Intraspecific sequence variation of chloroplast DNA among the component species of deciduous broad-leaved forests in Japan

To select appropriate plant materials for a phylogeography of deciduous broad-leaved forests in Japan, we surveyed intraspecific chloroplast DNA variation in 34 species found in these forests. A relatively large number of intraspecific cpDNA variations were detected in ten species: Carpinus japonica (nucleotide diversity π=0.00083), C. laxiflora (π=0.00221), Magnolia obovata (π=0.00134), Lindera triloba (π=0.00255), L. obtusiloba (π=0.00289), Pourthiaea villosa var. leavis (π=0.00263), Acer japonicum (π=0.00170), A. micranthum (π=0.00237), Euonymus oxyphyllus (π=0.00322) and Styrax obassia (π=0.00100).     

Phylogeography of the component species of broad-leaved evergreen forests in Japan,based on chloroplast DNA variation

In order to elucidate the past distribution and colonization routes of broad-leaved evergreen (lucidophyllous) forests, we investigated the intraspecific phylogeographic patterns of lucidophyllous forests in Japan and surrounding areas. We selected 6 component species with a similar geographic distributions growing in Castanopsis-dominant forests. We defined possible important refugia during the glacial periods as the regions rich in rare haplotypes (with a frequency of 5% or less), or as regions rich in the number of common haplotypes (with a frequency of more than 5%). We then located the sites of refuge by comparing the intraspecific phylogeographic patterns among 6 component species of lucidophyllous forests with respect to these two parameters (i.e., haplotype uniqueness and the number of haplotypes). The following results were obtained during the course of this study: (1) rare haplotypes were distributed among islands around the main islands of Japan; (2) rare subtypes and the greatest numbers of common haplotypes were observed in Kyushu, a finding which agreed with fossilized pollen data demonstrative of the past existence of refugia in southern Kyushu; and (3) rare haplotypes were found on the Muroto Peninsula, and the second greatest numbers of common haplotypes were observed on the Kii Peninsula, a finding which suggested the existence of additional important refugia along the Pacific coast of Japan during the glacial ages.     

Intraspecific Sequence Variation of Chloroplast DNA Reflecting Variety and Geographical Distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polygonum cuspidatum</Emphasis> (Polygonaceae) in Japan

Polygonum cuspidatum in Japan, we analyzed the chloroplast DNA sequences of a region from the rbcL to the accD gene (ca. 1,420 bp), and found nucleotide variations at 22 sites in 68 samples. The phylogenetic relationship deduced from the sequence variations revealed the existence of at least five groups. The first group consisted of P. cuspidatum var. cuspidatum in the central part of Honshu; in Nagano, Yamanashi, and Shizuoka. The second, a sister of the first, consisted of those plants in Shizuoka-Itoigawa Line. The third group consisted of plants in the northern part of Japan including P. sachalinense in Hokkaido, P. cuspidatum var. cuspidatum in Aomori and var. uzensis in Akita. The fourth consisted of var. uzensis in the Tohoku District. The fifth consisted of var. terminalis in the Izu Islands. P. cuspidatum are differentiated according to their distribution, and two varieties, var. terminalis and var. uzensis, are differentiated genetically. Polygonum sachalinensis, a distinct species morphologically, fell into the accessions of P. cuspidatum on the phylogenetic tree obtained in the present study. Received 9 July 2000/ Accepted in revised form 11 October 2000     

Gap characteristics and gap regeneration in primary evergreen broad-leaved forests of western Japan

