There is strong evidence that natural selection can favour phenotypic plasticity as a mechanism to maximize fitness in animals. Here, we aim to investigate phenotypic plasticity of a cooperative trait in bacteria--the production of an iron-scavenging molecule (pyoverdin) by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pyoverdin production is metabolically costly to the individual cell, but provides a benefit to the...

We have used the results of an experiment mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting milk yield and composition to estimate the total number of QTL affecting these traits. We did this by estimating the number of segregating QTL within a half-sib daughter design using logic similar to that used to estimate the "false discovery rate" (FDR). In a half-sib daughter design with six sire familie...

Release of genetically modified (GM) wheat will require segregation of GM and non-GM wheat to satisfy international markets. Before GM wheat is released, it will be important to understand the fate of a GM trait within the agronomic production system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of gene flow and selection pressure on the frequency of GM traits in non-GM wheat and whea...

Prediction of genetic merit for missing traits is possible by combining available indicator traits. Indicator traits were combined using genetic correlations obtained from multiple regression equations of estimated genetic correlations among available indicator traits on variables explaining production circumstances and trait definitions. This prediction of missing traits was closer to actual b...

Although carcass trait selection programs have primarily focused on carcass marbling (quality grade), recent changes in the North American beef industry will very likely increase the economic importance of carcass composition (yield grade). Ultrasound technology is a valuable tool in these efforts. This review summarizes recent research pertaining to the role of ultrasound in improving carcass ...

Uni-2, a dominant mutation that affects leaf development in Phaseolus vulgaris, is described. The mutant type is characterized by the production of unifoliolate true leaves as opposed to the trifoliolate true leaves that characterize the wild-type phenotype of this species. Segregation data from the F2, F3, and F4 generations of crosses between the unifoliolate mutant and trifoliolate genotypes...

Field studies of community assembly patterns increasingly use phylogenetic relatedness as a surrogate for traits. Recent experiments appear to validate this approach by showing effects of correlated trait and phylogenetic distances on coexistence. However, traits governing resource use in animals are often labile. To test whether feeding trait or phylogenetic diversity can predict competition a...

Estimates of covariance components were obtained for milk production of beef cows, measured by the weigh-suckle-weigh method, and weaning weight and preweaning growth of their calves for a herd of Polled Herefords and a herd of a multibreed synthetics, so-called Wokalups. Analyses were carried out by restricted maximum likelihood fitting an animal model incorporating both direct and maternal ge...