Analyzing social networks is a powerful tool for understanding the ecology of social species.While most studies focus on the role of each group member,few compare groups with different characteristics.The current popu...Analyzing social networks is a powerful tool for understanding the ecology of social species.While most studies focus on the role of each group member,few compare groups with different characteristics.The current population of Przewalski's horses Equus ferus przewalskii at the Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area(Mongolia)includes groups of wild-born and captive-bred individuals with different experiences with the area(acclimatizing,long-term reintroduced,and wild-born),therefore serving as an ideal natural behavioral lab.We filmed 11 groups for 141.5 hours in summer 2018(July),late spring 2019(May,June),and autumn 2019(September,October).Affiliative and agonistic interactions were recorded,and social networks were created.We tested the influence of origin,experience,season,sex,age,relative time belonging to the group,relat-edness,and dominance rank on different network indices at the individual and group levels.We found that groups with greater experience in the area are generally better connected than members of the newly formed groups.However,these strong networks were created by wild-born individuals with very low interaction rates.On the contrary,inexperienced groups composed of captive-bred individuals displayed many inter actions but created weak social networks.The results show a trend of behavioral transition from acclimatizing through long-term reintroduced to wild-born groups,supporting that the newly formed groups of released Przewalski's horses need time to display the typical social behavior patterns of wild-born individuals.Long-term monitoring of released Przewalski's horses is recommended to promote the success of this reintroduction program.展开更多
Gasterophilus spp.have been found to be widespread in reintroduced Przewalski’s horses in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve(Northwest China).However,data on the annual variation in Gasterophilus infections are lacking.To ...Gasterophilus spp.have been found to be widespread in reintroduced Przewalski’s horses in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve(Northwest China).However,data on the annual variation in Gasterophilus infections are lacking.To analyze the epidemiological features and determine the cause of the annual variation in Gasterophilus infections,we treated 110 Przewalski’s horses with ivermectin and collected Gasterophilus larvae from fecal samples each winter from 2007 to 2019.All 110 Przewalski’s horses studied were found to be infected by Gasterophilus spp.,and a total of 141379 larvae were collected.Six species of Gasterophilus were identified with the following prevalence:G.pecorum(100%),G.nasalis(96.36%),G.nigricornis(94.55%),G.haemorrhoidalis(56.36%),G.intestinalis(59.09%),and G.inermis(3.64%).The mean infection intensity of Gasterophilus spp.larvae in Przewalski’s horses was 1285±653.G.pecorum(92.96%±6.71%)was the most abundant species.The intensity of Gasterophilus spp.(r=–0.561,P<0.046)was significantly correlated with winter precipitation.Our findings confirmed that,in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve,gasterophilosis is a severe parasitic disease in Przewalski’s horses.Winter precipitation at the beginning of the year can indirectly affect the intensity and composition of Gasterophilus spp.in Przewalski’s horses at the end of the year.Therefore,the water-related ecological regulation should be carried out to help reduce the parasite infection of Przewalski’s horses.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
The reproduction rate of Equus przewalskii in this study increased from year to year showing that the wild horses have already felt comfortable in the new environment and became acclimatized successfully. Of the mares...The reproduction rate of Equus przewalskii in this study increased from year to year showing that the wild horses have already felt comfortable in the new environment and became acclimatized successfully. Of the mares which were born in Hustai National Park and successfully reached reproductive age, 24.7% first gave birth at age 3 and 55.6% of them first gave birth at age 4. The most effective age range within the breeding population was 5 to 15, 25%-89% of them giving birth and an average during 2002-2011 of 72.9%. Of the Przewalski's horses which died, 65% were foals, 9.4% subadult male, 7.7% subadult female, 7.2% adult male and 10.6% were adult females. Causes of mortality differed by age and sex although wolf attacks accounted for the predominant number of deaths among foals and subadults. Stallions usually died of bad condition and injuries but parturition problems were common causes of death among mares. The mortality rate of foals (40% in 1993-2011) is a matter of great concern since foals born in Hustai National Park are the only gain component now after the active reintroduction period came to an end. A total of 109 foals were killed by wolves in 1993-2011 but 52% of them were younger than one month.展开更多
