Molecular and paleo-climatic data uncover the impact of an ancient bottleneck on the demographic history and contemporary genetic structure of endangered Pinus uliginosa

With the current rate of biodiversity loss, conservation management practices require a comprehensive understanding of eco-evolutionary relationships, history, and genetic structure of species. Assessments of genetic diversity are crucial, especially in rare, endemic, or threatened forest tree species with small and isolated populations, such as peat bog pine (Pinus uliginosa N.). Here, we used a novel approach, combining genetic diversity assessment, ecological niche modeling, and population demography inference to explore the complex history of a few remnant populations of this endangered pine. To asses the relative influence of isolation and fragmentation on genetic diversity in the taxonomic context, the patterns of genetic variation found in P. uliginosa were contrasted with those observed in its close relatives with much bigger distribution ranges and larger populations (Pinus sylvestris, Pinus mugo, and Pinus uncinata). We found a similar level of genetic diversity across the species at nuclear loci but contrasting patterns of variability distribution at chloroplast markers. We detected the signatures of an ancient genetic bottleneck dated at around 26 400 years ago, indicating a drastic reduction in the population size of P. uligionosa during the Last Glacial Maximum. In addition, we found substantial differentiation between current populations as a result of enhanced genetic drift during long-lasting isolation. The research suggests potential conservation management strategies for peat bog pine and emphasizes the importance of using complementary approaches for their successful development.     

邻域竞争对长白山阔叶红松林关键树种生长的影响

林木间的竞争是影响树木生长、形态和死亡的主要因素.单木邻域竞争分析能够反映个体间相互作用规律及其距离范围,对于减缓林木竞争、促进林木生长具有重要意义.为弄清竞争对阔叶红松林林木生长的影响,本研究基于Hegyi单木竞争指数和邻域分析方法,探讨了长白山原始阔叶红松林中的5个关键树种——红松、紫椴、水曲柳、蒙古栎和春榆(胸高断面积合计占80%)竞争的邻域半径,并分析了竞争对关键树种生长和死亡的影响.结果表明:红松、紫椴、水曲柳和蒙古栎4个树种单木竞争的邻域半径均为11 m,春榆为13 m.关键树种单木邻域竞争强度与其生长量的对数呈显著负相关,与树木个体的大小呈显著正相关;竞争强度对树木生长影响的相对重要性随着个体的生长而降低.邻域竞争显著增加了关键树种的死亡率.本研究表明长白山阔叶红松林中邻域竞争对关键树种的生长和存活有重要影响,研究结果对阔叶红松林关键树种竞争环境的调整和生产力的提升具有指导意义.     

Quantitative variation in monoterpenes in four species of conifers

Eighteen monoterpenes found in bole and foliage volatiles of four sympatric species of conifers, Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm., interior spruce, Picea engelmannii×glauca, and interior fir, Abies lasiocarpa×bifolia, in three locations in British Columbia, Canada, were analysed for quantitative variation (N=10 trees per sample) using standard and chiral gas chromatography. There was significant variation in monoterpene composition between bole and foliage in all four species. Principal components analysis revealed that the monoterpene profile of coastal Douglas-fir was significantly different from trees in the interior, supporting the hypothesis that coastal and interior populations represent distinct chemotypes. Although the four species did not differ qualitatively, there were significant differences in their quantitative monoterpene profiles in both bole and foliage. These differences were large enough to suggest that host selection by four species of coniferophagous bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), specific to each of the above tree species, may depend in part on perception of, and behavioural response to quantitatively distinct blends of monoterpenes.     

