437 research outputs found
FIGURE 1 in A new species of Kaloula (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae) from southern Guangxi, China
No full textFIGURE 1. (A) Sample information of Kaloula verrucosa group coming from China. Green represents K. borealis; gray is K. rugifera; blue is K. verrucosa; red is K. nonggangensis sp. nov.. Black circles represent sampling sites (details see Table 1). (B) Habitat of K. nonggangensis sp. nov..Published as part of Mo, Yunming, Zhang, Wei, Zhou, Shichu, Chen, Tianbo, Tang, Huaxing, Meng, Yuanjun & Chen, Weicai, 2013, A new species of Kaloula (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae) from southern Guangxi, China, pp. 165-178 in Zootaxa 3710 (2) on page 169, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3710.2.3, http://zenodo.org/record/21654
FIGURE 2 in A new species of Kaloula (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae) from southern Guangxi, China
No full textFIGURE 2. (A) Dorsal, (B) dorsolateral, and (C) ventral view of the holotype (NHMG1106036) of K. nonggangensis sp. nov. in life. Photo: Yunming Mo. (D) K. borealis from Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, Photo.: Xia Tianmi. (E) K. rugifera from Chengdu, Sichuan Province, Photo.: Liang Fei. (F) K. verrucosa from Kunming, Yunnan Province, Photo.: Liang Fei. (G) Lateral view, and (H) dorsal view of K. nonggangensis sp. nov. tadpole. Photo.: Yunming Mo.Published as part of Mo, Yunming, Zhang, Wei, Zhou, Shichu, Chen, Tianbo, Tang, Huaxing, Meng, Yuanjun & Chen, Weicai, 2013, A new species of Kaloula (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae) from southern Guangxi, China, pp. 165-178 in Zootaxa 3710 (2) on page 170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3710.2.3, http://zenodo.org/record/21654
FIGURE 4. Bayesian posterior probability tree was reconstructed from 16S in A new species of Kaloula (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae) from southern Guangxi, China
No full textFIGURE 4. Bayesian posterior probability tree was reconstructed from 16S ribosomal RNA mitochondrial gene sequences with Metaphrynella pollicaris, Metaphrynella sundana and Phrynella pulchra as outgroups. Maximum-likelihood tree produced near-identical topology. Two reliability indices are given on nodes: the Bayesian posterior probabilities/the maximum likelihood bootstrap percentages. Symbol (*) indicates nodes with good bootstrap supports for ML (>80%) inferences and Bayesian posterior probabilities (BPP> 95%), and symbol (-) represents that node values are less than 60%.Published as part of Mo, Yunming, Zhang, Wei, Zhou, Shichu, Chen, Tianbo, Tang, Huaxing, Meng, Yuanjun & Chen, Weicai, 2013, A new species of Kaloula (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae) from southern Guangxi, China, pp. 165-178 in Zootaxa 3710 (2) on page 175, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3710.2.3, http://zenodo.org/record/21654
FIGURE 2 in Morphological redescription and molecular characterization of Trichodina matsu Basson & Van As, 1994 (Ciliophora, Mobilida, Trichodinidae) infecting Tachysurus fulvidraco (Richardson, 1846) from Chongqing, China
No full textFIGURE 2. Denticle diagrammatic drawing of Trichodina matsu Basson & Van As, 1994. (A) Trichodina matsu (redrawn from Basson & Van As 1994); (B) Trichodina matsu (population 1, present study); (C) Trichodina matsu (population 2, present study); (D) Trichodina hyperparasitis (redrawn from Wang et al. 2017); (E) Trichodina hyperparasitis (redrawn from Chen & Hsieh 1984).Published as part of Zhou, Qian, Tang, Fahui & Zhao, Yuanjun, 2021, Morphological redescription and molecular characterization of Trichodina matsu Basson & Van As, 1994 (Ciliophora, Mobilida, Trichodinidae) infecting Tachysurus fulvidraco (Richardson, 1846) from Chongqing, China, pp. 334-344 in Zootaxa 4995 (2) on page 337, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4995.2.6, http://zenodo.org/record/505667
<Articles>On the Appearance of Taishan Niangniang : Rethinking the Origin of Bixia Yuanjun and the Growing Popularity of Her Cult during the Ming Dynasty
No full text一六世紀以降の中国では極めて多くの民衆が泰山に巡礼した。彼らの目当ては頂上に祀られる女神「碧霞元君」であった。この女神は、北宋の真宗の封禅の際に見つかったとされる玉女像がその起源とされるが、少なくとも明中期までは碧霞元帥という名前は見られず、信仰も泰山府君には遠く及ばなかった。現在のような地位を得たのは、国家による顕彰を受けた明代中期のことであった。一六世紀後半に泰山を旅した文人は、夜明け前から集団で参詣する敬虔な人びとを目にすることになる。そのような光景を見た明末の士大夫たちは、国家に認められたこの女神が由緒正しいことを説明しなければならなかった。そこで彼らが主張したのは、碧霞元君は黄帝の娘や華山の玉女であるという物語であった。しかし、この物語は民衆の認識とは乖離していた。民衆にとって碧霞元君はあくまでも泰山娘娘だったのである。Bixia Yuanjun (the Primordial Sovereign of Azure Cloud) was one of the most popular deities in late imperial China. Her temple on the summit of Mount Tai attracted a large number of pilgrims. This goddess has long been a topic of special interest to scholars of history and religion in China, but recent studies have mainly focused on sources from the 17th century onward, and little attention has been given to those from the 16th century and earlier. For that reason, some previous works have taken the claims of sources compiled during late-Ming period as historical fact, and uncritically accepted the theory that this deity appeared as the daughter of the God of Mount Tai during the Song Dynasty. Therefore the questions of the nature of Bixia Yuanjun and when her cult became popular remain unsettled. The central purpose of this study is to review all the source materials written about Bixia Yuanjun before the late-Ming period and to explore