Complete mitochondrial genome of black-shanked douc langurs () and its phylogenetic analysis.

In this study, we first characterized the complete mitogenome of , and analysed its phylogenetic status. The circular mitogenome was 16,534 bp in length, and contained 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and one non-coding control region (D-loop). These genes except ND6 and 8 tRNA genes were encoded on the H-strand.

Genetic characterisation and phylogenetic status of whipworms (Trichuris spp.) from captive non-human primates in China, determined by nuclear and mitochondrial sequencing.

Background: Whipworms (Nematoda: Trichuridae), among the most common soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), can cause the socioeconomically important disease trichuriasis in various mammalian hosts including humans and non-human primates. For many years, Trichuris from non-human primates has been assigned to the same species as the one infecting humans Trichuris trichiura. More recently, several molecular reports challenged this assumption following recognition of a Trichuris species complex observed in humans and non-human primates.

Divergence of Fecal Microbiota and Their Associations With Host Phylogeny in Cervinae.

Gastrointestinal microbiota may shape the adaptation of their hosts to different habitats and lifestyles, thereby driving their evolutionary diversification. It remains unknown if gastrointestinal microbiota diverge in congruence with the phylogenetic relationships of their hosts. To evaluate the phylosymbiotic relationships, here we analyzed the compositions of fecal microbiota of seven Cervinae species raised in the Chengdu Zoo.

Diarrhea-Associated Intestinal Microbiota in Captive Sichuan Golden Snub-Nosed Monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana).

Diarrhea is often associated with marked alterations in the intestinal microbiota, termed dysbiosis; however, limited information is currently available on the intestinal microbiota in captive golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) with diarrhea. We herein characterized the fecal microbiota in diarrhea and healthy monkeys using the Illumina MiSeq platform. The concentrations of fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and copy numbers of virulence factor genes were also assessed using gas chromatography and quantitative PCR (qPCR), respectively.

Microbial Biogeography Along the Gastrointestinal Tract of a Red Panda.

The red panda () is a herbivorous carnivore that is protected worldwide. The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbial community has widely acknowledged its vital role in host health, especially in diet digestion; However, no study to date has revealed the GIT microbiota in the red panda. Here, we characterized the microbial biogeographical characteristics in the GIT of a red panda using high-throughput sequencing technology.

The Value of Ecosystem Services from Giant Panda Reserves.

Ecosystem services (the benefits to humans from ecosystems) are estimated globally at $125 trillion/year [1, 2]. Similar assessments at national and regional scales show how these services support our lives [3]. All valuations recognize the role of biodiversity, which continues to decrease around the world in maintaining these services [4, 5].

HEMATOLOGY AND SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY VALUES OF THE RED PANDA SUBSPECIES ( AILURUS FULGENS STYANI).

  Health evaluations were conducted on individuals ( n = 62, age < 1 to 11 yr) from a captive red panda ( Ailurus fulgens styani) population at the Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China. Individuals were anesthetized using combinations of ketamine, dexmedetomidine, diazepam, isoflurane, and tiletamine/zolazepam. Whereas physical exams revealed no abnormalities for 40% of red pandas, 24% had dental abnormalities and 18% had orthopedic abnormalities.

Microbial community and diversity in the feces of Sichuan takin (Budorcas taxicolor tibetana) as revealed by Illumina Miseq sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR.

The Sichuan takin (Budorcas taxicolor tibetana) is a rare and endangered ruminant distributed in the eastern Himalayas. However, little information is available regarding the intestinal microbiota of the takin. In this study, Illumina Miseq platform targeting the V4 region of the 16S rRNA was employed to characterize microbial community and diversity in the feces of wild (n = 6) and captive takins (n = 6).

Isolation and Preliminary Screening of a Weissella confusa Strain from Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).

Weissella confusa has recently received attention for its probiotic potential. Some W. confusa and Weissella cibaria strains isolated from fermented foods show favorable probiotic effects.

Ancient hybridization and admixture in macaques (genus Macaca) inferred from whole genome sequences.

The evolutionary history of the stump-tailed macaque (Macaca arctoides) and its genetic relationship to other macaques is a subject of continuing controversy. Here, we have reported the first genome sequences of two stump-tailed macaques and one Assamese macaque (M. assamensis).

New Insights on Water Buffalo Genomic Diversity and Post-Domestication Migration Routes From Medium Density SNP Chip Data.

The domestic water buffalo is native to the Asian continent but through historical migrations and recent importations, nowadays has a worldwide distribution. The two types of water buffalo, i.e.

Adaptive evolution to a high purine and fat diet of carnivorans revealed by gut microbiomes and host genomes.

