Over the last decade, molecular phylogenetic studies have provided the foundation for a comprehensive analysis of the global diversification of songbirds (Oscines), which comprise nearly half of all the birds of the w...Over the last decade, molecular phylogenetic studies have provided the foundation for a comprehensive analysis of the global diversification of songbirds (Oscines), which comprise nearly half of all the birds of the world. By comparing the spatial distribution of species representing basal and terminal root-path groups, this paper provides graphical illustrations of the global pattern of diversification for the major songbird clades. The worldwide expansion of songbirds started as an island radiation in the area where New Guinea is now located, but the mountains of southern China represent a principal center for more recent diversification. The paper suggests priorities and perspectives for further research aiming to understand what determines the variation in biodiversity on different spatial scales.展开更多
Cyananthus Wallich ex Bentham, the only genus of Campanulaceae with superior ovary, is revised to clarify infrageneric relationships and phylogeny of the genus. Evidence obtained from the comparative gross morphology,...Cyananthus Wallich ex Bentham, the only genus of Campanulaceae with superior ovary, is revised to clarify infrageneric relationships and phylogeny of the genus. Evidence obtained from the comparative gross morphology, anatomy, palynology, and karyomorpho-logy recommends a new infrageneric classification of the genus, recognizing 23 species, belonging to two subgenera, four sections and four subsections. One subgenus(Subgen. Mi-cranthus), one section(Sect. Suffruticulosi) and two subsections(Subsect. Flavi and Sub-sect. Lichiangenses)are described as new taxa. New combinations at sectional (Sect. Annui) and subsectional(Subsect. Stenolobi) ranks are also proposed. The genus Cyananthus is strictly distributed in the high mountains of China(Xizang, Yunnan and Sichuan), extending to Bhutan, Nepal and India (Kumaon-Garhwal, Assam and Sikkim), with altitudinal ranges from 2500 ~ 5300 m. It is observed that 13 species are endemic to SW China and only three species are endemic to the Himalayas( two species in展开更多
Astragalus is a species-rich genus occurring in the western arid habitats in China and its diversification and infrageneric relationships in this region remain unclear. In the present study, based on molecular data, w...Astragalus is a species-rich genus occurring in the western arid habitats in China and its diversification and infrageneric relationships in this region remain unclear. In the present study, based on molecular data, we aim to （i） test whether Phyllolobium （previously treated as a subgenus Pogonophace in Astragalus） should be warranted; and （ii） date the origin of Phyllolobium and probable diversification of Astragalus sensu stricto （s.s.）. We sequenced five species from Phyllolobium first and collected all related sequences from the genus, Astragalus s.s and their close relatives （Oxytropis and Caragana etc.）. Our phylogenetic analyses suggested that all species of Phyllolobium comprise a monophyletic sister-group to genera of the subtribe Coluteinae. Molecular dating suggested that Phyllolobium and Astragalus s.s. originated around 8 and 10 million years ago. These two estimates are highly consistent with the intense uplifts of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau inferred from geological evidence. In addition, one section of Pogonophace （Sect. Robusti） was estimated to originate 2.5 million years ago and this section with a tendency for dry habitats seems to be evidence of Asian intensified aridity resulting from the intense uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.展开更多
基金the Danish National Research Foundation for funding the Center for Macroecology, volution and Climate
文摘Over the last decade, molecular phylogenetic studies have provided the foundation for a comprehensive analysis of the global diversification of songbirds (Oscines), which comprise nearly half of all the birds of the world. By comparing the spatial distribution of species representing basal and terminal root-path groups, this paper provides graphical illustrations of the global pattern of diversification for the major songbird clades. The worldwide expansion of songbirds started as an island radiation in the area where New Guinea is now located, but the mountains of southern China represent a principal center for more recent diversification. The paper suggests priorities and perspectives for further research aiming to understand what determines the variation in biodiversity on different spatial scales.
文摘Cyananthus Wallich ex Bentham, the only genus of Campanulaceae with superior ovary, is revised to clarify infrageneric relationships and phylogeny of the genus. Evidence obtained from the comparative gross morphology, anatomy, palynology, and karyomorpho-logy recommends a new infrageneric classification of the genus, recognizing 23 species, belonging to two subgenera, four sections and four subsections. One subgenus(Subgen. Mi-cranthus), one section(Sect. Suffruticulosi) and two subsections(Subsect. Flavi and Sub-sect. Lichiangenses)are described as new taxa. New combinations at sectional (Sect. Annui) and subsectional(Subsect. Stenolobi) ranks are also proposed. The genus Cyananthus is strictly distributed in the high mountains of China(Xizang, Yunnan and Sichuan), extending to Bhutan, Nepal and India (Kumaon-Garhwal, Assam and Sikkim), with altitudinal ranges from 2500 ~ 5300 m. It is observed that 13 species are endemic to SW China and only three species are endemic to the Himalayas( two species in
基金Supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (KSCX2-YW-2-069)National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC 30500035)Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, CAS, and China Scholarship Council (CSC) for supporting M.L. Zhang’s visit to the California Academy of Sciences
文摘Astragalus is a species-rich genus occurring in the western arid habitats in China and its diversification and infrageneric relationships in this region remain unclear. In the present study, based on molecular data, we aim to （i） test whether Phyllolobium （previously treated as a subgenus Pogonophace in Astragalus） should be warranted; and （ii） date the origin of Phyllolobium and probable diversification of Astragalus sensu stricto （s.s.）. We sequenced five species from Phyllolobium first and collected all related sequences from the genus, Astragalus s.s and their close relatives （Oxytropis and Caragana etc.）. Our phylogenetic analyses suggested that all species of Phyllolobium comprise a monophyletic sister-group to genera of the subtribe Coluteinae. Molecular dating suggested that Phyllolobium and Astragalus s.s. originated around 8 and 10 million years ago. These two estimates are highly consistent with the intense uplifts of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau inferred from geological evidence. In addition, one section of Pogonophace （Sect. Robusti） was estimated to originate 2.5 million years ago and this section with a tendency for dry habitats seems to be evidence of Asian intensified aridity resulting from the intense uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.
