Macrozoobenthos of the Small Aral Sea

Benthic assemblages of the Small Aral Sea were studied in 1999. The species composition, density, and biomass of benthic invertebrates were determined. The vertical distribution pattern and its dynamics in the course of desiccation of the sea were analyzed. It is shown that the vertical distribution of the benthos has changed substantially over the last 30 years. The biomass of the benthos in the inshore zone increased, while in the central part of the sea, benthic invertebrate populations declined and gradually disappeared. These changes are likely to be due to the accumulation of organic matter in the bottom sediments and the weakening of hydrodynamic processes, which could lead to oxygen depletion in deep water. In the 1990s, the benthic assemblages of the Small Aral Sea were relatively stable and highly productive. It is concluded that the Aral Sea is a promising area for fishery restoration.     

Osteology and phylogenetic interrelationships of sturgeons (Acipenseridae)

Sturgeons (Acipenseridae) are an ancient and unique assemblage of fishes historically important to discussions of actinopterygian evolution. Despite their basal position within Actinopterygii, rigorous comparative morphological studies of acipenserids have never been made, and most ideas about acipenserid evolution hinge on an untested impression that shovelnose sturgeons (Scaphirhynchini) are phylogenetically primitive. This impression promoted ideas that: (1) the earliest acipenserids were highly benthic and evolved secondarily into pelagic predators, and (2) paedomorphosis has dominated mechanisms affecting their morphological change. Using cladistic methods, this study examines generic level interrelationships within Acipenseridae. Representatives of the four acipenserid genera Huso, Acipenser, Pseudoscaphirhynchus, and Scaphirhynchus, as well as their acipenseriform outgroups Polyodontidae, Peipiaosteidae, and Chondrosteidae, were surveyed for skeletal characters. Sixty-nine characters are identified and described to support the first generic level cladogram of Acipenseridae. Huso is phylogenetically primitive within Acipenseridae and the sister group to a redefined subfamily Acipenserinae. Acipenser is not supported by any characters identified in this study, but the tribe Scaphirhynchini comprising Scaphirhynchus and Pseudoscaphirhynchus is found to be monophyletic. The cladogram contradicts historical ideas about acipenserid evolution because Huso defines an outgroup morphology and life history founded on pelagic habitats and piscivory. In contrast, acipenserines, and more markedly scaphirhynchines, are benthic predators possessing character complexes for benthic feeding, respiration, locomotion, and protection. Also, the pattern of character acquisition within Acipenseridae suggests that peramorphosis played a central role in acipenserid evolution. Peramorphic addition and enlargement of the skeleton and scalation defines most characters at all nodes within Acipenseridae, and repudiates paedomorphosis as a major trend in evolution within the family Acipenseridae.     

Complete mitochondrial genome sequence and phylogenetic position of the Amu Darya sturgeon,Pseudoscaphirhynchus kaufmanni (Acipenseriformes: Acipenseridae)

In this study, we successfully assembled the complete mitochondrial genome of the Amu Darya sturgeon Pseudoscaphirhynchus kaufmanni. Based on this mitochondrial genome and previously published mitochondrial genomes of members of the Acipenseridae family, we assessed the phylogenetic position of P. kaufmanni using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference for phylogeny reconstruction. The resultant phylogenetic trees were well-resolved, with congruence between different phylogenetic methods. This robust phylogenetic analysis elucidated the relationship among the four acipenserid genera and strongly supported the division of the family into three main clades. Evaluation of molecular phylogeny using maximum likelihood and Bayesian analysis led to the following conclusions: (a) the most basal position within the Acipenseridae remains in the clade containing Acipenser oxyrinchus and Acipenser sturio; (b) the genus Scaphirhynchus belongs to the Atlantic clade and is a sister group of the remaining species of the clade; and (c) the close relationship between P. kaufmanni and Acipenser stellatus is well supported.     

