Sequence variants in the autophagy gene IRGM and multiple other replicating loci contribute to Crohn's disease susceptibility

A genome-wide association scan in individuals with Crohn's disease by the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium detected strong association at four novel loci. We tested 37 SNPs from these and other loci for association in an independent case-control sample. We obtained replication for the autophagy-inducing IRGM gene on chromosome 5q33.1 (replication P = 6.6 x 10(-4), combined P = 2.1 x 10(-10)) and for nine other loci, including NKX2-3, PTPN2 and gene deserts on chromosomes 1q and 5p13.     

Genome-wide meta-analysis increases to 71 the number of confirmed Crohn's disease susceptibility loci

We undertook a meta-analysis of six Crohn's disease genome-wide association studies (GWAS) comprising 6,333 affected individuals (cases) and 15,056 controls and followed up the top association signals in 15,694 cases, 14,026 controls and 414 parent-offspring trios. We identified 30 new susceptibility loci meeting genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10??). A series of in silico analyses highlighted particular genes within these loci and, together with manual curation, implicated functionally interesting candidate genes including SMAD3, ERAP2, IL10, IL2RA, TYK2, FUT2, DNMT3A, DENND1B, BACH2 and TAGAP. Combined with previously confirmed loci, these results identify 71 distinct loci with genome-wide significant evidence for association with Crohn's disease.     

Natural history and ecological niche modelling of coastal Atyphella Olliff Larvae (Lampyridae: Luciolinae) in Vanuatu

ABSTRACT

The genus Atyphella Olliff includes several coastal species with larvae that were collected on coastal rock within the intertidal zone. Recent fieldwork in Vanuatu has expanded the distribution of these insects and begun to provide insight into how they are able to survive in such a unique environment. An ecological niche model is produced using Maxent to predict additional locations of coastal Atyphella in the South Pacific. Larval instars for the two species of Atyphella in Vanuatu are estimated using protergum shield width measurements. Additionally, submersion tests were performed on larvae to determine survivability in saltwater and freshwater environments. These data provide evidence for previously unknown aspects of their natural history that strongly suggest the species are multivoltine and spend a large portion of their larval stage in the intertidal zone.     

A new species of the enigmatic Australian endemic family Trachypetidae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea): Cercobarcon lasallei sp.n.

ABSTRACT

The Trachypetidae is a newly recognised family of Ichneumonoidea endemic to Australia and one of the most distinctive wasp groups on the continent based on their large body size and superficial resemblance to some ichneumonids and aculeate wasps. The family is united in the presence of a unique sensory or glandular structure at the base of the mandibles. It is known from three genera: Cercobarcon Tobias, 1979, Megalohelcon Turner, 1918 (= Rhamphobarcon Tobias, 1979) and Trachypetus Guérin de Méneville, 1830, totalling eight described species. Trachypetines are rarely encountered, with very few specimens having been collected or recognised in collections since the group was revised in 1993. Here we report on a newly discovered species from Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, the first to be recognised in more than 25 years, and take much pleasure in naming it after Dr John La Salle, in celebration of his career.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3F0147A8-F628-4869-B7FD-2E1560145734     

Genetically effective and adult population sizes in the Apache silverspot butterfly, Speyeria nokomis apacheana (Lepidoptera: Mynphalidae)

Genetically effective and adult population sizes of the Apache silverspot butterfly ( Speyeria nokomiis apacheana ) from the Great Basin of North America were tracked from 1991 to 1997. Speyeria nokomis inhabits mesic habitats in the Great Basin, and its recent declines in abundance have raised concerns about its future persistence. Adult population size estimates determined from mark-recapture methods ranged from 100 to 1900 individuals from 1993 through 1997. Genetically effective population sizes based on temporal changes in allozyme frequencies ranged from less tha 1 individual to 20 individuals between 1991 and 1995. Despite these small annual estimates, it is likely that gene flow resulted in overestimation of genetically effective population sizes. These reusuts, combined with observations in the field, suggest that suitable but vacan habitat patches be maintained for potential recolonization by S. n. apacheana.     

Fat depth at the xiphoid process--a rapid index to deer condition

Vegetal composition was determined during 1974 and 1984 using 60 permanent 50 m 2 plots within a mature pinyon-juniper community in northeastern Utah. Results indicated that not only was there little significant change in community composition, but with many species frequency and density remained nearly the same during the decade.     

Late summer changes in mule deer diets with increasing use on bitterbrush rangeland

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Late summer diet composition of mule deer was determined daily within a mountain browse enclosure dominated by antelope bitterbrush. Palatable forages of low abundance were rapidly depleted, and bitterbrush continually composed over 50% of the diet, even at utilization exceeding 350 deer-days/ha. The relationship of bitterbrush forage production and deer-days use is discussed.     

Resident Utah deer hunters' preferences for management options

A total of 3291 resident deer hunters returned questionnaires distributed at checking stations in fall 1989 and 1990 providing opinions and management data concerning the Utah rifle hunt. Hunters reported hunter crowding and too few big bucks as critical reasons for possibly choosing to quit deer hunting in Utah. Indeed, hunter age structure and measured satisfaction suggested a negative future trend in hunter participation. Results suggested the adoption of several hunter-preferred management options would increase satisfaction, motivation, and success.     

Effects of browsing by mule deer on tree growth and fruit productions in juvenile orchards

The effects of big game depredation on juvenile fruit trees were studied in northern Utah. Utilization of trees was determined by counts of nipped and intact buds in spring. Height, width, basal diameter, number of buds, and initial fruit production of peach and apple trees were determined from trees protected from or browsed by mule deer in winter: Results from the 10 orchards studied indicated that removal of buds at the observed browsing levels had no effect on tree growth or initial fruit production.