A new species of the genus Soriculus (Soricidae, Eulipotyphla, Mammalia) from Medog in the eastern Himalaya.

Himalayan shrews of the genus Soriculus (Soricidae, Eulipotyphla), currently represented by four nominal species, are endemic to the Himalayas and the Gaoligong Mountains. In April 2022 and April 2023, a total of 10 specimens of Soriculus were collected from Beibeng and Damu, Medog County, Tibet, China. The morphology of the specimens was compared with the four recognised species of the genus Soriculus. Additionally, two mitochondrial (Cyt b and 12S) and three nuclear (APOB, BRCAI and RAG2) genes were sequenced to test the phylogenetic relationships of these specimens with the other species. Our results indicate that these specimens represent a distinct species, Soriculusbeibengensissp. nov., which is formally described here. The new species is distinguished from the other Soriculus species by the combination of darker pelages, smaller size, the relatively stubby nasal and the widened posterior processes of incisors. Phylogenetic analyses revealed the new species is sister to S.minor. The p-distance of Cyt b gene between S.beibengensis sp. nov. and other nominal Soriculus species ranges from 9.1-16.3%. This new species has a known distribution at an elevation of 1,500-2,125 m in Medog County, Tibet, China. The discovery of this new species from Medog County has important implications for interpreting small mammal biogeographic patterns in the eastern Himalaya and the mountain chains of south-west China.

A new species of shrew moles, genus Uropsilus Milne-Edwards, 1871 (Mammalia, Eulipotyphla, Talpidae), from the Wuyi Mountains, Jiangxi Province, eastern China.

Asian shrew moles, genus Uropsilus, are the most primitive members of family Talpidae. They are distributed mainly in southwestern China and adjacent Bhutan, Myanmar, and Vietnam. In June 2022, we collected five specimens of Uropsilus from Mount Huanggang, Jiangxi Province, eastern China, which is the highest peak of the Wuyi Mountains. We sequenced two mitochondrial (CYT B and 12S rRNA) and three nuclear (PLCB4, RAG1, and RAG2) genes to estimate the phylogenetic relationship of the five shrew moles. We also compared their morphology with recognized species within the genus. Our results show that these specimens collected from Mount Huanggang differ from all named species in Uropsilus. We formally describe the species here as Uropsilushuanggangensissp. nov. Morphologically, the new species is distinguishable from the other Uropsilus species by the combination of dark chocolate-brown pelage, long snout, enlarged first upper incisor, similarly sized lacrimal and infraorbital foramens, and the curved and sickle-like coronoid process. The genetic distances of the cytochrome b (CYT B) gene between U.huanggangensis and other recognized Uropsilus species ranged between 9.3% and 16.4%. The new species is geographically distant from other species in the genus and is the easternmost record of the Uropsilus. The divergence time of U.huanggangensis was estimated to be the late Pliocene (1.92 Ma, 95% CI = 0.88-2.99).

Gastro-intestinal parasites of urban rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

Intestinal parasitic infections such as amoebiasis, ascariasis, hookworm infection, and trichuriasis are the most common infections among non-human primates (NHPs). There are always the possibilities of transmission these parasites between humans and NHPs. Multiple groups of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) live in the urban area of Kathmandu Valley near human settlements, however the gastrointestinal (GI) parasitic infections in those macaques are understudied. This study aimed to explore the GI parasites in free-ranging macaques from Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Tripureshwor, Nilbarahi temples and a group of captive rhesus macaques in the Central Zoo, Kathmandu. Fecal samples were collected from the macaques between October 2021 to September 2022 and assessed for parasites by the both wet mount method and concentration technique. There is high prevalence of GI parasite infection; out of 121 fecal samples examined, 87.6% of samples were positive. Six species of protozoans and eight species of helminths were identified from the fecal samples including the first report of Iodamoeba butschlii in monkeys of Nepal. Among the protozoan parasites, Entamoeba coli (54.71%) showed the highest prevalence followed by Balantioides coli (44.33%), E. histolytica (19.81%), and Iodamoeba butschlii (10%). Among the helminths, Trichuris spp. (31.13%) and Strongyloides spp. (31.13%) showed the highest prevalence followed by Hookworm (24.52%), and Strongyle spp. (23.58%). The likelihood ratio test suggested that the prevalence differed significantly with the seasons for Iodamoeba butschlii, Giardia spp., Strongyles spp., Hookworm, and Trichostrongylus spp. The prevalence of E. histolytica, E. coli, Iodamoeba. butschlii, Trichuris spp., Trichostrongylus spp., and Unknown spp.1 differed with sampling localities. The high prevalence of GI parasites found in the macaques living in the densely urbanized Kathmandu presents a potential threat to humans and warrants further study as well as increased education of the public and management of the human-macaque interface in the urban landscape of the Valley.

