The pale brown allele in Cepaea nemoralis

The pale brown colour morph in Cepaea nemoralis appears to be determined by an allele at the C (colour) locus ( C ^{P B}). Pale brown is dominant to yellow, codominant with pink and recessive to dark brown. It is linked to the B locus (which controls the presence or absence of banding on the shell), but not to the U locus, which determines whether there is one band or five. In segregations of pale brown and yellow there is a significant deficiency of pale brown, suggesting that there are differences in viability between the morphs.     

The social organizations of squirrel monkeys: Implications for ecological models of social evolution

“Squirrel-monkeys occur in a considerable number of slightly different forms, but all are built upon a similar body plan and have a basic color scheme. One of the larger races—from inner Perú—is also the most colorful and one of the brightest colored of all mammals. It may be taken as a point of departure. The top of the head and the upper and outer parts of the body and the upper side of the basal half of the tail are a vivid green, with a pepper and salt effect of yellow and gray. The face is pure white except for black spectacles, muzzle and chin; the throat, chest, underside, insides of limbs, and the underside of the basal half of the tail are brilliant daffodil yellow. The terminal half of the tail is jet black and rather bushy. The flesh of the hands is pale pink. Other races vary in the intensity of the green and yellow, so that some may be olive brown above and white below, and in the amount and arrangement of the black areas on the face and the tip of the tail. Some have almost naked ears, others have these organs clothed in short fur, and still others bear thereupon long tufts or fringes. All these variations seem to blend into the other geographically . . . some of these pure color variations may constitute valid regional subspecies or even species. . . .” I. T. Sanderson¹ (p. 77).     

Decreasing variability in your cell culture

Culturing mammalian cells has not significantly changed in almost 50 years. Typically, a synthetic basal medium is chosen to meet the environmental and nutritional requirements of a given cell line. Components, such as amino acids, vitamins, inorganic salts, and a carbon source such as glucose are commonly found in the classical basal media formulation. These basal formulations normally will not support cell growth alone, but must be further supplemented with animal serum, usually fetal bovine serum (FBS) at a concentration of 5-20%. Recent advances in serum-free and chemically defined media formulations have provided cell culturists with options. When considering FDA regulations and potential risks to human health when manufacturing biologics or considering cell therapies, eliminating serum is of paramount concern. For a large majority of researchers however, using classical media with serum builds on previous generations of research and makes cell culture easier to perform.     

Organogenesis in isolated carnation plant callus tissue cultivatedin vitro

Formation of stems both in callus tissue isolated from hypocotyl and in apical meristems culture of carnation plants (Dianthus caryophyllus L. ev. “Grenadin white, yellow, scarlet red, dark red and pink”) was evokedin vitro using chemically defined medium. The rooted stems were transferred into pots and cultivated under natural conditions.     

Additional betalain accumulation by genetic engineering leads to a novel flower color in lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum)

Betalains, comprising violet betacyanins and yellow betaxanthins, are pigments found in plants belonging to the order Caryophyllales. In this study, we induced the accumulation of betalains in ornamental lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) by genetic engineering. Three betalain biosynthetic genes encoding CYP76AD1, dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) 4,5-dioxygenase (DOD), and cyclo-DOPA 5-O-glucosyltransferase (5GT) were expressed under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter in lisianthus, in which anthocyanin pigments are responsible for the pink flower color. During the selection process on hygromycin-containing media, some shoots with red leaves were obtained. However, most red-colored shoots were suppressed root induction and incapable of further growth. Only clone #1 successfully acclimatized and bloomed, producing pinkish-red flowers, with a slightly greater intensity of red color than that in wild-type flowers. T₁ plants derived from clone #1 segregated into five typical flower color phenotypes: wine red, bright pink, pale pink, pale yellow, and salmon pink. Among these, line #1-1 showed high expression levels of all three transgenes and exhibited a novel wine-red flower color. In the flower petals of line #1-1, abundant betacyanins and low-level betaxanthins were coexistent with anthocyanins. In other lines, differences in the relative accumulation of betalain and anthocyanin pigments resulted in flower color variations, as described above. Thus, this study is the first to successfully produce novel flower color varieties in ornamental plants by controlling betalain accumulation through genetic engineering.     

