On the genetics of the human serum paraoxonase (EC 3.1.1.2)

Summary Incubation of the sera of 799 nonrelated persons with paraoxon led to varying degrees of inhibition of the serum cholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8) with residual activity between 0% and 67.4% of the initial activity. This is the result of a differing paraoxonase (EC 3.1.1.2) activity. The residual activities show a trimodal distribution. The results of studies of 99 families with children show that an autosomal dominant heredity factor is most likely. Consideration of the constellations of the activity values within the families can thus yield a stochastic external criterion. This, together with the shape of the distribution of the individual values, gives good statistical estimates for the distributions and frequencies of the three groups obtained by an iteration technique. Tests of association that take account of group membership show that residual activity does not depend on the blood groups A, B, 0, and Rh, or on age. A conclusive argument for our assumption of three activity groups is that the resulting group frequencies are consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg rule.     

Distribution and habitat utilization of the gopher tortoise tick (Amblyomma tuberculatum) in Southern Mississippi

The distribution of the gopher tortoise tick ( Amblyomma tuberculatum ) has been considered intrinsically linked to the distribution of its primary host, gopher tortoises ( Gopherus polyphemus ). However, the presence of G. polyphemus does not always equate to the presence of A. tuberculatum . There is a paucity of data on the ecology, habitat preferences, and distribution of A. tuberculatum . The goals of this study were to assess the distribution of A. tuberculatum in southern Mississippi and to determine which, if any, habitat parameters explain the distribution pattern of A. tuberculatum . During 2006-2007, we examined 13 G. polyphemus populations in southern Mississippi for the presence of A. tuberculatum , and we measured a suite of habitat parameters at each site. Only 23% of the G. polyphemus populations supported A. tuberculatum , suggesting a more restricted distribution than its host. The results of our multivariate analyses identified several habitat variables, e.g., depth of sand and percentage of sand in the topsoil and burrow apron, as being important in discriminating between sites with, and without, A. tuberculatum. Amblyomma tuberculatum was only found at sites with a mean sand depth of > 100 cm and a mean percentage of topsoil and burrow apron sand composition > 94.0 and 92.4, respectively. Thus, environmental factors, and not just its host's range, seem to influence the distribution of A. tuberculatum.     

Interaction of salinity and temperature as a mechanism for spatial separation of three co-existing species of Ambassidae (Cuvier) (Teleostei) in estuaries on the south-east coast of Africa

Ambassidae are represented in South African estuaries by three species which are very similar in external morphology, feeding ecology, alimentary system and distribution. The co-existence and spatial separation of these species of Ambassis in the estuaries of southern Africa can be explained by the tolerance of each to salinity and temperature. Investigations of the temperature tolerance ranges of the three species suggest that the osmoregulatory capability of Ambassis productus in reduced salinities (<10%) increases while that of A. gymnocephalus decreases sharply in salinities below 20%. A. natalensis , which is endemic to the south-east coast of Africa, is adapted to a wide range of estuarine conditions. Interaction between salinity and temperature tolerances on the limits within which Ambassis spp. survive is significant with regard to the distribution of the three species in estuaries. Catch data showed that A. productus is restricted to areas of low salinity and seasonal low temperature (upper reaches of estuaries), A. gynmocephalus to high salinities >25% (estuary mouths) and A. natalensis to intermediate salinities associated with the middle reaches of estuaries.     

Environmental suitability for Agrilus auroguttatus (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in Mexico using MaxEnt and database records of four Quercus (Fagaceae) species

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Panbiogeographical analysis of the genus Bomarea (Alstroemeriaceae)

Aim  A panbiogeographical analysis of the genus Bomarea was undertaken in order to determine generalized tracks and biogeographical nodes, and to evaluate the current distribution of the genus based on the available tectonic information and the biogeographical regionalization of Latin America.
Location  The Neotropical region from northern Mexico to northern Argentina, and the Nearctic and Andean regions.
Method  A total of 2205 records of 101 species were analysed, representing 95% of the species assigned to Bomarea . Localities were represented on maps and their individual tracks were drawn. Based on their comparison, generalized tracks were detected and mapped. Nodes were identified in the areas where different generalized tracks were superimposed.
Results  Five generalized tracks were recovered. One is located in the Eastern Central America and Western Panamanian Isthmus provinces (Caribbean subregion, Neotropical region), which was supported by three species of Central American distribution. The four remaining generalized tracks were located in South America, in the North Andean Paramo, Cauca and Puna biogeographical provinces. These tracks were supported by species of Bomarea with an Andean distribution. Biogeographical nodes were established in the Central Andean region of Colombia, central Ecuador and central Peru.
Main conclusions  The nodes obtained for Bomarea support a hybrid origin for the Andean region, which presents diverse components from both northern and southern South America. Likewise, the track recovered between Colombia and Ecuador includes Andean and Neotropical areas, providing further support for this hypothesis. The nodes obtained are coherent with vicariant elements evident for Bomarea. Species of three clades proposed for Bomarea are distributed in specific generalized tracks.     

