scholarly journals The giant panda is cryptic

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ossi Nokelainen ◽  
Nicholas E. Scott-Samuel ◽  
Yonggang Nie ◽  
Fuwen Wei ◽  
Tim Caro
Keyword(s):  
Giant Panda ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Human Vision ◽  
Visual Environment ◽  
Ailuropoda Melanoleuca ◽  
Giant Pandas ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Background Matching ◽  
Protective Coloration ◽  
In The Wild

AbstractThe giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is an iconic mammal, but the function of its black-and-white coloration is mysterious. Using photographs of giant pandas taken in the wild and state-of-the-art image analysis, we confirm the counterintuitive hypothesis that their coloration provides camouflage in their natural environment. The black fur blends into dark shades and tree trunks, whereas white fur matches foliage and snow when present, and intermediate pelage tones match rocks and ground. At longer viewing distances giant pandas show high edge disruption that breaks up their outline, and up close they rely more on background matching. The results are consistent across acuity-corrected canine, feline, and human vision models. We also show quantitatively that the species animal-to-background colour matching falls within the range of other species that are widely recognised as cryptic. Thus, their coloration is an adaptation to provide background matching in the visual environment in which they live and simultaneously to afford distance-dependent disruptive coloration, the latter of which constitutes the first computational evidence of this form of protective coloration in mammals.

scholarly journals First detection and molecular identification of Babesia sp. from the giant panda, Ailuropoda melanoleuca, in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chanjuan Yue ◽  
Zeshuai Deng ◽  
Dunwu Qi ◽  
Yunli Li ◽  
Wenlei Bi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Giant Panda ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Pcr Amplification ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Ailuropoda Melanoleuca ◽  
Giant Pandas ◽  
In The Wild

Abstract Background Parasitic infections are among the important causes of death of giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) that hamper their survival in the wild. There are about 35 species of parasites which have been identified in giant pandas, but no information is currently available regarding the infection of Babesia in giant pandas. Babesia spp. are common intraerythrocytic parasite in wildlife, transmitted by ixodid ticks, which cause babesiosis. Clinical signs of babesiosis include fever, hemolysis, anemia, jaundice and death. Methods A species of Babesia was detected in the blood of a giant panda based on morphology and PCR amplification of the 18S rRNA gene. The phylogenetic relationship of Babesia sp. infecting giant panda was assessed by gene sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis. Results Our analysis revealed that the Babesia isolate detected was most similar to an unidentified species of Babesia identified in black bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus) from Japan (Babesia sp. Iwate, AB586027.1) with a 99.56% sequence similarity, followed by Babesia sp. EBB (AB566229.1, 99.50%) and Babesia sp. Akita (AB566229.1, 99.07%). Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first report of Babesia detected in the giant panda. The results indicate that this Babesia sp. may be a novel species, currently named Babesia sp. strain EBP01.

scholarly journals Immune profiles of male giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) during breeding season

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
haibo shen ◽  
Caiwu Li ◽  
Ming He ◽  
Yan Huang ◽  
Jing Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pattern Recognition ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Giant Panda ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Killer Cell ◽  
Pattern Recognition Receptors ◽  
Ailuropoda Melanoleuca ◽  
Giant Pandas ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Immune Related Genes

Abstract Background: The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a threatened endemic Chinese species and a flagship species of national and global conservation concern. Life history theory proposes that reproduction and immunity can be mutually constraining and interrelated. Knowledge of immunity changes of male giant pandas during the breeding season is limited.Results: Here, we researched peripheral blood gene expression profiles associated with immunity. Thirteen captive giant pandas, ranging from 9 to 11 years old, were divided into two groups based on their reproductive status. We identified 318 up-regulated DEGs and 43 down-regulated DEGs, which were enriched in 87 GO terms and 6 KEGG pathways. Additionally, we obtained 45 immune-related genes with altered expression, mostly up-regulated, and identified four hub genes HSPA4, SUGT1, SOD1, and IL1B in PPI analysis. These 45 genes were related to pattern recognition receptors, autophagy, peroxisome, proteasome, natural killer cell, antigen processing and presentation. SUGT1 and IL1B were related to pattern recognition receptors. HSP90AA1 was the most up-regulated gene and is a member of heat shock protein 90 family. HSP90 contributes to the translocation of extracellular antigen. KLRD1 encodes CD94, whose complex is an inhibitor of the cytotoxic activity of NK cells, was down-regulated. IGIP, which has the capability of inducing IgA production by B cells, was down-regulated, suggesting low concentration of IgA in male giant pandas. Our results suggest that most immune-related genes were up-regulated and more related to innate immune than adaptive immune. Conclusions: Our results indicated that breeding male giant pandas presented an immunoenhancement in innate immunity, enhanced antigen presentation and processing in cellular immunity compared to non-breeding males. The humoral immunity of male giant pandas may show a tendency to decrease during the breeding season. This study will provide a foundation for further studies of immunity and reproduction in male giant pandas.

