Search Results (159)

As apex predators, felids (Felidae) face unresolved phylogenetic controversies due to their recent rapid speciation and remarkable morphological conservatism. Previous studies, often relying on a limited number of genetic markers, were constrained by insufficient data and conflicting phylogenetic signals, leaving these disputes unresolved. Therefore, establishing a robust phylogenetic framework based on larger-scale genomic data is crucial. This study integrated complete mitogenomes from 37 species representing all major felid genera to characterize genomic diversity, selection pressures, and phylogenetic relationships. Results revealed conserved gene content and arrangement patterns but significant intergenic variation in nucleotide composition, with the light-strand encoded ND6 exhibiting pronounced strand-specific bias. Nucleotide diversity was highest in ND4L (Pi = 0.132) and ATP6 (Pi = 0.131), suggesting their utility as novel markers for species delimitation and population studies. Selection pressure analysis indicated strong purifying selection on cytochrome oxidase subunits (e.g., COX1 Ka/Ks = 0.00327) but relaxed constraints on ATP8 (Ka/Ks = 0.12304). Phylogenies reconstructed from the complete 13PCGs + 2rRNAs dataset (showing high congruence between maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods) clearly delineated Felidae into two primary clades (Pantherinae and Felinae), confirming monophyly of all genera and positioning Neofelis nebulosa as the basal lineage within Pantherinae. Crucially, exclusion of ND6 (12PCGs + 2rRNAs) yielded topologies congruent with the complete 13PCGs + 2rRNAs dataset, whereas single-gene or limited multi-gene datasets produced inconsistent trees (particularly at genus-level nodes). This demonstrates that near-complete mitogenomic data (≥12PCGs + 2rRNAs) are essential for reconstructing robust felid phylogenetic frameworks. Our study provides insights into carnivoran mitogenome evolution. Full article

Specialized herbivores like giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), red pandas (Ailurus fulgens), and bamboo rats, which primarily consume bamboo, are at risk of nutrient deficiencies, particularly vitamin B12 (VB12), potentially leading to cardiovascular diseases. This study explored the effects of VB12 supplementation on cardiovascular health in silver star bamboo rats (Rhizomys pruinosus). We first conducted a comprehensive genome annotation of R. pruinosus, laying the foundation for in-depth evolutionary studies. Comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed that genes related to cardiovascular disease (e.g., Sgcb, Adcy2, Itga1, Itgb8, Ifng, and Gpc1) were upregulated in the livers of R. pruinosus compared to carnivorous and omnivorous rodents, indicating a higher cardiovascular disease risk. After 60 days of VB12 supplementation, liver transcriptome analysis revealed significant improvements in cardiovascular health markers, including reduced cholesterol synthesis and enhanced fatty acid metabolism. Serum biochemical assays indicated that VB12 supplementation led to reduced homocysteine levels, decreased low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-to-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratios, and increased the apolipoprotein A-to-apolipoprotein B ratio. These findings suggest that VB12 may mitigate cardiovascular disease risk and could be considered in the dietary management of specialized bamboo-eating species. Our study provides valuable insights into disease prevention strategies for these species with similar dietary habits. Full article

The alarm calls of non-human primates help us to understand the evolution of animal vocal communication and the origin of human language. However, as there is a lack of research on alarm calls in primates living in multilevel societies, we studied these calls in wild Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys. By means of playback experiments, we analyzed whether call receivers understood the meaning of the alarm calls, making appropriate behavioral responses. Results showed that receivers made appropriate and specific anti-predator responses to two types of alarm calls. After hearing the aerial predator alarm call (“GEGEGE”), receivers’ first gaze direction was usually upward (towards the sky), and upward gaze duration was longer than the last gaze before playback. After hearing the terrestrial predator alarm call (“O-GA”), the first gaze direction was usually downward (towards the ground), and this downward gaze duration was longer than the gaze before playback. These reactions provide evidence for external referentiality of alarm calls in Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys, that is, information about the type of predator or the appropriate response is encoded acoustically in the calls. Full article

