Millennium-old farm breeding of Chinese softshell turtles (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pelodiscus</Emphasis> spp.) results in massive erosion of biodiversity

Chinese softshell turtles (Pelodiscus spp.) are widely distributed, ranging from the Amur and Ussuri Rivers in the Russian Far East through the Korean Peninsula, Japan, and eastern, central, and southern China to southern Vietnam. In East and Southeast Asia, Chinese softshell turtles are traditionally exploited for food and have been farm-bred in China since the Spring and Autumn Period, more than 2400 years ago. Currently, the annual production of Pelodiscus amounts to 340,000 t in China alone. Using mitochondrial DNA (2428 bp) and five nuclear loci (3704 bp), we examined broad sampling of wild and farm-bred Pelodiscus to infer genetic and taxonomic differentiation. We discovered four previously unknown mitochondrial lineages, all from China. One lineage from Jiangxi is deeply divergent and sister to the mitochondrial lineage of Pelodiscus axenaria. The nuclear loci supported species status for P. axenaria and the new lineage from Jiangxi. Pelodiscus maackii and P. parviformis, both harboring distinct mitochondrial lineages, were not differentiated from P. sinensis in the studied nuclear markers. The same is true for two new mitochondrial lineages from Zhejiang, China, represented by only one individual each, and another new lineage from Anhui, Guangdong, Jiangxi and Zhejiang, China. However, Vietnamese turtles yielding a mitochondrial lineage clustering within P. sinensis were distinct in nuclear markers, suggesting that these populations could represent another unknown species with introgressed mitochondria. Its species status is also supported by the syntopic occurrence with P. sinensis in northern Vietnam and by morphology. In addition, we confirmed sympatry of P. axenaria and P. parviformis in Guangxi, China, and found evidence for sympatry of P. sinensis and the new putative species from Jiangxi, China. We also discovered evidence for hybridization in turtle farms and for the occurrence of alien lineages in the wild (Zhejiang, China), highlighting the risk of genetic pollution of native stock. In the face of the large-scale breeding of Pelodiscus, we claim that the long-term survival of distinct genetic lineages and species can only be assured when an upscale market segment for pure-bred softshell turtles is established, making the breeding of pure lineages lucrative for turtle farms. Our findings underline that the diversity of Pelodiscus is currently underestimated and threatened by anthropogenic admixture. We recommend mass screening of genetic and morphological variation of Chinese softshell turtles as a first step to understand and preserve their diversity.     

Die Titicaca-See-Region auf dem Altiplano von Peru und Bolivien und die Folgen eingeführter Fische für Wildarten und ihren Lebensraum

In the course of a long-term case study (since 1960) the interaction between different exotic fish (salmonids, atherinids) on the endemic ichthyofauna (genusOrestias: Cyprinodontidae) introduced to the interandean basin of Lake Titicaca was observed. The contribution deals not only with the actual consequences which endanger endemic species but also the socio-economic effects on the native Indian population, both causing further ecological problems in the region of concern.     

An opilioacarid mite in Cretaceous Burmese amber

A fossil opilioacarid mite (Parasitiformes: Opilioacarida) in Burmese amber is described as ?Opilioacarus groehni sp. nov. This ca. 99 Ma record (Upper Cretaceous: Cenomanian) represents only the third fossil example of this putatively basal mite lineage, the others originating from Eocene Baltic amber (ca. 44–49 Ma). Our new record is not only the oldest record of Opilioacarida, but it is also one of the oldest examples of the entire Parasitiformes clade. The presence of Opilioacarida—potentially Opiloacarus—in the Cretaceous of SE Asia suggests that some modern genus groups were formerly more widely distributed across the northern hemisphere, raising questions about previously suggested Gondwanan origins for these mites.     

Gaudeamus lavocati sp. nov. (Rodentia, Hystricognathi) from the early Oligocene of Zallah, Libya: first African caviomorph?

