Genetic linkage relationships between two enzyme loci,Est-2 and acph,in the mosquito Aedes (Finlaya) togoi

An esterase locus (Est-2), coding for carboxylesterase, and an acid phosphatase locus (Acph) were genetically studied by agar gel electrophoresis in the mosquito Aedes (Finlaya) togoi. The Est-2 and Acph variants occur as a monomer and a dimer, respectively. Both enzyme loci are linked to the sex locus (M) and s (straw-colored larva); the gene arrangement and recombination distances were Est-2—12.6%—s—31.7%—M—2.9%—Acph—3.2%—Est-3. The Est-3 locus was previously shown to code for carboxylesterase.This work was supported by Grant AI 16983-02 from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.     

Field evaluation on the synergistic attractiveness of 2‐(1‐undecyloxy)‐1‐ethanol and ipsenol to Monochamus saltuarius

To develop an optimal attractant for Monochamus saltuarius (Gebler) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), the synergistic effects of a few potential attractants (ethanol and α‐pinene as host‐plant volatiles, and ipsenol and ipsdienol as bark beetle pheromones) were tested in a pine forest combined with 2‐(1‐undecyloxy)‐1‐ethanol (monochamol), the aggregation pheromone of Monochamus species, for two consecutive years, 2014 and 2015. Total number of catches was 65 and 33 in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Ethanol or ethanol + monochamol (a base blend) were not attractive to M. saltuarius with no difference from the control. Addition of α‐pinene and ipsdienol to the base blend did not significantly increase catches. However, ipsenol was significantly synergistic to the base blend in attracting M. saltuarius in 2014, and the blend (ipsenol + base blend) attracted meaningfully higher numbers of M. saltuarius in 2015. Our study illustrates the potential for monochamol and ipsenol baits for monitoring and trapping of M. saltuarius in the field.     

Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Esters Containing a Tetrazole Ring

The lipase‐catalyzed enantioselective hydrolysis of acetates containing tetrazole moiety was studied. Among all tested lipases, Novozyme SP 435 allowed to obtain optically active 4‐(5‐aryl‐2H‐tetrazol‐2yl)butan‐2‐ol and 1‐(5‐aryl‐2H‐tetrazol‐2yl)‐propan‐2‐ol and their acetates with the highest optical purities (ee = 95%‐99%) and excellent enantioselectivity (E>100). Some of the synthesized tetrazole derivatives were screened for their antifungal activity. Racemic mixtures of 4‐[5‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐2H‐tetrazol‐2‐yl)butan‐2‐ol as well as pure enantiomers of this compound showed promising antifungal activity against F. sambucinum, F. oxysporum, C. coccodes, and A. niger. Chirality 26: 811–816, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Homomorphic plant sex chromosomes are coming of age

Sex chromosomes are a very peculiar part of the genome that have evolved independently in many groups of animals and plants (Bull 1983 ). Major research efforts have so far been focused on large heteromorphic sex chromosomes in a few animal and plant species (Chibalina & Filatov 2011 ; Zhou & Bachtrog 2012 ; Bellott et al. 2014 ; Hough et al. 2014 ; Zhou et al. 2014 ), while homomorphic (cytologically indistinguishable) sex chromosomes have largely been neglected. However, this situation is starting to change. In this issue, Geraldes et al. ( 2015 ) describe a small (~100 kb long) sex‐determining region on the homomorphic sex chromosomes of poplars (Populus trichocarpa and related species, Fig.  1 ). All species in Populus and its sister genus Salix are dioecious, suggesting that dioecy and the sex chromosomes, if any, should be relatively old. Contrary to this expectation, Geraldes et al. ( 2015 ) demonstrate that the sex‐determining region in poplars is of very recent origin and probably evolved within the genus Populus only a few million years ago.     

Population genomic analyses reveal possible drivers of population divergence

Recent advances in sequencing technology and efficiency enable new and improved methods to investigate how populations diverge and species evolve. Fungi have relatively small and simple genomes and can often be cultured in the laboratory. Fungal populations can thus be sequenced for a relatively low cost, which makes them ideal for population genomic analyses. In several recent population genomic studies, wild populations of fungal model organisms and human pathogens have been analysed, for example Neurospora crassa (Ellison et al. 2011 ), Saccharomyces uvarum (Almeida et al. 2014 ), Coccidioides spp. (Neafsey et al. 2010 ) and Cryptococcus gatti (Engelthaler et al. 2014 ). In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Branco et al. ( 2015 ) apply population genomic tools to understand population divergence and adaptation in a symbiotic (mycorrhizal) fungus. This study exemplifies the possibilities of diving deeper into the genomic features involved in population divergence and speciation, also for nonmodel organisms, and how molecular and analytical tools will improve our understanding of the patterns and mechanisms that underlie adaptation to habitats, population divergence and dispersal limitation of fungi.     

Genetics of black gram (Phaseoulus mungo L.)

In black gram, the mode of inheritance of six pairs of characters has been analysed, viz.: erect versus spreading habit; hairy versus glabrous fruit; bluish black versus straw fruit colour; shiny versus dull seed surface; green versus brown seed colour. On the basis of the results, the following gene symbols are proposed:Erect habitSp is incompletely dominant over spreading,sp.—Hairy fruitG is dominant over glabrous,g, while inG plants the extent of hairiness is controlled by more than one pair of genes.—Bluish black fruit colourS is dominant over straw,s.—Shiny seed surfaceD is dominant over dull,d.—Green seed colourBr is dominant over brown;br.—Mosaic colour pattern of the seedUc is dominant over non-patterned,uc.Linkage was observed betweenS andUc, as well as betweenBr andD.     

Enantioselective Organocatalytic Oxaziridination of N‐Tosyl Aldimine Catalyzed by Cinchona Alkaloid‐Ester Derivatives

A series of cinchona alkaloid‐ester derivatives was synthesized and applied to catalyze the enantioselective oxaziridination of aryl aldimines with m‐CPBA. The (R,R)‐oxaziridines were obtained in good yields with high enantiomeric excess (ee) values (up to 98%). Chirality 26:150–154, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Genetic control and linkage relations of additional isozyme markers in chick-pea

Summary Allozyme polymorphisms of nine enzymes — aspartate aminotransferase (AAT), diaphorase (DIA), esterase (EST), formate dehydrogenase (FDH), -galactosidase (GAL), -glucosidase (GLU), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), malic enzyme (ME), and peroxidase (PRX) — were described in chick-pea (Cicer L.). Thirteen isozyme loci, Aat-c, Dia-4, Est-2, Est-4, Est-10, Fdh, Gal-2, Gal-3, Gal-4, Glu-3, Mdh-2, Me-2, and Prx-2, were genetically defined. Alleles of each of these isozyme loci expressed codominantly in heterozygotes and exhibited a codominant, single-locus segregation ratio in F₂. The loci Est-2, Mdh-2, and Me-1 were expressed only in flower. Linkage relations were determined for these 13 and several previously defined isozyme loci. The following new genetic linkages were identified: Pgm-p (locus for plastid phosphoglucomutase) — Est-10; Ald-p1 (one of the duplicate loci for plastid aldolase) — Glu-3 — Gal-2 — Est-2,3; Gal-3 — Aco-m (locus for mitochondrial aconitase) — Prx-2,3; Gpi-c (locus for cytosolic glucosephosphate isomerase) — Fdh; and Est-4 — Me-1. This study provides further confirmation on the existence of several conserved linkage groups among Cicer, Pisum, and Lens.     

Spatio-temporal variability of ichthyoplankton and its relationship with oceanographic conditions at the shelf break off Chilean Patagonia (43°S–51°S)

Larval fish composition and abundance have been studied in fjords of south Patagonia. However, the ichthyoplankton of the adjacent shelf and slope waters of the Pacific Ocean, which is an important spawning and nursery ground for demersal fishery species (e.g. austral hake and Patagonian grenadier), remains largely unknown. To compare ichthyoplankton occurrence with environmental conditions in August 2013 and 2014 (austral winter), two bio-oceanographic cruises were carried out between 43° and 51°S. Conductivity, temperature and depth (CTD) data and ichthyoplankton samples were collected. The highest frequency of occurrence (FO) was observed for eggs of lightfish Maurolicus parvipinnis (84 and 91% FO in 2013 and 2014, respectively) and larvae of the myctophid Lampanyctodes hectoris (60 and 94% FO, respectively). Ichthyoplankton composition and abundance varied significantly between years, and richness varied from 10 (2013) to 18 taxa (2014). Only larval L. hectoris showed a significant increase in abundance during the winter of 2014. Water column temperature and salinity were significantly different between years; the water was warmer and saltier in 2013. Canonical Correspondence Analysis detected positive relationships between temperature and salinity with egg abundance and larval distribution of Merluccius australis. The highest abundance of eggs of M. australis was found at ～6–10°C, mainly off south Guafo Island. Additionally, ichthyoplankton from the shelf-break area off south Patagonia showed a wider latitudinal distribution in the winter of 2014 than in 2013.     

