微卫星标记在穿山甲个体识别中的应用

在对非法走私和捕杀穿山甲的犯罪案件研究中,所涉及的穿山甲个体数量是量刑的重要依据,然而对于一些穿山甲鳞片、肉块及其深加工产品,从形态学上却无法进行个体识别。微卫星标记已证实是一种用于动物个体识别的可靠的遗传标记。本研究从已发表的34对穿山甲微卫星引物中筛选出6对多态性较高的引物,用于穿山甲鳞片的个体识别。结果表明:6个位点的观测值杂合度(Ho)为0.653-0.234;期望值杂合度(He)为0.926-0.861;MJA03的PIC最高(0.918),MJA13的PIC最低(0.852),平均PIC为0.884。单个座位的个体识别能力在0.826-0.956之间,累积个体识别能力为99.9999%,表明采用的6个位点适用于国内穿山甲走私案中的个体识别。     

The influence of diet on faecal DNA amplification and sex identification in brown bears (Ursus arctos)

To evaluate the influence of diet on faecal DNA amplification, 11 captive brown bears (Ursus arctos) were placed on six restricted diets: grass (Trifolium spp., Haplopappus hirtus and Poa pratensis), alfalfa (Lupinus spp.), carrots (Daucus spp.), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) and salmon (Salmo spp.). DNA was extracted from 50 faecal samples of each restricted diet, and amplification of brown bear DNA was attempted for a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) locus and nuclear DNA (nDNA) locus. For mtDNA, no significant differences were observed in amplification success rates across diets. For nDNA, amplification success rates for salmon diet extracts were significantly lower than all other diet extracts (P < 0.001). To evaluate the accuracy of faecal DNA sex identification when female carnivores consume male mammalian prey, female bears were fed male white-tailed deer. Four of 10 extracts amplified, and all extracts were incorrectly scored as male due to amplification of X and Y-chromosome fragments. The potential biases highlighted in this study have broad implications for researchers using faecal DNA for individual and sex identification, and should be evaluated in other species.     

Alien flora of India: taxonomic composition, invasion status and biogeographic affiliations

The wide knowledge gaps in invasion biology research that exist in the developing world are crucial impediments to the scientific management and global policymaking on biological invasions. In an effort to fill such knowledge gaps, we present here an inventory of the alien flora of India, based on systematic reviews and rigorous analyses of research studies (ca. 190) published over the last 120 years (1890–2010 AD), and updated with field records of the last two decades. Currently, the inventory comprises of 1,599 species, belonging to 842 genera in 161 families, and constitutes 8.5% of the total Indian vascular flora. The three most species-rich families are Asteraceae (134 spp.), Papilionaceae (114 spp.) and Poaceae (106 spp.), and the three largest genera are Eucalyptus (25 spp.), Ipomoea (22 spp.), and Senna (21 spp.). The majority of these species (812) have no report of escaping from cultivation. Of the remaining subset of 787 species, which have either escaped from intentional cultivation, or spread after unintentional introduction, casuals are represented by 57 spp., casual/naturalised by 114 spp., naturalised by 257 spp., naturalised/invasive by 134 spp., and invasive by 225 spp. Biogeographically, more than one-third (35%) of the alien flora in India has its native ranges in South America, followed by Asia (21%), Africa (20%), Europe (11%), Australia (8%), North America (4%); and cryptogenic (1%). The inventory is expected to serve as the scientific baseline on plant invasions in India, with implications for conservation of global biodiversity.     

New records of benthic marine algae and Cyanobacteria for Costa Rica,and a comparison with other Central American countries

We present the results of an intensive sampling program carried out from 2000 to 2007 along both coasts of Costa Rica, Central America. The presence of 44 species of benthic marine algae is reported for the first time for Costa Rica. Most of the new records are Rhodophyta (27 spp.), followed by Chlorophyta (15 spp.), and Heterokontophyta, Phaeophycea (2 spp.). Overall, the currently known marine flora of Costa Rica is comprised of 446 benthic marine algae and 24 Cyanobacteria. This species number is an under estimation, and will increase when species of benthic marine algae from taxonomic groups where only limited information is available (e.g., microfilamentous benthic marine algae, Cyanobacteria) are included. The Caribbean coast harbors considerably more benthic marine algae (318 spp.) than the Pacific coast (190 spp.); such a trend has been observed in all neighboring countries. Compared to other Central American countries, Costa Rica has the highest number of reported benthic marine algae; however, Panama may have a similarly high diversity after unpublished results from a Rhodophyta survey (Wysor, unpublished) are included. Sixty-two species have been found along both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Costa Rica; we discuss this result in relation to the emergence of the Central American Isthmus.     

