we conclude that the Wenchuan Earthquake does not have significant impact on the WHSGPS as a whole.展开更多
Many nature reserves are established to protect the habitat needs of particular endangered species of interest but their effectiveness for protecting other species is questionable.In this study,this effectiveness was ...Many nature reserves are established to protect the habitat needs of particular endangered species of interest but their effectiveness for protecting other species is questionable.In this study,this effectiveness was evaluated in a nature reserve network located in the Qinling Mountains,Shaanxi Province,China.The network of reserves was established mainly for the conservation of the giant panda,a species considered as a surrogate for the conservation of many other endangered species in the region.The habitat suitability of nine protected species,including the giant panda,was modeled by using Maximum Entropy(MAXENT)and their spatial congruence was analyzed.Habitat suitability of these species was also overlapped with nature reserve boundaries and their management zones(i.e.,core,buffer and experimental zones).Results show that in general the habitat of the giant panda constitutes a reasonable surrogate of the habitat of other protected species,and giant panda reserves protect a relatively high proportion of the habitat of other protected species.Therefore,giant panda habitat conservation also allows the conservation of the habitat of other protected species in the region.However,a large area of suitable habitat was excluded from the nature reserve network.In addition,four species exhibited a low proportion of highly suitable habitat inside the core zones of nature reserves.It suggests that a high proportion of suitable habitat of protected species not targeted for conservation is located in the experimental and buffer zones,thus,is being affected by human activities.To increase their conservation effectiveness,nature reserves and their management zones need to be re-examined in order to include suitable habitat of more endangered species.The procedures described in this study can be easily implemented for the conservation of many endangered species not only in China but in many other parts of the world.展开更多
The Wenchuan Earthquake that occurred in May of 2008 caused damages to large areas of Sichuan,Gansu,and Shaanxi provinces in China.Reports from local governments and related management agencies show that the giant pan...The Wenchuan Earthquake that occurred in May of 2008 caused damages to large areas of Sichuan,Gansu,and Shaanxi provinces in China.Reports from local governments and related management agencies show that the giant panda nature reserves in the earthquake-hit areas were heavily damaged.Our estimates in this paper of the impacts of the earthquake on the giant panda in the earthquake-hit areas were made based on the interpretation of remote sensing images and information collected by field survey.A rapid assessment method was designed to estimate the damages of the earthquake on giant panda habitats.By using visual interpretation methods,we decoded the remote sensing images of the disaster area in the 49 giant panda nature reserves.Research results showed that the Wenchuan Earthquake and the succeeding secondary geological disasters caused great damages to the giant panda nature reserves and disturbed the normal life of the giant pandas there (e.g.,landscape fragmentation increased significantly).Undoubtedly,the life of the giant pandas there was affected.However,although the earthquake caused certain impacts on the giant pandas,it did not really threat their survival.Even so,we still strongly advocate for protection of the giant pandas,and have prioritized a couple of measures to be taken to restore the giant panda nature reserves in the earthquake-hit areas.展开更多
The endangered giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is endemic to th e mountains of Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi Provinces in China. The species had nu mbered over 2000 animals in early 1970s, but declined to no more th...The endangered giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is endemic to th e mountains of Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi Provinces in China. The species had nu mbered over 2000 animals in early 1970s, but declined to no more than 1,000 anim als fragmented into perhaps 32 subpopulations in late 1990s as the result of num erous detrimental forces such as habitat shrinking, poaching and bamboo flowerin g. The mass flowering and followed die-off of bamboo played key roles in the dec lination of panda population in the past three decades. It trigged the starvatio n and following high mortality of giant pandas in 1970s over Min Mountains and i n 1980s across Qionglai Mountains in Sichuan Province. The situation of survivor ship is made worse by the fact that the panda habitat is fragmented into many sm all 'islands', each containing only a few pandas. Such small, isolated panda pop ulations are rendered even more vulnerable to extinction form threats such as ha bitat degradation, natural disaster, disease, and the deleterious effects of inb reeding. So restoring the panda habitat and reintroduction pandas to their histo rical habitat might be an important issue for protecting the giant panda in wild .展开更多
Seasonal changes of progesterone content (PSC) in hair of three female giant pandas and testosterone content (TSC) in hair of two male giant pandas were tested. It was found that the two hormones could be detected by ...Seasonal changes of progesterone content (PSC) in hair of three female giant pandas and testosterone content (TSC) in hair of two male giant pandas were tested. It was found that the two hormones could be detected by radioimmunoassay in all the hair samples scissored from the female and male giant pandas respectively. During March to early June, PSC in two non-pregnent giant pandas (±SD = 13.40 ± 10.06 and10.60±8.88 ng / g hair respectively) were higher than those in non-breeding season (3.07 ± 1.07 and 3.20 ±1.15 ng / g, P< 0.01). PSC in a 18--year--old female giant panda remained at low levels (2.72 ± 1.49 ng / g) during March to December. In a twin--beargiant panda, PSC (6.77± 3.66 ng / g) appeared higher than that.in non--pregnant giantpandas in non--breeding season. Around February tO the end of May, TSC in two male giant pandas (1.89± 1.71 and 1.82 ± 1.04 ng / g respectively) were also higher than that in non-breeding season (0.98 ± 0.57 and 0.75 ± 0.39 ng / g, P< 0.01). The findings from the study implied that giant panda's hair is possible to be used as a specimen tO carryout steroids research in the endangered species.展开更多
“Bamboo has blossomed. Held in her mother’s arms, Mimi is counting the number of stars in the sky. How beautiful the stars are and where is my breakfast tomorrow...
