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MADS-box genes in Ginkgo biloba and the evolution of the AGAMOUS family.

MADS-box proteins are a large family of transcription factors. In plants, many genes belonging to this family are involved in the homeosis of the floral system. Up to now, they have mainly been studied in angiosperms, especially in the model species Arabidopsis thaliana and Antirrhinum majus. We undertook a study of MADS-box genes in Ginkgo biloba, the unique extant representative of a whole branch of the phylogenetic tree of the seed plants. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) survey reveals the diversity of MADS-box genes present in the genome of the Ginkgo. Duplications probably occurred specifically in the ginkgophyte lineage. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that one of these genes, GBM5, is an orthologue of the AGAMOUS gene of A. thaliana. We cloned and sequenced the entire cDNA of the GBM5 gene and studied its intron/exon structure. We showed by reverse transcriptase-PCR that it is expressed in both floral and vegetative tissues. We discuss the molecular evolution of the AGAMOUS family of genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Phylogenetic relationships among Spanish goats breeds.

We partially sequenced the mitochondrial hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) in 60 goats belonging to six Spanish breeds. The analysis of these and previously published sequences reveals a weak phylogeographical structure in the Iberian Peninsula breeds. Individuals from a single breed did not group into a single cluster. Furthermore, individuals from different breeds often shared single phylogenetic tree branches after UPGMA analysis. This could reflect the non-existence of breed isolation because of traditional seasonal pastoralism and annual long-distance migrations. Three goats belonging to the C maternal lineage were found, demonstrating a wider than previously thought distribution for this lineage.

Animals↗

Population structure of Alexandrium (Dinophyceae) cyst formation-promoting bacteria in Hiroshima Bay, Japan.

A total of 31 bacterial isolates that have potential Alexandrium cyst formation-promoting activity (Alex-CFPB) were isolated from Hiroshima Bay (Japan), which is characterized by seasonal blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense. The population structure of Alex-CFPB was analyzed by means of restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the 16S rRNA genes (16S rDNA). Fourteen ribotypes, A to N, were observed among the 31 isolates of Alex-CFPB by using four restriction enzymes, MboI, HhaI, RsaI and BstUI. Among them, seven isolates, which were obtained from the seawater samples taken during the peak and termination periods of the A. tamarense bloom in 1998, belonged to ribotype A. This result suggests that bacterial strains of ribotype A may be dominant in the Alex-CFPB assemblages during these periods. The partial 16S rDNA-based phylogenetic tree of 10 ribotypes studied showed that nine of them fell into the Rhodobacter group of the alpha subclass of the Proteobacteria: Eight of nine ribotypes of the Rhodobacter group fell into the lineage of the Roseobacter subgroup, and one fell into the Rhodobacter subgroup. The non-Rhodobacter group type fell into the Marinobacterium-Neptunomonas-Pseudomonas group of the gamma-Proteobacteria: Isolates of Alex-CFPB ribotypes A and C do not have clear growth-promoting activities but have strong cyst formation-promoting activities (CFPAs) under our laboratory conditions. These results show that the Alex-CFPB assemblage may consist of various bacteria that belong mainly to the Roseobacter group and have strong CFPAs. These results suggest that not only the Alexandrium cyst formation-inhibiting bacteria (Alex-CFIB) reported previously but also Alex-CFPB, especially bacteria of ribotype A, may play significant roles in the process of encystment and bloom dynamics of Alexandrium in the natural environment.

Animals↗

Genomic variations in echovirus 30 persistent isolates recovered from a chronically infected immunodeficient child and comparison with the reference strain.

Seven sequential isolates of echovirus type 30 (EV30) were recovered over 22 months from a child with severe combined immune deficiency syndrome. The nucleotide sequences of the 5' halves of the genomes (4,400 nucleotides) of the first (S1) and last (S7) isolates were determined and compared with that of the EV30 Bastianni reference strain, also determined in this study. In genome regions P1 and P2, 101 variations were identified between the two isolates. Synonymous differences far outnumbered nonsynonymous differences. Amino acid changes affected both capsid and nonstructural polypeptides (particularly 2B). The VP1 nucleotide sequences of the seven isolates were determined to analyze genome evolution during the chronic infection. In the phylogenetic tree, the seven isolates were directly related to the prototype strain in an individual monophyletic group, strongly suggesting that the chronic infection in the child arose from a single persistent EV30 isolate. Four lineages were observed in the persistent isolates. Isolates S2, S4, S5, and S6 were close relatives of one another, whereas isolates S1 and S3 formed individual lineages. Isolate S7, distantly related to all other isolates, formed the fourth lineage. These findings suggest the quasispecies nature of the genomes of the seven sequential EV30 isolates. Grouping of persistent isolates on the basis of replicative capacities was consistent with phylogenetic relationships. Overall, the results indicate that genetically related EV30 variants with different replicative capacities coexisted in a carrier state, probably in the gastrointestinal tract, during the infection of the child.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

Lateral genomics.

