Dorsal CA1 lesions of the hippocampus impact mating tactics in prairie voles by shifting non-monogamous males' use of space to resemble monogamous males.

Alternative mating tactics within mating systems are characterized by discrete patterns of spatio-temporal overlap with same-and opposite-sex conspecifics and mating-relevant outcomes. Socially monogamous "residents" maintain relatively small home range sizes, have territories that almost exclusively overlap with their mating partners, and are more likely to produce offspring than non-bonded "wandering" conspecifics. Because mating tactics appear to be so closely tied to patterns of space use, differences in spatial cognitive abilities might differentially impact individual males' decisions to adopt a particular mating tactic and/or how efficient they are within their chosen mating tactic.

Consequences of coupled barriers to gene flow for the build-up of genomic differentiation.

Theory predicts that when different barriers to gene flow become coincident, their joint effects enhance reproductive isolation and genomic divergence beyond their individual effects, but empirical tests of this "coupling" hypothesis are rare. Here, we analyze patterns of gene exchange among populations of European corn borer moths that vary in the number of acting barriers, allowing for comparisons of genomic variation when barrier traits or loci are in coincident or independent states. We find that divergence is mainly restricted to barrier loci when populations differ by a single barrier, whereas the coincidence of temporal and behavioral barriers is associated with divergence of two chromosomes harboring barrier loci.

Genetic relatedness in social groups of the emerald coral goby Paragobiodon xanthosoma creates potential for weak kin selection.

Animals forming social groups that include breeders and nonbreeders present evolutionary paradoxes; why do breeders tolerate nonbreeders? And why do nonbreeders tolerate their situation? Both paradoxes are often explained with kin selection. Kin selection is, however, assumed to play little or no role in social group formation of marine organisms with dispersive larval phases. Yet, in some marine organisms, recent evidence suggests small-scale patterns of relatedness, meaning that this assumption must always be tested.

Tracking invasions of a destructive defoliator, the gypsy moth (Erebidae: ): Population structure, origin of intercepted specimens, and Asian introgression into North America.

Genetic data can help elucidate the dynamics of biological invasions, which are fueled by the constant expansion of international trade. The introduction of European gypsy moth () into North America is a classic example of human-aided invasion that has caused tremendous damage to North American temperate forests. Recently, the even more destructive Asian gypsy moth (mainly and ) has been intercepted in North America, mostly transported by cargo ships.

Unraveling hierarchical genetic structure in a marine metapopulation: A comparison of three high-throughput genotyping approaches.

Marine metapopulations often exhibit subtle population structure that can be difficult to detect. Given recent advances in high-throughput sequencing, an emerging question is whether various genotyping approaches, in concert with improved sampling designs, will substantially improve our understanding of genetic structure in the sea. To address this question, we explored hierarchical patterns of structure in the coral reef fish Elacatinus lori using a high-resolution approach with respect to both genetic and geographic sampling.

Genomic Basis of Circannual Rhythm in the European Corn Borer Moth.

Synchronizing the annual timing of physiological, morphological, and behavioral transitions with seasons enables survival in temperate environments [1]. The capacity to adjust life history timing and track local seasonal cycles can facilitate geographic expansion [2], adaptation [3], and tolerance [4-6] during rapid environmental change. Understanding the proximate causes of variation in seasonal timing improves prediction of future response and persistence [7, 8].

Investigation of round goby viral haemorrhagic septicaemia outbreak in New York.

Eleven viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) genotype IVb isolates were sequenced, and their genetic variation explored to determine the source of a VHS outbreak on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake. An active fish kill of round gobies (Neogobius melanostomus, Pallas) was intensively sampled at King Ferry, NY and nearby Long Point State Park in May 2017. Gross lesions observed on 67 moribund round gobies and two rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris, Rafinesque) included moderately haemorrhagic internal organs and erythematous areas on the head, flank, and fins.

A combination of sexual and ecological divergence contributes to rearrangement spread during initial stages of speciation.

Chromosomal rearrangements between sympatric species often contain multiple loci contributing to assortative mating, local adaptation and hybrid sterility. When and how these associations arise during the process of speciation remains a subject of debate. Here, we address the relative roles of local adaptation and assortative mating on the dynamics of rearrangement evolution by studying how a rearrangement covaries with sexual and ecological trait divergence within a species.

Patterns, causes, and consequences of marine larval dispersal.

Quantifying the probability of larval exchange among marine populations is key to predicting local population dynamics and optimizing networks of marine protected areas. The pattern of connectivity among populations can be described by the measurement of a dispersal kernel. However, a statistically robust, empirical dispersal kernel has been lacking for any marine species.

Genes with Restricted Introgression in a Field Cricket (Gryllus firmus/Gryllus pennsylvanicus) Hybrid Zone Are Concentrated on the X Chromosome and a Single Autosome.

Characterizing the extent of genomic differentiation between recently diverged lineages provides an important context for understanding the early stages of speciation. When such lineages form discrete hybrid zones, patterns of differential introgression allow direct estimates of which genome regions are likely involved in speciation and local adaptation. Here we use a backcross experimental design to construct a genetic linkage map for the field crickets Gryllus firmus and Gryllus pennsylvanicus, which interact in a well-characterized hybrid zone in eastern North America.

Genetic structure, admixture and invasion success in a Holarctic defoliator, the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar, Lepidoptera: Erebidae).

