Search

Seeking out appropriate habitat or food resources is one of the key reasons why animals move. Despite the benefits of movement, some individuals in a population remain resident or express alternative movement phenotypes. Movement, however, is energetically costly and can result in resources being diverted away from growth and reproduction. The presence of multiple movement phenotypes within populations suggests that each can have commensurate levels of performance depending on the underlying environmental conditions.Here we explore the context‐dependent costs and benefits of upstream and downstream juvenile dispersal in a large river system. We expect that if the energetic costs of moving (upstream against a current or downstream with a current) exceed any benefits to growth, then residents (who do not move) will have faster growth. Alternatively, movement costs may be offset if individuals move to more favourable environments, resulting in dispersers benefiting with faster growth.We used biological information naturally archived in the otoliths of a potamodromous fish, golden perch Macquaria ambigua, to quantify how movement phenotypes affect growth across individuals exposed to spatiotemporally varying environmental conditions.We found that juvenile growth differed considerably among dispersal phenotypes (resident, upstream, downstream, stocked): in general, surviving wild‐spawned downstream and upstream dispersers and hatchery‐stocked fish all grew faster than individuals that remained resident within their natal reach. Further, juvenile growth was sensitive to local environmental conditions and had carryover effects from an individual's natal‐year. Juvenile growth of all dispersal phenotypes was higher in years with below average natal‐year summer discharge (when fish are ~2–3 months old), likely because of increased concentrations of food resources. In contrast, the effects of natal‐year spring discharge (around the time individuals were spawned) were dependent on dispersal direction, with positive effects for downstream dispersers and upstream dispersers, and negative effects for resident individuals.Our results suggest that an individual's growth can benefit from early‐life movement, although the magnitude of this effect depends on local environmental conditions and the direction travelled. Our study reinforces the importance of heterogeneous and connected riverscapes that foster a diversity of individual growth responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this very personal hunt for the meaning of the bacterial cell cycle, the snark, I briefly revisit and update some of the mechanisms we and many others have proposed to regulate the bacterial cell cycle. These mechanisms, which include the dynamics of calcium, membranes, hyperstructures, and networks, are based on physical and physico-chemical concepts such as ion condensation, phase transition, crowding, liquid crystal immiscibility, collective vibrational modes, reptation, and water availability. I draw on ideas from subjects such as the 'prebiotic ecology' and phenotypic diversity to help with the hunt. Given the fundamental nature of the snark, I would expect that its capture would make sense of other parts of biology. The route, therefore, followed by the hunt has involved trying to answer questions like "why do cells replicate their DNA?", "why is DNA replication semi-conservative?", "why is DNA a double helix?", "why do cells divide?", "is cell division a spandrel?", and "how are catabolism and anabolism balanced?". Here, I propose some relatively unexplored, experimental approaches to testing snark-related hypotheses and, finally, I propose some possibly original ideas about DNA packing, about phase separations, and about computing with populations of virtual bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Characterization studies of the phenotypic and genetic diversity of Mongolian goats are limited, despite several goat breeds being registered in the country. This study aimed to evaluate the phenotypic and genetic diversity of 14 cashmere goat populations in Mongolia, consisting largely of identified goat breeds. Methods: Body weight, cashmere quality, and coat color were the phenotypic traits considered in this study. A linear model was used to fit body weight and cashmere traits, and least squares means (LSMs) were estimated for the region and location classes. Genetic diversity and structure were assessed using a goat 50K SNP array. Results: The studied populations exhibited greater phenotypic diversity at the regional level. A very small overall differentiation index (Fst: 0.017) was revealed by Wright's Fst and a very small overall inbreeding index (FROH1:0.019) was revealed based on runs of homozygosity. Genetic clustering of populations by principal components showed large variances for the two goat populations of the Russian admixture (Gobi Gurvan Saikhan and Uuliin Bor), and smaller but differentiated clusters for the remaining populations. Similar results were observed in the admixture analysis, which identified populations with the highest (Govi Gurvan Saikhan and Uuliin Bor) and lowest (Tsagaan Ovoo Khar) exotic admixtures. A genomewide association study (GWAS) of body weight and cashmere traits identified a few significant variants on chromosomes 2, 4, 5, 9, and 15, with the strongest variant for cashmere yield on chromosome 4. The GWAS on coat color yielded nine significant variants, with the strongest variants located on chromosomes 6, 13, and 18 and potential associations with KIT, ASIP, and MC1R genes. These signals were also found in other studies on coat color and patterns in goats. Conclusion: Mongolian cashmere goats showed relatively low genetic differentiation and low inbreeding levels, possibly caused by the traditional pastoral livestock management system and the practice of trading breeding bucks across provinces, along with a recent increase in the goat population. Further investigation of cashmere traits using larger samples and alternative methods may help identify the genes or genomic regions underlying cashmere quality in goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rosa praelucens Byhouwer is a critically endangered allo-decaploid wild rose endemic to Shangri-La County in Northwestern Yunnan of China. It is rich in phenotypic variation among which flower color and size variation are most conspicuous. Except for the rich genetic diversity within the species, nothing else was known for explaining its phenotypic variation. The 5S rDNA and 45S rDNA FISH-based karyological analysis of ten significantly different phenotypes was carried out to investigate the extent of intraspecific karyological variation within the species and to probe the possible cytogenetic basis for the richness in phenotypic diversity. The results showed that besides the common decaploid phenotypes, there were a nonaploid phenotype with pinkish white and smallest flowers and an aneu-nonaploid one with smaller deep peach red but white centered flowers. The number of 45S rDNA sites among different phenotypes varied from 4 to 10, while that of 5S rDNA sites was 9 for the two nonaploids and 10 for the remaining decaploids. Furthermore, the distribution and fluorescence strength of both 45S and 5S rDNA sites varied greatly among different phenotypes. We speculated the combined effects of chromosome number variation and structure rearrangement driven by the high ploidy level might be the cytogenetic reason for the rich phenotypic diversity of R. praelucens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polygala tenuifolia Willd is a perennial herb in the family Polygalaceae and is used as an expectorant and stimulant in traditional Chinese medicine. There is a large demand for P. tenuifolia, while the good cultivars of P. tenuifolia are not enough. In this study, we collected 157 germplasm resources of P. tenuifolia from different regions in China, and 12 phenotypic traits of these samples were analyzed using correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and cluster analysis methods. The correlation analysis showed the associations between different traits, and the first four principal components contributed 62.63% of the total variation. They contained most of the information of five above-ground traits and eight root traits. Phylogenetic clustering divided materials divided into four taxa, with characteristics of high-yielding specific material, long-rooted specific