Climate in relation to deterioration of stored grain

Summary A hypothesis elucidating the basic relationship between abiotic climatic variates and the deterioration of stored grain by biotic agents was developed for the 41 crop districts in the Prairie Provinces of Canada. Principal component (7 variates measured) and canonical correlation (6 variates measured) analyses were applied to data from each of the 3 crop years (1967–1969), for each of the 3 principal component analyses and for each of the 3 canonical correlation analyses. The data consisted of crop district means of infestation reports from 2522 managers of grain elevators and also of representative meteorological observations from each crop district. The major variates measured were the number of reports of: hot spots, infestations of a) fungus beetles and mites, and b) Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), and grain fumigants. The climatic variates consisted of mean temperature, precipitation, and number of days above 20° C (68° F) for July, August and September. Three major components, which together explained 64–80% of the variation, indicated broadly similar trends in all analyses. The first component indicated that lower mean temperatures and larger numbers of cool days increased the incidence of fungus-induced hot spots in wet harvested grain. The second component indicated the extent of arthropod infestations: warmer weather increased C. ferrugineus infestation, whereas cooler weather increased infestation by mites and secondary insect species. The third component was a measure of precipitation. Canonical correlation analyses based on 1967 and 1969 data yielded canonical roots that were statistically insignificant at the 1% level. Analyses of 3 external abiotic and 3 biotic response variates based on 1968 data showed that only the first pair of canonical variates was significant, the degree of predictability (R _c ² ) being 56% (P<0.01). The analyses revealed that lower temperatures, a greater number of cool days, and higher precipitation increased the number of hot spots in 1968 confirming the findings of the principal component analyses. The pattern of hot spot development in relation to climatic characteristics was similar in all crop districts for all years examined. There was a linear relationship between climatic and biotic variates for all these crop districts but the degree of relationship varied geographically. The first and second principal component values for each crop district were ranked and plotted on a climatic map of the Prairie Provinces. The ranking showed that the incidence of hot spots and arthropod infestations was highest in the Sub-boreal and Humid southeastern regions, whereas the incidence was lowest in the Dry Belt region. C. ferrugineus was most common in the Humid southeastern region.Contribution No. 522 from Canada Department of Agriculture, Research Station, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2M9, Canada.     

Biometrical variability of foliage and cone characters inCupressus bakeri (Cupressaceae)

Biometrical variability of foliage, cones, and seeds were analyzed in 8 native populations (throughout the range) of a relictual species,Cupressus bakeri Jeps. (Cupressaceae) from California and Oregon. The partition of variation within and among populations for this rare plant was investigated and the justification for subspecies status was reviewed. Morphological characters varied significantly, with more of the variation among populations than at the population level. Multivariate analyses indicated close affinities among populations on serpentine sites suggesting the presence of a serpentine race. However, the high degree of variation among populations did not permit their clear separation into the two subspecies described byWolf (1948). We conclude thatC. bakeri should be treated as a monotypic species.     

Morphometric analysis of disjunctPapaver radicatum (Papaveraceae) populations in southern Norway

Morphometric relationships between populations ofPapaver radicatum within the southern Norwegian mountains were investigated using canonical variates analysis andWard's clustering on capsule and leaf character sets. The survey describes patterns of variation among 13 wild-scored populations from five geographically disjunct localities, usually assigned to five races or subspecies. Our results from wild-collected material largely support earlier findings based on univariate statistics on cultivated material. In general, populations from within a disjunct locality (=subspecies) are most similar to other populations from the same locality. However, the subspecies vary in the degree to which they are differentiated in capsule morphology. The subsp.groevudalense populations are morphologically close to the main group of subsp.ovatilobum populations. Subspp.intermedium andoeksendalense are clearly distinct from one another and from the other subspecies, whereas the single subsp.gjaerevolli population is more similar to theovatilobum/groevudalense complex. Variation in leaf characters showed only partial congruence with variation in capsule characters. The pattern of morphological relationships among the subspecies is thus more complex than previously thought. The subspecies may have become differentiated during a period of isolation, but such results alone cannot indicate the duration of such a period.     

