Allozymes Genetic Diversity of Quercus mongolica Fisch in China

A gel electrophoresis method was used to study the genetic diversity of 8 Quercus mongolica populations throughout its range in China. Eleven of 21 loci from 13 enzymes assayed were polymorphic. Q. mongolica maintained low level of genetic variation compared with the average Quercus species. At the species level, the mean number of alleles per locus (A) was 1.905, the percentage of polymorphic loci (P) was 52.38%, the observed heterozygosity (Ho) was 0.092 and the expected heterozygosity (He) was 0.099. At the population level, the estimates were A =1.421, P =28.976%, Ho = 0.088, He =0.085. Genetic differentiation (Gst was high among populations, it was 0.107. According to the UPGMA cluster analysis based on the genetic distance, 4 populations located in northeast and 2 populations in southwest of the geographical distribution are classified into 2 subgroups, but there was no clear relationship between genetic distance and geographic distance among populations. The low level of genetic diversity of Q. mongolica might be related to the long-term exploitation as economic tree species in history are comparatively seriously disturbed and damaged by human beings, and most of the existing stands are secondary forests.

Genetic Structure of Three Populations of Oxya chinensis in Shanxi,China

Starch gel electrophoresis was used to analyze genetic structure of three populations of Oxya chinensis from Shanxi Province,China.Four allozyme polymorphic loci (MDH-1,MDH-2,LDH,ME) were found.The data suggest that two populations of O.chinensis about 41 kilometers apart are genetically similar,but differentiated from the third population with a geographic distance of 357 kilometers.However,the heterozygosity levels of those two genetically similar populations were much different.The Nei's genetic distance between two geographically close populations is 0.068,which is much smaller than those of geographically distant populations (0.23 in average).The observed overlap of geographical distance and genetic distance implies that for O.chinensis population divergence may correlate with geographic isolation.

A Biosystematic Study on Asplenium sarelii Complex

The series Variantia Ching et S. H. Wu mainly occur in China and its members are highly variable in morphology. The denomination on this group of Asplenium is very confused in the herbaria. We hop e by means of a biosystematic study to find out their genetic relationships in the reticulate evolution, and to raise a suggestion on their taxonomic treatment. Evidence from cytology, allozyme, morphology, and palynology shows that three ancestor diploids have formed Asplenium sarelii complex comprising 13 members. A. sarelii Hook. should be typified as a diploid. The so-called tetraploid 'A. sarelii' before is an allotetraploid that comes from the doubled hybrid between diploid A. sarelii and A. tenuicaule Hayata, which should be treated as a new species A. wudangense Z. R. Wang et X. Hou. A. pekinense Hance is an autotetraploid that comes from the doubled diploid ancestor A. sarelii. A. lushanense C. Chr., a diploid species and the only ancestor of A. yunnariense group, should not been sunk as a synonym of tetraploid A. yunnariense Franch. Most probably, A. varians Wall. ex Hook. et Grev. is an autotetraploid of A. tenuicaule Hayata. Three new natural tetraploid hybrids and their origins have been found out: they are A. x longmenense ( = A. pekinense x varians), A. x jingyunense ( = A. pekinense x yunnanense) and A. x kidoi ( = A. pekinense x wudangense). Three other new natural triploid hybrids have been found and their origins have been inferred: they are A. X huawuense ( = A. sarelii X wudangense), A. x luyunense ( = A. lushanense x yunnanense) and A. x teniuvaians ( = A. tenuicaule x varians). The method of allozyme comparion combined with cytological observation is employed to reveal the complicated relationships among the members of Asplenium sarelii complex in reticulate evolution and proved to be a highly effective tool to investigate the origin of polyploid and hybrid.

