Did the house mouse (Mus musculus L.) shape the evolutionary trajectory of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)?

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most successful domesticated plant species in the world. The majority of wheat carries mutations in the Puroindoline genes that result in a hard kernel phenotype. An evolutionary explanation, or selective advantage, for the spread and persistence of these hard kernel mutations has yet to be established. Here, we demonstrate that the house mouse (Mus musculus L.) exerts a pronounced feeding preference for soft over hard kernels. When allele frequencies ranged from 0.5 to 0.009, mouse predation increased the hard allele frequency as much as 10‐fold. Studies involving a single hard kernel mixed with ~1000 soft kernels failed to recover the mutant kernel. Nevertheless, the study clearly demonstrates that the house mouse could have played a role in the evolution of wheat, and therefore the cultural trajectory of humankind.     

Breeding systems in two species of the genus Helleborus (Ranunculaceae)

ABSTRACT

The results of various types of manual and free pollination are reported in Helleborus bocconei and Helleborus foetidus, two sympatric species of the understorey of submediterranean woods that flower in January–March and are pollinated by bumble-bees of the genus Bombus. Both species were found to be partially self-compatible even if at different rates; geitonogamy seems to be more frequent in H. foetidus and spontaneous self-pollination does not usually occur for morphological reasons, and the species are not apomictic. Efficiency in seed production after free pollination was very high indicating that in spite of harsh climatic condition, there were no limitations imposed by pollen or pollinators.     

Effects of elevated CO2 on the interspecific competition between two sympatric species of Aphis gossypii and Bemisia tabaci fed on transgenic Bt cotton

Abstract Effects of elevated CO₂ (twice ambient vs. ambient) and Bt Cry1Ac transgene (Bt cotton cv. 33^B vs. its nontransgenic parental line cv. DP5415) on the interspecific competition between two ecologically similar species of cotton aphid Aphis gossypii and whitefly biotype‐Q Bemisia tabaci were studied in open‐top chambers. The results indicated that elevated CO₂ and Bt cotton both affected the population abundances of A. gossypii and biotype‐Q B. tabaci when introduced solely (i.e., without interspecific competition) or two species coexisted (i.e., with interspecific competition). Compared with ambient CO₂, elevated CO₂ increased the population abundances of A. gossypii and biotype‐Q B. tabaci as fed on Bt and nontransgenic cotton on 45 (i.e., seedling stage) and 60 (i.e., flowering stage) days after planting (DAP), but only significantly enhanced aphid abundance without interspecific competition on the 45‐DAP nontransgenic cotton and 60‐DAP Bt cotton, and significantly increased whitefly abundance with interspecific competition on the 45‐DAP Bt cotton and 60‐DAP nontransgenic cotton. In addition, compared with nontransgenic cotton at elevated CO₂, Bt cotton significantly reduced biotype‐Q B. tabaci abundances without and with interspecific competition during seedling and flowering stage, while only significantly decreasing A. gossypii abundances without interspecific competition during the seedling stage. When the two insect species coexisted, the proportions of biotype‐Q B. tabaci were significantly higher than those of A. gossypii on Bt and nontransgenic cotton at the same CO₂ levels, and elevated CO₂ only significantly increased the percentages of biotype‐Q B. tabaci and significantly reduced the proportions of A. gossypii on seedling and flowering nontransgenic cotton. Therefore, the effects of elevated CO₂ were favorable for biotype‐Q B. tabaci to out‐compete A. gossypii under the predicted global climate change.     

Comparison of the olfactory sensitivity of two sympatric steppe grasshopper species (Orthoptera: Acrididae) to plant volatile compounds

