The Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute （SEABRI） is an international scientific research and education organization affiliated directly to the Chinese Academy of Sciences （CAS） and managed by the Xishua...The Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute （SEABRI） is an international scientific research and education organization affiliated directly to the Chinese Academy of Sciences （CAS） and managed by the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden （XTBG）. By harnessing its connections with all CAS institutes, local institutes and international agencies and leveraging on their resources, it seeks to make a significant contribution to biodiversity conservation in Southeast Asia.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
The global rise in animal protein consumption has significantly amplified the demand for fodder.A comprehensive understanding of the diversity and characteristics of existing fodder resources is essential for balanced...The global rise in animal protein consumption has significantly amplified the demand for fodder.A comprehensive understanding of the diversity and characteristics of existing fodder resources is essential for balanced nutritional fodder production.This study investigates the diversity and composition of fodder plants and identifies key species for cattle in Zhaotong City,Yunnan,China,while documenting indigenous knowledge on their usage and selection criteria.Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in 19 villages across seven townships with 140 informants.Data were collected through semi-structured interviews,free listing,and participatory observation,and analyzed using Relative Frequency Citation.A total of 125 taxa(including 106 wild and 19 cultivated)were reported.The most cited family is Poaceae(27 taxa,21.43%),followed by Asteraceae(17 taxa,13.49%),Fabaceae(14 taxa,11.11%),Polygonaceae(9 taxa,7.14%)and Lamiaceae(4 taxa,3.17%).The whole plant(66.04%)and herbaceous plants(84.80%)were the most used parts and life forms.The most cited species were Zea mays,Brassica rapa,Solanum tuberosum,Eragrostis nigra,and Artemisia dubia.Usage of diverse fodder resources reflects local wisdom in managing resource availability and achieving balanced nutrition while coping with environmental and climatic risks.Preferences for certain taxonomic groups are due to their quality as premier fodder resources.To promote integrated crop-livestock farming,we suggest further research into highly preferred fodder species,focusing on nutritional assessment,digestibility,meat quality impacts,and potential as antibiotic alternatives.Establishing germplasm and gene banks for fodder resources is also recommended.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
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
The Anthropocene proposal suggested that the Earth may have entered a new geological epoch,in which human activity and climate change are influencing the environment at global scale.Arrival of the Anthropocene is brin...The Anthropocene proposal suggested that the Earth may have entered a new geological epoch,in which human activity and climate change are influencing the environment at global scale.Arrival of the Anthropocene is bringing an unprecedented challenge to the biodiversity that is essential to humans,and enhancing many benefits of nature to human being.However,biodiversity loss is aggravating in the rhythm of inevitable change in the Anthropocene,and the adaptation of biodiversity to the anthropogenic disturbance seems unable to keep pace with the human activity and climate change.Therefore,re-examination of the assumptions and practices upon the current conservation endeavor are needed.We suggested that biodiversity conservation should be paid more attention to the response from biodiversity to the human activity and climate change in the Anthropocene.Thus,the concept of biodiversity arks in the Anthropocene is proposed,that is,biodiversity arks in the Anthropocene are the areas where vulnerable biodiversity is sheltered to alleviate human activity and buffered from climate change under the anthropogenic disturbance.The concept should be implemented for biodiversity conservation to fill gaps between our knowledge and build on successful conservation and sustainability in the Anthropocene.It will be certainly important to conservation policy instruction and management under climate change,especially the implementation of climate buffering zones preserving biodiversity in the face of warming climate.展开更多
Compared to the rest of the global biodiversity conservation system,the tiger has undoubtedly attracted considerable attention.The National Tiger Action Plan for Myanmar has emphasized the key position of Htamanthi in...Compared to the rest of the global biodiversity conservation system,the tiger has undoubtedly attracted considerable attention.The National Tiger Action Plan for Myanmar has emphasized the key position of Htamanthi in northern Myanmar as a tiger migration corridor.However,local research on biodiversity has been meager,which has been a huge obstacle for conservation management and community sustainable development.Against this backdrop,the Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS-SEABRI)worked with the Ministry of Resources and Environmental Conservation of Myanmar to carry out the eighth China-Myanmar Biodiversity Field Survey from May to June 2019.展开更多
Cymbidium(Orchidaceae:Epidendroideae),with around 60 species,is widely-distributed across Southeast Asia,providing a nice system for studying the processes that underlie patterns of biodiversity in the region.However,...Cymbidium(Orchidaceae:Epidendroideae),with around 60 species,is widely-distributed across Southeast Asia,providing a nice system for studying the processes that underlie patterns of biodiversity in the region.However,phylogenetic relationships of Cymbidium have not been well resolved,hampering investigations of species diversification and the biogeographical history of this genus.In this study,we construct a plastome phylogeny of 56 Cymbidium species,with four well-resolved major clades,which provides a framework for biogeographical and diversification rate analyses.Molecular dating and biogeographical analyses show that Cymbidium likely originated in the region spanning northern IndoBurma to the eastern Himalayas during the early Miocene(~21.10 Ma).It then rapidly diversified into four major clades in East Asia within approximately a million years during the middle Miocene.Cymbidium spp.migration to the adjacent regions(Borneo,Philippines,and Sulawesi)primarily occurred during the Pliocene-Pleistocene period.Our analyses indicate that the net diversification rate of Cymbidium has decreased since its origin,and is positively associated with changes in temperature and monsoon intensity.Favorable hydrothermal conditions brought by monsoon intensification in the early Miocene possibly contributed to the initial rapid diversification,after which the net diversification rate was reduced with the cooling climate after the middle Miocene.The transition from epiphytic to terrestrial habits may have enabled adaptation to cooler environments and colonization of northern niches,yet without a significant effect on diversification rates.This study provides new insights into how monsoon activity and temperature changes affected the diversification dynamics of plants in Southeast Asia.展开更多
