Relationships between Testate Amoebae Assemblages (Protozoa) and Geographic Factors in Yunnan Plateau Lakes, China

Knowledge of the effect of geographic factors on the assemblages of protozoan testate amoebae is still limited, despite there having been a number of studies on this fauna. We applied statistical analyses to data on the distribution of testate amoebae from nine major lakes in the Yunnan Plateau, southwest China. Cluster analysis, based on community structure, separated the lakes into two groups - the oligotrophic/mesotrophic lakes and the hypercutrophic lakes - confirming the idea that the testate amoebae assemblages in lakes are closely related to the trophic status. Additionally, within the oligotrophic/mesotrophic lakes, there was distinct geographic clustering. Linear regression analysis and the Mantel test both revealed that similarity of species composition decreased with increasing geographic distance among the oligotrophic/mesotrophic lakes.

A Simplified Evaluation Procedure of the Scale of Fluctuation Combined Recurrence Averaging and Weighted Linear Regression

The divergence of properties from one location to another within a soil mass is termed spatial variability, which traditionally includes three parameters the mean, the standard deviation, and the scale of fluctuation, in order to stochastically describe a soil property. Among them, determining the scale of fluctuation in the evaluation of spatial variability of soil profiles is not easy due to soil condition complexity. A simplified procedure is presented in the paper to determine the scale of fluctuation combined recurrence averaging and weighted linear regression. The alternative approach utilizes widely usable spreadsheet to solve the problem more directly and efficiently.

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.

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

Geographic variation of the Anderson's Niviventer (Niviventer andersoni) (Thomas, 1911) (Rodentia: Muridae) of two new subspecies in China verified with cranial morphometric variables and pelage characteristics

A total of 66 specimens of Niviventer andersoni with intact skulls was investigated on pelage characteristics and cranial morphometric variables. The data were subjected to principal component analyses as well as to discriminant analyses, and measurement

Geographic distribution of Pelteobagrus fulvidraco and Pelteobagrus vachelli in the Yangtze River based on mitochondrial DNA markers

Three populations of Pelteobagrus vachelli and Pelteobagrus fulvidraco of the Yangtze River were examined by PCR-RFLP analysis of mitochondrial DNA fragments. ND5/6 and D-loop fragments were digested by 10 restriction endonucleases. Significant geographic variations between upstream and mid-downstream populations in the haplotype frequencies and restriction patterns were revealed. This suggested that the diversity of P. vachelli was high; 11 haplotypes were obtained from all the samples. The upstream population shared seven haplotypes and the middle and downstream populations shared another four haplotypes. Among all of the haplotypes, one haplotype was shared in 30 samples of the populations from middle and downstream, but it was not found in the upstream population. Any haplotype found in the upstream population was not detected in the middle and downstream populations. Genetic diversity of P. fulvidraco was low and only five haplotyes were detected from all 60 samples. Phylogenic relationships also indicated that the fishes from upstream and mid-downstream were apparently divided into two populations.