Floristic composition and edaphic relationships in ferruginous campo rupestre reference ecosystems

Land use change and occupation have led to modifications in the environment causing loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services throughout the planet.Some environments with high economic relevance,such as the ferruginous campo rupestre(rupestrian grassland known as Canga in Brazil),are even more susceptible to severe impacts due to their extreme habitat conditions and low resilience.The determination of reference ecosystems based on the intrinsic characteristics of the ecosystem is essential for conservation as well as to the implementation of ecological restoration.We proposed the reference ecosystem of the three main types of habitats of the ferruginous campo rupestre based on their floristic composition.We described the floristic composition of each habitat and evaluated the physicochemical properties of the soils and the relationship between plants and soils.All three habitats showed high diversity of plant species and many endemic species,such as Chamaecrista choriophylla,Cuphea pseudovaccinium,Lychnophora pinaster,and Vellozia subalata.The distribution of vegetation was strongly related with the edaphic characteristics,with a set of species more adapted to high concentration of base saturation,fine sand,organic carbon,and iron,while another set of species succeeded in more acidic soils with higher S and silt concentration.We provide support for the contention that the ferruginous campo rupestre is a mosaic of different habitats shaped by intrinsic local conditions.Failure to recognize the floristic composition of each particular habitat can lead to inappropriate restoration,increased habitat homogenization and increased loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.This study also advances the knowledge base for building the reference ecosystem for the different types of ferruginous campo rupestre habitats,as well as a key database for highlighting those species contribute most to community assembly in this diverse and threatened tropical mountain ecosystem.

New findings of Changxingaspis(Xiushuiaspidae,Galeaspida)from the Silurian of Tarim Basin and Zhejiang Province,China

New discovery of the early Silurian fossil fish Changxingaspis(Xiushuiaspidae,Galeaspida),Changxingaspis nianzhongi sp.nov.and C.gui,are described from the Tataertag Formation in Tarim Basin and the Kangshan Formation in Zhejiang Province,respectively.C.nianzhongi mainly differs from C.gui in the shape of the median dorsal opening that is transverse elliptic with a width/length ratio of about 3.0,the long lateral transverse canals extending to the lateral margin of the headshield,and the second lateral transverse canal with dichotomous branchings.Discovery of C.nianzhongi from the Tataertag Formation and C.gui from the Kangshan Formation provide direct evidence on the specific level for the correlation between these two formations,which further supports the Silurian fish-bearing red beds in northwest Zhejiang belonging to the Silurian Lower Red Beds(LRBs)rather than the Upper Red Beds(URBs).Additionally,as the first record of the Changxingaspis in Tarim Basin,it extends the paleogeographical distribution of this genus from the South China Block to the Tarim Block,providing new evidence to support faunal exchanges between these two blocks and the hypothesis of a united Tarim-South China Block during the early Silurian.

Effects of taxon sampling on molecular dating for within-genus divergence events,when deep fossils are used for calibration

A universal method of molecular dating that can be applied to all families and genera regardless of their fossil records, or lack thereof, is highly desirable. A possible method for eudicots is to use a large phylogeny calibrated using deep fossils including tricolpate pollen as a fixed （124 mya） calibration point. This method was used to calculate node ages within three species-poor disjunct basal eudicot genera, Caulophyllum, Podophyllum and Pachysandra, and sensitivity of these ages to effects such as taxon sampling were then quantified. By deleting from one to three accessions related to each genus in 112 different combinations, a confidence range describing variation due only to taxon sampling was generated. Ranges for Caulophyllum, Podophyllum and Pachysandra were 8.4-10.6, 7.6-20.0, and 17.6-25.0 mya, respectively. However, the confidence ranges calculated using bootstrapping were much wider, at 3-19, 0-32 and 11-32 mya, respectively. Furthermore, deleting 10 adjacent taxa had a large effect in Pachysandra only, indicating that undersampling effects are significant among Buxales. Changes to sampling density in neighboring clades, or to the position of the fixed fossil calibration point had small to negligible effects. Non-parametric rate smoothing was more sensitive to taxon sampling effects than was penalized likelihood. The wide range for Podophyllum, compared to the other two genera, was probably due to a high degree of rate heterogeneity within this genus. Confidence ranges calculated by this method could be narrowed by sampling more individuals within the genus of interest, and by sequencing multiple DNA regions from all species in the phylogeny.

