South African populations of Littorina rudis

Littorina rudis was collected from stands of Spartina capensis in saltmarsh habitats within Langebaan and knysna lagoon, Cape Province. It was absent from rocky sores and from saltmarshes east of Knysna. The shell, radular and penial morphology are described. L. rudis from both localities bore tessellated colour patterns similar to those of British saltmarsh ecotypes. The Knysna population contained individuals with a unique amber background colour. The shells from Knysna and Langebaan were very thin in accordance with the sheltered habitats. The number of embryos carried in the brood puch was similar in both countries. Sexual maturity was attained at about 4 mm shell length; the male and female modal sizes were 4.9 mm and 5.1 mm respectively at Langebaan. No. published records were found for L. rudis in South West Africa. Some possible origins of the South African L. rudis populations are discussed.     

Age-dependency of somatic selection in South African Negro G-6-PD heterozygotes

Summary The distribution of red cell G-6-PD phenotypes was analysed in terms of their manifestation in South African Negro females of different age classes. It was found that with increasing chronological age, over the age range from the teens to adulthood, the relative proportion of females expressing a non BB phenotype gradually decreases and the relative proportion of females expressing a B phenotype increases concomitantly. It is suggested that this phenomenon is attributable to age-dependent somatic selection against the deficient A^- cell line in appropriate heterozygotes. This process can give rise to the misinterpretation of recording a growing excess of homozygotes and a corresponding increasing deficit of heterozygotes with ongoing chronological ageing. It is speculated that the postulated process of age-dependent somatic selection may be in response to malaria as the underlying selective agent. Considerations in this respect are discussed in greater detail.Supported by a research fellowship awarded by the Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung, Bonn-Bad GodesbergSupported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Bonn-Bad Godesberg     

Human chromosomal polymorphism. V. Chromosomal Q polymorphism in African populations

Summary The distribution pattern of Q-heterochromatin variants in seven autosomes (3, 4, 13–15, 21, and 22) was studied in three aboriginal Negroid populations of Africa (Mozambique, Angola, and Ethiopia). It was shown that among African Negroids there are no individuals completely lacking Q-heterochromatin bands with fluorescence levels 4 and 5. The mean number of Q variants per individual was 3.47, 4.80, and 4.85 in the Ethiopian, Mozambique, and Angola populations, respectively. The observed homo- and heteromorphic frequencies always agreed with those predicted by the law of Hardy-Weinberg. The populations of tropical lowland Negroids (Mozambique and Angola) proved to be significantly homogeneous both in the frequency of Q variants and the mean number of these variants per individual, so they were examined as a single group. However, comparative analysis of highland (Ethiopians) and lowland Negroids revealed statistically significant differences. The following questions are discussed: (1) the possible selective value of chromosomal Q heterochromatin material in the adaptation of human populations to high-altitude climate; (2) the possible existence of intraracial heterogeneity in Negroids living in different ecological zones of Africa; (3) the possible taxonomic value of an inverted Q-heterochromatin band in chromosome 3 in ethnic anthropology.     

Glyoxalase I polymorphism in South African Bantu-speaking Negroids

Summary The newly described genetic polymorphism of glyoxalase I (GLO) is studied in seven ethnically defined Negroid samples from South Africa (total: n=843). The allele frequencies between the different Negroid samples studied vary only marginally. However, the allele frequency of GLO¹ for the South African Negroid samples combined (i.e., p=0.259), is highly significantly lower than that for Caucasoid samples.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Bonn-Bad GodesbergSupported by a research fellowship (1975/76) awarded by the Alexander-von-Humboldt-Stiftung, Bonn-Bad Godesberg     

The period gene Thr-Gly polymorphism in Australian and African Drosophila melanogaster populations: implications for selection

The period gene is a key regulator of biological rhythmicity in Drosophila melanogaster. The central part of the gene encodes a dipeptide Thr-Gly repeat that has been implicated in the evolution of both circadian and ultradian rhythms. We have previously observed that length variation in the repeat follows a latitudinal cline in Europe and North Africa, so we have sought to extend this observation to the southern hemisphere. We observe a parallel cline in Australia for one of the two major length variants and find higher levels of some Thr-Gly length variants, particularly at the tropical latitudes, that are extremely rare in Europe. In addition we examined >40 haplotypes from sub-Saharan Africa and find a very different and far more variable profile of Thr-Gly sequences. Statistical analysis of the periodicity and codon content of the repeat from all three continents reveals a possible mechanism that may explain how the repeat initially arose in the ancestors of the D. melanogaster subgroup of species. Our results further reinforce the view that thermal selection may have contributed to shaping the continental patterns of Thr-Gly variability.     

The genetics of Drosophila subobscura populations. 3. Inversion polymorphism and climatic factors

Summary The natural population of Drosophila subobscura of Mt. Parnes has been followed for two successive years and the frequency of the gene arrangements determined. Some changes occured in the first year but do not explain the existence of the geographical clines for these frequencies. Within the second year no changes were observed. For chromosomes J and U there is evidence for a greater fitness of the heterozygotes.Experiments on temperature effect on viability of adult male flies, on their temporal sterility, on the viability of flies during all their biological cycle and experiments on the effect of dryness on the viability of adult male flies did not show an important change of gene arrangement frequencies in the resistant individuals. Nor did diapausing females have very different gene arrangements, except for chromosome O. Cage experiments with temperature as a selective agent did not elucidate the action of this factor. It is concluded that temperature or dryness do not affect very much the polymorphic system, nor explain the existence of these clines.This polymorphic system is much more stable in D. subobscura than in D. pseudoobscura, its nearctic relative. It is also richer. It is concluded that it is historically older and helps the populations to cope with many environmental changes.     

