Head Width Research Articles

A new species of velvet gecko (Diplodactylidae: Oedura) from basalt habitat of inland north Queensland, Australia

Many Oedura geckos are saxicoline, and a number of these species are restricted to outcropping of a particular rock type. Most commonly this is sandstone, but some species primarily occur on other rock types, such as granite or limestone. There are few areas of extensive basalt outcropping in Australia, and these are typically of young age. Here I describe a new species of Oedura discovered in the Sturgeon Basalt outcropping of inland north-east Queensland, an extensive outcropping of deep age. Oedura atra sp. nov. is readily distinguished from congeners by its relatively dark colouration, with pattern restricted to narrow, pale bands, and other morphological features such as a short, broad tail, and a relatively wide head. It is genetically divergent from, but allied to, several Oedura species in inland north Queensland, with the ND4 mtDNA phylogeny suggesting closest relationship to O. argentea Hoskin, Zozaya & Vanderduys, 2018. Oedura atra sp. nov. appears to be restricted to basalt rocks and is only known from a localised area. However, it is likely to be more widely distributed along the extensive basalt outcropping in this region. Oedura atra sp. nov. best fits a conservation status of Data Deficient, pending further surveys and assessment of potential threats.

Costly traits in a dynamic world: trait responses to fine-scale varying environment differ according to selection pressures in a tropical lizard.

Under current climate change patterns, rapidly changing environments can impose strong selection on traits. Costly traits that require heavy investment and strongly affect fitness may be particularly vulnerable to such changes. Despite organisms experiencing dynamic environments, our knowledge of costly trait response is limited as longitudinal studies across generations are rare. Using a long-term 11-generation dataset, we examined how fine-scale spatial and temporal variation in ecological and demographic conditions modify costly traits, specifically positive allometry in morphological traits under different selection pressures, in Psammophilus dorsalis, a short-lived socially polygynous lizard. We comprehensively measured males and females across non-overlapping generations and space and quantified fine-scale variation in key ecological and demographic parameters. Positive allometry in male head width (under sexual selection) varied dramatically over generations and space. Limited rainfall, harsh temperatures, and greater competition promoted positive allometry in male head width. In stark contrast, positive allometry in female interlimb length (under fecundity selection) only weakly correlated with environmental conditions. We demonstrate that costly traits are sensitive to changing environments depending on the underlying selection pressure, with sexually selected traits showing larger effects in tropical lizards. Future climatic predictions, indicating accelerated warming and altered rainfall, can strongly impact phenotypes in tropical lizards.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ПРЕПАРАТА ЭСТРОГЕНОВОГО РЯДА НА СОМАТОМЕТРИЧЕСКИЕ ПОКАЗАТЕЛИ ПОТОМСТВА ЖЕНСКОГО ПОЛА

The aim of research is to study the effect of the estrogen drug fulvestrant at a dose of 200 μg/kg on the somatometric parameters of female offspring. Objectives: to study the effect of the estrogen preparation fulvestrant at a dose of 200 μg/kg on somatometric parameters of female offspring and to carry out statis-tical processing of the data obtained in relation to somatometric parameters in the studied animals. The experiments were carried out on the offspring of laboratory mice, whose mothers on the 11th day of preg-nancy underwent a single intramuscular injection of various doses of an estrogen preparation, fulvestrant. The study analyzed two groups: the first (n=15) – intact without exposure, in the second experimental group fulvestrant 0.8 ml 0.0005% at a dose of 200 mcg/kg (F–200 mcg/kg) was administered once, intra-muscularly. The resulting offspring were subjected to somatometric studies of body weight, body length, nose-ear length, ear-ear length, tail length, foot length of the hind right foot, and anogenital distance. A comparative analysis of the somatometric parameters of the offspring of female white outbred laboratory mice with a single exposure to the drug fulvestrant with an intact group showed that body weight increases, the head length distance (nose-ear) decreases, the head width distance (ear-ear) increases, the length of the right foot increases, hind paw and the anogenital distance decreases. Thus, exposure to an estrogen drug in the prenatal period causes changes in the somatometric parameters of the offspring in laboratory mice, the changes in these measurements were dependent on the administered experimental doses. The development of a biological model of prenatal estrogen administration can help in timely diagnosis and de-velopment of a set of preventive measures during the period of organ laying. The obtained results testify to the urgency of the problem of limiting the dose-dependent action of estrogenic drugs in the period of prenatal development of organs.