material, multi-branching specific material, and high plant height specific material, respectively. Our study provides the material and theoretical basis for the utilization of germplasm resources, parental selection, and varietal improvement of P. tenuifolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analyses have found higher genetic burden in autistic females compared to males, supporting higher liability threshold in females. However, genomic evidence of sex differences has been limited to European ancestry to date and little is known about how genetic variation leads to autism-related traits within families across sex. Methods: To address this gap, we present WGS data of Korean autism families (n = 2255) and a Korean general population sample (n = 2500), the largest WGS data of East Asian ancestry. We analyzed sex differences in genetic burden and compared with cohorts of European ancestry (n = 15,839). Further, with extensively collected family-wise Korean autism phenotype data (n = 3730), we investigated sex differences in phenotypic scores and gene-phenotype associations within family. Results: We observed robust female enrichment of de novo protein-truncating variants in autistic individuals across cohorts. However, sex differences in polygenic burden varied across cohorts and we found that the differential proportion of comorbid intellectual disability and severe autism symptoms mainly drove these variations. In siblings, males of autistic females exhibited the most severe social communication deficits. Female siblings exhibited lower phenotypic severity despite the higher polygenic burden than male siblings. Mothers also showed higher tolerance for polygenic burden than fathers, supporting higher liability threshold in females. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that genetic liability in autism is both sex- and phenotype-dependent, expanding the current understanding of autism's genetic complexity. Our work further suggests that family-based assessments of sex differences can help unravel underlying sex-differential liability in autism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Seed colors and color patterns are critical for the survival of wild plants and the consumer appeal of crops. In common bean, a major global staple, these patterns are also essential in determining market classes, yet the genetic and environmental control of many pigmentation patterns remains unresolved. In this study, we genetically mapped variation for several important seed pattern loci, including T, Bip, phbw, and Z, which co‐segregated with candidate genes PvTTG1, PvMYC1, PvTT8, and PvTT2, respectively. Proteins encoded by these genes are predicted to work together in MYB‐bHLH‐WD40 (MBW) complexes, propagating flavonoid biosynthesis across the seed coat as observed in Arabidopsis. Whole‐genome sequencing of 37 accessions identified mutations, including seven unique parallel mutations in T (PvTTG1) and non‐synonymous SNPs in highly conserved residues in bipana (PvMYC1) and z (PvTT2). A 612 bp intron deletion in phbw(PvTT8) eliminated motifs conserved since the Papilionoideae origin and corresponded to a 20‐fold reduction in transcript abundance. In multi‐location field trials of seven varieties with partial seed coat pigmentation patterning, the pigmented seed coat area correlated positively with ambient temperature, with up to 11‐fold increases in the pigmented area from the coolest to the warmest environments. In controlled growth chamber conditions, an increase of 4°C was sufficient to cause pigmentation on an average additional 21% of the seed coat area. Our results shed light on key steps of flavonoid biosynthesis in common bean. They will inform breeding efforts for seed coat color/patterning to improve consumer appeal in this nutritious staple crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agricultural Chemistry & Biotechnology is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Fructilactobacillus sanfranciscensis, the dominant species of lactic acid bacteria in sourdoughs, impacts the microstructure and flavor of steamed bread through exopolysaccharide production, acidification, proteolysis, and volatile compound generation. The aim of this study is to investigate the phenotypic diversity and technological traits of 28 F. sanfranciscensis strains of different genotypes isolated from Chinese traditional sourdoughs. The results showed that F. sanfranciscensis strains exhibited substantial variation in proteinase and peptidase activities and the amount of acidification and volatiles in fermented sourdoughs. However, we observed no significant differences in exopolysaccharide production among the strains. The strains Sx14 and Ts1 were further chosen for transcriptomics to gain a deep insight into their intraspecies diversity in sourdough fermentation. Significant transcriptome differentiations between these two strains after 12 h fermentation in sourdoughs were revealed. According to the results, the strain Sx14 possessed higher dipeptidase and aminopeptidase activities, galactose utilization, and lactic and acetic acid production abilities, whereas Ts1 showed higher transmembrane transport of substrates and fructose utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analyses have found higher genetic burden in autistic females compared to males, supporting higher liability threshold in females. However, genomic evidence of sex differences has been limited to European ancestry to date and little is known about how genetic variation leads to autism-related traits within families across sex. Methods To address this gap, we present WGS data of Korean autism families (n = 2255) and a Korean general population sample (n = 2500), the largest WGS data of East Asian ancestry. We analyzed sex differences in genetic burden and compared with cohorts of European ancestry (n = 15,839). Further, with extensively collected family-wise Korean autism phenotype data (n = 3730), we investigated sex differences in phenotypic scores and gene-phenotype associations within family. Results We observed robust female enrichment of de novo protein-truncating variants in autistic individuals across cohorts. However, sex differences in polygenic burden varied across cohorts and we found that the differential proportion of comorbid intellectual disability and severe autism symptoms mainly drove these variations. In siblings, males of autistic females exhibited the most severe social communication deficits. Female siblings exhibited lower phenotypic severity despite the higher polygenic burden than male siblings. Mothers also showed higher tolerance for polygenic burden than fathers, supporting higher liability threshold in females. Conclusions Our findings indicate that genetic liability in autism is both sex- and phenotype-dependent, expanding the current understanding of autism’s genetic complexity. Our work further suggests that family-based assessments of sex differences can help unravel underlying sex-differential liability in autism.

Extant diversity for phenotypic traits is an essential criterion to be considered when ordering priorities for conservation and improvement of animal genetic resources. Concretely, the characterisation of the distinctive body morphometry of a particular group of animals can aid in the design of selective breeding programs, given the strong correlation between body morphology and productive function. The present research aims to characterise an endangered autochthonous camel breed (Canarian camel), mainly relegated to leisure riding, for its body morphology, with a double objective: to explore the phenotypic diversity and structure of the breed for zoometric traits and assess the zoometric profile of this genetic resource that supports its differentiation from other camel breeds. Overall, the results highlight the existence of a high degree of diversity, which may be linked to genetic factors for zoometric traits in an endangered autochthonous breed with traditional in situ breeding schemes, which predicts the success of the implementation of genetic improvement schemes for such functional characteristics. This phenotypic diversity in body morphology could also be a tool for the evaluation of new functional niches within the efforts of functional valorisation of this camel breed for its sustainable conservation. Body morphology traits in the studied camel breed are significantly influenced by sex, physiological status and coat colour.

