Xizang Research Articles

Active thickness estimation and failure simulation of translational landslide using multi-orbit InSAR observations: A case study of the Xiongba landslide

The active thickness of the translational landslides plays a pivotal role in evaluating its hazards and simulating its instability. Existing techniques have difficulties in estimating the accurate active thickness due to the limitations of observation conditions and imaging geometry, leading to deviations in failure simulations. To overcome these challenges, this study proposes an enhanced method that utilizes multi-orbit Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) observations to estimate the active thickness of the translational landslides and subsequently conduct more accurate instability simulations. The method involves integrating multi-orbit InSAR imaging parameters with the spatial geometry of the landslide to establish a slope coordinate system. This system enables the projection of one-dimensional InSAR Line Of Sight (LOS) displacements onto the three-dimensional displacements of the landslide. Subsequently, the active thickness is estimated by combining InSAR three-dimensional displacements with the mass conservation method. Finally, the estimated thickness is incorporated into the geological model construction to simulate the dynamic movement of the landslide. The method was applied to the Xiongba translational landslide in Gongga County, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. The results show that the deformation is mainly concentrated at its forefront, with maximum three-dimensional deformation rates of 4.7 m/a, 2.3 m/a, and 1.24 m/a. The landslide encompasses an estimated area of around 5.33 square kilometers, and its active thickness varies from 0 to 106.59 m. The maximum displacement distance reaches 1469.76 m, with a peak velocity of 60.37 m/s. The proposed method provides scientific support for assessing, analyzing, and preventing landslide disasters.

Phylogenetic and taxonomic appraisal of Neomanoharachariella xizangensis sp. nov. and the first asexual report of Acanthostigmina (Tubeufiaceae, Tubeufiales) from Xizang Autonomous Region, China

Tubeufiaceae species have diverse morphologies and habitats and are distributed in both tropical and temperate regions. In the past decade, several new and interesting Tubeufiaceae species were reported from China in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. In this study, we investigated two saprobic species collected on decaying wood in a terrestrial habitat of Xizang Autonomous Region, China. Through phylogenetic analyses of a combined ITS, LSU, tef1-α, and rpb2 dataset coupled with detailed morphological examinations, a novel species within Neomanoharachariella was identified. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that this new species formed a sister clade to Neomanoharachariella aquatica, but can be morphologically distinguished by its pale brown, septate, and flexuous conidiophores, alongside dark brown setae that turn hyaline at the apex and distinct muriform conidia. In addition, this study presents the first asexual and geographical record of Acanthostigmina (A. multiseptatum) from China. Acanthostigmina multiseptatum is characterized by micronematous, hyaline, and septate conidiophores with unique pleurogenous and helicoid conidia.

Trace the origin of yak meat in Xizang based on stable isotope combined with multivariate statistics

In this study, the feasibility of tracing the origin of yak meat in Xizang Autonomous Region based on stable isotope combined with multivariable statistics was researched. The δ13C, δ15N, δ2H and δ18O in yak meat were determined by stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry, and the data were analyzed by analysis of variance, fisher discriminant analysis (FDA), back propagation (BP) neural network and orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA). The results showed that the δ13C, δ15N, δ2H and δ18O had significant differences among different origins (P < 0.05). The overall original correct discrimination rate of fisher discriminant analysis was 89.7 %, and the correct discrimination rate of cross validation was 88.2 %. The correct classification rate of BP neural network based on training set was 93.38 %, and the correct classification rate of BP neural network based on test set was 89.83 %. The OPLS-DA model interpretation rate parameter R2Y was 0.67, the model prediction rate parameter Q2 was 0.409, which could distinguish yak meat from seven different producing areas in Xizang Autonomous Region. The results showed that the origin of yak meat in Xizang Autonomous Region can be traced based on stable isotope combined with multivariate statistics.

