Cretaceous crown male ant reveals the rise of modern lineages

Most described Mesozoic ants belong to stem groups that existed only during the Cretaceous period.Previously,the earliest known crown ants were dated to the Turonian(Late Cretaceous,ca.94-90 million years ago(Ma))deposits found in the USA,Kazakhstan,and Botswana.However,the recent discovery of an alate male ant in Kachin amber from the earliest Cenomanian(ca.99 Ma),representing a new genus and species,Antiquiformica alata,revises the narrative on ant diversification.Antiquiformica can be distinctly differentiated from all known male stem ants by its geniculate antennae with elongated scape,extending far beyond the occipital margin of the head and half the length of the funiculus,as well as its partly reduced forewing venation.Furthermore,the combination of a one-segmented waist with a well-developed node,elongated scape extending beyond the occipital margin,and reduced forewing venation,particularly the completely reduced m-cu and rs-m crossveins and absence of rm and mcu closed cells,firmly places the fossil within the extant subfamily Formicinae.Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR)confirmed that the amber containing Antiquiformica alata originated from the Kachin mines in Myanmar.This discovery significantly revises our understanding of the early evolution of Formicinae.The presence of Antiquiformica in Cenomanian amber indicates that the subfamily Formicinae emerged at least by the start of the Late Cretaceous,with crown ants likely originating earlier during the earliest Cretaceous or possibly the Late Jurassic,although paleontological evidence is lacking to support the latter hypothesis.

On the potential of documenting decadal-scale avifaunal change from before-and-after comparisons of museum and observational data across North America

Studies of biodiversity dynamics have been cast on either long(systematics)or short(ecology)time scales,leaving a gap in coverage for moderate time scales of decades to centuries.Large-scale biodiversity information resources now available offer opportunities to fill this gap for many parts of the world via detailed,quantitative comparisons of assemblage composition,particularly for regions without rich time series datasets.We explore the possibility that such changes in avifaunas across the United States and Canada before and after the first three decades of marked global change(i.e.,prior to 1980 versus after 2010)can be reconstructed and characterized from existing primary biodiversity data.As an illustration of the potential of this methodology for sites even in regions not as well sampled as the United States and Canada,we also explored changes at a single site in Mexico(Chichén-Itzá).We analyzed two large-scale datasets:one summarizing bird records in the United States and Canada before 1980,and one for the same region after 2010.We used probabilistic inventory completeness analyses to identify sites that have avifaunas that have likely been inventoried more or less completely.We prepared detailed comparisons between the two time periods to analyze species showing distributional changes over the time period analyzed.We identified 139 sites on a 0.05°grid that were demonstrably well-inventoried before 1980 in the United States and Canada,of which 108 were also well-inventoried after 2010.Comparing presence/absence patterns between the two time periods for 601 bird species,we found significant spatial autocorrelation in overall avifaunal turnover(species gained and lost),but not in numbers of species lost.We noted potential northward retractions of ranges of several species with high-latitude(boreal)distributions,while other species showed dominant patterns of population loss,either rangewide(e.g.,Tympanuchus cupido)or regionally(e.g.,Thryomanes bewickii).We developed linear models to explore a suite of potential drivers of species loss at relatively fine-grained resolutions(<6km),finding significant effects of precipitation increase,particularly on the eastern border of the United States and Canada.Our exploration of biotic change in Chichén-Itzáincluded 265 species and showed intriguing losses from the local avifauna(e.g.,Patagioenas speciosa),as well as vagrant and recent invasive species in the Yucatán Peninsula.The present work documents both the potential for and the problems involved in an approach integrating primary biodiversity data across time periods.This method potentially allows researchers to assess intermediate-time-scale biodiversity dynamics that can reveal patterns of change in biodiversity-rich regions that lack extensive time-series information.

