Allozyme and Other Aspects of Variation in the Genus Bulbinella in New Zealand

<p>This thesis examines some aspects of morphological, cytogenetic and allozyme variation in the six species of the genus Bulbinella in New Zealand. Because evidence was found suggesting that fragmentation and reduction of the habitat of some species of the study genus had occurred, aspects of the conservation status of Bulbinella were also investigated. Some of the morphological characters described and used by Moore (1964) to separate the species were employed in this study as well as other characters recorded by the author in actively glowing plants. Generally, the seven taxa could be successfully distinguished using selected morphological characters, although in some species or populations a range of morphological forms was observed. Increased human land use (mainly mining, farming and associated activities) has reduced some populations of Bulbinella to low numbers by destroying large areas of habitat. In some cases once vast areas of Bulbinella have been reduced to fragments or probably exterminated. The karyotypes of five of the seven taxa were determined and these were all consistent with published data. G-banding was achieved in only one slide from one plant. A total of four bands (restricted to two pairs of chromosomes) was observed in the entire chromosome complement of 14. Each band was located on a separate chromosome. Inflorescence material from 61 natural populations of Bulbinella in New Zealand was examined for enzyme activity using starch gel electrophoresis. Activity was detected for eight of a total of 43 enzyme stains. Three monomorphic and 11 polymorphic loci were resolved. While no completely fixed differences between all the taxa could be demonstrated, four almost fixed differences were found. In some instances where populations belonging to different species were not geographically separated by great distances (<50km) shared alleles between species were demonstrated, indicating that introgression had occurred and may still be taking place. Overall, the genetic distance (Nei 1978) within taxa was less than that between taxa. The dendrogram resulting from cluster analysis of Nei's unbiased genetic distances divided the genus into four groups, three of which corresponded to three currently recognised taxa. The other group contained the remaining four taxa. Although the component taxa of this cluster could be readily separated using morphological characters, they could not be distinguished using allozyme data. The endemic distribution of B. rossii (Campbell Island and Auckland Island Group) and fixed morphological differences justify its remaining a separate taxon. The formal raising of B. gibbsii var. gibbsii to a separate specific status is subject to the analysis of further samples of this taxon. B. angustifolia, B, talbotii, and B. gibbsii vat. balanifera also remain separate taxa, with B. gibbsii var. balanifera being raised to a separate specific status. B. modesta, which is genetically closely related to B. hookeri, becomes a sub-species of this taxon.</p>

Allozyme and Other Aspects of Variation in the Genus Bulbinella in New Zealand

<p>This thesis examines some aspects of morphological, cytogenetic and allozyme variation in the six species of the genus Bulbinella in New Zealand. Because evidence was found suggesting that fragmentation and reduction of the habitat of some species of the study genus had occurred, aspects of the conservation status of Bulbinella were also investigated. Some of the morphological characters described and used by Moore (1964) to separate the species were employed in this study as well as other characters recorded by the author in actively glowing plants. Generally, the seven taxa could be successfully distinguished using selected morphological characters, although in some species or populations a range of morphological forms was observed. Increased human land use (mainly mining, farming and associated activities) has reduced some populations of Bulbinella to low numbers by destroying large areas of habitat. In some cases once vast areas of Bulbinella have been reduced to fragments or probably exterminated. The karyotypes of five of the seven taxa were determined and these were all consistent with published data. G-banding was achieved in only one slide from one plant. A total of four bands (restricted to two pairs of chromosomes) was observed in the entire chromosome complement of 14. Each band was located on a separate chromosome. Inflorescence material from 61 natural populations of Bulbinella in New Zealand was examined for enzyme activity using starch gel electrophoresis. Activity was detected for eight of a total of 43 enzyme stains. Three monomorphic and 11 polymorphic loci were resolved. While no completely fixed differences between all the taxa could be demonstrated, four almost fixed differences were found. In some instances where populations belonging to different species were not geographically separated by great distances (<50km) shared alleles between species were demonstrated, indicating that introgression had occurred and may still be taking place. Overall, the genetic distance (Nei 1978) within taxa was less than that between taxa. The dendrogram resulting from cluster analysis of Nei's unbiased genetic distances divided the genus into four groups, three of which corresponded to three currently recognised taxa. The other group contained the remaining four taxa. Although the component taxa of this cluster could be readily separated using morphological characters, they could not be distinguished using allozyme data. The endemic distribution of B. rossii (Campbell Island and Auckland Island Group) and fixed morphological differences justify its remaining a separate taxon. The formal raising of B. gibbsii var. gibbsii to a separate specific status is subject to the analysis of further samples of this taxon. B. angustifolia, B, talbotii, and B. gibbsii vat. balanifera also remain separate taxa, with B. gibbsii var. balanifera being raised to a separate specific status. B. modesta, which is genetically closely related to B. hookeri, becomes a sub-species of this taxon.</p>

