Green Light Photoelectrocatalysis with Sulfur-Doped Carbon Nitride: Using Triazole-Purpald for Enhanced Benzylamine Oxidation and Oxygen Evolution Reactions

Materials dictate carbon neutral industrial chemical processes. Visible-light photoelectrocatalysts from abundant resources will play a key role in exploiting solar irradiation. Anionic doping via pre-organization of precursors and further co-polymerization creates tuneable semiconductors. Triazole derivative-purpald, an unexplored precursor with sulfur (S) container, combined in different initial ratios with melamine during one solid-state polycondensation with two thermal steps yields hybrid S-doped carbon nitrides (C3N4). The series of S-doped/C3N4-based materials show enhanced optical, electronic, structural, textural, and morphological properties and exhibit higher performance in organic benzylamine photooxidation, oxygen evolution, and similar energy storage (capacitor brief investigation). 50M-50P exhibits the highest photooxidation conversion (84 ± 3%) of benzylamine to imine at 535 nm – green light for 48 h, due to a discrete shoulder (≈700) nm, high sulfur content, preservation of crystal size, new intraband energy states, structural defects by layer distortion, and 10–16 nm pores with arbitrary depth. This work innovates by studying the concomitant relationships between: 1) the precursor decomposition while C3N4 is formed, 2) the insertion of S impurities, 3) the S-doped C3N4 property-activity relationships, and 4) combinatorial surface, bulk, structural, optical, and electronic characterization analysis. This work contributes to the development of disordered long-visible-light photocatalysts for solar energy conversion and storage

Green light photoelectrocatalysis with sulfur-doped carbon nitride : using triazole-purpald for enhanced benzylamine oxidation and oxygen evolution reactions

Novel high performing materials will dictate the pace of reinventing industrial chemical processes to attain desired carbon neutrality targets. Regarding the urgency of exploiting solar irradiation long range visible-light photoelectrocatalysts from abundant resources will play a key role in the aforementioned effort. Anionic doping via co-polymerization and pre-organization of precursors results in tuneable and extrinsic semiconductors, making this a highly attractive methodology. Triazole derivative-purpald, an unexplored precursor but sulfur (S) container, combined with melamine during one solid-state polycondensation reaction with two thermal steps leads to S-doped carbon nitrides (C34). The series of S-doped/CN4-based materials demonstrated enhanced optical, electronic, structural, geometric, textural, and morphological properties and exhibited higher performance in organic benzylamine photooxidation, oxygen evolution, and similar storing energy (capacitor brief investigation) than references. Among the five composites, 50M-50P exhibited the highest photooxidation conversion yield (84±3%) of benzylamine to imine at 535 nm – green light for 48h, due to an extra discrete shoulder reaching ~700 nm, an unusual high sulfur content, preservation of crystal size, new intraband energy states, rare deep structural defects by layer distortion, hydrophobic surface, low porosity, and 10-16 nm pores. An in-depth analysis of S doping was investigated coupling x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope, and elemental analysis, providing insights on bonds, distribution, and surface/bulk content. This work contributes to the development of amorphous photocatalysts with long-visible-light range for solar energy conversion and storage

Spatial Distribution of Calcium-Gated Chloride Channels in Olfactory Cilia

Background: In vertebrate olfactory receptor neurons, sensory cilia transduce odor stimuli into changes in neuronal membrane potential. The voltage changes are primarily caused by the sequential openings of two types of channel: a cyclic-nucleotide-gated (CNG) cationic channel and a calcium-gated chloride channel. In frog, the cilia are 25 to 200 mm in length, so the spatial distributions of the channels may be an important determinant of odor sensitivity. Principal Findings: To determine the spatial distribution of the chloride channels, we recorded from single cilia as calcium was allowed to diffuse down the length of the cilium and activate the channels. A computational model of this experiment allowed an estimate of the spatial distribution of the chloride channels. On average, the channels were concentrated in a narrow band centered at a distance of 29 % of the ciliary length, measured from the base of the cilium. This matches the location of the CNG channels determined previously. This non-uniform distribution of transduction proteins is consistent with similar findings in other cilia. Conclusions: On average, the two types of olfactory transduction channel are concentrated in the same region of the cilium

Green Light Photoelectrocatalysis with Sulfur Doped Carbon Nitride Using Triazole Purpald for Enhanced Benzylamine Oxidation and Oxygen Evolution Reactions

