Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marvin Choquet, Apollo M. Lizano, Alan Le Moan, Mark Ravinet, Anusha K. S. Dhanasiri, Galice Hoarau
Summary: Interspecific hybridization events are increasing in natural systems due to climate change. Microsatellites have been commonly used to identify admixed individuals, but recent studies have revealed incorrect reports of hybridization due to technical artefacts. In this study, two large SNP datasets were used to investigate the potential for hybridization among Calanus species. The results showed that Calanus species are distinct and do not appear to hybridize. Additionally, re-evaluation of microsatellites revealed technical issues that led to false results.
Article
Fisheries
Haitao Ma, Dongmei Yu, Jun Li, Yanping Qin, Yuehuan Zhang, Ziniu Yu
Summary: In this study, a consensus genetic map of Hong Kong oyster was constructed using microsatellite markers. The map will be important for future marker assisted selection and gene mapping. Tri-nucleotide microsatellite markers showed greater potential for these applications compared to di-nucleotide markers.
Article
Fisheries
Weifeng Gao, Wenxiao Cui, Fangchun Wu, Huiying Chen, Simin Liu, Mengyun Guan, Hafiz Sohaib Ahmed Saqib, Shaopan Ye, Mhd Ikhwanuddin, Hongyu Ma
Summary: Genetic diversity was analyzed in two wild populations and three families of Scylla species, indicating high genetic diversity in the wild paternal S. paramamosain population and suggesting its suitability for artificial breeding. Analysis of molecular variance showed that genetic differentiation mainly occurred within populations, indicating potential genetic differentiation among Scylla family groups due to artificial breeding. The F-1 hybrid offspring showed close genetic relationship and potential for artificial breeding with the paternal S. paramamosain population.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chen Hsiao, Hsin-Hung Lin, Shann-Ren Kang, Chien-Yi Hung, Pei-Yu Sun, Chieh-Cheng Yu, Kok-Lin Toh, Pei-Ju Yu, Yu-Ten Ju
Summary: Deer species around the world are threatened by human interference, particularly through the translocation of alien species and genetic introgression. Deer products are also at risk of fraudulent labeling. Current molecular markers for identifying deer species have limited applicability. The absence of effective diagnostic techniques for identifying deer species has hindered conservation efforts.
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Natalia Segura-Alabart, Francesc Serratosa, Sergio Gomez, Alberto Fernandez
Summary: Agglomerative hierarchical clustering is a common tool for data analysis and visualization, but the nonuniqueness of clustering solutions when distances are tied is a critical problem. This study shows that about 46% of publications in the Scopus database are affected by this issue, with some articles having multiple possible hierarchical clusterings.
BRIEFINGS IN BIOINFORMATICS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ehsan Ahmadi, Mohammad Reza Zabihi, Ramin Hosseinzadeh, Leila Mohamed Khosroshahi, Farshid Noorbakhsh
Summary: The study identified multiple protein sequence similarities between SARS-CoV-2 and non-coronavirus ssRNA viruses, especially in RNA-dependent RNA-polymerases and helicases. Additionally, a similarity was observed between the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and paramyxovirus fusion proteins. Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 variants showed some variants with higher spike-fusion similarity with paramyxoviruses, suggesting a degree of convergent evolution between the viruses.
Article
Fisheries
Richard Flamio, Kimberly A. Chojnacki, Aaron J. DeLonay, Marlene J. Dodson, Rachel M. Gocker, Jill A. Jenkins, Jeffrey Powell, Edward J. Heist
Summary: The Order Acipenseriformes is an ancient lineage of osteichthyan fishes with most extant species at conservation risk. This study aimed to produce pallid sturgeon gynogens with 100% homozygous DNA contributed by the maternal parent for future SNP marker development.
Article
Microbiology
Zhengyu Luo, Yating Ning, Shuying Yu, Meng Xiao, Rongchen Dai, Xinfei Chen, Yao Wang, Wei Kang, Yan Jiang, Hua Yu, Hongjie Liang, Yingchun Xu, Tianshu Sun, Li Zhang
Summary: This study developed a microsatellite loci-based typing method for distinguishing among C. orthopsilosis isolates. Four highly reproducible and specific loci were identified for molecular typing. The method showed high discriminatory power and was valuable for strain relatedness determination and transmission monitoring in epidemiological studies.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
V. K. Kapula, H. O. N. Ndjaula, M. Schulze, D. Durholtz, D. Japp, L. Singh, C. A. Matthee, S. von der Heyden, R. Henriques
Summary: This study re-evaluated the geographic position of shallow-water hake and found small seasonal differences in population composition. The two populations of shallow-water hake are isolated by environment, and depth and sea surface temperatures may be important drivers in shaping their migration patterns.
