Functional trait and community phylogenetic analyses reveal environmental filtering as the major determinant of assembly of tropical forest tree communities in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot in India

Background: Improved understanding of the processes shaping the assembly of tropical tree communities is crucial for gaining insights into the evolution of forest communities and biological diversity. The climate is thought to be the first order determinant of abundance and distribution patterns of tree species with contrasting traits such as evergreen and deciduous leaf phenology. However, the relative role of neutral, and niche-based processes in the evolution of these patterns remain poorly understood.Methods: Here, we perform an integrated analysis of the data on tree species abundance, functional traits and community phylogeny from a network of 96 forest plots, each 1 ha in size, distributed along a broad environmental gradient in the central Western Ghats, India. Then, we determine the relative importance of various process in assembly and structuring of tropical forest communities with evergreen and deciduous leaf phenology.Results: The deciduous leaf phenological trait has repeatedly evolved among multiple distantly related lineages. Tree communities in dry deciduous forests were phylogenetically clustered and showed a low range and variance of functional traits related to light harvesting, reproduction, and growth suggesting niche-based processes such as environmental filtering play a vital role in the assembly of tree communities in these forests. The external factors such as human-mediated disturbance also significantly, but to a lesser extent, influences the species and phylogenetic turnover.Conclusions: These findings revealed that the environmental filtering plays a significant role in assembly of tree communities in the biologically diverse tropical forests in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot.

Population Ecology of the Endangered Himalayan Yew in Khokhan Wildlife Sanctuary of North Western Himalaya for Conservation Management

The Himalayan Yew (Taxus baccata subsp. wallichiana) is an endangered native high value medicinal plant of the Himalayan Region. The several medicinal properties of the bark and leaves of this species have increased its risk of extinction due to pressures for utilization. It is also subjected to harvest for fuelwood. The species does not regenerate well from seed and that is another risk factor. The objective of this research was to investigate the population ecology of the species as a foundation for its conservation. Six forest communities in the Khokhan Wildlife Sanctuary where the species is present were sampled. The abundance of the species, impacts of harvesting and its current regeneration patterns indicate that it may soon be extirpated from the Sanctuary. A plan for conserving the remaining sub-populations is presented. It could provide a template for conservation in other locations where the species is at risk.

A roadmap for breeding orphan leafy vegetable species: a case study of Gynandropsis gynandra (Cleomaceae)

Despite an increasing awareness of the potential of“orphan”or unimproved crops to contribute to food security and enhanced livelihoods for farmers,coordinated research agendas to facilitate production and use of orphan crops by local communities are generally lacking.We provide an overview of the current knowledge on leafy vegetables with a focus on Gynandropsis gynandra,a highly nutritious species used in Africa and Asia,and highlight general and species-specific guidelines for participatory,genomics-assisted breeding of orphan crops.Key steps in genome-enabled orphan leafy vegetables improvement are identified and discussed in the context of Gynandropsis gynandra breeding,including:(1)germplasm collection and management;(2)product target definition and refinement;(3)characterization of the genetic control of key traits;(4)design of the‘process’for cultivar development;(5)integration of genomic data to optimize that‘process’;(6)multi-environmental participatory testing and end-user evaluation;and(7)crop value chain development.The review discusses each step in detail,with emphasis on improving leaf yield,phytonutrient content,organoleptic quality,resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and post-harvest management.

National Forest Inventories capture the multifunctionality of managed forests in Germany