西藏朗县地区不同龄级高山松林木径向生长对火干扰的响应

林火影响着林木的更新、生长发育以及林分演替, 是森林生态系统的重要干扰因子。为了评估林火对不同龄级树木生长的影响, 该文研究了西藏林芝市朗县2005年林火前后高山松(Pinus densata)的树轮变异特点。在林分内, 选择62株过火林木, 进行树芯样品采集, 且依据胸径将样树分为幼树(胸径< 10 cm)和成年树(胸径≥10 cm)。树木年轮学交叉定年结果显示样本最大年龄为102年, 最小年龄为19年, 平均年龄为48年。研究结果表明: 过火前幼树径向生长与上一年11月平均最低气温显著负相关, 成年树径向生长与当年9月平均最低气温和平均气温显著正相关; 过火后幼树和成年树的径向生长均与当年1月平均气温和平均最高气温显著负相关。成年树对火干扰的抵抗力(过火年-过火前树轮宽度降低的百分比)和恢复力(过火后-过火前树轮宽度恢复的百分比)都显著高于幼树。过火后不同龄级的树木生长都加快。在地表火干扰中, 成年树比幼树更能抵抗火干扰的影响。研究结果可为全球变化背景下森林恢复及林火应用提供科学依据。     

Geographical variation in the monoterpenes of Pinus contorta oleoresin

The monoterpene composition of the shoot cortical oleoresin allowed the natural range of Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) to be divided into chemically distinct regions. The trees examined were all grown in Britain from seed originally collected from 150 localities in north-west America. Those from the central area of the natural range contained a wide variety of monoterpene pattern-types, while those from more peripheral areas tended to be more exclusively characterized by their own specific pattern-types. Chemical evidence for introgression with Jack pine (P. banksiana) was detected in trees originating from central British Columbia, and there was also a highly localized and pronounced region of introgression chemotypes in coastal populations near the border of Oregon and California. Variations between trees grown in replicate plots and at different sites in Britain were small, and the results indicated that resin analysis of a sample of 25 trees was usually sufficient to determine the region of origin of an unknown population.     

辽东山区原始阔叶红松林主要树种空间结构特征

维持森林结构多样性通常被认为是确保森林生态系统稳定性和生物多样性的有效方式.本研究以辽东山区原始阔叶红松林为对象,运用相邻木空间关系构建林分空间结构参数,探究顶极群落内部主要优势乔木的空间结构特征,并以此顶极群落为借鉴,为低质量次生林改造和人工纯林结构优化经营提供参考.结果表明: 辽东山区原始阔叶红松林林分的径级分布呈倒“J”形,林下更新良好,同时保持一定比例的大径木存在;林分平均角尺度为0.507,整体呈随机分布状态,混交度平均值为0.82,混交度强;平均大小比数为0.506,反映出林分整体处于中庸状态.林分中不同优势度在极强混交维度下出现了一定程度的分化,反映出处于中下层绝对劣势的小径级被压木和主林层的绝对优势木在不同垂直空间上的优化分布与利用.林分中各优势树种的分布也随机镶嵌于总体的随机格局之中.     

樟子松人工固沙林衰退的主要特征

针对辽宁省章古台地区樟子松人工固沙林出现的衰退枯死现象,系统地研究了樟子松人工固沙林衰退的主要特征.结果表明,衰退的樟子松人工固沙林外貌景观呈灰绿色,针叶纤细,开花结实率低,平均单株球果数量为10.4～16.5个,成熟种子千粒重为6.96～7.39g,种子空粒、涩粒较多.生长季内2年生针叶营养元素季节变化规律相似,但N、P含量下降,K含量明显增高,表明养分循环失调;衰退林分2年生针叶叶绿素含量较高,健康林分1年生较高且增幅较大.松枯梢病的侵害是樟子松人工固沙林衰退的最明显标志.林分衰退后,树高和胸径生长量下降明显,林分胸径分布结构“左移”(径级小的株数增多),衰弱(亡)木数量增加了15.9%～27.2%;根量分别减少了22.9%～28.9%,其中吸收根减少量最大.     

