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Mhc class II DNA polymorphisms within and between chromosomal species of the Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies in Israel.

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of two major histocompatibility class II genes (P alpha 1 and Q beta) were studied in 13 populations of four chromosomal species (2n = 52, 54, 58 and 60) of the mole rat, Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies in Israel. A substantial frequency of allelic fragments was found in both genes for all populations, including a desert isolate. In the P alpha 1 gene, one allelic fragment is a result of a deletion mutation which is diagnostic of the 2n = 52 chromosomal species. All other ten allelic variants are the result of point mutations. All mutations are located in a short region flanking the 3' end of the gene. Based on Mhc polymorphisms we confirm earlier evidence that gene flow does not occur between the older chromosomal species (2n = 52, 54, 58), and that reproductive isolation decreases, progressively from the oldest to the youngest species (2n = 60).

Animals

Isolation of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus from Heko-Heko disease of pigs.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus was isolated at high frequency from the sera and lungs of pigs affected with Heko-Heko disease. In addition, a considerable amount of Mycoplasma hyorhinis (Mhr) was also isolated from the lungs. Inoculation of gnotobiote pigs with the first isolate of PRRS virus resulted in the reproduction of proliferative and interstitial pneumonia. The virus was recovered from the inoculated pigs for long periods. Superinfection with PRRS virus and Mhr appeared to produce more serious pneumonia than inoculation with PRRS virus alone. In this study, the presence of PRRS virus was confirmed in Japan, and the PRRS virus was considered as being the most important pathogen for Heko-Heko disease.

Animals

[Descent of ova and embryos in cows superovulated with serum gonadotropin].

The descent and localization of eggs and embryos in individual segments of the reproductive tract of superovulated cows were studied in this work. For the induction of superovulation, serum gonadotropin (PMSG, Ivanovice in Haná) at a dose of 2,500-3,500 I.U. was used, in combination with 0.5 mg of Cloprostenol (Oestrophan, Spofa), administered 48 hours after gonadotropin treatment. The start of superovulation fell on days 9 to 12 of the sexual cycle and was conditioned by the presence of the corpus luteum (CL). After the onset of the heat, 2-3 inseminations were carried out using fresh semen. Donor cows were slaughtered 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 days after the second insemination and isolated reproductive organs (Fig. 1) were divided into five segments (two on oviducts and three on uterine horns) by the applied ligature. In laboratory conditions superovulation response was determined accurately, the volume of ovaries was assessed according to water displacement and the segments of oviducts and uterus were rinsed with TCM 199 or PBS supplemented with FCS. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 days after insemination (Tab. I). 18.1 (+/- 3.55), 12.4 (+/- 0.91), 19.2 (+/- 2.86), 20 and 23 (+/- 2.44) CL on average were recorded, which corresponded to the ovulation of 64, 50, 56, 71 and 72 percent of stimulated follicles (Fig. 2). Within 3 to 7 days after insemination nearly triple enlargement of ovaries was also observed (Tab. I, Fig. 3). During the lavage of individual segments of the tubular reproductive tract, 38 per cent of eggs and embryos were detected in the uterus as early as 3 days after insemination (Tab. II). Unfertilized eggs and degenerated embryos were found in the 2nd and 3rd uterine segment, embryos at the stage of 8-16 blastomeres were localized in the 1st and 2nd segment of the uterus. Four days after insemination (Tab. III), about 64 per cent of eggs and embryos at the stage up to 16 blastomeres were found in the uterus, but embryos up to 32 blastomeres were still flushed out of the oviduct. On day 5 after insemination, 92 per cent of eggs and embryos were released into the uterus, being localized mostly in the cranial and medial part of the uterus (Tab. IV). 7.5 per cent of recovered eggs and embryos at the stage of early or compacted morulae were still detected in the oviducts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals

Allozymic and chromosomal similarity in two Drosophila species.

