High Genetic Similarity Research Articles

Identification of Soybean Mutant Lines Based on Dual-Branch CNN Model Fusion Framework Utilizing Images from Different Organs.

The accurate identification and classification of soybean mutant lines is essential for developing new plant varieties through mutation breeding. However, most existing studies have focused on the classification of soybean varieties. Distinguishing mutant lines solely by their seeds can be challenging due to their high genetic similarities. Therefore, in this paper, we designed a dual-branch convolutional neural network (CNN) composed of two identical single CNNs to fuse the image features of pods and seeds together to solve the soybean mutant line classification problem. Four single CNNs (AlexNet, GoogLeNet, ResNet18, and ResNet50) were used to extract features, and the output features were fused and input into the classifier for classification. The results demonstrate that dual-branch CNNs outperform single CNNs, with the dual-ResNet50 fusion framework achieving a 90.22 ± 0.19% classification rate. We also identified the most similar mutant lines and genetic relationships between certain soybean lines using a clustering tree and t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding algorithm. Our study represents one of the primary efforts to combine various organs for the identification of soybean mutant lines. The findings of this investigation provide a new path to select potential lines for soybean mutation breeding and signify a meaningful advancement in the propagation of soybean mutant line recognition technology.

Multi-omics analysis reveals changes in tryptophan and cholesterol metabolism before and after sexual maturation in captive macaques

Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta, RMs) are widely used in sexual maturation studies due to their high genetic and physiological similarity to humans. However, judging sexual maturity in captive RMs based on blood physiological indicators, female menstruation, and male ejaculation behavior can be inaccurate. Here, we explored changes in RMs before and after sexual maturation based on multi-omics analysis and identified markers for determining sexual maturity. We found that differentially expressed microbiota, metabolites, and genes before and after sexual maturation showed many potential correlations. Specifically, genes involved in spermatogenesis (TSSK2, HSP90AA1, SOX5, SPAG16, and SPATC1) were up-regulated in male macaques, and significant changes in gene (CD36), metabolites (cholesterol, 7-ketolithocholic acid, and 12-ketolithocholic acid), and microbiota (Lactobacillus) related to cholesterol metabolism were also found, suggesting the sexually mature males have stronger sperm fertility and cholesterol metabolism compared to sexually immature males. In female macaques, most differences before and after sexual maturity were related to tryptophan metabolism, including changes in IDO1, IDO2, IFNGR2, IL1Β, IL10, L-tryptophan, kynurenic acid (KA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indoleacetaldehyde, and Bifidobacteria, indicating that sexually mature females exhibit stronger neuromodulation and intestinal immunity than sexually immature females. Cholesterol metabolism-related changes (CD36, 7-ketolithocholic acid, 12-ketolithocholic acid) were also observed in female and male macaques. Exploring differences before and after sexual maturation through multi-omics, we identified potential biomarkers of sexual maturity in RMs, including Lactobacillus (for males) and Bifidobacterium (for females) valuable for RM breeding and sexual maturation research.

Alternosema astaquatica n. sp. (Microsporidia: Enterocytozoonida), a systemic parasite of the crayfish Faxonius virilis

Crayfish have strong ecological impacts in freshwater systems, yet our knowledge of their parasites is limited. This study describes the first systemic microsporidium (infects multiple tissue types) Alternosema astaquatica n. sp. (Enterocytozoonida) isolated from a crayfish host, Faxonius virilis, using histopathology, transmission electron microscopy, gene sequencing, and phylogenetics. The parasite develops in direct contact with the host cell cytoplasm producing mature spores that are monokaryotic and ellipsoid in shape. Spores have 9–10 coils of the polar filament and measure 3.07 ± 0.26 µm (SD) in length and 0.93 ± 0.08 µm (SD) in width. Our novel isolate has high genetic similarity to Alternosema bostrichidis isolated from terrestrial beetles; however, genetic data from this parasite is restricted to a small fragment (396 bp) of the SSU gene. Additional data related to spore morphology and development, host, environment, and ecology indicate that our novel isolate is distinct from A. bostrichidis, which supports a new species description. Alternosema astaquatica n. sp. represents a novel member of the Orthosomella-like group which appears to be a set of opportunists within the Enterocytozoonida. The presence of this microsporidium in F. virilis could be relevant for freshwater ecosystems across this crayfish’s broad geographic range in North America and may affect interactions between F. virilis and invasive rusty crayfish Faxonius rusticus in the Midwest USA.

