Elevational and temporal patterns of pollination success in distylous and homostylous buckwheats(Fagopyrum)in the Hengduan Mountains

Reproductive strategies of sexually dimorphic plants vary in response to the environment.Here,we ask whether the sexual systems of Fagopyrum species(i.e.,selfing homostylous and out-crossing distylous)represent distinct adaptive strategies to increase reproductive success in changing alpine environments.To answer this question,we determined how spatial and temporal factors(e.g.,elevation and peak flowering time)affect reproductive success(i.e.,stigmatic pollen load)in nine wild Fagopyrum species(seven distylous and two homostylous)among 28 populations along an elevation gradient of 1299-3315 m in the Hengduan Mountains,southwestern China.We also observed pollinators and conducted hundreds of hand pollinations to investigate inter/intra-morph compatibility,self-compatibility and pollen limitation in four Fagopyrum species(two distylous and two homostylous).We found that Fagopyrum species at higher elevation generally had bigger flowers and more stigmatic pollen loads;lateflowering individuals had smaller flowers and lower pollen deposition.Stigmatic pollen deposition was more variable in distylous species than in homostylous species.Although seed set was not pollenlimited in all species,we found that fruit set was much lower in distylous species,which rely on frequent pollinator visits,than in homostylous species capable of autonomous self-pollination.Our findings that pollination success increases at high elevations and decreases during the flowering season suggest that distylous and homostylous species have spatially and temporally distinct reproductive strategies related to environment-dependent pollinator activity.

Identification of transient receptor potential channel genes and functional characterization of TRPA1 in Spodoptera frugiperda

Spodoptera frugiperda is a highly destructive pest that has become a global problem due to its robust reproductive and migratory capabilities.Transient receptor potential(TRP)channels,which constitute a vast ion channel family,play pivotal roles in sensing the external environment and maintaining internal homeostasis in insects.TRP channels have been widely investigated for their critical roles in regulating various insect behaviors in recent years.In this study,we identified 15 TRP gene loci encoding 26 transcripts in the genome of S.frugiperda and analyzed their expression profiles at different developmental stages.The results revealed that S.frugiperda possesses four TRPC genes,six TRPA genes,one TRPM gene,two TRPV genes,one TRPN gene,and one TRPML gene,while a canonical TRPP is absent.Moreover,the SfruTRPA1 was functionally characterized using the Xenopus oocyte expression system.The results showed that SfruTRPA1 is activated by temperature increases from 20 to 45℃,and there is no significant desensitization after repeated stimuli within the same temperature range.Additionally,SfruTRPA1 is activated by certain natural chemicals,including allyl isothiocyanate(AITC)and cinnamaldehyde(CA).These findings provide valuable insights to the TRP genes in S.frugiperda.

Effects of hydrological connection and human disturbance on genetic variation of submerged Vallisneria natans populations in four lakes in China

With the increase in the need for flood prevention and lake resource used by humans,the construction of floodgates and sluices has changed the hydrological connection between rivers and lakes,and between adjacent lakes.In river-disconnected lakes,exploitation and use of lake resources have resulted in water quality decline and mechanical disturbance intensification to a different degree.Of the large number of river-disconnected lakes in the middle-lower reaches of the Changjiang(Yangtze)River,the Futou Lake,and the Xiliang Lake lie close together and are,historically,directly connected,and so do Liangzi Lake and Baoan Lake.The extent of human disturbance is severe in the Futou Lake and the Baoan Lake,but relatively mild in the Xiliang Lake and Liangzi Lake.The freshwater rosette-forming submerged plant Vallisneria natans is one of the dominant species in the four lakes.Using microsatellite markers,we studied the genetic variation of V.natans subpopulations in lakes with different intensities of human disturbance and historical direct hydrological connections.Our results showed that human disturbance decreased plant density and clonal growth in V.natans,but might increase genetic and clonal diversity at a subpopulation level and enhance gene flow among subpopulations by sexual propagule movement.Under similar climatic conditions,different intensities of disturbance seem to have such a high selective potential to differentiate genetically adjacent lake populations that they outperform the forces of gene flow through historical direct hydrological interconnection,which tends to produce genetic homogeneity.Our findings imply that human disturbance has a profound eff ect on the evolutionary process of natural populations of submerged plants.Moreover,increased subpopulation genetic diversity can enhance resistance and resilience to environmental disturbances.To a certain degree,we could expect that disturbed populations have the possibility of restoring spontaneously if humans cease to perturb natural ecosystems in the future.

