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Li YR, Fritsch PW, Zhao GG, Cheng XJ, Ding ZL, Lu L. Population differentiation and dynamics of five pioneer species of Gaultheria from the secondary forests in subtropical China. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 24:516. [PMID: 38851686 PMCID: PMC11161945 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05189-z] [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: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The influence of native secondary succession associated with anthropogenic disturbance on the biodiversity of the forests in subtropical China remains uncertain. In particular, the evolutionary response of small understory shrubs, particularly pioneer species inhabiting continuously disturbed habitats, to topographic heterogeneity and climate change is poorly understood. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap by focusing on the Gaultheria crenulata group, a clade of small pioneer shrubs in subtropical China. RESULTS We examined the genetic structure and demographic history of all five species of the G. crenulata group with two maternally inherited chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) fragments and two biparentally inherited low-copy nuclear genes (LCG) over 89 natural populations. We found that the genetic differentiation of this group was influenced by the geomorphological boundary between different regions of China in association with Quaternary climatic events. Despite low overall genetic diversity, we observed an isolation-by-distance (IBD) pattern at a regional scale, rather than isolation-by-environment (IBE), which was attributed to ongoing human disturbance in the region. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the genetic structure of the G. crenulata group reflects the interplay of geological topography, historical climates, and anthropogenic disturbance during the Pliocene-Pleistocene-Holocene periods in subtropical China. The observed IBD pattern, particularly prominent in western China, highlights the role of limited dispersal and gene flow, possibly influenced by physical barriers or decreased connectivity over geographic distance. Furthermore, the east-to-west trend of gene flow, potentially facilitated by the East Asian monsoon system, underscores the complex interplay of biotic and abiotic factors shaping the genetic dynamics of pioneer species in subtropical China's secondary forests. These findings can be used to assess the impact of environmental changes on the adaptation and persistence of biodiversity in subtropical forest ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Rong Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Pharmacology for Natural Products, Yunnan College of Modern Biomedical Industry, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Peter W Fritsch
- Botanical Research Institute of Texas, 1700 University Drive, Fort Worth, TX, 76017, USA
| | - Gui-Gang Zhao
- Genome Center of Biodiversity, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming, 650223, China
| | - Xiao-Juan Cheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Pharmacology for Natural Products, Yunnan College of Modern Biomedical Industry, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhao-Li Ding
- Genome Center of Biodiversity, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming, 650223, China.
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Information, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming, 650223, China.
| | - Lu Lu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Pharmacology for Natural Products, Yunnan College of Modern Biomedical Industry, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China.
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Gao Y, Dai D, Wang H, Wu W, Xiao P, Wu L, Wei X, Yin S. Genomic insights into differentiation and adaptation of Amorphophallus yunnanensis in the mountainous region of Southwest China. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e10861. [PMID: 38264337 PMCID: PMC10805605 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The role of geographical isolation and environmental adaptation in driving the differentiation and radiation of species has been a hotspot in evolutionary biology. The extremely complicated and fragmented geography of the mountainous region of Southwest China provides an excellent system for investigating the process of species divergence in heterogeneous habitats. Amorphophallus yunnanensis is a species of extreme habitat preference that resides mainly in the mountainous region of Southwest China. Here, we used restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) to characterize the geographic pattern of genetic variation among 19 populations of A. yunnanensis as well as the genomic basis of environmental adaptation. A pattern of low population genetic diversity and high level of genetic differentiation was observed. The genomic data revealed a clear east-west genetic differentiation, with two distinct genetic lineages corresponding to the Guizhou plateau and Yunnan plateau, respectively. However, we discovered demographic expansion of the Guizhou Plateau lineage and recent hybridization in populations at the contact region. Significant levels of isolation by distance along with isolation by environment were detected. Outlier tests and genome-environment association analyses identified 89 putatively adaptive loci that might play a role in environmental adaptation. Our results suggest that the genetic divergence of A. yunnanensis is attributed to geographical isolation together with divergent selection in the mountainous region of Southwest China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Gao
