Background selection by the peppered moth (Biston betularia Linn.): individual differences

The hypothesis that dimorphically coloured, cryptic moths select appropriate rest sites by comparing their body scales to substrate reflectance was tested using typical and melanic morphs of the peppered moth, Biston betularia (L.). Experiments designed to block the individual's inspection of its inherited colour phenotype do not support Kettlewell's contrast/conflict (self-inspection) hypothesis. Instead, tracking of marked moths over successive days revealed individual differences in rest-site selection which were not related to treatments, experience (imprinting), nor closely to a moth's inherited colour pattern. Differences between family broods indicate that some genetic bias in background selection exists. The production of artificially selected lines with consistent but opposing preferences will allow us to investigate the co-evolution of pattern and behaviour.     

Incidence, importance and virulence of Puccinia hordei on barley in New Zealand

Brown rust of barley (Puccinia hordei) is widespread in New Zealand and causes crop losses in some years. The cultivars presently grown lack adequate genetic resistance but a highly resistant line has been produced. Twelve different virulence combinations were identified in the pathogen population using the Welsh differential lines; there were differences between North Island and South Island isolates; and no virulence was observed for resistance conferred by factors Pa 3 and Pa 7.     

Evolutionary and ecological implications of genome size in the North American endemic sagebrushes and allies (Artemisia, Asteraceae)

The genome size of 51 populations of 20 species of the North American endemic sagebrushes (subgenus Tridentatae ), related species, and some hybrid taxa were assessed by flow cytometry, and were analysed in a phylogenetic framework. Results were similar for most Tridentatae species, with the exception of three taxonomically conflictive species:  Artemisia bigelovii Gray,  Artemisia pygmaea Gray, and  Artemisia rigida Gray. Genome size homogeneity (together with the high morphological, chemical, and karyological affinities, as well as low DNA sequence divergence) could support a recent diversification process in this geographically restricted group, thought to be built upon a reticulate evolutionary framework. The Tridentatae and the other North American endemic Artemisia show a significantly higher genome size compared with the other subgenera. Our comparative analyses including genome size results, together with different kinds of ecological and morphological traits, suggest an evolutionary change in lifestyle strategy linked to genome expansion, in which junk or selfish DNA accumulation might be involved. Conversely, weed or invasive behaviour in Artemisia is coupled with lower genome sizes. Data for both homoploid and polyploid hybrids were also assessed. Genome sizes are close to the expected mean of parental species for homoploid hybrids, but are lower than expected in the allopolyploids, a phenomenon previously documented to be related with polyploidy.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 94 , 631–649.     

The influence of stream invertebrate composition at neighbouring sites on local assemblage composition

1. The composition of freshwater invertebrate assemblages at a location is determined by a range of physico‐chemical and biotic factors in the local environment, as well as larger‐scale spatial factors such as sources of recruits. We assessed the relative importance of the species composition of local neighbourhoods and proximal environmental factors on the composition of invertebrate assemblages. 2. Macroinvertebrate assemblages were sampled at 188 running‐water sites in the catchment of the River Rede, north‐east England. A total of 176 species were recorded. 3. Environmental data, in the form of 13 biotic and abiotic measurements that described stream physical structure, aquatic vegetation and water characteristics, were recorded for each site. Detrended correspondence analysis was then used to simplify nine of these stream environmental variables to create an index of stream structure. 4. The species composition of the invertebrate assemblages was related to the environmental variables, using an information theoretic approach. The impact of the species composition of neighbouring sites on each site was determined using Moran's I and autoregressive modelling techniques. 5. Species composition was primarily associated with water pH and stream structure. The importance of the species composition of neighbouring sites in determining local species assemblages differed markedly between taxa. The autoregressive component was low for Coleoptera, intermediate for Trichoptera and Plecoptera, and high for Ephemeroptera. 6. We hypothesise that the observed differences in the autoregressive component amongst these orders reflects variation in their dispersal abilities from neighbouring sites.     

Australia's marine biogeography revisited: Back to the future?

The recognition of broad biogeographic provinces provides an important framework for ecological and conservation biological research. Marine biologists have long recognized distinct biogeographic provinces in southern Australia, primarily on the basis of qualitative differences in intertidal species assemblages. Here we provide an a priori test for these traditional eastern (Peronian), western (Flindersian) and south‐eastern (Maugean) provinces. Specifically, we analyse distributional data for approximately 1500 algal species using the newly available Australian Virtual Herbarium, an online database of herbarium specimens. Our quantitative algal analyses across southern Australia identify three distinct biogeographic assemblages, consistent with traditional qualitative provinces. We argue that these broad provinces provide a highly effective framework for understanding and managing Australia's marine biodiversity. In particular, biogeographic provinces provide a regional framework for integrating the ongoing discovery of biological variation at finer scales. More broadly therefore we recommend that biologists undertake quantitative analyses to test provincial biogeographic boundaries around the globe.     

