Chromosome Painting in Neotropical Long and Short-Tailed Parrots (Aves, Psittaciformes): Phylogeny and Proposal for a Putative Ancestral Karyotype for Tribe Arini

Most Neotropical Psittacidae have a diploid number of 2n=70, and a dichotomy in chromosome patterns. Long-tailed species have biarmed macrochromosomes, while short - tailed ones have telo/acrocentric macrochromosomes. However, the use of chromosome painting with chicken and white hawk probes has demonstrated that karyotype evolution in Psittacidae includes a high number of inter/intrachromosomal rearrangements. Hence, to determine the phylogeny of Long and Short-Tailed species, and to propose a putative ancestral karyotype for this group, we constructed homology maps of Pyrrhura frontalis (PFR) and Amazona aestiva (AAE) and compared them to other previously analyzed long-tailed species. Chromosomes were analyzed by conventional staining and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) using whole chromosome paints of G. gallus (GGA) and L. albicollis (LAL). Conventional staining showed a karyotype with 2n=70 in both species, with biarmed macrochromosomes in Pyrrhura frontalis and telo/acrocentric chromosomes in Amazona aestiva. Comparison of the results with the putative avian ancestral karyotype (PAK) showed fusions in P. frontalis of PAK1p/PAK4q (PFR1) and PAK6/PAK7 (PFR6) with a paracentric inversion in PFR6. However, in A. aestiva there was only the fusion between PAK6/7 (AAE7) with a paracentric inversion. Hybridizations with LAL probes confirmed these results. The results indicate that PFR retained a more basal karyotype than Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus (AHY), Ara macao (AMA) and Ara chloropterus (ACH), because these three species show the fusion PAK8/PAK9 that is not seen in PFR. Hence, we suggest that the ancestral karyotype of species with biarmed chromosomes have the fusions PAK1p/PAK4 and PAK6/PAK7 and, additionally, a pericentric inversion of PAK6/PAK7, while the fusion PAK8/PAK9 would have appeared in the common ancestor of Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, Ara macao and Ara chloropterus. However, the species A. aestiva shows a characteristic plesiomorphic trait, since PAK1p/PAK4q and PAK8/9 fusions are absent. Our results base on chromosome rearrangements suggest the classification following the criterium of tail length may no reflect the real phylogenetic history of Neotropical Psittacidae.

Download Full-text

Chromosome Painting in Neotropical Long- and Short-Tailed Parrots (Aves, Psittaciformes): Phylogeny and Proposal for a Putative Ancestral Karyotype for Tribe Arini

Genes ◽

10.3390/genes9100491 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 491 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ivanete de Oliveira Furo ◽

Rafael Kretschmer ◽

Patrícia C. M. O’Brien ◽

Jorge C. Pereira ◽

Analía del Valle Garnero ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chromosome Painting ◽

Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization ◽

Diploid Number ◽

Karyotype Evolution ◽

Paracentric Inversion ◽

Ancestral Karyotype ◽

Acrocentric Chromosomes ◽

Comparison Of The Results ◽

Intrachromosomal Rearrangements

: Most Neotropical Psittacidae have a diploid number of 2n = 70, and a dichotomy in chromosome patterns. Long-tailed species have biarmed macrochromosomes, while short-tailed species have telo/acrocentric macrochromosomes. However, the use of chromosome painting has demonstrated that karyotype evolution in Psittacidae includes a high number of inter/intrachromosomal rearrangements. To determine the phylogeny of long- and short-tailed species, and to propose a putative ancestral karyotype for this group, we constructed homology maps of Pyrrhura frontalis (PFR) and Amazona aestiva (AAE), belonging to the long- and short-tailed groups, respectively. Chromosomes were analyzed by conventional staining and fluorescent in situ hybridization using whole chromosome paints of Gallus gallus and Leucopternis albicollis. Conventional staining showed a karyotype with 2n = 70 in both species, with biarmed macrochromosomes in PFR and telo/acrocentric chromosomes in AAE. Comparison of the results with the putative avian ancestral karyotype (PAK) showed fusions in PFR of PAK1p/PAK4q (PFR1) and PAK6/PAK7 (PFR6) with a paracentric inversion in PFR6. However, in AAE, there was only the fusion between PAK6/7 (AAE7) with a paracentric inversion. Our results indicate that PFR retained a more basal karyotype than long-tailed species previously studied, and AAE a more basal karyotype for Neotropical Psittacidae analyzed so far.

