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Origin and Evolution of the East Asian Flora (EAF)

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A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Systematics, Taxonomy, Nomenclature and Classification".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (29 February 2024) | Viewed by 6228

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Wenbo Liao

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Guest Editor

State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Interests: plant phylogeny and taxonomy; plant speciation; floristic phytogeography; phylogeography; palaeoflora

Dr. Kewang Xu

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Guest Editor

Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 510275, China
Interests: plant phylogeny and taxonomy; reticulate evolution; lycophytes and ferns; flora

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The East Asian flora (EAF) is a key biodiversity hotspot for understanding the origin and evolution of Northern Hemisphere floras. Two main floras, the Sino-Himalayan Flora (mainly the Rhododendron Flora) and the Sino-Japanese Flora (mainly the Metasequoia Flora), have been recognized in the EAF. The EAF has high plant species diversity and contains many Cenozoic relict seed plants, and therefore, the assembly of the EAF over time is of great concern to both botanists and biogeographers. In recent years, due to the application of new technologies and theories, such as molecular phylogeny, molecular ecology, and phylogeography, great achievements have been made in further understanding a flora’s evolutionary history in space and time. In this topic, regional flora, plant speciation, plant phylogeny and classification, endemism, relict elements, discontinuous distribution, and palaeoflora associated with EAF will be widely considered. Obviously, research that combines multiple pieces of evidence is extremely welcome.

Prof. Dr. Wenbo Liao
Dr. Kewang Xu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

Flora of East Asia
phylogeography
molecular phylogeny
plant diversity
plant taxonomy
palaeoflora

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 951 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Species-Specific miRNAs Contribute to the Divergence between Deciduous and Evergreen Species in Ilex

by Zhonglong Guo, Zhenxiu Xu, Lei Li and Ke-Wang Xu

Plants 2024, 13(11), 1429; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13111429 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are pivotal regulators of gene expression, playing crucial roles in plant developmental processes and environmental responses. However, the function of miRNAs in influencing deciduous traits has been little explored. Here, we utilized sRNA-seq on two deciduous species, Ilex polyneura (Hand.-Mazz.) S. Y. Hu and Ilex asprella Champ. ex Benth., along with an evergreen species, Ilex latifolia Thunb., to identify and annotate miRNAs within these species. Our analysis revealed 162 species-specific miRNAs (termed SS-miRNAs) from 120 families, underscoring the fundamental roles and potential influence of SS-miRNAs on plant phenotypic diversity and adaptation. Notably, three SS-miRNAs in I. latifolia were found to target crucial genes within the abscission signaling pathway. Analysis of cis-regulatory elements suggested a novel regulatory relationship that may contribute to the evergreen phenotype of I. latifolia by modulating the abscission process in a light-independent manner. These findings propose a potential mechanism by which SS-miRNAs can influence the conserved abscission pathway, contributing to the phenotypic divergence between deciduous and evergreen species within the genus Ilex. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Origin and Evolution of the East Asian Flora (EAF))

14 pages, 3462 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Distribution and Ecological Determinants of Coexisting Hybrid Oak Species: A Study in Yushan’s Mixed Forest

by Xuan Li, Yongfu Li, Yousry A. El-Kassaby and Yanming Fang

Plants 2024, 13(7), 1000; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13071000 - 30 Mar 2024

