scholarly journals Giant panda conservation science: how far we have come

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald R. Swaisgood ◽  
Fuwen Wei ◽  
David E. Wildt ◽  
Andrew J. Kouba ◽  
Zejun Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Biology ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Giant Panda ◽  
Direct Application ◽  
Conservation Science ◽  
Giant Pandas ◽  
The Past ◽  
Habitat Recovery ◽  
Lost Time ◽  
Science To Management

The giant panda is a conservation icon, but science has been slow to take up its cause in earnest. In the past decade, researchers have been making up for lost time, as reflected in the flurry of activity reported at the symposium Conservation Science for Giant Pandas and Their Habitat at the 2009 International Congress for Conservation Biology (ICCB) in Beijing. In reports addressing topics ranging from spatial ecology to molecular censusing, from habitat recovery in newly established reserves to earthquake-induced habitat loss, from new insights into factors limiting carrying capacity to the uncertain effects of climate change, this symposium displayed the vibrant and blossoming application of science to giant panda conservation. Collectively, we find that we have come a long way, but we also reach an all-too-familiar conclusion: the more we know, the more challenges are revealed. While many earlier findings are supported, many of our assumptions are debatable. Here we discuss recent advancements in conservation science for giant pandas and suggest that the way forward is more direct application of emerging science to management and policy.

scholarly journals Addressing priority questions of conservation science with palaeontological data

2019 ◽  
Vol 374 (1788) ◽  
pp. 20190222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Kiessling ◽  
Nussaïbah B. Raja ◽  
Vanessa Julie Roden ◽  
Samuel T. Turvey ◽  
Erin E. Saupe
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Conservation Biology ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Conservation Science ◽  
Statistical Assessment ◽  
Academic Collaboration ◽  
The Past ◽  
Natural Choice ◽  
Recent Emergence

Palaeontologists often ask identical questions to those asked by ecologists. Despite this, ecology is considered a core discipline of conservation biology, while palaeontologists are rarely consulted in the protection of species, habitats and ecosystems. The recent emergence of conservation palaeobiology presents a big step towards better integration of palaeontology in conservation science, although its focus on historical baselines may not fully capture the potential contributions of geohistorical data to conservation science. In this essay we address previously defined priority questions in conservation and consider which of these questions may be answerable using palaeontological data. Using a statistical assessment of surveys, we find that conservation biologists and younger scientists have a more optimistic view of potential palaeontological contributions to the field compared to experienced palaeontologists. Participants considered questions related to climate change and marine ecosystems to be the best addressable with palaeontological data. As these categories are also deemed most relevant by ecologists and receive the greatest research effort in conservation, they are the natural choice for future academic collaboration. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘The past is a foreign country: how much can the fossil record actually inform conservation?’

scholarly journals Delayed implantation in giant pandas: the first comprehensive empirical evidence

Reproduction ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 138 (6) ◽  
pp. 979-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hemin Zhang ◽  
Desheng Li ◽  
Chendong Wang ◽  
Vanessa Hull
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Giant Panda ◽  
Reproductive Development ◽  
Mammary Glands ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Physiological Changes ◽  
Giant Pandas ◽  
Delayed Implantation ◽  
Infant Birth ◽  
First Time

Successful conservation of an endangered species relies on a good understanding of its reproductive biology, but there are large knowledge gaps. For example, many questions remain unanswered with regard to gestation and fetal development in the giant panda. We take advantage of a sample size that is unprecedented for this species (n=13) to explore patterns in reproductive development across individuals at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. We use ultrasound techniques on multiple giant pandas for the first time to empirically confirm what has long been suspected that pandas exhibit delayed implantation of the embryo. We also show that the duration of postfetal detection period is remarkably similar across individuals (16.85±1.34 days). Detection of fetus by ultrasound was strongly correlated to the peak in urinary progesterone (r=0.96, t=8.48, d.f.=8, P=0.0001) and swelling in the mammary glands (r=0.79, t=3.61, d.f.=8, P=0.007) and vulva (r=0.91, t=6.40, d.f.=8, P=0.0002) of adult females. When controlling for both the duration of the total gestation period and the postfetal detection period, infant birth weight was only significantly predicted by the latter (β=11.25, s.e.m.=4.98, t=2.26, P=0.05), suggesting that delayed implantation increases flexibility in the timing of birth but is not important in dictating infant growth. This study informs reproductive biology by exploring the little-studied phenomenon of delayed implantation in relationship to physiological changes in pregnant giant panda females.

scholarly journals Acrosomal integrity and capacitation are not influenced by sperm cryopreservation in the giant panda

Reproduction ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 127 (5) ◽  
pp. 547-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
R E Spindler ◽  
Y Huang ◽  
J G Howard ◽  
P Wang ◽  
H Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Giant Panda ◽  
Calcium Ionophore ◽  
Sperm Cryopreservation ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Giant Pandas ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Cryopreservation Protocol ◽  
Acrosomal Integrity

