Species loss of stoneflies (Plecoptera) in the Czech Republic during the 20th century

1. Rapid expansion and intensification of anthropogenic activities in the 20th century has caused profound changes in freshwater assemblages. Unfortunately, knowledge of the extent and causes of species loss (SL) is limited due to the lack of reliable historical data. An unusual data set allows us to compare changes in the most sensitive of aquatic insect orders, the Plecoptera, at some 170 locations in the Czech Republic between two time periods, 1955–1960 and 2006–2010. Historical data (1890–1911) on assemblages of six lowland rivers allow us to infer even earlier changes. 2. Regional stonefly diversity decreased in the first half of the 20th century. Streams at lower altitudes lost a substantial number of species, which were never recovered. In the second half of the century, large‐scale anthropogenic pressure caused SL in all habitats, leading to a dissimilarity of contemporary and previous assemblages. The greatest changes were found at sites affected by organic pollution and a mixture of organic pollution and channelisation or impoundment. Colonisation of new habitats was observed in only three of the 80 species evaluated. 3. Species of moderate habitat specialisation and tolerance to organic pollution were most likely to be lost. Those with narrow specialisations in protected habitats were present in both historical and contemporary collections. 4. Contemporary assemblages are the consequence of more than a 100 years of anthropogenic impacts. In particular, streams at lower altitude and draining intensively exploited landscapes host a mere fragment of the original species complement. Most stonefly species are less frequently present than before, although their assemblages remain almost intact in near‐natural mountain streams. Our analyses demonstrate dramatic restriction of species ranges and, in some cases, apparent changes in altitudinal preference throughout the area.     

Analysis of MC1R genetic variation in Lepus species in Mediterranean refugia

A study on the inter- and intraspecies variation of MC1R gene was performed in Lepus species inhabiting the Mediterranean basin (L. granatansis, L. europaeus, L. corsicanus, L. castroviejoi and L. mediterraneus) and their neighboring species in Europe (L. timidus) and Africa (L. saxatilis, L. capensis), in order to infer micro- versus macroevolutionary adaptation. Eleven different sequences were isolated that corresponded to five amino acid sequences. Comparison of MC1R nucleotide phylogenetic tree with phylogenies resulting from mtDNA regions of the same species showed absence of congruence between these sets of markers. The Mediterranean area that offered refugia during last glaciation retains more MC1R genotypes compared with populations of North and Central Europe as a consequence of founder effects. L. corsicanus and L. castroviejoi bore identical alleles supportive of their conspecificity, as indicated by other molecular markers. Within L. europaeus, a group of Israeli hares were distinguished by a different MC1R functional allele; additional differences in coat colour and other genetic markers raise doubts about its taxonomic status. Finally, the present data reinforced the idea of bi-directional introgressive hybridization between L. europaeus and L. timidus in Switzerland.     

Yawning,scratching, and protruded lips: Differential conditionability of natural acts in pigtail monkeys (Macaca nemestrina)

Food rewards were given contingent upon the performance of one of three natural responses in adult male pigtail macaques: scratching, yawning, and the facial expression “protruded lips.” Scratching rapidly increased in frequency when it was followed by food, as did variability in form of scratching and one form in particular, using the feet. The facial expression was resistant to the conditioning procedures. Yawning increased in frequency when followed by food, with extinction and reconditioning procedures confirming the establishment of the conditioned response. This is the first report of the conditioning of yawning in primates. Together, the results contribute to the literature on the differential conditionability of different classes of behavior, and suggest the possibility that macaques can voluntarily display “reflexive” acts for social goals.     

Homozygous mutation in SPATA16 is associated with male infertility in human globozoospermia

Globozoospermia is a rare (incidence <0.1% in male infertile patients) form of teratozoospermia, mainly characterized by round-headed spermatozoa that lack an acrosome. It originates from a disturbed spermiogenesis, which is expected to be induced by a genetic factor. Several family cases and recessive mouse models with the same phenotype support this expectation. In this study, we present a consanguineous family with three affected brothers, in whom we have identified a homozygous mutation in the spermatogenesis-specific gene SPATA16. This is the first example of a nonsyndromic male infertility condition in humans caused by an autosomal gene defect, and it could also mean that the identification of other partners like SPATA16 could elucidate acrosome formation.     

Aspects of hadrosaurian cranial anatomy

Supraorbital bones in Saurolophus angustirostris are described, and their presence in all hadrosaurs is suggested. Frontal-nasal and premaxillar-nasal fontanellae are distinguished in hadrosaurs; their presence is explained as connected with growth and considered to he responsible for the variability of crest structures. New data indicating the presence of a cartilaginous diverticulum nasi within the circumnarial depression in Saurobphus ongustirostris are presented. A physiological (respiratory and/or thermoregulatory) function of the nasal diverticulum is proposed.     

The "Goldilocks Effect" in Cystic Fibrosis: identification of a lung phenotype in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">cftr</Emphasis> knockout and heterozygous mouse

Background  

Cystic Fibrosis is a pleiotropic disease in humans with primary morbidity and mortality associated with a lung disease phenotype. However, knockout in the mouse of cftr, the gene whose mutant alleles are responsible for cystic fibrosis, has previously failed to produce a readily, quantifiable lung phenotype.