More than 20 complete prokaryotic genome sequences are now publicly available, each by itself an unparalleled resource for understanding organismal biology. Collectively, these data are even more powerful: they could force a dramatic reworking of the framework in which we understand biological evolution. It is possible that a single universal phylogenetic tree is not the best way to depict relationships between all living and extinct species. Instead a web- or net-like pattern, reflecting the importance of horizontal or lateral gene transfer between lineages of organisms, might provide a more appropriate visual metaphor. Here, I ask whether this way of thinking is really justified, and explore its implications.

Evolution, Molecular↗

A molecular phylogenetic analysis of the "true thrushes" (Aves: Turdinae).

The true thrushes (Passeriformes: Muscicapidae, subfamily Turdinae) are a speciose and widespread avian lineage presumed to be of Old World origin. Phylogenetic relationships within this assemblage were investigated using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence data that included the cytochrome b and ND2 genes. Our ingroup sampling included 54 species representing 17 of 20 putative turdine genera. Phylogenetic trees derived via maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood were largely congruent. Most of the Turdine taxa sampled can be placed into one of six well supported clades. Our data indicate a polyphyletic Zoothera which can be divided into at least two (Afro-Asian and Austral-Asian) main clades. The genus Turdus, as presently recognized, is paraphyletic but forms a well supported clade with the addition of three mostly monotypic genera (Platycichla, Nesocichla, and Cichlherminia). We identify an exclusively New World clade that includes a monophyletic Catharus, Hylocichla, Cichlopsis, Entomodestes, Ridgwayia, and Ixoreus. Members of the morphologically and behaviorally distinct genera Sialia, Myadestes, and Neocossyphus unexpectedly form a basal clade. Using multiple outgroup choices, we show that this group is distantly related, but unequivocally the sister group to the remaining Turdines sampled. The Turdinae appear to be a relatively old songbird lineage, originating in the mid to late Miocene. If the Turdinae are indeed Old World in origin, our data indicate a minimum of three separate invasions of the New World.

Animals↗

The analysis of near full-length genome sequences of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 BF intersubtype recombinant viruses from Chile, Venezuela and Spain reveals their relationship to diverse lineages of recombinant viruses related to CRF12_BF.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) BF intersubtype recombinant viruses are common in Argentina and Uruguay, where CRF12_BF and related recombinants are frequently found, and, in a lower proportion, in Brazil. Full-length genome sequences have been characterized in several of these recombinant viruses. Here, we analyze six newly derived near full-length genome sequences of BF recombinant viruses, three from Chile, one from Venezuela and two from Spain. Five of them had known epidemiological links to Argentina. Genomes were amplified by PCR from plasma RNA or from peripheral blood mononuclear cells' DNA. Mosaic structures and phylogenetic relationships were analyzed by bootscanning, neighbour-joining phylogenetic trees and by examination of subtype signature nucleotides. One virus from Spain had a mosaic structure fully coincident with CRF12_BF. The others had unique mosaic structures, except the viruses from two Chilean sisters infected vertically from the same mother, who showed identical recombination patterns. Each of the unique recombinants had one to six breakpoints coincident with CRF12_BF and three also had two or three breakpoints coincident with a previously characterized unique recombinant from Argentina (A025) related to CRF12_BF. A phylogenetic tree of concatenated subtype F segments supported the relationship of five recombinants with CRF12_BF. In trees of partial subtype F and B segments, four recombinants clustered with A025. The examination of CRF12_BF signature amino acids and nucleotides supported the common ancestry of all the analyzed viruses. Based on these results, a model of generation of HIV-1 BF recombinants of Argentinean ancestry by successive rounds of recombination along diverse lineages deriving from a common BF recombinant ancestor related to CRF12_BF is proposed.

Argentina↗

Molecular phylogenetics, tRNA evolution, and historical biogeography in anguid lizards and related taxonomic families.

