A new AluI satellite DNA in the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne fallax: relationships with satellites from the sympatric species M. hapla and M. chitwoodi

A highly abundant satellite DNA comprising 20% of the Meloidogyne fallax (Nematoda, Tylenchida) genome was cloned and sequenced. The satellite monomer is 173 bp long and has a high A + T content of 72.3%, with frequent runs of A's and T's. The sequence variability of the monomers is 2.7%, mainly due to random distribution of single-point mutations. A search for evidence of internal repeated subunits in the monomer sequence revealed a 6-bp motif (AAATTT) for which five degenerated repeats, differing by just a single base pair, could be identified. Pairwise comparison of the M. fallax satellite with those from the sympatric species Meloidogyne chitwoodi and Meloidogyne hapla revealed a high sequence similarity (68.39%) with one satellite DNA subfamily in M. chitwoodi, which indicated an unexpected close relationship between them. Given the high copy number and the extreme sequence homogeneity among monomeric units, it may be assumed that the satellite DNA of M. fallax could have evolved through some recent and extensive amplification burst in the nematode genome. In this case, its relatively short life would not yet have allowed the accumulation of random mutations in independent amplified repeats. Considering the morphological resemblance between the two species and their ability to produce interspecific fertile hybrids under controlled conditions, these results indicate that M. fallax may share a common ancestor with M. chitwoodi, from which it could have diverged recently. All these data suggest that M. fallax could be the result of a recent speciation process and show that Meloidogyne satellite DNAs may be of interest to resolve phylogenetic relationships among closely related species from this genus.      

Interspecific differentiation and intraspecific substructure in two closely related clupeids with extensive hybridization, Alosa alosa and Alosa fallax

In this study, the evolutionary relationships within and among populations of European shads, Alosa alosa and Alosa fallax , was investigated. Screening of allelic variation across eight allozyme loci and sequencing 448 bp of the mtDNA cytochrome b gene in 14 rivers throughout the range of the species supported that the two taxa were independent lineages (1·3% net nucleotide divergence) despite extensive hybridization. Genetic diversity and structure was considerably higher in A. fallax than A. alosa and the former species revealed evidence of distinct lineages in the Mediterranean and Atlantic basins. A Bayesian clustering approach combined with gill raker counts verified that individuals of the two species could be assigned to their parent group with relatively high confidence. Evaluation of hybridization in the Lima and Mondego Rivers in Portugal provided evidence that introgression is extensive but is not currently obscuring (through hybrid swarming) the diagnosability of the two species.     

Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of West Indian frogs of the genus Leptodactylus (Anura, Leptodactylidae)

Three endemic species of the aquatic-breeding frog genus Leptodactylus are recognized from the West Indies: Leptodactylus albilabris (Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands), Leptodactylus dominicensis (Hispaniola), and Leptodactylus fallax (Lesser Antilles). DNA sequences were obtained from several mitochondrial genes to resolve taxonomic questions involving these species and to provide insights into their origin and distribution in the islands. We found low levels of sequence divergence between L. dominicensis and L. albilabris, supporting morphological evidence that the former species is a junior synonym of the latter species. Phylogenetic analysis supported previous species-group allocations, finding that L. albilabris is a member of the fuscus group and L. fallax is a member of the pentadactylus group. Molecular time estimates for the divergence of L. albilabris from its closest relative in South America (24-58 million years ago, Ma) and for L. fallax from its closest relative in South America (23-34Ma) indicate that they colonized the West Indies independently by over-water dispersal in the mid-Cenozoic. The absence of detectable sequence divergence between the two extant populations of L. fallax (Dominica and Montserrat), a species used for human food and now critically endangered, suggests that one or both arose by human introduction from an island or islands where that species originated. The relatively minor genetic differentiation of populations of L. albilabris can be explained by vicariance and dispersal in the Pleistocene and Holocene, although human introduction of some populations cannot be ruled out.     

