Main factors influencing the gut microbiota of Datong yaks in mixed group

The Datong yak (Bos grunniens) is the first artificial breed of yaks in the world and has played an important role in the improvement of domestic yak quality on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The Datong yak breeding farm in the Qinghai province of China is the main place for the breeding and feeding of Datong yaks. It hosts domestic Datong yaks and wild male yaks, mainly in mixed groups. Different managements have different effects on livestock. The gut microbiota is closely related to the health and immunity of Datong yaks, and mixed grouping can affect the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota of Datong yaks. To reveal the effects of mixed grouping on the gut microbiota of Datong yaks and wild yaks and identify the main dominant factors, we compared the gut microbial diversities of domestic males and females and wild males based on 16S rRNA V3–V4 regions using fresh fecal samples. The data showed significant differences in the gut microbial diversity of these three groups, and the α-diversity was the highest in wild males. Different factors influence the gut microbiota, and the main influencing factors were different in different groups, including sex differences, host genetics, and physical interactions. We also compared ecological assembly processes in the three groups. The results showed that mixed grouping contributed to the improvement of gut microbial diversity in domestic females. Our study provides effective and feasible suggestions for the feeding and management of the Datong yaks

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Stellera chamaejasme f. chrysantha (Thymelaeaceae)

Stellera chamaejasme L. f. chrysantha S. C. Huang is a toxic perennial herb of Thymelaeaceae and has the potential for medicine as Stellera chamaejasme L. Here, we present the complete chloroplast genome sequence of S. chamaejasme f. chrysantha based on Illumina sequencing data. The complete chloroplast genome sequence is 173,364 bp in size and contains four subregions: a pair of inverted repeats (IRs, each for 41,978 bp), a large single-copy region (LSC, 86,558 bp), and a small single-copy region (SSC, 2,850 bp). 141 genes were recognized in the assembled sequence: 93 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 38 tRNAs, 8 rRNAs, and 2 pseudo genes. The phylogenetic analysis result strongly supported that Stellera chamaejasme f. chrysantha was closely related to S. chamaejasme L

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Syrphus vitripennis (Diptera: Syrphidae)

The complete mitochondrial genome of Syrphus vitripennis was sequenced and reported here. The circle genome of S. vitripennis is 16,185 bp in length. There are 38 sequence elements including 13 protein coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a control region. The order of all elements was the same with that of Eristalia cerealis. With two species from Muscidae and Drosophilidae as outgroups, phylogenetic relationships of eight Syrphidae species based on mitogenomes were in complete agreement with their taxonomic relationships based on morphological characteristics. Our result will provide more fundamental data to the development of the molecular systematics of Syrphidae

Representativeness of Fecal Microbiota Is Limited to Cecum and Colon in Domestic Yak

Gut microbiota are important for the health and adaptability of the domestic yak. Fecal microbiota are one of the most popular groups of microorganisms used to estimate the domestic yaks’ status, given the ease of obtaining fecal samples. However, because gut microbiota differ between gut sections, the representativeness of feces in microbiota is unclear in yak. To fill this gap, we compared the gut microbial diversities and functions of microbiota in the feces and seven other intestinal parts of domestic yaks based on 16S rRNA, including the rumen, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, colon, and rectum. The gut microbiota of eight intestinal parts showed significant differences at the beta-diversity level. However, there were no significant differences in the diversity and functions of microbiota between the feces and cecum and the feces and colon because of the digestive process. According to source-tracking analysis, most fecal microbiota originate from the cecum and colon. We speculated that the representativeness of fecal microbiota is limited to cecum and colon in domestic yak. Our study is the foundation of the use of fecal microbiota for animal husbandry research

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Melanostoma scalare (Diptera: Syrphidae)

The complete mitochondrial genome of Melanostoma scalare was sequenced and reported here. The circle genome of the syrphid fly is 16,380 bp in length. There are 38 sequence elements including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a control region. The order of all elements was the same with that of Eristalia cerealis. With 2 species from Muscidae and Drosophilidae as outgroups, phylogenetic relationships of 8 Syrphidae species based on mitogenomes were in complete agreement with their taxonomic relationships based on morphological characteristics. Our result will provide more fundamental data to the development of the molecular systematics of Syrphidae

Complete plastome sequence of Eustoma grandiflorum (Gentianaceae), a popular cut flower

Eustoma grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinners is a popular cut flower due to its beautiful morphological characteristics and extended vase life. Here, the complete plastome sequence of E. grandiflorum was reported based on the Illumina HiSeq Platform. The plastome sequence is 154,230 bp in length with a typical quadripartite structure, containing a pair of inverted repeated (IR) regions (25,755 bp) that are separated by a large single copy (LSC) region of 84,297 bp, and a small single copy (SSC) region of 18,423 bp. A total of 130 functional genes were annotated, including 84 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The complete plastome sequence of E. grandiflorum will provide a valuable resource for its garden utilization and the phylogenetic studies of Gentianaceae

Cathelicidins from the bullfrog Rana catesbeiana provides novel template for peptide antibiotic design.

