Polymorphism and inheritance of serum esterases and beta-globulins in the paradise fish (Macropodus opercularis; Anabantidae)

Electrophoretic variants of serum esterases and beta-globulins in two subspecies of paradise fish (Macropodus opercularis) were studied. Four esterase loci (Est-1, Est-2, Est-3 and Est-4), a single transferrin (Tf) and another major beta-globulin locus (Bg) were identified by segregational analysis. Est-3 seems to be a monomorphic locus. Three alleles of Est-1, two of Est-2, two of Est-4, four of Tf and two alleles of Bg were found in the laboratory population. None of these loci were closely linked. Electrophoretic patterns of F1 hybrids confirmed the monomeric structures of each of the studied proteins. Allelic segregation at the Tf and Bg loci was normal in F2 and backcross populations. In crosses of the two Macropodus subspecies there were deviations from Mendelian ratios because of missing recombinant esterase phenotypes. Each of these would have been homozygous Est-2f/f. We suppose that Est-2f/f causes lethality in the early phase of development, except in the Est-1c/c, Est-2f/f combination characteristic of the parental subspecies M.o. concolor.     

Defensive behaviour and its inheritance in the anabantoid fish, Macropodus opercularis and Macropodus opercularis concolor

In this preliminary study defense behaviour patterns (fear responses) are described in two closely related, behaviourally different inbred labyrinth fish subspecies and in their F₁ generation. The subspecies M. opercularis (characterized briefly by “active escape”) and M. opercularis concolor (characterized by “passive escape”) showed specific differences in the manifestation of certain defense behaviour patterns. In the F₁ hybrid generation dominance and overdominance of M. opercularis was found in most defense behaviour patterns. Analysing the frequencies and sequences of movement patterns it could be shown that defensive behaviour is not a random or entirely “plastic” process but that there is sequential linkage between the patterns and they form characteristic clusters. Our results suggest that manifestations of different patterns are under genetic control and presumably, genetic determination of certain patterns is not very complex. Attempts were made to determine whole brain noradrenaline, serotonine and dopamine levels of the two subspecies and a significant difference was found in the noradrenaline content.     

Polymorphism and inheritance of serum esterases and β-globulins in the paradise fish (Macropodus opercularis; Anabantidae)

Electrophoretic variants of serum esterases and β-globulins in two subspecies of paradise fish ( Macropodus opercularis ) were studied. Four esterase loci ( Est-1, Est-2, Est-3 and Est-4 ), a single transferin ( Tf ) and another major β-globulin locus ( Bg ) were identified by segregational analysis. Est-3 seems to be a monomorphic. locus. Three alleles of Est-1 , two of Est-2 , two of Est-4 , four of Tf and two alleles of Bg were found in the laboratory population. None of these loci were closely linked. Electrophoretic patterns of F₁ hybrids confirmed the monomeric structures of each of the studied proteins. Allelic segregation at the Tf and Bg loci was normal in F₂ and backcross populations. In crosses of the two Macropodus subspecies there were deviations from Mendelian ratios because of missing recombinant esterase phenotypes. Each of these would have been homozygous Est-2^f/f . We suppose that Est-2^f/f causes lethality in the early phase of development, except in the Est-1^c/c, Est-2^f/f combination characteristic of the parental subspecies M.o. concolor .     

斗鱼属鱼类亲缘关系的Cyt b基因序列和RAPD分析

采用mtDNA Cyt b基因序列分析和RAPD两种分子标记技术,研究了中国分布的叉尾斗鱼(Macropodus opercularis)、圆尾斗鱼(M.chinensis)和香港斗鱼(M.hongkongensis)以及越南的红鳍斗鱼(M.erythropterus)4种鱼类之间的亲缘关系.获得4种斗鱼14条Cyt b基因全序列(1 155 bp),结合GenBank中搜索到的近缘物种同源序列进行分析.从133条随机引物中筛选到36条引物,在优化的反应条件下,10个群体96个个体共扩增出清晰稳定的条带749条,构建矩阵进行分析和聚类.基于Cyt b全序列以邻接法和最小进化法构建的系统树及RAPD数据UPGMA聚类分析的结果都显示,香港斗鱼和红鳍斗鱼先聚为一分支,再与叉尾斗鱼聚类,圆尾斗鱼处于外缘.本研究结果反映了圆尾斗鱼与其他斗鱼的亲缘关系较远,种间遗传距离为0.184 5～0.225 3(Cyt b)和0.653 6～0.746 5(RAPD),两者为同一单系群中两个独立演化的自然类群;香港斗鱼与叉尾斗鱼间遗传分化明显,Cyt b碱基差异为11.00%,RAFD遗传距离达0.577 7,支持其为独立物种的观点,且香港斗鱼群体间遗传差异较大,Cyt b碱基差异为3.12%,RAPD遗传距离0.060 1;叉尾斗鱼群体间Nei's基因多样度和Shannon信息指数分别为0.058 2和0.086 9,而各群体内的数值分别为0.016 1～0.031 7和0.023 5～0.046 7,表明遗传差异主要来自群体间,并按分布流域分别聚类.     