The oilseed palm genus Acrocomia is suitable for sustainable oil production in South America. The high phenotypic diversity of wild populations poses a challenge for the delimitation of the genus. Comparing the inflorescence architecture, a first‐order panicle, and staminate and pistillate flower traits could be a valuable tool in resolving the taxonomic disarray. Thus, this study aims to characterize the differences in the inflorescence architecture and floral structures of three common and economically significant Acrocomia species: A. aculeata, A. totai, and A. intumescens. Biometric traits of the inflorescence architecture and floral structures of various Acrocomia accessions in an ex situ germplasm collection in Brazil were assessed. The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) cluster analysis based on the Gower distance was used to measure dissimilarities between the individual plants of the accessions. To our best knowledge, this study provides the first evidence of the presence of second‐order rachillae in the genus Acrocomia. Evaluated traits showed a high level of variation within and between accessions, emphasizing the phenotypic diversity of the genus. The accessions of A. totai were distinguishable from those of the other two species by their inflorescence architecture and flower traits. The dissimilarities between A. aculeata and A. intumescens were not sufficient to differentiate both. In conclusion, the quantitative assessment of inflorescence and floral traits is a valuable tool for taxonomic resolution of the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of fish to cope with warm water temperatures in summer depends on factors including their thermal traits and the ability of individuals to access cool-water refugia. Knowledge is highly limited on the in situ responses of many fishes to elevated summer temperatures, including whether they express behavioural thermoregulation. The responses of two riverine species to summer water temperatures were tested here using the movement metrics, spatial habitat use and body temperatures of individual European barbel Barbus barbus ('barbel') and common bream Abramis brama ('bream') versus river temperatures. Acoustic biotelemetry was applied in the lower River Severn basin, western Britain, in summer 2021 (barbel) and 2022 (bream), where individuals could move across > 150 km of river, including a tributary of cooler water. Across all individuals, bream occupied 37 km of river length (mainstem only), with low inter-individual variability in their spatial habitat use, movements and body temperatures. In contrast, barbel occupied 62 km of river (main river/tributary), with relatively high inter-individual variability in spatial habitat use, movements and body temperatures, with higher variation in body temperatures as river temperatures increased (maximum mean daily temperature difference between individuals on the same day: 4.2 °C). Although warmer individuals generally moved more, their activity was greatest at relatively low temperatures and higher flows, and neither species revealed any evidence of behavioural thermoregulation during elevated temperatures. Enabling phenotypically diverse fish populations to express their natural behaviours and thermal preferences in summer water temperatures thus requires maintaining their free-ranging in thermally heterogenous habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveCharacterization studies of the phenotypic and genetic diversity of Mongolian goats are limited, despite several goat breeds being registered in the country. This study aimed to evaluate the phenotypic and genetic diversity of 14 cashmere goat populations in Mongolia, consisting largely of identified goat breeds.MethodsBody weight, cashmere quality, and coat color were the phenotypic traits considered in this study. A linear model was used to fit body weight and cashmere traits, and least squares means (LSMs) were estimated for the region and location classes. Genetic diversity and structure were assessed using a goat 50K SNP array.ResultsThe studied populations exhibited greater phenotypic diversity at the regional level. A very small overall differentiation index (Fst: 0.017) was revealed by Wright’s Fst and a very small overall inbreeding index (FROH1:0.019) was revealed based on runs of homozygosity. Genetic clustering of populations by principal components showed large variances for the two goat populations of the Russian admixture (Gobi Gurvan Saikhan and Uuliin Bor), and smaller but differentiated clusters for the remaining populations. Similar results were observed in the admixture analysis, which identified populations with the highest (Govi Gurvan Saikhan and Uuliin Bor) and lowest (Tsagaan Ovoo Khar) exotic admixtures. A genomewide association study (GWAS) of body weight and cashmere traits identified a few significant variants on chromosomes 2, 4, 5, 9, and 15, with the strongest variant for cashmere yield on chromosome 4. The GWAS on coat color yielded nine significant variants, with the strongest variants located on chromosomes 6, 13, and 18 and potential associations with KIT, ASIP, and MC1R genes. These signals were also found in other studies on coat color and patterns in goats.ConclusionMongolian cashmere goats showed relatively low genetic differentiation and low inbreeding levels, possibly caused by the traditional pastoral livestock management system and the practice of trading breeding bucks across provinces, along with a recent increase in the goat population. Further investigation of cashmere traits using larger samples and alternative methods may help identify the genes or genomic regions underlying cashmere quality in goats.

This study was conducted to evaluate morphometric traits of horse ecotypes reared in four districts of the Bale highlands, southeastern Ethiopia. Twenty-seven morphometric traits were measured from 500 horses (294 males and 206 females) of both sexes. Data were analyzed using SAS 2012. This study revealed that certain traits, such as head length, loin length, bi-ischial width, and sternum height of horses were similar. However, significant differences (p < 0.0001, p < 0.01, p < 0.05) were observed in other traits across the districts. All traits were affected by age (p < 0.05) except rump width and canon perimeter. All 27 morphometric traits were subjected to STEPDISC analysis, of which 21 had the best discriminating power. The uppermost distances of 32.2 and, 28.8 were reported between the Agarfa and Dinsho and, Agarfa and Sinana horse populations, respectively. Mean separation distance among districts ranges from -1.75 to 3.57, -2.42 to 2.43, and -1.61 to 0.92 for CAN1, CAN2 and CAN3, respectively. The quadratic discriminate function classified 95.2, 94.4, 96.0, and 96.8 % of the sampled horses into source populations of the Dinsho, Agarfa, Sinana, and Goba districts, respectively. In addition, the cross-validation summary revealed reduced consistency of membership among each districts with 5 % average success rates and 4, 8, 4, and 4 % for the Dinsho, Agarfa, Sinana, and Goba districts, respectively. Therefore, the presence of variation in morphometric traits within the Bale Highland horse ecotypes has the potential for selection and further genetic interventions.

The potential for improving sweetpotato quality remains underutilized due to a lack of comprehensive quality data on germplasm resources. This study evaluated 296 core germplasms, revealing significant phenotypic diversity across 24 quality traits in both stem tips and roots. Landraces had higher sugar content in roots, while wild relatives showed increased total flavonoid and phenol contents. Accessions with red-orange flesh were rich in sugars and carotenoids, whereas those with purple flesh had higher dry matter, flavonoids, and phenols. The accessions were classified into three clusters: high sugars and carotenoids, high phenolic compounds, and high starch. A comprehensive quality scoring model identified SP286 and SP192 as superior for stem tips and roots, respectively. Near-infrared spectroscopy, combined with a random forest algorithm, enabled rapid screening of superior germplasm, achieving prediction accuracies of 97 % for stem tips and 98 % for roots. These findings offer valuable resources and high-throughput models for enhancing sweetpotato quality.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are integral to the tumor microenvironment (TME), influencing cancer progression significantly. Attracted by cancer cell signals, TAMs exhibit unparalleled adaptability, aligning with the dynamic tumor milieu. Their roles span from promoting tumor growth and angiogenesis to modulating metastasis. While substantial research has explored the fundamentals of TAMs, comprehending their adaptive behavior, and leveraging it for novel treatments remains challenging. This review delves into TAM polarization, metabolic shifts, and the complex orchestration of cytokines and chemokines determining their functions. We highlight the complexities of TAM-targeted research focusing on their adaptability and potential variability in therapeutic outcomes. Moreover, we discuss the synergy of integrating TAM-focused strategies with established cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Emphasis is laid on pioneering methods like TAM reprogramming for cancer immunotherapy and the adoption of single-cell technologies for precision intervention. This synthesis seeks to shed light on TAMs multifaceted roles in cancer, pinpointing prospective pathways for transformative research and enhancing therapeutic modalities in oncology.

