Search Results (72)

To explore the genetic diversity and evolutionary differentiation of Mastacembelus armatus from the headwaters of the Dongjiang and Ganjiang Rivers, we performed whole-genome resequencing on three populations, including Xunyushui (XW) and Jiuqu River (DN) from the Dongjiang River source as well as Taojiang River (XF) from the Ganjiang River source. We analyzed population structure, genetic differentiation, nucleotide diversity (π), pairwise FST, linkage disequilibrium, kinship, and neutrality tests (Tajima’s D, Fu and Li’s D). A total of 209.05 Gbp of clean data were obtained, with high quality and reliable alignment. Average nucleotide diversity (π) was higher in XW (0.00490 ± 0.00248) and DN (0.00478 ± 0.00312) and lower in XF (0.00463 ± 0.00158). Pairwise FST values revealed moderate differentiation between XW and DN (FST = 0.12) and strong divergence between XF and the other two populations (FST = 0.19 and 0.17). Neutrality tests showed no significant deviation from neutrality. XW and DN exhibited positive values, indicating stable demography, while XF showed negative values, suggesting a tendency of population expansion. Phylogenetic, admixture, and PCA analyses supported that all three populations belonged to one evolutionary clade with two ancestral components. XF showed the slowest linkage disequilibrium decay and distant kinship, indicating a small effective population size. Significant genetic divergence was primarily driven by geographic isolation and limited gene flow. This study reveals the genetic diversity and differentiation pattern of M. armatus and provides a genomic basis for its conservation and management. Full article

This article examines how women’s ritual authority and identity are negotiated in contemporary mourning practices among the Tsonga. Although African scholarship has increasingly addressed gender, widowhood, and ritual life, limited attention has been paid to mourning as a gendered space in which women’s authority is simultaneously exercised, regulated, and contested. The article addresses this gap by analysing mourning not as a static cultural residue, but as a dynamic ritual field shaped by kinship, seniority, obligation, memory, and social change. Methodologically, the study adopts a qualitative document analysis of recent scholarly literature, ethnographic studies, and theoretically relevant texts on Tsonga mourning, African ritual practice, kinship, and gender. The analysis is guided by a decolonial perspective, which recentres African epistemologies and lived ritual meanings, and a genealogical perspective, which traces how authority, identity, and obligation are transmitted and reworked across generations. The article argues that Tsonga mourning practices position women as custodians of ritual continuity while also subjecting them to moral discipline and social regulation. Its contribution lies in bringing together African gender studies, ritual studies, genealogy, and decolonial scholarship to show how mourning remains a vital site for the ongoing negotiation of gender, belonging, and cultural authority. Full article

Body measurement traits are a direct production indicator reflecting growth status and guiding genetic selection. Identifying molecular markers associated with body measurement traits could accelerate animal breeding programs. The Yanqi horse, an important indigenous breed in Xinjiang, is primarily distributed in the Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture. However, molecular markers linked to body measurement traits in Yanqi horses remain uncharacterized. In the present study, whole-genome resequencing was performed on 183 Yanqi horses, yielding 13,366,672 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) after quality control. A genome-wide association study on withers height, body length, heart girth, and cannon bone circumference was conducted using a mixed linear model implemented in GEMMA, with population structure and relatedness controlled using principal components and a genomic kinship matrix. Bonferroni-adjusted thresholds (p < 1 × 10⁻⁷ for significant associations; p < 1 × 10⁻⁶ for suggestive associations) were applied to minimize false positives. A total of 185 single-nucleotide polymorphisms were significantly associated with body measurement traits and 359 candidate genes were annotated within 200 kb upstream and downstream of the significant loci. Among these, five genes, GABRB1, FIGN, GABRA4, ENSECAG00000051747, and COX7B2, may be implicated in the growth and development of Yanqi horses. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses indicated that these genes are primarily involved in cytoskeletal structures within muscle cells, regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, and neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction pathways. In summary, this study presents novel markers and candidate gene sets associated with body measurement traits in Yanqi horses, offering valuable insights for functional gene investigations and presenting substantial potential for accelerating the breeding of Yanqi horses. Full article