A new African species of hystricognathous rodent, Gaudeamus lavocati sp. nov., is described herein from the early Oligocene deposits of Zallah locality (Sirt basin, Central Libya). The dental morphology of this species is very close to that of some earliest South American caviomorphs. It allows a reinterpretation of molar crest homologies among earliest caviomorphs, pentalophodonty being confirmed as the plesiomorphic molar condition in Caviomorpha. This morphological resemblance argues for close affinities between Gaudeamus and earliest South American hystricognaths. Cladistic analysis supports Gaudeamus lavocati sp. nov. as the first known African representative of Caviomorpha, implying that its ancestors were part of the African phiomyid group that crossed the South Atlantic by a direct immigration route. Alternatively, the series of derived dental features of Gaudeamus could also be interpreted as evolutionary synchronous convergences of an African hystricognath lineage towards the specialized pattern of some caviomorphs. However, the high level of similarities concerning teeth morphology and enamel microstructure and the similar age of fossiliferous strata on both continents make this interpretation less probable. The phylogenetic position of this taxon is of considerable importance because it represents an enigmatic component of the phiomorph–caviomorph radiation in Africa and appears as a new clue toward the understanding of caviomorph origins.     

Carnivorans at the Great American Biotic Interchange: new discoveries from the northern neotropics

We report two fossil procyonids, Cyonasua sp. and Chapalmalania sp., from the late Pliocene of Venezuela (Vergel Member, San Gregorio Formation) and Colombia (Ware Formation), respectively. The occurrence of these pre-Holocene procyonids outside Argentina and in the north of South America provides further information about the Great American Biotic Interchange (GABI). The new specimens are recognized in the same monophyletic group as procyonids found in the southern part of the continent, the “Cyonasua group,” formed by species of Cyonasua and Chapalmalania. The phylogenetic analysis that includes the two new findings support the view that procyonids dispersed from North America in two separate events (initially, previous to the first major migration wave—GABI 1—and then within the last major migration wave—GABI 4—). This involved reciprocal lineage migrations from North to South America, and included the evolution of South American endemic forms.     

A molecular phylogenetic analysis of the neotropical dart-poison frog genus Phyllobates (Amphibia: Dendrobatidae)

 A phylogenetic analysis of the Neotropical dart-poison frogs, genus Phyllobates, was performed based on mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences. Members of Phyllobates from South and Central America were found to form each an evolutionary lineage. Among the South American lineage, species with uniform dorsal coloration as adults form a derived monophyletic clade. Received: 26 June 2000 / Accepted in revised form: 8 November 2000     

Isolation and structure elucidation of azoricasterol,a new sterol of the deepwater sponge<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Macandrewia azorica</Emphasis>

Chemical investigation of the deepwater sponge Macandrewia azorica, collected from the flanks of the Gettysburg and Ormonde Sea Mount, North Atlantic, from a depth of 600 m, has led to the isolation of a new sterol with an unusual side chain (1), along with S-methylergothioneine (2). The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were established by employing spectroscopic techniques (NMR, MS, UV, IR and polarimetry). This is the first report of metabolites of a sponge belonging to the genus Macandrewia.     

A chicken-sized crane precursor from the early Oligocene of France

A skeleton of a chicken-sized crane precursor is described from the Lower Oligocene of the Lubéron in Southern France. Parvigrus pohli gen. et sp. nov. is the most substantial Paleogene fossil record of the Grues (Aramidae [limpkin] + Gruidae [cranes]), and among its oldest representatives. The fossil species is classified in the new taxon Parvigruidae, which is shown to be the sister group of extant Grues. It is the first fossil record of a stem lineage representative of the Grues and, among others, differs from modern Grues in its smaller size, shorter beak, and rail-like limb proportions. Size increase in the stem lineage of the Gruidae may be related to the spread of grasslands during the Oligocene and Miocene. Occurrence of stem lineage Grues in the Lower Oligocene of Europe is in concordance with the fact that there is no evidence for the presence of crown group members of modern avian “families” in pre-Oligocene fossil deposits. Electronic Supplementary Material  Supplementary material is available for this article at     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bonitasaura salgadoi</Emphasis> gen. et sp. nov.: a beaked sauropod from the Late Cretaceous of Patagonia