Aral Sea Ostracoda as environmental indicators

Fluctuations in the level and chemistry during its history have played a major part in shaping the floral and faunal communities of the Aral Sea. Of the eleven species of Ostracoda (Crustacea) known to have been living in the Aral Sea in 1960, only one survives today due to the anthropogenically induced salinity increase of the past three decades. The origins of a mixed fresh- and brackish-water ostracod fauna are discussed, and it is concluded that some of the major faunal elements must have reached the Aral Sea Basin during a past high water level phase when connection existed with the Caspian Sea. The taxonomic position of key taxa is clarified, and the major elements of the pre-1960 Aral Sea ostracod fauna are illustrated from Holocene sequences. Aral Sea, Ostracoda, Holocene, palaeolimnology.     

Salinity tolerance and morphology of the osmoregulation organs in Cladocera with special reference to Cladocera from the Aral sea

The hyperosmotic regulation of adult Cladocera is determined mainly by the amount of salts consumed with the food and by reabsorption of salts in cells of the nuchal (neck) organ. The hypoosmotic regulation both in adults and embryos is determined mainly by excretion of salts in special epipodite cells or in cells of the nuchal (neck) organ. The salinity of the Aral sea for the last 30 years increased from 8–10 to 26–28, which led to changes in the Cladocera fauna. At present only 4 species of Cladocera inhabit the Aral sea instead of 14 species that were previously found. These changes are in agreement with osmoregulation capacities of Cladocera. Note added in proof. Since this paper was accepted for publication, all Cladocera have disappeared from the Aral Sea. This happened when salinity reached 30–32. This disappearance was predicted by and agrees with earlier laboratory experiments with Aral Sea Cladocera (Aladin, 1982b).     

The first isolation of ustilaginomycetous anamorphic yeasts,Pseudozyma species,from patients' blood and a description of two new species: P. parantarctica and P. thailandica

The genus Pseudozyma is ustilaginomycetous anamorphic yeasts, and are mainly isolated from plants. We isolated three Pseudozyma strains from the blood of patients in Thailand. While one isolate was identified as P. antarctica by rDNA sequence analysis, the other two were considered to be new species and were named P. parantarctica and P. thailandica. The three isolates proved to be resistant to 5-flucytosine, and P. thailandica was also resistant to fluconazole and itraconazole. As far as we know, this is the first isolation of Pseudozyma strains from humans. The two new species are described.     

Changes in the Aral Sea ecosystems during the period 1960–1990

Salt and water balance in the Aral Sea are described together with the endemic fauna and flora which were mainly of freshwater origin. During the last thirty years the fauna and flora have undergone dramatic changes due partly to a great increase in salinity as the result of water abstraction from the inflowing rivers and partly as the result of the deliberate and accidental introduction of a wide variety of marine invertebrates and fishes. The increased salinity has eliminated most the species of freshwater origin while many of endemic saline species have been lost as the result of competition with the marine ones. Changes in productivity are described and future prospects for the sea are discussed.     

中国假尾孢属的研究II．

本文报道中国假尾孢属的24个种,其中有2个新种:杨桐假尾孢(Pseudocercospora adinandrae Guo&Liu),钟萼假尾孢(Pseudocercospora bretschneiderae Liu&Guo),10个新组合,1个新名称:木豆假尾孢(Pseudoeercospora cajani-flavi Guo&Liu)和11个中国新记录。文中对2个新种提供了拉丁文简介、描述及图。所研究的标本全部保存在中国科学院微生物研究所真菌标本室(HMAS)。     

Endangered migratory sturgeons of the lower Danube River and its delta

Historically, five acipenserid species migrated from the Black Sea into the Danube River: beluga Huso huso, Russian sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, stellate sturgeon A. stellatus, ship sturgeon A. nudiventris, and perhaps European Atlantic sturgeon A. sturio. The freshwater sterlet A. ruthenus thrived in the Danube and its tributaries. Presently, only three anadromous species occur in the Romanian part of the Danube, Huso huso, A. gueldenstaedtii, and A. stellatus, while A. ruthenus lives in the Danube and its tributaries. Extreme depletion in the number of sturgeons was caused by many, primarily anthropogenic, factors which affected the Danube and the Black Sea shelf during recent last decades. Measures necessary for saving anadromous sturgeon species in the lower Danube are recommended.     