Anogenital gland secretions code for sex and age in the giant panda, Ailuropoda melanoleuca

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (10) ◽  
pp. 1596-1604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Yuan ◽  
Dingzhen Liu ◽  
Lixing Sun ◽  
Rongping Wei ◽  
Guiquan Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Giant Panda ◽  
Fatty Acid Esters ◽  
Ailuropoda Melanoleuca ◽  
Giant Pandas ◽  
Analog Form ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Relative Abundances ◽  
Anogenital Gland Secretions ◽  
Acid Esters ◽  
Form Information

Anogenital gland secretions play a major role in chemical communication by giant pandas, Ailuropoda melanoleuca (David, 1869). We analyzed 45 samples of anogenital gland secretions collected from 24 captive pandas (5 male adults, 6 female adults, 6 male subadults, and 7 female subadults) by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The secretions contained over 95 compounds. Based on 56 common compounds (relative abundances >0.1%) shared by more than three individuals, we identified steroids, long-chain fatty acids, fatty-acid esters, aldehydes, alkanes, alkenes, amines, terpenes, and furans. The chemical composition of each secretion was individual-specific. Although none of these individual compounds was age- or sex-specific, the relative abundances of several compounds differed between males and females and between adults and subadults. This result shows that information about sex and age could be coded in analog form. Information about age but not gender could also be digitally coded by the presence or absence of some of the 56 compounds, in addition to the analog coding.

Giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) spermatozoon decondensation in vitro is not compromised by cryopreservation

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca E. Spindler ◽  
Huang Yan ◽  
JoGayle Howard ◽  
Wang PengYan ◽  
Zhang Hemin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Giant Panda ◽  
Acrosome Reaction ◽  
Ailuropoda Melanoleuca ◽  
Genetic Management ◽  
Giant Pandas ◽  
Before And After ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Oocyte Cytoplasm ◽  
Natural Breeding

Natural breeding of giant pandas in captivity is compromised, making artificial insemination and spermatozoa cryopreservation essential for genetic management. This study examined the influence of freeze–thawing on traditional parameters such as motility and spermatozoon functionality, specifically decondensation in vitro. Giant panda spermatozoa were assessed before and after rapid cryopreservation (4°C to –130°C over 2 min) in liquid nitrogen vapour. Spermatozoa pre-incubated in medium for 6 h were co-incubated with cat zonae (2 zonae μL–1) for 30 min to effect capacitation and an acrosome reaction. Spermatozoa were then mixed with mature cat oocyte cytoplasm (2 cytoplasm μL–1) for 4 h and evaluated for decondensation. Frozen spermatozoa were less motile (P < 0.05) than fresh counterparts immediately post-thawing, but not after 6 h incubation. There were more (P < 0.05) spermatozoa with completely diffused chromatin post-thaw (10.4 ± 1.3%; mean ± s.e.m.) compared to fresh counterparts (5.1 ± 1.0%). However, there was no overall difference (P > 0.05) in the incidence of decondensation between fresh (4 h, 69.8 ± 5.9%) and thawed (4 h, 71.5 ± 4.9%) spermatozoa after exposure to cat oocyte cytoplasm. It is concluded that the ‘rapid’ method now used to cryopreserve giant panda spermatozoa has little impact on spermatozoon decondensation.

scholarly journals Topographic habitat features preferred by the Endangered giant panda Ailuropoda melanoleuca: implications for reserve design and management

Oryx ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 252-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming-Hao Gong ◽  
Yan-Ling Song
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Giant Panda ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Reserve Design ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Ailuropoda Melanoleuca ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Giant Pandas ◽  
Habitat Features