Studien über die lebenserscheinungen der silphini (cole opt. )

Ohne ZusammenfassungBisher erschienen: Studien über die Lebenserscheinungen der Silphini. I. Silpha obscura L. Z. Morph. u. Ökol. Tiere 6, H. 2, 287 (1926). — II. Phosphuga atrata L. Z. Morph. u. Ökol. Tiere 9, H. 1/2, 271 (1927). — III. Xylodrepa quadripunctata L. Z. Morph. u. Ökol. Tiere 10, H. 2/3, 330 (1928). — IV. Blitophaga opaca L. Z. Morph. u. Ökol. Tiere 14, H. 1. 234 (1929). — V. Silpha tyrolensis Laich. Z. Morph. u. Ökol. Tiere 17, H. 1/2, 262 (1930). — VI. Blitophaga undata Müll. Z. Morph. u. Ökol. Tiere 18, H. l/2, I70 (1930). — VII. Oeceoptoma thoracica L. Z. Morph. u. Ökol. Tiere 20, H.4, 691 (1931). — VIII. Ablattaria laevigata F. Z. Morph. u. Ökol. Tiere 24, H. 2, 259 (1932). — IX. Silpha carinata Hrbst. Z. Morph. u. Ökol. Tiere 25, H. 2/3, 534 (1932). — X. Silpha tristis Illig. Z. Morph. u. Ökol. Tiere 28, H.4, 469 (1934).     

Synthesis of Indolyldiketopiperazines with NBS

Two series of indolyldiketopiperazines were synthesized starting from methyl 1‐substituted‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐β‐carboline‐3‐carboxylate hydrochlorides via N‐bromo‐succinimide (NBS) as an important reagent. All eight compounds were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and elemental analysis. Furthermore, the mechanisms of NBS‐reacted rearrangements are also discussed. Chirality 26:790–792, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Evaluation of Antibody-Dependent Enhancement of SARS-CoV Infection in Rhesus Macaques Immunized with an Inactivated SARS-CoV Vaccine

正Dear Editor,In 2003,severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus(SARS-CoV)emerged in Guangdong Province,China,infected more than 8000 individuals,and resulted in a 10%mortality rate(Rota et al.2003).Later,in 2012,a novel CoV,Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus(MERS-CoV),was isolated from the sputum of a man in Saudi Arabia(Perl et al.2014).Notably,MERS-CoV     

Host plant richness explains diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi: Response to the comment of Tedersoo et al. (2014)

Exploring the relationships between the biodiversity of groups of interacting organisms yields insight into ecosystem stability and function (Hooper et al. 2000 ; Wardle 2006 ). We demonstrated positive relationships between host plant richness and ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungal diversity both in a field study in subtropical China (Gutianshan) and in a meta‐analysis of temperate and tropical studies (Gao et al. 2013 ). However, based on re‐evaluation of our data sets, Tedersoo et al. ( 2014 ) argue that the observed positive correlation between EM fungal richness and EM plant richness at Gutianshan and also in our metastudies was based mainly from (i) a sampling design with inconsistent species pool and (ii) poor data compilation for the meta‐analysis. Accordingly, we checked our data sets and repeated the analysis performed by Tedersoo et al. ( 2014 ). In contrast to Tedersoo et al. ( 2014 ), our re‐analysis still confirms a positive effect of plant richness on EM fungal diversity in Gutianshan, temperate and tropical ecosystems, respectively.     

Effect of semiochemicals and trap height on catch of Neocerambyx raddei in Jilin province,China

We conducted experiments in Jilin, China, in 2011 and 2014 in forest stands dominated by mature Quercus mongolica Fisch. ex Ledeb. (Fagaceae) to test the effects of longhorn beetle pheromones, plant volatiles, and trap height on catch of Neocerambyx raddei (Blessig & Solsky) (formerly Massicus raddei) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in traps. Traps captured 276 specimens of N. raddei in 2011 and 379 specimens in 2014 (384 females, 271 males). Ethanol was attractive to female but not male N. raddei. However, N. raddei was not attracted to any of the longhorn beetle pheromones tested, which included racemic 3‐hydroxyhexan‐2‐one, racemic 3‐hydroxyoctan‐2‐one, syn‐2,3‐hexanediols, anti‐2,3‐hexanediols, racemic E,Z‐fuscumol, racemic E,Z‐fuscumol acetate, and monochamol, nor was it attracted to 2‐methyl‐3‐buten‐2‐ol. Traps placed in the tree canopy captured significantly more beetles than did traps in the understorey. Our results suggest that surveys for N. raddei should use ethanol‐baited traps placed in the tree canopy. If sex or aggregation pheromones are identified for N. raddei in the future, we predict that attraction to them will be enhanced by the presence of ethanol.     