Seasonal Prey Abundance and Food Plasticity of the Vulnerable Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) in the Lapchi Valley, Nepal Himalayas.

Conservation strategies for apex predators, like the snow leopard (Panthera uncia), depend on a robust understanding of their dietary preferences, prey abundance, and adaptability to changing ecological conditions. To address these critical conservation concerns, this study presents a comprehensive evidence on prey availability and preferences for snow leopards in the Lapchi Valley in the Nepal Himalayas from November 2021 to March 2023. Field data were collected through the installation of twenty-six camera traps at 16 strategically chosen locations, resulting in the recording of 1228 events of 19 mammalian species, including domesticated livestock. Simultaneously, the collection of twenty snow leopard scat samples over 3800 m above sea level allowed for a detailed dietary analysis. Photo capture rate index and biomass composition analysis were carried out and seasonal prey availability and consumption were statistically analyzed. A total of 16 potential prey species for the snow leopard were documented during the study period. Himalayan musk deer (Moschus leucogaster) was the most abundant prey species, but infrequent in the diet suggesting that are not the best bet prey for the snow leopards. Snow leopards were found to exhibit a diverse diet, consuming eleven prey species, with blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) being their most consumed wild prey and horses as their preferred livestock. The Pianka's index of dietary niche overlap between the summer and winter seasons were 0.576, suggesting a pronounced seasonal variation in food preference corroborating with the prey availability. The scarcity of larger preys in winter is compensated by small and meso-mammals in the diet, highlighting the snow leopard's capacity for dietary plasticity in response to the variation in resource availability. This research suggests for the utilization of genetic tools to further explore snow leopard diet composition. Additionally, understanding transboundary movements and conducting population assessments will be imperative for the formulation of effective conservation strategies.

Integrative systematics and evolutionary history of Berylmys bowersi (Mammalia, Rodentia, Muridae).

The Bower's Berylmys (Berylmys bowersi) is one of the largest rodent species with a wide distribution range in southern China and the Indochinese Peninsula. The taxonomy and evolutionary history of the B. bowersi is still controversial and confusing. In this study, we used two mitochondrial (Cyt b and COI) and three nuclear (GHR, IRBP, and RAG1) genes to estimate the phylogeny, divergence times, and biogeographic history of B. bowersi. We also explored morphological variations among the specimens collected across China. Our phylogenetic analyses indicated that the traditional B. bowersi contains at least two species: B. bowersi and B. latouchei. Berylmys latouchei was considered a junior synonym of B. bowersi distributed in eastern China, which is confirmed to be distinguishable at specific level because of its larger size, relatively larger and whiter hind feet, and several cranial traits. The estimated split of B. bowersi and B. latouchei was at the early Pleistocene (ca. 2.00 Mya), which might be the outcome of the combined effects of climate change in the early Pleistocene and isolation by the Minjiang River. Our results highlight the Wuyi Mountains in northern Fujian, China, as a glacial refugia during the Pleistocene and call for more intensive surveys and systematic revisions of small mammals in eastern China.

