Recent speciation between sympatric Tanganyikan cichlid colour morphs

Lake Tanganyika, Africa's oldest lake, harbours an impressive diversity of cichlid fishes. Although diversification in its radiating groups is thought to have been initially rapid, cichlids from Lake Tanganyika show little evidence for ongoing speciation. In contrast, examples of recent divergence among sympatric colour morphs are well known in haplochromine cichlids from Lakes Malawi and Victoria. Here, we report genetic evidence for recent divergence between two sympatric Tanganyikan cichlid colour morphs. These Petrochromis morphs share mitochondrial haplotypes, yet microsatellite loci reveal that their sympatric populations form distinct genetic groups. Nuclear divergence between the two morphs is equivalent to that which arises geographically within one of the morphs over short distances and is substantially smaller than that among other sympatric species in this genus. These patterns suggest that these morphs diverged only recently, yet that barriers to gene flow exist which prevent extensive admixture despite their sympatric distribution. The morphs studied here provide an unusual example of active diversification in Lake Tanganyika's generally ancient cichlid fauna and enable comparisons of speciation processes between Lake Tanganyika and other African lakes.     

RAPD variation among and within small and large populations of the rare clonal plant Ranunculus reptans (Ranunculaceae)

In the pre-alpine region of Europe numbers and sizes of populations of the clonal lake shore plant Ranunculus reptans have declined because of the regulation of lake water levels. We investigated genetic variation among and within 17 populations of different size (cover 1–10 000 m²) in R. reptans with RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) profiles. We sampled 127 rosettes in 14 populations at Lake Constance and three populations at or near Lake Como. There was significant genetic variation between plants from the two lake regions (5.9%, analysis of molecular variance [AMOVA], P < 0.001), among populations within lake regions (20.4%, P < 0.001), and within populations (73.7%, P < 0.001). Under the assumptions of Wright's island model the variation among populations corresponds to a gene flow of N_em = 0.70. Within the 14 Lake Constance populations we detected significant genetic variation among subpopulations separated by only a few metres (4.0% of the within-population variation; P < 0.05). Molecular variance was 24% smaller in small populations covering <100 m² area than in larger ones (P < 0.03), indicating that samples from large populations were genetically more variable than samples representing comparable areas of smaller populations. We conclude that gene flow among populations is very limited and that genetic drift has caused reduced genetic variability of smaller populations. Conservation of genetic variability in R. reptans requires persistence of large and also of small populations (because of population differentiation), and it could be enhanced by increasing the size of small populations (to counter genetic drift).     

Genetic variation of the bloom-forming Cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa within and among lakes: implications for harmful algal blooms

To measure genetic variation within and among populations of the bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa, we surveyed a suite of lakes in the southern peninsula of Michigan that vary in productivity (total phosphorus concentrations of approximately 10 to 100 microg liter(-1)). Survival of M. aeruginosa isolates from lakes was relatively low (i.e., mean of 7% and maximum of 30%) and positively related to lake total phosphorus concentration (P = 0.014, r2 = 0.407, n = 14). In another study (D. F. Raikow, O. Sarnelle, A. E. Wilson, and S. K. Hamilton, Limnol. Oceanogr. 49:482-487, 2004), survival rates of M. aeruginosa isolates collected from an oligotrophic lake (total phosphorus of approximately 10 mug liter(-1) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen:total phosphorus ratio of 12.75) differed among five different medium types (G test, P of <0.001), with higher survival (P = 0.003) in low-nutrient media (28 to 37% survival) than in high-nutrient media. Even with the relatively low isolate survivorship that could select against detecting the full range of genetic variation, populations of M. aeruginosa were genetically diverse within and among lakes (by analysis of molecular variance, Phi(sc) = 0.412 [Phi(sc) is an F-statistic derivative which evaluates the correlation of haplotypic diversity within populations relative to the haplotypic diversity among all sampled populations], P = 0.001), with most clones being distantly related to clones collected from lakes directly attached to Lake Michigan (a Laurentian Great Lake) and culture collection strains collected from Canada, Scotland, and South Africa. Ninety-one percent of the 53 genetically unique M. aeruginosa clones contained the microcystin toxin gene (mcyA). Genotypes with the toxin gene were found in all lakes, while four lakes harbored both genotypes possessing and genotypes lacking the toxin gene.     