控雪处理下红松和蒙古栎凋落叶分解动态

气候变化导致的冬季雪被格局变化将改变地表水热环境及分解者活性, 从而显著影响高寒地区森林凋落物分解过程。2014-2016年采用凋落物分解袋法, 研究了帽儿山森林生态站人工林控雪模拟试验下红松(Pinus koraiensis)和蒙古栎(Quercus mongolica)的凋落叶于雪被期和无雪期不同阶段的分解动态。控雪试验包括增雪、除雪和对照3个处理。结果发现: 树种、控雪处理、分解阶段以及环境因子(凋落物层平均温度、冻融循环次数、有机层全氮、全磷含量等)均影响着凋落叶分解率。分解试验的两年内, 不同控雪处理下红松凋落叶的分解率为52.1%-54.5%, 蒙古栎为53.9%-59.1%。两种凋落叶的分解系数均以增雪处理最大, 除雪处理最小。此外, 控雪处理改变了两种凋落叶雪被期或无雪期对分解总量的贡献率。与对照相比, 增雪处理使红松和蒙古栎凋落叶雪被期的分解贡献率分别提高9.1%和10.4%; 而除雪处理使两种凋落叶无雪期的分解贡献率分别提高10.4%和12.7%。因此, 由气候变化带来的冬季雪被改变不但会显著影响温带森林凋落叶的分解过程, 而且会改变雪被期和无雪期的分解量对年分解总量的贡献率。     

Evidence of natural reciprocal hybridisation between Pinus uliginosa and P. sylvestris in the sympatric population of the species

Peat-bog pine Pinus uliginosa Neumann has become extinct or rare in many parts of Europe. It is supposed to hybridize with P. sylvestris but the influence of hybridization to genetic erosion of the P. uliginosa gene pool is unknown. In the presented study, the crossability between P. uliginosa and P. sylvestris was analyzed in a sympatric population at Węgliniec reserve in Poland. The aim of the study was to prove natural hybridisation and to estimate the influence of this phenomenon on possible natural gene pool erosion of peat-bog pine. A sequence polymorphism in the trnF–trnL cpDNA region of P. uliginosa and P. sylvestris was used to develop the species diagnostic PCR-RFLP marker. The marker of paternally transmitted cpDNA was applied in haplotype analyses of the progeny from open-pollinated P. uliginosa seeds (collected in 2000–2002) and from P. sylvestris ones (in 2002). An inconsistency in species diagnostic cpDNA haplotypes of seedlings and parental trees was observable both for P. uliginosa and P. sylvestris (about 1% and 2% of hybrids seeds, respectively). The results prove the occurrence of reciprocal hybridisation between the species. The influence of hybridisation on the natural gene pool protection and measures to reintroduce peat-bog pine is discussed.     

Sequence Evolution and Expression Regulation of Stress-Responsive Genes in Natural Populations of Wild Tomato

The wild tomato species Solanum chilense and S. peruvianum are a valuable non-model system for studying plant adaptation since they grow in diverse environments facing many abiotic constraints. Here we investigate the sequence evolution of regulatory regions of drought and cold responsive genes and their expression regulation. The coding regions of these genes were previously shown to exhibit signatures of positive selection. Expression profiles and sequence evolution of regulatory regions of members of the Asr (ABA/water stress/ripening induced) gene family and the dehydrin gene pLC30-15 were analyzed in wild tomato populations from contrasting environments. For S. chilense, we found that Asr4 and pLC30-15 appear to respond much faster to drought conditions in accessions from very dry environments than accessions from more mesic locations. Sequence analysis suggests that the promoter of Asr2 and the downstream region of pLC30-15 are under positive selection in some local populations of S. chilense. By investigating gene expression differences at the population level we provide further support of our previous conclusions that Asr2, Asr4, and pLC30-15 are promising candidates for functional studies of adaptation. Our analysis also demonstrates the power of the candidate gene approach in evolutionary biology research and highlights the importance of wild Solanum species as a genetic resource for their cultivated relatives.     

