Phytogeographical patterns of genera of endemic flora in relation to latitudinal and climatic gradients in China

This paper aims at detecting the relationships between phytogeographical patterns of genera of Chinese endemic seed plants and latitude or climatic factors. The landmass of China was divided into four latitudinal zones, each of c. 8°. Based on a total of 1664 indigenous genera of Chinese endemic seed plants which were grouped into fifteen geographical elements, belonging to three major categories (cosmopolitan, tropical and temperate) and which were absent or present in 28 provinces in China, we analyzed the phytogeographical patterns of genera of Chinese endemic seed plants and detected the relationships between them and main climatic factors. Our results showed that the proportion of tropical genera decreases with the increase in latitude; the proportion of temperate genera increases with the increase in latitude; and the proportion of cosmopolitan genera increased gradually increased gradually with latitude. There are a slow decrease in the proportion of tropical genera and slow increase in the proportion of temperate genera at latitudes 35°–40°. Alternatively, the tropical genera and the temperate genera have the same proportion at latitude c. 25°. These changes and issues about the different genera also appeared in main climate factors. In general, the genera present in a more northerly flora are a subset of the genera present in a more southerly flora. In summary, the large-scale patterns of phytogeography of endemic flora in China are strongly related to latitude, which covary with several climatic variables such as temperature.     

Latitudinal pattern of mountain vegetation zonation in southern and eastern Asia

A new scheme of altitudinal and latitudinal vegetation zonation is proposed for eastern Asia. The latitudinal patterns of mountain vegetation zonation show a clear boundary at ca. 20°–30° N. For the tropical mountains south of 20° N, the altitudinal series includes tropical lowland, tropical lower montane, and tropical upper montane zones. For the temperate mountains north of 30° N, the series includes temperate lowland, temperate lower montane, and temperate upper montane zones. The mountains located between 20° and 30° N show a transitional zonation pattern; the lower two zones are comparable to the lower two of the tropical zonation (tropical lowland and tropical lower montane), and the upper two zones are comparable to those of the temperate zonation (temperate lower montane and temperate upper montane). The tropical upper montane zone is not found north of 20°–30° N, while the tropical lower montane zone reaches down to sea level and constitutes the temperate lowland zone. Thus the zonation between 20° and 30° N includes tropical lowland, tropical lower montane/temperate lowland, temperate lower montane, and temperate upper montane zones. The latitudinal series of lowland rain forests follows the scheme of climatic division into tropical, subtropical/warm-temperate, cool-temperate and cold-temperate, with a shift of the respective life forms, evergreen, evergreen notophyllous, deciduous, and evergreen needle-leaved. The tropical lower montane forest can be correlated to the horizontal subtropical/ warm-temperate zone. The temperate altitudinal and latitudinal zonations above 30° N are correlated and show an inclined parallel pattern from high altitudes in the south to low altitudes down to sea level in the north.     

粤北大东山种子植物区系研究

大东山位于广东北部,地理位置约为２４°５０′～２５°００′Ｎ,１１２°３７′～１１２°４７′Ｅ。大东山有种子植物１６１科,５６０属,１１２４种。其中裸子植物６科,１０属,１４种;被子植物１５５科,５５０属,１１１０种。大东山区系的表征科是蔷薇科、樟科、茶科、壳斗科、山矾科、冬青科、木兰科、安息香科和金缕梅科。属的地理成分组成为热带分布属占５４．３４％,温带分布属占４５．６６％。本区系与江西九连山及福建武夷山区系有密切的联系,与黑石顶、大瑶山和花坪区系的联系也较紧密。大东山区系属华南地区的一部分。     

浙江大山峰种子植物区系的统计分析

据调查统计浙江大山峰野生种子植物140科524属1032种(含种下分类群)。科、属、种的分布区类型分析表明,科以泛热带分布最多(43.6%),其次是世界分布(20%)和北温带(18.6%),温带分布少于热带分布(35∶77);属以泛热带分布最多(22.9%),其次是北温带分布(17.4%)和东亚分布(17.0%),温带分布多于热带分布(237∶230);种以中国特有分布最多(44.4%),其次是东亚分布(21.0%)和热带亚洲分布(17.4%),温带分布明显多于热带分布(317∶252),显示大山峰植物区系处于温带和热带分布的过渡区,具亚热带性质和地理成分复杂的特征,且与日本植物区系有密切关系。通过与邻近诸山属种相似性系数比较,说明它们关系密切,属同一自然区系。     

