scholarly journals Divergence in plumage, voice, and morphology indicates speciation in Rufous-capped Warblers (Basileuterus rufifrons)

The Auk ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 137 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alana D Demko ◽  
J Roberto Sosa-López ◽  
Richard K Simpson ◽  
Stéphanie M Doucet ◽  
Daniel J Mennill
Keyword(s):  
Species Differences ◽  
Genomic Analysis ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Morphological Features ◽  
Sampling Effort ◽  
Field Recordings ◽  
Tropical Biodiversity ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Accurate Quantification ◽  
Comprehensive Study

Abstract The biodiversity of the Neotropics is considerable, but it is likely underestimated owing to gaps in sampling effort and a focus on using morphological features of animals to determine species differences rather than divergence in their mating signals and behavior. Recent multi-trait analyses incorporating morphological, plumage, and vocal data have allowed for more accurate quantification of tropical biodiversity. We present a comprehensive study of morphological features, plumage, and vocalizations of the Neotropical resident Rufous-capped Warbler (Basileuterus rufifrons). This species’ taxonomic status is controversial because the B. r. salvini subspecies is intermediate in plumage coloration between the neighboring B. r. delattrii and B. r. rufifrons subspecies. Using morphological and spectral plumage measurements of field and museum specimens, as well as analyses of vocalizations from field recordings and sound libraries, we compared phenotypes of all 8 currently recognized Rufous-capped Warbler subspecies, with an emphasis on delattrii, rufifrons, and salvini. We found that delattrii and rufifrons differ significantly in morphology and plumage, and that salvini is similar to rufifrons in morphology and some plumage features. Vocalizations fall into 2 distinct groups, delattrii and rufifrons-salvini, which differ in multiple spectro-temporal characteristics with no overlap between them, even among individuals in the delattrii–rufifrons zone of sympatry. Our results therefore suggest that Rufous-capped Warblers comprise 2 distinct groups: Rufous-capped Warblers (B. r. rufifrons and salvini as well as B. r. caudatus, dugesi, and jouyi) and Chestnut-capped Warblers (B. r. delattrii as well as B. r. actuosus and mesochrysus). Future genomic analysis of samples from multiple sites in Mexico and Central America will further refine our assessment of range-wide phenotypic and genetic divergence in this species complex.

scholarly journals From the feces to the genome: a guideline for the isolation and preservation of Strongyloides stercoralis in the field for genetic and genomic analysis of individual worms

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siyu Zhou ◽  
Dorothee Harbecke ◽  
Adrian Streit
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Genomic Analysis ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Strongyloides Stercoralis ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Sampling Effort ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
Full Analysis ◽  
Diagnostic Work ◽  
Taxonomic Studies

Abstract Strongyloidiasis is a soil-borne helminthiasis, which, in spite of the up to 370 million people currently estimated to be infected with its causing agent, the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis, is frequently overlooked. Recent molecular taxonomic studies conducted in Southeast Asia and Australia, showed that dogs can carry the same genotypes of S. stercoralis that also infect humans, in addition to a presumably dog-specific Strongyloides species. This suggests a potential for zoonotic transmission of S. stercoralis from dogs to humans. Although natural S. stercoralis infections have not been reported in any host other than humans, non-human primates and dogs, other as yet unidentified animal reservoirs cannot be excluded. Molecular studies also showed that humans carry rather different genotypes of S. stercoralis. As a result, their taxonomic status and the question of whether they differ in their pathogenic potential remains open. It would therefore be very important to obtain molecular genetic/genomic information about S. stercoralis populations from around the world. One way of achieving this (with little additional sampling effort) would be that people encountering S. stercoralis in the process of their diagnostic work preserve some specimens for molecular analysis. Here we provide a guideline for the isolation, preservation, genotyping at the nuclear 18S rDNA and the mitochondrial cox1 loci, and for whole genome sequencing of single S. stercoralis worms. Since in many cases the full analysis is not possible or desired at the place and time where S. stercoralis are found, we emphasize when and how samples can be preserved, stored and shipped for later analysis. We hope this will benefit and encourage researchers conducting field studies or diagnostics to collect and preserve S. stercoralis for molecular genetic/genomic analyses and either analyze them themselves or make them available to others for further analysis.

