不同种群中海南粗榧(Cephalotaxus mannii)形态变异研究

通过变异系数和性状差异显著性检验,研究了海南粗榧在坝王岭等５个种群内和种群间不同形态变异以及形态总体变异。结果表明：①海南粗榧营养器官性状比生殖器官性状变异大;枝性状组中,分枝角度变异较小;叶性状组中,叶数量变异较大;球果、种子生物量变异都大于它们的其它性状。②在５个种群内,同一性状变异幅度基本相同。③同一性状在种群间和种群内的变异基本接近。④不同性状在种群间存在差异,有的显著,有的不显著,但种群间形态总体差异都不显著     

珍稀濒危植物海南粗榧种群遗传多样性研究

利用RAPD技术对珍稀濒危植物海南粗榧(Cephalotaxus mannii Hook . f.)遗传多样性水平、分布、濒危原因及物种保护等问题进行了探讨.结果表明:1. 海南粗榧在海南岛的5个取样地点表现出低水平的遗传多样性,对环境变化的适应能力不强; 2. 海南粗榧种群内和种群间的遗传多样性所占比例有很大差异,绝大部分变异分布于种群内(DNA多样性为85.1%);种群间仅有较低程度的分化;3. 人为砍伐、植被破坏、台风、被食及遗传漂变是海南粗榧遗传多样性低水平的主要原因,也是物种濒危的主要原因;4. 对于呈零星分布的濒危植物海南粗榧的研究与保护,应充分考虑个体小环境之间的差异,考察影响小种群的随机因素;5. 应采取有力措施,就地保护现有种群,并寻求适当的方法迅速扩展种群,降低基因丧失率;选择遗传多样性较高且破坏相对较小的黎母岭种群作为保护重点;同时应加强对其他种群的保护与管理;6. 海南粗榧种群内、种群间的遗传多样性在不同引物之间有较大差别;多态性位点百分率则是种群间的变化大于引物间的变化.     

珍稀濒危植物海南粗榧种群遗传多样性研究

利用RAPD技术对珍稀濒危植物海南粗榧（Cephalotaxus manniiHook.f.)遗传多样性水平,分布、濒危原因及物种保护等问题进行了探讨。结果表明：1、海南粗榧在海南岛的5个取样地点表现出低水平的遗传多样性,对环境变化物适应能力不强;2、海南粗榧种群内和种群间的遗传多样性所占比例有很大差异,绝大部分变异分布于种群内（DAN多样性为85.1%);种群间仅有较低程度的分化;3、人为砍伐,植被破坏,台风、被食用遗传漂变是海南粗榧遗传多样性低水平的主要原因,也是物种濒危的主要原因;4、对于呈零星分布的濒危植物海南粗榧的研究与保护,应充分考虑个体小环境之间的差异。考虑影响小种群的随机因素;5、应采取有力措施,就地保护现有种群,并寻求适当的方法迅速扩展种群,降低基因丧失率;选择遗传多样性较高且破坏相对较小的黎母岭种群作为保护重点;同时应加强对其他种群的保护与管理;6、海南粗榧种群内,种群音质遗传多样性在不同引物之间有较大差别。多态性位点百分率则是种群间的变化大于引物间的变化。     

海南粗榧(Cephalotaxus mannii)不同种群表型结构的数量分析

海南粗榧为科粗榧属常绿乔木 ,雌雄异株[2 ] ,主要分布在海南岛的尖峰岭、黎母山、吊罗山、卡法岭、坝王岭等。其材质均匀 ,纹理细 ,是非常理想的材种 ;同时 ,它的根、茎、叶和果实都含有三尖杉酯碱及高三尖杉酯碱 ,是生产抗癌药物的原材料[2 ,3] 。但由于种种原因 ,目前数量稀少 ,据调查统计 ,胸径超过 10ｃｍ的林木在海南不过 130 0株[3] ,现已陷于濒危境地 ,为国有二级重点保护植物[10 ] 。本文从表型上对不同种群海南粗榧进行了系统调查和分析 ,为进一步探明海南粗榧的种质资源状况 ,探索海南粗榧种群分化和演进 ,同时为就地保护、迁地…     

