Nei Mongol Research Articles

Preliminary taphonomic analyses on the mammalian remains from Wulanmulun Paleolithic site, Nei Mongol, China

Nearly three thousand specimens of mammalian remains were unearthed from Wulanmulun Paleolithic site in Ordos, Nei Mongol, during 2010–2012 rescue excavations. The majority of the remains belong to medium and large sized hoofed mammals, particularly woolly rhinoceros. The materials are mostly fragmental and associated with thousands of stone artifacts. Taphonomic analyses show that the remains were subjected to little alluvial transportation but some weathering before burial. Only two kinds of bone tools, antler hammers and shaft points, were identified. The cut marks on the bones showed that the animals were mostly hunted and butchered on the spot rather than scavenged. The prey were likely lured or driven into the site and trapped in the muddy alluvial deposits and butchered near or after their death. The site is more probably a trap for hunting large animals and a follow-up butchery shop.

A large mimotonid from the middle Eocene of China sheds light on the evolution of lagomorphs and their kin.

Mimotonids share their closest affinity with lagomorphs and were a rare and endemic faunal element of Paleogene mammal assemblages of central Asia. Here we describe a new species, Mimolagus aurorae from the Middle Eocene of Nei Mongol (China). This species belongs to one of the most enigmatic genera of fossil Glires, previously known only from the type and only specimen from the early Oligocene of Gansu (China). Our finding extends the earliest occurrence of the genus by at least 10 million years in the Paleogene of Asia, which closes the gap between Mimolagus and other mimotonids that are known thus far from middle Eocene or older deposits. The new species is one of the largest known pre-Oligocene Glires. As regards duplicidentates, Mimolagus is comparable with the largest Neogene continental leporids, namely hares of the genus Lepus. Our results suggest that ecomorphology of this species was convergent on that of small perissodactyls that dominated faunas of the Mongolian Plateau in the Eocene, and probably a result of competitive pressure from other Glires, including a co-occurring mimotonid, Gomphos.

New Ctenodactyloid Rodents from the Erlian Basin, Nei Mongol, China, and the Phylogenetic Relationships of Eocene Asian Ctenodactyloids

ABSTRACT During the last decade, numerous ctenodactyloid rodent fossils have been systematically collected from at least six horizons of the strata that are distributed from the upper part of the Nomogen Formation to the lower part of the Irdin Manha Formation in the Huheboerhe-Nuhetingboerhe area of the Erlian Basin, Nei Mongol (Inner Mongolia). The ages of these fossiliferous horizons range from the Earliest Eocene to the Middle Eocene. These fossils represent the best-known ctenodactyloid assemblages with a high species diversity and reliable stratigraphic and chronological constraints from one locality in central Asia. The fossils show a relatively continuous record of ctenodactyloids and the earliest radiation of rodents in central Asia beginning from the earliest Eocene. These data are important for biostratigraphic correlation of the Paleogene in central Asia and for understanding the taxonomy of Asian ctenodactyloids and the earliest diversity and evolution of rodents. Among the new fossils, we re...

Strenulagus (Mammalia: Lagomorpha) from the Middle Eocene Irdin Manha Formation of the Erlian Basin, Nei Mongol, China

AbstractNew material of Strenulagus Solaris, a stem lagomorph, from the lower part of the Middle Eocene Irdin Manha Formation at the Irdin Manha and Huheboerhe localities, Erlian Basin, Nei Mongol, China includes remains of isolated cheek teeth, fragmentary upper incisors (dI2) and postcranial elements, reported from the species for the first time. The tarsal bones display advanced features, such as a wide calcaneofibular articulation surface and, along with an increase in hypsodonty, the new data document the early stage of lagomorph evolution in the Middle Eocene of the Erlian Basin. This finding is stratigraphically well constrained and probably predates that of the type material of S. Solaris from the Khaychin Formation, Bugin‐Tsav Basin, Mongolia.

