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Zhang XZ, Ma XD, Wang WT, Peng F, Hou YM, Shen YX, Sun YQ, Chen JF, Yin YJ, Zeng YY, Yu Y, Zhou P, Zhang FH, He YF, Shen YF. Comparative skin histological and transcriptomic analysis of Rana kukunoris with two different skin colors. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2024; 50:101217. [PMID: 38412702 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2024.101217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
This study compares the skin structures of Rana kukunoris with two different skin colors living in the same area of Haibei in the Northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The skin thickness of the khaki R. kukunoris was significantly greater than that of the brown R. kukunoris (P < 0.01), and significantly more mucous and granular glands were present on the dorsal skin of the khaki frog (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the melanocytes on the dorsal skin of the brown frog were significantly larger than those on the khaki one (P < 0.05). Morphological changes in the expansion and aggregation of melanocytes seemed to deepen the skin color of R. kukunoris. Moreover, transcriptome sequencing identified tyrosine metabolism, melanogenesis, and riboflavin metabolism as the main pathways involved in melanin formation and metabolism in brown R. kukunoris. TYR, MC1R was upregulated as the skin color of R. kukunoris was deepened and contributed to melanin production and metabolism. In contrast, the khaki frog had significantly more upregulated genes and metabolic pathways related to autoimmunity. The khaki frog appeared to defend against ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced damage by secreting mucus and small molecular peptides, whereas the brown frog protected itself by distributing a large amount of melanin. Hence, the different skin colors of R. kukunoris might represent different adaptation strategies for survival in the intense UV radiation environment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu-Ze Zhang
- College of Ecological Environment and Resources, Qinghai Minzu University, Xining 810007, China; Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Xining 810001, China; Key Laboratory of Resource Chemistry and Eco-environmental Protection in Tibetan Plateau of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Qinghai Minzu University, Xining 810007, China.
| | - Xiao-Dong Ma
- College of Ecological Environment and Resources, Qinghai Minzu University, Xining 810007, China; Key Laboratory of Resource Chemistry and Eco-environmental Protection in Tibetan Plateau of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Qinghai Minzu University, Xining 810007, China
| | - Wan-Ting Wang
- College of Ecological Environment and Resources, Qinghai Minzu University, Xining 810007, China
| | - Fei Peng
- College of Ecological Environment and Resources, Qinghai Minzu University, Xining 810007, China
| | - Ye-Mao Hou
- College of Ecological Environment and Resources, Qinghai Minzu University, Xining 810007, China
| | - Yue-Xia Shen
- College of Ecological Environment and Resources, Qinghai Minzu University, Xining 810007, China
| | - Yu-Qi Sun
- College of Ecological Environment and Resources, Qinghai Minzu University, Xining 810007, China
| | - Jin-Fang Chen
- College of Ecological Environment and Resources, Qinghai Minzu University, Xining 810007, China
| | - Yi-Jin Yin
- College of Ecological Environment and Resources, Qinghai Minzu University, Xining 810007, China
| | - Yu-Ye Zeng
- College of Ecological Environment and Resources, Qinghai Minzu University, Xining 810007, China
| | - Yi Yu
- College of Ecological Environment and Resources, Qinghai Minzu University, Xining 810007, China
| | - Peng Zhou
- College of Ecological Environment and Resources, Qinghai Minzu University, Xining 810007, China; Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Xining 810001, China
| | - Fu-Hao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Resource Chemistry and Eco-environmental Protection in Tibetan Plateau of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Qinghai Minzu University, Xining 810007, China; College of Pharmaceutical, Qinghai Minzu University, Xining 810007, China
| | - Yan-Feng He
- Key Laboratory of Resource Chemistry and Eco-environmental Protection in Tibetan Plateau of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Qinghai Minzu University, Xining 810007, China; College of Pharmaceutical, Qinghai Minzu University, Xining 810007, China.
| | - Ying-Fang Shen
- College of Ecological Environment and Resources, Qinghai Minzu University, Xining 810007, China; Key Laboratory of Resource Chemistry and Eco-environmental Protection in Tibetan Plateau of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Qinghai Minzu University, Xining 810007, China.
