• Title/Summary/Keyword: wild species

Search Result 1,134, Processing Time 0.022 seconds

Metagenomic Analysis of the Fecal Microbiomes of Wild Asian Elephants Reveals Microflora and Enzymes that Mainly Digest Hemicellulose

  • Zhang, Chengbo;Xu, Bo;Lu, Tao;Huang, Zunxi
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • /
    • v.29 no.8
    • /
    • pp.1255-1265
    • /
    • 2019
  • To investigate the diversity of gastrointestinal microflora and lignocellulose-degrading enzymes in wild Asian elephants, three of these animals living in the same group were selected for study from the Wild Elephant Valley in the Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve of Yunnan Province, China. Fresh fecal samples from the three wild Asian elephants were analyzed by metagenomic sequencing to study the diversity of their gastrointestinal microbes and cellulolytic enzymes. There were a high abundance of Firmicutes and a higher abundance of hemicellulose-degrading hydrolases than cellulose-degrading hydrolases in the wild Asian elephants. Furthermore, there were a high abundance and a rich diversity of carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes) obtained from the gene set annotation of the three samples, with the majority of them showing low identity with the CAZy database entry. About half of the CAZymes had no species source at the phylum or genus level. These indicated that the wild Asian elephants might possess greater ability to digest hemicellulose than cellulose to provide energy, and moreover, the gastrointestinal tracts of these pachyderms might be a potential source of novel efficient lignocellulose-degrading enzymes. Therefore, the exploitation and utilization of these enzyme resources could help us to alleviate the current energy crisis and ensure food security.

Selecting Target Species for Urban Ecological Network Construction - Focus on Pangyo New Town - (생태네트워크 구축을 위한 목표종 선정에 관한 연구 - 판교신도시를 사례로 -)

  • Choi, Hee-Sun;Kim, Hyun-Ae;Kim, Kwi-Gon
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
    • /
    • v.11 no.5
    • /
    • pp.12-24
    • /
    • 2008
  • With recent emphasis on the creation of environment-friendly new towns, introduction of ecological facilities for habitation and migration of wild animal's species is requested when developing new towns. In order to introduce such facilities, building an eco-network within the site based on the connectivity of the source area and habitats is essential in new town development. Therefore, this study mainly aimed at selecting species targeted for building an eco-network in Pangyo new town, which is intended to be an environment-friendly city. Therefore, criteria for selecting target species were generated. Then, species observed within the site through field surveys and literature review was evaluated based on the selection criteria and items. By totaling the score, a list of appropriate targeted species was finalized. Among species surveyed and observed in the site, appropriate target species that may be selected for Pangyo new town's eco-network include Falco tinnunculus interstinctus, Accipiter soloensis, Picus canus, Paradoxornis webbiana, Parus palustris, Parus ater, Parus major and Passer montanus Egretta in birds, Asiatic chipmunk, Nyctereutes procyonoides in mammals. For Pangyo new town, it is essential to create living environment and build a network for major wild animal species within the site based on target species. This will play a crucial role in building a reasonable ecological network enabling harmonious co-existence between mankind and nature. In order to build an ecological network successfully, follow-up studies need to be conducted on restoration technology and methods required for creating habitats appropriate to target species.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Wild Boars, Wild Rabbits, and Wild Chickens in Hubei Province, China

  • Luo, Houqiang;Li, Kun;Shahzad, Muhammad;Zhang, Hui;Lan, Yanfang;Xiong, Xiong
    • Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
    • /
    • v.55 no.1
    • /
    • pp.85-88
    • /
    • 2017
  • Toxoplasma gondii causes serious infection worldwide in humans and animals. In this study, the seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis was investigated in wild boars (Sus scrofa) (n=377), wild rabbits (cape hare, Lapus capensis) (n=331), and wild chickens (red junglefwol, Gallus gallus) (n=571) in 4 forested and country sided area of Hubei province of China. For this, blood samples were collected and tested by indirect hemagglutination test (IHA). The seroprevalence was found to be 7.2%, 5.1%, and 12.6% in wild boars, rabbits, and chickens, respectively, with significant differences among these species. The prevalence of T. gondii infection in male and female wild boars was found to be 7.9% and 6.5% (P<0.01), in male and female rabbits was 5.6% and 4.9% (P<0.01), and in male and female chickens was 17.1% and 7.7% (P<0.01), respectively, with significant differences between 2 genders of chickens (P<0.01). The findings of this study may help in planning of the prevention measures against T. gondii infection in wild animals in this area.

