Systematic Zoology and Biogeography,
State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources
and Evolution
Jun-Xing Yang, Ph.D.
1 Overview of research
Based on systematics and taxonomy of vertebrates, using macro and micro biological
methods and techniques, study systematic evolution, ecology, conservation biology of vertebrates,
explore phylogenetic differentiation related zoogeographic process and ecological adaptive
process, and provide basic information for conversation of species. Mainly study wetland
animals including fishes, amphibians and benthos.
2 Interest of research
On fishes, we are interested in studying taxonomy and conservation of freshwater fishes in
southwest China, especially endemic groups and species in this region. To achieve this goal, we
are also interested in survey and monitor of aquatic ecosystem. Besides fishes, we also study
aquatic animals, including zooplankton and benthos, algae and macrophytes related to fishes. In
conservation biology, we have worked on artificial breeding of endangered fishes in Yunnan; also
spent years on wetland restorations.
3 Research background
Yunnan located in southwest China, eastern of Himalayan and Tibetan plateau and western of
lowland area of south China. Yunnan is famous for high diversity in environment, climate and
biodiversity. The inventory of biodiversity of Yunnan is still uncompleted, there are still some
new species being discovered every year. The evolution and speciation processes of biodiversity
are not clear. Our research group is one of the oldest group since establishment of Kunming
Institute of Zoology, focus on fauna survey, taxonomy and evolution. Published lots of
monographs and papers on systematic zoology, including Fauna Sinica Silurifomres, Fishes of
Yunnan, Amphibians of Yunnan etc. In recent years, we introduced molecular techniques to
solve scientific questions proposed from taxonomy, ecology and conservation biology, and have
achieved a few good results.
4 Research achievement
(1) Survey and review of fish fauna of all major 6 drainages in
Yunnan and adjacent regions, and discovered 36 new species of fish
and 2 new species of mollusk in Yunnan.
Since 1960s, the group started research on fishes. In this report, only works since 2005
were reviewed.
Status of fish resources, fauna and conservation of some drainages were reported, including
Ruilijiang (a border river between China and Myanmar, and a tributary of Irrawaddy),
Dulongjiang (a border river between China and Myanmar, and a tributary of Irrawaddy),
Lixianjiang (a border river between China, Lao and Vietnan, and a tributary of Red River), Nanla
River (a border river between China and Myanmar, and a tributary of Mekong), Niulan River (a
major tributary of Jinshajiang, upper Yangtze River), Tuoniang River (a border river between
Yunnan and Guangxi, and a tributary of upper Pearl River). Together with Aldemaro Romero
(Arkansas State University) and Yahui Zhao (Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences),
the hypogean fishes of China were comprehensively reviewed, and Xiaoyong Chen (KIZ) mainly
contributed on Nemacheiline loaches. It is the most comprehensive review of hypogean fishes of
China at present.
Based on surveys on the 6 drainages in Yunnan and adjacent regions, 36 new species of fish
and 2 new species of mollusk were described since 2005, and 6 new distribution records of fish
were reported. Most of the papers were published on international journals on zoology or
ichthyology, such as J. Fish Biology, Environmental Biology of Fishes, Zootaxa, Ichthyological
Exploration of Freshwaters, Copeia, Zoologischer Anzeiger etc.
Now we are working on monitoring biodiversity in several key areas of Yunnan, including
Shangri-La, Nuozhadu Reservoir of Lancangjiang River. Funded by the National Department of
Science and Technology, three important wetlands in Shangri-La were combined into a monitoring
region and monitored since 2008. By monitoring aquatic biodiversity, a protocol for standard
procedures and techniques for monitoring fishes in high altitude area were prepared, and it already
submitted to the National Department of Environmental Protection and will become a national
standard protocol after being approved. Since 2009, we started to monitor biodiversity in
Nuozhadu Reservoir, a reservoir formed by a hydro power station in main channel of
Lancangjiang River, which is the most important international river in Yunnan and originated in
Tibet Plateau, is called Lancangjiang in China and Mekong in Southeast Asia. It flows into
Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam. It holds the richest biodiversity in Asia. The
monitoring of biodiversity of Nuozhadu is comprehensive, fishes and vegetation are monitoring
once every year, and amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals are monitoring once ever two years.
Through this project, a lot of important data on status of biodiversity were obtained, and these data
are very useful for studying of impact of hydro power station to biodiversity through time.
Tab. 1 List of new species of fish described since 2005
Order
Family
Species
Year
Cypriniformes
Balitoridae
Balitora ludongensis
In
press
Cypriniformes
Balitoridae
Sinogastromyzon
lixianjiangensis
2010
Cypriniformes
Balitoridae
Sinogastromyzon
macrostoma
2010
Cypriniformes
Balitoridae
Beaufortia
niulanensis
2009
Cypriniformes
Balitoridae
Metahomaloptera
longicauda
2007
Cypriniformes
Balitoridae
Balitora
nantingensis
2005
Cypriniformes
Cobitidae
Protocobitis
polylepis
2008
Cypriniformes
Cyprinidae
Pseudogyrinocheilus
longisulcus
2010
Cypriniformes
Cyprinidae
Schizothorax
nudiventris
2009
Cypriniformes
Cyprinidae
Schizothorax
heterophysallidos
2009
Cypriniformes
Cyprinidae
Schizothorax
beipanensis
2009
Cypriniformes
Cyprinidae
Garra nujiangensis
2009
Cypriniformes
Cyprinidae
Mekongina
lancangensis
2008
Cypriniformes
Cyprinidae
Microrasbora
microphthalma
2008
Cypriniformes
Cyprinidae
Parasinilabeo
longiventralis
2007
Cypriniformes
Cyprinidae
Sinocrossocheilus
megalophthalmus
2006
Cypriniformes
Nemacheilidae
Oreonectes
luochengensis
2011
Cypriniformes
Nemacheilidae
Physoschistura
yunnaniloides
2011
Cypriniformes
Nemacheilidae
Triplophysa
macrocephala
Cypriniformes
Nemacheilidae
Paracobitis
nanpanjiangensis
2010
Cypriniformes
Nemacheilidae
Triplophysa
jianchuanensis
2010
Cypriniformes
Nemacheilidae
Triplophysa parvus
2009
Cypriniformes
Nemacheilidae
Triplophysa
longipectoralis
2009
Cypriniformes
Nemacheilidae
Oreonectes
macrolepis
2009
Cypriniformes
Nemacheilidae
Yunnanilus
jinxiensis
2009
Cypriniformes
Nemacheilidae
Oreonectes
microphthalmus
2008
Cypriniformes
Nemacheilidae
Oreonectes
polystigmus
2008
Cypriniformes
Nemacheilidae
Yunnanilus
longibarbatus
2007
Cypriniformes
Nemacheilidae
Triplophysa
laterimaculata
2007
Cypriniformes
Nemacheilidae
Schistura
bannaensis
2005
Cypriniformes
Nemacheilidae
Triplophysa rosa
2005
Cypriniformes
Nemacheilidae
Schistura
cryptofasciata
2005
Siluriformes
Schilbidae
Clupisoma
nujiangense
2005
Siluriformes
Sisoridae
Glyptothorax
obliquimaculatus
2010
Siluriformes
Sisoridae
Oreoglanis
Jingdongensis
2007
Siluriformes
Sisoridae
Oreoglanis
immaculatus
2007
Trochotaia pyramidella n. sp (Caenogastropoda: Viviparidae)
Brotia yunnanensis n. sp. (Caenogastropoda: Cerithioidea: Pachychilidae)
Related publications are listed as following:
Chen Xiao-Yong, Maurice Kottelat, David A. Neely. 2011. Physoschistura yunnaniloides, a new
species of loach from Myanmar (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). Ichthyological Exploration of
Freshwaters 22 (2): 169-178
Chen Xiao-Yong, De-Ping Kong and Jun-Xing Yang*. 2005. Schistura cryptofasciata, a New
Loach (Cypriniformes: Balitoridae) from Salween Drainage in Yunnan, Southwestern China.
