Sperm divergence in a passerine contact zone: Indication of reinforcement at the gametic level

Postcopulatory sexual selection may promote evolutionary diversification in sperm form, but the contribution of between‐species divergence in sperm morphology to the origin of reproductive isolation and speciation remains little understood. To assess the possible role of sperm diversification in reproductive isolation, we studied sperm morphology in two closely related bird species, the common nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) and the thrush nightingale (Luscinia luscinia), that hybridize in a secondary contact zone spanning Central and Eastern Europe. We found: (1) striking divergence between the species in total sperm length, accompanied by a difference in the length of the mitochondrial sperm component; (2) greater divergence between species in sperm morphology in sympatry than in allopatry, with evidence for character displacement in sperm head length detected in L. megarhynchos; (3) interspecific hybrids showing sperm with a length intermediate between the parental species, but no evidence for decreased sperm quality (the proportion of abnormal spermatozoa in ejaculates). Our results demonstrate that divergence in sperm morphology between the two nightingale species does not result in intrinsic postzygotic isolation, but may contribute to postcopulatory prezygotic isolation. This isolation could be strengthened in sympatry by reinforcement.     

Convergence and functional evolution of longirostry in crocodylomorphs

During the Mesozoic, Crocodylomorpha had a much higher taxonomic and morphological diversity than today. Members of one particularly successful clade, Thalattosuchia, are well‐known for being longirostrine: having long, slender snouts. It has generally been assumed that Thalattosuchia owed their success in part to the evolution of longirostry, leading to a feeding ecology similar to that of the living Indian gharial, Gavialis. Here, we compare form and function of the skulls of the thalattosuchian Pelagosaurus and Gavialis using digital reconstructions of the skull musculoskeletal anatomy and finite element models to show that they had different jaw muscle arrangements and biomechanical behaviour. Additionally, the relevance of feeding‐related mandibular traits linked to longirostry in the radiation of crocodylomorph clades was investigated by conducting an evolutionary rates analysis under the variable rates model. We find that, even though Pelagosaurus and Gavialis share similar patterns of stress distribution in their skulls, the former had lower mechanical resistance. This suggests that compared to Gavialis, Pelagosaurus was unable to process large, mechanically less tractable prey, instead operating as a specialized piscivore that fed on softer and smaller prey. Secondly, innovation of feeding strategies was achieved by rate acceleration of functional characters of the mandible, a key mechanism for the diversification of certain clades like thalattosuchians and eusuchians. Different rates of functional evolution suggest divergent diversification dynamics between teleosaurids and metriorhynchids in the Jurassic.     

Quantifying the completeness of the bat fossil record

Bats (Chiroptera) are one of the most successful extant mammalian orders, uniquely capable of powered flight and laryngeal echolocation. The timing and evidence for evolution of their novel adaptations have been difficult to ascertain from the fossil record due to chronological gaps and the fragmentary nature of most fossil bat material. Here, we quantify the quality of the bat fossil record using skeletal and character completeness metrics, which respectively document for each taxon what proportion of a complete skeleton is preserved, and the proportion of phylogenetic characters that can be scored. Completeness scores were collected for 441 valid fossil bat species in 167 genera from the Eocene to the Pleistocene. All metrics record similar temporal patterns: peak completeness in the Lutetian stage reflects the presence of Lagerstätten, while subsequent stages have very low completeness, except an Aquitanian high and a Pleistocene peak in skeletal completeness. Bat completeness is not correlated with intensity of sampling through geological time but has a weak negative correlation with publication date. There is no correlation between taxonomic richness and completeness, as the bat record predominately consists of diagnostic but isolated teeth. Consequently, bat skeletal completeness is the lowest of any previously assessed tetrapod group, but character completeness is similar to parareptiles and birds. Bats have significantly higher character completeness in the northern hemisphere, probably due to heightened historical interest and presence of Lagerstätten. Taxa derived from caves are more complete than those from fluviolacustrine and marine deposits, but do not preserve highly complete specimens.     

Tag retention and survival of juvenile bighead carp implanted with a dummy acoustic tag at three temperatures

Bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (together, the bigheaded carps) are invasive fishes in North America that have resulted in substantial negative effects on native fish communities and aquatic ecosystems. Movement and behavior of adult bigheaded carps has been studied previously using telemetry, while similar studies with juvenile bigheaded carps have yet to be attempted. Recent technological advances in telemetry transmitters has increased the availability of tags sufficiently small enough to implant in juvenile carps. However, the effects of surgical implantation of telemetry tags on juvenile bigheaded carps have not been evaluated. We determined tag retention and survival associated with surgical implantation of acoustic telemetry tags into juvenile bighead carp (range 128–152 mm total length) at three temperatures (13, 18, and 23°C). In addition, we assessed the effect of surgically implanted transmitters on the fitness, defined as changes in weight or critical swimming speed, of carp implanted with transmitters. Survival was high among tagged fish (85%) with 47% of tags retained at the conclusion of the 45‐day study. No substantial decline in fitness of the fish was observed in tagged fish compared to untagged fish.     

Nematode ascaroside enhances resistance in a broad spectrum of plant–pathogen systems

Recognition of specific molecule signatures of microbes, including pathogens, induces innate immune responses in plants, as well as in animals. Analogously, a nematode pheromone, the ascaroside ascr#18, induces hallmark plant defences including activation of (a) mitogen‐activated protein kinases, (b) salicylic acid‐ and jasmonic acid‐mediated defence signalling pathways and (c) defence gene expression and provides protection to a broad spectrum of pathogens. Ascr#18 is a member of an evolutionarily conserved family of nematode signalling molecules and is the major ascaroside secreted by plant–parasitic nematodes. Here, we report the effects of ascr#18 on resistance in four of the major economically important crops: maize, rice, wheat and soybean to some of their associated pathogens. Treatment with low nanomolar to low micromolar concentrations of ascr#18 provided from partial to strong protection in seven of eight plant–pathogen systems tested with viruses, bacteria, fungi, oomycetes and nematodes. This research may have potential to improve agricultural sustainability by reducing use of potentially harmful agrochemicals and enhance food security worldwide.     

Solution behavior of α-chymotrypsin dissolved in nonpolar organic solvents via hydrophobic ion pairing

Dissolution of α-chymotrypsin in nonpolar organic solvents can be achieved using hydrophobic ion pairing, whereby the polar counterions are replaced by a stoichiometric number of detergent molecules. Using Aerosol OT[AOT, sodium bis(2-octyl)sulfosuccinate], it is possible to partition significant amounts of the enzyme into alkanes and chlorocarbons. Apparent solubility in isooctane is greater than 1 mg/mL (80 μM). Necessary conditions for achieving effective partitioning of α-chymotrypsin into these solvents are described. Using CD spectroscopy, it can be shown that the AOT–α-chymotrypsin (CMT) complex retains its native secondary and tertiary structure when dissolved in alkanes, and that the globular structure is stable to more than 100°C. In contrast, α-chymotrypsin unfolds at 54°C in aqueous solution. The relative solubility of the AOT–CMT complex in a variety of alkanes and chlorocarbons is also reported. The native structure of α-chymotrypsin is maintained in carbon tetrachloride, but not in methylene chloride or chloroform. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.