Ornithischian and theropod dinosaurs were morphologically diverse during the Cretaceous. In contrast, sauropods were relatively more conservative. The anatomy of Bonitasaura salgadoi, a new 9-m titanosaurian sauropod from Upper Cretaceous beds of Patagonia, suggests that sauropod anatomical diversity would have included unexpected items. Its unusual, rectangular lower jaw possesses narrow, anteriorly restricted teeth and shows evidence of a sharp keratinous sheath over the non-dentigerous region that probably worked to guillotine plant material. This discovery definitely demonstrates that titanosaurs acquired a mandibular configuration similar to that of some basal diplodocoids, as had already been suggested by the lower jaw of the controversial genus Antarctosaurus. This oral configuration, plus the beak-like structure and the skull shape, resemble some traits more commonly seen in Laurasian ornithischians, mostly unexpressed in southern continents. A high sauropod morphological diversity seems to be in agreement with the poorly represented ornithischian clades of the southern hemisphere.Communicated by G. Mayr     

Vegaviidae,a new clade of southern diving birds that survived the K/T boundary

The fossil record of Late Cretaceous–Paleogene modern birds in the Southern Hemisphere includes the Maastrichtian Neogaeornis wetzeli from Chile, Polarornis gregorii and Vegavis iaai from Antarctica, and Australornis lovei from the Paleogene of New Zealand. The recent finding of a new and nearly complete Vegavis skeleton constitutes the most informative source for anatomical comparisons among Australornis, Polarornis, and Vegavis. The present contribution includes, for the first time, Vegavis, Polarornis, and Australornis in a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis. This analysis resulted in the recognition of these taxa as a clade of basal Anseriformes that we call Vegaviidae. Vegaviids share a combination of characters related to diving adaptations, including compact and thickened cortex of hindlimb bones, femur with anteroposteriorly compressed and bowed shaft, deep and wide popliteal fossa delimited by a medial ridge, tibiotarsus showing notably proximally expanded cnemial crests, expanded fibular crest, anteroposterior compression of the tibial shaft, and a tarsometatarsus with a strong transverse compression of the shaft. Isolated bones coming from the Cretaceous and Paleogene of South America, Antarctica, and New Zealand are also referred to here to Vegaviidae and support the view that these basal anseriforms were abundant and diverse at high southern latitudes. Moreover, vegaviids represent the first avian lineage to have definitely crossed the K–Pg boundary, supporting the idea that some avian clades were not affected by the end Mesozoic mass extinction event, countering previous interpretations. Recognition of Vegaviidae indicates that modern birds were diversified in southern continents by the Cretaceous and reinforces the hypothesis indicating the important role of Gondwana for the evolutionary history of Anseriformes and Neornithes as a whole.     

Detecting the potential sympatric range and niche divergence between Asian endemic ungulates of Procapra

Species distribution modeling (SDM) is increasingly used to reveal biogeographical relationships, for example the sympatric range for species coexistence, and fundamental questions about niche evolution between related species. We explored the sympatric ranges between three Procapra species (Procapra przewalskii, Procapra Picticaudata, and Procapra gutturosa) via two methods of defining the study region (method 1, in which models were developed in a larger region including the whole geographic range of Procapra, and method 2 in which a smaller region surrounding focal species’ localities was used and then projected to the larger region). We also quantified environmental niche divergence between gazelles across the whole range in Procapra. Models for gazelles generally performed well. Compared with method 2, method 1 led to larger predicted areas with high suitability and was less concentrated around known localities. Clamping, which deals with variables outside the training range, varied between gazelles and occurred primarily in regions unsuitable for respective species. For all gazelle pairs, models revealed an overlap zone where more than one species should occur, while the estimates varied between the two methods. Moreover, we found that the niche overlap was closely associated with geographic distance but not with phylogenetic distance among gazelles. Our findings indicate that SDM is a useful tool for testing whether related species tend to be in sympatry at large scales, with method 1 leading to more realistic predictions for Procapra. This study provides evidence of a distinct niche divergence among related species and supports the theory that ecological speciation plays a significant role in lineage generation.     

