DNA指纹分析技术在群落级生命系统应用的可能性

DNA指纹分析是一种关于整体遗传结构分析的强有力的分子生物学技术 ,广泛应用于种群及个体水平层次生命系统。本文以东湖浮游生物为对象 ,用随机引物和特异引物进行扩增探讨了DNA指纹分析技术在群落级生命系统应用的可能性。实验表明 :取自分别处于超富营养水平、富营养水平和中营养水平的Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ站样本的模板DNA ,无论是以随机引物M 0 1、M 0 2、M 0 3、M 18及M 19还是特异引物CW15 94 6 / 4 7、EGMS6、EGMS4、ITS1及HSP扩增均获得清晰且稳定的图谱 ;各站间浮游生物群

螅状独缩虫种内分子系统地理学的研究

以18S-ITS1为分子标记,对我国8省市自治区的19个螅状独缩虫种群的研究表明:在34,46,241,305和322等5个位点上碱基的变化情况将它们沿珠江和长江分水岭分为南北两大种群。进一步分析得出这种地理分布格局的形成可能是以下两个因素共同作用的结果:第四纪时伴随青藏高原的隆起珠江和长江分水岭的形成导致了螅状独缩虫的隔离分化;两地气候条件的差异对螅状独缩虫传播方式产生了重要影响。

利用三种分子标记研究缘毛类纤毛虫的系统发育地位

为了探讨缘毛类纤毛虫的系统发育地位 ,利用RAPD方法得到了 9种缘毛类纤毛虫、 1种四膜虫和1种喇叭虫的 3个随机引物的电泳带谱 ;测定了 7种缘毛类纤毛虫rRNA基因中的间隔区 1(ITS1)和小亚基核糖体核糖核酸 (SSrRNA)基因序列 ,并构建了相应的系统树。在比较和分析RAPD、ITS1和SSrRNA基因序列在缘毛类纤毛虫系统发育研究中的适用范围的基础上 ,以SSrRNA基因序列为分子标记研究了缘毛类纤毛虫系统发育地位 ,结果表明 :①缘毛亚纲是单系的 ,作为寡膜纲中一个亚纲的分类地位是合理的

Microcalorimetry as a possible tool for phylogenetic studies of Tetrahymena

Using isothermal microcalorimetry, the growth power-time curves of three strains of Tetrahymena were determined at 28 degrees C. Their Euclidean distances and cluster analysis diagram were obtained by using two thermokinetic parameters (r and Q(log)), which showed that T. thermophila BF1 and T. thermophila BF5 had a closer relationship. Compared with the single molecular biomarker (ITS1) method, microcalorimetry wasmaybe a simpler, more sensitive andmore economic technique in the phylogenetic studies of Tetrahymena species.

Molecular variation of Bothriocephalus acheilognathi Yamaguti, 1934 (Cestoda : Pseudophyllidea) in different fish host species based on ITS rDNA sequences

The molecular variation in Bothriocephalus acheilognathi Yamaguti, 1934 from 11 species of freshwater fish collected in Australia, China, the Czech Republic, England and Hawaii was investigated by determining the nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region. The length of the first and second internal transcribed spacer sequences of multiple individuals ranged from 553 to 571 bp and 553 to 615 bp, and the G + C content from 53.1 to 53.5%. The percentage sequence divergence varied between 0 and 0.9% in the ITS1 and 0 and 6.6% in the ITS2, respectively, indicating the occurrence of intraspecific variation. It is demonstrated that the fragment length variation resulted primarily from microsatellite polymorphisms present in the ITS region, especially in the ITS2 region. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that B. acheilognathi examined in this study consisted of three closely related genotypes with certain degrees of host-specificity, and the genotype representing isolates from Cyprinus carpio L. was the most common and diverse form within the species B. acheilognathi.

