| The application and fast development of non-invasive technology has presented a novel area for wildlife conservation and fulfill the physiological ecology studies on wild animals. Currently, the process of physiological ecology studies on Sichuan Snub nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellanae) is slow. Several studies focus on sex hormone test and reproduction regulation. Here, we applied non-invasive technology, studied the correlation between social ranks and stress hormones, regulation of energy metabolites, the impact on group growth of food competition and correlation between parasite infection and immune levels for the provisioned snub-nosed monkeys with the assessment parameters of stress hormones, thyroid hormones and immunoglobulins. This study preliminary studied the stress physiology, immune physiology and energy metabolites for supply any scientific supports for physiological ecology studies on Sichuan Snub nosed monkeys. The main results are as follows:1. Both the yearly mean FGM concentrations of males and females could reflect behavioral dominance ranks in Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys at Shennongjia Nature Reserve; The order of FGM levels was only correlated with behavioral dominance ranks in warm, breeding and non-breeding seasons for males; For females the order of FGM levels with behavioral dominance ranks only in cold seasons; and Ranks are not very rigid in FGM levels in females reflect a high corporation rather than an aggressive social relationship.2. Survival rate of infants increased from 81.11%(interactive pattern) to 93.65% (interactive pattern). Provision patterns variation has great influences on infant survival rates; Interactive pattern causes an overall and cold seasonal increasing FGM level of the troop compare to individualistic pattern. The pattern of interaction intensifies the aggressive behaviors and imbalance of food distribution in cold seasons, which caused the food deficiency and high physiological stress. Individualistic provision avoids the conflict and competition among the units and individuals to some degree which reduce the physiological stress; Ranks of female play a very important role on infant lost. Low ranking female individuals suffered severe nutrition stress especially in cold seasons under interactive pattern, which resulted in a high death rate of new born infants; Stress caused by social conflicts is one piece of the main physiological stress in females.3. Nutrition stress did not occur during both summer and winter seasons on provisioning group Sichuan snub nosed monkeys. And lactation and non-lactation individuals did not suffer nutritional stress as well. However, the main energy consuming occurs in summer which might suffer a nutritional stress if reducing food provison.4. The overall FGM level has negative correlations with fecal IgA levels on Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys during summer seasons. This indicated that FGM has suppressed the secretion of IgA. So, Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys are vulnerable to parasites infection in the summer season. IgA levels of male snub-nosed monkeys were significantly lower than female snub nosed monkeys in summer. So, male individuals were more vulnerable to parasites infection comparing to female individuals. However, opposite situation happens in winter seasons. The IgA levels were quiet close to each other between lactation individuals and non-lactation individuals. But, the lactation individuals may burden more risk to parasite infection. |
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