Polymorphic proteins in rice seed embryo revealed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and their application for subspecies identification

Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed 10 polymorphic proteins in seed embryos of 29 cultivated rices (Oryza sativa L.) including 16 japonica cultivars, three so-called ‘Javanica’ ones and 10 indica ones. We attempted to use these polymorphic proteins to identify rice subspecies by scoring the polymorphisms. Since all japonica cultivars examined showed the same pattern of protein spots, we considered it to be a standard one with a score of zero, and the protein polymorphisms of other cultivars were given scores of 0.0, 0.5 or 1.0 according to spot density. This scoring method gave characteristic scores for indica and ‘Javanica’ cultivars, i.e. typical japonica cultivars selected as standards presumed the score of 0.0 whereas ‘Javanica’ cultivars and indica ones had the scores of 2.5–4.0 and of 5.0–8.0, respectively. By using this scoring method and the subspecies-specific proteins previously reported, 19 cultivars of unknown subspecies were classified as three indica cultivars and 16 japonica ones including four so-called ‘Javanica’ ones. This scoring method also detected a difference between the perennial wild rice Oryza rufipogon and the annual one O. nivara at the protein level.     

Allozyme study of two subspecies of houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata undulata and C. u. macqueenii)

Samples of two subspecies of the Houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata undulata and C. u. macqueenii) were studied using protein electrophoresis, to evaluate their genetic variability and differentiation. Levels of polymorphism and gene diversity were higher than mean values for birds, and intersubspecies differentiation (measured by Nei's genetic distance) was in the range of the values known at this taxonomic level. These results suggest that the decrease in numbers associated with the recent reduction of these subspecies' ranges has not yet resulted in significant genetic impoverishment. This information is of prime importance in designing captive-breeding programmes for reintroduction purposes. The genetic distance between the two subspecies suggests a relatively recent differentiation, which already has resulted in marked behavioural differences.     

中国环蛱蝶属的新种,新亚种及新级位：鳞翅目：蛱蝶科

本文描述采自陕西的环蛱蝶属１新种－周环蛱蝶Ｎｅｐｔｉｓｃｈｏｕｉｓｐ．ｎｏｖ．;将黄环蛱蝶伊洛亚种ＮｅｐｔｉｓｔｈｅｍｉｓｉｌｖｓＦｕｈｓｔｏｒｆｅｒ提升为种,即伊洛环蛱蝶ＮｅｐｔｉｓｉｌｖｓＦｒｕｈｓｔｏｒｆｅｒ,认为黄环蛱蝶台湾亚种ＮｅｐｔｉｓｔｈｅｍｉｓｎｉｅｒｉＮｏｍｕｒａ应为伊洛环蛱蝶ＮｅｐｔｉｓｉｌｖｓＦｒｕｈｓｔｏｒｆｅｒ的１个亚种,描述了伊洛环蛱蝶的１新亚种－四川亚种Ｎｅｐｔｉｓｉ     

Some observations on the ecology,metal uptake and nickel tolerance of Alyssum serpyllifolium subspecies from the Iberian peninsula

Experiments were carried out on the tolerance to, and uptake of, nickel by three iberian subspecies of Alyssum serpylliforium Desf. Two of these subspecies, the serpentine-endemic ssp. lusitanicum from Bragança, Portugal and ssp. malacitanum from Málaga, Spain, are hyperaccumulators (> 1000 g/g in dried material) of nickel. Their possible ancestor, ssp. serpyllifolium (from Granada, Spain) was a non-accumulator of this element. Seeds of the two serpentine-endemics germinated extensively in nickel concentrations up to 12 000 g/g (1.2%) whereas ssp. serpyllifolium only germinated in nickel concentrations below 60 g/ml. Tolerance tests involving measurement of new root lengths of excised seedlings placed in varying nickel concentrations, again showed much greater tolerance of the two serpentinophytes. In both series of experiments, the order of tolerance was: ssp. lusitanicum > ssp. malacitanum > ssp. serpyllifolium. In pot trials involving seedlings of ssp. malacitanum grown in mixtures containing varying amounts of calcium, magnesium, and nickel, the most important finding was that plants will tolerate higher nickel contents in the soil when excess calcium is added. This is achieved by lowering the uptake of nickel. There appeared to be some concomitant reduction in calcium uptake in the presence of nickel, and some increase in uptake of magnesium. The resultant lower calcium/magnesium ratio in the plant, though not symptomatic of a favourable condition for colonization of serpentine soils, probably results from a mechanism which renders nickel innocuous to the plant at the expense of calcium uptake. It is suggested that the physiological characters of ssp. lusitanicum and ssp malacitanum are sufficiently different to support arguments for promoting the latter to full specific rank as has now been done for ssp. lusitanicum.     