Materials dictate carbon neutral industrial chemical processes. Visible light photoelectrocatalysts from abundant resources will play a key role in exploiting solar irradiation. Anionic doping via pre organization of precursors and further co polymerization creates tuneable semiconductors. Triazole derivative purpald, an unexplored precursor with sulfur S container, combined in different initial ratios with melamine during one solid state polycondensation with two thermal steps yields hybrid S doped carbon nitrides C3N4 . The series of S doped C3N4 based materials show enhanced optical, electronic, structural, textural, and morphological properties and exhibit higher performance in organic benzylamine photooxidation, oxygen evolution, and similar energy storage capacitor brief investigation . 50M 50P exhibits the highest photooxidation conversion 84 3 of benzylamine to imine at 535 nm green light for 48 h, due to a discrete shoulder amp; 8776;700 nm, high sulfur content, preservation of crystal size, new intraband energy states, structural defects by layer distortion, and 10 16 nm pores with arbitrary depth. This work innovates by studying the concomitant relationships between 1 the precursor decomposition while C3N4 is formed, 2 the insertion of S impurities, 3 the S doped C3N4 property activity relationships, and 4 combinatorial surface, bulk, structural, optical, and electronic characterization analysis. This work contributes to the development of disordered long visible light photocatalysts for solar energy conversion and storag

Limits of Calcium Clearance by Plasma Membrane Calcium ATPase in Olfactory Cilia

BACKGROUND: In any fine sensory organelle, a small influx of Ca(2+) can quickly elevate cytoplasmic Ca(2+). Mechanisms must exist to clear the ciliary Ca(2+) before it reaches toxic levels. One such organelle has been well studied: the vertebrate olfactory cilium. Recent studies have suggested that clearance from the olfactory cilium is mediated in part by plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase (PMCA). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In the present study, electrophysiological assays were devised to monitor cytoplasmic free Ca(2+) in single frog olfactory cilia. Ca(2+) was allowed to enter isolated cilia, either through the detached end or through membrane channels. Intraciliary Ca(2+) was monitored via the activity of ciliary Ca(2+)-gated Cl(-) channels, which are sensitive to free Ca(2+) from about 2 to 10 microM. No significant effect of MgATP on intraciliary free Ca(2+) could be found. Carboxyeosin, which has been used to inhibit PMCA, was found to substantially increase a ciliary transduction current activated by cyclic AMP. This increase was ATP-independent. CONCLUSIONS: Alternative explanations are suggested for two previous experiments taken to support a role for PMCA in ciliary Ca(2+) clearance. It is concluded that PMCA in the cilium plays a very limited role in clearing the micromolar levels of intraciliary Ca(2+) produced during the odor response

