Find research datasets worth reusing

Data from: The effect of gene flow on coalescent-based species-tree inference

Most current methods for inferring species-level phylogenies under the coalescent model assume that no gene flow occurs following speciation. Several studies have examined the impact of gene flow (e.g., Eckert and Carstens (2008); Chung and Ane (2011); Leache et al. (2014); Solis-Lemus et al. (2016)) and of ancestral population structure (DeGeorgio and Rosenberg, 2016) on the performance of species-level phylogenetic inference, and analytic results have been proven for network models of gene flow (e.g., Solis-Lemus et al. (2016); Zhu et al. (2016)). However, there are few analytic results for a continuous model of gene flow following speciation, despite the development of mathematical tools that could facilitate such study (e.g., Hobolth et al. (2011); Andersen et al. (2014); Tian and Kubatko (2016)). In this paper, we consider a three-taxon isolation-with-migration model that allows gene flow between sister taxa for a brief period following speciation, as well as variation in the effective population sizes across the species tree. We derive the probabilities of each of the three gene tree topologies under this model, and show that for certain choices of the gene flow and effective population size parameters, anomalous gene trees (i.e., gene trees that are discordant with the species tree but that have higher probability than the gene tree concor- dant with the species tree) exist. We characterize the region of parameter space producing anomalous trees, and show that the probability of the gene tree that is concordant with the species tree can be arbitrarily small. We then show that there is theoretical support for using SVDQuartets with an outgroup to infer the rooted three-taxon species tree in a model of gene flow between sister taxa. We study the performance of SVDQuartets on simulated data and compare it to three other commonly-used methods for species tree inference, AS- TRAL, MP-EST, and concatenation. The simulations show that ASTRAL, MP-EST, and concatenation can be statistically inconsistent when gene flow is present, while SVDQuartets performs well, though large sample sizes may be required for certain parameter choices.

opencc-zeroMay 2020View details →

Data from: Structural complexity and large-sized trees explain shifting species richness and carbon relationship across vegetation types

1. It is prominently claimed that enhancing forest diversity would play a dual role of nature conservation and climate regulation. While the idea is intuitively appealing, studies show that species richness effects on aboveground carbon (AGC) are not always positive, but instead unpredictable especially across scales and complex terrestrial systems having large-diameter and tall-stature trees. Previous studies have further considered structural complexity and larger trees as determinants of AGC. Yet it remains unclear what drives differential diversity-AGC relationships across vegetation types. 2. Here, we test whether structural complexity and large-sized trees play an influential role in explaining shifting diversity-AGC relationships across vegetation types, using a 22.3 ha sampled dataset of 124 inventory plots in woodlands, gallery forests, tree/shrub savannahs and mixed plantations in West Africa. 3. Natural vegetation had greater species richness and structural complexity than mixed plantations, as expected. In addition, AGC was highest in gallery forests and mixed plantations, which is consistent with favorable environmental conditions in the former and high stocking densities and presence of fast-growing species in the latter. Significant interaction effects of species richness and vegetation on AGC revealed a vegetation-dependent species richness-AGC relationship: consistently, we found positive species richness-AGC relationship in both mixed plantations and woodlands, and nonsignificant patterns in gallery forests and tree/shrub savannah. Further, there was a vegetation-dependent mediation of structural complexity in linking species richness to AGC, with stronger positive structural complexity effects where species richness-AGC relationships were positive, and stronger positive large-sized trees' effect where species richness-AGC relationships were neutral. 4. Our study provides strong evidence of vegetation-dependent species richness-AGC relationships, which operated through differential mediation by structural complexity of the species richness and large trees' effects. We conclude that even higher species richness in diversified ecosystems may not always relate positively with AGC, and that neutral pattern may arise possibly as a result of larger dominant individual trees imposing a slow stand dynamic flux and overruling species richness effects.

Data from: Assessing the impacts of positive selection on coalescent-based species tree estimation and species delimitation.