Desiccation tolerance and starvation resistance exhibit opposite latitudinal clines in Indian geographical populations of Drosophila kikkawai

Abstract. 1. Desiccation tolerance and starvation resistance demonstrated significant differentiation among seven Indian geographical populations of Drosophila kikkawai, collected along a latitudinal range of 12.6–32.7 °N. Lack of significant differences in two successive generations suggested that these physiological traits were genetically controlled. 2. North Indian populations of D. kikkawai displayed significantly higher desiccation tolerance than southern populations, whereas there was a reverse trend for starvation tolerance (r > 0.90). Regression slope values indicated an increase of 0.61 h for desiccation and a decrease of 1.71 h per degree latitude for starvation tolerance at 17 °C. The traits evidenced opposite latitudinal clines, and such data also matched thermal climatic conditions on the Indian subcontinent. The survival duration for such traits was significantly higher at 17 than at 25 °C. 3. Significantly higher starvation tolerance in south Indian populations might be due to large population size, species interactions, and higher metabolic rates in the humid tropical environments. In contrast, prolonged unfavourable colder climatic conditions are known to favour starvation tolerance in temperate regions. Thus, the causes of desiccation and starvation tolerance seem quite different under tropical and temperate conditions. 4. Starvation tolerance was correlated negatively with body weight and ovariole number, which might be due to a trade-off in favour of greater allocation to non-lipidic reserves for sustaining starvation tolerance in the tropics. Reduction in metabolic rate may not be applicable for observed higher starvation tolerance in the tropical populations. 5. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated a major effect of coefficient of variation of mean monthly temperature for both the traits of ecological significance. Thus, Indian geographical populations of D. kikkawai provided evidence of independent genetic divergence for starvation and desiccation tolerance under natural conditions.     

Three‐dimensional change in temperature sensitivity of northern vegetation phenology

Understanding how the temperature sensitivity of phenology changes with three spatial dimensions (altitude, latitude, and longitude) is critical for the prediction of future phenological synchronization. Here we investigate the spatial pattern of temperature sensitivity of spring and autumn phenology with altitude, latitude, and longitude during 1982–2016 across mid‐ and high‐latitude Northern Hemisphere (north of 30°N). We find distinct spatial patterns of temperature sensitivity of spring phenology (hereafter “spring S_T”) among altitudinal, latitudinal, and longitudinal gradient. Spring S_T decreased with altitude mostly over eastern Europe, whereas the opposite occurs in eastern North America and the north China plain. Spring S_T decreased with latitude mainly in the boreal regions of North America, temperate Eurasia, and the arid/semi‐arid regions of Central Asia. This distribution may be related to the increased temperature variance, decreased precipitation, and radiation with latitude. Compared to spring S_T, the spatial pattern of temperature sensitivity of autumn phenology (hereafter “autumn S_T”) is more heterogeneous, only showing a clear spatial pattern of autumn S_T along the latitudinal gradient. Our results highlight the three‐dimensional view to understand the phenological response to climate change and provide new metrics for evaluating phenological models. Accordingly, establishing a dense, high‐quality three‐dimensional observation system of phenology data is necessary for enhancing our ability to both predict phenological changes under changing climatic conditions and to facilitate sustainable management of ecosystems.     

青海茶卡- 共和盆地及其毗邻地区种子植物区系

茶卡- 共和盆地及其毗邻地区位于青海省的东部, 约处于北纬34°45′～ 37°00′, 东经98°45′～ 101°30′。海拔2 800～5 305 m, 面积约38 300 km2 , 属于高原大陆性气候类型。本区共有野生种子植物59 科、277 属、854 种。分别占青海省总科数的65 . 56%、总属数的54 .53%、总种数的37 . 37%。区系特征如下:1、种类相对较贫乏, 木本更贫乏。2、就属的层面而言, 本区属于以北温带成分, 特别是欧亚大陆温、寒地带典型成分为优势的, 兼具旱生温性、耐寒温性和高寒类型的温带区系性质。3、许多种、属和热带类型均以本区为边缘分布区, 因而区系的边缘性质明显。4、为青藏高原高寒区系、黄土高原温性( 草原)植物区系和亚洲东部荒漠区系在我国的交汇过渡区, 区系的过渡性质明显。5、是青藏高原植物亚区唐古特地区的一部分。6、是青海植物区系或“唐古特植物地区”划分植物亚地区的关键区域。     

