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Multiple cases of striking genetic similarity between alternate electric fish signal morphs in sympatry.

Striking trait polymorphisms are worthy of study in natural populations because they can often shed light on processes of phenotypic divergence and specialization, adaptive evolution, and (in some cases) the early stages of speciation. We examined patterns of genetic variation within and between populations of mormyrid fishes that are morphologically cryptic in sympatry but produce alternate types of electric organ discharge (EOD). Other species in a large group containing a clade of these morphologically cryptic EOD types produce stereotyped, species-typical EOD waveforms thought to function in mate recognition. First, for six populations from Gabon's Brienomyrus species flock, we confirm that forms of electric fish that exhibit distinctive morphologies and unique EOD waveforms (i.e., good reference species) are reproductively isolated from coexisting congeners. These sympatric species deviate from genetic panmixia across five microsatellite loci. Given this result, we examined three focal pairs of syntopic and morphologically cryptic EOD waveform types that are notable exceptions to the pattern of robust genetic partitioning among unique waveform classes within assemblages. These exceptional pairs constitute a monophyletic group within the Brienomyrus flock known as the magnostipes complex. One member of each pair (type I) produces a head-negative EOD, while the other member (either type II or type III, depending on location) produces a longer duration EOD differing in waveform from type I. We show that signal development in these pairs begins with juveniles of all magnostipes-complex morphs emitting head-positive EODs resembling those of type II adults. Divergence of EOD waveforms occurs with growth such that there are two discrete and fixed signal types in morphologically indistinguishable adults at each of several localities. Strong microsatellite partitioning between allopatric samples of any of these morphologically cryptic signal types suggests that geographically isolated populations are genetically decoupled from one another. By contrast, sympatric morphs appear genetically identical across microsatellite loci in Mouvanga Creek and the Okano River and only very weakly diverged, if at all, in the Ivindo River. Our results for the magnostipes complex fail to detect species boundaries between the focal morphs and are, instead, fully consistent with the existence of relatively stable signal dimorphisms at each of several different localities. No mechanism for the maintenance of this electrical polymorphism is suggested by the known natural history of the magnostipes complex. Despite a lack of evidence for genetic differentiation, the possibility of incipient sympatric speciation between morphs (especially type I and type II within the Ivindo River) merits further testing due to behavioral and neurobiological lines of evidence implying a general role for stereotyped EOD waveforms in species recognition. We discuss alternative hypotheses concerning the origins, stability, and evolutionary significance of these intriguing electrical morphs in light of geographical patterns of population structure and signal variation.

Action Potentials↗

Marine radiations at small geographic scales: speciation in neotropical reef gobies (Elacatinus).

Studies of speciation in the marine environment have historically compared broad-scale distributions and estimated larval dispersal potential to infer the geographic barriers responsible for allopatric speciation. However, many marine clades show high species diversity in geographically restricted areas where barriers are not obvious and estimated dispersal potential should bring many sister taxa into contact. Genetic differentiation at small (separation < 1000 km) spatial scales could facilitate speciation by mechanisms other than the gradual accumulation of reproductive isolation during extended allopatry, such as ecological adaptation to local environmental conditions or the rapid evolution of genes tied to mate recognition, but the role of each of these possibilities has not been simultaneously explored for any species-rich marine taxon. Here, we develop a robust phylogenetic framework for 31 taxa from a species-rich group of Neotropical reef fishes (Gobiidae: Elacatinus) using 3230 bp from one mitochondrial and two nuclear gene regions. We use this framework to explore the contribution of large- and small-scale geographic isolation, ecological differentiation, and coloration toward the formation and maintenance of species. Although species of Elacatinus occur on both sides of the Isthmus of Panama, no sister species are separated by this barrier. Instead, our results indicate that sister taxa occur within oceans. Sister taxa usually differ by coloration, and more distantly related sympatric species frequently differ by resource use. This suggests that some combination of coloration and ecological differences may facilitate assortative mating at range boundaries or in sympatry. Overall, speciation in Elacatinus is consistent with a model of recurring adaptive radiations in stages taking place at small geographic scales.

Animals↗

Genetics of sexual behaviour in Drosophila.

