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A soluble class I molecule analogous to mouse Q10 in the horse and related species.

Horse serum is shown to contain a soluble class I molecule analogous to the secreted Q10 molecule in the mouse. This molecule has several similarities to the recently described mouse Q10 molecule: it is smaller than membrane-bound equine class I molecules; it occurs in a high molecular mass complex of 200-300 kd in serum; and the serum levels of the equine molecule are similar to that of the Q10 molecule (about 30 micrograms/ml). A soluble molecule is also detected in the sera of species related to the horse; it has in fact been found in all the wild members of the order Perissodactyla so far tested. However, it was not detected in the serum of members of the orders Carnivora, Sirenia, Proboscidea, Artiodactyla, and Primates that were tested, nor in the serum of members of the order Rodentia other than in that of the genus Mus.

Animals↗

Evidence for the presence of alpha 1B-glycoprotein in mammalian sera: immunoblotting studies.

1. A monospecific antiserum to pig alpha 1B-glycoprotein (PO2) was produced in rabbits and was used to search for homologues of alpha 1B in sera of 41 mammalian species belonging to seven orders. 2. Specific reactions were detected in the sera of representatives of Insectivora, Primates, Carnivora, Proboscidea, Perissodactyla and Artiodactyla. No cross-reactions were observed in the sera of two species of Rodentia (mouse, rat). 3. Cross-reactions in the sera of Erinaceus europaeus, Homo sapiens and Macaca mulatta were rather weak; this indicates a greater structural difference between the alpha 1 B of Insectivora and Primates and that of the other mammalian orders. 4. Electrophoretic patterns of alpha 1 B were, in most cases, heterogeneous, the most heterogeneous being in ruminants. 5. Evidence was obtained that the alpha 1 B of sheep is identical with the earlier described (Juneja and Gahne (1980) Anim. Blood Grps Biochem. Genet. 11, 81-92.) polymorphic post-transferrin (Ptf).

Animals↗

Elevated free tyrosine in rhinoceros erythrocytes.

Red blood cells of African black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis) are highly sensitive to oxidant-induced hemolysis and they possess a number of enzymatic and biochemical features that differ radically from other mammals. Here we show concentrations of free tyrosine in rhinoceros red blood cells which can approach levels as high as 1 mM, 50-fold higher than in human red blood cells. Elevated levels of tyrosine are also observed in red blood cells of other members of the order Perissodactyla such as the horse and zebra. Captive black rhinoceroses have significantly lower levels of red blood cell tyrosine than black rhinoceroses in the wild. Tyrosine transport studies indicate that black rhinoceros red blood cells have lost the ability to transport tyrosine as efficiently as human red blood cells.

Animals↗

A survey for Cryptosporidium spp. in mammals at the Barcelona Zoo.

Mammals housed at the Barcelona Zoo belonging to the orders Carnivora, Artiodactyla, Perissodactyla and Proboscidea were examined for Cryptosporidium infections. A total of 183 fecal samples from 17 carnivores and 34 herbivores revealed patent infections in only 6 herbivore species (5 artiodactyls of the families Bovidae and Giraffidae and 1 perissodactyl of the family Rhinocerotidae); all carnivores were negative. Intensity of infection was found to be generally low. Connochaetes taurinus taurinus, Gazella dorcas neglecta, Kobus ellipsiprymmus and Giraffa camelopardalis constitute new host species for the parasite.

Animals↗

Characterization and phylogenetic significance of rhinoceros luteinizing hormone beta (LHbeta) subunit messenger RNA structure, complementary DNA sequence and gene copy number.

