Reclaimed fields have a low soil fertility and low productivity compared to conventional arable land, necessitating research on productivity enhancement. The rice–frog co-culture model is an ecologically intensive practice that combines biodiversity objectives with agricultural production needs, offering high ecological and economic value. However, there is a lack of research on this model that has focused on factors other than soil nutrient levels. The present study evaluated the rice–frog co-culture model in a reclaimed paddy field across three experimental plots with varying frog stocking densities: a rice monoculture (CG), low-density co-culture (LRF), and high-density co-culture (HRF). We investigated the effects of the frog density on greenhouse gas emissions throughout the rice growth. The rice–frog co-culture model significantly reduced methane (CH₄) emissions, with fluxes highest in the CG plot, followed by the LRF and then HRF plots. This reduction was achieved by altering the soil pH, the cation exchange capacity, the mcrA gene abundance, and the mcrA/pmoA gene abundance ratio. However, there was a contrasting nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission pattern. The co-culture model actually increased N₂O emissions, with fluxes being highest in the HRF plots, followed by the LRF and then CG plots. The correlation analysis identified the soil nosZ gene abundance, redox potential, urease activity, nirS gene abundance, and ratio of the combined nirK and nirS abundance to the nosZ abundance as key factors associated with N₂O emissions. While the co-cultivation model increased N₂O emissions, it also significantly reduced CH₄ emissions. Overall, the rice–frog co-culture model, especially at a high density, offers a favorable sustainable agricultural production model.

Manis pentadactyla was once a widely distributed and resource-rich pangolin species in China. However, in recent years, the wild population has declined sharply due to overuse and habitat loss. It is currently one of the world's most endangered species and is listed as a "National First-class Protected Animal" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and the China Biodiversity Red List of critically endangered species. This study recorded videos of captive M. pentadactyla and used “continuous animal behavior recording” to study the behavioral characteristics of this species in captive environments. The results showed that under captive conditions, behaviors of the Chinese pangolin mainly include feeding, exercise (such as crawling, digging, and climbing), mating, hiding, and resting, where the most common behaviors besides resting were climbing and pacing. Overall, the peak activity period of the pangolins falls between 18:00 and 21:00, which differs from documented activity rhythm results obtained in the wild, most likely due to the ease of acquiring food in artificial captive environments. A correlation analysis between the duration of exercise and feeding behaviors indicates a significant positive correlation between the times allocated to the two behaviors, which means that the more exercise they get, the more they eat. The mating behavior of the pangolins never lasted more than 40 minutes, and based on the time of the first mating behavior, it is estimated that the gestation period of M. pentadactyla in captive environments is less than 131 days. Individual A7, reported in this study, is the first M. pentadactyla baby born in an artificial captive environment on the Chinese Mainland and still alive. In addition, this study compares the captive behavior of M. javanica and M. pentadactyla, highlighting certain differences in behavioral rhythms between the two pangolin species. This work will aid in the development of captive breeding programs for the Chinese pangolin and the potential supplementation of the wild population.

As a mammal with unique ecological habits, the Chinese pangolin, Manis pentadactyla, exhibits nocturnal behavior and has a hidden, cave-dwelling lifestyle. Severe habitat degradation and fragmentation have led to a rapid decline in its wild population. Moreover, the immature state of artificial breeding technology restricts the availability of research samples, particularly with regard to behavioral and ecological data. This makes it extremely difficult to continuously monitor the pangolin’s ecological habits and population dynamics for a long time. The comprehensive research archive is yet to be established, greatly limiting the in-depth understanding of this species’ ecological behavior. To mitigate this data shortage, this study installed GPS positioning and accelerometer technology devices on five Chinese pangolins that were rescued from Zhejiang and released into the wild. Activity rhythms and home ranges were then analyzed based on the collected data. The results showed that all the five released Chinese pangolins were active in the wild and survived throughout the tracking period (21–72 days). The pangolins were mainly active at night, with activity starting after 18:00 and being mainly concentrated between 22:00 and 4:00. The home range of the Chinese pangolins based on MCP was 777.41 ± 426.26 hm², and the core range based on KDE was 596.21 ± 265.58 hm² (50% KDE). This result confirms that high-frequency GPS positioning combined with accelerometer data can effectively determine the home range sizes, habitat utilization, and fine-scale activity rhythms of wild-released pangolins.