Spatial patterns and interspecific associations of three canopy species at different life stages in a subtropical forest, China

Spatial patterns of species at different life stages are an important aspect for understanding causal mechanisms that facilitate species co-existence.Using Ripley's univariate L(t) and bivariate L12(t) functions,we analyzed the spatial patterns and interspecific associations of three canopy species at different life history stages in a 20-ha subtropical forest plot in Dinghushan Nature Reserve.Based on diameter at breast height (DBH),four life stages were distinguished.Castanopsis chinensis and Schima superba showed a unimodal DBH distribution.Engelhardtia roxburghiana showed a bimodal curve.L(t) function analysis showed significantly aggregated distributions of all three species at later life stages and random distribution at early life stages at some scales.From the analysis of L12(t) function,the results showed the positive association was a dominant pattern for most species pairs at most scales but the intensity of association decreases with the increase of life stages.Juveniles of the three species had no negative intra- and interspecific associations with the older life stages.Only premature trees were suppressed by overmature trees at some scales.Considering these results,we found three canopy-dominant species that lacked regeneration.There was no direct competition occurring between understorey individuals.Young trees can grow well under conspecific species with two other species.Longevity and lack of regeneration led to a large number of trees stored in mature and overmature stages,therefore,intra-and inter-competition can be strong at later life stages.     

ＡＢＡ对红锥、苦槠种子发育和萌发的效应研究

研究采用酶联免疫分析法（ＥＬＩＳＡ）提取和测定红锥和苦槠发育过程中果实内ＡＢＡ含量,并用不同浓度ＡＢＡ喂养,测定果实不同发育期对外源ＡＢＡ的敏感性。用放射性同位素法测定ＡＢＡ对贮藏蛋白质的积累作用,结果表明：随着红锥和苦槠种子发育过程内源ＡＢＡ含量逐渐上升,达到高峰的时间分别为１１月５日和１０月５日,随后ＡＢＡ含量均逐渐下降。成熟采收时果实内ＡＢＡ含量比高时峰小８－９倍,随着果实的发育种子对外加ＡＢＡ的敏感性逐渐变小,外源ＡＢＡ浓度１０^-4mol/L可以完全抑制１１月２５日（红锥)笔１０月１５日（苦槠）前种子发芽,但对成熟的种子１０^-2mol/L ＡＢＡ亦不能抑制发芽。ＡＢＡ对成熟前期胚贮藏蛋白质合成无影响,但能促进成熟后中后期胚的贮藏蛋白质的积累作用,ＡＢＡ维持红锥和苦槠贮藏蛋白质全盛和积累作用表现在转录水平上。     

Potential refugia in Taiwan revealed by the phylogeographical study of Castanopsis carlesii Hayata (Fagaceae)

In this study, we examined spatial patterns of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) variation in a total of 30 populations of Castanopsis carlesii Hayata (Fagaceae), a subtropical and temperate tree species, including 201 individuals sampled throughout Taiwan. By sequencing two cpDNA fragments using universal primers (the trnL intron and the trnV-trnM intergenic spacer), we found a total of 1663 bp and 21 polymorphic sites. These gave rise to a total of 28 cpDNA haplotypes. The level of differentiation among the populations studied was relatively high (GST = 0.723). Two ancestral haplotypes are widely distributed. The Central Mountain Ridge (CMR) of Taiwan represents an insurmountable barrier to the east-west gene flow of C. carlesii. Among the populations studied, three separated populations, at Lienhuachih, Fushan and Lichia, have high nucleotide diversity. Estimates of NST-GST for populations on both sides of the CMR indicate that no phylogeographical structure exists. According to the genealogical tree, number of rare haplotype and population genetic divergence, this study suggests that two potential refugia existed during the last glaciation: the first refugium was located in a region to the north of Hsuehshan Range (HR) and west of the CMR; the second refugium was located in south, especially southeastern Taiwan. In fact, the second refugium happens to be the same as that reported for Quercus glauca. A 'star-like' genealogy is characteristic when all haplotypes rapidly coalesce and is a general outcome of population expansion. The neutrality test and mismatch distribution also suggest demographic expansion recovering from a bottleneck.     

Comparative structure of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas and ectomycorrhizas

During the establishment of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas, fungal hyphae contact the root surface, form appressoria and initiate the internal colonization phase. Structural changes occur in the cell wall, the cytoplasm and the nucleus as the fungus progresses from a presymbiotic to a symbiotic phase. Nuclei in spores are in G₁ whereas in intraradical hyphae they are in G₁ and G₂. Changes in nuclear organization are evident in various stages in the colonization process. Dramatic changes in both symbionts occur as the nutrient exchange interface is established between arbuscules and root cortical cells. An interfacial matrix, consisting of molecules common to the primary wall of the cortical cell, separates the cortical cell plasma membrane from the fungal cell wall. Ectomycorrhizas are characterized structurally by the presence of a mantle of fungal hyphae enclosing the root and usually an Hartig net of intercellular hyphae characterized by labyrinthine branching. As hyphae contact the root surface, they may respond by increasing their diameter and switching from apical growth to precocious branching. The site of initial contact of hyphae may be either the root cap or the ‘mycorrhiza infection zone’. The mantle varies considerably in structure depending on both the plant and fungus genome. In some ectomycorrhizas, the mantle may be a barrier to apoplastic transport, and in most it may store polyphosphate, glycogen, lipids and perhaps protein.     

湖北省栲类林群落学特征研究

通过设置样方,在全面调查湖北省内各栲类林的基础上,对湖北省栲类林的物种组成、区系成分、群落结构及类型,以及影响群落结构的环境因子进行研究。结果显示：（1）在所调查的湖北省栲类林中共记录维管植物88科210属376种,其中乔木层中常绿树种有73种、落叶树种有48种,构成了以常绿树种为主的典型常绿阔叶林;（2）从科的区系组成来看,热带成分多于温带成分;从属的区系组成来看,热带成分与温带成分大体相当;（3）湖北栲类林生物多样性有显著的经度和海拔格局,但受纬度影响不大。土壤因子中仅氮含量对物种多样性格局影响显著;（4）湖北省栲类林可分为5个群系,即：苦槠（Castanopsis sclerophylla（Lindl.）Schott）林、钩栲（Castanopsis tibetana Hance）林、栲（Castanopsis fargesii Franch）林、甜槠（Castanopsis eyrei（Champ.）Tutch.）林和罗浮栲（Castanopsis faberi Hance）林。在各环境因子中,海拔、经度、坡度和土壤磷含量对群落组成的影响最大,地理因子和土壤因子对栲类林群落组成影响的总解释率为68.94%;（5）在5个群系中大部分乔木及栲属植物的径级分布呈单峰形,种-多度分布表现为典型的具有少数常见种、多个偶见种的倒“J”形曲线。研究表明湖北省栲类林物种多样性高,生物多样性丰富,植物区系热带成分明显,主要包含5个群系,地理因子和土壤因子可以解释大部分的群落物种组成变异。该研究可为湖北省常绿阔叶林保护和管理提供理论依据和数据支持。     

Total Flavonoids of Engelhardia roxburghiana Wall. Leaves Alleviated Foam Cells Formation through AKT/mTOR-Mediated Autophagy in the Progression of Atherosclerosis

Engelhardia roxburghiana Wall. is a traditional Chinese medicine used for treating cardiovascular diseases. Our previous study has implicated potential effects of total flavonoids of Engelhardia roxburghiana Wall. (TFER) against hyperlipidemia. The aim of the study is to uncover the effects and underlying mechanisms of TFER on foam cells formation after atherosclerosis. We used high fat diet (HFD) induced Apoe-/- mice and oxidized density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) induced THP-1 cells to mimic process of atherosclerosis in vivo and in vitro, respectively. Lipid accumulation, inflammation response, autophagosomes formation and expressions of autophagy related target genes were assessed. Our present study demonstrated TFER (500 mg/kg) alleviated macrophage infiltration and lipid accumulation in thoracic aortas of HFD-treated mice. In ox-LDL-treated THP-1 cells, MDC staining and Western blot analysis all indicated that the TFER (200 μg/ml) reduced foam cells formation and IL-1β releasing, activated autophagy through suppressing AKT/mTOR signaling, significantly regulating expressions of AKT, p-AKT, mTOR, p-mTOR, Beclin 1, LC3-II, p62. It is suggested that TFER alleviated atherosclerosis progression in vivo and in vitro through reducing foam cells formation and inflammatory responses, and the possible mechanism may be due to the activation of macrophage autophagy by inhibiting AKT and mTOR phosphorylation.     

Temporal infectivity and specificity of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas in co-existing grassland species

Specificity in vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas (VAM), arising from selection favouring host plant/mycorrhizal fungus associations in which both organisms receive benefit, might have a significant influence on interactions between co-existing plant species. In an attempt to detect such specificity root inoculum of four tempt to detect such specificity root inoculum of four plant species, harvested from a species-rich grassland on three dates during the plant growth season, was used to infect the same plant species grown in pots. The rate and overall level of infection was different according to inoculum source and the time of year in which the inoculum was harvested, i.e. temporal variation in VAM infectivity occurs. However, there was no evidence for either specificity or mycorrhizal benefit. Inoculum produced during this experiment was used to infect bait Trifolium pratense plants and protein patterns of these roots indicated that a number of biochemically different endophytes were present, both within the inoculum of the four plant species but also within inoculum from one plant species. Temporal variation in mycorrhizal infectivity could be important for mycorrhizal propagation in the field. However, the lack of evidence, in this study, for specificity of VAM or an obvious nutritional benefit to plants with mycorrhizas make the role of mycorrhizas in this community difficult to interpret.     