陕西种子植物区系地理初步研究

陕西约有种子植物３９０７种,隶属于１７７科１１１５属,其中热带属３２８属（２９４４％）,温带属６４５属（５８１１％）,中国特有属５３属（４７５％）。区系地理成分分析表明,北温带分布属是其植物区系的核心,反映出区系的温带性质。然而这些温带区系成分并非起源于北方,而是亚热带山区起源,是华夏植物区系的北向延伸,其与亚热带和热带植物区系成分有着共同的起源,是华夏植物区系的组成部分。由于特殊的地理位置,决定了其成为多种地理成分的汇集之地,并表现出由亚热带向温带过渡的区系特点。此外区系中单、少种科、属及古特有属相对丰富,体现出区系的古老性。     

Patterns of distribution for southern Australian marine echinoderms and decapods

Aim To relate patterns of distribution of marine echinoderms and decapods around southern Australia to major ecological and historical factors. Location Shallow‐water (0–100 m) marine waters off southern Australia, south of 30° S. Methods (1) Record the presence/absence of known echinoderm and decapod species in cells of c. 1° latitude and longitude, along the coast of southern mainland Australia and Tasmania. (2) Describe patterns in species composition, species richness and endemism through gradient analysis, ordination and cluster analysis. (3) Relate these patterns to distance and temperature gradients, the area of continental shelf, the average size of species range, and known historical factors. Results Species composition varied with both latitude and longitude. Species richness was relatively constant from east to west but graded with latitude from high in the warm‐temperate regions around Perth and Sydney to low in cool‐temperate southern Tasmania. Species richness was not related to the area of continental shelf or average species range size. Species turnover was not correlated with rates of temperature change. It was problematic to separate distance from temperature gradients, but there was evidence that the southern distribution limits of some species are related to minimum sea surface temperature. Within the taxonomic groups surveyed, evolutionary radiation has been largely limited to a few cosmopolitan species‐rich genera. Main conclusions There are historical as well as ecological hypotheses explaining the latitudinal gradient of marine species richness in southern Australia: (1) the continual invasion and speciation of species of tropical origin as Australia has split from Gondwana and drifted northward; (2) progressive extinction of some Gondwanan cool‐temperate species at the limits of their range; (3) low level of immigration of additional cool‐temperate species; and (4) some in situ endemic speciation.     

Latitudinal gradients in some,but not all,avian life history traits extend into the Arctic

Latitudinal variation in avian life history strategies is well documented. Clutch size and nest success tend to increase with latitude, whereas longevity and developmental periods have been argued to decrease with latitude. However, these patterns are largely based on interspecific comparisons of species breeding at tropical and temperate latitudes. We compared the life history of Yellow Warblers Setophaga petechia breeding in arctic habitat at the northern extent of their range, in Inuvik, NWT (68°N), Canada, with those breeding in temperate habitat in Revelstoke, BC (50°N), and use data from 21 populations spanning 0–68°N to evaluate latitudinal trends in life history traits from tropical to arctic habitats. Females breeding in Inuvik laid first clutches that were slightly (although not significantly) larger and had higher nest success, which resulted in higher annual productivity compared with their low- latitude counterparts. Apparent adult survival rates were only marginally lower in Inuvik than in Revelstoke, whereas incubation and nestling periods in the arctic were similar to our temperate site. When comparing life history traits across the Yellow Warbler breeding range, we observed increases in clutch sizes and nest success with increasing latitude that appeared to be associated with declines in adult survival, though this relationship was weakened by the addition of our arctic site. We detected more moderate declines in incubation and nestling periods with increasing latitude. As we observed latitudinal variation in some life history traits, but not a consistent transition of traits associated with a shift from a slow to fast life history from tropical to arctic latitudes, our study suggests that the expectation for a general shift in life history traits may be over-simplified.     

