Chloroplast phylogenomic data support Eocene amphi‐Pacific early radiation for the Asian Palmate core Araliaceae

Traditional phylogenies based on analysis of multiple genes have failed to obtain a well‐resolved evolutionary history for the backbone of the Asian Palmate group of Araliaceae, the largest clade of the family. In this study, we applied the genome skimming approach of next‐generation sequencing to address whether the lack of resolution at the base of the Asian Palmate tree is due to molecular sampling error or the footprint of ancient radiation. Twenty‐nine complete plastid genomes of Araliaceae (17 newly sequenced) were analyzed (RAxML, Beast, Lagrange, and BioGeoBears) to provide the first phylogenomic reconstruction of the group (95% of genera included). As a result, the early divergences of the Asian Palmate group have been clarified but the backbone of its core is not totally resolved, with short internal branches pointing to an ancient radiation scenario. East Asia is inferred as the most likely ancestral area for the Asian Palmate group (from late Paleocene to Eocene) from which early colonization of the Neotropics is inferred during the Eocene. The radiation of the core Palmate group took place during the late Eocene, most likely in the context of the Boreotropical hypothesis. Recurrent episodes of southward migration (to the tropics) coupled with northern latitude local extinctions (promoting geographic isolation of lineages) followed by northward expansion (promoting contact of lineages that erased the trace of preceding geographic isolation) are hypothesized to have linked to the alternation of the cold and warm periods of the Eocene.     

热带次生林林窗干热季光照特征初步分析

利用西双版纳干热季 ( 3～ 4月 )次生林林窗光照观测资料 ,探讨了林窗光照的时空变化特征。结果表明 :由于天气现象 (雾 )、太阳高度和林窗树木的共同影响 ,使得林窗区域光照强度在时空上均存在明显的差异 ;上午光照强度的时间变化不明显 ,光强高值区在林窗西南侧边缘 ;中午受太阳辐射的影响 ,各测点光强均迅速上升 ,尤以林窗偏东侧林缘最为突出 ,实际林窗边缘的光强远远大于扩展林窗边缘 ;平均光强最大区域由林窗西南侧向东北侧林缘移动 ,而林窗偏西侧受树木遮蔽影响 ,光强虽有增加 ,但由于实际林窗边缘的高光强维持时间较短 ,平均光强较小 ,特别是偏西侧的扩展林窗边缘 ,遮蔽影响较大 ,各时刻的光强均不大 ,形成平均光强的低值区 ;使得中午林窗区域光照强度不对称性更加显著 ,光强水平梯度增大 ;下午由于太阳西进 ,林窗区域均受到树木遮蔽影响 ,光强降低 ,水平梯度变化趋于和缓。在西双版纳干热季作为林窗主要热力作用面之一的林窗地表面 ,在不同时段其最大光强的数值和出现区域以及高光强维持时期均存在较大差异 ;使得林窗区域的光强分布存在时间差异和空间不对称性 ,如此的光强分布势必造成林窗不同区域热力作用的不同 ,进而导致林窗区域热量传输和热量储存的不同 ,产生不同的热力效应。本研究结果?     

Changing Exploitation of Terrestrial Vertebrates During the Past 3000 Years on Tobago, West Indies

On the southern Caribbean island of Tobago, we excavated two archaeological deposits, the preceramic (ca. 2900 years old) Milford 1 site (TOB-3) and the ceramic (ca. 1200 to 900 years old) Golden Grove site (TOB-13). The non-fish bone assemblages from these sites are very different, with an emphasis at TOB-3 on sea turtles (which seldom nest today on Tobago) and the collared peccary Tayassu tajacu, a large (17–30 kg) mammal extremely rare now on Tobago. TOB-3 also yielded bones of two somewhat smaller mammals that are extinct on Tobago, the red howler monkey Alouatta seniculus and paca Agouti paca. The non-fish species at TOB-3 comprise only four reptiles and seven mammals, whereas they are more diverse (29 species) at TOB-13 and mostly represent small- to medium-sized vertebrates (<10 kg, often <1 kg), such as a toad, lizards, snakes, birds, opossum, armadillo, and eight species of rodents, as well as sea turtle and peccary, although the latter is uncommon. We interpret these differences as possibly being due to a local or island-wide scarcity of big game (peccaries) in ceramic times, which would have promoted diversification of hunting practices. Related to this may have been a more sedentary way of life for Tobago's ceramic peoples, with increased agriculture leading to more hunting near the site and less time being devoted to longer distance big-game hunting. While prehistoric anthropogenic extinction or population reduction of vertebrates is well documented on Caribbean islands to the north, our data from Tobago show that such depletions probably occurred as well on continental, land-bridge islands with more diverse faunas. Models of post-Pleistocene faunal relaxation toward a lower value for species richness should not ignore human-caused losses, which may be impossible to distinguish from non-anthropogenic losses.     

