Similar Morphology Research Articles

Variability in resource use of sympatric cowfish Aracana aurita and A. ornata in southeastern Australian waters

Sympatric species that share morphological similarities tend to diversify their prey resources to coexist. The striped cowfish (Aracana aurita) and ornate cowfish (A. ornata) live together on the continental shelf from western to southern Australia including Tasmanian waters. The present study analyzed stomach contents and stable isotope ratios (δ13C and δ15N) to investigate the use of food resource between the two species collected in Tasmanian waters, Australia. In total, 139 A. aurita and 46 A. ornata were collected from 2014 to 2018. The small size class of A. aurita (<140 mm SL) mainly consumed polychaetes and amphipods, while its large size class (≥140 mm SL) preyed more on bivalves and crustacean decapods. The main prey items of the small size class of A. ornata (<140 mm SL) were amphipods and crabs. No differences in diet were observed between the sexes of either species. Stable isotope analyses showed significant differences in δ15N and δ13C between the two species, but not between the two size classes of A. aurita (ANOVA, P < 0.05). Integrating analyses of stomach contents and stable isotopes indicated that the two species preferred different food resources based on different trophic sources. Consequently, although the habitats of the two species overlap, both species can co-exist through dietary segregation.

Cortical Morphological Networks Differ Between Gyri and Sulci.

This study explored how the human cortical folding pattern composed of convex gyri and concave sulci affected single-subject morphological brain networks, which are becoming an important method for studying the human brain connectome. We found that gyri-gyri networks exhibited higher morphological similarity, lower small-world parameters, and lower long-term test-retest reliability than sulci-sulci networks for cortical thickness- and gyrification index-based networks, while opposite patterns were observed for fractal dimension-based networks. Further behavioral association analysis revealed that gyri-gyri networks and connections between gyral and sulcal regions significantly explained inter-individual variance in Cognition and Motor domains for fractal dimension- and sulcal depth-based networks. Finally, the clinical application showed that only sulci-sulci networks exhibited morphological similarity reductions in major depressive disorder for cortical thickness-, fractal dimension-, and gyrification index-based networks. Taken together, these findings provide novel insights into the constraint of the cortical folding pattern to the network organization of the human brain.

Transmetalation in Surface-Confined Single-Layer Organometallic Networks with Alkynyl-Metal-Alkynyl Linkages.

Transmetalation represents an appealing strategy toward fabricating and tuning functional metal-organic polymers and frameworks for diverse applications. In particular, building two-dimensional metal-organic and organometallic networks affords versatile nanoarchitectures of potential interest for nanodevices and quantum technology. The controlled replacement of embedded metal centers holds promise for exploring versatile material varieties by serial modification and different functionalization. Herein, we introduce a protocol for the modification of a single-layer carbon-metal-based organometallic network via transmetalation. By integrating external Cu atoms into the alkynyl-Ag organometallic network constructed with 1,3,5-triethynylbenzene precursors, we successfully realized in situ its highly regular alkynyl-Cu counterpart on the Ag(111) surface. While maintaining a similar lattice periodicity and pore morphology to the original alkynyl-Ag sheet, the Cu-based network exhibits increased thermal stability, guaranteeing improved robustness for practical implementation.

Increasing Offline Handwritten Chinese Character Recognition Using Separated Pre-Training Models: A Computer Vision Approach

Offline handwritten Chinese character recognition involves the application of computer vision techniques to recognize individual handwritten Chinese characters. This technology has significantly advanced the research in online handwriting recognition. Despite its widespread application across various fields, offline recognition faces numerous challenges. These challenges include the diversity of glyphs resulting from different writers’ styles and habits, the vast number of Chinese character labels, and the presence of morphological similarities among characters. To address these challenges, an optimization method based on a separated pre-training model was proposed. The method aims to enhance the accuracy and robustness of recognizing similar character images by exploring potential correlations among them. In experiments, the HWDB and Chinese Calligraphy Styles by Calligraphers datasets were employed, utilizing precision, recall, and the Macro-F1 value as evaluation metrics. We employ a convolutional self-encoder model characterized by high recognition accuracy and robust performance. The experimental results demonstrated that the separated pre-training models improved the performance of the convolutional auto-encoder model, particularly in handling error-prone characters, resulting in an approximate 6% increase in precision.