中国小煤炱目生态及区系成分分析

对中国小煤炱目的的种类组成、生态分布及寄主和区系地理成分进行了研究。中国小煤炱目有7属,341种和变种,占世界的15％;优势属是小煤炱属（239种和变种,占70．1％）,小光壳炱属（54种和变种,占15．8％）和附丝壳属（22种和变种,6．4％）。中国小煤炱目主要分布在热带亚热带地区,76．8％的寄主植物属属于热带成分。种的分布型可分广布成分（0．3％）、泛热带成分（7．3％）、热带亚洲－热带美洲成分（9．1％）、旧世界热带成分（0．3％）、热带亚洲－热带大洋洲成分（2．1％）、热带亚洲－热带非洲成分（16．1％）、热带亚洲成分（34％）、北温带成分（0．6％）、东亚－北美洲成分（0．3％）、东亚成分（1．7％）、中国特有成分（28．2％）等11种类型;表现出明显的热带成分（68．9％）和中国特有成分;在分布上,与东亚、北温带区系相距较远。     

浙江淡水维管束植物的区系特点与地理分布

根据15年的调查结果,对浙江省水生维管束植物的区系与地理分布特点进行了研究。已知浙江有水生维管束植物150种,隶属于78属,42科。将78属归纳为11个分布区类型,以世界分布类型所占比例最高,热带分布属总数多于温带分布属,泛热带分布和北温带分布比例非常高。将150种植物归纳为13个分布区类型,温带分布远多于热带分布,以东亚分布类型最为突出,体现了中国－日本植物区系的明显特征,探讨了浙江水生植物的水平地带性和垂直地带性分布规律,其分布不仅与气候带有关,更与水生的生境的分布格局有关。最后,报浙江水生植物濒危种的受威胁状况。     

东喜马拉雅地区多孔菌区系和生态习性

对东喜马拉雅地区多孔菌区系和生态习性进行了分析,发现该地区多孔菌极为丰富,共有10目19科101属372种,其中优势科为多孔菌科和锈革孔菌科,优势属为木层孔菌属和多孔菌属。种的区系地理成分可以分为8类,其中北温带类型种类最多,表明东喜马拉雅地区多孔菌具有明显的北温带区系特征。该地区的多孔菌有常见种、偶见种、稀有种和濒危种分别为156、141、54和21个;有腐生菌304种、寄生菌49种、菌根菌19种。在寄主方面,能够生长在被子植物上的有256种,裸子植物上的有137种,既能生长在被子植物,也能生长在裸子植物上的有40种,地上生长的有19种。东喜马拉雅地区的裸子植物,特别是云杉属、松属和冷杉属树木对于多孔菌的生长更重要,因为生长在这些属树木上的多孔菌分别有71、68和51种,高于该地区被子植物其他属树木上的多孔菌。     

Variations in body melanisation,ovariole number and fecundity in highland and lowland populations of Drosophila melanogaster from the Indian subcontinent

We investigated geographical variations in three fitness‐related traits (body melanisation, ovariole number and fecundity) in laboratory‐reared offspring of 10 populations of Drosophila melanogaster. The populations were collected from adjacent lowland and highland localities (～80–100 km apart) in the tropical as well as subtropical regions (11.15–31.06 °N) covering a linear distance about 3 000 kilometers from south to north on the Indian subcontinent. Persistence of within‐as well as between‐population differences at 21 °C suggest that observed variations in fitness‐related traits have a genetic basis. Populations from higher altitudes showed consistently higher trait values (1.4‐fold increase) as compared with their corresponding lowland populations. By contrast, latitudinal variations were about two‐fold higher across the entire continent. Along latitude as well as altitude, population means showed higher correlation values (r > 0.98) between all the three fitness traits. However, on the basis of within‐population analysis (assorted darker and lighter flies), changes in body melanisation were significantly correlated with fecundity but not with ovariole number. Thus, analysis of within‐population trait variability should be preferred as compared with data on population means for adaptive significance of fitness‐related traits. In the present study, the role of climatic selection is evident from regression analysis with changes in annual average temperature of the sites of origin of populations along latitude as well as altitude.     

