A high-resolution map of the Nile tilapia genome: a resource for studying cichlids and other percomorphs

Background: The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is the second most farmed fish species worldwide. It is also an important model for studies of fish physiology, particularly because of its broad tolerance to an array of environments. It is a good model to study evolutionary mechanisms in vertebrates, because of its close relationship to haplochromine cichlids, which have undergone rapid speciation in East Africa. The existing genomic resources for Nile tilapia include a genetic map, BAC end sequences and ESTs, but comparative genome analysis and maps of quantitative trait loci (QTL) are still limited. Results: We have constructed a high-resolution radiation hybrid (RH) panel for the Nile tilapia and genotyped 1358 markers consisting of 850 genes, 82 markers corresponding to BAC end sequences, 154 microsatellites and 272 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). From these, 1296 markers could be associated in 81 RH groups, while 62 were not linked. The total size of the RH map is 34,084 cR3500 and 937,310 kb. It covers 88% of the entire genome with an estimated inter-marker distance of 742 Kb. Mapping of microsatellites enabled integration to the genetic map. We have merged LG8 and LG24 into a single linkage group, and confirmed that LG16-LG21 are also merged. The orientation and association of RH groups to each chromosome and LG was confirmed by chromosomal in situ hybridizations (FISH) of 55 BACs. Fifty RH groups were localized on the 22 chromosomes while 31 remained small orphan groups. Synteny relationships were determined between Nile tilapia, stickleback, medaka and pufferfish. Conclusion:The RH map and associated FISH map provide a valuable gene-ordered resource for gene mapping and QTL studies. All genetic linkage groups with their corresponding RH groups now have a corresponding chromosome which can be identified in the karyotype. Placement of conserved segments indicated that multiple inter-chromosomal rearrangements have occurred between Nile tilapia and the other model fishes. These maps represent a valuable resource for organizing the forthcoming genome sequence of Nile tilapia, and provide a foundation for evolutionary studies of East African cichlid fishes.Additional co-authors: Thomas D Kocher, Catherine Ozouf-Costaz, Jean Francois Baroiller and Francis Galiber

Improved Protective Efficacy of a Species-Specific DNA Vaccine Encoding Mycolyl-Transferase Ag85A from Mycobacterium ulcerans by Homologous Protein Boosting

Vaccination with plasmid DNA encoding Ag85A from M. bovis BCG can partially protect C57BL/6 mice against a subsequent footpad challenge with M. ulcerans. Unfortunately, this cross-reactive protection is insufficient to completely control the infection. Although genes encoding Ag85A from M. bovis BCG (identical to genes from M. tuberculosis) and from M. ulcerans are highly conserved, minor sequence differences exist, and use of the specific gene of M. ulcerans could possibly result in a more potent vaccine. Here we report on a comparison of immunogenicity and protective efficacy in C57BL/6 mice of Ag85A from M. tuberculosis and M. ulcerans, administered as a plasmid DNA vaccine, as a recombinant protein vaccine in adjuvant or as a combined DNA prime-protein boost vaccine. All three vaccination formulations induced cross-reactive humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, although species-specific Th1 type T cell epitopes could be identified in both the NH2-terminal region and the COOH-terminal region of the antigens. This partial species-specificity was reflected in a higher—albeit not sustained—protective efficacy of the M. ulcerans than of the M. tuberculosis vaccine, particularly when administered using the DNA prime-protein boost protocol

Entomofaune des milieux littoraux et arrière-littoraux de la Somme

Les milieux naturels littoraux et arrière-littoraux de la Somme hébergent une entomofaune dont certains éléments sont tout à fait remarquables, comme en témoigne la récente redécouverte de la libellule Leucorrhinia rubicunda (Linné) qui n’avait pas été revue, en France, depuis 1887. De la première excursion entomologique en baie de Somme, en 1852, à l’initiative de la Société entomologique de France, aux inventaires entrepris de nos jours par l’Association des Entomologistes de Picardie (ADEP), en liaison avec le Conservatoire des sites naturels de Picardie, ce sont près de cent cinquante ans de recherches sur les insectes que nous décrivons, en faisant ressortir surtout les espèces les plus rares, ou du moins les plus caractéristiques, qui ont été recensées.Coutanceau Jean-Pierre. Entomofaune des milieux littoraux et arrière-littoraux de la Somme. In: Côtes et estuaires : milieux naturels. Actes du 124e Congrès national des sociétés historiques et scientifiques, « Milieu littoral et estuaires », Nantes, 1999. Paris : Editions du CTHS, 2002. pp. 223-234. (Actes du Congrès national des sociétés savantes, 124

