布渣叶糖基转移酶MpUGT1基因cDNA克隆及生物信息学和表达分析

UGT催化的糖基转移反应对合成黄酮苷类至关重要。为探究影响布渣叶黄酮苷生物合成的糖基转移酶,本研究参考布渣叶转录组数据,设计特异性引物,采用RT-PCR法对布渣叶中的UDP-葡萄糖基转移酶(UDP-glucosyltransferase, UGT)基因MpUGT1的编码区进行克隆,并通过在线服务器分析该基因的生物信息学特性;利用实时荧光定量PCR方法检测了MpUGT1基因在布渣叶的芽、叶、枝、果、花不同部位的表达情况。结果表明,本研究克隆得到的布渣叶MpUGT1基因,其cDNA全长为1 397 bp,ORF 1 377 bp,编码458个氨基酸,GenBank登陆号为KY652922。生物信息学预测分析该基因编码蛋白质分子式为C2324H3643N603O671S18,相对分子质量为51 kD,理论等电点(PI)为5.99,不稳定系数为43.81,亲水性系数为-0.105。该蛋白没有跨膜结构域,含有UDP-葡萄糖醛酸/UDP-葡萄糖基转移酶家族保守结构域,不含信号肽,定位于叶绿体。RT-qPCR组织特异性表达分析结果表明MpUGT1在芽、叶、枝、果、花中均有表达,且叶的表达量最高。系统进化树分析显示Mp UGT1与同科植物黄麻、长蒴黄麻等同源UGT的相似度最高,均达到了约80%;上述结果为进一步研究该基因在布渣叶黄酮苷生物合成中的作用奠定了基础。     

Fungal Endophytic Communities in Healthy and Declining Quercus robur L. and Q. cerris L. Trees in Northern Italy

Healthy and declining English oak (Quercus robur) and Turkey oak (Q. cerris) in north‐western Italy, in a plain oak forest showing decline for oak puzzle disease, were tested to assess possible variations in the composition of their fungal endophytic communities and their relation to the health status of trees. Samples collected in spring (buds) and in autumn (leaves, annual shoots and twigs) were surface‐sterilized, cut into fragments and placed on potato dextrose agar for a month; 26 fungal species were isolated, the most frequent being Tubakia dryina, Dendrodochium sp., Eutypella sp. and a sterile mycelium. Correspondence analysis showed significant qualitative differences between assemblages inhabiting twigs and herbaceous tissues that were due to the low frequency of Tubakia dryina in twigs and its higher frequency in buds, leaves and shoots. Tubakia dryina was isolated more frequently from leaves of declining oaks and from buds of healthy oaks; Monochaetia monochaeta showed a preference for healthy trees, especially leaves and buds. According to the Shannon–Wiener index, endophytic fungal communities of leaves, twigs and buds of declining English oak were poorer than those of declining Turkey oak, but there were no significant differences between healthy hosts.     

Colonization of Japanese beech leaves by phyllosphere fungi

To examine the colonization of living leaves from buds and twigs by phyllosphere fungi of Japanese beech, the mycobiota were investigated on buds and twigs and on leaves covered with well-ventilated bags before budbreak. Ten phyllosphere fungi were isolated from rolled-up leaves within buds, bud scales, and twigs. However, frequencies of phyllosphere fungi on expanded leaves were reduced markedly when the buds were covered with well-ventilated bags before budbreak compared to the leaves that were not covered. This observation suggests that invasion of the fungi to the leaves from buds and twigs may be possible but is not the main route. Horizontal transmission may be common in endophytes and epiphytes of beech leaves. Phyllosphere mycobiota were then compared between sun and shade leaves. Of 13 species recorded as phyllosphere fungi, the frequencies of 2 species were lower and those of 3 species were higher in sun leaves than in shade leaves. Frequencies of the other 8 phyllosphere species were not different between sun and shade leaves. This result indicates that the colonization of leaves by some phyllosphere fungi was affected by the microenvironmental conditions on leaf surfaces.     