Revisitando a diversidade e estrutura genética de Caiman Latirostris (Alligatoridae: Crocodylia) no Brasil

The distribution of the broad-snouted caiman is concentrated in the Brazilian coastal area, the area with the highest urbanization rate in the country. The anthropic pressure makes constant monitoring a necessary effort. Aiming to conserve the species and expand genetic information of Caiman latirostris, we analyzed the genetic diversity and structure of a population in Serra – ES. We compared it with analyzed data of populations distributed in Brazil. We used ten microsatellite markers from 39 samples collected from five lakes in the industrial complex of Serra – ES and data obtained from the literature with information from the same genetic markers for comparative analysis. We observed that the population of ES is genetically isolated from the other nine Brazilian populations. There are high genetic similarities among the lakes, probably due to the low geographic distance (between 100 m and 3 km) among them. The mean heterozygosity observed for the ES population was 0.434, indicating that this population has lower genetic diversity than the others already studied around Brazil (average of 0.54) and a high inbreeding index (0.271) probably related to the isolation of the population.

Long ant life span is maintained by a unique heat shock factor.

Eusocial insect reproductive females show strikingly longer life spans than nonreproductive female workers despite high genetic similarity. In the ant Harpegnathos saltator (Hsal), workers can transition to reproductive "gamergates," acquiring a fivefold prolonged life span by mechanisms that are poorly understood. We found that gamergates have elevated expression of heat shock response (HSR) genes in the absence of heat stress and enhanced survival with heat stress. This HSR gene elevation is driven in part by gamergate-specific up-regulation of the gene encoding a truncated form of a heat shock factor most similar to mammalian HSF2 (hsalHSF2). In workers, hsalHSF2 was bound to DNA only upon heat stress. In gamergates, hsalHSF2 bound to DNA even in the absence of heat stress and was localized to gamergate-biased HSR genes. Expression of hsalHSF2 in Drosophila melanogaster led to enhanced heat shock survival and extended life span in the absence of heat stress. Molecular characterization illuminated multiple parallels between long-lived flies and gamergates, underscoring the centrality of hsalHSF2 to extended ant life span. Hence, ant caste-specific heat stress resilience and extended longevity can be transferred to flies via hsalHSF2. These findings reinforce the critical role of proteostasis in health and aging and reveal novel mechanisms underlying facultative life span extension in ants.

First Report of Scab Disease Caused by Venturia effusa on Pecan in Anhui Province of China.

Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) is a world-famous nut tree which widely cultivated in China. Quanjiao County, located in Anhui province, is reputed to be the capital of pecan production in China. Since 2019, typical scab symptoms were observed on most pecan cultivars in orchards located in the regions of Quanjiao (32°5'7.08″ N, 118°16'2.91″ E). In April, dark brown to black lesions of scab could be observed on both the abaxial and adaxial surface of the lamina, and were often associated with the veins or midrib. In July, small, brownish, and circular lesions ranging from 1 to 2 mm in diameter were observed at the end of stems and shoulder of the fruit. In the surveyed orchards, disease incidence on the leaves reached more than 35%. While, according to the number of infected nut clusters, disease incidence ranged from 40 to 60% on the infected fruits. Using a sterilized scalpel, conidia were scraped from the surface of a single lesion from the infected leaves or fruits, and a dilute spore suspension was prepared in sterile distilled water, of which 100 microliters was spread on 1% water-agar plate (Bock et al. 2014). The conidia were incubated at 25°C for 48 h under fluorescent lights with a 12-hphotoperiod. Single germinated conidia were selected and transferred into potato dextrose agar (PDA) plate to obtain monospore isolates. From 2019 to 2020, more than 20 isolates were obtained from the infected leaves and fruits. Incubated at 24°C for 6 weeks in darkness on PDA, the colonies were gray-black with circular morphology and floccose texture, which were consistent with the characteristics of Venturia effusa described previously (Gottwald 1982). The conidia were pyriform to ellipsoid, zero to one septate, smooth, attenuated towards apex and base, base truncate, pale brown and 10.08 to 18.14 × 4.86 to 9.56 μm (n = 50) in size. To further identify the isolates, the regions of internal transcribed spacer (ITS), beta-tubulin 2 (TUB2) and translation elongation factor 1 alpha (EF1-a) were amplified and sequenced from genomic DNA for the three representative isolates (AH-81 and AH-82 from the infected leaves, and AH-41 from the infected fruits), respectively (White et al. 1990; Young et al. 2018; Bensch et al. 2006). Sequences of them were deposited in GenBank under nos. OP199056 to OP199058 (ITS), OP566581 to OP566583 (TUB2) and OP566578 to OP566580 (EF1-a). Multilocus phylogenetic analysis revealed that three isolates and V. effusa were clustered in the same clade, indicating high genetic similarity between these organisms. Their morphological and molecular characteristics were consistent with those for V. effusa. The pathogenicity of three isolates were tested on two-year-old container-grown pecan seedlings, which were grown in the nursery. The conidial suspension with a concentration of 5 × 105 conidia/ml was sprayed evenly on the surface of leaves of a healthy pecan seedling, and each isolate inoculated four pecan seedlings. The pathogenicity experiment was repeated three times. The plants inoculated with sterile water were used a negative control. The inoculated plants were enclosed in plastic bags for 2 days, and kept in the nursery greenhouse. Four weeks after inoculation, a similar symptom of scab was observed on leaves of cultivar Mahan, and V. effusa was isolated again from inoculated leaves with the frequency of 100% by the single-spore isolation, whereas no symptoms were observed on the control plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of V. effusa as a scab pathogen on pecan in Anhui Province of China and underscores the need for monitoring this disease and developing disease control strategies to prevent severe reduction in the value of fruit.

First Report of Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens Causing Bacterial Wilt and Blight on Sunflower in Russia.