The luteinizing hormone (LH) beta subunit gene is expressed in the pituitary glands of all mammals, whereas the closely related chorionic gonadotropin (CG) beta subunit genes have been identified only in primates and equids, and are expressed in placenta. In the case of horses, there is a single-copy equine (e) luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin hormone beta subunit gene (eLH/CGbeta) that (1) is expressed in both pituitary gland and placenta, (2) encodes a characteristic carboxyl terminal peptide (CTP) extension, and (3) transcribes an atypically elongated 5'-untranslated region (UTR) in both pituitary and placenta. However, it is not known whether similar expression patterns and gene locus characteristics may be exhibited by other members of the order Perissodactyla (equid, rhinoceros and tapir species). To begin to investigate these possibilities, we undertook analysis of the rhinoceros (rn or rhino) LH/(CG?)beta gene locus and the rnLHbeta cDNA. Total RNA isolated from the pituitary gland of a female white rhino was used as template for amplifying rnLHbeta cDNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Following cloning of the amplified cDNA, nucleotide (nt) and deduced amino acid sequences were determined. The first in-frame stop codon occurred at codon position +122, suggesting that the rnLHbeta subunit does not contain a CTP. To assess gene copy number, Southern blot analysis of Indian rhino genomic DNA was performed. The resulting simple hybridization pattern indicated that, as in the horse and donkey, there is a single-copy gene at the rnLH/(CG?)beta gene locus. Primer extension mapping of the pituitary transcriptional start site of the rnLHbeta subunit gene revealed an 8 nt 5'-UTR which is similar to that reported for the majority of mammalian LHbeta transcripts. Northern analysis was consistent with the transcriptional start site findings. We postulate from these data that rhinos diverged from equids prior to the occurrence of the mutations causing CTP expression and adoption of a non-consensus 5'-UTR/proximal promoter region. However, these findings do not rule out the possibility of expression of a placental CGbeta subunit lacking a CTP in rhinos.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Morphology of the intestinal tract in the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum).

The intestinal tract of the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simun) was dissected. We observed a simple structure for the small intestine, duodenum, jejunum and ileum, and a well-developed large intestine, cecum, colon and rectus. The cecum consisted of a small chamber, whereas the colon was much enlarged; notably larger than that of the domesticated horse, which belongs to the same order, Perissodactyla. This suggests that in the white rhinoceros the cecum may be functionally replaced by the well-developed colon which may act as the main fermentation tank in this animal.

Animals↗

Mammalian dispersal at the Paleocene/Eocene boundary.

A profound faunal reorganization occurred near the Paleocene/Eocene boundary, when several groups of mammals abruptly appeared on the Holarctic continents. To test the hypothesis that this event featured the dispersal of groups from Asia to North America and Europe, we used isotope stratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy, and quantitative biochronology to constrain the relative age of important Asian faunas. The extinct family Hyaenodontidae appeared in Asia before it did so in North America, and the modern orders Primates, Artiodactyla, and Perissodactyla first appeared in Asia at or before the Paleocene/Eocene boundary. These results are consistent with Asia being a center for early mammalian origination.

Animals↗

Molar tooth diversity, disparity, and ecology in Cenozoic ungulate radiations.

A classic example of adaptive radiation is the diversification of Cenozoic ungulates into herbivore adaptive zones. Their taxonomic diversification has been associated with changes in molar tooth morphology. Analysis of molar crown types of the Artiodactyla, Perissodactyla, and archaic ungulates ("Condylarthra") shows that the diversity of genera and crown types was high in the Eocene. Post-Eocene molars of intermediate crown types are rare, and thus the ungulate fauna contained more taxa having fewer but more disparate crown types. Taxonomic diversity trends alone give incomplete descriptions of adaptive radiations.

Animals↗

Model dependence of the phylogenetic inference: relationship among carnivores, Perissodactyls and cetartiodactyls as inferred from mitochondrial genome sequences.

Some previous analysis of mitochondrial proteins strongly support the Carnivora/Perissodactyla grouping excluding Cetartiodactyla (Artiodactyla + Cetacea) as an outgroup, but the support of the hypothesis remains equivocal from the analysis of several nuclear-encoded proteins. In order to evaluate the strength of the support by mitochondrial proteins, phylogenetic relationship among Carnivora, Perissodactyla, and Cetartiodactyla was estimated with the ML method by using the updated data set of the 12 mitochondrial proteins with several alternative models. The analyses demonstrate that the phylogenetic inference depends on the model used in the ML analysis; i.e., whether the site-heterogeneity is taken into account and whether the rate parameters are estimated for each individual proteins or for the concatenated sequences. Although the analysis of concatenated sequences strongly supports the Carnivora/Perissodactyla grouping, the total evaluation of the separate analyses of individual proteins, which approximates the data better than the concatenated analysis, gives only ambiguous results, and therefore it is concluded that more data are needed to resolve this trichotomy.

