Incipient species or social polymorphism? Diversity in the desert ant Cataglyphis

Species are the fundamental units upon which evolutionary research is based. In insects, due to the high level of hybridization, the delimitation of such species can be challenging. The genus Cataglyphis presents a high level of diversification, making it an excellent model with which to study evolutionary paths. Israel appears to be a 'hot spot' for recent speciation in this genus. Although previous studies have described multiple species of Cataglyphis in Israel, a recent genetic study has questioned the existence of some of these historically described species. The present study focuses on an apparent species complex that is distinguishable by its mitochondrial DNA (and therefore named mitotypes) but not by its nuclear DNA. Using a multi-method approach (genetics, chemistry and behavior), we show that these mitotypes also differ in their social structures and are readily distinguishable by their cuticular hydrocarbons profiles. While the different mitotypes are in general allopatric, at our study site they all coexist but nonetheless maintain the observed differences between them. This raises many evolutionary questions: Are these incipient species that have diverged with gene flow, or is this a case of social and chemical polymorphism that is maintained within a single species.

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Bracketed Morality in Sport

Physical Education and Sport Through the Centuries ◽

10.2478/spes-2019-0011 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 34-45

Author(s):

Visnja Djordjic

Keyword(s):

Moral Reasoning ◽

Positive Influence ◽

Fair Play ◽

Personal Factors ◽

Moral Integrity ◽

Moral Decision Making ◽

Male Athletes ◽

Moral Atmosphere ◽

High Level ◽

And Behavior

Summary Although sport can promote moral values and prosocial behavior in youth, numerous research shows that sports engagement alone does not guarantee that outcome. Instead of striving for fair-play and sport excellence which not exclude justness, solidarity and moral integrity, contemporary sport frequently follows the Lombardian ethic, where „winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing”. Moral pause or bracketed morality, as described in sport, refers to the phenomenon of tolerance and acceptance of aggressive behavior or cheating, that will be morally condemned outside sports arenas. Accordingly, lower levels of moral reasoning and behavior have been identified in athletes and non-athletes in the sports-related situation in comparison to other life situations; in athletes when compared to non-athletes, in more experienced athletes, high-level athletes, team-sport athletes, and male athletes. Moral reasoning and behavior of athletes are influenced by contextual and personal factors, with coaches having a particularly important role to play. The positive influence of sport on the moral development of athletes might be related to pre-service and in-service education of coaches how to develop adequate moral atmosphere, and how to plan for moral decision-making as an integral part of everyday practice.

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Best practices on the differential expression analysis of multi-species RNA-seq

Genome Biology ◽

10.1186/s13059-021-02337-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Matthew Chung ◽

Vincent M. Bruno ◽

David A. Rasko ◽

Christina A. Cuomo ◽

José F. Muñoz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Best Practices ◽

Differential Expression ◽

Expression Analysis ◽

Differential Expression Analysis ◽

Single Species ◽

Rna Seq ◽

Species Analysis ◽

Differential Gene ◽

Multiple Species ◽

Downstream Analysis

AbstractAdvances in transcriptome sequencing allow for simultaneous interrogation of differentially expressed genes from multiple species originating from a single RNA sample, termed dual or multi-species transcriptomics. Compared to single-species differential expression analysis, the design of multi-species differential expression experiments must account for the relative abundances of each organism of interest within the sample, often requiring enrichment methods and yielding differences in total read counts across samples. The analysis of multi-species transcriptomics datasets requires modifications to the alignment, quantification, and downstream analysis steps compared to the single-species analysis pipelines. We describe best practices for multi-species transcriptomics and differential gene expression.

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Evaluating Coexistence of Fish Species with Coastal Cutthroat Trout in Low Order Streams of Western Oregon and Washington, USA

Fishes ◽

10.3390/fishes6010004 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 4

Author(s):

Kyle D. Martens ◽

Jason Dunham

Keyword(s):

