Metagenomics Analysis Reveals the Composition and Functional Differences of Fecal Microbiota in Wild, Farm, and Released Chinese Three-Keeled Pond Turtles ().

The intestine of living organisms harbors different microbiota associated with the biological functioning and health of the host and influences the process of ecological adaptation. Here, we studied the intestinal microbiota's composition and functional differences using 16S rRNA and metagenomic analysis in the wild, farm, and released Chinese three-keeled pond turtle (). At the phylum level, Bacteroidota dominated, followed by Firmicutes, Fusobacteriota, and Actinobacteriota in the wild group, but Chloroflexi was more abundant in the farm and released groups.

Microhabitat characteristics of the critically endangered big-headed turtle .

Understanding the microhabitat requirements of an animal is vital for ensuring the success of targeted conservation and microhabitat restoration measures. The big-headed turtle () is a freshwater species that is distributed across Southeast Asia. Owing to the human threats posed by illegal pet trade and overharvesting for food and medicinal purposes, the species has undergone rapid decline.

Habitat Selection and Home Range of Reeves' Turtle () in Qichun County, Hubei Province, China.

Habitat selection and range are crucial factors in understanding the life history of species. We tracked 23 adult wild Reeves' turtles () from August 2021 to August 2022 in Qichun County, Hubei Province, China, to study their habitat selection, home range, and the characteristics of chosen habitats. Significant differences were observed in aquatic habitats, regarding shelter cover ( = -6.

Hibernation in Reeves' Turtles () in Qichun County, Hubei Province, China: Hibernation Beginning and End and Habitat Selection.

Hibernation protects turtles from extreme winter conditions. Reeves' turtle () is a medium-sized aquatic turtle that lives in freshwater habitats in lowland areas with still or slowly moving water. Currently, little is known regarding its overwintering behavior.

Sexual Dimorphism in the Chinese Endemic Species (Urodela: Hynobiidae).

Sexual dimorphism is common in most vertebrate species and has diverse manifestations. The study of sexual dimorphism has critical significance for evolutionary biological and ecological adaptation. In this study, we analysed the morphometric data of , a rare and endangered species, to examine sexual dimorphism in size and shape.

Home-site fidelity and homing behavior of the big-headed turtle .

Site fidelity refers to the restriction of dispersal distance of an animal and its tendency to return to a stationary site. To our knowledge, the homing ability of freshwater turtles and their fidelity is reportedly very low in Asia. We examined mark-recapture data spanning a 4-year period in Diaoluoshan National Nature Reserve, Hainan Province, China, to investigate the site fidelity and homing behavior of big-headed turtles .

DNA barcoding revises a misidentification on mossy frog: new record and distribution extension of Theloderma corticale Boulenger, 1903 (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae).

As an endangered animal group, mossy frog (genus Theloderma) has attracted the attention of biologists and wildlife conservationists. Clarifying the taxonomic status and distribution of each species in Theloderma is important to determine the conservation status for each species, establish appropriate conservation strategies and probe the speciation process. Recently, we discovered a medium-sized species of mossy frog of the genus Theloderma in April 2015 during municipal surveys of amphibians in Dayao Mountain of Jinxiu.