Wide Distribution Of Species Research Articles

Flora das cangas da Serra dos Carajás, Pará, Brasil: Lythraceae

Resumo Três espécies de Lythraceae foram registradas para a Serra dos Carajás, Pará, Brasil: Cuphea annulata e C. carthagenensis, espécies sul-americanas de ampla distribuição e C. carajasensis endêmica das serras de Carajás.

Variation in heat shock protein expression at the latitudinal range limits of a widely-distributed species, the Glanville fritillary butterfly ( Melitaea cinxia )

Variation in heat shock protein expression at the latitudinal range limits of a widely-distributed species, the Glanville fritillary butterfly ( Melitaea cinxia )

The diatom genus Gomphonema Ehrenberg in Lake Baikal. II. Revision of taxa from Gomphonema acuminatum and Gomphonema truncatum-capitatum complexes

We document the diversity of diatom taxa from the G. acuminatum and truncatum-capitatum species complexes in Lake Baikal using light and scanning electron microscopy. This investigation revealed four species new to Science, namely G. pseudacuminatum sp. nov., G. microlaticollum sp. nov., G. paracapitatum sp. nov., and G. microcapitatum sp. nov. In addition, we consider seven previously described species that are part of these ‘typical Gomphonema’ complexes. Some of the taxa treated here were previously observed from other regions, especially from Mongolia. These data show a wide distribution of species from these complexes in waterbodies of Central Asia, and confirm the presence of some cosmopolitan taxa within Lake Baikal.

The Dual Challenges of Generality and Specificity When Developing Environmental DNA Markers for Species and Subspecies of Oncorhynchus.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling is a powerful tool for detecting invasive and native aquatic species. Often, species of conservation interest co-occur with other, closely related taxa. Here, we developed qPCR (quantitative PCR) markers which distinguish westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewsi), Yellowstone cutthroat trout (O. clarkii bouvieri), and rainbow trout (O. mykiss), which are of conservation interest both as native species and as invasive species across each other’s native ranges. We found that local polymorphisms within westslope cutthroat trout and rainbow trout posed a challenge to designing assays that are generally applicable across the range of these widely-distributed species. Further, poorly-resolved taxonomies of Yellowstone cutthroat trout and Bonneville cutthroat trout (O. c. utah) prevented design of an assay that distinguishes these recognized taxa. The issues of intraspecific polymorphism and unresolved taxonomy for eDNA assay design addressed in this study are likely to be general problems for closely-related taxa. Prior to field application, we recommend that future studies sample populations and test assays more broadly than has been typical of published eDNA assays to date.

Paralia (Bacillariophyta) stowaways in ship ballast: implications for biogeography and diversity of the genus.

BackgroundThe genus Paralia Heiberg is one of the most recognizable, widely distributed and commonly reported diatoms from contemporary coastal marine environments and ship ballast. Species discovery has historically been made in diatoms through the recognition of morphological discontinuities between specimens, first using light and later electron microscopy. However, recently, morphologically semi-cryptic species of Paralia were delineated using genetic analyses, among mostly tropical and subtropical sites.ResultsTen morphological characters of the frustules and sequence fragments from the nuclear genome (conserved 18S regions of ribosomal RNA and the variable internal transcribed spacer [ITS]), and from the RuBisCo large subunit (rbcL) gene of the chloroplast genome were examined. Frustule morphology did not segregate species, however, comparisons of sequence fragments and ITS2 secondary structures yielded a new species from North American waters, P. guyana (with four genodemes), and another widely-distributed species, P. marina. The latter was lecto- and epitypified here because it is most similar to specimens in the type preparation BM1021 representing Smith’s concept of the species. Paralia marina and certain genodemes of P. guyana were morphologically cryptic. Only those genodemes of P. guyana that possess prickly separation valves could be morphologically distinguished from P. marina with relative confidence in SEM preparations. All clones established from chains isolated from the ballast sediment of the ships sailing along the Atlantic coast of North America belonged to P. guyana. All DNA sequences of preserved Paralia chains recovered from the three trans-Atlantic voyages (TAVs) samples arriving to eastern Canada from Europe shared 100% identity with P. marina.ConclusionFirst, if the overline{x} = 130592 P. marina cells per ballast tank at the end of the TAVs represents their abundance in ballast tanks of similar crossings and following mid-ocean ballast water exchange, then this diatom, if de-ballasted, exerts a strong and continued propagule pressure on Eastern Canadian coasts. Despite this, as of 2009, P. marina was found only in Cheticamp, Nova Scotia, Canada. Second, genetic analysis readily segregated cryptic and semi-cryptic taxa of Paralia, highlighting the usefulness of the molecular approach to species recognition, e.g., in programs monitoring alien introductions.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40709-015-0024-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Vulnerability and risk management of Agave species in the Tehuacán Valley, México.

