Population structure, long-term connectivity, and effective size of mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis) in the Caribbean Sea and Florida Keys

Genetic structure and average long-term connectivity and effective size of mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis) sampled from offshore localities in the U.S. Caribbean and the Florida Keys were assessed by using nuclear-encoded microsatellites and a fragment of mitochondrial DNA. No significant differences in allele, genotype (microsatellites), or haplotype (mtDNA) distributions were detected; tests of selective neutrality (mtDNA) were nonsignificant after Bonferroni correction. Heuristic estimates of average long-term rate of migration (proportion of migrant individuals/generation) between geographically adjacent localities varied from 0.0033 to 0.0054, indicating that local subpopulations could respond independently of environmental perturbations. Estimates of average longterm effective population sizes varied from 341 to 1066 and differed significantly among several of the localities. These results indicate that over time larval drift and interregional adult movement may not be sufficient to maintain population sustainability across the region and that there may be different demographic stocks at some of the localities studied. The estimate of long-term effective population size at the locality offshore of St. Croix was below the minimum threshold size considered necessary to maintain the equilibrium between the loss of adaptive genetic variance from genetic drift and its replacement by mutation. Genetic variability in mutton snapper likely is maintained at the intraregional level by aggregate spawning and random mating of local populations. This feature is perhaps ironic in that aggregate spawning also renders mutton snapper especially vulnerable to overexploitation.

Inferring Population Genetic Structure in Widely and Continuously Distributed Carnivores: The Stone Marten (Martes foina) as a Case Study

The stone marten is a widely distributed mustelid in the Palaearctic region that exhibits variable habitat preferences in different parts of its range. The species is a Holocene immigrant from southwest Asia which, according to fossil remains, followed the expansion of the Neolithic farming cultures into Europe and possibly colonized the Iberian Peninsula during the Early Neolithic (ca. 7,000 years BP). However, the population genetic structure and historical biogeography of this generalist carnivore remains essentially unknown. In this study we have combined mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing (621 bp) and microsatellite genotyping (23 polymorphic markers) to infer the population genetic structure of the stone marten within the Iberian Peninsula. The mtDNA data revealed low haplotype and nucleotide diversities and a lack of phylogeographic structure, most likely due to a recent colonization of the Iberian Peninsula by a few mtDNA lineages during the Early Neolithic. The microsatellite data set was analysed with a) spatial and non-spatial Bayesian individual-based clustering (IBC) approaches (STRUCTURE, TESS, BAPS and GENELAND), and b) multivariate methods [discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) and spatial principal component analysis (sPCA)]. Additionally, because isolation by distance (IBD) is a common spatial genetic pattern in mobile and continuously distributed species and it may represent a challenge to the performance of the above methods, the microsatellite data set was tested for its presence. Overall, the genetic structure of the stone marten in the Iberian Peninsula was characterized by a NE-SW spatial pattern of IBD, and this may explain the observed disagreement between clustering solutions obtained by the different IBC methods. However, there was significant indication for contemporary genetic structuring, albeit weak, into at least three different subpopulations. The detected subdivision could be attributed to the influence of the rivers Ebro, Tagus and Guadiana, suggesting that main watercourses in the Iberian Peninsula may act as semi-permeable barriers to gene flow in stone martens. To our knowledge, this is the first phylogeographic and population genetic study of the species at a broad regional scale. We also wanted to make the case for the importance and benefits of using and comparing multiple different clustering and multivariate methods in spatial genetic analyses of mobile and continuously distributed species.

On the Stability and Equilibrium Points of Multistaged SI (n) R Epidemic Models

This paper relies on the concept of next generation matrix defined ad hoc for a new proposed extended SEIR model referred to as SI(n)R-model to study its stability. The model includes n successive stages of infectious subpopulations, each one acting at the exposed subpopulation of the next infectious stage in a cascade global disposal where each infectious population acts as the exposed subpopulation of the next infectious stage. The model also has internal delays which characterize the time intervals of the coupling of the susceptible dynamics with the infectious populations of the various cascade infectious stages. Since the susceptible subpopulation is common, and then unique, to all the infectious stages, its coupled dynamic action on each of those stages is modeled with an increasing delay as the infectious stage index increases from 1 to n. The physical interpretation of the model is that the dynamics of the disease exhibits different stages in which the infectivity and the mortality rates vary as the individual numbers go through the process of recovery, each stage with a characteristic average time.

