Genetic Variation and Clonal Diversity of the Two Divergent Types of Clonal Populations of Leymus chinensis Tzvel on the Song Liao Steppe in the West of Northeastern China

The genetic variation and clonal diversity of two divergent types (grey-green and yellow-green) of clonal populations of Leymus chinensis Tzvel at 14 loci were compared. Total gene diversity (HT) and the coefficient of genetic differentiation (GST) were all higher for the yellow-green type (HT = 0.270; GST =0.186) than for the grey-green type (HT = 0.250; GST = 0.157) of L. chinensis. Rare alleles usually occurred as heterozygotes rather than homozygotes and significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were found only at a few loci. This indicated that these two types of populations were mainly out-crossing. Clonal diversity, evenness of clones, and mean clone size were not significantly different between the two types. We found that differences between the clone size and genetic variation of the yellow-green type of populations occurred with different climate and habitat population groups. However, for the grey-green type of populations, these genetic variations decreased under conditions of different climate and habitat population groups.     

Ramet Population Structure of Fargesia nitida （Mitford） Keng f. et Yi in Different Successional Stands of the Subalpine Coniferous Forest in Wolong Nature Reserve

Forest structure and succession in Wolong Nature Reserve is influenced by the understory dwarf bamboo population. However, less is known about how the forest succession affects the dwarf bamboo population. To examine the bamboo ramet population growth of Fargesla nitida （Mltford） Keng f. et Yi and to determine how ramet population structure varies along the succession of coniferous forest, we sampled ramet populations of F. nitida from the following three successional stages： （i） a deciduous broad-leaved （BL） stand; （ii） a mixed broad-leaved coniferous （MI） stand; and （ill） a coniferous （CF） stand. We investigated the population structure, biomass allocation, and morphological characteristics of the bamboo ramet among the three stand types. Clonal ramets, constituting the bamboo population, tended to become short and small with succession. The ramet changed towards having a greater mass investment in leaves, branches and underground roots and rhizomes rather than in the culm. With respect to leaf traits, individual leaf mass and area in the BL stand were markedly bigger than those In both the MI and CF stands, except for no significant difference in specific leaf area. The age distribution showed that the bamboo population approached an older age with succession. The results demonstrate that the ramet population structure of F. nitida is unstable and its growth performance is inhibited by succession.     

Clonal diversity of Clintonia udensis Trautv. et Mey. populations and its correlation with ecological factors

The clonal diversity of Clintonia udensis Trautv.et Mey.was detected by ISSR markers among 16 populations,and its correlation with ecological factors was analyzed as well in this work.Results showed that individuals(clonal ramets)per genotype were 1.12 and 1.149 at population and species levels,respectively,and that the 16 populations were all multiclonal.The detected genotypes were localized,without exception,within populations but demonstrated relatively high clonal differentiation among populations.The clonal diversity of the studied populations was high,with the average Simpson's index of 0.975,while the genets showed a clonal architecture of"guerilla".The population genetic diversities revealed by genet were consistent with those by ramet,further confirming their genetic differentiation among populations.And its genotype diversity within populations probably resulted largely from the frequent seedling regeneration and self-compatibility.In addition,the correlation analysis further revealed that,among the ecological factors,Simpson's index of C.udensis had a significant positive correlation(P<0.05)with pH values in the soil but not others.     

Toxicological and biochemical characterizations of malathion sensitivity in two field populations of Oxya chinensis （Orthoptera： Acridoidea）

We evaluate comparative toxicity of malathion in the two populations of the grasshopper Oxya chinensis, collected from Daixian and Fanshi of Shanxi province, China. General esterases and acetylcholinesterase （ACHE） from the two populations were characterized and compared. LD50 of the Daixian population （7.58 μg/g body weight） was 2.02-fold higher than that of the Fanshi population （3.75μg/g body weight）. General esterase-specific activities in the Daixian population were 1.91,130 and 1.85-fold higher than those in the Fanshi population, when α-NA, α-NB and β-NA were used as a substrate, respectively. Kinetic studies of general esterase showed that Vmax values of general esterases hydrolyzing α-NA,α-NB and β-NA in the Daixian population were 2.15-, 1.12-, and 1.47-fold, respectively, higher than those in the Fanshi population. The AChE activity of the Fanshi population was 1.54-fold higher than that of the Daixian population. Kinetic analysis of AChE showed that significant differences were presented between the two populations in the Km values; and the Vmax value in the Fanshi population was higher than that in the Daixian population. Inhibition studies of AChE indicated that AChE from the Daixian population was 2.56-, 2.80-, and 2.29-fold less sensitive to inhibition by paraoxon, chlorpyrifos-oxon, and demeton-S-methyl, respectively, than that from the Fanshi population. These biochemical characterizations of general esterases and AChE were consistent with malathion bioassay in the two populations. It is inferred that the reduced sensitivity of altered AChE and increased general esterase activities play an important role in the differences of insusceptibility of Oxya chinensis to malathion between the two populations.     