Brachyscirtetes tomidai, a new Late Miocene dipodid (Rodentia, Mammalia) from Siziwang Qi, central Nei Mongol, China

Based on the dipodid materials collected from Siziwang Qi, Nei Mongol in 2009, a new species Brachyscirtetes tomidaisp. nov. is erected. It is characterised by its smaller size, more bunodont paracone on M2, more separate mesoloph and posteroloph on M2 and separate mesolophid on m2, more longitudinally symmetrical protoconid–metaconid complex diverging at an obtuse angle and elongated anterior part of ectolophid on m1 than existing species. It represents the most primitive known species of this genus. Judging from the associated mammals, the age of Brachyscirtetes tomidai should be late Late Miocene. Brachyscirtetes is possibly derived from a form of early Late Miocene Paralactaga. Its dental trends include increasing size and crown height, and increasing lophodonty of occlusal morphology, which is reflected as gradual fusion of mesoloph and posteroloph with paracone, metacone on M2 and of mesolophid with entoconid on m2, respectively; the protoconid–metaconid complex on m1 shifts from a longitudinally symmetrical position to an anterolabial orientation, and the anterior part of ectolophid on m1 is gradually shortened, shifting from a longitudinal to an oblique orientation. The appearance of Brachyscirtetes and abundant herbivores indicates an arid and steppe environment in late Late Miocene Siziwang Qi area.

Application of stable hydrogen isotope in study of water sources for Caragana microphylla bushland in Nei Mongol

Application of stable hydrogen isotope in study of water sources for Caragana microphylla bushland in Nei Mongol

A comparison of measured and calculated net community CO<inf>2</inf> exchange: Scaling from leaves to communities

Leaf net photosynthesis is crucial for detecting the mechanism of photosynthesis, whereas community net photo- synthesis is useful for understanding the photosynthetic capacity of communities and its relationship with envi- ronmental factors. In particular, we need to scale up eco-physiological models from leaf scale to canopy level to study carbon cycling at regional or global scale. We hypothesized that accumulated leaf net photosynthetic rate (Pc) at community scale, i.e., calculated based on leaf net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and leaf area index (LAI), equals to measured net community CO2 exchange (NCE). The purpose of this study is to verify this hypothesis. Our field study was carried out in Duolun, Nei Mongol, China, where we constructed single-species communities by sowing Medicago sativa 'Aohan' seeds in three plots (3 m × 5 m) on May 30, 2012. On August 16, 2014, Pn of five healthy leaves of M. sativa 'Aohan' in each plot were measured with a LI-6400 portable photosynthesis sys- tem at 10:00, and net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) in each plot was measured simultaneously with a LI-8100 system connected with a assimilation chamber (0.5 m × 0.5 m × 0.5 m). Pc was calculated based on Pn, number of leaves (n), LAI percentage of healthy leaves (r) and percentage of received effective light by leaves (m). NCE was derived from NEE and ecosystem respiration rate (Reco). Pc was 3.52 μmol CO2·m -2 ·s -1 , and very close to NCE (3.56 μmol CO2·m -2 ·s -1 ), suggesting that leaf-scale photosynthesis may accurately predict community-scale pho- tosynthesis. However, our method could not separate community respiration from soil respiration, and future studies, should be designed to counteract this effect. Scaling up from leaf photosynthesis to community photosyn- thesis should also consider vertical structure of communities and nonlinear responses of leaf photosynthesis to changes in light quantum.

A new genus of stem lagomorph (Mammalia: Glires) from the Middle Eocene of the Erlian Basin, Nei Mongol, China

A new genus of stem lagomorph (Mammalia: Glires) from the Middle Eocene of the Erlian Basin, Nei Mongol, China

Melatonin regulating the expression of miRNAs involved in hair follicle cycle of cashmere goats skin.

