Diversity and conservation status of Peruvian palms

Indigenous palm species of Peru are listed with data on their distribution patterns, ecology, frequency, density in the ecosystems, and conservation status. Peruvian palm flora includes 140 native species in 34 genera with the following distribution patterns: strictly Andean (17), Andean and Subandean (3), strictly Subandean (19), Subandean and Amazonian (20), strictly Amazonian (78), Amazonian and South peripheral (2), South peripheral (1). About 43% of the species occur at very low or low frequency in the country and about 9% are insufficiently known in situ for their conservation status to be defined. There are no Extinct species. Sixteen of the 17 strictly Andean palms are threatened species; 3 of them are Endangered, while only 5 strictly Subandean, 3 Subandean-Amazonian, and 4 strictly Amazonian palms are in these categories.     

Threatened native freshwater fishes in Australia–some case histories

Case histories of some of Australia's most threatened native freshwater fishes are presented. These include: six endangered species, Galaxias fontanus, G. johnsroni, G. pedderensis (Galaxiidae), Melanataenia euchamensis (Melanotaeniidae), Maccullochella sp. nov. and M. macquariensis (Percichthyidae): one vulnerable species, Galaxias tanycephalus: two potentially threatened species. Galaxias parvus and Prototroctes maraena (Prototroctidae); one indeterminate species. Maccllochella sp.; one restricted species, Macquaria australasica (Percichthyidae). Aspects of their taxonomy, distribution and reasons for their decline are discussed. Conservation management strategies that have been or are being applied to most of these species include protection of the fish and their habitats, establishment of refuge populations, and artificial propagation and re-establishment programmes.     

Amphibian biology and husbandry

Extant amphibians comprise three lineages-- salamanders (Urodela or Caudata), frogs and toads (Anura), and caecilians (Gymnophiona, Apoda, or Caecilia)--which contain more than 6,000 species. Fewer than a dozen species of amphibians are commonly maintained in laboratory colonies, and the husbandry requirements for the vast majority of amphibians are poorly known. For these species, a review of basic characteristics of amphibian biology supplemented by inferences drawn from the morphological and physiological characteristics of the species in question provides a basis for decisions about housing and feeding. Amphibians are ectotherms, and their skin is permeable to water, ions, and respiratory gases. Most species are secretive and, in many cases, nocturnal. The essential characteristics of their environment include appropriate levels of humidity, temperature, and lighting as well as retreat sites. Terrestrial and arboreal species require moist substrates, water dishes, and high relative humidity. Because temperature requirements for most species are poorly known, it is advisable to use a temperature mosaic that will allow an animal to find an appropriate temperature within its cage. Photoperiod may affect physiology and behavior (especially reproduction and hibernation), and although the importance of ultraviolet light for calcium metabolism by amphibians is not yet known, ecological observations suggest that it might be important for some species of frogs. Some amphibians are territorial, and some use olfactory cues to mark their territory and to recognize other individuals of their species. All amphibians are carnivorous as adults, and the feeding response of many species is elicited by the movement of prey. Diets should include a mixture of prey species, and it may be advisable to load prey with vitamins and minerals.     

黄土高原石松类和蕨类植物的多样性与地理分布

物种编目是了解生物多样性的基础。本文收集已出版的专著和文献, 查阅标本馆的馆藏标本信息, 在此基础上, 对黄土高原的石松类和蕨类植物的多样性和地理分布数据进行统计和分析。科属排列采用Flora of China的分类系统, 科属界定依据分子系统学的最新研究成果。结果表明, 黄土高原共有石松类和蕨类植物18科42属165种2亚种5变种, 其中中国特有种35种, 占总种数的20.35%。种类数量最多的5个科依次为凤尾蕨科(29种, 含种下单位, 下同)、鳞毛蕨科(28种)、水龙骨科(19种)、蹄盖蕨科(16种)和铁角蕨科(16种); 种类数量最多的6个属依次为铁角蕨属(Asplenium, 16种)、鳞毛蕨属(Dryopteris, 15种)、耳蕨属(Polystichum, 12种)、岩蕨属(Woodsia, 11种)、卷柏属(Selaginella, 10种)和瓦韦属(Lepisorus, 10种)。黄土高原的石松类和蕨类植物中, 无珍稀濒危保护植物, 无中国特有属。依据生态类型可划分为4类, 即土生植物(112种)、石生植物(75种)、附生植物(18种)、水生植物(3种), 该区域石松类和蕨类植物土生或石生的种类占总种数的89.53%。在地理分布上, 黄土高原石松类和蕨类处于我国现生类群分布的边缘区域, 这与我国的石松类和蕨类分布规律基本一致。     

