Molecular approaches to diversity of populations of apicomplexan parasites

Apicomplexan parasites include many parasites of importance either for livestock or as causative agents of human diseases. The importance of these parasites has been recognised by the European Commission and resulted in support of the COST (Cooperation in Science and Technology) Action 857 ‘Apicomplexan Biology in the Post-Genomic Era’. In this review we discuss the current understanding in ‘Biodiversity and Population Genetics’ of the major apicomplexan parasites, namely the Eimeria spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Neosporacaninum, Theileria spp. and Plasmodium spp. During the past decade molecular tools for characterizing and monitoring parasite populations have been firmly established as an integral part of field studies and intervention trials. Analyses have been conducted for most apicomplexan pathogens to describe the extent of genetic diversity, infection dynamics or population structure. The underlying key question for all parasites is to understand how genetic diversity influences epidemiology and pathogenicity and its implication in therapeutic and vaccination strategies as well as disease control. Similarities in the basic biology and disease or transmission patterns among this order of parasites promote multifaceted discussions and comparison of epidemiological approaches and methodological tools. This fosters mutual learning and has the potential for cross-fertilisation of ideas and technical approaches.     

Ecophysiological diversity of alpine populations of Gammarus lacustris in relation to environmental calcium

1. The contribution of environmental calcium to ecophysiological diversity among populations of Gammarus lacustris was investigated by comparing five alpine lakes in France.
2. Calcium concentrations in the water varied with substratum lithology, ranging from 6 mg L^–1 in lakes on crystalline (igneous) rocks to 32.7 mg L^–1 in lakes on limestone, and up to 248 mg L^–1 in a lake with a gypsum environment.
3. The duration of the moult cycle and mortality rate were compared between populations by means of field and in situ laboratory and translocation experiments on adult males. Animals from water with low calcium concentrations showed a significantly longer moult cycle and higher mortality rate than those from water with high calcium concentrations. A significant increase in the duration of the moult cycle was observed in animals translocated to water of lower calcium concentration and vice versa.
4. These results suggest the existence of different physiological races of G. lacustris with an ecophysiological plasticity of calcium metabolism narrower than that of river-dwelling gammarids such as G. fossarum. This may be a consequence of geographic isolation among lacustrine populations together with the relatively stable environmental parameters in lakes.     

Clonal diversity of populations of Calamagrostis epigejos in relation to environmental stress and habitat heterogeneity

The clonal diversity of four populations of the vegetatively propagating grass Calamagrostis epigejos was studied with isozyme markers From each population, 100 individuals were sampled within a 10 × 10 m gnd In two populations of unpolluted sites 5 and 10 clones were distinguished, respectively Higher levels of clonal diversity were found m the populations at an abandoned sewage farm (59 clones) and around a copper smelter (92 clones) The level of clonal diversity observed suggests that sexual recruitment is important for the genetic structure in this species On the unpolluted, presumably more suitable habitats, the clonal diversity was lower than on the habitats polluted with heavy metals The results are discussed in relation to environmental stress and habitat heterogeneity, with the conclusion that in the unpolluted habitats intraspecific competition results in low clonal diversity On the other hand, stressful conditions decrease the importance of competition and facilitate the coexistence of a great number of clones     

Molecular genetic diversity in 5 populations of Madhya Pradesh, India

This paper presents data on the distribution of 3 amplified fragment length polymorphisms (D1S80, APOB, and YNZ22) in 5 populations of Central India. Using the polymerase chain reaction technique, 3 caste (Brahmin, Khatri, and Dhimer) and 2 tribal (Gond and Baiga) populations were studied for the 3 loci. The allelic variations observed in the caste populations are compatible with those of many Caucasian populations, but the caste populations showed significant overall and interpopulation variability within the region. D1S80 allele *24 varied from 32% (Dhimers) to 42% (Brahmins). Allele *18 was not observed in Baiga tribal populations, but in caste populations it varied from 11% (Dhimers) to 24% (Brahmins). Both tribal populations showed higher frequencies of allele *31 (17%-18%). For APOB, caste populations again showed bimodal distribution of alleles *35 and *37, but in tribal populations higher allele numbers (*47, *49) were also frequent. For YNZ22, extensive variation was observed for all populations studied. Allele *4 was the most common in caste populations, while alleles *2, *7, and *10 were prominent in tribal populations. The level of gene differentiation is not very high for the 3 systems studied in the 5 populations. Overall, allele frequency distribution, heterozygosity, and genetic diversity analysis show that the genetic diversity observed is socially and geographically structured.     

