1 Introduction The Inaugural Lecture,I imagine,is meant to be a pre-sentation that demonstrates my best work or something summative about my academic career;however,unlike my colleagues who have delivered amazing mid-...1 Introduction The Inaugural Lecture,I imagine,is meant to be a pre-sentation that demonstrates my best work or something summative about my academic career;however,unlike my colleagues who have delivered amazing mid-career lectures on topic,because I started as a very mature stu-dent after at least two previous careers,and am now two years from retirement,this presentation is surely some kind of swan song.展开更多
Based on a combination of morphology and molecular data of ribosomal DNA genes,a new diatom genus Lineaperpetua gen.nov.Yu,You,Kociolek&Wang is described.The features that help define Lineaperpetua at the level of...Based on a combination of morphology and molecular data of ribosomal DNA genes,a new diatom genus Lineaperpetua gen.nov.Yu,You,Kociolek&Wang is described.The features that help define Lineaperpetua at the level of genus include:a tangentially undulated valve face;continuous cribra areolae on the valve interior consisting of pores arranged as strips;single rimoportula located inside the ring of marginal fultoportulae.Additionally,phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear small subunit(SSU)rDNA sequences and nuclear large subunit(LSU)rDNA gene placed the three strains of L.lacustris in a single,monophyletic clade at a considerable sequence distance from the other genera(Thalassiosira,Conticribra,Planktoniella,Shinodiscus,and other genera)belonging to Thalassiosirales.Despite the similarities with some species of Thalassiosira,Conticribra,and Spicaticribra,the suite of features found in Lineaperpetua differentiate it from these other genera.These molecular data and morphological characters suggest an affinity of the new genus to the Thalassiosiraceae.展开更多
During our investigation of diatom biodiversity in Xizang,two species exhibited unique morphological features discriminative from all previously known genera.Herein we describe these two species and describe as new th...During our investigation of diatom biodiversity in Xizang,two species exhibited unique morphological features discriminative from all previously known genera.Herein we describe these two species and describe as new the genus,Spargeria gen.nov.The new genus features narrow to wide rectangular valves,narrow valve mantles,filiform raphe branches that occur on the valve face only,terminal raphe fissures straight or slightly deflected to same side,bow-tie shaped central areas,chambered striae present on the valve face only,being absent from the mantle,wider striae near the axial area and very narrow near the margin,multiseriate striae with small and round areolae that are occluded externally.Comparatively,Spargeria zhuii sp.nov.has larger and robust valves,radiate striae,with one divergent stria near the apices,while Spargeria chenia sp.nov.is smaller,with narrow valves,striae slightly radiate in the middle,becoming convergent or parallel near apices.This new genus belongs to the family Pinnulariaceae,and it was compared and contrasted with other genera of this family.Our work suggests the need for continued studies to document the biodiversity of diatoms in Xizang.展开更多
Chinese medicine has a long history in the United States, dating back to its colonial period and extending up to the present. This essay focuses on the earliest generation of practitioners of traditional Chinese medic...Chinese medicine has a long history in the United States, dating back to its colonial period and extending up to the present. This essay focuses on the earliest generation of practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine in the United States. Although acupuncture is the modality most commonly associated with Chinese medicine in today's medical marketplace, up until the 1970s, Chinese healers in the United States typically specialized in herbalism. Well before mass emigration from China to the United States began, Chinese material medica crossed the oceans, in both directions: Chinese medicinal teas and herbs came west while Appalachian ginseng went east. Beginning in the 1850s, Chinese immigrants came to the United States and transplanted their health practices, sometimes quite literally by propagating medicinal plants in their adopted home. Over time, Chinese doctors learned how to sell their services to non-Chinese patients by presenting herbalism as “nature's remedies.”展开更多
An interesting group of cymbelloid diatoms was collected from lakes in Yunnan Province,China,and observations on their valve morphology made using light and scanning electron microscopy.These cymbelloid species all ha...An interesting group of cymbelloid diatoms was collected from lakes in Yunnan Province,China,and observations on their valve morphology made using light and scanning electron microscopy.These cymbelloid species all have apical pore fields,slit-like areolae,and areolar occlusions,and they all lack of stigmata.In this paper we propose the new genus Qinia gen.nov.for these taxa and describe them as new:Q.lashii sp.nov.,Q.aequalis sp.nov.,and Q.daliensis sp.nov.The genus Qinia gen.nov.has lanceolate valves asymmetrical about their apical axes,raphe located in the middle of valve,distal raphe ends bent to the dorsal margin that bisects the apical pore fields(APFs),no stigmata,areolae with slit-like external openings and projections occluding the areolar openings internally.This genus resembles the genus Cymbella in the presence of APFs,but differs from Cymbella by a lack of stigmata,and by having external distal raphe ends that bisect the apical pore fields.Like Reimeria,the external distal raphe ends bisect the lobes of the APF,but Qinia species differ from Reimeria in that they have no stigmata and the distal raphe ends are deflected dorsally,not ventrally.Comparisons were made between Qinia and other cymbelloid genera whose members possess apical pore fields.Features that distinguish each species of the new genus are also discussed.展开更多