Estudo imunológico e histopatológico da infecção experimental por Schistosoma mansoni em camundongos geneticamente selecionados para tolerância oral

A esquistossomose acomete 207 milhões de pessoas, com mais de 200 mil mortes anuais. Seu principal agente etiológico é o helminto Schistosoma e o principal modelo experimental, o camundongo. Linhagens de camundongos selecionadas geneticamente para susceptibilidade (TS) e resistência (TR) a tolerância imunológica constituem bons modelos para o estudo da resposta imunológica específica e inespecífica nas infecções. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar a infecção experimental por S. mansoni nestes camundongos, evidenciando a imunopatologia por diversos parâmetros na fase aguda da infecção. TR e TS não diferiram quanto a penetração de cercárias, recuperação de vermes adultos, fecundidade/produtividade de ovos das fêmeas de S. mansoni, mas predominaram ovos mortos em TS. Quanto maior o número de casais, maior a probabilidade de troca de casais e regressão sexual da fêmea, além de pequena redução da produtividade de ovos. Análise ultraestrutural dos parasitos machos recuperados de TS apresentaram tubérculos edemaciados, espinhos encurtados e em menor densidade que os parasitos dos TR. O tegumento dos parasitos recuperados de TS apresentou-se desorganizado, intensamente vacuolizado e com tendência a se desprender da superfície e espinhos internalizados e células vitelínicas desorganizadas. TS desenvolveram granulomas hepáticos grandes, com fibras radiais e predomínio do estágio exsudativo-produtivo com características de fase produtiva (EP/P), enquanto camundongos TR desenvolveram granulomas menores, com fibras concêntricas e predomínio de granulomas exsudativo-produtivos. TS desenvolveu hepatomegalia mais acentuada na fase aguda da infecção e exacerbada esplenomegalia na fase crônica. A aspartato aminotransferase mais elevada nos TR foi coerente com a acentuada histólise nos granulomas iniciais dos TR. É possível que a histólise menor em TS tenha contribuído para sua intensa hepatomegalia na fase aguda. Leucócitos totais séricos aumentaram em TS, nas fases aguda e crônica, mas não em TR. TS apresentaram anemia durante a fase crônica da infecção, possivelmente devido ao desvio na hematopoiese medular para a produção de leucócitos ou apoptose das hemácias. A mieloperoxidase neutrofílica hepática e no íleo foi maior em TS e a peroxidase de eosinófilos foi mais elevada no íleo do TS. Ambas as linhagens produziram IFN-γ, mas os níveis funcionais de IFN-γ foram diferentes nas duas linhagens em cultura de células. É possível que a imunopatologia hepática grave na linhagem TS possa estar relacionada aos altos títulos IFN-γ. TS produziu IL-10 em maior quantidade, entretanto esta citocina não foi capaz de regular o crescimento exacerbado dos granulomas hepáticos. Altos títulos de IL-4 na linhagem TS também são coerentes com a exacerbação dos granulomas, pois, como a IL-13, a IL-4 induz síntese de colágeno e está relacionada ao desenvolvimento da fibrose no granuloma esquistossomótico. Observamos redução do percentual relativo de células T CD4+ hepáticas de animais infectados em ambas as linhagens e redução percentual nas subpopulações de linfócitos B na medula óssea (precursores, linfócitos B imaturos, maduros e plasmócitos) mais acentuada em TS que em TR, possivelmente devido a extensa mobilização de B imaturos induzida pela inflamação ou desvio da hematopoiese para síntese de granulócitos em TS. Quantitativamente, TR não alterou suas subpopulações de linfócitos B. TS e TR são bons modelos para estudo da resposta imunológica na infecção esquistossomótica experimental. Novos estudos são necessários para confirmar nossas propostas e compreender os mecanismos envolvidos na diferença da resposta imunológica dessas linhagens na relação schistosoma-hospedeiro.

