Revision of Madagascar's Dwarf Lemurs (Cheirogaleidae:Cheirogaleus): Designation of Species, Candidate Species Status and Geographic Boundaries Based on Molecular and Morphological Data

The genus Cheirogaleus, the dwarf lemurs, is a radiation of strepsirrhine primates endemic to the island of Madagascar. The dwarf lemurs are taxonomically grouped in the family Cheirogaleidae (Infraorder: Lemuriformes) along with the genera Microcebus, Mirza, Allocebus, and Phaner. The taxonomic history of the genus Cheirogaleus has been controversial since its inception due to a paucity of evidence in support of some proposed species. In this study, we addressed this issue by expanding the geographic breadth of samples by 91 individuals and built upon existing mitochondrial (cytb and COII) and nuclear (FIBA and vWF) DNA datasets to better resolve the phylogeny of Cheirogaleus. The mitochondrial gene fragments D-loop and PAST as well as the CFTR-PAIRB nuclear loci were also sequenced. In agreement with previous genetic studies, numerous deep divergences were resolved in the C. major, C. minor and C. medius lineages. Four of these lineages were segregated as new species, seven were identified as confirmed candidate species, and four were designated as unconfirmed candidate species based on comparative mitochondrial DNA sequence data gleaned from the literature or this study. Additionally, C. thomasi was resurrected. Given the widespread distribution of the genus Cheirogaleus throughout Madagascar, the methodology employed in this study combined all available lines of evidence to standardize investigative procedures in a genus with limited access to type material and a lack of comprehensive sampling across its total distribution. Our results highlighted lineages that likely represent new species and identified localities that may harbor an as-yet undescribed cryptic species diversity pending further field and laboratory work.We are most grateful to the Ahmanson Foundation, the Theodore F. and Claire M. Hubbard Family Foundation, the Primate Action Fund / Conservation International, the Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation, and the National Geographic Society, for financial assistance

PhyloMarker—A Tool for Mining Phylogenetic Markers Through Genome Comparison: Application of the Mouse Lemur (Genus Microcebus) Phylogeny

Molecular phylogeny is a fundamental tool to understanding the evolution of all life forms. One common issue faced by molecular phylogeny is the lack of sufficient molecular markers. Here, we present PhyloMarker, a phylogenomic tool designed to find nuclear gene markers for the inference of phylogeny through multiple genome comparison. Around 800 candidate markers were identified by PhyloMarker through comparison of partial genomes of Microcebus and Otolemur. In experimental tests of 20 randomly selected markers, nine markers were successfully amplified by PCR and directly sequenced in all 17 nominal Microcebus species. Phylogenetic analyses of the sequence data obtained for 17 taxa and nine markers confirmed the distinct lineage inferred from previous mtDNA data. PhyloMarker has also been used by other projects including the herons (Ardeidae, Aves) phylogeny and the Wood mice (Muridae, Mammalia) phylogeny. All source code and sample data are made available at http://bioinfo-srv1.awh.unomaha.edu/phylomarker/

Novel opsin gene variation in large-bodied, diurnal lemurs

Some primate populations include both trichromatic and dichromatic (red-green colour blind) individuals due to allelic variation at the X-linked opsin locus. This polymorphic trichromacy is well described in day-active New World monkeys. Less is known about colour vision in Malagasy lemurs, but, unlike New World monkeys, only some day-active lemurs are polymorphic, while others are dichromatic. The evolutionary pressures underlying these differences in lemurs are unknown, but aspects of species ecology, including variation in activity pattern, are hypothesized to play a role. Limited data on X-linked opsin variation in lemurs make such hypotheses difficult to evaluate. We provide the first detailed examination of X-linked opsin variation across a lemur clade (Indriidae). We sequenced the X-linked opsin in the most strictly diurnal and largest extant lemur, Indri indri, and nine species of smaller, generally diurnal indriids (Propithecus). Although nocturnal Avahi (sister taxon to Propithecus) lacks a polymorphism, at least eight species of diurnal indriids have two or more X-linked opsin alleles. Four rainforest-living taxa-I. indri and the three largest Propithecus species-have alleles not previously documented in lemurs. Moreover, we identified at least three opsin alleles in Indri with peak spectral sensitivities similar to some New World monkeys

Nocturnal lemur diversity at Masoala National Park /

no.53 (2008

Basket anode filled with CaCO3 particles : A membrane-free electrochemical system for boosting phosphate recovery and product purity