BackgroundOur study analysed the vulnerability of the useful Agave species of the Tehuacán Valley, Mexico, considering ecological, cultural and economic aspects, and management types. We hypothesized that management intensity is proportional to the degree of risk of a species in order to decrease its vulnerability.MethodsDistribution of Agave species was monitored in 36 types of plant associations. Ethnobotanical studies were conducted in 13 villages and six markets. The vulnerability of each species was calculated by assigning risk values to the variables analysed. The vulnerability and management intensity indexes were estimated through the scores of the first principal component of PCA. Variation of management data explained by ecological, cultural and economic information were analysed through canonical correspondence analyses (CCA). A linear regression analysis identified the relation between vulnerability and management intensity.ResultsWe recorded presence of agave species in 20 of 36 vegetation types. Out of 34 Agave species, 28 were recorded to have one to 16 use types; 16 species are used as food, 13 for live fences, 13 for producing ‘pulque’, 11 for fibre and ornamental, 9 for construction. Seven species are used for preparing mescal, activity representing the highest risk. Seven Agave species are exclusively extracted from the wild and the others receive some management type. Incipient cultivation was identified in A. potatorum whose seedlings are grown in nurseries. Intensive cultivation through vegetative propagation occurs with domesticated species of wide distribution in Mexico. The highest management intensity values were recorded in widely distributed, cultivated and domesticated species, but the regionally native species more intensively managed were those with higher demand and economic value, protected by collective regulations because of their scarcity. The regression analysis indicated significant relation (R2=0.677, P<0.001) between vulnerability and management indexes. CCA explained 61.0% of variation of management intensity, mainly by socio-cultural factors (30.32%), whereas ecological data explained 7.6% and the intersection of all factors 21.36%.ConclusionsThe highest vulnerability was identified in wild species restrictedly distributed and/or highly extracted. Social pressures may increase the natural vulnerability of some species and these species are particularly those native species receiving some management form.

Reevaluation of Species Delimitations in &lt;I&gt;Dombeya&lt;/I&gt; Section &lt;I&gt;Hilsenbergia&lt;/I&gt; (Dombeyaceae)

Dombeya section Hilsenbergia includes five species endemic to Madagascar and the Comoros that are characterized by pendulous inflorescences and long staminal tubes. Morphological data and previous molecular work support the inclusion of these species within Dombeya. Study of morphological characters previously used in the taxonomy of section Hilsenbergia found overlap in these characters among species and sometimes even significant variation within individuals or populations, leading to a broader circumscription of some species than that of previous workers. Incongruence between plastid and nuclear trees suggests the possibility of plastid introgression within section Hilsenbergia, and morphological data indicate potential hybridization, in areas of sympatry, among the three most widely-distributed species, D. baronii, D. cannabina, and D. hilsenbergii. Preliminary conservation assessments based on herbarium collections and field observations categorize D. wallichii as Critically Endangered and D. hafotsy as Endangered. This work summarizes the taxonomic history, morphology, nomenclature, and distribution of section Hilsenbergia and a dichotomous key to the species is provided.

Molecular taxonomy of Osedax (Annelida: Siboglinidae) in the Southern Ocean

We report the discovery of three new species of Osedax in the deep Southern Ocean, expanding the diversity and geographical range of this genus of bone‐eating worms. Osedax rogersi sp. n. and Osedax crouchi sp. n. were found on a whale skeleton at 1444 m in the Kemp Caldera in the East Scotia Sea during the Chemosynthetic Ecosystems of the Southern Ocean (ChEsSo) project. The recently described species, Osedax antarcticus, found on whale bones implanted at a depth of 550–650 m off Smith Island in the Bransfield Strait, was also found inhabiting the whale skeleton in the Kemp Caldera. Osedax crouchi as well as another new species Osedax nordenskjoeldi sp. n. have also been found on the implanted whale bones off Smith Island. These two localities are approximately 1800 km apart demonstrating a wide distribution of species within the genus. We describe the three new species, O. rogersi, O. crouchi and O. nordenskjoeldi and report the second record of O. antarcticus. We also present a new phylogenetic analysis for Osedax, including data examining genetic connectivity between the Scotia Arc and the Bransfield Strait.

