革蜱未成熟期哈氏器的扫描电镜研究

用扫描电镜观察了革蜱属8种幼虫和若虫的哈氏器,并与其他属5种幼虫和4种若虫的哈氏器进行比较,以阐明其形态特征及其在分类中的意义。其中,9种幼虫和8种若虫哈氏器的结构是首次报道。革蜱属幼期哈氏器的囊孔形状、前窝感毛数目及其中孔毛的位置等与其他属不同。东洋区的金泽革蜱与古北区的革蜱种类之间,在孔毛形状、位置和幼虫近端缝孔的位置上有明显差别。而后者中,阿坝革蜱幼虫一般无近端缝孔;网纹革蜱幼虫和若虫的囊孔形状和幼虫的近端缝孔的位置与其他种类不同。但其余几种革蜱幼虫和若虫的哈氏器无显著差别。     

Highly asymmetric fine-scale genetic structure between sexes of African striped mice and indication for condition dependent alternative male dispersal tactics

Sex-biased dispersal is observed in many taxa, but few studies have compared sex-biased dispersal among and within populations. We addressed the magnitude and habitat dependency of sex-biased dispersal in social African striped mice by separating group-related from population-related genetic variance to understand the contribution of each sex to deme structure. As dispersal over unoccupied habitat is likely to be more costly than dispersal within a population, we predicted that individuals leaving the natal population have a lower body condition, being inferior to heavier territorial individuals. Fine-scale genetic structure was detected in both sexes. Female relatedness decreased continuously from R = 0.21 at 25 m to zero at 500 m. Maximum male relatedness R = 0.05 was constant at distances between 25 and 75 m, becoming zero at 100 m. Genetic variance (F(ST) ) among seven locations was significantly higher in females than in males, while inbreeding estimates (F(IS) ) were significantly higher in males than in females. Assignment tests estimated significantly more migrants among males, while Bayesian clustering estimated only a single genetic unit cluster for males among the seven locations. The mean body mass of migrant males (44 g) was significantly lower than for males that remained resident and thus dispersed within their sub-population (48 g). Combined, the results showed habitat-independent male-biased dispersal and high female philopatry, and suggested that body condition was more important than kinship in male dispersal decisions. We suggest that locally inferior males are important for gene flow between sub-populations. Thus, males might follow alternative dispersal tactics.     

Spatial variation in the fitness of divergent aposematic phenotypes of the poison frog, Dendrobates tinctorius

Aposematic species use brightly coloured signals to warn potential predators of their unpalatability. The function of these signals is largely believed to be frequency-dependent. All else being equal, stabilizing selection is expected to constrain the evolution of novel signals. However, despite the expected frequency-dependent function of aposematic signals, interpopulation variation in aposematic signals is ubiquitous in nature. Here, we used clay models of the poison frog Dendrobates tinctorius to test the nature of selection in regions containing varying frequencies of frogs possessing the local aposematic signal. Our findings support a role for stabilizing selection in maintaining the local signal type in a region of high signal frequency; however, we observe a lack of stabilizing selection at one site coincident with a decrease in the density of frogs possessing the local signal. Spatial variation in local aposematic signal frequencies may facilitate the evolution of novel signal types by altering the adaptive landscape for divergent aposematic phenotypes. Our results provide evidence for spatial variation in the selective regime acting on aposematic signals within an established aposematic system and highlight the need for further study of the nature of selection acting across different spatial scales in diverse aposematic systems.     

Neotropical diversification: the effects of a complex history on diversity within the poison frog genus Dendrobates

Aim We study the Neotropical poison frogs of the genus Dendrobates Wagler, 1830 in order to clarify their phylogenetic relationships and biogeographical history. The genus Dendrobates is an excellent taxon for examining patterns of Neotropical diversification as the four major species groups appear to correspond roughly to distinct geographical regions: (1) trans‐Andean, (2) Andean foreland, (3) Brazilian Shield and (4) Guianan Shield/Central America. In order to test the agreement of five of the most prominent hypotheses of Amazonian diversification, phylogenetic patterns were examined for agreement with patterns predicted by these hypotheses. Location Central and South America Methods The phylogenetic relationships of the genus Dendrobates were examined from novel and existing (GenBank) sequences of four mitochondrial loci totalling c. 1400 bp from 40 specimens of 22 different species using maximum parsimony and Bayesian methods. Results were compared with traditional taxonomic arrangements by means of SH tests. Phylogenetic relationships and genetic distances were used to test the adequacy of various diversification hypotheses. Results Phylogenetic analyses support the restructuring of two species groups of Dendrobates and the creation of a new species group. Statistical tests of the traditional taxonomic arrangement indicate a significantly bad fit to the molecular data. This restructuring has important implications for the understanding of the historical biogeography of Dendrobates. Biogeographical patterns within this genus suggest that a complex interaction of biotic and abiotic factors since the Eocene have produced the diversity observed today. Main conclusions The current classification of Dendrobates into discrete species groups does not accurately reflect evolutionary history. Data presented here strongly support a monophyletic Brazilian Shield lineage whose members have previously been split among the quinquevittatus and tinctorius groups. Furthermore, previous attempts at elucidating the historical biogeography of this genus were compromised by incomplete sampling and conclusions drawn from a paraphyletic ingroup. Our findings demonstrate a role for numerous hypotheses of diversification (e.g. river, refuge, disturbance–vicariance) in the history of Dendrobates, supporting previous warnings about the dangers of over‐simplification in the study of Neotropical diversification.     

