Microsatellite markers for Sachalin fir (Abies sachalinensis Masters)

We developed eight polymorphic microsatellite markers from the Sachalin fir (Abies sachalinensis Masters). The number of alleles per locus ranged from eight to 31, with an average of 21.4. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.656 to 0.937 and from 0.710 to 0.945, respectively. These markers will be available for population genetic studies and parentage analysis.     

Post‐glacial history and introgression in Abies (Pinaceae) species of the Russian Far East inferred from both nuclear and cytoplasmic markers

Aim The main aim of the present study is to infer the post‐glacial history of Abies species from north‐east Asia and to test the hypotheses that coastal Abies populations suffered less from climatic fluctuations during Pleistocene glacial periods than their more continental counterparts, and that Sakhalin was a major area of introgression. Location Natural ranges of the fir species Abies nephrolepis, Abies sachalinensis and Abies holophylla in the Russian Far East, and of Abies gracilis, which is endemic to the Kamchatka Peninsula. Methods Nineteen populations were sampled for allozyme analysis. Seventeen of these populations were also screened for variation at two paternally inherited chloroplast DNA microsatellite loci (cpSSR) and variation at one maternally inherited mitochondrial marker (nad4‐3/4). Finally a subset of 11 populations was analysed with amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). Comparisons were made with already available Abies sibirica data. For all sets of markers, we estimated genetic diversity and differentiation using an analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). Population clustering was assessed with a Bayesian approach implemented in structure v.2.3. Results Among the three major species, A. sibirica, A. nephrolepis and A. sachalinensis, A. sachalinensis demonstrated the highest cytoplasmic and nuclear diversity and the most continental species, A. sibirica, the lowest. Both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers revealed the presence of a transitional zone on Sakhalin Island between A. nephrolepis and A. sachalinensis of south Sakhalin. The structure analysis delivered very clear results confirming the admixed origin of A. sachalinensis, with a genetic contribution from A. nephrolepis. No variation in cytoplasmic markers was found in A. gracilis, suggesting the occurrence of a recent bottleneck. Main conclusions There is a clear reduction of genetic diversity in Abies species from the Pacific coast into the continent. The higher diversity in A. sachalinensis could have two causes: a larger effective population size in the islands due to relatively stable climatic conditions and consequently less pronounced demographic fluctuations in population size and/or hybridization with continental and Japanese populations. Sakhalin Island is a major transitional zone for conifer species. Finally, the fir from Kamchatka, A. gracilis, should be regarded as a separate species closely related to the A. nephrolepis–A. sachalinensis complex.     

Anti‐Tumor‐Initiating Effects of Spiro‐biflavonoids from Abies sachalinensis

Cancer chemoprevention, the prevention of cancer by ingestion of chemical agents that reduce the risk of carcinogenesis, is one of the potent ways to reduce morbidity and mortality. We have been searching for cancer chemopreventive agents from the leaves and barks of coniferous trees that have been treated as waste in the forestry industry. We have previously reported the isolation of spiro‐biflavonoids, named as abiesinols, and a neolignan from the MeOH extract of the bark of Abies sachalinensis. These compounds were tested for their inhibitory effects on the activation of (±)‐(E)‐methyl‐2‐[(E)‐hydroxyimino]‐5‐nitro‐6‐methoxyhex‐3‐enamide (NOR 1), a nitric oxide (NO) donor, as a primary screening test for anti‐tumor initiators. All compounds tested exhibited potent inhibitory effects on NOR 1 activation. Furthermore, abiesinol A, bearing a spiro‐biflavonoid skeleton, showed remarkable anti‐tumor‐initiating activity in the in vivo two‐stage mouse skin carcinogenesis test using peroxynitrite (ONOO^?; PN) as the initiator and 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA) as the promoter.     

甘南高山林线岷江冷杉—杜鹃种群结构与动态

高山林线是一种典型的生态交错带,是对气候反映最敏感的地区之一。甘肃南部高山林线区域主要以原始岷江冷杉种群和杜鹃种群为优势种,通过对岷江冷杉和杜鹃种群建立静态生命表,绘制存活曲线描述其结构特征,利用种群数量动态预测时间序列分析定量研究未来的发展趋势。结果显示:(1)岷江冷杉种群幼苗比较丰富,能很好的维持种群个体的自疏死亡,存活曲线呈Deevey-Ⅲ型;杜鹃种群幼苗缺乏,存活曲线趋向于Deevey-Ⅰ型;死亡曲线和危险率曲线都随着龄级的增加而增加,杜鹃种群的死亡率在各个龄级一直大于岷江冷杉种群,危险率在Ⅱ龄级以后杜鹃种群也始终大于岷江冷杉种群。(2)岷江冷杉种群结构动态变化指数Vpi大于修正后的种群结构动态变化指数V′pi且大于0,而杜鹃种群结构动态变化指数Vpi小于修正后的种群结构动态变化指数V′pi且小于0,则岷江冷杉种群属于增长型,杜鹃种群属于衰退型,岷江冷杉、杜鹃随机干扰极大值分别为0.027、0.011,说明二者对外界干扰均比较敏感。(3)杜鹃种群时间序列预测为前期幼苗比较缺乏,中期稳定,后期衰退的动态特征,而岷江冷杉种群表现出各龄级时间变化较小,幼苗个体数较多,种群为稳定增长型,岷江冷杉更能适应甘肃南部高山林线区域当前环境。     

Variations in carbon source–sink relationships in subalpine fir across elevational gradients

• Cold‐adapted trees display acclimation in both carbon source and carbon sink capacity to low‐temperature stress at their upper elevational range limits. Hence a balanced carbon source–sink capacity might be required for their persistence and survival at the elevational tree limits.
• The present study examined the spatial dynamics of carbon source–sink relationship in subalpine fir (Abies fargesii) trees along elevational gradients in the northern slope of the temperate region and in the southern slope of the subtropics in terms of climate in the Qinling Mountain range, north‐central China.
• The results showed that non‐structural carbohydrate (NSC) concentrations in both the source and sink tissues increased with the increase in elevation. The ratio of carbon source–sink displayed a consistent decreasing trend with the increase in elevation and during growing season, showing that it was lowest at a ratio of 2.93 in the northern slope and at a ratio of 2.61 in the southern slope at the upper distribution elevations in the late growing season. Such variations of carbon source–sink ratio might be attributable to the balance between carbon source and sink activities, which changed seasonally across the elevational distribution range.
• We concluded that a ratio of carbon source–sink of at least 2.6 might be essential for subalpine fir trees to persist at their upper range limits. Therefore, a sufficient source–sink ratio and a balanced source–sink relationship might be required for subalpine fir trees to survive and develop at their upper elevational distribution limits.