Population structure and genetic diversity in two species of Hawaiian picture-winged Drosophila

Over the last several decades many picture-winged Drosophila have become less common in both geographical distribution and local population size (pers. obs., Foote pers. comm., Montgomerey pers. comm.). Here we report on a study of two Hawaiian Drosophila species, D. engyochracea, and D. hawaiiensis, to determine the impact that changes in population sizes over the past thirty years have had on the genetic diversity of these species. D. engyochracea is known from only two locations on the Island of Hawai'i (Kipuka Ki and Kipuka Pua'ulu), while D. hawaiiensis is currently more wide spread across Hawai'i Island. We collected 65 D. hawaiiensis and 66 D. engyochracea from two forest patches (kipuka) isolated by a 400 year old volcanic ash deposit. DNA sequence data for 515 bases of the mitochondrial gene COII was analyzed for both species to estimate relative total genetic diversity as well as inter-kipuka gene flow. The more wide spread species, D. hawaiiensis, has more genetic diversity (23 vs. 11 unique haplotypes) than the rarer species, D. engyochracea. The distribution of haplotypes in the kipuka is consistent with more gene flow in D. engyochracea than in D. hawaiiensis. Phylogenetic analysis indicates a small number of individuals morphologically identified as one species but have DNA sequence diagnostic for the other species. These results are consistent with these individuals being descendant from hybrids between species.     

Direct and Indirect (Foodweb Mediated) Effects of Metal Exposure on the Growth of Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens): Implications for Ecological Risk Assessment

Yellow perch (YP) are metal tolerant fish that form large populations in many metal-impacted regions across Canada. While they are able to survive and reproduce successfully in environments with water and sediment metal concentrations that are toxic to many invertebrates, perch experience a suite of direct and indirect impacts. YP were studied in a series of Canadian Precambrian Shield lakes near Sudbury, Ontario, along a gradient of metal exposure downwind from metal smelters. In lakes at the high end of our exposure gradient, concentrations of metals (Cu, Ni, and Cd) in YP liver and kidney were well above levels seen in fish from reference lakes. Direct effects linked to metal-exposure were observed, ranging from effects at the cellular level, to effects in organs and tissues, individuals, and populations. In addition to direct or physiological effects, we also documented indirect, foodweb-mediated effects of metals on YP in the most contaminated lakes resulting from the elimination of metal-sensitive large benthic invertebrates and their replacement by small metal-tolerant taxa. The most common indication of such indirect effects on YP is severely stunted growth coupled with a high degree of zooplankton dependence throughout their life. Such indirect effects have important implications for ecological risk assessment (ERA) because they indicate that higher trophic levels may be functionally altered even though the functional groups that they depend on are present and abundant. Although the functional groups important to yellow perch can be abundant in metal-impacted lakes, their benthic communities are impoverished and this is strongly reflected in their size structure upon which energy transfer to higher trophic levels depends. Thus indirect (foodweb-mediated) effects can be important in situations where invertebrate size structure is impacted in such a way as to reduce the efficiency of energy transfer to higher trophic levels, and therefore measures should be taken to protect and/or restore large sensitive benthic species.     

Yolk androgens as pleiotropic mediators of physiological processes: a mechanistic review

Avian egg yolks are made up of complex mixtures of physiologically relevant substances. Androgens, in particular, accumulate in yolks in variable amounts based on social and environmental conditions experienced by laying females, and using experimental elevations of yolk androgen content, researchers have unveiled potent physiological and behavioral effects on offspring. These patterns and effects are exciting in an adaptive context, as the transfer of endogenously-produced substances such as androgens to egg yolks may allow fine manipulation of offspring phenotype to maximize reproductive success. However, to gain an in-depth understanding of how yolk androgens function in an adaptive context, we must first understand the complex entanglement of physiological and endocrine interrelationships that change after exposure to yolk androgens. Here, we take a comparative approach towards a discussion of how yolk androgens can simultaneously affect multiple body systems within developing birds, ultimately resulting in the large-scale phenotypic endpoints that may represent adaptive consequences of exposure to elevated levels of yolk androgens.     