基于ITS 序列和matK 基因序列的中国药用石斛及其混伪品的分子鉴定

为了从分子水平对中国药用石斛及其混伪品进行鉴定，本文选取了核rDNA ITS 序列和叶绿体DNA 的matK 基因序列进行研究。采用改良的CTAB 法提取石斛的基因组DNA，PCR 产物直接测序法对17 种（共32 份）药用石斛的核糖体内转录间隔区ITS 全序列进行测定，克隆测序法对12 种（共22 份）药用石斛的叶绿体的matK 基因序列进行测定，运用BioEd it，MEGA4.0 等生物软件分析了石斛属植物的rDNA ITS 序列及叶绿体的matK 基因序列的特征，比较了石斛属间、种间、种内不同居群（品种）间的序列碱基差异及遗传距离，应用邻接法构建分子系统树。主要研究结果如下： （1）建立了17 种（共32 份）药用石斛rDNA ITS 区碱基全序列数据库，其中，ITS1 的长度为228~234 bp，GC 含量为45.7%~53.0%，变异位点167 个，占总位点67.34%，信息位点106 个，占总位点42.74%，ITS2 长度为241~247 bp，GC含量为44.8%~55.7%，变异位点165 个，占总位点66.27%，信息位点115 个，占总位点46.18%。 （2）建立了12 种（共22 份）药用石斛的叶绿体matK 基因全序列数据库，叶绿体matK 基因长1410 bp，变异位点51 个，信息位点11 个。除了存在碱基替换的遗传变异外，还存在碱基的插入和缺失。 （3）通过ITS 序列比较分析了各材料间的遗传距离和碱基差异，属间的遗传距离为0.295，石斛种间的平均遗传距离为0.142，碱基相差2~156 个，种内各居群间的平均遗传距离为0.002，碱基相差1~2 个。属间的遗传距离大于种间的遗传距离，种间的遗传距离大于种内不同居群（品种）间的遗传距离。 （4）根据分析石斛叶绿体的matK 基因序列得到，外类群（密花石豆兰）与石斛属间最小遗传距离为0.027，石斛种间的平均遗传距离为0.008，种间最大的遗传距离0.014， 最小的遗传距离为0.003，碱基相差8~20 个。种内不同居群（品种）遗传距离为0.001，相差1~5 个碱基。 （5）利用17 种石斛的全序列数据库及遗传分析软件，通过对待检种rDNA I TS区进行序列测定，成功地对10 个待检种进行了鉴定，并且在原植物开花后得到了验证。 （6）运用12 种石斛的matK 基因全序列数据库及遗传分析软件，成功地对4个待检种进行了鉴定，同样在原植物开花后得到了验证。 （7）本文利用石斛的核糖体内转录间隔区ITS 序列和叶绿体的matK 基因序列数据库分别构建了NJ 树，外类群与石斛属间石斛种间以及种内不同居群（品种）间均能在NJ 树中明显分化开来，二者构建的分子系统树一致，为石斛的分子鉴定提供了依据。 In order to identify Chinese Herba Dendrobii and its adulterant species on molecular level, we studied the sequences of rDNA ITS and chloroplast matK gene. Genomic DNA of Dendrobium was extracted using the modified cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) method. The PCR products of the rDNA ITS sequences of Dendrobium (32 materia ls) were purified and then sequenced. The PCR products of chloroplast matK gene of Dendrobium (22 materia ls) were purified, cloned and then sequenced. The characteristic of the sequences and the genetic dista nce were compared between Bulbophyllum odoratissimum and Dendrobium, Dendrobium interspecies, and different populations. Phylogenetic trees were constructed using the NJ method by the biology softwares including BioEd it, MEGA4.0 etc. The ma in results as follows: (1) It was built up that the database of rDNA ITS sequences of 17 species of Herba Dendrobii (32 materia ls). The ITS1 was 228~234 bp, the GC content accounting for 45.7%~53.0%. Its variable sites were 167, accounting for 67.34%. The Parsim-Informative positions were 106, accounting for 42.74%. The ITS2 was 241~247 bp, the GC accounting for 44.8%~55.7%. The variable sites were 165, accounting for 66.27%. The Parsim-Informative positions were 115, accounting for 46.18%. (2) The database of the chloroplast matK gene sequences was built up, which contained 12 species of Herba Dendrobii (22 materia ls). The matK gene sequences were about 1410bp in length. There were 51 variable sites and 11 Parsim-Informative sites. And there were nucleotides insertions and deletions in some species , in addition to the nucleotides substitutions. (3) The rDNA ITS sequences were compared and analyzed by the biology softwares. The genetic dista nce between Bulbophyllum odoratissimum and Dendrobium was 0.295. The avera ge genetic dista nce was 0.142 between Dendrobium species, and there were 2~156 variable nucleotides. The avera ge genetic dista nce between different populations was 0.002, and there were 2~156 variable nucleotides. The genetic dista nce between Bulbophyllum odoratissimum and Dendrobium was greater tha n that of Denrobium interspecies. Meanwhile, the genetic dista nce between Denrobium species was also greater tha n that of different populations (variaties). (4) The characteristics of the chloroplast matK gene sequences were obtained after analyzing by the biology softwares. The minima l genetic dista nce was 0.027 between Bulbophyllum odoratissimum and Dendrobium . The ma xima l genetic dista nce was 0.014 between Dendrobium species, and there were 20 variable nucleotides. The minima l genetic dista nce between populations was 0.003, and there were 8 variable nucleotides.The genetic dista nce between populations was 0.001, and there were 1~5 variable nucleotides. (5) The molecular Phylogeny tree was constructed on the database of rDNA ITS the sequences of 17 species of Herba Dendrobii using the biology softwares. Then we authenticated 10 materia ls on molecular level. What’s more, they had been proved when these pla nts flowered. (6) The molecular Phylogeny tree was built up on the database of chloroplast matK gene sequences of 12 species of Herba Dendrobii with the biology softwares.Then 4 materia ls were authenticated on molecular level. Moreover, they had also been proved when these pla nts were in flower. (7) The Phylogenetic trees were separately constructed on the sequences of rDNA ITS and chloroplast matK gene B. odoratissimum and Dendrobium all could be distinguished on the Phylogenetic trees. Meanwhile, the Phylogenetic trees based on two groups of sequences were coincident. rDNA ITS and matK gene sequence could be used as molecular markers for authentication of Herba Dendrobii.