The assumption of strictly neutral evolution is fundamental to the multispecies coalescent model and permits the derivation of gene tree distributions and coalescent times conditioned on a given species tree. In this study, we conduct computer simulations to explore the effects of violating this assumption in the form of species-specific positive selection when estimating species trees, species delimitations, and coalescent parameters under the model. We simulated datasets under an array of evolutionary scenarios that differ in both speciation parameters (i.e., divergence times, strength of selection) and experimental design (i.e., number of loci sampled) and incorporated species-specific positive selection occurring within branches of a species tree to identify the effects of selection on multispecies coalescent inferences. Our results highlight particular evolutionary scenarios and parameter combinations in which inferences may be more, or less, susceptible to the effects of positive selection. In some extreme cases, selection can decrease error in species delimitation and increase error in species tree estimation, yet these inferences appear to be largely robust to the effects of positive selection under many conditions likely to be encountered in empirical datasets.

opencc-zeroDec 2018View details →

Data from: Standing genomic variation within coding and regulatory regions contributes to the adaptive capacity to climate in a foundation tree species

Global climate is rapidly changing and the ability for tree species to adapt is dependent on standing genomic variation; however the distribution and abundance of functional and adaptive variants are poorly understood in natural systems. We test key hypotheses regarding the genetics of adaptive variation in a foundation tree: genomic variation is associated with climate and genomic variation is more likely to be associated with temperature than precipitation or aridity. To test these hypotheses, we used 9,593 independent, genomic single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 270 individuals sampled from Corymbia calophylla's entire distribution in southwestern Western Australia, spanning orthogonal temperature and precipitation gradients. Environmental association analyses returned 537 unique SNPs putatively adaptive to climate. We identified SNPs associated with climatic variation (i.e. temperature (458), precipitation (75) and aridity (78)) across the landscape. Of these, 78 SNPs were non-synonymous (NS), while 26 SNPs were found within gene regulatory regions. The NS and regulatory candidate SNPs associated with temperature explained more deviance (27.35%) then precipitation (5.93%) and aridity (4.77%), suggesting that temperature provides stronger adaptive signals than precipitation. Genes associated with adaptive variants include functions important in stress responses to temperature and precipitation. Patterns of allelic turnover of NS and regulatory SNPs show small patterns of change through climate space with the exception of an aldehyde dehydrogenase gene variant with 80% allelic-turnover with temperature. Together, these findings provide evidence for the presence of adaptive variation to climate in a foundation species and provide critical information to guide adaptive management practices.

opencc-zeroDec 2019View details →

Highlighting convergent evolution in morphological traits in response to climatic gradient in African tropical tree species: the case of genus Guibourtia Benn

<ol> <li>Adaptive evolution is a major driver of organism diversification but the links between phenotypic traits and environmental niche remains little documented in tropical trees. Moreover, trait-niche relationships are complex because a correlation between the traits and environmental niches displayed by a sample of species may result from (1) convergent evolution if different environmental conditions have selected different sets of traits, and/or (2) phylogenetic inertia if niche and morphological differences between species are simply function of their phylogenetic divergence, in which case the trait-niche correlation does not imply any direct causal link. Here, we aim to assess the respective roles of phylogenetic inertia and convergent evolution in shaping the differences of botanical traits and environmental niches among congeneric African tree species that evolved in different biomes. </li> <li>This issue was addressed with the tree genus Guibourtia Benn. (Leguminosae, Detarioideae) which contains 13 African species occupying various forest habitat types, from rain forest to dry woodlands, with different climate and soil conditions. To this end, we combined morphological data with ecological niche modelling and used a highly resolved plastid phylogeny of the 13 African Guibourtia species. </li> <li>First, we demonstrated phylogenetic signals in both morphological traits (Mantel test between phylogenetic and morphological distances between species: r=0.24, p=0.031) and environmental niches (Mantel test between phylogenetic and niche distances between species: r=0.23, p=0.025). Second, we found a significant correlation between morphology and niche, at least between some of their respective dimensions (Mantel's r=0.32, p=0.013), even after accounting for phylogenetic inertia (Phylogenetic Independent Contrast: r=0.69, p=0.018). This correlation occurred between some leaflet and flower traits and solar radiation, relative humidity, precipitations and temperature range. </li> <li>Our results demonstrate the convergent evolution of some morphological traits in response to climatic factors in congeneric tree species and highlight the action of selective forces, along with neutral ones, in shaping the divergence between congeneric tropical plants.</li> </ol>