This study investigates the role of naming practices as cultural repositories that preserve family, lineage, and community identity. It explores how anthroponymy encodes histories of ancestry, migration, settlement, and sociopolitical organisation in two West African societies, Dàgáárè-speaking communities and Yorùbá communities. Adopting a comparative onomastic ethnographic approach, this research analyses names among the two selected cultures. Data is drawn from interviews, school registers, attendance sheets, and cultural practices, with emphasis on how names record genealogical descent, settlement histories, occupational roles, spiritual affiliations, and ethical expectations. In Dàgáárè and Yorùbá culture, bal/baloo yoe (clan names) and lineage names identify descent from founding ancestors, document migration and settlement, mark ritual responsibilities, memorialise historical events, and regulate kinship and marriage through totemic and spiritual identities. This study argues that names in Dàgáárè- and Yorùbá-speaking societies operate as cultural texts that preserve and transmit heritage across generations. The significant implications extend to linguistics, anthropology, and heritage studies, where names can be leveraged as tools for cultural preservation and historical analysis. Full article

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that severely affects cognitive, behavioral, and functional abilities, creating a substantial burden for family members who provide continuous care. Caregivers often experience role changes, occupational imbalance, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life, although some report personal growth. These experiences extend beyond active caregiving and include anticipatory grief during disease progression and grief after the relative’s death. Despite this continuum, few studies have examined caregiving, loss, and bereavement from an integrative perspective. This protocol describes a mixed-methods study aimed at exploring the lived experiences of family caregivers of individuals with AD, focusing on how evolving relational, occupational, and identity-related losses influence their well-being and adaptation. Methods: A parallel convergent mixed-methods design will be used. The quantitative component consists of a cross-sectional observational study including 66 caregivers recruited through purposive sampling across kinship categories (spouse/partner, adult child, grandchild) and care settings (home care with day-center attendance vs. institutionalized care). Data will be collected using the Zarit Burden Interview, Role Checklist, Short Form-36 Health Survey, and Occupational Balance Questionnaire. Descriptive and subgroup analyses will be conducted using SPSS (version 27). The qualitative component comprises a multiple-case study with approximately 36 participants across three groups: caregivers living with individuals with AD, caregivers of institutionalized relatives, and bereaved family members. Semi-structured interviews (45–80 min) will be conducted online or in person, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using MAXQDA (version 26). Integration will follow a concurrent approach, combining quantitative and qualitative results through joint narratives and displays to produce a comprehensive interpretation. Discussion: This study aims to deepen understanding of the caregiving–grief continuum in families affected by AD by integrating quantitative indicators of burden, health status, and occupational balance with qualitative accounts of adaptation and meaning-making. Findings are expected to support the development of holistic, evidence-based interventions that promote caregiver well-being throughout the care trajectory and during bereavement. Ethics and Dissemination: Ethical approval was granted by the Research Ethics Committee of Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Code: 041220246522024; 15 October 2025). ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT07251738. Registered November 2025. Protocol version: Version 2. Full article

Background/Objectives. The Black Death pandemic, combined with the antisemitic climate of 14th-century Europe, led to widespread violence against Jewish communities, including numerous pogroms such as the one in 1348 in Tàrrega (Catalonia, Spain). In the Roquetes necropolis of Tàrrega, six communal graves containing at least sixty-nine individuals, with signs of violence, were dated to the mid-14th century. Based on the hypothesis that Iberian medieval Jewish communities preserve genetic similarities to other ancient and modern Jewish communities, our study aims to provide genomic information on medieval Iberian communities, which to date have been unknown. Methods. We analyzed DNA from sixteen individuals from the Roquetes necropolis using Twist ancient DNA enrichment capture. Several paleogenomic analyses based on nuclear DNA and uniparental markers were conducted to determine their genetic relatedness and population origin. Results. PCA and ADMIXTURE analyses revealed genetic affinities with ancient and modern Jewish populations. Uniparental markers, which exhibited high diversity, aligned with typical patterns within the Jewish community. The qpAdm modeling suggested that the genetic composition of the Roquetes population can be explained by a mixture of Canaan individuals (0.69) and the Iberian non-Jewish non-Islamic medieval population (0.31). No close genetic kinship was detected, but RHO analyses indicated a certain level of background endogamy. Conclusions. This is the first study to report genomic data for medieval Iberian Jews. Our findings reveal genomic affinities of the Roquetes individuals with ancient and modern Jewish populations and corroborate the previous attribution of the burials to victims of the 1348 Tàrrega pogrom. Full article