The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplement 13: 27-32
Chen Xiao-Yong, Gui-Hua Cui and Jun-Xing Yang*. 2005. Balitora nantingensis (Teleostei:
Balitoridae), A New Hillstream Loach from Salween Drainage in Yunnan, Southwestern
China. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplement 13: 21-26
Chen X.Y., Yang J.X. *. 2005. Triplophysa rosa sp nov.: a new blind loach from China. Journal of
Fish Biology 66 (3): 599-608.
Chen Xiao-Yong, Carl Ferraris, Yang Jun-Xing. 2005. A New Species of Catfish of the Genus
Clupisoma (Schilbidae) from the Salween River, Yunnan, China. Copeia (3): 566-570
Chen Xiao-yong, Yang Jun-xing*, Cui Gui-hua. 2006. A new fish species of genus
Sinocrossocheilus (Cyprinidae) from Guangxi, China. Zoological Research 27(1): 81-85
Chen Zi-Ming, Yang Jun-Xing, Qi Wen-Long. 2005. Discription of A New Loach of Schistura
from Lancang River Basin, Yunnan, China． Acta Hydrobiologica Sinica 29(2): 146-149
Chen ZiMing, Huang YanFei , Yang JunXing*. 2009. A New Species of The Genus Beaufortia
From Yunnan Province , China (Cypriniformes, Homalopteridae). Acta Zootaxonomica
Sinica, 34 (3): 639 – 641
Chen Zi-ming, Pan Xiao-fu, Kong De-ping, Yang Jun-xing. 2006. Fish biodiversity and its
distributional characters during winter in the Dulong River Basin, Yunnan, China. Zoological
Research 27 (5): 505-512
Chen Zi-ming, Zhao Sheng, Yang Jun-xing*. 2009. A New Species of the Genus Garra from
Nujiang River Basin, Yunnan, China (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Zoological Research 30(4):
438-444
Chen ZiMing, WeiXian Li, JunXing Yang*. 2009. A new miniature species of the genus
Triplophysa (Balitoridae: Nemacheilinae) from Yunnan, China. Zoologischer Anzeiger 248(2):
85-91
Chen ZiMing, WenLong Qi, JunXing Yang*. 2009. A morphologically variant natural population
of cyprinids without dorsal fin possibly derived from Mystacoleucus marginatus
(Osteichthyes: Teleostes) from the Lancang Jiang River, Yunnan, China. Zoologischer
Anzeiger 248(2): 93-100
Du Li-Na, Xiao-Yong Chen* & Jun-Xing Yang*. 2008. A Review of the Nemacheilinae Genus
Oreonectes Günther with Descriptions of two New Species (Teleostei: Balitoridae). Zootaxa
1729: 23–36
Du Li-na, Huang Yan-fei, Chen Xiao-yong*, Yang Jun-xing*. 2008. Three New Records of Fish in
Yunnan and Analysis of the Value of Faunal Presence of Fish in the Tuoniang River.
Zoological Research 29 (1): 69-77
Du Li-Na, Yang Jun-Xing *, Chen Xiao-Yong *. 2011. A new species of Trochotaia
(Caenogastropoda: Viviparidae) from Yunnan, China. Molluscan Research 31(2): 85–89
Gan Xi, Chen Xiao-yong*, Yang Jun-xing*. 2007. A New Nemacheiline Loach of Genus
Yunnanilus (Balitoridae) from Guangxi, China. Zoological Research 28(3): 321-324
Huang Ai-min, Du Li-na, Chen Xiao-yong*, Yang Jun-xing*. 2009. Oreonectes macrolepis, A
New Nemacheiline Loach of Genus Oreonectes (Balitoridae) from Guangxi, China.
Zoological Research 30(4): 445-448
Huang Yan-fei, Chen Xiao-yong*, Yang Jun-xing*. 2007. A New Labeonine Fish Species,
Parasinilabeo longiventralis, from Eastern Guangxi, China (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Zoological
Research 28(5): 531-538
Jiang Wan-sheng，Du Li-na，Jiang Yan-e，Yang Jun-xing*，Chen Xiao-yong*. 2010. Fish
Composition, Fauna and Life history of Ruili River Drainage. Journal of
Hydroecolgoy 3(5): 1-9
Jiang Wan-Sheng, Xiao-Yong Chen*, Jun-Xing Yang*. 2010. A New Species of Sisorid Catfish
Genus Glyptothorax (Teleostei: Sisoridae) from Salween drainage of Yunnan, China.
Environmental Biology of Fishes 87(2): 125–133
Kohler F, Du L.N., Yang J.X. 2010. A new species of Bortia from Yunnan, China
(Caenogastropoda, Pachychilidae). Zoosyst. Evol. 86(2):295-300
Kong DePing, Chen XiaoYong & Yang JunXing*. 2007. Two new species of the sisorid Genus
Oreoglanis Smith from Yunnan, China (Teleostei: Sisoridae). Environmental Biology of
Fishes 78 (3): 223-230
Kong De-ping, Chen Xiao-yong, Yang Jun-xing*. 2006. Fish Fauna Status in the Lugu Lake with
Preliminary Analysis on Cause and Effect of Human Impacts. Zoological Research 27(1):
94-97
Li, J., N. Liu & J. Yang*. 2007. A brief review of Triplophysa (Cypriniformes: Balitoridae) species
from the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang, China, with description of a new species. Zootaxa 1605:
47–58
Min, R.. X-Y. Chen*. J-X. Yang. 2010. Paracobotis nanpanjiangensis, a new loach (Balitoridae:
Nemacheilinae) from China. Environmental Biology of Fishes 87(3):199–204
Romero Aldemaro, Yahui Zhao, Xiaoyong Chen. 2009. The Hypogean Fishes of China.