Estimating body size in the large carpenter bees (<i>Xylocopa</i>)

Body size is a salient functional trait in bees, with implications for reproductive fitness, pollination ecology, and responses to environmental change. Methods for quantifying bee body size commonly rely on indirect estimates and vary widely across studies, particularly in studies of the large carpenter bees (Xylocopa Latreille) (Apidae: Xylocopinini). We evaluate the robustness of three common body size parameters (intertegular distance, head width, and costal vein length) as predictors of dry body mass within and among 11 species of Xylocopa (and 5 subspecies). We found that all three size measurements provide robust body size estimates, accounting for 92–93% of intraspecific variation in body mass. Within species, however, these measurements were considerably less predictive of body mass, explaining on average only 36.8% (intertegular distance), 57.4% (head width), and 38.8% (costal vein length) of the variation in body mass. We also highlight a novel application of photogrammetry and 3D modeling to estimate surface area and volume across species, and comment on the utility of these methods for body size estimates in Xylocopa and in insects more broadly. These findings provide practical guidelines for body size estimation methods within and among carpenter bee species.

GRAMMAR-Lambda Delivers Efficient Understanding of the Genetic Basis for Head Size in Catfish.

The shape of the skull plays a crucial role in the evolution and adaptation of species to their environments. In the case of aquaculture fish, the size of the head is also an important economic trait, as it is linked to fillet yield and ornamental value. This study applies our GRAMMAR-Lambda method to perform a genome-wide association study analysis on loci related to head size in catfish. Compared with traditional GWAS methods, the GRAMMAR-Lambda method offers higher computational efficiency, statistical power, and stability, especially in complex population structures. This research identifies many candidate genes closely related to cranial morphology in terms of head length, width, and depth in catfish, including bmpr1bb, fgfrl1b, nipbl, foxp2, and pax5, etc. Based on the results of gene-gene interaction analysis, we speculate that there may be frequent genetic interactions between chromosome 19 and chromosome 29 in bone development. Additionally, many candidate genes, gene families, and mechanisms (such as SOCE mechanisms) affecting skeletal development and morphology have been identified. These findings contribute to our understanding of the genetic architecture of head size and will support marker-assisted breeding in aquaculture, also reflecting the potential application of the GRAMMAR-Lambda method in genetic studies of complex traits.

Multilevel Analysis of Ground Beetle Responses to Forest Management: Integrating Species Composition, Morphological Traits and Developmental Instability.

This study evaluates the response of ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) assemblage to forest management practices by integrating species composition, body traits, wing morphology and developmental instability. Traditional approaches that rely on averaged identity-based descriptors often overlook phenotypic plasticity and functional trait variability, potentially masking species-specific responses to environmental changes. To address this, we applied a three-layered analytical approach to address this gap, utilising ground beetle occurrence and morphological trait data from Podyjí National Park, Czech Republic. The first layer assessed assemblage composition with ecological and dietary preferences across control, ecotone and clearing treatments using multivariate techniques. Building on species-level knowledge, the second layer analysed the interaction between coarse traits, such as wing morphology and fine-scale body traits, including body size (proxied by elytron length), head width and last abdominal sternite, to assess their relationship with the different treatments. These interactions were explored as intraspecific wing plasticity can affect functional interpretations. The third layer focused on fluctuating asymmetry as an intraindividual indicator of developmental instability, examining how ground beetles respond to environmental stressors. Our findings revealed: (i) no significant impact of habitat treatments on the presence of specialist species in the assemblage analysis; (ii) analysis of morphological traits highlights the combined influence of a coarse trait, such as wing morphology, and a fine trait, such as head width, which together contribute to the partitioning of assemblages and help distinguish differences in habitat use; and (iii) FA analysis revealed a significant positive association between the second antennal segment of specialist species and litter while displaying a negative association with Collembola. This multilevel analytical framework not only confirms ecological findings but also advances our approach to habitat and species analysis, offering deeper insights into ecosystem dynamics.

