内蒙古山杏种群表型变异

为明确内蒙古山杏(Armeniaca sibirica)种群间和种群内的表型变异程度和变异规律, 以内蒙古山杏自然分布区的13个种群的23个表型性状为研究对象, 采用巢式方差分析、多重比较、变异分析、相关性分析和主成分分析等多种分析方法, 对种群间和种群内的表型多样性及其与地理生态因子的相关性进行了讨论。研究结果表明: 内蒙古山杏的表型性状在种群间和种群内均存在丰富的变异, 种群间的变异大于种群内的变异, 表型性状的平均分化系数为73.03%, 种群间变异是山杏表型变异的主要变异来源。各性状的平均变异系数为14.28%, 变异幅度为7.01%-27.23%, 其中核的变异系数最大, 果的变异系数最小。土默特左旗万家沟种群表型多样性最丰富, 科尔沁右翼前旗察尔森种群表型多样性最小。表型性状主要受经度、年降水量以及年日照时间3个主要地理生态因子影响。通过主成分分析可以把13个种源区划为四大类, 其中乌拉山种群的叶性状和阿鲁科尔沁旗种群的核性状受地理生态因子影响最大。     

High-level phenotypic variations in populations of Armeniaca sibirica in Nei Mongol,China

Aims Our objectives were to determine the variations in phenotypic traits of Armeniaca sibirica populations and their spatial patterns. Methods We used nested variation, coefficient of variation, multi-comparison, correlation analysis and principal component analysis to analyze the 23 phenotypic traits for 130 individuals in 13 populations of A. sibirica. Important findings The results showed that there were significant differences in phenotypic variations among and within populations. The variation was greater among populations (47.15%) than within population (16.43%). The mean phenotypic differentiation coefficient was 73.03% among populations, indicating the variance among populations being the main source of the phenotypic variation. The average variation coefficient of 23 traits ranged from 7.01% to 27.23%, with an average of 14.28%. The variation coefficient of nutlet was highest (15.67%), and the variation coefficient of fruit was smallest (12.11%). The phenotypic diversity is highest in Wanjiagou Tumotezuoqi and smallest in Horqin, Right Front Banner Chaersen. Longitude, mean annual precipitation and sunshine duration were significantly correlated with major traits of phenotypic. The 13 populations could be divided into four groups according to the principal component analysis. Leaf traits of Wula Mountain and nutlet traits of Archorchin Banner were significantly correlated with ecological and geographic factors.     

Gene regulation,quantitative genetics and the evolution of reaction norms

Summary The ideas of phenotypic plasticity and of reaction norm are gaining prominence as important components of theories of phenotypic evolution. Our understanding of the role of phenotypic plasticity as an adaptation of organisms to variable environments will depend on (1) the form(s) of genetic and developmental control exerted on the shape of the reaction norm and (2) the nature of the constraints on the possible evolutionary trajectories in multiple environments. In this paper we identify two categories of genetic control of plasticity: allelic sensitivity and gene regulation. These correspond generally to two classes of response by the developmental system to environmental change: phenotypic modulation, in which plastic responses are a continuous and proportional function of environmental stimuli and developmental conversion, where responses tend to be not simply proportional to the stimuli. We propose that control of plasticity by regulatory actions has distinct advantages over simple allelic sensitivity: stability of phenotypic expression, capacity for anticipatory response and relaxation of constraints due to genetic correlations. We cite examples of the extensive molecular evidence for the existence of environmentally-cued gene regulation leading to developmental conversion. The results of quantitative genetic investigations on the genetics and evolution of plasticity, as well as the limits of current approaches are discussed. We suggest that evolution of reaction norms would be affected by the ecological context (i.e. spatial versus temporal variation, hard versus soft selection, and fine versus coarse environmental grain). We conclude by discussing some empirical approaches to address fundamental questions about plasticity evolution.     

