Genetic diversity of the narrow endemic Allium aaseae (Alliaceae)

Low levels of genetic variability are common for a number of geographically restricted plants: these data are consistent with theoretical expectations that small populations should be genetically depauperate. However, in some species, high levels of variability have been found in rare species. Allium aaseae is a rare, narrow endemic in the foothills of the Boise Front of southwestern Idaho. Genetic variation in the rare endemic A. aaseae, and nearby populations of the more common species, A. simillimum, was examined with randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) data. Eight populations of A. aaseae and six populations of A. simillimum (three near the range of A. aaseae, and three distant populations) of 25 individuals each were examined for this analysis. Genetic diversity as determined with RAPD markers of both species examined in this study is largely found within and not among populations. Levels of genetic diversity are high, especially for a narrow endemic species such as A. aaseae. Proportion of RAPD loci polymorphic was high in both species, although slightly higher in the more common A. simillimum. Because these higher levels of genetic variability run counter to theory, alternative explanations beyond population size must be invoked to explain the levels of genetic diversity found in this study. Possible explanations are (1) A. aaseae is only recently derived from A. simillimum, (2) hybridization between A. aaseae and A. simillimum is occurring, (3) multiple origins of A. aaseae, (4) populations of A. simillimum included in the analysis are all A. aaseae, (5) A. aaseae and A. simillimum are conspecific, and (6) an artifact of RAPD data.     

Genetic variation and differentiation in captive and wild zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata)

The zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) is a small Australian grassland songbird that has been domesticated over the past two centuries. Because it is easy to breed in captivity, it has become a widely used study organism, especially in behavioural research. Most work has been conducted on domesticated populations maintained at numerous laboratories in Europe and North America. However, little is known about the extent to which, during the process of domestication, captive populations have gone through bottlenecks in population size, leading to inbred and potentially genetically differentiated study populations. This is an important issue, because (i) behavioural studies on captive populations might suffer from artefacts arising from high levels of inbreeding or lack of genetic variation in such populations, and (ii) it may hamper the comparability of research findings. To address this issue, we genotyped 1000 zebra finches from 18 captive and two wild populations at 10 highly variable microsatellite loci. We found that all captive populations have lost some of the genetic variability present in the wild, but there is no evidence that they have gone through a severe bottleneck, as the average captive population still showed a mean of 11.7 alleles per locus, compared to a mean of 19.3 alleles/locus for wild zebra finches. We found significant differentiation between the captive populations (F(ST) = 0.062). Patterns of genetic similarity closely match geographical relationships, so the most pronounced differences occur between the three continents: Australia, North America, and Europe. By providing a tree of the genetic similarity of the different captive populations, we hope to contribute to a better understanding of variation in research findings obtained by different laboratories.     

Genetic diversity in the threatened insular endemic plantAster asa-grayi (Asteraceae)

Genetic diversity in an insular endemic plantAster asa-grayi was examined using enzyme electrophoresis. Distribution ofA. asa-grayi is restricted to only four subtropical islands of Japan, and this species is listed as vulnerable to extinction in the Red Data Book of Japanese wild plants. A total of 161 individuals were sampled from five populations on four islands. Genetic diversity values at the population level were very low, compared to other plant species with a similar life history. Genetic variability at the species level is comparable to the mean value of endemic species. Genetic differentiation among populations is extremely high (G_ST= 0.71), indicating that the gene flow among populations is highly impeded, and pollen and seed dispersal is limited due to the pollinators and the seed morphology. This is because the four islands are geographically isolated. Fixation indices suggested that most populations do not randomly cross. To conserve the genetic diversity of the species, artificial crossings among different island populations are necessary.     

Allozyme diversity in the tetraploid endemic Thymus loscosii (Lamiaceae)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Thymus loscosii (Lamiaceae) is a tetraploid perennial species endemic to the Ebro river basin (north-eastern Spain), which is included in the National Catalogue of Endangered Species. It is a tetraploid species (2n = 54), presumably an autotetraploid originated by the duplication of a 2n = 28 genome and the subsequent loss of two chromosomes. Allozyme electrophoresis was conducted to survey the levels and distribution of genetic diversity and to test the previous autopolyploid hypothesis for its origin. In addition, both in situ and ex situ conservation measures are proposed. METHODS: Eight populations were sampled for analysis by standard methods of starch gel electrophoresis, and six putative enzymatic loci were resolved (five consistently and one only partially). KEY RESULTS: Banding patterns exhibited no evidence of fixed heterozygosity and showed both balanced and unbalanced heterozygotes. In addition, most individuals showed a pattern consistent with the presence of three or four alleles at a single locus. High levels of genetic variability were found at population level (P = 85 %, A = 3.0, He = 0.422), in addition to a trend of an excess of heterozygotes. CONCLUSIONS: Allozyme data support the hypothesis that T. loscosii is an autotetraploid, and the high number of alleles at some loci may be due to repeated polyploidization events. The high values of genetic variation found in this species agree with those expected for tetraploids. The excess of heterozygotes may be due to some barriers to inbreeding (e.g. occurrence of gynodioecy) and/or selection for heterozygosity.     