In the summer of 2018, wilt and leaf spots were observed on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants in fields near Kursk (51.74°N, 36.02°E) in Russia. In the following years, incidence of this disease was 5 to 20% in the inspected fields. Marginal chlorosis on seedling leaves developed into wilt and necrosis about one week later (Fig. 1). Mature plants had leaves with blight and reduced height compared to symptomless plants. Pathogen isolation from seeds was done by the method of Tegli et al. (2002) with modifications. Bacteria from diseased plants were isolated by streaking inoculum from symptomatic tissues on nutrient dextrose agar (NDA) (Schaad et al. 1988). The plates were incubated at 30°C for 7 to 10 days. Isolates consistently formed slow-growing, yellow, circular, smooth colonies without soluble pigment. The isolated bacteria were aerobic, gram-positive, and rod-shaped. Eight strains, CF-20 to CF-26 from plants, and Curt1 and Curt3 from seeds, were identified by MALDI TOF MS analysis as Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens or C. flaccumfaciens pv. poinsettiae. All strains had GENIII MicroPlate (BIOLOG) test results identical to C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens strain DSM20129T. Further analysis was done by specific PCR (Tegli et al. 2002) and 16S rDNA, gyrB, and atpD gene sequencing. For PCR amplification, DNA was extracted by the CitoSorb Kit (Syntol Co., Moscow). Primers 27F/1492R (16S rRNA) (Marchesi et al. 1998), 2F/6R (gyrB) (Richert et al. 2005), and aptD2F/aptD2R (Jacques et al. 2012) were used to amplify the target gene sequences. The PCR products were sequenced by Evrogen (Moscow). The 16S rRNA sequences (OL584192.1 to OL584199.1) were identical to that of C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens strain DSM20129T (AM410688.1; 1,477/1,477 bp). The phylogenetic tree of concatenated gyrB (560 bp) and atpD (716 bp) sequences (OL548915.1 to OL548922.1 and OL548923.1 to OL548930.1, respectively) clustered the strains from sunflower among C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens, C. flaccumfaciens pv. betae, and C. flaccumfaciens pv. oortii (Fig. 2) with high genetic similarity to other C. flaccumfaciens strains: 96.3 to 100% for atpD and 95 to 100% for gyrB. A pathogenicity test for each of the strains was performed by injecting 5 μl of a bacterial suspension (108 CFU/ml) grown for 72 h on NDA into the stems of five plantlets (four true leaf stage) of the sunflower cv. Tunka (Limagrain, France) and soybean cv. Kasatka (VIM, Russia). Strain DSM20129T was a positive control, while sterile water was a negative control. The plants were incubated at 24°C, 80% relative humidity, and 14-h light/day. Wilting and blight on sunflower (Fig. 3) and tan spots on soybean were observed in 15 to 20 days after inoculation for all sunflower strains and strain DSM20129T. The negative control plants were asymptomatic. The bacteria re-isolated from the inoculated plants exhibited the same morphological characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence as the original culture, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. The presence of C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens in sunflower seeds indicated that the bacterium was transmitted via seed. Sunflower has been previously reported as a host for the pathogen (Harveson et al. 2015). The presence of C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens on beans in Russia was suggested from the disease symptoms (Nikitina and Korsakov 1978), but, to our knowledge, this is the first report of the pathogen affecting sunflower in Russia. Phytosanitary categorization placed C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens in the EPPO A2 list (EPPO 2011). Thus, sunflower seeds should be tested to protect pathogen-free areas from introduction of this pathogen.

Genetic diversity among sea snakes of the genus Hydrophis (Elapidae, Reptilia) in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.

Sea snakes of the genus Hydrophis are important components of animal diversity in Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Ten species of Hydrophis have been identified from the these waters and, in this study, genetic structure of seven species was compared with other populations in the eastern Indian Ocean and the West Pacific. We found that six species (H.platurus, H.cyanocinctus, H.spiralis, H.schistosus, H.gracilis, and H.lapemiodes) show high genetic similarity with conspecific populations in the Indian Ocean and Australia. However, H.curtus from southern Iran shows a high level of genetic differentiation from conspecific populations in Sri Lanka and Indonesia (0.6% and 6% genetic distance from Sri Lankan samples for 16S and COI gene fragments, respectively). Variation between Iranian and Southeast Asian populations may reflect new genetic lineages and suggest the need of further morphological evaluations to re-evaluate their taxonomic position.

Genome-wide SNP analyses reveal a substantial gene flow and isolated-genetic structure of sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota populations in Western Central Pacific

The black sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota is a commercially exploited species in the Western and Central Pacific region including Australia and Vietnam, where it has been overfished. There is interest to develop captive breeding, sea ranching and restocking programs for H. leucospilota. However, the wide distribution of this species could lead to genetic structure among site, which needs to be considered for responsible genetic management for example, restocking. This is the first study to investigate population genetics in H. leucospilota, between Australia and Vietnam, using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The results indicated that there was high gene flow (Nm > 4) and genetic similarities among three Vietnamese populations, which inferred a high panmictic stock structure in Vietnam. Less gene flow (Nm > 1) was indicated between Vietnam and Mooloolaba (Eastern Australia) populations, and there was a significant genetic differentiation among any Vietnamese populations and Mooloolaba population (FST from 0.034 to 0.043; P < 0.05). Surprisingly, there was a major genetic difference (FST > 0.2) and a restricted gene flow (Nm <1) between Darwin (Northern Australia) population and other sea cucumber populations studied (Vietnam and Eastern Australia), which revealed a genetic break/divergence in Darwin. Based on these findings, we can propose that the Vietnamese sea cucumber stocks be considered as a single genetic stock with concordant implications for genetic management. We consider whether the genetic differences in the Darwin stock arise from bottlenecking and are not reflective of adaptive differences. In summary, the results from this study provide basic genetic information on H. leucospilota populations, that would help to design restocking management plans, genetic conservation initiatives and sea ranching programs for H. leucospilota.

