Trophic ecology of the Southern Grey Shrike (Lanius meridionalis) in insular environments: the influence of altitude and seasonality

The seasonal diet and prey selection of the Southern Grey Shrike (Lanius meridionalis) was studied in two different insular habitats: shrub environments of the Canary Islands in coastal and high mountain zones. We measured, in each season, food availability and prey size in order to determine prey size selection of shrikes along an altitudinal gradient. Moreover, we compared the diet patterns observed with those documented on the continent, to determine if Southern Grey Shrikes in the islands’ high mountain zone (which has a continental climate) showed seasonal diet variation similar to those in northern continental areas. We analysed a total of 1,139 shrike pellets collected in 1 year and identified 10,179 prey items. Numerically arthropods (91%), and in terms of biomass lizards (70%) were the main prey consumed by the shrikes. The proportions of the main prey items differed significantly between seasons and habitats. Diet in the coastal areas was less variable than in the high mountain zone. The greater seasonal climatic variation in the high mountain zone was associated with diet patterns similar to those found in some northern continental areas, such as the Iberian Peninsula and southern France. Finally, shrikes selected the largest prey in the high mountain habitat. This suggests that foraging behaviour in this species is related to climatic conditions, as the biggest and most profitable prey were consumed in the most harsh habitats.     

Vineyards harbour a relict population of Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor) in Mediterranean France

Summary Modern agriculture contributed to the decline of many bird species through habitat degradation or habitat loss during the second half of the 20th century in western Europe. Areas where traditional agriculture has been maintained still allow many species to breed and survive, some of them now being considered as greatly threatened. The Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor) is among the most threatened breeding bird species in western Europe. In France, a relict population of 50–60 pairs still breeds at two sites in the Mediterranean area where, each year, the species spends the three months necessary to conduct its breeding cycle (this shrike is a long-distance migrant overwintering in southern Africa). The pairs nest in tall trees, isolated or in rows and, more importantly, depend on vineyards associated with grassy fallows. In one of these two sites west of Montpellier (Mediterranean France; 43°36N, 3°53E), a study of the land use around the nests showed the predominance of vineyards (range: 37.3 %–79.8 %) followed by fallows (10.8 %–48.2 %), and small orchards and gardens (0.5 %–7.5 %). What seems essential is that vineyards and fallows occur in a mosaic arrangement of small plots. Birds take their prey in both habitats but mostly in fallows. To secure the conservation of this shrike and other species sharing the same breeding habitats, efforts should be made to maintain the mosaic land use system prevailing in that wine-growing area.

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Ein Weinbaugebiet beherbergt eine Reliktpopulation des Schwarzstirnwürgers (Lanius minor) im mediterranen Südfrankreich

Zusammenfassung Durch Habitatszerstörung oder -schwund hat die moderne Landwirtschaft am Populations-zusammenbruch vieler Vogelarten in der 2. Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts massgeblich beigetragen. Diesbezüglich zählt der Schwarzstirnwürger (Lanius minor) zu den am meisten gefährdeten Arten in Westeuropa. In Frankreich brüten insgesamt noch etwa 50–60 Paare, die sich auf zwei Gebiete im mediterranen Süden verteilen. Die Art verweilt dort etwa drei Monate (Mai-Juli) und ist ein Langstreckenzieher, der im südlichen Afrika überwintert. Der Lebensraum dieser Brutpaare besteht aus vereinzelt oder in Reihen stehenden Nistbäumen in einem mit grasigen Brachflächen durchsetzten Weinbaugebiet. In einem der zwei noch bestehenden Brutgebiete (westlich der Stadt Montpellier; 43°36N, 3°53E) wurde die Landnutzung in einem Umkreis von 500 m um 27 Nester näher untersucht. In den untersuchten Brutrevieren überwiegt Weinbau (37,3 %–79,8 %), gefolgt von grasigen Brachflächen (10,8 %–48,2 %) sowie Klein- und Obstgärten (0,5 %–7,5 %). Wichtig erscheint das mosaikartige Vorkommen von kleinparzelligen Weinbau- und Brachflächen. Die Vögel beziehen ihre Nahrung aus beiden Habitaten, hauptsächlich aber aus den Brachflächen. Diese Art von Landnutzung ist unentbehrlich für die weitere Erhaltung des Schwarzstirnwürgers als Brutvogel in Frankreich.