Sex and species differences in plasma oxytocin using an enzyme immunoassay

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (8) ◽  
pp. 1194-1200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin M Kramer ◽  
Bruce S Cushing ◽  
C Sue Carter ◽  
Julie Wu ◽  
Mary Ann Ottinger
Keyword(s):  
Enzyme Immunoassay ◽  
Species Differences ◽  
Social Bonds ◽  
Prairie Vole ◽  
Microtus Ochrogaster ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
As Species ◽  
Neuropeptide Hormone ◽  
And Gender ◽  
And Behavior

The neuropeptide hormone oxytocin (OT) is released peripherally and centrally and has been implicated in both physiology and behavior, especially sociosexual behaviors. Knowledge of OT levels in blood or other sources would be useful but these are rarely reported. Radioimmunoassay following extraction is the most commonly used method for measuring OT but is not ideal for use in small mammals in which blood volumes and concentrations of OT are low. Here we report a chemical and biological validation for a commercially available enzyme immunoassay for OT in unextracted plasma. In addition, comparisons of OT were made across species to allow comparison of the monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster (Wagner, 1842)) to the polygynous Sprague Dawley rat. These species were chosen because OT plays a role in the formation of social bonds and we predicted that the highly social prairie vole would have higher plasma OT than the less social rat. Results of this comparison confirmed our hypothesis. Further, OT was significantly higher in females than in males in both species. Our results indicate that this enzyme immunoassay can be used to assay plasma OT in rodents and that the predicted correlations exist between plasma OT and gender as well as species-typical social behavior.

scholarly journals INDIVIDUAL VARIABILITY OF MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF POLISH LARCH IN THE CONDITIONS OF INTRODUCTION

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 33-40
Author(s):  
Maksim Lavrenov ◽  
Sergey Vasil'ev ◽  
Vladimir Nikitin ◽  
Vera Savchenkova
Keyword(s):  
Siberian Larch ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Morphological Features ◽  
European Larch ◽  
Average Value ◽  
European Part Of Russia ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Growing Conditions ◽  
Independent Species

Polish larch trees are among the most valuable among forest species both in natural growing conditions and in the conditions of introduction. However, its taxonomic status is not fully resolved due to the similarity in morphological features with European and Siberian larch. We conducted a comparative analysis of these species of larch on the morphological features of cones and needles. The studies were carried out in the conditions of introduction in the center of the European part of Russia. We present the average value of the trait (XSR ± Sx) and the degree of its variation (V %). The reliability of the difference between the samples according to these characteristics was determined based on the calculation of the student's criterion t. As a result, we found that the Polish larch has smaller cones and significantly differs from the European and Siberian larch in all studied features (length of cones, width of cones, number of scales in cones, length of needles). These results indicate the isolation of the Polish larch, but this pattern can be expressed not only when referring to the Polish larch in the rank of an independent species – Larix polonica Racib., but also as a subspecies of European larch (Larix decidua var. polonica (Racib. ex Wóycicki) Ostenf. & Syrach).

scholarly journals Taxonomic notes on Scutellaria taipeiensis (Lamiaceae) from morphological and molecular data

PhytoKeys ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 140 ◽  
pp. 33-45
Author(s):  
Chien-Ti Chao ◽  
Bing-Hong Huang ◽  
Jui-Tse Chang ◽  
Pei-Chun Liao
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequence ◽  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Plastid Dna ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Sequence Information ◽  
Related Literature ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data ◽  
Comprehensive Study

The genus Scutellaria comprises eight species distributed from 50 to 2000 m in Taiwan. Amongst them, S. barbata and S. taipeiensis are very similar on the basis of morphological and plastid DNA sequence information. Therefore, a comprehensive study of the taxonomic status of S. taipeiensis is necessary. We reviewed the herbarium sheets, related literature and protologues and compared morphologies of these two species, as well as their phylogenetic relationships. All evidence, including the diagnostic characters between S. taipeiensis and S. barbata, suggest that they belonged to a single species rather than two. As a result, S. taipeiensis is treated as a synonym of S. barbata.

scholarly journals First approach to pod dehiscence in faba bean: genetic and histological analyses

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Aguilar-Benitez ◽  
Inés Casimiro-Soriguer ◽  
Ana M. Torres
Keyword(s):  
Faba Bean ◽  
Linkage Mapping ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Genomic Analysis ◽  
Fiber Layer ◽  
Dehiscence Zone ◽  
Molecular Bases ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Pod Dehiscence ◽  
Comprehensive Study

Abstract Pod dehiscence causes important yield losses in cultivated crops and therefore has been a key trait strongly selected against in crop domestication. In spite of the growing knowledge on the genetic basis of dehiscence in different crops, no information is available so far for faba bean. Here we conduct the first comprehensive study for faba bean pod dehiscence by combining, linkage mapping, comparative genomics, QTL analysis and histological examination of mature pods. Mapping of dehiscence-related genes revealed conservation of syntenic blocks among different legumes. Three QTLs were identified in faba bean chromosomes II, IV and VI, although none of them was stable across years. Histological analysis supports the convergent phenotypic evolution previously reported in cereals and related legume species but revealed a more complex pattern in faba bean. Contrary to common bean and soybean, the faba bean dehiscence zone appears to show functional equivalence to that described in crucifers. The lignified wall fiber layer, which is absent in the paucijuga primitive line Vf27, or less lignified and vacuolated in other dehiscent lines, appears to act as the major force triggering pod dehiscence in this species. While our findings, provide new insight into the mechanisms underlying faba bean dehiscence, full understanding of the molecular bases will require further studies combining precise phenotyping with genomic analysis.