Replacement patterns and species coexistence in an Andean Araucaria‐Nothofagus forest

Questions: Fire appears to affect both replacement patterns and coexistence of Araucaria araucana‐Nothofagus pumilio forests in the Andean Araucarian region of south‐central Chile. A quantitative assessment of coexistence in the absence of recent fires, however, is lacking. In this study, we considered the life‐history attributes, time of recruitment and spatial pattern of individuals of both tree species to address the following questions. How regular has recruitment of both species been in time? Is there any temporal niche differentiation? Are the two species positively or negatively associated in space and, if so, at what scale and for what age and size classes? Is there any spatial niche differentiation? Location: Andean Araucarian region of Chile, Villarrica National Park (39°35′S, 71°31′W; 1300 m a.s.l.). Methods: We stem‐mapped and cored a total of 1073 trees in a 1‐ha plot in a late‐successional post‐fire stand to examine spatiotemporal patterns of establishment. We used semivariogram modelling and the pair‐correlation function to distinguish between regeneration modes and describe species interactions. Results: The two species differ in their regeneration mode: whereas A. araucana appeared to recruit more continuously in time and space, episodic pulses of establishment were dominant for N. pumilio. At small scales, younger age‐class stems of A. araucana were randomly distributed, while older age‐class stems were aggregated. This was in contrast to common patterns for temperate tree species, including N. pumilio, following processes of self‐thinning. Younger age classes of A. araucana were distributed independently of older trees of both species, but younger age classes of N. pumilio had a negative association with older conspecifics at scales similar to crown diameter. Conclusions: In the absence of recent fires, it is likely that A. araucana would dominate the stand alone, given its greater shade tolerance, greater longevity and continuous recruitment. However, while canopy closure is still incomplete, the shade‐intolerant N. pumilio will be able to recruit in those open areas after seed masting and will coexist with A. araucana.     

Pumilio 2 controls translation by competing with eIF4E for 7-methyl guanosine cap recognition

Pumilio 2 (Pum2) interacts with the 3′ UTR-containing pumilio binding element (PBE) of RINGO/SPY mRNA to repress translation in Xenopus oocytes. Here, we show that Pum2 also binds directly to the 5′ 7mG cap structure; in so doing, it precludes eIF4E from binding the cap. Using deletion analysis, we have mapped the cap interaction domain of Pum2 to the amino terminus of the protein and identified a conserved tryptophan residue that mediates this specific interaction. Reporter mRNA-based assays demonstrate that Pum2 requires the conserved tryptophan to repress translation in injected Xenopus oocytes. Thus, in addition to its suggested role in regulating poly(A) tail length and mRNA stability, our results suggest that vertebrate Pumilio can repress translation by blocking the assembly of the essential initiation complex on the cap.     

The role of introns in repeat protein gene formation

Genes composed of tandem repetitive sequence motifs are abundant in nature and are enriched in eukaryotes. To investigate repeat protein gene formation mechanisms, we have conducted a large-scale analysis of their introns and exons. We find that a wide variety of repeat motifs exhibit a striking conservation of intron position and phase, and are composed of exons that encode one or two complete repeats. These results suggest a simple model of repeat protein gene formation from local duplications. This model is corroborated by amino acid sequence similarity patterns among neighboring repeats from various repeat protein genes. The distribution of one- and two-repeat exons indicates that intron-facilitated repeat motif duplication, in which the start and end points of duplication are located in consecutive intronic regions, significantly exceeds intron-independent duplication. These results suggest that introns have contributed to the greater abundance of repeat protein genes in eukaryotic versus prokaryotic organisms, a conclusion that is supported by taxonomic analysis.     

Subantarctic-Andean Nothofagus pumilio forests

The distribution area of the deciduous Nothofagus pumilio is outlined in a map and divided into 5 areas. By means of an example from the northern Lenga forest area, the Nothofagus pumilio community-types dependant on altitude are described as regards their floristic composition, structure and soil characteristics. The stands belong to 2 associations with together 4 sub-units.The synsystematic compilation of the phytosociological material available uptil now enables a classification of the class in two orders: one covers the South Patagonian Lenga forests and the other the Central and North Patagonian ones. The North Patagonian area which has been investigated the most thouroughly uptil now is characterized by two sub-alliances with together 6 associations; one sub-alliance covers the distribution areas in the dryer eastern part, the other the areas on the humid west side of the Andes. Only investigation in those Lenga forest areas which have hardly or not yet been investigated uptil now offer answers to the questions concerning synsytematics and distribution areas which were posed at the end of the above report.