Local-scale patterns of genetic variation in coexisting floating-leaved Nymphoides peltata and submerged Myriophyllum spicatum in Donghu Lake

Coexisting floating-leaved and submerged plants experience similar environmental changes but may evolve different patterns of genetic variation.To compare local-scale genetic variation,we collected samples of floating-leaved Nymphoides peltata and submerged Myriophyllum spicatum coexisting in a disturbed urban lake in China.At the subpopulation level,using microsatellites,M.spicatum had higher clonal diversity than N.peltata.M.spicatum had 28.4%multilocus genotypes(MLGs)shared between subpopulations,but N.peltata had only one MLG shared between two adjacent subpopulations.N.peltata displayed more genetic variation between subpopulations than within subpopulations,but the reverse was true for M.spicatum.Principal components and Bayesian cluster analyses showed that individuals from each subpopulation of N.peltata tended to have relatively close genetic relationships.For M.spicatum,individuals from each subpopulation were genetically scattered with those from other subpopulations.Our results imply that in unpredictable adverse environments M.spicatum may be less subjected to local-deme extinction than N.peltata because of genetically diverse clones at the subpopulation level.This characteristic means that following adverse events,M.spicatum may rapidly restore subpopulation distributions via recolonization and intense gene flow among subpopulations.

Allelic Polymorphism,Gene Duplication and Balancing Selection of MHC Class ⅡB Genes in the Omei Treefrog(Rhacophorus omeimontis)

The worldwide declines in amphibian populations have largely been caused by infectious fungi and bacteria. Given that vertebrate immunity against these extracellular pathogens is primarily functioned by the major histocompatibility complex（MHC） class Ⅱ molecules, the characterization and the evolution of amphibian MHC class Ⅱ genes have attracted increasing attention. The polymorphism of MHC class Ⅱ genes was found to be correlated with susceptibility to fungal pathogens in many amphibian species, suggesting the importance of studies on MHC class Ⅱ genes for amphibians. However, such studies on MHC class Ⅱ gene evolution have rarely been conducted on amphibians in China. In this study, we chose Omei treefrog（Rhacophorus omeimontis）, which lived moist environments easy for breeding bacteria, to study the polymorphism of its MHC class Ⅱ genes and the underlying evolutionary mechanisms. We amplified the entire MHC class ⅡB exon 2 sequence in the R. omeimontis using newly designed primers. We detected 102 putative alleles in 146 individuals. The number of alleles per individual ranged from one to seven, indicating that there are at least four loci containing MHC class ⅡB genes in R. omeimontis. The allelic polymorphism estimated from the 102 alleles in R. omeimontis was not high compared to that estimated in other anuran species. No significant gene recombination was detected in the 102 MHC class ⅡB exon 2 sequences. In contrast, both gene duplication and balancing selection greatly contributed to the variability in MHC class ⅡB exon 2 sequences of R. omeimontis. This study lays the groundwork for the future researches to comprehensively analyze the evolution of amphibian MHC genes and to assess the role of MHC gene polymorphisms in resistance against extracellular pathogens for amphibians in China.