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Yang S, Qu J, Tang K, Zhao X, Zhou H, Hu J. Trophic niche and adaptation in highland lizards: sex has greater influences than species matching. Integr Zool 2024; 19:564-576. [PMID: 37858979 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
The plateau environments are typically arid, cool, and high altitude, posing formidable challenges to wildlife survival due to resource scarcity and harsh conditions. Unraveling ecological adaptability in severe conditions requires a deeper understanding of the niche characteristics of plateau species. Trophic niche, which is a comprehensive indicator describing the energy acquisition strategy of animals, remains relatively understudied in plateau species. Here, by combining stable isotopes and morphological data, we quantified the trophic niches of two allopatric lizard species (Phrynocephalus vlangalii and P. erythrurus) that live in the hinterland of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, and explored how their trophic niches correlate with morphological and environmental factors. While both trophic niche and morphological traits were similar between species, noteworthy distinctions were observed between male and female Phrynocephalus lizards. The morphological traits associated with predation (i.e. limb length and head size) and reproduction (i.e. abdomen length), annual mean temperature, and sex played influential roles in shifting trophic niches. These results imply that sexual dimorphism may facilitate inter-sex divergence in resource utilization, leading to trophic niche variations in the highland lizards. Furthermore, extreme environmental stress can constrain interspecific divergence in morphological and trophic traits. Our findings illustrate the dynamic variations of trophic niches in highland lizards, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the adaptation strategies employed by lizard species in plateau environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengnan Yang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiapeng Qu
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Restoration Ecology for Cold Region, Northwest lnstitute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China
| | - Ke Tang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinquan Zhao
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Restoration Ecology for Cold Region, Northwest lnstitute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China
- Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Huakun Zhou
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Restoration Ecology for Cold Region, Northwest lnstitute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China
| | - Junhua Hu
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Wang X, Yang C, Qiao H, Hu J. More than two-fifths of the protected land in a global biodiversity hotspot in southwest China is under intense human pressure. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167283. [PMID: 37778545 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Habitat loss is the main threat to global biodiversity in the Anthropocene. To prevent this, protected areas are the most effective means for safeguarding biodiversity. However, extensive habitat protection under human pressure can undermine its effectiveness. Using the Hengduan Mountains, a global biodiversity hotspot in southwest China as an indicator, we assessed the extent and intensity of human pressure to highlight how these pressures have changed over time. We found that most ecoregions had high levels of intact habitat loss relative to areal protection by national nature reserves (NNRs). More than two-fifths of protected land is under intense human pressure, and lower elevation or smaller NNRs were subject to higher pressure. These increases have predominantly occurred in lower elevation NNRs, showing that elevation gradients correlate with increasing pressure. While protected areas are increasingly established, they are experiencing intense human pressure. Our findings provide useful insights for assessing resilience of protected areas and to prioritize areas where future conservation plans and actions should be focused in a changing world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyi Wang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China; Sichuan Zoige Alpine Wetland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Huijie Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Junhua Hu
