Population structure and genetic diversity of worldwide Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and Lancashire Heeler dog populations

The aim of this study was to research the population structure and genetic diversity of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (NS) and the Lancashire Heeler (LH) dog breeds. Data consisted of nearly all the worldwide registration history for both breeds, including 28 668 NS and 4 782 LH individuals. A reference population, including the females born between 1999 and 2008, was defined for genetic analyses for each breed. Average depth of the pedigrees known for the reference population dogs was 12.9 complete generation equivalents in the NS and 6.0 in the LH. Only a small fraction of the born dogs were used later for breeding. Effective number of founders was 9.8 in the NS and 15.2 in the LH. More than 50% of the genetic diversity in the reference population was explained by two ancestors in the NS and five in the LH. Average inbreeding coefficients in the reference populations were 0.26 in the NS and 0.10 in the LH. Average kinships were 0.26 and 0.08 and realised effective population sizes 18 and 28, respectively. Failure to use available genetic resources for sustainable breeding has resulted in depletion of genetic variation in both breeds. To increase genetic variation, a larger proportion of the dogs should be used in reproduction and the contributions of reproducing animals should be equalized. In the LH, it is necessary to use the unregistered farm dogs in breeding. In the NS, crosses with another breed are needed.     

Genomic differentiation with isolation by distance along a latitudinal gradient in the spotted-leg treefrog Polypedates megacephalus

The patterns of isolation by distance (IBD) entailing increased genetic differentiation among populations have aroused extensive concerns for evolutionary biologists. Although the IBD may act on spatial processes contributing to the genetic differentiation among populations in anuran species, the factors shaping the IBD of frogs among populations in natural systems are largely unknown. Here, we studied the genetic differentiation among six populations with 24 individuals of the spotted-leg treefrog along a latitudinal gradient (1860.31 km) based on 1020 single nucleotide polymorphisms from restriction site-associated DNA sequencing. The results showed that the genetic diversity differed significantly among populations and that the insular populations had higher genetic diversity than the mainland populations. Furthermore, we also found a significant genetic differentiation among populations (F_ST = 0.277) and no sign of inbreeding (F_UNI = −0.145). The IBD was detected for all populations, and a higher degree of the IBD was indicated when controlling for the effects of the isolation between Hainan and mainland populations caused by the Qiongzhou Strait. Our findings suggest that the form of the Qiongzhou Strait plays a key role in shaping the genetic diversity and population differentiation in treefrogs.     

褐藻岩藻聚糖生物活性的研究进展

褐色海藻富含对人体有益的功能性多糖——硫酸化多糖。多年来,从褐色海藻中分离出的硫酸多糖在药物、保健品、化妆品和功能性食物等领域中具有广阔的应用前景。岩藻聚糖作为褐藻多糖中的一员,其复杂的生物特性已被证明具有开发和进行工业化生产的价值,从而获得对人体有益的成分。由于海藻多糖具有上述特性,故作者主要对从褐色海藻中分离出的岩藻聚糖(又叫多糖硫酸酯)的抗凝血、抗血栓、免疫调节、抗肿瘤等生物活性方面及其在工业生产中应用等方面进行了综述。     

Analysis of genetic diversity in Bolivian llama populations using microsatellites

South American camelids (SACs) have a major role in the maintenance and potential future of rural Andean human populations. More than 60% of the 3.7 million llamas living worldwide are found in Bolivia. Due to the lack of studies focusing on genetic diversity in Bolivian llamas, this analysis investigates both the genetic diversity and structure of 12 regional groups of llamas that span the greater part of the range of distribution for this species in Bolivia. The analysis of 42 microsatellite markers in the considered regional groups showed that, in general, there were high levels of polymorphism (a total of 506 detected alleles; average PIC across per marker: 0.66), which are comparable with those reported for other populations of domestic SACs. The estimated diversity parameters indicated that there was high intrapopulational genetic variation (average number of alleles and average expected heterozygosity per marker: 12.04 and 0.68, respectively) and weak genetic differentiation among populations (F_ST range: 0.003–0.052). In agreement with these estimates, Bolivian llamas showed a weak genetic structure and an intense gene flow between all the studied regional groups, which is due to the exchange of reproductive males between the different flocks. Interestingly, the groups for which the largest pairwise F_ST estimates were observed, Sud Lípez and Nor Lípez, showed a certain level of genetic differentiation that is probably due to the pattern of geographic isolation and limited communication infrastructures of these southern localities. Overall, the population parameters reported here may serve as a reference when establishing conservation policies that address Bolivian llama populations.     

