Norway spruce postglacial recolonization of Fennoscandia

Contrasting theories exist regarding how Norway spruce recolonized Fennoscandia after the last glaciation. Here, the authors provide evidences from sedimentary ancient DNA and modern population genomics to support that Norway spruce was present in southern Fennoscandia shortly after deglaciation and the early Holocene migration from the east. Contrasting theories exist regarding how Norway spruce (Picea abies) recolonized Fennoscandia after the last glaciation and both early Holocene establishments from western microrefugia and late Holocene colonization from the east have been postulated. Here, we show that Norway spruce was present in southern Fennoscandia as early as 14.7 +/- 0.1 cal. kyr BP and that the millennia-old clonal spruce trees present today in central Sweden likely arrived with an early Holocene migration from the east. Our findings are based on ancient sedimentary DNA from multiple European sites (N = 15) combined with nuclear and mitochondrial DNA analysis of ancient clonal (N = 135) and contemporary spruce forest trees (N = 129) from central Sweden. Our other findings imply that Norway spruce was present shortly after deglaciation at the margins of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet, and support previously disputed finds of pollen in southern Sweden claiming spruce establishment during the Lateglacial.Peer reviewe

Relative Role of Flower Color and Scent on Pollinator Attraction: Experimental Tests using F1 and F2 Hybrids of Daylily and Nightlily

The daylily (Hemerocallis fulva) and nightlily (H. citrina) are typical examples of a butterfly-pollination system and a hawkmoth-pollination system, respectively. H. fulva has diurnal, reddish or orange-colored flowers and is mainly pollinated by diurnal swallowtail butterflies. H. citrina has nocturnal, yellowish flowers with a sweet fragrance and is pollinated by nocturnal hawkmoths. We evaluated the relative roles of flower color and scent on the evolutionary shift from a diurnally flowering ancestor to H. citrina. We conducted a series of experiments that mimic situations in which mutants differing in either flower color, floral scent or both appeared in a diurnally flowering population. An experimental array of 6×6 potted plants, mixed with 24 plants of H. fulva and 12 plants of either F1 or F2 hybrids, were placed in the field, and visitations of swallowtail butterflies and nocturnal hawkmoths were recorded with camcorders. Swallowtail butterflies preferentially visited reddish or orange-colored flowers and hawkmoths preferentially visited yellowish flowers. Neither swallowtail butterflies nor nocturnal hawkmoths showed significant preferences for overall scent emission. Our results suggest that mutations in flower color would be more relevant to the adaptive shift from a diurnally flowering ancestor to H. citrina than that in floral scent

Data from: UV bullseye contrast of Hemerocallis flowers attracts hawkmoths but not swallowtail butterflies

The colour and patterns of animal-pollinated flowers are known to have effects on pollinator attraction. In this study, the relative importance of flower colour and colour contrast patterns on pollinator attraction was examined in two pollinator groups, swallowtail butterflies and hawkmoths using two Hemerocallis species; butterfly-pollinated H. fulva and hawkmoth-pollinated H. citrina, having reddish and yellowish flowers in human vision, respectively. Flowers of both species have UV bullseye patterns, composed of UV-absorbing centres and UV-reflecting peripheries, known to function as a typical nectar guide, but UV reflectance was significantly more intense in the peripheries of H. citrina flowers than in those of H. fulva flowers. Comparison based on the visual systems of butterflies and hawkmoths showed that the colour contrast of the bullseye pattern in H. citrina was more intense than that in H. fulva. To evaluate the relative importance of flower colour and the colour contrast of bullseye pattern on pollinator attraction, we performed a series of observations using experimental arrays consisting of Hemerocallis species and their hybrids. As a result, swallowtail butterflies and crepuscular/nocturnal hawkmoths showed contrasting preferences for flower colour and patterns: butterflies preferred H. fulva-like coloured flower whereas the preference of hawkmoths was affected by the colour contrast of the bullseye pattern rather than flower colour. Both crepuscular and nocturnal hawkmoths consistently preferred flowers with stronger contrast of the UV bullseye pattern, whereas the preference of hawkmoths for flower colour was incoherent. Our finding suggests that hawkmoths can use UV-absorbing/reflecting bullseye patterns for foraging under light-limited environments and that the intensified bullseye contrast of H. citrina evolved as an adaptation to hawkmoths. Our results also showed the difference of visual systems between pollinators, which may have promoted floral divergence

UV bullseye contrast of Hemerocallis flowers attracts hawkmoths but not swallowtail butterflies

