Genetic variation increases during biological invasion by a Cuban lizard

A genetic paradox exists in invasion biology: how do introduced populations, whose genetic variation has probably been depleted by population bottlenecks, persist and adapt to new conditions? Lessons from conservation genetics show that reduced genetic variation due to genetic drift and founder effects limits the ability of a population to adapt, and small population size increases the risk of extinction. Nonetheless, many introduced species experiencing these same conditions during initial introductions persist, expand their ranges, evolve rapidly and become invasive. To address this issue, we studied the brown anole, a worldwide invasive lizard. Genetic analyses indicate that at least eight introductions have occurred in Florida from across this lizard's native range, blending genetic variation from different geographic source populations and producing populations that contain substantially more, not less, genetic variation than native populations. Moreover, recently introduced brown anole populations around the world originate from Florida, and some have maintained these elevated levels of genetic variation. Here we show that one key to invasion success may be the occurrence of multiple introductions that transform among-population variation in native ranges to within-population variation in introduced areas. Furthermore, these genetically variable populations may be particularly potent sources for introductions elsewhere. The growing problem of invasive species introductions brings considerable economic and biological costs. If these costs are to be mitigated, a greater understanding of the causes, progression and consequences of biological invasions is needed.     

A synthetic homing endonuclease-based gene drive system in the human malaria mosquito

Genetic methods of manipulating or eradicating disease vector populations have long been discussed as an attractive alternative to existing control measures because of their potential advantages in terms of effectiveness and species specificity. The development of genetically engineered malaria-resistant mosquitoes has shown, as a proof of principle, the possibility of targeting the mosquito's ability to serve as a disease vector. The translation of these achievements into control measures requires an effective technology to spread a genetic modification from laboratory mosquitoes to field populations. We have suggested previously that homing endonuclease genes (HEGs), a class of simple selfish genetic elements, could be exploited for this purpose. Here we demonstrate that a synthetic genetic element, consisting of mosquito regulatory regions and the homing endonuclease gene I-SceI, can substantially increase its transmission to the progeny in transgenic mosquitoes of the human malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. We show that the I-SceI element is able to invade receptive mosquito cage populations rapidly, validating mathematical models for the transmission dynamics of HEGs. Molecular analyses confirm that expression of I-SceI in the male germline induces high rates of site-specific chromosomal cleavage and gene conversion, which results in the gain of the I-SceI gene, and underlies the observed genetic drive. These findings demonstrate a new mechanism by which genetic control measures can be implemented. Our results also show in principle how sequence-specific genetic drive elements like HEGs could be used to take the step from the genetic engineering of individuals to the genetic engineering of populations.     

Sexually antagonistic genetic variation for fitness in red deer

Evolutionary theory predicts the depletion of genetic variation in natural populations as a result of the effects of selection, but genetic variation is nevertheless abundant for many traits that are under directional or stabilizing selection. Evolutionary geneticists commonly try to explain this paradox with mechanisms that lead to a balance between mutation and selection. However, theoretical predictions of equilibrium genetic variance under mutation-selection balance are usually lower than the observed values, and the reason for this is unknown. The potential role of sexually antagonistic selection in maintaining genetic variation has received little attention in this debate, surprisingly given its potential ubiquity in dioecious organisms. At fitness-related loci, a given genotype may be selected in opposite directions in the two sexes. Such sexually antagonistic selection will reduce the otherwise-expected positive genetic correlation between male and female fitness. Both theory and experimental data suggest that males and females of the same species may have divergent genetic optima, but supporting data from wild populations are still scarce. Here we present evidence for sexually antagonistic fitness variation in a natural population, using data from a long-term study of red deer (Cervus elaphus). We show that male red deer with relatively high fitness fathered, on average, daughters with relatively low fitness. This was due to a negative genetic correlation between estimates of fitness in males and females. In particular, we show that selection favours males that carry low breeding values for female fitness. Our results demonstrate that sexually antagonistic selection can lead to a trade-off between the optimal genotypes for males and females; this mechanism will have profound effects on the operation of selection and the maintenance of genetic variation in natural populations.     

