The complete mitochondrial genome of the leafminer Liriomyza sativae (Diptera: Agromyzidae): great difference in the A+T-rich region compared to Liriomyza trifolii

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Liriomyza sativae Blanchard (15,551 bp) was determined and analyzed in this study. The circular genome contained 37 genes including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and an A + T-rich region. The initiation codons of COI and ND1 were ‘ATCA’ and ‘GTG’, respectively. ND2 gene used the truncated termination codon ‘T’. All the tRNA genes had the typical cloverleaf secondary structures except for tRNA^Ser(AGN) gene, which was found with the absence of a DHU arm. In addition, a tRNA-like secondary structure (tRNA^Met) was found in the A + T-rich region. The great difference was that the length of L. sativae A + T-rich region was 597 bp shorter than that of Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess). Meanwhile, some minor differences such as ‘TATA’ block were also observed in L. sativae in contrast to ‘TACA’ block in L. trifolii. There were also some essential structure elements such as ‘TATA’ block, ‘G(A)_nT’ block, poly-T stretch and stem-and-loop structure in the A + T-rich region of L. sativae mitochondrial genome.     

A population genetic comparison of argali sheep (Ovis ammon) in Mongolia using the ND5 gene of mitochondrial DNA; implications for conservation

We sequenced 556 bp of the mitochondrial ND5 gene to infer aspects of population structure and to test subspecific designations of argali sheep (Ovis ammon) in Mongolia. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed greater variation within than among putative subspecies and populations, suggesting high levels female-mediated gene flow. Compared with bighorn sheep (O. canadensis) in North America, substantially less differentiation in mitochondrial DNA was found among argali populations over 1200 km than was found among bighorn populations over 250 km. This result is consistent with differences in argali and bighorn life history traits. Argali run for long distances across open terrain in the presence of a threat rather than running up into steep escape terrain like bighorn sheep do. Our results suggest recognizing only one Evolutionary Significant Unit (subspecies) of argali in Mongolia, but they may support recognizing two Management Units, because two regions do exhibit slightly different haplotype frequencies at the ND5 gene of mtDNA.     

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Tryporyza incertulas, in comparison with seven other Pyraloidea moths

The complete 15,223-bp mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Tryporyza incertulas (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyraloidea: Crambidae) was determined, characterized and compared with seven other species of superfamily Pyraloidea. The order of 37 genes was typical of insect mitochondrial DNA sequences described to date. Compared with other moths of Pyraloidea, the A + T biased (77.0%) of T. incertulas was the lowest. Eleven protein-coding genes (PCGs) utilized the standard ATN, but cox1 used CGA and nad4 used AAT as the initiation codons. Ten protein-coding genes had the common stop codon TAA, except nad3 having TAG as the stop codon, and cox2, nad4 using T, TA as the incomplete stop codons, respectively. All of the tRNA genes had typical cloverleaf secondary structures except trnS1(AGN), in which the dihydrouridine (DHU) arm did not form a stable stem-loop structure. There was a spacer between trnQ and nad2, which was common in Lepidoptera moths. A 6-bp motif ‘ATACTA’ between trnS2(UCN) and nad1, a 7-bp motif “AGC(T)CTTA” between trnW and trnC and a 6-bp motif “ATGATA” of overlapping region between atp8 and atp6 were found in Pyraloidea moths. The A + T-rich region contained an ‘ATAGT(A)’-like motif followed by a poly-T stretch. In addition, two potential stem-loop structures, a duplicated 19-bp repeat element, and two microsatellites ‘(TA)₁₂’ and ‘(TA)₉’ were observed in the A + T-rich region of T. incertulas mitogenome. Finally, the phylogenetic relationships of Pyraloidea species were constructed based on amino acid sequences of 13 PCGs of mitogenomes using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. These molecular-based phylogenies supported the morphological classification on relationships within Pyraloidea species.     