Relationship between Hemispheric Preference Score and Academic Performance among Preclinical Medical Students Studying Medicine and Dentistry.

Background: Understanding the style of learning and thinking (SOLAT) of the students is necessary to keep students actively involved in learning, which could influence the academic performance of the students. Aim: The objective of this study was to compare the right and left hemisphere preferences for processing information with academic performance of medical students in both theory and practical exams. Materials and Methods: The hemispheric preference score for learning and thinking style among first year MBBS (95) and BDS (42) students was determined by SOLAT tool prepared by Dr. V. Venkataraman (1994). A comparison of the hemispheric score between high achievers and low achievers in theory and practical exams was performed by using the unpaired Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test. Results: The mean hemispheric scores for the right hemisphere, left hemisphere, and whole brain were 26.51, 14.5, and 6.76, respectively. High achievers in theory exam and practical exam received a higher left-hemispheric score and whole-brain score than low achievers; the difference in the mean value of hemispheric score was statistically not significant. Conclusion: There was no statistically significant relationship between academic achievement and hemispheric preference scores.

Forty years (1980-2019) of visceral leishmaniasis in Nepal: trends and elimination challenges.

BACKGROUND: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an important re-emerging neglected tropical disease associated with poverty. Despite the elimination initiative started in 2005, VL cases have been expanding into geographic areas in Nepal. The present study aims at exploring the trends of VL from 1980 to 2019. METHODS: This retrospective analysis covers 40 y of VL cases reported by the Epidemiology Diseases Control Division, Nepal. Subgroup analyses for annual incidence were performed by age, sex, seasons, districts and provinces, and VL cases were visualized on in-country maps. RESULTS: A total of 34 564 cases and 584 deaths of VL were reported during 1980-2019. VL persistently increased until 2006 and was reported from all seven provinces of the country. The highest number of confirmed cases (n=2229) was reported in 2003 and the lowest (n=60) in 1983. VL cases expanded from 12 to 23 endemic districts. The key components of the VL elimination program are early diagnosis; enhanced surveillance; integrated vector management; social mobilization; research and treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Expansion of VL towards the hilly and mountain regions of Nepal has posed challenges to the elimination program. Urgent VL control measures are required to achieve the elimination goals.

Effectiveness of 3D-printed models prepared from radiological data for anatomy education: A meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of 22 randomized, controlled, crossover trials.

BACKGROUND: Many academicians suggested the supplementary use of 3D-printed models reconstructed from radiological images for optimal anatomy education. 3D-printed model is newer technology available to us. The purpose of this systematic review was to capture the usefulness or effectiveness of this newer technology in anatomy education. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria for quantitative synthesis. The included studies were sub-grouped according to the interventions and participants. No restrictions were applied based on geographical location, language and publication years. Randomized, controlled trial, cross-sectional and cross-over designs were included. The effect size of each intervention in both participants was computed as a standardized mean difference (SMD). RESULTS: Twenty-two randomized, controlled trials were included for quantitative estimation of effect size of knowledge acquisition as standardized mean difference in 1435 participants. The pooled effect size for 3D-printed model was 0.77 (0.45-1.09, 95% CI, P < 0.0001) with 86% heterogeneity. The accuracy score was measured in only three studies and estimated effect size was 2.81 (1.08-4.54, 95% CI, P = 0.001) with 92% heterogeneity. The satisfaction score was examined by questionnaire in 6 studies. The estimated effect size was 2.00 (0.69-3.32, 95% CI, P = 0.003) with significant heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: The participants exposed to the 3D-printed model performed better than participants who used traditional methodologies. Thus, the 3D-printed model is a potential tool for anatomy education.