Contemporary fisherian life-history evolution in small salmonid populations

The relative importance of natural selection and random drift in phenotypic evolution has been discussed since the introduction of the first population genetic models. The empirical evidence used to evaluate the evolutionary theories of Fisher and Wright remains obscure because formal tests for neutral divergence or sensitive attempts to separate the effects of selection and drift are scarce, subject to error, and have not been interpreted in the light of well-known population demography. We combined quantitative genetic and microsatellite DNA analyses to investigate the determinants of contemporary life-history evolution in isolated populations of grayling (Thymallus thymallus, Salmonidae) that originated from a common source 80-120 years ago. Here we show that natural selection was the dominant diversifying agent in the evolution of the quantitative traits. However, the populations were founded by a small number of individuals, exhibit very low microsatellite-based effective sizes and show genetic imprints of severe 'bottlenecks'; which are conditions often suggested to constrain selection and favour drift. This study demonstrates a very clear case of fisherian evolution in small natural populations across a contemporary timescale.     

Gene flow maintains a large genetic difference in clutch size at a small spatial scale

Understanding the capacity of natural populations to adapt to their local environment is a central topic in evolutionary biology. Phenotypic differences between populations may have a genetic basis, but showing that they reflect different adaptive optima requires the quantification of both gene flow and selection. Good empirical data are rare. Using data on a spatially structured island population of great tits (Parus major), we show here that a persistent difference in mean clutch size between two subpopulations only a few kilometres apart has a major genetic component. We also show that immigrants from outside the island carry genes for large clutches. But gene flow into one subpopulation is low, as a result of a low immigration rate together with strong selection against immigrant genes. This has allowed for adaptation to the island environment and the maintenance of small clutches. In the other area, however, higher gene flow prevents local adaptation and maintains larger clutches. We show that the observed small-scale genetic difference in clutch size is not due to divergent selection on the island, but to different levels of gene flow from outside the island. Our findings illustrate the large effect of immigration on the evolution of local adaptations and on genetic population structure.     

Cryptic genetic variation promotes rapid evolutionary adaptation in an RNA enzyme

Cryptic variation is caused by the robustness of phenotypes to mutations. Cryptic variation has no effect on phenotypes in a given genetic or environmental background, but it can have effects after mutations or environmental change. Because evolutionary adaptation by natural selection requires phenotypic variation, phenotypically revealed cryptic genetic variation may facilitate evolutionary adaptation. This is possible if the cryptic variation happens to be pre-adapted, or "exapted", to a new environment, and is thus advantageous once revealed. However, this facilitating role for cryptic variation has not been proven, partly because most pertinent work focuses on complex phenotypes of whole organisms whose genetic basis is incompletely understood. Here we show that populations of RNA enzymes with accumulated cryptic variation adapt more rapidly to a new substrate than a population without cryptic variation. A detailed analysis of our evolving RNA populations in genotype space shows that cryptic variation allows a population to explore new genotypes that become adaptive only in a new environment. Our observations show that cryptic variation contains new genotypes pre-adapted to a changed environment. Our results highlight the positive role that robustness and epistasis can have in adaptive evolution.     

Strong population substructure is correlated with morphology and ecology in a migratory bat

Examining patterns of inter-population genetic diversity can provide valuable information about both historical and current evolutionary processes affecting a species. Population genetic studies of flying and migratory species such as bats and birds have traditionally shown minimal population substructure, characterized by high levels of gene flow between populations. In general, strongly substructured mammalian populations either are separated by non-traversable barriers or belong to terrestrial species with low dispersal abilities. Species with female philopatry (the tendency to remain in or consistently return to the natal territory) might show strong substructure when examined with maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA, but this substructure generally disappears when biparentally inherited markers are used, owing to male-mediated gene flow. Male-biased dispersal is considered typical for mammals, and philopatry in both sexes is rare. Here we show strong population substructure in a migratory bat species, and philopatry in both sexes, as indicated by concordance of nuclear and mtDNA findings. Furthermore, the genetic structure correlates with local biomes and differentiation in wing morphology. There is therefore a close correlation of genetic and morphological differentiation in sympatric subspecific populations of this mammalian species.     

