The peritrophic membrane (PM) is located in the gut of most insects and protects them from invasion by pathogens or toxins ingested during feeding. Peritrophins are a principal component of the PM and contribute to the structure and function of the PM. The PM has also been observed in the gastrointestinal tract of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis). In this study, full‐length cDNA sequences of two PM genes from E. sinensis were obtained, namely, Es‐peritrophin1 and Es‐peritrophin2, which were 855 bp and 1,611 bp respectively. The deduced proteins were composed of 267 and 468 amino acids and contained 3 and 1 chitin binding domains respectively. Both Es‐peritrophin1 and Es‐peritrophin2 contained a signal peptide sequence at the N terminus, indicating that both proteins were secretory proteins. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Es‐peritrophin1 and Es‐peritrophin2 were divided into the CPAP3‐B and CPAP1‐H branches respectively. Nevertheless, sequence alignment demonstrated that they had lower homology to other known PMs, indicating they were two novel peritrophins. Quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) analysis showed that both the Es‐peritrophin1 and Es‐peritrophin2 transcript levels were high in the stomach and hindgut and lower in the midgut, indicating that the PM might be assembled locally in E. sinensis. The expression of Es‐peritrophin1 and Es‐peritrophin2 was downregulated by high‐pH stress and Aeromonas hydrophila challenge in the examined tissues except in the hindgut, where the expression of both genes was upregulated by A. hydrophila challenge. These results indicated that Es‐peritrophin1 and Es‐peritrophin2 are two novel peritrophin genes related to immune defence in E. sinensis.

The Medog in southeastern Tibet is home to a diverse range of wild animals. However, research on these mammals’ species directories, distribution, and conservation status remains insufficient, despite their crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. The study carried out a camera-trapping survey to assess mammal biodiversity and the significance of mammal protection in their natural habitats in Gedang, Medog. Future directions and application prospects of the study for wildlife conservation in the southeastern Tibetan mountains were also discussed. The survey, spanning from April 2023 to May 2024, with 19,754 camera trap days, revealed 25 mammalian species across five orders and 14 families. Among these, four classified as Endangered, five as Vulnerable, two as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, nine were categorized as Critically Endangered or Endangered on the Red List of China’s Vertebrates, and seven were China’s national first-class key protected wildlife. The order Carnivora exhibited the highest diversity, comprising 12 species. Furthermore, the study filled the knowledge gap regarding the underrepresentation of Gongshan muntjac Muntiacus gongshanensis in IUCN and provided new insights into the recorded coexistence of the Himalayan red panda Ailurus fulgens and Chinese red panda Ailurus styani along the Yarlung Zangbo River for the first time, and also documented new upper elevation limits for four large to medium-sized species. Regarding the relative abundance indices (RAI) captured by camera traps, the most prevalent species identified was the White-cheeked macaque Macaca leucogenys, followed by the Gongshan muntjac and Himalayan serow Capricornis thar. The monitoring also captured a number of domestic dogs and livestock, as well as human disturbances. These findings underscore the importance of conserving these mammals and emphasize the need for conservation efforts to protect their habitats and reduce human activities that threaten their survival, thereby maintaining the ecological balance of the region. Additionally, the research highlighted Gedang’s significance to global conservation efforts for mammalian diversity, providing essential data for effective wildlife conservation strategies.

Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) is an important regulator of cellular lipid homeostasis and catalyzes the hydrolysis of stored triacylglycerol. We identified and cloned for the first time the full-length cDNA sequence of HSL of the prawn Macrobrachium nipponense De Haan, 1849 [ De Haan, 1833–1850] from a hepatopancreas cDNA library. The complete HSL sequence is 3,575 bp and encoded a 785 amino acid peptide with the catalytic core (GXSXG) containing a serine residue. The phylogenetic tree revealed that the gene of HSL of M. nipponense is closely related with that of Penaeus vanmamei Boone, 1931. The tissue distribution showed that the mRNA expression level of HSL in the hepatopancreas was significantly higher than that in other tissues (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the HSL expression in hepatopancreas was upregulated with the increase of dietary lipids but partially inhibited when the ratio of phospholipids was increased in the lipid mixture. These results demonstrate that HSL is involved in the lipid metabolism of M. nipponense and highlights the importance of phospholipids in lipid metabolism.

This study investigates spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) infestation patterns in Whirlpool Forest, Ontario, offering a region-specific perspective while largely corroborating existing findings. We analyzed egg mass distribution across 43 sampling plots, relating it to tree characteristics. Results revealed a preference for red oak species, with significant egg-laying above one meter. Positive correlations were found between tree diameter and egg mass quantity (ρ = 0.458, p < 0.001 above 1 m; ρ = 0.218, p = 0.006 below 1 m). Tree health was significantly associated with egg mass presence (χ² = 6.08, p = 0.014). A climate-based regression model (R² = 0.714, p < 0.05) projected substantial increases in outbreak area by 2100, with the most severe scenario predicting 9,927,378.49 hectares at risk. Sensitivity analysis showed a 1 °C temperature increase could expand the outbreak area by 814,100 hectares. These findings underscore complex infestation dynamics, challenging simplified models and emphasizing the need for tailored, adaptive forest management strategies in response to changing environmental conditions and pest behaviors.

Elucidating the spatial patterns of biodiversity and their driving mechanisms is crucial for predicting the impacts of environmental changes and informing conservation and management efforts. This study investigated the spatial distribution patterns of species in the Chengdu section of the Giant Panda National Park (GPNP), located in the western part of Sichuan Province, China, which provides a wide range of suitable habitats for diverse species and biotic communities. Species trace points data derived from the 4th National Survey on Giant Pandas were used to analyze the diversity and composition of mammals and gallinaceous birds among the five regions. The results indicated that the central regions comprising Dujiangyan Shi (DJYS), Chongzhou Shi (CZS), and Dayi Xian (DYX) exhibited higher α‐diversity, whereas Qionglai Shi (QLS) and Pengzhou Shi (PZS) presented lower values across most indices, a pattern that was consistent with expectations of the mid‐domain effect. However, Pielou's evenness index showed no significant differences among regions. β‐diversity analysis revealed that species turnover was the dominant factor contributing to faunal heterogeneity among regions, with nestedness playing a relatively minor role. These findings highlight the necessity for coordinated conservation among the five regions within the Chengdu section of the GPNP, with a particular focus on improving habitat connectivity and establishing species dispersal corridors to maintain biodiversity. The study provides valuable insights for the development of targeted conservation strategies and the establishment of a long‐term biodiversity monitoring system, which will enhance the ecological sustainability of the GPNP and contribute to the protection of isolated giant panda populations and their sympatric species.