Comparative Analysis of Physical Maps of Four Bacillus subtilis (natto) Genomes

The complete SfiI and I-CeuI physical maps of four Bacillus subtilis (natto) strains, which were previously isolated as natto (fermented soybean) starters, were constructed to elucidate the genome structure. Not only the similarity in genome size and organization but also the microheterogeneity of the gene context was revealed. No large-scale genome rearrangements among the four strains were indicated by mapping of the genes, including 10 rRNA operons (rrn) and relevant genes required for natto production, to the loci corresponding to those of the B. subtilis strain Marburg 168. However, restriction fragment length polymorphism and the presence or absence of strain-specific DNA sequences, such as the prophages SPβ, skin element, and PBSX, as well as the insertion element IS4Bsu1, could be used to identify one of these strains as a Marburg type and the other three strains as natto types. The genome structure and gene heterogeneity were also consistent with the type of indigenous plasmids harbored by the strains

Selected models for 5 regional groups to explain relationships between buzzard occurrence and landscape elements.

<p>Selected models for 5 regional groups to explain relationships between buzzard occurrence and landscape elements.</p

Jaccard similarity coefficient based on prey items and landscapes between study sites.

<p>Because there was no observation for prey items in Chiba, the indices on prey items were calculated between only four study sites.</p

Relationships between buzzard occurrence and landscape elements (forest-edge, broad-leaved forests, and grasslands) in 1 km x 1 km cells inferred by the selected models for the three geographical-regions hypothesis.

<p>Solid lines show inferred relationships. Dotted, dashed, and chain lines represent 95% confidence intervals for the relationships in southern, central, and northern regions, respectively. Open circles are observed values.</p

Selected models for 3 regional-groups based on landscape similarity (Aichi, Fukuoka-Chiba and Tochigi-Iwate) to explain relationships between buzzard occurrence and landscape elements.

<p>Selected models for 3 regional-groups based on landscape similarity (Aichi, Fukuoka-Chiba and Tochigi-Iwate) to explain relationships between buzzard occurrence and landscape elements.</p

Context Dependent Effect of Landscape on the Occurrence of an Apex Predator across Different Climate Regions - Fig 3

<p>Schematic diagram representing six hypotheses to stratify five study-sites based on prey-item similarities (a, b), landscape-composition similarities (c, d), and others (e, f). <b>a:</b> 3 regional groups hypothesis based on prey item similarities, <b>b:</b> 2 regional group hypothesis based on prey item similarities, <b>c:</b> 3 regional group hypothesis based on landscape similarities, <b>d:</b> 2 regional group hypothesis based on landscape similarities, <b>e:</b> 5 regional group hypothesis, <b>f:</b> single regional group hypothesis.</p