Allozyme Diversity and Population Genetic Structure of Three Medicinal Epimedium Species from Hubei

Three Epimedium species, E. pubescens Maxim., E. sagittatum （Sieb. ＆ Zucc.） Maxim., and E. wushanense T. S. Ying, which are sympatrically distributed in the western Hubei Province, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） for about 2,000 years. Genetic variability and population genetic structure of 11 natural populations of these Epimedium species were investigated using isoelectric focusing in thin-layer polyacrylamide slab gels. Of the 22 enzyme systems prescreened, six coding for 13 loci and 45 alleles were resolved, which were used for analyzing genetic diversity and population structure at both intraspecific and interspecific levels. The results showed that： l） high levels of genetic diversity were observed in all three species （A = 2.6-3.2, P = 69.2%-84.6%, Ho= 0.274-0.377, HE= 0.282-0.369）, which were higher than that of other herbaceous and aulmal-pollinated species with similar life-history characteristics; 2） there was significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium, with one half of the loci showing heterozygote excess and the other homozygote excess, in all populations, suggesting the complicated breeding system of Epimedium species; 3） the low level of intraspecific and interspecific genetic differentiation （GST= 0.0246-0.0409 and 0.0495-0.1213, respectively） indicated a high level of gene flow among populations and close genetic relationship among the three species; and 4） UPGMA cluster analysis further showed that E. pubescens was more closely related to E. sagittatum than to E. wushanense, which was in good agreement with the morphological characters and the recent phylogenetic analysis of these species. On the basis of these results, it was concluded that the mixed breeding system, long-lived perennial life form, ancient evolutionary history, and seed dispersal by ants in Epimedium are responsible for the genetic variation and population structure of these species.

Molecular Markers for Genetic Diversity Studies in African Leafy Vegetables

African leafy vegetables are becoming important crops in tackling nutrition and food security in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, since they provide important micronutrients and vitamins, and help resource-poor farm families bridge lean periods of food shortage. Genetic diversity studies are essential for crop improvement programmes as well as germplasm conservation efforts, and research on genetic diversity of these vegetables using molecular markers has been increasing over time. Diversity studies have evolved from the use of morphological and biochemical markers to molecular markers. Molecular markers provide valuable data, since they detect mostly selectively neutral variations at the DNA level. They are well established and their strengths and limitations have been described. New marker types are being developed from a combination of the strengths of the basic techniques to improve sensitivity, reproducibility, polymorphic information content, speed and cost. This review discusses the principles of some of the established molecular markers and their application to genetic diversity studies of African leafy vegetables with a main focus on the most common Solanum, Amaranthus, Cleome and Vigna species.

Genetic Variation and Differentiation of Larix decidua Populations in Swiss Alps

Genetic diversity within and among six subpopulations of Larix decidua Mill. from two altitudinal transects of Swiss Alps was investigated using 6 enzyme systems coding for 8 loci. Globally, the mean proportion of polymorphic loci was 22.9%, the average number of alleles per locus was 1.3, and the mean expected heterozygosity was 0.095. Only 5.8% of the genetic variation resided among populations. The mean genetic distance was 0.006. Several significant differences of gene frequencies were found between different age classes. Positive values of the species mean fixation index observed in this study suggested a considerable deficit of heterozygotes in the populations of L. decidua of Swiss Alps. At one of the sites (Arpette), the highest subpopulation in elevation gave the lowest level of genetic diversity (as evidenced by the lowest proportion of polymorphic loci and the lowest mean expected heterozygosity) and the largest value of genetic distance when compared to other subpopulations. The genetic differences between the highest subpopulation and the other ones suggest that the founder effect may be an important factor influencing genetic differentiation of L. decidua populations at Arpette transect.

