Northeastern Populations Research Articles

EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDY ON PATIENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH IN NORTHEAST BRAZIL

This epidemiological study analyzed mental health in the Northeast region of Brazil from 2011 to 2021. The results reveal complex intersections of socioeconomic, cultural, demographic, and gender factors significantly impacting the prevalence and causes of mental disorders. The use of psychoactive substances emerged as the leading cause of death, especially among men, highlighting a gap in public policies to mitigate high consumption rates. The relationship between low education and mental morbidity, coupled with economic factors, deepens the understanding of regional disparities. A significant gap was observed in promoting accessibility to mental health services for men, reflecting cultural and social influences inhibiting help-seeking. The age between 50 and 59 stood out as a critical period, with 90.54% of deaths related to mental disorders due to psychoactive substance use. Deficiencies in the mental health system, such as inadequate resource distribution, indicate an urgent need for more inclusive and gender-sensitive policies to effectively address the challenges faced by the Northeastern population.

EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDY ON PATIENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH IN NORTHEAST BRAZIL

This epidemiological study analyzed mental health in the Northeast region of Brazil from 2011 to 2021. The results reveal complex intersections of socioeconomic, cultural, demographic, and gender factors significantly impacting the prevalence and causes of mental disorders. The use of psychoactive substances emerged as the leading cause of death, especially among men, highlighting a gap in public policies to mitigate high consumption rates. The relationship between low education and mental morbidity, coupled with economic factors, deepens the understanding of regional disparities. A significant gap was observed in promoting accessibility to mental health services for men, reflecting cultural and social influences inhibiting help-seeking. The age between 50 and 59 stood out as a critical period, with 90.54% of deaths related to mental disorders due to psychoactive substance use. Deficiencies in the mental health system, such as inadequate resource distribution, indicate an urgent need for more inclusive and gender-sensitive policies to effectively address the challenges faced by the Northeastern population.

Evolutionary history of Nasutitermes kemneri (Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae), a termite from the South American diagonal of open formations

Little is known about the phylogeography of termites in the Neotropical region. Here, we explored the genetic patterns and phylogeographical processes in the evolutionary history of Nasutitermes kemneri, an endemic termite of the South American diagonal of open formations (DOF) formed by the Chaco, Cerrado, and Caatinga phytogeographic domains. We sampled 60 individuals across the three domains of the DOF, and using the mitochondrial genes 16S, COI, and COII, as well as the nuclear gene ITS, evaluated the genetic diversity and divergence time of the populations, along with their genetic structure. The results show a strong genetic and spatial structure within the samples, evidencing the existence of two well-differentiated genetic groups: the Northeastern and the Southwestern populations, which diverged about 2.5 Mya, during the Pliocene-Pleistocene boundary. The Northeastern population, which encompasses Caatinga and northern portions of Cerrado, has an intricate structure and seems to have suffered repetitive retraction-expansion events due to climactic fluctuations during the Quaternary. The Southwestern population, which ranges from central-south Cerrado to the northeast peripherical portions of the Chaco, displays a star-shaped haplotype structure, indicating that this region may have acted as a refugia during interglacial periods.

Integrating morphological and genetic limits in the taxonomic delimitation of the Cuban taxa of Magnoliasubsect.Talauma (Magnoliaceae).

An accurate taxa delimitation, based on a full understanding of evolutionary processes involved in taxa differentiation, can be gained from a combination of ecological, morphological, and molecular approaches. The taxonomy of Magnoliasubsect.Talauma in Cuba has long been debated and exclusively based on traditional morphological study of a limited number of individuals. A more accurate description of leaf morphology variation using geometric morphometrics combined with genetic data could bring consistency to taxa delimitation in this group. Leaf samples for the morphological (243) and genetic (461) analyses were collected throughout the entire distribution range. The variability of each taxon was analyzed through multivariate and geometric morphometry, and 21 genetic markers (SSR). The observed leaf morphological variability was higher than previously described. Morphological and genetic classifications were highly congruent in two out of four taxa. Our data brought evidence that Magnoliaorbiculata can be considered a true species with very clear genetic and morphological limits. The main taxonomic issues concern the north-eastern Cuban populations of Magnoliasubsect.Talauma. The data supported the existence of two clear groups: corresponding mainly to M.minor-M.oblongifolia and T.ophiticola. However, these two groups cannot be considered fully delimited since genetic markers provided evidence of genetic admixture between them. Due to the likely absence of, at least strong, reproductive barriers between these three taxa, we propose therefore to consider them as a species complex.