The analysis of genetics of behaviour within and between species provides important clues about the forces shaping the evolution of behavioural genes. In Drosophila, a number of key processes such as emergence from the pupal case, locomotor activity, feeding, olfaction and aspects of mating behaviour are under circadian regulation. Genes controlling sexual behaviour are likely to control species specific differences in courtship that are involved in reproductive isolation of closely related species. Courtship in Drosophila is characterized by a series of stereotyped behaviours that lead to copulation and more than 30 genes have been identified through mutations that affect one or more of these elements. Although curiosity about behavioural differences between the sexes undoubtedly predates recorded history, little efforts have been made to uncover the molecular basis of male and female courtship. The brain and nervous system functions that underlie sex-specific behaviour are of obvious importance to all animals including humans. To understand behaviour related to sex it is important to distinguish those aspects that are controlled genetically. The isolation and analysis of Drosophila mutants with altered sexual orientation lead to the identification of novel branches in the sex-determination cascade, which govern the sexually dimorphic development of the nervous system.

Animals↗

Does selection on floral odor promote differentiation among populations and species of the sexually deceptive orchid genus Ophrys?

Sexually deceptive orchids from the genus Ophrys attract their pollinators primarily through the chemical mimicry of female hymenopteran sex pheromones, thereby deceiving males into attempted matings with the orchid labellum. Floral odor traits are crucial for the reproductive success of these pollinator-limited orchids, as well as for maintaining reproductive isolation through the attraction of specific pollinators. We tested for the signature of pollinator-mediated selection on floral odor by comparing intra and interspecific differentiation in odor compounds with that found at microsatellite markers among natural populations. Three regions from southern Italy were sampled. We found strong floral odor differentiation among allopatric populations within species, among allopatric species and among sympatric species. Population differences in odor were also reflected in significant variation in the attractivity of floral extracts to the pollinator, Colletes cunicularius. Odor compounds that are electrophysiologically active in C. cunicularius males, especially alkenes, were more strongly differentiated among conspecific populations than nonactive compounds in the floral odor. In marked contrast to these odor patterns, there was limited population or species level differentiation in microsatellites (FST range 0.005 to 0.127, mean FST 0.075). We propose that the strong odor differentiation and lack of genetic differentiation among sympatric taxa indicates selection imposed by the distinct odor preferences of different pollinating species. Within species, low FST values are suggestive of large effective population sizes and indicate that divergent selection rather than genetic drift accounts for the strong population differentiation in odor. The higher differentiation in active versus non-active odor compounds suggests that divergent selection among orchid populations may be driven by local pollinator preferences for those particular compounds critical for pollinator attraction.

Alkenes↗

Molecular phylogeny and geography of Korean medaka fish (Oryzias latipes).

The phylogeny and geography of the medaka (Oryzias latipes) populations of Korea were investigated by analyzing sequence data for the mitochondrial control region. From the 41 haplotypes including 25 Korean haplotypes detected in 64 Korean specimens and data for the Japanese and Chinese populations, phylogenetic and nested clade analyses were executed to examine the phylogeny of haplogroups and the relation of the genetic architecture of the haplotypes to the historical geography of the Korean medaka fish. The analyses suggest that there are two very distinct lineages of Korean medaka, and that these result from reproductive isolation mechanisms due to geographic barriers. The southeastern lineage has experienced recent range expansion to the western region. The northwestern lineage, sister to Chinese populations, showed evidence of internal range expansion with shared haplotypes.

Animals↗

Population structure at two geographic scales in the burrowing crustacean Callichirus islagrande (Decapoda, Thalassinidea): historical and contemporary barriers to planktonic dispersal.

There has been much recent interest in the extent to which marine planktonic larvae connect local populations demographically and genetically. Uncertainties about the true extent of larval dispersal have impeded our understanding of the ecology and evolution of marine species as well as our attempts to effectively manage marine populations. Because direct measurements of larval movements are difficult, genetic markers have often been used for indirect measurements of gene flow among marine populations. Here we examine data from allozymes, mitochondrial DNA sequences, and microsatellite length polymorphisms to assess the extent of gene flow among populations of the burrowing crustacean Callichirus islagrande. All three types of markers revealed a genetic break between populations separated by the Louisiana Chenier Plain. The extent of mitochondrial sequence divergence across this break indicates that the nominal species, C. islagrande, consists of at least two lineages that have been reproductively isolated for about a million years. Within the eastern lineage microsatellite allele frequencies were significantly heterogeneous among populations as little as 10 km apart. Maximum likelihood estimates of gene flow and effective population size based on a coalescent model for the microsatellite data indicated that local populations are nearly closed. A model-based clustering method identified four or five groups from the microsatellite data, although individuals sampled from each location generally consisted of mixtures of these groups. This suggests a mechanism that would lead to genetic differentiation of open populations: gene flow from different source populations that are themselves genetically distinct.