Population genetics of Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera): comparison of native and introduced populations

Background: Invasive species can interfere in the structure and functioning of ecosystems. Better understanding of the evolution of such species will be useful when planning their management and eradication.

Aims: We aimed to compare patterns of genetic variability in Impatiens glandulifera in native and introduced regions.

Methods: We used native samples from India and Pakistan, and non-native samples from Canada, Finland and the UK. Genetic analyses included genotyping using 10 microsatellite markers and sequencing of the nuclear ITS region.

Results: Mean allele numbers from native and introduced samples were even, 8.8 and 8.5, respectively, while expected heterozygosities were higher in native samples (mean 0.738) than in non-native samples (mean 0.477). Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium testing indicated significant heterozygote deficiencies at 70% of the loci. Inbreeding coefficients were high in both native and introduced regions (range 0.201–0.726). STRUCTURE analyses showed that native samples from India and Pakistan possessed similar clustering patterns while non-native samples from the UK and Canada resembled each other. One of the four Finnish populations had a similar pattern with the UK and Canadian populations, while the rest showed similarly unique genetic compositions. ITS sequencing indicated in Pakistani samples two polymorphic sites not found in Indian samples but present in some samples from Canada, Finland and the UK.

Conclusions: Distinct population genetic patterns indicate that human-mediated dispersal is important in I. glandulifera.     

Geographic variation of sex pheromone and mitochondrial DNA in Diatraea saccharalis (Fab., 1794) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

(9Z,11E)-hexadecadienal and (Z11)-hexadecenal, the main sex pheromone components of the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis, were identified and quantified from four Brazilian and one Colombian populations using GC-EAD, GC-MS and GC analyses. Three different ratios were observed, 9:1, 6:1, and 3:1. The pheromone concentration for the major component, (9Z,11E)-hexadecadienal, varied from 6.8 ng/gland to 21.9 ng/gland and from 1.7 ng/gland to 6.5 to the minor component, (Z11)-hexadecenal. The 25 D. saccharalis cytochrome oxidase II sequences that were analyzed showed low intra-specific variation and represented only 11 haplotypes, with the most frequent being the one represented by specimens from São Paulo, Paraná, and Pernambuco states. Specimens from Colombia showed the highest genetic divergence from the others haplotypes studied. Data on the genetic variability among specimens, more than their geographic proximity, were in agreement with data obtained from analyses of the pheromone extracts. Our data demonstrate a variation in pheromone composition and a covariation in haplotypes of the D. saccharalis populations studied.     

Intraspecific Morphological Variation Among Populations of Pratylenchus brachyurus and P. coffeae

Three populations of Pratylenchus coffeae and two of P. brachyurus, each originating from a single female, were maintained on Citrus spp. or Solanum nigrum L. for several years under greenhouse conditions. Nematodes were extracted from roots, and adult female specimens were killed, fixed, and mounted in glycerine for microscopic study. Variables measured were distance between vulva and anus and lengths of the stylet, posterior uterine sac, and tail. The mean data and coefficients of variability suggest that styler length had the least variability, and length of posterior uterine sac the most. When males and distinct spermathecae are not evident in P. coffeae populations, the species can he distinguished from P. brachyurus by a shorter mean stylet length, longer mean posterior uterine sac length, and much longer distance between the vulva and anus.     

Genetic diversity and genome size variability in Linum austriacum (Lineaceae) populations

Genetic diversity and genome size variability were studied in 16 geographical populations of Linum austriacum (Lineaceae). Genetic diversity parameters were determined in each population based on ISSR molecular markers. AMOVA test, Gst value and Hickory test revealed significant molecular difference among the studied populations. Mantel test showed correlation between genetic distance and geographical distance in these populations. NJ tree and NeighborNet network grouped the studied plant specimens in 3 major clusters. STRUCTURE analysis identified 12 allelic combinations in agreement with K-Means clustering result. These analyses revealed the presence of genetic variability both among and within studied population. The plant specimens of these geographical populations also differed significantly in their genome size.     

