Small Distribution Area Research Articles

Use of space and home range characteristics of Lepilemur mittermeieri, an endangered sportive lemur endemic to the Ampasindava peninsula, north-west Madagascar.

Lepilemur mittermeieri, a little-studied sportive lemur of north-west Madagascar, endemic to the Ampasindava Peninsula, faces habitat loss through forest degradation and rapid fragmentation. Understanding its habitat requirement is the first step toward preservation of this threatened forest-dependent species. In this study, we gathered data on the use of space and home range characteristics of L. mittermeieri. We studied individuals from early March to the end of June 2015 and 2016, in three sites of the Ampasindava peninsula. We radio-tracked 15 individuals to obtain detailed information on the size and location of home ranges (around 450 hr of tracking). Direct observation and morphometric measurements provided additional data sets. Both kernel density estimation (KDE) and minimum convex polygon (MCP) methods yielded similar home range sizes (an average of 2.01 ha with KDE method and 1.96 ha with MCP method). We did not find differences in home range size between males and females, with respect to forest type or proximity to the forest edge. Home ranges overlapped and individuals showed low levels of territoriality. We highlighted a sexually-dimorphic trait: males have longer upper canine than females. Our results constitute the first set of ecological information on Lepilemur mittermeieri and could be the basis for a conservation strategy for this endangered species with a very small distribution area.

Development of an infrared polarized microscope for evaluation of high gradient stress with a small distribution area on a silicon chip.

In this paper, a special microscope to evaluate stress in a silicon chip was developed based on the principle of photoelasticity. To facilitate stress measurements and to improve their precision, two methods were adopted. First, a six-step phase shifting technique was realized with the aid of two motorized rotation stages. During the implementation of this phase shifting technique, six digital images were captured at different rotation angles of the two stages and employed to automatically calculate the birefringence. Second, an algorithm was developed to correct deviations in the position of the specimen in the six images caused by mechanical vibration; thus, the most significant source of error was addressed. The precision of the system in terms of measuring the stress-birefringence phase difference was verified with a standard quarter wave plate; the results demonstrate that the system is precise to within at least 2°. With the developed system, we evaluated the stress distribution and its variations with thermal cycling around through-silicon vias on a silicon chip at room temperature; we found that stress initially increased with the number of thermal cycles before decreasing with further thermal cycles.

Phylogeography of the red-bellied lizard, Darevskia parvula in Turkey

The groups of red-bellied lizards had a small distribution area in the Pontic zone. The several studies performed on these lizard groups are based on taxonomy and systematics. Although there were several taxonomic or systematic researches on some species of this group, the phylogeographical pattern and species disturbing boundaries of this group is still not clear. In the present study, we aimed to resolve the taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships of the red-bellied lizards in Turkey, based on two combined mitochondrial gene fragments and one protein-coding nuclear gene (rag1). Also, we evaluated ecological niches differentiations among red-bellied lizard groups. The mitochondrial DNA genes were found to be highly polymorphic in this group. One hundred and one variable nucleotide sites were detected on the combined gene sequences. According to phylogenetic trees based on the maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI), the red-bellied lizards group have three species groups; Darevskia parvula, D. adjarica and unnamed Darevskia sp. (candidate species for Darevskia genus). This situation was supported by high bootstrap and posterior probability values in the trees of mitochondrial DNA gene fragments. However, no genetic variation was detected according to nuclear DNA (rag1) sequence. Because the species groups have no overlaps in terms of their ecological niches, ecological niche modelling (ENM) results revealed differences among the groups of D. parvula, D. adjarica, and unnamed Darevskia sp. Besides, we detected no geographical overlaps among three species groups, since there were geographical isolation zones among the species groups of red-bellied lizard.

Redescription of Garra turcica from southern Anatolia (Teleostei: Cyprinidae).

Garra turcica, from the rivers Kızıl, Seyhan, Ceyhan and Arsuz, is re-diagnosed and re-described. The species was treated as a synonym of G. rufa but molecular data strongly suggest that G. turcica represent an own species. It is distinguished from G. rufa by being more slender bodied, having a blunt snout and usually a short rostral cap. Based on COI sequence data, G. turcica is closely related to a group of species from the Persian Gulf basin, all having very small distribution areas nested in or adjacent to the range of G. rufa. The closest relatives of G. turcica are G. elegans, G. mondica and G. amirhosseini from which G. turcica differs by having a free posterior edge of the mental disc, the predorsal back covered by scales and the scales on the chest about as large as on the belly as well as by a minimum K2P distance of 2.2% in its COI barcode region.

