Diversity and population genetic structure of the wax palmCeroxylon quindiuensein the Colombian Coffee Region

The wax palm from Quindío (Ceroxylon quindiuense) is an icon of the cultural identity of the coffee growing eco-region and of all Colombia. Processes of urbanization, expansion of the agricultural and livestock area, among others, have increased its level of threat. Protecting this palm from extinction is important at an ecological level, given its function as a key species in Andean ecosystems. This work evaluated the diversity and population genetic structure of the wax palm from Quindío in five populations of the Colombian coffee region eco-region (Andean zone) by using ten microsatellite molecular markers. Two groups were identified at genetic diversity level, along with a heterozygote deficiency in all the populations possibly due to cryptic population structure effects mediated by loss of habitat. The five sampling units considered presented a total significant genetic structure, revealing a high degree of reproductive isolation. The results presented here add to the Conservation Plan for this species existing in Colombia.

Informational-Statistical Aspects of Genetic Diversity in Tsigai and Tsurcana Ecotypes from Romania

The main objective of this paper is to measure the relationships between the ecotypes belonging to the Tigai and Tsurcana breeds of Romania and to quantify the genetic diversity within them from the informational statistics point of view, depending on the relief forms of the biotope in which they live, using the genetic variants of some selective genetic markers. The researches were carried out on ecotypes of the most ubiquitous sheep breeds in Romania, Tsigai and Tsurcana whose biotopes are circumscribed by more relief forms: plain, hilly, sub-mountainous and mountainous. The sheep were electrophoretically typified at the determinant loci of haemoglobin and transferrin. Using the allelic frequencies of the haemoglobin and transferrin systems that have been processed by concepts of informational statistics, the differentiation / similarity degree among ecotypes within the two breeds was quantified by the genetic distance (D) and the informational correlation coefficient (Rx,y), as well as the diversity level (d) of the genetic structures of these ecotypes on the basis of informational energy (e). Also, the heterozygosity degree (Ht) at the Hb and Tf loci was calculated in relation to the genetic diversity level. The paper analyzes the causes of genetic similarities and differentiations among the ecotypes of these two breeds at the level of the two biochemical-genetic loci: allelic distribution of haemoglobin and transferrin, altitude of relief forms, habitat conditions etc. The benefits of such studies are also presented for the improvement, breeding and conservation of the ecotypes of these two sheep breeds from Romania.

Performance of Bee Colonies Headed by Queens Instrumentally Inseminated with Semen of Drones Who Come from a Single Colony or Many Colonies

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of honey bee worker diversity within the colony on: development, honey productivity, and wintering. Two different levels of diversity within the colony were tested. The appropriate levels of diversity within the colony were obtained by selecting drones for inseminating the queens. Lower genetic diversity was obtained in the colonies headed by a queen inseminated with semen collected from drones originating from a single colony. Higher genetic diversity was obtained in the colonies with queens inseminated with semen from drones of 30 different colonies. Colonies with a higher genetic variation of workers in the colonies had greater levels of functional characteristics. However, apart from the number of dead bees in winter, the genetic diversity level of the workers on the colony development and honey production, did not have a significant influence. There was an averaging effect observed concerning that male component in the colonies with a higher genetic variation of workers - on honey yield, when compared to the non-additive effect of the best drones.