37 research outputs found
Analyses of Wild Ungulates Mitogenome
In the last two decades, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has become one of the most used genetic markers for studying evolution and phylogeny. Understanding mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) structure, gene arrangements, base compositions and noncoding regions can reveal valuable information on various organisms, including wild ungulates. A huge number of sequenced mammalian mitogenomes are available on GenBank, including 8074 mitogenome sequences of wild ungulates. The Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) approach can reveal mitogenome regions that can explain the variation in populations. Such variations could show ungulatesā resistance to pathogens or processes of their adaptation. Despite the extensive number of new sequenced mitogenomes, there is still a lot of ambiguity around the mitogenome architecture. Methods for NGS, genome assembly and annotation are still in the process of development, aiming to make these tools powerful enough to reveal enormous knowledge crucial for assessing wild ungulate speciesā conservation status, and their ecological status. In this review paper, we describe the methods and principles derived from mtDNA studies on wild ungulate species. We outline basic sequence preparation methods and specialized software for mitogenome assembly and annotation. Additionally, we present several different approaches of mitogenome comparison
Analyses of Wild Ungulates Mitogenome
In the last two decades, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has become one of the most used genetic markers for studying evolution and phylogeny. Understanding mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) structure, gene arrangements, base compositions and noncoding regions can reveal valuable information on various organisms, including wild ungulates. A huge number of sequenced mammalian mitogenomes are available on GenBank, including 8074 mitogenome sequences of wild ungulates. The Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) approach can reveal mitogenome regions that can explain the variation in populations. Such variations could show ungulatesā resistance to pathogens or processes of their adaptation. Despite the extensive number of new sequenced mitogenomes, there is still a lot of ambiguity around the mitogenome architecture. Methods for NGS, genome assembly and annotation are still in the process of development, aiming to make these tools powerful enough to reveal enormous knowledge crucial for assessing wild ungulate speciesā conservation status, and their ecological status. In this review paper, we describe the methods and principles derived from mtDNA studies on wild ungulate species. We outline basic sequence preparation methods and specialized software for mitogenome assembly and annotation. Additionally, we present several different approaches of mitogenome comparison
Prediction of bulk density in Croatian forest Pseudogleys based on contents of soil organic matter and clay
Soil bulk density (BD) is often used to assess soil properties related to soil structure and general soil quality, or to convert weight units to volume/area units. Because collecting undisturbed soil samples (cores) and directly measuring BD is laborious and time-consuming, data on BD are often lacking. Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) can be used to predict BD from more readily available (easily measured) properties. However, specific PTFs for specific range of soils should be developed. In this study, soil organic matter (SOM) and clay contents of 90 forest Pseudogleys horizons, distributed across 11 locations in continental Croatia, were used to develop a multiple linear regression equation that predicts BD. The results have shown that the increase in BD due to the unit increase in clay content is lower than the decrease in BD due to the unit decrease in SOM content. PTF performance was relatively high (R2adj=77.5%, RMSE=0.10 g cm-3, MAE=0.08 g cm-3), showing that missing data on soil BD of Croatian Pseudogleys (or other similar soils, formed on similar parent materials) can be estimated reasonably well by using it. However, care should be taken when dealing with arable soils, which have different properties, compared with the natural soils considered herein
Traces of past reintroduction in genetic diversity:The case of the Balkan chamois (Mammalia, Artiodactyla)
The translocation of wild animal species became a common practice worldwide to re-establish local populations threatened with extinction. Archaeological data confirm that chamois once lived in the Biokovo Mountain but, prior to their reintroduction in the 1960s, there was no written evidence of their recent existence in the area. The population was reintroduced in the period 1964ā1969, when 48 individuals of Balkan chamois from the neighbouring mountains in Bosnia and Herzegovina were released. The main objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of the existing historical data on the origin of the Balkan chamois population from the Biokovo Mountain and to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of the source and translocated populations 56 years after reintroduction. Sixteen microsatellite loci were used to analyse the genetic structure of three source chamois populations from Prenj, Ävrsnica and Äabulja Mountains and from Biokovo Mountain. Both STRUCTURE and GENELAND analyses showed a clear separation of the reintroduced population on Biokovo from Prenj's chamois and considerable genetic similarity between the Biokovo population and the Ävrsnica-Äabulja population. This suggests that the current genetic composition of the Biokovo population does not derive exclusively from Prenj, as suggested by the available literature and personal interviews, but also from Ävrsnica and Äabulja. GENELAND analysis recognised the Balkan chamois from Prenj as a separate cluster, distinct from the populations of Ävrsnica and Äabulja. Our results thus highlight the need to implement genetic monitoring of both reintroduced and source populations of endangered Balkan chamois to inform sustainable management and conservation strategies in order to maximise the chances of population persistence