AN ALLOZYME ELECTROPHORESIS STUDY ON ELEVEN SPECIES OF MEGOPHRYINAE IN CHINA

Allozymes of eleven species of Megophryinae in China were examined electrophoretically to investigate genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships. Fourteen enzymes, presumptively coded by 24 loci were detected to be variable. Gene frequencies of each population at each locus were presented. The commonly used measure of genetic diversity, the average heterozygosity (H) were calculated based on gene frequencies. The results indicated that Megophryinae had a high level of genetic diversity in amphibians, an average H of 0.18, ranging from 0.058 to 0.28. Nei's (1978) genetic distances(Nei's D) were calculated for all possible population pairs. A dendrogram of 13 populations representing 11 species, 3 genera of Megophryinae were derived and presented by using UPGMA, based on Nei' s D. The assignment of Ophryophryne as a distinct genus were supported by an average Nei's D of 1.4067 which separated O. microstoma from all other populations.Subdivision of Brachytarsophrys from Megophrys was not supported by this study. Within Megophrys, three groups were recognized: (1)M. lateralis, M. giganticus and M. longipes; (2)M. palpebralespineosa, M. boettgeri and M. parva;(3) M. minor and M. kuatunensis. Three populations of M. omeimontis were closely related and share a clade independent from all other Megophrys, and B. feae as well.

Genetic diversity and differentiation of mud crab Scylla serrata populations from southeastern China

The genetic diversity and differentiation of 6 mud crab Scylla serrata populations from southeastern China are investigated using allozyme electrophoresis. The mean number of alleles per locus population is 1.3 ± 0.1; the percentage of polymorphic loci per population is 27.3; the observed heterozygosity ranges from (0.195±0.083) to ( 0.241±0.090) and the expected heterozygosity ranges from ( 0.105±0.043 ) to ( 0.131±0.047 ). The coefficient of gene differentiation among populations is low (Fst =0.032), indicating that only 3.2 % of the total genetic diversity comes from inter-population, while the remaining 96.8 % comes from intra-population differences. The genetic distance among populations is 0.000-0.008 (the average is 0.002). Gene flow among the populations is large (Nm = 7.56).Genetic structure is very similar among 6 Scylla serrata populations.

Study on genetic diversity of cultivated populations in 4 species of shrimps

Genetic diversity of cultivated populations was investigated using assay of vertical slabpolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in 4 species of shrimps, which were Penaeus japonicus, Penaeus monodon , Penaeus vannamei and Metapenaeus ensis, The results showed that the mean number of alle-les per locus (A) is 1.3±0.2, 1.3±0.1, 1.3±0.1 and 1.3 ±0.1 respectively; the percentage of polymorphic loci (P0.95) is 12.5, 6.7, 20 and 23.5 respectively; the expected heterozygosity (He) is 0.042±0.034,0.042±0.031, 0.094±0.042 and 0.097±0.047 respectively; and the observed heterozygosity (H0)is 0.029±0.024, 0.028±0.023,0.154±0.082 and 0.150±0.084 respectively. The difference of genetic diversity is obvious in 4 species of shrimps. The degree of genetic diversity is M. ensis > P. vannamei > P. japonicus > P. monodon. In short, the lower level of genetic diversity is estimated in 4 species of shrimps.

Genetic Diversity Based on Allozyme Alleles of Chinese Cultivated Rice

Genetic diversity was analyzed with 6 632 core rice cultivars selected from 60 282 Chinese rice accessions on the basis of 12 allozyme loci, Pgil, Pgi2, Amp1, Amp2, Amp3, Amp4, Sdhl, Adhl, Estl, Est2, Est5 and Est9, by starch gel electrophoresis. Among the materials examined, 52 alleles at 12 polymorphic loci were identified, which occupied 96.3% of 54 alleles found in cultivated germplasm of O. sativa L. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 7 with an average of 4.33. The gene diversity （He） each locus varied considerably from 0.017 for Amp4 to 0.583 for Est2 with an average gene diversity （Ht） 0.271, mid Shannon-Wiener index from 0.055 to 0.946 with an average of 0.468. The degree of polymorphism （DP） was in a range from 0.9 to 46.9% with an average of 21.4%. It was found that the genetic diversity in japonica （Keng） subspecies was lower in terms of allele＇s number, Ht and S-W index, being 91.8, 66.2 and 75.7% of indica （Hsien） one, respectively. Significant genetic differentiation between indica and japonica rice has been appeared in the loci Pgil, Amp2, Pgi2, and Est2, with higher average coefficient of genetic differentiation （Gst） 0.635, 0.626, 0.322 and 0.282, respectively. Except less allele number per locus （3.33） for modern cultivars, being 76.9% of landraces, the Ht and S-W index showed in similar between the modem cultivars and the landraces detected. In terms of allozyme, the rice cultivars in the Southwest Plateau and Central China have richer genetic diversity. The present study reveals again that Chinese cultivated rice germplasm has rich genetic diversity, showed by the allozyme allele variation.

