Populations In Different Regions Research Articles

Global cropland expansion enhances cropping potential and reduces its inequality among countries

Abstract. Global cropland expansion has been recognized as a key driver of food security. However, cropland-expansion-induced alterations in biophysical properties of the Earth's surface and greenhouse gas emissions may potentially impact the Earth's climate system. These changes could, in turn, affect cropland productivity and the potential distribution of croplands, although the underlying mechanisms remain relatively underexplored. In this study, a global climate model was employed to quantify the impact of global cropland expansion on cropping potential utilizing observed and derived cropland expansion data. Our findings reveal that since 10 000 BCE, a 28 % increase in cropland expansion has led to a 1.2 % enhancement in global cropping potential owing to more favorable precipitation and temperature conditions. This suggests that global cropland expansion yields dual benefits to crop production. However, in regions with low growth rates of cropping potential, cropland expansion proves to be an inefficient method for augmenting the yield of local crop potential. As croplands continue to expand worldwide, the capacity to support populations in different regions is altered, thereby reducing cropping potential inequality among nations.

Molecular prevalence and phylogenetic analysis of hemotropic Mycoplasma species in cats in different regions of Iran

BackgroundHemotropic Mycoplasma species (hemoplasmas) cause hemolytic anemia in cats worldwide and are recognized as emerging zoonotic pathogens. There is no comprehensive study on the prevalence and species diversity of hemoplasmas in domestic cat populations in different regions in Iran. Thus, the aims of the present study were to provide data on the prevalence and molecular characterization of hemotropic Mycoplasma species in apparently healthy cats from six Iranian provinces with different climates. In addition, potential risk factors associated with hemoplasmosis in cats were assessed.ResultsMycoplasma spp. DNA was detected in the blood of 56 / 361 cats (15.5%) using genus-specific PCR. Further examinations with species-specific PCR and Sanger sequencing showed that 38 cats (10.5%) tested positive for Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (CMhm), 8 cats (2.2%) tested positive for Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf), and 2 cats (0.6%) tested positive for Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis (CMt). Co-infection with CMhm, and Mhf was observed in 7 cats (1.9%). One cat (0.3%) showed mixed infection with CMhm, Mhf, and CMt. There were statistically significant relationships between Mycoplasma positivity and being female, living in shelter (cattery), and being over 3 years old (P < 0.05). No significant association was observed for the cat breed and sampling localities.ConclusionsCurrent study findings revealed that hemoplasma infections are common among Iran cat populations. Considering the impact of such emerging zoonotic pathogens on the One Health, routine screenings, increasing public awareness, effective control, and prophylactic strategies for minimizing infection in cats and subsequently in human are strongly recommended.

Populating the Milky Way

Context. Stellar populations and their distribution differ widely across the Galaxy, which is likely to affect planet demographics. Our local neighbourhood is dominated by young, metal-rich stars in the galactic thin disc, while the stellar halo and galactic bulge host a large fraction of older, metal-poor stars. Aims. We study the impact of these variations on planet populations in different regions of the Galaxy by combining a high-resolution galaxy formation simulation with state-of-the-art planet population synthesis models. Methods. We constructed a population model to estimate occurrence rates of different planet types, based on the New Generation Planet Population Synthesis (NGPPS). We applied this model to a simulated Milky Way (MW) analogue in the HESTIA galaxy formation simulation. We studied the planet occurrence rate in the metal-rich regions of the inner Galaxy, namely, in the galactic bulge and thin disc. We compared these result with the frequencies in the more distant, metal-poor region such as the thick disc and stellar halo. Results. We find that the planet demographics in the central, metal-rich regions of the MW analogue differ strongly from the planet populations in the more distant, metal-poor regions. The occurrence rate of giant planets (&gt;300 M⊕) is 10–20 times larger in the thin disc compared to the thick disc, driven by the low amounts of solid material available for planet formation around metal-poor stars. Similarly, low-mass Earth-like planets around Sun-like stars are most abundant in the thick disc, being 1.5 times more frequent than in the thin disc. Moreover, low-mass planets are expected to be abundant throughout the galaxy, from the central regions to the outer halo, due to their formation processes being less dependent on stellar metallicity. The planet populations differ more strongly around Sun-like stars compared to dwarfs with masses 0.3–0.5 M⊙, caused by a weaker correlation between [Fe/H] metallicity and planet mass. However, it is important to note that the occurrence rates of low-mass planets are still uncertain, making our findings strongly model-dependent. Massive planets are more comprehensively understood and our findings are more robust. Nonetheless, other systematic effects have the potential to alter the giant planet population that we have not addressed in this study. We discuss some of these limitations and offer further directions for future research.

