Exploring the diversity and molecular evolution of shrews (family Soricidae) using mtDNA cytochrome b data

The taxonomy of the shrews (family Soricidae) is primarily underpinned by the analysis of morphology characters. These morphological characters are, however, often plesiomorphic and difficult to interpret in an evolutionarily meaningful way. Recent molecular studies have provided some clarity at lower-taxonomic levels, but studies giving resolution to deeper levels of the soricid phylogeny are lacking. By constructing the most taxonomically inclusive molecular phylogeny for this cosmopolitan family, this study aims to test the utility of the routinely used mitochondrial cytochrome b gene to resolve the higher-level relationships within the Soricidae. Given the life history characteristics of shrews (high metabolic rate in Soricinae, small body size, fast generation time and generally short life span), the metabolic theory predicts accelerated nucleotide turnover in this family. By examining the molecular evolution of the cytochrome b molecule, this study identifies both lineage- and codon-specific mutational rate differences.We suggest that codon-specific mutational rate patterns are best explained by unique selective regimes operating on the different codon positions, while lineage-specific rate variation among genera belonging to Soricidae may reflect differences in the mode and speed of speciation events which generated species.     

线粒体DNA在昆虫系统学研究中的应用

综述了 mt DNA的组成和各部分的进化特点 ,以及它们用于昆虫系统学研究的优点。mt DNA进化快的 CO ～ CO 、ND5和 A+T- rich区部分适合亲缘关系较近类群的系统学研究 ,进化慢的 12 s r DNA、16 s r D-NA和 ND1、ND2部分适合亲缘关系较远类群的系统学研究。并对 m t DNA在昆虫系统学研究中的应用前景作了展望 ,提出了存在的问题     

2个小蘑菇属中国新记录种

对采自广东省的2份小磨菇属Micropsalliota标本进行鉴定,采用形态鉴定和ITS序列比对相结合的方法,最终将这2份标本鉴定为二瓣小蘑菇(Micropsalliota bifida R.L.Zhao,Desjardin,Soytong&K.D.Hyde)和亚白小蘑菇(Micropsalliota subalba ...     

海南桑树青枯病病原菌鉴定及其分子鉴定

桑树青枯病是由青枯雷尔氏菌引起的细菌性病害,热带、亚热带地区发病严重,严重影响蚕桑产业的可持续发展。雷尔氏菌不同种间致病力和宿主各不相同,其防治策略也相应不同,准确地分离鉴定病原菌是青枯病有效防控的先决条件。本研究采集、分离了海南省琼中县桑青枯病发病桑园（‘桂桑优62’）桑树根部、茎部病原菌,并通过致病性、生理小种、生化变种测定,结合16S rDNA、特异性引物、复合PCR检测体系、序列变种等分子鉴定方法初步确定了病原菌的种类和分类地位。结果表明,引发海南省琼中县桑青枯病的病原菌属于青枯雷尔氏菌（Ralstonia solanacearum）、生理小种5（race 5）、生化变种Ⅴ（biovar Ⅴ）,病原菌遗传进化分析结果显示病原菌属演化型Ⅰ（phylotype Ⅰ）即亚洲分支菌株,序列变种12（sequevar 12）。这些结果将为海南桑青枯病的有效防控奠定基础。     

茶藨生柱锈菌(Cronartium ribicola)研究进展

由茶藨生柱锈菌引起的红松疱锈病和华山松疱锈病,严重危害着红松、华山松等树种,为此,对茶藨生柱锈菌的分类地位、转主寄主以及遗传关系、防治措施等方面进行介绍,以期为有效防治该病菌提供理论依据,同时,为进一步深入研究该病菌指明方向。     

荞麦不同种间BW10KD过敏蛋白基因序列比较

荞麦过敏蛋白(BW10KD)与变应原病人的血清免疫球蛋白(immunoglobulin E,IgE)有强烈反应.通过对属于8个养麦种和1个变种的58个收集系中的BW10KD过敏蛋白基因保守片段进行差异分析与系统进化关系研究,为探讨BW10KD基因的结构功能及其在不同种间的进化奠定了基础,并为发生在物种基因DNA水平的微尺度的变异与进化研究中提供新的分析方法.用设计的特异引物进行扩增,所得序列与已报道过敏蛋白编码基因序列相似性达99％.各收集系间进行序列比对,得到307个排列位点(不含缺失位点),其中单型不变位点150个,多态位点S为157个(含简约信息位点数101个和单型可变位点56个).整个序列突变位点Eta为201个.选择特定分类群内变异小、分类群间变异大的19个位点进行系统聚类分析得到清晰的种系关系图.金荞、细柄野荞、硬枝万年荞聚在一起,暗示其具有较保守的BW10KD过敏蛋白基因序列;栽培甜荞与野甜荞亲缘关系近,其次与左贡野荞较近缘;毛野荞与大野荞彼此较近缘;栽培苦荞与野苦荞亲缘关系最近,与毛野荞和大野荞亲缘关系次之.     

