SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “SPECIES”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

Mother species-father species: unidirectional hybridization in animals with female choice.

As mitochondria are inherited in a matrilinear way, an animal hybrid contains the mitochondrial DNA of its 'mother species'. Of 80 studies that analysed the mitochondrial DNA of at least five hybrid individuals, 50 showed that all hybrids contained the mitochondrial DNA of only one of the two parental species, indicating either mating of females of species A with males of species B but not vice versa (unidirectional hybridization) or the disappearance of one of the two parental mtDNA types after reciprocal hybridization. I review and discuss factors promoting unidirectional or reciprocal hybridization and present a sexual selection hypothesis for unidirectional hybridization. The inequality of the sexes in parental investment leads to the sex that invests more being the more discriminating one. In the presence of conspecific males, females reject allospecific males and, consequently, a male in an environment of both allospecific sexes is unlikely to mate, while in the absence of conspecific males, females sometimes accept fertilizations by males of other species. Thus, hybrid matings are usually between the females of a rare species and the males of a common species, but not vice versa. Copyright 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1995

Predicting cadmium, lead and fluoride levels in small mammals from soil residues and by species-species extrapolation.

The effects of heavy metals on wild mammals are often assessed by analysing residues in body organs. This paper reviews published studies to determine whether cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and fluoride (F) residues in small mammals can be predicted directly from residues in soil or, when this is not possible, from residues in other species. It was found that residues in soil could be used to predict Cd and Pb concentrations in small mammals. There were significant (P < 0.05) relationships between Cd residues in soil and in the liver and kidneys of wood mice Apodemus sylvaticus and common shrews Sorex araneus; similar relationships occurred in field voles Microtus agrestis (0.05 < P < 0.10). There were also significant relationships between Pb residues in soil and body organs for wood mice and field voles. Insufficient data were available to relate either Pb levels in soil to those in shrews or F levels in soil to residues in any species. However, both Cd and F residues in any one of the three small mammal species examined could be predicted from the corresponding residues in the other species, there being significant relationships between species for residues in the liver and kidneys (Cd) or bone (F). Too few data were available to determine species-species relationships for Pb.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Biosorbent for tungsten species removal from water: effects of co-occurring inorganic species.

The effect of co-occurring inorganic species on the removal of tungsten from water was investigated using biosorbent (i.e., chitosan coated montmorillonite clay). Simulated natural water and well water from Fallon, NV were used for this study. The concentrations of tungsten (21-541 mg/L) and inorganic species ([H(2)CO(3)]=0-4.2 mg/L, [H(4)SiO(4)]=0-90 mg/L, and [SO(2-)(4)]=0-400 mg/L) in simulated feed water were varied. The concentration of tungsten in the well water was 26 microg/L. The pH level of simulated feed water and well water was adjusted to 4 since this pH was found to be the most effective pH for the tungsten removal using chitosan coated clay. Tungsten removal without the existence of co-occurring inorganic species decreases from 99.8 to 87.1% with an increase in initial tungsten concentration from 21 to 541 mg/L. It reduces further as the co-occurring inorganic species concentration increases. The percentage of the tungsten removal ranges between 68.2-93.8%, 66.7-94.2%, and 53.6-93.7% for simulated natural water containing varied amount of H(2)CO(3), H(4)SiO(4), and SO(2-)(4), respectively. The adsorption kinetic data could be best described by the pseudo second order expression. The adsorption equilibrium data was modeled with the Langmuir, Temkin, and Freundlich equations and was found to be represented well by the Langmuir equation. The essential characteristics of the Langmuir isotherm indicate that the adsorption of tungsten on chitosan coated clay is favorable regardless of the presence of interfering species. Compared to natural clay, chitosan coated clay has about 116 times larger adsorption capacity per gram of chitosan, which makes it a superior adsorbent. However, the maximum tungsten adsorption capacity decreases in the presence of co-occurring species since the co-occurring species suppress the adsorption. For the well water treated with biosorbent, the tungsten concentration in the product water was found to be lower than the detection limit (1 microg/L) of the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The repeatable results obtained from the treatment of both simulated and well water suggest that using chitosan coated clay can be an efficient adsorbent for tungsten removal from contaminated sites.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2003

Species-specific isotope dilution with permeation tubes for determination of gaseous mercury species.