Study on the Protection and Management of bird community in Sobaeksan National Park (소백산 국립공원내 조류 군집의 보호 및 관리에 관한 연구)

  • 이우신;이준우;박찬열
    • Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
    • /
    • v.6 no.2
    • /
    • pp.180-192
    • /
    • 1993
  • This study was conducted to investigate bird community and to suggest a proper way how to manage and protect bird community in Sobaeksan National Park. The survey was carried over 3 main trail districts by line transect method to figure out influence factor of inhabitation of wild birds from February to October in 1992. The study results as follows: The observed birds were belong to 9 orders l2 families 58 species, they also have Sparrow Hawk dccipiter nisus, Kestrel Faleo tinnunculus(natural monument no. 323). Scops Owl I'otus scops(natural monument no. :324), Black Woodpecker Dryoaepus martius(natural monument no. 242. R). White-backed Woodpecker Dendroaepos leuotes(R) and Gray-backed Thrush Turdus hortulorum(R). These birds a]so classified into 31 species for residents. 17 species for summer visitor, 6 species for winter visitor. 4 species for passage migrant, respectively. Species richness was 38 species at spry, 33 species at summer. 26 species at autumn and 22 species at winter. The density was 3.00 ea /ha at spring, 2.37 ea /ha at summer, 3.62 ea /ha at autumn and 2.88 ea /ha at winter. Breeding bird community in Sobaeksan National Park was dominated by Hole, Bush-nesting guild and Canopy-foraging guild. Natural vegetation of 900m altitude in 1st section and the grassy plain in 2nd section are to be protected absolutely for the habituation of wild birds. Species richness in 3rd section was higher than any other section owe to a various habitat such as valley. open lands, orchid, farm land and forest etc. Food plants and broad-leaved forest is to be managed for the provision of opulent food resources in autumn and winter, user is to be managed for the successful propagation of wild birds in spring and autumn.

  • PDF

Distribution Characteristics of Exotic Turtles in Korean Wild - Based on Gangwon-do and Gyeongsangnam-do - (국내 야생에서 발견되는 외래거북류의 분포 특성 - 강원도와 경상남도 지역을 중심으로 -)

  • Koo, Kyo Soung;Kwon, Sera;Do, Min Seock;Kim, Suhwan
    • Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
    • /
    • v.50 no.3
    • /
    • pp.286-294
    • /
    • 2017
  • Development of transportation is rapidly reducing the barriers between countries, but this is causing the easier migration of species than the past. Typically, exotic species are imported for the purpose of food, leather, and pets. However, it has been introduced into the wild through artificially or naturally paths, and recently they are become a main cause of ecosystem disturbance. In this study, we investigated exotic turtle species introduced into the wild and analyzed their distribution characteristics. As a result of filed surveys, totally 4 genus 8 species 62 individuals of exotic turtles were found from 126 reservoirs in Gangwon-do and Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea. In particular, Trachemys scripta elegans showed relatively high frequency than other turtle species and the natural reproduction of T. s. elegans was confirmed in some areas. On the other hand, the frequency of discovery of exotic turtles except T. s. elegans was relatively low, and the range of the areas was limited. Especially, exotic turtles except T. s. elegans were mainly found in public places such as reservoirs in the park. As a result of analyzing the distribution characteristics of exotic turtles using geographic information system, the turtles' distribution showed a high correlation with the artificial factor such as "urban". In this study, we identified the distribution characteristics of exotic turtles in the Korean wild, and these results will be important data for understanding status the and establishing effective management methods for exotic species.

Study on the Revesetation Technology for the Ecological Restoration of the Decomposed Granite Roadside Slopes -The Application of the Natural Topsoil Restoration Methods(NTRM)- (마사토 비탈면의 생태복원 녹화기술 개발 연구 -자연표토복원공법의 적용사례를 중심으로-)

