大眼华鳊和伍氏华鳊的形态差异及其物种有效性

分别对大眼华鳊和伍氏华鳊 137尾标本 7个可数性状和 18个可量性状进行主成分分析 ,以探讨这两个种之间的形态差异及其物种有效性。研究结果显示 :无论是在可数性状上还是可量性状上 ,大眼华鳊和伍氏华鳊之间的形态差异并不显著 ,而且大眼华鳊大陆的标本和台湾的标本无明显的不同。此表明 ,大眼华鳊和伍氏华鳊应该为同一个种。根据国际动物命名法规 ,伍氏华鳊应是大眼华鳊的次定同物异名。     

岷江眉山段四川华鳊年龄与生长

为了解我国长江上游特有鱼类四川华鳊Sinibrama taeniatus种群资源现状,于2013年3月至2014年1月在长江一级支流岷江眉山段采集了580尾四川华鳊样本,以鳞片作为鉴定材料,对其年龄和生长特征进行了研究。结果显示:四川华鳊鳞片年轮特征明显,表现为普通疏密型,为一年一个周期。研究样品的年龄由0~+~3~+(1~4龄)4个年龄组组成,其中以1~+~2~+龄(2~3龄)为主,占样品总量的96.07%。体长(L,m)和鳞径(R,mm)具有显著相关性雌、雄鱼差异无统计学意义(P0.05)表达式为L=25.45R+65.73。体质量(W,g)与体长呈幂函数相关,雌、雄鱼差异无统计学意义(P0.05),属等速增长,表达式为W=2.4×10~(-5)L~(2.94)(R~2=0.25)。Von Bertalanffy生长方程分别为:L_t=139.57×[1-e~(-0.15(t+3.16))],W_t=47.97×[1-e~(-0.15(t+3.16))]~(2.94),生长系数为0.15,拐点年龄为4.09龄,对应的体长和体质量分别为L_i=92.06mm,W_i=14.13g。岷江眉山段四川华鳊属于生长相对较快型鱼类。建议依法取缔非法捕捞工具,减少水电工程建设,这些措施对于保护四川华鳊种质资源有重要作用。     

白木香遗传多样性研究

用ISSR分子标记技术对白木香(Aquilaria sinensis(Lour.)Gilg)的遗传多样性进行分析.结果表明,白木香物种水平的遗传多样性较高,而居群水平的遗传多样性相对较低,其中广东茂名居群的遗传多样性最高.白木香居群间存在较大的遗传分化,遗传分化系数G_(ST)=0.4425,表明居群内遗传分化大于居群间的分化.UPGMA聚类分析表明白木香分化为两个谱系,其中谱系Ⅰ由广东、福建、海南的5居群组成,谱系Ⅱ由广西、云南的3个居群组成.居群间的基因交流受到阻碍(Nm=0.6633<1),阻碍主要产生于两个谱系间,而谱系内部的居群间在较近的历史时期基因交流频繁(Nm分别为1.4382和1.2333),谱系分化的原因主要是地理因素,两谱系交界处有云开山脉等形成的天然屏障,阻碍物种的扩展和基因交流.     

疏花水柏枝结构性状多样性研究

以疏花水柏枝(Myricaria laxiflora)茎的11个解剖结构参数作为表型性状,对覆盖整个分布区域的居群进行部分抽样取样,研究了该物种表型性状的多样性及其格局、表型性状的分化及其与环境的关系。结果表明,各性状在居群间以及不同居群总体性状之间都存在显著或极显著的差异,63％的表型分化属居群内分化,37％为居群间地理差异引起的分化,居群内性状的变异程度与立地环境条件的分化程度一致,奉节以上居群相似程度较大,而以下居群相似程度则较小,并有独立分化的居群出现,这表明表型性状的多样性中心是在三峡河谷区域内,而不是在三峡以上的河谷区段。     

