Dopaminergic and behavioural changes in a loss‐of‐imprinting model of Cdkn1c

The imprinted gene Cdkn1c is expressed exclusively from the maternally inherited allele as a consequences of epigenetic regulation. Cdkn1c exemplifies many of the functional characteristics of imprinted genes, playing a role in foetal growth and placental development. However, Cdkn1c also plays an important role in the brain, being key to the appropriate proliferation and differentiation of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Using a transgenic model (Cdkn1c^BACx1) with a twofold elevation in Cdkn1c expression that mimics loss‐of‐imprinting, we show that increased expression of Cdkn1c in the brain gives rise to neurobiological and behavioural changes indicative of a functionally altered dopaminergic system. Cdkn1c^BACX1 mice displayed altered expression of dopamine system‐related genes, increased tyrosine hydroxylase (Th) staining and increased tissue content of dopamine in the striatum. In addition, Cdkn1c^BACx1 animals were hypersensitive to amphetamine as showed by c‐fos expression in the nucleus accumbens. Cdkn1c^BACX1 mice had significant changes in behaviours that are dependent on the mesolimbic dopaminergic system. Specifically, increased motivation for palatable food stuffs, as indexed on a progressive ratio task. In addition, Cdkn1c^BACX1 mice displayed enhanced social dominance. These data show, for the first time, the consequence of elevated Cdkn1c expression on dopamine‐related behaviours highlighting the importance of correct dosage of this imprinted gene in the brain. This work has significant relevance for deepening our understanding of the epigenetic factors that can shape neurobiology and behaviour.     

COMT Val158Met moderates the link between rank and aggression in a non‐human primate

The COMT Val¹⁵⁸Met polymorphism is one of the most widely studied genetic polymorphisms in humans implicated in aggression and the moderation of stressful life event effects. We screened a wild primate population for polymorphisms at the COMT Val¹⁵⁸Met site and phenotyped them for aggression to test whether the human polymorphism exists and is associated with variation in aggressive behavior. Subjects were all adults from 4 study groups (37 males, 40 females) of Assamese macaques (Macaca assamensis) in their natural habitat (Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand). We collected focal animal behavioral data (27 males, 36 females, 5964 focal hours) and fecal samples for non‐invasive DNA analysis. We identified the human COMT Val¹⁵⁸Met polymorphism (14 Met/Met, 41 Val/Met and 22 Val/Val). Preliminary results suggest that COMT genotype and dominance rank interact to influence aggression rates. Aggression rates increased with rank in Val/Val, but decreased in Met/Met and Val/Met individuals, with no significant main effect of COMT genotype on aggression. Further support for the interaction effect comes from time series analyses revealing that when changing from lower to higher rank position Val/Val individuals decreased, whereas Met/Met individuals increased their aggression rate. Contradicting the interpretation of earlier studies, we show that the widely studied Val¹⁵⁸Met polymorphism in COMT is not unique to humans and yields similar behavioral phenotypes in a non‐human primate. This study represents an important step towards understanding individual variation in aggression in a wild primate population and may inform human behavioral geneticists about the evolutionary roots of inter‐individual variation in aggression.     

Distribution patterns of marine planktonic cyanobacterial assemblages in transitional marine habitats using 16S rRNA phylogeny

