摘要:

摘要: Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) have demonstrated a potent capability of adapting to human-disturbed environment. In China, they have become popular attractions in ecotourism areas and receive substantial food from tourists, resulting in local booming populations. Previous studies have highlighted human-macaque conflicts and yet ignored their impact on local natural ecosystems. Through reviewing previous researches, we summarized the contributing factors to the thriving populations of rhesus macaque and expounded upon the potential impacts of them on other local organisms. Booming populations of rhesus macaque caused by provisioning could present potential risks to local plant and animal community through lesser seed dispersal and greater predation and competition pressures on other sympatric species, ultimately impacting the diversity and stability of local ecosystems. Thus, it is imperative to draft the relevant laws to strictly control human provisioning for wild rhesus macaques and conduct further studies to elucidate their interspecies relationships. And a higher priority should be devoted to monitoring these potentially overabundant populations and formulating optimal management strategies to achieve harmonious coexistence between humans and rhesus macaques.

摘要: Three common species of Miniopterus fuliginosus, M. magnater and M. pusillus are known to inhabit China. However, M. fuliginosus and M. magnater are so similar in external morphology as to pose great challenges for accurate classification. Furthermore, taxonomic statuses, distribution ranges and taxonomic keys of these three species have remained controversial. For addressing these outstanding issues, the authors integrated molecular phylogenetic analyses, ensemble species distribution models (ESDMs), multiple morphological comparisons and decision tree algorithms for reassessing their taxonomy and distribution in China. Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene phylogeny revealed three distinct monophyletic groups corresponding to M. fuliginosus, M. magnater and M. pusillus. And the observed distribution patterns indicated M. fuliginosus had a broad distribution across China while M. magnater and M. pusillus exhibited a more restricted distribution, overlapping with M. fuliginosus in South China. And cranial morphometry indicated M. magnater was slightly larger than M. fuliginosus and significantly larger than M. pusillus. Also three-dimensional (3D) skull geomorphometry uncovered distinct features for each species in rostrum, braincase, tympanic bullae and mandibular shape. Decision tree algorithms helped to identify forearm length, braincase breadth and width across the third upper molars as three major taxonomic keys for assisting species identification. This study corroborated the importance of integrative approaches for identifying Miniopterus species and validated a methodological approach applicable to other cryptic species complexes.

摘要: The Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus), Nepal’s national bird, is a protected species facing significant conservation challenges. Understanding the distribution and habitat preferences of the Himalayan monal (HM) is crucial for its conservation. This study was conducted in the Langtang National Park (LNP), Nepal using the route census method during both winter (November/December 2022) and summer (June 2023) seasons to examine the seasonal variation in HM’s elevational distribution and habitat preference. Further, we assessed their conservation threats by conducting a semi-structured questionnaire survey with the local residents. During the winter period, the HMs preferred grassland habitats, while in the summer, their preference shifted to shrubland and barren area. HM abundance was negatively associated with the Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the shortest distance from the survey trails in the winter. The HMs actively avoided areas with high anthropogenic pressure. In the summer, they showed a wider elevational range up to 4400 m above sea level (a.s.l.), with a higher sighting frequency between 3600 and 3900 m a.s.l. The questionnaire survey of the local residents revealed that anthropogenic pressure such as poaching and free-ranging livestock grazing are the major threats to the species in the study area. This study provides valuable insight into the complex habitat preferences and critical threats faced by the HMs in LNP and underscores the urgent need for targeted conservation action.

摘要: Hyla tsinlingensis (Hu et al., 1966) is endemic to China, and is widely distributed in the Qinling and Dabie Mountains. Previous studies have suggested that genetic differentiation and geographical isolation exist between the Qinling Mountains population and Dabie Mountains population of H. tsinlingensis, and that the Dabie Mountains population is a cryptic species. Several Hyla specimens were collected from the Dabie Mountains of western Anhui Province, China during herpetological surveys from 2022‒2024; these specimens belonged to a species previously identified as H. tsinlingensis. Herein, we utilized phylogenetic analyses, morphological comparisons, and advertisement call comparisons, revealing significant differences from those of other known congeners; thus, we describe them as a new species. The discovery of this species implies that there are currently 18 identified species in the genus Hyla, 7 of which are found in China.

摘要: Felid species hold critical ecological roles within tropical forest ecosystems and are particularly susceptible to human-induced disturbances. However, there is limited research on how sympatric felid species are distributed and coexist in human-dominated habitats. Using a long-term camera trap survey conducted in the disturbed tropical habitats of Xishuangbanna, southwestern China, we assessed the occupancy and spatio-temporal segregation among four sympatric felid species (Leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis, Marbled cat Pardofelis marmorata, Asiatic golden cat Catopuma temminckii, and Clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa), and explored how these patterns correlate with similarities in species traits. We found that the occupancy probabilities of leopard cats and clouded leopards were primarily influenced by anthropogenic disturbances rather than natural factors, with both species negatively affected by croplands. Similar species responses to croplands and livestock may facilitate the co-occurrence of leopard cats with clouded leopards in areas farther from croplands and with golden cats in regions with higher livestock abundance. The lack of significant spatial segregation among species is likely due to the observed segregation in daily activity patterns, which positively correlated with species trait similarities. Our study enhances our understanding of felid community assembly in the face of expanding human activity, offering valuable insights for future conservation in the Xishuangbanna region.