桂花品种分类系统研究

通过对目前所知的桂花品种进行详细观察和比较研究发现,四季桂与桂花的区别非常明显,进而从形态性状、习性和DNA水平上分析了四季桂与桂花的亲缘关系,确定了四季桂的分类地位,并进一步建立了桂花品种分类的新系统.

A New Perleidiform(Actinopterygii,Osteichthyes)from the Middle Anisian(Middle Triassic)of Yunnan,South China

Two complete specimens from the Pelsonian （Middle Anisian, Middle Triassic） of Luoping, Yunnan Province, South China are referred to a new actinopterygian genus, Luopingichthys gen. nov., and ascribed to the perleidiform family Polzbergidae based especially on a typical synapomorphy of a peculiar premaxillary-maxillary complex, i.e., the fusion between premaxillary and maxillary along the antero-dorsal margin of the maxillary. The new taxon differs from other deep-bodied representatives of the family, Felberia and Stoppania, in its fusiform or deep fusiform body shape; sickle-shaped preopercular with short infraorbital process; lack of modified scales at the base of the anal fin; the short-based dorsal fin; scarcely ornamented scales; and thin anterior teeth. Based on a redescription of the holotype of the taxon Ctenognathichthys hattichi from the Middle Triassic （Ladinian） Prosanto Formation, Canton Graubiinden, eastern Switzerland, the only known specimen, which shows the same fusion between premaxillary and maxillary, the systematic position of the species is clarified and the taxon is proposed to be a further representative of the family Polzbergidae, and is transferred to the new genus.

β-diversity Patterns of Plant Community in Fragmented Habitat in a Degenerated Meadow in Songnen Plain,China

A number of isolated islands of Leymus chinensis ＋ herbosa community were investigated in fragmented habitat islands, by Braun-Blanquet field survey approach, in a degenerated meadow in the Songnen Plain, China in 2007. These islands were classified as large, medium, and small scales on the basis of the island area （100-1000m2, large island; 50-100m2, middle island; 10-50m2, small island）. Each scale of the investigation involved eight islands. The responses ofβ-diversity patterns of plant taxon to the habitat fragmentation at local community and metacommunity levels were analyzed on different scales of 24 isolated islands. The results indicated that at the local community level, there were 57 species belonging to 20 families and 49 genera in large islands, 49 species belonging to 16 families and 40 genera in middle islands, and 27 species belonging to eight families and 23 genera in small islands, β-diversity indexes for species, genus and family in large, middle, and small islands varied greatly, and the highest value of the indexes was not noted in the largest island. However, the average of the data obtained at the three scales showed that across large islands, Whittaker indexes were low and Bray-Curtis similarity indexes were high, while across small islands, Whittaker indexes were high and Bray-Curtis similarity indexes were low. At the metacommunity level, Whittaker indexes for species and genus showed a great significantly negative double logarithmic correlation （p〈0.01） with the island area, whereas the Bray-Curtis indexes for species, genus and family showed a great significantly positive double logarithmic correlation （p〈0.01） with the island area. At both local community and metacommunity levels, tumovers of species and genus could respond more sensitively to spatial changes of plant diversity patterns than that of family. Hence, the species and the genus could be used for the analysis offl-diversity patterns of plant community.

A New Species of the Family Juraperlidae (Insecta:Grylloblattida) from the Middle Jurassic of China

Juraperla grandis sp. nov. （Grylloblattida： Juraperlidae） is described from the Daohugou locality （Middle Jurassic, China）. Its wing venation is very similar to that ofJuraperla daohugouensis Huang and Nd, 2007 （Grylloblattida： Juraperlidae）, in the particular occurrence of a supplementary longitudinal vein in the area between the anterior wing margin and ScP. The larger size of the new specimen, the lower number of CuA1 branches, and the occurrence of two rows of cells between MP and CuA in forewings justify the erection of a new species, J. grandis sp. nov.. The material also preserved hind wing and body structures, described for the first time in Juraperlidae.

