Chromosome numbers and karyotypes of South American species and populations of Hypochaeris (Asteraceae)

One hundred and thirty-seven new chromosome counts are reported from 104 populations of 26 native South American taxa of Hypochaeris (Asteraceae, Lactuceae), together with two invasive Mediterranean species: H. glabra and H. radicata . First reports are provided for seven taxa ( H. alba , H. cf. eremophila , H. caespitosa , H. hookeri , H. parodii , H. patagonica and H. pinnatifida ) and one new ploidy level is reported (diploid for H. incana , so far known only as a tetraploid). Including the results of this study, the chromosomes of 39 of the c . 50 Hypochaeris species known from the New World have now been counted. Most species are diploid with 2 n  = 2 x  = 8 and have bimodal, asymmetrical karyotypes. Tetraploidy (2 n  = 4 x  = 16) is reported here for the first time in H. caespitosa . Infra-specific polyploidy (probably autopolyploidy) is reported in H. incana and H. taraxacoides , both cases including infra-populational cytotype mixtures (2 x and 4 x ). Polyploidy is now known from eight South American Hypochaeris species ( c . 16%). Basic karyotype analyses allow the placement of the newly counted taxa into previously proposed but slightly modified groupings and provide the framework for further molecular cytogenetic analyses. The reported findings suggest that chromosomal change in South American Hypochaeris , in contrast to Old World species, has not involved aneuploidy, but polyploidy and/or more subtle changes in chromosome length, perhaps via satellite DNA amplification/deletion or activity of retroelements, and rDNA reorganization.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 153 , 49–60.     

BIOACOUSTIC PUBLICATIONS, 1989

ABSTRACT

In order to increase understanding of African elephant vocal communication and to standardise the terminology used to describe vocalisations, this study examined acoustic and temporal characteristics of 983 vocalisations from 2 male and 6 female captive African elephants. Recording collars were used to monitor vocalisations and videotape to simultaneously record behaviour, allowing for unambiguous attribution of sounds to individuals, even in close proximity. Eight acoustically distinct categories of calls were defined in terms of structural characteristics; two of these categories are described for the first time. Low-frequency vocalisations containing infrasonic components were predominant in this localised communication context and showed a gradation of variation in acoustic structure and duration. Most calls were part of temporally closed exchanges between individuals and coincided with short-distance interactions. In addition, male-female choruses and non-musth rumbles from males were documented, suggesting that the African elephant vocal repertoire may be more complex than previously reported.     

Development of microsatellite markers in Abies nordmanniana (Stev.) Spach and cross‐species amplification in the Abies genus

Abies nordmanniana (Stev.) Spach is a widely grown Christmas tree in Denmark, from where it is exported to most of Europe. An ongoing breeding programme is taking place, and as a tool for that, we report the development of five polymorphic nuclear microsatellite markers. To investigate the potential for transferring the markers to other species in the Abies genus, polymerase chain reaction amplification was tested in 19 other species. In general, amplification occurred in a very high proportion of the tested species.