Comparative proteomics in captive giant pandas to identify proteins involved in age-related cataract formation.

Approximately 20% of aged captive giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) have cataracts that impair their quality of life. To identify potential biomarkers of cataract formation, we carried out a quantitative proteomics analysis of 10 giant pandas to find proteins differing in abundance between healthy and cataract-bearing animals. We identified almost 150 proteins exceeding our threshold for differential abundance, most of which were associated with GO categories related to extracellular localization.

Gut microbiota of skywalker hoolock gibbons (Hoolock tianxing) from different habitats and in captivity: Implications for gibbon health.

The gut microbiota plays an integral role in the metabolism and immunity of animal hosts, and provides insights into the health and habitat assessment of threatened animals. The skywalker hoolock gibbon (Hoolock tianxing) is a newly described gibbon species, and is considered an endangered species. Here, we used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to describe the fecal bacterial community of skywalker hoolock gibbons from different habitats and in captivity.

The gut microbiota of gibbons across host genus and captive site in China.

Gut microbiota influences nutrient metabolism and immunity of animal hosts. Better understanding of the composition and diversity of gut microbiota contributes to conservation and management of threatened animals both in situ and ex situ. In this study, we applied 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to evaluate the composition and diversity of the fecal bacterial community of four gibbon genera (Family Hylobatidae) at four Chinese zoos.

Characterization of the Gut Microbiome and Resistomes of Wild and Zoo-Captive Macaques.

Rhesus macaques () are the most widely distributed species of Old World monkey and are frequently used as animal models to study human health and disease. Their gastrointestinal microbial community likely plays a major role in their physiology, ecology and evolution. Herein, we compared the fecal microbiome and antibiotic resistance genes in 15 free-ranging and 81 zoo-captive rhesus macaques sampled from two zoos in China, using both 16S amplicon sequencing and whole genome shotgun DNA sequencing approaches.

A novel missense mutation in the HSF4 gene of giant pandas with senile congenital cataracts.

Cataracts are a common cause of visual impairment and blindness in mammals. They are usually associated with aging, but approximately one third of cases have a significant genetic component. Cataracts are increasingly prevalent among aging populations of captive giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and it is therefore important to identify genetic determinants that influence the likelihood of cataract development in order to distinguish between congenital and age-related disease.

A novel missense mutation in the gene encoding major intrinsic protein (MIP) in a Giant panda with unilateral cataract formation.

Background: Cataracts are defects of the lens that cause progressive visual impairment and ultimately blindness in many vertebrate species. Most cataracts are age-related, but up to one third have an underlying genetic cause. Cataracts are common in captive zoo animals, but it is often unclear whether these are congenital or acquired (age-related) lesions.

Genome-wide analysis of methylation in giant pandas with cataract by methylation-dependent restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (MethylRAD).

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a native species to China. They are rare and endangered and are regarded as the 'national treasure' and 'living fossil' in China. For the time being, there are only about 2500 giant pandas in the world.

Next-generation sequencing yields the complete mitogenome of wattled crane ().

In this study, the complete mitogenome sequence of wattled crane () has been decoded by next-generation sequencing and genome assembly. The assembled mitogenome, consisting of 16,679 bp, has unique 14 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs and 2 ribosomal RNAs genes. The complete mitogenome provides essential and important DNA molecular data for further phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis for wattled crane phylogeny.

Next-generation sequencing yields the complete mitogenome of red-crowned crane ().

In this study, the complete mitogenome sequence of red-crowned crane () has been decoded by next-generation sequencing and genome assembly. The assembled mitogenome, consisting of 16,727 bp, has unique 14 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs, and two ribosomal RNAs genes. The complete mitogenome provides essential and important DNA molecular data for further phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis for red-crowned crane phylogeny.

[A long distance colonization event of Chinese endemic bat Myotis davidii].

In order to reveal the population phylogenetic relationships and colonization history of Chinese endemic bat species Myotis davidii, a total of 126 samples from 14 populations in nationwide were collected in 2001-2009, taking the mitochondrial control region as the molecular marker. Based on the TCS network diagram of the mitochondrial DNA control region sequences, the 14 geographical populations were divided into three geographical regions, i.e.

Variation in the resting frequency of Rhinolophus pusillus in Mainland China: effect of climate and implications for conservation.

This study describes variation patterns in the constant frequency of echolocation calls emitted at rest and when not flying ("resting frequency" RF) of the least horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus pusillus, on a broad geographical scale and in response to local climatic variables. Significant differences in RF were observed among populations throughout the species range in Mainland China, and this variation was positively and significantly related to climate conditions, especially environmental humidity, but the variability was only weakly associated with geographical distance. Sex dimorphism in the RF of R.

Pleistocene glacial cycle effects on the phylogeography of the Chinese endemic bat species, Myotis davidii.

Background: Global climatic oscillations, glaciation cycles and the unique geographic topology of China have profoundly influenced species population distributions. In most species, contemporary distributions of populations cannot be fully understood, except in a historical context. Complex patterns of Pleistocene glaciations, as well as other physiographic changes have influenced the distribution of bat species in China.