Identification and assessing the cultivars of Laminaria Lamx. (phaeophyceae) with molecular markers

Molecular markers were used to identify and assess cultivars of Laminaria Lamx. and to delineate their phylogenetic relationships. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was used for detection. After screening, 11 primers were selected and they yielded 133 bands in all, of which approximately 99.2% were polymorphic. The genetic distances between gametophytes ranged from 0.412 to 0.956. Two clusters were formed with the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) dendrogram based on the simple matching coefficient. All cultivars of Laminaria japonica Aresch. used for breeding in China fell into one cluster. L. japonica from Japan, L. saccharina (L.) Lam., and L. angustata Kjellm. formed the other cluster and showed higher genetic variation than L. japonica from China. Nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences, including internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) were studied and aligned. The nucleotides of the sequences ranged from 634 to 668, with a total of 692 positions including TTS1, ITS2, and the 5.8S coding region. The phylogenetic tree obtained by the neighbor-joining method favored, to some extent, the results revealed by RAPD analysis. The present study indicates that RAPD and ITS analyses could be used to identify and assess Laminaria germplasm and to distinguish some species and, even intraspecies, in Laminaria.

DNA分子标记技术在海带种质鉴定中的应用

本文在CTAB和SDS／K＋两种DAN提取方法基础上，综合与改进，建立了海带配子体DNA的提取和纯化方法。用此法得到了较高质量的海带配子体DNA，可有效地应用于海带分子标记的研究。采用RAPD，ISSR和AFLP三种DNA分子标记技术对海带配子体细胞系进行了种质鉴定和评价，结果表明：1）RAPD方法可以有效地应用于海带配子体细胞系的鉴定，用三个RAPD引物（OPC20，OPD20和OPD15）构建的DNA指纹图谱，不仅能将23个海带配子体细胞系区分开，而且能将每种海带的雌、雄配子体区分开。2）在没有其它海带配子体DNA分子标记背景资料的前提下，运用ISSR标记方法，辅证了RAPD方法的有效性及可靠性，排除了因原核生物的“污染”，所造成的RAPD标记方法的干扰，同时，也能辨别非海带配子体，这可以评价海带配子体保存的实际效果。3）AFLP分子标记结果表明，海带配子体细胞系具有高的多态性，这对海带具体性状进行连锁标记分析，可能是有效的方法。4）在RAPD标记的基础上，初步建立海带配子体SCAR标记，为海带分子标记辅助选种、育种打下基础。5）对3F、5F、12M三个实验材料，进一步用rDNA转录间隔区（ITS1）测序分析，与已知海带配子体ITS1的差别很大，说明不是海带配子体。综合上述，RAPD，ISSR和AFLP三种DNA分子标记技可以对海带种质资源进行鉴定、评估，为海带科学保种、选种提供依据。

