Mauremys mutica(Cantor,1842)is an endangered species in China.Main phenotypic variations inbody color,body weight,body shape,clutch size,egg size,and hatchling size were revealed betweenthe southern and northern popul...Mauremys mutica(Cantor,1842)is an endangered species in China.Main phenotypic variations inbody color,body weight,body shape,clutch size,egg size,and hatchling size were revealed betweenthe southern and northern populations.Both populations have the phenomenon of'larger male'sexualsize dimorphism(SSD),especially in the southern population.Furthermore,genetic variations betweenthe two populations were analyzed by RAPD band patterns of 30 random individuals in each population.The average genetic distance was 0.299±0.108 among the samples of two populations.The average ge-netic distance between southern and northern populations was 0.305±0.046.Cluster analysis indicatedthat all the individuals from the southern and northern populations were clustered among themselves toform two distinct clades.A total of 20 population-specific RAPD fragments were scored from 16 primers,and could be used as RAPD markers for distinguishing the southern and the northern population.Basedon the nucleotide sequences of two RAPD markers,two pairs of SCAR primers(SC1-S and SC2-S)weredesigned,which could be used as SCAR markers for the southern population.According to the significantphenotypic and genetic variations,we suggested that the northern population and southern populationmight be considered as two separate taxa,the'northern taxon'and the'southern taxon',and the con-servation should be respectively conducted on the two taxa.展开更多
Temperature-dependent sex determination（TSD） is a type of environmental sex determination in which the sex of the embryos depends on the ambient temperature; however,the molecular mechanisms governing this process r...Temperature-dependent sex determination（TSD） is a type of environmental sex determination in which the sex of the embryos depends on the ambient temperature; however,the molecular mechanisms governing this process remain unknown.Aromatase,encoded by the cyp19a1 gene,which converts androgens into estrogens in animals,was considered to be the key gene for TSD.In this study,the 5＇-flanking region of the cyp19a1 gene in Reeves＇ turtle（Mauremys reevesii） was cloned,and the promoter region was identified using the luciferase reporter assay.Then the eggs of Reeves＇ turtle were incubated at different temperatures（26°C： male-biased temperature; 29°C： non-sex-biased temperature and 32°C： female-biased temperature）.During the thermosensitive period,the adrenal kidney gonad complexes（AKG） were sampled.DNA methylation analysis of the AKG samples showed that the promoter region of the cyp19a1 gene was significantly de-methylated in the female-biased temperature regime（P＆lt;0.01）.Quantitative analysis of the cyp19a1 gene and estrogen by q PCR and Elisa assay showed that the expression level of the cyp19a1 gene and estrogen content were both upregulated significantly at the female-biased temperature（P＆lt;0.01）.These results indicated that the de-methylation response of the cyp19a1 gene to incubation temperature,especially at the female-biased temperature,could lead to temperature-specific expression of aromatase and increased estrogen levels,which may further determine gonadal development in Reeves＇ turtle.These findings provide insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying TSD.展开更多
Matrix metallopeptidase 3 is a zinc-containing proteinase that participates in tissue remodeling and immune responses. In this study, a cDNA encoding matrix metallopeptidase 3 was isolated and characterized from the A...Matrix metallopeptidase 3 is a zinc-containing proteinase that participates in tissue remodeling and immune responses. In this study, a cDNA encoding matrix metallopeptidase 3 was isolated and characterized from the Asian yellow pond turtle Mauremys mutica（designated as MaMMP3）. The MaMMP3 cDNA is 1805 bp and consists of a 5＇-untranslated region（UTR） of 56 bp, a 3＇-UTR of 243 bp, and an open reading frame（ORF） of 1506 bp encoding 481 amino acids. Homology analysis of MaMMP3 revealed that the MaMMP3 shared 25%–63% similarity to other known MMP3 sequences. The genomic sequence covers 6007 bp. Comparative analysis of the cDNA sequence revealed that the Asian yellow pond turtle MMP3 has eight exons and seven introns. The phylogenetic tree showed that the MaMMP3 is closely related to Gallus gallus MMP3 and Taeniopygia guttata MMP3. The mRNA expression of the MaMMP3 in normal group without any bacterial challenge could be detected in all studied tissues including kidney, heart, live and spleen, with the highest level in the spleen. The results of immune challenge showed that the expression level of MaMMP3 was up-regulated in the spleen and liver. These results provided an important information for studying the roles of Asian yellow pond turtle MMP3 in immunity further.展开更多