Data from: Wind dispersal is predicted by tree, not diaspore, traits in comparisons of neotropical species

1. The seed shadow created by wind dispersal around parent trees may be affected by functional traits, as well as wind conditions and surrounding vegetation. 2. This study of one mature tree each of 12 Neotropical species determined the extent to which species variation in diaspore traits vs. tree height and crop size explains (1) rate of diaspore descent in still air, (2) distributions of diaspores dispersed from a 40-m tower in the forest, and (3) natural seed shadows around the parent tree. 3. A model of diaspore wing-loading to a fitted power explained 66.9% of the variation among species in the geometric mean rate of descent in still air. For a subset of four species, expected dispersal distance was not correlated with actual dispersal distance from the forest tower. For a subset of seven species, variation in wing-loading1/2 of individual diaspores explained ≤4.3% of the dispersal distance from the parent tree. 4. Measured seed shadows, particularly their distribution edges and area, differed significantly among the 12 species (range in maximum tree height 19–42 m), and were best fit by 12 separate anisotropic dispersal kernels and surveyed fecundities. Measured mean distance was highly correlated with simulated distances from the kernels. 5. The best models, explaining 57.6% of the variation among species in shadow area, and 59.6, 61.6, and 61.7% of variation in mean, median and maximum distances, included maximum tree height, either alone or in combination with crop size, and not diaspore rate of descent. 6. Among 10 species, seed shadow area was not related to rank of seedling shade tolerance. In their highly skewed distributions, most seeds were much closer than the distance of greatest seedling recruitment and in very high density, thus enhancing later density- and/or distance-related seedling mortality. 7. Tree functional traits, rather than the historically emphasized diaspore traits, explain distance distributions of these wind-dispersed species. Additional exploration of diaspore abscission in relation to wind and the influence of wind patterns after release are needed.

opencc-zeroDec 2013View details →

Data from: Loss of animal seed dispersal increases extinction risk in a tropical tree species due to pervasive negative density dependence across life stages

Overhunting in tropical forests reduces populations of vertebrate seed dispersers. If reduced seed dispersal has a negative impact on tree population viability, overhunting could lead to altered forest structure and dynamics, including decreased biodiversity. However, empirical data showing decreased animal-dispersed tree abundance in overhunted forests contradict demographic models which predict minimal sensitivity of tree population growth rate to early life stages. One resolution to this discrepancy is that seed dispersal determines spatial aggregation, which could have demographic consequences for all life stages. We tested the impact of dispersal loss on population viability of a tropical tree species, Miliusa horsfieldii, currently dispersed by an intact community of large mammals in a Thai forest. We evaluated the effect of spatial aggregation for all tree life stages, from seeds to adult trees, and constructed simulation models to compare population viability with and without animal-mediated seed dispersal. In simulated populations, disperser loss increased spatial aggregation by fourfold, leading to increased negative density dependence across the life cycle and a 10-fold increase in the probability of extinction. Given that the majority of tree species in tropical forests are animal-dispersed, overhunting will potentially result in forests that are fundamentally different from those existing now.

opencc-zeroDec 2018View details →

Data from: Biogeographic variation of distance-dependent effects in an invasive tree species