Análises genéticas de carcaças de atobá marrom, Sula leucogaster (Boddaert, 1783), da região centro-norte do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

A região da Bacia de Campos está exposta a diversas atividades antrópicas, que interferem diretamente no funcionamento do ecossistêmico marinho. O estudo da fauna marinha na costa centro-norte fluminense mostra grande relevância, diversas aves marinhas residem ou passam grande parte de seu período migratório ao longo da Bacia de Campos, entre elas está Sula leucogaster (Boddaert, 1783). Embora essas aves sejam altamente móveis, suas populações apresentam uma estrutura populacional genética robusta. Com o intuito de verificar a estruturação e as relações evolutivas da população de Sula leucogaster na Bacia de Campos foram recolhidas 91 amostras de encalhe e os dados gerados para esta região foram comparados com dados já publicados de outras bacias oceânicas. A partir da região controle do DNA mitocondrial foram gerados 26 haplótipos, todos exclusivos da Bacia de Campos, muitos raros e apenas oito possuíram frequência comum. As análises mostraram que a população da Bacia de Campos é um estoque genético de Sula leucogaster. Tal fato pode ser atribuído ao comportamento filopátrico e ao hábito costeiro dessa espécie que impede o fluxo gênico entre populações. Além disso, a população da Bacia de Campos detém baixa variabilidade genética e possivelmente está sofrendo efeito gargalo ou seleção purificadora, corroborados por valores do teste Fu, o que é comum para espécies que se dividem em subpopulações. Os dados filogenéticos demonstram um contato recente entre as populações da Bacia de Campos e da ilha de Ascensão. As condições oceanográficas também têm influência na estruturação de populações de Sula leucogaster, visto que a ausência de barreiras e a proximidade geográfica poderiam favorecer contato secundário com o Mar do Caribe, fato não evidenciado nas análises. Sendo assim, a divergência de populações nessa espécie e a baixa variabilidade genética são fatores preocupantes para a manutenção da população de atobás marrons em uma área de grande impacto ambiental

Subpopulações e ativação de linfócitos T CD4+ e T CD8+ em crianças e adolescentes HIV positivos vacinados contra Neisseria meningitidis C

Neisseria meningitidis sorogrupo C (MenC) tem sido causador de surtos no Brasil, desde 2005. Vacinas conjugadas contra MenC estão disponíveis desde 1999 nos países desenvolvidos e mais recentemente no Brasil. São vacinas eficazes em pacientes imunologicamente normais, mas pouco se conhece sobre o impacto em pacientes HIV+. O objetivo principal deste estudo foi investigar se há alguma correlação entre a resposta de LT CD4+ de memória e a resposta de anticorpos específicos para o MenC, assim como conhecer as populações de memória dos LT CD8+, em crianças e adolescentes infectados pelo HIV respondedores ou não à vacina MenC conjugada. Amostras de sangue de 36 pacientes HIV+ foram coletadas antes e após imunização, para análises laboratoriais, soros e células coletadas foram congelados e enviados ao nosso laboratório para a análise da resposta imune humoral e celular. Utilizamos o ensaio bactericida para avaliar a resposta humoral e dividir a população de estudo em soroconversor positivo e soroconversor negativo. A citometria de fluxo foi aplicada para identificação das seis subpopulações de LT CD4+ e T CD8+ e avaliação do perfil de ativação. Não encontramos mudanças no perfil de distribuição das subpopulações antes e após a vacinação. A subpopulação LT CD4+ Int correlacionou positivamente com os títulos de anticorpos e a ativação, de um modo geral, estava elevada nos respondedores, conferindo certa importância para essa célula. Semelhanças foram observadas entre as subpopulações LT CD4+ e T CD8+. Em suma, este estudo revelou importantes associações entre a resposta de anticorpos bactericidas após a vacinação, o perfil de distribuição das subpopulações de LT CD4+ LT CD8+ e seu status de ativação.

