Characterization of cDNA clones for differentially expressed genes in embryos of dormant and nondormant Avena fatua L. caryopses

The molecular regulation of seed dormancy was investigated using differential display to visualize and isolate cDNAs representing differentially expressed genes during early imbibition of dormant and nondormant Avena fatua L. embryos. Of about 3000 cDNA bands examined, 5 cDNAs hybridized with mRNAs exhibiting dormancy-associated expression patterns during the first 48 h of imbibition, while many more nondormancy-associated cDNAs were observed. Dormancy-associated clone AFD1 hybridized with a 1.5 kb mRNA barely detectable in dry dormant and nondormant embryos that became more abundant in dormant embryos after 24 h of imbibition. Clone AFD2 hybridized with two mRNAs, a 1.3 kb message constitutively expressed in dormant and nondormant embryos and a 0.9 kb message present at higher levels in dormant embryos after 3 h of imbibition. Nondormancy-associated clones AFN1, AFN2 and AFN3 hybridized with 1.5 kb, 1.7 kb and 1.1 kb mRNAs, respectively, that were more abundant in nondormant embryos during imbibition. Expression patterns of some mRNAs in dormant embryos induced to germinate by GA₃ treatment were different than water controls, but were not identical to those observed in nondormant embryos. DNA sequence analysis revealed 76% sequence identity between clone AFN3 and a Citrus sinensis glutathione peroxidase-like cDNA, while significant sequence similarities with known genes were not found for other clones. Southern hybridization analyses showed that all clones represent low (1 to 4) copy number genes.     

Epigenetic patterns newly established after interspecific hybridization in natural populations of Solanum

Interspecific hybridization is known for triggering genetic and epigenetic changes, such as modifications on DNA methylation patterns and impact on phenotypic plasticity and ecological adaptation. Wild potatoes (Solanum, section Petota) are adapted to multiple habitats along the Andes, and natural hybridizations have proven to be a common feature among species of this group. Solanum × rechei, a recently formed hybrid that grows sympatrically with the parental species S. kurtzianum and S. microdontum, represents an ideal model for studying the ecologically and evolutionary importance of hybridization in generating of epigenetic variability. Genetic and epigenetic variability and their correlation with morphological variation were investigated in wild and ex situ conserved populations of these three wild potato species using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and methylation‐sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) techniques. We observed that novel methylation patterns doubled the number of novel genetic patterns in the hybrid and that the morphological variability measured on 30 characters had a higher correlation with the epigenetic than with the genetic variability. Statistical comparison of methylation levels suggested that the interspecific hybridization induces genome demethylation in the hybrids. A Bayesian analysis of the genetic data reveled the hybrid nature of S. × rechei, with genotypes displaying high levels of admixture with the parental species, while the epigenetic information assigned S. × rechei to its own cluster with low admixture. These findings suggested that after the hybridization event, a novel epigenetic pattern was rapidly established, which might influence the phenotypic plasticity and adaptation of the hybrid to new environments.     

Conflicting human interests over the re-introduction of endangered wild dogs in South Africa

In South Africa, a plan was launched to manage separate sub-populations of endangered African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in several small, geographically isolated, conservation areas as a single meta-population. This intensive management approach involves the re-introduction of wild dogs into suitable conservation areas and periodic translocations among them. To assess the attitudes towards re-introduced wild dogs, we conducted a questionnaire survey of multiple stakeholders—local community members, private landowners and tourists—in and around Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP), one of the meta-population conservation areas. Here, we document conflicting human interests over the re-introduced wild dogs. Tourists in HiP, on the one hand, expressed overwhelmingly positive opinions about wild dogs across personal details of the respondents, but especially after having seen free-ranging wild dogs. On the other hand, we found misconceptions and perceptions that were more negative among the rural population around HiP, again largely independent of personal details of the participants, although educated respondents voiced more favourable views of wild dogs. These negative attitudes were in particular due to perceived and real threats of livestock losses. In a follow-up questionnaire survey, we also discovered apparent shortcomings of a previous short-lived conservation education programme among the local communities adjacent to HiP. Consequently, the mitigation of the conflict between wild dogs and rural people requires an understanding of the conditions under which livestock predation occurs, the encouragement of practices that prevent such predation, and increasing local tolerance of co-existence with wild dogs through both economic and non-monetary incentive schemes as well as continued conservation education.     

The physiological basis of seed dormancy in Avena fatua. VIII. Action of malonic acid

Adkins, S. W., Symons, S. J. and Simpson, G. M. 1988. The physiological basis of seed dormancy in Avena fatua . VIII. Action of malonic acid - Physiol. Plant, 72: 477–482.
A low concentration of malonic acid (50 m M ) induced germination in four genetically pure dormant lines of Avena fatua L. Sensitivity to this treatment was poor immediately after harvest but increased markedly during after-ripening, indicating that the mode of action of malonic acid (50 m M ) was similar to that of another organic acid, citric acid. Over the concentration range (10–50 m M ) where malonic acid promoted germination, oxygen uptake was also stimulated, and this was before the first visible signs of germination. At higher concentrations (100–300 m M ) where there was no promotion of germination, malonic acid strongly inhibited oxygen uptake. These results show that malonic acid has a dual effect on oxygen uptake and subsequent germination. Low concentrations (10–50 m M ) act by stimulating the Krebs cycle and germination through an acidification reaction like citric acid, and high concentrations (100–300 m M ) act by inhibiting germination through enzymatic restraint of the Krebs cycle.
The stimulation of both oxygen uptake and germination by three established germination promoters (sodium nitrate, citric acid and ethanol) was inhibited by a high concentration of malonic acid (200 m M ) but unaffected by a low concentration (50 m M ). These results show that oxygen uptake, and hence the activity of the Krebs cycle, are important processes involved in the dormancy breaking mechanism of these three promotors.     

