Jianghong Ran

Structural Characteristics and Phylogenetic Analysis of the Mitochondrial Genome of the Sugarcane Borer, Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

The sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), is an economically important pest of several major crops in North and South America. There is great concern over potential resistance development to the valuable transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis corn. Cost-effective monitoring methods, especially regarding molecular markers that could detect early changes in resistance allele frequency in field populations of D. saccharalis, are needed. This article reports the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of D. saccharalis (GenBank: FJ240227). The mitochondrial genome sequence of D. saccharalis has the typical metazoan mitogenome structure including 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes, with a total size of 15,490 bp. The A+T content of the full mitogenome is 80.1% and the significant A+T bias is at the control region (94.9%), as compared to the extremely low G content (0.6%). In all 13 protein coding genes, 9 start with the common Met initiator codon (ATA or ATG) and 3 use ATT (Ile), whereas CGA (Arg) is used as a start codon in COI. Eleven of the 13 protein coding genes use complete termination codon (TAA), whereas COI and COII use incomplete ones, which terminated with a single T-nucleotide abutting on tRNA. There are seven major noncoding spacers (628 bp), including six intergenic spacers and an A+T-rich region, which are scattered in the mitogenome. Several microsatellite-like elements were observed in these noncoding regions. The complete mitochondrial sequences of D. saccharalis reported in this study can provide useful data in analyzing divergence of lepidopteran insects and in developing DNA-based diagnoses and genetic makers.

Genetic diversity analysis of Macaca thibetana based on mitochondrial DNA control region sequences

Macaca thibetana is a threatened primate species endemic to China. Genetic diversities based on a 476-bp fragment at the 5′-end of the mitochondrial DNA control region HVSI were assessed. Haplotype diversity is high (0.8521), but nucleotide diversity among all haplotypes is only 0.0574. No haplotype was shared between Sichuan (SC) and Huangshan Mountain (HS) populations. Phylogenetic trees, analysis of molecular variance and network analysis consistently indicated that the SC and HS populations are significantly different. They should therefore be conserved as different units, with priority and more attention given to the HS populations.

Polymorphic microsatellites in Buff-throated partridge developed by cross-species amplification

Microsatellite loci for the buff-throated partridge (Tetraophasis szechenyii), an endemic pheasant species of China, are here described for the first time. Twenty-five microsatellite markers from chicken and Japanese quail were tested on buff-throated partridge DNA by means of cross-amplification. Twenty (80%) primers yielded specific products and polymorphisms were tested in a wild population of buff-throated partridge. Twelve (48%) proved to be polymorphic with an average of two alleles per locus. Current results of buff-throated partridge microsatellites loci could be employed in population genetic studies and on other endangered pheasant species.

Complete mitochondrial genome of blood pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus)

The blood pheasant Ithaginis cruentus belongs to the family Phasianidae and distributes in the eastern Himalayas, India, Nepal, Bhutan and China. In this study, the total mitochondrial genome of I. cruentus was firstly determined. The genome is 16,683 bases in length. Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony methods were used to construct phylogenetic trees based on 12 concatenated protein-coding genes on the heavy strand. Phylogenetic analyses further confirmed that Ithaginis clearly diverged later than Arborophila, and Arborophila was a basal branch within Phasianidae.

Cooperative breeding by Buff-throated Partridge Tetraophasis szechenyii: a case in the Galliformes