D. setosimentum and ochrobasis are a pair of very close, partly sympatric species endemic to Hawaii island. Males of the two species differ strikingly in wing-pattern and there are altitudinal and breeding-site differences. Similarity indices have been calculated for both chromosomal (C) ald allozymic (A) variants. Within the main populations of each species both kinds of data give coefficients above 0.98. Interspecific comparison of the main populations shows 0.66 (C) and 0.79 (A). An isolated population of ochrobasis from Kohala Volcano (Ohu), when compared with setosimentum, shows 0.68 (C) and 0.98 (A). Chromosomes are thus much more sensitive than allozymes in distinguishing these species; the same is true in the case of D. silvestris and heteroneura from the same forests. These morphologically distinct species, when compared, show 0.96 (A). All four species appear to be very new in the historical sense. In one area, about 2% of wild-caught D. setosimentum/ochrobasis are interspecific hybrids although adequate samples indicate that the separate gene pools have not broken down. The specific names should be retained but the two entities are perhaps best described as quite advanced semispecies in which reproductive isolation in nature is now nearly complete.

Animals

Inter-genomic sexual conflict drives antagonistic coevolution in harvester ants.

The reproductive interests of males and females are not always aligned, leading to sexual conflict over parental investment, rate of reproduction and mate choice. Traits that increase the genetic interests of one sex often occur at the expense of the other, selecting for counter-adaptations leading to antagonistic coevolution. Reproductive conflict is not limited to intraspecific interactions; interspecific hybridization can produce pronounced sexual conflict between males and females of different species, but it is unclear whether such conflict can drive sexually antagonistic coevolution between reproductively isolated genomes. We tested for hybridization-driven sexually antagonistic adaptations in queens and males of the socially hybridogenetic 'J' lineages of Pogonomyrmex harvester ants, whose mating system promotes hybridization in queens but selects against it in males. We conducted no-choice mating assays to compare patterns of mating behaviour and sperm transfer between inter- and intra-lineage pairings. There was no evidence for mate discrimination on the basis of pair type, and the total quantity of sperm transferred did not differ between intra- and inter-lineage pairs; however, further dissection of the sperm transfer process into distinct mechanistic components revealed significant, and opposing, cryptic manipulation of copulatory investment by both sexes. Males of both lineages increased their rate of sperm transfer to high-fitness intra-lineage mates, with a stronger response in the rarer lineage for whom mating mistakes are the most likely. By contrast, the total duration of copulation for intra-lineage mating pairs was significantly shorter than for inter-lineage crosses, suggesting that queens respond to prevent excessive sperm loading by prematurely terminating copulation. These findings demonstrate that sexual conflict can lead to antagonistic coevolution in both intra-genomic and inter-genomic contexts. Indeed, the resolution of sexual conflict may be a key determinant of the long-term evolutionary potential of host-dependent reproductive strategies, counteracting the inherent instabilities arising from such systems.

Animals

Origin of sex for error repair. II. Rarity and extreme environments.

In a previous paper we studied the simultaneous, and at times conflicting, needs of coping with DNA damage, efficient cell replication, and the avoidance of cell mortality. These selective factors operated on sexual and asexual haploid and diploid populations that were reproductively isolated from one another. We concluded, in part, that a sexual type of cell could not expand from extreme rarity in populations dominated by asexual haploid and diploid cells. In the present paper we show that it is relatively easy for a rare sexual mutant to expand in a population dominated by asexual haploid cells if some matings occur between sexual and asexual cell types. We also study the persistence of sex in high mortality, high damage environments, in which neither the asexual diploid nor haploid can survive. The diploid cannot survive because its lower birth rate cannot overcome mortality and the haploid cannot survive because its birth rate cannot overcome gene damage. Sex can persist in these punishing environments by tuning the parameters of the sexual cycle, and the fusion and splitting rates, into a specified region, thereby reaping both benefits of damage repair and efficient replication.

Animals

The genic nature of gamete eliminator in rice.