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Karuno AP, Mi X, Chen Y, Zou DH, Gao W, Zhang BL, Xu W, Jin JQ, Shen WJ, Huang S, Zhou WW, Che J. Impacts of climate change on herpetofauna diversity in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2023; 37:e14155. [PMID: 37551770 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Although numerous studies on the impacts of climate change on biodiversity have been published, only a handful are focused on the intraspecific level or consider population-level models (separate models per population). We endeavored to fill this knowledge gap relative to the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau (QTP) by combining species distribution modeling (SDMs) with population genetics (i.e., population-level models) and phylogenetic methods (i.e., phylogenetic tree reconstruction and phylogenetic diversity analyses). We applied our models to 11 endemic and widely distributed herpetofauna species inhabiting high elevations in the QTP. We aimed to determine the influence of environmental heterogeneity on species' responses to climate change, the magnitude of climate-change impacts on intraspecific diversity, and the relationship between species range loss and intraspecific diversity losses under 2 shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP245 and SSP585) and 3 future periods (2050s, 2070s, and 2090s). The effects of global climatic change were more pronounced at the intraspecific level (22% of haplotypes lost and 36% of populations lost) than the morphospecies level in the SSP585 climate change scenario. Maintenance of genetic diversity was in general determined by a combination of factors including range changes, species genetic structure, and the part of the range predicted to be lost. This is owing to the fact that the loss and survival of populations were observed in species irrespective of the predicted range changes (contraction or expansion). In the southeast (mountainous regions), climate change had less of an effect on range size (>100% in 3 species) than in central and northern QTP plateau regions (range size <100% in all species). This may be attributed to environmental heterogeneity, which provided pockets of suitable climate in the southeast, whereas ecosystems in the north and central regions were homogeneous. Generally, our results imply that mountainous regions with high environmental heterogeneity and high genetic diversity may buffer the adverse impacts of climate change on species distribution and intraspecific diversity. Therefore, genetic structure and characteristics of the ecosystem may be crucial for conservation under climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Plimo Karuno
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan key laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, P. R. China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, P. R. China
| | - Xue Mi
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan key laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, P. R. China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, P. R. China
| | - Youhua Chen
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, P. R. China
| | - Da-Hu Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan key laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, P. R. China
- Research Center for Ecology, College of Science, Tibet University, Lhasa, P. R. China
| | - Wei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan key laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, P. R. China
| | - Bao-Lin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan key laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, P. R. China
| | - Wei Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan key laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, P. R. China
| | - Jie-Qiong Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan key laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, P. R. China
| | - Wen-Jing Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan key laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, P. R. China
| | - Song Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, P. R. China
| | - Wei-Wei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan key laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Institute of Innovation Ecology & College of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, P. R. China
| | - Jing Che
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan key laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, P. R. China
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Ferrante L, Rojas-Ahumada D, Menin M, Fearnside PM. Climate change in the Central Amazon and its impacts on frog populations. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:1421. [PMID: 37932448 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11997-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Frog population declines have already been observed in the central Amazon even for common species that are considered not to be in danger of extinction. The Amazon is close to its limit of tolerated deforestation, and parts of the forest have already been modified by climate change, which raises questions about how the fauna in these areas would adapt to climate changes by the middle and the end of this century. In this study we used population density data on seven species of Amazonian frogs and analyzed the relationship between the activity of these species and temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity. We also used the least-squares method with logarithmic models to assess whether climate change projected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) would be an indicator of the population dynamics of these species. Our results suggest that even common species may be may experience population declines and extinction in the next decades due to climate changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Ferrante
- Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.