AmphibiaChina, an open-access, web-based database, is designed to provide comprehensive and up-to-date information on Chinese amphibians. It offers an integrated module with six major sections. Compared to other known...AmphibiaChina, an open-access, web-based database, is designed to provide comprehensive and up-to-date information on Chinese amphibians. It offers an integrated module with six major sections. Compared to other known databases including AmphibiaWeb and Amphibian Species of the World, AmphibiaChina has the following new functions: (1) online species identification based on DNA barcode sequences; (2) comparisons and discussions of different major taxonomic systems; and (3) phylogenetic progress on Chinese amphibians. This database offers a window for the world to access available information of Chinese amphibians. AmphibiaChina with its Chinese version can be accessed at http:// www.amphibiachina.org.展开更多
Despite continuous studies on the cryptic diversity of the Diploderma flaviceps complex in Southwest China for the pastdecade, little attention has been given to other widespreadcongeners in China. Combining both morp...Despite continuous studies on the cryptic diversity of the Diploderma flaviceps complex in Southwest China for the pastdecade, little attention has been given to other widespreadcongeners in China. Combining both morphological and phylogenetic data, we describe a new species of Diplodermafrom populations identified previously as D. dymondi in thelower Yalong River Basin in southern Sichuan Province. Thenew species is morphologically most similar to D. dymondiand D. varcoae, but it can be differentiated by a considerablegenetic divergence and a suite of morphological characters,including having taller nuchal crest scales, smaller tympana,and a distinct oral coloration. Additionally, we discuss otherputative species complexes within the genus Diploderma inChina.展开更多
A new species of the agamid genus Japalura is described based on 15 specimens from the upper Lancang(Mekong) Valley of eastern Tibet, PR China. Populations of the new species, Japalura vela sp. nov., were previously...A new species of the agamid genus Japalura is described based on 15 specimens from the upper Lancang(Mekong) Valley of eastern Tibet, PR China. Populations of the new species, Japalura vela sp. nov., were previously recognized as J. flaviceps. The new species is morphologically most similar to J. batangensis, J. micangshanensis, J. variegata, and J. zhaoermii, but is distinguished from the four species and all remaining congeners by the following combination of morphological characters: 1) small adult size(SVL 56–69 mm in males, 59–66 mm in females); 2) ratio of tail TAL/SVL 1.85–2.06; 3) ratio of hind limb HLL/SVL 0.72–0.81; 4) T4 S 24 or 25; 5) concealed tympanum; 6) transverse gular fold present; 7) gular pouch present; 8) axillary fold present; 9) a pronounced, continuous, sail-like vertebral crest along length of body in males; 10) ground dorsal coloration black in males; 11) distinct gray transverse streaks on dorsal surface of head; 12) black radiated streaks around eyes; 13) distinct, black vermiculate stripes on ventral surface of head in both sexes; 14) a strongly jagged dorsolateral stripe from neck to base of tail on each side of vertebral crest in males; and 15) absence of gular spots in both sexes. General distribution patterns of the genus in the Hengduan Mountains region are also discussed.展开更多
While considerable progress has been made in the taxonomic studies of the genus Lycodon in Asia,questions remain to be clarified regarding the taxonomy of certain groups,particularly those containing species in China....While considerable progress has been made in the taxonomic studies of the genus Lycodon in Asia,questions remain to be clarified regarding the taxonomy of certain groups,particularly those containing species in China.Not only do many regions in China remain overlooked by herpetologists,resulting in the possibility of undiscovered new species,but the surveyed areas also have suspicious records of recognized congeners that require taxonomic confirmations.Combining both morphological and genetic data,we tackle these outstanding issues in the taxonomy of Lycodon in China.In particular,we discover two new species of Lycodon:one from the previously neglected hot-dry valley in the northern Hengduan Mountain Region close to Tibet,and another recluse and cryptic species from the L.fasciatus complex in the downtown park of a major city in southern Sichuan Province.Additionally,we clarify the distribution of L.septentrionalis in China and resurrect and elevate its junior synonym subspecies,Dinodon septentrionale chapaense,as a full,valid species,and we synonymize the recently described L.namdongensis to the resurrected L.chapaensis comb.nov..Lycodon chapaensis comb.nov.thus represents a new national record of reptilian fauna of China.Lastly,based on literature review,we also correct some of the erroneous records of L.fasciatus and L.ruhstrati in China,point out remaining taxonomic issues of the genus for future research,and update the dichotomous key and distribution of the 20 species of Lycodon currently recorded from China.展开更多
