Disrupted phylogeographical microsatellite and chloroplast DNA patterns indicate a vicariance rather than long‐distance dispersal origin for the disjunct distribution of the Chilean endemic Dioscorea biloba (Dioscoreaceae) around the Atacama Desert

Aim The Chilean endemic Dioscorea biloba (Dioscoreaceae) is a dioecious geophyte that shows a remarkable 600 km north–south disjunction in the peripheral arid area of the Atacama Desert. Its restricted present‐day distribution and probable Neogene origin indicate that its populations have a history linked to that of the Atacama Desert, making this an ideal model species with which to investigate the biogeography of the region. Location Chile, Atacama Desert and peripheral arid area. Methods Two hundred and seventy‐five individuals from nine populations were genotyped for seven nuclear microsatellite loci, and plastid trnL–F and trnT–L sequences were obtained for a representative subset of these. Analyses included the estimation of genetic diversity and population structure through clustering, Bayesian and analysis of molecular variance analyses, and statistical parsimony networks of chloroplast haplotypes. Isolation by distance was tested against alternative dispersal hypotheses. Results Microsatellite markers revealed moderate to high levels of genetic diversity within populations, with those from the southern Limarí Valley showing the highest values and northern populations showing less exclusive alleles. Bayesian analysis of microsatellite data identified three genetic groups that corresponded to geographical ranges. Chloroplast phylogeography revealed no haplotypes shared between northern and southern ranges, and little haplotype sharing between the two neighbouring southern valleys. Dispersal models suggested the presence of extinct hypothetical populations between the southern and northern ranges. Main conclusions Our results are consistent with prolonged isolation of the northern and southern groups, mediated by the life‐history traits of the species. Significant isolation was revealed at both large and moderate distances as gene flow was not evident even between neighbouring valleys. Bayesian analyses of microsatellite and chloroplast haplotype diversity identified the southern area of Limarí as the probable area of origin of the species. Our data do not support recent dispersal of D. biloba from the southern range into Antofagasta, but indicate the fragmentation of an earlier wider range, concomitant with the Pliocene–Pleistocene climatic oscillations, with subsequent extinctions of the Atacama Desert populations and the divergence of the peripheral ones as a consequence of genetic drift.     

Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Variation among and within Selected Ixora (Rubiaceae) Populations and Mutants

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was used tostudy variation among and within selectedIxora (Rubiaceae) populationsand mutants. Six populations of I. congesta yielded identicalbanding patterns suggesting genetic uniformity of this species.However, six populations of I. coccinea varieties (three red-flowered,two yellow-flowered and one red-flowered wild-type) exhibitedinfraspecific differences in RAPD profiles. Small and largeleaves of an atavistic mutant cultivar of I. coccinea were alsosubjected to RAPD analysis. An extra band was amplified in thelarge leaves that was absent in small leaves, suggesting thatthe phenotypic alteration in this taxon is due to genetic mutationrather than epigenetic changes. Similarly, an extra band wasdetected in the white sectors of I. Variegated compared to thegreen sectors, suggesting that the shoot apical meristems ofthis cultivar exist as a genetic chimera. DNA gel blot hybridizationwas performed to confirm the specificities of selected bands.Our study indicates that differences among individuals of variouspopulations and mutants may be detected using RAPD markers.Copyright 1999 Annals of Botany Company Ixora L., variegated variety, RAPD fingerprinting, DNA gel blot, intraspecific genetic similarity, atavistic mutant.     

Sows affect their piglets’ faecal microbiota until fattening but not their Salmonella enterica shedding status

Recent studies have shown that Salmonella shedding status affects sows’ microbiota during gestation and that these modifications are reflected in the faecal microbiota of their piglets at weaning. The aims of this study were: (a) to evaluate the persistence, up to the fattening period, of the previously measured link between the microbiota of piglets and their mothers’ Salmonella shedding status; and (b) measure the impact of the measured microbiota variations on their Salmonella excretion at this stage. To achieve this, 76 piglets born from 19 sows for which the faecal microbiota was previously documented, were selected in a multisite production system. The faecal matter of these swine was sampled after 4 weeks, at the fattening stage. The Salmonella shedding status and faecal microbiota of these animals were described using bacteriological and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing respectively. The piglet digestive microbiota association with the Salmonella shedding status of their sows did not persist after weaning and did not affect the risk of Salmonella excretion during fattening, while the birth mother still affected the microbiota of the swine at fattening. This supports the interest in sows as a target for potentially transferrable microbiota modifications.     

Group versus population level demographics: An analysis of comparability using long term data on wild white‐faced capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus imitator)

Primates have long been used as indicator species for assessing overall ecosystem health. However, area‐wide census methods are time consuming, costly, and not always feasible under many field conditions. Therefore, it is important to establish whether monitoring a subset of a population accurately reflects demographic changes occurring in the population at large. Over the past 35 years, we have conducted 15 area‐wide censuses in Sector Santa Rosa, Costa Rica. These efforts have revealed important trends in population growth patterns of capuchin monkeys following the protection and subsequent regeneration of native forests. During this same period, we have also intensively studied a subset of the capuchin groups. Comparing these two datasets, we investigate whether the population structures of the closely monitored groups are reliable indicators of area‐wide demographic patterns. We compare the overall group size and the individual age/sex class compositions of study groups and nonstudy groups (i.e., those contacted during area‐wide censuses only). Our study groups contained more individuals overall with a larger proportion of infants, and there were indications that the proportion of adult and subadult males was lower. These differences can be ascribed either to sampling errors or real differences attributable to human presence and/or better habitat quality for the study groups. No other sex/age classes differed, and major demographic changes were simultaneously evident in both study and nonstudy groups. This study suggests that the Santa Rosa capuchin population is similarly impacted by large‐scale ecological patterns observable within our study groups.     

Changes in the levels of pituitary and steroid hormones in ovine and human ovarian follicular fluid

Changes in the protein and steroid hormones of follicular fluid, aspirated from different follicles of sheep and human ovaries, have been measured and correlated with the size of the follicles. As the fluid contains a number of proteins, steroids have been measured directly and after ether extraction. The follicular fluid concentrations of progesterone and 17 beta-oestradiol measured directly in the fluid increased with the size of the follicles. The levels of free testosterone remained constant in all sizes of follicles, while those of bound hormone showed a 10- to 15-fold increase over the free testosterone concentrations in both the sheep and human follicular fluid. A decrease in the levels of bound testosterone in the fluid of large follicles (LFFL) coincided with the increase in bound 17 beta-oestradiol, suggesting the possible conversion of bound testosterone to oestrogen as the follicle attained maturity. The ratio of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to luteinizing hormone (LH) varied in the fluid obtained from different size follicles, being 1:7 in small (SFFL), 1.3.5 in medium (MFFL) and 1:2.3 in large (LFFL) follicles of sheep ovaries. The LH content of follicular fluid of different size follicles appeared to be the same, with LFFL showing a minor increase over SFFL. In the human, the fluid from medium follicles contained very little LH compared to LFFL. These differences in the pattern of LH levels present in the fluid from different size follicles between human and sheep ovaries presumably reflect species variations in the entry of LH into the follicles.