| The genus Goniurosaurus,which is distributed throughout China,Japan,and Vietnam,currently has 20 known species.Of the 11 species found in China,four are endemic to Hainan Island,Goniurosaurus hainanensis is the earliest species found in Hainan Island.Although species of Goniurosaurus have been recorded for more than 100 years,there is not much information available about their life history.Accordingly,in this study,a survey on the population distribution of Goniurosaurus species on Hainan Island was conducted from September 2017 to December 2019,the morphological characteristics and genetic differentiation of G.hainanensis strains in different geographic populations was also studied.The population density,habitat selection,daily activity rhythm,and reproductive biology of G.hainanensis samples obtained from the Diaoluoshan National Nature Reserve(Hainan Island)were determined,and relevant investigations were carried out to grasp the overall status and taxonomic status of G.hainanensis population resources on Hainan Island.The data obtained can also fill the gaps in the life history of Goniurosaurus species and provide basic data for subsequent ecological research and the protection of these species.From September 2017 to March 2019,the distribution of G.hainanensis was assessed in seventeen districts,containing the Huoshankou geological park,Wuzhishan,Tongguling,Qionghai,Limushan,and Tunchang,and some regions around those mountainous areas.G.hainanensis was identified in Huoshankou,Wuzhishan,Diaoluoshan,Qixianling,Tongguling,Qionghai,Ganzhaling,and Limushan.The morphologic characteristics of samples collected from six regions(Huoshankou Tongguling,Qionghai,Limushan,Diaoluoshan,and Ganzhaling)were recorded and the data were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance,principal component analysis(PCA),and hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA).The results showed that there were significant morphometric differences among certain geographic populations of G.hainanensis.According to the PCA results,the Huoshankou population existed as a separate category;the Tongguling and Ganzhaling populations were clustered into one category;and the Diaoluoshan,Qionghai,and Limushan populations were clustered into another category.The HCA also indicated that the Huoshankou population existed as a separate category,whereas the Tongguling,Qionghai,and Ganzhaling populations were clustered into one category,and the Diaoluoshan and Limushan populations belonged to another category.Full-sequence sequencing of the mitochondria of G.hainanensis in type locality Wuzhishan region,that the results showed that the complete mitochondrial genome of G.hainanensis consisted of 17,192 base pairs,comprising 13 protein-coding genes,two ribosomal RNA genes,21 transfer RNA genes,and noncoding regions(D-loop).The overall A,T,C,and G compositions were 33.53%,26.6%,13.84%,and 26.85%,respectively.To conduct molecular biology research on the geographical population of G.hainanensis distributed in different regions.On the basis of the mitochondrial 12S gene,a maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree was constructed;it was found that the phylogenetic relationship of the G.hainanensis was divided into four branches,marked as Clade A,Clade B,Clade C,and Clade D,respectively.The scatter plot and cluster analysis showed has a difference.Two different elevation ranges were chosen as sampling areas in the Diaoluoshan National Nature Reserve;namely,area A(551–688 m)and area B(289–448 m).The population density of G.hainanensis from July to September 2019 was investigated using the mark–recapture method and was calculated using the Lincoln index and Schnabel methods.With the Schnabel method,the calculated values for areas A and B were 501 and 1999ind./hm~2,respectively,whereas those calculated using the Lincoln index method were 583 and1403 ind./hm~2,respectively.Both results indicated a decrease in the population density of G.hainanensis with increasing altitude.A sampling area(289–448 m)in the reserve.The habitat selection of G.hainanensis was investigated from August to September 2019 using the line transect method.For this investigation,a square area of 1 m×1 m was set up with the position where the individual G.hainanensis was found as the center.In total,40 habitat quadrats and 9 habitat factors were set up.Statistical analysis of the habitat factors in these 40 quadrats was performed using PCA.The results showed that G.hainanensis had a preference for habitat selection,with the preferred habitat environments being a vegetation coverage of 10–75%,a defoliation thickness of?5 cm,a marshy soil texture,?5 caves,a distance of 0–30 cm from a cave,a vertical distance of 30–100 cm from the ground,and steep hills and grass.A 700-m-long sample line was selected in the study area to investigate the daily activity rhythm of G.hainanensis from May 2018 to December 2019.The daily activity rhythm exhibited a bimodal pattern during the entire study period.There were also seasonal changes in the activity rhythm,with specific performance in the unkennel time and return time(rainy season activity time:20:00 h to 06:00 h the next day;dry season activity time:18:00 h to04:00 h the next day).Additionally,the daily activity rhythm was affected by temperature,with the number of active individuals outside the cave significantly decreasing or even ceasing to return to the cave when the air and surface temperatures were lower than 20°C.To examine the reproductive biology,G.hainanensis individuals from the Diaoluoshan National Nature Reserve were evaluated during their breeding season,from September 2017to August 2019.Their breeding and peak breeding seasons usually run from March to October and from July to August,respectively.During the peak breeding season,the gravidity ratio of G.hainanensis was 53%;the individual fecundity was 1–4,with 80%having a fecundity of 2;and the clutch sizes were 1–2 eggs,with most having 2 eggs.In addition,G.hainanensis had the ability to produce multiple clutches per year.The egg mass,clutch mass,egg length,and egg width did not significantly correlate with the reproductive characteristics and snout-vent length of the females.The egg incubation temperature fell within the range of 22–26°C,the incubation humidity was 80–95%,the incubation periods were 65–70 days,and the duration of the egg-breaking stage was approximately 2 h.The ratios of females to males and of adults to larvae were 1:1–1:3 and 7:1–9:1,respectively.There was no sexual dimorphism with respect to body size. |
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