2个种源栓皮栎对干旱及复水的光合生理响应

为了探究干旱复水对2个种源栓皮栎幼苗光合生理特性的影响,测定了不同水分处理(正常供水、轻度干旱、中度干旱和重度干旱)及复水处理下盆栽栓皮栎幼苗生长、叶片气体交换及叶绿素荧光参数。结果表明:随着干旱胁迫程度的加重,幼苗生长受到的抑制程度增加;气体交换参数净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾速率(Tr)和水分利用效率(WUE)均呈下降的趋势,而气孔限制值(Ls)呈上升趋势,在重度干旱胁迫下气体交换参数变化幅度最大;叶片非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)呈现先上升后下降的趋势,PSII潜在活性(Fv/Fo)、最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、电子传递速率(ETR)和实际光量子效率(ΦPSⅡ)均呈下降趋势。主要叶绿素荧光参数对干旱胁迫的响应与气体交换参数一致,即重度胁迫对光合电子传递造成了最严重的损伤。干旱后复水,导致栓皮栎光合生理参数不同程度的恢复。就种源地而言,老君山种源的幼苗在干旱胁迫下主要参数的变化程度大于北坡山种源的幼苗,且在复水后老君山种源幼苗恢复程度低于北坡山种源,表明北坡山种源的栓皮栎抗旱力和恢复力均强于老君山种源。     

干旱胁迫对小紫珠光合生理的影响

以小紫珠(Callicarpa dichotoma)幼苗为试验材料,采用盆栽控水法设置4个水分梯度,分别为田间最大持水量的95%(对照)、75%(轻度干旱)、55%(中度干旱)和35%(重度干旱),研究土壤水分对小紫珠光合参数的影响。结果显示:(1)随着干旱胁迫的加剧,小紫珠的净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)和水分利用效率(WUE)逐渐下降,其胞间CO_2浓度(C_i)在轻度和中度干旱胁迫下逐渐下降,在重度干旱胁迫下显著升高。(2)随着干旱胁迫的加剧小紫珠的光饱和点(LSP)、最大净光合速率(Pnmax)、暗呼吸速率(Rd)和表观量子效率(AQY)显著减少,光补偿点(LCP)极显著增加(P0.01)。(3)随着胁迫程度的增加,小紫珠的最大荧光(F_m)、最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)和PSⅡ的量子效率(Fv/Fo)逐渐减少,初始荧光(Fo)显著升高(P0.01);随着干旱胁迫的加剧小紫珠能量分配比率参数φPo、Ψo、φEo逐渐下降,φDo逐渐增加;代表单位反应中心活性的参数ABS/RC、TRo/RC、ETo/RC和DIo/RC逐渐升高。(4)随着胁迫程度的增加,小紫珠叶绿素a、叶绿素b、叶绿素总量和叶绿素a/b逐渐减少。研究表明,干旱胁迫下小紫珠光合速率的降低既有气孔因素也有非气孔因素,但轻度和中度干旱胁迫下以气孔限制为主,而在重度干旱胁迫下以非气孔限制为主。     

干旱胁迫对黑果枸杞幼苗光合特性的影响

以当年生黑果枸杞幼苗为试验材料,通过称重控水的方法设置对照(土壤含水量为32.96%~35.35%)、轻度干旱胁迫(土壤含水量为21.18%~22.32%)、中度干旱胁迫(土壤含水量为12.20%~13.82%)和重度干旱胁迫(土壤含水量为7.89%~8.73%)4个水分梯度,研究了干旱胁迫对黑果枸杞叶片光合色素、光合特性、叶绿素荧光特性的影响,以揭示黑果枸杞对干旱胁迫的适应能力和适应机制。结果显示:(1)随着干旱胁迫强度的增加,黑果枸杞幼苗叶片叶绿素含量、类胡萝卜素含量均呈显著下降趋势。(2)黑果枸杞幼苗叶片净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)在中度和重度干旱胁迫下显著下降;其胞间CO_2浓度(C_i)、水分利用效率(WUE)随干旱胁迫强度的增加而逐渐增加,而气孔限制值(L_s)随干旱胁迫强度的增加而逐渐降低。(3)随着土壤含水量的降低,黑果枸杞幼苗叶片初始荧光(F_0)和非光化学猝灭系数(q_N)逐渐增加,而其最大荧光(F_m)、PSⅡ最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、实际光化学效率(Ф_(PSⅡ))和光化学猝灭系数(q_P)均逐渐降低。研究表明,在干旱胁迫条件下,黑果枸杞叶片过多的能量以热的形式被耗散,反应中心开放程度降低,从而避免PSⅡ反应中心受到损伤,表现出一定的耐旱性;黑果枸杞生长所允许的最大土壤水分亏缺为7.89%,维持黑果枸杞具有较高的WUE和P_n的土壤水分阈值为12.20%~13.82%。     