Instrumentation and methodology for determination of the gaseous mercury species Hg0, (CH3)2Hg, and CH3Hg+ has been developed. The method is based on continuous addition of gaseous isotopically enriched Hg species (tracers) at the point of sample acquisition, in combination with reduced pressure sampling on Carbotrap adsorbent tubes. Permeation tubes are used for generation of the tracers. Collected species are thermally desorbed and purged through an aqueous sodium tetraethylborate solution for derivatization of CH3Hg+. The purged gas is dried with a Nafion membrane, and the Hg species are subsequently collected on a smaller Tenax TA adsorbent tube. Species are then thermally desorbed from the Tenax TA and introduced into a gas chromatograph connected to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer for separation and detection. To be able to add tracers during field sampling, we developed a portable device, supplying the permeation tubes with a thermostated and mass flow-controlled air stream of 5.0 +/- 0.1 degrees C and 50.0 mL min(-1), respectively. Typical permeation rates obtained during a period of more than 6 weeks were 12.93 +/- 0.56, 0.42 +/- 0.01, and 0.49 +/- 0.03 (mean +/- standard deviation) pg of Hg min(-1) for a set of 199Hg0, (CH3)2 198Hg, and CH3 200Hg+ tubes, respectively. Methodological detection limits (3sigma) were determined to 700 pg of Hg m(-3) for Hg0 and 50 pg of Hg m(-3) for (CH3)2Hg and CH3Hg+. The collection efficiencies for sampled volumes of 400 L of synthetic air on the Carbotrap tubes used in this study were 13 +/- 2, 102 +/- 2, and 99 +/- 4% for Hg0, (CH3)2Hg, and CH3Hg+, respectively. Desorption efficiencies for the above species and tubes were 98 +/- 2, 98 +/- 1, and 90 +/- 4%, respectively. Fractions (20-40%) of the added (CH3)2 198Hg and CH3 200Hg+ tracers were found to be transformed during the analytical processing of collected air samples. Determined concentrations in the research laboratory air, corrected for species transformations, were 3-53, 8-11, and 1-2 ng of Hg m(-3) for Hg0, (CH3)2Hg, and CH3Hg+, respectively. Concentrations in the ambient air were determined to be 2.1-2.6 ng m(-3) for Hg0 and below the detection limit for (CH3)2Hg and CH3Hg+.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Oxochromium(V) species formed with 2,3-dehydro-2-deoxy-N-acetylneuraminic or N-acetylneuraminic (sialic) acids: an in vitro model system of oxochromium(V) species potentially stabilized in the respiratory tract upon inhalation of carcinogenic chromium(VI) compounds.

The human respiratory tract is rich in sialoglycoconjugates. These polyfunctional, oxygen-rich molecules stabilize potentially genotoxic oxoCr(V) species, which has relevance to the metabolic fate of carcinogenic Cr(VI) compounds when inhaled as dusts, mists, and fumes during occupational exposure. A series of oxoCr(V) species formed from solutions of Cr(VI) and the reductant, glutathione (GSH), in the presence of an excess of small molecule ligands that model sialoglycoconjugates, either 2,3-dehydro-2-deoxy-N-acetylneuraminic acid (I) or N-acetylneuraminic acid (II), have been characterized as a function of pH value, using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy (Cr(V) = d(1)). Where [I] or [II] is in large excess of [Cr(V)-GSH], oxoCr(V)-I or -II species form (g(iso) = 1.97-1.98) via ligand-exchange reactions in which oxygen donor atoms from the carboxylic acid (I), tert-2-hydroxycarboxylato(2-) (II), and/or diolato(2-) groups (I, II) feature in the oxoCr(V) coordination sphere. At pH approximately 7.1 (where [Cr(V)-GSH]:[II] << 1), the oxoCr(V)-II complexes remain EPR active for 24 h (with t(1/2) approximately 380 min). The parent EPR spectrum from oxoCr(V)-I or -II solutions represents the sum of spectra from individual linkage isomers; using EPR spectral simulation procedures, coupled with empirical EPR spectroscopic data for previously characterized oxoCr(V)-hydroxycarboxylato and -diolato species, a signature EPR spectrum has been predicted for each oxoCr(V)-I or -II linkage isomer, with defining g(iso) and (1)H a(iso) values and signal multiplicities. At pH values > 7.0, the major EPR signal (g(iso) approximately 1.980) is a septet, indicating the presence of oxoCr(V)-I or oxoCr(V)-II species with coordination from two O(8),O(9)-diolato(2-) chelates, with six magnetically equivalent protons ((1)H a(iso) approximately 0.7 x 10(-)(4) cm(-)(1)). At pH values < 7.0, where carboxylato binding competes with diolato binding, the species (g(iso) approximately 1.979) most likely feature mixed binding modes from one diolato(2-) and one tert-2-hydroxycarboxylato(2-) chelate (oxoCr(V)-II) or one diolato(2-) chelate, one monodentate carboxylato(1-) group, and aqua and/or hydroxo oxygen donors (oxoCr(V)-I). In I and II, the relative concentration of the oxoCr(V) linkage isomer featuring donation via the O(7),O(8) diolato group is about 1 order of magnitude smaller than the concentration of the O(8),O(9) linkage isomer. The dominance of oxoCr(V)-I or -II linkage isomers with O(8),O(9) donation correlates with the dihedral angle in these isomers (O(9)-C(9)-C(8)-O(8) approximately 65 degrees ) being more favorably disposed toward metal binding, as compared to the O(7),O(8) analogue (O(7)-C(7)-C(8)-O(8) approximately 163 degrees ). These results have important implications with respect to the nature of the oxoCr(V) species that may potentially form in the sialoglycoconjugate-rich environment of the human respiratory tract upon inhalation of carcinogenic Cr(VI) compounds.