The two cultivated rice species, Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima, are morphologically alike but are reproductively isolated from each other by hybrid sterility. The hybrid is male sterile but partially female fertile. Backcross experiments were conducted to introduce an alien factor controlling hybrid sterility from O. glaberrima (W025) into O. sativa (T65wx) and examine the genetic basis. An extracted sterility factor, closely linked to the wx locus, induced gametic abortion due to allelic interaction and was tentatively designated as S(t). The segregation patterns for infertility was explained by assuming that W025 and T65wx carried S(t) and S(t)a, respectively, and gametes with S(t)a aborted only in the heterozygote (S(t)/S(t)a) although the elimination of female gametes was incomplete. Thus, S(t) seemed to be intermediate between a gamete eliminator and pollen killer. However, S(t) was proven to be likely the same as S1 which was formerly reported as gamete eliminator in a different genetic background of O. sativa. In addition, a chromosomal segment containing S1 (or S(t] caused a marked suppression of crossing over around it, suggesting the presence of an inversion. Further, female transmission of S1a increased as the segment containing S1 became small by recombination. After S1 was further purified by successive backcrosses up to the BC15 generation, it became pollen killer. The present results give evidence that a profound sterility gene such as gamete eliminator can be made from accumulation of pollen killer and its modifier(s) when pollen killer and modifier(s) are linked, they behave as a gene complex in the hybrid.

Alleles

A combined classical genetic and high resolution two-dimensional electrophoretic approach to the assessment of the number of genes affecting hybrid male sterility in Drosophila simulans and Drosophila sechellia.

We have attempted to estimate the number of genes involved in postzygotic reproductive isolation between two closely related species, Drosophila simulans and Drosophila sechellia, by a novel approach that involves the use of high resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) to examine testis proteins in parents, hybrids and fertile and sterile backcross progenies. The important results that have emerged from this study are as follows: (1) about 8% of about 1000 proteins examined showed divergence (presence/absence) between the two species; (2) by tracing individual proteins in parental, hybrid and backcross males, we were able to associate the divergent proteins with different chromosomes and found that most divergent proteins are associated with autosomes and very few with X chromosome, Y chromosome and cytoplasm; (3) when proteins showing both quantitative and qualitative differences between the two species were examined in F1 hybrid males, most (97.4%) proteins were expressed at levels between the two parents and no sign of large scale changes in spot density was observed. All the proteins observed in the two parental species were present in F1 hybrid males except two species-specific proteins that may be encoded (or regulated) by sex chromosomes; (4) when different fertile and sterile backcross male testes were compared, a few D. sechellia-specific proteins were identified to be consistently associated with male sterility. These results along with the observation that a large proportion (23.6%) of first generation backcross males were fertile show that hybrid male sterility between D. simulans and D. sechellia involves a relatively small number of genes. Role of large scale genetic changes due to general genome incompatibility is not supported. The results also suggest that the large effect of X chromosome on hybrid male sterility is not due to higher divergence of X chromosome than autosomes.

Animals

Mammalian fertilization as seen with the scanning electron microscope.

For several years we have been looking at mammalian gametes and their interactions with the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Examining the images produced by the SEM has given us a three-dimensional view of sperm, eggs, and egg investments. We are particularly impressed with the structural variation among gametes of different mammalian species. In this short report we examine the structure of mammalian spermatozoa, eggs, zonae pellucidae, and cumuli. Our observations and those of others have led us to believe that variation in gamete structure and function may have evolved as a mechanism for reproductive isolation of mammalian species.

Animals

Genetic variation within and among lion tamarins.

The golden lion tamarin Leontopithecus rosalia rosalia, one of the rarest and most endangered of New World primates, has been the focus of an intensive research and conservation effort for two decades. During that period, managed breeding from 44 founders has brought the captive population to over 400 individuals, a number that equals or exceeds the estimated number of free-ranging golden lion tamarins. The extent of genetic variation among golden lion tamarins was estimated with an electrophoretic survey of 47 allozyme loci from 67 captive and 73 free-ranging individuals. The amount of variation was low, compared to 15 other primate species, with 4% of the loci being polymorphic (P), and with an average heterozygosity H estimate of 0.01 in these callitrichids. Electrophoretic analyses of captive and free-ranging animals (N = 31) of two allopatric morphotypes, Leontopithecus rosalia chrysopygus and L. r. chrysomelas, were similar to the L. r. rosalia findings insofar as they also revealed limited genetic polymorphism. Computation of the Nei-genetic distance measurements showed that the three morphotypes were genetically very similar, although discernible differentiation had occurred at two loci. These data are consistent with the occurrence of recent reproductive isolations of these subspecies.