Realized heritability and genetic gains of three generation for superior growth in the pearl oyster Pinctada martensii

The pearl oyster Pinctada martensii is an important economic shellfish species and mainly cultured in the southern provinces of China. The species is cultured for marine pearl production. However, pearl quality has recently decreased because the cultured stocks had slow growth and mass mortalities caused by inbreeding depression. We have initiated a selective breeding program to improve the cultivated stocks since 2002. In 2004, a base population was developed by collecting the breeders from Beibuwan and Liushagang stocks. During the period of 2005–2007, a two successive generation selection for shell length in the base population was carried out to produce the second generation selected and unselected lines. In May of 2008, three types of lines were produced by selecting the breeders from the second generation selected and unselected lines. The three types of lines were designated as SS (Selected for three generations), SC (selected for the two generations) and CC (unselected for three generations). Realized heritability for the third generation, cumulative (over three generation) and current (for the third generation) genetic gains were evaluated by comparing the growth performance of three types of lines at days 8, 16, 45, 75, 180 and 360. It was found that the SS lines had significant larger mean shell length and shell height than the SC and CC lines at all sampling ages (P < 0.05). The realized heritability estimate for adult shell length for the third generation was 0.41, similar with those detected for the first and second generation. The cumulative and current genetic gains for adult shell length were 20.94% and 13.27%, respectively. The present results indicate that there exists a high genetic variation in the population and mass selection is potential to improve pearl oyster stocks.     

濒危植物南方红豆杉种群生命表及谱分析

Based on the investigation in Longxi Mountain National Nature Reserve and the theory of survival analysis, a static life table of Taxus chinensis var. mairei population was worked out, the curves of its survival rate, mortality rate and killing power were drawn, and the population dynamics was analyzed by spectral analysis. The results showed that the survival curve of the population appeared to be a type of Deevey-Ⅲ, and the high mortality of seeding was one of the important reasons which caused Taxus chinensis var. mairei to be endangered. The spectral analysis of the population showed that there was a marked periodic regularity in the process of natural regeneration of Taxus chinensis var. mairei.     

Realized heritability and genetic gains of three generation for superior growth in the pearl oyster Pinctada martensii

The pearl oyster Pinctada martensii is an important economic shellfish species and mainly cultured in the southern provinces of China. The species is cultured for marine pearl production. However, pearl quality has recently decreased because the cultured stocks had slow growth and mass mortalities caused by inbreeding depression. We have initiated a selective breeding program to improve the cultivated stocks since 2002. In 2004, a base population was developed by collecting the breeders from Beibuwan and Liushagang stocks. During the period of 2005–2007, a two successive generation selection for shell length in the base population was carried out to produce the second generation selected and unselected lines. In May of 2008, three types of lines were produced by selecting the breeders from the second generation selected and unselected lines. The three types of lines were designated as SS (Selected for three generations), SC (selected for the two generations) and CC (unselected for three generations). Realized heritability for the third generation, cumulative (over three generation) and current (for the third generation) genetic gains were evaluated by comparing the growth performance of three types of lines at days 8, 16, 45, 75, 180 and 360. It was found that the SS lines had significant larger mean shell length and shell height than the SC and CC lines at all sampling ages (P < 0.05). The realized heritability estimate for adult shell length for the third generation was 0.41, similar with those detected for the first and second generation. The cumulative and current genetic gains for adult shell length were 20.94% and 13.27%, respectively. The present results indicate that there exists a high genetic variation in the population and mass selection is potential to improve pearl oyster stocks.     

