The localization of chromosome domains in human interphase nuclei. Three-dimensional distance determinations of fluorescence in situ hybridization signals from confocal laser scanning microscopy

The three-dimensional positions of two centromeric DNA probes specific for chromosomes 7 and 15 were determined using optical sectioning by multi-wavelength confocal laser scanning microscopy of human interphase fibroblasts. In addition to the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) signals, the immunofluorescence of nuclear lamin was used to delineate the nuclear boundary. The coordinates of the in situ probes and the centre of the nucleus were determined for 38 nuclei from which the vectors and distances between homologous and heterologous centromeres and from each centromere to the nuclear centre were computed. The distributions of the calculated distances were analysed statistically and compared with those predicted for a random distribution. It was found that both chromosome loci are non-randomly distributed in the nucleus and that centromere 15, compared with centromere 7, is significantly closer to the centre of the nucleus. We established that quantitative three-dimensional (3-D) measurements of multiple targets are feasible although the experimentally and computationally intensive methods limit the attainable dataset to a relatively small number of nuclei. Therefore, the results were compared with those acquired for a larger number of similar cells in a simpler two-dimensional (2-D) analysis carried out in a companion study

Kuppler et al. Native and exotic species exploited space size and overlap (Morphology)

Size and overlap for each exploited space of native and exotic flower visitor species. Exploited space size and overlap were calculated including floral morphology using dynamic range boxes (Junker et al., 2016, MEE)

Kuppler et al. Native and exotic species exploited space size and overlap (weather)

Size and overlap for each exploited space of native and exotic flower visitor species. Exploited space size and overlap were calculated including weather conditions using dynamic range boxes (Junker et al., 2016, MEE)

Kuppler et al. exploited space overlap of native and exotic flower visitors (single dimensions)

Overlap for each exploited space dimension of native and exotic flower visitor species. Dimension-wise exploited space size were calculated for floral morphology, weather conditions and floral scent compounds using dynamic range boxes (Junker et al., 2016, MEE)

Kuppler et al. Native and exotic species exploited space size and overlap (full exploited space)

Size and overlap for each exploited space of native and exotic flower visitor species. Exploited space size and overlap were calculated including measured floral morphology, weather conditions and floral scent compounds using dynamic range boxes (Junker et al., 2016, MEE)

Kuppler et al. Native and exotic flower-visitor species observed in the study

Observed native and exotic flower visiting taxa. Taxa names are given as species names, morphospecies (M1, M2, etc.) or as genera potentially comprising several species

Kuppler et al. Native and exotic species exploited space size and overlap (scent)

Size and overlap for each exploited space of native and exotic flower visitor species. Exploited space size and overlap were calculated including floral scent compounds using dynamic range boxes (Junker et al., 2016, MEE)

Kuppler et al. Plot descripition

Description of study sites

Data from: Exotic flower visitors exploit large floral trait spaces resulting in asymmetric resource partitioning with native visitors

1.Exotic species often cause severe alterations in native communities due to their ability to rapidly and efficiently utilize a broad spectrum of resources. In flower-visitor interactions, the breadth of resource use by native and exotic animals as well as the partitioning of resources among them is often estimated based on the number of (shared) plant species used as resources. However, whether a flower visitor is able to exploit plant resources has been shown to be delimited by functional floral traits such as morphological barriers or attractive or repellent chemical cues. Each of the ecologically relevant traits can be viewed as a dimension of a Hutchinsonian n-dimensional hypervolume, which characterizes the range of phenotypes exploitable by a species. 2.In this study, we quantified the sizes and overlaps of n-dimensional hypervolumes defined by floral traits that are exploitable by native and exotic flower visitors (afterwards referred to as exploited space, ES). In the heavily invaded Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, USA, we phenotyped 40 native and exotic plant species and recorded flower-visitor interactions. To quantify the size and overlap of ES, we applied dynamic range boxes (dynRB). 3.On average, exotic flower visitors were more generalized in resource use (larger ES) than natives ones, which is additionally indicated by the absence of native flower visitors on exotic flowering plant species. In particular, ES based on floral scent emission was larger for exotic flower visitors compared to native ones. The unevenly expanded ES of native and exotic animals led to an asymmetric overlap of floral ES where the exotic flower visitors shared only a small proportion of their ES with natives but occupied a large proportion of the ES of natives. 4.The asymmetry in resource use of native and exotic flower visitors suggests a potential advantage in resource exploitation of the latter, potentially explaining their success in Hawaiian ecosystems. Predicted range expansion of exotic plant and animal species may further increase the competition for and reduce the availability of resources for native animals. This may lead to further declines of native species and increasing threats for Hawaiian ecosystems