Analysis of Genetic Structure of Natural Populations of Castanopsis fargesii by RAPDs

Genetic diversity and population genetic structure in 188 individuals from five natural populations of Castampsis fargesii Franch. were studied by RAPD markers. Three hundred and eighty-five loci were identified with 41 oligonucleotide primers, out of which 157 loci were polymorphic and accounted for 40.78% of total genetic diversity at species level. Shannon's indices of diversity (I) and Nei's gene diversity ( h) were 0.459 7 and 0.296 at the species level, respectively. The result showed that genetic variation of C. fargesii populations mainly existed within populations. Genetic differentiation (Hsp-hpop)/Hsp estimated with Shannon's index of diversity and coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst) were 0.047 6 and 0.042 9 respectively, which were confirmed by the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). Therefore, it is apparent that within-population variation accounted for 94.97% and among-populations variation accounted for only 5.03% of the total genetic diversity. AMOVA also indicated that there was significant differentiation among populations as well as among individuals within a population.

Genetic diversity and genetic differentiation of natural populations of Pinus kesiya var. langbinanensis

Genetic diversity and genetic differentiation of natural populations of Pinus kesiya var. langbinanensis were examined by means of electrophoresis technique. Analysis of 9 enzyme systems including 16 loci showed that all the three natural popu-lations of the pine were high in genetic diversity but low in inter-population genetic differentiation. The proportion of polymorphic loci is 0.667, with each locus holding 2.13 alleles, averagely. The average expected and observed heterozygosity was 0.288 and 0.197, respectively. The gene differentiation among populations was 0.052, but the mean genetic distance was only 0.015.

Progeny Test on the Natural Populations and Selection of Excellent Populations from Fraxinus Mandshurica

Fraxinus mandshurica is one of the ancient relict flora species originated from the Tertiary period, which is mainly produced in the eastern mountains in Northeast China. It has an important scientific value for studying the Tertiary flora and the Quaternary glacial climate. In order to make rational use of the natural genetic resources of F. mandshurica , and to increase the scientific and technological added value of improved varieties, this study used the method of positional observation of fixed standard fields to discuss the genetic variations of tree height and DBH of the natural populations and its open-pollinated progenies, systematically analyze the heritability and genetic gains in growth characters based on the analysis of progeny test, growth dynamic and heredity effects. The populations with good growth, stress resistance and adaptability were selected. The results showed that there were extremely significant difference in the growth characters among the natural populations, and the coefficients of variance for tree height （22.99%） were smaller, while the coefficients of variance for DBH （41.37%） were larger. On the other hand, there were extremely significant differences in the growth characters among the open-pollinated progenies, and the interaction between these progenies and the blocks was significant. Meanwhile, the growth characters had strong heritability, high genetic gain, and remarkable heredity effects. The heritability of tree height and DBH were 0.825 and 0.781, and the genetic gains were 15.16% and 25.85%, respectively. Therefore, Shanhetun （SHT） and Xinglong （XIL） were determined to be excellent natural populations both in the growth, resistance and adaptation with growth traits as the main evaluation index, which could be widely applied in the advanced generation improvement breeding.

Study on the cytoplasmic incompatibility in some natural population of Culex pipiens complex in China and Japan

The cytoplasmic incompatibility in the field population of Culex pipiens complex from China and Japan was studied. The results of the crossing experiments between 11 different strains suggest that some Japanese strains might be possible to be used for control Chinese strains by using male sterile technique, and the heavy infection of wolbachiae in mosquitoes may have some relations with the cytoplasmic incompatibility in the field population of Cx. pipiens complex.

Patterns of variation in chemical compositions of wood from natural populations of Pinus manssoniana Lamb.in Guizhou Province,China

Patterns of variation in the chemical composition of wood, i.e., holocellulose, cellulose and lignin contents and 1% NaOH extractives were studied in 12 natural populations of Pinus manssoniana Lamb. in Guizhou Province, China, using wood cores as experiment material. The results show statistically significant differences among provenances in holocellulose, cellulose and 1% NaOH extractive contents. The largest coefficient of variation among the provenances was found in the 1% NaOH extractive content and the smallest in the holocellulose content. Variation of lignin content occurred within provenances. Correlations between chemi- cal compositions of wood and factors of local geography and meteorology were largely insignificant. The chemical composition of wood presented patterns of random variation. The correlation of 1% NaOH extractive content with holocellulose content was sig- nificant （r = -0.68）. There was also significantly negative correlation （r = -0.62） between cellulose and lignin content. On the basis of a UPGMA cluster analysis, we identified three provenances of masson pine among the 12 studied, i.e., those of Wengan, Tongzi and Luodian with high cellulose contents, low levels of 1% NaOH extractive and moderate lignin contents, which we recommend as promising provenances for growing of pulp wood and the manufacture of paper in Guizhou Province.

