scholarly journals Genetic basis, mode of inheritance and evolutionary changes of migratory directions in palaearctic warblers (Aves: Sylviidae)

1996 ◽  
Vol 199 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Helbig
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Migration Route ◽  
Directional Information ◽  
Arrival Times ◽  
Central European ◽  
Evolutionary Changes ◽  
Mode Of Inheritance

The genetic basis, mode of inheritance and recent evolutionary changes of migratory directions in birds are discussed on the basis of published and new experimental evidence. Displacement experiments with wild-caught migrants and orientation tests with hand-reared passerines illustrate that inexperienced young birds possess genetic information about the direction and approximate distance of migration, but not about the geographic location of the winter quarters. Hand-raised blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla from east and west of the Central European migratory divide, when tested under identical conditions, exibited population-specific migratory directions in orientation cages. Cross-breeding of birds from these two populations demonstrated an intermediate mode of inheritance of this behavioural character. New data on the orientation of an F2 generation suggest that the directional information is encoded by only a few major genes. Migratory adaptations may have evolved recently, in some cases rapidly, as is illustrated by the establishment of a new migration route of central European blackcaps to winter quarters in the British Isles. This new route is shown (in a captive breeding experiment) to be based on a novel, genetically programmed westnorthwesterly migratory direction. It must have spread from almost zero to 7-11 % frequency in parts of central Europe within only three decades. The novel direction is also inherited phenotypically intermediately; its rapid evolution may be mediated by assortative mating based on differential arrival times at the breeding grounds. The evolutionary flexibility of migratory adaptations is discussed in relation to changes in the environment, both natural and accelerated by man.

Long-term migration patterns and bisexual philopatry in a benthic shark species

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (8) ◽  
pp. 1414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Charles Bass ◽  
Johann Mourier ◽  
Nathan A. Knott ◽  
Joanna Day ◽  
Tristan Guttridge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategies ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Conclusive Evidence ◽  
Migration Route ◽  
Shark Species ◽  
Apex Predators ◽  
Arrival Times ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Australian Coastline ◽  
Port Jackson

Knowledge of the broad-scale movement patterns of sharks is essential to developing effective management strategies. Currently there is a large bias in studies focusing on species that are either large apex predators or found in tropical to subtropical regions. There is limited knowledge of the movements and migrations of benthic and temperate shark species. The present study used passive acoustic telemetry to investigate the movement patterns of a benthic shark species, the Port Jackson shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni). Individuals were tagged with acoustic transmitters between 2012 and 2014 and their movements were monitored within Jervis Bay and along the east Australian coastline for up to 4 years. Male and female Port Jackson sharks demonstrated high levels of philopatry to both Jervis Bay and their tagging location across multiple years. Although males and females did not differ in their arrival times, females departed from Jervis Bay later than males. Approximately half the tagged individuals migrated in a southward direction, with individuals being detected at Narooma, Bass Strait and Cape Barron Island. This study provides conclusive evidence of bisexual philopatry in a benthic temperate shark species, confirming previous hypotheses, and presents the most detailed migration route for Port Jackson sharks to date.

scholarly journals Parallel adaptation of rabbit populations to myxoma virus

Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 363 (6433) ◽  
pp. 1319-1326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel M. Alves ◽  
Miguel Carneiro ◽  
Jade Y. Cheng ◽  
Ana Lemos de Matos ◽  
Masmudur M. Rahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Parallel Evolution ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Antiviral Effect ◽  
Myxoma Virus ◽  
European Rabbit ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Evolution Of Resistance

In the 1950s the myxoma virus was released into European rabbit populations in Australia and Europe, decimating populations and resulting in the rapid evolution of resistance. We investigated the genetic basis of resistance by comparing the exomes of rabbits collected before and after the pandemic. We found a strong pattern of parallel evolution, with selection on standing genetic variation favoring the same alleles in Australia, France, and the United Kingdom. Many of these changes occurred in immunity-related genes, supporting a polygenic basis of resistance. We experimentally validated the role of several genes in viral replication and showed that selection acting on an interferon protein has increased the protein’s antiviral effect.