the origin of Bixia Yuanjun. Secondary purposes are to grasp late-Ming literati perceptions of Bixia Yuanjun and demonstrate the gap between the Bixia Yuanjun of written historical sources and the Taishan Niangniang worshiped by ordinary people. On that basis, this study has attempted to show a clearer picture of Chinese popular religion. The following were the main findings of this study. Although it has been thought that Bixia Yuanjun appeared during the Song Dynasty, there were no records of Bixia Yuanjun before the 15th century. Records of Taishan Yunu, the forerunner to Bixia Yuanjun, can be found, but the cult was very restricted. There was no local temple of Taishan Yunu, and the birthday festival of Yunu was not celebrated. The cult of Taishan Yunu never approached the thriving post-17th-century cult of Bixia Yuanjun in popularity. Although the origins of Bixia Yuanjun may go back to Song Dynasty, it was in the late 15th century that the name of the deity Bixia Yuanjun first appeared in written sources. Additionally, this early image differed slightly from the later form. Song Zi Niangniang and Yan Guang Niangniang, who are now generally enshrined with Bixia Yuanjun, had not yet appeared. One official who traveled around Mount Tai in this period described the deity as Zixia Yuanjun (the Primordial Sovereign of the Purple Cloud). This indicates that the cult of Bixia Yuanjun had not yet been established and the literati sometimes misunderstood her name. However, once Emperor Chenghua and his empress supported the deity's temple, her status was established. By the Jiajing era, worship of Bixia Yuanjun had spread quickly; many local temples were built throughout the North China plain, especially along the Great Canal. Song Zi Niangniang and Yan Guang Niangniang also appeared in this period. The iconography and name of Bixia Yuanjun were well established by this time. It would be no exaggeration to say that late 15th century was the great turning point for Bixia Yuanjun and the 16th century was the period of development. In the late-Ming, many literati had witnessed the pilgrimage to Bixia Yuanjun and been confounded by this fanatical belief. They were doubtful of her orthodoxy, but the Ming court had already given tacit approval of this deity. In addition, the entrance fee to her temple (the incense tax) made a great contribution to government finances. They had little choice but to make up a feasible explanation for the phenomenon. It was not possible for them to accept the stories that Bixia Yuanjun was the daughter of the God of Taishan (Taishan Fujun), as ordinary people believed. Therefore the literati made an alternative story: she was one of the daughters of the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi). In other words, the tale was only a later fabrication. The Bixia Yuanjun of written sources was far different from the deity worshiped by ordinary people. Ordinary people who appear in 17th century novels and dramas never call this goddess Bixia Yuanjun, but instead call her Taishan Niangniang or Nainai, which refers to a respected older woman such as a mother or grandmother. Although it is very difficult to grasp literate people's mentality from historical sources, the findings reported in this study have implications for the study of the nature of Chinese popular religion. The author believes that the word "incense" (xiang) sums up the essence of Chinese popular religion. By means of the smoke rising from incense, Chinese people may have conducted a dialogue with the departed and also commemorated them
Exploring the nature of soil organic matter from humic substances isolation to SOMics of molecular assemblage
No full textIn this review, the evolution of Soil Organic Matter(SOM) research was traced back to outline the
main achievement of understanding SOM in relation to its ecological functioning, particularly of carbon
sequestration against climate change. The short-coming of soil humus theory, knowledge of SOM protection and
stabilization, framework of newly emerged Humeomics as well as the increasingly active study of molecular
organics in soils were analyzed and discussed, highlighting the importance of re-visiting SOM in term of structureproperty-functions for the main mission of modern soil science. There were limitations of soil forming conditions,
fraction separation procedure and single molecule identification for understanding the huge complex humus of
larger sized synthesized molecules. Thanks to the ever-active studies of soil(organic) carbon sequestration and
stabilization focusing on the association status of SOM with soil components, SOM has been increasingly
recognized as an assemblage of metabolites from life activities on or in soil, with different allocation or protected in
mineral/organic complex phases, which could be traced by biomarker molecules. Using such biomarker molecules
as a target(like primer in molecular microbiology), all the molecules of SOM could be digested and isolated for
qualitative or quantitative identification with GC/MS high resolution technologies. Such development has emerged a
new paradigm of molecular SOM study, finally as SOMics as a modern soil science frontier. The functioning of
SOM for stabilizing soil structure, enhancing reactivity and promoting biological resistance could be correlated to
the paradigm of abundance, composition, structure and functions rather than the content and recalcitrance of SOM.