Reconstruction of a rabbit corneal epithelium on a lyophilized amniotic membrane using tilting air-liquid interface culture followed by tilting submerged culture

Herein, we reconstructed a rabbit corneal epithelium on a lyophilized amniotic membrane (LAM) using a modified version of two Teflon rings (the Ahn’s supporter). We compared the corneal epithelial cells we had differentiated in vitro using air-liquid interface (6 days, 12 days) and submerged (6 days, 12 days) cultures and followed a six-day tilting dynamic air-liquid interface culture with a six-day tilting submerged culture. We characterized the reconstructed corneal epithelium using digital photography, histological imaging, and transmission electron microscopy. The reconstructed corneal epithelium created under air-liquid interface culture exhibited a healthier basal corneal epithelial layer than that created under submerged culture. The reconstructed corneal epithelium on the LAM that was produced using the tilting dymanic culture exhibited a healthy basal layer. We therefore proposed that tilting submerged culture not only supplied nutrients from the medium to the corneal epithelial cells on the LAM, but it also removed the horny layer in the upper part of the reconstructed corneal epithelium, presumably by mimicking the effects of blinking. This study demonstrated that corneal epithelium reconstruction on a LAM using a tilting submerged culture after a tilting air-liquid interface culture may be useful not only for allogeneic or autologous transplantation, but also for in vitro toxicological test kits.     

Physiological integration of roots and shoots in plant defense strategies links above- and belowground herbivory

Roots play a critical, but largely unappreciated, role in aboveground anti-herbivore plant defense (e.g. resistance and tolerance) and root–leaf connections may therefore result in unexpected coupling between above- and belowground consumers. Using the tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum ) system we highlight two examples of this phenomenon. First, the secondary metabolite nicotine is produced in roots, yet translocated aboveground for use as a foliar resistance trait. We demonstrate that nematode root herbivory interferes with foliar nicotine dynamics, resulting in positive effects on aboveground phytophagous insects. Notably, nematode-induced facilitation only occurred on nicotine-producing plants, and not on nicotine-deficient mutants. In the second case, we use stable isotope and invertase enzyme analyses to demonstrate that foliar herbivory elicits a putative tolerance response whereby aboveground nutritional reserves are allocated to roots, resulting in facilitation of phytoparasitic nematodes. Thus, plants integrate roots in resistance and tolerance mechanisms for leaf defense, and such root–leaf connections inherently link the dynamics of above- and belowground consumers.     

When density dependence is not instantaneous: theoretical developments and management implications

Most organisms live in changing environments or do not use the same resources at different stages of their lives or in different seasons. As a result, density dependence will affect populations differently at different times. Such sequential density dependence generates markedly different population responses compared to the unrealistic assumption that all events occur simultaneously. Various field studies have also shown that the conditions that individuals experience during one period can influence success and per capita vital rates during the following period. These carry-over effects further complicate any general principles and increase the diversity of possible population dynamics. In this review, we describe how studies of sequential density dependence have diverged in directions that are both taxon-specific and have non-overlapping terminology, despite very similar underlying problems. By exploring and highlighting these similarities, we aim to improve communication between fields, clarify common misunderstandings, and provide a framework for improving conservation and management practices, including sustainable harvesting theory.     

Nonlinear growth generates age changes in the moments of the frequency distribution: the example of height in puberty

Higher moments of the frequency distribution of child height and weight change with age, particularly during puberty, though why is not known. Our aims were to confirm that height skewness and kurtosis change with age during puberty, to devise a model to explain why, and to test the model by analyzing the data longitudinally. Heights of 3245 Christ's Hospital School boys born during 1927-1956 were measured twice termly from 9 to 20 years (n=129508). Treating the data as independent, the mean, standard deviation (SD), skewness, and kurtosis were calculated in 40 age groups and plotted as functions of age t. The data were also analyzed longitudinally using the nonlinear random-effects growth model H(t)=h(t-epsilon )+alpha, with H(t) the cross-sectional data, h(t) the individual mean curve, and epsilon and alpha subject-specific random effects reflecting variability in age and height at peak height velocity (PHV). Mean height increased monotonically with age, while the SD, skewness, and kurtosis changed cyclically with, respectively, 1, 2, and 3 turning points. Surprisingly, their age curves corresponded closely in shape to the first, second, and third derivatives of the mean height curve. The growth model expanded as a Taylor series in epsilon predicted such a pattern, and the longitudinal analysis showed that adjusting for age at PHV on a multiplicative scale largely removed the trends in the higher moments. A nonlinear growth process where subjects grow at different rates, such as in puberty, generates cyclical changes in the higher moments of the frequency distribution.     

Spatial patterns of woody plant and bird diversity: functional relationships or environmental effects?

