Molecular genetic analysis of Wanggu remains, Inner Mongolia, China

The Wanggu tribe, which contributed significantly to the foundation of the Yuan Dynasty, was one of the groups living on the Mongolian steppes during the Jin-Yuan period (AD 1127-1368) of Chinese history. However, there has been both archaeological and historical dispute regarding the origin of the ancient tribe. Recently, we discovered human remains of the Wanggu tribe in the Chengbozi cemetery in the Siziwang Banner of Inner Mongolia, China. To investigate the genetic structure of the Wanggu tribe and to trace the origins of the tribe at a molecular level, we analyzed the control-region sequences and coding regions of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from the remains by direct sequencing and restriction-fragment length polymorphism analysis. In combination with mtDNA data of 15 extant Eurasian populations, we performed phylogenetic analysis and multidimensional scaling analysis. Our results show that the genetic structure of the Wanggu tribe in the Jin-Yuan period is a complex matriline, containing admixture from both Asian and European populations. In addition, we reveal that on the basis of mtDNA data, the ancient tribe may share a recent common ancestor with the Turkic-speaking Uzbeks and Uighurs.     

Ancient plant use at the site of Yuergou, Xinjiang, China: implications from desiccated and charred plant remains

Archaeobotanical studies were undertaken at the Yuergou site, which is located in the Turpan basin in Xinjiang, China, and which has been dated to around 2300–2400 years b.p. Altogether 21 taxa were identified. Four cereal remains were identified, Triticum aestivum, Hordeum vulgare var. coeleste, Panicum miliaceum and Setaria italica. The first three were probably cultivated while the last one may not have been grown deliberately, but probably grew together with plants of P. miliaceum. A fruit stone of Ziziphus jujuba (Chinese date) was discovered, which showed that this may have been cultivated around the site during that time. Charcoal of Picea sp. was found, from wood which must have been used as fuel by the indigenous people. Fifteen taxa of wild plants were also identified, most of which can be considered as weeds, and which grew near the site. Burs of Xanthium strumarium were discovered. As nearly all of them were broken, the seeds may have been used by the ancient inhabitants. Since most of the cereal remains consisted of chaff, they must represent by-products. Furthermore, grains of Echinochloa crus-galli may also have been exploited as complementary food resources. All the above indicate that both cultivated and wild plants were used for cereals, fuel, or other purposes, and plant resources played important roles in the daily life of the ancient inhabitants of the Yuergou site.     

Molecular genetic analysis of remains from Lamadong cemetery, Liaoning, China

The Xianbei existed as a remarkable nomadic tribe in northeastern China for three dynasties: the Han, Jin, and Northern-Southern dynasties (206 BC to 581 AD) in Chinese history. A very important subtribe of the Xianbei is the Murong Xianbei. To investigate the genetic structure of the Murong Xianbei population and to address its genetic relationships with other nomadic tribes at a molecular level, we analyzed the control region sequences and coding-region single nucleotide polymorphism markers of mtDNA from the remains of the Lamadong cemetery of the Three-Yan Culture of the Murong Xianbei population, which is dated to 1,600-1,700 years ago. By combining polymorphisms of the control region with those from the code region, we assigned 17 individuals to haplogroups B, C, D, F, G2a, Z, M, and J1b1. The frequencies of these haplogroups were compared with those of Asian populations and a multidimensional scaling graph was constructed to investigate relationships with other Asian populations. The results indicate that the genetic structure of the Lamadong population is very intricate; it has haplogroups prevalent in both the Eastern Asian and the Siberian populations, showing more affinity with the Eastern Asian populations. The present study also shows that the ancient nomadic tribes of Huns, Tuoba Xianbei, and Murong Xianbei have different maternal genetic structures and that there could have been some genetic exchange among them.     

Mitochondrial DNA analysis of human remains from the Yuansha site in Xinjiang,China

The Yuansha site is located in the center of the Taklimakan Desert of Xinjiang, in the southern Silk Road region. MtDNA was extracted from fifteen human remains excavated from the Yuansha site, dating back 2,000–2,500 years. Analysis of the phylogenetic tree and the multidimensional scaling (MDS) reveals that the Yuansha population has relatively close relationships with the modern populations of South Central Asia and Indus Valley, as well as with the ancient population of Chawuhu.     