The community composition of marine planktonic cyanobacteria in transitional marine habitats can influence its overall contribution to aquatic primary production. To understand distribution patterns of marine planktonic cyanobacterial assemblages, phylogenetic and statistical analyses were undertaken on planktonic cyanobacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences from four transitional marine habitats [Baltic Sea (BL), Monterey Bay (MB), South China Sea (SCS) and Sundarbans (SB)]. Out of 3255 sequences analyzed, only 546 sequences were found to be planktonic cyanobacteria and were considered in this study. Among these, 338 sequences representative of Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove were generated based on Sanger and Illumina sequencing approaches. Based on 16S rRNA phylogeny, four major taxonomic orders of marine planktonic cyanobacteria were recovered in varying proportions with several novel 16S rRNA sequences in each of the four targeted sites. Members of the order Synechococcales were dominant in all the sites (?94% sequences) while the orders Chroococcales and Oscillatoriales were only detected in SB and SCS sites, respectively. In the phylogenetic tree, sequences representing the major marine picocyanobacterial genus Synechococcus showed overwhelming dominance in SB and they were found in three other sites. Prochlorococcus ‐like sequences were found in sizeable number in MB and SCS but were absent in SB and coastal BL. Synechococcus ‐like sequences were represented by three major marine clusters (5.1, 5.2, and 5.3). Three novel clades as part of Synechococcus cluster were detected only in SB and one novel clade in BL. The majority of OTUs were found to be exclusive to each site, whereas some were shared by two or more sites as revealed by beta‐diversity analysis.     

Dominance–diversity relationships in ant communities differ with invasion

The relationship between levels of dominance and species richness is highly contentious, especially in ant communities. The dominance‐impoverishment rule states that high levels of dominance only occur in species‐poor communities, but there appear to be many cases of high levels of dominance in highly diverse communities. The extent to which dominant species limit local richness through competitive exclusion remains unclear, but such exclusion appears more apparent for non‐native rather than native dominant species. Here we perform the first global analysis of the relationship between behavioral dominance and species richness. We used data from 1,293 local assemblages of ground‐dwelling ants distributed across five continents to document the generality of the dominance‐impoverishment rule, and to identify the biotic and abiotic conditions under which it does and does not apply. We found that the behavioral dominance–diversity relationship varies greatly, and depends on whether dominant species are native or non‐native, whether dominance is considered as occurrence or relative abundance, and on variation in mean annual temperature. There were declines in diversity with increasing dominance in invaded communities, but diversity increased with increasing dominance in native communities. These patterns occur along the global temperature gradient. However, positive and negative relationships are strongest in the hottest sites. We also found that climate regulates the degree of behavioral dominance, but differently from how it shapes species richness. Our findings imply that, despite strong competitive interactions among ants, competitive exclusion is not a major driver of local richness in native ant communities. Although the dominance‐impoverishment rule applies to invaded communities, we propose an alternative dominance‐diversification rule for native communities.     

The relative importance of intra- and intersexual selection on human male sexually dimorphic traits

Recent evidence suggests that in sexual selection on human males, intrasexual competition plays a larger role than female choice. In a sample of men (N?=?164), we sought to provide further evidence on the effects of men's physical dominance and sexual attractiveness on mating success and hence in sexual selection. Objective measures and subjective ratings of male sexually dimorphic traits purportedly under sexual selection (height, vocal and facial masculinity, upper body size from 3D scans, physical strength, and baseline testosterone) and observer perceptions of physical dominance and sexual attractiveness based on self-presentation video recordings were assessed and associated with mating success (sociosexual behaviour and number of potential conceptions) in a partly longitudinal design. Results from structural equation models and selection analyses revealed that physical dominance, but not sexual attractiveness, predicted mating success. Physical dominance mediated associations of upper body size, physical strength, as well as vocal and facial physical dominance and attractiveness with mating success. These findings thus suggest a greater importance of intrasexual competition than female choice in human male sexual selection.     

Is intensity of plant root mycorrhizal colonization a good proxy for plant growth rate,dominance and decomposition in nutrient poor conditions?

Questions

Mycorrhizae may be a key element of plant nutritional strategies and of carbon and nutrient cycling. Recent research suggests that in natural conditions, intensity of mycorrhizal colonization should be considered an important plant feature. How are inter‐specific variations in mycorrhizal colonization rate, plant relative growth rate (RGR ) and leaf litter decomposability related? Is (arbuscular) mycorrhizal colonization linked to the dominance of plant species in nutrient‐stressed ecosystems?

Location

Teberda State Biosphere Reserve, northwest Caucasus, Russia.

