Worldwide analysis of multiple microsatellites: language diversity has a detectable influence on DNA diversity

Previous studies of the correlations between the languages spoken by human populations and the genes carried by the members of those populations have been limited by the small amount of genetic markers available and by approximations in the treatment of linguistic data. In this study we analyzed a large collection of polymorphic microsatellite loci (377), distributed on all autosomes, and used Ruhlen's linguistic classification, to investigate the relative roles of geography and language in shaping the distribution of human DNA diversity at a worldwide scale. For this purpose, we performed three different kinds of analysis: (i) we partitioned genetic variances at three hierarchical levels of population subdivision according to language group by means of a molecular analysis of variance (AMOVA); (ii) we quantified by a series of Mantel's tests the correlation between measures of genetic and linguistic differentiation; and (iii) we tested whether linguistic differences are increased across known zones of increased genetic change between populations. Genetic differences appear to more closely reflect geographic than linguistic differentiation. However, our analyses show that language differences also have a detectable effect on DNA diversity at the genomic level, above and beyond the effects of geographic distance.     

唇形科鼠尾草属的物种多样性与分布

为全面了解唇形科鼠尾草属(Salvia)植物的多样性和分布格局及其形成机制, 作者查阅了国际权威生物多样性信息网站(GBIF, The Plant List)、中国数字植物标本馆(CVH)、教学标本资源共享平台和中国自然保护区标本资源共享平台中该属物种名称及标本采集信息, 以及国内32家标本馆的标本, 分析并绘制其物种分布图。结果显示, 具有明确地理坐标的世界和中国分布信息分别有57,674条和11,596条, 已接受种名952个。在世界范围内, 以中南美洲(510种)物种数量最多, 其次是西亚(270种)、欧洲(117种)、东亚(97种)和北美(94种); 在国家尺度上, 以墨西哥物种数量最多(322种), 其次是俄罗斯(109种)、土耳其(88种)、美国(85种)和中国(82种)。在中国, 以云南和四川省鼠尾草种数最多(合计占全国的63%), 两省分布最多的县域地区分别是玉龙县(23种)、香格里拉县(20种)、大理市(13种)和木里县(17种)、宝兴县(13种)、马边县(13种)。在自然地理区域上, 以横断山区最为丰富, 占该属全国物种总数的52.8%, 特有种达23种; 广布种以荔枝草(S. plebeia)分布的县域数量最多(395县), 其次是鼠尾草(S. japonica) (199)、丹参(S. miltiorrhiza) (192)、贵州鼠尾草(S. cavaleriei) (173)、华鼠尾草(S. chinensis) (153)和粘毛鼠尾草(S. roborowskii) (100)。鼠尾草属主要分布于北半球温带及亚热带高海拔地区, 中国是东亚的多样性分布中心, 代表性广布种及狭域特有种均有分布, 尤以云南、四川以及横断山区的物种多样性和特有种比例最高。     

Population size changes reshape genomic patterns of diversity

Elucidating the forces responsible for genomic variation is critical for understanding evolution. Under standard conditions, X-linked diversity is expected to be three-quarters the level of autosomal diversity. Empirical data often deviate from this prediction, but the reasons for these departures are unclear. We demonstrate that population size changes can greatly alter relative levels of X-linked and autosomal variation: population size reductions lead to particularly low X-linked diversity, whereas growth elevates X-linked relative to autosomal diversity. Genetic variation from a diverse array of taxa supports an important role for this effect in accounting for population differences in the ratio of X-linked to autosomal diversity. Consideration of this effect may improve the inference of population history and other evolutionary processes.     

Molecular phylogeography and genetic diversity of East Asian goats

The domestic goat is one of the most important livestock species, but its origins and genetic diversity still remain uncertain. Multiple highly divergent maternal lineages of goat have been reported in previous studies. Although one of the mitochondrial DNA lineages, lineage B, was detected only in eastern and southern Asia, the geographic distribution of these lineages was previously unclear. Here, we examine the genetic diversity and phylogeographic structure of Asian goats by mitochondrial DNA sequences and morphological characteristics. The analyses of a total of 1661 Asian goats from 12 countries revealed a high frequency of lineage B in Southeast Asia. The frequency of this lineage tended to be higher in mountain areas than in plain areas in Southeast Asian countries, and there was a significant correlation between its frequency and morphological traits. The results suggest an original predominance of lineage B in Southeast Asia and the recent infiltration of lineage A into Southeast Asian goats.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in a medicinal plant,Phyllanthus emblica (Euphorbiaceae)