Allelic variations in alcohol metabolism genes (ADH1B, ADH1C, CYP2E1) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) in northeastern Brazil

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a multifactorial disease caused by environmental and genetic factors. Genetic polymorphisms of the enzymes involved in alcohol metabolism influence the susceptibility to alcohol dependence. The distribution of the genetic variants varies depending on ethnicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the polymorphisms of the three genes responsible for the degradation of ethanol, ADH1B, ADH1C, and CYP2E1 to examine the influence of these mutations on the risk for alcohol use disorder in a population from northeastern Brazil. In addition, the allelic distribution of the northeastern population will be compared with that obtained for other populations. The allelic and genotypic frequencies were determined in 163 alcoholic patients and 182 control subjects. Genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP. The allele frequencies in the northeastern population were similar to those reported in studies in Mexico but differed significantly from those reported in studies of a Chinese population. The polymorphic variants of CYP2E1 were associated with a higher risk for alcohol use disorder [odds ratio (OR) = 2.80; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.35-5.83, p = 0.0072]. No significant result was obtained from the analyses of the ADH1C gene. A significant protective effect against alcohol dependence was observed in individuals carrying allelic and genotypic variations of the ADH1B gene, as determined through the combined analysis of homozygous and heterozygous variant forms of the gene in controls and alcoholics (P = 0.03). Furthermore, the combination of ADH1B*2 with ADH1C*1 and CYP2E1 (c1/c1) may confer protection against alcohol use disorder.

Inferring the demographic history of the North American firefly Photinus pyralis.

The firefly Photinus pyralis inhabits a wide range of latitudinal and ecological niches, with populations living from temperate to tropical habitats. Despite its broad distribution, its demographic history is unknown. In this study, we modelled and inferred different demographic scenarios for North American populations of P. pyralis, which were collected from Texas to New Jersey. We used a combination of ABC techniques (for multi-population/colonization analyses) and likelihood inference (dadi, StairwayPlot2, PoMo) for single-population demographic inference, which proved useful with our RAD data. We uncovered that the most ancestral North American population lays in Texas, which further colonized the Central region of the US and more recently the North Eastern coast. Our study confidently rejects a demographic scenario where the North Eastern populations colonized more southern populations until reaching Texas. To estimate the age of divergence between of P. pyralis, which provides deeper insights into the history of the entire species, we assembled a multi-locus phylogenetic data covering the genus Photinus. We uncovered that the phylogenetic node leading to P. pyralis lies at the end of the Miocene. Importantly, modelling the demographic history of North American P. pyralis serves as a null model of nucleotide diversity patterns in a widespread native insect species, which will serve in future studies for the detection of adaptation events in this firefly species, as well as a comparison for future studies of other North American insect taxa.

Variability and Patterning in Permanent Tooth Dimensions among Four Ethnic Groups from the North-eastern States of India.

Methods The study was a comparative cross-sectional study among four different ethnic groups of North-east India among the age group of 20-30 years. Dimensions of the maxillary and mandibular teeth were measured with a digital Vernier calliper using the dental casts of 50 male and 50 female subjects from each of the four ethnic groups under study. The data were statistically analyzed using a Student's t-test and one-way analysis of variance. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results The tooth dimensions of all four ethnic groups were significantly lower than the standard values except for the MD dimension of the maxillary second molars of the Singpho group (9.13 mm vs. 9.0 mm); mandibular central incisors of the Meitei group (5.01 mm vs. 5.0 mm); and mandibular lateral incisors of the Meitei, Ao, and Singpho groups (>standard value of 5.5 mm) and BL dimension of the mandibular first premolars of the Meitei and Ao groups (>standard value of 7.5 mm); mandibular second premolars of the Meitei and Singpho groups (>standard value of 8.0 mm); and mandibular second molars of the Ao group (10.04 mm vs. 10.0 mm). In some instances, the comparative analysis revealed group variations in different tooth dimensions among the four ethnic groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion Variations were observed in the tooth dimensions among the four ethnic groups and within the same population. Unlike other parts of India, the North-eastern population belongs to a distinct ethnic race of indigenous people of East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Arctic region of North America. Hence, population-specific data for India's North-eastern region are necessary for forensic odontology, dental anthropology, routine dental practice, and effective treatment planning.

