Province South China Research Articles

Trace element composition and genesis mechanism of the Fuli Pb-Zn deposit in Yunnan: LA-ICP-MS and in situ S-Pb isotopic constraints

The Fuli Pb-Zn deposit in Yunnan is located in the southeast of the Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou (SYG) Pb-Zn metallogenic province in South China. Lead and zinc reserves total approximately 0.3 million tons with an average grade of 18.68% Pb+Zn. The stratiform ore occurs in the interlayer fracture zone of the middle Permian Yangxin formation dolomite. The main sulfides of the Fuli Pb-Zn deposit consist of sphalerite, galena, and pyrite, while dolomite and calcite are the main gangue minerals. Mineralization exhibits massive, disseminated, vein and breccia textures. Sphalerites of two colors (black and red) have been identified in the Fuli deposit. LA-ICP-MS analysis revealed that the black and red sphalerites were enriched in Cd, Cu, Ga, and Ge and depleted in Fe, Mn, and In to varying degrees. The aforementioned elements exhibit homogeneous patterns in the LA-ICPMS time resolution profiles, which is consistent with variations in the concentrations of major elements like Zn and S. This indicates that these elements may occur in sphalerite as a result of isomorphous substitution. However, elements such as As, Sb, Pb, and Ag fluctuate greatly in the LA-ICPMS time resolution profiles, suggesting that these elements may exist as fine inclusions. Thus, the different colors of the Fuli sphalerite may be attributed to various elements such as Ni, Cu, and Ga; Ni and Cu result in purple Sp, Cu renders sphalerite red, and Ga imparts a yellow color. The sulfur isotope compositions of the two sphalerites exhibit little variation, with δ34S values ranging from 15.57‰ to 16.91‰, indicating the enrichment of 34S. These results are consistent with the sulfur isotopic compositions of Permian marine sulfates, indicating that thermochemical sulfate reduction was the main source of the reduced sulfur in the hydrothermal fluids. In situ Pb isotopic composition analysis revealed 208Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 206Pb/204Pb values for galena in the range of 38.5–38.651, 15.666–15.733, and 18.539–19.124, respectively. The in situ Pb isotopic ratios of most galenas plot on the field of the basement metamorphic rocks of the Kunyang Group. These in situ Pb isotopic signatures reveal that the metallogenic metals are mainly derived from crustal basement. The findings of this study suggest that the Fuli Pb-Zn deposit is a MVT Pb-Zn deposit controlled by the interlayer compressional structure with characteristics of carbonate-hosted, epigenetic, simple mineral symbiosis, high Pb-Zn grade, and abundant Cd, Ga, and Ge along with other dispersed elements.

Geochemical Characteristics of the Granodiorite Porphyry in Dongxiang W-Cu Deposit, SE China

The Dongxiang tungsten–copper deposit is a large W–Cu deposit located in the northeast of Jiangxi province in south China. Previous studies have mainly considered the geochemical and isotopic attributes of the ore deposit, but information is still lacking on the genesis and setting of Dongxiang W–Cu mineralization-related intrusive rocks. This paper presents systematic elements and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data of the Dongxiang granodiorite porphyry. The Dongxiang granodiorite porphyry is intermediate–acidic in composition, with SiO2 contents of 60.00–75.16 wt.%, Al2O3 contents of 10.15–18.53 wt.%, an K2O contents of 2.95–4.28 wt.%. The REEs content ranges from 64.2 to 198.1 ppm, with LREE/HREE ratios of 7.67–17.47. It is characterized by adakitic geochemical affinities with high Sr/Y and (La/Yb)N ratios but low Y and Yb contents. A slight Eu anomaly, extreme depletion in Y and Yb, relatively low MgO content, and relatively high 207Pb/204Pb ratios together indicate that the Dongxiang granodiorite porphyry was likely derived from partial melting of the thickened lower continental crust. Based on zircon εHf(t) values (−11.8–−4.5), two-stage Hf model ages (1.33–1.94 Ga), and the regional geological setting, it can be inferred that Dongxiang granodiorite porphyry magma is mainly derived from Neoproterozoic juvenile crust with the involvement of Paleoproterozoic ancient crust.

