Karyotype diversity and genome size variation in Neotropical Maxillariinae orchids

• Orchidaceae is a widely distributed plant family with very diverse vegetative and floral morphology, and such variability is also reflected in their karyotypes. However, since only a low proportion of Orchidaceae has been analysed for chromosome data, greater diversity may await to be unveiled. Here we analyse both genome size (GS) and karyotype in two subtribes recently included in the broadened Maxillariinea to detect how much chromosome and GS variation there is in these groups and to evaluate which genome rearrangements are involved in the species evolution.
• To do so, the GS (14 species), the karyotype – based on chromosome number, heterochromatic banding and 5S and 45S rDNA localisation (18 species) – was characterised and analysed along with published data using phylogenetic approaches.
• The GS presented a high phylogenetic correlation and it was related to morphological groups in Bifrenaria (larger plants – higher GS). The two largest GS found among genera were caused by different mechanisms: polyploidy in Bifrenaria tyrianthina and accumulation of repetitive DNA in Scuticaria hadwenii. The chromosome number variability was caused mainly through descending dysploidy, and x=20 was estimated as the base chromosome number.
• Combining GS and karyotype data with molecular phylogeny, our data provide a more complete scenario of the karyotype evolution in Maxillariinae orchids, allowing us to suggest, besides dysploidy, that inversions and transposable elements as two mechanisms involved in the karyotype evolution. Such karyotype modifications could be associated with niche changes that occurred during species evolution.

     

Intra- and interspecific variation in DNA content in Cistus (Cistaceae)

Flow cytometry, using propidium iodide and 4',6-diamidano-2-phenylindole staining, was used to estimate the nuclear DNA content (2C) and the proportion of A-T base pairs in 16 species of the Mediterranean genus Cistus. Genome sizes were shown to be constant within species, since no significant intraspecific variation in 2C DNA content was detected. At the genus level, up to about 1.5-fold differences in absolute DNA amounts were observed, ranging from 3.92 pg in C. crispus to 5.88 pg in C. monspeliensis. The (AT) : (GC) ratio was close to 1, and was similar for all species examined, ranging from 47.87% A-T content in C clusii, to 50.67% in C. populifolius. Pink-flowered species (subgenus Cistus) had lower DNA amounts than white-flowered species (subgenera Leucocistus and Halimioides). However, the distribution of DNA amounts in Cistus appeared to be continuous and did not permit a clear separation of infra-generic ranks in the genus.     

Organelle DNA and male fertility variation in Solanum spp. and interspecific somatic hybrids

Novel and potentially useful genetic variation in cytoplasmic genomes can be induced by interspecific somatic hybridization in plants. To evaluate such variability and correlate it with nuclear-cytoplasmic interactions leading to male sterility in Solanum spp., we examined progeny of male-sterile and male-fertile somatic hybrids between Solanum tuberosum (tbr), the common potato, and S. commersonii (cmm), a wild species showing sexual incongruity with tbr, for fertility and organelle DNA composition. Uniform male-fertile and male-sterile progenies were obtained by selfing the male-fertile hybrid and crossing the male-sterile ones, indicating maternal inheritance of the fertility phenotype. The two fusion partners were only slightly differentiated in the plastidial genome. MtDNA polymorphism between the species was greater, although its extent varied with the genomic region investigated. All somatic hybrids had non-parental organelle genomes, with reassorted organelles and/or rearranged mitochondria (i.e., cmm-specific bands for some regions and tbr-specific bands for others). Mitochondria reassorted independently from chloroplasts. Most hybrids showed the cmm cpDNA hybridization pattern, indicating non-random transmission of chloroplasts. Most male-sterile hybrids showed preferential inheritance of tbr mtDNA fragments. The male-fertile somatic hybrid clone had predominantly cmm mtDNA fragments. This result suggests that a tbr-derived region involved in nuclear-cytoplasmic incompatibility and male sterility has been lost by rearrangement; however, no clear correlation between a specific mitochondrial region and male sterility has been found so far. Received: 3 January 1999 / Accepted: 20 February 1999     