Peculiarities of head size, total and longitudinal body dimensions in Ukrainian men and women with multiple sclerosis

Annotation. Understanding the anthropometric characteristics of patients with multiple sclerosis is important for identifying potential links between somatotype and the course of the disease. The study of parameters such as head size, total and longitudinal body dimensions is important given the prevalence and severity of multiple sclerosis. This may improve the approach to the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients with multiple sclerosis. The aim of the study is to establish the characteristics and gender differences in cephalometric indicators, total and longitudinal body dimensions in young Ukrainian men and women with multiple sclerosis. Cephalometric indicators, total and longitudinal body dimensions were determined in 35 Ukrainian men and 59 young women with multiple sclerosis with mild, moderate and moderately severe disorders. As a control group, similar anthropometric indicators of 82 practically healthy Ukrainian men and 101 young women were taken from the data bank of the National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya Research Center. Statistical analysis was performed in the licensed statistical package “Statistica 6.0” using non-parametric evaluation methods. In all groups of sick men and women, smaller values of the greatest head width and sagittal arc and larger values of the greatest head length were established compared to practically healthy men or women. In sick men with mild and moderately severe disorders, as well as in sick women of the general group and moderate disorders, larger values of mass and body surface area were established compared to practically healthy men or women. In most groups of sick men and women, higher values of the height of the suprasternal, acromial and finger anthropometric points and lower values of the height of the pubic and acetabular anthropometric points were established compared to practically healthy men or women, which, against the background of the practical absence of body length differences between healthy and sick men or women, indicate a more elongated torso and shorter lower limbs (a manifestation of a “subpathological” constitutional type). Only single reliable or trends in the above body dimensions were established between sick men or women. Pronounced manifestations of sexual dimorphism were established for most cephalometric dimensions, total and longitudinal body dimensions between men with multiple sclerosis (larger values) and women.

Sustainability Strategy and Development of Village Breeding Center: Evaluation of Morphometric Characteristics of Female Peranakan Ongole Cattle in Napis Village

This study evaluates the morphometric characteristics of female Peranakan Ongole (PO) cattle in Napis Village, Bojonegoro Regency, East Java, as part of a strategy for developing sustainable village breeding centers. The selection of the research location was conducted through purposive sampling, and the material in this study consists of female Peranakan Ongole cattle with age criteria (PI) based on the SNI for Peranakan Ongole cattle, namely PI0 (aged <1 year), PI2 (1 – 1.5 years), PI4 (1.5 - 2 years), PI6 (2 – 3 years), PI8 (aged > 3.5 years). Measurements include body height, body length, hip height, chest depth, chest circumference, ossa cervical vertebrae, ossa thoracic vertebrae, ossa vertebrae lumbar, ossa scapula, hip width, head length, head width and body weight, as well as morphometric indices such as head index, height slope, body index, index of compression, conformation index, length index, body ratio, proportionality and thoracic development on 206 female cattle grouped by age (PI0-PI8). Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and post hoc tests, as well as key indices to identify growth patterns and body size stability. The research results show a significant increase in body size in the young-to-adult age group, where adult cows reach size stability. The morphometric index reveals consistent proportional development in the body of cattle as they age, reflecting structural maturity. Evaluation based on the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) shows that most cattle are in Class II and III, indicating excellent body quality in the productive age group. This research emphasizes that morphometric characteristics are important indicators in determining optimal management strategies to support the sustainability of local PO cattle development. These findings provide a foundation for the maintenance and development programs of the PO cattle population by prioritizing quality livestock management, supporting the conservation of local genetic resources, and enhancing cattle productivity in Indonesia.