Spatiodamaeus fageti Bulanova-Zachvatkina 1957

Spatiodamaeus cf. fageti Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1957 (Figs 8–11) Damaeus (Spatiodamaeus) fageti Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1957, p. 1179, figs. 8–11. Spatiodamaeus fageti: Bulanova-Zachvatkina 1967, p. 143, pl. 6, fig. 92; 1975, p. 125, fig. 236; Miko 2006, p. 187, fig. 99 c–h; Xie et al. 2012, p. 418. Diagnosis. Adult of damaeid shape, large, dark brown to almost black in color, without exuvial scalp or adherent debris. Prodorsum with apophyses P; tubercles Da, Ba and Bp well developed. Sensillus short, nearly same width throughout its length, its distal 1 / 3 part finely barbed. Interlamellar seta long, nearly as long as sensillus. Notogastral setae 10 or 11 pairs (see Miko, 2006), thin, smooth, subequal in length; spina adnata of moderate size, conspicuously diverging distally as viewed in dorsal aspect, but strongly curved downwards from lateral view. Full complement of ventral enantiophyses E 2, V and S strongly developed; epimeral region II with two pairs of setae; epimeral seta 1 c inserted on large tubercle; discidium well developed, acute distally. Setae d on genua I–III much longer and thicker than respective coupled solenidia σ. Deutonymph slimmer than adult, elongated, lightly pigmented. Prodorsal setae ro and le medium long, finely barbed, le conspicuously thicker than ro; setae in and ex relatively short; sensillus setiform, finely barbed. Gastronotum slightly elongate, with posterior excrescence; most of dorsal gastronotic setae very long, raised and inserted on large sclerites, setae of c -series and la finely barbed; setae of p -series relatively short. Cornicle thick, long, inserted at level of seta h 2. Adult. Dimensions. Body length 647–720 Μm; length of notogaster 476–521 Μm; width of notogaster 415–451 Μm. Integument. Adult dark brown to virtually black in color. Surface of body and legs with thick cerotegument having granular to short columnar excrescences. Only distal portions of leg tarsi, gnathosoma and setiform organs free of cerotegument. Cuticle microtuberculate conspicuously in lateral regions of prodorsum and around leg acetabula I and II. Exuvial scalps and adherent debris absent. Prodorsum (Fig. 8 A, C). Rostrum rounded in dorsal view, but conspicuously projecting anteroventrally in lateral view, with dark transverse band at level of setae ro in transmitted light due to contour of transverse groove and underlying rostrophragma. With pair of central swellings at level of legs I (above sigillae for cheliceral retractor muscles). Prodorsal enantiophyses A absent, but tubercles and Da, Ba and Bp well developed, nearly conical in shape, their tips rounded. Propodolateral apophysis P well developed, subtriangular. Prodorsal setae mostly smooth, only setae ro and in with minute barbs. Rostral seta 121 Μm in length, lamellar seta 139 Μm long, thin; interlamellar seta 117 Μm long, directed posterolaterad; exobothridial seta 65 Μm long. Sensillus 176 Μm long, nearly same width throughout its length, its distal 1 / 3 finely barbed. Bothridium typical of family, irregular funnelshaped, directed posterolaterad, with large opening (Fig. 8 C). Notogaster (Fig. 8). Almost circular, slightly longer than wide. Spinae adnatae thin, moderate length (96 Μm), in dorsal view directed anterolaterally, but strongly incurved ventrad in lateral view; mutual distance slightly greater that of setal pair c 2. Ten pairs of notogastral setae medium in length, thin, smooth; seta h 1 absent; setae of c - and l -series 130–136 Μm, h -series 88–102 Μm, p -series 91–108 Μm in length. Seta c 1 directed anteriorly, c 2 laterally, other setae directed posterolaterally. Lyrifissures ia, im, ih, ip, ips and opisthosomal gland opening (gla) well developed. Gnathosoma (Fig. 8 B). Subcapitular mentum slightly wider than long. Mentum microtuberculate, subcapitular setae h 74 Μm, m 59 Μm, a 28 Μm long, thin, smooth. Chelicera 149 Μm in length, fixed and movable digits with three blunt teeth on each, setae cha and chb finely barbed. Palp slender, 112 Μm in length, palpal setation: 0–2 – 1– 3 – 9, including solenidion. Epimeral region (Fig. 8 B, C). Epimeral tubercles E 2 a, E 2 p, ventrosejugal tubercles Va and Vp well developed, large. Parastigmatic tubercles Sa and Sp subtriangular, Sa elongate, much longer than Sp. Discidium (di) elongate, spiniform, acute at tip. Epimeral setae thin, smooth; inserted on