Caracterización morfológica y evaluación de resistencia a fusarium oxysporum en especies silvestres del género solanum sección lycopersicon

Título en ingles: Morphological characterization and resistance evaluation to Fusarium oxysporum in wild species Solanum genera Lycopersicon sectionTítulo corto: Caracterización morfológica y evaluación de resistencia a Fusarium oxysporumResumen:  Con el objetivo de evaluar la variación morfológica y la resistencia a Fusarium oxysporum en la colección del banco de germoplasma de la Universidad Nacional de Loja (UNL), 146 accesiones de cuatro especies silvestres fueron seleccionadas (Solanum pimpinellifolium, S. neorickii, S. habrochaites, S. lycopersicum var. cerasiforme); y, 20 accesiones de tomate cultivado (S. lycopersicum). Un total de 723 plántulas se transplantaron al campo y se evaluaron morfológicamente durante todo su ciclo biológico, con un descriptor que incluyó 20 caracteres cuantitativos y 25 cualitativos. Se estimó la variabilidad morfológica y se detectaron diferencias fenotípicas relacionadas con el fruto, características vegetativas de las plantas y los componentes del rendimiento. Las variables morfológicas mostraron que S. habrochaites es la especie más diferenciada con relación a las restantes. La podredumbre vascular causada por F. oxysporum es responsable de enormes pérdidas en la producción de tomate en el mundo; sin embargo, las especies silvestres que originaron las variedades cultivadas poseen genes de interés agronómico, utilizados por décadas para la generación de variedades resistentes. Por ello, entre 64 y 228 individuos por especie, se evaluaron por tres procedimientos de inoculación. Todas las especies fueron significativamente diferentes en los niveles de resistencia, tolerancia o susceptibilidad. S. neorickii fue más resistente y tolerante, seguida de S. pimpinellifolium y S. lycopersicum var. cerasiforme, mientras que todas las variedades cultivadas (S. lycopersicum) fueron susceptibles. Tales circunstancias permitieron determinar sin lugar a dudas, que las plantas sobrevivientes y tolerantes poseen un genotipo particular que determina esa característica.Palabras clave:  Ecuador, tomate, tolerancia, susceptibilidad, inoculación.Abstract: In order to evaluate the morphological variation and Fusarium oxysporum resistance in the National University of Loja (UNL) genebank collection, 146 wild accessions of four species were selected (Solanum pimpinellifolium, S. neorickii, S. habrochaites , S. lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) and 20 accessions of cultivated tomato (S. lycopersicum). For a total of 723 seedlings were transplanted to the field and evaluated morphologically throughout its life cycle, with a descriptor that included 20 quantitative and 25 qualitative characters. Morphological variability was estimated were detected phenotypic differences related the fruit, plant vegetative characteristics and yield components. Morphological variables showed that S. habrochaites is the most differentiated with respect to the others. Vascular rot caused by F. oxysporum is responsible for huge losses in tomato production in the world, but the wild species that gave rise to the cultivated varieties have agronomic interest genes used for decades to generate resistant varieties. Therefore, between 64 and 228 individuals per species were evaluated for three inoculation procedures. All species were significantly different between levels of resistance, susceptibility or tolerance. S. neorickii was more resistant and tolerant, followed by S. pimpinellifolium and S. lycopersicum var. cerasiforme, while all cultivars (S. lycopersicum) were susceptible. Such circumstances allowed undoubtedly determine that survivors and tolerant plants have a particular genotype that determines the characteristic.Key words: Ecuador, tomatoe, tolerance, susceptibility, inoculation