用AFLP技术分析四川核桃资源的遗传多样性

 利用AFLP分子标记技术, 运用EcoRⅠ/MseⅠ双酶切组合, 选用多态性高、分辨力强的4对选择性扩增引物组合E32/M48、E33/M61、E35/M61、E33/M62分别对四川省3个野生核桃(Juglans regia)种群和1个野生铁核桃(J. sigillata)种群共46个样品进行遗传多样性分析、居群遗传结构分析及种属关系探讨。结果表明: 1)共扩增出244个遗传位点, 其中146个多态位点, 多态率为59.84%; 核桃群体组和铁核桃群体的多态性百分率分别为55.33%和52.05%, 两个物种遗传多态性水平相当; 核桃群体组所检出的位点平均有效等位基因数Ae、Nei’s基因多样度H、平均Shannon信息指数I分别为1.322 9、0.190 8和0.286 3, 而铁核桃群体分别为1.339 9、0.196 1和0.289 8, 铁核桃群体遗传多样性水平略高于核桃群体。2)群体间特异带及群体间共有带占总扩增带数的15.16%, 其中铁核桃群体特异谱带最多, 群体特异谱带揭示了群体间的遗传差异及相似性。3) Shannon信息指数(I)、Nei’s基因多样性指数(H)和分子方差分析(AMOVA)表明核桃遗传多样性在群体间和群体内的分布分别为14.36%和85.64%、12.6%和87.4%、11.07%和88.93%, 表明群体内的遗传多样性大于群体间的遗传多样性; 核桃群体组与铁核桃群体的变异主要存在于群体组内, 组间的遗传变异仅占总变异的9.35%, 两者间的遗传分化系数Gst为0.093 5, 与AMOVA分析结果一致。4) 4个群体的Nei’s遗传距离在0.038 2～0.069 2之间, 遗传一致度在0.933 2～0.962 5之间, 表现出较高的遗传相似性; 运用Nei’s遗传一致度对供试种群进行了UPGMA聚类, 结果表明核桃的3个群体优先聚类, 大渡河流域群体与甘南地区群体聚类最近。AFLP所检测出的结果既是核桃与铁核桃生物学特性的反映, 又是其各自生态学特性的反映, 该研究结果对核桃种质资源的保护和育种提供一定的理论依据。     

华中特有珍稀植物裸芸香的AFLP遗传多样性分析

采用选择性扩增片段多态性(AFLP)方法对华中特有单种属植物裸芸香(Psilopeganum sinense)的8个自然居群的遗传多样性进行了检测与分析。结果表明:裸芸香的遗传多样性较低,且居群内遗传多样性显著低于物种水平遗传多样性。筛选出的5对引物共得到180个位点,76个为多态位点,多态位点百分率为42.2%,8个居群多态位点百分率为:3.3%～16.7%,居群平均多态位点百分率为9.4%;8个居群Nei多样性指数为0.01987～0.06987,Shannon’s多样性指数为0.0197～0.0816。居群间分化系数Gst=0.5069,居群间基因流为0.2432,不足以维持居群间的基因交流及现有的遗传结构。AMOVA分析表明总遗传变异的13.17%存在于4个地理区域之间,50.45%存在于地理区域内的居群间,36.38%的遗传变异存在于居群内个体间。NTSYS分析表明遗传距离与地理距离不存在相关关系。UPGMA聚类结果表明长江南北两岸的居群并没有产生明显分化。最后,分析了裸芸香的濒危原因并提出了有效的保育措施。     

Genetic diversity of Potamogeton pectinatus L. in relation to species diversity in a pair of lakes of contrasting trophic levels

Understanding the correlation between genetic diversity and species diversity in freshwater communities is important to elucidate the influences of local selective forces on the genetic diversity of local aquatic plant populations across different communities. This study employed amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) to assess the genetic diversity of Potamogeton pectinatus L. populations between two sister-lakes with contrasting trophic levels, eutrophic and oligotrophic, in the Yunnan Plateau in southwest of China. The results showed high genetic differentiation between eutrophic lake and oligotrophic lake. The genetic distances between P. pectinatus populations were significantly correlated with the species evenness, but not with difference in species richness of aquatic plant communities. The results underpinned that genetic diversity at inter-population levels and local species diversity in plant communities are positively correlated. In addition, our results also suggested that habitat types might play an important role in the genetic diversity of the P. pectinatus populations between these two lakes.     