Clinical Characteristics Analysis of 1051 Cases of Cleft Lip With/Without Cleft Palate in the Ethnic Tibetan Population

To examine the characteristics of the prevalence of congenital cleft lip with/without cleft palate in the ethnic Tibetan population and to provide support for the precise prevention and treatment of cleft lip with/without cleft palate in the Tibetan population. The clinical data of Tibetan patients with cleft lip with/without cleft palate were collected and the clinical characteristics of the patients were analyzed. The patients' age ranged from 2 months to 51 years old. All the subjects were admitted to West China Stomatology Hospital, Sichuan University for the treatment of cleft lip with/without cleft palate between January 2016 and August 2023. Most of the subjects came from Sichuan Province and the Tibet Autonomous Region. A total of 1051 patients were enrolled and children aged under 12 months (460 cases) accounted for the largest proportion. Among the subjects, 383 had cleft lip only (36.44%), 140 had cleft palate only (13.32%), and 528 had cleft lip with cleft palate (50.24%). The male-to-female ratios of patients with cleft lip only (0.99∶1), cleft palate only (0.54∶1), and cleft lip with cleft palate (1.67∶1) exhibited significant differences (P<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the male-to-female ratio in patients with cleft lip only or those with cleft lip with cleft palate when the subjects were divided into two groups according to whether they had unilateral or bilateral cleft lip with/without cleft palate. Most of the patients with bilateral cleft lip were female, while most of the patients with unilateral cleft lip and unilateral or bilateral cleft lip with cleft palate were male. The unilateral cleft lip with/without cleft palate was located predominantly on the left side. Syndromic cleft lip with/without cleft palate accounted for 3.43% of all the cases and the most common concomitant deformity was congenital heart disease. 3.81% (40 cases) of the patients had a family history. In the patients with cleft lip only and those with cleft palate only, the proportion of patients having parents with corresponding phenotypes was higher than those of other phenotypes of cleft lip with/without cleft palate. Regarding the birth time distribution of the children with cleft lip with/without cleft palate, Spring saw the highest number of births of these children (311 cases, 29.59%), while Winter saw the lowest number of births (231 cases, 21.98%). The cases of cleft lip with/without cleft palate in the ethnic Tibetan population are predominantly cleft lip and palate. Unilateral cleft lip only or cleft lip with palate is predominantly located on the left side. Lip disease phenotypes may be more heritable.

First report of the family Ideoroncidae (Arachnida, Pseudoscorpiones) from China, with description of a new species.

The pseudoscorpion genus Shravana Chamberlin, 1930, belonging to the family Ideoroncidae Chamberlin, 1930, currently contains 13 species. To date, no ideoroncid species has been recorded from China. The family Ideoroncidae Chamberlin, 1930 is reported from China for the first time. A new species of the genus Shravana Chamberlin, 1930, collected from Xizang Autonomous Region, China, is described under the name of Shravanazhui Gao & Zhang, sp. nov. on the basis of both sexes. The finding of this new species expands the distribution range of this family in Asia.

Five New Species of Gymnopilus from Xizang Autonomous Region of China and Surrounding Areas.

The species of Gymnopilus (Hymenogastraceae, Agricales) are commonly recognized as wood-decaying fungi. Certain members of this genus have been identified as psilocybin-producing mushrooms. Gymnopilus exhibits a diverse range and has a global distribution. In this study, a total of seventy-eight specimens were gathered from ten provinces in China. A comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis was conducted, employing gene sequences including ITS, nrLSU, nrSSU, rpb1, rpb2, and tef1-α. Additionally, morphological examinations were also carried out. The phylogenetic topology of Gymnopilus from this study generally agreed with previous studies and facilitated the identification of all those specimens. As a result, eleven species, including five newly discovered ones named Gy. gyirongensis, Gy. variisporus, Gy. tomentosiceps, Gy. tenuibasidialis, and Gy. aurantipileatus, were recognized. Significantly, four of the five newly identified species are native to the Xizang Autonomous Region, emphasizing their specialization in this distinctive habitat. This research contributes to our comprehension of Gymnopilus diversity and lays the groundwork for the conservation and sustainable utilization of Gymnopilus resources.