Download Full-text

Introducing the Bird Chromosome Database: An Overview of Cytogenetic Studies in Birds

Cytogenetic and Genome Research ◽

10.1159/000507768 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 160 (4) ◽

pp. 199-205 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Tiago M. Degrandi ◽

Suziane A. Barcellos ◽

Alice L. Costa ◽

Analía D.V. Garnero ◽

Iris Hass ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chromosome Numbers ◽

Chromosome Painting ◽

Bird Species ◽

Extensive Literature ◽

Phylogenetic Studies ◽

Cytogenetic Studies ◽

History Of ◽

Intrachromosomal Rearrangements ◽

Painting Probes ◽

Whole Chromosome Painting

Bird chromosomes, which have been investigated scientifically for more than a century, present a number of unique features. In general, bird karyotypes have a high diploid number (2n) of typically around 80 chromosomes that are divided into macro- and microchromosomes. In recent decades, FISH studies using whole chromosome painting probes have shown that the macrochromosomes evolved through both inter- and intrachromosomal rearrangements. However, chromosome painting data are available for only a few bird species, which hinders a more systematic approach to the understanding of the evolutionary history of the enigmatic bird karyotype. Thus, we decided to create an innovative database through compilation of the cytogenetic data available for birds, including chromosome numbers and the results of chromosome painting with chicken (Gallus gallus) probes. The data were obtained through an extensive literature review, which focused on cytogenetic studies published up to 2019. In the first version of the “Bird Chromosome Database (BCD)” (https://sites.unipampa.edu.br/birdchromosomedatabase) we have compiled data on the chromosome numbers of 1,067 bird species and chromosome painting data on 96 species. We found considerable variation in the diploid numbers, which ranged from 40 to 142, although most (around 50%) of the species studied up to now have between 78 and 82 chromosomes. Despite its importance for cytogenetic research, chromosome painting has been applied to less than 1% of all bird species. The BCD will enable researchers to identify the main knowledge gaps in bird cytogenetics, including the most under-sampled groups, and make inferences on chromosomal homologies in phylogenetic studies.

Download Full-text

North polar trough formation due to in-situ erosion as a source of young ice in mid-latitudinal mantles on Mars

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-83329-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

J. Alexis P. Rodriguez ◽

Kenneth L. Tanaka ◽

Ali M. Bramson ◽

Gregory J. Leonard ◽

Victor R. Baker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Katabatic Wind ◽

Spiral Pattern ◽

Near Surface ◽

Valuable Source ◽

History Of ◽

North Polar ◽

Human Exploration ◽

Erosional Event

AbstractThe clockwise spiral of troughs marking the Martian north polar plateau forms one of the planet’s youngest megastructures. One popular hypothesis posits that the spiral pattern resulted as troughs underwent poleward migration. Here, we show that the troughs are extensively segmented into enclosed depressions (or cells). Many cell interiors display concentric layers that connect pole- and equator-facing slopes, demonstrating in-situ trough erosion. The segmentation patterns indicate a history of gradual trough growth transversely to katabatic wind directions, whereby increases in trough intersections generated their spiral arrangement. The erosional event recorded in the truncated strata and trough segmentation may have supplied up to ~25% of the volume of the mid-latitude icy mantles. Topographically subtle undulations transition into troughs and have distributions that mimic and extend the troughs’ spiraling pattern, indicating that they probably represent buried trough sections. The retention of the spiral pattern in surface and subsurface troughs is consistent with the megastructure’s stabilization before its partial burial. A previously suggested warm paleoclimatic spike indicates that the erosion could have occurred as recently as ~50 Ka. Hence, if the removed ice was redeposited to form the mid-latitude mantles, they could provide a valuable source of near-surface, clean ice for future human exploration.

