The phylogenetic relationships of four species,Bufo melanostictus,Hyla chinensis,Rana limnocharis and Rana guentheri,which belong to three differrent families of Anura,were detected with RAPD technique.The genomic DNA...The phylogenetic relationships of four species,Bufo melanostictus,Hyla chinensis,Rana limnocharis and Rana guentheri,which belong to three differrent families of Anura,were detected with RAPD technique.The genomic DNA of each species was amplified with 19 random primers.16 primers given clear amplified bands were used for analysis and the genetic distances between four species were calculated.The results show that RAPD bands obtained by all 16 primers evinced different degree polymorphisms.The genetic distance between R.limnocharis and R.guentheri is the nearest,that between B.melanostictus and H.chinensis is the second nearest,and that between B.melanostictus and R.guentheri is the furthest.The different distances also indicated that the relationship between Bufoidae and Hylidae is closer than that between Bufonidae and Ranidae at genomic DNA level.In concordant with the conclusion of the morphology,chromosomal and mitochondrial DNA studies,our results provide a new evidence of the systematic evolution of the three families of Anura at DNA molecular level.展开更多
Advertisement calls play an important role in influencing female mate choice and are regarded as one of the key characters responsible for reproductive isolation and speciation events in frogs and toads. The black-spi...Advertisement calls play an important role in influencing female mate choice and are regarded as one of the key characters responsible for reproductive isolation and speciation events in frogs and toads. The black-spined toad, Bufo melanostictus, is one of the most common amphibians in Southeast Asia and is frequently observed in human habitations throughout its distributional range. The advertisement calls of the toad have not been well described. Here, we report the advertisement calls of this species from Lishui, Zhejiang, China during its breeding season. The advertisement calls of B. melanostictus are composed of single notes with a single harmonic frequency emitted sporadically. The call parameters recorded in this study were highly variable across recording times and with different body sizes. Dominant frequency was negatively correlated with body size. Comparing the calls of the B. melanostictus population from Lishui with the populations from five other localities(Bangkok, Thailand; Coorg, India; Burma, Myanmar; Bali, Indonesia; Halimun-Salak National Park, Indonesia), we found that call structure was similar among five different populations with no harmonics, while the Halimun-Salak National Park population contained two clear harmonics. Dominant frequency was similar between Bali(1.56 kHz) and Coorg(1.6 kHz) populations, while it was highly variable among other populations. Besides call duration, call interval and pulse/call rate may also be significantly different among the comparing populations. Pooling the available data, we observed some similarities and differences in call parameters among the six populations.展开更多
A new species of the genus Leptolalax is described from Doi Saket, Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters： 1） adult siz...A new species of the genus Leptolalax is described from Doi Saket, Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters： 1） adult size large （male SVL 45.8-52.5 mm）; 2） tympanum distinct; 3） skin of dorsal surface mostly smooth, with distinct tubercles on dorsal and lateral parts of the body; 4） ventrolateral glandular ridge distinct and complete; 5） lateral body and groin covered with dark brown or black spots; 6） throat, chest, and belly nearly immaculate white; and 7） bi-colored iris, upper one- third golden, and lower two-thirds gray. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial 16S rRNA further distin- guishes it from its congeners for which sequences are available.展开更多
A new Dicroglossid species is described from Mawphlang,Meghalaya,northeastern India. The new species differs from all the congeners occurring in this region in body size and call characteristics. It is larger than Fej...A new Dicroglossid species is described from Mawphlang,Meghalaya,northeastern India. The new species differs from all the congeners occurring in this region in body size and call characteristics. It is larger than Fejervarya syhadrensis and F. nepalensis,but smaller than F. teraiensis. It overlaps F. pierrei in snout-vent length,but clearly differs from it in advertisement call,with much shorter note duration,much longer inter note interval,and much lower dominant frequency. Paucity of genetic information and underestimation of species diversity in this region are discussed.展开更多
A new record of the rhacophorid frog, Theloderma licin is reported from Gunung Serambu, in the Bau region of western Sarawak, East Malaysia, which comprises the first published record of the species from the Sundaic i...A new record of the rhacophorid frog, Theloderma licin is reported from Gunung Serambu, in the Bau region of western Sarawak, East Malaysia, which comprises the first published record of the species from the Sundaic island of Borneo. The species was previously known from the Malay Peninsula （southern Peninsular Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia）. Species of Theloderma are widespread in mainland and insular Southeast Asia, their arboreal habits perhaps contributing to our perception of rarity.展开更多
