The Origin of Isolated Populations of the Mountain Weevil, Liparus glabrirostris-The Flagship Species for Riparian Habitats

Limited congruence in phylogeographic patterns observed for riverine predacious beetles sharing distribution along the mountain rivers

Riverine predacious beetles (RPB) (Carabidae, Staphylinidae) are highly diverse and numerous elements of riverine ecosystems. Their historical and contemporary distribution and diversity are highly dependent on natural flow regimes and topography of watercourses. Despite broad knowledge of their ecology, data on population genetic diversity and connectivity are lacking. This study aimed to fill this gap in order to solve two principal hypotheses assuming (i) congruence of phylogeographic patterns observed for RPB indicating that they share a common history and the ecological adaptations to the dynamic environment, (ii) genetic structuration of populations according to river basins. The Carpathian populations of four ground beetles and three rove beetles were examined using cytochrome oxidase and arginine kinase sequencing. There are substantial differences in RPB demographic history and current genetic diversity. Star-like phylogeny of Bembidion and complex haplotype networks of Paederus/Paederidus, with some haplotypes being drainage-specific and others found in distant populations, indicate a general lack of isolation by distance. Signs of recent demographic expansion were detected for most RPB with the latest population collapse for some rove beetles. To some extent, migration of examined species has to be limited by watersheds. Observed phylogeographic patterns are essential for correctly understanding RPB meta-population functioning.

A rare shrub species as flagship for conserving desert steppe in arid Inner Mongolia

The rare species Amygdalus pedunculata Pall. (Rosaceae) in arid northern China is endangered to the point of extinction. Determined to save it, the local government of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region encouraged the herdsmen to limit grazing activities. Here, we are testing if this species could be considered as a conspicuous flagship for restoring and conserving wind-sensitive arid lands as desert steppe in northern China. We examined statistically the growing states and environmental roles of A. pedunculata populations under the comparative conditions of free and limited grazing in winter since the year 2001. This species was observed to play a critical role in preventing wind erosion and stabilising the lands, as was indicated by the formation of micro-dunes under the shrubs. This role can be attributed mainly to the crown diameters or cover from the shrubs. Under the grazing limitation condition, accompanying species and plants around the shrubs increased significantly. Regardless of free or limited grazing conditions, the shrubs were not observed to inhibit the occurrence or growth of other plants. The grazing limitation over a period of 20 years has caused the effective revival of the rare A. pedunculata species, with statistically larger and taller A. pedunculata individuals than under the free grazing condition, as well as a slightly higher population density and total crown cover. The grazing limitation policy for saving A. pedunculata is believed to be effective and the rare A. pedunculata shrub is a conspicuous flagship for helping to conserve wind-sensitive desert steppe in terms of ecosystem integrity and authenticity.