供镁水平对油桐幼苗生长及光合特性的影响

采用营养液砂培试验,研究不同供镁水平对油桐幼苗生长、光合特性及叶绿素荧光参数等的影响。结果表明,低镁浓度(Mg2+2 mmol·L-1)显著抑制了油桐的生长,叶绿素含量、Ru BP羧化酶及PEPC活性、净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、气孔限制值(Ls)、水分利用效率(WUE)、最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、实际光化学量子效率(ΦPSII)、PSII的潜在活性(Fv/Fo)及光化学淬灭系数(q P)显著下降(P0.05),胞间CO2浓度(Ci)、初始荧光(Fo)、非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)有所升高;高镁浓度(Mg2+4 mmol·L-1)也抑制了油桐幼苗的生长,导致叶片叶绿素含量、Ru BP羧化酶活性、Pn、Gs、Fv/Fm、Fv/Fo及q P均下降(P0.05);随着供镁水平的增加,油桐的生长量、叶绿素含量、Ru BP羧化酶及PEPC活性、Pn呈先增加后降低的趋势;当镁离子浓度为2~4 mmol·L-1时,有利于油桐幼苗正常生长,缺镁胁迫下油桐光合速率的下降主要是由光合机构活性降低的非气孔因素引起的。     

γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)对低氧胁迫下甜瓜幼苗光合作用和叶绿素荧光参数的影响

采用营养液水培方法,研究了低氧胁迫下外源γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)对甜瓜幼苗光合色素含量、光合作用及叶绿素荧光参数的影响.结果表明:低氧胁迫导致甜瓜幼苗光合色素含量显著下降,光合作用降低;外源GABA能显著提高正常通气和低氧胁迫下甜瓜幼苗的光合色素含量、净光合速率、气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度、CO2羧化效率、最大光化学效率、光化学猝灭系数、表观光合电子传递速率和PSⅡ光合电子传递量子效率,而气孔限制值、初始荧光和非光化学猝灭系数显著降低,GABA在低氧胁迫下的提高效果更明显;同时添加GABA和GABA转氨酶抑制剂γ-乙烯基-γ-氨基丁酸(VGB)处理显著降低了低氧胁迫下GABA对甜瓜幼苗光合特性的缓解效果.     

NaCl胁迫对苦豆子幼苗光合机构及生物量积累的影响

该研究通过测定盐生药用植物苦豆子幼苗气体交换、叶绿素荧光参数及生长指标,研究了中度(200mmol/L NaCl)和重度(400mmol/L NaCl)盐胁迫对其生长特性的影响,探讨盐生植物对盐化环境的生理响应机制。结果显示:(1)中度盐胁迫1d后,苦豆子幼苗光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)及胞间二氧化碳浓度(C_i)显著低于对照,随着胁迫时间延长,P_n下降显著,而气体交换参数降低不明显,C_i值甚至有上升趋势;重度盐胁迫处理1d后,苦豆子气体交换值出现了显著降低,随着胁迫时间延长,降低程度增大;中度盐胁迫导致苦豆子光合速率出现下降的原因是由气孔因素和非气孔因素共同作用的结果,而重度盐胁迫下,Pn的下降主要是非气孔因素引起的。(2)处理1d后,相对于对照组,中度和重度盐胁迫下的苦豆子幼苗最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、光化学猝灭系数(qP)、实际光化学效率(Φ_(PSⅡ))出现了不同程度的降低,而重度盐胁迫下降低更加显著;处理5d后,中度盐胁迫荧光参数变化不明显,但重度盐胁迫处理下降低显著。(3)随着胁迫程度的加重,幼苗含水量及生长指标(株高、根长、干重)降低幅度加大,以致严重抑制了植株生长。研究表明,盐生植物苦豆子对盐胁迫的耐受性也有一定限度,其在200mmol/L NaCl胁迫下植株光合作用受到轻微抑制,但能维持正常生长,而在400mmol/L NaCl胁迫下光合生理受到严重抑制,且随着胁迫时间的延长,受到伤害程度加重,甚至死亡。     