This may deserve urgent studies to quantify and parameterize the defined paradigm based on the molecular
composition of SOM. Again, such theory and technology development could provide a tool to manage SOM in
term of carbon sequestration but revalorizing bioactivity in ecosystems, especially in agroecosystems. We believe
such studies could rather depict the nature of SOM and of soil in relation to its ecological services and functioning,
which will be the focus of soil science in serving the sustainable development of human society
Kaloula nonggangensis Mo, Zhang, Zhou, Chen, Tang, Meng & Chen, 2013, sp. nov.
No full text<i>Kaloula nonggangensis</i> sp. nov. <p> <b>Holotype.</b> NHMG1106036, adult male, from the Nonggang National Nature Reserve, Southern Guangxi Province, China (22.4522° N, 106.9354° E; altitude: 186 m a.s.l.), collected on June 28, 2011 by Weicai Chen, Yunming Mo (Figure 2 A, B, C).</p> <p> <b>Paratypes</b>. NHMG1106030–35, NHMG1106037–41, adult males collected at the same place of the locality by Weicai Chen and Yunming Mo on June 29, 2011. NHMG1108035, adult female, NHMG1108036– 41 adult males, collected at the near locality of the holotype (22.4809° N, 106.9017° E; altitude: 167 m a.s.l.) by Yunming Mo, Wei Liao and Zhuqiu Song on August 11, 2011.</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> Assigned to the genus <i>Kaloula</i> on the basis of the following: medium size (41.4–52.7 mm in 18 adult male, 52.2 mm in one adult female), smooth or slightly rough olive dorsum with irregular dark-green marks and brown spots (Figure 2 A, B); tips of the fingers dilate and truncated (Figure 3 A); nearly full webbing on toes in males and reduced webbing in females (Figure 3 B); two side protuberant osseous tubercles on the upper surface of the tips of fingers in male (Figure 3 C); chest beige with small lemon-colored spots in male (Figure 2 C); ventral epidermal adhesive gland occupies chest and venter; larvae lacking a keratinized jaw sheath and labial teeth. <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> is distinguished from it congeners by a combination of (1) medium size (SVL ranging 41.4–52.7 mm in males), (2) smooth or slightly rough olive dorsum with irregular dark-green marks and brown spots, (3) tips of the fingers dilate and truncated, (4) chest beige with small lemon-colored spots in male, and (5) male with two side protuberant osseous tubercles on the upper surface of the tips of fingers.</p> <p> <b>Description of holotype.</b> Adult male; SVL 47.5 mm; habitus rotund, body rounded; head proportionally small, length 25% of SVL, 76% of head width; snout slightly pointed beyond lower jaw, its tip round in dorsal aspect and in lateral aspect; eyes protruding laterally beyond silhouette of head in dorsal aspect, protruding very markedly beyond dorsal surface of head in lateral aspect; pupil circular; interorbital region flat with some small tubercles; snout less than half of the head length; upper eyelid width slightly smaller than interorbital distance, and much smaller than snout length; eye diameter (4.63 mm) almost equal to snout length (4.64 mm), longer than interorbital distance (3.8 mm) and eye-narial distance (2.1 mm); canthus rostralis indistinct; loreal region sloping, moderately concave; nostrils barely protuberant, very close to tip of snout (eye-nostril distance longer than distance from nostril to tip of snout); internarial region slightly concave; tympanum hidden and indistinct; tympanic fold prominent, extending from posterior corner of eye to supra-axillary region; tongue oval without posterior notch; choanae elongate oval and small, situated at anterolateral edge of palate, separated by a distance about two times of their diameter; dentigerous process of vomer in posterior edge of choanae evident, almost touching in the middle line but vomerine teeth apparently absent; vocal slits large, just posterior to rictus.</p> <p> <b>Forelimbs</b>. Arms short, forearms not hypertrophied; hand relatively large (HAL 14.3 mm); forearm and hand length (LAHL 23.3 mm) almost as long as half of SVL (47.5 mm); fingers disks obviously dilated and tips truncated; relative length of fingers I <II <IV <III; fingers without dermal fringe on inside of fingers, two side protuberant osseous tubercles on the upper surface of the tips of fingers and webbing absent; subarticular tubercles prominent: 1, 1, 2, 2; additional supernumerary tubercle absent; inner metacarpal tubercle oval, elongate, outer metacarpal tubercle large, flat, nearly divided; nuptial pads absent (Figure 3 A).