Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Yucca filamentosa

Yuccas and their pollinator moths are a textbook example of mutualism, yet we lack sufficiently variable markers to properly study the population genetics of the plants. We characterized 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci for Yucca filamentosa by screening primers derived from an expressed sequence tag database. We found four to 13 alleles per locus and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.31 to 1. These markers will be useful in future ecological studies of Y. filamentosa.     

金芯丝兰的组织培养与快速繁殖

1植物名称金芯丝兰(Yucca.filamentosa). 2材料类别茎尖. 3培养条件(1)启动培养基:MS 6-BA 2 mg·L-1(单位下同) NAA 0.5 蔗糖3%;(2)继代增殖培养基:MS 6-BA 5 NAA 0.2 蔗糖3%;(3)生根培养基:1/2MS NAA 0.1 2%蔗糖.上述培养基均加琼脂0.7%,pH 5.8.培养温度为(25 2)℃,光照度为2 000 lx,光照时间12 h·d-1.     

Partial Purification and Characterization of Peroxidase from Pellicular ia filamentosa

The structure of α_sl -casein at an emulsified oil/water interface was studied by immunochemical method using BALB/c mouse anti-α_sl -casein antibody. By incubating the antiserum with an sl-casein-stabilized emulsion, all of the specific antibodies in the serum were absorbed by the emulsion, suggesting that α_sl-casein was adsorbed to the oil surface, all of its antigenic determinants being exposed to the aqueous phase. Since the antigenic determinants of α_sl-casein for BALB/c mice are known to be present in the regions of residues 1 ~ 8, 33 ~ 54,105 ~ 119,133 ~ 151, and 174 ~ 199, these portions must be, at least partly, exposed to the aqueous phase and accessible to the antibodies.     

Genetic diversity and population structure of Yucca filamentosa (Agavaceae)

Using 19 allozyme loci we studied genetic diversity in 18 populations of Yucca filamentosa (Agavaceae) from the southeastern United States. Of the 19 loci surveyed, 17 (89.5%) were polymorphic in at least one of the populations sampled. There was considerable variation among populations in the percentage of polymorphic loci (range = 31.6-84.2%, mean = 67.6%). Similar heterogeneity among populations was observed for mean number of alleles per polymorphic locus (range = 2.0-3.0; mean = 2.48) and mean expected heterozygosity (range = 0.113-0.288; mean = 0.213). On average, 83% of the total genetic diversity was found within populations. Duplications of three allozyme loci were detected in several populations. The life-history characteristics of Y. filamentosa (a long-lived, semiwoody, predominantly outcrossing monocot with a large geographical range) may contribute to the maintenance of such high levels of genetic diversity. These results contradict expectations of the genetic structure of Y. filamentosa based on observations of the dispersal and pollination behavior of its sole pollinator, Tegeticula yuccasella, the yucca moth.     

Chemistry and geographic variation of floral scent in Yucca filamentosa (Agavaceae)

We identified volatiles from the floral headspace of Yucca filamentosa using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry and analyzed floral scent composition and variation among populations pollinated by different yucca moth species. Twenty-one scent compounds were repeatedly identified and most could be categorized into two major classes: (1) homoterpenes derived from the sesquiterpene alcohol nerolidol and (2) long chain aliphatic hydrocarbons. Two biosynthetic pathways are thus responsible for the majority of floral volatiles in Y. filamentosa. The homoterpene E-4,8-dimethylnona-1,3,7-triene, which is released systemically by higher plants upon herbivory, was the most abundant compound. Two di-oxygenated compounds not previously reported as floral compounds also were detected. No differentiation in floral scent was observed between populations pollinated by different yucca moths, nor was there any correlation between chemical distance and geographic distance among populations. The total release rate of volatiles differed significantly among populations, but not between populations with different pollinators. The combination of unique compounds and low variation in the fragrance blend may reflect highly selective attraction of obligate pollinators to flowers. The observed lack of differentiation in floral scent can putatively explain high moth-mediated gene flow among sites, but it does not explain conservation of odor composition across populations with different pollinators.     

4-benzyl-3-phenyl-5H-furan-2-one, a vasodilator isolated from Malbranchea filamentosa IFM 41300

Screening of Malbranchea filamentosa IFM 41300 for bioactive compounds led to the identification of 4-benzyl-3-phenyl-5H-furan-2-one (1) as a vasodilator and erythroglaucin (2). The structure of 1 was established on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical investigations. Compound 1 inhibited Ca2+-induced vasocintraction in aortic rings pretreated with high K+ (60mM) or norepinephrine. Finally, compound 1 did not exhibit activity against human pathogenic microorganisms.     

Pollen dispersal in Yucca filamentosa (Agavaceae): the paradox of self-pollination behavior by Tegeticula yuccasella (Prodoxidae)

We investigated pollen dispersal in an obligate pollination mutualism between Yucca filamentosa and Tegeticula yuccasella. Yucca moths are the only documented pollinator of yuccas, and moth larvae feed solely on developing yucca seeds. The quality of pollination by a female moth affects larval survival because flowers receiving small amounts of pollen or self-pollen have a high abscission probability, and larvae die in abscised flowers. We tested the prediction that yucca moths primarily perform outcross pollinations by using fluorescent dye to track pollen dispersal in five populations of Y. filamentosa. Dye transfers within plants were common in all populations (mean ± 1 SE, 55 ± 3.0%), indicating that moths frequently deposit self-pollen. Distance of dye transfers ranged from 0 to 50 m, and the mean number of flowering plants between the pollen donor and recipient was 5 (median = 0), suggesting that most pollen was transferred among near neighbors. A multilocus genetic estimate of outcrossing based on seedlings matured from open-pollinated fruits at one site was 94 ± 6% (mean ± 1 SD). We discuss why moths frequently deposit self-pollen to the detriment of their offspring and compare the yucca-yucca moth interaction with other obligate pollinator mutualisms in which neither pollinator nor plant benefit from self-pollination.     

