Uptake and resource allocation of inorganic carbon by the temperate seagrasses Posidonia and Amphibolis

Productivity measurements from carbon uptake have been suggested as good indicators of the physiological health of seagrasses. As seagrasses acquire carbon from the surrounding water, the rate of uptake often provide a good measure of the efficiency at which seagrasses meet their resource demands for growth. This rate is often used to assess the photosynthetic efficiency of the plants, a proxy for the physiological status of seagrass. This has special relevance to the Adelaide region as over 5000 ha of seagrasses have been lost from Adelaide coastal waters over the last 70 years, with much of this loss attributed to nutrient inputs from wastewater, industrial and stormwater discharges. This study used an in-situ inorganic carbon isotope-labelling and spike approach to obtain ecologically relevant estimates of seasonal variability in carbon uptake and its allocation in two species of temperate seagrass common to this coast (Amphibolis antarctica and Posidonia angustifolia). Uptake of carbon by the seagrass complex (leaves, roots, phytoplankton and epiphytes) was affected by both season and species. Carbon uptake rates of phytoplankton were generally higher than other components of the system. Uptake rates ranged from 0.01 mg C g^− 1 DW h^− 1 (summer) to 0.61 mg C g^− 1 DW h^− 1 (spring) in Posidonia and 0.02 mg C g^− 1 DW h^− 1 (summer) to 0.93 mg C g^− 1 DW h^− 1 (winter) in Amphibolis. Carbon uptake by the Amphibolis complex was higher than in the Posidonia complex. The Amphibolis complex had higher uptake rates in summer whereas the Posidonia complex was higher in spring. Fine sediments probably from a nearby dredging operation, are likely to have resulted in lower carbon uptake and a reduction in the above-ground and below-ground biomass in summer.     

Seasonal patterns of winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus abundance and reproductive condition on the New York Bight continental shelf

To resolve varied and sometimes conflicting accounts of spawning and habitat characteristics for winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus, seasonal patterns in abundance and reproductive condition were investigated in the New York Bight, near the southern edge of their current reproductive range. Fish were collected from trawl surveys on the inner continental shelf from October 2006 to October 2007. Pseudopleuronectes americanus were most abundant during January and April surveys, were rarely collected in August, with intermediate abundances in June and October. Measurements of fish condition [hepato‐somatic index (I_H), condition factor (K) and the per cent dry mass of muscle tissue (%M_D)] and reproductive condition [gonado‐somatic index (I_G)] were determined to evaluate seasonal changes in energy accumulation and depletion and reproduction. Males and females had similar patterns in body and reproductive condition, although the magnitude of change was greater for females. I_H values were highest during spring and early summer, suggesting increased feeding following spawning. K and %M_D increased through spring and summer then declined in the autumn and winter concurrent with gonadal development. Gonads began developing in the autumn, and in January, I_G values approached spawning levels, with many spent individuals collected in spring. Within these general patterns, however, there was a large degree of variability among individuals, and a few mature non‐reproductive (‘skipped spawning’) females were observed. In the period after spawning, increased energy intake, indicated by increased I_H, may influence reproductive output since this energy is gradually transferred to the muscle and used for gonadal development in the forthcoming year. The occurrence of ripening individuals on the inner continental shelf in January suggests that these fish either rapidly move into estuaries to spawn by February–March or they remain on the inner shelf to spawn, or some combination of these. Future studies should evaluate these possibilities, as both estuarine and inner shelf habitats are potentially affected by activities such as dredging, sand dredging and wind energy development.     

Development of a pheasant interspecies primordial germ cell transfer to chicken embryo: Effect of donor cell sex on chimeric semen production

This study was conducted to evaluate whether the sex of donor primordial germ cells (PGCs) influences production of chimeric semen from recipient hatchlings produced by interspecies transfer between pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) and chicken (Gallus gallus). Pheasant PGCs were retrieved from 7-d-old embryos and subsequently transferred into circulatory blood of 2.5-d-old (Stage 17) embryos. The sex of embryos was discerned 3 to 6 days after laying, and in preliminary study, overall rate of embryo survival after sexing was 74.6% with male-to-female ratio of 0.49 to 0.51. In Experiment 1, magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) using QCR1 antibody was effective for enriching the population of male and female PGCs in gonadal cells (9.2- to 12.5-fold and 10.8- to 19.5-fold increase, respectively). In Experiment 2, an increase in the number of hatchlings producing chimeric semen was detected after the homosexual transfer of male-to-male compared with that after the heterosexual transfer of female-to-male (68% to 88%). Significant increase was found in the frequency of chimeric semen production (0.96 to 1.68 times); production of pheasant progenies by artificial insemination using chimeric semen was also increased in the homosexual transfer (0 to 3 cases). In conclusion, the homosexual PGC transfer of male-to-male yielded better rate of generating pheasant progenies after test cross-reproduction than that of the heterosexual transfer of female-to-male, which could improve the efficiency of interspecies germ cell transfer system.     

