Article
Genetics & Heredity
John King N. Layos, Cyrill John P. Godinez, Lawrence M. Liao, Yoshio Yamamoto, Joseph S. Masangkay, Hideyuki Mannen, Masahide Nishibori
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the early dispersal history of Philippine pigs by analyzing their mitochondrial DNA. The results suggest a close genetic relationship between Philippine pigs and pigs from mainland Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia, indicating gene flow possibly resulting from human migration and trade. Despite geographic barriers, numerous genetic lineages have persisted across the Philippine islands. The study also reveals intriguing discrepancies between the ancestral pattern and distribution range of endemic Philippine wild pigs, offering new insights into the complexity of these animals.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xi Chen, Haibin Wang, Jiafu Jiang, Yifan Jiang, Wanbo Zhang, Fadi Chen
Summary: A study on the species diversity and metabolomics of chrysanthemum and its related genera found that China and Japan are important hotspots for species diversity. Mountain landform plays a significant role in the diversity of chrysanthemum. The Hengduan Mountains-Qinling Mountains in China is a potential radiation and evolution center for chrysanthemum and its related genera.
HORTICULTURE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joseph D. Manthey, Yann Bourgeois, Yonas Meheretu, Stephane Boissinot
Summary: This study utilized whole-genome sequencing data to characterize genomic variation in populations of six Ethiopian Highlands forest bird species separated by a lowland biogeographic barrier, the Great Rift Valley (GRV). It was found that the GRV acts as a substantial biogeographic barrier even in highly dispersive species like birds, with species' dispersal ability negatively correlated with levels of population differentiation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hiro Shimai, Hiroaki Setoguchi, David L. Roberts, Miao Sun
Summary: The study revealed that the evolution within the genus Pinguicula involved ancient expansions to geographical regions with gene flow followed by vicariance with genetic drift, acquisition of a common dormant strategy within a specific lineage to adapt to local climate (i.e., synapomorphic characteristic), recent speciation linked to introgressive hybridisation or multiplying the ploidy level, and parallel evolution in floral traits among lineages in different geographical regions. Floral morphology masks and obscures the phylogenetic relationships among species in the genus.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhen Yang, Wen-Xu Ma, Xin He, Tian-Tian Zhao, Xiao-Hong Yang, Lu-Jun Wang, Qing-Hua Ma, Li-Song Liang, Gui-Xi Wang
Summary: This study investigated the nucleotide diversity and interspecific divergence within the Corylus heterophylla complex and found significant differences between different taxa. The results also revealed the relationship between geographical distributions and adaptive evolution in these taxa.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biology
Lin Hu, Ting Lu, Xiyong Wang, Jiancheng Wang, Wei Shi, Kousuke Hanada
Summary: Rare and vulnerable endemic plants are important for conservation, and understanding the impact of their population history on genetic diversity is crucial for evolutionary and conservation studies. This study investigated the genetic distribution pattern and evolutionary history of Saussurea involucrata, a perennial alpine species, revealing genetic differentiation among populations and historical distribution contraction. The findings provide insights into the genetic differentiation of S. involucrata and theoretical basis for its conservation.
Article
Forestry
Watanabe Yoichi, Etsuo Ono, Yoshihiro Tsunamoto, Ayumi Matsuo, Yoshihisa Suyama, Koichi Uehara
Summary: Genetic analysis of two related plant species endemic to Japan, Rhododendron pentaphyllum and R. quinquefolium, showed different closest relatives and times to most recent common ancestors. R. pentaphyllum exhibited higher genetic variation between populations, while both species had similar patterns of genetic divergence. These findings suggest that the similar ranges of the two species are the result of repeated range shifts since speciation during climatic oscillations.
