Global patterns of taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of flowering plants: Biodiversity hotspots and coldspots

Species diversity of angiosperms(flowering plants) varies greatly among regions.Geographic patterns of variation in species diversity are shaped by the interplay of ecological and evolutionary processes.Here,using a comprehensive data set for regional angiosperm floras across the world,we show geographic patterns of taxonomic(species) diversity,phylogenetic diversity,phylogenetic dispersion,and phylogenetic deviation(i.e.,phylogenetic diversity after accounting for taxonomic diversity) across the world.Phylogenetic diversity is strongly and positively correlated with taxonomic diversity;as a result,geographic patterns of taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity across the world are highly similar.Areas with high taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity are located in tropical regions whereas areas with low taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity are located in temperate regions,particularly in Eurasia and North America,and in northern Africa.Similarly,phylogenetic dispersion is,in general,higher in tropical regions and lower in temperate regions.However,the geographic pattern of phylogenetic deviation differs substantially from those of taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity and phylogenetic dispersion.As a result,hotspots and coldspots of angiosperm diversity identified based on taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity and phylogenetic dispersion are incongruent with those identified based on phylogenetic deviations.Each of these metrics may be considered when selecting areas to be protected for their biodiversity.

The potential drivers in forming avian biodiversity hotspots in the East Himalaya Mountains of Southwest China

Little has been published to describe or interpret Asian biodiversity hotspots,including those in the East Himalayan Mountains of Southwest China(HMSC),thus making necessary a review of the current knowledge.The Pliocene and Pleistocene geological and glacial histories of the Asian continent differ from those of Europe and North America,suggesting different mechanisms of speciation and extinction,and,thus,different responses to climate changes during the Quaternary glaciations.This short review summarizes potential drivers in shaping and maintaining high species richness and endemism of birds in the HMSC.The geographical location at the junction of different biogeographical realms,the wide range of habitats and climates along the extensive elevational range,the complex topography and the distinct geological history of this region have probably contributed to the evolution of an exceptionally species-rich and endemic-rich,specialized montane avian fauna.The Mountain systems in the HMSC may have provided refugia where species survived during the glacial periods and barriers for preventing species dispersal after the glacial periods.More studies are required to further test this refugia hypothesis by comparing more cold-tolerent and warm-tolerent species.

Predicting the Potential Invasion Hotspots of Chromolaena odorata under Current and Future Climate Change Scenarios in Heterogeneous Ecological Landscapes of Mizoram,India

Recent trends in globalization,human mobility surge and global trade aggravated the expansion of alien species introduction leading to invasion by alien plants compounded by climate change.The ability to predict the spread of invasive species within the context of climate change holds significance for accurately identifying vulnerable regions and formulating strategies to contain their wide proliferation and invasion.Anthropogenic activities and recent climate change scenarios increased the risk of Chromolaena odorata invasion and habitat expansion in Mizoram.To forecast its current distribution and habitat suitability amidst climatic alterations in Mizoram,a MaxEnt-driven habitat suitability model was deployed using the default parameters.The resultant model exhibited that the current spatial range of C.odorata occupies 15.37%of geographical areas deemed suitable for varying degrees of invasion.Projections for 2050 and 2070 anticipated an expansion of suitable habitats up to 34.37%of the geographical area of Mizoram,specifically under RCP 2.6 in 2070 in comparison with its present distribution.Currently,the distributional range of C.odorata in Mizoram spans from lower(450 m)to mid elevational ranges up to 1700 meters,with limited presence at higher altitudes.However,the habitat suitability model extrapolates that climate changes will elevate the invasion risk posed by C.odorata across Mizoram,particularly in the North-Western and Central regions.The projection of further territorial expansion and an upward shift in altitudinal range in the future underscores the urgency of instating robust management measures to pre-empt the impact of C.odorata invasion.This study recommends the imperative nature of effective C.odorata management,particularly during the initial stages of invasion.