IntroductionUnderstanding the adaptive capacity to current climate change of drought-sensitive tree species is mandatory, given their limited prospect of migration and adaptation as long-lived, sessile organisms. Knowledge about the molecular and eco-physiological mechanisms that control drought resilience is thus key, since water shortage appears as one of the main abiotic factors threatening forests ecosystems. However, our current background is scarce, especially in conifers, due to their huge and complex genomes.MethodsHere we investigated the eco-physiological and transcriptomic basis of drought response of the climate change-threatened conifer Cedrus atlantica. We studied C. atlantica seedlings from two locations with contrasting drought conditions to investigate a local adaptation. Seedlings were subjected to experimental drought conditions, and were monitored at immediate (24 hours) and extended (20 days) times. In addition, post-drought recovery was investigated, depicting two contrasting responses in both locations (drought resilient and non-resilient). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were also studied to characterize the genomic basis of drought resilience and investigate a rapid local adaptation of C. atlantica.ResultsDe novo transcriptome assembly was performed for the first time in this species, providing differences in gene expression between the immediate and extended treatments, as well as among the post-drought recovery phenotypes. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis showed a regulation of stomatal closing and photosynthetic activity during the immediate drought, consistent with an isohydric dynamic. During the extended drought, growth and flavonoid biosynthesis inhibition mechanisms prevailed, probably to increase root-to-shoot ratio and to limit the energy-intensive biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Drought sensitive individuals failed in metabolism and photosynthesis regulation under drought stress, and in limiting secondary metabolite production. Moreover, genomic differences (SNPs) were found between drought resilient and sensitive seedlings, and between the two studied locations, which were mostly related to transposable elements.DiscussionThis work provides novel insights into the transcriptomic basis of drought response of C. atlantica, a set of candidate genes mechanistically involved in its drought sensitivity and evidence of a rapid local adaptation. Our results may help guide conservation programs for this threatened conifer, contribute to advance drought-resilience research and shed light on trees' adaptive potential to current climate change.

The California Central Valley steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) has declined precipitously since Euro-American colonization and has been listed as threatened under the United States Endangered Species Act since 1998. Hatchery-origin fish now dominate the population, and hatchery management is a key listing factor. However, scant release metric information is available. We compiled a time series of O. mykiss hatchery release data for all four Central Valley hatcheries releasing O. mykiss between 1948 and 2017. The biocomplexity of released fish has declined since the early 1980s. Individuals have been released at increasingly similar numbers, biomass, body sizes, times, and locations over time. Moreover, yearling fish have been released at larger sizes, leading to the near-exclusive release of age-1 smolts in February and March since the late 1990s and early 2000s. Pervasive reductions in release portfolios have likely occurred for other hatchery-supported Pacific salmonid stocks throughout the Pacific Rim region. In an increasingly variable environment, such reductions in intraspecific diversity could significantly affect population stability and resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Warning coloration and Batesian mimicry are classic examples of Darwinian evolution, but empirical evolutionary patterns are often paradoxical. We test whether foraging costs predict the evolution of striking coloration by integrating genetic and ecological data for aposematic and mimetic snakes (Elapidae and Dipsadidae). Our phylogenetic comparison on a total of 432 species demonstrated that dramatic changes in coloration were well predicted by foraging strategy. Multiple tests consistently indicated that warning coloration and conspicuous mimicry were more likely to evolve in species where foraging costs of conspicuous appearance were relaxed by poor vision of their prey, concealed habitat, or nocturnal activity. Reversion to crypsis was also well predicted by ecology for elapids but not for dipsadids. In contrast to a theoretical prediction and general trends, snakes' conspicuous coloration was correlated with secretive ecology, suggesting that a selection regime underlies evolutionary patterns. We also found evidence that mimicry of inconspicuous models (pitvipers) may have evolved in association with foraging demand for crypsis. These findings demonstrate that foraging is an important factor necessary to understand the evolution, persistence, and diversity of warning coloration and mimicry of snakes, highlighting the significance of additional selective factors in solving the warning coloration paradox. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upstream open reading frames (uORFs) regulate gene expression by modulating (mostly repressing) main open reading frame (mORF) translation. The regulatory activity of uORFs is affected by their sequence features and varying environments. Polymorphisms at the translation level caused by uORF variations can underlie phenotypic diversity in plants. uORFs are selected during evolution in eukaryotes and might contribute to local adaptation, domestication, and improvement in plants. Evolutionary conservation analyses, development of Ribo-seq technologies, utilization of pan-genome or super-pangenome resources, improvement of bioinformatics tools and databases to predict functional uORFs and the effects of uORF variants, phenomics- and tranlatomics-based genetic mapping, and CRISPR-based uORF engineering will collectively accelerate the application of natural uORF variations in plant breeding. Taking advantage of natural variation promotes our understanding of phenotypic diversity and trait evolution, ultimately accelerating plant breeding, in which the identification of causal variations is critical. To date, sequence variations in the coding region and transcription level polymorphisms caused by variations in the promoter have been prioritized. An upstream open reading frame (uORF) in the 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR) regulates gene expression at the post-transcription or translation level. In recent years, studies have demonstrated that natural uORF variations shape phenotypic diversity. This opinion article highlights recent researches and speculates on future directions for natural uORF variation in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccinium uliginosum (VU) is one of the most precious wild berry plants distributed in the Changbai Mountain region in northeast China. Eight key morphological traits of VU were analyzed to examine the variation among and within five natural populations at different altitudes, as well as their response to environmental factors. The study results showed an increasing trend of variation among populations with ascending altitudes, but the range variation within populations exhibited a decreasing trend. The diversity level among populations was found to be higher than that within populations, and the five populations of VU were classified into four groups. Except for leaf width and twig length, all other morphological traits demonstrated significant or extremely significant correlations. Generally, with increasing altitude, leaf length decreased, while plant height, clear bole height, and basal diameter decreased significantly, and similar trends were observed with moisture factors, while a significant positive correlation was found with temperature factors. Among them, the morphological traits of clear bole height and basal diameter exhibited the strongest correlation with environmental factor variations. Overall, these findings indicate extensive variation in the morphological traits of VU within and among populations at different altitudes, with clear responses to changes in environmental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The oilseed palm genus Acrocomia is suitable for sustainable oil production in South America. The high phenotypic diversity of wild populations poses a challenge for the delimitation of the genus. Comparing the inflorescence architecture, a first‐order panicle, and staminate and pistillate flower traits could be a valuable tool in resolving the taxonomic disarray. Thus, this study aims to characterize the differences in the inflorescence architecture and floral structures of three common and economically significant Acrocomia species: A. aculeata, A. totai, and A. intumescens. Biometric traits of the inflorescence architecture and floral structures of various Acrocomia accessions in an ex situ germplasm collection in Brazil were assessed. The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) cluster analysis based on the Gower distance was used to measure dissimilarities between the individual plants of the accessions. To our best knowledge, this study provides the first evidence of the presence of second‐order rachillae in the genus Acrocomia. Evaluated traits showed a high level of variation within and between accessions, emphasizing the phenotypic diversity of the genus. The accessions of A. totai were distinguishable from those of the other two species by their inflorescence architecture and flower traits. The dissimilarities between A. aculeata and A. intumescens were not sufficient to differentiate both. In conclusion, the quantitative assessment of inflorescence and floral traits is a valuable tool for taxonomic resolution of the genus.