Environmental Biology of Fishes 86 (1): 211 - 278
Shu-Wei Liu, Xiao-Yong Chen*, Jun-Xing Yang*. 2010. Two new species and a new record of the
genus Sinogastromyzon (Teleostei: Balitoridae) from Yunnan, China. Environmental Biology
of Fishes 87(1): 25–37
Shu-Wei Liu, Yu Zhu, Ri-feng Wei, Xiao-Yong Chen*. A New Species of the Genus Balitora
(Teleostei: Balitoridae) from Guangxi, China. Environmental Biology of Fishes
Wang Xiao-ai，Chen Xiao-yong*, Yang Jun-xing*. 2009. Ichthyologic Fauna of Niulan River.
Zoological Research 30(5): 585−592
Wei Ri-feng, Zheng Lan-ping, Chen Xiao-yong*, Yang Jun-xing*. 2009. Investigation of Fish
Resources in Hechi Prefecture of Guangxi Province,with Comparison of Fish Biodiversity
Between Two Tributaries. Zoological Research 30(2): 185−194
Yan-E Jiang, Xiao-Yong Chen* & Jun-Xing Yang（与通讯作者同等贡献）. 2008. Microrasbora
Annandale, a new genus record in China, with descriptions of a new species (Teleostei:
Cyprinidae) Environmental Biology of Fishes 83(3): 299 – 304
Yang J., X. Y. Chen, J. X. Yang*. 2008. A new species of the genus Mekongina Fowler, 1937
(Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from South China. Journal of Fish Biology 73: 2005–2011
Yang Jian, Chen Xiaoyong*, Yang Junxing*. 2009. The identity of Schizothorax griseus Pellegrin,
1931, with descriptions of three new species of schizothoracine fishes (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)
from China. Zootaxa 2006: 23–40
Yang Jian, Pan Xiao-fu, Chen Xiao-Yong, Yang Jun-xing. 2010. Status and Conservation
Stragtegy of Fish Resources in Lixianjiang river. Journal of Hydroecolgoy 3(2): 54-60
Yang Jian, Wu Tie-Jun, Wei Ri-Feng, Yang Jun-Xing*. 2011. A new loach, Oreonectes
luochengensis sp. nov. (Cypriniformes: Balitoridae) from Guangxi, China. Zoological
Research 32(2) 208-211
Yang Jian，Chen Xiao-yong*，Yang Jun-xing*. 2008. A New Record of Bagrid Fish in Yunnan:
Pseudobagrus kyphus Mai，1978. Zoological Research 29(3): 328-330
Yang Jian, Xiaoyong Chen* & Junxing Yang*. 2008. Clarification of the nomenclatural status of
Gymnodiptychus integrigymnatus (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae). Zootaxa 1897: 67-68
Yang Jian,·Tie-Jun Wu,·Jun-Xing Yang*. A new cave-dwelling loach, Triplophysa macrocephala
(Teleostei: Cypriniformes: Balitoridae), from Guangxi, China. Environmental Biology of
Fishes (in press)
Yang, J., Chen, X.Y*. & Yang, J.X*. 2007 A new species of Metahomaloptera (Teleostei:
Balitoridae) from China. Zootaxa 1526: 63-68
Yuan Le-Yang, E Zhang & Yan-Fei Huang. 2008. Revision of the Labeonine Genus
Sinocrossocheilus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from South China. Zootaxa 1809: 36-48
Zheng Lan-ping, Chen Xiao-yong*, Yang Jun-xing*. 2009. Composition and Status of Fishes of
Nanla River in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China. Zoological Research 30(3): 334-340
Zheng Lan-Ping, Li-Na Du, Xiao-Yong Chen*, Jun-Xing Yang*. 2009. A new species of Genus
Triplophysa (Nemacheilinae: Balitoridae), Triplophysa longipectoralis sp. nov., from Guangxi,
China. Environmental Biology of Fishes 85(3): 221-227
Zheng Lan-Ping, Xiao-Yong Chen*, Jun-Xing Yang*. 2010. A New Species of Genus
Pseudogyrinocheilus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from Guangxi, China. Environmental Biology of
Fishes 87(2): 93–97
Zheng Lan-Ping; Li-Na Du; Xiao-Yong Chen*; Jun-Xing Yang*. 2010. A new species of Genus
Triplophysa (Nemacheilinae: Balitoridae), Triplophysa jianchuanensis sp. nov, from Yunnan,
China. Environmental Biology of Fishes 89(1): 21-29
Zhu Yu, Du Li-na, Chen Xiao-yong*, Yang Jun-xing*. 2009. A New Nemacheiline Loach of
Genus Yunnanilus (Balitoridae) from Guangxi, China—Yunnanilus jinxiensis. Zoological
Research 30(2): 195−198
Zhu Yu, Lu Ye-jian, Yang Jun-xing*, Zhang Sheng. 2008. A New Blind Underground Species of
the Genus Protocobitis (Cobitidae) from Guangxi, China. Zoological Research
29 (4): 452-454
(2) Phylogeny and zoogeography of fishes and amphibians in
southern China
Phylogeny and zoogeography of several important groups of fishes, amphibians, mammals
were studied using molecular and/or morphological methods. Molecular techniques helped us
sort out some cryptic species and confusing species which either have a trans-drainage distribution
but with minor morphological differences, or is very flexible in morphology. Resolving of
phylogenetic relationships of these groups helped us obtaining new sights to taxonomy and
evolution of these groups, as well as historical geography of Sino-Himalayan Region.
Introduction of some representative works
THE PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS OF THE CHINESE LABEONINAE
The majority of genera within the Labeoninae occur in the South of China and the phylogeny
of the subfamily Labeoninae has been a controversial topic over the years. The early and more
recent phylogenetic results based on morphology are not in agreement, and some of the molecular
analyses contradict those based on morphology. However, none of the previous studies has
included an extensive sampling of Labeoninae genera. In this study, partial sequences of two
nuclear (exon 3 of recombination activating protein 1 and rhodopsin) and three mitochondrial
genes (cytochrome b, cytochrome oxidase subunit I and 16S ribosomal RNA) from 39 ingroup
taxa and 11 outgroup taxa were used analysed to provide a hypothesis of phylogenetic
relationships within the Chinese Labeoninae. The results supported the monophyly of Labeoninae
and refuted the subdivision within Labeoninae based on the oromandibular morphology. It also
further confirmed that the presence of a disc on lower lip arose through convergent evolution.