Background/Objectives: Forensic kinship analysis is a rapidly developing practice that uses genetic data to identify unknown persons of interest through their genetic relatives. It can be used to generate new leads in forensic investigations, especially those involving long-term missing persons and unidentified human remains. More recently, the advent of SNP profiling panels designed specifically for forensic use has led to the exploration of kinship analysis using medium-density SNP data. This study aimed to evaluate the extent to which genetic relationships could be inferred using such data, and to assess the performance of different kinship inference methods. Methods: Kinship analysis was performed with both real and simulated profiles using the panel of SNPs contained within the Verogen ForenSeq^® Kintelligence Kit, with a wide range of relationship types and seven types of kinship inference methods. Results: It was determined that kinship inferences were possible out to the fourth degree of kinship, and all inference methods analysed were equally effective when tested using simulated data. However, some variation between methods was observed when they were analysed using real sample data, suggesting that further study is needed using a larger sample size. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that medium-density SNP data is sufficient for extended kinship inference out to the fourth degree, and that several kinship inference methods are suitable for use with the Verogen ForenSeq^® Kintelligence Kit. These findings will support its application in forensic investigations involving the inference of distant genetic relationships. Full article

Background: Hypertension is an important target for primordial prevention of complex, noncommunicable diseases, and its prevalence remains high across populations. The urban population in India is at a high risk of hypertension, but the genetic basis of hypertension in this population remains poorly understood. Methods: We conducted a pooled whole-blood genome-wide association study of 28 pools representing 1402 participants of the Diabetes In Sindhi Families In Nagpur (DISFIN) study, which enrolled families of probands with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Genotyping was done using Illumina’s Global Screening Array. Results: From a total of 608,550 single-nucleotide variants, 191 were found to be significantly associated with hypertension even after adjusting for metabolic comorbidities, batch effects, pooling error, kinship status, and pooling variation. These variants mapped to 180 well-characterized genes comprising 55 (31%) genes, and encode long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Many of the genes significantly associated with hypertension (including 35% of the lncRNAs) have also been reported by other studies. However, we identified novel genes (SBF2, ARHGAP12, EPAS1, CLEC16A, and LRPPRC) to be associated with hypertension. The most significantly associated lncRNA gene was FLYWCH-AS1. Bioinformatic analyses indicated that these novel genes are likely to have functional importance in hypertension. Conclusions: Our study thus points to the potential candidate genes associated with hypertension in endogamous Sindhi families with T2D patients. The replicable and functional role of these candidate genes should be investigated in future studies. Full article

Marine species with high fecundity and larvae with long-distance dispersal potential can have complex population genetic patterns. Characterizing population structure in these species is important for understanding their ecology and life history and designing management strategies. The eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) is both ecologically and economically important but has experienced recent population declines. Characterizing genetic variation in regional C. virginica populations will contribute to conservation and restoration practices. We used 20 nuclear microsatellite loci to examine genetic diversity, population structure, and kinship within and among wild oyster populations in coastal Georgia. Oysters were sampled from multiple fringe reefs within a single tidal creek and from four estuarine creeks spanning approximately 115 km of coastline. Genetic diversity was high across all sites, but modest yet significant population structure was detected at both local and regional scales. Within a single creek, significant genetic differentiation was observed among reefs separated by only a few kilometers. Kinship analyses revealed significantly higher relatedness within reefs and within creeks than among locations relative to random expectations. These results indicate that regional coastal dynamics, kin aggregation, local retention, and sweepstakes reproductive success contribute to fine-scale genetic structure despite high dispersal potential. Our findings suggest that accounting for local retention is important when designing oyster restoration, broodstock selection, and management strategies in dynamic estuarine and coastal environments. Full article

