The tree shrew(Tupaia belangeri)has long been proposed as a suitable alternative to non-human primates(NHPs)in biomedical and laboratory research due to its close evolutionary relationship with primates.In recent year...The tree shrew(Tupaia belangeri)has long been proposed as a suitable alternative to non-human primates(NHPs)in biomedical and laboratory research due to its close evolutionary relationship with primates.In recent years,significant advances have facilitated tree shrew studies,including the determination of the tree shrew genome,genetic manipulation using spermatogonial stem cells,viral vector-mediated gene delivery,and mapping of the tree shrew brain atlas.However,the limited availability of tree shrews globally remains a substantial challenge in the field.Additionally,determining the key questions best answered using tree shrews constitutes another difficulty.Tree shrew models have historically been used to study hepatitis B virus(HBV)and hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection,myopia,and psychosocial stress-induced depression,with more recent studies focusing on developing animal models for infectious and neurodegenerative diseases.Despite these efforts,the impact of tree shrew models has not yet matched that of rodent or NHP models in biomedical research.This review summarizes the prominent advancements in tree shrew research and reflects on the key biological questions addressed using this model.We emphasize that intensive dedication and robust international collaboration are essential for achieving breakthroughs in tree shrew studies.The use of tree shrews as a unique resource is expected to gain considerable attention with the application of advanced techniques and the development of viable animal models,meeting the increasing demands of life science and biomedical research.展开更多
Mutations in mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)are maternally inherited and have the potential to cause severe disorders.Mitochondrial replacement therapies,including spindle,polar body,and pronuclear transfers,are promising st...Mutations in mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)are maternally inherited and have the potential to cause severe disorders.Mitochondrial replacement therapies,including spindle,polar body,and pronuclear transfers,are promising strategies for preventing the hereditary transmission of mtDNA diseases.While pronuclear transfer has been used to generate mitochondrial replacement mouse models and human embryos,its application in non-human primates has not been previously reported.In this study,we successfully generated four healthy cynomolgus monkeys(Macaca fascicularis)via female pronuclear transfer.These individuals all survived for more than two years and exhibited minimal mtDNA carryover(3.8%–6.7%),as well as relatively stable mtDNA heteroplasmy dynamics during development.The successful establishment of this nonhuman primate model highlights the considerable potential of pronuclear transfer in reducing the risk of inherited mtDNA diseases and provides a valuable preclinical research model for advancing mitochondrial replacement therapies in humans.展开更多
We described a new species of Rana(Anura: Ranidae) from Zhejiang, China, based on morphological and molecular analyses. The new species, Rana minuscula sp. nov. clusters with R.ulma, R. kobai and R. tsushimensis and c...We described a new species of Rana(Anura: Ranidae) from Zhejiang, China, based on morphological and molecular analyses. The new species, Rana minuscula sp. nov. clusters with R.ulma, R. kobai and R. tsushimensis and can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: body size small, snoutvent length less than 40 mm in adults;dorsolateral fold narrow and slightly curved, extending from above temporal fold to groin, not connecting to posterior corner of eye;vocal sac absent;tibiotarsal articulation extends forward to anterior corner of eye;lateroventral grooves absent;nuptial pad present and divided into two groups: the larger part is nearly rectangular and close to the tip of finger I and the basal part is smaller and round.展开更多
Rat snakes(genus Ptyas)include 13 large Asian species with sizes reaching 3.8 m.For more than 100 years,no new species have been discovered in this genus.Here,we describe a new Ptyas from central Vietnam based on morp...Rat snakes(genus Ptyas)include 13 large Asian species with sizes reaching 3.8 m.For more than 100 years,no new species have been discovered in this genus.Here,we describe a new Ptyas from central Vietnam based on morphological data and nucleotide sequences from the MT-CYB gene.Ptyas bachmaensis sp.nov.is diagnosed by the following morphological characters:large-sized snake(largest total length 2401 mm in adult male);body scale rows in even numbers,16-16-14 rows;two medial vertebral scale rows distinct;two and two or four medial scale rows keeled on middle and posterior parts of body,respectively;ventrals 194-199;subcaudals 132-138;supralabials 8,fourth and fifth entering orbit;maxillary teeth 28 or 29;hemipenis spinose and unforked,reaching 12th subcaudal;cloacal plate divided;lateral side of tail black,without a bright stripe.The new species forms an independent clade on the phylogenetic tree and differs from its congeners by an uncorrected p-distance in MTCYB sequences of at least 5.7%.展开更多