Electroantennogram (EAG) responses of male and female Oedipodinae grasshoppers, Oedaleus decorus asiaticus B.-Bienko and Angaracris barabensis Pall to 37 plant volatile compounds were recorded. The two species have sympatric distribution and synchronous seasonal activity in Inner Mongolia Grasslands. They have different host plant preference with Oedaleus decorus asiaticus graminivorous and A. barabensis forbivorous. The EAG response profiles to 37 compounds of the two species and their both sexes were similar. Most of the green leaf volatiles elicited higher EAG responses in both species and sexes than terpenic compounds and some aromatic compounds. Strong EAG responses were elicited by 6-carbon alcohols (1-hexanol, Z-hexen-2-ol-1, E-2-hexen-1-ol, E-hexen-3-ol-1), aldehyde (E-2-hexen-1-al), ester (Z-hexen-3-yl acetate), and 7-carbon alcohols (1-heptanol) in both species and sexes. Monoterpenes with functional groups of alcohols and aldehydes were more stimulating than other monoterpenes tested. The sesquiterpenes tested elicited relatively low responses. Benzaldehyde elicited the highest responses for both species among aromatic components. Oedaleus decorus asiaticus showed higher EAG responses than A. barabensis to the green leaf volatiles, 1-decanol, 1-nonanol, 1-pentanol, hexanal, Z-hexen-3-yl acetate and to the sesquiterpenes (-)-trans-caryophyllene. Males have higher responses than females in Oedaleus decorus asiaticus. No sexual difference was observed in A. barabensis. Dose-dependent responses to six selected chemicals were observed from females. In both species, all the chemicals tested elicit EAG responses at concentration between 10^-3 mol/L and 10^-2 mol/L, except that the responses of A. barabensis to terpineol had a threshold concentration of 10-2 mol/L benzaldehyde and 1-hexanol had the highest slopes in dose curves, while 1-octen-3-ol showed the smallest slope in responses to the six chemicals tested. Comparative studies on the responses of two antennal sections and the whole antenna to six selected chemicals were carried out using females of both species. A significant EAG response was only recorded from the distal part of the antenna and not from the proximal seven segments.     

Comparison of the olfactory sensitivity of two sympatric steppe grasshopper species (Orthoptera: Acrididae) to plant volatile compounds

Two Oedipodinae grasshopper species Oedaleus decorus asiaticus B.-Bienko and Angaracris baraben-sis Pall. (Orthoptera: Acrididae) are important pests on the natural grasslands in Inner Mongolia and often require insecticide treatment during outbreaks[1]. They both prefer overgrazed steppes and xerophytous habi-tats, and have thus been suggested as indicator species for steppe deterioration in typical steppe zones of In-ner Mongolia[2]. The two species have a sympatric distribution and sync…     

Genetically determined electrophoretic variants of the major urinary protein (Mup) complex in mouse urine

The major urinary protein (Mup-complex) excreted in mouse urine, has been studied electrophoretically both on starch gel and on cellogel.
On stargel six anodally migrating protein bands were observed. These bands are designated component 3, 2', 2, 1, and 4 (i.e. two bands) in the order of decreasing mobility toward the anode. The slower protein band of component 4 on starch gel was not observed on cellogel.
By testing mouse inbred strains, we were able to dinstinguish five male and four female Mup phenotypes. Test crosses suggested a four-allelic ( a, b, c, d, ) variation with regard to components 2', 2 and 1: 'group A' strains showed component 1, 'group B' strains components 1 and 2, 'group C' and 'group F strains none, and 'group D' strains showed components 1 and 2'. Component 3 may be encoded by another Mup locus, although no crossing-over has been observed: presence (A, B, D, and F strains), absence (C strains). Insufficiently reproducible demonstration of the variation with regard to component 4, forced us to exclude this component for strain distinction.
The Mup phenotypes described, can be useful for the detection of certain strain contaminations, especially if F₁ hybrid Mup phenotypes are distinguishable     

The genus Mesadenella (Orchidaceae) in Colombia with description of two new species

Two new species of Mesadenella, M. longipetiolata and M. bicordata, are described, illustrated and placed within the key to identification of Colombian Mesadenella species. The information about distribution and ecology of the new species as well as brief taxonomic notes are provided.     

Polymorphism in plasma albumin of starlings (Sturnus vulgaris vulgaris L.) in Belgium

Polymorphism in plasma albumin (Alb.) is described in this paper. Albumin mobility was tested for polymorphism in 317 starlings by starch gel electrophoresis. Two phenotypes of albumin (AA = 92.42% and AB = 7.58%) were found. This system seems to be genetically controlled by two alleles, Alb^A (0.962) and Alb^B (0.038).     