Environmentally induced dispersal‐related life‐history syndrome in the tropical butterfly,Bicyclus anynana

Dispersal is a key process for understanding the persistence of populations as well as the capacity of organisms to respond to environmental change. Therefore, understanding factors that may facilitate or constrain the evolution of dispersal is of crucial interest. Assessments of phenotypic variation in various behavioural, physiological and morphological traits related to insect dispersal and flight performance are common, yet very little is known about the genetic associations among these traits. We have used experiments on the butterfly Bicyclus anynana to estimate genetic variation and covariation in seven behavioural, physiological and morphological traits related to flight potential and hence dispersal. Our goal was to characterize the heritabilities and genetic correlations among these traits and thus to understand more about the evolution of dispersal‐related life‐history syndromes in butterflies. Using a version of the animal model, we showed that all of the traits varied between the sexes, and most were either positively or negatively (phenotypically and/or genetically) correlated with body size. Heritable variation was present in most traits, with the highest heritabilities estimated for body mass and thorax ratio. The variance in flight activity among multiple measurements for the same individual was high even after controlling for the prevailing environmental conditions, indicating the importance of behavioural switching and/or inherent randomness associated with this type of movement. A number of dispersal‐related traits showed phenotypic correlations among one another, but only a few of these were associated with significant genetic correlations indicating that covariances between these traits in Bicyclus anynana are mainly environmentally induced.     

Heritability and correlation structure of nectar and floral morphology traits in Nicotiana alata

The heritability and genetic basis of nectar traits have been rarely studied in the field, where plants are exposed to environmental factors that could mask underlying genetic effects. Heritabilities and variance components were estimated for nectar and morphological traits of Nicotiana alata , using a partial diallel design. The main experiment was conducted in a Missouri experimental garden using a randomized block design with three plant density treatments, whereas a smaller experiment was conducted near native Brazil habitat to compare the environmental variance in traits between Missouri and Brazil. Significant heritability was detected for nectar volume and energy content, and for corolla tube length. Phenotypic correlations were significant between all traits investigated, whereas significant genetic correlations were only found between nectar volume and energy and between corolla limb width and mouth diameter. There were no significant family-by-density interactions detected in the Missouri field environment. All traits differed significantly between Missouri and Brazil environments, but significant genetic by environment (G × E) interactions between Missouri and Brazil were detected for only one trait. This study shows that nectar traits can be heritable despite considerable environmental variation.     

Phenotypic variations in cones and seeds of natural Pinus kesiya var. langbianensis populations in Yunnan Province,China

以云南省思茅松(Pinus kesiya var. langbianensis)天然分布区的11个种群的16个种实性状为研究对象, 采用巢式方差分析、变异系数、相关分析和非加权配对算术平均法(UPGMA)等多种分析方法, 探讨思茅松种群间和种群内的表型变异。结果表明: 思茅松种实表型性状在种群间和种群内均存在着较丰富的差异, 种群内的变异(54.76%)大于种群间的变异(10.44%), 种群间平均分化系数为11.95%, 分化程度相对较小。球果总种子数的平均变异系数最高(35.51%), 其次是球果质量(35.1%), 种子大小的平均变异系数最小(8.86%), 成为最稳定的种实性状; 景谷县的表型多样性最丰富, 景洪市则最小。球果和种子大部分表型性状之间存在显著或极显著相关, 其中球果长和球果质量越大, 种鳞长、种子长、种翅长、千粒重、球果总种鳞数和球果总种子数就越大。生态因子中, 年平均气温对表型性状影响最大, 其次是1月平均气温和>5 ℃积温。利用种群间聚类分析可以把思茅松的11个种群分为2类4个亚类, 表型性状依据地理距离进行聚类, 聚类结果与年降水量和>5 ℃积温相关性显著。     

Modular genetic architecture of floral morphology in Nicotiana: quantitative genetic and comparative phenotypic approaches to floral integration

Animal‐pollinated flowers are complex structures that may require a precise configuration of floral organs for proper function. As such, they represent an excellent system with which we can examine the role of phenotypic integration and modularity in morphological evolution. We use complementary quantitative genetic and comparative phenotypic approaches to examine correlations among floral characters in Nicotiana alata, N. forgetiana and their artificial fourth‐generation hybrids. Flowers of both species share basic patterns of genetic and phenotypic correlations characterized by at least two integrated character suites that are relatively independent of each other and are not disrupted by four generations of recombination in hybrids. We conclude that these integrated character suites represent phenotypic modules that are the product of a modular genetic architecture. Intrafloral modularity may have been critical for rapid specialization of these species to different pollinators.     