Evaluating the Importance of Environmental Variables on Spatial Distribution of Caspian cobra Naja oxiana(Eichwald, 1831) in Iran

Over recent years, the population of Caspian cobra Naja oxiana has declined in its distribution range in Iran due to habitat destruction and overhunting. Consequently, their small and isolated populations in fragmented landscapes are facing genetic and demographic threats. Evaluating the spatial distribution pattern of Naja oxiana, identifying core habitat patches and improving landscape connectivity among the patches have a significant role in the long-term survival of the species. This study predicts the spatial distribution map of the Caspian cobra considering the factors affecting the predictive power of the distribution models, including sampling bias in presence points, correct selection of background locations, and input model parameters. The sampling bias in presence points was removed using spatial filtering. Several models were run using 19 environmental variables that eventually led to the selection of the effective habitat variables and best MaxEnt distribution model. We also used an ensemble model(EM) of habitat suitability methods to predict the potential habitats of the species. Topographical roughness, shrublands, average annual precipitation, and sparse rangeland with a density of ≤ 20% had the most effect on the spatial distribution of Caspian cobra. The evaluation of models confirmed that the EM has more predictive performance than MaxEnt in predicting the distribution of Naja oxiana.     

Clonal Plasticity in Response to Reciprocal Patchiness of Light and Nutrients in the Stoloniferous Herb Glechoma longituba L.

Interconnected ramets of clonal plants can functionally specialize in the uptake of resources from aboveground and/or underground sources. Ramet pairs of the clonal stoloniferous herb Glechoma Iongltuba L. were grown In spatially heterogeneous environments with complementary availability of light and nutrients. Plasticity with respect to root-shoot ratio, fitness-related traits （biomass, number of ramets and dry weight per ramet）, morphological traits （lamina area, root length） were experimentally examined. The aim was to understand the adaptation of G. Iongltuba to an environment with reciprocal patchiness of light and soil nutrients by plasticity In Its root-shoot ratio and clonal morphology. The results showed that the performance of ramets growing In patches with high light Intensity and low soil nutrients into the adjacent opposite patches was Increased in terms of fitness-related traits. However, the performance of those from patches with low light Intensity and high soil nutrients into the adjacent opposite patches was not changed. The root-shoot ratio and clonal morphology were plastic. Morphological traits such as lamina area and root length were altered In a way that enhanced the capture of light resources and soil nutrients. Apparent reciprocal resource transport between the ramets In an environment of reciprocal patchiness of resources can enhance the growth of ramets with complementary resource deficiencies.     

The changes in water-use efficiency and stoma density of Leymus chinensis along Northeast China Transect

Leymus chinensis is a keystone species in the temperate zone grassland of China. Along the NECT (Northeast China Transect) in 2001, water-use efficiency of L. chinensis was analyzed with δ¹³C, and changes in the stoma density of its leaves were observed and computed under a microscope. Results showed that the ecological plasticity modulation of the stoma density of L. chinensis and its water-use efficiency were two important mechanisms for its broad ecological adaptability. From east to west along the NECT, the δ¹³C of the species varied from -27.49‰ to -23.57‰, consisting with the reduction of annual precipitation, soil water and annual average temperature, but increased with the increase of the elevation of sampling sites. The stoma density increased from 96.9/mm² to 169.5/mm², indicating that the water-use efficiency for the species was improved along the gradient. The linear coefficient between the two parameters was significant (R² = 0.7338). The results of a stepwise regression analysis showed that the soil water was the first marked factor for determining the stoma density, and the next was the annual precipitation, which suggested that the water factors were the primary ecological factors influencing the stoma density of L. chinensis. The findings in this study showed that the responses of the stoma density and the water-use efficiency for L. chinensis to environmental changes were very complicated. They may be the outcome operated synthetically by all environmental factors in the long-term adaptation to different ecological environments, including human activity, for L. chinensis.     