Drivers of Farmers’ Intention to Use the Digital Agricultural Management System: Integrating Theory of Planned Behavior and Behavioral Economics

China's fishery industry has national and international relevance whose aquaculture production accounts for more than 60 percent of the world's total aquaculture production. But the average amount of pesticides used per hectare in China is roughly five times of the world average. The abuse of chemical fertilizers and drugs has brought chronic, long-term, and cumulative harm to both human beings and environment. The digital agricultural management system should be adopted to reduce non-negligible environment pollution and the quality and safety risks of aquatic products. So, it is essential to understand the factors that may influence the adopting intention of this digital management approaches. The present study aimed to examine the adopting intention of farmers toward the digital agricultural management system using two theories-the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the behavioral economics-as the research framework. The population was composed of farmers in the provinces of Guangdong province in south China of whom 219 farmers were sampled with stratified random sampling technique. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data, and it was revealed that this research framework could potentially predict intention. And we observed that the two biased belief of availability bias and loss aversion bias can be the main predictive influence factors of responsible behaviors in adopting the digital agriculture management system, which highlights the importance of framing recommendations in terms of losses rather than gain may be more effective to increase farmers' intention to adopt the digital system on their farms.

The draft genome and multi-omics analyses reveal new insights into geo-herbalism properties of Citrus grandis ‘Tomentosa’

Citrus grandis ‘Tomentosa’ (CGT) (Huajuhong, HJH) is a widely used medicinal plant, which is mainly produced in Guangdong and Guangxi provinces of South China. Particularly, HJH from Huazhou (HZ) county of Guangdong province has been well-regarded as the best national product for geo-herbalism. But the reasons for geo-herbalism property in HJH from HZ county remains a mystery. Therefore, a multi-omics approach was applied to identify the nature of the geo-herbalism in CGT from three different regions. The comprehensive screening of differential metabolites revealed that the Nobiletin content was significantly different in HZ region compared to other regions, and could be employed as a key indicator to determine the geo-herbalism. Furthermore, the high-quality genome (N50 of 9.12 Mb), coupled with genomics and transcriptomics analyses indicated that CGT and Citrus grandis are closely related, with a predicted divergence time of 19.1 million years ago (MYA), and no recent WGD occurred in the CGT, and the bioactive ingredients of CGT were more abundant than that of Citrus grandis. Interestingly, Nobiletin (Polymethoxyflavones) content was identified as a potential indicator of geo-herbalism, and O-methyltransferase (OMT) genes are involved in the synthesis of Polymethoxyflavones. Further multi-omics analysis led to the identification of a novel OMT gene (CtgOMT1) whose transient overexpression displayed significantly higher Nobiletin content, suggesting that CtgOMT1 was involved in the synthesis of Nobiletin. Overall, our findings provide new data resources for geo-herbalism evaluation, germplasm conservation and insights into Nobiletin biosynthesis pathways for the medicinal plant C. grandis ‘Tomentosa’.

Multi-dimensional investigation and distribution characteristics analysis of gut microbiota of different marine fish in Fujian Province of China.

The gut microbiota plays an important role in animal health and behavior. In marine fish, the composition of the gut microbiota is affected by many complex factors, such as diet, species, and regional factors. Since more than one hundred fish species have been cultured in fish farms along with the 3,324 km coastline of Fujian Province in South China, we chose this region to study the gut microbiota composition of marine commercial fishes because sufficient different species, diets, and regional factors were observed. We investigated the distribution characteristics of the gut microbiota of seven cultured species (Epinephelus akaara, Epinephelus coioides, Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂ × Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀, Siganus fuscescens, Pagrus major, Lateolabrax japonicus, and Acanthopagrus schlegelii) living in the same aquatic region and one species (E. akaara) living separately in five regions separated by latitude. The impacts of diet, region, and species factors on fish gut microbiota were also evaluated. Diversity and multivariate analyses showed that the patterns of the microbiota were significantly different in different fish species within the same habitat and E. akaara with five latitude regions. Mantel analysis showed that AN, SiO32–, DO, and NO2– were the principal factors affecting the microbial community of E. akaara in the five habitats. Additionally, similar distribution characteristics occurred in different gut parts of different fishes, with an increasing trend of Proteobacteria and Vibrionaceae abundance and a decreasing trend of Firmicutes and Bacillaceae abundance from the foregut to the hindgut. Vibrionaceae was the most abundant family in the content. This study highlights that a persistent core microbiota was established in marine commercial fishes spanning multiple scales. The factors with the greatest effect on fish gut microbiota may be (i) host genetics and (ii) geographic factors rather than the microbiota in the diet and water environment. These core microbes regularly colonized from the foregut to the hindgut, which was driven by their underlying functions, and they were well adapted to the gut environment. Moreover, the microbiota in the content may have contributed more to the gut microbial communities than previously reported. This study could complement basic data on the composition of marine commercial fishes and facilitate relatively complete investigations, which would be beneficial for the healthy and sustainable development of aquaculture.