Pollinator diversity and specialization in relation to flower diversity

In the face of global decline in biodiversity, the relationship between diversity and species interactions deserves particular attention. If pollinators are strongly dependent on floral diversity due to mutual specialization, declines in plant diversity, e.g. caused by land use intensification, may be associated with linked extinctions of pollinators. However, the general extent of pollinator specialization is still poorly known. To explore the dependence of local bee and hoverfly communities on flower diversity, we recorded flower supply and flower‐visiting insects on 27 meadows with varying flower diversity in southern Germany and analyzed (a) whether the diversity of flower visitors is correlated with flower diversity, (b) whether the degree of dietary specialization of flower visitors changes with flower diversity and (c) whether flower preferences of individual flower visitor species are constant or variable between different communities. Flower–visitor interaction webs were compiled during a single day on each meadow. This approach prevents relating pollinator species to flowers they never encounter because of non‐overlapping phenology or spatial segregation. (a) Flower diversity and flower visitor diversity were positively correlated. (b) Flower visitor assemblies were significantly specialized at a relatively high level, contrasting to the opinion that plant–pollinator webs are highly generalized, and providing a possible explanation for the positive diversity correlation. However, the level of specialization did not change significantly across the gradient of flower diversity, suggesting that pollinators are partitioned to a similar extent in each meadow. (c) In the analysis of ten common flower visitor species previously categorized as generalists, strong evidence was found for both, consistent preferences and preferences that differ between sites. These results indicate a flexibility in flower preferences and a dynamic resource partitioning among pollinators. Generally, our findings highlight the complexity of plant–pollinator interactions and confirm the importance of flower diversity for bee and hoverfly communities.     

Genetic diversity of Ranunculus acris L. (Ranunculaceae) populations in relation to species diversity and habitat type in grassland communities

Correlates between genetic diversity at intra- and interpopulation levels and the species diversity in plant communities are rarely investigated. Such correlates may give insights into the effect of local selective forces across different communities on the genetic diversity of local plant populations. This study has employed amplified fragment length polymorphism to assess the genetic diversity within and between 10 populations of Ranunculus acris in relation to the species diversity (richness and evenness) of grassland communities of two different habitat types, 'seminatural' and 'agriculturally improved', located in central Germany. Within-population genetic diversity estimated by Nei's unbiased gene diversity (HE) was high (0.258-0.334), and was not correlated with species richness (Pearson's r = -0.17; P = 0.64) or species evenness (Pearson's r = 0.15; P = 0.68) of the plant communities. However, the genetic differentiation between R. acris populations was significantly correlated with the difference in species evenness (Mantel's r = 0.62, P = 0.02), but not with difference in species richness of plant communities (r = -0.17, P = 0.22). Moreover, we also found that populations of R. acris from the 'seminatural' habitat were genetically different (amova, P < 0.05) from those in 'agriculturally improved' habitats, suggesting that gene flow between these habitat types is limited. The results reported in this study may indicate that habitat characteristics influence the genetic diversity of plant species.     

