表型可塑性与外来植物的入侵能力

外来植物的入侵能力与其性状之间的关系是入侵生态学中的基本问题之一。成功的入侵种常常能占据多样化的生境,并以广幅的环境耐受性为特征。遗传分化(包括生态型分化)和表型可塑性是广布性物种适应变化、异质性生境的两种不同但并不矛盾和排斥的策略。越来越多的实验证据表明,表型可塑性具有确定的遗传基础,本身是一种可以独立进化的性状。许多入侵种遗传多样性比较低,但同时又占据了广阔的地理分布区和多样化的生境,表型可塑性可能在这些物种的入侵成功和随后的扩散中起到了关键作用。本文首先介绍表型可塑性的含义,简述表型可塑性和生物适应的关系,然后从理论分析和实验证据两个方面论述了表型可塑性与外来植物入侵能力的相关性,最后针对进一步的研究工作进行了讨论。当然,并非所有入侵种的成功都能归因于表型可塑性,作者认为对于那些遗传多样性比较低同时又占据多样化生境的入侵种,表型可塑性和入侵能力的正相关可能是一条普遍法则,而非特例。     

生境持续和瞬间部分毁坏下外来种入侵动态模拟

生境毁坏与生物入侵是造成生物多样性降低的两大重要原因, 二者结合研究是当前生物入侵研究的前沿和热点。通过外来种入侵干扰模型分析了外来种在生境完好、生境瞬间部分毁坏和生境持续部分毁坏下的入侵动态及其对土著种群的影响, 得出如下结论: 1)生境完好的情况下, 不同迁移能力的外来种会出现四种不同的入侵结果: 入侵失 败、归化、震荡共存和入侵成功; 2)无论生境瞬间部分毁坏或是生境持续部分毁坏, 当外来种的迁移率较弱时, 生境毁坏抑制入侵; 反之, 生境毁坏促进入侵成功; 3)生境毁坏从无-慢-快的变化过程中, 外来种的时滞时间表现出长-短-长的变化动态。当生境完好时, 外来种本身特征及种间竞争决定了时滞时间的长短, 当生境毁坏时, 干扰程度越强, 时滞时间越长, 外来种越需要较长的时间稳定种群。     

外来植物入侵对生物多样性的影响及本地生物的进化响应

越来越多的证据表明,入侵植物能通过杂交和基冈渐渗等对本地种造成遗传侵蚀,甚至产生新的"基因型"来影响本地种的遗传多样性;通过生境片断化,改变本地种种群内和种群间的基因交流,造成近亲繁殖和遗传漂变,间接影响本地种的遗传多样性.另一方面,本地种能对入侵植物做出适应性进化响应,以减小或消除入侵植物的危害.本地种在与入侵植物的互作过程中产生了一系列的适应进化、物种形成以及灭绝事件,且这些事件不仅局限于地上生态系统,土壤牛物多样性同样受到影响,甚至也能发生进化响应.为更全面地了解外来植物入侵的生态后果和本地生物的适应潜力,本文综述了外来植物入侵对本地(地上和地下)生物(遗传)多样性的影响以及本地生物的进化响应.讨论了外来植物入侵导致的遗传和进化变化与其入侵性的关系,并提出了一些值得研究的课题.如土著种与外来种的协同进化、植物一土壤反馈调节途径和全球变化其他组分与生物入侵的关系等.     

福寿螺入侵机制的研究进展

福寿螺(Pomacea canaliculata)是被世界自然保护联盟列入全球100种恶性外来入侵物种中唯一的一种淡水螺,已在世界范围内造成了严重的农业与生态危害。福寿螺适应性广、抗逆性强、繁殖率高、遗传多样性丰富等特点使其在新栖息地(尤其是脆弱生境)能够获得对土著种的竞争优势,并迅速建立扩大种群;福寿螺对天敌、寄生虫和病菌的防御为其生存和繁衍提供了保障;福寿螺的入侵降低了入侵地的生物多样性,并且形成恶性循环。本文从福寿螺的生态耐受性、种群遗传变异与繁殖增长、对入侵地其他生物的防御与竞争以及入侵地的生态脆弱性等4个方面对福寿螺的入侵机制进行了归纳和总结,并指出了未来在福寿螺入侵机制方面应着重研究的方向,旨在为福寿螺的预防控制提供基础资料及参考依据。     