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers were isolated and characterized in a medicinal plant, Phyllanthus emblica, to study population genetics for designing an effective in situ and ex situ conservation of genetic resources of the species. • Methods and Results: Six microsatellite markers were developed using an enrichment and magnetic separation protocol. They were characterized in two natural populations of P. emblica. Out of the six microsatellites, five showed polymorphism, with the number of alleles ranging from four to seven. Observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.360 to 0.760 and 0.499 to 0.806, respectively. • Conclusions: The five polymorphic microsatellite markers will be useful for studying the genetic structure, reproductive biology, and for identification of clones and provenances of this important medicinal plant.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellites in the Potato Tuber Moth Tecia solanivora (Povolny, 1973) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Nine polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated from Tecia solanivora, one of the most serious pests of potato tubers in Central and South America. As found in other studies of Lepidoptera, development of microsatellites is a difficult task: in our case, despite the large number of clones sequenced (796), of which 70 were unique, only nine loci were found to be both variable, and in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, No null alleles were detected. The loci were tested in three other co-occurring Gelechiidae species, one of which was variable. These loci will be used to provide a greater understanding of the genetic changes occurring during the invasive process in this species.     

Species diversity and population dynamics of rodents in a farm‐fallow field mosaic system in Central Tanzania

A Capture‐Mark‐Recapture study was undertaken in Central Tanzania to compare variations in community structure and population dynamics of rodents in two types of habitats. The study was conducted in fallow field mosaic habitat dominated by perennial and annual grasses (grid BEA) and a more heterogeneous habitat (grid BEB) which was previously woodland cleared of most trees with vegetation dominated by shrubs, bushes, scattered trees and perennial grass. The relative abundance of rodents in BEA was: Mastomys natalensis (73.5%) > Aethomys chrysophilus (8.9%) > Gerbilliscus vicina (7.3%) > Arvicanthis neumanni (6.1%) > Acomys spinosissimus (4.1%) and for grid BEB: M. natalensis (67.6%) > G. vicina (11.2%) > A. neumanni (10.3%) > A. chrysophilus (7.6%) > A. spinosissimus (2.9%). Graphiurus sp., Mus minutoides, Saccostomus mearnsi, Lemniscomys striatus and L. griselda were rare and only occasionally trapped in BEB. Spatial variations in population density were non‐significant except for A. chrysophilus. Significant temporal variations within grids were observed, with synchrony of population peaks for some species. The rare species boosted species richness of grid BEB rather artificially, without significantly contributing to higher species diversity. Temporal variations in Simpson’s Diversity indices between grids were non‐significant except for three out of twenty‐one trapping sessions.     

三江平原湿地典型植物群落物种多样性研究

以三江平原分布最广的毛果苔草(Carex lasiocarpa)群落和小叶章(Calamagrostis angustifolia)群落为研究对象,研究2个群落的植物物种及其组成特征。结果表明,毛果苔草群落以毛果苔草为优势种,以漂筏苔草(C.pseudocuraica)为亚优势种,二者的重要值之和为56.4%;小叶章群落以小叶章为优势种,其重要值为50.8%。物种多样性分析表明,毛果苔草群落和小叶章群落的Simpson指数(D)、Shannon-Wiener指数(H)和Pielou均匀度指数(J)均有较大波动,且H与J呈显著正相关,与D呈显著负相关,与S无显著相关关系;毛果苔草群落的H、D、J和S均高于小叶章群落,但差异不显著;2群落的相似性指数为46.5%,表明二者间存在一定的联系。     

香港地区蚜虫物种多样性

蚜虫是半翅目中一类体型较小的昆虫,广布于世界各地,其中绝大部分是农林害虫。目前,国内许多地区已开展蚜虫物种多样性和区系研究,但香港地区因蚜虫研究基础薄弱,至今尚未开展过系统研究。作者研究和整理了英国自然历史博物馆和中国科学院动物研究所动物标本馆已有的香港地区蚜虫标本,并参考大量相关文献,从分类阶元、特有物种、动物地理区划和寄主植物四个方面分析了香港地区蚜虫物种多样性。研究发现香港地区已知蚜虫7科44属70种,分别占中国已知科、属、种的53.85%、16.60%和6.83%,多样性较为丰富,其中有香港地区特有种6种。香港地区在动物地理区划中位于东洋界华南区闽广沿海亚区,蚜虫物种以分布于东洋界、古北界 东洋界、东洋界 澳洲界成分为主。现记载香港地区共有蚜虫的寄主植物30科58属,其中蚜科的寄主植物最为丰富,其次为扁蚜科和斑蚜科;寄主植物中寄生蚜虫类群最多的3个科分别为:禾本科、桑科和樟科。虽然香港地区面积仅占中国总面积的万分之一,但该地区复杂的地形地貌、适宜的气候环境以及丰富的植被共同构成了有利于蚜虫生存的小生境,因此蚜虫物种多样性较高,这也是我国南方地区蚜虫物种丰富的鲜明体现。     

Polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellites for Cope's giant salamander (Dicamptodon copei) and Pacific giant salamander (Dicamptodon tenebrosus)

We present primers and amplification conditions for 15 microsatellite loci developed for the Cope's giant salamander (Dicamptodon copei), 14 of which are tetranucleotide repeats. Cross-species amplification revealed 10 of these loci to also be polymorphic in the Pacific giant salamander (Dicamptodon tenebrosus). Several loci produced nonoverlapping allelic ranges between the two species and may be useful in species identification. These polymorphic microsatellite loci are potentially useful for future studies of population genetics in dicamptodontid salamanders.     

Pan‐African phylogeography of a model organism,the African clawed frog ‘Xenopus laevis’

The African clawed frog Xenopus laevis has a large native distribution over much of sub‐Saharan Africa and is a model organism for research, a proposed disease vector, and an invasive species. Despite its prominent role in research and abundance in nature, surprisingly little is known about the phylogeography and evolutionary history of this group. Here, we report an analysis of molecular variation of this clade based on 17 loci (one mitochondrial, 16 nuclear) in up to 159 individuals sampled throughout its native distribution. Phylogenetic relationships among mitochondrial DNA haplotypes were incongruent with those among alleles of the putatively female‐specific sex‐determining gene DM‐W, in contrast to the expectation of strict matrilineal inheritance of both loci. Population structure and evolutionarily diverged lineages were evidenced by analyses of molecular variation in these data. These results further contextualize the chronology, and evolutionary relationships within this group, support the recognition of X. laevis sensu stricto, X. petersii, X. victorianus and herein revalidated X. poweri as separate species. We also propose that portions of the currently recognized distributions of X. laevis (north of the Congo Basin) and X. petersii (south of the Congo Basin) be reassigned to X. poweri.     

Novel polymorphic microsatellites for studying genetic diversity of red Asian arowanas

Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus) is a highly endangered fish species listed in Appendix 1 of CITES since 1980. Fourteen novel polymorphic microsatellites were isolated from a CA-enriched partial genomic DNA library, and were used for studying genetic diversity of 41 red arowanas from the wild population. Surprisingly the average allele number of the 14 polymorphic microsatellites was as high as 12.4/locus. The average observed heterozygosity was 0.78 ranging from 0.51 to 0.95, and the gene diversity was quite high (0.78). All these data suggest that high level of genetic diversity existed in the red Asian arowana population.     

Landscape drivers of genomic diversity and divergence in woodland Eucalyptus

Spatial genetic patterns are influenced by numerous factors, and they can vary even among coexisting, closely related species due to differences in dispersal and selection. Eucalyptus (L'Héritier 1789; the “eucalypts”) are foundation tree species that provide essential habitat and modulate ecosystem services throughout Australia. Here we present a study of landscape genomic variation in two woodland eucalypt species, using whole‐genome sequencing of 388 individuals of Eucalyptus albens and Eucalyptus sideroxylon. We found exceptionally high genetic diversity (π ≈ 0.05) and low genome‐wide, interspecific differentiation (F_ST = 0.15) and intraspecific differentiation between localities (F_ST ≈ 0.01–0.02). We found no support for strong, discrete population structure, but found substantial support for isolation by geographic distance (IBD) in both species. Using generalized dissimilarity modelling, we identified additional isolation by environment (IBE). Eucalyptus albens showed moderate IBD, and environmental variables have a small but significant amount of additional predictive power (i.e. IBE). Eucalyptus sideroxylon showed much stronger IBD and moderate IBE. These results highlight the vast adaptive potential of these species and set the stage for testing evolutionary hypotheses of interspecific adaptive differentiation across environments.     