ESTIMATION OF SERUM ZINC LEVEL IN NEWLY DIAGNOSED TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS

Background: There is an important role of zinc in the synthesis, storage and secretion of insulin and thus an important role in energy production. Zinc has antioxidant effect and is also component of many antioxidants. It inhibits formation of free radicals and damage by lipid peroxidation. Whereas oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of diabetic complications. Objective: Thus this study is designed to estimate serum zinc level and its correlation with HbA1c in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients from north eastern population. Materials And Methods: In this hospital based observational study done in department of General Medicine , Assam Medical College and Hospital 82 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients were selected and detailed history, physical examination and blood investigation including serum zinc estimation of all the subjects was done and the results were analysed. Results of zinc study: The mean serum zinc level of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with HbA1C level &lt;8% was 59.82+/-13.12 microgram/dl , those with HbA1C level of 8-10% were having mean serum zinc level of 48.19+/-17.98 microgram/dl and those with HbA1C level &gt;10% were having mean serum zinc level of 39.38+/-14.95 microgram/dl . There was a statistically significant negative correlation ( r - value = -0.38 and p value = 0.0004) observed between HbA1C level and serum zinc levels in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Conclusion: In this cross-sectional observational study done in the North-East population of India, we found that there was a reduction of serum zinc level in newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and there was also a statistically significant negative correlation between HbA1C and serum zinc level in newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients. Therefore, earlier detection of zinc deficiency in newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients helps in controlling glycemic status and also helps in preventing complications.

Своеобразие поморов Онежского полуострова и Зимнего берега в генетическом контексте севера Европы

The peculiarity of the Russian North gene pool has long become scientific fact, but has yet to receive informative explanation. Genetic drift cannot be the only contributing factor in the striking genetic differences between not only northern Russian populations and the southern ones, but among individual northern populations as well. Studying Russian North gene pools previously underrepresented in scientific literature may help understand this phenomenon. The work aimed to perform a subtotal study of the gene pool of the Arkhangelsk Oblast Pomors (Onega Coast, Summer Coast, the western fragment of the Winter Coast; n = 130) using a panel of 60 Y-chromosome SNP markers through multidimensional scaling and mapping of genetic distances. The frequencies of 14 identified haplogroups differ drastically in Pomor populations: haplogroups I1, R1a, and N3 each comprise a quarter of the total Pomor gene pool, I2-P37.2, and R1b each comprise about 8%, and the rest of the haplogroups are rare. The Onega Coast Pomors showed genetic similarity to a wide range of North-Eastern Europe Finnic-speaking populations, as well as to Russian populations with a strong pre-Slavic substratum. The Summer Coast Pomors are close to the Scandinavian gene pools, and the Winter Coast Pomors are similar only to specific Finn and Swede populations. None of the Pomor populations demonstrate genetic similarity with the Novgorod Oblast Russian populations, with which the origin of the Pomors is traditionally associated. The genetic distances between Pomor populations are so great, they are comparable to the general range of variability between the Eastern Slavic, Baltic, and Finno-Ugric peoples of the region. The reasons for such pronounced originality of Pomor populations presumably include, along with genetic drift, the gene pool of each population being underlied by a different pre-Slavic substrate, with later gene flows as an additional factor.

Highly Diverse Phytophthora infestans Populations Infecting Potato Crops in Pskov Region, North-West Russia.