FISHERIES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Fhatuwani Thovhogi, Eastonce T. Gwata, Godwin R. A. Mchau, Sieyaam S. Safodien, Trevor Koopman
Summary: The study utilized molecular markers to investigate the genetic diversity between local and exotic accessions of spider plant germplasm, revealing that local accessions were more genetically diverse and contained more rare alleles. Nei's genetic distance and analysis of molecular variance indicated low population differentiation between local and exotic accessions.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yude Wang, Jiajun Yao, Yaxin Luo, Huifang Tan, Xu Huang, Shi Wang, Qinbo Qin, Chun Zhang, Min Tao, Konrad Dabrowski, Shaojun Liu
Summary: This study reported the distant hybridization between female koi carp and male bighead carp, resulting in the production of new types of fish including crucian carp-like homodiploid fish, a triploid hybrid, and a tetraploid hybrid. The findings have significant implications for fish genetic breeding and evolutionary biology.
MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Francisco Izquierdo, Iosu Paradinas, Santiago Cervino, David Conesa, Alexandre Alonso-Fernandez, Francisco Velasco, Izaskun Preciado, Antonio Punzon, Fran Saborido-Rey, Maria Grazia Pennino
Summary: This study assessed the persistent aggregation of European hake recruits in the northern continental shelf of the Iberian Peninsula. The preferential habitat of recruits was found to be within a bathymetric range of 120-200 m, with bathymetry being the most important environmental variable influencing their occurrence and abundance. The analytical framework applied in this study allowed the identification of European hake nurseries and their spatio-temporal fluctuations, as well as the influence of environmental factors on the distribution of recruits.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Richard Flamio, Dominic G. Swift, David S. Portnoy, Kimberly A. Chojnacki, Aaron J. DeLonay, Jeffrey Powell, Patrick J. Braaten, Edward J. Heist
Summary: This study focuses on the development of disomic markers for the endangered pallid sturgeon, which will be used to examine the extent and trajectory of hybridization among Scaphirhynchus individuals.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anthony Nzioka, Ainara Valencia, Aitor Atxaerandio-Landa, Oihane Diaz de Cerio, Mohammad Amzad Hossain, Maria Korta, Maren Ortiz-Zarragoitia, Ibon Cancio
Summary: This study investigated genes related to apoptosis and autophagy during follicular atresia in European hake. The results showed different implications of apoptotic and autophagic processes during oocyte development. The analyzed genes could serve as biomarkers for early detection of follicular atresia and evaluation of fecundity in fish stocks.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Mateja Kisek, Kristjan Jarni, Robert Brus
Summary: The study focuses on the morphological and genetic characteristics of European crab apple and the occurrence of hybrids in its populations. Hybridization with domesticated apples is observed in European crab apple populations, but hybrids and feral cultivars are limited in occurrence.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alicia Dalongeville, Erica S. Nielsen, Peter R. Teske, Sophie von Der Heyden
Summary: The study found that temperature variation is a prominent source of intraspecific genetic variation along the South African coastline characterized by high environmental heterogeneity. Genetic diversity differs between bioregions, but does not display higher levels within the core of each species' range when assessed across multiple species.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Erica S. Nielsen, Jeffrey O. Hanson, Silvia B. Carvalho, Maria Beger, Romina Henriques, Francine Kershaw, Sophie von der Heyden
Summary: Integrative and proactive conservation approaches are essential for the long-term survival of biodiversity. Molecular data, although rarely used, can provide valuable insights for conserving biodiversity at different levels. This article bridges the gap between molecular ecology and systematic conservation planning, providing a practical guide for incorporating molecular data into spatial conservation planning tools. The proposed framework enhances interdisciplinary collaboration, which is key to achieving ambitious global conservation goals in the coming decade.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biodiversity Conservation
Deyan Ge, Yanhua Qu, Tao Deng, Wilfried Thuiller, Cene Fiser, Per G. P. Ericson, Baocheng Guo, Noe U. de la Sancha, Sophie von Der Heyden, Zhonge Hou, Jiatang Li, Alexei Abramov, Alfried P. Vogler, Knud A. Jonsson, Russell Mittermeier
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Johanna W. van Wyk, Janine B. Adams, Sophie von der Heyden