AbstractThe effect of landscape on populations is of great importance, especially given the number of species inhabiting patchy landscapes. Developments in geographical information systems are facilitating a greater application of spatial analyses to threatened species, such as the Endangered giant panda Ailuropoda melanoleuca, for which habitat patchiness and quality are key limiting factors. Of all factors that influence the suitability of habitat for the giant panda, topography is not subject to change. Here, we report a spatial and statistical analysis of the high quality topographic habitat preferred by the giant panda across its stronghold in the Qinling Mountains, China. High quality topographic habitat, as indicated by a combination of elevation, slope and aspect, covers 92,788 ha, accounting for 15% of the current range of the species. The distribution of the giant panda closely follows patterns of topography and areas with patches of high quality topographic habitat are strongly associated with areas supporting greater numbers of giant pandas. However, comparisons between our model and the existing reserve system reveals a number of inadequacies. Some of the reserves contain little high quality topographic habitat and many patches of high quality topographic habitat are unprotected. Given the importance of topography and the decisive role it plays in shaping habitat, landscapes containing high quality topographic features must be a critical consideration in the design of reserves for the giant panda. The existing system of nature reserves is heavily weighted towards judicial and administrative boundaries, to the detriment of other factors such as topography.

scholarly journals Contrasting Vaginal Bacterial Communities Between Estrus and Non-estrus of Giant Pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chanjuan Yue ◽  
Xue Luo ◽  
Xiaoping Ma ◽  
Dongsheng Zhang ◽  
Xia Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Communities ◽  
Giant Panda ◽  
16S Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Ailuropoda Melanoleuca ◽  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
Vaginal Microbiome ◽  
Giant Pandas ◽  
Vaginal Secretions

Bacterial infection and imbalance of bacterial community in the genitourinary system of giant panda could affect the reproductive health. In severe cases, it can also lead to abortion. In this study, 13 of vaginal secretions in the estrue (E) group and seven of vaginal secretions in the non-estrue (NE) group were used to study the composition and diversity of vaginal bacterial communities between estrus and non-estrus by 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. The results showed that the vaginal microbiome in giant pandas shared the same top five abundant species between estrus and non-estrus at the phylum level. However, the vaginal microbiome changed significantly during estrus at the genus level. In top 10 genera, the abundance of Escherichia, Streptococcus, and Bacteroides in the E group was significantly higher than that in the NE group (p&lt;0.05); Azomonas, Porphyromonas, Prevotella, Campylobacter, and Peptoniphilus in the NE group was significantly higher than that in the E group (p&lt;0.05). The richness and diversity of vaginal microbiome in giant panda on estrus were significantly lower than those on non-estrus (p&lt;0.05). It is noteworthy that the abundance of Streptococcus, Escherichia, and Bacteroides of vagina in giant pandas maintained low abundance in the daily. Whereas, they increased significantly during estrus period, which may play an important role in female giant pandas during estrus period. It was hypothesized that hormones may be responsible for the changes in the vaginal microbiome of giant pandas between estrus and no-estrus stages.

scholarly journals Immune profiles of male giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) during breeding season

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
haibo shen ◽  
Caiwu Li ◽  
Ming He ◽  
Yan Huang ◽  
Jing Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Antigen Processing ◽  
Giant Panda ◽  
Life History Theory ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Killer Cell ◽  
Ailuropoda Melanoleuca ◽  
Giant Pandas ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Immune Related Genes

Abstract Background The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), regarded as the flagship species of conservation, is a most threatened species endemic to China. Life history theory proposes that reproduction and immunity can be mutually constraining and interrelated. The immunity changes of male giant pandas during reproduction is not clear. Results Here, we did research on peripheral blood gene expression profiles associated with immunity. 13 giant pandas with ages ranging from 9 to 11 years old were divided into two groups depending on whether or not they were in breeding season. We identified 318 up-regulated DEGs and 43 down-regulated DEGs, which were enriched in 87 GO terms and 6 KEGG pathways. What’s more, we obtained 45 immune-related genes with altered expression, mostly up-regulated, and identified four hub genes HSPA4, SUGT1, SOD1 and IL1B in PPI analysis. These genes were related to pattern recognition receptors, autophagy, peroxisome, proteasome, natural killer cell, antigen processing and presentation. Our results suggest that most immune-related genes were up-regulated and more related to innate immune than adaptive immune. Conclusions Male giant pandas presented an immunoenhancement in innate immunity, enhanced antigen presentation and processing in cellular immunity, and a low humoral immunity during breeding season. This study will provide a foundation for further studies of immunity and reproduction in giant pandas.

scholarly journals Microsatellite variability reveals high genetic diversity and low genetic differentiation in a critical giant panda population

2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 717-724 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiandong Yang ◽  
Zhihe Zhang ◽  
Fujun Shen ◽  
Xuyu Yang ◽  
Liang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Genetic Differentiation ◽  
Giant Panda ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Ailuropoda Melanoleuca ◽  
High Genetic Diversity ◽  
Giant Pandas ◽  
Allele Number ◽  
High Level

Abstract Understanding present patterns of genetic diversity is critical in order to design effective conservation and management 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 Tangjiahe 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 individuals 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 FIS-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.