Scales of spatial variation in demography of a large coral-reef fish: an exception to the typical model?

Spatial variation in demographic parameters of the red throat emperor (Lethrinus miniatus) was examined among 12 coral reefs in three geographic regions (Townsville, Mackay, and Storm Cay) spanning over 3° of latitude of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Estimates of demographic parameters were based on age estimates from counts of annuli in whole otoliths because there was no significant difference in age estimates between whole and sectioned otoliths. There were significant regional differences in age structures, rates of somatic and otolith growth, and total mortality. The Townsville region was characterized by the greatest proportion of older fish, the smallest maximum size, and the lowest rates of otolith growth and total mortality. In contrast the Mackay region was characterized by the highest proportion of younger fish, the largest maximum size, and the highest rates of otolith growth and total mortality. Demographic parameters for the Storm Cay region were intermediate between the other two regions. Historic differences in fishing pressure and regional differences in productivity are two alternative hypotheses given to explain the regional patterns in demographic parameters. All demographic parameters were similar among the four reefs within each region. Thus, subpopulations with relatively homogeneous demographic parameters occurred on scales of reef clusters. Previous studies, by contrast, have found substantial between-reef variation in demographic parameters within regions. Thus spatial variation in demographic parameters for L. miniatus may differ from what is assumed typical for a coral-reef fish metapopulation.

Population structure of king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) around peninsular Florida, as revealed by microsatellite DNA

A total of 1006 king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) representing 20 discrete samples collected between 1996 and 1998 along the east (Atlantic) and west (Gulf) coasts of Florida and the Florida Keys were assayed for allelic variation at seven nuclear-encoded microsatellites. No significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium expectations were found for six of the microsatellites, and genotypes at all microsatellites were independent. Allele distributions at each microsatellite were independent of sex and age of individuals. Homogeneity tests of spatial distributions of alleles at the microsatellites revealed two weakly divergent “genetic” subpopulations or stocks of king mackerel in Florida waters—one along the Atlantic coast and one along the Gulf coast. Homogeneity tests of allele distributions when samples were pooled along seasonal (temporal) boundaries, consistent with the temporal boundaries used currently for stock assessment and allocation of the king mackerel resource, were nonsignificant. The degree of genetic divergence between the two “genetic” stocks was small: on average, only 0.19% of the total genetic variance across all samples assayed occurred between the two regions. Cluster analysis, assignment tests, and spatial autocorrelation analysis did not generate patterns that were consistent with either geographic or spatial-temporal boundaries. King mackerel sampled from the Florida Keys could not be assigned unequivocally to either “genetic” stock. The genetic data were not consistent with current spatial-temporal boundaries employed in stock assessment and allocation of the king mackerel resource. The genetic differences between king mackerel in the Atlantic versus those in the Gulf most likely stem from reduced gene flow (migration) between the Atlantic and Gulf in relation to gene flow (migration) along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of peninsular Florida. This difference is consistent with findings for other marine fishes where data indicate that the southern Florida peninsula serves (or has served) as a biogeographic boundary.

Origin of immature loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) at Hutchinson Island, Florida: evidence from mtDNA markers

Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) are migratory, long-lived, and slow maturing. They are difficult to study because they are seen rarely and their habitats range over vast stretches of the ocean. Movements of immature turtles between pelagic and coastal developmental habitats are particularly difficult to investigate because of inadequate tagging technologies and the difficulty in capturing significant numbers of turtles at sea. However, genetic markers found in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) provide a basis for predicting the origin of juvenile turtles in developmental habitats. Mixed stock analysis was used to determine which nesting populations were contributing individuals to a foraging aggregation of immature loggerhead turtles (mean 63.3 cm straight carapace length [SCL]) captured in coastal waters off Hutchinson Island, Florida. The results indicated that at least three different western Atlantic loggerhead sea turtle subpopulations contribute to this group: south Florida (69%), Mexico (20%), and northeast Florida-North Carolina (10%). The conservation and management of these immature sea turtles is complicated by their multinational genetic demographics.