Mitochondrial DNA analysis of human remains from the Yuansha site in Xinjiang, China

The Yuansha site is located in the center of the Taklimakan Desert of Xinjiang, in the southern Silk Road region. MtDNA was extracted from fifteen human remains excavated from the Yuansha site, dating back 2,000―2,500 years. Analysis of the phylogenetic tree and the multidimensional scaling (MDS) reveals that the Yuansha population has relatively close relationships with the modern populations of South Central Asia and Indus Valley, as well as with the ancient population of Chawuhu.     

Palaeoethnobotanical studies of the Neolithic settlement in Hidden Valley, Farafra Oasis, Egypt

The Neolithic site at Hidden Valley, Farafra Oasis, Egypt (6028±150 – 5163±374 cal B. C.) on the shores of a playa (dry lake basin in the desert), yielded a large quantity of carbonized plant remains from post-holes, hearths, querns and a corridor. The plant remains could have become carbonised during food preparation, or when fuel included seeds. Rich and diverse floras were retrieved from 40 soil samples, in all 534 seeds, grains, spikelets, culm fragments and leaflet fragments which were attributed to 30 taxa in the flora of Egypt. Wild grasses from almost all samples represent 83% of the plant remains. Quantitative correlation between plants remains and archaeological contexts is discussed. The highest density of plant remains was recorded from pot-holes (in which pots were stood), while sediments recovered near querns show the lowest. The economy of the site was apparently based mainly on herding associated with the gathering of grasses which suggests that the climate at Farafra during the middle Holocene (6077–4511 cal B. C.) was wetter than today's, with winter and summer rainfall. A reconstruction of the vegetation around the site comprises reed plant cover, aquatic and wetland plants and desert savanna. Received March 8, 2001 / Accepted June, 2001     

Sub-lethal plant defences: the paradox remains

Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) trees of two different seed origins, one a poor quality host (Alaskan lodgepole pine), the other a good quality host (south coastal lodgepole pine), were infested with known numbers of eggs of the pine beauty moth, Panolis flammea. Each tree had paired sleeves, one allowing access by invertebrate predators, the other denying this access. When the sleeves were removed, the numbers of larvae surviving, their weights and developmental stages were assessed. Larvae reared on south coastal lodgepole pine (SLP) in the absence of predators were significantly heavier and had significantly better survival rates than larvae reared in comparable conditions on Alaskan lodgepole pine (ALP). However, in the open sleeves, although the larvae reared on SLP were significantly heavier than those on ALP, survival was significantly greater on ALP. Thus predation was greater on the faster developing larvae on the better quality host. These results indicate that slow growth by a herbivore does not necessarily result in greater vulnerability to predators.     

Beta-rhizobia from Mimosa pigra, a newly discovered invasive plant in Taiwan

A total of 191 rhizobial isolates from the root nodules of three geographically separate populations of the invasive plant Mimosa pigra in Taiwan were examined using amplified rDNA restriction analysis, 16S rDNA sequences, protein profiles and ELISA. Of these, 96% were identified as Burkholderia and 4% as Cupriavidus taiwanensis. The symbiosis-essential genes nodA and nifH were present in two strains of Burkholderia (PAS44 and PTK47), and in one of C. taiwanensis (PAS15). All three could nodulate M. pigra. Light and electron microscopy studies with a green fluorescent protein transconjugant variant of strain PAS44 showed the presence of fluorescent bacteroids in M. pigra nodules. These bacteroids expressed the nifH protein, hence this is the first confirmation that Burkholderia is a genuine symbiont of legume nodules. The predominance of Burkholderia in Taiwanese M. pigra suggests that this species may have brought its symbionts from its native South America, rather than entering into association with the Taiwanese Mimosa symbiont C. taiwanensis which so successfully nodulates Mimosa pudica and Mimosa diplotricha.     