Dynamics in foliar litter decomposition for Pinus koraiensis and Quercus mongolica in a snow-depth manipulation experiment

气候变化导致的冬季雪被格局变化将改变地表水热环境及分解者活性, 从而显著影响高寒地区森林凋落物分解过程。2014-2016年采用凋落物分解袋法, 研究了帽儿山森林生态站人工林控雪模拟试验下红松(Pinus koraiensis)和蒙古栎(Quercus mongolica)的凋落叶于雪被期和无雪期不同阶段的分解动态。控雪试验包括增雪、除雪和对照3个处理。结果发现: 树种、控雪处理、分解阶段以及环境因子(凋落物层平均温度、冻融循环次数、有机层全氮、全磷含量等)均影响着凋落叶分解率。分解试验的两年内, 不同控雪处理下红松凋落叶的分解率为52.1%-54.5%, 蒙古栎为53.9%-59.1%。两种凋落叶的分解系数均以增雪处理最大, 除雪处理最小。此外, 控雪处理改变了两种凋落叶雪被期或无雪期对分解总量的贡献率。与对照相比, 增雪处理使红松和蒙古栎凋落叶雪被期的分解贡献率分别提高9.1%和10.4%; 而除雪处理使两种凋落叶无雪期的分解贡献率分别提高10.4%和12.7%。因此, 由气候变化带来的冬季雪被改变不但会显著影响温带森林凋落叶的分解过程, 而且会改变雪被期和无雪期的分解量对年分解总量的贡献率。     

Land-use history and succession of Larix decidua in the Southern Alps of Italy–An essay based on a cultural history study of Roswitha Asche

Larix decidua, the European Larch tree, is a typical forest species of the Southern Alps of North Italy growing in mixture with Picea, in isolated pure stands, or as solitary trees on meadows at 1000–2000 m elevation. Presently, the old-growth Larix forests show no regeneration, while Picea abies, Norway spruce, invades at lower elevation, and Pinus cembra, Stone pine, at higher elevation. In this study, we investigate the conditions that lead to pure stands of L. decidua in the past. It is shown that intensive land-use of grazing was essential for Larix regeneration, and that the pure stands of Larix will disappear in the future with the change of land-use, unless management will be intensified again to produce mineral soil for Larix to regenerate.     

红松和紫椴叶片暗呼吸及其光抑制性在幼、成树间的差异

叶片暗呼吸是森林碳循环的重要组分,深入分析幼、成树的叶片暗呼吸及其光抑制性的差异,对生态系统总生产力(GPP)的准确估算具有重要意义.本研究以长白山阔叶红松林主要树种(红松和紫椴)的幼树和成树为研究对象,分别测算不同光照下叶片暗呼吸与无光暗呼吸,比较叶片暗呼吸及其光抑制性在幼、成树间的差异,结合幼、成树叶片生理生态参数的对比,对幼、成树叶片暗呼吸及其光抑制性差异的原因进行探讨.结果表明: 两个树种幼树叶片光下暗呼吸的值高于成树,在生长季(6—9月),幼树的值比成树高6.8%～39.6%;两个树种幼树叶片暗呼吸光抑制程度低于成树,幼树叶片暗呼吸光抑制性的值比成树低2.5%～14.1%;红松幼、成树间叶片暗呼吸光抑制性的差异总体高于紫椴幼、成树间叶片暗呼吸光抑制性的差异,差值最高可达18.6%;幼树中较高的光下暗呼吸值和较低的光抑制程度可能与最大净光合速率、比叶面积、气孔导度的变化有关,与叶片氮含量的变化无关.     

长白山阔叶红松林3个常见树种径向生长的影响因素

为探究树木径向生长的影响因子,基于对长白山阔叶红松林25 hm²样地中3个常见树种红松、紫椴、蒙古栎连续5年的生长环监测数据,分析各树种的季节生长变化,比较树种间的生长速率差异,并分析初始径级、邻体树木竞争、土壤、地形因素等对不同树种径向生长的作用.结果表明: 3个树种径向生长的季节变化趋势一致,树木于5月末开始生长,7月是生长旺盛期,8月底生长开始减缓,于10月中下旬停止生长.3个树种的径向相对生长率存在显著差异,蒙古栎相对径向生长率显著高于红松和紫椴,该差异在小、中径级个体中表现更为显著.3个树种径向生长的主要影响因子不同,邻体树木的竞争显著抑制了红松和蒙古栎的径向生长,而紫椴的径向生长主要受初始径级、土壤和地形等因子的影响.     