Phylogenetic relationships among lizards of the families Anguidae, Anniellidae, Xenosauridae, and Shinisauridae are investigated using 2001 aligned bases of mitochondrial DNA sequence from the genes encoding ND1 (subunit one of NADH dehydrogenase), tRNA(Ile), tRNA(Gln), tRNA(Met), ND2, tRNA(Trp), tRNA(Ala), tRNA(Asn), tRNA(Cys), tRNA(Tyr), and COI (subunit I of cytochrome c oxidase), plus the origin for light-strand replication (O(L)) between the tRNA(Asn) and the tRNA(Cys) genes. The aligned sequences contain 1013 phylogenetically informative characters. A well-resolved phylogenetic hypothesis is obtained. Because monophyly of the family Xenosauridae (Shinisaurus and Xenosaurus) is statistically rejected, we recommend placing Shinisaurus in a separate family, the Shinisauridae. The family Anniellidae and the anguid subfamilies Gerrhonotinae and Anguinae each form monophyletic groups receiving statistical support. The Diploglossinae*, which appears monophyletic, is retained as a metataxon (denoted with an asterisk) because its monophyly is statistically neither supported nor rejected. The family Anguidae appears monophyletic in analyses of the DNA sequence data, and statistical support for its monophyly is provided by reanalysis of previously published allozymic data. Anguid lizards appear to have had a northern origin in Laurasia. Taxa currently located on Gondwanan plates arrived there by dispersal from the north in two separate events, one from the West Indies to South America and another from a Laurasian plate to Morocco. Because basal anguine lineages are located in western Eurasia and Morocco, formation of the Atlantic Ocean (late Eocene) is implicated in the separation of the Anguinae from its North American sister taxon, the Gerrhonotinae. Subsequent dispersal of anguine lizards to East Asia and North America appears to have followed the Oligocene drying of the Turgai Sea. The alternative hypothesis, that anguine lizards originated in North America and dispersed to Asia via the Bering land bridge with subsequent colonization of Europe and Morocco, requires a phylogenetic tree seven steps longer than the most parsimonious hypothesis. North African, European, and West Asian anguines were isolated from others by the rapid uplift of Tibet in the late Oligocene to Miocene. Phylogenetic analysis of evolutionary changes in the gene encoding tRNA(Cys) suggests gradual reduction of dihydrouridine (D) stems by successive deletion of bases in some lineages. This evolutionary pattern contrasts with the one observed for parallel elimination of the D-stem in mitochondrial tRNAs of eight other reptile groups, in which replication slippage produces direct repeats. An unusual, enlarged TpsiC (T) stem is inferred for tRNA(Cys) in most species.

Animals↗

Molecular phylogenetics of the avian genus Pipilo and a biogeographic argument for taxonomic uncertainty.

We sequenced 1709 base pairs (bp) of mitochondrial DNA including parts of cytochrome b, ND 2, and the control region (CR I, II) for seven members of the avian genus Pipilo (towhees), Melozone kieneri (rusty-crowned ground-sparrow), and Arremonops rufivirgatus (olive sparrow). A total of 457 bp was variable and 257 bp were potentially phylogenetically informative. All gene regions were similarly variable (20.2 to 28.4%) except for CR II (38.4%); third position transitions were as common as substitutions in the CR. Tree topology was sensitive to choice of outgroup(s) and individual sequences used as exemplars. Six trees were considered viable phylogenetic hypotheses based on maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses. These trees generally supported two groups of towhees (rufous-sided group, brown towhee group), a sister taxon relationship for P. aberti and P. crissalis, and a sister taxon relationship for P. ocai and P. maculatus. The occurrence of M. kiernei within Pipilo in three trees challenges the monophyly of the latter; the other species of Melozone and other outgroups require study to resolve Pipilo monophyly. The relationships of P. albicollis and P. fuscus were ambiguous, as they were with previous data sets (allozymes, mtDNA restriction sites); they could be sister species or either one could be the basal species in the brown towhee group. We suggest that this taxonomic uncertainty obtains from the contemporaneous origin of P. fuscus, P. albicollis, and the ancestor of P. aberti/P. crissalis. We favor a "star" phylogeny because species in unrelated lineages found in the same region as P. albicollis are similarly difficult to resolve phylogenetically. Synapomorphies from coding genes and the CR did not preferentially support basal and terminal nodes, and hence did not provide different windows of taxonomic resolution, which might be expected from the apparent rapid rate of CR evolution. Phylogenetic trees inferred from allozymes, restriction sites, and mtDNA sequences were congruent, suggesting that each is a useful source of phylogenetic information.