Zenopsis filamentosa (Zeidae), a new mirror dory from the western Pacific Ocean,with redescription of Zenopsis nebulosa

Ichthyological Research - A new mirror dory, Zenopsis filamentosa, is described from specimens collected off the Pacific coast of southern Japan (Mie and Tosa Bay), the Kyushu-Palau Ridge, Fiji,...     

Effects of culture conditions on production of antibiotically active metabolites by the marine alga Spyridia filamentosa (Ceramiaceae, Rhodophyta). I. Light

The effect of irradiance over the range 5 to 70 μmol photon m⁻² s⁻¹ on production of antibiotically active metabolites was assessed for male and female gametophytes and tetrasporophytes of the red alga Sphyridia filamentosa (Wulfen) Harvey in Hooker in culture. Whole-algal extracts and ten recognizable TLC-separable zones were assayed against five human microorganisms pathogenic to humans. For all experimental irradiance conditions, the ten TLC zones displayed activity against four of the microorganisms. The maximum number of TLC zones with activity under any of the culture conditions was six each for male and female Spyridia at 70 μmol photon m⁻² s⁻¹. Small changes in irradiance resulted both in different activities against specific microorganisms and degree of activity. The fact that every TLC zone showed differing activities at different light conditions or when extracted from different life history stages strongly suggests the presence of multiple antibiotic principals in individual TLC zones. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of culture conditions on production of antibiotically active metabolites by the marine alga Spyridia filamentosa (Ceramiaceae, Rhodophyta). I. Light

The effect of irradiance over the range 5 to 70 μmol photon m-2 s-1 on production of antibiotically active metabolites was assessed for male and female gametophytes and tetrasporophytes of the red alga Sphyridia filamentosa (Wulfen) Harvey in Hooker in culture. Whole-algal extracts and ten recognizable TLC-separable zones were assayed against five human microorganisms pathogenic to humans. For all experimental irradiance conditions, the ten TLC zones displayed activity against four of the microorganisms. The maximum number of TLC zones with activity under any of the culture conditions was six each for male and female Spyridia at 70 μmol photon m-2 s-1. Small changes in irradiance resulted both in different activities against specific microorganisms and degree of activity. The fact that every TLC zone showed differing activities at different light conditions or when extracted from different life history stages strongly suggests the presence of multiple antibiotic principals in individual TLC zones. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Application of MS and NMR to the structure elucidation of complex sugar moieties of natural products: exemplified by the steroidal saponin from Yucca filamentosa L

An approach, using well characterized procedures, is presented that should be of general applicability for the structural elucidation of complex sugar moieties of natural products. The methods used are exemplified by the structure elucidation of a new gitogenin-based steroidal saponin that has a strong leishmanicidal activity similar to preparations used in clinical practice and has been isolated by bioactivity-guided fractionation of the ethanolic extract of Yucca filamentosa L. leaves. The saponin has been characterized as 3-O-((beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)- beta-D-glucopyranosy-(1-->2))(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3))-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-25R,5alpha-spirostan-2alpha,3beta-diol.     

Diversity within red algal species : variation in world-wide samples of Spyridia filamentosa (Ceramiaceae) and Murrayella periclados (Rhodomelaceae) using DNA markers and breeding studies

Molecular and breeding studies on two pan-tropical marine red algae reveal vastly different levels of genetic variation and reproductive isolation. Sequenced DNA regions from the nuclear, mitochondrial and plastid genomes (partial LSU rRNA, cox2-3 spacer, RuBisCo spacer, respectively) revealed high genetic variation among individuals of Spyridia filamentosa. An rbcL analysis shows that Spyridia is a monophyletic genus distinct from other Ceramiaceae sampled, suggesting that the Ceramiaceae could be paraphyletic. There is complete congruence between all data sets of S. filamentosa, showing a well-supported phylogeographic pattern with samples from the Pacific distinct from Atlantic and Indian Ocean samples. One western Mediterranean sample is associated with Atlantic specimens, while an eastern Mediterranean sample has closer affinities to Pacific samples, possibly indicating a recent cryptic introduction into the eastern Mediterranean. Limited breeding studies imply that these samples are mostly reproductively isolated, whereas a successful cross demonstrated maternal inheritance of organellar DNA. These data indicate that S. filamentosa exists as several cryptic species. Murrayella periclados exhibits low levels of genetic variation and no phylogeographic structure, and almost complete reproductive compatibility between isolates. This suggests that all M. periclados samples share a recent common ancestor that may have dispersed relatively rapidly, or that rates of base pair substitution between these two species vary greatly. Rapid longdistance dispersal of M. periclados is not indicated by what is known of the biology of M. periclados, especially in comparison with S. filamentosa, which appears to be a much better candidate for long-distance dispersal. These data demonstrate that red algal morphospecies are not equivalent units of diversity, with implications for our view of red algal biodiversity and evolution.