Spatial genetic pattern in an economically beneficial insect,the cyclical African wild silk moth (Gonometa postica)

The African wild silk moth (Gonometa postica) exhibits large inter-annual population size fluctuations in the Kalahari region of southern Africa. Spent cocoons from this species are currently being utilized in a local silk industry. An understanding of the recolonization dynamics of a particular harvested site, and of the population genetic effects of such dispersal, are crucial for designing a scientifically-based harvesting strategy. I link morphological estimates of flying ability to microsatellite genotyping in the determination of dispersal ability of this species. Morphological results suggest that the moth is a poor disperser with high wing loadings and males are better fliers than females. There is a significant effect of isolation-by-distance. Spatial population genetic analyses of microsatellite data further indicate lower and upper bounds on dispersal of 90 m and 50 km. The combined evidence suggests male-biased dispersal over several dozen kilometers with females that do not disperse over large distances. I discuss the potential influences of large population size fluctuations on patterns of genetic diversity and the implications for the inference of dispersal in my study species.     

基于微卫星标记的中国斑翅山鹑遗传多样性及遗传结构分析

斑翅山鹑(Perdix dauuricae)是具有很高经济价值的猎用禽.为了获得其群体遗传多样性及遗传变异信息,为我国斑翅山鹑进一步有效保护和合理利用提供科学依据,本研究共采用了8个微卫星标记位点对分布于我国北方的斑翅山鹑23个地理种群285个个体进行了群体遗传多样性及遗传结构分析.结果表明,我国斑翅山鹑为遗传多样性较丰富的群体,且每一群体均表现出较高的遗传多样性,其中柴达木盆地地区的种群拥有最高的遗传多样性.遗传分化分析显示组间及组内种群间均表现为遗传分化显著,遗传分化系数(FST)值表明大部分种群间表现出显著的遗传分化.系统树构建和贝叶斯聚类分析结果均显示斑翅山鹑23个地理种群被分化为明显的两个组群.另外,通过BOTTLENECK对各地理种群的分析显示斑翅山鹁种群曾经历过近期瓶颈效应.本研究结果表明,柴达木盆地地区种群、华北平原地区种群、静宁种群、张家川种群以及六盘山地区种群应予以相应关注,以保证有足够的种群大小来保持这些种群的遗传多样性.     

草原毒草白喉乌头的遗传多样性与遗传结构研究

通过测定采自天山和阿尔泰山草原的17个白喉乌头居群的叶绿体DNA片段序列,调查了其遗传多样性和空间遗传结构,并计算出每个居群的遗传多样性;运用分子变异方差(AMOVA)分析计算发生在居群内和居群间的遗传变异比例;利用错配分析来检验该物种是否发生了历史居群扩张;最后,基于最大熵方法模拟其物种在不同时期的分布区。结果表明:白喉乌头具有较低水平的遗传多样性(单倍型多样性±SD=0.343 7±0.048 8),所有居群均共享一个单倍型;遗传变异大致均等分布于居群间和局群内(58.25%vs.41.75%);两个不同谱系的分化发生在第四纪冰期(1.816~2.280百万年以前)末次盛冰期时期,该物种的避难所存在于天山西部,而在未来气候变化条件下其分布区不会发生变化。研究认为白喉乌头这种空间遗传结构与其克隆繁殖、长的生活周期、异交繁殖等生活史特征,以及第四纪气候变化影响相关。     

Evaluation of the genetic structure of sika deer (Cervus nippon) in Japan's Kanto and Tanzawa mountain areas,based on microsatellite markers

The browsing habits of sika deer (Cervus nippon) in Japan have caused serious ecological problems. Appropriate management of sika deer populations requires understanding the different genetic structures of local populations. In the present study, we used 10 microsatellite polymorphisms to explore the genetic structures of sika deer populations (162 individuals) living in the Kanto region. The expected heterozygosity of the Tanzawa mountain range population (Group I) was lower than that of the populations in the Kanto mountain areas (Group II). Our results suggest that moderate gene flow has occurred between the sika deer populations in the Kanto mountain areas (Group II), but not to or from the Tanzawa mountain range population (Group I). Also, genetic structure analysis showed that the Tanzawa population was separated from the other populations. This is probably attributable to a genetic bottleneck that developed in the Tanzawa sika deer population in the 1950s. However, we found that the Tanzawa population has since recovered from the bottleneck situation and now exhibits good genetic diversity. Our results show that it is essential to periodically evaluate the genetic structures of deer populations to develop conservation strategies appropriate to the specific structures of individual populations at any given time.     