Animals↗

Morphological variations in Phlebotomus argentipes (Diptera: Psychodidae) Annandale and Brunetti.

Morphological variations were observed in Phlebotomus argentipes, the vector for visceral leishmaniasis reported from the endemic states of Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. The taxonomic features distinguishing vector and nonvector species of P. argentipes were relative length of ascoid and antennal segment IV. Three morphotypes were characterized as <0.4, = 0.4 and >0.4 respectively. Other characteristics of wing width, wing length, eye, style, antennal segment III, IV, V was found statistically significant (p<0.05) and eleven other morphological measurements were not significant. This study suggests three different morphotypes of P. argentipes in these three endemic states. The genetic and reproductive isolation among such morphotypes will establish the variability in further studies.

Animals↗

[Analysis of nucleotide diversity at the cytochrome b and cytochrome oxidase 1 genes at the population, species, and genus levels].

Algorithms of nucleotide diversity measures and other measures of genetic divergence at the molecular level are analyzed. Based on a database of p-distances, we have compared genetic divergence of populations (1) and taxa of different rank, such as sibling species (2), species within a genus (3), and species from different genera within a family (4). Based on the theory and algorithms of distance calculation from the primary DNA sequences, as well as the actual distances estimated from literature, it is recommended to use in analysis of experimental data a specific model selected from the eight available ones. The empirical data for more than 24,000 vertebrate and invertebrate species demonstrate that the data series are realistic and interpretable when p-distance or its various estimates are used. This testifies to the applicability of p-distance for most interspecies and intraspecies comparisons of genetic divergence up to the family level by two genes compared. Data on p-distances revealed various and increasing levels of genetic divergence of the sequences of genes Cyt-b and Co-1 in four groups compared. Mean unweighted scores of distances for the four groups were as follows: Cyt-b (1) 1.55 +/- 0.56, (2) 5.52 +/- 1.34, (3) 10.69 +/- 1.34, (4) 18.51 +/- 2.09 and Co-1 (1) 0.55 +/- 0.19, (2) 4.91 +/- 0.83, (3) 9.66 +/- 0.72, (4) 14.69 +/- 1.02. Differences in divergence between the genes themselves at the four levels were also found, although the total mean distances for the two genes did not show statistically significant differences. This conforms to the ample evidence showing different and nonuniform evolution rates of these and other genes and their various regions. The results of the analysis of the nucleotide and allozyme divergence within species and higher taxa of animals, first, are in a good agreement with these results, including data on protein gene markers, and, second, this evidence suggests that in animals, phyletic evolution is likely to prevail at the molecular level, while speciation mainly corresponds to the type D1 geographic model). The prevalence of the D1 speciation mode does not mean that the other modes are absent. There are at least seven various modes of speciation. Recognition of speciation modes is a task that seems to require construction of a quantitative genetic model (theory) of speciation. Although, in view of a vast diversity of the possible causes of reproductive isolating barriers (RIBs) and speciation initiation, as well as the "empirical nature" of the formalized approach, proposed in the present work, some newly arising questions may be left without an answer. Their solution probably lied in increasing the number of descriptors and members of equations, proposed in this study, on the basis of DNA markers and other genomic characteristics.

Animals↗

Reinforcement and sex linkage.

We present a general model for the effect of sex linkage on the evolution of reinforcement of mating preferences on an island. We find that the level of reinforcement can vary up to 80% depending on the mode of inheritance of the female preference and male trait. When reinforcement is driven mainly by selection in the male trait and intrinsic hybrid incompatibilities are weak, sex-linked preferences and autosomal male traits are the most conducive to reinforcement, whereas autosomal preferences and X-linked traits are the least. Surprisingly, the effect of mode of inheritance on reinforcement is poorly predicted by its effect on the genetic correlation between the male trait and female preference. Sex-linkage of genetic incompatibility loci increases reinforcement, though this is not due solely to the occurrence of Haldane's rule. We find that reinforcement can lead to complete reproductive isolation in some cases but not others and that the mode of inheritance can determine which outcome occurs.