Animals↗

Antibody to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in wild mammals from southern Africa.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus is becoming increasingly recognized as an important human pathogen in southern Africa. In order to determine the role of wild mammals in the natural ecology of the virus, sera from 3,772 wild mammals of 87 species and from 1,978 domestic dogs collected in South Africa and Zimbabwe between 1964 and 1985 were tested for antibody to CCHF virus by reversed passive hemagglutination inhibition (RPHI) and by indirect immunofluorescence (IF). Antibody was found to be highly prevalent in large mammals in the Orders Artiodactyla and Perissodactyla such as giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis (3/3 positive), rhinoceros, Ceratotherium simium and Diceros bicornis (7/13), eland, Taurotragus oryx (59/127), buffalo, Syncerus caffer (56/287), kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros (17/78), and zebra, Equus burchelli (16/93). In small mammals antibody was found in the sera of 40/293 hares, 22/1,305 rodents, and 1/74 wild carnivores, but not in 522 primates, 176 insectivores, or 19 hyrax. Antibody was also found in the sera of 118/1,978 domestic dogs. The species of wild mammal in which antibody was distributed (with highest antibody prevalence in hares and large herbivores) reflects the feeding preference of immature and adult ticks of the genus Hyalomma, suggesting that Hyalomma sp. are the principal CCHF vectors in the wild.

Animals↗

Comparative aspects of mammalian spermiogenesis.

The testes of some different orders of eutherian mammals were examined by conventional electron microscopy with respect to their pattern of spermiogenesis. In addition, some of the testes were studied by cytochemical methods for demonstration of certain nuclear proteins and of glycoproteins in the acrosome and the plasma membrane of spermatids. It was found that although the basic pattern of spermiogenesis was similar in all species studied, there were pronounced dissimilarities in the final shape of the spermatids. Differences were also observed in the timing of the differentiation of several organelles. The head of late spermatids and spermatozoa of Primates, Carnivora and Perissodactyla was cone-shaped, whereas in Artiodactyla and Lagomorpha it was flattened or paddle-shaped, and in Rodentia hook-shaped. The size and shape of the acrosome varied considerably between the orders, as did the length of the middle piece.

Animals↗

Comparative studies of retinol transport in plasma.

The comparative immunology and biochemistry of plasma retinol transport were studied using radioimmunoassays previously developed for human and for rat retinol-binding protein (RBP). Serum or plasma from 25 species of verebrates, from the mammalian orders Primates, Artiodactyla, Perissodactyla, Carnivora, and Rodentia and from the classes Aves, Amphibia, and Pisces, were assayed. There was a high degree of immunological specificity within a given mammalian order. Sera from seven subhuman primate species tested reacted in the human RBP immunoassay, and sera from four of five rodents reacted in the rat RBP immunoassay. Primate sera failed to react in the rat RBP immunoassay, and rodent sera failed to react in the human RBP immunoassay. Except for a slight reactivity of canine serum in the human RBP immunoassay, other sera showed no immunoreactivity. Using gel filtration, apparent molecular weights were estimated at 60,000-80,000 for the retinol transport systems in whole serum from cow, swine, chicken, and dog. Canine RBP was isolated and partially characterized. Purified canine RBP was generally similar to human and rat RBP with regard to molecular weight (approximately 20,000) and other properties. In plasma, canine RBP circulates as a protein-protein complex of higher apparent molecular weight. The complex remains to be characterized. These data suggest that mammals in general have a retinol transport system similar to the human and rat transport systems but that immunologically important differences in RBP occur among mammalian orders.