神农架常绿落叶阔叶混交林碳氮磷化学计量比

生态化学计量学是研究生态过程中化学元素平衡的科学, 碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)化学计量比是生态系统过程及其功能的重要特征。该研究测定了神农架常绿落叶阔叶混交林植物器官、凋落物及土壤的C、N、P含量, 利用生物量加权法计算其化学计量比, 并分析该生态系统不同组分间及不同器官间化学计量比的差异。研究结果发现: 在不同组分之间, C含量、C:N及C:P表现为植物>凋落物>土壤; N、P含量及N:P表现为凋落物>植物>土壤。在不同植物器官间, C含量的差异较小, 其变异系数相对N、P含量较低且保持稳定; N、P含量为叶片最高且变异系数最低; N:P为树皮最高, 而枝的变异系数最低。常绿与落叶树种的叶片N、P含量差异显著。与不同森林类型的化学计量比相比, 该常绿落叶阔叶混交林植物群落的C:P及N:P较低, 凋落物的C:P及N:P较高, 土壤的C、N、P化学计量比与亚热带常绿阔叶林基本一致, 生态系统的C:N相对较低。利用生物量加权法计算得到的该森林生态系统不同组分的C、N、P化学计量比的大小关系与前人利用枝叶取样算术平均的结果存在较大差异。C、N、P含量及其化学计量比在不同器官的分配及内稳性与器官的生理功能关系密切。     

渗透胁迫及信号处理对海南粗榧叶绿素荧光特性的影响

为了探究甘露醇、氯化钠的渗透胁迫和脱落酸、茉莉酸甲酯、乙烯利、水杨酸等信号物质对海南粗榧(Cephalotaxus hainanensis)叶片叶绿素荧光特性的影响,本研究以海南粗榧新鲜叶片为试材,分别选用甘露醇、氯化钠、脱落酸、茉莉酸甲酯、乙烯利、水杨酸处理海南粗榧叶片,测定PSⅡ实际量子产量Y(Ⅱ)、非光化学淬灭系数(NvPQ)、光化学淬灭系数(qP)等叶绿素荧光参数.结果表明:甘露醇处理和氯化钠处理在短时间内可以造成这些参数的波动,然而在24 h后,这些参数趋于平稳,大多数可以恢复到对照水平,但渗透胁迫处理后的Y(Ⅱ)值显著降低,NPQ值却显著升高.在脱落酸、茉莉酸甲酯、乙烯利、水杨酸等信号物质处理后,叶绿素荧光参数多呈现出和甘露醇处理或氯化钠处理相似的趋势,表明了渗透胁迫可能通过不同的信号转导通路影响叶绿素荧光特性,其中水杨酸信号通路可能参与了叶片实际光能转换效率适应调节.     

神农架常绿落叶阔叶混交林碳氮磷化学计量比

生态化学计量学是研究生态过程中化学元素平衡的科学,碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)化学计量比是生态系统过程及其功能的重要特征。该研究测定了神农架常绿落叶阔叶混交林植物器官、凋落物及土壤的C、N、P含量,利用生物量加权法计算其化学计量比,并分析该生态系统不同组分间及不同器官间化学计量比的差异。研究结果发现:在不同组分之间,C含量、C:N及C:P表现为植物凋落物土壤; N、P含量及N:P表现为凋落物植物土壤。在不同植物器官间, C含量的差异较小,其变异系数相对N、P含量较低且保持稳定; N、P含量为叶片最高且变异系数最低; N:P为树皮最高,而枝的变异系数最低。常绿与落叶树种的叶片N、P含量差异显著。与不同森林类型的化学计量比相比,该常绿落叶阔叶混交林植物群落的C:P及N:P较低,凋落物的C:P及N:P较高,土壤的C、N、P化学计量比与亚热带常绿阔叶林基本一致,生态系统的C:N相对较低。利用生物量加权法计算得到的该森林生态系统不同组分的C、N、P化学计量比的大小关系与前人利用枝叶取样算术平均的结果存在较大差异。C、N、P含量及其化学计量比在不同器官的分配及内稳性与器官的生理功能关系密切。     

