Chloroplast DNA variation and phylogeography of Ligularia tongolensis (Asteraceae), a species endemic to the Hengduan Mountains region of China

In this research, we aimed to study the genetic variation and phylogeographic pattern of Ligularia tongolensis, a perennial herb endemic to the Hengduan Mountains region of China. We sequenced two chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) intergenic spacers (trnQ-5 rps16, trnL-rpl32) in 140 individuals from 14 populations of three groups (Jinshajiang vs. Yalongjiang vs. Wumeng) within this species range. High levels of haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.814) and total genetic diversity (Ht = 0.862) were detected at the species leve...     

Population bottlenecks: influence on mitochondrial DNA diversity and its effect in coregonine stock discrimination

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that anadromous populations of North American whitefish, Coregonus clupeaformis (Mitchill), believed to have suffered more intense population bottlenecks during past glaciation events, should reveal less mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variability and population-genetic structuring than anadromous populations of European whitefish, C. lavaretus (L.). C. clupeaformis exhibited extremely low levels of diversity and population structuring, in terms of number and frequency of clonal lines as well as sequence divergence estimates, as compared with populations of C. lavaretus. These results support the hypothesis that the severity of population bottlenecks related to Pleistocene glaciation events may be largely responsible for the level of mtDNA variability observed. This in turn influences the sampling strategy required to maximize the usefulness of mtDNA analysis in stock discrimination.     

Humptulips revisited: a revised interpretation of Quaternary vegetation and climate of western Washington, USA

New pollen data from a 770-cm core of a mire at Humptulips on the southwestern Olympic Peninsula (47°17′00″N, 123°54′40″W) and from a nearby deposit regarded as interglacial in age on the West Fork of the Humptulips River provide evidence for a reinterpretation of previous accounts of the Quaternary vegetation and climate. Using a new age model, the highly variable record at Humptulips is here correlated with marine oxygen-isotope stages (OIS) 1–5a. Vegetation during OIS 5a was pine-dominated, mixed woodland and tundra. In OIS 4, 3, and 2, oscillations in pollen assemblages imply repeated intervals of mountain hemlock parkland and tundra. Pine, as an indicator of openness, is also abundant in these stages. Interstadial fluctuations in OIS 3 reflect episodes of lowland western hemlock communities. The earliest of the episodes is of infinite radiocarbon age and the latest dates to approximately 30,000 ¹⁴C yr B.P. Parkland in OIS 2, occurring after 24,600 until at least 18,440 ¹⁴C yr B.P., was replaced by transitional pine–alder in OIS 1 (Holocene), which, unlike any of the earlier stages, conveys the development of modern lowland forest dominated by western hemlock. Pollen assemblages over the length of record imply that temperature and humidity at no time were as high as at present; only in OIS 3 do conditions approach those occurring in OIS 1. During OIS 2, 3, and 4, when tree line apparently stood at the location of the site, climate was colder and drier. Temperatures were depressed an estimated ≥5°C with precipitation close to 1000 mm compared with 2000–3000 mm at present. Atmospheric circulation during OIS 2 appears to have been much controlled by the location of the Laurentide ice sheet in the continental interior, whereas under the current climatic regime beginning in the early Holocene, westerly air flow has dominated, regulated by interplay between the North Pacific high in summer and the wintertime Aleutian low.     

Holarctic phylogeography of the root vole (Microtus oeconomus): implications for late Quaternary biogeography of high latitudes

A species-wide phylogeographical study of the root vole (Microtus oeconomus) was performed using the whole 1140 base pair mitochondrial (mt) cytochrome b gene. We examined 83 specimens from 52 localities resulting in 65 unique haplotypes. Our results demonstrate that the root vole is divided into four main mtDNA phylogenetic lineages that seem to have largely allopatric distributions. Net divergence estimates (2.0-3.5%) between phylogroups, as well as relatively high nucleotide diversity estimates within phylogroups, indicate that the distinct phylogeographical structure was initiated by historical events that predated the latest glaciation. European root voles are divided into a Northern and a Central mtDNA phylogroup. The mtDNA data in concert with fossil records imply that root voles remained north of the classical refugial areas in southern Europe during the last glacial period. The currently fragmented populations in central Europe belong to a single mtDNA phylogroup. The Central Asian and the North European lineages are separated by the Ural Mountains, a phylogeographical split also found in collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx) and the common vole (M. arvalis). The Beringian lineage occurs from eastern Russia through Alaska to northwestern Canada. This distribution is congruent with the traditional boundaries of the Beringian refugium and with phylogeographical work on other organisms. In conclusion, similarities between the phylogeographical patterns in the root vole and other rodents, such as Arctic and subarctic lemmings, as well as more temperate vole species, indicate that late Quaternary geological and climatic events played a strong role in structuring northern biotic communities.     

