A new genus and three new species of Hahniidae (Araneae) from China.

A new genus of comb-tailed spider (Hahniidae), Sinahahniagen. nov., is described based on three new species from the high-altitude areas of China: Sinahahniaeyusp. nov. (♂♀, Chongqing and Hubei), S.fanjingshansp. nov. (♂♀, Guizhou), and S.yintiaolingsp. nov. (♀, Chongqing). Digital images, illustrations, and a distribution map are provided.

[High Resolution Emission Inventory of Greenhouse Gas and Its Characteristics in Guangdong，China].

Based on the typical city survey data and statistics of Guangdong Province， a 2018-based 3 km×3 km gridded greenhouse gas emissions inventory was developed for Guangdong Province using the combination of top-down and bottom-up emission factor methods. The inventory covered the CO2， CH4， and N2O emissions from energy， industrial processes， agriculture， land use change and forest， waste management， and indirect sources. The results showed that estimates for CO2， CH4， and N2O in Guangdong Province for the year 2018 were 8.5×108， 1.9×106， and 1.1×105 t， respectively， and 8.5×108， 4.0×107， and 3.4×107 t by equivalent carbon dioxide， totaling 9.2×108 t. CO2 was the main greenhouse gas in Guangdong Province， accounting for 92.0% of the total emissions. Energy and indirect sources were the main emission sources， accounting for 77.9% and 7.6%， respectively， totaling 85.5%. Spatial distributions illustrated that most grids were greenhouse gas emissions， whereas some others were greenhouse gas sinks； the greenhouse gas emissions were distributed mainly in the Pearl River Delta region and had certain characteristics of distribution along the road network and channels. The greenhouse gas grids of high emission were mainly the locations of high energy-consuming enterprises such as large power plants， steel mills， and cement plants.

The first record of Tricholathys Chamberlin & Ivie, 1935 (Araneae, Dictynidae) from China, with a new combination and descriptions of seven new species.

The genus Tricholathys, found for the first time in China, is surveyed and seven new species, T.burangensissp. nov. (♂♀, Thibet), T.chenzhenningisp. nov. (♂♀, Qinghai), T.hebeiensissp. nov. (♀, Hebei), T.lhunzeensissp. nov. (♂♀, Tibet), Tricholathysrelictoidessp. nov. (♂♀, Xinjiang), T.serratasp. nov. (♂♀, Tibet), and T.xizangensissp. nov. (♂♀, Tibet), are described. A new combination is proposed for Tricholathysalxa (Tang, 2011) comb. nov., ex. Argenna Thorell, 1870. Descriptions of all new species are provided, together with digital images, illustrations, and a distribution map. The DNA barcode information of four recently collected species is also provided.

First record of the genus Passiena (Araneae, Lycosidae) from China, with the first description of the male of P.spinicrus Thorell, 1890 from Malaysia.

The genus Passiena is recorded for the first time from China with Passienaduanisp. nov. (♂♀) from Guangxi described here. In addition, the male of P.spinicrus Thorell, 1890 is described for the first time based on a specimen from Malaysia and colour photographs of freshly collected material are also presented. Detailed morphological descriptions, photographs, genital illustrations, and a distribution map for the two species are provided.

Two new species of Amaurobius C.L. Koch, 1837 from China (Araneae, Amaurobiidae).

Two new species of the genus Amaurobius are described from China: A.guangwushanensissp. nov. (♂♀) from Sichuan and A.wulongdongensissp. nov. (♂♀) from Shaanxi. With the addition of two new species, the number of Amaurobius species endemic to China now reaches four. Morphological descriptions, photos, and illustrations of copulatory organs, as well as a map of distribution records, are provided.

Lampshade web spider Ectatosticta davidi chromosome-level genome assembly provides evidence for its phylogenetic position.

