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Feng H, Cao F, Jin T, Wang L. Forest fragmentation causes an isolated population of the golden takin (Budorcas taxicolor bedfordi Thomas, 1911) (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) in the Qinling Mountains (China). BMC ZOOL 2024; 9:2. [PMID: 38287429 PMCID: PMC10826085 DOI: 10.1186/s40850-024-00192-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Budorcas taxicolor bedfordi is a rare animal uniquely distributed in the Qinling Mountains (China). Human disturbance and habitat fragmentation have directly affected the survival of B. t. bedfordi. It is urgent to clarify the genetic diversity and genetic structure of the B. t. bedfordi population and implement effective conservation measures. In this study, 20 new polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated by Illumina sequencing. The genetic diversity and population structure of 124 B. t. bedfordi individuals from three populations (Niubeliang population, Zhouzhi population, and Foping population) were analysed according to these 20 microsatellite loci. Our results indicated that B. t. bedfordi had a low level of genetic variability and that there was inbreeding in the three populations. The population genetic structure analyses showed that the Niubeliang population had a trend of differentiation from other populations. National roads can affect population dispersal, while ecological corridors can promote population gene exchange. None of the three B. t. bedfordi populations experienced bottleneck effects. For conservation management plans, the Zhouzhi population and Foping population should be considered one management unit, and the Niubeliang population should be considered another management unit. We suggest building an ecological corridor to keep the habitat connected and formulating tourism management measures to reduce the influence of human disturbance on B. t. bedfordi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Feng
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Qinling Ecological Security, Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, 710032, Xi'an, China.
| | - Fangjun Cao
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Qinling Ecological Security, Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, 710032, Xi'an, China
| | - Tiezhi Jin
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Qinling Ecological Security, Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, 710032, Xi'an, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Qinling Ecological Security, Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, 710032, Xi'an, China
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Kuang W, Zinner D, Li Y, Yao X, Roos C, Yu L. Recent Advances in Genetics and Genomics of Snub-Nosed Monkeys ( Rhinopithecus) and Their Implications for Phylogeny, Conservation, and Adaptation. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14050985. [PMID: 37239345 DOI: 10.3390/genes14050985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The snub-nosed monkey genus Rhinopithecus (Colobinae) comprises five species (Rhinopithecus roxellana, Rhinopithecus brelichi, Rhinopithecus bieti, Rhinopithecus strykeri, and Rhinopithecus avunculus). They are range-restricted species occurring only in small areas in China, Vietnam, and Myanmar. All extant species are listed as endangered or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, all with decreasing populations. With the development of molecular genetics and the improvement and cost reduction in whole-genome sequencing, knowledge about evolutionary processes has improved largely in recent years. Here, we review recent major advances in snub-nosed monkey genetics and genomics and their impact on our understanding of the phylogeny, phylogeography, population genetic structure, landscape genetics, demographic history, and molecular mechanisms of adaptation to folivory and high altitudes in this primate genus. We further discuss future directions in this research field, in particular how genomic information can contribute to the conservation of snub-nosed monkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Kuang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resource in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Dietmar Zinner
- Cognitive Ethology Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Primate Cognition, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Leibniz-Science Campus Primate Cognition, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Yuan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resource in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Xueqin Yao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resource in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Christian Roos
- Gene Bank of Primates, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Primate Genetics Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Li Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resource in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
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Zhao X, Li X, Zhang Z, Garber PA, Yu M, Qiao H, Li M. Differential response to climate change and human activities in three lineages of Sichuan snub‐nosed monkeys (
Rhinopithecus roxellana
). DIVERS DISTRIB 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xumao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro‐Ecosystems, College of Ecology Lanzhou University Lanzhou China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Xinrui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro‐Ecosystems, College of Ecology Lanzhou University Lanzhou China
| | - Zhixin Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio‐resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou China
| | - Paul A. Garber
- Department of Anthropology and Program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Illinois Urbana Illinois USA
- International Centre of Biodiversity and Primate Conservation Dali University Dali China
| | - Min Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro‐Ecosystems, College of Ecology Lanzhou University Lanzhou China
| | - Huijie Qiao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Ming Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
