Fine‐scale Population Genetic Structure of Two Dioecious Indian Keystone Species,Ficus hispida and Ficus exasperata (Moraceae)

Although Ficus (Moraceae) is a keystone plant genus in the tropics, providing resources to many frugivorous vertebrates, its population genetic structure, which is an important determinant of its long‐term survival, has rarely been investigated. We examined the population genetic structure of two dioecious fig species (Ficus hispida and Ficus exasperata) in the Indian Western Ghats using co‐dominant nuclear microsatellite markers. We found high levels of microsatellite genetic diversity in both species. The regression slopes between genetic relationship coefficients (f_ij) and spatial distances were significantly negative in both species indicating that, on average, individuals in close spatial proximity were more likely to be related than individuals further apart. Mean parent–offspring distance (σ) calculated using these slopes was about 200 m in both species. This should be contrasted with the very long pollen dispersal distances documented for monoecious Ficus species. Nevertheless, overall population genetic diversity remained large suggesting immigrant gene flow. Further studies will be required to analyze broader scale patterns.     

EVIDENCE FOR A MOSAIC HYBRID ZONE IN THE GRASS SHRIMP PALAEMONETES KADIAKENSIS (PALAEMONIDAE) AS REVEALED BY MULTIPLE GENETIC MARKERS

Molecular techniques provide powerful tools for studying the geographic structure of hybrid zones and the dynamics of gene exchange between incipient species. We examined allozyme variation at five loci (PGM, GPI, MDH-1, MDH-2, and LDH) for 27 populations of Palaemonetes kadiakensis from the central, coastal, and eastern regions of Texas. Central Texas populations of P. kadiakensis exhibited highly significant linkage disequilibrium and departures from Hardy-Weinberg genotype proportions. In populations with linkage disequilibrium, allelic differences at GPI defined two types of P. kadiakensis, designated A and B. Both types existed in central Texas with little or no evidence of interbreeding, whereas the populations from all other localities showed complete introgression of type B alleles into the type A gene pool. We also examined ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation in a subset of populations, chosen to cover a range of geographic locations and levels of linkage disequilibrium. Two groups of mtDNA haplotypes and two restriction fragment patterns for the rDNA corresponded to allozyme type A and B individuals in populations exhibiting linkage disequilibrium. In populations with ongoing hybridization, all hybrid animals (N= 15) exhibited type A mtDNA. Exhibition of type A mtDNA indicated that type A females had mated successfully with type B males, but type B females had not mated successfully with type A males. Genotype distributions suggest reduced reproduction by hybrid offspring in central Texas populations. These patterns are consistent with a mosaic model of hybrid zone dynamics.     

Mitochondrial phylogeography and population history of pine martens Martes martes compared with polecats Mustela putorius

The flora and fauna of Europe are linked by a common biogeographic history, most recently the Pleistocene glaciations that restricted the range of most species to southern refugial populations. Changes in population size and migration, as well as selection, have all left a signature on the genetic differentiation. Thus, three paradigms of postglacial recolonization have been described, inferred from the patterns of DNA differentiation. Yet some species, especially wide-ranging carnivores, exhibit little population structuring between the proposed refugia, although relatively few have been studied due to the difficulty of obtaining samples. Therefore, we investigated mitochondrial variation in pine martens, Martes martes, in order to understand the extent to which they were affected by glacial cycles, and compared the results with an analysis of sequences from polecats, Mustela putorius. A general lack of ancient lineages, and a mismatch distribution that is consistent with an expanding population, is evidence that the present-day M. martes and Mu. putorius in central and northern Europe colonized from a single European refugium following a recent glaciation. There has also been interspecific mitochondrial introgression between M. martes and the sable M. zibellina in Fennoscandia.     

DEVELOPMENTAL STUDIES IN PORPHYRA (BANGIOPHYCEAE). II. CHARACTERIZATIO OF THE MAJOR LECTIN BINDING GLYCOPROTEINS IN DIFFERENTIATED REGIONS OF THE PORPHYRA PERFORATA THALLUS1

Detergent soluble extracts of differentiated regions of the Porphyra perforata J. Ag. thallus (holdfast, rhizoidal, vegetative and reproductive cells) were fractionated on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels. Glycoproteins were identified by their lectin affinity. Extracts from all areas of the thallus contained glycoproteins, but the staining patterns were different for each region with each of the lectins tested: concanavalin A, Ulex europeaus agglutinin, Ricinus communis agglutinin, soybean agglutinin and peanut agglutinin. These data indicate that the morphologically distinct regions of the thallus also differ biochemically. Analysis of the lectin blots revealed the presence of tissue-specific glycoproteins in the five thallus areas. Such unique glycoproteins could be used as markers of differentiation in this species.     

Presence of haemocyte-like cells in coccinellid reflex blood

Abstract.  Contrary to current assumptions, the reflex blood of two-spot ladybirds, Adalia bipunctata , and seven-spot ladybirds, Coccinella septempunctata , contains haemocyte-like cells. Furthermore, DNA can be extracted and amplified from coccinellid reflex blood, confirming the presence of haemocyte-like cells and demonstrating a nondestructive method of DNA extraction.     

Response of muscle-based biochemical condition indices to short-term variations in food availability in post-flexion reared sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.) larvae

Six condition indices based on RNA, total soluble protein and two metabolic enzymes [lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and citrate synthase (CS)] were analysed in muscle tissue of individual larvae, post-flexion reared sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax using DNA and total soluble protein as standards for size. In addition, the effect of 2 days of food deprivation on the cell proliferation rates was assessed. The RNA:DNA best reflected short-term changes in feeding conditions. If standardized by DNA content, LDH activity was a better indicator of condition than any other index but RNA:DNA. Further, the analysis of cell proliferation rates in muscle from 26 day-old larvae proved useful in distinguishing continuously fed larvae from individuals subjected to 2 days of fast.     

Transfection of a DNA/protein complex into nuclei of mammalian cells using polyoma capsids and electroporation

We used empty capsids ofpolyoma virus to transfer DNA fragments and DNA/protein complexes into human cells. We encapsulated labeled and unlabeled single stranded DNA fragments by viral capsids. A complex of DNA with a DNA binding protein, recA, will also be taken up by the capsids, whereas the free protein is not incorporated. We further compared this gentle biological method of DNA transfection with a well-established physical method, electroporation. Electroporation also allows the transfer of DNA as well as protein into cells, although there is no proof that a DNA/protein complex can survive the procedure functionally. Whereas the viability of capsid transfected cells is unaffected (100%), electroporation reduces the viability to 90–95%. On the other hand, the amount of DNA found in the nucleus of electroporated cells is higher than for cells treated with loaded viral capsids.     

Neutral mutations and repetitive DNA

We have previously shown that computer simulations of processes that generate selectively advantageous changes together with random duplications and deletions give rise to genomes with many different genes embedded in a large amount of dispensable DNA sequence. We now explore the consequences of neutral changes on the evolution of genomes. We follow the consequences of sequence divergences that are neutral when they occur in dispensable sequences or extra copies of genes present in multigene families. We find that when divergence occurs at about the same frequency as duplication/deletion events, genomes carry repetitive sequences in proportion to their size. Inspection of the genomes as they evolved showed that multigene families were generated by relatively recent duplications of single genes and so would be expected to be highly homogeneous.