南亚热带常绿阔叶林5种壳斗科植物碳氮磷化学计量特征

壳斗科(Fagaceae)植物是南亚热带常绿阔叶最重要的组成之一,研究其不同树种和器官间碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量及计量学特征,对于理解和预测树木生态功能的发挥至关重要。以阴那山省级自然保护区同一森林群落中5种壳斗科植物为研究对象,探讨不同树种及器官间C、N、P含量、化学计量及其相关关系特征。结果表明:(1)器官、树种对植物C、N、P含量及化学计量比均会产生一定影响,二者交互作用显著(除C含量),限制程度为器官>树种。(2)从含量上看,5种壳斗科植物凋落物N普遍高于茎、根,而凋落物P则普遍低于茎、根,幼苗叶片N、P含量均低于成熟乔木叶片;黧蒴锥(Castanopsis fissa)根N、N ∶ P高于其他树种,而根P则低于其他树种。(3)从种间变异系数上看,根系N、C ∶ N、N ∶ P变异系数显著高于其他器官;从器官间变异系数上看,黧蒴锥N、C ∶ N变异系数显著低于其他树种。(4)从树种间和器官间的养分相关关系上看,5种植物绝大部分器官元素间两两相关关系不显著,表明单一器官的养分计量关系不能直接反映其他器官或整树水平的计量关系;器官间C和N、C和P相关关系因树种而异,但N和P关系各树种高度一致。综上,从器官上看,根系N含量、C ∶ N、N ∶ P的种间变异系数最大,可能是不同树种对N、P的吸收存在差异,从而有利于物种共存。从树种上看,黧蒴锥具有更合理的养分分配模式,有利于在群落竞争中保持优势地位。     

基于线粒体控制区的云南澜沧江和海南岛主要水系宽额鳢遗传变异分析

为了解中国宽额鳢的遗传背景以更好地保护和开发利用资源,测定了云南澜沧江和海南岛南渡江、万泉河与昌化江等4个水系9个群体74尾宽额鳢线粒体控制区411 bp序列,发现52个变异位点和20个单倍型;在系统树上可分为云南、海南毛阳群体和海南其他群体等3个分支。谱系间Fst为0.786-0.672(P0.01),基因流Nm为0.153-0.244; 74.352%的变异来自谱系间,谱系间分化时间为2.070-0.350 Ma。推测海南与云南宽额鳢分化可能受云贵高原隆起和海南岛与陆地分离等地质事件影响;海南2个谱系的形成则可能是受到了五指山山脉隆起的影响。云南组群与海南组群间Fst为0.765(P0.01),基因流Nm为0.149, 70.360%的变异来自不同地理组群间,表明云南组群和海南组群间高度分化。相比同区域分布的鱼类,宽额鳢总体的单倍型多样性和核苷酸多样性均较高(Hd=0.9030.016, =0.0360.003),其中海南琼中和石壁群体的核苷酸多样性()最高均为0.008;云南勐腊群体最低为0.000;但各个地理群体均比总体的遗传多样性低,可能是后者由多个谱系叠加所致。在简约性网络图中单倍型呈非典型星状分布,中性检验为非显著负值和核苷酸不配对分析呈现多峰分布,表明宽额鳢群体历史上较为稳定,没有出现显著种群扩张。       