Download Full-text

Development of a Field Deployable Firebrand Flux and Condition Measurement System

Fire Technology ◽

10.1007/s10694-020-01074-x ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Simone Zen ◽

Jan C. Thomas ◽

Eric V. Mueller ◽

Bhisham Dhurandher ◽

Michael Gallagher ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Imaging Techniques ◽

Time History ◽

Infrared Camera ◽

Thermal Conditions ◽

Particle Characterization ◽

Fire Dynamics ◽

Rate Of Spread ◽

New Instrument ◽

History Of

AbstractA new instrument to quantify firebrand dynamics during fires with particular focus on those associated with the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) has been developed. During WUI fires, firebrands can ignite spot fires, which can rapidly increase the rate of spread (ROS) of the fire, provide a mechanism by which the fire can pass over firebreaks and are the leading cause of structure ignitions. Despite this key role in driving wildfire dynamics and hazards, difficulties in collecting firebrands in the field and preserving their physical condition (e.g. dimensions and temperature) have limited the development of knowledge of firebrand dynamics. In this work we present a new, field-deployable diagnostic tool, an emberometer, designed to provide measurement of firebrand fluxes and information on both the geometry and the thermal conditions of firebrands immediately before deposition by combining a visual and infrared camera. A series of laboratory experiments were conducted to calibrate and validate the developed imaging techniques. The emberometer was then deployed in the field to explore firebrand fluxes and particle conditions for a range of fire intensities in natural pine forest environments. In addition to firebrand particle characterization, field observations with the emberometer enabled detailed time history of deposition (i.e. firebrand flux) relative to concurrent in situ fire behaviour observations. We highlight that deposition was characterised by intense, short duration “showers” that can be reasonably associated to spikes in the average fire line intensity. The results presented illustrate the potential use of an emberometer in studying firebrand and spot fire dynamics.

Download Full-text

In Situ exploration of the giant planets

Experimental Astronomy ◽

10.1007/s10686-021-09775-z ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

O. Mousis ◽

D. H. Atkinson ◽

R. Ambrosi ◽

S. Atreya ◽

D. Banfield ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solar System ◽

Giant Planets ◽

Atmospheric Composition ◽

Formation History ◽

History Of ◽

Composition Structure ◽

Galileo Probe ◽

Probe Measurements

AbstractRemote sensing observations suffer significant limitations when used to study the bulk atmospheric composition of the giant planets of our Solar System. This impacts our knowledge of the formation of these planets and the physics of their atmospheres. A remarkable example of the superiority of in situ probe measurements was illustrated by the exploration of Jupiter, where key measurements such as the determination of the noble gases’ abundances and the precise measurement of the helium mixing ratio were only made available through in situ measurements by the Galileo probe. Here we describe the main scientific goals to be addressed by the future in situ exploration of Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, placing the Galileo probe exploration of Jupiter in a broader context. An atmospheric entry probe targeting the 10-bar level would yield insight into two broad themes: i) the formation history of the giant planets and that of the Solar System, and ii) the processes at play in planetary atmospheres. The probe would descend under parachute to measure composition, structure, and dynamics, with data returned to Earth using a Carrier Relay Spacecraft as a relay station. An atmospheric probe could represent a significant ESA contribution to a future NASA New Frontiers or flagship mission to be launched toward Saturn, Uranus, and/or Neptune.

