Sexual dimorphism in the size and shape of the Sardinian cave salamander (Atylodes genei) was analysed using morphometric measurements. Males and females are roughly equal in body size (mean snout-vent length SVL: 53.8 and 53.4 mm, respectively) but differed in body shape. Relative to their SVL, males had comparatively larger heads, longer limbs and tails than females, which agrees with patterns of sexual dimorphism in other closely related species. This suggests the existence of phylogenetic conservatism in sexual differences in body shape. The lack of dimorphism in body size could be an ancestral trait in Atylodes genei.

The golden jackal (Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758) is one of the most widespread canid species. Nowadays, it is a permanent species from the Slovak fauna. In recent years, their number has grown and the dispersion range has increased in our country. The first evidence of this species was recorded in 1947 and after 1989 the records of jackal presence increased steadily, most originating from the South of Slovakia. The presence of the golden jackal was quite evident from 2009 until 2016 as results demonstrate a great significance in terms of numbers during this period. The collected data is very consistent between culling data (strong evidence) and opportunistic observations (presumable evidence). Patterns of first migrating individuals presented in this work, confirmed previsions of the direction of the dispersion of this species to North from the Balkans region. Presumably, much of the migration occurred from Hungary as most of the first official records of the golden jackal in Slovakia are from areas close to the Hungarian border. This work aims to review and evaluate available official data and literature of Canis aureus in Slovakia. It also intends to summarise the status of this species and correlate it with historical data.

Translocation is believed to be one of the important methods to protect small and isolated populations of giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) from local extinction. Dynamic monitoring of the giant pandas' health statuses after release allows timely rescue measures or termination of the release procedure when necessary, thereby reducing the risk of death. However, it is difficult to diagnose the health of a giant panda after translocation by routine veterinary examinations. Based on data collected from GPS tracking collars, we analyzed the behaviours of six giant pandas after release. We compared the behavioural differences between the giant panda Xuexue (XU), which died due to disease, and four healthy giant pandas after release into the wild to identify a new method to assess the health statuses of giant pandas after release. Our results showed that daily activity levels of the healthy giant pandas were higher than XU after released into the wild; the healthy giant pandas were diurnal, but XU tended to be nocturnal. All healthy giant pandas and XU were not active in the crepuscular phase. These results suggest that daily activity levels and circadian rhythms can be used to assess the health status of giant pandas during the translocation project.

Black-and-white snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti) is an IUCN-Endangered primate endemic to China. There are currently 15 groups separated into five units based on genetic and geographic character analysis. Among these, the southern groups being on the species' most marginal distribution is the most susceptible to extinct in the near future due to most forest fragmentation and human activities. To determine the population dynamics and conversation needs in the southern unit, we conducted interviews and investigation-based interviews in Yunlong and Lanping Counties from December 2013 to February 2018. A new group contains approximately > 10 members, Tianchi group, was found in Tianchi National Nature Reserve and a known group with approximately > 20 R. bieti individuals, Heishan group, which had historically disappeared, was rediscovered in Yunling National Nature Reserve in the southern unit. As a consequence of this survey, the number of groups in the southern unit has increased from three to five, and the total groups has increased from 15 to 17, and the Tianchi group has become the southernmost group and totally isolated group with irreplaceable conservation value. These results indicate that R. bieti groups in the species' southern distribution range may be undergoing recovery and that nature reserves are playing a critical role in conservation efforts. However, small group size, highly fragmented habitats, and marginal distribution in reserves mean that these two groups are still vulnerable to extinction. We accordingly make recommendations and propose management policies for their protection: the Chinese government should commit to protect the new groups by funding academic research and conservation; the reserves, conservationists, and NGOs should take appropriate actions to ensure the establishment of long-term survey and monitoring programs.

The behavioural adaptation (movement and habitat utilization) of translocated organisms to a new environment after their release is crucial in translocation programs because it may affect survival. Therefore, identifying the factors determining habitat selection by the relocated animals is essential to improving the planning and the outcome of such programs. Using the data from three relocated giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), we studied the habitat utilization, release-site fidelity, and interaction with resident giant pandas. The results showed that the quality of habitat used by the relocated giant pandas was significantly higher than the average habitat quality of the research region, and was significantly lower than that used by resident giant pandas. This suggested that the released three giant pandas had habitat selection abilities. The three released giant pandas gradually moved away from their release sites and did not exhibit site fidelity. In the first six months, the giant pandas stayed within about 3 km of their release sites, where habitat was good quality but overlapped with the distribution of resident giant pandas. The overlap of location between released and resident giant pandas decreased after six months when the released giant pandas moved away from their release sites.

Thirty three maternity roosts of Rhinolophus hipposideros were monitored from 2000 to 2018 in an area of north-western Italy, between the Piedmont (13 roosts) and Liguria regions (20 roosts), and data were analysed through a TRIM statistic to calculate a robust estimation of reproductive population trends. Throughout the 19-years-long monitoring period, a total of 5135 Rhinolophus hipposideros were counted in maternity roost, with a mean of 273 (SD = 198.1) per year (mean Piedmont = 73, SD = 85.9; mean Liguria = 200, SD = 164.6). The population analysis model shows a significant overall gradient of 1.047, which corresponds to an average annual increase of 4.7 % over the period considered. The analysis suggests that in the study area, the reproductive population of Rhinolophus hipposideros monitored in the maternity roost has increased throughout the period from 2000-2018, with large increases after 2010 and different trends occurring in the two regions considered, including a significant moderate increase in Liguria and a stable trend in Piedmont. The results agreed with the recently observed trends in other European countries for this species.

In the present paper, we clarify the genetic structure and taxonomy of six vole species occurring in Mongolia including Microtus mongolicus, M. maximowiczii, M. limnophilus, Eolagurus luteus, E. przewalskii and Lagurus lagurus based on the sequence data of cytochrome b and three nuclear genes. All available genetic data indicate that M. mongolicus includes two divergent genetic lineages, which should be recognized as distinct species: M. mongolicus (East Mongolia, Khentii) and M. alpinus (Khangai and adjacent areas). Both M. maximowiczii and M. limnophilus are represented in Mongolia by specific haplogroups of the intraspecies level. Nuclear, mitochondrial and chromosomal data support strong differentiation between Eolagurus luteus and E. przewalskii.