Body shape variation in two species of darters (Etheostoma,Percidae) and its relation to the environment

Environmental variation can shape phenotypic variation in organisms, but most evidence for trait differentiation comes from analyses of dichotomous habitat types that differ in only one or few key environmental factors. In reality, environmental variation is often more subtle, gradual and multifarious. Here, we investigated geographic variation in body shape of two darter species (Etheostoma spectabile and Etheostoma flabellare; Percidae) that occur along river gradients. This study addressed three specific questions: Is there intraspecific geographic variation in the two species across different sites in the Ozark Highlands of Oklahoma (USA)? Is phenotypic variation across sites correlated with abiotic environmental conditions? Do the two species share site‐specific (i.e. convergent) phenotypic variation in areas where they occur together? Our results indicated significant body shape variation in both species. Population differences in body shape were particularly correlated with variation in substrate composition. The combined analysis of both species indicated a small but significant effect of convergence on body shape wherever they are sympatric; shared variation, however, was not related to any environmental variables included in the analysis. While it remains unclear whether phenotypic variation in these species is due to heritable differentiation or environmentally induced plasticity, our results indicate that even subtle and gradual environmental variation can induce substantial variation in phenotypes on a relatively small spatial scale.     

Real-time spectral classification of compression wood inPicea abies

Compression wood is formed by the living tree to compensate for external loads. It creates wood fibers with properties undesirable in sawn products. Automatic detection of compression wood can lead to production advantages. A wood surface was scanned with a spectrometer, and compression wood was detected by analyzing the spectral composition of light reflected from the wood surface within the visible spectrum. Linear prediction models for compression wood in Norway spruce (Picea abies) were produced using multivariate analysis and regression methods. The resulting prediction coefficients were implemented in a scanning system using the MAPP2200 smart image sensor combined with an imaging spectrograph. This scanning system is capable of making a pixelwise classification of a wood surface in real time. Classification of one spruce plank was compared with analysis by scanning electron microscopy, showing that the automatic classification was correct in 11 of 14 cases.     

不同饵料及养殖环境对大黄鱼(Larimichthys crocea)形态差异的影响

本研究通过采集不同环境和不同饲料养殖的岱衢洋大黄鱼(Larimichthys crocea)形态数据,利用聚类分析、主成分分析以及判别分析对3组大黄鱼形态差异进行分析。结果显示,不同环境对大黄鱼体高、尾长存在显著影响,而不同饲料对大黄鱼体高、尾高、尾长、体厚存在显著影响,同时对D3–4、D3–6、D4–6、D5–6框架形态存在显著影响,差异主要集中于躯干前部。表明不同环境下大黄鱼形态变化可能与流速适应相关,而饵料对体型的影响可能是因为营养组成及物质积累的不同。聚类分析显示,配合饲料组与深水网箱组形态更接近,而与冰鲜饲料相距较远。通过主成分分析提取3个主成分,其中配合饲料组与深水网箱组在主成分1上相近,但在主成分3上存在差异,而冰鲜饲料组在各主成分上均离散,表明小网箱冰鲜饲料养殖大黄鱼形态分离较大,体型一致性低。利用判别分析,构建3种条件下大黄鱼体型判别函数,经交互验证,判别函数与预期无显著差异,可用于不同养殖模式大黄鱼的形态判别。本研究初步表明,通过改变养殖环境水流、养殖空间大小、饲料可在一定程度实现养殖大黄鱼形态改良。     

Hybridization and invasive species in a threatened freshwater fish community under environmental pressures: Morphometric and molecular evidence

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Phenotypic effects of antibiotic‐induced axenity and egg disinfection in early larval European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.)

In the present study, the hypothesis that the difference in axenic conditions in the incubation and rearing environment of European seabass larvae induces size and shape effects on the specimens is tested. This difference is studied between xenic and axenic seabass larvae of DAH (day after hatching) 0, 5, 11 and 15. The axenic rearing protocol involves an egg disinfection with glutaraldehyde after the primary one with iodine in the hatchery, and the hypothesis that this secondary disinfection induces size and shape effects is also tested. In order to accomplish this, three egg and larvae treatments are included: “DA” (disinfected axenic), “DX” (disinfected xenic) and “NX” (nondisinfected xenic). Regarding the effect of antibiotic‐induced axenity, DA larvae exhibited larger bodies than both DX and NX on DAH 5 and 11. They also had a smaller yolk sac than DX at hatching, but consumed it slower. Towards the end of the experiment, DA larvae were thicker, but slightly more curved than DX and NX, which may be an abnormal shape, or a slightly more advanced ontogenetic stage. As far as egg disinfection, it had significant but very moderate shape effects on DAH 5 and 11, and disinfected larvae consumed their yolk sac faster. To the best of our knowledge, this study is one of the first to illustrate the subtle but significant size and shape effects caused by antibiotic‐induced axenity and secondary egg disinfection in the early larval stages, which suggest the existence of bacterial mechanisms that play a phenotypic role.     

