Genetic variation and phylogenetic relationships of the ectomycorrhizal <Emphasis Type="Italic">Floccularia luteovirens</Emphasis> on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Floccularia luteovirens, as an ectomycorrhizal fungus, is widely distributed in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. As an edible fungus, it is famous for its unique flavor. Former studies mainly focus on the chemical composition and genetic structure of this species. However, the phylogenetic relationship between genotypes remains unknown. In this study, the genetic variation and phylogenetic relationship between the genotypes of F. luteovirens in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was estimated through the analysis on two protein-coding genes (rpb1 and ef-1α) from 398 individuals collected from 24 wild populations. The sample covered the entire range of this species during all the growth seasons from 2011 to 2015. 13 genotypes were detected and moderate genetic diversity was revealed. Based on the results of network analysis, the maximum likelihood (ML), maximum parsimony (MP), and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses, the genotypes H-1, H-4, H-6, H-8, H-10, and H-11 were grouped into one clade. Additionally, a relatively higher genotype diversity (average h value is 0.722) and unique genotypes in the northeast edge of Qinghai- Tibet plateau have been found, combined with the results of mismatch analysis and neutrality tests indicated that Southeast Qinghai-Tibet plateau was a refuge for F. luteovirens during the historical geological or climatic events (uplifting of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau or Last Glacial Maximum). Furthermore, the present distribution of the species on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau has resulted from the recent population expansion. Our findings provide a foundation for the future study of the evolutionary history and the speciation of this species.     

Associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms in candidate genes with the polled trait in Datong domestic yaks

The domestic yak (Bos grunniens) is an iconic symbol of animal husbandry at high altitudes. Yaks exhibit unique external characteristics including long hair and large horns. However, hornless yaks can be found in different breeds and different populations. The hornless trait is also known as polled, and the POLL locus has been fine‐mapped to chromosome 1 in cattle (Bos taurus), although the underlying genetic basis of the polled trait is still unclear in the yak. Thus, we performed an association study to identify the genetic polymorphisms responsible for the polled trait in the yak. Fifty polled Datong domestic yaks and 51 horned individuals were selected randomly from a huge herd and were used as the case and control groups respectively for the association analysis. Twelve genes located in the candidate region of the POLL locus in cattle were used as references to detect DNA polymorphisms related to yak polledness, which were analyzed by sequencing and a high‐resolution melting test. We applied Fisher's exact test and haplotype analysis to show that a 147‐kb segment that included three protein‐coding genes C1H21orf62, GCFC1 and SYNJ1 was the most likely location of the POLL mutation in domestic yaks.     

Divergent adaptation to Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau implicated from transciptome study of Gymnocypris dobula and Schizothorax nukiangensis

The Schizothoracine fishes are widely distributed in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) area and its peripheral regions, which provide a prime example of adaptation in highland aquatic environments. Recent progresses have revealed various genetic adaptations of these fishes by comparing to distantly related lowerland species, however, comparative studies on closely-related species of different altitudes are still lacking. In this study, we sequenced and annotated a primitive Schizothoracine fish Schizothorax nukiangensis Tsao and a highly specialized one Gymnocypris dobula. We performed evolutionary analyses to investigate the candidate genes and signaling pathways involved QTP highland adaptation in both Schizothoracine fishes. Analysis of the 11,007 one-copy orthologs to the primitive cyprinid species, Danio rerio, revealed that both G. dobula and S. nukiangensis showed elevated evolutionary rates. A large number of genes related to hypoxia, including genes involved metabolic processes and cardiovascular system development, exhibited signatures of positive selection in both Schizothoracine fishes, but very few positively selected genes were found overlapping among these Schizothoracines. Our results indicated divergent genetic adaptation to highland environment for aquatic species living in QTP.     

牦牛和黄牛的睾丸形态及其血管构筑特征

本实验旨在研究牦牛（Bos grunniens）和黄牛（B. taurus）的睾丸形态及其血管构筑和动脉管径特征,为牦牛睾丸在高原环境的生理适应性提供依据。从14头屠宰后的成年牦牛体内采集睾丸28枚,从9头成年黄牛体内采集睾丸18枚,测定其形态指标,利用血管铸型技术制作动静脉构筑标本,研究睾丸血管解剖学及主要动脉管径的特征。结果显示,牦牛和黄牛的睾丸、附睾的形态特征及动脉管径有差异,牦牛大部分睾丸动脉及其分支的管径与睾丸重的相对值极显著地高于黄牛（P < 0.01）,牦牛睾丸的主要动脉构筑特征与黄牛的相同,但其大的集合静脉数量较少,小静脉呈“编织袋”状紧密排布。研究认为,牦牛睾丸的血管解剖特征可为睾丸提供更为充足的血液,其相对发达的动脉血管和睾丸静脉“编织袋”状分布特点有利于睾丸的温度调节及精子成熟,可能是牦牛生殖器官适应高海拔环境的生理特征之一。