This thesis aims at the study of the American elements in oriental story Kung Fu Panda which was made by DreamWorks of Hollywood. Firstly, the thesis shows what the basic classic American characteristics are and the d...This thesis aims at the study of the American elements in oriental story Kung Fu Panda which was made by DreamWorks of Hollywood. Firstly, the thesis shows what the basic classic American characteristics are and the definition of American Dream, as well as some basic study on Hollywood's operation of movies. Then, it analyzes the above traits in Kung Fu Panda, the embodiment of American elements in Kung Fu Panda and the recipe for Hollywood's manufacturing success. At last, based on the analyses which have been pointed out, this thesis tries to arrive at the conclusion that although with an oriental-story setting, Kung Fu Panda is still American-styled and at the same time, this thesis gives some suggestive strategies that can help Chinese movie industry step out of the awkward situation.展开更多
With the development of globalization, movie, as the important media for broadcasting and exchanging cultures, promotes the international cultural communications among countries. Kung fu Panda, a blockbuster by Dream ...With the development of globalization, movie, as the important media for broadcasting and exchanging cultures, promotes the international cultural communications among countries. Kung fu Panda, a blockbuster by Dream works, sets off a new upsurge of the Chinese style. It not only gives a chance for the audiences in western countries to enjoy the traditional Chinese culture, but also for the Chinese to enjoy this visual feast. This article will illustrate the implicit and explicit Chinese elements in Kung fu Panda, in hope of finding out the extensive use of Chinese elements in today's Hollywood movies. According to the collection of media data concluded, the film production team undertook detailed investigation and studies in the traditional Chinese culture so that today's Hollywood movies can successfully interpret Chinese elements. Thus, the international cultural communications are found hiding behind the widely used of Chinese elements. With the analysis of this article, Chinese reader can know further about how important the diffusion of Chinese traditional culture is. Thereby, it can remind Chinese people of the responsibility to carry on and broadcast the splendid traditional Chinese culture.展开更多
A Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated 25-1T, was isolated from the air inside giant panda enclosures at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, China. Strain 25-1T gr...A Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated 25-1T, was isolated from the air inside giant panda enclosures at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, China. Strain 25-1T grew optimally at pH 7.0-8.0, at 28-30 ℃ and in the presence of NaCI concentrations from 0.0% to 0.5%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain 25-1m belongs to the genus Chryseobacterium within the family Flavo- bacteriaceae and is related most closely to C. camis G81m (96.4% similarity), C. lathyri RBA2-6T (95.8% similarity), and C. zeae JM1085T (95.8% similarity). Its genomic DNA G+C molar composition was 36.2%. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15:0 (44.0%), iso-C17:0 3OH (19.8%) and C16:1 ω7c/16:1 ω6c (12.7%). The only isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone 6 (MK-6). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified amino lipids and two unidentified lipids. The DNA-DNA relatedness between strain 25-1m and C. lathyri RBA2-6T was 38%. Phenotypic, genotypic, and phylogenetic characteristics indicated that strain 25-1T is a novel member of the genus Chryseobacterium, for which the name C. chengduensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 25-1T (ccmoc AB2015133T=DSM 100396T).展开更多
We report periodical rocking long period gratings(PR-LPGs) in PANDA fibers fabricated with CO_2 laser. The PR-LPGs achieve very high coupling efficiency of 19 dB with 12 periods and a 3.5° twist angle in just one...We report periodical rocking long period gratings(PR-LPGs) in PANDA fibers fabricated with CO_2 laser. The PR-LPGs achieve very high coupling efficiency of 19 dB with 12 periods and a 3.5° twist angle in just one scanning cycle, which is much more effective than the conventional CO_2 laser fabrication technique. This type of LPGs exhibits polarization-selective resonance dips which demonstrate different sensitivities to environmental parameters. The high temperature and external refractive index sensitivities are measured simultaneously, so it can be used as a wavelength-selective polarization filter and sensor.展开更多