Feasibility study of the paper sludge properties in manufacturing recycled filler

The mineralization of inorganic components in paper sludge offers potential for their re-use in various fields. This study synthesized carbonates based on the minerals present in paper sludge and aimed to investigate the control of particle size distribution and particle shape of the synthesized carbonates. First, the physicochemical and thermal properties of paper mill sludge and ash were evaluated using a spectrophotometer, XRF, and TGA. Paper sludge ash was obtained by incinerating the paper sludge, followed by a carbonation reaction using CO2 gas injection and pH neutralization to produce recycled fillers. The average particle size, crystal lattice structure, and morphology of the recycled fillers were analyzed using a particle size analyzer, XRD, and FE-SEM. The results indicate that the recycled filler produced from coating paper sludge exhibited similar brightness and morphology to conventional paper-based fillers, suggesting its potential to replace commercial PCC (Precipitated Calcium Carbonate). In contrast, the recycled filler manufactured using old corrugated container mill sludge was deemed unsuitable due to its low hydration activity.

Nematomorpha - poorly known parasites of invertebrates

Nematomorpha, also known as ‘horsehair worms’, is a poorly known group of animals that parasitize as larvae both, invertebrates and, less frequently vertebrates. There are approximately 360 species within this phylum, and previously, they were incorrectly classified as representatives of nematodes due to morphological similarity. Nematomorpha are cosmopolitan, found in fresh and salt water, and on land, usually in humid habitats. Their life cycles are simple or complex and usually associated with the phenomenon of ‘parasitic manipulation’ of the host. This term refers to parasites that can take control of their host's body and behaviour. These efforts mainly lead to the host's death in the name of parasites' survival. The level of knowledge about Nematomorpha is insufficient, as is the role of these behaviour-altering parasites in the ecosystem. This is mainly due to their relatively low species representativeness and a secretive lifestyle in which, alongside free-living adults, there are parasitic larvae. The aim of this article is a review of the literature on ‘horsehair worms’ and an attempt to determine further directions of research on this systematic group.

First record of the lobster cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea (Olivier, 1789) (Insecta: Blattodea) in Europe with remarks on synanthropic cockroaches of the Iberian Peninsula

AbstractGlobalization has facilitated the introduction and establishment of organisms beyond their natural ranges, leading to significant ecological and economic consequences. While many non‐native species are well documented, others remain understudied, either due to their unknown impact or morphological similarities with native species. This study addresses such a case, focusing on synanthropic cockroaches within the order Blattodea. Despite the order's diversity, less than 1% of known species are recorded in urban environments. While certain species like Periplaneta americana, Blatta orientalis and Blattella germanica are well distributed and studied, others remain largely unknown. This research unveils the first established population of Nauphoeta cinerea in Europe, specifically in Spain (Asturias, northern Iberian Peninsula), with specific genetic and morphological confirmation. This study also explores potential pathways of introduction for N. cinerea. Long‐distance transport by ships or escape/release from captivity are proposed as potential pathways for the newly established populations in Asturias. The species' high fecundity and parthenogenetic reproduction raise concerns about its potential invasiveness. Additionally, this study includes unpublished data on various synanthropic cockroaches in Asturias (with the first records of P. lateralis and Supella longipalpa for this area), drawn from specimens deposited in biological collections and some extra collections. An identification key for all Spanish non‐native synanthropic cockroach species is provided to assist in future detections. This research emphasizes the imperative need for robust monitoring systems, highlights the scarcity of scientific information regarding synanthropic cockroach distribution and underscores the pivotal role of biological collections in advancing our understanding of invasive species.