The spider of Ectatosticta davidi, belonging to the lamp-shade web spider family, Hypochilidae, which is closely related to Hypochilidae and Filistatidae and recovered as sister of the rest Araneomorphs spiders. Here we show the final assembled genome of E. davidi with 2.16 Gb in 15 chromosomes. Then we confirm the evolutionary position of Hypochilidae. Moreover, we find that the GMC gene family exhibit high conservation throughout the evolution of true spiders. We also find that the MaSp genes of E. davidi may represent an early stage of MaSp and MiSp genes in other true spiders, while CrSp shares a common origin with AgSp and PySp but differ from MaSp. Altogether, this study contributes to addressing the limited availability of genomic sequences from Hypochilidae spiders, and provides a valuable resource for investigating the genomic evolution of spiders.

One new genus and nine new species of Linyphiidae spiders from Yintiaoling Nature Reserve, Chongqing of China.

One new genus and nine new species of Linyphiidae are described here from Yintiaoling Nature Reserve (YNR), Chongqing of China as: Caracladus daguanshanensis sp. n. (both sexes), Centromerus alatus sp. n. (male only), Dicristatus modaoxiensis sp. n. (both sexes), Hypselistes arcus sp. n. (male and female), Ryojius flosculus sp. n. (male only), R. latus sp. n. (male only), Shaanxinus shizhuziensis sp. n. (both sexes), Sinogone caesuma gen. & sp. n. (both sexes), and Walckenaeria hongqiensis sp. n. (both sexes). Detailed descriptions, photographs of genital characters and somatic features are presented.

A further study on the spider genus Baiyuerius Zhao, Li & Li, 2023, from China (Agelenidae, Coelotinae).

Baiyuerius is a newly erected genus of Coelotinae spiders comprising five species distributed in southern China and northern Vietnam. Two additional new species, B.shenzhensp. nov. (male and female) and B.yuelusp. nov. (male and female), are described here. Three new combinations are proposed, namely Baiyueriusacroprocessus (Zhang, Zhu & Wang, 2017) comb. nov., Baiyueriusglobasus (Wang, Peng & Kim, 1996) comb. nov. and Baiyueriusrugosus (Wang, Peng & Kim, 1996) comb. nov. Descriptions, photographs, and a distribution map of the known and newly proposed species are provided.

[Characteristics and Source Apportionment of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in a Typical Industrial Area in Dongguan During Periods of Ozone and Non-ozone Pollution in Summer].

To investigate the characteristics and sources of atmospheric volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a typical industrial zone in Dongguan, 56 VOCs species were continuously measured in Houjie Town of Dongguan in summer of 2020. In addition, mass concentrations of O3, NOx, and CO and meteorological data were synchronously collected. Then, characteristics of total VOCs and major species, the contributions of major VOCs species to ozone formation potential (OFP), and source apportionment of VOCs under the different ozone concentrations were discussed. The mean mixing ratio of VOCs was 53.1×10-9 including aromatics (24.7×10-9), alkanes (23.7×10-9), alkenes (3.9×10-9), and alkynes (0.7×10-9). The mean mixing ratios of aromatics, alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes increased approximately 10%, 43%, 38%, and 98% during the period of ozone pollution, respectively, compared with those during the period of non-ozone pollution. Aromatics contributed the most to OFP during the periods of both ozone pollution and non-ozone pollution, followed by alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes. Solvent sources, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) leakage, fossil fuel combustion, and hydrocarbon volatilization were resolved using the PMF model, which accounted for 60%±20%, 16%±11%, 15%±11%, and 9%±6% of total VOCs, respectively. During the period of ozone pollution, the contribution of solvent sources to the total VOCs decreased to 44%, whereas that of LPG leakage and hydrocarbon volatilization increased to 21% and 16%, respectively.

Exploiting Unreduced Gametes for Improving Ornamental Plants.