一株根际放线菌的分离鉴定及其生物活性初探

从四川重庆药用植物蒿本根际土中分离到一株放线菌I06-02658,该菌株的发酵产物具有Caspase7抑制活性。菌株I06-02658在供试培养基上生长良好,形成丰富的基内菌丝,颜色从乳白到肉粉。在部分供试培养基上形成丰富的气生菌丝,产生浅黄至浅粉色可溶性色素。系统发育、化学分类特征、形态特征、生理生化特性等分析表明菌株I06-02658是糖霉菌属(Glycomyces)的一个菌株。     

Marker-assisted genotype analysis of bulb colors in segregating populations of onions (Allium cepa)

Bulb color in onions (Allium cepa) is an important trait whose complex inheritance mechanism involves epistatic interactions among major color-related loci. Recent studies revealed that inactivation of dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR) in the anthocyanin synthesis pathway was responsible for the color differences between yellow and red onions, and two recessive alleles of the anthocyanidin synthase (ANS) gene were responsible for a pink bulb color. Based on mutations in the recessive alleles of these two genes, PCR-based markers for allelic selection were developed. In this study, genotype analysis of onions from segregating populations was carried out using these PCR-based markers. Segregating populations were derived from the cross between yellow and red onions. Five yellow and thirteen pink bulbs from one segregating breeding line were genotyped for the two genes. Four pink bulbs were heterozygous for the DFR gene, which explains the continuous segregation of yellow and pink colors in this line. Most pink onions were homozygous recessive for the ANS gene, except for two heterozygotes. This finding indicated that the homozygous recessive ANS gene was primarily responsible for the pink color in this line. The two pink onions, heterozygous for the ANS gene, were also heterozygous for the DFR gene, which indicated that the pink color was produced by incomplete dominance of a red color gene over that of yellow. One pink line and six other segregating breeding lines were also analyzed. The genotyping results matched perfectly with phenotypic color segregation.     

Post-dispersal predation on Pinus sylvestris seeds by Fringilla spp: ground substrate affects selection for seed color

Background matching might lower the risk of seeds being eaten by seed predators that search visually. In aviary experiments, we analyzed the selection of diff erent-colored seeds by ground-feeding finches (Fringillacoelebs and F.montifringilla) against four naturally occurring forest soil substrates. The substrates were fresh burn (black), 6-year-old burn (brown), mineral soil (pale yellow) and Pleuroziumschreberi feather moss (green). We used color-sorted seeds of Pinussylvestris, a species with a large natural variation in seed color, ranging from pale yellow to black. Although seeds were scattered on the substrates at a density of only 91 seeds m⁻², birds removed seeds effectively. Both bird species found more pale than dark seeds on the fresh burn substrate. F. montifringilla also recovered more pale than dark seeds on the old burn, and more dark than pale seeds on mineral soil. In moss, the birds found very few seeds compared to the other substrates, and there was no color discrimination. P.sylvestris is frequently regenerating after fire, suggesting that dark seeds would be favored under selection from visually searching predators. Fire-adapted conifers with serotinous cones, e.g., Pinuscontorta ssp. latifolia, which spread their seeds primarily on freshly burnt surfaces, produce uniformly black or dark brown seeds. However, regeneration of the non-serotinous P.sylvestris is often extended for several years after a fire, during which substrate color and structure change. This may have helped to maintain variation in seed color. When regeneration of a plant species occurs on a substrate of uniform color, we believe that selection by visually searching seed predators will result in the evolution of cryptic seed color. Received: 16 August 1996 / Accepted: 30 November 1996     

中国翼手类新记录--小巨足蝠

2003年9月在云南获得1号雌性蝙蝠标本,经鉴定为中国新记录——小巨足蝠(Myotis hasseltii),标本保存在中国科学院动物研究所。     

Wrasses of the Galápagos Islands, with the description of a new deepwater species of Halichoeres (Perciformes: Labridae)

Halichoeres raisneri, new species, is described from three specimens captured by the Johnson Sea Link submersible at 114-125 m off Wolf Island, Galápagos. Distinctive features of the new species include a dorsally projecting fleshy flap along the posterior three-quarters of the upper lip and the absence of a canine tooth at the corner of the upper jaw. The body color of freshly caught females is pale pink with two yellow stripes and five prominent pink spots above the uppermost stripe. Similarities between the new species and other labrids are discussed, and a key to the 16 nominal species of Labridae known from the Galápagos Islands is provided. Decodon melasma is recorded from the Archipelago for the first time.     