Comparison of laundry detergent and antiformin solution methods to retrieve clean bones from embalmed cadavers / Comparación de los métodos de solución de antiformina y detergente de lavandería para recuperar huesos limpios de cadáveres embalsamados

SUMMARY: Traditional methods of bone retrieval from embalmed cadaver are not able to meet the demand of medical colleges as they are time consuming & tedious, thus there is need of evaluating an alternative approach that includes use of laundry detergent. The purpose of the study was to compare & establish the most effective method between laundry detergent and 10 % antiformin solution methods to procure clean bones. Thirty-two bones of the right side that were included in the inclusion criteria obtained from the four embalmed cadaver were cleaned by laundry detergent and of the left side by 10 % antiformin solution methods. Retrieved clean bones were evaluated for their cleanness using the scale from 0 to 5. The mean cleanness scores of the bones cleaned by laundry detergent method were not significantly different at 95 % confidence interval than the mean cleanness scores of the bones cleaned by 10 % antiformin solution method. The study found that though there is no significant difference in the mean cleanness score of the bones cleaned by two employed methods nevertheless, bones were found to be cleaner by using 10 % antiformin solution method and bones obtained by using laundry detergent method had smooth surface as well as more suitable for flat bones.

Los métodos tradicionales de recuperación de huesos de cadáveres embalsamados no pueden satisfacer la demanda de las facultades de medicina, ya que consumen mucho tiempo y son tediosos de realizar, por tanto es necesario evaluar un enfoque alternativo que incluya el uso de detergente de lavandería. El propósito del estudio fue comparar y establecer el método más eficaz entre el detergente para la ropa y los métodos de solución de antiformina al 10 % para obtener huesos limpios. Fueron utilizados 32 huesos del lado derecho que se incluyeron en los criterios de inclusión obtenidos de los cuatro cadáveres embalsamados. Los huesos se trataron con detergente de lavandería y los del lado izquierdo con métodos de solución de antiformina al 10 %. Los huesos tratados se evaluaron respecto a su limpieza utilizando una escala de 0 a 5. Las puntuaciones media de limpieza de los huesos tratados con el método de detergente no fueron significativamente diferentes en un intervalo de confianza del 95 % de las puntuaciones medias obtenidas respecto a la limpieza de los huesos tratados con antiformina al 10 %. El estudio determinó que, aunque no hay hubo diferencia significativa en la puntuación media de la limpieza de los huesos tratados por los dos métodos, se observó que utilizando el método de solución de antiformina al 10 %, la limpieza de los huesos era mejor, sin embargo, los huesos planos presentaban una superficie más lisa cuando se usó el método de detergente de lavandería.

Sequence Analysis of Novel Staphylococcus aureus Lineages from Wild and Captive Macaques.

Staphylococcus aureus is a widespread and common opportunistic bacterium that can colonise or infect humans as well as a wide range of animals. There are a few studies of both methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolated from monkeys, apes, and lemurs, indicating a presence of a number of poorly or unknown lineages of the pathogen. In order to obtain insight into staphylococcal diversity, we sequenced strains from wild and captive individuals of three macaque species (Macaca mulatta, M. assamensis, and M. sylvanus) using Nanopore and Illumina technologies. These strains were previously identified by microarray as poorly or unknown strains. Isolates of novel lineages ST4168, ST7687, ST7688, ST7689, ST7690, ST7691, ST7692, ST7693, ST7694, ST7695, ST7745, ST7746, ST7747, ST7748, ST7749, ST7750, ST7751, ST7752, ST7753, and ST7754 were sequenced and characterised for the first time. In addition, isolates belonging to ST2990, a lineage also observed in humans, and ST3268, a MRSA strain already known from macaques, were also included into the study. Mobile genetic elements, genomic islands, and carriage of prophages were analysed. There was no evidence for novel host-specific virulence factors. However, a conspicuously high rate of carriage of a pathogenicity island harbouring edinB and etD2/etE as well as a higher number of repeat units within the gene sasG (encoding an adhesion factor) than in human isolates were observed. None of the strains harboured the genes encoding Panton-Valentine leukocidin. In conclusion, wildlife including macaques may harbour an unappreciated diversity of S. aureus lineages that may be of clinical relevance for humans, livestock, or for wildlife conservation, given the declining state of many wildlife populations.