scholarly journals Migration of Sogatella furcifera between the Greater Mekong Subregion and northern China revealed by mtDNA and SNP

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nan Yang ◽  
Zhaoke Dong ◽  
Aidong Chen ◽  
Yanqiong Yin ◽  
Xiangyong Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Mitochondrial Gene ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Snp Markers ◽  
Shandong Province ◽  
Migration Route ◽  
Sogatella Furcifera ◽  
Low Genetic Diversity ◽  
Greater Mekong Subregion

Abstract Background The white-backed planthopper (WBPH), Sogatella furcifera (Horváth) (Hemiptera, Delphacidae), is a migratory pest of rice in Asia. Shandong Province, in northern China, is located on the migration pathway of WBPH between southern and northeast China. The potential sources of WBPH in northern China are poorly understood. We studied the sources of WBPH in Shandong Province by determining the population genetic structure of WBPH in 18 sites distributed in Shandong and in six regions of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). We used mitochondrial gene and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for analysis. Results All of the WBPH populations studied in the seven regions had low genetic diversity. Pairwise FST values based on mtDNA ranged from − 0.061 to 0.285, while FST based on SNP data ranged from − 0.007 to 0.009. These two molecular markers revealed that 4.40% (mtDNA) and 0.19% (SNP) genetic variation could be explained by the interpopulation variation, while the rest came from intrapopulation variation. The populations in the seven geographic regions comprised four hypothetical genetic clusters (K = 4) not associated with geographic location. Eighty-four of 129 individuals distributed across the given area were designated as recent migrants or of admixed ancestry. Although the substantial migration presented, a weak but significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances was found (r = 0.083, P = 0.004). Conclusion The Greater Mekong Subregion was the main genetic source of WBPH in Shandong, while other source populations may also exist. The genetic structure of WBPH is shaped by both migration and geographic barriers. These results help clarify the migration route and the source of WBPH in northern China.

scholarly journals Rapid and continued population decline in the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus indicates imminent extinction unless conservation action is taken

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHRISTOPH ZÖCKLER ◽  
EVGENY E. SYROECHKOVSKIY ◽  
PHILIP W. ATKINSON
Keyword(s):  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Adult Survival ◽  
Mortality Factor ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Migration Route ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Conservation Action ◽  
North East ◽  
Wintering Areas

SummaryThe Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus (IUCN Category: Critically Endangered) is in rapid decline. Data from across the entire breeding range (Chukotka and Koryakya in the Russian far north-east) and especially from the well-studied southern core breeding area at Meinypilgyno, confirm the continuing strong decline. At four breeding sites, where more than two counts were available for analysis, the decline was estimated at 26% per annum between 2002 and 2009, or an 88% decline over this period. Allowing for unsurveyed areas, this equates to a decline from a total population of approximately 1,000 breeding pairs in 2000 to 120–220 in 2009. Breeding studies at Meinypilgyno in 2003–2007 (not 2006) showed that the proportion of nests hatching at least one chick was 0.65 and once chicks left the nest, the mean brood size of chicks up to one week old was 1.99. Where it was possible to follow broods, 0.61 chicks fledged per nesting attempt. Survival and recruitment analysis of birds ringed at Meinypilgyno indicated that annual adult survival did not significantly differ over the 2003–2009 study but that recruitment in to the adult breeding population was effectively zero in all but one year of the study (2005). Resighting data for the last two years of the study were sparse due to very low numbers of marked adults being recorded and survival rates over the last 2–3 years of the study must therefore be treated with caution. The analysis therefore indicated that after fledging, survival during immaturity must be very low, leading to a low (or no) recruitment into an ageing population. Recent observations collated from the non-breeding areas confirm the declining trend observed in the breeding areas and imply that the main threats to the population lie along the migration route or in the wintering areas. These are poorly known although hunting in the wintering areas has been identified as a major mortality factor. Other threats include major loss of their intertidal habitats, and collection of birds on the breeding areas by specimen collectors. Improved monitoring in both the breeding and non-breeding areas as well as research on juvenile survival is recommended. Concerted international conservation action is essential if this species is to avoid extinction. This requires (i) improved understanding of the main wintering and staging areas and associated threats; (ii) addressing those threats that can be tackled with immediate effect, such as hunting; (iii) continued long-term monitoring on the breeding areas; (iv) an exploration of other potential breeding areas; (v) conservation action at all important stop-over and wintering sites along the entire flyway and (vi) consideration of a captive-breeding programme to ensure the survival of this species.