Searching for the neutrinoless double beta decay(NLDBD)is now regarded as the topmost promising technique to explore the nature of neutrinos after the discovery of neutrino masses in oscillation experiments.Panda X-II...Searching for the neutrinoless double beta decay(NLDBD)is now regarded as the topmost promising technique to explore the nature of neutrinos after the discovery of neutrino masses in oscillation experiments.Panda X-III(particle and astrophysical xenon experiment III)will search for the NLDBD of136Xe at the China Jin Ping Underground Laboratory(CJPL).In the first phase of the experiment,a high pressure gas Time Projection Chamber(TPC)will contain 200 kg,90%136Xe enriched gas operated at10 bar.Fine pitch micro-pattern gas detector(Microbulk Micromegas)will be used at both ends of the TPC for the charge readout with a cathode in the middle.Charge signals can be used to reconstruct the electron tracks of the NLDBD events and provide good energy and spatial resolution.The detector will be immersed in a large water tank to ensure~5 m of water shielding in all directions.The second phase,a ton-scale experiment,will consist of five TPCs in the same water tank,with improved energy resolution and better control over backgrounds.展开更多
Understanding present patterns of genetic diversity is critical in order to design effective conservation and manage- ment strategies for endangered species. Tangjiahe Nature Reserve (NR) is one of the most importan...Understanding present patterns of genetic diversity is critical in order to design effective conservation and manage- ment strategies for endangered species. Tangjiahe Nature Reserve (NR) is one of the most important national reserves for giant pandas Ailuropoda melanoleuca in China. Previous studies have shown that giant pandas in Tangjiahe NR may be threatened by population decline and fragmentation. Here we used 10 microsatellite DNA markers to assess the genetic variability in the Tang- jiahe population. The results indicate a low level of genetic differentiation between the Hongshihe and Motianling subpopulations in the reserve. Assignment tests using the Bayesian clustering method in STRUCTURE identified one genetic cluster from 42 in- dividuals of the two subpopulations. All individuals from the same subpopulation were assigned to one cluster. This indicates high gene flow between subpopulations. F statistic analyses revealed a low Fzs-value of 0.024 in the total population and implies a randomly mating population in Tangjiahe NR. Additionally, our data show a high level of genetic diversity for the Tangjiahe population. Mean allele number (A), Allelic richness (AR) and mean expected heterozygosity (HE) for the Tangjiahe population was 5.9, 5.173 and 0.703, respectively. This wild giant panda population can be restored through concerted effort展开更多
Extant giant pandas are divided into Sichuan and Qinling subspecies.The giant panda has many speciesspecific characteristics,including comparatively small organs for body size,small genitalia of male individuals,and l...Extant giant pandas are divided into Sichuan and Qinling subspecies.The giant panda has many speciesspecific characteristics,including comparatively small organs for body size,small genitalia of male individuals,and low reproduction.Here,we report the most contiguous,high-quality chromosomelevel genomes of two extant giant panda subspecies to date,with the first genome assembly of the Qinling subspecies.Compared with the previously assembled giant panda genomes based on short reads,our two assembled genomes increased contiguity over 200-fold at the contig level.Additional sequencing of 25 individuals dated the divergence of the Sichuan and Qinling subspecies into two distinct clusters from 10,000 to 12,000 years ago.Comparative genomic analyses identified the loss of regulatory elements in the dachshund family transcription factor 2(DACH2)gene and specific changes in the synaptotagmin 6(SYT6)gene,which may be responsible for the reduced fertility of the giant panda.Positive selection analysis between the two subspecies indicated that the reproduction-associated IQ motif containing D(IQCD)gene may at least partly explain the different reproduction rates of the two subspecies.Furthermore,several genes in the Hippo pathway exhibited signs of rapid evolution with giant panda-specific variants and divergent regulatory elements,which may contribute to the reduced inner organ sizes of the giant panda.展开更多