A revision of dragon millipedes III: the new genus Gigaxytes gen. nov., with the description of three new species (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae)

The ‘gigas’ group of dragon millipedes, formerly placed in the genus Desmoxytes Chamberlin, 1923, is revised and assigned to the new genus Gigaxytes gen. nov. Desmoxytes gigas Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994 is the type species of the new genus and is redescribed as G. gigas (Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994) gen. et comb nov. Three new species are described: G. fusca gen et sp. nov. from Thailand and Myanmar; G. parvoterga gen et sp. nov. and G. suratensis gen et sp. nov. from Thailand. All Gigaxytes species are endemic to small distribution areas in limestone habitats in South Thailand and South Myanmar. Illustrations of external morphological characters and an identification key to all known species are provided as well as a distribution map.

Matrilineal genealogies suggest a very low dispersal in desert rodent females

Previous research shows little haplotype diversity in small geographic areas, such as islands and areas where physical barriers interrupt gene flow. The general pattern is the presence of a small number of haplotypes spread across sampling sites. Instead, this paper reports the presence of a large number of haplotypes (Cytb and COI) in the extremely small distribution area (Los Planes basin, Baja California Sur, Mexico) of the Cerralvo pocket mouse, Chaetodipus siccus. Haplotype zoning revealed that haplotypes considered as ancestral are located to the periphery of the distribution area, whereas derived haplotypes are located to the center of the distribution range. Most derivatives are unique haplotypes and many of them exhibit a remarkable characteristic: a separation of not more than 1.7 km between them, which prompts a genetic microstructured population. All these features suggest the presence of a strong philopatric behavior among females.

Micropropagation of the Narrow Endemic Hladnikia pastinacifolia (Apiaceae)

Abstract The monotypic Hladnikia pastinacifolia Rchb. is a narrow endemic species, with an extremely small distribution area in Slovenia, prone to any kind of threat that could lead to species extinction. Tissue culture techniques are proposed as a conservation measure for rapid propagation and ex-situ conservation. Tissue culture was initiated from seeds and juvenile plants obtained from natural sites on a solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, with and without growth regulators. We tested various combinations and concentrations of growth regulators, and the best proliferation of axillary shoots, on average 14, was obtained on MS medium with 5 μM BAP and 3 μM IBA and 3% sucrose. Rooting was achieved after transferral of the shoots to an MS medium with 2 μM IBA and 3% sucrose. The rooted plants were acclimatized on a mixture of limestone sand, potting soil and vermiculite in a ratio of 10:2:2, with pH in the range of 7.5–8.0. In vitro propagation methods provide an important opportunity for the propagation and preservation of H. pastinacifolia by rapidly increasing the number of plants, without disturbing the wild population.

Key geological issues and main controls on accumulation and enrichment of Chinese shale gas

Abstract By analyzing geological characteristics of shale gas in Southern China and the United States, main factors controlling the accumulation and key issues in the exploration and development of shale gas in China have been examined. The geological characteristics of shale gas in China include multi-stage tectonic evolution, complex structure types, abundant faults, small continuous distribution area of shale formations, and no corresponding relationship between current thermal evolution degree and current burial depth of two main sets of shale formations (the Cambrian and Silurian). According to the analysis of the factors affecting shale gas enrichment such as fracture, tectonic type, shale gas migration, and gas content etc, the enrichment mechanisms of shale gas in China are: “sedimentary facies and preservation condition” are the main reservoir-controlling factors affecting the accumulation of shale gas, and “structure types and tectonism” are the main factors controlling the enrichment of shale gas in China; The former factors define shale gas plays, and the latter ones determine the position of sweet spots. The future research directions of shale gas in China are: firstly, contrary to the shale gas development in the United States, shale gas exploration and development in China should extend from the overpressure to normal pressure, and even low pressure areas; secondly, shale gas exploration in the Sichuan basin should extend from middle-deep to deep formations, studies should be done on the shale gas enrichment mechanism and accumulation models in formations deeper than 4 000 m, and horizontal well fracturing technology for these formations; thirdly, the development of transitional facies and continental facies shale gas should be brought along by drawing on exploration and development experience of marine shale gas.