Population sex ratios under differing local climates in a reptile with environmental sex determination

Populations that experience different local climates, such as those along a latitudinal gradient, must match life history traits to local environmental conditions. In species with temperature-dependent sex determination, such as many reptiles, population sex ratio is strongly influenced by local climate, yet local climate differs substantially among populations in geographically-widespread species. We studied the painted turtle at three sites across the species' geographic range to gain a mechanistic understanding of how sex ratios are produced under different local climates. We combined data on maternal nest- site choice, nest incubation temperature, and the resultant offspring sex ratio of populations across a climatic gradient, to demonstrate how geographic variation in behavior and physiology translates into sex ratios among populations of a widely-distributed species. We found that populations across the species' geographic range match incubation conditions with local climatic conditions through population-specific adjustment of maternal nest-site choice. Incubation temperatures during the thermosensitive period were cooler and clut- ches were more male-biased in the south, with populations farther north having warmer

Diversity and abundance of mosquito species in relation to their larval habitats in Mizoram, North Eastern Himalayan region

The abundance, richness and diversity of anopheline and culicid mosquitoes associated with their habitats, season, and physico-chemical quality of water were surveyed along six districts of Mizoram, North Eastern Himalayan region. The productivity of permanent and temporary habitat types was quantified by carrying out weekly larval sampling using a standard dipping method for a period of three years. Diversity was estimated using the Shannon index (H′), Evenness index (Heve), similarity measures cluster analysis and MANOVA. In total, 5 genera and 20 species of mosquitoes were identified: Culex quinquefasciatus, Anopheles barbirostris and Anopheles vagus were the most abundant and widely-distributed species, representing 39.71%, 29.39% and 14.52% of total mosquito individuals sampled, respectively. Anopheles sp. diversity was lowest in Lunglei district (H′=0.48) and highest in Aizawl (H′=2.03), whereas Culex sp. diversity was lowest in Lawngtlai (H′=0.38), and highest in Aizawl (H′=2.99) and Kolasib (H′=2.13).This represents the first update on the diversity and geographic distribution of the mosquitoes of Mizoram. Mosquito larvae were present in both temporary and permanent habitats suitable for breeding with monthly variations dependent on rainfall intensity, temperature, humidity and location. Early instars were more abundant significantly (P<0.0001) than late instars among the habitat types in all study sites. The productivity of mosquito larvae was significantly (P<0.0001) higher in ponds especially in permanent than semi-permanent and temporary. Weekly rainfall intensity led to an increase or decrease in anopheline and culicid larval abundance depending on the location. Mosquito diversity was highest in monsoon season (July–September) and lowest in January–March. A. barbirostris, A. vagus and C. quinquefasciatus appear the most likely habitat generalist as it demonstrates both widespread distribution. Abundance and diversity of culicine and anopheline larvae were strongly associated (MANOVA) with pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, phosphates and chlorides concentration of water. This information will be essential for designing and implementing mosquito larval control programs.

Diversidad genética y abundancia relativa de Didelphis marsupialis y Didelphis virginiana en Chiapas, México

In wide distribution species, as D. marsupialis and D. virginiana, large population sizes, high diversity and little genetic differentiation are predicted. In this study, the relative abundance of D. marsupialis and D. virginiana by capturing organisms in the Highlands and the Central Depression regions, in Chiapas, was estimated. Also the diversity and structure genetic from 7 microsatellite loci were estimated. The relative abundance was low (between 0.008-0.06 individuals traps nights) and the highest incidence of opossums was observed in the Central Depression. The sex ratio was significantly adjusted to the relation 1:1 in both species. The greater genetic diversity was recorded in the Central Depression in D. virginiana (He=0.58), with high levels of inbreeding. Genetic differentiation moderate was observed between species (Frt=0.13) and minimum among populations of each species (Fsr=0.01). Although the values of genetic diversity were moderate, D. marsupialis and D. virginiana have low abundances with high levels of inbreeding, which may have negative consequences in the future on the genetic variability of these species in the studied populations.

Diversity of mosquitoes and the aquatic insects associated with their oviposition sites along the Pacific coast of Mexico.

