Morphological and Molecular Data Revealed One New Species of the Short-legged Toads Brachytarsophrys Tian and Hu,1983(Anura,Megophryidae)from Yunnan,China

A new species of the genus Brachytarsophrys,named Brachytarsophrys wenshanensis sp.nov.,has been identified in southeastern Yunnan,China.This new species can be readily distinguished from other known congeners by both morphological criterion and molecular analysis of three mitochondrial gene segments:16S,COI,and Cytb.This classification is based on the following morphological characters:(1)medium body size(SVL 83.8–85.1 mm in two adult males);(2)enormous head,with head width nearly 1.2 times the length;(3)tongue pyriform,feebly notched;(4)non-meeting heels;(5)male lacking nuptial pad;(6)tibiotarsal articulation reaching angle of mouth when hindlimbs are extended forward alongside the body;(7)absence of outer metatarsal tubercle,inner metatarsal tubercle elliptic and approximately equal to first toe;(8)rudimentary toe webbing,webbing formula:Ⅰ(2–)–(2^(++))Ⅱ(2^(–))–(3^(++))Ⅲ(2^(½))–(4)Ⅳ(4^(+))–(2^(⅔))V;(9)lateral fringes narrow;(10)dermal ridge or glandular fold on dorsum absent;(11)pectoral glands distinct and irregular,femoral gland small.Our work increases the number of species within the genus Brachytarsophrys to 9.

Toxoplasma gondii adhesion and apoptosis of chicken erythrocytes

Toxoplasma gondi is thought to infect all nucleated cells in warm-blooded animals,including poultry,mammals,and humans.However,it is unclear whether T.gondi can infect chicken erythrocytes due to the nucleated nature of these cells.Due to the special role of chicken erythrocytes in innate immunity,we investigated the cell-cell interaction between T.gondi and erythrocytes to elucidate the role of chicken erythrocytes in T.gondi infection.Cellular apoptosis was analyzed by transwell assay and flow cytometry.An immunofluorescence method was used to examine the reorganization of vimentin during T.gondi infection in both Vero cells and chicken erythrocytes.The reorganization of actin was evaluated to further examine the invasion capacity of tachyzoites on chicken erythrocytes during infection.We discovered that T.gondi can adhere to but not invade chicken erythrocytes and eventually cause apoptosis in chicken erythrocytes.When tachyzoites were cocultured with chicken erythrocytes in vitro,the transcrip-tional levels of T.gondi MIC3,ROP16,and ROP18 were significantly decreased.In addition,the rearrangement of host cell vimentin,a type Il cytoskeleton protein regulated by T.gondii infection,was not observed.Similarly,the parasite-induced ring-shaped actin structure was not formed in the host-parasite junction.T.gondi(RH strain)tachyzoites pref-erentially invaded Vero cells and replicated in chicken blood monocytes,but they were not found in chicken erythro-cytes.These findings showed that although T.gondi could attach to the surface of chicken erythrocytes,but couldn't invade successfully.Interestingly,we found that the T.gondii secretome,lysates,and intact tachyzoites could cause apoptosis of chicken erythrocytes,which suggested a complex mechanism involved in the apoptosis of chicken erythrocytes induced by T.gondi.This study elucidated that T.gondi could not infect nucleated chicken erythrocytes and enriched our understanding of the transmission mechanism of T.gondii among avian species.

What Happened in the Trans-North China Orogen in the Period 2560-1850 Ma?