小庙洪牡蛎礁巨蛎属牡蛎间生殖隔离研究

中国牡蛎种类丰富，但是由于贝壳可塑性强，表型变化大，分类学及系统发生学研究进展缓慢，存在诸多争议。本文在全国部分海区采集牡蛎样品，并通过表型和分子生物学方法进行鉴定，重点调查潮下带牡蛎的分布情况。选取江苏南通小庙洪牡蛎礁作为典型海域，研究亲缘关系接近的巨蛎属牡蛎之间在繁殖上如何维持相互之间的关系。本研究的目的在于摸索牡蛎物种鉴定的实用方法，并阐明熊本牡蛎和近江牡蛎生殖隔离是如何维持的。研究结果对牡蛎等海洋贝类的分类及系统发生学研究具有一定的借鉴作用，为牡蛎礁的生态保护提供生物学参考依据。 在辽宁营口、海洋岛，河北秦皇岛，山东西霞口、潍坊、青岛，江苏南通，浙江舟山、奉化，福建莆田，广东汕头等地区采集牡蛎样品，重点采集潮下带的牡蛎，通过地理分布、表型、DNA含量测定和COI种特异性探针鉴定对各地区的牡蛎物种组成进行分析。选取了南通小庙洪牡蛎礁作为研究牡蛎物种间相互关系的最佳地点。该地区牡蛎由主要分布在潮间带的熊本牡蛎和主要分布在潮下带的近江牡蛎组成。 对南通小庙洪牡蛎礁上两种巨蛎属牡蛎在空间上的分布进行调查；定期取样，制作性腺切片，观察两种牡蛎的性腺发育情况；同时，定期在海区挂板，采用半人工采苗的方式采集海区牡蛎幼体，通过ITS1基因鉴定采集的稚贝所属物种。通过调查发现二者的分布存在重叠区域；两种牡蛎在2007年6月中旬至9月中旬存在两个明显的繁殖高峰期，在每个繁殖期内两种牡蛎同时发生大量繁殖行为的可能性极高。结果表明，两种牡蛎不存在明显的生态隔离和季节隔离等交配前生殖隔离机制。 在室内对两种牡蛎进行2×2完全双列杂交，并通过ITS1基因的克隆测序验证杂种后代。双列杂交受精实验采用多亲本混合交配的方式（即每个物种的卵子或精子均来自多个个体），共进行7次重复。结果表明，熊本牡蛎的卵子能够被近江牡蛎的精子以较低的受精率（24.6%）受精，且形成的后代确实为两个物种杂交产生，而反方向不能受精。 幼虫和稚贝生长存活的双列杂交实验共进行3次重复。估测受精率、受精卵的孵化率，第1至29日每两天测量一次D形幼虫的壳高和密度。结果表明杂交幼虫（熊本牡蛎♀与近江牡蛎♂的杂交，SA）的受精率（12.5%）显著低于（P < 0.05）熊本牡蛎（75.4%）和近江牡蛎（84.5%）纯种对照组；而孵化率与对照组无显著差异（P > 0.05）；自受精至29日龄，杂交幼虫壳高的生长速度明显低于纯种对照组（P < 0.05）；但是存活率与熊本牡蛎无显著差异（P > 0.05）。杂交幼虫附着变态期间死亡率高；93日龄，熊本牡蛎有10.08%的匍匐期面盘幼虫存活至稚贝，显著大于（P < 0.05）近江牡蛎（2.18%）和杂交幼虫（0.76%）；杂交稚贝壳高显著小于（P < 0.05）纯种对照组。稚贝在海区挂养3个月。与挂养前相比，杂交稚贝在潮下带的存活率为19.2%，125个稚贝仅存24个，壳高平均增加2.15 mm。熊本牡蛎在潮间带的存活率达到65%，壳高平均增加3.99 mm。近江牡蛎在潮下带的存活率达到85.7%，壳高平均增加5.22 mm，在潮间带的存活率仅10.9%，壳高平均增加3.28 mm。受精6个月后，所有杂交稚贝仅剩3枚，运回实验室暂养一段时间后全部死亡。 设置20、25、30、35共4个盐度梯度，估算双列杂交组合在不同盐度下的受精率、孵化率、7日内的存活率和壳高生长，实验共进行3个重复。结果表明，杂交组合在4个盐度下的受精率（平均为11.2%）均显著低于（P < 0.05）熊本牡蛎（75.0%）和近江牡蛎（77.5%）纯种对照组；而孵化率与对照组无显著差异（P > 0.05）；杂交组合在盐度35时的孵化率（85.0%）显著大于20（49.6%）、25（51.3%）和30（55.4%）三个盐度梯度。7日龄杂交幼虫（10.5%）和近江牡蛎（11.4%）的存活率显著小于（P < 0.05）熊本牡蛎（30.3%）；杂交幼虫的壳高（75.7 μm）显著小于（P < 0.05）熊本牡蛎（81.5 μm）和近江牡蛎（85.6 μm）对照组。两因素方差分析表明，杂交组合方式对受精率、孵化率、7日龄存活率和7日龄壳高均有显著影响，盐度对7日龄壳高的影响显著。 实验结果表明，江苏小庙洪牡蛎礁上的熊本牡蛎和近江牡蛎之间在分布空间上存在重叠区域，繁殖时间也存在重叠，并未产生明显的生态隔离和季节隔离。二者之间存在不对称性杂交，熊本牡蛎的卵子能够与近江牡蛎的精子以较低的受精率受精，而反方向完全不亲和。杂交幼虫在受精率上存在显著劣势；但是受精卵的孵化率与纯种受精卵无显著差异；杂交幼虫在生长上也存在显著劣势；而存活率与熊本牡蛎无显著差异；杂交幼虫附着变态期间大量死亡，存活下来的稚贝生长缓慢，死亡率高。表明熊本牡蛎和近江牡蛎之间即存在交配前的配子不亲和性隔离，又存在交配后隔离，主要表现为杂种不活。