Hematozoa in endemic subspecies of common kestrel in the Cape Verde Islands

We examined 130 Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) representing two endemic subspecies and nine resident island populations on the Cape Verde archipelago between 1996 and 1999 to study diversity, prevalence, and intensity of hematozoa. Hematozoan diversity was very low; we detected only Plasmodium fallax, a species that is rarely found in Falconoformes, and, possibly, Haemoproteus brachiatus. Moreover, prevalence of Plasmodium fallax was low (1.5%) with a mean intensity of infection of 0.05 protozoa/10(-3) erythrocytes. Only one bird (0.8%) was infected with a gametocyte that was most likely Haemoproteus brachiatus; the intensity in this infected bird was 1.5 protozoa/10(-3) erythrocytes. A single parasite or two parasites were observed in blood smears in four additional birds, but identification to genus was not possible. This is the first record of blood parasites in birds on the Cape Verde Archipelago. The low prevalence of these parasites might be because of arid and less-favorable conditions for the pathogen's vectors. The sedentary nature and high level of isolation of the island kestrel populations are also factors that could decrease the probability of infection.     

中国石榴栽培群体遗传多样性的荧光AFLP分析

以中国山东、安徽、陕西、河南、云南和新疆6个栽培石榴群体的85个品种类型为试材,利用荧光标记AFLP对中国石榴群体遗传多样性进行了研究。结果表明：8对引物组合在种级水平扩增的多态性位点数范围从135～185个不等,平均为158.25个,多态位点百分比范围为62.5%～86.11%,平均为73.26%,说明中国石榴品种遗传多样性较为丰富;石榴品种种级水平遗传多样性大于群体水平,6个群体的遗传多样性依次为河南群体〉新疆群体〉陕西群体〉安徽群体〉山东群体〉云南群体,并且具有显著性差异;群体间的遗传分化系数GST为0.2018,说明石榴遗传变异主要存在群体内,群体间的遗传变异占总变异的20.18%,根据基因分化系数,测得的基因流Nm为1.9027,说明中国石榴群体间存在适当的基因交流;UPGMA聚类分析结果表明,同一群体的大部分品种都聚在一起,但同时存在部分基因交流。所有遗传参数表明,中国石榴栽培品种遗传多样性较为丰富,其中河南群体遗传多样性显著高于其他群体,在中国石榴品种选育中具有更为广阔的应用前景。     

濒危植物毛柄小勾儿茶片断化居群的遗传多样性

采用扩增片段长度多态性(AFLP)标记对我国特有的濒危植物毛柄小勾儿茶(Berchemiella wilsonii var. pubipetiolata)现存于浙江和安徽的4个片断化居群中的89株个体进行了遗传多样性和遗传结构的研究。结果表明,与其它木本濒危植物相比,毛柄小勾儿茶具有与它们相当的遗传多样性,8对选择扩增引物共扩增出122条清晰的条带,居群的平均多态位点百分率为P_p=26.4%,其中马家河居群最高(29.5%)而湍口居群最低(23.8%),居群的平均基因多样度为H_ep=0.162 8(0.140 5~0.172 4);而在物种水平上的遗传多样性为P_s=36.9%, H_es=0.202 4。居群间的遗传分化系数F_ST=0.193 9,表明居群间有显著的遗传分化,进一步利用AMOVA软件对遗传变异进行等级剖分发现:24.88%的遗传变异存在于地理宗间(浙江地理宗和安徽地理宗),14.71%的遗传变异存在于居群间,60.42%存在于居群内。该研究结果表明,由于人为干扰引起的生境片断化和居群减小导致了毛柄小勾儿茶居群的遗传多样性丧失和遗传分化,并对毛柄小勾儿茶的生存造成潜在威胁。该文还就保育策略进行了讨论。     