| | - Diana Rojas-Ahumada
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Menin
- Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
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S B S, Pitchiah S, Suresh V, Ramasamy P. Biosynthesis of Copper Nanoparticles From Seaweed Ulva lactuca and Their In Vitro Antioxidative Potential. Cureus 2023; 15:e48985. [PMID: 38111453 PMCID: PMC10726088 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Marine macroalgae is consumed by individuals in several regions, including Scandinavia, Great Britain, Ireland, China, and Japan; in Japan, it is commonly referred to as aosa. Copper nanoparticles are primarily composed of copper and exhibit a size distribution ranging from 1 to 100 nm. Copper nanoparticles can be synthesized using chemical or natural means, similar to other nanoparticle variants. The nanoparticles in question have garnered significant attention owing to their historical utilization as coloring agents, as well as their contemporary applicability in medicine and antibacterial treatments. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to investigate the biosynthesis of copper nanoparticles derived from Ulva lactuca seaweed and explore their in vitro antioxidative potential. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seaweed samples (10 g) were mixed with 50 ml of distilled water and placed in a shaker for two days. Copper sulfate (10 mM) was mixed with 100 ml of distilled water to obtain a copper (Cu) solution. Cu nanoparticles were then synthesized by adding the aqueous extract to 100 ml of the Cu solution and mixing it in an orbital shaker at 180 rpm for 24 hours. They were observed both visually and via ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometry to confirm their nanoparticle synthesis. The initial reading was performed using a UV-visible spectrometer at 300-800 nm. The sample was centrifuged at approximately 8000 rpm for 15 minutes, the pellet was removed, and the pellet was dried in a hot-air oven. The synthesized Cu nanoparticles were then investigated using in vitro antioxidant assays. RESULT The seaweed-derived copper nanoparticles exhibited a 1.2 peak absorbance at 580 nm. Various concentrations of copper nanoparticles (25, 50, 75, and 100 µg/ml) were tested for free radical scavenging. As the copper nanoparticle concentration increased, the scavenging ability on 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals assay showed that the free radical scavenging activity increased in a dose-dependent manner. Similar to the DPPH assay, the total antioxidant and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)assays showed increased free radical scavenging with increasing concentration. CONCLUSION The application of Cu nanoparticles in the synthesis process has the potential to enhance the antioxidant activity of Ulva lactuca as evidenced by the observed increase in antioxidant capacity and defense against reactive oxygen species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanmugam S B
- Department of Physiology, Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IND
| | - Sivaperumal Pitchiah
- Department of Prosthodontics, Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IND
| | - Vasugi Suresh
- Department of Physiology, Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IND
| | - Pasiyappazham Ramasamy
- Department of Physiology, Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IND
- Department of Research, Polymer Research Lab, Centre for Marine Research and Conservation, Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IND
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Geographical Variation in Body Size and the Bergmann's Rule in Andrew's Toad ( Bufo andrewsi). BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11121766. [PMID: 36552274 PMCID: PMC9775554 DOI: 10.3390/biology11121766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Environmental variation likely modifies the life-history traits of vertebrates. As ectothermic vertebrates, it is possible that the body size of amphibians is impacted by environmental conditions. Here, we firstly quantified age and body size variation in the Andrew's toad (Bufo andrewsi) across the Hengduan Mountains. Then, we examined the environmental correlates of this variation based on the literature and our unpublished data on the age and body size of the Andrew's toad from 31 populations distributed in southwestern China. Although our analysis revealed significant variations in age and body size across B. andrewsi populations, neither latitude nor altitude correlated with this variability in age and body size. We found that age at sexual maturity, mean age, and longevity increased with decreasing annual mean temperature, whereas age at sexual maturity increased with decreasing temperature seasonality, implying that temperature was a crucial habitat characteristic that modulated age structure traits. Moreover, we revealed positive associations between age structure and UV-B seasonality, and negative relationships between both mean age and longevity and precipitation seasonality. We also found that body size increased with increasing precipitation in the driest month and UV-B seasonality. However, body size did not covary with temperature, signifying no support for Bergmann's rule. These findings help us to understand amphibians' abilities to adapt to environmental variation, which is particularly important in order to provide a theorical basis for their conservation.
