Bird species composition and conservation challenges in the Gaoligong Mountains, one of the most diverse bird areas in the world

The Gaoligong Mountains(GLGM),located in southwestern China,extend north to south along the western border of the Hengduan Mountains,spanning approximately 600 km.In this study,we consolidated findings from 17 bird surveys conducted in the GLGM between 2010 and 2022.We found that the GLGM harbors tremendous bird diversity,with a total of 796 documented bird species in the region.Nearly a quarter(23.0%)of these species are listed as state key protected species or as Chinese and global threatened species.Analysis of species richness at the county level showed a decreasing trend with increasing latitude,with the greatest diversity in Yingjiang(661 species).Observations indicated that the GLGM belongs to the Oriental realm,primarily composed of bird species from southern and southwestern China.The GLGM plays an important role in avian conservation by sheltering exceptional bird diversity,providing corridors and flyways for bird migration and dispersal,and mitigating the effects of climate change.In response to the conservation needs of birds and other wildlife,the Chinese government has established numerous protected areas within the GLGM.Despite these efforts,avian conservation still faces considerable challenges in the GLGM due to limitations in the protected area network,transboundary nature of the regions,and existing gaps in monitoring and research.

Zircon Dating and Geological Implications of Granitic Gneiss in the Metamorphic Zone of Gaoligong Mountains in Western Yunnan, China

The general classification of intermediate-acid intrusive rocks in the metamorphic zone of Gaoligong Mountains as one of the metamorphic terranes of Proterozoic Gaoligong Mountains is problematic regarding the intrusion stage and age, as well as the subsequent metamorphism and deformation. In this study, we investigated granitic gneiss in the metamorphic zone of Gaoligong Mountains based on the 1：50,000 regional geological survey of Qushi Street （2011-2013） and SHRIMP U-Pb zircon geochronology. Results showed that the SHRIMP U-Pb zircon dating of granitic gneiss ranged from 163.5±5.7 Ma to 74.0±2.0 Ma. Thus, the granitic gneiss was grouped into orthometamorphic rocks （metamorphic intrusions）. The dating data of granite rocks associated with intense metamorphism and deformation were divided into three groups, 163.5±5.7 to 162.3±3.1 Ma, 132.2-101.0 Ma and 99.4±3.5-74.0±2.0 Ma, which respectively represented three independent geologic events including an important magma intrusion with superimposed metamorphic effects in the late Middle Jurassic, regional dynamic metamorphism and superimposed reformation of fluid action in the early Cretaceous, and dynamic metamorphism dominated by ductile shear and metamorphism starting from the late Cretaceous.

Mammals of Gaoligong Mountain in China:Diversity,distribution,and conservation

Gaoligong Mountain(hereafter,GLGM)is located at the intersection of Myanmar and China’s Yunnan Province and Xizang Zizhiqu,and spans three globally significant biodiversity hotspots:the Himalayas,Indo-Burma,and the Mountains of Southwest China.Although surveys of mammals in this ecologically important region have a long history,there is no comprehensive systematic checklist and distribution account of the mammals of GLGM.Here,we compiled a mammal species checklist of GLGM based on thorough field investigations and literature reviews.We also examined specimen collections and applied camera trapping surveys to explore the region’s mammal diversity and distribution patterns.We recorded 212 mammal species in nine orders,33 families,and 119 genera,which accounts for 30.5%of China’s mammal species,and a high proportion of nationally protected(50)and globally threatened(29)species.Mammal species richness showed a symmetrical unimodal curve along the elevation gradient,peaking at intermediate elevations(2000 to 2500 m above sea level(asl)),and increasing generally from south to north,slightly higher in the east slope than in the west.Cluster analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed three distinct elevational assemblages(<900 m asl.,900-3500 m asl.,and>3500 m asl)and significant south-to-north variation,but no substantial differences between the east and west slopes.The GLGM present a unique conservation value due to the high proportions of rare and endangered mammal species,complex faunal composition,high endemism,and being the distribution boundary for many species.This study is an important phased account of mammal diversity in GLGM and makes a prospect for future research.

Study on Seed Plant Flora of Yunfeng Mountain,an Offshoot of Gaoligong Mountain Range

In this paper, the flora in an area of 35 km2 of Yunfeng Mountain, an off- shoot of Gaoligong mountain range, were sampled and analyzed. The results showed that Yunfeng Mountain had a high diversity in seed plants, which covered 92 families, 247 genera and 431 species. Among the seed plants, the gymnosperms covered 4 families, 5 genera and 7 species, while the angiosperms covered 88 families, 242 genera and 424 species. The seed plants in Yunfeng Mountain had rich distribution types, and they formed a flora dominated by tropical and subtropical plants.

Community Structure and Diversity of Ladybugs in Baihualing of Gaoligong Mountain Ⅰ——Species Composition and Population Structure

[ Objective ] The paper was to study the community structure and diversity of ladybugs in Baihualing of Gaoligong Mountain, and fill gaps in research about ladybugs in this region. [ Method] Using sampling plot investigation method, the species composition and population structure of ladybugs in Baihualing of Gaoligong Mountain were surveyed. [ Result ] A total of 3 218 ladybugs specimens had been collected, belonging to 5 subfamilies, 20 genera, 56 species. Two spe- cies were new records for Yurman Province. The species and number of Coccinellinae were the greatest, followed by Epilachninae and Aspidimerinae, while Coceid- ulinae and Scymninae were the least. The dominant species were Coccinella septempunctata L., Harmonia eucharis （ Mulsant ） and Afissula hydrangeae Pang et Man. [ Conclusion] The study laid foundation for further study on ladybugs in Baihualing of Gaoligong Mountain.

