Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden Research Articles

Microfungi associated with dead caterpillars and spiders in Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, P.R. China

During an investigation of microfungi associated with insects in the tropical region of Yunnan Province, China, dead fungi infected within several caterpillars and spiders in the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden were found. Two selected fungal strains were isolated from the surface of the cadavers and subjected to morphological and molecular identification. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out on the subsequent isolates based on multiple gene sequences (ITS, LSU, SSU, rpb1, gapdh, and tef1-α). The observations and the analyses confirmed that the fungi belong to Curvularia geniculata (associated with dead caterpillars) and Purpureocillium atypicola (associated with dead spiders). Here, we have given detailed descriptions of the species along with photo plates and phylogenetic trees showing their taxonomic placements.

Observed decreasing trend in pan evaporation in a tropical rainforest region during 1959–2021

Abstract Pan evaporation (Epan) is a critical measure of the atmospheric evaporation demand. Analyzing meteorological data from the Tropical Rainforest Comprehensive Meteorological Observation Field in the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG Meteorological Observing Station) based on physical models is helpful to improve our understanding of the state of the hydrological cycle in the Xishuangbanna tropical rainforest region. In this study, we investigated the long-term trend in Epan using the observation data from 1959 to 2021. Moreover, correlation analyses of Epan were performed, such as trend test, assessment of periodic properties and abrupt change analysis. Then, D20 Epan data and related meteorological data from 1979 to 2008 were used to drive Penman‒Monteith and PenPan models for simulating Epan. The partial derivative attribution method was used to analyze the dominant factors affecting Epan. The results showed that Epan exhibits obvious periodic changes, the 19a is the first primary period. In addition, there was a clear ‘evaporation paradox’ phenomenon in Xishuangbanna. Epan showed a decreasing trend during both 1959–2008 and 2009–2018, and the decreasing trend reached a significant level with a rate of −3.404 mm·a−2 during 1959–2008. Through comparative analysis, the PenPan model was considered more suitable for simulating Epan in Xishuangbanna. In order to identify the main meteorological factors influencing Epan, complete data from the D20 pan monitoring period, namely, 1979–2008, were selected for attribution calculations. The variations in the net radiation and saturated vapor pressure deficit are the main triggers that explain the ‘evaporation paradox’ phenomenon in Xishuangbanna.

Three new ant-eating spiders of the family Zodariidae Thorell, 1881 (Araneae, Zodariidae) from Xishuangbanna, China.

Three new zodariid spiders from the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden in Yunnan, China are described. A new species of the genus Euryeidon Dankittipakul & Jocqué, 2004, E.diansp. nov. (♂♀), and two new species of the genus Mallinella Strand, 1906, M.bannasp. nov. (♂) and M.menglasp. nov. (♂), are described. Euryeidon is reported for the first time in China.

On nine ground spiders from Xishuangbanna, China (Araneae, Gnaphosidae), including two new genera and seven new species.

Species of the family Gnaphosidae Banks, 1892 were surveyed in Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, and nine species were found including two new genera and seven new species. The new monotypic genera are Meizhelangen. nov., with the type species Meizhelanmuhongsp. nov. (♂♀) and Yuqilingen. nov., with the type species Y.lujunyisp. nov. (♂♀). Five additional new species are described: Allomicythussuochaosp. nov. (♂♀); Hongkongialiutangsp. nov. (♂♀); Sernokorbaruanxiaoersp. nov. (♂♀), Synaphosusleihengsp. nov. (♂♀) and Sy.lijunsp. nov. (♂♀). The unknown male of A.kamurai Ono, 2009 and unknown female of H.wuae Song & Zhu, 1998 are described for the first time.

Green Shoots: a Burning Embers for biodiversity?

Global Change BiologyAccepted Articles COMMENTARYFree Access Green Shoots: a Burning Embers for biodiversity? Richard T. Corlett, Corresponding Author Richard T. Corlett [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0002-2508-9465 Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yunnan, China Correspondence Richard T. Corlett, Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yunnan 666303, China. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author Richard T. Corlett, Corresponding Author Richard T. Corlett [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0002-2508-9465 Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yunnan, China Correspondence Richard T. Corlett, Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yunnan 666303, China. Email: [email protected]tbg.org.cnSearch for more papers by this author First published: 19 April 2023 https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16727 This article has been accepted for publication and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as doi:10.1111/gcb.16727. AboutPDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Accepted ArticlesAccepted, unedited articles published online and citable. The final edited and typeset version of record will appear in the future. RelatedInformation

On two new Oedignatha species from Xishuangbanna, China, and the first description of the female of Jacaenamenglaensis Mu & Zhang, 2020 (Araneae, Liocranidae).