The Trans-North China Orogen （TNCO） was a Paleoproterozic continent-continent collisional belt along which the Eastern and Western Blocks amalgamated to form a coherent North China Craton （NCC）. Recent geological, structural, geochemical and isotopic data show that the orogen was a continental margin or Japan-type arc along the western margin of the Eastern Block, which was separated from the Western Block by an old ocean, with eastward-directed subduction of the oceanic lithosphere beneath the western margin of the Eastern Block. At 2550-2520 Ma, the deep subduction caused partial melting of the medium-lower crust, producing copious granitoid magma that was intruded into the upper levels of the crust to form granitoid plutons in the low- to medium-grade granite-greeustone terranes. At 2530-2520 Ma, subduction of the oceanic lithosphere caused partial melting of the mantle wedge, which led to underplating of mafic magma in the lower crust and widespread mafic and minor felsic volcanism in the arc, forming part of the greenstone assemblages. Extension driven by widespread mafic to felsic volcanism led to the development of back-arc and/or intra-arc basins in the orogen. At 2520-2475 Ma, the subduction caused further partial melting of the lower crust to form large amounts of tonalitic-trondhjemitic-granodioritic （TTG） magmatism. At this time following further extension of back-arc basins, episodic granitoid magmatism occurred, resulting in the emplacement of 2360 Ma, -2250 Ma 2110-21760 Ma and -2050 Ma granites in the orogen. Contemporary volcano-sedimentary rocks developed in the back-arc or intra-are basins. At 2150-1920 Ma, the orogen underwent several extensional events, possibly due to subduction of an oceanic ridge, leading to emplacement of mafic dykes that were subsequently metamorphosed to amphibolites and medium- to high-pressure mafic granulites. At 1880-1820 Ma, the ocean between the Eastern and Western Blocks was completely consumed by subduction, and the dosing of the ocean led to the continent-arc-continent collision, which caused large-scale thrusting and isoclinal folds and transported some of the rocks into the lower crustal levels or upper mantle to form granulites or eclogites. Peak metamorphism was followed by exhumation/uplift, resulting in widespread development of asymmetric folds and symplectic textures in the rocks.

U-Pb Zircon Dating of the Granitic Conglomerates of the Hutuo Group:Affinities to the Wutai Granitoids and Significance to the Tectonic Evolution of the Trans-North China Orogen

The Wutai Complex associated with the adjacent Fuping and Hengshan Complexes represents the best and dassical cross-section in the middle segment of the Trans-North China Orogen, generally divided into Eastern and Western Blocks. Unconformably overlying the Wutai and Fuping Complexes is the Hutuo Group considered as the youngest lithostratigraphic unit in the region and important both for interpreting Precambrian history as well as the overall evolution of the Trans-North China Orogen. Lack of knowledge about provenance of the sedimentary rocks in this group has hindered understanding of the depositional environments and tectonic significance. LA-ICP-MS was applied to obtain U-Pb zircon ages for the granitic pebbles, the lowest lithostratigraphic rock of the Hutuo Group, which, combined with previous lithostratigraphic, geochronological, structural and metamorphic data, provides new constraints on the sedimentary provenance and tectonic evolution of the region. The sequence of the Hutuo Group ranges upward from lower basal conglomerates and volcaniclastic rocks （Doucun Subgroup）, through clastic sediments, slates, dolomites and marbles （Dongye Subgroup）, to sandstones and conglomerates at the top （Guojiazhai Subgroup）. Zircons from granitic pebbles preserved in the Doucun Subgroup basal conglomerates give weighted mean ^207pb/^206pb ages between 2517 Ma and 2566 Ma, which are the same as those for the late Archean Wutai Granitoids, indicating that the pebbles were derived from the Wutai granitic intrusions （2566-2515 Ma）. Based on the new data and previous studies, combined with an igneous zircon crystallization age of 2087±9 Ma obtained for volcanics in the Hutuo Group, the Hutuo Group was deposited in a subduction-related retro-arc foreland basin environment that developed behind the Wutai arc during the eastward-directed subduction of the Western Block beneath the western margin of the Eastern Block. This basin underwent long-lived sedimentation and finally closed during the -1850 Ma collisional event that resulted in the final amalgamation of the North China Craton.