We examined the global biogeography of the Scytodes thoracica group of spitting spiders based on 23 years of sampling at the species level(61 species in the thoracica group and 84 species of Scytodes)using DNA data fr...We examined the global biogeography of the Scytodes thoracica group of spitting spiders based on 23 years of sampling at the species level(61 species in the thoracica group and 84 species of Scytodes)using DNA data from six loci.Our results indicated that the thoracica group initially dispersed from Southeast Asia to East Africa between 46.5 and 33.0 million years ago,and dispersal events intensified between Southeast/South Asia and East/South Africa from the early to late Miocene.The timing of these events indicates that Asian-African faunal exchange of the thoracica group was driven by the Indian monsoon,and the pattern of dispersal suggests that colonialization took root when the Indian monsoon shifted from a North-South direction to an East-West direction from the middle Eocene.展开更多
The insect mitogenome is typically a compact circular molecule with highly conserved gene contents.Nonetheless,mitogenome structural variations have been reported in specific taxa,and gene rearrangements,usually the t...The insect mitogenome is typically a compact circular molecule with highly conserved gene contents.Nonetheless,mitogenome structural variations have been reported in specific taxa,and gene rearrangements,usually the tRNAs,occur in different lineages.Because synapomorphies of mitogenome organizations can provide information for phylogenetic inferences,comparative analyses of mitogenomes have been given increasing attention.However,most studies use a very few species to represent the whole genus,tribe,family,or even order,overlooking potential variations at lower taxonomic levels,which might lead to some incorrect inferences.To provide new insights into mitogenome organizations and their implications for phylogenetic inference,this study conducted comparative analyses for mitogenomes of three social bee tribes(Meliponini,Bombini,and Apini)based on the phylogenetic framework with denser taxonomic sampling at the species and population levels.Comparative analyses revealed that mitogenomes of Apini and Bombini are the typical type,while those of Meliponini show diverse variations in mitogenome sizes and organizations.Large inverted repeats(IRs)cause significant gene rearrangements of protein coding genes(PCGs)and rRNAs in Indo-Malay/Australian stingless bee species.Molecular evolution analyses showed that the lineage with IRs have lower dN/dS ratios for PCGs than lineages without IRs,indicating potential effects of IRs on the evolution of mitochondrial genes.The finding of IRs and different patterns of gene rearrangements suggested that Meliponini is a hotspot in mitogenome evolution.Unlike conserved PCGs and rRNAs whose rearrangements were found only in the mentioned lineages within Meliponini,tRNA rearrangements are common across all three tribes of social bees,and are significant even at the species level,indicating that comprehensive sampling is needed to fully understand the patterns of tRNA rearrangements,and their implications for phylogenetic inference.展开更多
Based on literature review and long-term field surveys,we compile the first comprehensive checklist of the herpetofauna of the Gaoligong Mountain(GLGM).Based on newly collected vouchers and confirmed photos,we added s...Based on literature review and long-term field surveys,we compile the first comprehensive checklist of the herpetofauna of the Gaoligong Mountain(GLGM).Based on newly collected vouchers and confirmed photos,we added six new national records of reptiles to China,one new provincial record of reptile to Yunnan Province,and five new records of amphibian and reptiles to the GLGM.Additionally,based on published literature and our new data,we removed 24 and 18 records of recognized reptile and amphibian species,respectively,from the GLGM due to misidentification or outdated taxonomy.In total,107 species of reptiles and 84 species of amphibians have been recorded from the GLGM.Zoogeographically,the GLGM was divided into four herpetofauna subregions,namely(1)the Northern Nu Valley,(2)the Dulong Valley,(3)the Main Gaoligong Range,and(4)the Tropical Hills of Gaoligong.The Tropical Hills of Gaoligong harbors the highest number of threatened and nationally protected species,but the Northern Nu Valley and Dulong Valley had the highest percentage of threatened species.About 30% of the herpetofauna in the GLGM lack conservation assessments,and roadkill and bushmeat consumption are the two main threats to the herpetofauna in the GLGM.Lastly,we discuss the existing issues regarding herpetological diversity studies in the GLGM and suggest directions for future research.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
Genus Rhacophorus Kuhl and Van Hasselt, 1 822 is one of the most diverse genera of the family Rhacophoridae, and its taxonomy of genus Rhacophorus faces major challenges because of rapidly described new species and co...Genus Rhacophorus Kuhl and Van Hasselt, 1 822 is one of the most diverse genera of the family Rhacophoridae, and its taxonomy of genus Rhacophorus faces major challenges because of rapidly described new species and complex interspecies relations. In this study, we investigate the generic taxonomy within the genus Rhacophorus based on 1 972 bp of mitochondrial genes(12S rRNA, tRNA-val and 16S rRNA), containing 102 sequences from 58 species. The results reveal three well-supported and highly diverged matrilines that correspond with morphological characteristics and geographic distribution. Accordingly, we consider these three lineages as distinct genera: Rhacophorus sensu stricto, resurrected genus Leptomantis Peters, 1867, and the genus Zhangixalus gen. nov.展开更多