Molecular biogeography of clonal lineages in a high-Arctic apomictic Daphnia complex

An electrophoretic survey of 81 populations of arctic Daphnia pulex from around the Svalbard archipelago revealed the presence of 49 unique allozyme clones ( N = 3357). Two closely related clones accounted for 66% of the total sample, and were widespread across the archipelago. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of a 2.1-kb fragment of mtDNA (NADH-4 and NADH-5 subunits), amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), revealed the presence of eight mtDNA haplotypes. One haplotype was particularly widespread, and the two most abundant allozyme clones shared this haplotype. Nonrandom distribution patterns of clones were observed, and are most likely the result of historical events (i.e. founder effects) related to the past glacial history of the archipelago. The data are discussed with reference to past glaciation events, and attempts are made to discern the colonization history of this apomictic complex.     

中国第四纪冰期与陆生脊椎动物残留分布

在第四纪冰期中 ,中国东部地区是否发生过冰川 ,长期存在争议。中国东部地区冰川说的创始人李四光教授在提出该学说时 ,从古生物方面未得到冰期生物群的证据。现存生物种的地理残留现象可反映地质历史时期的气候变化。本文作者依据中国陆生脊椎动物的北方残留、热带 -亚热带残留、温带湿润带残留等现象 ,推断 :(1)在冰期的冷期中喜暖动物南迁时 ,中国东部地区是一避难地 ;(2 )在中国东部地区未见有典型冰川残留种的存在 ;(3)一些湿润种的间断残留分布与中国北方黄土及干旱气候的发展有密切的关系。此结论似不支持中国东部冰川说     

Expression of genetic and environmental variation during ageing

Summary A selection experiment with Drosophila melanogaster was carried out to test some theories of ageing by calculating genetic parameters for a reproductive fitness trait at different ages. Successful selection for increased lifespan showed that longevity is a trait under genetic control. Positive genetic correlations between early and late fitness were found. These results do not support the pleiotropy theory of ageing which predicts a negative genetic correlation. Both environmental and additive genetic variation clearly increased with age. Increased environmental variation probably reflects the individuals' difficulties in coping with environmental stress. The increase in additive genetic variation supports the mutation accumulation theory of ageing, as well as other theories that postulate increased additive genetic variation with age.     

Comparative phylogeography of Nearctic and Palearctic fishes

Combining phylogeographic data from mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of Nearctic and Palearctic freshwater and anadromous fishes, we used a comparative approach to assess the influence of historical events on evolutionary patterns and processes in regional fish faunas. Specifically, we (i) determined whether regional faunas differentially affected by Pleistocene glaciations show predictable differences in phylogeographic patterns; (ii) evaluated how processes of divergence and speciation have been influenced by such differential responses; and (iii) assessed the general contribution of phylogeographic studies to conservation issues. Comparisons among case studies revealed fundamental differences in phylogeographic patterns among regional faunas. Tree topologies were typically deeper for species from nonglaciated regions compared to northern species, whereas species with partially glaciated ranges were intermediate in their characteristics. Phylogeographic patterns were strikingly similar among southern species, whereas species in glaciated areas showed reduced concordance. The extent and locations of secondary contact among mtDNA lineages varied greatly among northern species, resulting in reduced intraspecific concordance of genetic markers for some northern species. Regression analysis of phylogeographic data for 42 species revealed significant latitudinal shifts in intraspecific genetic diversity. Both relative nucleotide diversity and estimates of evolutionary effective population size showed significant breakpoints matching the median latitude for the southern limit of the Pleistocene glaciations. Similarly, analysis of clade depth of phylogenetically distinct lineages vs. area occupied showed that evolutionary dispersal rates of species from glaciated and nonglaciated regions differed by two orders of magnitude. A negative relationship was also found between sequence divergence among sister species as a function of their median distributional latitude, indicating that recent bursts of speciation events have occurred in deglaciated habitats. Phylogeographic evidence for parallel evolution of sympatric northern species pairs in postglacial times suggested that differentiation of cospecific morphotypes may be driven by ecological release. Altogether, these results demonstrate that comparative phylogeography can be used to evaluate not only phylogeographic patterns but also evolutionary processes. As well as having significant implications for conservation programs, this approach enables new avenues of research for examining the regional, historical, and ecological factors involved in shaping intraspecific genetic diversity.     

