There are six antelope species live or once lived in China. they mainly occupy steppes, alpine meadows, grasslands and desert shrub-lands in north and northwest china. Among them, the saiga is pronounced extirpated in...There are six antelope species live or once lived in China. they mainly occupy steppes, alpine meadows, grasslands and desert shrub-lands in north and northwest china. Among them, the saiga is pronounced extirpated in wild of the country, thePrzewalskt’s gazelle is now critically endangered. Mongolian gazelle and Tibetan antelope were once important game species, now their distributions are greatly reduced.展开更多
The Przewalski's gazelle,Procapra przewalskii,is one of the most endangered species in China,and is now found only in a single small area around the Lake Qinghai.In this study,the complete mitochondrial genome of ...The Przewalski's gazelle,Procapra przewalskii,is one of the most endangered species in China,and is now found only in a single small area around the Lake Qinghai.In this study,the complete mitochondrial genome of P.przewalskii was determined and annotated.The circular genome is 16 547-bp long,containing13 protein-coding genes,22 transfer RNA genes,2 ribosomal RNA genes,and a predicted control region.The overall base composition was 34.0% A,24.7% C,28.3% T,and 13.0% G,with a total A + T content of 62.3%.Phylogenetic analysis of all 19 Bovidae species indicated that P.przewalskii showed a close relationship to Procapra gutturosa.Our results provide a great deal of useful information on further studies for conservation biology of Przewalski's gazelle.展开更多
Many arid areas have very severe climates with extremely high summer temperatures,strong solar radiation,and a lack of drinking water during the driest season.Therefore,antelopes living in arid areas are forced to sol...Many arid areas have very severe climates with extremely high summer temperatures,strong solar radiation,and a lack of drinking water during the driest season.Therefore,antelopes living in arid areas are forced to solve two main problems:avoiding overheating and maintaining water balance.Generally,there are physiological,morphological,and behavioral mechanisms for antelope adaptations to arid environments.Among the mechanisms,behavioral adjustments have a minimal cost and are activated first,while physiological mechanisms are the most energetically costly and involve adaptations to high temperatures when other mechanisms are insufficient.In previous publications,some examples of the antelope behavioral adaptations have been described only rarely,while in this review,we try to clarify all available information on the adaptations of antelopes living in arid areas to their native environments,paying particular attention to behavioral adjustments.Behavioral mechanisms,especially daily activity,diet and microclimate selection,and migrations,are so important and commonly used by antelopes in natural conditions,in which physiological mechanisms are usually not involved.Antelopes adjust their behaviors according to environmental changes so successfully that purely physiological mechanisms are discovered under laboratory conditions;for example,adaptive heterothermia or selective brain cooling phenomenon is difficult to observe in their natural habitats.This review provides a better understanding of the main behavioral mechanisms of antelope adaptations to arid environments and allows for the identification of the key factors for successful conservation of antelopes in their natural habitats.展开更多
The Tibetan antelope （Pantholops hodgsonii）, indigenous to China, became an endangered species because of considerable reduction both in number and distribution during the 20th century. Presently, it is listed as an...The Tibetan antelope （Pantholops hodgsonii）, indigenous to China, became an endangered species because of considerable reduction both in number and distribution during the 20th century. Presently, it is listed as an Appendix Ⅰ species by CITES and as Category I by the Key Protected Wildlife List of China. Understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of the Tibetan antelope is significant for the development of effective conservation plans that will ensure the recovery and future persistence of this species. Twenty-five microsatellites were selected to obtain loci with sufficient levels of polymorphism that can provide information for the analysis of population structure. Among the 25 loci that were examined, nine of them showed high levels of genetic diversity. The nine variable loci （MCM38, MNS64, IOBT395, MCMAL TGLA68, BM1329, BMSI341, BM3501, and MB066） were used to examine the genetic diversity of the Tibetan antelope （n = 75） in Hoh Xil National Nature Reserve（HXNNR）, Qinghai, China. The results obtained by estimating the number of population suggested that all the 75 Tibetan antelope samples were from the same population. The mean number of alleles per locus was 9.4 ± 0.5300 （range, 7-12） and the mean effective number of alleles was 6.519± 0.5271 （range, 4.676-9.169）. The observed mean and expected heterozygosity were 0.844 ± 0.0133 （range, 0.791-0.897） and 0.838 ± 0.0132 （range, 0.786-0.891）, respectively. Mean Polymorphism Information Content （PIC） was 0.818 ± 0.0158 （range, 0.753-0.881）. The value of Fixation index （Fis） ranged from -0.269 to -0.097 with the mean of -0.163 ± 0.0197. Mean Shannon＇s information index was 1.990 ± 0.0719 among nine loci （range, 1.660-2.315）. These results provide baseline data for the evaluation of the level of genetic variation in Tibetan antelope, which will be important for the development of conservation strategies in future.展开更多