Research on the influence mechanism of university-enterprise collaboration: Evidence From five southern coastal provinces in China

Taking university-enterprise collaborative innovation in five southern coastal provinces of China as subjects, empirical research is implemented by constructing a theoretical model of the effects of interface resource integration, interface conflict management, interface connection mechanisms, and enterprise absorptive capacity on the university-enterprise collaborative innovation performance with the partial least squares structural equation modeling and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis. A total of 245 valid questionnaires were collected from five coastal provinces in south China. The research results show that the interface resource integration, interface connection mechanisms, and enterprise absorptive capacity has direct significant positive impacts on the collaborative innovation performance. Interface conflict management has no significant impact on school-enterprise collaborative innovation performance. Moreover, the interface connection mechanism acts as an intermediary. Therefore, it is suggested that university-enterprise should integrate resources with complementing, interacting, and sharing resources; construct the profit and risk-sharing mechanism, communication and trust mechanism, and organizational learning mechanism.

Research on the influence mechanism of university-enterprise collaboration: Evidence From five southern coastal provinces in China.

Taking university-enterprise collaborative innovation in five southern coastal provinces of China as subjects, empirical research is implemented by constructing a theoretical model of the effects of interface resource integration, interface conflict management, interface connection mechanisms, and enterprise absorptive capacity on the university-enterprise collaborative innovation performance with the partial least squares structural equation modeling and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis. A total of 245 valid questionnaires were collected from five coastal provinces in south China. The research results show that the interface resource integration, interface connection mechanisms, and enterprise absorptive capacity has direct significant positive impacts on the collaborative innovation performance. Interface conflict management has no significant impact on school-enterprise collaborative innovation performance. Moreover, the interface connection mechanism acts as an intermediary. Therefore, it is suggested that university-enterprise should integrate resources with complementing, interacting, and sharing resources; construct the profit and risk-sharing mechanism, communication and trust mechanism, and organizational learning mechanism.

Measuring Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) in Guangxi, China, from 2005 to 2020

The economic and social development evaluation system with the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the leading indicator is no longer applicable to the current social progress in China. It is essential to carry out an assessment of the Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) to integrate ecological benefits into the economic and social evaluation system and promote sustainable socio-economic development. This study took Guangxi, an important province in South China, as the study area. We used four periods of land use and land cover data (LULC), meteorological data, soil data and yearbook statistics to construct a GEP assessment framework based on geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) technologies. We accounted for the provisioning services, regulating services, and tourism services provided by Guangxi in 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 and analyzed the region’s and municipalities’ spatial–temporal pattern characteristics and trends of change in GEP. In addition, this study also discusses the relationship between GEP and GDP. The results showed that many important products and services provided by natural ecosystems in Guangxi had enormous economic benefits. GEP had increased from CNY 15,657.37 billion in 2005 to CNY 36,677.04 billion in 2020, and the distribution of GEP showed obvious spatial heterogeneity. The value of ecosystem regulation services was about 65–89% of GEP, which is the main component of GEP. From 2005 to 2020, natural ecosystem protection and socio-economic development have achieved coordinated development in Guangxi. GEP and GDP showed upward trends in general. Although Guangxi is relatively backward in terms of economic development, the scientific quantification of the unrealized value of the services provided by the ecosystem through GEP accounting makes it possible to transform ecological advantages into economic advantages. It could help the local government and people to re-recognize the value of ecological resources and realize the beautiful vision of lucid waters and lush mountains as invaluable assets.