The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Salt-water Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) and Phylogeny of Crocodilians

The nucleotide sequence of the complete mitochondrial DNA （mtDNA） molecule of the salt-water crocodile （Crocodylus porosus） was determined in this article. The molecule is 16,917 base pairs Cop） in length, and codes for 22 tRNAs, 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNAs, as well as a control region （D-loop）, as is characteristic for mitochondrial genomes of other metazoans. The gene order conforms to that of other crocodilians sequenced, but the arrangement of some tRNA genes differs from other vertebrates. It shows that the gene order of crocodilians is remarkably conserved. In this study, the relationships among crocodilians were examined in the phylogenetic analysis based on the control conserved regions of 17 crocodilians. The results suggest that the gharial （Gavialis gangeticus） joins the false gharial （Tomistoma schlegelii） on a common branch, and then constitutes a sister group to traditional Crocodylidae. Thus, the result supports that G gangeticus belongs to Crocodylidae. The analyses also suggest that the African slender-shouted crocodile （Crocodylus cataphractus） can be treated as an isolated genus, and constitutes a sister group to Crocodylus.

A New Subfamily of Aphids (Hemiptera,Aphidomorpha) from the Early Cretaceous Lebanese Amber with a Description of the Oldest Apterous Morphs

Aphids are marked by their high polymorphism, but species reported from the Early Cretaceous are known only from alate morphs. The discovery of an apterous adult morph in Lebanese amber and a larva of the same species are very important for the understanding of both the morphological and biological evolution of this insect group at the very early stage of development. Gondvanoaphis estephani new subfamily, new genus and species of the recent aphids family Thelaxidae is described. The characters of the new genus in respect to other genera placed in Thelaxidae are reviewed. The palaeoeeological and palaeogeographical data concerning Gondvanoaphis new genus are also discussed.

First Record of Hoplictis(Carnivora,Mustelidae) in East Asia from the Miocene of the Ulungur River Area,Xinjiang,Northwest China

The first unequivocal remains of medium to large-sized mustelids from the middle Miocene Halamagai and Kekemaideng formations have been found in the Ulungur River area, Xinjiang, northwestern China. These new fossils are referred to the hypercarnivorous mustelid Hoplictis Ginsburg, 1961 and denote the first record of the genus in East Asia.We define Hoplictis baihu n. sp., for the mustelid from Tieersihabahe(Halamagai Fm.), which represents the smallest species of the genus. This primitive form is closer to H. florancei and H. noueli than to H. anatolicus and later, larger and more derived Hoplictis spp., from Europe and North America. A large toothless mandible from Duolebulejin(Kekemaiden Fm.) is assigned to Hoplictis cf. helbingi, and it presumably might represent the first record of H. helbingi outside Western Europe. The systematic position of Hoplicitis in relation to Ischyrictis with which it is similar is clarified. The occurrence in East Asia of two species of Hoplictis greatly expands the known distribution and diversity of the genus, and supports a Palaearctic Neogene dispersal event of carnivorans between Europe and Asia during the late Shanwangian–early Tunggurian equivalent to MN5–6 in Europe, and indication of another dispersal event from Europe to North America,through Northwest China during the late Tunggurian, equivalent to MN7–8 in Europe.

Strenulagus(Mammalia: Lagomorpha) from the Middle Eocene Irdin Manha Formation of the Erlian Basin, Nei Mongol, China

New material of Strenulagus solaris, a stem lagomorph, from the lower part of the Middle Eocene Irdin Manha Formation at the Irdin Manha and Huheboerhe localities, Erlian Basin, Nei Mongol, China includes remains of isolated cheek teeth, fragmentary upper incisors （dI2） and postcranial elements, reported from the species for the first time. The tarsal bones display advanced features, such as a wide calcaneofibular articulation surface and, along with an increase in hypsodonty, the new data document the early stage of lagomorph evolution in the Middle Eocene of the Erlian Basin. This finding is stratigraphically well constrained and probably predates that of the type material of S. solaris from the Khaychin Formation, Bugin-Tsav Basin, Mongolia.

