Genetic Variability and Geographic Differentiation in Thymus daenensis subsp. daenensis, an Endangered Medicinal Plant, as Revealed by Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) Markers

Thymus daenensis is an aromatic medicinal plant endemic to Iran. We used inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers to detect genetic polymorphism in this herb using 17 T. daenensis accessions collected from different geographic regions in Iran. The 15 primers chosen for analysis revealed 256 bands, of which 228 (88.9%) were polymorphic. Jaccard’s similarity indices based on ISSR profiles were subjected to UPGMA cluster analysis. The generated dendrogram revealed two major groups. The Tc group included the accessions collected from the center of the Zagros Mountains, and the Te group was collected from the extremes of the Zagros range. A principal coordinate analysis confirmed the results of clustering. The results showed that the divergence of accessions based on the Zagros Mountains is more logical in comparison with classification on the basis of provincial borders. Gene diversity and expected heterozygosity were greater in the Tc group than in the Te group, suggesting that the germplasm collected from the center of the Zagros Mountains is more variable.     

Populations of North American bean thrips, Caliothrips fasciatus (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae: Panchaetothripinae) not detected in Australia

Abstract  Caliothrips fasciatus is native to the USA and western Mexico and overwintering adults are regular contaminants in the 'navel' of navel oranges exported from California, USA to Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere. Due to the long history of regular interceptions of C. fasciatus in Australia, a survey for this thrips was undertaken around airports, seaports, public recreational parks and major agricultural areas in the states of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia to determine whether C. fasciatus has successfully invaded Australia. Host plants that are known to support populations of C. fasciatus , such as various annual and perennial agricultural crops, urban ornamentals and weeds along with native Australian flora, were sampled for this thrips. A total of 4675 thrips specimens encompassing at least 76 species from a minimum of 47 genera, and three families were collected from at least 159 plant species in 67 families. Caliothrips striatopterus was collected in Queensland, but the target species, C. fasciatus , was not found anywhere. An undescribed genus of Thripidae, Panchaetothripinae, was collected from ornamental Grevillea (var. Robyn Gordon) at Perth (Western Australia) Domestic Airport, and is considered to be a native Australian species. This survey has provided valuable information on the background diversity of thrips species associated with various native and exotic plant species around major ports of entry and exit for four of five states in Australia. We suggest that the major reason C. fasciatus has not established in Australia is due to high adult mortality in navels that are kept at low storage temperatures (2.78°C) during an 18- to 24-day transit period from California to Australia.     

辽宁省青龙河自然保护区发现中介蝮

2013年8月8日,在辽宁省凌源市青龙河自然保护区红石砬子山主峰(40°47'N,118°55'E,海拔1 253 m)采集到2号亚洲蝮属(Gloydius)蛇类标本,经鉴定为中介蝮(G.intermedius),系该种在辽宁省境内首次发现。本文对其形态特征进行了描述,并与国内其他地区的标本进行了比较,讨论了其分布格局和生物地理学特点。     

务川臭蛙分布区域扩大及其濒危等级再评估

2013年9月在湖北省建始县采集到的2只务川臭蛙 (Odorrana wuchuanensis)标本,为湖北省新纪录。该记录使务川臭蛙的分布区由大娄山脉东段,沿武陵山脉延展至湖北建始县。因此,建议将其濒危等级调低至濒危（Endangered, 缩写为EN）。与模式标本比较,建始县雌蛙标本头体长99.6 mm,远大于模式标本雌蛙的最大记录;成年雄蛙62.8 mm,亦小于模式标本的最小记录;建始雌蛙体侧背皮肤亦有淡色小刺粒,因此,该特征不属于第二性征。     

A new gobiid fish,Fusigobius signipinnis,from the western tropical Pacific

An undescribed goby has been collected from several localities in the western troplcal Pacific, from Japan to Australia. This species is described as a new species,Fusigobius signiplnnis. It differs from other species ofFusigobius in pectoral ray counts, colouration, largely separate pelvic fins, and shape of the first dorsal fin. The species is found in groups on sand, frequently flicking its first dorsal fin. Males are larger than females in mean size. Sex ratios are uneven, and females are twice as numerous as males.     