Rhabditis (Rhabditella) axei is a predominantly free-living nematode commonly found in sewage systems and decomposing organic matter. While primarily saprophytic, it has been documented as an opportunistic pathogen in human urinary and gastrointestinal tracts. The Chinese red panda (Ailurus styani), a rare and protected species in China, has not previously been reported as a host for Rhabditis (Rhabditella) spp. infections. This study reports the first documented occurrence of R. axei in red panda feces, unambiguously confirmed through integrative taxonomic approaches combining morphological and molecular analyses. The nematodes exhibited key morphological features consistent with R. axei, including a cylindrical rhabditiform esophagus, sexually dimorphic tail structures, and diagnostic spicule morphology. Molecular analysis based on 18S-ITS-28S rDNA sequencing confirmed their identity, showing >99% sequence similarity to R. axei reference strains (GenBank: PP135624.1, PP135622.1). Phylogenetic reconstruction using 18S rDNA and ITS rDNA sequences placed the isolate within a well-supported R. axei clade, clearly distinguishing it from related species such as R. blumi and R. brassicae. The findings demonstrate the ecological plasticity of R. axei as a facultative parasite capable of infecting non-traditional hosts and further highlight potential zoonotic risks associated with environmental exposure in captive wildlife populations. Our results emphasize the indispensable role of molecular diagnostics in accurately distinguishing morphologically similar nematodes within the Rhabditidae family, while providing essential baseline data for health monitoring in both in situ and ex situ conservation programs for this endangered species. Full article

Pet ownership and wildlife tourism are two prominent ways people interact with non-human animals in contemporary contexts. Despite this, there is a need for further exploration of the interconnections between pets, wildlife, and visitors. Utilizing an ecological-phenomenological framework, this study examines how these multispecies interactions contribute to experiences that extend beyond the human domain. This research is based on a quantitative survey of 1422 participants at the Panda Center that were analyzed using inferential statistical methods to assess differences in visitor experiences. The statistical results reveal that pet ownership and wildlife encounters mediate the environmental affordances and constraints encountered by visitors, creating a dynamic and intricate nexus among pets, wildlife, and tourists. Specifically, pet ownership is shown to enhance both the richness and frequency of wildlife encounters. Nonetheless, the study highlights that human dominance over non-human animals remains a central environmental constraint in multispecies interactions despite the adoption of a more humane approach to animal management through tourism activities. Full article

Proteus mirabilis is a zoonotic pathogen that poses a growing threat to both animal and human health due to rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It is widely found in animals, including China’s nationally protected captive giant and red pandas. This study isolated Proteus mirabilis from panda feces to assess AMR and virulence traits, and used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to evaluate the spread of resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence genes (VAGs). In this study, 37 isolates were obtained, 20 from red pandas and 17 from giant pandas. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains were present in both hosts. Giant panda isolates showed the highest resistance to ampicillin and cefazolin (58.8%), while red panda isolates were most resistant to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (65%) and imipenem (55%). Giant panda-derived strains also exhibited stronger biofilm formation and swarming motility. WGS identified 31 ARGs and 73 VAGs, many linked to mobile genetic elements (MGEs) such as plasmids, integrons, and ICEs. In addition, we found frequent co-localization of drug resistance genes/VAGs with MGEs, indicating a high possibility of horizontal gene transfer (HGT). This study provides crucial insights into AMR and virulence risks in P. mirabilis from captive pandas, supporting targeted surveillance and control strategies. Full article