Labeo was the basal clade and Osteochilus was closely related to Cirrhinus, forming the second
basal clade. The monophyly of Garra and Bangana was refuted in this study, and they were both
subdivided into two lineages. One lineage of Garra had closer relationships with Crossocheilus
and Akrokolioplax, and the other lineage had closer relationships with Placocheilus. One lineage
of Bangana represented the species with broadly interrupted postlabial groove; these species
represented the true Bangana. The other lineage of Bangana included the species with continuous
postlabial groove, and these species should be assigned to a new genus. Discogobio, as currently
conceived, was paraphyletic, but it rendered monophyletic with the inclusion of Discocheilus.
These results indicated that Discocheilus should be synonymised with Discogobio. Hongshuia and
Sinocrossocheilus, respectively, formed independent lineages related to a lineage consisting of
Pseudocrossocheilus plus seven other nominal genera. The relationships received weak support,
but the repeatability of the clades could form the basis of recognising only the three genera
mentioned above.
This work was published on Zoologica Scripta in 2010 39(6): 559–571.
MONOPHYLY AND PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS OF THE CATFISH GENUS
GLYPTOTHORAX
Glyptothorax is a widely distributing but poorly knowing catfish genus in Sisoridae. Previous
studies were mainly focused on new species description; however, its taxonomic status in quo is
still rough and confusing. Additionally, very few studies examining its monophyly and
phylogenetic relations of the group. It brings a stumbling block when further researches wish to
proceed. For these reasons, we cooperated with other researcher to collect species in a wide range
from Southeast Asia, China and India. And thanks to many colleagues and museums contributed to
some tissue materials, we can promote such a research.
This work tested its monophyly and phylogeny first time by molecular gene markers (RAG2,
COI and Cyt b), based on over two-thirds (50 of approximately 70 species) of current known
species. Monophyly of Glyptothorax was supported and nine major subclades were recovered
from two-gene and three gene datasets. Generally speaking, subclades were not corresponding
with the geographical regions. It infers a long and complex evolution progress of these fishes,
which might be related to the numerous of river vicissitudes when the uplift of Qinghai-Tibet
plateau. We found the most distinguishing character Thoracic Adhesive Apparatus (TAA) is useful
in diagnosing species but not in elucidating phylogenetic relationships. It is an environmental
plastic characteristic in its morphological evolution for the most part. However, we can’t overlook
that some cluster of subclades present possible synapomorphy by body color and plaque, and TAA,
which hints us that they might be speciated in a phase related to the major river system finally
formation. This research also revealed the current taxonomy of some species requires
reexamination.
This work was published in Molecular Phylogenetic and Evolution
2011 61: 278-289.
NON-NATIVE CARP OF THE GENUS CYPRINUS IN LAKE XINGYUN, CHINA, AS
REVEALED BY MORPHOLOGY AND MITOCHONDRIAL DNA ANALYSIS
Lake Xingyun is a major body of water in Yunnan Province, China. Previous investigations
suggested that the lake contained native populations of carp of the genus Cyprinus, but it is
believed that these native populations disappeared due to overfishing. However, one or more
Cyprinus species are currently abundant in Lake Xingyun but their identity and origin are unclear.
To determine if the existing Cyprinus population is indeed non-native, we compared the
morphologies of fish (n = 62) recently captured (2007) to museum preserved Cyprinus collected in
the lake in the 1960s. In addition, we conducted mitochondrial DNA analyses of Cyprinus (n = 65)
recently taken from the lake and found 28 haplotypes. The genetics of the lake’s sample were
compared to Cyprinus from a wide range of other locations within and outside China. Together
with previously published Japanese and Eurasian haplotypes, phylogenetic analysis demonstrated
28 haplotypes and these were classified into five different units. One of the five units included 16
closely related haplotypes that formed a monophyletic group apart from the Eurasian clade. Given
their monophyly that included 3 native carp haplotypes, haplotypes from this unit were thought to
originate from the native strain of Lake Xingyun. Furthermore, combining this with result from
morphological analysis, it was concluded that these haplotypes were likely hybrid carp.
Conversely, haplotypes from the other 4 units nested into the Eurasian clade. Their phylogenetic
affinities to Eurasian lineages indicated that these haplotypes were domesticated strains introduced
from other parts of China, Vietnam and Europe. These conclusions were supported by historical
records on introduction. This study revealed that almost all carp from current Lake Xingyun may
be originated from hybrid strains and domesticated strains introduced from Eurasia.
This work was published in Biological Invasions in 2011 13(1): 105-114.
MOLECULAR AND MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF ENDANGERED SPECIES
GYMNODIPTYCHUS INTEGRIGYMNATUS
Gymnodiptychus integrigymnatus is a critically endangered species endemic to the
Gaoligongshan Mountains. It was thought to be only distributed in several headwater-streams of
the Longchuanjiang River (west slope of the Gaoligongshan Mountains, belonging to the
Irrawaddy River drainage). In recent years, dozens of G. integrigymnatus specimens have been
collected in some streams on the east slope of the Gaoligongshan Mountains (the Salween
drainage). We performed a morphological and genetic analyses (based on cytochrome b and
D-loop) of the newly discovered populations of G. integrigymnatus to determine whether the
degree of separation of these populations warrants species status. Our analysis from the
cytochrome b gene revealed that nine individuals from the Irrawaddy drainage area and seven
individuals from the Salween drainage area each have only one unique haplotype. The genetic
distance between the two haplotypes is 1.97%. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed that G.
integrigymnatus is closely related to highly specialized schizothoracine fishes. Analysis from the
mitochondrial control region revealed that G. integrigymnatus has relatively high genetic diversity
(π was 0.00891 and h was 0.8714), and individuals from different river drainages do not share the
same haplotypes. The AMOVA results indicated 87.27% genetic variability between the Salween
and Irrawaddy populations. Phylogenetic trees show two major geographic groups corresponding
to the river systems. We recommend that G. integrigymnatus should be considered as a high
priority for protected species status in the Gaoligongshan Mountains National Nature Reserve, and
that the area of the Gaoligongshan Mountains National Nature Reserve should be expanded to
cover the entire distribution of G. Integrigymnatus. Populations of G. integrigymnatus from
different river systems should be treated as evolutionarily significant units.
This work was published on Environmental Biology of Fishes 88(2): 189 – 199 in 2010.
FRESHWATER BIOGEOGRAPHY AND LIMNOLOGICAL EVOLUTION OF THE
TIBETAN PLATEAU-INSIGHTS FROM A PLATEAU-WIDE DISTRIBUTED
GASTROPOD TAXON (RADIX SPP.)
The Tibetan Plateau is not only the highest and largest plateau on earth; it is also home to
numerous freshwater lakes potentially harbouring endemic faunal elements. As it remains largely
unknown whether these lakes have continuously existed during the Last Glacial Maximum,
questions arise as to whether taxa have been able to exist on the plateau since before the latest
Pleistocene, from where and how often the plateau was colonized, and by which mechanisms
organisms conquered remote high altitude lentic freshwater systems. In this study, species of the
plateau-wide distributed freshwater gastropod genus Radix are used to answer these
biogeographical questions.
