EAPSI: Investigating Giant Panda Population Dynamics through Extraction of Volatile Compounds

大熊猫种群在中国的自然栖息地变得孤立和分散，很难找到潜在的配偶。大熊猫依靠化学线索来与其他个体交流身份，亲属关系和生殖状况。然而，关于大熊猫在支离破碎的景观中交流能力的信息有限。因此，这项研究将从整个自然环境的空气中收集化合物，并分析这些成分，以评估个体的运动，栖息地的使用和分散的栖息地之间的交流。本研究将在西华师范大学张泽军博士的指导下在中国四川省进行。张泽军博士不仅提供了关于大熊猫繁殖和栖息地利用的专业知识，还提供了实施这项研究所需的野外位置，相机和分析设备。这项研究将开发一种新工具，有可能将孤立的种群联系起来，并为这一标志性物种的保护工作做出贡献。 难以捉摸的大熊猫（Ailuropoda melanoleuca）利用挥发性化学线索，以确定身份，性别和性接受性的同种在破碎的栖息地。由于孤立的种群仍处于灭绝的危险之中，本研究旨在确定在自由放养的大熊猫中随分布和栖息地而变化的空气中可检测到的独特挥发性化学成分。现场空气分析和固相微萃取（SPME）将用于收集来自中国四川省自由放养的大熊猫的挥发性化合物。与西华师范大学的张泽军博士合作，将通过在沿着已知的大熊猫路线和气味标记站固定SPME纤维，从环境中捕获挥发性化合物。将使用气相色谱质谱法分析提取的挥发性化合物，以确定挥发性空气剖面相对于身份、性别和地点位置的差异。这项研究将为大熊猫种群动态和在破碎景观中的交流提供宝贵的知识。该奖项隶属于东亚和太平洋暑期研究所计划，旨在支持美国研究生的暑期研究，由NSF和中国科技部共同资助。

Giant panda populations have become isolated and fragmented throughout their natural habitat in China, making it difficult to locate potential mates. Giant pandas rely on chemical cues in order to communicate identity, kinship, and reproductive status to other individuals. However, limited information exists on the ability of giant pandas to communicate across a fragmented landscape. Therefore, this study will collect compounds from the air throughout the natural environment and analyze these components to assess individual movement, habitat use, and communication across fragmented habitats. This research will be conducted in the Sichuan province of China under the mentorship of Dr. Zhang Zejun at China West Normal University. Dr. Zhang Zejun not only offers expert knowledge regarding giant panda reproduction and habitat use, but also provides access to field locations, cameras, and analytical equipment required to implement this study. This research will develop a novel tool that will potentially connect isolated populations and contribute to conservation efforts of this iconic species. The elusive giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) utilizes volatile chemical cues to determine identity, gender, and sexual receptivity of conspecifics across fragmented habitats. With isolated populations still at risk for extinction, this study aims to identify unique volatile chemical profiles detectable in air that vary with distribution and habitat in free-ranging giant pandas. Field air analysis and solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) will be used to collect volatile compounds from free-ranging giant pandas occupying the Sichuan province of China. In collaboration with Dr. Zhang Zejun at China West Normal University, volatile compounds will be captured from the environment by securing SPME fibers along known giant panda routes and scent-marking stations. Extracted volatile compounds will be analyzed with gas chromatography mass spectrometry in order to determine differences in the volatile air profile relative to identity, gender, and site location. This research will provide valuable knowledge of giant panda population dynamics and communication across a fragmented landscape. This award, under the East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes program, supports summer research by a U.S. Graduate student and is jointly funded by NSF and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology.