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The phylogenetic relationships of Carassius genus subspecies were investigated based on the data of the variability of nucleotide sequences of the mtDNA cytochrome b (cyt b) and control region (CR). Dendrograms constructed based on the BA, ML, NJ, and MP methods revealed five clusters of the congruent topologies that substantially corresponded to geographical localities and taxonomic conception of the C. auratus complex. An analysis of two mtDNA fragment topologies demonstrated that the island forms of Japanese crucian carps C. cuvieri and C. auratus langsdorfii diverged later compared to the divergence of continental C. auratus forms (4.0-4.5 mln years ago, by molecular calibration). Among the continental silver crucian carps, C. a. gibelio forms two clusters corresponding to two phylogroups with a mean uncorrected genetic distance p = 0.044. The genealogical combination of haplotypes with the first C. a. gibelio phylogroup was observed in C. auratus clade. According to the data of mtDNA analysis, these subspecies represent sister lineages with a level of intergroup divergence of p = 0.022-0.036. No genetic differences were observed between diploid (except for the two C. a. gibelio phylogroups) and polyploid C a. auratus, as well as monophyly in polyploid forms. New approaches based on a comparative study of the nuclear markers might help to unravel the origin of gynogenetic forms and phylogenetic relationships within the C. auratus complex.

PCR-RFLP analysis of the ND3/ND4L/ND4 and 12S/16S rRNA regions and nucleotide sequence variation of the cytochrome b gene were used to study the mtDNA divergence in species of the family Cyprinidae, to examine the phylogenetic relationships of the species, and to identify their taxonomic status. The results indicated that an ancestral form diverged into silver crucian carp and crucian carp after its separation from the common carp lineage. The divergence of continental Carassius auratus gibelio and Japanese C. auratus cuvieri occurred more recently. Two well distinguishable mtDNA phylogroups, suggesting divergent evolution, were observed in continental C. auratus gibelio populations. The divergence was possibly related to the formation of two silver crucian carp groups with different types of reproduction, triploid gynogenetic and diploid gonochoric. At the same time, the results supported the high probability of current genetic exchange between the forms. In view of these findings and high morphological similarity of the two forms, they were not considered to be separate species.

The distribution of the diploid and triploid forms and the correspondence between ploidy and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) phylogenetic lineages of the silver crucian carp have been studied in Far Eastern water bodies and the Syr Darya River. Both diploid and triploid forms have been found in large river systems (the Amur, Suifun, Tumangan, and Syr Darya river basins). Only the diploid form has been detected in lakes of Bol’shoi Pelis Island (Peter the Great Bay of the Sea of Japan), Sakhalin Island, and the Kamchatka River basin (the Kamchatka Peninsula). It has been confirmed that there are two mtDNA phylogroups in the silver crucian carp in the area studied. Both mtDNA phylogenetic lineages are present in the Suifun and Tumangan river basins. Only one mtDNA phylogroup (characteristic of the gynogenetic form) has been detected in two samples from the Amur River and in the Syr Darya population. The other mtDNA phylogroup is predominant in insular populations and in Kamchatka. The gynogenetic form carries only mtDNA phylogroup I, whereas both phylogroups have been found in diploid bisexual fish. The existence of only two mtDNA phylogroups substantially differing from each other indicates that the gynogenetic form has emerged from the diploid form only once and evolved independently for a long time after that. The absence of haplotypes transitional between the two mtDNA phylogroups suggests that the secondary contact between the gynogenetic and bisexual forms in continental populations occurred within recent historical time. The obtained data confirm that genetic (though asymmetric) exchange between the two forms is possible, which explains the high morphological and, probably, genetic similarity between them.

The phylogenetic relationships of Carassius genus subspecies were investigated based on the data of the variability of nucleotide sequences of the mtDNA cytochrome b (cyt b) and control region (CR). Dendrograms constructed based on the BA, ML, NJ, and MP methods revealed five clusters of the congruent topologies that substantially corresponded to geographical localities and taxonomic conception of the C. auratus complex. An analysis of two mtDNA fragment topologies demonstrated that the island forms of Japanese crucian carps C. cuvieri and C. auratus langsdorfii diverged later compared to the divergence of continental C. auratus forms (4.0-4.5 mln years ago, by molecular calibration). Among the continental silver crucian carps, C. a. gibelio forms two clusters corresponding to two phylogroups with a mean uncorrected genetic distance p = 0.044. The genealogical combination of haplotypes with the first C. a. gibelio phylogroup was observed in C. auratus clade. According to the data of mtDNA analysis, these subspecies represent sister lineages with a level of intergroup divergence of p = 0.022-0.036. No genetic differences were observed between diploid (except for the two C. a. gibelio phylogroups) and polyploid C a. auratus, as well as monophyly in polyploid forms. New approaches based on a comparative study of the nuclear markers might help to unravel the origin of gynogenetic forms and phylogenetic relationships within the C. auratus complex.