Based on a broad spatial sampling of Radix spp. On the Tibetan Plateau, and phylogenetic
analyses of mtDNA sequence data, three probably endemic and one widespread major Radix clade
could be identified on the plateau. Two of the endemic clades show a remarkably high genetic
diversity, indicating a relatively great phylogenetic age. Phylogeographical analyses of individuals
belonging to the most widely distributed clade indicate than intra-plateau distribution cannot be
explained by draingage-related dispersal alone.
Our study reveals that Radix spp. Persisted throughout the LGM on the Tibetan Plateau.
Therefroe, we assume the continous existence of suitable water bodies during that time. The extant
Radix diversity on the plateau might have been caused by multiple colonization events combined
with a relatively long intra-plateau evolution. At least one colonization event ahs a Palaearctic
origin. In contrast to freshwater fishes, passive dispersal, probably by water birds, might be an
important mechanism for conquering remote areas on the plateau. Patterns found in Radix spp.
Are shared with some terrestrial plateau taxa, indicating that Radix may be a suitable model taxon
for inferring general patterns of biotic origin, dispersal and survival on the Tibetan Plateau.
This work was just published on PLoS ONE 6(10): e26307 in 2011.
Consensus ultrametrical Bayesian inference tree of Radix spp. The tree was calculated under the ultrametric
tree model based on the mitochondrial COI and LSU rRNA genes. Bayesian posterior probabilities (left) are
provided for deeper nodes. Additionally, bootstrap values (right) of the alternative maximum likelihood analysis
are given. The scale bar represents the substitutions per site according to the model of sequence evolution applied.
Major clades (monophyletic groups younger than a node depth of 0.05 (grey line)) are labelled with bars.
Specimens from the Tibetan Plateau are labelled in red.
PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS AMONG RHACOPHORINAE
(RHACOPHORIDAE, ANURA, AMPHIBIA), WITH AN EMPHASIS
ON THE CHINESE SPECIES
Using mitochondrial 12S and 16S rRNA genes and Buergeriinae as the outgroup, phylogeny
of Rhacophorinae frogs was constructed in this study. Philautus romeri was recovered as the sister
taxon to all other Rhacophorinae, indicating that it might represent an independent genus. The
monophyly of Theloderma and Rhacophorus rhodopus was not supported. It was suggested that
Philautus albopunctatus should be placed into the synonymy of Theloderma asperum, and that
Philautus rhododiscus should be assigned to Theloderma. The monophyly of Aquixalus was not
supported, and this requires further examination. Studies employing broader sampling and more
molecular markers will be needed to resolve the deep relationships within the subfamily
Rhacophorinae.
This work was published in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society in 2008 (153:
733–749).
RE-EXAMINATION OF THE PHYLOGENY OF RHACOPHORIDAE (ANURA) BASED
ON MITOCHONDRIAL AND NUCLEAR DNA
We used partial sequences of three mitochondrial (12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, and cytochrome b)
and three nuclear protein-coding (Rag-1, rhodopsin exon 1, and tyrosinase exon 1) genes from 57
ingroup taxa and eight outgroup taxa to propose a hypothesis for phylogenetic relationships within
Rhacophoridae. Our results supported recognition of the genus Feihyla, and Chiromantis was the
sister taxon to the clade formed by Feihyla, Polypedates and Rhacophorus. We placed Aquixalus
odontotarsus within Kurixalus, and the remaining species of Aquixalus and Philautus jinxiuensis
into the genus Gracixalus. We gave Philautus (Kirtixalus) the rank of genus and placed Philautus
menglaensis within it. A cryptic species was revealed within Rhacophorus nigropunctatus.
Rhacophorus pingbianensis was considered a synonym of Rhacophorus omeimontis. The validity
of Rhacophorus hui was confirmed.
This work was published in Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution in 2009 (50: 571–579).
GENERIC ALLOCATION OF INDIAN AND SRI LANKAN PHILAUTUS (ANURA:
RHACOPHORIDAE) INFERRED FROM 12S AND 16S RRNA GENES
The generic allocation of Indian and Sri Lankan Philautus needs further examination. In this
study, a comprehensive understanding of the phylogeny of Indian and Sri Lankan Philautus was
obtained based on 12S and 16S rRNA genes. All phylogenetic analyses indicated that Indian-Sri
Lankan Philautus, Philautus menglaensis, Philautus longchuanensis, and Philautus gryllus form a
well supported clade, separate from Philautus of Sunda Islands that formed another well supported
clade representing true Philautus. This result supported the designation of the genus
Pseudophilautus to accommodate the Indian and Sri Lankan species. Pseudophilautus consisted of
two major lineages, one comprised the majority of Indian species, Chinese species, and Southeast
Asian species, and one comprised all Sri Lankan species and a few Indian species.
Pseudophilautus may have originated in South Asia and dispersed into Southeast Asia and China.
Based on the results, we further suggested that Philautus cf. gryllus (MNHN1997.5460) belongs
to the genus Kurixalus.
This work was published in Biochemical Systematics and Ecology in 2010 (38: 402–409).
A SPECIES BOUNDARY WITHIN THE CHINESE KURIXALUS ODONTOTARSUS
SPECIES GROUP (ANURA: RHACOPHORIDAE): NEW INSIGHTS FROM
MOLECULAR EVIDENCE
The phylogeny of the Kurixalus odontotarsus species group was constructed using two
mitochondrial (12S rRNA and 16S rRNA) genes in an attempt to delimit species boundaries
within the Chinese K. odontotarsus group. With strong support values, three major clades were
obtained, and all phylogenetic analyses rejected monophyly of K. odontotarsus. The Tibetan
lineage of K. odontotarsus was clustered with Kurixalus verrucosus from Myanmar (labeled Clade
I); K. odontotarsus haplotypes from the type locality and nearby regions formed a distinct clade
(labeled Clade II), and K. odontotarsus haplotypes from other places, together with those from
Kurixalus bisacculus, K. verrucosus from Vietnam, and Kurixalus hainanus, formed a distinct
clade (labeled Clade III). Clade II was the sister taxon to Clade III. The average uncorrected
p-distance of 16S rRNA sequences between these three major clades ranged from 3.11% to 7.88%,
which is obviously higher than that within these three major clades (0.03–1.89%). We proposed
that K. odontotarsus, K. bisacculus, and K. verrucosus should be treated as three independent
species. We tentatively placed the Tibetan lineage of K. odontotarsus in K. verrucosus. Kurixalus
hainanus was considered a synonym of K. bisacculus. The distribution range of K. bisacculus
should be expanded widely to include most regions of South China, and in China the distribution
of K. odontotarsus should be limited to its type locality and nearby regions.
This work was published in Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution in 2010 (56: 942–950).
