Evolutionary Phycology: Toward a Macroalgal Species Conceptual Framework

Species concepts formalize evolutionary and ecological processes, but often conflict with one another when considering the mechanisms that ultimately lead to species delimitation. Evolutionary biologists are, however, recognizing that the conceptualization of a species is separate and distinct from the delimitation of species. Indeed, if species are generally defined as separately evolving metapopulation lineages, then characteristics, such as reproductive isolation or monophyly, can be used as evidence of lineage separation and no longer conflict with the conceptualization of a species. However, little of this discussion has addressed the formalization of this evolutionary conceptual framework for macroalgal species. This may be due to the complexity and variation found in macroalgal life cycles. While macroalgal mating system variation and patterns of hybridization and introgression have been identified, complex algal life cycles generate unique eco-evolutionary consequences. Moreover, the discovery of frequent macroalgal cryptic speciation has not been accompanied by the study of the evolutionary ecology of those lineages, and, thus, an understanding of the mechanisms underlying such rampant speciation remain elusive. In this perspective, we aim to further the discussion and interest in species concepts and speciation processes in macroalgae. We propose a conceptual framework to enable phycological researchers and students alike to portray these processes in a manner consistent with dialogue at the forefront of evolutionary biology. We define a macroalgal species as an independently evolving metapopulation lineage, whereby we can test for reproductive isolation or the occupation of distinct adaptive zones, among other mechanisms, as secondary lines of supporting evidence.     

Three New Species of Curtara (Homoptera: Cicadellidae: Gyponinae) from Brazil

Three new species of the leafhopper genus Curtara DeLong & Freytag, 1972, C. mejdalanii spec. nov., C. maricaensis spec. nov., and C. restingalis spec. nov., are described from Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. They belong to the Notanda group of the subgenus Curtara because of the presence of only two subapical processes in the aedeagal shaft. C. mejdalanii spec. nov. seems to be more closely related to C. rugara DeLong & Freytag, 1976 because of the shape of the subapical aedeagal processes but differs from it by the enlarged apical area of the aedeagus, the absence of ventral pre-apical saliency of style, the rounder apex of the subgenital plate, and the longer pygofer, with a fold accompanying the whole lateral margin. C. maricaensis spec. nov. and C. restingalis spec. nov. seem to be closely related to C. esona DeLong & Freytag, 1976, as suggested by the general shape of internal genital parts, but differ from it by the shape of the apex of basal processes of the aedeagus, the apex of subgenital plates and the absence of an outer fold on the ventral margin of the pygofer.     

Population estimation and monitoring of an endangered lagomorph

We conducted the most intensive estimate of the endangered Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri) metapopulation to date using pellet surveys and capture–recapture methodology. We livetrapped 83 rabbits, evaluated 5 closed population models, and selected the model that best represented the data. We considered the variation in behavioral response model the best model and correlated (r² = 0.913) its patch population estimates to patch pellet densities. From the prediction equation, we generated a range-wide metapopulation estimate of 317 rabbits, a western clade population of 257 rabbits, an eastern clade population of 25 rabbits, and translocated marsh rabbit populations of 35 and zero on Little Pine and Water keys, respectively. A subset of patches whose marsh rabbit subpopulations were last estimated in 1993 exhibited a 46% decline in abundance over 15 yr. Due to the low estimate of the eastern clade population, special effort should be initiated to avoid loss of genetic diversity. The prediction equation suffers from limited data at high pellet densities, patches with ≥5 pellets/m². Future studies should investigate if the slope of the regression is indeed near 1 by sampling patches across the range of pellet densities, especially those with ≥5 pellets/m². The equation provides managers a quick, efficient, and noninvasive method to estimate marsh rabbit abundance from pellet counts but the confidence of predicted rabbit densities from high pellet density patches is low. © 2011 The Wildlife Society     

The Species-Specific Acquisition and Diversification of a K1-like Family of Killer Toxins in Budding Yeasts of the Saccharomycotina