冬季白马鸡群体夜栖地特征分析

20 0 3年 1～ 4月 ,对分布于四川省甘孜藏族自治州稻城县著杰寺周围的白马鸡 (Crossoptiloncrossoptilon)群体的夜栖地特征进行了分析。随机跟踪黄昏时发现的白马鸡群体直至其上树夜栖来确定夜栖地的位置。通过系统取样的样线法调查整个研究区域环境变量的特征。共获得 1 72个 2 0 0m×2 0 0m的栅格 ,栅格中有夜栖地出现的定义为活动栅格 (37个 ) ,赋值为 1 ;反之为非活动栅格 (1 35个 ) ,赋值为 0。通过逻辑斯蒂回归建立白马鸡群体夜栖地选择的预测模型。该模型的数学表达式为Ln[P/(1 -P) ]=- 3 938+0 0 83×坡度 +0 0 37×乔木盖度 +0 1 1 6×乔木高度 - 0 0 0 3×草本盖度 (P为白马鸡群体夜栖地的出现概率 )。模型表明坡度、乔木盖度、乔木高度和草本盖度显著影响白马鸡群体的夜栖地选择。白马鸡群体的夜栖地选择与坡度、乔木盖度和乔木高度正相关 ,与草本盖度负相关。该预测模型具有较高的预测准确性。     

Macrophyte diversity and composition in relation to substratum characteristics in regulated and unregulated Danish streams

1. The objective of the present study was to examine how the physical stream environment in regulated and unregulated lowland streams affects the diversity and distribution of macrophyte communities. We analysed the abundance, distribution and composition of macrophytes, together with physical parameters, in seven regulated and seven unregulated unshaded Danish stream reaches. 2. Total macrophyte coverage was similar in the regulated and unregulated streams, but species richness and Shannon diversity were higher in the unregulated streams. Overall, we found fifty-two different species in the regulated stream reaches and sixty-two in the unregulated stream reaches. The spatial distribution of macrophytes on the stream bottom was more heterogeneous in the unregulated streams. 3. We found positive correlations between the coverage and diversity of macrophytes and the coverage of coarse-textured substratum types on the stream bottom, as well as between macrophyte coverage and diversity and substratum heterogeneity. We also found that the macrophytes were more heterogeneously distributed where substratum heterogeneity was greater. 4. The species growing both submerged and emergent were more abundant in the regulated streams, whereas species growing only submerged were more abundant in the unregulated streams. Species growing submerged, species growing both submerged and emergent, and species only growing emergent segregated differently in a canonical correspondence analysis ordination. The submerged species were primarily associated with coarser-textured substrata, whereas species growing both submerged and emergent, and species growing only emergent were associated with finer-textured substrata. 5. The most abundant species in the regulated streams, Sparganium emersum, accounting for almost one-third of the total macrophyte coverage, was primarily associated with clay and sandy bottom substrata, whereas the most abundant species in the unregulated streams, Batrachium peltatum, was primarily associated with gravel and stony substrata.     

Molecular diversity and metal accumulation of different Thlaspi praecox populations from Slovenia

Nuclear ribosomal sequences and Cd, Zn, Pb and Fe accumulation of different populations of the recently discovered Cd/Zn-hyperaccumulating species Thlaspi praecox Wulfen (Noccaea) were studied to reveal their relationships to other representatives of the genus and especially to the well known hyperaccumulator T. caerulescens; comparisons of their accumulating properties were also made. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequences from eight T. praecox populations from Slovenia showed 99% similarity and formed a sister group to T. caerulescens. Divergence estimates from the ITS rDNA support the origins of T. praecox in the Early Pleistocene, with further fragmentation of T. praecox populations in Slovenia since the Middle Pleistocene. Cd-hyperaccumulating features (>100 mg Cd kg^?1 in the above-ground biomass) of T. praecox were seen for two populations collected at polluted sites (?erjav and Me?ica) and one population collected at a non-polluted site (Lokovec). The variability of the Cd concentrations in shoots was almost completely explained by the soil Cd concentrations, and were positively correlated with shoot Zn and Pb concentrations. The results from this molecular and metal accumulation characterisation of T. praecox populations provide new insights into the taxonomic affinities and accumulation potential of this hyperaccumulating species.     

Molecular analysis of dicot and monocot small nuclear RNA populations.