Population Size, Genetic Diversity and Molecular Evidence of a Recent Population Bottleneck in Hynobius chinensis, an Endangered Salamander Species

Severe population declines can reduce species to small populations, offering permissive conditions for deleterious processes. For example, following such events, species can become prone to inbreeding and genetic drift which can lead to a loss of genetic diversity and evolutionary potentials. Hynobius chinensis is a poorly studied very rare and declining endangered amphibian species endemic to China in Changyang County. We investigated adult census population size by monitoring breeding populations from 2015 to 2018, developed microsatellite markers from the transcriptome and used them to investigate genetic diversity, and a population bottleneck in this species. We found H. chinensis in 4 different localities in a total area of 2.18 km^2 and estimated the overall adult census population size at 386–404 individuals. The adult census size（mean ± SE） per breeding pond ranged from 44 ± 6 to 141 ± 8 individuals and appeared smaller than that reported in closely related species in undisturbed habitats. We developed and characterized 13 microsatellite markers in total. Analysis of data at 7 loci（N = 118） in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium gathered from the largest population showed that genetic diversity level was low. The average number of alleles per locus was 2.14. The observed and expected heterozygosities averaged 0.38 and 0.40, respectively. The inbreeding coefficient was –0.06. All tests performed to investigate a population bottleneck, i.e. The Garza-Williamson test, Heterozygosity excess test, Mode shift test of allele frequency, and effective population size estimates detected a population bottleneck. The contemporary and the historical effective population sizes were estimated at 36 and 234 individuals, respectively. We argue that as bottleneck effects, the studied population may have become prone to genetic drift and inbreeding, losing microsatellite alleles and heterozygosity. Our results suggest that populations of H. chinensismay have been extirpated in the study area.

Degree of style coiling is associated with corolla-tube length in the nectarless flowers of Roscoea schneideriana

The plant-pollinator‘arms race’model posits that a major driver of the evolution of elongated corollas in flowers is reciprocal selection for‘morphological fit’between pollinator-tongue length and access distance to nectar(usually corolla-tube length).Evidence for the pollinator-mediated selection on tube length and evolution of multiple,correlated floral traits remains inconclusive.To gain possible insights into the strength of stabilizing selection by assessing standing phenotypic variation,we measured a series of functionally important floral traits,including corolla tube length and‘effective’tube depth and degree of style coiling.We then calculated coefficients of variation(CV)for these traits in three field populations of R.schneideriana.Unlike in most long-tubed flowers,the bottom part of the corolla tube is completely occupied by the style,with no room for nectar.The length of this portion of the corolla tube was more variable(higher CV)than the upper part of the corolla tube,suggesting that functional tube depth was under stronger stabilizing selection.The degree of style coiling was negatively related to the corolla-tube length in all three populations of R.schneideriana,suggesting that there may be conflicting selection acting on style length and corolla-tube length,which are otherwise usually tightly correlated.Given the lack of nectar in the flowers of this species,the long corolla tubes and long styles may represent morphological holdovers from ancestors that were pollinated by long-tongued pollinators,as is still seen in related species in the western Himalayas.

Molecular mechanisms of adaptive evolution in wild animals and plants

Wild animals and plants have developed a variety of adaptive traits driven by adaptive evolution,an important strategy for species survival and persistence.Uncovering the molecular mechanisms of adaptive evolution is the key to understanding species diversification,phenotypic convergence,and inter-species interaction.As the genome sequences of more and more non-model organisms are becoming available,the focus of studies on molecular mechanisms of adaptive evolution has shifted from the candidate gene method to genetic mapping based on genome-wide scanning.In this study,we reviewed the latest research advances in wild animals and plants,focusing on adaptive traits,convergent evolution,and coevolution.Firstly,we focused on the adaptive evolution of morphological,behavioral,and physiological traits.Secondly,we reviewed the phenotypic convergences of life history traits and responding to environmental pressures,and the underlying molecular convergence mechanisms.Thirdly,we summarized the advances of coevolution,including the four main types:mutualism,parasitism,predation and competition.Overall,these latest advances greatly increase our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms for diverse adaptive traits and species interaction,demonstrating that the development of evolutionary biology has been greatly accelerated by multi-omics technologies.Finally,we highlighted the emerging trends and future prospects around the above three aspects of adaptive evolution.

