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Inheritance of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD-PCR) markers and their use in population genetic studies of Calomys musculinus (Rodentia, Muridae), the reservoir of Argentine hemorrhagic fever.

In order to assess the reliability of RAPD markers in the estimation of the genetic structure of natural populations of the murid rodent Calomys musculinus (reservoir of Junin virus, ethiological agent of Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever), we have analyzed the heritability of RAPD bands in 10 parents and their offspring (33 individuals). Fourteen out of a total of 119 bands obtained were absent in the parental patterns, but consistently amplified in offspring from some families. These bands can be eliminated from analyses. Overall degree of band sharing between individuals, including non-parental bands, correctly grouped members of a family in the same cluster in a UPGMA tree, with a high bootstrap percentage. Results support the usefulness of RAPDs as hereditable markers. One hundred polymorphic RAPD loci were identified in three natural populations of C. musculinus. Mean expected heterozygosity in three natural populations ranged from 0.206 to 0.220. Allele frequency based and phenotype based measures of genetic differentiation among natural populations of C. musculinus gave similar results (Weir and Cockerham's theta = 0.133; Excoffier et al.'s phi = 0.127). These values were considerably higher than those found previously using allozymes as genetic markers, and are compatible with moderate to low levels of gene flow among populations.

Alleles↗

Karyotype evolution in South American subterranean rodents Ctenomys magellanicus (Rodentia: Octodontidae): chromosome rearrangements and (TTAGGG)n telomeric sequence localization in 2n=34 and 2n=36 chromosomal forms.

Ctenomys is the most numerous genus of South American subterranean rodents and one of the most karyotypically diverse clades of mammals known. Ctenomys magellanicus is the southernmost species of the group and the only one living in Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego (Argentina). This species presents two chromosomal forms, i.e. 2n=34, and 2n=36 (FN=68). Recent studies suggest that genetic divergence between both karyotypic forms resulted from a chromosomal speciation process. In order to identify the chromosomal rearrangement involved in the process of karyotype evolution in this species, we used chromosome banding techniques and fluorescence in situ hybridization with a telomeric probe to metaphase chromosomes of the two chromosomal forms of Ctenomys magellanicus. Chromosome analysis of Giemsa-stained and G-banding preparations showed that Cm34 and Cm36 karyotypes differ in one rearrangement involving chromosomes A9 from Cm34 and B12 and B17 from Cm36. In addition FISH analysis showed that all of the chromosomes from both chromosomal forms exhibit a telomeric-only distribution pattern of the (TTAGGG)n sequence, indicating that none of the chromosomal forms of Ctenomys magellanicus has true telocentric chromosomes. Our results suggest that a chromosome fission event would have occurred during the process of karyotype evolution in this species.

Animals↗

Autosomal rearrangements in Graomys griseoflavus (Rodentia): a model of non-random Robertsonian divergence.

The south American rodent Graomys griseoflavus exhibits a remarkable chromosome polymorphism as a consequence of four Robertsonian fusions. Focusing on the genetic analysis of the taxon, genome organization of all karyomorphs was studied at chromosome and molecular organization level. Cytogenetic (G, NOR and Re banding) and molecular (satellite and mitochondrial DNAs) events accompanying chromosome divergence allowed tracing a phylogenetic relationship among all karyomorphs. Available data led to propose that chromosome evolution of G. griseoflavus occurred in a non-random sequence of centric fusions, supporting the hypothesis of single origin for Robertsonian karyomorphs.

Animals↗

Molecular and karyologic variation in the genus Isothrix (Rodentia, Echimyidae).

Phylogenetic relationships among available samples of the genus Isothrix using mitocondrial gene cytochrome b were carried out and a new karyotype of Isothrix specimens referred to Isothrix negrensis from the mid course of Rio Negro, in the Brazilian Amazon, was described. Molecular, karyological and morphological data of Isothrix negrensis was compared to that of I. bistriata and I. pagurus. Cytochrome b DNA sequence analyses clearly separate I. negrensis from I. bistriata and genetic distances estimates between then are greater than between species of the related genus Mesomys. The median-joining analysis postulated the presence of two median vectors between I. bistriata haplotypes from adjacent localities, suggesting that genetic isolation between them is unrelated to geographic distance. These results confirm previous molecular differences suggesting that I.bistriata is a composite of several taxa. The karyotype of Isothrix negrensis also differs from those reported for I. bistriata and I. pagurus. In relation to the external morphology I. negrensis differs from I. bistriata by the overall darker dorsal coloration, head darker than dorsum, presence of a longitudinal line of blackish hairs in the proximal part of the tail extending until near to its base, dorsal surface of hind feet covered with yellowish hairs and stripe of light hairs in the head reduced to a small patch.