NaCl胁迫对祁连山野生黄瑞香叶片光合叶绿素荧光特性的影响

以4片真叶黄瑞香幼苗为材料,设置不同浓度(0、50、100、150、200mmol·L~(-1))NaCl胁迫处理,采用温室砂培实验系统考察了其幼苗叶绿素含量、叶绿素荧光参数及气体交换参数等光合生理指标的变化。结果表明:(1)在正常环境条件下(对照),黄瑞香叶片净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)的日变化曲线呈双峰型,蒸腾速率(T_r)日变化曲线呈单峰型;较高浓度(100mmol·L~(-1))NaCl胁迫改变了黄瑞香叶片光合特性日变化曲线,导致其P_n、T_r、G_s日变化曲线整体下降,而胞间CO_2浓度(Ci)日变化曲线整体上升。(2)低浓度(50mmol·L~(-1))NaCl胁迫对黄瑞香叶片叶绿素含量及其比值无显著影响,但较高浓度(100mmol·L~(-1))NaCl胁迫则使叶绿素含量显著下降,其比值下降则较平缓。(3)较高浓度(100mmol·L~(-1))NaCl胁迫使得黄瑞香叶片最大荧光(F_m)、PSⅡ最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、PSⅡ光下最大捕光效率(F_v′/F_m′)、光化学荧光猝灭系数(qP)、PSⅡ实际光化学效率(Φ_(PSⅡ))均显著下降,却使其初始荧光(F_0)和非光化学猝灭(NPQ)显著上升。研究发现,随着盐胁迫浓度的增加,引起黄瑞香光合速率下降的主要原因是非气孔因素;在轻度NaCl胁迫下黄瑞香有较强的忍耐性,而重度NaCl胁迫则显著降低了叶片的光合机构活性,加剧了光抑制程度,从而严重限制了其叶片的光合作用效率。     

不同干旱胁迫下欧李光合及叶绿素荧光参数的响应

采用人为控制土壤含水量的方法对欧李进行轻度和重度干旱的处理,测定叶片的气体交换和叶绿素荧光参数的日变化。结果表明,干旱胁迫下欧李叶片净光合速率、蒸腾速率、水分利用效率、气孔导度、PSII最大光化学效率、光化学量子效率显著下降,但胞间CO2浓度、非光化学猝灭系数以及叶黄素循脱环氧化状态（Z＋0.5A）/（V＋A＋Z）和Z含量升高。两干旱处理植株的影响程度存在差异。这表明在长时间干旱条件下,欧李叶片光合作用的降低受到气孔与非气孔因素的双重影响,叶黄素循环的启动增加了胁迫条件下的热耗散能力以保护光合机构免受干旱胁迫的进一步伤害。     

干旱胁迫对杨树幼苗生长、光合特性及活性氧代谢的影响

2011年4-10月在山东省林业科学研究院试验苗圃,选取欧美I-107杨扦插苗为试材,采用盆栽控水试验,研究了不同水分处理(正常水分、轻度干旱、中度干旱和重度干旱)对杨树幼苗生长和气体交换、叶绿素荧光特性、活性氧代谢的影响.结果表明: 与正常水分处理相比,轻度、中度和重度干旱胁迫下的地径生长量分别下降12.8%、44.5%和65.6%,苗高生长量分别下降12.2%、43.1%和57.2%;随着胁迫强度的增加和胁迫时间的延长,杨树幼苗叶片的PSⅡ光能转化效率、实际量子产量、光化学猝灭系数、净光合速率和气孔导度在轻度胁迫下缓慢下降,而在中度和重度胁迫下迅速下降;非光化学猝灭系数在轻度胁迫下显著升高,而在中度和重度胁迫下先升高后降低;叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性均先升高后降低,但对干旱胁迫和活性氧的响应存在一定差异;叶片相对电导率、丙二醛含量显著增加,质膜受损,大量离子外渗,且重度胁迫下质膜的损害最严重.轻度干旱胁迫下,I-107杨树幼苗具有较高的光合效率和较强的抗氧化保护酶系统;而中度和重度干旱下,其光合效率显著下降,抗氧化保护酶系统明显遭到破坏.     

