Geographic variations in vocalizations and morphological characteristics of the tokay gecko (Gekko gecko L.) complex were identified using subjects recorded and/or collected in China and Southeast Asia. Populations in south China and northeast Vietnam (the black tokay) were compared with those in Thailand, Laos and south Vietnam (the red tokay). Red tokays possess gray- or dark green-colored skin with brick red spots interspersed on the dorsum, while black tokays possess dark-green skin with black spots or spots of other colors except brick red. Each group produces advertisement calls which consist of distinct acoustic phases. In both groups the first call phase consists of a series of pulses and the second phase consists of a series of two-note syllables. Only red tokays produce a third phase consisting of single notes. Frequency modulation patterns were profoundly different for call elements produced between the two groups. Calls of the black but not red tokay exhibit intricate frequency modulated eleme...

Geographic variation in the advertisement calls of Gekko gecko in relation to variations in morphological features: implications for regional population differentiation

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a critically endangered mammalian species. Studies on functions of regulatory proteins involved in developmental processes would facilitate understanding of specific behavior in giant panda. The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins play essential roles in a wide range of developmental processes in higher organisms. bHLH family members have been identified in over 20 organisms, including fruit fly, zebrafish, mouse and human. Our present study identified 107 bHLH family members being encoded in giant panda genome. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that they belong to 44 bHLH families with 46, 25, 15, 4, 11 and 3 members in group A, B, C, D, E and F, respectively, while the remaining 3 members were assigned into “orphan”. Compared to mouse, the giant panda does not encode seven bHLH proteins namely Beta3a, Mesp2, Sclerax, S-Myc, Hes5 (or Hes6), EBF4 and Orphan 1. These results provide useful background information for future studies on structure and function of bHLH proteins in the regulation of giant panda development.

/pdf/a-genome-wide-survey-on-basic-helix-loop-helix-transcription-5gu6ft42cm.pdf

A genome-wide survey on basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors in giant panda.

Here, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of the red-spotted tokay gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae). The genome is 16,590 bp in size. Its gene arrangement pattern was identical with that of black-spotted tokay gecko. We compared the mitochondrial genome of red-spotted tokay gecko with that of the black-spotted tokay gecko. Nucleotide sequence of the two whole mitochondrial genomes was 97.99% similar, and the relatively high similarity seems to indicate that they may be separated at the subspecies level. The information of mitochondrial genome comparison of the two morphological types of tokay gecko is discussed in detail.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the red-spotted tokay gecko (Gekko gecko, Reptilia: Gekkonidae): comparison of red- and black-spotted tokay geckos.

Black-spotted and red-spotted tokay geckos are distributed in different regions and have significant differences in morphological appearance, but have been regarded as the same species, Gekko gecko, in taxonomy. To determine whether black-spotted and red-spotted tokay geckos are genetically differentiated, we sequenced the entire mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (1147 bp) from 110 individuals of Gekko gecko collected in 11 areas including Guangxi China, Yunnan China, Vietnam, and Laos. In addition, we performed karyotypic analyses of black-spotted tokay geckos from Guangxi China and red-spotted tokay geckos from Laos. These phylogenetic analyses showed that black-spotted and red-spotted tokay geckos are divided into two branches in molecular phylogenetic trees. The average genetic distances are as follows: 0.12-0.47% among six haplotypes in the black-spotted tokay gecko group, 0.12-1.66% among five haplotypes in the red-spotted tokay gecko group, and 8.76-9.18% between the black-spotted and red-spotted tokay geckos, respectively. The karyotypic analyses showed that the karyotype formula is 2n = 38 = 8m + 2sm + 2st + 26t in red-spotted tokay geckos from Laos compared with 2n = 38 = 8m + 2sm + 28t in black-spotted tokay geckos from Guangxi China. The differences in these two kinds of karyotypes were detected on the 15th chromosome. The clear differences in genetic levels between black-spotted and red-spotted tokay geckos suggest a significant level of genetic differentiation between the two.

https://bioone.org/journals/zoological-science/volume-29/issue-6/zsj.29.384/Genetic-Variation-and-Differentiation-of-Gekko-gecko-from-Different-Populations/10.2108/zsj.29.384.pdf

Genetic Variation and Differentiation of Gekko gecko from Different Populations Based on Mitochondrial Cytochrome b Gene Sequences and Karyotypes

With largely allopatric distribution, the black tokay and the red tokay are two distinct morphs of the subspecies Gekko gecko gecko. In consideration of their different morphological characteristics, the taxonomic status of G. g. gecko is disputed. Through detailed morphological comparison, it has been proposed that the black tokay should be elevated to species ranking, but without strong genetic evidence. In order to further investigate the taxonomic status of the tokay gecko (G. gecko), we used one mitochondrial marker (ND2) and three nuclear markers (RAG1, c-mos, and ITS2) to explore the phylogenetic and taxonomic relationship of the tokay gecko. Our results revealed a deep phylogeographical divergence in tokay gecko and at the same time provided us with the evidence of possible introgressive hybridization or/and incomplete lineage sorting between the black tokay and the red tokay. The elevation of the black tokay to species level is also supported by our results. However, due to limited sampling and genetic data, this elevation should be further corroborated by more genetic evidence.

Genetic variability of the tokay gecko based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA

Genetic variability of the tokay gecko based on microsatellite analysis

Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is the only member of type II IFN and is vital in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses. Herein we report the cloning, expression, and sequence analysis of IFN-γ from the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). The open reading frame of this gene is 501 base pair in length and encodes a polypeptide consisting of 166 amino acids. All conserved N-linked glycosylation sites and cysteine residues among carnivores were found in the predicted amino acid sequence of the giant panda. Recombinant giant panda IFN-γ with a V5 epitope and polyhistidine tag was expressed in HEK293 host cells and confirmed by Western blotting. Phylogenetic analysis of mammalian IFN-γ–coding sequences indicated that the giant panda IFN-γ was closest to that of carnivores, then to ungulates and dolphin, and shared a distant relationship with mouse and human. These results represent a first step into the study of IFN-γ in giant panda.

http://ccftp.scu.edu.cn:8090/Download/b37d5e18-743f-467d-b892-d67046f7f009.pdf

Dong Yang

Papers

Genetic variability of the tokay gecko based on microsatellite analysis

Interferon-γ of the Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca): Complementary DNA Cloning, Expression, and Phylogenetic Analysis