The Chinese red panda (Ailurus styani) is a rare and endangered animal in China; the increase in global temperature and the interference of human activities have caused irreversible effects on the suitable habitat of wild red pandas and threatened their survival. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out scientific research and protection for Chinese red pandas. In this study, the MaxEnt model was used to predict and analyze the suitable habitats of Chinese red pandas in the large and small Xiangling Mountains. The results showed that the main ecological factors affecting the suitable habitat distribution of Chinese red pandas in the Daxiangling Mountains are the average slope (45.6%, slope), the distance from the main road (24.2%, road), and the average temperature in the coldest quarter (11%, bio11). The main ecological factors affecting the suitable habitat distribution of Chinese red pandas in the Xiaoxiangling Mountains are bamboo distribution (67.4%, bamboo), annual temperature range (20.7%, bio7), and the average intensity of human activities (8.7%, Human Footprint). The predicted suitable habitat area of the Daxiangling Mountains is 123.835 km², and the predicted suitable habitat area of the Xiaoxiangling Mountains is 341.873 km². The predicted suitable habitat area of the Daxiangling Mountains accounts for 43.45% of the total mountain area, and the predicted suitable habitat area of the Xiaoxiangling Mountains accounts for 71.38%. The suitable habitat area of the Xiaoxiangling Mountains is nearly three times that of the Daxiangling Mountains, and the proportion of suitable habitat area of the Xiaoxiangling Mountains is much higher than that of the Daxiangling Mountains. The suitable habitat of Chinese red pandas in the Daxiangling Mountains is mainly distributed in the southeast, and the habitat is coherent but fragmented. The suitable habitat of Chinese red panda in Xiaoxiangling Mountains is mainly distributed in the east, and the habitat is more coherent. The results of this study can provide a scientific basis for the protection of the population and habitat of Chinese red pandas in Sichuan. Full article

Understanding the activity patterns of a species is essential for developing sound conservation and management plans. In this study, we used a camera-trapping technique to determine the activity patterns of bharal (Pseudois nayaur) in a marginal population in Wolong National Nature Reserve, Sichuan, China. Our results showed that these animals preferred to be active in the daytime from 08:00 to 20:00, with an activity peak between 10:00 and 14:00. In addition, we found that the species had a seasonal activity pattern with higher activity frequency in summer than in winter and that bharal were most active in a temperature range of 3–11 °C and at night with a waxing crescent moon, implying that the activity rhythm of the species is an adaptation to a subtropical high-altitude alpine area with vertical zonation in temperature. The pattern of movement and activity was also correlated with the moon phase. Full article

National parks serve as critical spatial units for conserving ecological baselines, maintaining genetic diversity, and delivering essential ecosystem services. However, accelerating socio-economic development has increasingly intensified the conflict between ecological protection and transportation infrastructure. Ecologically sustainable transportation planning is, therefore, essential to mitigate habitat fragmentation, facilitate species migration, and conserve biodiversity. This study examines the Giant Panda National Park and its buffer zone, focusing on six mammal species: giant panda, Sichuan snub-nosed monkey, leopard cat, forest musk deer, rock squirrel, and Sichuan takin. By integrating Maxent ecological niche modeling with circuit theory, it identified ecological source areas and potential corridors, and employed a two-step screening approach to design species-specific wildlife crossings. In total, 39 vegetated overpasses were proposed to serve all target species; 34 underpasses were integrated using existing bridge and culvert structures to minimize construction costs; and 27 canopy bridges, incorporating suspension cables and elevated pathways, were designed to connect forest canopies for arboreal species. This study established a multi-species and multi-scale conservation framework, providing both theoretical insights and practical strategies for ecologically integrated transportation planning in national parks, contributing to the synergy between biodiversity conservation and sustainable development goals. Full article

Antibiotic resistance has emerged as a critical global public health challenge. In this study, we employed metagenomic sequencing to analyze fecal samples from giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) across three distinct stages—semi-wild, released, and wild populations—to investigate shifts in antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factors (VFs) during the reintroduction process. Our findings revealed significant variations in the composition of ARG and VF across different stages, with released and wild giant pandas exhibiting similar ARG and VF profiles. Further analyses identified that the increased abundance of ARGs and VFs in both released and wild individuals compared to semi-wild individuals was mainly from Pseudomonas. We hypothesized that the same geographic environment in which ARGs and VFs are transmitted between a host and the environment via mobile genetic elements (MGEs) may be responsible for the similar structure of ARGs and VFs in released and wild giant pandas. Additionally, diet may modulate the gut microbial community, thereby influencing the distributions of ARG and VF. This study elucidated the impact of geographic and dietary factors on ARGs and VFs dynamics in giant pandas, offering valuable insights for mitigating antibiotic resistance and virulence gene dissemination. Full article

