Integrated Morphological, Comparative Transcriptomic, and Metabolomic Analyses Reveal Mechanisms Underlying Seasonal Patterns of Variation in Spines of the Giant Spiny Frog ().

, commonly known as the spiny frog, is an economically valued amphibian in China prized for its tender meat and nutritional value. This species exhibits marked sexual dimorphism, most notably the prominent spiny structures on males that are pivotal for mating success and species identification. The spines of exhibit strong seasonal variation, changing significantly with the reproductive cycle, which typically spans from April to October.

Complete mitochondrial genomes of Nanorana taihangnica and N. yunnanensis (Anura: Dicroglossidae) with novel gene arrangements and phylogenetic relationship of Dicroglossidae.

Background: Complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes have been used extensively to test hypotheses about microevolution and to study population structure, phylogeography, and phylogenetic relationships of Anura at various taxonomic levels. Large-scale mt genomic reorganizations have been observed among many fork-tongued frogs (family Dicroglossidae). The relationships among Dicroglossidae and validation of the genus Feirana are still problematic.

Interspecies introgressive hybridization in spiny frogs (Family Dicroglossidae) revealed by analyses on multiple mitochondrial and nuclear genes.

Introgression may lead to discordant patterns of variation among loci and traits. For example, previous phylogeographic studies on the genus detected signs of genetic introgression from genetically and morphologically divergent or . In this study, we used mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data to verify the widespread introgressive hybridization in the closely related species of the genus , evaluate the level of genetic diversity, and reveal the formation mechanism of introgressive hybridization.

The advertisement calls of (Ahl, 1930) (Anura: Dicroglossidae).

The genus Quasipaa (Family Dicroglossidae) is currently composed of 11 species distributed in China and Southeast Asia: Quasipaa acanthophora (Dubois & Ohler 2009), Q. boulengeri (Günther 1889), Q. courtoisi (Angel 1922), Q.

cDNA cloning and functional characterisation of four antimicrobial peptides from Paa spinosa.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small peptides found in many organisms defending themselves against pathogens. AMPs form the first line of host defence against pathogenic infections and are key components of the innate immune system of amphibians. In the current study, cDNAs of precursors of four novel antimicrobial peptides in the skin of Paa spinosa were cloned and sequenced using the 3'-RACE technique.

Microsatellite analysis of genetic diversity and population structure of freshwater mussel (Lamprotula leai).

Lamprotula leai is one of the most commercially important freshwater pearl mussels in China, but there is limited data on its genetic diversity and population structure. In the present study, 119 individuals from four major geographical populations were investigated using 15 microsatellite loci identified via cross-species amplification. A total of 114 alleles were detected, with an average of 7.

Complete nucleotide sequence and gene organization of the mitochondrial genome of Paa spinosa (Anura: Ranoidae).

The mt genome of Paa spinosa (Anura: Ranoidae) is a circular molecule of 18,012 bp in length, containing 38 genes (including an extra copy of tRNA-Met gene). This mt genome is characterized by three distinctive features: a cluster of rearranged tRNA genes (LTPF tRNA gene cluster), a tandem duplication of tRNA-Met gene (Met1 and Met2), and distinct repeat regions at both 5' and 3'-sides in the control region. Comparing the locations and the sequences of all tRNA-Met genes among Ranoidae, and constructing NJ tree of the nucleotide of those tRNA-Met genes, we suggested a tandem duplication of tRNA-Met gene can be regarded as a synapomorphy of Dicroglossinae.

Fifteen polymorphic microsatellite markers for the giant spiny frog, Paa spinosa.

We characterized 15 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the giant spiny frog, Paa spinosa. These loci were highly polymorphic when screened in 38 individuals from two different populations, with nine to 23 alleles per locus. The range of observed and expected heterozygosities was 0.

[FTIR study on normal and cancerous lung tissues].

Tissues of cancerous and normal lungs were analysed directly and fast by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with OMNI-sampler. The result indicated that some remarkable spectral differences were among normal and cancerous lung tissues in frequency, intensity and shape of the absorption peaks. These facts indicated significant differences of content, structure and conformation of proteins, nucleic acids and lipids in different types of lung tissues.