斑蜓蜥分布新纪录和补充描述

2007年8月至2009年7月,在云开山脉广东黑石顶自然保护区和广西六万山脉罗阳山采集到3只斑蜓蜥Sphenomorphus maculatus(Blyth,1853)标本,为广东省和广西壮族自治区爬行动物的新纪录.斑蜒蜥的现代核心分布区为中南半岛,在云开山脉和六万山脉的分布是斑蜓蜥自其核心分布区沿十万大山向六万山及云开山脉扩散的结果.检视所采集的斑蜓蜥标本,发现其存在一定程度变异:每侧颞鳞4或5个,环体中段鳞最少为36行;顶鳞和前颊鳞存在分裂为二和愈合的现象.     

Length–weight relationships of two fish species from Gamsiab Reservoir,western Iran: Alburnus mossulensis Heckel, 1843 and Luciobarbus esocinus Heckel, 1843

In this study the length–weight relationships (LWRs) for two fish species, Alburnus mossulensis and Luciobarbus esocinus, were analyzed based on seasonal samplings from 2013 and 2014. The specimens were collected by cast‐ and dip net from the Karun River Basin in the Zagros Mountains, Iran. The b values in the LWRs were determined as 2.9996 for A. zagrosensis and 2.6546 for L. esocinus.     

广东省南岭新纪录种中管鼻蝠的形态测量、核型及超声波数据

2009年9月在广东省南岭采集到5只森林型蝙蝠,其鼻孔突出成短管状,背部毛棕褐色,前臂长34.3～36.8mm;核型为2n=44,FN=50.经鉴定为蝙蝠科管鼻蝠亚科的中管鼻蝠(Murina huttonii),为广东省翼手类分布新纪录.用蝙蝠超声波接收器(Anabat Ⅱ)录制并分析其回声定位声波,为FM型.中管鼻蝠...     

Phylogenetic relationships of Eurasian Nuthatches (Sitta europaea Linnaeus, 1758) from the Alborz and Zagros Mountains,Iran

The Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea Linnaeus, 1758) is a resident bird in the Alborz and Zagros deciduous forests. We investigated the phylogenetic relationships and the taxonomic position of the Eurasian Nuthatch among other separated lineages of Eurasia with the help of blood samples collected from 19 individuals belonging to four populations in the Eastern and Western Alborz, as well as in the Northern and Southern Zagros forests. Genetic variation was then analysed using complete ND2 gene sequence (1041?bp) and phylogenetic analysis was done using Bayesian and maximum likelihood inference. Additionally, a median-joining algorithm was used to reveal the relationships among haplotypes. The results of the phylogenetic and haplo-type network analyses indicated that Eurasian Nuthatch haplotypes from the Alborz and Zagros Mountains form lineages distinct from the Asian, Caucasian and European haplotypes. Furthermore, an analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) detected significant (P<0.001) genetic structure among the lineages. The Asian, European, Caucasian and Alborz lineages diverged from one another by an uncorrected genetic distance ranging from 0.029 to 0.039, while the Zagros lineage showed a slightly lower genetic divergence from the Caucasian lineage (0.006), but it did not share any haplotype with the Caucasian lineage. Thus, we suggest considering five Conservation Significant Units (CSU) for the Eurasian Nuthatches as the result of used dataset.     

河南省爬行动物地理区划研究

本文首次对河南省爬行动物区系特征及其地理区划进行了研究。河南省现生爬行动物计 3目 8科 4 0种 ,可划分为桐柏、大别山地丘陵、伏牛山地丘陵盆地、豫西豫西北山地丘陵台地和黄淮海平原共 4个动物地理省。各动物地理省的自然环境、爬行动物组成、种群数量及区系特征均予描述分析。研究发现河南省爬行动物新记录种 4种 ,即双全白环蛇、赤峰锦蛇、黄链蛇、山烙铁头蛇     

壶瓶山发现湖南蛇类新纪录二种——双全白环蛇和颈槽蛇

2002年6月至2008年8月,作者对湖南壶瓶山国家级自然保护区两栖爬行动物资源进行了10次实地调查与监测,共采集到蛇类32种.其中双全白环蛇(bycodon fasciatus)和颈槽蛇(Rhabdophisnuchalis)为湖南省蛇类新纪录.     

中国斑腿蝗科二新种记述(直翅目,蝗总科)

记述了中国斑腿蝗科2新种:红股蹦蝗Sinopodisma rufofemoralis sp.nov.(正模♂,副模6♂♂,2♀♀,广西融安元宝山);钝齿卵翅蝗Caryanda obtusidentata sp.nov.(正模♂,副模4♂♂,2♀♀,湖南宜章莽山自然保护区泽子坪).新种的模式标本均保存于湖南师范大学生命科学学院动物标本馆.     