Current status and continuing medical education need for general practitioners in Tibet, China: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe Tibetan area is one of China’s minority regions with a shortage of general practice personnel, which requires further training and staffing. This research helps to understand the current condition and demand for general practitioner (GP) training in Tibetan areas and to provide a reference for promoting GP education and training.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey using stratified sampling targeting 854 GPs in seven cities within the Tibetan Autonomous Region, utilizing an online questionnaire. Achieving a high response rate of 95.1%, 812 GPs provided invaluable insights. Our meticulously developed self-designed questionnaire, available in both Chinese and Tibetan versions, aimed to capture a wide array of data encompassing basic demographics, clinical skills, and specific training needs of GPs in the Tibetan areas. Prior to deployment, the questionnaire underwent rigorous development and refinement processes, including expert consultation and pilot testing, to ensure its content validity and reliability. In our analysis, we employed descriptive statistics to present the characteristics and current training needs of GPs in the Tibetan areas. Additionally, chi-square tests were utilized to examine discrepancies in training needs across various demographic groups, such as age, job positions, and educational backgrounds of the participating GPs.ResultsThe study was completed by 812 (812/854, 95.1%) GPs, of whom 62.4% (507/812) were female. The top three training needs were hypertension (81.4%, 661/812), pregnancy management (80.7%, 655/812), and treatment of related patient conditions and events (80.5%, 654/812). Further research shows that the training required by GPs of different ages in “puncturing, catheterization, and indwelling gastric tube use” (64.6% vs. 54.8%, p = 9.5 × 10− 6) varies statistically. GPs in various positions have different training needs in “community-based chronic disease prevention and management” (76.6% vs. 63.9%, p = 0.009). The training needs of GPs with different educational backgrounds in “debridement, suturing, and fracture fixation” (65.6% vs. 73.2%, p = 0.027) were also statistically significant.ConclusionsThis study suggests the need for targeted continuing medical education activities and for updating training topics and content. Course developers must consider the needs of GPs, as well as the age, job positions, and educational backgrounds of GPs practicing in the Tibetan Plateau region.Trial registrationNot applicable.

Hydro-morphometry of a trans-Himalayan River basin: Spatial variance, inference and significance

Subansiri is the largest tributary of the Brahmaputra River basin originated in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. After flowing about 160 km as Chayul Chu in Tibet, it runs as Subansiri in Arunachal Pradesh state of India for about 360 km before merging into the Brahmaputra River in Assam (India). This study was carried out to understand the hydro-morphometry of the entire Subansiri Basin comprising of three sub-basins: Chayul Chu, Upper Subansiri and Lower Subansiri. Geomorphometric parameters were extracted from Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) Digital Elevation Model of 30 m spatial resolution using Google Earth Engine and GIS software. On comparison, significant difference and spatial variation have been noticed in various morphometric parameters of the sub-basins. Notable differences are observed in some key morphometric parameters such as drainage density, stream frequency, constant of channel maintenance, infiltration number, drainage ratio, drainage texture, dissection index, ruggedness number, form factor ratio, elongation ratio etc. Hypsometric analysis has highlighted further the difference in geomorphic fabric, terrain maturity and hydrologic characteristics of these different sub-basins. Hydro-morphometric parameters have direct bearing on the hydrology. Thus, outcome of this study will be useful in water resources management and in finding engineering solutions to hydro-hazards for this basin and other basins worldwide.

Artificial afforestation increased the distribution area and landscape complexity of planted forests in Tibet over the past 30 years