A General Overview of the Typical 18 Frontal-VentralTransverse Cirri Oxytrichidae s. l. Genera(Ciliophora, Hypotrichia)

Oxytrichidae s. l. ciliates usually have 18 frontal-ventral-transverse cirri which are clustered to six distinct groups usu- ally originating from six longitudinal primordia segregating 1, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4 cirri. During morphogenesis, three dorsal kinetics anlagen are primarily formed. Fragmentation of kinety 3 usually present, while sometimes secondarily lost. Dorsomarginal kineties are formed, while sometimes lost. Oxytrichids tend to have overlapping characters, e.g. cell shape and size, infraciliature, pellicle fea- tures. This makes a great problem for genera separation. In the present work, all typical 18 frontal-ventral-transverse-cirri Oxytrichi- dae s. 1. genera were revised systematically based on their living morphology, ciliature patterns and dorsal morphogenetic features. The outline of the genera, the schematic illustrations, and the key to typical 18 frontal-ventral-transverse-cirri genera of Oxytrichidae s. l. were clarified. Additionally, some morphological and morphogenetic patterns were summarized and compared.

Comparative Osteology and Phylogenetic Relationship of Edmontosaurus and Shantungosaurus (Dinosauria:Hadrosauridae) from the Upper Cretaceous of North America and East Asia

The close affinity between Edmontosaurus and Shantungosaurus is corroborated on the basis of the following shared features：an occipital condyle deflected strongly posteroventrally; a posterodorsally reflected, lip-shaped oral margin of the premaxilla, with a deep, oval concavity at the anteromedial corner of the bone; a well-demarcated posterodorsal margin of the deeply excavated circumnarial fossa formed by a prominent arched ridge along the entire posterior half of the lateroventral border of the nasal; an anteroposteriorly broad jugal process of the postorbital; a strongly concave dorsal surface of the paired frontals; seven teeth per alveolus in the middle of the dentary tooth row; and a circular distal blade of the pubis that is much more expanded ventrally than dorsally. A revised phylogenetic analysis of Hadrosauroidea recovers a sister taxon relationship between Edmontosaurus and Shantungosaurus. Kerberosaurus is recovered as the sister taxon to the clade formed exclusively by these two genera. The clade Edmontosaurini could be defined as the least inclusive clade containing Kerberosaurus and Edmontosaurus, which is currently composed of the genera Kerberosaurus, Edmontosaurus, and Shantungosaurus. Zhuchengosaurus and Huaxiaosaurus,both from the Upper Cretaceous Wangshi Group in Zhucheng, are interpreted as junior synonyms of Shantungosaurus. Kundurosaurus is likewise considered a junior synonym of Kerberosaurus. The strict consensus tree together with biogeographic information indicates that the clade Edmontosaurini originated in Asia and subsequently dispersed into North America.

Phylogenetic patterns of shrub communities along the longitudinal and latitudinal gradients on the northeastern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau

Biodiversity distribution patterns are a basic and long-standing but crucial aspect of ecology research.These patterns form the primary source of data used to develop biodiversity protection practices,especially in mountain ecosystems.Shrubs comprise one of the main types of vegetation on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau,where they serve vital ecological functions.In this study,we used a community phylogenetic approach to examine the distribution patterns of shrub communities along the longitudinal and latitudinal gradients on the northeastern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau.We observed significant latitudinal trends in both the phylogenetic diversity(PD)and net relatedness index(NRI)values of shrub communities,such that the former decreased and the latter increased with increasing latitude.However,no significant PD,NRI and nearest taxon index(NTI)distribution patterns were observed along a longitudinal gradient.A further analysis revealed that the combination of temperature-related and precipitation-related climate variables most strongly affected the PD,NRI and NTI values of shrub communities,indicating that the latitudinal patterns in the PD,NRI and NTI of a shrub community may be determined mainly by interactions with these climate factors.

Paracremonium moubasheri,a new species from an alkaline sediment of Lake Hamra in Wadi-El-Natron,Egypt with a key to the accepted species

During surveys of extremophilic fungi in hypersaline,alkaline lakes of Wadi-El-Natron,Egypt,an interesting fungus was recovered from a mud sample collected from Lake Hamra in Wadi-El-Natron,Egypt.Maximum likelihood analysis of Internal Transcribed Spacer(ITS)gene along with morphological comparisons of related taxa revealed a novel taxon,Paracremonium moubasheri which is described and illustrated in the current study.Paracremonium moubasheri can be distinguished from the known species of the genus by its large conidia,in addition to the presence of chlamydospores.