Download Full-text

Analysis of multiple chromosomal rearrangements in the genome of Willisornis vidua using BAC-FISH and chromosome painting on a supposed conserved karyotype

BMC Ecology and Evolution ◽

10.1186/s12862-021-01768-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Talita Fernanda Augusto Ribas ◽

Julio Cesar Pieczarka ◽

Darren K. Griffin ◽

Lucas G. Kiazim ◽

Cleusa Yoshiko Nagamachi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chromosome Painting ◽

Diploid Number ◽

Chromosomal Rearrangements ◽

Large Degree ◽

Artificial Chromosome ◽

Gallus Gallus ◽

Phylogeographic Structure ◽

Molecular Cytogenetic ◽

Burhinus Oedicnemus ◽

Intrachromosomal Rearrangements

Abstract Background Thamnophilidae birds are the result of a monophyletic radiation of insectivorous Passeriformes. They are a diverse group of 225 species and 45 genera and occur in lowlands and lower montane forests of Neotropics. Despite the large degree of diversity seen in this family, just four species of Thamnophilidae have been karyotyped with a diploid number ranging from 76 to 82 chromosomes. The karyotypic relationships within and between Thamnophilidae and another Passeriformes therefore remain poorly understood. Recent studies have identified the occurrence of intrachromosomal rearrangements in Passeriformes using in silico data and molecular cytogenetic tools. These results demonstrate that intrachromosomal rearrangements are more common in birds than previously thought and are likely to contribute to speciation events. With this in mind, we investigate the apparently conserved karyotype of Willisornis vidua, the Xingu Scale-backed Antbird, using a combination of molecular cytogenetic techniques including chromosome painting with probes derived from Gallus gallus (chicken) and Burhinus oedicnemus (stone curlew), combined with Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) probes derived from the same species. The goal was to investigate the occurrence of rearrangements in an apparently conserved karyotype in order to understand the evolutionary history and taxonomy of this species. In total, 78 BAC probes from the Gallus gallus and Taeniopygia guttata (the Zebra Finch) BAC libraries were tested, of which 40 were derived from Gallus gallus macrochromosomes 1–8, and 38 from microchromosomes 9–28. Results The karyotype is similar to typical Passeriformes karyotypes, with a diploid number of 2n = 80. Our chromosome painting results show that most of the Gallus gallus chromosomes are conserved, except GGA-1, 2 and 4, with some rearrangements identified among macro- and microchromosomes. BAC mapping revealed many intrachromosomal rearrangements, mainly inversions, when comparing Willisornis vidua karyotype with Gallus gallus, and corroborates the fissions revealed by chromosome painting. Conclusions Willisornis vidua presents multiple chromosomal rearrangements despite having a supposed conservative karyotype, demonstrating that our approach using a combination of FISH tools provides a higher resolution than previously obtained by chromosome painting alone. We also show that populations of Willisornis vidua appear conserved from a cytogenetic perspective, despite significant phylogeographic structure.

Download Full-text

Gaia DR1 completeness within 250 pc & star formation history of the Solar neighbourhood

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s1743921317006159 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 12 (S330) ◽

pp. 148-151 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Edouard J. Bernard

Keyword(s):

Star Formation ◽

Star Formation History ◽

Solar Neighbourhood ◽

The Sun ◽

Thick Disc ◽

Formation History ◽

Magnitude Diagram ◽

History Of

AbstractWe took advantage of the Gaia DR1 to combine TGAS parallaxes with Tycho-2 and APASS photometry to calculate the star formation history (SFH) of the solar neighbourhood within 250 pc using the colour-magnitude diagram fitting technique. We present the determination of the completeness within this volume, and compare the resulting SFH with that calculated from the Hipparcos catalogue within 80 pc of the Sun. We also show how this technique will be applied out to ~5 kpc thanks to the next Gaia data releases, which will allow us to quantify the SFH of the thin disc, thick disc and halo in situ, rather than extrapolating based on the stars from these components that are today in the solar neighbourhood.