A review of the catfish genus Pterocryptis (Siluridae) in Vietnam, with the description of two new species

Of the silurid catfish genus Pterocryptis in Vietnam, a total of four species are recognized as valid, of which Pterocryptis crenula and P. verecunda are described here as new. The type locality of P. cochinchinensis is restricted to central Vietnam, and the species is redescribed from topotypic material. Pterocryptis crenula (from northeastern Vietnam) can be differentiated from its congeners in having visibly confluent anal and caudal fins while P. verecunda (from Cat Ba Island in northeastern Vietnam) can be differentiated from its congeners in having the genital papilla concealed behind the anus. Notes on the identity of other nominal Pterocryptis species are also provided.     

Diversity and genetic structure of three species of Dioon Lindl. (Zamiaceae, Cycadales) from the Pacific seaboard of Mexico

We have estimated levels of genetic diversity and partitioning in the Mexican endemic cycad species Dioon sonorense, Dioon tomasellii, and Dioon holmgrenii, whose populations are exclusively distributed along the Pacific seaboard. For the three species, the patterns of variation at 19 allozyme loci in a total of 11 populations were evaluated. The average number of alleles per locus was in the range 2.05–1.68, corresponding to the northernmost population of D. sonorense (Mazatán), and the southernmost population of Dioon holmgrenii (Loxicha), respectively. In turn, the percentage of polymorphic loci peaked (94.73) in the El Higueral and Altamirano populations of Dioon tomasellii, and was estimated to be lowest (57.89) in the Loxicha population of D. holmgrenii. The mean expected heterozygosis varied markedly between taxa, with relatively high indices for D. sonorense and D. tomasellii (H_E = 0.314 and 0.295, respectively) and substantially lower values for D. holmgrenii (H_E = 0.170). Comparison of the inferred genetic structure based on F‐statistics for the three species also indicated differences along the north‐south Pacific seaboard axis. For D. sonorense and D. tomasellii, local inbreeding (F_IS) was zero but global inbreeding (F_IT) values were positive and significantly different from zero (0.130 and 0.116, respectively). By contrast, values of both F_IT and F_IS were negative and significantly different from zero (?0.116 and ?0.201, respectively) for D. holmgrenii. The genetic differentiation between populations (F_ST) had positive values in all taxa and corresponded with their geographic location along the north‐south axis: according to this statistic, D. sonorense was the most differentiated species (F_ST = 0.151), D. tomasellii had intermediate values (F_ST = 0.145), and D. holmgrenii was the less differentiated taxon (F_ST = 0.069). Finally, a phenogram representing Nei's genetic distances among populations displayed three major groups, each one corresponding to each of the studied species. Within D. tomasellii (of intermediate geographic distribution), a further division into two clusters corresponded precisely to the pair of populations that are geographically divided by the Trans Mexican Neovolcanic Mountains. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 94 , 765–776.     

Taxonomical notes on the family Ptilocodiidae (Anthomedusae) from the central and southern of South China Sea,with a new genus and a new species

This study reviews the Ptilocodiidae from South China Sea,including three species.The diagnoses of the family and each genus are provided.A new genus,Tregouboviopsis Guo,Xu & Huang,gen.nov.is erected,based on the monotypy,Tregouboviopsis perradialis (Xu,Huang & Du,2012) comb.nov.,which is transferred from the genus Tregoubovia.A free eumedusoid ofHydrichthella ocellata Xu,Huang & Wang,sp.nov.is described in the present paper.A key to known genera of family Ptilocodiidae is presented.All type specimens are deposited in the South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute,Chinese Academy of Fishery Science.     

Electrophoretic analysis of genetic variability in the house fly (Musca domestica L.)

Methods are described for the resolution of house fly, Musca domestica L., enzymes by vertical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. An electrophoretic survey in Ames, Iowa, of 51 loci distributed among 26 enzyme systems revealed that 40% of the loci are polymorphic. Observed and expected heterozygosities measured at 33 loci were 0.0981 and 0.1148, respectively. A significant deficiency of heterozygotes was noted at certain loci.Journal Paper No. J-11423 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames. Project No. 2411.     