Genetic structure of continental and island populations of the Mediterranean endemic Cyclamen balearicum (Primulaceae)

Cyclamen balearicum is a self-compatible perennial herb endemic to the western Mediterranean Basin. This species occurs in five geographically isolated terrestrial islands in southern France and on four Balearic islands. In this study, we compare genetic variability and differentiation within and among 11 terrestrial island populations and 17 true island populations. Of nine readable enzyme loci, five were polymorphic in both terrestrial and true islands. F statistics showed a significant heterozygote deficiency in all populations, probably due to high levels of autonomous selfing, restricted gene flow, and subsequent genetic drift. Genetic diversity was higher in terrestrial islands than on the Balearic islands, suggesting that the Balearic islands were colonized when they were in contact with the continent. Population differentiation was greater among terrestrial islands (Fst = 0.417 and Gst = 0.344) than among true islands (Fst = 0.112 and Gst = 0.093). Furthermore, differentiation among populations on the Basses Cévennes terrestrial island was greater (Fst = 0.254) than among populations on the true island of Mallorca (Fst = 0.163). The greater genetic differentiation among terrestrial islands could have been caused by genetic bottlenecks associated with changes in climate and human land use that may have reduced population sizes more severely in terrestrial islands in southern France than on the Balearic islands.     

On the origin of charrs of the genus Salvelinus of the Kronotskoe Lake and their relationships with other charr populations of the Kamchatka peninsula

To reveal genetic differentiation and origin of sympatric Lake Kronotskoe charr morphs, we sequenced a fragment of control region (558-bp) and Cytochrome B gene (1015-bp) (combined length 1573-bp) in 232 specimens from the lake and, as an outgroup, 57 specimens from the Kronotskaya River below water-falls (anadromous malma) and 77 specimens from other large water bodies from the Kamchatka. A total of 52 nucleotide positions were polymorphic, and these defined 67 haplotypes. Our data does not allow to estimate genetic differentiation among different lake-dwelling morphs, but strongly supports the monophyletic origin of all morphs within the lake. To estimate genetic differentiation and population structure, an extensive study of microsatellite variation has to be conducted.     

Molecular genetic examination of the polymorphic Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus of Thingvallavatn, Iceland

Thingvallavatn, Iceland contains two sympatric morphotypes (benthic and limnetic) of Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus. Each morphotype is composed of two morphs and these differ markedly in ecology, behaviour and life history. We used molecular genetic approaches to test whether (i) genetic heterogeneity exists among morphs and (ii) if morphs arose in allopatry and came into secondary contact or arose sympatrically within the lake through genetic segregation and/or phenotypic plasticity. Direct sequencing of 275 bp of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region, mtDNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms and single locus minisatellite analyses detected insufficient variation to test our hypotheses. Analysis of multilocus minisatellite band sharing detected no significant differences between morphs within the same morphotype. However, significant differences among morphs belonging to different morphotypes suggest some genetic heterogeneity in Thingvallavatn charr. Limnetic charr from Thingvallavatn were more similar to sympatric benthic charr than to allopatric limnetics from two other Icelandic lakes. This suggests that the Thingvallavatn morphs arose sympatrically within the lake rather than in allopatry followed by secondary contact.     