Afforestation plays an important role in improving the ecological environment and promoting local economic development in countries around the world. Although the artificial afforestation project in Tibet has been conducted for more than 30 years since in 1990 s, few studies have examined the dynamic changes in landscape patterns of planted forests in this region since the implementation of the project. This study used Google Earth Engine (GEE) and Landsat data from 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2020 to construct a Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time series curves and an optimal classification model based on the Jeffries-Matusita (J-M) distance. Then, the changes in landscape indices of planted forests in the Tibet Autonomous Region over the past 30 years were examined. The results showed that the area of planted forests increased from 9889.20 ha to 165,879.36 ha by artificial planting, with an average annualized growth rate of about 9.86%. In terms of the landscape pattern, the connectivity and aggregation degree of planted forests increased; the Cohesion (COH) and Aggregation Index (AI) increased by 44.60% and 26.03%, respectively. However, the fragmentation indices also increased to a certain extent due to the increased area and discontinuous planting; the Number of Patches (NP), Patch Density (PD) and Landscape Shape Index (LSI) increased by 32,262, 0.03 and 138.88, respectively. Among the seven regions of Tibet, these changes were most obvious in Lhasa, Qamdo and Shannan regions. Our results indicate that the planted forest area has significantly increased over the past 30 years although the landscape complexity has also increased because of discontinuous planting. These findings highlight the remarkable achievements of the Tibetan afforestation project over the past 30 years.

Phlomoides cuonaensis (Lamiaceae), a new species from Xizang (China), and lectotypification of the name Notochaete hamosa

Phlomoides is the second largest genus within Lamiaceae subfamily Lamioideae, and China is one of three diversity centers of the genus. In this study, we described and illustrated a new species, Phlomoides cuonaensis, from Cuona City, Xizang Autonomous Region, China. Molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that P. cuonaensis and two morphologically similar species, P. hamosa and P. longiaristata, form a distinct clade within Phlomoides. Synapomorphies of this small clade are hooked floral bracts and calyx spines. The new species differs from the other two in trichome density and size on the calyx, floral bract, and nutlet, and in the length of the calyx and bract. Micro-morphological features of nutlets of these three species were examined using scanning electron microscopy. In addition, a lectotype for the name Notochaete hamosa (≡ Phlomoides hamosa) was designated.

Prediction of Historical, Current, and Future Configuration of Tibetan Medicinal Herb Gymnadenia orchidis Based on the Optimized MaxEnt in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Climate change plays a pivotal role in shaping the shifting patterns of plant distribution, and gaining insights into how medicinal plants in the plateau region adapt to climate change will be instrumental in safeguarding the rich biodiversity of the highlands. Gymnosia orchidis Lindl. (G. orchidis) is a valuable Tibetan medicinal resource with significant medicinal, ecological, and economic value. However, the growth of G. orchidis is severely constrained by stringent natural conditions, leading to a drastic decline in its resources. Therefore, it is crucial to study the suitable habitat areas of G. orchidis to facilitate future artificial cultivation and maintain ecological balance. In this study, we investigated the suitable zones of G. orchidis based on 79 occurrence points in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and 23 major environmental variables, including climate, topography, and soil type. We employed the Maximum Entropy model (MaxEnt) to simulate and predict the spatial distribution and configuration changes in G. orchidis during different time periods, including the last interglacial (LIG), the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), the Mid-Holocene (MH), the present, and future scenarios (2041-2060 and 2061-2080) under three different climate scenarios (SSP126, SSP370, and SSP585). Our results indicated that annual precipitation (Bio12, 613-2466 mm) and mean temperature of the coldest quarter (Bio11, -5.8-8.5 °C) were the primary factors influencing the suitable habitat of G. orchidis, with a cumulative contribution of 78.5%. The precipitation and temperature during the driest season had the most significant overall impact. Under current climate conditions, the suitable areas of G. orchidis covered approximately 63.72 × 104/km2, encompassing Yunnan, Gansu, Sichuan, and parts of Xizang provinces, with the highest suitability observed in the Hengduan, Yunlin, and Himalayan mountain regions. In the past, the suitable area of G. orchidis experienced significant changes during the Mid-Holocene, including variations in the total area and centroid migration direction. In future scenarios, the suitable habitat of G. orchidis is projected to expand significantly under SSP370 (30.33-46.19%), followed by SSP585 (1.41-22.3%), while contraction is expected under SSP126. Moreover, the centroids of suitable areas exhibited multidirectional movement, with the most extensive displacement observed under SSP585 (100.38 km2). This study provides a theoretical foundation for the conservation of biodiversity and endangered medicinal plants in the QTP.