Molecular evidence for the sister relationship of the eastern Asia-North American intercontinental species pair in the Podophyllum group (Berberidaceae)

The presumed pair relationships of intercontinental vicariad species in the Podophyllum group (Sinopodophyllum hexandrum vs. Podophyllum pelatum and Diphylleia grayi vs. D. cymosa) were recently, considered to be paraphyletic. In the present paper, the trnL-F and ITS gene sequences of the representatives were used to examine the sister relationships of these two vicariad species. A heuristic parsimony analysis based on the trnLF data identified Diphylleia as the basal clade of the other three genera, but provided poor resolution of their inter-relationships. High sequence divergence was found in the ITS data. ITS1 region, more variable but parsimonyuninformative. has no phylogenetic value, Sequence divergence of the ITS2 region provided abundant, phylogenetically informative variable characters. Analysis of ITS2 sequences confirmeda sister relationship between the presumable vicariad species, in spite of a low bootstrap support for Sinopodophyllum hexandrum vs. Podophyllum pelatum. The combined ITS2 and trnL-F data enforced a sister relationship between Sinopodophyllum hexandrum and Podophyllum pelatum with an elevated bootstrap support of 100%. Based on molecular phylogeny, the morphological evolution of this group was discussed. The self-pollination might have evolved from cross-fertilization two times in this group. The different pollination and seed dispersal systems of Sinopodophyllum hexandrum and Podophlyllum pelatum resulted from their adaptations to different ecological habitats. The divergence time of Sinopodophyllum hexandrum-Podophyllum pelatum is estimated to be 6.52+/-1.89 myr based on the ITS divergence. The divergence of this species pair predated or co-occurred with the recent uplift of the Himalayas 4-3 myr during the late Miocene and the formation of the alpine habitats. Sinopodophyllum hexandrum developed a host of specialized characters in its subsequent adaptation to the arid alpine surroundings. The present study confirmed the different patterns of species relationship between Asian-North American disjuncts. The isolation of plant elements between North America and eastern Asia must have been a gradual process, resulting in the different phylogenetic patterns and divergence times of the disjuncts.