Characterizing the current population structure of potentially invasive species provides a critical context for identifying source populations and for understanding why invasions are successful. Non-native populations inevitably lose genetic diversity during initial colonization events, but subsequent admixture among independently introduced lineages may increase both genetic variation and adaptive potential. Here we characterize the population structure of the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar Linnaeus), one of the world's most destructive forest pests.

Microsatellite markers for Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia; Elaeagnaceae).

Premise Of The Study: Microsatellite markers were developed for the plant species Elaeagnus angustifolia to assist in future investigations of genetic variability in its native and invasive ranges and the precise origins of the United States/Canada invasion. •

Methods And Results: Eleven polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed. The number of alleles observed for each locus ranged from three to 11.

Differential introgression in a mosaic hybrid zone reveals candidate barrier genes.

Hybrid zones act as genomic sieves. Although globally advantageous alleles will spread throughout the zone and neutral alleles can be freely exchanged between species, introgression will be restricted for genes that contribute to reproductive barriers or local adaptation. Seminal fluid proteins (SFPs) are known to contribute to reproductive barriers in insects and have been proposed as candidate barrier genes in the hybridizing field crickets Gryllus pennsylvanicus and Gryllus firmus.

Patterns of transcriptome divergence in the male accessory gland of two closely related species of field crickets.

One of the central questions in evolutionary genetics is how much of the genome is involved in the early stages of divergence between populations, causing them to be reproductively isolated. In this article, we investigate genomic differentiation in a pair of closely related field crickets (Gryllus firmus and G. pennsylvanicus).

Isolating microsatellite loci: looking back, looking ahead.

Microsatellite DNA loci are tandemly repeated simple sequence repeats (SSRs) that are ubiquitous in eukaryotic genomes. When flanked by unique sequences, length variation (driven by high rates of strand slippage during DNA replication) at a given repeat locus can be assayed by PCR and electrophoretic separation of the resulting DNA fragments (representing alleles defined by fragment size or repeat number at that locus). In nonmodel organisms that do not have sequence information at SSR loci (or at SSRs in a closely related taxon), microsatellites must be isolated and sequenced de novo.

Permanent Genetic Resources added to Molecular Ecology Resources Database 1 June 2011-31 July 2011.

This article documents the addition of 112 microsatellite marker loci and 24 pairs of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sequencing primers to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Agelaius phoeniceus, Austrolittorina cincta, Circus cyaneus, Circus macrourus, Circus pygargus, Cryptocoryne × purpurea Ridl. nothovar.

Gene genealogies reveal differentiation at sex pheromone olfactory receptor loci in pheromone strains of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis.

Males of the E and Z strains of the European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) are attracted to different blends of the same pheromone components. The difference in male behavioral response is controlled by the sex-linked locus Resp. The two types of males have identical neuroanatomy but their physiological specificity is reversed, suggesting that variation at the periphery results in behavioral change.

Characterization of 12 polymorphic microsatellite markers for Georgia false indigo (Amorpha georgiana Wilbur var. georgiana), an endangered species, and their utility in other dwarf Amorpha L. species.

In order to facilitate the addition of a genetic component to conservation management plans for Georgia false indigo (Amorpha georgiana var. georgiana), a rare legume of the southeastern USA, 12 polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed. No gametic disequilibrium was detected among locus pairs, but observations for five of the loci significantly deviated from expected Hardy-Weinberg proportions.

Isolation and characterization of 16 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the endemic Hawaiian damselfly Megalagrion xanthomelas (Odonata: Coenagrionidae).

Microsatellite loci have been isolated from two species of endemic Hawaiian damselflies, Megalagrion xanthomelas and M. eudytum, that are of conservation concern. Sixteen polymorphic loci were characterized in 32 M.

Are clownfish groups composed of close relatives? An analysis of microsatellite DNA variation in Amphiprion percula.

A central question of evolutionary ecology is: why do animals live in groups? Answering this question requires that the costs and benefits of group living are measured from the perspective of each individual in the group. This, in turn, requires that the group's genetic structure is elucidated, because genetic relatedness can modulate the individuals' costs and benefits. The clown anemonefish, Amphiprion percula, lives in groups composed of a breeding pair and zero to four nonbreeders.

Phylogeography of spruce beetles (Dendroctonus rufipennis Kirby) (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in North America.

Tree-feeding insects that are widespread in north temperate regions are excellent models for studying how past glaciations have impacted differentiation and speciation. We used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences and allele frequencies at nine microsatellite loci to examine genetic population structure across the current range of the spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis), an economically important insect in North America. Two major haplotype groups occur across northern North America, from Newfoundland to Alaska, on white spruce (Picea glauca), and a third distinctive haplotype group occurs throughout the Rocky Mountains on Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii).

Molecular evolution of seminal proteins in field crickets.

In sexually reproducing organisms, male ejaculates are complex traits that are potentially subject to many different selection pressures. Recent experimental evidence supports the hypothesis that postmating sexual selection, and particularly sexual conflict, may play a key role in the evolution of the proteinaceous components of ejaculates. However, this evidence is based almost entirely on the study of Drosophila, a species with a mating system characterized by a high cost of mating for females.

Consequences of reproductive barriers for genealogical discordance in the European corn borer.

Speciation involves the origin of trait differences that limit or prevent gene exchange and ultimately results in daughter populations that form monophyletic or exclusive genetic groups. However, for recently diverged populations or species between which reproductive isolation is often incomplete, gene genealogies will be discordant, and most regions of the genome will display nonexclusive genealogical patterns. In these situations, genome regions for which one or both species are exclusive groups may mark the footprint of recent selective sweeps.