Collective decision through self-assembling

The ant genus Oecophylla is well known for forming chains that allow a gap to be bridged. Using a set-up where the ants are given the choice of building a chain on two identical sites, we show that they always end up focusing their activity on a single one. A mathematical model suggests that this result depends on probabilities of entering and leaving the chain that depend on its size. The same model allows some predictions to be made on the influence of the nest size. Thus, a critical population size is needed in order to observe the formation of at least one chain. Over this size we observe the transitory coexistence of two chains, for which the duration is positively correlated to the nest size. However, this coexistence always leads to the formation of one chain and to the break-up of the other one. Following on from these results we give similar examples in gregarious arthropods and discuss the possibility of these mechanisms being generic for a wide range of collective activities and decisions.     

The first metagenome of activated sludge from full-scale anaerobic/anoxic/oxic (A2O) nitrogen and phosphorus removal reactor using Illumina sequencing

The anaerobic/anoxic/oxic (A2O) process is globally one of the widely used biological sewage treatment processes. This is the first report of a metagenomic analysis using Illumina sequencing of full-scale A2O sludge from a municipal sewage treatment plant. With more than 530,000 clean reads from different taxa and metabolic categories, the metagenome results allow us to gain insight into the functioning of the biological community of the A2O sludge. There are 51 phyla and nearly 900 genera identified from the A2O activated sludge ecosystem. Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Nitrospirae and Chloroflexi are predominant phyla in the activated sludge, suggesting that these organisms play key roles in the biodegradation processes in the A2O sewage treatment system. Nitrospira, Thauera, Dechloromonas and Ignavibacterium, which have abilities to metabolize nitrogen and aromatic compounds, are most prevalent genera. The percent of nitrogen and phosphorus metabolism in the A2O sludge is 2.72% and 1.48%, respectively. In the current A2O sludge, the proportion of Candidatus Accumulibacter is 1.37%, which is several times more than that reported in a recent study of A2O sludge. Among the four processes of nitrogen metabolism, denitrification related genes had the highest number of sequences (76.74%), followed by ammonification (15.77%), nitrogen fixation (3.88%) and nitrification (3.61%). In phylum Planctomycetes, four genera (Planctomyces, Pirellula, Gemmata and Singulisphaera) are included in the top 30 abundant genera, suggesting the key role of ANAMMOX in nitrogen metabolism in the A2O sludge.     

A new fossil thryonomyid from the Late Miocene of the United Arab Emirates and the origin of African cane rats

Cane rats (Thryonomyidae) are represented today by two species inhabiting sub-Saharan Africa. Their fossil record is predominately African, but includes several Miocene species from Arabia and continental Asia that represent dispersal events from Africa. For example, Paraulacodus indicus, known from the Miocene of Pakistan, is closely related to living Thryonomys. Here we describe a new thryonomyid, Protohummus dango, gen. et sp. nov., from the late Miocene Baynunah Formation of the United Arab Emirates. The new thryonomyid is less derived than “Thryonomys” asakomae from the latest Miocene of Ethiopia and clarifies the origin of crown Thryonomys and the evolutionary transition from Paraulacodus. A phylogenetic analysis shows Protohummus dango to be morphologically intermediate between Paraulacodus spp. and extinct and living Thryonomys spp. The morphological grade and phylogenetic position of Protohummus dango further supports previous biochronological estimates of the age of the Baynunah Formation (ca. 6–8 Ma).     