As critical zones for ecological conservation, national parks necessitate integrated management of transportation corridors (TCs) and ecosystem service value (ESV) to advance ecological civilisation. This study investigates the TC-ESV mutual construction mechanism in the Giant Panda National Park (GPNP). This research employs the TOPSIS method to measure the development level of TCs, applies the equivalent factor method to calculate the ESV, and uses a coupling coordination model and local spatial autocorrelation analysis to evaluate their interaction patterns. The results show that TC development in the GPNP has been increasing, accompanied by a significant rise in ESV. A coupling coordination relationship exists between TCs and ESV, with notable spatial differentiation. TCs not only increase the market ESV by reducing distribution costs and facilitating the outward flow of ESV, they also improve the accessibility of national parks, promote ecotourism and cultural services, facilitate the movement of people and the exchange of knowledge, and enhance the ability of local populations and migrants to realise the ESV in the long term. However, challenges persist, including ESV conversion difficulties and TC construction’s potential impacts on ESV realisation. Therefore, we propose optimised green transport corridors and differentiated ecological compensation mechanisms, and by analysing the interaction between them, the innovation of this paper is to provide an innovative framework for sustainable spatial governance of ESV conversion and TC development in national parks, enriching the interdisciplinary approach. Full article

Automated giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) behavior recognition (GPBR) systems are highly beneficial for efficiently monitoring giant pandas in wildlife conservation missions. While video-based behavior recognition attracts a lot of attention, few studies have focused on audio-based methods. In this paper, we propose the exploitation of the audio data recorded by collar-mounted devices on giant pandas for the purpose of GPBR. We construct a new benchmark audio dataset of giant pandas named abPanda-5 for GPBR, which consists of 18,930 samples from five giant panda individuals with five main behaviors. To fully explore the bioacoustic features, we propose an audio-based method for automatic GPBR using competitive fusion learning. The method improves behavior recognition accuracy and robustness, without additional computational overhead in the inference stage. Experiments performed on the abPanda-5 dataset demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of our proposed method. Full article

Feline parvovirus (FPV) causes feline panleukopenia, a highly contagious disease in cats, marked by severe leukopenia, biphasic fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and hemorrhagic enteritis. Recently, FPV infection in giant pandas has increased, causing diarrhea and ultimately fatal outcomes, thereby threatening their survival and reproduction. Here, we investigated the transmission of FPV in giant pandas and its interaction with cellular receptors using an FPV strain (pFPV-sc) isolated from giant panda feces. Recombinant feline transferrin receptor 1 (fTfR1) and the giant panda ortholog (gpTfR1) were expressed in non-susceptible HEK293T and HeLa cells, while viral infection levels were measured to determine the effect of gpTfR1 on pFPV-sc replication. The findings indicated that gpTfR1 overexpression in non-susceptible cells significantly enhanced pFPV-sc replication, particularly influencing the viral attachment and internalization stages. Our data further revealed early-stage colocalization between gpTfR1 expression and virus infection, suggesting that gpTfR1 facilitates early viral infection and replication. Taken together, our study provides the first evidence on the mechanism of FPV cross-species infection in giant pandas and elucidates the interaction between gpTfR1 and FPV, which establishes a theoretical basis for the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies, thereby safeguarding the health and survival of giant panda populations from FPV. Full article

The importance of charismatic flagship species (CFSs) in efforts to raise public awareness of conservation has been widely recognized. However, the effect of differences in social identities on shaping visitors’ experiences remains underexplored, although these differences can inform the development of inclusive and culturally sensitive conservation strategies to increase visitors’ satisfaction in conservation centers. This study explores how cultural social identities influence visitors’ conservation experiences, particularly how the out-group homogeneity effect shapes individuals’ perceptions of CFSs. This effect can help to explain why visitors from different cultural backgrounds often perceive CFSs in a homogenized manner. Based on data collected from 6804 online reviews of a giant panda conservation center, this study employs anchored CorEx topic modeling and regression analysis. This research develops a novel framework for understanding how CFSs contribute to visitors’ experiences in conservation centers. It reveals that social identities affect interactions not only among people, but also between people and culturally significant animals. These findings offer practical implications for conservation center management. Full article