MOLECULAR PHYLOGEOGRAPHY AND POPULATION STRUCTURE OF A
MID-ELEVATION MONTANE FROG LEPTOBRACHIUM AILAONICUM IN A
FRAGMENTED HABITAT OF SOUTHWEST CHINA
Leptobrachium ailaonicum is a vulnerable anuran restricted to a patchy distribution
associated with small mountain streams surrounded by forested slopes at mid-elevations
(approximately 2000–2600 m) in the subtropical Mount Wuliang and Mount Ailao ranges in
southwest China (Yunnan Province) and northern Vietnam. Given high habitat specificity and lack
of suitable habitat in lower elevations between these ranges, we hypothesized limited gene flow
between populations throughout its range. We used two mitochondrial genes to construct a
phylogeographic pattern within this species in order to test our hypothesis. We also examined
whether this phylogeographic pattern is a response to past geological events and/or climatic
oscillations. A total of 1989 base pairs were obtained from 81 individuals of nine populations
yielding 51 unique haplotypes. Both Bayesian and maximum parsimony phylogenetic analyses
revealed four deeply divergent and reciprocally monophyletic mtDNA lineages that approximately
correspond to four geographical regions separated by deep river valleys. These results suggested a
long history of allopatric separation by vicariance. The distinct geographic distributions of four
major clades and the estimated divergence time suggested spatial and temporal separations that
coincide with climatic and paleogeographic changes following the orogeny and uplift of Mount
Ailao during the late Miocene to mid Pliocene in southwest China. At the southern distribution,
the presence of two sympatric yet differentiated clades in two areas were interpreted as a result of
secondary contact between previously allopatric populations during cooler Pleistocene glacial
cycles. Analysis of molecular variance indicated that most of the observed genetic variation occurs
among the four regions implying long-term interruption of maternal gene flow, suggesting that L.
ailaonicum may represent more than one distinct species and should at least be separated into four
management units corresponding to these four geographic lineages for conservation.
This work was published in Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution in 2010 (54: 47–58).
(3) Conservation and restoration of freshwater biodiversity
Funded by Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and managed by The World Bank, we
implement a “Lake Dianchi Biodiversity Restoration Project” from 2003 to 2008. Meanwhile,
Yunnan provincial development and reform commission funded us to build a research base for
breeding endangered fishes of Yunnan. The first fish being successfully bred was Anabarilius
grahami in 2000. Based on techniques and experience accumulated from this project, several
endangered fishes were successfully bred. Sincyclocheilus grahami was successfully bred in 2007;
more than 70,000 fries were hatched in 2008; more than 150,000 fries were hatched in 2009 and
50,000 fingerlings were released to its native distribution area, Songhuaba Reservior of Kunming,
and this gained 180,000 RMB income to the institute; 300,000 fries were hatched in 2010, 70,000
fingerlings will be released to its mother lake, Lake Dianchi in Nov, 10, 2011, and this will gain
350,000 RMB income to the institute. Sincocyclocheilus tingi were successfully bred in 2009.
Co-funded by several projects from hydro power stations, more than 10 most endangered fishes in
Lixian River, a tributary of Red River, started to be prepared to be artificially bred and restored.
Now thousands of parent fish were raised in the base. Neolissochilus benasi were successfully
bred in 2009, but the number of fries were very low because we were short of enough parent fish
and fish ponds. To make up this shortage, we established a collaboration with a base in Xichou
County, Yunnan, and used their fish ponds and parent fish to enlarge its population. Now in
Xichou, more than 2,000 parent fishes are kept, and more than 20,000 fries are growing. When
reach fingerling size, they will be released to Lixian River.
A patent on culturing techniques of
Sincyclocheilus grahami (patent No. 200910094487.3) was approved by the National Patent
Bureau.
BROODSTOCKS MANAGEMENT, FECUNDITY AND THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN EGG SIZE AND EMBRYO SURVIVAL ABILITY OF SINOCYCLOCHEILUS
GRAHAMI
Broodstock management, fecundity and egg size of the golden-line barbel Sinocyclocheilus
grahami were studied from 2007 to 2010. The induced spawning success of female S. grahami
was 25.2% in 2007 and dramatically increased to 91.3% in 2010. The nucleus deviation rate and
hatching success were 61.5% and 30.4%, respectively, in 2007 and increased to 85.2% and 44.5%,
respectively, in 2010. Providing nutritious food for broodstocks of S. grahami can ensure optimum
breeding conditions as well as high-quality eggs and fingerlings. There also seems to be a
relationship between absolute fecundity (F) and standard length (SL), as described by the
power-exponent function F=0.0004826SL3.166 (R2=0.6424，P<0.05). The average of number of
spawn egg was 2118.4±899.1 from 2007 to 2010, the average of absolute fecundity was
2402.9±881.9 from 2007 to 2010, and the average of relative fecundity was 70.4 ±20.8 from 2007
to 2010. The number of spawn egg, absolute fecundity and relative fecundity increased in
individuals with a longer body length. Additionally, egg size contributed to the survival rate of
embryos. The different batches reached an asymptotic, low or stable embryonic mortality during
the first two days; the balance was broken in the subsequent seven days, as high embryonic
mortality was observed in smaller eggs. The mortality of embryos from eggs larger than 2.0 mm
was, contrastingly, rather stable. Embryos from bigger eggs have stronger survival potential, as
bigger eggs can provide more energy and thus, a more favorable environment for early
development.
This work was published in Zoological Research in 2011 32(2) 195-203.
FEEDING CHANGES AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF SINOCYCLOCHEILUS
GRAHAMI (PISCES, BARBINAE) LARVAE AND JUVENILES IN FARM
ENVIRONMENT
From March 2008 to March 2009, comparative observations of feeding and growth
were undertaken on 35,000 larvae cultivated in 3 pools, with respective densities of P1
3
3
3
208 larvae/m ；P2 167 larvae /m ；P3 41 larvae/m . Identical daily management processes
were applied to the 3 pools. Data was collected on 5−8 larvae everyday at 08:00 and
18:00 within 15 days of hatching. 30 days from first dieting, the total length and body
weight were measured on 15 juveniles collected from each pool. The first dieting of S.
th
grahami larvae occurred in the 5 day after hatching, with a mixed nutrition phase of
3−5 days. The larvae within mixed nutrition conditions were vulnerable to death. In
order to promote the survival in mixed nutrition, the larvae and juveniles were raised
with jelly-rotifers-compound feed. The mean survival rate of juveniles S. grahami was
82.7%. After one year of cultivation, body weight increased from （0.027±0.01） g
（0.003 − 1.22）to（8.83±0.54） ) g（3.7 − 16.7）, net growth being 0.73 g per month.