DEVELOPMENT,FUNCTION, AND THE QUANTITATIVE GENETICS OF WING MELANIN PATTERN IN PIERIS BUTTERFLIES

Do genetic correlations among phenotypic characters reflect developmental organization or functional coadaptation of the characters? We test these hypotheses for the wing melanin pattern of Pieris occidentalis butterflies, by comparing estimated genetic correlations among wing melanin characters with a priori predictions of the developmental organization and the functional (thermoregulatory) organization of melanin pattern. There were significant broad-sense heritabilities and significant genetic correlations for most melanin characters. Matrix correlation tests revealed significant agreement between the observed genetic correlations and both developmental and functional predictions in most cases; this occurred even when the overlap between developmental and functional predictions was eliminated. These results suggest that both developmental organization and functional coadaptation among melanin characters influence the genetic correlation structure of melanin pattern in this species. These results have two important implications for the evolution of melanin pattern in P. occidentalis and other butterflies: 1) most phenotypic variation in pattern may reflect variation among, rather than within, sets of developmentally homologous wing melanin characters; and 2) in a changing selective environment, genetic correlations may retard the disruption of functionally coupled melanin characters, thus affecting the evolutionary response to selection.     

Personality and performance are affected by age and early life parameters in a small primate

A whole suite of parameters is likely to influence the behavior and performance of individuals as adults, including correlations between phenotypic traits or an individual's developmental context. Here, we ask the question whether behavior and physical performance traits are correlated and how early life parameters such as birth weight, litter size, and growth can influence these traits as measured during adulthood. We studied 486 captive gray mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus) and measured two behavioral traits and two performance traits potentially involved in two functions: exploration behavior with pull strength and agitation score with bite force. We checked for the existence of behavioral consistency in behaviors and explored correlations between behavior, performance, morphology. We analyzed the effect of birth weight, growth, and litter size, while controlling for age, sex, and body weight. Behavior and performance were not correlated with one another, but were both influenced by age. Growth rate had a positive effect on adult morphology, and birth weight significantly affected emergence latency and bite force. Grip strength was not directly affected by early life traits, but bite performance and exploration behavior were impacted by birth weight. This study shows how early life parameters impact personality and performance.     

Light body pigmentation in indianDrosophila melanogaster: A likely adaptation to a hot and arid climate

We analysed reaction norms of pigmentation (thorax and abdomen) according to growth temperature for 20 isofemale lines collected near Delhi (India) and compared them to results obtained for two French populations. The climatic conditions of the two locations were strongly different, with monthly average temperature ranging between 4.2°C and 20.5°C in France and between 14.3°C and 34.3°C in India. For each segment, a decrease of the pigmentation was observed with increasing temperature and the shapes of the reaction norms were more or less parallel. On average Indian flies were lighter than French ones, in agreement with the thermal budget hypothesis. We further investigated the shapes of reaction norms by polynomial adjustment and observed significant differences. In several cases, a maximum divergence was observed at high temperature, implying a change in the shape of the norm. Characteristic values related to the thermal reactivity were also significantly different between populations but no general tendency was found. Genetic variability, estimated by the coefficient of intraclass correlation, was significantly lower in India (0.27 ±0.026) than in France (0.39 ±0.028), and we discuss the significance of this difference.     

