Genome sequencing reveals fine scale diversification and reticulation history during speciation in Sus

Background

Elucidating the process of speciation requires an in-depth understanding of the evolutionary history of the species in question. Studies that rely upon a limited number of genetic loci do not always reveal actual evolutionary history, and often confuse inferences related to phylogeny and speciation. Whole-genome data, however, can overcome this issue by providing a nearly unbiased window into the patterns and processes of speciation. In order to reveal the complexity of the speciation process, we sequenced and analyzed the genomes of 10 wild pigs, representing morphologically or geographically well-defined species and subspecies of the genus Sus from insular and mainland Southeast Asia, and one African common warthog.

Results

Our data highlight the importance of past cyclical climatic fluctuations in facilitating the dispersal and isolation of populations, thus leading to the diversification of suids in one of the most species-rich regions of the world. Moreover, admixture analyses revealed extensive, intra- and inter-specific gene-flow that explains previous conflicting results obtained from a limited number of loci. We show that these multiple episodes of gene-flow resulted from both natural and human-mediated dispersal.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate the importance of past climatic fluctuations and human mediated translocations in driving and complicating the process of speciation in island Southeast Asia. This case study demonstrates that genomics is a powerful tool to decipher the evolutionary history of a genus, and reveals the complexity of the process of speciation.     

Local Knowledge and Conservation of Seagrasses in the Tamil Nadu State of India

Local knowledge systems are not considered in the conservation of fragile seagrass marine ecosystems. In fact, little is known about the utility of seagrasses in local coastal communities. This is intriguing given that some local communities rely on seagrasses to sustain their livelihoods and have relocated their villages to areas with a rich diversity and abundance of seagrasses. The purpose of this study is to assist in conservation efforts regarding seagrasses through identifying Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) from local knowledge systems of seagrasses from 40 coastal communities along the eastern coast of India. We explore the assemblage of scientific and local traditional knowledge concerning the 1. classification of seagrasses (comparing scientific and traditional classification systems), 2. utility of seagrasses, 3. Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) of seagrasses, and 4. current conservation efforts for seagrass ecosystems. Our results indicate that local knowledge systems consist of a complex classification of seagrass diversity that considers the role of seagrasses in the marine ecosystem. This fine-scaled ethno-classification gives rise to five times the number of taxa (10 species = 50 local ethnotaxa), each with a unique role in the ecosystem and utility within coastal communities, including the use of seagrasses for medicine (e.g., treatment of heart conditions, seasickness, etc.), food (nutritious seeds), fertilizer (nutrient rich biomass) and livestock feed (goats and sheep). Local communities are concerned about the loss of seagrass diversity and have considerable local knowledge that is valuable for conservation and restoration plans. This study serves as a case study example of the depth and breadth of local knowledge systems for a particular ecosystem that is in peril.     

Biotransformation of 17α-ethynyl substituted steroidal drugs with microbial and plant cell cultures: A review

Structural modification of steroids through whole-cell biocatalysis is an invaluable procedure for the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and key intermediates. Modifications could be carried out with regio- and stereospecificity at positions hardly available for chemical agents. Much attention has been focused recently on the biotransformation of 17α-ethynyl substituted steroidal drugs using fungi, bacteria and plant cell cultures in order to obtained novel biologically active compounds with diverse structure features. Present article includes studies on biotransformation on 17α-ethynyl substituted steroidal drugs using microorganisms and plant cell cultures. Various experimental and structural elucidation methods used in biotransformational processes are also highlighted.     

Aroma Profile of Two Populations of Salvia verbenaca Collected from Two Bio‐Geographical Zones from Jordan

The aroma emitted from the different organs of two Salvia verbenaca L. populations from Jordan were extracted by Solid Phase Micro‐Extraction (SPME) and then analyzed by GC/MS. The emission profile of the stem, leaf and sepal samples from the Mediterranean zone (Al‐Salt) was dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons (68.0 %, 33.7 %, and 42.2 %, respectively). The emission profile of flowering parts including pre‐flowering buds, fully expanded flowers and petals was dominated by oxygenated monoterpenes (58.6 %, 59.3 % and 87.1 %, respectively). The major constituent detected in these organs was trans‐sabinene hydrate acetate (range 14.5 %–87.0 %). On the other hand, samples collected from Irano‐Turanian zone showed different emission patterns. While the stems, leaves and petal emissions were dominated by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (54.9 %, 76.8 % and 52.6 %, respectively), monoterpene hydrocarbons dominated the emission profiles of the pre‐flowering buds (75.1 %) and fully expanded flowers (73.6 %). Petals emissions were characterized by high concentrations of oxygenated monoterpenes (58.8 %). Notably, trans‐sabinene hydrate dominated most organs emissions except for leaves (range 20.0 %–58.8 %). Principle Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA) revealed two different clusters related to the two different geographical zones. The current investigation revealed two ecotypes of S. verbenaca that could result in two different chemotypes. Trans‐sabinene hydrate acetate and trans‐sabinene hydrate are suggested compounds for identifying these two chemotypes.     

Efficacy of Essential Oils on Fungi Isolated from Archaeological Objects in Saqqara Excavation,Egypt

The archeological objects constitute an important part of the worldwide cultural heritage. The impact of the fungal activity on the deterioration of cultural heritage is a global problem and their preservation over time is a challenging task. Antifungal activities of 12 essential oils (EOs) (black cumin, castor, cinnamon, clove, cumin, garlic, geranium, lavender, lemongrass, menthe, olive, and thyme) were examined against 16 fungal species isolated from three tested archaeological objects (wall painting stone, wooden statue, and pottery coffin) from Saqqara stores in Egypt. Molecular identification was carried out for the highly frequent species (Aspergillus niger, A. flavus and Rhizopus oryzae) in the three tested archaeological samples. Antifungal activity and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the tested EOs with different concentrations (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1?μl/ml) were measured.

The most efficient EOs were thyme (MIC ranged from 0.25–0.75μl/ml) followed by clove (MIC ranged from 0.25–1?μl/ml) and geranium, (MIC ranged from 0.5–1?μl/ml). Thymol (37.1%) and p-Cymene (26.32%) were the active constituents of thyme, while Triacetin (69.36%) and eugenol (28.67) were the most efficient components of clove oil followed by geranium active components (à-Citronellol 20.62% and Geraniol 14.43%). Aspergillus niger was the most resistance species, while Fusarium oxysporum and Penicilium citrinium were the most susceptible ones.