Mammals of Gaoligong Mountain in China:Diversity,distribution,and conservation

Gaoligong Mountain(hereafter,GLGM)is located at the intersection of Myanmar and China’s Yunnan Province and Xizang Zizhiqu,and spans three globally significant biodiversity hotspots:the Himalayas,Indo-Burma,and the Mountains of Southwest China.Although surveys of mammals in this ecologically important region have a long history,there is no comprehensive systematic checklist and distribution account of the mammals of GLGM.Here,we compiled a mammal species checklist of GLGM based on thorough field investigations and literature reviews.We also examined specimen collections and applied camera trapping surveys to explore the region’s mammal diversity and distribution patterns.We recorded 212 mammal species in nine orders,33 families,and 119 genera,which accounts for 30.5%of China’s mammal species,and a high proportion of nationally protected(50)and globally threatened(29)species.Mammal species richness showed a symmetrical unimodal curve along the elevation gradient,peaking at intermediate elevations(2000 to 2500 m above sea level(asl)),and increasing generally from south to north,slightly higher in the east slope than in the west.Cluster analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed three distinct elevational assemblages(<900 m asl.,900-3500 m asl.,and>3500 m asl)and significant south-to-north variation,but no substantial differences between the east and west slopes.The GLGM present a unique conservation value due to the high proportions of rare and endangered mammal species,complex faunal composition,high endemism,and being the distribution boundary for many species.This study is an important phased account of mammal diversity in GLGM and makes a prospect for future research.

Mapping and Floristic Diversity of the Nakpadjouak Community Forest, Tami Canton, Togo (West Africa)

Since 2015, community forests have been promoted in Togo as an alternative to protect areas from degradation and as a means of contributing to forest landscape restoration. The study focuses on the Nakpadjouak Community Forest (NCF) in Tami (Togo, West Africa) which contributes to community forests sustainable management. It aims in (i) mapping forest ecosystems and analysing their dynamic and (ii) characterizing the floristic diversity of the NCF. The ecosystems were mapped and their dynamic was evaluated based on Google Earth images of 2014 and 2020. Floristic and forestry inventories were carried out using the transect technique in a sample of 20 plots of 50 m × 20 m. The NCF was made up mainly by wooded/shrub savannahs (95.37%) and croplands/fallow (4.63%) in 2014. These two land use types undergone changes over the 6 years prior to 2020. By 2020, the NCF had 3 land use types: wooded/shrub savannahs (77.59%), open forest/wooded savannahs (22.23%), and croplands/fallows (0.18%). A total of 89 plant species belonging to 70 genera and 28 families were recorded within the NCF. The dominant species are: Heteropogon contortus (L.) P.Beauv. and Combretum collinum Fresen. followed by Pteleopsissuberosa Engl. & Diels, Annona senegalensis Pers. The most common species are: Lannea acida A.Rich. s.l., A. senegalensis, Vitellaria paradoxa C.F.Gaertner subsp. paradoxa, C. collinum and Acacia dudgeonii Craib ex Holland. Due to its small area of just 40 hectares and its diverse plant life, this community forest of Savannahs Region is a significant biodiversity hotspot and warrants conservation efforts.

New patterns of the tree beta diversity and its determinants in the largest savanna and wetland biomes of South America

Clear and data-driven bioregionalizations can provide a framework to test hypotheses and base biodiversity conservation.Here we used occurrence and abundance data in combination with objective analytical methods to propose two bioregionalization schemes for tree species of the Cerrado and the Pantanal in South America.We also evaluated the contribution of three sets of determinants of the occurrence-and abundance-based subregions.We compiled data on tree species composition from 894 local assemblages based on species occurrences,and from 658 local assemblages based on species abundances.We used an unconstrained community-level modelling approach and clustering techniques to identify and map tree subregions for the occurrence and the abundance data sets,separately.Hierarchical clustering analyses were conducted to investigate floristic affinities between the subregions and to map broader floristic regions.We used multinomial logistic regression models,deviance partitioning,and rank-sum tests to assess the main subregion correlates.We identified 18 occurrence-and four abundance-based subregions in the Cerrado-Pantanal.The hierarchical classifications grouped the occurrence-based subregions into nine floristic zones and abundance-based subregions into two broad floristic zones.Variation in subregions were explained mainly by environmental factors and spatial structure in both occurrence and abundance data sets.The occurrence-and abundance-based subregions are complementary approaches to disentangle macroecological patterns and to plan conservation efforts in the Cerrado and the Pantanal.Our findings based on occurrence data revealed more complex and interdigitated boundaries between subregions of tree species than previously reported.The environment,historical stability,and human effects act in a synergetic way on the distribution of the subregions.Finally,the relevance of contemporary environmental factors to the subregion patterns we found alert us to the profound impact global warming may have on the spatial organization of the Cerrado-Pantanal tree flora.

