Review
Genetics & Heredity
Mohammed Piro
Summary: The development of molecular genetics has provided insights into the genetic diversity and domestication processes of dromedary camels, utilizing techniques such as microsatellites and nuclear SNPs. Studies have revealed a distinct global genetic structure in dromedaries, with differentiation between various regions.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Katherine A. Farquharson, Elspeth A. McLennan, Adrian Wayne, Michael Smith, Emma Peel, Katherine Belov, Carolyn J. Hogg
Summary: The study on woylie in Australia demonstrates the benefits of generating a large number of SNPs for providing conservation recommendations, while also highlighting the significant differences between observed and expected heterozygosity. It is shown that conservation recommendations are broadly similar between microsatellite and SNP data sets.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Shuqin Liu, Chunzheng Fu, Yunzhou Yang, Yuanyuan Zhang, Hongying Ma, Zhiyao Xiong, Yao Ling, Chunjiang Zhao
Summary: The genetic diversity of Chinese indigenous horses was investigated using Y chromosomal microsatellite markers and known Y chromosomal SNPs and mtDNA sequences. The study revealed highly polymorphic Y chromosomal microsatellite markers in Chinese indigenous horse populations, with the most ancient paternal lines found in mountainous and remote areas of southwestern China. Despite higher mtDNA diversity in southern local breeds, haplogroup frequencies have declined in recent years, leading to some breeds being endangered due to small population sizes.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
M. E. Green, S. A. Appleyard, W. T. White, S. R. Tracey, M. R. Heupel, J. R. Ovenden
Summary: This study used a genetic multi-marker approach to investigate the population structure of scalloped hammerheads in the Indo-Pacific. The findings suggest that management of these shark populations will require international and national cooperation.
FISHERIES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Hao Bai, Hongzhao Lu, Ling Wang, Shanshan Wang, Wenxian Zeng, Tao Zhang
Summary: The Ningqiang pony is a rare Chinese breed, and research has shown that two SNP mutations within the LCORL/NCAPG and LASP1 genes are significantly related to body height, serving as screening markers for height in this breed.
ANIMAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Roman Wenne
Summary: A new type of molecular marker called single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has challenged the existing applications of microsatellites, which are considered as hypervariable neutral molecular markers. However, microsatellites still have advantages in kinship and parentage analysis, genetic diversity research, and can be used in combination with SNPs for mapping QTL.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Xander Velkeneers, P. A. K. N. Dissanayake, Filip Huyghe, Alex Nehemia, Hajaniaina Andrianavalonarivo Ratsimbazafy, Marc Kochzius
Summary: This study collected and identified 24 specimens of Tridacna elongatissima in order to investigate its distribution range, providing the first record for Tanzania and expanding the species' range in both northern (Zanzibar, Tanzania) and southern (Ponta de Ouro, Mozambique) areas.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Rory Nevard, Raphael Labens, Cyril P. Stephen
Summary: This article reports a case of fetal maceration and pyometra in a 16-year-old maiden Welsh pony mare. Various techniques were attempted to manage the complications but resulted in novel complications. This case highlights the difficulties in managing rare cases of mid-term fetal loss and retention, providing potentially useful insights to practitioners in the future.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Alice Ferrari, Valentina Crobe, Rita Cannas, Rob W. Leslie, Fabrizio Serena, Marco Stagioni, Filipe O. Costa, Daniel Golani, Farid Hemida, Diana Zaera-Perez, Letizia Sion, Pierluigi Carbonara, Fabio Fiorentino, Fausto Tinti, Alessia Cariani
Summary: The Raja miraletus species complex shows high morphological and ecological stability in the Eastern Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Through genetic analysis, we discovered multiple sibling taxa and cryptic speciation, supporting the idea of stabilising selection. Despite high species diversity, skates (Rajiformes) have conserved morphology and ecology. Our study confirms the taxonomic boundaries of three recognized species and reveals hidden genetic structures that can contribute to conservation efforts.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yingnan Wang, Yu Wang, Yahui Zhao, Alexandra Yu Kravchenko, Juha Merila, Baocheng Guo
Summary: Through whole-genome resequencing data, the phylogeography of Northeast Asian Pungitius sticklebacks was investigated, revealing three new Pungitius species in China and clarifying the colonization sequence and timing of different Pungitius species in Northeast Asia. This study expands our understanding of Pungitius sticklebacks' phylogeography by extending sampling to nearly half of their known distribution area in Northeast Asia.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Des A. Callaghan, Lisanne van Willegen, Graham Williams, Martin Hollingham, Laurence Jones
Summary: This study investigated the ecology of Petalophyllum ralfsii in an oceanic dune system and found that livestock grazing had a major positive impact on the species. Ponies likely provided directed dispersal into suitable microhabitats. Although restoration scrapes have been colonised by P. ralfsii, the population is small, likely related to water availability.