Cooperative breeding is rarely found in the Galliformes. We report a case in Buff-throated Partridge Tetraophasis szechenyii, a sexually monochromatic Galliform species endemic to western China. A total of 68 groups were detected in the 2006–2009 breeding seasons, and cooperative breeding was observed to be facultative, with 64.7% (44/68) of pairs having up to three helpers of either sex (but predominantly male). Groups usually remained stable within the breeding season. Sampling revealed that all adult members exhibited behavioral efforts in terms of brooding, vigilance, and territorial display (including calling and fighting), with helpers especially focusing on territorial fighting. No evidence was found to suggest that the presence of helpers significantly enhanced a group’s breeding success and productivity compared to unaided pairs. Further studies, particularly intraspecific comparative analyses (for example, between populations or between sites) and those measuring the relatedness between helpers and other group members, are needed to understand the occurrence of cooperative breeding in this species.ZusammenfassungKooperatives Brüten findet sich selten innerhalb der Galliformes. Wir beschreiben einen Fall beim Rostkehl-Keilschwanzhuhn Tetraophasis szechenyii, einer farblich sexual-monomorphen, galliformen Vogelart, die in Westchina endemisch ist. Insgesamt 68 Gruppen wurden in den Brutsaisons 2006–2009 nachgewiesen und kooperatives Brüten war bei dieser Art fakultativ, wobei 64,7% (44/68) der Paare bis zu drei Helfer beider Geschlechter hatten (überwiegend allerdings Männchen). In der Regel blieben die Gruppen über die Brutsaison hinweg stabil. Die Untersuchung erbrachte, dass alle alten Mitglieder Aufwand in Form von Brut-, Wachsamkeits- und Territorialverhalten (inklusive Rufen und Kämpfen) zeigten, wobei sich die Helfer speziell auf Territorialkämpfe konzentrierten. Wir fanden keine Hinweise darauf, dass die Anwesenheit von Helfern den Bruterfolg und die Produktivität einer Gruppe im Vergleich zu Paaren ohne Helfer wesentlich verbessert haben könnte. Weitere Studien, die intraspezifische Vergleichs-Analysen (z. B. zwischen Populationen oder zwischen Standorten) durchführen und den Verwandtschaftsgrad zwischen Helfern und anderen Gruppenmitgliedern messen, sind notwendig um das Auftreten von kooperativem Brüten bei dieser Art zu verstehen.

Taxonomic Status of Tetraophasis obscurus and Tetraophasis szechenyii (Aves: Galliformes: Phasianidae) Based on the Complete Mitochondrial Genome

Tetraophasis szechenyii and T. obscurus are endangered phasianid birds endemic to China. Historically, the question of whether T. obscurus and T. szechenyii are valid species or subspecies has been controversial. In order to clarify their phylogenetic relationship, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of T. obscurus and, using the complete mitochondrial genome of T. szechenyii, which our lab had already sequenced, conducted Bayesian and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analyses based on the sequences of 12 concatenated heavy-strand encoded protein-coding genes. Genetic distance and divergence time between the two species were also calculated. The complete mitochondrial genome of T. obscurus was 16,707 bases (accession no.: NC_018034), and its structure was similar to mitochondrial genomes reported for other phasianids. The genetic distance between T. obscurus and T. szechenyii was 0.028, and the divergence time of T. obscurus and T. szechenyii was 1.75 Myr. Considering the genetic distance and divergence time, as well as geographical distribution and morphological differences, we suggest that T. obscurus and T. szechenyii are two valid species. The Pleistocene glacial events in the Hengduan Mountains region may have played an important role in the speciation of T. obscurus and T. szechenyii.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Tetraophasis szechenyii Madarász, 1885 (Aves: Galliformes: Phasianidae), and its genetic variation as inferred from the mitochondrial DNA Control Region

The buff-throated partridge, Tetraophasis szechenyii Madarász, 1885, is a species endemic to west China. The complete mitochondrial genome of this species was sequenced. It was 16,706 base pairs (bp) in length and contained 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and a control region (CR). The phylogenetic relationships of the buff-throated partridge and 19 other Phasianidae species were inferred by Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses based on 12 protein-coding genes. With the exception of a few nodes, most internal branches were supported by a high Bayesian posterior probability (BPP = 1.0). The resulting trees clarified the phylogenetic position of T. szechenyii within Phasianidae. The genetic diversity and population structure of the Pamulin population of T. szechenyii were examined based on the mitochondrial DNA CR. Nucleotide sequence analysis defined 18 haplotypes in 24 individuals. Haplotype diversity (h) was 0.953 and nucleotide diversity (π) was 0.0044. The results revealed that the genetic diversity of this population was not particularly low. Combined with the field work conducted by our lab, we found that members of the Pamuling population are cooperative breeders and the population may contain individuals from neighbouring groups. Our work provided genetic background information for the conservation and management of this species.