Amphibians↗

[The primary structure of hemoglobins of the rock hyrax (Procavia habessinica, Hyracoidea): insertion of glutamine in the alpha chains].

The chromatography of the hemoglobin of the rock hyrax (Procavia habessinica) gives two components (73% HbI and 27% HbII). The amino-acid analysis and the sequences of the globin chains elucidated with the phenylthiohydantoin method, did not show any differences between the alpha I and alpha II or beta I and beta II chains, respectively. The different chromatographical behaviour cannot be explained. After chain separation by chromatography on CM-52 cellulose, all four primary structures were elucidated automatically in a sequenator on the chains and the tryptic peptides. In 20% of the beta I chains the N-terminal valine was blocked by acetyl. The alignment was performed by homology with the chains of human adult hemoglobin. The alpha chain of the rock hyrax has 142 amino-acid residues, i.e. one residue more than normal mammalian alpha chains, caused by an insertion of glutamine in the GH region supposed between positions 115 and 116. A comparison of human and hyrax hemoglobins shows an exchange of 21 amino-acid residues in the alpha chains and of 24 in the beta chains. Some substitutions in alpha 1 beta 1 contacts and in the surrounding of the heme are not supposed to effect the function of the hemoglobin. The phylogenetic relationship between the rock hyrax and the Indian elephant (Elephas maximus) on the one hand and with some Perissodactyla on the other, is discussed. Up to now the exchanges of alpha 110(G17)Ala leads to Ser and beta 56(D7)Gly leads to His have only been found in hyrax and elephant. This indicates a certain relationship between Hyracoidea and Proboscidea.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[A comparative analysis of Ungulata species by different molecular genetic markers (proteins, RAPD-PCR)].

The investigation of genetic interrelation between a number of Artiodactyla and Perissodactyla species with the use of different types of molecular-genetic markers (proteins, RAPD-PCR) were carried out. The marker-specific features of interspecific relations and their similarities on the groups of markers of both types were revealed. The distinctions between interspecies genetic relations and ones estimated from the phylogeny on the determined group of different types of markers were observed. It was supposed that these discrepancies may be related with common selection factors and involving this marker group in selection in some species.

Animals↗

Lung morphology of cursorial and non-cursorial mammals: lagomorphs as a case study for a pneumatic stabilization hypothesis.

Gross lung morphology is examined in representative species from four genera within the order Lagomorpha (Lepus californicus, Sylvilagus nuttalli, Oryctolagus cuniculus, Ochotona princeps), and compared with a representative rodent out-group (Spermophilus richardonsii). Examination of pulmonary morphology reveals several correlations between the thoracic morphology and locomotor behavior. Lepus, the most cursorial species, exhibits a distinct suite of characteristics: 1) tissue of the right cranial lobe interposed between the heart and sternum; 2) well-defined grooves in the lung tissue for both the aorta and ribs; 3) a fibrous pericardial attachment to the sternum; 4) relatively large heart and lung mass. Sylvilagus, a sprinter, exhibits these features to a lesser degree, whereas Oryctolagus and Ochotona, non-cursorial species, lack most of these features. This same suite of pulmonary features is also observed in a wide range of unrelated cursorial taxa (including selected Artiodactlya, Perissodactyla, Carnivora). Corrosion casts of the internal airways demonstrate that the cursorial and non-cursorial taxa examined here have similar branching patterns despite their variable external morphologies. The juxtaposition of pulmonary lobes, heart, and ribs leads to the hypothesis that the lungs themselves provide mechanical support of the heart and visceral mass during locomotion. Analyses of cineradiographic and pneumotachographic data obtained from Oryctolagus tend to support a pneumatic stabilization hypothesis: the lungs themselves, intimately associated with the chest walls and positively pressurized during landing, may provide some mechanical support to the viscera. This mechanism may be important in stabilizing the relatively large hearts of the most cursorial species during running.

Animals↗

Primate phylogeny, evolutionary rate variations, and divergence times: a contribution from the nuclear gene IRBP.