In this study, we describe several new taxa belonging to the flora of Myanmar. One new family, Polyosmaceae (Polyosma wallichii Benn.) is recorded. Over ten new genera are recorded for the first time, including Amento...In this study, we describe several new taxa belonging to the flora of Myanmar. One new family, Polyosmaceae (Polyosma wallichii Benn.) is recorded. Over ten new genera are recorded for the first time, including Amentotaxus Pilger (Taxaceae), Hydrobryopsis Engler (Podostemaceae), Cyrtosia Blume and Biermannia King & Pantling (Orchidaceae), Eleutharrhena Forman and Haematocarpus Miers (Menispermaceae), Craigia W.W. Smith & W.E. Evans (Malvaceae), Amblyanthopsis Mez (Primulaceae), Huodendron Rehder and Rehderodendron Hu (Styracaceae), Platea Blume (Metteniusaceae), Achyrospermum Blume (Lamiaceae), Christisonia Gardner (Orobanchaceae). In addition, five new species are described and illustrated: Tupistra natmataungensis Y.H. Tan & H.B. Ding, Biermannia burmanica Y.H. Tan & Bin Yang, Impatiens megacalyx Y.H. Tan & H.B. Ding, Amblyanthopsis burmanica Y.H. Tan & H.B. Ding, Platea kachinensis Y.H. Tan & H.B. Ding. The distribution, ecology, phenology, and conservation status of these new species are also described.展开更多
The single prefrontal configuration has historically been used as an important diagnostic character for many natricine taxa. For example, the genus Trimerodytes Cope, 1895 was long been regarded as a junior synonym of...The single prefrontal configuration has historically been used as an important diagnostic character for many natricine taxa. For example, the genus Trimerodytes Cope, 1895 was long been regarded as a junior synonym of Opisthotropis Günther, 1872 for their similar prefrontal configurations and the type species, T. balteatus Cope, 1895, has been assigned to the genus Opisthotropis. However, as the number and arrangement of prefrontal vary frequently both at species and generic level, it is questionable whether the synonymization of Trimerodytes reflects their evolutionary relationships. On the basis of recently collected specimens of O. balteata, the generic status of the species was assessed using both molecular and morphological data. Opisthotropis was recovered as polyphyletic with reference to O. balteata, because O. balteata is nested within the genus Sinonatrix Rossman and Eberle, 1977 and is the sister species of the type species of Sinonatrix. Consequently, we herein resurrect the long-overlooked synonym Trimerodytes from Opisthotropis and synonymize the junior generic nomen Sinonatrix with Trimerodytes. In addition, based on morphological similarities between the monotypic genus Paratapinophis Angel, 1929 and Trimerodytes, we doubt about the validity of Paratapinophis. Following taxonomic changes in this work, the taxonomic account of the genus Trimerodytes, updated descriptions of its type species, and diagnostic key to Trimerodytes species are provided.展开更多
Asian leaf-litter toads of the genus Leptobrachella represent a great anuran diversification in Asia.Previous studies have suggested that the diversity of this genus is still underestimated. During herpetological surv...Asian leaf-litter toads of the genus Leptobrachella represent a great anuran diversification in Asia.Previous studies have suggested that the diversity of this genus is still underestimated. During herpetological surveys from 2013 to 2018, a series of Leptobrachella specimens were collected from the international border areas in the southern and western parts of Yunnan Province, China.Subsequent analyses based on morphological and molecular data revealed three distinct and previously unknown lineages, which we formally describe as three new species herein. Among them, we describe a new species that occurs at the highest known elevation for Leptobrachella in China. Four species of Leptobrachella, including two new species, are found in the same reserve. Furthermore, our results suggest that the population from Longchuan County,Yunnan, may represent an additional new species of Leptobrachella, although we tentatively assigned it to Leptobrachella cf. yingjiangensis due to the small sample size examined. Lastly, we provide the first description of females of L. yingjiangensis. Our results further highlight that both micro-endemism and sympatric distributions of species are common patterns in Leptobrachella, that contribute to taxonomic and conservation challenges in these frogs. We provide an identification key for Leptobrachella known to occur in Yunnan. Given the lack of knowledge on species diversity of Leptobrachella along international border areas, we recommend that future studies include transboundary collaborative surveys.展开更多
We report on the discovery of a new genus of microhylid subfamily Asterophryinae from northern and eastern Indochina, containing three new species. Vietnamophryne （3en. nov. are secretive miniaturized frogs （SVL〈21...We report on the discovery of a new genus of microhylid subfamily Asterophryinae from northern and eastern Indochina, containing three new species. Vietnamophryne （3en. nov. are secretive miniaturized frogs （SVL〈21 mm） with a mostly semi-fossorial lifestyle. To assess phylogenetic relationships, we studied 12S rRNA - 16S rRNA mtDNA fragments with a final alignment of 2 591 bp for 53 microhylid species. Morphological and osteological characters were analyzed using micro-CT scanning and used to describe the new genus. Results of phylogenetic analyses assigned the new genus into the mainly Australasian subfamily Asterophryinae as a sister taxon to the genus Siamophryne from southern Indochina. The three specimens collected from Gia Lai Province in central Vietnam, Cao Bang Province in northern Vietnam, and Chiang Rai Province in northern Thailand proved to be separate species, different both in morphology and genetics （genetic divergence 3.1%〈P〈5.1%）. Our work provides further evidence for the ＂out of Indo-Eurasia＂ scenario for Asterophryinae, indicating that the initial cladogenesis and differentiation of this group of frogs occurred in the Indochina Peninsula. To date, eachof the three new species of Vietnamophryne Gen. nov. is known only from a single specimen; thus, their distribution, life history, and conservation status require further study.展开更多
