Genetic diversity and origin of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Potamogeton anguillanus</Emphasis> (Potamogetonaceae) in Lake Biwa,Japan

We analyzed the genetic variation in Potamogeton anguillanus Koidz. and its putative parents, P. malaianus Miq. and P. perfoliatus L., at five allozyme loci of four enzymes to test the hypothesis of a hybrid origin for P. anguillanus, collected in Lake Biwa, Japan. Alleles diagnostic for either P. malaianus or P. perfoliatus were present at four loci. Of 13 single locus phenotypes (SLPs) of P. anguillanus, eight were phenotypes that were expected in F₁ hybrids between P. malaianus and P. perfoliatus. Two SLPs were different from those expected in F₁ hybrids but could have resulted from segregation of parental alleles in later generation hybrids. Each of the remaining three SLPs possessed one allele unique to P. anguillanus. Allozyme analyses thus supported the view that P. anguillanus was derived from hybridization between P. malaianus and P. perfoliatus. It seems likely that the genetic diversity of P. anguillanus found previously originated through multiple hybridizations and sexual processes in P. anguillanus. Other processes such as intragenic recombination, mutation, or hybridization with another lineage are also discussed with reference to the origin of unique alleles. Received: March 16, 2001 / Accepted: September 11, 2001     

Genetic structure and morphological variation of British populations of the hybrid Potamogeton x salicifolius

Potamogeton x salicifolius Wolfg. is one of the three most frequently recorded Potamogeton hybrids in the British Isles and Europe. It is thought to be the hybrid between P. lucens and P. perfoliatus. Its scattered distribution suggests that it has arisen several times in Britain. Most British populations of P. x salicifolius can be identified by their morphological characteristics, which are intermediate between those of the putative parents P. lucens and P. perfoliatus . However, the population at the Ouse Washes, Cambridgeshire, differs from other populations in its greater similarity to P . lucens . A genetic study of eight British populations, using six isozyme systems, revealed that most populations consist of a single multi-enzyme phenotype. This suggests that they were the result of a single hybridization event and are therefore maintained through vegetative reproduction. By contrast, the Ouse Washes population consists of three multi-enzyme phenotypes. This variation is likely to have resulted from multiple hybridization events, although we cannot exclude the possibility that the plants are partially fertile. The isozyme systems studied were unable to identify P. lucens and P. perfoliatus unambiguously, and consequently did not provide evidence for their putative parentage of P. x salicifolius. However, at a local level the banding patterns of the hybrids were generally consistent with the local multi-enzyme phenotypes of these putative parents.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 144 , 99–111.     

A dynamic evolution of chromosome in subgenus Potamogeton revealed by physical mapping of rDNA loci detection

In this study, we analyzed 12 species in the subgenus Potamogeton (8 tetraploids and 2 diploids, 2 putative tetraploid hybrids) at the chromosomal level, including counting the chromosome number and physically mapping the rDNA. The extent of variation in the chromosome number and rDNA loci was determined in the Potamogeton species on both the inter- and intra-specific level. Moreover, one of the hybrid sets (P. perfoliatus ♂?×?P. wrightii ♀) was picked for performing artificial pollination for producing F1 generation adults and for sequential morphological character analysis and FISH detection. After comparing the parental species and natural hybrids from three different geographic locations, the intraspecific variations of rDNA loci were revealed in sampled plants; in addition, comparisons between artificial F1 and natural hybrids (P.?×?intortusifolius) showed a rapid change of 45S rDNA loci in response to the interspecific hybridization. We also compared our results concerning rDNA patterns with phylogenetic documents to derive complementary clues to karoytype evolution and interspecific relationships. Based on frequent hybridizations and active clonal reproduction with weak genetic selection, the rDNA chromosomal repatterning, such as the gain or loss of rDNA loci together with rDNA movements, might be one trend of chromosome evolution in this genus.     