青藏高原及其周边地区高山植物谱系地理学研究进展

青藏高原及其周边地区是世界上高山植物最丰富的地区,通过谱系地理学研究可以探讨高山植物演化历史与高原隆升和第四纪冰期的关系。根据对已经报道的36种高山植物的谱系地理分析,其谱系地理模式主要表现为:一、冰期退却到高原边缘的避难所,冰后期回迁到高原面;二、地理隔离造成冰期存在多处避难所(含微型避难所),冰后期发生局域性扩张。青藏高原在晚第三纪的快速隆升促进了物种的分化和成种,而第四纪冰期更是加剧了物种的快速分化,高原隆升和第四纪周期性气候波动是形成青藏高原高山植物现代谱系地理格局的主要原因。横断山脉地区作为第四纪冰期高山植物的主要避难所,在进化生物学和保护生物学方面具有重要启示。最后在物种选择、采样策略、基因片段选择和研究方法等4个方面提出青藏高原地区谱系地理学的研究方向。     

Comparative phylogeography and postglacial colonization routes in Europe

The Quaternary cold periods in Europe are thought to have heavily influenced the amount and distribution of intraspecific genetic variation in both animals and plants. The phylogeographies of 10 taxa, including mammals ( Ursus arctos , Sorex spp., Crocidura suaveolens , Arvicola spp.), amphibians ( Triturus spp.), arthropods ( Chorthippus parallelus ), and plants ( Abies alba , Picea abies , Fagus sylvatica , Quercus spp.), were analysed to elucidate general trends across Europe. Only a small degree of congruence was found amongst the phylogeographies of the 10 taxa, but the likely postglacial colonization routes exhibit some similarities. A Brooks parsimony analysis produced an unrooted area phylogram, showing that: (i) the northern regions were colonized generally from the Iberic and Balkanic refugia; and (ii) the Italian lineages were often isolated due to the presence of the Alpine barrier. The comparison of colonization routes highlighted four main suture-zones where lineages from the different refugia meet. Some of the intraspecific genetic distances among lineages indicated a prequaternary divergence that cannot be connected to any particular cold period, but are probably related mainly to the date of arrival of each taxon in the European continent. As a consequence, molecular genetics so far appears to be of limited use in dating Quaternary events.     

Variations of skull-body regressions of the lemming (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus) under laboratory and field conditions

Collared lemmings, Dicrostonyx groenlandicus , maintained in the laboratory under short-day photoperiods (2 h light: 22 h dark) grew faster than their cohorts kept under long-day photoperiods (22 h light: 2 h dark). Significant differences in cranial, visceral and body components were found in both sexes. Linear regressions of skull-body parameters were compared to those of wild lemmings trapped at Eskimo Point, Northwest Territories, Canada, during three consecutive summers from 1973 to 1975. The data support the conclusion that variation in body size and skull development associated with changes in population density are, in part, due to photoperiod influences. The importance of this facultative response is discussed in relation to current theories on thermal regulation and variations in subnivial breeding success observed in this species.     

Phylogeographic analyses of a circumarctic coastal and a boreal lacustrine mysid crustacean, and evidence of fast postglacial mtDNA rates

Phylogeographic structures of two weakly dispersing Mysis sibling species, one with a circumarctic coastal, the other with a boreal lacustrine-Baltic distribution, were studied from mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences. Mysis segerstralei showed high overall diversity and little phylogeographic structure across the Arctic, indicating late-glacial dispersal among coastal and lake populations from Alaska, Siberia and the north of Europe. A strongly divergent refugial lineage was however identified in Beringia. The boreal 'glacial relict'Mysis salemaai in turn displayed clear structuring among postglacially isolated Scandinavian lake populations. The inferred pattern of intralake mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) monophyly in Scandinavia suggested relatively small population sizes and a remarkably fast postglacial mtDNA divergence rate (0.27% per 10 000 years). Nevertheless, the broader phylogeographic pattern did not support distinct eastern and western glacial refugia in Northern Europe, unlike in some other aquatic taxa. In all, the two species comprised three equidistant mitochondrial lineages (approximately 2% divergence), corresponding to M. salemaai, to the bulk of M. segerstralei, and to the Beringian M. segerstralei lineage. The lack of reciprocal monophyly of the two species in respect to their mitochondrial genealogy could indicate postspeciation mitochondrial introgression, also exemplified by an evidently more recent capture of M. segerstralei mitochondria in a Karelian population of M. salemaai. Overall, the data suggest that the continental boreal M. salemaai has a relatively recent ancestry in arctic coastal waters, whereas two other boreal 'glacial relict'Mysis sibling species in Europe (Mysis relicta) and North America (Mysis diluviana) have colonized inland waters much earlier (approximately 8% COI divergence).