Jankowski’s Bunting (Emberiza jankowskii) is a small bird with narrow distribution ranges. It has experienced a drastic population decline during recent years and vanished from most of its historic breeding sites. It...Jankowski’s Bunting (Emberiza jankowskii) is a small bird with narrow distribution ranges. It has experienced a drastic population decline during recent years and vanished from most of its historic breeding sites. It has been recently up-graded as Endangered in the IUCN Red List of globally threatened species. By integrating unpublished data of field surveys conducted by us and published information on the species, we provide information on the status of distribution, breeding biology of the remaining population at the Dagang Forest Farm, population trends at currently known breeding sites, selection of breeding habitats and threats faced by the Jankowski’s Bunting. In light of its current status we also suggest ways and future research work related to protecting this bird species.展开更多
We report on pyramiding different disease resistance genes against fungal pathogens in Canadian winter wheat germplasm based on available DNA markers and gene sequences.Genetic resistance represents a safe, economical...We report on pyramiding different disease resistance genes against fungal pathogens in Canadian winter wheat germplasm based on available DNA markers and gene sequences.Genetic resistance represents a safe, economical and ecological method for protecting plants, growers and the health of consumers. Major diseases of wheat on the Canadian Prairies are common bunt, rusts(leaf, stem and stripe) and Fusarium head blight. Over the years markers for resistance genes against these diseases have been identified and used by the international wheat community. We describe markers that we have used to pyramid different resistance genes and indicate their presence in Canadian winter wheat cultivars issued from the winter wheat breeding program at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada,Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, the only winter wheat breeding program in Western Canada actively delivering new varieties for all regions of the Canadian Prairies.The sources of resistance and identities of PCR primers and amplification conditions are indicated to enable the transfer and pyramiding of different resistance(R) genes to breeding lines. We conclude by reviewing new tools for identifying R genes in wheat and indicate how mutagenesis and gene editing can help future efforts to extend the protection offered by known R genes.展开更多
The closely related Black-headed Bunting(Emberiza melanocephala,a western Palearctic lineage)and Red-headed Bunting(Emberiza bruniceps,an eastern Palearctic lineage)hybridize and replace each other south of the Caspia...The closely related Black-headed Bunting(Emberiza melanocephala,a western Palearctic lineage)and Red-headed Bunting(Emberiza bruniceps,an eastern Palearctic lineage)hybridize and replace each other south of the Caspian Sea.The parental species have distinct phenotypes and therefore morphology is useful for assessing hybridization in the contact zone.In the years of 1940 and 1977,quite a few hybrids were collected and studied morphologically.Since then,the hybrid zone appears to have expanded westwards,but there has been a time gap in the collection of morphological data.Here we reanalyze bunting specimens morphologically and compare the historical data with recent data.Morphometric and phenotypic traits from three time periods(1940,1977 and recent)were studied to assess phenotypic variation of hybrids,pattern of hybridization,and transgressive traits in the hybrid zone.Our results show that most of the birds in the hybrid zone exhibit intermediate phenotypes(both colors and morphometric characters),ranging from the pure phenotype of either of the parental species.However,hybridization has also produced novel phenotypes not seen in any of the parents.Using a canonical discriminant function analysis,the morphometric characters separated each parental species and the hybrids quite well.Our results showed morphometric intermediacy of hybrids in accordance with phenotypes.We observe a time trend in which recent hybrids are more similar to Red-headed Buntings phenotypically compared to historical samples.This pattern is likely a signature of a westward expansion of the Red-headed Bunting into the breeding range of the Black-headed Bunting.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants 30370183, 39870117)
文摘Jankowski’s Bunting (Emberiza jankowskii) is a small bird with narrow distribution ranges. It has experienced a drastic population decline during recent years and vanished from most of its historic breeding sites. It has been recently up-graded as Endangered in the IUCN Red List of globally threatened species. By integrating unpublished data of field surveys conducted by us and published information on the species, we provide information on the status of distribution, breeding biology of the remaining population at the Dagang Forest Farm, population trends at currently known breeding sites, selection of breeding habitats and threats faced by the Jankowski’s Bunting. In light of its current status we also suggest ways and future research work related to protecting this bird species.
基金Funding from the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Peer Review and Growing Forward programs,and Ducks Unlimited Canada is greatly appreciated
文摘We report on pyramiding different disease resistance genes against fungal pathogens in Canadian winter wheat germplasm based on available DNA markers and gene sequences.Genetic resistance represents a safe, economical and ecological method for protecting plants, growers and the health of consumers. Major diseases of wheat on the Canadian Prairies are common bunt, rusts(leaf, stem and stripe) and Fusarium head blight. Over the years markers for resistance genes against these diseases have been identified and used by the international wheat community. We describe markers that we have used to pyramid different resistance genes and indicate their presence in Canadian winter wheat cultivars issued from the winter wheat breeding program at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada,Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, the only winter wheat breeding program in Western Canada actively delivering new varieties for all regions of the Canadian Prairies.The sources of resistance and identities of PCR primers and amplification conditions are indicated to enable the transfer and pyramiding of different resistance(R) genes to breeding lines. We conclude by reviewing new tools for identifying R genes in wheat and indicate how mutagenesis and gene editing can help future efforts to extend the protection offered by known R genes.
基金support from the Shiraz University(during 2015-2022)Ferdowsi University of Mashhad,Iran(during 2011-2013)the Department of Environment(DOE)for giving permission to AG for sampling(91.51843)。
文摘The closely related Black-headed Bunting(Emberiza melanocephala,a western Palearctic lineage)and Red-headed Bunting(Emberiza bruniceps,an eastern Palearctic lineage)hybridize and replace each other south of the Caspian Sea.The parental species have distinct phenotypes and therefore morphology is useful for assessing hybridization in the contact zone.In the years of 1940 and 1977,quite a few hybrids were collected and studied morphologically.Since then,the hybrid zone appears to have expanded westwards,but there has been a time gap in the collection of morphological data.Here we reanalyze bunting specimens morphologically and compare the historical data with recent data.Morphometric and phenotypic traits from three time periods(1940,1977 and recent)were studied to assess phenotypic variation of hybrids,pattern of hybridization,and transgressive traits in the hybrid zone.Our results show that most of the birds in the hybrid zone exhibit intermediate phenotypes(both colors and morphometric characters),ranging from the pure phenotype of either of the parental species.However,hybridization has also produced novel phenotypes not seen in any of the parents.Using a canonical discriminant function analysis,the morphometric characters separated each parental species and the hybrids quite well.Our results showed morphometric intermediacy of hybrids in accordance with phenotypes.We observe a time trend in which recent hybrids are more similar to Red-headed Buntings phenotypically compared to historical samples.This pattern is likely a signature of a westward expansion of the Red-headed Bunting into the breeding range of the Black-headed Bunting.
