Exclusive gene mapping of congenital microphthalmia in a Chinese family

Congenital microphthalmia is a developmental ocular disorder and might be caused by the mutations in the genes involved in eye development. To uncover the genetic cause in a six-generation Chinese pedigree with autosomal dominant congenital microphthalmia

Analysis of complete mitochondrial genome sequences increases phylogenetic resolution of bears (Ursidae), a mammalian family that experienced rapid speciation

Background: Despite the small number of ursid species, bear phylogeny has long been a focus of study due to their conservation value, as all bear genera have been classified as endangered at either the species or subspecies level. The Ursidae family repre

Molecular evolution of the keratin associated protein gene family in mammals, role in the evolution of mammalian hair

Background: Hair is unique to mammals. Keratin associated proteins (KRTAPs), which contain two major groups: high/ultrahigh cysteine and high glycine-tyrosine, are one of the major components of hair and play essential roles in the formation of rigid and

A Profound Role for the Expansion of Trypsin-Like Serine Protease Family in the Evolution of Hematophagy in Mosquito

The trypsin-like serine protease (Tryp_SPc) family is ubiquitous in animals and plays diverse roles, especially in the digestive system, in different phyla. In the mosquito, some Tryp_SPc proteases make important contributions to the digestion of the bloo

Phylogeny of the Asian spiny frog tribe Paini (Family Dicroglossidae) sensu Dubois

The anuran tribe Paini, family Dicroglossidae, is known in this group only from Asia. The phylogenetic relationships and often the taxonomic recognition of species are controversial. In order to stabilize the classification, we used approximately 2100bp o

Reply to van Oven: Suggestions and caveats for naming mtDNA haplogroup

The authors thank all subjects for their participation and Mr. Wen-Zhi Wang for helpful assistance with the data analysis. This study was supported in part by grants (30725044) from the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Identification and molecular evolution of cow CENP-A gene family

The centromere protein A (CENP-A), a histone H3-like protein, provides an essential role for chromosomal segregation during mitosis and meiosis. In this study we identified ten new CENP-A-like genes (excluding the original CENP-A gene) in cow by searching

Diversity, abundance distribution and secondary production of intertidal and subtidal benthic macrofauna of Bushehr Province with emphasis on annelida groups

The present investigation was undertaken to establish a reference situation for future use, to identify temporal and spatial composition of macrofauna and estimate some ecological indices in the sub tidal waters along the Bushehr coastal waters in Persian Gulf. Six transects were selected including Genaveh, Farakeh, Shif, Bandargah, Rostami and Asalouyeh, at each transect 3 station were sampled in depths of zero, 5 and 10 metres. Sampling was seasonally carried out by a VAN VEEN grab 0.0225 m2, during summer 2008 until spring 2009. Samples were wet sieved immediately using 0.5 mm mesh size sieves and sediment retained in the sieve was preserved in 4% buffered formalin solution. Macrofauna specimen were separated from the sediments using decantation and elutriation methods, enumerated and identified up to the Genus level. Environmental factors such as temperature. pH, and salinity were recorded in field using sensitive probs and refractometer (for salinity) and also sediment samples were taken for TOM and grain size analysis in all the stations. 5611 specimens belonging to 66 genera were collected during the present study. Polychaetes were dominant both in terms of genus number (31) and relative abundance (74 % of total macrofaunal abundance). The other dominant groups were Artheropoda, (16.1%), Molusca (2.8%), Echinodermata (1.29%) and others including Nematoda, Nemertina, Echiura and Turbellaria (5.8%). Thirty one Genera belong of 27 families of polychaeta, one genus and family of Subphylum Chlicerata,19 genera belong to 14 families of Crustacea, 8 genera belong to 6 families of Molusca, were indentified in the studied region. 1 family (Polygordidae) and 3 genera (Flabeligera, Pilargis and Polygordius) of Polychaeta, 1 family (Nymphonidae) and genus (Nymphon) of Chelicerata, 1 Family (Nematoplanidae) and genus (Nematoplana) of Turbellaria, were identified for the first time in Persian Gulf area. The result indicated that macrofauna organism have strong relationship with the grain size characteristics of the sediments they inhabit. The most surface deposit feeder specimens such as Prionospio and Cossura were found in zero meters depth of Genaveh, Farakeh, Bandargah, Rostami and Asalouyeh stations with sandy substratum, however the most burrowing deposit feeder and scavenger specimens such as Capitella and Petaloproctus were collected in 5 and 10 meter depths of stations with silty–clay substratum. The annual mean abundance, Shanon- weiner diversity and evenness of macrofauna were estimated1152.73 N/ m² , 2.72 and 0.792 respectively .The annual average biomass and secondary production were computed 1.797 gDW m² and 3.594 gDW m² y-1 .The average of water temperature, salinity, pH and oxygen concentration were recorded between 16.37-36.05 °C, 38-42 g/l, 7.89-8.76 and 4.23-8.23 mg/l, respectively during this study in 6 studied region. Among of investigated stations Asalouyeh adjacent of effluent canal of Gas and petrochemical industry sewage and Farakeh regions adjacent the Helleh estuary had the lowets and the highest community indices. The average of diversity and density in 5 meters depth stations with moderate of sand, silt and clay were slightly more than 2 other depths stations, it seems that 5 meters stations are made a transition habitats between 2 sandy and clay habitats, that can be used by 2 groups of surface and borrowing deposit feeders. Based on the data provided in this survey, the temperature variation, sediment texture, TOM, type habitat and manmade factors of Gas and petrochemical industries have had the most effect on the macrofauna community structure in the studied region during sampling periods.