Both small and large plants are likely to produce staminate(male)flowers in a hermaphrodite lily

Resource allocation to female and male function may vary among individual plants in species with variable sex expression.Size-dependent sex allocation has been proposed in hermaphrodites,in which female-biased allocation may increase with plant size.In many hermaphrodites with large floral displays,however,later-produced flowers tend to be functionally male.This paradoxical relationship between female and male function and plant size remains poorly understood.The subalpine lily Lilium lankongense has individuals of three sexual types:males with only staminate flowers,hermaphrodites with only perfect flowers,and andromonoecious plants with both perfect and staminate flowers.Here we tested theoretical predictions of size-dependent sex allocation in L.lankongense by measuring plant height and flower number of individuals of each sex at five field sites in the mountainous region of Shangri-La,southwestern China.To investigate variation in phenotypic gender,we identified sex expression of 457 individuals one year later.Our investigation showed that male plants,which usually produced one flower,were significantly smaller than and ro monoecious and hermaphrodite plants.In addition,the total flower numbers of andromonoecious and hermaphrodite plants increased significantly with plant size.Large individuals were more likely to produce terminal staminate flowers,as there were more flowers in andromonoecious than in hermaphrodite individuals.Non-flowered plants were significantly smaller than flowering ones.Perfect flowers had significantly larger petals and pistils than staminate flowers,but they did not differ in dry weight of stamens.Our findings indicate that when plants are small,the less costly sex is favored,consistent with the‘size-advantage hypothesis’.When plants are large,both female and male investments change isometrically,as later-produced flowers tend to be functionally male.

Female-biased Dispersal of the Emei Moustache Toad (Leptobrachium boringii) under Local Resource Competition

Dispersal is an important area of ecological and evolutionary research.Although many studies have been conducted in mammals and birds,dispersal pattern in amphibians is still unclear.To verify dispersal patterns of amphibians,an endangered species the Emei Moustache Toad(Leptobrachium boringii)was selected.In this study,we analyzed six genetic parameters:inbreeding coefficient(F_(IS)),gene diversity(H_S),the mean of corrected assignment index(mAI_C),the variance of corrected assignment index(vAI_C),relatedness(r)for all three years together and each year separately based on eight highly polymorphic microsatellite loci.Data in totaled across years and each year for 581 individuals captured during 2013–2015 revealed a significant female-biased dispersal pattern.Significantly higher F_(IS) and H_S in females,and lower mAI_C and r for each year separately in females support that L.boringii displays femalebiased dispersal,although r for the total dataset and vAI_C tests did not show significant differences between the sexes.Female-biased dispersal patterns may be explained by the local resource competition hypothesis.

The Effect of Attendance Patterns on the Lek Mating System in the Omei Treefrog(Rhacophorus omeimontis)

Attendance patterns are a key factor affecting sexual selection and mating systems in lekbreeding species.However,there are few systematic studies on attendance patterns in lek-breeding anurans.In this study,we monitored a population of Omei treefrogs(Rhacophorus omeimontis) for four consecutive years to reveal in detail the effects of attendance patterns on mating systems.We found that(1) female nightly attendance was affected by male nightly attendance,and operational sex ratios(determined by male and female nightly attendance) ultimately determined the extent of female polyandry;(2) males surviving more than one breeding season maintained high chorus attendance and mating success,suggesting that male chorus attendance is a good predictor of male genetic quality;(3) the distributions of male mating success were not significantly different from a Poisson distribution,indicating a random mating pattern;and male mating success was not related to body size(size-assortative mating was not evident) but was significantly correlated with chorus attendance.Since the chorus attendance is a predictor of male genetic quality,females performing random mating were more likely to mate with more frequently present males and could therefore gain indirect benefits from mating with higher-than-average quality males,thereby producing good offspring without incurring the significant costs involved in prolonged searching for,and assessing males.Our systematic survey on the relationship between attendance patterns and the lek mating system in R.omeimontis could help us better understand in-depth anuran lek mating systems.