Predicting the distributions of predator (snow leopard) and prey (blue sheep) under climate change in the Himalaya

Future climate change is likely to affect distributions of species, disrupt biotic interactions, and cause spatial incongruity of predator–prey habitats. Understanding the impacts of future climate change on species distribution will help in the formulation of conservation policies to reduce the risks of future biodiversity losses. Using a species distribution modeling approach by MaxEnt, we modeled current and future distributions of snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and its common prey, blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur), and observed the changes in niche overlap in the Nepal Himalaya. Annual mean temperature is the major climatic factor responsible for the snow leopard and blue sheep distributions in the energy‐deficient environments of high altitudes. Currently, about 15.32% and 15.93% area of the Nepal Himalaya are suitable for snow leopard and blue sheep habitats, respectively. The bioclimatic models show that the current suitable habitats of both snow leopard and blue sheep will be reduced under future climate change. The predicted suitable habitat of the snow leopard is decreased when blue sheep habitats is incorporated in the model. Our climate‐only model shows that only 11.64% (17,190 km²) area of Nepal is suitable for the snow leopard under current climate and the suitable habitat reduces to 5,435 km² (reduced by 24.02%) after incorporating the predicted distribution of blue sheep. The predicted distribution of snow leopard reduces by 14.57% in 2030 and by 21.57% in 2050 when the predicted distribution of blue sheep is included as compared to 1.98% reduction in 2030 and 3.80% reduction in 2050 based on the climate‐only model. It is predicted that future climate may alter the predator–prey spatial interaction inducing a lower degree of overlap and a higher degree of mismatch between snow leopard and blue sheep niches. This suggests increased energetic costs of finding preferred prey for snow leopards – a species already facing energetic constraints due to the limited dietary resources in its alpine habitat. Our findings provide valuable information for extension of protected areas in future.     

Distribution and abundance of fish larvae in the northern Ionian Sea (Eastern Mediterranean)

The purpose of this paper was to study the spatial distribution, abundance and composition of fish larvae in the northern Ionian Sea. Samples were collected to the 600 m depth with an electronic multinet BIONESS during the “INTERREG Italia-Grecia” oceanographic cruise carried out in March 2000 off the Apulian Italian coast. A total of 46 species of teleost early stages were collected, belonging to 38 genera and 22 families. Over 52% of the larvae identified were mesopelagic species, almost 27% were demersal and about 21% pelagic. A total of 307 myctophids, 69 clupeids and 61 gadid post-larvae dominated the community. Benthosema glaciale (mean 6.1 mm SL) was the most abundant species (21.6%), the most frequent in the samples (28.8%), and dominant in the whole study area (mean 1.4 ind/100 m³). Particular attention was given to the horizontal and vertical distribution and abundance of the three dominant post-larval species: Benthosema glaciale, Sprattus sprattus sprattus and Notoscopelus elongatus. The Pearson coefficient (R = 0.734) showed a high correlation between total zooplankton and fish larval assemblages in terms of spatial distribution abundance values. Regarding the vertical distribution of fish larvae, Sorensen’s index (S = 0.69) showed that fish larvae and total zooplankton abundance peaks co-occurred along the water column.     

Occurrence and biological characteristics of parasitoid phorids (Diptera: Phoridae) of the leaf-cutting ant Atta laevigata (Smith) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Porto Nacional, TO, Brazil

The purpose of this study was to verify the occurrence of parasitism in Atta laevigata (Smith) by phorids in Porto Nacional, Tocantins, Brazil and to evaluate some biological characteristics of those flies. From October/2002 to September/2003, at 15-day intervals, 22 samplings were carried out (149.5 +/- 82.9 workers each) comprising 3,704 ants. In the laboratory, the ants were distributed in groups of five individuals per petri dish and maintained at temperature of 25 +/- 1 masculineC and 80 +/- 5% of RH. They were fed daily with a 50% honey solution until death. The total of 106 workers (2.8%), collected with or without load (plant fragment), were parasitized by phorids: 72 workers (68%) were parasitized by Apocephalus vicosae Disney, 28 individuals (26.4%) by Neodohrniphora erthali Brown, and six (5.6%) by Apocephalus attophilus Borgmeier. The higher parasitism rates by A. vicosae (3.9-5.4%) were observed during the dry season (June-August), while the parasitism by N. erthali was lower than 2.3% throughout the year. The bigger workers were parasitized by bigger parasitoid N. erthali or by parasitoid with larger number of larvae A. attophilus. The occurrence of three phorid species in Tocantins broadens the distribution of these flies in Brazil. The development of A. vicosae larva within the thorax of the host as well as the rupture between the ant pronotum and propleuron so that the emergence of the fly can take place are characteristics not yet described on parasitism of leaf-cutting ants by phorids.     