基于微卫星标记的绿背山雀遗传结构分析(英文)

近些年来,核序列基因和微卫星标记被广泛地应用于物种遗传结构分析,然而,对于两者的有效性我们却知之甚少。本文以绿背山雀(Parus monticolus)为研究对象,探讨核序列基因和微卫星标记在解析物种遗传结构方面的有效性。绿背山雀中部和西南线粒体谱系分支在核序列基因上存在相应的遗传分化,而在微卫星数据上却不存在分化。两个谱系分支在核序列基因上的FST值是微卫星的4倍。我们认为等位基因大小异源同形(size homoplasy)可能是导致微卫星标记无法区分两个谱系分支的主要原因。我们的研究结果表明在探讨物种遗传结构,且当目标种群具有较大的有效种群数量时,核序列基因比微卫星标记具有更强的适用性。绿背山雀各线粒体谱系分支间的 FST值与等位基因数量不存在显著的相关性,该结果表明微卫星标记的有效性与等位基因的数量无关。RST值的变化范围比 FST值大,因此更不利于探讨种群间的遗传分化。与核序列基因相符,微卫星标记同样揭示了台湾支系的遗传独立性。台湾支系与大陆支系间的遗传分化可能属于严格的异域分化过程。     

宁夏野生甘草分布空间异质性及分布格局研究

运用统计学中的半方差分析、分维分析和克里格插值方法对宁夏野生甘草Glycyrrhiza uralensis的分布格局及其过程进行了研究.结果表明,宁夏野生甘草不同尺度空间分布的异质性不十分强烈,在整个所有尺度上受简单过程控制.分布格局在较小尺度上受随机过程控制,而在较大尺度上受自相关关系影响较大.当甘草种群间的距离在0～58 m内,样点内甘草株数与距离有自相关关系,而当甘草种群间的距离大于58 m时,样点间甘草分布的变化失去了自相关关系.甘草的克隆繁殖方式和土壤质地的空间异质性及鼠兔危害是导致甘草分布空间异质性的重要原因.     

青海虫草蝠蛾幼虫空间分布型及抽样技术的研究

运用青海蝠蛾幼虫3年的调查资料，通过Iwao平均拥挤度、Taylor幂法则和聚集度指标等7种方法，分析测得青海虫草蝠蛾幼虫的空间分布型为聚集分布。确定了最佳抽样方法为“Z”字型抽样。     

中国美利奴(新疆军垦型)羊遗传多样性的微卫星分析

利用6个微卫星标记,采用PCR扩增,对200只中国美利奴(新疆军垦型)羊基因组DNA的遗传多样性进行了检测。统计了各位点的多态信息含量(PIC)、遗传杂合度(H)、有效等位基因数(E)和基因纯合率(Rh)等遗传指标。结果表明:除BMS772(PIC=0.2571)为中度多态外,其余微卫星位点均为高度多态;群体的平均PIC、H、E、Rh分别为0.5446、0.5684、2.5695和0.6165,此品种绵羊基因多态性和遗传多样性相对贫乏,而基因纯合率相对较高;只有BM6506位点处于哈代-温伯格平衡(P>0.05)。     

宽须蚁蝗蝗蝻空间分布型的研究及其应用

本文应用3 种检验分布型的方法分别检验了宽须蚁蝗蝗蝻的分布型,结果表明:宽须蚁蝗蝗蝻在草地上的空间分布型呈现聚集分布,其聚集强度随种群密度的升高而增加。应用Iwao 模型中的参数估计了野外调查时的最适抽样数。     

Geometric morphometric study of the skull shape diversification in Sciuridae (Mammalia,Rodentia)

It is generally accepted that the high phenotypic diversity of mammals is a combined result of developmental constraint and ecological adaptation, although the influence of these endogenous and exogenous factors varies in different mammal groups. The rodent family Sciuridae represents an ideal candidate for examining phenotypic diversity in relation to phylogeny and ecological adaptations. In the present study, we investigate the effects of phylogeny and lifestyle on the skull shape in different species of Sciuridae by applying geometric morphometric methods. In addition, we investigate the importance of allometry on sciurid skull shape, because results from geometric morphometrics sometimes dispute those of traditional morphometry. Here, we identify significant associations between patristic distances obtained from molecular phylogeny and shape distances in all 3 views of the cranium and the lateral view of the mandible. Multivariate regression demonstrates that shape differences among lifestyle categories are substantial, especially in the dorsal and ventral structures after the influence of phylogeny is taken into account. Allometry plays an important role in the shape variation, although its importance on different skull structures varies. Our results indicate that complex structures of this highly diverse mammal group, which occupies different niches, are affected by ecological factors and developmental constraint.     