Carcinogens, Environmental↗

PubMed1999

Phospholipid molecular species distribution of some medically important Candida species analysed by fast atom bombardment mass spectroscopy.

The aim of this study was to obtain detailed information on phospholipids (PL) of the medically important Candida species and to determine their possible chemotaxonomic significance. Lipids were extracted from 22 strains representing 8 Candida species and their PL molecular species distributions were determined by Fast Atom Bombardment Mass Spectroscopy (FAB MS) in negative ion mode. Fifteen major lower mass peaks (m/z 221 to 289) were attributable to the expected presence of carboxylate anions and 24 major higher mass peaks (m/z 557 to 837) were attributable to phospholipid anions. Major carboxylate peaks were of the following m/z and identities : 253, C16:1; 255, C16:0; 277, C18:3; 279, C18:2; 281, C18:1; and 283, C18:0. The most abundant peaks consistent with the presence of phospholipid molecular species anions include those of m/z 673, 743, 833, 834 and 836 tentatively identified as phosphatidic acid (PA) (34:1), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) (34:3), phosphtidylinositol (PI) (34:2) and two unknown molecular species. This profile is diagnostic for the genus Candida. Quantitative differences were observed between different Candida species. Thus, polar lipid molecular species distribution in Candida spp. has chemotaxonomic significance, especially so in the case of carboxylate anions.

Candida↗

PubMed1991

Separation and purification of 34- and 52-kDa species of bovine lung endothelin receptors and identification of the 34-kDa species as a degradation product.

We solubilized bovine lung endothelin receptors in a nonaggregated state and identified 34- and 52-kDa species of endothelin receptor by affinity labeling. The ratio of 34-kDa species to 52-kDa species varied widely from sample to sample, suggesting that the 34-kDa species is a proteolytic product; we therefore examined the effect of various proteinase inhibitors and found that EDTA (greater than 50 mM) was very effective in preventing the conversion. These results indicate that the lower Mr species arose from the 52-kDa receptor as a result of limited proteolysis by metal proteinase(s). The resulting 34-kDa species had endothelin-binding activity, was very stable, and was not processed further even in the absence of proteinase inhibitors. We therefore first tried to purify the 34-kDa species by affinity chromatography. Bovine lung extracts were mixed with biotinylated endothelin and the ligand-receptor complexes formed were isolated with avidin-agarose. Starting from 3.5 kg of bovine lung, approximately 200 micrograms of the pure receptor was obtained. Microsequencing of two well-separated tryptic fragments yielded the following partial amino acid sequences: Ala-Asn-Asp-His-Gly-Tyr-Asp-Asn-Phe and Ser-Gly-Met-Gln-Ile-Ala-Leu-Asn-Asp-His-Leu-Lys.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2003

Why does grassland productivity increase with species richness? Disentangling species richness and composition with tests for overyielding and superyielding in biodiversity experiments.