Methods

We measured plant RGR under mycorrhizal limitation and under natural nutrition conditions, together with leaf litter decomposability and field intensity of mycorrhizal colonization across a wide range of plant species, typical for alpine communities of European mountains. We applied regression analysis to test whether the intensity of mycorrhizal colonization is a good predictor of RGR and decomposition rate, and tested how these traits predict plant dominance in communities.

Results

Forb species with a high level of field mycorrhizal colonization had lower RGR under nutritional and mycorrhizal limitation, while grasses were unaffected. Litter decomposition rate was not related to the intensity of mycorrhizal colonization. Dominant species mostly had a higher level of mycorrhizal colonization and lower RGR without mycorrhizal colonization than subordinate species, implying that they were more dependent on mycorrhizal symbionts. There were no differences in litter decomposability.

Conclusions

In alpine herbaceous plant communities dominated by arbuscular mycorrhizae, nutrient dynamics are to a large extent controlled by mycorrhizal symbiosis. Intensity of mycorrhizal colonization is a negative predictor for whole plant RGR . Our study highlights the importance of mycorrhizal colonization as a key trait underpinning the role of plant species in carbon and nutrient dynamics in nutrient‐limited herbaceous plant communities.

     

后河国家级自然保护区蛾类昆虫的季节多样性

后河国家级自然保护区位于湖北省与湖南省交界处,属于武陵山脉,与湖南壶瓶山国家级自然保护区相邻。该保护区自然环境优越,为昆虫繁衍提供了良好条件。为了研究后河国家级自然保护区蛾类昆虫的季节动态变化,在春、夏、秋三季,选取茅坪、湾潭和独岭为样地,采用灯光诱集方法,对后河国家自然保护区的蛾类昆虫群落多样性及季节变化进行了调查。采用α-多样性测度方法,分析了物种丰富度(S)、多样性指数(科、属及种级)(H)、均匀度指数(J)和优势度指数(D)。结果表明:后河国家自然保护区的蛾类昆虫分属21科173属227种,其中夜蛾科的丰富度最高达到62。随后是,尺蛾科和螟蛾科昆虫,它们的物种丰富度指数分别为为58和25。从各科个体数来看,尺蛾科昆虫最多有423头,灯蛾科排第二,有351头,第三的是夜蛾科昆虫有336头。蛾类昆虫的物种丰富度指数、多样性指数、均匀度指数及优势度指数随季节变化而变化。蛾类昆虫的物种丰富度指数以夏季最高,达到117;然后依次是秋季和春季。科级、属级和种级多样性指数也以夏季最高,分别为2.22、4.05和4.29。均匀度指数和优势度指数以春季最高,分为2.40和0.12。研究得出后河国家级自然保护区的生态环境好。     

Coalition Formation by Male Vervet Monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) in South Africa

Unrelated male primates frequently cohabit in bisexual groups and, despite being reproductive competitors, have been shown to cooperate in ways that are associated with reproductive success. Such coalitions between males are common in some taxa, where they can serve two primary functions – status management and improved mating opportunities – that subserve long‐ and short‐term objectives. Here, we use observational data to provide information on male coalitions in vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), a guenon with a multimale group structure. We recorded a total of 62 coalitions from two troops across a 10‐mo period at Samara Game Reserve, South Africa. We found that males who were more frequently associated spatially and who had groomed one another were more likely to form coalitions and did so against higher‐ranking opponents. This was not linked to any evidence that coalitionary aggression provided either short‐ or long‐term reproductive benefits for the aggressors and coalitions were not restricted to the mating season. There was little evidence that particular individuals were targeted, reciprocation between partners was not observed, and recent immigrant males were not targeted disproportionately. Our data suggest that within‐group coalition formation between vervet males may represent something close to an ancestral state whereby males form ad hoc coalitions opportunistically, joining an ongoing dyadic contest to target an opponent without facing the possible risks of dyadic contest, such as a greater chance of injury.