BackgroundThe abundance, richness and diversity of mosquitoes and aquatic insects associated with their oviposition sites were surveyed along eight states of the Pacific coast of Mexico. Diversity was estimated using the Shannon index (H’), similarity measures and cluster analysis.MethodsOviposition sites were sampled during 2–3 months per year, over a three year period. Field collected larvae and pupae were reared and identified to species following adult emergence. Aquatic insects present at oviposition sites were also collected, counted and identified to species or genus.ResultsIn total, 15 genera and 74 species of mosquitoes were identified: Anopheles pseudopunctipennis, An. albimanus and Aedes aegypti were the most abundant and widely-distributed species, representing 47% of total mosquito individuals sampled. New species records for certain states are reported. Anopheline diversity was lowest in Sinaloa state (H’ = 0.54) and highest in Chiapas (H’ = 1.61) and Michoacán (H’ = 1.56), whereas culicid diversity was lowest in Michoacán (H’ = 1.93), Colima (H’ = 1.95), Sinaloa (H’ = 1.99) and Jalisco (H’ = 2.01) and highest in Chiapas (H’ = 2.66). In total, 10 orders, 57 families, 166 genera and 247 species of aquatic insects were identified in samples. Aquatic insect diversity was highest in Chiapas, Oaxaca and Michoacán (H’ = 3.60-3.75). Mosquito larval/pupal abundance was not correlated with that of predatory Coleoptera and Hemiptera.ConclusionThis represents the first update on the diversity and geographic distribution of the mosquitoes and aquatic insects of Mexico in over five decades. This information has been cataloged in Mexico’s National Biodiversity Information System (SNIB-CONABIO) for public inspection.

Organization and Biology of the Porcine Serum Amyloid A (SAA) Gene Cluster: Isoform Specific Responses to Bacterial Infection

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a prominent acute phase protein. Although its biological functions are debated, the wide species distribution of highly homologous SAA proteins and their uniform behavior in response to injury or inflammation in itself suggests a significant role for this protein. The pig is increasingly being used as a model for the study of inflammatory reactions, yet only little is known about how specific SAA genes are regulated in the pig during acute phase responses and other responses induced by pro-inflammatory host mediators. We designed SAA gene specific primers and quantified the gene expression of porcine SAA1, SAA2, SAA3, and SAA4 by reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in liver, spleen, and lung tissue from pigs experimentally infected with the Gram-negative swine specific bacterium Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, as well as from pigs experimentally infected with the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Our results show that: 1) SAA1 may be a pseudogene in pigs; 2) we were able to detect two previously uncharacterized SAA transcripts, namely SAA2 and SAA4, of which the SAA2 transcript is primarily induced in the liver during acute infection and presumably contributes to circulating SAA in pigs; 3) Porcine SAA3 transcription is induced both hepatically and extrahepatically during acute infection, and may be correlated to local organ affection; 4) Hepatic transcription of SAA4 is markedly induced in pigs infected with A. pleuropneumoniae, but only weakly in pigs infected with S. aureus. These results for the first time establish the infection response patterns of the four porcine SAA genes which will be of importance for the use of the pig as a model for human inflammatory responses, e.g. within sepsis, cancer, and obesity research.

Climate-induced changes in fish landings of different fleet components of Portuguese fisheries

For each Portuguese fleet component, landings of biogeographic groups of fish species were compared for the period of 1993–2009. Wide-distribution species were the most abundant in landings, but have shown a decreasing trend. Temperate species had higher landings in trawl fisheries, whereas subtropical species were most abundant and exhibiting an increasing trend in landings of multi-gear fisheries. A latitudinal gradient was observed, with landings of temperate species being more important in the North-western coast than in the South-western and South coasts. Although trawl fisheries were relatively more important in the North-western coast, there has been a recent increase in the relative importance of multi-gear fisheries and of subtropical species in this area. The increasing relative importance of subtropical species in Portuguese fisheries along with the fact that landings of subtropical species were higher in multi-gear fisheries could indicate an easier adaptation of Portuguese multi-gear fisheries to the effects of climate change. However, as multi-gear fisheries include a wide range of gears, techniques and target-species, they may not all respond in the same manner to changes in fish species’ distribution. Among multi-gear fisheries, trammel nets catch a wider variety of species and a wider size range than gill nets or longlines; thus, trammel net fishers can adapt to changes in abundance of the main target species more readily than those using more species- and size-specific gears. Therefore, trammel net fisheries could more easily adapt to the effects of climate change on fish distribution than gill net or longline fisheries.

Isolation and Analysis of Differential Expressed ESTs from Solms-laubachia eurycarpa(Maxim.) Botsch. between Day and Night

The wide-distribution species Solms-laubachia eurycarpa on the scree on Baima snow mountain was used as the experimental material,and the suppression subtractive hybridization(SSH) based on magnetic beads technology was used to isolate the differential genes between day and night.After randomly sequencing 136 differential ESTs,these ESTs were further analyzed by functional annotation by Blast2go.Our results show that most ESTs are related to cellular homeostasis and stress response,followed by material and energy metabolism,and signal transduction.The process of S-L.eurycarpa responsive to daytime environment is very complicated,which lays a good foundation for further studying alpine plants adaptation to harsh environments of scree.

