We designed a new inverse PCR protocol combined with switching mechanism at 5', end of RNA transcript (SMART) technology, and applied it to the cloning of teleost corticotropin-releasing hormone ...precursor cDNA. Due to the advantages of both techniques, this method can efficiently amplify the complete 5'- and 3'ends of cDNA in a single reaction, and might prove to be an alternative to the conventional rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) approaches.
Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using complete nucleotide sequences of the D-loop in the mitochondrial genome of Mola specimens, collected mainly in Japanese waters, to clarify the genetic ...features and distribution patterns of Mola sunfishes. Two significantly distinct groups (designated A and B) were present in the genus, with a considerable net nucleotide sequence divergence between the two (8.4%). The two groups occurred sympatrically around the Japanese coast, as previously suggested by Sagara et al. (2005). Group A occurred mostly on the Pacific coast of eastern Japan, while group B was widely distributed along the Kuroshio Current, strongly suggesting different migration routes for each group. The morphological characteristics of the two group specimens were differentiated via the head bump, body proportions and shape of the clavus. Through the addition of Mola sequence data taken from outside Japan to our phylogenetic analyses, three independent groups, including groups A and B, were found, each with a wide geographical distribution, which suggests the presence of at least three independent species within the genus Mola.
Color sense in the nibbler, Girella punctata Yoshida, M.(Hiroshima Univ. (Japan)); Moriyoshi, K; Kuroda, A ...
Gyoruigaku zasshi,
11/2005, Letnik:
52, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Odprti dostop
Color sense in the nibbler (Girella punctata) was investigated by means of physiological and behavioral observations. S-potentials of the horizontal retinal cells in response to visible light (wave ...lengths from 430 to 697 nm) were recorded. We found that all the horizontal cells (270 cells) recorded showed L-type response, suggesting colorblindness. However, behavioral observations, including color discrimination training followed by transposition tests, clearly demonstrated that the species has color sense. This is the first report on color sense in a marine fish conserning both physiological and behavioral aspects. The results showed that S-potentials should be carefully considered preferably in association with behavioral tests, before color sense determinations were made.
A phylogenetic analysis, based on the complete nucleotide sequences of the mitochondorial control region (D-loop), was conducted on Mola mola occurring around the Japan coast. Two significantly ...distant clades (bootstrap value 914, based on 1000 replicates) were recognized. One consisted of 19 specimens with 8 12-814 bp D-100p sequences that were collected from geographically wide spread locations around Japan (Aomori to Kagoshima). The other clade consisted of 3 specimens (all greater than 2 m in total length) collected from the Pacific coast of eastern Japan and characterized by 817 bp D-loop sequences with many nucleotide substitutions compared with the former clade (ca. 100positions).