The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) manages swordfish, Xiphias gladius, a species of high economic importance in the Indian Ocean. Current stock assessments rely on catch per unit effort indices, which can be biased, complicating reliable abundance estimates. We explored alternative approaches by assessing the feasibility of the close-kin mark– recapture (CKMR) method, a powerful genetic-based approach. This pilot study aimed to validate protocols and guide future CKMR implementation at the IOTC scale. CKMR simulations were conducted to estimate the sample sizes required to detect sufficient kin pairs. Kinship analyses assumed a single panmictic population across the Indian Ocean, consistent with current IOTC management. A total of 2068 individuals were genotyped using SNP markers, identifying one parent-offspring pair (POP) and at least two half-sibling pairs (HSPs). As predicted by simulations, this sampling scale precludes robust estimation. However, results indicate that robust CKMR-based estimates could be achieved by sampling at least 18,000 swordfish over three years, representing about 20% of the current sampling effort already undertaken by contracting parties. The annual cost of genomic data generation for CKMR represents less than 0.5% of the first-sale market of swordfish in the Indian Ocean. Overall, this study supports the feasibility of CKMR for swordfish and provides a foundation for scaling up future programs to improve Indian Ocean stock assessments. Full article

The reconstruction of biological profiles from aged or degraded human skeletal remains represents a major challenge in both forensic and bioarcheological contexts, particularly when conventional identification approaches fail. Recent advances in molecular genetics, biochemical and histological analyses, and biomolecular anthropology have substantially expanded the range of information that can be recovered from compromised remains. This review synthesizes current integrative approaches combining genomic analyses, stable isotope investigations, epigenetic age estimation, proteomic sex determination, and complementary histological techniques to infer sex, ancestry, kinship, age, diet, mobility, and geographic origin. Genetic methods, including next-generation sequencing (NGS), enable increasingly robust inference even from highly degraded samples. Stable isotope analyses provide insights into dietary patterns and mobility, while DNA methylation markers improve age estimation accuracy. Tooth cementum annulation (TCA), although a histological rather than molecular method, contributes an additional chronological indicator within an integrative analytical framework. Rather than treating these approaches independently, this review proposes a multidisciplinary perspective in which complementary datasets collectively support biological profile reconstruction. Integrative interpretation enhances identification potential and provides more nuanced life-history reconstructions, demonstrating the value of combining molecular, biochemical, and histological evidence in forensic and archaeological investigations. Full article

