Nuclear cyp73 intron fragment length polymorphism supports morphological analysis of Salix species and hybrids

Abstract

The polyploid Salix alba L.–Salix fragilis L. hybrid complex still presents major difficulties in morphological identification. Most of the measured characters show a low diagnostic value for unambiguously identifying the parental species and their hybrid Salix × rubens Schrank due to continuous variation creating a large overlap in leaf and catkin morphology. Fragment length polymorphism of nuclear cyp73 intron markers was used to identify species and hybrids. This multilocus genotyping could be applied in a morphological analysis of trees from hybrid zones and allowed to demonstrate that morphological features of leaves and catkins clearly separated S. alba from S. fragilis. The hybrid individuals largely overlapped with both parental species but appeared to be morphologically more similar to S. fragilis than to S. alba. Cyp73 analysis of 11 Salix taxa revealed intermediate positions of two hybrid taxa with S. alba, namely S. × rubens and S. × sepulcralis Simonkai with their respective parental species S. fragilis and S. babylonica L. Additionally, the cyp73 intron multilocus genotypes clustered tetraploid taxa separately from diploid willows. Cyp73 introns are valuable markers for fast, reliable and straightforward genotyping in willow species and hybrids.     

Blood parameters are little affected by time of sampling after the application of ketamine in black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra)

Background Ketamine hydrochloride is an anesthetic commonly utilized to obtain biological samples in various non‐human primates. Its application alters individual hematologic and biochemical values. The aim of this study was to analyze its effect on blood parameters of Alouatta pigra. Method We collected blood samples at 10 and 40 minutes after the application of ketamine in 12 adult female A. pigra living in free‐ranging conditions. Results The analysis showed that 40 minutes after application of ketamine, the number of platelets, lymphocytes and concentration of phosphorus decreased; however, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides, and potassium values increased. Conclusions Our results suggest that ketamine appears to have little effect on the hematology and blood biochemistry of Alouatta pigra females with respect to those reported for other non‐human primates. It is also important to consider the elapsed time after their application when taking blood samples for proper interpretation of the hemogram of Alouatta pigra females.     

On the gametogenesis and early embryogenesis in some olive tree cultivars

A comparative embryological study on two Spanish cultivars and one growing in Bulgaria of Olea europaea was carried out. The embryo sac develops according to Allium (bisporic)-type. The critical phases during the development of male and female gametophyte that lead to sterility and abortiveness of the embryo sacs and ovules are reported. The embryogenesis follows the Asterad-type. The endosperm passes a free nuclear stage and later on becomes cellular.     

胡杨雌雄株叶片的比较解剖学研究

应用石蜡切片法对胡杨(Populus euphratica Oliv.)雌、雄株叶片进行比较解剖研究,结果表明:(1)胡杨雌、雄株叶片都由表皮、叶肉与叶脉构成,表皮由2层细胞构成复表皮;上、下表皮内均分化出了2～3层栅栏组织细胞,栅栏组织之间有少量海绵组织细胞;主脉维管束通常1个,由木质部、韧皮部、少量形成层及类似禾本...     

Female influence on pre- and post-copulatory sexual selection and its genetic basis in Drosophila melanogaster

Genetic variation among females is likely to influence the outcome of both pre- and post-copulatory sexual selection in Drosophila melanogaster. Here we use association testing to survey natural variation in 10 candidate female genes for their effects on female reproduction. Females from 91 chromosome two substitution lines were scored for phenotypes affecting pre- and post-copulatory sexual selection such as mating and remating rate, propensity to use sperm from the second male to mate, and measures of fertility. There were significant genetic contributions to phenotypic variation for all the traits measured. Resequencing of the 10 candidate genes in the 91 lines yielded 68 non-synonymous polymorphisms which were tested for associations with the measured phenotypes. Twelve significant associations (markerwise P<0.01) were identified. Polymorphisms in the putative serine protease homolog CG9897 and the putative odorant binding protein CG11797 associated with female propensity to remate and met an experimentwise significance of P<0.05. Several other associations, including those impacting both fertility and female remating rate suggest that sperm storage might be an important factor mitigating female influence on sexual selection.     

50,000 years of genetic uniformity in the critically endangered Iberian lynx

Low genetic diversity in the endangered Iberian lynx, including lack of mitochondrial control region variation, is thought to result from historical or Pleistocene/Holocene population bottlenecks, and to indicate poor long-term viability. We find no variability in control region sequences from 19 Iberian lynx remains from across the Iberian Peninsula and spanning the last 50,000 years. This is best explained by continuously small female effective population size through time. We conclude that low genetic variability in the Iberian lynx is not in itself a threat to long-term viability, and so should not preclude conservation efforts.     

Adaptive auditory risk assessment in the dogbane tiger moth when pursued by bats

Moths and butterflies flying in search of mates risk detection by numerous aerial predators; under the cover of night, the greatest threat will often be from insectivorous bats. During such encounters, the toxic dogbane tiger moth, Cycnia tenera uses the received intensity, duration and emission pattern of the bat''s echolocation calls to determine when, and how many, defensive ultrasonic clicks to produce in return. These clicks, which constitute an acoustic startle response, act as warning signals against bats in flight. Using an integrated test of stimulus generalization and dishabituation, here we show that C. tenera is able to discriminate between the echolocation calls characteristic of a bat that has only just detected it versus those of a bat actively in pursuit of it. We also show that C. tenera habituates more profoundly to the former stimulus train (‘early attack’) than to the latter (‘late attack’), even though it was initially equally responsive to both stimuli. Matched sensory and behavioural data indicate that reduced responsiveness reflects habituation and is not merely attributable to sensory adaptation or motor fatigue. In search of mates in the face of bats, C. tenera''s ability to discriminate between attacking bats representing different levels of risk, and to habituate less so to those most dangerous, should function as an adaptive cost–benefit trade-off mechanism in nature.