Effect of slope position on soil properties and soil moisture regime of Stagnosol in the vineyard
Hillslope hydrology in agricultural landscapes is complex due to a variety of hydropedological processes and field management possibilities. The aim was to test if there are any differences in soil properties and water regime along the hillslope and to compare vineyard rows (vine) with inter-rows (grass) area for those properties. The study determined that there are significant differences in the contents of soil particle fractions, pH, and humus content along the slope ( < 0.0001), with lower confidence level in bulk density < 0.05). Differences between row and inter-row space were significant for the pH, humus, and silt content, but for sand and clay content, and bulk density differences were not determined. The study determined differences in soil water content among five slope positions ( < 0.0001), and between row and inter-row vineyard space (all with < 0.05). Where in the upper slope positions (e. g., P1) soil water content was higher than on lower slope positions. Higher soil water content was observed at higher slope positions, associated with clay content. However, it can be concluded that the retention of moisture on the slope is more influenced by local-scale soil properties (primarily soil texture) and variability of the crop (row/inter-row) than the position on the slope
UtvrÄivanje simptoma nedostatka hranjiva u grahu multispektralnom analizom i klorofilnom fluorescencijom
Crop production might suffer severe economic losses due to insufficient fertiliser availability. Specific signs of nutrient shortage influence plant morphology and physiology. This study pioneers the non-destructive tracking and characterization of nutrient deficiency symptoms in common beans using multispectral and chlorophyll fluorescence imaging, offering novel insights into the dynamic responses of plant morphology and physiology to specific nutrient shortages. Plants were cultivated in nutrient solutions with and without nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe) and control solution. Measurements were taken every three days for 12 days (MT1-MT4) of growth. K and N deficit plants had the earliest symptoms and most noticeable changes, whereas Fe deficiency plants had the slowest and least noticeable symptoms. Except for Fe, the most responsive chlorophyll fluorescence parameter was electron transport rate, which was reduced in plants from all nutrient deprivation treatments compared to control. All nutrient deficit treatments reduced leaf area at MT2, which was the most affected morphological parameter. The green leaf index, reflection in blue, and specific green were the most affected multispectral traits by nutritional deprivation. These findings demonstrate that plant nutrient deficit can be recognized and tracked non-destructively utilizing multispectral and chlorophyll fluorescence analysis. Overall, our work not only sheds light on the dynamics of nutrient deficiency in common bean plants but also offers practical implications for improving crop management strategies using non-destructive digital technology.Zbog nedovoljne dostupnosti gnojiva uzgoj poljoprivrednih usjeva mogao bi pretrpjeti ozbiljne ekonomske gubitke. SpecifiÄni znakovi nedostatka hranjiva utjeÄu na morfologiju i fiziologiju biljke. KoristeÄi multispektralne analize i klorofilnu fluorescenciju u ovom je radu opisan i kvantificiran razvoj simptoma nedostatka hranjiva (duÅ”ik (N), fosfor (P), kalij (K), magnezij (Mg) i željezo (Fe)) kod graha (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Biljke su uzgajane u hranjivim otopinama sa i bez N, P, K, Mg ili Fe. Mjerenja su provoÄena svaka tri dana tijekom 12 dana (MT1-MT4) rasta. Biljke s deficitom K i N su prve razvile simptome nedostatka hranjiva i imale su najizraženije fizioloÅ”ke promjene, dok su biljke s nedostatkom Fe zadnje razvile simptome nedostatka hranjiva i imale najmanje izražene simptome. Od parametara klorofilne fluorescencije, u odnosu na kontrolu smanjenje transporta elektrona je najviÅ”e reagirao u svim tretmanima sa nedostatkom hranjiva, osim u sluÄaju tretmana s nedostatkom Fe. Svi tretmani s nedostatkom hranjivih tvari smanjili su lisnu povrÅ”inu u MT2, Å to predstavlja morfoloÅ”ki parametar koji je bio najviÅ”e pod utjecajem nedostatka hranjiva. Indeks zelenila liÅ”Äa, refleksija u plavom spektru svjetlosti i refleksija u specifiÄnom zelenom spektru svjetlosti bila su multispektralna svojstva koja su najviÅ”e bila pod utjecajem nedostatka hranjiva. Ovi rezultati pokazuju da se nedostatak hranjiva može prepoznati i pratiti nedestruktivno koriÅ”tenjem multispektralnih analiza i klorofilnom fluorescencijom
Utilization of olive pomace as a source of polyphenols:Optimization of microwave-assisted extractionand characterization of spray-dried extract
Reaction of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) in grass-clover mixture on N fertilization and grazing