ISSR分子标记在入侵植物研究中的应用

外来生物入侵是对全球生物多样性最为严重的威胁之一,对经济安全、生态安全、社会安全、国际利益和国际贸易都具有重要影响.入侵种群的分子标记分析是外来入侵生物研究的重要途径.其中,简单序列重复区间标记(inter-simple sequence repeat,ISSR)是一种基于微卫星序列发展起来的新型分子标记,具有简便、快捷、结果稳定和DNA多态性高等优点.本文系统地介绍了ISSR分子标记的原理、技术特征及其实验操作,并简要地阐述了ISSR分子标记在外来入侵植物的群体遗传结构分析、遗传多样性检测、入侵来源推测、入侵植物的分布模式及其亲缘关系分析、入侵植物的繁育特性检测等方面的应用及其研究进展.     

迎接入侵种的挑战

入侵种是从原来生存的生境中被引入到一个新的生态环境的外来物种,它们勿需面对起源地的天敌和竞争,而且能很快适应新的生境,迅速繁衍,抢夺其他物种的养分和生存空间,造成其他本地物种的减少和灭绝,导致生态失衡,给社会带来经济上的负面冲击,甚至威胁人类的健康.入侵种属于外来种,但入侵种的范围却比外来种的范围小.并不是所有的外来种都会危害生态环境.其侵入过程错综复杂,并且会随着气候环境等因素的变化而变化,因而外来种引进的结果是不可预见的.       

天然林和人工林外来入侵和本地植物对比研究: 以弄岗国家级自然保护区为例

外来植物的入侵严重威胁了自然保护区的生物多样性。为探讨自然保护区内天然林和人工林林下外来植物入侵状况及其与本地优势植物的种间关系, 本研究以弄岗国家级自然保护区为研究区域, 结合保护区内4种生境72个样方的野外调查数据, 利用生态位宽度、生态位重叠和种间联结指数比较了不同生境中外来入侵草本植物的多样性和生态位宽度以及外来入侵草本植物与本土优势草本植物的生态位重叠和种间联结。结果表明: 弄岗国家级自然保护区4种生境共记录6种外来入侵草本植物, 隶属于3科6属, 其中菊科物种数量最多。外来入侵植物多样性呈现出秋枫(Bischofia javanica)人工林 > 麻竹(Dendrocalamus latiflorus)次生林 > 人面子(Dracontomelon duperreanum)人工林 > 广西澄广花(Orophea polycarpa)次生林的特征。除广西澄广花次生林生境的外来入侵草本植物丰富度与本土草本植物丰富度呈显著正相关外, 其余生境均无显著的相关关系。三叶鬼针草(Bidens pilosa)的生态位宽度最大, 为4种生境均有分布的外来入侵植物。4种生境的外来入侵植物与本土优势植物生态位重叠和种间联结程度均较低, 种间竞争较弱。本研究明确了弄岗国家级自然保护区天然林和人工林中外来入侵草本植物的分布及其与本土草本植物的种间关系。     

湿地中的植物入侵及湿地植物的入侵性

湿地享有“自然之肾”之称,但湿地生态系统正在受到严重的破坏,植物入侵已经成为干扰湿地生态系统的重要因素。同时湿地植物具有高度的入侵性,湿地和植物入侵都是现代生态学的研究热点。本文总结分析了湿地容易受到入侵的6种主要原因,包括湿地生境类型多样,分布广泛;湿地位置与植物扩散路线相关性;干扰;富营养化;湿地的脆弱性;外来种缺少天敌等。归纳了21种全球性主要湿地入侵植物种及其生态习性,并对湿地植物具有高度入侵性的共同特点以及解释湿地入侵现象的5种假说:天敌逃避说、宽耐受性假说、有效利用说、杂种优势说和异株克生说等作了综述分析。     

外来种入侵的不确定性动态模拟

外来种的入侵性和生境的可入侵性是研究生物入侵机制的两个关键因素。总结多数学者的研究成果,认为外来种的拓殖率(迁移率或繁殖率)、死亡率及在新生境中的竞争力是衡量外来种能否入侵成功的内在实质。从全新的角度出发,将引入的外来种看作是对原有生态系统的一种干扰,并在此基础上结合Tilman的多物种共存模型提出了外来种干扰模型。模拟发现外来种在入侵时具有明显的不确定性。拓殖率小的外来种在新的生态系统中由于不能适应环境无法成功定殖,被排斥在系统之外;相反,拓殖率足够大的话,外来种由于自身优势具有很强的入侵性,在几年或几十年的时间内就会成功地在新的环境中建立种群并拓殖入侵,影响了当地物种的生存及原有生态系统的稳定。研究还发现,物种入侵也存在一定的不确定性,入侵不一定会一直持续下去,或许在百年或几百年的时间内入侵种会突然灭绝,原生态系统又恢复到原来的水平。     