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a family of highly polymorphic genes activating adaptive immunity in vertebrates. However, the underlying mecha- nism of MHC evolution is still not fully understood. In this...Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a family of highly polymorphic genes activating adaptive immunity in vertebrates. However, the underlying mecha- nism of MHC evolution is still not fully understood. In this study, we investigated genetic variation of three classical MHC class I genes in the giant panda (Ailuropoda mela- noleuca) and tested for selection effect and recombination event across exonic and intronic sequences to understand maintenance mechanism of polymorphism at Aime-MHC class I genes. In total, we isolated 21 MHC class I haplotypes (exon 2-intron 2-exon 3) from 46 captive giant pandas, of which eight were for Aime-C, seven for Aime-I and six for Aime-L; however, we only identified six unique sequences from these haplotypes. The subsequent maximum-likeli- hood and Chi-square analyses both detected evidence of recombination acting on the 21 haplotypes. These results indicate that the giant panda still retains a relatively high adaptive variation at Aime-MHC-I genes, and that the intronic segments have been homogenized along evolu- tionary time by recombination and subsequent genetic drift.We calculated nucleotide substitution rates of the antigen- binding regions (exons 2 and 3) and the noncoding intron 2, and found two pieces of evidence supporting the presence of balancing selection in the giant panda: an excess of nonsynonymous over synonymous substitutions at the antigen-binding sites, and an obviously higher synonymous substitutions in the exons than nucleotide substitutions in the intron. Thus, this study reveals that balancing selection and recombination together shape the diversity pattern at Aime- MHC-I loci of the giant panda.展开更多
文摘Chemical communication plays an important role in survival and reproductive success in mammalian species. In the present study, we examined the ontogenetic pattern of behavioral responses of male giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca ) to urine odors of conspecific individuals. Our data showed that exposure to the urine of adult females induced a significant increase in sniffing and environmental sniffing/licking behaviors, but a decrease in biting behavior, in males. Males of different ages displayed specific behaviors to female urine odors. Adult males spent more time licking than juvenile and sub-adult males. Further, sub-adult and adult males displayed high levels of environmental sniffing/licking, which was absent in the juvenile males. Juvenile males displayed scent rubbing behavior significantly more frequently than sub-adult and adult males, and also spent more time showing biting behavior than sub-adult males. Finally, juvenile and sub-aduh males showed no difference in response to female and male urine odors. Together, these data suggest that chemosensory cues from conspecific urines induce age-specific responses in male giant pandas.
文摘In this study, non radioactive Digoxigenin labeled ribosomal DNA(rDNA) probes were used for Southern blotting analysis to study the molecular phylogeny of the giant panda and related species. Restriction maps in the regions of rDNA spacers were compared between giant panda( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ), lesser panda( Ailurus fulgens ), Asiatic black bear( Selenarctos thibetanus ), sun bear( Helarctos malayanus ), raccoon( Procyon lotor ) and lynx( Felis lynx ). Phylogenetic trees for these species were constructed using maximum likelihood and parsimony method. The results show that in respect to rDNA RFLPs, the giant panda is more closely related to bear than to lesser panda; while the lesser panda is slightly related to the raccoon.
基金This research was supported by National Science Founda-tion of China (No. 30000123) and Conversation Department of Wildlife Ani-mal & Plants of State Forestry Bureau.
文摘In order to survey the infectious situation of canine coronavirus (CCV) in giant panda population, a virus neutralization test detecting specific antibodies against CCV in giant panda抯 sera was established by using two-fold dilutions of serum and 100 TCID50 of the virus. The 62 sera samples of giant pandas, which were gathered from zoos and reserve region of Sichuan Province, China were detected. The neutralization antibody titer of 1:4 was recognized as the positive criterion, 8 sera samples were detected to be positive, and the positive rate was 12.9%. The titers of neutralizing antibody ranged from 1:8 to 1:32. It was the first comprehensive investigation on neutralization antibodies against CCV in giant panda population in China. The results of study showed that the infection of CCV in giant panda population was universal, which has posed a threat to the health of giant panda. Therefore, it is incumbent on us to study safe and effective vaccines to protect giant panda against CCV infection.