  • Kim, Nam-Choon;Kang, Jinhyoung;Lee, Joon-Woo;Nam, Sang-Jun;Lee, Wonhan
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
    • /
    • v.4 no.3
    • /
    • pp.84-95
    • /
    • 2001
  • This study was conducted to suggest the ecological restoration methods for the decomposed granite roadside cutslopes by Natural Topsoil Restoration Methods(NTRM). Four woody species, 3 shrub species, 4 native grasses, 8 wild flowers and 2 cool-season grasses were used. The experiment was conducted with the purpose of developing ecological restoration techniques by achieving following objectives for restoration by using native woody plants, shrubs, native plants and wild flowers; (1) prevention or reduction of wind and water erosion, (2) provision of food and cover for variety of animal species, (3) improvement of the visual or aesthetic quality of disturbed sites. The main results were summarized as follows. 1. Restoring naturalness to human-altered landscapes are important to protecting the worlds biodiversity. In this study, to restore or create an ecological community use as full a complement of native species as possible. Ecological restoration means returning a specific sites to its predisturbance condition. 2. Some species which are introduced first may inhibit the germination and growth of slower-growing species, or they may prevent the growth of other species whose propagules arrive later. In this study, cool season grasses was used small amount than native plants and woody species, because and Indigofera pseudo-tintoria grows well. Tall fescue and perennial ryegrass shows quick germination, but they could not inhibit the other species growing relatively slow. Pinus thunbergii used at Gonam near the ocean was suppressed by the other plants, so it can be concluded that using container seedlings is effective than seeding. 4. Ailanthus altissima, Albizzia julibrissin, Rhus chinensis Lespedeza cyrtobotrya, and Indigofera pseudo-tinctoria were germinated. In wild flowers, Coreopsis lanceolata, Dianthus sinensis, Coreopsis tinctoria, and Lotus corniculatus var. japonicus grew well and show enough plant height which will not suppressed by shrub and woody plants. After one year, native grasses such as Arundinella hirta, Miscanthus sinensis var. purpurascens and Imperata cylindrica var. koenigii cover the slopes well. 5. 25 herbaceous plants such as Trifolium repens, Arthraxon hispidus, Barbarea orthocerae, Potentilla fragarioides, Lepidium apetalum, Chenopodium album var. centrorubrum, Glycine soja, Rubus crataegifolius and 4 woody species such as Lespedeza maximowiczii, Robinia pseudoacacia, Symplocos Chinensis, Quercus acutissma were invaded. 6. Ecological restoration works by Natural Topsoil Restoration Methods for revegetation of the decomposed granite roadside cutslopes were successfully accomplished. It prevents surface water erosion and shows diverse vegetation structure. It will be successful to restore decomposed granite cutslopes.

  • PDF

ISSR Markers of Authentication for Korean and Chinese Platycodon Grandiflorum

  • Shin, Soon-Shik;Choi, Ju-Soo;Huh, Man-Kyu
    • Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
    • /
    • v.23 no.1
    • /
    • pp.214-218
    • /
    • 2009
  • Platycodon grandiflorum is a long-lived herbaceous and one of the very important herbal medicine and foods. P. grandiflorum is called do-ra-ji in Korea. Inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers were performed in order to analyse the phenetic relationships of four accessions of P. grandiflorum. Wild groups had higher expected diversity, 0.164 for Korean and 0.157 for Chinese accessions than those of cultivated groups, 0.079 for Korea and 0.059 for China. The total genetic diversity in P. grandiflorum was 0.268 across species and the value was lower than average values for species with similar life history traits. The patchy distribution and domestication are proposed as possible factors contributing to low genetic diversity. An assessment of the proportion of diversity within species, HAccession/HSpecies, indicated that about 57.1% the total genetic diversity was among species. Thus, the majority of genetic variation (42.9%) resided within accessions. The estimated Nm (the number of migrants per generation) was very low among four accessions (mean Nm = 0.376). The low estimate of Nm indicated that gene flow was not extensive among four accessions. ISSR01-02 locus can be recognized as an unique locus of Korean groups (wild and cultivated accessions). Thus the locus can be used to distinguish Korean accessions from Chinese accessions. ISSR04-06 locus was found specific to Chinese groups (wild and cultivated accessions) and was not shown in Korean accessions. Although the size of sampling was not large enough for P. grandiflorum, the analyses of ISSRs will certainly provide an enhanced view on the phylogeny of accessions.

First report of white rot on a wild gu1ic(Allium monanthum) caused by Sclerotium cepivorum and Sclerotium sp.

  • Cho, Weon-Dae;Hong, Sung-Ki;Kim, Yong-Ki;Kim, Woo-Sik;Jee, Hyeong-Jin
    • Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
    • /
    • 2003.10a
    • /
    • pp.131.2-132
    • /
    • 2003
  • White rot on garlic caused by Sclerotium cepivorum firstly occurred at Goheoung, Jeonnam in 1998. Thereafter, the disease rapidly spread throughout the country except Gangwon and became a major limiting factor for the cultivation of various Allium species such as garlic, onion, and welsh onion. The disease that has not been reported on a wild garlic(Allium monanthum) previously occurred severely at Seosan, Choongnam in 2003. Among cultivation areas in the region, 10.7% were infected by the disease and the ratio of diseased plant reached up to 55.0% in some heavily infected fields. Two species of Sclerotium were consistently isolated from infected samples and identified as S. cepivorum or another Sclerotium sp. Averaged size of sclerotium of the former was 455.0x562.2 urn, while the later was 374.4${\times}$347.2$\mu\textrm{m}$. Patogenicity to Allium species and mycological characteristics such as sclerotium size, growth temperature, and microconidia of the fungi were similar to those reported on other Allium species previously. Consequently, the wild garlic is a newly reported host of the two pathogenic fungi in Korea.

  • PDF