Genetics,Evolution, and Conservation of Island Plants

Islands are ideal model systems for testing ecological and evolutionary theory. This article reviews and synthesizes the findings of 24 studies of population genetics of island plants to gain insight into ecological and evolutionary processes on these unique, insular habitats. The studies reviewed found evidence for limited gene flow among islands and high genetic structure, but few tested for isolation by distance or among models of gene flow. Few studies compared diversity on islands with mainland populations or tested for bottlenecks, and the small number that did produced split results. Studies of rare species generally found that multiple islands would need to be protected to preserve genetic diversity. This review shows that surprisingly little work has been done to test theory using studies of population genetics on islands, and further work on testing among models of gene flow and examining population bottlenecks would be especially useful.     

《昆虫细胞内共生物:形态,生理,遗传,演化》

<正> 本书系由昆虫各重要类群的细胞内共生物的专家写成。其重点是:它们形态学的电镜研究、寄主与共生物的相互关系、寄主的免疫系统、共生物的遗传学及基因表达、它们的系统发育和分类等。目前已知,在蟑螂、白蚁、蚂蚁、蝉、蚧虫、蚜虫、蝇类、甲虫及蜱类中均有细胞内共生物。     

Developmental Morphology of Platycerium coronarium (Koenig) Desv

The growth habit and certain developmental aspects of Platyceriumcoronarium (stag's horn fern) are described. Starting from theprimordial stage, the nest and pendulous leaves develop to maturityin 90 and 80 days respectively. The fertile lobe, which is partof the pendulous leaf, reaches its maximum size in 40 days.The morphogenesis of the nest leaf is more variable, and itmatures and deteriorates earlier than the pendulous leaf. Theacrostichoid sorus formation is completed in 3 weeks from inceptionand spore dispersal takes place when the fertile lobe is about100 days old. The area of the fertile lobe and number of sporesproduced were determined. On Knop's agar medium the gametophytesdevelop in 2 months and 85 per cent of them are unisexual (bothmale and female) and 15 per cent bisexual. Less than 1 per centof the gametophytes give rise to sporophytes. The juvenile leavesare simple, displaying open dichotomous venation; the firstnest and pendulous leaves are produced 24 months after the dateof spore germination. Platycerium coronarium, stag's horn fern, leaf development, morphogenesis, spore production     

Developmental Morphology of Hop Stunt Viroid-infected Hop Plants and Analysis of Their Cone Yield1)

Infection of hop plants with hop stunt viroid (HSV) results in the retardation of the growth rate except for the rate of leaf emergence and the disappearance of the fold-like structure over the epidermal cell. Mature cones from HSV-infected hop plants remained small-sized and the content of α-acid was half to one third of that of HSV–free hop cones. In HSV-infected hop cones, the lupulin glands are distributed most abundantly on the bracteoles and the perianths and their numbers are reduced by at least 60% of that in the HSV-free control. Scanning electron micrographs confirm that most of the lupulin glands on bracteoles from HSV-infected hop cones shrivel severely, but not those from HSV-free hop cones. They also reveal that the lupulin glands on the perianths from both, HSV-free and HSV–infected hop cones become withered. Moreover, spherical granules (1.2 to 1.9μm in diameter) were not observed on the surface of the lupulin glands from HSV-infected hop cones.     

The Developmental Basis of Variational Modularity: Insights from Quantitative Genetics,Morphometrics, and Developmental Biology