濒危植物独花兰的形态变异及其适应意义

采用ANOVA和UPGMA等方法对濒危植物独花兰(Changnieniaamoena)分布于庐山、新宁和神农架3个地点的12个自然居群的形态变异进行了研究,探讨其形态多样性水平和地理变异式样及其可能的适应机制。结果表明,庐山居群13个性状的平均观测值均高于新宁和神农架居群。在物种水平上各个性状存在较丰富的变异,变异系数(CV值)为0.02–0.30。尽管同一性状在不同居群中的变异程度较大,但总体而言,花部器官的变异性比营养器官低。单因素方差分析显示3个地区间多个形态性状存在极显著差异(P<0.01);UPGMA聚类分析也表明这3个地区分别形成明显不同的分支。值得注意的是,神农架地区龙门河和关门山两个地点间存在明显的形态分化,而这种形态分化是以传粉者为媒介自然选择的结果。相关性分析显示,营养器官之间、花部器官之间,以及营养器官与花部器官之间均存在较高的相关性。上述结果对进一步了解独花兰的适应机制以及制定科学的保护策略提供了有益的资料。     

基于形态及分子标记的濒危植物夏蜡梅自然居群的遗传变异研究

比较了濒危植物夏蜡梅(Sinocalycanthus chinensis)大明山、大雷山、龙须山3个居群的果实与种子的形态变异,采用ISSR分子标记技术分析DNA序列的变异,综合评价夏蜡梅3个居群的遗传变异。结果如下:果实性状中,果柄长、果实长、果实重、每果种子数等指标均以大明山居群最大、大雷山居群次之、龙须山居群最小,它们之间差异显著(P<0.05)。种子重、种子长、种子宽、种子厚等指标均以大雷山居群最大,与大明山居群和龙须山居群差异显著(P<0.05)。基于果实形态特征的表型分化系数(VST)在0.5518—0.9750之间,平均为0.8930,所有果实形态指标的变异大部分存在于居群间。基于种子形态特征的VST在0.1669—0.8678之间,平均为0.6240,除种子长外,其他种子形态指标的变异也大部分存在于居群间。ISSR分析表明,3个居群的多态位点百分率、Shannon信息指数、Nei基因多样性均是大明山居群最高、龙须山居群次之、大雷山居群最低。居群间的遗传分化系数(GST)为0.6050。基于ISSR分子标记数据的聚类结果显示大明山居群先与龙须山居群聚在一起,再与大雷山居群相聚,这与基于种子性状特征的聚类结果相似,而与基于果实性状特征的聚类结果不同。3个居群的种子形态特征变异系数与遗传多样性水平具有显著的正相关,且基于果实形态特征估算的VST要高于GST,而基于种子形态特征估算的VST仅略高于GST,表明夏蜡梅不同居群间的种子形态变异主要由遗传变异所造成的,而环境因子在果实形态变异中起了重要作用。Mantel检验显示3个居群基于分子标记数据的遗传距离矩阵和基于果实及种子形态特征的欧氏距离矩阵之间的相关性不显著,表明果实与种子在居群间出现的表型分化除了受遗传因素影响外,还受到其它环境因子的强烈影响。     

基于ISSR分子标记的野生桃儿七遗传多样性研究

通过对甘肃南部青藏高原边缘区道地性药材桃儿七遗传多样性研究,为野生桃儿七资源的保护提供依据。采用ISSR分子标记技术,对13个野生桃儿七居群153份DNA进行PCR扩增,对其扩增条带进行遗传多样性分析,在所得遗传距离的基础上进行UPGMA聚类和Mantel检验地理距离,对野生桃儿七居群间遗传多样性差异进行分析。11条ISSR引物共检测到155个条带,每条引物10～17个,平均14.1个,共1320个多态性位点;居群平均多态性位点百分比(PPL)65.50%;Nei′s遗传多样性指数(H)为0.2101,Shannon′s信息指数(I)为0.3191;遗传距离变化范围0.0316～0.3769;Mantel检验P=0.4220。甘肃南部青藏高原边缘区13个野生桃儿七居群间具有较高的遗传多样性,种群内的基因流十分丰富,居群内的遗传分化明显比居群之间的分化要大,各居群间遗传距离与地理距离无相关关系。     

