The levels and partitioning of genetic diversity and inbreeding depression were investigated in Tupistra pingbianensis, a narrow endemic of South-east Yunnan, China, characterized by a naturally fragmented distribution due to extreme specialization on a rare habitat type. Here genetic diversity and patterns of genetic variation within and among 11 populations were analyzed using AFLP markers with 97 individuals across its whole geographical range. High levels of genetic variation were revealed both at the species level (P₉₉ = 96.012%; H_t = 0.302) and at the population level (P₉₉ = 51.41%; H_s = 0.224). Strong genetic differentiation among populations was also detected (F_ST = 0.2961; ⍬^嘦= 0.281), which corresponded to results reported for typical animal-pollinated, mixed selfing and outcrossing plant species. This result was consistent with mating patterns detected by our pollination experiments. The indirect estimate of gene flow based on ⍬^嘦 was low (N_m = 0.64). Special habitat and its life history traits may play an important role in shaping the genetic diversity and the genetic structure of this species. A pollination experiment also fail to detect significant inbreeding depression upon F₁ fruit set, seed weight and germinate rate fitness-traits. Since naturally rare species T. pingbianensis is not seriously genetically impoverished and likely to have adapted to tolerating a high level of inbreeding early in its history, we propose this species need only periodic monitoring to ensure their continued persistence but not intervention to remain viable.

Anaphalis is one of the largest genera of the Asian Gnaphalieae (Asteraceae) and is most diversified on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The chromosome numbers and karyomorphology of six species from seven populations were investigated for the first time for this region. Chromosome numbers have been newly documented for four species: Anaphalis deserti (2n=56=24m+24sm+8st), A. plicata (2n=56=26m+30sm), A. xylorhiza (2n=28=2M+14m+12sm),and A. rhododactyla (2n=56=32m+24sm). Two further counts are in agreement with the previously reported numbers, i.e., Anaphalis royleana (2n=28=4M+6m+18sm) and A. margaritacea (2n=28=12m+16sm). A new polyploid cytotype (2n=56=26m+30sm) was found in the Zougong population of A. margaritacea. Polyploidy is for the first time reported for Anaphalis, with four out of seven counts being tetraploid. Our cytological results suggest that polyploids may have played an important role in the evolution of Anaphalis on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

One new species, four newly recorded genera, and two newly recorded species of diatoms are described from China. They are Sellaphora fuxianensis sp. nov. Li, Sellaphora Mereschkowsky, Karayevia Round & Bukhtiyarova,Placoneis Mereschkowsky, FallaciaStickle & Mann, Placoneis prespanensis Levkov, Krstic & Nakov, andFallacia lucinensis (Hustedt) D. G. Mann. All taxa were collected from Lake Fuxian in Yunnan Province, China. These species were observed with LM and SEM, and their taxonomic characters are discussed.