Comparison of Populations Based on Attribute Data,when Covariance Matrices are Unequal

Mahalanobis—like distance indices B² and G² of BALAKRISHNAN and SANGHVI (1968) are employed to compare multinomial populations of proportions in human data. Recently, BOWERING and MISRA (1982) employed these methods, with modifications, in a different field viz. to compare fish stocks, based on meristic characters. The method of BALAKRISHNAN and SANGHVI (1968), however, assumes equality of covariance matrices, which is doubtful with multinomial populations of proportions. In this paper a statistical method for comparing such populations (where covariance matrices are not equal) is presented. Also, a feature of the G² method of BALAKRISHNAN and SANGHVI (1968) is discussed, which makes its statistical status a little more clear.     

Fungal diversity from communities to genes

Fungi are hyperdiverse organisms and assemble in complex communities, characterized by high levels of species richness, turnover, and endemism. However, the origins and maintenance of such high diversity and the role environments play in fungal adaptation are still elusive. Traditionally, efforts to understand fungal diversity in their environment have been divided between studies at the species level and below species level, with separate disciplines such as community ecology and population genetics working independently and with little communication. Here I argue that linking these different approaches is required to fully document the diversity of fungi in nature. Understanding the patterns and mechanisms of fungal diversity and composition requires not only the study of species assemblies and ranges, but also relies on comprehending fungal intra-specific variation, dispersal and establishment, including identifying key traits influencing fitness. This implies better integration and cross-fertilization between disciplines addressing fungi at a multitude of biological levels, ranging from genes to whole communities. Such approach will yield direct links between variation, adaptation and environments and provide a much more comprehensive understanding of fungal diversity.     

ACE2 coding variants in different populations and their potential impact on SARS-CoV-2 binding affinity

The susceptibility of different populations to SARS-CoV-2 infection is not yet understood. Here, we combined ACE2 coding variants' analysis in different populations and computational chemistry calculations to probe the effects on SARS-CoV-2/ACE2 interaction. ACE2-K26R; which is most frequent in Ashkenazi Jewish population decreased the SARS-CoV-2/ACE2 electrostatic attraction. On the contrary, ACE2-I468V, R219C, K341R, D206G, G211R increased the electrostatic attraction; ordered by binding strength from weakest to strongest. The aforementioned variants are most frequent in East Asian, South Asian, African and African American, European, European and South Asian populations, respectively.     

极小种群野生植物生存力分析: 方法、问题与展望

日益加剧的环境变化与人类活动严重威胁种群的生存, 因此预测多种胁迫下种群的命运至关重要。种群生存力分析(population viability analysis, PVA)是评估种群所受威胁、灭绝或衰退风险以及恢复可能性的有效方法。基于物种及环境数据和建模, 种群生存力分析能够整合不同类型变量, 为目标物种的保护提供建议。然而, 极小种群野生植物的个体数据难以获取, 种群参数估计困难, 这导致传统种群生存力分析方法在此类种群中的应用存在局限性。在此, 本文提出了极小种群野生植物生存力分析的潜在方法: 小样本非统计分析法及环境变化下的种群适应力分析。小样本非统计分析法有益于提高种群统计学参数的估计精度, 而立足于生态进化生物学的种群生存力研究有助于从生物学机理方面了解和预测种群动态, 为极小种群野生植物的保护提供更适宜的理论指导。     

西藏极小种群野生植物密叶红豆杉种群的性比及雌雄空间格局

雌雄异株植物种群具有性比和雌雄个体空间分布格局, 这对个体成功繁殖、种群生存潜力、天然更新能力和遗传多样性的维持都是重要的, 对于珍稀濒危雌雄异株植物种群尤其如此。密叶红豆杉(Taxus fuana)为国家I级重点保护植物, 是首批列入《全国极小种群野生植物拯救保护工程规划》的120种极小种群野生植物之一, 具有重要的生态和经济价值。但目前关于密叶红豆杉种群生态学方面的研究, 尤其是性比结构与空间分布格局在国内外鲜有报道。本文对西藏吉隆地区的6个天然密叶红豆杉种群(吉普、多甫、朗久、吉隆、开热和唐蕃)进行了实地调查, 研究其性比结构及其空间分布格局。结果表明, 调查的6个种群中总计雄株1,651株, 雌株1,231株, 仅吉普(雄/雌 = 1.89)与吉隆(雄/雌 = 1.39)两个种群有显著的性别偏倚现象且显著偏雄性(P < 0.001)。6个种群雌雄植株间的空间相关性不强, 整体趋于相互独立。不同径级间, 吉隆和开热种群的性比格局相似, 均在小径级上性比显著偏雄性, 而吉普种群则在中等径级上显著偏雄性。综上, 不同密叶红豆杉种群的大小、性比、雌雄个体的大小级结构以及空间分布格局等均表现出不同。因此, 需要结合各个种群本身的发展动态、受干扰的类型以及各区域环境因子的差异进行有针对性的保护。     

Genetic differences in phosphorus absorption among white clover populations

Summary Eight semi-natural white clover populations and two cultivars were grown in culture solutions containing 10 ppm and 0.01 ppm phosphorus (P). The rate of P uptake by the intact plants was then measured in solutions containing 10 ppm P.Phosphorus uptake per unit root length was twice as great by plants previously grown at 0.01 ppm P than those grown at 10 ppm P. Large differences in total P uptake were found among populations regardless of the pretreatment; most of this variation was accounted for by differences in root length. Only small differences were found between populations for P uptake per unit root length, and then only after pretreatment with 10 ppm P; this variation was largely accounted for by relative growth rate and shoot %P.     

Nearshore fish habitat utilization and species associations in Lake Opinicon (Ontario,Canada)

Synopsis The bulk of Lake Opinicon fish biomass is concentrated in the physically diverse inshore areas. Quantitative analysis of the community compositions of the various inshore habitat types (weedy inlets, sandy shallows, rock shelf, gravel, etc.) showed that each supported a characteristic assemblage of fishes with a relatively constant species and year class composition. This was maintained throughout the season despite a drop in fish biomass in late summer when there was a progressive movement into the offshore waters.Weedbed areas supported the highest biomass, and greatest species and year class diversity. Thereafter, in declining order of richness, were rocky and sandy areas. A few fish species were restricted to single habitat types, e.g.Notropis heterodon to inshore weedbeds.Lepomis macrochirus, the commonest species in the lake was, by contrast, versatile and occurred in all inshore habitats. Commonly the numbers of a species in a habitat differed between day and night. Significant diel movements between habitats characterized two nocturnal feedersPomoxis nigromaculatus andIctalurus nebulosus.     

Le genre Postepithyris makridin (térébratulidés,brachiopodes) dans l'oxfordien et le kimméridgien Français

The questions relating to the type-species of genus PostepithyrisMakridin and to its systematic position within Terebratulids are discussed.The French species are described: besides the type-species P. cincta (Cotteau) from Upper Oxfordian, two species from Inferior Kimmeridgian can be included in this genus: P. minor (Douvillé) and P. dubisensis nov. sp.A new subspecies P. cincta mosensis nov., recently discovered in Oxfordian from East of the Paris Basin, can also be assigned to the genus.Postepithyris did not evolve through a single special facies: the species could supported different environmental conditions.