Molecular and morphological data suggest that Spinibarbus caldwelli (Nichols) (Teleostei : Cyprinidae) is a valid species

The taxonomic problem of the cyprinid species of genus Spinibarbus, occurring in southern China and northern Vietnam, was resolved on the basis of molecular and morphological analyses. Spinibarbus caldwelli and Spinibarbus hollandi have a smooth posterior edge of the last unbranched dorsal fin ray among species in the genus. Spinibarbus caldwelli is currently regarded as a junior synonym of S. hollandi because of ambiguities in diagnostic characters. In this article, 11 mtDNA cytochrome b sequences of Spinibarbus specimens were analyzed together with Barbodes gonionotus and Puntius conchonius as outgroups. Our results showed that specimens identified as S. hollandi from Taiwan were different from those from the Asian mainland at a high level of genetic divergence (0.097-0.112), which is higher than that between the two valid species, S. sinensis and S. yunnanensis ( 0.089), and suggested that Taiwan specimens should be considered as a different species from the Asian mainland one. In a molecular phylogenetic analysis, the sister-group relationship between Taiwan specimens and the Asian mainland specimens was supported strongly by a high confidence level ( 100% in bootstrap value). Further analysis of morphological characters showed that overlap of diagnostic characters is much weaker than previously suggested. Taiwan specimens had 8 branched rays in the dorsal fin, whereas those from the mainland had almost 9-10. The molecular and morphological differences suggest S. caldwelli to be valid. The molecular divergence shows the genetic speciation of S. hollandi and S. caldwelli might have occurred 5.6-4.9 million years ago; the former could be a relict species in Taiwan, and the latter dispersed in the Asian mainland.

粗疣类钱袋苔[Apomarsupellaverrucosa(Nichols.)Vana]及其新异名

对产自中国云南缺萼苔科(Gymnomitriaceae)粗疣类钱袋苔(Apomarsupella verrucosa(Nichols.)Vana)和产自尼泊尔(Gymnomitrion papillosumKitag.&S.Hatt.)的模式标本进行了对比研究,发现Gymnomitrion papillosum和粗疣类钱袋苔特征相一致,将其处理为粗疣类钱袋苔的异名。

Electrochemical, spectroscopic and SPM evidence for the controlled formation of self-assembled monolayers and organised multilayers of ferrocenyl alkyl thiols on Au(111)

Organised multilayers were formed from the controlled self-assembly of ferrocene alkyl thiols on Au(111) surfaces. The control was accomplished by increasing the concentration of the thiol solutions used for the assembly. Cyclic voltammetry, ellipsometry, scanning probe microscopy (STM and AFM) and in situ FTIR spectroscopy were used to probe the differences between mono- and multilayers of the same compounds. Electrochemical desorption studies confirmed that the multilayer structure is attached to the surface via one monolayer. The electrochemical behaviour of the multilayers indicated the presence of more than one controlling factor during the oxidation step, whereas the reduction was kinetically controlled which contrasts with the behaviour of monolayers, which exhibit kinetic control for the oxidation and reduction steps. Conventional and imaging ellipsometry confirmed that multilayers with well-defined increments in thickness could be produced. However, STM indicated that at the monolayer stage, the thiols used promote the mobility of Au atoms on the surface. It is very likely that the multilayer structure is held together through hydrogen bonding. To the best of out knowledge, this is the first example of a controlled one-step growth of multilayers of ferrocenyl alkyl thiols using self-assembly techniques.

Ultra-slow atomic beam generation by velocity selective resonance

We describe a method to generate an ultra-slow atomic beam by velocity selective resonance (VSR). A VSR experiment on a metastable helium beam in a magnetic field is presented and the results show that the transverse velocity of the defected beam can be cooled and precisely controlled to less than the recoil velocity, depending on the magnitude of the magnetic field. We extend this idea to a cold atomic cloud to produce an ultra-slow Rb-87 beam that can be used as a source of an atomic fountain clock or a space clock.

