Convergent evolution of locomotor morphology but not performance in gymnotiform swimmers

Convergent evolution of a novel locomotor strategy implies that a fitness benefit may be associated with the new gait. Opportunities to study this phenomenon are often constrained by a lack of transitional taxa, but teleost fishes offer examples of extant species across such evolutionary shifts in gait. For instance, one species from Osteoglossiformes and the entire order of Gymnotiformes independently evolved a novel gait, gymnotiform locomotion, where thrust is produced by the undulation of an elongate anal fin. Here, we investigate whether this convergence in gait is also associated with similarities in shape, burst swimming abilities, and/or steady‐swimming energetics. Specifically, we measured body and fin morphology of fish within Gymnotiformes and Osteoglossiformes, along with closely related Siluriformes and Cypriniformes, to examine the link between gymnotiform locomotion and morphology in a phylogenetic context. Second, we tested the burst swimming capabilities and oxygen consumption during endurance swimming of a subset of the same gymnotiform, osteoglossiform, and cypriniform species, including “transitional” Osteoglossiformes that exhibit intermediate gaits, to determine whether the evolution of this specialized gait is associated with a change in either of these performance metrics. Our results suggest that convergence on the gymnotiform gait is associated with morphological convergence, but does not constrain a fish's maximum sprinting speeds or their energetic demands during steady swimming.     

HCOP: a searchable database of human orthology predictions

The HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC) Comparison of Orthology Predictions (HCOP) search tool combines the human, mouse, rat and chicken orthology assertions made by PhIGs, HomoloGene, Ensembl, Inparanoid, Mouse Genome Informatics (MGI) and HGNC, enabling users to identify predicted ortholog pairs for a specified gene or genes. The HCOP resource provides a useful method to integrate, compare and access a variety of disparate sources of human orthology data. The HCOP search tool, data and documentation are available at http://www.gene.ucl.ac.uk/hcop.     

Phaeobacter gallaeciensis genomes from globally opposite locations reveal high similarity of adaptation to surface life

Phaeobacter gallaeciensis, a member of the abundant marine Roseobacter clade, is known to be an effective colonizer of biotic and abiotic marine surfaces. Production of the antibiotic tropodithietic acid (TDA) makes P. gallaeciensis a strong antagonist of many bacteria, including fish and mollusc pathogens. In addition to TDA, several other secondary metabolites are produced, allowing the mutualistic bacterium to also act as an opportunistic pathogen. Here we provide the manually annotated genome sequences of the P. gallaeciensis strains DSM 17395 and 2.10, isolated at the Atlantic coast of north western Spain and near Sydney, Australia, respectively. Despite their isolation sites from the two different hemispheres, the genome comparison demonstrated a surprisingly high level of synteny (only 3% nucleotide dissimilarity and 88% and 93% shared genes). Minor differences in the genomes result from horizontal gene transfer and phage infection. Comparison of the P. gallaeciensis genomes with those of other roseobacters revealed unique genomic traits, including the production of iron-scavenging siderophores. Experiments supported the predicted capacity of both strains to grow on various algal osmolytes. Transposon mutagenesis was used to expand the current knowledge on the TDA biosynthesis pathway in strain DSM 17395. This first comparative genomic analysis of finished genomes of two closely related strains belonging to one species of the Roseobacter clade revealed features that provide competitive advantages and facilitate surface attachment and interaction with eukaryotic hosts.     

景观生态学的实验研究方法综述

实验是生态学研究的基本途径之一 ,对其理论的检验和发展至关重要。 2 0世纪 80年代后期 ,实验研究途径开始应用于景观生态学 ,至今方兴未艾。近年来 ,“景观”的生态学内涵更加强调“不同尺度上的空间异质性”。而研究对象的尺度和空间异质性往往正是景观生态学实验设计和操作所面临的困难。自然界景观格局与过程中客观存在的自相似结构为景观生态实验设计提供了可行性。现有的景观生态学实验方法可分为 3类 :野外比较观测性实验仍是目前应用较多的方法 ;操作性实验设计更严密 ,结果更可靠 ,但受现实条件的限制更大 ;计算机模拟实验是克服实验条件的困难的一个替代途径 ,并对理论的检验与发展特别有用。这 3类实验方法各自存在不同的优势和局限 ,彼此难以替代。景观生态实验方法主要从种群、群落和生态系统实验中借鉴并发展而来 ,但其实验设计在科学问题和操作尺度上具有显著的特点。从空间范畴来讲 ,景观生态实验包含斑块、边界、景观、斑块景观 4种 ,其所对应的生物群体组织水平、实验设计所涉及的问题和解决的方法都有所不同。多尺度的对比实验有助于了解生态现象与机制的尺度推移规律 ,是目前实验研究的难点和焦点之一。实验模型系统 (EMS)途径来源于生态系统实验。由于它有对自然因素更多的保留和     

Taenia crassiceps in the rat: differences in susceptibility to infection and development of immunocompetence in relation to age and host strain.

The influence of host strain and age upon susceptibility of rats to infection with Taenia crassiceps metacestodes was examined. The polyclonal T-cell activators concanavalin-A and phytohaemagglutinin were used to demonstrate that the onset of host resistance to infection with the cestode is coincident with the acquisition of responsiveness to mitogens in the post-natal maturation of the AS₂ rat.     