用扩增片段的长度多态性分子标记探讨盾叶薯蓣的遗传多样性

用扩增片段的长度多态性(amplified fragment length polymorphism,AFLP)标记分析研究了中国5个盾叶薯蓣居群30个个体的遗传多样性。筛选出9对AFLP引物,从中检测到14698条清晰可见的条带,其中多态性带12628条,多态性比率85.92%。Shannon信息指数(I)为0.3656±0.1721,物种水平的Nei基因多样性(H)为0.2322±0.2200。遗传变异分析表明,物种水平的遗传分化系数Gst为0.4827,说明其群体间存在一定的遗传分化,居群间的基因流Nm为0.5358,居群间遗传交换较小。聚类分析结果显示5个居群盾叶薯蓣有较为丰富的遗传变异,且与地理分布有相关性。     

Genetic analysis and conservation of 31 surviving individuals of a rare New Zealand tree, Metrosideros bartlettii (Myrtaceae)

Metrosideros bartlettii (Myrtaceae) is a distinctive and extremely rare tree, endemic to New Zealand, first discovered in 1975. Prior to this study, a total of 19 adult individuals of the species had been reported; these are located in three small forest remnants in the far north of the North Island of New Zealand. Here we describe a total of 31 adult M. bartlettii at the three sites, including 12 individuals newly discovered by us. We analyse the genetic diversity of the species, using microsatellites to examine the chloroplast genome and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) to monitor nuclear variation. The results clearly demonstrate that M. bartlettii is a unique species, distinct from its two closest relatives M. robusta and M. excelsa. Analysis of genetic diversity within the 31 remaining individuals of M. bartlettii showed an average heterozygosity (< H >) of 0.18 and a proportion of polymorphic genes (< P >) of 0.44. Population structure, as shown by 286 AFLP loci, varied between the three geographical sites; the site with fewest individuals, containing two trees, showed some separation from the populations at the other two locations. These two latter sites, by contrast, had highly overlapping AFLP population diversity profiles. The implications of these results for conservation of the species are discussed.     

Genetic diversity and structure of urban populations of Pieris butterflies assessed using amplified fragment length polymorphism

Conservation programs in urban ecosystems need to determine the genetic background in populations of urban dwellers. We examined the genetic diversity and structure of Pieris rapae and P. melete using AFLP markers, and compared them between species and between urban and rural environments. As a result: (i). in both species, there was no reduction in genetic diversity within urban populations by direct comparison of diversity measurements, although the analysis of molecular variance suggested significant reductions in the variance within seasonal subpopulations in urban populations; (ii). P. rapae retained greater genetic diversity within species and populations; (iii). populations of both species showed significant genetic differentiation, and P. melete was more strongly subdivided; (iv). in both species, geographically close populations did not cluster with one another in the upgma analysis; (v). there was no genetic isolation due to geographical distance in either species; (vi). the genetic composition of seasonal subpopulations differed in urban populations of both species, and the genetic distances among subpopulations were correlated with seasonal differences in P. rapae and with temporal differences in P. melete. These results indicate that the genetic diversity in urban populations of both species was reduced at times, but was maintained by dispersal from genetically differentiated populations. Differences in the ability and mode of dispersal in the two species may be reflected in the degree of population subdivision and patterns of seasonal change in the genetic composition.     