Evolution of the Structure and Morphology of Dual-Linker ZIF-301-eIm.

Few studies have reported on the continuous evolution of dual-linker zeolitic imidazolate frameworks' (ZIFs) structure and morphology during the crystal growth process. Herein, we report the synthesis of a novel ZIF material with CHA topology (ZIF-301-eIm) via the combination of a small-sized 2-ethylimidazole (eIm) with the large-sized 5-chlorobenzimidazole ligand. A series of derivative materials with distinct structures and morphologies were obtained via two pathways: (1) insufficient amount of eIm with prolonged crystallization time (pathway A) and (2) sufficient amount of eIm with prolonged crystallization time (pathway B). Various characterization techniques revealed the continuous evolution of structure and morphology during the crystal growth process. Insufficient amount of eIm and crystallization time (crystallization pathway A) led to ZIF-301-eIm derivatives with defective and open structures alongside an aggregated morphology of nanoparticles. Prolonging the crystallization time allowed small-sized eIm ligands to gradually fill into the framework, resulting in the formation of ZIF-301-eIm-A5 characterized by complete but dense structures with a perfect polyhedral morphology. Remarkably, a sufficient amount of eIm during synthesis (crystallization pathway B) formed ZIF-301-eIm-B1 with a similar structure and morphology to ZIF-301-eIm-A5 in just 1 day. ZIF-301-eIm-B3, with intact, dense structures, exhibits superior acetone/butanol separation performance compared to ZIF-301-eIm-A3 due to small pore windows and large cages facilitating selective adsorption of acetone through exclusion separation.

First Report of Agroathelia rolfsii Causing Southern Blight on Lippia (Phyla canescens) in Guangzhou, China.

Lippia (Phyla canescens) is a fast-growing, mat-forming, and prostrate perennial plant well adapted to infertile, high-saline, and drought environments (Leigh, et al. 2004). It arrived in China from Japan as a flowering ground cover in 2001 (Cai, et al. 2004). In June 2022, southern blight appeared in our nursery of the Floriculture Research Institute of Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences. High temperature and damp environment are major factors for this disease. The symptoms of top-layer plants were not easily detected, but they were slightly yellowed. A yellowish-brown water-soak lesion appeared on the stems and lowest leaves exposed to soil. White mycelium appeared in the middle stage. Finally, the surface plants showed water-soak decay, and a mass of beige to black-brown rapeseed-shaped sclerotia appeared on the residue and surrounding soil; these plants died. Sclerotia and mycelia were collected from disease tissue, and after surface sterilization, sclerotia was cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 28±2°C in an incubator without light. Eight fungal isolates with similar colony morphologies were consistently isolated by purifying from different sampling areas. The isolates exhibited obvious septa and a clamp connection structure within the white mycelium. The average growth rate was 26.86±0.06 mm/day. Numerous white granular sclerotia were produced on the mycelium 6 days later. The sclerotia with a diameter of 1.24±0.07mm (n=189) gradually changed from diage to yellow to brown. A typical strain B1 was selected for further identification, targeting its 18S rRNA and LSU rRNA sequences (Yang, et al. 2011; Xue, et al. 2019). Its 18S rRNA sequence (GenBank Accession No. OR517233, 1626 bp) is 99.63% and 99.57% identical to Athelia rolfsii (AY665774, 1179bp; KC670714, 1775bp; JF819726, 1781bp). Its LSU rRNA sequence (OR539570, 757 bp) is 99.87% identical to Agroathelia rolfsii (OR526537, 904 bp). For Athelia rolfsii, a synonym of Agroathelia rolfsii, by combining the morphological characteristics and molecular identification, the isolate pathogen B1 was confirmed to be Agroathelia rolfsii (the teleomorph of Sclerotium rolfsii). To fullfill Koch's postulates, we inoculated the mycelial plugs to healthy lippia stems and leaves which has grown for one year, with PDA plugs free of mycelium as the control. All the plants were kept in a greenhouse at 28±2°C with a 14-h photoperiod and 80% relative humidity. Each treatment was repeated thrice and vaccinated with 6 points. At 7 d following inoculation, all plants inoculated with B1 showed typical symptoms, but the control group was asymptomatic, and sclerotia appeared 17d after inoculation. Using the same protocol mentioned above, pathogenic fungal was reisolated only from treated groups, but not from the control group. Chose three of the pathogens for 18S rRNA and LSU rRNA sequencing, the results showed 100% identity to B1, the same as its microstructure. There are few reports about the disease on P. canescens. Sosa (2007) investigated the pathogens on P. canescens in Argentina, 16 fungi were found but no A. rolfsii. Sclerotium rolfsii were identified on P. nodiflora or P. lanceolata (Michaux) Greene in America (Farr, et al. 1989). To our knowledge, this is the first report in China. Because this pathogen has wide-ranging hosts and causes serious damage, the results from this study will offer guidance for the prevention and treatment of this disease.