文摘The goal of the giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ) breeding program is to develop a self sustaining,genetically diverse population.Due to the common problems about sexual incompatibility and a limited number of captive born males that breed naturally,artificial insemination (AI) has become a critical genetic management tool.It is common practice,however,to combine natural mating and AI using semen from non breeding males.From 1998 to 2000 at the Wolong breeding facility,12 of 18 (66.7%) females produced 20 cubs following combined natural mating and AI.The objective of this study was to determine the efficiency of AI without natural breeding.In 1998 and 2000,seven females were anesthetized for transcervical AI on two consecutive days.Ejaculates from six males were collected by electroejaculation,diluted in an egg yolk diluent containing 0% or 4% glycerol and used either fresh or following cold storage at 4℃ (for 24 or 48 h) or cryopreservation using the pellet freezing method.Mean (±SEM) ejaculate traits in six male sperm donors were:ejaculate volume,3.3±0.5 ml;sperm concentration,1,429.8±235.4×10 6/ml;sperm motility,81.7±2.1%;progression (0~5,5=best),3.1±0.1;and normal sperm,79.3±9.2%.For AI (n = 14) in seven females,mean inseminate traits were:spermic volume inseminated,2.4±0.3 ml;sperm motility,73.5±2.9%;progression,2.5±0.1;and total motile sperm inseminated/AI,684.2±118.2×10 6.Four of seven (57.1%) females became pregnant and produced five cubs of which four survived.Mean gestation and litter size was 131.5±9.7 days and 1.3±0.3 cubs/litter,respectively.These results indicate that the efficiency of AI is sufficient for recovering valuable genes from non breeding individuals to enhance genetic diversity in the ex situ population of giant pandas.
基金supported by Sichuan Foundation of Excellent Scientists (Grant No.2010JZ0002)the Directional Project of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No.KZX2-YW-333)
文摘In this study,we used remotely sensed data,GIS modeling,and statistical methods to evaluate the damage caused by the Wenchuan Earthquake (May 12,2008) to the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) habitat in the World Nature Heritage Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuary (WHSGPS) in China.A landscape ecological analysis found increases of landscape heterogeneity,complexity,and fragmentation in the giant panda habitat after the earthquake.A terrain analysis found that slope and elevation are directly associated with the distribution of the damaged areas.As slope and elevation increase,the size of the damaged area keeps increase until to a peak,and then starts to drop.The total area of the damaged vegetation in our study area is 114.26 km 2,accounting for 3.78% of the study area;30.46% of that 114.26 km 2 is located in the Core Zone of WHSGPS.There are 18.57km 2 of the damaged vegetation located in the identified suitable giant panda habitat,accounting for 1.75% of the total area of suitable giant panda habitats in the study area.Based on these findings,we conclude that the Wenchuan Earthquake does not have significant impact on the WHSGPS as a whole.
基金Under the auspices of National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.40901289)Major State Basic Research Development Program of China(No.2009CB421104),U.S.National Science Foundation
文摘Many nature reserves are established to protect the habitat needs of particular endangered species of interest but their effectiveness for protecting other species is questionable.In this study,this effectiveness was evaluated in a nature reserve network located in the Qinling Mountains,Shaanxi Province,China.The network of reserves was established mainly for the conservation of the giant panda,a species considered as a surrogate for the conservation of many other endangered species in the region.The habitat suitability of nine protected species,including the giant panda,was modeled by using Maximum Entropy(MAXENT)and their spatial congruence was analyzed.Habitat suitability of these species was also overlapped with nature reserve boundaries and their management zones(i.e.,core,buffer and experimental zones).Results show that in general the habitat of the giant panda constitutes a reasonable surrogate of the habitat of other protected species,and giant panda reserves protect a relatively high proportion of the habitat of other protected species.Therefore,giant panda habitat conservation also allows the conservation of the habitat of other protected species in the region.However,a large area of suitable habitat was excluded from the nature reserve network.In addition,four species exhibited a low proportion of highly suitable habitat inside the core zones of nature reserves.It suggests that a high proportion of suitable habitat of protected species not targeted for conservation is located in the experimental and buffer zones,thus,is being affected by human activities.To increase their conservation effectiveness,nature reserves and their management zones need to be re-examined in order to include suitable habitat of more endangered species.The procedures described in this study can be easily implemented for the conservation of many endangered species not only in China but in many other parts of the world.
