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The variability of mtDNA was analysed in local sheep breeds reared throughout Turkey, for which a fragment of the D-loop region and the complete cytochrome b were sequenced. Phylogenetic analyses performed independently for the D-loop and the Cyt b gene revealed three clearly separated clusters indicating three major maternal lineages, two of which had been previously described as types B and A. The new type, C, was present in all the breeds analysed and showed considerable mtDNA variability. Divergence time was obtained on the basis of Cyt b gene and was estimated to be around 160 000-170 000 years ago for lineages B and A, whereas the divergence of lineage C proved to have occurred earlier (between 450 000 and 750 000 years ago). These times greatly predate domestication and suggest that the origin of modern sheep breeds was more complex than previously thought and that at least three independent sheep domestication events occurred. Our results, together with archaeological information and the current wild sheep populations in the Near East region support the high importance of this area in the sheep domestication process. Finally, the evidence of a third maternal lineage has important implications regarding the history of modern sheep.

From the ancient era, emergence of Agriculture in the connecting region of Mesopotamia and the Iranian plateau at the foothills of the Zagros Mountains, made Iranian gene pool as an important source of populating the region. It has differentiated the population spread and different language groups. In order to trace the maternal genetic affinity between Iranians and other populations of the area and to establish the place of Iranians in a broad framework of ethnically and linguistically diverse groups of Middle Eastern and South Asian populations, a comparative study of territorial groups was designed and used in the population statistical analysis. Mix of 616 samples was sequenced for complete mtDNA or hyper variable regions in this study. A published dataset of neighboring populations was used as a comparison in the Iranian matrilineal lineage study based on mtDNA haplogroups. Statistical analyses data, demonstrate a close genetic structure of all Iranian populations, thus suggesting their origin from a common maternal ancestral gene pool and show that the diverse maternal genetic structure does not reflect population differentiation in the region in their language. In the aggregate of the eastward spreads of proto-Elamo-Dravidian language from the Southwest region of Iran, the Elam province, a reasonable degree of homogeneity has been observed among Iranians in this study. The approach will facilitate our perception of the more detailed relationship of the ethnic groups living in Iran with the other ancient peoples of the area, testing linguistic hypothesis and population movements.

The Lipizzan horse breed was established in the 16th century in Lipica and later spread throughout Central and Eastern Europe. In addition to six classical stallion lines, 17 classical mare family lines were established in the old Lipica stud. Additional 44 mare family lines, including local lines, were established in other Lipizzan studs. The founders of the classical Lipizzan mare family lines date back to the period between the 18th and 20th century and came from various breeds, including the Karst, Spanish, Italian, Kladruber and Arabian horses. The history of the Lipizzan mare family lines is well described and supported by the availability of 44 nucleotide sequences of the mtDNA control region. In this study, the mtDNA control region of 23 Serbian Lipizzans, representing the established Lippizan mare family lines, as well as the local mare family line Zora, have been sequenced. The objective of this study was to test whether the Zora mare family line could be distinguished from other Lipizzan mare family lines according to the mtDNA sequence. Sequences were aligned to the entire set of mtDNA control region sequences representing 44 Lipizzan mtDNA haplotypes. Based on the alignment, a median-joining network was constructed. The individuals in this study formed a cluster with the existing Lipizzan mare family lines. However, a total of ten individuals belonging to the local Zora mare family line formed a compact cluster close to the mtDNA haplotypes, representing the classical mare family lines Wera, Betalka, and Monteaura. Additional pedigree data are needed to clarify the origin of the mtDNA haplotype variant identified in this study.

Background The Triticum-Aegilops complex has a complex reticulate evolutionary history shaped by multiple hybridization and polyploidization events. While nuclear genome relationships have been extensively explored, the maternal inheritance patterns embedded in chloroplast genomes remain unresolved. This study aims to elucidate the maternal lineage dynamics using comparative chloroplast genomics across key Triticum and Aegilops species. Results We assembled complete chloroplast genomes of three Triticum aestivum cultivars (Keumkang, Saekeumkang, and Olgeuru) and curated a dataset of 20 chloroplast genomes from 15 Triticum and Aegilops species. Annotation refinement revealed conserved gene content and structural stability, with lineage-specific SSR motifs AAAAT/ATTTT and AATAG/ATTCT supporting a maternal contribution of Aegilops speltoides to polyploid wheats. Phylogenetic and SNP-PCA analyses consistently clustered B and G genome-bearing taxa, reinforcing A. speltoides as the maternal donor in these lineages. In contrast, Aegilops tauschii formed a distinct clade and clustered near other Aegilops , suggesting an independent chloroplast origin of the D genome, potentially involving A. mutica as a maternal ancestor. Repeat profiles, codon usage patterns, and selective pressure analyses further underscored the evolutionary conservation and lineage specificity of chloroplast genomes within the complex. Comparative genomics and mVISTA alignments identified several hypervariable regions, such as trnK-rps16 and rpl32-trnL , as potential markers. Codon usage analysis showed strong bias toward A/U-ending codons, and neutrality and ENc-GC3 plots indicated natural selection as the dominant force shaping codon usage. Conclusion Our findings provide strong evidence for maternal lineage continuity in B/G genome lineages via A. speltoides , while supporting a distinct chloroplast origin for the D genome lineage. This highlights the role of chloroplast genomics in resolving wheat evolutionary history and supports alternative models involving A. mutica in D genome evolution.