The complete mitochondrial genome of Taeniogonalos taihorina (Bischoff) (Hymenoptera: Trigonalyidae) reveals a novel gene rearrangement pattern in the Hymenoptera

The family Trigonalyidae is considered to be one of the most basal lineages in the suborder Apocrita of Hymenoptera. Here, we determine the first complete mitochondrial genome of the Trigonalyidae, from the species Taeniogonalos taihorina (Bischoff, 1914). This mitochondrial genome is 15,927 bp long, with a high A + T-content of 84.60%. It contains all of the 37 typical animal mitochondrial genes and an A + T-rich region. The orders and directions of all genes are different from those of previously reported hymenopteran mitochondrial genomes. Eight tRNA genes, three protein-coding genes and the A + T-rich region were rearranged, with the dominant gene rearrangement events being translocation and local inversion. The arrangements of three tRNA clusters, trnY–trnM–trnI–trnQ, trnW–trnL2–trnC, and trnH–trnA–trnR–trnN–trnS–trnE–trnF, and the position of the cox1 gene, are novel to the Hymenoptera, even the insects. Six long intergenic spacers are present in the genome. The secondary structures of the RNA genes are normal, except for trnS2, in which the D-stem pairing is absent.     

基于细胞色素b基因的中国岩羊不同地理种群遗传差异分析

为了揭示中国岩羊不同地理种群的遗传差异,探讨岩羊亚种分化的分子机制,采用中国岩羊不同地理种群的细胞色素b(Cyt b)基因的全序列,分析了碱基变异情况、遗传距离以及核苷酸序列差异。用最大似然法和贝叶斯法构建分子系统树并对获得的拓扑结构进行分析。结果发现,西藏亚种与四川亚种Cyt b基因平均序列差异为4.2%(±0.007),处于偶蹄目亚种的序列差异范围内,支持了目前对岩羊西藏亚种的分类地位。四川亚种内部各地理种群之间的遗传距离(0.033±0.0 111)与它们分别到西藏种群的遗传距离(0.042±0.007)差异不显著(t=1.824,P=0.084),说明四川亚种内部各地理种群间已经发生较显著的遗传分化。其中,四川、甘肃和青海种群亲缘关系较近,并与四川亚种内部的其它种群已产生了显著的遗传分化。因此认为四川亚种内部各地理种群的种下分化需要深入研究。     

Analysis of three leafminers' complete mitochondrial genomes

Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess), Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard), and Liriomyza bryoniae (Kaltenbach), are three closely related and economically important leafminer pests in the world. This study examined the complete mitochondrial genomes of L. trifolii, L. huidobrensis and L. bryoniae, which were 16141 bp, 16236 bp and 16183 bp in length, respectively. All of them displayed 37 typical animal mitochondrial genes and an A + T-rich region. The genomes were highly compact with only 60–68 bp of non-coding intergenic spacer. However, considerable differences in the A + T-rich region were detected among the three species. Results of this study also showed the two ribosomal RNA genes of the three species had very limited variable sites and thus should not provide much information in the study of population genetics of these species. Data generated from three leafminers' complete mitochondrial genomes should provide valuable information in studying phylogeny of Diptera, and developing genetic markers for species identification in leafminers.     

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Chilo auricilius and comparison with three other rice stem borers

The mitogenome of Chilo auricilius (Lepidoptera: Pyraloidea: Crambidae) was a circular molecule made up of 15,367 bp. Sesamia inferens, Chilo suppressalis, Tryporyza incertulas, and C. auricilius, are closely related, well known rice stem borers that are widely distributed in the main rice-growing regions of China. The gene order and orientation of all four stem borers were similar to that of other insect mitogenomes. Among the four stem borers, all AT contents were below 83%, while all AT contents of tRNA genes were above 80%. The genomes were compact, with only 121–257 bp of non-coding intergenic spacer. There are 56 or 62-bp overlapping nucleotides in Crambidae moths, but were only 25-bp overlapping nucleotides in the noctuid moth S. inferens. There was a conserved motif ‘ATACTAAA’ between trnS2 (UCN) and nad1 in Crambidae moths, but this same region was ‘ATCATA’ in the noctuid S. inferens. And there was a 6-bp motif ‘ATGATAA’ of overlapping nucleotides, which was conserved in Lepidoptera, and a 14-bp motif ‘TAAGCTATTTAAAT’ conserved in the three Crambidae moths (C. suppressalis, C. auricilius and T. incertulas), but not in the noctuid. Finally, there were no stem-and-loop structures in the two Chilo moths.     