Groups of correlated characters (variational modules) often are considered to be the result of dissociated local developmental factors, i.e., of a modular genotype–phenotype map. But certain sets of pleiotropic factors can equally well induce modular phenotypic variation—no local developmental factors are necessary for a modular covariance structure. It is thus not possible to infer genetic or developmental modularity from standing variation alone. Yet, only for approximately linear genotype–phenotype maps is the induced covariance structure stable over changes of the phenotypic mean. For larger genetic and phenotypic variation, such as on a macroevolutionary level, developmental effects often are nonlinear and variational modularity remains stable only when it is realized by local dissociated developmental factors with no overlap of pleiotropic ranges. The evo-devo concept of modularity concurs only at this macroevolutionary level with the quantitative notion of variational modularity. Empirical evidence on the genetic and developmental architecture underlying phenotypic variation is inconclusive and partly subject to methodological problems. Many studies seem to indicate modularized phenotypic variation and local clusters of QTL effects, whereas other studies find support for several alternative models of modularity and report continuous distributions of QTL effects. This inconsistency partly results from the neglect of spatial relationships among the measured traits. Given the complex development of higher organisms, a combination of pleiotropic factors and more local developmental effects with a hierarchical, overlapping, and more or less continuous distribution appears most likely.     

Feeding ecology of a carnivorous bladderwort (Utricularia uliginosa,Lentibulariaceae)

The terrestrial carnivorous bladderwort, Utricularia uliginosa Vahl. (Lentibulariaceae) was studied to determine the species assemblage present in traps of these plants in situ across four sites over 15 months. The immediate soil environment was also sampled to determine the fauna present, and to compare the fauna present in traps with the fauna in the environment. The soil fauna consisted of 10 taxon types, which occupied either pelagic, epibenthic or interstitial microhabitats. All were found in traps of U. uliginosa, with the main prey being interstitial taxa followed by epibenthic and occasionally pelagic taxa. Numbers of individuals of the two most abundant soil taxa (nematodes, Elaphoidella) varied independently across the four sites over the 15 months of the study, as did numbers of Elaphoidella in the traps of U. uliginosa. Numbers of nematodes in the traps of U. uliginosa showed significant differences among sites, but not differences among times. Comparison of the trap fauna with the soil fauna revealed differences in relative abundance between soil samples and trap samples for two of the three taxa examined. There was an under‐representation of nematodes in the traps relative to numbers in surrounding soil. There was an over‐representation of the copepod Elaphoidella in the traps of U. uliginosa relative to numbers in soil at some of the times of sampling. Acarina were equally abundant in soil and trap samples. The patterns observed for Elaphoidella and nematodes may be due to selectivity in trapping by U. uliginosa, and/or differences in digestibility of the prey. Elaphoidella individuals were found to be attracted to U. uliginosa in a behavioural experiment. This may contribute to the over‐representation of Elaphoidella in the traps of U. uliginosa in the field.     

Morphology,Molecular Genetics,and Bioacoustics Support Two New Sympatric Xenophrys Toads (Amphibia: Anura: Megophryidae) in Southeast China

Given their recent worldwide declines and extinctions, characterization of species-level diversity is of critical importance for large-scale biodiversity assessments and conservation of amphibians. This task is made difficult by the existence of cryptic species complexes, species groups comprising closely related and morphologically analogous species. The combination of morphology, genetic, and bioacoustic analyses permits robust and accurate species identification. Using these methods, we discovered two undescribed Xenophrys species, namely Xenophrys lini sp. nov. and Xenophrys cheni sp. nov. from the middle range of Luoxiao Mountains, southeast China. These two new species can be reliably distinguished from other known congeners by morphological and morphometric differences, distinctness in male advertisement calls, and substantial genetic distances (>3.6%) based on the mitochondrial 16s and 12s rRNA genes. The two new species, together with X. jinggangensis, are sympatric in the middle range of Luoxiao Mountains but may be isolated altitudinally and ecologically. Our study provides a first step to help resolve previously unrecognized cryptic biodiversity and provides insights into the understanding of Xenophrys diversification in the mountain complexes of southeast China.     