The formation of gametes with somatic chromosome number or unreduced gametes (2n gametes) is an important process involved in the origin of polyploid plants in nature. Unreduced gametes are the result of meiotic mutations occurring during micro- and mega-sporogenesis. 2n gametes have been identified or artificially induced in a large number of plant species. Breeding of plants through 2n gametes can be advantageous because it combines genetic effects of polyploidy with meiotic recombination and sexual hybridization to produce tremendous genetic variation and heterosis. 2n gametes also occur in ornamental plants, but the potential of using 2n gametes in ornamental plant breeding has not been extensively exploited. Ornamental plants are primarily produced for their esthetic appearance and novelty, not for food and yield, and they can be readily propagated through vegetative means. Triploids, tetraploids, and plants with even higher ploidy levels produced through 2n gametes can be propagated through tissue culture to fix their phenotypes, thus leading to the development of new cultivars. In this review article, we intend to discuss the mechanisms underlying the formation of 2n gametes, techniques for 2n gamete identification, methods for enhancing 2n gamete formation, and the current status in the use of 2n gametes for development of novel ornamental plants. We believe that polyploidy breeding through 2n gametes represents a viable way of developing new cultivars, new species, and even new genera of ornamental plants.

Three new species of the spider genus Pimoa Chamberlin amp; Ivie, 1943 (Araneae, Pimoidae) from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China.

Three new species of the spider genus Pimoa Chamberlin Ivie, 1943 are described: P. pingwuensis n. sp. () and P. yajiangensis n. sp. () from Sichuan and P. zekogensis n. sp. () from Qinghai. These new species are distinguished from other known Pimoa species by genital characters as well as by DNA barcodes. Detailed descriptions, photographs of genital characters and somatic features, a distribution map, comparisons to closely related species and DNA barcodes of the new species are presented. Illustrations of new species are provided and their phylogenetic relationships within the genus Pimoa are also discussed.

Six new species of Tonsilla Wang amp; Yin, 1992 (Araneae: Agelenidae) from southern China, with the first description of the male of T. yanlingensis (Zhang, Yin amp; Kim, 2000).

Six new species of the spider genus Tonsilla Wang Yin, 1992 are described from southern China: T. jinyunensis sp. nov. () from Chongqing, T. jiugongensis sp. nov. () from Hubei, T. subtruculenta sp. nov. (), T. rutunda sp. nov. () and T. yueliangensis sp. nov. () from Guizhou and T. subrostrum sp. nov. () from Hunan. In addition, T. yanlingensis (Zhang, Yin Kim, 2000) is redescribed and its male is described here for the first time. Tonsilla subyanlingensis Liu Xu, 2020 is transferred to Draconarius Ovtchinnikov, 1999, hence the new combination Draconarius subyanlingensis (Liu Xu, 2020) comb. nov. is established. The female of T. subyanlingensis Liu Xu, 2020 should be treated as T. yanlingensis (Zhang, Yin Kim, 2000). Detailed descriptions, photographs of copulatory organs and somatic features, a distribution map and comparisons with closely related species are presented.

Triploid cultivars of Cymbidium act as a bridge in the formation of polyploid plants.

Triploid is considered a reproductive barrier and also a bridge in the formation of polyploids. However, few reports are available in Cymbidium. In this study, diploid 'Xiaofeng', sexual triploid 'Yuchan' and 'Huanghe' of Cymbidium were used to evaluate hybridization compatibility of the triploids. Results showed that the sexual triploids were fertile whether they were used as male or female parents. 'Yuchan' produced male gametes of 1x, 1x~2x, 2x, 2x~3x, and 3x at frequencies of 8.89%, 77.78%, 6.67%, 3.33%, and 3.33%, respectively; while 'Huanghe' produced 3.33% 1x, 80.00% 1x~2x, 8.89% 2x, 5.56% 2x~3x, and 2.22% 3x male gametes. The cross of 'Xiaofeng' with 'Yuchan' produced progenies with a wide range of ploidy levels, including one diploid, 34 2×~3× aneuploids, 12 triploids, and one tetraploid, indicating that male gametes produced by sexual triploid were fertile and could be transmitted and fused with egg cells. On the other hand, 10 progenies obtained from the cross of 'Yuchan' × 'Xiaofeng' were all aneuploids. The cross of 'Yuchan' with 'Huanghe' produced 40 progenies including three 2×~3× aneuploids, nine 3×~4× aneuploids, 21 tetraploids, six 4×~5× aneuploids, and one pentaploid, suggesting that 2x gametes, instead of the unreduced ones played a more important role in the formation of tetraploids. The survival rates of the hybrids were all above 80.00%, with the tetraploids at 96.67%. Cytological analysis revealed that during meiosis of sexual polyploids, two chromosome sets of the 2n gamete were inclined to enter into the same daughter cell, resulting in the production of 2x gametes. Our results indicate that the triploid cymbidiums are not reproductive barrier but serve as a bridge in the formation of polyploid plants.

