Echinococcosis transmission on the Tibetan Plateau.

Since the mid-1990s detailed studies and field investigations on the Tibetan Plateau have revealed human echinococcosis to be an under-reported major public health problem, particularly in the dominant pastoral communities in the eastern and central regions. Human prevalence surveys showed that cystic echinococcosis (CE, caused by Echinococcus granulosus) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE, caused by Echinococcus multilocularis) are co-endemic with higher burdens of each disease than other endemic world regions. Epidemiological investigations identified some major risk factors for human CE and AE including dog ownership, husbandry practices and landscape features. Dogs appear to be the major zoonotic reservoir for both E. granulosus and E. multilocularis, but the latter is also transmitted in complex wildlife cycles. Small mammal assemblages especially of vole and pika species thrive on the Plateau and contribute to patterns of E. multilocularis transmission which are influenced by landscape characteristics and anthropogenic factors. Tibetan foxes are a principal definitive host for both E. multilocularis and E. shiquicus. In 2006 a national echinococcosis control programme was initiated in Tibetan communities in northwest Sichuan Province and rolled out to all of western China by 2010, and included improved surveillance (and treatment access) of human disease and regular deworming of dogs with annual copro-testing. Control of echinococcosis in Tibetan pastoral communities poses a difficult challenge for delivery and sustainability.

Genetic diversity and population structure of a Sichuan sika deer (Cervus sichuanicus) population in Tiebu Nature Reserve based on microsatellite variation.

Cervus sichuanicus is a species of sika deer (Cervus nippon Group). To date, research has mainly focused on quantity surveying and behavior studies, with genetic information on this species currently deficient. To provide scientific evidence to assist in the protection of this species, we collected Sichuan sika deer fecal samples from the Sichuan Tiebu Nature Reserve (TNR) and extracted DNA from those samples. Microsatellite loci of bovine were used for PCR amplification. After GeneScan, the genotype data were used to analyze the genetic diversity and population structure of the Sichuan sika deer in TNR. Results showed that the average expected heterozygosity of the Sichuan sika deer population in TNR was 0.562, equivalent to the average expected heterozygosity of endangered animals, such as Procapra przewalskii. Furthermore, 8 of 9 microsatellite loci significantly deviated from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and two groups existed within the Sichuan sika deer TNR population. This genetic structure may be caused by a group of Manchurian sika deer (Cervus hortulorum) released in TNR.

[Group differences in responses of Pseudois naynaur to human disturbance in Helan Mountain, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region].

Wild animals respond differently to nonconsumptive human activity and such variation depends on multiple factors. We explored the behaviors of Pseudois naynaur and recorded the distance of their responses in Suyu Kou National Forest Park, Helan Mountain, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. We categorized their behavioural responses as no response, vigilance and flight and recorded the response initiation distance. We compared distances according to disturbance source, group size, group type and sex. Our results showed that Pseudois naynaur showed stronger responses to humans than vehicles. The distance at which the subject of the group was vigilant in small group (group size less than three) was significantly more than that of larger groups (group size more than three). The flight initiation distance in small groups (less than five) was significantly more than bigger groups. The distance of no response behavior did not vary between all male, female or mixed groups. The distance of vigilance behavior when the subject of the group first encountered the disturbance in male groups was significantly greater for female and mix groups, flight initiation distance in female groups was greater than that of mixed groups. In the mixed group, no significant variation on sex was found among all three types of behaviors.