Systematics of Crumomyia Macquart and Alloborborus Duda (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae)

ABSTRACT. The phylogenetic relationships of two sphaerocerid genera, Alloborborus Duda (1923) and Crumomyia Macquart (1835), are analysed, and their taxonomic status within the tribe Copromyzini (= Copromyza Fallén s.lat.) is clarified. Accepted here are a monotypic Alloborborus , which includes A.pallifrons (FalléAn) from northern and central Europe, and twenty-six species of the Holarctic Crumomyia. Within Crumomyia , five species-groups are recognized: pedestris group: pedestris (Meigen); annulus group: immensa (Spuler), maculipennis (Spuler), annulus (Walker), nipponica (Richards), pruinosa (Richards); notabilis group: glabifrons (Meigen), glacialis (Meigen), absoloni (Bezzi), notabilis (Collin), rohaceki sp.n., zuskai (Roháček); nitida group: nitida (Meigen); setitibialis group: setitibialis (Spuler), pilosa sp.n., nigra (Meigen), parentela (Séguy), deemingi (Hackman), pollinodorsata (Papp), subaptera (Malloch), gelida (Hackman), fimetaria (Meigen), roserii (Rondani); unplaced species: hentscheli (Duda), hungarica (Duda), promethei (Nartshuk). Apterina Macquart, Fungobia Lioy and Speomyia Bezzi are synonymized with Crumomyia , and the following nominal species are synonymized: tuxeni Collin with nigra, freyi Hackman with setitibialis , and annulipes Duda with annulus. C. pruinosa is considered distinct from annulus, and Copromyza subaptera is placed in Crumomyia. The identity of C.glacialis , the type species of Crumomyia , is clarified, and lectotypes are designated for five nominal species: rufoannulata Duda, annulipes, annulus, flavipennis Haliday and pallifrons. The cladistic relationships of the species of Crumomyia and Alloborborus are established and their phylogeny and biogeography are discussed. Keys to the species of Crumomyia and to the Holarctic genera of the Copromyzinae are provided.     

厦门沿海的砂壳纤毛虫(原生动物, 纤毛门, 砂壳目)

对厦门沿海6个代表性站位砂壳纤毛虫进行了为期1年的采集, 共分离鉴定了27种砂壳纤毛虫, 其中拟铃虫属Tintinnopsis 20种, 薄铃虫属Leprotintinnus 3种, 类铃虫属Codonellopsis 2种, 领细壳虫属Stenosemella 1种以及网纹虫属Favella 1种。对该5属27种砂壳纤毛虫进行形态学描述, 并提供了显微照片, 其中侧胀拟铃虫Tintinnopsis ventricosoides Meunier, 1910为中国新记录种。     

A review of bopyrid isopods infesting crabs from China

Isopod parasites of the subfamilies Ioninae and Pseudioninae infest the branchial chambers of brachyuran crabs. In total, 19 species of parasitic isopods infest crabs from China; they belong to 6 genera from the Ioninae and 1 genus from the Pseudioninae. Specifically, the following genera are represented: Allokepon Markham, 1982 (three species), Apocepon Nierstrasz and Brender à Brandis, 1930 (three species), Cancricepon Giard and Bonnier, 1887 (one species), Dactylokepon Stebbing, 1910 (four species), Gigantione Kossmann, 1881 (four species), Onkokepon, An et al. 2006 (two species) and Tylokepon Stebbing, 1906 (two species). The new species Tylokepon biturus from Menaethius monoceros (Latreille) collected in China is distinguished from other members of the genus by the striking shape of the head, two mid-dorsal projections on Pereomere 6, and entire pleopods and uropods without any tubercules on their surface. A list of all bopyrid species (19 species in seven families) along with their hosts and localities, is presented.     