中华稻蝗不同地理种群遗传多样性的AFLP分析

为研究中华稻蝗种群遗传多样性和遗传结构, 文章对我国7省市的7个中华稻蝗种群进行AFLP分析。选取7对引物扩增128个个体, 共产生336条带, 多态性条带292条, 占86.90%。结果表明: 中华稻蝗种群具有较高的遗传多样性水平, 其中海南万宁种群的遗传多样性高于其他各种群。Mantel检验(r=0.27, P=0.89)表明中华稻蝗各种群遗传距离与地理距离间没有显著相关性。种群间具有明显的遗传分化现象。UPGMA(Unweighted pair group method average)聚类分析显示, 7个中华稻蝗种群按地理距离分为3支: 北方北京昌平、山西太原和山东济宁为一支; 南方陕西汉中、湖南长沙和广西来宾为一支; 海南万宁单独为一支。上述结果以及PCA(Principal component analysis)分析均表明由于地理隔离中华稻蝗种群显示出明显的南北分化和岛屿大陆种群遗传分化现象。     

A combination of molecular markers identifies evolutionarily significant units in Cedrela odorata L. (Meliaceae) in Costa Rica

The necessity for conservation of the geneticcomponent of biodiversity is now widelyrecognised. A broad genetic base is required tomaintain evolutionary potential and thepopulation erosion occurring in much of theworld's forests threatens the genetic integrityof many tree species. Spanish Cedar (Cedrela odorata L.) has been under severepressure for generations and is now the focusof a study aimed at assessing the levels anddistribution of genetic diversity in remainingpopulations. Ten Costa Rican populations wereanalysed using chloroplast and AFLP markers.The overall level of diversity was as expectedfor an outcrossing, long-lived, woody species(H _T = 0.27). However, this concealeda deep divergence within the species, forchloroplast and AFLP (_CT = 0.83)markers. Populations were differentiated in twogroups that exhibited contrasting habitatpreferences and two ecotypes, wet and dry, wereidentified. Within the ecotypes, all but onepopulation were fixed for a single chloroplasthaplotype and within populations, total genomicdiversity levels were low (H _S= 0.03–0.13). Populations possessing the dryecotype maintained significantly more diversitythan those from wet regions. Within the wetecotype group, pairwise genetic distancebetween populations fitted an isolation bydistance model. The group was stronglysubdivided and showed isolation by distancearound the southern edge of the centralmountain ranges. The genetic divergence of thetwo ecotypes, observed at both organellar andnuclear loci, identifies evolutionarilysignificant units that, taken together withprevious studies of the species, provide arational basis on which to build a conservationpolicy for the species.     

Effect of latitudinal gradient and impact of logging on genetic diversity of Cedrela lilloi along the Argentine Yungas Rainforest

Cedrela lilloi C. DC. (cedro coya, Meliaceae), an important south American timber species, has been historically overexploited through selective logging in Argentine Yungas Rainforest. Management and conservation programs of the species require knowledge of its genetic variation patterns; however, no information is available. Molecular genetic variability of the species was characterized to identify high‐priority populations for conservation and domestication purposes. Fourteen native populations (160 individuals) along a latitudinal gradient and with different logging's intensities were assessed by 293 polymorphic AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) markers. Genetic diversity was low (Ht = 0.135), according to marginal location of the species in Argentina. Most of the diversity was distributed within populations (87%). Northern populations showed significant higher genetic diversity (R²= 0.69) that agreed with latitudinal pattern of distribution of taxonomic diversity in the Yungas. Three clusters were identified by Bayesian analysis in correspondence with northern, central, and southern Yungas. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed significant genetic differences among latitudinal clusters even when logging (Φ_RT = 0.07) and unlogging populations (Φ_PT = 0.10) were separately analyzed. Loss of genetic diversity with increasing logging intensity was observed between neighboring populations with different disturbance (Φ_PT = 0.03–0.10). Bottlenecks in disturbed populations are suggested as the main cause. Our results emphasize both: the necessity of maintaining the genetic diversity in protected areas that appear as possible long‐term refuges of the species; and to rescue for the national system of protected areas some high genetic diversity populations that are on private fields.     