Litsea,a non-monophyletic group of the tribe Laureae(Lauraceae),plays important roles in the tropical and subtropical forests of Asia,Australia,Central and North America,and the islands of the Pacific.However,intergen...Litsea,a non-monophyletic group of the tribe Laureae(Lauraceae),plays important roles in the tropical and subtropical forests of Asia,Australia,Central and North America,and the islands of the Pacific.However,intergeneric relationships between Litsea and Laurus,Lindera,Parasassafras and Sinosassafras of the tribe Laureae remain unresolved.In this study,we present phylogenetic analyses of seven newly sequenced Litsea plastomes,together with 47 Laureae plastomes obtained from public databases,representing six genera of the Laureae.Our results highlight two highly supported monophyletic groups of Litsea taxa.One is composed of 16 Litsea taxa and two Lindera taxa.The 18 plastomes of these taxa were further compared for their gene structure,codon usage,contraction and expansion of inverted repeats,sequence repeats,divergence hotspots,and gene evolution.The complete plastome size of newly sequenced taxa varied between 152,377 bp(Litsea auriculata)and 154,117 bp(Litsea pierrei).Seven of the 16 Litsea plastomes have a pair of insertions in the IRa(trnL-trnH)and IRb(ycf2)regions.The 18 plastomes of Litsea and Lindera taxa exhibit similar gene features,codon usage,oligonucleotide repeats,and inverted repeat dynamics.The codons with the highest frequency among these taxa favored A/T endings and each of these plastomes had nine divergence hotspots,which are located in the same regions.We also identified six protein coding genes(accD,ndhJ,rbcL,rpoC2,ycf1 and ycf2)under positive selection in Litsea;these genes may play important roles in adaptation of Litsea species to various environments.展开更多
The leaf muntjac （Muntiacus putaoensis） is an endemic deer species found in the east trans- Himalayan region. In recent years, population numbers have decreased due to heavy hunting and habitat loss, and little gene...The leaf muntjac （Muntiacus putaoensis） is an endemic deer species found in the east trans- Himalayan region. In recent years, population numbers have decreased due to heavy hunting and habitat loss, and little genetic data exists for this species, thus our knowledge of distribution rangs and population sizes likewise remain limited. We obtained mtDNA genes and the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of M. putaoensis using PCR, followed by direct sequencing. The complete mitogenome sequence was determined as a circular 16 349 bp mitochondrial genome, containing 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes 22 tRNA genes, and one control region, the gene composition and order of which were similar to most other vertebrates so far reported. Most mitochondrial genes, except for ND6 and eight tRNAs, were encoded on the heavy strand. The overall base composition of the heavy strand was 33.1% A, 29.3% T, 24.2% C, and 13.4% G, with a strong AT bias of 62.4%. There were seven regions of gene overlap totaling 95 bp and 11 intergenic spacer regions totaling 74 bp. Phylogenetic analyses （ML and BI） among the Muntiacus genus based on the sequenced of mitogenome and ND4L-ND4 supported M. putaoensis as a member of Muntiacus, most closely related to M. vuquangensis. However, when analyses based on cyt b included two more muntjacs, M. truongsonensis was most closely related to M. putaoensis rather than M. vuquangensis, and together with M. rooseveltorum, likely forming a M. rooseveltorum complex of the species. This study will help in the exploration of the evolutionary history and taxonomic status of the leaf muntjac, as well as its protection as a genetic resource.展开更多
Extreme environments, such as subterranean habitats, are suspected to be responsible for morphologically inseparable cryptic or sibling species and can bias biodiversity assessment. A DNA barcode is a short, standardi...Extreme environments, such as subterranean habitats, are suspected to be responsible for morphologically inseparable cryptic or sibling species and can bias biodiversity assessment. A DNA barcode is a short, standardized DNA sequence used for taxonomic purposes and has the potential to lessen the challenges presented by a biotic inventory. Here, we investigate the diversity of the genus Leptonetela Kratochvil, 1978 that is endemic to karst systems in Eurasia using DNA barcoding. We analyzed 624 specimens using one mitochondrial gene fragment （COl）. The results show that DNA barcoding is an efficient and rapid species identification method in this genus. DNA barcoding gap and automatic barcode gap discovery （ABGD） analyses indicated the existence of 90 species, a result consistent with previous taxonomic hypotheses, and supported the existence of extreme male pedipalpal tibial spine and median apophysis polymorphism in Leptonetela species, with direct implications for the taxonomy of the group and its diversity. Based on the molecular and morphological evidence, we delimit and diagnose 90 Leptonetela species, including the type species Leptonetela kanellisi （Deeleman-Reinhold, 1971）. Forty-six of them are previously undescribed. The female of Leptonetela zhai Wang ＆ Li, 2011 is reported for the first time. Leptonetela tianxinensis （Tong ＆ Li, 2008） comb. nov. is transferred from the genus Leptoneta Simon, 1872; the genus Guineta Lin ＆ Li, 2010 syn. nov. is a junior synonym of Leptonetela; Leptonetela gigachela （Lin ＆ Li, 2010） comb. nov. is transferred from Guineta. The genus Sinoneta LJn ＆ Li, 2010 syn. nov. is a junior synonym of Leptonetela; Leptonetela notabilis （Lin ＆ Li, 2010） comb. nov. and Leptonetela sexdigiti （Lin ＆ Li, 2010） comb. nov. are transferred from Sinoneta; Leptonetela sanchahe Wang ＆ Li nom. nov. is proposed as a replacement name for Sinoneta palmata （Chen et a 2010） because Leptonetela palmata is preoccupied.展开更多
文摘The Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute （SEABRI） is an international scientific research and education organization affiliated directly to the Chinese Academy of Sciences （CAS） and managed by the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden （XTBG）. By harnessing its connections with all CAS institutes, local institutes and international agencies and leveraging on their resources, it seeks to make a significant contribution to biodiversity conservation in Southeast Asia.
