Hedgehogs in the genus Mesechinus （Family Erinaceidae）, which include two currently recognized species （ M. dauuricus and M. hughi）, are distributed from northeast Mongolia to the upper Amur Basin in Russia and ad...Hedgehogs in the genus Mesechinus （Family Erinaceidae）, which include two currently recognized species （ M. dauuricus and M. hughi）, are distributed from northeast Mongolia to the upper Amur Basin in Russia and adjacent areas in northeast and northern China. In recent years, a population of Mesechinus hedgehogs was discovered from Mt. Gaoligong, southwestern Yunnan, China, far from the known distribution range of the genus. Furthermore, these hedgehogs are the only known population to be distributed at elevations higher than 2 100 m and in sympatry with gymnures. To evaluate the taxonomic status of these hedgehogs, we examined specimens representing Mesechinus taxa in China and further conducted morphometric and karyotypic analyses. Our results supported the existence of four species in China. Specifically, we identified the hedgehogs from Mt. Gaoligong as a new species, Mesechinus wangi sp. nov., and recognized M. miodon, previously considered as a synonym of either M. dauuricus or M. hughi as a distinct species. Interestingly, we observed a supernumerary M4 on all specimens of Mesechinus wangi sp. nov., which is an extremely rare event in the evolution of mammalian dentition.展开更多
In this study, the quadrat method was used to study the effects of tsaoko （Fructus tsaoko） plantation on tree diversity and canopy structure of two natural habitats of eastern hoolock gibbon （Hoolock leuconedys）：...In this study, the quadrat method was used to study the effects of tsaoko （Fructus tsaoko） plantation on tree diversity and canopy structure of two natural habitats of eastern hoolock gibbon （Hoolock leuconedys）： Nankang （characterized by extensive tsaoko plantation） and Banchang （relatively well reserved and without tsaoko plantation）. Totally, 102 tree species from 25 families and 16 woody liana species from 10 families were recorded in Nankang, whereas 108 tree species from 30 families and 17 woody liana species from 12 families were recorded in Banchang. Although the tree species between two habitats is different, both habitats are characterized by enriched food resources for eastern hoolock gibbons, sharing similar dominant plant families. Due to tsaoko plantation, tree density proportion and diversity of forest layer I （〉20 m） in Nankang were both significantly decreased, but the tree density of layerH （10-20 m） increased. Likewise, in conjunction with these behavioral observations, we also address potential impacts of tsaoko plantation on the behavior of eastern hoolock gibbon.展开更多
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2017YFC0505200)Fundamental Research Funds for NIES in 2017(GYZX170308)+1 种基金Biodiversity Conservation Program by MEP of ChinaK.H. was supported by a JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship for Overseas Researchers(P16092)
文摘Hedgehogs in the genus Mesechinus （Family Erinaceidae）, which include two currently recognized species （ M. dauuricus and M. hughi）, are distributed from northeast Mongolia to the upper Amur Basin in Russia and adjacent areas in northeast and northern China. In recent years, a population of Mesechinus hedgehogs was discovered from Mt. Gaoligong, southwestern Yunnan, China, far from the known distribution range of the genus. Furthermore, these hedgehogs are the only known population to be distributed at elevations higher than 2 100 m and in sympatry with gymnures. To evaluate the taxonomic status of these hedgehogs, we examined specimens representing Mesechinus taxa in China and further conducted morphometric and karyotypic analyses. Our results supported the existence of four species in China. Specifically, we identified the hedgehogs from Mt. Gaoligong as a new species, Mesechinus wangi sp. nov., and recognized M. miodon, previously considered as a synonym of either M. dauuricus or M. hughi as a distinct species. Interestingly, we observed a supernumerary M4 on all specimens of Mesechinus wangi sp. nov., which is an extremely rare event in the evolution of mammalian dentition.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31160424)Natural Science Foundation of Yunnan Province(20110426)Science Foundation Project of Mt.Gaoligong National Natural Reserve(201215)
文摘In this study, the quadrat method was used to study the effects of tsaoko （Fructus tsaoko） plantation on tree diversity and canopy structure of two natural habitats of eastern hoolock gibbon （Hoolock leuconedys）： Nankang （characterized by extensive tsaoko plantation） and Banchang （relatively well reserved and without tsaoko plantation）. Totally, 102 tree species from 25 families and 16 woody liana species from 10 families were recorded in Nankang, whereas 108 tree species from 30 families and 17 woody liana species from 12 families were recorded in Banchang. Although the tree species between two habitats is different, both habitats are characterized by enriched food resources for eastern hoolock gibbons, sharing similar dominant plant families. Due to tsaoko plantation, tree density proportion and diversity of forest layer I （〉20 m） in Nankang were both significantly decreased, but the tree density of layerH （10-20 m） increased. Likewise, in conjunction with these behavioral observations, we also address potential impacts of tsaoko plantation on the behavior of eastern hoolock gibbon.
