Understanding the true burden of “Naegleria fowleri” (Vahlkampfiidae) in patients from Northern states of India: Source tracking and significance

The present study is an attempt to investigate the presence of Naegleria fowleri in Indian population. A total of 307 patients were enrolled and water samples were collected from both residential and surrounding areas of patients found positive for N. fowleri. The different species of Naegleria from both clinical and water samples were identified taxonomically. Recommended microbiological conventional techniques were used to identify different Naegleria stages and other free-living amoebae from the samples. PCR assays, using both genus and species specific primers were also optimized. None of the samples were positive by conventional microbiological examinations. However, PCR assays detected only three samples positive for N. fowleri. A total of 10 water bodies (ponds), that were used by Naegleria positive patients were examined. The pH and temperature of the water samples collected from water bodies ranged between 5.6–7.2 and 25–32 °C respectively. Among all the 10 water samples tested, four samples were positive for genus Naegleria by PCR assay, of which only two samples, showed positive amplification for N. fowleri. The sequence analysis of N. fowleri strain belonged to genotype II.     

Comparative phylogeography of two co‐distributed but ecologically distinct rainbowfishes of far‐northern Australia

Aim

To test the influence of historical and contemporary environment in shaping the genetic diversity of freshwater fauna we contrast genetic structure in two co‐distributed, but ecologically distinct, rainbowfish; a habitat generalist (Melanotaenia splendida) and a habitat specialist (M. trifasciata).

Location

Fishes were sampled from far northern Australia (Queensland and Northern Territory).

Methods

We used sequence data from one mitochondrial gene and one nuclear gene to investigate patterns of genetic diversity in M. splendida and M. trifasciata to determine how differences in habitat preference and historical changes in drainage boundaries affected patterns of connectivity.

Results

Melanotaenia splendida showed high levels of genetic diversity and little population structure across its range. In contrast, M. trifasciata showed high levels of population structure. Whereas phylogeographic patterns differed, both species showed a strong relationship between geographical distance and genetic differentiation between populations. Melanotaenia splendida showed a shallower relationship with geographical distance, and genetic differentiation was best explained by stream length and a lower scaled ocean distance (11.98 times coast length). For M. trifasciata, genetic differentiation was best explained by overwater distance between catchments and ocean distance scaled at 1.16 × 10⁶ times coast length.

Main conclusions

Connectivity of freshwater populations inhabiting regions periodically interconnected during glacial periods appears to have been affected by ecological differences between species. Species‐specific differences are epitomized here by the contrast between co‐distributed congeners with different habitat requirements: for the habitat generalist, M. splendida, there was evidence for greater historical genetic connectivity with oceans as a weaker barrier to gene exchange in contrast with the habitat specialist, M. trifasciata.     

Flight loss linked to faster molecular evolution in insects

The loss of flight ability has occurred thousands of times independently during insect evolution. Flight loss may be linked to higher molecular evolutionary rates because of reductions in effective population sizes (N_e) and relaxed selective constraints. Reduced dispersal ability increases population subdivision, may decrease geographical range size and increases (sub)population extinction risk, thus leading to an expected reduction in N_e. Additionally, flight loss in birds has been linked to higher molecular rates of energy-related genes, probably owing to relaxed selective constraints on energy metabolism. We tested for an association between insect flight loss and molecular rates through comparative analysis in 49 phylogenetically independent transitions spanning multiple taxa, including moths, flies, beetles, mayflies, stick insects, stoneflies, scorpionflies and caddisflies, using available nuclear and mitochondrial protein-coding DNA sequences. We estimated the rate of molecular evolution of flightless (FL) and related flight-capable lineages by ratios of non-synonymous-to-synonymous substitutions (dN/dS) and overall substitution rates (OSRs). Across multiple instances of flight loss, we show a significant pattern of higher dN/dS ratios and OSRs in FL lineages in mitochondrial but not nuclear genes. These patterns may be explained by relaxed selective constraints in FL ectotherms relating to energy metabolism, possibly in combination with reduced N_e.     