Animals↗

An eye for detail: selective sexual imprinting in zebra finches.

To investigate the idea that sexual imprinting creates incipient reproductive isolation between phenotypically diverging populations, I performed experiments to determine whether colony-reared zebra finches would imprint on details of artificial white crests. In the first experiment, adults in one breeding colony wore white crests with a vertical black stripe, while in another colony adults wore crests having a horizontal black stripe; except for their crests, breeders possessed wild-type plumage and conformation. Offspring of both sexes reared in these colonies developed mate preferences for opposite-sexed birds wearing the crest type with which they were reared; neither sex developed a social preference for crested individuals of the same sex. In a second experiment, females reared by crested parents preferred crested males versus males with red leg bands, while control females (reared in a colony of wild-type, uncrested birds) preferred red-banded males in the same test. Results of a third experiment that used sexually dimorphic crest phenotypes indicate that both sexes of offspring imprinted on maternal crest patterns. Results support the hypothesis that sexual imprinting can facilitate isolation both by engendering a preference for population-typical traits and by prioritizing such an imprinting-based preference over species-typical preferences for other traits used in mate choice. Comparison with results of other recent studies indicates that imprinting tendencies of both sexes vary with the characteristics of traits presented as an imprinting stimuli. Tendency to imprint may vary with the perceived information content (e.g., kin, sex, or population indicator) of parental traits, a process dubbed selective sexual imprinting.

Animals↗

Mendelian diseases and conditions in Croatian island populations: historic records and new insights.

Among Croatian islands, there are several which are known for unusual autochthonous diseases and specific medical conditions that result from the reproductive isolation and specific population genetic structure. These populations are characterized by high degree of genetic isolation, consanguinity, and inbreeding. The reported diseases include Mal de Meleda on Mljet island, hereditary dwarfism on Krk island, familial learning disability on Susak island, familial ovarian cancer on Lastovo island, and several other rare diseases and conditions inherited in Mendelian fashion. We present a historical perspective on how these conditions were first described, interpreted, and assessed. We reviewed the information obtained through genetic research in the past several years, when the genetic etiology of some of these conditions was explained. The disease gene causing Mal de Meleda was first localized at 8q chromosome, and mutations in the ARS (component B) gene encoding SLURP-1 (secreted mammalian Ly-6/uPAR-related protein 1) protein were identified subsequently. The genetic etiology of dwarfism on the island of Krk is explained by a mutation in the PROP1 gene, responsible for the short stature. The search for mutations underlying other monogenic diseases in Croatian islands is under way.

Consanguinity↗

[Genetic and ecological study of aboriginal inhabitants of the Siberian northeast. IV. Genotype and genetic structure of three modern populations of Yakutia].

Three separate and reproductively isolated populations living at present in boreal forest and tundra area in Eastern Siberia were studied. Blood groups (AB0, MNSs, Rhesus, Duffy, P. Diego), immunoglobulin allotypes--G1m (z, a, x, f), G3m (b, b0, b1, b3, s, t), Hp, Tf, PGM1, AcP, 6-PGD were tested in blood samples obtained from total 570 individuals. Analysis of covariance and variance matrices containing gene frequencies of the Nganasans, Reindeer Chukchi, the Yugaghir and the Evens has revealed major aspects of regional genetic structure which is in good accordance with regional history and geography.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Genetic structure of Mennonite populations of Kansas and Nebraska.

We describe the gene frequency distributions for 29 different blood group, serum, and erythrocytic proteins for three Mennonite communities from Kansas and Nebraska and compare their gene frequencies with those of Amish, Hutterite, and Mennonite populations using the topological method of Harpending and Jenkins (1973). Subdivision of these communities into congregations reveals that the "fission-fusion'h model best characterizes the relationship between the genetic patterns and historical events. These Mennonite populations, although reproductively isolated at the turn of this century, are presently entering the mainstream of US rural culture.

Blood Grouping and Crossmatching↗

[Karyotyping of Holochilus venezuelae (Rodentia, Cricetidae)].