Summary: Global seagrass populations are declining, and the prevalence and impact of glyphosate on seagrasses are not well understood. This study found that sublethal glyphosate exposure negatively affected the growth and biomass of the endangered seagrass Zostera capensis. These effects occurred at glyphosate levels below regulatory limits. Glyphosate and other herbicides washed into estuarine and marine ecosystems pose a significant threat to seagrass persistence.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Veronica Mendoza-Portillo, Francisco J. Garcia-De Leon, Sophie von Der Heyden
Summary: In this study, the researchers examined the genetic diversity and population structure of the Almaco jack and found that climate change and fishing pressure can negatively impact the species' geographic distribution and genomic diversity. The loss of genomic diversity in the eastern-central Pacific Ocean can have significant effects on fisheries that rely on this resource.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarah Forde, Sophie von Der Heyden, Alan Le Moan, Erica S. Nielsen, Deon Durholtz, Paulus Kainge, Johannes N. Kathena, Marek R. Lipinski, Hilkka O. N. Ndjaula, Conrad A. Matthee, Romina Henriques
Summary: Genomic information can be used to establish sustainable management plans for commercially exploited marine fishes, such as the southern African hakes. The study found that the two hake species, M. capensis and M. paradoxus, have similar levels of genomic diversity but exhibit different population structures. The findings provide valuable insights for conservation and management efforts for these commercially important species.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Genetics & Heredity
Sophie von der Heyden
Summary: Sophie von der Heyden highlights a paper by Barber et al. that investigated the genetic structuring variations in populations of the mantis shrimp Haptosquilla pulchella, further enhancing our comprehension of the evolutionary dynamics of marine species.
NATURE REVIEWS GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Mosihla Frederick Mokumo, Janine B. Adams, Sophie von Der Heyden
Summary: This study investigated the transplantation of endangered seagrass species, Zostera capensis, using different planting patterns and core sizes in two estuaries in South Africa. The results showed that there were no significant differences in transplantation success among different core sizes and patterns in the Knysna Estuary, but the compact pattern had better survival rates in the Klein Brak Estuary. The study highlighted the challenges of seagrass restoration in South Africa due to limited suitable habitats and environmental variability.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Conrad A. Matthee, Anandi Bierman, Boris R. Krasnov, Sonja Matthee, Luther van der Mescht
Summary: This study conducted a metagenetic analysis of flea samples collected from different sampling sites in South Africa, and found that the bacterial diversity of the parasites is influenced by host species and environmental factors. Differences in microbiome compositions were observed between different flea species and across geographic sampling sites, with temperature and humidity identified as potentially important environmental factors.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
H. Beckett, O. K. Hansen, S. von der Heyden, G. F. Midgley
Summary: The African penguin population has declined rapidly due to anthropogenic activities such as habitat loss, competition for prey, and climate change. This decline is closely related to the reduction in the size and number of islands where the penguins nest, as well as shifts in the geographic distribution of these islands. These changes have important implications for assessing the vulnerability of the African penguin species.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Katie M. Watson, Deena Pillay, Sophie von der Heyden
Summary: This study investigates restoration strategies for the endangered Zostera capensis in South Africa, finding that transplanting cores is the most effective method for long-term persistence and cover, but it requires significant resources.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
S. E. Smit, R. Henriques, M. Jackson, R. Taylor, L. Vivier, S. von der Heyden
Summary: Seagrasses, such as Zostera capensis, are facing threats from human activities and climate change in South Africa. This study reveals distinct population clusters and unique evolutionary signals among Z. capensis populations, particularly in the eastern regions of KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Mlalazi Estuary population shows low genomic diversity, possibly due to its small and dynamic nature. Conservation efforts should consider the unique characteristics of geographically close populations, especially during restoration.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)