Ammopiptanthus nanus (Fabaceae), a nationally protected endangered evergreen shrub endemic to Central Asian deserts, is severely threatened by habitat fragmentation. To conserve its genetic resources, multiple ex situ populations have been established across China. We evaluated conservation efficacy under distinct management strategies across four ex situ populations (n = 114), including a near-site protected area (J), a Forestry and Grassland Administration–managed zone (L), Tazhong Botanical Garden (T), and the Forestry Academy of Sciences (K), using integrated molecular markers: expressed sequence tag–simple sequence repeats (EST-SSRs), chloroplast DNA fragments ( psbA–trnH , trnL–trnF , trnS–trnG ), and nuclear ribosomal ITS (ITS1/ITS4) sequences. The results reveal significant strategy-dependent divergence in genetic conservation efficiency, primarily driven by founder genetic composition and reproductive management protocols. Strategy (J) retained moderate chloroplast diversity but exhibited reduced nuclear diversity and high inbreeding. Strategy (L) maintained moderate nuclear diversity yet limited chloroplast variation. Strategy (T) showed the highest nuclear diversity but minimal maternal lineage preservation. Strategy (K) preserved unique maternal haplotypes and phylogenetic distinctiveness despite constrained nuclear diversity. Critically, all populations displayed high inbreeding coefficients (F > 0.404), indicating genetic bottlenecks and restricted gene flow. To ensure long-term viability, we recommend: (1) diversifying genetic foundations through the introduction of founders from multiple wild sources and expansion of population sizes to mitigate drift; (2) enhancing gene flow via periodic interpopulation transplants and facilitated distant cross-pollination, integrated with long-term monitoring of nuclear and cytoplasmic diversity.

In sessile organisms such as plants and benthic invertebrates, founding propagules typically suffer extremely high rates of mortality due to both extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Many social insect species share similarities with these groups, but factors influencing early colony survival are relatively unstudied. We used a field experiment to measure the importance of environmental quality relative to intrinsic colony properties in the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis, by monitoring the survival of 584 experimental colonies. We measured survival of transplanted colonies over four months in each of three years (2014–2016) at a site in western Colorado. Colony survival was primarily determined by colony features. Multiple mating by the queen and larger colony size at the time of transplant increased survival, but queen size, maternal lineage and the composition of plant species in the vicinity of the colony did not. Food supplementation increased survival significantly when natural food was scarce, but was not consistently beneficial, in contrast to predictions. Our results emphasize the general importance of rapid growth and early attainment of large size in the survival of sessile species. However, attributes specific to ants that are a consequence of their sociality also strongly affected survival. Colonies with multiply-mated queens were more likely to survive over a wide range of circumstances, highlighting the importance of this trait even at the early stages of colony life.

The increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves due to climate change pose significant challenges to sturgeon aquaculture. This study investigated the effects of gradual heat stress (1 °C every 8 h) on two reciprocal hybrid sturgeon strains (Acipenser baerii ♀ × A. schrenckii ♂, (BS hybrid); A. schrenckii ♀ × A. baerii ♂, (SB hybrid)), focusing on their antioxidant defense mechanisms, heat shock protein (HSP) expression, and liver and gill tissue histology. When water temperature raised to 34.3 °C (about 104 h), LOE (loss of equilibrium) individuals appeared. Twenty-four hours after sampling, fifteen BS hybrid sturgeon remained alive, whereas no SB hybrid sturgeon survived. In this study, the slow heat stress significantly elevated the expression of HSP-related genes (hsc70, hsp70, hsp90) in both the liver of BS hybrid sturgeon and the gills of SB hybrid sturgeon. However, in the gills of BS hybrid sturgeon and the liver of SB hybrid sturgeon, the expression of hsp family genes in the experimental groups was either lower than or comparable to the control group. Significant liver damage, including cellular vacuolization and necrosis, was observed in BS hybrids, while SB hybrid sturgeon exhibited more pronounced gill tissue damage. Among the four antioxidant enzymes—superoxide dismutase (SOD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), catalase (CAT) glutathione peroxidase (GPx)—only LDH activity was elevated in the hepatic tissue of BS hybrid sturgeon, corresponding to increased serum lactate levels, while gill LDH activity was higher in SB hybrid sturgeon. In both hybrids, LDH activity exhibited an increasing trend in the kidney. However, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) remained unchanged across all three tissues. Both plasma cortisol and lactate were substantially affected by thermal stress. MDA remained at a relatively stable level after heat stress and recovery. These results demonstrate differential tissue-specific responses to heat stress in the reciprocal hybrids. More importantly, the BS hybrid sturgeon exhibited significantly higher thermal tolerance and post-stress survival compared to the SB hybrid sturgeon. These findings reveal that the choice of maternal parent is a critical factor influencing heat resistance in these hybrids, providing a key basis for selective breeding programs and optimizing aquaculture management.