Karyotype variation in dermestid beetles

The system of nucleolar controlled sex-chromosome segregation which characterises X_yp species of hide beetles is also present in the one species (haemorrhoidalis) with an XY system. This, coupled with the fact that the karyotype in the XY species is asymmetrical, whereas species with smaller y-chromosomes show greater symmetry, suggests that erosion of the y may have involved translocation of the material of the y onto the autosomes rather than simple loss. Finally, supernumerary y chromosomes present in laboratory cultures of two species (maculatus and frischii) demonstrate the efficiency of the sex nucleolus as a mechanism for securing segregation.     

Karyotype variation in Drosophila birchii

Drosophila birchii, a member of the melanogaster species group of the subgenus Sophophora, is common in the tropical rain forests of the Australia-New Guinea areas. Chromosome squashes are easily prepared from the larval ganglion cells and the sex chromosomes are readily recognizable. The species exhibits a remarkable karyotype variation. The metaphase plate figures, in general, show two pairs of V's, one pair of dots and one pair of sex chromosomes. Variations in metaphase chromosome morphology are found in the X (with four types), the Y (with three types) and chromosome IV (with two types). Chromosomal interchanges between X- and Y-chromosomes Type I are postulated to be involved in the differentiation of sex chromosome morphology while the modification of chromosome IV seems likely to be a result of the acquisition of extra heterochromatin. These chromosome types form seven distinct metaphase plate figures, all encountered in wild populations, thus giving D. birchii the most variable karyotype in the genus Drosophila.     

Detection of interspecific and intraspecific variation in Panicum millets through random amplified polymorphic DNA

The potential use of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was evaluated as a source of genetic markers for studying variation among four species of Panicum and within the crop species P. miliaceum and P. sumatrense. Polymorphism in RAPD markers was observed across and within species. The four species were distinct in RAPD patterns and were separated at low correlation values even with small samples involving single genotypes per species. Accessions of P. miliaceum were grouped according to geographical regions of origin. The study demonstrated that unlike isozyme and protein electrophoresis patterns, RAPD markers can be applied to studying genetic diversity, defining gene pools, and identifying cultivars for this group of millets.     

Intraspecific and interspecific genetic variation in Drosophila

Utilizing the technique of DNA-DNA hybridization, we have characterized the degree of genetic variability in single-copy DNA both within and between several species of Drosophila. The results of intraspecific variation studies indicate considerable variation both for levels of nucleotide heterozygosity (estimated to be over 2%) as well as for insertions-deletions. Interspecific studies confirm this great deal of variability and further establish an extreme heterogeneity within Drosophila genomes for rates of divergence. This heterogeneity is much more extreme than that seen between exons and introns. The degree of single-copy DNA divergence generally supports phylogenetic affinities deduced from more traditional methods. However, exceptions occur where single-copy DNA divergence is not correlated with other properties such as degree of chromosomal differentiation, morphology, or ability to form interspecific hybrids. We argue that single-copy DNA divergence as measured by DNA-DNA hybridization is an accurate indicator of phylogenetic relationships and therefore sheds light on the evolution of other biological properties. Many, if not most, evolutionary tests require an accurate phylogeny of the group being studied and DNA, because of the high information content inherent within the molecule, offers the best hope of deriving true phylogenies.     

DNA BARCODING: Barcoding corals: limited by interspecific divergence, not intraspecific variation

The expanding use of DNA barcoding as a tool to identify species and assess biodiversity has recently attracted much attention. An attractive aspect of a barcoding method to identify scleractinian species is that it can be utilized on any life stage (larva, juvenile or adult) and is not influenced by phenotypic plasticity unlike morphological methods of species identification. It has been unclear whether the standard DNA barcoding system, based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI), is suitable for species identification of scleractinian corals. Levels of intra- and interspecific genetic variation of the scleractinian COI gene were investigated to determine whether threshold values could be implemented to discriminate conspecifics from other taxa. Overlap between intraspecific variation and interspecific divergence due to low genetic divergence among species (0% in many cases), rather than high levels of intraspecific variation, resulted in the inability to establish appropriate threshold values specific for scleractinians; thus, it was impossible to discern most scleractinian species using this gene.     