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is prone to many fungal diseases, including esca, a severe vascular disease threatening the wine sector and for which there is no cost-effective cure. Susceptibility to esca varies between cultivars in different infection conditions. It may therefore be possible to use the genetic diversity of grapevine cultivars to mitigate disease impact. However, the genetic component of esca susceptibility has rarely been investigated in the vineyard, and the specific mechanisms and varietal traits underlying esca susceptibility remain unknown. In this study, we monitored the incidence and severity of esca foliar symptoms and plant dieback (apoplexy and mortality) at plant level for seven years, on 46 cultivars planted in an experimental common garden, to separate the genetic component of esca susceptibility from the effects of environment and cropping practices. We observed a broad gradient of varietal susceptibility, with a mean incidence of 0 to 26 % of vines expressing esca foliar symptoms depending on the variety. This gradient remained similar across years and, unlike the severity of foliar symptoms, the incidence of grapevine dieback was significantly correlated with that of foliar symptoms. We detected a significant but weak and very localised phylogenetic signal for the incidence of esca foliar symptoms in this panel of cultivars. We then explored the relationships between epidemiological metrics and ecophysiological and phenological traits phenotyped on the same plot. Esca disease incidence was negatively correlated with δ13C across cultivars, suggesting that varieties with higher water use efficiency are less prone to the expression of esca symptoms on leaves. Moreover, the least vigorous cultivars were among the least susceptible, although this relationship was not significant. By contrast, neither phenological stages nor nitrogen status were significantly predictive of cultivar susceptibility to the disease. Together, these results provide new insight into the potential of genetic resources for use in the sustainable management of grapevine trunk diseases and open up new perspectives for studying the pathological and physiological determinants of their incidence.

Driven by technological innovations, newborn screening (NBS) panels have been expanded and the development of genomic NBS pilot programs is rapidly progressing. Decisions on disease selection for NBS are still based on the Wilson and Jungner (WJ) criteria published in 1968. Despite this uniform reference, interpretation of the WJ criteria and actual disease selection for NBS programs are highly variable. A systematic literature search [PubMED search “Wilson” AND “Jungner”; last search 16.07.22] was performed to evaluate the applicability of the WJ criteria for current and future NBS programs and the need for adaptation. By at least two reviewers, 105 publications (systematic literature search, N = 77; manual search, N = 28) were screened for relevant content and, finally, 38 publications were evaluated. Limited by the study design of qualitative text analysis, no statistical evaluation was performed, but a structured collection of reported aspects of criticism and proposed improvements was instead collated. This revealed a set of general limitations of the WJ criteria, such as imprecise terminology, lack of measurability and objectivity, missing pediatric focus, and absent guidance on program management. Furthermore, it unraveled specific aspects of criticism on clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic, and economical aspects. A major obstacle was found to be the incompletely understood natural history and phenotypic diversity of rare diseases prior to NBS implementation, resulting in uncertainty about case definition, risk stratification, and indications for treatment. This gap could be closed through the systematic collection and evaluation of real-world evidence on the quality, safety, and (cost-)effectiveness of NBS, as well as the long-term benefits experienced by screened individuals. An integrated NBS public health program that is designed to continuously learn would fulfil these requirements, and a multi-dimensional framework for future NBS programs integrating medical, ethical, legal, and societal perspectives is overdue.

Overharvesting is a serious threat to many fish populations. High mortality and directional selection on body size can cause evolutionary change in exploited populations via selection for a specific phenotype and a potential reduction in phenotypic diversity. Whether the loss of phenotypic diversity that accompanies directional selection impairs response to environmental stress is not known. To address this question, we exposed three zebrafish selection lines to thermal stress. Two lines had experienced directional selection for (1) large and (2) small body size, and one was (3) subject to random removal of individuals with respect to body size (i.e. line with no directional selection). Selection lines were exposed to three temperatures (elevated, 34°C; ambient, 28°C; low, 22°C) to determine the response to an environmental stressor (thermal stress). We assessed differences among selection lines in their life history (growth and reproduction), physiological traits (metabolic rate and critical thermal max) and behaviour (activity and feeding behaviour) when reared at different temperatures. Lines experiencing directional selection (i.e. size selected) showed reduced growth rate and a shift in average phenotype in response to lower or elevated thermal stress compared with fish from the random‐selected line. Our data indicate that populations exposed to directional selection can have a more limited capacity to respond to thermal stress compared with fish that experience a comparable reduction in population size (but without directional selection). Future studies should aim to understand the impacts of environmental stressors on natural fish stocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina, is reported annually in southern Russia, the main wheat production region in Russia. The effect of biotic (types of cultivar resistance) and abiotic (northern, central and southern agro‐ecological zones) factors on virulence variability of the pathogen was analysed with 43 Lr differentials. Virulence frequencies to Lr genes 1, 2c, 3, 3bg, 11, 14a, 14b, 16, 17, 18, 23, 25, 26, 33, 34, 40 and Kanr exceeded 50% in all populations. A total of 81 virulence phenotypes (based on the standard set of 20 differentials) were identified among 108 isolates. The most common phenotypes were PHSTQ, THTTR, PHTTR and TKTTR. The minimum genetic distance (the highest similarity) was established between the P. triticina populations from susceptible cv. Krasnodarskaya 99 and cv. Brigada with race‐specific resistance. P. triticina populations from the susceptible cultivar in the three agro‐ecological zones were less variable and more similar than the cultivar‐specific and natural pathogen populations. Resistance types of host cultivars seem to have a greater effect on the pathogen population than abiotic factors. Nevertheless, abiotic factors need to be considered when making decisions about deployment of wheat varieties. Our results support the paradigm of a shift in the population of an obligate parasite towards increased virulence in response to the selection pressure of cultivars with race‐specific resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tamarindus indica L. is a multipurpose monotypic agroforestry species, possessing numerous domestic and industrial applications. It grows naturally in subtropical and semi-arid tropical regions of the world. Sixteen quantitative traits of T. indica were used in this study to unravel the phenotypic diversity on a large scale (422 accessions sourced from 12 districts of 8 Indian states) using multivariate analysis. Significant difference between the provenances were recorded for all the traits (P < 0.001). In terms of total pod weight, shell weight, fiber weight, pulp weight, real pulp value, and seed weight, Karnataka outperformed the other states. There were strong positive associations between real value of pulp (RVP) and all pod size traits ranging from 0.37 to 0.93. Titratable acidity was found to have a significant positive relationship with pod size and pulp recovery (r = 0.513–0.742); sugar/acid ratio with seed percent (r = 0.718) and shell percent (r = 0.537). According to the principal component analysis (PCA), the first five principal components accumulated 98.61% of the variation. Morphological cluster analysis revealed four distinct clusters with high diversity. A unique accession from Karnataka was selected by participatory breeding, enabling the farmer to establish a successful nursery and conserve the valuable genotype. Our study provides valuable information about phenotypic diversity, in situ evaluation, selection indices for plus trees and