The contribution of incomplete lineage sorting and introgression to the evolutionary history of the fast-evolving genus Ctenomys (Rodentia, Ctenomyidae).

Incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) and introgression have been increasingly recognized as important processes involved in biological differentiation. Both ILS and introgression result in incongruences between gene trees and species trees, consequently causing difficulties in phylogenetic reconstruction. This is particularly the case for rapid radiations, as short internodal distances and incomplete reproductive isolation increase the likelihood of both ILS and introgression.

Effect of season on germinal vesicle stage, quality, and subsequent in vitro developmental competence in bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes.

Although the reproductive performance of grazing cattle is lower in summer compared to winter, the effect of season on oocyte developmental competence has not been thoroughly examined. We measured the effect of season on oocyte chromatin compaction, cumulus cell quality, and embryonic development after in vitro fertilization. Cumulus oocytes-complexes (COCs) were collected from abattoir cows' ovaries during the winter and summer months.

Relationship between Baccharis dracunculifolia DC. and B. microdonta DC. (Asteraceae) by Their Different Seasonal Volatile Expression.

Baccharis dracunculifolia DC. and Baccharis microdonta DC. (Asteraceae) are woody species morphologically similar growing in Uruguay, where not taxonomists people often confuse them in field conditions.

Positive Selection in the Chloroplastic ATP-Synthase β-Subunit and Its Relation to Virulence Factors.

The most paradigmatic examples of molecular evolution under positive selection involve genes related to the immune system. Recently, different chloroplastic factors have been shown to be important for plant defenses, among them, the α- and β-subunits of the ATP synthase. The β-subunit has been reported to interact with several viral proteins while both proteins have been implicated with sensitivity to tentoxin, a phytotoxin produced by the widespread fungus Alternaria alternata.

Genetic Admixture Analysis in the Population of Tacuarembó-Uruguay Using Insertions.

Tacuarembó is a department located in northeastern Uruguay, whose population is the result of several migration waves from Europe and Near East, as well as Africans and Afro-descents mostly from Brazil; these waves settled with the territory's various Native ethnic groups (Charrúa, Minuán, and Guaraní). In the past, this population has been the focus of genetic studies showing this trihybrid origin, with greater contributions of Natives and Africans than in other Uruguayan regions. In this study we analyzed eight insertions (A25, ACE, APOA1, B65, D1, F13B, PV92, TPA25) to provide valuable information for ancestrality and genetic differentiation and to compare with both previous studies on the Tacuarembó population and frequencies in other Uruguayan populations.