Comparative Analysis of Phlebotomus argentipes Vector of Leishmaniasis in India and Sri Lanka.

Phlebotomus argentipes is the predominant sandfly vector of leishmaniasis in the Indian subcontinent. India and Sri Lanka primarily report visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania donovani. We compared Ph. argentipes from two locations, focusing on its morphological, molecular, and salivary protein characteristics. Sandflies were captured using CDC light traps and cattle-baited net traps. Species identification and morphological comparisons were carried out using standard taxonomic keys. DNA extracted from 12 Sri Lankan sandfly samples was PCR-amplified and sequenced for the variable region of Cytochrome oxidase subunit I. Existing DNA sequences of India from GenBank were utilized for a phylogenetic analysis between Sri Lanka and India. Salivary protein profiles were studied using SDS-PAGE, Western blot, and electrospray ionization/LC/MS/MS. The morphological similarities observed between female Ph. argentipes from India and Sri Lanka suggest the presence of Ph. argentipes var. glaucus. A phylogenetic analysis showed genetic divergence between Ph. argentipes populations, but both shared a similar salivary protein profile. A common, strong 30 kDa immunogenic band comprised PagSP05, PagSP06, and PagSP17 proteins of Ph. argentipes. The similarity between the immunogenic salivary proteins suggests their potential use as common markers for vector exposure or immune response stimulants across regions. The use of multiple samples for each category of serum would improve the comprehensiveness of the immunogenic profiles obtained.

First Report of Phyllosticta capitalensis Causing Postharvest Brown Spot Disease on Guava Fruit in Thailand.

