It is commonly known that many species have experienced range contraction during past centuries due to accelerated impacts of human activities and global change,yet little is known on how climate change and human dist...
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It is commonly known that many species have experienced range contraction during past centuries due to accelerated impacts of human activities and global change,yet little is known on how climate change and human disturbance have affected the range shift of animals over past millennia,mainly due to a lack of historical
The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) was taken to the brink of extinction in the 1980s through a combination of deforestation, large-scale loss of bamboo in the core of its range, poaching, and zoo collection, cau...
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The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) was taken to the brink of extinction in the 1980s through a combination of deforestation, large-scale loss of bamboo in the core of its range, poaching, and zoo collection, causing over 1000 deaths from the 1950s. It was thought that the drastic population decline was likely to impose a severe impact on population viability. Here, based on temporal genotyping of individuals, we show that this rapid decline did not significantly reduce the overall effective population size and genetic variation of this species, or of the two focal populations (Minshan and Qionglai) that declined the most. These results are contrary to previously assumptions, probably because the population decline has not produced the expected negative impact due to the short time scale involved (at most 10 generations), or because previous surveys underestimated the population size at the time of decline. However, if present-day habitat fragmentation and limited migration of giant pandas remains, we predict a loss of genetic diversity across the giant pandas' range in the near future. Thus, our findings highlight the substantial resilience of this species when facing demographic and environmental stochasticity, but key conservation strategies, such as enhancing habitat connectivity and habitat restoration should be immediately implemented to retain the extant genetic variation and maintain long-term evolutionary potential of this endangered species.
Examining ecological processes across spatial scales is crucial as animals select and use resources at different scales. We carried out field surveys in September 2005, March-September 2006, and April 2007, and used e...
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Examining ecological processes across spatial scales is crucial as animals select and use resources at different scales. We carried out field surveys in September 2005, March-September 2006, and April 2007, and used ecological niche factor analysis to determine habitat preferences for the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) across 4 spatial scales: daily movement, core range, home range, and seasonal elevational migration. We found that giant pandas prefer conifer forest and mixed forest at higher than average elevation (2,157 m) of study area in the 4 scale models. However, we also observed significant scale differences in habitat selection. The strength of habitat preference increased with scale for the 2 disturbed forests (sparse forest and fragmented forest), and decreased with scale for 0-30 degrees gentle slope and south-and north-facing aspect. Furthermore, habitat suitability patterns were scale-dependent. These findings highlight the need to determine species-environment associations across multiple scales for habitat management and species conservation. (C) 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Phosphorus-doped hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon films (nc-Si(P):H) were prepared by electron cyclotron resonance plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The effect of Ar/H-2 ratio on the characteristics of as...
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Phosphorus-doped hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon films (nc-Si(P):H) were prepared by electron cyclotron resonance plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The effect of Ar/H-2 ratio on the characteristics of as-grown nc-Si(P):H films was investigated systematically with Raman scattering, Hall effect measurements as well as Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results indicated that the Ar/H-2 ratio played a critical role for the crystalline quality and electrical properties of the nc-Si:H films. FTIR also showed that infrared spectrum intensity of SiH2 bonding mode peak decreased when Ar/H-2 ratio increased. The optimal value Ar/H-2 ratio of 10/15 was obtained for high quality nc-Si(P):H films with high electron density and the mechanism was elucidated in terms of Raman and FTIR analysis. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.
The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is notoriously difficult to study in the wild, but its interesting reproductive ecology makes the effort worthwhile. Perhaps more than most species, the panda is energy-limited...
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The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is notoriously difficult to study in the wild, but its interesting reproductive ecology makes the effort worthwhile. Perhaps more than most species, the panda is energy-limited, which alters the cost/benefit analysis of its reproductive ecology. Using global positioning system/very high frequency radiocollars to locate mating aggregations, we used behavioral observations and fecal testosterone assays to gain insight into male panda reproductive effort and strategies, and test theories relating to reproductive competition. Male pandas initially competed fiercely for access to females that were about to be fertile, but once male competitive status was determined, aggression rates declined. Contact aggression was only observed during the first 2 days of mating aggregations;thereafter, it was replaced with noncontact aggression and avoidance. Agonistic interactions were highly asymmetrical, with contest losers (subordinates) showing less aggression and more avoidance than contest winners (dominants), both before and after contest outcome was established. The competitively superior male displayed mate-guarding tactics and secured all observed copulations. Contrary to theoretical predictions, testosterone levels did not predict aggression levels or contest winners and also were not affected by winning or losing a contest. Body size appeared to be the primary determinant of contest outcome. We discuss our findings in light of theoretical predictions, such as those arising from the "challenge hypothesis," in the context of the giant panda's foraging and nutritional ecology.
Phosphorus-doped hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon films (nc-Si(P):H) were prepared by electron cyclotron resonance plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The effect of Ar/H-2 ratio on the characteristics of as...
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Phosphorus-doped hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon films (nc-Si(P):H) were prepared by electron cyclotron resonance plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The effect of Ar/H-2 ratio on the characteristics of as-grown nc-Si(P):H films was investigated systematically with Raman scattering, Hall effect measurements as well as Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results indicated that the Ar/H-2 ratio played a critical role for the crystalline quality and electrical properties of the nc-Si:H films. FTIR also showed that infrared spectrum intensity of SiH2 bonding mode peak decreased when Ar/H-2 ratio increased. The optimal value Ar/H-2 ratio of 10/15 was obtained for high quality nc-Si(P):H films with high electron density and the mechanism was elucidated in terms of Raman and FTIR analysis. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.
InN films with highly c-axis preferred orientation were deposited on sapphire substrate by low-temperature electron cyclotron resonance plasma-enhanced metal organic chemical vapor deposition (ECR-PEMOCVD). Trimethyl ...
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InN films with highly c-axis preferred orientation were deposited on sapphire substrate by low-temperature electron cyclotron resonance plasma-enhanced metal organic chemical vapor deposition (ECR-PEMOCVD). Trimethyl indium (TMIn) and N 2 were applied as precursors of In and N, respectively. The quality of as-grown InN films were systematically investigated as a function of TMIn fluxes by means of reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results show that the dense and uniform InN films with highly c-axis preferred orientation are successfully achieved on sapphire substrates under optimized TMIn flux of 0.8 ml min 1 . The InN films reported here will provide various opportunities for the development of high efficiency and high-performance semiconductor devices based on InN material.
Few species attract much more attention from the public and scientists than the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), a popular, enigmatic but highly endangered species. The application of molecular genetics to its bi...
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Few species attract much more attention from the public and scientists than the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), a popular, enigmatic but highly endangered species. The application of molecular genetics to its biology and conservation has facilitated surprising insights into the biology of giant pandas as well as the effectiveness of conservation efforts during the past decades. Here, we review the history of genetic advances in this species, from phylogeny, demographical history, genetic variation, population structure, noninvasive population census and adaptive evolution to reveal to what extent the current status of the giant panda is a reflection of its evolutionary legacy, as opposed to the influence of anthropogenic factors that have negatively impacted this species. In addition, we summarize the conservation implications of these genetic findings applied for the management of this high-profile species. Finally, on the basis of these advances and predictable future changes in genetic technology, we discuss future research directions that seem promising for giant panda biology and conservation.
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