Evaluation of the spatial distribution of Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in South Korea combining climate and host plant distribution

Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), a global forest pest, has a potential to damage forests in South Korea, requiring an effective tool for evaluating its potential distribution. This study aimed to evaluate the spatial distribution of A. glabripennis in South Korea by simultaneously considering climate and host plants. Climatic suitability was firstly evaluated using a CLIMEX model; then, it was combined with the areal distribution of host plants using a simple mathematical formulation. We finally projected the spatial distribution of A. glabripennis onto the map of administrative districts to identify hazardous areas to watch. As a result, the developed model predicted that over 40% of areas in South Korea could be exposed to A. glabripennis damage, and most of them were located in mountainous areas with abundant host plants. In addition, climatic suitability was higher in coastal areas, which was different than a previous record of A. glabripennis occurrence, while the prediction by a comprehensive model was consistent with the record. In conclusion, the model including both climate and host plant occurrence was more reliable than the model which only included climate, and could provide useful data for determining areas for monitoring and control.     

Population structure and distribution patterns of the rare and endangered Ardisia violacea (Myrsinaceae)

Ardisia violacea (Myrsinaceae), one of China’s rare and endangered species, occurs only in Zhejiang and Taiwan provinces. We examined the population dynamics of this species to reveal details related to the development of populations. Assembling intensity indices were used, such as V/m, K, m^*, PAI, CA and I. Age class structure and the time-specific life tables were analyzed by the contiguous grid quadrate method. The population structures and distribution patterns of A. violacea in different habitats, age classes and quadrat scales are discussed and the life parameters such as the survival curve, mortality curve and life expectancy were estimated. The results show the age class distribution of the entire population generally fits a reverse “J” type curve, suggesting a growing population. The population spatial distribution pattern was clumped in all three habitats, especially in the age classes I–III, and had a uniform distribution in the age classes VII and IX. The plants mainly occurred at microsites with generally adequate light, water, nutrients and air. Micro-environmental factors and human factors can also have a great impact. In the age class structure pattern, the individual percentage of the first three age classes accounted for 71.19% in H1 (habitat 1), 68.18% in H2 (habitat 2) and 88.24% in H3 (habitat 3), which indicated the number of individuals in the first three age classes were larger than any other age classes. The population size peaked in the age classes III and X and only 13.1% individuals survive age class III to enter class IV. As a result, fewer middle and advanced aged individuals were found. Age class IV had the highest life expectancy for A. violacea. The survival curve approached to Deevy-II. The spatial distribution pattern of A. violacea populations was decided mainly by the interaction of biological and ecological characteristics of its environment, habitat heterogeneities, microenvironments and human disturbance.     

On the solution structure of the T4 sliding clamp (gp45)

Examination by time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy of the trimeric bacteriophage T4 clamp protein labeled across its three subunit interfaces with a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) pair indicates that the clamp exists in just one state in solution, with one open and two closed interfaces. This is in contrast to what is observed in the X-ray crystal structure. The population distribution of the trFRET distance is bimodal, giving 67% as 17 A and 33% as 42 A. This leads to the conclusion that gp45 exists in an asymmetric open state in solution. The further increase in the separation of the FRET pair in the presence of the clamp loader and ATP may be ascribed to either further opening of the open interface or the opening of a closed interface. The ramifications for replisome remodeling by this pathway are discussed.     

云南小桐子资源调查与评价

对云南省小桐子（Jatropha curcas）资源分布、环境因子和种子相关性状展开了调查和分析,结果表明：所测居群的种子平均千粒重、出仁率、种仁含油率和种子含油率分别为567．9克、56．67％、61．78％和35．13％。居群间种子千粒重、出仁率、种仁含油率、种子含油率都有极显著的差异,丽江A、红河D、丽江C、丽江B和玉溪A等4个居群有较高开发利用价值。温度是影响云南省小桐子地理分布的主要限制因子,分布区的海拔高度和年均温有强负相关性。云南省最适合种植小桐子的地区是金沙江和元江流域的干热河谷地区,其次是临沧、保山、普洱、西双版纳等地的高温低海拔地区。本研究对云南省小桐子的研究和产业发展提出了建议。     