Mitochondrial phylogenomics and genetic relationships of closely related pine moth (Lasiocampidae: Dendrolimus) species in China,using whole mitochondrial genomes

Background

Pine moths (Lepidoptera; Bombycoidea; Lasiocampidae: Dendrolimus spp.) are among the most serious insect pests of forests, especially in southern China. Although COI barcodes (a standardized portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene) can distinguish some members of this genus, the evolutionary relationships of the three morphospecies Dendrolimus punctatus, D. tabulaeformis and D. spectabilis have remained largely unresolved. We sequenced whole mitochondrial genomes of eight specimens, including D. punctatuswenshanensis. This is an unambiguous subspecies of D. punctatus, and was used as a reference for inferring the relationships of the other two morphospecies of the D. punctatus complex. We constructed phylogenetic trees from this data, including twelve published mitochondrial genomes of other Bombycoidea species, and examined the relationships of the Dendrolimus taxa using these trees and the genomic features of the mitochondrial genome.

Results

The eight fully sequenced mitochondrial genomes from the three morphospecies displayed similar genome structures as other Bombycoidea species in terms of gene content, base composition, level of overall AT-bias and codon usage. However, the Dendrolimus genomes possess a unique feature in the large ribosomal 16S RNA subunits (rrnL), which are more than 60 bp longer than other members of the superfamily and have a higher AC proportion. The eight mitochondrial genomes of Dendrolimus were highly conservative in many aspects, for example with identical stop codons and overlapping regions. But there were many differences in start codons, intergenic spacers, and numbers of mismatched base pairs of tRNA (transfer RNA genes).Our results, based on phylogenetic trees, genetic distances, species delimitation and genomic features (such as intergenic spacers) of the mitochondrial genome, indicated that D. tabulaeformis is as close to D. punctatus as is D. punctatus wenshanensis, whereas D. spectabilis evolved independently from D. tabulaeformis and D. punctatus. Whole mitochondrial DNA phylogenies showed that D. spectabilis formed a well-supported monophyletic clade, with a clear species boundary separating it from the other congeners examined here. However, D. tabulaeformis often clustered with D. punctatus and with the subspecies D. punctatus wenshanensis. Genetic distance analyses showed that the distance between D. tabulaeformis and D. punctatus is generally less than the intraspecific distance of D. punctatus and its subspecies D. punctatus wenshanensis. In the species delimitation analysis of Poisson Tree Processes (PTP), D. tabulaeformis, D. punctatus and D. punctatus wenshanensis clustered into a putative species separated from D. spectabilis. In comparison with D. spectabilis, D. tabulaeformis and D. punctatus also exhibit a similar structure in intergenic spacer characterization. These different types of evidence suggest that D. tabulaeformis is very close to D. punctatus and its subspecies D. punctatus wenshanensis, and is likely to be another subspecies of D. punctatus.

