• ALGAE
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.155-165
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• 2016

Green microalgae from the class Chlorophyceae represent a major biodiversity component of eukaryotic algae in continental water. Identification and classification of this group through morphology is a hard task, since it may present cryptic species and phenotypic plasticity. Despite the increasing use of molecular methods for identification of microorganisms, no single standard barcode marker is yet established for this important group of green microalgae. Some available studies present results with a limited number of chlorophycean genera or using markers that require many different primers for different groups within the class. Thus, we aimed to find a single marker easily amplified and with wide coverage within Chlorophyceae using only one pair of primers. Here, we tested the universality of primers for different genes (tufA, ITS, rbcL, and UCP4) in 22 strains, comprising 18 different species from different orders of Chlorophyceae. The ITS primers sequenced only 3 strains and the UCP primer failed to amplify any strain. We tested two pairs of primers for rbcL and the best pair provided sequences for 10 strains whereas the second one provided sequences for only 7 strains. The pair of primers for the tufA gene presented good results for Chlorophyceae, successfully sequencing 21 strains and recovering the expected phylogeny relationships within the class. Thus, the tufA marker stands out as a good choice to be used as molecular marker for the class.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2008

We characterized the human endogenous retrovirus (HERV-W) family in humans and primates. In silico expression data indicated that 22 complete HERV-W families from human chromosomes 1-3, 5-8, 10-12, 15, 19, and X are randomly expressed in various tissues. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis of the HERV-W env gene derived from human chromosome 7q21.2 indicated predominant expression in the human placenta. Several copies of repeat sequences (SINE, LINE, LTR, simple repeat) were detected within the complete or processed pseudo HERV-W of the human, chimpanzee, and rhesus monkey. Compared to other regions (5'LTR, Gag, Gag-Pol, Env, 3'LTR), the repeat family has been mainly integrated into the region spanning the 5'LTRs of Gag (1398 bp) and Pol (3242 bp). FISH detected the HERV-W probe (fosWE1) derived from a gorilla fosmid library in the metaphase chromosomes of all primates (five hominoids, three Old World monkeys, two New World monkeys, and one prosimian), but not in Tupaia. This finding was supported by molecular clock and phylogeny data using the divergence values of the complete HERV-W LTR elements. The data suggested that the HERV-W family was integrated into the primate genome approximately 63 million years (Myr) ago, and evolved independently during the course of primate radiation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.531-538
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• 2020

Objective: Evidence from previous reports indicates that pig domestication in East Asia mainly occurred in the Mekong region and the middle and downstream regions of the Yangtze River. Further research identified two new origin centers for domestic pigs in the Tibetan Plateau and the islands of Southeast Asia. However, due to the small sample size of Tibetan pigs, details of the origin and spread of Tibetan pigs has not yet been established. Methods: We analyzed mitochondrial DNA control region (D-loop) variation in 1,201 individuals from nine Tibetan pig populations across five provinces. Comprehensive Tibetan pig samples were taken to perform the most detailed analysis of Tibetan pigs to date. Results: The result indicate that Rkaze pigs had the lowest level of diversity, while Changdu pigs had the highest diversity. Interestingly, these two populations were both in the Tibetan Plateau area. If we calculate diversity in terms of each province, the Tibetan Plateau area had the lowest diversity, while the Chinese province of Gansu had the highest diversity. Diversity gradient analysis of major haplotypes suggested three domestication centers of Tibetan pigs in the Tibetan Plateau and the Chinese provinces of Gansu and Yunnan. Conclusion: We found two new domestication centers for Tibetan pigs. One is in the Chinese province of Gansu, which lies in the upstream region of the Yellow River, and the other is in the Chinese province of Yunnan.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.1013-1017
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• 2020

Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) harbor diverse microbial symbionts that play essential roles in host physiology, ecology, and evolution. In this study we aimed to reveal microbial communities associated with two different mealybugs, papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus) and two-tailed mealybug (Ferrisia virgata) collected from the same host plant. Comparative analysis of microbial communities associated with these mealybugs revealed differences that appear to stem from phylogenetic associations and different nutritional requirements. This first report on both bacterial and fungal communities associated with these mealybugs provides a preliminary insight on factors affecting the endomicrobial communities.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.272-278
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• 2013

Accurate identification of fish and fish products, from eggs to adults, is important in many areas. Grey mullets of the family Mugilidae are distributed worldwide and inhabit marine, estuarine, and freshwater environments in all tropical and temperate regions. Various Mugilid species are commercially important species in fishery and aquaculture of many countries. For the present study we have chosen two Mugilid genes with different phylogenetic signals: relatively variable mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and conservative nuclear rhodopsin (RHO). We examined their diversity within and among 9 Mugilid species belonging to 4 genera, many of which have been examined from multiple specimens, with the goal of determining whether DNA barcoding can achieve unambiguous species recognition of Mugilid species. The data obtained showed that information based on COI sequences was diagnostic not only for species-level identification but also for recognition of intraspecific units, e.g., allopatric populations of circumtropical Mugil cephalus, or even native and acclimatized specimens of Chelon haematocheila. All RHO sequences appeared strictly species specific. Based on the data obtained, we conclude that COI, as well as RHO sequencing can be used to unambiguously identify fish species. Topologies of phylogeny based on RHO and COI sequences coincided with each other, while together they had a good phylogenetic signal.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.217-225
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• 2003