内蒙古锡林河流域不同生境中羊草的克隆构型和分株种群特征

 克隆植物的形态可塑性在基株和种群水平上分别表现为克隆构型和分株种群特征的变化。研究对象为内蒙古锡林河流域草地、林地、沙地3种生境下的羊草(Leymus chinensis)种群,通过对羊草根茎节间长度、间隔子长度、分枝强度、分枝角度、株高和分株密度等指标的测定和分析,对这3种不同生境中羊草的克隆构型及分株种群特征进行了研究。结果表明羊草克隆构型相关特征,如,根茎节间长度,根茎节间长度频次分布格局、间隔子长度、间隔子长度频次分布格局,在不同生境差异较大。同时,羊草的分枝角度在不同生境间差异显著。而每间隔子所     

Genetic Variation and Clonal Diversity of the Two Divergent Types of Clonal Populations of Leymus chinensis Tzvel on the Song Liao Steppe in the West of Northeastern China

The genetic variation and clonal diversity of two divergent types (grey-green and yellow-green) of clonal populations ofLeymus chinensis Tzvel at 14 loci were compared. Total gene diversity (HT) and the coefficient of genetic differentiation (GsT) were all higher for the yellow-green type (HT = 0.270; GsT = 0.186)than for the grey-green type (HT = 0.250; GsT = 0.157) of L. chinensis. Rare alleles usually occurred as heterozygotes rather than homozygotes and significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were found only at a few loci. This indicated that these two types of populations were mainly out-crossing. Clonal diversity, evenness of clones, and mean clone size were not significantly different between the two types.We found that differences between the clone size and genetic variation of the yellow-green type of popula tions occurred with different climate and habitat population groups. However, for the grey-green type of populations, these genetic variations decreased under conditions of different climate and habitat popula tion groups.     

松嫩平原两个趋异类型羊草无性系种群特征的比较研究

松嫩平原上羊草(Leymus chinensis(Tzvel.)Tzvel.)有两个趋异类型:灰绿型和黄绿型。两个类型羊草的分蘖节一般均存活2～4年,最多可存活5年;根茎一般存活2～3年,最多可存活4年。两个类型无性系种群的分蘖株均为增长型的年龄结构类型。种群根茎的累积长度,灰绿型为18035cm/m~2,黄绿型为21218cm/m~2,其中,均以1、2龄占绝对比重。两个类型均以1龄分蘖株生产力最大,至3龄分蘖株明显减小;各龄根茎的生物量随着年龄的增加呈直线下降;1龄根茎的营养繁殖力甚强,至8月中旬所形成的芽数均已远远多于地上全部分蘖株数;2龄根茎尚存在较小的营养繁殖潜力,3、4龄根茎均已丧失了营养繁殖力。两个类型羊草无性系种群都是通过根茎芽补充更新。     

松嫩平原两种趋异类型羊草对干旱胁迫的生理响应

采用盆栽实验,对灰绿和黄绿两种趋异类型羊草（Leymus chinensis(Trin.)Tzvel.）幼苗期用聚乙二醇（PEG）胁迫进行干旱生理指标测定,结果表明,在干旱胁迫下,灰绿型羊草和黄绿型羊草的电解质外渗率、脯氨酸、植株含水率、植株鲜重、SO4^2-、NO3^-之间均有显著或极显著差异,灰绿型羊草叶片电解质外渗率和叶绿素含量的b值均大于黄绿型羊草,而植株含水率的b值则小于黄绿型羊草,灰绿型羊草脯氨酸含量均大于黄绿型羊草,因子分析表明,脯氨酸是两种趋异类型羊草干旱胁迫生理反应的主要因子,两种趋异类型羊草在生理响应中均体现出耐旱能力,但灰绿型羊草的耐旱能力比黄绿型更强,两种趋异类型羊草在耐旱生理上有明显分化。     

不同生境中淫羊藿克隆构型和分株种群特征

为探求淫羊藿资源的保护策略,通过野外样地调查、室内测定和统计分析等方法,对林缘旷地、林缘和林下三种不同生境中淫羊藿(Epimedium brevicornum)克隆构型及其分株种群特征进行了研究,并初步分析环境因子对淫羊藿克隆构型和分株种群特征的影响.结果表明:分枝强度、间隔子长度、分枝高度、根状茎长度及分株种群密度在3种生境中差异显著,且与生境相对光强和土壤含水量有较强的回归关系.群落相对光强、土壤含水量在淫羊藿的克隆生长过程中起着重要作用.淫羊藿以地下根茎为克隆器官进行克隆生长,有着较强的克隆构型可塑性.结合克隆植物对资源的利用策略,讨论不同生境中淫羊藿克隆构型和分株种群特征可塑性的生态适应意义及淫羊藿保护机制.     