Genetic structure of wild and domesticated grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus) from south-western Nigeria

Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) is a large rodent distributed across sub-Saharan Africa that is highly valued as a source of protein. There has been little effort to evaluate the genetic structure of grasscutters despite long-term harvesting pressure and over 40 years of grasscutter domestication in West Africa. Our objectives were to quantify the genetic structure of wild grasscutters, and to compare genetic variation from wild samples to those from various farmed samples within south-western Nigeria. We genotyped 145 wild and 88 domesticated individuals at 11 microsatellite loci and present results quantifying regional genetic structuring and the relative patterns of diversity among wild and domesticated grasscutter populations. Our data reflect high differentiation between wild and domesticated grasscutters, and significantly greater allelic richness and gene diversity in the former. Despite this, domesticated populations appear to have similar levels of observed heterozygosity and comparable levels of differentiation among domesticated samples relative to wild samples. This may be the result of high turnover within captive colonies, or frequent infusion of new animals. More detailed molecular and quantitative genetic studies are recommended on this species to be able to understand their natural variation, degree of connectivity and to improve strategies for domestication.     

家蚕体节极性基因(Bmdpp)的克隆与表达研究

体节极性基因dpp是昆虫发育过程中的关键基因。采用生物信息学的方法,利用家蚕EST数据获得了家蚕dpp基因(Bmdpp)cDNA序列。该cDNA序列全长1 206 bp,ORF1 146 bp,编码381个氨基酸,预测蛋白分子质量38.6 kD,等电点9.18。将克隆的Bmdpp基因完整CDS序列亚克隆到pET-28a(+)表达载体,转化、诱导后经SDS-PAGE电泳检测到约40 kD与预测分子质量相符的目的蛋白条带。对Bmdpp在家蚕胚胎不同发育时期的表达分析发现,该基因在受精6~14 h的表达量很低,甚至没有表达。这一表达模式和果蝇dpp基因在胚胎发育过程中的表达模式相似,推测Bmdpp在家蚕早期胚胎发育的背-腹轴分化中起作用。     

秦川牛Snail2基因扩增、序列特征及表达特性分析

试验旨在扩增秦川牛Snail2基因，构建Snail2基因在其各组织不同发育阶段及脂肪细胞不同分化时期的时空表达规律，为进一步研究Snail2基因在牛脂肪沉积中的功能及调控作用奠定基础。以秦川牛为研究对象，经PCR扩增得到Snail2基因CDS区序列，运用生物信息学软件对其功能结构进行预测，同时采用实时荧光定量PCR检测Snail2基因在新生牛和成年牛各组织及脂肪细胞成脂分化过程中的时空表达谱。结果显示，秦川牛Snail2基因编码序列全长为952 bp。不同物种系统进化树结果表明，牛Snail2蛋白在家牛、水牛、山羊、绵羊中高度保守。磷酸化位点分析发现，存在41个潜在磷酸化位点，其中周期蛋白依赖性激酶1（cyclin dependent kinase 1，CDK1）、CDK5、CKⅡ、CKⅠ等多个细胞周期相关激酶参与了Snail2蛋白的磷酸化修饰。蛋白结构域预测发现，牛、人和鼠等8个物种中有8个相似Motif。Snail2蛋白二级结构主要由不规则卷曲构成，二、三级结构预测结果一致。Snail2基因启动子区序列分析发现1个CpG岛及E2F、C/EBPα（CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins alpha）、AP2和Sp1等与脂肪生成相关的转录因子结合位点。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示，Snail2基因在牛脂肪组织中呈现较高表达水平，且随着脂肪细胞成脂分化和牛生长发育过程均呈现上升趋势，表明Snail2基因在牛脂肪沉积过程中发挥重要作用。研究结果为进一步揭示Snail2基因通过影响脂肪细胞增殖和分化进而影响肉牛脂肪沉积作用机制奠定基础。     