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Luo Z, Mowery MA, Cheng X, Yang Q, Hu J, Andrade MCB. Realized niche shift of an invasive widow spider: drivers and impacts of human activities. Front Zool 2022; 19:25. [PMID: 36307847 PMCID: PMC9617396 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-022-00470-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Predicting invasiveness requires an understanding of the propensity of a given species to thrive in areas with novel ecological challenges. Evaluation of realized niche shift of an invasive species in its invasive range, detecting the main drivers of the realized niche shift, and predicting the potential distribution of the species can provide important information for the management of populations of invasive species and the conservation of biodiversity. The Australian redback spider, Latrodectus hasselti, is a widow spider that is native to Australia and established in Japan, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. We used ecological niche models and ordinal comparisons in an integrative method to compare the realized niches of native and invasive populations of this spider species. We also assessed the impact of several climatic predictor variables and human activity on this niche shift. We hypothesized that human impact is important for successful establishment of this anthropophilic species, and that climatic predictor variables may determine suitable habitat and thus predict invasive ranges. Results Our models showed that L. hasselti distributions are positively influenced by human impact in both of the native and invasive ranges. Maximum temperature was the most important climatic variable in predictions of the distribution of native populations, while precipitation seasonality was the most important in predictions of invasive populations. The realized niche of L. hasselti in its invasive range differed from that in its native range, indicating possible realized niche shift. Conclusions We infer that a preference for human-disturbed environments may underlie invasion and establishment in this spider species, as anthropogenic habitat modifications could provide shelters from unsuitable climatic conditions and extreme climatic stresses to the spiders. Because Australia and the countries in which the species is invasive have differing climates, differences in the availability of certain climatic conditions could have played a role in the realized niche shift of L. hasselti. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12983-022-00470-z.
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Morphological Variation and Its Environmental Correlates in the Taihangshan Swelled-Vented Frog across the Qinling Mountains. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12182328. [PMID: 36139189 PMCID: PMC9495075 DOI: 10.3390/ani12182328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Amphibians have weak dispersal abilities and are sensitive to environmental changes, resulting in their disproportionately high risk of extinction, with many species’ populations rapidly declining. Therefore, it is critical for amphibian conservation to understand their adaptive potential by exploring how amphibians respond to environmental changes based on morphological variations. Our results showed that morphological traits of Feirana taihangnica significantly differed among ages. Along with the increase in annual mean temperature, snout-vent length showed an anti-hump trend, indicating no support for Bergmann’s rule. Mean ultraviolet-B of the highest and lowest months were positively and negatively correlated with head width, thigh length and tibia width, respectively. The present study can help understand the effects of environmental changes on morphological variations of this mountain frog species and its adaptive potential, providing important implications for species conservation. Abstract The Taihangshan swelled-vented frog (Feirana taihangnica), an endemic species to the Qinling Mountains, central China, has experienced a dramatic population decline over the last few decades. The aim of this work was to quantify morphological variation in F. taihangnica across the Qinling Mountains and examine environmental correlates of this variation of morphological traits. We implemented a hierarchical partitioning to estimate the independent contribution of each environmental variable on morphological variations. Temperature seasonality was the greatest contributor in variations of snout-vent length (SVL) and head width, and ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation of the lowest month was the most influential on both thigh length and tibia width. Then, we used generalized additive models to analyze the relationship between each environmental factor and morphological trait variations. Along the increasing of annual mean temperature, SVL decreased firstly and then increased, indicating no support for Bergmann’s rule. Furthermore, SVL was negatively correlated with annual precipitation, while positively with temperature seasonality. The mean UV-B of the highest and lowest months was positively and negatively correlated with head width, thigh length and tibia width, respectively. The results of this study help us to understand adaptive potential of this mountain frog species via morphological variations in the light of environmental changes.