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Chen T, Jiao L, Ni L. The phylogeographical pattern of the Amur minnow Rhynchocypris lagowskii (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) in the Qinling Mountains. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8924. [PMID: 35600689 PMCID: PMC9108317 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, the phylogeographical pattern of the Amur minnow (Rhynchocypris lagowskii) widely distributed in the cold freshwaters of the Qinling Mountains was examined. A total of 464 specimens from 48 localities were sequenced at a 540-bp region of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) gene, and 69 haplotypes were obtained. The mean ratio of the number of synonymous and nonsynonymous substitutions per site (dN/dS) was 0.028 and indicated purifying selection. Haplotype diversity (h) and nucleotide diversity (π) of natural populations of R. lagowskii varied widely between distinct localities. Phylogenetic trees based on Bayesian inference (BI), maximum likelihood (ML), and maximum parsimony (MP) methods, and network analysis showed five well-differentiated lineages, but these did not completely correspond to localities and geographic distribution. Meanwhile, analysis of molecular variances (AMOVA) indicated the highest proportion of genetic variation was attributed to the differentiation between populations rather than by our defined lineages. In addition, there was no significant correlation between the pairwise Fst values and geographic distance (p > .05). Based on the molecular clock calibration, the time to the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) was estimated to have emerged from the Late Miocene to the Early Pleistocene. Finally, the results of demographic history based on the neutrality test, mismatch distribution, and Bayesian skyline plot (BSP) analyses showed that collectively, the populations were stable during the Pleistocene while one lineage (lineage E) probably underwent a slight contraction during the Middle Pleistocene and a rapid expansion from the Middle to the Late Pleistocene. Therefore, the study suggests the current phylogeographical pattern of R. lagowskii was likely shaped by geological events that led to vicariance followed by dispersal and secondary contact, river capture, and climatic oscillation during the Late Miocene to the Early Pleistocene in the Qinling Mountains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Chen
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Diabetic Systems MedicineGuilin Medical UniversityGuilinP.R. China
- Faculty of Basic Medical SciencesGuilin Medical UniversityGuilinP.R. China
| | - Li Jiao
- College of Life SciencesShaanxi Normal UniversityXi’anP.R. China
| | - Lili Ni
- College of Life SciencesShaanxi Normal UniversityXi’anP.R. China
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Zhuang H, Zhang C, Jin X, Ge A, Chen M, Ye J, Qiao H, Xiong P, Zhang X, Chen J, Luan X, Wang W. A flagship species-based approach to efficient, cost-effective biodiversity conservation in the Qinling Mountains, China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 305:114388. [PMID: 34972047 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.114388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Prioritizing threatened species protection has been proposed as an efficient response to the global biodiversity crisis. We used in-situ conservation data to predict the potential habitat area of four flagship species: the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), golden monkey (Rhinopithecus roxella quinlingensis), takin (Budorcas taxicolor bedfordi), and crested ibis (Nipponia nippon). We then designed systematic conservation planning schemes for various scenarios given species habitat preferences and anthropogenic activities and conducted a cost-effectiveness assessment. Broadly, the geographical distributions of suitable habitats for giant pandas, golden monkeys, and takins exhibited high spatial congruence (correlation coefficients of 0.59-0.90), and areas of high congruence were concentrated in the northern portion of the Qinling Mountains at high elevation (>1500 m). By contrast, the crested ibis was negatively correlated in space with its sympatric species (-0.47 to -0.29). Crested ibis habitats were clustered in the southern portion of the region at low elevation (<1500 m). A hypothetical conservation priority area (CPA) based on the giant panda, golden monkey, and takin included 39.64% of the Qinling Mountains and 100%, 99.99%, 99.59%, and 7.84% of the suitable habitats for giant pandas, golden monkeys, takins, and crested ibises, respectively. The same area included 99.07%, 70.87%, and 39.96% of the highly important areas for the ecosystem services of biodiversity conservation, water supply, and soil retention, respectively, and only 4.62%, 16.83%, and 13.4% of the area were associated with high-density residential area, impervious surfaces, and cropland, respectively. Therefore, we conclude that a CPA approach based on the specialist species could result in effective, low-cost biodiversity conservation in the Qinling Mountains. However, we note that existing protected areas account for only 26.52% of the CPA. We recommend that the main area of the proposed Qinling National Park should be based on the CPA developed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongfei Zhuang
- Academy of Forestry Inventory and Planning, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing, 100714, China; School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China; First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao, 266061, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xuelin Jin
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Anxin Ge
- Shaanxi Institute of Forestry Inventory and Planning, Xi'an, 710082, China
| | - Minhao Chen
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Jing Ye
- Academy of Forestry Inventory and Planning, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing, 100714, China
| | - Hailiang Qiao
- Shaanxi Institute of Forestry Inventory and Planning, Xi'an, 710082, China
| | - Ping Xiong
- Shaanxi Institute of Forestry Inventory and Planning, Xi'an, 710082, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhang
- Shaanxi Institute of Forestry Inventory and Planning, Xi'an, 710082, China
| | - Junzhi Chen
- Academy of Forestry Inventory and Planning, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing, 100714, China.