AILING, a male and the first successfully domesticated Tibetan antelope ( Pantholops hodgsoni ), seen on the cover page, was saved by the conservators of Kekexili National Natural Reserve in early July of 2001. He has...AILING, a male and the first successfully domesticated Tibetan antelope ( Pantholops hodgsoni ), seen on the cover page, was saved by the conservators of Kekexili National Natural Reserve in early July of 2001. He has lived with a herd of sheep and goats belonging to a family of Tibetan herdman for about 17 months, and been matured by 1.5 years of age with enlarged scrotums, descended testicles, adult-male-like body color and sexual behaviors. He has a body length of 117.8 cm, ear length of 10.8 cm, horn length of 32.2 cm, shoulder height of 79.6 cm and buttocks height of 78.2 cm. He has the same characteristics as the domestic animals, such as not fearing of people and other animals, adapting to the extensive husbandry, tying to the artificial supplementary food. All these mean that AILING has been a domesticated animal, which makes the off site conservation of Tibetan antelope possible.展开更多
Down hairs were sampled from twenty two winter skins of the Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii). For each individual,5 down hairs were collected from each sampling site including vertex,scruff,mid-back,buttock,mid...Down hairs were sampled from twenty two winter skins of the Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii). For each individual,5 down hairs were collected from each sampling site including vertex,scruff,mid-back,buttock,mid-belly,tail,forelimb and hindlimb and subjected to morphological examination. Morphological indices of the hairs were measured,including hair curled length,hair uncurled length,hair diameter,scale height,scale width,longitudinal scale density,and then crimp ratio and scale aspect ratio were calculated. The results indicated that scales throughout the hair shaft were coronal type,like overlay of cups. The hair diameter in all sampling sites was between 11.69±1.25 μm and 12.41±0.79 μm. Both the curled length and uncurled length of the hairs on vertex,scruff,mid-back,buttock and midbelly were significantly longer than on tail and limbs (P<0.05). Crimp ratio varied between 11.62±2.78% and 19.79±3.22%,and crimp ratio on vertex was significantly higher than on other sites (P<0.05). Scale height varied between 20.55±4.79 μm and 25.58±5.86 μm,and scale height on limbs was significantly lower than on other sites (P<0.05); Scale widths ranged from 10.09±1.49 μm to 11.33±1.98 μm amongst all sampling sites. Scale widths on vertex and hind limb were significantly lower than on other sites (P<0.05); Scale aspect ratio varied between 2.15±0.60 and 2.56±0.81,where the ratio on mid-back were significantly higher than on other sites (P<0.05); The longitudinal scale density ranged from 38±3 scales/mm to 46±9 scales/mm,where the tail was significantly higher than other sites except hind limb (P<0.05). Morphological characteristics of down hairs of Tibetan antelope and their differentiation in different body sites are to meet the different functional requirements.展开更多
文摘There are six antelope species live or once lived in China. they mainly occupy steppes, alpine meadows, grasslands and desert shrub-lands in north and northwest china. Among them, the saiga is pronounced extirpated in wild of the country, thePrzewalskt’s gazelle is now critically endangered. Mongolian gazelle and Tibetan antelope were once important game species, now their distributions are greatly reduced.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(31301976)the Innovation Project of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences(CAAS-ASTIP-2014-LIHPS-01)
文摘The Przewalski's gazelle,Procapra przewalskii,is one of the most endangered species in China,and is now found only in a single small area around the Lake Qinghai.In this study,the complete mitochondrial genome of P.przewalskii was determined and annotated.The circular genome is 16 547-bp long,containing13 protein-coding genes,22 transfer RNA genes,2 ribosomal RNA genes,and a predicted control region.The overall base composition was 34.0% A,24.7% C,28.3% T,and 13.0% G,with a total A + T content of 62.3%.Phylogenetic analysis of all 19 Bovidae species indicated that P.przewalskii showed a close relationship to Procapra gutturosa.Our results provide a great deal of useful information on further studies for conservation biology of Przewalski's gazelle.
基金the Third Xinjiang Scientific Expedition Program(2021xjkk0603).
文摘Many arid areas have very severe climates with extremely high summer temperatures,strong solar radiation,and a lack of drinking water during the driest season.Therefore,antelopes living in arid areas are forced to solve two main problems:avoiding overheating and maintaining water balance.Generally,there are physiological,morphological,and behavioral mechanisms for antelope adaptations to arid environments.Among the mechanisms,behavioral adjustments have a minimal cost and are activated first,while physiological mechanisms are the most energetically costly and involve adaptations to high temperatures when other mechanisms are insufficient.In previous publications,some examples of the antelope behavioral adaptations have been described only rarely,while in this review,we try to clarify all available information on the adaptations of antelopes living in arid areas to their native environments,paying particular attention to behavioral adjustments.Behavioral mechanisms,especially daily activity,diet and microclimate selection,and migrations,are so important and commonly used by antelopes in natural conditions,in which physiological mechanisms are usually not involved.Antelopes adjust their behaviors according to environmental changes so successfully that purely physiological mechanisms are discovered under laboratory conditions;for example,adaptive heterothermia or selective brain cooling phenomenon is difficult to observe in their natural habitats.This review provides a better understanding of the main behavioral mechanisms of antelope adaptations to arid environments and allows for the identification of the key factors for successful conservation of antelopes in their natural habitats.
