scholarly journals Multi-omics reveal differentiation and maintenance of dimorphic flowers in an alpine plant on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingjia Zhu ◽  
Zhenyue Wang ◽  
Yongzhi Yang ◽  
Zefu Wang ◽  
Wenjie Mu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Evolutionary Significance ◽  
Individual Plant ◽  
Single Individual ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Recent Species ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Open Versus ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau

 Dimorphic flowers growing on a single individual plant play a critical role in extreme adaption and reproductive assurance in plants and have high ecological and evolutionary significance. However, the omics bases underlying such a differentiation and maintenance remain largely unknown. We aimed to investigate this through genomic, transcriptome and metabolomic analyses of dimorphic flowers in an alpine biennial, Sinoswertia tetraptera (Gentianaceae).  A high-quality chromosome-level genome sequence (903 Mb) was first assembled for S. tetraptera with 31,359 protein-coding genes annotated. Two rounds of recent independent whole-genome duplication (WGD) were revealed. More than 10% of the novel genes from the recent species-specific WGD were found to be differentially expressed in the two types of flowers, and this may have helped contribute to the origin of this innovative trait.  Other contrasting gene expression between flowers included that related to flower development and color, hormones, and iridoid biosynthesis. Metabolomic analyses similarly suggested differential concentrations of both hormones and iridoids in the two types of flowers. The interactions between multiple genes may together lead to contrasting morphology and open versus closed pollination of the dimorphic flowers in this species.  A total of 56 candidate genes were identified from the known iridoid biosynthesis-related pathways. Two hub genes were found to play an essential role in transferring intermediate products between leaves and flowers during iridoid biosynthesis.

Diversification in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Orchidinae (Orchidaceae) clades exhibiting pre-adaptations play critical role

2020 ◽  
pp. 107062
Author(s):  
Yang-Jun Lai ◽  
Yu Han ◽  
Andre Schuiteman ◽  
Mark W. Chase ◽  
Song-Zhi Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau

scholarly journals Effects of Air Temperature and Precipitation on Soil Moisture on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau during the 2015 Growing Season

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Qingyan Xie ◽  
Jianping Li ◽  
Yufei Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Hydrological Cycle ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Ecosystem Stability ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) holds massive freshwater resources and is one of the most active regions in the world with respect to the hydrological cycle. Soil moisture (SM) plays a critical role in hydrological processes and is important for plant growth and ecosystem stability. To investigate the relationship between climatic factors (air temperature and precipitation) and SM during the growing season in various climate zones on the QTP, data from three observational stations were analyzed. The results showed that the daily average (Tave) and minimum air temperatures (Tmin) significantly influenced SM levels at all depths analyzed (i.e., 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 cm deep) at the three stations, and Tmin had a stronger effect on SM than did Tave. However, the daily maximum air temperature (Tmax) generally had little effect on SM, although it had showed some effects on SM in the middle and deeper layers at the Jiali station. Precipitation was an important factor that significantly influenced the SM at all depths at the three stations, but the influence on SM in the middle and deep layers lagged the direct effect on near-surface SM by 5–7 days. These results suggest that environment characterized by lower temperatures and higher precipitation may promote SM conservation during the growing season and in turn support ecosystem stability on the QTP.

scholarly journals Responses of Alpine Grassland Plant Functional Groups To Environmental Changes In The Altunshan At North Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ailin Zhang ◽  
Shixin Wu ◽  
Fanjiang Zeng ◽  
Yong Jiang ◽  
Ruzhen Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Groups ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Community Diversity ◽  
Alpine Grassland ◽  
Plant Functional Groups ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Individual Plant ◽  
Hydrothermal Conditions ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau

Abstract Purpose: In grassland ecosystems, plant functional group (PFG) is an important bridge connecting individual plant to community system. Grassland ecosystem is the main ecosystem type on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, so the change of community structure of grassland vegetation.Methods: The Altun Mountains in the northern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau were used as the study area to investigate the PFGs of a high-altitude (> 3700m) grassland in desert areas and their response to temperature and moisture.Results: The main functional groups were forbs and grasses, and the importance values (IV) accounted for more than 50%. Plant species diversity of the community was influenced by the functional groups of legumes IV, and the increase of legumes would promote the increase of plant community diversity. The C, N, P of plant communities were mainly influenced by forbs and grasses, and the relationship between forbs and C, N, P was opposite to that of grasses. There was a positive correlation between forbs and soil TP; a negative correlation between grasses and soil TP; a positive correlation between legumes with soil SOC and TN; and a positive correlation between sedge and soil SOC. However, under the influence of different hydrothermal conditions, forbs and grasses as dominant functional groups had stronger correlation with community and soil nutrients. Conclusions: This indicated that the PFGs with the largest proportion in the community had the greatest influence on the community. This provides a basis for the study of alpine grassland community development and ecosystem function under alpine grassland.