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 Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.XDA26050301-02)。
文摘The global rise in animal protein consumption has significantly amplified the demand for fodder.A comprehensive understanding of the diversity and characteristics of existing fodder resources is essential for balanced nutritional fodder production.This study investigates the diversity and composition of fodder plants and identifies key species for cattle in Zhaotong City,Yunnan,China,while documenting indigenous knowledge on their usage and selection criteria.Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in 19 villages across seven townships with 140 informants.Data were collected through semi-structured interviews,free listing,and participatory observation,and analyzed using Relative Frequency Citation.A total of 125 taxa(including 106 wild and 19 cultivated)were reported.The most cited family is Poaceae(27 taxa,21.43%),followed by Asteraceae(17 taxa,13.49%),Fabaceae(14 taxa,11.11%),Polygonaceae(9 taxa,7.14%)and Lamiaceae(4 taxa,3.17%).The whole plant(66.04%)and herbaceous plants(84.80%)were the most used parts and life forms.The most cited species were Zea mays,Brassica rapa,Solanum tuberosum,Eragrostis nigra,and Artemisia dubia.Usage of diverse fodder resources reflects local wisdom in managing resource availability and achieving balanced nutrition while coping with environmental and climatic risks.Preferences for certain taxonomic groups are due to their quality as premier fodder resources.To promote integrated crop-livestock farming,we suggest further research into highly preferred fodder species,focusing on nutritional assessment,digestibility,meat quality impacts,and potential as antibiotic alternatives.Establishing germplasm and gene banks for fodder resources is also recommended.
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 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This work was financially supported by the Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute,Chinese Academy of Sciences(Y4ZK111B01)the Youth Innovation Promotion Association,Chinese Academy of Sciences(2018432).
文摘The Anthropocene proposal suggested that the Earth may have entered a new geological epoch,in which human activity and climate change are influencing the environment at global scale.Arrival of the Anthropocene is bringing an unprecedented challenge to the biodiversity that is essential to humans,and enhancing many benefits of nature to human being.However,biodiversity loss is aggravating in the rhythm of inevitable change in the Anthropocene,and the adaptation of biodiversity to the anthropogenic disturbance seems unable to keep pace with the human activity and climate change.Therefore,re-examination of the assumptions and practices upon the current conservation endeavor are needed.We suggested that biodiversity conservation should be paid more attention to the response from biodiversity to the human activity and climate change in the Anthropocene.Thus,the concept of biodiversity arks in the Anthropocene is proposed,that is,biodiversity arks in the Anthropocene are the areas where vulnerable biodiversity is sheltered to alleviate human activity and buffered from climate change under the anthropogenic disturbance.The concept should be implemented for biodiversity conservation to fill gaps between our knowledge and build on successful conservation and sustainability in the Anthropocene.It will be certainly important to conservation policy instruction and management under climate change,especially the implementation of climate buffering zones preserving biodiversity in the face of warming climate.
文摘Compared to the rest of the global biodiversity conservation system,the tiger has undoubtedly attracted considerable attention.The National Tiger Action Plan for Myanmar has emphasized the key position of Htamanthi in northern Myanmar as a tiger migration corridor.However,local research on biodiversity has been meager,which has been a huge obstacle for conservation management and community sustainable development.Against this backdrop,the Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS-SEABRI)worked with the Ministry of Resources and Environmental Conservation of Myanmar to carry out the eighth China-Myanmar Biodiversity Field Survey from May to June 2019.
基金supported by grants from the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDB31000000)The 14th Five-Year Plan of the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden,Chinese Academy of Sciences (XTBG-1450101)+3 种基金the Science and Technology Basic Resources Investigation Program of China (2021FY100200)the Key Basic Research Program of Yunnan Province,China (202101BC070003)the Yunnan Revitalization Talent Support Program"Young Talent"and"Innovation Team"ProjectsEcological and Environmental Conservation Program from the Department of Ecology and Environment of Yunnan Province。
文摘Cymbidium(Orchidaceae:Epidendroideae),with around 60 species,is widely-distributed across Southeast Asia,providing a nice system for studying the processes that underlie patterns of biodiversity in the region.However,phylogenetic relationships of Cymbidium have not been well resolved,hampering investigations of species diversification and the biogeographical history of this genus.In this study,we construct a plastome phylogeny of 56 Cymbidium species,with four well-resolved major clades,which provides a framework for biogeographical and diversification rate analyses.Molecular dating and biogeographical analyses show that Cymbidium likely originated in the region spanning northern IndoBurma to the eastern Himalayas during the early Miocene(~21.10 Ma).It then rapidly diversified into four major clades in East Asia within approximately a million years during the middle Miocene.Cymbidium spp.migration to the adjacent regions(Borneo,Philippines,and Sulawesi)primarily occurred during the Pliocene-Pleistocene period.Our analyses indicate that the net diversification rate of Cymbidium has decreased since its origin,and is positively associated with changes in temperature and monsoon intensity.Favorable hydrothermal conditions brought by monsoon intensification in the early Miocene possibly contributed to the initial rapid diversification,after which the net diversification rate was reduced with the cooling climate after the middle Miocene.The transition from epiphytic to terrestrial habits may have enabled adaptation to cooler environments and colonization of northern niches,yet without a significant effect on diversification rates.This study provides new insights into how monsoon activity and temperature changes affected the diversification dynamics of plants in Southeast Asia.
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to S.Q.L.(XDB31000000)National Natural Sciences Foundation of China to Y.F.L.(NSFC-31860602,32170463,31660611)。
文摘We examined the global biogeography of the Scytodes thoracica group of spitting spiders based on 23 years of sampling at the species level(61 species in the thoracica group and 84 species of Scytodes)using DNA data from six loci.Our results indicated that the thoracica group initially dispersed from Southeast Asia to East Africa between 46.5 and 33.0 million years ago,and dispersal events intensified between Southeast/South Asia and East/South Africa from the early to late Miocene.The timing of these events indicates that Asian-African faunal exchange of the thoracica group was driven by the Indian monsoon,and the pattern of dispersal suggests that colonialization took root when the Indian monsoon shifted from a North-South direction to an East-West direction from the middle Eocene.