conservation of tamarind genetic resources in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is widely used due to its medicinal properties. Ontario is a major producer of cultivated American ginseng, where seeds were originally collected from the wild without any subsequent scientific selection, and thus the crop is potentially very diverse. A collection of 162 American ginseng plants was harvested from a small area in a commercial garden and phenotyped for morphological traits, such as root grade, stem length, and fresh and dry weights of roots, leaves, stems, and seeds. All of the traits showed a range of values, and correlations were observed between root and stem weights, root dry weight and leaf dry weight, as well as root and leaf fresh weights. The plants were also genotyped using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the PW16 locus. SNP analysis revealed 22 groups based on sequence relatedness with some groups showing no SNPs and others being more diverse. The SNP groups correlated with significant differences in some traits, such as stem length and leaf weight. This study provides insights into the genetic and phenotypic diversity of cultivated American ginseng grown under similar environmental conditions, and the relationship between different phenotypes, as well as genotype and phenotype, will aid in future selection programs to develop American ginseng cultivars with desirable agronomic traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selection of native yeast for alcoholic fermentation in wine focuses on ensuring the success of the process and promoting the quality of the final product. The purpose of this study was firstly to create a large collection of new yeast isolates and categorize them based on their oenological potential. Additionally, the geographical distribution of the most dominant species, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was further explored. Towards this direction, fourteen spontaneously fermented wines from different regions of Greece were collected for yeast typing. The yeast isolates were subjected in molecular analyses and identification at species level. RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) genomic fingerprinting with the oligo-nucleotide primer M13 was used, combined with Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) technique. All yeast isolates were scrutinized for their sensitivity to killer toxin, production of non-desirable metabolites such as acetic acid and H2S, β-glucosidase production and resistance to the antimicrobial agent; SO2. In parallel, S. cerevisiae isolates were typed at strain level by interdelta - PCR genomic fingerprinting. S. cerevisiae strains were examined for their fermentative capacity in laboratory scale fermentation on pasteurized grape must. Glucose and fructose consumption was monitored daily and at the final point a free sorting task was conducted to categorize the samples according to their organoleptic profile. According to our results, among the 190 isolates, S. cerevisiae was the most dominant species while some less common non-Saccharomyces species such as Trigonopsis californica, Priceomyces carsonii, Zygosaccharomyces bailii, Brettanomyces bruxellensis and Pichia manshurica were identified in minor abundancies. According to phenotypic typing, most isolates were neutral to killer toxin test and exhibited low acetic acid production. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis revealed the presence of four yeast groups based on phenotypic fingerprinting. Strain level typing reported 20 different S. cerevisiae strains from which 65% indicated fermentative capacity and led to dry wines. Sensory evaluation results clearly discriminated the produced wines and consequently, the proposed yeast categorization was confirmed. A novel approach that employs biostatistical tools for a rapid screening and classification of indigenous wine yeasts with oenological potential, allowing a more efficient preliminary selection or rejection of isolates is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve garlic breeding, it is important to determine the morphological differences between garlic genotypes of local origin. This study was conducted to determine the phenotypic diversity of Turkish softneck garlic (Allium sativum L. sub. var. sativum) genotypes using morphological traits determined based on International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) descriptors. Twenty-six garlic genotypes were characterized using 15 quantitative morphological characteristics. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that the first four principal components explained 84.58% of the total variation among the 26 garlic genotypes. The characters with the greatest contribution to variability were identified as Plant Height (PH), Pseudostem Diameter (PSD), Leaf Length (LL), Leaf Width (LW), Bulb Weight (BW), Yield (Y), Bulb Height (BH), Bulb Diameter (BD), Clove Height (CH), Bulb Height/Bulb Diameter ratio (BH/BD), Vumber of Cloves (NC), Clove Weight (CW), Clove Width (CWi), and Clove Thickness (CT). Significant differences were observed in the quantitative traits of garlic genotypes. As a result of the study, AS14 stood out for its clove weight, length, width, and thickness, while AS13 had the highest bulb weight and yield. The present findings could be reliably used in the development of new garlic varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to contribute to a better understanding of the phenotypic diversity of natural populations of Clarias jaensis in Cameroon, with the objective to harness the exploitation and conservation of this native catfish. A total of 269 native catfish (Clarias jaensis), including 139 males and 130 females, were sampled on 6 sites in Cameroon. One (1) phaneroptic observation, seventeen (17) biometric traits and four (4) meristic traits were evaluated. The main results showed that there are three colour patterns (brown, black and marbled) on the dorsal region and flanks in Clarias jaensis, with a predominance of brown (81.04%) and black (11.52%) patterns. The effect of sex on total weight (TW), snout length (SnL), prepelvic length (PPvL), total length (TL), standard length (SL), body depth (BD) and caudal peduncle depth (CPD) was significant (p<0.05). In general, biometric traits were significant (p<0.05) and positively correlated with total weight. The number of soft fin rays in dorsal fin (D) and anal fin rays (A) were negatively and weakly correlated with total weight (r=-0.02 and r=-0.04 respectively), while, the number of soft fin rays in pectoral fin was negatively and weakly correlated with total weight (r=0.13). The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) performed on all the biometric and meristic traits shows that the first two axes alone account for more than 50% of the total inertia. Hierarchical Ascending Classification (HAC) highlighted the existence of 3 morphotypes. The observed biodiversity suggests that the Clarias jaensis catfish is a natural genetic resource with the necessary variability to be exploited, though there is a need to develop population and habitats monitoring plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oats are known for their nutritional value and also for their beneficial properties on human health, such as the reduction of cholesterol levels and risk of coronary heart disease; they are an important export product for Chile. During the last decade (2010-2022) over 90% of the oat cultivated area in Chile has been covered with Avena sativa L. cv. Supernova INIA. This lack of genetic diversity in a context of climate change could limit the long-term possibility of growing oats in Chile. The present study is a phenotypic and genetic analysis of 132 oat cultivars and pure lines of diverse origin that can be considered as potential breeding material. The germplasm was evaluated for 28 traits and analyzed with 14 SSR markers. The effects of genotypes on phenotype were significant over all traits (P ≤ 0.05). Most traits exhibited moderate to high broad-sense heritability with exceptions such as yield (H2 = 0.27) and hulls staining (H2 = 0.32). Significant undesirable correlations between traits were generally of small biological importance, which is auspicious for achieving breeding objectives. Some of the heritability data and correlations provided here have not been previously reported. The overall phenotypic diversity was high (H’ = 0.68 ± 0.18). The germplasm was grouped into three phenotypic clusters, differing in their qualities for breeding. Twenty-six genotypes outperforming Supernova INIA were identified for breeding of conventional food-oats. The genetic diversity of the germplasm was moderate on average (He = 0.58 ± 0.03), varying between 0.32 (AM22) and 0.77 (AME178). Two genetic subpopulations supported by the Structure algorithm exhibited a genetic distance of 0.24, showing low divergence