| Reintroduction is an important means of wild animal protections, which especially crucial for the rejuvenation and long-term survival of endangered wild animal populations. Giant panda(Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is the first grade protected animal in China, and also the flagship species of endangered animals in the world. Currently, the giant panda is only distributed in six mountains(Qinling Mountains, Qionglai Mountains, Minshan Mountains, Daxiangling Mountains, Xiaoxiangling Mountains and Liangshan Mountains). These habitats are generally fragmented and severe isolated. Small giant panda populations in fragmented habitat patches, inbreeding and other factors could cause them extinction soon if strengthening protection management haven’t been carried out. Thus, carrying out reintroduction works are essential in these areas for the sake of the small populations’ long-term survival.The reintroduction works of ―Luxin‖, ―Taotao‖, ―Zhangxiang‖ had been carried out in Liziping National Nature Reserve(Xiaoxiangling Mountains). This study mainly discussed the effectiveness of reintroduction in the research area from three aspects. First, the necessity of the reintroduction work should been carried out in this area. Second, whether the reintroduced individuals had fitted into the local populations from spatial distribution. Third, whether the reintroduced individuals were beneficial to improve the small local population genetic structure.To find the status of small giant panda population in the research area, and evaluate the effectiveness of the three reintroduced individuals(―Luxin‖, ―Taotao‖, ―Zhangxiang‖) from the perspective of genetic diversity, this study collected a large number of feces about wild giant pandas and reintroduced giant pandas in the study area. Then extracted fecal DNA for sex identification, individual identification, population genetic diversity analysis and kinship analysis by the using of microsatellite DNA sequences. In order to evaluate the influence of reintroduction from the perspective of age structure, this study divided age group of giant pandas in the study area by the method of feces bite. In order to evaluate the influence of reintroduction activities and the long-term trend of small giant panda population in study area, this study simulated the trend of population development during 100 years and population dynamics under different ways of reintroduction in the research area by VOTEX. In order to analyse the cases of the interaction between reintroducted individuals and local giant pandas, and to find whether the reintroduced individuals had fitted into the local population or not, this study collected GPS points data by GPS radio collars, evaluated reintroduced individuals’ activities range for one year by using method of MCP, and analysed the cases of other giant panda feces points in the reintroduced giant pandas’ activities range by GIS.Age group analysis showed that, the age composition of the Liziping small giant panda population growth characteristics were more obvious after reintroduction. After reintroduction, the sex ratio of the population hadn’t significantly deviated from the 1:1. Before reintroduction, the age composition of the local giant panda population was increasing: 6 in the youth group, 3 in the adult group, 2 in the unknown age group. Male and female ratio was 6:5. After reintroduction the age composition growth characteristics was more obvious: 8 in the youth group, 4 in the adult group, 2 in the unknown age group. Male and female ratio was 4: 3.Genetic diversity analysis showed that the genetic diversity of Liziping small giant panda population was at upper middle level. New gene frequency added after reintroduced the three individuals which would further improve the genetic diversity of researching giant panda population. Before reitroduction, the mean observed heterozygosity(Ho) of local small giant panda population was 0.635. The mean expected heterozygosity(He) was 0.608. The mean number of alleles(MNA) was 3.455. STRUCTURE analysis showed that the small local gianta panda population was one genetic cluster in the study area. After reitroduction, the mean observed heterozygosity(Ho) was 0.557, The mean expected heterozygosity(He) was 0.581. The mean number of alleles(MNA) was 3.455. Five sites totaling increasing of six alleles made the mean number of alleles(MNA) add to 3.667. STRUCTURE cluster analysis showed that new gene frequency arised, since the cluster changed from one into four.Kinship analysis indicated that the reintroduction of three individuals could effectively improve the genetic diversity level of local population, since the relationship between the reintroduced individuals and local individuals was far. The mean kinship coefficient(r) between "Luxin" and another 13 individuals was-0.07. The mean kinship coefficient(r) between "Taotao" and another 13 individuals was-0.21. The mean kinship coefficient(r) between "Zhangxiang" and another 13 individuals was-0.23.VOTEX simulation results showed that, even without considering the effects of inbreeding coefficient the small giant panda population survival rate were as low as 10.8% after 100 years without supplement in research area. However, the reintroduction activities could reduce the rate of extinction. In order to compare different reintroduction strategies, this study investigated the effects of sex and number on the extinction rate of local population. Simulation results showed that comparing with the reintroduction of males, females reintroduction could be more effective in reducing the risk of extinction. If reintroducing three females every 10 years the extinction rate were down to 4.8%. however, even reintroduced 6 males every 10 years, the extinction rate were still as high as 53.2%.Through the analysis of the distribution of other giant pandas feces within the reintroduced indivitruals’ activities range, activities of another giant pandas had been found tin reintroduced individuals’ activities range during estrus and non-estrus before reintroduction.There still had been other giant pandas’ activities in reintroduced indivitruals’ activities range during estrus and non-estrus after reintroduction. Whats more, we found no cases of reintroduced individual traumatized in the wild during the monitoring. This showed that the reintroduced individuals had a very good adaptability.Through the analysis of the spatial interaction between reintroduced individuals and other giant pandas, found that the local individuals and the reintroduced individuals had active activity during estrus. Whats more, ―Closely contact‖ was found between reintroduced individuals and other giant pandas. Mainly manifested in these phenomenon. First we found the appearance of wild giant panda Lzp6(female), lzp7(male), lzp8(male) in ―Luxin‖ activities range during estrus. Second, Lzp8 repeatedly went and backed from ―Luxin‖ activities range during estrus, and finally backed to ―Luxin‖ activities range during non-estrus, meaning that "Luxin" was probably one of lzp8 visitors during estrus and the activities range of ―Luxin‖ was likely to be usually stay place of lzp8. Third, We foud the appearance of Lzp1(male)and lzp8(male) in ―Taotao‖ activities range during estrus, showing that the reintroduced male individuals were together with several males in one area.Thus, we conclud that the three reintroduced individuals have fitted into the local population from respects of spatial interactions. Whats more, the reintroduced individuals have played a role in improving the genetic structure of local giant panda population from respects of age structure, genetic diversity and relationship. The giant panda reintroduction have achieved initial results in the study area. |
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