颜色对梨小食心虫产卵选择性的影响

梨小食心虫(Grapholitha molesta Busck)是一种重要的果树害虫,早春产卵喜在桃嫩梢叶上,为探明寄主颜色在其产卵选择中的作用,利用彩色卡纸模拟寄主颜色,室内比较了红、粉红、浅粉、橙黄、深黄、浅黄、青绿、深绿、浅绿、蓝、紫、褐色等12种不同颜色基质对其成虫产卵选择性的影响。结果发现:基质颜色对梨小食心虫的产卵选择性有显著影响,其产卵偏嗜浅黄和浅绿色,白色和黑色参比时其产卵选择率分别依次为68.9%、63.8%和64.1%、65.5%,蓝和浅粉色则表现一定的拒避作用,白色和黑色参比时其产卵选择率分别依次为47.7%、40.4%和47.2%、42.7%,且参比色对其产卵选择性影响差异显著。基质颜色对其产卵量亦有显著性影响,无论黑或白色参比,黄、绿颜色上的产卵量均较多,尤其是深黄、深绿和青绿色。基质颜色对1—7日龄梨小食心虫成虫的产卵选择性均有显著影响。白色参比时,2、3日龄蛾对浅绿和浅黄色的产卵选择率显著高于其他颜色;黑色参比时,2日龄时明显偏嗜浅绿色(79.7%),6日龄时明显偏嗜浅黄色(74.8%)。表明寄主颜色在梨小食心虫产卵场所选择中具有重要作用,为其卵期监测和防控中颜色应用乃至进一步揭示其产卵寄主选择机理提供了依据和参考。     

Inheritance of seed coat color genes in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis> (L.) and tagging the genes using SRAP,SCAR and SNP molecular markers

Seed coat color inheritance in Brassica napus was studied in F₁, F₂, F₃ and backcross progenies from crosses of five black seeded varieties/lines to three pure breeding yellow seeded lines. Maternal inheritance was observed for seed coat color in B. napus, but a pollen effect was also found when yellow seeded lines were used as the female parent. Seed coat color segregated from black to dark brown, light brown, dark yellow, light yellow, and yellow. Seed coat color was found to be controlled by three genes, the first two genes were responsible for black/brown seed coat color and the third gene was responsible for dark/light yellow seed coat color in B. napus. All three seed coat color alleles were dominant over yellow color alleles at all three loci. Sequence related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) was used for the development of molecular markers co-segregating with the seed coat color genes. A SRAP marker (SA12BG18388) tightly linked to one of the black/brown seed coat color genes was identified in the F₂ and backcross populations. This marker was found to be anchored on linkage group A9/N9 of the A-genome of B. napus. This SRAP marker was converted into sequence-characterized amplification region (SCAR) markers using chromosome-walking technology. A second SRAP marker (SA7BG29245), very close to another black/brown seed coat color gene, was identified from a high density genetic map developed in our laboratory using primer walking from an anchoring marker. The marker was located on linkage group C3/N13 of the C-genome of B. napus. This marker also co-segregated with the black/brown seed coat color gene in B. rapa. Based on the sequence information of the flanking sequences, 24 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified between the yellow seeded and black/brown seeded lines. SNP detection and genotyping clearly differentiated the black/brown seeded plants from dark/light/yellow-seeded plants and also differentiated between homozygous (Y2Y2) and heterozygous (Y2y2) black/brown seeded plants. A total of 768 SRAP primer pair combinations were screened in dark/light yellow seed coat color plants and a close marker (DC1GA27197) linked to the dark/light yellow seed coat color gene was developed. These three markers linked to the three different yellow seed coat color genes in B. napus can be used to screen for yellow seeded lines in canola/rapeseed breeding programs.     

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF PETAL COLOR VARIANTS IN WILD POPULATIONS OF RAPHANUS SATIVUS: I. POLLINATOR RESPONSE TO COLOR MORPHS

Pollinator response to petal color polymorphism in wild radish (Raphanus sativus) was investigated. Behavior of insect visitors was observed within experimental flower arrays, each containing two of the petal color forms seen intermixed in California populations: white, yellow, pink, and bronze. Honeybees, which accounted for almost 90% of all visits, typically preferred yellow or white flowers and discriminated against bronze. Their preference for white increased significantly as the Raphanus flowering season progressed. Syrphid flies were also frequent visitors and increased in abundance near the end of the season. Syrphids typically preferred pink to other colors. Individual honeybees tended to specialize on either yellow or pink flowers on a short-term basis. This foraging pattern provides the potential for positive assortative mating among plants with yellow or pink flowers. Intraspecific pollinator discrimination may influence genotypic frequencies as well as the relative maternal and paternal reproductive success of color morphs.     

Biology and distribution of hemichordates (Enteropneusta) with emphasis on Harrimaniidae and description of Protoglossus bocki sp. nov. from Scandinavia

A new species of the genus Protoglossus is described from the west coast of the Scandinavian Peninsula. It lives buried in clay bottoms below the halocline where the salinity is at least 33–34 psu. Body small, estimated maximal length 1.5 cm. Collar broader than long, with a forward inclination. The thickest part is the collar region where it can be up to 1 mm in diameter. Proboscis colouration light pink to golden yellow; collar white with transversal yellow bands; branchial, hepatic and intestinal regions translucent pale yellow to golden yellow; brown intestine visible through the body wall. Proboscis groove extends through posterior half of proboscis. Nine to 17 pairs of gill openings, the size of the posteriormost successively smaller. It differs from the other European species, Protoglossus koehleri, in colouration, smaller size, fewer gill openings, body shape and proportions. It was sequenced (18S rRNA gene) and clustered within the family Harrimaniidae, with Saxipendium as its closest relative.     