Animals↗

Detection of stratified microbial populations related to Chlorobium and Fibrobacter species in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

A gene lineage (SAR406) related to Chlorobium and Fibrobacter species was found in 16S rRNA gene clone libraries prepared from samples from two oceans. The clone libraries were constructed from total picoplankton genomic DNA to assess bacterial diversity in the lower surface layer. The samples were collected by filtration from a depth of 80 m at a site in the western Sargasso Sea and from a depth of 120 m at a site in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 70 km from the Oregon coast. The PCR and primers which amplified nearly full-length 16S rRNA genes were used to prepare the clone libraries. Among the diverse gene clones in these libraries were two related clones (SAR406 and OCS307) which could not be assigned to any of the major bacterial phyla. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that these genes were distant relatives of the genus Fibrobacter and the green sulfur bacterial phylum, which includes the genus Chlorobium. The inclusion of SAR406 in phylogenetic trees inferred by several methods resulted in support from bootstrap replicates for the conclusion that Fibrobacter and Chlorobium species and SAR406 are a monophyletic group. An oligonucleotide probe that selectively hybridized to clone SAR406 was used to examine the distribution of this gene lineage in vertical profiles from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and in monthly time series at 0 and 200 m in the Atlantic Ocean. During stratified periods, the genes were most abundant slightly below the deep chlorophyll layer. Seasonal changes in the surface abundance of SAR406 rDNA were highly correlated with chlorophyll a levels (r = 0.75).

Bacteria↗

Estimation of divergence times for major lineages of primate species.

Although the phylogenetic relationships of major lineages of primate species are relatively well established, the times of divergence of these lineages as estimated by molecular data are still controversial. This controversy has been generated in part because different authors have used different types of molecular data, different statistical methods, and different calibration points. We have therefore examined the effects of these factors on the estimates of divergence times and reached the following conclusions: (1) It is advisable to concatenate many gene sequences and use a multigene gamma distance for estimating divergence times rather than using the individual gene approach. (2) When sequence data from many nuclear genes are available, protein sequences appear to give more robust estimates than DNA sequences. (3) Nuclear proteins are generally more suitable than mitochondrial proteins for time estimation. (4) It is important first to construct a phylogenetic tree for a group of species using some outgroups and then estimate the branch lengths. (5) It appears to be better to use a few reliable calibration points rather than many unreliable ones. Considering all these factors and using two calibration points, we estimated that the human lineage diverged from the chimpanzee, gorilla, orangutan, Old World monkey, and New World monkey lineages approximately 6 MYA (with a range of 5-7), 7 MYA (range, 6-8), 13 MYA (range, 12-15), 23 MYA (range, 21-25), and 33 MYA (range 32-36).

Animals↗

Phylogeny of Arthropoda inferred from mitochondrial sequences: strategies for limiting the misleading effects of multiple changes in pattern and rates of substitution.

In this study, mitochondrial sequences were used to investigate the relationships among the major lineages of Arthropoda. The data matrix used for the analyses includes 84 taxa and 3918 nucleotides representing six mitochondrial protein-coding genes (atp6 and 8, cox1-3, and nad2). The analyses of nucleotide composition show that a reverse strand-bias, i.e., characterized by an excess of T relative to A nucleotides and of G relative to C nucleotides, was independently acquired in six different lineages of Arthropoda: (1) the honeybee mite (Varroa), (2) Opisthothelae spiders (Argiope, Habronattus, and Ornithoctonus), (3) scorpions (Euscorpius and Mesobuthus), (4) Hutchinsoniella (Cephalocarid), (5) Tigriopus (Copepod), and (6) whiteflies (Aleurodicus and Trialeurodes). Phylogenetic analyses confirm that these convergences in nucleotide composition can be particularly misleading for tree reconstruction, as unrelated taxa with reverse strand-bias tend to group together in MP, ML, and Bayesian analyses. However, the use of a specific model for minimizing effects of the bias, the "Neutral Transition Exclusion" (NTE) model, allows Bayesian analyses to rediscover most of the higher taxa of Arthropoda. Furthermore, the analyses of branch lengths suggest that three main factors explain accelerated rates of substitution: (1) genomic rearrangements, including duplication of the control region and gene translocation, (2) parasitic lifestyle, and (3) small body size. The comparisons of Bayesian Bootstrap percentages show that the support for many nodes increases when taxa with long branches are excluded from the analyses. It is therefore recommended to select taxa and genes of the mitochondrial genome for inferring phylogenetic relationships among arthropod lineages. The phylogenetic analyses support the existence of a major dichotomy within Arthropoda, separating Pancrustacea and Paradoxopoda. Basal relationships between Pancrustacean lineages are not robust, and the question of Hexapod monophyly or polyphyly cannot be answered with the available mitochondrial sequences. Within Paradoxopoda, Chelicerata and Myriapoda are each found to be monophyletic, and Endeis (Pycnogonida) is, surprisingly, associated with Acari.

