The Distributed Annotation System

Background  

Currently, most genome annotation is curated by centralized groups with limited resources. Efforts to share annotations transparently among multiple groups have not yet been satisfactory.     

Thresholds of Response in Nest Thermoregulation by Worker Bumble Bees, Bombus bifarius nearcticus (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Regulation of nest temperature is important to the fitness of eusocial insect colonies. To maintain appropriate conditions for the developing brood, workers must exhibit thermoregulatory responses to ambient temperature. Because nest-mate workers differ in task performance, thermoregulatory behavior provides an opportunity to test threshold of response models for the regulation of division of labor. We found that worker bumble bees ( Bombus bifarius nearcticus ) responded to changes in ambient temperature by altering their rates of performing two tasks – wing fanning and brood cell incubation. At the colony level, the rate of incubating decreased, and the rate of fanning increased, with increasing temperature. Changes in the number of workers performing these tasks were more important to the colony response than changes in workers' task performance rates. At the individual level, workers' lifetime rates of incubation and fanning were positively correlated, and most individuals did not specialize exclusively on either of these temperature-sensitive tasks. However, workers differed in the maximum temperature at which they incubated and in the minimum temperature at which they fanned. More individuals fanned at high and incubated at low temperatures. Most of the workers that began incubating at higher temperatures continued performing this task at lower temperatures, when additional nest-mates became active. The converse was true for fanning behavior. These data are consistent with a threshold of response model for thermoregulatory behavior of B. bifarius workers.     

The disease business

A report on the 'Host-Pathogen Interactions' minisymposium at the first meeting of the European Life Scientist Organization (ELSO), Geneva, Switzerland, September 2-6, 2000.     

A MULTISPECIES APPROACH TO THE ANALYSIS OF GENE FLOW IN MARINE SHORE FISHES

Ten species of marine shore fishes with a wide range of life-history strategies were collected from four areas in southern California, U.S.A., and Baja California, Mexico, and examined for patterns of genetic differentiation. Multilocus D and F_ST values (based on 32–42 presumptive gene loci in each species) were both negatively correlated with estimated dispersal capability. These results were robust to variations in the number and type of loci used in the analysis and are compatible with the hypothesis that levels of genetic differentiation in these shore fishes are determined primarily by gene flow and genetic drift. There is no a priori reason to expect the observed correlation to result from natural selection or historical factors. The findings thus suggest that populations of these shore fishes are in at least a quasi-equilibrium with respect to migration, mutation, and genetic drift. Present data were also used to compare estimates of mN_e obtained by three different methods. Estimates based on F_ST values calculated by the methods of Nei and Chesser (F_ST(N)) and Weir and Cockerham (F_ST(W)) were highly correlated, but F_ST(N) ≤ F_ST(W) for every species, leading to generally higher mN_e estimates for Nei and Chesser's method. Estimates of mN_e based on the frequency of private alleles (Slatkin, 1985a) were not as strongly correlated with dispersal capability as were F_ST and D values. A low incidence of private alleles in many species may be responsible for this relatively weak correlation and may limit the general usefulness of Slatkin's method. In spite of their sensitivity to natural selection, F_ST and D may be better indicators of relative gene flow levels for high gene flow species.     

Norcoronatine and N-coronafacoyl-L-valine,phytotoxic analogues of coronatine produced by a strain of Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea

Compounds in liquid cultures of the phytopathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea that cause chlorosis after application to young bean leaves have been investigated. Known compounds that were isolated and identified were coronatine, the major component, and N-coronafacoyl-L-valine, which are both biologically active, and coronafacic acid which is inactive. In addition a new minor component was isolated and purified. Mass spectrometry indicated that this was an amide of coronafacic acid, bearing one less methylene group than coronatine. Mass spectral and NMR data, together with a study of the products from acid hydrolysis of the new compound, established its structure to be norcoronatine (i.e. a methyl substituent in place of the 2-ethyl substituent on the cyclopropyl moiety of coronatine). The probable biosynthetic derivation of norcoronatine is discussed.     

Reestablishing Roots of a Mohawk Community and a Culturally Significant Plant: Sweetgrass

The restoration potential of Sweetgrass (Anthoxanthum nitens (Weber) Y. Schouten & Veldkamp) was evaluated through a field experiment conducted on Kanatsiohareke, a Mohawk farm, and at the LaFayette Experiment Station near Syracuse, New York. The effects of competition reduction and two cover crops on Sweetgrass reestablishment success were examined. Sweetgrass was planted under four treatments: Sweetgrass alone; with existing, old‐field vegetation; with a cover crop of Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa); and with a cover crop of Annual (Italian) ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum). The experiment consisted of five replicates of the four treatments at both LaFayette and Kanatsiohareke. Sweetgrass biomass, height, reproduction rate, and survivorship were greatest in plots that were weeded to eliminate competition and in plots with Hairy vetch as a cover crop. A cover crop of Annual ryegrass resulted in reduced Sweetgrass growth and reproduction. The results of this field experiment indicate that there is great restoration potential for Sweetgrass because it is easily transplanted and reproduces vigorously. For 2.25‐m² plots, Hairy vetch is an effective cover crop for Sweetgrass. Planting the Sweetgrass with Hairy vetch generated properties of the grass that are desired by basketmakers, such as abundance and tall blades. This technique also allowed for a relatively non–labor intensive method of cultivation. Reestablishment of Sweetgrass offers the members and visitors of Kanatsiohareke the means to continue to use the plant, strengthen traditional practices associated with Sweetgrass, and benefit economically by selling baskets and medicine made with Sweetgrass.