     

Phylogenetic relationships of glyptosternoid fishes (Siluriformes: Sisoridae) inferred from mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences

To explore phylogenetic relationships among glyptosternoid fishes, we determined nucleotide sequences of the complete mitochondrial cytochrome b gene region (1138 base pair). Thirteen species of glyptosternoid fishes and six species of non-glyptosternoids represent 10 sisorid genera were examined. Molecular phylogenetic trees were constructed using the maximum parsimony, minimum evolution, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian methods. Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses support the monophyly of glyptosternoids, but our hypothesis of internal relationships differs from previous hypothesis. Results indicated that glyptosternoid is a monophyletic group and genera Glyptosternum and Exostoma are two basal species having a primitive position among it. Genera Euchiloglanis and Pareuchiloglanis form a sister-group. Then they form a sister-group with Pseudexostoma plus Oreoglanis. Our result also found that Pareuchiloglanis anteanalis might be considered as the synonyms of Parechiloglanis sinensis, and genus Euchiloglanis might have only one valid species, Euchiloglanis davidi.     

Molecular phylogeny of the speciose vole genus Microtus (Arvicolinae, Rodentia) inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences

Voles of the genus Microtus represent one of the most speciose mammalian genera in the Holarctic. We established a molecular phylogeny for Microtus to resolve contentious issues of systematic relationships and evolutionary history in this genus. A total of 81 specimens representing ten Microtus species endemic to Europe as well as eight Eurasian, six Asian and one Holarctic species were sequenced for the entire cytochrome b gene (1140 bp). A further 25 sequences were retrieved from GenBank, providing data on an additional 23, mainly Nearctic, Microtus species. Phylogenetic analysis of these 48 species generated four well-supported monophyletic lineages. The genus Chionomys, snow voles, formed a distinct and well-supported lineage separate from the genus Microtus. The subgenus Microtus formed the strongest supported lineage with two sublineages displaying a close relationship between the arvalis species group (common voles) and the socialis species group (social voles). Monophyly of the Palearctic pitymyid voles, subgenus Terricola, was supported, and this subgenus was also subdivided into two monophyletic species groups. Together, these groupings clarify long-standing taxonomic uncertainties in Microtus. In addition, the "Asian" and the Nearctic lineages reported previously were identified although the latter group was not supported. However, relationships among the main Microtus branches were not resolved, suggesting a rapid and potentially simultaneous radiation of a widespread ancestor early in the history of the genus. This and subsequent radiations discernible in the cytochrome b phylogeny, show the considerable potential of Microtus for analysis of historical and ecological determinants of speciation in small mammals. It is evident that speciation is an ongoing process in the genus and that the molecular data provides a vital insight into current species limits as well as cladogenic events of the past.     

Phylogenetic relationships among Palearctic and Nearctic burbot (Lota lota): Pleistocene extinctions and recolonization

The burbot (Lota lota Linnaeus, 1758) is the only freshwater species from the cod family. Various taxonomic hypotheses were tested against molecular data by sequencing the mitochondrial cytochrome b locus of 120 burbot from 41 populations together with the related species Molva molva (ling) and Brosme brosme (tusk), which represented the other Lotinae genera. Within the genus Lota two distinct phylogroups were observed: one in North America south of the Great Slave Lakes (Lota lota maculosa) and one in Eurasia and the remainder of the Nearctic region (Lota lota lota). The burbot lineage separated 10 Myr BP from the other Lotinae, while the genetic variation within burbot appeared to be approximately 1 Myr old. However, fossil evidence suggested that burbot already existed in the Early Pliocene in Europe, from were it probably colonized North America in the Early Pleistocene. While Nearctic burbot survived climatic oscillations and diverged in several refugia, the Eurasian form became extinct or was reduced to a very small population. In the Late Pleistocene the species recolonized the Palearctic region to establish its present distribution range.     