TREE GENETICS & GENOMES
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Jingbin Zhou, Xianpeng Zhang, Xin Li, Jie Sui, Shuang Zhang, Hua Zhong, Qiuxi Zhang, Xiaoming Zhang, He Huang, Youfeng Wen
Summary: In this study, the genetic structure and demographic history of Han individuals in Liaoning Province were investigated using various population genetic analysis methods. The results showed genetic similarities between Liaoning Han people and other northern Han populations, as well as Liaoning Manchu people. The main ancestral sources of Liaoning Han people were millet farmers in the Yellow River Basin and the West Liao River Basin, and hunter-gatherers in the Mongolian Plateau and the Amur River Basin. The study also supported the northern origin hypothesis and revealed significant genetic influences from northern East Asian populations, as well as population admixture between Tungusic Manchu people and Han people.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biology
Cristian Gutierrez-Ibanez, Clara Amaral-Pecanha, Andrew N. Iwaniuk, Douglas R. Wylie, Jerome Baron
Summary: The ability to manipulate objects with limbs has evolved repeatedly among land tetrapods, but most of the research has been limited to mammals. This study focuses on examining foot manipulative skills in birds and finds that niche, diet, and phylogeny all play a role in the evolution of these skills. Additionally, an arboreal niche is identified as a key factor in the evolution of manipulation in land vertebrates.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Remi Allio, Marie-Ka Tilak, Celine Scornavacca, Nico L. Avenant, Andrew C. Kitchener, Erwan Corre, Benoit Nabholz, Frederic Delsuc
Summary: In the context of ongoing biodiversity erosion, genomic resources from wildlife are crucial for conservation efforts. This study utilized roadkill samples to investigate the genetic diversity of the bat-eared fox and aardwolf, revealing potential new species within the aardwolf taxon through a novel Genetic Differentiation index. The research also generated a genome-wide Carnivora phylogeny that includes the newly identified aardwolf species.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kuan Yang, Hungdu Lin, Ruiqi Liu, Shaoxiong Ding
Summary: The genetic structure and demography of the yellow grouper were investigated, revealing high levels of genetic diversity and significant genetic differentiation. The prevention of gene flow caused by the Qiongzhou Strait and the appearance of the land bridge of the Taiwan Strait during the Pleistocene glaciation were identified as factors influencing the genetic structure of the yellow grouper population.
Article
Ecology
Luis Machado, D. James Harris, Daniele Salvi
Summary: The study reveals that two large Mediterranean-adapted snake species maintained unique genetic lineages in North Africa and Southern Europe during past climate changes, with one lineage spreading from North Africa to Southern Europe during the last glacial period. The demographic expansion of these species during the glacial period was associated with increased habitat suitability in North Africa, while their habitat suitability was lower during interglacial periods.
BMC ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Kai Song, Bin Gao, Peter Halvarsson, Yun Fang, Siegfried Klaus, Ying-Xin Jiang, Jon E. Swenson, Yue-Hua Sun, Jacob Hoglund
Summary: Research has shown that Chinese Grouse and Hazel Grouse diverged approximately 1.76 million years ago. The demographic history of different populations in these two sibling species was reconstructed, showing that peaks and bottlenecks of effective population size occurred at different times for the two species. The effects of past climate change and human activities pose major threats to the survival and conservation of both species.
BMC ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Catherine Clowes, Rachael M. Fowler, Patrick S. Fahey, Jurgen Kellermann, Gillian K. Brown, Michael J. Bayly
Summary: This study provides comprehensive phylogenetic analyses of Spyridium plants using both chloroplast genomes and nuclear ribosomal arrays. The results reveal the diversity and biogeographic patterns of Spyridium, including the monophyly of the genus, east-west split, and recent dispersal events.
AUSTRALIAN SYSTEMATIC BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alejandra Marcela Ortiz, Laura Chalup, Maria Celeste Silvestri, Guillermo Seijo, Graciela Ines Lavia
Summary: In this study, the genomic affinity between rhizoma peanut and potential diploid donors of related sections was evaluated using genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). The results showed that species from Erectoides and Procumbentes sections had the highest genomic affinity with rhizoma peanut. Double GISH experiments and DNA sequence similarity analysis identified three species as the most probable ancestors of rhizoma peanut, supporting its autopolyploid origin. These findings have important implications for the understanding of the genomic constitution and evolutionary history of rhizoma peanut.
ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Chien-Ti Chao, Bing-Hong Huang, Jui-Tse Chang, Pei-Chun Liao
Article
Plant Sciences
Hong Jiang, Ji-Jun Kong, Hsin-Chun Chen, Zhen-Yong Xiang, Wei-Ping Zhang, Zhou-Dong Han, Pei-Chun Liao, Yung- Lee
Article
Plant Sciences
Wei-Yin Jin, Hai-Wen Li, Ran Wei, Bing-Hong Huang, Bing Liu, Tian-Tian Sun, David J. Mabberley, Pei-Chun Liao, Yong Yang
Article
Plant Sciences
Yong-Zhi Yang, Rong Zhang, Run-Hong Gao, Min-Wei Chai, Min-Xin Luo, Bing-Hong Huang, Pei-Chun Liao
Summary: In desert environments, plant seed dispersal is influenced by external vectors and internal factors, such as the shape of the fruit. Factors like fruit shape, release height, wind speed, and ground substrate type affect the spread distance of seeds, with twisted and dehiscent pods showing higher dispersibility. The differential seed-spreading properties help to adaptively disperse risks associated with seed dissemination in windy, arid desert environments.