The yellow pond turtle Mauremys mutica is widely cultured using both greenhouse-reared and outdoor pond-reared models.Individuals from the two models often show different tolerances to dramatic temperature changes cau...The yellow pond turtle Mauremys mutica is widely cultured using both greenhouse-reared and outdoor pond-reared models.Individuals from the two models often show different tolerances to dramatic temperature changes caused by extreme weather events.However,the mechanism underlying the difference is unclear.In this study,we found that for greenhouse-reared turtles(GRTs),the expression levels of an immune-related gene for transferrin were significantly different(P<0.05)between the control group and the acute cold stress(ACS)group for most time points(3 h,6 h and 48 h),while at two time points(6 h and 12 h)there was a significant difference(P<0.05)between the control group and the acute heat stress(AHS)group.However,for the outdoor pond-reared turtles(OPTs),we found the opposite pattern:the ACS group showed no significant difference(P>0.05)from the control group for all time points(3 h,6 h,12 h,24 h and 48 h),whereas two time points(12 h and 24 h)were significantly different(P<0.05)for the AHS group.Our results indicate that ACS may influence the immunity of GRTs and have no influence on OPTs,whereas AHS may largely affect the immunity of OPTs and have little influence on GRTs.The findings provide insights into the mechanism underlying the different morbidity and mortality rates of turtles from different culture models after extreme weather events.展开更多
Artificial albino Mauremys mutica was bred by a wild female albino M.mutica(P).F1 progeny was bred by mating between albino female turtle(P)and common male turtle,and F2 progeny was bred by mating between mature F1 ma...Artificial albino Mauremys mutica was bred by a wild female albino M.mutica(P).F1 progeny was bred by mating between albino female turtle(P)and common male turtle,and F2 progeny was bred by mating between mature F1 male turtle with albino female turtle(P).After 7-8 years of cultivation,the artificial albino M.mutica was successfully produced from the F3 progeny bred in 2007,which was the first artificial breeding of the albino M.mutica.Through the cultivation of 18 batches of 5 generations(F5),the emergence rate of albino M.mutica reached more than 85%,and it could reach 100%in some cases.A stable albino M.mutica gene was produced for the first time.展开更多
Although the alien Red-eared slider （Trachemys scripta elegans） is generally argued as an invasive species that competes with native turtles, the field evidence on its diet is controversial. Field studies conducted ...Although the alien Red-eared slider （Trachemys scripta elegans） is generally argued as an invasive species that competes with native turtles, the field evidence on its diet is controversial. Field studies conducted at the Gutian Nature Reserve of Guangdong and along the Wanquan River in Hainan, China show that T. s. elegans is an opportunitic omnivore, consuming a wide variety of food items. Consumption varies throughout its range; more plant material is consumed in Guangdong, compared to a more carnivorous diet in Hainan; and juveniles are also found to have a more carnivorous diet than adults. This implies a high adaptability to new environment. Sympatrie native Mauremys sinensis shows a more herbivorous diet and a narrower niche breadth （0.0260） in Hainan, plus a low niche overlap （0.3048） with T. s. elegans, providing a potential empty niche for the invasive T. s. elegans. Red-eared slider is also known to consume large quantities of native prey species to disrupt the ecological balance. It is imperative to understand the invasive nature of this species and the mechanisms by which it affects native ecology.展开更多
基金the National Basic Research Program of China(No.2004CB117405)the Key Research Program of Ocean and Fishery Bureau of Guangdong province(No.2001A09)
