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.     

天山北坡不同区域及海拔对天然草地鸭茅群落物种种间关系影响

以天山北坡不同区域与海拔地段鸭茅群落主要物种为研究对象,采用邻接格子样方法测定鸭茅群落物种优势度,通过方差比率计算、χ²检验、联结指数即秩相关分析种间联结性,分析鸭茅群落主要优势物种在群落中的分布及优势物种鸭茅与其他物种之间的关系,探讨区域与海拔梯度变化对鸭茅群落物稳定性的影响。结果表明,1)东、西两段山地鸭茅群落主要物种种间联结性在海拔1800~2200 m间呈现出由正关联逐渐向负关联过渡,群落稳定性有随海拔升高呈逐渐减弱趋势。2)联结系数及联结指数结果均说明不同区域与海拔梯度对的鸭茅群落物种间的联结程度有一定影响,但均表现不强,而处于弱联结的较多或无联结,群落中各物种间较松散。3)鸭茅种群与群落内其他种之间的相关性有时呈正联结,有时呈负联结,这与区域与海拔地段所处的环境因素存在异质性有关。研究结果为揭示影响鸭茅群落物稳定性因素,预测鸭茅种群动态和种间竞争与共存机制提供重要的理论依据。     

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。     

鸡痘病毒通用高效表达载体的构建及其初步应用

利用分子克隆技术对本室构建的高效鸡痘病毒表达载体 p1 1 S进行改造 ,在其人工合成禽痘病毒 ( FPV)强启动子 Ps的下游引入含 7个单一酶切位点的多克隆位点 ( MCS) ,构建了便于外源基因插入的通用性更强的高效单表达载体 p N1 1 S。然后将 FPV早晚期启动子 PE/ L 及其启动的鹅源新城疫病毒 NDV ZJ1株的 F基因一并插入 p N1 1 S中 ,使PE/ L 与 Ps反向串联 ,从而构建出 1个含 NDV ZJ1株 F基因的重组 FPV高效双表达载体 p N1 1 SEF,其 MCS可以用于插入其他外源基因。在此基础上 ,将 NDV ZJ1株的 HN基因插入 p N1 1 SEF的 Ps启动子下游的 MCS中 ,构建了共表达 NDV ZJ1株 F和 HN基因的重组 FPV双表达载体 p N1 1 SEFHN。将 p H1 1 SEFHN质粒 DNA与 FPV2 82 E4株共转染 CEF,得到共表达 NDV ZJ1株和 HN基因的重组 FPV,间接免疫荧光实验初步证明外源基因得到了较好的表达。表明所构建的通用高效 FPV表达载体有利于高效基因工程活载体疫苗的研制 ,具有广阔的应用前景     

温度和食物对褶皱臂尾轮虫种群增长及繁殖的影响

本试验设3个温度（20、25和30℃）和3个食物浓度（1×106、10×106和20×106 cells/mL）,研究不同温度和不同食物浓度对褶皱臂尾轮虫种群增长及繁殖的影响。试验期为10 d。结果表明,最大种群密度均随温度和食物浓度的升高而先增加后减少。温度为25℃食物浓度为10×106 cells/mL时,最大种群密度为74.39±1.81 ind/mL,与其他组比差异显著（P〈0.05）。随温度升高,轮虫的最大种群密度高峰值出现的时间也呈现逐渐前移的趋势,最大种群增长率则随温度和食物浓度的增加而升高。温度30℃食物20×106 cells/mL时,最大种群增长率为0.70±0.013,与其他组比差异显著（P〈0.05）。食物浓度对轮虫的怀卵率有显著影响,在同一温度下最大怀卵率随食物浓度的升高而增大,食物为20×106 cells/mL的最大怀卵率为56.43±1.07%,与其他浓度组比差异显著（P〈0.05）。在本试验条件下,温度和食物对褶皱臂尾轮虫的种群增长及繁殖均有显著影响。温度25℃食物浓度10×106 cells/mL为培养条件的最优组合。     

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.