A taxonomic revision of the New World genus Oropodes Casey (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae)

The genus Oropodes is characterized and revised with 18 species being treated. Members of this genus are found in temperate forests to desert brush lands from Oregon to Baja California, but are associated primarily with dry forests and shrub lands of California. Keys to males and females, where known, are provided. Seven species are redescribed: Oropodes arcaps (California), Oropodes dybasi (Oregon), Oropodes ishii (California), Oropodes nuclere (California), Oropodes orbiceps (California), Oropodes rumseyensis (California), Oropodes yollabolly (California). The name Oropodes raffrayi (California) is raised from synonymy and the species is redescribed, NEW STATUS. Ten new species are described: Oropodes aalbui (California), Oropodes bellorum (California), Oropodes casson (California), Oropodes chumash (California), Oropodes esselen (California), Oropodes hardyi (California), Oropodes serrano (California), Oropodes tataviam (California), Oropodes tongva (California), and Oropodes tipai (Baja California, Mexico), NEW SPECIES. These species are placed into three species groups: the arcaps-group, the orbiceps-group, and the raffrayi-group. Data for a new record of Euplecterga fideli are given, and a list of the unassociated Oropodes females with distinctive genitalia is included with their label data.     

Phylogenetic Analysis of Leymus (Poaceae: Triticeae) Inferred from Nuclear rDNA ITS Sequences

To investigate the phylogenetic relationships of polyploid Leymus (Poaceae: Triticeae), sequences of the nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) were analyzed for 34 Leymus accessions representing 25 species, together with three Psathyrostachys species (Ns genome), two Pseudoroegneria (St genome) species, Lophopyrum elongatum (E(e) genome), and Thinopyrum bessarabicum (E(b) genome). The phylogenetic analyses (maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference) supported two major clades, one including 21 Leymus species and three Psathyrostachys species, the other with nine Leymus species and four diploid species. The ITS RNA secondary structure of the Leymus species was compared with that of their putative diploid donor. It is suggested that (1) the species from the same areas or neighboring geographic regions are closely related to each other; (2) L. coreanus, L. duthiei, L. duthiei var. longearistatus, and L. komarovii are closely related to other Leymus species, and it is reasonable to transfer these species from the genus Hystrix to Leymus; (3) the ITS sequences of Leymus are evolutionarily distinct; (4) the different Leymus species and different distribution of a species derived their Ns genome from different Psathyrostachys species; and (5) there is a close relationship among Leymus, Pseudoroegneria, Lophopyrum, and Thinopyrum, but it is difficult to presume that the St, E(e), and E(b) genome may be the Xm genome donor of the Leymus species.     

福州市公园外来入侵植物初步调查与分析

[目的] 了解福州市公园的外来入侵植物种类组成,分析其原产地及入侵等级等情况,能够为福州外来入侵植物的扩散、防控以及生物多样性保护提供参考依据。[方法] 对福州市4个区49个公园的外来入侵植物种类、原产地、生活型、入侵频度、危害程度（入侵等级）等进行调查和分析。[结果] 在调查的福州市所有公园内均有入侵植物分布,目前有入侵植物66种,隶属25科,其中菊科、豆科、苋科3个科为优势科,共计33种（占50.00%）;从来源上看,大多数原产于美洲,其次是非洲、欧洲、亚洲;以草本植物为主,共有55种（占83.30%）;从入侵频度看,入侵频度超过50%的入侵植物有7种,其中小蓬草的频度最高,为87.76%;从入侵等级来看,其中恶性（1级）入侵植物16种,严重（2级）入侵植物14种,局部（3级）入侵植物12种,一般（4级）入侵植物11种,有待观察类（5级）13种。[结论] 当前福州市公园内的外来植物入侵现象比较严重,应当加强该区域的入侵植物监测与预警,防止入侵植物扩散从而造成重大生态危害。     

A synopsis of the genus Cypholoba Chaudoir (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Anthiini) known to occur in the Republic of South Africa