Convergent Evolution of Syringyl Lignin Biosynthesis via Distinct Pathways in the Lycophyte Selaginella and Flowering Plants

Phenotypic convergence in unrelated lineages arises when different organisms adapt similarly under comparable selective pressures. In an apparent example of this process, syringyl lignin, a fundamental building block of plant cell walls, occurs in two major plant lineages, lycophytes and angiosperms, which diverged from one another more than 400 million years ago. Here, we show that this convergence resulted from independent recruitment of lignin biosynthetic cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases that route cell wall monomers through related but distinct pathways in the two lineages. In contrast with angiosperms, in which syringyl lignin biosynthesis requires two phenylpropanoid meta-hydroxylases C3′H and F5H, the lycophyte Selaginella employs one phenylpropanoid dual meta-hydroxylase to bypass several steps of the canonical lignin biosynthetic pathway. Transgenic expression of the Selaginella hydroxylase in Arabidopsis thaliana dramatically reroutes its endogenous lignin biosynthetic pathway, yielding a novel lignin composition not previously identified in nature. Our findings demonstrate a unique case of convergent evolution via distinct biochemical strategies and suggest a new way to genetically reconstruct lignin biosynthesis in higher plants.     

Expression of Engineered Nuclear Male Sterility in Brassica napus (Genetics,Morphology, Cytology,and Sensitivity to Temperature)

A dominant genetic male sterility trait obtained through transformation in rapeseed (Brassica napus) was studied in the progenies of 11 transformed plants. The gene conferring the male sterility consists of a ribonuclease gene under the control of a tapetum-specific promoter. Two ribonuclease genes, RNase T1 and barnase, were used. The chimaeric ribonuclease gene was linked to the bialophos-resistance gene, which confers resistance to the herbicide phosphinotricine (PPT). The resistance to the herbicide was used as a dominant marker for the male sterility trait. The study presented here concerns three aspects of this engineered male sterility: genetics correlated with the segregation of the T-DNA in the progenies; expression of the male sterility in relation to the morphology and cytology of the androecium; and stability of the engineered male sterility under different culture conditions. Correct segregation, 50% male-sterile, PPT-resistant plants, and 50% male-fertile, susceptible plants were observed in the progeny of seven transformants. The most prominent morphological change in the male-sterile flowers was a noticeable reduction in the length of the stamen filament. The first disturbances of microsporogenesis were observed from the free microspore stage and were followed by a simultaneous degeneration of microspore and tapetal cell content. At anthesis, the sterile anthers contained only empty exines. In some cases, reversion to fertility of male-sterile plants has been observed. Both ribonuclease genes are susceptible to instability. Instability of the RNase T1-male sterility trait increased at temperatures higher than 25[deg] C. Our results do not allow us to confirm this observation for the barnase male-sterile plants. However, the male-sterile plants of the progeny of two independent RNase T1 transformants were stably male sterile under all conditions studied.     

Fifteen into Three Does Go: Morphology,Genetics and Genitalia Confirm Taxonomic Inflation of New Zealand Beetles (Chrysomelidae: Eucolaspis)

Eucolaspis Sharp 1886 is a New Zealand native leaf beetle genus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Eumolpinae) with poorly described species and a complex taxonomy. Many economically important fruit crops are severely damaged by these beetles. Uncertain species taxonomy of Eucolaspis is leaving any biological research, as well as pest management, tenuous. We used morphometrics, mitochondrial DNA and male genitalia to study phylogenetic and geographic diversity of Eucolaspis in New Zealand. Freshly collected beetles from several locations across their distribution range, as well as identified voucher specimens from major museum collections were examined to test the current classification. We also considered phylogenetic relationships among New Zealand and global Eumolpinae (Coleoptera: Chyrosomelidae). We demonstrate that most of the morphological information used previously to define New Zealand Eucolaspis species is insufficient. At the same time, we show that a combination of morphological and genetic evidence supports the existence of just 3 mainland Eucolaspis lineages (putative species), and not 5 or 15, as previously reported. In addition, there may be another closely related lineage (putative species) on an offshore location (Three Kings Islands, NZ). The cladistic structure among the lineages, conferred through mitochondrial DNA data, was well supported by differences in male genitalia. We found that only a single species (lineage) infests fruit orchards in Hawke’s Bay region of New Zealand. Species-host plant associations vary among different regions.     