Determinants of Herpetofaunal Diversity in a Threatened Wetland Ecosystem: A Case Study of the Ramaroshan Wetland Complex, Western Nepal.

Wetlands are among the highly threatened ecosystems due to anthropogenic activities. The Ramaroshan Wetland Complex (RWC) of Achham District, Nepal is one of the high-altitude wetlands facing human induced degradation and loss. Herpetofauna are key bio-indicators of environmental health and habitat quality and are useful to assess habitat conditions of such threatened ecosystems. This study quantified the land use and land cover (LULC) change in the RWC and documented the diversity and distribution pattern of herpetofauna. The LULC in the area (13.94 Km2) was analyzed for 1989, 2000, 2010 and 2021 by supervised classification of remote sensing images. Surveys were conducted along 25 transects, each of 200 m in length and environmental variables were recorded for every observation of herpetofauna. The LULC analysis revealed an overall loss of 16% of the total water body between 1989 (0.25 Km2) and 2021 (0.21 Km2). Eleven species of herpetofauna (five amphibians and six reptiles) within five families and two orders (i.e., Anura and Squamata), were recorded with low diversity (H' = 1.88312) and evenness (E = 0.3642) indices. The herpetofauna had a hump-shaped distribution along the elevation gradient with the highest richness and abundance at 2300 m asl. Amphibian abundance decreased with increasing distance to nearest water sources, whereas reptile abundance increased. Amphibians were more abundant in agricultural field and marsh land, whereas reptile abundance was higher around human settlements. Results indicate that the wetland area in the RWC is declining at an alarming rate and, in turn, might account for the low diversity and abundance of the herpetofauna.

Multilocus phylogeny suggests a distinct species status for the Nepal population of Assam macaques ( Macaca assamensis): implications for evolution and conservation.

Phylogenetic relationships within the sinica-group of macaques based on morphological, behavioral, and molecular characteristics have remained controversial. The Nepal population of Assam macaques ( Macaca assamensis) (NPAM), the westernmost population of the species, is morphologically distinct but has never been used in phylogenetic analyses. Here, the phylogenetic relationship of NPAM with other congeners was tested using multiple mitochondrial and Y-chromosomal loci. The divergence times and evolutionary genetic distances among macaques were also estimated. Results revealed two major mitochondrial DNA clades of macaques under the sinica-group: the first clade included M. thibetana, M. sinica, and eastern subspecies of Assam macaque ( M. assamensis assamensis); the second clade included M. radiata together with species from the eastern and central Himalaya, namely, M. leucogenys, M. munzala, and NPAM. Among the second-clade species, NPAM was the first to diverge from the other members of the clade around 1.9 million years ago. Our results revealed that NPAM is phylogenetically distinct from the eastern Assam macaques and closer to other species and hence may represent a separate species. Because of its phylogenetic distinctiveness, isolated distribution, and small population size, the Nepal population of sinica-group macaques warrants detailed taxonomic revision and high conservation priority.

Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin Resistant S. aureus in Nepalese Primates: Resistance to Antimicrobials, Virulence, and Genetic Lineages.