Genetic characterization of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) populations from Greece using mitochondrial DNA sequences

Wild common carp from two lakes and two rivers in Greece were genetically characterized with sequencing analysis of two mitochondrial DNA segments: cytochrome b (1119 bp) and D-loop (646 bp). A total of 9 variable singleton sites and 7 unique haplotypes were detected. A common haplotype was found in three out of the four populations examined, which seems to be the ancestral one and represents the European origin of common carp from Greece. This haplotype could be also justified by the introductions reported with individuals belonging to the Central European race, into many natural habitats in Greece. Limited genetic variation — in Evros and Aliakmonas populations — could be due to bottleneck effects and small effective population sizes, whereas the different haplotypes found in Lake Volvi could represent different common carp stocks. Values of sequence divergence among Greek haplotypes ranged from 0.0006 to 0.0023. The Neighbour-Joining (NJ) phylogenetic tree constructed based on the combined sequences, reveals that the populations of common carp from Greece belong to the European group of populations — which is highly divergent from the South East-Asia cluster — and to the subspecies Cyprinus carpio carpio.     

Molecular phylogenetic relationship of Epinephelus based on sequences of mtDNA Cty b

The mtDNA Cyt b gene was sequenced partially for Variola louti of Serranidae, Epinephelinae and seven endemic species of groupers—Epinephelus awoara, E. brunneus, E. coioides, E. longispinis, E. sexfasciatus, E. spilotoceps and E. tauvina in China. The seven endemic species and other seven foreign species of groupers—E. aeneus, E. caninus, E. drummondhayi, E. haifensis, E. labriformis, E. marginatus and E. multinotatus from the GenBank were combined and analysed as ingroup, while Variola louti was used as outgroup. We compared the 420 bp sequences of Cyt b among the 15 species and constructed two types of molecular phylogenetic trees with maximum parsimony method (MP) and neighbor-joining method (NJ) respectively. The results were as follows: (1) As to the base composition of mtDNA Cyt b sequence (402 bp) of 14 species of Epinephelus, the content of (A + T) was 53.6%, higher than that of (G + C) (46.4%). The transition/transversion ratio was 4.78 with no mutation saturation. (2) The cluster relationships between E. awoara and E. sexfasciatus, E. coioides and E. tauvina, E. longispinis and E. spilotoceps were consistent with phenotypes in taxonomy. (3) In the phylogenetic tree, the species in the Atlantic Ocean were associated closely with those in the Pacific Ocean, which suggested that the Cyt b sequences of Epinephelus were highly conserved. This may be attributed to the coordinate evolution. (4) In wel1-bred mating or heredity management, mating Epinephelus of the same branch should be avoided. It is likely to be an effective way to mate the species of the Atlantic Ocean with those of the Pacific Ocean to improve the inheritance species. __________ Translated from Acta Hydrobiologica Sinica, 2006, 30(4): 432–438 [译自: 水生生物学报]     

Phylogenetic relationships in the Hamamelidaceae: Evidence from the nucleotide sequences of the plastid genematK

The Hamamelidaceae is a family that bridges the basal elements of the Rosidae and the lower Hamamelidae, thus a better understanding of the phylogeny of the family is important for clarifying evolutionary patterns in the diversification of eudicots. However, subfamilial as well as tribal relationships in the Hamamelidaceae have been controversial. Nucleotide sequences of the chloroplast genematK were used to study the intergeneric relationships of the family. In the phylogenetic trees, constructed using parsimony analysis, the clade containingAltingia andLiquidambar (Altingioideae) is sister to a clade that includes all other Hamamelidaceae.Exbucklandia andRhodoleia form a clade, suggesting a close relationship between the two genera.Disanthus is sister to the monophyletic Hamamelidoideae. The paraphyletic arrangement ofDisanthus, Mytilaria andExbucklandia with respect to the Hamamelidoideae does not support the combination of these genera in one subfamily. In the Hamamelidoideae, thematK phylogeny supports the monophyly of several previously recognized groups with modifications, including the tribes Eustigmateae (incl.Molinadendron), Fothergilleae (excl.Molinadendron andMatudaea), and the subtribe Dicoryphinae. However, the Hamamelideae as traditionally circumscribed is polyphyletic. Apetaly has evolved three times independently in the Hamamelidoideae.     

