Search

Simple Summary: The usage of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) as a dietary protein source for ruminants in China is limited by forage quality and planting scale. Paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera L., RY) has emerged as a new and representative high-protein woody forage resource for ruminants. However, information is less available regarding how substituting RY for alfalfa affect the fermentation and protein quality in total mixed ration (TMR) silages. This study evaluated ensiling characteristics, protein quality, and in vitro digestibility in TMR silages by mixing RY with alfalfa at different rations. The TMR were made with alfalfa and RY mixtures (36.0%), maize meal (35.0%), oat grass (10.0%), soybean meal (7.5%), brewers' grain (5.0%), wheat bran (5.0%), premix (1.0%), and salt (0.5%) on a dry matter basis, respectively. The alfalfa and RY mixtures were made in the following ratios of dry matter: 36:0 (RY0), 27:9 (RY9), 18:18 (RY18), 9:27 (RY27), and 0:36 (RY36). The results showed that RY substitution had no adverse effect on fermentation quality and nutritional composition, but inhibited true protein degradation, while decreasing in vitro dry matter and crude protein digestibility. Therefore, RY and alfalfa mixtures at a ratio of 18:18 is suitable for silage-based TMR. To develop an alternative high-protein forage resource to alleviate ruminant feed shortages, we investigated the effects of replacing alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) with different ratios of paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera L., RY) on fermentation quality, protein degradation, and in vitro digestibility of total mixed ration (TMR) silage. The TMR were made with alfalfa and RY mixtures (36.0%), maize meal (35.0%), oat grass (10.0%), soybean meal (7.5%), brewers' grain (5.0%), wheat bran (5.0%), premix (1.0%), and salt (0.5%) on a dry matter basis, respectively. The alfalfa and RY mixtures were made in the following ratios of dry matter: 36:0 (RY0), 27:9 (RY9), 18:18 (RY18), 9:27 (RY27), and 0:36 (RY36). After ensiling for 7, 14, 28, and 56 days, fermentation quality, protein degradation, and microbial counts were examined, and chemical composition and in vitro digestibility were analyzed after 56 days of ensiling. All TMR silages, irrespective of the substitution level of RY, were well preserved with low pH and ammonia nitrogen content, high lactic acid content, and undetectable butyric acid. After ensiling, the condensed tannin content for RY18 silages was higher than the control, but non-protein nitrogen, peptide nitrogen, and free amino acid nitrogen contents was lower, while the fraction B1 (buffer-soluble protein) was not different among all the silages. Dry matter and crude protein digestibility for RY27 and RY36 silages was lower than the control, but there was no difference between control and RY18 silages. This study suggested that ensiling RY with alfalfa inhibited true protein degradation, but decreased in vitro dry matter and crude protein digestibility of TMR silages, and that 18:18 is the optimal ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In the sorting process of Chinese softshell turtles, it is necessary to classify them based on their weight and accurately identify their plastron and carapace. This process requires heavy manual labor and complex mechanical processing methods. To improve processing efficiency and reduce costs, this article introduces machine vision technology, and a new image processing method is proposed. This method can estimate the weight of Chinese softshell turtles and accurately locate the positions of their plastron and carapace. The automation level of aquaculture can be greatly enhanced, and hardware costs can be reduced through software optimization through this approach. With the rapid development of the turtle breeding industry in China, the demand for automated turtle sorting is increasing. The automatic sorting of Chinese softshell turtles mainly consists of three parts: visual recognition, weight prediction, and individual sorting. This paper focuses on two aspects, i.e., visual recognition and weight prediction, and a novel method for the object detection and weight prediction of Chinese softshell turtles is proposed. In the individual sorting process, computer vision technology is used to estimate the weight of Chinese softshell turtles and classify them by weight. For the visual recognition of the body parts of Chinese softshell turtles, a color space model is proposed in this paper to separate the turtles from the background effectively. By applying multiple linear regression analysis for modeling, the relationship between the weight and morphological parameters of Chinese softshell turtles is obtained, which can be used to estimate the weight of turtles well. An improved deep learning object detection network is used to extract the features of the plastron and carapace of the Chinese softshell turtles, achieving excellent detection results. The mAP of the improved network reached 96.23%, which can meet the requirements for the accurate identification of the body parts of Chinese softshell turtles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this paper, a new Murina species is described from Yunnan, China, based on morphological and molecular evidence. Genetically, the new species is most closely related to M. chrysochaetes. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from M. chrysochaetes and all other congeners by a combination of morphological characteristics. The discovery of the new species brings the total number of recognized species of the genus Murina to 42, of which 22 occur in China. During an examination of various specimens previously collected from different locations and times, we discovered seven Murina specimens that had been collected in May 2023 from the Guanyinshan Provincial Nature Reserve, Yuanyang, Yunnan, China. Based on the assessment of morphological characteristics and molecular data analysis, these specimens were determined to represent a previously unidentified species, designated Murina yuanyang sp. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Most management methods for poultry farming currently rely on human labor. Such management is labor-intensive and inefficient, especially in identifying poultry growth stages. Given the lack of a high-precision artificial method for chick's day-age detection, a high-performance day-age classification and detection model for chicks was proposed based on artificial intelligent techniques. This method can detect and classify chicks in six different living stages from 1 to 32 day-ages, and the accuracy is 95.2%, superior to other current ones. In order to apply this method in practical scenarios, it has been deployed into an application based on the IOS system, which can recoganize the day-age of chicks by capturing real-time photos. The system is currently deployed in Rizhao City, Shandong Province, China. It helps chicken farm staff automatically detect the behavior of chickens, whose excellent working effect proves the robust availibility of the proposed method. Thanks to the boom of computer vision techniques and artificial intelligence algorithms, it is more available to achieve artificial rearing for animals in real production scenarios. Improving the accuracy of chicken day-age detection is one of the instances, which is of great importance for chicken rearing. To solve this problem, we proposed an attention encoder structure to extract chicken image features, trying to improve the detection accuracy. To cope with the imbalance of the dataset, various data enhancement schemes such as Cutout, CutMix, and MixUp were proposed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed attention encoder. This paper put the structure into various mainstream CNN networks for comparison and multiple ablation experiments. The final experimental results show that by applying the attention encoder structure, ResNet-50 can improve the accuracy of chicken age detection to 95.2%. Finally, this paper also designed a complete image acquisition system for chicken houses and a detection application configured for mobile devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Since the 1990s, the golden cuttlefish (Sepia esculenta) has become the dominant cuttlefish fisheries target in the seas around China. In this paper, we aim to determine the current resource status and spatio-seasonal variation in the population in the East China Sea region. We found more juveniles at latitudes of 27.50–28.00° N and 29.00° N and more subadult individuals at 28.50° N in autumn, exhibiting different growth rates and resource densities. In addition, we found the majority of the catches were composed of parent groups in spring, while in autumn, the majority of the catches were composed of juvenile groups. We concluded that the subadult groups might have dispersed widely for feeding and growth along the latitude of 30.00° N and to the south in summer, and the southern area of the Yangtze River extending north was the spawning ground in spring. The groups of S. esculenta preferred to stay in areas with a stable water temperature of ~20.00 °C, and many S. esculenta juveniles might have adapted to endure the negative influence of the low oxygen content in summer. The depth range of the S. esculenta population was 10.00–133.00 m from spring to autumn, but this shrank to 66.00–107.00 m in winter. The golden cuttlefish (Sepia esculenta) is an important cephalopod species with a lifespan of approximately one year. The species plays a crucial role in marine ecological support services and is commercially valuable in fisheries. In the seas around China, this species has emerged as the main target for cuttlefish fisheries, replacing Sepiella maindroni since the 1990s. Variations in oceanographic conditions associated with global warming could significantly impact the temporal-spatial distribution of the species. In this study, we performed bottom trawling surveys with four cruises during 2018–2019 in the East China Sea region to determine the current resource status and seasonal-spatial variations in S. esculenta. We found that the average individual weight (AIW) values were 4.87 and 519.00 g/ind at stations located at 30.50° N, 124.00° E and 30.50° N, 124.50° E, respectively, with the aggregation of larvae and parent groups in spring. The species was not distributed north of 32.00° N in summer. The catch per unit effort by weight (CPUEw) value decreased in the order of 2772.50→2575.20→503.29→124.36 g/h, corresponding to latitudes of 34.50° N→34.00° N→33.50° N→32.50° N 121.50° E in autumn. The most suitable fishing areas were the south of the East China Sea region in spring; the south of the East China Sea region extending to the center and outer parts of the East China Sea region in summer; the south of the Yellow Sea close to the Haizhou Bay fishing ground and the forbidden fishing line region of the Lusi and Dasha fishing grounds in autumn; and the south and center of the East China Sea region in winter. The most suitable sea bottom temperature (SBT) values from spring to winter were 14.76–20.53 °C, 19.54–22.98 °C, 11.79–17.64 °C, and 16.94–20.36 °C, respectively. The most suitable sea bottom salinity (SBS) values were 31.53–34.80‰ in spring, 32.95–34.68‰ in summer, 31.51–34.77‰ in autumn, and 33.82–34.51‰ in winter. We concluded the following: (1) the southern and northern areas of the East China Sea region are spawning and nursery grounds, respectively, in spring; (2) the central distribution is located at a latitude of 28.00° N in autumn and winter; and (3) the southern area of the Yangtze River to the north is a spawning ground in spring, and the areas located at 29.00–34.50° N, 124.00–124.50° E, and 28.00–30.50° N, 125.50–126.50° E are nursery grounds. The results of this study provide useful guidance for appropriate fisheries management, thereby avoiding a collapse in the S. esculenta population, which has been experienced in other species in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This paper provides a methodology for analyzing the trajectory of the Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon): its clustering and mining habitats, trajectory-data supplementation, the analysis of behavioral patterns, and finally, potential habitat mining. It was found that the characteristics of the Crested Ibis habitat in nature reserves include proximity to water sources and cultivated land close to woodlands. Additionally, there is a certain aggregation and sharing of night roosting sites, which are easily disturbed by human activities, and there is a strong correlation between the spatial proximity of the Crested Ibis night. Although human behavior threatens the survival of the Crested Ibis, they still depend on human behavior, mainly for food and water. Moreover, farmers are encouraged to store water in paddy fields in winter and to avoid using harmful substances such as pesticides. Luoshan County provides a protected area for the Crested Ibis; it was analyzed and found to be appropriately located, with an excellent overall habitat-rating. The Chinese Government has also set up corresponding ecological and environmental protection zones, and it is essential to provide solutions for the reintroduction of the Crested Ibis. The Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon) is an endangered animal with an extremely high ecological, humanistic, and scientific value. However, this species still faces survival challenges, due to rapidly shrinking foraging grounds, the serious interference of human behavior, and increased habitat requirements. Geographical environment is a significant factor affecting Crested Ibis behavior-pattern analysis and habitat protection. The spatial and temporal trajectory contains habitat location and period information, a vital record of the Crested Ibis' habits, and the basis of all research. Nevertheless, there are only a handful of studies on the missing trajectory data and fusing multiple sources of environmental data-research methods. We studied the spatial and temporal habitat use of the tracked Crested lbis by fusing multiple data-sources in China. This paper adopts the LSTM (long short-term memory) model to supplement the missing trajectory data and perform cluster mining; and a random forest model is used to predict the habitat of the Crested Ibis with high fitting accuracy (R2 = 84.9%). The results show that the Crested Ibis distribution-pattern is characterized by high altitude and proximity to woodland and rivers. Additionally, the habitat dependence on the village implicates human agricultural activities in positively impacting its reproduction. This paper provides a complete method for analyzing Crested Ibis' spatial and temporal trajectory by fusing multi-source data, which is crucial for protecting the survival and reproduction of the Crested Ibis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Farm animal welfare research conducted in China is relatively less accessed and unknown outside of the country, which might create the impression that farm animal welfare receives limited attention in China. This paper aims to offer a comprehensive review of the existing Chinese farm animal welfare literature. CiteSpace software was employed for the analysis and visualization of various aspects of the literature, including the quantity, species, authors, institutions, journals, and keywords. This process helped reveal the research trends, hotspots, and frontiers in the field. The findings from this bibliometric analysis strongly indicate that farm animal welfare is a subject of considerable interest and research activity in China. Farm animal welfare research conducted in China is not commonly accessed or known outside of China, which may lead to the assumption that farm animal welfare receives relatively little attention in China. Therefore, a bibliometric analysis was conducted on the existing Chinese farm animal welfare literature to provide robust evidence to refute this assumption. A total of 1312 peer-reviewed Chinese studies on farm animal welfare published between March 1992 and June 2023 were retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database. CiteSpace software was used to analyze and visualize the