</p> <p> <b>Hindlimbs</b>. Hind limbs relatively short and brawny; heels not overlapping for long distance when legs are folded at right angle to body, and when appressed to body, tibiotarsal articulation reaching the shoulder; tibia 2.7 times longer (TL 19.7 mm) than wide (TW 7.4 mm), and shorter than foot length (FOL 21.3 mm), about 42% of SVL. Relative length of toes: I <II <V <III <IV. Tips of all toes rounded without disks, and not expanded; webbing formula I 1 + – 2- II 1 + – 2 III 1 + – 2+ IV 2 + – 1 V, toes with nearly complete webbing; subarticular tubercles prominent, simple and all present: 1, 1, 2, 3, 2; tarsus smooth, tarsal fold absent, outer metatarsal tubercle round, small, and pointed; inner metatarsal tubercle big, prominent, with sharp outer edge, about two-thirds length of toe I (Figure 3 B).</p> <p> <b>Skin</b>. Skin of dorsal surfaces of body, head, and limbs smooth; ventral surfaces of throat, trunk, and limbs smooth; loose skin overlying median subgular vocal sac forms slight sternal fold; ventral epidermal adhesive gland occupies sternal region and venter.</p> <p> <b>Color of holotype in life</b>. Dorsal parts of head and dorsum, flank, forelimb, thigh, tibia and foot light olivegreen with dark moss-green marbling; loreal region, tympanic region and tympanum slightly dark olive-green; dorsal parts of two sides shoulder light olive-green; lower part of flanks with some lemon spots; lower jaw, throat, margin of throat and chest beige with some small lemon spots; belly, ventral part of forelimbs and hind limbs creamy white.</p> <p> <b>Color of holotype in preservative</b>. Dorsum brown with dark marbling. Ventral surface of chest, throat, belly, interior portions of arms and thighs cream color.</p> <p> <b>Measurements</b>. Holotype: SVL 47.5, HL 11.7, HW 15.2, SL 4.6, IND 2.8, IOD 4.1, UEW 2.7, ED 4.6, LAHL 23.3, HAL 14.3, HLL 62.7, TL 19.7, TW 7.1, FOL 21.3.</p> <p> <b>Etymology</b>. The species epithet is a Latin adjective referring to the locality in which the new species was collected. The suggested English name is the Nonggang narrow-mouthed frog.</p> <p> <b>Tadpole</b>. Six tadpoles (Voucher No.: NHMG_T20110801, NHMG_T20120901–05) from stages 36 to 42 <i>sensu</i> Gosner (1960) were collected from the type locality of <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> Morphological measurements and characteristics were examined following Altig & McDiarmid (1999). The 16S rRNA sequence (~540 bp) of a specimen (Voucher No.: NHMG_T20120901) is 99% identical to a reference sequence of paratype (Voucher No.: NHMG1108036). Measurements of one tadpole at developmental stage 38: total length 37.5 mm, head-body length 0.54 time of tail length; eyes lateral, small, and visible from ventral view. In dorsal view, body nearly rectangle, snout broadly rounded. Interpupilar distance 0.84 maximum body width, internarial distance 0.17 of interpupilar distance. Width of oral apparatus 0.27 head-body length; lips not expanded; lacking labial teeth, horny beak and papillae. Nostrils closed at stage 38. Spiracle median, opening slightly anterior the end of body, free portion with an arched membrane, the inner wall attached to body wall; anal tube median and elongate, and the inner wall fused to ventral fin. The base of tail musculature strong, its height 0.35 of tail height; maximal tail height located at the proximal 1/2 of the tail, caudal muscles tapering gradually. Dorsal fin originates at the tail bodyjunction and the ventral fin originates at the ventral terminus of the body. The dorsal fin is nearly equal to the ventral fin in height. Dorsal fin and ventral fin have some yolk-yellow spots. Especially, dorsal fin near the tail body-junction has a yolk-yellow line. Tail tip broadly rounded. Head and body brownish with some faint yellow pigments (Figure 2 G, H).