Research on the supply and demand of elderly care service resources in China.

This study aims to assess the current status and spatial distribution differences of elderly care service resources supply and demand in China. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were utilized to gather participants' insights into the current demands for elderly care services, the status of resource allocation, and related indicators. The entropy weight method was employed to determine indicator weights, yielding objective demand and allocation indices for elderly care service resources. Kernel density estimation was used to illustrate the distribution characteristics of the demand and allocation indices. The coupling coordination degree model was applied to measure the coupling coordination level of China's elderly care service resource supply and demand system in 2020. The demand index ranks highest in Beijing (0.3291), Shanghai (0.2941), and Tianjin (0.2563), while the lowest are found in Tibet (0.1673), Guangxi (0.1727), and Guizhou (0.1737). Kernel density estimation shows that the demand index is concentrated in the range of 0.1800 to 0.2000. The top three regions for allocation index are Shanghai (184.0007), Qinghai (129.8177), and Beijing (109.5941), with the lowest in Liaoning (34.8558), Hainan (35.3168), and Yunnan (36.6366). Kernel density estimation indicates that the allocation index is concentrated in the range of 25-75. Calculations of coupling coordination degree show that Shanghai has high coordination quality (0.9368), Beijing has good coordination (0.8392), while Hainan and Yunnan experience severe imbalances (0.1990, 0.1831). There is a significant lack of coordination between the demand for elderly care services and the allocation of resources in Hainan and Yunnan provinces in China. Most provinces, with the exception of Beijing and Shanghai, exhibit some degree of misalignment. The Chinese government should address the varying needs of the elderly population in different regions, pay timely attention to regional disparities, enhance regional cooperation, and dynamically allocate elderly care resources in a rational manner.

Morphological Variation in the Shape of Tongue: A Potential Geographical Marker

Introduction- The human tongue is of great significance to forensic odontologists. It aids in identification. Studies about variations in the morphological shape of the tongue are extremely rare among pediatric populations. This study aimed to observe the morphological variations in the shape of the tongue among pediatric population of the age group of 10-13 years in Gujarat, India. It also aimed to determine the gender predilection for each type of the shape of the tongue. Research Methods- A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 children (n=400) of the age group of 10-13 years in a dental camp in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Visual examination and evaluation of the shape of the tongue was done individually for all the children followed by digital documentation and statistical analysis in Microsoft Excel 2019. Results- Out of 400 subjects, 200 (50%) were males and 200 (50%) were females. Seven shapes of the tongue were observed that included- acute triangular, obtuse triangular, elliptical, round, rectangular, square and bifid tongue. Gender distribution was observed among all shapes of the tongue. The acute triangular tongue was predominantly found in 114 individuals (28.5%) of the entire study population that showed a female predilection. The non-syndromic bifid tongue was also observed in 48 individuals (12%) of the entire population with a male predilection. Conclusion- Gender distribution in the shapes of the tongue varies in different geographical locations. More such research studies need to be carried out among the pediatric populations of different regions of the world.