A new species of Scutiger Theobald, 1868 is described from Medog, southeastern Tibet, China, based on morphological and molecular data. The new species was previously identified as Scutiger nyingchiensis, but it can b...A new species of Scutiger Theobald, 1868 is described from Medog, southeastern Tibet, China, based on morphological and molecular data. The new species was previously identified as Scutiger nyingchiensis, but it can be differentiated from the latter and all other congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) medium adult body size, SVL 50.5-55.6 mm in males and 53.8-57.2 mm in females; (2) maxillary teeth absent; (3) web rudimen- tary between toes; (4) prominent, conical-shaped tubercles on dorsal and lateral surfaces of body and limbs; (5) tubercles covered by black spines in both sexes in breeding condition; (6) a pair of pectoral glands and a pair of axillary glands present and covered by black spines in males in breeding condition, width of axillary gland less than 50% of pectoral gland; (7) nuptial spines present on dorsal surface of first and second fingers, and inner side of third finger in males in breeding condition; (8) spines absent on the abdominal region; (9) vocal sac absent. In addition, the distribution and conservation status of the new species are also discussed展开更多
A new species of natricine snake of the Southeast Asian genus Opisthotropis GUnther, 1872 is described from western Hunan Province of China based on both mitochondrial DNA and morphological data. The new species is mo...A new species of natricine snake of the Southeast Asian genus Opisthotropis GUnther, 1872 is described from western Hunan Province of China based on both mitochondrial DNA and morphological data. The new species is morphologically most similar and genetically most closely related to O. cheni Zhao, 1999 and O. latouchfi (Boulenger, 1899), but possesses considerable genetic divergence (p- distance 5.1%-16.7%) and can be differentiated from all other congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) body size large (total length 514-586 mm) and strongly built; (2) dorsal scale rows 17 throughout, feebly keeled anteriorly and moderately keeled posteriorly; (3) ventral scales 147-152, subcaudal scales 54-62; (4) preocular absent, Ioreal elongated and touching orbit; (5) supralabials 8-9, fifth and sixth entering obit; (6) anterior temporals short, length 1.74-2.04 times longer than width; (7) maxillary teeth subequal, 28-30; (8) dorsal surface of head with distinct irregular yellow stripes and markings edged with ochre; (9) body with clear black and yellow longitudinal streaks, partly fused to several lighter patches or thicker stripes anteriorly; and (10) venter pale yellow, with asymmetric blackish speckles along outer margin. We present an updated diagnostic key to all members of the genus Opisthotropis, and recommendations on the ecological study for the group are provided.展开更多
Due to a paucity of surveys in northern Indochina and lack of international collaborations among neighboring countries, recognized distributional ranges for many amphibian and reptile species end at the political bord...Due to a paucity of surveys in northern Indochina and lack of international collaborations among neighboring countries, recognized distributional ranges for many amphibian and reptile species end at the political borders for some countries, despite seemingly continuous suitable habitat spanning the region. Combining both morphological and genetic data, we report the first discovery of Japalura chapaensis, a rare agamid lizard believed previously to be endemic to northern Vietnam only, along the border region of southeastern Yunnan Province, China. To facilitate future research on the genus Japalura sensu lato in Indochina, we provide detailed descriptions of additional specimens of this rare species, including the first description of coloration in life and an expanded diagnosis, and discuss the species boundary of J. chapaensis with respect to its congeners.展开更多
Although landscape features such as mountains and rivers are recognized often as limiting factors to amphibian dispersal and gene flow, a limited number of studies have investigated such patterns across Southeast Asia...Although landscape features such as mountains and rivers are recognized often as limiting factors to amphibian dispersal and gene flow, a limited number of studies have investigated such patterns across Southeast Asia. A perfect example of this is Thailand, located in one of the world's biodiversity hotspot regions. Thailand represents the corridor between mainland Asia and the Sunda Shelf, a famous and widely recognized biogeographic region, and yet there are few studies on the genetic structure among populations of amphibian species distributed across Thailand. The Southeast Asian tree frog, Chiromantis hansenae has been reported to possess a geographic