| 1. |
- Cai, Ruibo, et al.
(author)
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Recombination and selection in the major histocompatibility complex of the endangered forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii)
- 2015
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In: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) is a high elevation species distributed across western China and northern Vietnam. Once abundant, habitat loss and poaching has led to a dramatic decrease in population numbers prompting the IUCN to list the species as endangered. Here, we characterized the genetic diversity of a Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) locus and teased apart driving factors shaping its variation. Seven DRB exon 2 alleles were identified among a group of randomly sampled forest musk deer from a captive population in the Sichuan province of China. Compared to other endangered or captive ungulates, forest musk deer have relatively low levels of MHC genetic diversity. Non-synonymous substitutions primarily occurred in the putative peptide-binding region (PBR), with analyses suggesting that recombination and selection has shaped the genetic diversity across the locus. Specifically, inter-allelic recombination generated novel allelic combinations, with evidence for both positive selection acting on the PBR and negative selection on the non-PBR. An improved understanding of functional genetic variability of the MHC will facilitate better design and management of captive breeding programs for this endangered species.
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| 2. |
- Hu, Guojie, et al.
(author)
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Water and heat coupling processes and its simulation in frozen soils : Current status and future research directions
- 2023
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In: Catena. - : Elsevier BV. - 0341-8162. ; 222
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To date, most studies on coupled-water-and-heat processes in frozen soils haves focused on the mechanism of changes in frozen soil and the contribution of climate change, hydrological processes, and ecosystems in cold regions. Several studies have demonstrated considerable improvements in the accuracy of simulating water and heat transfer processes in cold regions. However, substantial differences remain among the different models and parameterizations because of the lack of observations and in-depth understanding of the water and heat transfer processes. Hence, it is necessary to summarize recent advances in the simulation of water-and-heat-coupling processes and challenges for further research. Therefore, we present a theory-focused summary of progress in this field considering the aspects of water flow and coupled-water-and-heat transfer. The simulation progress is discussed in terms of physical process models; one type of model only considers the heat conduction transfer processes without water flow, and the other considers coupled-water-and-heat transfer processes. Aspects of model deficiencies related to non-conductive heat transfer and soil water transfer processes in the frozen soil are also summarized. Moreover, the major parameterizations are reviewed, including phase changes, freeze–thaw fronts, thermal conductivity, hydraulic conductivity, snow processes, surface parameterization schemes, ground ice, and lower boundary conditions. While models and parameterizations can suitably capture local-scale water and heat transfer processes in frozen soil, their applications are spatiotemporally constrained, requiring further improvement. We provide a theoretical basis for further studying water and heat transfer processes in frozen soil and suggest that future research should enhance the accuracy of frozen soil parameterization and improve the understanding of the coupling of water and heat transfer processes based on improved observation techniques and high-resolution data.
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| 3. |
- Liu, Gang, et al.
(author)
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Evaluating the reintroduction project of Przewalski's horse in China using genetic and pedigree data
- 2014
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In: Biological Conservation. - : Elsevier BV. - 0006-3207 .- 1873-2917. ; 171, s. 288-298
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Przewalski's horse went extinct in the wild in the mid 1960s. Starting in 1985, individuals were brought from western zoos to two centers in China and breeding programs were initiated. With the increasing size of captive populations, two reintroduction projects were launched in the northwestern China in 2001 and 2010. Knowledge on genetic diversity in China's horse populations is limited, but would help improve the genetic management and assess the success of the reintroduction. Accordingly, one reintroduced and two captive populations were examined with 10 microsatellite loci together with pedigree data. The results showed higher level of diversity within the captive populations than the reintroduced population, indicating some alleles may have been lost during reintroduction. Genetic differentiation was detected among populations (F-ST = 0.09 +/- 0.05, Rhos(ST) = 0.05 +/- 0.02) and Bayesian clustering supported the presence of three subpopulations. The highest genetic differentiation was observed between the captive and reintroduced populations, and inbreeding coefficients were generally higher in the reintroduced population. Temporal estimates of both pedigree and microsatellite data showed a high, but decreasing level inbreeding. Through simulations, we estimated that the reintroduced population needs more than 100 individuals to retain approximately 90% of its current, already depauperate, genetic diversity. We have provided recommendations for the management program concerning introgressed genes from domestic horse and the number and origin of individuals for future reintroductions. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 4. |
- Wu, Tonghua, et al.
(author)
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Storage, patterns, and environmental controls of soil organic carbon stocks in the permafrost regions of the Northern Hemisphere
- 2022
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In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697. ; 828
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Large stocks of soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulated in the Northern Hemisphere permafrost regions may be vulnerable to climatic warming, but global estimates of SOC distribution and magnitude in permafrost regions still have large uncertainties. Based on multiple high-resolution environmental variables and a compiled soil sample dataset (>3000 soil profiles), we used machine-learning methods to estimate the size and spatial distribution of SOC for the top 3 m soils in the Northern Hemisphere permafrost regions. We also identified key environmental predictors of SOC. The results showed that the SOC storage for the top 3 m soil was 1079 ± 174 Pg C across the Northern Hemisphere permafrost regions (20.8 × 106 km2), including 1057 ± 167 Pg C in the northern permafrost regions and 22 ± 7 Pg C in the Third Pole permafrost regions. The mean annual air temperature and NDVI are the main controlling factors for the spatial distribution of SOC stocks in the northern and the Third Pole permafrost regions. Our estimations were more accurate than the existing global SOC stock maps. The results improve our understanding of the regional and global permafrost carbon cycle and their feedback to the climate system.
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