small tubercles; seta 1a 56 Μm, 1 b 120 Μm, 1 c 63 Μm, 2a 74 Μm, 2 b 75 Μm, 3a 82 Μm, 3 b 93 Μm, 3 c 85 Μm, 4a 121 Μm, 4 b 86 Μm, 4 c 84 Μm and 4 d 85 Μm in length. Epimeral setal formula: 3 – 2–3 – 4. FIGURE 12. Adult (A–D) and deutonymph (E–H) of Spatiodamaeus cf. fageti, compound microscope images (not to scale). (A) Rostral seta of adult; (B) Sensillus of adult; (C) Interlamellar seta and spina adnata of adult; (D) Part of epimeral region showing parastigmatic tubercle in adult; (E) Gastronotic setae c 2 and la in deutonymph; (F) Cornicle k of deutonymph; (G) Gastronotic seta c 3 of deutonymph; (H) Posterior part of gastronotum showing insertions of setae h 1 - h 3 and p 1 of deutonymph. Ano - genital region (Fig. 8 B, C). Anal and genital plates almost smooth, with sparse microtubercles. Genital opening 139 Μm in length and 125 Μm in width, anal opening 121 Μm long and 118 Μm wide. Ano-genital setae thin, smooth, genital setae 56–71 Μm, aggenital seta 81 Μm, anal setae 57–62 Μm, adanal setae 58–65 Μm in length. Adanal lyrifissure (iad) situated obliquely, at level of anal seta an 2. Legs (Figs 9, 10). Structure of legs I–IV typical for genus, sub-moniliform. Trochanter and femur IV subequal in length; each with distal tectum rounded, not projecting. Setae d on genua I–III much longer and thicker than respective coupled solenidia σ; solenidia φ 1 of tibia I and ω 1 of tarsus I situated on distinct dorsal projections. Formula of leg setation (including famulus): I (1–7 – 4 – 4–21), II (1–6 – 4 – 4–17), III (2–4 – 4 – 4–16); IV (1–4 – 4 – 3– 15); formula of solenidia: I (1–2 – 2); II (1 – 1–2); III (1 – 1 –0); IV (0–1 –0). Homology of leg setae and solenidia as indicated in Table 2. Adult v ’ d, bv ”, (l), (v) d σ, (l), v ’ (l), (v), φ, d (ft), (tc), (p), (u), (a), s, (pv), ω 1, ω 2, (it), (v) lost Leg III Deutonymph. Dimensions. Body length (excluding posterior excrescence of gastronotum) 488 µm, width of gastronotum 238 µm, length of gastronotum 323 µm. Integument. Body cuticle yellowish to light brownish. Prodorsum, epimeral region and legs with tuberculate cerotegument. Tubercles of medium size, round to slightly elongate conical. Cuticle of medio-basal part of gastronotum with minute granules. Lateral body sides, epimeral and anogenital regions slightly folded. With securely attached exuvial scalp of previous instars. Prodorsum (Fig. 11 A). Subtriangular, relatively short, about 1 / 2 length of gastronotum. Rostrum widely rounded, rostral seta 67 µm long, setiform, finely barbed. Lamellar seta 80 µm in length, finely barbed, conspicuously thicker than ro, both setae without cerotegument. Interlamellar seta 32 µm long, truncate, smooth, blunt distally; exobothridial seta 30 µm long, pointed distally. Sensillus setiform, 144 µm long, with fine barbs. Bothridium irregular funnel shaped, with large opening. Gastronotic region (Fig. 11 A, B). Slightly elongate, with large posterior excrescence bearing setae h 1 and p 1. Gastronotic setae inserted on isolated sclerotized tubercles, except tubercle of pair h 1 connected by inconspicuous medial sclerite. With 12 pairs of gastronotic setae (с 1 – с 3, la, lm, lp, h 1 – h 3, p 1 – p 3); most of dorsal setae very long; setae of c -series and la finely barbed, other setae smooth; setae c 3 and p -series relatively short. Seta c 1 262 µm, c 2 256 µm, c 3 70 µm, la 253 µm, lm 202 µm, lp 189 µm, h 1 304 µm, h 2 125 µm, h 3 154 µm, p 1 64 µm, p 2 61 µm, p 3 54 µm in length. Cupules ia, ih, ips and opisthosomal gland opening (gla) clearly developed. Cornicle (k) by which gastronotic exuviae of previous instars firmly attached, thick, elongate and tapered terminally, 115 µm long, inserted at level of seta h 2. Protonymphal exuvial scalp of reticulate granular sculpture, without additional adherent materials, firmly fastened to gastronotum, and located directly over the central region (Fig. 11 C); with nine pairs of setae (с 1, с 2, с 3, la, lm, lp, h 1, h 2, h 3). Gnathosoma (Fig. 11 B). Subcapitular setae a, m and h of medium size, 9–14 µm, setiform, smooth. Adoral setae short, thin, smooth. Palp with setation 0–2 – 1–3 – 9 (+ω). Solenidion (ω) of palptarsus thickened, straight, blunt-ended. Chelicera with two setiform setae, cha longer than chb. Trägårdh’s organ (Tg) inconspicuous. Epimeral region (Fig. 11 B). Epimeral setae simple, thin, smooth, without cerotegument; setae 1 b and 3 b about twice as long as other setae. Setal formula of epimeres: 3 – 