Implications on star formation rate indicators from H ii regions and diffuse ionized gas in the M101 Group

ABSTRACT We examine the connection between diffuse ionized gas (DIG), H ii regions, and field O and B stars in the nearby spiral M101 and its dwarf companion NGC 5474 using ultra-deep H α narrow-band imaging and archival GALEX UV imaging. We find a strong correlation between DIG H α surface brightness and the incident ionizing flux leaked from the nearby H ii regions, which we reproduce well using simple cloudy simulations. While we also find a strong correlation between H α and co-spatial far-ultraviolet (FUV) surface brightness in DIG, the extinction-corrected integrated UV colours in these regions imply stellar populations too old to produce the necessary ionizing photon flux. Combined, this suggests that H ii region leakage, not field OB stars, is the primary source of DIG in the M101 Group. Corroborating this interpretation, we find systematic disagreement between the H α- and FUV-derived star formation rates (SFRs) in the DIG, with SFRH α &amp;lt;SFRFUV everywhere. Within H ii regions, we find a constant SFR ratio of 0.44 to a limit of ∼10−5 M⊙ yr−1. This result is in tension with other studies of star formation in spiral galaxies, which typically show a declining SFRH α/SFRFUV ratio at low SFR. We reproduce such trends only when considering spatially averaged photometry that mixes H ii regions, DIG, and regions lacking H α entirely, suggesting that the declining trends found in other galaxies may result purely from the relative fraction of diffuse flux, leaky compact H ii regions, and non-ionizing FUV-emitting stellar populations in different regions within the galaxy.

Geographical division of terrestrial mammals in China based on species composition characteristics

China has complex natural conditions and is rich in biodiversity. Based on the geographical distribution and species composition of terrestrial mammals, we explored the characteristics and geographic partitioning of mammal populations in different regions of China. We used a clustering algorithm, combined with the spatial distribution data and taxonomic characteristics of mammals, to geographically partition the terrestrial mammals in China. We found 10 zoogeographic regions of terrestrial mammals in China: Northeast region, North China region, Eastern grassland region, Western region, Northwest region, Qiangtang plateau region, Eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau region, Himalayan region, South China region, and Taiwan-Hainan region. We found a new geographical zoning pattern for terrestrial mammals in China, examined the variability and characteristics of species composition among different regions, and quantified the association between species distribution and environmental factors. We proposed a method of incorporating taxonomic information into cluster analysis, which provided a new idea for zoogeographic region studies, a new perspective for understanding species diversity, and a scientific basis for animal conservation and habitat planning.

Grave structures of the population of the lower part of the Amudarya in the islamic period (On the example of archeological monuments of IX-XIII centuries)

This article analyzes the burial structures of the Khorezm Muslim population in the lower reaches of the Amu Darya on the basis of archeological research sources. The materials under consideration and data obtained by other researchers (ethnographic data) are important for the generalization of research on the paleodemography of the population of Khorezm, to study the demographic structure of its population in different regions in different historical periods and to gain a closer understanding of many processes in Islam.

Genetic formation of Sui populations in southwest China

AbstractThe Sui people living in Guizhou province have a unique ethnic culture and population history due to their long‐time isolation from other populations. To investigate the genetic structure of Sui populations in different regions of Guizhou, we genotyped 89 individuals from four Sui populations using genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphisms arrays. We analyzed the data using principal component analysis, ADMIXTURE analysis, f‐statistics, qpWave/qpAdm, TreeMix analysis, fineSTRUCTURE, and GLOBETROTTER. We found that Sui populations in Guizhou were genetically homogeneous and had a close genetic affinity with Tai‐Kadai‐speaking populations, Hmong‐Mien‐speaking Hmong, and some ancient populations from southern China. The Sui populations could be modeled as an admixture of 33.5%–37.9% of Yellow River Basin farmer‐related ancestry and 62.1%–66.5% of Southeast Asian‐related ancestry, indicating that the southward expansion of northern East Asian‐related ancestry influenced the formation of the Tai‐Kadai‐speaking Sui people. Future publications of more ancient genomics in southern China could effectively provide further insight into the demographic history and population structure of the Sui people.

