Effects Of Morphological Traits Research Articles

Effects of morphological traits on body weight and analysis of growth-related genes of Parabramis pekinensis at different ages

Parabramis pekinensis was treated as research object in order to investigate the correlation between morphological traits and body weight. We measured 9 morphological indexes including total length (X1), body length (X2), body height (X3), head length (X4), snout length (X5), eye diameter (X6), eye distance (X7), caudal stalk length (X8) and caudal stalk height (X9). The principal morphological traits affecting body weight were screened out and the regression equation was established. The regression equation of Y1 (age 1 group) shape character (X) and weight (Y) was Y = − 169.183 + 32.544 × 3 + 10.263 × 4 + 15.655 × 7. The regression equation of Y2 (age 2 group) shape character (X) and weight (Y) was Y = − 694.082 + 7.725 × 1 + 72.822 × 3 + 77.023 × 6, the regression equation of Y3 (age 3 group) shape character (X) and weight (Y) was Y = − 1161.512 + 26.062 × 1 + 22.319 × 2- 107.218 × 5 + 83.901 × 7. Gene expression was consistent with these conclusions. TOR signaling pathway expression raised in Y1 then width increased. And GH-IGF-1 signaling pathway expression raised in Y2 then the length increased. In conclusion, the paper could prove that P. pekinensis showed a growth trend, which was increasing width first and length later. In some sense, the study not only enriched the basic biological data of P. pekinensis, but also provided waiting morphological traits for selective breeding of P. pekinensis artificial breeding in future.

Effects of morphological traits on living body weight of wild Cyclina sinensis in different geographical populations

Eleven coastal geographical populations of wild Cyclina sinensis in China were collected in February 2020, and the effects of four morphological traits (shell length; shell height; shell width; external ligament length) on one weight trait (living body weight) were studied by correlation analysis, path analysis, determination coefficient analysis, and regression analyses. The statistical results showed that the coefficient of body weight variation was generally greater than morphological traits(P＜0.05). The correlation analysis results showed that the coefficient of correlation between morphological traits (except for external ligament length) and body weight are significantly positive (P＜0.05) in all populations. Based on the results of path analysis and determination coefficient analysis, shell length has the greatest direct effect on body weight in the Yancheng population; shell height has the greatest direct effect on body weight in Dandong, Fuzhou and Tangshan populations; shell width has the greatest direct effect on body weight in Zhanjiang, Wenzhou, Dongtai, Ningbo, Tianjin, Dongying, and Wanning populations. Multiple regression equations were obtained with body weight as the dependent variable, shell length, height, and width and external ligament length as independent variables. The results of systematic clustering showed that there are no apparent geographical differentiation characteristics among eleven geographical populations in morphology. This study provided a scientific basis for selective and genetic breeding and can guide the development and utilization of wild C. sinensis seed resources.

Mate choice for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) complementarity in the Yellow-rumped Flycatcher (Ficedula zanthopygia)

BackgroundGenes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are an important component of the vertebrate immune system and play a significant role in mate choice in animal populations. However, the MHC genetic targets of female mate choice have not been clearly identified, and whether female mate choice is based on neutral genetic characteristics remains an open question. Here, we focus on the effects of morphological traits and genetic similarity among individuals in MHC class IIB (MHC IIB) exon 2 on mating in a sexually dimorphic songbird that exhibits social monogamy with extra-pair paternity (EPP).MethodsWe sequenced 64 parent–offspring triads sampled over a 3-year period using two MHC class II loci to detect disassortative mating in the Yellow-rumped Flycatcher (Ficedula zanthopygia).ResultsWe found that MHC similarity in social pairs was lower than that in random pairs. Extra-pair mate choice according to MHC IIB was observed, in which females’ extra-pair mates had fewer MHC alleles than their within-pair mates, but there was no significant band-sharing between extra-pair sires and potential extra-pair mates. However, the interaction between the MHC diversity of females and that of the social males affected the occurrence of EPP.ConclusionsOur results support the “optimality hypothesis” of MHC-based social and extra-pair choice. Female choice probably maintains a certain level of MHC diversity in offspring in the Yellow-rumped Flycatcher.