U-Pb Age and Hf Isotope Study of Detrital Zircons from the Wanzi Supracrustals:Constraints on the Tectonic Setting and Evolution of the Fuping Complex,Trans-North China Orogen

Located in the middle segment of the Trans-North China Orogen, the Fuping Complex is considered as a critical area in understanding the evolution history of the North China Craton （NCC）. The complex is composed of various high-grade and multiply deformed rocks, including gray gneiss, basic granulite, amphibolite, fine-grained gneiss and marble, metamorphosed to upper amphibolite or granulite facies. It can be divided into four rock units： the Fuping TTG gneisses, Longquanguan augen gneisses, Wanzi supracrustals, and Nanying granitic gneisses. U-Pb age and Hf isotope compositions of about 200 detrital zircons from the Wanzi supracrustals of the Fuping Complex have been analyzed. The data on metamorphic zircon rims give ages of 1.82-1.84 Ga, corresponding to the final amalgamation event of the NCC, whereas the data for igneous zircon cores yield two age populations at -2.10 and -2.51 Ga, with some inherited ages scattering between 2.5 and 2.9 Ga. These results suggest that the Wanzi supracrustals were derived from the Fuping TTG gneisses （-2.5 Ga） and the Nanying granitic gneisses （2.0-2.1 Ga） and deposited between 2.10 and 1.84 Ga. All zircons with -2.51 Ga age have positive initial εHf values from ＋1.4 to ＋10.9, suggesting an important crustal growth event at -2.5 Ga through the addition of juvenile materials from the mantle. The Hf isotope data for the detrital zircons further imply that the 2.8 Ga rocks are important components in the lower crust, which is consistent with a suggestion from Nd isotope data for the Eastern Block. The zircons of 2.10 Ga population have initial εHf values of-4.9 to ＋6.1, interpreted as mixing of crustal re-melt with minor juvenile material contribution at 2.1 Ga. These results are distinct from that for the Western Block, supporting that the Fuping Complex was emplaced in a tectonic active environment at the western margin of the Eastern Block.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of different heat stress responses between self-root grafting line and heterogeneous grafting line in rose

Rose is sensitive to high temperature which will make the rose go into a semi-dormancy state.Grafting is an excellent way to enhance rose heat tolerance.Here,heat-tolerant Rosa multiflora‘Huanong Wuci 1'(W)and heat-sensitive Rosa chinensis‘Old Blush’(X)were selected as experimental materials.The RNA-seq technique was used to investigate the transcriptomes of self-root grafting line(XX0),heterogeneous grafting line(XW0),self-root grafting line under 6 h heat stress(XX6),and heterogeneous grafting line under 6 h heat stress(XW6).Under high temperature stress,multiple signaling pathways were activated,moreover,a large number of transcription factors and functional genes were induced,especially the HSFs and HSPs with remarkably upregulated expression levels.The GO analysis showed that the differences in the expressions of the genes related to fatty acids and carbohydrates were observed between self-root grafting line and heterogeneous grafting line.In addition,14 P450s were differentially expressed,and one lectin gene was up-regulated in XW0 vs XW6,but down-regulated in XX0 vs XX6.Considering physiological and biochemical traits such as relative electrolyte leakage,SOD activity,proline,and total soluble sugars,DEGs involved in these processes may be key factors to resist high temperature.The present study provides an insight into the complex mechanism underlying grafting in response to heat stress.Our results indicate that grafting is an effective way to improve rose heat resistance.

Metamorphism of the northern Liaoning Complex:Implications for the tectonic evolution of Neoarchean basement of the Eastern Block,North China Craton