Animals↗

Phylogenetic relationships within the class Oligohymenophorea, phylum Ciliophora, inferred from the complete small subunit rRNA gene sequences of Colpidium campylum, Glaucoma chattoni, and Opisthonecta henneguyi.

Phylogenetic relationships within the class Oligohymenophorea, phylum Ciliophora, were investigated by determining the complete small subunit rRNA (SSrRNA) gene sequences for the hymenostomes Colpidium campylum, Glaucoma chattoni, and the peritrich Opisthonecta henneguyi. The affiliations of the oligohymenophoreans were assessed using both distance matrix (DM) and maximum parsimony (MP) analyses. Variations do exist in the phylogenies created by the two methods. However, the basic tree topologies are consistent. In both the DM and MP analyses the hymenostomes (C. campylum, G. chattoni, and the tetrahymenas) all form a very tight group associated with the peritrich O. henneguyi. The Tetrahymena lineage was monophyletic whereas Colpidium and Glaucoma were more closely related to each other than either was to the tetrahymenas. The monophyly of the genus Tetrahymena in the present analysis supports the phylogenies determined from morphological data and molecular sequence data from the histone H3II/H4II region of the genome. The perplexing and controversial phylogenetic position of the peritrichs is once again depicted in the present analysis. The distinctiveness of the peritrich Opisthonecta from both hymenostome and nassophorean ciliates based on evolutionary distances suggests that the elevation of the peritrichs to a higher taxonomic rank should be reconsidered.

Animals↗

Analysis of ribosomal RNA genes suggests that trypanosomes are monophyletic.

To further investigate the phylogeny of protozoa from the order Kinetoplastida we have sequenced the small subunit (SSU) and a portion of the large subunit (LSU) nuclear rRNA genes. The SSU and LSU sequences were determined from a lizard trypanosome, Trypanosoma scelopori and a bodonid, Rhynchobodo sp., and the LSU sequences were determined from an insect trypanosomatid, Crithidia oncopelti, and a bodonid, Dimastigella trypaniformis. Contrary to previous results, in which trypanosomes were found to be paraphyletic, with Trypanosoma brucei representing the earliest-diverging lineage, we have now found evidence for the monophyly of trypanosomes. Addition of new taxa which subdivide long branches (such as that of T. brucei) have helped to identify homoplasies responsible for the paraphyletic trees in previous studies. Although the monophyly of the trypanosome clade is supported in the bootstrap analyses for maximum likelihood at 97% and maximum parsimony at 92%, there is only a small difference in ln-likelihood value or tree length between the most optimal monophyletic tree and the best suboptimal paraphyletic tree. Within the trypanosomatid subtree, the clade of trypanosomes is a sister group to the monophyletic clade of the nontrypanosome genera. Different groups of trypanosomes group on the tree according to their mode of transmission. This suggests that the adaptation to invertebrate vectors plays a more important role in the trypanosome evolution than the adaptation to vertebrate hosts.

Animals↗

Phylogeny of Saururaceae based on mitochondrial matR gene sequence data.

DNA sequences of matR gene from three species of Saururaceae and the selected outgroups, Chloranthus holostegius and Zippelia begoniaefolia, are reported. All DNA sequences of six species in four genera of Saururaceae and the two outgroups are analyzed on PAUP 4.0 8b to reconstruct the phylogeny. A single matR gene tree is generated from parsimony, distance, and likelihood analyses, respectively. The three trees with the same topology are slightly different in bootstrapping support for some clades. The result indicates that Saururaceae is monophyletic. Anemopsis is sister to Houttuynia, and the two genera form the first diverging lineage of the family. The sister group relationship between Saururus and Gymnotheca is also supported by a relatively high bootstrap value. The result is different from all the former phylogenetic opinions on Saururaceae based on morphology, but it is supported by the evolution of flower-bract stalk in Saururaceae. In addition, some characteristics of the matR gene are analyzed. The MatR gene is a relatively better tool to reconstruct the molecular clock because the base substitution bias greatly decreases in the gene.

Journal Article↗

Exon-intron structure of outlier tick lipocalins indicate a monophyletic origin within the larger lipocalin family.

