Biology subjects

Wei, Y.-G.

Publications and source records attributed to Wei, Y.-G..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

High frequency of apomixis in subterranean islands challenges macro-climatic models of geographical parthenogenesis

The Geographical Parthenogenesis (GP) hypothesis traditionally links apomixis to high-latitude and alpine regions, driven by a combination of thermal stress, UV radiation, and pollination barriers. At the core of the GP hypothesis is Bakers Law, which asserts the evolutionary advantage of autonomous reproduction during the colonization of isolated habitats, frequently linking this advantage to macro-climatic stress. By investigating reproductive modes in subtropical subterranean karst caves, we test the core assumption that macro-climatic stress is the primary driver of apomixis. Our results suggest that barriers to pollination drive a high frequency of apomixis independently of thermal stress or UV radiation. Furthermore, we find a complete phylogenetic turnover between high-elevation, open, apomict-rich habitats and mid-elevation cave environments. Taxonomic composition in these caves is dictated by pre-adaptations to deep shade combined with a lineage-specific predisposition for autonomous reproduction. We propose that the GP hypothesis may be overly influenced by habitat sampling bias. Broader, unbiased sampling could yield a more nuanced and predictive framework to explain variations in apomixis frequency, ultimately providing deeper insights into the role of asexual reproduction in evolution

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Setting priorities for the acquisition of primary plant occurrence data

AimEffective implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework and Global Strategy for Plant Conservation depends on accurate species distribution data. Current vascular plant distribution data, while crucial for understanding terrestrial ecosystems, is often sparse and biased and requires significant expansion. This study developed a scalable approach to prioritize areas for plant occurrence data acquisition, adaptable to national priorities and providing a framework for botanical institutions to coordinate efforts and allocate resources. LocationGlobal. MethodsUsing a Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) analysis, we prioritized areas based on: (a) ecosystem service value; (b) floristic value threatened by climate or land-use change; and (c) uncertainty in species richness estimates, stratified by biome and region. Regional prioritization maps for Africa & Madagascar; East, South and Southeast Asia; Siberia and the Russian Far East; South America; and North & Central America were reviewed by botanical experts for validation. Scalability was assessed by comparing regional and global analyses. ResultsData-driven priority maps, divided into tree-dominated and grassland/deforested areas, largely received expert support. High similarity between global and regional maps demonstrated scalability. Main conclusionsOur approach provides a framework for supporting national implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Variables and their weights can be tailored to national or local needs. The methods flexibility and adaptability extend to other taxonomic groups and objectives, such as protected area selection By prioritizing data acquisition, whether field-based or digital, this research promotes the efficient use of resources. A key advantage of this approach is its capacity to systematically translate expert opinion into explicit and quantitative criteria, which in turn facilitates clear communication with policymakers and funders.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Classification of Urticaceae based on morphology and phylogenetic inference