文摘Mauremys mutica(Cantor,1842)is an endangered species in China.Main phenotypic variations inbody color,body weight,body shape,clutch size,egg size,and hatchling size were revealed betweenthe southern and northern populations.Both populations have the phenomenon of'larger male'sexualsize dimorphism(SSD),especially in the southern population.Furthermore,genetic variations betweenthe two populations were analyzed by RAPD band patterns of 30 random individuals in each population.The average genetic distance was 0.299±0.108 among the samples of two populations.The average ge-netic distance between southern and northern populations was 0.305±0.046.Cluster analysis indicatedthat all the individuals from the southern and northern populations were clustered among themselves toform two distinct clades.A total of 20 population-specific RAPD fragments were scored from 16 primers,and could be used as RAPD markers for distinguishing the southern and the northern population.Basedon the nucleotide sequences of two RAPD markers,two pairs of SCAR primers(SC1-S and SC2-S)weredesigned,which could be used as SCAR markers for the southern population.According to the significantphenotypic and genetic variations,we suggested that the northern population and southern populationmight be considered as two separate taxa,the'northern taxon'and the'southern taxon',and the con-servation should be respectively conducted on the two taxa.
基金supported financially by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.31401053 and 31471966)Guangdong Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(No.2015A030313903)+1 种基金GDAS Special Project of Science and Technology Development(2017GDASCX-0107)the Funds for Environment Construction and Capacity Building of GDAS’Research Platform(2016GDASPT-0107)
文摘Temperature-dependent sex determination（TSD） is a type of environmental sex determination in which the sex of the embryos depends on the ambient temperature; however,the molecular mechanisms governing this process remain unknown.Aromatase,encoded by the cyp19a1 gene,which converts androgens into estrogens in animals,was considered to be the key gene for TSD.In this study,the 5＇-flanking region of the cyp19a1 gene in Reeves＇ turtle（Mauremys reevesii） was cloned,and the promoter region was identified using the luciferase reporter assay.Then the eggs of Reeves＇ turtle were incubated at different temperatures（26°C： male-biased temperature; 29°C： non-sex-biased temperature and 32°C： female-biased temperature）.During the thermosensitive period,the adrenal kidney gonad complexes（AKG） were sampled.DNA methylation analysis of the AKG samples showed that the promoter region of the cyp19a1 gene was significantly de-methylated in the female-biased temperature regime（P＆lt;0.01）.Quantitative analysis of the cyp19a1 gene and estrogen by q PCR and Elisa assay showed that the expression level of the cyp19a1 gene and estrogen content were both upregulated significantly at the female-biased temperature（P＆lt;0.01）.These results indicated that the de-methylation response of the cyp19a1 gene to incubation temperature,especially at the female-biased temperature,could lead to temperature-specific expression of aromatase and increased estrogen levels,which may further determine gonadal development in Reeves＇ turtle.These findings provide insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying TSD.
基金supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology funds (No. 2011GB23260021)Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (No. 2004CB117401)+1 种基金Science and Technology New Star from Guangzhou City (No. 2012089)Fundamental Research Funds from CAFS (No. 2012A0403)
文摘Matrix metallopeptidase 3 is a zinc-containing proteinase that participates in tissue remodeling and immune responses. In this study, a cDNA encoding matrix metallopeptidase 3 was isolated and characterized from the Asian yellow pond turtle Mauremys mutica（designated as MaMMP3）. The MaMMP3 cDNA is 1805 bp and consists of a 5＇-untranslated region（UTR） of 56 bp, a 3＇-UTR of 243 bp, and an open reading frame（ORF） of 1506 bp encoding 481 amino acids. Homology analysis of MaMMP3 revealed that the MaMMP3 shared 25%–63% similarity to other known MMP3 sequences. The genomic sequence covers 6007 bp. Comparative analysis of the cDNA sequence revealed that the Asian yellow pond turtle MMP3 has eight exons and seven introns. The phylogenetic tree showed that the MaMMP3 is closely related to Gallus gallus MMP3 and Taeniopygia guttata MMP3. The mRNA expression of the MaMMP3 in normal group without any bacterial challenge could be detected in all studied tissues including kidney, heart, live and spleen, with the highest level in the spleen. The results of immune challenge showed that the expression level of MaMMP3 was up-regulated in the spleen and liver. These results provided an important information for studying the roles of Asian yellow pond turtle MMP3 in immunity further.