Background:Forests perform various important ecosystem functions that contribute to ecosystem services.In many parts of the world,forest management has shifted from a focus on timber production to multi-purpose forestry,combining timber production with the supply of other forest ecosystem services.However,it is unclear which forest types provide which ecosystem services and to what extent forests primarily managed for timber already supply multiple ecosystem services.Based on a comprehensive dataset collected across 150 forest plots in three regions differing in management intensity and species composition,we develop models to predict the potential supply of 13 ecosystem services.We use those models to assess the level of multifunctionality of managed forests at the national level using national forest inventory data.Results:Looking at the potential supply of ecosystem services,we found trade-offs(e.g.between both bark beetle control or dung decomposition and both productivity or soil carbon stocks)as well as synergies(e.g.for temperature regulation,carbon storage and culturally interesting plants)across the 53 most dominant forest types in Germany.No single forest type provided all ecosystem services equally.Some ecosystem services showed comparable levels across forest types(e.g.decomposition or richness of saprotrophs),while others varied strongly,depending on forest structural attributes(e.g.phosphorous availability or cover of edible plants)or tree species composition(e.g.potential nitrification activity).Variability in potential supply of ecosystem services was only to a lesser extent driven by environmental conditions.However,the geographic variation in ecosystem function supply across Germany was closely linked with the distribution of main tree species.Conclusions:Our results show that forest multifunctionality is limited to subsets of ecosystem services.The importance of tree species composition highlights that a lack of multifunctionality at the stand level can be compensated by managing forests at the landscape level,when stands of complementary forest types are combined.These results imply that multi-purpose forestry should be based on a variety of forest types requiring coordinated planning across larger spatial scales.

Benefitting from Geoinformatics: Estimating Floristic Diversity of Warwan Valley in Northwestern Himalaya,India

The Himalaya harbor rich floristic diversity which is of immense scientific interest and socio-economic importance.In this study, floristic diversity of a remote alpine valley has been studied based on information extracted from remotely sensed satellite data along with field surveys undertaken during 2008-2014.Analysis of vegetation information from satellite data revealed that ~75% of the area is covered with natural vegetation which comprises lush green coniferous forests, alpine pastures and alpine scrub lands.With inputs from vegetation information extracted from satellite data, comprehensive field surveys were planned to document the floristic diversity of the region.Analysis of species composition showed a total of 285 plant species,belonging to 191 genera in 60 families.Of these, 250 species are herbs, 14 shrubs, 2 sub-shrubs and 19 trees.The dicotyledons are represented by 240 species, monocotyledons 30, gymnosperms 04, andpteriodophytes 11 species.Asteraceae is the largest family with 35 species.During the present study, 5species（Corydalis cashmeriana, Hippophae rhamnoides, Primula minutissima, Saussurea sacra and Inula orientalis） have been recorded for the first time from this Himalayan region.The study demonstrates the benefits of geo-informatics in floristic studies, particularly the robustness of remotely sensed data in identifying areas with potentially high species richness, which would be otherwise difficult in a complex mountainous terrain using traditional floristic surveys alone.The present study is expected to provide baseline scientific data for cutting edge studies relating to long term ecological research, bioprospecting, possible impacts of changing climate on vegetation and sustainable use of plant resources in this Himalayan region.

GIS-based assessment of land-agroforestry potentiality of Jharkhand State, India

Scaling-up agroforestry area in various forms is a scientific path towards achieving various sustainable development goals(SDGs),especially improving livelihood,reducing poverty,conserving environment and biodiversity,and transforming climate change.In this study,the effort was made to investigate the land potentiality for agroforestry at the district level in Jharkhand State,India by applying geographic information system(GIS)modeling technology using climate(temperature and precipitation),topography(slope and elevation),ecology(percent tree cover and normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI)),and social economics(poverty rate and tribal dominance)factors.The results revealed that six districts of Jharkhand State had agroforestry potential greater than 60.00%.The highest agroforestry suitability was found in Simdega District(78.20%),followed by Pakur(76.25%),West Singhbhum(72.70%),Dumka(68.84%),Sahibganj(64.63%),and Godda(63.43%)districts.Additionally,we identified 513 out of 32,620 villages of Jharkhand State potentially suitable(agroforestry suitability≥80.00%)for agroforestry with the objective of life improvement among marginalized society.Under the outside forest area,8.58%of the total geographical land of Jharkhand State was wasteland,much of which was found suitable for agroforestry practices.The agroforestry setups in those wastelands can absorb 637 t carbon annually in long run and can provide direct economic benefits to the locals besides additional income for carbon emission reduction.This study concluded that Jharkhand State has plenty of high potential land for agroforestry,and adoption of agroforestry at the village level must be given high priority.This study could guide the nodal authorities to prepare appropriate strategies for scaling the tree cover in agroforestry systems in village-level landscape planning which needs policy attention and investment for achieving 9 out of the 17 SDGs.

