The Role of Hybrid Vigor in the Replacement of Pecos Pupfish by Its Hybrids with Sheepshead Minnow

Abstract:  Many species are jeopardized by hybridization and genetic introgression with closely related species. Unfortunately, the mechanisms that promote or retard gene flow between divergent populations are little studied and poorly understood. Like many imperiled fish species, the Pecos pupfish ( Cyprinodon pecosensis ) is threatened with replacement by its hybrids with a close congener. We examined swimming performance and growth rate of hybrid pupfish to determine the role of hybrid vigor in the genetic homogenization of C. pecosensis by its hybrids with sheepshead minnow ( C. variegatus ). The F1 hybrids, backcross hybrids, and purebred C. variegatus displayed greater swimming endurance than purebred C. pecosensis . In addition, F1 hybrids and C. variegatus grew more rapidly than C. pecosensis . The ecological superiority of hybrids probably promoted their rapid spread through and beyond the historic range of C. pecosensis . These results indicate that eradication of hybrids and restoration of C. pecosensis to its native range is unlikely. Extinction of unique species via genetic homogenization can result from human activities that increase gene flow between historically fragmented populations; conservation managers must weigh the potential for such a catastrophe against the presumed benefits of increased interpopulation gene flow. This example illustrates how, after hybridization has occurred, conflict may arise between formerly complementary conservation goals.     

Prenatal diagnosis of the derivative chromosome 22 associated with cat eye syndrome by fluorescence in situ hybridization

Cytogenetic studies of cultured amniocytes demonstrated a karyotype of 46, XX/47, XX,+mar. A bisatellited, dicentric, distamycin-DAPI negative, NOR-positive marker was present in 76 per cent of the metaphases examined. Similar markers have been associated with cat eye syndrome (CES). We report on the utilization of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a 14/22 a-satellite probe and a chromosome 22-specific cosmid for locus D22S9 to determine the origin of the prenatally detected supernumerary marker chromosome. FISH studies demonstrated that the marker is a derivative of chromosome 22 and enabled us to provide the family with additional prognostic information.     

Demonstration of spontaneously dividing male fetal cells in maternal blood by negative magnetic cell sorting and fish

We investigated a case of massive feto-maternal bleeding by using negative magnetic cell sorting (MACS) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). A 37-year-old pregnant woman had an uncomplicated amniocentesis for advanced maternal age at 16 weeks' gestation. The fetal karyotype was 46, XY. At 19 weeks' gestation, she had a minor car accident and slight vaginal bleeding. A subsequent Kleihauer-Betke test showed a 140 ml feto-maternal haemorrhage. Serial sonographic examinations indicated a normal fetus and placenta. We performed FISH analysis on maternal peripheral blood at 25 weeks. Anti-CD45 and MACS were used to deplete maternal leucocytes, enriching the proportion of fetal nucleated erythrocytes present. The isolated cells were analysed by using dual-colour FISH with X and Y specific probes. Approximately 65 800 nucleated cells were obtained after MACS depletion. A total of 234 cells were analysed by FISH. The results revealed that 70 of the nucleated cells (30 per cent) were male with one X and one Y signal. Among these cells, six male metaphases were observed in spontaneously dividing cells.     

Application of fluorescent in situ hybridization for ‘de novo’ anomalies in prenatal diagnosis

Fluorescent in situ Hybridization (FISH) was carried out for three cases of abnormal karyotypes in prenatal studies. Two concerned de novo structural anomalies and the third a marker chromosome. The origin of the extra material could be defined in all three cases, which gives a better insight into the relationship between genotype and phenotype and makes more adequate genetic counselling possible.     

Prenatal diagnosis of tetrasomy 12p by in situ hybridization: Varying levels of mosaicism in different fetal tissues

Prenatal diagnosis of tetrasomy 12p is complicated by the discrimination of the 12p isochromosome from the duplication 21q as well as the level of mosaicism demonstrated in the particular tissue sampled. In this disease, a high percentage of chromosomally abnormal cells are generally found in fibroblastic cells, but lymphocyte karyotypes from the same individual may be normal. We report on the pregnancy of a 37-year-old female who presented to our centre at 16 weeks' gestation for genetic amniocentesis. Sonography of the fetus revealed dextrocardia and diaphragmatic hernia. Chromosome analysis of amniocytes demonstrated mosaicism of a 47,XY,+i(12p) line in 80 per cent of cells and a normal male line (20 per cent), consistent with the Pallister-Killian syndrome. Following termination, a 220 g male fetus of 18 weeks was examined. A flattened nose and low-set ears were noted. In situ hybridization with a chromosome 12 centromeric probe in lymphocytes and skin cells unequivocally confirmed the karyotype and showed the presence of a single centromere in the abnormal chromosome, suggesting a true isochromosome. Chromosome analysis of various fetal tissues was performed and the following percentages of abnormal cells were found: skin 100 per cent, chorion 50 per cent, placenta 30 per cent, and blood 80 per cent. The high frequency of tetrasomic cells in fetal blood at this early gestational age is noteworthy, since most reports of this syndrome show a very low percentage of abnormal cells postnatally.     