| | - Xiaofeng Luan
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Wei Wang
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
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Abstract
Protected areas (PAs) are designated to safeguard specific areas with natural and cultural values. Importantly, appropriate management is vital for PAs to achieve their conservation goals. Therefore, the management staff is essential for guaranteeing the successful management of PAs and delivering outstanding organizational performance. In China, staff faces many difficulties when conducting conservation activities because of an inefficient management system, and the lack of relevant laws and regulations. Recently, the Chinese government has been attempting institutional reforms and developing a pilot national park system to address these problems. We reviewed international and Chinese literature to examine how various aspects of these proposed changes can impact management staff’s activities. Furthermore, we analyzed the aspects of current institutional reforms related to management staff. The results revealed that the National Park Administration’s establishment is a potential solution to China’s cross-sectional management. We suggest that the country should formulate relevant laws and funding systems that are fundamental for the success of both management staff’s conservation activities and PAs.
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Yang X, Berman CM, Hu H, Hou R, Huang K, Wang X, Zhao H, Wang C, Li B, Zhang P. Female preferences for male golden snub-nosed monkeys vary with male age and social context. Curr Zool 2021; 68:133-142. [PMID: 35355945 PMCID: PMC8962732 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoab044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Age is a key factor affecting sexual selection, as many physical and social traits are age-related. Although studies of primate mate choice often consider particular age-related traits, few consider the collective effects of male age. We tested the hypothesis that female golden snub-nosed monkeys Rhinopithecus roxellana prefer prime aged males (10–15 years) over younger and older males. We examined a habituated, provisioned troop during a 3-year study in the Qinling Mountains, China. Prime age males were more likely to be resident males of 1-male units (OMUs) than males of other ages. Since females are free to transfer between OMUs, the number of females per OMU can be indicative of female preferences. We examined the number of females per OMU, and found that it increased with resident male age up to 7–8 years, and declined after 12 years, such that prime age resident males had more females than other resident males. Females also initiated extra-unit copulations with high-ranking prime age males at significantly higher rates than with other males. Nevertheless, females tended to transfer from OMUs with high-ranking, older resident males to those with low-ranking, younger resident males. Thus, females appear to use different strategies when choosing social mates and extra-unit mates (i.e., different social contexts). We speculate that females may perceive early signs of aging in males and trade off the benefits and costs of high rank versus male senescence. This study lays the groundwork for future studies that examine possible direct and indirect benefits of such strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Yang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Carol M Berman
- Department of Anthropology and Graduate Program in Evolution, Ecology and Behavior, State University of New York at Buffalo, NY 14261, USA
| | - Hanyu Hu
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Rong Hou
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Kang Huang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Shaanxi Province Academy of Sciences, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Haitao Zhao
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Shaanxi Province Academy of Sciences, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Chengliang Wang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Shaanxi Province Academy of Sciences, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Baoguo Li
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Pei Zhang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
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