Channa nox, a new channid fish lacking a pelvic fin from Guangxi, China

 A new species of channid fish, genus Channa, is described from 7 specimens collected from the vicinity of Hepu, Guangxi Province, southern China. The new species, Channa nox, is distinguished from all other channid species by the following combination of characters: absence of pelvic fins, small rounded head (22.1%–26.8% SL), narrow interorbital width (19.6%–26.7% HL), short snout length (3.6%–5.1% SL), predorsal and prepectoral lengths (26.9%–28.4% SL and 24.8%–28.3% SL, respectively), 47–51 dorsal fin rays, 31–33 anal fin rays, 55–63 lateral line scales, 5.5–6.5 scales above lateral line, 9–13 cheek scales, 53–55 total vertebrae, 1 or 2 scale(s) on each side of lower jaw undersurface, the black upper half of body with 8–11 irregular (often anteriorly pointed V-shaped) bands or blotches, a large white-rimmed black ocellus on caudal peduncle and sparse white spots on the dark brown body and dorsal and caudal fins, as well as the shape of the hyomandibular process of the suprabranchial organs. Channa nox is sympatrically distributed with its morphologically most similar congener, C. asiatica. Received: January 18, 2001 / Revised: November 2, 2001 / Accepted: December 12, 2001     

A new record ofAchlya klebsiana from snakehead,Channa striatus,with fungal infection in Myanmar

This is the first record of the discovery in Myanmar ofAchlya klebsiana, belonging to the family Saprolegniaceae.     

克钦楼梯草, 缅甸荨麻科一新种

该文描述了自缅甸北部发现的荨麻科楼梯草属一新种,克钦楼梯草。此种在体态上与骤尖楼梯草甚为相似,与后者的区别在于本种的每一茎节具正常叶和一退化叶,托叶狭披针状条形和无脉,雌总苞苞片无角状突起,雌小苞片较大,呈楔状长圆形,雌花具一小花被片,以及雌蕊具一宽倒卵球形柱头。     

Latest Ordovician graptolites from the Mandalay Region,Myanmar

The graptolite fauna of the Mandalay Region, Myanmar, is poorly known. In this paper, 13 species in the genera Avitograptus, Korenograptus, Metabolograptus, Neodiplograptus and Normalograptus are described from the uppermost Ordovician strata of the area. Two of these species, Korenograptus selectus X. Chen n. sp. and Neodiplograptus mandalayensis X. Chen n. sp., are new. On the basis of the graptolite faunas, a biostratigraphic scheme for the uppermost Ordovician (Hirnantian: Metabolograptus extraordinarius Biozone and Metabolograptus? persculptus Biozone?) strata in this area is erected.     

Allozyme Variation in a Threatened Freshwater Fish, Spotted Murrel (Channa punctatus) in a South Indian River System

Samples of the spotted murrel (Channa punctatus) were collected from three rivers of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The allozyme variation of C. punctatus was investigated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Eighteen enzymes were detected, but only 10 (EST, PGM, G3PDH, G6PDH, SOD, GPI, ODH, GDH, XDH, and CK) showed consistent phenotypic variations. Allele frequencies were estimated at the 18 polymorphic loci representing 10 enzymes. Two rare alleles, EST-4*C and G6PDH-2*C, were noted in the Tamirabarani and Kallada populations but were absent in the Siruvani population. The allele frequencies of the Tamirabarani and Kallada populations were similar, except for a few loci. Among the three populations, the maximum genetic distance (0.026) and FST (0.203) were found between the geographically distant Siruvani and Kallada populations. Overall the study showed that among the three populations, the Tamirabarani and Kallada have similar genetic structures.     