Interrelationship and Cause - Effect of Morphological Traits with Grain Yield and Oil Content among Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss) Genotypes under Non- irrigated and Irrigated Condition

Interrelationship and Cause - Effect of Morphological Traits with Grain Yield and Oil Content among Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss) Genotypes under Non- irrigated and Irrigated Condition

Mate choice for major histocompatibility complex complementarity in a strictly monogamous bird, the grey partridge (Perdix perdix)

BackgroundSexual selection has been hypothesised as favouring mate choice resulting in production of viable offspring with genotypes providing high pathogen resistance. Specific pathogen recognition is mediated by genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) encoding proteins fundamental for adaptive immune response in jawed vertebrates. MHC genes may also play a role in odour-based individual recognition and mate choice, aimed at avoiding inbreeding. MHC genes are known to be involved in mate choice in a number of species, with ‘good genes’ (absolute criteria) and ‘complementary genes’ (self-referential criteria) being used to explain MHC-based mating. Here, we focus on the effect of morphological traits and variation and genetic similarity between individuals in MHC class IIB (MHCIIB) exon 2 on mating in a free-living population of a monogamous bird, the grey partridge.ResultsWe found no evidence for absolute mate choice criteria as regards grey partridge MHCIIB genotypes, i.e., number and occurrence of amino acid variants, though red chroma of the spot behind eyes was positively associated with male pairing success. On the other hand, mate choice at MHCIIB was based on relative criteria as females preferentially paired with more dissimilar males having a lower number of shared amino acid variants. This observation supports the ‘inbreeding avoidance’ and ‘complementary genes’ hypotheses.ConclusionsOur study provides one of the first pieces of evidence for MHC-based mate choice for genetic complementarity in a strictly monogamous bird. The statistical approach employed can be recommended for testing mating preferences in cases where availability of potential mates (recorded with an appropriate method such as radio-tracking) shows considerable temporal variation. Additional genetic analyses using neutral markers may detect whether MHC-based mate choice for complementarity emerges as a by-product of general inbreeding avoidance in grey partridges.

English

The red crab (Charybdis feriata) is one of most important fishery resource in China. In the present study, 17 morphological traits and body weight of C. feriata were first measured and 18 traits were characterized, and then, the effects of morphological traits on body weight were estimated by statistical methods including correlation coefficients, determination coefficients, path coefficients and regression equations. All correlation coefficients between each morphological trait and body weight reached an extremely significant level (P<0.01). Determination and path coefficients analysis revealed the real correlation between the independent variables and the dependent variable. Significant path coefficients were found between three morphological traits (stemum width, X8; meropodite length of pereopod 3, X16; meropodite length of pereopod 4, X17) and body weight, suggesting these three traits were the key factors directly influencing body weight. Multiple correlation index (R2) between the above three morphological traits and body weight was of 0.977, which indicated that the main independent variables influencing body weight had been found. Finally, a best-fit linear regression equation was established as Y = 13.078 X8 + 7.048 X16 - 4.902 X17 - 576.635, which provided an ideal model for better understanding of the feature of morphological traits and body weight of C. feriata. Key words: Charybdis Feriata, morphological traits, correlation analysis, path analysis, regression analysis.

Assessment of Genetic Diversity in Tinda Gourd Through Multivariate Analysis

There is insufficient information available concerning the genetics and association of yield components in Tinda gourd (Citrullus vulgaris var. fistulosus Stocks). Sixteen genotypes of Tinda gourd were used to estimate genetic variability, strength and direction of association, and direct/indirect effects of morphological traits on fresh fruit yield. Considerable genetic variability occurred among genotypes for all traits. The majority of variation was genetic in nature as indicated by similar values of genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation. High heritability coupled with low genetic advance for leaf area, fruit length, fruit diameter, number of vines per plant, number of fruit per plant, and fruit yield indicated nonadditive gene action. Fruit weight had additive gene action as indicated by high heritability and genetic advance. Fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit weight, and number of fruit per plant had a strong positive association; numbers of vines per plant were negatively correlated with yield at genotypic and phenotypic levels. Fruit weight had the most direct effect on yield, followed by fruit diameter and stem diameter. Four principal components (PCs) explained 81.19% of total observed variation. PC1 and PC2 were defined as variations attributed to nonadditive genes and variations due to additive genes and environment. Six genotypes were selected for use in breeding based upon cluster analysis.

