Regression of East Tethys resulted in a center of biodiversity: A study of Mysmenidae spiders from the Gaoligong Mountains, China

DEAR EDITOR,This research involved the study of 31 species from the spider family Mysmenidae Petrunkevitch,1928,found in the Gaoligong Mountains of China,including one new genus and 13 new species.Our results suggested that regression of East Tethys contributed to the appearance of a center of biodiversity.The Tethys,a classical and hot topic in geology.It has undergone a succession of significant geodynamic transformations,transitioning from an ancient ocean to the current Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt.Notably,the East Tethys,serving as an invaluable lens through which to study continental geology and geodynamics,has played a pivotal role in triggering the major geological reconstructions of the entire Tethys(Pan et al.,1997).

Impact of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway on Population Genetic Structure of the Toad-Headed Lizard,Phrynocephalus vlangalii

Using data from nine microsatellite DNA loci and a population genetic approach,we evaluate the barrier effect of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway on toad-headed lizard,Phrynocephalus vlangalii. The study area is along a 20 km stretch of the railway on northern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,and this section of the railway was constructed between 1958–1979. Both assignment tests and analysis of molecular variance(AMOVA) were used for data analysis. We found significant genetic differentiation between the populations from the study area and those from a further southeastern area,which are separated by a 20 km gap. This suggests the existence of population substructure at a fine-scale. However,we did not detect any difference between samples from the western and eastern sides of the railway within the study area,and concluded that the railway may not impose a significant barrier effect on these lizard populations at the present time. Available suitable habitat alongside the railway and bridge underpasses may have facilitated the gene exchange between the sides. The relatively short time since the completion of the railway may not allow the differentiation to accumulate to a detectable level. Since the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau maintains a unique and fragile ecosystem,long-term monitoring of such man-made landscape features is imperative for protecting this ecosystem.

Chromosome-level genome assembly of Tibetan macaque(Macaca thibetana) and species-specific structural variations

DEAR EDITOR,The Tibetan macaque(Macaca thibetana)is an endemic species in China belonging to the sinica group in the genus Macaca.Within the genus,it is the largest in body size and has a wide geographic distribution,with a population size second only to rhesus macaques(M.mulatta).Here,using PacBio long-read sequencing and Hi-C technology,we assembled the first chromosome-level genome of the Tibetan macaque,with a size of 2.82 Gb,contig N50 of 48.75 Mb,and scaffold N50 of 150.62 Mb,anchored to 22 chromosomes.

Intraspecific variation in microhabitat selection in reintroduced Chinese giant salamanders

Reintroduction of captive-bred Chinese giant salamanders is a primary approach for restoring wild populations.Despite previous studies have investigated the habitat preferences of reintroduced Chinese giant salamanders,the intraspecific variation in their habitat selection has been neglected.In the present study,30 captive-bred Chinese giant salamanders belonging to 3 groups(i.e.,10 males,10 females,and 10 juveniles)were released into a montane stream to explore whether intraspecific variation in habitat selection occurred in this species using radiotelemetry.Our results indicated that linear home range and daily movement of males were significantly higher than those of females and juveniles.Male sedentariness was significantly lower than that of females and juveniles.No significant differences were detected between females and juveniles in these measures.Importantly,we found that males preferred microhabitats with low water conductivity and deep water depth.Females preferred microhabitats with high water conductivity,low dissolved oxygen and ammonium-nitrogen,and slow current velocity,while juveniles occupied microhabitats with low ammonium-nitrogen.In addition,males and juveniles exhibited higher niche breadth than females.Niche overlap was high between adults and juveniles but low between males and females.Our study revealed the presence of spatial segregation in reintroduced Chinese giant salamanders.Males,females,and juveniles exhibited variation in microhabitat selection.These results provide important information for use when planning strategies for conservation of Chinese giant salamanders.