Integrating Blue and Green Water to Identify Matching Characteristics of Agricultural Water and Land Resources in China

The uneven distribution and spatial mismatch between water and land resources (WLR) limit the utilization efficiency of agricultural water and land resources (AWLR), and then pose a threat to food production. There is a critical need to understand their matching characteristics for strategic resource allocation decisions and management. In this study, a holistic index (RSI) derived from resource equivalency analysis (REA) was developed which contributed to examine the abundance or deficiency of agricultural water and land resources (AWLR) based on the conception of generalized water resources (including blue water and green water). Results indicate that the matching degree of AWLR was the lowest in Northeast China, North China and Gansu in Northwest China, while the highest value was in Xinjiang due to the higher blue water use. In north China, other provinces suffered water scarcity except in Jilin, Liaoning, Henan, while all provinces in south China suffered land scarcity except in Tibet and Jiangsu. Meanwhile, the matching of AWLR was not exactly consistent with the distribution pattern of precipitation. The higher proportion of green water resources was not located in southeast China with rich precipitation; it had to do with water management. Too much or little water resources can result in the increasing of blue water use. The proposed approach can be a powerful instrument to implement public policies and management strategy as an attempt to improve the utilization efficiency and enhance the optimize-allocation of AWLR.

Insights on In-Situ Photochemistry Associated with Ozone Reduction in Guangzhou during the COVID-19 Lockdown

Increases in ground-level ozone (O3) have been observed during the COVID-19 lockdown in many places around the world, primarily due to the uncoordinated emission reductions of O3 precursors. In Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province in South China, O3 distinctively decreased during the lockdown. Such a phenomenon was attributed to meteorological variations and weakening of local O3 formation, as indicated by chemical transport models. However, the emission-based modellings were not fully validated by observations, especially for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In this study, we analyzed the changes of O3 and its precursors, including VOCs, from the pre-lockdown (Pre-LD) to lockdown period (LD) spanning 1 week in Guangzhou. An observation-based box model was applied to understand the evolution of in-situ photochemistry. Indeed, the ambient concentrations of O3 precursors decreased significantly in the LD. A reduction of 20.7% was identified for the total mixing ratios of VOCs, and the transportation-related species experienced the biggest declines. However, the reduction of O3 precursors would not lead to a decrease of in-situ O3 production if the meteorology did not change between the Pre-LD and LD periods. Sensitivity tests indicated that O3 formation was limited by VOCs in both periods. The lower temperature and photolysis frequencies in the LD reversed the increase of O3 that would be caused by the emission reductions otherwise. This study reiterates the fact that O3 abatement requires coordinated control strategies, even if the emissions of O3 precursors can be significantly reduced in the short term.

Prediction and optimization of regional land-use patterns considering nonpoint-source pollution control under conditions of uncertainty

Socioeconomic development, leading to significant changes in land-use patterns, has further influenced the output of regional nonpoint-source (NPS) pollution. Multiple uncertainties exist in the processes of land-use changes and NPS pollution export. These uncertainties can deeply affect the management of regional land-use patterns and control of NPS pollution. In this research, an integrated land-use prediction and optimization (ILUPO) model based on system dynamics, export coefficient, interval linear programming, and fuzzy parameter programming models was proposed. The ILUPO model can provide future land-use patterns and NPS pollution loads, and also help optimize the patterns under multiple pollution reduction scenarios. Interval and fuzzy uncertainties in the processes of land-use changes and NPS pollution output can be effectively addressed. The developed model was applied to a water source area in the central part of northern Guangdong Province in South China. For the prediction period 2020–2030 under the high-speed development scenario, results show that cropland area would decrease, while grassland and waterbody areas would increase. In contrast, these three types of land-use would show opposite variation trends under the low-speed development scenario. Construction land area would decrease, while forestland area would increase under both the low-speed and high-speed development scenarios. Variation of the predicted land-use patterns would lead to an increase of total nitrogen loads under each of the scenario, while the total phosphorus loads would show relatively complex variation trends. Regional land-use patterns should be further optimized to mitigate NPS pollution. However, the pollution loads in the study area cannot be reduced by >5% through land-use adjustment. Because cropland would still be the critical source of NPS pollution after optimization, strictly controlling the areas of cropland would be important for the management of such pollution in the research area. In addition, certain areas of grassland and waterbody would need to be converted into cropland and construction land to balance the economic benefit of the system and NPS pollution control. Multiple results obtained from the model under different scenarios of pollution reduction targets and α-cut levels can provide decision-making supports for the local policy makers. The developed ILUPO model can yield insights useful for the planning and adjustment of regional land-use patterns while considering NPS pollution control under conditions of uncertainty.