Immune stress and diet influence reproductive fitness in male tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus)

The theoretical trade-off between immune and endocrine investment in mating animals has received mixed empirical support,particularly in reptiles.We investigated the relationship between male sexual characteristics,diet,and immune response to stress in an island population of tuatara(Sphenodon punctatus)across two mating seasons.Tuatara are promiscuous,with a highly skewed mating system where males face significant competition for access to mates and postcopulatory competition for fertilization success.We found that tuatara sperm viability and swim speed were negatively associated with male body condition and the ratio of heterophils to lymphocytes.Additionally,sperm swim speed was negatively associated with spine area,mite load,and the total number of circulating white blood cells,but was positively associated with tick number.This is likely a function of social dynamics in this system where larger male size predicts greater spatial overlap with potential rivals and increased tick load.Because the production of sexual characteristics may be costly,we also investigated the effect of diet on sperm quality.We did not identify an association between diet and sperm viability.However,sperm swim speed was negatively associated with carbon-13 and positively associated with nitrogen-15.We suspect that these results reflect the influence of seabird-based nutrients in this island ecosystem,particularly polyunsaturated fatty acid,and antioxidant damage on tuatara sperm.In total,these results provide evidence of a trade-off between pre-and post-copulatory sexual characteristics and the immune and endocrine systems in male tuatara.

A mite parasitoid,Pyemotes zhonghuajia,negatively impacts the fitness traits and immune response of the fall armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda

Parasitoids are key regulators in ecological communities and widely used as agents in biocontrol programmes.The fall armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda,recently invaded multiple continents and caused substantial economic losses in agriculture.Pyemotes zhonghuajia,a newly identified mite parasitoid,has shown potential for controlling various agricultural insect pests.Therefore,this study tested the performance of P.zhonghuajia in parasitising S.frugiperda.We also investigated the sublethal effects of parasitism by P.zhonghuajia on host fitness traits,transgenerational impacts,and cellular and humoral immunity.Our result showed that the fifth-instar larvae of S.frugiperda parasitised by 40 P.zhonghuajia were all dead(i.e.,a lethal effect),while parasitism by 5 or 10 P.zhonghuajia was considered sublethal since many S.frugiperda survived to adulthood and produced offspring after mating.The sublethal influences from parasitism by P.zhonghuajia resulted in reduced pupal weight,adult emergence rate and fecundity,but increased developmental time and longevity.Parasitism at both lethal(40 mites)and sublethal(10 mites)levels impaired the cellular and humoral immunity of S.frugiperda.This study presents the first empirical evidence that mite parasitoids can negatively influence host immunity.Moreover,it provides insights into the biocontrol potential of mite parasitoids and their interactions with hosts.

基于18S基因序列的姬小蜂分子系统发育(英文)

本文基于18S rDNA部分序列,用MP和Baysian方法研究了姬小蜂科的系统发育,对姬小蜂科的单系性及其与其它小蜂科间的关系进行了讨论。姬小蜂亚科、灿姬小蜂亚科和啮姬小蜂亚科形成三个独立的支系,研究结果支持它们各自的单系性,但本结果没有明确姬小蜂科的单系性。研究结果同时还支持瑟姬小蜂族、扁股姬小蜂族和狭面姬小蜂族三个族的地位,但不支持姬小蜂族的地位。姬小蜂科的单系性及其与其它小蜂间的关系还需更多的形态学数据和更多的基因序列来进一步研究[动物学报52 (2) : 288 -301 , 2006]。

基于分子系统学的可疑瑟姬小蜂分类修订及姬小蜂亚科盾纵沟的演化分析(英文)

