Acta Scientiarum Naturalium Universitatis Pekinensis

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Utilization of Cell Wall of Bamboo Shoot by Wild Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in Qinling Mountains

LONG Yu, CAO Zhuo, PAN Wenshi   

  1. College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871
  • Received:2001-07-23 Online:2002-07-20 Published:2002-07-20

秦岭野生大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)对竹笋细胞壁的利用

龙玉,曹焯,潘文石   

  1. 北京大学生命科学学院,北京,100871

Abstract: Giant panda is an indigenous and endangered species in China.It was discussed that the utilization of cell wall of bamboo by giant panda at the morphological viewpoint. The structure of cell wall of Fargesia shoot in both food and feces of giant panda was studied by the ultrathin sectioning and electron microscope. The results showed that the morphological change of the cell wall of Fargesia occurred through giant panda's alimentary canal. The cell wall became thinner, and the rupture and loss of primary and secondary wall was observed. Therefore, it showed that giant panda has the ability to digest part of components of cell wall, such as pectin and semicellulose, etc. Furthermore, it is possible that giant panda can digest a little cellulose. The morphological method used in this study is a new idea for nutrition research. The ability of utilization of cell wall of bamboo by giant panda is unique in carnivore. It is adaptation to its phytophage.

Key words: giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), Fargesia, cell wall, morphology

摘要: 从形态学的角度探讨了大熊猫对松花竹(Fargesia sp.)笋细胞壁的利用状况,利用石蜡切片、半薄切片和超薄切片技术,通过光镜和透射电子显微镜观察,对比研究野生大熊猫食物和粪便中的松花竹笋细胞壁的形态。发现竹笋经过大熊猫的消化后,其细胞壁在形态上有明显的变化,薄壁细胞细胞壁变薄,厚壁细胞初生壁和次生壁都有部分消失、缺损或扭曲。

关键词: 大熊猫, 松花竹, 细胞壁, 形态学

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