Gap characteristics and regeneration in gaps were studied in some primary evergreen broad-leaved forests of the warm temperate zone in western Japan. Total observed 161 gaps covered 15.7% of the total land area of 8.23 ha. Gap density was 19. 6 gaps ha⁻¹ and mean gap size was 80.3 m². Smaller gaps (<80 m²) were much more frequent than larger ones, and gaps larger than 400 m² were rare. Gaps created by the death or the injury of single trees were 79.5%. Canopy trees died most often with broken trunks and not so often by uprooting or leaving standing-dead. Different types of gap regeneration behaviour were recognized among the major canopy tree species, though gap regeneration of the common evergreen broad-leaved tree species did not clearly depend on a species-specific gap size.Distylium racemosum, which occurred in equal importance (about 25%) in the canopy layer of each study stand, regenerates in gaps from saplings recruited before gap creation and can replace not only its own gaps but also gaps of other species. Therefore, it can be considered a typical climax species in this forest type of western Japan.Persea thunbergii, which can reproduce vegetatively, showed a similar type of gap regeneration behaviour.Castanopsis cuspidata can replace itself with relatively higher frequency by means of vegetative reproduction (stump sprouting) after gap creation.Quercus acuta andQuercus salicina did not regenerate under the current gap-disturbance regime. Though the frequency of uprooting is low, soil disturbance by uprooting seems to be important for the perpetuation of the pioneer tree species,Fagara ailanthoides, which recruits from buried seeds in the soil     

Comparative phylogeography of four component species of deciduous broad-leaved forests in Japan based on chloroplast DNA variation

A phylogeographic study of four tree species (Padus grayana, Euonymus oxyphyllus, Magnolia hypoleuca, and Carpinus laxiflora) growing in Japanese deciduous broad-leaved forests was conducted based on chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) variations. Using nucleotide sequences of 702–1,059 bp of intergenic spacers of cpDNA, 20, 27, eight, and eight haplotypes were detected among 251, 251, 226, and 262 individuals sampled from 67, 79, 75, and 71 populations of the above species, respectively. The geographical pattern of the cpDNA variations was highly structured in each species, and the following three regional populations were genetically highly differentiated among all four species: (1) the Sea of Japan-side area, (2) the Kanto region, and (3) southwestern Japan. Based on some interspecific similarities among the phylogeographic patterns, the following migration scenario of Japanese deciduous broad-leaved forests was postulated. During the last glacial maximum (LGM), the forests were separately distributed in six regions. After LGM, as the climate warmed, the forests in eastern Japan separately expanded from each of the refugia along the Sea of Japan-side or along the Pacific Ocean-side. In contrast, those in southwestern Japan retreated and moved to high altitudes from each of the continuous forests.     

Geographical cline of chloroplast DNA variation in Abies mariesii

Where its populations are isolated in higher mountain regions, Abies mariesii is one of the more important conifers of Japan's alpine forest zone. In this study we tried to clarify the genetic variation of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) in A. mariesii. Cones and fresh needles were collected from seven mountain regions. Total DNAs were extracted from individual seedlings, and these were digested by 15 restriction endonucleases. Southern hybridization was then done using cpDNA clones of Cryptomeria japonica and tobacco as probes. CpDNA variation was detected with enzyme-probe combinations: HindIII+pCS10 probe, HindIII+pCS7, and BglII+pCS7 in preliminary screening. These variations were considered to be caused by the same insertion, deletion or inversion. All populations surveyed for the combination HindIII+pCS10 resulted in only two frequency variations in each population. This indicates a gradual cline along latitude and longitude.     

广西常绿阔叶林分类系统及特点

常绿阔叶林是广西分布最广泛、最为复杂多样的植被类型.遵循《中国植被》一书的植被分类原则,并参考宋永昌先生的《中国常绿阔叶林分类试行方案》.根据高级单位以生态外貌、中级单位以优势度类型、低级单位以特征种组的分类原则,将广西常绿阔叶林划分出5个植被亚型、11个群系组和102个群系.在5个植被亚型中,典型常绿阔叶林和季风常绿...     