</p> <p> <b>Variation</b>. Individuals of the type series are generally similar in morphology. The female (NHMG1108035) is two-third webbed (webbing formula, I 2 - – 2+ II 2 - – 3 III 2 – 3 IV 3 + – 2- V). Two specimens (NHMG1108035–36) have some small spinous tubercles in the anal region. Five specimens (NHMG1106033, 1108035–36, 1108038, 1108040) have two subarticular tubercles on the third toe, and the remaining specimens have three subarticular tubercles on the third toe. Four individuals (NHMG1106040–42, 1108037) have a slightly rough dorsum scattered with a few small rounded tubercles. The tympanic fold is indistinct in six individuals (NHMG1106036, 1108037– 39, 1108040–41). All males have two side protuberant osseous tubercles on the upper surface of the tips of fingers. Between two side protuberant osseous tubercles, four individuals have small tubercles ranging from 1 to 4 (NHMG1106031: L II (left finger II), 3; NHMG1106033: L II, 4; NHMG1108036: R I (right finger I), 2; NHMG1108039: L I, 1; R III, 1), which size is about 1/5 of two side protuberant osseous tubercles. Female also have two side protuberant osseous tubercles but which size is only 1/2 that of the male. In preservative, seven specimens (NHMG1106031–34, 1106035, 1106039, 1108040) have a gray dorsum, and the remaining specimens are dark brown.</p> <p> <b>Male secondary sexual characters</b>. Nuptial pad absent; external subgular vocal sac present; throat with some lemon spots; chest and belly with epidermal adhesive gland.</p> <p> <b>Ecology.</b> <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> were observed in primary or secondary karst evergreen forest, and cultivated fields near the forest. Presently, <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> is only known from the Nonggang National Nature Reserve. Sites where we observed the species ranged from 150–200 m elevation. On June 29 and August 11, 2011, the species was observed to gather in the temporary plash after rainstorm.</p> <p> <b>Sequence divergence.</b> Uncorrected sequence divergences between <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> sequences and all homologous sequences available on the genus <i>Kaloula</i> are listed in Table 2. The uncorrected <i>p</i> -distance genetic distance between <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> and <i>K. verrucosa</i> tissues examined was 1.4–1.6%, while that between <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> and other species was>1.8% (Table 2).</p> <p> <b>Preliminary hypothesis of phylogenetic relationship.</b> Among 15 <i>Kaloula</i> species (Frost 2013), only 9 species' sequences (including <i>K. baleata, K. borealis, K. conjuncta, K. mediolineata, K. picta, K. pulchra, K. rugifera, K. taprobanica, K. verrucosa</i>) are available from GenBank. Based upon our preliminary molecular data, the genus <i>Kaloula</i> formed a monophyletic group with well-supported values (BP=98; BBP=1.00), and was divided three clades (Figure 4). Clade A consists of <i>Kaloula taprobanica</i> Parker, 1934; Clade B consists of <i>K. borealis, K. rugifera, K. verrucoca,</i> and <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> and Clade C consists of <i>K. baleata</i> van & Muller, 1836, <i>K. conjuncta</i> Peters, 1863, <i>K. mediolineata</i> Smith, 1917, <i>K. picta</i> Duméril & Bibron, 1841, and <i>K. pulchra</i> Gray, 1831.</p> <p> <b>Comparisons</b>: <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> differs from all other species of <i>Kaloula</i> by having smooth or slightly rough dorsum without rough tubercles, finger tips widely expanded and truncated, two side protuberant osseous tubercles on the upper surface of the tips of fingers in male, throat and chest with some small lemon spots in male, and larvae with some yolk-yellow spots in body and tail. <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> is most similar in appearance to <i>K. borealis, K. rugifera</i> and <i>K. verrucosa</i> (Figure 2). However, <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> differs from <i>K. borealis</i> by having widely expanded terminal digital disks (vs. lacking expanded terminal digital disks in the latter); by two side protuberant osseous tubercles on the upper surface of the tips of fingers in male (without osseous tubercles in the latter, Figure 3 D); by having nearly full webbing (vs. 1/2 webbing in the latter); by throat and chest beige with some small lemon spots (vs. distinct black spots in the throat area in the latter) (Fei <i>et al.</i> 2009). Furthermore, in life, the tadpole of <i>K. borealis</i> has dark brown dorsal body and tail, without pigment and venter white or hoar (vs. the tadpole of <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> has brownish head and body with some faint yellow pigments and dorsal fin near the tail body-junction has a yolk-yellow line) (Fei <i>et al.</i> 2009; Zhou <i>et al.