Community Structure and Diversity of Ladybugs in Baihualing of Gaoligong Mountain Ⅲ——Community Structure and Diversity of Ladybugs in Vertical Level

[ Objective ] The paper was to study the relationship between community structure and diversity of ladybugs in Baihualing of Gaoligong Mountain with altitude changes. [ Method] The community and diversity of ladybugs in vertical level in Baihualing of Gaoligong Mountain was investigated. [ Result] The species diversity of ladybugs was the greatest at the medium altitude level （ 1 600 - 1 900 m）, which gradually decreased in low and high altitude. The greater the altitude span was, the lower similarity between communities of ladybug was, and vice versa high; the similarity of ladybug communities in protected areas was relatively higher, while it was relatively lower in fanning areas. The altitude level of 1 600 - 1 900 m with the highest community diversity of ladybugs shared low similarity with the community diversity of ladybugs in other altitude levels. [ Conclusion] The study provided theoretical basis for the further study on ladybugs in Baihualing of Gaoligang Mountain.

Adaptive mechanisms of Ardisia crenata var.bicolor along an elevational gradient on Gaoligong Mountain,Southwest China

Plants overcome environmental stress by generating metabolic pathways.Thus,it is crucial to understand the physiological mechanisms of plant responses to changing environments.Ardisia crenata var.bicolor has an important ornamental and medicinal value.To reveal the impact of elevational gradient on the habitat soil and plant physiological attributes of this species,we collected root topsoil(0–20 cm)and subsoil(20–40 cm)samples and upper leaves at the initial blooming phase,in a survey of six elevations at 1,257 m,1,538 m,1,744 m,1,970 m,2,135 m,and 2,376 m,with 18 block plots,and 5sampling points at each site.Temperature decreases with an increase in elevation,and soil variables,and enzymatic activities fluctuated in both the topsoil and subsoil,with all of them increasing with elevation and decreasing with soil depth.Redundancy analysis was conducted to explore the correlation between the distribution of A.crenata var.bicolor along the elevational gradient and soil nutrients and enzyme activities,the soil properties were mainly affected by p H at low elevations,and governed by total phosphorus(TP)and available nitrogen(AN)at high elevations.The levels of chlorophyll,carbohydrates,and enzymatic activity except for anthocyanin in this species showed significant variation depending on physiological attributes evaluated at the different collection elevations.The decline in chlorophyll a and b may be associated with the adaptive response to avoid environmental stress,while its higher soluble sugar and protein contents play important roles in escaping adverse climatic conditions,and the increases in activities of antioxidant enzymes except peroxidase(POD)reflect this species’higher capacity for reactive oxygen scavenging(ROS)at high elevations.This study provides supporting evidence that elevation significantly affects the physiological attributes of A.crenata var.bicolor on Gaoligong Mountain,which is helpful for understanding plant adaptation strategies and the plasticity of plant physiological traits along the elevational gradients.

Identification of Paris polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis(Franch.) Hand.-Mazz.(Polygerm Varieties) Produced in Gaoligong Mountain Areas

[Objectives] To make original plant and microscopic identification and study the traits of Paris polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis( Franch.) Hand.-Mazz.( polygerm varieties) produced in Gaoligong Mountain areas,and provide experimental data for their identification and application. [Methods] The original plant powder was used,and paraffin sections and physicochemical properties were identified. [Results]P. polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis( polygerm varieties) produced in Gaoligong Mountain areas showed obvious microscopic features and physicochemical properties. [Conclusions] This study was expected to provide certain reference for identification of original plant and medicine and formulation of quality standard for P. polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis( polygerm varieties) produced in Gaoligong Mountain areas,and provided basis for their further research and development.

Confirmation of Distribution of Twin-spotted Wolf Snake,Lycodon jara(Shaw,1802)(Serpentes,Colubridae)in China,with Detailed Morphological Description

Lycodon(Boie,1826)is a genus of colubrid snakes widely distributed in south,south-east and east Asia comprising 84 species with 22 reported in China.In this study,we identify a unique Lycodon specimen(voucher No.ANU20230057)from Yingjiang County,Yunnan Province,China.A phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial cytochrome b(Cyt b),showed that this specimen formed a monophyletic clade with high nodal supports(BPP=1.00;BS=100)with a specimen of Lycodon jara,a colubrid species mainly distributed in the northern and northeastern region of south Asia.Morphological comparisons also showed that this specimen belongs to L.jara.This discovery confirms the distribution of L.jara in China and expands the range of this species to the south edge of Gaoligong Mountains,and provides the first detailed morphological description of L.jara from China thus increasing the number of Lycodon species in China to 23.

A new species of sisorid catfish of the genus Exostoma from the Salween drainage, Yunnan, China

A new species of the sisorid catfish genus Exostoma Blyth, 1860 was collected from two hill-stream tributaries of the Nujiang （Salween River） drainage in Gaoligong Mountain, south-western Yunnan Province, China from 2003 to 2006 and from two tributaries of the Salween River in Cangyuan County Lingcang Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China （in 2007） and in Yongde County, Lingcang Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China （in 2015）. Exostoma gaoligongense sp. nov. is the 10th species of the genus and is most similar to E. vinciguerrae in morphology but can be distinguished by pelvic fin reaching anus vs. not reaching; maxillary barbels just reaching or slightly surpassing pectoral-fin origin vs. surpassing pectoral-fin origin or even reaching posterior end of gill membrane; abdominal vertebrae 23-25 vs. 25-27; length of dorsal fin/dorsal to adipose distance 90.3%-287.0% vs. 59.2-85.7. A key to Exostoma spp. is provided.