姬小蜂为寄生蜂的演化研究提供了很好的材料。在姬小蜂分类中,盾纵沟是一个重要性状,曾被用来区分亚科、族、属及种。非同源性相似形态特征的存在使得物种准确鉴定存在困难。从盾纵沟形状上,可疑瑟姬小蜂Cirrospilus ambiguus和双斑潜蝇姬小蜂Diglyphus bimaculatus应介于瑟姬小蜂属Cirrospilus和潜蝇姬小蜂属Diglyphus之间。确定这两种姬小蜂的系统发育位置将有助于分析盾纵沟的演化模式。本文用贝叶斯方法分析了线粒体COⅠ部分序列、核糖体ITS1序列及核糖体28S D2区部分序列等3个基因序列,结果显示可疑瑟姬小蜂应被移到潜蝇姬小蜂属中;研究结果支持潜蝇姬小蜂属是单系,而不支持瑟姬小蜂属是单系。结合28S D2区部分序列的贝叶斯分析结果,分析了在姬小蜂亚科中盾纵沟的演化模式。结果显示,完整且延伸到中胸背板后缘的盾纵沟代表其原始类型;完整且延伸到三角片的盾纵沟类型分别出现在5个独立的枝上,代表了该特征5次独立的演化;不完整的盾纵沟类型出现在4个独立的枝上,表明该类型独立演化了4次。

榕小蜂基因共表达研究(英文)

榕小蜂的雌雄个体之间存在很大表型差异,以至于很难将雌雄个体彼此联系在一起.以对叶榕传粉榕小蜂作为材料,利用"加权基因共表达网络分析"软件(WGCNA),对榕小蜂的基因组和转录组进行分析,结果发现,5个基因共表达模块,分别用蓝色、蓝绿色、棕色、绿色和黄色标识,其中2个模块偏爱在雌蜂中表达,3个模块偏爱在蛹中表达.基因本体(GO)分析发现在蓝绿色和黄色表达模块中发现3个功能富集的基因集合.在蓝绿色基因表达模块中发现2个基因集合,分别与细胞周期和核苷酸结合活性有关;在黄色基因表达模块中发现1个基因结合,与细胞分化有关,尤其是与神经发育有关.

一种中国南海海绵Xestospongia testudinaria中化学成分的研究

综合运用正相和反相硅胶柱层析、Sephadex LH-20凝胶柱层析以及制备HPLC等分离方法,从1种中国南海海绵Xestospongia testudinaria中追踪分离抗肿瘤活性次级代谢产物。从95%乙醇提取物中分离获得8个单体化合物,通过NMR,MS等波谱技术鉴定其结构分别为:E-18,18-二溴-9,17-二烯-5,7-二炔硬脂酸甲酯(1),E-18,18-二溴-9,17-二烯-5,7-二炔硬脂酸乙酯(2),麦角甾-5,7,22-三烯-3-醇(3),麦角甾-4,6,8(14),22-四烯-3-酮(4),胆甾-4-烯-3-酮(5),3-吲哚醛(6),3-吲哚酸(7)和5-吲哚醛(8)。其中,化合物2-5和8为首次从该属海绵中分离得到。化合物1对肿瘤细胞株HCT116和A549显示较强的抑制活性。

How many species of Apodemus and Rattus occur in China？ A survey based on mitochondrial cyt b and morphological analyses

Apodemus （mice） and Rattus （rats） are the top rodent reservoirs for zoonoses in China,yet little is known about their diversity.We reexamined the alpha diversity of these two genera based on a new collection of specimens from China and their cyt b sequences in GenBank.We also tested whether species could be identified using external and craniodental measurements exclusively.Measurements from 147 specimens of Apodemus and 233 specimens of Rattus were used for morphological comparisons.We analysed 74 cyt b sequences of Apodemus and 100 cyt b sequences of Rattus to facilitate phylogenetic estimations.Results demonstrated that nine species of Apodemus and seven species of Rattus,plus a new subspecies of Rattus nitidus,are distributed in China.Principal component analysis using external and craniodental measurements revealed that measurements alone could not separate the recognized species.The occurrence of Rattus pyctoris in China remains uncertain.

