An intergeneric hybrid in the family Phocoenidae

1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 198-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin W Baird ◽  
Pamela M Willis ◽  
Tamara J Guenther ◽  
Paul J Wilson ◽  
Bradley N White

A 60-cm female fetus recovered from a Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) found dead in southern British Columbia was fathered by a harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). This is the first report of a hybrid within the family Phocoenidae and one of the first well-documented cases of cetacean hybridization in the wild. In several morphological features, the hybrid was either intermediate between the parental species (e.g., vertebral count) or more similar to the harbour porpoise than to the Dall's porpoise (e.g., colour pattern, relative position of the flipper, dorsal fin height). The fetal colour pattern (with a clear mouth-to-flipper stripe, as is found in the harbour porpoise) is similar to that reported for a fetus recovered from a Dall's porpoise to off California. Hybrid status was confirmed through genetic analysis, with species-specific repetitive DNA sequences of both the harbour and Dall's porpoise being found in the fetus. Atypically pigmented porpoises (usually traveling with and behaving like Dall's porpoises) are regularly observed in the area around southern Vancouver Island. We suggest that these abnormally pigmented animals, as well as the previously noted fetus from California, may also represent hybridization events.

Genome ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 53 (10) ◽  
pp. 769-777 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Mehes-Smith ◽  
Paul Michael ◽  
Kabwe Nkongolo

Genome organization in the family Pinaceae is complex and largely unknown. The main purpose of the present study was to develop and physically map species-diagnostic and species-specific molecular markers in pine and spruce. Five RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) and one ISSR (inter-simple sequence repeat) species-diagnostic or species-specific markers for Picea mariana , Picea rubens , Pinus strobus , or Pinus monticola were identified, cloned, and sequenced. In situ hybridization of these sequences to spruce and pine chromosomes showed the sequences to be present in high copy number and evenly distributed throughout the genome. The analysis of centromeric and telomeric regions revealed the absence of significant clustering of species-diagnostic and species-specific sequences in all the chromosomes of the four species studied. Both RAPD and ISSR markers showed similar patterns.


AMB Express ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Neeraja Punde ◽  
Jennifer Kooken ◽  
Dagmar Leary ◽  
Patricia M. Legler ◽  
Evelina Angov

Abstract Codon usage frequency influences protein structure and function. The frequency with which codons are used potentially impacts primary, secondary and tertiary protein structure. Poor expression, loss of function, insolubility, or truncation can result from species-specific differences in codon usage. “Codon harmonization” more closely aligns native codon usage frequencies with those of the expression host particularly within putative inter-domain segments where slower rates of translation may play a role in protein folding. Heterologous expression of Plasmodium falciparum genes in Escherichia coli has been a challenge due to their AT-rich codon bias and the highly repetitive DNA sequences. Here, codon harmonization was applied to the malarial antigen, CelTOS (Cell-traversal protein for ookinetes and sporozoites). CelTOS is a highly conserved P. falciparum protein involved in cellular traversal through mosquito and vertebrate host cells. It reversibly refolds after thermal denaturation making it a desirable malarial vaccine candidate. Protein expressed in E. coli from a codon harmonized sequence of P. falciparum CelTOS (CH-PfCelTOS) was compared with protein expressed from the native codon sequence (N-PfCelTOS) to assess the impact of codon usage on protein expression levels, solubility, yield, stability, structural integrity, recognition with CelTOS-specific mAbs and immunogenicity in mice. While the translated proteins were expected to be identical, the translated products produced from the codon-harmonized sequence differed in helical content and showed a smaller distribution of polypeptides in mass spectra indicating lower heterogeneity of the codon harmonized version and fewer amino acid misincorporations. Substitutions of hydrophobic-to-hydrophobic amino acid were observed more commonly than any other. CH-PfCelTOS induced significantly higher antibody levels compared with N-PfCelTOS; however, no significant differences in either IFN-γ or IL-4 cellular responses were detected between the two antigens.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
David S. da Silva ◽  
Heriberto F. da Silva Filho ◽  
Marcelo B. Cioffi ◽  
Edivaldo H.C. de Oliveira ◽  
Anderson J.B. Gomes