Staphylococcus aureus is a ubiquitous pathogen and colonizer in humans and animals. There are few studies on the molecular epidemiology of S. aureus in wild monkeys and apes. S. aureus carriage in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) and Assam macaques (Macaca assamensis) is a species that has not previously been sampled and lives in remote environments with limited human contact. Forty Staphylococcus aureus isolates including 33 methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and seven methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) were characterized. Thirty-four isolates were from rhesus macaques and six isolates (five MSSA, one MRSA) were from Assam macaques. Isolates were characterized using StaphyType DNA microarrays. Five of the MRSA including one from Assam macaque were CC22 MRSA-IV (PVL+/tst+), which is a strain previously identified in Nepalese rhesus. One MRSA each were CC6 MRSA-IV and CC772 MRSA-V (PVL+). One MSSA each belonged to CC15, CC96, and CC2990. Six MRSA isolates carried the blaZ, while ten known CC isolates (seven MRSA, three MSSA) carried a variety of genes including aacA-aphD, aphA3, erm(C), mph(C), dfrA, msrA, and/or sat genes. The other 30 MSSA isolates belonged to 17 novel clonal complexes, carried no antibiotic resistance genes, lacked Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL), and most examined exotoxin genes. Four clonal complexes carried egc enterotoxin genes, and four harbored edinB, which is an exfoliative toxin homologue.

Small mammal species richness and turnover along elevational gradient in Yulong Mountain, Yunnan, Southwest China.

Understanding the species diversity patterns along elevational gradients is critical for biodiversity conservation in mountainous regions. We examined the elevational patterns of species richness and turnover, and evaluated the effects of spatial and environmental factors on nonvolant small mammals (hereafter "small mammal") predicted a priori by alternative hypotheses (mid-domain effect [MDE], species-area relationship [SAR], energy, environmental stability, and habitat complexity]) proposed to explain the variation of diversity. We designed a standardized sampling scheme to trap small mammals at ten elevational bands across the entire elevational gradient on Yulong Mountain, southwest China. A total of 1,808 small mammals representing 23 species were trapped. We observed the hump-shaped distribution pattern of the overall species richness along elevational gradient. Insectivores, rodents, large-ranged species, and endemic species richness showed the general hump-shaped pattern but peaked at different elevations, whereas the small-ranged species and endemic species favored the decreasing richness pattern. The MDE and the energy hypothesis were supported, whereas little support was found for the SAR, the environmental stability hypothesis, and the habitat complexity. However, the primary driver(s) for richness patterns differed among the partitioning groups, with NDVI (the normalized difference vegetation index) and MDE being the most important variables for the total richness pattern. Species turnover for all small mammal groups increased with elevation, and it supported a decrease in community similarity with elevational distance. Our results emphasized for increased conservation efforts in the higher elevation regions of the Yulong Mountain.

Effect of local bee honey on dihydrofolate reductase enzyme inhibitor-induced mucositis: A histological study on albino wistar rats.

INTRODUCTION: Mucositis is a common complication in around 40% of patients receiving chemotherapy which profoundly impact the quality of life. Despite the availability of many therapeutic agents that claim to prevent or reduce the severity of oral mucositis, no intervention that is completely successful at preventing oral mucositis exists. The present study aimed to demonstrate the effect of local honey on methotrexate-induced mucositis of the tongue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was done in albino rats (n = 24), divided into four groups: honey-normal saline group (H/NS), distilled water-NS group (DW/NS), DW-methotrexate group (DW/MTX), and H/MTX group. Local honey was given (2.5 g/kg) twice a daily for 8 days. NS or methotrexate (60 mg/kg) interrupted the experiment procedure on day 4. At day 8, rats were sacrificed and middle third of tongue was removed for preparation of histological slides. Slides were examined for inflammatory cell infiltration (ICI), cell vacuolization (CV), congested blood vessels (CBV), thickness of epithelium (both dorsal and ventral mucosa), and thickness keratin. RESULTS: Statistically significant association was found between the groups for ICI and CV, χ2 (3) = 11.97, P= 0.003 for ICI, and χ2 (3) = 8.307, P= 0.023 for CV. Mean number of CBV per microscopic filed was 0.445, 0.389, 1.28, and 0.5 for H/NS, DW/NS, DW/MTX, and DW/H groups, respectively. Mean value of dorsal epithelial thickness (µm) was 96.78 ± 13.59, 100.50 ± 9.75, 75.53 ± 9.24, and 98.75 ± 10.92 for H/NS, DW/NS, DW/MTX, and DW/H groups, respectively. Mean value of ventral epithelial thickness (µm) was 70.45 ± 13.60, 58.38 ± 14.26, 37.04 ± 5.37, and 52.80 ± 7.97 for H/NS, DW/NS, DW/MTX, and DW/H groups, respectively. The thickness of epithelium of DW/MTX group was significantly different from other groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated the palliative effect of local honey over the mucositis induced by the chemotherapeutic drug (methotrexate).