不同光照条件下聚花过路黄的克隆构型和分株种群特征

以都江堰灵岩山常绿阔叶林林下、林缘和林缘旷地3种不同光照环境中匍匐茎草本聚花过路黄(Lysimachla congestiflora)为对象,对其匍匐茎节间长、分枝强度、分枝角度、分株种群密度、分株种群生物量等指标进行了测定和分析．结果表明,聚花过路黄的匍匐茎节间长、分枝强度、分株种群密度和分株种群生物量在3种生境间差异显著．Kruskal Wallis检验表明,匍匐茎节间长度和分枝角度的频次分布在3种生境间差异显著．3种生境中匍匐茎节间长度分布偏斜度(skewness)的大小分别为：林缘旷地>林缘>林下．林缘旷地与林缘和林下生境在分枝角度、分株种群高度和分株种群根冠比差异显著,而且林缘旷地生境中分枝角度分布偏斜度最小．林缘和林下生境在分枝角度、分株种群高度和分株种群根冠比差异不显著．从林缘旷地、林缘到林下,聚花过路黄的克隆构型和分株种群特征发生了相应改变．结合克隆植物对资源的利用对策,讨论了不同生境中聚花过路黄克隆构型和分株种群特征可塑性的生态适应意义．     

高寒退化与未退化草甸土壤下匍匐茎鹅绒萎陵菜的克隆生长特征的比较

通过鹅绒萎陵菜的野外移栽试验,分析了在矮嵩草草甸土壤和退化草甸土壤下该种植物的克隆繁殖特征．结果表明,在母株产生的匍匈茎数量、母株高度和叶片大小在两类不同土壤下没有明显差异．母株叶片数、匍匈茎的粗度、匍匈茎长度以及间隔子的长度有较明显的差异．在退化草甸土壤中母株叶片较多,匍匈茎长度和间隔子长度明显较长,匍匈茎直径也明显较大．在退化草甸环境中,由于土壤养分相对较缺乏,鹅绒萎陵菜可能通过增加母株叶片的数量,尽可能多地积累光合产物,来保证匍匈茎的生长,匍匈茎也以增加粗度和增加长度来尽量增强其觅食能力．鹅绒萎陵菜在生物量投资分配上也表现出一定的差异．与退化草甸土壤环境相比,在未退化草甸土壤中,鹅绒委陵菜克隆母株和分株的生物量均明显偏向地下部分(根系)的投资,以期从土壤中吸收更多的养分,从而最终提高子株的成活率．     

根茎禾草沙鞭的克隆基株及分株种群特征

 在内蒙古沙地站对根茎禾草沙鞭的观测实验发现,沙鞭具有规则的克隆生长、“游击型”克隆构型和相当快的克隆扩展。其地下根茎的寿命至少2年。这些发现指示着该植物种可能具有很强的克隆整合。对内蒙古沙地站和内蒙古草原站的单种沙鞭分株种群的比较和在各站对单种和混交沙鞭分株种群的比较发现,不同地点和在不同群落条件下的沙鞭分株种群在许多重要性状上都存在差异。这些结果暗示着克隆可塑性对沙鞭生态适应性的可能贡献。关于沙鞭克隆整合和克隆可塑性的进一步研究是必要的。     

匍匐茎草本蛇莓克隆构型对不同海拔的可塑性反应

克隆植物构垢可塑性可使它在不同海拔的环境中通过克隆生长,调整其对不同海拔的资源获取对策,因而具有重要的生态学意义。在一海拔高度实验中,铺匐茎草本蛇莓（Duchesnea indica)经历了不同海拔（400、800、1200和1600m)处理,以研究不同海拔对蛇莓克隆构型的影响。结果表明,随着海拔的增加,间隔子长度,分株密度,分枝角度和分枝强度呈二次曲线变化,在不同海拔生境中,蛇莓克隆构型相关特征的可塑性变化可用动态Logistic模型进行了模拟和预测,拟合效果良好,结合植物对环境异质性的利用对策,对所揭示的蛇莓克隆构型可塑性进行了讨论。