Allozyme variation in the camaenid tree snails Amphidromus atricallosus (Gould, 1843) and A. inversus (Müller, 1774)

We examined allozyme variation in two camaenid tree snails, Amphidromus atricallosus and A. inversus, across two principal regions of Thailand and from Singapore, plus for A. inversus, one site in peninsular Malaysia. Using horizontal starch gel electrophoresis, 13 allozyme loci (11 polymorphic) were screened for A. atricallosus and 18 (5 polymorphic) for A. inversus. Heterozygosity was higher in A. atricallosus (Hexp=0.018-0.201, mean=0.085) than in A. inversus (Hexp=0-0.023, mean= 0.002). Genetic heterogeneity among samples was higher in A. inversus (Fst=0.965) than in A. atricallosus (Fst=0.781). Within A. atricallosus, populations were more differentiated in southern Thailand (Fst=0.551) than in eastern Thailand (Fst=0.144). The high Fst and low Hexp in populations of A. inversus suggest that this species is likely to have experienced a series of strong bottlenecks, perhaps occurring chiefly on offshore continental-shelf islands. The low Fst values of A. atricallosus in eastern Thailand suggest frequent gene flows among populations in this region. The southern and eastern samples of A. atricallosus exhibited fixed allele differences at four loci and great genetic distance (Nei's D=0.485-0.946), suggesting that these two samples may actually represent, or else be evolving into, separate species.     

Coastal and freshwater pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) populations differ genetically in the Baltic Sea basin

Microsatellite DNA based analysis of the pattern of genetic diversity among three coastal and five freshwater populations of pikeperch Sander lucioperca in the northern part of the Baltic Sea drainage basin indicated marked genetic differentiation between the coastal and lake populations. The F(st) between these population groups was as high as 0.25 and R(st) =0.32. In general, the lake populations showed higher genetic diversity than the coastal ones. In terms of genetic distance, the three coastal populations (Vanhankaupunginlahti, V?stanfj?rd and Taivassalo) grouped tightly together. The freshwater samples formed a looser group, in which the northern Lake Kemij?rvi showed greater distance from the southern lakes than these did from each other. The two lake populations originally established through stockings (Lakes Painio and Averia) grouped near to their source population of Lake Lohjanj?rvi and their diversity level was nearly the same. Safeguarding the unique Baltic coastal populations of S. lucioperca against gene flow from increasing hatchery releases using freshwater S. lucioperca should be a high management priority.     

Genetic structure of Lake Magadi tilapia populations

The control region of the mitochondrial DNA haplotype frequencies were significantly different among the two separate lagoon populations of Oreochromis alcalicus grahami in Lake Magadi and of O. a. alcalicus from lake Natron, and DNA fingerprint similarity indices were significantly higher for intra-population comparisons of the two Magadi lagoon populations and the Lake Natron population than the inter-population similarity indices among these populations. A modified F _st measure indicated population sub-division and the phylogeographic partitioning of the VNTR fragments observed were unique to specific populations further indicating substantial genetic differentiation. The lagoon populations within Lake Magadi demonstrated the same degree of genetic differentiation as either of these populations did to the outgroup (the Lake Natron population). There appears to be limited gene flow between Lake Magadi tilapia populations and this population structure has important implications for protecting locally adapted populations within this unique ecosystem.     

Genetic variability and level of differentiation among Brazilian pantanal wood stork populations

The Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) is a colonial wading bird of the tropical and lower subtropical zones. We assessed genetic structure within and among five stork colonies from the Brazilian Pantanal and compared our data with those from North American populations. Samples of 234 individuals were studied using protein electrophoresis to evaluate genetic variability and interpopulation differentiation. Of 22 loci examined, 7 were polymorphic (mean heterozygosity = 0.068). The low Fst value (0.005) indicated little intraspecific variation among breeding colonies. Estimated number of migrants per generation based on private alleles (Nm = 11.3) and on Fst (48.8) suggests high gene flow. Nei's genetic distance values among Pantanal colonies ranged from 0.0001 to 0.0034, demonstrating low genetic divergence among populations. Our data can be explained by supposing high gene flow levels among Pantanal colonies, and between North and South American populations, intermediated by a probable interbreeding population in Central America.     