Study on morphology,pathogenicity and genetic diversity of Wilsonomyces carpophilus isolates,the causal agent of shot hole of stone fruit trees based on RAPD-PCR in Iran

Shot hole disease is one of the most important diseases of stone fruit trees in Iran. The disease is wide spread among orchards of Prunus spp. During spring and summer of 2007, 80 monoconidial isolates of the pathogen were recovered from infected leaves, fruits and twigs of different Prunus spp. in West Azerbaijan, Tehran, Ghazvin and Razavi Khorasan provinces of Iran and were studied taxonomically. Based on morphological and physiological characteristics and growth optimal temperature, all isolates were identified as Wilsonomyces carpophilus. Seedlings of stone fruits (apricot, almond, peach, nectarine, plum, sweet cherry and sour cherry) were used for pathogenicity tests. All seedlings were susceptible to the fungal isolates and showed disease symptoms on twigs, leaves, buds and petioles. Genetic diversity of 28 selected fungal isolates was investigated based on DNA fingerprinting by random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR), using four random primers. Based on cluster analysis of the PCR results from the four primers, 10 fingerprinting groups (clonal lineages) and 27 haplotypes were identified. Clonal lineages “C”, “D” and “E”, each with six haplotypes formed the biggest clonal lineages, but other clonal lineages (“B”, “F”, “G”, “H”, “I” and “J”) included only one isolate. No correlation was detected among clonal lineages with the location of selected isolates and their host species. A correlation was found between the substrate (fruit, twig or leaf) and clonal lineages, particularly in “C” clonal lineage. The results showed that the fungus population had high genetic diversity which is distributed among the different areas of Iran.     

Brevipalpus californicus, B. obovatus, B. phoenicis, and B. lewisi (Acari: Tenuipalpidae): a Review of their Biology, Feeding Injury and Economic Importance

The genus Brevipalpus includes most of the economically important species of Tenuipalpidae. Many Brevipalpus species reproduce by theletokous parthenogenesis while other species reproduce by male fertilization of female eggs. Previous researchers have determined that Brevipalpus californicus (Banks), B. obovatus Donnadieu, and B. phoenicis (Geijskes) females were haploid with two chromosomes. The life cycle and developmental times for these three species are reviewed. Longevity of each Brevipalpus species is two to three times greater than corresponding longevities of various tetranychid mites. Brevipalpus mites inject toxic saliva into fruits, leaves, stems, twigs, and bud tissues of numerous plants including citrus. Feeding injury symptoms on selected plants include: chlorosis, blistering, bronzing, or necrotic areas on leaves by one or more Brevipalpus mites. Premature leaf drop occurred on 'Robinson' tangerine leaves in Florida (USA). Leaf drop was observed in several sweet orange and grapefruit orchards in Texas (USA) that were heavily infested with Brevipalpus mites feeding on the twigs, leaves, and fruit. Initial circular chlorotic areas appear on both sweet orange and grapefruit varieties in association with developing populations of Brevipalpus mites in Texas. These feeding sites become progressively necrotic, darker in color, and eventually develop into irregular scab-like lesions on affected fruit. Russeting and cracking of the fruits of other plant hosts are reported. Stunting of leaves and the development of Brevipalpus galls on terminal buds were recorded on sour orange, Citrus aurantium L., seedlings heavily infested with B. californicus in an insectary. The most significant threat posed by these mites is as vectors of a potentially invasive viral disease called citrus leprosis.     

The seasonal occurrence of endophytic fungus, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycosphaerella buna</Emphasis>, in Japanese beech, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus crenata</Emphasis>

The seasonal occurrence of Mycosphaerella buna in leaves and contiguous organs of Fagus crenata was studied in a Japanese beech forest, Ibaraki, Japan, in 1998 and 1999. Mycosphaerella buna was not isolated from newly developed leaves in May, but it was isolated from asymptomatic leaves after June. The frequency of its occurrence gradually increased until leaffall. In contrast, M. buna was not isolated from overwintered buds, leaf petioles, or contiguous current-year twigs. The spermogonia and pseudothecia were observed in dead leaves after leaffall. The mature pseudothecia were found on dead leaves from May to July. The ascospores produced in the pseudothecia were suggested to infect newly developed leaves.Contribution no. 173, Laboratory of Plant Parasitic Mycology, Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Tsukuba, Japan     

Overwintering form of the causal agent of shot hole disease in Khorasan Razavi, Iran