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He J, He Z, Yang D, Ma Z, Chen H, Zhang Q, Deng F, Ye L, Pu Y, Zhang M, Yang S, Yang S, Yan T. Genetic Variation in Schizothorax kozlovi Nikolsky in the Upper Reaches of the Chinese Yangtze River Based on Genotyping for Simplified Genome Sequencing. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12172181. [PMID: 36077902 PMCID: PMC9454844 DOI: 10.3390/ani12172181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Schizothorax kozlovi Nikolsky is a unique cold−water fish in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in China and has high economic value. In our study, genetic diversity and population structure analyses were performed on seven wild populations in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River by GBS. The above results indicate that the populations of S. kozlovi have different degrees of tolerance and selection pressure in response to temperature and altitude. The Wujiang population was genetically differentiated from the Jinsha River and Yalong River populations. The Wujiang intrapopulation has greater genetic diversity and differentiation than the Jinsha River and Yalong River populations, which demonstrates that the Jinsha and Yalong populations require more attention and resources for their protection. The results of this study will increase our understanding of the diversity of S. kozlovi in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and provide a basis for the conservation and utilization of wild resources. Abstract Schizothorax kozlovi Nikolsky is a unique cold−water fish in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in China and has high economic value. In our study, genetic diversity and population structure analyses were performed on seven wild populations (originating from the Jinsha River, Yalong River, and Wujiang River) in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River by genotyping by sequencing (GBS). The results indicated that a total of 303,970 single−nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified from the seven wild populations. Lower genetic diversity was exhibited among the intrapopulations of the three tributaries, and the Wujiang River population had significant genetic differentiation when compared to the Jinsha River and Yalong River populations. Furthermore, the selected SNPs were enriched in cellular processes, environmental adaptation, signal transduction, and related metabolic processes between the Wujiang population and the other two populations. The above results indicate that the populations of S. kozlovi have different degrees of tolerance and selection pressure in response to temperature and altitude. The Wujiang intrapopulation has greater genetic diversity and differentiation than the Jinsha River and Yalong River populations, which demonstrates that the Jinsha and Yalong populations require more attention and resources for their protection. The results of this study will increase our understanding of the diversity of S. kozlovi in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and provide a basis for the conservation and utilization of wild resources.
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Yang S, Wang X, Hu J. Mountain frog species losing out to climate change around the Sichuan Basin. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150605. [PMID: 34592288 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Amphibians are particularly vulnerable to climate changes that are expected to cause habitat fragmentation and loss and, ultimately, local extirpations. However, little is known about how the interaction between climate change and fragmentation may impede the ability of amphibians to adapt to climate change. Here, we used the iconic mountain frog Quasipaa boulengeri as an indicator species to extrapolate climate-driven shifts in its habitat availability and connectivity in central and southern China according to the minimum and maximum representative concentration pathways. The models projected an average habitat loss of 36%-71% and the in situ and ex situ climate-change refugia to be 29%-64% and 5%-18% of the present-day suitable habitats, respectively. An increase in habitat fragmentation was reflected in a 51% decrease in core patch size, a 9% increase in the mean least-cost path (LCP) length, and a 19% increase in the cost-weighted distance. These climate-driven shifts varied spatially around the Sichuan Basin, with those in the southeast of the Basin being the most pronounced habitat and connectivity losses and those along the Basin being relatively optimistic. The effectiveness of refugia may only be maintained through a narrow passageway along the southern Sichuan Basin because of the presence of LCPs over time. Our results emphasize the need to understand how climate change and connectivity will jointly affect the distribution of mountain amphibians and to accordingly adopt conservation strategies. Further, our findings highlight the importance of identifying and preserving climate-change refugia and habitat connectivity for species persistence and conservation planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengnan Yang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaoyi Wang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Junhua Hu
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China.