Microhabitat separation during winter among sympatric giant pandas, red pandas, and tufted deer: the effects of diet, body size, and energy metabolism

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (9) ◽  
pp. 1451-1458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zejun Zhang ◽  
Fuwen Wei ◽  
Ming Li ◽  
Baowei Zhang ◽  
Xuehua Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Energy Metabolism ◽  
Giant Panda ◽  
Sichuan Province ◽  
Ailuropoda Melanoleuca ◽  
Giant Pandas ◽  
Republic Of China ◽  
Red Panda ◽  
Open Land ◽  
Selection Of

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca (David, 1869)), red panda (Ailurus fulgens F.G. Cuvier, 1825), and tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus Milne-Edwards, 1872) are endemic to the Himalayan Hengduan Mountains; the red panda extends into India, Burma, Bhutan, and Nepal, and the tufted deer extends marginally into Burma, while the giant panda is endemic to China. In Sichuan Province, uniquely, all three species occur sympatrically. We investigated microhabitat characteristics at 150 fecal-group sites from November 2002 to March 2003 to improve understanding of microhabitat separation among the three species at the Fengtongzhai Nature Reserve, Baoxing County, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China. Density and height of bamboo were greater in the giant and red pandas' micro habitats than in those of the tufted deer. The red panda preferred microhabitats with greater tree-stump density, smaller trees, and shorter fallen log dispersion distance than the other two species. Tufted deer often occurred at sites with greater shrub density and herb cover and more open land with poorer concealment conditions than sites where the two panda species occurred. Both pandas' microhabitats were mostly concentrated on the upper hillside, unlike those of the tufted deer. The giant panda preferred microhabitats with a gentler slope and lower density of fallen logs. Selection of specific microhabitats by each species is an ecological adaptation dependent on behavior linked to its diet, body size, energy metabolism, and other factors. Microhabitat separation among these species reflects the integrated effects of their differences in diet, body size, and energy metabolism, which could facilitate their successful coexistence.

Use of near Infrared Spectroscopy to Discriminate between and Predict the Nutrient Composition of Different Species and Parts of Bamboo: Application for Studying Giant Panda Foraging Ecology

2009 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 265-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Wiedower ◽  
R. Hansen ◽  
H. Bissell ◽  
R. Ouellette ◽  
A. Kouba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Giant Panda ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Foraging Ecology ◽  
Forage Quality ◽  
Nir Spectroscopy ◽  
Nutrient Composition ◽  
Ailuropoda Melanoleuca ◽  
Bamboo Species ◽  
Giant Pandas ◽  
Plant Parts

Giant pandas ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca) are specialist feeders, dependent upon bamboo as their main dietary resource. Due to the difficulty of many captive facilities to meet the natural qualitative diet changes in bamboo species and plant parts consumed seasonally by giant pandas, it is important to understand the nutritional quality of this forage and the differences among plant parts for improved husbandry. Near infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy has been used as a tool to measure forage quality for both domestic and free-ranging species. The objective of this study was to determine the capability of NIR spectroscopy to: (1) discriminate between bamboo parts, (2) discriminate between bamboo species and (3) to predict the nutrient composition of bamboo. All bamboo samples were received from the Memphis Zoo Bamboo Farm (Memphis, TN, USA), dried at 60°C and ground to pass through a 1 mm screen before analysis. Discrimination between a total of 722 branch, culm and leaf samples resulted in an R2 of 0.88 and SECV of 0.18. Spectra from a total of 756 samples of four different species were used to create a discriminant equation among bamboo species. This resulted in an R2 of 0.47 and SECV of 0.29. Validation sets were correctly predicted at the following rates: (part) branch 94%, culm 100% and leaf 100%; (species) Phyllostachys aurea 10%, P. aureosulcata 98%, P. glauca 80% and Pseudosasa japonica 73%. Calibration equations for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and organic matter (OM) were created using all bamboo samples. For each nutritional constituent, the calibration R2 values exceeded 0.96. The average SEP across all constituents was 0.21% for CP, 2.35% for NDF, 3.62% for ADF, 0.84% for DM and 0.25% for OM. NIR spectroscopy was used to predict nutrient characteristics and discriminate between bamboo plant parts and species. The inability to discriminate among bamboo species is most likely due to a close physiological similarity between at least two of the species. Results suggest that NIR spectroscopy can be used to analyse bamboo forage quality which may have applications to captive giant panda husbandry.

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