Shot hole disease of stone fruit trees caused by some plant pathogenic fungi is a major constraint to stone fruit production worldwide where the trees are grown. Identification of the causal agents of the disease and their overwintering forms in stone fruit trees of Khorasan Razavi was necessary for disease management programs. Buds, twigs, fallen leaves and fruits were collected from the infected peach, apricot, nectarine and almond trees in winter 2007. The samples were superficially disinfested in 1% sodium hypochlorite for 2-3 min and then in 70% ethanol for 45 sec. Two to three fragments of 4x4 mm from each tissue were separately cultured on 2% water agar and potato dextrose agar (PDA), and purified on PDA. Just a pathogenic fungal species, Wilsonomyces corpophilus was isolated from the infected buds and twigs. No microorganism was isolated from the fallen leaves and fruits collected from underneath of the infested stone fruit trees. Pathogenicity of the fungus was examined on detached shoots of current year of four varieties of stone fruit trees. Fungal discs were placed under the bark of the bud base. Control shoots were similarly treated with sterile PDA discs. Inoculated shoots were placed in a humid growth chamber at 25 degrees C. Fungal hyphae appeared at 30 days post inoculation. Control shoots were asymptomatic. Pathogenicity intensities or lesion lengths were significantly different among the four varieties tested. A completely randomised design with five replicates was employed to measure the number of spores in infested buds and twigs of each variety of stone fruit tree. The samples were sliced and placed into a glass tube of centrifuge containing 3 ml of sterile distilled water. They were mixed on a vortex mixer for 30-40 min and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 min. Pelleted material from each sample was suspended in 500 microl of sterile distilled water and the spores were counted using a hemocytometre. Results revealed that the fungus overwinters as hyphae and conidia in the infected buds, and as hyphae and globular chlamydospores in twig lesions.     

The role of growth regulators in the differentiation of walnut buds (Juglans regia L.)

The character of endogenous regulators in walnut buds was followed by means of bioassays in the course of vegetation. It was ascertained that a rise in the level of gibberellin-like substances precedes the sprouting of buds. The origination of new buds in the axil of young leaves is accompanied by a fall in the level of auxins, by a low gibberellin content and by the presence of inhibitors. In this situation the primordia of staminate catkins are diferentiated in the basal buds. The vegetative buds which are formed in the axils of further leaves, stop developing because of the accumulating inhibitors. Towards the close of vegetation the primordia of pistillate flowers originate in terminal buds and their differentiation is accompanied by a substantial rise in the level of auxin-like substances, while some of the inhibitors keep asserting themselves. On the basis of these findings we have tested the possibility of affecting the differentiation of staminate primordia and of vegetative buds by the exogenous application of selected regulators. Spraying young leaves with IAA and MH solutions will increase the number of vegetative buds in the twigs. A later spray of other twigs by TIBA and GA₃ solutions will increase the number of staminate buds.     

辽东栎芽库统计:芽的命运

植物体是一个构件集合体,植物的枝系伸展可由芽库出生率、死亡率的统计学过程来分析。在东灵山地区,应用随机枝取样法调查了辽东栎芽的命运,并对其与枝长、叶数、果数等的关系进行了统计分析。结果表明：（1）辽东栎的芽或保持休眠状态,或死亡后脱落,或分化为营养枝、生殖枝（包括雄花枝、雄花序、雌花枝和两花枝）等;（2）不同生境中芽的命运不同,生活在林窗中的幼树上的芽分化为具有生殖功能的枝条的比例显著高于郁闭林中的幼树,而与成熟个体接近;（3）芽的命运还受其它因子的影响,如上层枝条上、或叶数多的长枝上的芽分化为生殖枝的可能性大于其它的芽,另外还发现结实枝的枝长、枝上叶数都明显高于非结实枝。     

蚜虫寄主植物与取食部位的多样性

在中国科学院动物研究所已有标本采集记录和国内外文献资料的基础上,分别从蚜虫类Aphidina科级和属级阶元系统研究世界范围内蚜虫寄主植物与取食部位的多样性.蚜虫的寄主植物种类繁多,涉及267科2120属,尤其以菊科、禾本科、豆科、伞形科、唇形科、蔷薇科、茜草科、兰科、壳斗科、杨柳科、胡桃科等植物为主.13科蚜虫的寄主植物差别很大:在科级水平,球蚜科Adelgidae、纩蚜科Mindaridae和平翅绵蚜科Phloeomyzidae的寄主植物类群比较单一,蚜科Aphididae和瘿绵蚜科Pemphigidae的寄主植物范围最为广泛;在属级水平,各属蚜虫间寄主植物也有明显差异,有143属蚜虫的寄主植物多于2科,其中蚜科的属占多数,蚜属Aphis、瘤蚜属Myzus、长管蚜属Macrosiphum、粗额蚜属Aulacorthum和声蚜属Toxoptera的寄主植物最多,各超过100科290属.在不同的寄主植物上寄生着不同种类的蚜虫,其中16科47属寄主植物上寄生的蚜虫多于14属.蚜虫在寄主植物上的取食部位丰富多样,可分为7类,分别为叶片、嫩梢、嫩枝、茎、花、根部、果实等.以叶片、茎、嫩枝和嫩梢为蚜虫主要取食部位.平翅绵蚜科主要取食嫩枝、茎和根部,短痣蚜科Anoeciidae主要取食叶片、嫩梢和根部,球蚜科、群蚜科Thelaxidae和毛管蚜科Greenideidae取食叶片、嫩梢、嫩枝和茎等部位,纩蚜科取食叶片、嫩梢、茎和花等部位,大蚜科Lachnidae和斑蚜科Drepanosiphidae除取食叶片、嫩梢、嫩枝、茎等部位外,前者还在根部取食,后者还寄生在果实上,根瘤蚜科Phylloxeridae在除花以外的其它6个部位取食,蚜科、瘿绵蚜科和毛蚜科Chaitophoridae的取食部位最为多样,它们在上述7个部位均可取食.还初步讨论了在不同寄主植物上蚜虫物种的分化,以及蚜虫与寄主植物之间的对应关系.     

