LociScan,a tool for screening genetic marker combinations for plant variety discrimination

To reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of plant genetic marker fingerprinting for variety discrimination,it is desirable to identify the optimal marker combinations.We describe a marker combination screening model based on the genetic algorithm(GA)and implemented in a software tool,Loci Scan.Ratio-based variety discrimination power provided the largest optimization space among multiple fitness functions.Among GA parameters,an increase in population size and generation number enlarged optimization depth but also calculation workload.Exhaustive algorithm afforded the same optimization depth as GA but vastly increased calculation time.In comparison with two other software tools,Loci Scan accommodated missing data,reduced calculation time,and offered more fitness functions.In large datasets,the sample size of training data exerted the strongest influence on calculation time,whereas the marker size of training data showed no effect,and target marker number had limited effect on analysis speed.

Temporal heterogeneity in climatic responses of four tree species in the Altai Mountains, northwest China

In the context of ongoing climate change,rela-tionships between tree growth and climate present uncertain-ties,which limits the predictions of future forest dynamics.Northwest China is a region undergoing notable warming and increased precipitation;how forests in this region will respond to climate change has not been fully understood.We used dendrochronological methods to examine the rela-tionship between climate and the radial growth of four tree species in a riparian forest habitat in Altai region:European aspen(Populus tremula),bitter poplar(Populus laurifolia),Swedish birch(Betula pendula),and Siberian spruce(Picea obovata).The results reveal that European aspen was insen-sitive to climate changes.In contrast,bitter poplar showed a positive response to elevated temperatures and negative to increased moisture during the growing season.Swedish birch and Siberian spruce were adversely affected by higher temperatures but benefited from increased precipitation.A moving correlation analysis suggested that,against a back-drop of continuous warming,growth patterns of these spe-cies will diverge:European aspen will require close moni-toring,bitter poplar may likely to show accelerated growth,and the growth of Swedish birch and Siberian spruce may be inhibited,leading to a decline.These findings offer insight into the future dynamics of riparian forests under changing climate.

Seedling potential of trees species along the elevational gradient in temperate hill forest of central Nepal

Regeneration status of tree species along elevation gradient in temperate hill forest was not understood greatly.Present research examined the tree diversity and its regeneration patterns along an elevation gradient in temperate hill forest,central Nepal.Data were collected from 300 sample plots within vertical elevation bands of 10,ranging from 1365 to 2450 m asl.A random sampling method was used for data collection in three seasons,winter,pre-monsoon and post monsoon seasons.Diameter at breast height(DBH)was used to broadly categorize the plant individual into trees,saplings and seedlings.The tree species richness ranged from 12 to 25 with density of 350 to 1200 individuals per hectare.Species richness of tree and sapling showed statistically significant unimodal pattern,which peaked at mid-elevation.Elevation showed a strong and positive linear correlation with the seedling density(Deviance=0.99,p<0.001)and a significant hump-shaped relationship with sapling density(Deviance=0.95,p<0.001).Similarly,elevations showed a statistically significant negative hump-shaped relationship with all trees,saplings and seedling stages(Deviances=0.89,0.87 and 0.57).The highest values of the Shannon-Wiener index and the lowest value of the Simpson index were found at mid-elevation for all growth forms.Nearly 92%of tree species were found at regenerating stage;49%in a good renewal regeneration status,32%in fair renewal regeneration,and 11%at a poor regenerating condition.Nevertheless,4%of tree species were reported as non-regenerating stages and 4%were newly introduced species.Hence,the regeneration status of the study area was considered fairly well since sapling(78.5%)>seedling(10.6%)≤mature(10.9%).Among tested environmental variables,elevation and annual mean rainfall were the most influential factors in the regeneration of tree species.

Climate-change habitat shifts for the vulnerable endemic oak species(Quercus arkansana Sarg.)

