Adoption among nonhuman primates (hereafter primates) has been widely reported, particularly in chimpanzees, renowned for their higher intelligence and well-developed cognition. In contrast to adoption in other Old World monkeys, this case of adoption in golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) involves two infants associated with three units characterized by distinct social structures and reproductive functions. Consequently, this case extends beyond traditional hypotheses on allomaternal care and adoption—such as enhancing the fitness of adoptive mothers, fostering maternal behaviors, and improving fitness through social and individual interactions—to necessitate an association with the complex social structure characterized by hierarchical, multilevel composition, akin to human society, and intense sexual selection that frequently results in infanticide. Specifically, adopting an infant with a genetic link to the dominant male of the adopting female may reduce the risk of infanticide against her offspring that do not share a biological link with the dominant male. This adoption pattern suggests that golden snub-nosed monkeys may possess more sophisticated intelligence and cognition, characteristics supported by more developed brain structure and facial muscles than the other Old World monkeys.

Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling is conserved between fish and mammals, except for TLR4, which is absent in most fish. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate whether TLR4 is expressed in Schizothorax prenanti (SpTLR4). The SpTLR2 and SpTLR4 were cloned and identified, and their tissue distribution was examined. The cDNA encoding SpTLR4 and SpTLR2 complete coding sequences (CDS) were identified and cloned. Additionally, we examined the expression levels of seven SpTLRs (SpTLR2, 3, 4, 18, 22-1, 22-2, and 22-3), as well as SpMyD88 and SpIRF3 in the liver, head kidney, hindgut, and spleen of S. prenanti, after intraperitoneal injection of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly (I:C)). The SpTLR2 and SpTLR4 shared amino acid sequence identity of 42.15–96.21% and 36.21–93.58%, respectively, with sequences from other vertebrates. SpTLR2 and SpTLR4 were expressed in all S. prenanti tissues examined, particularly in immune-related tissues. Poly (I:C) significantly upregulated most of the genes evaluated in the four immune organs compared with the PBS-control (p < 0.05); expression of these different genes was tissue-specific. Our findings demonstrate that TLR2 and TLR4 are expressed in S. prenanti and that poly (I:C) affects the expression of nine TLR-related genes, which are potentially involved in S. prenanti antiviral immunity or mediating pathological processes with differential kinetics. This will contribute to a better understanding of the roles of these TLR-related genes in antiviral immunity.

Retrospective reconstruction of animals' evolutionary development and geographic changes in recent history, as well as monitoring contemporary conservation status, are critical to amending existing conservation strategies. This study presents an innovative effort, as demonstrated by the Sichuan golden monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in China. We studied their fossil distribution patterns during the Pleistocene, explored historical distribution changes over the last 400 years, and surveyed 27 nature reserves where they dwell. The results indicate that this species successfully dispersed from Southwest China to the rest of the mainland of East Asia along the Yangtze and Pearl Rivers, reaching Taiwan during the Pleistocene, which marked the broadest geographic distribution in its evolutionary history. Unfortunately, its population began to shrink during the Holocene, leaving it currently restricted to the provinces of Sichuan, Gansu, Shaanxi, and Hubei in China. Accordingly, we proposed four conservation strategies to amend its conservation status.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe psychiatric disorder, affecting approximately 25–35% of individuals exposed to significant psychological trauma. Despite extensive research, the underlying biological mechanisms of PTSD remain poorly understood, and the effectiveness of trauma-focused psychotherapeutic interventions is limited. To date, animal studies investigating trauma responses have primarily relied on rodent models, with the potential contributions of non-human primates relatively neglected. In this study, matched-control observations were employed to examine maternal caregiving behaviors, prosocial interactions, and responses to alarm calls in free-ranging golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) before and after an infanticide event. Results indicated a significant decrease in prosocial behaviors among some mothers, accompanied by significant increases in caregiving behaviors, heightened responsiveness to alarm calls, and indications of low mood. These findings provide evidence of trauma-related behavioral changes in golden snub-nosed monkeys, underscoring their utility as a model for studying PTSD given the similarity to trauma responses observed in humans. Overall, this study provides a foundation for further investigation into the evolutionary and biological aspects of PTSD, as well as the interactions between species-specific trauma responses. Future research should explore the use of non-human primate models to deepen our understanding of PTSD mechanisms.

The Qinling Mountains, recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, are included in the national park construction plan, necessitating clear boundaries and critical habitats for endangered species, which are essential to fulfill the function of the national park. In this study, we used the MaxEnt model to analyze the suitable distribution area of the flagship species, the Qinling golden snub‐nosed monkeys ( Rhinopithecus roxellana qinlingensis ), and to identify conservation gaps for this species in the national park. The annual range area of the Qinling golden snub‐nosed monkey was set as the minimum threshold for high‐suitability habitat patches. We identified 30 high‐suitability habitat patches (8664 km ² ), with 1350 km ² located outside the national park. Additionally, we identified 58 ecological corridors, which included 44 ecological pinch‐points and 88 ecological barrier patches. Approximately 16% of the corridors and 29% of the ecological pinch‐points were located outside the national park. The primary barriers to these corridors were roads and buildings, corresponding to the key factors affecting the distribution of the Qinling golden snub‐nosed monkeys in the Qinling Mountains (human footprint). Projections for the year 2030 indicate that 9.89% (857 km ² ) of high‐suitability habitat patches would be affected under the natural development scenario (2020–2030 trend). However, in the national park scenario, a loss of 159 km ² of high‐quality habitat—projected under natural development—would be prevented. The national park will overcome the shortcomings of the decentralized protected area system, and future efforts may involve expanding boundaries or creating protection districts, alongside enhancing monitoring surveys and the construction of artificial corridors.