Though light conditions are known to affect the development and anti-predation strategies of several aquatic species, relatively little is known about how different species react to light, or how light can affect thes...Though light conditions are known to affect the development and anti-predation strategies of several aquatic species, relatively little is known about how different species react to light, or how light can affect these species during different points in their life-cycle. In this study, we used four sympatric anuran tadpoles （Bufo gargarizans, B. melanostictus, Pelophylax nigromaculatus and Microhyla fissipes） as animal system to examine species-specific activities of the underdoing different light intensity treatments, so as to better understand how they respond to light. We exposed four different species of tadpoles to 1660 and 14 lux light intensity treatments and then measured several parameters including development stage, body length and tail length, and as well as their basic activities. The results of this observation and analysis showed that the activities of tadpoles were significantly greater in B. gargarizans and B. melanostictus than in P. nigromaculatus and M. fissipes; and were also significantly greater during times of high light intensity as compared to during low light intensity. Moreover, the observed relationship between species and light intensity was significant. The activities ofB. gargarizans and B. melanostictus tadpoles were greater in high light, while the activity of P. nigromaculatus tadpoles was greater in low light intensity, while M. fissipes tadpoles showed no differences in either low or high intensity light. Furthermore, the activities orB. gargarizans, B. melanostictus and M. fissipes tadpoles in terms of developmental stage, body size or tail length did not seem to differ with light intensity, but during early larval developmental period of P. nigromaculatus, the activity of tadpoles was negatively correlated with development stage, but irrelevant to either body size or tail length in different light intensities. These results lead us to conclude the observed activities of the four sympatric anuran tadpoles are closely correlated with their specific anti-predation strategies.展开更多
eDNA metabarcoding is an advanced method formonitoring biodiversityproposed in recent years.By analyzing DNA in water,soil and sediment samples,the technology obtains species distribution and population quantity infor...eDNA metabarcoding is an advanced method formonitoring biodiversityproposed in recent years.By analyzing DNA in water,soil and sediment samples,the technology obtains species distribution and population quantity information.It was found that macrobarcode technology is more accurate than the traditional method in measuring the species richness of some groups.In Europe,America and South America,the relia bility of this technology in monitoring amphibian diversity in the wild was studied,and it was found to be better than traditional biodiversity monitoring methods in detecting species diversity.At present,amphibian monitoring mainly depends on various traditional methods,such as transects,drift fence traps,artificial shelters and mark-recapture.These monitoring techniques have many shortcomings,such as low accuracy and strong subjectivity of study results.These technologies have poor effects on rare,invasive and endangered species with strong concealment ability,low density and strong seasonality and are difficult to implement in sites inaccessible to people.Traditional monitoring technology also requires considerable investment of human and material resources,and the economic cost is relatively high,while eDNA metabarcoding ismore efficient and less costly,so it is important to use eDNA meta barcoding in amphibian monitoring in China.In this study,the eDNA meta barcoding and traditional line transect method(TLTM)were used to study the characteristics of the two methods in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebeiregion.Repeated samplingwas conducted on 58 waterbodies in July 2019 and June 2020.After sequencing the samples using highthroughput sequencing technology,the differences between metabarcoding and commonly used TLTM surveys in detecting the diversity of four amphibians in North China were assessed.Our results showed that eDNA meta barcoding is more sensitive to the detection of the four amphibian species in the sampling area,and the combined use of eDNA metabarcoding and TLTM can improve the survey results of amphibians in the survey area to the greatest extent.In addition,in the process of species classification and identification of metabarcoding results,7 species of reptiles were detected,indicating that eDNA metabarcoding is also useful to detect reptiles.The results of this study indicate that metabarcoding in combination with TLTM can accurately estimate the diversityof amphibians in a short-term survey in North China and is also useful in reptile species detection.展开更多
