Intra- and interbreed genetic variations of mitochondrial DNA major non-coding regions in Japanese native dog breeds [Canis familiaris)

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) major non-coding regions were amplified from 73 dogs of eight Japanese native dog breeds and from 21 dogs of 16 non-Japanese dog breeds by the polymerase chain reaction and their DNA sequences were determined. A total of 51 nucleotide positions within the non-coding region (969–972 base pairs) showed nucleotide variations of which 48 were caused by transition. These nucleotide substitutions were abundant in the region proximate to tRNA^Pro. In addition to the nucleotide substitutions, the dog mtDNA D-loop sequences had a heteroplasmic repetitive sequence (TACACGTÀCG) involving size variation. The DNA sequences of the non-coding region were classified into four different groups by phylogenetic analysis and the deepest branchpoints of this dog phylogeny was calculated to about 100 000 years before the present. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Japanese native dog breeds could not be clearly delimited as distinct breeds. Many haplotypes found in members of some clustering groups were seen in each dog breed, and interbreed nucleotide differences between Japanese dog breeds were almost the same as the intrabreed nucleotide diversities.     

Documentation of the presence of Gmelinoides fasciatus (Stebbing, 1899) and the native benthic fauna in the Volga River at Tver (Tver Region,Russia)

In the Volga Basin, the small Baikalian amphipod Gmelinoides fasciatus was introduced in 1965 into the Gorky reservoir in order to enhance fish production; it appeared in 1986 in the Rybinsk reservoir and we recorded it during monitoring activities in 2006 at Tver. In total, at the monitoring site Tver/Migalovo 69 benthic invertebrate taxa were identified. We compared data from three summer seasons. During summer low flow period Gmelinoides fasciatus did not exceed a share of 12.6% considering individual (ind) densities (mean abundance 165 ± 104 ind m^?2) and 14.2% considering biomass (mean biomass 0.39 ± 0.44 g m^?2). Abundances and biomass of G. fasciatus were shown to be stable over three years and no increase was observed. The monthly dataset (March–November 2008) revealed dynamics in relation to the native benthic communities and it was shown that the maximal densities of Gmelinoides did not exceed 587 ind m^–2. Understanding the effects on benthic communities caused by the invasive amphipod Gmelinoides fasciatus is crucial in order to predict further developments in European inland waters and to establish management strategies.     

Relocation,consolidation, and settlement pattern in the Canadian subarctic

The relocation and consolidation of subarctic native populations into settlement patterns designed according to southern, urban models has often resulted in cultural confusion and an increase in interpersonal tension, alcohol abuse, and violence. Through a review of selected case material, and the detailed examination of one relocated community, the dynamics of this situation are highlighted. Where native communities have re-established themselves beyond the reach of government planners, the recreation of more culturally appropriate settlement patterns has ensued.     

Implementation of advanced Optimum Contribution Selection in small-scale breeding schemes: prospects and challenges in Vorderwald cattle

Vorderwald cattle are a regional cattle breed from the Black Forest in south western Germany. In recent decades, commercial breeds have been introgressed to upgrade the breed in performance traits. On one hand, native genetic diversity of the breed should be conserved. On the other hand, moderate rates of genetic gain are needed to satisfy breeders to keep the breed. These goals are antagonistic, since the native proportion of the gene pool is negatively correlated to performance traits and the carriers of introgressed alleles are less related to the population. Thus, a standard Optimum Contribution Selection (OCS) approach would lead to reinforced selection on migrant contributions (MC). Our objective was the development of strategies for practical implementation of an OCS approach to manage the MC and native genetic diversity of regional breeds. Additionally, we examined the organisational efforts and the financial impacts on the breeding scheme of Vorderwald cattle. We chose the advanced Optimum Contribution Selection (aOCS) to manage the breed in stochastic simulations based on real pedigree data. In addition to standard OCS approaches, aOCS facilitates the management of the MC and the rate of inbreeding at native alleles. We examined two aOCS strategies. Both strategies maximised genetic gain, while strategy (I) conserved the MC in the breeding population and strategy (II) reduced the MC at a predefined annual rate. These two approaches were combined with one of three flows of replacement of sires (FoR strategies). Additionally, we compared breeding costs to clarify about the financial impact of implementing aOCS in a young sire breeding scheme. According to our results, conserving the MC in the population led to significantly (P < 0.01) higher genetic gain (1.16 ± 0.13 points/year) than reducing the MC (0.88 ± 0.10 points/year). In simulation scenarios that conserved the MC, the final value of MC was 57.6% ± 0.004, while being constraint to 58.2%. However, reducing the MC is only partially feasible based on pedigree data. Additionally, this study proves that the classical rate of inbreeding can be managed by constraining only the rate of inbreeding at native alleles within the aOCS approach. The financial comparison of the different breeding schemes proved the feasibility of implementing aOCS in Vorderwald cattle. Implementing the modelled breeding scheme would reduce costs by 1.1% compared with the actual scheme. Reduced costs were underpinned by additional genetic gain in superior simulation scenarios compared to expected genetic gain in reality (+4.85%).     