1.Plant pathogens and herbivores can maintain forest diversity by reducing survival of tree seedlings close to conspecifics. However, how biogeographic variation in these natural enemies affects such distance‐dependent processes is unknown. Because invasive plants escape ecologically important enemies when introduced to a new range, distance‐dependent mortality may differ between their native and introduced ranges. 2. Here, we test whether the invasive tree Triadica sebifera escaped distance‐dependent mortality when introduced to the US from China, and examine the roles of natural enemies in native and introduced ranges. In both US and China, we performed field surveys along with field and greenhouse experiments with field collected soils and soil sterilization treatments. 3. In field surveys and the field experiment, insect damage on T. sebifera seedlings decreased with distance to conspecific trees in the native range (China) but damage was low at all distances in the introduced range (US). In the greenhouse experiment testing the effects of soil pathogens, T. sebifera seedling mortality decreased with soil distance from conspecific trees in both ranges but distance‐independent mortality was higher in native range soils. 4. Our findings indicate that both insect herbivores and the soil biota contribute to distance‐ dependent effects on T. sebifera in its native range. They suggest, however, that plants may more readily escape herbivore than soil biota distance‐dependent effects when introduced to a new range and so herbivores, rather than soil pathogens, contribute more strongly to biogeographic variation in distance‐dependent effects. These results highlight the importance of considering species biogeographic variation in distance‐dependent effects and teasing apart the roles that different natural enemies play when studying species coexistence, community diversity, and biological invasions.

opencc-zeroDec 2016View details →

Data from: Successional status, seed dispersal mode and overstorey species influence tree regeneration in tropical rain-forest fragments in Western Ghats, India

The effects of fragmentation and overstorey tree diversity on tree regeneration were assessed in tropical rain forests of the Western Ghats, India. Ninety plots were sampled for saplings (1–5 cm diameter at breast height (dbh); 5×5-m plots) and overstorey trees (>9.55 cm dbh; 20×20-m plots) within two fragments (32 ha and 18 ha) and two continuous forests. We tested the hypotheses that fragmentation and expected seed-dispersal declines (1) reduce sapling densities and species richness of all species and old-growth species, and increase recruitment of early-successional species, (2) reduce the prevalence of dispersed recruits and (3) increase influence of local overstorey on sapling densities and richness. Continuous forests and fragments had similar sapling densities and species richness overall, but density and richness of old-growth species declined by 62% and 48%, respectively, in fragments. Fragments had 39% lower densities and 24% lower richness of immigrant saplings (presumed dispersed into sites as conspecific adults were absent nearby), and immigrant densities of old-growth bird-dispersed species declined by 79%. Sapling species richness (overall and old-growth) increased with overstorey species richness in fragments, but was unrelated to overstorey richness in continuous forests. Our results show that while forest fragments retain significant sapling diversity, losses of immigrant recruits and increased overstorey influence strengthen barriers to natural regeneration of old-growth tropical rain forests.

Data from: Trees as islands: canopy ant species richness increases with the size of liana-free trees in a Neotropical forest

The physical characteristics of habitats shape local community structure; a classic example is the positive relationship between the size of insular habitats and species richness. Despite the high density and proximity of tree crowns in forests, trees are insular habitats for some taxa. Specifically, crown isolation (i.e. crown shyness) prevents the movement of small cursorial animals among trees. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the species richness of ants (Sa) in individual, isolated trees embedded within tropical forest canopies increases with tree size. We predicted that this pattern disappears when trees are connected by lianas (woody vines) or when strong interactions among ant species determine tree occupancy. We surveyed the resident ants of 213 tree crowns in lowland tropical forest of Panama. On average, 9.2 (range = 2–20) ant species occupied a single tree crown. Average (± SE) Sa was ca 25% higher in trees with lianas (10.2 ± 0.26) than trees lacking lianas (8.0 ± 0.51). Sa increased with tree size in liana-free trees (Sa = 10.99A0.256), but not in trees with lianas. Ant species composition also differed between trees with and without lianas. Specifically, ant species with solitary foragers occurred more frequently in trees with lianas. The mosaic-like pattern of species co-occurrence observed in other arboreal ant communities was not found in this forest. Collectively, the results of this study indicate that lianas play an important role in shaping the local community structure of arboreal ants by overcoming the insular nature of tree crowns.

opencc-zeroDec 2012View details →

Data from: Gene trees, species trees and Earth history combine to shed light on the evolution of migration in a model avian system

