Quekun Peng

Bio: Quekun Peng is an academic researcher from Sichuan University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Population & Pseudois. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 8 publications receiving 100 citations. Previous affiliations of Quekun Peng include Chengdu Medical College.

Molecular evidence for the subspecific differentiation of blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) and polyphyletic origin of dwarf blue sheep (Pseudois schaeferi)

Abstract: Blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur), a Central Asian ungulate with restricted geographic distribution, exhibits unclear variation in morphology and phylogeographic structure. The composition of species and subspecies in the genus Pseudois is controversial, particularly with respect to the taxonomic designation of geographically restricted populations. Here, 26 specimens including 5 dwarf blue sheep (Pseudois schaeferi), which were collected from a broad geographic region in China, were analyzed for 2 mitochondrial DNA fragments (cytochrome b and control region sequences). In a pattern consistent with geographically defined subspecies, we found three deeply divergent mitochondrial lineages restricted to different geographic regions. The currently designated two subspecies of blue sheep, Pseudois nayaur nayaur and Pseudois nayaur szechuanensis, were recognized in the phylogenetic trees. In addition, the Helan Mountain population showed distinct genetic characteristics from other geographic populations, and thus should be classified as a new subspecies. In contrast, dwarf blue sheep clustered closely with some blue sheep from Sichuan Province in the phylogenetic trees. Therefore, dwarf blue sheep appear to be a subset of Pseudois nayaur szechuanensis. After considering both population genetic information and molecular clock analysis, we obtained some relevant molecular phylogeographic information concerning the historical biogeography of blue sheep. These results also indicate that western Sichuan was a potential refugium for blue sheep during the Quaternary period.

Detection and characterization of antibiotic-resistance genes in Arcanobacterium pyogenes strains from abscesses of forest musk deer

Abstract: Arcanobacterium pyogenes is commonly isolated from ruminant animals as an opportunistic pathogen that co-infects with other bacteria, normally causing surface or internal abscesses. Twenty-eight strains of A. pyogenes isolated from forest musk deer suppurative samples were identified by their 16S rRNA gene sequences, and confirmed by amplification of the pyolysin-encoding gene (plo) in all isolates. The MICs of 14 commonly used antibiotics were determined by an agar dilution method. Class 1 and 2 intI genes were amplified to determine whether integrons were present in the A. pyogenes genome. Class 1 gene cassettes were detected by specific primers and analysed by sequencing. All of the strains were susceptible to most fluoroquinolone antibiotics; however, high resistance rates were observed for β-lactams and trimethoprim. A total of 18 of the isolates (64.3 %) were positive for the class 1 intI gene, and 16 (57.1 %) contained class 1 gene cassettes with the aacC, aadA1, aadA2, blaP1 and dfr2a genes. Most were present in the multi-resistant isolates, indicating a general concordance between the presence of gene cassettes and antibiotic resistance, and that the integrons have played an important role in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance in this species.

The mitochondrial genome of a sea anemone Bolocera sp. exhibits novel genetic structures potentially involved in adaptation to the deep‐sea environment

Abstract: The deep sea is one of the most extensive ecosystems on earth Organisms living there survive in an extremely harsh environment, and their mitochondrial energy metabolism might be a result of evolution As one of the most important organelles, mitochondria generate energy through energy metabolism and play an important role in almost all biological activities In this study, the mitogenome of a deep-sea sea anemone (Bolocera sp) was sequenced and characterized Like other metazoans, it contained 13 energy pathway protein-coding genes and two ribosomal RNAs However, it also exhibited some unique features: just two transfer RNA genes, two group I introns, two transposon-like noncanonical open reading frames (ORFs), and a control region-like (CR-like) element All of the mitochondrial genes were coded by the same strand (the H-strand) The genetic order and orientation were identical to those of most sequenced actiniarians Phylogenetic analyses showed that this species was closely related to Bolocera tuediae Positive selection analysis showed that three residues (31 L and 42 N in ATP6, 570 S in ND5) of Bolocera sp were positively selected sites By comparing these features with those of shallow sea anemone species, we deduced that these novel gene features may influence the activity of mitochondrial genes This study may provide some clues regarding the adaptation of Bolocera sp to the deep-sea environment

Geographic variation in the advertisement calls of Gekko gecko in relation to variations in morphological features: implications for regional population differentiation

Abstract: Geographic variations in vocalizations and morphological characteristics of the tokay gecko (Gekko gecko L.) complex were identified using subjects recorded and/or collected in China and Southeast Asia. Populations in south China and northeast Vietnam (the black tokay) were compared with those in Thailand, Laos and south Vietnam (the red tokay). Red tokays possess gray- or dark green-colored skin with brick red spots interspersed on the dorsum, while black tokays possess dark-green skin with black spots or spots of other colors except brick red. Each group produces advertisement calls which consist of distinct acoustic phases. In both groups the first call phase consists of a series of pulses and the second phase consists of a series of two-note syllables. Only red tokays produce a third phase consisting of single notes. Frequency modulation patterns were profoundly different for call elements produced between the two groups. Calls of the black but not red tokay exhibit intricate frequency modulated eleme...

Wildlife Conservation in China: Preserving the Habitat of China's Wild West

Abstract: Wildlife Conservation in China: Preserving the Habitat of China's Wild West, by Richard B. Harris. Armonk: M. E. Sharpe, 2008. xxiv + 341 pp. US$74.95 (hardcover). The book is based on 4 years of fieldwork in western China by a western wildlife biologist over a period of 20 years. The title is self-explanatory, and the matters discussed range from biological and geographical topics to politico-economic issues of wildlife conservation. The Preface and Chapter 1 argue that Chinese wildlife management suffers from an inability to value wildlife for its own sake, more than from habitat destruction. The failure to value wildlife presumably leads to the failure to manage the relationship between consumption and production/harvest and protection of wildlife resources. In Chapter 2, Harris examines geographical factors such as aridity, remoteness and the sparseness of human population of China's west. He examines ethnicity and culture, then jumps to the question of whether western China is getting drier. He follows with a section on the land tenure system of grasslands, and highlights the Chinese penchant for "scientific" fixes such as the privatization of pastoral lands. Chapter 3 presents the argument that Chinese views on wildlife are utilitarian: the Chinese value wildlife only to the extent that it is of use to humankind, rather than valuing wildlife for its own sake. When conservation initiatives are finally taken, they are couched in terms that deny any conflict between the interests of nature and the requirements of civilized humanity. Such "Confucian optimism", he argues, is paradoxically counterproductive to the aims of conservation. Chapter 4 shows that most demands for wildlife resources in China are fulfilled by captive breeding, and asks whether such breeding has any discernible negative effects on wildlife populations. The conclusion is that there is insufficient data either way. Chapter 5 is the best argued and most coherent section of the book, and looks at the legal institutions behind the protection of wildlife, in particular the 1988 Wildlife Protection Law. Here Harris highlights a tendency in Chinese legislation to issue draconian and overly-simplistic laws which are too difficult to implement. Quoting Peter Ho, William Alford and Shen Yuanyuan, he states that, because the law is so strict, it only expresses an ideal, rather than reflecting the realities of enforcement. Chapter 6 also looks at one institutional arrangement for the protection of wildlife habitat: nature reserves. As with the 1998 Wildlife Protection Law, the gap between the stated ideal of nature reserves and their reality is evident. Once again, he sees the Chinese government's penchant for simplistic solutions, such as equating the designation of nature reserves with conservation (p. 119), as counterproductive. He argues, correctly, that quick legislative fixes and the bare designation of reserves do nothing for real conservation. …