1–2 – 2. Ano-genital region (Fig. 11 B). Genital papillae sub-equal in size; adanal cupules iad well developed. Genital, aggenital and anal setae thin, smooth; three pairs of genital (right plate with four setae), one pair of aggenital and three pairs of adanal setae. Cupules ih and ips appearing in normal ontogenetic pattern. Legs. Tarsus I and tibia I relatively thin, solenidion φ 1 on tibia I very long, slightly flagellate, with coupled seta d. Solenidia on tibiae II–IV of medium size or short, thickened, straight, with respective coupled setae d; famulus ε regressive, sunken, submerged in fovea with sclerotized, cup-like elevated rim. Most setae of legs barbed, except p on tarsi. Formulas of leg setation: I (1–4 – 4–5 – 16), II (1–4 – 4 – 4–13), III (2–3 – 3–4 – 13), IV (0– 2 – 3 – 3–12), formula of solenidia: I (1–2 – 2), II (1 – 1–2), III (1 – 1 –0); IV (0–1 –0). Homology of leg setae and solenidia as indicated in Table 2. Material examined. Two adults (male and female) and one deutonymph: Khuitnii-Am area, Mts Mongol Altai, close to Lake Dayan, District Sagsai, Province Bayan-Ulgii, fruticose lichens growing on larch tree barks (Larix sibiricus Ledebour, 1833), N 48 o 14 ’, E 88 o 55 ’, elevation 2356 m a.s.l., 18 July 2010, Col. B. Bayartogtokh. Remarks. As mentioned above, due to inadequate original definition, the identity of some of the known species of Spatiodamaeus had long been in doubt. One of such inadequately defined species is S. fageti (see Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1967, 1975; Cancela da Fonseca and Bahou, 1970; Miko, 2006). When first trying to determine the specific name of our materials, we were doubted due to lack of the detailed definition of these disputable species, and therefore, the present identification can be questioned. However, our identification is based on the diagnoses of selected species of Spatiodamaeus by Miko (2006) and Xie et al. (2012), and oriented on such characters of adults as anterior notogastral setae not strongly curved, and these setae are neither darkly colored nor thicker than other setae, but more or less straight, similar to other setae in size and color; interlamellar setae long, nearly as long as sensilli; formula of setation on genua of legs: 4 – 4 – 4 – 4; formula of trochanter: 1 – 1–2 – 1. Further studies on topotypic material are important for making sure if our identification is correct. It is worth to mention that Miko (2006) noted 11 pairs of notogastral setae in adults of S. fageti, but we observed only 10 pairs in our studied materials. Similarly to our observation, Seniczak et al. (2013) showed 10 pairs of notogastral setae in adults of S. verticillipes (Nicolet, 1855), and noted lacking one of the setae of h -series. For S. verticillipes, it is apparently an ontogenetic loss as tritonymph of this species has complete set of setae h -series. Deutonymph of this species can be differentiated from those of other species of Spatiodamaeus, the immature morphology of which is known, by the 1) relatively short sensillus and gastronotic setae c 1, c 2, lm, lp as opposed to very long sensilli and respective gastronotic setae in juveniles of other species; 2) relatively thick nymphal cornicle in contrast to the narrow cornicles in juveniles of other species. Distribution and habitat ecology. This species, which until now had been reported only from central and eastern Europe (Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine and European Russia), has been collected from the high mountainous area in western Mongolia. This is the first record of this species in Asia. As for habitat ecology, Bulanova-Zachvatkina (1957 a) noted that S. fageti preferred litter of oak forest, mosses growing on trunks of oak and beech trees and decaying wood. According to Miko (2006), this species inhabits the litter and wet moss cushions in deciduous and mixed forests as well as peatlands. We found both adults and a deutonymph of this species from the fruticose lichens (Usnea sp.) growing on larch tree trunk in a high mountainous area.Published as part of Bayartogtokh, Badamdorj, Burkitbaeva, Ulzhan D. & Enkhbayar, Tojoo, 2016, Lichenophilous species of Epidamaeus and Spatiodamaeus from high mountains of Mongolia, with remarks on their ontogeny (Acari: Oribatida), pp. 451-474 in Zootaxa 4097 (3) on pages 463-470, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4097.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/27108