Validation of an Effective Protocol for Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Detection Using eDNA Metabarcoding

eDNA metabarcoding is an effective molecular-based identification method for the biosurveillance of flighted insects. An eDNA surveillance approach maintains specimens for secondary morphological identification useful for regulatory applications. This study identified Culicoides species using eDNA metabarcoding and compared these results to morphological identifications of trapped specimens. Insects were collected using ultraviolet (UV) lighted fan traps containing a saturated salt (NaCl) solution from two locations in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. There were forty-two Culicoides specimens collected in total. Molecular identification detected four species, C. biguttatus, C. stellifer, C. obsoletus, and C. mulrennani. Using morphological identification, two out of these four taxonomic ranks were confirmed at the species level (C. biguttatus and C. stellifer) and one was confirmed at the subgenus level (Avaritia [C. obsoletus]). No molecular detection of Culicoides species occurred in traps with an abundance of less than three individuals per taxon. The inconsistency in identifying Culicoides specimens to the species level punctuates the need for curated DNA reference libraries for Culicoides. In conclusion, the saturated salt (NaCl) solution preserved the Culicoides’ morphological characteristics and the eDNA

Environmental DNA-based biomonitoring of Cuban Crocodylus and their accompanying vertebrate fauna from Zapata Swamp, Cuba

Abstract Crocodylians globally face considerable challenges, including population decline and extensive habitat modification. Close monitoring of crocodylian populations and their habitats is imperative for the timely detection of population trends, especially in response to management interventions. Here we use eDNA metabarcoding to identify the Critically Endangered Crocodylus rhombifer and the Vulnerable C. acutus, as well as vertebrate community diversity, in Cuba’s Zapata Swamp. We tested four different primer sets, including those used previously in Crocodylus population genetic and phylogenetic research, for their efficiency at detecting crocodylian eDNA. We detected C. rhombifer eDNA in 11 out of 15 sampled locations within its historical geographic distribution. We found that data analyses using the VertCOI primers and the mBRAVE bioinformatics pipeline were the most effective molecular marker and pipeline combination for identifying this species from environmental samples. We also identified 55 vertebrate species in environmental samples across the four bioinformatics pipelines— ~ 85% known to be present in the Zapata ecosystem. Among them were eight species previously undetected in the area and eight alien species, including known predators of hatchling crocodiles (e.g., Clarias sp.) and egg predators (e.g., Mus musculus). This study highlights eDNA metabarcoding as a powerful tool for crocodylian biomonitoring within fragile and diverse ecosystems, particularly where fast, non-invasive methods permit detection in economically important areas and will lead to a better understanding of complex human-crocodile interactions and evaluate habitat suitability for potential reintroductions or recovery programs for threatened crocodylian species

Data from: Founded: genetic reconstruction of lineage diversity and kinship informs ex situ conservation of Cuban Amazon parrots (Amazona leucocephala)

Captive breeding is a widespread conservation strategy, yet such programs rarely include empirical genetic data for assessing management assumptions and meeting conservation goals. Cuban Amazon parrots (Amazona leucocephala) are considered vulnerable, and multiple on-island captive populations have been established from wild-caught and confiscated individuals of unknown ancestry. Here, we used mitochondrial haplotypic and nuclear genotypic data at 9 microsatellite loci to quantify the extent and distribution of genetic variation within and among captive populations in Zapata Swamp and Managua, Cuba, and to estimate kinship among breeders (n = 88). Using Bayesian clustering analysis, we detected 2 distinct clusters within the Zapata population, one of which was shared with Managua. Individuals from the cluster unique to Zapata possessed mitochondrial haplotypes with affinities to Cuban subspecies (A. l. leucocephala, A. l. palmarum); the shared cluster was similar, but also included haplotypes closely related to the subspecies restricted to Cayman Brac (A. l. hesterna). Overall mean kinship was low within each captive population (−0.026 to −0.012), with 19 and 11 recommended breeding pairs in Zapata and Managua, respectively, ranked according to mean kinship and informed by molecular sexing. Our results highlight the importance of understanding population history within ex situ management programs, while providing genetic information to directly inform Cuban parrot conservation

Caracterización morfológica y evaluación de resistencia a Fusarium oxysporum en especies silvestres del género Solanum sección Lycopersicon