Latitudinal patterns and regionalization of plant diversity along a 4270‐km gradient in continental Chile

According to the global latitudinal diversity gradient, a decrease in animal and plant species richness exists from the tropics towards higher latitudes. The aim of this study was to describe the latitudinal distribution patterns of Chilean continental flora and delineate biogeographic regions along a 4270‐km north–south gradient. We reviewed plant lists for each of the 39 parallels of continental Chile to build a database of the geographical distribution of vascular plant species comprising 184 families, 957 genera and 3787 species, which corresponded to 100%, 94.9% and 74.2% of the richness previously defined for Chile, respectively. Using this latitudinal presence–absence species matrix, we identified areas with high plant richness and endemism and performed a Cluster analysis using Jaccard index to delineate biogeographic regions. This study found that richness at family, genus and species levels follow a unimodal 4270‐km latitudinal distribution curve, with a concentration of richness in central Chile (31–42°S). The 37th parallel south (central Chile) presented the highest richness for all taxonomic levels and in specific zones the endemism (22–37°S) was especially high. This unimodal pattern contrasts the global latitudinal diversity gradient shown by other studies in the Northern hemisphere. Seven floristic regions were identified in this latitudinal gradient: tropical (18–22°S), north Mediterranean (23–28°S), central Mediterranean (29–32°S), south Mediterranean (33–37°S), north temperate (38–42°S), south temperate (43–52°S) and Austral (53–56°S). This regionalization coincides with previous bioclimatic classifications and illustrates the high heterogeneity of the biodiversity in Chile and the need for a reconsideration of governmental conservation strategies to protect this diversity throughout Chile.     

中国38个地区兰科植物区系成分的比较分析

通过对中国38个地区共147属,984种兰科植物的区系成分的统计,分析了各地区兰科植物的属种热带成分/温带成分(R/T)值随纬度的变化趋势;并利用SPSS 20.0软件对各地区兰科植物的区系成分进行聚类分析。结果表明:(1)38个地区147属兰科植物可划分为11种分布区类型和9种变型,984种兰科植物可划分为12种分布区类型和6种变型。(2)属级水平上R/T值随纬度的升高总体呈下降趋势,38个地区中23个地区为热带性质,13个地区为温带性质,峨眉山和金佛山的热带性质和温带性质相等;种级水平上除俄贤岭的特殊岛屿石灰岩环境造成极强的热带性质外,其他地区的R/T值随纬度的升高而降低,表现出明显的纬向地带性特点。(3)38个地区兰科植物属种级区系类型存在分异现象,即147属兰科植物以热带亚洲分布(24.71%)、北温带分布(19.14%)和热带亚洲至热带大洋洲分布(15.32%)为主,而984种兰科植物除热带亚洲分布(30.28%)外,则以中国特有分布(26.89%)和中国-日本分布(12.85%)为主。(4)属种级聚类结果显示,种级水平的聚类分析比属级水平的聚类更能体现出纬度相近其区系成分也相近的特点。     

浙江凤阳山自然保护区种子植物区系的统计分析

在野外调查和分类处理的基础上,报道了浙江凤阳山种子植物区系的统计分析结果。现知凤阳山有种子植物１６４科、６５９属、１４８８种（含种下分类群）。科、属、种的分布区类型分析表明：科的分布区类型以泛热带分布最多（４０．９％）,其次是世界分布（２０．７％）和北温带分布（１９．５％）,温带分布少于热带分布（４７：８１）;属的分布区类型以泛热带分布最多（２０．５％）,其次是北温带分布（１８．０％）和东亚分布     

Haematozoa in forest birds from southern Chile: Latitudinal gradients in prevalence and parasite lineage richness