Chemical Characterization of Melanins in Sheep Wool and Human Hair

The color of hair and wool in mammals and feathers in birds is mostly determined by the quantity and quality of melanins that are synthesized in follicular melanocytes and transferred to keratinocytes. There are two chemically distinct types of melanin pigments: the black to brown eumelanins and the yellow to reddish pheomelanins. Melanins in sheep wool and human hair of various colors were characterized by HPLC methods to estimate 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (DHICA)-derived units in eumelanins and benzothiazine units in pheomelanins. Melanins were also characterized by spectrophotometric methods after differential solubilization in alkalies. It was demonstrated that 1) black wool in Asiatic sheep contains eumelanin with the DHICA content similar to black mouse melanin, while black to brown melanins from human hair contain much lower ratios of DHICA-derived units, comparable to the slaty mutation in mice, 2) dark brown to brown hair in human contains eumelanin whose chemical properties are indistinguishable from those of black hair, 3) dark red wool and red human hair contain pheomelanic pigments whose chemical properties are rather different from those of yellow pheomelanins in mice, and 4) light brown, blonde, and red hairs in human can be differentiated from each other with this methodology.     

Multilocus phylogenetic analyses, pullulan production and xylanase activity of tropical isolates of Aureobasidium pullulans

Aureobasidium pullulans is the source of the commercially valuable polysaccharide pullulan and the enzyme xylanase. Isolates are typically off-white to pale pink or black on solid media, while some tropical isolates have been described as ‘color variants’ with bright pigments of red, yellow or purple. We sequenced 5 loci (internal transcribed spacer, intergenic spacer 1, translation elongation factor-1 alpha, beta tubulin, and RNA polymerase II) from 45 new isolates from Thailand. Based on the phylogenetic analyses, isolates were classified into 12 clades. Each clade showed different colors on different culture media including two clades with ‘color variants’ and some clades exhibited high levels of pullulan production or xylanase activity. Colony characteristics do not correlate perfectly with DNA sequence phylogeny or the physiological characters, but DNA sequence differences rapidly identify isolates with genetic novelty.     

Insect colour preference compared to flower colours in the Australian Alps

An apparent predominance of plant taxa with pale flowers in the alpine floras of Australia and New Zealand may be due to the prevalence of insects, such as flies, that prefer pale colours and the absence of other types of potential pollinators that are attracted to bright colours such as social bees and birds. In this study, the diversity of flower colours, and the preference of insects for different colours were examined for the largest contiguous alpine area in Australia, around Mt Kosciuszko. Out of an alpine flora of 204 taxa, 127 species were found to have large showy flowers. The most common flower colour among these taxa was white (53.5%), then yellow (21.3%), followed by pink (6.3%), and cream (6.3%). Only a handful of taxa had red, blue, brown, green, orange or purple flowers. When the colour preference of insects was tested using five different coloured traps (white, yellow, orange, red and purple), the most successful traps were white then yellow, with these two colours accounting for 66% of all individual insects collected. Diptera were the most common insects caught (576 insects greater than 4 mm in length, 31 morphotaxa) showing an apparent preference for white and yellow coloured traps over others. Therefore, the results add some support to the proposition that the 'white' flora of the Australian Alps may be associated with the colour preference of flies, which have previously been found to be the most common type of pollinators in the Kosciuszko alpine zone.     

Chlorolepiota indica sp. nov.—A new species from India

A new species Chlorolepiota indica is reported from Patiala in Punjab, India. The fungus is characterized by convex brown pileus covered by concentrically arranged brown scales with yellow tinge around the umbo. The stipe of the fruiting body is cream to pale yellow, pinkish to reddish brown near the pileus, and yellowish to dark grey brown towards the base.     

盲蝽科一新种及中国四新纪录种(半翅目,盲蝽科)

记述了盲蝽科1新种,金毛束盲蝽Pilophorus fulvicomus sp.nov.。报道了中国4新纪录种:印度蚁叶盲蝽Hallodapus indicus(Poppius,1911),九州蚁叶盲蝽Hallodapus kyushuensis M iyamoto,1966,贝克束盲蝽Pilophorus bakeriSchuh,1984和印支宽敖盲蝽Wygomiris indochinensis(Schuh,1984)。提供了新种和新纪录种雄性生殖器特征图。模式标本保存于南开大学昆虫学研究所。