Compatibility of codling moths Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from South Africa with codling moths shipped from Canada

The sterile insect technique (SIT) has been successfully applied against codling moth Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera; Tortricidae) in British Columbia since 1992 where the mass‐rearing facility produces between 15 and 16 million moths per week. Due to the seasonality of this pest, the facility is only fully utilized for part of the year. The time and expense of implementing SIT against codling moth in South Africa may be substantially reduced if moths from Canada were sexually compatible with those from South Africa. In addition, because the pome fruit‐growing season in both countries is opposite, the programme in Canada might benefit by maintaining moth production year‐round and selling moths to South Africa. Semi‐field studies in small cages and release‐recapture studies were conducted in an unsprayed apple orchard in South Africa to assess mating compatibility of laboratory‐reared codling moth from Canada and wild codling moths from South Africa. The results suggest that Canadian codling moth males were equally attracted to calling Canadian and South African females despite the fact that Canadian moths had been transported (from Canada to South Africa) for 48 h as both pupae and adults. The data also suggest that at lower field temperatures Canadian moths were more active than South African moths. Results from the release‐recapture field trials indicated that Canadian and South African males were equally attracted to Canadian and South African females. These results suggest that codling moths from Canada and South Africa are fully compatible and indicate that Canadian moths can be used for SIT studies in South Africa. As these studies were conducted with moths from two very different climatic and time zones, it is proposed that populations of codling moth in other pome fruit production areas may also be compatible with the Canadian moths.     

Canonical correlation analysis of abiotic and biotic variates in insect-infested grain bulks

Summary The impact of insect infestation on several biotic and abiotic variates in 3 small bulk-wheat ecosystems was studied by measuring these variates at monthly intervals during 1969–1970. One ecosystem was insect-free, the second was artificially infested with Cryptolestes ferrugineus and Oryzaephilus surinamensis, and the third with Sitophilus granarius and Tribolium castaneum. The relationships between 8 environmental and 8 entomological and microbial variates were examined by canonical correlation analyses. The degree of predictability (R _c ² ) of the first pair of canonical variates in the 3 ecosystems ranged from 80% to 95%. The first 2 pairs of canonical variates were highly significant in all 3 analyses (P<0.01). In the insect-free ecosystems the canonical variates revealed that temperature and the period of storage were the primary environmental antecedents involved and the criterion was composed primarily of the field fungus Alternaria and the storage fungus Aspergillus. In the second ecosystem uric acid level in the grain bulk was an additional environmental factor that affected the population of both species of insects and 3 kinds of fungi Altrnaria, Aspergillus, and Penicillium. In the third ecosystem temperature, time, uric acid and moisture interacted collectively, with density of insect populations, reduction of Alternaria, and increase of Aspergillus.Contribution No. 502 from Research Station, Canada Department of Agriculture, Winnipeg, Canada. Based partly on a paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., on 28 December, 1970.     

Population structure of Purple Sandpipers (Calidris maritima) as revealed by mitochondrial DNA and microsatellites

The Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima) is a medium‐sized shorebird that breeds in the Arctic and winters along northern Atlantic coastlines. Migration routes and affiliations between breeding grounds and wintering grounds are incompletely understood. Some populations appear to be declining, and future management policies for this species will benefit from understanding their migration patterns. This study used two mitochondrial DNA markers and 10 microsatellite loci to analyze current population structure and historical demographic trends. Samples were obtained from breeding locations in Nunavut (Canada), Iceland, and Svalbard (Norway) and from wintering locations along the coast of Maine (USA), Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland (Canada), and Scotland (UK). Mitochondrial haplotypes displayed low genetic diversity, and a shallow phylogeny indicating recent divergence. With the exception of the two Canadian breeding populations from Nunavut, there was significant genetic differentiation among samples from all breeding locations; however, none of the breeding populations was a monophyletic group. We also found differentiation between both Iceland and Svalbard breeding populations and North American wintering populations. This pattern of divergence is consistent with a previously proposed migratory pathway between Canadian breeding locations and wintering grounds in the United Kingdom, but argues against migration between breeding grounds in Iceland and Svalbard and wintering grounds in North America. Breeding birds from Svalbard also showed a genetic signature intermediate between Canadian breeders and Icelandic breeders. Our results extend current knowledge of Purple Sandpiper population genetic structure and present new information regarding migration routes to wintering grounds in North America.     