range that is restricted to Thailand and, presumably, Cambodia~ Here, we investigate phylogenetic relationships among C. hansenae populations using partial sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene and nuclear POMC gene. Our results reveal two distinct evolutionary lineages within C. hansenae populations in Thailand. The genetic divergence among populations between these two clades is considerable, and results support inter-population divergence, and high genetic differentiation (pairwise FsT = 0.97), between two localities sampled in western Thailand (TK1 and TK2), separated from each other by 40 kilometers only. The results suggest that landscape features across Thailand may have a profound impact on patterns of diversification in the country, underscoring the urgent need for fine-scale investigations of genetic structure of endemic and "widespread" species.展开更多
A new species of the genus Liurana Dubois, 1986 is described from Medog County, Tibet, China, based on morphological and molecular data. The new species can be differentiated from all other congeners by the following ...A new species of the genus Liurana Dubois, 1986 is described from Medog County, Tibet, China, based on morphological and molecular data. The new species can be differentiated from all other congeners by the following combination of characters:(1) head wider than long;(2) tympanum distinct and large;(3) hindlimb long, tibiotarsal articulation beyond tip of snout when adpressed;(4) belly with flat tubercles, cloacal region with small tubercles;(5) transverse bands distinctly on dorsal limbs, four bands on thigh and three on tibia;and,(6) dark brown marbled patterns or speckles on white bel y. Here, we also discuss the distribution pattern of Liurana in the East Himalaya region, the role of the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the speciation and genetic isolation of congeners, the direct developmental mode of reproduction, and the two different ecotypes of the genus.Lastly, we provide conservation recommendations for the genus in southeastern Tibet.展开更多
A new species of the genus Amolops Cope, 1865 is described from Nyingchi, southeastern Tibet, China, based on morphological and molecular data. The new species, Amolops nyingchiensis sp. nov. is assigned to the Amolop...A new species of the genus Amolops Cope, 1865 is described from Nyingchi, southeastern Tibet, China, based on morphological and molecular data. The new species, Amolops nyingchiensis sp. nov. is assigned to the Amolops monticola group based on its skin smooth, dorsolateral fold distinct, lateral side of head black, upper lip stripe white extending to the shoulder. Amolops nyingchiensis sp. nov. is distinguished from all other species of Amolops by the following combination of characters: (1) medium body size, SVL 48.5-58.3 mm in males, and 57.6-70.7 mm in females; (2) tympanum distinct, slightly larger than one third of the eye diameter; (3) a small tooth-like projection on anteromedial edge of mandible; (4) the absence of white spine on dorsal surface of body; (5) the presence of circummarginal groove on all fingers; (6) the presence of vomerine teeth; (7) background coloration of dorsal surface brown, lateral body gray with yellow; (8) the presence of transverse bands on the dorsal limbs; (9) the presence of nuptial pad on the first finger in males; (10) the absence of vocal sac in males. Taxonomic status of the populations that were previously identified to A. monticola from Tibet is also discussed.展开更多
Poorly preserved tracks have limited ichnotaxonomic or biotaxon utility,but may reveal useful information about the paleoenvironment,behavior and track taphonomy.Eight mostly parallel to sub parallel trackway segments...Poorly preserved tracks have limited ichnotaxonomic or biotaxon utility,but may reveal useful information about the paleoenvironment,behavior and track taphonomy.Eight mostly parallel to sub parallel trackway segments(T1–T8)were registered on a truncation surface in the Lower Cretaceous Luohe Formation of Shaanxi Province.These attest to the passage of several bipeds,probably all theropods,in a paleo-contour-parallel,south-north direction in an arid setting.Quality of preservation in these trackways is poor,but notably superior in two additional trackways(T9–T10)on a foreset surface.Trackway T9 indicates a didactyl trackmaker,probably a deinonychosaurian,heading north to south.This is the 13th report of deinonychosaurian tracks from the Lower Cretaceous of China.If any or all the eight south-north oriented trackway segments represent continuations of other segments in the same trackways,the total number of individual trackmakers heading in this direction may have been as lowas three.Although the trackway pattern and sedimentological evidence could indicate a physically controlled pathway influencing the direction taken by these trackmakers,the possibility that the trackways also represented small social or gregarious group cannot be ruled out.展开更多
文摘1 Introduction The Inaugural Lecture,I imagine,is meant to be a pre-sentation that demonstrates my best work or something summative about my academic career;however,unlike my colleagues who have delivered amazing mid-career lectures on topic,because I started as a very mature stu-dent after at least two previous careers,and am now two years from retirement,this presentation is surely some kind of swan song.