- College of Biological Resource and Food EngineeringQujing Normal UniversityQujingYunnanChina
| | - Dongqin Dai
- College of Biological Resource and Food EngineeringQujing Normal UniversityQujingYunnanChina
| | - Haibo Wang
- College of Biological Resource and Food EngineeringQujing Normal UniversityQujingYunnanChina
| | - Weijia Wu
- College of Biological Resource and Food EngineeringQujing Normal UniversityQujingYunnanChina
| | - Penghui Xiao
- College of Biological Resource and Food EngineeringQujing Normal UniversityQujingYunnanChina
| | - Lifang Wu
- College of Biological Resource and Food EngineeringQujing Normal UniversityQujingYunnanChina
| | - Xiaomei Wei
- College of Biological Resource and Food EngineeringQujing Normal UniversityQujingYunnanChina
| | - Si Yin
- College of Biological Resource and Food EngineeringQujing Normal UniversityQujingYunnanChina
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Zhou C, Xia S, Wen Q, Song Y, Jia Q, Wang T, Liu L, Ouyang T. Genetic structure of an endangered species Ormosia henryi in southern China, and implications for conservation. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 23:220. [PMID: 37098472 PMCID: PMC10131447 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-023-04231-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The evergreen broadleaved forest (EBLF) is an iconic vegetation type of East Asia, and it contributes fundamentally to biodiversity-based ecosystem functioning and services. However, the native habitat of EBLFs keeps on decreasing due to anthropogenic activities. Ormosia henryi is a valuable rare woody species in EBLFs that is particularly sensitive to habitat loss. In this study, ten natural populations of O. henryi in southern China were sampled, and then genotyping by sequencing (GBS) was applied to elucidate the standing genetic variation and population structure of this endangered species. RESULTS In ten O. henryi populations, 64,158 high-quality SNPs were generated by GBS. Based on these markers, a relatively low level of genetic diversity was found with the expected heterozygosity (He) ranging from 0.2371 to 0.2901. Pairwise FST between populations varied from 0.0213 to 0.1652, indicating a moderate level of genetic differentiation. However, contemporary gene flow between populations were rare. Assignment test and principal component analysis (PCA) both supported that O. henryi populations in southern China could be divided into four genetic groups, and prominent genetic admixture was found in those populations located in southern Jiangxi Province. Mantel tests and multiple matrix regression with randomization (MMRR) analyses suggested that isolation by distance (IBD) could be the possible reason for describing the current population genetic structure. In addition, the effective population size (Ne) of O. henryi was extremely small, and showed a continuous declining trend since the Last Glacial Period. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that the endangered status of O. henryi is seriously underestimated. Artificial conservation measures should be applied as soon as possible to prevent O. henryi from the fate of extinction. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism that leading to the continuous loss of genetic diversity in O. henryi and help to develop a better conservation strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengchuan Zhou
- Identification and Evaluation Center for Forest Germplasm Resources in Jiangxi Province, Jiangxi Academy of Forestry, Nanchang, China
| | - Shiqi Xia
- Identification and Evaluation Center for Forest Germplasm Resources in Jiangxi Province, Jiangxi Academy of Forestry, Nanchang, China
| | - Qiang Wen
- Identification and Evaluation Center for Forest Germplasm Resources in Jiangxi Province, Jiangxi Academy of Forestry, Nanchang, China
| | - Ying Song
- Identification and Evaluation Center for Forest Germplasm Resources in Jiangxi Province, Jiangxi Academy of Forestry, Nanchang, China
| | - Quanquan Jia
- Identification and Evaluation Center for Forest Germplasm Resources in Jiangxi Province, Jiangxi Academy of Forestry, Nanchang, China
| | - Tian Wang
- Identification and Evaluation Center for Forest Germplasm Resources in Jiangxi Province, Jiangxi Academy of Forestry, Nanchang, China
| | - Liting Liu
- Identification and Evaluation Center for Forest Germplasm Resources in Jiangxi Province, Jiangxi Academy of Forestry, Nanchang, China.
| | - Tianlin Ouyang
- Jiangxi Provincial Forestry Science and Technology Experiment Center, Ganzhou, China.