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Marques AJD, Hanson JO, Camacho-Sanchez M, Martínez-Solano I, Moritz C, Tarroso P, Velo-Antón G, Veríssimo A, Carvalho SB. Range-wide genomic scans and tests for selection identify non-neutral spatial patterns of genetic variation in a non-model amphibian species (Pelobates cultripes). CONSERV GENET 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-021-01425-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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13
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Luo Z, Wang X, Yang S, Cheng X, Liu Y, Hu J. Combining the responses of habitat suitability and connectivity to climate change for an East Asian endemic frog. Front Zool 2021; 18:14. [PMID: 33771163 PMCID: PMC7995727 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-021-00398-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Understanding the impacts of past and contemporary climate change on biodiversity is critical for effective conservation. Amphibians have weak dispersal abilities, putting them at risk of habitat fragmentation and loss. Both climate change and anthropogenic disturbances exacerbate these risks, increasing the likelihood of additional amphibian extinctions in the near future. The giant spiny frog (Quasipaa spinosa), an endemic species to East Asia, has faced a dramatic population decline over the last few decades. Using the giant spiny frog as an indicator to explore how past and future climate changes affect landscape connectivity, we characterized the shifts in the suitable habitat and habitat connectivity of the frog. Results We found a clear northward shift and a reduction in the extent of suitable habitat during the Last Glacial Maximum for giant spiny frogs; since that time, there has been an expansion of the available habitat. Our modelling showed that “overwarm” climatic conditions would most likely cause a decrease in the available habitat and an increase in the magnitude of population fragmentation in the future. We found that the habitat connectivity of the studied frogs will decrease by 50–75% under future climate change. Our results strengthen the notion that the mountains in southern China and the Sino-Vietnamese transboundary regions can act as critical refugia and priority areas of conservation planning going forward. Conclusions Given that amphibians are highly sensitive to environmental changes, our findings highlight that the responses of habitat suitability and connectivity to climate change can be critical considerations in future conservation measures for species with weak dispersal abilities and should not be neglected, as they all too often are. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12983-021-00398-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhua Luo
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Xiaoyi Wang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 9 Section 4, Renmin Nan Road, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Shaofa Yang
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Xinlan Cheng
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Junhua Hu
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 9 Section 4, Renmin Nan Road, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Chiocchio A, Arntzen JW, Martínez-Solano I, de Vries W, Bisconti R, Pezzarossa A, Maiorano L, Canestrelli D. Reconstructing hotspots of genetic diversity from glacial refugia and subsequent dispersal in Italian common toads (Bufo bufo). Sci Rep 2021; 11:260. [PMID: 33420098 PMCID: PMC7794404 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79046-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic diversity feeds the evolutionary process and allows populations to adapt to environmental changes. However, we still lack a thorough understanding of why hotspots of genetic diversity are so 'hot'. Here, we analysed the relative contribution of bioclimatic stability and genetic admixture between divergent lineages in shaping spatial patterns of genetic diversity in the common toad Bufo bufo along the Italian peninsula. We combined population genetic, phylogeographic and species distribution modelling (SDM) approaches to map ancestral areas, glacial refugia, and secondary contact zones. We consistently identified three phylogeographic lineages, distributed in northern, central and southern Italy. These lineages expanded from their ancestral areas and established secondary contact zones, before the last interglacial. SDM identified widespread glacial refugia in peninsular Italy, sometimes located under the present-day sea-level. Generalized linear models indicated genetic admixture as the only significant predictor of the levels of population genetic diversity. Our results show that glacial refugia contributed to preserving both levels and patterns of genetic diversity across glacial-interglacial cycles, but not to their formation, and highlight a general principle emerging in Mediterranean species: higher levels of genetic diversity mark populations with substantial contributions from multiple genetic lineages, irrespective of the location of glacial refugia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Chiocchio
- Department of Ecological and Biological Science, Tuscia University, Largo dell'Università s.n.c., 01100, Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Jan W Arntzen
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, P.O. Box 9517, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Iñigo Martínez-Solano
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, c/ José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Wouter de Vries
- Asociation Ambor, Ctra. Constantina - Pedroso 1, 41450, Constantina, Spain
| | - Roberta Bisconti
- Department of Ecological and Biological Science, Tuscia University, Largo dell'Università s.n.c., 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Alice Pezzarossa
- Department of Ecological and Biological Science, Tuscia University, Largo dell'Università s.n.c., 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Luigi Maiorano
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Università di Roma La Sapienza, Viale dell'Università 32, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Canestrelli