Simulation and Optimization of a Self-Cleaning Device for the Header of a Rice Seed Harvester Using Fluent–EDEM Coupling

Rice seed production is a critical step in breeding high-quality varieties. To ensure seed purity, it is essential that no residual grains or broken ears remain in the harvester header after harvesting each variety, thus preventing cross-contamination. This study addresses the issue of seed retention in existing rice harvesters, which lack efficient self-cleaning or other cleaning mechanisms and cannot be cleaned rapidly. A self-cleaning device for the harvester header was designed to enable one-click cleaning after harvesting a single variety. A novel cleaning nozzle was developed as the key component of the device, with its structure optimized through single-factor and orthogonal combination experiments. The number of nozzles was determined based on their spray width and the header width. A header-cleaning airflow simulation model based on Fluent–EDEM coupling was constructed to investigate the effects of nozzle inlet pressure, airflow incident angle, and nozzle outlet height on the self-cleaning rate. Optimal cleaning parameters were identified to maximize the self-cleaning rate, and the simulation results were validated. The study revealed that the nozzle’s expansion section length, throat diameter, and contraction section length significantly affect the spray width. When the expansion section length was 10 mm, the throat diameter was 8 mm, and the contraction section length was 8 mm, the nozzle achieved the largest jet angle, measuring 50.3 cm. Further analysis indicated that inlet air pressure had the greatest influence on the self-cleaning rate, followed by airflow incident angle and nozzle outlet height. The optimal parameter combination was identified as an inlet air pressure of 0.6 Mpa, an airflow incident angle of 118.25°, and a nozzle outlet height of 2.64 mm, achieving a maximum self-cleaning rate of 99.63%. A one-click cleaning system was designed using an STM32 microcontroller and hardware circuits. Field experiments under optimal parameters demonstrated a self-cleaning rate of 97.68% with a cleaning duration of 10 s per cycle. The findings provide theoretical guidance for the design and optimization of self-cleaning headers for rice seed production.

Some morphometric traits of Rita rita from Southern Punjab, Pakistan

In this research work, forty five (45) specimens of Rita rita inhabiting River Chenab, one of the five rivers of the Punjab Province, were evaluated to observe morphometric and proximate composition of the fish specimens. To analyze the influence of biological factors, condition factor was determined based on body constituents using regression equations. Various morphometric characters i.e. total length (TL), standard length (SL), fork length (FL), head length (HL), head width (HW), body girth (BG), body depth (BD), dorsal fin length (DFL), pectoral fin length (PtFL), pelvic fin length (PvFL), anal fin length (AFL), dorsal fin base (DFB), anal fin base (AFB), caudal fin length (CFL), and caudal fin width (CFW) were measured to know their correlation with the size and types of growth pattern. Morphometric analysis showed isometric growth pattern of the fish in the current study.

How Habitat Simplification Shapes the Morphological Characteristics of Ant Assemblages (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Different Biogeographical Contexts.

Human-driven changes in land cover and use can significantly impact species ants community structures, often leading to a decline in taxonomic diversity or species homogenization. Ant morphology, used as a proxy for ecological function, offers a valuable framework for understanding the effects of anthropogenic disturbances on ant diversity. This study explored the morphological diversity of ant assemblages in agricultural ecosystems and secondary forests in Italy and the Brazilian Amazon, analyzing how these communities are structured and adapted to different environments. The research aims to understand the ecological interactions and the role of ants in maintaining biodiversity in these contexts. The study was conducted in the Ticino River Natural Park, Italy, and the Paragominas mosaic in Pará, Brazil. The ants were sampled using epigean pitfall traps at 15 agricultural and 13 forest sites. In the secondary forests, the species richness was significantly higher in both countries compared to agricultural areas. In general, the Community Weighted Mean (CWM) of the selected traits (head length, head width, interocular distance, mandible length, eye width, Weber's length, and tibia length) of Brazilian ants was higher than those of Italian. However, the CWM of agricultural areas of the two countries was more similar. We noticed the convex hull (i.e., the volume of an assemblage in the morphological space) of Brazilian secondary forests was still larger than Italian secondary forests when both assemblages have the same number of species. Morphological homogenization was more pronounced in agricultural settings, whereas secondary forests showed more variability, highlighting the role of environmental filtering in shaping ant communities across land use types.