Total length increased from 15.8±0.30 mm（11.5−20.0）to 91.6±1.67 mm（75.0 −
116.0），net growth being 6.32 mm per month. Linear growth in total length can be
2
described by the equation: y=9.82+7.05 month（R =0.9891）. Index growth in body
weight can be described by equation: y=0.0158 month
2.54
2
（R =0.9939）.
This work was published in Zoological Research in 2009 30(4): 433-437.
FROM REMARKABLE RESCUE TO RESTORATION OF LOST HABITAT
Through five years study in restoration of biodiversity of Lake Dianchi, Prof. Yang Jun-xing
proposed a new pattern to reestablish wetland by using three indigenous flagship species, a
macrophyte, Ottelia acuminata, a fish, Sinocyclocheilus grahami, and a mussel, Anadonta
woodiana. A single A. woodiana can filter 50 liters of water a day, helping Ottelia flourish. The
Ottelia thwart eutrophication by shading out algae, while golden-line barbels host A. woodiana
larvae.
This work was reported by Science in volume 322, 2008, and pointed out this pattern will
“help return Dianchi to its former glory”.
EFFECT OF EUTROPHICATION ON MOLLUSCAN COMMUNITY COMPOSITION IN
THE LAKE DIANCHI (CHINA, YUNNAN)
Three historical biodiversity datasets (from 1940s, 1980–1999 and 2000–2004) and results
from the recent inventory are used to trace the long-term changes of the mollusks in the eutrophic
lake Dianchi. Comparison of the obtained results with those of earlier investigations performed
during the period of 1940s and 1980–1999 as well as 2000–2004 showed that changes have
occurred in the interval. There was 31 species and 2 sub-species recorded prior to the 1940s, but
the species richness decreased from a high level of 83 species and 7 sub-species to 16 species and
one sub-species from 1990s to the early of 21st century in lake body. Species from the genera of
Kunmingia, Fenouilia, Paraprygula, Erhaia, Assiminea, Galba, Rhombuniopsis, Unionea and
Aforpareysia were not found in Dianchi basin after 2000. The species from the genera
Lithoglyphopsis, Tricula, Bithynia, Semisulcospira and Corbicula were only found in the springs
and upstream rivers. Anoxia and the changing of substrates and fish species composition could
explain why molluscan community composition changed in eutrophic Lake Dianchi.
Additionally, the different sampling methods and ignore of the specific groups in earlier studies
are cause for Sphaerium and Pisidium first found in our study. This study is first time to enlarge
the investigation region to the Dianchi basin. Although some endemic species disappeared in the
lake body, they still distribute in the springs and upstream rivers. The springs and upstream
rivers are important refuges for mollusks.
This work was just published in Limnologica, 41(3): 213-219 in 2011.
Fig . The changingofmolluskscompositionduringthelast60yearsinLake Dianchi.
5 Research directions at present and in the future
(1) Taxonomy and evolution of fishes, mollusks, zooplanktons,
amphibians and mammals
Rely on rich collection of specimens of KIZ, use combined morphological and molecular
methods to study taxonomy, phylogeny, phylogeography of some important groups of fishes,
mollusks, zooplanktons, amphibians and mammals. On fishes, we are working on Percocypris
(Cyprnidae), Garra (Cyprnidae), Homatula (Nemacheilidae), Schistura (Nemacheilidae) and its
related genera, Triplophysa stenura (Nemacheilidae) right now. One graduate student works on
one of the genera or topics, and all these five researches are going to accomplish in the next year.
After that some other genera, such as Sinogastromyzon (Balitoridae), Acrossocheilus (Cyprnidae),
will be studied.
We’ve worked on Schizothorax (Cyprnidae) for years, and one paper on
description of three new species published in 2009, the paper on phylogeny of Schizothorax are in
reviewing. Now we have several papers on taxonomy of fishes are in reviewing, including a
genus, Stenorynchoacrum (Cyprnidae), a new genus of labeonine fish from Guangxi, China;
several new species, including two new Schistura (Nemacheilidae), a new Homatula
(Nemacheilidae), two new Glyptothorax (Sisoridae) from Yunnan, a new Triplophysa and a new
Erromyzon (Balitoridae) from Guangxi, a new Triplophysa from Guizhou.
We discovered at least two new crustacean right now, a new Gammanus (Crustacea,
Amphipoda, Gammaridea) is in reviewing, and a new Streptocephalus（Crustacea，Anostraca，
Streptocephalidae）is in description.
(2) Ecology and conservation of endangered fishes
Based on endangered fishes conservation base of KIZ and other collaborated bases, study
aquaculture and breeding of endangered indigenous fishes in Yunnan. Now the base has more
than 40 fish ponds and a building for lab and accommodation. The base already obtained
permissions from the nation to breed and sell Sinocyclocheilus grahami, because it is second class
national protected animal. Now in our base, there are more than 20 endangered fishes were kept
and cultured. We plan to successfully breed at least three species of them in the next five years.
(3) Survey and monitor of biodiversity
Many our research programs include contents of survey and investigation of biodiversity.
These surveys are very important basic for collecting specimens and data for taxonomy and
phylogeny researches. Monitoring programs help us updating the knowledge on status of
biodiversity, especially on species composition, population size and distribution. We also collect
specimens in monitoring if necessary. In field, dissecting of guts also provide us knowledge on
ecology, especially on growth, diet and breeding. In the past decades, we mainly concentrated on
taxonomy and phylogeny of fishes and other animals. In the next years, ecology will be a
important research area for us, especially on age determination, growth rate evaluation, diet
analysis and breeding needs analysis on fishes. In past years’ monitoring, we found zooplankton
was a very good indicator for change of water quality and habitat quality. It is also very important
food resources for fish, especially for juveniles. The taxonomy and ecology of zooplankton will
provide us lots of information which is very difficult to obtain from fish directly. Now a young
researcher is working on zooplankton. To help him to accomplish research programs, we built
up a collaborative relationship with a zooplankton specialist in Nanjing Institute of Geography and
Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences. In the next years, fishes, amphibians, reptiles and
zooplanktons in rivers of Yunnan and adjacent regions will still be our focused survey area.
Monitoring will still be focused on Shangri-La and Lancangjiang River. As soon as new research
funding come, the survey and monitoring area will be expanded to other areas.
A new monitoring object, released fingerlings, is becoming a very important content for
breeding programs. A grant proposal on monitoring status of released fingerlings of
Sinocyclocheilus grahami was submitted to Yunnan Provincial Bureau of Science and Technology.
Two of our ongoing breeding programs have this contents. As soon as releasing of fingerlings of
Neolissochilus benasi and Semilabeo obscurus is planned, the monitoring program will activate.