Research on the architecture of submarine-fan lobes in the Niger Delta Basin, offshore West Africa

As one of the most important reservoirs in submarine fan, submarine lobes are hot fields for the deep-water oil–gas exploration in the world. Although a large amount of researches have been carried out on the architecture model of submarine lobes throughout the world, some controversies still exist on aspects such as the differential distribution of composite patterns and the quantitative relationships among different sedimentary settings. This paper, which took an oilfield in the Niger Delta Basin offshore West Africa as an example and utilized abundant core, well-logging and seismic data comprehensively, established the semi-quantitative to quantitative architecture model for individual lobe and lobe complex.Results show that (1) A lobe complex was composed of multiple individual lobes as the compensational stacking pattern. According to the stacked relationship among individual lobes, four types of compensational stacking pattern were classified as the inordered type, the lateral migration type, the retrograding type and the prograding type. Influenced by the laterally confined degree of palaeotopography, the basin floor fan lobe complex was easily superimposed as inordered type, showing relatively large lateral width but relatively small thickness; the slope fan lobe complex was easily superimposed as lateral migration, retrograding and prograding types, showing relatively small lateral width but relatively large thickness. (2) Influenced by the laterally confined degree of palaeotopography, the basin floor fan individual lobes showed relatively large planar distribution area but relatively small thickness, while the slope fan individual lobes showed relatively small planar distribution area but relatively large thickness. An individual lobe was composed of multiple lobe stories by the way of aggradation–progradation pattern. From proximal to middle and distal part of individual lobes, the bottom mass-transport-deposits and the top branch channels disappeared gradually, and the amalgamated degree of the middle tabular sandbodies weakened as well with gradually developing of muddy interlayers. The formation of an individual lobe generally includes three stages as “rapid accumulation–progradation–aggradation”.

Effect of salinity and light on germination of Salsola grandis freitag, Vural & N. Adiguzel (Chenopodiaceae)

Salsola grandis (Chenopodiaceae) is a xero-halophytic and local endemic species from Nallihan-Turkey and has IUCN threat category of CR. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of light and salinity on germination of S. grandis which could be the explanation of the small population size and distribution area. Seeds were collected at fall of 2011 and used without perianth segments. All the trials were conducted at (12 h/12 h) 20/8 oC day and night temperature regime. For the influence of salinity different NaCl concentrations were used, distilled water (as control), 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and 800 mM NaCl. Seeds that did not germinate under saline conditions were taken into recovery tests. After recovery the un-germinated seeds were tested for viability with TTC test. As a result light did not have any influence on germination. As in other halophytes increase in NaCl concentration results decrease in germination ratio. The best germination was observed in distilled water. Although salinity repress the germination of S. grandis seeds even at 800 mM NaCl there was 11.6% germination percentage, so it can be concluded that the seeds of S. grandis are salt tolerant

A relict species restricted to a quartzitic mountain in tropical America: an example of microrefugium?

We examined the distribution of Coccoloba cereifera,a tropical endemic species that occurs in a small area in the Espinhaco mountain range, southeastern Brazil. It is hypothesized that its narrow distribution is strongly related to the spatially scattered distribution of sandfields. However, this soil type extends far beyond the small region where C. cereifera is currently found, indicating that other factors might be involved in the distribution of this species. Coccoloba cereifera also displays all traits of a relict population in a microrefugium. As a result, we were encouraged to explore other factors potentially related to the distribution of the species. In an attempt to aid in the understanding of the processes and mechanisms that lead C. cereiferato present the narrow actual distribution, we applied two distribution modelling approaches to investigate the potential distribution of the species beyond the small known distribution area. The distribution seems to be strongly associated with sandy patches/grasslands formed among rocky outcrops and is limited by some topoclimatic and/or topographic features. Some of them related to the existence of a microrefugium, a fact also suggested by the pattern of distribution of the species in the past. From the management point of view, the existence of a microrefugium in this area calls for changes in conservation efforts and priorities.

Cyrioctea (Araneae, Zodariidae) in Africa: temperate Gondwanaland relict, recent radiation, or both?

Two new species of the zodariid genus Cyrioctea Simon, 1889 are described: C. sawadee sp. nov. and C. lotzi sp. nov., both only known from males. The genus now contains seven Afrotropical species and this abundance is discussed in the context of its basal situation in the family and its apparent temperate Gondwanaland distribution, which implies a much greater age of the Zodariidae than presently accepted. Unlike most taxa with a temperate Gondwana distribution, Cyrioctea boasts a high number of species with small distribution areas. This points in the direction of a recent radiation initiated after a long period of stasis.