基于在线数据库的鳞翅目刺蛾科昆虫物种多样性及其全球分布格局

鳞翅目刺蛾科昆虫在全球范围内广泛分布, 是重要经济林、行道林的主要害虫。本研究通过对在线数据库中刺蛾科昆虫分布数据进行整理分析, 阐明其在全球范围内的物种多样性及分布格局, 并初步探讨造成其物种分布不均的原因, 从而为物种多样性保护及害虫防治提供科学依据。通过检索生物条形码数据库(Barcode of Life Data System V4, BOLD V4)和全球生物多样性信息数据库(Global Biodiversity Information Facility, GBIF)中记录的标本信息, 并结合部分地区鳞翅目昆虫名录及野外采集样本数据, 对刺蛾科昆虫的分布信息进行汇总分析并绘制分布图。统计得到具有明确地理坐标的刺蛾科昆虫分布信息61,947条, 共187属637种。结果表明, 在世界动物地理区系尺度上, 东洋区刺蛾科昆虫物种多样性最高, 共72属, 古北区31属, 澳新区及新热带区均为27属, 非洲热带区22属, 新北区19属。在国家尺度上, 中国存在刺蛾科昆虫123种, 越南116种, 其次为哥斯达黎加(75种)和澳大利亚(69种)。中低纬度地区具有较高的刺蛾科昆虫物种多样性和丰富度, 这有可能与该地区的气候历史条件及丰富的寄主植物资源有关。     

中国热带粒毛盘菌属的物种多样性研究

本文在对我国盘菌资源调查的基础上,分析研究了热带地区粒毛盘菌属真菌的物种多样性。本研究共分析451份标本,属于35个分类单位,其中Lachnum abnorme var. abnorme, L. brasiliense, L. flavidulum, L. pteridophyllum, L. sclerotii和L. virgineum 6个种的个体数量均在总数的6 %以上,占已观察标本总数的73.4 %,是我国热带地区的常见种。物种多样性分析表明,海南的物种丰富度（S=22）和多样性指数（H′=2.6696）最高,云南与广西的物种丰富度相似。采用群落系数（coefficient of community,cc）比较了不同地区的物种分布相似性。本文还试图探讨物种分布与海拔高度、生境、基物间的关系。粒毛盘菌属真菌在海拔60～2700 m的地带均有分布,由于调查和取样的局限性,物种随海拔高度变化的规律不明显;地理分布上大致可分为世界性分布、间断性分布和地方特有三种分布型。     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellites in Labeo rohita and their cross‐species amplification in related species

The major Indian carps namely rohu (Labeo rohita), catla (Catla catla), mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) and calbasu (Labeo calbasu) are important freshwater species of the Indian subcontinent constituting over 65% of the fish produce. In the present study, isolation of 12 microsatellite loci from rohu has been reported. Cross‐species amplification in related carps and their implication in population genetic studies as well as selective breeding program were discussed.     

Comparing RADseq and microsatellites for estimating genetic diversity and relatedness — Implications for brown trout conservation

The conservation and management of endangered species requires information on their genetic diversity, relatedness and population structure. The main genetic markers applied for these questions are microsatellites and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), the latter of which remain the more resource demanding approach in most cases. Here, we compare the performance of two approaches, SNPs obtained by restriction‐site‐associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) and 16 DNA microsatellite loci, for estimating genetic diversity, relatedness and genetic differentiation of three, small, geographically close wild brown trout (Salmo trutta) populations and a regionally used hatchery strain. The genetic differentiation, quantified as F_ST, was similar when measured using 16 microsatellites and 4,876 SNPs. Based on both marker types, each brown trout population represented a distinct gene pool with a low level of interbreeding. Analysis of SNPs identified half‐ and full‐siblings with a higher probability than the analysis based on microsatellites, and SNPs outperformed microsatellites in estimating individual‐level multilocus heterozygosity. Overall, the results indicated that moderately polymorphic microsatellites and SNPs from RADseq agreed on estimates of population genetic structure in moderately diverged, small populations, but RADseq outperformed microsatellites for applications that required individual‐level genotype information, such as quantifying relatedness and individual‐level heterozygosity. The results can be applied to other small populations with low or moderate levels of genetic diversity.     

Connections between species diversity and genetic diversity

Species diversity and genetic diversity remain the nearly exclusive domains of community ecology and population genetics, respectively, despite repeated recognition in the literature over the past 30 years of close parallels between these two levels of diversity. Species diversity within communities and genetic diversity within populations are hypothesized to co‐vary in space or time because of locality characteristics that influence the two levels of diversity via parallel processes, or because of direct effects of one level of diversity on the other via several different mechanisms. Here, we draw on a wide range of studies in ecology and evolution to examine the theoretical underpinnings of these hypotheses, review relevant empirical literature, and outline an agenda for future research. The plausibility of species diversity–genetic diversity relationships is supported by a variety of theoretical and empirical studies, and several recent studies provide direct, though preliminary support. Focusing on potential connections between species diversity and genetic diversity complements other approaches to synthesis at the ecology–evolution interface, and should contribute to conceptual unification of biodiversity research at the levels of genes and species.