From the micro-scale to the habitat: Assessment of soil bacterial community structure as shown by soil structure directed sampling

Natural structural units of a luvisol under maize crop were studied to assess if soil structure directed sampling could improve the understanding of arrangements of bacteria in spatially constraint location. Three habitats were defined: (i) soil around fine lateral roots (rhizo-aggregates), (ii) soil close to basal roots (core clods) and (iii) unplanted soil between rows (bare soil clods). These habitats were also investigated with maize plants resulting from Azospirillum lipoferum CRT1 inoculated seeds as a model of enhanced fine root system. Rhizo-aggregates were clearly separated from each other (disconnected habitat) in contrast to micro-samples (fragments) from clods, which belong to cohesive macro-structures. Genetic fingerprints on metagenomic extracts were used to characterize the structure of bacterial communities on 95 micro-samples from the three habitats. For eubacteria, automated RISA (Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis) of ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) profiles were performed. PCR-RFLP on nifH gene were used to describe the N-fixer guilds. Exploratory multivariate analyses (PCA and MDS) revealed bacterial community patterns in the sampled habitats. On the basis of ITS profiles, rhizo-aggregates harboured closely related communities, distant from those of the unplanted soil, and each sampled rhizo-aggregate could therefore be considered as a sub-unit of the whole macro-habitat, comprising all the fine roots. The observed low dissimilarity of disconnected rhizo-aggregates is likely to result from the direct influence of maize root tips on the recruitment of rhizosphere bacteria. Molecular fingerprints of nifH from basal root clods (core) were more similar to bare soil than to rhizo-aggregates, indicating similar ecological conditions without, or with, at least, poor maize exudating root influence. Although our study was performed on a limited number of situations, the distribution of bacteria was revealed to be patterned by soil structure units, which is a first step to improve the modelling of microbial ecology in soils.     

Downy mildew resistance in opium poppy: resistance sources,inheritance pattern,genetic variability and strategies for crop improvement

Downy mildew (DM) caused by Peronospora arborescens is the most destructive disease of opium poppy which assumes considerable importance in India and other poppy growing countries. The present study was aimed at identification and evaluation of stable resistance sources of DM in opium poppy. Furthermore, genetic variability and inheritance pattern of DM resistance has also been studied which can help in making strategy for crop improvement. Evaluation of 35 selected germplasm accessions of opium poppy under glasshouse and field conditions during the three consecutive years (2004–2005 to 2006–2007) resulted in identification of two genotypes (I-14 and Pps-1) as highly resistant and stable sources for DM resistance. Genetic studies of DM resistance revealed polygenic control with the dominance of susceptibility over resistance. Significant reciprocal differences were found largely due to maternal transmission of DM resistance indicating the involvement of cytoplasmic genes in addition to nuclear control. Analysis of genetic variability and selection parameters indicated predominance of additive effects for DM resistance and other yield contributing traits. Multivariate analysis resulted in classification of 35 selected accessions into 11 different clusters revealing very high level of diversity among the genotypes. Cluster analysis suggested that hybridization program involving genotypes from cluster V (which included highly resistant genotypes Pps-1 and I-14) and cluster IX (which included highly susceptible Jawahar-16 having good economically important traits like seed yield) could be expected to give best recombinants for improvement in terms of DM resistance and high seed and straw yield in opium poppy. Analysis of selection parameters like heritability and genetic advance also suggested that simple selection methods will be effective in stabilizing resistance traits following hybridization with high yielding genotypes.     

Estimation of phenotypic divergence in a collection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum</Emphasis> species for yield-related traits

Phenotypic divergence among the 24 accessions belonging to a collection of six species of Capsicum from different geoclimatic regions available in field gene bank of CIMAP, Lucknow, India, was quantified by multivariate analysis for 12 quantitative and qualitative traits. Based on their values, all 24 accessions were grouped into six clusters such that the genetic stocks within cluster had smaller D ² values among themselves than those belonging to different clusters. The accessions of Capsicum annuum were distributed in different clusters in morphotyping representing different species, suggesting that taxonomic characteristics are not always related to agronomic traits. No parallelism/association was found between geographical and phenotypic diversity. Accessions 15 and 23 (clusters V and VI, respectively) had distinct identity. The three characteristics that played the greatest role in differentiation were fruit diameter, number of fruits per plant, and leaf diameter, which can be utilized as conventional/morphological markers for the improvement of chilli yield and obtaining good segregants in chilli breeding programs.     

Effects of Reduced Carbonate Saturation State on Early Development in the Common Edible Sea Urchin Lytechinus variegatus: Implications for Land-Based Aquaculture

Land-based aquaculture facilities often utilize additional bicarbonate sources such as commercial sea salts that are designed to boost alkalinity in order to buffer seawater against reductions in pH. Despite these preventative measures, many facilities are likely to face occasional reductions in pH and corresponding reductions in carbonate saturation states due to the accumulation of metabolic waste products. We investigated the impact of reduced carbonate saturation states (Ω_Ca, Ω_Ar) on embryonic developmental rates, larval developmental rates, and echinoplutei skeletal morphometrics in the common edible sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus under high alkalinity conditions. Commercial artificial seawater was bubbled with a mixture of air and CO₂ gas to reduce the carbonate saturation state. Rates of embryonic and larval development were significantly delayed in both the low and extreme low carbonate saturation state groups relative to the control at a given time. Although symmetry of overall skeletal body lengths was not affected, allometric relationships were significantly different between treatment groups. Larvae reared under ambient conditions had significantly greater postoral arm and overall body lengths relative to body lengths than larvae grown under extreme low carbonate saturation state conditions, indicating that extreme changes in the carbonate system affected not only developmental rates but also larval skeletal shape. Reduced rates of embryonic development and delayed and altered larval skeletal growth are likely to negatively impact larval culturing of L. variegatus in land-based, intensive culture situations where calcite and aragonite saturation states are lowered by the accumulation of metabolic waste products.