浙江楠种群表型变异

以探讨浙江楠(Phoebe chekiangensis)种群间和种群内的表型变异程度和变异规律为目的, 对其分布区9个种群的10个表型性状进行了研究。采用巢式方差分析、变异系数、多重比较和相关分析等多种分析方法, 对种群间和种群内的表型多样性及其与地理生态因子的相关性进行了讨论。研究结果表明: 浙江楠叶片、种子等表型性状在种群间和种群内均存在着丰富的变异, 10个性状在种群间、种群内的差异均达极显著水平; 种群内的变异(21.74%)大于种群间的变异(18.45%), 表型性状的平均分化系数为41.43%, 种群内变异是浙江楠表型变异的主要变异来源。各性状平均变异系数为12.78%, 变化幅度为6.50%-19.38%。种群间叶片的平均变异系数(16.99%)高于种群间种子的平均变异系数(8.58%), 表明种子的稳定性高于叶片。叶宽、叶面积与叶片其他性状间多呈显著或极显著相关, 种子千粒重与种子宽、种子体积显著正相关; 而种子和叶片的各性状间多无显著相关性。种子宽、种子体积和种子千粒重随着海拔的增加出现减小的趋势, 种子体积受纬度控制, 随着纬度的增大表现出增大的趋势。     

Direct and indirect assortative mating: a multivariate approach to plant flowering schedules

This paper develops methods to partition the phenotypic correlation between mates for a focal trait--the standard measure for assortative mating--into a direct component and additional indirect components. Indirect assortative mating occurs when a nonassorting trait is correlated within individuals to a directly assorting trait. Direct and indirect assortative mating is assessed for flowering phenology in Brassica rapa. The flowering time of pollen recipients (mothers) was strongly correlated (rho=0.67) to that of potential pollen donors (fathers). Similarly, recipients and donors were correlated for duration of their flowering periods (rho=0.32) and stem diameters (rho=0.52). A partitioning of between-mate correlations revealed direct assortative mating for flowering time and period duration. However, assortment for stem diameter is explained solely through its correlation to flowering time. Examination of standard quantitative genetic theory shows that indirect assortative mating inflates genetic variance in a focal trait and the genetic covariance between focal and phenotypically correlated traits.     

The genetics of phenotypic plasticity. IX. Genetic architecture, temperature, and sex differences in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract.— We examined the genetic architecture of plasticity of thorax and wing length in response to temperature in Drosophila melanogaster . Reaction norms as a function of growth temperature were analyzed in 20 isofemale lines in a natural population collected from Grande Ferrade near Bordeaux (southern France) in two different years. We found evidence for a complex genetic architecture underlying the reaction norms and differences between males and females. Reaction norms were negative quadratics. Genetic correlations were moderately high between traits within environments. Among characteristic values, the magnitudes of genetic correlations varied among traits and sexes. We hypothesized that genetic correlations among environments would decrease as temperatures became more different. This expectation was upheld for only one trait, female thorax length. For males for both traits, the correlations were large for both very similar and very different temperatures. These correlations may constrain the evolution of the shape of the reaction norms. Whether the extent of independence implies specific regulatory genes or only a specific allelic regulation of trait genes can not be decided from our results.     

Individual variation and repeatability of methane production from dairy cows estimated by the CO2 method in automatic milking system