Animals↗

Genetic and demographic structure in a population of Ctenomys lami (Rodentia-Ctenomyidae).

The variability at eight microsatellite loci was analyzed in 88 individuals of Ctenomys lami, a species of tuco-tucos. Initially considered as three subpopulations, the estimated Fst values ranged from 0.0007 to 0.0589. Additionally, a Bayesian approach presented probabilities of 0.9933 for the existence of only one population. A Fis value of 0.19 could indicate an incipient structure. Sexual dimorphism was observed. The reproductive period was short and a seasonal pattern was observed with sex ratio of 1:1 during all seasons. Presence of recent bottleneck is described suggesting further research in this population to assess more complete and detailed data.

Age Distribution↗

Synaptic behaviour and morphological modifications of the X and Y chromosomes during pachytene in three species of Ctenomys (Rodentia, Caviomorpha, Ctenomyidae).

Synaptic behaviour and the progression of morphological differentiation of the XY chromosome pair during pachytene was studied for the first time in three species of the South American subterranean rodents of the genus Ctenomys (tuco-tucos). In general, synapsis progression in the sex pair could be subdivided into four substages: (i) initial partial synapsis of the X and Y chromosome axes and beginning of the differentiation of the unsynapsed regions; (ii) complete or almost complete synapsis of the Y axis accompanied with morphological differentiation of the unsynapsed region of the X chromosome; (iii) a novel stage exclusive to Ctenomys perrensi consisting in a retraction of the free X axis, associated with the formation of a homogeneous and dense structure along the synaptic region, which leads to the achievement of full synapsis between sex chromosomes; or (iv) an increase in morphological complexity involving extreme splitting of the XY pair. The implications of the peculiar synaptic behaviour displayed by sex chromosomes in C. perrensi, a species complex highly polymorphic for Robertsonian translocations, are discussed in relation to both the triggering of the pachytene checkpoint and the avoidance of non-homologous associations between sex chromosomes and the asynaptic pericentromeric regions of trivalents in translocation heterozygotes.

Animals↗

A new karyological variant of Oecomys (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae) and its phylogenetic relationship based on molecular data.

A new karyological variant of the Sigmodontinae genus Oecomys was detected in specimens from Brazilian Pantanal. Karyologic analyses showed 2n = 72 and FN = 90, which differs from all known chromosomal complements of the genus. This new karyomorph showed distinctive morphological attributes and could not be attributed to any described Oecomys species. Molecular analysis using cytochrome-b sequence data suggested the monophyly of Oecomys. Maximum-likelihood analyses placed the Oecomys sp. haplotype clade as the sister branch to Oecomys bicolor, whereas maximum-parsimony analyses did not resolve its relationship with the other Oecomys species. Kimura's two parameters distance estimates between this and other Oecomys species are high, and active gene flow has been found not to coexist with these divergence estimates.

Animals↗

Conservative genome size and rapid chromosomal evolution in the South American tuco-tucos (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae).

Genome size (the amount of DNA per cell) was measured by flow-cytometric analysis in seven species of a chromosomally variable rodent genus: Ctenomys boliviensis, C. conoveri, C. frater, C. leucodon, C. lewisi, C. opimus, and C. steinbachi. The mean genome size of these species was 7.19 pg DNA and little inter- and intra-specific variation was observed. Genome size was not correlated with diploid number, suggesting that chromosomal evolution at this level is independent of total DNA content. A hypothetical taxonomic unit optimization procedure was carried out using genome size change on a Wagner tree derived from allozyme data. Allozyme evolution and genome size change are linked by a weak, but significant, negative correlation suggestive of preferential genic evolution in the absence of genome size evolution.

Animals↗

Free-running rhythms and light- and dark-pulse phase response curves for diurnal Octodon degus (Rodentia).