Genetic fidelity assessment of wild and tissue cultured regenerants of a threatened orchid, Cymbidium aloifolium using molecular markers

Molecular markers play an effective role in estimating the genetic similarity, variation, diversity, and population structure of different plants. Various factors associated with in vitro culture conditions may cause genetic variation in tissue cultured regenerants. The main goal of the present study was to determine the genetic uniformity of plantlets regenerated through in vitro culture of protocorms, shoot tips, and sodium alginate coated artificial seeds of Cymbidium aloifolium (L.) Sw. and its non-tissue cultured source mother plant using molecular markers such as Random Amplified Polymorphic Deoxyribonucleic acid (RAPD) and Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR). Ten RAPD and five ISSR primers were used to amplify the genomic DNA isolated from the in vivo plant and randomly selected micropropagated plants. Nine out of ten RAPD primers amplified a total of 256 loci while five ISSR primers amplified a total of 99 loci. The combined data of RAPD and ISSR markers showed low polymorphism. Among the tested plants, dendrograms constructed through UPGMA analysis of RAPD and ISSR markers revealed high genetic similarity between the mother plant and in vitro cultured regenerants. Among the different in vitro regenerants, protocorm-derived plants showed 91% genetic homogeneity to that of the mother plant. Thus, both molecular markers proved to be equally efficient for genetic fidelity studies in C. aloifolium. Hence, this research successfully assessed the genetic fidelity of in vitro cultured plants which could be useful in reintroducing true-to-type plants through plant tissue culture techniques.

Incidence, distribution, and genetic diversity of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma luffae’-related strain (16SrVIII) associated with the cassava witches' broom (CWB) disease in the Philippines

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is widely grown in the Philippines mainly for human consumption, animal feed, and industrial purposes. However, the cassava industry is recently challenged by the cassava witches' broom (CWB) disease which is known to be caused by phytoplasmas. The extent of the disease and the causal phytoplasma strain in the country are not known until this study. Surveys in major cassava areas in the Philippines conducted from 2017 to 2019 revealed that CWB is present in 13 out of 19 provinces assessed in this study, with symptoms ranging from leaf proliferation, little leaf, shortened internodes, stunted growth, discoloration of the vascular system, and small tubers. Molecular detection (through nested PCR) and sequence analysis of phytoplasma 16S ribosomal RNA gene from CWB-infected plants showed high genetic similarity of >98.65% to Candidatus Phytoplasma luffae 16SrVIII. In addition, the 18 phytoplasma isolates from five provinces successfully grouped to Ca. Phytoplasma luffae 16SrVIII clade in the constructed phylogenetic tree. Analysis on the genetic diversity and structure of Ca. Phytoplasma luffae 16SrVIII sequences from cassava and other host plant species revealed low genetic diversity indices and a rudimentary genetic structure with high haplotype diversity. Meanwhile, neutrality tests showed evidence of recent population expansion in Ca. Phytoplasma luffae 16SrVIII. This is the first study to identify ‘Ca. Phytoplasma luffae’-related strain (16SrVIII) as the causal pathogen of CWB in the Philippines. The information generated in this study can help in better understanding the etiology of the disease and in formulating proper and effective strategies to detect and manage the disease in the Philippines.