Reconciling ecogeographical rules: rainfall and temperature predict global colour variation in the largest bird radiation

Ecogeographical rules that associate climate with organismal form and function can reveal patterns of climatic adaptation. Two rules link animal coloration with climate: Gloger's rule (darker coloration where wet and warm), and Bogert's rule (darker coloration where cold). Whereas Gloger's rule was proposed for endotherms, and Bogert's rule for ectotherms, both rules may apply more broadly, despite their seemingly opposing effects. Here, we test this contradiction on a global scale across passerine birds. Consistent with Gloger's rule, birds were darker in wetter areas and, following Bogert's rule, lighter where warm, although birds became lighter again at very low temperatures. Rainfall and temperature had antagonistic or additive effects depending on their pattern of covariation, and this predicted whether birds followed the rules. We integrate both rules into a general framework to explain heterogeneity in climatic effects on coloration, which has implications to understand patterns of diversification, climatic adaptation and climate change impacts.     

A reconsideration of the reptilian relationships of Archaeopteryx

The cladistic relationships of Archaeopteryx , the earliest known bird, are re-examined and previous hypotheses of relationships evaluated. The morphology of Archaeopteryx is redescribed. New interpretations of the fossils are presented, particularly in regard to the morphology of the pectoral girdle, manus, pelvic girdle, tarsus and pes. These new interpretations challenge some of the phylogenetic hypotheses recently presented and a new version of thecodontian relationships is suggested.     

Species richness and endemism of birds in Bioko

The status of 50 taxonomically unique bird taxa found in Bioko is described. A complete updated species list for birds in Bioko is also given. Notes on habitat occupied and altitudinal distribution of each species as well as information on their general abundance is also included. Species distributions may have been affected by habitat modifications brought about by humans but most taxonomically unique forms are found in the montane areas. Comparisons are made with the neighbouring Mount Cameroon area.     

Effects of coypu (Myocastor coypus) abundances and diet selection on a wetland of the Patagonian steppe

We assessed diet selection, impact on vegetation, and explored habitat relationships with marsh birds of coypus (Myocastor coypus) in a steppe lagoon in Argentinean Patagonia. In two consecutive springs, abundance and spatial use of the coypus and nesting marsh birds were estimated by direct counts. The coypu was a selective consumer with seasonal variations in food items, and Myriophyllum sp. and Schoenoplectus californicus dominated its diet. Coypus and marsh birds showed a differential spatial use when rushes cover was high. However, when rushes cover decreased by coypu browsing, there was a similar use of space, and marsh birds were displaced to nest on the open water and other poorly protected areas of the rushes. Our results suggest that high abundances of coypu can have a detrimental effect on wetland ecosystems. Systematic monitoring and evaluation of their effects on wetlands in recently colonized areas is recommended.     

Changes in the origin and quality of soil organic matter after pasture introduction in Rondônia (Brazil)

We examined the effects of the conversion of tropical forest to pasture on soil organic matter (SOM) origin and quality along a chronosequence of sites, including a primary forest and six pastures. Bulk soil samples received a physical size-fractionation treatment to assess the contribution of each compartment to total SOM pool. Besides a general increase in total C and N stocks along the chronosequence, we observed a reduction of the relative contribution of the coarser fractions to total soil C content, and an increased concentration in the finer fractions. The origin of the C in each size fraction was established from measurements of¹³C abundance. After 80 years about 93% of the C in the least humified fraction of the top 10 cm of soil was of pasture origin, while in the most humified it was 82%. Chemical analyses indicated that the fine silt and coarse clay fractions contained the most refractory carbon.     

Applied nucleation is a straightforward,cost‐effective forest restoration approach: reply to Ramírez‐Soto et al. (2018)

We agree with Ramírez‐Soto and colleagues that applied nucleation can be an effective approach for tropical forest restoration both in lowland and higher elevation tropical forests. We also contend that it is cheaper than standard plantation‐style plantings and is straightforward to train personnel to implement this approach.