Aim To understand cross‐taxon spatial congruence patterns of bird and woody plant species richness. In particular, to test the relative roles of functional relationships between birds and woody plants, and the direct and indirect environmental effects on broad‐scale species richness of both groups. Location Kenya. Methods Based on comprehensive range maps of all birds and woody plants (native species > 2.5 m in height) in Kenya, we mapped species richness of both groups. We distinguished species richness of four different avian frugivore guilds (obligate, partial, opportunistic and non‐frugivores) and fleshy‐fruited and non‐fleshy‐fruited woody plants. We used structural equation modelling and spatial regressions to test for effects of functional relationships (resource–consumer interactions and vegetation structural complexity) and environment (climate and habitat heterogeneity) on the richness patterns. Results Path analyses suggested that bird and woody plant species richness are linked via functional relationships, probably driven by vegetation structural complexity rather than trophic interactions. Bird species richness was determined in our models by both environmental variables and the functional relationships with woody plants. Direct environmental effects on woody plant richness differed from those on bird richness, and different avian consumer guilds showed distinct responses to climatic factors when woody plant species richness was included in path models. Main conclusions Our results imply that bird and woody plant diversity are linked at this scale via vegetation structural complexity, and that environmental factors differ in their direct effects on plants and avian trophic guilds. We conclude that climatic factors influence broad‐scale tropical bird species richness in large part indirectly, via effects on plants, rather than only directly as often assumed. This could have important implications for future predictions of animal species richness in response to climate change.     

Juvenile toxicity assessment of d,l-methylphenidate in rats

BACKGROUND: The oral administration of d,l‐methylphenidate (MPH) was designed to encompass the major part of postnatal development in the rat and to evaluate potential chronic effects. METHODS: Wistar Hannover rats were cross‐fostered on postpartum day 0 (day of birth) and were administered MPH at doses of 5, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day (mpkd) on postpartum days 7 to 70. Clinical signs, body weight, food consumption, developmental, behavioral, clinical/anatomic pathology, toxicokinetic, and fertility evaluations were conducted. RESULTS: MPH‐related effects on clinical signs, body weight, and behavior tests were noted. Increased locomotor activity and cage biting/chewing occurred at ≥5 mpkd (females) and ≥50 mpkd (males) and were absent after dosing ceased. Body weight parameters were decreased at ≥50 mpkd and were comparable to controls at 5 weeks' recovery. Open field motor activity tests conducted 2 weeks after dosing ceased revealed decreased peripheral beam breaks at ≥50 mpkd. Passive avoidance tests conducted 3 weeks after dosing ceased indicated decreased females reaching learning criterion at 100 mpkd. This is considered of nominal significance as there were no effects in the water maze test or retention in passive avoidance test. After multiple doses, females exhibited higher exposures than males and exposures were reduced in all groups in comparison to those after a single dose. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that MPH can produce enduring behavioral effects in rats. The no‐toxicologic‐effect‐level was 5 mpkd, associated with AUC_{(0–24 h)} racemate values in males and females, respectively, of 101 and 153 ng.h/mL after chronic dosing. Birth Defects Res (Part B) © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Sources of individual variation in plasma testosterone levels

The steroid hormone testosterone (T) plays a central role in the regulation of breeding in males, because many physiological, morphological and behavioural traits related to reproduction are T dependent. Moreover, in many seasonally breeding vertebrates, male plasma T levels typically show a pronounced peak during the breeding season. While such population-level patterns are fairly well worked out, the sources and the implications of the large variability in individual T levels within the seasonal cycle remain surprisingly little understood. Understanding the potential sources of individual variation in T levels is important for behavioural and evolutionary ecologists, for at least two reasons. First, in 'honest signalling' theory, T is hypothesized to play a critical role as the assumed factor that enforces honesty of the expression of sexually selected quality indicators. Second, T is often considered a key mediator of central life-history trade-offs, such as investment in survival versus reproduction or in mating versus parental care. Here, we discuss the patterns of within- and between-individual variation in male plasma T levels in free-living populations of birds. We argue that it is unclear whether this variability mainly reflects differences in underlying individual quality (intrinsic factors such as genetic or maternal effects) or in the environment (extrinsic factors including time of day, individual territorial status and past experience). Research in avian behavioural endocrinology has mainly focused on the effects of extrinsic factors, while other sources of variance are often ignored. We suggest that studies that use an integrative approach and investigate the relative importance of all potential sources of variation are essential for the interpretation of data on individual plasma T levels.