Anuran metamorphosis involves systematic transformations of individual organs in a thyroid hormone (TH)-dependent manner. Morphological and cellular studies have shown that the removal of larval or- gans/tissues such ...Anuran metamorphosis involves systematic transformations of individual organs in a thyroid hormone (TH)-dependent manner. Morphological and cellular studies have shown that the removal of larval or- gans/tissues such the tail and the tadpole intestinal epithelium is through programmed cell death or apop- tosis. Recent molecular investigations suggest that TH regulates metamorphosis by regulating target gene expression through thyroid hormone receptors (TRs), which are DNA-binding transcription factors. Cloning and characterization of TH response genes show that diverse groups of early response genes are induced by TH. The products of these TH response genes are believed to directly or indirectly affect the expression and/or functions of cell death genes, which are conserved at both sequence and function levels in different animal species. A major challenge for future research lies at determining the signaling pathways leading to the activation of apoptotic processes and whether different death genes are involved in the regulation of apoptosis in different tissues/organs to effect tissue-specific transformations.展开更多
DEAR EDITOR,Based upon morphological and molecular evidence,the authors revised the genus Rohanixalus Biju,Garg,Gokulakrishnan,Chandrakasan,Thammachoti,Ren,Gopika,Bisht,Hamidy and Shouche,2020(Anura:Rhacophoridae)in C...DEAR EDITOR,Based upon morphological and molecular evidence,the authors revised the genus Rohanixalus Biju,Garg,Gokulakrishnan,Chandrakasan,Thammachoti,Ren,Gopika,Bisht,Hamidy and Shouche,2020(Anura:Rhacophoridae)in China through describing one new species,adding one species to the fauna(R.shyamrupus)and supplementing data on one species(Rohanixalus hansenae;Supplementary Materials).展开更多
The reproductive cycle in anurans may be either continuous or discontinuous.These differences may be connected to seasonal climate changes and/or to anthropic activity.Forty adult male individuals of the Dendropsophus...The reproductive cycle in anurans may be either continuous or discontinuous.These differences may be connected to seasonal climate changes and/or to anthropic activity.Forty adult male individuals of the Dendropsophus minutus species were collected during one year,in the municipality of Chapada dos Guimarães(Mato Grosso,Brazil).The testicles were studied under light and transmission electron microscopy.No variations were observed when the diameter of the seminiferous tubules and the thickness of the interstitial tissue were studied.However,changes in spermatogenesis were conspicuous and indicated that the reproductive cycle of D.minutus in Chapada dos Guimarães is discontinuous and seems related to variations in air temperature and rainfall.展开更多
文摘The phylogenetic relationships of four species,Bufo melanostictus,Hyla chinensis,Rana limnocharis and Rana guentheri,which belong to three differrent families of Anura,were detected with RAPD technique.The genomic DNA of each species was amplified with 19 random primers.16 primers given clear amplified bands were used for analysis and the genetic distances between four species were calculated.The results show that RAPD bands obtained by all 16 primers evinced different degree polymorphisms.The genetic distance between R.limnocharis and R.guentheri is the nearest,that between B.melanostictus and H.chinensis is the second nearest,and that between B.melanostictus and R.guentheri is the furthest.The different distances also indicated that the relationship between Bufoidae and Hylidae is closer than that between Bufonidae and Ranidae at genomic DNA level.In concordant with the conclusion of the morphology,chromosomal and mitochondrial DNA studies,our results provide a new evidence of the systematic evolution of the three families of Anura at DNA molecular level.
基金supported by the grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(30770310,30970435)the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang,China(Y307453)
文摘Advertisement calls play an important role in influencing female mate choice and are regarded as one of the key characters responsible for reproductive isolation and speciation events in frogs and toads. The black-spined toad, Bufo melanostictus, is one of the most common amphibians in Southeast Asia and is frequently observed in human habitations throughout its distributional range. The advertisement calls of the toad have not been well described. Here, we report the advertisement calls of this species from Lishui, Zhejiang, China during its breeding season. The advertisement calls of B. melanostictus are composed of single notes with a single harmonic frequency emitted sporadically. The call parameters recorded in this study were highly variable across recording times and with different body sizes. Dominant frequency was negatively correlated with body size. Comparing the calls of the B. melanostictus population from Lishui with the populations from five other localities(Bangkok, Thailand; Coorg, India; Burma, Myanmar; Bali, Indonesia; Halimun-Salak National Park, Indonesia), we found that call structure was similar among five different populations with no harmonics, while the Halimun-Salak National Park population contained two clear harmonics. Dominant frequency was similar between Bali(1.56 kHz) and Coorg(1.6 kHz) populations, while it was highly variable among other populations. Besides call duration, call interval and pulse/call rate may also be significantly different among the comparing populations. Pooling the available data, we observed some similarities and differences in call parameters among the six populations.