Habitat suitability and connectivity inform a co-management policy of protected area network for Asian elephants in China.

Enlarging protected area networks (PANs) is critical to ensure the long-term population viability of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), which are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation. Strict policies of PAN enlargement that focus on wildlife conservation have failed largely due to difficulties in encouraging stakeholder participation and meeting the elephant habitat requirement. A co-management policy that promotes sustainable resource use, wildlife conservation, and stakeholder participation may have greater feasibility than the strict policies in a developing world. Here, we identified the suitable habitat of elephants using maximum entropy models and examined whether habitat suitability is indirectly associated with local economic development in human-dominated landscapes. We found that (1) the suitable habitat was mainly in areas of forest matrix (50% natural forest cover) with multiple land-use practices rather than relatively intact forest and near communities (mean distance two km) and (2) habitat suitability was negatively associated with local economic development (rP = -0.37, P = 0.04). From the standpoint of elephant habitat and its socio-economic background, our results indicate that co-management will be more effective than the currently strict approaches of enlarging PAN. Additionally, our results provide on-ground information for elephant corridor design in southern China.

Riverine barrier effects on population genetic structure of the Hanuman langur (Semnopithecus entellus) in the Nepal Himalaya.

BACKGROUND: Past climatological events and contemporary geophysical barriers shape the distribution, population genetic structure, and evolutionary history of many organisms. The Himalayan region, frequently referred to as the third pole of the Earth, has experienced large-scale climatic oscillations in the past and bears unique geographic, topographic, and climatic areas. The influences of the Pleistocene climatic fluctuations and present-day geographical barriers such as rivers in shaping the demographic history and population genetic structure of organisms in the Nepal Himalaya have not yet been documented. Hence, we examined the effects of late-Quaternary glacial-interglacial cycles and riverine barriers on the genetic composition of Hanuman langurs (Semnopithecus entellus), a colobine primate with a wide range of altitudinal distribution across the Nepalese Himalaya, using the mitochondrial DNA control region (CR, 1090 bp) and cytochrome B (CYTB, 1140 bp) sequences combined with paleodistribution modeling. RESULTS: DNA sequences were successfully retrieved from 67 non-invasively collected fecal samples belonging to 18 wild Hanuman langur troops covering the entire distribution range of the species in Nepal. We identified 37 haplotypes from the concatenated CR + CYTB (2230 bp) sequences, with haplotype and nucleotide diversities of 0.958 ± 0.015 and 0.0237 ± 0.0008, respectively. The troops were clustered into six major clades corresponding to their river-isolated spatial distribution, with the significantly high genetic variation among these clades confirming the barrier effects of the snow-fed Himalayan rivers on genetic structuring. Analysis of demographic history projected a decrease in population size with the onset of the last glacial maximum (LGM); and, in accordance with the molecular analyses, paleodistribution modeling revealed a range shift in its suitable habitat downward/southward during the LGM. The complex genetic structure among the populations of central Nepal, and the stable optimal habitat through the last interglacial period to the present suggest that the central mid-hills of Nepal served as glacial refugia for the Hanuman langur. CONCLUSIONS: Hanuman langurs of the Nepal Himalaya region exhibit high genetic diversity, with their population genetic structure is strongly shaped by riverine barrier effects beyond isolation by distance; hence, this species demands detailed future phylogenetic study.

Mitochondrial DNA analyses and ecological niche modeling reveal post-LGM expansion of the Assam macaque (Macaca assamensis) in the foothills of Nepal Himalaya.