Application of Trichoderma asperellum in apple trees as a growth regulator and antagonist for the control of Alternaria sp.

Chihuahua state is the main apple producer in Mexico. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Trichoderma asperellum as a plant growth regulator and antagonist against Alternaria sp. Three treatments were used: T1 = control, T2 = 200 mL of T. asperellum per tree; T3 = 100 mL of T. asperellum per tree. Agronomic variables were evaluated including number of leaves, shoots and flowers, disease incidence, and trunk thickness. Alternaria sp. was isolated from apple leaves at the experimental site in Guerrero County, Chihuahua, Mexico, and it was grown on solid PDA medium for morphological characterization. The molecular characterization was done by PCR using primers ITS1 and ITS4 producing products of 700 bp which were sequenced, submitted to GenBank (acc. no. OQ344593) and used for further phylogenetic analysis through Bayesian inference approach. Three clades were identified and the polytome topography recovered from clade 2 indicates a high genetic similarity with A. tenuissima (100% similarity according to BLAST). The analysis of T. asperellum as growth regulator only showed significant differences in trunk thickness and displayed higher values with T3 (p≤0.05). The presence of A. tenuissima was only observed in the control, which indicated the ability of Trichoderma to control the fungus. In this study T. asperellum was not an efficient plant growth regulator, but it was a good antagonist, and hence it can be recommended to control A. tenuissima. This is the first record of A. tenuissima in apple trees in Mexico. These results indicate that T. asperellum showed no benefit as plant growth regulator when applied to apple trees of the ‘Granny Smith’ variety.

Human genetic history on the Tibetan Plateau in the past 5100 years

Using genome-wide data of 89 ancient individuals dated to 5100 to 100 years before the present (B.P.) from 29 sites across the Tibetan Plateau, we found plateau-specific ancestry across plateau populations, with substantial genetic structure indicating high differentiation before 2500 B.P. Northeastern plateau populations rapidly showed admixture associated with millet farmers by 4700 B.P. in the Gonghe Basin. High genetic similarity on the southern and southwestern plateau showed population expansion along the Yarlung Tsangpo River since 3400 years ago. Central and southeastern plateau populations revealed extensive genetic admixture within the plateau historically, with substantial ancestry related to that found in southern and southwestern plateau populations. Over the past ~700 years, substantial gene flow from lowland East Asia further shaped the genetic landscape of present-day plateau populations. The high-altitude adaptive EPAS1 allele was found in plateau populations as early as in a 5100-year-old individual and showed a sharp increase over the past 2800 years.

Agronomic, Physiological, Genetic and Phytochemical Characteristics of Onion Varieties Influenced by Daylength Requirements

The evaluation of A. cepa biodiversity provides onion breeders with great prospects to obtain plants with high resistance to environmental factors, remarkable yield, and product quality. Genetic diversity assessment of a collection of nine short- and long-day onion landraces and varieties originated from different Iranian regions, using ISSR markers and UPGMA dendrograms, was carried out for the first time. Short-day landraces (Sarze, Sarkoreh, and Kerman) originated from low latitude and short-day hybrids (Mirela and Soberana) demonstrated high genetic similarity, in terms of physiological responses to day length and temperature during the crop cycle and bulbing stage initiation. Contrarily, high latitude landraces (Azarshahr, White Gorgan, Kurdistan, and Esfahan) showed low biometrical, agronomic and genetic similarity with commercial short-day onions. Specific differences in morphological reactions between these two groups displayed diverse responses of plants to day length and temperature. Long- and short-day cultivars displayed significant differences in the dynamics of leaf and scale number, leaf and root length, dry and fresh weight, and bulbing ratio and bulb diameter, which were in accordance with ISSR data. The local landraces Azarshahr, Kurdistan, and Esfahan had high antioxidant status, suggesting high prospects for their utilization as an alternative to foreign F1 hybrid varieties.