Isoenzyme variation in Aedes aegypti correlated with Dirofilaria immitis infectability

From the Vero Beach strain of the mosquito Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae), substrains were selected for susceptibility (SS) and refractoriness (RR) to the dog heartworm Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy) (Filarioidea: Onchocercidae). These two lines and their reciprocal F1 hybrids were analysed for genetic variation at 14 enzyme loci, using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Six of the enzyme loci showed variation (sample size 48 alleles/locus/line). Three of these were monomorphic in the refractory line but polymorphic in the susceptible, i.e. aconitase hydratase (Acoh), isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (Idh-1) and phosphoglucomutase (Pgm). The other three loci, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (Gpi), hexokinase-1 (Hk-1) and isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 (Idh-2), were polymorphic in both SS and RR lines and their hybrids. At two loci (Hk-1, Pgm) three alleles were detected, whereas the other polymorphic loci had only two alleles. For Hk-1, the most frequent allele was Hk-1(80) (0.563) in refractory and Hk-1(100) in the susceptible (0.521) and F1 hybrids. For Pgm the most frequent alleles were Pgm125 in the susceptible line (0.646) and Pgm100 in the F1 hybrids (0.563 and 0.604) and refractory line (1.000). The mean observed heterozygosity (Ho), the mean Hardy-Weinberg expected heterozygosity (He) and the mean number of alleles per locus in the refractory line were lower, but not significantly so, than in the susceptible line and their reciprocal F1 hybrids; the proportion of polymorphic loci was significantly lower in the refractory than in the susceptible line and their F1 hybrids. Within both lines all polymorphisms were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, whereas significant departures from predicted frequencies were observed in SS x RR hybrids at four polymorphic loci (Acoh, Gpi, Hk-1, Pgm) and at three polymorphic loci (Acoh, Hk-1, Pgm) in RR x SS hybrids. The average Nei's and modified Rogers' genetic distances between the lines were 0.024 and 0.139, respectively. These electrophoretic data show that the refractory line (putatively lacking fi allele) can be distinguished from the susceptible line (fi/fi) and their hybrids (heterozygous fi) by isozyme marker frequencies, but it remains to be seen whether this difference is causal or chance linkage. In any case, this model system of Ae. aegypti/D. immitis provides opportunities to better understand and manipulate the molecular biology of filariasis transmission.     

Limited hybridization between Quercus lobata and Quercus douglasii (Fagaceae) in a mixed stand in central coastal California

Many oak species are interfertile, and morphological and genetic evidence for hybridization is widespread. Here we use DNA microsatellite markers to characterize hybridization between two closely related oak species in a mixed stand in central coastal California, Quercus lobata (valley oak) and Q. douglasii (blue oak) (Fagaceae). Genotypes from four microsatellite loci indicate that many alleles are shared between the two species. However, each species harbors unique alleles, and allele frequencies differ significantly. A Bayesian analysis of genetic structure in the stand identified two highly differentiated genetic clusters, essentially corresponding to species assignment based on morphology. Data from the four loci were sufficient to assign all 135 trees to one of the two species. In addition, five putative hybrid individuals having intermediate morphologies could be assigned genetically to one or the other species, and all but one had low probability of hybrid ancestry. Overally, only six (4.6%) trees showed >0.05 probability of hybrid ancestry, in all cases their probabilities for nonhybrid ancestry were substantially higher. We conclude that adult hybrids of Q. douglasii × Q. lobata are rare at this site and plasticity in morphological characters may lead to overestimates of hybridization among Quercus species.     

Four independent electrophoretic markers in spadefoot toads

Four enzyme-encoding genes (Idh-1, Idh-2, Ldh-1, and Mdh-1), with alleles diagnostic for the spadefoot toads Scaphiopus multiplicatus and Scaphiopus bombifrons, were investigated in order to characterize their inheritance and linkage relationships. Electrophoretic phenotypes in the offspring of natural crosses exhibit Mendelian segregation, behaving as genotypes produced by alternative alleles at four independently assorting loci. These phenotypes are useful markers of genetic identity and the degree of genetic admixture in the analyses of hybrid zone dynamics for these two species. Concurrent use of a morphological index verified the diagnostic value of the markers. The morphological index is useful for the identification of parental species and many F1 hybrids, however offspring of backcrosses usually express parental species characteristics. Electrophoretic typing allows the identification of all hybrids and 87 percent of the offspring from backcrosses. It also facilitates the identification of tadpoles, which are extremely difficult to distinguish morphologically. The technique is useful for the assessment of introgression and the evaluation of reproductive interaction in these species, even though it slightly underestimates backcross offspring.     