- Department of Ecological and Biological Science, Tuscia University, Largo dell'Università s.n.c., 01100, Viterbo, Italy
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15
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Zheng Y, Dai Q, Guo X, Zeng X. Dynamics behind disjunct distribution, hotspot-edge refugia, and discordant RADseq/mtDNA variability: insights from the Emei mustache toad. BMC Evol Biol 2020; 20:111. [PMID: 32859147 PMCID: PMC7456009 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-020-01675-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The distribution of genetic diversity and the underlying processes are important for conservation planning but are unknown for most species and have not been well studied in many regions. In East Asia, the Sichuan Basin and surrounding mountains constitute an understudied region that exhibits a “ring” of high species richness overlapping the eastern edge of the global biodiversity hotspot Mountains of Southwest China. We examine the distributional history and genetic diversification of the Emei mustache toad Leptobrachium boringii, a typical “ring” element characterized by disjunct ranges in the mountains, by integrating time-calibrated gene tree, genetic variability, individual-level clustering, inference of population splitting and mixing from allele frequencies, and paleoclimatic suitability modeling. Results The results reveal extensive range dynamics, including secondary contact after long-term isolation via westward dispersal accompanied by variability loss. They allow the proposal of a model that combines recurrent contractions caused by Quaternary climatic changes and some failed expansions under suitable conditions for explaining the shared disjunct distribution pattern. Providing exceptional low-elevation habitats in the hotspot area, the eastern edge harbors both long-term refugial and young immigrant populations. This finding and a synthesis of evidence from other taxa demonstrate that a certain contributor to biodiversity, one that preserves and receives low-elevation elements of the east in this case, can be significant for only a particular part of a hotspot. By clarifying the low variability of these refugial populations, we show that discordant mitochondrial estimates of diversity can be obtained for populations that experienced admixture, which would have unlikely left proportional immigrant alleles for each locus. Conclusions Dispersal after long-term isolation can explain much of the spatial distribution of genetic diversity in this species, while secondary contact and long-term persistence do not guarantee a large variation. The model for the formation of disjunct ranges may apply to many other taxa isolated in the mountains surrounding the Sichuan Basin. Furthermore, this study provides insights into the heterogeneous nature of hotspots and discordant variability obtained from genome-wide and mitochondrial data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchi Zheng
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #9 of Section 4, Ren-Min-Nan Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China. .,Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong, 637009, Sichuan Province, China.
| | - Qiang Dai
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #9 of Section 4, Ren-Min-Nan Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xianguang Guo
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #9 of Section 4, Ren-Min-Nan Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xiaomao Zeng
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #9 of Section 4, Ren-Min-Nan Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
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Huang Y, Wang X, Yang X, Jiang J, Hu J. Unveiling the roles of interspecific competition and local adaptation in phenotypic differentiation of parapatric frogs. Curr Zool 2020; 66:383-392. [PMID: 32617086 PMCID: PMC7319442 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoaa001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how ecological processes affect phenotypic evolution has been and continues to be an important goal of ecology and evolutionary biology. Interspecific competition for resources can be a selective force driving phenotypic differentiation that reduces competition among sympatric species (character divergence), enabling closely-related species to coexist. However, although patterns of character divergence are well documented in both empirical and theoretical researches, how local adaptation to abiotic environment affects trait evolution in the face of interspecific competition is less known. Here, we investigate how patterns in morphological traits of 2 parapatric frog species, Feirana quadranus and F. taihangnica, vary among allopatric and sympatric regions using range-wide data derived from extensive field surveys. Feirana quadranus was overall larger than F. taihangnica in body size (i.e., snout–vent length [SVL]), and the difference between SVL of both species in sympatry was larger than that in allopatry. From allopatry to sympatry, the 2 species diverged in foot and hand traits, but converged in eye size and interorbital span, even when we controlled for the effects of geographic gradients. Sympatric divergence in SVL, hand and foot traits is likely acting as a case of evolutionary shift caused by interspecific competition. In contrast, sympatric convergence of eye-related traits may derive at least partly from adaptation to local environments. These results imply the relative roles of interspecific competition and local adaptation in shaping phenotypic diversification. Our findings illustrate how traits evolve in parapatric species pair due to sympatric divergent and convergent evolution. It thus provides insights into understanding underlying evolutionary processes of parapatric species, that is, competition and local adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China.,Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong 637009, China
| | - Xiaoyi Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xin Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jianping Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Junhua Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
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