Generic classification of Asian horned toads(Anura:Megophryidae: Megophryinae) and monograph of Chinese species

The subfamily Megophryinae,as a representative batrachian group of the Oriental Realm and one of the most diverse groups of amphibians,has attracted considerable attention due to continued conjecture regarding its generic classification and failure to reach a satisfactory consensus.China boasts the richest diversity of Asian horned toads,containing some two thirds of the total species cataloged.However,most species have a complicated taxonomic history,resulting in multiple misidentifications.As such,an overall clarification of historical records and regional checklists is required.In the current investigation,we established the phylogeny of the Asian horned toads and performed detailed examinations with redefinitions of several important morphological traits.Based on the phylogenetic relationships and morphological differences,we propose a new ten-genus classification for the Asian horned toad subfamily Megophryinae:i.e.,Brachytarsophrys,Atympanophrys,Grillitschia,Sarawakiphrys gen.nov.,Jingophrys gen.nov.,Xenophrys,Megophrys,Pelobatrachus,Ophryophryne,and Boulenophrys.Revisions on the diagnosability,distribution,and content of each genus are provided.Furthermore,we present a careful review of the taxonomic history of Asian horned toad species from China and provide a monograph of congeners,including six species of Brachytarsophrys,four species of Atympanophrys,five species of Jingophrys gen.nov.,10 species of Xenophrys,two species of Ophryophryne,and 60 species of Boulenophrys.Finally,we discuss the importance of traditional morphological traits based on multiple populations in taxonomic work as well as taxonomic inflation caused by the genetic species delimitation.

Redefinition of the Odorrana versabilis Group,with a New Species from China(Anura,Ranidae,Odorrana)

Taxonomic studies of the Odorrana versabilis group have been consistently disorganized,and they have often been incorrectly associated with an abandoned subgenus or genus Bamburana in existing literature.In this study,we conducted an integrative taxonomic analysis using molecular phylogenetic analysis of two mitochondrial gene fragments(16S rRNA and CO1)and morphological examination of 41 specimens collected during herpetological surveys in southern China.Our results confirmed the monophyly of O.versabilis group which exhibited distinct morphological traits.We also identified a cryptic lineage sister with O.exiliversabilis.Additionally,our study revealed that O.trankieni was nested within O.nasuta.Consequently,we redefined the morphological characteristics of the O.versabilis group,described a new species in this group,O.confusa sp.nov.,and proposed that O.trankieni be considered a junior synonym of O.nasuta.One of the most significant findings of this study was the observation of distinct morphological changes in adult males across all species within the O.versabilis group between the non-breeding and breeding seasons.This study contributes to research on various aspects of Asian amphibian fauna,including taxonomy,ecology,evolution,and physiology.

Two New Species of Fire-Bellied Newts (Caudata, Salamandridae, Cynops) from Southeastern China

The fire-bellied newt genus Cynops contains ten known species distributed in China and Japan in East Asia.In this work,two new Cynops species are described,namely Cynops jiaoren sp.nov.distributed in northern Guangdong and Cynops maguae sp.nov.distributed in eastern Jiangxi.The two new species can be distinctly distinguished from their congeners by the independent phylogenetic placements and a combination of morphological characteristics.The discovery of these two new species in the Southeast Chinese Hilly Area,where half of congeners occur,increases the known diversity of Cynops,and indicates unresolved relationships among the species in southeastern China.Further discussions on the taxonomic status of Cynops cyanurus are also provided.

In-situ structural evolution analysis of Zr-doped Na_(3)V_(2)(PO_(4))_(2)F_(3) coated by N-doped carbon layer as high-performance cathode for sodium-ion batteries