Research on the sensitivity of various factors influencing the molding performance of PSC damage elements through orthogonal design

Abstract To investigate the forming characteristics of the damage element in a plane symmetric shaped charge structure, the geometric design of an oil perforating charge was undertaken. The shaping process of this damage element was then numerically simulated using LS-DYNA. By analyzing the factors influencing the molding performance of the PSC damage element, the orthogonal design method was employed to identify three key factors: groove wall thickness, groove width, and groove height. Additionally, five evaluation indices were established: head velocity, tail velocity, velocity gradient, length, and width of the damage element. The sensitivity of each factor to these evaluation indices was examined. The findings reveal that groove wall thickness and height are the primary factors influencing head velocity, tail velocity, head-tail velocity difference, and the length of the damage element. Except when the wall thickness is 0, where a monotonic increase is observed, the groove width is the primary determinant of the damage element’s width. Other evaluation indicators demonstrate contrasting trends relative to other factors. Ultimately, the combination parameter b4δ2h1, which exhibits superior cutting performance, was optimized.

Five new species of the genus Grouvellinus Champion, 1923 from Guizhou Province, China (Coleoptera, Elmidae).

The genus Grouvellinus Champion, 1923 comprises 60 described species distributed across the Oriental and Palearctic regions. Species diversity is very high in mainland China, with 28 recorded species. Here, the results of the aquatic beetle survey in Guizhou Province are presented; they began in 2021, when we collected more than 5000 specimens of riffle beetle. All specimens come from small ravine streams where inhabited submerged stones. Using morphological characters of adults such as body form and size, coloration, elytral, pronotal and ventral surface structures, and forms of male and female genitalia, five new species were discovered and are described: Grouvellinusloong sp. nov., G.buyi sp. nov., G.wangmoensis sp. nov., G.lihaitaoi sp. nov., G.muyinlini sp. nov. The species descriptions contain illustrations of diagnostic characters and measurements of metric characters such as body length, pronotal length, pronotal width, elytral length and width, and head length and width. The females are, on average, larger and have only slight differences in external morphology compared to the males. The comparative diagnoses discuss characters of the new and already known species. The results show that the existing species diversity requires more detailed research focusing on larger areas of South China in the future.

Prevalence of malocclusion and craniofacial morphological variations among 7-13-year-old children in Elementary School, Kediri

Background: Craniofacial morphological variations can influence malocclusion. Mesocephalic head tends to form mesoprosopic face and class I malocclusion. Dolicocephalic head tends to form leptoprosopic face and class II malocclusion. Brachycephalic head tends to form euryprosopic face and class III malocclusion. Emphasizing the importance of malocclusion early treatment, research on malocclusion prevalence and craniofacial morphology variations in growing children is needed. Purpose: To determine malocclusion prevalence and craniofacial morphological variations among 7-13-year-old children at Medowo III Elementary School, Kediri. Methods: This descriptive study used 44 samples of Medowo III Elementary School, Kediri students. Head and face length and width were measured using a spreading caliper. The cephalic and facial indices were then determined for the classification of head and facial types. Results: The dominant craniofacial morphological variations in the samples were hyper-brachycephalic head (39 samples) and euryprosopic face (14 samples). The highest prevalence of malocclusion among individuals with hyper-brachycephalic head type was Angle’s class I malocclusion. Class II malocclusion was found in 1 sample, and class III malocclusion in 3 samples. Among the samples with this head type, the most common malocclusion variations were anterior crowding (36 samples), followed by deep bite (15 samples). Conclusion: The highest prevalence of malocclusion among Medowo III Elementary School, Kediri students was Angle class I malocclusion, characterized by specific craniofacial morphological variations, namely hyper-brachycephalic head type and euryprosopic face.

Somatic Changes of Maternal High-Fat Diet on Offspring-Possible Deleterious Effects of Flavonoids?