Conclusions

Whole mitochondrial genomes possess relatively rich genetic information compared with the traditional use of single or multiple genes for phylogenetic purposes. They can be used to better infer phylogenetic relationships and degrees of relatedness of taxonomic groups, at least from the aspect of maternal lineage: caution should be taken due to the maternal-only inheritance of this genome. Our results indicate that D. spectabilis is an independent lineage, while D. tabulaeformis shows an extremely close relationship to D. punctatus.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1566-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Phylogenetic and molecular dating analysis of Taiwan Blue Pheasant (Lophura swinhoii)

The Swinhoe's Pheasant (Lophura swinhoii) is an endemic and most endangered species to Taiwan, China. It belongs to the genus Lophura, family Phasianidae. To further investigate the evolutionary history of L. swinhoii, we determined its complete mitochondrial genome and reconstructed a single, robust phylogenetic tree. Our results showed that L. swinhoii is clustered with Lophura nycthemera and forms a sister group of Lophura ignita. The genus Lophura is strongly supported as the sister taxon of the genus Crossoptilon. The molecular clock analysis showed that the genetic divergence of L. swinhoii occurred in 2.71 (1.31–4.22) Mya. The most common ancestor of L. swinhoii might have migrated from mainland of South East Asia to Taiwan Island by the land bridge at 2.71 Mya ago. Taiwan Island is separated from the mainland by the sea (Taiwan Strait) and formed a separate island at around 2.5 Mya because of the transgression and regression. Therefore, geographical isolation and climate change may accelerate the evolution of L. swinhoii. In this study, we propose a biogeographic hypothesis for speciation of the L. swinhoii based on known events of the geographic and geological history of South East Asia and southeast China, which would benefit the understanding of evolutionary history of L. swinhoii as well as other galliform birds.     

The complete mitochondrial genome of Macrobrachium nipponense

The complete mitochondrial (mt) genome sequence plays an important role in the accurate determination of phylogenetic relationships among metazoans. Herein, we determined the complete mt genome sequence, structure and organization of Macrobrachium nipponense (M. nipponense) (GenBank ID: NC_015073.1) and compared it to that of Macrobrachium lanchesteri (M. lanchesteri) and Macrobrachium rosenbergii (M. rosenbergii). The 15,806 base pair (bp) M. nipponense mt genome, which is comprised of 37 genes, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs) and 2 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), is slightly larger than that of M. lanchesteri (15,694 bp, GenBank ID: NC_012217.1) and M. rosenbergii (15,772 bp, GenBank ID: NC_006880.1). The M. nipponense genome contains a high AT content (66.0%), which is a common feature among metazoan mt genomes. Compared with M. lanchesteri and M. rosenbergii, we found a peculiar non-coding region of 950 bp with a microsatellite-like (TA)₆ element and many hairpin structures. The 13 PCGs are comprised of a total of 3707 codons, excluding incomplete termination codons, and the most frequently used amino acid is Leu (16.0%). The predicted start codons in the M. nipponense mt genome include ATG, ATC and ATA. Seven PCGs use TAA as a stop codon, whereas two use TAG, three use T and only one uses TA. Twenty-three of the genes are encoded on the L strand, and ND1, ND4, ND5, ND4L, 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, tRNA^His, tRNA^Pro, tRNA^Phe, tRNA^Val, tRNA^Gln, tRNA^Cys, tRNA^Tyr and a tRNA^Leu are encoded on the H strand. The two rRNAs of M. nipponense and M. rosenbergii are encoded on the H strand, whereas the M. lanchesteri rRNAs are encoded on the L stand.     

Habitat shift and time budget of the Tibetan argali: the influence of livestock grazing

Livestock production is the primary source of livelihood and income in most of the high steppe and alpine regions of the Indian Trans-Himalaya. In some areas, especially those established or proposed for biodiversity conservation, recent increases in populations of domestic livestock, primarily sheep and goats, have raised concern about domestic animals competitively excluding wild herbivores from the rangelands. We evaluated the influence of domestic sheep and goat grazing on the habitat use and time budget of the endangered Tibetan argali Ovis ammon hodgsoni in the proposed Gya-Miru Wildlife Sanctuary, Ladakh, India. We asked if the domestic sheep and goat grazing and collateral human activities relegate the argali to sub-optimal habitats, and alter their foraging time budgets. Data were collected on habitat use and time budget of a population of c. 50 argalis before and after c. 2,000 sheep and goats moved onto their winter pasture in the Tsabra catchment of the aforementioned reserve. Following the introduction of domestic sheep and goats, argalis continued to use the same catchment but shifted to steeper habitats, closer to cliffs, with lower vegetation cover, thus abandoning previously used plant communities with denser cover. Argalis’ active time spent foraging also decreased by 10% in response to the presence of livestock. These results suggest a clear disturbance effect of livestock on argalis, and indicate a potential for competition, conceivably a significant disadvantage for argalis in winter when forage availability is minimal.     