Killer toxins are extracellular antifungal proteins that are produced by a wide variety of fungi, including Saccharomyces yeasts. Although many Saccharomyces killer toxins have been previously identified, their evolutionary origins remain uncertain given that many of these genes have been mobilized by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses. A survey of yeasts from the Saccharomyces genus has identified a novel killer toxin with a unique spectrum of activity produced by Saccharomyces paradoxus. The expression of this killer toxin is associated with the presence of a dsRNA totivirus and a satellite dsRNA. Genetic sequencing of the satellite dsRNA confirmed that it encodes a killer toxin with homology to the canonical ionophoric K1 toxin from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and has been named K1-like (K1L). Genomic homologs of K1L were identified in six non-Saccharomyces yeast species of the Saccharomycotina subphylum, predominantly in subtelomeric regions of the genome. When ectopically expressed in S. cerevisiae from cloned cDNAs, both K1L and its homologs can inhibit the growth of competing yeast species, confirming the discovery of a family of biologically active K1-like killer toxins. The sporadic distribution of these genes supports their acquisition by horizontal gene transfer followed by diversification. The phylogenetic relationship between K1L and its genomic homologs suggests a common ancestry and gene flow via dsRNAs and DNAs across taxonomic divisions. This appears to enable the acquisition of a diverse arsenal of killer toxins by different yeast species for potential use in niche competition.     

Mechanical response to methacholine and deep inspiration in supine men.

The effects of supine posture on airway responses to inhaled methacholine and deep inspiration (DI) were studied in seven male volunteers. On a control day, subjects were in a seated position during both methacholine inhalation and lung function measurements. On a second occasion, the whole procedure was repeated with the subjects lying supine for the entire duration of the study. On a third occasion, methacholine was inhaled from the seated position and measurements were taken in a supine position. Finally, on a fourth occasion, methacholine was inhaled from the supine position and measurements were taken in the seated position. Going from sitting to supine position, the functional residual capacity decreased by approximately 1 liter in all subjects. When lung function measurements (pulmonary resistance, dynamic elastance, residual volume, and maximal flows) were taken in supine position, the response to methacholine was greater than at control, and this was associated with a greater dyspnea and a faster recovery of dynamic elastance after DI. By contrast, when methacholine was inhaled in supine position but measurements were taken in sitting position, the response to methacholine was similar to control day. These findings document the potential of the decrease in the operational lung volumes in eliciting or sustaining airflow obstruction in nocturnal asthma. It is speculated that the exaggerated response to methacholine in the supine posture may variably contribute to airway smooth muscle adaptation to short length, airway wall edema, and faster airway renarrowing after a large inflation.     

Predicting ecosystem shifts requires new approaches that integrate the effects of climate change across entire systems

Most studies that forecast the ecological consequences of climate change target a single species and a single life stage. Depending on climatic impacts on other life stages and on interacting species, however, the results from simple experiments may not translate into accurate predictions of future ecological change. Research needs to move beyond simple experimental studies and environmental envelope projections for single species towards identifying where ecosystem change is likely to occur and the drivers for this change. For this to happen, we advocate research directions that (i) identify the critical species within the target ecosystem, and the life stage(s) most susceptible to changing conditions and (ii) the key interactions between these species and components of their broader ecosystem. A combined approach using macroecology, experimentally derived data and modelling that incorporates energy budgets in life cycle models may identify critical abiotic conditions that disproportionately alter important ecological processes under forecasted climates.     

Base temperature and heat units for leaf flushing emission and growth ofHevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.

In this study we determined the base temperature and Heat units for leaf flushing initiation and growth of RRIM-600 and GT1Hevea clones. The minimum base temperature was found to be approximately 16° C for leaf flushing emission and 19° C for shoot growth in terms of height. Approximately 420 degree days at 16° C as base temperature is required for successive leaf flushing initiation. Linear equations with correlation coefficients above 0.95 allow an estimation of the height increase from the accumulated degree days, corrected or otherwise for photoperiod. The highest correlation coefficients demonstrated a positive effect of the photoperiod among the factors influencing the shoot growth.