Inter-species hybridization among Neotropical cats of the genus Leopardus, and evidence for an introgressive hybrid zone between L. geoffroyi and L. tigrinus in southern Brazil

Natural hybrid zones between distinct species have been reported for many taxa, but so far, few examples involve carnivores or Neotropical mammals in general. In this study, we employed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences and nine microsatellite loci to identify and characterize a hybrid zone between two Neotropical felids, Leopardus geoffroyi and L. tigrinus, both of which are well-established species having diverged from each other c. 1 million years ago. These two felids are mostly allopatric throughout their ranges in South America, with a narrow contact zone that includes southern Brazil. We present strong evidence for the occurrence of hybridization between these species and identify at least 14 individuals (most of them originating from the geographical contact zone) exhibiting signs of interspecific genomic introgression. The genetic structure of Brazilian L. tigrinus populations seems to be affected by this introgression process, showing a gradient of differentiation from L. geoffroyi correlated with distance from the contact zone. We also corroborate and extend previous findings of hybridization between L. tigrinus and a third related felid, L. colocolo, leading to an unusual situation for a mammal, in which the former species contains introgressed mtDNA lineages from two distinct taxa in addition to its own.     

一种有毒的游蛇——虎斑颈槽蛇

虎斑颈槽蛇是中国数量较多、分布最广的蛇类之一,但一直被当作无毒蛇而忽视。为了使人们对虎斑颈槽蛇有一个全面、正确的认识,也为以后的相关研究奠定一定的理论基础,从虎斑颈槽蛇的分布,形态,生活习性以及毒腺的研究等方面加以综述。     

温度对虎斑颈槽蛇3种组织SDH和LDH活性的影响

研究了虎斑颈槽蛇骨骼肌、肝脏、心肌组织中琥珀酸脱氢酶（SDH）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）活性对温度的依赖关系。结果表明：虎斑颈槽蛇骨骼肌、肝脏、心肌SDH在5-15℃范围内表现出较低活性,在25℃左右表现出较高活性,该温度可能为SDH的最适温度;除心肌KLDH活性在35℃以上开始下降,其余两种组织的LDH活性随温度的上升而升高。SDH、LDH活性呈现组织问的特异性,3种组织中,SDH活性心肌中最高,LDH活性骨骼肌中最高。     

Comparative experimental tests of natricine antipredator displays, with special reference to the apparently unique displays in the Asian genus, Rhabdophis

Nuchal glands are unique organs known in only twelve Old World natricine species (three genera) including Rhabdophis tigrinus tigrinus. The glands of R. t. tigrinus contain a toxic secretion that may be derived from its toxic toad diet. A series of peculiar antipredator behaviors, for example neck arch, neck butt, and dorsal-facing posture, are exhibited by R. t. tigrinus, and a functional association between this behavior and the nuchal glands has been suggested. To investigate the ubiquitousness of these putatively unique displays among snakes, antipredator responses of 27 taxa of natricine snakes, both with and without nuchal glands, were studied using a common testing procedure. Three of four taxa with nuchal glands exhibited neck arch, neck butt, and dorsal-facing posture. None of the remaining 23 taxa, which do not possess the glands, showed neck arch and neck butt. Principal-components analysis indicated the association of the above three displays along with the behaviors termed neck flatten and head elevation, confirming the presence of a series of nuchal gland-related behaviors. These results support the assumption that the suite of peculiar displays is associated with the deterrent effects of the nuchal gland secretion.     

Extraintestinal Migration of Centrorhynchus sp. (Acanthocephala: Centrorhynchidae) in Experimentally Infected Rats

Reptiles were known to serve as paratenic hosts for Centrorhynchus (Acanthocephala: Centrorhynchidae) in Korea, but the infection course in experimental animals was not elucidated yet. In this study, the tiger keelback snakes (Rhabdophis tigrinus) were collected and digested with artificial pepsin solution, and the larvae of Centrorhynchus were recovered from them. Then, the collected larvae were orally infected to rats for developmental observations. In rats, all the larvae were observed outside the intestine on day 3 post-infection (PI), including the mesentery and abdominal muscles. As for the development in rats, the ovary of Centrorhynchus sp. was observed at day 15 PI, and the cement glands were 3 in number. Based on the morphological characteristics, including the arrangement of proboscis hooks, these larvae proved to be a species of Centrorhynchus, and more studies were needed for species identification.     