Phylogeography of Iris missouriensis (Iridaceae) based on nuclear and chloroplast markers

We investigated the phylogeography of Iris missouriensis (Iridaceae), which is widely distributed in western North America. We utilized transposon display and DNA sequencing to quantify nuclear and chloroplast genetic structure. Our objectives were (i) to characterize the geographic structure of genetic variation throughout the species range, (ii) to test whether both margins of the range show reduced genetic diversity as predicted by north-south expansion and contraction associated with climate change, and (iii) to determine whether the subspecies Iris missouriensis ssp. longipetala is genetically distinct. We found that genetic diversity was significantly lower in the northern part of the range but was not significantly different between the central and southern regions, indicating greater stability of the southern margin vs. the northern. Among-population differentiation was high (PhiPT=0.52). The largest divisions in each marker set were concordant and separated the southern Rocky Mountains and Basin and Range provinces from the remainder of the range. The boundaries of this phylogeographic break do not coincide with gaps in present-day distributions or phylogeographic breaks identified in other species, and may indicate a measure of reproductive isolation. Consistent with current treatments, we did not find support for the taxonomic placement of I. missourienis ssp. longipetala as a distinct species. Although transposon display has been used to investigate relationships among crop accessions and their wild relatives, to our knowledge, this is the first use of these markers for population-level phylogeography of a nonmodel species and further demonstrates their utility in species recalcitrant to amplified fragment length polymorphism protocols.     

Floral development of Iris decora Wall. (Iridaceae)

The outer tepal and stamen primordia arise as secondary primordia on the outer tepal-stamenprimordia, which are formed on the floral apex. The inner tepal primordia are formed directly on the floral apex. All the floral appendages are initiated in the second tunica layer and are homologous with regard to their origin and early development. A short perianth tube is formed as a result of intercalary growth in the common bases of the tepal primordia. The intercalary growth in the fused bases of the floral appendages elevates the peripheral zone. The floral apex thus appears as a shallow cup. Further intercalary growth results in the formation of an inferior ovary. The ovules are initiated as outgrowths on placental ridges from the lateral ovary wall, the trilocular appearance being the result of secondary cohesion of the parietal placentae.     

Author and type of the name Iris cengialti (Iridaceae)

Abstract

A. Kerner is correctly the author of the name Iris cengialti previously ascribed to Ambrosi, and consequently the type of the species is here selected, as lectotype, among Kerner's original material kept in WU.     

Microevolution in Solatopupa landsnails (Pulmonata Chondrinidae): genetic diversity and founder effects

Enzyme variability at 28 presumptive gene loci was studied, by standard starch gel electrophoresis, in 30 populations belonging to the five recognized species of the landsnail Solatopupa from its entire NW Mediterranean range.
Six genetically differentiated groups can be identified among the 30 populations sampled. These are distinguished by two to 19 diagnostic loci, different levels of genetic variability and populations genetics. They are also significantly different as far as the D values are considered. There is no evidence of gene flow among them. Genetically inferred groups correspond in four cases to morphologically distinguished species. In contrast, S. similis , as identified by morphological features, is likely to be a complex of at least two cryptic species.
Populations and species of Solatopupa are characterized by: high fixation of alternative alleles both within and between species; medium-lo-low levels of genie variation; heterozygote deficiency; sharp genetic differentiation among population within species; restricted gene flow; and high genetic distances. Genetic variability is partly associated with climatic factors related to moisture.
Both deterministic and stochastic processes may play a part in the genetic differentiation of Solatopupa snails. Founder events seem to be the main factor affecting the genetic structure of populations and perhaps also speciation. Solatopupa populations display many attributes of populations that may be expected to undergo speciation events involving reorganization of the whole genome after a founder event.     