Quercus arkansana(Arkansas oak)is at risk of becoming endangered,as the total known population size is represented by a few isolated populations.The potential impact of climate change on this species in the near future is high,yet knowledge of its predicted effects is limited.Our study utilized the biomod2 R package to develop habi-tat suitability ensemble models based on bioclimatic and topographic environmental variables and the known loca-tions of current distribution of Q.arkansana.We predicted suitable habitats across three climate change scenarios(SSP1-2.6,SSP2-4.5,and SSP5-8.5)for 2050,2070,and 2090.Our findings reveal that the current suitable habitat for Q.arkansana is approximately 127,881 km^(2) across seven states(Texas,Arkansas,Alabama,Louisiana,Mississippi,Georgia,and Florida);approximately 9.5%is encompassed within state and federally managed protected areas.Our models predict that all current suitable habitats will disap-pear by 2050 due to climate change,resulting in a northward shift into new regions such as Tennessee and Kentucky.The large extent of suitable habitat outside protected areas sug-gests that a species-specific action plan incorporating pro-tected areas and other areas may be crucial for its conserva-tion.Moreover,protection of Q.arkansana habitat against climate change may require locally and regionally focused conservation policies,adaptive management strategies,and educational outreach among local people.

An unprotected vulnerable relict subtropical conifer-Keteleeria evelyniana: Its forests, populations, growth and endangerment by invasive alien plant species in China

Relict subtropical coniferous forests in China face severe fragmentation,resulting in declining populations,and some are under significant threat from invasive alien species.Despite the crucial importance of understanding forest dynamics,knowledge gaps persist,particularly regarding the impact of invasive plants on vulnerable natives like Keteleeria evelyniana.In this study,we investigated the impact of invasive plants on the regeneration of forests dominated by K.evelyniana,a subtropical relict species in southwestern China.For this purpose,we characterized forest dynamics of 160 forest plots featuring K.evelyniana as the primary dominant species and determined whether the presence of invasive plants was correlated with regeneration of K.evelyniana.We identified four distinct forest types in which K.evelyniana was dominant.We found that radial growth of K.evelyniana trees is faster in younger ageclasses today than it was for older trees at the same age.The population structure of K.evelyniana in each forest type exhibited a multimodal age-class distribution.However,three forest types lacked established saplings younger than 10 years old,a situation attributed to the dense coverage of the invasive alien Ageratina adenophora.This invasive species resulted in a reduction of understory species diversity.Additionally,our analysis uncovered a significant negative correlation in phylogenetic relatedness(net relatedness index)between native and invasive alien plant species in eastern Yunnan.This suggests closely related invasive species face heightened competition,hindering successful invasion.Taken together,our findings indicate that successful establishment and habitat restoration of K.evelyniana seedling/saplings require effective measures to control invasive plants.

Detecting the distribution of and public attitudes to charismatic alien species based on media coverage

Charismatic species are often reported by the media,providing information for detecting population status and public perception.To identify the number and distribution of free-living Black Swan(Cygnus atratus),a charismatic alien species in Chinese mainland and to detect the public and the media attitudes to the species,we analyzed the reports and emotional tendency from media coverage in 2000-2022 using manual reading,crawler extraction and latent Dirichlet allocation.A total of 6654 Black Swans were reported at 711 sites,including 147 individuals at 30 nature reserves.Successful breeding was reported at one-fourth of the total sites,including five nature reserves.The proportion of positive emotional tendency to Black Swans was overwhelming in the reports and was higher than that to alien species in general,suggesting that the public and the media are unaware of the risk of biological invasion.Effective management of invasive species requires the media clarifies the invasion risk of charismatic alien species.Promoting the unity between the harmfulness of abstract concept of alien species and the charisma of a specific alien species among the public help effective management.

Species’ geographical range, environmental range and traits lead to specimen collection preference of dominant plant species of grasslands in Northern China

Many different factors,such as species traits,socio-economic factors,geographical and environmental factors,can lead to specimen collection preference.This study aims to determine whether grassland specimen collection in China is preferred by species traits(i.e.,plant height,flowering and fruiting period),environmental range(i.e.,the temperature and precipitation range)and geographical range(i.e.,distribution range and altitudinal range).Ordinary least squares models and phylogenetic generalized linear mixed models were used to analyze the relationships between specimen number and the explanatory variables.Random Forest models were then used to find the most parsimonious multivariate model.The results showed that interannual variation in specimen number between 1900 and 2020 was considerable.Specimen number of these species in southeast China was notably lower than that in northwest China.Environmental range and geographical range of species had significant positive correlations with specimen number.In addition,there were relatively weak but significant associations between specimen number and species trait(i.e.,plant height and flowering and fruiting period).Random Forest models indicated that distribution range was the most important variable,followed by flowering and fruiting period,and altitudinal range.These findings suggest that future floristic surveys should pay more attention to species with small geographical range,narrow environmental range,short plant height,and short flowering and fruiting period.The correction of specimen collection preference will also make the results of species distribution model,species evolution and other works based on specimen data more accurate.