松嫩平原优势种羊草与其主要伴生种芦苇空间分布格局分析

芦苇是松嫩草地优势种羊草的主要伴生种,两者常常形成物种组成比较单一的混生群落或者与其他物种组成羊草 杂类草群落.选择羊草 芦苇混生群落,羊草群落和芦苇群落的交错区进行羊草、芦苇单物种格局分析.结果表明,1)混生群落和交错区中,羊草和芦苇均是以集聚分布的形式存在;2)羊草在混生群落中的格局强度小于交错区中的格局强度,芦苇在2种类型群落中的格局强度没有显著差异;3)除了考虑物种的生物学特性以外,混生群落种内、种间竞争也是影响羊草集聚分布和格局强度的主要因素,交错区中,环境异质性和种间竞争是影响集聚分布和格局强度的重要因子;4)芦苇在混生群落和交错区中格局强度没有明显差异,由此可以判定芦苇的空间分布格局形成主要受植物本身生物学特性的影响.     

Evolutionary and Functional Anatomy of the Pelvic Limb in Fossil and Recent Equidae (Perissodactyla, Mammalia)

In Equidae, the limb structure adapted for fore and aft running motion first developed during late Paleocene (Hyracotherium). Since then, almost all the modifications contributed in developing a limb structure in which flexion and extension were primary movements. In Hyracotheriinae and Anchitheriinae, the hip and stifle joints were more flexed and had stronger semitendinosus muscles for fore and aft motion of the limb than in Equinae. Hyracotheriinae and Anchitheriinae had unstable hock joint and had significant intertarsal movement. In Hemphillian and earlier Equinae, the intertarsal movement was considerably reduced and in post Hemphillian Equinae it was negligible because of the presence of strong intertarsal ligaments. In the evolution of the horse the development of intertarsal ligaments, reduction of lateral digits and shortening of the astragalar neck contributed in providing the stability at the hock joint. Four types of limb structures are recognized in Equidae: (1) Hyracotheriinae, (2) Anchitheriinae, (3) Tridactyl Equinae, and (4) Monodactyl Equinae. Monodactyl tendencies appeared for the first time in Hemingfordian Parahippus (reduced metatarsals II and IV and their phalanges). The foot structure of this group is more like Equinae rather than Anchitheriinae, and is considered one of the Equinae in this paper. Early Clarendonian Pliohippus was the first equid to achieve monodactylism, but is not in the directancestry of Equus. Dinohippus became monodactyl at about the same time and has more in common with Equus (skull and dental characters) than Pliohippus.     

家蚕防御素基因的序列特征与表达模式分析及原核表达试验

家蚕防御素(defensin)是家蚕抗菌肽家族的主要成员之一,为家蚕先天性免疫的重要效应因子。采用生物信息学方法分析家蚕防御素基因BmdefA、BmdefB的序列中各有2个外显子,2个基因分别定位于家蚕第4号和第13号染色体上;等电点预测BmdefA带有负电荷,属于罕见的阴离子型抗菌肽,而BmdefB带有正电荷,属于常见的阳离子型抗菌肽;预测2个基因编码的成熟肽分子质量均在4 kD左右。用RT-PCR方法检测BmdefA在家蚕整个发育过程中有表达,且在检测的幼虫和成虫各组织中均有表达;BmdefB从幼虫5龄第3天到成虫期表达,雄性表达量高于雌性,且在5龄第3天幼虫的生殖腺、脂肪体和血细胞中高水平表达。家蚕防御素BmdefA、BmdefB具有不同的分子特性和表达特征,暗示它们在家蚕先天免疫过程中可能行使不同的功能,甚至可能具有不同的抗菌机理。构建融合GST标签的家蚕防御素基因原核表达载体,通过在大肠杆菌细胞内诱导表达,获得可溶性的目的蛋白,使用GST亲和层析柱初步纯化表达的融合蛋白并进行Western blotting鉴定,为进一步研究BmdefA、BmdefB的体外活性和抑菌机制奠定基础。     

Cell cycle synchronization and analysis of apoptosis‐related gene in skin fibroblasts from domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) and kodkod (Leopardus guigna)

