Evolutionarily singular strategies and the adaptive growth and branching of the evolutionary tree

We present a general framework for modelling adaptive trait dynamics in which we integrate various concepts and techniques from modern ESS-theory. The concept of evolutionarily singular strategies is introduced as a generalization of the ESS-concept. We give a full classification of the singular strategies in terms of ESS-stability, convergence stability, the ability of the singular strategy to invade other populations if initially rare itself, and the possibility of protected dimorphisms occurring within the singular strategy's neighbourhood. Of particular interest is a type of singular strategy that is an evolutionary attractor from a great distance, but once in its neighbourhood a population becomes dimorphic and undergoes disruptive selection leading to evolutionary branching. Modelling the adaptive growth and branching of the evolutionary tree can thus be considered as a major application of the framework. A haploid version of Levene's soft selection model is developed as a specific example to demonstrate evolutionary dynamics and branching in monomorphic and polymorphic populations.     

Distinguishing features of immature stages of Panchaetothripinae (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) known in New Zealand

Diagnostic morphological characters of the juvenile Panchaetothripinae in New Zealand are illustrated. Keys developed enable colonies with only immature stages to be identified without needing to rear adults. Live larvae or larvae in ethanol are distinguished by the presence of expanded tips of body setae (Parthenothrips dracaenae), the absence of setae at the abdomen tip (Hercinothrips bicinctus), setae at abdomen tip not longer than abdominal tip width (Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis) and abdominal tip setae longer than abdominal tip width (Sigmothrips aotearoana, endemic species). The presence or absence of spine-like setae on abdominal segments 9 and 10, and the number and length of setae on the wing buds, enable identification of pupae. Abdominal spine-like setae were on the prepupa and pupa of H. bicinctus and S. aotearoana, species that pupate off the plant, and are probably defensive structures. This is the first record of spine-like setae on segment 10 of terebrantian pupae.     

Comparisons of body sizes at sexual maturity and at sex change in the parrotfishes of Hawaii: input needed for management regulations and stock assessments

First estimates of sex allocation patterns and body size‐at‐sexual maturity and at protogynous sex change are presented for the five major (including one endemic) species of parrotfishes of Hawaii. Median body size at initial maturation as a female (L_M50) and at protogynous sex change from adult female to adult male (L_Δ50) varied greatly among the five species. Estimates of L_M50 were about 14, 17, 24, 34 and 35 cm fork length (L_F) in palenose Scarus psittacus, Pacific bullethead Chlorurus spilurus, stareye Calotomus carolinus, spectacled Chlorurus perspicillatus and redlip parrotfish Scarus rubroviolaceus. Values of L_Δ50 were c. 23, 27, 37, 46 and 47 cm L_F in the respective species. Length at female maturation was proportional to maximum body size (L_max) of the respective species, ranging from 50 to 72% and averaging 62% of L_max across species. L_Δ50 was also proportional to L_max, ranging from 82 to 97% and averaging 92%. Males of both pairs of Scarus and Chlorurus spp. reported here are diandric. Only one of the five major species (C. carolinus) is functionally monandric, with either all or nearly all males secondarily derived from adult females. The broadly differing absolute body sizes at sexual maturation and at sex change among the five species have important implications for improving regulatory size limits for parrotfishes in the State of Hawaii, where parrotfish species have historically been managed based on a single minimum size limit of 30·5 cm L_F. This study provides a model demonstration of why catch data for parrotfishes, and other size‐structured reef‐fish populations, should be recorded either by species or by functional size‐groups of species that allow setting more meaningful minimum size limits.     

Recognition of soluble Theileria parva antigen by bovine helper T cell clones: characterization and partial purification of the antigen

Theileria parva-specific bovine BoT4+ Th cell clones were used to characterize Ag associated with T. parva schizont-infected lymphoblastoid cells. All of the clones tested responded to cells infected with the immunizing (Muguga) as well as heterologous stocks of T. parva, indicating that the T cells are specific for an Ag shared by several geographically diverse parasites. The response was apparently MHC-restricted, and induced by Ag expressed on the infected cell surface. In the presence of autologous APC, the clones were also stimulated by a soluble high speed supernatant (HSS), but not by a schizont membrane-enriched, subcellular fraction prepared from homogenates of infected cells. The clones produced IFN-gamma and T cell growth factor in response to HSS. The soluble Ag was absent in cells from which schizonts had been eliminated by treatment with the anti-theilerial drug, parvaquone. Fractionation of HSS by hydroxylapatite chromatography revealed two antigenic peaks that separated from the majority of the protein. Fractionation of HSS by gel filtration with the use of HPLC revealed several peaks of activity ranging in Mr from 270 kDa to less than 5 kDa. Further fractionation of HSS by both hydroxylapatite chromatography and gel filtration yielded three major peaks of activity (Mr 43, 12, 4.2 kDa). We conclude that a T cell-dependent schizont-associated soluble Ag is also expressed on the surface of T. parva-infected cells.     

11个绵羊品种MSTN基因非翻译区的变异

利用PCR-RFLP技术对特克塞尔羊、夏洛莱羊、小尾寒羊、蒙古羊、乌珠穆沁羊、阿勒泰羊、呼伦贝尔羊、塔什库尔干羊、多浪羊、湖羊和岗巴羊11个品种的345个个体的肌肉生长抑制素(Myostatin, MSTN)基因非翻译区(UTR)的变异进行了多态性分析。结果表明大小为271 bp和1 003 bp的扩增片段经限制性内切酶MboⅡ和BsaⅠ酶切后表现多态, 经卡方检验所有品种在该基因座位均处于平衡状态(P>0.05), 3种基因型在11个绵羊品种中的分布差异极显著(P<0.01)。通过限制性内切酶HpyCH4Ⅳ 酶切实验, 证明我国9个地方绵羊品种不存在特克塞尔绵羊中发现的导致肌肉发达的SNP位点, 并在3′UTR区发现了个别碱基突变位点能够形成miRNA作用的靶基序, 测序表明3′UTR区的突变频率较高。     

抗菌肽对种植体周围炎主要致病菌生长抑制作用的研究

目的研究抗菌肽KSL及其衍生物KSL—W对种植体周围炎主要致病菌的体外抑菌效果。方法应用二倍稀释法检测KSL和KSL—W对血链球菌、具梭核杆菌和牙龈卟啉单胞菌的最小抑菌浓度（MIC）和最小杀菌浓度（MBC）;MTT法检测KSL和KSL—W对成骨样细胞MG-63的细胞毒性。结果KSL和KSL—W对具梭核杆菌的MIC和MBC分别为0．0156mg／mL和0．0313mg／mL,对牙龈卟啉单胞菌的MIC和MBC分别为0．125mg／mL和0．5mg／mL,在0．5mg／mL的浓度范围内对血链球菌没有抑制作用;KSL和KSL-W在0．5mg／mL的浓度范围内没有细胞毒性。结论KSL和KSL—W没有细胞毒性,对具梭核杆菌和牙龈卟啉单胞菌具有抑制作用。