As one of the areas where typical late Archean crust is exposed in the Eastern Block of the North China Craton, the northern Laioning Complex consists principally of tonalitic-trondhjemitic-granodioritic （TTG） gneisses, massive granitoids and supracrustal rocks. The supracrustal rocks, named the Qingyuan Group, consist of interbedded amphibolite, hornblende granulite, biotite granulite and BIF. Petrological evidence indicates that the amphibolites experienced the early prograde （M1）, peak （M2） and post-peak （M3） metamorphism. The early prograde assemblage （M1） is preserved as mineral inclusions, represented by actinotite ＋ hornblende - plagioclase ＋ epidote ＋ quartz 4- sphene, within garnet porphyroblasts. The peak assemblage （M2） is indicated by garnet ＋ clinopyroxene ＋ hornblende ＋ plagioclase ＋ quartz ＋ ilmenite, which occur as major mineral phases in the rock. The post-peak assemblage （M3） is characterized by the garnet 4- quartz symplectite. The P-T pseudosections in the NCFMASHTO system constructed by using THERMOCALC define the P-T conditions of M1, M2 and M3 at 490-550 C＋（4.5 kbar, 780 810 C/7.65- 8.40 kbar and 630-670 ＋C]8.15-9.40 kbar, respectively. As a result, an anticlockwise P-T path involving isobaric cooling is inferred for the metamorphic evolution of the amphibolites. Such a P-T path suggests that the late Archean metamorphism of the northern Liaoning Complex was related to the intrusion and underplating of mantle-derived magmas. The underplating of voluminous mantle-derived magmas leading to metamorphism with an anticlockwise P-T path involving isobaric cooling may have occurred in continental magmatic arc regions, above hot spots driven by mantle plumes, or in continental rift envi- ronments. A mantle plume model is favored because this model can reasonably interpret many other geological features of late Archean basement rocks from the northern Liaoning Complex in the Eastern Block of the North China Craton as well as their anticlockwise P-T paths involving isobaric cooling.

Integration of early disease-resistance phenotyping, histological characterization, and transcriptome sequencing reveals insights into downy mildew resistance in impatiens

Downy mildew(DM),caused by obligate parasitic oomycetes,is a destructive disease for a wide range of crops worldwide.Recent outbreaks of impatiens downy mildew(IDM)in many countries have caused huge economic losses.A system to reveal plant–pathogen interactions in the early stage of infection and quickly assess resistance/susceptibility of plants to DM is desired.In this study,we established an early and rapid system to achieve these goals using impatiens as a model.Thirty-two cultivars of Impatiens walleriana and I.hawkeri were evaluated for their responses to IDM at cotyledon,first/second pair of true leaf,and mature plant stages.All I.walleriana cultivars were highly susceptible to IDM.While all I.hawkeri cultivars were resistant to IDM starting at the first true leaf stage,many(14/16)were susceptible to IDM at the cotyledon stage.Two cultivars showed resistance even at the cotyledon stage.Histological characterization showed that the resistance mechanism of the I.hawkeri cultivars resembles that in grapevine and type II resistance in sunflower.By integrating full-length transcriptome sequencing(Iso-Seq)and RNA-Seq,we constructed the first reference transcriptome for Impatiens comprised of 48,758 sequences with an N50 length of 2060 bp.Comparative transcriptome and qRT-PCR analyses revealed strong candidate genes for IDM resistance,including three resistance genes orthologous to the sunflower gene RGC203,a potential candidate associated with DM resistance.Our approach of integrating early disease-resistance phenotyping,histological characterization,and transcriptome analysis lay a solid foundation to improve DM resistance in impatiens and may provide a model for other crops.

The evolutionary tale of lilies:Giant genomes derived from transposon insertions and polyploidization

Dear Editor,Lily(Lilium spp.),known as the“king of bulbous flowers,”has high ornamental and medicinal value due to its attractive,fragrant flowers and nutritious bulbs.The Lilium genus comprises approximately 115 perennial bulbous herbal species distributed in the Northern hemisphere,including 55 species and 18 varieties that were discovered in China.

