The role of peripheral endemism in species diversification: evidence from the coral reef fish genus Anampses (Family: Labridae)

We examined how peripherally isolated endemic species may have contributed to the biodiversity of the Indo-Australian Archipelago biodiversity hotspot by reconstructing the evolutionary history of the wrasse genus Anampses. We identified three alternate models of diversification: the vicariance-based 'successive division' model, and the dispersal-based 'successive colonisation' and 'peripheral budding' models. The genus was well suited for this study given its relatively high proportion (42%) of endemic species, its reasonably low diversity (12 species), which permitted complete taxon sampling, and its widespread tropical Indo-Pacific distribution. Monophyly of the genus was strongly supported by three phylogenetic analyses: maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference based on mitochondrial CO1 and 12S rRNA and nuclear S7 sequences. Estimates of species divergence times from fossil-calibrated Bayesian inference suggest that Anampses arose in the mid-Eocene and subsequently diversified throughout the Miocene. Evolutionary relationships within the genus, combined with limited spatial and temporal concordance among endemics, offer support for all three alternate models of diversification. Our findings emphasise the importance of peripherally isolated locations in creating and maintaining endemic species and their contribution to the biodiversity of the Indo-Australian Archipelago.     

Microbiological quality of five potato products obtained at retail markets

The microbiological quality of frozen hash brown potatoes, dried hash brown potatoes with onions, frozen french fried potatoes, dried instant mashed potatoes, and potato salad was determined by a national sampling at the retail level. A wide range of results was obtained, with most sampling units of each products having excellent microbiological quality. Geometric mean aerobic plate counts were as follows: dried hash brown potatoes, 270/g; frozen hash brown potatoes with onions, 580/g; frozen french fried potatoes 78/g; dried instant mashed potatoes, 1.1 x 10(3)/g; and potato salad, 3.6 x 10(3)/g. Mean values of coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus were less than 10/g.     

Patterns of excretion of fecal estradiol and progesterone and urinary chorionic gonadotropin in Grevy’s zebras (Equus grevyi): Ovulatory cycles and pregnancy

The ovulatory cycle and pregnancy of the endangered Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi) was characterized by analyzing excretion patterns of fecal estradiol and progesterone. Pregnancy was further described by assay of urinary equine chorionic gonadotropin. Courtship and mating behavior were similar to that seen in the domestic horse, but cycle length was longer, ranging from 28 to 35 days. Steroid hormone profiles during pregnancy were likewise similar to the horse, but gestation length was longer (391 and 406 days) in the two mature mares. A young mare was first seen to mate when 1 year 3 months of age, at which time she conceived but then aborted at 101 days’ gestation. Conception occurred after one and possibly two more abortions. A healthy foal was born after a gestation period of 425 days, when the mare was 3 years 4 months old, the youngest age at first foaling to be reported for this species. Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) was first detected between 35 and 40 days’ gestation, as in the horse, returning to baseline at about 195 days. However, in one young mare, eCG was also detectable around the time of ovulation. The eCG antibody may have cross‐reacted with luteinizing hormone, which would have been reaching peak concentrations at about that time. The general agreement of the endocrine results with observed occurrence of mating behavior and of parturition demonstrates that assay of excreted hormones can be used to document puberty, monitor ovarian cycles, and diagnose and monitor pregnancy in Grevy’s zebra mares. Zoo Biol 20:185–195, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.