Molecular phylogeny,biogeography and character evolution of the montane genus Incarvillea Juss.(Bignoniaceae)

The complex orogeny of the Himalaya and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(QTP)fosters habitat fragmentation that drives morphological differentiation of mountain plant species.Consequently,determining phylogenetic relationships between plant subgenera using morphological characters is unreliable.Therefore,we used both molecular phylogeny and historical biogeographic analysis to infer the ancestral states of several vegetative and reproductive characters of the montane genus Incarvillea.We determined the taxonomic position of the genus Incarvillea within its family and inferred the biogeographical origin of taxa through Bayesian inference(BI),maximum likelihood(ML)and maximum parsimony(MP)analyses using three molecular data sets(trnL-trnF sequences,nr ITS sequences,and a data set of combined sequences)derived from 81%of the total species of the genus Incarvillea.Within the genus-level phylogenetic framework,we examined the character evolution of 10 key morphological characters,and inferred the ancestral area and biogeographical history of the genus.Our analyses revealed that the genus Incarvillea is monophyletic and originated in Central Asia during mid-Oligocene ca.29.42 Ma.The earliest diverging lineages were subsequently split into theWestern Himalaya and Sino-Himalaya during the early Miocene ca.21.12 Ma.These lineages resulted in five re-circumscribed subgenera(Amphicome,Olgaea,Niedzwedzkia,Incarvillea,and Pteroscleris).Moreover,character mapping revealed the ancestral character states of the genus Incarvillea(e.g.,suffruticose habit,cylindrical capsule shape,subligneous capsule texture,absence of capsule wing,and loculicidal capsule dehiscence)that are retained at the earliest diverging ancestral nodes across the genus.Our phylogenetic tree of the genus Incarvillea differs from previously proposed phylogenies,thereby recommending the placement of the subgenus Niedzwedzkia close to the subgenus Incarvillea and maintaining two main divergent lineages.

Monitoring the abundance of saproxylic red-listed species in a managed beech forest by landsat temporal metrics

Background:Rapid climate changes lead to an increase in forest disturbance,which in turn lead to growing concerns for biodiversity.While saproxylic beetles are relevant indicators for studying different aspects of biodiversity,most are smaller than 2 mm and difficult to sample.This,together with a high number of species and trophic roles,make their study remarkably challenging,time-consuming,and expensive.The Landsat mission provides data since 1984 and represents a powerful tool in this scenario.While we believe that remote sensing data cannot replace on-site sampling and analysis,in this study we aim to prove that the Landsat Time Series(TS)may support the identification of insects’hotspots and consequently guide the selection of areas where to concentrate field analysis.Methods:With this aim,we constructed a Landsat-derived NDVI TS(1984–2020)and we summarised the NDVI trend over time by calculating eight Temporal Metrics(TMs)among which four resulted particularly successful in predicting the amount of saproxylic insects:(i)the slope of the regression line obtained by linear interpolating the NDVI values over time;(ii)the Root Mean Square Error(RMSE)between the regression line and the NDVI TS;(iii)the median,and the(iv)minimum values of the NDVI TS.The study area consists of four monitoring sectors in a Mediterranean-managed beech forest located in the Apennines(Molise,Italy),where 60 window flight traps for flying beetles were installed.First,the saproxylic beetle's biodiversities of monitoring sectors were quantified in terms of species richness and alpha-diversity.Second,the capability of TMs in predicting the richness of saproxylic beetles family and trophic categories was assessed in terms of Pearson's product-moment correlation.Results:The alpha diversity and species richness analysis indicate dissimilarities across the four monitored sectors(Shannon and Simpson's index ranging between 0.67 to 2.31 and 0.69 to 0.88,respectively),with Landsat TS resulting in effective predictors for estimating saproxylic beetle richness.The strongest correlation was reached between the Monotomidae family and the RMSE temporal metric(R=0.66).The mean absolute correlation(r)between the NDVI TMs and the saproxylic community was 0.46 for Monotomidae,0.31 for Cerambycidae,and 0.25 for Curculionidae.Conclusions:Our results suggest that Landsat TS has important implications for studying saproxylic beetle distribution and,by helping the selection of monitoring areas,increasing the amount of information acquired while decreasing the effort required for field analysis.