基金supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2008BAK47B022008BAC44B04+2 种基金2008BAK50B062008BAC43B012006BAC08B06)
文摘The Wenchuan Earthquake that occurred in May of 2008 caused damages to large areas of Sichuan,Gansu,and Shaanxi provinces in China.Reports from local governments and related management agencies show that the giant panda nature reserves in the earthquake-hit areas were heavily damaged.Our estimates in this paper of the impacts of the earthquake on the giant panda in the earthquake-hit areas were made based on the interpretation of remote sensing images and information collected by field survey.A rapid assessment method was designed to estimate the damages of the earthquake on giant panda habitats.By using visual interpretation methods,we decoded the remote sensing images of the disaster area in the 49 giant panda nature reserves.Research results showed that the Wenchuan Earthquake and the succeeding secondary geological disasters caused great damages to the giant panda nature reserves and disturbed the normal life of the giant pandas there (e.g.,landscape fragmentation increased significantly).Undoubtedly,the life of the giant pandas there was affected.However,although the earthquake caused certain impacts on the giant pandas,it did not really threat their survival.Even so,we still strongly advocate for protection of the giant pandas,and have prioritized a couple of measures to be taken to restore the giant panda nature reserves in the earthquake-hit areas.
文摘The endangered giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is endemic to th e mountains of Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi Provinces in China. The species had nu mbered over 2000 animals in early 1970s, but declined to no more than 1,000 anim als fragmented into perhaps 32 subpopulations in late 1990s as the result of num erous detrimental forces such as habitat shrinking, poaching and bamboo flowerin g. The mass flowering and followed die-off of bamboo played key roles in the dec lination of panda population in the past three decades. It trigged the starvatio n and following high mortality of giant pandas in 1970s over Min Mountains and i n 1980s across Qionglai Mountains in Sichuan Province. The situation of survivor ship is made worse by the fact that the panda habitat is fragmented into many sm all 'islands', each containing only a few pandas. Such small, isolated panda pop ulations are rendered even more vulnerable to extinction form threats such as ha bitat degradation, natural disaster, disease, and the deleterious effects of inb reeding. So restoring the panda habitat and reintroduction pandas to their histo rical habitat might be an important issue for protecting the giant panda in wild .
文摘Seasonal changes of progesterone content (PSC) in hair of three female giant pandas and testosterone content (TSC) in hair of two male giant pandas were tested. It was found that the two hormones could be detected by radioimmunoassay in all the hair samples scissored from the female and male giant pandas respectively. During March to early June, PSC in two non-pregnent giant pandas (±SD = 13.40 ± 10.06 and10.60±8.88 ng / g hair respectively) were higher than those in non-breeding season (3.07 ± 1.07 and 3.20 ±1.15 ng / g, P< 0.01). PSC in a 18--year--old female giant panda remained at low levels (2.72 ± 1.49 ng / g) during March to December. In a twin--beargiant panda, PSC (6.77± 3.66 ng / g) appeared higher than that.in non--pregnant giantpandas in non--breeding season. Around February tO the end of May, TSC in two male giant pandas (1.89± 1.71 and 1.82 ± 1.04 ng / g respectively) were also higher than that in non-breeding season (0.98 ± 0.57 and 0.75 ± 0.39 ng / g, P< 0.01). The findings from the study implied that giant panda's hair is possible to be used as a specimen tO carryout steroids research in the endangered species.
文摘“Bamboo has blossomed. Held in her mother’s arms, Mimi is counting the number of stars in the sky. How beautiful the stars are and where is my breakfast tomorrow...
文摘This thesis aims at the study of the American elements in oriental story Kung Fu Panda which was made by DreamWorks of Hollywood. Firstly, the thesis shows what the basic classic American characteristics are and the definition of American Dream, as well as some basic study on Hollywood's operation of movies. Then, it analyzes the above traits in Kung Fu Panda, the embodiment of American elements in Kung Fu Panda and the recipe for Hollywood's manufacturing success. At last, based on the analyses which have been pointed out, this thesis tries to arrive at the conclusion that although with an oriental-story setting, Kung Fu Panda is still American-styled and at the same time, this thesis gives some suggestive strategies that can help Chinese movie industry step out of the awkward situation.