</i> 2011). <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> differs from <i>K. rugifera</i> by having a relatively bigger body size (SVL 41.4–52.7 mm in male vs. 35.5–43.0 mm in male for <i>K. rugifera</i>) (Table 3). It can be further distinguished from <i>K. rugifera</i> by finger tips widely expanded and truncated (slightly expanded in <i>K. rugifera</i>, Figure 3 F); by two side protuberant osseous tubercles on the upper surface of the tips of fingers in male (having two clusters of osseous tubercles instead of two side protuberant osseous tubercles in the latter) (Figure 3 F); by throat and chest with some small lemon spots in male (vs. cream without pigments); by larvae with some yolk-yellow spots in body and tail (vs. dorsum and tail dark brown, no pigment) (Fei <i>et al.</i> 2009; Zhou <i>et al.</i> 2011). <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> also differs from <i>K. verrucosa</i> by smooth or slightly rough dorsum without rough tubercles (rough dorsal skin and tubercles present in <i>K. verrucosa</i>) (Figure 2 F); by finger tips widely expanded and truncated (non-expansion of terminal digital disks in the latter, Figure 3 E); by two side protuberant osseous tubercles on the upper surface of the tips of fingers in male (4–6 free osseous tubercles in the latter) (Figure 3 E); by larvae with some yolk-yellow spots in body and tail (vs. dorsum and tail dark brown with black pigment in the latter) (Fei <i>et al.</i> 2009). The morphological differences in the shape of terminal disks (Figure 3) have been assessed in large numbers of specimens in the studies of 83 for <i>K. borealis,</i> 100 for <i>K. verrucosa</i> and 67 for <i>K. rugifera</i>, partly in specimens from different localities (Kunming and Dali in <i>K. verrucosa</i>) (Appendix I, Fei <i>et al.</i> 2009).</p> <p> <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> differs from <i>K. aureata</i> Nutphand, 1989, by having an olive dorsum without lateral bands (vs. bright yellow in median dorsum, and yellowish orange lateral bands along the back) (Pauwels & Chérot, 2006). <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> differs from <i>K. baleata</i> by having a ventral adhesive gland in males (vs. venter without epidermal adhesive gland); by having olive dorsum without rough tubercles (vs. brownish dorsum with rough tubercles, and a bright yellow spots near axilla in the latter) (Pauwels <i>et al.</i> 1999). <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> differs from <i>K. conjuncta</i>, <i>K. kalingensis</i>, <i>K. kokacii</i> and <i>K. walteri</i> by a larger body size (SVL 41.4–52.7 mm in males vs. 26.6–30.1 mm in <i>K. conjuncta</i>, 24.2–32.9 mm in <i>K. kalingensis</i>, 37.0– 39.1 mm in <i>K. kokacii,</i> 24.5–31.5 mm in <i>K. walteri</i> (Diesmos <i>et al.</i> 2002). It also differs from <i>K. conjuncta</i> by the absence of rough dorsal tubercles (vs. tubercles distributed over the entire dorsum); by having olive dorsum (vs. brownish dorsum) (Diesmos <i>et al.</i> 2002). It also differs from <i>K. kalingensis</i> and, <i>K. kokacii</i> by its ventral adhesive gland in males (vs. venter without epidermal adhesive gland) (Brown <i>et al.</i> 2000; Diesmos <i>et al.</i> 2002). It also differs from <i>K. walteri</i> by the presence of a round, small, and pointed outer metatarsal tubercle (vs. absence, or presence of only a faint, very reduced outer metatarsal tubercle); by the presence of three subarticular tubercles on the fourth toe (vs. two); by having widely expanded terminal digital disks (vs. lacking expanded terminal digital disks in the latter) (Diesmos <i>et al.</i> 2002). <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> clearly differs from <i>K. assamensis</i>, <i>K. mediolineata, K. pulchra</i> and <i>K. taprobanica</i> by absence (vs. presence) of dorsolateral bands. It also differs from <i>K. assamensis</i> by its inner metatarsal tubercle smaller (vs. larger) than first toe; lacking a vertebral stripe (vs. presence of a dark edged lemon vertebral stripe) (Das <i>et al.</i> 2004; Nath <i>et al.</i> 2011). It also differs from <i>K. mediolineata</i> by its finger tips widely expanded (vs. non expanded) and truncated (Diesmos <i>et al.</i> 2002). It also differs from <i>K. pulchra</i> by its smaller body size (SVL 41.4– 52.7 mm vs. 55.0–77.0 mm in <i>K. pulchra</i> (Fei <i>et al.</i> 2009); snout length about 1/3 head length (vs. half of the head length; by smooth venter (vs. granular venter) (Fei <i>et al.