外来植物入侵的化感作用机制探讨

在最近的几十年,在全球范围内的外来植物入侵的频率达到了前所未有的水平,所以对其入侵机制的研究显得尤为重要。目前,已有几种假说从不同的侧面解释外来植物的成功入侵。本文在综述前人工作基础上,从化感作用的角度解释外来植物入侵,并给出解释模式。由于本土动植物对某些外来植物释放的化感物质比较敏感,外来植物可以利用它的“化学武器”与本土植物竞争,抵御植食性动物的取食和病源菌的感染,从而在与本土物种的相互干扰中占据优势,实现成功入侵。进一步从理论和应用的角度探讨了化感作用作为外来植物入侵的机制给我们的启示,并对今后这方面研究提出几点建议和看法。     

论克隆植物的遗传多样性

概述了克隆植物的类型与特点 ,对克隆植物的遗传多样性及其遗传结构的一些特点进行了综述 ,并讨论了克隆植物遗传变异的来源。总体而言 ,克隆植物拥有比早期推测大得多的遗传变异 ,虽然克隆种与其近缘有性繁殖种相比 ,遗传多样性较低 ,但广泛的遗传单态性却很罕见。克隆植物种群的遗传结构有所改变 ,广布基因型很少 ,大多数基因型仅分布于某一种群之内 ,种群间基因型多态性存在广泛的变异。不同克隆植物之间遗传多样性相差很大 ,遗传结构也有巨大差异。说明除生殖模式外 ,其他的一些因素 ,如地理分布范围、生境特点 ,散布方式和种群历史等都对克隆植物遗传多样性有重要影响。     

论克隆植物的遗传多样性

概述了克隆植物的类型与特点,对克隆植物的遗传多样性及其遗传结构的一些 特点进行了综述,并讨论了克隆植物遗传变异的来源。总体而言,克隆植物拥有比早期推测大得多的遗传变异,虽然克隆种与其近缘有性繁殖种相比,遗传多样性较低,但广泛的遗传单态性却很罕见。克隆植物种群的遗传结构有所改变,广布基因型很少,大多数基因型仅分布于某一种群之内,种群间基因型多态性存在广泛的变异。不同克隆植物之间遗传多样性相差很大,遗传结构也有巨大差异。说明除生殖模式外,其他的一些因素,如地理分布范围、生境特点,散布方式和种群历史等都对克隆植物遗传多样性有重要影响。     

Flexible social organization and high incidence of drifting in the sweat bee, Halictus scabiosae

The very diverse social systems of sweat bees make them interesting models to study social evolution. Here we focus on the dispersal behaviour and social organization of Halictus scabiosae , a common yet poorly known species of Europe. By combining field observations and genetic data, we show that females have multiple reproductive strategies, which generates a large diversity in the social structure of nests. A detailed microsatellite analysis of 60 nests revealed that 55% of the nests contained the offspring of a single female, whereas the rest had more complex social structures, with three clear cases of multiple females reproducing in the same nest and frequent occurrence of unrelated individuals. Drifting among nests was surprisingly common, as 16% of the 122 nests in the overall sample and 44% of the nests with complex social structure contained females that had genotypes consistent with being full-sisters of females sampled in other nests of the population. Drifters originated from nests with an above-average productivity and were unrelated to their nestmates, suggesting that drifting might be a strategy to avoid competition among related females. The sex-specific comparison of genetic differentiation indicated that dispersal was male-biased, which would reinforce local resource competition among females. The pattern of genetic differentiation among populations was consistent with a dynamic process of patch colonization and extinction, as expected from the unstable, anthropogenic habitat of this species. Overall, our data show that H. scabiosae varies greatly in dispersal behaviour and social organization. The surprisingly high frequency of drifters echoes recent findings in wasps and bees, calling for further investigation of the adaptive basis of drifting in the social insects.     

