The evolutionary history of Afrocanarian blue tits inferred from genomewide SNPs

A common challenge in phylogenetic reconstruction is to find enough suitable genomic markers to reliably trace splitting events with short internodes. Here, we present phylogenetic analyses based on genomewide single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of an enigmatic avian radiation, the subspecies complex of Afrocanarian blue tits (Cyanistes teneriffae). The two sister species, the Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) and the azure tit (Cyanistes cyanus), constituted the out‐group. We generated a large data set of SNPs for analysis of population structure and phylogeny. We also adapted our protocol to utilize degraded DNA from old museum skins from Libya. We found strong population structuring that largely confirmed subspecies monophyly and constructed a coalescent‐based phylogeny with full support at all major nodes. The results are consistent with a recent hypothesis that La Palma and Libya are relic populations of an ancient Afrocanarian blue tit, although a small data set for Libya could not resolve its position relative to La Palma. The birds on the eastern islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are similar to those in Morocco. Together they constitute the sister group to the clade containing the other Canary Islands (except La Palma), in which El Hierro is sister to the three central islands. Hence, extant Canary Islands populations seem to originate from multiple independent colonization events. We also found population divergences in a key reproductive trait, viz. sperm length, which may constitute reproductive barriers between certain populations. We recommend a taxonomic revision of this polytypic species, where several subspecies should qualify for species rank.     

Effects of farnesol and the off-flavor derivative geosmin on Streptomyces tendae.

Effects of the sesquiterpene farnesol (3,7,11-trimethyl-2,6,10-dodecatrien-1-ol) and the sesquiterpene derivative geosmin (1,10-trans-dimethyl-trans-9-decalol) were investigated in a geosmin-producing actinomycete, Streptomyces tendae. Exposure to 300 microM farnesol reduced biomass (fresh matter) accumulation by 97% compared with biomass accumulation by controls, whereas an equal amount of geosmin did not affect biomass accumulation. Increasing exposure to farnesol corresponded with reduced optical density of the culture, reduced levels of geosmin, and reduced metabolic heat production compared with controls, while exogenous geosmin did not affect these parameters. Geosmin dissipated from unioculated medium more rapidly than farnesol, indicating that in addition to the lower toxicity of geosmin, the actual exposure to geosmin over time may be less than exposure to an equal amount of farnesol. Cultures grown on Actinomyces-B medium contained 99.5% less geosmin and were more sensitive to farnesol than those grown on Hickey-Tresner medium, indicating that geosmin synthesis was associated with reduced sensitivity to farnesol. Consumption of farnesyl moieties during geosmin synthesis may reduce the potential for farnesol-induced inhibition of growth and metabolism.     

PROMISCUITY,SEXUAL SELECTION,AND GENETIC DIVERSITY: A REPLY TO SPURGIN

We recently reported a positive association between female promiscuity and genetic diversity across passerine birds, and launched the hypothesis that female promiscuity acts as a balancing selection, pressure maintaining genetic diversity in populations (Gohli et al. 2013 ). Spurgin ( 2013 ) questions both our analyses and interpretations. While we agree that the hypothesis needs more comprehensive empirical testing, we find his specific points of criticism unjustified. In a more general perspective, we call for a more explicit recognition of female mating preferences as mechanisms of selection in population genetics theory.     

Enhanced sensitivity to stimulation of sodium transport and cyclic AMP by antidiuretic hormone after Ca2+ depletion of isolated frog skin epithelium

Summary The role of Ca²⁺ in the stimulation by antidiuretic hormone (ADH) of active sodium transport across the isolated epithelium of frog skin was investigated. This has been done by bathing the blood side with Ca²⁺-free solution containing 0.1mm EGTA. This Ca²⁺ depletion halved the resistance but had no significant effect on the short-circuit current (SCC). The sensitivity of both cAMP- and SCC-stimulation to ADH was increased 40-fold by Ca²⁺ depletion. Sensitivity to stimulation by theophylline was only changed a little, while stimulation by exogenous cAMP was completely unaltered. The increase in sensitivity to ADH was dependent on the duration of preincubation in Ca²⁺-free solution, which indicates that a slowly exchanging Ca²⁺ pool is involved in the determination of sensitivity to ADH. We suggest this pool is of cellular origin and the increased sensitivity is due to the decrease of a Ca²⁺ inhibition of the ADH-stimulated adenylate cyclase. But a direct effect of Ca²⁺ on binding of ADH to the receptor cannot be excluded. Our results are not compatible with the hypothesis that entry of extracellular Ca²⁺ is an obligatory step in the natriferic action of ADH, although it may be so in the hydroosmotic action of ADH. We also found the maximal response to ADH to be higher after Ca²⁺ depletion. This is in agreement with the hypothesis of intracellular Ca²⁺ as a modulator of the sodium permeability of the outward-facing membrane.     

Testosterone and avian life histories: the effect of experimentally elevated testosterone on corticosterone and body mass in dark-eyed juncos.

To assess whether alterations in the normal pattern of testosterone (T) secretion might be beneficial or detrimental, we studied a breeding population of dark-eyed juncos in which we elevated T experimentally and measured its effect on potential correlates of fitness. We treated both free-living and captive males with implants that were either empty (C-males, controls) or packed with T (T-males, experimentals). Timing of implant varied and was designed to mimic natural peak breeding levels except that peaks were either prolonged or premature. We bled the birds at recapture and analyzed their plasma, and that of their female mates, for T and corticosterone (B). We also measured body mass and fat score in free-living T- and C-males. In the field, T-implants elevated T and kept it elevated for at least a month. Experimental males also had higher B than controls. In captives, the effect of the implants on plasma T was detectable within 24 hr. B in captive T-males was again higher than in captive C-males. In females, neither T nor B differed between mates of T- and C-males. T-males implanted in early spring lost more mass between implant and recapture in late spring than did controls and also had lower fat scores when recaptured. When implants were inserted in summer, treatment did not influence mass. Elevated T in early spring apparently hastened the transition from the winter to the breeding mode of fat storage. We suggest that prolonged elevation of testosterone might be selected against because of the association between T and B. Premature elevation of T might be costly because of the resultant loss of mass and fat reserves, which could lead to mortality when spring snowstorms prevent access to food.