Revision of the bark louse genus Bicuspidatus (Psocodea: Peripsocidae) with description of a new species from China.

Bicuspidatus is a small genus of the family Peripsocidae, erected by Li (1993) with B. pulchipunctatus as the type species. Adults of this genus can be easily distinguished from other peripsocids by the phallosome with bicuspid apical process in males or by the subgenital plate with modestly elongated, distally bilobed posterior lobe in females. Bicuspidatus currently comprises three species: B. guangdongensis Li, 1993, B. pulchipunctatus Li, 1993 and B. sigillatus Li, 1993, all are known only from Guangdong Province, China. According to previous studies, these three species can be distinguished by the markings on the forewings and a few characteristics of phallosome (Li 1993, 2002). In this study, we present a taxonomic revision of Bicuspidatus based on examination of 40 specimens collected from various localities, including the type specimens of B. guangdongensis, B. pulchipunctatus and B. sigillatus. Furthermore, 12 of them were used for molecular analyses based on partial sequences of COI gene. As a result, B. guangdongensis and B. sigillatus are here considered as junior synonyms of B. pulchipunctatus. We redescribe B. pulchipunctatus and describe a new species from Xizang Autonomous Region, China. An updated distribution map and a revised key to the species of Bicuspidatus are also provided.

Abstract TP267: Cerebral Venous Thrombosis at High Altitude: A Comparison of Patients From Plateau and Plain in China

Introduction: Exposure to high altitude environment is a risk factor of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) probably due to the hypercoagulability. The study aims to explore the unique clinical, risk factors, and prognostic characteristics of CVT patients in high-altitude areas of China by comparing them with CVT patients in plain areas. Methods: We retrospectively included consecutive patients with CVT admitted to Tibet Autonomous Region People’s Hospital and Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) between January 2015 and June 2022. The risk factors, clinical and radiological presentations, treatment, and outcomes were analyzed. Results: A total of 43 patients with CVT from Tibet and 111 patients from PUMCH were included. The median age was 31 and 35 years old, and women accounted for 65.1% and 54.1% respectively. Headache (90.7% vs. 71.2%, P=0.01) and altered consciousness (32.6% vs. 15.3%, P=0.017) were more common in patients from Tibet. Hemorrhage (44.2% vs. 19.8%, P=0.002) and venous infarction (51.2% vs. 25.2%, P=0.002) were more prevalent in Tibetan patients. The proportion of pregnant or postpartum patients in plateau areas was significantly higher than that in plains (27.9% vs. 5.4%, P=0.000). The levels of C-reactive protein (17.9 vs. 3.28 mg/L, P=0.011) and D-Dimer (2.15 vs. 1.1mg/L FEU, P=0.014) were greatly higher in patients from Tibet. The percentage of patients receiving anticoagulant therapy was lower in Tibet than that in PUMCH (67.4% vs. 92.8%, P=0.000). All three Tibet patients who died in hospital had recent infections, and two in-hospital deaths in PUMCH were attributed to severe pneumonia and cerebral hernia. Favorable outcome (modified Ranking Score, mRS 0-2) at follow-up was observed in 81.6% of patients in Tibet and 89.9% of those in PUMCH, with the median follow-up time of 396 days and 913 days respectively. Conclusions: The clinical and imaging manifestations are more severe in patients from Tibet. Pregnancy or puerperium is more common in patients from Tibet. The levels of inflammation and coagulation indexes in Tibetan patients are significantly higher than those in plain. Although the proportion of anticoagulant therapy in patients with high-altitude CVT is relatively low, the prognosis is good.

Study on the genotypes of Echinococcus granulosus in yaks and sheep from Langkazi County in Tibet Autonomous Region of China based on mitochondrial cox1 and nad1.

