Species traits and climate velocity explain geographic range shifts in an ocean‐warming hotspot

Species' ranges are shifting globally in response to climate warming, with substantial variability among taxa, even within regions. Relationships between range dynamics and intrinsic species traits may be particularly apparent in the ocean, where temperature more directly shapes species' distributions. Here, we test for a role of species traits and climate velocity in driving range extensions in the ocean‐warming hotspot of southeast Australia. Climate velocity explained some variation in range shifts, however, including species traits more than doubled the variation explained. Swimming ability, omnivory and latitudinal range size all had positive relationships with range extension rate, supporting hypotheses that increased dispersal capacity and ecological generalism promote extensions. We find independent support for the hypothesis that species with narrow latitudinal ranges are limited by factors other than climate. Our findings suggest that small‐ranging species are in double jeopardy, with limited ability to escape warming and greater intrinsic vulnerability to stochastic disturbances.     

Dissecting the telomere region of barley chromosome 5HL using rice genomic sequences as references: new markers for tracking a complex region in breeding

The terminal region of barley chromosome 5HL controls malt extract, diastatic power, free amino acid nitrogen, alpha-amylase activity, seed dormancy and pre-harvest sprouting. Comparative analysis of the barley and rice maps has established that the terminal region of barley chromosome 5HL is syntenic to rice chromosome 3L near the telomere end. The rice BAC (Bacterial Artificial Chromosome) sequences covering the region of chromosome 3L were used to search barley expressed sequenced tags database. Thirty-three genes were amplified by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) with the primers designed from barley ESTs (expressed sequence tag). Comparison of the sequences of the PCR generated DNA fragments revealed polymorphisms including single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), insertions or deletions between the barley varieties. Seven new PCR based molecular markers were developed and mapped within 10 cM in three doubled haploid barley populations (Stirling × Harrington, Baudin × AC Metcalfe and Chebec × Harrington). The mapped genes maintain the micro-syntenic relationship between barley and rice. These gene specific markers provide simple and efficient tools for germplasm characterization and marker-assisted selection for barley malting quality, and ultimately lead to isolation and identification of the major gene(s) controlling multiple quality traits on barley chromosome 5HL.     

Development of gene-specific markers for acid soil/aluminium tolerance in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Acid soil/aluminium toxicity is one of the major constraints on barley production around the world. Genetic improvement is the best solution and molecular-marker-assisted selection has proved to be an efficient tool for developing barley cultivars with acid soil/aluminium tolerance. In this study, barley variety Svanhals—introduced from CYMMIT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center)—was identified as acid soil/aluminium tolerant and the tolerance was mapped to chromosome 4H in 119 doubled haploid (DH) lines from a cross of Hamelin/Svanhals. The HvMATE gene, encoding an aluminium-activated citrate transporter, was selected as a candidate gene and gene-specific molecular markers were developed to detect acid soil/aluminium tolerance based on the polymerase chain reaction. Sequence analysis of the HvMATE gene identified a 21-bp indel (insertion–deletion) between the tolerant and sensitive cultivars. The new marker was further mapped to the QTL (quantitative trait loci) region on chromosome 4H for acid soil tolerance and accounted for 66.9 % of phenotypic variation in the DH population. Furthermore, the polymorphism was confirmed in other tolerant varieties which have been widely used as a source of acid soil tolerance in Australian barley breeding programs. The new gene-specific molecular marker provides an effective and simple molecular tool for selecting the acid soil tolerance gene from multiple tolerance sources.     

Genes controlling seed dormancy and pre-harvest sprouting in a rice-wheat-barley comparison

Pre-harvest sprouting results in significant economic loss for the grain industry around the world. Lack of adequate seed dormancy is the major reason for pre-harvest sprouting in the field under wet weather conditions. Although this trait is governed by multiple genes it is also highly heritable. A major QTL controlling both pre-harvest sprouting and seed dormancy has been identified on the long arm of barley chromosome 5H, and it explains over 70% of the phenotypic variation. Comparative genomics approaches among barley, wheat and rice were used to identify candidate gene(s) controlling seed dormancy and hence one aspect of pre-harvest sprouting. The barley seed dormancy/pre-harvest sprouting QTL was located in a region that showed good synteny with the terminal end of the long arm of rice chromosome 3. The rice DNA sequences were annotated and a gene encoding GA20-oxidase was identified as a candidate gene controlling the seed dormancy/pre-harvest sprouting QTL on 5HL. This chromosomal region also shared synteny with the telomere region of wheat chromosome 4AL, but was located outside of the QTL reported for seed dormancy in wheat. The wheat chromosome 4AL QTL region for seed dormancy was syntenic to both rice chromosome 3 and 11. In both cases, corresponding QTLs for seed dormancy have been mapped in rice.C. Li and P. Ni contributed equally to this work     

Evaluation of traps of six different designs to capture pine sawyer beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