Carbon autonomy of reproductive shoots of Siberian alder (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Alnus hirsuta</Emphasis> var.<Emphasis Type="Italic"> sibirica</Emphasis>)

Carbon autonomy of current-year shoots in flowering, and of current-year shoots plus 1-year-old shoots (1-year-old shoot system) in fruiting of Siberian alder (Alnus hirsuta var. sibirica) was investigated using a stable isotope of carbon, ¹³C. The current-year shoot and 1-year-old shoot systems were fed ¹³CO₂ and the atom% excess of ¹³C in flowers and fruits was determined. The majority of photosynthate allocated to flower buds was originally assimilated in the leaves of the flowering current-year shoots. Of all the current-year shoots on fruiting 1-year-old shoots, only those nearest to the fruits allocated the assimilated photosynthate to fruit maturation. These results indicate that the current-year shoots and 1-year-old shoot systems are carbon-autonomous units for producing flowers and maturing fruits, respectively.     

Parasitoids of Apiomyia bergenstammi (Wachtl) (Dipt., Cecidomyiidae), a new pest on pears, in Hatay province, Turkey

Abstract:  Studies were carried out on the galls formed by Apiomyia bergenstammi (Wa.) on buds and/or twigs of pear trees, in Yayladagi, Senköy, and Belen, Hatay province, Turkey in 2003. The pest was introduced into Hatay province at least 5 years ago. It produces one generation a year and hibernates as larvae in the galls. In Yayladagi, Senköy and Belen, 20, 18 and 5%, respectively, of buds/twigs of pear trees were attacked by A. bergenstammi . Each of the galls contained on average 9.6 ± 0.5 (range: 6–11) larval chambers. Adults were reared from galls collected at the beginning of spring, viz. A. bergenstammi emerged in the first half of April 2003, Oxyglypta rugosa Ruschka (Hym., Pteromalidae) and Torymus apiomyiae Boucek & Mihajlovic (Hym., Torymidae) (a new record for Turkey) emerged in the second half of April. Other chambers contained unemerged adults of Platygaster sp. (Hym., Platygasteridae). Natural parasitism rates obtained by dissecting 10 galls from Yayladagi and Senkoy in 2003 were: 26.6 ± 4.4% by O. rugosa and 10.0 ± 3.2% by Platygaster sp. The parasitism rate by T. apiomyiae was 16.6% as determined from the galls collected from Belen.     

Nitrogen addition alters mineralization dynamics of 13C‐depleted leaf and twig litter and reduces leaching of older DOC from mineral soil