To determine the genotypes of the epidemic strains of Echinococcus granulosus in livestock in Tibet, samples of E. granulosus cysts were collected from 11 yaks and 62 sheep. Genomic DNA was extracted from these samples, and gene fragments of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit I (nad1) were amplified by PCR and sequenced. DNASTAR and MAGA7.0 were employed for homology analysis and phylogenetic tree construction. Echinococcus granulosus cysts were detected in 56.2% (41/73) of the samples screened. Of these, 63.4% (26/41) were identified as E. granulosus G1 genotype (common sheep strain), 24.4% (10 /41) as G3 genotype (buffalo strain), and 12.2% (5/41) were G6 genotype (camel strain). The study concludes that yaks and sheep in Langkazi county, Tibet, carry three E. granulosus genotypes (G1, G3, and G6), with the G1 genotype the predominant genotype in the region. This study clarifies the distribution of E. granulosus genotypes, providing genetic data and insight for the surveillance and prevention of echinococcosis.

A new species of the genus Xizangiana Sherwood, Li & Zhang, 2022 (Araneae, Gnaphosidae) from Xizang, China.

The spider genus Xizangiana Sherwood, Li & Zhang, 2022, comprises nine species that inhabit northern India and south-western China. Six of these species have been documented in the Xizang Autonomous Region of China. A new species, Xizangianaplankton sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Xizang Autonomous Region, China.

Scale effects and spatial heterogeneity of driving factors in ecosystem services value interactions within the Tibet autonomous region

Widespread land development, deforestation, and wetland degradation have disrupted the physical integrity and functional capacity of ecosystems, leading to a reduction in ecosystem service values (ESV). However, comprehensive research addressing ESV interactions that represent various ecosystem services from multifaceted angles is limited. Moreover, the relative significance and spatiotemporal diversity of natural and socio-economic variables influencing ESV demand further investigation. This study conducts both quantitative and qualitative assessments of the spatiotemporal dynamics and interrelationships of ESV in the Tibet autonomous region from 2000 to 2020. Geographical detector and geographically weighted regression models are applied to ascertain the relative importance and spatial heterogeneity of diverse ESV determinants. The findings reveal the following key insights: (1) Barren lands experienced the most substantial expansion from 2000 to 2020, indicating an exacerbation of desertification in the Tibet autonomous region. (2) Over the two decades, ESV exhibited an overall upward trajectory, with regulation of water flows, water bodies, and forests making the most significant contributions to ESV and its growth. (3) The quantitative and qualitative assessment of ESV interrelations has identified the number of trade-offs and synergies, along with spatial occurrences, offering a detailed foundation for the scientific management of ecosystems. Specifically, quantitative results portray ESV correlations as positive or negative, qualitative spatial mapping elucidates intricate local interactions among ESV. (4) The primary driver of ESV in the Tibet autonomous region is NDVI (0.072), with elevation following closely behind, underscoring the predominant influence of natural factors relative to socio-economic variables. This research serves as a scientific underpinning for the development of ecological conservation policies and the execution of ecological restoration initiatives.

Prevalence of Pelvic Floor Disorders in Parous Women from the Tibet Autonomous Region: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Pelvic floor disorder (PFD) seriously affects the everyday life of women. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for postpartum PFD in women living in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Parous women who attended the outpatient gynaecology clinic at our hospital between June 2022 and August 2022 were screened in this study. The demographic and clinical data of these women were collected. Their pelvic floor functions were evaluated via a pelvic organ prolapse (POP) quantification examination, the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory Questionnaire-20 (PFDI-20) and the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS). A total of 201 women were included in this study, of whom 81.09% (163/201) were Tibetan. Twenty-seven women (13.43%) were diagnosed with POP stage ≥2 and 27 women (13.43%) with an OABSS score ≥3. The median PFDI-20 total score was 4.17 (range 0-43.75). Han women (n = 38) in the TAR had much lower PFDI-20 total scores, compared with Tibetan women (n = 163) (p < 0.05). The results of the multiple linear regression models showed that the PFDI-20 scores obtained from women living in the TAR were closely related to parity, history of heavy weight lifting, age, history of instrumental deliveries, ethnicity and number of caesarean sections. Pelvic floor disorder is common among parous women living in the TAR. Ethnicity, parity, history of heavy weight lifting, age, history of instrumental deliveries and number of caesarean sections are the factors closely related to the PFDI-20 scores.