奉贤县东西部2个人群的体质差异

从历史学的材料看，上海奉贤县金汇镇的居民主要是南方土著居民，头桥镇的居民主要是从北方迁徒过来的，二地方言有很明显的差异，对金汇，头桥2个群体的头面部特征，体部特征和肤纹3大类65项观察测量特征进行了比较，以此对2群体间的差异进行了显著性测试，发现2群体间大部分项目有显著差异，说明语言差异能反映遗传差异的观点是有根据的，2个群体的差异可能是因为其来源的不同引起的，在所有特征中，鼻部特征，眼部特征，颧骨，额骨体现的群体间差异最大，提示这些特征可能是面貌遗传研究的突破口。     

野生和人工选育黄河鲤遗传多样性的ISSR分析

利用ISSR分子标记技术,对采集于长垣天然文岩渠(野生群体)、河南省水产科学研究院(黄河品系Ⅰ群体)、小浪底水库(野生群体)、河南黄河鲤鱼良种场(豫选黄河鲤群体)的4个群体黄河鲤的120个个体的遗传多样性进行了分析.8个ISSR引物共获得64个扩增位点,其中多态位点31个,多态位点比例为48.44%.4个群体的多态位点比例分别为14.06%,32.81%,34.38%和20.31%,遗传距离分别为0.0576、0.1657、0.1674和0.0800,Nei基因多样性分别为0.0538、0.1099、0.1308和0.0723,Shannon信息指数分别为0.0784、0.1669、0.1923和0.1072.文岩渠群体与黄河品系Ⅰ群体遗传距离最远(0.1717),与小浪底水库群体遗传距离最近(0.0558).表明这些群体间发生了较弱的遗传分化.UPGMA聚类结果为文岩渠群体与小浪底群体先聚在一起,其次是与豫选黄河鲤,最后与黄河鲤品系Ⅰ相聚.用AMOVA进行遗传变异方差分析得到遗传变异固定指数(Φst=0.0179,P0.05),显示黄河鲤大部分变异(98.21%)发生在群体内,群体间变异较小(1.79%).说明人工选育群体的遗传结构尚未发生明显变化.     

High resolution linkage disequilibrium and haplotype maps for the genes in the centromeric region of chromosome 15 in Tibetans and comparisons with Han population

WITH THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE HUMAN GE- NOME PROJECT, ONE OF THE SCIENTIFIC MILESTONES, GENETIC VARIATIONS AND THEIR FUNCTIONAL IMPLICATIONS, HAVE BE- COME ONE OF THE FOCUSES IN GENOME RESEARCH. IT HAS BEEN KNOWN THAT GENETIC VARIATIONS, TOGETHER WITH ENVI- RONMENT, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DIFFERENCES IN COMPLEX TRAITS IN INDIVIDUALS: PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS, DISE…     

Genetic relationships among Chinese and American isolates of Phytophthora sojae assessed by RAPD markers

The genetic diversity of three geographic populations of Phytophthora sojae from China and the United States was determined using random amplified polymorphic DNA （RAPD）. The purpose was to explore genetic relationships among Chinese and American isolates of the organism. 21 random primers were selected among 200 random primers screened. A total of 223 reproducible RAPD fragments were scored among 111 individuals, of which 199 （89.23%） were polymorphic. Analysis of genetic variation showed that there existed higher genetic variation in the United States population in comparison to the Chinese populations. Nei＇s genetic identity and principal component analysis indicated that the populations of Fujian and United States are closer to each other than to Heilongjiang populations. Shannon-Wiener diversity index revealed that the United States populations have a higher genetic di- versity than that of Chinese populations. These data are in support of the hypothesis that P. sojae in the United States might not have been introduced from China.     