6 Research programs
Systematic Zoology and Biogeography group have obtained grants from multiple resources,
including two programs from National Basic Research Program of China, one from National Key
Technology R & D Program of China, three programs from the National Natural Science
Foundation of China, three international programs from the National Science Foundation of
United States, Global Environmental Facility and the World Bank, three programs from the
Yunnan provincial Bureau of Science and Technology, one from Yunnan Provincial Development
and Reform Commission, and more than ten programs from state owned enterprises, especially
hydro power stations in the past five years. The total sum of funds is more than 20,000,000
RMB. These programs involve survey and monitoring of biodiversity, phylogeny and
conservation biology, contribute to research and conservation of biodiversity in Tibetan-Hengduan
Mountain Region, and provide new sight to balance between regional sustainable development
and environment protection.
7 Personnel
Yang Jun-Xing, Ph.D., Professor, Ph.D. student advisor, deputy director of Kunming Branch
of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Research directions include survey and monitoring of
biodiversity of Sino-Himalayan Region; taxonomy, phylogeny and zoogeography of animal of
Sino-Himalayan Region; ecology and conservation biology of endangered fish; ecology and
restoration of wetland ecosystem.
Systematic Zoology and Biogeography Group is composed of one full professor (the PI), 4
associate professors and senior engineers, 5 assistant professors and engineer, 3 research assistants,
7 workers in base, 3 Ph.D. candidates, 3 M.S. candidates. A new research group, Ornithology
Group just was independent from Systematic Zoology and Biogeography Group in 2011. There
are one full professor (the PI), 3 assistant professors, 3 Ph.D. candidates, 4 M.S. candidates in
Ornithology Group. The PI of Ornithology Group was promoted to full professor in 2010 and
before then he was a associate professor of Systematic Zoology and Biogeography Group. All
the contents and number about Systematic Zoology and Biogeography Group in this report
excluded Ornithology Group.
8 Representative papers
(1) Fishes
Wan Sheng Jiang, Heok Hee Ng, Jun Xing Yang*, Xiao Yong Chen*. 2011. Monophyly and
phylogenetic relationships of the catfish genus Glyptothorax (Teleostei: Sisoridae) inferred
from nuclear and mitochondrial gene sequences. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 61:
278–289
Bo Yang, Xiao-Yong Chen*, Jun-Xing Yang*. 2011. Non-native carp of the genus Cyprinus in
Lake Xingyun, China, as revealed by morphology and mitochondrial DNA analysis.
Biological Invasions 13(1): 105-114
Xiao-Yong Chen, Maurice Kottelat, David A. Neely. 2011. Physoschistura yunnaniloides, a new
species of loach from Myanmar (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). Ichthyological Exploration of
Freshwaters 22 (2): 169-178
Lan–Ping Zheng, Jun–Xing Yang*, Xiao–Yong Chen*, Wei–Ying Wang. 2010. Phylogenetic
relationship of the Chinese Labeoninae (Teleostei, Cypriniformes) derived from two nuclear
and three mitochondrial genes. Zoologica Scripta 39(6): 559–571
Shu-Wei Liu, Xiao-Yong Chen*, Jun-Xing Yang*. 2010. Two new species and a new record of the
genus Sinogastromyzon (Teleostei: Balitoridae) from Yunnan, China. Environmental Biology
of Fishes 87(1): 25–37
Lan-Ping Zheng, Xiao-Yong Chen*, Jun-Xing Yang*. 2010. A New Species of Genus
Pseudogyrinocheilus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from Guangxi, China. Environmental Biology of
Fishes 87(2): 93–97
Wan-Sheng Jiang, Xiao-Yong Chen*, Jun-Xing Yang*. 2010. A New Species of Sisorid Catfish
Genus Glyptothorax (Teleostei: Sisoridae) from Salween drainage of Yunnan, China.
Environmental Biology of Fishes 87(2): 125–133
Min, R.. X-Y. Chen*. J-X. Yang. 2010. Paracobotis nanpanjiangensis, a new loach (Balitoridae:
Nemacheilinae) from China. Environmental Biology of Fishes 87(3):199–204
Yang Jian, Chen Xiaoyong*, Yang Junxing*. 2010. Molecular and morphological analysis of
endangered species Gymnodiptychus integrigymnatus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Environmental
Biology of Fishes 88(2): 189 - 199
Aldemaro Romero*, Yahui Zhao, Xiaoyong Chen. 2009. The Hypogean Fishes of China.
Environmental Biology of Fishes 86 (1): 211 - 278
ZiMing Chen*, WenLong Qi, JunXing Yang*. 2009. A morphologically variant natural population
of cyprinids without dorsal fin possibly derived from Mystacoleucus marginatus
(Osteichthyes: Teleostes) from the Lancang Jiang River, Yunnan, China. Zoologischer
Anzeiger 248(2): 93-100
Yang Jian, Chen Xiaoyong*, Yang Junxing*. 2009. The identity of Schizothorax griseus Pellegrin,
1931, with descriptions of three new species of schizothoracine fishes (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)
from China. Zootaxa 2006: 23–40
(2) Benthos
von Oheimb PV, Albrecht C, Riedel F, Du L, Yang J, Aldridge D. et al. (2011) Freshwater
Biogeography and Limnological Evolution of the Tibetan Plateau – Insights from a
Plateau-Wide Distributed Gastropod Taxon (Radix spp.). PLoS ONE 6(10): 1-9
Du Li-Na, Yang Jun-Xing *, Chen Xiao-Yong *. 2011. A new species of Trochotaia
(Caenogastropoda: Viviparidae) from Yunnan, China. Molluscan Research 31(2): 85–89
Du Li-Na, Li Yuan, Chen Xiao-Yong*, Yang Jun-Xing*. 2011. Effect of eutrophication on
molluscan community composition in the lake Dianchi (China, Yunnan). Limnologica 41(3):
213-219
Kohler F, Du L.N., Yang J.X. 2010. A new species of Bortia from Yunnan,
China(Caenogastropoda, Pachychilidae). Zoosyst. Evol. 86(2):295-300
(3) Amphibians
Mingwang Zhang, Dingqi Rao, Junxing Yang*, Guohua Yu, Jeffery A. Wilkinson *. 2010.
Molecular phylogeography and population structure of a mid-elevation montane frog
Leptobrachium ailaonicum in a fragmented habitat of southwest China. Molecular
Phylogenetics and Evolution 54: 47–58
Guohua Yu, Mingwang Zhang, Junxing Yang*. 2010. Generic allocation of Indian and Sri Lankan
Philautus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) inferred from 12S and 16S rRNA genes. Biochemical
systematics & ecology 38: 402-409
Guohua Yu, Mingwang Zhang, Junxing Yang*. 2010. A species boundary within the Chinese
Kurixalus odontotarsus species group (Anura: Rhacophoridae): new insights from molecular
evidence. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 56: 942–950
Guohua Yu, Dingqi Rao, Mingwang Zhang, Junxing Yang*. 2009. Re-examination of the
phylogeny of Rhacophoridae (Anura) based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. Molecular
Phylogenetics and Evolution. 50(3):571-579