被子植物小热激蛋白家族的比较基因组学分析

小热激蛋白(sHSP)是一类重要的响应外界环境变化以及调控植物生长发育的蛋白家族。基于在睡莲(Nymphaea colorata)、水稻(Oryza sativa)、拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)和葡萄(Vitis vinifera)中分别鉴定到的33个NcsHSPs、24个OssHSPs、17个A...     

Circadian timing of cricket calling song: a clock persisting from nymphs to adults

ABSTRACT. Male Australian field crickets (Teleogryllus commodus , Walker) reared in LD 12:12 h were transferred to LL at different developmental stages and the timing of their circadian calling song rhythm was analysed in regard to the previous zeitgeber. The phase settings for the onset and end of activity were similar in crickets experiencing the LD/LL transition: (i) 3–52 days after the final moult, (ii) within 24 h before the final moult, or (iii) 1–10 days before the final moult. For all groups the results reveal entrainment of the circadian mechanism at the last LD, thus excluding age-related differences. The rhythms of crickets, transferred from LD to LL as larval instars and also exposed to a reduced temperature (5–8^oC) during their last night, were delayed by about 11 h, an effect similar to that in adult crickets after a comparable cold exposure (Loher & Wiedenmann, 1981).
The results are interpreted showing that the circadian control of (the adult's) calling song already functions in the previous (non-singing) larval stages. Since the rhythmicity continued through moults and sexual maturation, it is concluded that the control centres regulating those physiological processes (e.g. pars intercerebralis, corpora allata) are not essential to the basic circadian mechanism.     

Parasite species richness in carnivores: effects of host body mass, latitude, geographical range and population density

Aim  Comparative studies have revealed strong links between ecological factors and the number of parasite species harboured by different hosts, but studies of different taxonomic host groups have produced inconsistent results. As a step towards understanding the general patterns of parasite species richness, we present results from a new comprehensive data base of over 7000 host–parasite combinations representing 146 species of carnivores (Mammalia: Carnivora) and 980 species of parasites.
Methods  We used both phylogenetic and non-phylogenetic comparative methods while controlling for unequal sampling effort within a multivariate framework to ascertain the main determinants of parasite species richness in carnivores.
Results  We found that body mass, population density, geographical range size and distance from the equator are correlated with overall parasite species richness in fissiped carnivores. When parasites are classified by transmission mode, body mass and home range area are the main determinants of the richness of parasites spread by close contact between hosts, and population density, geographical range size and distance from the equator account for the diversity of parasites that are not dependent on close contact. For generalist parasites, population density, geographical range size and latitude are the primary predictors of parasite species richness. We found no significant ecological correlates for the richness of specialist or vector-borne parasites.
Main conclusions  Although we found that parasite species richness increases instead of decreases with distance from the equator, other comparative patterns in carnivores support previous findings in primates, suggesting that similar ecological factors operate in both these independent evolutionary lineages.     

Original molluscan radula: comparisons among Aplacophora,Polyplacophora, Gastropoda,and the Cambrian fossil Wiwaxia corrugata

As the original molluscan radula is not known from direct observation, we consider what the form of the original radula may have been from evidence provided by neomenioid Aplacophora (Solenogastres), Gastropoda, Polyplacophora, and the Cambrian fossil Wiwaxia corrugata (Matthews). Conclusions are based on direct observation of radula morphology and its accessory structures (salivary gland ducts, radular sac, anteroventral radular pocket) in 25 species and 16 genera of Aplacophora; radula morphogenesis in Aplacophora; earliest tooth formation in Gastropoda (14 species among Prosobranchia, Opisthobranchia, and Pulmonata); earliest tooth formation in four species of Polyplacophora; and the morphology of the feeding apparatus in W. corrugata. The existence of a true radula membrane and of membranoblasts and odontoblasts in neomenioids indicates that morphogenesis of the aplacophoran radula is homologous to that in other radulate Mollusca. We conclude from p redness of salivary gland ducts, a divided radular sac, and a pair of anteroventral pockets that the plesiomorphic state in neomenioids is bipartite, formed of denticulate bars that are distichous (two teeth per row) on a partially divided or fused radula membrane with the largest denticles lateral, as occurs in the genus Helicoradomenia. The tooth morphology in Helicoradomenia is similar to the feeding apparatus in W. corrugata. We show that distichy also occurs during early development in several species of gastropods and polyplacophorans. Through the rejection of the null hypothesis that the earliest radula was unipartite and had no radula membrane, we conclude that the original molluscan radula was similar to the radula found in Helicoradomena species.     

Evolutionary Morphology, Innovation, and the Synthesis of Evolutionary and Developmental Biology

One foundational question in contemporarybiology is how to `rejoin evolution anddevelopment. The emerging research program(evolutionary developmental biology or`evo-devo) requires a meshing of disciplines,concepts, and explanations that have beendeveloped largely in independence over the pastcentury. In the attempt to comprehend thepresent separation between evolution anddevelopment much attention has been paid to thesplit between genetics and embryology in theearly part of the 20th century with itscodification in the exclusion of embryologyfrom the Modern Synthesis. This encourages acharacterization of evolutionary developmentalbiology as the marriage of evolutionary theoryand embryology via developmental genetics. Butthere remains a largely untold story about thesignificance of morphology and comparativeanatomy (also minimized in the ModernSynthesis). Functional and evolutionarymorphology are critical for understanding thedevelopment of a concept central toevolutionary developmental biology,evolutionary innovation. Highlighting thediscipline of morphology and the concepts ofinnovation and novelty provides an alternativeway of conceptualizing the `evo and the `devoto be synthesized.