Oligonucleotides directed against conserved small nuclear RNA (snRNA) sequences have been used to identify the individual U1, U2, U4, U5, and U6 snRNAs in dicot and monocot nuclei. The plant snRNA populations are significantly more heterogeneous than the mammalian or Saccharomyces cerevisiae snRNA populations. U6 snRNA exists as a single species of similar size in monocot and dicot nuclei. The abundance and molecular weights of the U1, U2, U4, and U5 snRNAs expressed in monocot and dicot nuclei are significantly different. Whereas most dicot nuclei contain one or two predominant forms of U2 snRNA and a small number of U4 snRNAs, monocot nuclei contain multiple forms of U2 snRNA ranging from 208 to 260 nucleotides and multiple forms of U4 snRNA from 159 to 176 nucleotides. Multiple forms of U1 and U5 snRNA exist in both plant groups. All prominent size variants of U1, U2, U4, and U5 snRNA identified in monocot nuclei can be immunoprecipitated with anti-trimethylguanosine antibody. We conclude that the sizes and number of snRNA molecules involved in intron excision differ considerably in dicot and monocot nuclei. In wheat nuclei, we have identified an additional U1-like RNA that is differentially expressed during development.     

Gene diversity in tunicate populations

Populations of the tunicate species Ciona intestinalis and Ascidiella aspersa were screened for electrophoretic polymorphism at various enzyme loci. Average heterozygosities are clearly related to population size as predicted by the neutral mutation hypothesis.This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Clonal constitution and sex ratio in northern populations of balsam poplar Populus balsamifera

Isozyme analyses performed on balsam poplar stands in subarctic northern Québec indicated polyclonal predominance (76%). This suggests that seed sources were adequate for colonization of new habitats. High variance at the clone and the stand levels did not permit, however, the use of morphological traits for clonal partitioning. A non-random sex distribution related to habitat conditions was found both at the regional and the local scales, although there is an equal male-female ratio in the study area. Female stands predominate in regions subject to a maritime climate (1:5) and in fertile and humid habitats (1:7).     

Benthic macrocrustacean and insect assemblages in relation to spring habitat characteristics: patterns in abundance and diversity

We studied variation in benthic macrocrustacean and insect assemblages in relation to spring habitat characteristics in six springs located in a single groundwater area in south-west Finland. We defined five habitat types in the studied springs according to water flow and benthic substrate characteristicsminerogenic brooks, organogenic brooks, helocrenes, floating moss carpets and limnocrene pools. Most studied invertebrate orders, as well as individual taxa, showed differences in relative abundances between the habitat types, but the most common taxa occurred in all springs and habitat types. The studied macroinvertebrates were most abundant in the moss carpet sites and least abundant in the pool sites, but the difference was not statistically significant. We did not observe significant differences in mean taxonomic richness per sample between habitat classes. The observed taxonomic richness in pooled samples of habitat classes was highest in moss carpet habitat and lowest in pool habitat, and the rarefied richness estimate was lowest in pool habitat. Benthic macrocrustacean and insect assemblages varied more between habitat types than between individual springs. In an Nonmetric Multidimensional Scaling ordination analysis, spring brook sites were separated from the moss carpet and pool sites, whereas helocrene sites were widely scattered among sites in other habitat classes. The strongest ecological gradients were related to water flow and the presence of minerogenic substrate, separating lentic and lotic habitats. Abundances of moss and coarse detritus accounted for most of the within-class variation. We identified several indicator species for minerogenic and organogenic brooks and for moss carpet and pool habitats, but none for the helocrenes. We found several occurrences of two crenobiont insect species considered threatened in Finland. We suggest that combined studies on macroinvertebrate and bryophyte assemblages would be a powerful approach in assessing the biodiversity of springs.     

Molecular genetic diversity in populations of the stingless bee Plebeia remota: A case study

Genetic diversity is a major component of the biological diversity of an ecosystem. The survival of a population may be seriously threatened if its genetic diversity values are low. In this work, we measured the genetic diversity of the stingless bee Plebeia remota based on molecular data obtained by analyzing 15 microsatellite loci and sequencing two mitochondrial genes. Population structure and genetic diversity differed depending on the molecular marker analyzed: microsatellites showed low population structure and moderate to high genetic diversity, while mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) showed high population structure and low diversity in three populations. Queen philopatry and male dispersal behavior are discussed as the main reasons for these findings.     

