Mitosis

Data that describe both the structure and the physiology of the mitotic spindle are reviewed. Some of the molecules that have been shown to play a role in mitosis are tabulated, and how mitosis might work is considered.     

Contextualizing the relative importance of habitat connectivity for metapopulation persistence: A case study of a critically endangered fish

1. Local population characteristics and habitat connectivity both have important influences on metapopulation persistence; however, the relative importance of each can vary depending on the ecological context, making it difficult to apply general ‘rules-of-thumb’ for conservation actions. This is particularly true in dendritic networks, where habitat connections are constrained.
2. By constructing a metapopulation model that specifically accounts for the unique characteristics and ecological system of a target species, the relative influence of local population characteristics and habitat connectivity on metapopulation persistence can be assessed more accurately.
3. This modelling approach was used to improve conservation outcomes for the Canterbury mudfish (kо̄waro Neochanna burrowsius), a critically endangered and poorly understood species that is endemic to the Canterbury Plains of Aotearoa/New Zealand. A spatially structured metapopulation model of N. burrowsius was used to investigate the relationship between habitat patch connectivity, rate of population growth as limited by habitat quality (r_conditional), and metapopulation persistence.
4. N. burrowsius metapopulation persistence increased most strongly under increases in r_conditional, but increases in habitat connectivity also had positive effects (94% metapopulation persistence for highly connected networks vs. 39% metapopulation persistence for poorly connected networks where r_conditional = 1.3).
5. Although rates of population growth were more influential than increases in habitat connectivity in this case study, both will be important to consider for effectively allocating conservation resources for metapopulations in dendritic networks, depending on what managers could effectively manipulate to enhance metapopulation persistence.

     

Characterization of QEet.ocs-5A.1, a quantitative trait locus for ear emergence time on wheat chromosome 5AL

QEet.ocs‐5A.1, a quantitative trait locus controlling ear emergence time, has been detected on wheat chromosome 5AL using single chromosome recombinant lines (SCRs) developed from a cross between ‘Chinese Spring’ (CS) (‘Cappelle‐Desprez’ 5A) and CS (Triticum spelta 5A). This locus has little influence on grain yield and its components, and thus has breeding potential for changing ear emergence time without yield reduction. To characterize the phenotypic expression of QEet.ocs.1 and to test its interaction with the Vrn‐A1 gene for vernalization response, six near‐isogenic SCRs differing for these two gene regions were grown together with the parental controls under different vernalization and photoperiod regimes. The T. spelta allele of QEet.ocs.1 accelerated heading time when vernalization and photoperiod were satisfied, demonstrating that the function of this QTL is earliness per se. There was no interaction between Vrn‐A1 and QEet.ocs.1.     

Value and utilization of alloplasmic common wheats with Aegilops crassa cytoplasm

Differences between alloplasmic lines and euplasmic controls indicated consistent beneficial effects of Aegilops crassa cytoplasm on common wheats. In general, the agronomic performance of alloplasmic lines was superior to that of euplasmic controls; the significant differences observed were ascribed to nucleus‐cytoplasmic (NC) interactions. A number of useful genetic attributes, for example, high yield, good quality and salt tolerance, were identified. A new NC hybrid variety ‘Xiaoshan 2134’ was bred. Field trials showed that the yield NC heterosis of ‘Xiaoshan 2134’ was 13.9% and the yield of ‘Xiaoshan 2134’ was at least 20% higher than that of a control variety widely grown in North China. The results suggested that Ae. crassa cytoplasm could broaden the genetic base of common wheat and improve common wheat cultivars by utilizing NC heterosis.     

Cytogenetical studies in wheat XIX. Location and linkage studies on gene Yr27 for resistance to stripe (yellow) rust

The stripe (yellow) rust resistance gene Yr27 was located in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) chromosome 2B and shown to be closely linked to the leaf (brown) rust resistance genes Lr13 and Lr23 in the proximal region of the short arm. Gene Yr27 was genetically independent of Lr16, which is distally located in the same arm. While Yr27 was often difficult to score in segregating seedling populations, it is apparently quite effective in conferring resistance to avirulent cultures under field conditions. The occurrence of Yr27 in Mexican wheat germplasm and the current over-dependence on Yr27 for crop protection in Asia are discussed.     

Cytogenetic studies in wheat XVII. Monosomic analysis and linkage relationships of gene Yr15 for resistance to stripe rust

Summary The highly effective stripe rust resistance gene, Yr15, derived from Triticum dicoccoides, was located in chromosome 1BS. Yr15 showed linkage of 0.30 (34 cM) with Yr10 and 0.07 with the centromere. Yr15 was preferentially transmitted relative to its alternate allele.     

Aspects of wheat rust research in Australia

A National Wheat Rust Control Program, that has operated in Australiasince 1975, provides national pathotype surveys for the three rustpathogens, undertakes ongoing searches for new sources of resistance andcarries out genetic analyses of these sources, and provides rust screeningand germplasm enhancement support for breeders. The program wasexpanded in the 1980s to address problems arising from the introductionof wheat stripe rust. A new form of stripe rust, described as barley grassstripe rust, was first detected in 1998. Although virulent on some wheatseedlings this new rust appears to be a greater threat to barley. Molecularmarkers are expected to make an increasing impact on our ability to selectthe gene combinations needed to enhance the durability of resistance.     

Inheritance of resistance to wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana, in spring wheat

Inheritance of resistance to a wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin), was investigated in spring wheats derived from nine resistant winter wheat cultivars. F₁ hybrids were obtained from crosses between resistant winter wheats and susceptible spring wheats, and used to generate doubled haploid populations. These populations segregated in a ratio of 1:1 resistant to susceptible, indicating that a single gene confers the resistance. The F₂ progeny from an intercross among spring wheats derived from the nine resistance sources did not segregate for resistance. Therefore, the same gene confers resistance in all nine sources of resistance, although other genes probably affect expression because the level of resistance varied among lines. Heterozygous plants from five crosses between diverse susceptible and resistant spring wheat parents all showed intermediate levels of response, indicating that resistance is partly dominant. Susceptible plants were reliably discriminated from heterozygous or homozygous resistant ones in laboratory tests, based on the survival and development of wheat midge larvae on one or two spikes. This powerful resistance gene, designated Sm1, is simply inherited and can be incorporated readily into breeding programmes for spring or winter wheat. However, the use of this gene by itself may lead to the evolution of a virulent population, once a resistant cultivar is widely grown.     

Genetic suppression of the cereal rye-derived gene Pm8 in wheat

The location of wheat gene Pm8 for resistance to powdery mildew in the 1RS chromosome segment derived from cereal rye cultivar Petkus was confirmed. There was reduced transmission of the 1BL.1RS chromosome relative to its wheat homologue in four of the five crosses examined. Pm8 was not expressed in some wheat cultivars and selections which possessed the 1RS chromosome identified by the presence of relevant genes for resistance to the three rusts, due to the presence of a dominant suppressor gene(s) in the wheat genome. The frequency of suppression in 1BL.1RS wheats from Mexico was significantly higher than in a group of wheats (both local and exotic) introduced from China and was probably much higher than in European wheats. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.