Mating system and genetic diversity of a rare desert legume Ammopiptanthus nanus (Leguminosae)

Ammopiptanthus nanus is an endangered evergreen shrub endemic to the deserts of central Asia and plays an important role in delaying further desertification. We examined allozyme variation and AFLP diversity in A. nanus populations and investigated the mating system of this species using progeny arrays assayed for polymorphic allozyme loci. Mating system analysis in the Keyi＇eryongke＇er population showed low levels of outcrossing, and strong inbreeding depression. Low levels of genetic variation were detected at both population （allozyme, Pp=14.0%, A=l.14, He=0.031; AFLP, Pp=14.5%, Shannon＇s information index I=0.063） and species （allozyme, Pp=21.1%, A=1.21, He=0.040; AFLP, Pp=20.9%, I=0.083） levels; while moderate genetic differentiation existed among populations, as indicated by allozymes （Gsa-=0.081） and AFLP （GST=0.151-0.193）. Founder effect, bottlenecks in evolutionary history, the mixed mating system and co-ancestry may have influenced the level of genetic diversity in A. nanus. Markers of both types provide new insights for conservation management, indicating that the Biao＇ertuokuoyi and Keyi＇eryongke＇er populations should be given priority for in situ conservation and regarded as seed sources for ex situ conservation.

Genetic Variation Among White Croaker Populations

To investigate the genetic structures and differentiation of different wild populations of white croaker （Pennahia argentara）, horizontal starch gel electrophoresis was performed on 133 individuals collected from five different locations in China and Japan. The eleven enzyme systems revealed 15 loci, of which eleven were polymorphic. The percentage ofpolymorphic loci of white croaker populations varied from 6.67% to 53.3.3%; the mean observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.0033 to 0.0133 and 0.0032 to 0.0191, respectively. The expected heterozygosity revealed a low genetic variability for white croaker in comparison with other marine fishes. The genetic distances between populations ranged from 0.00005 to 0.00026. A weak differentiation was observed within each clade and between clades; and no significant differences in gene frequencies among populations were observed in white croaker. Among the five populations, three Chinese populations showed more genetic diversity than that in Japanese populations.

Genetic variation of natural and cultured stocks of Paralichthys olivaceus by allozyme and RAPD

Population genetics of the left-eyed flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, including natural and cultured stocks distributed in the coastal waters near Qingdao of eastern maritime China, was analyzed in allozyme and RAPD. The results showed that among total 29 gene loci of 15 isozymes, 9 and 7 were po- lymorphic in natural and cultured stocks, respectively. The status of genetic diversity in P. olivaceus is low in terms of polymorphic loci in chi-square test and genetic departure index of Hardy-Weinberg equi- librium. More alleles in IDHP, CAT, GDH and Ldh-C allozymes were found in the fish, which could be used as markers in assortive breeding and distinguishing stock, population or species evolution. Total 88 and 86 RAPD bands ranging from 200 to 2 500 bp were recognized individually in average of 7.8–8.0 bands per primer. The genetic diversity in cultured stock is lower than that in natural ones showing an ob- viously decreasing genetic divergence. Therefore, effective countermeasures must be taken to protect ge- netic resources of marine cultured fishes. The 2 markers have their own pros and cons. Combining the 2 markers to investigate the genetic variation of populations is suggested. The results provide basic data of this flounder and they are useful for studying genetic improvement and genetic resources of the fish.

