Zheng and Li's innovative research group awarded

At the annual National Science and Technology Award Conference held on January 8,2016 in the People’s Great Hall,Beijing,the Comprehensive Diagnosis and Treatment of End-stage Liver Disease Innovative Research Group from the First Affiliated Hospital,Zhejiang University School of Medicine,led by Professors Shu-Sen Zheng and Lan-Juan Li,

Sexual selection and magic traits in speciation with gene flow

The extent to which sexual selection is involved in speciation with gene flow remains an open question and the sub- ject of much research. Here, we propose that some insight can be gained from considering the concept of magic traits （i.e., traits involved in both reproductive isolation and ecological divergence）. Both magic traits and other, ＂non-magic＂, traits can contribute to speciation via a number of specific mechanisms. We argue that many of these mechanisms are likely to differ widely in the ex- tent to which they involve sexual selection. Furthermore, in some cases where sexual selection is present, it may be prone to in- hibit rather than drive speciation. Finally, there are a priori reasons to believe that certain categories of traits are much more ef- fective than others in driving speciation. The combination of these points suggests a classification of traits that may shed light on the broader role of sexual selection in speciation with gene flow. In particular, we suggest that sexual selection can act as a driver of speciation in some scenarios, but may play a negligible role in potentially common categories of magic traits, and may be likely to inhibit speciation in common categories of non-magic traits [Current Zoology 58 （3）： 510-516, 2012].

Geographical variation of the acoustic signals in the spot-legged treefrog (Polypedates megacephalus) of Hainan Island

Geographical divergence in acoustic signals is often affected by multiple selective pressures.Environmental factors are expected to shape signals by adjusting for greater propagation efficiency.Nevertheless,such habitat-driven hypotheses have not been well-examined with multi-signal and multi-habitat types included simultaneously.In this study,we evaluated call similarity of the spot-legged treefrog(Polypedates megacephalus),characterized by multiple call types,from 11 geographic populations across Hainan Island.We also examined multiple factors(i.e.body mass,temperature,altitude,and vegetation)among different acoustical geographic clusters,and tested whether the variation in acoustic length and frequency among different habitats was in accordance with the predic-tion derived from the acoustic adaptation hypothesis.We showed that P.megacephalus from Hainan Island included 3 acoustic geographic clusters:the northeasternflatlands,the southwest mountains,and the hills around the moun-tains.We also showed that environmental factors(i.e.altitude and vegetation)varied across these 3 acoustically distinct areas.Moreover,the duration of the different call types supported the hypothesis that they should have opti-mal transmission in their own habitats.Thus,our results reveal the roles of ecological selection in the geographical divergence of anuran acoustic signals.

Genomic clines across the species boundary between a hybrid pine and its progenitor in the eastern Tibetan Plateau

Most species have clearly defined distribution ranges and ecological niches.The genetic and ecological causes of species differentiation and the mechanisms that maintain species boundaries between newly evolved taxa and their progenitors are,however,less clearly defined.This study investigated the genetic structure and clines in Pinus densata,a pine of hybrid origin on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau,to gain an understanding of the contemporary dynamics of species barriers.We analyzed genetic diversity in a range-wide collection of P.densata and representative populations of its progenitors,Pinus tabuliformis and Pinus yunnanensis,using exome capture sequencing.We detected four distinct genetic groups within P.densata that reflect its migration history and major gene-flow barriers across the landscape.The demographies of these genetic groups in the Pleistocene were associated with regional glaciation histories.Interestingly,population sizes rebounded rapidly during interglacial periods,suggesting persistence and resilience of the species during the Quaternary ice age.In the contact zone between P.densata and P.yunnanensis,3.36%of the analyzed loci(57849)showed exceptional patterns of introgression,suggesting their potential roles in either adaptive introgression or reproductive isolation.These outliers showed strong clines along critical climate gradients and enrichment in a number of biological processes relevant to high-altitude adaptation.This indicates that ecological selection played an important role in generating genomic heterogeneity and a genetic barrier across a zone of species transition.Our study highlights the forces that operate to maintain species boundaries and promote speciation in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and other mountain systems.