Population genetics of Drosophila ananassae: inversion polymorphism and body size in Indian geographical populations

Twelve Indian natural populations of Drosophila ananassae, a cosmopolitan and domestic species, were sampled and laboratory populations (mass cultures) were established from naturally impregnated females. These populations were maintained in the laboratory for some generations and were analysed chromosomally to know the frequency of different inversions. The chromosomal analysis revealed the presence of three cosmopolitan inversions. The data on the whole show that there are significant differences in the frequencies of different chromosome arrangements in these populations. Body size (wing length and thorax length) was measured in both sexes (50 females and 50 males), in all the 12 geographical populations of D. ananassae. There are statistically significant differences in wing length as well as in thorax length of both sexes among different geographical populations. Five geographical strains were crossed reciprocally and body size (wing length and thorax length) was measured in F₁ and F₂ progeny. The comparison of body size (both traits) between mid‐parent, F₁ and F₂ shows that there is an increase in body size in F₁ and F₂ progeny as compared with parents. Thus, there is no break down of heterosis in F₂, which suggests absence of coadaptation in geographical populations of D. ananassae. Scaling test statistical analysis showed additive, dominance and epistatic effects in certain crosses involving geographical strains of D. ananassae. Correlation between chromosome arrangement frequency and body size has also been tested and significant negative correlation has been found between 2L – ST chromosome arrangement and male thorax.     

Carpal fusions in children of four South African populations

The incidence of carpal fusions was determined from radiographs of both hands of 2,250 Pretoria schoolchildren aged 72 to 191 months. The group included White, Negro, Coloured and Indian subjects. Of the many possible varieties of carpal fusion, only lunato-triquetral fusion and capitate-hamate fusion were encountered. No examples of lunato-triquetral fusion were encountered in children less than ten years of age. In Pretoria Negroes aged 10 to 15 years, the incidence of lunato-triquetral synostosis is 4.57%, while Pretoria Coloureds show an incidence of 1.51%. This type of fusion was not noted in the White or Indian populations. Two examples of capitate-hamate synostosis were encountered in Pretoria Negroes. The available evidence suggests that these two varieties of carpal fusion may be added to the list of discrete traits varying in frequency from population to population and probably reflecting different underlying gene frequencies. No significant sex difference in incidence of lunato-triquetral fusion was noted in the present study. Lunato-triquetral fusion is about twice as commonly bilateral as unilateral in occurrence.     

The oral susceptibility of South African field populations of Culicoides to African horse sickness virus

Twenty‐two isolates of African horse sickness virus (AHSV), representing its distinct serotypes, geographical and historical origins, were fed to three populations of South African livestock‐associated Culicoides spp. (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae). Infective blood meals included 12 recent isolates, nine historical reference strains and one live attenuated vaccine strain serotype 7 (AHSV‐7) of the virus. Field‐collected midges were fed through a chicken‐skin membrane on sheep blood spiked with one of the viruses, which concentrations ranged from 5.4 to 8.8 log₁₀TCID₅₀/mL of blood. After 10 days incubation at 23.5°C, AHSV was isolated from 11 Culicoides species. Standard in vitro passaging of AHSV‐7, used for the preparation of live attenuated vaccine, did not reduce its ability to infect Culicoides species. Virus recovery rates in orally infected Culicoides midges differed significantly between species and populations, serotypes, isolates and seasons. Significant variations in oral susceptibility recorded in this study emphasize a complex inter‐relationship between virus and vector, which is further influenced by multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors. As it is not possible to standardize all these factors under laboratory conditions, conclusive assessment of the role of field‐collected Culicoides midges in the transmission of orbiviruses remains problematic. Nevertheless, results of this study suggest the potential for multi‐vector transmission of AHSV virus in South Africa.     

Male procreative superiority index (MPSI): the missing coefficient in African anthropogenetics.

The adult man in Africa, unlike the average European man, can have a biological fitness exceeding that of this wife. Sociocultural factors allow, and indeed encourage, this state of affairs, which may have far-reaching genetic consequences. The male procreative superiority index (MPSI) of any man is easily worked out by dividing the total number of a man''s children by the average number of children born to each wife. The country-wide mean MPSI for 3095 fathers contacted throughout Ghana was 2 . 03, indicating that the Ghanaian father on the average has twice as many children as the mother. The genetic consequences of this phenomenon are discussed, bringing out effects on such diverse genes as those for abnormal haemoglobins, twins, and extra digits. African anthropogenetics needs rethinking more on factual lines than on theoretical evolutionary concepts.     

The Y Alu polymorphism in southern African populations and its relationship to other Y-specific polymorphisms.

Y-linked polymorphisms were studied in a number of African populations. The frequency of the alleles of a Y-specific Alu insertion polymorphism, termed the "Y Alu polymorphism," was determined in 889 individuals from 23 different African population groups. A trend in frequency was observed, with the insert largely absent in Caucasoid populations, at intermediate frequency in the Khoisan, and at high frequency in Negroids. The insert predates diversification of Homo sapiens, since it occurs in all groups. The Alu insertion is believed to result from a unique mutation event, and comparisons between this and several other Y-linked polymorphisms were carried out in an attempt to validate their usefulness in population and evolutionary studies. The p21A1/TaqI and pDP31/EcoRI polymorphisms and 49a/TaqI alleles were all shown to have arisen on more than one occasion, and evidence exists for a preraciation crossover event between the Y-linked pseudoautosomal XY275 locus and the Y chromosome pseudoautosomal boundary.