of the germplasm. The diversity and phenotypic values found in this collection of oat genotypes are promising with respect to obtaining genetic gain in the short term in breeding programs. However, the similar genetic diversity, higher phenotypic diversity, and better phenotypic performance of the germplasm created in Chile compared to foreign germplasm suggest that germplasm harboring new genetic diversity will be key to favor yield and quality in new oat cultivars in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenotypic diversity of the population of Proteocephalus longicollis (Zeder 1800) cestode from Coregonus lavaretus (Linnaeus 1758) whitefish from Lake Kamennoe (Kostomukshsky Nature Reserve, North Karelia) was studied. The variability of intrapopulation groupings of P. longicollis (identified by discrete traits of the attachment and trophic–reproductive complexes) is described. The diversity, similarity, and difference of morphometric indices and the role of individual groupings in the phenotypic diversity of the population were estimated. It was demonstrated that the phenotype with a clavate scolex form the core of the P. longicollis population. Such a phenotype is well differentiated from the nucleus-like and lanceolate phenotypes by a larger size of the scolex and lower variability. It was concluded that the ecological type of the host's behavior, which determines the niche occupied by a population, is an important factor shaping the phenotypic diversity and structure of the helminth population. The adaptive response of the P. longicollis population to a change in the host species is provided by a change in the frequencies of phenotypes that differ in the attachment traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Populations of the large fruit-tree tortrix Archips podana consist of a mixture of four morphs that differ in male genitalia traits, ecology and sexual behaviour. Here, I tested whether these morphs differently respond to pollution. I found that the within-population diversity of A. podana around the industrial city of Lipetsk in central Russia correlated neither with the distance to the nearest industrial polluter nor with the number of moths captured by pheromone traps. Thus, the four phenotypes of A. podana similarly respond to pollution. Morphological polymorphism offers rich opportunities for studying the eco-evolutionary mechanisms that drive the adaptations of local populations to heterogeneous and changing environments. In this study, I explore the association between pollution load, abundance of large fruit-tree tortrix Archips podana and its within-species diversity (expressed in the presence of apical and/or lateral prongs on the phallus in male genitalia) across 26 study sites located 0.5 to 31 km from the industrial city of Lipetsk in central Russia. The Shannon diversity index, calculated from the frequencies of four morphs, correlated neither with the distance to the nearest industrial polluter (a proxy of pollution load) nor with the number of moths captured by pheromone traps (a measure of population abundance). The statistical power of the correlation analysis was sufficient (67%) to detect a medium effect (i.e., Pearson correlation coefficient with an absolute value of 0.40), if it existed. I conclude that the four phenotypes of A. podana do not differ in tolerance to industrial pollution and similarly respond to pollution-induced environmental disturbance. This is the first study of industrial pollution impacts on within-species diversity of insects expressed in the discrete traits of their male genitalia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several large "shepherd" or livestock guardian dog (LGD) breeds were historically selectively bred to protect sheep and goat flocks in the Balkans, Anatolia, and the Caucasus regions. Although these breeds exhibit similar behavior, their morphology is different. Yet, the fine characterization of the phenotypic differences remains to be analyzed. The aim of this study is to characterize cranial morphology in the specific Balkan and West Asian LGD breeds. We use a 3D geometric morphometric in order to assess morphological differences regarding both shape and size between LGD breeds and compare this phenotypic diversity to close relative wild canids. Our results indicate that Balkan and Anatolian LGDs form a distinct cluster within a relatively large dog cranial size and shape diversity. Most LGDs display a cranial morphology that could be described as intermediate to the mastiff breeds and large herding dogs, except for the Romanian Mioritic shepherd which has a more brachycephalic cranium strongly resembling the bully‐type dog cranial morphotype. Although often considered to represent an ancient type of dog, the Balkan–West Asian LGDs are clearly distinguishable from wolves, dingoes, and most other primitive and spitz‐type dogs and this group displays a surprising cranial diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parallel colour/pattern polymorphism has been reported in the three sympatric spittlebug species Philaenus spumarius, P. signatus and Mesoptyelus impictifrons in the Mediterranean region of Türkiye. In our study, the colour phenotypes POP (populi) and TYP (typicus) are shared by all three species, whereas the phenotypes MEL (melanocephalus), PRA (praeustus) and LCE (leucocephalus) were found only in M. impictifrons. MAR (marginellus), FLA (flavicollis) and LOP (leucophthalmus) were found only in P. signatus, and TRI (trilineatus) and LAT (lateralis) were found only in P. spumarius. In combination with previous results, we show that P. spumarius and P. signatus share all eight common phenotypes except for LAT. The genetic basis of this polymorphism is well understood only for P. spumarius, yet the evolutionary strategies governing this phenomenon found in both sympatric and allopatric populations of the three species remain unknown. As the same visible elytral colour/pattern morphs occur in all three species, it will be interesting to investigate the genetic bases of these polymorphisms with further laboratory crossbreeding experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tachigali vulgaris is a tree with high potential for energy purposes in Brazil. However, there is little information about genetic variability that can be applied to plant breeding. Here, we quantified genetic variability based on biometric and emergence traits of T. vulgaris seeds from the native population of the Brazilian Amazon. The biometric aspects, moisture content, emergence, emergence speed index, and average emergence time of the seeds were evaluated. Genotypic values and genetic parameters were analysed using the mixed model methodology in a completely randomised design with 12 genotypes and four replications of 25 seeds. All biometric and emergence traits of seeds showed phenotypic and genetic variabilities. Heritability was high for all traits evaluated (0.66 to 0.97), and genetic accuracy showed high experimental precision and reliable results (≥ 0.90). Grouping by the Tocher, unweighted pair group with arithmetic mean and principal component analysis methods based on genetic traits returned four groups: Group 1 by Genotypes 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12; Group 2 by Genotype 3; Group 3 by Genotype 2; and Group 4 by Genotype 11. In addition, Genotypes 1, 3–10 and 12 displayed seeds with superior physical and physiological traits and a high probability of genetic gain. Our findings can be used in the selection and marking of trees with a broad genetic base for seed production and plant breeding of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fructilactobacillus sanfranciscensis, the dominant species of lactic acid bacteria in sourdoughs, impacts the microstructure and flavor of steamed bread through exopolysaccharide production, acidification, proteolysis, and volatile compound generation. The aim of this study is to investigate the phenotypic diversity and technological traits of 28 F. sanfranciscensis strains of different genotypes isolated from Chinese traditional sourdoughs. The results showed that F. sanfranciscensis strains exhibited substantial variation in proteinase and peptidase activities and the amount of acidification and volatiles in fermented sourdoughs. However, we observed no significant differences in exopolysaccharide production among the strains. The strains Sx14 and Ts1 were further chosen for transcriptomics to gain a deep insight into their intraspecies diversity in sourdough fermentation. Significant transcriptome differentiations between these two strains after 12 h fermentation in sourdoughs were revealed. According to the results, the strain Sx14 possessed higher dipeptidase and aminopeptidase activities, galactose utilization, and lactic and acetic acid production abilities, whereas Ts1 showed higher transmembrane transport of substrates and fructose utilization.