number, species, authors, institutions, journals, and keywords of the papers. In China, farm animal welfare research has gone through the processes of an early stage (1992–2001), rapid-growth stage (2002–2007), and mature stage (2008–present), and the scale of research continues to grow. Notably, swine and chickens have received priority attention in this area. A Matthew effect was observed for authors and institutions, with relatively little collaboration among authors and institutions. Most of the papers were published in a small number of journals, with an apparent agglomeration characteristic. The research hotspots, summarized as "feed and diet", "environmental impacts and control", "integrated rearing management", "injury and disease", "behavior and technologies for behavior monitoring", "genetic analysis", "welfare during transport and slaughter", "welfare-friendly animal product consumption", "attitudes toward farm animal welfare", and "healthy breeding". The keywords "computer vision", "recognition", "temperature", "precision livestock farming", "laying hen", and "behavior", represent the major research frontiers in the field, which could indicate potential areas of significant future research. The findings of the present bibliometric analysis confirm the fact that farm animal welfare is a field of interest in China. Farm animal welfare research in China tends to be pragmatic, with a strong emphasis on enhancing growth and production performance, as well as product quality, rather than solely concentrating on improving farm animal welfare. This paper provides insightful references that researchers can use to identify and understand the current status and future direction of the farm animal welfare field in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In response to the quantitative demand for the practical deployment of applications and the need to enhance the detection accuracy of wildlife in complex field environments in southwest China and neighboring regions, we have refined the wildlife detection algorithm based on re-parameterized convolution. This refinement is specifically targeted at addressing the challenges posed by the low quality of wildlife images captured by camera traps and the limitations of traditional object detection algorithms in feature extraction capability. To address these issues, we have introduced a series of improvement schemes. As a result of these enhancements, there has been a noteworthy improvement in both the accuracy of wildlife detection and the speed of model inference. This advancement offers a convenient and efficient method for the preliminary detection in the context of automated wildlife monitoring. To autonomously detect wildlife images captured by camera traps on a platform with limited resources and address challenges such as filtering out photos without optimal objects, as well as classifying and localizing species in photos with objects, we introduce a specialized wildlife object detector tailored for camera traps. This detector is developed using a dataset acquired by the Saola Working Group (SWG) through camera traps deployed in Vietnam and Laos. Utilizing the YOLOv6-N object detection algorithm as its foundation, the detector is enhanced by a tailored optimizer for improved model performance. We deliberately introduce asymmetric convolutional branches to enhance the feature characterization capability of the Backbone network. Additionally, we streamline the Neck and use CIoU loss to improve detection performance. For quantitative deployment, we refine the RepOptimizer to train a pure VGG-style network. Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed method empowers the model to achieve an 88.3% detection accuracy on the wildlife dataset in this paper. This accuracy is 3.1% higher than YOLOv6-N, and surpasses YOLOv7-T and YOLOv8-N by 5.5% and 2.8%, respectively. The model consistently maintains its detection performance even after quantization to the INT8 precision, achieving an inference speed of only 6.15 ms for a single image on the NVIDIA Jetson Xavier NX device. The improvements we introduce excel in tasks related to wildlife image recognition and object localization captured by camera traps, providing practical solutions to enhance wildlife monitoring and facilitate efficient data acquisition. Our current work represents a significant stride toward a fully automated animal observation system in real-time in-field applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: As an endemic and vulnerable fish from the upper Yangtze River in China, Schizothorax kozlovi holds significant scientific and ecological importance, yet it has received little attention so far. In this paper, we reported the characterization of the mitochondrial genome of S. kozlovi, and further investigated the phylogenetic relationships of Schizothorax. The results showed that the mitochondrial genome of S. kozlovi had a total size of 16,585 bp, a circular arrangement, and contained 13 PCGs, 22 tRNAs, two rRNAs, and two non-coding regions. Moreover, the phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that Schizothorax could be classified into four clades, and S. kozlovi was closely related to Schizothorax chongi. The present study enriched the basic biological data for S. kozlovi and provided fundamental references for the conservation of S. kozlovi and Schizothorax. Schizothorax kozlovi is an endemic and vulnerable fish species found in the upper Yangtze River in China. Over the past few years, the population resources of S. kozlovi have been nearly completely depleted owing to multiple contributing threats. While the complete mitochondrial genomes serve as important molecular markers for phylogenetic and genetic studies, the mitochondrial genome of S. kozlovi has still received little attention. In this study, we analyzed the characterization of the mitochondrial genome of S. kozlovi and investigated the phylogenetic relationships of Schizothorax. The complete mitochondrial genome of S. kozlovi was 16,585 bp in length, which contained thirty-seven genes (thirteen protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), twenty-two transfer RNA genes (tRNAs)) and two non-coding regions for the origin of light strand (OL) and the control region (CR). There were nine overlapping regions and seventeen intergenic spacers regions in the mitochondrial genome. The genome also showed a bias towards A + T content (55.01%) and had a positive AT-skew (0.08) and a negative GC-skew (−0.20). All the PCGs employed the ATG or GTG as the start codon and TAA, TAG, or single T as the stop codon. Additionally, all of the tRNAs displayed a typical cloverleaf secondary structure, except trnS1 which lacked the D arm. The phylogenetic analysis, based on the maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods, revealed that the topologies of the phylogenetic tree divided the Schizothorax into four clades and did not support the classification of Schizothorax based on morphology. The phylogenetic status of S. kozlovi was closely related to that of S. chongi. The present study provides valuable genomic information for S. kozlovi and new insights in phylogenetic relationships of Schizothorax. These data could also offer fundamental references and guidelines for the management and conservation of S. kozlovi and other species of Schizothorax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Polyphenol compounds are important physiological activity materials that resist corrosion and oxidation, can be maintained in a state of freshness, and can be used safely, among other advantages. In China, the most important cereal crop is sorghum, which is an important raw material for brewing. However, sorghum stalks are usually considered to have no value and are thrown away or burned, resulting in environmental pollution and the possible waste of a usable resource. Notably, the sorghum stalk contains an abundance of polyphenols that exhibit great development potential as unconventional resources. However, studies on sorghum stalks with respect to their polyphenol compounds and their effects on in vitro rumen fermentation in goats have been relatively rare to date. Accordingly, in the present study, six types of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) varieties used for brewing traditional Chinese liquor were selected, and we compared their stalks in terms of their chemical composition, polyphenol compounds, antioxidant activity, and effects on in vitro rumen fermentation in goats. Our findings provide new details regarding the use of this unconventional feed for goats, as well as theories for developing this kind of resource for use as ruminant feed. The aim of the study was to examine the differences in the chemical composition, polyphenol compounds, antioxidant activity, and in vitro rumen fermentation among six varieties of sorghum stalks. The results show that maoliangnuo 1 (M1) contained a higher (p < 0.05) level of dry matter, and jinzhong 405 (J4) contained a higher (p < 0.05) level of crude protein content. The concentrations of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and cellulose were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in stalk jinliangnuo (JN). The levels of chlorogenic acid, homoorientin, isovitexin, vitexin, rhoifolin, genistin, quercetin, apigenin, aloe emodin, emodin, and total polyphenols were all significantly (p < 0.05) higher in maohongnuo 6 (M6) than in the other stalks. Moreover, stalk M6 contained higher (p < 0.05) levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical scavenging capacity. There were significant (p < 0.05) positive correlations between total polyphenols and TAC, superoxide dismutase, GPX, CAT, and DPPH free-radical scavenging capacity. The total gas production was significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by the sorghum stalk variety and incubation time. Stalk J4 displayed higher values for the (p < 0.05) immediately soluble fraction and the potential extent of gas production, while stalk M6 exhibited a significantly lower (p < 0.05) insoluble fraction level. Furthermore, stalk M6 exhibited a significantly higher level of (p < 0.05) ruminal fluid propionic acid, but its level of butyric acid and its ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid were both significantly lower (p < 0.05). Taken together, the results reported in this paper indicate that the chemical composition, polyphenol compounds, antioxidant activity, and in vitro rumen fermentation all vary greatly among different varieties of sorghum stalks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this paper, a new Pareas species of the P. hamptoni complex is described from southern Yunnan Province, China, based on morphological and molecular evidence. Genetically, the new species is most closely related to P. hamptoni sensu stricto, for which we confirm the distribution in China. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from P. hamptoni sensu stricto and all other congeners by a combination of morphological characteristics. The discovery of the new species brings the total number of recognized species of the genus Pareas to 31, of which 25 occur in China. We describe a new species of the genus Pareas, based on three specimens collected from Guanyinshan Provincial Nature Reserve in Yuanyang County, Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by one preocular, one postocular or postocular fused with subocular, loreal not bordering the orbit, one row enlarged vertebral scales, five rows keeled mid-dorsal scales at the middle of the body, 189–192 ventral scales and 72–89 subcaudal scales. The dorsal surfaces of the head and body are yellowish red or yellowish brown, and the belly and ventral surfaces of the head and tail are pinkish yellow or yellow with more or less small black spots. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA recovered the new species being the sister taxon to P. hamptoni sensu stricto. The genetic divergences between the new species and P. hamptoni sensu stricto were 4.2% in the Cyt b sequences and 5.0% in the ND4 sequences. In addition, based on specimens collected from Honghe and Wenshan prefectures, we confirmed that P. hamptoni sensu stricto is distributed in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Poultry farming is an important part of China's agriculture system. The automatic estimation of poultry posture can help to analyze the movement, behavior, and even health of poultry. In this study, a poultry pose-estimation system was designed, which realized the automatic pose estimation of a single broiler chicken using a multi-part detection method. The experimental results show that this method can obtain better pose-estimation results for a single broiler chicken with respect to precision, recall, and F1 score. The pose-estimation system designed in this study provides a new means to provide help for poultry pose/behavior researchers in the future. Poultry pose estimation is a prerequisite for evaluating abnormal behavior and disease prediction in poultry. Accurate pose-estimation enables poultry producers to better manage their poultry. Because chickens are group-fed, how to achieve automatic poultry pose recognition has become a problematic point for accurate monitoring in large-scale farms. To this end, based on computer vision technology, this paper uses a deep neural network (DNN) technique to estimate the posture of a single broiler chicken. This method compared the pose detection results with the Single Shot MultiBox Detector (SSD) algorithm, You Only Look Once (YOLOV3) algorithm, RetinaNet algorithm, and Faster_R-CNN algorithm. Preliminary tests show that the method proposed in this paper achieves a 0.0128 standard deviation of precision and 0.9218 ± 0.0048 of confidence (95%) and a 0.0266 standard deviation of recall and 0.8996 ± 0.0099 of confidence (95%). By successfully estimating the pose of broiler chickens, it is possible to facilitate the detection of abnormal behavior of poultry. Furthermore, the method can be further improved to increase the overall success rate of verification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cryptorchidism is believed to be one of the leading causes of infertility in male yaks. In this study, we compared the morphology of the normal testis of the yak with that of the cryptorchidism, and found dysplasia of the seminiferous tubules, impaired tightness of the Sertoli cells, and a disruption of the integrity of the blood–testis barrier (BTB) in the cryptorchidism. Based on RNA-seq, bioinformatics analysis and biological experiments, CAV1 up-regulates or down-regulates the expression levels of ZO-1, occludin and claudin-11 via the FAK/ERK pathway in vitro cell model assays. Our results reveal a novel mechanism by which CAV1 modulates tight junctions and BTB, suggesting that CAV1 may be involved in the regulation of the occurrence of yak cryptorchidism. Yaks, a valuable livestock species endemic to China's Tibetan plateau, have a low reproductive rate. Cryptorchidism is believed to be one of the leading causes of infertility in male yaks. In this study, we compared the morphology of the normal testis of the yak with that of the cryptorchidism, and found dysplasia of the seminiferous tubules, impaired tightness of the Sertoli cells, and a disruption of the integrity of the blood–testis barrier (BTB) in the cryptorchidism. Previous studies have shown that CAV1 significantly contributes to the regulation of cell tight junctions and spermatogenesis. Therefore, we hypothesize that CAV1 may play a regulatory role in tight junctions and BTB in Yaks Sertoli cells, thereby influencing the development of cryptorchidism. Additional analysis using immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting confirmed that CAV1 expression is up-regulated in yak cryptorchidism. CAV1 over-expression plasmids and small RNA interference sequences were then transfected in vitro into yak Sertoli cells. It was furthermore found that CAV1 has a positive regulatory effect on tight junctions and BTB integrity, and that this regulatory effect is achieved through the FAK/ERK signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings, the first application of CAV1 to yak cryptorchidism, provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of cell tight junctions and BTB. This paper suggests that CAV1 could be used