Pacific Northwest ◽

Species Interactions ◽

Coho Salmon ◽

Cutthroat Trout ◽

Single Species ◽

The Pacific ◽

Small Streams ◽

Coastal Cutthroat Trout ◽

Multiple Species ◽

Low Order

When multiple species of fish coexist there are a host of potential ways through which they may interact, yet there is often a strong focus on studies of single species without considering these interactions. For example, many studies of forestry–stream interactions in the Pacific Northwest have focused solely on the most prevalent species: Coastal cutthroat trout. To examine the potential for interactions of other fishes with coastal cutthroat trout, we conducted an analysis of 281 sites in low order streams located on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and along the central Oregon coast. Coastal cutthroat trout and juvenile coho salmon were the most commonly found salmonid species within these streams and exhibited positive associations with each other for both presence and density. Steelhead were negatively associated with the presence of coastal cutthroat trout as well as with coho salmon and sculpins (Cottidae). Coastal cutthroat trout most frequently shared streams with juvenile coho salmon. For densities of these co-occurring species, associations between these two species were relatively weak compared to the strong influences of physical stream conditions (size and gradient), suggesting that physical conditions may have more of an influence on density than species interactions. Collectively, our analysis, along with a review of findings from prior field and laboratory studies, suggests that the net effect of interactions between coastal cutthroat trout and coho salmon do not appear to inhibit their presence or densities in small streams along the Pacific Northwest.

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Analysis of ancient DNA from a prehistoric Amerindian cemetery

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.1999.0368 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 354 (1379) ◽

pp. 153-159 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Anne C. Stone ◽

Mark Stoneking

Keyword(s):

Ancient Dna ◽

Dna Analysis ◽

Nuclear Dna ◽

Genetic Research ◽

Hypervariable Region ◽

Dna Preservation ◽

European Contact ◽

Novel Method ◽

High Level ◽

Central Illinois

The Norris Farms No. 36 cemetery in central Illinois has been the subject of considerable archaeological and genetic research. Both mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA have been examined in this 700–year–old population. DNA preservation at the site was good, with about 70% of the samples producing mtDNA results and approximately 15% yielding nuclear DNA data. All four of the major Amerindian mtDNA haplogroups were found, in addition to a fifth haplogroup. Sequences of the first hypervariable region of the mtDNA control region revealed a high level of diversity in the Norris Farms population and confirmed that the fifth haplogroup associates with Mongolian sequences and hence is probably authentic. Other than a possible reduction in the number of rare mtDNA lineages in many populations, it does not appear as if European contact significantly altered patterns of Amerindian mtDNA variation, despite the large decrease in population size that occurred. For nuclear DNA analysis, a novel method for DNA–based sex identification that uses nucleotide differences between the X and Y copies of the amelogenin gene was developed and applied successfully in approximately 20 individuals. Despite the well–known problems of poor DNA preservation and the ever–present possibility of contamination with modern DNA, genetic analysis of the Norris Farms No. 36 population demonstrates that ancient DNA can be a fruitful source of new insights into prehistoric populations.

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An Ancient Retrovirus-like Element Contains Hot Spots for SINE Insertion

Genetics ◽

10.1093/genetics/158.2.769 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 158 (2) ◽

pp. 769-777

Author(s):

Michael A Cantrell ◽

Brian J Filanoski ◽

Angela R Ingermann ◽

Katherine Olsson ◽

Nicole DiLuglio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hot Spots ◽

Hot Spot ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Common Ancestry ◽

Specific Element ◽

Sine Insertion ◽

Specific Locus ◽

Multiple Species ◽

Phylogenetic Character ◽

Over Time

Abstract Vertebrate retrotransposons have been used extensively for phylogenetic analyses and studies of molecular evolution. Information can be obtained from specific inserts either by comparing sequence differences that have accumulated over time in orthologous copies of that insert or by determining the presence or absence of that specific element at a particular site. The presence of specific copies has been deemed to be an essentially homoplasy-free phylogenetic character because the probability of multiple independent insertions into any one site has been believed to be nil. Mys elements are a type of LTR-containing retrotransposon present in Sigmodontine rodents. In this study we have shown that one particular insert, mys-9, is an extremely old insert present in multiple species of the genus Peromyscus. We have found that different copies of this insert show a surprising range of sizes, due primarily to a continuing series of SINE (short interspersed element) insertions into this locus. We have identified two hot spots for SINE insertion within mys-9 and at each hot spot have found that two independent SINE insertions have occurred at identical sites. These results have major repercussions for phylogenetic analyses based on SINE insertions, indicating the need for caution when one concludes that the existence of a SINE at a specific locus in multiple individuals is indicative of common ancestry. Although independent insertions at the same locus may be rare, SINE insertions are not homoplasy-free phylogenetic markers.