Gordon Henry Dixon. 25 March 1930 — 24 July 2016

Gordon H. Dixon was a highly influential scientist who excelled in all the stages of his career and in each laboratory of every institution at which he was a member. Gordon began his graduate career at the University of Cambridge and completed his studies at the University of Toronto on the subject of transpeptidation reactions in biological systems. At an early stage of his career, he developed the technique of starch gel electrophoresis with Oliver Smithies and made important discoveries on the structure of human haptoglobins. Subsequently, Gordon contributed to the determination of the structure and active sites and mechanisms of action of trypsin and chymotrypsin and made seminal discoveries related to understanding the structure of the protein hormone insulin. However, he is best known for his later studies on the regulation of protamine genes and chromatin transitions in spermatogenesis. He is often considered to be the father of the protamine molecular biology underlying this gene system and his research is continually cited to this day. Gordon contributed to the identification and sequencing of the protamine genes, the discovery that methionine was required for initiation of protamine synthesis, understanding the roles of histone hyperacetylation and protamine phosphorylation, and the generation of the highly compact nucleoprotamine structure present in sperm, primarily using trout as a model system. Gordon is fondly remembered as a brilliant and very generous scientist by all his mentees, representing all levels from undergraduates to PhD and postdoctoral fellows, who provided a scientifically stimulating atmosphere in which they could develop their careers. From a more personal perspective, he also had a fun side and was devoted to his family. Gordon was a person who, owing to his legacy of great science and his fundamental humanity, still lives in the memory of many people.

Estructura genética de poblaciones de Eriocaulon bilobatum (Eriocaulaceae): una especie amenazada de humedades temporales

<em>Eriocaulon bilobatum</em> is an aquatic species that inhabits temporary wetlands in central Mexico. It is annual, herbaceous, emergent, with sexual and asexual reproduction, monoecious and insect pollinated. It is a rare and vulnerable species due to its endangered habitats. The objectives of this study were to determine the diversity and genetic structure of <em>E. bilobatum </em> and to know if there is a correlation with genetic diversity and its ecological and life history traits. Using horizontal starch-gel electrophoresis, we screened 160 individuals from four populations. <em>E. bilobatum</em> has a higher genetic diversity (A=2.32, Ae=1.31, P=69.65, Ho=0.134, He=0.197, HT=0.221) than species with similar ecological and life history traits, moderate levels of inbreeding (FIS = 0.312) and low genetic differentiation among populations (FST = 0.053 y GST = 0.048). Its diversity and genetic structure are determined by the mating system and life history traits, more than by inhabiting aquatic environments.

Isozyme Pattern and Morpho-agronomical Traits Based Genetic Divergence Studies in Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbreds

The present investigation was carried out with an objective to study genetic divergence based on morpho-agronomical traits and isozyme pattern in eight maize inbreds. These inbreds were evaluated in randomized block design with three replication for ten morph-agronomical traits. Horizontal starch gel electrophoresis technique used to study the isozyme polymorphism in different tissues of eight inbreds. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the inbreds for all the ten morpho-agronomical traits. Nature and extent of genetic divergence for morpho-agronomical traits was measured using average taxonomic distances as a measure of dissimilarity coefficient. Eight inbreds were clustered into four groups (A, B, C, D) based on dissimilarity coefficient. Cluster B and cluster D showed the highest inter cluster distance (2.2422) and the lowest was observed between clusters B and C (1.0401). Cluster A exhibited the highest intra cluster distance (0.8519). Based on inter cluster distances inbreds present in cluster B and D were found more diverse consisted of inbred CML 186 and CM 600 respectively. Six isozyme systems were used for characterization and divergence studies based on similarity coefficients. Inbreds were classified into six clusters (A, B, C, D, E and F). The lowest (0.5957) similarity coefficient exist between inbreds CM 600 and CML 176 and the highest (0.8132) existed between inbreds CML 186 and CML 144. Cluster analysis in both cases reflected the moderate level of genetic divergence among the inbred lines but result may not be completely similar, but somewhat distinct and complementary in nature. Isozyme patterns was found to effective in revealing the nature of relationship among the inbred lines Therefore, divergence study using one estimate can’t replace the need to evaluate the relationship on the basis of the other which may be to used as parents in hybridization programme.

