Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the genus Gloydius (Squamata, Viperidae, Crotalinae), with description of two new alpine species from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China.

We provide a molecular phylogeny of Asian pit vipers (the genus Gloydius) based on four mitochondrial genes (12S, 16S, ND4, and cytb). Sequences of Gloydiushimalayanus, the only member of the genus that occurs south of the Himalayan range, are included for the first time. In addition, two new species of the genus Gloydius are described based on specimens collected from Zayu, Tibet, west of the Nujiang River and Heishui, Sichuan, east of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The new species, Gloydiuslipipengi sp. nov., can be differentiated from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: the third supralabial not reaching the orbit (separated from it by a suborbital scale); wide, black-bordered greyish postorbital stripe extending from the posterior margin of the orbit (not separated by the postoculars, covering most of the anterior temporal scale) to the ventral surface of the neck; irregular black annular crossbands on the mid-body; 23-21-15 dorsal scales; 165 ventral scales, and 46 subcaudal scales. Gloydiusswild sp. nov. can be differentiated from its congeners by the narrower postorbital stripe (only half the width of the anterior temporal scale, the lower edge is approximately straight and bordered with white); a pair of arched stripes on the occiput; lateral body lakes black spots; a pair of round spots on the parietal scales; 21 rows of mid-body dorsal scales; zigzag dark brown stripes on the dorsum; 168-170 ventral scales, and 43-46 subcaudal scales. The molecular phylogeny in this study supports the sister relationship between G.lipipengi sp. nov. and G.rubromaculatus, another recently described species from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, more than 500 km away, and indicate the basal position of G.himalayanus within the genus and relatively distant relationship to its congeners.

[Textual research on a prescription, "Pill of Semen Plantaginis" in the Tangut medical documents unearthed in Khara-Khoto].

A prescription, "Pill of Semen Plantaginisfor Treating All Diseases" (И(HB).N(O).4384) carried in the Tangut medical documents unearthed in Khara-Khoto was published in the 10(th)Volume of Heishuicheng Manuscript Collected in Russia. The prescription is composed of Herba Cistanches, Radix Achyranthis, Semen Plantaginis, white poria, Cortex Cinnamomi, Radix Aconiti preparata, Semen Cuscutaeand baked ginger, whose main function is invigorating kidney yang and nourishing kidney essence. This prescription has a close relationship with the Han prescription in central plain of China which may be based on certain lost Chinese medical book.

The Two Medical Prescriptions Treating Miscellaneous Diseases Written in Tangut Script Excavated from Heishui City / 浙江中医药大学学报

[Objective]To discuss the medical development situation of Tangut and the medicine cultural communication and fusion of the Central Plains, it decoded the medical prescriptions treating miscellaneous diseases in Heishui town. [Methods]It is done by arranging, decoding and translating the excavated Heishui town Tangut script which treats the people who can't swallow food and the pharyngitis and treats the constipation of men and women. Besides it can connect with the medical theory of Central Plains to discuss from the pathology dosage and eating aspects. [Results]The two medical prescriptions of Tangut which treating miscellaneous diseases are imbued with strong folk features. So it should be recorded by Tangut doctor. [Conslusion]Most of the Tangut medical pathology come from the traditional Chinese medicine theory. But it also has its own uniqe national features. So the medical culture of Central Plains has a deep influence on other peripheral ethnomedicine.