The influence of seasonal precipitation and temperature variations on runoff in California and southwestern Oregon

EXTRACT (SEE PDF FOR FULL ABSTRACT): There is considerable seasonal-to-interannual variability in the runoff of major watersheds in the Sierra Nevada, Coastal, and Cascade ranges of California and southwestern Oregon. This variability is reflected in both the amount and timing of runoff. This study examines that variability using long historical streamflow records and seasonal mean temperature and precipitation. ... Precipitation is the only significant predictor for both amount and timing of runoff in the low elevation basins. As elevation increases, the models rely more and more on temperature to explain amount and timing of runoff.

Anomalous atmospheric circulation and large winter floods in six subregions of the southwestern United States

EXTRACT (SEE PDF FOR FULL ABSTRACT): We examined atmospheric circulation conditions conducive to occurrence of winter floods that exceed the 10-year peak discharge on rivers in six hydroclimatic subregions in Arizona, southern Utah, Nevada, and California. ... This relationship between flooding and broad-scale atmospheric patterns in the modern record will aid in paleoclimatic interpretations of paleoflood records over the last few thousand years.

Validation of a semi-Lagrangian, canonical regression model of climates in the southwestern United States

EXTRACT (SEE PDF FOR FULL ABSTRACT): A local climate model (LCM) has been developed to simulate the modern and 18 ka climate of the southwestern United States. ... LCM solutions indicate summers were about 1°C cooler and winters 11°C cooler at 18 ka. Annual PREC increased 68% at 18 ka, with large increases in spring and fall PREC and diminished summer monsoonal PREC. ... Validation of simulations of 18 ka climate indicate general agreement with proxy estimates of climate for that time. However, the LCM estimates of summer temperatures are about 5 to 10°C higher than estimates from proxy reconstructions.

Tree-ring reconstructions of winter climate and circulation indices for the southwestern United States

A key to understanding the causes for climate variability lies in understanding how atmospheric circulation influences regional climate. The goal of this research is to investigate the long-term relationships between atmospheric circulation and winter climate in the southwestern United States. Patterns of atmospheric circulation are described by circulation indices, and winter climate is defined as number of days with precipitation and mean maximum temperature for the winter wet season, November through March. Records of both circulation indices and climate variables were reconstructed with tree-ring chronologies for the period 1702-1983. The years of the highest and lowest values of circulation indices and climate variables were compared in order to investigate possible spatial and temporal relationships between extremes in circulation and climate.

Rice-fish culture: status and potential for increased production in the southwestern states of India

The scope of increasing production through rice-fish integration, suitable for coastal districts of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra, is reviewed. The method of adopting the lowlying freshwater rice fields to raise 2 rice crops along with 4-species fish culture, followed by a third non-cereal summer crop in a year, is discussed. A calendar of operation and economics of the system are presented.

Morphometric characteristics and meristic traits of Tilapia zillii from three major dams of a southwestern state, Nigeria

Tilapia zillii was examined in three major dams in Ekiti State, Nigeria (Ureje dam, Ado, Egbe dam and Ero dam) for their morphometric characteristics and meristic traits. The results showed that the average body weight of the fish sampled were 145.86±50.06g in Ado, 30.19±9.35g in Egbe and 40.58±52.30g in Ero dam. Average total lengths were 21.29±3.20cm, 12.32±1.74cm and 11.24±1.56cm for Ado, Egbe and Ero dam respectively. The relationship between average weight and length of T. zillii showed that Y=15.202X-179.33 (R2=0.7181), Y=4.40049±-24.075 (R2=0.6708) and Y=2.6676X10.596 (R2=0.0063) for Ado, Egbe and Ero dam respectively. The results on headlength, total length, body weight and standard length and pre-pelvic distance are significantly different at 95% among the T.zillii of the three dams. There was no significant difference in the meristic traits of the T. zillii of the three dams. The population size of T.zillii in the three dams was just too small compared to other species of fish hence the need to assess the stock of fish in these dams critically for the encouragement of proper fishing activities in these dams.