栲树种群生态位动态研究

用Levins生态位宽度及重叠、Feinsing等生态位宽度和Petraitis生态位重叠计测方法,处理缙云山森林群落演替系列取样,分析栲树种群的生态位特征及动态.结果表明,栲树种群为缙云山森林群落演替顶极群落常绿阔叶林的优势种群,其生态位宽度随群落演替过程基本呈增长趋势,而资源利用程度却呈“∧”形;对于栲树种群和缙云山森林群落其它14个优势种群间在所有5类群落中的生态位重叠,仅栲树种群与典型针阔混交林中的小叶栲、光叶灰木、川灰木、薯豆、白毛新木姜子、广东山胡椒、大头茶、虎皮楠、杉木、马尾松种群上和针叶林中小叶栲、光叶灰木、杉木种群上,表现出显著完全特定重叠.     

武夷山天然米槠林优势种群结构与分布格局

在武夷山国家级自然保护区以米槠、杨梅叶蚊母树罗浮栲和黄瑞木为优势的群落内,应用相邻格子法设置3600m^2样地获得野外调查资料,进行优势种种群结构和空间格局的研究。结果表明：1）米槠杨梅叶蚊母树、罗浮栲和黄瑞木种群结构呈金字塔型。2）在分格格局上,四种优势种群都呈集群分布,但聚集强度不同,K值为0．2661－1．2877;在不同发育阶段米槠种群的空间分布格局都呈集群分布;杨梅叶蚊母树、罗浮栲种群,大树呈随机分布,幼树、中树均为集群分布;黄瑞木种群幼树为集群分布,中树则为随机分布;这种差异与其生物生态学特性及与物种的竞争排斥作用有密切联系。3）不同区组对种群空间分布格局产生影响。     

Chromatin structure variation in successful and unsuccessful arbuscular mycorrhizas of pea

Summary Lincoln and Frisson varieties of endomycorrhiza-forming pea plants and isogenic mycorrhiza-resistant Frisson mutant (P2) plants were inoculated withGlomus mosseae. Nuclei released from inoculated and non-inoculated (control) roots were analysed for chromatin structure and activity using flow cytometric techniques. Chromatin accessibility to the specific DNA fluorochrome DAPI at saturating and non-saturating concentrations was measured. DNA fluorescence of nuclei of mycorrhizal Lincoln and wild genotype Frisson plants was significantly increased, compared to the controls, at saturating and, more strongly, at non-saturating DAPI concentrations. In contrast, the nuclei of inoculated P2 mutant roots showed a much lower increase in fluorescence, compared to uninoculated controls. Nuclei released from mycorrhiza-infected Lincoln roots were more sensitive to DNase I than those of uninfected ones. These results indicate a dramatic increase in that portion of the genome which can be transcribed in response to AM infection.Abbreviations AM arbuscular mycorrhizas - CRBCs chicken red blood cells - CV coefficient of variation - DAPI 4 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole - DNase I deoxyribonuclease I - EDTA ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid - FCM flow cytometry - TMN Tris MgCl₂ NaCl buffer     

海南锥栗属新植物

1.五指山锥　别名 :山白锥 (五指山 )　新种　图版 - ACastanopsis wuzhishangensis　 G.A.Fu sp.nov.Species affinis Castanopsi carlesii( Hemsl.) Hayatavar.spinulosa,a qua folia crasoribus et duroribus dif-ferf.Etiam affinis C.Echinocarpae Miq.var.senin-udae,se     

珍稀濒危植物青钩栲种群数量特征研究

提出自适应种群增长新模型Ｓ＝ｅｘｐ（ａｌｎ＾２（１＋ｃｅ＾－ｒｔ）＋βｌｎ（１＋ｃｅ＾－ｅｔ）＋γ）,该模型包融了Ｌｏｇｉｓｔｉｃ模型、Ｓｍｉｔｈ模型、Ｇｏｍｐｅｒｔｚ模型、崔－Ｌａｗｓｏｎ模型、张－Ｌｏｇｉｓｔｉｃ模型和刘－Ｌｏｇｉｓｔｉｃ模型,运用遗传算法适应新模型进行参数估计,拟合青钩栲种群增长规律比其它种群增长模型更符合青钩栲群种的实际增长趋势,说明新模型具有一定的实用价值。     

井冈山自然保护区栲属群落植物区系分析

井冈山自然保护区栲属群落的维管植物75科132属214种,其中蕨类植物有14科19属34种,裸子植物3科4属4种,被子植物58科109属186种。区系分析显示该植物区系起源石老,保留有大量第四纪冰前期区系万分;地理成分复杂,以热带亚热带成分为主,温带成分占有一定比例;珍稀涉危植物和特有植物丰富。植被组成中以壳斗科栲属的植物为优势种,乔木层的主要伴生种有木兰科、樟科、山茶科等科的常绿树种;主要灌木有柃木、杜茎山、草珊瑚、多花山竹子等;草本以淡竹叶、苔草、贯众、鳞毛蕨、狗脊蕨等为主。