Effect of Drying Methods on Physical Property of the Ultrafine CeO<sub>2</sub> Powder

The ultrafine CeO2 powder was prepared using NH4HCO3 as precipitation agent. The effects of six drying methods, such as room-temperature drying、common oven drying、microwave drying、organic solvent displacement drying、freeze drying、vacuum drying, on hard agglomerates and physical property of CeO2 were studied. The results showed that freeze drying is more effective to prevent the ultrafine CeO2 powder from hard agglomerates. The ultrafine CeO2 powder with small mean particle size and uniform distribution and large specific surface area，was obtained by freeze method.

Mariepskopia albomaculatagen. et sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Cnodalonini) from Relict Arboreal Habitats in South Africa

Abstract. Mariepskopia albomaculata gen. et sp. nov. from South Africa is described. The genus is placed into the tenebrionid tribe Cnodalonini and has no closer relative in Africa, but probably in the Oriental Region with the genus Asbolodes. The species has a small distribution area in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal and has probably an arboreal mode of life in the montane forest in 1300–1600 m altitude.

Voltage Variation Sensitivity Analysis for Unbalanced Distribution Networks Due to Photovoltaic Power Fluctuations

In a geographically small distribution area, fast moving clouds may cover the whole area within a short period causing photovoltaic (PV) power to drop. When a feeder loses PV power support, bus voltages will decrease. In an unbalanced network, asymmetrical spacing and non-transposition of line configurations can result in different voltage drops for each phase. This may potentially cause some voltage problems after a decline in PV generation, such as an extremely low voltage magnitude of a certain phase and an unacceptable voltage imbalance level at a remote bus. This paper proposes a method of analyzing voltage variation sensitivity due to PV power fluctuations in an unbalanced network (unbalanced line configuration and phase loading levels). Based on this method, a network reconfiguration solution is developed to solve the voltage problems. This solution utilizes unbalanced line characteristics and realizes the potential of the network, so no extra compensation devices are needed for network support.

Reservoir Characteristics and Favorable Area Prediction of Devonian Kizirtag Formation in Bashituo Area, Tarim Basin

Tarim Basin is the largest petroleum potential in the west of China. As a co-prospecting project, some wells of the Devonian Kizirtage formation in Bashituo area have gained encouraging industrial oil flow. The basic characteristics of the reservoir beds are described in detail in this paper by collecting and processing plenty of existing data. The results of petrologic analysis show that the pore types of the Kizirtag formation are mainly residual primary intergranular pores and intergranular dissolution pores, and the lithology is mainly fine grain quartz sandstone. Based on the analyses of reservoir physical properties, the reservoir porosities of Kizirtag formation in study area mainly range from 2% to 8% with an average of 6.14%, and the reservoir has a lower permeability with a range less than 1 × 10−3μm2 with average of 1.86 × 10−3μm2. The core analyses indicate there is a distinct positive correlation between porosity and permeability, and members 4 to 6 are the main reservoir section. The inversion prediction of reservoir physical properties shows that the distributions of favorable zones are similar to the distribution of sand body and sedimentary facies. The favorable zones of reservoir physical property of member 6 in Kizirtag formation range from well BK8 to well BK2 and the northern area. Well Q003 and the south eastern area have the poorest physical properties. The favorable zones of reservoir physical property of member 5 distribute in the northwestern and south central area of the study area. The favorable zones of reservoir physical property of member 4 distribute in well BK8 area. Through the statistics analysis, it was found that the reservoir physical properties in study area were controlled by primary sedimentary environment and diagenetic transformation and was especially influenced by the carbonate cementation. There is an obvious negative correlation between the carbonate content and porosity and permeability. Based on the tectonic characteristics, reservoir distributions and hydrocarbon test results of the study area, the favorable areas of main productive layers in the Kizirtag formation were divided to I type, II type and III type. The I type area with the optimum forming conditions is the most favorable part for oil and gas accumulation. So it is suitable to immediately implement drilling, which poses a low drilling risk. The I type areas of the sixth member in the Kizirtag formation is mainly distributed in the intensive areas of exploration wells. The I type areas of the fifth member are mainly concentrated in east in the study area, and the distribution of I type areas in the fourth member of Kizirtag formation is similar to that of the sixth member, but the range is reduced. The distribution of the fourth member is concentrated in the Q002 well to BK9 well range. The II type area has better reservoir forming conditions, and belongs to a more favorable area for hydrocarbon accumulation. However, there are also some exploration risks. In II type areas it is appropriate to carry out drilling to explore objects combined with other hydrocarbon bearing series. The II type areas of the sixth member in Kizirtag formation is concentrated in the east of the study area,; that of the fifth member basically covers the scope of the two traps that are interpreted in this study. In addition, there are larger distribution areas in the east of the study area, and a small distribution area in the south western part of the study area. The II type area distribution of the fourth member in the Kizirtag formation is diminshed, and is mainly distributed in the north of the study area. The reservoir formation conditions of III type zone are poor, so there is no drilling under its current condition. It was considered that this research can provide a new method for future exploration of this area.