With great superiorities in energy density,rate capability and structural stability,Na_(3)V_(2)(PO_(4))_(2) F_(3)(NVPF)has attracted much attentions as cathode of sodium ion battery(SIB),but it also faces challenges on its poor intrinsic electronic conductivity and the controversial de/sodiation mechanism.Herein,a series of Zr-doped NVPF coated by N-doped carbon layer(~5 nm in thickness,homogenously)materials are fabricated by a sol-gel method,and the optimized heteroatom-doping amounts of Zr and N doping improve intrinsic properties on enlarging lattice distance and enhancing electronic conductivity,respectively.Specifically,among all samples of Na_(3) V_(2-x)Zr_(x)(PO_(4))_(2) F_(3)/NC(NVPF-Zr-x/NC,x=0,0.01,0.02,0.05,and 0.1),the optimized electrode of NVPF-Zr-0.02/NC delivers high reversible capacities(119.2 mAh g^(-1) at0.5 C),superior rate capability(98.1 mA h g^(-1) at 20 C)and excellent cycling performance.The structural evolution of NVPF-Zr-0.02/NC electrode,in-situ monitored by X-ray diffractometer,follows a step-wise Na-extraction/intercalation mechanism with reversible multi-phase changes,not just a solid-solutionreaction one.Full cells of NVPF-Zr-0.02/NC//hard carbon demonstrate high capacity(99.8 mA h g^(-1) at 0.5 C),high out-put voltage(3.5 V)and good cycling stability.This work is favorable to accelerate the development of high-performance cathode materials and explore possible redox reaction mechanisms of SIBs.

Description of a New Species of Amolops (Anura:Ranidae) from Tibet,China

A new species,Amolops pallasitatus sp.nov.is described based on specimens collected from Chentang Town,Dinggyê County,southern Tibet,China.The new species can be distinguished from other known congeners by mitochondrial divergence and morphological characteristics including:(1)medium body size,SVL 70.6–72.3 mm in adult females;(2)skin smooth over the entire body;(3)absence of dorsolateral fold;(4)tympanum small,edge indistinct,less than half of eye diameter;(5)vomerine teeth in two short oblique;(6)circummarginal and transverse grooves absent on disk of the first finger;(7)presence of inner metacarpal tubercle;(8)toes fully webbed,webbing formula Ⅰ0-0^-Ⅱ0-1/2Ⅲ0-1^+Ⅳ1^+-0Ⅴ;(9)absence of outer metatarsal tubercle and tarsal glands;(10)tibiotarsal articulation of the hind limb reaches posterior corners of the eye;(11)dorsum yellow-green,with irregular dark brown blotches without margins;(12)blotches concentrated on the dorsum,less on the flanks.In morphology,Amolops pallasitatus sp.nov.is similar to A.himalayanus and A.formosus,the difference between them is length of hind limbs,web of toe and dorsal colour pattern.The systematic placement of the new species within the genus is unresolved and it is not assigned to any recognized species group,for the lack of convictive evidences.

The homogenous growth of Co-based coordination compound on graphene nanosheet for high-performance K-organic battery and its reaction mechanism

Metal coordination compounds(MCCs)are gaining popularity for potassium-ion batteries(PIBs)owing to their tuneable structure,multiple reaction sites,low cost and unique morphology.However,they are generally subjected to intrinsic features of the sluggish ionic diffusion coefficient,low electronic conductivity and slow kinetics.Herein,a new MCC material of cobalt-1,3,5-trioxy-2,4,6-triamino-benzo(Co-TB)coordination compound was synthesized and homogenously grown on the surface of graphene nanosheets(GNS),forming a Co-TB@GNS composite with enhanced electronic conductivity and flexible capability.Benefiting from the overall enhanced conductivity,high surface area and abundant activated K-storage sites,Co-TB@GNS electrodes have exhibited superior cycling performance with high reversible capacities(312 mAh·g^(-1)after 100 cycles at 100 mA·g^(-1),224 mAh·g^(-1)after 500 cycles at 1 A·g^(-1))and better rate performances compared with the pure Co-TB compound when served as PIB's anodes.Furthermore,multiple in-situ measurement techniques have jointly confirmed that the organic functional groups(C=O,C=N and C=C of benzene rings)and Co^(2+)in Co-TB are the main reversible K-storage sites,including in-situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR)and X-ray diffraction(XRD),and partial capacity contribution is originated from GNS by the apparent K-storage behavior in the in-situ XRD pattern,proving the possibility of K-storage for metal-organic materials.

软模板法制备多级孔沸石分子筛的研究进展

沸石分子筛是化学工业领域应用极为广泛的固体催化剂之一,但其微孔结构也为沸石分子筛在实际应用中带来了一些限制.多级孔分子筛结合了分子筛微孔孔道良好的催化性能和介孔或大孔系统优秀的传质能力,使其在不同的催化反应中特别是含有大分子的反应中表现出优异的催化性能,因此多级孔分子筛的制备成为了当下的研究热点.相较于其他制备方法,软模板法能更好地控制所制备的多级孔分子筛的介孔结构和孔道尺寸.本文以多级孔分子筛的种类作为分类依据,系统地阐述了不同软模板剂对多级孔分子筛结构及催化性能的影响,提出了目前存在的问题,并对其发展前景进行了展望.