There is limited understanding of the genetic variability in Phytophthora infestans in the major potato cultivation region of north-western Russia, where potato is grown primarily by small households with limited chemical treatment of late blight. In this study, the mating type, sensitivity to metalaxyl, and genotype and population genetic diversity (based on 12 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers) of 238 isolates of P. infestans from the Pskov region during the years 2010–2013 were characterized. The aim was to examine the population structure, phenotypic and genotypic diversity, and the prevalent reproductive mode of P. infestans, as well as the influence of the location, time, and agricultural management practices on the pathogen population. The frequency of the A2 mating was stable over the four seasons and ranged from 33 to 48% of the sampled population. Both mating types occurred simultaneously in 90% of studied fields, suggesting the presence of sexual reproduction and oospore production in P. infestans in the Pskov region. Metalaxyl-sensitive isolates prevailed in all four years (72%), however, significantly fewer sensitive isolates were found in samples from large-scale conventional fields. A total of 50 alleles were detected in the 141 P. infestans isolates analyzed for genetic diversity. Amongst the 83 SSR multilocus genotypes (MLGs) detected, 65% were unique and the number of MLGs varied between locations from 3 to 20. These results, together with the high genotypic diversity observed in all the locations and the lack of significance of linkage disequilibrium, suggest that sexual recombination is likely responsible for the unique MLGs and the high genetic diversity found in the Pskov region population, resembling those of north-eastern European populations.

Contributions to the taxonomic status and molecular phylogeny of Asian Bronzeback Snakes (Colubridae, Ahaetuliinae, Dendrelaphis Boulenger, 1890), from Mizoram State, Northeast India

We evaluate the presence of three sympatric species of Asian Bronzeback Snakes (genus Dendrelaphis Boulenger, 1890) from Mizoram State, India. These are taxonomically complicated species that were recently, either resurrected (D. proarchos Wall, 1909, D. biloreatus Wall, 1908) or redefined (D. cyanochloris (Wall, 1921)). In the light of morphological and molecular data, we confirm the validity of D. proarchos from Mizoram, Northeast India, and subsequently confer the specimen of D. pictus (Gmelin, 1789) (CHS791) from Hainan (China) to D. proarchos. We also provide the first molecular phylogenetic data for the lesser-known species D. biloreatus as well as the first molecular samples of D. cyanochloris from Mizoram, Northeast India which seems to be the closest sample from Darjeeling, India (type locality). Apart from this, we also affirm the southwestern population in the distribution range of the latter species as D. cyanochloris sensu stricto, while conferring the southern population from Pinag Island, Malaysia to D. vogeli Jiang, Ren, Guo, Wang, Ding & Li, 2020, and the northeastern populations comprising Kachin (Myanmar), Tibet, Yunnan and Hainan (China) to D. ngansonensis (Bourret, 1935). Our present mitochondrial gene trees using the genes 16S rRNA, COI, and Cytb suggest the presence of cryptic diversity within several Dendrelaphis species, which will require rigorous genetic sampling and integrative taxonomic analysis to examine whether these lineages represent distinct species. This study also presents natural history and additional data on the distributional localities of Dendrelaphis species from Mizoram State, Northeast India.

Food Patterns of Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure and Their Relationship with Demographic, Economic and Clinical Factors in Sergipe, Brazil.