Review of the spider genus Ectatosticta Simon, 1892 (Araneae: Hypochilidae) with description of four new species from China.

Species of the genus Ectatosticta Simon, 1892 are studied from China, including seven known species E. bajie Lin Li, 2021 from Sichuan Prov., E. davidi (Simon, 1889) from Shaanxi, E. deltshevi Platnick Jger, 2009 from Qinghai, E. rulai Lin Li, 2021 from Sichuan, E. wukong Lin Li, 2020 from Sichuan, E. xuanzang Lin Li, 2020 from Tibet, E. yukuni Lin Li, 2021 from Shaanxi, and four new species: E. nyingchiensis sp. nov. from Tibet, E. pingwuensis sp. nov. from Sichuan, E. shennongjiaensis sp. nov. from Hubei and E. songpanensis sp. nov. from Sichuan. We provide detailed descriptions, including DNA barcode information, and images of all the species.

Further revision of the mesh-web spider genus Taira Lehtinen, 1967 (Amaurobiidae), with the description of six new species.

The cribellate, Asian endemic, spider genus, Taira is further studied, and six new species are recognized and described from China and Eastern Malaysia (Borneo): Taira borneoensis sp. nov. (♀), Taira gyaisiensis sp. nov. (♀), Taira nyagqukaensis sp. nov. (♀), Taira wanzhouensis sp. nov. (♂♀), Taira xuanenensis sp. nov. (♂) and Taira yangi sp. nov. (♂♀). Males of Taira latilabiata Zhang, Zhu Song, 2008 and Taira obtusa Zhang, Zhu Song, 2008 are also described for the first time. Drawings of the copulatory organs of the six new species, and comparative photos of the habitus and copulatory organs of all described species are provided, except for the male palp of the type species, T. flavidorsalis (Yaginuma, 1964). New records of known species and distribution maps are presented.

Validation of Digital Evaluation in Systematic Training on Tooth Preparation in Aesthetic Veneer Rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of systematic video training on tooth preparation in veneer restoration and the practicability of the application of the digital evaluation system of scan design and assessment software. METHODS: Ten residents were selected from a group enrolled on the first-year programme for the National Standard Training of Dentistry in the Department of Prosthodontics, College of Stomatology, Ninth People's Hospital Affliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine. First, each student prepared five teeth based on their knowledge and clinical experience, and then received systematic video training on veneer preparation. Before and after the training, the evaluation of the effects of training was conducted on the prepared teeth by measuring the continuity of the finishing line and tooth reduction amount automatically using the prepCheck 2.0 (Dentsply Sirona, Charlotte, NC, USA) CAD/CAM system. RESULTS: The results showed a significant difference in the quality of finishing line continuity pre- and post-training. Furthermore, the data for tooth reduction after training, which met standard values, improved remarkably, increasing from 32.40 ± 7.82% to 60.50 ± 5.48%. CONCLUSIONS: Video training could significantly enhance the quality of tooth preparation for veneers. Moreover, the digital evaluation system could serve as an ideal alternative for tooth preparation evaluation for preclinical students, offering new insights for clinical education.

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

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