Leaf choice in black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys Rhinopithecus bieti is related to the physical and chemical properties of leaves

To understand the effects of the chemical and physical properties of plant leaves on food choice in Rhinopithecus bieti,we collected mature leaves of nine food and five non-food plant species at the southernmost part of the species's range.Chemical properties such as fat, ash, crude protein (CP), total phenolics (TP), and fiber content including neutral detergent fiber(NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), lignin, celluloses and hemicelluloses, and physical toughness were measured. R. bieti tendedto choose leaves with lower fiber content, higher ash, a higher ratio of CP/ADF, and lower toughness. No difference was foundfor fat, crude protein, total phenolics, hemicelluloses and lignin between food and non-food leaves. Even though the ratio ofCP/ADF is generally regarded as a good indicator for colobine food choice, the difference in the ratio of CP/ADF between foodand non-food leaves was only the result of differences in ADF. Since positive correlations were found between ADF and toughnessfrom all leaves (both food and non-food species), and toughness of leaves was likely easier for R. bieti to sense than fibercontent via mastication, the toughness of leaves may function as a predictor of food choice in this species.

Birth seasonality and pattern in black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys （Rhinopithecus bieti） at Mt. Lasha, Yunnan

Seasonal variation in environmental factors is vital to the regulation of seasonal reproduction in primates. Consequently, long-term systematic data is necessary to clarify the birth seasonality and pattern of primates in highly seasonal environments. This study indicated that black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys （Rhinopithecus bieti） at Mt. Lasha exhibited strict birth seasonality with a pulse model. Infants were born with a certain degree of synchronization. Birth distribution showed three birth peaks, and the birth pattern showed a ＂V＂ style in even-numbered years and a gradual increase in odd-numbered years. The beginning date, end date and median birth date were earlier in even-numbered years than those in odd-numbered years. The higher latitude of their habitats, earlier birth date, shorter birth period, fewer birth peaks and stronger birth synchrony might be adaptations for strongly seasonal variation in climate and food resources. After the summer solstice when daylight length began to gradually shorten, R. bieti at Mt. Lasha started to breed during the period with the highest environmental temperature and food availability, which implied that photoperiod may be the proximate factor triggering the onset of estrus and mating. It appears that R. bieti coincided conception and mid-lactation with the peak in staple foods, and weaning with the peak in high quality of foods. Thus, food availability was the ultimate factor regulating reproductive seasonality, and photoperiod was the proximate factor fine-turning the coordination between seasonal breeding and food availability.

Effects of tsaoko (Fructus tsaoko) cultivating on tree diversity and canopy structure in the habitats of eastern hoolock gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys)

In this study, the quadrat method was used to study the effects of tsaoko(Fructus tsaoko) plantation on tree diversity and canopy structure of two natural habitats of eastern hoolock gibbon(Hoolock leuconedys): Nankang(characterized by extensive tsaoko plantation) and Banchang(relatively well reserved and without tsaoko plantation). Totally, 102 tree species from 25 families and 16 woody liana species from 10 families were recorded in Nankang, whereas 108 tree species from 30 families and 17 woody liana species from 12 families were recorded in Banchang. Although the tree species between two habitats is different, both habitats are characterized by enriched food resources for eastern hoolock gibbons, sharing similar dominant plant families. Due to tsaoko plantation, tree density proportion and diversity of forest layerⅠ(>20 m) in Nankang were both significantly decreased, but the tree density of layerⅡ(10-20 m) increased. Likewise, in conjunction with these behavioral observations, we also address potential impacts of tsaoko plantation on the behavior of eastern hoolock gibbon.

Occurrence of internally ovipositing non-agaonid wasps and pollination mode of the associated agaonid wasps

Figs(Ficus, Moraceae) and their pollinating fig wasps(Hymenoptera, Agaonidae, Chalcidoidea) are a striking example of obligate mutualism and coevolution. Agaonid females enter the figs to lay their eggs,but also actively or passively transport pollen into the figs at the same time. We examined eight related fig tree species pollinated by host specific Eupristina agaonids to determine the relationships between pollination mode, host pollen, ovule ratios and the ability of the figs to recruit additional non-agaonid pollinators. Uniquely amongst the eight Eupristina species, the pollinator of Ficus curtipes has nonfunctional pollen pockets and no coxal combs, showing that it pollinates passively. Reflecting this, the anther-to-ovule ratio of F. curtipes is unusually high.In addition to the agaonids, figs support many species of 'non-pollinating fig wasps'(NPFW) that are typically ovule gallers or parasitoids. These mainly oviposit from outside the figs but there are a few species of NPFW that are like agaonids and enter the figs to oviposit. Two of the eight Eupristina pollinated fig trees support host specific internally-ovipositing fig wasps belonging to the chalcidoid genera Diaziella(Sycoecinae) and Lipothymus(Otitesellinae). Reflecting the trees' pollination modes, these fig wasps act as supplementary pollinators of F. curtipes, but not of Ficus glaberrima, where agaonid pollination is active.