Middle Devonian ostracods from the Naidaijin Formation, Kurosegawa belt, Kyushu, Japan: Paleoecological and paleogeographical significance

AbstractThis study reports five ostracod taxa from the Middle Devonian Naidaijin Formation, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan comprising shelf‐nearshore beyrichiid and bairdiocypridoid species, and two species of Bairdia. This is the first report of ostracod fossils from the Devonian strata in the Kurosegawa belt. Most analyzed fossils are the same species as those found in the Middle Devonian strata of Yunnan and Guangxi provinces in South China, indicating that the Kurosegawa belt of Kyushu shared biogeographical affinities with the palaeo‐equatorial South China paleocontinent.

High Resolution Distribution Dataset of Double-Season Paddy Rice in China

Although China is the largest producer of rice, accounting for about 25% of global production, there are no high-resolution maps of paddy rice covering the entire country. Using time-weighted dynamic time warping (TWDTW), this study developed a pixel- and phenology-based method to identify planting areas of double-season paddy rice in China, by comparing temporal variations of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) signals of unknown pixels to those of known double-season paddy rice fields. We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the method’s performance at pixel and regional scales. Based on 145,210 field surveyed samples from 2018 to 2020, the producer’s and user’s accuracy are 88.49% and 87.02%, respectively. Compared to county-level statistical data from 2016 to 2019, the relative mean absolute errors are 34.11%. This study produced distribution maps of double-season rice at 10 m spatial resolution from 2016 to 2020 over nine provinces in South China, which account for more than 99% of the planting areas of double-season paddy rice of China. The maps are expected to contribute to timely monitoring and evaluating rice growth and yield.

Cretaceous climate variations indicated by palynoflora in South China

We compiled the Cretaceous sporopollen fossil data from 19 locations of six provinces in South China, reviewed the affinities of spore and pollen genera by examining and assessing these fossils with published data, and associated them with the sporomorph eco-groups (SEG) model and vegetation type. Seven palynofloral assemblages (PA1–PA7) were identified. PA1 (Berriasian–Valanginian) and PA2 (Hauterivian–Barremian) mainly include Cheirolepidiaceae (∼60–80%), Cycadophytes (∼10%), and Lygodiaceae (∼10%), indicating warm and dry climate; PA3 (Aptian) and PA4 (Albian) represent warm, semi-arid to semi-humid climate with vegetation composed of Araucariaceae (∼10%), Cheirolepidiaceae (∼40–60%), Cycadophytes (∼10%), and Lygodiaceae (∼10%); PA5 (Cenomanian–Turonian) and PA6 (Coniacian–Santonian) imply a hot, semi-humid to humid climate with the vegetation taxa of Lygodiaceae (∼20–40%), Cheirolepidiaceae (∼20–50%), Ephedraceae (∼5–8%), and Araucariaceae (∼10%); and PA7 (Campanian–Maastrichtian) indicates a relatively cool and dry climate evidenced by the vegetation composition of Cheirolepidiaceae (∼30–40%), Pteridaceae (∼10%), Ephedraceae (∼5–8%), and Ulmaceae (∼30–40%). Our SEG analysis reveals three climatic evolution phases: the Berriasian–Barremian warm-dry phase, the Aptian–Santonian warm-wet phase, and the Campanian–Maastrichtian cool-dry phase. The climatic variation pattern is compatible with that indicated by fossil stomatal pCO2 values and the pCO2 simulation of GEOCARB II and III models, providing independent climatic proxies of the region and contributing to better understanding of the global Cretaceous climatic changes.

The Trend of Targeted Therapies in Chinese Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis: Results From a Real-Life Survey.