With 82 species currently described, the genus <i>Leptodactylus</i> is the most diverse and representative one in the family Leptodactylidae. Concerning chromosomal organization, this genus represents an interesting and underexplored group since data from molecular cytogenetics are incipient, and little is known about the organization and distribution of repetitive DNA elements in the karyotypes. In this sense, this study aimed at providing a comparative analysis in 4 <i>Leptodactylus</i> species (<i>L. macrosternum, L. pentadactylus, L. fuscus,</i> and <i>Leptodactylus</i> cf<i>. podicipinus</i>), combining conventional cytogenetics (Giemsa staining, C-banding, and AgNOR staining) and mapping of molecular markers (18S rDNA, telomeric and microsatellite probes), to investigate mechanisms underlying their karyotype differentiation process. The results showed that all species had karyotypes with 2n = 22 and FN = 44, except for <i>Leptodactylus</i> cf. <i>podicipinus</i> which presented FN = 36. The 18S rDNA was observed in pair 8 of all analyzed species (corresponding to pair 4 in <i>L. pentadactylus</i>), coinciding with the secondary constrictions and AgNOR staining. FISH with microsatellite DNA probes demonstrated species-specific patterns, as well as an association of these repetitive sequences with constitutive heterochromatin blocks and ribosomal DNA clusters, revealing the dynamics of microsatellites in the genome of the analyzed species. In summary, our data demonstrate an ongoing process of genomic divergence inside species with almost similar karyotype, driven most likely by a series of pericentric inversions, followed by differential accumulation of repetitive sequences.


2013 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Višnja Besendorfer ◽  
Jelena Mlinarec

Abstract Satellite DNAis a genomic component present in virtually all eukaryotic organisms. The turnover of highly repetitive satellite DNAis an important element in genome organization and evolution in plants. Here we study the presence, physical distribution and abundance of the satellite DNAfamily AhTR1 in Anemone. Twenty-two Anemone accessions were analyzed by PCR to assess the presence of AhTR1, while fluorescence in situ hybridization and Southern hybridization were used to determine the abundance and genomic distribution of AhTR1. The AhTR1 repeat unit was PCR-amplified only in eight phylogenetically related European Anemone taxa of the Anemone section. FISH signal with AhTR1 probe was visible only in A. hortensis and A. pavonina, showing localization of AhTR1 in the regions of interstitial heterochromatin in both species. The absence of a FISH signal in the six other taxa as well as weak signal after Southern hybridization suggest that in these species AhTR1 family appears as relict sequences. Thus, the data presented here support the »library hypothesis« for AhTR1 satellite evolution in Anemone. Similar species-specific satellite DNAprofiles in A. hortensis and A. pavonina support the treatment of A. hortensis and A. pavonina as one species, i.e. A. hortensis s.l.


Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4415 (1) ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
PIOTR GĄSIOREK ◽  
DANIEL STEC ◽  
WITOLD MOREK ◽  
ŁUKASZ MICHALCZYK

A laboratory strain identified as “Hypsibius dujardini” is one of the best studied tardigrade strains: it is widely used as a model organism in a variety of research projects, ranging from developmental and evolutionary biology through physiology and anatomy to astrobiology. Hypsibius dujardini, originally described from the Île-de-France by Doyère in the first half of the 19th century, is now the nominal species for the superfamily Hypsibioidea. The species was traditionally considered cosmopolitan despite the fact that insufficient, old and sometimes contradictory descriptions and records prevented adequate delineations of similar Hypsibius species. As a consequence, H. dujardini appeared to occur globally, from Norway to Samoa. In this paper, we provide the first integrated taxonomic redescription of H. dujardini. In addition to classic imaging by light microscopy and a comprehensive morphometric dataset, we present scanning electron photomicrographs, and DNA sequences for three nuclear markers (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS-2) and one mitochondrial marker (COI) that are characterised by various mutation rates. The results of our study reveal that a commercially available strain that is maintained in many laboratories throughout the world, and assumed to represent H. dujardini sensu stricto, represents, in fact, a new species: H. exemplaris sp. nov. Redescribing the nominal taxon for Hypsibiidae, we also redefine the family and amend the definitions of the subfamily Hypsibiinae and the genus Hypsibius. Moreover, we transfer H. arcticus (Murray, 1907) and Hypsibius conifer Mihelčič, 1938 to the genus Ramazzottius since the species exhibit claws and eggs of the Ramazzottius type. Finally, we designate H. fuhrmanni as subjectively invalid because the extremely poor description precludes identifying neotype material. 


