Phenotypic Plasticity and Population Differentiation in an Ongoing Species Invasion

The ability to succeed in diverse conditions is a key factor allowing introduced species to successfully invade and spread across new areas. Two non-exclusive factors have been suggested to promote this ability: adaptive phenotypic plasticity of individuals, and the evolution of locally adapted populations in the new range. We investigated these individual and population-level factors in Polygonum cespitosum, an Asian annual that has recently become invasive in northeastern North America. We characterized individual fitness, life-history, and functional plasticity in response to two contrasting glasshouse habitat treatments (full sun/dry soil and understory shade/moist soil) in 165 genotypes sampled from nine geographically separate populations representing the range of light and soil moisture conditions the species inhabits in this region. Polygonum cespitosum genotypes from these introduced-range populations expressed broadly similar plasticity patterns. In response to full sun, dry conditions, genotypes from all populations increased photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency, and allocation to root tissues, dramatically increasing reproductive fitness compared to phenotypes expressed in simulated understory shade. Although there were subtle among-population differences in mean trait values as well as in the slope of plastic responses, these population differences did not reflect local adaptation to environmental conditions measured at the population sites of origin. Instead, certain populations expressed higher fitness in both glasshouse habitat treatments. We also compared the introduced-range populations to a single population from the native Asian range, and found that the native population had delayed phenology, limited functional plasticity, and lower fitness in both experimental environments compared with the introduced-range populations. Our results indicate that the future spread of P. cespitosum in its introduced range will likely be fueled by populations consisting of individuals able to express high fitness across diverse light and moisture conditions, rather than by the evolution of locally specialized populations.     

濒危植物观光木遗传多样性及遗传结构分析

采用筛选的8条ISSR引物对濒危植物观光木13个野生种群的遗传多样性及遗传结构进行分析,结果显示:物种和种群水平上多态性位点百分率分别为79.67%和46.84%,Shannon表型多样性指数分别为0.3880和0.2192,与木兰科其他近缘植物相比,遗传多样性水平较高;分子方差分析表明,观光木野生种群间遗传分化系数为0.3752,种群间存在显著的遗传距离;STRUCTURE分析和UPGMA聚类表明,参试的13个野生种群可分为3大类群;相关性分析表明,种群间遗传距离与其地理距离呈显著正相关。南昆山、笔架山、弄相山种群的遗传多样性最丰富,建议优先加以保护。     

内蒙古西伯利亚杏群体遗传多样性和遗传结构分析

利用27对SSR分子标记对内蒙古地区13个西伯利亚杏群体的遗传多样性和遗传结构进行分析,评价其遗传多样性水平和分化程度,为内蒙古西伯利亚杏资源的合理保护与利用提供理论依据。结果显示:(1)27对SSR引物共检测到512个等位基因(Na),各位点平均等位基因数(Na)和多态性信息含量(PIC)分别为19和0.84;物种水平上Shannons信息指数(I)和期望杂合度(He)分别为2.25和0.73。(2)群体水平上的等位基因(Na)、有效等位基因(Ne)、Shannons信息指数(I)、期望杂合度(He)和观察杂合度(Ho)分别为6.95、4.48、1.60、0.76和0.56;其中科左后旗群体遗传多样性最丰富,克什克腾旗群体遗传多样性最低。(3)基于F统计量分析的遗传分化系数(Fst)为0.12,基因流(Nm)为1.86;分子方差分析显示内蒙古西伯利亚杏群体大部分遗传变异来自群体内(92%),群体间的遗传变异仅占8%。(4)内蒙古西伯利亚杏群体遗传距离为0.04~0.67,遗传相似度为0.33~0.83;遗传相似度的聚类分析、遗传距离的主坐标分析和遗传结构分析(Structure)均将供试13个群体划分为4组。Mantel检测显示,内蒙古西伯利亚杏群体遗传距离与地理距离呈显著相关关系(r=0.453,P0.01)。研究表明,内蒙古西伯利亚杏资源具有丰富的遗传多样性,这一特性与其群体的大小、悠久的演化历史以及自身生物学特性相关;内蒙古西伯利亚杏群体间存在中等程度的遗传分化,这可能源于自然地理隔离以及近期人类活动引起的生境片段化。     