A temporary social parasite of tropical plant-ants improves the fitness of a myrmecophyte

Myrmecophytes offer plant-ants a nesting place in exchange for protection from their enemies, particularly defoliators. These obligate ant–plant mutualisms are common model systems for studying factors that allow horizontally transmitted mutualisms to persist since parasites of ant–myrmecophyte mutualisms exploit the rewards provided by host plants whilst providing no protection in return. In pioneer formations in French Guiana, Azteca alfari and Azteca ovaticeps are known to be mutualists of myrmecophytic Cecropia (Cecropia ants). Here, we show that Azteca andreae, whose colonies build carton nests on myrmecophytic Cecropia, is not a parasite of Azteca–Cecropia mutualisms nor is it a temporary social parasite of A. alfari; it is, however, a temporary social parasite of A. ovaticeps. Contrarily to the two mutualistic Azteca species that are only occasional predators feeding mostly on hemipteran honeydew and food bodies provided by the host trees, A. andreae workers, which also attend hemipterans, do not exploit the food bodies. Rather, they employ an effective hunting technique where the leaf margins are fringed with ambushing workers, waiting for insects to alight. As a result, the host trees’ fitness is not affected as A. andreae colonies protect their foliage better than do mutualistic Azteca species resulting in greater fruit production. Yet, contrarily to mutualistic Azteca, when host tree development does not keep pace with colony growth, A. andreae workers forage on surrounding plants; the colonies can even move to a non-Cecropia tree.     

生物沥浸处理中微生物菌群和胞外聚合物对城市污泥脱水性能的影响

探讨城市污泥生物沥浸过程中微生物菌群和胞外聚合物(EPS)变化对污泥脱水性能的影响,对进一步揭示生物沥浸法提高污泥脱水性能机理具有重要意义.本研究通过摇瓶试验探讨了硫杆菌和异养微生物菌群数量的变化及EPS在生物沥浸法提高城市污泥脱水性能中的作用.试验结果表明,在生物沥浸处理的前2 d内,由于硫杆菌A.ferrooxidans LX5和A.thiooxidans TS6的大量生长,导致生物沥浸污泥的pH从初始的4.62显著下降至2.47,进而导致污泥中异养菌数量从初始的2.65×108CFU·mL-1下降至8.20×106CFU·mL-1,污泥中EPS含量从初始的28.18 mg·g-1(以VSS计,下同)显著下降为13.53 mg·g-1.A.ferrooxidans LX5和A.thiooxidans TS6的大量生长、异养微生物细胞的死亡破裂及EPS含量的下降共同促使污泥的结合水含量从初始的37.28%下降至21.10%,最终导致污泥比阻从初始的5.14×1012m·kg-1显著下降至6.92×1011m·kg-1.通过验证试验发现,原始污泥在剥离EPS后其比阻仅为原来的11.23%,其脱水性能与生物沥浸2 d后的污泥在0.05水平上没有显著性差异.因此,污泥中A.ferrooxidans LX5、A.thiooxidans TS6和异养微生物菌群数量的改变及EPS含量的减少是生物沥浸法提高污泥脱水性能的两个重要因素.     

城市污水中硝化菌群落结构与性能分析

对西安市第二和第三污水处理厂进水中硝化菌群落结构与性能进行调查分析.荧光原位杂交结果发现,进水中氨氧化菌(AOB)优势菌为Nitrosomonas europaea/Nitrosococcus mobilis lineage;亚硝酸盐氧化菌(NOB)的优势菌均为Nitrospira,次优势菌为Nitrobacter,且与Nitrococcus、Nitrospina并存.二污及三污进水中硝化菌个数占总细菌数(AOB+NOB)/EUB的平均个数百分比分别为(5.35±2.1)%和(6.0±2.8)%;在曝气2~16h后,活性基本恢复,最大氨氧化速率分别为(0.32±0.12)mg·(L·h)-1和(0.43±0.17)mg·(L·h)-1,亚硝酸盐氧化速率为(0.71±0.18)mg·(L·h)-1和(0.58±0.27)mg·(L·h)-1.因此,城市污水中含有活性硝化菌,对活性污泥系统有自然的连续接种作用,根据进水及活性污泥中硝化活性可以估算出城市污水中AOB与NOB对活性污泥的连续接种强度分别为0.08~0.09 g·(g·d)-1和0.11~0.24 g·(g·d)-1.     