The Urticaceae (ca. 2600 species) were first formally recognized by Jussieu in the 18th century and last comprehensively monographed by Weddell in the 19th century. Since Weddells work, family delimitation has been modified and many genera described in a fragmented manner. Over the past two decades, numerous molecular studies have supported the inclusion of Cecropiaceae within Urticaceae and identified paraphyly in several genera, notably Laportea, Urera, Boehmeria, Parietaria, Pellionia, and Pouzolzia. However, few studies have translated these molecular insights into a revised taxonomy. This study aimed to provide a robust, updated classification for Urticaceae by: a) increasing taxon and genomic locus sampling through the integration of newly generated sequence data with previously published datasets; and b) incorporating morphological data to support a revised delimitation of tribes and genera, and to establish a new linear sequence for the family. We also sought to identify remaining taxonomic challenges. Using Sanger and Angiosperms353 sequence data, we constructed a phylogenetic framework for 57 out of 59 currently accepted genera. We also assessed the phylogenetic informativeness of 57 morphological characters by mapping them onto the phylogeny. Our analyses support the delimitation of 61 monophyletic genera and an infrafamilial classification comprising seven tribes, two of which we describe as new: Myriocarpeae and Leukosykeae. We provide a revised linear sequence for the family. Our classification reinstates several names previously treated as synonyms (Fleurya, Leptocnide, Margarocarpus, Polychroa, Scepocarpus, Sceptrocnide), places several genera in synonymy (Hemistylus and Rousselia under Pouzolzia; Hesperocnide under Urtica; Gesnouinia and Soleirolia under Parietaria), and proposes the recognition of two new genera, Muimar gen. nov. and Pouzolziella gen. nov., to accommodate Boehmeria nivea and Pouzolzia australis, respectively. Mapping morphological characters onto the phylogeny indicates that while most states are homoplastic at the family level, their combination is valuable for recognizing genera. Geographic character mapping suggests a high degree of spatial conservatism at the genus rank. Our dated ultrametric tree suggests an origin for Urticaceae in Indomalaya during the mid-Cretaceous, followed by establishment in the Laurasian boreotropical flora and subsequent dispersal to the neotropics and Africa. Once classified within an evolutionary framework we believe that the Urticaceae represent a valuable study system in evolutionary biology for investigating transitions across biomes, the drivers of floral trait evolution, and intrinsic speciation mechanisms. New tribes: --Leukosykeae, Myriocarpeae New genera: --Muimar, Pouzolziella

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Phylogeny of the species-rich Pilea Lindl. (Urticaceae) supports its revised delimitation and infrageneric classification, including the resurrection of Achudemia Blume

ABSTRACTPilea Lindl., with 933 published names is the largest genus within the Urticaceae. Pilea was last monographed in 1869 and whilst the monophyly of the genus has been proposed by previous authors, this has been based on incomplete taxon sampling and the failure to resolve the position of key taxa. We aimed to generate a robust phylogeny for Pilea and allied genera that could provide a framework for testing the monophyly of Pilea, revising its delimitation and for answering broader scientific questions about this species-rich genus. To do so, we sought to sample taxa representative of previous infrageneric classifications and with anomalous inflorescences or flower configurations and to use the resulting phylogeny to evaluate the delimitation of Pilea and to establish an infrageneric classification. In addition, we included a representative of the Polynesian genus Haroldiella which, morphologically, is very similar to Pilea. Using Sanger sequence data from two plastid and one nuclear regions we constructed a phylogeny using Bayesian Inference, Maximum Likelihood and Maximum Parsiomony approaches. We used our phylogeny to evaluate the informativness of 19 morphological traits and applied both to delimit a monophyletic genus and infrageneric sections. Our results recovered Pilea as paraphyletic with respect to Lecanthus, a consequence of the recovery of a monophyletic clade comprising sections Achudemia and Smithiella, neither of which had been adequately sampled in previous studies. We also recovered Pilea as polyphyletic with respect to Haroldiella. We identified isomery between male and female flowers, flower part number and male sepal arrangement as being phylogenetically informative traits that can be used to delimit two genera, Achudemia, including section Smithiella, recovered as sister to Lecanthus, and Pilea, including Haroldiella, recovered as sister to both. On the basis of our evaluation of both morphological traits and phylogenetic relationships we propose a new infrageneric classification for the genus comprising seven sections, five of which we describe for the first time, § Trimeris Y.G.Wei & A.K.Monro, § Lecanthoides C.J.Chen, § Angulata L.F.Fu & Y.G.Wei, § Tetrameris C.J.Chen, § Verrucosa L.F.Fu & Y.G.Wei, § Plataniflora L.F.Fu & Y.G.Wei and § Leiocarpa L.F.Fu & Y.G.Wei. We also identify a trend of decreasing merism and fruit size, and increasing species-richness as Pilea diverges. In addition, we recover strong geographical structure within our phylogeny, sufficient to propose that Pilea originated in the IndoMalaya biogeographic domain.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.View Full Text

plant biology↗