The causal relationship between the biodiversity of natural and modified environments and their net primary production has been a topic of significant scientific controversy and scrutiny. Early theoretical and empirical results indicated that production was sometimes significantly correlated with species richness when species richness was directly manipulated in experimental systems. Possible mechanisms for this phenomenon include statistical sampling effects, complementary resource use and mutualistic interactions. However, the interpretation of experimental results has sometimes confounded species richness with species composition, and disentangling the effects of species diversity from species identity has proved a formidable challenge. Here, I present a statistical method that is based on simple probability models and does not rely on the species composition of individual plots to distinguish among three phenomena that occur in biodiversity-production experiments: underyielding, overyielding and (a new concept) superyielding. In some cases, distinguishing these phenomena will provide evidence for underlying mechanisms. As a proof-of-concept, I first applied this technique to a simulated dataset, indicating the strengths of the method with both clear and ambiguous cases. I then analysed data from the BIODEPTH experimental biodiversity manipulations. No evidence of either overyielding or superyielding was detected in the BIODEPTH experiment.

Biomass↗

PubMed2006

Linking species-area and species-energy relationships in Drosophila microcosms.

Resource availability is an important constraint on community structure. Some authors have suggested it conceptually links two of the most basic patterns in ecology, the species-area relationship and the latitudinal gradient in species richness. I present the first experimental test of this conjecture, by manipulating both the area and resource concentration of artificial larval drosophilid fly habitats and then allowing colonization from a natural species pool. Both the abundance and species richness of these habitats depended upon the total quantity of resources available, regardless of whether those resources were contained within smaller high-quality habitats or larger poor-quality habitats. While the intercepts of species-area relationships varied with resource concentration, they all collapsed onto the same species-energy curve. These results support the view that energetic constraints are of fundamental importance in structuring ecological communities, and that such constraints may even help explain ecological patterns such as the species-area relationship that do not explicitly address resource availability.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Fluconazole susceptibilities of Candida species and distribution of species recovered from blood cultures over a 5-year period.

The distribution and fluconazole susceptibilities of Candida species isolated over a 5-year period were investigated. Susceptibilities were determined by using a new microtiter procedure and the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) proposed standard. The new method correlated well with the NCCLS proposed standard and gave very clear end points. Results indicate that there are species-related differences in MICs as reflected in the MICs for 90% of species tested. Candida albicans is most susceptible to fluconazole, while Candida glabrata is among the least susceptible. These findings coincided with the observation of a shift in distribution of yeast species recovered from blood cultures from 1987 to 1992. C. albicans was the predominant species (87%) in the pre- or early fluconazole years but decreased to only 31% of the isolates in 1992. Thus, Candida species for which MICs of fluconazole were higher have become more prominent in recent years. Significantly, throughout this period, MICs for each species did not change appreciably.

Candida↗

PubMed1996

Isozyme Variation among Biological Species in the Gibberella fujikuroi Species Complex (Fusarium Section Liseola).

Isozyme phenotypes were determined for 101 strains of Gibberella fujikuroi and 2 strains of Gibberella nygamai that represent seven biological species (mating populations) isolated from a variety of plant hosts in dispersed geographic locations. Fourteen enzymes were resolved in one or more of three buffer systems. Two of the enzymes, arylesterase and acid phosphatase, were polymorphic within two or more biological species and are suitable for intraspecific studies of population variation. Six enzymes, alcohol dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, mannitol dehydrogenase, phosphoglucomutase, and phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, were monomorphic in all of the isolates examined. The remaining six enzymes, fumarase, glucose phosphate isomerase, glutamate dehydrogenase (NADP), isocitrate dehydrogenase (NADP), malate dehydrogenase, and triose-phosphate isomerase, could potentially be used to distinguish the different biological species. Mating populations C and D are the most similar, since the mating population C isolates examined had the same isozyme phenotype as did a subset of the isolates in mating population D. Mating population E is the least similar to the other taxa examined. Unique isozyme phenotypes are present but are composed of banding patterns shared among the biological species. This finding supports the hypothesis that these biological species, with the possible exception of mating populations C and D, are reproductively isolated from one another and that no significant gene flow is occurring between them. Isozyme analysis is a useful method to distinguish these closely related biological species. Examination of isozyme phenotypes is more rapid than the present technique, which is based on sexual crosses; can be applied to strains that are not sexually fertile; and is more sensitive than traditional morphological characters, which cannot distinguish more than three or four morphological groups among the seven biological species. While emphasizing the discreteness of the mating populations as biological entities, our isozyme data also reaffirm the close genetic relationship among these groups.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

Distribution of bifidobacterial species in human intestinal microflora examined with 16S rRNA-gene-targeted species-specific primers.