PCR-RFLP analysis of the ND3/ND4L/ND4 and 12S/16S rRNA regions and nucleotide sequence variation of the cytochrome b gene were used to study the mtDNA divergence in species of the family Cyprinidae, to examine the phylogenetic relationships of the species, and to identify their taxonomic status. The results indicated that an ancestral form diverged into silver crucian carp and crucian carp after its separation from the common carp lineage. The divergence of continental Carassius auratus gibelio and Japanese C. auratus cuvieri occurred more recently. Two well distinguishable mtDNA phylogroups, suggesting divergent evolution, were observed in continental C. auratus gibelio populations. The divergence was possibly related to the formation of two silver crucian carp groups with different types of reproduction, triploid gynogenetic and diploid gonochoric. At the same time, the results supported the high probability of current genetic exchange between the forms. In view of these findings and high morphological similarity of the two forms, they were not considered to be separate species.

The distribution of the diploid and triploid forms and the correspondence between ploidy and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) phylogenetic lineages of the silver crucian carp have been studied in Far Eastern water bodies and the Syr Darya River. Both diploid and triploid forms have been found in large river systems (the Amur, Suifun, Tumangan, and Syr Darya river basins). Only the diploid form has been detected in lakes of Bol'shoi Pelis Island (Peter the Great Bay of the Sea of Japan), Sakhalin Island, and the Kamchatka River basin (the Kamchatka Peninsula). It has been confirmed that there are two mtDNA phylogroups in the silver crucian carp in the area studied. Both mtDNA phylogenetic lineages are present in the Suifun and Tumangan river basins. Only one mtDNA phylogroup (characteristic of the gynogenetic form) has been detected in two samples from the Amur River and in the Syr Darya population. The other mtDNA phylogroup is predominant in insular populations and in Kamchatka. The gynogenetic form carries only mtDNA phylogroup I, whereas both phylogroups have been found in diploid bisexual fish. The existence of only two mtDNA phylogroups substantially differing from each other indicates that the gynogenetic form has emerged from the diploid form only once and evolved independently for a long time after that. The absence of haplotypes transitional between the two mtDNA phylogroups suggests that the secondary contact between the gynogenetic and bisexual forms in continental populations occurred within recent historical time. The obtained data confirm that genetic (though asymmetric) exchange between the two forms is possible, which explains the high morphological and, probably, genetic similarity between them.

Variation of two mtDNA fragments amplified in polymerase chain reaction was compared by the RFLP method in a population of the sympatric bisexual (diploid) and gynogenetic (triploid) forms of silver crucian carp. The mtDNA haplotypes of all individuals differed in at least 2.5% of nucleotide substitutions and fall into two phylogroups. All gynogenetic individuals have haplotypes of a single phylogroup, whereas haplotypes of diploid fish belonged to both mtDNA phylogroups. This testifies to a possibility of transformation of gynogenetic individuals into a bisexual form, whereas the reverse process is either extremely rare or impossible.

Two low-molecular cytolytic toxins (RmI and RmII) and four trypsin inhibitors were isolated from the aqueous extract of sea anemone Radianthus macrodactylus. The method of isolation involved precipitation with acetone, gel filtration on acrylex P-4, ion-exchange chromatography on CM-32 cellulose, affinity chromatography on trypsin-binding sepharose 4B, ion exchange chromatography on an Ultrapore TSK CM-3SW column, and reversed phase HPLC on a Silasorb C18 column. RmI, RmII, and JnI inhibitor displayed molecular masses 5100, 6100, and 7100 Da, respectively, when subjected to SDS-PAGE. The isoelectric points were 9.2 and 9.3 for RmI and RmII, respectively. The amino acid composition and N-terminal amino acid residue (glycine) were determined for RmI, RmII, and JnI. Both proteins were nontoxic to mice and crabs. Hemolytic activity was determined to be 25 and 20 HU/mg for RmI and RmII, respectively, and their action on erythrocyte membrane was not inhibited by exogenous sphingomyelin. RmI and RmII exhibited antihistamine activity.

Variation of two mtDNA fragments amplified in polymerase chain reaction was compared by the RFLP method in a population of the sympatric bisexual (diploid) and gynogenetic (triploid) forms of silver crucian carp. The mtDNA haplotypes of all individuals was shown to be divided into two phylogenetic groups differing by at least 2.5% of nucleotide substitutions in their sequences. All gynogenetic individuals have haplotypes of a single phylogroup, whereas haplotypes of diploid fish belonged to both mtDNA phylogroups. This testifies to a possibility of transformation of gynogenetic individuals into a bisexual form, whereas the reverse process is either extremely rare or impossible.