as a potential therapeutic target for yak cryptorchidism and may provide insight for future investigations into the occurrence of cryptorchidism, the maintenance of a normal physiological environment for spermatogenesis and male reproductive physiology in the yak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In recent years, the shortage of cow stocks and the reduction of cow breeders in China have caused a shortage of cattle resources and a high price of calves, which has become a bottleneck restricting the further development of China's beef cattle industry. At present, there are few studies on the decision-making behavior of cow breeding in China. In order to explore the factors that affect the decision-making behavior on cow breeding by beef cattle farmers, this paper uses field survey data to make an empirical analysis through the Logit ISM model. The results show that the age of the breeder, the breeding year, the planting area of forage, market expectations, the loan amount, the breeding method policy publicity and policy subsidies are significant factors affecting the decision-making behavior of beef cattle farmers on cow breeding. The beef cattle industry is an important part of herbivorous animal husbandry and an important industry to enrich the dietary structure of residents and promote the income of farmers and herdsmen. The cow is an important foundation to support the healthy development of the beef cattle industry, which is related to the stability of cattle sources and the sustainable development of the industry. However, in recent years, the shortage of cows in our country has led to the shortage of cattle resources and the high price of calves, which has restricted the further development of our beef cattle industry. In order to explore the factors that affect the decision-making behavior behind cow breeding and to find the right policy to mobilize the enthusiasm for cow breeding, based on the field survey of five provinces (cities and regions), including Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, this paper conducts an empirical analysis through the Logit ISM model. The results show that market expectation is the surface factor that directly affects the decision-making behavior of cow breeding. The influencing factors of the middle layer are policy propaganda, policy subsidies, breeding years, and feeding methods. The deep root factors are the age of the breeder, the amount of loan, and whether to plant feed crops. Based on this, this paper proposes that we should actively promote the importance of cow breeding, strengthen policy support for cow breeding, formulate scientific and reasonable subsidy policies for cows, innovate financial support methods to solve the problem of fund shortage of farmers, and develop forage resources and reduce the breeding cost of cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This paper uses the data of fixed observation points in the country's rural areas, the Data Envelopment Analysis model is used to calculate the production efficiency of pig farmers, which shows the efficiency level of pig breeding in the country. Then, the Tobit model is used to analyze that epidemic prevention and control has a positive effect on production efficiency. Finally, the threshold regression model was used to analyze the results: the effect of disease control on production efficiency was different under different breeding scales. When the breeding scale was less than 6.0002, the disease control had a negative impact on the production efficiency. When the breeding scale was greater than 12.9994, the disease control had a positive impact on the production efficiency. The research results of this paper not only help farmers to correctly understand the relationship between epidemic prevention and production efficiency, guide farmers to expand their breeding scale, and actively participate in epidemic prevention and control, but also provide a reference for the government to formulate policies according to different scales to guide farmers to carry out epidemic prevention and control. Epidemic disease prevention plays a critical role in ensuring the healthy development of livestock farming, and the subjective willingness of breeders can be affected by the cost of epidemic disease prevention. To correct the misconception that farmers regard the cost of disease control as an ineffective cost, and to promote the healthy development of the pig breeding industry, our study employed the data envelopment analysis super-efficiency model and panel threshold regression model to evaluate the combination of the cost of epidemic disease prevention and swine productivity using data collected from 1998–2018 across 30 provinces in China. The following results were obtained. (1) The cost of epidemic disease prevention generated a non-linear on swine productivity when the swine farming scale was limited; (2) When the number of animals at the beginning of the year was less than 6.0002, swine productivity was impacted negatively; (3) When the number of animals at the beginning of the year ranged between 6.0002 and 12.9994, the impact was insignificant; (4) A strong correlation was observed between the expenses of epidemic disease prevention and animal productivity when the number of animals at the beginning of the year exceeded 12.9994. These results indicate that publicity should be enhanced to elucidate the combination of epidemic disease prevention and swine productivity among breeders. In addition, the government should introduce relevant policies to encourage the development of large-scale pig farming, such as subsidies for the construction of large-scale farms and insurance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: One of the most important industries in China's history has been the horse industry, and the modern horse industry is still in the process of being transformed. The purpose of this paper is to introduce relevant policies through an analysis of information related to the horse industry in order to promote the economic development of the horse industry and gradually create a chain for the horse industry by selecting for this analysis the fastest-growing period in China's modern horse industry. This can support the economic development of the horse industry and gradually create an integrated horse industry with Chinese characteristics. Equestrian education in China should be supported so that it gradually develops Chinese characteristics, and, thus, horse breeding and welfare will also improve in the future. China competed in equestrian sports for the first time at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. China's modern equine business has developed significantly over the past decade, and the lessons from the expansion between 2015 and 2020 are important considerations as China implements further legislation to aid in the development of its modern equestrian sports. Equestrian sports can propel the Chinese horse industry forward, and the horse industry is a unique business in that it integrates one, two, and three industries, with much growth potential. This paper assesses the development of equestrianism in China from four perspectives: the general sports economic environment; the development of equestrian activities; the economic industries driven by equestrian activities; and relevant equestrian policies. Equestrian sports within China are currently facing problems, and recommendations are given. This paper is a single case study. The research utilized a qualitative approach, collecting data from official and semi-official documents. Through understanding the data collated and its analysis, equestrian sports can improve the speed and quality of their development under the influence of better-informed policy-making and a relevant economic model. It is expected that the wider related horse industry in China will also undergo more significant development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Identifying the risk regions of human–wildlife conflict is a pertinent topic in current human–wildlife conflict research. Most of the existing studies obtained their wildlife incident information through field surveys to identify risk regions. However, field surveys require a lot of personnel, time, and money. Therefore, they are generally used for meso- and microscale studies as they are difficult to apply to macroscale explorations. In this paper, we attempted to expand the data sources of wildlife incident information to enable macroscale wildlife incident risk region identification more efficiently and at a lower cost. We chose wild boar incidents in China as an example and used web crawling technology to obtain reports of wild boar incidents from internet databases. We then extracted the spatial location information of wild boar incidents from the reports. Subsequently, a system of environmental variables was constructed. Finally, the Maxent model, which provides predictions with higher accuracy and requires less location information, was applied to identify the risk regions of wild boar incidents in China. We observed that approximately 12.18% of China was at a high-risk level, mainly on the eastern side of the Huhuanyong Line. The risk of wild boar incidents was related to the climate, landscape, and topography as well as human disturbance. Variables such as the annual precipitation, GDP index, mean annual temperature, distance from forestland, distance from cultivated land, and elevation strongly influenced the risk of wild boar incidents. The objectives of this study were to identify the risk regions of wild boar incidents in China and to draw a risk map. Risk maps can be used to plan the prioritization of preventive measures, increasing management effectiveness from both a short- and a long-term perspective. We used a web crawler (web information access technology) to obtain reports of wild boar incidents from China's largest search engine (Baidu) and obtained 196 valid geographic locations of wild boar incidents from the reports. Subsequently, a system of environmental variables—with climate, topography, landscape, and human disturbance as the main variable types—was constructed, based on human–land-system thinking. Finally, the Maxent model was applied to predict the risk space of wild boar incidents in China by integrating the geographic location information for wild boar incidents with the environmental variables. We observed that the types of environmental variables that contributed to wild boar incidents were in the descending order of climate (40.5%) > human disturbance (25.2%) > landscape (24.4%) > topography (9.8%). Among the 14 environmental variables, annual precipitation, the GDP index, and the mean annual temperature were the main environmental variables. The distance from woodland, distance from cultivated land, and elevation were the secondary environmental variables. The response curves of the environmental variables demonstrated that the highest probability of wild boar incidents occurred when the annual average temperature was 16 °C, the annual precipitation was 800 mm, and the altitudes were 150 m and 1800 m. The probability of wild boar incidents decreased with an increase in the distance from cultivated and forested land, and increased sharply and then levelled off with an increase in the GDP index. Approximately 12.18% of China was identified as being at a high risk of wild boar incidents, mainly on the eastern side of the Huhuanyong Line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The red-crowned crane Grus japonensis in the National Yancheng Rare Birds Nature Reserve needs large quantities of high-protein food sources, including juvenile fishes, to fuel their migratory journeys. Some fish species use the tide to complete inshore migration, and they gradually migrate from the open sea to the surf area to find a more suitable habitat. In this paper, we used a fixed station to assess how the number of characteristics and developmental stages of fish larvae vary with the tide and how these values are related to environmental variables. We found that the number of species and larval individuals were highest and lowest, respectively, at the highest and lowest tidal height, and they obviously increased and decreased with the rising and ebb tide, respectively. We detected a tendency for Cynoglossus joyneri, Larimichthys polyactis, and Liza haematocheila to be present at higher density during the rising tide compared with the ebb tide, indicating that they were moving to the near shore from the open sea. Our findings indicate that the variation in numbers of the larvae and juveniles depends on species and developmental stage. These results provide a better understanding of the habitat of prey species of the wild bird population. The National Yancheng Rare Birds Nature Reserve is a vitally important staging habitat for the wild population of red-crowned cranes (Grus japonensis) in China. The population relies on local high-protein food sources, such as fish juveniles, to fuel their migratory journeys. However, little is known about the ecology of the fish larvae and juveniles that migrate to the inshore area via tidal rhythm in Subei Shoal, which is adjacent to the reserve. Therefore, we used a fixed study station (32°55′1.2″ N, 121°19′58.8″ E) to conduct a continuous 15-day ichthyoplankton survey at 2 h intervals beginning at 05:00 on 25 April and ending at 03:00 on 10 May 2019. We identified the tidal variations in the number of fish larvae and juveniles and the number at various developmental stages and assessed how they were related to environmental variables such as sea surface temperature, salinity, turbidity, and tidal height in the Dafeng Sea area of Subei Shoal. We found that the number of species and larval individuals were highest and lowest, respectively, at the highest and lowest tidal height, and they obviously increased and decreased with the rising and ebb tide, respectively. Our findings indicate that the variation in numbers of the larvae and juveniles depends on species and developmental stage. The species Acanthogobius ommaturus, Pholis fangi, Cynoglossus joyneri, Liza haematocheila, and Lateolabrax japonicus and the total number of larvae were most influenced by tidal height. These results provide a better understanding of the habitat of prey species of the red-crowned crane wild population as well as scientific data that can be applied to manage the wild population in the reserve sustainably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: China has the largest production yield of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum in the world. Most of the clam seeds for aquaculture are mainly derived from artificial breeding in southern China, likely resulting in the loss of genetic variation and inbreeding depression. In this paper, we investigate the genetic diversity and differentiation of R. philippinarum populations. The present results not only provide the scientific basis for the phylogenetic relationship of clam resources, but also lay the foundation for natural population conservation and genetic improvement of R. philippinarum. China has the largest production yield of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum in the world. Most of the clam seeds for aquaculture are mainly derived from artificial breeding in southern China, likely resulting in the loss of genetic variation and inbreeding depression. To understand the genetic and haplotype diversity of R. philippinarum, 14 clam populations sampled from different regions of China were analyzed by three molecular markers, including COI, 16SrRNA and ITS. Based on the results of the COI and ITS genes, the 14 populations showed a moderate to high level of genetic diversity, with an average haplotype diversity of 0.9242 and nucleotide diversity of 0.05248. AMOVA showed that there was significant genetic differentiation among all populations (mean FST of the total population was 0.4534). Pairwise FST analysis showed that genetic differentiation reached significant levels between Laizhou and other populations. Two Laizhou populations showed great divergence from other populations, forming an independent branch in the phylogenetic tree. The shared haplotypes Hap_2 and Hap_4 of COI appeared most frequently in most clam populations. In contrast, 16SrRNA analysis of the clam populations