Effects of morphological traits, age and copulation experience on mate choice in Ophraella communa

Ophraella communa is a biological control agent of invasive common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia. To understand the mate choice tactic of the beetle and improve mass-rearing of high-quality populations, the effects of morphological traits, age and copulation experience on mate choice in this beetle were studied in the laboratory. The results showed thatmate choice of male or female was related to certain adult morphological traits. Wing length, black streak width of frons and metaleg femur length of males were central to female mate choice. Females with longer wing length, black streak width of frons, pronotum width and foreleg tibia length were more attractive to males than those with the smaller ones. The chosen rate of older males was significantly higher than those of younger ones, and the chosen rate of females reached a maximum value on the 8th day after eclosion. The newly copulated females were less attractive to males than virgins, but females that have copulated in the distant past were more attractive than or were similar to virgins. The chosen rates of virgin males were significantly higher than those of newly copulated and 8 days past copulated ones, but no difference between virgin males and 3, 5 or 12 days past copulated ones in O. communa. The results of our study have added much needed empirical data regarding the significance of morphological traits, age and copulation experience as a source of variation in insect copulation signals. In addition, the results provide valuable information for mass-rearing of high-quality populations of O. communa.

Morphological variation and mathematical analysis of effects of morphological traits on body-weight of GIFT tilapia after 3 generations of breeding

GIFT strain of Nile tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus) played an important role in world fishery.Several researches indicated that the growth performance of GIFT can still be improved.As an important indicator of breeding,body-weight was influenced by many morphological traits,and morphological traits that impact offspring body-weight might be changed after breeding,so comparative analyses of the impacts of morphological traits on body-weight between the offspring and parental generation became necessary.Sixty families of GIFT were introduced into FFRC as the parents(P) in 2006 for further study,three generations of offspring were bred(F1,F2,F3).In order to observe the achievement of breeding,body-weight(Y),body-length(X1),body-thickness(X2) and body-height(X3) of the P and F3 were measured,variation of four morphological traits of P and F3 were analyzed;correlation analysis,path analysis and regression analysis were used to calculate the correlation coefficient,path coefficient and the coefficient of determination,and the multiple regression equations between body-weight(Y) and morphological traits(X1,X2,X3)were established and analyzed.Results showed that: 1) compared with P,body-weight,body-length and body-thickness of F3 had a significant increase(P0.01),meanwhile a certain decline in the coefficient of variation(CV) was observed,body size of tilapia of F3 showed a trend of being consistent.Male of F3 had increased in some degree,significant increase of 4 traits of the male group was not observed.2) Trait af-fected the body-weight most of F3 converted to body-length,which was body-height×body-length in P.3) The influence of body-length,body-thickness and body-height on body-weight declined more in F3 than that in P.Results above indicated that,breeding made a positive effect on the growth speed of GIFT;for further study we should be more careful in selecting morphological traits,and some other morphological traits which might impact the body-weight should be taken into account for more accurate breeding project.

Mapping quantitative trait loci conferring partial physiological resistance to white mold in the common bean RIL population Xana × Cornell 49242

White mold, caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, is a devastating disease in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Resistance to this pathogen can be due to physiological or avoidance mechanisms. We sought to characterize the partial physiological resistance exhibited by Xana dry bean in the greenhouse straw test using quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. A population of 104 F7 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from an inter-gene pool cross between Xana and the susceptible black bean Cornell 49242 was evaluated against five local isolates of Sclerotinia. The effect of morphological traits (plant height, first internode length, and first internode width) on response to white mold was examined. The level of resistance exhibited by Xana to five isolates of S. sclerotiorum was similar to that of the well-known resistant lines PC50, A195, and G122. Eighteen QTL, involving the linkage groups (LG) 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, and 11, were found to be significant in at least one evaluation and in the mean of the two evaluations. The number of significant QTL identified per trait ranged from one to five. Four major regions on LG 1, 6, and 7 were associated with partial resistance to white mold, confirming the results obtained in other populations. A relative specificity in the number and the position of the identified QTL was found depending on the isolate used. QTL involved in the control of morphological traits and in the response to white mold were co-located at the same relative position on LG 1, 6, and 7. The role of these genomic regions in physiological resistance or avoidance mechanisms to white mold is discussed.