Evolution of adaptive diversity and genetic connectivity in Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) in Iceland

The ecological theory of adaptive radiation predicts that the evolution of phenotypic diversity within species is generated by divergent natural selection arising from different environments and competition between species. Genetic connectivity among populations is likely also to have an important role in both the origin and maintenance of adaptive genetic diversity. Our goal was to evaluate the potential roles of genetic connectivity and natural selection in the maintenance of adaptive phenotypic differences among morphs of Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, in Iceland. At a large spatial scale, we tested the predictive power of geographic structure and phenotypic variation for patterns of neutral genetic variation among populations throughout Iceland. At a smaller scale, we evaluated the genetic differentiation between two morphs in Lake Thingvallavatn relative to historically explicit, coalescent-based null models of the evolutionary history of these lineages. At the large spatial scale, populations are highly differentiated, but weakly structured, both geographically and with respect to patterns of phenotypic variation. At the intralacustrine scale, we observe modest genetic differentiation between two morphs, but this level of differentiation is nonetheless consistent with strong reproductive isolation throughout the Holocene. Rather than a result of the homogenizing effect of gene flow in a system at migration-drift equilibrium, the modest level of genetic differentiation could equally be a result of slow neutral divergence by drift in large populations. We conclude that contemporary and recent patterns of restricted gene flow have been highly conducive to the evolution and maintenance of adaptive genetic variation in Icelandic Arctic charr.     

Genetic diversity in populations of Dalbulus maidis (DeLong and Wolcott) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) from distant localities in Brazil assessed by RAPD-PCR markers

Populations of Dalbulus maidis (DeLong and Wolcott) from the northeastern and central-southern regions of Brazil differ morphologically, suggesting that they could be genetically isolated. Here we used the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to estimate genetic structuring of this leafhopper species among five geographically distant localities across those regions and to estimate gene flow between populations. Ten specimens were sampled per population and genotyped with RAPD markers generated from amplification with nine oligonucleotides. The percentage of polymorphic loci was 78% in relation to the total number of amplified loci, and genetic similarity either between or within populations was higher than 0.72. Cluster analysis grouped specimens from the northeastern population (Mossoró/RN) into a single group, whereas central-southern specimens were not grouped in relation to their places of origin. Overall, the genetic subdivision index (Fst) was low (or= 0.192 and Nm 相似文献   

Genetic variation of fish parasite populations in historically connected habitats: undetected habitat fragmentation effect on populations of the nematode Procamallanus fulvidraconis in the catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco

Habitat fragmentation may have some significant effects on population genetic structure because geographic distance and physical barriers may impede gene flow between populations. In this study, we investigated whether recent habitat fragmentation affected genetic structure and diversity of populations of the nematode Procamallanus fulvidraconis in the yellowhead catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. The nematode was collected from 12 localities in 7 floodplain lakes of the Yangtze River. Using 11 intersimple sequence repeat markers, analysis of molecular variance showed that genetic diversity occurred mainly within populations (70.26%). Expected heterozygosity (He) of P. fulvidraconis was barely different between connected (0.2105) and unconnected lakes (0.2083). Population subdivision (Fst) between connected lakes (0.2177) was higher than in unconnected lakes (0.1676). However, the connected and unconnected lakes did not cluster into 2 clades. A Mantel test revealed significant positive correlation between genetic and geographic distances (R = 0.5335, P < 0.01). These results suggest that habitat fragmentation did not cause genetic differentiation among populations or a reduction of diversity in isolated populations of P. fulvidraconis. At least 2 factors may increase the dispersal range of the nematode, i.e., flash flooding in summer and other species of fish that may serve as the definitive hosts. Moreover, lake fragmentation is probably a recent process; population size of the nematode in these lakes is large enough to maintain population structure.     

鄱阳湖及洞庭湖红鳍原鲌的群体分化研究

结合形态和线粒体Cyt b数据, 研究了鄱阳湖及洞庭湖定居性鱼类红鳍原鲌的6个地理群体(湖口群体、星子群体、都昌群体、鄱阳群体、余干群体和洞庭湖群体)共186尾样本的群体分化情况. 形态分析结果显示地理群体间形态差异较小. 遗传分析结果中, 群体间遗传分化指数(Fst) 为-0.00567-0.33429, 显示群体间存在较大遗传差异, 而单倍型分布和分子变异分析(AMOVA)也得到相似的结果. 根据群体遗传距离构建的系统树, 6个群体分为两大支: 洞庭湖群体与其他群体距离最远, 单独聚为一支; 星子、都昌、鄱阳和余干4群体聚成另一支, 而湖口群体处于两支的过渡位置. 因此, 群体间已产生显著遗传分化, 且主要体现在洞庭湖和鄱阳湖各群体间. 综合上述分析结果及红鳍原鲌的生活习性认为, 鄱阳湖及洞庭湖红鳍原鲌群体间的遗传分化是红鳍原鲌定居性的生活习性导致不同地理群体间长期的群体隔离、缺乏基因交流的结果.       