</i> 2009). It can be further distinguished from <i>K. taprobanica</i> by lacking (vs. having) large irregular shaped markings of yellow-red color in dorsum median area (Dutta & Manamendra-Arachchi 1996). <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> differs from <i>K. picta</i> and <i>K. rigida</i> by absence (vs. presence) of supernumerary tubercles at the base of each digit of the manus. It also differs from <i>K. picta</i> by its inner metatarsal tubercle shorter (vs. equal to or longer) than first toe (Diesmos <i>et al.</i> 2002). Finally, <i>K. macrocephala</i> (originally treated as a synonym of <i>K. pulchra</i>) differs from <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> by having indistinct dorsolateral bands and mid-dorsum covered by large-sized irregular patches (vs. clearly absent dorsolateral bands in new species) (Bourret 1942; Ohler 2003; Pauwels & Chérot 2006).</p> <p> In addition, genetically, except for <i>K. borealis</i>, <i>K. rugifera</i> and <i>K. verrucosa</i>, the uncorrected sequence divergences between <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> 16S rRNA sequences and all homologous sequences available on GenBank (Table 2) were greater than 3%, a value usually representing differentiation at the species level in frogs (Vences <i>et al.</i> 2005; Fouquet <i>et al.</i> 2007).</p> <p> <b>Discussion</b></p> <p> Fei <i>et al.</i> (2009) divided Chinese <i>Kaloula</i> species into two groups: the <i>K. pulchra</i> group (consisting of <i>K. pulchra</i>) and the <i>K. verrucosa</i> group (consisting of <i>K. borealis</i>, <i>K. rugifera</i> and <i>K. verrucosa</i>), being consistent with our phylogenetic trees. <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> embedded within the <i>K. verrucosa</i> group. <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b>, <i>K. borealis</i>, <i>K. rugifera</i> and <i>K. verrucosa</i> formed a monophyletic group with high supported values (Figure 4). Preliminary molecular data indicated that <i>K. nonggangensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> and <i>K. borealis</i> were sister species. However, due to weak inter-nodes support values (<60%), their phylogenetic positions must be considered as unresolved. We found that the genetic distances among lineages in the <i>K. verrucosa</i> group are lower than the values usually representing differentiation at the species level in frogs (Vences <i>et al.</i&g
Structure-dependent electronic properties of oxides from first principles
No full textThis thesis contains several investigations on the structure dependent electronic properties of oxides, studied via first-principle calculations or tight-binding models. We start by reviewing the background of structure correlated properties and functionalities in transition metal oxides, followed by the introduction of the density functional theory which will be used throughout this thesis. We next consider the spin-phonon coupling effect for SrMnO3/LaMnO3 superlattice with epitaxial strain. We explain the origin of the intriguing emergence of the large spin-phonon coupling effect for tensile strain. As the study of superlattice goes on, we realize the emergent need of a systematic way to determine the ground state structure for superlattices. Thus we develop the “stacking method” to solve this problem, and test it using PbTiO3/SrTiO3 whose structure is known to be complicated. We then use the stacking method for the further study on epitaxially strained SrCrO3/SrTiO3 superlattice, and find a nonpolar-polar structural transition along with a metal-insulator transition. We conclude that the polar structure induces an orbital ordering, leading to the insulating state. We also study the interband transition effect in the epitaxially strained SrVO3, and show that the suppressed interband transitions lead to the significant transmittance for SrVO3 thin films. Finally we define the surface polarization effect for those surfaces where in-plane inversion symmetry is broken. We extend the Berry-phase theory of the bulk polarization to the case of surface polarization by formulating the problem in the hybrid Wannier representation. The surface polarization is in agree with the accumulating charge at the common edge of two facets as expected.Ph.D.Includes bibliographical referencesby Yuanjun Zho
Trichodina subtilihamata Tang & Zhao & Tao 2007, sp. nov.