revealed the dominated haplotype Hap_2, accounting for 70% of the total number of individuals. The haplotype diversity of the Laizhou population (Laizhou shell-wide (KK) and Laizhou dock (LZMT)) was relatively higher than other populations, showing multiple unique haplotypes (e.g., Hap_40, Hap_41 and Hap_42). These findings of genetic and haplotype diversity of clam populations provide guiding information for genetic resource conservation and genetic improvement of the commercially important R. philippinarum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In March 2020, a group of wild Asian elephants suddenly roamed north from China's Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve and subsequently arrived in Kunming City, Yunnan Province, which has aroused widespread concern in the society. Based on this event, this study attempted to identify the possible migration routes of Asian elephants according to the existing land conditions and the movement habits of Asian elephants if wild Asian elephants in China migrated again. It was found that the areas with a high probability of migration by Asian elephants were mainly concentrated in the gently undulating shrubs, bamboo forests, and grasslands. Moreover, dense forests with steep slopes and high altitudes, cultivated land, and construction land are less likely to be passed by Asian elephants. Our findings can not only provide valuable insights into suggestions and solutions for the current conservation of wild Asian elephant species but also be beneficial in biological protection and biological reserve planning. Humans overlap with Asian elephants, resulting in frequent costly human–elephant conflicts, which disturb and even threaten local residents. In this study, we treat provincial and national nature reserves where Asian elephants still exist and other alternative habitats suitable for Asian elephants in southern Yunnan, China, as ecological patches. By using this approach, we can treat the terrain and surface state factors that hinder the migration of Asian elephants as a form of ecological resistance surface. We can then use a circuit theory model and remote sensing data to construct an ecological network, which allows us to identify ecological corridors and ecological pinch points. Herein, the possible migration routes of wild Asian elephants were identified. The main results are as follows: (1) In the study area, dense forests with steep slopes and high altitudes, cultivated land, and building land have greater migration resistance, while the gently undulating shrubs, bamboo forests, and grasslands far away from the city have less migration resistance. (2) There are three ecological corridor groups in the study area, mainly composed of shrub and grassland. The ecological corridors identified in this paper are the most likely migration routes of wild Asian elephants in China, and areas with higher simulated current densities reflect a higher probability of Asian elephants passing through. (3) According to the analysis, the ecological pinch points in the study area are 602 km2 in total, and woodland and grassland account for 89.2% of the total ecological pinch area. The areas where the pinch points are located have a high probability of Asian elephants passing through and a narrow space. Our findings can provide suggestions and solutions for the current conservation of wild Asian elephant species, alleviate human–elephant conflicts, promote the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, and provide reference for biological protection and biological reserve planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: A discrete choice experiment was designed to explore dog-keeping households' preferences for dog rabies vaccination services. Dog-keeping households can be classified into three types based on the latent class model: resolute executors, mischievous rebels, and incentivized compliers. The residence, children in the household, perception of the safety risks, and knowledge of rabies may contribute to the heterogeneity among the households. Supportive measures should be provided to improve the convenience of dog rabies vaccination services in emerging countries like China. Vaccination for dogs is essential for controlling rabies and achieving the goal of eliminating dog-mediated rabies globally by 2030. This paper aims to investigate the preferences for public services regarding rabies vaccination, in an effort to optimize the existing rabies vaccination and prevention programs in China. The households investigated had significant preferences for dog rabies vaccination service attributes. The households can be classified into three types: resolute executors (52.13%), mischievous rebels (5.85%), and incentivized compliers (42.02%). The residence, the presence of children in the household, perception of the safety risks, and knowledge of rabies may be sources of heterogeneity. Supportive services on dog rabies vaccination should be made available, such as arranging weekend vaccination services, building mobile vaccination stations, providing home vaccination services, and increasing vaccine supply through multiple channels. Furthermore, multiple measures can be taken to increase rabies vaccination awareness among family members and facilitate dog management innovation to further increase the level of rabies prevention and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Chigger mites (Acari) are common ectoparasites and the exclusive vector of scrub typhus. South China field mouse (Apodemus draco) and Lantsang field mouse (A. ilex) are two sibling rodent species. The investigation in southwest China (2001–2015) showed that chigger infestations on two mouse species were quite different, including different species composition, overall infestation, community parameters and dominant chigger species. There were 36 chigger species found on A. draco and 11 on A. ilex, and the overall mean intensity of chiggers on A. draco (MI = 4.26) was higher than that on A. ilex (MI = 3.91, p < 0.05). Dominant chiggers were unevenly distributed among different individuals of mouse hosts, and chigger infestation showed sex bias on different mouse sexes. The species abundance of the chigger community on A. draco was revealed as a log-normal distribution pattern. Chigger mites (Acari) are common ectoparasites on rodents, and they are the exclusive vector of scrub typhus. South China field mouse (Apodemus draco) and Lantsang field mouse (A. ilex) are two sibling rodent species. Based on field investigations in southwest China (2001–2015), this paper compared the infestation of these two mouse species with chiggers. Of 42 chigger species identified from two mouse species, 36 were found on A. draco, 11 on A. ilex and 5 common species on both mice. Jaccard similarity index (J = 0.12, J < 0.25) showed a very different species composition of chiggers on two mouse species, and some parameters of the chigger community were also different. The overall mean intensity of chiggers on A. draco (MI = 4.26) was higher than that on A. ilex (MI = 3.91, p < 0.05). The dominant chigger species on A. draco were Trombiculindus yunnanus, Leptotrombidium scutellare (a major vector species in China) and L. sinicum with a total constituent ratio Cr = 42.9% (106/247). Leptorombidium sinicum and L. scutellare independently occurred on A. draco with an association coefficient V = 0.09 (V ≈ 0). The dominant chigger species on A. ilex were L. rusticum, L. densipunctatum and L. gongshanense, with a total Cr = 58.14% (25/43). Leptorombidium rusticum and L. densipunctatum on A. ilex had a slight positive association (V = 0.49, 0.5 < V < 1). All dominant chigger species were unevenly distributed among different individuals of two mouse species. Chigger infestation showed sex bias on different sexes of two mouse species. The species abundance of the chigger community on A. draco was revealed as a log-normal distribution pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cobras (Naja Laurenti, 1768) are a group of well-known highly venomous snakes, which cause numerous cases of snakebites every year, especially in South Asia and Southern China. Taxonomic framework is essential for the medical treatment of snake bites and accurate antivenin development. However, the taxonomy of Asian cobras is still puzzling, especially for the widespread species Monocled Cobra (N. kaouthia Lesson, 1831). This study provided new materials and understanding for the taxonomy of this species by combining mitochondrial phylogenetic analysis and morphological comparisons based on samples from a vast area in Asia. The results showed that the Chinese population of N. kaouthia represents a new species. This study also provided new data for N. atra and designated a neotype for it. Furthermore, the subspecies N. naja polyocellata was resurrected and recognized as a full species, N. polyocellatacomb. nov., and the subspecies N. sumatrana miolepis was also resurrected. This study highlighted the necessity to evaluate the effectiveness of cobra antivenin based on a comprehensive taxonomic framework. Taxonomic frameworks for medically important species such as cobras (genus Naja Laurenti, 1768; Squamata, Elapidae) are essential for the medical treatment of snake bites and accurate antivenin development. In this paper, we described the former N. kaouthia populations recorded from China as a new species and designated a neotype for N. atra-based morphological and mitochondrial phylogenetic analysis. The new species N. fuxisp. nov. was morphologically diagnosed from N. kaouthia by (1) regular single narrow crossband present on the middle and posterior parts of the dorsum (3–15, 7.9 ± 2.7, n = 32) and the dorsal surface of the tail (1–6, 4.2 ± 1.1, n = 32) of both adults and juveniles, buff-colored with dark fringes on both edges, vs. South Asian populations (n = 39) and Southeast Asian populations (n = 35) without cross bands, with irregular cross bands or multiple light-colored crossbands pairs, or densely woven lines; (2) small scales between the posterior chin shields, usually three (40%) or two (37%), rarely four (13%), or one (10%) (n = 30) vs. mostly one (81%) and rarely two (19%) (n = 28); (3) ventrals 179–205 (195.4 ± 6.7, n = 33) vs. South Asian populations 179–199 (188.7 ± 5.9, n = 12); Southeast Asian populations 168–186 (177.8 ± 4.9, n = 18). Phylogenetically, the new species forms an independent sister clade to the clade including N. atra, N. kaouthia, N. oxiana and N. sagittifera. Furthermore, the subspecies N. naja polyocellata should be resurrected and recognized as a full species, N. polyocellatacomb. nov., and the subspecies N. sumatrana miolepis should be resurrected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In addition to causing dermatitis, some gamasid mites are also the vector or potential vector of some zoonotic diseases. Located in the northwest Yunnan Province of southwest China, the Three Parallel Rivers Area of China is one of the hotspots of biodiversity research in the world. Based on the previous field survey in the Three Parallel Rivers Area from 2001 to 2015, this paper reports the species diversity and basic community characteristics of gamasid mites on small mammals in this unique geographical area for the first time. From the body surface of 3830 small mammal hosts, 26,048 gamasid mites were collected and identified as 10 families, 21 genera and 82 species (excluding 847 unidentified specimens) with high species diversity. The species diversity of the gamasid mite community fluctuated greatly in different elevation gradients. The highest peaks of species richness and β diversity appeared at altitudes of 3000–3500 m (S = 42) and 1500–2000 m (β = 17.5), respectively. The species abundance distribution of the mites was successfully fitted by Preston's lognormal model, and the total number of gamasid mite species in the Three Parallel Rivers Area was estimated to be 153 species. (1) Background: Gamasid mites are a large group of arthropods, and some of them are of medical importance. Besides directly biting humans and causing dermatitis, some gamasid mites are the vector of rickettsialpox and potential vector of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). The Three Parallel Rivers Area of China is one of the hotspots of biodiversity research in the world, with complicated topographic landforms, different types of vegetation, special elevation gradients and high biodiversity. (2) Methods: Species richness (S): the Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H), Simpson dominance index (D) and Pielou evenness index (E) were used to analyze the basic community structure. The β diversity (Cody index) was used to reflect the diversity difference between any two adjacent elevation gradients. The method based on Preston's lognormal model for species abundance distribution was used to estimate the total number of gamasid mite species. (3) Results: A total of 3830 small mammal hosts captured from the nine survey sites were identified as 44 species, 27 genera and nine families in five orders. Apodemus chevrieri, Eothenomys miletus and A. draco were the dominant host species with a total constituent ratio Cr = 52.037%. From the body surface of the hosts, 26,048 gamasid mites were collected and identified as 10 families, 21 genera and 82 species (excluding 847 unidentified specimens) with high species richness (S = 82) and diversity (H = 2.33). The three dominant mite species were Dipolaelaps anourosorecis, Laelaps nuttalli and L. echidninus, with a total Cr = 64.46% (16,791/26,048). There are significant differences in the species composition, species diversity and dominant species of gamasid mites on different hosts. The species diversity of the mite community fluctuated greatly in different elevation gradients. The highest peaks of species richness and β diversity appeared at altitudes of 3000–3500 m (S = 42) and 1500–2000 m (β = 17.5), respectively. The species abundance distribution of the mites was successfully fitted by Preston's lognormal model with S ^ (R) = 19 e − [ 0.22 (R − 0) ] 2 (α = 0.22, R2 = 0.9879). Based on fitting the theoretical curve by Preston's model, the total number of gamasid mite species was estimated to be 153 species. (4) Conclusions: Gamasid mites on small mammals are abundant with complex community structures and high species diversity in the Three Parallel Rivers Area of China. There is an apparent community heterogeneity of the mites on different hosts and in different environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this study, consumer preferences for pork produced using animal-welfare-enhancing farming strategies were assessed. In China, the demand for animal-friendly products is increasing, but so far, studies on consumer preferences for animal welfare farming attributes are limited. The objective of this study was to analyze consumer preferences for pork based on four animal welfare farming attributes, namely feed nutrition, living environment, health care, and activity space. The study employed a choice experiment approach. The survey covered 1274 pork consumers in Guangdong province, China. Our empirical results suggest that Chinese consumers were willing to pay an additional 2.359–10.477 CNY/500 g (5.27–23.39%) for animal welfare pork. Furthermore, there was significant heterogeneity in consumer preferences. China is the world's largest producer and consumer of pork. Since the outbreaks of African swine fever in 2018, China's pork imports have been constantly on the rise. The results can contribute to the optimization of pork production structures and marketing plans for stakeholders and can assist with the timely development of international competition strategies for animal-derived trade products. Consumption demands for pork produced by farms that employ strategies to improve animal welfare ("animal welfare pork") will be an important indicator for predicting domestic pig feeding standards and pork industry development. This paper analyzes consumer preferences for animal welfare pork based on the choice experiment data of 1274 pork consumers in Guangdong province, China. The results show that consumers had a significant preference for animal welfare pork and that they were willing to pay a premium of 2.359–10.477 CNY/500 g (5.27–23.39%) on average. There is heterogeneity in consumer