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Zusammenfassung Das Wuchsgebiet der sommergrünen Baumart Nothofagus pumilio wird in einer Übersichtskarte umrissen und in 5 Regionen untergliedert.An einem Beispiel aus dem nördlichen Lenga-Wald-Areal wird die höhenabhängige Ausprägung des Nothofagus pumilio-Waldes hinsichtlich dessen floristischer Zusammensetzung, Struktur und Boden-charakteristik beschrieben. Die Bestände gehören zu 2 Assoziationen mit insgesamt 4 Untereinheiten.Aus der synsystematischen Zusammenstellung des bisher vorliegenden pflanzensoziologischen Materials ergibt sich bis jetzt eine Gliederung der Klasse in 2 Ordnungen, von denen eine die südpatagonischen und die andere die mittel- und nordpatagonischen Lenga-Wälder umfasst. Das bisher am intensivsten untersuchte nordpatagonische Areal wird durch 2 Unterverbände mit insgesamt 6 Assoziationen charackterisiert; ein Unterverband umfaßt die Wuchsgebiete im trockeneren Ostteil, der andere die Gebiete der humiden Andenwestseite. Erst Arbeiten aus den noch wenig oder gar nicht untersuchten Lenga-Wald-gebieten werden die abschließend angerissenen synsystematischen und arealkundlichen Fragen klären können.

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Resumen La área de distribución de Nothofagus pumilio está representada en un mapa indicando 5 sectores principales. Como ejemplo, una investigación en la parte notre del área de los bosques de Lenga muestra un transecto altitudinal con respecto a la composición florística de estos bosques deciduos, su estructura y los suelos. Fitosociologicamente se distinguen 2 asociaciones con 4 unidades menores. Según la tabla sinóptica, presentada aquí, la clase Nothofagetea pumilionis se divide en dos órdenes, que comprenden los bosques del norte y del centro de la Patagonia el uno y del sur de la Patagonia el orto. En el notre, en la Regíon de los Lagos, que es la mejor estudiada, se distinguen 2 subalianzas con 6 asociaciones de todo: una caracteriza la parte oriental, mas continental de dicha región, la otra el lado occidental con su clima oceánico y muy humedo.Terminando se hacen preguntas con respecto a la fitosociología y a la distribución de las especies características de estos bosques, que solo se podrian responder con mas investigaciones en las amplias zonas de los bosques del suroeste de la Patagonia.

     

甘肃马鬃山发现小地兔

2010年5月8日在甘肃省肃北蒙古族自治县马鬃山镇采集到小地兔(Pygeretmus pumilio)1只,为该地的首次纪录。本文对其形态特征及生境进行了描述。这一发现对研究该区域啮齿类动物系统发育与演化有重要意义。     

Regional and local effects of disturbance and climate on altitudinal treelines in northern Patagonia

Abstract. In this field study we analysed the regional and local scale effects of disturbance and climate on altitudinal treelines dominated by Nothofagus pumilio in northern Patagonia. We compared two regions west and east of the Andes at 40° S, slopes with warm vs cool aspects and undisturbed vs locally disturbed treelines. This spatial framework allowed us to test (1) for differences among treelines affected by different types of local disturbance and (2) the traditional hypothesis that low temperature limits treeline. Contingency tables and ANOVA showed that local disturbance occurred more frequently than expected on slopes with cool aspects, steep slope angles and concave slope configuration. Disturbed treelines were locally lowered with longer ecotones and lower krummholz growth rates and vegetation cover than undisturbed treelines. Three‐way ANOVA showed the significant influences of study area (regional climate) and aspect (local climate) on treeline elevation, krummholz growth rates and density, tree density and vegetation cover, while accounting for local disturbance. Treeline elevations were higher east of the Andes reflecting the more continental climate in Argentina than in Chile, plus regional impacts of volcanic eruptions. Tree density and vegetation cover were greater west of the Andes reflecting greater precipitation in Chile. Within study areas, local climate had different influences on treeline elevations and krummholz growth rates west and east of the Andes. We predict that increased tree growth and upslope advance of treeline in response to global warming is more likely in Chile than in Argentina near 40° S, unless precipitation increases east of the Andes. To test these predictions, we recommend research be stratified to account for the influences of local disturbance, which may confound climatic impacts. In northern Patagonia, suitable control (undisturbed) study sites will most likely be found at upper slope positions with low slope angles, simple microtopography and straight topographic configuration.