223 research outputs found
Severe consequences of habitat fragmentation on genetic diversity of an endangered Australian freshwater fish: A call for assisted gene flow
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is properly cited.Genetic diversity underpins the ability of populations to persist and adapt to environmental changes. Substantial empirical data show that genetic diversity rapidly deteriorates in small and isolated populations due to genetic drift, leading to reduction in adaptive potential and fitness and increase in inbreeding. Assisted gene flow (e.g. via translocations) can reverse these trends, but lack of data on fitness loss and fear of impairing population âuniquenessâ often prevents managers from acting. Here, we use population genetic and riverscape genetic analyses and simulations to explore the consequences of extensive habitat loss and fragmentation on population genetic diversity and future population trajectories of an endangered Australian freshwater fish, Macquarie perch Macquaria australasica. Using guidelines to assess the risk of outbreeding depression under admixture, we develop recommendations for population management, identify populations requiring genetic rescue and/or genetic restoration and potential donor sources. We found that most remaining populations of Macquarie perch have low genetic diversity, and effective population sizes below the threshold required to retain adaptive potential. Our simulations showed that under management inaction, smaller populations of Macquarie perch will face inbreeding depression within a few decades, but regular small-scale translocations will rapidly rescue populations from inbreeding depression and increase adaptive potential through genetic restoration. Despite the lack of data on fitness loss, based on our genetic data for Macquarie perch populations, simulations and empirical results from other systems, we recommend regular and frequent translocations among remnant populations within catchments. These translocations will emulate the effect of historical gene flow and improve population persistence through decrease in demographic and genetic stochasticity. Increasing population genetic connectivity within each catchment will help to maintain large effective population sizes and maximize species adaptive potential. The approach proposed here could be readily applicable to genetic management of other threatened species to improve their adaptive potential
The Ankyrin Repeats and DHHC S-acyl Transferase Domain of AKR1 Act Independently to Regulate Switching from Vegetative to Mating States in Yeast
Signal transduction from G-protein coupled receptors to MAPK cascades through heterotrimeric G-proteins has been described for many eukaryotic systems. One of the best-characterised examples is the yeast pheromone response pathway, which is negatively regulated by AKR1. AKR1-like proteins are present in all eukaryotes and contain a DHHC domain and six ankyrin repeats. Whilst the DHHC domain dependant S-acyl transferase (palmitoyl transferase) function of AKR1 is well documented it is not known whether the ankyrin repeats are also required for this activity. Here we show that the ankyrin repeats of AKR1 are required for full suppression of the yeast pheromone response pathway, by sequestration of the GÎČÎł dimer, and act independently of AKR1 S-acylation function. Importantly, the functions provided by the AKR1 ankyrin repeats and DHHC domain are not required on the same molecule to fully restore WT phenotypes and function. We also show that AKR1 molecules are S-acylated at locations other than the DHHC cysteine, increasing the abundance of AKR1 in the cell. Our results have important consequences for studies of AKR1 function, including recent attempts to characterise S-acylation enzymology and kinetics. Proteins similar to AKR1 are found in all eukaryotes and our results have broad implications for future work on these proteins and the control of switching between GÎČÎł regulated pathways
Troubling Places: Walking the âtroubling remnantsâ of postâconflict space
This paper explores the productive potential of walking methods in postâconflict space, with particular emphasis on Northern Ireland. We argue that walking methods are especially well suited to studying postâconflict spatial arrangements, yet remain underutilised for a variety of reasons. Specifically, we argue that walking methods can âtroubleâ dominant productions of postâconflict space, revealing its storied depth, multiâtemporality, and the alternative narratives of the past that frequently remain hidden in places touched by violence. Critically, employing such placeâsensitive approaches challenges âbad scriptsâ that reify polarised narratives of conflicted places, thereby enabling the writing of new spatial stories that are potentially generative of new research questions and scholarly insights rooted in overlooked, marginalised, or takenâforâgranted people, places, and landscapes. Informed by both authors' ongoing research journeys, we argue that walking in troubled places can help scholars dig into the reservoirs of emotion, affect, vitality, and multiâtemporality people experience in postâconflict landscapes, thus opening up new research vistas in places scholars might not have sought to look using only sedentary methods.</jats:p
Five areas to advance branding theory and practice
The paper suggests five areas to advance branding theory and practice based on the authorsâ recent work in brand management.
In this commentary, we aim to put forward suggestions and ideas for further research in brand management; ideas, which we believe will have an impact on the way branding is researched and practiced by both academics and practitioners alike. We will focus on the future of branding in the following areas, inspired by our own work in the field: (1) branding in higher education, (2) branding in Asia Pacific, (3) brand ambidexterity, (4) brand innovation on social media, and (5) brand likeability
SNAP-25 Palmitoylation and Plasma Membrane Targeting Require a Functional Secretory Pathway
District-Level Spatial Analysis of Migration Flows in Ghana: Determinants and Implications for Policy
Residual Stress, Microstructure and Hardness of Thin-Walled Low-Carbon Steel Pipes Welded Manually
Implementing Changes in Marketing Strategy: The Role of Perceived Outcome-and Process-Oriented Supervisory Actions
Volatile Compounds in Flavor Concentrates Produced from Crayfish-Processing Byproducts with and without Protease Treatment
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