Mitogenomic phylogeny of the Asian colobine genus Trachypithecus with special focus on Trachypithecus phayrei(Blyth, 1847) and description of a new species

Trachypithecus,which currently contains 20 species divided into four groups,is the most speciose and geographically dispersed genus among Asian colobines.Despite several morphological and molecular studies,however,its evolutionary history and phylogeography remain poorly understood.Phayre’s langur(Trachypithecus phayrei) is one of the most widespread members of the genus,but details on its actual distribution and intraspecific taxonomy are limited and controversial.Thus,to elucidate the evolutionary history of Trachypithecus and to clarify the intraspecific taxonomy and distribution of T.phayrei,we sequenced 41 mitochondrial genomes from georeferenced fecal samples and museum specimens,including two holotypes.Phylogenetic analyses revealed a robustly supported phylogeny of Trachypithecus,suggesting that the T.pileatus group branched first,followed by the T.francoisi group,and the T.cristatus and T.obscurus groups most recently.The four species groups diverged from each other 4.5-3.1 million years ago(Ma),while speciation events within these groups occurred much more recently(1.6-0.3 Ma).Within T.phayrei,we found three clades that diverged 1.0-0.9 Ma,indicating the existence of three rather than two taxa.Following the phylogenetic species concept and based on genetic,morphological,and ecological differences,we elevate the T.phayrei subspecies to species level,describe a new species from central Myanmar,and refine the distribution of the three taxa.Overall,our study highlights the importance of museum specimens and provides new insights not only into the evolutionary history of T.phayrei but the entire Trachypithecus genus as well.

A new snake species of the genus Gonyosoma Wagler,1828(Serpentes:Colubridae)from Hainan Island,China

A new species of the genus Gonyosoma Wagler,1828 is described herein based on six specimens from the Diaoluoshan Mountains,Hainan Island,Hainan Province,China.The new species,Gonyosoma hainanense sp.nov.,is most similar to its continental sister species,Gonyosoma boulengeri(Mocquard,1897).Both taxa have a scaled protrusion on the anterior portion of the rostrum,distinct from other congeners.However,Gonyosoma hainanense sp.nov.can be distinguished from G.boulengeri by two significant morphological characters:(1)black orbital stripe absent in adults(vs.present in G.boulengeri);and(2)two loreals(vs.one loreal in G.boulengeri).The new species is also genetically divergent and forms a unique clade from its sister species and all other congeners based on sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b(cyt b).

Mating Ethogram of a Video-aided Study of Mating and Parturition in Captive Chinese Crocodile Lizards (Shinisaurus crocodilurus)

Mating behavior and parturition are important components in the life history of any species. The endangered Chinese crocodile lizard(Shinisaurus crocodilurus) is suffering dramatic population decreases in the wild. Successful captive breeding can provide individuals to be reintroduced into their natural habitat and help to restore the wild populations. Studying the mating behavior and parturition of these lizards in captivity will enable us understand how is this ancient species reproduction and optimize artificial reproduction protocol. We studied the mating behavior and parturition of Chinese crocodile lizards in captivity using video recordings at the Daguishan National Nature Reserve, China, from 2015 to 2017. We analyzed pre-copulation and copulation, which occurred in mid-March to late May from all studied years. Pre-copulation and copulation lasted on average 7.51(n=11) and 27.45(n=11) minutes, respectively. We found that large-bodied male lizards have longer copulation periods, a pattern seen in other lizard species. In the mating event, males always initiated sex, while the females were passive. The duration of parturition lasted 153.8 ± 26.8(n=46) minutes, and larger females had heavier clutches. In addition, even though Chinese crocodile lizards represent an ancient lizard clade with primitive characteristics, they still abide by the reproduction patterns seen in most other lizard species.