Life Table of Natural Population of Gastrolina depressa

[Objective]The paper was to understand the population development regularity of Gastrolina depressa in natural environment in Guizhou Province.[Method]The population dynamics of G.depressa was studied by establishing life table of natural population of G.depressa via field observation and calculating dynamic trend index of population.[Result]The mortality rates in egg stage,pupal stage and adult stage accounted for 26.42%,10.96%and 8.22%of the total mortality rate,respectively.The mortality rate in larval stage was the highest,accounting for 54.40%of the total mortality rate,higher than the total mortality rate in the other three stages.The population dynamic trend index I=9.25,I>1 indicated that the population showed an upward trend.[Conclusion]Under the natural conditions,the population of G.depressa shows upward trend,and human intervention is needed to control the population.The larval stage is the weak stage of the insect,which is the best time to control the insect.

Distribution Pattern Scale of Natural Toona ciliata Population

In order to research the population distribution pattern of endangered species Toona ciliata Roem., the sampling quadrats of 5 mx5 m and 3 m×3 m in size, accurate to 1 mxl m, were established in 2 newly-found only existing T. cili- ata Roem. communities （T1 and T2） with contiguous grid quadrate method, in the Nanhe River valley, Gucheng County. By X2 test, t-test of distribution coefficient Cx method, and F test of Morisita pattern index Iδ whether the distribution patterns of the T. ciliata Roem. populations conformed to Poisson distribution were checked. The results indicated that, population T1 was in Poisson distribution under 5 m×5 m and 3 m×3 m in size by Cx and 16 methods, but in clumped distribution pattern un- der 5 m×5 m in size by the Chi-square test; however, the population was in Pois- son distribution under the dimension of 3 m×3 m. Population T2 under human dis- turbance had higher population density, indicating clumped distribution under 3 above-mentioned tests. If Chi-square test is satisfied, a distribution pattern is in Poisson distribution, and size and quantity of sampling quadrats should be given pri- ority to; and if df is greater, both theoretical values and observed values tend to- wards normal distribution more probably, and the test of distribution pattern, there- fore will be more dependable.

Serum vitamin D levels of the natural population in eastern China

Objective To assess vitamin D levels in eastern China by a standard measurement.Methods The data were from a 2014 Survey on the Prevalence in East China for Metabolic Diseases and Risk Factors-China data base.There were 12 662 subjects included in this cross-sectional study from February 2014 to June 2016.We assessed the vitamin D levels of natural population by

Geographical differences of leaf traits of the endangered plant Litsea coreana Levl.var.sinensis and its relationship with climate

Seventeen morphological and anatomical characteristics of the leaves were selected from five natural populations to explore the variation in leaf traits of Lits ea core ana var.sinensis and the effects of geographical environment on these variations.Nested analysis of variance,multiple comparisons,principal component analysis(PCA),and correlation analysis were conducted to explore the variations within and between populations and their correlation with geographical and climatic factors.Significant differences in the 17 leaf traits were observed within and among populations.On average,the relative contribution of within population variation to total variation was 24.8%,which was lower than among population variation(54.6%).The average differentiation coefficient of the traits was 65.8%,and the average coefficient of variation 11.8%,ranging from6.7%for main vein thickness to 21.4%for petiole length.The PC A results showed that morphological characteristics were divided into two categories,and the level of variation was greater than that of leaf anatomy.Most of the leaf traits were significantly correlated with geography and climate and showed a gradual variation with longitude,latitude,and altitude.In areas with high temperatures,less rainfall,and strong seasonal rainfall,the leaves are larger,longer and thicker.This study shows that variations in leaf traits of L.coreana var.sinensis mainly come from variations among populations.The level of trait differentiation among populations is high and the level of variation within populations low.These findings help further understand leaf morphological characteristics of this species and can provide a valuable reference for the protection and sustainable utilization of this natural resource.