Phosphorus (P) is often regarded as the primary stimulant for eutrophication, while its importance as a crucial life element is also well acknowledged. Given its future scarcity, P recycling from waste streams is suggested and practiced. Electrochemically mediated precipitation (EMP) is a robust and chemical-free process for P removal and recovery, yet it requires further developments. The first generation of the CaCO3-packed electrochemical precipitation column successfully solved the problem of H+-OH− recombination, achieving enhanced P removal efficiency with less energy consumption but suffering from low Ca-phosphate purity in recovered products. Herein, a new concept of a basket-anode electrochemical system is proposed and validated to prevent direct H+-OH− recombination and enhance product purity. The CaCO3 pellets packed basket anode alleviates the OH− depletion by CaCO3-H+ interaction and provides extra Ca2+ for enhanced P removal. The novel structure of the basket anode, by its derived acidic anode region and alkaline cathode region, completely avoids the precipitation of Ca-phosphate on the packed CaCO3 and greatly facilitates the collection of high-quality Ca-phosphate product. Our results suggest that almost 100% of the removed P was in high-purity, highly crystalline Ca-phosphate on the cathode. The recovered products contained significantly more P (13.5 wt%) than in the previous study (0.1 wt%) at similar energy consumptions (29.8 kWh/kg P). The applied current density, pellets size, and influent P concentration were critical for P removal performance, product purity, and power consumption. We further demonstrated the long-term stability of this novel system and its technical and economic feasibility in treating real stored urine. Our study provides new cell architectural designs to enhance the performance of EMP systems and may inspire innovations and developments in other electrochemical water treatment processes

Flexible Copper Nanowire/Polyvinylidene Fluoride Membranous Composites with a Frequency-Independent Negative Permittivity

With the increasing popularity of wearable devices, flexible electronics with a negative permittivity property have been widely applied to wearable devices, sensors, and energy storage. In particular, a low-frequency dispersion negative permittivity in a wide frequency range can effectively contribute to the stable working performance of devices. In this work, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) was selected as the flexible matrix, and copper nanowires (CuNWs) were used as the conductive functional filler to prepare a flexible CuNWs/PVDF composite film with a low-frequency dispersion negative permittivity. As the content of CuNWs increased, the conductivity of the resulting composites increased sharply and presented a metal-like behavior. Moreover, the negative permittivity consistent with the Drude model was observed when CuNWs formed a percolative network. Meanwhile, the negative permittivity exhibited a low-frequency dispersion in the whole test frequency range, and the fluctuation of the permittivity spectra was relatively small (−760 to −584) at 20 kHz–1 MHz. The results revealed that the high electron mobility of CuNWs is reasonable for the low-frequency dispersion of negative permittivity. CuNWs/PVDF composite films with a frequency-independent negative permittivity provide a new idea for the development of flexible wearable electronic devices

Oxygen Reduction Reaction in the Field of Water Environment for Application of Nanomaterials

Water pollution has caused the ecosystem to be in a state of imbalance for a long time. It has become a major global ecological and environmental problem today. Solving the potential hidden dangers of pollutants and avoiding unauthorized access to resources has become the necessary condition and important task to ensure the sustainable development of human society. To solve such problems, this review summarizes the research progress of nanomaterials in the field of water aimed at the treatment of water pollution and the development and utilization of new energy. The paper also tries to seek scientific solutions to environmental degradation and to create better living environmental conditions from previously published cutting edge research. The main content in this review article includes four parts: advanced oxidation, catalytic adsorption, hydrogen, and oxygen production. Among a host of other things, this paper also summarizes the various ways by which composite nanomaterials have been combined for enhancing catalytic efficiency, reducing energy consumption, recycling, and ability to expand their scope of application. Hence, this paper provides a clear roadmap on the status, success, problems, and the way forward for future studies

Sportive lemur diversity at Mananara-nord Biosphere Reserve, Madagascar

Volume: 286Start Page: 1End Page: 2

CaO2/UV Process for One-Step Phosphorus Removal and Recovery from Hypophosphite : Simultaneous Oxidation and Precipitation

Hypophosphite (P(I)) is ubiquitous in some waste streams. It may contribute to the eutrophication of water bodies, yet conventional methods are ineffective in treating P(I)-laden wastewater. Here, we propose a novel CaO2/ultraviolet (UV) system that can simultaneously remove P(I) and recover Ca-phosphate. This system lies in the simultaneous release of OH-, Ca2+, and H2O2, with the last being activated and producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) under UV irradiation. Subsequently, the generated ROS converts P(I) to phosphite and phosphate, forming Ca-phosphate with the released Ca2+ at pH 11.0. Beyond activating H2O2, UV light also promotes the dissolution of CaO2 powders. The system removes 97.0% of 1.0 mM P(I) in 6 h with dosing 2.0 mM CaO2. The presence of 5.0 mM HCO3- drops P(I) removal from 97.0 to 14.1% by competing with P(V) toward Ca2+. Nitrate and humic acid show similar effects by adsorbing UV light or quenching ROS. However, we may overcome the adverse effects with an enhanced CaO2 dose. For example, with 10 mM CaO2, the CaO2/UV system removed more than 78% of non-ortho P from actual electroless rinse water. These results confirmed that CaO2/UV is an exciting all-in-one system for treating P(I)-laden wastewater and recovering valuable P products