Mitochondrial DNA phylogeography of red deer (Cervus elaphus)

In order to understand the origin, phylogeny, and phylogeography of the species Cervus elaphus, we examined the DNA sequence variation of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of 51 populations of deer from the entire distribution area of Cervinae with an emphasis on Europe and Asia. Several methods, including maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and nested clade analysis, revealed that red deer originated from the area between Kyrgyzstan and Northern India. We found two distinct groups of red deer: a western group consisting of four subgroups and an eastern group consisting of three subgroups. Our mtDNA data do not support the traditional classification of red deer as only one species nor its division into numerous subspecies. The discrepancies between the geographical pattern of differentiation based on mtDNA cytochrome b and the existing specific and subspecific taxonomy based on morphology are discussed.     

Temporal changes and sexual differences of impaling behavior in Southern Grey Shrike (Lanius meridionalis)

The Southern Grey Shrike (Lanius meridionalis) is a common resident along the rift valley. During 2007-2008 we studied the impaling behavior of Southern Grey Shrikes at the Shezaf nature reserve by food supplementation. Our findings indicate seasonal shifts in impaling behavior. During the winter, there was no difference between the sexes and shrikes impaled house mice (Mus musculus) close to their territorial boundaries with neighboring conspecifics. All impaled mice disappeared from the tree within a few hours of impalement. During the mating season, males impaled the whole prey and let females eat it, and prey was impaled by both sexes only in order to dismember and feed the nestlings. Shrikes impaled and cached meal worms only after they were satiated. The number of meal worms taken to be hoarded increased during the non-breeding season, but during the breeding season male shrikes preferred to feed the females. During the entire research period we did not find any specific cache sites or trees and no prey remained impaled for extended periods of time. In conclusion, impaling prey changed temporally and between sexes: from being a signal for conspecifics to pair bonding.     

Phylogenetic relationships and biogeography of the genus Chondrostoma inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences

A phylogeny of the species of the nase genus Chondrostoma was constructed from a complete mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (1140 bp). Molecular phylogeny was used to revise the current systematics of this group, and to infer a biogeographical model of the Mediterranean area during the Cenozoic period. We confirmed the monophyly of the genus Chondrostoma, and defined seven different lineages within it: Polylepis, Arcasii, Lemmingii, Toxostoma, Nasus, C. genei, and C. soetta. The separation of main lineages within Chondrostoma occurred in the Middle-Upper Miocene, approximately 11 million years ago, while the greatest species radiation took place in the Pliocene close to the time the current drainages system were created. It is unlikely that this genus experienced an extensive dispersal during the Messinian, in the Lago-Mare Phase. Given the level of current knowledge, a biogeographical model constructed on the basis of vicariant events seems more realistic than does a dispersalist model.     

Evolutionary and biogeographic patterns of the Badidae (Teleostei: Perciformes) inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data