Leaf phenotypic variation of endangered plant Tetracentron sinense Oliv.and influence of geographical and climatic factors

To analyze the degree and pattern of phenotypic variation in leaves of Tetracentron sinense Oliv from the perspective of genetic and environmental adaptation and thus contribute to effective evidence-based conservation and management strategies for germplasm resources,we measured 17 morphological and epidermal micromorphological leaf traits from 24 natural populations of T.sinense.Nested analysis of variance,multiple comparison,principal component analysis(PCA),cluster analysis,and correlation analysis were used to explore phenotypic leaf variation among and within populations and potential correlations with geographic and environmental factors.There were significant differences in 17 leaf phenotypic traits among and within populations.The mean phenotypic differentiation coefficient of the 17 traits was 56.34%,and the variation among populations(36.4%)was greater than that within populations(27.2%).The coefficient of variation(CV)of each trait ranged from 4.6 to 23.8%,and the mean was 11.8%.Phenotypic variation of leaves was related to environmental factors such as average annual sunshine hours,average July temperature,and average annual rainfall.The variation changed along gradients of longitude,latitude,and altitude.The PCA clustered the 24 natural populations into four groups.Our study suggests that phenotypic variation in T.sinense occurred primarily among populations,with moderate levels of phenotypic differentiation among populations and low levels of phenotypic variation within populations.The plant’s poor adaptability to the environment is likely an important contributor to its endangerment.Accordingly,conservation strategies are proposed to protect and manage the natural populations of T.sinense.

New Class of Almost Unbiased Modified Ratio Cum Product Estimators with Knownparameters of Auxiliary Variables

This manuscript deals with new class of almost unbiased ratio cum product estimators for the estimation of population mean of the study variable by using the known values auxiliary variable. The bias and mean squared error of proposed estimators are obtained. An empirical study is carried out to assess the efficiency of proposed estimators over the existing estimators with the help of some known natural populations and it shows that the proposed estimators are almost unbiased and it perform better than the existing estimators.

The Questions On Jun Zhu′s Paper: A Model of the Age Patterns of Births by Parity in Natural Fertility Populations

When we read Mr. Jun Zhu′s paper: a model of the age patterns of births by parity in natural fertility populations published in Mathematical Population Studies, Vol.4(3), pp.153～173, 1994, it really surprised us by his creative ideas and perfect results. We studied the paper deliberately because it is a remarkable work, and could be a significant contribution to the modeling of fertility analysis. As some contents not perceivable to us, we would expect to discuss with Mr. Jun Zhu to make a clear comprehension of the models in the paper. Our aim is to lead the models and the theory more reliable and practical.

Genetic Diversity of Toona ciliata Populations based on SSR Markers

In order to provide a theoretical basis for the protection and development of T. ciliata germplasm resources, we studied the genetic diversity of T. ciliata by using SSR(Simple Sequence Repeat) primers to evaluate the genetic diversity of 192 T. ciliata germplasm samples from 24 populations of 5 provinces. Data Formater, Popgene, NTSYS, TFPGA and other software were used for genetic data conversion, genetic parameter estimation, dendrogram construction and genetic variation analysis. The results showed that: 1) a total of 17 alleles(Na) were detected in seven pairs of primers, with an average of 2.260 for each primer. Among them, the highest numbers of alleles(4) were detected in primers S11 and S422.The mean value of Nei’s genetic diversity index(H) was 0.4909, the mean value of Shannon information index(I) was 0.7321, and the mean value of polymorphic information content(PIC) was 0.5182. The mean expected heterozygosity(He) and observed heterozygosity(Ho) were 0.1055 and 0.4956, respectively. The Nei’s genetic distances of the populations ranged between 0.0002 and 2.6346, and the mean was 0.5477. The average genetic diversity level(H=0.1044) of the 24 populations was lower than that of the species(H=0.4909). 2) The genetic differentiation coefficients(Fst) varied from 0.2374 to 0.9148, with an average value of 0.7727. The mean of population gene flow(Nm) was 0.0735, indicating a low level of genetic exchange between populations, and suggesting that the genetic variation mainly came from within populations. 3) With the UPGMA method, the 24 populations were clustered into 3 groups at Nei’s genetic identity(0.99): the populations from Guizhou Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region were clustered into one group, the populations from Hunan Province were in another group, and the populations from Hubei Province were in the third group. The Mantel test analysis showed a significant correlation between Nei’s genetic distance and geographic distance(r=0.6318, P=0.009<0.05). The genetic diversity of the 24 populations of T. ciliata was at a low level. Geographic isolation was the main reason for genetic differentiation among T. ciliata provenances. In the protection of germplasm resources of T. ciliata, emphasis should be placed on breeding genetic resources from the populations with higher genetic diversity(P14, for example). As for the populations with low genetic diversity, an ex-situ protection strategy as well as ecological and timber objectives, should be taken into account to maximize the conservation and utilization of the diversity of T. ciliata.