Taxa distribution and RAPD markers indicate different origin and regional differentiation of hybrids in the invasive Fallopia complex in central-western Europe

Interspecific hybridization can be a driving force for evolutionary processes during plant invasions, by increasing genetic variation and creating novel gene combinations, thereby promoting genetic differentiation among populations of invasive species in the introduced range. We examined regional genetic structure in the invasive Fallopia complex, consisting of F. japonica var. japonica , F.   sachalinensis and their hybrid F.  ×  bohemica , in seven regions in Germany and Switzerland using RAPD analysis and flow cytometry. All individuals identified as F. japonica var . japonica had the same RAPD phenotype, while F. sachalinensis (11 RAPD phenotypes for 11 sampled individuals) and F.  ×  bohemica (24 RAPD phenotypes for 32 sampled individuals) showed high genotypic diversity. Bayesian cluster analysis revealed three distinct genetic clusters. The majority of F . ×  bohemica individuals were assigned to a unique genetic cluster that differed from those of the parental species, while the other F . ×  bohemica individuals had different degrees of admixture to the three genetic clusters. At the regional scale, the occurrence of male-fertile F. sachalinensis coincided with the distribution of F . ×  bohemica plants showing a high percentage of assignment to both parental species, suggesting that they originated from hybridization between the parental species. In contrast, in regions where male-fertile F. sachalinensis were absent, F . ×  bohemica belonged to the non-admixed genetic group, indicating multiple introductions of hybrids or sexual reproduction among hybrids. We also found regional differentiation in the gene pool of F.  ×  bohemica , with individuals within the same region more similar to each other than to individuals from different regions.     

Latent S alleles are widespread in cultivated self-compatible Brassica napus.

The genetic control of self-incompatibility in Brassica napus was investigated using crosses between resynthesized lines of B. napus and cultivars of oilseed rape. These crosses introduced eight C-genome S alleles from Brassica oleracea (S16, S22, S23, S25, S29, S35, S60, and S63) and one A-genome S allele from Brassica rapa (SRM29) into winter oilseed rape. The inheritance of S alleles was monitored using genetic markers and S phenotypes were determined in the F1, F2, first backcross (B1), and testcross (T1) generations. Two different F1 hybrids were used to develop populations of doubled haploid lines that were subjected to genetic mapping and scored for S phenotype. These investigations identified a latent S allele in at least two oilseed rape cultivars and indicated that the S phenotype of these latent alleles was masked by a suppressor system common to oilseed rape. These latent S alleles may be widespread in oilseed rape varieties and are possibly associated with the highly conserved C-genome S locus of these crop types. Segregation for S phenotype in subpopulations uniform for S genotype suggests the existence of suppressor loci that influenced the expression of the S phenotype. These suppressor loci were not linked to the S loci and possessed suppressing alleles in oilseed rape and non-suppressing alleles in the diploid parents of resynthesized B. napus lines.     

Spatial partitioning and asymmetric hybridization among sympatric coastal steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus), coastal cutthroat trout (O. clarki clarki) and interspecific hybrids