The status of the conservation priority species Calicium corynellum in the British Isles

2015 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 205-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Yahr
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Morphological Features ◽  
Its Sequences ◽  
Limited Resources ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Conservation Priority ◽  
The Status ◽  
Priority Species ◽  
The Common

AbstractConservation organisations are tasked with protection of biodiversity but are challenged by limited resources; consequently, the highest conservation priority species have designations that should correspond with the level of protection needed. In Britain, the saxicolous Calicium corynellum receives the highest conservation priority as a consequence of its rarity, combined with dramatic population declines over the last several decades, having disappeared from 2 of its 4 British sites and declined in one other. However, there is some uncertainty associated with the taxonomic status of the entity referred to as C. corynellum in Britain, partly because its common congener, C. viride has been recorded on trees overhanging several of the populations of C. corynellum, but also because the morphology of British material is very similar to the common C. viride, but found on rock. Standard fungal barcode nr ITS sequences of C. corynellum from both extant British populations of C. corynellum were successfully amplified, along with C. viride from trees overhanging one of the sites and from other British sites. In addition, morphological features were compared among specimens of both taxa. There is no evidence to support the distinction of British C. corynellum from its more common congener, and its conservation status is Britain should be re-evaluated.

A re-evaluation of the taxonomic status of Halophila euphlebia Makino (Hydrocharitaceae) based on morphological features and ITS sequence data

2006 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Masayuki Uchimura ◽  
Etienne Jean Faye ◽  
Satoshi Shimada ◽  
Shogo Arai ◽  
Tetsunori Inoue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sequence Data ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Morphological Features ◽  
Its Sequence

scholarly journals The hygienic and microbiological monitoring of air in grade school

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-88
Author(s):  
Guzel Sh. Isaeva ◽  
V. B. Ziatdinov ◽  
S. N. Gabidullina
Keyword(s):  
Educational Institution ◽  
Bed Rest ◽  
Treatment Refusal ◽  
Respiratory Viral Infection ◽  
School Day ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Class Room ◽  
Acute Respiratory Viral Infection ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Comprehensive Study

The comprehensive study was carried out in one of the gimnasias in Kazan to analyze both dynamics of air in class room during a day and behavior of schoolchildren in case of development of droplet infections. The study involved hygienic, microbiological and mass-spectrometer techniques. The increasing of general microbial dissemination of air of class room during school day was established in case of both absences of ventilation and blind-end ventilation with reduction of exposure time. The increase of specific variety of microbiocenoses of air during school day at the expense of opportunistic and pathogenic microflora of upper respiratory ways and skin under violation of ventilation regimen is demonstrated. The behavior of schoolchildren during period of epidemics of influenza and acute respiratory viral infection (self-treatment, refusal of vaccination, wearing of disposable mask, nonobservance of bed rest, etc.) testifies their inadequate sanitary literacy and promotes prevalence of mentioned above infections. The results of studies indicate necessity of sanitary epidemiological control of microflora of air in school classes of educational institution and development of new methodical approaches using modern techniques (sequence analysis, mass-spectrometry) in evaluation of air microbiocenoses in closed premises dictated by increasing effect of this factor of environment to population health, especially children and adolescents and conditioning reinforcement of focusing of preventive activities to decreasing of risks of development of diseases of respiratory system.

scholarly journals Updated Taxonomy of Pectobacterium Genus in the CIRM-CFBP Bacterial Collection: When Newly Described Species Reveal “Old” Endemic Population

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Perrine Portier ◽  
Jacques Pédron ◽  
Géraldine Taghouti ◽  
Cécile Dutrieux ◽  
Marie-Anne Barny
Keyword(s):  
Host Plants ◽  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Genomic Analysis ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Freshwater Environment ◽  
New Host ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
Endemic Population ◽  
Prevalent Species

Bacterial collections are invaluable tools for microbiologists. However, their practical use is compromised by imprecise taxonomical assignation of bacterial strains. This is particularly true for soft rotting plant pathogens of the Pectobacterium genus. We analysed the taxonomic status of 265 Pectobacterium strains deposited at CIRM-CFBP collection from 1944 to 2020. This collection gathered Pectobacterium strains isolated in 27 countries from 32 plant species representing 17 botanical families or from nonhost environments. The MLSA approach completed by genomic analysis of 15 strains was performed to update the taxonomic status of these 265 strains. The results showed that the CIRM-CFBP Pectobacterium collection harboured at least one strain of each species, with the exception of P. polonicum. Yet, seven strains could not be assigned to any of the described species and may represent at least two new species. Surprisingly, P. versatile, recently described in 2019, is the most prevalent species among CIRM-CFBP strains. An analysis of P. versatile strains revealed that this species is pandemic and isolated from various host plants and environments. At the opposite, other species gathered strains isolated from only one botanical family or exclusively from a freshwater environment. Our work also revealed new host plants for several Pectobacterium spp.

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