电子束蒸发镀膜速率控制

介绍了电子束蒸发镀膜速率控制的基本原理和方法,选取实际生产中大量使用且蒸发特性较难控制的SiO_2和HfO_2,对两者的电子束蒸发速率控制分别进行了实验研究。采用比例积分微分(PID)闭环反馈控制,通过Ziegler-Nichols工程经验公式进行原始参量整定,并在实验的基础上对控制器的原始参量进行调整以及对积分作用和微分作用进行分区处理,速率控制的实验结果表明,采用该参量整定方法并结合工艺流程的改进,能获得良好的速率控制。针对速率控制中存在的难点问题进行了分析,并提出改进措施:将速率控制和电子枪扫描控制相结合能进一步改善速率控制。

中国鳅属鱼类的副性征、噶氏斑纹和分类整理(鲤形目,鳅科,鳅亚科)

根据噶氏斑纹和雄性个体的副性征,对我国的鳅属鱼类进行了分类整理。一直被作为中华鳅Cobitissinensis Sauvageet Dabry,1874同物异名的长吻鳅C.dolichor hynchus Nichols,1918和稀有鳅C.rarusChen,1981不仅在噶氏斑纹上存在差异,而且它们雄性个体的副性征也明显有别,为有效种;而1925年Nichols命名的花斑鳅C.melanoleuca Nichols,1925与北方鳅C.granoeiRendahl,1935或中华鳅不同,也为有效种。因

Consumption of fa cai Nostoc soup: A Potential for BMAA exposure from Nostoc cyanobacteria in China?

Grown in arid regions of western China the cyanobacterium Nostoc flagelliforme - called fa cai in Mandarin and fat choy in Cantonese - is wild-harvested and used to make soup consumed during New Year's celebrations. High prices, up to $125 USD/kg, led to overharvesting in Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Gansu, Qinghai, and Xinjiang. Degradation of arid ecosystems, desertification, and conflicts between Nostoc harvesters and Mongol herdsman concerned the Chinese environmental authorities, leading to a government ban of Nostoc commerce. This ban stimulated increased marketing of a substitute made from starch. We analysed samples purchased throughout China as well as in Chinese markets in the United States and the United Kingdom. Some were counterfeits consisting of dyed starch noodles. A few samples from California contained Nostoc flagelliforme but were adulterated with starch noodles. Other samples, including those from the United Kingdom, consisted of pure Nostoc flagelliforme. A recent survey of markets in Cheng Du showed no real Nostoc flagelliforme to be marketed. Real and artificial fa cai differ in the presence of beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA). Given its status as a high-priced luxury food, the government ban on collection and marketing, and the replacement of real fa cai with starch substitutes consumed only on special occasions, it is anticipated that dietary exposure to BMAA from fa cai will be reduced in the future in China.

Revision of Yunnanilus with descriptions of a miniature species flock and six new species from China (Cypriniformes: Homalopteridae)

The genus Yunnanilus Nichols, 1925 is revised; Eonemachilus Berg, 1938 is a junior subjective synonym. Yunnanilus includes at least nine described species and five undescribed species. The status of Y; salmonides Chaudhuri is still incertae sedis. Six new species are described: Y. parvus, Y: altus, Y; pachycephalus, X niger, Y. macrogaster and Y. paludosus. The last three species occur sympatrically in a small endorheic basin of eastern Yunnan; they developed different feeding specializations which allowed them to use different niches. Other species also have peculiar specializations. The diversity of feeding habits and related adaptations in Yunnanilus is greater than in the whole subfamily Nemacheilinae and is one more example of supralimital specialization. Speciation of fishes on the Yunnan Plateau is discussed. Several species are endangered or possibly extinct. Introduction

中国纹胸鮡属Glyptothorax Blyth鱼类的分类整理

通过对采自全国各地的4000多尾纹胸鮡属鱼类标本的分类整理，我国迄今共有该属鱼20种和亚种，其中新种3个，新记录3种。首次提出G. longinema Li和G. rubermentus Li为G. zainaensis Wu et al.的同物异名，G. trilineatoides Li为G. trilineatu Blyth的同物异名，G. fukiensis punctatum (Nichols)为G. fukiensis fukiensis (Rendahl)的同物异名。恢复了G. dorsalis Vinciguerra和 G. laosensis Fowler的有效地位。通过对大量标本的观察，皮肤表面突起结构及某些骨骼的形态具有种间分化明显、种内相对稳定的特点，是较好的分类性状，加上一些明显而稳定的体表色型、腹鳍的相对位置、偶鳍不分枝鳍条腹面有无细纹皮褶等，据此做出分种检索表。以骨骼性状及皮肤表面突起结构为主，结合多种其他性状作为检索特征系列，在本类群中尚属首次尝试。所有种的形态特征及分布均一一作了描述，并列出了主要文献及异名。