Napasivanje je najÄeÅ”Äi naÄin koriÅ”tenja poljoprivrednih povrÅ”ina u brdsko-planinskim podruÄjima zbog specifiÄnih agroekoloÅ”kih uvjeta. KlupÄasta oÅ”trica (Dactylis glomerata L.) je trava visoke produktivnosti i kvalitete i preporuÄuje se sijati u tratine za napasivanje i koÅ”nju. ZahvaljujuÄi dobroj adaptibilnosti na razliÄite uzgojne uvjete, posebice na suÅ”ne uvjete i niske temperature, izvrsno se uklapa u agroekoloÅ”ke uvjete nepogodne za uzgoj veÄine kvalitetnih trava. Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi utjecaj gnojidbe sa 150 kg duÅ”ika ha-1(N150) i napasivanja (govedima i ovcama) te njihova meÄusobnog djelovanja na razvoj klupÄaste oÅ”trice u travno djetelinskoj smjesi zasnovanoj u brdsko-planinskim uvjetima. Gnojidbom sa 150 kg ha-1 N u odnosu na kontrolnu parcelu (N0) ostvarena je 51,4 % veÄa gustoÄa populacije klupÄaste oÅ”trice (broj izbojaka m-2) u odnosu na utvrÄenu prije poÄetka sezone napasivanja (P<0,05) i 42,2 % nakon sezone napasivanja (P<0,01). To je rezultiralo 38,6% veÄim prosjeÄnim trogodiÅ”njim prinosom suhe tvari (ST) klupÄaste oÅ”trice u odnosu na N0 (P<0,01). Osim toga, utvrÄen je veÄi udio klupÄaste oÅ”trice u ukupnoj ST smjese 15,3 % u odnosu na N0 (P<0,01). NaÄin napasivanja te interakcija napasivanja i razine dodanoga mineralnog duÅ”ika nisu utjecali na gustoÄu populacije klupÄaste oÅ”trice. MeÄutim, utvrÄen je statistiÄki znaÄajan (P<0,01) utjecaj napasivanja na prinos ST klupÄaste oÅ”trice i njezin udio u ST travno-djetelinske smjese (P<0,01). Napasivanje govedima rezultiralo je 9,9 % veÄim prinosom ST klupÄaste oÅ”trice i 15,2 % poveÄanim udjelom klupÄaste oÅ”trice na paÅ”njaku u odnosu na napasivanje ovcama. NajveÄi udio klupÄaste oÅ”trice u ukupnoj ST travnjaka utvrÄen je na pregonima napasivanima govedima i gnojenima sa 150 kg/ha duÅ”ika (74,1 %), a najmanji na pregonima napasivanim ovcama i bez duÅ”iÄne gnojidbe (55,1 %). ZakljuÄeno je da razvoju klupÄaste oÅ”trice viÅ”e odgovara napasivanje govedima u odnosu na napasivanje ovcama. TakoÄer, ako se žele postiÄi veÄi prinosi klupÄaste oÅ”trice treba osigurati opskrbu duÅ”ikom.Grazing is the most common way of using a hill and mountain areas because of their specific agro-ecological conditions. Cocksfoot is a grass with high productivity and quality, and it is very good for sowing in the sward for grazing. Because of its good adaptability to different growing conditions, especially in very dry and cold areas, it is excellent in relation to some other good grasses, which can not be raised in such areas. The aim of the experiment was to determine effect of N application (0-N0 and 150 kg ha-1 year-1-N150) and rotational grazing by cattle (C) and sheep (S), and their interaction on the cocksfoot sown in a mixture of smooth-stalked meadow grass (Poa pratensis L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) in hill mountain areas. In a three-year average, the application of 150 kg ha-1 N had significant impact on cocksfoot population density (number of tillers m-2), and it was 51.4 % higher than the recorded one before grazing (P<0.05) and 42.2 % higher after grazing (P<0.01) in comparison to N0. The application of 150 kg ha-1 N resulted in significantly higher cocksfoot dry matter (DM) yield for 38.6 % (P<0.01) and 15.3 % higher cocksfoot share in the total mixture in relation to N0 (P<0.01). Grazing management and grazing management interaction with N rate did not significantly affect the population density of individual years. However, in the three-year average, grazing management significantly affected cocksfoot DM (P<0.01) and its percentage in the total DM mixture (P<0.01). Cattle grazing resulted in 9.9 % higher cocksfoot DM yield and 15.2 % higher cocksfoot percentage in pasture. Interaction of grazing management and N-level had significant influence on the percentage of cocksfoot DM in grass-clover mixture. On cattle grazed areas fertilized with 150 kg ha-1 N, the percentage of cocksfoot DM was the highest (74. 07%), while the lowest percentage of cocksfoot DM was recorded on the sheep grazed areas without N (55.12%)
is chamois hybridization in the northern dinaric mountains an important factor for horn development
The Dinaric region is the natural habitat of the Alpine chamois Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra and Balkan chamois Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica. Recently confirmed, these two subspecies hybridize in the contact zone on Mts Velebit, coastal Croatia. Patterns of horn development in chamois can differ within populations and subspecies, and are mostly influenced by genetic structure, sex and resource availability. These factors control the direct ability of energy allocation to secondary sexual traits with diverse outcomes. This is the first study to investigate the horn growth patterns of Alpine and Balkan chamois populations and their admixed progeny. We explored the differences in horn growth and compensatory patterns among populations as a function of genetic background, separately for females and males. A significantly different pattern of horn development was detected in the hybrid population showing higher rates of initial horn growth ā until 2.5 years, and much lower compensation rates in the first 4.5 years of life in both sexes in comparison to other chamois populations. Interestingly, differences in growth patterns were more expressed among males. Higher initial horn growth and low compensation rates in the hybrid population can be explained by both non-genetic and genetic factors, but may suggest an effect of heterosis, i.e. the occurrence of hybrid vigour. Therefore, this situation could reveal the extent to which life history patterns and evolutionary consequences can shape important traits of population outlook/vigour, such as horn size, in different chamois populations