Chromosome morphology and cytomolecular characteristics of the perennial rye cultivar ‘Kriszta’

The perennial Secale cereanum cultivar ‘Kriszta’ is an artificial hybrid of S. cereale and S. strictum ssp. anatolicum. From the cross between the wheat line Mv9kr1 and ‘Kriszta’, which aimed the transfer of beneficial traits from rye to wheat, numerous translocation lines have been produced. For the identification of the translocated chromosomes, the unambiguous differentiation between chromosome arms of ‘Kriszta’ is essential. The identification of its short chromosome arms using conventional FISH probes is easy, but because of their similar hybridization patterns, its long arms cannot be distinguished. The present study aimed to create the detailed karyotype of ‘Kriszta’, especially that of long arms, by both chromosome measurements and FISH using highly repetitive, as well as subtelomeric tandem repeat, and synthetic microsatellite DNA sequences. Our results indicate that the chromosome complement of ‘Kriszta’ is not a simple combination of the chromosomes of the parental rye species but is composed of rearranged chromosomes. It is also showed that an adequate pair-wise combination of the DNA sequences pSc119.2, pSc200, pSc250, and (AAC)5 makes it possible to identify any of the long arms of S. cereanum cv. Kriszta chromosomes. The future usability of the identified wheat- ‘Kriszta’ translocated chromosomes is also discussed.

Inferring the history of hybridization: A case study in Iochrominae (Solanaceae)

This paper tests multiple methods for detecting and localizing hybrids in the genus Iochroma (Solanaceae). We created a series of datasets varying in the amount of expected hybridization, and we included both natural hybrids and a 'positive control' (an artificial hybrid). We found that adding hybrids to the dataset markedly increased discordance and decreased tree certainty, as predicted. Nevertheless, our analyses largely failed to correctly identify hybrid taxa and their parental lineages, even for the positive control. We suggest several paths forward for improving the detection and localization of hybridization in phylogenomic datasets.

Allopatric origin of sympatric whitefish morphs with insights on the genetic basis of their reproductive isolation

The European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) species complex is a classic example of recent adaptive radiation. Here we examine a whitefish population introduced to northern Finnish Lake Tsahkal in late 1960s, where three divergent morphs (viz. littoral, pelagic and profundal feeders) were found ten generations after. Using demographic modelling based on genomic data we show that whitefish morphs evolved during a phase of strict isolation, refuting a rapid symmetric speciation scenario. The lake is now an artificial hybrid zone between morphs originated in allopatry. Despite their current syntopy, clear genetic differentiation remains between two of the three morphs. Using admixture mapping three quantitative trait loci associated with gonad weight variation, a proxy for sexual maturity and spawning time, were identified. We suggest that ecological adaptations in spawning time evolved in allopatry are currently maintaining partial reproductive isolation in the absence of other barriers to gene flow.

Remarks on the nomenclature of Anthurium ×macrolobum (Araceae)

The paper presents a detailed nomenclatural study of the name Anthurium ×macrolobum, an accepted artificial hybrid between A. leuconeurum and A. pedatoradiatum, which is a popular ornamental houseplant cultivated around the world. Nomenclatural confusion was found to be associated with the valid publication of A. ×macrolobum, and a binding decision of the General Committee for Botanical Nomenclature is required. Furthermore, since A. ×macrolobum was published six years later than the name A. ×dentatum by Devansaye (1883 vs. 1877) for the same hybrid, it has to be superseded by the latter name according to the priority principle. However, the name proposed in 1877 has never been used, and its later isonym (A. ×dentatum by André, published in 1884) has been traditionally treated as a taxonomic synonym of A. ×macrolobum. Therefore, for preserving the standing application of the name A. ×macrolobum, its conservation against of A. ×dentatum by Devansaye is desirable. Neotypes for both A. ×macrolobum and A. ×dentatum by Devansaye are designated in the present paper.

An artificial hybrid interphase endowing ultrahigh-rate and practical lithium metal anode

The solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer is pivotal for the stable and rechargeable batteries especially under high rate. However, the mechanism of Li+ transport through the SEI has not been clearly...