扁头鮡地理种群形态变异的研究兼论大鳍鮡的物种有效性

采用形态度量学和主成分分析的方法,通过对稚鲁藏布江、伊洛瓦底江、怒江和澜沧江4个水系标本的比较,研究了扁头鮡各地理种群间的形态变异及大鳍鮡的物种有效性.结果表明4个水系的标本相互之间的差异还没有达到亚种水平,应是扁头鮡的地理种群;扁头鮡不同地理种群之间的形态特征,如眼间距、背鳍基长、肛门位置和脂鳍起点位置等性状随海拔高度的下降,自西向东呈梯度变化;前人将腹鳍前长比体长、脂鳍基长比背鳍基长和眼间距比头长等作为大鳍鮡区别于扁头鮡的鉴别特征,并不能将标本区分为大鳍鮡和扁头鮡两个物种,因此大鳍鮡是一个无效的物种,应是扁头鮡的同物异名.     

箭叶淫羊藿居群形态及遗传多样性比较研究

箭叶淫羊藿（Epimedium sagittatum）是淫羊藿属中分布最广、形态变异最大、分类学最难处理的一个物种,不同箭叶淫羊藿居群其形态、活性成分等差异较大,质量极其不稳定。本实验选择湖北罗田等12个不同的箭叶淫羊藿地理居群,在武汉植物园进行同园栽培,分析其主要形态数量性状及遗传多样性。结果发现箭叶淫羊藿不同居群在形态上表现出各自明显的差异。基于AFLP数据进行的遗传多样性分析显示,各居群聚类关系与地理分布密切相关,柳州居群（LZ）、西南居群（CL、HH、ZY）、华东华中居群（YT、WN、NF、HS、QZ、SG、LY、LT）依次分出。而形态分层聚类分析显示各居群形态变异复杂,只有部分与遗传多样性有一定的相关性。本研究结果对箭叶淫羊藿分类研究及资源筛选具有重要指导作用。     

不同地理种群东方墨头鱼(Garra orientalis)的形态分化

为确认分布于闽江、珠江、红河水系和海南岛的东方墨头鱼居群间存在的形态差异是否达到亚种或种的水平,该文将采自上述4个水系共72尾标本根据水系分为四组,比较了10个外部形态特征,并运用多变量形态度量学方法,对13个框架结构特征和23个常规特征进行分析。主成分分析结果散点图显示,海南岛居群相对集中,但仍未能与其他3个水系居群完全区分,而其他3个水系居群则完全混杂在一起。该研究结果表明,形态特征比较和形态度量学分析难以区分东方墨头鱼的不同地理居群,其种或种下分化研究需借助于分子生物学方法。     

Phenotypic variation among populations of Atherinops affinis(Atherinopsidae) with insights from a geometric morphometric analysis

Morphological character variation was examined in Atherinops affinis , a temperate marine silverside with a broad geographic range and presumed limited powers of dispersal. Populations of this species were sampled from three California mainland sites, one Channel Island site and one site in the upper Gulf of California. A geometric morphometric analysis yielded higher resolution in the assessment of phenotypic divergence among the four Pacific coast populations than either body measurement or meristic analysis, and it showed that most of the shape variation among these populations occurs in the head region and body depth of the fish. All three analyses supported the hypothesis that populations of A. affinis from central and southern California coastal waters and from Santa Catalina Island are morphologically distinct from each other; the Santa Catalina Island population was found to be the most divergent. On the basis of meristic characters alone, the population of A. affinis from the upper Gulf of California was different from A. affinis populations along the Pacific coast of California. The analyses revealed variation in several morphological characters, e.g . body depth and meristics, known to vary in association with environmental conditions. Given that A. affinis appears to have low among‐population genetic variation, this species may be phenotypically plastic in response to the environmental conditions of the habitat of each population.     

On estimation of phenetic relationships of Altai Osmans (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oreoleuciscus</Emphasis>, Cyprinidae) from three lakes in Mongolia by skull characters

By four meristic and 14 morphometric characters of the skull the phenetic relationships of Altai Osmans of the genus Oreoleuciscus from lakes Ust-Nur (the Selenga Basin), Sangiyn-Dalai-Nur (the Khangai Highland), and Orog-Nur (Lake Valley) are estimated. Principal components analysis is performed. No interpopulational differences by the set of meristic characters are found. By the set of morphometric characters the specimens from Lake Ust-Nur in the space of principal components are separated from specimens from two other lakes while the distributions of specimens from Lake Sangiyn-Dalai-Nur and Orog-Nur overlap. With consideration of estimates of similarity in the structure of interpopulational differences it is assumed that separation of the phyletic line common for populations of lakes Ust-Nur and Orog-Nur from the phyletic line of population of Lake Sangiyn-Dalai-Nur preceded separation of phyletic lines of populations from lakes Ust-Nur and Orog-Nur.     