干旱胁迫对日本荚蒾幼苗光合生理特性的影响

为了探讨极小种群野生植物日本荚蒾(Viburnum japonicum)对干旱胁迫的响应,以日本荚蒾二年实生苗为材料进行盆栽控水实验,设置正常供水(CK)、轻度干旱(LS)、中度干旱(MS)和重度干旱(SS)4个水分处理,研究持续干旱处理对日本荚蒾幼苗光合生理特性的影响。结果表明:在CK、LS、MS水分梯度下,日本荚蒾幼苗生长正常,但在SS胁迫下受影响明显,植株全部死亡。各胁迫阶段叶片净光合速率(P_n)、SPAD值、最大净光合速率(P_(nmax))、表观量子效率(AQY)、暗呼吸速率(R_d)表现出随水分梯度的降低而减小,光饱和点(LSP)、光补偿点(LCP)则相反,各水分梯度下AQY随时间延长逐渐上升,SS处理幼苗在胁迫45d及以后P_n均为负值。最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)在胁迫过程中变化范围较小;实际光量子效率(ΦPSII)、电子传递速率(ETR)、光化学猝灭系数(qP)随土壤水分的减少而降低,非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)逐渐上升,LS、MS与CK间变化幅度较小,但SS与CK间差距逐渐增大。结果表明在轻度和中度干旱下日本荚蒾幼苗表现出一定的适应性和耐干旱能力,而长期重度干旱则对幼苗影响较为严重。     

The larval development of an Australian limnadiid clam shrimp (Crustacea, Branchiopoda, Spinicaudata), and a comparison with other Limnadiidae

The adult morphology of the Australian Limnadopsis shows some remarkable differences to that of other Limnadiidae. These differences are not reflected in its larval development. In Limnadopsis parvispinus, larval development comprises six stages. In stages I and II only the three naupliar appendages are present: the antennule as a small bud, the biramous antenna as the main swimming organ, and the mandible. The antennal protopod bears two endites, the proximal naupliar process and a more distal endite. In stage III a bifid naupliar process (in earlier stages not bifid) and the first signs of the carapace and trunk limb anlagen (undifferentiated rudiments) appear. In stage IV the carapace anlagen become more pronounced. The number of trunk limb anlagens increases to five, and differentiation has commenced. In stage V the first five pairs of trunk limbs are differentiated to varying degrees. The anterior-most four pairs of trunk limbs are subdivided into five endites, a small endopod, an exopod and an epipod. The bivalved carapace covers the anterior-most limbs. In larval stage VI the carapace is larger and the trunk limbs are further differentiated. A general pattern in the sequence of larval stages is the increasing number of sensilla on the antennules. From the last larval to the first postlarval stage, a significant change in morphology takes place. The trunk limbs are now used for swimming. Typical larval organs are much smaller than in the last larval stage. A comparison with other representatives of the Limnadiidae shows a high degree of correspondence, with most differences explained by the heterochronous appearance of characters during development. Five to seven stages are described for all studied Limnadiidae, including one particular stage in which four fully developed setae, a bifid naupliar process and the first signs of carapace anlagen are present. These characters are found in stage III in L. parvispinus, Limnadia stanleyana, Eulimnadia texana, and Imnadia yeyetta but in stage IV in E. braueriana and L. lenticularis. Based on a comparison of the larval stages of six limnadiid and one cyzicid species, we conclude that at least six naupliar stages belong to the limnadiid ground pattern.     

