Human Adaptability to High Altitudes

Chapter 2 presents the amazing variety of running waters, lakes, ponds, and wetlands found at high altitudes. These waterbodies are not equally distributed among the world’s high altitude places, but tend to be concentrated in certain areas, primarily determined by regional climate and topography. Thus, a large proportion of the world’s truly high altitude aquatic systems are found at lower latitudes, mostly in the tropics. The chapter presents general patterns in the geographical distribution of high altitude waters, and gives examples of some of the most extreme systems. High altitude aquatic systems and habitats cover a broad variety in dynamics and physical appearance. These differences may be related to, for example, water source (glacier-fed, rain-fed, or groundwater-fed streams), geological origin (e.g. glacial, volcanic, or tectonic lakes), or catchment slope and altitude (different types of peatland wetlands). This is exemplified and richly illustrated through numerous photos.

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Culex (Culex) longitubus, A New Species of the Mimeticus Subgroup (Diptera: Culicidae) From Bhutan

Journal of Medical Entomology ◽

10.1093/jme/tjab080 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Pradya Somboon ◽

Thanari Phanitchakun ◽

Jassada Saingamsook ◽

Rinzin Namgay ◽

Ralph E Harbach

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

New Species ◽

Male Genitalia ◽

Immature Stages ◽

High Altitudes ◽

Coi Sequences ◽

Anal Papillae ◽

A New Species

Abstract Culex longitubus Somboon, Namgay & Harbach is described as a new species of the Mimeticus Subgroup of the subgenus Culex. The larva is most similar to the larva of Cx. tianpingensis Chen from China, but is distinguished by the length of the siphon and the anal papillae, the form of the comb scales and pecten spines, and the development of setae 7-P, 13-T, 1-X, and 4-X. The adults have wing markings and male genitalia similar to those of species of the Mimeticus Complex. Phylogenetic analysis of COI sequences revealed that the new species is closely related to Cx. murrelli Lien of the Mimulus Complex. The immature stages of the new species were found in stagnant pools and marshes at high altitudes in several districts of Bhutan.

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Contributions to the Knowledge of the Lichen Flora of the Himalayas III. On Lecanora Somervellii Paulson (Lichenized Ascomycotina, Lecanoraceae)

The Lichenologist ◽

10.1017/s0024282900500036 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 111-117

Author(s):

W. Obermayer ◽

J. Poelt

Keyword(s):

Usnic Acid ◽

Type Material ◽

Lemon Yellow ◽

High Altitudes ◽

Yellow Colour ◽

Alpine Species ◽

The Alps ◽

High Himalayas ◽

Very High ◽

Lichen Flora

Abstract The lichen Lecanora somervellii Paulson, first described from the northern slopes of Mt Everest in Tibet, has been collected at four other localities in the High Himalayas, at altitudes between 3750 and 5540 m. As the type material appears to be missing, a neotype is designated here. The species has an unusual lemon yellow colour due to the pigment calycin; this compound is in addition to usnic acid, which is widespread in Lecanora. Lecanora somervellii is otherwise very similar in essential characters to the complex including Lecanora concolor Ram. and L. orbicularis (Schaerer) Vainio, high alpine species well-known, for example, from the Alps. It is supposed, that L. somervellii is derived from this aggregate by the production of calycin (in addition to usnic acid), which acts as an additional protective pigment at these very high altitudes.

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