How little is known about “the little brown frogs”:description of three new species of the genus Leptobrachella(Anura:Megophryidae)from Yunnan Province, China

Asian leaf-litter toads of the genus Leptobrachella represent a great anuran diversification in Asia.Previous studies have suggested that the diversity of this genus is still underestimated. During herpetological surveys from 2013 to 2018, a series of Leptobrachella specimens were collected from the international border areas in the southern and western parts of Yunnan Province, China.Subsequent analyses based on morphological and molecular data revealed three distinct and previously unknown lineages, which we formally describe as three new species herein. Among them, we describe a new species that occurs at the highest known elevation for Leptobrachella in China. Four species of Leptobrachella, including two new species, are found in the same reserve. Furthermore, our results suggest that the population from Longchuan County,Yunnan, may represent an additional new species of Leptobrachella, although we tentatively assigned it to Leptobrachella cf. yingjiangensis due to the small sample size examined. Lastly, we provide the first description of females of L. yingjiangensis. Our results further highlight that both micro-endemism and sympatric distributions of species are common patterns in Leptobrachella, that contribute to taxonomic and conservation challenges in these frogs. We provide an identification key for Leptobrachella known to occur in Yunnan. Given the lack of knowledge on species diversity of Leptobrachella along international border areas, we recommend that future studies include transboundary collaborative surveys.

Diversity of non-timber forest products in Cachar District, Assam, India

We identified 67 and 21 NTFP-yielding plant and animal species, respectively, in a reserve forest in Cachar district of Assam. We recorded globally threatened species listed by IUCN as Critically Endangered （plant species Dipterocarpus turbinatus）, Vulnerable （plant species Aquillaria malaccensis）, Endangered （animal species Hoolock hoolock, Indotestudo elongata and Manis pentadactyla）, and Vulnerable （animal species Nilssonia hurum and Rusa unicolor）. The whole plant or animal and/or their various parts were used as food or medicine, in house construction, magico-religious activities and others. While some NTFPs were harvested throughout the year, others were harvested seasonally. A comprehensive NTFP policy, along with scientific measures for regen- eration, restoration and augmentation of NTFP-yielding plants and animals, would help in addressing the conflicting demands of conservation and livelihood in the forests of this area.

DNA Barcoding and Systematic Review of Minervaryan Frogs(Dicroglossidae:Minervarya) of Peninsular India:Resolution of a Taxonomic Conundrum with Description of a New Species

The genus Minervarya is among the most widely distributed,commonly occurring,and taxonomically confusing groups of dicroglossid frogs in India.Recent studies have provided evidence that this genus contains complexes of morphologically conserved but genetically divergent taxa—some widely distributed across South and Southeast Asia,and many particularly restricted to the Western Ghats region of the Indian Peninsula—posing several challenges in resolving long-standing taxonomic confusions.Here,we present a systematic review of minervaryan species found in Peninsular India,based on extensive DNA barcoding with nearly 400 samples from the entire range of the genus,including 277 new samples and topotypic material for most available names from the study area,combined with detailed morphological studies.As a result,we recognise 18 species in Peninsular India,including a new species described herein as Minervarya pentali sp.nov.Due to the comprehensive nature of the study,including comparisons with all available types,certain long-standing taxonomic uncertainties on the status of ten previously known taxa are resolved Rana(Tomopterna)parambikulamana Rao,1937(=Minervarya parambikulamana),Rana(Hylorana)sauriceps Rao,1937(=Minervarya sauriceps),and Fejervarya kudremukhensis Kuramoto,Joshy,Kurabayashi,and Sumida,2008"2007"(=Minervarya kudremukhensis),are considered as junior subjective synonyms of Rana(Rana)limnocharis mysorensis Rao,1922(=Minervarya mysorensis);Nyctibatrachus sanctipdustris var.modestus Rao,1920(=Minervarya modesta)is proposed to be a synonym of Rana limnocharis syhadrensis Annandale,1919(=Minervarya syhadrensis);while Rana murthii Pillai,1979(=Minervarya murthii)and Fejervarya mudduraja Kuramoto,Joshy,Kurabayashi,and Sumida,2008"2007"(=Minervarya mudduraja)are considered as junior subjective synonyms of Rana nilagirica Jerdon,1853(=Minervarya nilagirica).At the same time,Rana brevipalmata Peters,1871(=Minervarya brevipalmata),previously known only from its original description and the type specimen,is recognised as a distinct species referable to live populations in the Western Ghats.The study results in taxonomic stability of all the currently recognised members of the genus in Peninsular India.Significant geographical range extensions of species previously known from single localities are also provided based on morphologically and genetically confirmed records.Additionally,we classify all the recognised species into eight species-groups,with the aim of facilitating a better working taxonomy and future systematic studies on minervaryan frogs across their entire known range in Asia.

