We determined the whole mtDNA genome of the gray-headed lapwing (Vanellus cinereus) in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China. The complete mitochondrial genome is 17,078 bp in length and consists of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 1 control region (D-loop). The nucleotide composition is 31.65% A, 23.50% T, 13.76% G, and 31.09% C. The result of phylogenetic analysis showed that there was close genetic relationship between V. cinereus and V. vanellus.

Constant adaptation to environmental changes is required by ruminants to allow them to adapt to different ecological niches and feeding habits. In addition, the morphology and function of ruminant digestive systems reveal some adaptive evolutionary characteristics. Blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) display a variety of morpho-physiological adaptations that are typical of grazers. In this study, we collected 64 adult blue sheep samples (whole animal carcasses) from the Helan Mountains, China, during different seasons. The external morphological parameters, digestive system morphological indexes, and rumen surface enlargement factors were determined. Our results reveal that the rumen and reticulum weights were positively correlated with the body weight (p = 0.004), while the food channel aperture, intestinal length, and weight of the blue sheep digestive tract presented no significant differences between different seasons (p > 0.05) and sexes (p > 0.05). There were significant differences (p < 0.001) in the density, length, and width of mastoids, and the rumen surface enlargement factor was 2.85 ± 1.37, which is typical of roughage feeders. The nutritional and ecological characteristics of blue sheep represent obvious morphological and physiological adaptations to an herbivorous diet. Adopting a quick foraging strategy allows blue sheep to rapidly consume and excrete large amounts of feed, thus obtaining the required energy for their activities and facilitating better adaption to environmental changes.

The Yellow-rumped Flycatcher ( Ficedula zanthopygia ) is a secondary cavity nesting bird and widely distributed in China, Mongolia, Russia and Korea. In this study firstly sequenced the mitotic genome of the Yellow-rumped Flycatcher ( Ficedula zanthopygia ) gathered at Maorshan, China, using Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology, and then annotated the assembly. The total length of the complete mitochondrial genome is 16,730 bp and it consists of 13 protein-coding, 22 tRNA, 2 rRNA genes, and 1 control region (CR). The CR is 1148 bp in length. The nucleotide composition is 29.59% A, 14.75% T, 32.13% G, 23.54% C. The result of phylogenetic analysis showed that there is close genetic relationship among Ficedula zanthopygia and Ficedula hyperythra.

Since ruminants needs a constant adaptation to the environmental changes, therefore they adapt different ecological niches and feeding habits. In addition the morphology and function of digestive system also reveals some adaptive evolutionary characteristics. Blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) display a variety of morpho-physiological adaptations–typical for grazers. We collected 64 adult blue sheep samples (whole animal carcass) in different seasons from the Helan Mountains, China. The external morphological parameters, digestive system morphological indexes and rumen surface enlargement factor were determined. Our results revealed that the weight of rumen and reticulum was positively correlated with body weight (P = 0.004), while the food channel aperture, intestinal length and weight of blue sheep digestive tract have no significant difference between different seasons (P > 0.05) and gender (P > 0.05). Therefore, it is difficult for blue sheep to delay the flow rate of large food particles in the rumen and reticulum by adjusting the aperture of the mesh flap. There were significant differences (P < 0.001) in the density, length and width of mastoid for blue sheep, and the rumen mucosal surface dilatation coefficient was 2.85 ± 1.37, which is the typical characteristic of roughage feeders. The nutritional and ecological characteristics of blue sheep are the obvious morphological and physiological adaptations to the herbivorous diet. They can adopt the quick foraging strategy for consuming large amount of food and rapid excretion to obtain the energy needed for their activities and to better adapt with the environmental changes.

We determined the whole mtDNA genome of the Spotted Nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes) in Tianlong Mountain, Shan'xi Province, China. The complete mitochondrial genome is 16,914 bp in length and consists of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGS), 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 1 control region (Dloops). The nucleotide composition is 25.08% A, 25.08% T, 24.75% G, and 25.08% C. The result of phylogenetic analysis showed that there was close genetic relationship between N. caryocatactes and N. columbiana. It is expected that the complete mitochondrial genome presented here will contribute to the analysis of species distribution.