N-fixing tree species promote the chemical stability of soil organic carbon in subtropical plantations through increasing the relative contribution of plant-derived lipids

Biodiversity experiments have shown that soil organic carbon(SOC)is not only a function of plant diversity,but is also closely related to the nitrogen(N)-fixing plants.However,the effect of N-fixing trees on SOC chemical stability is still little known,especially with the compounding effects of tree species diversity.An experimental field manipulation was established in subtropical plantations of southern China to explore the impacts of tree species richness(i.e.,one,two,four and six tree species)and with/without N-fixing trees on SOC chemical stability,as indicated by the ratio of easily oxidized organic carbon to SOC(EOC/SOC).Plant-derived C components in terms of hydrolysable plant lipids and lignin phenols were isolated from soils for evaluating their relative contributions to SOC chemical stability.The results showed that N-fixing tree species rather than tree species richness had a significant effect on EOC/SOC.Hydrolysable plant lipids and lignin phenols were negatively correlated with EOC/SOC,while hydrolysable plant lipids contributed more to EOC/SOC than lignin phenols,especially in the occurrence of N-fixing trees.The presence of N-fixing tree species led to an increase in soil N availability and a decrease in fungal abundance,promoting the selective retention of certain key components of hydrolysable plant lipids,thus enhancing SOC chemical stability.These findings underpin the crucial role of N-fixing trees in shaping SOC chemical stability,and therefore,preferential selection of N-fixing tree species in mixed plantations is an appropriate silvicultural strategy to improve SOC chemical stability in subtropical plantations.

Caulerpa J. V. Lamouroux (1809) (Chlorophyta: Bryopsidales) Species and Sites in Eastern Samar, Central Philippines

A descriptive survey was conducted in Eastern Samar to identify the Caulerpa species, sites where these species exhibit massive populations, and the most preferred edible species. Results revealed that only four of the eleven species, C. racemosa, C. lentillifera, C. chemnitzia var. peltata, and C. cylindracea, have massive populations;The four Caulerpa sites are the municipalities of Arteche, Guiuan, Salcedo (Matarinao Bay) and Quinapondan, and species C. racemosa, C. lentillifera, and C. chemnitzia var. peltata are most preferred edible species which are considered in the local diet. The study concludes that the distribution of Caulerpa in Eastern Samar is area-specific and should therefore be considered in resource planning and management, particularly in relation to aquaculture.

Impacts of Aggregation Methods and Trophospecies Number on the Structure and Function of Marine Food Webs

Aggregation of species with similar ecological properties is one of the effective methods to simplify food web researches.However,species aggregation will affect not only the complexity of modeling process but also the accuracy of models’outputs.Selection of aggregation methods and the number of trophospecies are the keys to study the simplification of food web.In this study,three aggregation methods,including taxonomic aggregation(TA),structural equivalence aggregation(SEA),and self-organizing maps(SOM),were analyzed and compared with the linear inverse model–Markov Chain Monte Carlo(LIM-MCMC)model.Impacts of aggregation methods and trophospecies number on food webs were evaluated based on the robustness and unitless of ecological net-work indices.Results showed that aggregation method of SEA performed better than the other two methods in estimating food web structure and function indices.The effects of aggregation methods were driven by the differences in species aggregation principles,which will alter food web structure and function through the redistribution of energy flow.According to the results of mean absolute percentage error(MAPE)which can be applied to evaluate the accuracy of the model,we found that MAPE in food web indices will increase with the reducing trophospecies number,and MAPE in food web function indices were smaller and more stable than those in food web structure indices.Therefore,trade-off between simplifying food webs and reflecting the status of ecosystem should be con-sidered in food web studies.These findings highlight the importance of aggregation methods and trophospecies number in the analy-sis of food web simplification.This study provided a framework to explore the extent to which food web models are affected by dif-ferent species aggregation,and will provide scientific basis for the construction of food webs.