无叶莲科,缅甸被子植物一新记录科

近期在缅甸北部进行野外植物考察中,发现了一种菌类寄生植物,疏花无叶莲（Petrosavia sakurai）,是缅甸被子植物一新记录科和新记录目——无叶莲科和无叶莲目。对其进行了详细的报导,并提供特征描述等数据。疏花无叶莲主要特征为茎上的鳞片状叶较疏离且彼此相距1~2 cm、总状花序、花苞片稍短于花梗、花被约1/3贴生于子房上。     

霉草科,缅甸被子植物一新记录科

在近期缅甸北部的植物考察中,一种菌类寄生植物矮生喜荫草(Sciaphila nana Blume)被发现和确认。矮生喜荫草代表缅甸被子植物一新记录科,霉草科植物。矮生喜荫草主要特征为花单性同株、雄花内轮花被片顶端具有柄的门把状物、花被片6、3个雄蕊、花药4室。     

Retinopetal neuronal system in the brain of an air-breathing teleost fish,Channa punctata

Summary Retinopetal neurons were visualised in the telencephalon and diencephalon of an air-breathing teleost fish, Channa punctata, following administration of cobaltous lysine to the optic nerve. The labelled perikarya (n=45–50) were always located on the side contralateral to the optic nerve that had received the neuronal tracer. The rostral-most back-filled cell bodies were located in the nucleus olfactoretinalis at the junction between the olfactory bulb and the telencephalon. In the area ventralis telencephali, two groups of telencephaloretinopetal neurons were identified near the ventral margin of the telencephalon. The rostral hypothalamus exhibited retrogradely labelled cells in three discrete areas of the lateral preoptic area, which was bordered medially by the nucleus praeopticus periventricularis and nucleus praeopticus, and laterally by the lateral forebrain bundle. In addition to a dorsal and a ventral group, a third population of neurons was located ventral to the lateral forebrain bundle adjacent to the optic tract. The dorsal group of neurons exhibited extensive collaterals; a few extended laterally towards the lateral forebrain bundle, whereas others ran into the dorsocentral area of the area dorsalis telencephali. A few processes extended via the anterior commissure into the telencephalon ipsilateral to the optic nerve that had been exposed to cobaltous lysine. However, the ventral cell group did not possess collaterals. In the diencephalon, retinopetal cells were visualised in the nucleus opticus dorsolateralis located in the pretectal area; these were the largest retinopetal perikarya of the brain. The caudal-most nucleus that possessed labelled somata was the retinothalamic nucleus; it contained the largest number of retinopetal cells. The limited number of widely distributed neurons in the forebrain, some with extensive collaterals, might participate in functional integration of different brain areas involved in feeding, which in this species is influenced largely by taste, not solely by vision.     

星穗莎属，缅甸莎草科一新记录属

在近期缅甸植物考察中,发现1种莎草科(Cyperaceae)植物:云南星穗莎[Actinoschoenus yunnanensis (C. B. Clarke) Y. C.Tang]。该种植物代表缅甸莎草科1个新记录属:星穗莎属(Actinoschoenus Benth.),其主要特征为花序头状、小穗具1(2)花、花两性、雄蕊3、柱头3、小坚果倒卵形有3棱。     

Seasonal reorganization of nitrogen metabolism in an Indian air-breathing teleosts,Channa punctatus (Bloch)

Channa punctatus, an air-breathing freshwater teleost, mobilizes more protein for its energy requirement during summer and spawning months, as revealed by the data on endogenous nitrogen excretion in the form of ammonia-N, urea-N, free amino acids, creatinine and creatine.     

Revised ranges of seagrass species in the Myeik Archipelago, Myanmar

In a survey of the Myeik Archipelago, we documented seven seagrass species in the southern region. Three seagrass species (Cymodocea rotundata, Enhalus acoroides, and Halophila ovalis) have previously been reported in the Myeik Archipelago; three species (Halodule pinifolia, Halodule uninervis, Syringodium isoetifolium) are new reports for the archipelago; and one species (Thalassia hemprichii) is a new report for Myanmar.     

Modulatory effect of copper on nonenzymatic antioxidants in freshwater fish Channa punctatus (Bloch.)