Sperm cryopreservation and artificial insemination are important management tools for giant panda breeding and the preservation of extant genetic diversity. This study examined the influence of freeze–thawing on sperm function, specifically capacitation. Sperm from nine giant pandas were assessed before and after rapid (− 40 and − 100 °C/min) cryopreservation by incubation in HEPES-buffered Ham’s F10 medium with and without the capacitation accelerators, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP). At 0, 3 and 6 h of exposure, aliquots were assessed for sperm motility traits and capacitation, defined as the proportion of sperm with intact acrosomes following exposure to solubilised zonae pellucidae (ursid or felid) or calcium ionophore subtracted from the proportion of sperm with intact acrosomes before exposure. Although mean±s.e.m. sperm motility post-thaw (56.1 ± 3.9% at 0 h) was less (P < 0.05) than pre-freeze (71.7 ± 6.0%), there was no difference (P > 0.05) in the proportion of acrosome-intact sperm (fresh, 93.0 ± 1.7% versus cryopreserved–thawed, 81.7 ± 4.7% at 0 h). Incidence of capacitation was greater (P < 0.05) in fresh sperm incubated with capacitation accelerators IBMX and dbcAMP (9 h: 50.9 ± 1.1) compared with fresh sperm incubated without accelerators (9 h: 41.2 ± 1.1%). Frozen–thawed sperm preincubated without accelerators underwent capacitation (49.6 ± 1.1%) to a greater extent (P < 0.05) compared with these fresh counterparts. Thawed samples with (9 h: 45.9 ± 1.4%) and without accelerators (9 h: 41.2 ± 1.1%) did not differ (P > 0.05) during the 9-h incubation. We conclude that giant panda spermatozoa (1) undergo capacitation in vitro with or without chemical accelerators and (2) withstand a rapid cryopreservation protocol, including retaining normal acrosomal integrity and functional capacitation ability.

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.

scholarly journals The past and future role of conservation science in saving biodiversity

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
David R Williams ◽  
Andrew Balmford ◽  
David S Wilcove
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Science ◽  
Future Role ◽  
The Past

Black and white and read all over: the past, present and future of giant panda genetics

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (23) ◽  
pp. 5660-5674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fuwen Wei ◽  
Yibo Hu ◽  
Lifeng Zhu ◽  
Michael W. Bruford ◽  
Xiangjiang Zhan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Giant Panda ◽  
Black And White ◽  
The Past

scholarly journals Characterization and Analysis of Whole Transcriptome of Giant Panda Spleens: Implying Critical Roles of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Immunity

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 1065-1077 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Peng ◽  
Yuliang Liu ◽  
Zhigang Cai ◽  
Fujun Shen ◽  
Jiasong Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Giant Panda ◽  
Pathological Condition ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Large Set ◽  
Illumina Hiseq ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Giant Pandas ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
Mirna Sponges

Background/Aims: Giant pandas, an endangered species, are a powerful symbol of species conservation. Giant pandas may suffer from a variety of diseases. Owing to their highly specialized diet of bamboo, giant pandas are thought to have a relatively weak ability to resist diseases. The spleen is the largest organ in the lymphatic system. However, there is little known about giant panda spleen at a molecular level. Thus, clarifying the regulatory mechanisms of spleen could help us further understand the immune system of the giant panda as well as its conservation. Methods: The two giant panda spleens were from two male individuals, one newborn and one an adult, in a non-pathological condition. The whole transcriptomes of mRNA, lncRNA, miRNA, and circRNA in the two spleens were sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq platform. EBseq and IDEG6 were used to observe the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between these two spleens. Gene Ontology and KEGG analyses were used to annotate the function of DEGs. Furthermore, networks between non-coding RNAs and protein-coding genes were constructed to investigate the relationship between non-coding RNAs and immune-associated genes. Results: By comparative analysis of the whole transcriptomes of these two spleens, we found that one of the major roles of lncRNAs could be involved in the regulation of immune responses of giant panda spleens. In addition, our results also revealed that microRNAs and circRNAs may have evolved to regulate a large set of biological processes of giant panda spleens, and circRNAs may function as miRNA sponges. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first report of lncRNAs and circRNAs in giant panda, which could be a useful resource for further giant panda research. Our study reveals the potential functional roles of miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs in giant panda spleen.

Using Basic Personality Research to Inform Personality Pathology

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Present Knowledge ◽  
Direct Application ◽  
Personality Pathology ◽  
Historical Overview ◽  
Normal Personality ◽  
The Past ◽  
Personality Research ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
The Life Course

Personality pathology—which is characterized by a pervasive, maladaptive, and inflexible pattern of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors—has long been defined as a set of categories that are distinct from each other a “normal” personality. Research over the past three decades has challenged that assumed separation and instead suggested that abnormal personality is merely a maladaptive extension of the same features that describe the personality of all humans. This volume surveys cutting-edge research on the science of basic personality and demonstrates the application of these ideas and methods to conceptualizing pathology. It first provides a historical overview as well as the present state of the personality disorder literature. Ensuing chapters then highlight critical issues in the assessment and conceptualization of personality, its development across the life course, and biological underpinnings. In this way the chapters are inherently useful as a primer of the present knowledge concerning the basic science of personality from specific genes to complex social interactions. Furthermore, each chapter aims toward not only elucidating current understandings of personality but demonstrating its direct application to clinical diagnosis and conceptualization.

In search of lost time: Memory politics in Estonia, 1991-2011

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 651-674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek Tamm
Keyword(s):  
Collective Memory ◽  
Memory Politics ◽  
General Characterization ◽  
Internal Memory ◽  
The Past ◽  
National Memory ◽  
Political Relations ◽  
Lost Time ◽  
Political Unions

This article analyzes memory politics during the first 20 years (1991-2011) of the newly independent Estonia. Memory politics is understood as a politics endeavoring to shape the society's collective memory and establish notions of what is and is not to be remembered of the past, employing to this end both legislative means and practical measures. The paper presents one possible scheme for analyzing Estonian memory politics and limits its treatment in two important ways. Firstly, the focus is on national memory politics, that is the decisions of the parliament, government, and president oriented toward shaping collective memory. And second, only internal memory politics is discussed; that is, bi- or multilateral memory-political relations with other states or political unions are not examined separately. The analysis is built on four interrelated dimensions of memory politics, which have played the most important roles in Estonia: the legal, institutional, commemorative, and monumental dimensions. Also, a general characterization and temporal articulation of memory politics in newly independent Estonia is proposed.

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