The color and patterns of animal-pollinated flowers are known to have effects on pollinator attraction. In this study, the relative importance of flower color and color contrast patterns on pollinator attraction was examined in two pollinator groups, swallowtail butterflies and hawkmoths using two Hemerocallis species; butterfly-pollinated H. fulva and hawkmoth-pollinated H. citrina, having reddish and yellowish flowers in human vision, respectively. Flowers of both species have UV bullseye patterns, composed of UV-absorbing centers and UV-reflecting peripheries, known to function as a typical nectar guide, but UV reflectance was significantly more intense in the peripheries of H. citrina flowers than in those of H. fulva flowers. Comparison based on the visual systems of butterflies and hawkmoths showed that the color contrast of the bullseye pattern in H. citrina was more intense than that in H. fulva. To evaluate the relative importance of flower color and the color contrast of bullseye pattern on pollinator attraction, we performed a series of observations using experimental arrays consisting of Hemerocallis species and their hybrids. As a result, swallowtail butterflies and crepuscular/nocturnal hawkmoths showed contrasting preferences for flower color and patterns: butterflies preferred H. fulva-like colored flower whereas the preference of hawkmoths was affected by the color contrast of the bullseye pattern rather than flower color. Both crepuscular and nocturnal hawkmoths consistently preferred flowers with stronger contrast of the UV bullseye pattern, whereas the preference of hawkmoths for flower color was incoherent. Our finding suggests that hawkmoths can use UV-absorbing/reflecting bullseye patterns for foraging under light-limited environments and that the intensified bullseye contrast of H. citrina evolved as an adaptation to hawkmoths. Our results also showed the difference of visual systems between pollinators, which may have promoted floral divergence

Genetic Structure and Population Demography of White-Spotted Charr in the Upstream Watershed of a Large Dam

White-spotted charr(Salvelinus leucomaenis leucomaenis) is an anadromous fish that has been severely harmed by human land-use development, particularly through habitat fragmentation. However, the anthropogenic impacts on populations of this species have not been evaluated, except those on small dammed-off populations. Using multiplexed ISSR genotyping by sequencing, we investigated the genetic structure of white-spotted charr in four tributaries in the upper section of the Kanayama Dam in the Sorachi River, Hokkaido Island, Japan. There were no distinct genetic structures (F-ST= 0.014), probably because some active individuals migrate frequently among tributaries. By model-flexible demographic simulation, historical changes in the effective population size were inferred. The result indicates that the population size has decreased since the end of the last glacial period, with three major population decline events, including recent declines that were probably associated with recent human activities. Nevertheless, populations in the watershed upstream of the Kanayama Dam are still expected to be at low risk of immediate extinction, owing to the large watershed size and the limited number of small check dams. An effective conservation measure for sustaining the white-spotted charr population is to maintain high connectivity between tributaries, such as by providing fishways in check dams during construction

Genetic Structure of the Liriope muscari Polyploid Complex and the Possibility of Its Genetic Disturbance in Japan

Anthropogenic activities, such as the movement of plants through greening, can result in genetic disturbance that can interfere with local adaptation in wild populations. Although research is underway to prevent genetic disturbance associated with greening, genetic disturbance of intraspecific polyploidy, which is estimated to be present in 24% of vascular plants, has not been well studied. Liriope muscari is a polyploid complex with known diploid (2n = 36), tetraploid (2n = 72), and hexaploid (2n = 108) forms. The plants of this species tolerate dry and hot conditions and are therefore frequently used for greening and gardening. However, the distribution of this polyploid in Japan, its genetic structure, and genetic disturbance are not known. In this study, we investigated the polyploidy distribution and genetic structure in naturally distributed L. muscari in Japan using chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) haplotypes and nuclear DNA (nDNA). Commercially produced individuals were also studied and compared with natural populations to assess any genetic disturbance of the ploidy complex in this species. Chromosome counts, cpDNA, and nDNA results showed three genetically and cytologically distinct groups in Japan: first, a tetraploid group in mainland Japan; second, a hexaploid group in the Ryukyu Islands; and third, a diploid and tetraploid group in the Ryukyu Islands. Significant isolation by distance was also detected within the three groups (p = 0.001). Genetic disturbance due to greening and gardening should be avoided among the three groups. Genetic disturbance can be reduced by using individuals derived from natural populations that are close to the sites used for greening and gardening. For commercially produced individuals, genetic disturbance is unlikely in the Kanto region, an area of high usage, while genetic disturbance is thought possible in the Ryukyu Islands

Hosta scabrinervia Yahara & Se. Fujii 2023, stat. nov.

