Resampling-Based Approaches to Study Variation in Morphological Modularity

Modularity has been suggested to be connected to evolvability because a higher degree of independence among parts allows them to evolve as separate units. Recently, the Escoufier RV coefficient has been proposed as a measure of the degree of integration between modules in multivariate morphometric datasets. However, it has been shown, using randomly simulated datasets, that the value of the RV coefficient depends on sample size. Also, so far there is no statistical test for the difference in the RV coefficient between a priori defined groups of observations. Here, we (1), using a rarefaction analysis, show that the value of the RV coefficient depends on sample size also in real geometric morphometric datasets; (2) propose a permutation procedure to test for the difference in the RV coefficient between a priori defined groups of observations; (3) show, through simulations, that such a permutation procedure has an appropriate Type I error; (4) suggest that a rarefaction procedure could be used to obtain sample-size-corrected values of the RV coefficient; and (5) propose a nearest-neighbor procedure that could be used when studying the variation of modularity in geographic space. The approaches outlined here, readily extendable to non-morphometric datasets, allow study of the variation in the degree of integration between a priori defined modules. A Java application – that will allow performance of the proposed test using a software with graphical user interface – has also been developed and is available at the Morphometrics at Stony Brook Web page (http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/morph/).     

Genetic and Environmental Contributions to Facial Morphological Variation: A 3D Population-Based Twin Study

IntroductionFacial phenotype is influenced by genes and environment; however, little is known about their relative contributions to normal facial morphology. The aim of this study was to assess the relative genetic and environmental contributions to facial morphological variation using a three-dimensional (3D) population-based approach and the classical twin study design.ResultsHeritability of 13 uPC and 17 sPC reached statistical significance, with h² ranging from 38.8% to 78.5% in the former and 30.5% to 84.8% in the latter group. Also, 1222 distances showed evidence of genetic control. Common environment contributed to one PC in both groups and 53 linear distances (4.3%). Unique environment contributed to 17 uPC and 20 sPC and 1245 distances.ConclusionsGenetic factors can explain more than 70% of the phenotypic facial variation in facial size, nose (width, prominence and height), lips prominence and inter-ocular distance. A few traits have shown potential dominant genetic influence: the prominence and height of the nose, the lower lip prominence in relation to the chin and upper lip philtrum length. Environmental contribution to facial variation seems to be the greatest for the mandibular ramus height and horizontal facial asymmetry.     

Morphological Variation in Pratylenchus penetrans

Variability of morphological characters used to separate Pratylenchus penetrans from other species of the genus was studied in a population originating from a single gravid female. Pronounced heteromorphism was observed and characterized. About 30% of females had a crenate-tail terminus. Several shapes of stylet knobs were characterized; 50% of them were anteriorly flattened to indented. The outer margin of the cephalic framework extended into the body from one-half to two annules. The shape of the spermatheca varied from round to oval. A fifth lateral line was observed in many specimens. Environmental factors, and particularly the host plant, influenced such morphometric characters as body length, width, esophagus length, stylet length, V value, a and b'' ratios, as well as qualitative characters such as tail terminus, growth of ovary, and shape of median bulb. Nematodes reared on pea and cabbage had a higher percentage of females with a crenate-tail terminus than those from tomato, rye, beet, and alfalfa callus culture. Nematodes from peas were longer and wider; they often had gonads that extended to esophagi, but they had shorter esophagi amt stylets than those from callus culture. Populations from different geographical locations also exhibited variahility in morphological characters, as did the Cornell population. The validity of many characters used in species identification is discussed, and the possibility that other related Pratylenchus species are conspecific with P. penetrans is suggested.     

Morphological Variation in Xiphinema spp. from New York Orchards

Xiphinema specimens were collected from orchards in southeastern, northeastern, and western New York. Total length, distance of vulva from anterior end, spear length (odontostyle plus odontophore), body diameter at vulva, tail length, anal body diameter, and length and diameter of hyaline tail tip were measured on fixed, glycerol-infiltrated adult females. Most specimens were identified as X. americanum or X. rivesi, but one western New York population was identified as X. californicum (a new record for New York). Multivariate analyses indicated that, with one exception, western New York populations of both X. americanum and X. rivesi were smaller and slimmer than their eastern counterparts. Regional differences were generally larger than differences attributed to host species.     

库拉索芦荟的多倍体诱导及其变异初报

在组织培养条件下,对库拉索芦荟（Aloe vera L.)用秋水仙素进行染色体加倍的诱导处理,结果表明：用含0.06%秋水仙素处理12h后诱变频率可达50％,其效果最佳。经秋水仙素诱导的加倍群体与正常二倍体植株比较,植株的大多数叶片变厚,叶色变深,叶片变大,气孔增大而单位叶面积气孔数减少。对变异材料进行细胞学研究所发现,体细胞中期染色体为2n=4x=28,为4倍体。未加倍前的二倍体为2n=2x=14。检测中也发现有少数植株有2n=14和2n=28两种细胞型的情况。     

华北紫丁香叶的生药学研究

目的:为华北紫丁香叶的鉴别、开发利用提供依据。方法:采用原植物、性状、显微结构的鉴别及紫外光谱的鉴别。结果:较为系统阐明了华北紫丁香叶的生药学理论。结论:为建立华北紫丁香叶的生药学质量标准提供依据。     

