Skeletochronology is a method commonly used for estimating the age of amphibians and reptiles in the wild. However, the number of lines of arrested growth （LAGs） does not necessarily reflect age in some species. We ...Skeletochronology is a method commonly used for estimating the age of amphibians and reptiles in the wild. However, the number of lines of arrested growth （LAGs） does not necessarily reflect age in some species. We validated the applicability of this method to an endangered eublepharid gecko, Goniurosaurus kuroiwae, then inferred its longevity and age structures in wild populations. We classified young geckos into three groups using previously published data for early growth： Group 1 contained hatchlings before the first winter, Group 2 contained hatchlings after the first win- ter, and Group 3 included yearlings after the second winter. LAG numbers in these groups were then compared. All individuals in Group 1 possessed a single LAG, which was considered as a hatching line. Most individuals in Groups 2 and 3 possessed one and two additional LAGs, respectively （LAG1 and LAG2）, corroborating the notion that LAGs are formed annually. A few geckos exhibited fewer LAGs than expected. Analysis of variations in LAG and marrow cavity diameter demonstrated that in animals with fewer LAGs, endosteal resorption or fusion of hatching line and LAG1 had occurred. LAG2 was never lost by endosteal resorption and was identifiable by its diameter. Thus, the age of adult geckos could be determined by counting LAGs outward from LAG2. Application of this method to wild populations re- vealed that the longevity of this species is not less than 83 months, but that almost all individuals in fragmented habitats die before 50 months, suggesting lower population sustainability in such habitats.展开更多
Gekko liboensis Zhou and Li, 1982 is a poorly known gecko originating from Libo, Guizhou, southern China. Since the original description based on a single female from Libo, only three specimens（two females and one ju...Gekko liboensis Zhou and Li, 1982 is a poorly known gecko originating from Libo, Guizhou, southern China. Since the original description based on a single female from Libo, only three specimens（two females and one juvenile） have been reported from the type locality. Because of its close morphological resemblance to G. hokouensis Pope, 1927, G. liboensis is required to be reevaluated for its taxonomic status by studies based on additional specimens. Here we report for the first time the morphological features of 31 newly obtained specimens of G. liboensis from type locality and others, including males, and compare them with those of related species, chiefly on the basis of information from the literature. In addition, specimen-based comparisons were also made with G. hokouensis and an undescribed cryptic species known from the Ryukyus Islands, Japan. Results showed that the species is distinguished from its congeners in having a larger body size（60–91 mm）, 0–2 small internasals, 10–13 supralabials, 10–13 infralabials, smooth enlarged tubercles present on the dorsum forming 4–10 irregular rows at the midbody but absent on the four limbs and tail, both fingers and toes without developed interdigital webs, a single cloacal spur on each side, and 10–12 precloacal pores in males. It most resembles G. hokouensis and its cryptic species but is clearly differentiated by having a larger body size, a predominantly absent internasal, fewer number of dorsal tubercle rows, larger number of precloacal pores, and conspicuous white marks on the dorsum and head. Judging from these results, we confirmed the taxonomic validity of G. liboensis. In addition, the geographic distribution of this gecko on the basis of obtained data was briefly discussed.展开更多