The objectives of this study were to investigate the individual variation, repeatability and correlation of methane (CH₄) production from dairy cows measured during 2 different years. A total of 21 dairy cows with an average BW of 619±14.2 kg and average milk production of 29.1±6.5 kg/day (mean±s.d.) were used in the 1^st year. During the 2^nd year, the same cows were used with an average BW of 640±8.0 kg and average milk production of 33.4±6.0 kg/day (mean±s.d.). The cows were housed in a loose housing system fitted with an automatic milking system (AMS). A total mixed ration was fed to the cows ad libitum in both years. In addition, they were offered concentrate in the AMS based on their daily milk yield. The CH₄ and CO₂ production levels of the cows were analysed using a Gasmet DX-4030. The estimated dry matter intake (EDMI) was 19.8±0.96 and 23.1±0.78 (mean±s.d.), and the energy-corrected milk (ECM) production was 30.8±8.03 and 33.7±5.25 kg/day (mean±s.d.) during the 1^st and 2^nd year, respectively. The EDMI and ECM had a significant influence (P<0.001) on the CH₄ (l/day) yield during both years. The daily CH₄ (l/day) production was significantly higher (P<0.05) during the 2^nd year compared with the 1^st year. The EDMI (described by the ECM) appeared to be the key factor in the variation of CH₄ release. A correlation (r=0.54) of CH₄ production was observed between the years. The CH₄ (l/day) production was strongly correlated (r=0.70) between the 2 years with an adjusted ECM production (30 kg/day). The diurnal variation of CH₄ (l/h) production showed significantly lower (P<0.05) emission during the night (0000 to 0800 h). The between-cows variation of CH₄ (l/day, l/kg EDMI and l/kg ECM) was lower compared with the within-cow variation for the 1^st and 2^nd years. The repeatability of CH₄ production (l/day) was 0.51 between 2 years. In conclusion, a higher EDMI (kg/day) followed by a higher ECM (kg/day) showed a higher CH₄ production (l/day) in the 2^nd year. The variations of CH₄ (l/day) among the cows were lower than the within-cow variations. The CH₄ (l/day) production was highly repeatable and, with an adjusted ECM production, was correlated between the years.     

Evolutionary trade‐off between naturally‐ and sexually‐selected melanin‐based colour traits in worldwide barn owls and allies

Natural selection typically constrains the evolution of sexually‐selected characters. The evolution of naturally‐ and sexually‐selected traits can be intertwined if they share part of their genetic machinery or if sex traits impair foraging success or increase the risk of depredation. The present study investigated phenotypic correlations between naturally‐ and sexually‐selected plumage traits in the Tytonidae (barn owls, grass owls, and masked owls). Phenotypic correlations indicate the extent to which selection on one trait will indirectly influence the evolution of another trait. In this group of birds, the ventral body side varies from white to dark reddish, a naturally‐selected pheomelanin‐based colour trait with important roles in predator–prey interactions. Owls also exhibit eumelanin‐based black spots, for which number and size signal different aspects of individual quality and are used in mate choice. These three plumage traits are strongly heritable and sexually dimorphic, with females being on average darker reddish and more spotted than males. Phenotypic correlations were measured between these three plumage traits in 3958 free‐living barn owls in Switzerland and 10 670 skin specimens from 34 Tyto taxa preserved in museums. Across Tyto taxa, the sexually‐selected plumage spottiness was positively correlated with the naturally‐selected reddish coloration, with redder birds being more heavily spotted. This suggests that they are genetically constrained or that natural and sexual selection are not antagonistically exerted on plumage traits. In a large sample of Swiss nestlings and within 34 Tyto taxa, the three plumage traits were positively correlated. The production of melanin pigments for one plumage trait is therefore not traded off against the production of melanin pigments for another plumage trait. Only in the most heavily‐spotted Tyto taxa do larger‐spotted individuals display fewer spots. This indicates that, at some threshold value, the evolution of many spots constrains the evolution of large spots. These analyses raise the possibility that different combinations of melanin‐based plumage traits may not be selectively equivalent.     

月季F1代群体表型性状变异分析

以月季（Rosa spp.）品种‘云蒸霞蔚’和‘太阳城’正交获得的184株F₁代群体为研究对象,采用方差分析、变异系数、遗传分析、相关性分析对花部形态性状以及叶片形态性状进行测定分析。结果表明：该杂交群体表型变异丰富,变异系数在7.33%~68.08%,其中花瓣数量在群体中的变异程度最高;杂交后代各个性状上均发生分离变异,出现不同于亲本的表现型,且离散程度较高。表型性状的遗传特点与关联分析,为挖掘控制表型性状的优良基因及辅助选择育种提供参考。     