Allopolyploid origin and population genetics of the rare orchid Spiranthes diluvialis

The process of becoming and the attributes of being polyploid play a major role in the development and maintenance of genetic variation in allopolyploid species. A genetic survey employing protein electrophoresis on 12 populations of S. diluvialis, as well as on populations of eight congeneric species, was conducted to assess the putative allopolyploid origin of S. diluvialis and to determine the genetic variability within and among populations. Genetic identity values indicated S. diluvialis was more similar to S. magnicamporum (0.619) and S. romanzoffiana (0.727) than to any of the other congeneric species assayed. Similar to most allopolyploids, S. diluvialis showed high levels of fixed, or nearly fixed, heterozygosity and a high percentage of polymorphic loci (57.1-71.4%). The mean number of alleles per polymorphic locus in populations of S. diluvialis (2.6-3.3), however, was similar to mean values for both animal-pollinated, outcrossing, diploid species, and geographically restricted, diploid species (2.6 and 2.5, respectively). Genetic divergence among populations (mean Fst = 0.083) was low, leading to relatively high estimates of interpopulational gene flow (mean Nm = 5.41). Thus, each population harbors most of the genetic variability found within the species. The genetic variation observed within S. diluvialis supports the occurrence of at least two separate hybridization events giving rise to S. diluvialis.     

人工与自然恢复条件下地被层优势种大羽藓的遗传多样性比较

基于随机扩增多态性DNA(RAPD)方法比较了川西米亚罗地区3个人工云杉林样地和3个天然次生林样地大羽藓(Thuidium cym bifolium)种群的遗传多样性及分化程度。人工林种群的平均多态位点百分比(PPL)为12.7%,Ne i’s基因多样性(HE)为0.042,Shannon’s信息指数(S)为0.064,种群内遗传一致度(I)为0.952;天然次生林种群则依次为10.0%、0.027、0.043和0.960。人工林种群和天然次生林种群Gst分别为0.592和0.702,Fst分别为0.639和0.695;结合UPGMA聚类和PCA分析,发现种群间的基因交流极少。单因素方差分析显示,人工林下大羽藓种群的遗传多样性水平显著高于天然次生林下种群(p<0.05),表明在皆伐迹地上通过人工造林能有效地促进林下物种遗传多样性的恢复。     

中国穗状狐尾藻遗传多样性的初步分析

利用叶绿体DNA三个片段(trnK-matK、trnL-trnF、rpl32-trnL)对中国大陆广布的水生植物穗状狐尾藻(Myriophyllum spicatum L.)的遗传多样性进行了初步分析,以探讨其自然居群的遗传结构及具有广泛分布格局的可能机制。AMOVA分析显示,穗状狐尾藻8个居群间的遗传变异为84.97%,而居群内的遗传变异为15.03%,居群遗传分化系数(Fst)为0.85,表明穗状狐尾藻具有较高的遗传多样性(Hd=0.83)且主要存在于居群间,奠基者效应可能导致了最初的遗传差异,而隔离障碍(Nm=0.09)又进一步导致了居群间的遗传分化。基于17个单倍型构建的系统发育树和网络关系图均显示,单倍型H5和H6在居群中的分布范围最广且出现频率最高,表明H5和H6可能为最古老的祖先单倍型。Mantel检验表明居群间的遗传距离与地理距离之间不存在显著的相关性,失配分布检测结果显示穗状狐尾藻在历史上曾发生过扩张事件,而Tajima’s、FuLi’s D*和F*检测发现,该物种不存在明显的谱系地理格局,这可能与穗状狐尾藻种子的长距离扩散有关。     

