Light adaptation strategies of Quercus mongolica at different ages in four plantations

This study investigated the allocation strategies of non-structural carbohydrates and functional traits in Quercus mongolica seedlings of different ages under different light conditions. The study took place at the Urban Forestry Demonstration Base in Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, China. Seedlings of three age classes were collected in two light environments, the forest edge and the forest understory. By measuring specific leaf area, biomass, soluble sugar concentration and starch concentration, we revealed the growth adaptation strategies and responses to different light conditions in Q. mongolica seedlings of different age classes. Our results show that the adaptation strategies of seedlings of different age classes are very different. First, our study showed a strong coordination of soluble sugars between roots, stems, and leaves of 1−2 year old Q. mongolica seedlings, indicating an efficient partitioning of carbon between organs at this age. In 3−4 year old Q. mongolica seedlings, a significant negative correlation was observed between starch in the roots and soluble sugars in the leaves, indicating the transformation of various non-structural carbohydrates. In addition, 5−6 year old seedlings start to increase their investment in the above-ground part to achieve a height advantage. In conclusion, this study improves our understanding of the light adaptation strategies of Q. mongolica seedlings and provides valuable insights for the natural regeneration and management of Q. mongolica forest vegetation

Sustainable forest management beyond the timber-oriented status quo : transitioning to co-production of timber and non-wood forest products—a global perspective

PURPOSE OF REVIEW : This review provides perspectives and insights of forest researchers from four continents representing a range of geo-regions, with examples from diverse and dynamic use of forest products that are undervalued and often misrepresented. A comprehensive discussion of the subject provides special attention to property, tenancy, public goods and access rights to nonwood forest products (NWFP), seen as forest ecosystem services in a framework for forest management decisions. The overall purpose is to provide a logical argument for transitioning to sustainable management of forests for timber and NWFP. RECENT FINDINGS : Multifunctional ecosystem-based approaches are transforming our understanding of forests. The prevailing economic relevance of NWFP for trade and sustenance requires their operative integration into forest management. Integration of NWFP will shift a traditional timber-oriented management paradigm towards an inclusive ecosystem forest management approach. We show that the impact of NWFP resources on livelihoods provides multiple benefits to all sectors of global society. Policy and property rights affect the availability and sustainability of the resource, while regulations, restrictions and prohibitions target the sustainable harvest of NWFP under growing demand. Official reporting of production volumes of NWFP is sparse, erratic or inaccurate due to a complex system that is opaque and with inadequately understood value chains, yet research is underway to better understand all NWFP sectors. SUMMARY : A shift from command-and-control forest management to broader governance schemes is observed, yet despite a growing awareness of their importance, NWFP and their potential for a bio-based economy require more research. A conceptual framework for transitioning to sustainable co-production management of timber and NWFP is presented. Such a transition is needed to ensure long-term forest security, health and resilience.Open Access funding provided by Projekt DEAL. The authors thank the European Commission for support of their research by the past European FP7 project StarTree, grant agreement 311919, the COSTAction FP1203 on NWFPs, as well as the ongoing H2020 Thematic network INCREDIBLE, grant agreement 774632. The BMBF funded SPACES2 project ASAP, grant agreement 01LL1803A, and National Key R&D Program of China grant agreement 2017YFD0600600.https://www.springer.com/journal/40725am2020Plant Production and Soil Scienc

New Species of Chloroidium (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta) from East Asia

Chlorella-like green algae that reproduce only asexually by immotile autospores or motile zoospores are the most typical inhabitants of non-aquatic environments. They have a simple morphology that hampers their differentiation, but algae of such habit represent a diverse array of lineages, which are mostly in the classes Chlorophyceae and Trebouxiophyceae. One of these lineages is the order Watanabeales (Watanabea clade; Trebouxiophyceae), which comprises 10 genera that share a distinct mode of reproduction through unequally sized autospores. Most of these genera account for a few species that are rarely recorded in nature. In contrast, the genus Chloroidium is one of the most species-rich and widely distributed members of the order. Three strains of coccoid green alga were isolated during a study of soil algae in the temperate monsoon climate zone of Asia. These strains are described here as a new species, Chloroidium orientalis. SSU and ITS rDNA sequence data, morphological characteristics, and life cycle features differentiate these strains from known members of the genus

Studies on subterranean amphipod crustaceans of Primory, Russia. Part 1. Three new species of the genus Pseudocrangonyx from springs and other groundwater habitats in far eastern Russia

Sidorov, Dmitry A., Gontcharov, Andrey A. (2013): Studies on subterranean amphipod crustaceans of Primory, Russia. Part 1. Three new species of the genus Pseudocrangonyx from springs and other groundwater habitats in far eastern Russia. Zootaxa 3693 (4): 547-567, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3693.4.

