Enhancing the Viability of a Small Giant Panda Population Through Individual Introduction From a Larger Conspecific Group: A Scientific Simulation Study

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The aim of this study is the analysis of genetic situation
in giant panda populations for sustainable conservation
of this species. The study contains also the scientific
simulation of rejuvenation of small populations that could
be applied to avoid the extinction of pandas. I consider the
manuscript to be very valuable for the rational and
sustainable management of panda populations, but it will
also be necessary to verify the conclusions in practical
management.

Fig 4 and 6 will be difficult to distinguish at this magnification

line 210 is duplicated

Line 261 (Table S2 of supplementary material) – where is it?

Table 3 necessary corrections in the title

Author Response

Dear reviewer：

Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript. We appreciate these important comments and will make every effort to revise the manuscript accordingly. We highlighted the revised content in red. The following is a detailed response to the reviewer (see attachment).

Sincerely,

Jindong Zhang

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Short summary: some statements are not new

Introduction: please keep attention that scientific names of species should be italicized; the citations in the text are nor meet MDPI requirements

Some terms are less suitable of the translocation process of wildlife species. Authors should be more careful as due to typos as to using of terms

Some very important publications directly related to species introduction and genetic diversity were omitted, unfortunately. Most of citation are local. Reference list does not meet MDPI requirements

More comments are indicated in the text

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Author Response

Dear reviewer：

Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript. We appreciate these important comments and will make every effort to revise the manuscript accordingly. We highlighted the revised content in red. The following is a detailed response to the reviewer (see attachment).

Sincerely,

Jindong Zhang

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The paper is mostly well written, though there are quite a few sentences errors which can make the meaning of some of the sentences unclear. The analysis appears to be rigorous but needs more detailed explanation in parts (especially in methods section). The discussion I also found confusing in parts.  

ABSTRACT

LINES 26-27 COMPLEMENT THE JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY

LINES 26-30 THERE IS NO EXPLANATION OF THE METHODOLOGY??

LINE 39 CHECK WORD SPACING

KEYWORDS   ADD CONSERVATION OR PRESERVING

INTRODUCTION

LINE 48 UPDATE REFERENCE

LINE 51 THE SCIENTIFIC NAME IS IN ITALIC

LINES 60-62 BRIEFLY JUSTIFY WHY THOSE RESERVATIONS WERE ESTABLISHED

LINE 71 EX-SITU IS IN ITALIC

LINE 84 REDUCE THE NUMBER OF REFERENCES, LEAVE THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE

LINE 95 REDUCE THE NUMBER OF REFERENCES, LEAVE THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE

MATERIALS AND METHODS

LINE 114 MENTION IN WHICH PART OF CHINA THIS PROVINCE IS LOCATED (E.G., CENTRAL CHINA)

FIGURE 1  COMPLEMENT THE INFORMATION IN THE FIGURE CAPTION, IT IS VERY SHORT

LINES 151-152 NEED A REFERENCE

LINE 159 CHECK WORD SPACING

TABLE 2 DELETE "THE" IN COLUMN 3 AND 4

RESULTS

FIGURE 2 IMPROVE RESOLUTION

FIGURE 3 COMPLEMENT THE INFORMATION IN THE FIGURE CAPTION, IT IS VERY SHORT

TABLE 3 CHANGE GE-NETIC BY GENETIC

TABLE 3 CHANGE POP-ULA-TIONS BY POPULATIONS

LINE 237 THIS IS VERY CONFUSING 2.4% ~52.5%; AND THIS IS REPEATED IN THE LINES 303, 312, 313, 322, 327, 329, 335

FIGURE 4 IMPROVE RESOLUTION

DISCUSSION

LINE 352 CHANGE 60.71% BY 60.7%

LINES 444-458 ADD REFERENCES TO SUPPORT THE INFORMATION

REFERENCES

REFERENCES DO NOT FOLLOW THE JOURNAL EDITORIAL STANDARDS

REFERENCES ARE PRESENTED WITHOUT DOI

LINE 499 CHANGE Cambridge university press by Cambridge University Press

LINE 524 change iucn by IUCN

LINE 524 change Iucnredlist.org by iucnredlist.org

SOME REFERENCES APPEAR WITH THE CITY AND OTHERS DO NOT; SOME REFERENCES APPEAR WITH THE USE OF & AND OTHERS WITH THE USE OF AND... IT MUST BE HOMOGENIZED

LINE 618 CHANGE ecology by Ecology

 

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Minor editing of English language required

Author Response

Dear reviewer：

Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript. We appreciate these important comments and will make every effort to revise the manuscript accordingly. We highlighted the revised content in red. The following is a detailed response to the reviewer (see attachment).

Sincerely,

Jindong Zhang

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Authors have improved the MS considerably; however, some terms are less suitable for the translocation process of wildlife species (see comments in the text). Authors should be more careful as due to typos as to using of terms

 

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Minor editing of English language required.

Author Response

Dear reviewer:

Thank you very much for taking the time to review our manuscript again. Based on your suggestions, we have reviewed the entire text and made revisions. We would like to express our gratitude once again for your efforts in revising this manuscript. We hope everything goes smoothly for you!

sincerely，

Jindong Zhang

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors have added and responded to all comments made to the manuscript, which has improved its content and quality. Therefore, I have no further comments or suggestions for the authors.

Author Response

Dear reviewer:

Thank you very much for taking the time to review our manuscript again. Your suggestions are very helpful in improving the quality of our article. We would like to thank you again for your affirmation of our article. We hope everything goes smoothly for you!

sincerely，

Jindong Zhang