Characterization of dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) landraces: Genetic, chemotypic, and agro-morphologic perspectives

Dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.), an endangered herb, faces significant threats due to the loss of biodiversity driven by land-use change. The seeds of seven landraces of D. moldavica were collected from various native populations in different regions of Northwest Iran. Subsequently, they were cultivated in 10 replications, spanning a total of 70 plots. This cultivation took place at the Ekbatan station of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center in Hamadan province. This study aimed to assess the morphological traits, essential oil (EO) content, and genetic diversity within seven populations of Dracocephalum moldavica. Significant variations in morphological traits were observed among populations, indicating phenotypic diversity and potential for selective breeding programs. The EO content ranged from 0.03 % to 0.13 % (w/w), with the highest in the HO population and the lowest in the KE population. EO yield varied from 1.97 in the KE populations to 13.97 Kg/ha in the HO populations. The chemical composition of the EOs varied among populations and consisted of 18–24 components, with geranyl acetate being the dominant component. PCA analysis identified population differences primarily related to geranyl acetate, nerol, geraniol, neryl acetate, and neral. The observed variation in EO composition may result from genetic and environmental factors. ISSR analysis revealed high genetic diversity, with 84 out of 94 scorable bands being polymorphic. Cluster and PCoA analysis revealed distinct genetic clusters among populations, although some diversities did not align with geographical origin, suggesting seed transfer or high heterozygosity. The study highlights the effectiveness of ISSR markers in assessing genetic diversity and provides insights into the genetic structure and variability of D. moldavica populations. Furthermore, the correlation between ISSR markers and phytochemical traits suggests their potential for breeding programs to enhance important traits in D. moldavica. Considering both phytochemical and morphological properties is crucial in breeding programs due to pleiotropic effects of genetic loci.

Genomic signals of local adaptation in Picea crassifolia

BackgroundGlobal climate change poses a grave threat to biodiversity and underscores the importance of identifying the genes and corresponding environmental factors involved in the adaptation of tree species for the purposes of conservation and forestry. This holds particularly true for spruce species, given their pivotal role as key constituents of the montane, boreal, and sub-alpine forests in the Northern Hemisphere.ResultsHere, we used transcriptomes, species occurrence records, and environmental data to investigate the spatial genetic distribution of and the climate-associated genetic variation in Picea crassifolia. Our comprehensive analysis employing ADMIXTURE, principal component analysis (PCA) and phylogenetic methodologies showed that the species has a complex population structure with obvious differentiation among populations in different regions. Concurrently, our investigations into isolation by distance (IBD), isolation by environment (IBE), and niche differentiation among populations collectively suggests that local adaptations are driven by environmental heterogeneity. By integrating population genomics and environmental data using redundancy analysis (RDA), we identified a set of climate-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and showed that environmental isolation had a more significant impact than geographic isolation in promoting genetic differentiation. We also found that the candidate genes associated with altitude, temperature seasonality (Bio4) and precipitation in the wettest month (Bio13) may be useful for forest tree breeding.ConclusionsOur findings deepen our understanding of how species respond to climate change and highlight the importance of integrating genomic and environmental data in untangling local adaptations.

Colonization routes uncovered in a widely introduced Mediterranean gecko, Tarentola mauritanica

In this study, we aimed to understand the contemporary and ancient colonization routes of the Moorish gecko, Tarentola mauritanica, using simple sequence repeats. By analyzing the genetic diversity of populations in different regions, we found that Morocco is the genetic diversity hotspot for the species, followed by the Iberian Peninsula. However, historical gene flow estimates identified the Iberian Peninsula, not Morocco, as the primary contributor of colonizing individuals, along with continental Italy to a lesser extent. Currently, mainland Italy is the main source of introduced individuals, likely due to the plant nursery trade. The study suggests that human-facilitated introductions from various geographical origins, with numerous regions colonized through continental Italy during two distinct periods, are responsible for the recurrent entry of individuals belonging to the European lineage of T. mauritanica into the Mediterranean and Macaronesia. These findings can inform better monitoring surveys and conservation programs by identifying putative current colonization routes of alien species.