Epidamaeus munkhbayari Bayartogtokh, sp. nov.

Epidamaeus munkhbayari Bayartogtokh, sp. nov. (Figs 1–7) Diagnosis. Prodorsum with a pair of central swellings at level of legs I, surrounded laterally by distinct semicircular ridges; another pair of semicircular ridges developed between alveoli of interlamellar setae, with pair of small tubercles at its posterior end. Prodorsal tubercle Ba well developed, enantiophyses A and D absent. Sensillus medium long, thin, with minute sparse barbs, sometimes covered with conglomerate of cerotegument in distal half, finely attenuate. Prodorsal setae mostly smooth except sensillus. Notogaster without exuvial scalp or adherent debris. Notogastral setae aligned in two subparallel rows, except c 1 directed posteriad, medium long, thin, mostly smooth, with basal vane; spina adnata of moderate size. Tectum of podocephalic fossa conspicuously developed, laterally produced as relatively short, subtriangular tooth underneath trochanter I; ventral tubercles E 2 a, Va and Vp well developed; epimeral setae 1 b, 1 c and 3 a inserted on large tubercles. Setae d on genua I–III nearly as long as their associated solenidia σ. Juveniles unpigmented, most part of body and legs covered with granular cerotegument. In larva, pair of rostral as well as lamellar setae inserted close to one another, nearly in square, but in nymphs these setae spaced widely, inserted in transversally elongated rectangle. Sensilli setiform, smooth in larva and deutonymph, but scarcely barbed in tritonymph. Most dorsal gastronotic setae very long, except for shorter setae c 3, la, lm in larva, and seta c 3 in nymphs. Seta h 3 present in larva; cornicle thick, elongate and tapered terminally, located at level of seta h 3; nymphs carry exuviae of previous instars. Adult. Dimensions. Body length 427–494 (464) Μm; length of notogaster 278–366 (323) Μm; width of notogaster 262–317 (298) Μm. Totally 16 specimens were measured. Integument. Adult yellowish brown. Surface of body and legs with thick cerotegument having granular to short columnar excrescences. Cuticle microtuberculate conspicuously on lateral regions of prodorsum and around leg acetabula I and II. Exuvial scalps and adherent debris absent. Prodorsum (Figs 1, 4). Rostrum rounded in dorsal view, but slightly projecting anteroventrally in lateral view. With pair of central swellings at level of legs I (above sigillae for cheliceral retractor muscles), surrounded laterally by distinct semicircular ridges (Figs 1 A, D, 4 A, H). Another pair of semicircular ridges developed between alveoli of interlamellar setae, with pair of small tubercles at posterior end (Figs 1 A, D, 4 G, H). Development degree of these two pairs of ridges different in various specimens. Prodorsal enantiophyses A and D absent. Postbothridial tubercle Ba well developed, nearly triangular in shape, its tip usually rounded, but sometimes acute (Figs 1 A, D, 4 E). Propodolateral apophysis absent. Prodorsal setae mostly smooth, only sensillus with sparse weak barbs. Rostral seta (ro) 58–80 Μm in length, thin; lamellar seta (le) 64–90 Μm long, thin; interlamellar seta (in) 42–64 Μm long, slightly thinner than ro and le, directed posteromediad; exobothridial seta (ex) 35–42 Μm long. Sensillus (ss) 144–150 Μm long, thin, with minute sparse barbs, finely attenuate, but not flagellate; sometimes covered with conglomerate of cerotegument in distal half (Figs 1 B, 4 F). Bothridium typical of family, irregularly funnel-shaped, directed posterolaterad, with large opening (Figs. 1 B, 4 G). Notogaster (Figs 1, 4). Almost circular, slightly longer than wide, without exuvial scalp or adherent debris. Spinae adnatae (sa) thin, moderate length (80–96 Μm), in dorsal view directed anteromedially, but slightly incurved dorsally in lateral view; mutual distance slightly greater than that of setal pair c 2 (Figs, 1 A, D, 4 D, H). Notogastral setae appear thin, with minute barbs; setae of c - and l -series 67–74 Μm, h -series 61–67 Μm, p -series 29–38 Μm in length. As viewed in dorsal aspect, seta c 1 directed anteriorly, c 2, l - and h rows directed posteriorly, whereas setae of p rows directed laterally. Lyrifissures ia, im, ih, ip, ips and opisthosomal gland opening (gla) well developed (Fig. 1 A, C). Gnathosoma (Figs. 1 C, 3 D, E). Subcapitular mentum slightly wider than long. Mentum microtuberculate, subcapitular setae h 38–51 Μm, m 35–48 Μm, a 22–29 Μm long, thin, with minute barbs. Chelicera 109 Μm in length, fixed and movable digits with three blunt teeth on each; setae cha and chb finely barbed (Fig. 3 D). Palp slender, 106 Μm in length, palpal setation: 0–2 – 1–3 – 9, including solenidion (Fig. 3 E). Epimeral region (Figs 1 C, 4 B, C). Tectum of podocephalic fossa conspicuously developed, laterally produced as relatively short, subtriangular tooth (t) directed underneath trochanter I (Fig. 1 C). Epimeral tubercle E 2 a, ventrosejugal tubercles Va and Vp well developed, large, subtriangular, nearly rounded at tip (Figs 1 C, 4 B). Parastigmatic tubercles Sa subtriangular, elongate, slightly longer than nearly pentagonal, blunter Sp. Discidium (di) nearly triangular, acute at tip. Epimeral setae thin, with minute barbs; setae 1 b, 1 c and 3 a inserted on large tubercles, whereas other setae situated on small tubercles (Fig. 1 C); seta 1a 26 Μm, 1 b 61 Μm, 1 c 38 Μm, 2a 29 Μm, 3a 35 Μm, 3 b 32 Μm, 3 c 32 Μm, 4a 38 Μm, 4 b 42 Μm, 4 c 48 Μm and 4 d 42 Μm in length. Epimeral setal formula: 3 – 1–3 – 4. Ano - genital region (Fig. 1 C, D). Anal and