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Abstract

Ecological niche partitioning is crucial in reducing interspecific competition, fostering species coexistence, and preserving biodiversity. Our research, conducted in a hybrid mixed oak forest in Yushan, Jiangsu, China, focuses on Quercus acutissima, Q. variabilis, Q. fabri, and Q. serrata var. brevipetiolata. Using Point Pattern Analysis, we investigated the spatial relationships and ecological trait autocorrelation, including total carbon (TC), nitrogen (TN), phosphorus (TP), potassium (TK), and breast height diameter (DBH). Our findings show aggregated distribution patterns within the oak populations. The Inhomogeneous Poisson Point model highlights the impact of environmental heterogeneity on Q. variabilis, leading to distinct distribution patterns, while other species showed wider dispersion. This study reveals aggregated interspecific interactions, with a notable dispersal pattern between Q. acutissima and Q. variabilis. We observed significant variability in nutrient elements, indicating distinct nutrient dynamics and uptake processes. The variations in total carbon (TC), nitrogen (TN), phosphorus (TP), and potassium (TK) suggest distinct nutrient dynamics, with TK showing the highest variability. Despite variations in TC, TK, and TP, the species did not form distinct classes, suggesting overlapping nutritional strategies and environmental adaptations. Furthermore, spatial autocorrelation analysis indicates strong positive correlations for DBH, TC, and TP, whereas TK and TN correlations are non-significant. The results suggest habitat filtering as a key driver in intraspecific relationships, with a finer spatial scale of ecological niche division through TC and TP, which is crucial for maintaining coexistence among these oak species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Origin and Evolution of the East Asian Flora (EAF))

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19 pages, 7951 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Population Variation and Phylogeography of Cherry Blossom (Prunus conradinae) in China

by Jingjing Dong, Xiangui Yi, Xianrong Wang, Meng Li, Xiangzhen Chen, Shucheng Gao, Wenyi Fu, Siyu Qian, Xinglin Zeng and Yingke Yun

Plants 2024, 13(7), 974; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13070974 - 28 Mar 2024

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Abstract

Prunus conradinae (subgenus Cerasus, Rosaceae) is a significant germplasm resource of wild cherry blossom in China. To ensure the comprehensiveness of this study, we used a large sample size (12 populations comprising 244 individuals) which involved the fresh leaves of P. conradinae in Eastern, Central, and Southwestern China. We combined morphological and molecular evidence (three chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) sequences and one nuclear DNA (nr DNA) sequence) to examine the population of P. conradinae variation and differentiation. Our results revealed that Central, East, and Southwest China are important regions for the conservation of P. conradinae to ensure adequate germplasm resources in the future. We also found support for a new variant, P. conradinae var. rubrum. We observed high genetic diversity within P. conradinae (haplotype diversity [H_d] = 0.830; ribotype diversity [R_d] = 0.798), with novel genetic variation and a distinct genealogical structure among populations. There was genetic variation among populations and phylogeographic structure among populations and three geographical groups (Central, East, and Southwest China). The genetic differentiation coefficient was the lowest in the Southwest region and the gene exchange was obvious, while the differentiation was obvious in Central China. In the three geographic groups, we identified two distinct lineages: an East China lineage (Central China and East China) and a Southwest China lineage ((Central China and Southwest China) and East China). These two lineages originated approximately 4.38 million years ago (Mya) in the early Pliocene due to geographic isolation. P. conradinae expanded from Central China to East China at 3.32 Mya (95% HPD: 1.12–5.17 Mya) in the Pliocene. The population of P. conradinae spread from East China to Southwest China, and the differentiation time was 2.17 Mya (95% (HPD: 0.47–4.54 Mya), suggesting that the population of P. conradinae differentiated first in Central and East China. The population of P. conradinae experienced differentiation from Central China to Southwest China around 1.10 Mya (95% HPD: 0.11–2.85 Mya) during the early Pleistocene of the Quaternary period. The southeastern region of East China, near Mount Wuyi, likely serves as a refuge for P. conradinae. This study establishes a theoretical foundation for the classification, identification, conservation, and exploitation of germplasm resources of P. conradinae. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Origin and Evolution of the East Asian Flora (EAF))

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17 pages, 3766 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pollen Morphology in Sorbus L. (Rosaceae) and Its Taxonomic Implications

by Meng Li, Chang-Fen Tian, Muhammad Idrees, Mitra Pathak, Xian-Hua Xiong, Xin-Fen Gao and Xian-Rong Wang

Plants 2023, 12(18), 3318; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12183318 - 20 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1306