Sensitivities of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) Populations in Different Regions of China to Four Bt Proteins

Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, invaded the south of China in December 2018 and has since posed a huge threat to crop production in China. However, transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn can efficiently control the damage caused by FAWs. In fact, the Chinese government has issued biosafety certificates for several Bt corn hybrids expressing any one of four Bt proteins, Vip3A, Cry1F, Cry1Ab, and Cry2Ab, or combinations thereof, to control FAWs. These Bt corn events are soon to be commercialized in China. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor and evaluate whether the FAW has developed resistance to any of the Bt corn hybrids planted in fields in China. To address this issue, we collected 11 geographical populations of FAWs and determined the sensitivity of each to the aforementioned four purified Bt proteins as assessed by diet surface overlay bioassays. The ranges for the 50% lethal concentration (LC50) of the four Bt proteins to all FAW populations were as follows: 11.42–88.33 ng/cm2 (for Vip3A), 111.21–517.33 (Cry1F), 135.76–1108.47 (Cry1Ab), and 994.42–5492.50 (Cry2Ab). The corresponding ranges for the 50% growth inhibition concentrations (GIC50) were 1.43–14.86, 2.35–138.97, 1.58–464.86, and 25.01–1266.07 ng/cm2. The lethal effects and growth inhibition effects of the four Bt proteins on FAW were in the same order of Vip3A &gt; Cry1F &gt; Cry1Ab &gt; Cry2Ab. A comparison with published LC50 values of Bt proteins towards sensitive FAW populations revealed that all 11 FAW populations in this study were sensitive to Vip3A, Cry1F, and Cry1Ab. This study provides foundational data for monitoring and controlling the resistance of Bt corn to FAW in China.

Effects of ocean warming and pollution on Sargassum forests

The combined effects of climate change and ocean pollution have resulted in a noteworthy decline of canopy-forming species, impacting marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning significantly. In this context, Sargassum cymosum, which is widely distributed along the southwestern Atlantic Ocean, serves as an excellent model among canopy-forming species to investigate these impacts on populations in different regions and environmental conditions. Here, we evaluate the ecophysiological responses of two populations of S. cymosum, from Florianopolis (warm-temperate province; WTP) and Fernando de Noronha (tropical province, TP), through of interaction of temperatures and nutrient concentrations, representing marine heatwaves and acute pollution levels. Our findings revealed a decrease in biomass in both populations, highlighting the significance of nutrient enrichment as an anthropogenic filter that might potentially inhibit the expansion of the populations from tropical regions and temperature for WTP ones. These stressors directly impacted the physiological performance of S. cymosum populations, including relative growth rates, photosynthesis, chlorophylls, carotenoids and phenolic compound levels. Although there was an increase in both parameters for the TP population, a significant loss of biomass was observed, with growth rates reaching −1.5% per day.Our results highlight the need for urgent actions to manage the eutrophication process due to its negative association with global warming, which can enhance the impacts and preclude the settlement and survival of Sargassum in warm-temperate areas considering the observed and predicted tropicalization process.

Comprehensive agrobiological assessment and analysis of genetic relationships of promising walnut varieties of the Nikitsky Botanical Gardens.

Walnut is an important horticultural crop, the production of which ranks second among all nut crops. Despite the significant demand in the domestic market in Russia, the industrial production of walnut fruits in Russia is currently underdeveloped. At the same time, there is a need to update the assortment with new highly productive varieties adapted to local agro-climatic conditions and having high quality nuts that are competitive at the world level. An important issue for the successful implementation of breeding programs is a comprehensive study of the gene pool. In this regard, within the framework of the study, the task was to evaluate promising varieties from the collection of the walnut gene pool of the Nikitsky Botanical Gardens and analyze genetic relationships based on microsatellite genotyping. On the basis of the performed phenotypic assessment, the study sample, which included 31 varieties, was divided into several groups according to the main phenotypic traits, such as frost and drought resistance, the start of the growing season, the ripening period, the weight and type of flowering, the weight of the fruit, and the thickness of the endocarp. Varieties with economically valuable traits that can be recommended as promising as initial parental forms in breeding work for resistance to abiotic stress factors have been identified, as well as varieties with increased productivity and large fruit sizes. Based on the analysis of eight SSR markers (WGA001, WGA376, WGA069, WGA276, WGA009, WGA202, WGA089 and WGA054), an analysis of the level of genetic diversity was performed and genetic relationships were established in the studied sample of varieties. Six (for WGA089) to eleven (for WGA276) alleles per locus have been identified. A total of 70 alleles were identified for the eight DNA markers used, with an average value of 8.75. Analysis of SSR genotyping data using Bayesian analysis established the presence of two main groups of genotypes. Taking into account the fact that all the studied varieties are selections from local seed populations in different regions of the Crimean Peninsula, the revealed level of polymorphism may indirectly reflect the level of genetic diversity of the local walnut populations. Furthermore, the presence of two genetically distant groups indicates the presence of two independently formed pools of the autochthonous gene pool of the species Juglans regia L. on the Crimean Peninsula.