Cathelicidins, a class of gene-encoded effector molecules of vertebrate innate immunity, provide a first line of defense against microbial invasions. Although cathelicidins from mammals, birds, reptiles and fishes have been extensively studied, little is known about cathelicidins from amphibians. Here we report the identification and characterization of two cathelicidins (cathelicidin-RC1 and cathelicidin-RC2) from the bullfrog Rana catesbeiana. The cDNA sequences (677 and 700 bp, respectively) encoding the two peptides were successfully cloned from the constructed lung cDNA library of R. catesbeiana. And the deduced mature peptides are composed of 28 and 33 residues, respectively. Structural analysis indicated that cathelicidin-RC1 mainly assumes an amphipathic alpha-helical conformation, while cathelicidin-RC2 could not form stable amphipathic structure. Antimicrobial and bacterial killing kinetic analysis indicated that the synthetic cathelicidin-RC1 possesses potent, broad-spectrum and rapid antimicrobial potency, while cathelicidin-RC2 exhibited very weak antimicrobial activity. Besides, the antimicrobial activity of cathelicidin-RC1 is salt-independent and highly stable. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis indicated that cathelicidin-RC1 kills microorganisms through the disruption of microbial membrane. Moreover, cathelicidin-RC1 exhibited low cytotoxic activity against mammalian normal or tumor cell lines, and low hemolytic activity against human erythrocytes. The potent, broad-spectrum and rapid antimicrobial activity combined with the salt-independence, high stability, low cytotoxic and hemolytic activities make cathelicidin-RC1 an ideal template for the development of novel peptide antibiotics

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of a poisonous weed on alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Ligularia virgaurea (Asteraceae: Senecioneae)

Ligularia virgaurea (Asteraceae) is an indicator species of alpine meadow degradation. Here, the complete chloroplast genome of L. virgaurea was studied. The chloroplast genome of L. virgaurea is 151,185 bp in length. It has a typical quadripartite structure, containing a large single copy region of 83,369 bp, a small single copy region of 18,156 bp, and a pair of inverted repeated regions of 24,830 bp. A total of 132 functional genes were annotated, including eight rRNA genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 87 protein-coding genes. In the neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on chloroplast genome, the genus Ligularia clustered together, while L. virgaurea has a slightly more distant relationship with other Ligularia species

Data from: Genetic variation in bitter taste receptor genes influences the foraging behavior of plateau zokor (Eospalax baileyi)

The ability to detect bitter tastes is important for animals; it can help them to avoid ingesting harmful substances. Bitter taste perception is mainly mediated by bitter taste receptor proteins, which are encoded by members of the Tas2r gene family and vary with the dietary preference of a specific species. Although individuals with different genotypes differ in bitterness recognition capability, little is known about the relationship between genetic variation and food selection tendencies at the intraspecific level. In this study, we examined the relationship between genotypes and diet in plateau zokor (Eospalax baileyi), a subterranean rodent endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau that caches food for the winter. We assayed the composition and taste profile of each plant contained in temporary caches and vicinity quadrats, which were representative of selected and available food, respectively. Bitter plant selection indices (Ebitter) were estimated. We also sequenced 26 candidate Tas2r genes from zokors and determined their relationships with the Ebitter of their caches. We identified four key results: (1) zokors varied considerably in both bitter food preference and Tas2r sequences; (2) five genes (zTas2r115, zTas2r119, zTas2r126, zTas2r134, and zTas2r136) exhibited allelic variation that was significantly associated with Ebitter; (3) synonymous SNPs, nonsynonymous SNPs, and pseudogenization are involved in the genotype–phenotype relationship; (4) the minor genotypes of zTas2r115, zTas2r134, and zTas2r136 and the major genotypes of zTas2r119 and zTas2r126 cached more bitter plants. Our results link Tas2r variation with food selection behavior at the population level for the first time

The complete chloroplast genome and phylogenetic analysis of Syringa reticulata subsp. amurensis (Rupr.) P.S.Green & M.C.Chang from Qinghai Province, China

Syringa reticulata subsp. amurensis (Rupr.) P. S. Green & M. C. Chang (Oleaceae) is a shrub or tree with high medicinal value as well as great ecological significance as an urban garden plant. To better understand the molecular genetics and evolutionary of S. reticulata subsp. amurensis, its complete chloroplast genome was sequenced and annotated. The assembled chloroplast genome is a circular 156,141 bp sequence, consisting of 87,108 bp large single copy (LSC) region and 17,239 bp small single copy (SSC) region, which were flanked by a pair of 25,897 bp inverted repeats (IRs). The GC content of the chloroplast genome is 36.14%. Moreover, a total of 132 functional genes were annotated, including 88 protein-coding, 36 tRNA, and eight rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that S. reticulata subsp. amurensis was most closely related to S. reticulata subsp. Pekinensis and the genus Syringa is paraphyletic group. This study provides important information for further phylogenetic studies on S. reticulata subsp. amurensis and its allies