Abstract Overharvesting is a serious threat to many fish populations. High mortality and directional selection on body size can cause evolutionary change in exploited populations via selection for a specific phenotype and a potential reduction in phenotypic diversity. Whether the loss of phenotypic diversity that accompanies directional selection impairs response to environmental stress is not known. To address this question, we exposed three zebrafish selection lines to thermal stress. Two lines had experienced directional selection for (1) large and (2) small body size, and one was (3) subject to random removal of individuals with respect to body size (i.e. line with no directional selection). Selection lines were exposed to three temperatures (elevated, 34°C; ambient, 28°C; low, 22°C) to determine the response to an environmental stressor (thermal stress). We assessed differences among selection lines in their life history (growth and reproduction), physiological traits (metabolic rate and critical thermal max) and behaviour (activity and feeding behaviour) when reared at different temperatures. Lines experiencing directional selection (i.e. size selected) showed reduced growth rate and a shift in average phenotype in response to lower or elevated thermal stress compared with fish from the random‐selected line. Our data indicate that populations exposed to directional selection can have a more limited capacity to respond to thermal stress compared with fish that experience a comparable reduction in population size (but without directional selection). Future studies should aim to understand the impacts of environmental stressors on natural fish stocks.

The selection of native yeast for alcoholic fermentation in wine focuses on ensuring the success of the process and promoting the quality of the final product. The purpose of this study was firstly to create a large collection of new yeast isolates and categorize them based on their oenological potential. Additionally, the geographical distribution of the most dominant species, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was further explored. Towards this direction, fourteen spontaneously fermented wines from different regions of Greece were collected for yeast typing. The yeast isolates were subjected in molecular analyses and identification at species level. RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) genomic fingerprinting with the oligo-nucleotide primer M13 was used, combined with Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) technique. All yeast isolates were scrutinized for their sensitivity to killer toxin, production of non-desirable metabolites such as acetic acid and H2S, β-glucosidase production and resistance to the antimicrobial agent; SO2. In parallel, S. cerevisiae isolates were typed at strain level by interdelta – PCR genomic fingerprinting. S. cerevisiae strains were examined for their fermentative capacity in laboratory scale fermentation on pasteurized grape must. Glucose and fructose consumption was monitored daily and at the final point a free sorting task was conducted to categorize the samples according to their organoleptic profile. According to our results, among the 190 isolates, S. cerevisiae was the most dominant species while some less common non-Saccharomyces species such as Trigonopsis californica, Priceomyces carsonii, Zygosaccharomyces bailii, Brettanomyces bruxellensis and Pichia manshurica were identified in minor abundancies. According to phenotypic typing, most isolates were neutral to killer toxin test and exhibited low acetic acid production. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis revealed the presence of four yeast groups based on phenotypic fingerprinting. Strain level typing reported 20 different S. cerevisiae strains from which 65% indicated fermentative capacity and led to dry wines. Sensory evaluation results clearly discriminated the produced wines and consequently, the proposed yeast categorization was confirmed. A novel approach that employs biostatistical tools for a rapid screening and classification of indigenous wine yeasts with oenological potential, allowing a more efficient preliminary selection or rejection of isolates is proposed.

Oats are known for their nutritional value and also for their beneficial properties on human health, such as the reduction of cholesterol levels and risk of coronary heart disease; they are an important export product for Chile. During the last decade (2010-2022) over 90% of the oat cultivated area in Chile has been covered with Avena sativa L. cv. Supernova INIA. This lack of genetic diversity in a context of climate change could limit the long-term possibility of growing oats in Chile. The present study is a phenotypic and genetic analysis of 132 oat cultivars and pure lines of diverse origin that can be considered as potential breeding material. The germplasm was evaluated for 28 traits and analyzed with 14 SSR markers. The effects of genotypes on phenotype were significant over all traits (P ≤ 0.05). Most traits exhibited moderate to high broad-sense heritability with exceptions such as yield (H2 = 0.27) and hulls staining (H2 = 0.32). Significant undesirable correlations between traits were generally of small biological importance, which is auspicious for achieving breeding objectives. Some of the heritability data and correlations provided here have not been previously reported. The overall phenotypic diversity was high (H’ = 0.68 ± 0.18). The germplasm was grouped into three phenotypic clusters, differing in their qualities for breeding. Twenty-six genotypes outperforming Supernova INIA were identified for breeding of conventional food-oats. The genetic diversity of the germplasm was moderate on average (He = 0.58 ± 0.03), varying between 0.32 (AM22) and 0.77 (AME178). Two genetic subpopulations supported by the Structure algorithm exhibited a genetic distance of 0.24, showing low divergence of the germplasm. The diversity and phenotypic values found in this collection of oat genotypes are promising with respect to obtaining genetic gain in the short term in breeding programs. However, the similar genetic diversity, higher phenotypic diversity, and better phenotypic performance of the germplasm created in Chile compared to foreign germplasm suggest that germplasm harboring new genetic diversity will be key to favor yield and quality in new oat cultivars in the long term.

AbstractEfficient conservation and subsequent utilization of genetic resources are primarily dependent on the strength in the assessment of variation among genotypes. An experiment was carried out aiming at determining the extent of phenotypic variability present in a panel of 320 barley genotypes and identifying candidate lines for further evaluation in improvement programs and successive utilization. It was conducted at two locations in Ethiopia, Aris Negelle and Holetta in the 2017/18 and 2018/19 cropping seasons. Among the best 30 lines for grain yield across all the environments, lines from farmers’ varieties constitute 73% and lines that mature in less than 85 days were identified. Based on the spike row number, the best-performing lines combined across all the environments were six-rowed types. Based on the two years’ data at Arsi Negelle the two-rowed spike type dominates, and at Holetta the six-rowed type. After principal component analysis, the first three PCs with an eigenvalue greater than one explained 70% of the variation. The correlation coefficient between grain and biomass yield was significant and though low (r = 0.38***). Significant, high, and negative correlation coefficient (−0.72***) was observed between 1000 kernel weight and the number of seeds per spike. A positive correlation between biomass and grain yield attracts farmers as a feed and food crop as it has also been signified in the current research. Having the improved barley gene pool largely from international sources, combining the improved materials with farmers’ varieties may minimize the existing gap between the local and improved barley gene pool.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are integral to the tumor microenvironment (TME), influencing cancer progression significantly. Attracted by cancer cell signals, TAMs exhibit unparalleled adaptability, aligning with the dynamic tumor milieu. Their roles span from promoting tumor growth and angiogenesis to modulating metastasis. While substantial research has explored the fundamentals of TAMs, comprehending their adaptive behavior, and leveraging it for novel treatments remains challenging. This review delves into TAM polarization, metabolic shifts, and the complex orchestration of cytokines and chemokines determining their functions. We highlight the complexities of TAM-targeted research focusing on their adaptability and potential variability in therapeutic outcomes. Moreover, we discuss the synergy of integrating TAM-focused strategies with established cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Emphasis is laid on pioneering methods like TAM reprogramming for cancer immunotherapy and the adoption of singlecell technologies for precision intervention. This synthesis seeks to shed light on TAMs’ multifaceted roles in cancer, pinpointing prospective pathways for transformative research and enhancing therapeutic modalities in oncology [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]