虎斑夜鳽分布与亚群态势研究

本世纪以来对虎斑夜鳽分布地点的新发现,表明该种从滨海到内陆漫布于中国长江以南广大地区,并向北渗透直逼东洋界北限秦岭-淮河一线;作者据此将各地的虎斑夜鳽初划为11个亚群,提出目前该种存有3个相对健康而稳定的亚群,即黄山-天目山亚群、南岭亚群和广西亚群,且每个亚群的分布范围均至少不会小于5000km2,其中以黄山-天目山亚群的记录由历史至现今相对最为长久而完整,进而提出今后在上述诸亚群范围之外还会有新的发现.文中指出,尽管近期对虎斑夜鳽分布状况有了新认识,目前仍可视该种的受胁等级为濒危.

Diet and feeding behavior of Rhinopithecus bieti at Xiaochangdu, Tibet: Adaptations to a marginal environment

The diet and feeding ecology of a wild subpopulation of black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti) were studied at Xiaochangdu in Honglaxueshan Nature Reserve, Tibet. This region is climatologically harsher than any other inhabited by non-human primates. Black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys fed on 48 parts of 25 plant species, at least three species of lichens and seven species of invertebrates. The number of food items exploited varied markedly among seasons, with dietary diversity being greatest in spring and summer. In winter, black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys had to subsist on fallback foods such as dried grass and bark. Ubiquitous lichens formed a major dietary constituent throughout the year, contributing about 75% of feeding records. Even though lichens act as a staple, our findings signify that the monkeys at Xiaochangdu prefer feeding on foliage, which is higher in protein content than the former. We provide evidence that black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys are able to cope with an array of food items other than lichens and hence can be regarded as feeding generalists. We discuss the results with reference to previous studies on other subpopulations living in habitats that are floristically more diverse and offer more plant food items than the marginal habitat at Xiaochangdu.

Population genetic structure of the parasitic nematode Camallanus cotti inferred from DNA sequences of ITS1 rDNA and the mitochondrial COI gene

The population genetic structure of fish parasitic nematode, Camallanus cotti, collected from the Yangtze River, Pearl River and Minjiang River in China was investigated. From these parasites, the similar to 730 bp of the first internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA (ITS1 rDNA) and the 428 bp of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene were sequenced. For the ITS1 rDNA data set, highly significant Fst values and low rates of migration were detected between the Pearl River group and both the Yangtze River (Fst = 0.70, P < 0.00001; Nm = 0.21) and Minjiang River (Fst = 0.73, P < 0.00001; Nm = 0.18) groups, while low Fst value (Fst = 0.018, P > 0.05) and high rate of migration (Nm = 28.42) were found between the Minjiang and the Yangtze rivers. When different host/locality populations (subpopulations) within each river were considered, subpopulations between the Yangtze River and Minjiang River had low Fst values (<= 0.12) and high Nm values (>3.72), while Pearl River subpopulations were significantly different from the Yangtze River and Minjiang River subpopulations (Fst >= 0.59; Nm < 1). The COI gene data set revealed a similar genetic structure. Both phylogenetic analyses and a statistical parsimony network grouped the Pearl River haplotypes into one phylogroup, while the Yangtze River and Minjiang River haplotypes formed a second group. These results suggested that the Yangtze River and Minjiang River subpopulations constituted a single reproductive pool that was distinct from the Pearl River subpopulations. In addition, the present study did not find host-related genetic differentiation occurring in the same drainage. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Motor systems: reaching out and grasping the molecular tools.

Two recent studies provide important insights into the organization of premotor circuitries, showing that control of highly-specific skilled forelimb movements, such as reaching and grasping, requires activation of specific subpopulations of neurons in the brainstem and spinal cord.