甜菜糖蜜乳酸发酵工艺参数的优化及酵母膏替代物的初探

采用正交设计实验进行糖蜜发酵产乳酸的研究 .结果表明 ,在所选择的发酵温度、初始糖浓度、酵母膏用量和接种量 4个因素中 ,初始糖浓度对乳酸产量的影响最显著 .最佳发酵条件是 ,初始糖浓度 70g/L ,接种量 7% ,温度 37℃ ,酵母膏用量 3% .在此条件下 ,乳酸产量在发酵 72h时可达 4 0 g/L左右 .酵母膏作为一种辅料 ,对增加乳酸产量效果明显 ,但造价较高 .以厨房垃圾、豆渣、硫酸铵作为酵母膏的替代物 ,进行糖蜜发酵时 ,其糖底物都能被有效利用 ,乳酸转化率与酵母膏相当 ,但乳酸产量仍低于酵母膏 ,表明乳酸发酵是极为复杂的过程 ,不仅与氮源有关 ,还与维生素等营养物质有关     

1种钝化剂对3种水稻生长影响及降镉效果的研究

为了考察钝化剂对不同程度污染土壤及不同水稻品种的适应性,采用盆栽试验研究了2种程度镉污染农田土壤(轻度污染土壤和重度污染土壤)中钝化剂的修复效果以及3个品种水稻对镉的吸收。结果表明:添加钝化剂后,2种污染程度土壤的pH值在不同时期均显著提高(轻度污染土壤pH值提高了0. 18～0. 73,重度污染土壤pH值提高了0. 42～0. 71),土壤中pH值与土壤有效态Cd呈负相关性(轻度污染土壤的pH值与土壤有效态Cd相关系数为0. 77;重度污染土壤的pH值与土壤有效态Cd的相关系数为0. 91)。2种程度镉污染土壤分蘖期和成熟期的有效态Cd在施加钝化剂后明显降低(轻度污染土壤有效态Cd在分蘖期的最大降幅为30. 69%,在成熟期的最大降幅为25. 69%;重度污染土壤有效态Cd在分蘖期的最大降幅为6%,在成熟期的最大降幅为7. 5%)。糙米总Cd在施加钝化剂后也明显降低(轻度污染土壤的糙米总Cd降低幅度为59. 46%～66. 67%,重度污染土壤的糙米总Cd降低幅度为18. 71%～57. 60%)。施加钝化剂对水稻株高、叶绿素、有效穗、生物量及产量无显著性差异。此外,3个水稻品种的糙米Cd富集系数有一定的差异,2种污染程度土壤中水稻生长有差异。因此,钝化剂对3种水稻品种均具有降镉效果,且对3种水稻生长无负面影响。钝化剂对水稻生长轻度镉污染土壤的修复效果优于重度污染土壤的修复效果,施用钝化剂能使轻度污染土壤中糙米总Cd达标,不能使重度污染土壤中糙米总Cd达标;轻度污染土壤中水稻生长效果明显优于重度污染土壤中水稻生长。     

Adaptive introgression as a resource for management and genetic conservation in a changing climate

Current rates of climate change require organisms to respond through migration, phenotypic plasticity, or genetic changes via adaptation. We focused on questions regarding species’ and populations’ ability to respond to climate change through adaptation. Specifically, the role adaptive introgression, movement of genetic material from the genome of 1 species into the genome of another through repeated interbreeding, may play in increasing species’ ability to respond to a changing climate. Such interspecific gene flow may mediate extinction risk or consequences of limited adaptive potential that result from standing genetic variation and mutation alone, enabling a quicker demographic recovery in response to changing environments. Despite the near dismissal of the potential benefits of hybridization by conservation practitioners, we examined a number of case studies across different taxa that suggest gene flow between sympatric or parapatric sister species or within species that exhibit strong ecotypic differentiation may represent an underutilized management option to conserve evolutionary potential in a changing environment. This will be particularly true where advanced‐generation hybrids exhibit adaptive traits outside the parental phenotypic range, a phenomenon known as transgressive segregation. The ideas presented in this essay are meant to provoke discussion regarding how we maintain evolutionary potential, the conservation value of natural hybrid zones, and consideration of their important role in adaptation to climate.     

Screening differentially expressed genes in an amphipod (Hyalella azteca) exposed to fungicide vinclozolin by suppression subtractive hybridization

Vinclozolin, a dicarboximide fungicide, is an endocrine disrupting chemical that competes with an androgenic endocrine disruptor compound. Most research has focused on the epigenetic effect of vinclozolin in humans. In terms of ecotoxicology, understanding the effect of vinclozolin on non-target organisms is important. The expression profile of a comprehensive set of genes in the amphipod Hyalella azteca exposed to vinclozolin was examined. The expressed sequence tags in low-dose vinclozolin-treated and -untreated amphipods were isolated and identified by suppression subtractive hybridization. DNA dot blotting was used to confirm the results and establish a subtracted cDNA library for comparing all differentially expressed sequences with and without vinclozolin treatment. In total, 494 differentially expressed genes, including hemocyanin, heatshock protein, cytochrome, cytochrome oxidase and NADH dehydrogenase were detected. Hemocyanin was the most abundant gene. DNA dot blotting revealed 55 genes with significant differential expression. These genes included larval serum protein 1 alpha, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase, mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase, mitochondrial protein, proteasome inhibitor, hemocyanin, zinc-finger–containing protein, mitochondrial NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase and epididymal sperm-binding protein. Vinclozolin appears to upregulate stress-related genes and hemocyanin, related to immunity. Moreover, vinclozolin downregulated NADH dehydrogenase, related to respiration. Thus, even a non-lethal concentration of vinclozolin still has an effect at the genetic level in H. azteca and presents a potential risk, especially as it would affect non-target organism hormone metabolism.