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is a popular fruit crop that is widely cultivated in Thailand. In November 2023, brown spot disease on guava was observed during postharvest storage at 22 to 31°C and 70 to 75% relative humidity over a period of 3 to 7 days in Fang District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The disease incidence was ~20% of 100 fruits per pallet box. The disease severity on each fruit ranged from 40 to 70% of the surface area affected by lesions. The symptoms appeared as circular to irregular brown to dark brown spots, ranging from 5 to 30 mm in diameter. Fungi were isolated from lesions using a single conidial isolation method (Choi et al. 1999). Two fungal isolates (SDBR-CMU497 and SDBR-CMU498) with similar morphology were obtained. Colonies on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and malt extract agar (MEA) were 65 to 67 and 29 to 38 mm in diameter, respectively after incubation for 1 week at 25°C. Colonies on PDA and MEA were flat, slightly undulate, greenish gray in the center, greyish green at the margin; reverse black. Both isolates produced asexual structures. Pycnidia were black, granular, and grouped. Conidiogenous cells were hyaline, subcylindrical to cylindrical, 8.5 to 17.5 × 3 to 5.5 µm. Conidia were single-celled, hyaline, obovoid to ellipsoid, 5.2 to 9.4 × 3.6 to 7.5 µm (n = 50), smooth-walled, with a single apical appendage. Morphologically, both isolates resembled Phyllosticta capitalensis (Wikee et al. 2013). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, large subunit (nrLSU), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-α), actin (act), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) genes were amplified using primer pairs ITS5/ITS4, LROR/LRO5, EF1-728F/EF2, ACT-512F/ACT-783R, and GPD1-LM/GPD2-LM, respectively (White et al. 1990; Zhang et al. 2022). Sequences were deposited in GenBank (ITS: PP946770, PP946771; nrLSU: PP948677, PP948678; tef1-α: PP948012, PP948013; act: PP948014, PP948015; GAPDH: PP948016, PP948017). Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses of the concatenated five genes identified both isolates as P. capitalensis. Thus, both morphology and molecular data confirmed the fungus as P. capitalensis. To confirm pathogenicity, healthy commercial guava fruits cultivar Kim Ju were surface disinfected by 0.1% NaClO for 3 min, rinsed three times with sterile distilled water, and wounded (Cruz-Lagunas et al. 2023). Conidia were collected from 2-week-old cultures on PDA and suspended in sterile distilled water. Fifteen microliters of a 1 × 106 conidia/ml suspension were dropped onto the wounded fruits. Mock inoculations were used as a control with sterile distilled water. Ten replications were conducted for each treatment and repeated twice. The inoculated fruits were stored in individual sterile plastic boxes at 25°C with 80 to 90% relative humidity. After 7 days, all inoculated fruits exhibited brown to dark brown lesions, while control fruits were asymptomatic. Phyllosticta capitalensis was consistently reisolated from the inoculated tissues on PDA to complete Koch's postulates. Prior to this study, P. capitalensis was known to cause brown or black spot disease on guava fruits cultivated in fields in China (Liao et al. 2020), Egypt (Arafat 2018), and Mexico (Cruz-Lagunas et al. 2023). To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. capitalensis causing postharvest brown spot disease on guava fruit in Thailand. The results will inform epidemiological investigations and future approaches to managing this disease.

Comparative osteology of the skull of cowbirds (Icteridae: Molothrus).

Detailed osteological descriptions of the craniomandibular complex of passerine birds are lacking for most species, limiting our understanding of their diversity and evolution. Cowbirds (genus Molothrus) are a small but widespread group of New World nine-primaried songbirds, well-known for their unique brooding parasitic behavior. However, detailed osteological data for cowbirds and other Icteridae are currently scarce and several features of their skulls remain undescribed or poorly known. To address this issue, a detailed comparative osteology of cowbird skulls is presented here for the first time based on data from x-ray microcomputed tomography, dry skeletal data, and multivariate analyses of linear morphometric data. Cowbird skulls offer some functional insights, with many finch-like features probably related to a seed-rich diet that distinguishes them from most other icterids. In addition, features previously overlooked in earlier studies might provide valuable phylogenetic information at different levels of passerine phylogeny (Passerida, Emberizoidea, Icteridae, and Agelaiinae), including some of the otic region and nasal septum. Comparisons among cowbirds show that there is substantial cranial variation within the genus, with M. oryzivorus being the most divergent cowbird species. Within the genus, distantly related species share similar overall skull morphology and proportions, but detailed osteological data allow species identification even in cases of strong convergence. Further efforts are warranted to furnish baseline data for future studies of this iconic group of Neotropical birds and to fully integrate it into phylogenetic comparative frameworks.

Changing Benzoxazole Ring into Nonring Imine Linkages on Covalent Organic Frameworks with Tuning H2O2 Photosynthesis Performance.

Two π-conjugated covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with nonring imine or benzoxazole ring linkages were prepared by reacting 3,3'-dihydrooxybenzidine (BDOH) with 3,5-triformylbenzene (Tb) in the presence or absence of benzimidazole (BDOH-Tb-IM and BDOH-Tb-BO). Although two COFs indicated similar composition, crystalline structures, and morphologies, imine-based BDOH-Tb-IM exhibited a photocatalytic H2O2 production rate of 2490 μmol·g-1·h-1 in sacrificial reagent-free pure water, higher than that of benzoxazole-based BDOH-Tb-BO-a (1168 μmol·g-1·h-1). The higher photocatalytic activity of BDOH-Tb-IM was attributed to its more efficient photoinduced charge separation and utilization efficiency and different 2e- ORR active sites over the two COFs. This study demonstrated an available ring effect to adjust photocatalytic performance between π-conjugated COFs.