Animals

Characteristics of hamadryas-like male baboons living in anubis baboon troops in the Awash hybrid zone, Ethiopia.

In the twenty-two years since the Awash baboon hybrid zone was first described, about 25-30 hamadryas or hamadryas-like hybrid males have taken up residence in anubis baboon groups. Most enter as mature adults, though some may immigrate as juvenile followers. Long-term tracking of known immigrants indicates that they may reside for four years or more in their adopted troop, during which time they establish a series of comparatively short-term harems, and probably sire hybrid offspring. "Abductions" of anubis females to hamadryas troops, as postulated by early observers, were not seen, though their occurrence cannot be ruled out. Younger, more recent immigrants tend to be "purer" hamadryas in phenotype, perhaps reflecting a more distant origin, or a change in the composition of neighboring hamadryas populations. Coexisting hamadryas and anubis show no signs of reproductive isolation by behavioral barriers, and evidently belong to a single "recognition species."

Age Factors

Levels of the genealogical hierarchy and the problem of hominoid phylogeny.

Molecular data are widely used to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships among species, and these phylogenies are often used as the basis for inferences about the history of evolutionary change in other nonmolecular characters. This approach is an appropriate and powerful one in many circumstances. But when several lineages diverge over a relatively short period of time, the assumption that a molecular (gene) tree will always be a valid basis for such inferences may not hold. Empirical evidence from humans, nonhuman primates, and other mammals indicates that the relationships among molecular divergence, morphological differentiation, and the origin of reproductive isolation between diverging lineages are complex. The simple dichotomously branching trees that result from molecular systematic studies of Homo, Gorilla, and Pan may be a misleading basis for reconstructions of evolutionary change in nonmolecular characters.

Animals

Immunological factors in Peromyscus speciation.

Reciprocal interspecific F1 hybrids of deermice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and oldfield mice (P. polionotus) differ significantly and substantially in fetal and placental, as well as adult, size and weight. Hybrid fetal mortality is associated with large conceptus size. Skin grafts were exchanged between and within the two species to ascertain whether any relationship exists between mean graft retention time and body size of fetuses and adults. P. maniculatus skin grafted to P. polionotus rejected significantly earlier than the reciprocal xenograft. All interspecific graft combinations rejected significantly earlier than intraspecific grafts. Pre-immunization of female P. maniculatus with con- and trans-specific paternal spleen cell antigens reduced fetal, placental, neonatal, and ten-day size compared with controls. Size, weight, fertility, and graft rejection data were compared with several theoretical models. The data were consistent with the hypothesis that immunological disparity between the species could produce marked size variations in reciprocal hybrids. Multiple minor histocompatibility factors can account for large placental size and fetal mortality in Peromyscus hybrids. Physiological reproductive isolation may result from immunological differences between closely allied species.

Animals

Cross-fertilization between Syrian and Chinese hamsters.

The role of the zona pellucida in the specificity of fertilization was studied by cross-inseminations between Syrian (Golden) and Chinese hamster gametes. Cumulus-enclosed eggs from both Syrian and Chinese hamsters were placed together in one dish and inseminated with spermatozoa from either one or the other species. Fertilization always took place between gametes of homologous species. Chinese hamster spermatozoa failed to bind to the zona pellucida of Syrian hamster eggs; hence, fertilization was never observed. However, Chinese hamster spermatozoa could fertilize zona-free Syrian hamster eggs. In the reciprocal cross, a large number of Syrian hamster spermatozoa could bind to and penetrate the zonae of Chinese hamster eggs. However, fusion of Syrian hamster spermatozoa with the vitellus of zona-intact Chinese hamster eggs was never observed. After removal of the zona pellucida, only a small percentage (31%) of Syrian hamster spermatozoa could fuse with Chinese hamster vitelli. Thus, in these species, the mechanisms of interspecific gamete recognition and the prevention of interspecies fertilization seem to differ according to the direction of the cross. In Syrian hamster eggs, the block to interspecies fertilization seems to exist at the level of the zona pellucida, while in Chinese hamster eggs the block is at the level of the egg plasma membrane. The implications of these results in analyses of the genetics of spermatozoa, the molecular basis of sperm-egg recognition, and mechanisms of reproductive isolation leading to speciation, are discussed.