Genetic diversity and population structure of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua in China using SSR markers.

Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Polygonatum genus, belonging to the Liliaceae family, with significant medicinal and nutritional value. In China, this species is a traditional medicinal and edible herb with a long history of application and is widely appreciated by the people. However, as the demand for medicinal herbs continues to grow, excessive harvesting has led to the depletion of wild resources and the risk of genetic erosion. In addition, the chaotic cultivation of varieties and the lack of high quality germplasm resources have led to inconsistent quality of medical materials. Therefore, it is urgent to conduct genetic diversity evaluation of this species and establish a sound conservation plan. This study assessed the genetic diversity and population structure of 96 samples collected from seven regions in China using the simple sequence repeat (SSR) molecular marker technology. In this study, a total of 60 alleles (Na) were detected across the 10 polymorphic SSR markers used, with an average of 6.0 alleles generated per locus. The values of polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.3396 to 0.8794, with an average value of 0.6430. The average value of the effective number of alleles (Ne) was 2.761, and the average value of the Shannon's information index (I) was 1.196. The population structure analysis indicates that the Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua germplasm can be classified into three subpopulations (JZ, QY, JD) at the molecular level, which corresponds to the previous subgroups identified based on individual plant phenotypic traits. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) showed that 74% of the genetic variation was between individuals within populations in different regions. The phylogenetic analysis of the 96 germplasm samples divided them into three main populations. The QY and JD subpopulations are largely clustered together, which could be attributed to their mountainous distribution and the local climate environment. The genetic differentiation coefficient (Fst) value was low at 0.065, indicating relatively low population differentiation. The ratio of the genetic differentiation coefficient (Fst) between the JZ population and the other two populations (QY and JD) is much higher than the ratio between the QY and JD populations. Based on the clustering results and the ratio of the genetic differentiation coefficient (Fst), it can be inferred that the genetic relationship between the QY and JD subpopulations is closer, with a certain degree of genetic differentiation from the JZ subpopulation. This study supports the conservation of germplasm resources of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua in China and provides new parental material for germplasm genetic improvement and breeding programs.

Investigation of human papilloma virus frequency in pregnant women.

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of human papillomavirus (HPV), HPV types, and the association with age, pregnancy, and childbirth in pregnant women. Four hundred and forty-eight pregnant women who visited our clinic were enrolled in the study. Polymerase chain reaction was used to determine HPV DNA and typing by cervical smear in the initial applications of patients with detailed history. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 13.0 was used to analyze the data. HPV DNA was positive in 26 (5.8%) of 448 patients who participated in the study. High-risk HPV types were detected in 77% of HPV-positive cases and low-risk HPV types in 23% of cases. Only one HPV type was detected in 13 patients (50%), while multiple HPV types were detected in 13 patients (50%) of the HPV-positive cases. A significant negative association was found between gravidity and positivity of HPV DNA. HPV is more common in women with lower parity and gravidity. Studies conducted in different populations in different regions of Turkey have shown that the incidence of HPV in women ranges from 2.2% to 26%. In our study, the incidence of HPV DNA in pregnant women was 5.8%. It was found that there was an inverse relationship between parity and HPV DNA positivity. The HPV DNA positivity decreased with the number of births.