Genetic relationship between generations of chickens using RAPD-PCR

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This search includes (180 male and 180 female) from the three generations (G) grandparent, (P) parent, and (B) broiler generations of commercial chicken (Ross). Blood samples were collected in 3 ml tubes with EDTA, genomic DNA extracted by Promega's Wizard Genomic DNA Purification Kit. The Nano Drop® spectrophotometer has been used to analyze DNA purity and concentration and it’s varied from (1.7&nbsp;to 1.9). RAPD-PCR was performed using 18 primers from the GenScript USA Series (Table 1). The reaction mixture are 25 μl made up the PCR reaction. An initial phase of DNA denaturation at 94°C for 5 minutes was followed by 40 cycles of DNA denaturation at 94°C for 1 minute, annealing as described with each primer, extension at 72°C for 1 minute, and final extension at 72°C for 5 minutes. Electrophoresis on 2% agarose gels in 1x TBE buffer (Promega, USA). A UV transi was used to see the amplified pattern. The OPA-07 Primer produced the most bands (73) bands among all generations used. All of the Primers combined to generate a total of (442) bands, and there were 48 bands that were polymorphic. The primer OPQ-12 had the highest percentage of polymorphisms, (23.53), Primer OPA-07 has the widest molecular weight range (100-1500 bp). The highest genetic similarity is observed 0.813 between (P♀) and (B♂).The dendrogram consists of two clusters, one of which includes (B♀, P♀, B♂) and the other includes (G♂, G♀, P♂), where it is clear that the genetic distance is very high between (G♀ and P♀), while it is less between (B♂ and P♀) and also between (G♂ and G♀) while the distance is intermediate between (B♂ and B♀) and also between (G♂ and P♂). The goal of the current study was to use RAPD-PCR to determine the genetic distance and genetic relationship between generations of chickens.

Cross-Hemispheric Genetic Diversity and Spatial Genetic Structure of Callinectes sapidus Reovirus 1 (CsRV1).

The movement of viruses in aquatic systems is rarely studied over large geographic scales. Oceanic currents, host migration, latitude-based variation in climate, and resulting changes in host life history are all potential drivers of virus connectivity, adaptation, and genetic structure. To expand our understanding of the genetic diversity of Callinectes sapidus reovirus 1 (CsRV1) across a broad spatial and host life history range of its blue crab host (Callinectes sapidus), we obtained 22 complete and 96 partial genomic sequences for CsRV1 strains from the US Atlantic coast, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and the Atlantic coast of South America. Phylogenetic analyses of CsRV1 genomes revealed that virus genotypes were divided into four major genogroups consistent with their host geographic origins. However, some CsRV1 sequences from the US mid-Atlantic shared high genetic similarity with the Gulf of Mexico genotypes, suggesting potential human-mediated movement of CsRV1 between the US mid-Atlantic and Gulf coasts. This study advances our understanding of how climate, coastal geography, host life history, and human activity drive patterns of genetic structure and diversity of viruses in marine animals and contributes to the capacity to infer broadscale host population connectivity in marine ecosystems from virus population genetic data.

Assessment of genetic diversity in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) genotypes by using RAPD markers

The present study was carried out at the department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agricultural Biotechnology Latur, which aimed to study or assess the genetic diversity in eight different Cowpea genotypes by using the RAPD markers. This is important for cowpea genetic improvement and for the overall management of cowpea germplasm. Eight Cowpea genotypes namely GDVC-2, GC-3, GC-4, GC-6, Gangotri, Pusa Komal, Arka Garima, and VU-5 were assessed by using two RAPD markers (RPI-07 and RPI-08). In RAPD analysis, total of 20 amplicons were generated, among them 19 were polymorphic with 88.8% average polymorphism. RPI-7 and RPI-8 showed 88.8% and 100% polymorphism respectively. The similarity coefficient values ranged from 0.350% to 0.950% indicating high degree of genetic variation. The highest genetic similarity i.e. 0.857% was recorded between Pusa Komal and GC-6 and least genetic similarity i.e. 0.125% was observed in between VU-5 and GC-4. Two screened primers are found to be polymorphic (94.4%) with high polymorphic information content (PIC) which efficiently discriminating the varieties at molecular level.