A comprehensive evaluation of flowering plant diversity and conservation priority for national park planning in China

Establishment of a national park protection system in China,including the latest target proposed to protect at least 30%of the land area,calls for a comprehensive exploration of conservation priorities incorporating multiple diversity facets.We herein evaluate the spatial distribution of Chinese flowering plants from the perspectives of richness,uniqueness,vulnerability,and evolutionary history,by integrating three mega-phylogenies and comprehensive distribution data.We detect significantly high consistency among hotspots of different diversity measures for Chinese flowering plants,suggesting that multiple facets of evolutionary diversity are concentrically distributed in China.Affording legal protection to these areas is expected to maximize positive conservation outcomes.We propose two integrative diversity indices by incorporating three richness-based and three phylogeny-based measures,respectively.Both methods identify areas with high species richness,but the integrative phylogeny-based index also locates key areas with ancient and unique evolutionary histories(e.g.,Ailao-Wuliang Mts,Dabie Mts,Hainan rainforest,Karst area of Yunnan-Guizhou-Guangxi,Nanling Mts,and southeast coastal regions).Of all the diversity indices explored,phylogenetic endemism maximizes the incidental protection of other indices in most cases,emphasizing its significance for conservation planning.Finally,42 priority areas are identified by combining the 5%-criterion hotspots of two integrative indices and the minimum area to protect all threatened species analyzed.These priorities cover only 13.3%of China's land area,but host 97.1%of species richness(23,394/24,095),96.5%of endemic species(11,841/12,274),100%of threatened species(2,613/2,613),and 99.3%of phylogenetic diversity for flowering plants involved in this study.These frameworks provide a solid scientific basis for national park planning in China.

An integrative bioinformatics pipeline shows that honeybee-associated microbiomes are driven primarily by pollen composition

The microbiomes associated with bee nests influence colony health through various mechanisms,although it is not yet clear how honeybee congeners differ in microbiome assembly processes,in particular the degrees to which floral visitations and the environment contribute to different aspects of diversity.We used DNA metabarcoding to sequence bacterial 16S rRNA from honey and stored pollen from nests of 4 honeybee species(Apis cerana,A.dorsata,A.florea,and A.laboriosa)sampled throughout Yunnan,China,a global biodiversity hotspot.We developed a computational pipeline integrating multiple databases for quantifying key facets of diversity,including compositional,taxonomic,phylogenetic,and functional ones.Further,we assessed candidate drivers of observed microbiome dissimilarity,particularly differences in floral visitations,habitat disturbance,and other key environmental variables.Analyses revealed that microbiome alpha diversity was broadly equivalent across the study sites and between bee species,apart from functional diversity which was very low in nests of the reclusive A.laboriosa.Turnover in microbiome composition across Yunnan was driven predominantly by pollen composition.Human disturbance negatively impacted both compositional and phylogenetic alpha diversity of nest microbiomes,but did not correlate with microbial turnover.We herein make progress in understanding microbiome diversity associated with key pollinators in a biodiversity hotspot,and provide a model for the use of a comprehensive informatics framework in assessing pattern and drivers of diversity,which enables the inclusion of explanatory variables both subtly and fundamentally different and enables elucidation of emergent or unexpected drivers.

Spatial patterns of plant diversity and communities in Alpine ecosystems of the Hengduan Mountains, northwest Yunnan, China

Aims Conduct a quantitative,but rapid,regional-level assessment of the alpine flora across northwest Yunnan(NWY)to provide a broadbased understanding of local and regional patterns of the composition,diversity and health of alpine ecosystems across NWY.Methods A stratified random sampling design was employed to select sites across the different mountain ranges of NWY.Vegetation was sampled by stratifying each site by the three major alpine vegetation community types:meadow,dwarf shrub and scree.Two 50-m transects were randomly located within each community type at each sampling site with 101-m^(2) subplots systematically placed along each transect.Environmental variables were recorded at each transect.Multivariate analyses were used to classify the major plant community assemblages and link community patterns to environmental and habitat variables.Important Findings Forb species richness varied from 19 to 105 species per site(21 sites total)with an average of 59 species per site(60 m^(2) sampled per site).Most species were patchily distributed with narrow distributions and/or small population sizes;over half the species occurred at only one or two sites.Distinct species assemblages were identified in the meadow vegetation that was strongly aggregated by geographic location suggesting the presence of distinct phytogeographic zones of the meadow alpine flora.Elevation and geographic location were the dominant environmental gradients underlying the variations in species composition.Jaccard’s coefficient of similarity averaged only 10%among sites indicating there was little similarity in the alpine flora across the region.The alpine vegetation is highly heterogeneous across the complex landscape of the Hengduan Mountains of NWY.Conservation strategies need to take into account the large geographic differences in the flora to maximize protection of biodiversity.