Despite continuous progress made on the taxonomy of the genus Tropidophorus, the Lao Water Skink, T. laotus, is only known from brief descriptions of its syntypes in historical literature. Here we designate a lectotyp...Despite continuous progress made on the taxonomy of the genus Tropidophorus, the Lao Water Skink, T. laotus, is only known from brief descriptions of its syntypes in historical literature. Here we designate a lectotype and paralectotype of the species, redescribe the species based on the type series and newly collected topotypes, provide the first colored photographs of taxonomically-verified individuals, and estimate its phylogenetic position using mitochondrial DNA data for the first time.Using these comparable data, we confirm that the previously identified “T. berdmorei” population from southern Yunnan Province, China, represents a distinct new species that is closely related and morphologically similar to T. laotus, but differs from true T. laotus by having considerable genetic divergence(4.7%–4.8% for 12S, 3.2%–4.2% for 16S)and distinct morphological characters(e.g., undivided frontonasal scales and a distinct color pattern of the throat). The southern Yunnan population is therefore described as a new species. With the above newly acquired data, we update the checklist and the provincial-level distribution of the genus Tropidophorus in China and compile an updated key to all recognized species of the genus from China and Indochina.展开更多
基金supported by the STI2030-Major Projects(2021ZD0200900 to Y.G.Y.)"Light of West China" Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(xbzg-zdsys-202302 to Y.G.Y.)
文摘The tree shrew(Tupaia belangeri)has long been proposed as a suitable alternative to non-human primates(NHPs)in biomedical and laboratory research due to its close evolutionary relationship with primates.In recent years,significant advances have facilitated tree shrew studies,including the determination of the tree shrew genome,genetic manipulation using spermatogonial stem cells,viral vector-mediated gene delivery,and mapping of the tree shrew brain atlas.However,the limited availability of tree shrews globally remains a substantial challenge in the field.Additionally,determining the key questions best answered using tree shrews constitutes another difficulty.Tree shrew models have historically been used to study hepatitis B virus(HBV)and hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection,myopia,and psychosocial stress-induced depression,with more recent studies focusing on developing animal models for infectious and neurodegenerative diseases.Despite these efforts,the impact of tree shrew models has not yet matched that of rodent or NHP models in biomedical research.This review summarizes the prominent advancements in tree shrew research and reflects on the key biological questions addressed using this model.We emphasize that intensive dedication and robust international collaboration are essential for achieving breakthroughs in tree shrew studies.The use of tree shrews as a unique resource is expected to gain considerable attention with the application of advanced techniques and the development of viable animal models,meeting the increasing demands of life science and biomedical research.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82021001,31825018)National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFF0710901)+3 种基金Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Major Project (2018SHZDZX05)Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDB32060100)Biological Resources Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (KFJ-BRP-005)National Science and Technology Innovation 2030 Major Program 2021ZD0200900。
文摘Mutations in mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)are maternally inherited and have the potential to cause severe disorders.Mitochondrial replacement therapies,including spindle,polar body,and pronuclear transfers,are promising strategies for preventing the hereditary transmission of mtDNA diseases.While pronuclear transfer has been used to generate mitochondrial replacement mouse models and human embryos,its application in non-human primates has not been previously reported.In this study,we successfully generated four healthy cynomolgus monkeys(Macaca fascicularis)via female pronuclear transfer.These individuals all survived for more than two years and exhibited minimal mtDNA carryover(3.8%–6.7%),as well as relatively stable mtDNA heteroplasmy dynamics during development.The successful establishment of this nonhuman primate model highlights the considerable potential of pronuclear transfer in reducing the risk of inherited mtDNA diseases and provides a valuable preclinical research model for advancing mitochondrial replacement therapies in humans.
