Important transformations of the pectoral girdle are related to appearance flight capabilities in Dinosauria. Previous studies on this topic focused mainly paravians yet recent data suggests evolved dinosaurs several times, including at least once among non-avialan paravians. Thus, fully explore evolution flight-related avian shoulder characteristics, it is necessary compare morphology more broadly. Here, we present information from pennaraptoran specimens preserving elements, all...

New macroalgal blooms caused by the genus Sargassum have been occurring along coast of China. In particular, in 2017, covered up to 188 km2 and drifted into offshore region Jiangsu Province, traditional area for Pyropia aquaculture. This resulted an enormous loss production Pyropia. study was designed identify species composition, phylogenetic relationships, possible origin free-floating populations Yellow Sea East China Sea. Results from morphological observations molecular identification...

The morphology of the pectoral girdle, skeletal structure connecting wing to body, is a key determinant flight capability, but in some respects poorly known among stem birds. Here, girdles Early Cretaceous birds Sapeornis and Piscivorenantiornis are reconstructed for first time based on computed tomography three-dimensional visualization, revealing morphological details that important our understanding early-flight evolution. exhibits double articulation system (widely present...

The ontogenetic development of extant birds is characterized by rapid growth, bone fusion and an early onset flight ability. In contrast, little known about how these traits evolved in the bird stem lineage, available data pertains primarily to Enantiornithes. Here, we describe almost complete skeleton a juvenile euornithine (LNTU-WLMP-18) from Early Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation (Aptian), which was discovered near Lamadong Town (Jianchang County, Liaoning, China). Despite its completeness,...

Abstract The confuciusornithids are the earliest known beaked birds, and constitute only species-rich clade of Early Cretaceous pygostylian birds that existed prior to cladogenesis Ornithothoraces. Here, we report a new confuciusornithid species from Lower western Liaoning, northeastern China. Compared other confuciusornithids, this recently reported Yangavis confucii both show evidence stronger flight capability, although wings two taxa differ one another in many respects. Our aerodynamic...

<p><b>The Tibetan Plateau is among the least explored areas in terms of dinosaur paleontology world. Here, we report a dromaeosaurid-like tooth from Middle Jurassic Dongdaqiao Formation at eastern part plateau. The exhibits dromaeosaurid dental features such as absence constriction cervix, relatively small crown-to-base ratio, strongly recurved apex, and it lacks large transverse marginal undulations. Parsimonious phylogenetic analyses using both dentition-based complete...

Extracting contour lines from digital maps is a difficult problem which often encountered when building geographic information system. In this paper, fusion algorithm integrates kernel fuzzy C means (KFCM) clustering technique and threshold segmentation presented to automatically extract the lines. Firstly, color image of scanned topographical map converted into HIS space. Then its corresponding feature constructed by using saturation channel data space together. Finally value calculated...

Dapingfangornis sentisorhinus, a small to medium-sized enantiornithine from the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation in Western Liaoning, China, stands as one of earliest known enantiornithines with well-preserved ornamental tail feathers. However, original holotype description was limited due damage and matrix interference, which obscured crucial osteological details. Therefore, we provide an updated specimen D. sentisorhinus aid CT scanning reveal new revised information. Furthermore,...

Beipiaosaurus inexpectus , from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation (Sihetun locality, near Beipiao), Liaoning, China, is a key taxon for understanding early evolution of therizinosaurians. Since initial publication in 1999, only cranial elements this have been described detail. Here we present detailed description postcranial skeletal anatomy holotype specimen B . including two never before dorsal vertebrae anterior half series. Based on these observations, and comparisons with skeleton...

In this paper, we evaluated the changes of land use/cover and landscape pattern in Derong County during period 1993-2009. Results show that: 1) there was a significant reduction arable forestland, however, rangeland construction increased greatly; 2) degrees separation fragmentation for water bodies were relatively high, by contrast, farmland, first then decreased, influenced policies human activities; 3) structure became increasingly fragmented aggregated, while heterogeneity decreased.

Dust storm became a severe environmental problem in Beijing and Tianjin Regions at the beginning of this century, its trajectory stretches to Korea Peninsula, Japan Archipelago, comes through Pacific Ocean vanishes east U.S.A. By means remote sensing, ground station observation sand samples, dust affecting from Middle Asia Mongolia Plateau. And desert margin, plowed farmland degraded grassland contribute more weather. The middle part Inner Plateau is closest sandy land Jing Tianjin, it path...

Having been one of an important application on remote sensing monitoring rice, information extraction and estimation large rice planting area timely is likely to be more difficult, only depending the former on-the-spot investigation. According spectral reflectance characteristics in transplanting, study analyzes relationship normalized difference vegetation index land surface water index, enhanced extracting estimating Hubei Province automatically. To explore convenient, time-saving,...

Dust storm became a severe environmental problem in Beijing and Tianjin Regions at the beginning of this century, its trajectory stretches to Korea Peninsula, Japan Archipelago, comes through Pacific Ocean vanishes cast U.S.A. By means remote sensing, ground station observation sand samples, dust affecting from Middle Asia Mongolia Plateau. And, desert margin, plowed farmland degraded grassland contribute more weather. The middle part Inner Plateau is closest sandy land Tianjin, it path...

Dust storms occur frequently in Beijing and northern China recent years especiallyafter 1990, it became the most serious natural disaster late ten years. So, near future isvery important to prevent of dust a few urgent regions such as windwardregions Beijing. According relevant researches, change ground quality contributed moreto these disasters duo land-use changes over-due anthropic activities. This paper aims at theland degradation suffered wind erosion windward which are including...

Abstract Pectoral girdle morphology is a key determinant of flight capability, but in some respects poorly known among stem birds. Here, we reconstruct the pectoral girdles Early Cretaceous birds Sapeornis and Piscivorenantiornis based on computed tomography three-dimensional visualization, revealing morphological details. Enantiornithines such as have uniquely localized scapula-coracoid joint, with only one area articulation. This single articulation contrasts double widely present...