The comparison between allozyme and RAPD makers for the population genetic structure analysis of scallop Chlamys farreri

To compare genetic markers for population genetics analysis, allozyme electrophoresis and random amplified polymorphic DNA （RAPD） were used to detect the genetic structure of scallop Chlamysfarreri population. Thirteen enzymes （MDH, ME, IDH, GPI, PGM, PEP-LG, PEP-pp, ACP, AK, PK, AAT, SOD, EST） in three butter systems （TC, pH6.9; TMME, pH 7.4; and EBT, pHS.9） were selected and 22 loci were used for the analysis, among them 7 loci （Gpi, Pgm, Pep.m-l, Pep.pp. Aat-2, Est-2, Est-3） were polymorphic which attributed 31.82% to the total. The average of heterozygosity was 0.113 and most of the studied loci showed heterozygote deficiencies. The same specimens were investigated using 10 arbitrarily selected primers （10-base）. Twenty two of 54 RAPD fragments were polymorphic with average heterozygosity of 0.194. The result indicated that the two types of markers reflected a consistent trend in the parameter values of genetic diversity of the population, but RAPD revealed more information of genetic variation than allozyme electrophoresis.

Effects of traffic pollution on the genetic structure of Poa annua L.populations

The genetic composition of Poa annua L. populations with a series of traffic pollution was studied by starch electrophoresis. Five enzyme systems were stained. The results showed that: (1) Traffic pollution can dramatically change genotypic frequencies at some loci of P. annua populations. Significant deviations from Hardy Weinberg equilibrium were observed on loci Fe 1 and Me due to the excess of heterozygotes in some populations. (2) The effective number of alleles per locus and the observed and expected heterozygosity were higher in the pollution series than in the clear control site(Botanic Park population), but the increase was not related with the pollution extent. (3) Most genetic variation was found within populations, and only 6 21% was among populations of the polluted series. Slightly higher differentiation( F ST =7 98%) was observed when the control population was included. (4) The calculated gene flow(Nm) is 2 8841 per generation. The mean of genetic identity is 0 9864 and the genetic distance average to 0 0138

Hybrids between olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus and stone flounder Kareius bicoloratus: karyotype,allozyme and RAPD analyses

The hybrid between olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus and stone flounder Kareius bicoloratus was produced by artificial insemination of olive flounder eggs with stone flounder sperm. Sinistral and dextral are two types of hybrid progeny after metamorphosis. Karyotypes of both hybrid flounders are the same as those of the two parental species. Of the 22 loci examined from 12 allozymes, 12 confirmed hybridization of the paternal and maternal loci in hybrids and no difference was found in allozyme patterns of sinistral and dextral hybrid fishes. RAPD patterns of these specimens were also studied with 38 primers selected from 104 tested. Among them, the PCR products of 30 primers showed hybridization of the paternal and maternal bands. Genetic variation between hybrids and their parental stocks was analyzed by RAPD using 10 of the above 38 primers. The average heterozygosity and genetic distance were calculated. The results suggested that the filial generation could inherit a little more genetic materials from paternal fish than that from maternal fish.

Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis analysis of Echinostoma revolutum and Echinostoma malayanum(Trematoda:Echinostomatidae) isolated from Khon Kaen Province,Thailand

Objective:To explore the genetic variation and differentiation of 2 echinostomes from genus Echinostoma,i.e.Echinostoma revolutum(E.revolution) and Echinostoma malayanum(E. malayanum) from Khon Kaen Province,Thailand.Methods:These parasites were compared at 22 enzymes encoding a presumptive 30 loci by using multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MEE) technique.Results:Twenty-two loci can be used as diagnostic markers to differentiate these 2 species.E.revolutum and E.malayanum had fixed genetic differences at 70%of loci, whereas both species had fixed genetic differences from the liver fluke,Opisthorchis viverrini at 91%of loci.Intraspecific variation within a population of E.revolutum was observed at 5 polymorphic loci.Conclusions:MEE is a powerful technique to investigate genetic variation and differentiation of E.revolutum and E.malayanum.

