Genetic diversity and microgeographic differentiation of Yushan cane (Yushania niitakayamensis; Poaceae) in Taiwan

Yushan cane ( Yushania niitakayamensis ) is distributed in southeast Asia. In Taiwan, the species occurs in mountains 1000–3600 m above sea level. The species appears to spread mainly by rhizomes and flowers only rarely. Nine locations across its distribution range in Taiwan were sampled. Locations at higher altitudes generally consist of grassland and forest undergrowth habitats while those of lower altitudes generally consist of forest undergrowth only. Thus two sampling sites (montane grassland and forest undergrowth) were selected from each location at higher altitudes while only one sampling site was selected from each location at lower altitudes, resulting in a total of 13 sampling sites. Within each sampling site, 20 individual plants were sampled. The results of the cluster analysis and the principal coordinate analysis based on random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) indicated that the populations are generally differentiated according to geographical separation and altitudinal differences that interrupt gene flow. The populations at higher altitudes, where the species is distributed somewhat contiguously, were found to be more similar genetically. Analysis of molecular variance ( AMOVA ) revealed that the among-location, between sampling sites within location, and among individuals within sampling site components accounted for 15.27%, 4.80% and 79.93% of the total variance, respectively. For locations with two sampling sites, two-level AMOVA revealed that the diversities between sampling sites (sun and shade habitats) within locations ranged from 2.91% to 7.99% of the total diversity. Random permutation tests revealed that these diversities were significant, implying that there is microgeographic differentiation due to habitat differences.     

Influence of Forest Fragmentation on the Winter Abundance of Mammals in Mt. Chirisan National Park,South Korea

Abstract: We examined the influence of both local habitat and landscape variables on mammal species abundance in a forest fragmented by road construction and in continuous forest in 8 study sites in Mt. Chirisan National Park, South Korea, from 2001 to 2004. We recorded tracks of 8 species of mammals, Siberian weasels (Mustela sibirica), yellow-throated martens (Martes flavigula), Bengal cats (Felis bengalensis), wild boars (Sus scrofa), water deer (Hydropotes inermis), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), Korean hares (Lepus coreanus), and red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris), on the snow on 8 2-km transects in our study areas. There were significant differences in density of snags, mean tree basal area, and in shrub coverage between the fragmented and unfragmented forest areas. We found significant differences in abundance index of tracks between the fragmented and unfragmented areas for 5 mammal species; the others had even distributions. Of the 8 mammal species analyzed, 5 species related to landscape and local vegetation variables in a stepwise approach with repeated measures. Landscape variables are significant predictors of abundance for many mammal species. Forest managers should consider multiple measures of forest fragmentation sensitivity when making forest management decisions.     

Fine Structure and Carotenoid Composition of the Fibrillar Chromoplasts of Asparagus officinalis L.

The spindle-shaped chromoplasts of the ripe fruit of Asparagusofficinalis developed from chloroplasts that lost grana andstroma lamellae and accumulated large-sized plastoglobules,most of which transformed into fibrils of exceptionally largediameter. The carotenoid concentration was high in ripe fruits(2520 µg g^–1 fresh wt) and consisted mainly of capsanthin,ß-carotene and zeazanthin. A. officinalis is onlythe third species reported to contain both capsanthin and capsorubin. The large diameter of both fibrils and their associated plastoglobulesenabled verification that flbrils pass through plastoglobules.Unlike most fibrillar chromoplasts, the plastoglobules remainedassociated with flbrils even in fully-ripe fruit, and a straightline relationship can be established between plastoglobule andfibril diameter. The presence of more than one fibril developingfrom a plastoglobule, and the occasional existence of fibrilstwisted helically around one another, is interpreted to meanthat fibril growth by lateral addition of microfibrils is unlikely. The microfibrillar ultrastructure of Asparagus flbrils was differentto that found for Capsicum fibrils, and these differences areillustrated in two models. These differences, however, do notnecessarily mean that the fibrils of each species are constructedof different protein sub-units, although the bonding betweensub-units is different.     

Korean species of the genus Coptodera Dejean (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Lebiinae)

A truncatipennes‐group species, Coptodera japonica Bates, is newly recorded from Korea. Here we provide a diagnosis and systematic accounts of C. japonica Bates and a key to the species of Korean Coptodera.     

Field assessments of resistance to the aphids Sitobion avenae and Metopolophium dirhodum in old and modern spring-sown wheats

Three ancient varieties of wheat and two modern spring-sown cultivars were investigated in the field to assess their resistance to the cereal aphids Sitobion avenae and Metopolophium dirhodum; the monitoring of natural populations and detailed observations using clip-cages were both undertaken. The ancient variety Einkorn showed both antixenotic and antibiotic resistance to S. avenae, and antibiotic resistance to M. dirhodum. The resistance to S. avenae was greater than that to M. dirhodum. The value of Einkorn as a component of a resistance-breeding programme is discussed with reference to its agronomic and genetic characteristics and with reference to the pest status of cereal aphids.