Abundancia relativa y uso de microhábitat de la rana Geobatrachus walkeri (Anura: Strabomantidae) en dos hábitats en Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia

Geobatrachus walkeri belongs to a monotypic frog genus endemic to the San Lorenzo area, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. This species has been categorized as endangered because of its small distribution area and the decline in the extent and quality of its habitat. It inhabits two forest types with different composition and structure, the native secondary forest and a pine plantation (dominated by Pinus patula). To compare the relative abundance and microhabitat use of this species in these habitat types, 30 quadrants/environment were distributed randomly. The individual number, microhabitat use and other aspects of its natural history were registered using visual encounter surveys in both sites, including non-sampled areas in the quadrants. The relative abundance of frogs was significantly different between habitats and among seasons. The highest abundance of G. walkeri relative to the total area was found in the pine plantation, being 2.3 times higher than in the natural forest. More frogs were significantly found during the rainy season; nevertheless, active individuals were also found during the dry season. Significant differences were found in the microhabitat use with respect to the forest type and season. The most frequently microhabitat used in the two forest types was the pine leaf-litter; besides, in the native forest, the microhabitat occupied more frequently presented medium and large size stones. Geobatrachus walkeri is a successful species in pine plantations, associated permanently to its leaf-litter environment where it seems to develop its entire life cycle. The clear modifications in the soils and water, derived from the introduction of the pine plantation in this area, seem not to have negatively affected the conservation and successful maintenance of this species.

<p class="HeadingRunIn"><strong>The subgenus <em>Tipula (Pterelachisus)</em> in Finland (Diptera: Tipulidae)—species and biogeographic analysis</strong></p>

A total of 19 Finnish species of the subgenus Tipula (Pterelachisus) are presented. The highest species richnesses are observed in the southern, south eastern and eastern parts of the country and the lowest number of species are found in south western, western and northernmost Finland. This pattern is probably caused by the climate and the eastern Palaearctic origin of several species, but also by differences in forestry history between eastern and western Finland. 16 % of the species are red-listed (NT-VU); these species are confined to primeval heath forests or herb-rich forests and have small distribution areas. 42 % of the species are generally poorly known (NE-DD) and 42 % are rather wide-spread and common (LC). Furthermore, 26 % of the species are National Responsibility Species of Finland; these are boreal species, being absent or rare in Central Europe. The distribution of species in Finland and their area of occupancy is positively correlated. There is also a positive relation between the global range of any species and the extent of its regional occurrence in Finland.

High haplotype diversity in a microendemic Malagasy gecko species, Lygodactylus mirabilis (Pasteur, 1962)

Among Malagasy montane reptiles, the diurnal gecko Lygodactylus mirabilis has one of the most restricted distribution ranges, occurring only on the Tsiafajavona mountain on the Ankaratra massif. Here we report data on the current distribution of this species and its genetic diversity. Mitochondrial data based on samples collected in the only previously known distribution area (the Tsiafajavona peak) showed numerous haplotypes at low frequencies, suggesting a past population expansion and a relatively high within-species genetic diversity in an extremely small distribution area. Our field survey also revealed that the range of the species is larger than previously thought, but still is extremely small and restricted to the Ankaratra massif.

CFD study on hydraulic performance of subsurface flow constructed wetland: Effect of distribution and catchment area

A subsurface flow constructed wetland (SSFW) was simulated by using a commercial computational fluid dynamic (CFD) code (Fluent 6.22, Fluent Inc.). The liquid residence time distribution in the SSFW was obtained by the particle trajectory model. The simulation confirmed that the effect of the distribution and/or catchment area on the hydraulic efficiency is significant. An inappropriate horizontal distribution and/or catchment area can result in poor hydraulic efficiency. The hydraulic efficiency of the SSFW with the vertical distribution and/or catchment area can be kept at a high level (above 0.898). The design of the vertical distribution and/or catchment area in the SSFW is better than that of the horizontal. From the point of view of the engineering design, a small dimension distribution and/or catchment area in the SSFW is advisable, which maintains a considerable hydraulic efficiency of the SSFW (above 0.840), but also benefits the increase of the purge area.