Melatonin and microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in regulating hair follicle development. However, the effect of melatonin on the expression pattern of miRNAs in skin and follicle of cashmere goats remain largely undefined. To explore the mechanism of melatonin affecting cashmere growth mediated by miRNAs, the effect of melatonin implants administered in Nei Mongol cashmere goats was assessed. In the experiment, five yearling does were implanted with melatonin, with the remaining other five females as control group. The expression of six candidate miRNAs was quantified by reverse transcription-real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The results indicated that melatonin significantly altered the expression pattern of miRNAs. Except for let-7a, the expression levels of miR-203, miR-205, miR-96, miR-183 and miR-199a occur three transitions during a cashmere cycle; melatonin changed the co-expression pattern of miRNAs. The correlation coefficient between miRNAs is 0.87-0.99 in control group(P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the correlation coefficient between some miRNAs (let-7a and miR-96, miR-199a, miR-205;miR-203 and miR-96, miR-199a; miR-96 and miR-183; miR-183 and miR-199a) was significantly weakened in melatonin group. Melatonin might induce second growth of cashmere mediated by down-regulating the expression level of some miRNAs in June in melatonin implanted group.

Late Pleistocene mammalian fauna from Wulanmulan Paleolithic Site, Nei Mongol, China

Discovered in 2010 with the construction of Landscape Park on the left bank of Wulanmulun River in Kangbashi District of Nei Mongol, Wulanmulun Paleolithic Site yielded large quantities of mammalian specimens during 2010–2012 rescue excavations. Identified fossil materials include Myospalax sp., Cricetulus sp., Microtus sp., Apodemus sp., Arvicola sp.?, Dipodidae gen. et sp. indet., Lepus sp., Mustelidae gen. et sp. indet., Coelodonta antiquitatis, Equus przewalskii, Camelus cf. C. knoblochi Megaloceros ordosianus and Gazella sp. The fauna analyses show that the paleoenvironment in Wulanmulun Site area might have been a mixture or mosaic of grassland and forest with some small streams and swamps. The fluctuation of annual temperature might have been high, with the winter very cold and the summer relatively warm. The Wulanmulun fauna is in the same paleozoogeographic sub-province as Baotou, Shiyu, Salawusu and Loufangzi faunas, different from that of the Xiaogushan and Yanjiagang faunas of Northeast China, and more different from that of the Dantu fauna of East China. The Wulanmulun area was suitable for the habitation of the late Paleolithic humans, and Wulanmulun fauna were their main hunting prey.

Growth and reproductive strategies of Thalictrum petaloideum under different stocking rates

Aims Grazing is one of the major measures for grassland management in Nei Mongol steppe. The growth and reproductive strategies of grassland plants are developed under their long-term co-evolution with ungulates in grassland ecosystems. This study was conducted to understand how Thalictrum petaloideum would change its growth and reproductive strategies with increasing stocking rate. Methods By using a grazing experiment in a typical steppe ecosystem initiated by the Nei Mongol Grassland Ecosystem Research Station in 2006, we examined the responses of T. petaloideum to stocking rates at population, individual and organ levels during the 2012 and 2013 growing seasons. Important findings With increasing stocking rate, the number of reproductive individuals decreased and the reproductive process ceased in T. petaloideum at the population level. The threshold for ceasing the reproductive process was at a stocking rate of 7.5 sheep per hm 2 . The plant height, plant biomass and the numbers of reproduc- tive branches, flowers and seeds all decreased with increasing stocking rate at an individual level. Two shifts were detected for the reproductive allometric relationships with increases in stocking rate. With the increase of stocking rates, T. petaloideum reduced the number of flowers per reproductive branch decreased but the individual seed weight increased with increasing stocking rate at the organ level. A trade-off between the number of seed and the weight of seed was found, which might be an important mechanism in T. petaloideum responding to grazing dis- turbance.