基金supported by grants from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (MOST Grant 2011FY120200)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31090250)+1 种基金the Chinese Academy of Sciences (KSCX2-YW-Z-0807, KSCX2-EW-Z-2 and KSCX2-SW-119)the Bureau of Science and Technology of Yunnan, China (2010CI045)
文摘A new species of the genus Leptolalax is described from Doi Saket, Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters： 1） adult size large （male SVL 45.8-52.5 mm）; 2） tympanum distinct; 3） skin of dorsal surface mostly smooth, with distinct tubercles on dorsal and lateral parts of the body; 4） ventrolateral glandular ridge distinct and complete; 5） lateral body and groin covered with dark brown or black spots; 6） throat, chest, and belly nearly immaculate white; and 7） bi-colored iris, upper one- third golden, and lower two-thirds gray. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial 16S rRNA further distin- guishes it from its congeners for which sequences are available.
文摘A new Dicroglossid species is described from Mawphlang,Meghalaya,northeastern India. The new species differs from all the congeners occurring in this region in body size and call characteristics. It is larger than Fejervarya syhadrensis and F. nepalensis,but smaller than F. teraiensis. It overlaps F. pierrei in snout-vent length,but clearly differs from it in advertisement call,with much shorter note duration,much longer inter note interval,and much lower dominant frequency. Paucity of genetic information and underestimation of species diversity in this region are discussed.
基金the Sarawak Forest Department for issuance of a research permit(No.NCCD.907.4.4 Jld.VII–106)the Fundamental Research grant[No.FRGS/07(04)787/2010(68)] from the Ministry of Higher Education for support of our research on the herpetofauna of Sarawak
文摘A new record of the rhacophorid frog, Theloderma licin is reported from Gunung Serambu, in the Bau region of western Sarawak, East Malaysia, which comprises the first published record of the species from the Sundaic island of Borneo. The species was previously known from the Malay Peninsula （southern Peninsular Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia）. Species of Theloderma are widespread in mainland and insular Southeast Asia, their arboreal habits perhaps contributing to our perception of rarity.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(30970435,31270443)the Zhejiang Provincial National Science Foundation of China(C030403)+1 种基金the Open Research Fund program of Laboratory of Lishui University(2014-26-10)the Scientific Research Foundation of Ph.D.in Lishui University(QD1301)
文摘Though light conditions are known to affect the development and anti-predation strategies of several aquatic species, relatively little is known about how different species react to light, or how light can affect these species during different points in their life-cycle. In this study, we used four sympatric anuran tadpoles （Bufo gargarizans, B. melanostictus, Pelophylax nigromaculatus and Microhyla fissipes） as animal system to examine species-specific activities of the underdoing different light intensity treatments, so as to better understand how they respond to light. We exposed four different species of tadpoles to 1660 and 14 lux light intensity treatments and then measured several parameters including development stage, body length and tail length, and as well as their basic activities. The results of this observation and analysis showed that the activities of tadpoles were significantly greater in B. gargarizans and B. melanostictus than in P. nigromaculatus and M. fissipes; and were also significantly greater during times of high light intensity as compared to during low light intensity. Moreover, the observed relationship between species and light intensity was significant. The activities ofB. gargarizans and B. melanostictus tadpoles were greater in high light, while the activity of P. nigromaculatus tadpoles was greater in low light intensity, while M. fissipes tadpoles showed no differences in either low or high intensity light. Furthermore, the activities orB. gargarizans, B. melanostictus and M. fissipes tadpoles in terms of developmental stage, body size or tail length did not seem to differ with light intensity, but during early larval developmental period of P. nigromaculatus, the activity of tadpoles was negatively correlated with development stage, but irrelevant to either body size or tail length in different light intensities. These results lead us to conclude the observed activities of the four sympatric anuran tadpoles are closely correlated with their specific anti-predation strategies.