1 Sawyer beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) and metallic wood‐boring beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) attack recently killed or felled trees. They are attracted to potential hosts by volatiles and possibly by visual cues. We examined traps of six different designs to determine the role of silhouette and shape in the capture of pine sawyer beetles, Monochamus L. 2 Traps with a round black cylinder, a single vane (clear or black), or cross vanes (clear or black) all mounted above a pan were compared to an open pan. Each pan contained soapy water to retain insects. 3 Traps with a black silhouette were significantly more effective in capturing male and female Monochamus scutellatus (Say) than traps with or without clear vanes. For both sexes of M. mutator LeConte, pan traps were as effective as traps with a black silhouette. Silhouette was not important for the capture of male and female M. notatus (Drury). Trap catches for the six trap types were not significantly different for male Buprestis maculativentris Say. 4 A pan trap with a black silhouette is recommended for general use in capturing wood‐boring cerambycids and buprestids.     

Reactivity of new adhesion molecules on lymphocytes from patients with chronic graft versus host disease

Reaction patterns of the 7th Human Leukocyte Differentiation Antigen Workshop blind panel adhesion molecules were studied on CD3/CD4, CD3/CD8, CD3/TCR gamma delta double positive T cells from peripheral blood of patients with chronic graft versus host disease (n = 8) and healthy controls (n = 4). Reactivity of 14 adhesion antibodies was tested by three-colour immunophenotyping. The mean proportion of CD3+ T cells (69 +/- 19%). CD3/CD8++ (31 +/- 13%) and CD3/TCR gamma delta++ (4 +/- 2%) T sub-populations of patients were comparable with the healthy controls. However, the mean percentage of CD3/CD4++ T cell subset in patients (14 +/- 12%) proved to be significantly decreased in comparison with the normal control value (34 +/- 16%) presumably due to secondary immunodeficiency. The workshop antibodies proved to be reactive with three T cell subsets expressing the examined antigens. Based on the results of the adhesion molecule workshop new CD categories have been introduced: CD156b as a transmembrane protein, CD167a as an epithelial tyrosin kinase receptor, CD168 as a receptor for hyaluronan mediated motility (RHAMM) and CD171 as a co-stimulatory adhesion molecule. There were significant differences in the expression of the CD167a and CD156b antigens on the CD3/CD4++ subset between the samples of patients compared with the controls characterizing the CD4+ T lymphocyte subpopulation in chronic graft versus host disease.     

Empathy in UK medical students: differences by gender, medical year and specialty interest

The importance of empathetic communication in the context of patient care has been suggested as a crucial element in the delivery of high-quality medical care. Although some countries have measured empathy among medical students, little is known formally about the state of affairs regarding empathy in the UK with regard to gender, medical years and speciality. This paper presents the results from a cross-sectional study that explored the relationship between undergraduate medical students' empathy scores relevant to gender, medical school year and future career ambitions. The Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy, a self-administered questionnaire, was used for collecting data. It was decided to incorporate the scale into a web application that was only accessible through a confidential hyperlink. A total of 853 (68.2%) medical students completed the survey. Female students (n=470) scored significantly (t((819))=-6.63; 95% CI=-0.30, -0.16) higher than male students (n=351). No significant differences were observed between empathy mean scores and medical school year. Students choosing people-oriented specialities had significantly higher mean scores in comparison to students preferring technology oriented specialities. Three hypotheses were tested in this study. The hypothesis that female students would score higher than male students was supported by the results. The findings did not support the hypothesis that empathy scores decline during the medical school years. Finally, the findings did support the hypothesis that those preferring peopleoriented specialities would score higher on the empathy scale than students choosing technology oriented specialities. Some recommendations are made and the limitations of study are discussed.     

Rapid global expansion of invertebrate fisheries: trends, drivers, and ecosystem effects

Background

Worldwide, finfish fisheries are receiving increasing assessment and regulation, slowly leading to more sustainable exploitation and rebuilding. In their wake, invertebrate fisheries are rapidly expanding with little scientific scrutiny despite increasing socio-economic importance.

Methods and Findings

We provide the first global evaluation of the trends, drivers, and population and ecosystem consequences of invertebrate fisheries based on a global catch database in combination with taxa-specific reviews. We also develop new methodologies to quantify temporal and spatial trends in resource status and fishery development. Since 1950, global invertebrate catches have increased 6-fold with 1.5 times more countries fishing and double the taxa reported. By 2004, 34% of invertebrate fisheries were over-exploited, collapsed, or closed. New fisheries have developed increasingly rapidly, with a decrease of 6 years (3 years) in time to peak from the 1950s to 1990s. Moreover, some fisheries have expanded further and further away from their driving market, encompassing a global fishery by the 1990s. 71% of taxa (53% of catches) are harvested with habitat-destructive gear, and many provide important ecosystem functions including habitat, filtration, and grazing.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that invertebrate species, which form an important component of the basis of marine food webs, are increasingly exploited with limited stock and ecosystem-impact assessments, and enhanced management attention is needed to avoid negative consequences for ocean ecosystems and human well-being.