CPTA treatment reveals potential transcription factors associated with carotenoid metabolism in flowers of Osmanthus fragrans

Osmanthus fragrans is one of the top ten traditional flowers in China.It is divided into three different groups according to its color.α-Carotene and β-carotene are the main determinants to distinguish the color differences between three groups.However,the dominant genes and transcription factors involved in carotenoid metabolism remain unclear.CPTA treatment(0.7mmol·L−1)remarkably promoted lycopene,α-carotene and β-carotene contents in flowers.Transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that CPTA treatment could trigger chain reactions in carotenoid metabolism pathway genes.Four up-regulated and 10 down-regulated transcription factors which have close association with carotenoid variation were significantly induced by CPTA treatment.The up-regulated TFs such as MYB43,MYB123,HSF,were further subjected to transcript expression determination in different cultivars with drastic colors.Among them,transcript expression of four up-regulated TFs coincided with the carotenoid accumulation in different cultivars.We selected up-regulated OfMYB43 to verify its function,which is related to stress tolerance and transcriptional regulation.Transient overexpression of OfMYB43 in O.fragrans flowers showed that it could remarkably promote the expression of PDS,ZISO,LCYE and CCD4,leading to increased accumulation of β-branch carotenoids.OfMYB43 was a potential positive regulator of carotenoid biosynthesis in O.fragrans flowers.This study provides insight into the molecular mechanism of carotenoid metabolism in O.fragrans.

Genome-wide identification of quantitative trait loci for important plant and flower traits in petunia using a high-density linkage map and an interspecific recombinant inbred population derived from Petunia integrifolia and P.axillaris

Petunia is a very important flower in the global floriculture industry and has played a critical role as a model in plant genetic studies.Owing to limited genetic variability in commercial germplasm,development of novel petunia phenotypes and new varieties has become increasingly difficult.To enrich petunia germplasm and facilitate genetic improvement,it is important to explore genetic variation in progenitor species that may contain highly valuable genes/alleles.In this study,an interspecific recombinant inbred population(168 recombinant inbreds)derived from Petunia integrifolia×P.axillaris were phenotyped for days to anthesis(DTA),flower count(Flower_C),flower diameter(Flower_D),flower length(Flower_L),plant height(Plant_H),plant spread(Plant_S),and plant size(Plant_Z)in 2014 and 2015.Transgressive segregation was observed for all traits in both years.The broad-sense heritability on a 2-year basis varied from 0.38(Flower_C)to 0.82(Flower_L).Ten QTL were consistently identified in both years and by two mapping strategies[multiple QTL mapping(MQM)in MapQTL and inclusive composite interval mapping(ICIM)in IciMapping].Major QTL explained up to 30.2,35.5,and 47.1%of the total phenotypic variation for Plant_S,Flower_L,and Flower_D,respectively.These findings should be of significant values for introgression of desirable genes from wild petunias into commercial varieties and future genetic improvement of this important flower.

捕虫堇叶片高效再生体系建立

以2个不同基因型的捕虫堇圆切捕虫堇(Pinguicula cyclosecta)和塞提捕虫堇(P.‘Sethos’)叶片为外植体,通过探究不定芽再生的影响因素,成功建立了捕虫堇高效再生体系。结果表明,2种捕虫堇对消毒方式和基本培养基种类要求相同,但再生能力有显著差异。圆切捕虫堇叶片在MS+1.0 mg·L^(-1)6-BA+0.2 mg·L^(-1)NAA培养基上再生能力最强,再生率为92.22%,再生系数达4.84,在MS+0.6 mg·L^(-1)6-BA+0.1 mg·L^(-1)NAA培养基上,不定芽增殖系数达4.98。塞提捕虫堇叶片在MS+2.0 mg·L^(-1)6-BA+0.2 mg·L^(-1)NAA培养基中再生率最高,为77.78%,再生系数为6.12,在增殖培养基MS+0.3 mg·L^(-1)6-BA+0.1 mg·L^(-1)NAA上,增殖系数可达4.84。2种捕虫堇在1/2MS+0.1 mg·L^(-1)IBA培养基上进行生根培养,根系生长状态最佳。该研究解决了捕虫堇繁殖系数低及工厂化育苗难等问题,为其规模化生产和育种改良提供了技术支持。