History vs. habitat type: explaining the genetic structure of European nine‐spined stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) populations

The genetic structure of contemporary populations can be shaped by both their history and current ecological conditions. We assessed the relative importance of postglacial colonization history and habitat type in the patterns and degree of genetic diversity and differentiation in northern European nine‐spined sticklebacks (Pungitius pungitius), using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences and 12 nuclear microsatellite and insertion/deletion loci. The mtDNA analyses identified – and microsatellite analyses supported – the existence of two historically distinct lineages (eastern and western). The analyses of nuclear loci among 51 European sites revealed clear historically influenced and to minor degree habitat dependent, patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation. While the effect of habitat type on the levels of genetic variation (coastal > freshwater) and differentiation (freshwater > coastal) was clear, the levels of genetic variability and differentiation in the freshwater sites were independent of habitat type (viz. river, lake and pond). However, levels of genetic variability, together with estimates of historical effective population sizes, decreased dramatically and linearly with increasing latitude. These geographical patterns of genetic variability and differentiation suggest that the contemporary genetic structure of freshwater nine‐spined sticklebacks has been strongly impacted by the founder events associated with postglacial colonization and less by current ecological conditions (cf. habitat type). In general, the results highlight the strong and persistent effects of postglacial colonization history on genetic structuring of northern European fauna and provide an unparalleled example of latitudinal trends in levels of genetic diversity.     

Concordance and discordance: a tale of two hybrid zones in the pacific coast irises (Iridaceae)

Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) markers were developed that provided markers unique to a species or that delimited a large area within a species. These markers were then followed across two hybrid zones: Iris douglasiana/Iris∗∗∗ innominata, and Iris chrysophylla/Iris tenax. In each case the cline in haplotype frequency was compared to the cline for a morphologically based hybrid index. In all three transects across the I. douglasianall. innominata hybrid zone, the cpDNA cline was displaced 1-2 km relative to the morphologically defined hybrid zone; the displacement was not found in the other hybrid zone. The observed displacement represents introgression of cpDNA from ∗∗∗I. douglasiana into ∗∗∗I. innominata. It may be that the I. douglasiana/I.∗∗∗ innominata hybrid zone has shifted in recent time, leaving the slowly dispersing chloroplast DNA behind. The populations known as Iris thompsonii do not form a phylogenetic species and are best viewed as products of hybridization between ∗∗∗I. douglasiana and ∗∗∗I. innominata.     

Isolation and characterization of 10 microsatellite loci from Iris hexagona (Iridaceae)

Ten microsatellite loci isolated from Iris hexagona are described. All these loci are polymorphic, with three to 13 alleles across 24 individuals from a single natural population. Heterozygosity ranged from 0.125 to 0.870. Three loci depart significantly from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in our test population. The test population shows significant heterozygote deficiency in these and two other loci. Three loci exhibit significant linkage disequilibrium. These loci will be utilized to investigate patterns of genetic variation in the species throughout the Florida peninsula.     

Genetic diversity and population structure of the serpentine endemic Calystegia collina (Convolvulaceae) in northern California

We used enzyme electrophoresis to evaluate genetic diversity in 32 populations of Calystegia collina, a clonal plant species endemic to serpentine outcrops in northern California (USA). Of 34 loci examined 56% were polymorphic, but on average only 17% were polymorphic within local populations. Neither the total number of alleles nor the number of multilocus genotypes differed significantly between populations in small vs. large serpentine outcrops. Genetic and geographic distances between populations were positively correlated, but this relationship was not significantly affected by the isolation of serpentine outcrops. Populations were highly differentiated (F(st) = 0.417) and little genetic variation was explained by geographic region or serpentine outcrop.Observed heterozygosity within populations almost always exceeded Hardy-Weinberg expectations. In many populations, all 30 sample ramets were uniformly heterozygous at one or more loci yet were genetically variable at other loci. These results imply that many C. collina populations originate from one or a few genetic founders, with little recruitment from seeds. Genetic variation within uniformly heterozygous populations must be the product of multiple, closely related founders or somatic mutations within the population. We conclude that vegetative reproduction, perhaps coupled with somatic mutation, helps maintain genetic diversity in these isolated but long-lived populations.     