The genus Rhabdophis is a group of widely distributed snakes with more than 20 species.Recent field surveys uncovered a species in southwestern China,which has long been considered as R.pentasupralabialis.Combined mol...The genus Rhabdophis is a group of widely distributed snakes with more than 20 species.Recent field surveys uncovered a species in southwestern China,which has long been considered as R.pentasupralabialis.Combined molecular and morphological analyses revealed it as a new species Rhabdophis chiwen sp.nov.Based on 12 specimens,this new species is distinguished by the following characters:1)dorsal body saddlebrown,dorsal scales typically with black margins forming spots and stripes,the margin of the outer row forming two faint dorsolateral black cross-bars alongside body;2)ventral scales 151–159,the outer margin of ventral scales and several lateral rows of dorsal scales forming ventrolateral longitudinal brownish-red coloration,with faint black spots in the middle of ventral scales;3)a black oblique stripe present below eyes,often with a black spot between the 2 nd and 3 rd supralabial and a black stripe on the 5 th supralabial;4)eyes dark khaki,pupils black;5)infralabials usually 7,the first four in contact with anterior chin-shields;6)temporal scales 1+1;7)dorsal scales in 15 rows,feebly keeled except the outer 1–2 rows;8)anal scale divided;subcaudals 45–59;9)preocular 1 and postoculars 3(occasionally 2);10)body medium-sized(snout-vent length:adult males 404–431 mm,adult females 409–476 mm);11)tail moderate(tail length/total length in adult males 0.205–0.238,in adult females0.172–0.193).With the discovery of this new species,the total number of species in genus Rhabdophis is 28 with 12 th species known to occur in China.展开更多
Cycloclypeus carpenteri is the largest extant benthic foraminifer,dwelling in the deep euphotic zone(a water depth between 60 and 130 m)of the warm oligotrophic Indo-West Pacific.This foraminifer harbors diatom endosy...Cycloclypeus carpenteri is the largest extant benthic foraminifer,dwelling in the deep euphotic zone(a water depth between 60 and 130 m)of the warm oligotrophic Indo-West Pacific.This foraminifer harbors diatom endosymbionts and the foraminifer-microalgal association acts like a holobiont.To verify that light is an important limiting factor controlling the vertical(depth)distribution of living Cycloclypeus holobionts,their physiological responses to light intensity were examined by short-term metabolic measurements and long-term incubations.Net oxygen production(OP)rates measured under different light levels using an oxygen microelectrode indicate that Cycloclypeus holobionts are daily net primary producers adapted to low light levels,with slight photoinhibition(reduced net OP rates relative to a light-saturated rate)over 100μmol photons m^(−2)s^(−1).Long-term growth increments of asexually reproduced juveniles incubated for two months at different light levels ranging from 0 to 100μmol photons m^(−2)s^(−1) show that Cycloclypeus holobionts are adapted to a low light level(∼5μmol photons m^(−2)s^(−1)),but can be acclimatized to a certain low light ranges(<50μmol photons m^(−2)s^(−1)).These experimental results confirm that light is an important environmental gradient affecting the vertical distribution of Cycloclypeus holobionts.展开更多
基金supported by the Zoshinkai Fund for Protection of Endangered Animals and the Grant from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS KAKENHI Grant number 22510244)
文摘Skeletochronology is a method commonly used for estimating the age of amphibians and reptiles in the wild. However, the number of lines of arrested growth （LAGs） does not necessarily reflect age in some species. We validated the applicability of this method to an endangered eublepharid gecko, Goniurosaurus kuroiwae, then inferred its longevity and age structures in wild populations. We classified young geckos into three groups using previously published data for early growth： Group 1 contained hatchlings before the first winter, Group 2 contained hatchlings after the first win- ter, and Group 3 included yearlings after the second winter. LAG numbers in these groups were then compared. All individuals in Group 1 possessed a single LAG, which was considered as a hatching line. Most individuals in Groups 2 and 3 possessed one and two additional LAGs, respectively （LAG1 and LAG2）, corroborating the notion that LAGs are formed annually. A few geckos exhibited fewer LAGs than expected. Analysis of variations in LAG and marrow cavity diameter demonstrated that in animals with fewer LAGs, endosteal resorption or fusion of hatching line and LAG1 had occurred. LAG2 was never lost by endosteal resorption and was identifiable by its diameter. Thus, the age of adult geckos could be determined by counting LAGs outward from LAG2. Application of this method to wild populations re- vealed that the longevity of this species is not less than 83 months, but that almost all individuals in fragmented habitats die before 50 months, suggesting lower population sustainability in such habitats.