Social Polyandry and Multiple Paternity in the Omei Treefrog in the Southwest China

Group spawning, polyandry reproductive behaviors, and multiple paternity are increasingly reported in anuran species. The Omei treefrog （Rhacophorus omeimontis）, endemic to subtropical and mountainous forests of central and southwestern China, is a polyandrous lek-patterned breeder commonly showing multiple males-one female matings during the breeding season. To detect the traits of social and genetic polyandry in this species and explore the relationships between these traits, we investigated the breeding behaviors of a population of R. omeimontis in the Fengtongzhai National Nature Reserve, Baoxing County, Sichuan, China. We conducted paternity analyses using six microsatellite genetic markers. A total of 30 matings were recorded in the field （four monogamous pairs and 26 spawning groups）. Our results revealed high proportions of social polyandry （86.7%） and multiple paternity （70.0%） and the numbers of joining males and genetic fathers among matings ranged from 1 to 8 and from 1 to 4, respectively. There was a significantly positive correlation between the intensities of social and genetic polyandry, indicating that multiple males-one female breeding behaviors could be an important promoter of multiple paternity. We considered the intense social polyandry and multiple paternity as consequences of intense male-male competition under a male-biased sex ratio and genetic benefits pursuing of the females. However, the proportion of genetic fathers in a spawning decreased with the increase of joining male number and most of their offspring belonged to a few males. This might be caused by a ＂making the best of a bad lot＂ reproductive strategy of the inferior male individuals.

A global evaluation of the associations between long-term dynamics of seed falls and rodents

One classic system of pulsed resource and animal population is mast seeding and population dynamics of seedeating rodents in forests.However,we still lack an understanding of the global patterns regarding the contributions of seed falls to rodent outbreaks or population dynamics.We analyzed a global dataset of coupled long-term time series of seed abundances and rodent populations from published literature,including 66 and 89 time series(156 rodent-seed pairs from 37 studies)for rodent and seed abundances,respectively.We found only half of the examined rodent populations showed statistically significant coincidence between rodent outbreak and mastseeding years.Over all the coupled time series,seed abundance was found to positively correlate with rodent abundance with a one-year lag,and the relative importance of seed abundance was much lower than that of density dependence in affecting rodent population growth rates.We also found the relative importance of seed abundance decreased,but that of rodent density dependence increased with the latitude of study.For the first time,our work provides a global pattern on the associations between seed falls and rodent population dynamics mostly in midand high-latitude forests,and highlights the necessity of more long-term studies on this subject in more forest ecosystems.

Cephalic anatomy highlights morphological adaptation to underground habitats in a minute lacewing larva of Dilar (Dilaridae) and conflicting phylogenetic signal in Neuroptera

Dilaridae are a distinctive and phylogenetically ambiguous neuropteran family.So far,the anatomy of the immature stages remains largely unknown.We examined the 1st instar larvae of Dilar montanus in detail and present results of live observations for the first time.The minute,cryptic larvae display features correlated with their underground lifestyle:for instance,a strongly flattened head,stout antennae,eyelessness,and burrowing forelegs.In contrast to molecular data,several characters suggest a‘dilarid clade’combining Dilaridae with Mantispoidea,for instance a very thin and curved or reduced tentorial bridge,and an elongated postmentum.We found intrinsic antennal muscles and Johnston's organ,the first record of these structures in holometabolous larvae.This proves that the first 2 larval antennomeres are homologous with the scapus and pedicellus.The described characters are discussed and analyzed with an updated matrix of neuropteran larval characters.Alternative scenarios of character evolution are presented.Additionally,we show how the 1st-instar larvae move and feed in the substrate,and also provide a high-resolution video recording of the function of the elongate tubular ovipositor and the egg-laying behavior in an adult female under natural conditions.