A new dromaeosaurid (Dinosauria: Theropoda) with Asian affinities from the latest Cretaceous of North America

Dromaeosaurids from the Maastrichtian of North America have a poor fossil record and are known largely from isolated teeth, which have typically been referred to taxa based on more complete material from earlier Campanian strata. An almost complete maxilla with well-preserved dentition and an associated dentary from the Hell Creek Formation of Montana are used to establish a new dromaeosaurid taxon in the latest Maastrichtian, immediately prior to the end-Cretaceous extinction event. Acheroraptor temertyorum gen. et sp. nov. is differentiated from other dromaeosaurids on the basis of a hypertrophied postantral wall that projects posteriorly into the antorbital fenestra, a maxillary fenestra positioned low in the antorbital fossa and directly posterior to the promaxillary fenestra, and distinctive dentition with marked apicobasal ridges. The new material allows a dromaeosaurid from the Maastrichtian of North America to be placed within a phylogenetic framework for the first time. Phylogenetic analysis suggests Acheroraptor is a velociraptorine that is more closely related to Asian dromaeosaurids, including Tsaagan and Velociraptor, than it is to Dromaeosaurus, Saurornitholestes, or any other taxon from North America. As part of the Lancian Tyrannosaurus–Triceratops fauna, A. temertyorum is the latest occurring dromaeosaurid. Its relationships and occurrence suggest a complex historical biogeographic scenario that involved multiple, bi-directional faunal interchanges between Asia and North America during the Late Cretaceous.     

嗜酸性细菌对废旧线路板浸出的吸附行为及动力学

探究嗜酸性细菌对废旧线路板浸出的吸附行为及其动力学模型是生物浸出机制研究的重要基础.本研究通过考察接种不同浓度氧化亚铁硫杆菌(A.ferrooxidans)浸出线路板中铜的吸附行为,探索了菌体在线路板粉末表面的吸附过程,分析了其吸附行为的动力学特性.结果表明,A.ferrooxidans在线路板粉末表面的吸附均于5 h内达到平衡.随着初始菌浓度的增大,吸附速率和吸附的微生物量也随之增大.初始菌体浓度为2.4×105、2.4×107和2.4×109cells·m L-1时对应的最大吸附量分别为1.8701、2.3552和2.9833 mg·g-1,吸附的微生物量占总生物量的比例分别为43.75%、53.97%和55.94%,铜的浸出率分别达到71.20%、88.33%和95.05%.进一步的非线性拟合结果显示,一级动力学模型适用于A.ferrooxidans与线路板粉末的吸附行为,模型拟合度(R2)分别达到0.9321、0.9134和0.9193.     

Benthic diatom community response to metal contamination from an abandoned Cu mine: Case study of the Gromolo Torrent (Italy)

Environmental contamination has become a global problem of increasing intensity due to the exponential growth of industrialization. One main debated issue is the metal contamination of rivers receiving Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) from active/abandoned mines. In order to assess the quality of lotic systems, diatoms are commonly used, as their assemblage modifies on the basis of changes in environmental parameters. Benthic diatom changes were analyzed along the metal-impacted Gromolo Torrent (Liguria, NW Italy) with the aim of understanding the effects of input from the abandoned Libiola Cu mine. The results support the hypothesis that metals from AMD lead to massive changes in diatoms, resulting in low biological diversity and in a shift of dominance, passing from the genera Cymbella and Cocconeis to more tolerant and opportunistic species, such as Achnanthidium minutissimum and Fragilaria rumpens. The high concentrations of labile metals, measured through Diffusion Gradients in Thin-films (DGT) immediately downstream of the two AMD inputs in the torrent, corresponded to a sudden decrease in the presence of diatoms, indicating the possible reaching of acute toxic levels. In particular, A. minutissimum dominated the mining area and was positively correlated with Cu and Zn; whereas F. rumpens bloomed downstream of this area, where the metal content was diluted, and was positively correlated with As and Pb. Finally, an important abundance of Nitzschia palea and teratological forms of A. minutissimum and F. rumpens were observed downstream from the mine, indicating that metals may have an important impact on diatoms up to the torrent mouth.