Cockroach as the Earliest Eusocial Animal

A completely preserved cockroach Socialaperlucida gen. et sp. nov. （Blattida： Socialidae faro. nov.） is described from the Mesozoic （Albian Early Cretaceous） amber of Archingeay in France. It is categorized within the new family Socialidae, originating from the Mesozoic cockroach family Liberiblattinidae, and representing the sister group to the most basal known eutermite families. Numerous direct and indirect morphological evidence （such as a unique narrow body and pronotum with reduced coloration, legs without carination and with numerous sensillar pitts （forelegs） as adaptations to life in nests analogical to the living termitophillous species; enlarged head, long palps for communication, a general venation modified in a direction towards termites （subcosta and radial vein [R] approximated, R branches approximated, simplified, cross-veins reduced）, and possibly also the development of the breaking forewing sutura for detaching wings after marriage flight）, suggest its eusocial mode of life. Thus, the first eusociality originated within cockroaches, prior to giving birth to termites; termites and Cryptocercus are not directly related. The group of eusocial cockroaches makes termite morphotaxon polyphyletic, but also in this case, the erection of a new order for mastotermites （including Cratomastotermitidae） and/or the inclusion of eusocial, morphological cockroaches within termites appears counterproductive, thus an example of such a general exception to the taxonomical procedure is provided.

五种蜚蠊消化系统解剖的比较研究

本研究在对五种蜚蠊的消化系统进行大体解剖的基础上，对雌成虫消化系统的异同加以比较研究。其中，中华地鳖至多具一根中肠盲蠹，具一束马氏管；美洲大蠊和黑胸大蠊具八根中肠盲囊、六束马氏管；德国小蠊和京都稀蠊具八根中肠盲囊和二束马氏管。五种蜚蠊的唾腺均为四瓣，在分支方式上也各有异同。因此，消化系统的特点也反映出分类学上的亲缘关系。木文还就蜚蠊的消化机理和建议改变京都稀蠊的分类地住进行了讨论。

Primulina titan sp.nov.(Gesneriaceae)from a Limestone Area in Northern Guangxi,China

A new species of Gesneriaceae,Primulina titan,is described and photographed from northern Guangxi,China.It resembles P.hunanensis,but can be distinguished by combined morphological characters of leaf,bract,corolla,stamen and pistil.We found only one population with approx.800 mature individuals at the type locality.This species is provisionally assessed as vulnerable[VU D1]using IUCN criteria.

Aspergillus gaarensis,a new addition to section Circumdati from soil of Lake El-Gaar in Wadi-El-Natron,Egypt

In the present study,a novel fungus belonging to the genus Aspergillus section Circumdati was isolated from a cultivated soil sample close to El-Gaar lake in Wadi-El-Natron region,Egypt.Sequence of the internal transcribed spacer(ITS)gene of its DNA showed that the isolate differs from all known Aspergillus species in section Circumdati.The novel Aspergillus species is described here as Aspergillus gaarensis.Phenotypic characteristics and molecular data were applied to determine its novel taxonomic status.Both macro and micro characteristics of the novel species are presented in the current study.

Talaromyces peaticola(Aspergillaceae,Eurotiales),a new species from the Zoige wetlands,China

Species in Talaromyces section Trachyspermi are isolated from a wide range of substrates,including soil,house dust,leaf,wood and fruit from temperate region to tropical areas.During a survey of fungal diversity in Zoige wetlands,three isolates with biverticillate adpressed penicilli and spheroidal conidia belonging to Talaromyces are isolated from peat soil.Phylogenetic analyses based on a combined ITS,BenA,CaM and RPB2 sequence data suggests they represent a novel taxon in Talaromyces section Trachyspermi,namely Talaromyces peaticola.In spite of T.peaticola has a close affinity to T.diversus in phylogeny,it is readily distinguished from the later,resulted from growing slowly on CREA at 25℃,exudating small clear droplets on MEA,and producing smaller conidia than that of T.diversus.

Responses of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to straw return and nitrogen fertilizer reduction in a rainfed maize field