吉林省针层孔属的初步研究

本文报道了吉林省针层孔属(Phellinus)的21种,其中新种2个:丁香针层孔(P.syringeus Zeng sp.nov.);硬盖针层孔(P.scleropilcatus Zeng sp.nov.);国内新纪录种3个(并一种为新组合):黄肉针层孔[P.rhabarbarinus(Berk.)Cunningh.];厚黑针层孔[P.euerhartii(Ell.&Gall)Ames];粗糙针层孔[P.rudis(Berk.)Zeng comb.nov.]。     

中国东部暖温带地区土壤中的皮司霉属(丝孢纲)真菌

报道从中国东部暖温带地区诸省(市)土壤中分离到的皮司霉属Pithomyces真菌的两个新种:长棒孢皮司霉Pithomyces longiclavisporus和淡色皮司霉Pithomyces pallidus,及两个中国新记录种:卡罗皮司霉Pithomyces karoo和帕夫皮司霉Pithomyces pavgii;对另外三个已知种亦作了分离地点和生境的引证。研究过的标本(干制培养物)与活菌种保存在山东农业大学植物病理学标本室(HSAUP)。     

中国绒泡菌属的分类学研究 Ⅲ.散见于中国几个省的特殊种

在前两篇关于中国绒泡粘菌属分类的研究论文中,已经报道了见于东北和新疆的新种和新记录种,本文报告的是散见于河南、山东、福建、陕西、广西和四川六个省区的六个种,金色绒泡菌和紫绒泡菌是中国新记录种,另外四种为新种。膜壁绒泡菌Physarumbadhamioides以囊被上石灰质稀散及孢丝宽扁、少石灰质而有别与其它绒泡菌;迷乱绒泡菌P．confusum则因易与绿绒泡菌P.viride和垂头绒泡菌P.nutans混淆而得名,但以散生的孢囊具短柄、石灰结与囊被同为灰绿色等特征显著不同于后者;畸形绒泡菌P．deformans具有显然不规则的孢囊、炳和孢子,易与其它绒泡菌相区分;草生绒泡菌P.herbaticum发生于活草叶上,淡绿色的联囊体发达,石灰结之间的连线细长而明确,使其与相近的绒泡菌明显可分。所有研究标本都保存在中国科学院微生物研究所菌物标本馆（HMAS）。     

The conservation ecology of the Podonidae from the Caspian and Aral seas

Results of five expeditions to the Caspian Sea and 17 expeditions to the Aral Sea from 1976–1993 are presented. In these two large salt lakes, nine species of Podonidae were found, all of which were fairly euryhaline, except Caspievadne maximowitschi. Further, all of them were thermophilic, except Cornigerius bicornis, Caspievadne maximowitschi, and Pleopis polyphemoides. Sexual reproduction of the Podonidae in these two salt lakes appears to be insignificant. The possibility exists that parthenogenetic females of some species can live and reproduce even during the winter in the southern parts of the lakes. The complete disappearance of the Podonidae from the Aral Sea in 1989–1990 and the later reappearance of Podonevadne camptonyx in the north Aral in 1991, demonstrates that today it is possible to rehabilitate and conserve a small part of this lake.This paper is dedicated to the memory of David Frey, who gave the author the idea for this study, and discussed its main conclusions     

