Phylogenetic studies on three Helicotylenchus species based on 28S rDNA and mtCOI sequence data.

To facilitate the process of spiral nematode species delineation, populations of Helicotylenchus canadensis, H. pseudorobustus, and H. varicaudatus deriving from various locations and diverse natural and anthropogenic environments from Poland were investigated and characterized. For the first time, 28S rDNA sequences are reported for H. canadensis and H. varicaudatus, whereas new mtCOI sequences were acquired for all three analyzed species. A Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of the 28S rDNA fragments revealed that H. canadensis and H. varicaudatus are members of a clade that is a sister group to all other Helicotylenchus species; however, the closest known sister group to H. canadensis is H. vulgaris type A. Both 28S rDNA- and mtCOI-based phylogenetic results suggest that this clade excludes H. pseudorobustus, whose most recent common ancestor with the former species was inferred to be the ancestor of all Helicotylenchus species. Moreover, within the mtCOI sequences obtained from H. pseudorobustus, unlike from the other two, a simultaneous presence of TAG and TAA codons was identified. This may indicate mitochondrial genetic code alterations or other genomic rearrangements in H. pseudorobustus.To facilitate the process of spiral nematode species delineation, populations of Helicotylenchus canadensis, H. pseudorobustus, and H. varicaudatus deriving from various locations and diverse natural and anthropogenic environments from Poland were investigated and characterized. For the first time, 28S rDNA sequences are reported for H. canadensis and H. varicaudatus, whereas new mtCOI sequences were acquired for all three analyzed species. A Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of the 28S rDNA fragments revealed that H. canadensis and H. varicaudatus are members of a clade that is a sister group to all other Helicotylenchus species; however, the closest known sister group to H. canadensis is H. vulgaris type A. Both 28S rDNA- and mtCOI-based phylogenetic results suggest that this clade excludes H. pseudorobustus, whose most recent common ancestor with the former species was inferred to be the ancestor of all Helicotylenchus species. Moreover, within the mtCOI sequences obtained from H. pseudorobustus, unlike from the other two, a simultaneous presence of TAG and TAA codons was identified. This may indicate mitochondrial genetic code alterations or other genomic rearrangements in H. pseudorobustus.

Short Communication Microsatellite loci in the tetraploid spined loach, Cobitis biwae, and cross-species amplification in four related species.

Fifteen microsatellite loci were identified in the tetraploid spined loach, Cobitis biwae (Teleostei: Cobitidae). Among these, 14 were polymorphic (5-31 alleles) and showed moderate to high cross-species amplification transferability in four related species, Cobitis matsubarai, Cobitis taenia, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, and Misgurnus fossilis. The loci, described herein, will be useful for population genetics, phylogeny, parentage analysis, and detection of hybridization among Cobitis species.

Effect of septal forebrain lesions on soluble fibrin monomer complexes in blood.

Soluble fibrin monomer complexes (FM) in blood were measured in septal forebrain lesioned rats on the 4th, 12th, 17th and 21st postoperative days by using the protamine sulfate-induced precipitation method. It was found that septal lesions resulted in a statistically significant increase of FM as compared to the control sham lesioned animals. This increase was positively correlated with heightened emotional reactivity induced by septal lesions. The results obtained suggest that damage to the septal forebrain area may activate the process of intravascular coagulation.