scholarly journals Modeling Potential Dispersal Routes for Giant Pandas in Their Key Distribution Area of the Qinling Mountains, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuehua Liu ◽  
Lanmei Liu ◽  
Linna Liu ◽  
Xuelin Jin ◽  
Melissa Songer
Keyword(s):  
Giant Panda ◽  
Habitat Management ◽  
Key Distribution ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Distribution Area ◽  
Ailuropoda Melanoleuca ◽  
Qinling Mountains ◽  
Giant Pandas ◽  
Dispersal Routes ◽  
Source And Sink

The national surveys on giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) population and habitat quality have shown a high-density population of this species in the Qinling Mountains, China. We investigated five adjacent nature reserves (NR), i.e., the key distribution area of giant pandas in the Qinling Mountains, to model and identify the potential dispersal routes for giant pandas. We hypothesized that giant pandas will spread to neighboring areas when the population of the species keeps increasing. Habitat suitability was firstly evaluated based on environmental and disturbance factors. We then identified source and sink patches for giant pandas’ dispersal. Further, Minimum Cumulative Resistance (MCR) model was applied to calculate cost of movement. Finally, the Current Theory was adopted to model linkages between source and sink patches to explore potential dispersal routes of giant pandas. Our results showed that (1) the three large source patches and eight potential sink patches were identified; (2) the 14 potential corridors were predicted for giant pandas dispersing from source patches to the neighboring areas; (3) through the predicted corridors, the giant pandas in the source patches could disperse to the west, the south and the east sink patches. Our research revealed possible directional patterns for giant pandas’ dispersal in their key distribution area of the Qinling Mountains, and can provide the strong recommendations in policy and conservation strategies for improving giant panda habitat management in those identified sink patches and also potential dispersal corridors.

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.

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