Redefining the damselfly families: a comprehensive molecular phylogeny of Zygoptera (Odonata)

An extensive molecular phylogenetic reconstruction of the suborder Zygoptera of the Odonata is presented, based on mitochondrial (16S, COI) and nuclear (28S) data of 59% of the 310 genera recognized and all (suspected) families except the monotypic Hemiphlebiidae. A partial reclassification is proposed, incorporating morphological characters. Many traditional families are recovered as monophyletic, but reorganization of the superfamily Coenagrionoidea into three families is proposed: Isostictidae, Platycnemididae and Coenagrionidae. Archboldargia Lieftinck, Hylaeargia Lieftinck, Palaiargia Förster, Papuargia Lieftinck and Onychargia Selys are transferred from Coenagrionidae to Platycnemididae, and Leptocnemis Selys, Oreocnemis Pinhey and Thaumatagrion Lieftinck from Platycnemididae to Coenagrionidae. Each geographically well‐defined clade of Platycnemididae is recognized as a subfamily, and thus Disparoneurinae (i.e. Old World ‘Protoneuridae’) is incorporated, Calicnemiinae is restricted, and Allocnemidinae (type genus: Allocnemis Selys) subfam.n ., Idiocnemidinae (type genus: Idiocnemis Selys) subfam.n . and Onychargiinae (type genus: Onychargia Selys) subfam.n . and Coperini trib.n . (type genus: Copera Kirby) are described. Half of Coenagrionidae belongs to a well‐supported clade incorporating Coenagrion Kirby and the potential subfamilies Agriocnemidinae, Ischnurinae and Pseudagrioninae. The remainder is less well defined, but includes the Pseudostigmatidae and New World Protoneuridae that, with Argiinae and Teinobasinae, may prove valid subfamilies with further evidence. Ninety‐two per cent of the genera formerly included in the polyphyletic Amphipterygidae and Megapodagrionidae were studied. Pentaphlebiidae, Rimanellidae and Devadattidae fam.n . (type genus: Devadatta Kirby) are separated from Amphipterygidae, and Argiolestidae, Heteragrionidae, Hypolestidae, Philogeniidae, Philosinidae and Thaumatoneuridae from Megapodagrionidae. Eight further groups formerly placed in the latter are identified, but are retained as incertae sedis; the validity of Lestoideidae, Philogangidae and Pseudolestidae is confirmed. For some families (e.g. Calopterygidae, Chlorocyphidae) a further subdivision is possible; Protostictinae subfam.n . (type genus: Protosticta Selys) is introduced in Platystictidae. Numerous new combinations are proposed in the Supporting Information. Many long‐established families lack strong morphological apomorphies. In particular, venation is incongruent with molecular results, stressing the need to review fossil Odonata taxonomy: once defined by the reduction of the anal vein, Protoneuridae dissolves completely into six clades from five families.     

Inhibition of the Uptake and Long-Distance Transport of Calcium by Aluminium and Other Polyvalent Cations

Aluminium, scandium, and iron inhibit the uptake of calciumby week-old barley plants from acid culture solutions (pH 4.0–4.2).The inhibition by scandium can be detected when its ratio tocalcium is 1:1000. The onset of the inhibition may be quit rapidand will persist for at least. 24 h in the absence of the polyvalentcation. The inhibition caused by 25 and 50 µM aiuminiumsulphate may be overcome if the calicum chloride concentrationin the medium is raised to 15mM, but in this situation aluminiumstill inhibits root growth by more than 50 per cent. Elutionexperiments show that polyvalent cations reduce the amount ofcalcium held in the water free space (WFS) and the Donnan freespace (DFS) but increase both the exchangeable and absorbedchloide content of the root. Aluminium-treated roots transportedmuch less calcium to the shoot system than untreated plants.Autoradiographs showed that this difference was reflected ina greatly reduced labelled-calcium concentration over the tissuesof the stele. By contrast the non-exchangeable fraction of labelledcalicum in the cortex was similar in both treatments. Autoradiographsof ⁴⁶Sc showed that it was restricted to the epidermis and outerrank of cortical cells from whence it controls calicum movementthroughout the root. A theory to account for this control isoutlined.     

A Note on the Recognition of Pollution Stress in Populations of Estuarine Bacteria

Water samples were collected from the Humber estuary at a site subject to pollution by metal refinery effluent. V _max/bacterium for glucose mineralization, the percentage of glucose uptake by bacteria which was mineralized (% R ) and dissolved copper concentrations were measured. V _max/bacterium was negatively correlated with copper concentration and might be of use as an indicator of pollution stress. % R was not related to copper concentration and was not suitable as an indicator of pollution stress at this site.     

BEYOND SUN,SAND, AND STITCHES: ASSIGNING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE HARMS OF MEDICAL TOURISM

Medical tourism (MT) can be conceptualized as the intentional pursuit of non‐emergency surgical interventions by patients outside their nation of residence. Despite increasing popular interest in MT, the ethical issues associated with the practice have thus far been under‐examined. MT has been associated with a range of both positive and negative effects for medical tourists' home and host countries, and for the medical tourists themselves. Absent from previous explorations of MT is a clear argument of how responsibility for the harms of this practice should be assigned. This paper addresses this gap by describing both backward looking liability and forward looking political responsibility for stakeholders in MT. We use a political responsibility model to develop a decision‐making process for individual medical tourists and conclude that more information on the effects of MT must be developed to help patients engage in ethical MT.