This study was conducted to ascertain interspecific relationships by analyzing allozyme and soluble proteins of ten species in the Drosophila (Drosophila) to form a part of systematic studies of Korean drosophilids. The results of allozyme and TDE analysis showed that D. (D.) curvispina and D (D.) tsigana had the furthest genetic distance. On the other hand, the genetic distance between D (D.) angularis and D (D.) brachynephros was extremely close. And, ten species of the subgenus Drosophila can be divided into the first group of D. (D.) virilis, D. (D.) tsigana and D. (D.) lacertosa , and the second group consisted of four subgroups; the first subgroup clustered D. (D.) angularis and D (D.) brachynephros, the second subgroup clustered D. (D.) unispina and D. (D.) curvispina, the third subgroup of D (D.) takadai and D. (D.) kuntzei and the fourth subgroup of D. (D.) nigromaculata alone.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.253-264
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• 1996

The ultrastructure of spermatozoa in urodeles and primitive anurans was examined and compared. The spermatozoa of urodeles are characterized by seven plesiomorphies in subacrosomal cone, endounclear canal. perforatorium, ring, marginal filament, undulating membrane and tail axis. Most primitive anuran spermatozoa have no marginal filament, subacrosomal cone and ring structure with the exception of having the subacrosomal cone in Ascaphus and the ring in Discohlossus as compared with those of urodeles. Persistence of the subacrosomal cone and the ring structure is typical in most urodeles and is further linked with the primitive anurans. Therefore, these characters are regarded as symplesiomorphies in urodeles and primitive anurans. The organization of sperm tail, endounclear canal and perforatorium indicates a close phylogenetic relationship between urodeles and the primitives anurans.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.81-82
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• 2001

The human ribosomal protein 54 genes, RPS4X and RPS4Y are located on the X and Y chromosomes. They have been postulated as candidate for Turner syndrome which was characterized by gonadal dysgenesis, short stature, and various external and internal anomalies. Using the BLAST search program, we identified sixteen RPS4 pseudogenes from the human genome and analyzed them phylogenetically. The RPS4-C12-1, C12-2, and C12-3 pseudogenes from chromosome 12 have been evolved independently during hominid evolution. The RPS4X gene from X chromosome it closely related to the RPS4-C12-2 from chromosome 12 and RPS4-C5 from chromosome 5, whereas the RPS4Y gene is very closely related to RPS4-C16 from chromosome 16. The exact mapping of the RPS4 pseudogene family was peformed, indicating that the RPS4 pseudogene family was mapped on human chromosomes 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 18, 19 and 20. Taken together, the precise chromosomal localization and phylegenetic relationship of the RPS4 pseudo-genes could be of great use in further study for understanding the Turner syndrome.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.334-344
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• 2019

The genome size is defined as the amount of DNA in an unreplicated gametic chromosome complement and is expressed as the 1C value. It is a fundamental parameter of organisms that is useful for studies of the genome, as well as biodiversity and conservation. The genome sizes of Korean plants, including Carex (Cyperaceae), have been poorly reported. In this study, we report the genome sizes of 43 species and infraspecific taxa of Korean Carex using flow cytometry, and these results represent about 24.4% of the Carex species and infraspecific taxa distributed on the Korean peninsula. The Plant DNA C-Value Database (release 7.1) updated with and now including our data (a total of 372 Carex accessions) shows that the average genome size of members of the Carex species is 0.47 pg (1C), and the largest genome (C. cuspidate Bertol.; 1C = 1.64 pg) is 8.2 times larger than the smallest (C. brownii Tuck., C. kobomugi Ohwi, C. nubigena D. Don ex Tilloch & Taylor, and C. paxii Kuk.; 1C = 0.20 pg). The large genomes are frequently found in the subgen. Carex, especially in sect. Aulocystis, sect. Digitatae, sect. Glaucae, sect. Paniceae, and sect. Siderostictae. Our data updates the current understanding of genome sizes in Carex. This will serve as the basis for understanding the phylogeny and evolution of Carex and will be especially useful for future genome studies.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.173-181
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• 1992

Duck is an important domestic animal, especially in Asia. Eighty five percent of ducks in the world are kept in Asia, especially in the East and South Asia regions. The ancestor of domesticated ducks was mallard (Anas platylhynchos), which are still migrating between north and southern parts in Eurasia. Ducks have been domesticated in China for at least 3000 years ago. Phylogenetic studies on ducks, employing electrophoresis of blood proteins, indicate a marked difference of genetic constitution between duck breeds in southeast Asia and those in northeast Asia. Duck embryonic ovary is much more active in secretion of sex steroid hormones especially estradiol than the embryonic testes. Estradiol secreted by the embryonic left ovary has an important role in female sexual differentiation in ducks. In the female ducks, plasma LH, estradiol and testosterone levels increase and reach peaks shortly before the first egg, while progesterone level reach a peak shortly after the first egg. In laying ducks oviposition mostly occurs in the last 3 hr of darkness and first hr of light ranging 02:00-06:00 under 14 hr light (05:00-19:00) and 10 hr darkness photoperiodic condition. Measurements of plasma hormone levels reveal that onset of darkness is a major signal for LH release from the pituitary and the subsequent release of progesterone from ovary, and for induction of ovulation in the female duck.