The evolution of migration in birds has fascinated biologists for centuries. In this study, we performed phylogenetic-based analyses of Catharus thrushes, a model genus in the study of avian migration, and their close relatives. For these analyses, we used both mitochondrial and nuclear genes, and the resulting phylogenies were used to trace migratory traits and biogeographic patterns. Our results provide the first robust assessment of relationships within Catharus and relatives and indicate that both mitochondrial and autosomal genes contribute to overall support of the phylogeny. Measures of phylogenetic informativeness indicated that mitochondrial genes provided more signal within Catharus than did nuclear genes, whereas nuclear loci provided more signal for relationships between Catharus and close relatives than did mitochondrial genes. Insertion and deletion events also contributed important support across the phylogeny. Across all taxa included in the study, and for Catharus, possession of long-distance migration is reconstructed as the ancestral condition, and a North American (north of Mexico) ancestral area is inferred. Within Catharus, sedentary behaviour evolved after the first speciation event in the genus and is geographically and temporally correlated with Central American distributions and the final closure of the Central American Seaway. Migratory behaviour subsequently evolved twice in Catharus and is geographically and temporally correlated with a recolonization of North America in the late Pleistocene. By temporally linking speciation events with changes in migratory condition and events in Earth history, we are able to show support for several competing hypotheses relating to the geographic origin of migration.

Data from: Tests of species-specific models reveal the importance of drought in postglacial range shifts of a Mediterranean-climate tree: insights from integrative distributional, demographic and coalescent modelling and ABC model selection

Past climate change has caused shifts in species distributions and undoubtedly impacted patterns of genetic variation, but the biological processes mediating responses to climate change, and their genetic signatures, are often poorly understood. We test six species-specific biologically informed hypotheses about such processes in canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepis) from the California Floristic Province. These hypotheses encompass the potential roles of climatic niche, niche multidimensionality, physiological trade-offs in functional traits, and local-scale factors (microsites and local adaptation within ecoregions) in structuring genetic variation. Specifically, we use ecological niche models (ENMs) to construct temporally dynamic landscapes where the processes invoked by each hypothesis are reflected by differences in local habitat suitabilities. These landscapes are used to simulate expected patterns of genetic variation under each model and evaluate the fit of empirical data from 13 microsatellite loci genotyped in 226 individuals from across the species range. Using approximate Bayesian computation (ABC), we obtain very strong support for two statistically indistinguishable models: a trade-off model in which growth rate and drought tolerance drive habitat suitability and genetic structure, and a model based on the climatic niche estimated from a generic ENM, in which the variables found to make the most important contribution to the ENM have strong conceptual links to drought stress. The two most probable models for explaining the patterns of genetic variation thus share a common component, highlighting the potential importance of seasonal drought in driving historical range shifts in a temperate tree from a Mediterranean climate where summer drought is common.

opencc-zeroDec 2013View details →

Data from: Genome-wide scans detect adaptation to aridity in a widespread forest tree species.

Patterns of adaptive variation within plant species are best studied through common garden experiments, but these are costly and time-consuming, especially for trees that have long generation times. We explored whether genome-wide scanning technology combined with outlier marker detection could be used to detect adaptation to climate and provide an alternative to common garden experiments. As a case study, we sampled nine provenances of the widespread forest tree species, Eucalyptus tricarpa, across an aridity gradient in southeastern Australia. Using a Bayesian analysis we identified a suite of 94 putatively adaptive (outlying) sequence-tagged markers across the genome. Population-level allele frequencies of these outlier markers were strongly correlated with temperature and moisture availability at the site of origin, and with population differences in functional traits measured in two common gardens. Using the output from a canonical analysis of principal coordinates we devised a metric that provides a holistic measure of genomic adaptation to aridity that could be used to guide assisted migration or genetic augmentation.

opencc-zeroDec 2016View details →

Data from: AFLP diversity and spatial structure of Calycophyllum candidissimum (Rubiaceae), a dominant tree species of Nicaragua's critically endangered seasonally dry forest