Background: The high rates of hospitalization and mortality caused by Heart Failure (HF) have attracted the attention of health sectors around the world. Dietary patterns that involve food combinations and preparations with synergistic or antagonistic effects of different dietary components can influence the worsening and negative outcomes of this disease. Objectives: To describe the dietary patterns of patients hospitalized for HF decompensation and associate them with demographic, economic, and clinical factors, and the type of care provided in Sergipe. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study that is part of the Congestive Heart Failure Registry (VICTIM-CHF)” of Aracaju/SE. Prospective data collection took place with all patients hospitalized between April 2018 and February 2021 in cardiology referral hospitals, 2 public and 1 private. The data collected were sociodemographic, clinical, lifestyle, anthropometric and food consumption variables. Daily dietary intake was estimated by applying a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. The extraction of dietary patterns, by exploratory factor analysis, was performed after grouping the foods according to the nutritional value and form of preparation into 34 groups. To assess the association between the factorial scores for adherence to the standards and the variables studied, the Mann-Whitney U test was applied. Linear regressions were also performed, considering the dietary pattern (one for each pattern) as a dependent variable. Results: The study included 240 patients hospitalized for HF decompensation, most of them elderly (mean age 61.12 ± 1.06 years), male (52.08%) and attended by the Unified Health System—SUS (67.5%). Three dietary patterns were identified, labeled “traditional” (typical foods of the Brazilian northeastern population added to ultra-processed foods), “Mediterranean” (foods recommended by the Mediterranean diet) and “dual” (healthy foods combined with fast and easy-to-prepare foods like snacks, bread, sweets and desserts). Adherence to the “traditional” pattern was greater among men (p < 0.031) and non-diabetics (p < 0.003). The “Mediterranean” was more consumed by the elderly (p < 0.001), with partners (p = 0.001) and a lower income (p < 0.001), assisted by the SUS (p < 0.001) and without hypertension (p = 0,04). The “dual” diet pattern had greater adherence by the elderly (p < 0.001), self-declared non-black (p = 0.012), with higher income (p < 0.001), assisted in the private sector (p < 0.001) and with less impaired functional capacity (p = 0.037). It was also observed that being female (p = 0.031) and being older reduced the average scores of performing the “traditional” pattern (p = 0.002). Regarding the type of service, being from the public service reduced the average scores for adhering to the “dual” pattern (p = 0.008). Conclusions: Three dietary patterns representative of the population were found, called traditional, Mediterranean and dual, which were associated with demographic, economic and clinical factors. Thus, these standards must be considered in the development of nutritional strategies and recommendations in order to increase adherence to diets that are more protective against cardiovascular diseases.

Tropical South American Rainfall Response to Dansgaard-Oeschger Stadials of Marine Isotope Stage 5

Tropical precipitation patterns will most likely be altered by future climate change, with major socioeconomic consequences for human populations that are highly reliant on water availability for subsistence like populations in northeastern (NE) Brazil. Socioeconomic consequences may be particularly disruptive in the occurrence of abrupt climate change. Understanding the response of tropical precipitation to abrupt climate change is a crucial task for improving future projections and devising adaptation policies. Past abrupt climate change events such as the Dansgaard-Oeschger (DO) cycles may provide relevant insights regarding the dynamics of the climate system under this type of climate change. Here we present a paleoceanographic reconstruction off NE Brazil based on geochemical analyses (stable oxygen isotopes, Mg/Ca and Ba/Ca) performed in planktonic foraminifera, that focus on DO stadials of Marine Isotope Stage 5 (MIS5, 130–71 ka). Our new Ba/Ca record shows increases in fluvial discharge linked to enhanced continental precipitation over NE Brazil during DO stadials of MIS5. Tropical precipitation patterns were altered with enhanced rainfall in NE Brazil during DO stadials as a consequence of a southward displacement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone, which, in turn, was likely a response to changes in ocean heat transport and sea ice cover, as highlighted by recent climate model simulations. The results presented here provide useful information on how abrupt climate change can impact tropical rainfall, which is crucial for tropical societies in order to delineate strategies to cope with future climate change.

Phenotypic Comparison of Three Populations of Juniperus turbinata Guss. in North-Eastern Morocco

Juniperus turbinata Guss. is a native species of Morocco; however, an exhaustive taxonomic description based on phenotypical characterization of north-eastern Moroccan population species is lacking, which might lead to taxonomic confusion. In order to expound the phenotypic description of J. turbinata of the north-eastern Moroccan population and to examine the taxonomic differences within it; a comparative analysis of cones, leaves, and seeds was performed between three populations. A total of 280 samples were compared on the basis of nine measured and eight calculated traits. The results reveal significant interpopulation changes in the studied characteristics of cones, leaves, and seeds. The most discriminating traits were associated with the proportion between cone diameter and number of seeds. We detected the lowest number of seeds in coastal population when compared to other localities, but at the same time, the seeds from the littoral were the longest and the widest. In addition, the semi-continental population had the highest quantity of seeds, and leaves had intermediate values for the majority of the assessed traits. The phenotypical difference between populations demonstrates a certain adaptability of the species in a biogeographical pattern. This study is a contribution to completing the description of patterns of phenotypical differences of the Phoenician juniper in the Mediterranean region, and confirms its evolutionary plasticity linked to adaptation to local environmental conditions.

