The Iranian vole Microtus irani occurs in Lebanon (Mammalia: Rodentia)

We studied 1140 bp cytochrome b sequences of social voles from three localities in Lebanon. The results were compared with published sequences representing seven species of social voles. New sequences from Lebanon clustered with reference samples of two species: M. guentheri and M. irani. While M. guentheri was already reported for Lebanon, M. irani is a new addition to the fauna of Lebanon, and the third known record for the species. Animals were collected in two localities above Tripolis at 855 m and 1430 m a.s.l., respectively.     

Tadpoles of three common anuran species from Thailand do not prey on mosquito larvae

Tadpoles are often considered to be predators of mosquito larvae and are therefore beneficial for the control of certain disease vectors. Nevertheless, only a few species have actually been recorded to prey on mosquito larvae. The mosquito larvae predation rates of tadpoles of three common Thai anuran species (Bufo melanostictus, Kaloula pulchra and Hylarana raniceps) were experimentally tested. Tadpoles in varying developmental stages were used to assess a size/age effect on the predation rate. In addition, different instars of Culex quinquefasciatus were used in order to assess a prey size effect on the predation rates. All three species failed to show any evidence of mosquito larvae predation. Neither small nor large tadpoles fed on mosquito larvae. Prey size also did not affect predation. Although tadpoles do not feed on mosquito larvae, there may be other direct or indirect inter‐specific interactions that adversely impact the development of larvae in shared habitats with tadpoles.     

沼蛙(Rana guentheri)种内遗传分化状况初步研究

本文测定了香港特别行政区内沼蛙(Rana guentheri)多个种群的线粒体16S rRNA基因部分DNA序列,并与广州及越南共4个沼蛙基因序列作对比,研究各地区种群遗传分化状况,研究表明三个地区之间的序列遗传分化为0．4％～1．1％,表明沼蛙mtDNA 16S rRNA基因进化速率比较低,其中香港沼蛙10个个体在mtDNA 16S rRNA基因上没有出现变异,共发现5种单倍型,其中香港与广州种群关系最近,越南河内种群与志玲种群关系最近。     

沼水蛙繁殖习性与食性的初步研究

报道了广东省韶关地区沼水蛙(Hylarana)的生态习性,该蛙在韶关地区的繁殖期为3—5月,繁殖期雌雄性比为1：2．02;雄蛙个体一般小于雌蛙个体,具备繁殖能力的雄蛙最小体长为61．18mm,平均体长为71．73mm,雌性最小体长为63．57mm,平均体长为73．38mm;雌蛙卵巢内有两种不同大小的卵球。沼水蛙的主要食物为鞘翅目、直翅目、鳞翅目的昆虫。     

沼水蛙繁殖期鸣声特征及鸣叫节律

鸣叫对无尾两栖类动物的生存与繁殖起重要作用。蛙类的鸣叫行为受到环境因素影响表现出一定的节律性。2016年8和9月,采用录音机和指向性话筒,在野外录制了57只沼水蛙（Hylarana guentheri）的鸣声并对其鸣声特征进行分析;通过悬挂录音笔和自动温湿度记录仪研究了沼水蛙鸣叫节律（17 d）及其与环境温度、相对湿度的关系。结果显示,沼水蛙的鸣声由1 ~ 4个音节组成,不同类型鸣声间的音节主频、音节时长存在显著差异（P < 0.05）。该物种全天具有鸣叫行为,13:00 ~ 14:00时为鸣叫高峰期。白天单音节鸣声、双音节鸣声、三音节鸣声、总鸣声和总音节的数量较夜晚显著增加（P < 0.01）。鸣声数量和音节数量均与环境温度呈正相关（P < 0.01）。结果表明,沼水蛙通过改变音节数量、音节主频和音节时长改变鸣叫策略。沼水蛙的鸣叫行为具有昼夜节律性且受环境温度的影响。     