preferences regarding age, education level, and income. Producers of animal-derived products can not only adjust the mix of production conditions to improve pig welfare and innovate contractual arrangements for industry chain stakeholder groups, but they can also develop differentiated marketing strategies for animal welfare products to meet consumer demands for animal welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Kecai yaks are an important genetic resource in Gansu Province, China. These yaks, produced through the crossbreeding of Gannan yaks and wild yaks, exhibit excellent production performance and high fecundity. Despite these beneficial characteristics, the genetic characteristics, population structure, and other properties of Kecai yaks have not been effectively characterized to date. Accordingly, this study was developed to explore the genetic diversity and population structure of Kecai yaks through whole-genome resequencing. These analyses ultimately revealed the status of Kecai yaks as an independent group within the overall Chinese yak population. Kecai yaks are regarded as an important genetic resource in China owing to their high fecundity and flavorful meat. However, the genetic characteristics of Kecai yaks have not been effectively characterized to date, and the relationship between Kecai yaks and other yak breeds remains to be fully characterized. In this paper, the resequencing of the Kecai yak genome is performed leading to the identification of 11,491,383 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Through principal component, phylogenetic, and population genetic structure analyses based on these SNPs, Kecai yaks were confirmed to represent an independent population of yaks within China. In this study, marker and functional enrichment analysis of genes related to positive selection in Kecai yak was carried out, and the results show that such selection in Kecai yaks is associated with the adaptation to alpine environments and the deposition of muscle fat. Overall, these results offer a theoretical foundation for the future utilization of Kecai yak genetic resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The problems caused by antibiotic abuse have swept the world, and the Chinese government has responded to calls for a comprehensive ban on antibiotics. However, not using antibiotics also challenges China's existing livestock industry. Based on this, we carried out a nontargeted metabolomics analysis of the jejunum, ileum, and cecum of diarrhea rabbits and normal rabbits fed with antibiotic-free diets, respectively, to find out the mechanism of action of each intestinal segment group and between different intestinal segments. The screened differential metabolites were mostly related to intestinal barrier, intestinal inflammation, and autophagy after a KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) analysis. In this paper, we analyzed the metabolic pathways that were significantly different between different intestinal segments and illustrated the mechanism and potential connections of the screened differential metabolites in different intestinal segments in the form of charts. For many years, antibiotics in feed have been an effective and economical means to promote growth and disease resistance in livestock production. However, the rampant abuse of antibiotics has also brought very serious harm to human health and the environment. Therefore, the Chinese government promulgated laws and regulations on 1 July 2020, to prohibit the use of antibiotics in feed. To improve the effect of antibiotic-free feeding on China's existing rabbit industry, we used the nontargeted metabolomics method to detect the differences between diarrhea rabbits (Dia) and normal rabbits (Con) on an antibiotic-free diet. A total of 1902 different metabolites were identified. A KEGG analysis showed that in the cecum, metabolites were mainly concentrated in bile secretion, antifolate resistance, aldosterone synthesis, and secretion pathways. The ileal metabolites were mainly concentrated in tyrosine metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, steroid hormone biosynthesis, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism. The metabolites in the jejunum were mainly rich in panquinone and other terpenoid compound quinone biosynthesis, AMPK (adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase) signal, inositol phosphate metabolism, and pentose phosphate pathway. After a deep excavation of the discovered differential metabolites and metabolic pathways with large differences between groups, it was found that these metabolic pathways mainly involved intestinal inflammation, intestinal barrier, and autophagy. The results showed that panquinone and other terpenoids could increase AMPK activity to promote cell metabolism and autophagy, thus trying to prevent inflammation and alleviate intestinal disease symptoms. In addition, we discussed the possible reasons for the changes in the levels of seven intestinal endogenous metabolites in rabbits in the diarrhea group. The possibility of improving diarrhea by adding amino acids to feed was discussed. In addition, the intermediate products produced by the pentose phosphate pathway and coenzyme Q had a positive effect on steroid hormone biosynthesis to combat intestinal inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Promoting cage-free eggs supports a housing system which may benefit the lives of egg-laying hens. China is the world's largest producer and consumer of eggs, and most of these eggs are produced in caged systems. Our aim was to understand the promotion strategies of companies supplying cage-free eggs in China, through examining 10 companies selling these products to business and consumer buyers. We found that the companies mainly promoted their eggs through considerations of price (for example, by engaging buyers who would pay more), attributes of the egg which buyers can sense (for example, accommodating buyers' preferences for better taste and specific shell colors), and improving buyers' understanding of and trust in non-sensory credence attributes (for example, through communicating to buyers about cage-free production and using trusted certifications). Our study describes strategies of cage-free egg promotion that may also help inform promotion of other products with the potential to improve animal welfare. Successful promotion of cage-free eggs supports a housing system offering potential for improved hen welfare. As the world's largest egg producer and consumer, China offers much potential for welfare improvements. We examined 10 Chinese companies supplying cage-free eggs (four using indoor systems, six with outdoor access) to understand their strategies to promote cage-free eggs to businesses and consumers. We purposively sampled 12 employees from these companies familiar with production or sales. We conducted two–three semi-structured interviews per participant, collected public online documents (including online shops and social media content), and recorded field notes. We analyzed the data using template analysis to generate key results. Participants reported buyers being unfamiliar with 'animal welfare' and 'cage-free', but familiar with concepts associated with 'free-range'. Participants considered three attributes when promoting cage-free eggs: price (engaging buyers who were willing to pay more), experiential attributes (e.g., taste, accommodating buyer preferences), and non-sensory credence attributes (e.g., cage-free production, improving buyers' understanding and trust). Our results are not generalizable, though they may be transferable to similar contexts. Understanding how companies promoted cage-free eggs to buyers may help inform promotion of other animal products with welfare attributes. Simultaneous efforts are needed to ensure actual welfare improvements on farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The diversity and specificity of the genetic structures of rare and endemic endangered goose (Anser cygnoides) breeds continue to be significant focal points of global concern. In this study, the mitochondrial genome was sequenced from six endemic endangered goose breeds to compare and assess the genetic structures of the rare bird breeds (♂:♀ = 1:1). The research results show that there are 81 haplotypes among the six endemic endangered goose breeds in China. At the same time, a historical dynamic analysis of the migration of endemic endangered goose breeds was conducted. The Wright's fixation index of endemic endangered goose breeds in China is significantly lower than that of European goose breeds. This indicates that the adaptability of endangered breeds in China is relatively low, which can easily affect the long-term survival and reproductive ability of the population. The conservation and exploitation of waterfowl genetic resources leverage the intra- and inter-population variations to enhance the traits relevant to human interests. Hence, there is an urgent need to strategically plan and safeguard the genetic resources of Chinese goose breeds while also devising suitable protection strategies. The analysis of the genetic diversity and historical dynamics of endemic endangered goose breeds structure has attracted great interest. Although various aspects of the goose breed structure have been elucidated, there is still insufficient research on the genetic basis of endemic endangered Chinese goose breeds. In this study, we collected blood samples from Lingxiang White (LX), Yan (YE), Yangjiang (YJ), Wuzong (WZ), Xupu (XP), and Baizi (BZ) geese (Anser cygnoides) and used Sanger sequencing to determine the partial sequence of the cytochrome b (CYTB) gene in a total of 180 geese. A total of 117 polymorphic sites were detected in the 707 bp sequence of the mtDNA CYTB gene after shearing and correction, accounting for approximately 16.55% of the entire sequence. The AT content (51.03%) of the processed sequence was slightly higher than the GC content (48.97%), indicating a preference for purine bases. The YJ, YE, and WZ breeds had the highest population genetic diversity, with a haplotype diversity greater than 0.9 (Hd > 0.9) and average population nucleotide difference of 8.01 (K > 8.01). A total of 81 haplotypes were detected and divided into six major branches. Among the six goose breeds, there were frequent genetic exchanges among LX, YJ, YE, and WZ geese (Nm > 15.00). We analyzed the distribution of base-mismatch differences in goose breeds and tested their historical dynamics for neutrality in Tajima's D and Fu's Fs. For YJ and WZ geese, Tajima's D > 0, but the difference was not significant (p > 0.05). The actual values for the two breeds exhibited multimodal Poisson distributions. The population patterns of the WZ and YJ geese are purportedly relatively stable, and the breeds have not experienced population expansions or bottleneck effects, which is consistent with the neutrality test results. This study provides new insights into the diverse genetic origins and historical dynamics that sustain endemic endangered goose breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Bordetella bronchiseptica (B. bronchiseptica) is a severe zoonotic pathogen widespread in aquaculture environments. However, information on the distribution and resistance of this pathogen remains scarce in pig farms. This study isolated and analyzed B. bronchiseptica from pig farms in central China and revealed a high frequency of resistance to this pathogen, with most strains forming biofilms. In addition, a B. bronchiseptica strain with a heteroresistant phenotype to gentamicin was isolated, which is a rare case and requires vigilance. This study enhances our understanding of the biological characteristics, such as the distribution and resistance, of B. bronchiseptica in pig farms in central China. This can provide valuable data for future related research and pathogen prevention and control. Bordetella bronchiseptica is a significant contributor to respiratory disease in pigs, leading to substantial economic losses in the swine industry worldwide. We isolated 52 B. bronchiseptica strains from 542 samples collected from pigs with atrophic rhinitis and bronchopneumonia in central China. Multi-locus sequence typing identified two prevalent sequence types: ST6 (69.23%) and ST7 (30.77%). PCR-based detection of seven virulence genes (fhaB, prn, cyaA, dnt, bteA, fla, and bfrZ) revealed that six of these genes were present in over 90% of the isolates, with bfrZ being the exception at 59.62%. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, performed using the K-B method, demonstrated high sensitivity to enrofloxacin, polymyxin, and doxycycline but a notable resistance to tylosin, trimethoprim, tobramycin, ciprofloxacin, and amikacin. Remarkably, 86.54% of the isolates exhibited a multidrug-resistant phenotype. Notably, we successfully screened a strain of B. bronchiseptica with a heteroresistance phenotype to gentamicin using population analysis profiling, which is a rare case. Biofilm-formation assays indicated that 96.15% of the isolates possessed biofilm-forming capabilities. These findings provide crucial insights into the prevalence of B. bronchiseptica in central China, facilitating the development of effective preventive measures to safeguard both animal and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Sustainable wildlife management (SWM), based on traditional practice supported with advances in scientific knowledge and evolving economic and social circumstances, has shaped the global approach to wildlife management and policy. In this paper, we report the findings of a large semi-structured questionnaire in China which investigated the attitude of the urban public toward sustainable wildlife management and wildlife conservation across a range of issues and identified the key socio-economic and demographic factor drivers for those attitudes. The survey was conducted from November 2018 to October 2020, across 15 cities randomly selected among China's seven administrative geographic regions. The survey was initially conducted through face-to-face interviews, but later, due to COVID-19 restrictions, was completed via online questionnaires. The results show that the public are broadly supportive of the theory of SWM, but their enthusiasm is issue- and context-dependent. For example, on issues of "Animal Welfare and Rights," "Wildlife Utilization and Captive Breeding," and "Trophy Hunting", the public demonstrate antagonistic views about SWM, demonstrating an affinity for "Compassionate Conservation". We also found that demographic characteristics of the public can significantly influence attitude, with those respondents who are not vegetarian or religious, who have higher levels of education, or are younger in age being more likely to appreciate the rational science approach of SWM. Our research suggests that conservation organisations may need to adapt their management aims and practices to avoid direct conflict with the rising tide of animal rights sentiment. Furthermore, significant investment will be required to promote science-based conservation in social marketing on all social media platforms to help educate and engage the public with the science behind conservation management. Sustainable wildlife management (SWM) is based on a synergy of traditional/local knowledge, advances in scientific knowledge, and fast-evolving economic and social circumstances. A widely accepted cornerstone of SWM globally is that conservation and utilization need to be effectively integrated, emphasizing the benefits humans can derive from biodiversity, thereby further encouraging people to protect and value wildlife though its management. However, with demand from biological resources growing at an unprecedented rate and the emergence of social media, conservationists must respond quickly to new challenges and conflicts associated with species management and public policy. For example, the rise of the "Compassionate Conservation" (CC) movement, fueled by social marketing and media, which promotes the welfare of individual animals, has introduced a set of challenges for conventional conservation management as it opposes most or all forms of wildlife utilization and hunting. CC advocates are increasingly influential at global and national policy levels; hence, it is imperative that