Tree allometry responses to competition and complementarity in mixed-species plantations of Betula alnoides

Tree allometry plays a crucial role in tree survival,stability,and timber quantity and quality of mixed-species plantations.However,the responses of tree allometry to resource utilisation within the framework of interspecific competition and complementarity remain poorly understood.Taking into consideration strong-and weakspace competition(SC and WC),as well as N_(2)-fixing and non-N_(2)-fixing tree species(FN and nFN),a mixedspecies planting trial was conducted for Betula alnoides,a pioneer tree species,which was separately mixed with Acacia melanoxylon(SC+FN),Erythrophleum fordii(WC+FN),Eucalyptus cloeziana(SC+nFN)and Pinus kesiya var.langbianensis(WC+nFN)in southern China.Six years after planting,tree growth,total nitrogen(N)and carbon(C)contents,and the natural abundances of^(15)N and^(13)C in the leaves were measured for each species,and the mycorrhizal colonisation rates of B.alnoides were investigated under each treatment.Allometric variations and their relationships with space competition and nutrient-related factors were analyzed.The results showed a consistent effect of space competition on the height-diameter relationship of B.alnoides in mixtures with FN or nFN.The tree height growth of B.alnoides was significantly promoted under high space competition,and growth in diameter at breast height(DBH),tree height and crown size were all expedited in mixtures with FN.The symbiotic relationship between ectomycorrhizal fungi and B.alnoides was significantly influenced by both space competition and N_(2) fixation by the accompanying tree species,whereas such significant effects were absent for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.Furthermore,high space competition significantly decreased the water use efficiency(WUE)of B.alnoides,and its N use efficiency(NUE)was much lower in the FN mixtures.Structural equation modeling further demonstrated that the stem allometry of B.alnoides was affected by its NUE and WUE via changes in its height growth,and crown allometry was influenced by the mycorrhizal symbiotic relationship.Our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms driving tree allometric responses to above-and belowground resource competition and complementarity in mixed-species plantations,which are instructive for the establishment of mixed-species plantations.

Boehmeria nivea var. strigosa (Urticaceae), a new variety from Southwest China

Boehmeria nivea var.strigosa Zeng Y.Wu&Y.Zhao,a new variety of B.nivea(Urticaceae)from Southwest China,is here described based on evidence from morphology and molecular phylogeny.This new variety is mainly characterized by its green abaxial leaf blade,partly connate stipules,and densely patent strigose hairs on stems and potioles.The phylogenetic analysis based on rbc L,nrDNA and rbc L+nrDNA datasets,revealed that all individuals of B.nivea var.strigosa formed a monophyletic group.The conservation status of B.nivea var.strigosa is assessed as“Near Threatened”(NT)according to IUCN evaluation criteria.The discovery of this new variety is not only crucial for the taxonomy of ramie,but also provides reference for the exploration and utilization of ramie.

Polypore funga and species diversity in tropical forest ecosystems of Africa,America and Asia,and a comparison with temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere

Polypores play a cru cial role in energy recycling and forest regeneration in forest ecosystems.The majority of them are wood degraders;some are forest pathogens and others are ectomycorrhizal symbionts.The basidiocarps provide food and shelter for many organisms,mostly invertebrates,but also some vertebrates,as well as food and medicine for humans.Despite extensive research on the species diversity and phylogenetic relationships of polypores in recent years,there remains a lack of comprehensive understanding of their distribution patterns and species composition at the large scale.Checklists of polypores from the tropical zone,including tropical Africa,tropical America,and tropical Asia,were analyzed for species diversity,distribution patterns,major taxa,and nutritional modes.A total of 1,902 polypore species was found in the three regions,representing 8 orders,46families,and 250 genera of Agaricomycetes.The orders Polyporales(especially the family Polyporaceae)and Hymenochaetales(especially the family Hymenochaetaceae)had the most prolific taxa,with their species accounting for 93.4%of the total polypores listed.Each of 1,565(or 82.3%)of the total 1,902 species were found in only one of the three regions studied,and we treat them temporarily as"regional endemic species".Only 141species were shared among all three regions,accounting for a mere 7.4%.Tropical Africa and tropical America had the greatest number of shared species and the highest S?rensen similarity index(SC)value.Tropical forests had a higher species richness compared with temperate to boreal forests of the Northern Hemisphere,and in addition,also a higher proportion of white rot polypores compared to brown rot and ectomycorrhizal species.This study outlines the distribution patterns and species diversity of polypores in the world,shedding light on their ecological significance in diverse ecosystems.