东喜马拉雅山地区木材腐朽菌研究3. 云南老君山地区的多孔菌

在对云南老君山木材腐朽菌调查过程中,共采集到约300号标本,经鉴定共有多孔菌96种,列出了这些多孔菌的名录,并提供了每种的采集信息。其中云杉木层孔菌Phellinus piceicola为新种,其主要特征是担子果盖形或平伏反转,孔口和孢子较小,只生长在云杉树木上,对其进行了详细的描述和显微结构绘图。     

Genetic Structure and Relationships among Populations of the Caspian Bent-toed Gecko,Tenuidactylus caspius(Eichwald, 1831)(Sauria: Gekkonidae) in Northern Iran

The Caspian bent-toed gecko, Tenuidactylus caspius, belonging to the family Gekkonidae, is widely distributed across the northern half of Iran, especially along the southern coastal region of the Caspian Sea. It is regarded as a commensal species throughout its entire distribution. We investigated genetic variation and relationships among different populations of this species in Iran. Fragments of the mitochondrial cyt b(547 bp) and ND4(831 bp) genes were sequenced and analyzed in 64 and 28 specimens, respectively, from 21 geographically distant localities. Cyrtopodion scabrum was used as the outgroup taxon. The data showed no significant genetic variation within the populations of T. caspius in Iran. Nevertheless, populations of Khorasan and Semnan(especially Shahrood) in northeastern Iran showed greater divergence(p-distance = 2.1%) from other Iranian populations. The low genetic variation and homogeneous structure among populations of T. caspius on either side of the Elburz Mountains suggests that this species most likely has achieved its current distribution recently and as a result of anthropogenic activities.     

中国陆生贝类一新种(肺螺亚纲:柄眼目:拟阿勇蛞蝓科)

作者于1981～1983年,参加中国科学院横断山综合考察队,赴云南地区进行考察,又于1993～1994年,赴滇南一带调查,获得陆生贝类标本一批,经整理鉴定,得拟阿勇蛤蝓科一新种：即云龙隐带螺Cryptozonayunlongensissp.nov.。本文对新种的形态特征作了详细描述,并对生殖系统进行了解剖,对颚片和齿舌作了电子显微镜观察,与其近似种古怪隐带螺Cryptozonaerratica（Heude,1882）进行了比较。     

Records of anglerfishes (Lophiiformes: Lophiidae) from the western South Pacific Ocean, with descriptions of two new species

Species of Lophiidae collected from the western South Pacific Ocean are examined. Nine nominal species are recognized, all but one species with their distributions extended eastwards and southwards from the western Pacific Ocean. Two new species are described from Polynesia. Lophiodes iwamotoi n. sp. is described from five specimens collected from Savannah Seamount. It is characterized by a relatively long third dorsal-fin spine (56.9-70.8% standard length, L(S)) that extends (when retracted) to between the end of the soft dorsal fin and caudal-fin base; a relatively short fifth dorsal-fin spine (10.5-13.1% L(S)); a relatively short and narrow head; 19-20 pectoral-fin rays. Lophiodes maculatus n. sp. is described from 20 specimens collected from Marquesas Islands. It is characterized by an extremely long third dorsal-fin spine (71.9-87.2% L(S)), extending well beyond the caudal-fin base; a relatively short fifth dorsal-fin spine (11.4-16.5% L(S)); 17-18 pectoral-fin rays. A key to the lophiids in the western South Pacific Ocean is provided.     

中国喇叭螺属一新种(肺螺亚纲,柄眼目,虹蛹螺科)

记述采自贵州省陆生贝类1新种,修文贝喇叭螺Boysidia(Bensonella)xiuwenensis sp.nov.,文中对新种形态特征、栖息环境进行了描述,并对其相似种进行了分析和讨论。     

Evolutionary history of the Persian Jird,Meriones persicus,based on genetics,species distribution modelling and morphometric data