四个芸薹属物种硫苷含量与种类分析及特殊硫苷成分的种间导入

硫代葡萄糖苷(简称硫苷)是在十字花科植物中广泛存在的一类次级代谢物,在植物防御体系中发挥着重要的作用。本研究通过高效液相色谱(HPLC)技术,检测分析了十字花科芸薹属4个油用物种(甘蓝型油菜、埃塞俄比亚芥、芥菜型油菜、白菜型油菜)67个代表性品种3个器官(根、叶、种子)3个环境(2014年湖北武汉、2016年湖北武汉、2016年湖北襄阳)下的硫苷种类及含量。共检测到11种主要的硫苷,显著性检验结果显示:不同年份间硫苷含量分布差异极显著,但在同一年武汉与襄阳两个地点间差异不显著;不同物种间硫苷的类型差异明显;甘蓝型油菜、埃塞俄比亚芥不同品种间硫苷含量分布差异极显著,但受测的芥菜型油菜、白菜型油菜不同品种间硫苷含量分布差异不显著;同一个品种不同器官间的硫苷总量差异极显著;同一器官不同硫苷的含量差异也极为显著。这些结果表明硫苷在不同物种、不同器官、不同品种间都展现了丰富的变异,同时硫苷也受到了极显著的环境影响。每个物种或物种的不同器官内都有其代表性的特殊硫苷成分,如甘蓝型油菜中的2-羟基-3-丁烯基硫苷,埃塞比亚芥以及芥菜型油菜中的2-丙烯基硫苷,白菜型油菜中的3-丁烯基硫苷。其中一些特殊硫苷成分具有有益的生物学功能,它们的存在为通过种间杂交的方式将其向甘蓝型油菜中聚集提供了可能性。我们以在埃塞俄比亚芥与芥菜型油菜中所检测到的具有抗病功能的2-丙烯基硫苷为例进行展示,这种硫苷成分在高、中、低硫苷的甘蓝型油菜品种中含量都几乎为0,而在含有埃塞俄比亚芥与白菜型油菜亚基因组导入片段包含3个世代183个株系的再合成甘蓝型油菜(新型甘蓝型油菜)中,有170个株系检测到了显著高于品种材料的2-丙烯基硫苷成分,这说明了通过种间交流的方式向目标物种中导入特殊硫苷成分的可行性。以上这些结果将为分析利用芸薹属不同油用作物中的硫苷,并创建具有特殊硫苷成分的芸薹属作物提供信息和新的视角。     

化学元素用于识别褐飞虱不同地理种群的可行性研究

研究褐飞虱Nilaparvata lugens (Stal)不同地理种群成虫体内化学元素组成特点, 筛选出可用于褐飞虱不同地理种群识别的化学元素种类。应用电感耦合等离子体质谱（ICP-MS）半定量分析检测存在于褐飞虱体内的化学元素, 对各元素进行巢式设计方差分析, 初步筛选出地理种群间具有显著差异的元素; 然后对这些元素采用ICP-MS全定量分析, 进一步筛选、 验证地区间差异显著而年份间差异不显著的元素。结果表明, 褐飞虱体内存在57种化学元素, 巢式设计方差分析筛选出了地区间具有显著性差异的27种元素。随后的ICP-MS全定量分析及统计检验, 筛选出各地理种群都存在而含量不同的Ce, Nd, Pr, Sm, Gd, Th, V, Tl, Mo, Cs, Fe和Mn 12种元素。不同地理种群褐飞虱成虫体内的一些化学元素含量存在着显著差异, 有助于褐飞虱远距离迁入虫源地的识别研究, 可为追溯褐飞虱地理来源提供新的方法。     