Patterns of genetic diversity in southern and southeastern Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Kuntze relict populations

Habitat fragmentation and a decrease in population size may lead to a loss in population genetic diversity. For the first time, the reduction in genetic diversity in the northernmost limit of natural occurence (southeastern Brazil) of Araucaria angustifolia in comparison with populations in the main area of the species continuous natural distribution (southern Brazil), was tested. The 673 AFLPs markers revealed a high level of genetic diversity for the species (Ht = 0.27), despite anthropogenic influence throughout the last century, and a decrease of H in isolated populations of southeastern Brazil (H = 0.16), thereby indicating the tendency for higher genetic diversity in remnant populations of continuous forests in southern Brazil, when compared to natural isolated populations in the southeastern region. A strong differentiation among southern and southeastern populations was detected (AMOVA variance ranged from 10%-15%). From Bayesian analysis, it is suggested that the nine populations tested form five "genetic clusters" (K = 5). Five of these populations, located in the northernmost limit of distribution of the species, represent three "genetic clusters". These results are in agreement with the pattern of geographic distribution of the studied populations.     

长臀鮠的AFLP分析

采用 AFLP分子标记技术对珠江长臀鮠和海南长臀鮠共60个个体(每个群体30个)进行了遗传多样性研究。选取的18对引物组合均能扩增出清晰、可重复的扩增产物,扩增带型差异明显。两个群体均表现出较高的多态位点比例和特异性条带数。群体内个体间的遗传相似度(平均值)珠江长臀鮠种群为0.9462±0.0237, 海南长臀鮠为0.9465±0.0226,海南长臀鮠比珠江长臀鮠略高。群体间的遗传相似度是0.9367±0.0231,小于两个群体内的遗传相似度,两群体的遗传距离是0.0634±0.0230。根据遗传相似度绘制了UPGMA 聚类图。研究结果表明：珠江长臀鮠和海南长臀鮠间的遗传差异属于种内差异,两者同属一个有效种。     

Genetic diversity of Ranunculus acris L. (Ranunculaceae) populations in relation to species diversity and habitat type in grassland communities

Correlates between genetic diversity at intra- and interpopulation levels and the species diversity in plant communities are rarely investigated. Such correlates may give insights into the effect of local selective forces across different communities on the genetic diversity of local plant populations. This study has employed amplified fragment length polymorphism to assess the genetic diversity within and between 10 populations of Ranunculus acris in relation to the species diversity (richness and evenness) of grassland communities of two different habitat types, 'seminatural' and 'agriculturally improved', located in central Germany. Within-population genetic diversity estimated by Nei's unbiased gene diversity (HE) was high (0.258-0.334), and was not correlated with species richness (Pearson's r = -0.17; P = 0.64) or species evenness (Pearson's r = 0.15; P = 0.68) of the plant communities. However, the genetic differentiation between R. acris populations was significantly correlated with the difference in species evenness (Mantel's r = 0.62, P = 0.02), but not with difference in species richness of plant communities (r = -0.17, P = 0.22). Moreover, we also found that populations of R. acris from the 'seminatural' habitat were genetically different (amova, P < 0.05) from those in 'agriculturally improved' habitats, suggesting that gene flow between these habitat types is limited. The results reported in this study may indicate that habitat characteristics influence the genetic diversity of plant species.     

Characterization of six Leuconostoc fallax bacteriophages isolated from an industrial sauerkraut fermentation

Six bacteriophages active against Leuconostoc fallax strains were isolated from industrial sauerkraut fermentation brines. These phages were characterized as to host range, morphology, structural proteins, and genome fingerprint. They were exclusively lytic against the species L. fallax and had different host ranges among the strains of this species tested. Morphologically, three of the phages were assigned to the family Siphoviridae, and the three others were assigned to the family Myovidae: Major capsid proteins detected by electrophoresis were distinct for each of the two morphotypes. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprinting showed that all six phages were genetically distinct. These results revealed for the first time the existence of bacteriophages that are active against L. fallax and confirmed the presence and diversity of bacteriophages in a sauerkraut fermentation. Since a variety of L. fallax strains have been shown to be present in sauerkraut fermentation, bacteriophages active against L. fallax are likely to contribute to the microbial ecology of sauerkraut fermentation and could be responsible for some of the variability observed in this type of fermentation.