Genetic diversity of a species is influenced by multiple factors, including the Quaternary glacial-interglacial cycles and geophysical barriers. Such factors are not yet well documented for fauna from the southern border of the Himalayan region. This study used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences and ecological niche modeling (ENM) to explore how the late Pleistocene climatic fluctuations and complex geography of the Himalayan region have shaped genetic diversity, population genetic structure, and demographic history of the Nepalese population of Assam macaques (Macaca assamensis) in the Himalayan foothills. A total of 277 fecal samples were collected from 39 wild troops over almost the entire distribution of the species in Nepal. The mtDNA fragment encompassing the complete control region (1121 bp) was recovered from 208 samples, thus defining 54 haplotypes. Results showed low nucleotide diversity (0.0075 ± SD 0.0001) but high haplotype diversity (0.965 ± SD 0.004). The mtDNA sequences revealed a shallow population genetic structure with a moderate but statistically significant effect of isolation by distance. Demographic history analyses using mtDNA sequences suggested a post-pleistocene population expansion. Paleodistribution reconstruction projected that the potential habitat of the Assam macaque was confined to the lower elevations of central Nepal during the Last Glacial Maximum. With the onset of the Holocene climatic optimum, the glacial refugia population experienced eastward range expansion to higher elevations. We conclude that the low genetic diversity and shallow population genetic structure of the Assam macaque population in the Nepal Himalaya region are the consequence of recent demographic and spatial expansion.

Present and Future of Dengue Fever in Nepal: Mapping Climatic Suitability by Ecological Niche Model.

Both the number of cases of dengue fever and the areas of outbreaks within Nepal have increased significantly in recent years. Further expansion and range shift is expected in the future due to global climate change and other associated factors. However, due to limited spatially-explicit research in Nepal, there is poor understanding about the present spatial distribution patterns of dengue risk areas and the potential range shift due to future climate change. In this context, it is crucial to assess and map dengue fever risk areas in Nepal. Here, we used reported dengue cases and a set of bioclimatic variables on the MaxEnt ecological niche modeling approach to model the climatic niche and map present and future (2050s and 2070s) climatically suitable areas under different representative concentration pathways (RCP2.6, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5). Simulation-based estimates suggest that climatically suitable areas for dengue fever are presently distributed throughout the lowland Tarai from east to west and in river valleys at lower elevations. Under the different climate change scenarios, these areas will be slightly shifted towards higher elevation with varied magnitude and spatial patterns. Population exposed to climatically suitable areas of dengue fever in Nepal is anticipated to further increase in both 2050s and 2070s on all the assumed emission scenarios. These findings could be instrumental to plan and execute the strategic interventions for controlling dengue fever in Nepal.

Patterns and underlying mechanisms of non-volant small mammal richness along two contrasting mountain slopes in southwestern China.

The species richness patterns of small mammals and the processes shaping them in two gradients of a mountain with different spatial and climatic characteristics were examined using standard sampling scheme. We trapped 2,006 small mammals representing 37 species, along elevational gradients on both western and eastern slopes of the Ailao Mountains, Southwest China. Using mid-domain effect model, model selection and model averaging, we examined the effects of slope, area, mean annual temperature (MAT), mean annual humidity (MAH), productivity, plant species richness (PSR) and the mid-domain effect (MDE) on the patterns of small mammal diversity. The hump-shaped patterns were favored along the elevational gradient, but shapes of diversity curves were different on the contrasting slopes. Area and productivity were the most important factors in explaining the variation of total species richness. However, for each specific group of small mammals (i.e. insectivores vs. rodents, large-ranged vs. small-ranged species, endemic vs. non-endemic species), the peaks of species richness and their primary drivers varied. The major explanatory factors for richness pattern of each small mammal group were not significantly different between the slopes, suggesting the existence of the general underlying mechanisms on two slopes of a mountain.