Feasibility of sex-sorting sperm from the white and the black rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum, Diceros bicornis)

The objective of these studies was to investigate the practicality of flow cytometric sex-sorting for spermatozoa from the white and the black rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum, Diceros bicornis). In Experiment 1, four semen extenders were tested regarding their suitability for liquid preservation of spermatozoa before sorting. Dilution in MES-HEPES-based semen extender followed by incubation generated best sperm quality parameters (motility, viability, and acrosome integrity). In Experiment 2, the effect of staining method (15 °C for 4 to 6 h during transport or 37 °C for 1 to 1.5 h) on sort efficiency and sperm quality was investigated. Staining at 15 °C during transport resulted in a higher percentage of sperm samples showing a resolution of X- and Y-chromosome-bearing populations (60%) compared with that for staining at 37 °C after transport (33%) and resulted in superior sperm integrity after staining (43.8 ± 11.3% vs. 19.6 ± 12.1%). Sort rate was 300 to 700 cells/sec and sort purity, determined for one sorted sample, was 94% for X-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa. In Experiment 3, the highly viscous component of rhinoceros seminal plasma, which complicates the process of sperm sorting, was examined by gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Results suggested a 250-kDa glycoprotein (most likely originating from the bulbourethral gland) to be responsible for the characteristic viscosity of ejaculates. In Experiment 4, viscosity of seminal plasma, as measured by electron spin resonance spectroscopy, was significantly decreased after addition of α-amylase or collagenase (0.5 and 3 IU per 100 μL seminal plasma, respectively) by 28% and 21%, respectively, with no negative effect on sperm characteristics. The results of this study demonstrate for the first time that rhinoceros spermatozoa can be successfully sorted into high-purity X- and Y-chromosome-bearing populations. Furthermore, the successful liquefaction of viscous ejaculates provides the means to greatly improve sort-efficiency in this species.     

The kin structure of sexual interactions

The origin of sexual reproduction involved the evolution of zygotes from separate genomes and, like other social processes, should therefore be amenable to analysis using kin selection theory. I consider how kin structure affects sexual interactions in three contexts—the evolution of sexual reproduction, sex allocation and sexual conflict. Kin structure helps explain the even-handed replication of paternal and maternal genes under outbreeding. Under inbreeding, it predicts altruistic failure to replicate by one half of the diploid genome. Kin structure predicts optimal sex ratios and potential conflicts over sex ratio within social groups and individuals. Sexual conflict predictably occurs as a function of (i) the probability that current sexual partners will reproduce together in future and (ii) between-partner relatedness. I conclude that systematically analysing the kin structure of sexual interactions helps illuminate their evolution.     

How does breeding system variation modulate sexual antagonism?

The study of sexually antagonistic (SA) traits remains largely limited to dioecious (separate sex), mobile animals. However, the occurrence of sexual conflict is restricted neither by breeding system (the mode of sexual reproduction, e.g. dioecy or hermaphroditism) nor by sessility. Here, we synthesize how variation in breeding system can affect the evolution and expression of intra- and inter-locus sexual conflicts in plants and animals. We predict that, in hermaphrodites, SA traits will (i) display lower levels of polymorphism; (ii) respond more quickly to selection; and (iii) involve unique forms of interlocus conflict over sex allocation, mating roles and selfing rates. Explicit modelling and empirical tests in a broader range of breeding systems are necessary to obtain a general understanding of the evolution of SA traits.     

Patterns of split sex ratio in ants have multiple evolutionary causes based on different within-colony conflicts

Split sex ratio—a pattern where colonies within a population specialize in either male or queen production—is a widespread phenomenon in ants and other social Hymenoptera. It has often been attributed to variation in colony kin structure, which affects the degree of queen–worker conflict over optimal sex allocation. However, recent findings suggest that split sex ratio is a more diverse phenomenon, which can evolve for multiple reasons. Here, we provide an overview of the main conditions favouring split sex ratio. We show that each split sex-ratio type arises due to a different combination of factors determining colony kin structure, queen or worker control over sex ratio and the type of conflict between colony members.     