The Central American seasonally dry tropical (SDT) forest biome is one of the worlds' most endangered ecosystems, yet little is known about the genetic consequences of its recent fragmentation. A prominent constituent of this biome is Calycophyllum candidissimum, an insect-pollinated and wind-dispersed canopy tree of high socio-economic importance, particularly in Nicaragua. Here, we surveyed amplified fragment length polymorphisms across 13 populations of this species in Nicaragua to elucidate the relative roles of contemporary vs historical factors in shaping its genetic variation. Genetic diversity was low in all investigated populations (mean HE=0.125), and negatively correlated with latitude. Overall population differentiation was moderate (ΦST=0.109, P<0.001), and Bayesian analysis of population structure revealed two major latitudinal clusters (I: 'Pacific North'+'Central Highland'; II: 'Pacific South'), along with a genetic cline between I and II. Population-based cluster analyses indicated a strong pattern of 'isolation by distance' as confirmed by Mantel's test. Our results suggest that (1) the low genetic diversity of these populations reflects biogeographic/population history (colonisation from South America, Pleistocene range contractions) rather than recent human impact; whereas (2) the underlying process of their isolation by distance pattern, which is best explained by 'isolation by dispersal limitation', implies contemporary gene flow between neighbouring populations as likely facilitated by the species' efficient seed dispersal capacity. Overall, these results underscore that even tree species from highly decimated forest regions may be genetically resilient to habitat fragmentation due to species-typical dispersal characteristics, the necessity of broad-scale measures for their conservation notwithstanding.

Data from: RADseq data reveal ancient, but not pervasive, introgression between Californian tree and scrub oak species (Quercus sect. Quercus: Fagaceae)

A long-term debate in evolutionary biology is the extent to which reproductive isolation is a necessary element of speciation. Hybridizing plants in general are cited as evidence against this notion and oaks specifically have been used as the classic example of species maintenance without reproductive isolation. Here, we use thousands of SNPs generated by RAD sequencing to describe the phylogeny of a set of sympatric white oak species in California and then test whether these species exhibit pervasive interspecific gene exchange. Using RAD sequencing, we first constructed a phylogeny of ten oak species found in California. Our phylogeny revealed that seven scrub oak taxa occur within one clade that diverged from a common ancestor with Q. lobata, that they comprise two subclades, and they are not monophyletic but include the widespread tree oak Q. douglasii. Next, we searched for genomic patterns of allele sharing consistent with gene flow between long-divergent tree oaks with scrub oaks. Specifically, we utilized the D-statistic as well as model-based inference to compare the signature of shared alleles between two focal tree species (Q. lobata and Q. engelmannii) with multiple scrub species within the two subclades. We found that introgression is not equally pervasive between sympatric tree and scrub oak species. Instead, gene flow commonly occurs from scrub oaks to recently sympatric Q. engelmannii, but less so from scrub oaks to long-sympatric Q. lobata. This case study illustrates the influence of ancient introgression and impact of reproductive isolating mechanisms in preventing indiscriminant interspecific gene exchange.

Data from: Adaptive evolution and segregating load contribute to the genomic landscape of divergence in two tree species connected by episodic gene flow

Speciation often involves repeated episodes of genetic contact between divergent populations before reproductive isolation (RI) is complete. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) holds great promise for unravelling the genomic bases of speciation. We have studied two ecologically divergent, hybridizing species of the 'model tree' genus Populus (poplars, aspens, cottonwoods), Populus alba and P. tremula, using >8.6 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from WGS of population pools. We used the genomic data to (i) scan these species' genomes for regions of elevated and reduced divergence, (ii) assess key aspects of their joint demographic history based on genomewide site frequency spectra (SFS) and (iii) infer the potential roles of adaptive and deleterious coding mutations in shaping the genomic landscape of divergence. We identified numerous small, unevenly distributed genome regions without fixed polymorphisms despite high overall genomic differentiation. The joint SFS was best explained by ancient and repeated gene flow and allowed pinpointing candidate interspecific migrant tracts. The direction of selection (DoS) differed between genes in putative migrant tracts and the remainder of the genome, thus indicating the potential roles of adaptive divergence and segregating deleterious mutations on the evolution and breakdown of RI. Genes affected by positive selection during divergence were enriched for several functionally interesting groups, including well-known candidate 'speciation genes' involved in plant innate immunity. Our results suggest that adaptive divergence affects RI in these hybridizing species mainly through intrinsic and demographic processes. Integrating genomic with molecular data holds great promise for revealing the effects of particular genetic pathways on speciation.