scholarly journals An experimentally introduced population of Brassica rapa (Brassicaceae). 2. Rapid evolution of phenotypic traits

2018 ◽  
Vol 151 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael R. Sekor ◽  
Steven J. Franks
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Brassica Rapa ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Common Garden ◽  
Phenotypic Selection ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Multiple Traits ◽  
Introduced Populations ◽  
Evolutionary Changes

Background and aims – Introduced populations can potentially experience strong selection and rapid evolution. While some retrospective studies have shown rapid evolution in introduced populations in the past, few have directly tested for and characterized evolution as it occurs. Here we use an experimental introduction to directly observe and quantify evolution of multiple traits in a plant population introduced to a novel environment. Methods – We experimentally introduced seeds of the annual plant Brassica rapa L. (Brassicaceae) from a location in southern California into multiple replicated plots in New York. We allowed the populations to naturally evolve for 3 years. Following the resurrection approach, we compared ancestors and descendants planted in common garden conditions in New York in multiple phenotypic traits. Key results – Within only three generations, there was significant evolution of several morphological, phenological, and fitness traits, as well as substantial variation among traits. Despite selection for larger size during the three years following introduction, there was evolution of smaller size, earlier flowering time, and shorter duration of flowering. Although there were rapid evolutionary changes in traits, descendants did not have greater fitness than ancestors in New York, indicating a lack of evidence for adaptive evolution, at least over the timeframe of the study. Conclusions – This study found rapid evolution of several morphological and phenological traits, including smaller plant size and shorter time to flowering, following introduction, confirming that evolution can rapidly occur during the early stages of colonization. Many traits evolved in the opposite direction predicted from phenotypic selection analysis, which suggests that the resurrection approach can reveal unanticipated evolutionary changes and can be very useful for studying contemporary evolution.

scholarly journals tartan underlies the evolution of male Drosophila genital morphology

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna F. D. Hagen ◽  
Cláudia C. Mendes ◽  
Amber Blogg ◽  
Alex Payne ◽  
Kentaro M. Tanaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Organ Size ◽  
Phenotypic Change ◽  
Genital Organ ◽  
Phenotypic Differences ◽  
Bristle Number ◽  
Evolutionary Changes ◽  
Drosophila Mauritiana ◽  
Male Genital

AbstractMale genital structures are among the most rapidly evolving morphological traits and are often the only features that can distinguish closely related species. This process is thought to be driven by sexual selection and may reinforce species separation. However, while the genetic basis of many phenotypic differences have been identified, we still lack knowledge about the genes underlying evolutionary differences in male genital organs and organ size more generally. The claspers (surstyli) are periphallic structures that play an important role in copulation in insects. Here we show that natural variation in clasper size and bristle number between Drosophila mauritiana and D. simulans is caused by evolutionary changes in tartan (trn), which encodes a transmembrane leucine-rich repeat domain protein that mediates cell-cell interactions and affinity differences. There are no fixed amino acid differences in trn between D. mauritiana and D. simulans but differences in the expression of this gene in developing genitalia suggest cis-regulatory changes in trn underlie the evolution of clasper morphology in these species. Finally, analysis of reciprocal hemizyotes that are genetically identical, except for which species the functional allele of trn is from, determined that the trn allele of D. mauritiana specifies larger claspers with more bristles than the allele of D. simulans. Therefore we have identified the first gene underlying evolutionary change in the size of a male genital organ, which will help to better understand the rapid diversification of these structures and the regulation and evolution of organ size more broadly.Significance StatementThe morphology of male genital organs evolves rapidly driven by sexual selection. However, little is known about the genes underlying genitalia differences between species. Identifying these genes is key to understanding how sexual selection acts on development to produce rapid phenotypic change. We have found that the gene tartan underlies differences between male Drosophila mauritiana and D. simulans in the size and bristle number of the claspers - genital projections that grasp the female during copulation. Moreover, since tartan encodes a protein that is involved in cell affinity, this may represent a new developmental mechanism for morphological change. Therefore, our study provides new insights into genetic and developmental bases for the rapid evolution of male genitalia and organ size more generally.

