Characterizing genomic variation of Arabidopsis thaliana: the roles of geography and climate

Arabidopsis thaliana inhabits diverse climates and exhibits varied phenology across its range. Although A. thaliana is an extremely well‐studied model species, the relationship between geography, growing season climate and its genetic variation is poorly characterized. We used redundancy analysis (RDA) to quantify the association of genomic variation [214 051 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)] with geography and climate among 1003 accessions collected from 447 locations in Eurasia. We identified climate variables most correlated with genomic variation, which may be important selective gradients related to local adaptation across the species range. Climate variation among sites of origin explained slightly more genomic variation than geographical distance. Large‐scale spatial gradients and early spring temperatures explained the most genomic variation, while growing season and summer conditions explained the most after controlling for spatial structure. SNP variation in Scandinavia showed the greatest climate structure among regions, possibly because of relatively consistent phenology and life history of populations in this region. Climate variation explained more variation among nonsynonymous SNPs than expected by chance, suggesting that much of the climatic structure of SNP correlations is due to changes in coding sequence that may underlie local adaptation.     

Use of terrestrial invertebrates for biodiversity monitoring in Australian rangelands,with particular reference to ants

Abstract Taken literally, the aim of biodiversity monitoring is to track changes in the biological integrity of ecosystems. Given the overwhelmingly dominant contribution of invertebrates to biodiversity, no biodiversity monitoring programme can be considered credible if invertebrates are not addressed effectively. Here we review the use of terrestrial invertebrates, with a particular focus on ants, as bioindicators in Australia in the context of monitoring biodiversity in Australia's rangelands. Ant monitoring systems in Australia were initially developed for assessing restoration success following mining, and have since been applied to a wide range of other land‐use situations, including grazing impacts in rangelands. The use of ants as bioindicators in Australia is supported by an extensive portfolio of studies of the responses of ant communities to disturbance, as well as by a global model of ant community dynamics based on functional groups in relation to environmental stress and disturbance. Available data from mining studies suggest that ants reflect changes in other invertebrate groups, but this remains largely undocumented in rangelands. The feasibility of using ants as indicators in land management remains a key issue, given the large numbers of taxonomically challenging specimens in samples, and a lack of invertebrate expertise within most land‐management agencies. However, recent work has shown that major efficiencies can be achieved by simplifying the ant sorting process, and such efficiencies can actually enhance rather than compromise indicator performance.     

Cobalt tumor of the thyroid gland

Diminutive kidney, hypoplasia or atrophic pyelonephritis, may be the cause of hypertension, lumbar or abdominal pain, obscure gastrointestinal symptoms or chronic urinary infection accompanied by chills and fever. A hypoplastic kidney is prone to infection and stone formation.Diagnosis includes meticulous x-ray examination and renal function studies employing the more accurate quantitative phenolsulfonphthalein test of each kidney. Nephrectomy is the treatment for unilateral disease causing symptoms; localized atrophic pyelonephritis is amenable to partial resection. Since urinary stasis invites infection, obstructing ureteral strictures should be dilated. Pyelectasis, secondary to ptosis, and ureteropelvic obstruction should be corrected by nephropexy or plastic repair. These conservative measures may prevent renal destruction.SIXTEEN PATIENTS WERE SUBJECTED TO NEPHRECTOMY: Six because of persistent pain and chronic infection and ten because of hypertension. The six with pain and chronic urinary infection were relieved. In six of the ten with hypertension, the disease recurred within six months to seven years.