Role of the opercularis muscle in seismic sensitivity in the bullfrog Rana catesbeiana

The inner ear of anuran amphibians appears to be exceptionally sensitive to substrate vibration. The opercularis system, consisting of an opercularis muscle running from the shoulder girdle to a movable, cartilaginous operculum lying next to the inner ear, has been hypothesized to be involved in driving these seismic responses. Removal of the opercularis muscle of adult bullfrogs, Rana catesbeiana, caused clear decreases in microphonic responses of the inner ear to vibrations from 20-250 Hz and 0.05-5.0 cm/sec2 accelerations. Degree of decrease in responsiveness was variable between individuals and between different frequencies of stimulation, ranging up to 90% reduction at certain frequencies and in certain specimens. Decreases were most marked at lower frequencies below about 50 Hz. Additional removal of the levator scapulae superior muscle, which runs alongside the opercularis muscle from the shoulder girdle to ventrolateral portions of the otic capsule, also tended to depress responses, although this effect was substantially less (generally less than 10%) and also less consistent. As the opercularis muscle appears to be derived from the levator scapulae musculature, it is speculated that primitively seismic sensitivity was enhanced by a muscular connection that could transmit motion from the forelimb to the otic region, responsiveness being further enhanced by the subsequent evolution of the specialized opercularis system.     

Behavioural elements of the paradise fish (Macropodus opercularis). II. A functional analysis

The effects of various environmental influences, such as presence of a living predator, dominant conspecific or frightening artificial stimulus, on particular behavioural elements of the paradise fish (Macropodus opercularis) were studied. It has been found that certain sets of the elements are manifested as organizational complexes which characterize a certain mood or form of defensive behaviour. The compound elements of these complexes seemed to be partly interchangeable, partly under environmental control. The main behavioural complexes of the paradise fish were the Territorial complex characterizing the peaceful, home-living animal, Emotionality complex appearing in case of immediate and past danger, Active and Passive defense complexes which represent alternatives in defense, depending on particular stimulus settings. Some supporting evidence for these behavioural complexes are presented and discussed.     

Comparative morphology of the amphibian opercularis system: I. General design features and functional interpretation

The morphology of the opercularis system of anuran and caudate amphibians suggests that it acts to produce motion of the operculum that in turn produces fluid motion within the inner ear. The operculum and opercularis muscle form a lever system, with a narrow connection between the operculum and otic capsule acting as a fulcrum about which the operculum moves in response to forces applied via the muscle. The opercula of many species possess a muscular process on which the muscle inserts, thereby increasing the moment arm through which the muscle acts. The tonicity of the opercularis muscle allows tensile forces produced by substrate vibration or other mechanical energy applied to the forelimb to be effectively transmitted to the operculum; the elasticity of the connective tissue holding the operculum in place should act to return the operculum to its original position. The opercularis systems of frogs and non-plethodontid salamanders are similar structurally and functionally; that of plethodontid salamanders is structurally distinct but also functions as a lever system. Fluid motion produced by opercular motion could stimulate various end organs of the inner ear; the saccule, lagena, and amphibian papilla are in close approximation and wave energy could directly affect their otoconial or tectorial structures. In those anurans with a tympanic ear, the stapedial footplate and operculum articulate, but this articulation allows both to move independently. The stapes-tympanum complex and opercularis system therefore appear to be independent functional systems, and it is unlikely that the opercularis system modulates middle ear responsiveness. The general design of the opercularis system is consistent with a function in reception of substrate vibrations.     