Only rarely have precise, short-duration light pulses been used to generate phase response curves (PRCs) in diurnal mammals as done for nocturnal mammals, and a dark-pulse PRC has never been generated for a diurnal mammal. In addition, the relationship between free-running rhythms in different light intensities and PRCs has not been explored in diurnal mammals. We examined these relationships in Octodon degus, a diurnal hystricomorph rodent. Male degus lengthened the circadian period (tau) and duration of daily activity (alpha) after an increase in light intensity from 0 (DD) to 250 lx, and tau was furthered lengthened when light intensity increased from 580 to 5,800 lx. To generate a light-pulse PRC, degus were housed in DD and exposed to 20-min light pulses (250 lx) and phase shifts recorded across the circadian day. Two different PRCs were generated in response to 20-min light pulses. The majority of animals produced significant phase delays between circadian time (CT) 0 and CT 6, phase advances between CT 13 and CT 22, and a nonsignificant response period between CT 8 and CT 13. Two animals produced a PRC devoid of significant phase delays, producing only significant phase advances between CT 17 and CT 24. To generate a dark-pulse PRC, animals were moved to LL (580 lx) and exposed to 1-h dark pulses. After dark pulses degus produced significant phase delays between CT 20 and CT 8, advances from CT 10 to CT 17, and nonsignificant responses between CT 18 and CT 20. This is the first report of a PRC to dark-pulse stimuli for a diurnal mammal. Thus light- and dark-pulse PRCs can be generated in a comparable way to those of nocturnal rodents, and we conclude that nocturnal and diurnal rodents use similar photic signals to produce somewhat different PRCs.

Activity Cycles↗

Molecular analysis of populations of Ctenomys (Caviomorpha, Rodentia) with high karyotypic variability.

The tuco-tucos (Ctenomys) are South American subterranean rodents that are some of the most chromosomally variable of all mammals. In this study we focus on Ctenomys of the "Corrientes species group" from that Argentine province and consisting of C. dorbignyi, C. perrensi, C. roigi and unnamed populations (Ctenomys sp.). A diploid range of 41-70 has been demonstrated for these taxa with multiple Robertsonian changes, pericentric inversions, heterochromatic modifications and other chromosomal rearrangements. To analyse the molecular variation in the Corrientes group, a 402 base pair fragment of mitochondrial cytochrome b was sequenced in 75 individuals from 26 populations. This generated 15 different haplotypes which were subjected to phylogenetic analysis. The different species within the Corrientes group failed to form monophyletic groups in the phylogenetic trees we generated and the divergences between haplotypes were low. Therefore, these molecular data demonstrate the recent subdivision of the Corrientes group with a substantial accumulation of chromosomal differences. Through our new chromosomal data and cytochrome b studies, we are able to subdivide the Ctenomys sp. populations into two groups and hypothesize on their relationships with the described Corrientes group species. Further studies are needed to establish the basis of the phenomenal chromosomal variation in this group.

Animals↗

Karyologic evidence of diversification of the genus Thrichomys (Rodentia, Echimyidae).

Karyologic analysis of Thrichomys specimens from different Brazilian localities, in Pantanal, Cerrado and Caatinga biomes, shows different chromosome complements. The 2n = 34, FN = 64 karyotype is found in Mato Grosso do Sul state; the 2n = 30, FN = 54 karyotype in Bahia, Pernambuco, Piauí and Ceará states; the 2n = 30, FN = 56 karyotype in Goiás and Tocantins states, the 2n = 28, FN = 50 karyotype in Minas Gerais state, the 2n = 28, FN = 52 and 2n = 26, FN = 48 karyotypes in Bahia state. Comparisons of G-band patterns allowed the identification of homologies shared by all karyotypes and show that the two karyotypes with the lowest diploid number (2n = 26 and 2n = 28) belong to two different evolutionary lineages. The most proper names for each karyomorphic population are: Thrichomys pachyurus for 2n = 34; Thrichomys apereoides apereoides for 2n = 28, FN = 50; Thrichomys apereoides laurentius for 2n = 30, FN = 54 and Thrichomys inermis for 2n = 26. Two karyotypes (2n = 28, FN = 52 and 2n = 30, FN = 56) could not be attributed to any subspecies. These different karyomorphotypes are allopatric and/or parapatric.

Animals↗