北沙柳群体遗传多样性和遗传结构分析

以内蒙古北沙柳(Salix psammophila)国家种质资源库内9个群体(P1~P9)288个无性系为实验材料,利用TP-M13-SSR技术,选取22对具有多态性EST-SSR北沙柳引物,采用毛细管电泳对PCR产物进行检测,分析北沙柳遗传多样性、分化程度和群体遗传结构,为北沙柳种质资源库遗传管理、无性系鉴定、品种选育、遗传改良和构建指纹图谱提供理论依据。结果显示:(1)22对EST-SSR引物共检测到222个等位基因,各位点平均等位基因数(A)为10,四倍体基因型丰富度(G)和特异基因型(G1)总和分别为1 460和802个,平均特异基因型比率(P1)和种质鉴别率(P2)分别为45.86%和13.21%。(2)9个群体平均等位基因数(A)为7.475,基因型丰富度(G)为15.586,观察杂合度(Ho)和期望杂合度(He)分别为0.577和0.638。以期望杂合度He为标准,北沙柳群体遗传多样性水平最低的是P1和P9。(3)北沙柳群体遗传分化系数仅为0.02,AMOVA分子变异分析显示,北沙柳群体大部分遗传变异来自群体内(97%),群体间变异仅为3%。(4)三维主成分、聚类和Structure群体遗传结构分析显示,9个群体被划分为2个组,Mantel检验表明北沙柳遗传距离与地理距离极显著相关(r=0.684 P0.001)。研究表明,北沙柳种质资源具有丰富的遗传多样性,这是其具有耐旱、耐寒、耐高温、耐沙埋和抗风蚀等适应性较强的分子基础;北沙柳的遗传变异集中在群体内;分布区群体呈现由中心向边缘群体扩张分化的趋势。     

云杉矮槲寄生遗传多样性及其群体遗传结构分析

该研究采用CTAB法提取云杉矮槲寄生(Arceuthobium sichuanense)的基因组DNA,利用ITS1片段的序列信息对中国9个不同地理群体的62份云杉矮槲寄生样本的遗传多样性及群体遗传结构进行分析。结果表明:(1)62条ITS1序列共定义16个单倍型(H1~H16),表现出较低的遗传多样性水平(h=0.678 5,π=0.005 9),而群体间的遗传多样性水平则表现出较大差异(h=0~1.000 0,π=0~0.009 4);AMOVA分析显示云杉矮槲寄生群体内的遗传变异占到51.37%,群体间为48.63%。(2)Network单倍型网络分析表明,单倍型H1和H12较为古老,且所有群体对2种单倍型无共享现象;单倍型H1是广布单倍型,存在于青海和甘肃的6个群体中,单倍型H12仅在四川的2个群体中有分布。(3)基于最大似然法(ML)构建的群体聚类和中介邻接法构建的单倍型网络图均显示,四川的3个群体为独立类群,区别于青海、甘肃群体,且甘肃和青海的群体之间没有明显分化。该研究首次报道了云杉矮槲寄生遗传多样性和遗传结构,为进一步研究其进化及后续的病害防控提供了一定的参考。     

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Theileria annulata in Oman

Background

Theileriosis, caused by a number of species within the genus Theileria, is a common disease of livestock in Oman. It is a major constraint to the development of the livestock industry due to a high rate of morbidity and mortality in both cattle and sheep. Since little is currently known about the genetic diversity of the parasites causing theileriosis in Oman, the present study was designed to address this issue with specific regard to T. annulata in cattle.

Methods

Blood samples were collected from cattle from four geographically distinct regions in Oman for genetic analysis of the Theileria annulata population. Ten genetic markers (micro- and mini-satellites) representing all four chromosomes of T. annulata were applied to these samples using a combination of PCR amplification and fragment analysis. The resultant genetic data was analysed to provide a first insight into the structure of the T. annulata population in Oman.

Results

We applied ten micro- and mini-satellite markers to a total of 310 samples obtained from different regions (174 [56%] from Dhofar, 68 [22%] from Dhira, 44 [14.5%] from Batinah and 24 [8%] from Sharqia). A high degree of allelic diversity was observed among the four parasite populations. Expected heterozygosity for each site ranged from 0.816 to 0.854. A high multiplicity of infection was observed in individual hosts, with an average of 3.3 to 3.4 alleles per locus, in samples derived from Batinah, Dhofar and Sharqia regions. In samples from Dhira region, an average of 2.9 alleles per locus was observed. Mild but statistically significant linkage disequilibrium between pairs of markers was observed in populations from three of the four regions. In contrast, when the analysis was performed at farm level, no significant linkage disequilibrium was observed. Finally, no significant genetic differentiation was seen between the four populations, with most pair-wise F_ST values being less than 0.03. Slightly higher F_ST values (G_ST’ = 0.075, θ = 0.07) were detected when the data for T. annulata parasites in Oman was compared with that previously generated for Turkey and Tunisia.