广西外来种子植物新记录

报道了广西外来种子植物新记录5种,即银花苋、圭亚那笔花豆、墨苜蓿、盖裂果和红毛草,其中笔花豆属、墨苜蓿属、盖裂果属和糖蜜草属为广西新记录属。这些新记录植物均采自广西北部湾沿海地区,为广西滨海植物多样性研究提供了新资料,而随着外来物种在滨海地区逐渐增多,外来物种对当地生物多样性的影响值得关注。     

Evidence of a high-Andean, mid-Holocene plant community: An ancient DNA analysis of glacially preserved remains

? Premise of the study: Around the world, tropical glaciers and ice caps are retreating at unprecedented rates because of climate change. In at least one location, along the margin of the Quelccaya Ice Cap in southeastern Peru, ancient plant remains have been continually uncovered since 2002. We used genetic analysis to identify plants that existed at these sites during the mid-Holocene. ? Methods: We examined remains between 4576 and 5222 yr old, using PCR amplification, cloning, and sequencing of a fragment of the chloroplast trnL intron. We then matched these sequences to sequences in GenBank. ? Key results: We found evidence of at least five taxa characteristic of wetlands, which occur primarily at lower elevations in the region today. ? Conclusions: A diverse community most likely existed at these locations the last time they were ice-free and thus has the potential to reestablish with time. This is the first genetic analysis of vegetation uncovered by receding glacial ice, and it may become one of many as ancient plant materials are newly uncovered in a changing climate.     

Missing plant macro remains as indicators of plant exploitation in Predynastic Egypt

Tubers, leaves and mericarps are underrepresented plant remains in most archaeological sites either due to their tissue softness or small size and fragility. The more resilient and hard cereal remains, drupes, seeds and grains are frequent at most archaeological sites. The remarkable preservation status of organic material retrieved from archaeological sites in arid regions across the world, such as Egypt, increases the possibility of observing such missing botanical material. The present study discusses results of analysing the contents of a basket recovered within an intact grave (Burial 333) of the Predynastic period (3600 B.C.) in cemetery HK 43 at Hierakonpolis in Upper Egypt. The basket was found beside the elbows of the flexed burial of a woman, 40–50 years of age. The cemetery at HK 43 served the non-elite segment of society, as indicated by the overall paucity of grave goods. Children and older women appear to have been most favoured with gifts and among these better endowed graves, Burial 333 stands out for the variety of materials, suggesting that she was a woman of some standing within her community. Botanical contents of the basket include remains of Cyperus (sedge tubers), Anethum graveoloens L. (dill mericarps) and drupes of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile (balanites) as well as narrow slivers of coniferous wood and other types of plant remains. In addition, objects found in and around the basket include a cosmetic palette, five awls of polished bone, an ivory comb, pendants and amulets, which may be part of a cosmetic kit. In terms of palaeoethnobotanical investigations, this basket is another source of plant macro remains to be added to previous sources recovered from the same cemetery, such as the contents of pottery vessels, matting and viscera contents. This evidence shows that the Predynastic inhabitants adopted a subsistence strategy based on the cultivation of cereals, emmer wheat as the likely staple, and the gathering of wild fruits and tubers as well as herding of livestock. The botanical assemblage identified from the basket suggests the exploitation of wet swamp habitats to collect wild tubers of Cyperus esculentus L., C. rotundus/laevigatus and culms of Juncus sp. On the other hand, the nearby desert habitat was a source of edible fruits like Balanites aegyptiaca, Cordia sinensis Lam. and Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf. The outcome of this study is evidence for the existence of a mixed strategy of subsistence involving herding, gathering and farming in Predynastic Egypt. This revised version was published online February 2005 with corrections to the author’s name which was incorrect in the original version.     