SPATIAL POPULATION STRUCTURE IN THE WHIRLIGIG BEETLE DINEUTUS ASSIMILIS: EVOLUTIONARY INFERENCES BASED ON MITOCHONDRIAL DNA AND FIELD DATA

The spatial population structure of the pond-living water beetle Dineutus assimilis (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae) was investigated through a field study of population dynamics and dispersal, with a concurrent assessment of the spatial distribution of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) restriction-fragment-length polymorphism (RFLP). A comprehensive 2-yr survey within a 60-km² study area revealed pronounced fluctuations in local abundances, including extinctions and colonizations. The recapture of marked individuals showed that dispersal among ponds is frequent in both males and females and connects populations on a large geographic scale (maximum observed flight distance: 20 km). The population structure of D. assimilis is thus characterized by both pronounced genetic drift and frequent gene flow. Together, these two forces generate a pattern of very local and transient genetic differentiation. Mitochondrial DNA samples collected within a few kilometers indicate highly significant spatial structure, if newly founded demes or those that experienced recent bottlenecks are included. These results based on four demes within the study area were placed into a regional context by further samples collected at distances of 100 km and 200 km. F_st estimates computed on increasing spatial scales were variable but showed no increasing trend. Thus, gene flow exerts a strong homogenizing force over a wide geographic range but is counteracted locally by genetic drift. These findings highlight the need to supplement estimates of F_st with additional data to arrive at valid interpretations of the genetic information. More generally, this study raises questions about how to capture the relevant features of dynamic, subdivided populations to understand their evolutionary dynamics.     

Mitochondrial DNA haplogrouping of the brown bear,Ursus arctos (Carnivora: Ursidae) in Asia,based on a newly developed APLP analysis

Sequence analyses of the complete brown bear, Ursus arctos, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genome have detected scattered single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that define distinct mtDNA haplogroups in phylogeographical studies. The degraded DNA in historical samples, such as stuffed or excavated specimens, however, is often not suitable for sequence analyses. To address this problem, we developed an amplified product length polymorphism (APLP) analysis for mtDNA‐haplogrouping U. arctos specimens by detecting haplogroup‐specific SNPs. We verified the validity and utility of this method by analysing up to 170‐year‐old skin samples from U. arctos specimens collected widely across continental Eurasia. We detected some of the same haplogroups as those occurring in eastern Hokkaido (Japan) and eastern Alaska in continental Eurasia (the Altai and the Caucasus). Our results show that U. arctos in eastern Hokkaido and eastern Alaska descended from a common ancestor in continental Eurasia, and suggest that U. arctos occupied several refugia in southern Asia during the Last Glacial Maximum. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 111 , 627–635.     

Ideas in theoretical biology

The potential and realized impact of Bohm's views on biology are briefly discussed.     

SEX-RATIO BIAS WITH ASYMMETRIC EXCHANGE OF POLLEN BETWEEN DEMES

In a patch of hermaphroditic plants, with a low level of pollen migration between patches, a prevailing wind creates a gradient, within the patch, in the strength of local competition among pollen for reproductive success. This leads to a sex ratio gradient, with a male (pollen) bias in downwind individuals, which can be quite strong even for large patches. The effect can be understood as follows: downwind individuals have relatively low reproductive value and respond by putting more resources into the gamete (pollen) with the best long-range (extra-patch) reproductive success.     

Transmission characteristics of Spiroplasma citri and its effect on leafhopper vectors from the Circulifer tenellus complex

Several leafhopper variants of the Circulifer tenellus complex were collected in “citrus stubborn” affected areas in Israel. Two of these variants transmitted the Spiroplasma citri to Matthiola incana after being injected with the disease agent. The variant from Atriplex halimus was designated Circulifer tenellus-A (CTA) and the variant from Portulaca oleracea was designated Circulifer tenellus-? (CTP). Transmission characteristics were determined for both leafhoppers. A high rate of transmission (43.3%) was obtained by single CTA leafhoppers that were injected with the Amiad S. citri isolate from the Upper Galilee, compared with 7% transmission obtained with the CTP leafhoppers. The Gilgal S. citri isolate from the Jordan Valley, was not transmitted by either. Injection was more effective than acquisition access feeding to render the leafhopper infective for both CTA and CTP. The minimum acquisition access period needed for the CTA variant to transmit the Amiad isolate was 1 h. Longer AAPs did not necessarily result in a higher rate of transmission. The minimum incubation period was 6 days and the maximum was 32 days. The LP₅₀ calculated from the logarithmic curve y = 45.74Ln(x)–53.68 was 9.64 days. The minimum inoculation access period (IAP) was lh. The same transmission parameters for the CTP variant could not be determined, as no transmission was obtained even when groups of five-six insects were placed on a single plant.