Genetic differentiation in populations of the cestode Bothriocephalus acheilognathi (Cestoda, Pseudophyllidea) as revealed by eight microsatellite markers

The genetic structure of populations of the fish cestode, Bothriocephalus acheilognathi collected from Bailianhe Reservoir (BLH), Changshou (CSH) and Liangzi (LZH) Lakes was investigated by using 8 microsatellite loci. A total of 108 adult worms were genotyped at each of the 8 loci. For the 3 populations, the mean number of alleles per locus ranged from 2.38 to 5.5, and the mean expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.432 to 0.559. The average polymorphic information content (PIC) was from 0.384 to 0.492. The significant F-is values indicated non-random mating within LZH and BLH populations. On the other hand, when samples were further classified into subpopulations at the level of host fish species, no or little heterozygote deficiency was detected at most loci, showing that cross-fertilization, predominantly, but not exclusively, must have occurred within the subpopulations. Microsatellite markers also revealed an unexpected high level of genetic differentiation, as measured by R-st and N-m values or by deltau(2) genetic distance among subpopulations from different hosts. Factors influencing the population genetic structure and the parasite host specificity are discussed.

卧龙自然保护区不同海拔的中国沙棘(Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. sinensis)天然群体的遗传多样性分析

中国沙棘是一种雌雄异株、风媒传粉的灌木或乔木，在中国西南的卧龙自然保护区有广泛的分布。本研究以采集于四川卧龙自然保护区5 个海拔(1800 m、2200 m、2600 m、3000 m、3400 m)梯度的中国沙棘天然群体为材料，以ISSR 和AFLP 标记技术研究其遗传多样性水平及其遗传结构，旨在了解卧龙地区中国沙棘天然群体的遗传多样性水平以及遗传多样性在群体间、群体内以及雌雄亚群体间的分布和特征，为中国沙棘树种的遗传改良及种质资源保存提供遗传研究背景与实验依据。同时探讨ISSR、AFLP 和RAPD三种标记对中国沙棘天然群体的遗传变异水平和群体间遗传结构的评估能力和各自的优缺点。研究得出以下主要结论： 1. ISSR和AFLP分析都表明卧龙自然保护区的中国沙棘群体拥有较高的遗传变异水平(h = 0.249，HT = 0.305)。出现这种结果的主要原因可能与卧龙自然保护区多变的气候条件和生境的异质度大有关。 2. ISSR 和AFLP 都揭示出卧龙自然保护区中国沙棘群体的遗传多样性随着海拔的增加发生显著的变化，表现为中海拔群体(2200 m 和2600 m)比高海拔群体(3000 m 和3400 m)和低海拔群体(1800 m)有更高的遗传多样性的趋势。出现这种趋势的可能解释是低海拔群体处在相对高温和相对干旱的环境，高海拔群体受到低温和紫外线胁迫，而中海拔群体存在中国沙棘生长的适宜环境。 3. ISSR 和AFLP 分析都表明：卧龙自然保护区中国沙棘的遗传结构遵循分布范围广、交配系统以异交为主的木本植物的通常模式，即大多数的遗传变异存在于群体内，只有少部分的遗传变异存在于群体间。 4. 经Mantel 检测表明，卧龙自然保护区中国沙棘群体间的海拔距离和对应遗传距离之间存在显著的正相关关系，即随着垂直海拔距离的增加，群体间的遗传距离也随之增加。Mantel 检测结果以及聚类分析将卧龙自然保护区5 个不同海拔的中国沙棘群体分为低、中、高海拔群体三组的研究结果都表明，海拔很可能是限制群体间基因交流的主要因素。 5. ISSR 分析发现同一海拔的雌雄亚群体首先聚类的研究结果表明，同一海拔的雌雄亚群体在遗传上最相似。方差分析结果表明只有3.8%的总遗传变异存在于雌雄亚群体间，这可能与雌雄植株间的交配和遗传物质的混合有关。 6. ISSR、AFLP 和RAPD 分析都表明卧龙自然保护区不同海拔的中国沙棘天然群体的遗传多样性水平较高。它们的分析结果估算得到的Nei's 平均基因多样度(h)分别为0.249、0.214 和0.170。从该结果可以看出ISSR 和AFLP 比RAPD 检测到更多的遗传多态性,这很可能是不同标记检测的基因组的位点不同所致。 7. 依据对不同标记系统的比较分析，认为ISSR、AFLP 和RAPD 三种分子标记系统都能成功地用于调查卧龙自然保护区不同海拔的中国沙棘群体的遗传变异水平及遗传变异结构，提供关于中国沙棘天然群体多态性水平和遗传变异分布的有用信息。在三者中，AFLP 具有最高效能指数和标记指数，在确定种间分类关系或鉴别个体方面是一种比较理想的标记。 Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. sinensis, a dioecious and deciduous shrub species,occupies a wide range of habitats in the Wolong Nature Reserve, Southwest China. Ourpresent study investigated the pattern of genetic variation and differentiation among fivenatural populations of H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensis, occurring along an altitudinal gradientthat varied from 1,800 to 3,400 m above sea level in the Wolong Natural Reserve, by usingISSR and AFLP markers to guide its genetic improvement and germplasm conservation. And,comparative study of ISSR, AFLP and RAPD was performed to detect their capacity toestimating the level and pattern of genetic variation occurring among the five elevationpopulations of H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensis, and