Herein we describe a new species,Leptobrachella yunyangensis sp.nov.,from Yunyang County,Chongqing City,China,based on a combination of molecular and morphological data.Phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial...Herein we describe a new species,Leptobrachella yunyangensis sp.nov.,from Yunyang County,Chongqing City,China,based on a combination of molecular and morphological data.Phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial 16 S rRNA gene and six nuclear genes indicated that this new species represented an independent evolutionary lineage.The uncorrected genetic distance between the new species and its closest congener species,L.oshanensis,was 5.4 % for 16 S rRNA.The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters:(1) moderate body size(SVL28.3-30.6 mm in males);(2) rough dorsal skin,with sparse large granules and tubercles and short longitudinal ridges on the shoulder;(3) distinctly discernible tympanum with a diameter smaller than that of the eye(TMP/EYE ratio:0.51) and a distinct black supra tympanic line present;(4)an internasal distance almost equal to interorbital distance(IND/IOD ratio:1.05);(5) flanks with several dark spots arranged longitudinally in two rows;(6) distinctly visible supra-axilla ry,femoral,pectoral,a nd ventrola teral glands;(7) bicolored iris,with the upper 1/3 of the iris being copper orange and the lower 2/3 a light silvery grey;(8) relative finger lengths of Ⅰ <Ⅱ=Ⅳ <Ⅲ and relative toe lengths of Ⅰ <Ⅱ <Ⅴ <Ⅲ <Ⅳ;(9) absence of webbing and lateral fringes on fingers,and toes with rudimentary webbing and narrow lateral fringes;(10) heels overlapping when the thighs are positioned at right angles to the body;(11) tibiotarsal articulation reaching to the anterior corner of the eye when the leg is stretched forward;(12) ventral surfaces of the throat,chest,and belly greyish white with purple-brown speckling;(13) lacking distinct blackish dorsolateral markings;and(14) transverse dark brown bars on the surfaces of limbs and digits.展开更多
To understand the effects of sand grain size on habitat selection, we conducted a field study on the steppe toad-headed lizard in Hunshandake Desert northern China. Methods of mark-recapture and transect survey were u...To understand the effects of sand grain size on habitat selection, we conducted a field study on the steppe toad-headed lizard in Hunshandake Desert northern China. Methods of mark-recapture and transect survey were used to investigate the density of steppe toad-headed lizards and the environmental variables. The comparison on lizard densities among the habitats with different environmental factors revealed that： 1） population density of the steppe toad-headed lizard differed significantly among the habitats with different sand grain size indexes（SGSIs, representing roughness of sand substrate）： the highest lizard density was found in the group with an SGSI of 〉 0.30, whereas the lowest density was found in the group with an SGSI of 0–0.15; and 2） vegetation cover, soil moisture, invertebrate diversity index, and abundance had no significant effects on the lizard density. These results implied that the sand grain size was the most important determinant of habitat selection for steppe toad-headed lizards in Hunshandake Desert. Steppe toad-headed lizards could avoid structural habitats that have negative effects on their maximal sprinting capabilities. Considering the changing sand grain size in the development phase of sand dunes, the sand lizard could be used as an indicator of the process of desertification.展开更多
基金supported by the programs of the Guizhou Province World-Class Discipline Construction Program Project (Qianjiao Key an Fa [2019] 125)the Biodiversity Survey and Assessment in Chongqing Counties (2021-090)+2 种基金the Postgraduate Education Innovation Programme of Guizhou Province (Qianjiaohe YJSKYJJ [2021] 091)the Strategic Priority Research Program B of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) (No.XDB31000000)the National Animal Collection Resource Center,China,the Application of Amphibian Natural Antioxidant Peptides as Cosmetic Raw Material Antioxidants (QKZYD [2020]4002)。
文摘Herein we describe a new species,Leptobrachella yunyangensis sp.nov.,from Yunyang County,Chongqing City,China,based on a combination of molecular and morphological data.Phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial 16 S rRNA gene and six nuclear genes indicated that this new species represented an independent evolutionary lineage.The uncorrected genetic distance between the new species and its closest congener species,L.oshanensis,was 5.4 % for 16 S rRNA.The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters:(1) moderate body size(SVL28.3-30.6 mm in males);(2) rough dorsal skin,with sparse large granules and tubercles and short longitudinal ridges on the shoulder;(3) distinctly discernible tympanum with a diameter smaller than that of the eye(TMP/EYE ratio:0.51) and a distinct black supra tympanic line present;(4)an internasal distance almost equal to interorbital distance(IND/IOD ratio:1.05);(5) flanks with several dark spots arranged longitudinally in two rows;(6) distinctly visible supra-axilla ry,femoral,pectoral,a nd ventrola teral glands;(7) bicolored iris,with the upper 1/3 of the iris being copper orange and the lower 2/3 a light silvery grey;(8) relative finger lengths of Ⅰ <Ⅱ=Ⅳ <Ⅲ and relative toe lengths of Ⅰ <Ⅱ <Ⅴ <Ⅲ <Ⅳ;(9) absence of webbing and lateral fringes on fingers,and toes with rudimentary webbing and narrow lateral fringes;(10) heels overlapping when the thighs are positioned at right angles to the body;(11) tibiotarsal articulation reaching to the anterior corner of the eye when the leg is stretched forward;(12) ventral surfaces of the throat,chest,and belly greyish white with purple-brown speckling;(13) lacking distinct blackish dorsolateral markings;and(14) transverse dark brown bars on the surfaces of limbs and digits.
基金financial support of the Key Basic Science and Technology Project of the Ministry of Science and Technology, China (2013FY110300)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 31572260)the Knowledge Innovation Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (KSCX2-EW-J-2)
文摘To understand the effects of sand grain size on habitat selection, we conducted a field study on the steppe toad-headed lizard in Hunshandake Desert northern China. Methods of mark-recapture and transect survey were used to investigate the density of steppe toad-headed lizards and the environmental variables. The comparison on lizard densities among the habitats with different environmental factors revealed that： 1） population density of the steppe toad-headed lizard differed significantly among the habitats with different sand grain size indexes（SGSIs, representing roughness of sand substrate）： the highest lizard density was found in the group with an SGSI of 〉 0.30, whereas the lowest density was found in the group with an SGSI of 0–0.15; and 2） vegetation cover, soil moisture, invertebrate diversity index, and abundance had no significant effects on the lizard density. These results implied that the sand grain size was the most important determinant of habitat selection for steppe toad-headed lizards in Hunshandake Desert. Steppe toad-headed lizards could avoid structural habitats that have negative effects on their maximal sprinting capabilities. Considering the changing sand grain size in the development phase of sand dunes, the sand lizard could be used as an indicator of the process of desertification.
