Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2023, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (12): 1629-1645.DOI: 10.17521/cjpe.2022.0295

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Species delimitation and genetic conservation of the endangered firs Abies beshanzuensis and A. ziyuanensis

YANG Ling1,2,3,*, LIANG Si-Qi1,2,3,*, PAN Jia-Ming1,2,3, WEI Jin-Xin1,2,3, DING Tao4, JIANG Ri-Hong5, SHAO Yi-Zhen6, ZHANG Xian-Chun1,2, LIU Yong-Bo7,**(), XIANG Qiao-Ping1,2,**()   

  1. 1State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
    2China National Botanical Garden, Beijing 100093, China
    3College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    4Guangxi Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guilin, Guangxi 541006, China
    5Guangxi Forestry Research Institute, Nanning 530002, China
    6College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
    7State Environment Protection Key Laboratory of Regional Ecological Process and Functional Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
  • Received:2022-07-18 Accepted:2023-06-05 Online:2023-12-20 Published:2023-06-08
  • Contact: **(Liu YB, liuyb@craes.org.cn; Xiang QP, qpxiang@ibcas.ac.cn)
  • About author:*Contributed equally to this work
  • Supported by:
    Supported by the Biodiversity Survey and Assessment Project of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China(2019HJ2096001006)

Abstract:

Aims “Species” is the basic taxonomical unit in biology. The accuracy of endangered species delimitation largely determines the efficiency and conservation strategies. Abies beshanzuensis, A. ziyuanensis and A. dayuanensis, a group of endangered firs endemic to the subtropical region of China, have extremely small populations and controversial taxonomy. According to morphological differences and geographical distribution, A. dayuanensis has been considered as the synonym of A. ziyuanensis, whereas A. ziyuanensis is currently treated as a variety of A. beshanzuensis. However, no genetic evidence has been provided to test this classification hypothesis.
Methods We performed target enrichment sequencing on 23 individuals from eight extant populations and obtained 805 single nucleotide polymorphic sites from 60 single-copy nuclear genes for population genetic analyses.
Important findings Results of population genetic structure and demographic history analyses showed that this endangered fir group has diverged into two lineages corresponding to A. beshanzuensis and A. ziyuanensis. Abies ziyuanensis first diverged from the common ancestor of A. beshanzuensis and A. dayuanensis, the latter two split apart later and more closely related, forming the other lineage. The genetic diversity is low within these populations. Strong genetic differentiation was found among populations (fixation index, FST = 0.083-0.208). Gene flow is not detected after lineages split, probably because of the fragmented habitats which blocked effective genetic exchanges among populations. Ecological niche comparison showed that the average annual temperature and the temperature of the coldest quarter were significantly higher in the habitats of these endangered firs compared to those of non-threatened firs in East Asia. Therefore, we inferred that global warming is likely to push this group of endangered firs to the edge of extinction. According to the significant population differentiation, we provide genetic evidence that A. dayuanensis is a synonym of A. beshanzuensis, and resurrect A. ziyuanensis as a separate species. Based on the niche comparison results, we highlight the necessity to carry out ex suit conservation in the Hengduan Mountains and the Qingling-Bashan Mountains and conduct in suit regeneration.

Key words: Abies dayuanensis, coalescent analysis, ecological niche, population genetics, species conservation, species delimitation, targeted sequencing