Group Size does not Influence Territory Size and Overlap in a Habituated Population of a Cooperative Breeding Himalayan Galliforme Species

Understanding the factors that influence territorial behaviour is essential for determining whether fragmented habitats are able to support the spatial ecological conditions that maintain cooperative breeding systems of threatened bird species. Here, we examine territorial behaviour of the cooperative breeding Buff-throated Partridge Tetraophasis szechenyii in patchy tree-line habitats of the Pamuling Mountains in western China. This population has been habituated to humans through supplementary feeding by Tibetan Monks. We studied 18 groups during three consecutive breeding seasons and two non-breeding seasons from March 2007 through July 2009, using direct tracking of colourmarked individuals. Territories were occupied by stable family groups, and were centred on the interface of two or more different tree-line habitats. Groups occupied the same close area near the nest from one year to the next. However, territory sizes, estimated using radio-telemetry, were smaller compared to those of other non-cooperative breeding montane Galliformes. Both territory size and overlap were greater during the non-breeding season. Group size did not influence territory size, in either the breeding or non-breeding season. Territorial behaviour was influenced by supplementary food given at two offering sites during both seasons, in proximity to both nesting and roost sites. Further research should focus on examining the interactions between supplementary feeding and family group composition, with direct comparisons of data from non-supplementary fed partridge populations outside of Buddhist Sacred Sites.

Effects of Supplementary Feeding on the Breeding Ecology of the Buff-Throated Partridge in a Tibetan Sacred Site, China.

Our goal was to document effects of year-round supplemental feeding on breeding ecology of the Buff-throated Partridge, Tetraophasis szechenyii, within a Tibetan sacred site. We evaluated effects of supplemental feeding used as religious/cultural practices which could potentially aid conservation of endangered phasianids. We compared fed breeding groups to neighboring nonfed groups. Fed groups initiated first clutches significantly earlier than nonfed groups. Earlier laying groups within fed and nonfed groups showed significantly lower hatching rates than later groups; however, fed groups showed significantly higher hatching rates than nonfed groups laying in the same period. Earlier laying increased opportunities to renest. All six fed groups with clutch failures renested compared to only one of five nonfed groups with clutch failures. Fed female breeders showed significantly greater investment in their young with larger clutches and larger eggs, which likely increased survivability of early hatchlings. We observed no predation on birds at feeding sites and recorded only four cases of predation on incubating females, which showed no detectable difference between fed and nonfed groups. Ground-nesting birds typically face high risks of predation. Ten of the 48 groups nested in trees, which occurs in few phasianid species. Tree nests showed significantly higher hatching rates compared to ground nests; however, we found no significant difference in tree nesting between fed and nonfed groups. This partridge is one of four gallinaceous species with cooperative breeding. Breeding groups with helpers had significantly greater reproductive success than single pairs, and fed female breeders with helpers laid bigger eggs than single pairs. Comparing annual reproductive output per group, fed groups not only produced significantly more independent young (≥150 days post-hatching), their young hatched significantly earlier, which likely have greater reproductive value over later hatched young of nonfed groups. Supplemental feeding year-round is likely what enabled the successes of the fed partridges.

Nesting Behavior of Szechenyi's Monal-Partridge in Treeline Habitats, Pamuling Mountains, China

Abstract We report nesting behavior of Szechenyis Monal-Partridge (Tetraophasis szechenyii) in treeline habitats of the Pamuling Mountains, Sichuan Province, China. Szechenyis Monal-Partridge used both ground and tree nests. Ground nests were scrapes in the soil, positioned at the base of a tree or scrub, and occurred in all habitats except Sichuan kobresia (Kobresia setchwanensis) meadow. Tree nests were cup shaped and placed 1.9–12.0 m above ground level, distributed proportionally in all habitats except scrub hollyleaf-like oak (Quercus aquifolioides) and Sichuan kobresia meadow habitats. The proportion of nest types between first and re-nesting attempts did not vary significantly. Only 54% of ground nests and 33% of tree nests survived until hatching with predation being the principal cause of ground nest failure. Hatching success was 97%. We recorded six re-nesting attempts, four of which were tree nests, but all were unsuccessful. Preserving a mosaic of treeline habitats that include ground vegetation, and fir/oak woodland habitat will be essential for maintaining suitable nesting habitats for Szechenyis Monal-Partridge in the Pamuling Mountains.