MOLECULAR MARKER BASED ESTIMATION OF APRICOT GENOTYPES COLLECTED FROM YEŞİLHİSAR REGION OF KAYSERİ

Apricot is one of the most important stone fruits in the world. It can be evaluated as both fresh consumption and drying. Turkey is the first apricot producing country and has a rich genetic diversity. There are many apricot populations in different regions of Turkey. Some of them contain standard cultivars and some of them consist of local varieties or genotypes. Kayseri province has relatively important local apricot populations. In this study, genetic diversity in apricot populations in Yeşilhisar, Kayseri-Turkey was investigated. In the study, 32 apricot genotypes were studied with ISSR and POX markers. In apricot genotypes, 88.1% polymorphism was obtained with ISSR markers and 32.7% with POX markers. A dendrogram was created by combining ISSR and POX markers data. Accordingly, the level of similarity among genotypes varied between 0.73-1.00. Among the apricots, the genotypes 31 and 32 in particular were clearly apart from the others. In addition, genotype 21 was located alone in the dendrogram. The remaining apricots are divided into two main groups. The study revealed that Yeşilhisar region apricots have a significant variation.

Genetic diversity and genome-wide association analysis of pine wood nematode populations in different regions of China.

Pine wilt disease (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) was recently detected in Liaoning Province, which was previously considered an unfavourable area for B. xylophilus due to its low temperatures. This study aims to compare the reproductivity and genetic variations of B. xylophilus isolates from Liaoning Province and other parts of China to explore their phenotypic and genomic differences. The samples from Liaoning, Anhui, Hubei, Henan, Zhejiang and Jiangsu were isolated and purified to obtain the strains. The reproductivity of the strains was determined at 15 °C. The genetic structure was analyzed by using SNP molecular markers, and the whole genome association analysis was carried out by integrating SNP information and feculence traits. A reproductivity experiment showed that Liaoning isolates have higher reproductive ability at 15 °C. Subsequent SNP profiling and population differentiation analysis revealed obvious genetic differentiation of Liaoning isolates from other isolates. A genome-wide association study showed that SNPs closely related to low-temperature tolerance were mainly located in GPCR, Acyl-CoA, and Cpn10, which are responsible for adaptation to environmental factors, such as temperature change. Pine wood nematodes likely adapted to the climate in Liaoning and maintained a certain reproductive capacity at low temperature via variants of adaptation-related genes. This study provides a theoretical basis for elucidating the prevalence and diffusion status of B. xylophilus in China.

Comparison of the Impact between Classical and Novel Strains of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease on Wild Rabbit Populations in Spain.

The outbreaks of two strains of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) (GI.1 and GI.2) in the Iberian Peninsula have caused substantial economic losses in commercial rabbitries and have affected the conservation of rabbit-sensitive predators due to the dramatic decline of their natural populations. However, the assessment of the impact of both RHD strains on wild rabbit populations has been limited to a few small-scale studies. Little is known about the overall impact within its native range. In this study, we described and compared the effects of GI.1 and GI.2 countrywide by using time series of hunting bag data widely available across the country and compared their trend during the first eight years after the first outbreak of GI.1 (i.e., 1998) and GI.2 (i.e., 2011), respectively. We used Gaussian generalised additive models (GAM) with the number of hunted rabbits as the response variable and year as the predictor to evaluate the non-linear temporal dynamics of the population at the national and regional community levels. The first GI.1 caused a population decline of around 53%, affecting most Spanish regional communities where the disease occurred. The positive trend observed after GI.1 in Spain ended with the initial outbreak of GI.2, which did not appear to cause a national population decline. In contrast, we found significant variability in the rabbit population trend among regional communities, where some increased, and others decreased. Such a disparity is unlikely to be explained by a single factor; rather, it appears to result from several factors, such as climatic conditions, host resistance improvement, virulence attenuation, or population density. Our study suggests that a national comprehensive hunting bag series could aid in elucidating the differences in the impact of emerging diseases on a large scale. Future research should focus on national longitudinal serological studies to shed light on the immunological status of rabbit populations in different regions to better understand the evolution of RHD strains and the resistance gained by the wild populations.