In order to clarify the distribution of bifidobacterial species in the human intestinal tract, a 16S rRNA-gene-targeted species-specific PCR technique was developed and used with DNAs extracted from fecal samples obtained from 48 healthy adults and 27 breast-fed infants. To cover all of the bifidobacterial species that have been isolated from and identified in the human intestinal tract, species-specific primers for Bifidobacterium longum, B. infantis, B. dentium, and B. gallicum were developed and used with primers for B. adolescentis, B. angulatum, B. bifidum, B. breve, and the B. catenulatum group (B. catenulatum and B. pseudocatenulatum) that were developed in a previous study (T. Matsuki, K. Watanabe, R. Tanaka, and H. Oyaizu, FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 167:113-121, 1998). The specificity of the nine primers was confirmed by PCR, and the species-specific PCR method was found to be a useful means for identifying Bifidobacterium strains isolated from human feces. The results of an examination of bifidobacterial species distribution showed that the B. catenulatum group was the most commonly found taxon (detected in 44 of 48 samples [92%]), followed by B. longum and B. adolescentis, in the adult intestinal bifidobacterial flora and that B. breve, B. infantis, and B. longum were frequently found in the intestinal tracts of infants. The present study demonstrated that qualitative detection of the bifidobacterial species present in human feces can be accomplished rapidly and accurately.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Targeting single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the 18S rRNA gene to differentiate Cyclospora species from Eimeria species by multiplex PCR.

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a coccidian parasite that causes protracted diarrheal illness in humans. C. cayetanensis is the only species of this genus thus far associated with human illness, although Cyclospora species from other primates have been named. The current method to detect the parasite uses a nested PCR assay to amplify a 294-bp region of the small subunit rRNA gene, followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) or DNA sequence analysis. Since the amplicons generated from C. cayetanensis and Eimeria species are the same size, the latter step is required to distinguish between these different species. The current PCR-RFLP protocol, however, cannot distinguish between C. cayetanensis and these new isolates. The differential identification of such pathogenic and nonpathogenic parasites is essential in assessing the risks to human health from microorganisms that may be potential contaminants in food and water sources. Therefore, to expand the utility of PCR to detect and identify these parasites in a multiplex assay, a series of genus- and species-specific forward primers were designed that are able to distinguish sites of limited sequence heterogeneity in the target gene. The most effective of these unique primers were those that identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the 3' end of the primer. Under more stringent annealing and elongation conditions, these SNP primers were able to differentiate between C. cayetanensis, nonhuman primate species of Cyclospora, and Eimeria species. As a diagnostic tool, the SNP PCR protocol described here presents a more rapid and sensitive alternative to the currently available PCR-RFLP detection method. In addition, the specificity of these diagnostic primers removes the uncertainty that can be associated with analyses of foods or environmental sources suspected of harboring potential human parasitic pathogens.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Species identification in seven small millet species using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism of trnS-psbC gene region.

The chloroplast trnS-psbC gene regions from total genomic DNA of 119 accessions from seven small millet species were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and digested with eight restriction enzymes individually as well as in combinations of two enzymes to generate restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). PCR-RFLP with individual enzymes revealed polymorphism between only some species. However, all the species could be distinguished by using a combination of two enzymes, specifically HaeIII and MspI. PCR-RFLP of 11 to 20 accessions with the same enzyme combination showed no intraspecific variation, which established that the differential banding patterns were species specific. In contrast, the same enzyme combination was not useful for differentiating different species of the genera Cajanus, Rhyncosia, Abies, Rhizophora, Ceriops, and Bruguiera, and it also revealed intraspecies variation in three species of Abies. The present study indicated that digestion of trnS-psbC with two four-base recognizing enzymes reveals more variation than with either enzyme alone and that it may be a method of choice for species identification in some genera.

DNA, Chloroplast↗

PubMed2004

Three new species of Antricola (Acari: Argasidae) from Brazil, with a key to the known species in the genus.