Liocranid spiders from the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden in Yunnan, China are studied. Two new species of Oedignatha Thorell, 1881, O.dian Lu & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀) and O.menglun Lu & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), are described, and the female of Jacaenamenglaensis Mu & Zhang, 2020 is described for the first time. The specimens studied are deposited in the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IZCAS) in Beijing, China.

Interannual stability in butterfly diversity and the larvae-plant interaction network structure at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden

Interannual stability in butterfly diversity and the larvae-plant interaction network structure at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden

Integrative Conservation: A new journal from the conservation frontline

<i>Integrative Conservation</i>: A new journal from the conservation frontline

Taxonomic study on Mysmenidae spiders (Mysmenidae, Araneae) from Xishuangbanna of Yunnan, China.

Thirteen spider species belonging to the family Mysmenidae Petrunkevitch, 1928 are reported from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), Menglun Township, Mengla County, Yunnan Province of China. One genus and five species are documented as new to science: Mengmenabanna gen. nov. et. sp. nov. (♂♀), Mengmenayulin sp. nov. (♀), Mosuheguomu sp. nov. (♂♀), Mysmenaluosuo sp. nov. (♂♀), and Mysmenadai sp. nov. (♀). One species is proposed as a new combination: Mosuzhengi (Lin & Li, 2008) comb. nov. (♂♀, ex Mysmena Simon, 1894). The females of Microdipoenamenglunensis (Lin & Li, 2008), Mysmenaarcilonga Lin & Li, 2008, Mysmenafurca Lin & Li, 2008, and Mysmenarostella Lin & Li, 2008 are described for the first time. Three known species are re-examined and photographed: Gaoligongataeniata Lin & Li, 2014, Mysmenabiangulata (Lin & Li, 2008), and Mysmenacornigera (Lin & Li, 2008). Morphological diagnoses and illustrations are provided for these thirteen mysmenid species.

Phyllosphere eukaryotic microalgal communities in rainforests: Drivers and diversity

Phyllosphere algae are common in tropical rainforests, forming visible biofilms or spots on plant leaf surfaces. However, knowledge of phyllosphere algal diversity and the environmental factors that drive that diversity is limited. The aim of this study is to identify the environmental factors that drive phyllosphere algal community composition and diversity in rainforests. For this purpose, we used single molecule real-time sequencing of full-length 18S rDNA to characterize the composition of phyllosphere microalgal communities growing on four host tree species (Ficus tikoua, Caryota mitis, Arenga pinnata, and Musa acuminata) common to three types of forest over four months at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Yunnan Province, China. Environmental 18S rDNA sequences revealed that the green algae orders Watanabeales and Trentepohliales were dominant in almost all algal communities and that phyllosphere algal species richness and biomass were lower in planted forest than in primeval and reserve rainforest. In addition, algal community composition differed significantly between planted forest and primeval rainforest. We also found that algal communities were affected by soluble reactive phosphorous, total nitrogen, and ammonium contents. Our findings indicate that algal community structure is significantly related to forest type and host tree species. Furthermore, this study is the first to identify environmental factors that affect phyllosphere algal communities, significantly contributing to future taxonomic research, especially for the green algae orders Watanabeales and Trentepohliales. This research also serves as an important reference for molecular diversity analysis of algae in other specific habitats, such as epiphytic algae and soil algae.

One new genus and two new species of the spider family Phrurolithidae (Arachnida, Araneae) from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Southwest China.

Edelithus gen. nov. is described based on the discovery and description of two new species from Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, China: E.puer sp. nov. and E.shenmiguo sp. nov. Both species are described in detail and illustrated. Types are deposited in the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IZCAS) in Beijing, China.

A survey of ctenid spiders (Araneae, Ctenidae) from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Yunnan, China.

Amauropelma Raven, Stumkat & Gray, 2001 currently contains 24 species. It is distributed in Australia, India, Indonesia, Laos and Malaysia. This genus has not been found in China. Ctenus Walckenaer, 1805 comprises 213 known species. This genus is distributed worldwide. Currently, only two species, Ctenuslishuqiang Jäger, 2012 and Ctenusyaeyamensis Yoshida, 1998 are known to occur in China. Three new species of ctenid spiders are described from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden in Yunnan Province, China: Amauropelmayunnan sp. nov., Ctenusbanna sp. nov. and Ctenusyulin sp. nov. Amauropelma and Ctenusrobustus Thorell, 1897 are reported from China for the first time.