Conclusion

Genetic analyses of T. annulata samples representing four geographical regions in Oman revealed a high level of genetic diversity in the parasite population. There was little evidence of genetic differentiation between parasites from different regions, and a high level of genetic diversity was maintained within each sub-population. These findings are consistent with a high parasite transmission rate and frequent movement of animals between different regions in Oman.     

植物种质群体遗传结构改变的测度

本文旨在探讨植物种质资源保存中由于人为和自然缘故导致遗传结构改变的评价指标和评价方法.在介绍植物种质资源保存研究一些基本概念的基础上,归纳了测度种质库(收集品)遗传潜势的6种遗传多样性统计指标,包括同一变异层次的类型数、类型分布均衡度、遗传相似性与遗传距离、遗传方差与遗传变异系数、多元变异指数以及亲本系数.指出若无遗传丰富度相伴,单有遗传离散度并未提供遗传多样性的完整测度.探讨了人为条件导致植物种质资源遗传结构改变的遗传流失、环境胁迫所致植物种质资源遗传结构改变的遗传脆弱性和种子扩繁所引发的植物种质资源遗传结构改变的遗传漂变和遗传漂移等的统计指标.文末给出了自花授粉植物和异花授粉植物群体适宜样本容量研究的个例.     

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure Among Oat Cultivars and Landraces

In this study, genetic diversity among 177 oat (Avena sativa L.) accessions including both white and red oat landraces and 36 commercial cultivars was studied for simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci. Thirty-one genomic and expressed sequence tags (EST)-derived primer pairs were selected according to high polymorphism from an initial 66 SSR batch. Markers revealed a high level of polymorphism, detecting a total of 454 alleles. The average gene diversity for the whole sample was 0.29. Genetic similarity, calculated using the Dice coefficient, was used for cluster analysis, and principal component analysis was also applied. In addition, population structure using a Bayesian clustering approach identified discrete subpopulation based on allele frequency and showed similar clustering of oat genotypes in four groups. Accessions could be classified into four main clusters that clearly separated the commercial cultivars, the red oat landraces and two clusters of white oat landraces. Cultivars showed less diversity than the landraces indicating a reduction of genetic diversity during breeding, whereas white oat landraces showed higher diversity than red ones. The average polymorphic information content of 0.80 for the SSR loci indicated the usefulness of many of the SSR for genotype identification. In particular, two markers, MAMA5 and AM04, with a total of 50 alleles and a high discrimination power (>0.90), were sufficient to discriminate among all commercial cultivars studied highlighting their potential use for variety identification.     

羚牛的遗传多样性及其种群遗传结构分析

羚牛是亚洲大陆一种特有的大型珍稀动物,目前正面临着栖息地丧失、片段化和人类活动的严重威胁。为了有效地保护这种濒危动物,全面了解羚牛的种群结构、进化历史和整个分布区内遗传多样性的分布是至关重要的。本研究以mtDNA D-loop330bp基因片段为分子标记,比较分析了来自陕西秦岭、甘肃南部、四川岷山、邛崃山和云南贡山的40个样品的序列差异,根据分布特点将所采集到的羚牛分为3个地理单元,即秦岭、四川和云南。结果表明,在3个地理单元中存在4种单倍型,且地理单元间不存在共享单倍型,相互单倍型之间的平均序列差异为1.66％。进一步分析表明,3个地理单元间的基因流较低,存在着显的遗传分化 ,说明羚牛具有明显的系统地理分布格局。同时提出应将分布于秦岭山区、唐家河青川地区、天全以及云南贡山地区作为独立的管理单元分别加以保护。     

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Miscanthus sinensis Germplasm in China