Chloroplast DNA phylogeography of Rhodiola alsia (Crassulaceae) in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Botany ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (11) ◽  
pp. 1077-1088 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingbo Gao ◽  
Dejun Zhang ◽  
Shengyun Chen ◽  
Yizhong Duan ◽  
Faqi Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History Traits ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Herbaceous Plant ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Perennial Herbaceous Plant ◽  
Quaternary Glaciation ◽  
Southeastern Margin ◽  
Local Range ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau

We studied the phylogeography of Rhodiola alsia (Fröderström) S.H. Fu, which is a perennial herbaceous plant endemic to the Qinghai–Tibet (Q–T) Plateau, by sequencing one intergenic chloroplast spacer, rpl20–rps12 (844 bp). The sampling design included 18 populations and 315 individuals, and spanned the entire distribution range of the species. Thirty-one haplotypes were characterized, and polymorphism was observed both within and among populations. Most haplotypes were restricted to single sites or to neighbouring populations, suggesting an extremely low level of long distance gene flow via seeds. Only three haplotypes were common and widespread throughout the distributional range of R. alsia. The present geographical distribution of haplotypes probably reflects an ancient geographical pattern between the platform and southeastern margin of the Q–T Plateau identified as genetic hotspot areas. We suggest that populations of R. alsia survived in isolated refugia located in the platform and the southeastern margin of the Q–T Plateau during the Quaternary glaciation, at least during the last glaciation maximum (LGM, 32 000–16 000 years ago). The populations of R. alsia were geographically isolated by a subsequent local range expansion and independent evolution. The genetic structure of R. alsia is very different from previous phylogeographical studies of Q–T Plateau alpine plants and illustrates the importance of species-specific characteristics such as distribution areas and life-history traits which are mainly responsible for different patterns of genetic variation. Our investigation thus provides a new pattern of several refugia on the plateau platform.

scholarly journals Optimizing livestock carrying capacity for wild ungulate-livestock coexistence in a Qinghai-Tibet Plateau grassland

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yueheng Ren ◽  
Yanpeng Zhu ◽  
Davide Baldan ◽  
Mengdi Fu ◽  
Bin Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Wild Ungulates ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Qinghai Province ◽  
Key Species ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau

AbstractWild ungulates are an important part of terrestrial ecosystems and play a critical role in maintaining ecosystem health and integrity. In many grassland ecosystems that are habituated by wild ungulates, the coexistence of domestic ungulates has created a conflict over grazing resources. Solving this conflict requires a balanced and sustainable policy that satisfies both the needs of wildlife protection and food production. Here, we assess the optimal grassland livestock carrying capacity of an alpine grassland on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, given the coexistence of wild populations of kiangs (Equus kiang) and Tibetan gazelles (Procapra picticaudata), two key species grazing in this region. We use kriging and the MaxEnt method to estimate the population sizes of kiangs and Tibetan gazelles in Maduo County, Qinghai Province. We then convert the estimated population size of the two species into sheep units and calculate the residual carrying capacity for livestock grazing. We show that after accounting for the grazing need for kiangs and Tibetan gazelles, grassland in Maduo is capable of supporting 420,641 sheep units, which is slightly more than the current livestock population. However, the residual carrying capacity is highly uneven across the region, and overgrazing is found in many areas of Maduo, especially in northern Maduo. This research provides a useful framework for planning sustainable livestock farming for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and other regions facing wildlife-livestock conflict.

The ecological and evolutionary significance of seed shape and volume for the germination of 383 species on the eastern Qinghai-Tibet plateau

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 333-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hai-Yan Bu ◽  
Xue-Jing Wang ◽  
Xian-Hui Zhou ◽  
Wei Qi ◽  
Kun Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Evolutionary Significance ◽  
Seed Shape ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau

scholarly journals The Evolutionary Significance of Seed Germinability in an Alpine Meadow on The Eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

2009 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
HaiYan Bu ◽  
GuoZhen Du ◽  
XueLin Chen ◽  
Yifeng Wang ◽  
XiuLi Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alpine Meadow ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Evolutionary Significance ◽  
Seed Germinability ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau

scholarly journals The evolution of ancestral and species-specific adaptations in snowfinches at the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (13) ◽  
pp. e2012398118
Author(s):  
Yanhua Qu ◽  
Chunhai Chen ◽  
Xiumin Chen ◽  
Yan Hao ◽  
Huishang She ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Common Ancestor ◽  
Evolutionary Process ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Exceptional Case ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Shared Environment ◽  
Functional Assay ◽  
Repair Capacity ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau

Species in a shared environment tend to evolve similar adaptations under the influence of their phylogenetic context. Using snowfinches, a monophyletic group of passerine birds (Passeridae), we study the relative roles of ancestral and species-specific adaptations to an extreme high-elevation environment, the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Our ancestral trait reconstruction shows that the ancestral snowfinch occupied high elevations and had a larger body mass than most nonsnowfinches in Passeridae. Subsequently, this phenotypic adaptation diversified in the descendant species. By comparing high-quality genomes from representatives of the three phylogenetic lineages, we find that about 95% of genes under positive selection in the descendant species are different from those in the ancestor. Consistently, the biological functions enriched for these species differ from those of their ancestor to various degrees (semantic similarity values ranging from 0.27 to 0.5), suggesting that the three descendant species have evolved divergently from the initial adaptation in their common ancestor. Using a functional assay to a highly selective gene, DTL, we demonstrate that the nonsynonymous substitutions in the ancestor and descendant species have improved the repair capacity of ultraviolet-induced DNA damage. The repair kinetics of the DTL gene shows a twofold to fourfold variation across the ancestor and the descendants. Collectively, this study reveals an exceptional case of adaptive evolution to high-elevation environments, an evolutionary process with an initial adaptation in the common ancestor followed by adaptive diversification of the descendant species.

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