Bioethanol production from dedicated energy crops and residues in Arkansas, USA

Globally, one of the major technologic goals is to achieve cost-effective lignocellulosic ethanol production from biomass feedstocks. Lignocellulosic biomass of four dedicated energy crops [giant reed (Arundo donax L.), elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum (Schumach), Miscanthus × giganteus (Illinois clone), and (clone Q42641) {hybrid of Miscanthus sinensis Anderss. and Miscanthus sacchariflorus (Maxim)}, Hack. called giant miscanthus, and sugarcane clone US 84-1028 (Saccharum L. spp. hybrid)] and residues from two crops [soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) litter and rice (Oryza sativa L.) husk] were tested for bioethanol production using cellulose solvent-based lignocellulose fractionation (CSLF) pretreatment and enzymatic (cellulase) hydrolysis. Giant miscanthus (Illinois), giant reed, giant miscanthus (Q42641), elephantgrass, and sugarcane all yielded higher amount of glucose on a biomass dry weight basis (0.290-0.331 g/g), than did rice husk (0.181 g/g) and soybean litter (0.186 g/g). To reduce the capital investment for energy consumption in fermentation, we used a self-flocculating yeast strain (SPSC01) to ferment the lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysates. Bioethanol production was ～0.1 g/g in dedicated energy crops and less in two crop residues. These methods and data can help to develop a cost-effective downstream process for bioethanol production.     

How localized are the distributions of Australian scarabs (Coleoptera,Scarabaeoidea)?

The degree of localization in the distribution of Australian scarabaeine (320 spp.), aphodiine (160 spp.), geotrupid (166 spp.) and dynastine (182 spp.) scarabs is analysed. Localization differs among these groups, appearing to increase marginally from the Dynastinae, to the Aphodiinae, to the Scarabaeinae, to the Geotrupidae, but with significant differences within groups, e.g. the scarabaeine tribes Onthophagini and Scarabaeini. However, the Australian fauna lacks the high proportion of widespread species characteristic of the West Palaearctic Scarabaeinae, Aphodiinae and Geotrupidae. This difference reflects the different ecological histories of the two regions.     

Primate origin of the cell-derived sequences of simian sarcoma virus

We sought to identify the species of origin of the cell-derived (sis) sequences of simian sarcoma virus. A molecular clone comprised of sis DNA detected related nucleotide sequences at low copy numbers in normal cellular DNAs of species as diverse as humans and quail. The extent of hybridization and degree of base-pair matching with sis DNA were greatest with New World primate DNAs. The thermal denaturation curve midpoints of hybrids formed between sis and woolly monkey DNAs were indistinguishable from homologous sis DNA hybrids, establishing the woolly monkey (Lagothrix spp.) as the source of sis sequences. In comparative studies, sis was shown to be more conserved among mammalian species than unique-sequence woolly monkey cellular DNA. There was no detectable homology between sis and the cell-derived sequences of other fibroblast-transforming retroviruses. These findings indicate that sis is likely to be a unique onc gene among transforming retroviruses.     

Identification of mitochondrial plasmid-like DNAs in Picea abies (L.) Karst.

The Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) mitochondrial DNA has been extracted from embryonal suspensor masses. In addition to a master chromosome, a family of plasmid-like DNAs were identified. These latter shared cross homologies but had no evident sequence homology with the master chromosome. The occurrence of mitochondrial plasmid-like DNAs was investigated in trees from different provenances. A vast majority of trees displayed extrachromosomal DNA elements of variable stoechiometry. For some trees, the sequences homologous to the extrachromosomal DNA elements were found associated with high molecular weight DNA. Received: 9 July 1997 / Revision received: 29 January 1998 / Accepted: 29 November 1998     

景宁畲族自治县苔藓植物物种多样性及区系特征

通过对采自于景宁畲族自治县的2331份苔藓植物的鉴定研究,发现该县有苔藓植物80科194属451种(包括种以下分类单位),其中包括浙江省新记录属2个,分别是疣毛藓属(Leratia Broth.)和拟小锦藓属(Hageniella Broth.),浙江省新记录种30个。该区系优势科主要包括青藓科(Brachytheciaceae,34种)、灰藓科(Hypnaceae,23种)、丛藓科(Pottiaceae,22种)和提灯藓科(Mniaceae,22种)等16个,优势属主要包括羽苔属[Plagiochila(Dumort.) Dumort.,14种]、青藓属(Brachythecium Bruch & Schimp.,14种)、凤尾藓属(Fissidens Hedw.,13种)、灰藓属(Hypnum Hedw.,11种)和耳叶苔属(Frullania Raddi,10种)等25个;单种属和寡种属较多,但特有现象不明显;土石生、土生和树生群落为主,水生群落较为稀少;区系主体由东亚分布成分、热带分布成分和温带分布成组成主体,呈现出明显的东亚色彩和热带向温带过度的特点。研究旨在摸清景宁畲族自治县苔藓植物本底资源,为该地区苔藓植物的保护和合理利用提供科学依据,同时以期能够为浙江省乃至中国苔藓植物研究提供基础资料。     

Host plant resistance against broomrapes (Orobanche spp.): defence reactions and mechanisms of resistance

Over 4000 species of angiosperms are able to directly invade and parasitise other plants, but only very few are weedy and parasitise cultivated plants. Together with the witchweeds (Striga spp.) and dodders (Cuscuta spp.), the broomrapes (Orobanche spp.) affect important crops causing complete yield loses with severe infestations. Genetic resistance to parasitisation remains as one of the most desirable components in an integrated control strategy. However, breeding for resistance is a difficult task and many aspects of the host/parasite interaction remain unknown. In the present work, we review the cytological and cytochemical studies investigating the mechanisms of resistance involved in the process leading to an incompatible host–parasite interaction. We have attempted to identify the main gaps and problems related to such studies with parasitic plants and present an in‐depth review of histochemical techniques used to assess mechanisms of resistance against these parasitic plants. Furthermore, we discuss future research directions and novel techniques and finally, how such techniques can be applied and incorporated within a breeding programme.     

福建苔类和角苔类植物最新名录与区系分析

福建地处亚热带,其维管植物多样性已经有过广泛的研究,但其苔类和角苔类植物的多样性却鲜为人知。在本研究中,作者基于先前的苔藓植物文献报道和近期的野外工作以及对华东师范大学标本馆部分馆藏标本的研究结果,编写了福建苔类和角苔类植物的最新名录。福建共有苔类植物41科79属351种,角苔类植物1科4属6种。本研究新增福建苔类新记录82种。福建苔类和角苔类植物区系主要由细鳞苔科（94种）,耳叶苔科（32种）,羽苔科（25种）,扁萼苔科（23种）和指叶苔科（21种）等一些热带和亚热带的大科组成。除种数较多的属以外,63个属的种数不足5种,其中包括33个单种属。福建苔类和角苔类植物的区系地理分布主要以东亚、热带亚洲和北温带成分为主。福建特有种仅Solenostoma parviperianthum一种。与台湾相比,尽管两地植物间具有较高的相似性,福建在苔类和角苔类植物的多样性以及特有成分上都还远不及台湾丰富。     

Comparison of selected methods for the enumeration of fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli in shellfish.

In a comparison of five selected methods for the enumeration of fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli in naturally contaminated and sewage-seeded mussels (Choromytilus spp.) and oysters (Ostrea spp.), a spread-plate procedure with mFC agar without rosolic acid and preincubation proved the method of choice for routine quality assessment.     