温度对虎斑颈槽蛇消化酶活性的影响

研究了不同温度下虎斑颈槽蛇胃、胰腺、小肠的蛋白酶、淀粉酶、脂肪酶的活性。结果表明,随着温度的升高,各种酶的活性在一定范围之内均表现为升高。在不同组织中同一种酶活性存在差异。3种组织中,蛋白酶的最适温度均为40℃;胃和胰腺淀粉酶的最适温度为35℃,小肠淀粉酶为30℃;胰腺脂肪酶的最适温度为30℃,小肠脂肪酶为35℃。     

虎斑颈槽蛇肠道微生物组成和分布特征

蛇类是一种研究能量平衡的模型动物,而肠道微生物则帮助宿主获取能量和营养。大多数肠道微生物的研究集中在圈养动物上,而对于野生蛇类的研究很少。本研究从3只野生虎斑颈槽蛇（Rhabdophis tigrinus）的大肠、小肠和泄殖腔内容物提取微生物总DNA,进行16S rRNA基因V4区域扩增子测序,分析虎斑颈槽蛇肠道核心微生物组成和分布特征。结果表明,阿尔法指数在不同肠道区域的多样性不存在显著性差异。大肠、小肠和泄殖腔3个肠道部位共享534个操作分类单元（OTUs）,大肠包含最多特有OTUs（388个）。门水平,梭杆菌门（Fusobacteria）在小肠（52.87% ± 14.49%）、大肠（41.12% ± 22.60%）和泄殖腔（65.70% ± 10.44%）均为优势菌。属水平,鲸杆菌属（Cetobacterium）在小肠（46.36% ± 13.86%）、大肠（21.95% ± 9.82%）和泄殖腔（58.18% ± 14.29%）为优势菌,柠檬酸杆菌属（Citrobacter）在小肠和泄殖腔中有显著性差异。此外,在其肠道检测到很多潜在的致病菌,例如,柠檬酸杆菌属、明串珠菌属（Trichococcus）和丹毒丝菌属（Erysipelothrix）,了解了潜在致病菌在虎斑颈槽蛇肠道中的分布情况。在聚类分析中发现泄殖腔的数据重复性较好,将本研究泄殖腔数据与前人研究过的食鱼蝮（Agkistrodon piscivorus）泄殖腔高通量测序数据进行联合分析,为更广泛开展不同蛇类肠道微生物组成的差异性分析提供理论借鉴依据。     

Extracellular Oxidases of the Lignin-Degrading Fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Panus tigrinus</Emphasis>

Two extracellular oxidases (laccases) were isolated from the extracellular fluid of the fungus Panus (Lentinus) tigrinus cultivated in low-nitrogen medium supplemented with birch sawdust. The enzymes were purified by successive chromatography on columns with TEAE-cellulose and DEAE-Toyopearl 650M. Both oxidases catalyze oxidation of pyrocatechol and ABTS. Moreover, oxidase 1 also catalyzes oxidation of guaiacol, o-phenylenediamine, and syringaldazine. The enzymes have identical pH (7.0) and temperature (60–65°C) optimums. Absorption spectra of the oxidases differ from the spectra of typical “blue” laccases and are similar to the spectrum of yellow oxidase.__________Translated from Biokhimiya, Vol. 70, No. 6, 2005, pp. 850–854.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Cadimaliev, Revin, Atykyan, Samuilov.     

Transformation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol by the white rot fungi Panus tigrinus and Coriolus versicolor

The toxicity of thirteen isomers of mono-, di-, tri- and pentachlorophenols was tested in potato-dextrose agar cultures of the white rot fungi Panus tigrinus and Coriolus versicolor. 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) was chosen for further study of its toxicity and transformation in liquid cultures of these fungi. Two schemes of 2,4,6-TCP addition were tested to minimize its toxic effect to fungal cultures: stepwise addition from the moment of inoculation and single addition after five days of growth. In both cases the ligninolytic enzyme systems of both fungi were found to be responsible for 2,4,6-TCP transformation. 2,6-Dichloro-1,4-hydroquinol and 2,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone were found as products of primary oxidation of 2,4,6-TCP by intact fungal cultures and purified ligninolytic enzymes, Mn-peroxidases and laccases of both fungi. However, primary attack of 2,4,6-TCP in P. tigrinus culture was conducted mainly by Mn-peroxidase, while in C. versicolor it was catalyzed predominantly by laccase, suggesting a different mode of regulation of these enzymes in the two fungi.     

Active foraging for toxic prey during gestation in a snake with maternal provisioning of sequestered chemical defences

Many animals sequester dietary defensive compounds and incorporate them into the offspring, which protects the young against predation. One possible but poorly investigated question is whether females of such species actively prey upon toxic diets. The snake Rhabdophis tigrinus sequesters defensive steroids from toads consumed as prey; it also feeds on other amphibians. Females produce chemically armed offspring in direct proportion to their own level of toad-derived toxins by provisioning the toxins to their eggs. Our field observations of movements and stomach contents of radio-tracked R. tigrinus showed that gravid snakes preyed upon toads by actively foraging in the habitat of toads, even though toads were a scarce resource and toad-searching may incur potential costs. Our Y-maze experiments demonstrated that gravid females were more likely to trail the chemical cues of toads than were males or non-gravid females. These results showed behavioural switching in females and active foraging for scarce, toxic prey during gestation. Because exploitation of toads by gravid females results in their offspring being more richly endowed with prey-derived toxins, active foraging for toxic prey is expected to be an adaptive antipredator trait, which may enhance chemical defence in offspring.