Disturbance, interspecific interaction and diversity in metapopulations

Metapopulation diversity patterns depend on the relations among the timescales of local biological interactions (predation, competition), the rates of dispersal among local populations and the patterns of disturbance. We investigate these relationships using a family of simple non-linear Markov chain models. We consider three models for interspecific competition; if the species are identified with early and late successional species, the models describe the facilitation, inhibition and tolerance models of ecological succession. By adding a third competing species we also compare transitive competitive hierarchies and intransitive competitive networks. Finally, we examine the effects of predation in mediating coexistence among competing prey species. In each model we find circumstances in which biotic or abiotic disturbance can increase both local and regional diversity, but those circumstances depend on the various timescales in the model in ways that arc neither obvious nor trivial.     

Qualitative geographical variation in interspecific interactions

We explore geographical variation in the density relationship between potential competitor forest bird groups, resident Parus spp. and migrant Fringilla spp., across Europe using published bird census results. In addition, we summarized results from three experimental studies from northern Europe on their density associations. Based on anticipated changes in the relative intensity of positive and competitive interactions we predicted a unimodal density association between Parus and Fringilla : at low and intermediate densities the two groups are positively associated (positive interaction), whereas high densities promote interspecific competition. In central Europe where densities are high, densities were unimodally related to each other. In northern and southern Europe linear and positive associations appeared. Experimental studies provided consistent support for positive interspecific interactions in the north. The results suggest that species interactions may indeed vary in relation to the density of potential competitor and switch from positive to negative along environmental gradients.     

蒙古栎伴生种及邻体物种多样性的研究

采用点样地法对四个地点蒙古栎树种的邻体多样性进行了研究,结果表明,随着调查样点数的增加,蒙古栎邻体的物种丰富度和Shannon -Wiener(H′）物种多样性指数逐渐增加,最后趋于一固定值。用物种共同出现百分率测定了蒙古栎与其伴生种的种间联结值（PC值）,并引入LS值来测定单株蒙古栎相邻物种的平均个体数目,结果发现,不同地点蒙古栎邻体多样性不同,其相邻乔木和灌木种类也有较大差异,联结系数各有高低,比较PC值的大小,得出了蒙古栎的主要伴生乔木和主要伴生灌木物种（结构和组成）。物种（乔木和灌木）与蒙古栎伴生的原因主要是相似的环境需求和互惠互利,说明蒙古栎处在不同的群落演替阶段。     

MicroRNA regulation and interspecific variation of gene expression

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) modulate expression of their target genes in various tissues and at different developmental stages, but it is unclear whether they drive cross-species variation in gene expression. By comparing data from mammal and fly species we found that the cross-species expression variation of miRNA targets is significantly lower than that of other genes. This implies that miRNAs can affect gene expression by reducing stochastic noise, buffering cross-species variation and constraining evolutionary gene expression variation.     

黄芪属六种植物的核型多样性

采用常规压片法,对豆科黄芪属6种植物制备染色体标本进行核型分析。结果表明:体细胞中期染色体数目分别为:沙打旺、斜茎黄芪、达乌里黄芪2n=16,均为二倍体;草木樨状黄芪2n=32,为四倍体;紫云英、鹰嘴紫云英则呈现多数目性,紫云英染色体数变动范围为55～65,64条稍多,鹰嘴紫云英染色体数变动范围51～65,62条稍多,均为混倍体。核型公式分别为:沙打旺2n=2x=16=12m+4sm;斜茎黄芪2n=2x=16=10m+6sm;达乌里黄芪2n=2x=16=16m;草木樨状黄芪2n=4x=32=32m;紫云英2n=64=62m+2sm;鹰嘴紫云英2n=62=12M+50m(2SAT)。染色体核型呈现多样性。     

Intra- and interspecific genome-size variation in the Salmonidae.