Harmonía axyridis (Pallas, 1773) : une Coccinelle asiatique introduite, acclimatée et en extension en France

Harmonía axyridis (Pallas, 1773) : an introduced asían ladybird, its acclimatation and extension in France. Introduced in 1982 with the INRA of Antibes, the Asian ladybird Harmonía axyridis (Pallas, 1773) was used as agent of biological fight mainly against the plant louses since 1990 and marketed by the Biotop Company since 1995, for the stock "sailing" then replaced good in 2000 by the "sedentary" stock. Acclimatized since 1991, it is in clear extension, in France, since 2004.Introduite en 1982 à l'INRA d'Antibes, la Coccinelle asiatique Harmonía axyridis (Pallas, 1773) a été utilisée comme agent de lutte biologique principalement contre les pucerons à partir de 1 990 et commercialisée par la société Biotop dès 1995, pour la souche "bon voilier" puis remplacée en 2000 par la souche "sédentaire". Acclimatée dès 1991, elle est en nette extension, en France, depuis 2004.Coutanceau Jean-Pierre. Harmonía axyridis (Pallas, 1773) : une Coccinelle asiatique introduite, acclimatée et en extension en France. In: Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France, volume 111 (3), septembre 2006. pp. 395-401

Ladybirds from the Mercantour National Park (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

International audienceForty-two species of Coccinellidae Latreille, 1807 (two Coccidulinae Mulsant, 1846; 12 Scymninae Mulsant, 1846; three Chilocorinae Mulsant, 1846, 24 Coccinellinae Latreille, 1807, one Epilachninae Mulsant, 1846) are listed herein. Scymnus laetificus Weise, 1879 is reported for the third time in France

Harmonia conformis (Boisduval, 1835) : une Coccinelle australienne introduite et acclimatée en France (Col., Coccinellidae)

Imported of Australia since 1997 by the INRA and used as from 2000 in biological fight, Harmonia conformis (Boisduval, 1835) acclimatized in the south-east of France.Coutanceau Jean-Pierre. Harmonia conformis (Boisduval, 1835) : une Coccinelle australienne introduite et acclimatée en France (Col., Coccinellidae). In: Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France, volume 114 (1),2009. p. 110

Scymninae nouveaux pour la faune de France (Col., Coccinellidae)

Coutanceau Jean-Pierre. Scymninae nouveaux pour la faune de France (Col., Coccinellidae). In: Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France, volume 116 (2),2011. p. 180

Harmonia conformis (Boisduval, 1835) : une Coccinelle australienne introduite et acclimatée en France (Col., Coccinellidae)

Imported of Australia since 1997 by the INRA and used as from 2000 in biological fight, Harmonia conformis (Boisduval, 1835) acclimatized in the south-east of France.Coutanceau Jean-Pierre. Harmonia conformis (Boisduval, 1835) : une Coccinelle australienne introduite et acclimatée en France (Col., Coccinellidae). In: Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France, volume 114 (1),2009. p. 110

Scymninae nouveaux pour la faune de France (Col., Coccinellidae)

Coutanceau Jean-Pierre. Scymninae nouveaux pour la faune de France (Col., Coccinellidae). In: Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France, volume 116 (2),2011. p. 180

Harmonía axyridis (Pallas, 1773) : une Coccinelle asiatique introduite, acclimatée et en extension en France

Harmonía axyridis (Pallas, 1773) : an introduced asían ladybird, its acclimatation and extension in France. Introduced in 1982 with the INRA of Antibes, the Asian ladybird Harmonía axyridis (Pallas, 1773) was used as agent of biological fight mainly against the plant louses since 1990 and marketed by the Biotop Company since 1995, for the stock "sailing" then replaced good in 2000 by the "sedentary" stock. Acclimatized since 1991, it is in clear extension, in France, since 2004.Introduite en 1982 à l'INRA d'Antibes, la Coccinelle asiatique Harmonía axyridis (Pallas, 1773) a été utilisée comme agent de lutte biologique principalement contre les pucerons à partir de 1 990 et commercialisée par la société Biotop dès 1995, pour la souche "bon voilier" puis remplacée en 2000 par la souche "sédentaire". Acclimatée dès 1991, elle est en nette extension, en France, depuis 2004.Coutanceau Jean-Pierre. Harmonía axyridis (Pallas, 1773) : une Coccinelle asiatique introduite, acclimatée et en extension en France. In: Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France, volume 111 (3), septembre 2006. pp. 395-401