Identifying biological affinities of Holocene northern Iberian populations through the inner structures of the upper first molars

Neolithisation was a relatively fast process that affected both the interior and coastal zones of the Iberian Peninsula, but it was also a heterogeneous process that had diverse impacts on genomic and cultural diversity. In the Late Neolithic–Chalcolithic, a change in funerary practices, cultural material and trade networks occurred, and genomic heterogeneity decreased, suggesting human mobility and genetic admixture between different Iberian populations. Dental morphology has emerged as an effective tool for understanding genomic variability and biological affinities among ancient human populations. But, surprisingly, less attention has been paid to the morphological traits of inner dental tissues in Holocene European populations and their utility for the study of population dynamics. We applied 3D geometric morphometric methods on the enamel-dentine junction (EDJ) of the first upper molars to explore the biological affinities of north-eastern Iberian Peninsula populations from the Late Neolithic–Chalcolithic to the Bronze Age. Our results show that the EDJ morphologies of the northern Iberian Peninsula populations were generally homogeneous, indicative of genetic admixture as a result of human mobility and exchange networks. However, differences in the EDJ traits in remains from the Can Sadurní site are indicative of distant biological affinities with nearby populations. Additionally, the hypocone associated dentine area and the position of the trigon dentine horns relative to each other on the occlusal surface best describe the variability found among the samples studied. This study highlights the utility of EDJ morphology as a genetic proxy in Holocene population dynamic studies when paleogenomic studies are absent.

Insights on post-breeding movements from a northeastern population of Canada Warblers (Cardellina canadensis)

Bégin-Marchand, C., F. Gagnon, B. Drolet, J. Ibarzabal, and J. A. Tremblay. 2022. Insights on post-breeding movements from a northeastern population of Canada Warblers (Cardellina canadensis). Avian Conservation and Ecology 17(1):4. https://doi.org/10.5751/ACE-02013-170104

The effect of different salinity levels on larval growth and survival of Farfantepenaeus aztecus (Ives, 1891) (Decapoda: Penaeidae)

This study was designed to determine the effects of five different salinity levels (25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 ppt) on the survival rate of Farfantepenaeus aztecus larvae from Nauplius5 to post-larvae1 (N5-PL1). For this purpose, 50 larvae that reached the N5 stage were stocked in 2-L round bottom glass flasks in five replications and were grown up to the PL1 stage at 27.6±0.4°C. At the end of the study, as the highest survival (44.00±23.15) in protozoal stages were obtained at 35 ppt salinity levels, the lowest survival 14.00±4.89) were found at 25 ppt salinity levels (P&amp;lt;0.05). The highest survival rates from the M1 stage to the PL1 stage was obtained at 35 ppt (24.40±19.51), 30 ppt (23.20±18.14) and 40 ppt, respectively. The survival rates at 25 and 45 ppt salinity levels were found statistically different from those of 30, 35, and 40 ppt (P&amp;lt;0.05). The results of this study show for the first time that the optimum salinity level is the range of 30-40 ppt for larval culture obtained from the North-eastern Mediterranean population of brown shrimp that is the West Atlantic natural origin.

Two new species of Peromyscus (Cricetidae: Neotominae) from the Transverse Volcanic Belt of Mexico.