Abstract

The genus Sorbus L. in the Rosaceae family is taxonomically challenging due to its morphological variation, polyploidy, and interspecific hybridization. In this study, we used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to observe the pollen morphology of eighty species, representing six subgenera, in order to assess the differences within the genus Sorbus and its pollen characteristics. We conducted a cluster analysis on three qualitative and four quantitative characteristics. The results demonstrated that the pollen grains of the studied Sorbus species are isopolar and tricolporate. We identified five types of pollen shapes: suboblate, spheroidal, subprolate, prolate, and perprolate. The pollen ornamentation of the investigated species could be classified into five types: striate-perforate, striate, cerebroid-perforate, cerebroid, and foveolate. Interestingly, within the same subgenera, different species exhibited multiple types of characters. The cluster analysis indicated that all 80 species could be divided into six groups, with group B consisting exclusively of species from the subgenus Sorbus. Although pollen micro-morphologies alone do not provide sufficient evidence to establish the taxonomic relationships of the subgenera within Sorbus, they do offer valuable information for species-level taxonomic treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Origin and Evolution of the East Asian Flora (EAF))

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16 pages, 3543 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Gnetalean Macrofossil from the Mid-Jurassic Daohugou Formation

by Yong Yang, Zhi Yang, Longbiao Lin, Yingwei Wang and David Kay Ferguson

Plants 2023, 12(9), 1749; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12091749 - 24 Apr 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1668

Abstract

Macrofossil evidence has demonstrated a first radiation of gnetophytes in the Early Cretaceous. However, the origin of the diversity of gnetophytes remains ambiguous because gnetalean macrofossils have rarely been reported from pre-Cretaceous strata. Here, we report a new putative gnetalean macrofossil reproductive shoot which possesses opposite phyllotaxy, long linear leaves more or less decurrent and having a prominent midvein and pedicled ovoid-ellipsoid and longitudinally striated chlamydosperms. Our new fossil is different from other known gnetalean macrofossils in the linear-lanceolate leaves with a midvein and pedicled chlamydosperms. As a result, we describe this new macrofossil reproductive shoot as new to science, i.e., Daohugoucladus sinensis gen. et sp. nov. Our new macrofossil displays additional morphological characters distinct from other known Mesozoic and modern gnetalean species and provides additional evidence of the origin and early evolution of female reproductive organs of gnetophytes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Origin and Evolution of the East Asian Flora (EAF))

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Review

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16 pages, 546 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Origin of Evergreen Broad-Leaved Forests in East Asia from the Evidence of Floristic Elements

by Hua Zhu and Yunhong Tan

Plants 2024, 13(8), 1106; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13081106 - 16 Apr 2024

Viewed by 1262

Abstract

Arguments about the origin and evolution of the evergreen broad-leaved forests in East Asia exist generally, and are even contradictory in some cases. The origin and evolution of the flora of East Asia, especially in the evolutionary process, the formation time of the Asian monsoon, the implications of phylogenetic and biogeographic studies on some important taxa, and the implications of palaeobotanical evidence are debatable. Most research from different disciplines suggests that the monsoon in the Miocene was key to the diversification of East Asian flora and its evergreen broad-leaved forests. The common view is that the evergreen broad-leaved forests of East Asia are closely related to the monsoon’s intensity and developments, which were caused by the uplift of Himalaya–Tibet during or after the mid-Miocene. Analysis of the floristic elements show that the present subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests in East Asia could have an early or ancient tropical origin and a tropical Asian affinity, but that their species are dominated by endemic Chinese or East Asian ones, many of which have tropical Asian affinity or are tropical sister species. The time of Himalayan uplift and the intensity of the monsoon climate are believed to be key to the formation of the evergreen broad-leaved forests in East Asia. Combined with existing paleobotanical findings, the uplift of the Himalayas and the formation of the monsoon climate, as well as floristic elements of the subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests, we believe that they evolved from an Asian tropical rainforest after the mid-Miocene in the southeastern region of East Asia, while the ancient subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests in the southwestern region continuously evolved into the present subtropical ones. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Origin and Evolution of the East Asian Flora (EAF))

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