文摘With the development of globalization, movie, as the important media for broadcasting and exchanging cultures, promotes the international cultural communications among countries. Kung fu Panda, a blockbuster by Dream works, sets off a new upsurge of the Chinese style. It not only gives a chance for the audiences in western countries to enjoy the traditional Chinese culture, but also for the Chinese to enjoy this visual feast. This article will illustrate the implicit and explicit Chinese elements in Kung fu Panda, in hope of finding out the extensive use of Chinese elements in today's Hollywood movies. According to the collection of media data concluded, the film production team undertook detailed investigation and studies in the traditional Chinese culture so that today's Hollywood movies can successfully interpret Chinese elements. Thus, the international cultural communications are found hiding behind the widely used of Chinese elements. With the analysis of this article, Chinese reader can know further about how important the diffusion of Chinese traditional culture is. Thereby, it can remind Chinese people of the responsibility to carry on and broadcast the splendid traditional Chinese culture.
基金supported by The National Basic Research Development Program of China(No.2009CB42115)the National Natural Science foundation of China(No.40901289),and WWF China
基金supported by the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Foundation(No.CPF2010-06)the National Key Technology R&D Program of China(No.2012BAC01B06)
文摘A Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated 25-1T, was isolated from the air inside giant panda enclosures at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, China. Strain 25-1T grew optimally at pH 7.0-8.0, at 28-30 ℃ and in the presence of NaCI concentrations from 0.0% to 0.5%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain 25-1m belongs to the genus Chryseobacterium within the family Flavo- bacteriaceae and is related most closely to C. camis G81m (96.4% similarity), C. lathyri RBA2-6T (95.8% similarity), and C. zeae JM1085T (95.8% similarity). Its genomic DNA G+C molar composition was 36.2%. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15:0 (44.0%), iso-C17:0 3OH (19.8%) and C16:1 ω7c/16:1 ω6c (12.7%). The only isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone 6 (MK-6). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified amino lipids and two unidentified lipids. The DNA-DNA relatedness between strain 25-1m and C. lathyri RBA2-6T was 38%. Phenotypic, genotypic, and phylogenetic characteristics indicated that strain 25-1T is a novel member of the genus Chryseobacterium, for which the name C. chengduensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 25-1T (ccmoc AB2015133T=DSM 100396T).
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.61605168)the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province(No.F2016203392)+2 种基金the College and University Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province(No.QN2016078)the Science and Technology Project of Qinhuangdao City(No.201601B050)the Intramural Doctoral Foundation of Yanshan Universtiy(No.B1011)
文摘We report periodical rocking long period gratings(PR-LPGs) in PANDA fibers fabricated with CO_2 laser. The PR-LPGs achieve very high coupling efficiency of 19 dB with 12 periods and a 3.5° twist angle in just one scanning cycle, which is much more effective than the conventional CO_2 laser fabrication technique. This type of LPGs exhibits polarization-selective resonance dips which demonstrate different sensitivities to environmental parameters. The high temperature and external refractive index sensitivities are measured simultaneously, so it can be used as a wavelength-selective polarization filter and sensor.
基金supported by the National Key Programme for Research and Development (NKPRD) (Grant No. 2016YFA0400300)Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) for their financial and technical support+1 种基金technical and administrative assistance from China Jin Ping Underground Laboratory (CJPL)the European Research Council (Grant No. ERC-2009-St G-240054)
文摘Searching for the neutrinoless double beta decay(NLDBD)is now regarded as the topmost promising technique to explore the nature of neutrinos after the discovery of neutrino masses in oscillation experiments.Panda X-III(particle and astrophysical xenon experiment III)will search for the NLDBD of136Xe at the China Jin Ping Underground Laboratory(CJPL).In the first phase of the experiment,a high pressure gas Time Projection Chamber(TPC)will contain 200 kg,90%136Xe enriched gas operated at10 bar.Fine pitch micro-pattern gas detector(Microbulk Micromegas)will be used at both ends of the TPC for the charge readout with a cathode in the middle.Charge signals can be used to reconstruct the electron tracks of the NLDBD events and provide good energy and spatial resolution.The detector will be immersed in a large water tank to ensure~5 m of water shielding in all directions.The second phase,a ton-scale experiment,will consist of five TPCs in the same water tank,with improved energy resolution and better control over backgrounds.