The abundance and distribution of Diphyllobothrium dendriticum (Nitzsch) and D. ditremum (Creplin) in the char Salvelinus alpinus (L.) in Sweden

A total of 654 char, Salvelinus alpinus (L.) and 33 brown trout, Salmo trutta L., were examined for the plerocercoids of Diphyllobothrium dendriticum (Nitzsch, 1824) and D. ditremum (Creplin, 1825). Only char were found to be infected. Both parasitic species were abundant. The incidence and mean intensity of infection for D. dendriticum were 83.2% and 8.8, respectively; for D. ditremum 93.7% and 45.0. There was no variation in the intensity of infection between different parts of the lake. The incidence and intensity of infection increased with the age of the fish to age 8+ for both species. From this age the intensity of infection leveled off or decreased. No differences in intensity of infection between the sexes were found. The frequency distribution of parasite counts were overdispersed and fitted the negative binomial distribution even within single age-groups. The two parasite species showed a high positive correlation in intensity of infection, D. ditremum was concentrated in the stomach and pyloric caeca. D. dendriticum was more widely distributed within the host and was supposed to kill heavily infected fish.     

Modeling egg distribution of Tinocallis kahawaluokalani (Kirkaldy) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on Lagerstroemia indica L. (Lythraceae)

This is the first record of winter eggs of the holocyclic monoeceous crapemyrtle aphid Tinocallis kahawaluokalani (Kirkaldy) on Lagerstroemia indica L., in Brazil. The shiny black eggs were observed since early autumn, laid on small folds and crevices of the branches. In order to evaluate and model the egg abundance and distribution, four branches from the cardinal points of 10 plants of two age groups, 5-10 and 20-30 years-old, were collected randomly and cut in eight segments of 10 cm and the number of eggs was registered, in the winter 2001. The eggs were laid mainly on the middle portion of the branch, from 40 cm to 60 cm from the apex on the older trees (54%) and on 30 cm to 60 cm on younger ones (58%). The data fit in a longitudinal regression model that expresses the tendency of the egg distribution on the branches. The number of eggs was greater on the 20-30 year-old plants (61%) than on younger ones (39%). The average number (+/- CI 95%) of eggs was 70.5 +/- 9.3 and 47.4 +/- 12.5, respectively, for the older and younger tree groups. There was no correlation between egg distribution and the cardinal positions of the branches.     

Distribution of the Forest Dormouse Dryomys nitedula (Pallas, 1779) (Rodentia, Myoxidae) in Europe

A spot distribution map of Dryomys nitedula in Europe is presented, based on a critical evaluation of published information from the various countries of Europe. In addition, maps which are numbered to identify localities were prepared for regions where Dryomys nitedula distribution was largely unknown until now. The species has a unique distribution, ranging from the Alps in the west to the foothills of the Urals in the east, and from southern Latvia in the north as far south as Calabria and Peloponnisos. The species' reported vertical range is from sea level in the Balkans to the subalpine belt in the Alps. The presence of Dryomys nitedula in Europe can be traced back to the beginning of the Pleistocene, but its recent distributional area does not coincide with climatic factors, nor with the distribution of vegetation communities. Possible competition with Eliomys quercinus is discussed as a factor affecting the peripheral range distribution of Dryomys nitedula.     

The parasites of the badger (Meles meles) in the north of Mugello (Florence, Italy)

During the period January 1993-June 1994, a parasitological survey was carried out on 19 badgers (Meles meles) road killed in Northern Mugello (Florence). The following helminths (together with their prevalence) were isolated and classified: Uncinaria criniformis (84.2%); Capillaria sp. (31.6%); Molineus patens (21.1%); Mesocestoides melesi (21.1%); Aelurostrongylus falciformis (52.6%); Crenosoma melesi (21.1%). According to results, only sex related differences in prevalence were studied. The parasite biocenosis is composed exclusively by dominant and codominant species. Mesocestoides melesi represents the first record for Italy. All the species found fitted a negative binomial distribution.     