东北三省汉族人群的遗传特征及族源推断研究

为研究东北三省汉族人群17个常染色体STR基因座的遗传多态性,在获得书面知情同意的基础上,研究抽取了东北三省汉族人群中无直接亲缘关系的326份血样卡,其中,辽宁省63份,吉林省107份,黑龙江省156份。使用PowerPlex@21 System荧光扩增试剂盒对17个STR基因座进行基因分型,再利用Modified-Powerstates软件计算其法医学参数。经分析得出,在17个基因座中,13个基因座的个体识别能力及遗传多态性较高,其中D18S51、FGA和PENTA_E 3个基因座尤为突出;剩余4个基因座中,D3S1358和CSF1PO中等,TH01和TPOX较低。同时对东北三省汉族人群和其他14个人群进行族源推断,通过对等位基因频率进行主成分分析、遗传距离计算、多维尺度分析,研究发现14个人群中的所有汉族、云南白族、云南彝族、云南纳西族和韩国均与东北三省汉族的人群之间具有较近的遗传距离,而剩余人群则与目标人群距离较远。     

基于线粒体基因的云南省烟田烟蚜茧蜂的种群遗传多样性研究

选取了云南省11州市主要烟区的6个烟田种群、13个工厂繁育种群以及1个野生种群,基于线粒体atp6、cox1、cob和nad24个蛋白质编码基因开展了种群遗传多样性研究.解析云南省主要烟区烟田烟蚜茧蜂种群的遗传多样性特点,为烟蚜茧蜂的科学释放和蜂种复壮提供理论依据.结果发现,在105个个体中共检测到158个多态性位点和...     

Adaptive variation in environmental and genetic sex determination in a fish

Two general mechanisms of sex determination have been identified among gonochoristic vertebrates: environmental sex determination where offspring become male or female in response to an environmental factor(s) during development (for example, some fishes and reptiles); and genetic sex determination where sex is determined by genotype at conception (as in birds and mammals). How do these sex-determining systems evolve? Direct evidence is virtually non-existent because the sex-determining systems of most species appear to have little genetic variation. Here we provide the first evidence of adaptive variation in environmental and genetic sex determination within a species. We show that in a fish with temperature-dependent sex determination, populations at different latitudes compensate for differences in thermal environment and seasonality by adjusting the response of sex ratio to temperature, and by altering the level of environmental as opposed to genetic control. The adjustments observed are precisely those predicted by adaptive sex ratio theory.     

Cells of origin in cancer

Both solid tumours and leukaemias show considerable histological and functional heterogeneity. It is widely accepted that genetic lesions have a major role in determining tumour phenotype, but evidence is also accumulating that cancers of distinct subtypes within an organ may derive from different 'cells of origin'. These cells acquire the first genetic hit or hits that culminate in the initiation of cancer. The identification of these crucial target cell populations may allow earlier detection of malignancies and better prediction of tumour behaviour, and ultimately may lead to preventive therapies for individuals at high risk of developing cancer.     

水分因子对尖叶拟船叶藓遗传多样性的影响

采用10个引物对采自贵州青冈树上、中、下3个部位的15个居群尖叶拟船叶藓进行了RAPD分析。结果表明,上部尖叶拟船叶藓在居群间有最高的遗传多样性,但居群内遗传多样性最低;下部的居群内遗传多样性最高。各部位遗传多样性与树皮含水量相关性分析表明,居群间遗传多样性与树皮含水量呈负相关,居群内的遗传多样性则与树皮含水量呈正相关;聚类分析显示15个居群基本按各自附生部位聚类,进一步证实了小生境中的水分因子对尖叶拟船叶藓的遗传多样性有较大的影响。     

多辐溲疏居群过氧化物酶同工酶分化的研究

运用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳，测试了采自四川南川县金佛山不同生境的多辐溲疏５个居群５０株个体的过氧化物酶同工酶，对酶谱带位置进行了二态编码，然后采用Ｒｏｇｅｒｓ－Ｔａｎｉｍｏｔｏ，Ｓｏｋａｌ－Ｍｉｃｈ－ｅｎｅｒ，Ｓｏｋａｌ－Ｓｎｅａｔｈ，Ｊａｃｃａｒｄ等结合系数用组平均法（ＵＰＧＭＡ）对各谱带位置进行了聚类分析．结果表明，相同生境同一居群内的个体间表现出较大的遗传同质性，而来源于不同生境的不同居群个体间却呈现出较大的遗传趋异性；同时，５个居群不但具有许多共同谱带，而且整体相聚的结合系数大多超过０．５，这表明５个居群在很早以前可能是属于同一大居群，在长期进化过程中，由于微生境的地理与气候因子选择，使得多辐溲疏现仅在金佛山海拔６００～１２００ｍ的约ｋｍ２范围内呈岛状分布；又由于其特殊的繁殖方式——居群内个体虽能杂交，但因该种仅能正常开花传粉，大部分种子败育，使得居群内个体遗传变异性不能通过有性生殖方式固定下来，仅能通过营养繁殖方式繁殖后代，而正是营养繁殖导致了居群内较大遗传同质性以及居群间的遗传趋异性．在整个进化过程中生境只不过是对那些遗传变异起到了选择固定作用     