<p>3. Hosta scabrinervia (N. Fujita & M.N. Tamura) Yahara & Se.Fujii stat. nov.</p> <p>Fig. 10</p> <p> Hosta kikutii var. scabrinervia N. Fujita & M. N. Tamura, Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 59: 34. 2008. Type: JAPAN. Tokushima Pref., Miyoshi-gun, Ohboke, along the river, 13 Jul. 1968, <i>C. Abe 33197</i> (holotype KYO!).</p> <p>Hosta kikutii var. polyneuron sensu Fujita, Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 27: 80. 1976, p.p.</p> <p>Phenology.</p> <p>Flowering in July.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat.</p> <p>Japan (Tokushima and Kochi Prefectures). The typical lineage of this species grows in rock crevices in the open habitats of riverbanks along the middle reach of Yoshino River. The upstream lineage (JPN12523-12525, FJS00006, FJS00007) grows on the wet cliffs in the upper reaches of the Yoshino River.</p> <p>Conservation status.</p> <p>Using criterion D1 for IUCN Red List categories (IUCN 2012, IUCN 2022), we recommend that this species be classified as VU (Vulnerable) because its population is estimated to be between 250 and 1000.</p> <p>Japanese name.</p> <p>Zaratsuki-giboshi (Fujita and Tamura 2008).</p> <p>Additional specimens examined.</p> <p> <b>Japan. Kochi Pref.</b>: Nagaoka-gun, Ohtoyo-mura, Isodani, along Yoshino River, 8 Sep. 1958, <i>T. Yamanaka 26222</i> with fruit (KYO!); Nagaoka-gun, Ohtoyo-cho, Higashidoi, Yoshino River, 4 Jul. 2002, <i>H. Sasaoka FOK-603540</i> with flowers (MBK0170549!); left bank of Yoshino River, Okubo, Ohtoyo-cho, Nagaoka-gun, 26 Nov. 2017, <i>A. Sakamoto et al. FOS-017749</i> with fruit (MBK0319724!); ditto, 18 Jul. 2004, <i>M. Matsumoto et al. FOK-067597</i> with flowers (MBK0087490!); Tosa-gun, Ohkawa-mura, Takano, 24 Jun. 2022, <i>K. Fuse et al. JPN12523 -12525</i> (FU!); Tosa-gun, Ohkawa-mura, Kawasaki, Jul. 25, 2023, <i>Se. Fujii FJW-50-1</i>, <i>2</i> with flowers (MBK0342373!, MBK0342374!); Tosa-gun, Ohkawa-mura, Kogane Waterfall, 23 Jul. 2022, <i>Se. Fujii JPN15231</i>, <i>15232</i>, with flowers (FU!); ditto, Jul. 25, 2023, <i>Se. Fujii FJW-51-1-4</i> with flowers (MBK!); Nagaoka-gun, Motoyama-cho, in front of Kizenzan Park, 8 Aug. 1971, <i>H. Takahashi & N. Fujita 214</i> with flowers and fruit (KYO!);. <b>Tokushima Pref.</b>: Miyoshi-gun, Oboke, 11 Apr. 2011, <i>T. Yahara et al. JPN4080</i>, <i>4082-4087</i> sterile (FU!); ditto, 22 Jul. 1967, <i>C. Abe 33157</i> with fruits (KYO!).</p> <p>Note.</p> <p> Fujita and Tamura (2008) distinguished var. Hosta scabrinervia scabrinervia from var. Hosta scabrinervia densinervia by the papillose lower surface of the lateral veins, but some plants of the type locality population have smooth lower lateral vein surfaces. Morphologically, <i>H. scabrinervia</i> is similar to H. tardiva subsp. densinervia but distinguished by the flowering season (July in contrast to August to September in the latter) and anther length (3 mm long vs. 5 mm long). The specimens collected from Kogane Waterfall (JPN15231, etc.) have exceptionally long pedicels (2.9-3.4 cm long), compared to 2-2.7 cm in other specimens. In this aspect, they are similar to <i>H. longipedicellata</i>, but can be distinguished by their flower bracts which remain fresh during flowering (unlike the withering flower bracts of <i>H. longipedicellata</i>). In the original description of H. kikutii var. scabrinervia, Fujita and Tamura (2008) cited specimens from Ehime and Kochi Prefectures, but further studies combining molecular analyses with subsequent morphological observations are required to confirm their identities. As far as examined, the range of <i>H. scabrinervia</i> is restricted to a narrow region in the middle reach of Yoshino River (Fig. 7).</p>Published as part of <i>Yahara, Tetsukazu, Hirota, Shun K., Fujii, Seiko, Kokami, Yasushi, Fuse, Kengo, Sato, Hiroyuki, Tagane, Shuichiro & Suyama, Yoshihisa, 2023, Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of Hosta (Asparagaceae) on Shikoku Island, Japan, including five new species, one new subspecies, and two new status assignments, pp. 137-187 in PhytoKeys 235</i> on page 137, DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.235.9914