We reconstructed phylogenetic relationships of the family Badidae using both mitochondrial and nuclear nucleotide sequence data to address badid systematics and to evaluate the role of vicariant speciation on their evolution and current distribution. Phy-logenetic hypotheses were derived from complete cytochrome b (1,140 base pairs) sequences of 33 individuals representing 13 badid species, and using three species of Nandidae as outgroups. Additionally, we sequenced the nuclear RAG1 (1,473 base pairs) and Tmo-4C4 (511 base pairs) genes from each of the badid species and one representative of the outgroup. Our molecular data provide the first phylogenetic hypothesis of badid intrarelationships. Analysis of the mitochondrial and nuclear nucleotide sequence data sets resulted in well-supported trees, indicating a basal split between the genera Dario and Badis, and further supporting the division of the genus Badis into five species groups as suggested by a previous taxonomic revision of the Badidae. Within the genus Badis, mitochondrial and nuclear phylogenies differed in the relative position of B. kyar. We also used our molecular phylogeny to test a vicariant speciation hypothesis derived from geological evidence of large-scale changes in drainage patterns in the Miocene affecting the Irrawaddy- and Tsangpo-Brahmaputra drainages, in the southeastern Himalaya. Within both genera, Badis and Dario, we observed a divergence into Irrawaddy- and Tsangpo-Brahmaputra clades. Using a cytb substitution rate of 8.2 x 10(-9) (substitutions x base pair(-1) x year(-1), we tentatively date this vicariant event at the Oligocene-Miocene boundary (19-24Myr). It is concordant with a hypothesized paleo connection of the Tsangpo river with the Irrawaddy drainage that was most likely interrupted during Miocene orogenic events through tectonic uplifts in eastern Tibet. Our data, therefore, indicate a substantial role of vicariant-based speciation shaping the current distribution patterns of badids.     

Molecular genetics of Rhabdomys pumilio subspecies boundaries: mtDNA phylogeography and karyotypic analysis by fluorescence in situ hybridization

The phylogeography of the African four-striped mouse, Rhabdomys pumilio, was investigated using complete sequences of the mtDNA cytochrome b gene (1140 bp) and a combination of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and conventional cytogenetic banding techniques (G- and C-banding). Two cytotypes (2n=46 and 2n=48) were identified by cytogenetic analysis. There is no evidence of diploid number variation within populations, difference in gross chromosome morphology or of subtle interchromosomal rearrangements at levels detected by ZOO-FISH. Analysis of the mtDNA cytochrome b resulted in two major lineages that correspond roughly to the xeric and mesic biotic zones of southern Africa. One mtDNA clade comprises specimens with 2n=48 and the other representatives of two cytotypes (2n=48 and 2n=46). The mean sequence divergence (12%, range 8.3–15.6%) separating the two mtDNA clades is comparable to among-species variation within murid genera suggesting their recognition as distinct species, the prior names for which would be R. dilectus and R. pumilio. Low sequence divergences and the diploid number dichotomy within the mesic lineage support the recognition of two subspecies corresponding to R. d. dilectus (2n=46) and R. d. chakae (2n=48). Our data do not support subspecific delimitation within the nominate, R. pumilio. Molecular dating places cladogenesis of the two putative species at less than five million years, a period characterised by extensive climatic oscillations which are thought to have resulted in habitat fragmentation throughout much of the species range.     

Cryptic diversity in a Eurasian water snake (Natrix tessellata, Serpentes: Colubridae): Evidence from mitochondrial sequence data and nuclear ISSR-PCR fingerprinting

The dice snake, Natrix tessellata (Laurenti, 1768), is a suitable study organism to address questions of Eurasian phylogeography due to its wide Palearctic distribution. We analysed complete mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences and nuclear ISSR-PCR fingerprints of more than 300 specimens representing nearly the entire geographic range. Nine major mitochondrial lineages were discovered based on mtDNA sequences. The three most basal lineages comprised populations from Iran, Jordan–Egypt, and Greece, respectively. Other lineages were associated with samples from the Turkish peninsula, the Caucasus, the Aral Sea, and eastern Kazakhstan. A sister-group relationship was found between two lineages from Crete and the European mainland. Assuming an evolutionary rate of 1.35% sequence divergence per million years, among-lineage p-distances of 1.7–8.4% suggest that intraspecific differentiation might date back as far as the Miocene/Pliocene transition 5–6 million years ago. The pattern of genetic differentiation in mitochondrial phylogeny with regard to Asia Minor and the region of the Aral Sea was not congruent with the results of the nuclear ISSR-PCR analyses, and suggests admixing within some mtDNA clades at contact zones. The taxonomic implications of the high intraspecific variation in the dice snake are discussed.     

Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of woolly flying squirrel (Rodentia: Sciuridae), inferred from mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences

To investigate the genetic diversity between the populations of woolly flying squirrels (Eupetaurus) from the eastern and western extremes of the Himalayas, partial mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences (390-810 bp) that were determined from the museum specimens were analyzed using maximum parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. The molecular data reveal that the two specimens that were collected in northwestern Yunnan (China) are members of the genus Eupetaurus. Reconstructed phylogenetic relationships show that the populations of Eupetaurus in the eastern and western extremes of the Himalayas are two distinct species with significant genetic differences (12%) and diverged about 10.8 million years ago. Eupetaurus is significantly different from Petaurista and Pteromys. The level of estimated pairwise-sequence divergence observed between Eupetaurus and Petaurista or Pteromys is greater than that observed between Eupetaurus and Trogopterus, Belomys, Glaucomys, or Hylopetes. Considering the divergence time of the two Eupetaurus groups, the glaciations and the uplift of the Himalayas and Qinghai-Tibet plateau during the Pliocene-Pleistocene period might be the major factors affecting the present distribution of Eupetaurus along the Himalayas.     

宝兴百合与匍茎百合遗传多样性的ISSR分析

利用5条ISSR引物对宝兴百合(Lilium duchartrei)9个居群和匍茎百合(Lilium lankongense)13个居群的遗传多样性进行了初步检测。结果表明:(1)宝兴百合在物种水平上多态位百分率(PPB)为97.26%,Nei’s基因多样度(H)为0.309 8,Shannon’s多样性信息指数(Hsp)为0.469 4;匍茎百合在物种水平上多态位百分率(PPB)为100%,Nei’s基因多样度(H)为0.3390,Shannon’s多样性信息指数(Hsp)为0.503 0,均略高于宝兴百合。(2)宝兴百合与匍茎百合的遗传多样性在居群水平上相对较低;宝兴百合和匍茎百合居群间遗传分化系数(Gst)分别为0.642 5和0.563 7,表明2个物种居群间的遗传分化大于居群内的遗传分化。(3)经Mantel检测,两种居群间的遗传距离与地理距离均不存在显著的相关性(宝兴百合r=0.263 7,P=0.844 0;匍茎百合r=0.104 2,P=0.695 0);宝兴百合与匍茎百合的遗传多样性及遗传分化现状可能是两者的生活史特性、地理隔离等作用的结果。(4)UPGMA聚类结果显示,宝兴百合与匍茎百合在分子水平上出现了明显分化,支持二者是独立的物种。     

香菇单孢杂交及耐高温杂交子的ISSR分析

以香菇菌株L135和P18N44为亲本进行单孢杂交,通过显微镜镜检锁状联合以及与亲本的拮抗试验初步获得123个杂交子。以47 ℃热激3 h后菌丝在PDA培养基中的恢复生长情况进行初筛,菌丝在木屑培养基中经历33 ℃高温后的恢复长速进行复筛,共筛选获得耐高温杂交子12个。选用8条引物对12个耐高温杂交子和2个亲本进行了ISSR标记分析,结果表明这12株耐高温杂交子与亲本都存在一定的遗传差异,说明与亲本相比杂交子在基因水平上发生了不同程度的重组,是新的香菇耐高温菌株。     

Genetic variation of the genus Kengyilia by ISSR markers

We investigated the genetic variation within 32 accessions distributed to 14 species and one variety by using ISSR (inter-simple sequence repeat) markers. The results showed that genetic variation was relatively higher among the accessions. A total of 593 bands were amplified by 12 ISSR primers, of which 535 bands (90.2%) were polymorphic. Eleven to 80 polymorphic bands were amplified from each prime, with an average of 44.6 bands. The interspecies GS (genetic similarity) value ranged from 0.430 to 0.866, and the average was 0.620. Cluster analysis showed that all accessions could be classified into 4 groups by ISSR markers. The different accessions in a species were clustered together, but they had genetic variation in molecular levels. There was obvious interspecies genetic variation. Species with similar morphological characteristics and from the same areas or neighboring geographical regions were clustered together and had close relationships. ISSR markers are useful in analyzing interspecies variation in Kengyilia. __________ Translated from Guihaia, 2006, 26 (4): 375–380 [译自: 广西植物]