印度喜马拉雅山区西藏盘羊的警戒行为

在几个动物类群中开展的许多行为研究中发现,个体的警觉水平与群体大小存在着负相关关系。一般认为,这种关系是由于个体在一个较大的群体中被捕杀的概率小。在本研究中,我研究了濒危的印度喜马拉雅地区西藏盘羊(Ovis ammon hodgsoni)的警戒行为与群体大小和逃逸地形的关系。我假设小群体中的、位于悬崖旁的盘羊比那些大群体中的、开阔地带(逃逸地形)中的盘羊的警戒水平高。结果发现随着群体增大,盘羊的警戒水平下降,但是,逃逸地形与盘羊的警戒水平没有关系。盘羊的不同性别、年龄组之间的时间预算存在显著差异。与雄性和亚成年个体比较,雌性用于警觉的时间多,它们比雄性采食时间长,移动少。因此,警戒行为是是盘羊的一种重要反捕食行为     

Complete mitochondrial genome of Malaysian Mahseer (Tor tambroides)

This is the first documentation of the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Malaysian Mahseer, Tor tambroides. The 16,690 bp mitogenome with GenBank accession number JX444718 contains 13 protein genes, 22 tRNAs, two rRNAs, and a noncoding control region (D-loop) as is typical of most vertebrates. The phylogenomic reconstruction of this newly generated data with 21 Cypriniformes GenBank accession ID concurs with the recognized status of T. tambroides within the subfamily Cyprininae. This is in agreement with previous hypotheses based on morphological and partial mitochondrial analyses.     

Using habitat suitability models to sample rare species in high-altitude ecosystems: a case study with Tibetan argali

Models of the distribution of rare and endangered species are important tools for their monitoring and management. Presence data used to build up distribution models can be based on simple random sampling, but this for patchy distributed species results in small number of presences and therefore low precision. Convenience sampling, either based on easily accessible units or a priori knowledge of the species habitat but with no known probability of sampling each unit, is likely to result in biased estimates. Stratified random sampling, with strata defined using habitat suitability models [estimated in the resource selection functions (RSFs) framework] is a promising approach for improving the precision of model parameters. We used this approach to sample the Tibetan argali (Ovis ammon hodgsoni) in Indian Transhimalaya in order to estimate their distribution and to test if it can lead to a significant reduction in survey effort compared to random sampling. We first used an initial sample of argali feeding sites in 2005 and 2006 based on a priori selected vantage points and survey transects. This initial sample was used to build up an initial distribution model. The spatial predictions based on estimated RSFs were then used to define three strata of the study area. The strata were randomly sampled in 2007. As expected, much more presences per hour were obtained in the high quality strata compared to the low quality strata—1.33 obs/h vs. 0.080/h. Furthermore the best models selected on the basis of the prospective sample differed from those using the first a priori sample, suggesting bias in the initial sampling effort. The method therefore has significant implications for decreasing sampling effort in terms of sampling time in the field, especially when dealing with rare species, and removing initial sampling bias.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Malaysia’s long-tailed macaques,Macaca fascicularis,based on cytochrome b sequences