Genomic population structure of Grass Pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus) in Canada: management guidance for an at-risk fish at its northern range limit

Eighty nine (42%) of Canada’s 215 freshwater fish species have been assessed as at risk by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. This study examines genomic population structure of the at-risk Grass Pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus), a small (≤?33 cm) predatory fish that in Canada has a range spanning approximately 114,000 km² of southern Ontario. Within this range it occupies approximately ten sites that are mostly shallow, weedy, and slow-flowing. Its populations and habitat are declining. This study defines population clusters and quantifies genomic diversity within and between populations based on?>?5500 loci and?>?950 SNPs from genomes of 66 individuals representing the subspecies’ entire Canadian range. Ordination and STRUCTURE analyses revealed four major geographic/genomic clusters centered in the Georgian Bay-Severn River, southeastern shore of Lake Huron, Niagara Peninsula, and upper St. Lawrence River. Major clusters were distinguished by relatively high Hudson Fst values (0.205–0.480), with Georgian Bay-Severn River being consistently most distinct. The Niagara Peninsula major cluster contained an additional three discernable sub-clusters differentiated by Fst values as great or greater than major clusters, despite spanning only ca. 200 km². Genomically distinct Niagara sub-clusters occurred in Abino Drain, Big Forks Creek, and Tea Creek. Samples from sites between both major and minor clusters exhibited admixture from adjacent clusters. Despite current management of Grass Pickerel under a single designatable unit throughout its Canadian range, we map considerable geographic population structure that should help guide the designation of additional conservation units.

     

Assessment of genetic relationships among native and introduced Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) plants based on genome profiling

We conducted genomic characterization based on SNP and SilicoDArT markers on the invasive Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) plants originating from native and non‐native regions of their distribution. When genetic relationships were explored by PCoA using SNP and SilicoDArT marker data, the first, second, and third principal coordinates explained altogether 37.4% and 31.0% of the variability, respectively. Samples from the UK, Canada, and Pakistan were grouped together, while Indian plants were clearly distinct based on SNP markers but relatively close to the UK–Canada–Pakistan group based on SilicoDArT markers. Constructed trees differentiated individuals into clusters resembling the PCoA patterns. The Bayesian BAPS analysis performed for the SNP data revealed that the individuals were distributed in seven clusters, representing samples from each of the four Finnish populations, India, Pakistan, and the combination of the UK and Canada. Similar clustering was visible in the UPGMA tree. The Indian cluster did not display any ancestral gene flow with the others, while the Pakistani cluster showed ancestral gene flow only with the combined UK and Canada cluster. Furthermore, the latter cluster displayed ancestral gene flow with the Finnish populations varying from 0% to 3.1%. The BAPS analyses conducted for the SilicoDArT data differ slightly: The individuals were distributed in nine clusters, and the Indian cluster exhibited ancestral gene flow with the mixed cluster including Canadian, Pakistani, and UK samples, and one Finnish sample. The AMOVA showed that 45% and 26% of variation was present among the I. glandulifera groups/populations and the rest within them based on SNP and SilicoDArT markers, respectively. The Bayesian BAPS analyses and the gene flow networks were the most informative tools for resolving relationships among native and introduced plants. It is notable that the small sample sizes for non‐Finnish plant materials may affect the accuracy of the gene flow and other estimates.     

Biosystematic studies inTulipa sect.Eriostemones (Liliaceae)

Evolutionary relationships and infra- and interspecific variability within the species ofTulipa sect.Eriostemones Boissier were studied. Measurements of 35 morphological characters were used for principal component and canonical variate analyses. Crossing experiments and chromosome counts were carried out. Two axes of morphological variation were encountered within the principal component plot. Variation of subsect.Biflores was traced along one axis, the species of subsect.Australes as well asSaxatiles were found along the other axis. The nomenclature of names of subsect.Biflores was considered on the basis of their geography, specific morphological characteristics and polyploidy. Conspecificity of names of all species was tested based on both morphology and crossability.     

