A new species of Amolops (Anura : Ranidae) from Southwest China

A new species of Amolops is described from a mountainous area of southern Yunnan Province, China. The species is unique in having a dark purple dorsum with small light yellow spots. The spots are smaller than the smallest finger disk. Other characters tha

Mandibular morphometric variation among Chinese cercopithecoids and the unique structure of the snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus) mandible

In order to understand how mandibular structure differs among the Chinese cercopithecoids (Rhinopithecus, Trachypithecus and Macaca), particularly the uniqueness of the snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus), we analysed ten mandibular measurements by principal components analysis (PCA), and examined scaling patterns. The results provided by the PCA illustrated differences due to size among the cercopithecoids and the relationship between colobines (Trachypithecus and Rhinopithecus) and cercopithecines, in which macaques (Macaca) are included. Allometric analysis indicated that, biomechanically, there is not a marked difference between macaques and leaf-eating monkeys. This may be associated with the fact that both share some similar ecology and niches in south and southwest China. The snub-nosed monkeys exhibit a significantly more robust mandible, evident in the symphysis, corpus, condyle, and masticatory momentum arm. This supports the hypothesis, based on the study of dental structure, that Rhinopithecus is a unique group in Asian Old World monkeys (OWMs) and has developed some unique characteristics in order to adapt to the tough food available in the severe cold climate of the Plateaux of Qinghai-Tibet, Yun-Gui and Qingling in China.

Are Hylobates lar Extirpated from China?

The Nangunhe Nature Reserve in Southwest Yunnan (PRC) has long been presumed to be the last stronghold of lar (or white-handed) gibbons (Hylobates lar) in China and the likely last place of occurrence of Hylobates lar yunnanensis. We conducted a comprehen

A review of the Chinese species of Crossocheilus, with description of a new species (Ostariophysi : Cyprinidae)

Fishes of the genus Crossocheilus in China is reviewed on the basis of specimens in Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Crossocheilus multirastellus is described from the upper Irrawaddy and upper Salween rivers. It is distinguished from all of its congeners by having two black longitudinal stripes on sides of body, 36-38 lateral line scales, 18-25 gill rakers, anus at midpoint between ventral fin and anal fin insertions, ventral fin extending over anus, a large deep blue rhomboid spot above the pectoral fin, and a straight mouth gape almost equal to head width. There are presently two species of Crossocheilus fishes in China. Crossocheilus bamaensis Fang and Crossocheilus liuchengensis Liang, Liu & Wu are recognized here as members of the genus Sinocrossocheilus.

Habitat use by wintering Ruddy Shelduck at Lashihai Lake, Lijiang, China

Habitat use by wintering Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) in Lijiang Lashihai Lake of southwest China was studied from 1 November 1999 to 29 April 2000. We divided habitats into five types-deep water, shallow water, mudflat, grassland and farmland. Shallow water and grassland, with rich food and easily accessible water, were preferred by wintering Ruddy Shelducks, Farmland was preferred in mid-winter but avoided in early winter and late winter. Even in mid-winter, the feeding Ruddy Shelduck on farmland were not equally distributed in fields and preferred wet fields (just irrigated) and avoided dry fields. In dry fields, the distances to water sources had great impact on the feeding distribution. Mudflats were only selected in later winter, coinciding with the growth of water-weeds. Deep-water areas were always avoided. Prohibition of human disturbance and retaining shallow water areas and grassland are important measures to mitigate conflict between Ruddy Sheldruck and local people.

Effects of human activities on migratory waterbirds at Lashihai Lake, China

Surveys on migratory waterbirds and their habitats at Lashihai Lake, China, were conducted from October 1999 to April 2000. Five fixed points, representing different degrees of habitat disturbance and quality, were selected around the lake. We used counts (n = 30) to compare diversity and abundance of waterbirds at each point and evaluate the effects of habitat disturbance. The distribution of waterbirds was affected by disturbance, with snore than one-third of the total species and nearly half of the total individuals occurring at the least disturbed point. Species richness was weakly and abundance was strongly correlated to habitat disturbance, but not to habitat quality. Habitat destruction and use of canoes were prominent at the lake. Naxi ethnic fishermen (n = 37) were interviewed. They caught 570 waterbirds between October 1999 and March 2000 in fishing nets. An estimation of the total number of waterbirds been trapped on the lake is 6164. Diving species were most susceptible. Conservation measures that should implement immediately include the cessation of habitat destruction, better plan for the development of tourism, a reduction in the number of canoes and zoning of the non-fishing area. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

A new species of the genus Mekongina Fowler, 1937 (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from South China

A new species of cyprinid fish, Mekongina lancangensis, is described from the upper Mekong River drainage in Southern Yunnan, China. The new species is distinguished from the other species of Mekongina occurring in the lower Mekong River drainage by posse

Microrasbora Annandale, a new genus record in China, with description of a new species (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

A new species of genus Microrasbora Annandale (1918), M. microphthalma, is described from the Nanwan River, a tributary of the Ruili River, Irrawaddy drainage, in southwest Yunnan province, China. This new species is the first record of the genus Microras