Nearly one third of the described species of Cypholoba Chaudoir (Coleoptera: Carabidae) are known to inhabit the Republic of South Africa. A key and diagnostic notes are provided for their identification, as well as notes about way of life for some of the species based on observations in the Kruger National Park. Fifteen species and subspecies of the genus are recorded from the Republic of South Africa; adult specimens of each species and subspecies are illustrated and information about the distribution of each species in the Republic of South Africa is summarized and mapped: Cypholoba alstoni (Péringuey), Cypholoba alveolata (Brême), Cypholoba amatonga Péringuey, Cypholoba fritschi (Chaudoir), Cypholoba gracilis gracilis (Dejean), Cypholoba gracilis scrobiculata (Bertoloni), Cypholoba gracilis zuluana Basilewsky, Cypholoba graphipteroides graphipteroides (Guérin-Méneville), Cypholoba leucospilota semilaevis (Chaudoir), Cypholoba macilenta (Olivier), Cypholoba notata (Perroud), Cypholoba oberthueri seruana Strohmeyer, Cypholoba opulenta (Boheman), Cypholoba rutata (Péringuey), and Cypholoba tenuicollis aenigma (Dohrn).     

中国帕米尔高原种子植物组成及其资源分析

经调查中国帕米尔高原共有种子植物530种,隶属于43科201属。由于地处高寒大陆性环境,帕米尔高原种子植物已集中于有限的少数科。科与属的种类组成均反映出该地区植物区系的过渡性,多数属、种已位于其分布区的边缘。该地区野生植物资源较为丰富,有可食用植物22种,饲用植物66种,观赏植物52种,药用植物约有13种。这些极端环境条件下的植物资源具有重要的经济意义和科研价值。     

乐山地区外来入侵植物风险评估

[目的]全面了解乐山地区的外来入侵植物现状,为乐山地区外来入侵植物的防控提供可行性建议对策,并为防控进展研究和预警机制的建立提供参考。[方法]通过实地调查、查阅文献和标本数据库分析乐山地区外来入侵植物情况,利用层次分析法建立乐山地区外来入侵植物的评估体系,评估所有外来入侵植物的风险值,并根据等级划分标准和风险值将外来入侵植物划分为5个风险等级(I~V级)。[结果]乐山地区入侵植物种类共109种,隶属38科86属。其中菊科17属20种,为最大优势科,豆科、苋科、茄科、禾本科次之,且草本植物占优。I级风险(恶性入侵)植物有10种,II级风险(严重入侵)的有11种,III级风险(局部入侵)的有13种,IV级风险(一般入侵)的有27种,其他48种(有待观察)为V级风险。中高危害风险的外来入侵植物共34种,隶属18科32属。[结论]乐山地区外来入侵植物种类繁多且危害风险高,基于上述入侵现状和风险等级提出了防控外来植物入侵的对策。     

Resistance to desiccation and distribution patterns in bush-dwelling land snails

Bush-dwelling land snails are exposed to desiccating conditions that are more severe than those of snails that seek the shelter of rock crevices, litter or the upper layers of the soil. We studied the resistance to desiccation in four bush-dwelling species of Israeli snails to evaluate a possible relation between their water economy and their distribution pattern. The resistance to desiccation decreased in the following order: Xeropicta vestalis (a widely distributed Mediterranean species), Trochoidea simulata (a desert species), Theba pisana (a Mediterranean species from the sand dunes of the coastal plain), and Monacha haifaensis (a Mediterranean species). Xeropicta vestalis also had the quickest response to the desiccating conditions. It is probably prevented from establishing itself in the desert, in spite of its superior water economy, because it is an annual, semelparous species, and the desert is a highly unpredictable environment. An immediate response to desiccating conditions may be a key factor in the success of desert-inhabiting land snails. Snails from more humid regions take several days to recruit their water preserving mechanisms, a delay which may be crucial to their water balance. The conchiometrics of X. vestalis and T. simulata suggest that the main water preserving mechanisms of these species are located in the mantle, rather than in the shell and epiphragm.     