Genetic variation over space and time: analyses of extinct and remnant lake trout populations in the Upper Great Lakes

Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in the upper Laurentian Great Lakes of North America experienced striking reductions in abundance and distribution during the mid-twentieth century. Complete collapse of populations was documented for Lake Michigan, and a few remnant populations remained only in lakes Huron and Superior. Using DNA obtained from historical scale collections, we analysed patterns of genetic diversity at five microsatellite loci from archived historical samples representing 15 populations (range 1940-1959) and from three contemporary remnant populations across lakes Huron and Superior (total n = 893). Demographic declines in abundance and the extirpation of native lake trout populations during the past 40 years have resulted in the loss of genetic diversity between lakes owing to extirpation of Lake Michigan populations and a temporal trend for reduction in allelic richness in the populations of lakes Superior and Huron. Naturally reproducing populations in Lake Superior, which had been considered to be remnants of historical populations, and which were believed to be responsible for the resurgence of lake trout numbers and distribution, have probably been affected by hatchery supplementation.     

Genetic signatures of historical bottlenecks in sympatric lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) morphotypes in Lake Superior

Humans have played a significant role in reducing levels of genetic diversity and differentiation of many teleost fishes, leading to homogenization across biological entities. We compare patterns of historical and contemporary genetic structure for three sympatric Great Lake??s lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) morphs (lean, siscowet, and humper) that differ in patterns of habitat occupancy, susceptibility to overfishing and predation by invasive sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus). Differential susceptibilities to overfishing and predation were expected to result in different impacts to levels of genetic diversity loss for each morphotype. Genetic data was collected for samples at three points in time: 1948 (pre-collapse), 1959 (collapse) and 1990s (current), corresponding to periods of intensive fishing, mortality due to lamprey and recovery, respectively. The lean morph preferentially targeted by the fishery and recognized as highly preyed upon by sea lamprey was more highly impacted genetically than other morphs, as evidenced by greater loss of genetic diversity first during the period of overfishing, then during the period of high sea lamprey abundance once the fishery collapsed. The siscowet morph also experienced genetic bottlenecks during the period of overfishing (pre-collapse period). Results indicate significant levels of genetic differentiation among morphs historically prior to declines in abundance and also among contemporary populations, suggesting that periods of population decline and resurgence in abundance and distribution did not result in loss of genetic distinctiveness among morphs.     

Rapid genetic divergence in postglacial populations of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus): the role of habitat type, drainage and geographical proximity

The goal of this study was to evaluate the role of common ancestry, and of geographical or reproductive isolation, in genetic divergence in populations of threespine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Using seven DNA microsatellite loci we compared the effects of habitat type, drainage system and geographical proximity on genetic distance among 16 populations situated in an area in Schleswig-Holstein (Germany) that became deglaciated approximately 12 000 years ago. Stickleback population structure correlated only weakly with drainage system, whereas the primary divergence was among habitat types. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that lake (n = 7) and river (n = 5) populations formed two distinct clades (Cavalli-Sforza's and Edwards' chord distance, 82-100% bootstrap support) at approximately equal genetic distances to a third clade, comprising putative estuarine (n = 4) ancestors. Allele frequencies in lake and river populations represented different subsets of the genetically more diverse estuarine populations. In nested amovas approximately twice the genetic variance was distributed among lake vs. river vs. estuarine populations as compared with the combined effects of drainage system and geographical distance. Limited gene flow between habitat types must have been established after postglacial colonization, suggesting ecological hybrid inferiority or behavioural mating barriers between ecotypes. Within estuarine and lake populations, population differentiation followed an isolation-by-distance model. Given the high observed heterozygosities within the 16 study populations (HO = 0.65-0.87), the mean divergence between lake and river population pairs (FST = 0.18 +/- 0.007) would be reached after 300-6000 generations in a stepwise mutation model, depending on the size of N(e). This demonstrates both the utility of hypervariable microsatellites for detecting recent population divergences and the danger of operating at temporal or spatial scales which are beyond their resolution.