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To determine the role of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) in the identification of Spatholobus suberectus and explore the genetic diversity of S. suberectus. A total of 292 ITS2s from S. suberectus and 17 other plant species were analysed. S. suberectus was clustered separately in the phylogenetic tree. The genetic distance between species was greater than that within S. suberectus. Synonymous substitution rate (Ks) analysis revealed that ITS2 diverged the most recently within S. suberectus (Ks = 0.0022). These findings suggested that ITS2 is suitable for the identification of S. suberectus. The ITS2s were divided into 8 haplotypes and 4 evolutionary branches on the basis of secondary structure, indicating that there was variation within S. suberectus. Evolutionary analysis revealed that the GC content of paired regions (pGC) was greater than that of unpaired regions (upGC), and the pGC showed a decreasing trend, whereas the upGC remained unchanged. Single-base mutation was the main cause of base pair substitution. In both the initial state and the equilibrium state, the substitution rate of GC was higher than that of AU. The increase in the GC content was partly attributed to GC-biased gene conversion (gBGC). High GC content reflected the high recombination and mutation rates of ITS2, which is the basis for species identification and genetic diversity. We characterized the sequence and structural characteristics of S. suberectus ITS2 in detail, providing a reference and basis for the identification of S. suberectus and its products, as well as the protection and utilization of wild resources.
Subject(s)
Genetic Variation , Phylogeny , Base Composition , DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/genetics , Evolution, Molecular , Haplotypes , Fabaceae/geneticsABSTRACT
Cyrtomiumadenotrichum Y. Nong & R.H. Jiang (Dryopteridaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. This new species is similar to C.nephrolepioides (Christ) Copel., C.obliquum Ching & K. H. Shing ex K. H. Shing, C.sinningense Ching & K. H. Shing ex K. H. Shing and C.calcis Liang Zhang, N.T.Lu & Li Bing Zhang in having erect rhizomes, dense, leathery lamina and rounded sori, but it can be easily distinguishable by its stipe sparsely glandular, base obvious oblique, basiscopic base truncate, acroscopic base auriculate or ovate.
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Aletrisguangxiensis Y. Nong & Y. F. Huang (Nartheciaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. This new species is most similar to A.scopulorum, but it can be easily distinguished by its sparsely glandular, 5-18 cm long scape, glandular inflorescence axis, distinctly pedicellate flowers, sparsely glandular, 5-10 mm long pedicel, bract borne at base of pedicel, glabrous perianth divided to the base, strongly recurved or revolute perianth lobes and turbinate, obovoid to oblong-obovoid capsule. An identification key for 24 species and 1 hybrid of Aletris is also provided.
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Walsuraguangxiensis (Meliaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China, is here described and illustrated. The new species is easily distinguishable from the other two Chinese members of the genus by its petals being pale yellow, filaments being connate into tubes above the middle, the berry being oval and glabrous. An identification key of Walsura for 17 species is also provided.
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Lysimachiacavicola (Subgen. Idiophyton, Primulaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China, is here described and illustrated based on morphological data. Although it shares similarities with L.microcarpa, L.fooningensis, and L.capillipes, there are distinguishing characteristics that set it apart. These include erect stems either solitary or in clusters of 1 to 2, herbaceous, terete, and densely glandular hairy. The leaves are either ovate or elliptical lanceolate, with inconspicuously reticulate veins. The petiole measures 2-4 mm in length covered with minute glandular hairy. The corolla is deeply parted, measuring 6-8 mm in length, with narrowly elliptic or narrowly oblong lobes that are 1-2 mm wide. The capsule is globose, measuring 2-3 × 2-3 mm, and possesses a chalky, brittle texture, which splits into 5-valved segments. The calyx of the plant appears yellowish-white during fruiting. This newly discovered species is endemic to limestone areas in Fengshan County, Guangxi, China.
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Mitreolaquanruii, a new species from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated in this study. It is morphologically similar to M.liuyanii because of the terete stems, creeping and branched at the base, the leaves which are pilose on both surfaces and the bilobed capsules with two erect horns. The new species can be distinguished from M.liuyanii by its taller habit, up to 20-50 cm tall, its linear leaves, 4-18 × 0.3-1 cm with acuminate apex and 8-10 pairs of lateral veins, its narrowly triangular stipules, its linear bracts, ca. 1.0 cm long and glabrous and its glabrous calyx. Mitreolaquanruii is temporarily assessed as data deficient (DD) according to IUCN. The habitat of Mitreolaquanruii is extremely fragile. Therefore, this species deserves close attention and protection.
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The Baiku Yao community in China has traditionally used the Lindera pulcherrima var. attenuate (LPA) leaves as a staple food source, diverging from the common reliance on grains and plant roots worldwide. This study comprehensively analyzes LPA's nutritional composition and local usage practices through field observations and laboratory testing. Our results show that LPA contains significant levels of starch, protein, and dietary fiber and is rich in trace elements, vitamin E, and flavonoids. These findings not only support the community's traditional knowledge of LPA as a valuable food and feed source but also highlight its potential as a sustainable and innovative ingredient for new food and feed products. By filling a gap in our scientific understanding of LPA, this study may contribute to developing novel and eco-friendly agricultural practices and promote regional economic growth.