Histochemical studies on the amphibian opercularis muscle (Amphibia)

Summary Histochemical studies of the opercularis muscle of the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) and the tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) provide evidence that the opercularis muscle of anurans is a specialized, tonic portion of the levator scapulae superior muscle. Staining results for myosin adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), combined with measurements of muscle fiber diameters, demonstrate that the opercularis/levator scapulae superior muscle mass of both the tiger salamander and bullfrog consists of an anterior tonic portion, a middle fast oxidative-glycolytic (FOG) twitch portion, and a posterior fast-glycolytic (FG) twitch portion. In R. catesbeiana the tonic fibers represent 57.3% of the fiber total and (because they have relatively narrow diameters) about 29% of the cross-sectional area of the muscle mass, and form that part of the muscle (=opercularis muscle) that inserts on the operculum. In Ambystoma the tonic fibers represent only 8.8% of the fiber total and represent about 4% of the cross-sectional area. In the tiger salamander, the entire levator scapulae superior muscle inserts on the operculum and therefore represents the opercularis muscle. The bullfrog differs from the tiger salamander, therefore, in that the anterior tonic part of the opercularis/levator scapulae superior complex is greatly enlarged and the insertion on the operculum is limited to these tonic fibers. No evidence of a columellar muscle was found in R. catesbeiana. Previous reports of one in this species and in other anurans may be based on the tripartite nature of the opercularis/levator scapulae superior muscle mass. The middle FOG portion of the muscle may have been considered a muscle distinct from the anterior tonic portion (=opercularis muscle) and the posterior FG portion.     

Electromyography of the opercularis muscle of Rana catesbeiana: An amphibian tonic muscle

The opercularis muscle of Rana catesbeiana originates on the suprascapular cartilage of the shoulder girdle and inserts on the otic opercular element. It is part of the levator scapulae musculature and lies dorsomedial to the levator scapulae superior and inferior muscles. Bipolar electrode recordings from all three muscles show electrical activity linked to cyclical firing of the posterior intermandibularis muscle, an important ventilatory muscle. The opercularis muscle shows low amplitude, erratic signals when animals are sumerged. Upon emergence of the snout region, the opercularis muscle shows rhythmic low amplitude activity at twice the rate of buccal pumping. Lung ventilation is synchronized with this rhythm and at ventilation the opercularis muscle shows higher amplitude activity. Upon submergence, opercularis activity again shows low level activity with no rhythmic pattern. Opercularis muscle activity has a major low frequency component (about 30 Hz) that probably corresponds to activity of tonic muscle fibers. Higher frequency signals (about 200–250 Hz) comparable to those of the levator scapulae muscles are also present and probably represent activity of phasic muscle fibers. Activity of the opercularis muscle is correlated with conditions in which aerial respiration is possible, and this pattern of activity supports an opercularis role in aerial hearing and/or detection of substrate vibrations. As far as we know, this is the first report of electromyographic analysis of a vertebrate tonic muscle.     

The respiration and oxidative phosphorylation of the brain mitochondria in rats with different types of behavior]

Respiration and oxidative phosphorylation of brain mitochondria were studied in outbred rats with different types of behaviour in open-field test and in forced swimming test. It was found that in rats with "active" type of behaviour (with high locomotor activity and low level of depressiveness) the brain mitochondria have at succinate oxidation a higher rate of respiration in active metabolic state and in presence of uncoupler 2,4-DNP, and a higher rate of ADP phosphorylation than in rats with "passive" type of behaviour (with low locomotor activity and high and moderate levels of depressiveness). Thus rats with active type of behaviour have a higher succinate oxidase activity than rats with passive type of behaviour. It is supposed that revealed differences in brain energy metabolism may affect the dominance of certain type of behaviour.     

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis and M. avium subsp. avium are independently evolved pathogenic clones of a much broader group of M. avium organisms

Mycobacterium avium comprises organisms that share the same species designation despite considerable genomic and phenotypic variability. To determine the degree and nature of variability between subspecies and strains of M. avium, we used multilocus sequencing analysis, studying 56 genetically diverse strains of M. avium that included all described subspecies. In total, 8,064 bp of sequence from 10 gene loci were studied, with 205 (2.5%) representing variable positions. The majority (149/205) of these variations were found among M. avium subsp. hominissuis organisms. Recombination was also evident in this subspecies. In contrast, there was comparatively little variability and no evidence of recombination within the pathogenic subspecies, M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis, M. avium subsp. avium, and M. avium subsp. silvaticum. Phylogenetic analysis showed that M. avium subsp. avium and M. avium subsp. silvaticum strains clustered together on one branch, while a distinct branch defined M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis organisms. Despite the independent origin of these pathogenic subspecies, an analysis of their rates of nonsynonymous (dN) to synonymous (dS) substitutions showed increased dN/dS ratios for both: 0.67 for M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis and 0.50 for M. avium subsp. avium/M. avium subsp. silvaticum, while the value was 0.08 for M. avium subsp. hominissuis organisms. In conclusion, M. avium subsp. hominissuis represents a diverse group of organisms from which two pathogenic clones (M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis and M. avium subsp. avium/M. avium subsp. silvaticum) have evolved independently.     