The case of the missing mushroom: a novel bioluminescent species discovered within Favolaschia in southwestern China

Seven species of bioluminescent mushrooms belonging to seven genera have been described in the tropical rainforests of China. This study contributes the eighth species, found growing on decaying bamboo in Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG). Morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and ribosomal large subunit (LSU) gene regions placed the species within the genus Favolaschia. Comprehensive morphological descriptions, micro and macro photographs, and a phylogenetic tree showing the placement of the new species are provided. This is the second report of bioluminescent Favolaschia in China.

The return of the elephants: How two groups of dispersing elephants attracted the attention of billions and what can we learn from their behavior

The return of the elephants: How two groups of dispersing elephants attracted the attention of billions and what can we learn from their behavior

Water flux responses of tropical trees and lianas to foliage loss caused by a heavy hailstorm

AbstractLarge‐diameter hail is unusual in the lowland tropics; consequently, its impact on water flux responses of trees and lianas due to foliage loss is unknown. In December 2012, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (21°55′N) in southern Yunnan, China, experienced the most severe hailstorm in approximately 30 years, with hailstones of 8‐ to 17‐mm diameter falling for 10–30 min. We assessed the effect of this hailstorm on sap flux density (SFD) in response to foliage loss in six tree and three liana species. Among the trees, for a given atmospheric vapour pressure deficit (VPD), Tectona grandis and Dipterocarpus tuberculatus showed a significant reduction in sap flux density and water use during the post‐hailstorm week in comparison to pre‐hailstorm week. In contrast, a liana Ventilago calyculata showed a significant increase in SFD during the first post‐hailstorm week, whereas the other tree and liana species showed no significant change in their SFD and water use. T. grandis also showed visible wilting during the first 5 days post‐hailstorm. However, this tree species showed recovery from wilting and also no more reduction in SFD after ~7–9 days. D. tuberculatus also showed SFD recovery a week post‐hailstorm. We conclude that the impact of a heavy hailstorm on the water flux of tropical trees and lianas was mild or neglectable. Our study documented a rare severe hailstorm occurrence and its impact on ecosystem processes of tropical forest and enhances our understanding about water flux of tropical woody species exposed to hailstorm.

The 2020 Chinese National Symposium on Systematic and Evolutionary Botany

On 26–28 November 2020, the Chinese National Symposium on Systematic and Evolutionary Botany (also known as the 14th Young Scholar's Symposium) was held at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Menglun, Yunnan Province, China. The symposium was sponsored by the Botanical Society of China (BSC), and was organized by Professor Yao-Wu Xing from XTBG. The series has been held every other year regularly in the last decade. More than 500 participants from 141 institutes/universities gathered in XTBG to attend the symposium in person, and there were also more than 200 online participants. The symposium brought together the plant systematics and evolutionary biology community in China to discuss the advances in systematics, biodiversity resources and conservation, and evolutionary biology in general. Four workshops were launched on 25 November, covering “Taxonomy of tropical plants”, “Inference of divergence times”, “Organelle genome assembly and analyses”, and “Plant evolutionary genomics”. At the Opening Ceremony on 26 November, Professor Jin Chen (Director of XTBG), Professor Xiao-Quan Wang (Vice Chairman of BSC, and Director of Institute of Botany, CAS), and Professor De-Yuan Hong (Academician of CAS) addressed the symposium. The symposium also included four colloquia on “Plant taxonomy and resources”, “Paleobotany”, “Phylogenetics and biogeography”, and “Speciation and adaptive evolution”, in four concurrent sessions. There were 130 contributed oral presentations and 47 posters. Before the Closing Ceremony on 28 November, ten young investigators presented plenary talks in addition to the three plenary speeches delivered by more established scientists. In closing, Professor De-Zhu Li (Kunming Institute of Botany, CAS) provided a summary on the symposium, and Professor De-Yuan Hong made an appeal for innovative evaluation of the basic sciences, inspiring young botanists to confront the challenges facing the discipline of plant taxonomy. The symposium was very successful and well attended by many young systematists and evolutionary biologists (Fig. 1). Throughout the three days, there were very active exchanges in the form of questions/answers, discussions, and comments. The next Chinese National Symposium on Systematic and Evolutionary Botany was proposed to be held in South China Botanical Garden, CAS in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China in 2022.