Genetic structure of a recent climate change‐driven range extension

The life‐history strategies of some species make them strong candidates for rapid exploitation of novel habitat under new climate regimes. Some early‐responding species may be considered invasive, and negatively impact on ‘naïve’ ecosystems. The barrens‐forming sea urchin Centrostephanus rodgersii is one such species, having a high dispersal capability and a high‐latitude range margin limited only by a developmental temperature threshold. Within this species’ range in eastern Australian waters, sea temperatures have increased at greater than double the global average rate. The coinciding poleward range extension of C. rodgersii has caused major ecological changes, threatening reef biodiversity and fisheries productivity. We investigated microsatellite diversity and population structure associated with range expansion by this species. Generalized linear model analyses revealed no reduction in genetic diversity in the newly colonized region. A ‘seascape genetics’ analysis of genetic distances found no spatial genetic structure associated with the range extension. The distinctive genetic characteristic of the extension zone populations was reduced population‐specific F_ST, consistent with very rapid population expansion. Demographic and genetic simulations support our inference of high connectivity between pre‐ and post‐extension zones. Thus, the range shift appears to be a poleward extension of the highly‐connected rangewide population of C. rodgersii. This is consistent with advection of larvae by the intensified warm water East Australian current, which has also increased Tasmanian Sea temperatures above the species’ lower developmental threshold. Thus, ocean circulation changes have improved the climatic suitability of novel habitat for C. rodgersii and provided the supply of recruits necessary for colonization.     

Connectivity and gene flow among Eastern Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) populations in highly modified anthropogenic landscapes

Fragmented landscapes resulting from anthropogenic habitat modification can have significant impacts on dispersal, gene flow, and persistence of wildlife populations. Therefore, quantifying population connectivity across a mosaic of habitats in highly modified landscapes is critical for the development of conservation management plans for threatened populations. Endangered populations of the eastern tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) in New York and New Jersey are at the northern edge of the species’ range and remaining populations persist in highly developed landscapes in both states. We used landscape genetic approaches to examine regional genetic population structure and potential barriers to migration among remaining populations. Despite the post-glacial demographic processes that have shaped genetic diversity in tiger salamander populations at the northern extent of their range, we found that populations in each state belong to distinct genetic clusters, consistent with the large geographic distance that separates them. We detected overall low genetic diversity and high relatedness within populations, likely due to recent range expansion, isolation, and relatively small population sizes. Nonetheless, landscape connectivity analyses reveal habitat corridors among remaining breeding ponds. Furthermore, molecular estimates of population connectivity among ponds indicate that gene flow still occurs at regional scales. Further fragmentation of remaining habitat will potentially restrict dispersal among breeding ponds, cause the erosion of genetic diversity, and exacerbate already high levels of inbreeding. We recommend the continued management and maintenance of habitat corridors to ensure long-term viability of these endangered populations.     

The tales of two geckos: does dispersal prevent extinction in recently fragmented populations?

Although habitat loss and fragmentation threaten species throughout the world and are a major threat to biodiversity, it is apparent that some species are at greater risk of extinction in fragmented landscapes than others. Identification of these species and the characteristics that make them sensitive to habitat fragmentation has important implications for conservation management. Here, we present a comparative study of the population genetic structure of two arboreal gecko species (Oedura reticulata and Gehyra variegata) in fragmented and continuous woodlands. The species differ in their level of persistence in remnant vegetation patches (the former exhibiting a higher extinction rate than the latter). Previous demographic and modelling studies of these two species have suggested that their difference in persistence levels may be due, in part, to differences in dispersal abilities with G. variegata expected to have higher dispersal rates than O. reticulata. We tested this hypothesis and genotyped a total of 345 O. reticulata from 12 sites and 353 G. variegata from 13 sites at nine microsatellite loci. We showed that O. reticulata exhibits elevated levels of structure (FST=0.102 vs. 0.044), lower levels of genetic diversity (HE=0.79 vs. 0.88), and fewer misassignments (20% vs. 30%) than similarly fragmented populations of G. variegata, while all these parameters were fairly similar for the two species in the continuous forest populations (FST=0.003 vs. 0.004, HE=0.89 vs. 0.89, misassignments: 58% vs. 53%, respectively). For both species, genetic structure was higher and genetic diversity was lower among fragmented populations than among those in the nature reserves. In addition, assignment tests and spatial autocorrelation revealed that small distances of about 500 m through fragmented landscapes are a barrier to O. reticulata but not for G. variegata. These data support our hypothesis that G. variegata disperse more readily and more frequently than O. reticulata and that dispersal and habitat specialization are critical factors in the persistence of species in habitat remnants.     