conservationists are informed and aware of the future challenges from a rapidly changing global society. In this paper, we report the findings of a large semi-structured questionnaire in China which investigated the attitude of the urban public toward sustainable wildlife management (SWM) and wildlife conservation across a range of issues and identified the key socio-economic and demographic factor drivers for those attitudes. The survey was conducted from November 2018 to October 2020, across 15 cities randomly selected among China's seven administrative geographic regions. The survey was initially conducted through face-to-face interviews, but later, due to COVID-19 restrictions, was completed via online questionnaires. A Likert seven-point scale method was used to score the public's degree of agreement or disagreement for each question; a multivariate stepwise linear regression method was used to analyze whether the overall attitude of the respondents toward SWM and wildlife conservation was affected by their demographic characteristics; and a classification and regression tree (CART) was used to conduct an in-depth analysis of the issues with negative scores in the questionnaire, so as to understand how the respondents' demographic characteristics affected the public's attitude about such issues, which could supplement results obtained from the multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis. The results show that the public are broadly supportive of SWM, but only moderately so. On issues of "Animal Welfare and Rights," "Wildlife Utilization and Captive Breeding," and "Trophy Hunting", the core concerns of the "Compassionate Conservation" movement and the overall public view are more antagonistic to conventional SWM. We also find specific demographic characteristics significantly influence attitudes about SWM, with vegetarians, those with religious beliefs, and with lower educational standards demonstrating weaker support for SWM. For younger people, "Animal Welfare and Rights" is a special concern, hence, we identify this as a key issue to be addressed for SWM and conservation in the future. Our research suggests that conservation organisations may need to adapt their management aims and practices to avoid direct conflict with the rising tide of animal rights sentiment, especially among the young. Furthermore, significant investment will be required to promote science-based conservation in social marketing on all social media platforms to help educate and engage the public with the science behind conservation management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Global finished cattle and sheep production and prices are becoming increasingly volatile due to various demand, supply, animal disease, and environmental factors. With beef and sheep production systems being globally connected, an approach monitoring the developments of global meat prices as received by producers becomes increasingly important. This paper presents four global price indices for beef and sheep meat based on prices received by livestock producers obtained from 33 beef and 20 sheep producing countries. These indices are: finished cattle, weaner cattle and lambs producer price indices, as well as a lambs and sheep producer price index—all using an internationally standardized approach. These global indices and associated country and regional indices are used to monitor and explain developments in global beef cattle, lambs, and sheep prices over the index period 2000–2019. The global farmgate cattle and sheep prices have been mainly impacted by developments in global supply and demand, as well as changes in international market access. However, factors which are more local in nature, such as droughts, diseases, local economic developments, exchange rates and policy interventions, have also had a considerable impact on price developments. While international beef and sheep meat price developments are usually measured with meat trade prices (provided by FAO), no comparable information exists on world average of national prices that producers receive for livestock. This paper aims to fill this gap by introducing a set of global producer price indices representing cattle, lambs, and sheep prices as received by producers: the agri benchmark of weaner cattle, finished cattle, lambs and lambs and sheep price indices. These Laspeyres, production-weighted indices measure changes in global farm gate prices as provided annually by the agri benchmark Beef and Sheep Network, with this paper covering prices between 2000 and 2019. The results showed that growing Asian imports, local economic developments in South America, the interconnection with the dairy sector in Europe, growth of beef consumption in China and exchange rates shifts are the key factors that drove developments of global beef producer prices over the past 20 years. Droughts in Oceania and the rapid rise in China's sheep meat prices are highly reflected in the Global Lambs and Lambs and Sheep Meat Price indices. The indices indicate whether cattle and sheep producers globally are receiving more, or less, for the commodity and may increase or reduce production and investment accordingly. This will be of more use if there were similar producer price indices for competing enterprises, such as dairy and cropping, and for competing proteins, such as pigs, poultry, and fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In order to ensure we do not speak at cross-purposes, common understandings and definitions are useful. However, there is no universal definition of animal welfare. Structured interviews with a sample of European and Chinese zoo staff aimed to explore their perceptions and understanding of the term 'animal welfare', and the use of animal welfare frameworks in a zoological context. Thematic analysis demonstrated that all interviewees used similar descriptors when discussing animal welfare including describing animal feelings and emotions. Animal welfare frameworks were considered useful across both regions. However, different frameworks were suggested by interviewees in Europe to those in China. Chinese zoo staff expressed the importance of leadership in animal welfare in Chinese zoos. These findings suggest a common understanding of the concept of animal welfare, and the usefulness of animal welfare frameworks across geographically and culturally diverse regions. Universal frameworks for zoo animal welfare have been suggested. However, there is little evidence of a cross-cultural understanding of zoo animal welfare. This paper reports themes emerging from a qualitative study of international (European and Chinese) zoo professionals on zoo animal welfare issues. Structured telephone interviews were conducted with eight Chinese and eight European zoo staff, covering aspects of zoological animal welfare, conservation and zoological husbandry practices. These qualitative data were thematically analysed, and key themes generated. This paper describes three themes relating to 'What is animal welfare' 'Animal welfare frameworks' and 'The human element in animal welfare'. This analysis indicates that the concept of animal welfare has cultural equivalence across Europe and between Europe and China, and that zoo staff are familiar with welfare frameworks. In China, a need for senior leadership and motivating staff to improve animal welfare emerged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: While it is widely believed that feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a dangerous epidemic disease, the prevalence of FIP in Chinese cats is currently unknown. Our findings indicate that the prevalence of FIP in Chinese cats is influenced by age, gender, and breed. We recommend controlling the scale of cat breeding, enhancing cat immunity, and particularly focusing on health management in kittens and continuous monitoring of FIP in cats. To evaluate the overall prevalence of FIP infection in cats in mainland China and associated risk factors, studies on the prevalence of FIP conducted from 1 January 2008 to 20 December 2023 were retrieved from five databases—CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect—and comprehensively reviewed. The 21 studies selected, with a total of 181,014 samples, underwent a rigorous meta-analysis after quality assessment. The results revealed a 2% prevalence of FIP (95% CI: 1–2%) through the random-effects model, showing considerable heterogeneity (I2 = 95.2%). The subsequent subgroup analysis revealed that the age and gender of cats are significant risk factors for FIP infection in mainland China. In order to effectively reduce and control the prevalence of FIP on the Chinese mainland, we suggest improving the immunity of cats, with special attention given to health management in kittens and intact cats, and continuously monitoring FIPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The superfamily Eriophyoidea includes more than 5000 species worldwide and is a group of phytophagous mites that has an important influence on the agricultural economy. Aceria is a rich genus of more than 1000 species that belongs to the family Eriophyidae, which is distributed throughout the whole world. Here, three new species, Aceria bischofiaesp. nov., Aceria cryptocaryaesp. nov., and Aceria buddlejaesp. nov., from Guangxi and Chongqing Province, China (the Oriental realm), are described and illustrated. Three new Aceria species from South China are described and illustrated. Aceria bischofiaesp. nov. was collected on Bischofia javanica Blume (Phyllanthaceae), inducing galls on surfaces of the leaves; Aceria cryptocaryaesp. nov. was collected on Cryptocarya metcalfiana Allen (Lauraceae), causing the formation of erinea on the undersurface of the leaves; and Aceria buddlejaesp. nov. was collected as a vagrant on Buddleja lindleyana Fort. (Scrophulariaceae) leaves, and no symptoms were observed on the host plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Understanding people's attitudes towards animals and their welfare is vitally important to enable governments to set a legal framework that meets people's expectation for the way in which animals are cared for in their community. Little is known about attitudes towards animal welfare in China, the biggest producer of farm animals in the world. We surveyed 1301 people from different Chinese provinces to gauge their attitudes towards animal welfare. We found that high school leavers were more concerned about animal welfare than those who had obtained a university degree. Scientists were less supportive, and artists more supportive, of good animal welfare. Rural dwellers were less concerned about animal welfare than urban residents, with village residents in the middle. Attitudes to animal welfare are not understood well in China, the country with the highest output of farm animals in the world. We surveyed attitudes of the public around China using a team of researchers to conduct individual interviews, with 1301 respondents in total. Contrary to results obtained in several other countries, high school leavers were more concerned about animal welfare than those who had obtained a university degree. We speculate that this may reflect the labour market currently existing in China, with limited opportunities for graduates. Scientists were less supportive, and artists more supportive, of good animal welfare. Urban dwellers were more concerned about animal welfare than rural residents, with village residents in the middle, which confirmed our theory that such a difference prevails in developing countries, where a large proportion of the rural population are involved in agriculture. It is concluded that education level, occupation and living place all have pronounced influences on attitudes to animal welfare in China, some of which follow international trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Monitoring microplastics (MPs) in cetaceans is challenging due to difficulties in obtaining samples, especially for endangered species. In this study, we characterized MPs ingested in nine individuals of four cetacean species stranded along the western coast of the Taiwan Strait including not only small coastal dolphins but also large pelagic and deep-diving cetaceans. A total intestine length of 123.2 m was analyzed, and the color, shape, size, and polymer types of MPs were then identified. The mean abundance of MPs was 86.44 ± 12.22 items individual−1, which was slightly higher compared with the same species from other waters worldwide. Moreover, a strong significant relationship between MPs abundance and intestine contents mass was identified. Transparent, fibrous MPs made from PET and PP were found to be predominant in the present study, indicating that the primary MPs source is from municipal and industrial sewage from clothing production and industry as well as from fisheries and aquaculture. Our study provides more information about the MPs pollution of endangered species in the western Taiwan Strait. It highlights the further risk assessment of MPs consumption in these threatened species. Microplastics (MPs) pollution is of global concern, which poses serious threats to various marine organisms, including many threatened apex predators. In this study, MPs were investigated from nine cetaceans of four different species, comprising one common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), two pygmy sperm whales (Kogia breviceps), one ginkgo-toothed beaked whale (Mesoplodon ginkgodens), and five Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) stranded along the western coast of the Taiwan Strait from the East China Sea based on Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis. Mean abundances of 778 identified MPs items were 86.44 ± 12.22 items individual−1 and 0.43 ± 0.19 items g−1 wet weight of intestine contents, which were found predominantly to be transparent, fiber-shaped polyethylene terephthalate (PET) items usually between 0.5 and 5 mm. The abundance of MPs was found at a slightly higher level and significantly correlated with intestine contents mass (p = 0.0004*). The MPs source was mainly likely from synthetic fibers-laden sewage discharged from intense textile industries. Our report represents the first study of MPs in pelagic and deep-diving cetaceans in China, which not only adds baseline data on MPs for cetaceans in Asian waters but also highlights the further risk assessment of MPs consumption in these threatened species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study addresses the concern of managing and coexisting with community cats in urban areas. The study was conducted in urban China through a survey involving 5382 participants. It explores the residents' perceptions of the general health of community cats and the relationships between humans and these feline inhabitants. The findings show that about 70% of participants considered all or most of the community cats to be in good health, and about 60% reported harmonious or non-conflict coexistence. It was found that residents' relationships with community cats were associated with socio-demographic factors such as education, marital status, and income level. The study highlights the importance of customized approaches to cat management in various cities and communities. This provides useful information for stakeholders to create efficient policies and interventions for the welfare of the community cats and the people who live alongside them. The management and coexistence of community cats in urban areas is a growing concern amid global urbanization. Through a survey-based investigation, we examine the residents' perceptions of the general health of community cats and human-cat relationships in urban China. The data from 5382 participants revealed that approximately 70% of participants perceived community cats as being in good health, and 60% reported harmonious or non-conflict coexistence between residents and these cats. Around 45% of the participants rescued or helped community cats, 38% expressed their intention to adopt, and 18% complained about the issues of community cats to management staff. Linear, logistic, and multilevel-logistic regressions were employed to examine the associations between the types of cities and communities or the participants' socio-demographics and the perceived well-being of community cats or human-cat relationships. The results show that the cats in fourth-tier cities (e.g., county-level cities) had poorer living conditions than in first-tier cities (e.g., Beijing), while the cats in urban village communities (e.g., villages in the city) were less likely to exhibit good health than in ordinary commercial housing communities. The results also show that socio-demographic variables, such as educational attainment, marital status, and income level, predicted participants' relationships with community cats. This study is the first of its kind. It provides valuable insights for stakeholders to develop effective policies and interventions on cat management, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies in diverse urban settings and populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Since 2010, the highly pathogenic variants of PEDV have spread widely around the world, posing a huge threat to the pig industry. The lack of an efficient vaccine at present makes it challenging to prevent PEDV from spreading throughout China. In this review, we outline the etiology, epidemiology, and antigenicity of PEDV and propose control strategies. We hope to provide basic information for an understanding of PEDV etiology and the formulation of effective control measures. Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a porcine enteric coronavirus, which is one of the main causative agents of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), with 100% morbidity and 80–100% mortality in neonatal piglets. Since 2010, large-scale PED caused by highly pathogenic variants of PEDV has occurred successively in China and other countries in the world, posing a great threat to the global pig industry. It has been demonstrated in many investigations that the classic attenuated vaccine strain, PEDV CV777, is insufficient to fully protect against the PEDV variants. Moreover, the maternally derived antibodies elicited by inactivated vaccines also cannot completely protect piglets from infection. In addition, feedback feeding poses a risk of periodic PEDV recurrence in pig farms, making it challenging to successfully limit the spread of PEDV in China. This review focuses on the etiology, epidemiology, antigenicity, and control strategies of PEDV in China and provides information for the formulation of effective control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The critically endangered Siberian crane (Grus leucogeranus) relies on Poyang Lake's wetlands in China for wintering. Rapid changes in these wetlands, driven by climate shifts and human activities, affect habitat and food availability for these birds. Our study investigated Poyang Lake's hydrological dynamics over the past two decades and assessed the impact of related variables on crane populations. Employing advanced modeling, we predicted how varying water levels influence suitable habitats for Siberian cranes. Our findings revealed that a summer-inundated area exerted a notable influence on population fluctuations in crane species in the natural habitats of Poyang Lake. The scarcity of food, resulting from summer floods, compels cranes to adapt by exploring alternative food sources and new foraging grounds, including artificial habitats. During the dry season, the size of the inundated area primarily impacts the food availability for Siberian cranes, thereby influencing both their population size and distribution pattern, and a moderate water level of 8–10 m provides the highest amount of good habitat. Persistent winter droughts exacerbate the unsuitability of habitats, and the shortage of food in natural habitats may become a recurring occurrence in the future. This study emphasizes the importance of managing both natural and artificial habitats to support Siberian crane conservation amid environmental changes. To assess the Siberian crane (Grus leucogeranus)'s response to changing water levels and habitat quality at Poyang Lake, we analyzed the lake's hydrological trends over the past two decades with the Mann-Kendall and Sen slope methods. Additionally, we explored the link between the crane population size and hydrological conditions at the lake from 2011 to 2019. Meanwhile, five environmental factors, including habitat type, distance from shallow lakes, human footprint index, elevation and normalized vegetation index were selected, and the distribution patterns of suitable habitats for the Siberian crane under 10 water level gradients with intervals of about 1 m (5.3–14.2 m) were simulated by using an improved habitat suitability index model that determines the weights of evaluating factors based on the MaxEnt model. The results showed that the overall trend of the inundated area in Poyang Lake was shrinking in the last 20 years, with a significant increase in the area of exposed floodland during the early wintering period (Z = −2.26). The prolonged drought resulting from this will force vegetation succession, thereby diminishing the food resources for cranes in their natural habitat. The mean inundated area in June demonstrated a significant negative correlation with the population of Siberian cranes in natural habitats (r = −0.75, p = 0.02). Shortage of the Siberian crane-preferred Vallisneria tuber due to June flooding was the primary driver of the crane's altered foraging strategy and habitat shift. In years with relatively normal June inundation, indicating abundant Vallisneria resources, the relationship between the inundated area during the dry season and the crane population fit well, with a quadratic curve (R2 = 0.92, p = 0.02). The dry season's inundated area primarily affected the crane population and distribution pattern by influencing the availability of food resources, and both excessive and insufficient inundation areas were unfavorable for crane survival. The modeling results for habitat suitability indicated that as the water level decreased, the trend of the area of good habitat for the Siberian crane showed an inverted bell shape, peaking at a water level of 8.8 m, with optimal conditions occurring between 8 and 10 m. The combined effects of climate and human activities have made the shortage of food resources in Poyang Lake the new normal. The degradation of natural habitats has led to a decline in the quality of Siberian crane habitats, and artificial habitats can only be used as refuges to a certain extent. Thus, formulating strategies to restore natural habitats and enhance the management of artificial habitats is crucial for the conservation efforts of Siberian cranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The production of artificially farmed bullfrogs in China is limited by the low metamorphosis rate of tadpoles. This study investigated the effects of different doses (0 g/kg, 1.5 g/kg, 3 g/kg, 4.5 g/kg, and 6 g/kg) of thyroid powder added to the diets on the metamorphosis and growth of bullfrog tadpoles. The results showed that 4.5 g/kg of thyroid powder could significantly increase the metamorphosis rate and weight gain rate of tadpoles, while adding 6 g/kg of thyroid powder could increase the average weight of tadpoles during metamorphosis. In addition, both doses of thyroid powder could promote the fat breakdown metabolism of tadpoles and alter the intestinal microbiota composition (increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria, especially Akkermansia). In summary, appropriate doses of thyroid powder could promote the metamorphosis and growth of tadpoles, and might be used to solve the problem of the low metamorphosis rate of bullfrogs. A low metamorphosis rate of amphibian larvae, commonly known as tadpoles, limits the farming production of bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeiana). This study aimed to examine the effects of processed thyroid powder as a feed additive on tadpole metamorphosis, lipid metabolism, and gut microbiota. Five groups of tadpoles were fed with diets containing 0 g/kg (TH0), 1.5 g/kg (TH1.5), 3 g/kg (TH3), 4.5 g/kg (TH4.5), and 6 g/kg (TH6) thyroid powder for 70 days. The results showed that TH increased the average weight of tadpoles during metamorphosis, with the TH6 group having the highest values. The TH4.5 group had the highest metamorphosis rate (p < 0.05). Biochemical tests and Oil Red O staining showed that the lipid (triglyceride) content in the liver decreased after TH supplementation, especially at doses higher than 1.5 g/kg. RT-qPCR revealed that TH at doses higher than 4.5 g/kg significantly up-regulated the transcriptional expression of the pparα, accb, fas, fadd6, acadl, and lcat genes, which are related to lipid metabolism (p < 0.05). These results showed that TH seems to simultaneously promote the synthesis and decomposition of lipid and fatty acids, but ultimately show a decrease in lipids. As for the gut microbiota, it is noteworthy that Verrucomicrobia increased significantly in the TH4.5 and TH6 groups, and the Akkermansia (classified as Verrucomicrobia) was the corresponding genus, which is related to lipid metabolism. Specifically, the metabolic pathways of the gut microbiota were mainly enriched in metabolic-related functions (such as lipid metabolism), and there were significant differences in metabolic and immune pathways between the TH4.5 and TH0 groups (p < 0.05). In summary, TH may enhance lipid metabolism by modulating the gut microbiota (especially Akkermansia), thereby promoting the growth of tadpoles. Consequently, a supplementation of 4.5 g/kg or 6 g/kg of TH is recommended for promoting the metamorphosis and growth of tadpoles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Gut microbiota is diverse and complex and is a key environmental factor affecting the immune homeostasis of the host. The results showed significant differences in gut microbiota community structures between semi-free-range and captive red-crowned cranes. Comparing the differences in gut microbiota function and composition of captive and semi-free-range red-crowned cranes is critical for conservation management and policy making, as well as the projects focusing on the release of captive red-crowned cranes into the wild. The wild populations of red-crowned cranes (Grus japonensis) in west China are gradually decreasing, necessitating the optimization of reintroduction measures. This study used 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology to compare the gut microbiota communities of cranes living in two modes (captive and semi-free-range) before their reintroduction in Zhalong National Nature Reserve, Heilongjiang Province, China. The results showed that Proteobacteria (74.39%) and Firmicutes (25.29%) were the dominant gut bacterial phyla inhabiting these cranes. Significant differences were found in the gut microbiota community composition between semi-free-range and captive cranes (p < 0.01). Psychrobacter, Sporosarcina, and Lactococcus were significantly enriched in captive cranes (p < 0.05), while Pseudomonadaceae_Pseudomonas, Pantoea, Lysobacter, and Enterobacteriaceae_Pseudomonas were more abundant in semi-free-range cranes (p < 0.05). The functions and community structure of gut microbiota were affected by feeding patterns (p < 0.05). The metabolic pathways of ethylbenzene degradation, PPAR signaling pathway, betalain biosynthesis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and shigellosis were up-regulated in semi-free-range cranes (p < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The authors present a preliminary analysis of caprine remains from 70 burials at Dunping, a burial site associated with Bronze-Age pastoralists in northwestern China and featured by the interment of skulls and hooves of domestic ungulates in burial contexts. The minimal impact of weathering on the skeletal elements and the attachment of atlases in skulls suggest that the caprines chosen for burial may have been slaughtered on-site, and that the inhumation of the caprine skulls and hooves occurred shortly after their death. It is likely that the remaining carcasses of the caprines were consumed by or distributed among funeral participants. The mortality profiles indicate the presence of caprines across various age stages at the site, with individuals aged 6–12 months accounting for the largest proportion. This pattern differed from those observed in contemporaneous pastoral societies in the regions nearby. The late second and first millennium BC witnessed extensive economic, cultural, and political exchanges between pastoralists and sedentary farming states in East Asia. Decades of archaeological fieldwork across northern China have revealed a large number of burial sites associated with pastoralists during the first millennium BC. These sites were characterized by the inhumation of specific animal parts in burials, predominantly the skulls and hooves of sheep, goats, cattle, and horses. However, the selection preference for these animals and how they were integrated into the mortuary contexts of these pastoral societies remain poorly investigated. Here, we report a preliminary analysis of caprine remains from 70 burials at the site of Dunping in the southern Gansu region of northwestern China, dated to approximately the seventh to fourth centuries BC. Based on an examination of species composition, post-depositional effects, traces of human alteration, skeletal element representation, and age at death, we discussed the selection, slaughtering, and inhumation of caprines concerning the mortuary practices at the site. Comparisons between Dunping and several other contemporaneous burial sites in neighboring regions, specifically in terms of the mortality profiles, further highlight distinct patterns in the selection of caprines for mortuary purposes among pastoral societies. These differences suggest varying degrees of emphasis placed on the economic and social significance attributed to caprines. Our findings provide new insights into the roles that caprines played in both ritual performances and subsistence practices among pastoralists in East Asia during the first millennium BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Northwest China is characterized by unique geological and historical dynamics and endemic biota, but the joint influence of geography and past climate changes on the evolutionary history of endemic animals is poorly understood. We used two mtDNA genes (ND4 and Cytb) and ecological niche modeling (ENM) to explore how the Quaternary climatic fluctuations and complex geography in Northwest China have shaped genetic diversity, genetic structure, and demographic history of the Alashan pit viper (Gloydius cognatus). Our results clearly show that the lineage diversification of G. cognatus is related to the expansions of deserts and/or the early Pleistocene integration of the Yellow River. The strong spatial genetic structure fits an isolation-by-distance model. The signature of demographic and range contractions during the last glacial maximum (LGM) is rejected by both mitochondrial evidence and ENM. In addition, the suitable habitat of G. cognatus is predicted to be decreased in the future, suggesting that conservation and management of evolutionary significant units (ESUs) should be a priority. Our findings provide the first insights on the evolutionary history of G. cognatus in arid Northwest China and adjacent areas throughout the Quaternary. The joint impacts of historical geological events and Quaternary climatic oscillations in Northwest China on species evolution have been examined extensively in plant under a phylogeographic perspective. However, animal phylogeographic analyses in this region are still limited. The Alashan pit viper, Gloydius cognatus, occurs primarily in arid Northwest China and adjacent areas. Based on variation at two mtDNA genes (ND4 and Cytb) in 27 individuals representing 24 populations, the spatial genetic structure and demographic history of G. cognatus were examined across its geographic range. Phylogenetic analyses revealed two well-supported allopatric clades (each with two distinct subclades/lineages), distributed across the southern (Qaidam Basin, Lanzhou Basin, and Zoige Basin [S1]; Loess Plateau [S2]) and northern (Ily Basin [N1]; Junggar Basin and Mongolian Plateau [N2]) regions. AMOVA analysis demonstrated that over 76% of the observed genetic variation was related to these lineage splits, indicating substantial genetic differentiation among the