GENETIC DIFFERENTIATION WITHIN ERIOCHOIR SINENSIS (MILNE,EDWARDS) REVEALED BY ALLOZYME AND RAPD

We analyzed 17 allozymes and 20 primers in order to detect the genetic differentiation between commercial populations (Changjiang River, Liaohe River) of Eriochoir sinensis . Ten allozymes (LDH, MDH, ME, IDH, EST, ALP, AAT, CTL, POD, SOD) showed 21 loci by vertically discontinuos buffer system polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. RAPD profiles generated by 12 ten base primers showed 63 loci. The percentage of polymorphic loci and the expected heterozygosity obtained by using allozyme analysis were lower than those obtained by RAPD. The index of similarity between these two populations were 0.955 and 0.932 as revealed by allozyme analysis and RAPD technology. There was gene flow between the above populations.

Allozyme Polymorphism and Genetic Differentiation Among Populations of Jaculus jaculus and J. orientalis (Rodentia: Dipodidae) in Tunisia

Genetic variability and divergence among natural populations of Jaculus jaculus and J. orientalis in Tunisia were examined by electrophoretic analysis of 16 enzymatic proteins encoded by 23 genetic loci. Low levels of genetic variability were found among populations of both species in comparison to those of other rodent and mammal species of which data are available. In J. jaculus populations, the mean level of observed heterozygosity （Hobs） ranged from 0.08 to 0.19, while the mean percentage of polymorphic loci （P） ranged from 26.2% to 45.2% and the mean number of alleles per locus （A） ranged from 1.1 to 1.4. Nevertheless, the mean values were 0.10 to 0.15, 29.3% to 44.1% and 1.1 to 1.7, respectively, for J. orientalis. In addition, populations of the two species have revealed a lower degree of genetic differentiation （Fst=0.0017 for J. jaculus and 0.0019 for J. orientalis）. Moreover, Fst was 0.607, P〈0.05 between populations of the two species, indicating that they were highly genetically diverged from each other. The present data assures the previous results on the validity of the present taxonomic situation of the two species and emphasis on the effect of geographic factors （environments type and bioclimatic stages） on the genetic structure of both species.

Taxonomy of the lesser jerboa Jaculus jaculus (Dipodidae,Rodentia) based on allozymic and morphological variation

The lesser Egyptian jerboa Jaculus jaculus, is a member of the subfamily Dipodinae, known to have a number of subspecies. Previous studies of J. jaculus from North Africa found various morphological forms of unknown taxonomic status, which are frequently grouped into two taxa： J. jaculus and J. deserti. We assessed the taxonomic status of this taxon in Tunisia using allozymic （phylogenetic analysis of 23 genetic loci encoding 16 enzymatic proteins） and morphological （multivariate analysis of 13 craniodental characters） analyses of 136 J. jaculus specimens collected from seven localities within its distribution range. Allozymic analysis clearly indicated the existence of two distinct groups of J. jaculus, with a mean genetic distance （D） value of 0.99 and FΩ=0.52. Individuals within the two groups did not show any obvious geographical structuration, even within the Matmata locality which represents the meeting point for the two groups where they were found in sympatry. Additionally, morphometric analysis of 13 craniodental characters was clearly separated the two groups. These results were obtained over a very restricted area of the total distribution of J. jaculus and strongly suggest the occurrence of two separate and often sympatric species within the currently accepted J.jaculus in Tunisia： J.jaculus and J. deserti