文摘Understanding present patterns of genetic diversity is critical in order to design effective conservation and manage- ment strategies for endangered species. Tangjiahe Nature Reserve (NR) is one of the most important national reserves for giant pandas Ailuropoda melanoleuca in China. Previous studies have shown that giant pandas in Tangjiahe NR may be threatened by population decline and fragmentation. Here we used 10 microsatellite DNA markers to assess the genetic variability in the Tang- jiahe population. The results indicate a low level of genetic differentiation between the Hongshihe and Motianling subpopulations in the reserve. Assignment tests using the Bayesian clustering method in STRUCTURE identified one genetic cluster from 42 in- dividuals of the two subpopulations. All individuals from the same subpopulation were assigned to one cluster. This indicates high gene flow between subpopulations. F statistic analyses revealed a low Fzs-value of 0.024 in the total population and implies a randomly mating population in Tangjiahe NR. Additionally, our data show a high level of genetic diversity for the Tangjiahe population. Mean allele number (A), Allelic richness (AR) and mean expected heterozygosity (HE) for the Tangjiahe population was 5.9, 5.173 and 0.703, respectively. This wild giant panda population can be restored through concerted effort
基金supported by the National Key Program(2016YFC0503200)from the Ministry of Science and Technology of Chinaa special grant for the giant panda from the State Forestry Administration of the People’s Republic of China+2 种基金the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of the People’s Republic of Chinathe Foundation of Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration(State Park Administration)on Conservation Biology of Rare Animals in the Giant Panda National Park(KLSFGAGP2020.002)the Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Genome Read and Write(2017B030301011)。
文摘Extant giant pandas are divided into Sichuan and Qinling subspecies.The giant panda has many speciesspecific characteristics,including comparatively small organs for body size,small genitalia of male individuals,and low reproduction.Here,we report the most contiguous,high-quality chromosomelevel genomes of two extant giant panda subspecies to date,with the first genome assembly of the Qinling subspecies.Compared with the previously assembled giant panda genomes based on short reads,our two assembled genomes increased contiguity over 200-fold at the contig level.Additional sequencing of 25 individuals dated the divergence of the Sichuan and Qinling subspecies into two distinct clusters from 10,000 to 12,000 years ago.Comparative genomic analyses identified the loss of regulatory elements in the dachshund family transcription factor 2(DACH2)gene and specific changes in the synaptotagmin 6(SYT6)gene,which may be responsible for the reduced fertility of the giant panda.Positive selection analysis between the two subspecies indicated that the reproduction-associated IQ motif containing D(IQCD)gene may at least partly explain the different reproduction rates of the two subspecies.Furthermore,several genes in the Hippo pathway exhibited signs of rapid evolution with giant panda-specific variants and divergent regulatory elements,which may contribute to the reduced inner organ sizes of the giant panda.
基金supported by a special grant(SG1411)for the giant panda from the State Forestry Administration of China
文摘Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a family of highly polymorphic genes activating adaptive immunity in vertebrates. However, the underlying mecha- nism of MHC evolution is still not fully understood. In this study, we investigated genetic variation of three classical MHC class I genes in the giant panda (Ailuropoda mela- noleuca) and tested for selection effect and recombination event across exonic and intronic sequences to understand maintenance mechanism of polymorphism at Aime-MHC class I genes. In total, we isolated 21 MHC class I haplotypes (exon 2-intron 2-exon 3) from 46 captive giant pandas, of which eight were for Aime-C, seven for Aime-I and six for Aime-L; however, we only identified six unique sequences from these haplotypes. The subsequent maximum-likeli- hood and Chi-square analyses both detected evidence of recombination acting on the 21 haplotypes. These results indicate that the giant panda still retains a relatively high adaptive variation at Aime-MHC-I genes, and that the intronic segments have been homogenized along evolu- tionary time by recombination and subsequent genetic drift.We calculated nucleotide substitution rates of the antigen- binding regions (exons 2 and 3) and the noncoding intron 2, and found two pieces of evidence supporting the presence of balancing selection in the giant panda: an excess of nonsynonymous over synonymous substitutions at the antigen-binding sites, and an obviously higher synonymous substitutions in the exons than nucleotide substitutions in the intron. Thus, this study reveals that balancing selection and recombination together shape the diversity pattern at Aime- MHC-I loci of the giant panda.