Morphological variation of the pikeperch Sander lucioperca (L.) in the southern Caspian Sea, using a truss system

A morphometric truss network system and meristic counts were used to investigate the hypothesis of population fragmentation of pikeperch Sander lucioperca among four major fishing areas in the Caspian Sea drainage. Univariate analysis of variance showed significant differences between the means of the four groups for 20 out of 32 standardized morphometric measurements (27 truss, five traditional characters) and six out of nine meristic counts. The first two canonical discriminant functions accounted for 93 and 92.3% of the total variability in morphometric and meristic characteristics, respectively. A dendogram derived from cluster analysis of Mahalanobis distances and a discriminant analysis among the groups confirmed three distinct populations in these regions, while there was a relatively high degree of overlap between all locations when using meristic characters. The most relevant morphometric characteristics were the measured distances on body heights and the caudal peduncle area. This study indicated that the morphometric truss network system was more adequate than meristic characters for separation among the populations.     

Morphologic comparisons of hatchery-reared specimens of Scaphirhynchus albus, Scaphirhynchus platorynchus, and S. albus × S. platorynchus hybrids (Acipenseriformes: Acipenseridae)

Extensive habitat modifications within the Mississippi and Missouri rivers have presumably interfered with the reproductive isolating mechanisms between the endangered pallid sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus albus, and the sympatric shovelnose sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus platorynchus, causing hybridization between these two species. Several character indices were developed to assist fisheries biologists in identifying specimens of S. albus, S. platorynchus, and their putative hybrids. The indices have numerous assumptions, including that pure strains of both parental species are within the sample analyzed and that hybrids are morphologically intermediate relative to their parents. If these indices have produced inaccurate identifications, then previous work on Scaphirhynchus studies in the Mississippi and Missouri rivers are questionable, including status surveys, captive propagation efforts, or the harvesting of tissues for genetic studies. In this study we tested indices by examining progeny of ‘known’ pallid, shovelnose, and hybrid sturgeon propagated, raised, and preserved at hatcheries. These 60 specimens [78–600 mm standard length (SL)] were propagated with breeding stock from the upper Missouri River drainage, where hybridization between these two species presumably does not occur. Existing indices did not correctly identify small (<250 mm SL) or a combination of small and large (>250 mm SL) sizes of S. albus, S. platorynchus, and their hybrids. Indices worked fairly well in identifying large S. platorynchus, but not in differentiating large S. albus from hybrids. We used principal components analysis (PCA) as an alternative approach to character indices. No a priori knowledge of the identity of the specimen is required with this multivariate technique, which avoids potential circular reasoning present in indices. We were able to completely or almost completely separate both sturgeon species and their hybrids by extracting principal components from a correlation matrix of 13 meristic characters in a standard PCA and extracting size‐corrected principal components from a covariance matrix of 51 morphometric variables using a sheared PCA. Additionally, we demonstrated that first generation hybrids were intermediate with respect to their parental species. Multivariate analyses with a reduced character set of six meristic and 12 morphometric variables also led to accurate and reliable specimen identification. Head spines and numerous qualitative characters are also extremely useful in differentiating between Scaphirhynchus species and their hybrids. In addition to all morphometric characters, some meristic characters and the degree of head spine fusion vary significantly with SL of sturgeons. Recording appropriate data from released specimens, including photovouchers, and making this information available is essential for researchers to have any scientific or legal basis for genetic or any other studies involving these sturgeons.     