Community structure and species diversity dynamics of a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in China:2005 to 2020

Here,we characterize the temporal and spatial dynamics of forest community structure and species diversity in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in China.We found that community structure in this forest changed over a 15-year period.Specifically,renewal and death of common species was large,with the renewal of individuals mainly concentrated within a few populations,especially those of Aidia canthioides and Cryptocarya concinna.The numbers of individual deaths for common species were concentrated in the small and mid-diameter level.The spatial distribution of community species diversity fluctuated in each monitoring period,showing a more dispersed diversity after the 15-year study period,and the coefficient of variation on quadrats increased.In 2010,the death and renewal of the community and the spatial variation of species diversity were different compared to other survey years.Extreme weather may have affected species regeneration and community stability in our subtropical monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forests.Our findings suggest that strengthening the monitoring and management of the forest community will help better understand the long-and short-term causes of dynamic fluctuations of community structure and species diversity,and reveal the factors that drive changes in community structure.

Highly selective photocatalytic reduction of CO_(2) to CH_(4) on electron-rich Fe species cocatalyst under visible light irradiation

Efficient photocatalytic reduction of CO_(2) to high-calorific-value CH4,an ideal target product,is a blueprint for C_(1)industry relevance and carbon neutrality,but it also faces great challenges.Herein,we demonstrate unprecedented hybrid SiC photocatalysts modified by Fe-based cocatalyst,which are prepared via a facile impregnation-reduction method,featuring an optimized local electronic structure.It exhibits a superior photocatalytic carbon-based products yield of 30.0μmol g^(−1) h^(−1) and achieves a record CH_(4) selectivity of up to 94.3%,which highlights the effectiveness of electron-rich Fe cocatalyst for boosting photocatalytic performance and selectivity.Specifically,the synergistic effects of directional migration of photogenerated electrons and strongπ-back bonding on low-valence Fe effectively strengthen the adsorption and activation of reactants and intermediates in the CO_(2)→CH_(4) pathway.This study inspires an effective strategy for enhancing the multielectron reduction capacity of semiconductor photocatalysts with low-cost Fe instead of noble metals as cocatalysts.

Recent advances in the synthesis, characterization, and catalytic consequence of metal species confined within zeolite for hydrogen-related reactions

Zeolites-encapsulated metal and metal oxide species are important heterogeneous catalysts.They give performances that steadily outperform traditional supported catalysts in many important reactions and have become a research hotspot.Remarkable achievements have been made with respect to the synthesis,characterization,and performances of metal species(typically metal and metal oxide clusters)confined in zeolites.The development in the strategies for the encapsulation of metal species including posttreatment and in situ synthesis method are introduced and compared.For the characterization of zeoliteencapsulated metal catalysts,the structural and surface properties of metal species are studied by several useful techniques,such as electron microscopy,X-ray absorption(XAS),Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of CO(FTIR-CO),and chemisorption,which confirm the successful confinement of metal species in zeolites and their unique physiochemical properties.In addition,the encapsulation fraction can be determined by a probe molecular titration reaction.For the catalytic performance of zeoliteencapsulated metal catalysts,the activity,selectivity,and stability are emphasized.Finally,applications of zeolite-encapsulated metal catalysts in hydrogen-related reactions are summarized.

Effect of Variety and Plant Spacing on Growth and Yield of Groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.)