伊犁鲈微卫星位点的筛选及近缘物种通用性

为开发伊犁鲈(Perca schrenkii)分子标记用于鲈属鱼类种质资源保护,以伊犁鲈为材料,应用磁珠富集法进行了微卫星标记的筛选.从伊犁鲈尾鳍提取总DNA,进行酶切、接头连接、PCR扩增,再采用生物素标记(CA)15探针及生物素标记(TG)15探针对扩增产物进行杂交富集,经再次PCR扩增及T-A克隆,成功构建了伊犁鲈基因组微卫星富集文库.采用重复序列引物筛选获得阳性克隆,随机选取48个阳性克隆进行测序,测得序列46个,其中38个克隆含有微卫星序列,41个位点的微卫星重复数在8次以上.根据测得序列设计17对微卫星引物,均能在伊犁鲈群体中扩增获得目的条带.采用该17对引物对河鲈(P.fluviatilis)及黄金鲈(P.flavescens)群体样本进行扩增,10对引物具有通用性,其中6对在河鲈中具有高度多态性(PIC>0.5),5对在黄金鲈中具有高度多态性.     

Notes on the Genus Prismatomeris Thw. (Rubiaceae) of China

In the classification of J. D. Hooker (1873) and of K. Schumann (1891), the genus Prismatomeris Thw. is included in the tribe Morindeae of Rubiaceae. In the modern classifications, e. g. Bremekamp (1966), however, the taxonomic position of the genus is still uncertain. The genus agrees with the tribe Morindeae in the downward radicle, valvate aestivation of the corolla lobes and presence of raphides, but it differs significantly from the latter in the free flowers, bilocular ovary and the peltate ovule attached to the upper half of septum. Therefore, it would be more suitable that the genus is separated from the tribe Morindeae Miq., and is raised to the rank of tribe, placed in the subfamily Rubioideae based on Bremekamp’s delimitation. In the present paper ten character pairs of the genus and the notes on their taxonomic value are presented and two following species are recognized: 1. P. tetrandra (Roxb.) K. Schum. is found in northern India. Its subspecies, which is distributed in Yunnan of China and in Thailand, was previously called P. tetrandra (Roxb.) K. Schumann, and is now revised as P. tetrandra (Roxb.) K. Schum. subsp. multiflora (Ridley) Y. Z. Ruan. 2. P. connata Y.Z. Ruan is described as a new species, that has been treated as P. tetrandra (Roxb.) K. Schum. by previous auth rs. It is native to the subtropic region of South China. Its tropical new subspecies, P. connata. Y. Z. Ruan subsp. hainanensis Y. Z. Ruan, is found on Hainan Island.     

伪柔弱拟菱形藻复合群的形态分类学研究

于2007年夏季(8月)在广东省大亚湾海域观察到伪柔弱拟菱形藻复合群的6个种类:花形拟菱形藻(P.caciantha Lundholm,Moestrup Hasle)、靓纹拟菱形藻(P.calliantha Lundholm,Moestrup Hasle)、尖细拟菱形藻[P.cuspidata(Hasle)Lundholm,Moestrup Hasle]、曼氏拟菱形藻(P.mannii Amato Montresor)、伪柔弱拟菱形藻[P.pseudodelicatissima(Hasle)Lundholm,Hasle Moestrup]和中华拟菱形藻(P.sinica QiWang),其中花形拟菱形藻、靓纹拟菱形藻和曼氏拟菱形藻为我国新记录种类。对该复合群种类的形态学特征、生活习性和生态分布进行了观察和描述,并对其种类之间的形态学特征进行了比较研究。     

新疆的芍药属

产于我国新疆的芍药属Paeonia L.植物虽然种类不多,但分类上却一直未予澄清。按《FL.URSS》(Tom.7)有两种,P.anomala L.和P.hybrida Pall.,按Stern(1946)有一种,包括两个变种,即P.anomala L.和P.anomala var.intermedia(C.A.     

中国东北地区地卷属地衣的研究

本文作者根据前人的文献资料,对中国科学院林业土壤研究所1950年以来在东北地区所采集的1200余号地卷属地衣植物标本进行整理、研究,共报道23个种,其中8个种为东北地区新分布。本文包括属的特征、分种检索表、种的文献考证、生境、产地以及国内外的地理分布。