Phylogeny, biogeography, and species boundaries within the Alexandrium minutum group

The geographic range and bloom frequency of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum and other members of the A. minutum group have been increasing over the past few decades. Some of these species are responsible for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) outbreaks throughout the world. The origins of new toxic populations found in previously unaffected areas are typically not known due to a lack of reliable plankton records with sound species identifications and to the lack of a global genetic database. This paper provides the first comprehensive study of minutum-group morphology and phylogeny on a global scale, including 45 isolates from northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.Neither the morphospecies Alexandrium lusitanicum nor A. angustitabulatum was recoverable morphologically, due to large variation within and among all minutum-group clonal strains in characters previously used to distinguish these species: the length:width of the anterior sulcal plate, shape of the 1′ plate, connection between the 1′ plate and the apical pore complex, and the presence of a ventral pore. DNA sequence data from the D1 to D2 region of the LSU rDNA also fail to recognize these species. Therefore, we recommend that all isolates previously designated as A. lusitanicum or A. angustitabulatum be redesignated as A. minutum. A. tamutum, A. insuetum, and A. andersonii are clearly different from A. minutum on the basis of both genetic and morphological data.A. minutum strains from Europe and Australia are closely related to one another, which may indicate an introduction from Europe to Australia given the long history of PSP in Europe and its recent occurrence in Australia. A minutum from New Zealand and Taiwan form a separate phylogenetic group. Most strains of A. minutum fit into one of these two groups, although there are a few outlying strains that merit further study and may represent new species. The results of this paper have greatly improved our ability to track the spread of A. minutum species and to understand the evolutionary relationships within the A. minutum group by correcting inaccurate taxonomy and providing a global genetic database.     

Carbon assimilation, nitrogen, and photochemical efficiency of different Himalayan tree species along an altitudinal gradient

In the area of Jumla region in Western Nepal, measurements of saturated leaf net photosynthetic rate (P_sat), nitrogen content, leaf fluorescence, carbon isotopic composition, and water status were performed on woody coniferous (Pinus wallichiana, Picea smithiana, Abies spectabilis, Juniperus wallichiana, Taxus baccata), evergreen (Quercus semecarpifolia, Rhododendron campanulatum), and deciduous broadleaved species (Betula utilis, Populus ciliata, Sorbus cuspidata) spreading from 2 400 m up to the treeline at 4 200 m a.s.l. With the exception of J. wallichiana, P_sat values were lower in coniferous than broadleaved species. Q. semecarpifolia, that in this area grows above the coniferous belt between 3 000 and 4 000 m, showed the highest P_sat at saturating irradiance and the highest leaf N content. This N content was higher and P_sat lower than those of evergreen oak species of tempe forests at middle and low altitudes. For all species, P_sat and N content were linearly correlated, but instantaneous nitrogen use efficiency was lower than values measured in lowland and temperate plant communities. The values of carbon isotopic composition, estimated by ₁₃C, showed the same range reported for temperate tree species. The ranking of ₁₃C values for the different tree types was conifers < evergreen broadleaved13C were found along the altitudinal gradient. Quantum yield of photochemistry at saturating irradiance, measured by leaf fluorescence (F/F_m), was highest in J. wallichiana and lowest in T. baccata. Overall, photochemical efficiency was more strongly related to species than to altitude. Interestingly, changes of .F/F_m along the altitudinal gradient correlated well with the reported altitudinal distribution of the species.This revised version was published online in March 2005 with corrections to the page numbers.     

Removal of wastewater pathogen indicators in a constructed wetland in Leon, Spain

This paper studies the seasonal presence and removal of the pathogenous micro-organisms Escherichia coli, total coliforms (TC), Clostridium perfringens (Cp), faecal streptococci (FS), Giardia cysts, Cryptosporidium oocysts and helminth eggs, in a constructed wetland treatment system. The removal efficiency of this system with respect to the indicator micro-organisms achieved maximum values in spring and autumn at 99.9% for E. coli and TC, respectively, in winter at 97.0% for FS, in summer at 100% for Clostridium and throughout the year, also at 100%, in the case of Giardia cysts, Cryptosporidium oocysts and helminth eggs. In general, very low protozoan and helminth egg counts were found, and the system demonstrated efficient reduction of the wastewater indicator pathogens.     

Pleosporales in Japan (5): Pleomassaria, Asteromassaria, and Splanchnonema

Eight species in Pleomassariaceae are described and illustrated. They are Pleomassaria maxima, Pl. swidae, Pl. siparia “type A,” Prosthemium canba, Asteromassaria macroconidica, A. pulchra, Splanchnonema mori, and S. argus. Of these, Pl. swidae on twigs of Swida controversa, Pr. canba on Betula ermanii, and A. macroconidica on twigs of Prunus ×yedoensis and an unknown woody plant are new. Three species, Pl. siparia “type A,” A. pulchra, and S. argus, are reported from Japan for the first time. A new combination, S. mori (≡ Massaria mori), is proposed.     