Growth in relation to microclimatic conditions and physiological characteristics of four Lobaria pulmonaria populations in two contrasting habitats

The aim of the present study was to compare the physiological characteristics of various populations of the lichen Lobaria pulmonaria in Portugal and Sweden. For this, indirect markers of algal (photobiont) and fungal (mycobiont) activity were measured, as well as their CO₂ gasexchange characteristics. Microclimatic conditions and the lichens growth performance in the two countries were compared using reciprocal transplantation. Two populations of L. pulmonaria represented each country: one collected from forest interior conditions and one from forest edge habitats. A non-transplanted "wild" population was also studied in each country, in order to evaluate any transplantation effects per se. The main hypothesis were that; 1) growth should be faster in Portugal due to higher light availability; 2) the energy use efficiency of lichen biomass gain should be similar for the native populations in their respective native habitat; 3) if the lichens were able to adapt to the environmental conditions in the foreign habitat this should be revealed as similar growth rates among all thalli transplanted at the same site, regardless of their origin. Physiologically, the Portuguese and Swedish populations were very similar, both concerning their CO₂ gas exchange characteristics and distribution of resources between photo- and mycobiont tissue. Environmental conditions were more advantageous for L. pulmonaria growth in Portugal, i.e. higher photon flux densities and ambient temperatures when the lichens were wet and active, and a lower fraction of the active time occurring in darkness. However, despite similar physiological characteristics of all the studied populations, the Swedish lichens were not able to grow as well in Portugal as the native, while all populations had similarly low growth rates in Sweden.     

Segmental diversity of electrogenic glucose transport characteristics in the small intestines of weaned pigs

It has been shown in several species that the intestinal Na(+)-dependent glucose co-transporter 1 (SGLT1) is more abundant in the jejunum than in ileum. In contrast, the efficiency of intestinal glucose uptake rates in suckling piglets or weaned pigs is not clearly fitting with this segmental distribution. The aim of this study was to evaluate SGLT1 mediated glucose absorption in the jejunum and ileum of growing pigs (Sus scrofa) in more detail. In Ussing chambers, basal short-circuit currents were significantly more positive in the jejunum. It could be demonstrated that the electrogenic ileal glucose transport was significantly more pronounced in different breeds and occurred at 5 mmol?L(-1) glucose 7 times faster in the ileum, although slightly higher jejunal expression of glycosylated SGLT1 was detected by Western blotting. This expression pattern was connected to significantly lower phlorizin sensitivity in the jejunum. As the more efficient ileal glucose absorption was also observable with glucose uptake studies into isolated brush-border membrane vesicles without differences in abundance and activity of the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase in both segments, we conclude that the segmental differences in porcine glucose transport characteristics may be based on direct or indirect modulations of SGLT1 activity.     

Breeding bird diversity in relation to environmental gradients in China

Geographic variation in species richness has been explained by different theories such as energy, productivity, energy–water balance, habitat heterogeneity, and freezing tolerance. This study determines which of these theories best account for gradients of breeding bird richness in China. In addition, we develop a best-fit model to account for the relationship between breeding bird richness and environment in China. Breeding bird species richness in 207 localities (3271 km² per locality on average) from across China was related to thirteen environmental variables after accounting for sampling area. The Akaike's information criterion (AIC) was used to evaluate model performance. We used Moran's I to determine the magnitude of spatial autocorrelation in model residuals, and used simultaneous autoregressive model to determine coefficients of determination and AIC of explanatory variables after accounting for residual spatial autocorrelation. Of all environmental variables examined, normalized difference vegetation index, a measure of plant productivity, is the best variable to explain the variance in breeding bird richness. We found that species richness of breeding birds at the scale examined is best predicted by a combination of plant productivity, elevation range, seasonal variation in potential evapotranspiration, and mean annual temperature. These variables explained 47.3% of the variance in breeding bird richness after accounting for sampling area; most of the explained variance in richness is attributable to the first two of the four variables.