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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Genetic Consequences Of Mammalian Social Structure, Jay F. Storz May 1999

Genetic Consequences Of Mammalian Social Structure, Jay F. Storz

Jay F. Storz Publications

Populations of social mammals are characterized by several demographic features that may increase the magnitude of genetic drift relative to other evolutionary forces. In particular, polygynous mating and socially mediated constraints on gene flow have been proposed to foster random genetic differentiation among social groups, thereby accelerating rates of evolutionary change. To evaluate this hypothesized link between sociality and genetic sub- division, I examined results of published studies of mammalian populations in which genetic structuring was assessed at the level of social groups. Population genetic data from a taxonomically diverse array of social mammals revealed low to moderately high levels …


Cynopterus Sphinx, Jay F. Storz, Thomas H. Kunz Jan 1999

Cynopterus Sphinx, Jay F. Storz, Thomas H. Kunz

Jay F. Storz Publications

Order Chiroptera, Family Pteropodidae, Subfamily Pteropodinae, Tribe Cynopterini, Subtribe Cynopterina, Genus Cynopterus. Five species are recognized: C. brachyotis, C. horsfieldi, C. nusatenggara, C. sphinx, and C. titthaecheileus (Koopman, 1993). A key to the species is given in Lekagul and McNeely (1977).


Can Large Dsdna-Containing Viruses Provide Information About The Minimal Genome Size Required To Support Life?, James L. Van Etten Jan 1999

Can Large Dsdna-Containing Viruses Provide Information About The Minimal Genome Size Required To Support Life?, James L. Van Etten

James Van Etten Publications

The genomes of a few viruses, such as Bacillus megaterium phage G (670 kb) and the chlorella viruses (330 to 380 kb), are larger than the predicted minimal genome size required to support life (ca. 320 kb). A comparison of the 256 proteins predicted to be required for life with the putative 376 proteins encoded by chlorella virus PBCV-1, as well as those encoded by other large viruses, indicates that viruses lack many of these “essential” genes. Consequently, it is unlikely that viruses will aid in determining the minimal number and types of genes required for life. However, viruses may …


Genetic Relationships Between Visual And Objective Measures Of Carcass Composition In Crossbred Lambs, H. E. Jones, G. Simm, W. S. Dingwall, R. M. Lewis Jan 1999

Genetic Relationships Between Visual And Objective Measures Of Carcass Composition In Crossbred Lambs, H. E. Jones, G. Simm, W. S. Dingwall, R. M. Lewis

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic and phenotypic (coroariances between objective measures and carcass visual scores, as a test of the potential value afvisual scores in selection programmes to improve carcass composition in crossbred lambs. In each of 1986, 1987 and 1988, 22 Suffolk rams were chosen with either high or low scores on an index designed to increase lean growth rate. These rams were joined with 18 to20 crossbred ewes each and theirlambs were grov.J11 on grass to one of three target live weights (35·5, 41·5 and 47·0 kg) for slaughter. The carcasses of 1881 lambs …


Potential Associations Among Genetic Markers In The Serotonergic System And The Antisocial Alcoholism Subtype, E. M. Hill, S. F. Stoltenberg, M. Burmeister, M. Closser, R. A. Zucker Jan 1999

Potential Associations Among Genetic Markers In The Serotonergic System And The Antisocial Alcoholism Subtype, E. M. Hill, S. F. Stoltenberg, M. Burmeister, M. Closser, R. A. Zucker

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Alcoholism is transmitted in families. The complexity and heterogeneity of this disorder has made it difficult to identify specific genetic correlates. One design with the potential to do so is the family-based association study, in which the frequencies of genetic polymorphisms are compared between affected and nonaffected members. Reduced central serotonin neurotransmission is associated with features of an antisocial subtype of alcoholism, although a primary deficit has not been traced to a particular component. Genetic markers related to the serotonergic system have been identified, located, and cloned. If associations can be discovered, the development process for pharmacotherapy could be facilitated. …


Ecdysteroid Titers In Mated And Unmated Drosophila Melanogaster Females, Lawrence G. Harshman, Anne M. Loeb, Beth A. Johnson Jan 1999

Ecdysteroid Titers In Mated And Unmated Drosophila Melanogaster Females, Lawrence G. Harshman, Anne M. Loeb, Beth A. Johnson

Lawrence G. Harshman Publications

Radioimmunoassay was used to determine ecdysteroid titers in mated or unmated Drosophila melanogaster females. Whole-body ecdysteroid titers increase after mating and this response is more pronounced after 12–24 hours than it is immediately after mating. In one experiment, females were mated to transgenic males deficient in accessory gland proteins to test whether these peptides mediate the observed increase in female whole-body ecdysteroid titers. Females mated to such transgenic males do not show a pronounced increase in whole-body ecdysteroid titers. The effect of mating on female hemolymph ecdysteroid titers was also investigated. Hemolymph ecdysteroid titers decrease after mating. The ecdysteroid titer …


Plant Hybrid Zones And Insect Host Range Expansion, Diana Pilson Jan 1999

Plant Hybrid Zones And Insect Host Range Expansion, Diana Pilson

Diana Pilson Publications

The hybrid bridge hypothesis suggests that plant hybrids ‘‘bridge’’ the genetic gap between actual and potential host species, and that, for this reason, herbivorous insects are more likely to evolve an expanded host range in the presence of hybrids. While intuitively appealing, the hypothesis has two implicit assumptions: that phenotypic gaps between potential hosts limit host range, and that characters controlling host use are additively inherited in plant hybrids. Evaluation of these assumptions suggests that operation of the hybrid bridge hypothesis is relatively uncommon. In addition, the hypothesis has not been well integrated into existing theoretical and empirical work on …