Morpho-anatomical differentiation of the balkan populations of the species Teucrium flavum L. (Lamiaceae)

Ecological plasticity, i.e., inter-population differentiation of the species Teucrium flavum was analyzed on the basis of morpho-anatomical variability of its five populations from the maquis (Cisto-Ericetea and Cisto-Micromerietea), rocky grounds (Festuco-Brometea) and rocky crevices (Asplenietea rupestris) in the Eumediterranean and sub-Mediterranean region. Univariate statistic analysis included 22 quantitative characters related to the leaf and stem anatomy and morphology. In order to establish the variability and significance of morpho-anatomical differentiation, principal component analyses (PCA), multivariate analyses of variances (MANOVA), discriminant components analysis (DCA) and clustering, according to the UPMGA method based on Mahalanobius’ distances, have been done.The morpho-anatomical analysis of plants from the five distant populations confirmed that the species T. flavum belongs to malacophyllous xeromorphic species. It was established that the plants from all the five populations analyzed are distinguished by stable conservative xeromorphic characteristics. There is a difference between the pronounced xeromorphic plants belonging to Eumediterranean populations and the subxeromorphic sub-Mediterranean ones.     

Genetic variability in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and its relationship to environmental parameters and herd origin (Cervidae)

Allozyme variation was examined in 1571 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from 29 localities in Tennessee by starch gel electrophoresis. For 11 polymorphic loci, sex-related, age-related and temporal differences were minimal. However, significant spatial hererogeneity was evident in genotypes (contingency table results), allele frequencies (F _ST=0.057) and heterozygosity. Heterozygosity ranged from 16.9% to 26.8% with a mean of 22.9%. The spatial pattern of allele frequencies determined from Rogers' coefficients of genetic similarity indicated associations based on geographic proximity and stocking history. In hierarchial analyses, physiographic regions accounted for more of the total gene diversity than herd origin groups (populations of similar origin) but less than individual populations. For five loci, physiographic regions accounted for more of the gene diversity than populations, suggesting a selection role in the observed genetic variability. Bivariate and canonical correlation analyses revealed significant associations between environmental and genetic variables. Temperature variables and allele frequencies for three loci (alcohol dehydrogenase, alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, sorbitol dehydrogenase) had the prominent roles in the multivariate association between environmental and genetic variables. Herd origin, gene flow and selection appear to be involved in the gene diversity in deer from Tennesee.     

Maximum likelihood factor analysis of natural arthropod infestations in stored grain bulks

Interrelations between natural arthropod fauna and their environment were studied in 1964 from 165 samples collected from the same number of boxcars each containing about 54 tons of stored grain originating from various parts of Western Canada. Applications of several multivariate procedures, such as principal component and maximum likelihood factor analyses (unrotated, rotated and oblique solutions) were applied to 6 biotic and 3 environmental variates to obtain the clearest picture of interrelations among these variates.Jöreskog’ s computational procedure and computer programs were used for unrotated, rotated and oblique maximum likelihood solutions. A 3-factor hypothesis was developed; of the 3 factors the first 2 were significantly correlated (Correlation coefficient=0.78±0.15). The final confirmatory factor analysis revealed that: 1) the first factor indicates that acarine variates, Glycyphagus and Cheyletus, were correlated positively to each other but negatively with the insect Psocoptera, 2) the second factor indicates that the acarine variate Tarsonemus is correlated to moisture, dockage and the entomological variate Psocoptera, 3) the third factor indicates that the environmental factors are correlated to each other, and 4) the correlations between the third factor and the other factors are statistically different from zero.     