Phylogeography of the temperate tree species Quercus acutissima in China: Inferences from chloroplast DNA variations

Quercus acutissima is one of the most widespread temperate deciduous tree species in China. To study its phylogeographical pattern and demographic history, three chloroplast DNA fragments (atpB-rbcL, psbA-trnH and trnS-trnG) from 401 individuals representing 30 populations were sequenced. A total of 19 haplotypes were identified, and these showed a weak phylogeographical structure (N_ST = 0.689 > G_ST = 0.630, P > 0.05) at the species level. The Q. acutissima population harboured a high level of genetic diversity (H_T = 0.791), and the genetic variation mainly resided among populations (59.54%). The unimodal mismatch distribution and significantly negative Fu's F_S value indicate that the Q. acutissima population experienced rapid range expansion, which probably occurred between 0.37 and 0.12 Ma. Molecular phylogeography and ecological niche modelling (ENM) data suggest the existence of multiple localized glacial refugia in central China (e.g., the Qinling, Dabashan and Dabieshan mountain ranges) and southwestern China (Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and its adjacent regions) during the Quaternary glaciations. Our study showed that geographical heterogeneity and climate changes may have shaped the genetic structure and phylogeographical pattern of this tree species in China.     

Further Analysis of Intraspecific Sequence Variation of Chloroplast DNA in Primula cuneifolia Ledeb. (Primulaceae): Implications for Biogeography of the Japanese Alpine Flora

Primula cuneifolia Ledeb. (Primulaceae), we analyzed intraspecific variation of the nucleotide sequences of non-coding regions of chloroplast DNA: the intergenic spacers between trnT (UGU) and the trnL (UAA) 5′exon, the trnL (UAA) 3′exon and trnF (GAA), and atpB and rbcL. In 20 populations of P. cuneifolia, 22 nucleotide substitutions and five insertions/deletions were inferred, and their genetic distances ranged from 0.001 to 0.008. Eight distinct haplotypes could be recognized and each haplotype was found to be geographically structured. Three major clades (the Northern, Hokkaido and Southern clades) were revealed in phylogenetic analyses of the haplotypes. The haplotypes of the Northern clade had a wider distribution area in the populations of Mt. Rausu and Rishiri Island of eastern and northern Hokkaido in Japan, northward to Unalaska Island in the Aleutians, and those of the Hokkaido clade were distributed in the populations of central Hokkaido and Mt. Iwaki of the northern Honshu in Japan; in addition, those of the Southern clade were observed only in the populations of the central Honshu. It was shown that the genetic diversifications of the Southern clade were higher than those of the Northern and Hokkaido clades. Furthermore, it was shown that the topology within the Southern clade was hierarchical, and the haplotypes of the Southern populations in the clade were derivative. From these results, we concluded that the cpDNA haplotypes of the three clades in P. cuneifolia arose and assumed the present distribution areas through several cycles of glacial advance and retreat in the Pleistocene. Received 24 June 1998/ Accepted in revised form 28 December 1998     

Structure and regeneration of canopy species in an old-growth evergreen broad-leaved forest in Aya district,southwestern Japan

The population structure and regeneration of canopy species were studied in a 4 ha plot in an old-growth evergreen broad-leaved forest in the Aya district of southwestern Japan. The 200 m × 200 m plot contained 50 tree species, including 22 canopy species, 3,904 trees (dbh5 cm) and a total basal area of 48.3 m²/ha. Forty one gaps occurred within the plot, and both the average gap size (67.3 m²) and the total area of gap to plot area (6.9%) were small. Species found in the canopy in the plot were divided into three groups (A, B, C) based on size and spatial distribution patterns, and density in each tree size. Group A (typical species: Distylium racemosum, Persea japonica) showed a high density, nearly random distribution and an inverse J-shaped size distribution. Species in group B (Quercus salicina, Quercus acuta, Quercus gilva) were distributed contagiously with conspicuous concentration of small trees (<5 cm dbh) around gaps. However, the species in this group included few trees likely to reach the canopy in the near future. Group C included fast-growing pioneer and shade intolerant species (e.g. Cornus controversa, Carpinus tschonoskii, Fagara ailanthoides), which formed large clumps. Most gaps were not characterized by successful regeneration of group B and C but did appear to accelerate the growth of group A. Group B species appear to require long-lived or large gaps while group C species require large, catastrophic disturbances, such as landslides, for regeneration.     

