Abstract genalex is a user‐friendly cross‐platform package that runs within Microsoft Excel, enabling population genetic analyses of codominant, haploid and binary data. Allele frequency‐based include heterozygosity, F statistics, Nei's distance, assignment, probabilities identity pairwise relatedness. Distance‐based calculations amova , principal coordinates analysis (PCA), Mantel tests, multivariate 2D spatial autocorrelation twogener . More than 20 different graphs summarize data aid...

GenAlEx: Genetic Analysis in Excel is a cross-platform package for population genetic analyses that runs within Microsoft Excel. GenAlEx offers analysis of diploid codominant, haploid and binary loci DNA sequences. Both frequency-based (F-statistics, heterozygosity, HWE, assignment, relatedness) distance-based (AMOVA, PCoA, Mantel tests, multivariate spatial autocorrelation) are provided. New features include calculation new estimators structure: G'(ST), G''(ST), Jost's D(est) F'(ST) through...

Dispersal is a fundamental process that influences the response of species to landscape change and habitat fragmentation. In an attempt better understand dispersal in Australian bush rat, Rattusfuscipes, we have combined new multilocus autocorrelation method with hypervariable microsatellite genetic markers investigate fine‐scale (<1 km) patterns spatial distribution structure. The study was conducted across eight trapping transects at four sites, total 270 animals sampled. Spatial analysis...

We investigated the transferability of 31 soybean (Glycine max) simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci to wild congeners and other legume genera. Up 65% primer pairs amplified SSRs within Glycine, but frequently, were short interrupted compared with those soybeans. Nevertheless, 85% polymorphic G. clandestina. Cross-species amplification outside genus was much lower (3%-13%), polymorphism restricted one pair, AG81. AG81 in Kennedia, Vigna (Phaseoleae), Vicia (Vicieae), Trifolium (Trifolieae),...

Abstract Buffalograss, Buchloë dactyloides , is widely distributed throughout the Great Plains of North America, where it an important species for rangeland forage and soil conservation. The consists two widespread polyploid races, with narrowly endemic diploid populations known from regions: central Mexico Gulf Coast Texas. We describe compare patterns allozyme RAPD variation in using a set 48 individuals Texas (four population samples 12 each). Twelve 22 loci were polymorphic, exhibiting...

The hypothesis that pollinators have been important drivers of angiosperm diversity dates back to Darwin, and remains an research topic today. Mounting evidence indicates the potential drive diversification at several different stages evolutionary process. Microevolutionary studies provided for pollinator-mediated floral adaptation, while macroevolutionary supports a general pattern pollinator-driven angiosperms. However, overarching issue whether, how, shifts in pollination system plant...

The "sexually deceptive" orchid Chiloglottis trapeziformis attracts males of its pollinator species, the thynnine wasp Neozeleboria cryptoides, by emitting a unique volatile compound, 2-ethyl-5-propylcyclohexan-1,3-dione, which is also produced female wasps as male-attracting sex pheromone.

Chloroplast microsatellites, or simple sequence repeats (cpSSRs), are typically mononucleotide tandem repeats. When located in the noncoding regions of chloroplast genome (cpDNA), they commonly show intraspecific variation repeat number. Despite growing number studies applying cpSSRs, economically important plants and their relatives remain over-represented. Thus, potential cpSSRs to offer unique insights into ecological evolutionary processes wild plant species has yet be fully realized....

Dispersal influences evolution, demography, and social characteristics but is generally difficult to study. Here we combine long‐term demographic data from an intensively studied population of superb fairy‐wrens(Malurus cyaneus) multivariate spatial autocorrelation analyses microsatellite genotypes describe dispersal behavior in this species. The revealed: (1) sex‐biased dispersal: almost all individuals that dispersed into the study area over eight‐year period were female (93%; n 5 153);...

Featured paper: See Commentary p303

Only orchids affect pollination by the deceptive sexual attraction of male insects, a syndrome particularly well developed in Australia. We examined ecological and genetic consequences exclusive sexually attracted thynnine wasps orchid Caladenia tentaculata. Male respond rapidly to flowers artificially presented 1 × m2 experimental patches. Sixty 287 approached within centimeters flower, but did not land. Of remaining 79% who made floral contact, only 7.5% attempted copulation, step critical...

Abstract For organisms with limited vagility and/or occupying patchy habitats, we often encounter nonrandom patterns of genetic affinity over relatively small spatial scales, labelled fine‐scale structure. Both the extent and decay rate that pattern can be expected to depend on numerous interesting demographic, ecological, historical, mating system factors, it would useful able compare different situations. There is, however, no heterogeneity test currently available for structure provide us...

Abstract Sex‐biased dispersal is expected to generate differences in the fine‐scale genetic structure of males and females. Therefore, spatial analyses multilocus genotypes may offer a powerful approach for detecting sex‐biased natural populations. However, effects on have not been explored. We used simulations autocorrelation analysis investigate how influences structure. evaluated three statistical tests dispersal: bootstrap confidence intervals about r values recently developed...

Summary Sexually deceptive orchids employ floral volatiles to sexually lure their specific pollinators. How and why this pollination system has evolved independently on multiple continents remains unknown, although preadaptation is considered have been important. Understanding the chemistry of sexual deception a crucial first step towards solving mystery. The combination gas chromatography‐electroantennographic detection ( GC ‐ EAD ), MS , synthesis field bioassays allowed us identify...

Given the exceptional diversity of orchids (26 000+ species), improving strategies for conservation will benefit a vast number taxa. Furthermore, with rapidly increasing numbers endangered and low success rates in orchid translocation programmes worldwide, it is evident that our progress understanding biology not yet translating into widespread effective conservation.

Abstract: Zieria prostrata (Rutaceae) is known from only four headlands within a 3‐km stretch of coastline in New South Wales, Australia. The species was presumed to have occurred at headland 24 km south its present range. We used random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis assess patterns genetic variation and among the extant populations. also included an individual reputedly rescued now extinct population. A high level population divergence revealed by principal coordinate molecular...

Sexually deceptive orchids from the genus Ophrys attract their pollinators primarily through chemical mimicry of female hymenopteran sex pheromones, thereby deceiving males into attempted matings with orchid labellum. Floral odor traits are crucial for reproductive success these pollinator-limited orchids, as well maintaining isolation attraction specific pollinators. We tested signature pollinator-mediated selection on floral by comparing intra and interspecific differentiation in compounds...

We reconstructed the broad backbone of conifer phylogeny from a survey 15–17 plastid loci and associated noncoding regions exemplar species. Parsimony likelihood analyses recover same higher-order relationships, we find strong support for most deep splits in phylogeny, including those within our two heavily sampled families, Araucariaceae Cupressaceae. Our findings are broadly congruent with other recent studies, inferred comparable or improved bootstrap support. The deepest phylogenetic...