The interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein gene in therian mammals: Implications for higher level relationships and evidence for loss of function in the marsupial mole

The subclass Theria of Mammalia includes marsupials (infraclass Metatheria) and placentals (infraclass Eutheria). Within each group, interordinal relationships remain unclear. One limitation of many studies is incomplete ordinal representation. Here, we analyze DNA sequences for part of exon 1 of the interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein gene, including 10 that are newly reported, for representatives of all therian orders. Among placentals, the most robust clades are Cetartiodactyla, Paenungulata, and an expanded African clade that includes paenungulates, tubulidentates, and macroscelideans. Anagalida, Archonta, Altungulata, Hyracoidea + Perissodactyla, Ungulata, and the “flying primate” hypothesis are rejected by statistical tests. Among marsupials, the most robust clade includes all orders except Didelphimorphia. The phylogenetic placement of the monito del monte and the marsupial mole remains unclear. However, the marsupial mole sequence contains three frameshift indels and numerous stop codons in all three reading frames. Given that the interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein gene is a single-copy gene that functions in the visual cycle and that the marsupial mole is blind with degenerate eyes, this finding suggests that phenotypic degeneration of the eyes is accompanied by parallel changes at the molecular level as a result of relaxed selective constraints.

The joining (J) chain is present in invertebrates that do not express immunoglobulins.

Joining (J) chain is a component of polymeric, but not monomeric, immunoglobulin (Ig) molecules and may play a role in their polymerization and transport across epithelial cells. To date, study of the J chain has been confined to vertebrates that produce Ig and in which the J chain displays a considerable degree of structural homology. The role of the J chain in Ig polymerization has been questioned and, since the J chain can be expressed in lymphoid cells that do not produce Ig, it is possible that the J chain may have other functions. To explore this possibility, we have surveyed J-chain gene, mRNA, and protein expression by using reverse transcriptase-coupled PCR, Northern blot analysis, and immunoblot analysis in invertebrate species that do not produce Ig. We report that the J-chain gene is expressed in invertebrates (Mollusca, Annelida, Arthropoda, Echinodermata, and Holothuroidea), as well as in representative vertebrates (Mammalia, Teleostei, Amphibia). Furthermore, J-chain cDNA from the earthworm has a high degree of homology (68-76%) to human, mouse, and bovine J chains. Immunohistochemical studies reveal that the J chain is localized in the mucous cells of body surfaces, intestinal epithelial cells, and macrophage-like cells of the earthworm and slug. This study suggests that the J chain is a primitive polypeptide that arose before the evolution of Ig molecules and remains highly conserved in extent invertebrates and vertebrates.

Reports of the Princeton University Expeditions to Patagonia, 1896-1899 : J.B. Hatcher in charge /

At head of title: J. Pierpont Morgan Publication Fund.

The Cambridge natural history,

Vols. 1, 2, 5-7, 9 reprinted 1922; v. 3, 1927; and vols. 4, 8, 10, 1923.

Illustrated natural history /

Includes indexes.

Caroli a Linné ... Systema naturae per regna tria naturae Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis ... /

Contiene: T. 1: Pars I: Mammalia, Aves. Pars II: Aves. Pars III: Amphibia reptilia, Serpentes, Pisces. Pars IV: Insecta Coleoptera, Hemiptera. Pars V: Insecta lepidoptera. Pars VI: Vermes. Pars VII: Index ; T.2: Regnum vegetabile ; T.3: Regnum lapideum.

Collected works.

v. 1. The aquarium : an unveiling of the wonders of the deep sea -- v. 2. Assyria : her restored from her monuments -- v. 3. The Canadian naturalist : a series of conversations on the natural history of Lower Canada -- v. 4. Evenings at the microscope, or, Researches among the minuter organs and forms of animal life -- v. 5-6. An introduction to zoology. -- v. 1-2-v. 7. Land and sea -- v. 8. Life in its lower, intermediate, and higher forms, or, Manifestations of the divine wisdom in the natural history of animals. 3d. ed. -- v. 9. The monuments of ancient Egypt, and their relation to the Word of God -- v. 10. Natural history. Mammalia -- v. 11. A naturalist's rambles on the Devonshire coast -- v. 12. A naturalist's sojourn in Jamaica / (Assisted by Richard Hill) -- v. 13. The ocean -- v. 14. Ompholos : an attempt to untie the geological knot -- v. 15. Sacred streams : the ancient and modern history of the river of the Bible. New ed., rev. -- v. 16. Tenby : a sea-side holiday -- v. 17. A year at the shore.

Vergleichend-anatomische und entwickelungsgeschichtliche untersuchungen an walthieren,

Issued in 2 pts. dated 1889, 1893.

Dr. H.G. Bronn's Klassen und Ordnungen des Thier-Reichs : wissenschaftlich dargestellt in Wort und Bild.

Imprint varies: some volumes have imprint: Leipzig: Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft.

Transactions ...

Parts of a projected work entitled "The fauna of Scotland; with special reference to Clydesdale and the western district" were issued with the Proceedings as follows: with v. 3, p. 3, 1878, Hymenoptera, pt. I [By Peter Cameron. 1878] 52 p. ; with v. 4, pt. 1, 1880, Mammalia. By E.R. Alston. 1880. 1 p. l., 39 p.; with v. 4, pt. 1, 1880, Fresh and brackish-water Ostracoda. By David Robertson. 1880. 1 p. l., 35 p. ; with new ser., v. 1, pt. 2, 1886, Hymenoptera, pt. II. By Peter Cameron. 1886. 2 p. l., [53]-95 p.

Catalogus rerum naturalium rarissimarum.

At head of title: The Willoughby Society.

The medals of creation, or, First lessons in geology, and in the study of organic remains /

"A geological excursion to Tilgate forest A.D. 2000, by Thomas Hood": p. 982-985.