Allozyme variation in the three extant populations of the narrowly endemic cycad Dioon angustifolium Miq. (Zamiaceae) from North-eastern Mexico

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Dioon angustifolium was considered within D. edule. Recent morphometric and allozyme studies on D. edule have shown that D. angustifolium has originated from geographic isolation and is therefore considered to be a separate species. This cycad is endemic to north-eastern Mexico and is known only from three populations in the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain chain. Its populations are small when compared with its southern relative D. edule. In this study, genetic variation was determined within and between populations of D. angustifolium and the genetic consequences of habitat fragmentation and isolation of populations of this species were assessed. METHODS: Allozyme electrophoresis of 14 presumptive loci was used. The data were analysed with statistical approximations for estimating genetic diversity, structure, gene flow and recent genetic bottlenecks. KEY RESULTS: Means and standard deviations of genetic diversity estimators were: number of alleles per locus (A = 1.67 +/- 0.23), percentage of polymorphic loci (P = 52.4 +/- 23 %) and expected heterozygosity (H(E) = 0.218 +/- 0.093). The genetic variation attributable to differences among populations was 16.7 %. Mean gene flow between paired populations was Nm = 1.55 +/- 0.67, which is similar to that reported for endemic plant species of narrow geographical distribution and species with gravity-dispersed seed. A recent bottleneck is detected in the populations studied. CONCLUSIONS: Dioon angustifolium presents high levels of genetic diversity compared with other cycad species, in spite of small population sizes. The recent bottleneck effect did not effectively reduce the genetic variation to the extent of eliminating these populations. The distribution of D. angustifolium appears to be the result of historical biogeographical effects related to the Pleistocene glaciations. It is recommended that this species be catalogued in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and conservation efforts be made to preserve it.     

Genetic diversity in Isoetes yunguiensis, a rare and endangered endemic fern in China

Isoetes yunguiensis is an endangered and endemic fern in China.Field survey indicated that only one population and no more than 50 individuals occur in the wild.The genetic variation of 46 individuals from the population remaining at Pingha (Guizhou Province,China)was assessed by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD)fingerprinting.Twelve primers were screened from sixty ten-bp arbitrary primers,and a total of 95 DNA fragments were scored.Of these,62.1%were polymorphic loci,which indicated that high level genetic variation existed in the natural population.The accumulation of genetic variation in the history of the taxon and the apparent minimal reduction effect on genetic diversity following destruction of habitat might be responsible for the high level genetic diversity presently remaining in the I.yunguiensis population.However,with the continuing decrease of population size,the genetic diversity will gradually be lost.We suggest that the materials from the extant population should be used for re-establishment of the populations.     

Genetic diversity and bottleneck studies in the Marwari horse breed

Genetic diversity within the Marwari breed of horses was evaluated using 26 different microsatellite pairs with 48 DNA samples from unrelated horses. This molecular characterisation was undertaken to evaluate the problem of genetic bottlenecks also, if any, in this breed. The estimated mean (± s.e.) allelic diversity was 5.9 (± 2.24), with a total of 133 alleles. A high level of genetic variability within this breed was observed in terms of high values of mean (±s.e.) effective number of alleles (3.3 ± 1.27), observed heterozygosity (0.5306 ± 0.22), expected Levene’s heterozygosity (0.6612 ± 0.15), expected Nei’s heterozygosity (0.6535 ± 0.14), and polymorphism information content (0.6120 ± 0.03). Low values of Wright’s fixation index, F_IS (0.2433 ± 0.05) indicated low levels of inbreeding. This basic study indicated the existence of substantial genetic diversity in the Marwari horse population. No significant genotypic linkage disequilibrium was detected across the population, suggesting no evidence of linkage between loci. A normal ‘L’ shaped distribution of mode-shift test, non-significant heterozygote excess on the basis of different models, as revealed from Sign, Standardized differences and Wilcoxon sign rank tests as well as non-significantM ratio value suggested that there was no recent bottleneck in the existing Marwari breed population, which is important information for equine breeders. This study also revealed that the Marwari breed can be differentiated from some other exotic breeds of horses on the basis of three microsatellite primers.     

Conservation on diversity and distribution patterns of endemic birds in China

The diversity and distribution patterns of endemic species of birds inChina have been studied on the basis of the distribution database of specimencollections and published references. One hundred and two endemic species ofbirds in China, belonging to 53 genera, 16 families and 8 orders are recognized.They account for 8.1% of the total species of China. The distribution patternswere studied and three centers of endemism were found, includingHengduanshan Mountains, mountain areas of western Qinling, north Sichuan Province andSouth Gansu Province, as well as Taiwan Island, which are suggested as conservationpriorities based on endemism. Twenty-four endemics are rare and endangered, listedin the China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals. Among them, 15 species are in rankI and 9 species are in rank II. The study results are to be beneficial tofurther study on both the processing mechanism of the distribution patterns andon the priority of the diversity and endemism conservation.     