Matrilineal History of the Rana longicrus Species Group(Rana,Ranidae,Anura) and the Description of a New Species from Hunan,southern China

Fieldwork in Jiemuxi National Nature Reserve, Hunan, China, discovered morphologically indis- tinguishable groups of brown frogs that bred at different, exclusive times of the year. A principal components analysis of morphometric data, molecular analyses, and the exclusive breeding season suggested the occurrence of two species. The population that breeds during the winter was found to be an undescribed species and was subsequently described as Rana jiemuxiensis sp. nov. The new cryptic species can be identified from its congeners at the same locality by having a different breeding season and a divergent DNA barcode, Six major lineages of brown frogs were resolved with high nodal support. Rana japonica, R. chaochiaoensis, R. omeimontis, and R. jiemuxiensis have independent maternal lineages. Rana hanlunica and R. maoershanensis have essentially identical maternal lineages and they appear to represent the same species. The validity of the species R. longicrus, R. zhenhaiensis, and R. culaiensis and their genealogical relationships are not resolved and deserve further study. The genealogy indicates that sympatric cryptic lineages probably widely exist in the R. longicrus group. This highlights the importance of future more fine-scaled samplings and the inclusion of nuclear genes.

Antifungal activity of Aegle marmelos(L.) Correa(Rutaceae) leaf extract on dermatophytes

Objective:To evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of Aegle marmelos leaf extracts and fractions on the clinical isolates of dermatophytic fungi like Trichophyton mentagrophytes,Trichophyton rubrum,Microsporum canis,Microsporum gypseum and Epidermophyton floccosum.Methods:The minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration(MFC) of various extracts and fractions of the leaves of Aegle marmelos were measured using method of National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards(NCCLS).Results:Aegle marmelos leaf extracts and fractions were found to have fungicidal activity against various clinical isolates of dermatophytic fungi.The MIC and MFC was found to be high in water and ethyl alcohol extracts and methanol fractions(200μg/mL) against dermatophytic fungi studied.Conclusions:Aegle marmelos leaf extracts significantly inhibites the growth of all dermatophytic fungi studied.If this activity is confirmed by in vivo studies and if the compound is isolated and identified,it could be a remedy for dermatophytosis.

Phytochemical constituents and antibacterial efficacy of the flowers of Peltophomm pterocarpum(DC.) Baker ex Heyne

Objective:To investigate the preliminary phytochemistry and antibacterial activity of the flower extract of Peltophorum pterocarpum.Methods:Phytochemical analysis was done by using the standard methods given by Harbone.The methanolic flower extract were tested against Escherichia coli,Klebsiella pneumonia,Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Staphylococcus aureus. Bacillus cereus,Salmonella typhi,Serratia marsecens,Acinetobacter baumannii.Enterobacter sp., Proteus mirabilis.Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus pyogenes by the agar disc diffusion method.Results:Preliminary phytochemical screening of flower extract showed the presence of phenolic compounds,flavonoids.saponins,steroids,tannins,xanthoproteic,carboxylic acids, coumarins and carbohydrates.The flower extract of Peltophorum pteroearpum showed significant activity against four gram positive(Staphylococcus aureus.Bacillus cereus.Enlerococcus faecalis and Streptococcus pyogenes) and three gram negative bacteria(Proteus mirabilis,Acinetohacter baumannii and Serratia marsecens).out of 12 pathogenic bacteria studied.Conclusion:The findings of the present study confirm the presence of significant antibacterial activity against human pathogens in the flowers of Peltophorum pleracarpum.