four lineages. A strong pattern of isolation-by-distance across the sampling populations suggested that geographic distance principally shaped the genetic structure. The four lineages diverged by 0.9–2.2% for the concatenated data, which were estimated to have coalesced ~1.17 million years ago (Mya), suggesting that the expansions of the Badain Jaran, Tengger, and Mu Us deserts during the Xixiabangma glaciation likely interrupted gene flow and triggered the observed divergence in the southern and northern regions. Subsequently, the early Pleistocene integration of the Yellow River and associated deserts expansion promoted the differentiation of S1 and S2 lineages (~0.9 Mya). Both mitochondrial evidence and ecological niche modeling (ENM) reject the signature of demographic and range contractions during the LGM for G. cognatus. In addition, ENM predicts that the suitable habitat of G. cognatus will contract in the future. As such, the conservation and management of ESUs should be a priority. Our findings provide the first insights on the lineage diversification and population dynamics of the Alashan pit viper in relation to geological history and Pleistocene climatic oscillations in arid Northwest China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Brachymystax tsinlingensis Li has become an endangered species due to human activities and habitat degradation. However, little is known about the genes regulating its gonadal development. This study presents a high-quality gonadal transcriptome of B. tsinlingensis Li. A total of 22,864 differentially expressed genes between male and female were identified. Numerous sex-related differentially expressed genes, such as ccnb1, zp3, bmp15, dmrt1, and psmc3ip, were identified. Some signaling pathways involved in gonadal development, such as genes involved in base excision repair, the notch signaling pathway, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, the VEGF signaling pathway, and the estrogen signaling pathway, were found to be enriched through analysis using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. Our results provide molecular data to support a better understanding of sexual development in B. tsinlingensis Li. Brachymystax tsinlingensis Li is an endangered cold-water salmonid fish native to China. This study aimed to identify sex-related genes and biological pathways via gonadal transcriptome sequencing of B. tsinlingensis Li. A total of 167,904 unigenes were identified with an average length of 836 bp and an N50 of 1452 bp, of which 84,977 (50.61%) unigenes were successfully annotated in six major databases. Comparative transcriptome analysis identified 22,864 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 17,231 were up-regulated (male-biased genes, mDEGs) and 5633 were down-regulated (female-biased genes, fDEGs). Several DEGs associated with gonadal development were found through Gene Ontology enrichment analysis, such as ccnb1, zp3, bmp15, dmrt1, and psmc3ip. Signaling pathways related to gonadal development were found to be enriched through analysis using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Pathway database, such as genes involves in base excision repair, the notch signaling pathway, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, the VEGF signaling pathway, and the estrogen signaling pathway. In addition, mRNA expression levels of 19 DEGs were determined to validate the reliability of the transcriptomic data by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. These results revealed genes and signaling pathways potentially involved in gonadal development in B. tsinlingensis Li and provided basic molecular data for future research on reproductive regulation and breeding of B. tsinlingensis Li. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The meat production of beef cattle is a major economic factor that is closely linked to body conformation traits. Qinchuan cattle are a local breed in China with a unique flavor. However, meat production needs improvement compared to commercial breeds. In this study, we selected 254 individuals, measured 14 phenotypic data points, and used genome-wide association analysis to identify loci and genes closely related to these traits. In total, we identified 250 suggestive loci and 37 candidate genes. These genetic markers will aid in the exploration of traits for Qinchuan cattle and provide a reference for breeding. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) is an effective tool for identifying the dominant genes of complex economic traits in livestock by statistical analysis of genotype data and measured phenotype data. In this study, we rigorously measured 14 body conformation traits in 254 Qinchuan cattle, comprising body weight (BW), body height (BOH), back height (BAH), buttock height (BUH), chest depth (CD), chest width (CW), hip cross height (HCH), body length (BL), hip width (HW), rump length (RL), pin bone width (PBW), chest girth (CG), abdomen circumference (AG), and calf circumference (CC). After quality control, 281,889 SNPs were generated for GWAS with different traits. A total of 250 suggestive SNPs (p < 3.54 × 10−6) were screened and 37 candidate genes were annotated. Furthermore, we performed a linkage disequilibrium analysis of SNP loci and considered published studies, identifying the eight genes (ADAMTS17, ALDH1A3, CHSY1, MAGEL2, MEF2A, SYNM, CNTNAP5, and CTNNA3) most likely to be involved in growth traits. This study provides new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of bovine body size development, which can be very useful in the development of management and breeding strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: To date, few studies in China and abroad have investigated the utilization of daylily. Currently, there is no literature on the evaluation of the feed utilization value of daylily. By using biological fermentation technology, we developed a formula for replacing corn silage with daylily as a feed source for Tan sheep by analyzing coated silage production, diet formulation optimization, growth performance indicators, slaughter performance indicators, carcass quality, and blood biochemical indicators. Based on the feeding test and safety evaluation, the effect of daylily silage on the growth performance and slaughter performance of Tan sheep was evaluated, and the significance of daylily for feed utilization was determined, which provided a scientific basis for further scientific and rational utilization of daylily stems and leaves as feed resources. The shortage of high-quality coarse feed resources is the main factor that restricts the development of animal husbandry in many developing countries. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of replacing corn silage with daylily silage on the growth performance, slaughter performance, blood biochemical indicators, meat quality, and muscle amino acid composition of Tan sheep. A total of 72 healthy Tan sheep were randomly assigned to four groups. In each group, 0%, 20%, 40%, and 60% of corn silage were replaced with daylily silage (denoted as CON, HC20, HC40, and HC60, respectively). Tan sheep fed with daylily silage showed no significant adverse effects on their growth performance, meat quality, and muscle amino acid composition (p > 0.05). Some increase was observed in the carcass fat content value (GR-value, p < 0.05), thickness of backfat (p < 0.05), and the blood urea level (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that the utilization of daylily silage instead of whole-plant corn silage has no adverse effects on the growth performance and meat quality of Tan sheep, thus indicating that it can partially replace whole-plant corn feed as a feed resource for Tan sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The swordtip squid (Uroteuthis edulis) is both of commercial and ecological importance and vital in the coastal China ecosystem. However, the limited ecological research requires further investigations into its habitat preferences. To address this, we studied how the habitat of U. edulis varies and what environmental factors drive its movements across different seasons in the East China Sea (ECS) and southern Yellow Sea. The study found that U. edulis predominantly inhabited the central and southern regions of the ECS, with a slight shift in the geometric center of its habitat across seasons. The preferences for sea surface temperature, sea surface height, and depth were the primary factors affecting its distribution. During summer and autumn, the suitable habitats of U. edulis were larger and expanded northwards towards the coastline, but in spring and winter, they retreated southwards to waters near the edge of the ECS continental shelf. These patterns are likely influenced by the changing mixture of ocean currents and varying environmental conditions throughout the year. This study provides valuable insight into how U. edulis is distributed in response to the changing environment, which can help to better manage and protect their populations. Accurately modeling the distribution of keystone species is of utmost importance to gain a comprehensive understanding of their complex ecological dynamics and to develop effective strategies for sustainable scientific management. In the coastal China ecosystem, the swordtip squid (Uroteuthis edulis) stands out as a keystone species with significant commercial and ecological value. Despite its importance, research on the ecological dynamics of this species remains limited and requires further investigation. To investigate the spatial and temporal variability in the distribution of U. edulis and identify the key environmental drivers in the East China Sea (ECS) and southern Yellow Sea across different seasons, we generated ensemble models using oceanographic variables and fishery-independent scientific survey data collected from 2016 to 2018. Our results revealed that U. edulis predominantly inhabited the central and southern regions of the ECS throughout the year. The primary environmental variables driving its distribution varied by season, with the sea surface temperature being the most important in spring, sea surface height in summer and autumn, and depth in winter. During summer and autumn, the suitable habitats of U. edulis were found to be largest and extended northwards towards the coastline. However, they migrated southwards to the waters near the edge of the ECS continental shelf with smaller suitable areas in the spring and winter. These results suggested that U. edulis exhibited season-specific habitat preferences and responded to changing environmental conditions throughout the year. The observed seasonal distribution patterns were likely influenced by the fluctuating mixture of waters (ocean currents) from different sources, with varying physical and chemical characteristics throughout the year. Our study provides baseline data for comprehending the population dynamics of U. edulis and highlights the significance of considering species' habitat preferences in a dynamic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Lipid is an important research topic in geese, and glucose metabolism is inevitably closely related to lipid metabolism. The liver is usually used as the study material in lipid and glucose metabolism. At present, chicken, duck, and goose are the three most widely farmed poultry species around the world, and while there is a wealth of research on lipid and glucose metabolism in the livers of chickens, studies on the liver of domestic geese remain relatively limited. In this study, we studied the liver transcriptome difference between Yili geese with a low body lipid content and their hybrid geese to analyze the differentially expressed genes in the livers using RNA-seq technology, and identified genes related to lipid and glucose metabolism, including ELOVL6, ACOT7, ADCY10, DGAT1, DHCR24, HMGCR, FDFT1, ENO2, G6PC3, and other genes. The results reveal differences in lipid and glucose metabolism in the liver of two types of geese and provide a theoretical basis for the development of methods to modulate lipid metabolism by gene regulations. The Yili goose is the only indigenous goose breed that originates from Anser anser in China, known for its adaptability, strong flying ability, and tender meat with a low body lipid content. The liver plays a crucial role in lipid and glucose metabolism, including the intake, secretion, transportation, and storage of fatty acids (FAs). In this study, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) technology was performed to analyze the liver differentially expressed genes of Yili geese and their hybrid geese to investigate differences in liver lipid and glucose metabolism. A total of 452 differentially expressed genes (Q-value < 0.05) were identified. Notably, in KEGG enrichment analysis, four pathways (Q-value < 0.05) were enriched to be associated with lipid and glucose metabolism, including the metabolic pathway, PI3K–Akt signaling pathway, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and steroid biosynthesis. This study provides insights into potential candidate genes and metabolic pathways that affect the liver lipid metabolism of Yili goose. These findings provide a better understanding of animal liver lipid deposition and metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Regarding a better understanding of the process of changes in the digestive physiological state of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) and the distribution of digestive enzymes, it will provide data to support common problems during yellowfin tuna culture. For yellowfin tuna, the digestive state affects the measure of yellowfin tuna's physical health and plays a crucial relationship to its ontogeny in terms of nutrition and immune regulation. However, there are fewer studies on the digestive physiological state of farmed yellowfin tuna in China. In the present study, a control salinity of 32‰ and an experimental salinity of 29‰ in natural seawater were treated for 48 h under abrupt salinity change to identify the digestive enzyme activities in different tissues (stomach, foregut, and pyloric cecum) at different times (0 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h). The results of the study will provide data to support the aquaculture process of juvenile yellowfin tuna. This study investigates the effect of a sudden change in salinity for 48 h on the digestive enzyme activity of juvenile yellowfin tuna. The treatment included a control salinity of 32‰ in natural seawater and an experimental salinity of 29‰. Acute stress experiments were carried out on 72 juvenile yellowfin tuna (646.52 ± 66.32 g) for 48 h to determine changes in digestive enzyme activity in different intestinal sections over time (0 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h). The activities of pepsin, trypsin, α-amylase, lipase, and chymotrypsin in the digestive organs (stomach, foregut, and pyloric ceca) of juvenile yellowfin tuna were measured. Pepsin and pancreatic protease in the experimental group were significantly lower than in the control group (p < 0.05). α-amylase showed a fluctuating trend of decreasing and then increasing, and its activity trend was pyloric ceca > foregut > stomach. The lipase activity of gastric tissues decreased at the beginning and then increased, reaching a minimum at 24 h (2.74 ± 1.99 U·g protein−1). The change of lipase in the pyloric ceca and foregut was increasing and then decreasing. The lipase activity trend was pyloric ceca > foregut > stomach. The chymotrypsin showed a decreasing and increasing trend and then stabilized at 48 h with a pattern of pyloric ceca > foregut > stomach. Similarly, the gut villi morphology was not significantly altered in the acutely salinity-stressed compared to the non-salinity-stressed. This study suggests that salinity may change the digestive function of juvenile yellowfin tuna, thereby affecting fish feeding, growth, and development. On the contrary, yellowfin tuna is highly adapted to 29‰ salinity. However, excessive stress may negatively affect digestive enzyme activity and reduce fish digestibility. This study may provide a scientific basis for a coastal aquaculture water environment for yellowfin tuna farming, which may guide the development and cultivation of aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]