The Standardization of an Apparatus for the Mixing of Soil Samples for Nematode Extractions

Quantitative determination of nematode populations in soils frequently necessitates the mixing of representative soil samples to form a homogeneous, compound sample from which the nematodes are extracted. A mixing apparatus was developed and standardized with the aid of a spectrophotometric technique by which the dispersion of a dye through the soil during mixing could be determined. It was found that the mixer is most suitable for use on sandy loam soils. Optimal mixing is obtained at a speed of 15 rpm for 2 minutes. Under these conditions mechanical damage to nematodes during mixing is minimal.     

野生动物种群格局分析方法

本文综述了几种种群格局分析方法，以苍鹭营巢的分布格局为例，探讨了这些方法在野生动物种群生态学上的应用，为研究野生动物种群的数量动态及其行为规律提供了理论基础。     

蒽酮-硫酸比色法测定天然鸽乳中可利用糖含量的研究

采用蒽酮-硫酸比色法测定玉米中的可利用糖含量以确定试验测定的最佳条件,并以此条件为对照测定天然鸽乳中可利用糖含量.玉米及天然鸽乳可利用糖溶液经乙醚去脂,高峰氏糖化酶水解,乙醇提取,饱和乙酸铅脱色后制得.结果表明,葡萄糖标准溶液的测定量在0.1～0.6 mg/mL的浓度范围内有良好的线性关系,其回归方程为y=1.6771x 0.0737,相关系数R=0.9987.测定不同的天然鸽乳样品,试验精密度高,重复性好,其可利用糖含量,0～3日龄天然鸽乳为7.45%～7.64%,4～6日龄天然鸽乳为32.08～60.28 %.     

Practical aspects of genetic management of small populations – The Olkuska sheep example

Abstract

The study aimed to identify important factors threatening genetic diversity within small sheep populations, and to propose sustainable management strategies. Demographic evolution, genetic diversity and current genetic management practices were analyzed in a population of Polish Olkuska sheep. Unbalanced contributions of individual rams to the next generation were observed due to differences in the period of their utilization, the number of progeny and the number of daughters used in reproduction. Matings between closely related animals were common. Pedigree completeness was satisfactory and inbreeding coefficient was high, 11.71% for lambs born in 2012. Relatively high values of potential and realized coancestries within flocks showed the importance of keeping more than one ram. The genetic conservation index and average relatedness coefficient, and their comparison between regions was helpful in considering management options. The information on genetic relationships and genetic conservation parameters of rams should be provided to breeders with simple interpretations.     

Genetic diversity decreases as population density declines: Implications of temporal variation in mitochondrial haplotype frequencies in a natural population of Tscherskia triton

Although the spatial genetic differentiation that occurs in animal populations has been extensively studied, information on temporal variations in genetic structure and diversity is still lacking, especially for animals with oscillating populations. In the present study, we used the mtDNA D‐loop sequence to assess the temporal genetic variation in samples from six successive years for the greater long‐tailed hamster, Tscherskia triton. Sampling was carried out between 1998 and 2003 in cropland on the North China Plain, China. A total of 108 individuals were analyzed. The temporal samples showed a high level of genetic diversity. Substantial genetic changes in haplotype frequencies over time were detected for the hamster population. Random genetic drift and migration are likely to be the major factors responsible for the observed temporal pattern. The genetic diversity of the hamster population was higher in years with higher population density, and lower in years with lower population density. The result supports our hypothesis that genetic diversity decreases when population density declines in animals whose population oscillates greatly between years. The combined effects of inbreeding and genetic drift caused by reproduction, dispersal and population size might play important roles in the observed changes in genetic structure and diversity between years.