The genetics of phenotypic plasticity. III. Genetic correlations and fluctuating asymmetries

We examined the relationship of three aspects of development, phenotypic plasticity, genetic correlations among traits, and developmental noise, for thorax length, wing length, and number of sternopleural bristles in Drosophila melanogaster. We used 14 lines which had previously been selected on either thorax length or plasticity of thorax length in response to temperature. A half-sib mating design was used and offspring were raised at 19° C or 25° C. We found that genetic correlations were stable across temperatures despite the large levels of plasticity of these traits. Plasticities were correlated among developmentally related traits, thorax and wing length, but not among unrelated traits, lengths and bristle counts. Amount of developmental noise, measured as fluctuating asymmetry and within-environmental variation, was positively correlated with amount of plasticity only for some traits, thorax length and bristle number, and only at one temperature, 25° C.     

8种湿地植物不同苗龄植株的表型特征及相关性分析

对水葱(Scirpus validus Vahl)、香蒲(Typha orientalis Presl)、小香蒲(T.minima Funk.)、再力花(Thalia dealbata Fraser ex Roscoe)、黄菖蒲(Iris pseudacorus Linn.)、灯芯草(Juncus effusus Linn.)、梭鱼草(Pontederia cordata Linn.)和菖蒲(Acorus calamus Linn.)8种多年生湿地植物1年生和3年生植株的地上和地下部分干质量、株高(包括花序高和叶层高)、根长、根数和根粗进行了测定,并对各表型特征指标间以及苗龄与各表型特征指标间的相关性进行了分析。结果显示:8种湿地植物3年生植株的地上和地下部分干质量普遍高于1年生植株;从生长量分配情况看,除小香蒲外,其余种类3年生植株地下部分干质量所占比例均高于1年生植株。多数种类1年生和3年生植株的株高差异较小。从根系特征看,根数小于100、根粗1.0~2.0 cm的植株以1年生为主,而根数大于100、根粗1.0 cm以下和2.0~3.5 cm的植株以3年生为主;根长15~25 cm的植株以1年生所占比例较高(62.5%),而根长25~35 cm的植株1年生和3年生所占比例相等。相关性分析结果表明:1年生植株的地上部分干质量与株高、根长与根粗呈显著正相关(P<0.05),3年生植株的地下部分干质量与根粗也呈显著正相关;但不同苗龄植株的其他表型特征指标间的相关性均不显著。苗龄与植株地下部分干质量呈极显著正相关(P<0.01),但与地上部分干质量、株高、根长、根数和根粗的相关性不显著。总体而言,8种湿地植物3年生植株的表型特征优于1年生植株,更适用于污染水体及退化湿地生态系统的修复。     

The impact of plasticity and maternal effect on the evolution of leaf resin production in Diplacus aurantiacus

Our previous quantitative genetic study of leaf resin production in Diplacus aurantiacus revealed large environmental and maternal effects on variation in resin production, which suggests the possibility of a genotype×environment interaction for this trait when plants grow in heterogeneous environments. Our objectives in this study were to observe the genetic variation in plasticity of resin production under field and chamber conditions, compare phenotypic correlations of resin content with growth traits under these two environmental conditions, and distinguish the possible basis of the maternal effect on resin production using parents and half-sib progeny. A significant genotype×environment interaction (P<0.0001) in leaf resin production was found, which suggests a potential for the evolution of plasticity of these secondary metabolites under heterogeneous environments. The phenotypic correlation between resin content and growth rate also exhibited plasticity. In addition, the resin content of dam half-sib families grown in the chamber had a closer relationship with their maternal parents in the field (r=0.65, P=0.059) than in the chamber (r=0.39, P=0.34), suggesting an environmentally based maternal effect on the secondary chemicals. We suggest that the maternal environmental effect may act as a contributor to plasticity of resin production and, while it may not diminish the appearance of the genotype×environment interaction, the heritable variation of plasticity of resin production may be confounded.