PREMISE OF RESEARCH Natural populations of many mosses appear highly female-biased based on the presence of reproductive structures. This bias could be caused by increased male mortality, lower male growth rate, or a higher threshold for achieving sexual maturity in males. Here we test these hypotheses using samples from two populations of the Mojave Desert moss Syntrichia caninervis. METHODS...

Taxonomic implications of the phylogeographic studies based on multilocus sequencing nuclear and chloroplast DNA regions Syntrichia sarconeurum, long considered to be Antarctic endemic moss species, are summarised. Molecular analyses confirmed conspecificity sarconeurum with S. lithophila pygmaea. This taxonomic conclusion implies that correct name for species in genus is a new synonym this nam...

In high light intensities, chlorophyll can be damaged by the enhanced activity of electrons beyond that which it can process. This results in photoinhibition by decreasing the photosynthetic capacity. In tracheophytes, this is particularly pronounced in dehydrated plants, but in bryophytes, it seems the pattern is quite different. Seel et al. (1992) compared the desiccation-tolerant moss Syntri...

Syntrichia caninervis is the dominant bryophyte of the biological soil crusts found in the Gurbantunggut desert. The extreme desert environment is characterized by prolonged drought, temperature extremes, high radiation and frequent cycles of hydration and dehydration. S. caninervis is an ideal organism for the identification and characterization of genes related to abiotic stress tolerance. Re...

BACKGROUND Studying the dispersal range of Anopheles sinensis is of major importance for understanding the transition from malaria control to elimination. However, no data are available regarding the dispersal range of An. sinensis in China. The aim of the present study was to study the dispersal range of An. sinensis and provide the scientific basis for the development of effective control mea...

The caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis (previously called Cordyceps sinensis) has been used for centuries in Asia as a tonic to improve health and longevity. Recent studies show that O. sinensis produces a wide range of biological effects on cells, laboratory animals and humans, including anti-fatigue, anti-infection, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-tumor activities. In view of...