Analysis of Genetic Differences among Monokaryon Strains of Flammulina velutipes Using SCoT and ISSR Markers

[Objective]This study aimed to analyze genetic differences among Flammulina velutipes monokaryon strains.[Method]Twenty F1monokaryon strains（W1-W20）of F.velutipes were separated with conventional dilution method.Fifteen SCoT primers and nine ISSR primers were screened.According to amplification results,genetic similarity coefficients among various strains were calculated using NTsys 2.10e analysis software for cluster analysis.[Result]Six primers could be use to amplify clear polymorphic bands.To be specific,a total of 327 clear DNA fragments were amplified,including 287 polymorphic bands,accounting for 87.77%of the total number of bands amplified.Based on SCoT analysis,the genetic identity（GI）among 20 strains ranged from 0.187 5 to 0.937 5;to be specific,GI between W2 and W3 and that between W11 and W12 reached the maximum of 0.9375;GI between W15 and W18 was the minimum of 0.187 5.Based on ISSR analysis,GI among 20 strains ranged from 0.250 0 to 1.000 0;to be specific,GI between W3,W4 and W9,GI between W15 and W17,and that between W16 and W19 reached the maximum of 1.000;GI between W14 and W18 was the minimum of 0.250 0.Such low genetic identity fully demonstrated great genetic differences among F.velutipes monokaryons.According to results of cluster analysis,at a similarity level of 0.55,20 F.velutipes monokaryons were significantly divided into three groups using SCoT markers;at a similarity level of 0.66,20 F.velutipes monokaryons were divided into three groups using ISSR markers.Specifically,W11,W18 and W20 were invariably divided into one group;W15 and W17 were divided into one subgroup.[Conclusion]In this study,two type of markers were used for analysis of genetic diversity among F.velutipes monokaryon strains,which provided scientific and practical basis for screening high-quality monokaryon parents of F.velutipes.

Alternaria toxin-induced resistance against rose aphids and olfactory response of aphids to toxin-induced volatiles of rose plants

The search for active toxins for managing weeds or plant diseases is believed to be a promising avenue of investigation.However,the effects of Alternaria toxins on insects have just begun to be investigated.Bioactivities of toxins from four strains of Alternaria alternata on Rosa chinensis and rose aphid Macrosiphum rosivorum were tested in the present study.At a concentration of 50.0μg/ml,the crude extract(toxin)of strain 7484 was found not to be harmful to rose plants with excised leaf-puncture method(P≥0.079),and rose plants showed enhanced resistance to rose aphids when this Alternaria toxin was sprayed on the plants(P≤0.001).However,this toxin caused no detrimental effects on aphids in insecticidal bioassay at a concentration of 10.0 to 160.0μg/ml(P≥0.096).Therefore,the Alternaria toxin had significantly induced the resistance of rose plants against rose aphids,demonstrating that the resistance mechanism triggered by the Alternaria toxin in the rose plant may also be used by the plant to defend itself against insects.Further bioassays aimed to discover the olfactory responses of aphids to the toxin-induced volatiles of host plants.The aphids were significantly more attracted to both volatiles emitted and collected from control rose plants than to both volatiles emitted and collected from the toxin-treated rose plants(P≤0.014).This result showed that the toxin-induced resistance related to the volatile changes of host plants.

The diversity of soil culturable fungi in the three alpine shrub grasslands of Eastern Qilian Mountains

To understand the diversity of culturable fungi in soil at alpine sites, Rhododendron fruticosa shrubland, Salix cupularis fruticosa shrubland, and Dasiphoru fruticosa shrubland of the Eastern Qilian Mountains were selected to investigate. Three methods, including tradi- tional culturing, rDNA internal transcribed spacer （ITS） sequence analysis, and economical efficiency analysis, were carried out to estimate the diversity of soil culturable fungi of these three alpine shmblands. A total of 35 strains of culturable fungi were cultured by dilution plate technique and were analyzed by rDNA ITS sequence. The diversity indices such as species abundance （S）, Shannon-Wiener index （H）, Simpson dominance index （D）, and Pielou evenness index （3） of Rhododendron fruticosa shrubland, Salix cupularis fruticosa shrubland, and Dasiphoru fruticosa shrubland were ranged between 16 and 17, 2.66-2.71, 0.92, 0.95~）.97 respectively. The results showed that the diversity of soil fungi were abundant in these three types of alpine shrub grasslands, while further study should be done to explore their potential value.