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Transport Characteristics of a Multi-Species Slurry in a Horizontal Pipeline

10.1115/imece2001/htd-24175 ◽

2001 ◽

Author(s):

P. V. Skudarnov ◽

H. J. Kang ◽

C. X. Lin ◽

M. A. Ebadian ◽

P. W. Gibbons ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pressure Drop ◽

Deposition Velocity ◽

Single Species ◽

Operating Conditions ◽

High Level Waste ◽

Slurry Flow ◽

Flow Loop ◽

Waste Transfer ◽

High Level ◽

Slurry Transport

Abstract In the course of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) tank waste retrieval, immobilization, and disposal activities, high-level waste transfer lines have the potential to become plugged. In response to DOE’s needs, Florida International University’s Hemispheric Center for Environmental Technology (FIU-HCET) is studying the mechanism and behavior of pipeline plugging to determine the pipeline operating conditions for safe slurry transport. Transport behavior of multi-species slurry has been studied in a 1-in O.D. pipeline flow loop. The slurry was a five-species mixture of Fe2O3, Al2O3, MnO2, Ni2O3, and SiO2, which simulated actual waste at the Savannah River DOE site. The relationship between the pressure drop in the straight horizontal sections of the flow loop and the mean slurry flow velocity was determined for two solids volume concentrations of 5.2 and 7.8%. Critical deposition velocity was measured from visual observations. An existing empirical model that predicts the pressure gradient for a single-species slurry flow in a horizontal pipeline was used to describe the pressure drop data.

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Mixed embeddedness of Brazilian entrepreneurs in Toronto

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research ◽

10.1108/ijebr-08-2020-0527 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Roberto Pessoa de Queiroz Falcão ◽

Michel Mott Machado ◽

Eduardo Picanço Cruz ◽

Caroline Shenaz Hossein

Keyword(s):

Service Sector ◽

The Body ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Immigrant Entrepreneurship ◽

Content Type ◽

Brazilian Government ◽

Body Of Knowledge ◽

Multi Method Approach ◽

High Level ◽

Entrepreneurial Activities

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to investigate how social integration, immigrant networks and barriers to ventureing affect the entrepreneurial activities of Brazilians in Canada, indicating how mixed embeddedness takes place in that context.Design/methodology/approachData were collected in Toronto, through the application of a survey with 74 Brazilian entrepreneur respondents and 42 semi-structured interviews with selected subjects, thus representing a multi-method approach. The analysis included descriptive statistics from the survey data and a qualitative analysis of the trajectories and life stories of Brazilian immigrants.FindingsOur sample comprises respondents with a high level of education and proficiency in English, coming predominantly from the southeast of Brazil, white, aged from 30 to 49. The majority of businesses are small and related to the service sector. The article contributes to the literature by discussing the elements related to mixed embeddedness, including the need for cultural adaptation and for the creation of networks as a crucial element for business venturing.Research limitations/implicationsThe study focuses on entrepreneurs regardless of their businesses sector or formality/informality status. It could be used as an instrument to support Canadian public policies for welcoming Brazilians and for the Brazilian government to prevent the evasion of potential entrepreneurs.Originality/valueThe article contributes to the body of knowledge of immigrant entrepreneurship in Canada and of Brazilian entrepreneurship overseas. The results suggest factors that may be relevant to the expansion of their business, such as social networking, cultural embeddedness and adaptation of the products/services to a wider range of target customers.

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Discovering the Hidden Secondary Metabolome of Myxococcus xanthus: a Study of Intraspecific Diversity

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.02863-07 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 74 (10) ◽

pp. 3058-3068 ◽

Cited By ~ 105

Author(s):

Daniel Krug ◽

Gabriela Zurek ◽

Ole Revermann ◽

Michiel Vos ◽

Gregory J. Velicer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Secondary Metabolites ◽

Myxococcus Xanthus ◽

Single Species ◽

Intraspecific Diversity ◽

Metabolic Diversity ◽

Model Species ◽

Metabolite Profiles ◽

High Level ◽

New Compounds ◽

Promising Source

ABSTRACT As a monophyletic group, the myxobacteria are known to produce a broad spectrum of secondary metabolites. However, the degree of metabolic diversity that can be found within a single species remains unexplored. The model species Myxococcus xanthus produces several metabolites also present in other myxobacterial species, but only one compound unique to M. xanthus has been found to date. Here, we compare the metabolite profiles of 98 M. xanthus strains that originate from 78 locations worldwide and include 20 centimeter-scale isolates from one location. This screen reveals a strikingly high level of intraspecific diversity in the M. xanthus secondary metabolome. The identification of 37 nonubiquitous candidate compounds greatly exceeds the small number of secondary metabolites previously known to derive from this species. These results suggest that M. xanthus may be a promising source of future natural products and that thorough intraspecific screens of other species could reveal many new compounds of interest.

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