Geographic variation of Chevrier's field mouse (Apodemus chevrieri) (Milne-Edwards, 1868) (Muridae : Murinae) from southwestern China based on cranial morphometric variables

Geographic variation of Chevrier's field mouse (Apodemus chevrieri) (Milne-Edwards, 1868) (Muridae: Murinae) from southwestern China based on cranial morphometric variables. Zoological Studies 47(4): 393-401. A sample of 134 specimens of Apodemus chevrieri was investigated in the present study. Individuals were divided into male and female groups, and these were respectively subjected to multivariate analysis. Results indicated that 3 geographic populations of A. chevrieri inhabit southwestern China: a Sichuan population in western Sichuan Province; a northwestern Yunnan population ranging from northwestern Yunnan Province eastward to southern Sichuan Province; and a central Yunnan population in central Yunnan Province. In addition, a coefficient of difference analysis was performed among these 3 geographic populations. The results suggested that these 3 geographical populations of A. chevrieri belonged to 2 subspecies. Furthermore, we discuss the relationships of the subspecific differentiation of A. chevneri with changes in latitude in southwestern China.

A NEW SPECIES FROM SOUTHWESTERN CHINA IN THE AFRO-PALEARCTIC LINEAGE OF THE HORSESHOE BATS (RHINOLOPHUS)

A new species of horseshoe bat (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae) is described from southwestern China. The presence of a wedge-shaped sella and pointed connecting process of the nose leaf aligns the new species to the landeri group in the Afro-Palearctic lineag

Balitora nantingensis (Teleostei : Balitoridae), a new hillstream loach from Salween drainage in Yunnan, Southwestern China

A new species of hillstream loach genus Balitora Gray is discovered from Nanting River drainage, which drains to Salween, Yongde County, Yunnan, China. Balitora nantingensis can be distinguished from B. lancangjiangensis by a triangle-like blotch in nape absent vs. present; area from halfway of pelvicfin ray to anus covered by scales vs. no scales in this area; the first pectoral ray thickened vs. not; posterior end of pelvic-fin surpasses middle point from posterior end of pelvic-fin base to anal-fin origin vs. the end from posterior extremity of pelvic-fins to anus; fewer lateral line scales, 59-64 vs. 66-70; slightly longer head, SL 4.2-5.1 (4.6) times of HL vs. 5.0-5.9 (5.4); slightly larger eyes, HL 4.0-6.4 (5. 1) times of eye diameter vs. 5.5-7.5 (6.3). Balitora nantingensis can be distinguished from B. burmanica by body rounded vs. slender in dorsal view; pointed snout vs. blunt in dorsal view; a deeper body, body depth 12.5-16.9% of SL vs. 10-12%; a deeper caudal-peduncle, length of caudal-peduncle 2.0-2.8 times of its depth vs. 3.0-4.2; a shorter caudal-peduncle, 14.3-15.6% of SL vs. 16-21%; the average ratio of body width at pelvic-fin origin and distance between inner pelvic-fin base 2.0 vs. 3.4; body width 1.1-1.5 times of body depth vs. 1.5-1.6; posterior end of pelvic-fin almost one or slight more than one eye diameter from anus vs. closet to anus; outside rays of pelvic-fin extend more posteriorly than inside rays and make posterior outline of fin acclivitous and straight vs. the outside ones almost equal to the inside ones and make the fin slightly convex.

Schistura cryptofasciata, a new loach (Cypriniformes : Balitoridae) from Salween drainage in Yunnan, Southwestern China

Schistura cryptofasciata is distinguished from its congeners by following combination characters: lateral line complete; 8(1)/(2) branched dorsal-fin rays; 9+8 branched caudal-fin rays; no sexual dimorphism; 8-11 indistinct bars, wider than interspaces; caudal-peduncle length 44.1-16.5% standard length, 68.1-90.4% dorsal head length; anterior portion of body scaleless; air bladder entirely embedded in bony capsule; lateral head length 104-122% dorsal head length; lower jaw with a notch at symphysis; lower lip completely interrupted; interorbital width 1.9-2.2 times eye diameter; pelvic-fin origin ventral to dorsal-fin origin; anus 1.0-1.5 eye diameters in front of anal-fin origin; the widest part of black basal caudal bar is the midlateral, and then the upper and lower ends.