Bispecific aptamer-initiated 3D DNA nanomotor biosensor powered by DNAzyme and entropy-driven circuit for sensitive and specificity detection of lysozyme

Dynamic DNA nanodevices have gained tremendous attention due to their extraordinary inherent functionality and advantages,however,dynamic DNA nanodevices-based biosensors are still challenging due to their high reliance on proteases and limited amplification capabilities.Herein,exploiting bispecific aptamer as initiators for the first time,we developed a three-dimensional(3D)DNA nanomotor biosensor powered by DNAzyme and entropy-driven circuit for sensitive and specific detection of lysozyme,in which walking and rolling strategies are efficiently integrated to achieve excellent signal amplification capability.Benefiting from the high selectivity of bispecific aptamer,the 3D DNA nanomotor biosensor can respond to lysozyme with high specificity and operate at high speed to release signals.The whole process is independent of protease,avoiding the influence of adverse environment on the operation stability.Under optimal conditions,it can achieve a limit of detection as low as 0.01 pg/mL with an excellent linear range of 0.05 pg/mL–500 ng/mL for lysozyme.Furthermore,the proposed strategy revealed high accuracy in the analysis of real samples,indicating a great potential for the application of nanomotor biosensors to the detection of non-nucleic acid targets.

No tillage outperforms conventional tillage under arid conditions and following fertilization

Reduced tillage practices present a tool that could sustainably intensify agriculture.The existing literature,however,lacks a consensus on how and when reduced tillage practices should get implemented.We reanalyzed here an extensive dataset comparing how regular tillage practices(i.e.,conventional tillage)impacted yield of eight crops compared to stopping tillage altogether(i.e.,no-tillage practice).We observed that aridity and fertilization favored no tillage over conventional tillage whereas conventional tillage performed better under high fertility settings.We further show that the responses are consistent across the crops.Our reanalysis complements the original and fills a gap in the literature questioning the conditions under which reducing tillage presents a viable alternative to common tillage practices.

云南省爬行动物名录和地理区划更新

云南省作为中国生物多样性最高的省份,其详实的物种本底资料对我国生物多样性研究和保护具有重要意义。本文在前期研究的基础上,结合实体标本,汇总编制了云南省现生、原生爬行动物更新名录。截至2021年12月31日,云南省记录爬行动物25科82属235种,其中龟鳖目4科12属16种,有鳞目蜥蜴亚目6科20属72种,蛇亚目15科50属147种。较《云南两栖爬行动物》确认新增82种,存疑收录21种,移除23种。基于先前云南省爬行动物区划和更新后的物种分布信息,将云南省爬行动物地理分为6个动物地理区,即滇西北横断山区、滇西山地区、滇南山地区、滇东南山地区、滇中高原区以及滇东北山地区;其中滇西北横断山区、滇西山地区、滇中高原区和滇东南山地区的范围与先前研究相比有所调整。结合调整后的爬行动物地理区划,对物种分布、物种特有性、受威胁状况等给出了统计结果。云南省爬行动物特有物种、国内仅见于云南的非特有物种数量较多,受威胁等级高。建议今后继续加大分类学研究投入,对滇西北、滇中特有爬行动物分布集中的区域积极开展栖息地保护工作,同时在最新调整的《国家重点保护野生动物名录》基础上,定期组织专家研讨,对《云南省省级重点保护动物名录》提出更新建议。

FeBO_(3) as a low cost and high-performance anode material for sodium-ion batteries

The research of borate materials as sodium-ion batteries(SIBs) anode is still in the early stages,but the boron polyoxoanions are attracting intense interest due to their low atomic weight and high electronegative features.In this work,FeBO_(3) was prepared with low-cost raw materials and evaluated as SIBs anode.The FeBO_(3) shows a high reversible capacity of 328 mAh/g at the current density of 0.4 A/g.In addition,the electrochemical performance of FeBO_(3) can be improved by carbon coating.The prepared carbon-coated FeBO_(3) composite has a reversible capacity of 426 mAh/g(at 0.4 A/g) and an outstanding rate capability of 272 mAh/g(at 1.6 A/g).Furthermore,the sodium storage mechanism of FeBO_(3) was studied by in-situ XRD and ex-situ XPS.