genital plates almost smooth, with sparse microtubercles. Anogenital setae thin, smooth, genital setae 29–32 Μm, aggenital seta 38 Μm, anal setae 38–45 Μm, adanal setae 32–35 Μm in length. Adanal lyrifissure (iad) situated obliquely, at level slightly anterior to anal seta an 2. Legs (Figs 2, 3 A, B, C). Structure of legs I–IV typical for genus, sub-moniliform. Trochanter and femur IV subequal in length; each with distal tectum rounded, not projecting. Setae d on genua I–III nearly as long as their associated solenidia σ; solenidia φ 1 of tibia I and ω 1 of tarsus I situated on distinct dorsal projections. Formula of leg setation (including famulus): I (1–7 – 4 – 4–20), II (1–6 – 4 – 4–17), III (2–4 – 3 – 3–17); IV (1–4 – 3 – 3–14); formula of solenidia: I (1–2 – 2); II (1 – 1–2); III (1 – 1 –0); IV (0–1 –0). Homology of leg setae and solenidia as indicated in Table 1. *Though the protonymph is unknown, its probable setal complement is hypothesized in this table; Norton (1977 b) found no variation in protonymphal setation of Damaeidae. Larva, deutonymph and tritonymph. Dimensions. Body length of larvae 282–333 (313) µm, width of gastronotum 157–192 (171) µm; body length of deutonymph 360 µm, width of gastronotum 192 µm; body length of tritonymph: 403 µm, width of gastronotum 221 µm. Three larvae, one deutonymph and one tritonymph were measured. Integument. Body cuticle pale to light brownish. Prodorsum, epimeral region and legs with tuberculate cerotegument. Tubercles of medium size, round to conical. Cuticle of medio-basal part of gastronotum with minute granules. Nymphs with firmly attached exuvial scalps of previous instars, but no adherent debris. Prodorsum (Figs 5 A, 6 A, 7 A). Subtriangular, relatively short, about 1 / 2 – 1 / 3 length of gastronotum. Rostrum rounded, rostral setae setiform, smooth, conspicuously shorter and thinner than lamellar setae, both setae without cerotegument; mutual distance between pairs of setae ro–ro and le–le in larva much shorter than those in nymphs. Interlamellar seta longer, but thinner, distally pointed in larva than relatively short, truncate, blunt ended seta in nymphs; exobothridial seta medium long, pointed distally, similar in size in all studied stages. Sensillus setiform, medium long, smooth in larva and deutonymph, but with fine barbs in tritonymph. Bothridium irregular funnel shaped, with large opening in all studied juvenile instars. Gastronotic region (Figs 5, 6, 7). Slightly elongate, with large posterior excrescences bearing setae dp in larva and h 1 in nymphs. Gastronotic setae inserted on isolated sclerotized tubercles, except for tubercles of pairs c 1 and dp, each respectively connected by inconspicuous medial sclerite in larva. Larva with 12 pairs of gastronotic setae (с 1 – с 3, da, dm, dp, la, lm, lp, h 1 – h 3); most of dorsal setae very long, but setae с 3, la, lm, h 2 and h 3 relatively short. Cupules ia, ih, ip and opisthosomal gland opening (gla) well developed. Deutonymph and tritonymph with 12 pairs of gastronotic setae (с 1 – с 3, la, lm, lp, h 1 – h 3, p 1 – p 3); most of dorsal setae very long, raised and inserted on large sclerites; setae с 3, p 1 – p 3 relatively short; p 2 and p 3 much thinner than other setae, slightly flagellate distally. Cupules ia, ih, ips and opisthosomal gland openings (gla) clearly developed. Cornicle (k) by which gastronotic exuviae of previous instars firmly attached, thick, elongate and tapered terminally, inserted at level of seta h 2. Protonymphal exuvial scalp of reticulate granular sculpture (Fig. 6 C), without additional adherent materials, firmly fastened to gastronotum, and located directly over the central region; with eight pairs of setae (с 1, с 2, la, lm, lp, h 1 – h 3). Setation of gastronotum in tritonymph same as in previous nymphal instar, but setae p 2 and p 3 stronger in older stages. Gnathosoma (Figs 5 B, 6 B, 7 B). Subcapitular setae a, m and h setiform, smooth, distinctly shorter in larva and deutonymph than those in tritonymph. Adoral setae short, thin, smooth. Palp with setation 0–1 – 1–3 – 9 (+ω) in larva and 0–2 – 1–3 – 9 (+ω) in nymphs. Solenidion (ω) of palptarsus thickened, straight, blunt-ended. Chelicera with two setiform setae, cha longer than chb. Trägårdh’s organ (Tg) inconspicuous. Epimeral region (Figs 5 B, 6 B, 7 B). Epimeral setae simple, thin, smooth, without cerotegument; seta 1 b in larva inserted on distinct tubercle; setae 1 b and 3 b in deutonymph distinctly longer than other setae, and 3 c, 4 a and 4 b slightly longer than other setae. Setal formula of epimeres of larva: 2 – 1–2, third seta (1 c, not included in formula) of the first epimere forms protective scale over Claparède’s organ; deutonymph: 3 – 1–2 – 2; tritonymph: 3 – 1–3 – 3. Ano-genital region (Figs 5 B, 6 B, 7 B). Genital papillae of deutonymph different in size and shape, but similar in tritonymph. Three pairs of genital, one pair of aggenital and three pairs of adanal setae in deutonymph; five pairs of genital, two pairs of anal setae in tritonymph. All genital, aggenital, anal and adanal setae thin, smooth. Cupules iad, ih, ip and ips appearing in normal ontogenetic pattern. Legs. Most setae of legs long, finely barbed except short and smooth setae p. Tibia I with dorsal apophysis bearing very long, flagellate solenidion φ 1 and its coupled seta d. Tibiae II, III and genia I–III with coupled setae d and respective solenidia. Famulus regressive, sunken, submerged in fovea with sclerotized, cup-like elevated rim. Formulas of leg setation