福建苔类和角苔类植物最新名录与区系分析

福建地处亚热带,其维管植物多样性已经有过广泛的研究,但其苔类和角苔类植物的多样性却鲜为人知。在本研究中,作者基于先前的苔藓植物文献报道和近期的野外工作以及对华东师范大学标本馆部分馆藏标本的研究结果,编写了福建苔类和角苔类植物的最新名录。福建共有苔类植物41科79属351种,角苔类植物1科4属6种。本研究新增福建苔类新记录82种。福建苔类和角苔类植物区系主要由细鳞苔科（94种）,耳叶苔科（32种）,羽苔科（25种）,扁萼苔科（23种）和指叶苔科（21种）等一些热带和亚热带的大科组成。除种数较多的属以外,63个属的种数不足5种,其中包括33个单种属。福建苔类和角苔类植物的区系地理分布主要以东亚、热带亚洲和北温带成分为主。福建特有种仅Solenostoma parviperianthum一种。与台湾相比,尽管两地植物间具有较高的相似性,福建在苔类和角苔类植物的多样性以及特有成分上都还远不及台湾丰富。     

Crystal diversity and macropatterns in leaves of Oleaceae

Oleaceae leaves surveyed from herbarium specimens of 240 species from 23 genera were rehydrated, bleached, processed into xylol, mounted unstained, and viewed microscopically between crossed polarizers. Occurrence of five crystal types and two variants (tiny acicular crystals and sphaerites) within one family is unusual. Number of crystal types within a single species was one (108 spp.), two (53 spp.), three (51 spp.), four (15 spp.), and five (6 spp.). Seven species lacked crystals. The tiny acicular crystal variant was most common (167 spp.), followed by prisms (67 spp.), raphides (65 spp.), druses (61 spp.), sphaerites variant (50 spp.), styloids (36 spp.), and crystal sand (21 spp.). Epidermal crystals were common (155 spp.), with epidermal crystals clustering at base of trichomes in 21 species. Jasminum was exceptional in having mostly druses and almost no crystals around vascular bundles. Most Oleaceae crystals are tiny, usually about 5 μm in length, except for larger styloids and raphides.     

Food collection within an ant community in semi-arid Australia,with special reference to seed harvesters

The trophic structure of an ant community near Deniliquin, in south western New South Wales, was found to be complex. Individual species covered a range of trophic levels and, apart from a few specialized predators, most species showed a broad diet. A total of twenty-seven species were placed in six different categories, according to food usage patterns:- specialist predators (2 spp.), generalist predators (1 sp.), predator-scavengers (4 spp.), omnivore-nectar collectors (10 spp.), omnivore-seed collectors (5 spp.) and seed harvesters (5 spp.). Almost 50% of ant colonies were of the five seed-harvester species and their food usage was examined more closely. They showed marked seasonal changes in composition of diet, corresponding closely to periods of seed production by different food plants. There were also differences in seed selection between species, and these were related to the size, phenology and probably chemical properties of the seed. Foraging behaviour by the various species showed differing adaptations to efficient utilization of a variable food supply.     

Fruit structure and generic delimitation of Athanasia (Asteraceae-Anthemideae) and related South African genera

Within South African Asteraceae-Anthemideae there is a group of genera containing furanosesquiterpenes rather than the common polyacetylenes. Of these genera, Asaemia (Harv.) Ham. ex Benth. & Hook., Athanasia L., Eumorphia DC., Gymno-pcnfzia Benth., Phymaspermum Less. and Sfilpnophyfon Less. have been investigated morphologically especially with respect to fruit structure. As a result of the investigations Stilpnophyton has been reduced to synonomy under Athanasia L. emend. Källersjö (with 36 spp.) and five species of Athanasia , together with Phaeocephalus S. Moore., are placed in the revived genus Hymenolepis Cass. (with 7 spp.). Brachymerk DC. and four misplaced species of Aihanasia are included in Phymaspermum Less. emend. Källersjö (with 17 spp.). Nine other misplaced species of Athanasia and one Pentzia Thunb. species have been described as a new genus Inulanihera Källersjö (with 10 spp.), a group without furanosesquiterpenes. The two monotypic genera Asaemia and Gymnopentzia , and Eumorphia (with 6 spp.) remain unchanged. The interrelationships of the genera possessing furanosesquiterpenes are shown in a cladogram. There are 25 new combinations in Afhanasia, Znulanthera, Hymenolepis and Phymaspermum .     