浙江天童国家森林公园常绿阔叶林种间相关的研究

应用Ｘ２检验、联结系数ＡＣ、点相关系数ＰＣＣ和Ｐｅａｒｓｏｎ相关系数ｒ正公式研究了浙江天童国家森林公园常绿阔叶林植物的种间相关,将所测定的乔木层和灌木层植物分别划分为２个种组,即乔木层木荷＋苦槠组和青冈＋红楠组;灌木层木荷幼树＋　木组和红楠幼树＋长果桂幼树组．     

A procedure for the extraction of chloroplast DNA from broad-leaved tree species

A method for the extraction of ctDNA from isolated chloroplast was developed. This method is simple and adapted particularly to broad-leaved trees, including sclerophyllous species with high phenolic and polysaccharide contents. This method includes two major steps: first, chloroplasts are isolated in non-aqueous solutions to avoid oxidation and phenolic problems; second, ctDNA is extracted from the chloroplasts using aqueous solutions and specific methods to provide highly purified ctDNA.     

哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林林窗更新研究

对云南哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林林窗更新状况的调查结果表明,林内优势树种在林窗阶段不占优势,其在林窗内的重要值显著低于成熟林分;林窗内外的乔木幼苗在组成上存在较大差异,林窗内的幼苗多样性(H=2．73,D=0．89)高于林冠下(H=2．25,D=0．82),二者的Jaccard相似系数只有0．6．许多树种的幼苗只出现在林窗内;林窗内的乔木幼苗密度(38636株·hm²)远远高于林冠下(17323株·hm²)．林窗内和林冠下的乔木幼苗(H≤50cm)均以高度为11～20cm幼苗的在数量上占优势,但林窗内高度超过20cm的幼苗比例明显高于林冠下;林窗大小对乔木幼苗更新有重要影响,不同树种的幼苗密度高峰出现在不同大小级别的林窗内．     

缙云山片断常绿阔叶林小气候边缘效应的初步研究

对缙云山5个片断常绿阔叶林和1个连续常绿阔叶林林缘附近的小气候要素水平梯度分布进行测定.结果表明,各片断阔叶林斑块边缘均存在明显的小气候边缘效应.林缘与林内最高和最低气温、光合有效辐射、最小相对湿度均为干季高于或大于雨季,而地表最高温度则为雨季高于干季;各阔叶林斑块的小气候边缘效应以最大斑块波及林内的深度最浅、最小斑块波及林内的深度最深.     

浙江海岛常绿阔叶林特征及其主要植物区系分析

我国东海的浙江沿海分布有星罗棋布的岛屿,其中较大的岛屿上分布有地带性的常绿阔叶林（如：樟木林、青冈林、石栎林和特殊的亮叶猴耳环林或以落叶成分占优的其他森林）,他们是标志性的植被类型或演替阶段,我们对这些植被类型中的优势植物种类进行了区系研究。结果显示,浙江海岛常绿阔叶林或类似森林中的优势和常见维管植物共有139种,只有热带亚洲成分、东亚成分中的中国-日本成分和中国特有成分贯穿于乔木层、灌木层、草本层和层外植物4大类中;进一步对15个木本中国特有种分析表明,其区系成分属亚热带性质,真正的温带性质不显著。在海岛这些植被出现的地段,还存在一些原生植被破坏后不同演替阶段的次生落叶阔叶林,其类型和面积都超过了地带性的常绿阔叶林,说明海岛除个别岛屿外曾经历了完全的破坏。目前,浙江海岛相应的演替阶段还不明确,它是研究特殊生境次生演替和恢复生态学的重要场所,这些常绿阔叶林和落叶林中富含重要的中国-日本海滨森林种类,对研究我国不同层次的常绿阔叶林具有重要的保护生物学意义。     