Comparative genet survival after fire in woody Mediterranean species

Summary Using data from three fires in northeastern Spain, we tested a condition necessary to support the idea that fire has been a factor in the evolution of the resprouting habit: populations of all resprouting species within a community should show high levels of genet survival after fires and show a low coefficient of variation. Species with high mean survival values were:Quercus ilex L.,Phillyrea latifolia L., andViburnum tinus L., with 88, 86 and 83% survival respectively; these groups had resprouts emerging from rootcrowns. Then followedArbutus unedo L. (75%),Pistacia lentiscus L. (73%),Erica arborea L. (77%),Erica multiflora L. (57%) andJuniperus oxycedrus L. (55%). This last group had resprouts from lignotubers or burls. These two groups also differed in the variability around the mean: the first showed a lower coefficient of variation, 6–12, and the second ranged from 19 to 26. Slope exposure had no significant influence on the process of resprouting, but soil depth did, with precipitation as a covariate. In the shallow soil category, the difference in genet survival between southern and northern exposures was 14% (71% vs. 57%); while the difference in the deep soil category was low, 5% (87% vs. 82%). There was no significant interaction. The component of variance for soils was larger than that for species-specific effects; substantial overlap of the within-species variance indicated that species responded as if they were a single hypothetical population, in which most of the variation in chances of survival was due to the soil conditions. The possession of the resprouting habit did not ensure a high performance. Hence, we find weak support for fire as a factor in the evolution of the resprouting habit.     

Clonal diversity of Clintonia udensis Trautv. et Mey. populations and its correlation with ecological factors

The clonal diversity of Clintonia udensis Trautv.et Mey.was detected by ISSR markers among 16 populations,and its correlation with ecological factors was analyzed as well in this work.Results showed that individuals(clonal ramets)per genotype were 1.12 and 1.149 at population and species levels,respectively,and that the 16 populations were all multiclonal.The detected genotypes were localized,without exception,within populations but demonstrated relatively high clonal differentiation among populations.The clonal diversity of the studied populations was high,with the average Simpson's index of 0.975,while the genets showed a clonal architecture of"guerilla".The population genetic diversities revealed by genet were consistent with those by ramet,further confirming their genetic differentiation among populations.And its genotype diversity within populations probably resulted largely from the frequent seedling regeneration and self-compatibility.In addition,the correlation analysis further revealed that,among the ecological factors,Simpson's index of C.udensis had a significant positive correlation(P<0.05)with pH values in the soil but not others.     

Clonal Diversity in Differently-Aged Populations of the Pseudo-Annual Clonal Plant Circaea lutetiana L.

Abstract: In many clonal plant species seedling recruitment is restricted to short colonization episodes early in the development of the population, and clonal diversity (i.e., genet diversity) in the population is expected to decrease with increasing population age. In established populations of the pseudo-annual Circaea lutetiana seedling recruitment has previously not been observed. Therefore, we expected established populations to have low clonal diversities. We analysed number and frequency of genets and spatial distribution of genets in six differently-aged C. lutetiana populations with the use of four informative RAPD primers. We found relatively low clonal diversities in young populations but very high clonal diversities in established populations. Therefore, the hypothesis was rejected that seedling recruitment does not occur in established populations. Moreover, we did not find large genet size asymmetries in established populations. Genet size differences can be caused by stochastic processes or by fitness related traits, such as differences in vegetative reproduction. Because vegetative propagation of ramets is dependent on ramet size, and the number of ramets and the size of each ramet determine genet size, we expected that large genets produced, on average, large ramets. However, this was not the case, suggesting that stochastic processes caused genet size differences. Genet size may also be bounded if spatial distribution of genets is affected by micro-habitat differences. For this we expected to find a clumped spatial distribution of ramets of the same genet. However, ramets of large genets were always found intermingled with ramets belonging to other genets.     