基金Conservation Technology for Endangered Wildlife Program, Social Service Project of the Ministry of Science and Technology (No. 2001DIB100058)National Key Project of 10th Five-Year Plan (No. 2001BA510B10).
文摘The Tibetan antelope （Pantholops hodgsonii）, indigenous to China, became an endangered species because of considerable reduction both in number and distribution during the 20th century. Presently, it is listed as an Appendix Ⅰ species by CITES and as Category I by the Key Protected Wildlife List of China. Understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of the Tibetan antelope is significant for the development of effective conservation plans that will ensure the recovery and future persistence of this species. Twenty-five microsatellites were selected to obtain loci with sufficient levels of polymorphism that can provide information for the analysis of population structure. Among the 25 loci that were examined, nine of them showed high levels of genetic diversity. The nine variable loci （MCM38, MNS64, IOBT395, MCMAL TGLA68, BM1329, BMSI341, BM3501, and MB066） were used to examine the genetic diversity of the Tibetan antelope （n = 75） in Hoh Xil National Nature Reserve（HXNNR）, Qinghai, China. The results obtained by estimating the number of population suggested that all the 75 Tibetan antelope samples were from the same population. The mean number of alleles per locus was 9.4 ± 0.5300 （range, 7-12） and the mean effective number of alleles was 6.519± 0.5271 （range, 4.676-9.169）. The observed mean and expected heterozygosity were 0.844 ± 0.0133 （range, 0.791-0.897） and 0.838 ± 0.0132 （range, 0.786-0.891）, respectively. Mean Polymorphism Information Content （PIC） was 0.818 ± 0.0158 （range, 0.753-0.881）. The value of Fixation index （Fis） ranged from -0.269 to -0.097 with the mean of -0.163 ± 0.0197. Mean Shannon＇s information index was 1.990 ± 0.0719 among nine loci （range, 1.660-2.315）. These results provide baseline data for the evaluation of the level of genetic variation in Tibetan antelope, which will be important for the development of conservation strategies in future.
文摘AILING, a male and the first successfully domesticated Tibetan antelope ( Pantholops hodgsoni ), seen on the cover page, was saved by the conservators of Kekexili National Natural Reserve in early July of 2001. He has lived with a herd of sheep and goats belonging to a family of Tibetan herdman for about 17 months, and been matured by 1.5 years of age with enlarged scrotums, descended testicles, adult-male-like body color and sexual behaviors. He has a body length of 117.8 cm, ear length of 10.8 cm, horn length of 32.2 cm, shoulder height of 79.6 cm and buttocks height of 78.2 cm. He has the same characteristics as the domestic animals, such as not fearing of people and other animals, adapting to the extensive husbandry, tying to the artificial supplementary food. All these mean that AILING has been a domesticated animal, which makes the off site conservation of Tibetan antelope possible.
文摘Down hairs were sampled from twenty two winter skins of the Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii). For each individual,5 down hairs were collected from each sampling site including vertex,scruff,mid-back,buttock,mid-belly,tail,forelimb and hindlimb and subjected to morphological examination. Morphological indices of the hairs were measured,including hair curled length,hair uncurled length,hair diameter,scale height,scale width,longitudinal scale density,and then crimp ratio and scale aspect ratio were calculated. The results indicated that scales throughout the hair shaft were coronal type,like overlay of cups. The hair diameter in all sampling sites was between 11.69±1.25 μm and 12.41±0.79 μm. Both the curled length and uncurled length of the hairs on vertex,scruff,mid-back,buttock and midbelly were significantly longer than on tail and limbs (P<0.05). Crimp ratio varied between 11.62±2.78% and 19.79±3.22%,and crimp ratio on vertex was significantly higher than on other sites (P<0.05). Scale height varied between 20.55±4.79 μm and 25.58±5.86 μm,and scale height on limbs was significantly lower than on other sites (P<0.05); Scale widths ranged from 10.09±1.49 μm to 11.33±1.98 μm amongst all sampling sites. Scale widths on vertex and hind limb were significantly lower than on other sites (P<0.05); Scale aspect ratio varied between 2.15±0.60 and 2.56±0.81,where the ratio on mid-back were significantly higher than on other sites (P<0.05); The longitudinal scale density ranged from 38±3 scales/mm to 46±9 scales/mm,where the tail was significantly higher than other sites except hind limb (P<0.05). Morphological characteristics of down hairs of Tibetan antelope and their differentiation in different body sites are to meet the different functional requirements.