Carnivorous members of the Carnivora reside at the apex of food chains and consume meat-only diets, rich in purine, fats and protein. Here, we aimed to identify potential adaptive evolutionary signatures compatible with high purine and fat metabolism based on analysis of host genomes and symbiotic gut microbial metagenomes. We found that the gut microbiomes of carnivorous Carnivora (e.

Metagenomic Study Suggests That the Gut Microbiota of the Giant Panda () May Not Be Specialized for Fiber Fermentation.

Bamboo-eating giant panda () is an enigmatic species, which possesses a carnivore-like short and simple gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Despite the remarkable studies on giant panda, its diet adaptability status continues to be a matter of debate. To resolve this puzzle, we investigated the functional potential of the giant panda gut microbiome using shotgun metagenomic sequencing of fecal samples.

Cellulose-dependent expression and antibacterial characteristics of surfactin from Bacillus subtilis HH2 isolated from the giant panda.

Surfactin secreted by Bacillus subtilis can confer strong, diverse antipathogenic effects, thereby benefitting the host. Carbon source is an important factor for surfactin production. However, the mechanism that bacteria utilize cellulose, the most abundant substance in the intestines of herbivores, to produce surfactin remains unclear.

Investigation of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Giant Panda Feces for Potential Probiotics In Vitro.

The present study aimed to isolate an optimal lactic acid bacterial strain from the feces of healthy giant pandas. The strain exhibited good stability at low pH and high bile salt concentrations, activity against pathogens relevant to pandas, and antibiotic susceptibility. In the current study, 25 isolates were obtained from de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe agar.

BSGP201683 Isolated from Giant Panda Feces Attenuated Inflammation and Improved Gut Microflora in Mice Challenged with Enterotoxigenic .

In this work, we searched for an effective probiotic that can help control intestinal infection, particularly enterotoxigenic K88 (ETEC) invasion, in giant panda (). As a potential probiotic strain, BSGP201683 ( G83) was isolated from the feces of giant panda and proven beneficial . This study was aimed to evaluate the protective effect of G83 in mice challenged with ETEC.

Molecular characterization and multi-locus genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi from captive red kangaroos (Macropus Rufus) in Jiangsu province, China.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most common pathogen of microsporidian species infecting humans worldwide. Although E. bieneusi has been found in a variety of animal hosts, information on the presence of E.

Discovery of genome-wideSNPs by RAD-seqand the genetic diversity of captive hog deer (Axis porcinus).

The hog deer (Axis porcinus) is a small deer whose natural habitat is the wet or moist tall grasslands in South and Southeast Asia. Wild populations have dramatically decreased in recent decades. While wild hog deer were recently acknowledged to be extinct in China, a few captive populations have been maintained.

Metabolic rate of the red panda, Ailurus fulgens, a dietary bamboo specialist.

The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) has a similar diet, primarily bamboo, and shares the same habitat as the giant panda, Ailuropoda melanoleuca. There are considerable efforts underway to understand the ecology of the red panda and to increase its populations in natural reserves. Yet it is difficult to design an effective strategy for red panda reintroduction if we do not understand its basic biology.

Withered on the stem: is bamboo a seasonally limiting resource for giant pandas?

In response to seasonal variation in quality and quantity of available plant biomass, herbivorous foragers may alternate among different plant resources to meet nutritional requirements. Giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) are reliant almost exclusively on bamboo which appears omnipresent in most occupied habitat, but subtle temporal variation in bamboo quality may still govern foraging strategies, with population-level effects. In this paper, we investigated the possibility that temporal variation in the quality of this resource is involved in population regulation and examined pandas' adaptive foraging strategies in response to temporal variation in bamboo quality.

Multi-locus genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in captive Asiatic black bears in southwestern China: High genetic diversity, broad host range, and zoonotic potential.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an obligate eukaryotic intracellular parasite that infects a wide variety of vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. Although considerable research has been conducted on this organism, relatively little information is available on the occurrence of E. bieneusi in captive Asiatic black bears.

First Report of the Human-Pathogenic Enterocytozoon bieneusi from Red-Bellied Tree Squirrels (Callosciurus erythraeus) in Sichuan, China.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a common opportunistic pathogen causing diarrhea and enteric disease in a variety of animal hosts. Although it has been reported in many animals, there is no published information available on the occurrence of E. bieneusi in red-bellied tree squirrels.

Multilocus genotypes and broad host-range of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in captive wildlife at zoological gardens in China.

Background: Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a common opportunistic pathogen that is widely detected in humans, domestic animals and wildlife, and poses a challenge to public health. The present study was performed to evaluate the prevalence, genotypic diversity and zoonotic potential of E. bieneusi among wildlife at Chengdu and Bifengxia zoological gardens in Sichuan Province, China.