Geographic variation of the Perny's Long-nosed squirrels (Dremomys pernyi) (Milne-Edwards, 1867) (Rodentia : Sciuridae) from southwestern China based on cranial morphometric variables

A sample of 114 specimens of Dremomys pernyi was investigated, 73 of which had intact skulls and were subjected to multivariate, coefficient of difference (C. D.), and cluster analyses. Results indicate that 4 subspecies (groups) of Dremomys pernyi inhabi

A new species of bamboo bat (Chiroptera : Vespertilionidae : Tylonycteris) from southwestern China

Bamboo bats are a group of small bats with unique skull and morphology. They roost inside hollow bamboo stems in tropical and subtropical Asia and the Ambon Islands (Moluccas). We examined 53 specimens of Tylonycteris from southern and southwestern China. Comparisons of skull and external characteristics, pelage color, shapes of thumbpads and footpads, and statistical analysis of cranial measurements revealed that specimens from Damenglong, Jinghong County, Xishuang-banna, Yunnan, are distinctly different from the other two species of Tylonycteris described so far. The Yunnan specimens are the smallest in size; have dark blackish brown pelage color; and have larger upper premolars, smaller first lower premolars, and longer C-M-3. They are sympatric with the previously described species. Here we review the genus Tylonycteri and describe a new species, Tylonycteris pygmaeus, from the Yunnan material.

Cymbellaceae and Gomphonemataceae (Bacillariophyta) from the Hengduan Mountains region (southwestern China)

We present a species list of the Gomphonemataceae and Cymbellaceae occurring in the Hengduan Mountains re-ion. These two families were found to be presented in the area by 117 species, varieties and forms belonging to four genera (Amphora, Cymbella, Didymosphenia and Gomphonema). Size, striae density, habitat and distribution in China are given for each taxon. The common taxa were Cymbella aequalis var. piscicultis. C. affinis, C. cesatii, C. cistula var. gibbosa, C. delicatula. C. gracilis, C. hustedtii, C. minuta f. latens, C. minita var. silesiaca, C. naviculiformis, C. parva. C. turgidida, Gomphonema acuminatum var. acuminatum, G. gracile, G. intricatum, G. olivaceum. G. parvulum and G. truncatum var. capitatum. Some morphological features of Cymbella cistula var. capitata, Cymbella sinica var. miyiensis, Gomphonema hedinii and G. kaznakowii were found to differ from previously published descriptions. Taxa typical of high latitude climates encountered during the present study were Cymbella affinis, C. alpina, C. cistula var. cistida, C. delicatula. C. naviculiformis. Didymosphenia geminata, Gomphonema acuminatum var. pusillum, G. constrictum var. capitatum f. turgidum, G. kaznakowii, G. olivaceum, G. subtile var. subtile, G. tergestinum and G. ventricosum.

Fridericia nanningensis, a new terrestrial enchytraeid species (Oligochaeta) from southwestern China

Fridericia nanningensis, a new species from wetland soil of Nanhu Park, Nanning city, the capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southwest China, is described. It is characterized by 2-4 chaetae per bundle, poorly-developed clitellar glands, slender, unbranched peptonephridia, and spermathecae with 2 ampullar diverticula, a deep constriction in the middle of the ampulla and one large ectal gland. It is closely related to the European species, F. alata Nielsen & Christensen, 1959 and the East European species, F. tubulosa Dozsa-Farkas, 1972 by the shape of peptonephridia and the undeveloped clitellar glands. It differs from F. alata by its shorter body length and fewer chaetae per bundle, its type of coelomocytes (type "c"), its deep constriction in the middle of the spermathecae ampulla and a larger ectal gland, and it differs from F. tubulosa by its pale epidermal glands, its more anterior origin of the dorsal vessel, a deep constriction in the middle of the spermathecae ampulla, shorter ectal duct, and only one ectal gland at the spermathecal orifice.