Hybridization between sympatric species provides unique opportunities to examine the contrast between mechanisms that promote hybridization and maintain species integrity. We surveyed hybridization between sympatric coastal steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus) and coastal cutthroat trout (O. clarki clarki) from two streams in Washington State, Olsen Creek (256 individuals sampled) and Jansen Creek (431 individuals sampled), over a 3-year period. We applied 11 O. mykiss-specific nuclear markers, 11 O. c. clarki-specific nuclear markers and a mitochondrial DNA marker to assess spatial partitioning among species and hybrids and determine the directionality of hybridization. F1 and post-F1 hybrids, respectively, composed an average of 1.2% and 33.6% of the population sampled in Jansen Creek, and 5.9% and 30.4% of the population sampled in Olsen Creek. A modest level of habitat partitioning among species and hybrids was detected. Mitochondrial DNA analysis indicated that all F1 hybrids (15 from Olsen Creek and five from Jansen Creek) arose from matings between steelhead females and cutthroat males implicating a sneak spawning behaviour by cutthroat males. First-generation cutthroat backcrosses contained O. c. clarki mtDNA more often than expected suggesting natural selection against F1 hybrids. More hybrids were backcrossed toward cutthroat than steelhead and our results indicate recurrent hybridization within these creeks. Age analysis demonstrated that hybrids were between 1 and 4 years old. These results suggest that within sympatric salmonid hybrid zones, exogenous processes (environmentally dependent factors) help to maintain the distinction between parental types through reduced fitness of hybrids within parental environments while divergent natural selection promotes parental types through distinct adaptive advantages of parental phenotypes.     

Rapid generation of ecologically relevant behavioral novelty in experimental cichlid hybrids

The East African cichlid radiations are characterized by repeated and rapid diversification into many distinct species with different ecological specializations and by a history of hybridization events between nonsister species. Such hybridization might provide important fuel for adaptive radiation. Interspecific hybrids can have extreme trait values or novel trait combinations and such transgressive phenotypes may allow some hybrids to explore ecological niches neither of the parental species could tap into. Here, we investigate the potential of second‐generation (F2) hybrids between two generalist cichlid species from Lake Malawi to exploit a resource neither parental species is specialized on: feeding by sifting sand. Some of the F2 hybrids phenotypically resembled fish of species that are specialized on sand sifting. We combined experimental behavioral and morphometric approaches to test whether the F2 hybrids are transgressive in both morphology and behavior related to sand sifting. We then performed a quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis using RADseq markers to investigate the genetic architecture of morphological and behavioral traits. We show that transgression is present in several morphological traits, that novel trait combinations occur, and we observe transgressive trait values in sand sifting behavior in some of the F2 hybrids. Moreover, we find QTLs for morphology and for sand sifting behavior, suggesting the existence of some loci with moderate to large effects. We demonstrate that hybridization has the potential to rapidly generate novel and ecologically relevant phenotypes that may be suited to a niche neither of the parental species occupies. Interspecific hybridization may thereby contribute to the rapid generation of ecological diversity in cichlid radiations.     

Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Haageocereus (Trichocereeae, Cactaceae)

? Premise of the study: Microsatellites were isolated from two species of the genus Haageocereus (H. tenuis and H. pseudomelanostele) to be applied in studies of genetic diversity and population structure. ? Methods and Results: Five loci were employed in a preliminary study of genetic diversity and population differentiation in two rare (H. tenuis and H. repens) and two widespread (H. acranthus and H. pseudomelanostele) species, yielding between one and 44 alleles per locus. All five loci were polymorphic, with overall levels of observed and expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.478 to 0.871 and from 0.564 to 0.956, respectively. Three additional loci were scored in H. pseudomelanostele. These eight plus the remaining 11 loci were amplified from putative parents of three hybrids involving Haageocereus and Espostoa. ? Conclusions: These markers will facilitate analysis of genetic diversity, hybridization, and population differentiation throughout Haageocereus and Espostoa.     

Genetic diversity and migration patterns of the aquatic macrophyte Potamogeton malaianus in a potamo-lacustrine system