Antibacterial activity of selected ethnomedicinal plants from South India

Objective:To screen the antimicrobial potential of three ethnomedicinal plants Chassalia curviflora Thw.(C.curviflora),Cyclea peltata Hook.F.& Thomson(C.peltata) and Euphorbia hirta L(E.hirta) used in folk medicines in Aarukani hills Kani tribe,Tamil Nadu,India against human bacterial pathogens.Methods:Antibacterial efficacy was performed by disc diffusion method against the pathogens viz.,Escherichia coli(E.coli)(ATCC 35218),Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus)(ATCC 6538),Salmonella typhi(S.typhi)(MTCC 733),Proteus vulgaris(P.vulgaris), Proteus mirabilis(P.mirabilis) and Streptococcus pyogenes(S.pyogenes) and incubated for 24 h at 37°C.Results:The maximum degree of antibacterial activity was observed in C.peltata followed by C.curviflora.While E.hirta showed comparatively low degree of antibacterial activity.The methanolic extract of C.peltata showed the antibacterial activity against three pathogens viz.,S.pyogenes,P.vulgaris and E.coli with the inhibition zones 12 mm,10 mm and 9 mm,respectively,hexane extracts of C.peltata also showed the antibacterial activity against two selected pathogens viz.,P.vulgaris and P.mirabilis with 15 mm and 12 mm of inhibition zones.All the three different concentrations(025,0.50 & 0.75 mg/mL) of methanolic extract of C. peltata show the inhibitory effect on the three susceptible bacteria S.pyogenes,P.vulgaris and E. coli with the maximum inhibition in the highest concentration(0.75 mg/mL).The methanolic and hexane extracts of C.curviflora exhibited the antibacterial activity against only one bacterium each i.e.P.vulgaris and S.typhi with the maximum zone of inhibition 13 and 11 mm respectively. The methanolic and hexane extracts of E.hirta exhibited the antibacterial activity against only one bacterium Le.S.pyogenes with the maximum zone of inhibition 13 and 11 mm respectively. Conclusions:The present investigation revealed that the C.curviflora,C.peltata and E.hirta are potentially good source of antibacterial agents and demonstrates the importance of such plants in traditional medicines.

Reproductive Behavior and Underwater Calls in the Emei Mustache Toad,Leptobrachium boringii

The Emei mustache toad, Leptobrachium boringii （Megophryidae）, is terrestrial but breeds in permanent streams. Primarily, it has a polygynous mating system and polyandry also occurs. The species vigorously defends submerged nest sites. We report on a reproductive study at Mt. Emei, western China conducted in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2011 during the breeding season. Males produce both advertisement and courtship calls underwater, and the latter differs from the former in having an additional trill-like last note of low intensity. Females might determine the oviposition location and hence the egg mass location. A low, submissive posture can be adopted by the male to avoid being attacked by other males. When fighting, the maxillary nuptial spines are employed as weapons, and males hold their opponents on their spines with the forelimbs that enlarge during the breeding season. Male body size and the quantity of fight wounds on its ventral side are positively correlated. Satellite male mating might exist in L. boringii. Additionally, underwater calls from another population of this species and a population of L. leishanense generally are similar to those of the population from Mt. Emei.

Phylogenetic Relationships of the Genus Paramesotriton(Caudata: Salamandridae) with the Description of a New Species from Qixiling Nature Reserve, Jiangxi, Southeastern China and a Key to the species

The matrilineal genealogy of the genus Paramesotriton is hypothesized based on DNA sequences from mitochondrial NADH subunit two （ND2） and its flanking tRNAs （tRN^Arp and a partial tRNA^Ala）. The genealogy identifies a highly divergent, unnamed lineage from Qixiling Nature Reserve, Jiangxi, China and places it as the sister taxon of P. chinensis. The newly discovered population differs from other congeners by several features of external morphology including having large clusters of dark brown conical warts on the dorsum of the head, lateral surface of the body and dorsolateral ridges. Its intermittent dorsal vertebral ridge is the same color as other parts of the dorsum and tail narrows gradually from the base to the tip. Further, the new population differs from all congeners by an uncorrected P-distance of more than 9.38% in ND2. Consequently, we describe the new species of Asian warty newt （Salamandridae） as Paramesotriton qixilingensis sp. nov.

Antifungal activity of Ocimum sanctum Linn.(Lamiaceae) on clinically isolated dermatophytic fungi

Objective:To assess antifungal activity of Ocimum sanctum leaves against dermatophytic fungi. Methods:Antifungal activity of Ocimum sanctum leaves was measured by 38 A NCCLS method. Minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration(MFC) of various extracts and fractions of Ocimum sanctum leaves were also determined.Results:Ocimum sanctum leaves possessed antifungal activity against clinically isolated dermatophytes at the concentration of 200μg/mL.MIC and MFC were high with water fraction(200μg/mL) against dermatophytic fungi used.Conclusions:Ocimum sanctum has antifungal activity,and the leaf extracts may be a useful source for dermatophytic infections.