Symbiotic efficiency and phylogeny of the rhizobia isolated from Leucaena leucocephala in arid–hot river valley area in Panxi, Sichuan, China

In search of effective nitrogen-fixing strains for inoculating Leucaena leucocephala, we assessed the symbiotic efficiency of 41 rhizobial isolates from root nodules of L. leucocephala growing in the arid-hot river valley area in Panxi, China. The genetic diversity of the isolates was studied by analyzing the housekeeping genes 16S rRNA and recA, and the symbiotic genes nifH and nodC. In the nodulation and symbiotic efficiency assay, only 11 of the 41 isolates promoted the growth of L. leucocephala while the majority of the isolates were ineffective in symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Furthermore, one fourth of the isolates had a growth slowing effect on the host. According to the 16S rRNA and recA gene analyses, most of the isolates were Ensifer spp. The remaining isolates were assigned to Rhizobium, Mesorhizobium and Bradyrhizobium. The sequence analyses indicated that the L. leucocephala rhizobia had undergone gene recombination. In contrast to the promiscuity observed as a wide species distribution of the isolates, the results implied that L. leucocephala is preferentially nodulated by strains that share common symbiosis genes. The symbiotic efficiency was not connected to chromosomal background of the symbionts and isolates carrying a similar nifH or nodC showed totally different nitrogen fixation efficiency.

Cardiovascular dysfunction and pulmonary edema secondary to severe envenoming by Tityus pachyurus sting. Case report

The scorpion envenomation is considered the second event by poisonous animals in importance around the world according to the World Health Organization. In Colombia there are 35 species of clinical significance, among them, the genus Tityus, which contains the most deadly scorpions in South America and is represented by 29 species of wide distribution in Colombia, which include Tityus pachyurus causing life-threatening events, especially in children. The present work shows the case of a 12 years old boy, from Tolemaida to 2 h of Bogotá D.C., who was stung by a scorpion on his right thigh, with the onset of intense signs and symptoms of local effect rapidly progressing to severe systemic involvement causing myocardial dysfunction, cardiovascular collapse and heart arrest, and his favorable response to adequate basic and advanced life support and use of scorpion-specific F(ab′)2 antivenom.

Population variations in the Fungoid Frog Hylarana malabarica (Anura: Ranidae) from northern Western Ghats of India

Widely distributed species often show interpopulation variation. Studying such variations can be helpful in understanding contributing factors and distinguishing widespread species and species complexes. We studied six populations of Hylarana malabarica distributed along the northern Western Ghats of India using morphometric and genetic analysis. Of 24 size-adjusted morphometric characters, 14 were significantly different among populations. Hierarchical clustering and discriminant analysis of morphometric characters suggested that the six populations form at least four distinct clusters. Analysis of morphometric data was supported by genetic polymorphism data obtained by the Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method. Since the similarity and variation observed among populations was independent of their spatial distribution, it is possible that this widely-distributed species may be a species complex.

Genetic diversity of Bertholletia excelsa, an Amazonian species of wide distribution

Background Amazonian upland forests are expansive and can comprise large continuous tracts. There have been several studies on the population genetic structure of species in this kind of forest, but there are few studies that aim to understand genetic structure throughout the Amazon [1]. The Brazil-nut tree, Bertholletia excelsa, is a monotypic genus, endemic to upland forests and distributed along almost the entire expanse of the Amazon [2-5]. Genetic diversity distribution through Amazon forest is an understudied issue, specially in plants. Quantifying and understanding population genetic structure, associated to gene flow and mating system studies are recognized as important tools for the development of strategies for conservation and management. Such information can also be helpful in identifying effects of habitat fragmentation [6,7]. This study aimed to evaluate genetic structure of B. excelsa populations in the Amazon and to verify if the structuring is influenced by distance between them.

Plant diversity of the Pantanal wetland

This is a review of current studies in diversity of the flora and main vegetation types in the Brazilian Pantanal. The flora of this wetland, nearly 2,000 species, constitutes a pool of elements of wide distribution and from more or less adjacent phytogeographic provinces, such as Cerrado, dry seasonal forests, Chaco, Amazonia and Atlantic Forest. The most numerous group includes wide-distribution species, mainly herbs, while the second contingent comes from the Cerrado. Endemic plants are rare, numbering only seven. The vegetation of the sedimentary floodplain is a mosaic of aquatics, floodable grasslands, riparian forests, savannas (cerrados), cerrado woodlands, dry forests, and a large area of mono-dominant savannas, and pioneer woodlands. The main vegetation types are briefly described with their characteristic species, and their estimated areas are given according to the latest mapping.