基金supported by grants from Routine Survey of Terrestrial Wildlife Resources in Donggong-Jiufeng Mountain (Mc05-1) Zhejiang Survey Unitthe National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC32170478, NSFC32370478)+2 种基金“Youth Top Talent Program of Chongqing” (CQYC 20220510893)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (SWU-KR22014) to Zhiyong YUANthe Animal Branch of the Germplasm Bank of Wild Species, Chinese Academy of Sciences (the Large Research Infrastructure Funding) to Jing CHE。
文摘We described a new species of Rana(Anura: Ranidae) from Zhejiang, China, based on morphological and molecular analyses. The new species, Rana minuscula sp. nov. clusters with R.ulma, R. kobai and R. tsushimensis and can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: body size small, snoutvent length less than 40 mm in adults;dorsolateral fold narrow and slightly curved, extending from above temporal fold to groin, not connecting to posterior corner of eye;vocal sac absent;tibiotarsal articulation extends forward to anterior corner of eye;lateroventral grooves absent;nuptial pad present and divided into two groups: the larger part is nearly rectangular and close to the tip of finger I and the basal part is smaller and round.
基金supported by the Vietnam National Foundation for Science and Technology Development(NAFOSTED)under grant number 106.05-2021.69partly by PIFI Visiting Scientist program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS)(2024VBB0017)+1 种基金Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute,CAS,the Animal Branch of the Germplasm Bank of Wild Species,CAS(the Large Research Infrastructure Funding)the State Themes of ZISP 122031100282-2。
文摘Rat snakes(genus Ptyas)include 13 large Asian species with sizes reaching 3.8 m.For more than 100 years,no new species have been discovered in this genus.Here,we describe a new Ptyas from central Vietnam based on morphological data and nucleotide sequences from the MT-CYB gene.Ptyas bachmaensis sp.nov.is diagnosed by the following morphological characters:large-sized snake(largest total length 2401 mm in adult male);body scale rows in even numbers,16-16-14 rows;two medial vertebral scale rows distinct;two and two or four medial scale rows keeled on middle and posterior parts of body,respectively;ventrals 194-199;subcaudals 132-138;supralabials 8,fourth and fifth entering orbit;maxillary teeth 28 or 29;hemipenis spinose and unforked,reaching 12th subcaudal;cloacal plate divided;lateral side of tail black,without a bright stripe.The new species forms an independent clade on the phylogenetic tree and differs from its congeners by an uncorrected p-distance in MTCYB sequences of at least 5.7%.
基金support by the National Science Foundation of China (32130015)Yunnan Revitalization Talent Support Program Yunling Scholar Project+7 种基金the Animal Branch of the Germplasm Bank of Wild Species, Chinese Academy of Sciences (the Large Research Infrastructure Funding) to Jing CHE,Biological Resources Programme, Chinese Academy of SciencesYunnan Revitalization Talent Support Program Young Talent ProjectCAS Special Research Assistant (SRA) ProgramProgram of Yunnan Forestry and Grassland Administration (2022GF258D-10)Small Grant Program for New Records and Rediscoveries of Rare Species by Tencent FoundationShanshui Conservation Center to Kai WANGU.S. National Science Foundation (grant DEB1145922)the Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) Science program (grant PGA-2000003545), which is a partnership between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. National Science Foundation to Bryan L. STUART。
文摘Despite continuous progress made on the taxonomy of the genus Tropidophorus, the Lao Water Skink, T. laotus, is only known from brief descriptions of its syntypes in historical literature. Here we designate a lectotype and paralectotype of the species, redescribe the species based on the type series and newly collected topotypes, provide the first colored photographs of taxonomically-verified individuals, and estimate its phylogenetic position using mitochondrial DNA data for the first time.Using these comparable data, we confirm that the previously identified “T. berdmorei” population from southern Yunnan Province, China, represents a distinct new species that is closely related and morphologically similar to T. laotus, but differs from true T. laotus by having considerable genetic divergence(4.7%–4.8% for 12S, 3.2%–4.2% for 16S)and distinct morphological characters(e.g., undivided frontonasal scales and a distinct color pattern of the throat). The southern Yunnan population is therefore described as a new species. With the above newly acquired data, we update the checklist and the provincial-level distribution of the genus Tropidophorus in China and compile an updated key to all recognized species of the genus from China and Indochina.