基金funded by Prague Zoo,the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences(IGA-20213104)Nadace"Nadani Josefa,Marie a Zdenky Hlavkovych."。
文摘Analyzing social networks is a powerful tool for understanding the ecology of social species.While most studies focus on the role of each group member,few compare groups with different characteristics.The current population of Przewalski's horses Equus ferus przewalskii at the Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area(Mongolia)includes groups of wild-born and captive-bred individuals with different experiences with the area(acclimatizing,long-term reintroduced,and wild-born),therefore serving as an ideal natural behavioral lab.We filmed 11 groups for 141.5 hours in summer 2018(July),late spring 2019(May,June),and autumn 2019(September,October).Affiliative and agonistic interactions were recorded,and social networks were created.We tested the influence of origin,experience,season,sex,age,relative time belonging to the group,relat-edness,and dominance rank on different network indices at the individual and group levels.We found that groups with greater experience in the area are generally better connected than members of the newly formed groups.However,these strong networks were created by wild-born individuals with very low interaction rates.On the contrary,inexperienced groups composed of captive-bred individuals displayed many inter actions but created weak social networks.The results show a trend of behavioral transition from acclimatizing through long-term reintroduced to wild-born groups,supporting that the newly formed groups of released Przewalski's horses need time to display the typical social behavior patterns of wild-born individuals.Long-term monitoring of released Przewalski's horses is recommended to promote the success of this reintroduction program.
基金supported by the National Science Foundation of China(No.31670538,No.30870463)the Project of Department for Wildlife and Forest Plants Protection,SFA of China(No.2018123).
文摘Gasterophilus spp.have been found to be widespread in reintroduced Przewalski’s horses in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve(Northwest China).However,data on the annual variation in Gasterophilus infections are lacking.To analyze the epidemiological features and determine the cause of the annual variation in Gasterophilus infections,we treated 110 Przewalski’s horses with ivermectin and collected Gasterophilus larvae from fecal samples each winter from 2007 to 2019.All 110 Przewalski’s horses studied were found to be infected by Gasterophilus spp.,and a total of 141379 larvae were collected.Six species of Gasterophilus were identified with the following prevalence:G.pecorum(100%),G.nasalis(96.36%),G.nigricornis(94.55%),G.haemorrhoidalis(56.36%),G.intestinalis(59.09%),and G.inermis(3.64%).The mean infection intensity of Gasterophilus spp.larvae in Przewalski’s horses was 1285±653.G.pecorum(92.96%±6.71%)was the most abundant species.The intensity of Gasterophilus spp.(r=–0.561,P<0.046)was significantly correlated with winter precipitation.Our findings confirmed that,in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve,gasterophilosis is a severe parasitic disease in Przewalski’s horses.Winter precipitation at the beginning of the year can indirectly affect the intensity and composition of Gasterophilus spp.in Przewalski’s horses at the end of the year.Therefore,the water-related ecological regulation should be carried out to help reduce the parasite infection of Przewalski’s horses.
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.
文摘The reproduction rate of Equus przewalskii in this study increased from year to year showing that the wild horses have already felt comfortable in the new environment and became acclimatized successfully. Of the mares which were born in Hustai National Park and successfully reached reproductive age, 24.7% first gave birth at age 3 and 55.6% of them first gave birth at age 4. The most effective age range within the breeding population was 5 to 15, 25%-89% of them giving birth and an average during 2002-2011 of 72.9%. Of the Przewalski's horses which died, 65% were foals, 9.4% subadult male, 7.7% subadult female, 7.2% adult male and 10.6% were adult females. Causes of mortality differed by age and sex although wolf attacks accounted for the predominant number of deaths among foals and subadults. Stallions usually died of bad condition and injuries but parturition problems were common causes of death among mares. The mortality rate of foals (40% in 1993-2011) is a matter of great concern since foals born in Hustai National Park are the only gain component now after the active reintroduction period came to an end. A total of 109 foals were killed by wolves in 1993-2011 but 52% of them were younger than one month.