Asymmetric Addition of Triethylaluminium to Aromatic Aldehydes Catalyzed by Titanium‐(5,5’‐Biquinoline‐6,6’‐Diol) Complexes

A novel convenient procedure for the resolution of 5,5’‐biquinoline‐6,6’‐diol (BIQOL) was achieved by separating the corresponding diastereomeric mixture of (S)‐(+)‐camphorsulfonates on a semiprepared XDB‐C8 column followed by hydrolysis. The efficient asymmetric addition of triethylaluminium to aromatic aldehydes catalyzed by Ti‐(+)/(–)BIQOL complexes under mild conditions is described. The reactions led to the formation of 1‐arylpropan‐1‐ol in up to 87.5% ee. Chirality 26:268‐271, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Synthesis of Novel Chiral Tridentate Schiff‐Base Ligands and Their Applications in Catalytic Asymmetric Henry Reaction

A series of chiral tridentate Schiff‐bases were prepared and used as ligands in the catalytic asymmetric Henry reaction. Under the optimal conditions, a variety of arylaldehydes were smoothly converted into corresponding adducts with high yields (up to 98%) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee). Chirality 26: 780–783, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Different effects of eubacterial and eukaryotic DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors on chloroplasts ofEuglena gracilis

Inhibitors of eubacterial and eukaryotic DNA topoisomerases type II exhibited different effects on chloroplasts of the flagellateEuglena gracilis. Antibacterial agents (cinoxacin, nalidixic and oxolinic acids, ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, norfloxacin and ofloxacin) from the group of quinolones and coumarins (coumermycin A₁, clorobiocin and novobiocin) — all inhibitors of prokaryotic DNA topoisomerase II — were very potent eliminators of chloroplasts fromE. gracilis. In contrast, antitumor drugs (adriamycin, etoposide, teniposide and mitoxantrone) — antagonists of the eukaryotic counterpart — did not affect these semiautonomous photosynthetic organelles. These findings point out again the close evolutionary relationships between eubacteria and chloroplasts and are in agreement with the hypothesis of an endosymbiotic origin of chloroplasts.     

Studien über die lebenserscheinungen der silphini (coleopt.)

Ohne ZusammenfassungBisher erschienen:Studien über die Lebenserscheinungen der Silphini. I. Silpha obscura L. Z. Morph. u. Ökol. Tiere 6, H. 2, 287 (1926). — II. Phosphuga atrata L. Ebenda 9, H.1 /2, 271 (1927). — III. Xylodrepa quadripunctata L. Ebenda 10, H. 2/3, 330 (1928). — IV. Blitophaga opaca L. Ebenda 14, H. 1, 234 (1929). — V. Silpha tyrolensis Laich. Ebenda 17, H. 1/2, 262 (1930). — VI. Blitophaga undata Müll. 18, H. 1/2, 170 (1930).     

Tending a complex microbiota requires major immune complexity

Animals maintain complex microbial communities within their guts that fill important roles in the health and development of the host. To what degree a host's genetic background influences the establishment and maintenance of its gut microbial communities is still an open question. We know from studies in mice and humans that external factors, such as diet and environmental sources of microbes, and host immune factors play an important role in shaping the microbial communities (Costello et al. 2012 ). In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Bolnick et al. ( 2014a ) sample the gut microbial community from 150 genetically diverse stickleback isolated from a single lake to provide evidence that another part of the adaptive immune response, the major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) receptors of antigen‐presenting cells, may play a role in shaping the gut microbiota of the threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus (Bolnick et al. 2014a ). Bolnick et al. ( 2014a ) provide insight into natural, interindividual variation in the diversity of both stickleback MHCII alleles and their gut microbial communities and correlate changes in the diversity of MHCII receptor alleles with changes in the microbiota.