ABSTRACT
Neurobasis chinensis is widely distributed in eastern tropical Asia. Its only congener in China, the N. anderssoni, has not been observed for decades. To protect N. chinensis, it is necessary to understand the ecological properties of its habitats and specie's range shift under climate change. In the present study, we modeled its potential distribution under one historical, current, and four future scenarios. We evaluated the importance of the factors that shape its distribution and habitats and predicted the historical and current core spatial distributions and their shifting in the future. Two historical core distribution areas were identified: the inland region of the Bay of Bengal and south-central Vietnam. The current potential distribution includes south China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Luzon of Philippines, Malaysia, southwest and northeast India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia (Java, Sumatera), Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and foothills of the Himalayas, in total, ca. 3.59 × 106 km2. Only one core distribution remained, concentrated in south-central Vietnam. In a warming future, the core distribution, high suitable habitats, and even the whole range of N. chinensis will expand and shift northwards. Currently, N. chinensis mainly resides in forest ecosystems below 1200 m above sea level (preferred 500 m to 1200 m a.s.l.). Annual precipitation, mean temperature of driest quarter, and seasonality of precipitation are important factors shaping the species distribution. Our study provides systematic information on habitats and geographical distribution, which is useful for the conservation of N. chinensis.
ABSTRACT
The entomopathogenic fungus, Cordyceps fumosorosea is a potential eco-friendly biocontrol agent. The present study revealed the entire course of infection of P. xylostella by C. fumosorosea with particular reference to cuticular penetration. Comparative studies on the infection of Plutella xylostella larvae by two strains of C. fumosorosea with different pathogenicity were carried out using light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. We found that C. fumosorosea tended to adhere to the cuticle surfaces containing protrusions. Although conidia of the lower pathogenic strain IFCF-D58 germinated, they failed to penetrate and complete the development cycle. In contrast, the higher pathogenic strain IFCF01 began to germinate within 4 h and attached to the cuticle by a thin mucilaginous matrix within 8 h post-inoculation. After 24 h post-inoculation, germ tubes and penetrating hyphae reached the cuticular epidermis and began to enter the haemocoel. Within 36 h post-inoculation, the hyphal bodies colonized the body cavity. Hyphae penetrated from inside to outside of the body after 48 h and sporulated the cadavers. After 72 h post-inoculation, numerous conidia emerged and the mycelial covered the entire cuticular surface. The two strains showed similarities in terms of conidial size and germination rate. However, IFCF-D58 exhibited significantly fewer appressoria and longer penetrating hyphae compared to the more infective IFCF01 on all surface topographies. The current pathogen invasion sequence of events suggested that the aggressive growth and propagation along with rapid and massive in vivo production of blastospores facilitate the conidia of IFCF01 to quickly overcome the diamondback moth's defense mechanism.
ABSTRACT
The mitochondrial genome of Atrocalopteryx melli was sequenced and assembled via Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and iteratively assembly process with a reference seed. This genome is 15,562 bp long and A + T biased (71%), with 37 genes arranged in common order of Odonata. All protein-coding genes are initiated by typical "ATN" codon, and 9 genes are terminated with a complete stop codon, except nad4, nad5, cox2, and cox3, which are terminated with an incomplete codon "T(aa)". The S5 intergenic spacer is absent in this genome, supporting that lacking of S5 as a specific character for damselflies. The A + T rich region of A. melli is 267 bp longer than that of A. atrata. This mitogenome provides new molecular information for understanding of A. melli and Atrocalopteryx.
ABSTRACT
A new gomphid species, named as Gomphidictinus tongi sp. nov. (Holotype male, Mt. Diaoluoshan, altitude 930m a.s.l., Lingshui County, Hainan Province, China) is described here. It is regarded as the third species of Gomphidictinus based on the presence of the basal spine on median segment of the penis organ. Gomphidia interruptistria Zha, Zhang & Zheng, 2005 is regarded as a junior synonym of Gomphidictinus perakensis (Laidlaw, 1902), which is recorded from Yunnan, China.
Subject(s)
Odonata , Animal Distribution , Animal Structures , Animals , Body Size , China , Male , Organ SizeABSTRACT
An investigation was made on the dynamic changes of tannin concentration in Syzygium jambos and Dracontomelon duperreanum leaves over a 105-day period of leaf litter decomposition in a second-order stream in Longdong Reservoir, Guangzhou. The initial tannin concentration in S. jambos leaves (0.191 g x g(-1) DM) was higher than that in D. duperreanum leaves (0.057 g x g(-1) DM). In the first week of leaf litter decomposition, the tannin concentration in D. duperreanum and S. jambos leaves decreased by 45% and 22% respectively. 21 days after, the decline in tannin concentration slowed down, but the decomposition rate increased, with the leaves of D. duperreanum decomposed faster than those of S. jambos (k value was 0.038 d(-1) and 0.013 d(-1), respectively). The average density of benthonic invertebrate colonized on D. duperreanum leaves (287.9 ind x g(-1) leaf mass) was significantly higher than that on S. jambos leaves (26.2 ind x g(-1) leaf mass) (P < 0.05). A continual increase of benthonic invertebrate's abundance was observed during leaf litter decomposition, which could be attributed to the rapid decrease of leaf tannin concentration. The slower breakdown of S. jambos leaf litter was likely because of the high tannin concentration in S. jambos leaves, which inhibited benthonic invertebrate, especially the shredder's colonization.