An Economic Method to Identify Cultivars and Elite Lines in Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) for Small Seed Companies and Independent Breeders

Radish is a root vegetable crop, and many F1 cultivars have been developed by exploiting heterosis. Considerable time and resources are required to test the performance and combining ability of F1 cultivars and parental lines; therefore, economical methods to identify them are needed before field tests. This study was conducted to determine the minimum number of markers needed to identify cultivars and elite lines. PCR-based markers were applied to radish cultivars and elite lines and selected based on chromosomal location, polymorphic information content, and allele frequency. The power of selected marker sets to detect genetically similar cultivars or elite lines was confirmed using cultivars with high genetic similarity and elite lines with the same parents. Eleven markers successfully identified not only all 105 radish cultivars tested but also cultivars with high genetic similarity reported in previous studies. Fourteen markers, including the nine among 11 markers for cultivar identification, also successfully distinguished all 115 elite lines tested, including ones with the same parents and separated at F2–F6 generations. The markers developed for the identification of radish cultivars and elite lines require only 11 and 14 markers, respectively, and simple PCR and gel electrophoresis instruments. This method is very simple and can be easily applied to other crops.

Insecticidal activity of Bacillus thuringiensis strains isolated from tropical greenhouses towards Cydia pomonella and Spodoptera exigua larvae

Three Bacillus thuringiensis strains were isolated from a specific habitat of tropical greenhouses located in the Botanical Garden of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland. The BG11, BG12 and BG15 strains harbour genes encoding a specific set of insecticidal proteins (cry1Ba, cry1Ia, cry2Ab, vip3Aa)—entirely different from those found in commercial isolates, currently used as bioinsecticides. Despite high genetic similarity of the new strains, each of them produces unique Cry1Ba toxin as a main component of the parasporal crystals. Moreover, the tested entomopathogens contain genetic determinants encoding two types of chitinolytic enzymes ChiA and ChiB. The tested strains display insecticidal activity against two distinct, economically important pest insects, Cydia pomonella L. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and Spodoptera exigua Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). However, BG12 and BG15 strains are significantly more active than BG11 towards both pests. The BG12 and BG15 strains can be considered as candidates for the production of new lepidopteran-active bioinsecticides with high potential to augment the existing biocontrol strategies.

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Four Enteric Protozoa in Dromedary Camels (Camelus Dromedarius)

Enteric protozoa are major causes of economic losses in dromedary camels due to clinical and subclinical diseases. The study investigated the prevalence of enteric protozoal parasites in dromedary camels using parasitological and molecular techniques. Besides, the molecular characterization of selected enteric protozoa was performed by nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. One hundred and twenty-one fecal samples were collected from dis-eased (49) and apparently healthy (72) dromedary camels during December 2020 - November 2021. Overall, 57.02% of the fecal samples were positive for enteric protozoa with the B. coli, Eimeria spp., Giardia spp., Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in 32.23%, 8.26%, 2.48%,3.30% fecal samples, respectively, while 10.74% samples had mixed infection. While the PCR technique revealed the overall prevalence of 69.56%, 13.04% and 10.14% for the B. coli, Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp., respectively in the study areas. Phylogenetic analysis based on the partial nucleotide sequences of the small subunit ribosomal RNA, B beta giardin (bg) and Cryptosporidium parvum precursor of oocyst wall protein (COWP) genes of B. coli, Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp., respectively revealed that the enteric proto-zoa from camels had high genetic similarities with strains detected from other animals and humans in Egypt and different parts of the world. This study suggests that the camels may act a potential source of infection of the studied enteric protozoa for other livestock and humans.