Miscanthus is a perennial rhizomatous C4 grass native to East Asia. Endowed with great biomass yield, high ligno-cellulose composition, efficient use of radiation, nutrient and water, as well as tolerance to stress, Miscanthus has great potential as an excellent bioenergy crop. Despite of the high potential for biomass production of the allotriploid hybrid M. ×giganteus, derived from M. sacchariflorus and M. sinensis, other options need to be explored to improve the narrow genetic base of M. ×giganteus, and also to exploit other Miscanthus species, including M. sinensis (2n = 2x = 38), as bioenergy crops. In the present study, a large number of 459 M. sinensis accessions, collected from the wide geographical distribution regions in China, were genotyped using 23 SSR markers transferable from Brachypodium distachyon. Genetic diversity and population structure were assessed. High genetic diversity and differentiation of the germplasm were observed, with 115 alleles in total, a polymorphic rate of 0.77, Nei’s genetic diversity index (He) of 0.32 and polymorphism information content (PIC) of 0.26. Clustering of germplasm accessions was primarily in agreement with the natural geographic distribution. AMOVA and genetic distance analyses confirmed the genetic differentiation in the M. sinensis germplasm and it was grouped into five clusters or subpopulations. Significant genetic variation among subpopulations indicated obvious genetic differentiation in the collections, but within-subpopulation variation (83%) was substantially greater than the between-subpopulation variation (17%). Considerable phenotypic variation was observed for multiple traits among 300 M. sinensis accessions. Nine SSR markers were found to be associated with heading date and biomass yield. The diverse Chinese M. sinensis germplasm and newly identified SSR markers were proved to be valuable for breeding Miscanthus varieties with desired bioenergy traits.     

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Sitodiplosis mosellana in Northern China

The wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana, is an important pest in Northern China. We tested the hypothesis that the population structure of this species arises during a range expansion over the past 30 years. This study used microsatellite and mitochondrial loci to conduct population genetic analysis of S. mosellana across its distribution range in China. We found strong genetic structure among the 16 studied populations, including two genetically distinct groups (the eastern and western groups), broadly consistent with the geography and habitat fragmentation. These results underline the importance of natural barriers in impeding dispersal and gene flow of S. mosellana populations. Low to moderate genetic diversity among the populations and moderate genetic differentiation (F _ST = 0.117) between the two groups were also found. The populations in the western group had lower genetic diversity, higher genetic differentiation and lower gene flow (F _ST = 0.116, Nm = 1.89) than those in the eastern group (F _ST = 0.049, Nm = 4.91). Genetic distance between populations was positively and significantly correlated with geographic distance (r = 0.56, P<0.001). The population history of this species provided no evidence for population expansion or bottlenecks in any of these populations. Our data suggest that the distribution of genetic diversity, genetic differentiation and population structure of S. mosellana have resulted from a historical event, reflecting its adaptation to diverse habitats and forming two different gene pools. These results may be the outcome of a combination of restricted gene flow due to geographical and environmental factors, population history, random processes of genetic drift and individual dispersal patterns. Given the current risk status of this species in China, this study can offer useful information for forecasting outbreaks and designing effective pest management programs.     

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of the Brachiaria brizantha Germplasm

Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf. (syn. Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster) is a species used primarily as forage in tropical America and Southeast Asia. B. brizantha has been extensively researched since the 1980s with the initiation of the Tropical Forages Breeding Program conducted by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária; EMBRAPA), holding one of the largest germplasm collections in the world. This work has identified 15 new microsatellite markers for this species, which have been used in addition to five previously reported markers, to estimate the genetic similarities among 172 accessions and six cultivars of this species. Similarity index values ranged from 0.40 to 1.00. Two duplications were found in the germplasm. A Bayesian analysis performed using the STRUCTURE 2.3.3 program revealed the presence of three clusters with different allelic pools. This analysis is valuable for the performance of crosses to explore heterosis; however, the mode of reproduction of the accessions and ploidy barriers must be observed for effective exploration. A grouping analysis using the neighbor-joining method was consistent with the STRUCTURE analysis, and a combination approach suggested that this germplasm collection does not exhibit considerable genetic variability despite the presence of three distinct allelic pools. The lack of correlation between the genetic and geographic distances is also discussed.     

Levels and Patterns of Genetic Diversity and Population Structure in Domestic Rabbits

Over thousands of years humans changed the genetic and phenotypic composition of several organisms and in the process transformed wild species into domesticated forms. From this close association, domestic animals emerged as important models in biomedical and fundamental research, in addition to their intrinsic economical and cultural value. The domestic rabbit is no exception but few studies have investigated the impact of domestication on its genetic variability. In order to study patterns of genetic structure in domestic rabbits and to quantify the genetic diversity lost with the domestication process, we genotyped 45 microsatellites for 471 individuals belonging to 16 breeds and 13 wild localities. We found that both the initial domestication and the subsequent process of breed formation, when averaged across breeds, culminated in losses of ~20% of genetic diversity present in the ancestral wild population and domestic rabbits as a whole, respectively. Despite the short time elapsed since breed diversification we uncovered a well-defined structure in domestic rabbits where the F_ST between breeds was 22%. However, we failed to detect deeper levels of structure, probably consequence of a recent and single geographic origin of domestication together with a non-bifurcating process of breed formation, which were often derived from crosses between two or more breeds. Finally, we found evidence for intrabreed stratification that is associated with demographic and selective causes such as formation of strains, colour morphs within the same breed, or country/breeder of origin. These additional layers of population structure within breeds should be taken into account in future mapping studies.     