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDB31000000)Science and Technology Basic Resources Investigation Program of China(2021FY100200)+1 种基金Yunnan Revitalization Talent Support Program“Young Talent”and"Innovation Team"Projectsthe 14th Five-Year Plan of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden,Chinese Academy of Science(XTBG-1450101)。
文摘The insect mitogenome is typically a compact circular molecule with highly conserved gene contents.Nonetheless,mitogenome structural variations have been reported in specific taxa,and gene rearrangements,usually the tRNAs,occur in different lineages.Because synapomorphies of mitogenome organizations can provide information for phylogenetic inferences,comparative analyses of mitogenomes have been given increasing attention.However,most studies use a very few species to represent the whole genus,tribe,family,or even order,overlooking potential variations at lower taxonomic levels,which might lead to some incorrect inferences.To provide new insights into mitogenome organizations and their implications for phylogenetic inference,this study conducted comparative analyses for mitogenomes of three social bee tribes(Meliponini,Bombini,and Apini)based on the phylogenetic framework with denser taxonomic sampling at the species and population levels.Comparative analyses revealed that mitogenomes of Apini and Bombini are the typical type,while those of Meliponini show diverse variations in mitogenome sizes and organizations.Large inverted repeats(IRs)cause significant gene rearrangements of protein coding genes(PCGs)and rRNAs in Indo-Malay/Australian stingless bee species.Molecular evolution analyses showed that the lineage with IRs have lower dN/dS ratios for PCGs than lineages without IRs,indicating potential effects of IRs on the evolution of mitochondrial genes.The finding of IRs and different patterns of gene rearrangements suggested that Meliponini is a hotspot in mitogenome evolution.Unlike conserved PCGs and rRNAs whose rearrangements were found only in the mentioned lineages within Meliponini,tRNA rearrangements are common across all three tribes of social bees,and are significant even at the species level,indicating that comprehensive sampling is needed to fully understand the patterns of tRNA rearrangements,and their implications for phylogenetic inference.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFC2602500)Science and Technology Basic Resources Investigation Program of China"Wild germplasm collection and preservation in Great Gaoligong Mountain"(2021FY100200)+9 种基金the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program(STEP)(2019QZKK0501)Survey of Wildlife Resources in Key Areas of Tibet(ZL202203601)Yunnan Revitalization Talent Support Program Yunling Scholar Project to J.C.Key R&D program of Yunnan Province,China(202103AC100003)Yunnan Revitalization Talent Support Program Young Talent Project to W.G.China’s Biodiversity Observation Network(Sino-BON)to WYHNational Natural Science Foundation of China(32130015)Program of Yunnan Forestry and Grassland Administration(2022GF258D-10)CAS Special Research Assistant(SRA)ProgramYunnan Revitalization Talent Support Program Young Talent Project to K.W.
文摘Based on literature review and long-term field surveys,we compile the first comprehensive checklist of the herpetofauna of the Gaoligong Mountain(GLGM).Based on newly collected vouchers and confirmed photos,we added six new national records of reptiles to China,one new provincial record of reptile to Yunnan Province,and five new records of amphibian and reptiles to the GLGM.Additionally,based on published literature and our new data,we removed 24 and 18 records of recognized reptile and amphibian species,respectively,from the GLGM due to misidentification or outdated taxonomy.In total,107 species of reptiles and 84 species of amphibians have been recorded from the GLGM.Zoogeographically,the GLGM was divided into four herpetofauna subregions,namely(1)the Northern Nu Valley,(2)the Dulong Valley,(3)the Main Gaoligong Range,and(4)the Tropical Hills of Gaoligong.The Tropical Hills of Gaoligong harbors the highest number of threatened and nationally protected species,but the Northern Nu Valley and Dulong Valley had the highest percentage of threatened species.About 30% of the herpetofauna in the GLGM lack conservation assessments,and roadkill and bushmeat consumption are the two main threats to the herpetofauna in the GLGM.Lastly,we discuss the existing issues regarding herpetological diversity studies in the GLGM and suggest directions for future research.
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supported by National Key R&D Program of China (2016YFC1200705)the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDB31000000)+4 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31722049, 31772434)Key Research Program of Frontier Sciences, CAS (QYZDBSSW-SMC058)the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of CASSoutheast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute (Y4ZK111B01)the CAS "Light of West China" Program (2018XBZG_JCTD_001)
文摘Genus Rhacophorus Kuhl and Van Hasselt, 1 822 is one of the most diverse genera of the family Rhacophoridae, and its taxonomy of genus Rhacophorus faces major challenges because of rapidly described new species and complex interspecies relations. In this study, we investigate the generic taxonomy within the genus Rhacophorus based on 1 972 bp of mitochondrial genes(12S rRNA, tRNA-val and 16S rRNA), containing 102 sequences from 58 species. The results reveal three well-supported and highly diverged matrilines that correspond with morphological characteristics and geographic distribution. Accordingly, we consider these three lineages as distinct genera: Rhacophorus sensu stricto, resurrected genus Leptomantis Peters, 1867, and the genus Zhangixalus gen. nov.