Genetic potential of cassava biodiversity in Bangka Island, Indonesia

Lestari T, Apriyadi R. 2017. Genetic potential of cassava biodiversity in Bangka Island, Indonesia. Cell Biol Dev 2: 41-45. Cassava is potential as a mixture ingredient of flour in the Bangka’s food industry. This study aimed to discover the biodiversity of local cassava in Bangka. This research was conducted in experimental field of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bangka Belitung, Indonesia from July 2015 to July 2016. The experimental design was randomized block design with 10 local cassavas of Bangka that consisted of upang, sekula, bayel, mentega, kuning, batin, pulut, sutera, rakit, and Selangor. Isozyme analysis performed using starch gel electrophoresis with horizontal models. Analysis for five Bangka local cassava varieties and one National cassava variety used RAPD group OP A and OP B. The results showed that the phenotypic performance was different on the type of plant, the morphology of leaves, stems, and tubers of local cassava of Bangka. Isozyme analysis showed polymorphic banding pattern, while the eight RAPD primers used did not produce polymorphic. This research showed Bangka local cassava morphologically different based on visual observation. Morphological character of Bangka local cassava leaf was divided into three shapes of lobe: ellipse (upang, sekula, bayel, mentega, batin, pulut, rakit, Selangor), linear (kuning) and lanceolate (sutera). This research data showed that the genetic diversity of local cassava in Bangka relatively high. Bangka local cassava has genetic potential as plant propagation material for plant breeding.

GENETIC VARIATION AND POPULATION STRUCTURE IN THE HUMPBACK GROUPER, Cromileptes altivelis, TROUGHOUT ITS RANGE IN INDONESIAN WATERS

Starch gel electrophoresis was used to assess the level and distribution ofgenetic variation in humpback grouper, Cromileptes altiuelis sampled from 4 different areas of coral reefs in Raas and Kangean located in Madura as well as Sangeang and Bungin located in Sumbawa regions, between December 1997 and March 1998.

IDENTIFIKASI PENANDA ISOZIM PER-7, PER-8, DAN RAPD OB17375 PADA KELAPA GENJAH SALAK (GSK) DAN BEBERAPA HASIL SILANGANNYA DENGAN KELAPA DALAM

ABSTRACT Runtunuwu, S.D. and E.F. Lengkong. 2005. Identification of Isozyme Markers (PER-7, PER-8, and RAPD OBI7375) of Dwarf Salak Coconut (GSK) and its Tall Hibrids. Eugenia 11 (1): 8-17. The objective of this research was to identify PER-7 and PER-8 isozymes, and OB17 375 RAPD as molecular markers for resistance to NF Phytophthora disease in Genjah Salak (GSK) dwarf coconut and its several hybrids with Tall coconut at The Research Institute for Coconut and Palmae (RICP) Manado. Coconut resistance to NF Phytophthora disease was determined based on disease lesion size of inoculated coconut fruits at 7 days after inoculation. PER-7 and PER-8 isozymes marker were identified using horizontal starch gel electrophoresis, and OB17375 RAPD marker was identified based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using kit B number 17 primer (Operon Technologies, California). PER-7 isozyme marker could be used to select GSK x DTA (Dalam Tenga) and GSK x RLT (Rennell Tall) hybrid coconuts that resistant to NF Phytophthora disease. PER-7 isozyme without OB17375 markers (PER-7/-) could be used to select resistant GSK x WAT (West African Tall) hybrid coconut to the disease. Keywords: Isozymes, RAPD, Molecular marker, Phytophthora disease, coconut

Genetic diversity of six rice cultivars revealed by enzyme electrophoresis

Genetic diversity and similarity of six rice cultivars were analyzed by potato starch gel electrophoresis. Three local cultivars, 'Hawara Batu', 'Pandan Wangi', and 'Singkarak' were already homozygous for all 23 examined loci. Two cultivars have a rare allele, specific for each cultivar. White glutinous is the most polymorphic cultivar in having three segregating loci. Acp-193can be considered as a prove that crossing wich involved 'Sentani', and white glutinous rice has been performed in the past. This report also indicates that both upland cultivars are properly placed in the variety indica, and the three lowland rice are the variety japonica. The white glutinous rice is properly placed in the variety japonica based on four diagnostic loci.

Haemoglobin polymorphism in selected farm animals: A review

Biochemical diversity or polymorphism is the occurrence of varieties attributed to biochemical differences which are under genetic control. It has created a leeway for the genetic improvement of farm animals. This is because it can be used as a useful tool for the characterization of livestock breeds and population. This way, the degree of similarity or differences within and between breeds can be ascertained and this differences or similarity are important raw materials for genetic improvement of animals. Data obtained on gene frequencies and genotypes through polymorphism study makes it not only possible to compare the gene stocks of animals, the possible effects of the genes on reproductive and performance traits, but also study genetic variability under different environmental conditions of selection. This study was carried out to review haemoglobin (Hb) polymorphism in selected farm animals with the view of finding out the type of polymorphism observed by starch gel electrophoresis due to variation in the amino acid sequence in the polypeptide chains of Hb. The review showed clearly that there is a gene-controlled diversity in the different farm animals considered. This could serve as a reference point for future studies earmarked for the improvement of the animals possibly via marker-assisted selection.