Introduction : Targeted medication, including mostly biologics and small-molecule chemical drugs, is an important therapy for ankylosing spondylitis (AS). There are still limited data on the preference of different targeted drugs in Chinese AS patients. Methods : A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was performed on AS patients from six hospitals in three provinces in South China. Anti-rheumatic diseases’ medication history includes the recent and previous usage of biologics or Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) in the last complete course of treatment, disease severity, and reasons for targeted-treatment change or preference. Results : 354 of 366 participants responded to the online survey. The participants’ median age was 32 years, with a median of 7.3 years of disease duration; 79.7% were male. 63.6% of them were in the course of biologics or JAKi. Generic ETN is the most widely used and willing-to-use biologic though the proportion of its usage shrunk in the present compared with the past. The choice of original-branded ADA demonstrated an increase in usage. The preference of secukinumab and tofacitinib depicted a quick ascending trend. Conclusion : TNF-α inhibitors (TNFi) are still the most popular targeted medication for AS in China. Their price influences patients’ preferences mostly. The doctor’s recommendation is also part of the equation. Rheumatologists should pay more attention to patients’ education to formulate targeted therapeutic plans.

The identity and significance of the high-latitude Early Ordovician Mediterranean brachiopod Province

AbstractDuring the Early Ordovician Epoch, the Mediterranean brachiopod Province was extensive in the higher-latitude sectors of the globe in the Southern Hemisphere. The latter was much occupied by the massive continent of Gondwana, which stretched from north of the Equator S-wards to cover the South Pole. The Mediterranean Province can be separated into two groups: Group 1, the higher-latitude fauna dominated by large linguliform brachiopods; and Group 2, which is more diverse, particularly in orthides. The large linguliform brachiopod faunas are particularly well known in southern Europe (France, Spain and Bohemia) and North Africa, and the second group in Avalonia, Chile and Argentina. The province is different from, but merges with, more diverse contemporary faunas in the lower latitudes of Gondwana to its north, although the latter contrast with other lower-latitude faunal provinces in South China, Laurentia, Siberia and elsewhere. Since the Rheic Ocean between Avalonia and Gondwana was relatively narrow during the Early Ordovician Epoch, the Avalonian brachiopods were integral parts of the Mediterranean Province, but only until end of the Dapingian Age. This paper focuses on the earlier phases of the Mediterranean Province, although the province continued until near the end of the Ordovician Period. Intermediate-latitude Baltica and some other faunas are included in new principal components and other analyses in order to compare them with the Mediterranean Province faunas. Radiation was very significant for many brachiopod taxa during the period, with first appearances of the Plectambonitoidea (Taffiidae), several orthide families (Euorthisinidae, Tarfayidae and Anamalorthidae) and the earliest endopunctate orthide, the dalmanelloidLipanorthis.

English Language Classroom Anxiety and Enjoyment in Chinese Young Learners

The present large-scale mixed-method study examined English language classroom anxiety and enjoyment in Chinese young students in relation to gender and grade level. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 709 primary and secondary school students from a province in south China. Major findings were: (1) Around one third of the participants felt anxious when speaking English while more than half felt joyful in the English class. The same pattern applied for male and female students and those in grades 4 to 8; (2) significant gender difference in anxiety occurred in grade 4 and that in enjoyment occurred in grade 8; (3) the students tended to be more anxious and less joyful in the English class as their grade levels increased, with grade 7 being a dividing year of the (inverted) u-curve; (4) anxiety and enjoyment were significantly correlated with each other for students in grades 4 to 8; (5) both learner- and teacher-related variables were identified as causes for anxiety and enjoyment; and (6) the students reacted differently when feeling anxious or joyful in class: When feeling/becoming anxious, they often suffered a lot (e.g., becoming dumbfounded, sweating, trembling, and not knowing what to do or say, etc.); when feeling joyful, they often became more attentive and active in class and studied English harder. It is hence clear that English language classroom anxiety and enjoyment are two independent dimensions of emotion and that fostering positive emotions facilitates SL/FL learning.