A field experiment was carried out to determine the effect of variety and plant spacing on yield and growth of groundnuts. The field experiment was laid in a 3 × 3 factorial experiment in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three (3) replications. The factor A included three (3) groundnut varieties (Nkatie Sari, Sum Nutt 22 and Yenyawoso) and Factor B was the three (3) spacing of 30 cm × 15 cm, 30 cm × 30 cm and 30 cm × 40 cm. All recommended agronomic practices were followed. Data was collected from eight (8) tagged plants. Growth data were recorded on plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, and the number of flowers while yield data were collected on the number of flowers, number of pods per plant, 100 seeds weight and the pod yield (kg/ha). The plant spacing significantly influenced (P < 0.05) the growth and yield parameters. Groundnut grown at a spacing of 30 cm × 15 cm produced the maximum plant height, whereas the maximum number of leaves, number of branches and number of flowers were produced from 30 cm × 40 cm. Yenyawoso variety with a wider plant spacing performed better vegetatively among all the varieties. The Yenyawoso variety produced the highest number of pods, 100 seeds weight and pod yield as compared to the other varieties. Also, Yenyawoso at 30 cm × 40 cm spacing and Nkatie Sari at 30 cm × 15 cm spacing produced the maximum pod yield.

The Influence of Gratering, Fermentation and Variety on the Physio-Chemical Quality of Cassava Starch

The study was conducted to determine the influence of gratering and fermentation parameters on the physicochemical quality of starch obtained from two cassava varieties in Sierra Leone (i.e., SLICASS 11 and SLICASS 6). Fresh cassava roots harvested from the Department of Agricultural Engineering were peeled, washed and grated before fermentation and starch extraction. Fermentation was carried out under separate aerobic and anaerobic conditions for a period of Seven days. Physicochemical analyses were conducted at the Postharvest Food and Bioprocess Engineering Laboratory of the Department of Agricultural and Bio-System Engineering, Njala University to determine the solubility, water absorption capacity and swelling power of starch extracts obtained from various experimental treatments. Fermentation method and duration had significant effects on the solubility, water absorption capacity (WAC) and swelling power (SP) of starch extracts. Maximum solubility and WAC were recorded on the fifth day, for both cassava varieties tested, with apparent significant difference resulting from the two gratering bands (i.e., with 1.5-inch nail hole and 4-inch nail hole sizes, respectively). While swelling power increased consistently with temperature for starch obtained from SLICASS-11 variety, an irregular pattern was observed for SLICASS-6 variety. A multiple correlation analysis proposes a significant and weak correlation between temperature, WAC (+0.150) and swelling power (+0.048). Also multiple correlation analyses suggest a significant correlation between fermentation period, the functional properties of starch extracts obtained from both fermentation methods and cassava varieties (i.e., solubility (−0.226), water absorption capacity (+0.301) and swelling power (+0.329)).

Biology of Flowering of Some Species of the Genus Phlomoides Moench

The article presents the biology of flowering and the daily dynamics of flowering of two species from the Lamiaceae family: ph. anisochila va ph. sogdiana of the distribution out in the Nuratau Mountains range.

Shells in the cabinet:four new species of Tellinidae(Mollusca:Bivalvia:Tellinoidea)identified from existing South China Sea collections

Four species new to science were identified in the Tellinidae museum collections in the Marine Biological Museum of Chinese Academy of Sciences.Pinguitellina triquetra sp.nov.,collected in 1981,has not previously been described or reported.It differs from other Pinguitellina species by its trigonal shape,rose-colored valve interior,and deep and wide pallial sinus,which is confluent with the pallial line.Pinguitellina protuberangla sp.nov.has a broad and deep dorsal corner,short and straight posterodorsal margin,comparatively large adductor scars,depressed and fragile shells,and deep socket at the anterior edge of the right valve.Pinguitellina minuta sp.nov.was previously misidentified as Arcopella casta in China.It is a new species based on its unique characteristics,which include small,fragile,inflated,translucent,and triangularly ovate-shaped shells with acuminated and convex umboes.As the first species described in China within the genus Abranda Iredale,1924,Abranda xui sp.nov.has internal ligaments and thin,fragile,and translucent elliptical shells with fine radials on the surface.In this study,we reorganized the species currently contained in the two genera Pinguitellina and Abranda and created keys to the known species.We believe that numerous collected bivalve specimens have been overlooked in the South China Sea,and to date,mollusk has not been adequately sampled.Thus,further exploration and analysis are required to understand species diversity in this area.