Testing the influence of crushing-surface variation on seed cracking performance between beak morphs of the African seedcracker Pyrenestes ostrinus

Extreme phenotypic polymorphism is an oft-cited example of evolutionary theory in practise. Although these morphological variations are assumed to be adaptive, few studies have biomechanically tested such hypotheses. Pyrenestes ostrinus (the African seedcracker finch) shows an intraspecific polymorphism in beak size and shape that is entirely diet driven and allelically determined. Three distinct morphs feed upon soft sedge seeds during times of abundance, but switch to specializing on three different species of sedge seeds that differ significantly in hardness during lean times. Here we test the hypothesis that beak morphology is directly related to consuming seeds of different hardness. We used a novel experimental analysis to test how beak morphology affects the efficiency of cracking sedge seeds of variable hardness. We found that neither mandibular ramus width nor crushing surface morphology had significant effects on the ability to crack different seed types. It is likely that feeding performance is correlated with other aspects of beak size and shape such as beak depth and strength, muscle force, or gape. Our results highlight how even seemingly straightforward examples of adaptive selection in nature can be complex in practice.

New pathogenic species in etiology of dermatophytosis in companion animals in Moscow region

Dermatophytic fungi Nannizzia persicolor, Nannizzia fulva, Trichophyton benhamiae and Microsporum ferrugineum were isolated from pets (cats, dogs, guinea pig) in Moscow region. The species identification was confirmed by ITS sequencing. Their macro- and micromorphological agent of dermatophytosis in companion animals. A considerable phenotypic polymorphism among M canis isolates was revealed, thus obstructing species identification. A wide prevalence of dermatophytosis in companion animals (46%) was shown, with a predominance of the zooanthropophilic species M. canis (95%). This is the first confirmed cases of pet dermatophytosis caused by N. persicolor, N. fulva, T. benhamiae and M. ferrugineum in Russian Federation.

Estimating leopard (Panthera pardus) densities when populations comprise polymorphic phenotypes: an application of spatial mark-resight models

Melanism is a form of pigmentation polymorphism where individuals have darker coloration than what is considered the “wild” phenotype. In the case of leopards, Panthera pardus, melanism occurs at higher frequencies amongst populations in tropical and subtropical moist forests of south and southeast Asia, presenting a unique challenge in estimating and monitoring these populations. Unlike the wild phenotype that are readily recognizable by their rosette patterns, melanism results in individuals being unidentifiable or ‘unmarked’ through photographic captures obtained using white flash cameras. Spatial mark-resight (SMR) models that require only a subset of the population to be ‘marked’ offer the opportunity to estimate population density. In this study, we present an application of SMR models to estimate leopard densities using camera trap survey data from three sampling sessions at Manas National Park (MNP), India. By using an SMR model that allowed us to include captures of unidentified sightings of marked individuals, we were also able to incorporate captures where identity was either not confirmed or only known from a single flank. Following 18,674 trap-days of sampling across three sessions, we obtained 728 leopard photo-captures, of which 22.6% (165) were melanistic. We estimated leopard densities of 4.33, 2.61and 3.37 individuals/100km2 across the three sessions. To our best knowledge, these represent the first known estimates of leopard densities from such populations. Finally, we highlight that SMR models present an opportunity to revisit past camera trap survey data for leopards and other species that exhibit phenotypic polymorphism towards generating valuable information on populations.

A High-Density EST-SSR-Based Genetic Map and QTL Analysis of Dwarf Trait in Cucurbita pepo L.

As one of the earliest domesticated species, Cucurbita pepo (including squash and pumpkin) is rich in phenotypic polymorphism and has huge economic value. In this research, using 1660 expressed sequence tags-simple sequence repeats (EST-SSRs) and 632 genomic simple sequence repeats (gSSRs), we constructed the highest-density EST-SSR-based genetic map in Cucurbita genus, which spanned 2199.1 cM in total and harbored 623 loci distributed in 20 linkage groups. Using this map as a bridge, the two previous gSSR maps were integrated by common gSSRs and the corresponding relationships around chromosomes in three sets of genomes were also collated. Meanwhile, one large segmental inversion that existed between our map and the C. pepo genome was detected. Furthermore, three Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) of the dwarf trait (gibberellin-sensitive dwarf type) in C. pepo were located, and the candidate region that covered the major QTL spanned 1.39 Mb, which harbored a predicted gibberellin 2-β-oxidase gene. Considering the rich phenotypic polymorphism, the important economic value in the Cucurbita genus species and several advantages of the SSR marker were identified; thus, this high-density EST-SSR-based genetic map will be useful in Pumpkin and Squash breeding work in the future.

Phenotypic polymorphism Harmonia axiridis Pall. of invasive species on the territory of the cultivation of the Greater Chernykhychyan of the Sumy district of Sumsky area

Aim. The features of phenotypic polymorphism Harmonia axyridis Pall. were studied. in the form of a pronotum and an imago elder as an invasive species on the territory of the village of Velyka Chernecha Sumy region of the Sumy region. Methods. The collection of the imago for two years was carried out manually using the route survey method in three directions (southern, southwest, and southeast) from the village center. Phenotypes were allocated according to the classification A.V. Blekhman. Distribution and analysis of phenomorphs on the drawing of the pronotum and the elite of the imago were carried out according to the classification of O.Yu. Kruglova. Results. The presence of 3 phenotypes Harmonia axyridis Pall. in the village is established: succinea, spectabilis, conspicua. According to the projitum and the elite of the imago, 14 and 22 phenoforms were detected, respectively. Conclusions. In the territory of the village of Velyka Chernecchina, there is a pronounced phenotypic variability of Harmonia axyridis Pall. according to the sketches of the pronotum and the imago elite, indicating the presence in the population of microevolutionary processes with a tendency to survive the phenophores with adaptations to stressful environmental factors, probably, it is possible to forecast forming of stable populyaciy of Harmonia axyridis Pall. on territory of the Sumy district.Keywords: Harmonia axyridis Pall., pronotum, elites, phenotypic variability.

Phenotypic polymorphism pattern evaluation of the pronotum in the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) population in the Kursk Region

The population of the Colorado potato beetle is characterized by a high degree of polymorphism. This polymorphism provides a considerable adaptive potential and ubiquity of this species. The variability of the central pronotal pattern under the influence of habitat-forming factors (geographical location of the population, variety of fodder plant, group of insecticides) is considered in this paper. Differences in agrobiocenotic conditions determine a direction of microevolution changes and lead to disintegration of the intra-species structure of Leptinotarsa decemlineata . Evaluation of the phenotypic polymorphism in the Colorado potato beetle populations in the Kursk Region was performed by several indicators: ratio of nine main pronotums morphs, average number of variations (), share of the rare forms (h), populations similarity index (r) and identity criteria (I). In various parts of the Kursk Region from 7 to 9 pattern protonum phenoforms were encountered with varying frequency in the populations. The predominance of the 9-phenoform in the beetle populations was identified in the Rylsky, Oktyabrsky, Lgovsky districts. The 3-phenomorf prevailed in populations of Pristensky and Manturovsky districts. The highest level of a phenotypical polymorphism of a protonum was observed in the population in the Lgovsky district, the lowest level was detected in Manturovsky district. The comparative analysis of phenotypic structure of the investigated Colorado beetle populations showed that despite a spatial isolation the insect populations of the Rylsky and Pristensky districts are characterized by the highest similarity in pattern of variability of the central part of a pronotum. The obtained results will enable to improve the system of the plant protection against Colorado potato beetle and control its population.