浙江天童常绿阔叶林演替阶段共有种的树木构型

树木构型是木本植物为响应光照变化在其空间建造结构上的配置模式和形态体现。研究演替不同阶段共有种构型的变化可以剔除植物谱系的影响, 反映植物构型特征与光资源供给性的关系。该研究在浙江宁波天童、南山和北仑3个次生演替序列上选择了5个演替共有种, 分4个群落高度层级, 对照分析了树高、冠幅深度和面积、枝条伸展方向、基径、叶片盖度和聚集度构型性状随演替的变化, 并分析了与冠幅曝光指数的线性关系。结果表明: 1)随着演替进行, 冠幅厚度和面积、叶片盖度、叶片聚集度和基径逐步增加, 但在个别相邻演替阶段增加不显著; 2)随着演替进行, 植物的垂直枝比例降低, 水平枝比例增加; 3)演替过程中植物冠幅曝光指数在各层级内都呈现出减小趋势; 4)构型性状和植物冠幅曝光指数间存在显著的线性回归关系(p < 0.001)。总之, 随着常绿阔叶林演替进行, 演替共有种构型的变化反映了物种功能类群由阳性先锋植物向耐阴植物的转化, 其中, 植物对光资源的适应是导致构型变化的主要原因。     

毛竹扩张对次生常绿阔叶林物种组成、结构与多样性的影响

毛竹(Phyllostachys edulis)向邻近次生常绿阔叶林扩张现象明显, 极大地影响了常绿阔叶林的生态功能, 但关于其扩张对常绿阔叶林的群落结构与生物多样性影响的后效研究较少。本文采用时空替代法, 在江西井冈山国家级自然保护区沿毛竹扩张方向, 依次设置毛竹林、竹阔混交林和常绿阔叶林样地, 比较分析了扩张前后群落物种相似性、群落结构和多样性指数等特征。结果表明: (1)毛竹林与常绿阔叶林乔木层、灌木层和草本层的Bray-Curtis相似性指数很小, 分别为0.003、0.046和0.030。(2)毛竹林的垂直结构呈“>”型, 高度12-14 m区间的多度百分比达33.3%, 径级结构集中分布于5-10 cm区间, 达总数的90.0%; 常绿阔叶林的垂直结构为“L”型, 高度2-4 m的物种数占54.3%, 径级分布范围较广, 4个较大径级区间的平均百分比为10.3%。(3)乔木层的Shannon-Wiener指数由常绿阔叶林的2.56降至毛竹林的0.06, 降幅高达98%; 灌木层也由2.58降至2.03, 降幅21%。以上结果说明, 毛竹扩张会导致次生常绿阔叶林群落组成和结构简化、物种多样性下降, 对森林生态系统功能产生负面影响。     

Autopolyploidy in Dactylis glomerata L.: further evidence from studies of chloroplast DNA variation

Summary Chloroplast DNA variation has been used to examine some of the maternal lineages involved in the evolution of the intraspecific polyploid complex, Dactylis glomerata L. Diploid (2x) and tetraploid (4x) individuals were collected from natural populations of the subspecies glomerata (4x), marina (4x) and lusitanica (2x), as well as from sympatric 2x/4x populations of the Galician type. Digestion of their ctDNA with 11 restriction endonucleases revealed enough variation to characterise three ctDNA variants, designated MBMK, MBmK and mBMK. The distribution of these ctDNA variants reflects different stages in their spread among the populations. The MBMK ctDNA variant predominated at both ploidy levels in subspecies glomerata, lusitanica and marina, and in recent tetraploid Galician/glomerata hybrids. The MBmK variant was detected in a single tetraploid individual and probably results from a relatively recent mutation. Fixation of the mBMK minority variant in the diploid and tetraploid Galician populations adds to the evidence concerning the possible origin of the Galician tetraploids. It means that the Galician diploids were maternal ancestors of the tetraploids. This result complements evidence from earlier studies based on morphology or biochemical markers, and reduces the likelihood that the tetraploids arose by hybridisation between an ancient Galician diploid and an alien tetraploid. It is, however, consistent with a true autopolyploid origin of the tetraploids.     