The first third (ca. 1200 bp) of exon 1 of the nuclear gene encoding the interstitial retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) has been sequenced for 12 representative primates belonging to Lemuriformes, Lorisiformes, Tarsiiformes, Platyrrhini, and Catarrhini, and combined with available data (13 other primates, 11 nonprimate placentals, and 2 marsupials). Phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood on nucleotides and amino acids robustly support the monophyly of primates, Strepsirrhini, Lemuriformes, Lorisiformes, Anthropoidea, Catarrhini, and Platyrrhini. It is interesting to note that 1) Tarsiidae grouped with Anthropoidea, and the support for this node depends on the molecular characters considered; 2) Cheirogaleidae grouped within Lemuriformes; and 3) Daubentonia was the sister group of all other Lemuriformes. Study of the IRBP evolutionary rate shows a high heterogeneity within placentals and also within primates. Maximum likelihood local molecular clocks were assigned to three clades displaying significantly contrasted evolutionary rates. Paenungulata were shown to evolve 2.5-3 times faster than Perissodactyla and Lemuriformes. Six independent calibration points were used to estimate splitting ages of the main primate clades, and their compatibility was evaluated. Divergence ages were obtained for the following crown groups: 13.8-14.2 MY for Lorisiformes, 26.5-27.2 MY for Lemuroidea, 39.6-40.7 MY for Lemuriformes, 45.4-46.7 MY for Strepsirrhini, and 56.7-58.4 MY for Haplorrhini. The incompatibility between some paleontological and molecular estimates may reflect the incompleteness of the placental fossil record, and/or indicate that the variable IRBP evolutionary rates are not fully accommodated by local molecular clocks.

Animals↗

Immunofluorescent localization of acrosin in mammalian spermatozoa (1).

Acrosin was detected by immunofluorescence in the spermatozoan acrosomes of artiodactyla (bull, ram and boar), perissodactyla (horse), carnivora (dog and cat), lagomorpha (rabbit) and primates (human) using anti-bovine acrosin immunoglobulins. The results indicate that the acrosin molecules of several mammalian species possess antigenic similarities.

Acrosin↗

Sperm head morphology in 36 species of artiodactylans, perissodactylans, and cetaceans (Mammalia).

Detailed descriptions of mammalian sperm morphology across a range of closely related taxa are rare. Most contributions have been generalized descriptions of a few distantly related mammalian species. These studies have emphasized a generalized ungulate sperm morphology, but have not underscored several important morphological differences in ungulate sperm, such as head shape. The present study is the first to document descriptions of sperm head morphology using cold field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) for a large number of closely related mammalian species. In total, the sperm of 36 species in three orders: Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates), Cetacea (whales, porpoises, and dolphins), and Perissodactyla (odd-toed ungulates) were examined to gather new information relevant to the debate about the phylogenetic placement of cetaceans relative to terrestrial ungulates. In all species examined, the sperm heads were generally flattened and ovate in shape with a distinct apical ridge, although considerable variation in sperm head shape was detected, both within and between orders. In artiodactylans, the sperm head was uniformly flat in lateral view, whereas perissodactylan and cetacean sperm heads showed a distinct posterior thickening. In both artiodactylans and perissodactylans, the mitochondria were elongate and wound in a tight helix around the midpiece, whereas in cetaceans the mitochondria were rounded and appeared to be randomly arranged around the midpiece. Additionally, prominent ridges running along the anterior-posterior axis were observed in the postacrosomal region of the sperm head in four species of cetaceans. These ridges were not observed in any of the terrestrial ungulates examined. Pits or fenestrations were detected in the postacrosomal region in most artiodactylan species examined; these structures were not detected in perissodactylans or cetaceans. The equatorial segment of the acrosome was detected in the artiodactylan species examined, tentatively identified in perissodactylans, but not found in cetaceans. Its shape and location are described for relevant taxa. The presence of a recently reported substructure within the equatorial segment (the equatorial subsegment; Ellis et al. [2002] J Struct Biol 138:187-198) was detected in artiodactylans, and its shape is described for the species examined.

Animals↗