Genetic diversity,population structure and gene flow in native populations of a proposed biocontrol agent (Cornops aquaticum)

The semiaquatic grasshopper Cornops aquaticum is native to South America, with a distribution as far south as the Argentinean pampas and as far north as the Gulf of Mexico. This grasshopper is being proposed as a form of biological control agent for the invasive aquatic macrophyte (Eichhornia crassipes) in South Africa. The results of a molecular study (six microsatellite loci) conducted on 11 C. aquaticum populations is presented. Unlike in contiguous mainland South American populations, we found genetic diversity to be lowest in a South African quarantine population, with reduced values in two other isolated populations from South America. In addition, F_st/R_st/analysis of molecular variance and Bayesian cluster analysis suggested high levels of connectivity between mainland populations. The implications of these findings and their relationship to those of a recent morphological study suggest that the suitability of C. aquaticum as a form of biocontrol might be unpredictable at best. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 95 , 666–676.     

Genetic diversity and structure of the endemic Caesalpinia hintonii complex (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae) in Mexico

The Caesalpinia hintonii complex is formed by five endemic species (C. hintonii, C. laxa, C. macvaughii, C. melanadenia and C. epifanioi) occurring in central Mexico. This species complex is under incipient genetic divergence as by-product of local adaptations in reproductive and morphological traits to different habitats. We estimate the genetic variation and structure of populations of this species complex to assess the extent of genetic differentiation among populations and related species along its geographic distribution. Estimations of genetic diversity and structure were done based on ten enzymes and 18 loci. Mean number of alleles per locus ranged from 1.5 to 1.9. Polymorphic loci ranged from 42.1 to 68.4. Observed (H_o: range 0.191–0.275) and expected (H_e: range 0.205–0.317) heterozygosities in this complex were higher compared with other endemic and legume species. Neis genetic diversity estimates showed that most genetic variation was found within (H_S = 0.325) rather than among populations (D_ST = 0.085). Populations of the species C. hintonii showed a considerable genetic differentiation (F_ST = 0.207). The results of genetic diversity and structure within and among populations are in accord with the great morphological differentiation described for this species complex.     

Genetic diversity of the endangered Chinese endemic herb Primulina tabacum (Gesneriaceae) revealed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)

Primulina tabacum Hance, is a critically endangered perennial endemic to limestone area in South China. Genetic variability within and among four extant populations of this species was assessed using AFLP markers. We expected a low genetic diversity level of this narrowly distributed species, but our results revealed that a high level of genetic diversity remains, both at population level (55.5% of markers polymorphic, H _E = 0.220, I _S = 0.321), and at species level (P = 85.6% of markers polymorphic, H _E = 0.339, I _S = 0.495), probably resulting from its refugial history and/or breeding system. High levels of genetic differentiation among populations was apparent based on Nei’s genetic diversity analysis (G _st=0.350). The restricted gene flow between populations is a potential reason for the high genetic differentiation. The population genetic diversity of P. tabacum revealed here has clear implications for conservation and management. To maintain present levels of genetic diversity, in situ conservation of all populations is necessary.     

Iris japonica×Iris confusa种间杂种的细胞遗传学研究

对Irisjaponica、I confusa和它们的人工种间杂种花粉母细胞减数分裂中期Ⅰ染色体配对行为、形态学和繁育特征进行了分析 ,结果表明 :(1)I japonica和I confusa的形态差异较小 ,杂种F1形态介于亲本之间 ;(2 )人工杂交比较容易 ,杂种种子能正常发育 ;杂种F1体细胞染色体数为 2n =30 ,减数分裂中期I染色体配对频率很高 ,为 13 9个二价体 ,构型为0 95Ⅰ + 5 95Ⅱ (棒形 ) + 7 95Ⅱ (环形 ) + 0 0 5Ⅲ + 0 2 7Ⅳ ,表明它们有相似的染色体组 ,亲缘关系很近 ;(3)杂种中有少量的三价体和四价体存在 ,可能是亲本染色体间发生了结构重排或是部分同源染色体配对 ;(4)杂种中大多数细胞存在 2个单价体 ,有的高达 8个单价体 ;花粉育性为 5 0 5 1% ,不能正常结实 ,表明I japonica和I confusa间存在生殖隔离 ,是独立的生物学物种 ;(5 )杂种F1减数分裂前期可观察到细胞融合 ,这可能是造成I japonica和I confusa不同居群出现多倍体和非整倍体的重要原因。