Scanning of guanine-guanine mismatches in DNA by synthetic ligands using surface plasmon resonance

Here we have designed and synthesized ligands that specifically bind with high affinity (K(d) = 53 nM) to the guanine (G)-guanine mismatch, one of four types of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). Detection of the G-G mismatch was performed by a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay using a sensor chip carrying the G-G specific ligand on its surface. The accuracy of the G-G mismatch detection by the SPR sensor was demonstrated by a marked SPR response obtained only for the DNA containing the G-G mismatch. DNAs containing G-A and G-T mismatches, as well as a fully matched duplex, produced only a weak response. Furthermore, this assay was found applicable for the detection of SNP existing in PCR amplification products of a 652-nucleotide sequence of the HSP70-2 gene.     

Double-Stranded Linear Duck Hepatitis B Virus (DHBV) Stably Integrates at a Higher Frequency than Wild-Type DHBV in LMH Chicken Hepatoma Cells

Integration of hepadnavirus DNAs into host chromosomes can have oncogenic consequences. Analysis of host-viral DNA junctions of DHBV identified the terminally duplicated r region of the viral genome as a hotspot for integration. Since the r region is present on the 5′ and 3′ ends of double-stranded linear (DSL) hepadnavirus DNAs, these molecules have been implicated as integration precursors. We have produced a LMH chicken hepatoma cell line (LMH 66-1 DSL) which replicates exclusively DSL duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) DNA. To test whether linear DHBV DNAs integrate more frequently than the wild type open circular DHBV DNAs, we have characterized the integration frequency in LMH 66-1 DSL cells by using a subcloning approach. This approach revealed that 83% of the LMH 66-1 DSL subclones contained new integrations, compared to only 16% of subclones from LMH-D2 cells replicating wild-type open circular DHBV DNA. Also, a higher percentage of the LMH 66-1 DSL subclones contained two or more new integrations. Mathematical analysis suggests that the DSL DHBV DNAs integrated stably once every three generations during subcloning whereas wild-type DHBV integrated only once every four to five generations. Cloning and sequencing of new integrations confirmed the r region as a preferred integration site for linear DHBV DNA molecules. One DHBV integrant was associated with a small deletion of chromosomal DNA, and another DHBV integrant occurred in a telomeric repeat sequence.     

Biomolecular and Structural Analyses of Cauliflower-like DNAs by Ultraviolet, Circular Dichroism, and Fluorescence Spectroscopies in Comparison with Natural DNA

Cauliflower-like DNAs are stem-loop DNAs that are fabricated periodically in inverted repetitions from deoxyribonucleic acid phosphates (dNTPs) by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Cauliflower-like DNAs have ladder-shape behaviors on gel electrophoresis, and increasing the time of LAMP leads to multiplying the repetitions, stem-loops, and electrophoretic bands. Cauliflower-like DNAs were fabricated via LAMP using two loop primers, two bumper primers, dNTPs, a λ-phage DNA template, and a Bst DNA polymerase in 75- and 90-min periods. These times led to manufacturing two types of cauliflower-like DNAs with different contents of inverted repetitions and stem-loops, which were clearly indicated by two comparable electrophoresis patterns in agarose gel. LAMP-fabricated DNAs and natural dsB-DNA (salmon genomic DNA) were dialyzed in Gomori phosphate buffer (10 mM, pH 7.4) to be isolated from salts, nucleotides, and primers. Dialyzed DNAs were studied using UV spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectropolarimetry, and fluorescence spectrophotometry. Structural analyses indicated reduction of the molecular ellipticity and extinction coefficients in comparison with B-DNA. Also, cauliflower-like DNAs demonstrated less intrinsic and more extrinsic fluorescence in comparison with natural DNA. The overwinding and lengthening of the cauliflower-like configurations of LAMP DNAs led to changes in physical parameters of this type of DNA in comparison with natural DNA. The results obtained introduced new biomolecular characteristics of DNA macromolecules fabricated within a LAMP process and show the effects of more inverted repeats and stem-loops, which are manufactured by lengthening the process.