不同碳源条件下广叶绣球菌转录组分析

【背景】广叶绣球菌(Sparassis latifolia)是一种名贵的食用菌,其木质纤维素降解的分子机制尚不明确。【目的】了解广叶绣球菌在不同碳源条件下木质纤维素降解相关基因表达动态。【方法】通过转录组测序技术对分别以葡萄糖、纤维素+木质素、纤维素及松木屑为碳源的广叶绣球菌基因表达谱进行分析。以葡萄糖为碳源的样本为对照,分别对不同碳源下广叶绣球菌显著差异表达的基因进行功能分析。【结果】Geneontology(Go)富集分析表明,以葡萄糖为碳源的样本为对照,差异表达基因主要富集在碳水化合物利用的过程,如多糖催化过程、碳水化合物催化过程、碳水化合物代谢过程及多糖代谢过程等。碳水化合物活性酶(Carbohydrate-activeenzymes,CAZymes)功能注释表明,碳源种类主要影响了半纤维素和纤维素降解相关糖苷水解酶家族基因的表达,其中涉及半纤维素降解的相关酶基因上调幅度最大。同时,在纤维素+木质素、松木屑为碳源的处理组中一些转录因子基因上调表达显著。【结论】不同碳源显著影响了广叶绣球菌基因表达谱,这种对碳源的适应也可能反映了广叶绣球菌攻击植物细胞壁的机制,研究结果为深入了解广叶绣球菌木质纤维素降解的分子机理和相关功能基因提供了一些参考。     

植物特性和环境因子对阔叶红松林暗多样性的影响

可能栖息在局域群落但在局部地区不存在的物种集合构成了暗多样性。为探究物种特性和环境因子对阔叶红松林内暗多样性的影响, 该研究利用比尔指数模型估计了黑龙江凉水国家级自然保护区的9 hm²阔叶红松(Pinus koraiensis)林动态监测样地内的主要组成物种的暗多样性概率。基于物种水平, 评估了耐阴性指数、重要值和暗多样性概率之间的相关性, 并分析了生活型和耐阴性对暗多样性概率的影响; 基于样方水平, 分析了群落完整性与环境因子、物种多样性的相关性。结果表明: (1)该样地物种的暗多样性概率平均值为77.79%, 对于乔木, 胡桃楸(Juglans mandshurica)的暗多样性概率最高, 为97.21%; 对于灌木, 暗多样性概率最高的是鸡树条(Viburnum opulus subsp. calvescens)和鼠李(Rhamnus davurica), 为98.01%。(2)暗多样性概率与重要值呈显著负相关关系, 耐阴性指数与重要值呈显著正相关关系。(3)乔木和灌木的暗多样性概率无显著差异, 喜光物种的暗多样性概率显著高于耐阴物种。(4)坡度和地面凹凸度均与群落完整性呈显著正相关关系; 土壤有机质含量、土壤速效钾(K)含量、土壤密度、土壤质量含水率、土壤pH、土壤有效氮(N)含量和土壤全N含量均与群落完整性无显著相关关系, 土壤体积含水率、土壤速效磷(P)含量、土壤全P含量均与群落完整性呈显著的负相关关系。物种多样性指数与群落完整性呈正相关关系。综上, 在阔叶红松林内喜光物种和稀有种的暗多样性概率较高, 坡度、地面凹凸度、土壤体积含水率、土壤速效P含量、土壤全P含量是导致群落完整性差异的主要环境因素; 群落完整性越高, 群落物种多样性越高。     

Comparative transcriptome analysis of Listeria monocytogenes strains of the two major lineages reveals differences in virulence, cell wall, and stress response

Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne, opportunistic, bacterial pathogen causing a wide spectrum of diseases, including meningitis, septicemia, abortion, and gastroenteritis, in humans and animals. Among the 13 L. monocytogenes serovars described, human listeriosis is mostly associated with strains of serovars 4b, 1/2b, and 1/2a. Within the species L. monocytogenes, three phylogenetic lineages are described. Serovar 1/2a belongs to phylogenetic lineage I, while serovars 4b and 1/2b group in phylogenetic lineage II. To explore the role of gene expression in the adaptation of L. monocytogenes strains of these two major lineages to different environments, as well as in virulence, we performed whole-genome expression profiling of six L. monocytogenes isolates of serovars 4b, 1/2b, and 1/2a of distinct origins, using a newly constructed Listeria multigenome DNA array. Comparison of the global gene expression profiles revealed differences among strains. The expression profiles of two strains having distinct 50% lethal doses, as assessed in the mouse model, were further analyzed. Gene ontology term enrichment analysis of the differentially expressed genes identified differences in protein-, nucleic acid-, carbon metabolism-, and virulence-related gene expression. Comparison of the expression profiles of the core genomes of all strains revealed differences between the two lineages with respect to cell wall synthesis, the stress-related sigma B regulon and virulence-related genes. These findings suggest different patterns of interaction with host cells and the environment, key factors for host colonization and survival in the environment.     

长白山阔叶红松林优势树种叶际真菌群落结构

森林作为陆地生态系统的主体,其林冠承载了地球上大约40%的现存物种,叶际微生物作为冠层生物多样性的重要组成部分, 在维持植物健康、提高宿主抵御能力和参与全球生物地球化学循环等生态功能中发挥着重要作用,然而相对于根际微生物,目前关于冠层叶际微生物群落组成的研究还比较缺乏。本研究以吉林省长白山自然保护区内阔叶红松林为主要研究对象,使用高通量测序技术分析6种优势树种(红松、紫椴、蒙古栎、色木槭、水曲柳、春榆)的叶际真菌群落特征,并测定宿主的14种叶片功能性状,对比研究了不同优势树种叶际真菌群落组成与功能群异同,探讨真菌群落组成与叶片功能性状的关联性。结果表明:叶际真菌的优势门和纲分别为子囊菌门、担子菌门,座囊菌纲和外囊菌纲;不同树种林冠叶际真菌组成存在明显差异。LEfSe分析表明,除春榆和色木槭外,其余树种都有显著的差异指示种,如红松的圆孢多臂菌属和蒙古栎的柱隔孢属;对比FUNGuild数据库发现,叶际真菌主要功能群为病理寄生型;冗余分析和envfit分析结果表明,与植物养分获取和抵御病虫害相关的性状是影响林冠叶际真菌群落结构的主要因子。     

我国抗虫转基因杨树生态安全性研究进展

转基因树木与农作物相比, 人们更关注其长时间种植可能导致转基因扩散到周围野生近缘种。由于生长周期长, 转基因树木会增加转基因不稳定性, 对非靶标生物的影响, 靶标害虫对转基因植物产生抗性, 增加树木入侵性(杂草化), 以及由于基因漂移或基因逃逸对环境产生的负面影响或新的环境风险。过去十几年, 针对我国抗食叶害虫的两个商业化转Bt基因欧洲黑杨(Populus nigra)和转双抗虫基因741杨[P. alba× (P. davidiana + P. simonii) × P. tomentosa], 已开展了有关生态安全性方面的多项研究。本文围绕抗虫转基因树木生态安全性研究进展进行了综述。抗虫转基因杨树对节肢动物种群和群落结构产生了一定影响, 使昆虫的多样性提高, 但对土壤微生物区系未见明显影响。转基因欧洲黑杨通过花粉和种子发生的基因漂移几率很低。转基因杨树通过内生菌发生的水平转移可能会对环境造成的潜在危险也进行了评价。文章最后指出对抗虫转基因杨树农林复合生态系统开展生物安全研究的必要性。