Diversity,distribution and conservation status assessment of Paraguayan palms (Arecaceae)

Indigenous palm species of Paraguay are presented with data on their diversity, distribution, threats and conservation status. The Paraguayan palm flora consists of 23 native species in 11 genera, representing two of the five subfamilies recognized in the group. The palm distribution in the country is strongly related to the different ecoregions present in Paraguay, with number of species by ecoregion being as follow: Cerrado (18), Upper Parana Atlantic forest (6), Wet Chaco (4), Pantanal (2), and Dry Chaco (1). Half of the species display an acaulescent habit reflecting an interesting ecological adaptation to natural fires in the Cerrado. The alarming rate of habitat modification that the country is undergoing since 1940s has put palms under a high risk of extinction in the wild. A GIS model was used to calculate the extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy of the species in order to assess their conservation status applying the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. This analysis shows that about 30% of the species are threatened; one species is Critically Endangered, three of them are Endangered, and three are Vulnerable. One species (Acrocomia hassleri) is considered Near Threatened, 13 are Least Concern whereas two species are insufficiently known and therefore unable to be assessed. Important areas for palm conservation in Paraguay were identified, revealing the importance of the Amambay department. Conservation measures for the threatened species identified are proposed.     

New Species of Meconopsis(Papaveraceae) from Laojun Shan and Yao Shan,Northern Yunnan,China

Two new species,Meconopsis muscicola and M.yaoshanensis(Papaveraceae),are described and characterized.Differences separating them from similar species are discussed and photos showing their diagnostic features are provided.     

Are all species of Pseudorhabdosynochus strictly host specific? — A molecular study

Species of the diplectanid monogenean genus Pseudorhabdosynochus are strictly host-specific (specialist), with the exception of P. cyanopodus, which was reported in New Caledonia, South Pacific, from two host species, Epinephelus cyanopodus and E. chlorostigma. We sequenced the COI gene of both host fish species and of their monogeneans. Morphological identification and pairwise distances showed that the two fish species were distinct (difference 6.1-6.6%), but that their monogeneans were not (difference 0-1.5%). A morphological study of sclerotised parts showed that specimens of P. cyanopodus are similar in both fish. Most species of groupers and their associated Pseudorhabdosynochus species are from warm surface waters, but the two groupers E. cyanopodus and E. chlorostigma are usually caught in deep-sea on the outer slope of the coral reef. This suggests that acquisition of a less strict host specificity is an adaptation of P. cyanopodus to deep-sea hosts.     

安徽清凉峰自然保护区大型真菌的生态分布

清凉峰北坡的大型真菌十分丰富,经初步调查,发现清凉峰北坡共有大型真菌2纲10目38科72属160种,它们广泛分布于常绿阔叶林、马尾松林、常绿-落叶混交林、落叶阔叶林和黄山松林等林带中。按经济价值分有食用菌72种,药用菌55种,毒菌19种;依生态习性分有木生菌68种,土生菌84种,菌根真菌21种。本文论述了该地区大型真菌自然发生的常见种类和分布,并对该区大型真菌资源进行了评价,大型真菌在各林带下的分布有一定规律性,种群的组成和分布与植被类型、林中小生境、土壤类型、海拔高度等相关。该区有多种具有经济价值的大型真菌,是主要的自然资源之一,它们在食用、药用、营林等方面有着较大的利用潜力。     

Ethnomedicines used in Trinidad and Tobago for urinary problems and diabetes mellitus

This paper examines the traditional use of medicinal plants in Loja province, Southern Ecuador. Two hundred fifteen plant species were collected, identified and their vernacular names and traditional uses recorded. This number of species indicates that the healers, market vendors and members of the public interviewed still have a very high knowledge of plants in their surroundings, which can be seen as a reflection of the knowledge of the population in general. However, the area represents only an outlier of the larger Northern Peruvian cultural area, where more than 500 species of plants are used medicinally, indicating that in Ecuador much of the original plant knowledge has already been lost. Most plant species registered are only used medicinally, and only a few species have any other use (construction, fodder, food). The highest number of species is used for the treatment of "magical" (psychosomatic) ailments (39 species), followed by respiratory disorders (34), problems of the urinary tract (28), Fever/Malaria (25), Rheumatism (23) and nervous system problems (20).