珍稀濒危植物阜康阿魏的遗传多样性及遗传结构

明确珍稀濒危小种群阜康阿魏(Ferula fukanensis)的遗传多样性和遗传结构,是对其制定有效的保护和管理策略的基础和前提。本研究基于10对多态性好且可以稳定扩增的SSR引物对来源于3个居群87个珍稀濒危植物阜康阿魏的遗传多样性和遗传结构进行分析。结果显示：小种群的阜康阿魏具有相对较高的遗传多样性,居群间Nei’s基因多样性指数(h_S)为0.514,总的Nei’s基因多样性指数(h_T)为0.516,观测杂合度(H_o)为0.881,期望杂合度(H_e)为0.512,香农信息指数(I)为0.836,多态位点百分率(P_PB)为100%,遗传分化程度较低(F_st=0.007),95.9%的变异发生在居群内,遗传距离与地理距离无显著相关性,66.7%的居群遭遇了遗传瓶颈。结果表明,阜康阿魏遗传变异丰富,有较高的进化潜力。结合该种野外种群现状,建议建立保护区,开展就地保护,并加强引种和人工繁育等迁地保护措施,辅助阜康阿魏保育。本研究可为阜康阿魏植物资源保护提供理...     

Population Structure and Genetic Diversity of Common Bean Accessions from Brazil

Plant Molecular Biology Reporter - Brazil can be considered a secondary center of common bean diversification (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and the landraces grown throughout Brazil are valuable sources...     

303份甘薯地方种SSR遗传多样性与群体结构分析

利用SSR分子标记,对我国303份甘薯地方种进行了遗传多样性和群体结构分析。进一步明确了甘薯地方种间的遗传多样性和亲缘关系,为优异资源挖掘和品种改良提供了参考。利用SSR建立研究材料的0~1数据库,通过NTSYS-pc2.10软件计算Nei72遗传距离矩阵,将遗传距离矩阵导入MEGA 6.06,计算平均遗传距离和聚类分析;并利用STRUCTURE2.3.4对303份地方种进行群体结构分析。结果表明:30对SSR引物共检测出203条多态性位点,每对引物检测到1~14条多态性条带,平均每对引物获得6.77条。303份材料的平均遗传距离为0.564,聚类分析在遗传距离为0.477处可以把303份材料分成11个类群,其中第Ⅺ类群在遗传距离为0.452处可分为3个亚群。群体结构分析将303份材料划分成了5个稳定的群体,群体结构划分与聚类有相似的结果,其中70份材料Q值小于0.6,属于混合亚群。     

野生杏和栽培杏的遗传多样性和遗传结构分析

利用SSR分子标记结合荧光毛细管电泳检测技术,研究了野生杏和栽培杏的遗传多样性和遗传结构,结果显示:27个SSR位点,平均每个位点检测到17.82个等位基因(Na)和7.44个有效等位基因(Ne),平均Shannon's信息指数(I)为2.23,平均期望杂合度(He)和观察杂合度(Ho)分别为0.70和0.52。基于SSR位点,群体水平上平均等位基因数、有效等位基因数、期望杂合度、观察杂合度和Shannon's信息指数分别为6.59、4.15、0.70、0.53和1.50,说明我国杏种质资源遗传多样性丰富,其中野生杏资源遗传多样性明显高于栽培杏资源,野生杏中西伯利亚杏种质遗传多样性最高且具有较多的特异等位基因,而栽培杏中仁用杏遗传多样性最低,特有等位基因较少。聚类分析将供试159份种质分为4组。群体遗传结构分析将159份种质划分为5个类群,分类情况与传统形态指标划分基本一致。通过本研究可知,我国杏资源遗传多样性丰富,遗传结构较为复杂;西伯利亚杏与栽培杏亲缘关系较远;野生普通杏与栽培杏具有类似的遗传结构,推测野生普通杏为栽培杏原始种;仁用杏遗传多样性较低,遗传背景狭窄。本研究结果可为杏资源新品种选育及持续利用提供重要的理论依据。