Download Full-text

The merger-driven evolution of massive early-type galaxies

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s1743921320002434 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (S359) ◽

pp. 62-66

Author(s):

Carlo Cannarozzo ◽

Carlo Nipoti ◽

Alessandro Sonnenfeld ◽

Alexie Leauthaud ◽

Song Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mass Velocity ◽

Selection Criteria ◽

Velocity Dispersion ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Scaling Relations ◽

Early Type ◽

History Of ◽

Kinematic Properties ◽

Shed Light

AbstractThe evolution of the structural and kinematic properties of early-type galaxies (ETGs), their scaling relations, as well as their stellar metallicity and age contain precious information on the assembly history of these systems. We present results on the evolution of the stellar mass-velocity dispersion relation of ETGs, focusing in particular on the effects of some selection criteria used to define ETGs. We also try to shed light on the role that in-situ and ex-situ stellar populations have in massive ETGs, providing a possible explanation of the observed metallicity distributions.

Download Full-text

Chromosomal painting of the sandpiper (Actitis macularius) detects several fissions for the Scolopacidae family (Charadriiformes)

BMC Ecology and Evolution ◽

10.1186/s12862-020-01737-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Melquizedec Luiz Silva Pinheiro ◽

Cleusa Yoshiko Nagamachi ◽

Talita Fernanda Augusto Ribas ◽

Cristovam Guerreiro Diniz ◽

Patricia Caroline Mary O´Brien ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chromosome Painting ◽

Diploid Number ◽

Chromosomal Evolution ◽

Long Distance ◽

Chromosomal Painting ◽

Cytogenetic Studies ◽

Burhinus Oedicnemus ◽

Clear Idea ◽

First Time

Abstract Background The Scolopacidae family (Suborder Scolopaci, Charadriiformes) is composed of sandpipers and snipes; these birds are long-distance migrants that show great diversity in their behavior and habitat use. Cytogenetic studies in the Scolopacidae family show the highest diploid numbers for order Charadriiformes. This work analyzes for the first time the karyotype of Actitis macularius by classic cytogenetics and chromosome painting. Results The species has a diploid number of 92, composed mostly of telocentric pairs. This high 2n is greater than the proposed 80 for the avian ancestral putative karyotype (a common feature among Scolopaci), suggesting that fission rearrangements have formed smaller macrochromosomes and microchromosomes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization using Burhinus oedicnemus whole chromosome probes confirmed the fissions in pairs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 of macrochromosomes. Conclusion Comparative analysis with other species of Charadriiformes studied by chromosome painting together with the molecular phylogenies for the order allowed us to raise hypotheses about the chromosomal evolution in suborder Scolopaci. From this, we can establish a clear idea of how chromosomal evolution occurred in this suborder.

Download Full-text

Uretero-Iliac artery fistula: a rare cause of haematuria

BMJ Case Reports ◽

10.1136/bcr-2019-232189 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. e232189

Author(s):

Natalia Hernandez ◽

Bethany Desroches ◽

Eric Peden ◽

Raj Satkunasivam

Keyword(s):

Iliac Artery ◽

Percutaneous Nephrostomy ◽

Arterial System ◽

Endoscopic Evaluation ◽

Stent Removal ◽

Retrograde Pyelogram ◽

History Of ◽

Gross Haematuria ◽

Multiple Episodes

A woman in her mid-forties with a history of cervical cancer requiring chemoradiation presented with bilateral ureteral strictures secondary to radiation therapy. The ureteral obstruction was initially relieved with bilateral percutaneous nephrostomy tubes, and subsequently, bilateral ureteral stents. Over the course of 8 months, she presented with multiple episodes of severe gross haematuria. This persisted even after stent removal and conversion back to percutaneous nephrostomy tubes. The initial evaluation, done with concern for an uretero-iliac artery fistula, which included bilateral retrograde pyelograms and CT angiography was non-diagnostic. Given continued haematuria, repeat endoscopic evaluation was undertaken; on retrograde pyelogram, brisk contrast was seen to pass into the arterial system, consistent with a left ureteroarterial fistula. The patient underwent endovascular iliac artery stent placement. Subsequently, the patient underwent resection of the iliac artery with endovascular graft in situ, left distal ureterectomy with proximal ureteral ligation following femoral-to-femoral bypass. This allowed for complete resolution of the patient’s gross haematuria episodes.

Download Full-text