Con el objetivo de evaluar la variación morfológica y la resistencia a Fusarium oxysporum en la colección del banco de germoplasma de la Universidad Nacional de Loja (UNL), 146 accesiones de cuatro especies silvestres fueron seleccionadas (Solanum pimpinellifolium, S. neorickii, S. habrochaites, S. lycopersicum var. cerasiforme); y, 20 accesiones de tomate cultivado (S. lycopersicum). Un total de 723 plántulas se transplantaron al campo y se evaluaron morfológicamente durante todo su ciclo biológico, con un descriptor que incluyó 20 caracteres cuantitativos y 25 cualitativos. Se estimó la variabilidad morfológica y se detectaron diferencias fenotípicas relacionadas con el fruto, características vegetativas de las plantas y los componentes del rendimiento. Las variables morfológicas mostraron que S. habrochaites es la especie más diferenciada con relación a las restantes. La podredumbre vascular causada por F. oxysporum es responsable de enormes pérdidas en la producción de tomate en el mundo; sin embargo, las especies silvestres que originaron las variedades cultivadas poseen genes de interés agronómico, utilizados por décadas para la generación de variedades resistentes. Por ello, entre 64 y 228 individuos por especie, se evaluaron por tres procedimientos de inoculación. Todas las especies fueron significativamente diferentes en los niveles de resistencia, tolerancia o susceptibilidad. S. neorickii fue más resistente y tolerante, seguida de S. pimpinellifolium y S. lycopersicum var. cerasiforme, mientras que todas las variedades cultivadas (S. lycopersicum) fueron susceptibles. Tales circunstancias permitieron determinar sin lugar a dudas, que las plantas sobrevivientes y tolerantes poseen un genotipo particular que determina esa característica

The relationship between accountability mandates, school leadership, and school improvement: exploring the impact of the No Child Left Behind Act on one school's efforts to bring about and sustain reform

The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file.Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on June 19, 2009)Vita.Thesis (Ed. D.) University of Missouri-Columbia 2008.[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between accountability mandates, school improvement and reform efforts, and one school's efforts to achieve school improvement and reform. The research design was an exploratory case study of one Missouri elementary school. The researcher explored: (1) what school improvement looks like within the context of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001; within this one school and (2) how stakeholders within the school make meaning of accountability mandates and its' effect on school improvement. Findings of the research project indicated this school and school district, while recognizing the importance of meeting NCLB requirements would strive toward school improvement and high student achievement without state and federally imposed mandates. The school and district were more interested in whether students show growth in their learning versus how well students achieve on one state mandated test. The school and district were committed to providing quality professional development. NCLB mandates caused this school to spend more instructional time on core subjects assessed by the state mandated MAP test. Teachers believe the state Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) were a positive outcome of NCLB legislation as the GLEs provided instructional and curricular focus. The principal appeared to be a stronger influence on school improvement efforts than NCLB mandates. Support from central office administrators appears to be essential for school improvement efforts to achieve success.Includes bibliographical reference

Data from: Genetic evidence of hybridization between the critically endangered Cuban crocodile and the American crocodile: implications for population history and in situ/ex situ conservation

Inter-specific hybridization may be especially detrimental when one species is extremely rare and the other is abundant owing to the potential for genetic swamping. The Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer) is a critically endangered island endemic largely restricted to Zapata Swamp, where it is sympatric with the widespread American crocodile (C. acutus). An on-island, C. rhombifer captive breeding program is underway with the goals of maintaining taxonomic integrity and providing a source of individuals for reintroduction, but its conservation value is limited by lack of genetic information. Here we collected mtDNA haplotypic and nuclear genotypic data from wild and captive C. rhombifer and C. acutus in Cuba to: (1) investigate the degree of inter-specific hybridization in natural (in situ) and captive (ex situ) populations; (2) quantify the extent, distribution and in situ representation of genetic variation ex situ; and (3) reconstruct founder relatedness to inform management. We found high levels of hybridization in the wild (49.1%) and captivity (16.1%), and additional evidence for a cryptic lineage of C. acutus in the Antilles. We detected marginally higher observed heterozygosity and allelic diversity ex situ relative to the wild population, with captive C. rhombifer exhibiting over twice the frequency of private alleles. Although mean relatedness was high in captivity, we identified 37 genetically important individuals that possessed individual mean kinship (MK) values lower than the population MK. Overall, these results will guide long-term conservation management of Cuban crocodiles for maintaining the genetic integrity and viability of this species of high global conservation value

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