基金financially supported by a Fellowship for Young International Scientists of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. Y4J3011100) to TJ
文摘Gekko liboensis Zhou and Li, 1982 is a poorly known gecko originating from Libo, Guizhou, southern China. Since the original description based on a single female from Libo, only three specimens（two females and one juvenile） have been reported from the type locality. Because of its close morphological resemblance to G. hokouensis Pope, 1927, G. liboensis is required to be reevaluated for its taxonomic status by studies based on additional specimens. Here we report for the first time the morphological features of 31 newly obtained specimens of G. liboensis from type locality and others, including males, and compare them with those of related species, chiefly on the basis of information from the literature. In addition, specimen-based comparisons were also made with G. hokouensis and an undescribed cryptic species known from the Ryukyus Islands, Japan. Results showed that the species is distinguished from its congeners in having a larger body size（60–91 mm）, 0–2 small internasals, 10–13 supralabials, 10–13 infralabials, smooth enlarged tubercles present on the dorsum forming 4–10 irregular rows at the midbody but absent on the four limbs and tail, both fingers and toes without developed interdigital webs, a single cloacal spur on each side, and 10–12 precloacal pores in males. It most resembles G. hokouensis and its cryptic species but is clearly differentiated by having a larger body size, a predominantly absent internasal, fewer number of dorsal tubercle rows, larger number of precloacal pores, and conspicuous white marks on the dorsum and head. Judging from these results, we confirmed the taxonomic validity of G. liboensis. In addition, the geographic distribution of this gecko on the basis of obtained data was briefly discussed.
基金supported by the Biodiversity Survey,Observation and Assessment Programme(2019–2023)of Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China to Li DING and Yanqing WUgrants of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.31301882,No.31970423)to Qin Chen+2 种基金Science and Technology Foundation of Sichuan(No.2018SZ0335)to Qin CHEN.Japan-China Joint Research Project(2014–2016)between the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science(JSPS)and National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC,31411140033)to Yezhong TANG and Akira MORIJSPS KAKENHI Grant Numbers JP26440213,JP17H03719,and JP18KK0205 to Akira MORI。
文摘The genus Rhabdophis is a group of widely distributed snakes with more than 20 species.Recent field surveys uncovered a species in southwestern China,which has long been considered as R.pentasupralabialis.Combined molecular and morphological analyses revealed it as a new species Rhabdophis chiwen sp.nov.Based on 12 specimens,this new species is distinguished by the following characters:1)dorsal body saddlebrown,dorsal scales typically with black margins forming spots and stripes,the margin of the outer row forming two faint dorsolateral black cross-bars alongside body;2)ventral scales 151–159,the outer margin of ventral scales and several lateral rows of dorsal scales forming ventrolateral longitudinal brownish-red coloration,with faint black spots in the middle of ventral scales;3)a black oblique stripe present below eyes,often with a black spot between the 2 nd and 3 rd supralabial and a black stripe on the 5 th supralabial;4)eyes dark khaki,pupils black;5)infralabials usually 7,the first four in contact with anterior chin-shields;6)temporal scales 1+1;7)dorsal scales in 15 rows,feebly keeled except the outer 1–2 rows;8)anal scale divided;subcaudals 45–59;9)preocular 1 and postoculars 3(occasionally 2);10)body medium-sized(snout-vent length:adult males 404–431 mm,adult females 409–476 mm);11)tail moderate(tail length/total length in adult males 0.205–0.238,in adult females0.172–0.193).With the discovery of this new species,the total number of species in genus Rhabdophis is 28 with 12 th species known to occur in China.
基金partly supported by the JSPS KAKENHI(No.JP17740341)。
文摘Cycloclypeus carpenteri is the largest extant benthic foraminifer,dwelling in the deep euphotic zone(a water depth between 60 and 130 m)of the warm oligotrophic Indo-West Pacific.This foraminifer harbors diatom endosymbionts and the foraminifer-microalgal association acts like a holobiont.To verify that light is an important limiting factor controlling the vertical(depth)distribution of living Cycloclypeus holobionts,their physiological responses to light intensity were examined by short-term metabolic measurements and long-term incubations.Net oxygen production(OP)rates measured under different light levels using an oxygen microelectrode indicate that Cycloclypeus holobionts are daily net primary producers adapted to low light levels,with slight photoinhibition(reduced net OP rates relative to a light-saturated rate)over 100μmol photons m^(−2)s^(−1).Long-term growth increments of asexually reproduced juveniles incubated for two months at different light levels ranging from 0 to 100μmol photons m^(−2)s^(−1) show that Cycloclypeus holobionts are adapted to a low light level(∼5μmol photons m^(−2)s^(−1)),but can be acclimatized to a certain low light ranges(<50μmol photons m^(−2)s^(−1)).These experimental results confirm that light is an important environmental gradient affecting the vertical distribution of Cycloclypeus holobionts.