Small RNAs from Drosophila KC-H cells. Characterization of nuclear and cytoplasmic 7S subspecies

The metabolic characteristics and nuclear and cytoplasmic localization of Drosophila 7 S small RNAs were investigated. It was found that although most Drosophila small RNAs show electrophoretic mobilities similar to those of mammalian cells, distinct metabolic behaviour can be detected in three 7 S subspecies (d1, d3 and d4) which were found not to be class III RNAs as reported for mammalian 7 S RNAs. Drosophila d3 and d4 were found to be localized in the nucleus and to be very rapidly labelled minor subspecies turning over with a half-life of less than 6 h. Although 7 S-d1 migrates close to mammalian 7 S-K, it is a major subspecies in Drosophila, is localized mostly in the nucleus and turns over with a half-life of less than 10 h in contrast with mammalian 7 S-K which has been observed to be quite stable.     

Sarcocystis sp. in muscles of free-ranging Florida panthers and cougars (Felis concolor)

Sarcocysts of Sarcocystis sp. were found in the striated muscles from 11 of 14 wild Florida panthers (Felis concolor coryi) and four of four cougars (two wild F. concolor stanleyana and two captive F. concolor of undetermined subspecies). The common occurrence of sarcocysts in muscles of top carnivores such panthers and cougars is unexplained. This stage of the life cycle is normally confined to the muscles of the prey species. Because large felids are rarely preyed upon, it is unlikely that a species of Sarcocystis has evolved using large cats as intermediate hosts. Therefore, the presence of these sarcocysts might be an indication of immune compromise in these felids, enabling the atypical development of the sarcocysts.     

东方田鼠两亚种幼体生长特征参数的比较

在相同驯养条件下同步测定东方田鼠(Microtus fortis)指名亚种和长江亚种幼体的生长特征参数。两亚种初生幼体表型特征无明显差异。采用Von Bertalanffy生长模型对两亚种幼体的体重、体长和尾长,以Logistic生长方程对后足长生长过程进行拟合与描述。指名亚种雄体渐近体重、体长和尾长均大于或显著大于长江亚种,雌体前者小于后者;两亚种在17~20 d体重均已产生性二型分化,长江亚种两性个体渐近体重、体长和尾长差值大于指名亚种。两亚种雌体体重、体长、尾长和后足生长速率均相应地大于雄体,体重生长曲线拐点出现时间、瞬时生长率曲线拐点出现时间较体长、尾长和后足长明显迟缓。两亚种两性个体的后足长生长速率要大于其体重、体长和尾长。结果表明,(1)雌体较雄体早熟;(2)雄性体重指名亚种大于长江亚种,雌体相反,指名亚种性二型现象较长江亚种明显;(3)后足长较体重、体长和尾长较早地达到成熟时的大小;(4)两亚种幼体性二型分化时间早于其性成熟过程。     

Astronotus ocellatus (Cichlidae:Pisces) and Macropodus opercularis (Anabatidae:Pisces) as predators of immature Aedes fluviatilis (Diptera:Culicidae) and Biomphalaria glabrata (Mollusca:Planorbidae).

Two fish species, Astronotus ocellatus (Cichlidae) and Macropodus opercularis (Anabatidae) were tested for predacious behavior toward immature mosquitoes (Aedes fluviatilis, Diptera:Culicidae) and schistosomiasis snail hosts (Biomphalaria glabrata, Mollusca:Planorbidae), in the presence or absence of non-living food and in laboratory conditions. A. ocellatus, a species indigenous to Brazil, was a very efficient predator of both organisms (alpha = 0.05); M. opercularis, an exotic species, preyed well on immature mosquitoes, but small snails and snail egg-masses were ingested only irregularly. Both fish species seemed to prefer live to non-living food.     