Large Gene Family Expansions and Adaptive Evolution for Odorant and Gustatory Receptors in the Pea Aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum

Gaining insight into the mechanisms of chemoreception in aphids is of primary importance for both integrative studies on the evolution of host plant specialization and applied research in pest control management because aphids rely on their sense of smell

Species identification of family Lutjanidae and separation of populations of John’s snapper (Lutjanus johnii) in Persian Gulf and Oman Sea based on otolith shape analysis

The anatomical and morphometric (shape indices, contour descriptors and otolith weight) characterizations of sagittal otoliths were investigated in 13 species of Lutjanus spp. inhabiting the Persian Gulf. This is the first study that compares the efficiency of three different image analysis techniques for discriminating species based on the shape of the outer otolith contour, including elliptical Fourier descriptors (EFD), fast Fourier transform (FFT) and wavelet transform (WT). Sagittal otoliths of snappers are morphologically similar with some small specific variations. The use of otolith contour based on wavelets (WT) provided the best results in comparison with the two other methods based on Fourier descriptors, but only the combination of the all three methods (EFD, FFT and WT) was useful to obtain a robust classification of species. The species prediction improved when otolith weight was included. In relation to the shape indices, only the aspect ratio provided a clear grouping of species. Also, another study was carried on to test the possibility of application of shape analysis and comparing otolith contour of otoliths of Lutjanus johnii from Persian Gulf and Oman Sea to identify potential stocks. The results showed the otoliths have differences in contour shape and can be contribute to two different stocks.

Identification of mesopelagic fish (with emphasis on major family) in Iranian water of the Oman Sea

This project was done for identifying the mesopelagic fish of the Iranian waters of Oman Sea, during two year from 2008 to 2010. The specimens were collected using two trawler vessel from nine station. All the specimens were fixed in formalin then in 70% alcohol and carried to the laboratory. In total of 19 species belonged to 14 families of 6 orders identified including: Echinorhinidae, Stomidae, Phosichthyidae, Synodontidae, Paralepididae, Myctophidae, Acropomatidae, Priacanthidae, Pentacerotidae, Champsodontidae, Gempylidae, Trichiuridae, Nomeidae and Congridae. Of which 17 species were identified up to species level including: Echinorhinus brucus, Bathophilus indicus, Chauliodus sloani, Harpadon nehereus, Lestrolepis japonica, Benthosema pterotum, Diaphus garmani, Diaphus effulgens, Bolinichthys photothorax, Acropoma japonicum, Synagrops adeni, Cookeolus boops, Histiopterus typus, Champsodon sagittus, Neoepinnula orientalis, Trichiurus lepturus, Cubiceps baxteri. Vinciguerria was identified up to genus level because only one specimen caught during the survey and one species (Congridae) was identified up to family level because only 3 specimens of this fish in early stage of life were caught and their characters were not suitable for identify up to species level. The highest species belong to Myctophidae family of Myctophiformes order.

Allometric study of skeleton weight, body weight and length relationship of Euryglossa orientalis (Bl. & Schn.) (Family: Soleidae) from Karachi coast

Present study deals with the family Soleidae (common sole) Euryglossa orientalis (Bl. & Schn.) of the order Pleuronectiformis from Karachi coast. Separate equation (regression line) for describing the length weight relationships for male and female combined are justified. Allometric studies were made on skeleton weight relative to the length and the weight of the fish. The regression equation 'a' and 'b' values of standard length/skeleton weight and body weight/skeleton weight are statistically significant.

Studies on diversity of Hara's Laft-Khamir and Sout Beaches of the Gheshm polychaete

One of the most important marine ecologic phenomenon , is the study of animal community among the bed or benthic fauna. Macrobenthoses are the graet part of the benthic faune , that are more biomasses than meiofauna and microfauna. To study polychaetes diversity of Mangroves, located in Khoore-Khooran , sampling was conducted on a bimonthly and carried out from December 2001 to October 2002. Bottom samples were collected by Van Veen grab (0.025 m2)at 6 station from 2 transect Insitu measurement of temperature , pH , Do and salinity were done . Atotal of polychaetes werw identified within study 32 Family and 43 Genus . Cirriphormia and Nephtys were the most dominant genus in the studies . The range fomumerical abundance of polychaets was between 3006 per m2 in the station A3 to 559individual per mein the station A1 and the variation was done to different bottom , texture the variable environment conditions govrtneng the different parts of each creeks as well as within creeks . Application of diversity indices (Shannon H') on the dominant polychates assambladges has higher H' in the Azar and lower 1-1/ in the Mehr . and the stations B3 has the highest H' and the station A2 has the lowest H' Application of diversity and Richness, Evennes were studied and showed that the station A3 has the lowest evenness and the most individual , and station A1 has the middle pollution.