The Persian Jird, Meriones persicus, is distributed from Eastern Anatolia to Afghanistan and western Pakistan. Six subspecies were described based on skull features and coat colours, but the validity of these subspecies is uncertain, and no molecular work has ever been conducted on this species. Iran appears to be a key geographical region in which to revise the systematic and evolutionary history of this species, because five of the six subspecies are present in this country. To evaluate the phylogeographical history and taxonomy of this species in Iran, we used a combination of genetic (cytochrome b gene sequences of 70 specimens) and geometric morphometric (2D landmarks on the ventral side of skull of 258 specimens) analyses. We also used ecological niche modelling to make inferences about the evolutionary history of these lineages. Our molecular data highlight the existence of four genetic lineages, but they only partly correspond to the previously described subspecies. Our molecular and morphometric data confirm the validity of M. p. rossicus and show that it has a wider geographical range than previously thought. M. p. gurganensis and M. p. baptistae are genetically very close. The skull of M. p. gurganensis is morphologically distinguishable from other subspecies. The subspecies M. p. persicus and M. p. baptistae are genetically distinct, but morphologically close. Meriones p. ambrosius is genetically close to M. p. persicus, and additional analyses with more specimens are needed to validate its subspecific status. The genetic structure observed in Iran seems to fit the topography and biogeography of the country and emphasize the role of the Abarkooh, Central and Lut deserts as barriers to gene flow. All intraspecific divergent events within the Persian Jird occurred during the last 1.4 My, suggesting that climatic changes probably trigger diversification within this species. Our genetic and species niche modelling results suggest that potential refugial areas persisted during glacial periods for this species in north‐western Zagros Mountains, north‐eastern Alborz Mountains and Kohrud Mountains.     

Species of Pseudorhabdosynochus Yamaguti, 1958 (Monogenea: Diplectanidae) from Epinephelus fasciatus and E. merra (Perciformes: Serranidae) off New Caledonia and other parts of the Indo-Pacific Ocean, with a comparison of measurements of specimens prepared using different methods, and a description of P. caledonicus n. sp.

Species of Pseudorhabdosynochus were studied from fresh specimens collected from Epinephelus fasciatus and E. merra off New Caledonia, South Pacific, and specimens deposited in Museums. Experiments on two species demonstrated that the sclerotised hollow organs, such as the quadriloculate male copulatory organ and the vagina, may show differences in measurements of up to 50% when flattened. P. caledonicus n. sp. is described from E. fasciatus in New Caledonia, on which it is relatively rare; it is distinguished on the basis of the quadriloculate organ, which has a very thin anterior wall, the sclerotised parts of the vagina in form of a straight tube with a star-shaped lateral structure, and the squamodiscs composed of 11 open rows of rodlets. P. cupatus (Young, 1969) is redescribed from abundant material from E. fasciatus off New Caledonia (new geographical record) and compared with paratype specimens from Australia (from E. fasciatus and E. merra) and specimens from E. fasciatus in the Red Sea (both herein redescribed and figured); a specimen was also found on a slide from E. merra off Vanuatu. P. melanesiensis (Laird, 1958) is redescribed from material from E. merra off New Caledonia (new geographical record) and compared with type-specimens (herein redescribed and figured) from the same host off Vanuatu. The structure of the sclerotised vagina in P. cupatus and P. melanesiensis is very similar, with a thin-walled tube and a heavily sclerotised structure with three loculi. P. vagampullum (Young, 1969) is redescribed from the paratypes from E. merra from Australia, but was not found in New Caledonia; specimens included among its paratypes (from E. merra in Australia), but different, are herein attributed to Pseudorhabdosynochus sp. 3. P. lantauensis (Beverley-Burton & Suriano, 1981) is redescribed from the paratype specimens from E. longispinis off Hong-Kong. A specimen found among the paratypes of P. cupatus belongs to a different species, herein designated as Pseudorhabdosynochus sp. 1. Specimens from E. longispinis off Hong-Kong, previously attributed to P. cupatus, are attributed to another species, Pseudorhabdosynochus sp. 2. The three species P. cupatus, Pseudorhabdosynochus sp. 1 and Pseudorhabdosynochus sp. 2 have in common a 'lamellosquamodisc' composed of central telescopic lamellae and peripheral rows of rodlets; they can be distinguished by the shape of the sclerotised vagina and measurements of the haptoral hard-parts. Specimens from E. longispinis off Hong-Kong, previously attributed to P. vagampullum, probably belong to a different species. Consequently, after these modified determinations, P. cupatus parasitises only E. fasciatus and E. merra, and P. melanesiensis and P. vagampullum parasitise only E. merra. With their wide geographical distribution and different species of Pseudorhabdosynochus in different localities, E. fasciatus and E. merra appear to represent excellent models for investigating monogenean biogeography in the Indo-Pacific Ocean.