Background/Objectives: The rapidly increasing rate of obesity has become an extremely important public health problem, particularly in developed countries. Obesity is associated with a range of health problems, often referred to as the metabolic syndrome. Adipose tissue is now regarded as an endocrine organ responsible for the hormonal secretion of adipokines, which are cytokines involved in various physiological processes. It has been established that adipokines play a key role in the regulation of many processes in the human body. The aim of the current study was to use an animal model to investigate the possible influence of obesity and adipokines on the gestational period, on the development of offspring, and to assess whether these changes are influenced by the administration of antioxidant agents and flavonoids. Methods: The present study was performed using 5 groups of 7 female Wistar albino rats. A control group was used to which a 5% lipid diet was administered, and the other 4 groups were fed an obesogenic 65% lipid diet. From the 4 groups that received obesogenic diet one group received no supplement, and the rest of 3 received Detralex, Sel-E-Vit and Rutin (antioxidants and flavonoids). Study times for both pregnant groups and offsprings: on day 15 of gestation, venous blood was drawn to determine adipokine (leptin and visfatin) levels; on days 18-22 ultrasound examination was performed to measure the thickness of adipose tissue in the abdominal wall; for each batch a number of 10 offspring were selected for the measurements (pup weight, brain weight, head length, head width, spine length, width between shoulder blades, coxal bone length), adipokine levels in the offspring (from brain tissue) were also determined, as well as the existence of changes in the brain tissue of the offspring identified by electron microscopy. Results: The results of the study showed that the high-fat diet (HFD) led to a significant increase in body weight and abdominal wall thickness in pregnant females compared to the control group. The levels of leptin and visfatin were also affected by the HFD, with leptin levels being significantly higher in the HFD group and visfatin levels being lower. In the offspring, the HFD group had a significantly higher body mass and brain weight compared to the control group. The anthropometric measurements of the offspring were also affected by the maternal diet, with the HFD group having larger dimensions overall. Interestingly, the offspring of the groups that received flavonoids in addition to the HFD had significantly smaller dimensions compared to both the HFD group and the control group. Conclusions: The results of this experimental study reinforce what is already known about the effects of obesity on the gestation period and offspring and at the same time, the current study highlights the existence of possible adverse effects of flavonoid compounds on the development of pregnancy and offspring, opening the way for future studies on the benefits and risks of using these compounds during gestational period.

Potential benefits of male diploidy and female triploidy for parasitoid wasps used as biological control agents: A case study in Nasonia

Parasitoid wasps are haplodiploid insects, but polyploidy (diploid males, triploid females) occurs for many species. In biological control, polyploidy may have beneficial effects on desirable biological related traits. However, this is only possible in species for which polyploidy does not impair essential biological functions, as in for instance species with Complementary Sex Determination (CSD), where inbreeding drives sterile diploid male production and extinction risk. Notably, while CSD polyploidy is better studied, most biological agents are non-CSD species. This includes model Nasonia vitripennis, a blowfly parasitoid that can be purposefully made polyploid and then produces a high number of reproductive polyploid individuals. To test baseline non-CSD polyploid utility, an outbred polyploid N. vitripennis transformer knockdown line (tKDL) was established and assayed for relevant traits for considering polyploids as biological agents. Male diploidy and female triploidy increased head width, a body size proxy. Polyploidy increased unmated lifespan in diploid males, but decreased it in triploid females. In first matings, haploid and diploid males had equal fecundity, but sperm depletion assays revealed reduced diploid male fitness overall. Triploid females had a reduction in parasitization ability. This reduced male fecundity and female parasitization in tKDL suggest that polyploid Nasonia parasitoids have limited direct use in biological control, particularly in this outbred background. They are possibly more suitable for preparative applications, such as retaining alleles with sex-specific benefits.

Convergent evolution in shape in European lineages of gobies.

During their radiation, certain groups of animals evolved significant phenotypic disparity (morphological diversity), enabling them to thrive in diverse environments. Adaptations to the same type of environment can lead to convergent evolution in function and morphology. However, well-documented examples in repeated adaptations of teleost fishes to different habitats, which are not primarily related to trophic specialization, are still scarce. Gobies are a remarkable fish group, exhibiting a great species diversity, morphological variability, and extraordinary ability to colonize very different environments. A variety of lifestyles and body forms evolved also in European lineages of gobies. We conducted two-dimensional geometric morphometric and phylomorphospace analyses in European lineages of gobies and evaluated the extent of convergent evolution in shape associated with adaptation to various habitats. Our analyses revealed the change in shape along the nektonic-cryptobenthic axis, from very slender head and body to stout body and wide head. We showed convergent evolution related to mode of locomotion in the given habitat in four ecological groups: nektonic, hyperbenthic, cryptobenthic and freshwater gobies. Gobies, therefore, emerge as a highly diversified lineage with unique lifestyle variations, offering invaluable insights into filling of ecomorphological space and mechanisms of adaptation to various aquatic environments with distinct locomotion requirements.