Novel summary metrics for insular biotic assemblages based on taxonomy and phylogeny: Biogeographical,palaeogeographical and possible conservational applications

Using the land‐bound vertebrates on the marine islands as model organisms, two metrics are presented that permit quantitative and succinct synopses of the ‘evolutionary maturity’ of the hosted faunal assemblages. In turn, these reflect the geo‐physical settings and geological developments of the substrates. The assemblage lineage‐taxonomy spectrum (ALTS) is based on the constituent lineages’ taxonomic distinctiveness and diversity. Individual lineages within assemblages can in most cases be assigned to one of six categories, LT1?LT6: LT1 is a non‐endemic taxon, whereas LT6 comprises multiple endemic genera from a family that arose elsewhere. If required, the scheme can be expanded: LT9 is an endemic order. The data can then be combined to provide an assemblage spectrum, for example, 00:08:38:30:08:15[ 13 ]. Here, the first six values denote the number of lineages assigned to each category expressed as percentages of the overall total, with the sum of the processed lineages listed as the seventh (in brackets and bold). The ALTS metric highlights efficiently the key features of a marine island's biological assemblage. Notably, the contrast between spectra for suites on geologically and geo‐physically varied island types can be striking, for instance the squamate suite on the young, proximate orogenic margin island of Taiwan is coded 78:16:05:00:00:00[ 37 ] whereas the one on the distantly located, Late Eocene composite terrane island of New Caledonia is 00:11:00:11:33:44[ 9 ]. To overcome the subjectivity that is inherent in assigning supraspecific ranks, an alternative assemblage lineage‐age spectrum (ALAS) is also introduced that makes use of the binary logarithm values of the colonization times of the island lineages (0–2, 2–4, … , 32–64, >64 Ma). It is represented using a seven‐plus‐two‐number code, for instance Madagascar's squamates are 00:06:00:00:19:62:12[ 19 ( 16 )]; most colonizations took place in the Palaeogene (66–23 Ma); there are 19 lineages, but only 16 are presently age‐dated. In addition to marine‐island biogeography studies, the ALTS–ALAS spectrum approach is potentially useful for encapsulating biotas in other sorts of insular setting (e.g. lakes, mountain tops), and for evaluating palaeogeographical models. Furthermore, it may help emphasize the conservation value of an island's faunal assemblage.     

Intercontinental biotic invasions: what can we learn from native populations and habitats?

The effectiveness of management strategies for invasive species is often hampered by a lack of clear understanding of the factors that limit species distributions. The distribution of exotic species, especially those that are invasive, are often so dynamic that limiting factors are difficult to identify. Comparisons of exotic species between their native ranges, where they are presumably close to equilibrium with controlling factors, and their ranges in areas of introduction can circumvent this difficulty. Such studies would help identify (1) limiting factors for distributions in native ranges, (2) factors associated with a high degree of invasiveness, (3) changes in genetics and morphology since introduction, which also might contribute to invasiveness, and (4) future directions and rates of invasion as a basis for developing detection/warning systems. Findings from such comparative studies would be highly valuable for understanding the dynamics of biological invasions and for improving the effectiveness of management to prevent or control invasives.     

Impact of the Arundo scale Rhizaspidiotus donacis (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) on the weight of Arundo donax (Poaceae: Arundinoideae) rhizomes in Languedoc southern France and Mediterranean Spain

Arundo donax L. (Poaceae) is native to Mediterranean Europe and invasive in the Rio Grande Basin of North America. Rhizomes from nine sites in France and Spain infested with a candidate control agent, the armoured scale Rhizaspidiotus donacis (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) weighed 50% less than those from nine sites without scale.     

Peddling sport: liberal multiculturalism and the racial triangulation of blackness,Chineseness and Native American-ness in professional basketball

Abstract

Deploying liberal multiculturalist discourse, the media depicts professional basketball as a post-racial space where all talented players, regardless of their race, can thrive if they work hard. An analysis of the construction of non-white players in the 1930s and in 2010 demonstrates sport as modulated by racially charged discourse. As part of a liberal multiculturalist frame, the coding of basketball players as hero, threat and novelty serve to privilege whiteness and replicate racialized and gendered images that can be traced to the 1930s. In doing so, the article highlights how liberal multiculturalism involves racial triangulation and the simultaneous processes of hyper-racialization and de-racialization.