Mutualism between antagonists:its ecological and evolutionary implications

Mutualism or antagonism between species is often investigated within the framework of monotonic interactions of either mutualism or antagonism,but studies on transition from mutualism to antagonism(within the context of nonmonotonic interactions)have been largely ignored.In this paper,through a brief review and synthesis,we highlighted the role of mutualism between antagonists in regulating the ecological and evolutionary processes,as well as maintaining the stability and complexity of ecosystems.Mutualism between antagonistic species represents the density-dependent transition between mutualism and antagonism,which is beneficial to species coexistence and stability of complex ecosystems;thus,it should be favored by natural selection.Species may face selection of conflicting pressure on functional traits in co-balancing mutualism and antagonism,which may result in evolution of the dual character of species with moderate mutualistic or antagonistic traits.Coevolution and co-balance of these traits are driving forces in shaping mutualism-antagonism systems.Rewards for mutualists,punishment for exploiters,and competition of meta-communities are essential in stabilizing mutualism between antagonists.We appeal for more studies on mutualism between antagonists and its ecological and evolutionary implications by expanding the conventional ecological studies from monotonic to nonmonotonic regimes.

Discovery of androecium color polymorphism in Epimedium pubescens with habitat preference of anther/pollen color in the genus

Aims Interspecific and intraspecific variation in flower color in natural populations provides an opportunity for us to understand the evolu-tion and maintenance of diversity of floral traits.Compared to cor-olla color,little is known about the color polymorphism of sexual organs in flowering plants.to explore evolutionary transitions of androecium color and polymorphism within species,interspecific and intraspecific variation in androecium(anther and pollen)color in the genus Epimedium(Berberidaceae)was investigated.Methods to explore the geographical patterns of anther/pollen color variation in Epimedium species,data of 45 species were collected and their phyl-ogeny was constructed based on available DNA sequences.to investi-gate whether intraspecific variation in androecium color relates to habitat preference,three environmental factors were measured in the field popu-lation of Epimedium pubescens in northeastern Sichuan,China,which plants had green or yellow androecia.Vegetative and reproductive traits of this species were compared between the two color morphs.Important Findings Androecium(anther and pollen)color polymorphism in field populations of Epimedium pubescens is reported here where nine populations are monomorphic with a green androecium but three populations are dimorphic with individuals having either a green or a yellow androecium.Inflorescence stalk height,stalk diameter,leaf number,flower number and spur length(as well as spur and nectar volume)were not significantly different between two morphs.Compared to the yellow morph,the green morph had relatively larger leaves and anthers,but smaller sepals.the green morph produced more pollen and larger seeds,but the same number of ovules.Seed set was not significantly different between green and yellow morph.Investigations of environmental factors in the color dimorphic popu-lations of E.pubescens indicated that the green morph was more likely to occur in habitats with relatively lower light intensity.the distribution survey of 45 Epimedium species showed that species with a green androecium tended to appear at lower elevations.Comparative phylogenetic analysis showed that transitions from yellow to a green androecium or to androecial color dimorphism occurred at least seven times.this genus,characterized by anther color diversity and containing some species with anther color polymorphism,provides a model system in which to study the evolution and maintenance of colorful sexual organs in flowering plants.

Significant Male Biased Sexual Size Dimorphism in Leptobrachium leishanensis

Sexual size dimorphism（SSD） is a widespread phenomenon among animals, and whose evolution and maintenance has been a central topic in evolutionary biology since Darwin＇s time. SSD varies in direction among the major taxonomic groups of animals and even within the same groups. In anurans, female biased SSD is the rule in many lineages, whereas male biased SSD is a rare phenomenon. In this paper, we analyze whether SSD exists inLeptobrachium leishanensis by comparing morphological characteristics between the sexes. Our results show that all six morphological characteristics measured are significantly different between the sexes. Males are significantly larger than females, indicating that the male biased SSD of this species is apparent. The size of the nuptial spines, a special secondary sex trait of males, is significantly and positively correlated with body size. We suggest that the resource defense polygyny mating system and parental care behavior may be explanations for the evolution of male biased SSD and nuptial spine development in this species.