Recent reviews indicate that N deposition increases soil organic matter (SOM) storage in forests but the undelying processes are poorly understood. Our aim was to quantify the impacts of increased N inputs on soil C fluxes such as C mineralization and leaching of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from different litter materials and native SOM. We added 5.5 g N m^?2 yr^?1 as NH₄NO₃ over 1 year to two beech forest stands on calcareous soils in the Swiss Jura. We replaced the native litter layer with ¹³C‐depleted twigs and leaves (δ¹³C: ?38.4 and ?40.8‰) in late fall and measured N effects on litter‐ and SOM‐derived C fluxes. Nitrogen addition did not significantly affect annual C losses through mineralization, but altered the temporal dynamics in litter mineralization: increased N inputs stimulated initial mineralization during winter (leaves: +25%; twigs: +22%), but suppressed rates in the subsequent summer. The switch from a positive to a negative response occurred earlier and more strongly for leaves than for twigs (?21% vs. 0%). Nitrogen addition did not influence microbial respiration from the nonlabeled calcareous mineral soil below the litter which contrasts with recent meta‐analysis primarily based on acidic soils. Leaching of DOC from the litter layer was not affected by NH₄NO₃ additions, but DOC fluxes from the mineral soils at 5 and 10 cm depth were significantly reduced by 17%. The ¹³C tracking indicated that litter‐derived C contributed less than 15% of the DOC flux from the mineral soil, with N additions not affecting this fraction. Hence, the suppressed DOC fluxes from the mineral soil at higher N inputs can be attributed to reduced mobilization of nonlitter derived ‘older’ DOC. We relate this decline to an altered solute chemistry by NH₄NO₃ additions, an increased ionic strength and acidification resulting from nitrification, rather than to a change in microbial decomposition.     

Neglected vegetative characters in field identification at the supraspecific level in woody plants: phyllotaxy, serial buds, syllepsis and architecture

Some taxonomic characters may escape observation when only a small part of the vegetative body of the plant is examined. For this reason, these characters are likely to be overlooked. Phyllotaxy varies in most cases from the trunk to branches. Serial buds, when they exist, may be lacking in the axil of some leaves. Syllepsis is easier to see on the trunk than on twigs. Architectural models are established after appropriate observation of the whole plant or, better, with different individuals of the same species. Nevertheless, many of these characters can be readily observed and frequently help to identify a woody plant without its flowers or fruits. Some interpretations concerning systematics and evolutionary biology are also given.     

Low temperature exotherms of winter buds of hardy conifers

Differential thermal analysis (DTA) of winter buds and the excisedprimordial shoots of sub-alpine or sub-cold firs revealed thatthese buds had all low temperature exotherms around –30?C.However, no low temperature exotherm below –15?C was detectedin the spring buds. In the winter bud of Abies firma, a temperatefir native to Japan, a low temperature exotherm was detectedaround –20?C, which is higher by 10?C than that of sub-alpineor sub-cold firs. The low temperature exotherms of these firsoccurred at nearly the same temperatures that result in thedeath of these primordial shoots. On the other hand, littleor no low temperature exotherm was detected in the winter budsof sub-cold spruces. In larch winter buds, numerous small exothermswere observed, which are probably due to the many leaf primordiain the buds. Unlike many temperate deciduous broad-leaved trees,no low temperature exotherm was detected below –15?C inwinter twig xylem of conifers such as Abies, Picea, Pinus, Larixand Pseudotsuga. Thus, very hardy coniferous twigs can tolerateextracellular freezing to –70?C. ¹ Contribution No. 1907 from the Institute of Low TemperatureScience. (Received June 8, 1978; )     

Release and bioavailability of dissolved organic matter from floodplain litter: influence of origin and oxygen levels

1. We determined the rate of release and microbial uptake of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) leached from three components (leaves, bark and twigs) of river red gum ( Eucalyptus camaldulensis ) forest litter originating from different parts of a floodplain and under different oxygen levels.
2. Preliminary experiments showed that substantially more DOC was released from leaves than from bark or twigs; there was relatively little DOC release from coarse particulate matter or soil.
3. Both the amount of DOC released from each litter component and the amount metabolized by the microbial community were independent of position on the flood-plain or amount of oxygen available to microbes.
4. Although the bioavailability of DOC was independent of oxygen concentration, the microbial utilization of DOC under aerobic and anaerobic conditions differed. Under aerobic conditions, leaves were colonized by fungi, while bacteria were dominant under anoxic conditions.
5. Phospholipid fatty acid profiles of the microbial communities growing on leaf extracts showed that different microbial communities developed in each oxygen concentration treatment suggesting that, irrespective of flood conditions, a microbial community will develop to utilize a significant proportion of the DOC leached from litter.     