基金the Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China(No.2021 M 703434)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.32100165,32170205)the Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai(No.21 ZR 144730)。
文摘Based on a combination of morphology and molecular data of ribosomal DNA genes,a new diatom genus Lineaperpetua gen.nov.Yu,You,Kociolek&Wang is described.The features that help define Lineaperpetua at the level of genus include:a tangentially undulated valve face;continuous cribra areolae on the valve interior consisting of pores arranged as strips;single rimoportula located inside the ring of marginal fultoportulae.Additionally,phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear small subunit(SSU)rDNA sequences and nuclear large subunit(LSU)rDNA gene placed the three strains of L.lacustris in a single,monophyletic clade at a considerable sequence distance from the other genera(Thalassiosira,Conticribra,Planktoniella,Shinodiscus,and other genera)belonging to Thalassiosirales.Despite the similarities with some species of Thalassiosira,Conticribra,and Spicaticribra,the suite of features found in Lineaperpetua differentiate it from these other genera.These molecular data and morphological characters suggest an affinity of the new genus to the Thalassiosiraceae.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.31970213,31870187)the Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province for Excellent Young Scholars(No.YQ2020C032)the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program(No.2019QZKK0304)。
文摘During our investigation of diatom biodiversity in Xizang,two species exhibited unique morphological features discriminative from all previously known genera.Herein we describe these two species and describe as new the genus,Spargeria gen.nov.The new genus features narrow to wide rectangular valves,narrow valve mantles,filiform raphe branches that occur on the valve face only,terminal raphe fissures straight or slightly deflected to same side,bow-tie shaped central areas,chambered striae present on the valve face only,being absent from the mantle,wider striae near the axial area and very narrow near the margin,multiseriate striae with small and round areolae that are occluded externally.Comparatively,Spargeria zhuii sp.nov.has larger and robust valves,radiate striae,with one divergent stria near the apices,while Spargeria chenia sp.nov.is smaller,with narrow valves,striae slightly radiate in the middle,becoming convergent or parallel near apices.This new genus belongs to the family Pinnulariaceae,and it was compared and contrasted with other genera of this family.Our work suggests the need for continued studies to document the biodiversity of diatoms in Xizang.
文摘Chinese medicine has a long history in the United States, dating back to its colonial period and extending up to the present. This essay focuses on the earliest generation of practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine in the United States. Although acupuncture is the modality most commonly associated with Chinese medicine in today's medical marketplace, up until the 1970s, Chinese healers in the United States typically specialized in herbalism. Well before mass emigration from China to the United States began, Chinese material medica crossed the oceans, in both directions: Chinese medicinal teas and herbs came west while Appalachian ginseng went east. Beginning in the 1850s, Chinese immigrants came to the United States and transplanted their health practices, sometimes quite literally by propagating medicinal plants in their adopted home. Over time, Chinese doctors learned how to sell their services to non-Chinese patients by presenting herbalism as “nature's remedies.”
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos.31970213,31870187)the Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province for Excellent Young Scholars (No.YQ2020C032)。
文摘An interesting group of cymbelloid diatoms was collected from lakes in Yunnan Province,China,and observations on their valve morphology made using light and scanning electron microscopy.These cymbelloid species all have apical pore fields,slit-like areolae,and areolar occlusions,and they all lack of stigmata.In this paper we propose the new genus Qinia gen.nov.for these taxa and describe them as new:Q.lashii sp.nov.,Q.aequalis sp.nov.,and Q.daliensis sp.nov.The genus Qinia gen.nov.has lanceolate valves asymmetrical about their apical axes,raphe located in the middle of valve,distal raphe ends bent to the dorsal margin that bisects the apical pore fields(APFs),no stigmata,areolae with slit-like external openings and projections occluding the areolar openings internally.This genus resembles the genus Cymbella in the presence of APFs,but differs from Cymbella by a lack of stigmata,and by having external distal raphe ends that bisect the apical pore fields.Like Reimeria,the external distal raphe ends bisect the lobes of the APF,but Qinia species differ from Reimeria in that they have no stigmata and the distal raphe ends are deflected dorsally,not ventrally.Comparisons were made between Qinia and other cymbelloid genera whose members possess apical pore fields.Features that distinguish each species of the new genus are also discussed.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.31270249)International Science&Technology Cooperation Program of China(2013DFR90670)Shanghai Municipal Education Commission(14YZ069)
基金Foundation items: The development of the AmphibiaChina has benefitted from the data accumulated through the programs of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31090252), the Chinese Academy of Sciences (KSCX2-YW-Z-0807, KSCX2-EW-Z-2), Ministry of Science and Technology of China (MOST2011FY120200), and the Animal Branch of the Germplasm Bank of Wild Species of CAS (the Large Research Infrastructure Funding).
文摘AmphibiaChina, an open-access, web-based database, is designed to provide comprehensive and up-to-date information on Chinese amphibians. It offers an integrated module with six major sections. Compared to other known databases including AmphibiaWeb and Amphibian Species of the World, AmphibiaChina has the following new functions: (1) online species identification based on DNA barcode sequences; (2) comparisons and discussions of different major taxonomic systems; and (3) phylogenetic progress on Chinese amphibians. This database offers a window for the world to access available information of Chinese amphibians. AmphibiaChina with its Chinese version can be accessed at http:// www.amphibiachina.org.