Effect of the low level of copper exposure on nonenzymatic antioxidants was studied in a freshwater fish Channa punctatus (Bloch.). Fish were exposed to cupric chloride at the concentration of 10 ppb for 4 wk (28 d) in a static culture condition. Copper significantly (p < 0.001) increased the serum ceruloplasmin level and total iron-binding capacity. A significant (p < 0.05) increase in reduced glutathione level was recorded in all of the tissues. With regard to nonprotein thiols, copper decreased their level in the liver, but increased it in the gill. The protein-bound thiols remained unaltered except for an increase in the liver. Metallothionein (MT) induction was observed in liver only. Copper exposure had no significant effect on the ascorbic acid level and induced no lipid peroxidation over control values. It is suggested that by modulating the ceruloplasmin level, copper indirectly protects the fish, as it facilitates conversion of pro-oxidant iron to nonoxidant iron. It also induces an array of antioxidants that may be beneficial to fish in the case of oxidative stress resulting from chemical pollutants.     

缅甸紫金牛属新记录

报道了缅甸克钦邦分布的报春花科(Primulaceae)紫金牛属(Ardisia Swtarz)的3 新记录种:伞形紫金牛(Ardisia corymbifera Mez)、珍珠伞(Ardisia maculosa Mez)和Ardisia interjacens C. M. Hu & J. E. Vidal。     

A new subspecies of Tesia olivea (Sylviidae) from Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand

We collected several individuals of the Slaty-bellied Tesia Tesia olivea in the temperate rain forest of the sub-Himalayan region of northeastern Burma/Myanmar in February/March 2004 and March 2006. Subsequent comparison of these with T. olivea from northeastern India and northern Thailand revealed that while our northeastern Burma/Myanmar birds were similar to those from northeastern India, specimens of both populations were distinctly different from T. olivea from Chiang Mai Province of northern Thailand and northern Vietnam. Herein, we designate the latter populations as members of a new subspecies of T. olivea based on analyses of variations in morphometric characters, plumage, song, and mitochondrial (mt)DNA sequence.     

BarredDanio species from the Irrawaddy River drainage (Teleostei, Cyprinidae)

The three barredDanio species known from the Irrawaddy River drainage are redescribed. Two species are known from southwestern Yunnan:Danio interruptus in the Husa He and Longchuan, Jian watersheds, andD. apogon abundantly in the main river and tributaries of the Daying Jiang basin. The third species,D. shanensis, occurs in the Myitnge basin of northern Shan State, Myanmar.Danio interruptus differs from other barredDanio species by having a short, incomplete lateral line, a deeper head, and shorter thicker dark vertical bars or blotches anteriorly on the sides.Danio shanensis has the lateral line either complete or incomplete, lesser head depth, and a series of deeper narrower vertical bars.Danio apogon has no lateral line, narrow or indistinct dark vertical bars, and a wide, but indistinct, horizonatal P stripe.Danio choprae, previously considered, as a barredDanio species, is more closely related to theD. dangila species group.     

Discovery of the Large Blue Flycatcher Cyornis [banyumas] magnirostris breeding in northern Kachin State (Burma/Myanmar) and taxonomic implications for the Cyornis-group

The little-known taxon Cyornis [banyumas] magnirostris has long been treated as a race of the widespread Hill Blue Flycatcher C. banyumas, with which it was thought to be allopatric during the breeding season. On the basis of morphology, magnirostris has lately been considered a full species, endemic as a breeder to northeastern India. Our recent field work during migration and the breeding season (September 2005 and June–July 2006) has, however, resulted in the first records of magnirostris from northern Burma/Myanmar, establishing that its breeding range broadly overlaps the range of C. banyumas whitei. We demonstrate how historical factors, sources of error, including fraud, errors of omission and commission, and inferences based on lack of data have all negatively affected assessment of species limits and conservation status in this speciose group of flycatchers. We also provide evidence that the taxon C. [banyumas] lemprieri is highly distinct and should be treated as a full species.     

Erythrocles microceps, a new emmelichthyid fish from kochi, japan

A new emmelichthyid,Erythrocles microceps, is described from 15 specimens collected in Mimase Fish Market and Tosa Bay, Kochi Prefecture, Japan. It differs from its most similar congener,E. acarina, in having a greater number of lateral line scales (70–72 vs. 62–67 inacarina), more elongate body (body depth 23.8–25.9% SL vs. 27–29% SL), and smaller head (head) length 26.8–28.4% SL vs. 34–36% SL).     

Vanda longitepala (Orchidaceae): a new species from Burma

Summary   Vanda longitepala, a new species of orchid from northern Burma is described and discussed.