Sampling conditions for reliable routine detection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of three ilarviruses in fruit trees

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to test plum trees for prune dwarf (PDV), Prunus necrotic ringspot (NRSV) and apple mosaic (ApMV) viruses, cherry trees for PDV and NRSV, and apple trees for ApMV. Optimum conditions were determined for sampling in large-scale surveys for these viruses. All three viruses were detected throughout the growing season in individual samples of young leaves, or twigs with newly formed buds. However, when single infected leaves were combined with different numbers of healthy leaves, tests were most successful for all three viruses early in the growing season. PDV was detected in 1/40 (infected/total leaves) cherry leaves in April and May and 1/40 plum leaves until July, whereas NRSV was detected in 1/20 cherry leaves until July and 1/20 plum leaves until May. ApMV was detected in 1/20 apple or plum leaves until June but was detected less readily in mature leaves after June than either NRSV or PDV. There was no evidence of uneven distribution of virus infection in the trees. The viruses were detected in leaf samples kept for 8 wk at 3°C but freezing was less reliable for storage especially with ApMV. ApMV was detected in tests on plants held for several weeks at 25°C, and PDV and NRSV in plants held at 30°C.     

除内袋时间及摘叶对红富士苹果果实品质的影响

研究了红富士苹果除内袋时间、摘叶时间和摘叶数量对冠层光照条件、果实品质及一年生枝条贮藏营养的影响.结果表明:除内袋时间适当提前可明显提高单果质量、果皮花青苷含量和果实着色面积(P<0.05),与9月30日(果实采前18 d)除内袋处理相比,9月24日(果实采前24 d)除内袋处理的单果质量、果皮着色面积和花青苷含量分别提高了10.98%、28.15%和13.44%,但除内袋时间对果实硬度、可溶性固形物和可滴定酸含量的影响差异不显著.当分别摘除果实周围15、30和45 cm以内的叶片后,果实周围的光照环境得到了明显的改善,3种摘叶处理均极显著提高了果实周围的相对光照强度(P<0.01),比摘叶前分别增加了70%、95%和115%;摘除果实周围30～45 cm以内的叶片有利于果皮着色和花青苷的积累;不同摘叶处理对枝条贮藏营养和第二年的萌芽率无显著影响.表明提前摘除内袋,并摘除离果实30～45 cm距离以内的叶片对果实外观及品质有明显促进作用.     

地域环境对青藏高原特有植物藏川杨生物学特性的影响

通过对西藏中、南部16个藏川杨种源地环境特征、植株和枝叶形态特征、生长习性等生物学特性的观测比较,发现藏川杨为高大、长寿乔木,株龄逾千年、株高达45 m、冠幅22 m,分布海拔高度2000～4500 m、分布区域跨越湿润、半湿润、半干旱和干旱区,随着分布区环境变化,不同种源藏川杨的树皮、枝条、芽、叶等形态特征呈现规律性变化,空气湿度增加、树干颜色变深、枝条被毛加重、顶生冬芽变窄、叶片长/宽比增加;半湿润区和灌溉区植株的叶面积、枝条长度增加,湿润区、阴湿地或环境条件恶劣地区植株叶片和枝条生长不佳,枝条干湿比相对较小。结果表明:藏川杨具有很强的环境适应能力和可塑性,耐旱,喜光、抗强光辐射,耐贫瘠、喜中性或弱碱性土壤,具有很高的生态和经济价值。     

Diet and feeding behavior of Rhinopithecus brelichi at Yangaoping, Guizhou

Expectations of increases in human population growth and accelerated habitat loss, along with the realization that efforts to provide protection for ecosystems that sustain primates have met with limited success, make it critical that conservation plans are grounded firmly in scientific observation. Studies of the diet breadth and feeding behavior of endangered species, therefore, are critical for understanding ecological adaptations and developing a conservation strategy. The diet and feeding ecology of gray snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus brelichi) were studied in the Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve, Guizhou, China. The monkeys were found to consume 107 different species of trees, shrubs, and ground plants from 58 genera and 28 families. Food items included young leaves, mature leaves, flowers, fruits/seeds, buds, and insects. Among these food items, there were at least 13 evergreen species of tree and liana, 3 species of grasses, and at least 2 kinds of invertebrates collected from decayed wood. Diet varied markedly throughout different seasons. Overall, diet composition (based on feeding records) was 15.3% buds, 25.5% young leaves, 21.8% mature leaves, 9.4% flowers, 21.6% fruits/seeds, and 6.3% other items. The monkeys feed mainly on young leaves and flowers in spring, unripe fruits/seeds and young leaves in summer, ripe fruits/seeds in autumn, and mature leaves and buds in winter. We propose that when inhabiting forests of lower elevation and greater vegetation complexity, R. brelichi is characterized by expanded diet breadth and includes a greater diversity of food types and plant species in its diet. One food type that appears critical to the diet of this species, especially during the winter, are the buds of Magnolia sprengeri. To protect this resource we advocate working with local communities to limit the collection of M. sprengeri, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine and has high economic value for people in the reserve.