Straw return can be used to reduce fertilizer input and improve agricultural sustainability and soil health.However,how straw return and reduced fertilizer application affect beneficial soil microbes,particularly arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF),remains poorly understood.Here,we conducted a five-year field experiment in a rainfed maize field on the Loess Plateau of northwestern China.We tested four treatments with straw return combined with four nitrogen(N)application rates,i.e.,100%,80%,60%,and 0%of the common N application rate(225 kg N ha^(-1)year^(-1))in this region,and two reference treatments(full or no N application),with three replicates for each treatment.Mycorrhizal colonization was quantified and AMF communities colonizing maize roots were characterized using Illumina sequencing.Forty virtual taxa(VTs)of AMF were identified in root samples,among which VT113(related to Rhizophagus fasciculatus)and VT156(related to Dominikia gansuensis)were the predominant taxa.Both root length colonization and AMF VT richness were sensitive to N fertilization,but not to straw return;furthermore,both gradually increased with decreasing N application rate.The VT composition of the AMF community was also affected by N fertilization,but not by straw return,and the community variation could be well explained by soil available N and phosphorus concentrations.Additionally,60%,80%,and full N fertilization produced similar maize yields.Thus,our study revealed the response patterns of AMF to straw return and N fertilizer reduction and showed that straw return combined with N fertilizer reduction may be a promising practice to maintain mycorrhizal symbiosis concomitantly with crop productivity.

Spatiotemporal evolution and assembly processes of ammonia-oxidizing prokaryotic communities in 1 000-year-old coastal reclaimed soils

Coastal marshes are transitional areas between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.They are sensitive to climate change and anthropogenic activities.In recent decades,the reclamation of coastal marshes has greatly increased,and its effects on microbial communities in coastal marshes have been studied with great interest.Most of these studies have explained the short-term spatiotemporal variation in soil microbial community dynamics.However,the impact of reclamation on the community composition and assembly processes of functional microbes(e.g.,ammonia-oxidizing prokaryotes)is often ignored.In this study,using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and the Ion S5™XL sequencing platform,we investigated the spatiotemporal dynamics,assembly processes,and diversity patterns of ammonia-oxidizing prokaryotes in 1000-year-old reclaimed coastal salt marshes.The taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity and composition of ammonia oxidizers showed apparent spatiotemporal variations with soil reclamation.Phylogenetic null modelling-based analysis showed that across all sites,the archaeal ammonia-oxidizing community was assembled by a deterministic process(84.71%),and deterministic processes were also dominant(55.2%)for ammonia-oxidizing bacterial communities except for communities at 60 years of reclamation.The assembly process and nitrification activity in reclaimed soils were positively correlated.The abundance of the amoA gene and changes in ammonia-oxidizing archaeal and bacterial diversities significantly affected the nitrification activity in reclaimed soils.These findings suggest that long-term coastal salt marsh reclamation affects nitrification by modulating the activities of ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms and regulating their community structures and assembly processes.These results provide a better understanding of the effects of long-term land reclamation on soil nitrogen-cycling microbial communities.

Assessment of soil nematode diversity based on different taxonomic levels and functional groups

Although soil nematode diversity has been used as an indicator of habitat characteristics and environmental change,the diversity of entire soil nematode communities has not been comprehensively evaluated at different taxonomic levels,or for different functional groups,or at a fine taxonomic level within functional groups.In this study,two taxonomic diversity indices,the Shannon-Wiener index(H′)and Simpson index(l),were used to evaluate the following:1)nematode diversity at different taxonomic levels for the whole community,2)nematode diversity of different functional groups,and 3)nematode generic diversity of functional groups in the following four land-use types:forage land,cropland,secondary forest,and grassshrubland.The results showed that significant differences in nematode diversity among landuse types were detected by assessment at the order level but not at the family or genus level.The results also showed that significant differences in nematode diversity were better revealed by assessment of trophic groups rather than cp groups.The generic diversities(H′)of omnivorous nematodes and cp3 nematodes also significantly differed among land-use types.Our results indicate that diversity at a high taxonomic level(i.e.,order)may be a more useful indicator than diversity at a low taxonomic level(i.e.,family or genus)of differences among land-use types.In addition,the functional group diversity(i.e.,trophic group,cp group,and the combination of these two groups)for the whole community and the taxonomic diversity within functional groups were useful indicators of differences among land-use types.

Garrulax milnei milnei,a taxon little known in Chinese ornithology

As early as 1874, the French scientist P^re A. David introduced to science a new bird species, Trochalopteron milnei, described as： ＂Ressemblant au T.formosum du Setchouan, mais ayant le dessus de la tete couleur de cannelle ou d＇amadou, et la r6gion parotique blanche＂ （David, 1874）. The bird skin that P^re David collected, and so far deposited in Museum National d＇Histoire Naturelle in Paris, was from ＂Koaten of W Fo-kien＂, in the current Chinese romanization system, Koaten is spelt as Guadun and Fo-kien spelt as Fujian.