Data from: Congruent species delimitation of two controversial gold-thread nanmu tree species based on morphological and restriction site-associated DNA sequencing data

Species delimitation is fundamental to conservation and sustainable use of economically important forest tree species. However, the delimitation of two highly valued gold-thread nanmu species (Phoebe bournei and P. zhennan) has been confusing and debated. To address this problem, we integrated morphology and restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) to define their species boundaries. We obtained highly consistent results from both data sets, supporting two distinct lineages corresponding to P. bournei and P. zhennan. In Phoebe bournei, higher order leaf venation is more prominent, petioles are thicker and leaf apex angle is narrower, compared to P. zhennan. Both data sets also showed that putative P. bournei localities from north-eastern Guizhou were P. zhennan. The two species have different distributions and only overlap in the Wuling Mountains. Phoebe bournei occurs mainly in Central Fujian, southern Jiangxi, the Nanling Mountains and the Wuling Mountains, whereas P. zhennan is found in the adjoining eastern regions of the Qionglai Mountains, the Southern Sichuan Hills and the Wuling Mountains. The improved delimitation of P. bournei and P. zhennan and clarification of their ranges provide a better guidance for conservation and sustainable utilization of these tree species.

opencc-zeroDec 2016View details →

Data from: Tree species diversity alters plant defence investment in an experimental forest plantation in Southern Mexico

The effects of plant species diversity on plant traits conferring herbivore resistance (e.g., chemical defences), as well as the mechanisms underlying such effects, have received little attention. One potential mechanism for diversity effects on plant defences is that increased plant growth at high diversity could lead to reduced investment in defences via growth-defence trade-offs. We measured tree growth (diameter at breast height) and collected leaves for quantification of total phenolics on 2.5-year old plants of six tropical tree species (N = 597 plants) in a young experimental plantation in southern Mexico. Selected plants were distributed across 23 plots (21 x 21 m each) classified as monocultures of one species (N = 13, 2-3 plots per species) or polycultures (N = 10) represented by mixtures of four out of the six species. We found a significant negative effect of tree species diversity on total phenolics, where polycultures exhibited a 13 percent lower mean concentration than monocultures. However, there was marked variation among tree species in diversity effects on defences, where some species exhibited strong reductions in phenolics in mixtures, whereas others were unresponsive. Further, we found no effect of tree species diversity on growth and results indicated that the negative effect of diversity on chemical defences was not mediated by a growth-defence trade-off. These results demonstrate that tree diversity can alter investment in chemical defences in long-lived tree species, which has important implications for predicting effects on consumers and ecosystem function.

opencc-zeroDec 2013View details →

Data from: Species tree estimation of North American chorus frogs (Hylidae: Pseudacris) with parallel tagged amplicon sequencing

The field of phylogenetics is changing rapidly with the application of high-throughput sequencing to non-model organisms. Cost-effective use of this technology for phylogenetic studies, which often include a relatively small portion of the genome but several taxa, requires strategies for genome partitioning and sequencing multiple individuals in parallel. In this study we estimated a multilocus phylogeny for the North American chorus frog genus Pseudacris using anonymous nuclear loci that were recently developed using a reduced representation library approach. We sequenced 27 nuclear loci and three mitochondrial loci for 44 individuals on 1/3 of an Illumina MiSeq run, obtaining 96.5% of the targeted amplicons at less than 20% of the cost of traditional Sanger sequencing. We found heterogeneity among gene trees, although four major clades (Trilling Frog, Fat Frog, crucifer, and West Coast) were consistently supported, and we resolved the relationships among these clades for the first time with strong support. We also found discordance between the mitochondrial and nuclear datasets that we attribute to mitochondrial introgression and a possible selective sweep. Bayesian concordance analysis in BUCKy and species tree analysis in *BEAST produced largely similar topologies, although we identify taxa that require additional investigation in order to clarify taxonomic and geographic range boundaries. Overall, we demonstrate the utility of a reduced representation library approach for marker development and parallel tagged sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq for phylogenetic studies of non-model organisms.