Determining the Authenticity of Artifacts by Oxygen Isotope Analysis

A technique used to determine the authenticity of artifacts that compares the oxygen isotopic composition of speleothems to the carbonate included within the patina of unprovenanced artifacts is of questionable value. The unprovenanced Jehoash Inscription Tablet and James Ossuary are of potentially immense historical and cultural importance. Nevertheless, they both were rejected by workers based on the oxygen isotope technique which provided the major foundational evidence of forgery in the longest running archaeological trial in Israel. Nevertheless, both these artifacts were determined not to be forged. The initial incongruence between the oxygen isotopes of the speleothems of the Soreq cave (Israel) purported to represent the unique composition of Jerusalem rainfall, and the patina on the artifacts, can be readily explained by the accretion of materials and geo-biochemical processes expected in normal patina formation in the Jerusalem region. The patina formation involves sporadic events in disequilibrium kinetic processes that are opposed to the equilibrium formation of speleothems in a sealed cave. Moreover, 23 of 56 patina samples (41%) on well-documented ancient artifacts from Israel yielded oxygen isotope values greater or lower than the expected speleothem values of -4 δ18O ‰ [PDB] to -6 δ18O ‰ [PDB]. Thus, the speleothem-patina correlation is invalid and the applied oxygen isotopes technique for determining the authenticity of patinas on artifacts is not a useful tool in the authentication of artifacts.

An algorithm for preferential selection of spectroscopic targets in LEGUE

We describe a general target selection algorithm that is applicable to any survey in which the number of available candidates is much larger than the number of objects to be observed. This routine aims to achieve a balance between a smoothly- varying, well-understood selection function and the desire to preferentially select cer- tain types of targets. Some target-selection examples are shown that illustrate differentpossibilities of emphasis functions. Although it is generally applicable, the algorithm was developed specifically for the LAMOST Experiment for Galactic Understanding and Exploration （LEGUE） survey that will be carried out using the Chinese Guo Shou Jing Telescope. In particular, this algorithm was designed for the portion of LEGUE targeting the Galactic halo, in which we attempt to balance a variety of science goals that require stars at fainter magnitudes than can be completely sampled by LAMOST. This algorithm has been implemented for the halo portion of the LAMOST pilot sur- vey, which began in October 2011.

Spittlebugs in the genus Sphenorhina (Hemiptera:Cercopidae) associated with weedy composite host plants (Asteraceae) that may represent unusual cases of nitrogen fixation

Three species of the spittlebug genus Sphenorhina （Hemiptera： Cercopidae） have been observed in association with Crassocephalum crepidioides and Chromolaena ordorata, weedy tropical species in the family Asteraceae that have been implicated as nitrogen-fixing plants. The spittlebugs may be serving as indirect indicators of nitrogen fixation in some species of Asteraceae, a group in which nitrogen fixation has not been well established.

Opaque Minerals in LL3.0-6 Chondrites I: Mineralogy of Ti-oxides and ^(53)Mn-^(53)Cr Systematics of Ilmenite

We conducted a systematic study of oxide minerals in LL3.0-6 chondrites, and found ilmenite, rutile, perovskite and an unknown Al-Ti-Zr-oxide. Ilmenite is low in abundance, but is present in the chondrules and matrix of all the samples that we studied. The MnO content of ilmenite in LL3.0-3.3 is lower than that in LL3.5-6. The low concentration of MnO in the former is due to crystallization from chondrules melts at high temperatures. On the other hand, ilmenite composition in LL3.5-6 reflects thermal metamorphism. Therefore, ilmenite is indicative of petrologic type. We also made the first measurements of the 53Mn-53Cr systematics of ilmenite in ordinary chondrites. The age for ilmenite in Y790256 (LL6) is determined to be about 2 Ma older than angrites. This may represent the metamorphic age of the LL chondrites.

An Early Clinical Case of COVID-19 in New York

SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus that causes the human disease COVID-19, was determined to be the cause of a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China which began in December 2019 [1]. The first case in the United States reportedly occurred on 20 January 2020 in Washington state in a patient with a history of travel to Wuhan [2]. We report an earlier case of COVID-19 in Queens, New York in November 2019. While it is not perfectly clear from the initial November 2019 emergency department case presentation, if the patient had influenza alone, COVID-19 alone, or combined influenza and COVID-19 infection, presenting lung lesions and constitutional symptoms, later follow-up antibody and immune cell analyses, and the possibility of false-positive RIDT, do strongly suggest initial COVID-19 infection (with or without initial influenza infection). This clinical paper becomes important, because it may describe the earliest now-reported COVID-19 case in the United States, and because emergency department and post-emergency department treatments contributed to a successful patient outcome.