Coevolution of global brachiopod palaeobiogeography and tectonopalaeogeography during the Carboniferous

The global brachiopod palaeobiogeography of the Mississippian is divided into three realms, six regions, and eight provinces, while that of the Pennsylvanian is divided into three realms, six regions, and nine provinces. On this basis, we examined coevolutionary relationships between brachiopod palaeobiogeography and tectonopalaeogeography using a comparative approach spanning the Carboniferous. The appearance of the Boreal Realm in the Mississippian was closely related to movements of the northern plates into middle–high latitudes. From the Mississippian to the Pennsylvanian, the palaeobiogeography of Australia transitioned from the Tethys Realm to the Gondwana Realm, which is related to the southward movement of eastern Gondwana from middle to high southern latitudes. The transition of the Yukon–Pechora area from the Tethys Realm to the Boreal Realm was associated with the northward movement of Laurussia, whose northern margin entered middle–high northern latitudes then. The formation of the six palaeobiogeographic regions of Mississippian and Pennsylvanian brachiopods was directly related to “continental barriers”, which resulted in the geographical isolation of each region. The barriers resulted from the configurations of Siberia, Gondwana, and Laurussia, which supported the Boreal, Tethys, and Gondwana realms, respectively. During the late Late Devonian–Early Mississippian, the Rheic seaway closed and North America (from Laurussia) joined with South America and Africa (from Gondwana), such that the function of “continental barriers” was strengthened and the differentiation of eastern and western regions of the Tethys Realm became more distinct. In the Barents Ocean tectonic domain during the Pennsylvanian, the brachiopods on the northern margin of the Barents Ocean formed the Verkhoyansk–Taymyr Province, while those on the southern margin formed the Yukon–Pechora Province. The Mongolia–Okhotsk Province was formed by brachiopods of the Mongolia–Okhotsk Ocean tectonic domain. The Northern Margin of the Palaeo-Tethys Ocean Province and the Southern Margin of the Palaeo-Tethys Ocean Province were formed, respectively, by brachiopods on the northern and southern margins of the Palaeo-Tethys Ocean tectonic domain. South China and Southeast Asia were dissociated from the major continental blocks mentioned above, and formed the South China Province.

Isolation and characterization of a novel chicken astrovirus in China

Chicken astrovirus (CAstV) is associated with kidney disease and visceral gout, runting and stunting syndrome, and white chick hatchery disease, causing economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. In this study, 55.6% of 36 clinical samples from Guangdong province in China were positive for CAstV, but negative for other common enteric viruses, including avian nephritis virus, infectious bronchitis virus, fowl adenovirus Group I, Newcastle disease virus, chicken parvovirus, reovirus, and rotavirus by PCRs and RT-PCRs. A CAstV strain, named GD202013, was isolated from Guangdong province in south China, and was identified by CAstV RT-PCR. A whole genome sequence analysis demonstrated that GD202013 shares 76.0 to 88.1% identity with 24 reference strains in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis, based on whole genome and capsid protein, showed that GD202013 is more closely related to 2 US strains (GA2011/US/2011 and 4175/US/2011) belonging to subgroup Bii. Recombination analysis indicated that GD202013 is a recombinant strain formed by 3 strains: a major parent strain CkP5/US/2016, and 2 minor parent strains (GA2011/US/2011 and G059/PL/2014). In addition, the chicken embryo infection experiment demonstrated that GD202013 causes hatchability reduction, growth depression, and death of embryos. Macroscopic and microscopic lesions in the liver, kidney and small intestine were observed in the dead-in-shell embryos. This is the first report of the novel CAstV infection in China.

A further study on the wolf spider subfamily Artoriinae from China(Araneae: Lycosidae).

The further collection and study of Chinese wolf spiders, family Lycosidae Sundevall, 1833, expand the known distribution of the subfamily Artoriinae Framenau, 2007 from Yunnan to Guangxi, Guizhou, and Sichuan Provinces of South China. Sinartoria gen. nov. is described to include two new species, S. damingshanensis sp. nov. (type species) and S. zhuangius sp. nov. In addition, a new Artoria species, A. hamata sp. nov. is described and new distribution records for A. ligulacea (Qu, Peng Yin, 2009) and A. parvula Thorell, 1877 are provided. Within the Artoriinae, Sinartoria gen. nov. appears to be most similar to the South American Lobizon Piacentini Grismado, 2009, but their relationship will remain contentious without a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of artoriine genera.