Chromosome markers in Mus musculus: Differences in C-banding between the subspecies M. m. musculus and M. m. molossinus

Quinacrine (Q-band) and centromeric heterochromatin (C-band) patterns of metaphase chromosomes of two subspecies of Mus musculus were compared. M. m. musculus (the laboratory mouse) and M. m. molossinus (a subspecies from Southeast Asia) had similar Q-band patterns along the length of the chromosomes, but differences were observed in the centromeric region of some chromosomes. The two subspecies had very different distributions of C-band material. Antibodies to 5-methylcytosine were bound to regions of the chromosome corresponding to the C-bands in each animal. These findings support the idea that satellite DNA, which is concentrated in the C-band region, changes more quickly than bulk DNA. The interfertility of these two subspecies permits the development of a musculus strain carrying normal marker chromosomes for genetic studies.     

Karyotypic study of four gibbon forms provisionally considered as subspecies of Hylobates (Nomascus) concolor (Primates, Hylobatidae)

We report here a karyotypic study of 6 individuals of Hylobates concolor leucogenys, 2H, concolor siki, 3H, concolor gabriellae, 1 hybrid H, concolor leucogenys x H. concolor ski, 3 hybrid H. concolor gabriellae x H. concolor siki and 2 hybrid H. concolor hainanus x H. concolor leucogenys. Difficulties raised by the morphological identification of subspecies are discussed, and a new morphological characteristic for recognising female H. concolor gabriellae is described. Each of the 4 subspecies appears to be distinguishable on the basis of its karyotype: H. concolor leucogenys differs from H. concolor siki by a reciprocal translocation, from H. concolor hainanus by a pericentric inversion and from H. concolor gabriellae by the presence of both of these two rearrangements. However, these data do not allows us to identify a phylogenetic relationship between the subspecies because, with respect to the karyotypes, none occupies an ancestral position in comparison with the others.     

Mitochondrial DNA hypervariable region-1 sequence variation and phylogeny of the concolor gibbons, Nomascus

The still little known concolor gibbons are represented by 14 taxa (five species, nine subspecies) distributed parapatrically in China, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. To set the stage for a phylogeographic study of the genus we examined DNA sequences from the highly variable mitochondrial hypervariable region-1 (HVR-1 or control region) in 51 animals, mostly of unknown geographic provenance. We developed gibbon-specific primers to amplify mtDNA noninvasively and obtained >477 bp sequences from 38 gibbons in North American and European zoos and >159 bp sequences from ten Chinese museum skins. In hindsight, we believe these animals represent eight of the nine nominal subspecies and four of the five nominal species. Bayesian, maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony haplotype network analyses gave concordant results and show Nomascus to be monophyletic. Significant intraspecific variation within N. leucogenys (17 haplotypes) is comparable with that reported earlier in Hylobates lar and less than half the known interspecific pairwise distances in gibbons. Sequence data support the recognition of five species (concolor, leucogenys, nasutus, gabriellae and probably hainanus) and suggest that nasutus is the oldest and leucogenys, the youngest taxon. In contrast, the subspecies N. c. furvogaster, N. c. jingdongensis, and N. leucogenys siki, are not recognizable at this otherwise informative genetic locus. These results show that HVR-1 sequence is variable enough to define evolutionarily significant units in Nomascus and, if coupled with multilocus microsatellite or SNP genotyping, more than adequate to characterize their phylogeographic history. There is an urgent need to obtain DNA from gibbons of known geographic provenance before they are extirpated to facilitate the conservation genetic management of the surviving animals.     

Enhanced expression of beta-thymosin mRNA in the ovary of GnRH analog or estradiol-17beta-treated paradise fish,Macropodus opercularis

cDNA clones were isolated as expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from the ovarian cDNA library of Macropodus opercularis. The EST sequences showed similarity with many housekeeping genes and ribosomal proteins. One of the ESTs showed similarity to beta-thymosin, a 5-kDa polypeptide expressed under different physiological conditions. The cDNA corresponding to beta-thymosin of M. opercularis is 368 bp in length and codes for a putative polypeptide of 42 amino acids. Multiple alignment of the deduced amino acid sequence showed 61% similarity with piscine beta-thymosins and 56% similarity with mammalian beta-thymosins. Administration of a gonadotropin releasing hormone analog or estradiol-17beta induced an increase in the gonadosomatic index, oocyte diameter and also enhanced expression of beta-thymosin m-RNA in the recrudizing ovary. This report indicates that both GnRH analog and E(2) might induce similar pathways for the differentiation of ovarian cells for the maturation of oocytes.