青藏高原东南部四川嵩草的遗传多样性研究

基于随机扩增多态DNA(RAPD)方法分析了青藏高原东南部四川嵩草(Kobresia setchwanensis)4个居群的遗传多样性.14条随机引物共扩增出180个位点数,其中多态性位点138个.结果表明,四川嵩草4个居群的遗传多样性大小与生境有相关性,而与海拔没有明显相关性(P=0.768>0.05,r=-0.232).AMOVA数据表明,四川嵩草的遗传变异主要分布在居群内(77.45%),居群间的遗传变异占总变异的22.55%,遗传分化指数GST也显示了相似的结果(0.2101),这一结果符合风媒异交的繁育系统.从四川嵩草4个居群的遗传距离和聚类分析,以及用NTSYS对四川嵩草4个居群的的遗传距离矩阵与地理距离矩阵间的关系进行Mantel检测,结果表明,各居群间的遗传距离与地理距离之间没有明显相关性(r=0.61211,P=0.9176>0.05).     

缙云山特有植物缙云黄芩的等位酶变异研究

采用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶垂直平板电泳检测了重庆缙云山特有植物缙云黄芩 (ScutellariatsinyunensisC Y WuetS chow) 7个居群 70个个体的过氧化物酶 (POD)、细胞色素氧化酶 (CYT)、超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)、淀粉酶 (AMY)和酯酶 (ES) 5种等位酶谱带的变异式样 .并将所得酶谱带进行编码 ,然后分别用Jaccard和Sokal Michener结合系数结合不加权组平均法 (UPGMA)进行聚类 .7个居群等位酶谱带分布表明 ,只有 15 5 6 %的等位酶谱带在所有个体中是恒定的 ,其余 84 44 %的等位酶谱带在个体间显示出或多或少的变异 .在居群水平上 ,也只有 2 2 2 2 %的等位酶谱带是恒定的 ,77 78%的等位酶谱带存在有分化 .聚类分析结果表明缙云黄芩同一居群的个体间在等位酶谱带上表现出很大的相似性 ,即居群内个体间表现出较大的遗传同质性 ;而来源于不同居群的个体酶谱则表现出明显的趋异性 ,显示出缙云黄芩不同居群之间发生了较明显的遗传分化     

SOS response promotes horizontal dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes

Mobile genetic elements have a crucial role in spreading antibiotic resistance genes among bacterial populations. Environmental and genetic factors that regulate conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in bacterial populations are largely unknown. Integrating conjugative elements (ICEs) are a diverse group of mobile elements that are transferred by means of cell-cell contact and integrate into the chromosome of the new host. SXT is a approximately 100-kilobase ICE derived from Vibrio cholerae that encodes genes that confer resistance to chloramphenicol, sulphamethoxazole, trimethoprim and streptomycin. SXT-related elements were not detected in V. cholerae before 1993 but are now present in almost all clinical V. cholerae isolates from Asia. ICEs related to SXT are also present in several other bacterial species and encode a variety of antibiotic and heavy metal resistance genes. Here we show that SetR, an SXT encoded repressor, represses the expression of activators of SXT transfer. The 'SOS response' to DNA damage alleviates this repression, increasing the expression of genes necessary for SXT transfer and hence the frequency of transfer. SOS is induced by a variety of environmental factors and antibiotics, for example ciprofloxacin, and we show that ciprofloxacin induces SXT transfer as well. Thus, we present a mechanism by which therapeutic agents can promote the spread of antibiotic resistance genes.