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Geographic Patterns of the Richness and Density of Wild Orchids in Nature Reserves of Jiangxi, China. DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/d14100855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Orchids have attracted much attention from researchers, because of their richness of species and their great ornamental and medicinal value. Jiangxi Province, which is located in southeastern China and ringed on three sides by mountains, contains many nature reserves and harbors large number of orchids. Here, we conducted field surveys of orchids in 35 nature reserves in Jiangxi, using sampling lines and plots. We also analyzed the relationship between orchid richness and density with environmental variables and studied the relationship among these nature reserves. We found that the mountainous areas of southwestern, southern, and northeastern Jiangxi have a high richness and density of orchids, while the mountainous areas of central and northwestern Jiangxi have low richness and density. Jiulianshan and Jinggangshan are the two most rich-species reserves, with 58 and 55 orchids, respectively. Eight reserves (22% of those surveyed) had fewer than 10 orchids. Compared with soil, climate, and vegetation, topography was more closely related to the richness and density of orchids. Topographical variables explained 19% and 20% of the total variation in SR and SD, respectively. The result of hierarchical clustering analysis showed that the 35 nature reserves of Jiangxi obviously fall into two main clusters, which are separated by the Ganjiang River–Poyang Lake water system. In conclusion, the geographical patterns of richness and the density of orchids in Jiangxi are uneven and are affected by topography and vegetation, while their distribution is affected by the terrain of Jiangxi. Our work explains the richness and density patterns and the assembly mechanism of the orchids in Jiangxi and also provides new ideas for the protection of orchids in this region.
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Lu Y, Chen J, Chen B, Liu Q, Zhang H, Yang L, Chao Z, Tian E. High genetic diversity and low population differentiation of a medical plant Ficus hirta Vahl., uncovered by microsatellite loci: implications for conservation and breeding. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 22:334. [PMID: 35820829 PMCID: PMC9277808 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-022-03734-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wuzhimaotao (Radix Fici Hirtae) originates from the dry root of Ficus hirta (Moraceae), which is widely known as a medical and edible plant distributed in South China. As the increasing demand for Wuzhimaotao, the wild F. hirta has been extremely reduced during the past years. It is urgent to protect and rationally develop the wild resources of F. hirta for its sustainable utilization. However, a lack of genetic background of F. hirta makes it difficult to plan conservation and breeding strategies for this medical plant. In the present study, a total of 414 accessions of F. hirta from 7 provinces in southern China were evaluated for the population genetics using 9 polymorphic SSR markers. RESULTS A mean of 17.1 alleles per locus was observed. The expected heterozygosity (He) varied from 0.142 to 0.861 (mean = 0.706) in nine SSR loci. High genetic diversity (He = 0.706, ranged from 0.613 to 0.755) and low genetic differentiation among populations (G'ST = 0.147) were revealed at population level. In addition, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that the principal molecular variance existed within populations (96.2%) was significantly higher than that among populations (3.8%). Meanwhile, the three kinds of clustering methods analysis (STRUCTURE, PCoA and UPGMA) suggested that the sampled populations were clustered into two main genetic groups (K = 2). Mantel test showed a significant correlation between geographic and genetic distance among populations (R2 = 0.281, P < 0.001). Pollen flow, seed flow and/or geographical barriers might be the main factors that formed the current genetic patterns of F. hirta populations. CONCLUSIONS This is a comprehensive study of genetic diversity and population structure of F. hirta in southern China. We revealed the high genetic diversity and low population differentiation in this medicinal plant and clarified the causes of its current genetic patterns. Our study will provide novel insights into the exploitation and conservation strategies for F. hirta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Lu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Jianling Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Bing Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Qianqian Liu
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510095, China
| | - Hanlin Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Liyuan Yang
- Department of Landscape Plants and Ornamental Horticulture, College of Landscape Architecture, Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University, Hangzhou, 311300, People's Republic of China.
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Utilization for Garden Plants, Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University, Hangzhou, 311300, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhi Chao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Enwei Tian
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutics, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Preparation Technology, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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