Characterization and PCR multiplexing of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the invasive ant Wasmannia auropunctata

Highly polymorphic genetic markers provide a useful tool for estimating genetic parameters in studies of the evolution of sociality in insects. We isolated and characterized 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the invasive ant, Wasmannia auropunctata, and described experimental conditions for PCR (polymerase chain reaction) multiplexing and simultaneously genotyping these loci in two sets of five and seven markers. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 14 and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.233 to 0.967. Moreover, results of cross‐species amplification tests are reported in three other species of Wasmannia and in two species of the genus Allomerus.     

Sampling genetic diversity in the sympatrically and allopatrically speciating Midas cichlid species complex over a 16 year time series

Background  

Speciation often occurs in complex or uncertain temporal and spatial contexts. Processes such as reinforcement, allopatric divergence, and assortative mating can proceed at different rates and with different strengths as populations diverge. The Central American Midas cichlid fish species complex is an important case study for understanding the processes of speciation. Previous analyses have demonstrated that allopatric processes led to species formation among the lakes of Nicaragua as well as sympatric speciation that is occurring within at least one crater lake. However, since speciation is an ongoing process and sampling genetic diversity of such lineages can be biased by collection scheme or random factors, it is important to evaluate the robustness of conclusions drawn on individual time samples.     

High risk of early sub-therapeutic penicillin concentrations after intramuscular benzathine penicillin G injections in Ethiopian children and adults with rheumatic heart disease

IntroductionIntramuscular benzathine penicillin G (BPG) injections are a cornerstone of secondary prophylaxis to prevent acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Uncertainties regarding inter-ethnic and preparation variability, and target exposure profiles of BPG injection are key knowledge gaps for RHD control.MethodsTo evaluate BPG pharmacokinetics (PK) in patients receiving 4-weekly doses in Ethiopia, we conducted a prospective cohort study of ARF/RHD patients attending cardiology outpatient clinics. Serum samples were collected weekly for one month after injection and assayed with a liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy assay. Concentration-time datasets for BPG were analyzed by nonlinear mixed effects modelling using NONMEM.ResultsA total of 190 penicillin concentration samples from 74 patients were included in the final PK model. The median age, weight, BMI was 21 years, 47 kg and 18 kg/m², respectively. When compared with estimates derived from Indigenous Australian patients, the estimate for median (95% confidence interval) volume of distribution (V/F) was lower (54.8 [43.9–66.3] l.70kg^-1) whilst the absorption half-life (t_1/2-abs2) was longer (12.0 [8.75–17.7] days). The median (IQR) percentage of time where the concentrations remained above 20 ng/mL and 10 ng/mL within the 28-day treatment cycle was 42.5% (27.5–60) and 73% (58.5–99), respectively.ConclusionsThe majority of Ethiopian patients receiving BPG as secondary prophylaxis to prevent RHD do not attain target concentrations for more than two weeks during each 4-weekly injection cycle, highlighting the limitations of current BPG strategies. Between-population variation, together with PK differences between different preparations may be important considerations for ARF/RHD control programs.     

Mechanisms driving the specificity of a myrmecophyte–ant association

In the understory of pristine Guianese forests, the myrmecophyte Hirtella physophora almost exclusively shelters colonies of the plant-ant Allomerus decemarticulatus in its leaf pouches. We experimentally tested three non-mutually exclusive hypotheses concerning phenomena that can determine the species specificity of this association throughout the foundation stage of the colonies: (1) interspecific competition results in the overwhelming presence of A. decemarticulatus queens or incipient colonies; (2) exclusion filters prevent other ant species from entering the leaf pouches; and (3) host-recognition influences the choice of founding queens, especially A. decemarticulatus . Neither interspecific competition, nor the purported exclusion filters that we examined play a major role in maintaining the specificity of this association. Unexpectedly, the plant trichomes lining the domatia appear to serve as construction material during claustral foundation rather than as a filter. Finally, A. decemarticulatus queens are able to identify their host plant from a distance through chemical and/or visual cues, which is rarely demonstrated in studies on obligatory ant–plant associations. We discuss the possibility that this specific host-recognition ability could participate in shaping a compartmentalized plant-ant community where direct competition between ant symbionts is limited.  © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2009, 97 , 90–97.     

The Iberian Peninsula: ancient history of a hot spot of mite harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones: Cyphophthalmi: Sironidae) diversity

The Iberian Peninsula represents a hot spot of cyphophthalmid (mite harvestman) disparity, with four of the eight genera currently recognized in the family Sironidae represented in the region – a generic diversity and morphological disparity not found in any other region of the World so far. From these, two genera (Iberosiro and Odontosiro) are monotypic, and are restricted to the western side of the peninsula. Parasiro is restricted to the north‐east region, from the Catalonian Coastal Ranges and both sides of the Eastern Pyrenees, in areas where the annual rainfall surpasses 1000 mm, and mostly restricted to areas with Paleozoic and Variscan rocks, with other species of the genus extending to Corsica, Sardinia, and the Italian Peninsula. A second species of the genus Paramiopsalis, Paramiopsalis eduardoi sp. nov. from Fragas do Eume, is described here along with a re‐diagnosis of the genus. Paramiopsalis species, together with Odontosiro, inhabit the north‐west corner of the Iberian Peninsula, an area with some of the highest recorded annual rainfall, and with Paleozoic rocks from the Iberian Massif or Variscan granitoid rocks. A phylogenetic analysis of the members of the family Sironidae using four molecular markers, despite not including all of the Iberian genera, clearly shows the non‐monophyly of the Iberian Cyphophthalmi, indicating that the Iberian Peninsula is home to multiple ancient lineages of mite harvestmen. The two Paramiopsalis species form a sister clade to the Balkan genus Cyphophthalmus, whereas Parasiro constitutes the first lineage of the sironids represented.     

Evaporation and carbonic anhydrase activity recorded in oxygen isotope signatures of net CO2 fluxes from a Mediterranean soil

The oxygen stable isotope composition (δ¹⁸O) of CO₂ is a valuable tool for studying the gas exchange between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere. In the soil, it records the isotopic signal of water pools subjected to precipitation and evaporation events. The δ¹⁸O of the surface soil net CO₂ flux is dominated by the physical processes of diffusion of CO₂ into and out of the soil and the chemical reactions during CO₂–H₂O equilibration. Catalytic reactions by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase, reducing CO₂ hydration times, have been proposed recently to explain field observations of the δ¹⁸O signatures of net soil CO₂ fluxes. How important these catalytic reactions are for accurately predicting large‐scale biosphere fluxes and partitioning net ecosystem fluxes is currently uncertain because of the lack of field data. In this study, we determined the δ¹⁸O signatures of net soil CO₂ fluxes from soil chamber measurements in a Mediterranean forest. Over the 3 days of measurements, the observed δ¹⁸O signatures of net soil CO₂ fluxes became progressively enriched with a well‐characterized diurnal cycle. Model simulations indicated that the δ¹⁸O signatures recorded the interplay of two effects: (1) progressive enrichment of water in the upper soil by evaporation, and (2) catalytic acceleration of the isotopic exchange between CO₂ and soil water, amplifying the contributions of ‘atmospheric invasion’ to net signatures. We conclude that there is a need for better understanding of the role of enzymatic reactions, and hence soil biology, in determining the contributions of soil fluxes to oxygen isotope signals in atmospheric CO₂.