蜘蛛毒腺形态解剖的初步研究

本研究对蜘蛛目中几个科的代表种的毒腺形态特征及其位置进行了解剖观察。并在测量其毒腺的形态度量参数与蜘蛛体长和体重的基础上,采用一元线性回归分析和相关性分析的统计学原理,分析了其毒腺的形态度量参数与蜘蛛体长和体重之间所存在的相关性,同时探讨了不同种类蜘蛛毒腺的解剖方法。结果表明：蜘蛛毒腺的位置和形态与蜘蛛的进化、生活方式和蛛体形态有一定关系,即低等及地下穴居种类(如虎纹捕鸟蛛Selenocosmia huwena等)的蜘蛛毒腺多前位(型)于螯基内;其余的多后位(型)于头胸部前段内。蜘蛛毒腺的重量与其体重之间为正相关,如大腹园蛛Araneus ventricosus的相关系数rAl＝0．9846(P＜0．01),一元线性回归方程为:y^＝-0．0038 0．1829x;蜘蛛毒腺的长度与其头胸长之间为正相关,如穴居狼蛛Lycosa singoriensis的相关系数rc3＝0．9858(P＜0．01),方程式为:y^＝-0．1641 0．5325x;蜘蛛毒腺的宽度与其头胸宽之间为负相关,如虎纹捕鸟蛛Selenocosmia huwena的相关系数rD3：＝-0．9704(P＜0．01),方程式为：y^＝0．2498—0．0072x。     

Morphological Variation in Spores of Pyricularia oryzae Cavara

Two mutant isolates of Pyricularia oryzae formed abnormal, longer, cylindrical spores with more septa than those of normal, obpyriform spores of wild isolates. These isolates also produced normal spores, although their number was less than that of the abnormal spores. When normal and abnormal spores were single-spore-isolated from the lesions caused by the mutant isolates and inoculated to an agar medium, each colony produced both types of spores, regardless of the type of single spores used for inoculation.     

Morphological Variation in Spores of Pyricularia oryzae Cavara

Two mutant isolates of Pyricularia oryzae formed abnormal, longer, cylindrical spores with more septa than those of normal, obpyriform spores of wild isolates. These isolates also produced normal spores, although their number was less than that of the abnormal spores. When normal and abnormal spores were single-spore-isolated from the lesions caused by the mutant isolates and inoculated to an agar medium, each colony produced both types of spores, regardless of the type of single spores usedfor inoculation.     

A Simple Genetic Architecture Underlies Morphological Variation in Dogs

Domestic dogs exhibit tremendous phenotypic diversity, including a greater variation in body size than any other terrestrial mammal. Here, we generate a high density map of canine genetic variation by genotyping 915 dogs from 80 domestic dog breeds, 83 wild canids, and 10 outbred African shelter dogs across 60,968 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Coupling this genomic resource with external measurements from breed standards and individuals as well as skeletal measurements from museum specimens, we identify 51 regions of the dog genome associated with phenotypic variation among breeds in 57 traits. The complex traits include average breed body size and external body dimensions and cranial, dental, and long bone shape and size with and without allometric scaling. In contrast to the results from association mapping of quantitative traits in humans and domesticated plants, we find that across dog breeds, a small number of quantitative trait loci (≤3) explain the majority of phenotypic variation for most of the traits we studied. In addition, many genomic regions show signatures of recent selection, with most of the highly differentiated regions being associated with breed-defining traits such as body size, coat characteristics, and ear floppiness. Our results demonstrate the efficacy of mapping multiple traits in the domestic dog using a database of genotyped individuals and highlight the important role human-directed selection has played in altering the genetic architecture of key traits in this important species.     

Variation in Splicing Efficiency Underlies Morphological Evolution in Capsella

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中国樱桃品种"对樱"再生体系的优化和转基因初探

优化了中国樱桃品种"对樱"不定根离体再生体系,用农杆菌介导法,将抗菌肽B基因导入"对樱",通过抗性筛选获得了44株抗性转化植株.PCR检测有9株为阳性,初步说明抗菌肽基因已整合到"对樱"基因组中.     

Morphological and Molecular Variation of Morus laevigata in India

Morus spp., commonly known as mulberry, is significantly associated with human civilization and spread of silk-culture from Asia to Europe, Africa and Latin America. One of its species, Morus laevigata, traditionally well known for its timber value, forage use and silkworm's feed, is widely distributed in India extending from Himalayan foothill to Andaman islands. The variability occurring for 12 morpho-biochemical parameters and RAPD profiles, generated with 13 selected RAPD primers, for M. laevigata accessions from six different zones were investigated. Analyses revealed high degree of genotypic similarity of collection from Himalayan foothill (West Bengal) with those from Andaman Islands. Specific accessions from central India and south India also revealed genotypic similarities with specific accessions from north-east India. These observations are discussed in the context of clonal propagation of mulberry and evolutionary perspective of dispersal of this species, through human activities     

The Microwave Syndrome: A Preliminary Study in Spain

A health survey was carried out in Murcia, Spain, in the vicinity of a Cellular Phone Base Station working in DCS‐1800 MHz. This survey contained health items related to “microwave sickness” or “RF syndrome.” The microwave power density was measured at the respondents' homes. Statistical analysis showed significant correlation between the declared severity of the symptoms and the measured power density. The separation of respondents into two different exposure groups also showed an increase of the declared severity in the group with the higher exposure.