Intraspecific variation of chloroplast DNA in Dioscorea bulbifera L.

Summary Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of chloroplast (ct) DNAs from 15 accessions of Dioscorea bulbifera collected from Africa and Asia was carried out using the Southern hybridization technique. Eight cloned ctDNA fragments of D. bulbifera and D. opposita, which cover 80% of the total chloroplast genome, were used as the probes to detect variation in ctDNA digested with nine restriction endonucleases. Ten variable sites, located in the large and small single-copy regions, were disclosed among the 15 accessions, of which six showed base substitution and four carried length mutation. Positions of the latter mutations were determined on the physical map of ctDNA. Based on these results, chloroplast genomes of the 15 accessions could be classified into nine types. Their phylogenetic relationships are assumed to be as follows: (1) African and Asian chloroplast genomes diverged from each other at the earliest point in time; (2) E-type chloroplast genome, occurring in the south-east edge of the Asian continent, appears to be the most ancient among all the Asian chloroplast genomes; and (3) four chloroplast genomes, found in Asian insular regions, are probably derived independently from the E-type genome. The discrepancy between the taxonomic relationship and the proposed chloroplast genome phylogeny of the present materials is noted.     

亚热带常绿阔叶林木本植物幼树阶段抽枝展叶的权衡关系

亚热带常绿阔叶林植物幼树阶段适应林内生境并开枝散叶是其长成大树的一个重要过程, 植物一年内多次抽枝的现象及其在抽枝展叶过程中小枝伸长、枝茎增粗与叶面积的增加优先顺序及其内在驱动机制还有待进一步研究。该研究对青城山常绿阔叶林木本植物多次抽枝发生比例进行了调查, 并以茶(Camellia sinensis)、细枝柃(Eurya loquaiana)、短刺米槠(Castanopsis carlesii var. spinulosa)、润楠(Machilus nanmu)和大叶山矾(Symplocos grandis) 5种植物的幼树为研究对象, 比较分析了植物在多次抽枝中小枝和叶片生长动态及适应策略的差异。结果显示: 1)一、二次抽枝分别开始于春季(4月)和夏末(8月下旬), 小枝水平上二次抽枝率乔木小于灌木, 常绿植物小于落叶植物。2)一次抽枝小枝枝长、单叶面积, 小枝直径和叶片数量(除大叶山矾外)均高于二次抽枝, 但二次抽枝单叶面积相对生长速率均高于一次抽枝, 二次抽枝叶片比叶质量(LMA)的增长速率高于一次抽枝。3)一次抽枝小枝枝长、叶片数量、小枝直径(除细枝柃和短刺米槠外)和总叶面积(除短刺米槠外)最大相对生长速率均高于二次抽枝, 且大部分物种最大相对生长速率出现在抽枝开始的第一、二周。4)两次抽枝中, 物种先侧重于叶片的生长, 其次是小枝枝长的生长, 最后是小枝直径的增粗。单叶面积和总叶面积皆随着小枝枝长和小枝直径的增加呈显著的异速生长关系, 表明叶片的增长速度大于小枝。单叶面积与叶片数呈显著大于1的异速生长关系, 暗示单叶面积的增长速度大于叶片数的增加速度。小枝枝长与小枝直径也呈显著大于1的异速生长关系, 揭示小枝枝长的增长速度大于小枝直径。综上所述, 两次抽枝过程中, 植物枝叶的优先生长顺序反映了植物为获取更多的资源(尤其是光源)而形成特定的抽枝展叶策略; 二次抽枝单叶面积相对生长速率和LMA增长速率高于一次抽枝, 这可能与植物即将面临的昆虫取食和气温降低压力有关。因此, 了解植物抽枝策略对于理解物种生态适应机制, 揭示物种生活史过程中存在的权衡关系具有重要的理论意义。