Description of a new species of the Asian newt genus Tylototriton (Amphibia, Urodela, Salamandridae) from Hunan Province, China

The newt genus Tylototriton is widely distributed in east, southeast, and south Asia. Previous studies have shown that basic surveys of this genus are far from comprehensive, and unknown species still exist within the group. In this study, we described a new species of this genus, Tylototriton gaowangjienensissp. nov., from Gaowangjie National Nature Reserve in Hunan Province, China, based on evidence from molecular identification and morphological comparisons. Additionally, we conducted phylogenetic analysis of the genus to elucidate the taxonomic status of the new species. Based on combined mitochondrial 16S rRNA and ND2 gene sequences, the phylogenetic tree supported the new species as a member of the T. wenxianensis species subclade in the subgenus Yaotriton. It can be distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following characteristics: (1) medium-sized body; (2) finger tips extending beyond the snout while forelimbs stretched forward; (3) tips of forelimbs and hindlimbs reaching and overlapping when folded towards the body; (4) snout edge round; (5) absence of small papillae in the male cloacal fissure; (6) dorsal ridges narrow, with width smaller than the eye diameter; (7) head length (HDL) greater than head width (HDW) (HDL/HDW = 1.04~1.22); (8) orange markings absence on the parotoid; (9) nodule-like warts on body sides continuous; (10) vomerine teeth not connected at the tip, extending to the occipital bone at the posterior end.

The Impact of Eucalyptus and Pine Plantations on the Taxonomic and Functional Diversity of Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in the Southern Region of Ecuador.

This study sheds light on the complex relationship between land use, biodiversity, and the functional traits of dung beetles in Ecuador. The results indicate that the richness and abundance of dung beetles vary across different land uses and regions, with forests generally having a positive impact, while eucalyptus and pine plantations have a negative effect in certain areas. Specific indicator species, such as Homocopris buckleyi for forest areas and Onthophagus curvicornis for eucalyptus plantations, were identified. This study also found that functional diversity analysis, based on morphological traits, revealed that certain traits, such as biomass, pronotum width, head width, and elytra length, were significant contributors to differences in dung beetle communities across various land uses and regions. This study highlights the potential conservation value of certain modified habitats and emphasizes the importance of considering both taxonomic and functional diversity when assessing the impact of land use on the ecosystem services provided by dung beetles. It underscores the potential value of plantations as refuges for dung beetle communities and the need for long-term assessments to better understand biodiversity changes over time.

Exogenously Applied Gibberellic Acid Alters Cannabinoid Profile in Cannabis sativa L.

Cannabis sativa (C. sativa L.) has garnered significant attention worldwide due to its widespread use as a pharmaceutical agent. With the increasing clinical application of C. sativa and cannabinoid therapeutics, there is strong interest in the development of superior plant varieties and optimisation of growth conditions to enhance secondary metabolite yield. Our RNA sequencing analysis revealed differential expression of hormone-related transcripts in developing C. sativa trichomes, suggesting the involvement of hormone signalling pathways in cannabinoid production. Leveraging the potency of exogenous hormones on plants, this study sought to determine if the application of cytokinin (CK), gibberellic acid (GA) and jasmonic acid (JA) modified trichome morphology and the cannabinoid profile over an 8-week period following the induction of flowering. Exogenous hormone application led to alterations in trichome morphology, with each treatment significantly reducing trichome head width by the final week of assessment. Interestingly, GA application also resulted in a significant reduction in the concentration of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) by week 8 post floral induction, however, JA and CK treatment did not consistently modulate the accumulation of these cannabinoids. The minor cannabinoids, cannabidivaranic acid (CBDVA), cannabicyclolic acid (CBLA), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and cannabigerol (CBG), were also affected by hormone treatments, with varying degrees of accumulation observed. These findings underscore the intricate interplay between phytohormones and secondary metabolite biosynthesis in C. sativa. Our study highlights the potential of hormone modulation as a strategy to enhance cannabinoid yield and offers some insights into the regulatory mechanisms governing cannabinoid biosynthesis in C. sativa trichomes.