for larva: I (0– 2 – 3–4 – 16), II (0– 2 – 3 – 3–13), III (0– 2 – 2–3 – 13), formula of solenidia: I (1 – 1 – 1), II (1 – 1 – 1), III (1 – 1 –0); deutonymph: I (1–4 – 4–5 – 16), II (1–4 – 4 – 4–13), III (2–3 – 3–4 – 13), IV (1–2 – 3 – 3–12), formula of solenidia: I (1–2 – 2), II (1 – 1–2), III (1 – 1 –0); IV (0–1 –0); tritonymph: I (1–5 – 4–5 – 18), II (1–4 – 4–5 – 15), III (2–3 – 3–4 – 15), IV (1–3 – 3–4 – 12), formula of solenidia: I (1–2 – 2), II (1 – 1–2), III (1 – 1 –0); IV (0–1 –0). Homology of leg setae and solenidia as indicated in Table 1. Material examined. Holotype (male): Khuitnii-Am area, Mts. Mongol Altai, close to Lake Dayan, District Sagsai, Province Bayan-Ulgii, foliose and subfruticose lichens growing on larch tree barks (Larix sibiricus Ledebour, 1833), N 48 o 14 ’, E 88 o 55 ’, elevation 2356 m a.s.l., 18 July 2010, Col. B. Bayartogtokh; 16 paratypes (10 females and six males): same data as holotype, but 11 specimens were found in lichens growing on tree trunks, while five of them in lichens growing on bare rocks. Three larvae, one deutonymph and one tritonymph: same data as adults. The holotype and 10 paratypes are deposited in the collection of the Department of Biology, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, and six paratypes are in the collection of the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History, Goerlitz. The immatures are preserved in the collection of Department of Biology, National University of Mongolia. All type specimens are preserved in alcohol. Remarks. Adults of Epidamaeus munkhbayari sp. nov. can be readily distinguished form all other known species of Epidamaeus in having the combination of 1) the two pairs of well-developed prodorsal ridges; 2) the presence of ventral tubercles E 2 a, Va and Vp on epimeral region; 3) the short, thin interlamellar seta; 4) the welldeveloped tectum of podocephalic fossa laterally produced as relatively short subtriangular tooth. As far as we know, the presence of two pairs of semicircular ridges on prodorsum is unknown in Epidamaeus, which makes the present new species clearly different from the others. Larvae and nymphs of this new species differ from those of other species of Epidamaeus, the immature morphology of which is known, by the 1) relatively short sensillii (nearly twice shorter) as opposed to the very long sensilli in juveniles of the other species; 2) smooth gastronotic setae lp in contrast to the distinctly barbed setae in juveniles of the other species, and 3) relatively larger body size of larva and nymphs (see Table 3). Etymology. The present species is named in honor of Dr. Khorloo Munkhbayar, professor emeritus of the Department of Biology, Mongolian State University of Education, on the occasion of his 75 th birthday. His superb teaching and enthusiasm for zoology and ecology influenced the lives and careers of many students. Distribution and habitat ecology. Currently this species is known only from the type locality, Mongol Altai mountains in western Mongolia, where cool temperate coniferous forests with alpine vegetation grow. Both the adults and immature of this species have been found in foliose or subfruticose lichens growing on bare rocks (Xantoria candelaria, Melanelixia exasperatula, Parmelia sulcata) and fruticose lichens (Usnea sp.) growing on larch trees. This finding is indicated that E. munkhbayari sp. nov. inhabits and feeds on lichens growing on trees as well as bare rocks.Published as part of Bayartogtokh, Badamdorj, Burkitbaeva, Ulzhan D. & Enkhbayar, Tojoo, 2016, Lichenophilous species of Epidamaeus and Spatiodamaeus from high mountains of Mongolia, with remarks on their ontogeny (Acari: Oribatida), pp. 451-474 in Zootaxa 4097 (3) on pages 453-462, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4097.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/27108

Genetic diversity and differentiation of Mongolian and Russian yak populations

In this study we examined the genetic diversity of yak populations in the northernmost part of their current global distribution. Five Mongolian and one Russian yak populations as well as one Chinese yak population from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, the putative centre of yak domestication, were analysed with 15 microsatellite loci to determine the level of genetic variation within populations as well as the genetic differentiation and relationship between populations. A total of 116 microsatellite alleles were identified. The mean number of alleles per locus (MNA) across populations was 7.73 +- 1.98 and the mean expected heterozygosity (HE) was 0.696 +- 0.026. The relative magnitude of gene differentiation (FST) among populations was 4.1%, and all genetic differentiations (FST) between populations were significant (p < 0.001). A significant inbreeding effect (FIS) was detected in the Hovsgol yak (p < 0.01). There was no indication of a recent bottleneck in any of the populations studied. The results showed that yak populations in Mongolia and Russia have maintained high genetic diversity within populations and a low, although significant, genetic differentiation between populations. Both phylogenetic and principal component analyses support a close genetic relationship between the Gobi Altai, south Gobi and north Hangai populations, and between the Hovsgol and Buryatia populations respectively. Our results indicate that these yak populations should be considered as distinct genetic entities in respect of conservation and breeding programmes