1. Previously, the Yangtze River connected thousands of shallow lakes which together formed a potamo-lacustrine system capable of sustaining a rich variety of submerged macrophytes.
2.  Potamogeton malaianus is one of the dominant submerged macrophytes in many lakes of this area. Genetic variation and population structure of P. malaianus populations from ten lakes in the potamo-lacustrine system were assessed using inter-simple sequence repeat markers.
3. Twelve primer combinations produced a total of 166 unambiguous bands of which 117 (70.5%) were polymorphic. Potamogeton malaianus exhibited a moderate level of population genetic diversity ( P _P = 70.5%, H _E = 0.163 and I =  0.255), as compared with that of plants in the same habitat and range. The main factors responsible for this moderate value were the plant's mixed breeding system (both sexual and asexual) and the hydrological connectivity among habitats.
4.  F statistics, calculated using different approaches, consistently revealed a moderate genetic differentiation among populations, contributing about 20% of total genetic diversity. An estimate of gene flow (using F _ST) suggested that gene flow played a more important role than genetic drift in the current population genetic structure of P. malaianus ( Nm  = 1.131).
5. The genetic diversity of P. malaianus did not increase downstream. A high level of linkage–disequilibrium at the whole population level suggested that metapopulation processes may affect genetic structure. The migration pattern of P. malaianus was best explained by a two-dimensional stepping stone model, indicating that bird-mediated dispersal could greatly influence gene movements among lakes.     

Genetic Studies of Unusual Loci That Affect Body Shape of the Nematode CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS and May Code for Cuticle Structural Proteins

In Caenorhabditis elegans, four loci (sqt-1, sqt-2, sqt-3 and rol-8) in which mutations affect body shape and cuticle morphology have unusual genetic properties. Mutant alleles of sqt-1 can interact to produce animals with a variety of mutant phenotypes: left roller, right roller, dumpy and long. At least three mutant phenotypes are specified by mutations in the sqt-3 locus. Most alleles at these loci are either dominant or cryptic dominant (i.e., are dominant only in certain genetic backgrounds). Most alleles of these loci exhibit codominance. Two putative null alleles of the sqt-1 locus produce a wild-type phenotype. Many alleles of these genes demonstrate unusual intergenic interactions that are not the result of simple epistasis: animals doubly heterozygous for mutations at two loci often display unexpected and unpredictable phenotypes. We suggest that these genetic properties might be expected of genes, such as the collagen genes, the products of which interact to form the animal's cuticle, and which are member genes of a gene family.     

The origin of Phoxinus eos-neogaeus unisexual hybrids

Phoxinus eos-neogaeus unisexual hybrids (Cyprinidae, Pisces) are among the few vertebrate taxa known to reproduce clonally by gynogenesis. These taxa have a broad distribution in North America, mostly located in regions previously covered by the last Pleistocene ice sheet. To assess whether asexual hybrids dispersed from glacial refuges at the end of the Pleistocene or they originated from current hybridization events, genetic diversity of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences and microsatellite loci was determined in populations from 16 different sites in the Mississippi-Missouri River (Nebraska and Montana), Rainy River-Hudson Bay (Minnesota), and St Lawrence River (Quebec) drainages. The maternal species (P. neogaeus) occurred in Minnesota and Nebraska but was absent from Montana sites and was restricted to only two of 11 lakes sampled in Quebec, although hybrids were present at all sites. The genetic survey revealed a total of 49 clones, originating from 14 hybridization events. Several of the lineages were characterized by mtDNA haplotypes not detected in the maternal ancestor. Lineages as well as clones frequently displayed a large geographical distribution at a regional scale. Dating of hybridization events suggested a relatively recent origin (<50,000 years ago) from the Mississippi glacial refuge, even in regions not covered by the last Pleistocene glacier. Altogether, these results indicate P. eos-neogaeus hybrids are not the result of current hybridization events, but display a pattern predicted by postglacial dispersal. Our findings have considerable implications for the nature of selection processes affecting the diversity of these asexual taxa and their coexistence with sexual ancestors.     