Identification of significant regions of transcription factor DP-1 (TFDP-1) involved in stability/instability of the protein

We previously reported the identification of DP-1 isoforms (α and β), which are structurally C-terminus-deleted ones, and revealed the low-level expression of these isoforms. It is known that wild-type DP-1 is degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome system, but few details are known about the domains concerned with the protein stability/instability for the proteolysis of these DP-1 isoforms. Here we identified the domains responsible for the stability/instability of DP-1. Especially, the DP-1 “Stabilon” domain was a C-terminal acidic motif and was quite important for DP-1 stability. Moreover, we propose that this DP-1 Stabilon may be useful for the stability of other nuclear proteins when fused to them.     

The effects of natural substrate discontinuities on the quadrupedal gait kinematics of free‐ranging Saimiri sciureus

Wild primates encounter complex matrices of substrates that differ in size, orientation, height, and compliance, and often move on multiple, discontinuous substrates within a single bout of locomotion. Our current understanding of primate gait is limited by artificial laboratory settings in which primate quadrupedal gait has primarily been studied. This study analyzes wild Saimiri sciureus (common squirrel monkey) gait on discontinuous substrates to capture the realistic effects of the complex arboreal habitat on walking kinematics. We collected high‐speed video footage at Tiputini Biodiversity Station, Ecuador between August and October 2017. Overall, the squirrel monkeys used more asymmetrical walking gaits than symmetrical gaits, and specifically asymmetrical lateral sequence walking gaits when moving across discontinuous substrates. When individuals used symmetrical gaits, they used diagonal sequence gaits more than lateral sequence gaits. In addition, individuals were more likely to change their footfall sequence during strides on discontinuous substrates. Squirrel monkeys increased the time lag between touchdowns both of ipsilaterally paired limbs (pair lag) and of the paired forelimbs (forelimb lag) when walking across discontinuous substrates compared to continuous substrates. Results indicate that gait flexibility and the ability to alter footfall patterns during quadrupedal walking may be critical for primates to safely move in their complex arboreal habitats. Notably, wild squirrel monkey quadrupedalism is diverse and flexible with high proportions of asymmetrical walking. Studying kinematics in the wild is critical for understanding the complexity of primate quadrupedalism.     

广东石门台保护区猴头杜鹃群落特征

应用植被样地调查法研究广东英德石门台保护区最高峰船底顶的山顶矮林猴头杜鹃群落的物种组成、科属的地理成分。结果表明,2500m2样方中有维管植物112种,隶属于47科78属。群落数量优势科为蔷薇科、杜鹃花科、壳斗科、樟科、冬青科和山茶科等,优势种为猴头杜鹃、广东松、疏齿木荷、矮冬青、树参、小叶罗汉松、异株木犀榄、南方铁杉和五列木等。群落的物种多样性Simpson指数和Shannon-Wiener指数分别为0.941和4.977。植物科的地理成分以泛热带和北温带分布型等占优势,属的地理成分以泛热带分布型和热带亚洲分布型为主,体现了南亚热带向中亚热带过渡的特点。种群年龄结构表明,建群种猴头杜鹃属于增长阶段,而优势种广东松属于衰退种群,针叶植物白豆杉和小叶罗汉松更新幼苗较多,有进一步发展的趋势。     

海洋野生鱼酶解提取鱼油的工艺分析

海洋野生鱼与养殖鱼比较, 其鱼油中含更多的二十碳五烯酸（EPA）、二十二碳六烯酸（DHA）、脂溶性维生素等活性成分。为提高海洋野生鱼的利用价值, 以野生小带鱼为原料进行酶法提油工艺研究。分析了不同的温度, 时间, pH值等影响因素下的提取、萃取以及离心效果, 以响应面法确定了最佳的酶解工艺条件: 液固比为6、pH7.3、酶量1000 u/g原料、搅拌速度200 r/min、45oC酶解90 min; 最优萃取条件: 萃取剂100 mL(每20 g鱼糜原料)、pH4.0、40oC萃取25 min; 离心条件: 离心速度3000 r/min (1865 g)、离心时间10 min。上述工艺条件下提油率为79.90%。改进了传统的鱼油提取工艺, 在活性成分保护上有较大改善。     

野生瓣化型雄性不育胡萝卜‘武野-不育’的特征鉴定与分析

胡萝卜雄性不育材料,在胡萝卜育种中具有重要作用。本研究描述了一种从武汉市洪山区野生胡萝卜材料中获得的野生瓣化型胡萝卜雄性不育材料(‘武野-不育’,简称‘Wuye-BY’)的特征。该野生瓣化型雄性不育胡萝卜特征在于:无明显膨大的肉质根,嫩茎、叶片及其叶柄深绿色,几乎无毛,无花瓣和花药。花萼数量8~10个,花丝数量为0~2个,染色体数目为2n=18。双悬果顶端及其花丝顶端具有大量的蜜液,能接受栽培胡萝卜花粉。杂交F1的根大小、根重,胡萝卜素、总糖和维生素C含量,具有明显优势。