Responses of soil heterotrophic respiration to changes in soil temperature and moisture in a Stipa krylovii grassland in Nei Mongol

Responses of soil heterotrophic respiration to changes in soil temperature and moisture in a Stipa krylovii grassland in Nei Mongol

Colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and dark septate endophytes in roots of desert Salix psammophila

Aims Salix psammophila is an excellent shrub for afforestation and sand dune fixation and is mainly distributes in the arid zones in North China. The objective of this study was to determine the colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and dark septate endophytes (DSE), and the relationships among AMF, DSE and soil factors in the rhizosphere of S. psammophila, in order to provide information guiding the recovery of desert vegetation and ecological reconstruction. Methods Soil and root samples were collected from different soil layers (0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40 and 40–50 cm) in the rhizosphere of S. psammophila in June, August and October 2013 at Yuan Shangdu in Nei Mongol. The colonization and distribution of AMF and DSE were assessed, and the relationships among AMF, DSE and soil factors were determined and tested by variance analysis, correlation analysis and principal component analysis. Important findings The roots of S. psammophila could be highly infected by AMF and DSE, and the average colonization of AMF and DSE were 77% and 84%, respectively. Sampling time and soil depth significantly influenced the AMF and DSE colonization. The maximum colonization of AMF was found in the 0–20 cm soil layer and DSE in the 0–10 cm soil layer, respectively, and the effects of sampling time on colonization were in the order of October > August > June. Two-way ANOVA showed that sampling time and soil layer had significant interactive effects on the colonization and distribution of AMF and DSE as well as soil factors. Principal component analysis showed that soil humidity, pH value, alkaline phosphatase and easily extractable glomalin were the main factors of AMF and DSE colonization in desert environments.

Traits related to carbon sequestration of common plant species in a Stipa grandis steppe in Nei Mongol under different land-uses

Traits related to carbon sequestration of common plant species in a Stipa grandis steppe in Nei Mongol under different land-uses

Analysis of relationships among leaf functional traits and economics spectrum of plant species in the desert steppe of Nei Mongol

Aims Grassland desertification is being accelerated because of adverse climate change effects and unsustainable land uses, resulting in several major environmental problems. However, there are few studies on the economics spectrum of different plant functional types in desert steppe. The objectives of the current study are to examine the relationships among leaf functional traits of native plant species, to compare the functional traits among different plant functional types, and to determine whether an economic spectrum exists for the majority of species in the desert steppe of Damao Banner, Nei Mongol, China. Methods Photosynthetic and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, specific leaf area(SLA), and leaf nitrogen contents across 24 species of different functional types were measured in situ in the desert steppe ecosystem. Non-parametric tests were used to analyze leaf trait differences in plant species of different functional types. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the relationships among leaf traits in different plant species. Finally, a comprehensive analysis on these leaf traits in different plant species was conducted using the principal component analysis. All data analyses were performed using SPSS 16.0(SPSS, Chicago, USA). Important findings Significant differences among plant functional types were found in most of the leaf traits. SLA and mass-based nitrogen concentration(Nmass) in grasses were 2.39 and 1.20 folds, respectively, of that in shrubs; area-based photosynthetic capacity(Aarea), SLA, and photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency(PNUE) in annual species were 1.93, 2.13, and 4.24 folds, respectively, of that in perennial species; and Aarea, SLA, and PNUE in C4 species were 2.25, 1.73, and 3.61 folds, respectively, of that in C3 species. Almost all relationships signifi-cantly differed(p 0.01) among the leaf traits, with exception of the relationships between Aarea and area-based nitrogen concentration(Narea) and between quantum yield of PSII electron transport(ΦPSII) and SLA, implying that an economic spectrum may exist in the desert steppe ecosystem. The relationships of Narea, mass-based photosynthetic capacity(Amass), and PNUE with SLA were most significantly strong(R2 = 0.54, 0.62, 0.60, respectively; p 0.01). Results in this study suggest that the annuals, grasses, and C4 species might be located at the end of the leaf economic spectrum with high area-based photosynthetic rate, high nitrogen concentration on mass basis, short leaf lifespan, and high SLA; whereas the perennials, shrubs, and C3 species could be located at the another end of the economic spectrum with contrasting traits.