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDA20050201)National Key Research and Development Program of China(2017YFC0505202)+3 种基金the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research(STEP) program(2019QZKK0501)the Animal Branch of the Germplasm Bank of Wild Species CAS(Large Research Infrastructure Funding) to J.CheNSF GRFP(2017216966) to K.Wangthe cooperative program of the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution,KIZ(GREKF16-12) to C.Siler and J.Che
文摘Despite continuous studies on the cryptic diversity of the Diploderma flaviceps complex in Southwest China for the pastdecade, little attention has been given to other widespreadcongeners in China. Combining both morphological and phylogenetic data, we describe a new species of Diplodermafrom populations identified previously as D. dymondi in thelower Yalong River Basin in southern Sichuan Province. Thenew species is morphologically most similar to D. dymondiand D. varcoae, but it can be differentiated by a considerablegenetic divergence and a suite of morphological characters,including having taller nuchal crest scales, smaller tympana,and a distinct oral coloration. Additionally, we discuss otherputative species complexes within the genus Diploderma inChina.
基金supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2014FY210200, 2011FY120200)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31090250)the Animal Branch of the Germplasm Bank of Wild Species of Chinese Academy of Sciences (the Large Research Infrastructure Funding)
文摘A new species of the agamid genus Japalura is described based on 15 specimens from the upper Lancang(Mekong) Valley of eastern Tibet, PR China. Populations of the new species, Japalura vela sp. nov., were previously recognized as J. flaviceps. The new species is morphologically most similar to J. batangensis, J. micangshanensis, J. variegata, and J. zhaoermii, but is distinguished from the four species and all remaining congeners by the following combination of morphological characters: 1) small adult size(SVL 56–69 mm in males, 59–66 mm in females); 2) ratio of tail TAL/SVL 1.85–2.06; 3) ratio of hind limb HLL/SVL 0.72–0.81; 4) T4 S 24 or 25; 5) concealed tympanum; 6) transverse gular fold present; 7) gular pouch present; 8) axillary fold present; 9) a pronounced, continuous, sail-like vertebral crest along length of body in males; 10) ground dorsal coloration black in males; 11) distinct gray transverse streaks on dorsal surface of head; 12) black radiated streaks around eyes; 13) distinct, black vermiculate stripes on ventral surface of head in both sexes; 14) a strongly jagged dorsolateral stripe from neck to base of tail on each side of vertebral crest in males; and 15) absence of gular spots in both sexes. General distribution patterns of the genus in the Hengduan Mountains region are also discussed.
基金This research is supported by the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research(STEP)program(2019QZKK0501)Biodiversity Survey and Assessment Project of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment(2019HJ2096001006)+4 种基金China's Biodiversity Observation Network(Sino-BON),Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute,CAS(Y4ZK111B01:2017CASSEABRIQG002)the Animal Branch of the Germplasm Bank of Wild Species,CAS(Large Research Infrastructure Funding)to J.C.and NSF GRFP 2017216966 to K.WWe thank Mr.Di-Hao Wu for providing locality information of the new speciesMr.Ben-Fu Miao,Mr.Hui-Ming Xu(Yunlong National Nature Reserve),and Mr.Wen-Jie Dong(KIZ)for their assistances in the fieldand Mr.Chao Wu,Mr.Wei-Liang Xie,Mr.Shao-Bing Hou(KIZ),Mr.Jin-Long Ren(CIB)and Mr.Franco Leung Ka Wah(CIB)for providing photos of Lycodon species.
文摘While considerable progress has been made in the taxonomic studies of the genus Lycodon in Asia,questions remain to be clarified regarding the taxonomy of certain groups,particularly those containing species in China.Not only do many regions in China remain overlooked by herpetologists,resulting in the possibility of undiscovered new species,but the surveyed areas also have suspicious records of recognized congeners that require taxonomic confirmations.Combining both morphological and genetic data,we tackle these outstanding issues in the taxonomy of Lycodon in China.In particular,we discover two new species of Lycodon:one from the previously neglected hot-dry valley in the northern Hengduan Mountain Region close to Tibet,and another recluse and cryptic species from the L.fasciatus complex in the downtown park of a major city in southern Sichuan Province.Additionally,we clarify the distribution of L.septentrionalis in China and resurrect and elevate its junior synonym subspecies,Dinodon septentrionale chapaense,as a full,valid species,and we synonymize the recently described L.namdongensis to the resurrected L.chapaensis comb.nov..Lycodon chapaensis comb.nov.thus represents a new national record of reptilian fauna of China.Lastly,based on literature review,we also correct some of the erroneous records of L.fasciatus and L.ruhstrati in China,point out remaining taxonomic issues of the genus for future research,and update the dichotomous key and distribution of the 20 species of Lycodon currently recorded from China.