Proteomics profile in encapsulated follicular patterned thyroid neoplasms

Diagnosing encapsulated follicular-patterned thyroid tumors like Invasive Encapsulated Follicular Variant of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma (IEFVPTC), Non-invasive Follicular Thyroid Neoplasm with Papillary-like Nuclear Features (NIFTP), and Well-Differentiated Tumor of Uncertain Malignant Potential (WDT-UMP) remains challenging due to their morphological and molecular similarities. This study aimed to investigate the protein distinctions among these three thyroid tumors and discover biological tumorigenesis through proteomic analysis. We employed total shotgun proteome analysis allowing to discover the quantitative expression of over 1398 proteins from 12 normal thyroid tissues, 13 IEFVPTC, 11 NIFTP, and 10 WDT-UMP. Principal component analysis revealed a distinct separation of IEFVPTC and normal tissue samples, distinguishing them from the low-risk tumor group (NIFTP and WDT-UMP). IEFVPTC exhibited the highest number of differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) compared to the other tumors. No discriminatory proteins between NIFTP and WDT-UMP were identified. Moreover, DEPs in IEFVPTC were significantly associated with thyroid tumor progression pathways. Certain hub genes linked to the response of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, revealing the potential predictor of prognosis. In conclusion, the proteomic profile of IEFVPTC differs from that of low-risk tumors. These findings may provide valuable insights into tumor biology and offer a basis for developing novel therapeutic strategies for follicular-patterned thyroid neoplasms.

Resolving the evolutionary history of Ctenium and Kampochloa using phylogenomics, and a new circumscription of Cteniinae (Cynodonteae, Poaceae)

AbstractCtenium has about 20 species distributed in Africa, Arabia, and the Neotropics, with no species occurring on more than one continent. Its relationship with the morphologically similar Kampochloa is still unclear and has not been investigated. In this study, we performed phylogenomic analyses using 71 protein‐coding genes of 24 newly sequenced plastomes, of 13 species of Ctenium and 1 species of Kampochloa to understand their biogeography and the phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships between these two genera and within Ctenium. Our results support two major clades of Ctenium: the Neotropics and Old‐World clades. Kampochloa is shown to be a close relative of the genus Ctenium, and their morphological similarities support this. Divergence time estimation analyses show that Kampochloa and Ctenium diverged around 7.99 Ma, and might have originated in the late Miocene during the rapid expansion of C4 grasslands. With this evidence from morphology and phylogenomic data, we propose the inclusion of the previously unplaced Kampochloa into the subtribe Cteniinae.

First Report of Anthracnose on Wurfbainia villosa var. villosa Caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in China.