Abstract The existence of latitudinal gradients in species richness and their abundance is known for many free living organisms but few cases have been reported for parasitic diseases. In addition, asymmetries between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres in several characteristics may affect the distribution and diversity of species at all ecological levels. In this respect, we study the distribution of several genera of blood parasites infecting birds along a latitudinal gradient that includes the world's southernmost forests ecosystems. Birds were mist‐netted and sampled for blood in localities across Chile ranging from 33°S to 55°S during the years 2003–06. Overall, 26 bird species were sampled and 27 parasite lineages were identified. The latter belonged to three genera: Plasmodium (8), Haemoproteus (8) and Leucocytozoon (11). We found a positive significant relationship between prevalence and latitude for Leucocytozoon lineages and a negative relationship for Haemoproteus, Plasmodium and mixed infections. However, we did not find a significant relationship between parasite diversity and latitude. We found 18 lineages infecting only one species of host, and 19 lineages appear in only one of the localities of sampling. This pattern implies that some parasite lineages may evolve in isolation in some species/localities. In addition, specificity at the host‐family level was only found for Haemoproteus lineages infecting birds in the family Emberizidae. Individuals of the long distance migrant bird white‐crested elaenia (Elaenia albiceps), were found infected by the same parasite lineages in localities separated by 20° of latitude. Infections by these lineages were detected in other sedentary birds including juveniles and nestlings of different bird species. Therefore, long distance migrants are able to distort the presence of latitudinal gradients of diseases due to the potential role of migrants in spreading infections. Geographical gradients in prevalence of avian haematozoa differ between parasite genera and hemispheres, probably in relation to the existence of appropriate vector–parasite–host interactions.     

秦岭种子植物区系中的热带地理成分研究

对秦岭种子植物区系中的热带地理成分进行了研究,本区的热带地理成分共包括泛热带成分,热带亚洲和热带美洲间断成分,旧世界热带成分,热带亚洲至热带大洋洲成分,热带亚洲至热带非洲成分及热带亚洲成份等6种类型,共283属,648种,属数和种数分别占秦岭种子植物总属数及总种数的30．27％,18．80％,它们是秦岭植物区系组成的一个重要方面,在各类地理成分中,秦岭植物区系与泛热带成分联系最为密切,从热带地理成分的类型,分布以及在秦岭植被组成中的作用来分析,本区植物区系具有明显的温带性质,热带区系成分仅处于从属地位,多分布于低海拔地段或秦岭南坡,但本区植物区系的起源则带有强烈的热带渊源,而各类热带成分内部均有一定数量的属或分布至亚热带,或分布到北温带,又从一个侧面反映了秦植物区系的过渡性特点。     

Geographical and environmental gradients of lianas and vines in China

Aim Climbing plants are characterized by long, wide vessel elements, which may be vulnerable to cold‐ or drought‐induced embolism. However, the difference in vulnerability between lianas (woody climbing plants) and vines (herbaceous climbing plants) has not yet been reported. Here we hypothesize that both lianas and vines are more sensitive to variations in water and temperature than are self‐supporting plants. Consequently, the proportions of lianas and vines in flora are expected to decline significantly along geographical and environmental gradients. Location China. Methods A unique dataset describing 82 floras in China was examined. The proportion of lianas in the flora (LPF) and the proportion of vines in the flora (VPF) were calculated independently. The proportion of the climbing plants in total spermatophyte flora (CPF) was also calculated. LPF and VPF were compared along latitudinal, mean annual rainfall (Rain), and mean January temperature (T₁) gradients. Local linear regression analyses showed the changing tendencies of LPF and VPF. Prediction models of LPF using geographical and environmental factors were studied in some subranges. Results (1) LPF was highest in the tropics (13.8% on average), decreased linearly with increasing latitude within the latitude < 42 °N subrange, and reached < 1% north of 42 °N in China. VPF fluctuated slightly from tropical (4.7%), to subtropical (4.2%) to warm temperate (4.5%) regions, but declined significantly in temperate (3.2%) and dry (1.5%) zones in China. (2) LPF decreased significantly with decreasing rainfall, and decreased significantly with decreasing T₁ in areas where T₁ > −10 °C. In contrast, VPF tended to be constant in areas where T₁ > −5 °C or Rain > 1000 mm, and declined under extreme water or temperature stresses. (3) Predictions of LPF using Rain and T₁ in areas where T₁ > −10 °C, and using latitude and altitude within the latitude < 42 °N subrange were both reliable. According to the geographical model for LPF and a constant VPF, tropical Asian forests would have a LPF as high as 25.4% and the highest CPF would be c. 30%. Conclusions We conclude that liana diversity is more sensitive to temperature and water availability than that of vines and other plants. Geographical and environmental gradients affected LPF but not VPF. Shorter life spans and underground nutrient storage may be effective strategies adopted by vines to avoid drought and cold stresses.