Aspects of the biology of Mya arenaria and Ensis spp. (Mollusca; Bivalvia) in the Irish Sea and adjacent areas

This study was undertaken to investigate the general biology, including the reproductive cycle and health status, of two clam taxa in Irish waters, with particular reference to the Irish Sea area. Monthly samples of the soft shell clam, Mya arenaria, were collected from Bannow Bay, Co. Wexford, Ireland, for sixteen months, and of the razor clam, Ensis spp. from the Skerries region (Irish Sea) between June 2010 and September 2011. In 2010, M. arenaria in Bannow Bay matured over the summer months, with both sexes either ripe or spawning by August. The gonads of both sexes of E. siliqua developed over autumn and winter 2010, with the first spawning individuals being recorded in January 2011. Two unusually cold winters, followed by a warmer than average spring, appear to have affected M. arenaria and E. siliqua gametogenesis at these sites. It was noted that wet weight of E. siliqua dropped significantly in the summer of both 2010 and 2011, after spawning, which may impact on the economic viability of fishing during this period. Additional samples of M. arenaria were collected at Flaxfort (Ireland), and Ensis spp. at Oxwich (Wales), and the pathology of all clams was examined using both histological and molecular methods. No pathogenic conditions were observed in M. arenaria while Prokaryote inclusions, trematode parasites, Nematopsis spp. and inflammatory pathologies were observed at low incidences in razor clams from Ireland but not from Wales; the first time these conditions have been reported in Ensis spp. in northern European waters. Mya arenaria from sites in Europe and eastern and western North America were investigated for genetic variation using both mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and 16S ribosomal RNA genes) and nuclear markers (10 microsatellite loci). Both mitochondrial CO1 and all nuclear markers showed reduced levels of variation in certain European samples, with significant differences in haplotype and allelic composition between most samples, particularly those from the two different continents, but with the same common haplotypes or alleles throughout the range. The appearance of certain unique rare haplotypes and microsatellite alleles in the European samples suggest a complicated origin involving North American colonization but also possible southern European Pleistocene refugia. Specimens of Ensis spp. were obtained from five coastal areas around Ireland and Wales and species-specific PCR primers were used to amplify the internal transcribed spacer region 1 (ITS1) and the mitochondrial DNA CO1 gene and all but 15 razor clams were identified as Ensis siliqua. Future investigations should focus on continued monitoring of reproductive biology and pathology of the two clam taxa (in particular, to assess the influence of environmental change), and on genetics of southern European M. arenaria and sequencing the CO1 gene in Ensis individuals to clarify species identity

Structure, function, and phylogeny of the mating locus in the Rhizopus oryzae complex.

The Rhizopus oryzae species complex is a group of zygomycete fungi that are common, cosmopolitan saprotrophs. Some strains are used beneficially for production of Asian fermented foods but they can also act as opportunistic human pathogens. Although R. oryzae reportedly has a heterothallic (+/-) mating system, most strains have not been observed to undergo sexual reproduction and the genetic structure of its mating locus has not been characterized. Here we report on the mating behavior and genetic structure of the mating locus for 54 isolates of the R. oryzae complex. All 54 strains have a mating locus similar in overall organization to Phycomyces blakesleeanus and Mucor circinelloides (Mucoromycotina, Zygomycota). In all of these fungi, the minus (-) allele features the SexM high mobility group (HMG) gene flanked by an RNA helicase gene and a TP transporter gene (TPT). Within the R. oryzae complex, the plus (+) mating allele includes an inserted region that codes for a BTB/POZ domain gene and the SexP HMG gene. Phylogenetic analyses of multiple genes, including the mating loci (HMG, TPT, RNA helicase), ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA, RPB2, and LDH genes, identified two distinct groups of strains. These correspond to previously described sibling species R. oryzae sensu stricto and R. delemar. Within each species, discordant gene phylogenies among multiple loci suggest an outcrossing population structure. The hypothesis of random-mating is also supported by a 50:50 ratio of plus and minus mating types in both cryptic species. When crossed with tester strains of the opposite mating type, most isolates of R. delemar failed to produce zygospores, while isolates of R. oryzae produced sterile zygospores. In spite of the reluctance of most strains to mate in vitro, the conserved sex locus structure and evidence for outcrossing suggest that a normal sexual cycle occurs in both species.