Wurfbainia villosa var. villosa is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine under the family Zingiberaceae, and its ripe fruits (called Fructus Amomi) are widely used clinically for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders (Yang et al. 2023; Chen et al. 2023). In September 2023, plants of W. villosa var. villosa exhibited anthracnose-like symptoms on leaf with a disease incidence of 35% (n = 100 investigated plants) in an approximately 90 m2 field in Guangning, China (N23°42'51.70″, E112°26'35.75″). Light yellowish-green spots (~2 mm diameter) initially appeared on the infected leaves, gradually formed sub-circular or irregular spots, then fused and expanded, resulting in wilting of the leaves. To identify the causal agent, 10 symptomatic leaves were collected and transferred to the laboratory. The symptomatic leaf samples were surface sterilized in 0.5% NaClO for 2 min, and in 70% ethanol for 30 s, then washed three times with sterile water and air-dried on sterile filter paper. The leaf tissues were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium containing 100 μg mL-1 of ampicillin (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO) and incubated for 7 days at 28°C in darkness. Nine isolates with similar colony morphology were isolated from the 10 plated leaves. Three representative isolates (GNAF03, GNAF06, GNAF09 with approximately 3.5 cm in diameter after 3 days of incubation) appeared gray to dark brown with dense aerial hyphae at the front and gray to black colonies on the reverse of the plates. Conidia were cylindrical and measured 21.2 to 29.3 μm long × 7.1 to 9.6 μm wide (n = 50). Appressoria were formed by the tips of germ tubes or hyphae and were brown, ellipsoid, thick-walled, and smooth-margined, measuring 10.2 to 12.3 μm long × 6.4 to 8.2 μm wide (n = 50). Morphologically, the fungal isolates resembled Colletotrichum sp. (Weir et al. 2012). For molecular analysis, genomic DNA was extracted from fresh mycelia of the three isolates, and the primers ACT-512F/ACT-783R, CL1/CL2A, GDF/GDR, and ITS1/ITS4 were used to amplify partial regions of rDNA-ITS, actin (ACT), calmodulin (CAL), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) regions, respectively (Weir et al. 2012). The resulting sequences with more than 99% nucleotide identity to C. gloeosporioides were submitted to GenBank (accession numbers PP552725, PP552726, and OR827444 for ACT; PP552727, PP552728, and OR827443 for CAL; PP552729, PP552730, and OR827445 for GAPDH; PP549996, PP549999, and OR841394 for ITS). A phylogenetic tree was generated by the maximum likelihood method using the concatenated sequences of ACT, CAL, GADPH, and ITS by Polysuite software (Damm et al. 2020). Based on morphological and molecular analysis, the three isolates were characterized as C. gloeosporioides. The pathogenicity of the GNAF09 isolate was assessed on W. villosa var. villosa seedling leaves inoculated by spraying with 40 μL of conidial suspension at 106 conidia mL-1 or wounded with a sterile toothpick then inoculated with mycelial agar plugs (5 mm diameter). Control leaves were inoculated with 40 μL of sterile distilled water or agar plugs without mycelia. The inoculated plants were placed in a humid chamber at 28°C with 80% humidity and a 12 h light-dark photoperiod. Symptoms similar to those seen on naturally infected leaves were observed on all inoculated leaves after 7 days inoculation. Re-isolation was performed from 80% of the inoculated leaves and isolates were confirmed as C. gloeosporioides morphologically, confirming Koch's postulates, and by sequencing the ACT, CAL, GADPH, and ITS regions. The control groups remained asymptomatic. In previous studies, C. gloeosporioides has also caused anthracnose on Chinese medicinal plants, including Baishao (Radix paeoniae alba) (Zhang et al. 2017) and Rubia cordifolia L. (Tang et al. 2020). To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. gloeosporioides causing anthracnose on W. villosa var. villosa in China. The results of our report serve as valuable references for further research on this disease.

Biogeography of larval trematodes in the freshwater snail, Semisulcospira libertina: a comparison of the morphological and molecular approaches

While biogeographic patterns of free-living organisms are well documented, the biogeography of parasitic fauna remains largely unclear. Due to morphological similarities, parasites are often difficult to identify without the aid of molecular genetics, further complicating the interpretation of their biogeographic patterns. We investigated trematode parasites infecting the East Asian freshwater snail Semisulcospira libertina to understand their biogeography and to evaluate how molecular approaches influence the interpretation of biogeographic patterns of the trematode fauna. We identified 46 genetically delimited species from 19 morphologically distinguishable trematodes infecting S. libertina and found that their species richness was negatively correlated to latitude. We also found that potential definitive host (fishes) richness and host body size were positively correlated with trematode species richness, suggesting that host attributes are essential factors shaping the biogeographic pattern in trematodes. These trends were observed irrespective of species identification methods, demonstrating that classical morphological identification can also effectively identify the latitudinal gradient pattern in trematodes. We further detected the distance decay of similarity in trematode communities, although this trend was only detectable in the biogeographic dataset based on molecular identification. Our study showed that morphological identification sufficiently reflects the latitudinal richness gradient while molecular identification is essential to estimate accurate local species richness and increase the resolution of the large-scale pattern of population similarities in the trematode communities.