Nematology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 847-857 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lieven Waeyenberge ◽  
Nicole Viaene ◽  
Maurice Moens

Abstract ITS1, the 5.8S rRNA gene and ITS2 of the rDNA region were sequenced from 20 different Pratylenchus species. Additionally, the same region was sequenced from seven populations of P. penetrans. After purifying, cloning and sequencing the PCR products, all sequences were aligned in order to find unique sites suitable for the design of species-specific primers for P. penetrans. Since ITS regions showed variability between and even within populations of P. penetrans, only three small DNA sequences were suitable for the construction of three potentially useful species-specific primers. New species-specific primers were paired with existing universal ITS primers and tested in all possible primer combinations. The best performing primer set, supplemented with a universal 28S rDNA primer set that served as an internal control, was tested in duplex PCR. The ideal annealing temperature, Mg2+ concentration and primer ratios were then determined for the most promising primer set. The optimised duplex PCR was subsequently tested on a wide range of different Pratylenchus spp. and 25 P. penetrans populations originating from all over the world. To test the sensitivity, the duplex PCR was conducted on DNA extracted from a single P. penetrans nematode mixed with varying amounts of nematodes belonging to another Pratylenchus species. Results showed that a reliable and sensitive P. penetrans species-specific duplex PCR was constructed.


Author(s):  
Carol Simon ◽  
Guillermo San Martín ◽  
Georgina Robinson

Two new species of South African Syllidae of the genusSyllisLamarck, 1818 are described.Syllis unzimasp. nov. is characterized by having unidentate compound chaetae with long spines on margin, a characteristic colour pattern and its reproduction by vivipary. Vivipary is not common among the polychaetes, but most representatives occur in the family Syllidae Grube, 1850 (in five otherSyllisspecies, two species ofDentatisyllisPerkins, 1981 and two species ofParexogoneMesnil & Caullery, 1818).Syllis unzimasp. nov. differs from the other viviparous species in having large broods (>44 juveniles) which develop synchronously. Development of the juveniles is similar to that of free-spawningSyllisspecies, but the appearance of the first pair of eyespots and the differentiation of the pharynx and proventricle occur later inS. unzima.Syllis amicarmillarissp. nov., is characterized by having an elongated body with relatively short, fusiform dorsal cirri and the presence of one or two pseudosimple chaeta on midbody parapodia by loss of blade and enlargement of shaft.Syllis unzimasp. nov. was found in high densities on culturedHolothuria scabraJaeger, 1833 with single specimens found on a culturedCrassostrea gigasThunberg, 1793 and on coralline algae, respectively, whileS. amicarmillariswas found mainly in sediment outside an abalone farm and less frequently on culturedHaliotis midaeLinnaeus, 1758. We discuss the possible benefits of the association withH. scabratoS. unzimasp. nov.


Hereditas ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 116 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 49-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. ANAMTHAWAT-JÓNSSON ◽  
J. S. HESLOP-HARRISON

Phytotaxa ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 186 (4) ◽  
pp. 188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying-Ying Zhou ◽  
HONG-WEI ZHANG ◽  
JIANG-QIN HU ◽  
Xiao-Feng Jin

Sinalliaria is described here as a new genus of the family Brassicaceae from eastern China, based on the morphological characters and molecular sequences. Sinalliaria differs from the related genus Orychophragmus in having basal leaves petiolate, simple or rarely with 1‒3 lateral lobes (not pinnatisect); cauline leaves petiolate, cordate at base (not sessile, auriculate or amplexicaul at base); petals obovate to narrowly obovate, claw inconspicuous (not broadly obovate, with a claw as along as sepal); siliques truncate (not long-beaked) at apex. The microscopic characters of seed testa also show significant differences between Sinalliaria and Orychophragmus. Phylogenetic evidence from DNA sequences of nuclear ribosomal ITS and plastid region trnL-trnF indicates that Sinalliaria is a distinct group related to Orychophragmus and Raphanus, but these three genera do not form a clade. The new genus Sinalliaria is endemic to eastern China and has only one species and one variety. The new combinations, S. limprichtiana (Pax) X. F. Jin, Y. Y. Zhou & H. W. Zhang and S. limprichtiana var. grandifolia (Z. X. An) X. F. Jin, Y. Y. Zhou & H. W. Zhang are proposed here.


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