All tick proteins assigned to the lipocalin family lack the structural conserved regions (SCRs) that are characteristic of the kernel lipocalins and can thus be classified as outliers. These tick proteins have been assigned to the tick lipocalin family based on database searches that indicated homology between tick sequences and the fact that the histamine binding protein (HBP2) from the hard tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (Ixodidae) shows structural similarity to the lipocalin fold. Sequence identity between kernel and outlier lipocalins falls below 20% and the question raised is whether the outlier and kernel lipocalins are truly homologous. More specifically in the case of the tick lipocalins, whether their structural fold is derived from the lipocalin fold or whether convergent evolution resulted in the generation of the basic lipocalin-like fold which consists of an eight stranded continuous anti-parallel beta-barrel terminated by a C-terminal alpha-helix that lies parallel to the barrel. The current study determined the gene structure for HBP2 and TSGP1, TSGP2 and TSGP4, lipocalins identified from the soft tick Ornithodoros savignyi (Argasidae). All tick lipocalins have four introns (A-D) with conserved positions and phases within the tick lipocalin sequence alignment. The positions and phase information are also conserved with regard to the rest of the lipocalin family. Phylogenetic analysis using this information shows conclusively that tick lipocalins are evolutionary related to the rest of the lipocalin family. Tick lipocalins are grouped within a monophyletic clade that indicates a monophyletic origin within the tick lineage and also group with the other arthropod lipocalins in a larger clade. Phylogenetic analysis of sequence alignments based on conserved secondary structure of the lipocalin fold support the conclusions from the gene structure trees. These results indicate that exon-intron arrangement can be useful for the inclusion of outlier lipocalins within the larger lipocalin family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Evolution of Piperales--matK gene and trnK intron sequence data reveal lineage specific resolution contrast.

Piperales represent the largest basal angiosperm order with a nearly worldwide distribution. The order includes three species rich genera, Piper (ca. 2000 species), Peperomia (ca. 1500-1700 species), and Aristolochia s. l. (ca. 500 species). Sequences of the matK gene and the non-coding trnK group II intron are analysed for a dense set of 105 taxa representing all families (except Hydnoraceae) and all generic segregates (except Euglypha within Aristolochiaceae) of Piperales. A large number of highly informative indels are found in the Piperales trnK/matK dataset. Within a narrow region approximately 500 nt downstream in the matK coding region (CDS), a length variable simple sequence repeat (SSR) expansion segment occurs, in which insertions and deletions have led to short frame-shifts. These are corrected shortly afterwards, resulting in a maximum of six amino acids being affected. Furthermore, additional non-functional matK copies were found in Zippelia begoniifolia, which can easily be discriminated from the functional open reading frame (ORF). The trnK/matK sequence data fully resolve relationships within Peperomia, whereas they are not effective within Piper. The resolution contrast is correlated with the rate heterogeneity between those lineages. Parsimony, Bayesian and likelihood analyses result in virtually the same topology, and converge on the monophyly of Piperaceae and Saururaceae. Lactoris gains high support as sister to Aristolochiaceae subf. Aristolochioideae, but the different tree inference methods yield conflicting results with respect to the relationships of subfam. Asaroideae. In Piperaceae, a clade formed by the monotypic genus Zippelia and the small genus Manekia (=Sarcorhachis) is sister to the two large genera Piper and Peperomia.

Base Sequence↗

Population structure in the American oyster as inferred by nuclear gene genealogies.

Multiple haplotypes from each of three nuclear loci were isolated and sequenced from geographic populations of the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica. In tests of alternative phylogeographic hypotheses for this species, nuclear gene genealogies constructed for these haplotypes were compared to one another, to a mitochondrial gene tree, and to patterns of allele frequency variation in nuclear restriction site polymorphisms (RFLPs) and allozymes. Oyster populations from the Atlantic versus the Gulf of Mexico are not reciprocally monophyletic in any of the nuclear gene trees, despite considerable genetic variation and despite large allele frequency differences previously reported in several other genetic assays. If these populations were separated vicariantly in the past, either insufficient time has elapsed for neutral lineage sorting to have achieved monophyly at most nuclear loci, or balancing selection may have inhibited lineage extinction, or secondary gene flow may have moved haplotypes between regions. These and other possibilities are examined in light of available genetic evidence, and it is concluded that no simple explanation can account for the great variety of population genetic patterns across loci displayed by American oysters. Regardless of the source of this heterogeneity, this study provides an empirical demonstration that different sequences of DNA within the same organismal pedigree can have quite different phylogeographic histories.

Animals↗