Differential patterns of hybridization and introgression between the swallowtails Papilio machaon and P. hospiton from Sardinia and Corsica islands (Lepidoptera,Papilionidae)

Proportions of hybridization and introgression between the swallowtails Papilio hospiton, endemic to Sardinia and Corsica, and the holarctic Papilio machaon, were characterized using nine fully diagnostic and two differentiated allozyme loci and a mitochondrial DNA marker. Very low frequencies of F1 hybrids were detected in both Sardinia (0-4%, average 1.4%) and Corsica (0-3%, average 0.5%), as well as of first generation backcrosses (B1). No F2 were observed, in agreement with the hybrid breakdown detected in laboratory crosses. In spite of this minimal current gene exchange, specimens carrying introgressed alleles were found in high proportions in P. machaon but in lower proportions in P. hospiton. Introgression apparently occurred through past hybridization and repeated backcrossing, as evidenced by hybrid index scores and Bayesian assignment tests. Levels of introgression were low (0-1%) at two sex-linked loci and mitochondrial DNA, limited (0.4-2%) at three autosomal loci coding for dimeric enzymes, and high (up to 43%) at four autosomal loci coding for monomeric enzymes. Accordingly, selective filters are acting against foreign alleles, with differential effectiveness depending on the loci involved. The low levels of introgression at sex-linked loci and mitochondrial DNA are in agreement with Haldane's rule and suggest that introgression in P. machaon proceeds mainly through males, owing to a lower fitness of hybrid females. Papilio machaon populations showed higher levels of introgression in Sardinia than in Corsica. The role of reinforcement in the present reproductive isolation between P. machaon and P. hospiton is examined, as well as the evolutionary effects of introgressive hybridization between the two species.     

Widespread hybridization within mound‐building wood ants in Southern Finland results in cytonuclear mismatches and potential for sex‐specific hybrid breakdown

Hybridization and gene flow between diverging lineages are increasingly recognized as common evolutionary processes, and their consequences can vary from hybrid breakdown to adaptive introgression. We have previously found a population of wood ant hybrids between Formica aquilonia and F. polyctena that shows antagonistic effects of hybridization: females with introgressed alleles show hybrid vigour, whereas males with the same alleles show hybrid breakdown. Here, we investigate whether hybridization is a general phenomenon in this species pair and analyse 647 worker samples from 16 localities in Finland using microsatellite markers and a 1200‐bp mitochondrial sequence. Our results show that 27 sampled nests contained parental‐like gene pools (six putative F. polyctena and 21 putative F. aquilonia) and all remaining nests (69), from nine localities, contained hybrids of varying degrees. Patterns of genetic variation suggest these hybrids arise from several hybridization events or, instead, have backcrossed to the parental gene pools to varying extents. In contrast to expectations, the mitochondrial haplotypes of the parental species were not randomly distributed among the hybrids. Instead, nests that were closer to parental‐like F. aquilonia for nuclear markers preferentially had F. polyctena's mitochondria and vice versa. This systematic pattern suggests there may be underlying selection favouring cytonuclear mismatch and hybridization. We also found a new hybrid locality with strong genetic differences between the sexes similar to those predicted under antagonistic selection on male and female hybrids. Further studies are needed to determine the selective forces that act on male and female genomes in these newly discovered hybrids.     

Hybridization but no evidence for backcrossing and introgression in a sympatric population of great reed warblers and clamorous reed warblers

Hybridization is observed frequently in birds, but often it is not known whether the hybrids are fertile and if backcrossing occurs. The breeding ranges of the great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) and the clamorous reed warbler (A. stentoreus) overlap in southern Kazakhstan and a previous study has documented hybridization in a sympatric population. In the present study, we first present a large set of novel microsatellite loci isolated and characterised in great reed warblers. Secondly, we evaluate whether hybridization in the sympatric breeding population has been followed by backcrossing and introgression.We isolated 181 unique microsatellite loci in great reed warblers. Of 41 loci evaluated, 40 amplified and 30 were polymorphic. Bayesian clustering analyses based on genotype data from 23 autosomal loci recognised two well-defined genetic clusters corresponding to the two species. Individuals clustered to a very high extent to either of these clusters (admixture proportions ≥ 0.984) with the exception of four previously suggested arundinaceus-stentoreus hybrid birds that showed mixed ancestry (admixture proportions 0.495-0.619). Analyses of simulated hybrids and backcrossed individuals showed that the sampled birds do not correspond to first-fourth-generation backcrosses, and that fifth or higher generation backcrosses to a high extent resemble 'pure' birds at this set of markers.We conclude that these novel microsatellite loci provide a useful molecular resource for Acrocephalus warblers. The time to reach reproductive isolation is believed to be very long in birds, approximately 5 Myrs, and with an estimated divergence time of 2 Myrs between these warblers, some backcrossing and introgression could have been expected. However, there was no evidence for backcrossing and introgression suggesting that hybrids are either infertile or their progeny inviable. Very low levels of introgression cannot be excluded, which still may be an important factor as a source of new genetic variation.     

