mlgsim: a program for detecting clones using a simulation approach

Sexual and asexual forms of plants and animals often coexist in the same population. In such cases, the assessment of genotypic identity among individuals is vital for valid biological interpretation of population and evolutionary processes. Several methods are used for identifying clones based on genetical marker data. The only method that detects which multilocus genotypes are likely to be clones has limitations in statistical power. We present a program (mlg sim) that, using a simulation approach, calculates significance values for the likelihood that a multilocus genotype observed more than once in a population is the result of sexual reproduction.     

On the stereochemistry of 2,3-dihydroxy fatty acids. The single crystal structure of potassium d-erythro-2,3-dihydroxyoctadecanoate

The erythro-2,3-dihydroxyoctadecanoic acid studied is a synthetic homologue of a natural occurring constituent of sphingolipids. The potassium salt of the acid crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2, with the unit cell dimension: $\text{a = 5.39, b = 7.06, c = 26.26}\text{A}\text{?}\text{and}\text{β = 94.9°}$. The crystal structure was solved by direct methods and was refined to R = 0.062. The absolute configuration of the compound was determined by means of anomalous scattering effects, showing that the natural fatty acid has d-erythro configuration. The compound packs tail to tail in an unusual bilayer arrangement. The hydrocarbon chains have an extreme tilt of 60° and opposite inclination in the two halves of the bilayer. Laterally the hydrocarbon chains are arranged according to the monoclinic M∥ packing mode. The carbon chain makes a perpendicular bent at carbon atom 2. This places the 2-hydroxyl group in a preferred co-planar conformation towards the carboxylate group and at hydrogen bond distance to one of the carboxylate oxygens. The carboxylate group and the two hydroxyl groups are co-ordinated to K⁺ ions and together account for a large molecular cross-ection of 38 Ų. Monolayer studies show that the acid forms a phase with this spacious molecular area also in contact with water. On compression above 10 mN m^?1 transition to a more condensed state ($\text{S = 27}\text{A}\text{?}{}^2$) takes place accompanied by marked changes of the surface potential.