The kodkod population is in constant decrease and the somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) might help to preserve the genetic pool of this species. The cell cycle synchronization of donor cells plays a crucial role in SCNT. The objective of this research was to evaluate two different methods for quiescence induction, serum starvation (SS) and contact inhibition (CI), both for 1, 3 and 5 days, on skin fibroblast from domestic cat and kodkod. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that in domestic cat, SS and CI, both at 3 and 5 days, increased the percentage of fibroblasts in G0/G1 compared to growing cells (GC) (p < .05). In kodkod, only SS for 3 and 5 days and CI for 1 and 3 days increased the percentage of fibroblasts in G0/G1 compared to GC (p < .05). Viability analysis by differential staining revealed that SS for 5 days decreased the proportion of live fibroblasts in domestic cat and kodkod (p < .05). Regarding gene expression analysis, in domestic cat fibroblasts, no differences were found in the BAX/BCL2 ratio in SS and CI (both at 1, 3 and 5 days) compared to GC. In kodkod fibroblasts, BAX/BCL2 ratio was increased in CI at 3 and 5 days compared to SS at 3 and 5 days (p < .05). In conclusion, in kodkod fibroblasts SS for 5 days and CI after 3 days might have a negative impact on cellular viability. According to these results, we suggest SS for 3 days for cell cycle synchronization in kodkod fibroblasts.     

Estimation of additive and non-additive genetic parameters for reproduction, growth and survival traits in crosses between the Moroccan D'man and Timahdite sheep breeds

Genetic breed differences, heterosis, recombination loss, and heritability for reproduction traits, lamb survival and growth traits to 90 days of age were estimated from crossing D'man and Timahdite Moroccan breeds. The crossbreeding parameters were fitted as covariates in the model of analysis. The REML method was used to estimate (co)variance components using an animal model. The first estimation of crossbreeding effects for Timahdite and D'man breeds shows that breed differences in litter traits are mainly of maternal genetic origin: +1.04 lambs, +1.88 kg, +0.60 lambs, and +2.23 kg in favour of D'man breed for litter size at lambing, litter weight at lambing, litter size at weaning, and litter weight at 90 days, respectively. The breed differences in lamb growth and survival are also of maternal genetic origin for the majority of traits studied, but in favour of the Timahdite breed: +3.48 kg, +45 g day⁻¹ and +0.19 lambs for weight at 90 days, for average daily gain between 30 and 90 days of age, and for lamb survival to 90 days, respectively. The D'man direct genetic effect was low and negative for survival and birth weight of lambs during the first month of life. All traits studied showed positive heterosis effects. Recombination loss effects were not significant. Therefore, crossbreeding of Timahdite with D'man breeds of sheep can result in an improved efficiency of production of saleable lambs. Heritability estimates were medium for litter size but low for the other reproduction traits. Direct heritabilities were low for body weights and lamb survival at 90 days and the corresponding maternal heritabilities showed, however, low to moderate estimates. For litter traits, the estimates of genetic and phenotypic correlations were positive and particularly high for genetic correlations.     

Relationships between body weight,fasting blood glucose concentration,sex and age in tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinensis)

The tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) is a squirrel‐like lower primate or a close relative of primates, commonly used as an animal model in biomedical research. Despite more than three decades of usage in research, the clear relationships between body weight, fasting blood glucose concentration, sex and age among tree shrews remain unclear. Based on an investigation of 992 tree shrews (454 males and 538 females) aged between 4 months and 4 years old, we found that male tree shrews have significantly higher body weight and fasting blood glucose concentration than female tree shrews (p < 0.001). The concentration of fasting blood glucose slightly increased with body weight in males (r = 0.152, p < 0.001). Meanwhile, in females, the body weight, concentration of fasting blood glucose and waist circumference positively increased with age (p < 0.001). Additionally, 17 tree shrews with Lee index [body weight (g)*0.33*1000/body length (cm)] above 290 had significantly higher body weight, waist circumference and glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) than non‐obese tree shrews with a Lee index score below 290 (p < 0.001). Interestingly, 6 of 992 tree shrews (three males and three females, 2–4 years old) displayed impaired plasma triglycerides, HbA1c, low‐density lipoprotein and oral glucose tolerance test, suggestive of the early symptoms of metabolic syndrome. This study provides the first clear relationships between body weight, fasting blood glucose concentration, sex and age in tree shrews, further improving our understanding of this relationship in metabolic syndrome (MetS). Given the similarity of tree shrews to humans and non‐human primates, this finding supports their potential use as an animal model in the research of MetS.