Biotic interactions play an important role in species distribution models, whose ignorance may cause an overestimation of species' potential distributions. Species of the family Orchidaceae are almost totally dependent on mycorrhizal symbionts and pollinators, with sexually deceptive orchids being often highly specialized, and thus the interactions with their pollinators are expected to strongly affect distribution predictions. We used Maxent algorithm to explore the extent of current and future habitat suitability for two Greek endemic sexually deceptive orchids (Ophrys argolica and Ophrys delphinensis) in relation to the potential distribution of their unique pollinator (Anthophora plagiata). Twelve climate change scenarios were used to predict future distributions. Results indicated that the most important factors determining potential distribution were precipitation seasonality for O. argolica and geological substrate for O. delphinensis. The current potential distribution of the two orchids was almost of the same extent but spatially different, without accounting for their interaction with A. plagiata. When the interaction was included in the models, their potentially suitable area decreased for both species. Under future climatic conditions, the effects of the orchid-pollinator interaction were more intense. Specifically, O. argolica was restricted in specific areas of southern Greece, whereas O. delphinensis was expected to become extinct. Our findings highlighted the significant role of plant-pollinator interactions in species distribution models. Failing to study such interactions might expose plant species to serious conservation issues.

• MeSH
• biologická evoluce * MeSH
• klimatické změny * MeSH
• květy fyziologie   MeSH
• opylení fyziologie   MeSH
• Orchidaceae fyziologie   MeSH
• teoretické modely * MeSH
• včely MeSH
• zachování přírodních zdrojů * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Acceptor splice site recognition (3' splice site: 3'ss) is a fundamental step in precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing. Generally, the U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) auxiliary factor (U2AF) heterodimer recognizes the 3'ss, of which U2AF35 has a dual function: (i) It binds to the intron-exon border of some 3'ss and (ii) mediates enhancer-binding splicing activators' interactions with the spliceosome. Alternative mechanisms for 3'ss recognition have been suggested, yet they are still not thoroughly understood. Here, we analyzed 3'ss recognition where the intron-exon border is bound by a ubiquitous splicing regulator SRSF1. Using the minigene analysis of two model exons and their mutants, BRCA2 exon 12 and VARS2 exon 17, we showed that the exon inclusion correlated much better with the predicted SRSF1 affinity than 3'ss quality, which were assessed using the Catalog of Inferred Sequence Binding Preferences of RNA binding proteins (CISBP-RNA) database and maximum entropy algorithm (MaxEnt) predictor and the U2AF35 consensus matrix, respectively. RNA affinity purification proved SRSF1 binding to the model 3'ss. On the other hand, knockdown experiments revealed that U2AF35 also plays a role in these exons' inclusion. Most probably, both factors stochastically bind the 3'ss, supporting exon recognition, more apparently in VARS2 exon 17. Identifying splicing activators as 3'ss recognition factors is crucial for both a basic understanding of splicing regulation and human genetic diagnostics when assessing variants' effects on splicing.

• MeSH
• alternativní sestřih genetika   MeSH
• exony genetika   MeSH
• HeLa buňky MeSH
• introny genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• místa sestřihu RNA genetika   fyziologie   MeSH
• proteiny vázající RNA metabolismus   MeSH
• regulační oblasti nukleových kyselin genetika   MeSH
• sekvence nukleotidů genetika   MeSH
• serin-arginin sestřihové faktory metabolismus   MeSH
• sestřih RNA fyziologie   MeSH
• sestřihové faktory metabolismus   fyziologie   MeSH
• sestřihový faktor U2AF metabolismus   MeSH
• spliceozomy metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Helminth parasites of wild and domestic felines pose a direct or potential threat to human health. Since helminths depend on multiple environmental factors that make their transmission possible, it is imperative to predict the areas where these parasites may complete the transmission to potential hosts. Bobcats, Lynx rufus (Schreberer), are the most abundant and widely-distributed wild felid species in North America. The increase of population densities of bobcats raises concerns about their importance as reservoirs of pathogens and parasites that may affect wildlife, domestic animals and humans. Our objective was to predict the potential presence of the tapeworm Taenia rileyi Loewen, 1929, the fluke Alaria marcianae (La Rue, 1917) and the roundworm Toxocara cati (Schrank, 1788) in southern Illinois. The empirical presence of these parasites in localities across the region was analysed in combination with a sampling bias layer (i.e. bobcat presence) and with environmental data: layers of water, soil, land cover, human density and climate variables in MAXENT to create maps of potential presence for these three species in an area of 46436 km2. All climatic variables were low contributors (0.0-2.0% contribution to model creation) whereas land cover surfaced as an important variable for the presence of A. marcianae (7.6%) and T. cati (6.3%); human density (4.8%) was of secondary importance for T. rileyi. Variables of importance likely represent habitat requirements necessary for the completion of parasite life cycles. Larger areas of potential presence were found for the feline specialist T. rileyi (85%) while potential presence was less likely for A. marcianae (73%), a parasite that requires multiple aquatic intermediate hosts. This study provides information to wildlife biologists and health officials regarding the potential impacts of growing bobcat populations in combination with complex and changing environmental factors.

• MeSH
• biologické modely * MeSH
• helmintózy zvířat epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Lynx * MeSH
• životní prostředí MeSH
• zoonózy MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Illinois MeSH

The Mascarene ridged frog, Ptychadena mascareniensis, is a species complex that includes numerous lineages occurring mostly in humid savannas and open forests of mainland Africa, Madagascar, the Seychelles, and the Mascarene Islands. Sampling across this broad distribution presents an opportunity to examine the genetic differentiation within this complex and to investigate how the evolution of bioclimatic niches may have shaped current biogeographic patterns. Using model-based phylogenetic methods and molecular-clock dating, we constructed a time-calibrated molecular phylogenetic hypothesis for the group based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA and cytochrome b (cytb) genes and the nuclear RAG1 gene from 173 individuals. Haplotype networks were reconstructed and species boundaries were investigated using three species-delimitation approaches: Bayesian generalized mixed Yule-coalescent model (bGMYC), the Poisson Tree Process model (PTP) and a cluster algorithm (SpeciesIdentifier). Estimates of similarity in bioclimatic niche were calculated from species-distribution models (maxent) and multivariate statistics (Principal Component Analysis, Discriminant Function Analysis). Ancestral-area reconstructions were performed on the phylogeny using probabilistic approaches implemented in BioGeoBEARS. We detected high levels of genetic differentiation yielding ten distinct lineages or operational taxonomic units, and Central Africa was found to be a diversity hotspot for these frogs. Most speciation events took place throughout the Miocene, including "out-of-Africa" overseas dispersal events to Madagascar in the East and to São Tomé in the West. Bioclimatic niche was remarkably well conserved, with most species tolerating similar temperature and rainfall conditions common to the Central African region. The P. mascareniensis complex provides insights into how bioclimatic niche shaped the current biogeographic patterns with niche conservatism being exhibited by the Central African radiation and niche divergence shaping populations in West Africa and Madagascar. Central Africa, including the Albertine Rift region, has been an important center of diversification for this species complex.

• MeSH
• analýza hlavních komponent MeSH
• Bayesova věta MeSH
• cytochromy b klasifikace   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• DNA chemie   izolace a purifikace   metabolismus   MeSH
• ekologie MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• fylogeografie MeSH
• haplotypy MeSH
• homeodoménové proteiny klasifikace   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• Ranidae klasifikace   genetika   MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 16S klasifikace   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Afrika MeSH
• Madagaskar MeSH