Three new species of Antricola (Acari: Argasidae) are described from adult specimens collected on bat guano in different caves in Brazil. The female of Antricola guglielmonei n. sp. is easily determined by the presence of 2 smooth, depressed areas lacking setae in the posterolateral portions of the dorsum of the idiosoma, together with the partial fusion of the tubercles in the anteromedian portion of the idiosoma. The male of this species has a small spiracular plate surrounded by a pattern of tubercles disposed concentrically in its dorsal portion. Both sexes have cervical grooves very slightly marked. Antricola delacruzi n. sp. represents the only Antricola species with the dorsum of the idiosoma devoid of tubercles in both sexes and with scarce and minute setae placed over the smooth cuticle. The female of A. inexpectata n. sp. is known only from a few specimens. In this species, lines of smooth cuticle lacking setae separate the tubercles of the dorsum. In addition, there are 3 clumps of plumose setae close to the spiracular plate, in the ventrolateral portions of the idiosoma, in 3 well-delimited regions over cuticular thickenings. These 3 species share the peculiarity of a Haller's organ with the anterior pit bearing only 7 + 2 setae. The collection of these new species in Brazilian caves greatly expands the known range of the genus. A key to the adults of all known species of the genus is provided.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

RNA Virus Diversity, Cross-Species Transmission, and Molecular Constraints in Two Closely Related Rat Species.

Viral infection involves co-evolution with hosts, yet the molecular determinants that constrain viral cross-species transmission remain poorly understood. Here, we established conspecific and heterospecific co-housing models for two closely related rat species, Rattus norvegicus (RN) and Rattus tanezumi (RT), both maintained in laboratory settings for over 10 generations, together with wild-caught RT individuals. Using meta-transcriptomic sequencing and population genomic analyses, we compared their RNA virus profiles and investigated the potential molecular constraints on cross-species viral transmission. From 63 rats, we characterized an extensive RNA virome comprising more than 600 viruses, including 7 zoonotic viruses, 29 viruses with cross-species transmission potential, and 335 novel viruses. Notably, the prevalence of Seoul orthohantavirus (SEOV) was significantly higher in RN than in RT. Population genomic analysis revealed that RN exhibited higher heterozygosity in Itgb3 (the gene encoding the SEOV receptor, β3-integrin) and Tlr7 (the gene encoding the receptor for viral ssRNA, Toll-like receptor 7) compared to RT. These genetic variations likely represent the molecular determinants responsible for the differential susceptibility to SEOV between the two species. Our findings clarify the diversity and prevalence of RNA viruses in closely related rodent species and highlight host genetic barriers that may influence zoonotic spillover risk.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Application of proteomics for fast identification of species-specific peptides from marine species.

In this work, a novel approach based on proteomics is applied for the analysis of the three European marine mussel species: Mytilus edulis (ME), Mytilus galloprovincialis (MG) and Mytilus trossulus (MT), which are of interest in biotechnology and food industry. The proteomes of these species are poorly described in databases, are difficult to diagnose, and have a controversial taxonomy, To characterise species-specific peptides, we compared 51 matrix-assisted laser desorption/ioization-time of flight peptide mass maps generated from 6 random selected prominent spots derived from the two-dimensional electrophoresis analysis of foot protein extracts from several individuals. Minor species-specific differences in the peptide maps were detected in only one of the spots, corresponding to tropomyosin. Two peptides were unique to ME and MG individuals, whereas another peptide was present only in MT individuals. The sequence of these peptides was characterised by, nanoelectrospray ionization-ion trap (nanoESI-IT) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis followed by database searching and de novo sequence interpretation. We detected a single T to D amino acid substitution in MT tropomyosin. Unambiguous and highly-specific species identification was then demonstrated by analysing peptide extracts from tropomyosin spots by micro high-performande liquid chromatography (microHPL) ESI-IT mass spectrometry using the selected ion monitoring configuration, focused on these peptides, in continuous MS/MS operation. Our results suggest that proteomics may be successfully applied for the identification of species whose proteome is not present in databases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2000

Phylogenetic species recognition and species concepts in fungi.

The operational species concept, i.e., the one used to recognize species, is contrasted to the theoretical species concept. A phylogenetic approach to recognize fungal species based on concordance of multiple gene genealogies is compared to those based on morphology and reproductive behavior. Examples where Phylogenetic Species Recognition has been applied to fungi are reviewed and concerns regarding Phylogenetic Species Recognition are discussed.

Evolution, Molecular↗