Allozyme differentiation and genetic structure of the Lady's slipper (Cypripedium calceolus) island populations in north-east Poland

The population genetic structure in the rare and endangered perennial plant, Cypripedium calceolus , from north-east Poland was investigated. A total of 11 loci were analysed, of which five were polymorphic for the species and in every population. The 11 loci resolved gave a total of 19 alleles with the mean number of 1.73 alleles per locus. The proportion of polymorphic loci (P) was the same for the species and in every population, 45.5%. The average observed and expected heterozygosities for the total Lady's slipper data set were 0.156 and 0.184, respectively. The average expected heterozygosity for the populations under study ranged from 0.176 to 0.188 and did not differ significantly among populations. Genetic diversity within C. calceolus populations from the Biebrza Valley is relatively high compared with rare taxa and taxa with similar life histories. The genetic diversity among populations of C. calceolus studied ( F _ST = 0.016) is much smaller than the genetic diversity within populations. In the species studied, there was no significant correlation between genetic and geographical distances ( r = −0.73, Mantel test). This may indicate the relatively recent origin of the populations studied, or a high level of gene flow among populations. © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2002, 138 , 433–440.     

Transgressive Hybrids as Hopeful Monsters

The origin of novelty is a critical subject for evolutionary biologists. Early geneticists speculated about the sudden appearance of new species via special macromutations, epitomized by Goldschmidt’s infamous “hopeful monster”. Although these ideas were easily dismissed by the insights of the Modern Synthesis, a lingering fascination with the possibility of sudden, dramatic change has persisted. Recent work on hybridization and gene exchange suggests an underappreciated mechanism for the sudden appearance of evolutionary novelty that is entirely consistent with the principles of modern population genetics. Genetic recombination in hybrids can produce transgressive phenotypes, “monstrous” phenotypes beyond the range of parental populations. Transgressive phenotypes can be products of epistatic interactions or additive effects of multiple recombined loci. We compare several epistatic and additive models of transgressive segregation in hybrids and find that they are special cases of a general, classic quantitative genetic model. The Dobzhansky-Muller model predicts “hopeless” monsters, sterile and inviable transgressive phenotypes. The Bateson model predicts “hopeful” monsters with fitness greater than either parental population. The complementation model predicts both. Transgressive segregation after hybridization can rapidly produce novel phenotypes by recombining multiple loci simultaneously. Admixed populations will also produce many similar recombinant phenotypes at the same time, increasing the probability that recombinant “hopeful monsters” will establish true-breeding evolutionary lineages. Recombination is not the only (or even most common) process generating evolutionary novelty, but might be the most credible mechanism for sudden appearance of new forms.     

四个不同地理区域的库蚊复合组居群的遗传多样性研究

库蚊种群在农药强选择压下的生存及抗性进化是与其种群的遗传多样性密切相关的。本文主要从居群的遗传多样性角度出发 ,研究其抗性遗传行为。分别对采自 4个不同地理区域的库蚊复合组样群 ,采用水平切片淀粉凝胶电泳的方法 ,分析了 3个酶系统 (苹果酸酶Me、苹果酸脱氢酶Mdh、甘油醛-3-磷酸脱氢酶Gpd) ,获得了 5个位点共 2 7个等位基因的资料。并计算了 4个库蚊居群的遗传多样性指标为 (A ,P ,He,Ho) ,同时分析了 5种居群间的遗传距离。分析结果表明 :遗传多样性主要存在于各居群之内 (FIS=0 .5 4 37) ,但居群之间的遗传分化程度也相对较大 (Gst =0 .4 498)。