Can reproductive traits help to explain the coexistence of mud crabs Panopeus (Decapoda: Panopeidae)? A case of two sympatric species inhabiting an impacted mangrove area of Southern Brazil

Coexistence among species is commonly related to niche divergence. However, congenerics usually are very similar in their microhabitat selection and food consumption. Thus, divergent life history strategies may represent the mechanism that allows sympatry in related species. Here, we describe and compare reproductive features in two sympatric mud crabs Panopeus americanus and P. occidentalis in an impacted mangrove area in Southern Brazil. As these species are ecologically similar, we hypothesize that these species diverge in their reproductive traits, which could explain their coexistence. Crabs were collected every two months from September 2004 to July 2006. Reproductive features such as number and size of ovigerous females, breeding season, fecundity, reproductive output, and embryo volume were assessed. Panopeus americanus produced embryos during the entire sampled period, while P. occidentalis produced only between September and March. Panopeus americanus produced more embryos considering the size of the species, had significantly lower embryo volume, and higher reproductive output than P. occidentalis. These data permit to classify P. americanus as an r-strategist and P. occidentalis as a K-strategist regarding their reproductive traits. In conclusion, our results support the hypothesis that divergent reproductive features may allow coexistence of these mud crabs.     

海南岛食植瓢虫属一新种和二种新记录（鞘翅目：瓢虫科）

论述了采自海南岛的食植瓢虫属Epilachna一新种和二种中国新记录：拟球端食植瓢虫E. paraglobiera 新种; 同亨食植瓢虫E. donghoiensis Hoang, 1978中国新记录; 戈特克食植瓢虫E. gokteika Kapur, 1961中国新记录。     

Genetic differentiation between the freshwater subspecies of Gasterosteus aculeatus in Southern California

Samples of Gasterosteus aculeatus microcephalus and the endangered G. aculeatus williamsoni were obtained from downstream and headwaters regions, respectively, of the Santa Clara River system in southern California and electrophoretically examined for the products of 45 loci, six of which were polymorphic. Significant departures from Hardy-Weinberg expectations were evident in genotypic distributions at four of the polymorphic loci indicating a severe restriction of gene flow within the drainage. The genetic distance between these two subspecies was calculated as D = 0.034 ± 0.029, a value comparable to that reported between G. aculeatus microcephalus and G. aculeatus aculeatus from different drainages in northern California.     

Review of the Indo-Pacific gobiid fish genus Lubricogobius, with description of a new species and a new genus for L. pumilus

The gobiid genus Lubricogobius Tanaka, distinctive in being scaleless, without sensory pores, but with sensory papillae on the head, consists of three small species (largest, 33.7 mm SL): the yellow L. exiguus Tanaka, type species, from Japan, with probable records from Taiwan and New Caledonia; L. ornatus Fourmanoir, orange with blue lines on the head, described from Vietnam, recorded from the Arafura Sea, and the range here extended to the Timor Sea and Northwest Shelf of Western Australia, Ryukyu Islands, and to New Caledonia; and L. dinah, a new species from Papua New Guinea and the Ryukyu Islands, white dorsally and abruptly orange-yellow ventrally, with 10–11 dorsal soft rays. L. pumilus Larson and Hoese, known from one 14.5-mm specimen from off Somalia, is referred to the new genus Larsonella. The new genus differs from Lubricogobius in having scales posteriorly on the body, a more slender body, depressed head, no pelvic frenum, the snout longer than orbit diameter, and a different pattern of sensory papillae on the head. Received: September 30, 1999 / Accepted: June 9, 2000     

Effects of ozone on the plasma membrane proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) leaves

The protein pattern of leaf plasma membranes from Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Landsberg erecta was analysed in order to detect changes induced by acute short-term ozone treatment. Plasma membranes were isolated 0, 3 and 8 h after the end of a 2 h fumigation of the plants with 500 nmol mol^?1 of O₃. Proteins extracted from plasma membranes were separated by high-performance two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Eight hours after the end of fumigation, one new protein appeared and the amounts of two other proteins increased significantly. The reported study is a first step towards the identification of plasmalemma proteins altered by ozone and to a more detailed characterization of structural changes occurring in the plasma membrane after ozone exposure.     

中国模尖蛾属研究及二新种记述（鳞翅目：尖蛾科）

研究了中国模尖蛾属Meleonoma Meyrick,其中记述2新种：面模尖蛾 M. facialis Li et Wang, sp. Nov. 和软颚模尖蛾 M. malacognatha Li et Wang, sp. Nov.。绘制了雌雄外生殖器特征图,给出了中国模尖蛾属分种检索表。模式标本保存在南开大学生物系标本室。