Phylogenetic relationships among Malaysia’s long-tailed macaques have yet to be established, despite abundant genetic studies of the species worldwide. The aims of this study are to examine the phylogenetic relationships of Macaca fascicularis in Malaysia and to test its classification as a morphological subspecies. A total of 25 genetic samples of M. fascicularis yielding 383 bp of Cytochrome b (Cyt b) sequences were used in phylogenetic analysis along with one sample each of M. nemestrina and M. arctoides used as outgroups. Sequence character analysis reveals that Cyt b locus is a highly conserved region with only 23% parsimony informative character detected among ingroups. Further analysis indicates a clear separation between populations originating from different regions; the Malay Peninsula versus Borneo Insular, the East Coast versus West Coast of the Malay Peninsula, and the island versus mainland Malay Peninsula populations. Phylogenetic trees (NJ, MP and Bayesian) portray a consistent clustering paradigm as Borneo’s population was distinguished from Peninsula’s population (99% and 100% bootstrap value in NJ and MP respectively and 1.00 posterior probability in Bayesian trees). The East coast population was separated from other Peninsula populations (64% in NJ, 66% in MP and 0.53 posterior probability in Bayesian). West coast populations were divided into 2 clades: the North-South (47%/54% in NJ, 26/26% in MP and 1.00/0.80 posterior probability in Bayesian) and Island-Mainland (93% in NJ, 90% in MP and 1.00 posterior probability in Bayesian). The results confirm the previous morphological assignment of 2 subspecies, M. f. fascicularis and M. f. argentimembris, in the Malay Peninsula. These populations should be treated as separate genetic entities in order to conserve the genetic diversity of Malaysia’s M. fascicularis. These findings are crucial in aiding the conservation management and translocation process of M. fascicularis populations in Malaysia.     

Morphological, mitochondrial DNA and allozyme evolution in representative amphibians and reptiles inhabiting each side of the Strait of Gibraltar

Patterns of differentiation in morphology, mitochondrial DNA and allozymes in amphibians and reptiles inhabiting northern and southern shores of the Strait of Gibraltar are not concordant, suggesting that each taxon was affected differently by events preceding or following the formation of the Strait of Gibraltar. Mitochondrial DNA and allozyme differentiation between Discoglossus jeanneae and Discoglossus scovazzi (Anura, Discoglossidae), Rana perezi and Rana saharica (Anura, Ranidae), and Blanus cinereus and Blanus tingitanus (Squamata, Amphisbaenia, Amphisbaenidae) is substantial, whereas morphological differentiation is moderate in Rana and Blanus , but is substantial in Discoglossus . Differentiation in mitochondrial DNA and morphology between Timon ( Lacerta ) lepidus and Timon ( Lacerta ) tangitanus (Squamata, Lacertoidea, Lacertidae) is considerable, but allozyme differentiation is low. In members of type-I and -II Podarcis vaucheri (Squamata, Lacertoidea, Lacertidae), morphology and mitochondrial DNA are moderately differentiated, but allozyme differentiation is low. Spanish and Moroccan populations of Hyla meridionalis (Anura, Hylidae), Mauremys leprosa (Testudines, Geoemydidae), and Macroprotodon brevis (Squamata, Serpentes, Colubridae) demonstrate little allozyme and mitochondrial DNA differentiation, but whereas morphological differentiation between Mauremys and Macroprotodon populations is moderate, Hyla demonstrate substantial morphological differentiation between continental populations. These data suggest that sex-limited mitochondrial markers are reflective of ancient phylogenetic history, whereas biparentally inherited allozyme markers and morphological characteristics reflect more recent population structure and movement.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 94 , 445–461.     