Genetics of adult body mass and maintenance of adult body mass in captive baboons (Papio hamadryas subspecies)

Adult body mass and changes in mass during an individual's life are important indicators of general health and reproductive fitness. Therefore, characterization of the factors that influence normal variation in body mass has important implications for colony management and husbandry. The main objective of this study was to quantify the genetic contribution to adult body mass and its maintenance in baboons. Intra-individual mean and variance in body mass were calculated from multiple weight measures available for each of 1,614 animals at least 10 years of age. Heritabilities were estimated using maximum likelihood methods. Mean adult body mass had a significant heritability (50%) as did variance in adult body mass (12%). The sexes differed in several respects: on average females were smaller than males and had greater variability in adult body mass; mean and variance in body mass increased with age in females only; and number of offspring showed a significant positive relationship with body mass in females only. There were significant differences between subspecies in body mass as well as ability to maintain body mass. These results indicate that there is a significant genetic influence on body mass and its maintenance, and suggest that different factors influence changes in body mass with age as well as body mass maintenance in male and female baboons. Am. J. Primatol. 42:281–288, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

SPINNER DOLPHINS (STENELLA LONGIROSTRIS) OF THE WESTERN PACIFIC AND SOUTHEAST ASIA: PELAGIC AND SHALLOW-WATER FORMS1

A dwarf form of the spinner dolphin has been reported from the Gulf of Thailand, while more typical large spinner dolphins have been described from Japanese waters and other localities in the western Pacific. These reports have been based on very few specimens. Our purpose in this study was to determine the affinities of spinner dolphins throughout the region based on larger samples and to review their taxonomic status, with an hypothesis of two widespread ecotypic forms, or subspecies. We examined 213 osteological specimens, from a tuna gillnet fishery in the Philippines, from the former Taiwanese shark gillnet fishery in the Timor and Arafura Seas off northern Australia, from the Gulf of Thailand, from other areas in the western Pacific and Southeast Asia, from the eastern Indian Ocean, and from the Central and South Pacific. Results show that spinner dolphins from the deep inner waters of the Philippines conform to the large pelagic type of spinner dolphin that inhabits the Central and South Pacific, the western Pacific and the eastern Indian Ocean. The skull is similar in size and shape to the holotype specimen of S. longirostris (from unknown locality). This form feeds primarily on small mesopelagic fishes and squids. Spinner dolphins from the shallow waters of inner Southeast Asia represented in the sample, including the Gulf of Thailand, Timor Sea and Arafura Sea, are smaller in body and skull size, have fewer teeth and vertebrae, and feed mainly on benthic and coral reef fishes and invertebrates. We hypothesize that this form also inhabits the Java Sea and other shallow waters throughout inner Indonesia and Malaysia. We redescribe a subspecies corresponding to the small form and based on Delphinus roseiventris Wagner 1846 from the Arafura Sea, designating a neotype and paraneotype specimens.     

河北大锥蚤—新亚种记述(蚤目:角叶蚤科)

报道采自湖北省神农架林区大锥蚤属ＭａｃｒｏｓｔｙｌｏｐｈｏｒａＥｗｉｎｇ,１９２９一新亚种,即河北大锥蚤神农架亚种Ｍａｃｒｏｓｔｙｌｏｐｈｏｒａｈｅｂｅｉｅｎｓｉｓｓｈｅｎｎｏｎｇｊｉａｅｎｓｉｓｓｐ．ｎｏｖ．。模式标本保存于湖北省医学科学院寄生虫病研究所媒介昆虫研究室。     

中国蝴蝶新种新亚种及新记录种(IV)(鳞翅目)

记述斑蝶科 1新种、1新记录种 ;蚬蝶科 2新种、3新亚种。所有模式标本均保存在西北农林科技大学昆虫博物馆。     

Using genomics to guide seed‐sourcing at the right taxonomical level for ecological restoration projects: The complex case of Carex bigelowii s.lat. in Norway

There is a growing demand for ecological restoration using suitable seeds following international standards or national legal demands for local seed‐sourcing. However, before selecting the appropriate geographic origin of seeds, it is vital to explore taxonomic complexity related to the focal taxa. We used ddRAD‐seq to screen genomic diversity within Carex bigelowii s.lat. focussing on Norway. This species complex is considered a candidate for seeding, but presents considerable morphological, ecological, and genetic variation. The genetic structure of 132 individuals of C. bigelowii s.lat., including Carex nigra as an outgroup, was explored using ordinations, clustering analyses, and a genetic barrier algorithm. Two highly divergent clusters were evident, supporting the recognition of two taxonomic units “C. dacica” and C. bigelowii “subsp. bigelowii”. Previously defined seed‐sourcing regions for C. bigelowii s.lat. did not consider the known taxonomic complexity, and therefore interpreted the overall genetic structure as seed‐sourcing regions, not taxa. We estimated genetic neighborhood sizes within each taxon to be 100–150 km and 300 km, respectively, indicating species‐specific delimitations of local seed‐sourcing regions. Frequent hybrids, local genetic distinctiveness, and suggested ecotypes add complexity to the discussed seed‐sourcing regions. Our results show how genomic screening of diversity and structure in a species complex can alleviate the taxonomic impediment, inform practical questions, and legal requirements related to seed‐sourcing, and together with traditional taxonomic work provide necessary information for a sound management of biodiversity.