基金funded by the thousand PhD program of Guangdong Academy of Sciences(No.2018GDASCX-0932,No.2020GDASYL-20200103099)the Training Fund of Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources For PhDs,Masters and Postdoctoral Researchers(No.GIABR-pyjj201603)+2 种基金the GDAS Special Project of Science and Technology Development(No.2018GDASCX-0107)the Scientific and Technological Program of Guangdong Province(No.2017A020219004)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.31772486)。
文摘The yellow pond turtle Mauremys mutica is widely cultured using both greenhouse-reared and outdoor pond-reared models.Individuals from the two models often show different tolerances to dramatic temperature changes caused by extreme weather events.However,the mechanism underlying the difference is unclear.In this study,we found that for greenhouse-reared turtles(GRTs),the expression levels of an immune-related gene for transferrin were significantly different(P<0.05)between the control group and the acute cold stress(ACS)group for most time points(3 h,6 h and 48 h),while at two time points(6 h and 12 h)there was a significant difference(P<0.05)between the control group and the acute heat stress(AHS)group.However,for the outdoor pond-reared turtles(OPTs),we found the opposite pattern:the ACS group showed no significant difference(P>0.05)from the control group for all time points(3 h,6 h,12 h,24 h and 48 h),whereas two time points(12 h and 24 h)were significantly different(P<0.05)for the AHS group.Our results indicate that ACS may influence the immunity of GRTs and have no influence on OPTs,whereas AHS may largely affect the immunity of OPTs and have little influence on GRTs.The findings provide insights into the mechanism underlying the different morbidity and mortality rates of turtles from different culture models after extreme weather events.
基金Ganzhou Science and Technology Project(GZ2017ZSF099)。
文摘Artificial albino Mauremys mutica was bred by a wild female albino M.mutica(P).F1 progeny was bred by mating between albino female turtle(P)and common male turtle,and F2 progeny was bred by mating between mature F1 male turtle with albino female turtle(P).After 7-8 years of cultivation,the artificial albino M.mutica was successfully produced from the F3 progeny bred in 2007,which was the first artificial breeding of the albino M.mutica.Through the cultivation of 18 batches of 5 generations(F5),the emergence rate of albino M.mutica reached more than 85%,and it could reach 100%in some cases.A stable albino M.mutica gene was produced for the first time.
基金conducted by supporting from KoreaNational Park Service(KNPS)National Institute of Biological Resource(NIBR) Korea Environmental Industry&Technology Institute(KEITI)
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30910103916)
文摘Although the alien Red-eared slider （Trachemys scripta elegans） is generally argued as an invasive species that competes with native turtles, the field evidence on its diet is controversial. Field studies conducted at the Gutian Nature Reserve of Guangdong and along the Wanquan River in Hainan, China show that T. s. elegans is an opportunitic omnivore, consuming a wide variety of food items. Consumption varies throughout its range; more plant material is consumed in Guangdong, compared to a more carnivorous diet in Hainan; and juveniles are also found to have a more carnivorous diet than adults. This implies a high adaptability to new environment. Sympatrie native Mauremys sinensis shows a more herbivorous diet and a narrower niche breadth （0.0260） in Hainan, plus a low niche overlap （0.3048） with T. s. elegans, providing a potential empty niche for the invasive T. s. elegans. Red-eared slider is also known to consume large quantities of native prey species to disrupt the ecological balance. It is imperative to understand the invasive nature of this species and the mechanisms by which it affects native ecology.