Detection of Feline calicivirus (FCV) from Vaccinated Cats and Phylogenetic Analysis of its Capsid Genes

We analysed genogroups of four feline calcivirus (FCV) isolates (FCV-S, H10, Ao198-1 and ML89) obtained from cats that experienced FCV infection after having been vaccinated against FCV. New PCR primer sets (8F/8R, Ao-S/Ao-A, cp-S/cp-A) were also designed, since the conventional Seal primer failed to amplify the target sequences in two samples. The genogroups of the four isolates as well as eight global and 17 domestic strains were determined by phylogenetic analysis of their amino acid sequences. One out of the four strains (25%) isolated in this study, H10, was grouped into genogroup I, along with the vaccine strains F9 and FCV-255. The other three isolates (75%) belonged to genogroup II. Thus, there were more isolates in genogroup II than in genogroup I. However, the antibody values of the four isolates against cat anti-F9 antisera were significantly decreased. There may be no relationship between the neutralizing antibody titre and genogroup. Amino acid sequence alignment of the four isolates showed that only a single amino acid in region C, which is involved in neutralization epitopes, was different in ML89 strain from that of F9. The other three strains, H10, Ao198-1 and FCV-B, shared the same amino acid sequence with F9. Alignment of amino acids for linear epitopes in the F9 strain, which are located at regions D and E, showed variations in 5' hypervariable region (HVR) of E, whereas D and conE had only synonymous substitutions i.e. no change in the amino acid sequence. This mutation in 5' HVR of region E suggested a vaccine breakdown, as the region is known to be essential for antigenicity. The genogroup II FCV is likely to be the cause of the FCV infection in this study, while the vaccine strains belong to genogroup I. Thus, the existing vaccine may need reevaluation for its effectiveness.     

Genetic variation among spiny-footed lizards in the Acanthodactylus pardalis group from North Africa

The systematics of the genus Acanthodactylus was classically based on external morphological traits, osteological characters and morphology of the hemipenes. Although the identification of species complexes is relatively easy, the distinction within some groups is difficult due to a high variability of the external morphology. Partial mitochondrial (12S and 16S rRNA) sequences (371 and 499 base pairs, respectively) were analysed from 32 specimens of the A. pardalis group from northern Africa including the described species A. busacki, A. maculatus, A. mechriguensis and A. pardalis. Several highly distinct genetic units were resolved, but with little support for relationships between them. These units did not coincide with current taxonomic units, but showed geographic structuring. Although the A. pardalis group displays significant variation, the present taxonomy of the group must be considered unsatisfactory since it is not supported by genetic evidence. For some forms, such as A. mechriguensis there is no support and it is suggested that it should be synonymized with A. maculatus. More data are clearly needed for other forms. Complex microevolutionary patterns due to the recent contraction/ expansion phases of the Sahara Desert probably are related with the phylogenetic patterns observed.     

A class-wide phylogenetic assessment of Dothideomycetes

We present a comprehensive phylogeny derived from 5 genes, nucSSU, nucLSU rDNA, TEF1, RPB1 and RPB2, for 356 isolates and 41 families (six newly described in this volume) in Dothideomycetes. All currently accepted orders in the class are represented for the first time in addition to numerous previously unplaced lineages. Subclass Pleosporomycetidae is expanded to include the aquatic order Jahnulales. An ancestral reconstruction of basic nutritional modes supports numerous transitions from saprobic life histories to plant associated and lichenised modes and a transition from terrestrial to aquatic habitats are confirmed. Finally, a genomic comparison of 6 dothideomycete genomes with other fungi finds a high level of unique protein associated with the class, supporting its delineation as a separate taxon.     

Evolution of CDC42, a putative virulence factor triggering meristematic growth in black yeasts

The cell division cycle gene (CDC42) controlling cellular polarization was studied in members of Chaetothyriales. Based on ribosomal genes, ancestral members of the order exhibit meristematic growth in view of their colonization of inert surfaces such as rock, whereas in derived members of the order the gene is a putative virulence factor involved in expression of the muriform cell, the invasive phase in human chromoblastomycosis. Specific primers were developed to amplify a portion of the gene of 32 members of the order with known position according to ribosomal phylogeny. Phylogeny of CDC42 proved to be very different. In all members of Chaetohyriales the protein sequence is highly conserved. In most species, distributed all over the phylogenetic tree, introns and 3^rd codon positions are also invariant. However, a number of species had paralogues with considerable deviation in non-coding exon positions, and synchronous variation in introns, although non-synonomous variation had remained very limited. In some strains both orthologues and paralogues were present. It is concluded that CDC42 does not show any orthologous evolution, and that its paralogues haves the same function but are structurally relaxed. The variation or absence thereof could not be linked to ecological changes, from rock-inhabiting to pathogenic life style. It is concluded that eventual pathogenicity in Chaetothyriales is not expressed at the DNA level in CDC42 evolution.