Analysis of nucleotide distribution in the genome of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) using the Z curve method

The nucleotide distribution of all 33 527 open reading frames (ORFs) (≥300 bp) in the genome of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) has been analyzed using the Z curve method. Each ORF is mapped onto a point in a 9-dimensional space. To visualize the distribution of mapping points, the points are projected onto the principal plane based on principal component analysis. Consequently, the distribution pattern of the 33 527 points in the principal plane shows a flower-like shape, in which there are seven distinct regions. In addition to the central region, there are six petal-like regions around the center, one of which corresponds to 7172 coding sequences. The central region and the remaining five petal-like regions correspond to the intergenic sequences and out-of-frame non-coding ORFs, respectively. It is shown that selective pressure produces a remarkable bias of the G+C content among three codon positions, resulting in the interesting phenomenon observed. A similar phenomenon is also observed for other bacterial genomes with high genomic G+C content, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01 (G+C=66.6%). However, for the genomes of Bacillus subtilis (G+C=43.5%) and Clostridium perfringens (G+C=28.6%), no similar phenomenon was observed. The finding presented here may be useful to improve the gene-finding algorithms for genomes with high G+C content. A set of supplementary materials including the plots displaying the base distribution patterns of ORFs in 12 prokaryotes is provided on the website http://tubic.tju.edu.cn/highGC/.     

HAPLOIDY IN HAPLOPAPPUS GRACILIS (N = 2)

Analysis of meiosis in a haploid (monoploid) sporophyte of Haplopappus gracilis (n = 2) showed a nonrandom distribution of chromosomes at anaphase I. Chromosomes A and B were associated at various prophase I stages in 34 % of the microsporocytes. Presumably, this association persisted long enough to disrupt random distribution in a portion of those meiocytes showing such an association. Pollen stainability of 26.5 % in the haploid was in agreement with the normal expectation. However, this number resulted from a nonrandom chromosome distribution. The usual method of predicting fertility of haploids, 1/2ⁿ, is not accurate for monoploids with low chromosome numbers, and more functional methods are proposed.     

Making the cryptic visible – resolving the species complex of Aphodius fimetarius (Linnaeus) and Aphodius pedellus (de Geer) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) by three complementary methods

Species in cryptic complexes are, per definition, difficult to identify using morphological characters. One such complex was recently detected in the dung beetle Aphodius fimetarius (Linnaeus) sensu lato, an abundant dung beetle with a wide distribution. While the two component taxa, Aphodius fimetarius sensu stricto and Aphodius pedellus (De Geer) exhibit distinctly different karyotypes, the validity of subtle morphological characters proposed to distinguish between them has been debated. Given the variability and minor interspecific differences in external characters, the large‐scale distribution of respective taxa has remained unknown, as have potential differences in ecology and habits. In this study, we ask how A. fimetarius and A. pedellus can best be distinguished, whether the use of different types of characters (karyotypes, DNA sequences and morphological traits) results in consistent species identification, where these species occur and whether they exhibit ecological differences. In total, we inspected a material of 4401 individuals from across the globe, of which 183 were examined for both mtDNA sequences and morphology, 154 for both morphology and karyotype, and 9 (including the recently proposed neotype of Aphodius fimetarius) for all three types of characters. As a marker gene, we sequenced a 590 bp region of the cytochrome c oxidase I gene for 183 individuals. Overall, DNA sequences offered a clear‐cut distinction between taxa: sequences of A. fimetarius and A. pedellus differed by an average pairwise distance of 8.2%, whereas variation within species was only 0.9% for A. fimetarius and 0.5% for A. pedellus. Morphological and chromosomal characters offered species identifications consistent with that of molecular characters: karyotypes identified as A. pedellus consistently fell within one of the molecular clades, whereas karyotypes identified as A. fimetarius fell within the other clade. Likewise, the majority of individuals identified by morphological characters were assigned to the same species by sequence‐based characters. Both taxa thus defined were found to be Holarctic in distribution, with major sympatry within Central and Southern Europe and mixed patterns of sympatry within the US. Northern areas of Europe, Asia and North America are dominated by A. pedellus alone. Within A. pedellus, patterns of sequence diversity were indicative of a recent population expansion. In the western US, the phenology of a population of A. fimetarius was observed to significantly differ from that of a sympatric population of A. pedellus, thereby revealing an ecological difference between the two cryptic taxa. Overall, we conclude that all types of characters offered a consistent classification of the two species. Thus, the laborious karyotyping techniques used to originally establish the presence of two cryptic taxa can now be substituted by characters more easily applied to large ecological samples. Using this approach of integrative taxonomy, we were able to establish the global distribution and species‐specific ecology of these ecologically important cryptic taxa. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:4033473E-8BF7-40F4-852D-916E4F858593 .     

Poly(A)-containing RNA from germinating wheat embryos

Rapidly labelled mRNAs were isolated from informosomes and polyribosomes of imbibed wheat embryos. The distribution of poly(A) sequences in these fractions were studied by poly(U) Sepharose chromatography. It was shown that informosomes contain 11% polyadenylated mRNA while polyribosomes--38%. This fact suggests the important role of poly(A) sequences for translation of mRNA.