三种不同科属蛙类外周血细胞的比较

采用快速瑞氏-姬姆萨(Wright’s-Giemsa’s)染色法对斑腿泛树蛙(Polypedates megacephalus)和沼水蛙(Hylarana guentheri)的外周血细胞进行观察,并与北部湾棱皮树蛙(Theloderma corticale)已有的数据进行了比较。结果显示,三种蛙的血细胞均由红细胞、白细胞和血栓细胞组成,三种蛙的血细胞在形态结构上具有一定的共性,但在形态大小、数量上差异显著。沼水蛙的红细胞长径和短径均显著大于其余两种,分别为(23.56±2.78)μm和(14.25±1.62)μm;3种蛙的嗜中性粒细胞和小淋巴细胞在大小上没有明显差别,但北部湾棱皮树蛙的嗜酸性粒细胞和嗜碱性粒细胞的长径、短径均显著大于其他两种蛙。北部湾棱皮树蛙的红细胞数量显著少于其余两者,为(24.33±9.46)×10⁴/mm³;斑腿泛树蛙白细胞数量显著少于其余两种蛙,为(1.40±0.40)×10⁴/mm³。这些差异的产生可能与其生活环境以及生活习性有关。     

Molecular cloning and characterization of antimicrobial peptides from skin of the broad-folded frog, Hylarana latouchii

Seven cDNA sequences encoding antimicrobial peptide (AMP) precursors were cloned by screening the skin-derived cDNA library of the broad-folded frog, Hylarana latouchii. Seven of the deduced peptides are highly similar to AMPs in five families of brevinin-2 (brevinin-2LTa, brevinin-2LTb, and brevinin-2LTc), esculentin-1 (esculentin-1LTa), esculentin-2 (esculentin-2LTa), palustrin-2 (palustrin-2LTa), and temporin (temporin-LTe). The actual sequences and characteristics of mature AMPs were analyzed by RP-HPLC and LC–MS/MS-based proteomics approaches in combination of four different protein digestion processes and by LTQ XL in combination of gas-phase fractionation (GPF) analysis. Moreover, most of the peptides found in this study hardly display hemolytic activity in vitro, suggesting they are promising antimicrobial drug candidates.     

mtDNA analysis reveals the ongoing speciation on Greek populations of Microtus (Terricola) thomasi (Arvicolidae,Rodentia)

The present article extends our previous work on the phylogenetic history of Microtus (Terricola) thomasi, analysing cytochrome b, 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA and the control region in 65 Greek populations. The analysis revealed three clades: one grouping the populations from Peloponnisos (Southern Greece); the second, the populations from Agios (Ag.) Stefanos and Evvoia island (Central East Greece); and the third, all the remaining populations with no geographical substructure. Genetic distances were low for most populations, with only the populations of Evvoia and Ag. Stefanos being substantially distant. Thus, although this species has a recent colonization history and probably descends from a highly polymorphic ancestor, a monophyletic and highly differentiated lineage is formed in Greece and is distributed in Ag. Stefanos and Evvoia. Molecular differentiation, distinct geographical distribution and restriction of gene flow between this lineage and the rest of the Greek populations provide evidence for its probable subspecific status, Microtus (Tericola) thomasi atticus. A possible mechanism leading the differentiation process of the proposed subspecies is suggested, based on the displacement of this species in central Greece by its congeneric, probably better‐fitted Microtus (Microtus) guentheri and the subsequent separation of Ag. Stefanos and Evvoia from the remaining Greek populations. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 95 , 117–130.     

沼水蛙早期胚胎发育的初步研究

报道了沼水蛙的早期胚胎发育过程。根据胚胎发育过程中的形态变化规律将胚胎发育过程分为2 5个时期 ,在室温 (2 4± 1 )℃的条件下 ,胚胎发育历时 1 87h 5 4min ;在室外不控制温度 ,气温为 1 8～ 2 5℃的条件下 ,历时 2 1 5h 3 0min。本文还描述了各时期的形态特征 ,并讨论了发育中的一些现象。     

Diet of the Long-eared Owl,Asio otus,in Central Anatolia (Aves: Strigidae)

In a one-year study on the diet of the Long-eared Owl, Asio otus, in the area of Karap?nar in Central Anatolia, 5324 prey items were recovered from 3314 pellets collected at monthly intervals. At least 7 species of mammals belonging to Insectivora (Crocidura suaveolens) and Rodentia (Allactaga williamsi, Cricetulus migratorius, Meriones tristrami, Mescocricetus brandti, Microtus guentheri, M. sp., Mus macedonicus) were identified. Rodentia were dominant and contributed 93.8% of the number of prey items of the Long-eared Owl. Microtus guentheri accounted for 83.9% of the rodent remains. The diet pattern was more diverse in summer, when some 24% of the diet consisted of non-mammal prey items (birds, insects).