No full textTrichodina subtilihamata sp. nov. (Figs. 1A–B, 3A) Type-host: Carassius auratus. Location: Gills. Prevalence: Out of 21 fishes examined, one was infected (4.8 %). Type-locality: Chongqing (29º5' N, 106º5' E), China. Date of sampling: March, 2004. Type-specimens: Syntypes, slide No. CQJ-03-01 and CQJ-03-02, deposited in the collection center of the Key Laboratory of Animal Biology of Chongqing, Chongqing Normal University, China. Etymology: The name " subtilihamata " refers to the conspicuous morphological feature (thin-hooked blade) of the trichodinid, and it is a composite of the Latin prefix " subtili -" (= thin, slender) and the Latin suffix " hamata " (= hook). Description. Medium-sized. Body diameter 50.0–56.0µm (52.2 ± 3.1). Diameter of adhesive disc 38.0– 48.0µm (42.3 ± 3.7). Center of disc clear and without any granules. Border membrane 4.0–5.0µm (4.6 ± 0.3) in width. Diameter of denticulated ring 26.0 - 30.0µm (28.2 ± 1.7). Number of denticles about 26–29 (n = 16). Number of radial pins (mode) per denticle 10–12 (n = 16). Span of denticle 13.0–17.0µm (15.6 ± 1.7). Length of denticle 5.0–7.0µm (5.6 ± 1.3). Blade shape slender, 5.0–6.0µm (5.4 ± 0.5) in length. The anterior blade surface concave and forming an S-shape, not extending past Y+1 axis. Apex of blade absent. The posterior surface forming arch curve with deepest point of blade, and not parallel to anterior blade surface. Distal blade surface smooth and relatively straight, lower than tangent point. Apophysis of blade present but the posterior projection absent. Blade connection relatively broad. Central part well developed with rounded point fitting tightly into preceding denticle, just extending about half way to Y-1 axis. Shape of central part above X axis similar to the part below. Width of central part 2.0–3.0µm (2.3 ± 0.6). Ray connection short but stumpy, inconspicuous and barely distinguishable from ray. Ray thin, smooth and needle-shaped, tapering gradually to sharp point and directed forward, tip of ray almost touching Y+1 axis. Ray apophysis not prominent and length of ray 5.0–8.0µm (6.6 ± 1.7). Ratio between denticle above and below X axis about one. Adoral ciliary spiral turns about 370º–390º around peristomial disc. Macronucleus U-shaped, and micronucleus spherical, situated in –Y1 position. Remarks. The present trichodinid species is mainly characterized by possessing a slender blade with Sshaped anterior hooked blade surface. Based on the overall shape of the adhesive disc, the new species differs significantly from other known trichodinid species and only shows some resemblance to Trichodina nobilis Chen, 1963 (Chen, 1973). However, these two species also show some obvious differences (Figs. 3A, B) as discussed below. In terms of the morphometric data in both trichodinids, T. nobilis Chen, 1963 differs from the new species mainly in three important points: firstly, T. nobilis is a large trichodinid (75–100µm), whereas the present species is medium-sized (50–56µm); secondly, the number of denticles are different (25–26 vs. 26–29); thirdly, the number of degrees of turn of the adoral ciliary spiral around the peristomial disc is different (390º –400º vs. 370º–390º). In addition, although the shapes of central part and ray in of both species are similar, the morphological difference of blade is distinct. In terms of morphology of blade, the new species has very obvious differences from T. nobilis. The blade of T. subtilihamata n. sp. is biconcave as a result of the concave anterior blade which is an S-shape. In most cases, the anterior blade surface extends Y+1 axis and apophysis of blade is prominent; whereas these structures in T. nobilis are distinctly different: the blade is fan-shaped, anterior blade surface just touches the Y+1 axis, and there is no obvious apophysis of blade. According to the comparison with the related species, T. subtilihamata is considered to be a new member of the genus.Published as part of Tang, Fahui, Zhao, Yuanjun & Tao, Yanfei, 2007, Trichodinids (Ciliophora: Peritrichida) parasitic on gills of freshwater fishes, Carassius auratus and Aristichthys nobilis from China, with the description of Trichodina subtilihamata sp. nov., pp. 39-48 in Zootaxa 1582 (1) on pages 40-42, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1582.1.4, http://zenodo.org/record/509760
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