天山盘羊夏季采食地和卧息地生境选择

2010年7-8月采用样线调查法及直接观察法对天山中部古仁郭楞高山区的盘羊天山亚种采食地和卧息地生境进行了研究。共调查5条沟系的12条样线,测量天山盘羊147个采食地和136个卧息地样方,分析了13类生态因子对天山盘羊采食地和卧息地选择的影响。研究结果表明,天山盘羊夏季采食地与卧息地在坡位、坡向、地貌类型、海拔高度、距最近家畜距离、距道路距离和距居民点距离差异极显著（P < 0.01）,植被高度差异显著（P < 0.05）,而其它生态因子差异性不显著（P > 0.05）;相对卧息地的选择而言,夏季盘羊采食地的选择更偏爱海拔较低,植被高度低,距离道路、居民点和最近家畜距离近的半阴半阳坡,山体中下位的高山草甸缓坡生境。逐步判别分析表明,距道路距离、距居民点距离、植被高度、距家畜距离4个生态因子可以用于判别夏季天山盘羊采食地与卧息地生境,正确区分率达到90.6%。     

Hair diameter distribution in sheep interspecies hybrids

Hair diameter distribution was studied in wild sheep species (argali—Ovis ammon, mouflon—O. Musimon; domestic sheep—O. aries) and their hybrids. In wild species and their hybrids, rather distinctly separated subpopulations of thin (underwool) hairs (10–22 μm diameter) and thick (kemp) hairs (85–302 μm) were detected, and intermediate diameters were rare. In domestic sheep, the kemp subpopulation was very poor, not distinctly separated from the underwool, while maximal hair diameter was <150 μm. In wild × domestic crosses, the kemp subpopulation was clearly expressed, shifted to lower diameter range, and maximal diameters was <200 μm. The same restriction was found in two-month-old wild species lambs compared with adults.     

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Ailanthus silkmoth, Samia cynthia cynthia (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae)

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the Ailanthus silkmoth, Samia cynthia cynthia (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) was determined. The circular genome is 15,345 bp long, and presents a typical gene organization and order for sequenced mitogenomes of Bombycidea species. The nucleotide composition of the genome is highly A+T biased, accounting for 79.86%. The AT skew of the genome is slightly negative, indicating the occurrence of more Ts than As, as found in other Saturniidae species. All protein-coding genes (PCGs) are initiated by ATN codons, except for COI and COII, which are tentatively designated by CGA and GTG, respectively, as observed in other insects. Four of 13 PCGs, including COI, COII, ATP6, and ND3, harbor the incomplete termination codons, T or TA. With an exception for tRNA^Ser(AGN), all other tRNAs can form a typical clover-leaf structure of mitochondrial tRNA. The 359 bp A+T-rich region of S. c. cynthia contains non-repetitive sequences, but harbors several features common to the Bombycidea insects, including the motif ATAGA followed by a poly-T stretch of 19 bp, a microsatellite-like (AT)₇ element preceded by the ATTTA motif, and a poly-A element upstream tRNA^Met. The phylogenetic analyses support the morphology-based current hypothesis that Bombycidae and Saturniidae are monophyletic. Our result confirms that Saturniini and Attacini form a reciprocal monophyletic group within Saturniidae.     

Successful field capture techniques for free‐ranging argali sheep (Ovis ammon) in Mongolia

Argali sheep (Ovis ammon) are the world's largest wild sheep and are threatened throughout their range in Mongolia. Little is known about the ecology of this highly cursorial species. This project was initiated to develop safe capture techniques in order to learn more about the ecology of argali in the Ikh Nartiin Chuluun Nature Reserve in southeastern Mongolia by using radiotelemetry. To our knowledge no one had ever successfully live‐caught a free‐ranging argali. We developed three techniques for capturing argali. From 2003 to 2007 we hand captured 65 argali lambs, losing one (our first capture) to maternal neglect because we stayed too long in the area and a second that was euthanized after being accidentally injured by a horse. Between 2000 and 2003 we captured six argali by darting, losing one ewe to an abdominal infection after a misplaced dart. Finally, between 2002 and 2007 we captured 32 argali by drive‐netting. We lost one ewe to over‐exertion after a long drive. The remaining 31 animals captured by drive‐netting did not appear to suffer any immediate effects (still alive in 30 days). This report will discuss the strengths and weaknesses for each of these capture techniques. Zoo Biol 27:137–144, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.