基金supported by grants from The Biodiversity Survey and Assessment Project of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China (2019HJ2096001006)National Natural Science Foundation of China (32030070)+2 种基金the High-Level Talents Research Start-Up Project of Hebei UniversityChina’s Biodiversity Observation Network (Sino-BON)Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research (STEP) Program (2019QZKK0501)
文摘eDNA metabarcoding is an advanced method formonitoring biodiversityproposed in recent years.By analyzing DNA in water,soil and sediment samples,the technology obtains species distribution and population quantity information.It was found that macrobarcode technology is more accurate than the traditional method in measuring the species richness of some groups.In Europe,America and South America,the relia bility of this technology in monitoring amphibian diversity in the wild was studied,and it was found to be better than traditional biodiversity monitoring methods in detecting species diversity.At present,amphibian monitoring mainly depends on various traditional methods,such as transects,drift fence traps,artificial shelters and mark-recapture.These monitoring techniques have many shortcomings,such as low accuracy and strong subjectivity of study results.These technologies have poor effects on rare,invasive and endangered species with strong concealment ability,low density and strong seasonality and are difficult to implement in sites inaccessible to people.Traditional monitoring technology also requires considerable investment of human and material resources,and the economic cost is relatively high,while eDNA metabarcoding ismore efficient and less costly,so it is important to use eDNA meta barcoding in amphibian monitoring in China.In this study,the eDNA meta barcoding and traditional line transect method(TLTM)were used to study the characteristics of the two methods in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebeiregion.Repeated samplingwas conducted on 58 waterbodies in July 2019 and June 2020.After sequencing the samples using highthroughput sequencing technology,the differences between metabarcoding and commonly used TLTM surveys in detecting the diversity of four amphibians in North China were assessed.Our results showed that eDNA meta barcoding is more sensitive to the detection of the four amphibian species in the sampling area,and the combined use of eDNA metabarcoding and TLTM can improve the survey results of amphibians in the survey area to the greatest extent.In addition,in the process of species classification and identification of metabarcoding results,7 species of reptiles were detected,indicating that eDNA metabarcoding is also useful to detect reptiles.The results of this study indicate that metabarcoding in combination with TLTM can accurately estimate the diversityof amphibians in a short-term survey in North China and is also useful in reptile species detection.
文摘Anuran metamorphosis involves systematic transformations of individual organs in a thyroid hormone (TH)-dependent manner. Morphological and cellular studies have shown that the removal of larval or- gans/tissues such the tail and the tadpole intestinal epithelium is through programmed cell death or apop- tosis. Recent molecular investigations suggest that TH regulates metamorphosis by regulating target gene expression through thyroid hormone receptors (TRs), which are DNA-binding transcription factors. Cloning and characterization of TH response genes show that diverse groups of early response genes are induced by TH. The products of these TH response genes are believed to directly or indirectly affect the expression and/or functions of cell death genes, which are conserved at both sequence and function levels in different animal species. A major challenge for future research lies at determining the signaling pathways leading to the activation of apoptotic processes and whether different death genes are involved in the regulation of apoptosis in different tissues/organs to effect tissue-specific transformations.
基金supported by the Fundamental Research Fund for Central Universities (SWU-KR22014)National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC32170478,32370478)+8 种基金Yunnan Fundamental Research Project (202001AW070016,202005AC160046)“Special Fund for Youth Team of Southwest University” (SWU-XJPY202302)to Y.Z.Y.National Key R&D Program of China (2022YFC2602500)the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program (STEP) (2019QZKK0501)Survey of Wildlife Resources in Key Areas of Xizang (ZL202203601)China’s Biodiversity Observation Network (Sino-BON)Animal Branch of Germplasm Bank of Wild Species,Chinese Academy of Sciences (Large Research Infrastructure Fund)to J.C.Unit of Excellence 2024 on Integrative diversity assessment of aquatic animals from Thailand (Fundamental FundFF67)to C.S。
文摘DEAR EDITOR,Based upon morphological and molecular evidence,the authors revised the genus Rohanixalus Biju,Garg,Gokulakrishnan,Chandrakasan,Thammachoti,Ren,Gopika,Bisht,Hamidy and Shouche,2020(Anura:Rhacophoridae)in China through describing one new species,adding one species to the fauna(R.shyamrupus)and supplementing data on one species(Rohanixalus hansenae;Supplementary Materials).
基金supported by the FAPEMAT(Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Mato Grosso,process#0769/2006).
文摘The reproductive cycle in anurans may be either continuous or discontinuous.These differences may be connected to seasonal climate changes and/or to anthropic activity.Forty adult male individuals of the Dendropsophus minutus species were collected during one year,in the municipality of Chapada dos Guimarães(Mato Grosso,Brazil).The testicles were studied under light and transmission electron microscopy.No variations were observed when the diameter of the seminiferous tubules and the thickness of the interstitial tissue were studied.However,changes in spermatogenesis were conspicuous and indicated that the reproductive cycle of D.minutus in Chapada dos Guimarães is discontinuous and seems related to variations in air temperature and rainfall.