Animals

Gametic imprinting as a speciation mechanism in mammals.

Gametic imprinting renders mammalian male and female genomes functionally hemizygous at specific loci. Successful embryogenesis can only be accomplished in the presence of both parental genomes. The mechanism of gametic imprinting is at present unknown, although circumstantial evidence suggests it is similar in nature to X inactivation. A model is presented which describes the effects of switching the imprint pattern at male and female target genes. The consequence of such an event is reproductive isolation, and could lead to the formation of a new species.

Animals

Isozymes as bioprobes for genetic analysis of nonhuman primates.

The identification and the utilization of genetically determined electrophoretic differences of enzymes between the individuals of species as well as between cell lines have played an important role in the advancement of mammalian genetics during the past quarter of a century. In an explicit search we found a number of red cell enzyme polymorphisms in each of the following four species: chimpanzees, orang utans, rhesus monkeys and brown capuchins. Allelic distribution patterns among populations have indicated trends of subspeciation among chimpanzees and orang utans due to geographic barriers leading to reproductive isolation. Investigations of quantitative levels of red cell glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase have suggested that relative activity profiles of certain enzymes among species may be helpful in studies of the evolution of physiological traits and their biological significance during speciation. A large number of biochemical genetic markers in primate-rodent (i.e., chimpanzee-, gorilla-, orang utan-, rhesus monkey- and African green monkey-Chinese hamster) somatic cell hybrids have been identified and are useful for primate genetic analysis. Some of the biologically relevant observations on the enzyme markers in the above mentioned primate species are discussed.

Animals

Robertsonian metacentrics in the mouse.

A survey is given on the occurrence, the geographic origin and the arm composition of 27 Robertsonian fusion metacentric chromosomes of wild populations of the mouse. Their study is of twofold interest: a) it is possible to introduce these naturally occuring metacentrics in laboratory strains for experimental use. At present, altogether 34 metacentric chromosomes of different composition are available including 7 cases of metacentrics known form laboratory strains of the mouse. b) With the search for metacentrics in the mouse and with their identification insights are permitted in the role of Robertsonian changes in the course of mammalian evolution--Several separate populations of the mouse with different sets of multiple (up to 9) metacentrics have been found in Switzerland and Italy. Some of the individual metacentrics may occur in different populations. The participation of an acrocentric autosome in the formation of metacentrics seem to be at random, but the sex chromosomes are never included in a metacentric.--Homology of the arms involved in metacentrics is conserved, so that in meiosis of interpopulation hybrids is due to mechanisms of segregational imbalance and subsequent prenatal elimination of fetal offspring, but it follows also the pattern of male limited hybrid sterility.--From an evolutionary view point, karyotype rearrangements of Robertsonian type may initiate reproductive isolation, which prepares the ground for further genetic diversification and, as in the case of the mouse, of incipient speciation.

Animals

Evidence for the presence of two sympatric species of mice (genus Mus L.) in southern France based on biochemical genetics.

Populations of mice established outdoors as well as indoors have been investigated at 24 loci using starch gel electrophoresis. Two reproductively isolated groups are recognized, one of which is referable to a house mouse subspecies, Mus musculus brevirostris, and the other to a different species. Mus spretus, contrary to the view of Schwarz and Schwarz that only one species of Mus is present in the Mediterranean Basin. The genetic distance between these two groups is larger than between any pair of investigated subspecies of M. musculus. M. m. brevirostris is biochemically almost indistinguishable from M. m. domesticus. On the other hand, M. spretus exhibits several allelic variants unknown or at most very infrequent in M. musculus, as for instance at the lactate dehydrogenase B-chain locus.

Animals