Morphological Brain Networks of White Matter: Mapping, Evaluation, Characterization, and Application.

Although white matter (WM) accounts for nearly half of adult brain, its wiring diagram is largely unknown. Here, an approach is developed to construct WM networks by estimating interregional morphological similarity based on structural magnetic resonance imaging. It is found that morphological WM networks showed nontrivial topology, presented good-to-excellent test-retest reliability, accounted for phenotypic interindividual differences in cognition, and are under genetic control. Through integration with multimodal and multiscale data, it is further showed that morphological WM networks are able to predict the patterns of hamodynamic coherence, metabolic synchronization, gene co-expression, and chemoarchitectonic covariance, and associated with structural connectivity. Moreover, the prediction followed WM functional connectomic hierarchy for the hamodynamic coherence, is related to genes enriched in the forebrain neuron development and differentiation for the gene co-expression, and is associated with serotonergic system-related receptors and transporters for the chemoarchitectonic covariance. Finally, applying this approach to multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, it is found that both diseases exhibited morphological dysconnectivity, which are correlated with clinical variables of patients and are able to diagnose and differentiate the diseases. Altogether, these findings indicate that morphological WM networks provide a reliable and biologically meaningful means to explore WM architecture in health and disease.

Revision of the Chinese endemic subgenus Tschitscherinea Berg, with descriptions of three new species (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

The subgenus Tschitscherinea Berg, 1898 of the genus Pterostichus is reviewed with eight species recognized. Three new species are described: Pterostichus (Tschitscherinea) spissipedes sp. nov. (type locality: Laojunshan, Yunnan, N26.63°, E99.72°), P. (T.) spectabilis sp. nov. (type locality: Luguhu, Yunnan, N27.63°, E100.82°), P. (T.) jiuzhaiicus sp. nov. (type locality: Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan). A new subgeneral synonym is proposed: Jedlickaia Sciaky, 1997 is a junior synonym of Tschitscherinea Berg, 1898 syn. nov. All eight species of the subgenus are keyed, described and illustrated. Pterostichus (Morphohaptoderus) parvicollis Sciaky &amp; Wrase, 1997, a species showing morphological similarities to the subgenus Tschitscherinea, is described and illustrated based on the newly reported male specimen.

Construction of a monoclonal molecular imprinted sensor with high affinity for specific recognition of influenza a virus subtype

Although molecular imprinting technology has been widely used in the construction of virus sensors, it is still a great challenge to identify subtypes viruses specifically because of their high similarity in morphology, size and structure. Here, a monoclonal molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) sensor for recognition of H5N1 is constructed to permit the accurate distinguishing of H5N1 from other influenza A virus (IAV) subtypes. Firstly, H5N1 are immobilized on magnetic microspheres to produce H5N1-MagNPs, then the high affinity nanogel H5N1-MIPs is prepared by solid phase imprinting technique. When H5N1-MIPs is combined with MagNP-H5N1, different concentrations of H5N1 are added for competitive substitution. The quantitative detection of H5N1 is realized by the change of fluorescence intensity of supernatant. As expected, the constructed sensor shows satisfactory selectivity, and can identify the target virus from highly similar IAV subtypes, such as H1N1, H7N9 and H9N2. The sensor was highly sensitive, with a detection limit of 0.58 fM, and a selectivity factor that is comparable to that of other small MIPs sensors is achieved. In addition, the proposed sensor is cheap, with a cost of only RMB 0.08 yuan. The proposed monoclonal sensor provides a new method for the specific recognition of designated virus subtype, which is expected to be used for large-scale screening and accurate treatment of infected people.