The nuclear DNA contents of 22 salmonid taxa, estimated primarily by flow-cytometric analysis relative to a chicken internal standard, were evaluated to compare intra- and interspecific variation in DNA content within this fish family. The average variability within taxa exceeded that among taxa. Intraspecific genome-size variation was substantial and, in some cases, exceeded the mean genome size for the species. The flow-cytometric method used here allows for rapid and reliable comparison of nuclear DNA contents within and among individuals from natural animal populations.     

Climate tolerance and interspecific variation in geographic range size

The fact that climate influences the continental-scale distributions of species is one of the central tenets of ecology and biogeography. Equally elemental is that species exhibit enormous variation in geographic range size, with most occupying comparatively small areas. The degree to which climate can account for this variation remains unclear. Here, I test three alternative climate-based hypotheses for variation in range size using a large sample of tree and shrub species native to North America north of Mexico. I show that the lowest value of January average daily minimum temperature encompassed by a species' geographic range (T(MIN)), representing the 'climate extremes hypothesis', explains almost 80% of the variation in range size. Hypotheses based on seasonality and climate optima find substantially less support. The relationship between range size and T(MIN) does not change across the breadth of latitudes examined, and is general for conifers and hardwoods, and growth form (tree versus shrub). Differential freezing resistance gains support as the mechanism underlying interspecific variation in range size: using 35 species for which data were available, both T(MIN) and range size are shown to be strongly correlated with measures of freezing resistance.     

Intraspecific and interspecific variation in floral volatiles over time

Plant Ecology - Floral volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are traits that influence plant interactions with pollinators and other species. Interspecific and intraspecific variation in traits can...     

The diversity of interspecific pollen-pistil incongruity in Nicotiana

Nicotiana tabacum was used as a pistillate parent and crossed with three self-compatible species, N. rustica, N. repanda and N. trigonophylla, which were previously reported to have pollen tubes unilaterally inhibited by N. tabacum pistil. Temporal and morphological observations revealed distinct differences of pollen tube behavior among these incongruous crosses. Pollen tubes of N. repanda were arrested in stigma and those of N. rustica in the middle of the style. On the other hand, pollen tubes of N. trigonophylla continued growing at a slow rate. Tubes of N. repanda and N. rustica showed morphological abnormalities such as swelling, thick wall, and irregular callose deposition. In addition, tubes of N. rustica often elongated in reverse direction and wound about in the middle of the style. Although the tubes of N. trigonophylla were apparently normal in morphology, they were distributed throughout the transmitting tissue, differing from the self-pollination of N. tabacum in which they were confined to the peripheral region of it. The diversity of pollen tube behavior indicates that physiological causes of incongruity are different among the three crosses. Bud pollination enabled pollen tubes to reach the ovary in all crosses, indicating that the N. tabacum pistil acquired its ability to inhibit foreign pollen tube elongation with its development. When interspecific hybrids between N. tabacum and the other three species were pollinated by parental species, tubes reached the ovary in all crosses, but the elongation rate of tubes slowed down and morphology was abnormal.     

Karyotype stability and DNA variability in the Acrididae

The Acrididae are frequently quoted as one of the classic examples of karyotypic stability. Within the family, the Cryptosacci, for instance, are characterised by a majority of species having 23 chromosome arms in the male. The members are then related by Robertsonian sequences in which the basic karyotype is believed to consist of 23 acrocentric elements. Thus the 17-chromosome complement of male truxalines is argued to have been derived from the basic type by three successive centric fusions. Such an origin is at variance with the fact that the rod-shaped chromosomes in eight of the nine species utilised in this study turn out in fact to be telocentric. The scheme is also at variance with the finding that significant differences in DNA content exist both between species within the same chromosome group and between member species of the 17 and 23 groups. The concept of karyotypic stability is thus called to question and the relationship of karyotypes within the family must be considerably more complex than has formerly been supposed.