Discovery of a new species of the subgenus Japonigekko (Squamata, Gekkonidae, Gekko) from the Hengduan Mountains, southwestern China: the best Japonigekko mountaineer.

A new Gekko (subgenus Japonigekko) species, Gekkoalpinus sp. nov., is described from the Jinsha River Basin in southwestern China, between the border of Mangkang County, Xizang Autonomous Region and Batang County, Sichuan Province, according to the integrative taxonomic results combining molecular data and morphological characters obtained from the type series comprising 11 specimens. Our molecular phylogeny inferred from the mitochondrial 16S and ND2 gene fragments indicated that this new species is most closely related to Gekkojinjiangensis, but a considerable amount of genetic divergence exists between them (p-distance: 3.6%-4.1% (16S) and 7.1%-9.1% (ND2)). The new species can be distinguished from its congeners via a combination of series morphological characters. The discovery of this new species marks the highest altitudinal range (2400 to 2542 m a.s.l.) recorded for the subgenus Japonigekko and also represents a new provincial record for the genus in Xizang Autonomous Region.

Revision of the genus Lechytia Balzan, 1892 (Pseudoscorpiones, Chthoniidae) from China, with descriptions of two new species.

The hoffi species-group previously comprised only two species, Lechytiahoffi Muchmore, 1975 and Lechytiayulongensis Zhang and Zhang, 2014, of which L.yulongensis is distributed in China. Three species of the genus Lechytia are described from China: Lechytiaacutidentata sp. nov. and Lechytiadepressidentata sp. nov. from Xizang Autonomous Region and L.yulongensis from Yunnan Province. The female of L.yulongensis is reported for the first time. In addition, a key to the hoffi species-group is provided.

Genome-wide association analysis of fleece traits in Northwest Xizang white cashmere goat.

Northwest Xizang White Cashmere Goat (NXWCG) is the first new breed of cashmere goat in the Xizang Autonomous Region. It has significant characteristics of extremely high fineness, gloss, and softness. Genome-wide association analysis is an effective biological method used to measure the consistency and correlation of genotype changes between two molecular markers in the genome. In addition, it can screen out the key genes affecting the complex traits of biological individuals. The aim of this study was to analyze the genetic mechanism of cashmere trait variation in NXWCG and to discover SNP locus and key genes closely related to traits such as superfine cashmere. Additionally, the key genes near the obtained significant SNPs were analyzed by gene function annotation and biological function mining. In this study, the phenotype data of the four traits (cashmere length, fiber length, cashmere diameter, and cashmere production) were collected. GGP_Goat_70K SNP chip was used for genotyping the ear tissue DNA of the experimental group. Subsequently, the association of phenotype data and genotype data was performed using Gemma-0.98.1 software. A linear mixed model was used for the association study. The results showed that four fleece traits were associated with 18 significant SNPs at the genome level and 232 SNPs at the chromosome level, through gene annotated from Capra hircus genome using assembly ARS1. A total of 107 candidate genes related to fleece traits were obtained. Combined with Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis, we can find that CLNS1A, CCSER1, RPS6KC1, PRLR, KCNRG, KCNK9, and CLYBL can be used as important candidate genes for fleece traits of NXWCG. We used Sanger sequencing and suitability chi-square test to further verify the significant loci and candidate genes screened by GWAS, and the results show that the base mutations loci on the five candidate genes, CCSER1 (snp12579, 34,449,796, A → G), RPS6KC1 (snp41503, 69,173,527, A → G), KCNRG (snp41082, 67,134,820, G → A), KCNK9 (14:78472665, 78,472,665, G → A), and CLYBL (12: 9705753, 9,705,753, C → T), significantly affect the fleece traits of NXWCG. The results provide a valuable basis for future research and contribute to a better understanding of the genetic structure variation of the goat.