The Black-winged Monarch(Monarcha frater):Geographic variation,taxonomy,a"new"population,and an enduring mystery in migration

The Black-winged Monarch(Monarcha frater)inhabits low-mid elevation forests across New Guinea and far northeastern Australia.Of its four recognized subspecies,M.f.canescens is migratory,breeding in tropical north-eastern Australia from approximately November–March.The non-breeding range of M.f.canescens,apart from some individuals overwintering in Australia,has been unknown for>100 years.Data from 194 New Guinean and Australian specimens and a literature review have not solved this mystery;the narrow latitudinal range of the intratropical migration may inhibit use of GPS loggers in resolving the migration route.Field work in central and western parts of southern New Guinea is needed.Specimen data,however,revealed an essentially overlooked population in north-western New Guinea east of the Bird's Head Peninsula phenotypically indistinguishable from nominate M.f.frater of that Peninsula.Future genomic analysis of the complex will be largely done from toepad skin because frozen tissue samples for DNA analysis exist only of four individuals of what we suggest should be elevated to species rank as M.periophthalmicus.We discuss how genomic analysis might distinguish among alternative taxonomic hypotheses of one,two or three species.We suggest English names for what we consider to be three diagnosable taxa worth recognizing at species rank in this group:Arfak Monarch corresponding to M.frater(Bird's Head Peninsula and the“new”population of north-western New Guinea);Pearly Monarch for M.canescens(Australia and still unknown non-breeding range),and Masked Monarch for M.periophthalmicus(including kunupi,elsewhere in New Guinea).

Comparative analysis of 12 water lily plastid genomes reveals genomic divergence and evolutionary relationships in early flowering plants

The aquatic plant Nymphaea,a model genus of the early flowering plant lineage Nymphaeales and family Nymphaeaceae,has been extensively studied.However,the availability of chloroplast genome data for this genus is incomplete,and phylogenetic relationships within the order Nymphaeales remain controversial.In this study,12 chloroplast genomes of Nymphaea were assembled and analyzed for the first time.These genomes were 158,290-160,042 bp in size and contained 113 non-repeat genes,including 79 protein-coding genes,30 tRNA genes,and four rRNA genes.We also report on codon usage,RNA editing sites,microsatellite structures,and new repetitive sequences in this genus.Comparative genomics revealed that expansion and contraction of IR regions can lead to changes in the gene numbers.Additionally,it was observed that the highly variable regions of the chloroplast genome were mainly located in intergenic regions.Furthermore,the phylogenetic tree showed the order Nymphaeales was divided into three families,and the genus Nymphaea can be divided into five(or three)subgenera,with the subgenus Nymphaea being the oldest.The divergence times of nymphaealean taxa were analyzed,with origins of the order Nymphaeales and family Nymphaeaceae being about 194 and 131 million years,respectively.The results of the phylo-genetic analysis and estimated divergence times will be useful for future evolutionary studies of basal angiosperm lineages.

Specialized springtail predation by Loricera beetles: An example of evolutionary stasis across the K-Pg extinction

Dear Editor,The Cretaceous-Paleogene(K-Pg)mass extinction precipitated one of the most profound restructurings of biodiversity in recent geological history.Despite the extinction of many iconic groups,particularly the non-avian dinosaurs,there is emerging evidence that previously overlooked taxa experienced stark morphological and evolutionary stasis.In this study,we report both adult and larva of beetles of the genus Loricera preserved in mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber(Figure 1),which display striking similarity to extant congeners,indicating a stasis of their specialized feeding behavior persisting at least 100 million years.