JOURNAL OF BRYOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Julia Leme Pablos, Ana Kristina Silva, Noemy Seraphim, Luiza de Moraes Magaldi, Anete Pereira de Souza, Andre Victor Lucci Freitas, Karina Lucas Silva-Brandao
Summary: The study on Atlantic Forest White Morpho butterflies shows that there is no clear species diversification and population structure among the populations, suggesting that the current distinction between the two species is unreasonable. Northern samples exhibit more intragroup structure, and clustering tests indicate the existence of three genetic clusters, with turnover between the states of Paran ' a and Sa similar to o Paulo.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biology
Stefania Chiesa, Livia Lucentini, Paula Chainho, Federico Plazzi, Maria Manuel Angelico, Francisco Ruano, Rosa Freitas, Jose Lino Costa
Summary: The study investigated the genetic diversity of Portuguese oyster populations in the Sado estuary, finding that the Pacific oyster is not present in natural oyster beds but occasionally occurs in oyster hatcheries. Despite founder effects and bottleneck events, the Sado populations still exhibit high haplotype diversity. The conservation of Portuguese oyster populations in the Sado estuary is at risk due to the presence of Pacific oysters in local hatcheries, highlighting the need for collaboration among researchers, local authorities, and oyster producers to avoid loss of this valuable resource.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Corey Kirkland, Marta Farre
Summary: Through analyzing mitochondrial genomes, we constructed a phylogenetic tree of Arvicolinae species, revealing significant genetic diversity in captive water voles in Britain and confirming the classification of British water voles into two clades. This study provides valuable insights for future conservation genetics research in this species.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Kunying Lv, Yixin Yang, Qilong Li, Ran Chen, Liang Deng, Yiwei Zhang, Ning Jiang
Summary: Horse's milk, with its high nutritional value and low allergenic proteins, could be a substitute for cow's milk in infant consumption. A proteomic method was used to identify and compare milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) and whey proteins from different horse breeds. The study found differences in protein composition and functionality, which could support the development of formulas more suitable for human infants.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jose Luis Blanco-Pastor, Philippe Barre, Thomas Keep, Thomas Ledauphin, Abraham Escobar-Gutierrez, Anna Maria Roschanski, Evelyn Willner, Klaus J. Dehmer, Matthew Hegarty, Hilde Muylle, Elisabeth Veeckman, Klaas Vandepoele, Tom Ruttink, Isabel Roldan-Ruiz, Stephanie Manel, Jean-Paul Sampoux
Summary: This study identified adaptive loci in perennial ryegrass using a combination of Genome-Environment Association (GEA) and GWAS analyses, as well as a new test based on Canonical Correlation Analysis (CANCOR). The gene annotation was improved through de novo gene prediction and functional annotation of over 39,000 genes. The results revealed potential polygenic and oligogenic climatic adaptations and highlighted the utility of CANCOR for investigating gene interactions involved in polygenic adaptations.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ian J. Mackay, James Cockram, Phil Howell, Wayne Powell
Summary: Transgressive segregation and heterosis are key to successful plant breeding, with integration of molecular biology advancements with sources of heritable trait variation within a quantitative genetics framework being crucial. Genomic selection, revolutionizing animal breeding, is now being applied to both hybrid and inbred crops and is expected to drive major improvements in plant breeding. Enhanced understanding between molecular and quantitative disciplines holds potential for further advancements in plant breeding methodologies, supporting future food security.
PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Thomas Keep, Jean-Paul Sampoux, Philippe Barre, Jose-Luis Blanco-Pastor, Klaus J. Dehmer, Jean-Louis Durand, Matt Hegarty, Thomas Ledauphin, Hilde Muylle, Isabel Roldan-Ruiz, Tom Ruttink, Fabien Surault, Evelin Willner, Florence Volaire
Summary: This study examined the intraspecific variability in strategies to face drought and frost within perennial ryegrass and identified a trade-off between growth potential and dehydration or frost stress survival. The research highlights the importance of seasonal modulation of growth potential for plant adaptation under severe chronic abiotic stresses, emphasizing the need to integrate phenological traits as key components of plant strategies for future regional distribution under climate change.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Stepha McMullin, Barbara Stadlmayr, Kai Mausch, Cesar Revoredo-Giha, Fiona Burnett, Luigi Guarino, Inge D. Brouwer, Ramni Jamnadass, Lars Graudal, Wayne Powell, Ian K. Dawson
Summary: Nutritious orphan crops have the potential to diversify African food systems, but there is a need for appropriate strategies to make this happen. Literature review and analysis of crop production data did not clearly indicate the importance of different interventions, while experts survey showed a lack of consensus on the significance of specific measures for orphan crops. Cross-disciplinary teams are seen as crucial for developing mainstreaming strategies for orphan crops.
GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY-AGRICULTURE POLICY ECONOMICS AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biology
Chin Jian Yang, Joanne Russell, Luke Ramsay, William Thomas, Wayne Powell, Ian Mackay
Summary: The DUS system introduced by UPOV in 1961 for protecting intellectual property of new plant varieties needs urgent review due to increasing demand for new plant varieties, as highlighted in a study evaluating 805 UK barley varieties. The study suggests shifting towards a genomic system for future plant registration.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nelzo C. Ereful, Antonio Laurena, Li-Yu Liu, Shu-Min Kao, Eric Tsai, Andy Greenland, Wayne Powell, Ian Mackay, Hei Leung
Summary: This study indicates that water-limiting conditions have a significant impact on trans and cis+trans factors in gene regulation, with Apo demonstrating higher photosynthetic efficiency under water-limiting conditions. Environmental conditions significantly influence regulatory divergence, and the adaptability of heterosis to external factors is observed in the inheritance mode of parental expression. Additionally, the dominance class of heterosis is significantly enriched under water-stress conditions.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Chin Jian Yang, Rodney N. Edmondson, Hans-Peter Piepho, Wayne Powell, Ian Mackay
Summary: This paper introduces the importance of multiparental Advanced Generation Inter-Cross (MAGIC) populations and the impact of various designs. To address the issues in current MAGIC population designs, the magicdesign R package and its Shiny app version have been developed to provide solutions for the future. Through this package, it is demonstrated that innovative MAGIC population designs can effectively increase haplotype diversity without the need for large crossing programs.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Maithe R. Monteiro de Barros, Mina C. G. Davies-Morel, Luis A. J. Mur, Christopher J. Creevey, Roger H. Alison, Deborah M. Nash
Summary: This study evaluated the transcriptomes of cultured endometrial explants and determined that the optimal temporal window for their use is between 24-48 hours. This key observation will facilitate the appropriate use of this model for further research into the equine endometrium and potentially the progression of mating-induced endometritis to persistent inflammation within 24-48 hours.
Article
Microbiology
Boontarikaan Wititkornkul, Benjamin J. Hulme, John J. Tomes, Nathan R. Allen, Chelsea N. Davis, Sarah D. Davey, Alan R. Cookson, Helen C. Phillips, Matthew J. Hegarty, Martin T. Swain, Peter M. Brophy, Ruth E. Wonfor, Russell M. Morphew
Summary: The study on Anoplocephala perfoliata revealed key immune modulators influencing the host-parasite interface, identified through analysis of transcriptome and secretome proteomics.
Article
Agronomy
Rajiv Sharma, James Cockram, Keith A. Gardner, Joanne Russell, Luke Ramsay, William T. B. Thomas, Donal M. O'Sullivan, Wayne Powell, Ian J. Mackay
Summary: By using variety age as a surrogate for yield, novel QTL for yield and adaptation in wheat and barley were detected without the need for phenotyping. The study identified genomic regions selected over 100 years of crop breeding, showing the potential of historical cultivar collections combined with genomic data to identify chromosomal regions under selection.
THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Lars Graudal, Ian K. Dawson, Iago Hale, Wayne Powell, Prasad Hendre, Ramni Jamnadass
Summary: Linking existing plant breeding methods with global trends and values in new and creative ways provides a 'systems approach' to address global production challenges more effectively. We illustrate this approach through tree breeding, which we coin as 'tree diversity breeding'. The features of this approach are applicable to broader plant breeding problems.
TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Xiao-Haitzi Daniel Puon-Pelaez, Neil Ross McEwan, Roberto Carlos Alvarez-Martinez, Gerardo Mariscal-Landin, Gerardo Manuel Nava-Morales, Juan Mosqueda, Andrea Margarita Olvera-Ramirez
Summary: This study investigated the effects of feeding insoluble fiber on the microbiota and metabolites of rabbits recovering from epizootic rabbit enteropathy. The results showed that a low-fiber diet may increase the short-chain fatty acid content and species diversity index values in the caecum, while decreasing species diversity levels in fecal samples.
Article
Agronomy
Chin Jian Yang, Olufunmilayo Ladejobi, Richard Mott, Wayne Powell, Ian Mackay
Summary: By modeling the distribution of allele frequency over the year of variety release, we have successfully identified major loci involved in historical breeding of winter wheat. Our study reveals that historical selection in winter wheat has mainly targeted yield improvement, but may have negative effects on traits such as flowering time, lodging, plant height and grain protein content. These findings provide important insights for guiding future breeding of winter wheat.
THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS
(2022)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Andrea Margarita Olvera-Ramirez, Neil Ross McEwan, Karen Stanley, Remedios Nava-Diaz, Gabriela Aguilar-Tipacamu
Summary: Wildlife can carry and spread Campylobacter spp., which are important zoonotic pathogens causing bacterial diarrheal diseases. While previous research has focused on domestic animals, this review explores the role of wild vertebrates in carrying Campylobacter spp., finding that many species can act as carriers with some host specificity.