基金Foundation items: This study was supported by the "Light of West China" Program of the Chinese Academy of sciences (CAS), the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2014FY210200, 2011FY120200), and the Animal Branch of the Germplasm Bank of Wild Species of Chinese Academy of Sciences (the Large Research Infrastructure Funding)
文摘A new species of Scutiger Theobald, 1868 is described from Medog, southeastern Tibet, China, based on morphological and molecular data. The new species was previously identified as Scutiger nyingchiensis, but it can be differentiated from the latter and all other congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) medium adult body size, SVL 50.5-55.6 mm in males and 53.8-57.2 mm in females; (2) maxillary teeth absent; (3) web rudimen- tary between toes; (4) prominent, conical-shaped tubercles on dorsal and lateral surfaces of body and limbs; (5) tubercles covered by black spines in both sexes in breeding condition; (6) a pair of pectoral glands and a pair of axillary glands present and covered by black spines in males in breeding condition, width of axillary gland less than 50% of pectoral gland; (7) nuptial spines present on dorsal surface of first and second fingers, and inner side of third finger in males in breeding condition; (8) spines absent on the abdominal region; (9) vocal sac absent. In addition, the distribution and conservation status of the new species are also discussed
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDPB0202)National Natural Science Foundation of China(31722049,31772434,31372173)+3 种基金Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute,Chinese Academy of Sciences(Y4ZK111B01)National Key Research and Development Program of China(2017YFC0505202)Frontier Science Key Research Programs of CAS(QYZDB-SSW-SMC058)Youth Innovation Promotion Association of CAS
文摘A new species of natricine snake of the Southeast Asian genus Opisthotropis GUnther, 1872 is described from western Hunan Province of China based on both mitochondrial DNA and morphological data. The new species is morphologically most similar and genetically most closely related to O. cheni Zhao, 1999 and O. latouchfi (Boulenger, 1899), but possesses considerable genetic divergence (p- distance 5.1%-16.7%) and can be differentiated from all other congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) body size large (total length 514-586 mm) and strongly built; (2) dorsal scale rows 17 throughout, feebly keeled anteriorly and moderately keeled posteriorly; (3) ventral scales 147-152, subcaudal scales 54-62; (4) preocular absent, Ioreal elongated and touching orbit; (5) supralabials 8-9, fifth and sixth entering obit; (6) anterior temporals short, length 1.74-2.04 times longer than width; (7) maxillary teeth subequal, 28-30; (8) dorsal surface of head with distinct irregular yellow stripes and markings edged with ochre; (9) body with clear black and yellow longitudinal streaks, partly fused to several lighter patches or thicker stripes anteriorly; and (10) venter pale yellow, with asymmetric blackish speckles along outer margin. We present an updated diagnostic key to all members of the genus Opisthotropis, and recommendations on the ecological study for the group are provided.
基金supported by The National Science Foundation(NSF)GRFP 2017216966 and EAPSI 1714006 to K.W.the Russian Science Foundation(RSF grant No.14-50-00029)to N.A.P.+1 种基金Animal Branch of the Germplasm Bank of Wild Species of CAS(Large Research Infrastructure Funding)to C.J.NSF Integrative Organismal Systems(10S)1353683 to C.D.S
文摘Due to a paucity of surveys in northern Indochina and lack of international collaborations among neighboring countries, recognized distributional ranges for many amphibian and reptile species end at the political borders for some countries, despite seemingly continuous suitable habitat spanning the region. Combining both morphological and genetic data, we report the first discovery of Japalura chapaensis, a rare agamid lizard believed previously to be endemic to northern Vietnam only, along the border region of southeastern Yunnan Province, China. To facilitate future research on the genus Japalura sensu lato in Indochina, we provide detailed descriptions of additional specimens of this rare species, including the first description of coloration in life and an expanded diagnosis, and discuss the species boundary of J. chapaensis with respect to its congeners.