Are Prorocentrum hoffmannianum and Prorocentrum belizeanum (Dinophyceae, Prorocentrales), the same species? An integration of morphological and molecular data.

The taxonomic assignment of Prorocentrum species is based on morphological characteristics; however, morphological variability has been found for several taxa isolated from different geographical regions. In this study, we evaluated species boundaries of Prorocentrum hoffmannianum and Prorocentrum belizeanum based on morphological and molecular data. A detailed morphological analysis was done, concentrating on the periflagellar architecture. Molecular analyses were performed on partial Small Sub-Unit (SSU) rDNA, partial Large Sub-Unit (LSU) rDNA, complete Internal Transcribed Spacer Regions (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2), and partial cytochrome b (cob) sequences. We concatenated the SSU-ITS-LSU fragments and constructed a phylogenetic tree using Bayesian Inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. Morphological analyses indicated that the main characters, such as cell size and number of depressions per valve, normally used to distinguish P. hoffmannianum from P. belizeanum, overlapped. No clear differences were found in the periflagellar area architecture. Prorocentrum hoffmannianum and P. belizeanum were a highly supported monophyletic clade separated into three subclades, which broadly corresponded to the sample collection regions. Subtle morphological overlaps found in cell shape, size, and ornamentation lead us to conclude that P. hoffmanianum and P. belizeanum might be considered conspecific. The molecular data analyses did not separate P. hoffmannianum and P. belizeanum into two morphospecies, and thus, we considered them to be the P. hoffmannianum species complex because their clades are separated by their geographic origin. These geographic and genetically distinct clades could be referred to as ribotypes: (A) Belize, (B) Florida-Cuba, (C1) India, and (C2) Australia.

Phylogeographic analysis of the red seaweed Palmaria palmata reveals a Pleistocene marine glacial refugium in the English Channel

Phylogeography has provided a new approach to the analysis of the postglacial history of a wide range of taxa but, to date, little is known about the effect of glacial periods on the marine biota of Europe. We have utilized a combination of nuclear, plastid and mitochondrial genetic markers to study the biogeographic history of the red seaweed Palmaria palmata in the North Atlantic. Analysis of the nuclear rDNA operon (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2), the plastid 16S-trnI-trnA-23S-5S, rbcL-rbcS and rpl12-rps31-rpl9 regions and the mitochondrial cox2–3 spacer has revealed the existence of a previously unidentified marine refugium in the English Channel, along with possible secondary refugia off the southwest coast of Ireland and in northeast North America and/or Iceland. Coalescent and mismatch analyses date the expansion of European populations from approximately 128 000 bp and suggest a continued period of exponential growth since then. Consequently, we postulate that the penultimate (Saale) glacial maximum was the main event in shaping the biogeographic history of European P. palmata populations which persisted throughout the last (Weichselian) glacial maximum (c. 20 000 bp) in the Hurd Deep, an enigmatic trench in the English Channel.

Understanding genetic diversity of the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica

Economical breeding is important to obtain maximum gain from the breeding in the animal sector. The economic loss has to be eliminated or should be minimized. The liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, present mostly in sheep and dairy cattle affect the yield of animals and even cause their death. To eliminate or minimize the impact of these parasites on the animals, it is important to understand the genetic diversity of the liver fluke populations and the relationship between parasite and host at regional bases. This research was carried out to determine diversity by sequence analysis of the mitochondrial ND1 gene and ribosomal ITS1 region.