The plant remains from Gouda-Oostpolder, a twelfth century farm in the peatlands of Holland

An excavation in the near surroundings of the town of Gouda revealed the remains of a wooden farmhouse. Radiocarbon dates and pottery indicate that the farm was built around A.D. 1120–1135. It belongs to the initial phase of land reclamation in the wetlands of the part of the Netherlands called Holland. Pollen and wood analysis show that the original vegetation consisted of ash and alder woodland on a subsoil of eutrophic peat. People used local wood very economically for the construction of the house. A triangular figure of splitPinus sp. andAbies alba branches near the entrance provides an exotic and probably ritual element. The farmers practised mixed farming based on the raising of cattle, pigs and crops comprisingTriticum dicoccum (emmer wheat),Hordeum sp. (barley).Avena sativa (oats),Linum usitatissimum (flax) andCannabis sativa (hemp). Conspicuously absent isSecale cereale (rye). There are no indications of an orchard.     

The Epidemiology of Tinea Manuum in Nanchang Area, South China

Tinea manuum is a common superficial fungal infection which is usually coexistent with tinea pedis; there are few studies available on the epidemiology of tinea manuum at present. This study aims to investigate the epidemiology of tinea manuum and its correlation with tinea pedis in south China. A total of 280 patients with tinea manuum were recruited. The epidemiological and clinical data were analyzed, and causative agents were isolated and identified mycologically. Totally, 84.3 % patients with tinea manuum had co-occurrence of tinea pedis, among which 88.4 % patients had experience of scratching their feet. There was a significant relationship between the touch habits and the hand infection (χ² = 65.451, P = 0.000). More than 90 % patients had quite the same species of isolates from multiple infected sites in one patient. Therefore, it seems that transmission of dermatophytes from the feet to hand by scratching might be a most common way. As for tinea manuum, whether “unilateral” or “bilateral” is just the result that pathogens spread from feet to hand(s), which is only a special clinical presentation of tinea.     

从文坎沟东地点的植物遗存分析南阳盆地先秦时期的农业活动

南阳盆地,作为地理过渡地带和文化交汇区,其考古学文化面貌呈现出南北交融的典型特征。文坎沟东地点是南阳盆地淅川县龙山时代晚期和西周时期的重要遗存,本文综合运用大植物和植硅体分析的方法,结合已有的植物考古证据和最新的测年结果,全面探讨了文坎先民先秦时期的种植模式和特点。研究结果显示,龙山时代晚期,文坎先民是以粟、黍为主的旱作农业为生,兼种少量水稻和小麦,小麦和水稻在先民生活中的作用比较微弱;西周时期,延续了旱作农业为主的生产模式,种植规模略有扩大,未见炭化水稻的踪迹,但植硅体分析显示仍有水稻种植的现象;受中原宗周势力的影响和版图扩张的需求,小麦逐渐开始在先民生活中占据一席之地。文坎沟东地点植物遗存的发现与研究,为揭示豫西南先秦时期的文化面貌和与中原地区的文化交流提供了新的材料。     

安徽繁昌晚新生代裂隙堆积中的松鼠类化石（英文）

描述了安徽繁昌癞痢山塘口晚新生代裂隙堆积物中发现的松鼠类材料。化石代表松鼠亚科的4个族,共有5属6种,其中包括一个新属和两个新种,即树松鼠族的Sciurus sp.,花鼠族的Tamias sp.和Plesiosciurus zhengi sp.nov.,旱獭族的Sciurotamias wangi Qiu,2002和S.teilhardi Zheng,1993,以及巨松鼠族的Pseudoratufa wanensis gen.et sp.nov.。所研究的材料系混合地采自同一裂隙堆积的4个不同层位,化石的组分可能代表从早中新世至更新世的不同时段。繁昌的这一松鼠组合具有中国中南部晚新生代松鼠动物群的特色,并含有稀奇的Pseudoratufa属。该新属的牙齿形态显示了其树栖松鼠的特征,而且可以归入甚为稀有的巨松鼠族。其遗骸具有与该地点发现的古猿、硅藻鼠和河狸类化石相似的石化和堆积过程,似乎表明这些动物属于时代相同或较接近的群体,它们的共存也说明了繁昌地区在中新世时有过相对湿润的森林生境。