基金supported by Kasetsart University research grant (No. 28.56) from the Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute (KURDI)ScRF grant (No. S14/2555) from Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University+1 种基金Support for Cameron D. SILER to develop new international collaborations with the Amphibians and Reptiles Ecology LaboratoryKasetsart University was supported by international travel grants provided by the Department of Biology and College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Oklahoma
文摘Although landscape features such as mountains and rivers are recognized often as limiting factors to amphibian dispersal and gene flow, a limited number of studies have investigated such patterns across Southeast Asia. A perfect example of this is Thailand, located in one of the world's biodiversity hotspot regions. Thailand represents the corridor between mainland Asia and the Sunda Shelf, a famous and widely recognized biogeographic region, and yet there are few studies on the genetic structure among populations of amphibian species distributed across Thailand. The Southeast Asian tree frog, Chiromantis hansenae has been reported to possess a geographic range that is restricted to Thailand and, presumably, Cambodia~ Here, we investigate phylogenetic relationships among C. hansenae populations using partial sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene and nuclear POMC gene. Our results reveal two distinct evolutionary lineages within C. hansenae populations in Thailand. The genetic divergence among populations between these two clades is considerable, and results support inter-population divergence, and high genetic differentiation (pairwise FsT = 0.97), between two localities sampled in western Thailand (TK1 and TK2), separated from each other by 40 kilometers only. The results suggest that landscape features across Thailand may have a profound impact on patterns of diversification in the country, underscoring the urgent need for fine-scale investigations of genetic structure of endemic and "widespread" species.
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program(A)Grant XDB13020200 of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS)Ministry of Science and Technology of China(2014FY210200)+1 种基金China’s Biodiversity Observation Network(Sino-BON)Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences,Ministry of Environmental Protection of China,and Animal Branch of the Germplasm Bank of Wild Species of CAS(Large Research Infrastructure Funding)
文摘A new species of the genus Liurana Dubois, 1986 is described from Medog County, Tibet, China, based on morphological and molecular data. The new species can be differentiated from all other congeners by the following combination of characters:(1) head wider than long;(2) tympanum distinct and large;(3) hindlimb long, tibiotarsal articulation beyond tip of snout when adpressed;(4) belly with flat tubercles, cloacal region with small tubercles;(5) transverse bands distinctly on dorsal limbs, four bands on thigh and three on tibia;and,(6) dark brown marbled patterns or speckles on white bel y. Here, we also discuss the distribution pattern of Liurana in the East Himalaya region, the role of the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the speciation and genetic isolation of congeners, the direct developmental mode of reproduction, and the two different ecotypes of the genus.Lastly, we provide conservation recommendations for the genus in southeastern Tibet.
基金Foundation items: This study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2014FY210200 and 2011FY120200), the Animal Branch of the Germplasm Bank of Wild Species of Chinese Academy of Sciences (the Large Research Infrastructure Funding), and partially supported by the project "National Second Survey of Wild-animals in Xizang Autonomous Region of China"
文摘A new species of the genus Amolops Cope, 1865 is described from Nyingchi, southeastern Tibet, China, based on morphological and molecular data. The new species, Amolops nyingchiensis sp. nov. is assigned to the Amolops monticola group based on its skin smooth, dorsolateral fold distinct, lateral side of head black, upper lip stripe white extending to the shoulder. Amolops nyingchiensis sp. nov. is distinguished from all other species of Amolops by the following combination of characters: (1) medium body size, SVL 48.5-58.3 mm in males, and 57.6-70.7 mm in females; (2) tympanum distinct, slightly larger than one third of the eye diameter; (3) a small tooth-like projection on anteromedial edge of mandible; (4) the absence of white spine on dorsal surface of body; (5) the presence of circummarginal groove on all fingers; (6) the presence of vomerine teeth; (7) background coloration of dorsal surface brown, lateral body gray with yellow; (8) the presence of transverse bands on the dorsal limbs; (9) the presence of nuptial pad on the first finger in males; (10) the absence of vocal sac in males. Taxonomic status of the populations that were previously identified to A. monticola from Tibet is also discussed.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41888101,41790455,41772008)the 111 project(B20011)。
文摘Poorly preserved tracks have limited ichnotaxonomic or biotaxon utility,but may reveal useful information about the paleoenvironment,behavior and track taphonomy.Eight mostly parallel to sub parallel trackway segments(T1–T8)were registered on a truncation surface in the Lower Cretaceous Luohe Formation of Shaanxi Province.These attest to the passage of several bipeds,probably all theropods,in a paleo-contour-parallel,south-north direction in an arid setting.Quality of preservation in these trackways is poor,but notably superior in two additional trackways(T9–T10)on a foreset surface.Trackway T9 indicates a didactyl trackmaker,probably a deinonychosaurian,heading north to south.This is the 13th report of deinonychosaurian tracks from the Lower Cretaceous of China.If any or all the eight south-north oriented trackway segments represent continuations of other segments in the same trackways,the total number of individual trackmakers heading in this direction may have been as lowas three.Although the trackway pattern and sedimentological evidence could indicate a physically controlled pathway influencing the direction taken by these trackmakers,the possibility that the trackways also represented small social or gregarious group cannot be ruled out.