Masting promotes transformation from predation to mutualism in an oak-weevil-rodent system

The significance of ecological non-monotonicity(a function whose first derivative changes signs)in shaping the structure and functions of the ecosystem has recently been recognized,but such studies involving high-order interactions are rare.Here,we have proposed a threetrophic conceptual diagram on interactions among trees,rodents,and insects in mast and non-mast years and tested the hypothesis that oak(Quercus wutaishanica)masting could result in increased mutualism and less predation in an oak-weevil-rodent system in a warm temperate forest of China.Our 14-year dataset revealed that mast years coincided with a relatively low rodent abundance but a high weevil abundance.Masting not only benefited seedling recruitment of oaks through increased dispersal by rodents but also a decrease in predation by rodents and weevils,as well as an increase in the overwintering survival of rodents.Masting appeared to have increased weevil survival by reducing predation of infested acorns by rodents.These results suggest that masting benefits all participants in the plant-insect-rodent system by increasing mutualism and reducing predation behavior(i.e.,a non-monotonic function).Our study highlights the significance of masting in maintaining the diversity and function of the forest ecosystem by facilitating the transformation from predation to mutualism among trophic species.

Effects of masting on seedling establishment of a rodent-dispersed tree species in a warm-temperate region,northern China

Masting is an evolutionary strategy used by plants to promote seed survival and/or seed dispersal under animal predation,but its effects on seedling establishment in field condition are rarely tested by long-term experiments incorporating combined effects of seed and animal abundance.Here,we tracked seed production,rodent-mediated seed dispersal,and seedling establishment in Armeniaca sibirica from 2005 to 2014 in a warm-temperate forest in northern China,and examined the effects of seed abundance and per capita seed availability on seed fate and seedling recruitment rate.Our results showed that seed abundance or per capita seed availability generally benefited the seedling recruitment of A.sibirica through increasing dispersal intensity,supporting predator dispersal hypothesis.However,seedling recruitment showed satiated or even dome-shaped association with per capita seed availability,suggesting the benefit to trees would be decreased when seed abundance were too high as compared to rodent abundance(a satiated effect).Our results suggest that the predator dispersal and satiation effects of masting on seedling recruitment can operate together in one system and conditionally change with seed and animal abundance.

High genetic diversity in the endangered and narrowly distributed amphibian species Leptobrachium leishanense

Threatened species typically have a small or declining population size,which make them highly susceptible to loss of genetic diversity through genetic drift and inbreeding.Genetic diversity determines the evolutionary potential of a species;therefore,maintaining the genetic diversity of threatened species is essential for their conservation.In this study,we assessed the genetic diversity of the adaptive major histocompatibility complex(MHC)genes in an endangered and narrowly distributed amphibian species,Leptobrachium leishanense in Southwest China.We compared the genetic variation of MHC class I genes with that observed in neutral markers(5 microsatellite loci and cytochrome b gene)to elucidate the relative roles of genetic drift and natural selection in shaping the current MHC polymorphism in this species.We found a high level of genetic diversity in this population at both MHC and neutral markers compared with other threatened amphibian species.Historical positive selection was evident in the MHC class I genes.The higher allelic richness in MHC markers compared with that of microsatellite loci suggests that selection rather than genetic drift plays a prominent role in shaping the MHC variation pattern,as drift can affect all the genome in a similar way but selection directly targets MHC genes.Although demographic analysis revealed no recent bottleneck events in L.leishanense,additional population decline will accelerate the dangerous status for this species.We suggest that the conservation management of L.leishanense should concentrate on maximizing the retention of genetic diversity through preventing their continuous population decline.Protecting their living habitats and forbidding illegal hunting are the most important measures for conservation of L.leishanense.