A new fungal genus, Teracosphaeria, with a phialophora-like anamorph (Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota)

The new genus and species Teracosphaeria petroica is described for a perithecial ascomycete and its anamorph occurring on decayed wood collected in New Zealand. The fungus produces immersed, non-stromatic ceratosphaeria-like perithecia in nature, with hyaline, septate ascospores produced in unitunicate, non-amyloid asci. The anamorph produced in vitro is phialophora-like with lightly pigmented phialides terminating in flaring, deep collarettes that are often noticeably brown with conspicuous periclinal thickening. Phylogenetic analysis of LSU rDNA sequence data indicates that this fungus is distinct from morphologically similar fungi classified in the Chaetosphaeriales, the Trichosphaeriales or the Magnaporthaceae. It forms a monophyletic group with recently described, chaetosphaeria-like ascomycetes, such as the pyrenomycete genus Mirannulata, and shows affinity with the anamorphic species Dictyochaeta cylindrospora. The usefulness of describing anamorph genera for morphologically reduced anamorphs, when anamorph characteristics are actually part of the holomorph diagnosis, is discussed. An apparently contradictory example of the so-called Cordana and Pseudobotrytis anamorphs of Porosphaerella spp. is also discussed.     

Campylobacter,salmonella and chlamydia in free-living birds of Croatia

Campylobacteriosis, salmonellosis and avian chlamydiosis are zoonotic diseases in which birds have been suggested to play an important role as reservoirs. We have investigated the prevalence of Campylobacter and Salmonella spp. and Chlamydophila sp. in 107 free-living birds belonging to 25 species from 13 families from Croatia in order to examine the natural infections caused by these agents. Campylobacter jejuni-like organisms were isolated from 2 of 107 free-living bird species examined (1.9%). Salmonella was isolated from 8 fresh fecal specimens from free-living bird species (7.4%). These isolates were identified as S. typhimurium in 4 (3.7%), and S. enteriditis in 4 (3.7%) free-living birds. These samples originated from feral pigeons (Columba livia domesticus; n=14; 28.6%), rook (Corvus frugilegus; n=13; 15.4%), buzzard (Buteo buteo; n=12; 16.7%), black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus; n=8; 12.5%) and tawny owl (Strix aluco; n=8; 12.5%). The presence of Chlamydophila sp. was not detected in the free-living birds examined during this study. Epidemiological aspects and possible significance of the examined birds as a source of infections for domestic animals and humans are discussed.     

Comparative analysis of the Kekkon molecules,related members of the LIG superfamily

Leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) and immunoglobulin (Ig) domains represent two of the most abundant sequence elements in metazoan proteomes. Despite this prevalence, comparatively few molecules containing both LRR and Ig (LIG) modules exist, and fewer still have been functionally defined. One LIG whose function has been investigated is the Drosophila protein Kekkon1 (Kek1). In vivo studies have demonstrated a role for Kek1 in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) signaling and have suggested a role in neuronal pathfinding. Kek1 is the founding member of the Kek family, a group of six Drosophila transmembrane proteins that contain seven LRRs and a single Ig in their extracellular domains. While this arrangement of domains predicts a possible role as cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), to date little is known about the function or evolutionary relationship of these additional Kek molecules. Here we report that orthologs of Kek1, Kek2, Kek5, and Kek6 exist in the mosquito, Anopheles gambiae, and the honeybee, Apis mellifera, indicating that this family has been conserved for ~300 million years of evolutionary time. Comparative sequence analyses reveal remarkable identity among these orthologs, primarily in their extracellular regions. In contrast, the intracellular regions are more divergent, exhibiting only small pockets of conservation. In addition, we provide support for the general notion that these molecules may share common functions as CAMs, by demonstrating that Kek family members can form homotypic and heterotypic complexes.Edited by D. TautzChristina M. MacLaren, Timothy A. Evans and Diego Alvarado contributed equally to this work