LONG-TERM EXPERIMENTAL EVOLUTION IN ESCHERICHIA COLI. VII. MECHANISMS MAINTAINING GENETIC VARIABILITY WITHIN POPULATIONS

Six replicate populations of the bacterium Escherichia coli were propagated for more than 10,000 generations in a defined environment. We sought to quantify the variation among clones within these populations with respect to their relative fitness, and to evaluate the roles of three distinct population genetic processes in maintaining this variation. On average, a pair of clones from the same population differed from one another in their relative fitness by approximately 4%. This within-population variation was small compared with the average fitness gain relative to the common ancestor, but it was statistically significant. According to one hypothesis, the variation in fitness is transient and reflects the ongoing substitution of beneficial alleles. We used Fisher's fundamental theorem to compare the observed rate of each population's change in mean fitness with the extent of variation for fitness within that population, but we failed to discern any correspondence between these quantities. A second hypothesis supposes that the variation in fitness is maintained by recurrent deleterious mutations that give rise to a mutation-selection balance. To test this hypothesis, we made use of the fact that two of the six replicate populations had evolved mutator phenotypes, which gave them a genomic mutation rate approximately 100-fold higher than that of the other populations. There was a marginally significant correlation between a population's mutation rate and the extent of its within-population variance for fitness, but this correlation was driven by only one population (whereas two of the populations had elevated mutation rates). Under a third hypothesis, this variation is maintained by frequency-dependent selection, whereby genotypes have an advantage when they are rare relative to when they are common. In all six populations, clones were more fit, on average, when they were rare than when they were common, although the magnitude of the advantage when rare was usually small (~1% in five populations and ~5% in the other). These three hypotheses are not mutually exclusive, but frequency-dependent selection appears to be the primary force maintaining the fitness variation within these experimental populations.     

SEASONAL CHANGES IN SIZE STRUCTURE OF SARGASSUM AND TURBINARIA POPULATIONS (PHAEOPHYCEAE) ON TROPICAL REEF FLATS IN THE SOUTHERN RED SEA1

Seasonal variation in density, thallus length and biomass, population size structure, and allometric length‐biomass relationships was investigated in populations of Sargassum ilicifolium (Turner) C. Agardh, Sargassum subrepandum (Forssk.) C. Agardh, and Turbinaria triquetra (J. Agardh) Kütz. (Phaeophyceae) on shallow reef flats in the southern Red Sea. Thallus length and biomass varied strongly with season, with the highest values occurring in the cooler months. Thallus densities showed no significant temporal variation. Log‐total biomass versus log‐density relationships were positive throughout the growth season without any decrease in the slope of the relationship. In two populations, biomass‐density combinations approached the interspecific biomass‐density line, but the massive annual shedding of modules occurred before self‐thinning would set in. Allometric length‐biomass relationships varied with season in all populations and were associated with seasonal module initiation, growth, and shedding. Evidence of a strong asymmetric competition was found in two high‐density populations. These populations showed a predominance of small thalli during peak development, asymmetrical Lorenz curves, increasing Gini coefficients, and increasing thallus length relative to biomass during the main growth phase. In two other less crowded populations, small thalli were absent during peak development, Lorenz curves were symmetrical, and Gini coefficients decreased during the main growth phase. In these populations, size equalization appears to be due to responses at the modular level rather than size‐dependent mortality. We conclude that changes in size structure in this highly seasonal environment are determined by module dynamics, modified by asymmetric competition in some populations, with a minor role of recruitment and no regulatory effect of self‐thinning.     

Phenotypic evolution and hidden speciation in Candidula unifasciata ssp. (Helicellinae, Gastropoda) inferred by 16S variation and quantitative shell traits

In an effort to link quantitative morphometric information with molecular data on the population level, we have analysed 19 populations of the conchologically variable land snail Candidula unifasciata from across the species range for variation in quantitative shell traits and at the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal (r)DNA locus. In genetic analysis, including 21 additional populations, we observed two fundamental haplotype clades with an average pairwise sequence divergence of 0.209 +/- 0.009 between clades compared to 0.017 +/- 0.012 within clades, suggesting the presence of two different evolutionary lineages. Integrating additional shell material from the Senckenberg Malacological Collection, a highly significant discriminant analysis on the morphological shell traits with fundamental haplotype clades as grouping variable suggested that the less frequent haplotype corresponds to the described subspecies C. u. rugosiuscula, which we propose to regard as a distinct species. Both taxa were highly subdivided genetically (FST = 0.648 and 0.777 P < 0.001). This was contrasted by the partition of morphological variance, where only 29.6% and 21.9% of the variance were distributed among populations, respectively. In C. unifasciata, no significant association between population pairwise FST estimates and corresponding morphological fixation indices could be detected, indicating independent evolution of the two character sets. Partial least square analysis of environmental factors against shell trait variables in C. u. unifasciata revealed significant correlations between environmental factors and certain quantitative shell traits, whose potential adaptational values are discussed.     