Plastic responses of stem and leaf functional traits in Leymus chinensis to long-term grazing in a meadow steppe

Aims Adaptation of plants to their habitats through phenotypic plasticity in which they trade off various kinds of functional traits is an important ecological strategy. Whereas plant functional traits and its effects on grassland ecosystem functioning have received much attention, the importance of grazing effects on functional traits is poorly understood. This study, therefore, aimed to analyze the responding model of Leymus chinensis functional traits to long-term grazing in semi-arid grassland. Methods The study was conducted in a field experiment involving treatments with various grazing and enclosure schemes in Nei Mongol. We compared the effects of long-term enclosure, short-term enclosure (SE), moderate grazing (MG), and heavy grazing on plant functional traits in L. chinensis. Partial Least Squares Regression was used to analyze the contributions of controlling factors on changes in biomass in response to grazing. Important findings The size of L. chinensis became smaller in plots subject to long-term grazing compared with in the plots of enclosures. It had a significant conservative property of plant dwarf which can be found in the SE plot. Interestingly, the variability increased significantly with the increasing of plasticity index of different functional traits. Also, some functional traits, such as aboveground biomass, plant height, mean leaf length etc., were sensitive traits to grazing. However, other indicators, such as leaf numbers, stem diameter, mean leaf width etc., which were inert functional traits. Stem length, plant height and other traits were main factors which cased the decreasing of L. chinensis aboveground biomass. On the whole, phenotypic change is an important adaptive strategy of L. chinensis to long term grazing.

Comparison of adaptive strategies to phosphorus-deficient soil between dominant species Artemisia frigida and Stipa krylovii in typical steppe of Nei Mongol

Comparison of adaptive strategies to phosphorus-deficient soil between dominant species Artemisia frigida and Stipa krylovii in typical steppe of Nei Mongol

2009년 봄철 부산지역 황사 기간 중 에어로솔 농도 분포

동아시아 지역 봄철에 주로 발생하는 황사의 물리적 특성을 알아보기 위하여 부산지역에서 발생한 2009년 황사 기간의 종관 일기도와 자동기상관측장비(AWS)를 이용한 기상해석, <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX> 샘플러와 레이저입자계수기(LPC)를 이용한 대기입자상 물질농도 분석, 위성영상과 역궤적분석 모델을 이용한 발생원을 조사하였다. 2009년 2월 20일의 경우 (사례 1), <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX> 농도가 급격히 증가할 때 <TEX>$0.3-1.0{\mu}m$</TEX>의 작은 입자의 에어로솔 체적 농도 분포가 감소한 반면 <TEX>$1.0-10.0{\mu}m$</TEX>의 큰 입자의 농도는 증가하였다. 그 후 <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX> 농도가 감소할 때 지상의 풍향은 북풍에서 남서풍으로 변하였으며, 전체 에어로솔 농도는 감소하였다. <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX>과 <TEX>$1.0-10.0{\mu}m$</TEX>의 큰 입자 농도의 상관계수는 0.9 이상으로 높은 양의 상관관계를 나타내었다. 이는 내몽골 지역에서 발달된 황사가 중국 고비 사막을 통과하여 한반도로 유입된 것으로 추측할 수 있었다. 2009년 4월 25일의 경우 (사례 2), <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX> 농도가 급격히 증가할 때 <TEX>$0.3-0.5{\mu}m$</TEX>의 작은 입자의 에어로솔 체적 농도 분포가 감소한 반면 <TEX>$0.5-10.0{\mu}m$</TEX>의 큰 입자의 농도는 증가하였다. 그 후 <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX> 농도가 감소할 때 <TEX>$0.3-0.5{\mu}m$</TEX>의 작은 입자의 농도는 증가한 반면 <TEX>$0.5-10.0{\mu}m$</TEX>의 큰 입자의 농도는 감소하였다. 이 때 지상의 풍향은 북동풍에서 남서풍으로 변한 후 다시 북동풍으로 변하였다. <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX>과 <TEX>$1.0-10.0{\mu}m$</TEX>의 큰 입자의 농도의 상관계수는 약 0.9에 가까운 높은 양의 상관관계를 나타내었다. 입자의 역궤적 수송 모델 분석 결과, 만주지역과 중국 동쪽 해안으로부터 한반도로 유입된 것으로 추측할 수 있었다. This study investigates the distribution of suspended particulates during the Asian dust period in Busan, Korea in the spring of 2009. Weather map and automatic weather system (AWS) data were used to analyze the synoptic weather conditions during the period. Particulate matter 10, laser particle counter data, satellite images and a backward trajectories model were used to analyze the aerosol particles distribution and their origins. In Case 1 (20 February 2009), when the <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX> concentration increased, the aerosol volume distribution of small (<TEX>$0.3-1.0{\mu}m$</TEX>) particles decreased, while the concentration of large (<TEX>$1.0-10</TEX><TEX>.0{\mu}m$</TEX>) particles increased. When the <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX> concentration decreased, the aerosol volume distribution was observed to decrease as well. The prevailing winds changed from weak northerly winds to strong southwesterly winds when the concentration of the large particles increased. The correlation coefficient between the <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX> concentration and aerosol volume distribution of large particles showed a high positive value of over 0.9. The results from the trajectory model show that the Asian dust originated in the Gobi desert and the Nei Mongol plateau. In Case 2 (25 April 2009), when the <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX> concentration increased, the aerosol volume concentration of small (<TEX>$0.3-0.5{\mu}m$</TEX>) particles decreased, but the concentration of large (<TEX>$0.5-10.0{\mu}m$</TEX>) particles increased. The opposite was observed when the <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX> concentration decreased. The prevailing winds changed from northeasterly winds to southwesterly and northeasterly winds. The correlation coefficient between the <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX> concentration and aerosol volume distribution of large particles (<TEX>$1.0-10.0{\mu}m$</TEX>) showed a high positive value of about 0.9. The results from the trajectory model show that the Asian dust originated in Manchuria and the eastern coast of China.