Conservation genetic inferences in the carnivorous pitcher plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sarracenia alata</Emphasis> (Sarraceniaceae)

Conservation geneticists make inferences about their focal species from genetic data, and then use these inferences to inform conservation decisions. Since different biological processes can produce similar patterns of genetic diversity, we advocate an approach to data analysis that considers the full range of evolutionary forces and attempts to evaluate their relative contributions in an objective manner. Here we collect data from microsatellites and chloroplast loci and use these data to explore models of historical demography in the carnivorous Pitcher Plant, Sarracenia alata. Findings indicate that populations of S. alata exhibit high degrees of population genetic structure, likely caused by dispersal limitation, and that population sizes have decreased in western populations and increased in eastern populations. These results provide new insight to the management and conservation of plants restricted to small, declining populations isolated in increasingly scarce and highly threatened habitat, including other rare and endangered species of Sarracenia.     

Species diversity and population density affect genetic structure and gene dispersal in a subtropical understory shrub

Aims The dispersal of pollen and seeds is spatially restricted and may vary among plant populations because of varying biotic interactions, population histories or abiotic conditions. Because gene dispersal is spatially restricted, it will eventually result in the development of spatial genetic structure (SGS), which in turn can allow insights into gene dispersal processes. Here, we assessed the effect of habitat characteristics like population density and community structure on small-scale SGS and estimate historical gene dispersal at different spatial scales.Methods In a set of 12 populations of the subtropical understory shrub Ardisia crenata, we assessed genetic variation at 7 microsatellite loci within and among populations. We investigated small-scale genetic structure with spatial genetic autocorrelation statistics and heterogeneity tests and estimated gene dispersal distances based on population differentiation and on within-population SGS. SGS was related to habitat characteristics by multiple regression.Important findings The populations showed high genetic diversity (H e = 0.64) within populations and rather strong genetic differentiation (F ′ ST = 0.208) among populations, following an isolation-by-distance pattern, which suggests that populations are in gene flow–drift equilibrium. Significant SGS was present within populations (mean Sp = 0.027). Population density and species diversity had a joint effect on SGS with low population density and high species diversity leading to stronger small-scale SGS. Estimates of historical gene dispersal from between-population differentiation and from within-population SGS resulted in similar values between 4.8 and 22.9 m. The results indicate that local-ranged pollen dispersal and inefficient long-distance seed dispersal, both affected by population density and species diversity, contributed to the genetic population structure of the species. We suggest that SGS in shrubs is more similar to that of herbs than to trees and that in communities with high species diversity gene flow is more restricted than at low species diversity. This may represent a process that retards the development of a positive species diversity–genetic diversity relationship.     

Habitat fragmentation influences genetic diversity and differentiation: Fine‐scale population structure of Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud)

Forest fragmentation may negatively affect plants through reduced genetic diversity and increased population structure due to habitat isolation, decreased population size, and disturbance of pollen‐seed dispersal mechanisms. However, in the case of tree species, effective pollen‐seed dispersal, mating system, and ecological dynamics may help the species overcome the negative effect of forest fragmentation. A fine‐scale population genetics study can shed light on the postfragmentation genetic diversity and structure of a species. Here, we present the genetic diversity and population structure of Cercis canadensis L. (eastern redbud) wild populations on a fine scale within fragmented areas centered around the borders of Georgia–Tennessee, USA. We hypothesized high genetic diversity among the collections of C. canadensis distributed across smaller geographical ranges. Fifteen microsatellite loci were used to genotype 172 individuals from 18 unmanaged and naturally occurring collection sites. Our results indicated presence of population structure, overall high genetic diversity (H_E = 0.63, H_O = 0.34), and moderate genetic differentiation (F_ST = 0.14) among the collection sites. Two major genetic clusters within the smaller geographical distribution were revealed by STRUCTURE. Our data suggest that native C. canadensis populations in the fragmented area around the Georgia–Tennessee border were able to maintain high levels of genetic diversity, despite the presence of considerable spatial genetic structure. As habitat isolation may negatively affect gene flow of outcrossing species across time, consequences of habitat fragmentation should be regularly monitored for this and other forest species. This study also has important implications for habitat management efforts and future breeding programs.