Anatomical studies on seeds and seedlings of some Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae)

The undifferentiated mature embryos of someUtricularia studied consist of large polygonal cells which contain many starch grains. Later, they consist mostly of large polygonal cells with some small cells in one or more regions adjacent to the seed coat, which lack starch grains but have rather easily visible nuclei. After these small cells divide and produce more cells of the same type toward the midcenter of the embryo, they form one or more primordia which grow into the primary structures of the seedling. The primordia of the embryo seem to have no pattern as to which primary vegetative structure they will develop into. However, the terrestrial species ofUtricularia studied showed some non-cotyledonous, primary differences in germination patterns; some form primary foliar units, some form stolons, and some form bladders. The first and second primary foliar units of aquaticUtricularia radiata andV. gibba subsp.gibba do not follow in the same manner as cotyledons. No cotyledon could be distinguished in any of theUtricularia seedlings studied. In the seedlings ofU. gibba subsp.gibba andU. radiata, appearance and differentiation of the vascular elements occur simultaneously in more than one direction, toward the meristematic tissues of primary vegetative structures and toward the midcenter of the embryos. Lloyd’s proposed term: “cotyledonoids” (1942) and that of Kumazawa: “cotyledons” (1967) should not be used for the first and second primary foliar units in either aquatic or terrestrial to terrestrial-epiphyticUtricularia, unless further supportive evidence is accumulated.     

花背蟾蜍蝌蚪胃的发育形态学观察

应用大体解剖、组织切片和扫描电镜3种形态学方法对花背蟾蜍(Bufo raddei)蝌蚪在生长发育和变态过程中胃的形态结构变化进行了观察。结果显示,在蝌蚪发育24期(即G24)消化道呈简单的管状结构,胃与小肠等区分不明显,胃壁由内层矮柱状黏膜上皮细胞和其外的扁平上皮细胞层构成;直到26期胃略膨大,呈短粗管状,与小肠和食道可明显区分,胃壁内层的黏膜上皮细胞呈高柱状,上皮细胞间出现少量杯状细胞;36期的胃管明显膨大,其壁已具有胃的4层基本组织结构,杯状细胞数量增加,黏膜上皮细胞游离面有细长的微绒毛交织成网状覆盖;42期胃发育呈"C"字形,胃壁具备了消化道典型的4层结构,有胃腺芽出现,黏膜细胞的微绒毛短而直立,仅极少数细胞有长的微绒毛;蝌蚪发育到46期,肠道缩短,胃呈"J"字状,占消化道大部分,胃体中胃腺发达。在临近肝一侧,黏膜上皮细胞的微绒毛较短,胃腺少而小;而在相反一侧,微绒毛较长,胃腺多而大。基于上述结果说明,花背蟾蜍蝌蚪胃在36期已经基本完成了组织结构的分化,在变态发育期间结构和功能得到进一步完善,以适应变态后陆地生活的食性变化。     

Effects of competition,litter, and disturbance on an annual carnivorous plant (Utricularia juncea)

The effects of removal of live plants and litter (using herbicide, clipping, and raking) on seedling establishment were examined in Utricularia juncea (bladderwort), an annual carnivorous plant of low frequency in wet, nutrient-poor pine savannas of the southeastern United States. In addition, the spatial distribution of this species in relation to crayfish disturbances was determined. The creation of competition-free gaps in the groundcover canopy in May 1996 (using herbicide) promoted establishment of this species at two sites by September 1997. Standing dead and litter left in herbicide-treated plots inhibited establishment. Density was near zero in undisturbed plots. Natural occurrences of this species were associated with crayfish mounds, which bury plant litter as they erode and increase in area. These results suggest that Utricularia juncea is a fugitive species that depends on disturbances or litter-free microsites to become established in wet, nutrient-poor seepage savannas in southern Mississippi. It is hypothesized that the production of carnivorous traps combined with relatively high allocation to reproductive structures (>90%) and the production of a persistent seed bank make it well-adapted to nutrient-poor and disturbed habitats.