基金financially supported by a project of the Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China (Y4ZK111B01)LancangMekong Cooperation (LMC) Special Fund, China (Biodiversity Monitoring and Network Construction along Lancang-Mekong River Basin project)the CAS 135 program (No. 2017XTBG-F03)
文摘In this study, we describe several new taxa belonging to the flora of Myanmar. One new family, Polyosmaceae (Polyosma wallichii Benn.) is recorded. Over ten new genera are recorded for the first time, including Amentotaxus Pilger (Taxaceae), Hydrobryopsis Engler (Podostemaceae), Cyrtosia Blume and Biermannia King & Pantling (Orchidaceae), Eleutharrhena Forman and Haematocarpus Miers (Menispermaceae), Craigia W.W. Smith & W.E. Evans (Malvaceae), Amblyanthopsis Mez (Primulaceae), Huodendron Rehder and Rehderodendron Hu (Styracaceae), Platea Blume (Metteniusaceae), Achyrospermum Blume (Lamiaceae), Christisonia Gardner (Orobanchaceae). In addition, five new species are described and illustrated: Tupistra natmataungensis Y.H. Tan & H.B. Ding, Biermannia burmanica Y.H. Tan & Bin Yang, Impatiens megacalyx Y.H. Tan & H.B. Ding, Amblyanthopsis burmanica Y.H. Tan & H.B. Ding, Platea kachinensis Y.H. Tan & H.B. Ding. The distribution, ecology, phenology, and conservation status of these new species are also described.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2017YFC0505202)Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDB31000000)+6 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31722049, 31772434)Key Research Program of Frontier Sciences, CAS (QYZDB-SSW-SMC058)the Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Science (Y4ZK111B01)the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of CASthe CAS “Light of West China” Program (2018XBZG_JCTD_001)Talent Program from Organization Department of Sichuan Provincial Committeepartially supported by project BSTMV.08/16-19 to NTT
文摘The single prefrontal configuration has historically been used as an important diagnostic character for many natricine taxa. For example, the genus Trimerodytes Cope, 1895 was long been regarded as a junior synonym of Opisthotropis Günther, 1872 for their similar prefrontal configurations and the type species, T. balteatus Cope, 1895, has been assigned to the genus Opisthotropis. However, as the number and arrangement of prefrontal vary frequently both at species and generic level, it is questionable whether the synonymization of Trimerodytes reflects their evolutionary relationships. On the basis of recently collected specimens of O. balteata, the generic status of the species was assessed using both molecular and morphological data. Opisthotropis was recovered as polyphyletic with reference to O. balteata, because O. balteata is nested within the genus Sinonatrix Rossman and Eberle, 1977 and is the sister species of the type species of Sinonatrix. Consequently, we herein resurrect the long-overlooked synonym Trimerodytes from Opisthotropis and synonymize the junior generic nomen Sinonatrix with Trimerodytes. In addition, based on morphological similarities between the monotypic genus Paratapinophis Angel, 1929 and Trimerodytes, we doubt about the validity of Paratapinophis. Following taxonomic changes in this work, the taxonomic account of the genus Trimerodytes, updated descriptions of its type species, and diagnostic key to Trimerodytes species are provided.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31900323 to J.M.C.,31622052 to J.C.)Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute,Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS)(Y4ZK111B01:2017CASSEABRIQG002)Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences,Ministry of Environmental Protection of China,and the Animal Branch of the Germplasm Bank of Wild Species,CAS(Large Research Infrastructure Funding)to J.C.,Russian Science Foundation(19-14-00050)to N.A.P.,Biodiversity Investigation,Observation and Assessment Program(2019-2023)of Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China to Z.Y.Y.,and Unit of Excellence 2020 on Biodiversity and Natural Resources Management,University of Phayao to C.S.
文摘Asian leaf-litter toads of the genus Leptobrachella represent a great anuran diversification in Asia.Previous studies have suggested that the diversity of this genus is still underestimated. During herpetological surveys from 2013 to 2018, a series of Leptobrachella specimens were collected from the international border areas in the southern and western parts of Yunnan Province, China.Subsequent analyses based on morphological and molecular data revealed three distinct and previously unknown lineages, which we formally describe as three new species herein. Among them, we describe a new species that occurs at the highest known elevation for Leptobrachella in China. Four species of Leptobrachella, including two new species, are found in the same reserve. Furthermore, our results suggest that the population from Longchuan County,Yunnan, may represent an additional new species of Leptobrachella, although we tentatively assigned it to Leptobrachella cf. yingjiangensis due to the small sample size examined. Lastly, we provide the first description of females of L. yingjiangensis. Our results further highlight that both micro-endemism and sympatric distributions of species are common patterns in Leptobrachella, that contribute to taxonomic and conservation challenges in these frogs. We provide an identification key for Leptobrachella known to occur in Yunnan. Given the lack of knowledge on species diversity of Leptobrachella along international border areas, we recommend that future studies include transboundary collaborative surveys.
基金supported by the programs of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31501843,31622052)Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute,Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS)(Y4ZK111B01:2017CASSEABRIQG002)+2 种基金Animal Branch of the Germplasm Bank of Wild Species,CAS(Large Research Infrastructure Funding)Thailand Research Fund(TRF)(DBG6180001)Molecular experiments,phylogenetic analyses,specimen storage,examination and micro CT-analysis were carried out with the financial support of the Russian Science Foundation(RSF14-50-00029)
文摘We report on the discovery of a new genus of microhylid subfamily Asterophryinae from northern and eastern Indochina, containing three new species. Vietnamophryne （3en. nov. are secretive miniaturized frogs （SVL〈21 mm） with a mostly semi-fossorial lifestyle. To assess phylogenetic relationships, we studied 12S rRNA - 16S rRNA mtDNA fragments with a final alignment of 2 591 bp for 53 microhylid species. Morphological and osteological characters were analyzed using micro-CT scanning and used to describe the new genus. Results of phylogenetic analyses assigned the new genus into the mainly Australasian subfamily Asterophryinae as a sister taxon to the genus Siamophryne from southern Indochina. The three specimens collected from Gia Lai Province in central Vietnam, Cao Bang Province in northern Vietnam, and Chiang Rai Province in northern Thailand proved to be separate species, different both in morphology and genetics （genetic divergence 3.1%〈P〈5.1%）. Our work provides further evidence for the ＂out of Indo-Eurasia＂ scenario for Asterophryinae, indicating that the initial cladogenesis and differentiation of this group of frogs occurred in the Indochina Peninsula. To date, eachof the three new species of Vietnamophryne Gen. nov. is known only from a single specimen; thus, their distribution, life history, and conservation status require further study.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.32060710,31970223,31860005,31860620)Applied Basic Research Projects of Yunnan(Grant No.2019FB057).