scholarly journals Breeding and hibernation of captive meadow jumping mice (Zapus hudsonius)

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0240706
Author(s):  
Ethan A. Brem ◽  
Alyssa D. McNulty ◽  
William J. Israelsen
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Generation Time ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Laboratory Setting ◽  
Significant Excess ◽  
Short Generation Time ◽  
Potential Applications

Hibernating mammals exhibit unique metabolic and physiological phenotypes that have potential applications in medicine or spaceflight, yet our understanding of the genetic basis and molecular mechanisms of hibernation is limited. The meadow jumping mouse, a small North American hibernator, exhibits traits–including a short generation time–that would facilitate genetic approaches to hibernation research. Here we report the collection, captive breeding, and laboratory hibernation of meadow jumping mice. Captive breeders in our colony produced a statistically significant excess of male offspring and a large number of all-male and all-female litters. We confirmed that short photoperiod induced pre-hibernation fattening, and cold ambient temperature facilitated entry into hibernation. During pre-hibernation fattening, food consumption exhibited non-linear dependence on both body mass and temperature, such that food consumption was greatest in the heaviest animals at the coldest temperatures. Meadow jumping mice exhibited a strong circadian rhythm of nightly activity that was disrupted during the hibernation interval. We conclude that it is possible to study hibernation phenotypes using captive-bred meadow jumping mice in a laboratory setting.

scholarly journals Breeding and hibernation of captive meadow jumping mice (Zapus hudsonius)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan A. Brem ◽  
Alyssa D. McNulty ◽  
William J. Israelsen
Keyword(s):  
Food Consumption ◽  
Generation Time ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Laboratory Setting ◽  
Significant Excess ◽  
Short Generation Time ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Torpor Bouts

AbstractHibernating mammals exhibit unique metabolic and physiological phenotypes that have potential applications in medicine or spaceflight, yet our understanding of the genetic basis and molecular mechanisms of hibernation is limited. The meadow jumping mouse, a small North American hibernator, exhibits traits – including a short generation time – that would facilitate genetic approaches to hibernation research. Here we report the collection, captive breeding, and laboratory hibernation of meadow jumping mice. Captive breeders in our colony produced a statistically significant excess of male offspring and a large number of all-male and all-female litters. We confirmed that short photoperiod induced pre-hibernation fattening, and cold ambient temperature facilitated entry into hibernation. During pre-hibernation fattening, food consumption exhibited non-linear dependence on both body mass and temperature, such that food consumption was greatest in the heaviest animals at the coldest temperatures. Meadow jumping mice exhibited a strong circadian rhythm of nightly activity that was disrupted during the hibernation interval. We quantified the length and timing of torpor bouts and arousals obtained from an uninterrupted recording of a hibernating female. Over a 90.6 day hibernation interval, torpor bouts ranged from 2.1 to 12.8 days (mean 7.7 days), and arousal length was relatively constant with a mean length of 9.6 hours. We conclude that it is possible to study hibernation phenotypes using captive-bred meadow jumping mice in a laboratory setting.

What do we know about the Genetic Basis of Bird Orientation?

1993 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 376-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Helbig
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Present Review ◽  
Compass Orientation ◽  
Important Distinction ◽  
Evolutionary Changes ◽  
Orientation System ◽  
Migratory Routes ◽  
Genetically Determined ◽  
The Way

Migratory directions of birds have long been assumed to be at least partly ‘innate’ that is, genetically determined. In recent years much progress has been made toward understanding the genetic basis of several components of the orientation system. An important distinction has to be made between a bird's ‘knowledge’ of which direction to migrate, and its ability to use certain compass systems to find this intended direction. Both processes, establishing an intended direction and the subsequent compass orientation, have a partly genetic basis. The present review will be concerned only with the first of these processes, and the way it allows evolutionary changes of migratory routes to occur.

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