Ethnobotanical study on wild edible plants used by three trans-boundary ethnic groups in Jiangcheng County, Pu\u2019er, Southwest China

BackgroundDai, Hani, and Yao people, in the trans-boundary region between China, Laos, and Vietnam, have gathered plentiful traditional knowledge about wild edible plants during their long history of understanding and using natural resources. The ecologically rich environment and the multi-ethnic integration provide a valuable foundation and driving force for high biodiversity and cultural diversity in this region. However, little study has uncovered this unique and attractive culture to the world.MethodsWe conducted ethnobotanical survey in 20 villages of Jiangcheng County from 2016 to 2020. Altogether 109 local Dai, Hani, and Yao people were interviewed, and their traditional knowledge about wild edible plants was recorded. Voucher specimens were identified by the authors and deposited in the herbarium of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences (HITBC). The use value was used as a quantitative index to evaluate the consumption frequency and relative importance of the wild edible plants. The Jaccard index was calculated to assess the usage similarity of different areas. The relationship of age and recognized wild edible plants by different ethnic people was performed by R.ResultsA total of 211 wild edible plants, belonging to 71 families and 151 genera, were recorded. These plants were consumed as wild edible vegetables, seasonal fruits, salads, spices, sour condiments, tonic soups, tea substitutes, liquor brewing, or dyeing materials. The use value (UV), current cultivation, market availability, and the quantitative traditional knowledge inheritance situation of these wild edible plants among different generations, were analyzed. Based on the data from the threatened species list of China’s higher plants and the IUCN Red List, the food plant list for Asia Elephant, the Subject Database of China Plant, and the calculated UV score, the top 30 most important wild edible plants were selected for further cultivation in some local villages.ConclusionTraditional knowledge of wild edible plants, owned by Dai, Hani, and Yao people in Jiangcheng County, is rich but at risk of being lost among the young generation. Diversified cultivation of wild edible plants by the local communities could be a solution for the sustainable use of natural resources and to conserve the endangered species in this trans-boundary region.

Seven new species of jumping spiders (Araneae, Salticidae) from Xishuangbanna, China.

Seven new species of jumping spiders collected from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden in Yunnan, China, are diagnosed and described: Charippus yinaesp. nov. (♂♀), Chinattus inflatussp. nov. (♂), Indomarengo yuisp. nov. (♂), Phintella bannasp. nov. (♂♀), P. miisp. nov. (♂♀), Simaetha menglunsp. nov. (♂♀) and S. pengisp. nov. (♂♀). Charippus yinaesp. nov. is the second species of the genus Charippus Thorell, 1895, which was previously known only from one sex.

Molecular Characterization of a Cacao Germplasm Collection Maintained in Yunnan, China Using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Markers

Cacao is an economically important crop, since it provides the raw material for the multibillion dollar global chocolate industry. Yunnan Province is in the far southwestern region of China where tropical agriculture makes up a significant part of the provincial GDP. There is great potential for cacao production in Yunnan, given the rapid increase of chocolate consumption in China. Understanding the genetic background of available germplasm is essential for effective genebank management and crop genetic improvement. The objectives of this investigation were to assess the genetic identity of the cacao germplasm maintained in Yunnan, China; and to quantify the level of genetic diversity in comparison with available diversity in international collections. Using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers, we genotyped the cacao collection maintained in the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden in Yunnan. Multivariate analysis and Bayesian assignment test, using 150 reference cacao accessions, showed that these introduced cacao germplasm accessions have a narrow genetic background and were mostly comprised of Amelonado hybrids. Of the 88 Yunnan accessions, 59% of the parentage is contributed by Amelonado and 17% by two Upper Amazon Forastero populations. The study demonstrated that these introduced cacao germplasm accessions have a narrow genetic background thus lacking multiple sources of resistance to major cacao diseases. The present results therefore suggest that new introductions are needed to enrich genetic diversity in this collection. An improved germplasm collection would serve as a foundation for broader on-farm diversity for cacao cultivation in Yunnan, as well as in other tropical regions of China.

Martininema semicordatae n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) associated with Ficus semicordata in China

Summary A new nematode species was recovered from the syconia of Ficus semicordata from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Yunnan Province, China. It is described herein as Martininema semicordatae n. sp. and is characterised by having the combined characters of a long post-vulval uterine sac, excretory pore located at nerve ring level, amoeboid sperm, three pairs of subventral papillae on the male tail, rounded male tail tip with mucron, absence of gubernaculum (= apophysis), and a recurved, rose-thorn-shaped spicule lacking a terminal cucullus. Martininema semicordatae n. sp. differs from other sequenced species by differences in the partial small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene and D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene. Phylogenetic analysis with LSU D2-D3 expansion segment sequences suggested that M. semicordatae n. sp. is clustered in a highly supported monophyletic clade with M. guangzhouense, M. fistulosus and M. baculum, and shares a common ancestor with these three species.