文摘Litsea,a non-monophyletic group of the tribe Laureae(Lauraceae),plays important roles in the tropical and subtropical forests of Asia,Australia,Central and North America,and the islands of the Pacific.However,intergeneric relationships between Litsea and Laurus,Lindera,Parasassafras and Sinosassafras of the tribe Laureae remain unresolved.In this study,we present phylogenetic analyses of seven newly sequenced Litsea plastomes,together with 47 Laureae plastomes obtained from public databases,representing six genera of the Laureae.Our results highlight two highly supported monophyletic groups of Litsea taxa.One is composed of 16 Litsea taxa and two Lindera taxa.The 18 plastomes of these taxa were further compared for their gene structure,codon usage,contraction and expansion of inverted repeats,sequence repeats,divergence hotspots,and gene evolution.The complete plastome size of newly sequenced taxa varied between 152,377 bp(Litsea auriculata)and 154,117 bp(Litsea pierrei).Seven of the 16 Litsea plastomes have a pair of insertions in the IRa(trnL-trnH)and IRb(ycf2)regions.The 18 plastomes of Litsea and Lindera taxa exhibit similar gene features,codon usage,oligonucleotide repeats,and inverted repeat dynamics.The codons with the highest frequency among these taxa favored A/T endings and each of these plastomes had nine divergence hotspots,which are located in the same regions.We also identified six protein coding genes(accD,ndhJ,rbcL,rpoC2,ycf1 and ycf2)under positive selection in Litsea;these genes may play important roles in adaptation of Litsea species to various environments.
基金supported by a grant from the Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute,Chinese Academy of Sciences(Y4ZK111B01)
文摘The leaf muntjac （Muntiacus putaoensis） is an endemic deer species found in the east trans- Himalayan region. In recent years, population numbers have decreased due to heavy hunting and habitat loss, and little genetic data exists for this species, thus our knowledge of distribution rangs and population sizes likewise remain limited. We obtained mtDNA genes and the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of M. putaoensis using PCR, followed by direct sequencing. The complete mitogenome sequence was determined as a circular 16 349 bp mitochondrial genome, containing 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes 22 tRNA genes, and one control region, the gene composition and order of which were similar to most other vertebrates so far reported. Most mitochondrial genes, except for ND6 and eight tRNAs, were encoded on the heavy strand. The overall base composition of the heavy strand was 33.1% A, 29.3% T, 24.2% C, and 13.4% G, with a strong AT bias of 62.4%. There were seven regions of gene overlap totaling 95 bp and 11 intergenic spacer regions totaling 74 bp. Phylogenetic analyses （ML and BI） among the Muntiacus genus based on the sequenced of mitogenome and ND4L-ND4 supported M. putaoensis as a member of Muntiacus, most closely related to M. vuquangensis. However, when analyses based on cyt b included two more muntjacs, M. truongsonensis was most closely related to M. putaoensis rather than M. vuquangensis, and together with M. rooseveltorum, likely forming a M. rooseveltorum complex of the species. This study will help in the exploration of the evolutionary history and taxonomic status of the leaf muntjac, as well as its protection as a genetic resource.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China to Chunxia Wang(NSFC-31471977)and Shuqiang Li(NSFC-31530067,31471960)Part of the lab work was supported by the Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute,Chinese Academy of Sciences(2015CASEABRI005,Y4ZK111B01)
文摘Extreme environments, such as subterranean habitats, are suspected to be responsible for morphologically inseparable cryptic or sibling species and can bias biodiversity assessment. A DNA barcode is a short, standardized DNA sequence used for taxonomic purposes and has the potential to lessen the challenges presented by a biotic inventory. Here, we investigate the diversity of the genus Leptonetela Kratochvil, 1978 that is endemic to karst systems in Eurasia using DNA barcoding. We analyzed 624 specimens using one mitochondrial gene fragment （COl）. The results show that DNA barcoding is an efficient and rapid species identification method in this genus. DNA barcoding gap and automatic barcode gap discovery （ABGD） analyses indicated the existence of 90 species, a result consistent with previous taxonomic hypotheses, and supported the existence of extreme male pedipalpal tibial spine and median apophysis polymorphism in Leptonetela species, with direct implications for the taxonomy of the group and its diversity. Based on the molecular and morphological evidence, we delimit and diagnose 90 Leptonetela species, including the type species Leptonetela kanellisi （Deeleman-Reinhold, 1971）. Forty-six of them are previously undescribed. The female of Leptonetela zhai Wang ＆ Li, 2011 is reported for the first time. Leptonetela tianxinensis （Tong ＆ Li, 2008） comb. nov. is transferred from the genus Leptoneta Simon, 1872; the genus Guineta Lin ＆ Li, 2010 syn. nov. is a junior synonym of Leptonetela; Leptonetela gigachela （Lin ＆ Li, 2010） comb. nov. is transferred from Guineta. The genus Sinoneta LJn ＆ Li, 2010 syn. nov. is a junior synonym of Leptonetela; Leptonetela notabilis （Lin ＆ Li, 2010） comb. nov. and Leptonetela sexdigiti （Lin ＆ Li, 2010） comb. nov. are transferred from Sinoneta; Leptonetela sanchahe Wang ＆ Li nom. nov. is proposed as a replacement name for Sinoneta palmata （Chen et a 2010） because Leptonetela palmata is preoccupied.