Olfactory responses of Aphidius gifuensis to odors of host plants and aphid-plant complexes

The olfactory responses ofAphidius gifuensis to odors from two host plants （Nicotiana tabacum and Brassica napus ssp.） and their complexes with different infestation levels of two host aphids （Myzuspersicae and Lipaphis erysimi） were respectively examined in an olfactometer. The results showed that female A. gifuensis did not respond to odors of undamaged or mechanically damaged host plants, but significantly responded to odors of aphid/plant complexes. Moreover, A. gifuensis responded significantly to odors of both M. persicae and L. erysimi/plant complexes when host plants were infested by high levels of aphids, suggesting that quantity of aphid-induced volatiles could be important for attracting A. gifuensis. When tested between aphid/plant complexes, .4. gifuensis did not show its preference for either complex. The efficiency of.4. gifuensis against aphids in open fields potentially could be improved by using its olfactory response to aphid/plant complexes.

Fungal diversity notes 253-366:taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions to fungal taxa

Notes on 113 fungal taxa are compiled in this paper,including 11 new genera,89 new species,one new subspecies,three new combinations and seven reference specimens.Awide geographic and taxonomic range of fungal taxa are detailed.In the Ascomycota the new genera Angustospora(Testudinaceae),Camporesia(Xylariaceae),Clematidis,Crassiparies(Pleosporales genera incertae sedis),Farasanispora,Longiostiolum(Pleosporales genera incertae sedis),Multilocularia(Parabambusicolaceae),Neophaeocryptopus(Dothideaceae),Parameliola(Pleosporales genera incertae sedis),and Towyspora(Lentitheciaceae)are introduced.Newly introduced species are Angustospora nilensis,Aniptodera aquibella,Annulohypoxylon albidiscum,Astrocystis thailandica,Camporesia sambuci,Clematidis italica,Colletotrichum menispermi,C.quinquefoliae,Comoclathris pimpinellae,Crassiparies quadrisporus,Cytospora salicicola,Diatrype thailandica,Dothiorella rhamni,Durotheca macrostroma,Farasanispora avicenniae,Halorosellinia rhizophorae,Humicola koreana,Hypoxylon lilloi,Kirschsteiniothelia tectonae,Lindgomyces okinawaensis,Longiostiolum tectonae,Lophiostoma pseudoarmatisporum,Moelleriella phukhiaoensis,M.pongdueatensis,Mucoharknessia anthoxanthi,Multilocularia bambusae,Multiseptospora thysanolaenae,Neophaeocryptopus cytisi,Ocellularia arachchigei,O.ratnapurensis,Ochronectria thailandica,Ophiocordyceps karstii,Parameliola acaciae,P.dimocarpi,Parastagonospora cumpignensis,Pseudodidymosphaeria phlei,Polyplosphaeria thailandica,Pseudolachnella brevifusiformis,Psiloglonium macrosporum,Rhabdodiscus albodenticulatus,Rosellinia chiangmaiensis,Saccothecium rubi,Seimatosporium pseudocornii,S.pseudorosae,Sigarispora ononidis and Towyspora aestuari.New combinations are provided for Eutiarosporella dactylidis(sexual morph described and illus trated)and Pseudocamarosporium pini.Descriptions,illustrations and/or reference specimens are designated for Aposphaeria corallinolutea,Cryptovalsa ampelina,Dothiorella vidmadera,Ophiocordyceps formosana,Petrakia echinata,Phragmoporthe conformis and Pseudocamarosporium pini.The new species of Basidiomycota are Agaricus coccyginus,A.luteofibrillosus,Amanita atrobrunnea,A.digitosa,A.gleocystidiosa,A.pyriformis,A.strobilipes,Bondarzewia tibetica,Cortinarius albosericeus,C.badioflavidus,C.dentigratus,C.duboisensis,C.fragrantissimus,C.roseobasilis,C.vinaceobrunneus,C.vinaceogrisescens,C.wahkiacus,Cyanoboletus hymenoglutinosus,Fomitiporia atlantica,F.subtilissima,Ganoderma wuzhishanensis,Inonotus shoreicola,Lactifluus armeniacus,L.ramipilosus,Leccinum indoaurantiacum,Musumecia alpina,M.sardoa,Russula amethystina subp.tengii and R.wangii are introduced.Descriptions,illustrations,notes and/or reference specimens are designated for Clarkeinda trachodes,Dentocorticium ussuricum,Galzinia longibasidia,Lentinus stuppeus and Leptocorticium tenellum.The other new genera,species new combinations are Anaeromyces robustus,Neocallimastix californiae and Piromyces finnis from Neocallimastigomycota,Phytophthora estuarina,P.rhizophorae,Salispina,S.intermedia,S.lobata and S.spinosa from Oomycota,and Absidia stercoraria,Gongronella orasabula,Mortierella calciphila,Mucor caatinguensis,M.koreanus,M.merdicola and Rhizopus koreanus in Zygomycota.