Specimens of the Peromyscus boylii species group distributed in the western and northeastern montane regions of Michoacán, México, historically have been assigned to P. levipes. Previous studies indicated that these specimens possessed mitochondrial DNA haplotypes that were distinct from both P. levipes and P. kilpatricki, a recently named species in the P. boylii species group from northeastern Michoacán and western Morelos. Herein karyotypic, DNA sequence, and morphological data were analyzed from those populations to evaluate their taxonomic affinity. Karyotypic data indicated that individuals from western Michoacán (Dos Aguas and Aguililla) and from a newly discovered population in northeastern Michoacán (Zinapécuaro) were chromosomally similar to P. carletoni (FN = 68) but distinct from other taxa assigned to the P. boylii species group. Analyses of cranial characteristics indicated that, relative to other species in the P. boylii species group, two morphologically distinct groups were present that corresponded to the Dos Aguas/Aguililla and Zinapécuaro populations, respectively. The latter population, although represented by a small sample size (n = 5 specimens), appeared to exhibit some trenchant morphological distinctions compared with other cryptic species in the P. boylii group. Phylogenetic analyses (parsimony, Bayesian, and likelihood) of DNA sequences obtained from the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene indicated that although the individuals from Dos Aguas/Aguililla and Zinapécuaro formed a sister group relationship, they formed monophyletic clades that differed genetically (2.54%)-a level approaching that seen between other sister species of Peromyscus. Further, the Dos Aguas/Aguililla and Zinapécuaro clade was more closely aligned with a clade containing representatives of P. carletoni and P. levipes instead of with those from closer geographic proximities (P. kilpatricki) located in eastern Michoacán. Together, these results indicated that these two populations seemingly represent two undescribed species in the P. boylii species group for which we propose the names Peromyscus greenbaumi for populations in western Michoacán (circa Dos Aguas and Aguililla) and Peromyscus ensinki for populations in northeastern Michoacán (circa Zinapécuaro).

Revegetation in Japan overlooks geographical genetic structure of native Artemisia indica var. maximowiczii populations

Although revegetation activities are often accompanied by extensive release of translocated or cultivated individuals into natural communities, their potential effects on native populations are relatively unclear. Understanding the original genetic structures in natural habitats and how the patterns have been maintained in populations at revegetation sites is a critical first step in assessing current revegetation efforts. Artemisia indica var. maximowiczii is a native species commonly used for revegetation in Japan. We assessed the genetic and morphological variations in individuals collected from natural habitats and revegetation sites across Japan, as well as individuals have grown from two types of commercial seeds from China used for revegetation: imported seeds that originated from Chinese populations and reimported seeds that originated from Japanese populations but were cultivated in China. Genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data revealed that individuals collected from natural habitats were genetically differentiated between northeastern and southwestern regions in Japan. Individuals grown from the reimported seeds were genetically similar to the northeastern populations in Japan, suggesting their original sources were areas in the northeast. Most individuals collected from revegetation sites were genetically similar to individuals from the reimported seeds, even though the revegetation sites were in southwestern Japan, suggesting that seeds derived from the northeastern populations were used for revegetation throughout Japan. Individuals grown from the imported seeds that originated from China were genetically and morphologically differentiated from native individuals in Japan. Careful consideration should be given to the extensive use of non‐local seeds for revegetation that is sourced only from northeastern Japan or foreign countries.

Genome-Wide Landscape of North-Eastern European Populations: A View from Lithuania.

There are still several unanswered questions regarding about ancient events in the Lithuanian population. The Lithuanians, as the subject of this study, are of great interest as they represent a partially isolated population maintaining an ancient genetic composition and show genetic uniqueness in European comparisons. To elucidate the genetic relationships between the Lithuania and North-Eastern European and West Siberian populations, we analyzed the population structure, effective population size, and recent positive selection from genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data. We identified the close genetic proximity of Lithuanians to neighboring populations (Latvians, Estonians, Belarusians) and in part with West and South Slavs (Poles, Slovaks, and Slovenians), however, with particular genetic distinctiveness. The estimated long-term Ne values ranged from ~5900 in the Estonian population to ~2400 in the South Russian population. The divergence times between the Lithuanian and study populations ranged from 240 to 12,871 YBP. We also found evidence of selection in 24 regions, 21 of which have not been discovered in previous analyses of selection. Undoubtedly, the genetic diversity analysis of geographically specific regions may provide new insights into microevolutionary processes affecting local human populations.