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BACKGROUND: Baiku Yao is an ancient branch of the Yao people in China who have the custom of maintaining homegardens. The local government has relocated some villagers to improve their livelihood. To study the characteristics of Baiku Yao homegardens and the impact of relocation, we conducted an ethnobotanical study on homegardens in the relocated villages of Huaili and Yaozhai and in the ancient villages of Yaoshan and Duonu from January 2019 to May 2022. METHOD: Data on homegarden plants were collected through semi-structured interviews with homegarden households. A total of 4 villages (i.e., two relocated and two ancient villages) were selected for detailed investigation. In each village, 60 homegardens were chosen randomly. In addition, the RFC index and Jaccard value were used to analyze and evaluate the homegarden plants we recorded. RESULT: The study recorded a total of 213 species of homegarden plants with approximately 11 functions. Baiku Yao homegardens are small in size but rich in species and functions, and their utilization efficiency is extremely high. The Jaccard value shows that the homegarden plants in Huaili and Yaozhai have the highest similarity. Neighborhood sharing and market purchasing are the two most important sources of local homegarden plants. Additionally, medicine and food are the two most important uses of homegarden plants. Ornamental plants also play a significant part, especially in relocated villages. The comparisons indicate that the diversity of homegarden plants in the investigated ancient villages is better preserved than in relocated villages. Due to frequent exchanges between the villages and the outside world, Yaoshan Village, as an older relocated village, maintains a good traditional culture in its homegardens. As a newly relocated village, Duonu Community has developed a complicated homegarden system with only much less plant diversity. The development of local tourism has also impacted the composition of homegarden plants. The study found that plants such as Zea mays, Morus alba, and Capsicum annuum are closely related to local life and livelihood. CONCLUSION: The traditional knowledge of homegarden plants in investigated ancient villiages maintained good diversity and has been affected much less by the modernization and tourism industry development compared to the relocated villages. The composition of homegarden plants is closely connected to the local livelihood. In the future development of Baiku Yao communities, protecting homegarden plant diversity and functional diversity is crucial.
Subject(s)
Ethnobotany , Food , Humans , China , CultureABSTRACT
Close-to-nature transformation silviculture is a promising approach to meet the criteria for sustainable forestry. To explore the effects of close-to-nature transformation on community structure and plant diversity in Pinus massoniana and Cunninghamia lanceolatas pure plantations, four stands were selected, including close-to-nature transformed stand of P. massoniana (PCN) and its unimproved pure stand (PCK), and close-to-nature transformed stand of C. lanceolata (CCN) and its unimproved pure stand (CCK). Plant diversity and community structure in the four stands were investigated before and after a decade of close-to-nature transformation. After the close-to-nature transformation, the plant diversity and community structure were significantly altered. Compared with control stands, the transformation increased the species richness and diversity of the tree layer and the whole community, while did not significantly affected the shrub and herb diversity. The species richness in the tree layer in the P. massoniana and C. lanceolata plantations was 2.1 and 2.8 times that of their corresponding control. Species composition and important value of each species were altered in the tree, shrub and herb layers. The close-to-natural transformation lowered the community dominance and the important value of P. massoniana and C. lanceolate. The advantage position of single species in the community was weakened by the forest transformation. The plant community became diversified and uniformly distributed. The enhanced community species diversity was derived from the increase in the tree diversity. These results indicated that close-to-nature transformation increased the forest plant diversity and optimized the community structure. The close-to-nature transformation plays a positive role in coniferous plantation ecosystem structure.
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We examined the effects of retention density on plant DBH (diameter at breast height), height, volume growth, stand biomass, and stand economic benefit of Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation by Pingxiang, Guangxi Province. Four treatments of different retention density were set up a 14-year middle-aged Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation, 500, 750 and 1000 trees·hm-2, with stand without thinning as the control (1500 trees·hm-2). Results showed that DBH (20.55 cm), increment in height (15.70 m), and large-diameter timber volume (18.31 m3·hm-2) of the C. lanceolata plantation were the highest in 500 trees·hm-2 treatment. The volume of living trees was the highest in the control (199.63 m3·hm-2), which was significantly higher than that in 500 and 750 trees·hm-2. The biomass of arbor layer and ecosystem, as well as the economic benefit differed significantly across the treatments, with arborous biomass (90.72 t·hm-2), ecosystem biomass (94.97 t·hm-2), and economic benefit (1.184×105 yuan·hm-2) of 1000 trees·hm-2 treatment being significantly higher than others. Reducing stand retention density increased the DBH, plant height, timber diameter, proportion of large diameter timber, average volume and biomass of single timber, but it did not enhance the volume of living trees. The retention density of 1000 trees·hm-2 was the optimum for middle-aged C. lanceolata plantation. Compared with the control, it significantly increased the total stand volume, arbor biomass, ecosystem biomass, and economic benefit by 2.3%, 5.7%, 4.7%, and 5.8%, respectively.
Subject(s)
Cunninghamia , Biomass , Carbon , China , Ecosystem , Soil , TreesABSTRACT
Using the paired correlation equation g(r) in the spatial point patterns, we investigated the regeneration characteristics and spatial patterns of Castanopsis hystrix seedlings and the spatial correlation with the seed trees in the plantation by large diameter wood cultivation in south subtropical China. The results showed that natural seedling regeneration in C. hystrix plantation was good, which were widely distributed in the whole plantation. The seedling regeneration were mainly contributed by root sprouts, accounting for 73.6% of the total. The number distribution of C. hystrix seedlings in different age classes showed a pyramidal shape, with the contribution of diameter class1, 2 and 3 being 64.3%, 29.3% and 6.4% of the total, respectively. The C. hystrix seedlings mainly presented aggregated distribution in small scale (<15 m). With the increases of size classes and spatial scales, the aggregation strength gradually weakened and finally presented random distribution. The spatial correlation between seedlings and seed trees was not significant with the increases of size classes or spatial scale.