to discuss their application to the study onplant genetics. The results were list following: 1. The ISSR and AFLP analysis conducted for the H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensispopulations located in the Wolong Natural Reserve of China revealed the presence of highlevels of genetic variation (h = 0.249, HT = 0.305). Besides such features as relatively widedistribution, dominantly outcrossing mating system, and effective seed dispersal by small animals and birds, it is sometimes argued that hard climatic conditions and heterogeneous habitats may also contribute to high levels of diversity. 2. Genetic diversity of H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensis populations was found to varysignificantly with changing elevation, showing a trend that mid-elevation populations (2,200m and 2,600 m) were genetically more diverse than both low-elevation (1,800 m) andhigh-elevation populations (3,000 m and 3,400 m). H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensis is thoughtto be stressed by drought and high temperature at low elevations, and by low temperature athigh elevations. The high genetic variability present in the mid-elevation populations of H.rhamnoides subsp. sinensis is assumed to be related to a greater plant density in the middlealtitudinal zone, where favorable ecological conditions permit its continuous distributioncovering the zone from 2,200 m to 2,600 m above sea level. 3. The genetic structure of H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensis revealed by ISSRs andAFLPs followed the general pattern detected in woody species with widespread distributionsand outcrossing mating systems. Such plants possess more genetic diversity withinpopulations and less variation among populations than species with other combinations oftraits. 4. In the present study, Mantel tests showed positive correlations between altitudinaldistances and genetic distances among populations or subpopulations. The observedrelationship between altitude and genetic distances, and the result of the cluster analysisincluding populations or male subpopulations and classifying the groups into three altitudeclusters suggest that altitude is a major factor that restricts gene flow between populationsand subpopulations. 5. The analysis of molecular variance showed that only 3.8% of the variability residedbetween female and male subpopulations. Such a very restricted proportion of the totalmolecular variance between female and male subpopulations is due to common sexuality andmixing of genetic material between females and males. 6. The analysis based on ISSRs, AFLPs and RAPDs all revealed relatively high levelsof genetic variation among different altitudinal populations of H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensisin Wolong Natural Reserve of China. Their estimates of mean Nei’s gene diversity is equal to0.249, 0.214 and 0.170 respectively, suggesting the higher capacity of detecting geneticvariation of ISSR and AFLP than RAPD. It might be ascribed to their distinct sensitivity todifferent type of genetic variation. 7. Based on the coparative study on ISSR, AFLP and RAPD, we drew a conclusion thatthey all successfully reveal some useful information concerning the level and pattern ofgenetic vatiation occurring among different elevation populations of H. rhamnoides subsp.sinensis. AFLP is a ideal tool to taxonomic study and individual identification for theirhighest efficiency index and marker index among the three marker systems.