The effects of allowance and frequency of allocation of deferred herbage, and grass silage feed value, when offered to ewes in mid-gestation on ewe and lamb performance and subsequent herbage yield

The effects of (i) herbage allowance, (ii) frequency of allocation and (iii) grass silage feed value on ewe and lamb performance were studied in mid-gestation ewes. Furthermore, the effects of (i) herbage allowance, (ii) frequency of allocation and (iii) grazing date and their interactions on subsequent herbage yield and feed value were also evaluated. Swards, which had a cut of silage removed on 6 September, received fertiliser nitrogen (34 kg/ha) for extended (deferred) grazing between 6 December and 1 February. Two grass silages differing in feed value were ensiled either precision chopped or in big bales from predominantly perennial ryegrass swards, respectively. In experiment 1, a completely randomised study involving 120 crossbred mid-gestation ewes (Belclare × Scottish Blackface) that had been mated in October was undertaken to evaluate the effects of extended grazed herbage allowance (1.0 and 1.8 kg dry matter (DM)/day), frequency of herbage allocation (daily and twice weekly) and grass silage feed value (low and medium) on ewe and subsequent lamb performance. The six diets were offered from days 63 to 120 of gestation. From day 120 of gestation to parturition all ewes were housed and offered the medium feed value silage ad libitum. All ewes received 19 kg concentrate prior to lambing. Increasing herbage allowance increased forage intake (P < 0.05), lamb birth weight (P < 0.01), weaning weight (P < 0.05) and growth rate from birth to weaning (P < 0.05), decreased herbage utilisation (P < 0.05) and tended to increase ewe condition score at lambing (P = 0.06). Frequency of herbage allocation or grass silage feed value did not alter (P > 0.05) ewe or subsequent lamb performance. In experiment 2, the effect of extended grazed herbage allowance (1.0 and 1.8 kg DM/ewe daily), frequency of allocation (daily and twice weekly) and grazing date (6 to 12 December, 27 December to 3 January and 17 to 23 January) on herbage yield at two harvest dates (27 April and 25 May) was examined in a split plot design study consisting of 72 plots. Delaying grazing date decreased herbage yield (P < 0.01) whilst delaying harvest date increased herbage yield (P < 0.05). Frequency of herbage allocation did not alter (P > 0.05) subsequent herbage yield. It is concluded that for ewes in mid-gestation 1.0 kg of low feed value silage DM had the same feed value, as determined by weaned lamb weight, as 1.3 kg herbage DM allowance. Each 1-day delay in grazing date reduced herbage DM yield by 54.2 kg/ha.     

FLOCK: a method for quick mapping of admixture without source samples

Identifying and estimating individual and/or population admixture is a very common objective in evolution and conservation biology. There are many situations where samples from one or many of the putatively hybridizing entities are not available or easily identified. Here we describe FLOCK, a new method especially designed to provide spatial and/or temporal admixture maps in the absence of one or several source samples. FLOCK is a non-Bayesian method and therefore differs substantially from previous clustering algorithms. Its working principle is repeated re-allocation of all collected specimens (total sample) to the k subsamples, each re-allocation being more effective than the previous one in attracting genetically similar individuals. This snowball effect, more formally referred to as a positive feedback mechanism, makes FLOCK an efficient and quick sorting process. The usage of FLOCK is illustrated with two empirical situations which have been thoroughly analysed previously with other approaches. A number of simulations were run to better assess the power of the FLOCK algorithm. Performance comparisons were made between the FLOCK and Structure algorithms. When non-negligible numbers of pure genotypes were present, the two performed equally well. However, FLOCK proved significantly more powerful in the absence of pure genotypes. Moreover, FLOCK showed more potential for fast processing. Run times were shown to increase linearly with size of total sample and with size of k, the number of reference samples from which admixture mapping is performed.     

Genetic linkage mapping in aspen (Populus tremula L. and Populus tremuloides Michx.)

A large number of simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker-containing genetic maps are available for several Populus species. For aspen however, no SSR-containing map has been published so far. In this study, genetic linkage mapping was carried out with an interspecific mapping pedigree of 61 full-sib hybrids of European × quaking aspen (Populus tremula L. × Populus tremuloides Michx.), using the two-way pseudo-testcross strategy. Amplified fragment-length polymorphism (AFLP) and SSR markers were used for mapping, resulting in the first SSR-containing genetic linkage maps for aspen. The maps allow comparisons with a Populus consensus map and other published genetic maps of the genus Populus. The maps showed good collinearity to each other and to the Populus consensus map and provide a direct link to the Populus trichocarpa genomic sequence. Sex as a morphological trait was assessed in the mapping population and mapped on a non-terminal position of linkage group XIX on the male P. tremuloides map.