Multivariate analysis of the phenotypic relationships of the species of Paragalaxias and Galaxias (Pisces: Galaxiidae) in Tasmania

The 10 species of Galaxias in Tasmania, G. olidus from mainland Australia and the four species of Paragalaxias were studied using principal co-ordinates analysis (PCOA) and cluster analysis of a standardized Euclidean distance matrix based upon variate means, and by canonical variate analysis (CVA) conducted as a stepwise multiple discriminant analysis. Thirty-five variables comprising 30 morphometric and five meristic characters were analysed. The meristic characters were not included in the CVA. Excellent separation of the two genera was achieved in all analyses. The multivariate analyses were repeated on each genus separately to see if relationships suggested by the overall analysis remain stable. When the resultant groupings of species are compared for the different analyses, no consistent, distinct groupings of species within each genus are apparent. Despite the absence of distinct groupings, some trends in the affinities of some species are evident. In particular, species affinities as indicated by the CVA are more consistent with established opinions of species relationships. From the results of the study it is suggested that caution be exercised in the application of multivariate statistical analyses of morphological data to ichthyological systematics and phylogeny.     

Morphometric variation among river sturgeons (Scaphirhynchus spp.) of the Middle and Lower Mississippi River

Pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) captured in the Middle and Lower Mississippi River (i.e. below St. Louis, MO, USA) are morphologically very similar to shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus). Available empirical data are limited to a few studies based on low sample sizes from disjointed populations. Geneticists are currently searching for markers that will differentiate the two species, but the need for unequivocal species‐specific field characters remains. Continuation of commercial fishing for shovelnose sturgeon in some states necessitates an immediate means for accurate field identifications. Previous studies of lower basin river sturgeon classified individuals with simple morphometric character indices and interpreted intermediacy as interspecific hybridization. In this study, morphometric variation among Scaphirhynchus specimens from the Middle and Lower Mississippi River is examined for evidence of hybridization. Data are compared for large (>250‐mm standard length) hatchery‐reared and wild pallid specimens and wild shovelnose specimens. Specimens are compared using two morphometric character indices, two morphometric/meristic character indices and principal components analysis. Results indicate substantial morphological variation among pallid sturgeon below the mouth of the Missouri River. The amount of variation appears to decrease downstream in the Mississippi River. Sheared principal components analysis of morphometric data shows complete separation of shovelnose and pallid sturgeon specimens, whereas character indices indicate overlap. Both character indices and sheared principal components analysis demonstrate that pallid sturgeon in the Lower Mississippi River are morphologically more similar to shovelnose sturgeon than are pallids from the Upper Missouri River. This similarity, explained in previous studies as hybridization, may be the result of latitudinal morphometric variation and length‐at‐age differences between populations of the upper and lower extremes of the range.     

A new goby, Glossogobius minutus (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the south-west coast of India

A new species of gobiid fish Glossogobius minutus collected from the south-west coast of India is described. The morphological, morphometric and meristic characters were studied with special emphasis on osteology. The various characters are compared with those of G. giuris (Harn.) and G. biocellatus (Val.), the only other species of the genus reported from this region. Glossogobius minutus is a benthic omnivore and shows distinct sexual dimorphism.     

Morphological characteristics,reproduction, and food habits of European bitterling <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodeus sericeus amarus</Emphasis> (Cyprinidae) in the Alatyr River

The data on the morphology, reproduction, and diet of European bitterling Rhodeus sericeus amarus in the Alatyr River (the Sura tributary) are presented. Differences between females and males have been revealed with respect to the complex of morphometric characters. It is assumed that the deviations of some meristic characters from those that are typical of European bitterling are due to the habitation of this population at the boundary of the species distribution. The species reaches sexual maturity at the age of 1–2 years; the individual fecundity is 103–525 (354) eggs. Bitterling is a typical phytophage.     

Morphometric and meristic characteristics of two groups ofLethenteron reissneri

Morphometric and meristic characteristics were compared between two genetically divergent groups ofLethenteron reissneri, collected from Hokkaido and Honshu islands, Japan. Whereas significant differences were found in some morphometric and meristic characters, the ranges overlapped somewhat in all of the characters examined between the two groups. Thus, it was difficult to distinguish exactly between the two groups using only the morphological characters. In sympatric populations of the two groups, no significant differences were found in almost all of the morphometric and meristic characters examined. The two groups ofL. reissneri, which are reproductively isolated from each other, should be regarded as sibling species. Assortative mating, based on morphological features, appears unlikely as the reproductive isolating mechanism between the two groups.