PLANT SPECIES BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Jui-Tse Chang, Min-Xin Luo, Hsin-Pei Lu, Yi-Ting Tseng, Pei-Chun Liao
Summary: This study reveals the influence of the Massenerhebung effect on the cpDNA genetic structure of montane trees and reflects spatial trends of seed dispersal. The results show the importance of central mountains in shaping population genetic patterns and influencing seed dispersal.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Min-Xin Luo, Hsin-Pei Lu, Min-Wei Chai, Jui-Tse Chang, Pei-Chun Liao
Summary: The study found that in Taiwan, populations of A. caudatifolium have shifted upward and northward, while its close relative A. morrisonense has expanded downward. Northern populations of A. caudatifolium have diverse chlorotypes and high genetic diversity, but gene flow between north and south is obstructed by topography, geographic distance, and climate heterogeneities.
Article
Ecology
Yong-Zhi Yang, Min-Xin Luo, Hai-Xia Yan, Run-Hong Gao, Jui-Tse Chang, Chien-Ti Chao, Pei-Chun Liao
Summary: The study found that phytoreclamation affects the soil microbial community mainly through the rhizosphere environment and plant species, with greater differences observed in the rhizosphere of turfgrass. Additionally, some physicochemical properties in the soil can influence the composition of the microbial community.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Min-Xin Luo, Hsin-Pei Lu, Bing-Hong Huang, Chia-Lung Huang, Yu-Feng Hsu, Pei-Chun Liao
Summary: The study revealed that the divergence between the two subspecies of the butterfly Parantica sita occurred around 23.1 kya, influenced primarily by winter precipitation and annual temperature range. While there was evidence of gene flow between the insular and continental subspecies, long-term precipitation patterns caused divergence between them.
Article
Plant Sciences
Min-Xin Luo, Yi-Ting Tseng, Jui-Tse Chang, Chien-Ti Chao, Pei-Chun Liao
Summary: This study explores the effects of introgression and historical demography on the genetic variation of two independent-originated endemic snakebark maples in Taiwan. It finds that recent introgression, rather than common ancestral polymorphism, is the main cause of genetic admixture between species. Furthermore, the study reveals that the impact of introgression on demographic history differs between the two species, especially in terms of altitude expansion directions.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Min-Wei Chai, Yi-Ting Tseng, Hsin-Pei Lu, Min-Xin Luo, Jui-Tse Chang, Pei-Chun Liao
Summary: This study investigates the impact of climate change on the genetic compositions and spatial distributions of Taiwan's endemic maple Acer caudatifolium. It combines ecological and genetic approaches to estimate distribution range shifts, infer dispersal and genetic hotspots, and assess potential risks under different climate warming scenarios. The findings reveal genetic diversity hotspots and dispersal hotspots, as well as the vulnerability of certain populations to climate change.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yi-Shao Li, Pei-Chun Liao, Chung-Te Chang, Shih-Ying Hwang
Summary: This study employed genome scan methods to identify selection-driven divergence in Zingiber kawagoii populations inhabiting a narrow latitudinal range. The results show that adaptive divergence is mainly influenced by annual temperature range and is positively correlated with latitude and negatively correlated with population genetic variation.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yi-Shao Li, Pei-Chun Liao, Chung-Te Chang, Shih-Ying Hwang
Summary: In this study, we examined the associations between genetic and epigenetic variation in Zingiber kawagoii populations. We found a significant positive correlation between the two. Genome scans identified several outlier loci associated with different environmental variables. Additionally, both geography and genetic structure were found to influence the variation in epigenetic markers.
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Yi-Zhou He, Pei-Chun Liao, Yung-Ta Chang
Summary: Improved communication is vital in optimizing treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction, necessitating tailored strategies based on patient characteristics. This study highlights the feasibility of integrating doctor-patient communication education into Taiwan's dental education system, which can enhance patient-centered care and minimize conflicts.
JOURNAL OF DENTAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shu-Hong Wu, Min-Xin Luo, Jui-Tse Chang, Ye Chen, Pei-Chun Liao
Summary: This study investigated the impact of forest range shift on soil microbial communities and their physicochemical properties. Different afforestation methods resulted in distinct microbial compositions, with seedling afforestation showing similarities to mature forests. Rhizosphere had a consistent impact on microbial composition across different forest types.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jui-Tse Chang, Koh Nakamura, Chien-Ti Chao, Min-Xin Luo, Pei-Chun Liao
Summary: Cryptic lineages are genetically diverged but morphologically unrecognized variants of known species. Understanding their evolution is crucial for quantifying species diversity. This study investigated the role of ghost introgression, introgression from extinct or unsampled lineages, in the evolution of a cryptic lineage in Cycas revoluta. The results confirmed the independent evolution of the cryptic lineage and demonstrated that ghost introgression facilitated its divergence.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)