A new genus and two new species of cavernicolous amphipods (Crustacea: Typhlogammaridae) from the Western Caucasus

This study deals with the biodiversity and distribution of cavernicolous Amphipoda in caves of the Arabika massif (Western Caucasus). The Sarma, Trojka and Orlinoe Gnezdo caves were explored during speleological expeditions over the years 2011–12. Two new species of Amphipoda were found: a sub-surface dweller Zenkevitchia sandroruffoi sp. nov. is reported from the Sarma, Trojka and Orlinoe Gnezdo caves at depths from -30 m to -350 m; the second one, a deep dweller Adaugammarus pilosus gen. et sp. nov. is reported from the Sarma Cave at depths of -1270 to -1700 m. Adaugammarus gen. nov. shares similarities with Typhlogammarus Schäferna, 1907 and Zenkevitchia Birstein, 1940. The species Anopogammarus birsteini Derzhavin, 1945 is also re-described herein based on new samples that suggest close affinity of this species with the family Gammaridae. The original taxonomic combination is resurrected for Zenkevitchia revazi Birstein & Ljovuschkin, 1970, comb. resurr. (from Anopogammarus Derzhavin, 1945). To accommodate morphologically different species in the genus Zenkevitchia, two new groups are proposed. These are the admirabilis-group (Z. admirabilis Birstein, 1940 and Z. yakovi Sidorov, 2015) and the sandroruffoi-group (Z. sandroruffoi sp. nov. and Z. revazi). An updated molecular (mt-cox1) phylogeny, an identification key to the genera and a distribution map for the typhlogammarid amphipod species of Transcaucasia are provided

Shedding light on a cryptic cavernicole: A second species of Zenkevitchia Birstein (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Typhlogammaridae) discovered via molecular techniques

The Abkhazian region, in the southern foothills of the Caucasus Mountain Range, comprises a unique natural environment containing numerous subterranean habitats with relict and endemic lineages of obligate stygofauna. We aimed to assess the molecular phylogenetic relationships of Typhlogammaridae species from Balkan and Transcaucasian caves using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) in hopes of discovering previously undetected biodiversity. Our results showed molecular divergence within the genus Zenkevitchia Birstein, with two distinct groups located in the karstic regions Gudauta-Sukhumi and Gulripshi, respectively. These data indicated the existence of a new species (sequence divergences between groups of >14.3%) within the hitherto monotypic genus Zenkevitchia and allowed us to estimate the taxonomic relationship between Zenkevitchia admirabilis and Z. yakovi sp. n., based on examined morphological features and molecular phylogenetic relationships. We were unable to detect reliable morphological differences between Z. yakovi sp. n. and Z. admirabilis, highlighting the cryptic nature of the new species and the value of inclusion of molecular data in taxonomic studies

Nitella sonderi A.Braun (Charales, Charophyceae) - a New Record for South America, and First Record from Outside Australia

Nitella sonderi A.Braun is newly reported from the Patagonian Plateau, Argentina. This species was only reliably known from Australia until now. The morphological and genetic studies carried out here found no difference between Argentinian and Australian specimens. The species is dioecious, mucous-bearing on fertile whorls, with two to three-forked homeoclemous, macrodactylous branchlets with a long primary ray, an evident central secondary ray, bicellulate dactyls with a shortly narrowing tip of the penultimate cell, which is confluent with a small discoloured conical cell and large antheridia. Although only male plants were found in Patagonia, this combination of traits allowed its differentiation from other species of Nitella C.Agardh known from South America, but pointed towards the similarity with N. papillata F.S.Han & W.Q.Chen found only in South-East China. Nitella sonderi is the first dioecious species from the section Gioallenia R.D.Wood found in South America. Additions to the description of N. sonderi were suggested here based on specimens from Argentina and Australia. Doubt concerning a species record of N. morongii Allen for Australia published elsewhere was outlined. The new species record for South America highlights an unexpected biogeographical pattern, rare for dioecious species, or may suggest a case of invasion. Future taxonomic research is desirable to clarify the affinity of N. sonderi and N. papillata.Fil: Romanov, Roman E.. Russian Academy Of Sciences. Komarov Botanical Institute; Rusia. Russian Academy Of Sciences. Institute For Water And Environmental Problems; RusiaFil: Vidal Russell, Romina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Nikulin, Vyacheslav Yu.. Russian Academy of Sciences. Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity, Far Eastern Branch ; RusiaFil: Gontcharov, Andrey A.. Russian Academy of Sciences. Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity, Far Eastern Branch ; RusiaFil: Quiroga, Maria Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentin

Data from: Shedding light on a cryptic cavernicole: a second species of Zenkevitchia Birstein (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Typhlogammaridae) discovered via molecular techniques

The Abkhazian region, in the southern foothills of the Caucasus Mountain Range, comprises a unique natural environment containing numerous subterranean habitats with relict and endemic lineages of obligate stygofauna. We aimed to assess the molecular phylogenetic relationships of Typhlogammaridae species from Balkan and Transcaucasian caves using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) in hopes of discovering previously undetected biodiversity. Our results showed molecular divergence within the genus Zenkevitchia Birstein, with two distinct groups located in the karstic regions Gudauta-Sukhumi and Gulripshi, respectively. These data indicated the existence of a new species (sequence divergences between groups of >14.3%) within the hitherto monotypic genus Zenkevitchia and allowed us to estimate the taxonomic relationship between Zenkevitchia admirabilis and Z. yakovi sp. n., based on examined morphological features and molecular phylogenetic relationships. We were unable to detect reliable morphological differences between Z. yakovi sp. n. and Z. admirabilis, highlighting the cryptic nature of the new species and the value of inclusion of molecular data in taxonomic studies