Key message We report the mitochondrial genome of 39 diploid potatoes and identify a candidate ORF potentially linked to cytoplasmic male sterility in potatoes. Potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) holds a critical position as the foremost non-grain food crop, playing a pivotal role in ensuring global food security. Diploid potatoes constitute a vital genetic resource pool, harboring the potential to revolutionize modern potato breeding. Nevertheless, diploid potatoes are relatively understudied, and mitochondrial DNA can provide valuable insights into key potato breeding traits such as CMS. In this study, we examine and assemble the mitochondrial genome evolution and diversity of 39 accessions of diploid potatoes using high-fidelity (HiFi) sequencing. We annotated 54 genes for all the investigated accessions, comprising 34 protein-coding genes, 3 rRNA genes, and 17 tRNA genes. Our analyses revealed differences in repeats sequences between wild and cultivated landraces. To understand the evolution of diploid maternal lineage inheritance, we conducted phylogenetic analysis, which clearly distinguished mitochondrial from nuclear gene trees, further supporting the evidence-based of clustering between wild and cultivated landraces accessions. Our study discovers new candidate ORFs associated with CMS in potatoes, including ORF137, which is homologous to other CMS in Solanaceae. Ultimately, this work bridges the gap in mitochondrial genome research for diploid potatoes, providing a steppingstone into evolutionary studies and potato breeding.

Increased summer drought will exacerbate the regeneration of many tree species at their lower latitudinal and altitudinal distribution limits. In vulnerable habitats, introduction of more drought-tolerant provenances or species is currently considered to accelerate tree species migration and facilitate forest persistence. Trade-offs between drought adaptation and growth plasticity might, however, limit the effectiveness of assisted migration, especially if introductions focus on provenances or species from different climatic regions. We tested in a common garden experiment the performance of Pinus sylvestris seedlings from the continental Central Alps under increased temperatures and extended spring and/or summer drought, and compared seedling emergence, survival and biomass allocation to that of P. sylvestris and closely related Pinus nigra from a Mediterranean seed source. Soil heating had only minor effects on seedling performance but high spring precipitation doubled the number of continental P. sylvestris seedlings present after the summer drought. At the same time, twice as many seedlings of the Mediterranean than the continental P. sylvestris provenance were present, which was due to both higher emergence and lower mortality under dry conditions. Both P. sylvestris provenances allocated similar amounts of biomass to roots when grown under low summer precipitation. Mediterranean seedlings, however, revealed lower phenotypic plasticity than continental seedlings under high precipitation, which might limit their competitive ability in continental Alpine forests in non-drought years. By contrast, high variability in the response of individual seedlings to summer drought indicates the potential of continental P. sylvestris provenances to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

In the present study, a combination of 17 nuclear and four chloroplast microsatellites were used to identify polymorphisms among 224 Citrus accessions maintained at the ex-situ ELGO-DIMITRA germplasm collection, mainly located in Chania, Greece. The nuclear marker data set revealed 109 unique genetic profiles with a mean gene diversity of 0.63, while the chloroplast DNA data set revealed 28 haplotypes between all accessions. A Bayesian genetic structure analysis was used to assign accessions into groups, and a dendrogram based on chloroplast markers allowed the maternal lineage identification of multiple hybrids. A few indigenous accessions exhibited notable genetic differences compared to the evaluated international counterparts (citron: ‘Cretan Smooth’, mandarin: ‘Common Chios’, lemon: ‘Karystini Xylokastrou’/‘Vakalou’/‘Helen’, lime: ‘Pastolemono Chiou’/‘Glykolemono’, greek bergamots, sweet orange: ‘Botsato Artas’). The rest of them presented highly similar or indistinguishable genetic profiles with known accessions. These results are expected to facilitate further exploration of Citrus genotypes maintained in Greece and assist in efficient conservation and design of breeding programs.