Adaptive changes in the intestinal microbiota of giant pandas following reintroduction.

The biggest challenge during the reintroduction of captive giant pandas into the wild is their ability to adapt to the natural environment, and the role of gut microbiota in this process remains unknown. Here, the gut microbiota was analyzed and categorized into training, exploration (1-3 months post-release) and stable period (4-6 months post-release) by activity intensity of released pandas. We found that the gut microbiota diversity of pandas was significantly higher during the stable period compared to the training period.

Reintroduction training is instrumental in restoring the oral microbiota of giant pandas from "captivity" to "wildness".

Reintroduction programs aim to restore wild populations, yet success is challenged by host microbiome adaptation to natural environments. Here, we characterized the oral microbiota of giant pandas undergoing pre-release training, comparing them to captive and wild conspecifics, to assess training-induced microbial shifts. We found that after one year of reintroduction training, multi-generational captive giant pandas exhibited increased oral microbiome diversity, with community structure, composition, and predicted functions converging toward wild-type profiles.

The bacterial diversity and potential pathogenic risks of giant panda-infesting ticks.

Unlabelled: As common parasites in the wild, ticks significantly limit the population growth of wild giant pandas and hinder the process of reintroducing captive giant pandas into their natural habitats. Research on microbial communities and pathogens in ticks infesting giant pandas is limited, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive investigation. To thoroughly investigate the microbial communities in giant panda-infesting ticks, particularly potential pathogens, we analyzed 246 ticks collected from the ears of wild-living giant pandas using 16S rRNA and metagenomic sequencing.

Low Reproductivity of Giant Pandas May Be Associated with Increased Vaginal .

The poor reproductive capacity of giant pandas significantly hinders the development of captive populations, with 80.88% of adult individuals being unable to successfully become pregnant and deliver offspring. The disturbance of vaginal microbiota has been proven to potentially lead to miscarriage, abortion, and stillbirth in mammals.

Efficacy of azithromycin combined with compounded atovaquone in treating babesiosis in giant pandas.

Background: Babesia is a tick-borne protozoan blood parasite that can cause hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, lethargy and splenomegaly in giant pandas.

Methods: We evaluated the efficacy and safety profile of a therapeutic regimen combining atovaquone and zithromycin in the context of babesiosis in giant pandas that have been naturally infected. The examined pandas underwent clinical and laboratory analyses, including hematology, biochemistry and thyroid hormone profiles.

Symbiotic microbiota and odor ensure mating in time for giant pandas.

To achieve reproduction, male solitary mammals need to locate females using chemical communication with high levels of precision. In the case of giant pandas, the total estrus period of females was usually 15 days each year, however, successful mating activity is finished within 3 days from respective home range. The mating pattern of giant pandas, where multiple males compete for each female requires females employ efficient systems to communicate their estrus phases.

Virome of Giant Panda-Infesting Ticks Reveals Novel Bunyaviruses and Other Viruses That Are Genetically Close to Those from Giant Pandas.

Tick infestations have been reported as one of the factors threatening the health of giant pandas, but studies of viral pathogens carried by ticks feeding on the blood of giant pandas are limited. To assess whether blood-sucking ticks of giant pandas can carry viral pathogens and if so, whether the viruses in ticks are associated with those previously detected in giant panda hosts, we determined the viromes of ticks detached from giant pandas in a field stocking area in Sichuan Province, southwest China. Using viral metagenomics we identified 32 viral species in ticks, half of which (including anellovirus [ = 9], circovirus [ = 3], and gemycircularvirus [ = 4]) showed homology to viruses carried by giant pandas and their associated host species (such as red pandas and mosquitoes) in the same living domain.

First detection and molecular identification of Babesia sp. from the giant panda, Ailuropoda melanoleuca, in China.

Background: Parasitic infections are among the important causes of death of giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) that hamper their survival in the wild. There are about 35 species of parasites which have been identified in giant pandas, but no information is currently available regarding the infection of Babesia in giant pandas. Babesia spp.

Free-roaming dogs limit habitat use of giant pandas in nature reserves.

Giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) were historically hunted using dogs and are currently threatened by free-roaming dogs and their associated diseases. To better understand the spatial magnitude of this threat, we used a GIS approach to investigate edge effects of dogs on giant panda habitat. We first examined two nature reserves with contrasting free-roaming dog populations: Liziping, with many dogs (~0.

A novel polyomavirus from the nasal cavity of a giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).

Background: Polyomaviruses infect a wide variety of mammalian and avian hosts with a broad spectrum of outcomes including asymptomatic infection, acute systemic disease, and tumor induction.

Methods: Viral metagenomics and general PCR methods were used to detected viral nucleic acid in the samples from a diseased and healthy giant pandas.

Results: A novel polyomavirus, the giant panda polyomavirus 1 (GPPyV1) from the nasal cavity of a dead giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) was characterized.