Relationship of ecosystem primary productivity to species diversity and functional group diversity: evidence from Stipa breviflora grassland in Nei Mongol

Aims The relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning has been a central issue in ecology. However, this relationship is poorly understood for the Stipa breviflora grassland, which is a major community type of desert steppe in Nei Mongol. With unpredictably fluctuating climate conditions, these desert steppe ecosystems are fragile and provide a unique opportunity to test our current understanding of the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. This study has two objectives: (1) to examine if species diversity and functional group diversity affect ecosystem primary productivity in the desert steppe of Nei Mongol and (2) to explore how resource supply levels affect the relationship between diversity and productivity. Methods Based on life forms, species were classified into five functional groups: shrub and semishrub, perennial bunchgrass, perennial rhizome grass, perennial forb, and annual and biennial. Species richness and functional group richness were used to represent species diversity and functional group diversity, respectively. Based on the dryness coefficient, 202 sites across the S. breviflora grassland in Nei Mongol were sampled, and divided into two resource supply levels: arid and semiarid zones. In order to tease out the effect of precipitation, partial regression analysis and partial correlation analysis were used for exploring the relationship of ecosystem primary productivity to species richness and functional group richness, respectively. According to the determination coefficient of regression analysis, the effect of resource supply levels on the diversity-productivity relationship was evaluated.Important findings Species richness and ecosystem primary productivity were both positively and linearly correlated with precipitation, but no significant correlation was found between functional group richness and precipitation. Ecosystem primary productivity increased significantly with species richness, but not with functional group richness. Resource supply levels could affect the diversity-productivity relationship in that plant species diversity generally had a weaker effect on ecosystem primary productivity at the lower resource supply level and a stronger effect at the higher resource supply level.

Large Tetrapod Burrows from the Permian Naobaogou Formation of the Daqingshan Area, Nei Mongol, China

AbstractTwo new tetrapod burrow casts from the Naobaogou Formation (Middle or Late Permian) of Nei Mongol, China are described. It marks the first pre‐Cenozoic tetrapod burrow from China, and one of the earliest records of tetrapod burrows. Comparison to other Permian and Triassic burrows suggests that these burrows were created by tetrapod slightly smaller than Lystrosaurus. Deduced from the morphology and sizes of two burrows and known tetrapods of the Naobaogou Formation, the burrow should be the production of a therapsid, most likely a dicynodon. These burrows indicate a seasonal climate and this area was semiarid or arid during that time.