Population structure and ecology of a tropical rare rhizomatous species of teosinte Zea diploperennis (Gramineae).

One of the objectives of the Sierra de Manantlán Biosphere Reserve (Jalisco, México) is the conservation in situ of the teosinte Zea diploperennis Iltis, Doebley, Guzman & Pazzi. Zea diploperennis is perennial, shade intolerant and its 1-3 m shoots are architecturally similar to maize. Clonal growth is of the phalanx type. Genets are iteroparous (modules semelparous). The demography of seven module and genet populations was studied in seven sites representing three stages of old-field succession. Seven permanent one-meter-square plots were randomly established in each site. All genets initially present and those that became established during our study were mapped and labeled according to year of establishment. The magnitude of demographic fluctuations was greater in module populations. Genet population dynamics followed a seasonal rhythm with a maximum population size obtained at the onset of the rainy season. A relation was documented between percent annual mortality of a cohort and its age: the younger the cohort, the greater the mortality. This was a statistically significant relationship, Y = [sin(-0.288x + 1.657)]2 (r = 0.92, p < 0.01), where is proportion annual mortality of genets and is the age of the cohort. The maximum rates of genet mortality occurred during the rainy season when population densities were greatest. As a consequence, we postulate that competition occurs principally during the rainy season. Linear relationships were observed between rate of population increase of genets versus old-field successional stage and soil type. Those areas with poor soil (Ultisol), degraded soil or soils with similar physical characteristics could be rehabilitated by introducing Z. diploperennis. Such rehabilitation would achieve two distinct objectives, promote propagation of this rare endemic and reclaim areas that are susceptible to erosion and further degradation.     

Structure of Genetic Variation within and between Populations of Mycophagous Drosophila

Patterns of genetic variation within and between populations of five species of mycophagous Drosophila were examined by gel electrophoresis of several polymorphic loci. Populations of the five species could not be shown to be subdivided into sympatric host-adapted races. Statistically significant, but small, between-host differences in gene frequencies were observed at three of 15 loci. Mean gene frequencies at all loci were similar in New York and Tennessee, and, with one exception, relatively little genetic differentiation was observed among study sites within those two regions. Gene frequencies generally were stable over several years of collecting as well. The unpredictable nature of the fungal hosts may preclude the site fidelity and continuity of diversifying selection necessary for adaptive divergence of populations.     

A BIOPSY SYSTEM FOR SMALL CETACEANS: DARTING SUCCESS AND WOUND HEALING IN TURSIOPS SPP.

Together with PAXARMS (NZ), we developed a biopsy system for small cetaceans and tested it on four populations of bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops spp.). The system consists of a modified 0.22 caliber rifle, and biopsy darts made out of polycarbonate with stainless steel biopsy tips. Animals were darted at a range of 2–15 m while travelling parallel to the vessel. Overall sampling success for obtaining biopsy samples when an animal was struck ranged from 96.6% to 100% in the four populations. However, hit rate varied for the four different populations. We did not observe a significant difference in strength of the reaction to the darting procedure when an animal was hit or missed, both among and within populations. Data from one population showed no significant difference in the reaction to biopsy sampling by four different age-sex classes. The only factor that had a significant influence on darting success was the hit location. Furthermore, we observed a significant positive correlation between the size of the sample obtained and the reaction to biopsy sampling. Biopsy samples were sufficient for microsatellite and d-loop analysis in 95.8% and for genetic sexing in 99% of all cases. In animals that we observed on a daily basis, wounds were healed after approximately 23 d.