GEOGRAPHIC PATTERNS OF VARIATION IN OFFSHORE SPOTTED DOLPHINS (STENELLA ATTENUATA) OF THE EASTERN TROPICAL PACIFIC OCEAN

The spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata), a species commonly associated with the tuna fishery, is widely distributed in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP). Geographic patterns in morphological characteristics of this dolphin were evaluated for 36 skull measurements of 574 museum specimens allocated to 5° latitude-longitude blocks. A strong subdivision between northern and southern offshore populations was demonstrated using principal components, canonical variates and cluster (UPGMA and function-point) analyses of block means derived from standardized, sex-adjusted measurements. Classification functions derived from a stepwise multiple discriminant analysis correctly identified more than 87 percent of the specimens as being from either a northern or southern locality. These results support recognition of southern spotted dolphins as a separate management stock. Dolphins from a sample representing a far-western locality show similarities with those from the south. Patterns of geographic variation in morphology were evaluated using Mantel tests and matrix correlations; 17 of the 36 characters showed regional patterning and 18 exhibited local patterning. Morphological trends were also assessed with respect to 14 oceanographic measures that characterize environmental variability in the ETP. In general, clinal variation in morphology mirrors a north-south trend found in several environmental variables. Overall, the most striking associations between morphological and environmental variables involved Solar Insolation (Jan.). Sea surface temperatures also exhibited a strong association with morphological variables; the highest correspondence was found between width of the temporal fossa and sea surface temperature in July. In addition, the thickness of the oxygen minimum layer exhibited a pattern of variation that was statistically associated with 58 percent of the skull characters. The geographic patterns found for cranial morphology and environmental measures are strongly clinal and in general congruent, suggesting that oceanographic conditions in part determine trends in morphological characteristics of spotted dolphins.     

Introduced Swedish Canada geese (Branta canadensis) have low levels of genetic variation as revealed by DNA fingerprinting

The Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian population of Canada geese (Branta canadensis), now amounting to some 30–50 000 birds, was founded by only five individuals. We used DNA fingerprinting to assess the level of genetic variability in minisatellite loci of Swedish Canada geese from two northern areas. For comparison, we estimated the minisatellite variability in lesser white-fronted geese (Anser erythropus), barnacle geese (Branta leucopsis) and a reintroduced stock of Canadian giant Canada geese (Branta canadensis maxima). The mean similarity between Swedish Canada geese was 0.76 ± 0.15, which is higher than recorded for any other natural bird population. The high similarity implies that a fourfold increase of homozygosity has taken place in this population. The probable cause for the loss of variation is the low number of birds originally introduced and a history of repeated translocations, leading to a sequence of founder events. As a consequence of the high similarity, it has not been possible to use DNA fingerprinting for determination of parenthood in the population studied.     

Genetic variability in British populations ofPotamogeton coloratus (Potamogetonaceae)

The partitioning of genetic variability within and between twelve British populations of the anemophilous aquaticPotamogeton coloratus Hornem. was investigated by isozyme analysis. Low levels of variability as measured by P, A and H were found. Calculation of Wright's F statistics revealed a high mean value of the overall inbreeding coefficient, (F_IT = 0.939), which was attributed both to high levels of genetic subdivision among populations (mean F_ST = 0.702) and to a high frequency of inbreeding or clonal growth within them (mean F_IS = 0.796). Only two populations are polymorphic; both inhabit sites with a long post-glacial history as wetlands. Populations of recent origin, as well as some of older vintage, contain only a single multi-locus isozyme genotype, homozygous at all loci except for IDH. A genetic bottleneck following the Devensian glaciation is discussed as a possible cause of the pattern of variation. Evidence for a duplicated IDH locus is presented.     

Morphological differentiation of introduced pikeperch (Sander lucioperca L., 1758) populations in Tunisian freshwaters

In order to evaluate the phenotypic plasticity of introduced pikeperch populations in Tunisia, the intra‐ and interpopulation differentiation was analysed using a biometric approach. Thus, nine meristic counts and 23 morphological measurements were taken from 574 specimens collected from three dams and a hill lake. The univariate (anova ) and multivariate analyses (PCA and DFA) showed a low meristic variability between the pikeperch samples and a segregated pikeperch group from the Sidi Salem dam which displayed a high distance between mouth and pectoral fin and a high antedorsal distance. In addition, the Korba hill lake population seemed to have more important values of total length, eye diameter, maximum body height and a higher distance between mouth and operculum than the other populations. However, the most accentuated segregation was found in the Lebna sample where the individuals were characterized by high snout length, body thickness, pectoral fin length, maximum body height and distance between mouth and operculum. This study shows the existence of morphological differentiations between populations derived from a single gene pool that have been isolated in separated sites for several decades although in relatively similar environments.