We studied the cariotype of Holochilus venezuelae from 28 individuals (14 males and 14 females). Chromosome preparations were obtained by applying colchicine to live animals, followed by hypotonic shock, acetic methanol fixation and Giemsa staining of bone marrow cells. Metaphase configurations were photographed with a M-20 Wild automatic photomicroscope, and 10 karyotype from each animal were prepared from enlarged prints. Idiograms were calculated from the mean length of each chromosome pair and expressed as percentage of the length of the haploid autosome set plus one X chromosome. Results indicate the presence of six karyomorphs and the most frequent karyotype, considered basic for the species, was 2n = 44 (NF = 56), which consists of seven pairs of metacentric chromosomes (five large, one small and one microchromosome), comprising 59.5% of the haplid set; fourteen acrocentric pairs (nine small and five microchromosomes) representing 32.0% of the set; and the sexual pair, which is acrocentric, represent 6% (X) and 2.5% (Y) of the haploid set. The chromosome polymorphisms can be interpreted as the result of Robertsonian changes (fusion) and from the presence of accessory chromosomes (supernumerary). The karyotypical characteristics of the population sample studied suggest the existence of reproductive isolation through chromosomal hybrid sterility with H. brasiliensis (2n = 56 and 2n = 50), which means that H. venezuelae can be considered an allospecie.

Animals↗

Chemical analysis of compounds extracted from the tergal "spots" of Lutzomyia longipalpis from Brazil.

The chemical composition of the compounds contained in the tergal spots of Lutzomyia longipalpis was investigated. Four populations of L. longipalpis were examined, originating from: Sobral, Ceará, Brazil (one spot and two spot populations), Santarém, Pará, Brazil (one spot) and Marajó Island, Pará, Brazil (one spot). The tergal spots were dissected out, extracted in hexane and analysed on a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer. Two compounds were found, identical to compounds found in earlier studies, but there was no correlation between number of tergal spots and type of compound present. It was suggested that the number of tergal spots could not be used as a marker for reproductively isolated populations, and that analysis of the compound present within the spots might be necessary to characterize potentially good vector populations.

Animals↗

[Effect of adrenomimetic drugs on the blood vessels of the genital organs of swine during the estrous cycle].

The flow in uterine artery (ua) and ovarian artery (oa) was measured in isolated reproductive organs of sows perfounded with own blood of the animal or with Krebs-Henseleit fluid at the constant pressure of 100 mm Hg applying the haemotachometric method. Controlling parallel to the flow, the condition of tension in smooth muscle of the organ, the sensitivity of vessels of ua and oa areas to: norepinephrine (NA), phenylephrine (F), epinephrine (A) and isoprenaline (I) on the 1-2, 13-14 and 16-18 days of oestrous cycle was investigated. It was found that the blood flow in the vessels under investigation diminishes after intraarterial application of alpha-adrenomimetic NA and F and after ambi-receptor acting A, while it increases after beta-adrenomimetic I. It was also shown, that the vessels of the area oa are many times less sensitive to the applied agents than the vessels of the ua area. During the oestrous cycle significant changes in sensitivity of both areas to adrenomimetic agents take place. The highest sensitivity to NA, A and F simultaneous with the lowest sensitivity to I were noted in the ua area on 13-14 days. On the 16-18 and 1-2 days of the cycle the diminished sensitivity to NA, A and F and increased to I comparing with the 13-14 day was found. Also, the vessels of the oa area show the lowest sensitivity to NA, A and F and the highest to I on the 1-2 day of the cycle. It is the highest to NA and F on the 13-14 day and is accompanied by the lowest sensitivity to I. The sensitivity on 13-14 day is similar to that on 16-18 day. The sensitivity of oa area to A increases from the lowest on 1-2 days to the highest on 16-18 day of the cycle.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Biochemical markers for strain differentiation in malarial parasites.

Genetic differences between micro-organisms can be identified by studying variations in enzyme forms and DNA characteristics. Enzyme electrophoresis has revealed considerable genetic diversity in populations of malarial parasites and has enabled populations reproductively isolated from one another to be identified. Studies on rodent malarial parasites from four regions of Africa have shown that each species and subspecies can be distinguished by its pattern of enzyme forms. In subspecies in which enzyme polymorphism occurs, the frequencies of each combination of enzyme forms suggest an extensive degree of random mating in the population. Populations of Plasmodium falciparum are also enzymically polymorphic, similar enzyme variants being found in isolates from several parts of the world.

Africa↗