Nitrogen (N) is an essential yield-limiting factor in maize, and identifying genes that improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is critical for sustainable agriculture and environmental protection. However, the genetic basis of NUE in maize remains poorly understood. In this study, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using a mixed linear model (MLM) controlling for population structure and kinship, based on an association panel of 282 maize inbred lines genotyped via the Maize 50K GBTS array (53,162 SNPs). Ten NUE-related traits (grain yield, hundred-kernel weight, ear length, ear diameter, kernel row number, kernel number per row, SPAD value, ASI, plant height, ear height) were evaluated under two N levels during the 2024–2025 growing seasons. The GWAS analysis detected 122 significant SNPs in gene regions linked to low N tolerance under the studied conditions. Linkage disequilibrium analysis and functional annotation narrowed down 26 candidate genes, whose GO and KEGG enrichment analyses (Fisher’s exact test) identified three core genes (Zm00001d027880, Zm00001d034047, Zm00001d010574). Furthermore, several inbred lines (H1710, 23N272, and 23N41) demonstrating superior low-nitrogen tolerance were identified. The primary subsequent focus in future research for these genetic materials will be their utilization to breed new cultivars with enhanced nitrogen use efficiency. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Bedouins (nomads) and the Fellahin (farmers) of Jordan represent two distinct subpopulations, characterized by unique lifestyles, settlement patterns, and linguistic features. This study aims to estimate the frequency of 27 Y-STRs in these two Jordanian subpopulations, along with various forensic parameters and paternal lineage comparisons with neighboring populations. Methods: Twenty-seven Y-STRs were typed in two major Jordanian subpopulations: Bedouin nomads (n = 101) and Fellahin farmers (n = 98). The forensic and paternal genetic lineage parameters and Y-haplogroup predictions were estimated. In addition, we conducted multidimensional scaling (MDS) and centroid analyses based on the Fst distance matrix to compare the sampled communities with neighboring populations from the MENA region, East Africa, Southeast Europe, and South Asia. Results: The Y-haplogroup predictions revealed differences in the predicted lineage composition based on the Y-STR profiles. The predicted J1a2a1a2 haplogroup predominated among the Bedouins (74.3%), whereas the Fellahin displayed a more heterogeneous profile, with notable frequencies of J1 (40%) and J2 (17.3%). Furthermore, the Fellahin exhibited remarkable genetic diversity and significant gene flow, providing plausible evidence of kinship with neighboring Levantine and Arabian groups. In contrast, the Bedouins showed consistently lower diversity across multiple loci, indicating long-term tribal isolation and, therefore, the potential effects of genetic drift. The MDS and centroid analyses positioned the Fellahin among the genetically interconnected Middle Eastern populations, while the Bedouins were clustered with the Arabian Peninsula populations. Conclusions: Overall, the contrasting genetic signatures of the two Jordanian subpopulations reflect their settlement patterns and sociocultural practices. In addition, the Y-STR dataset generated in this study enhances the Jordanian forensic database and to extends our understanding of paternal lineage structures in the West Asian/Levantine region. Full article

The recent recognition of the Neotropical otter (Lontra annectens) as a distinct species highlights the need to evaluate its genetic status and connectivity across fragmented tropical habitats. We analyzed genetic diversity, population structure, and recent demographic patterns of L. annectens from two contrasting regions in northern Costa Rica—Tortuguero National Park (TNP) and the Sarapiquí River Basin (SRB). Non-invasive fecal and anal-gland secretion samples collected during 2021–2022 were genotyped at ten nuclear DNA microsatellite loci. Genetic diversity was moderate across regions (mean allelic richness [AR] = 3.98–4.03, observed heterozygosity [Ho] = 0.52–0.58), expected heterozygosity [He] = 0.62–0.65) with no significant inter-regional differences. Bayesian clustering, principal component analysis, and pairwise F_ST (0.002) supported a near-panmictic population. Kinship analyses detected localized clusters of related individuals, suggesting weak but non-random structuring, while contemporary migration estimates indicated low-frequency, asymmetric gene flow from SRB to TNP. Bottleneck tests revealed signatures of recent demographic contraction in both regions, particularly in TNP. These findings demonstrate limited yet ongoing connectivity among riverine subpopulations and emphasize that increasing habitat fragmentation could erode this exchange. Maintaining hydrological corridors and monitoring genetically vulnerable subpopulations should be conservation priorities to preserve gene flow and long-term viability of L. annectens in northern Costa Rica. Full article

Modern olive breeding points to a plant model characterized by low vigour, high productivity, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, all traits required by the intensive and superhigh-density (SHD) systems of olive tree growing. The Italian Don Carlo and FS-17 Favolosa stand out among the new cultivars that are being tested. They were obtained not by breeding but by mass selection from two seedling populations of the Frantoio cultivar (maternal parent). Here, a multidisciplinary approach was used to determine the paternal parent of Don Carlo and FS-17, and then to investigate the inheritance of interesting traits such as fruit cell dimensions and oil content in these cultivars. Microsatellites were applied in phylogeny and kinship analyses, along with two functional markers previously developed on OeACP1 and OeACP2 genes. Ascolana Tenera cultivar was identified as the paternal parent of both new cultivars. This result was also supported by the analysis of the self-incompatibility group of the new cultivars and their most likely paternal parents. Light and electron microscopy [Cryo Scanning Electronic Microscopy (CRYO-SEM), Electronic Scanning Microscopy (E-SEM), and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)] techniques were used to analyze the fruit development concerning oil accumulation. Significant differences in cuticle thickness, size and shape of mesocarp and exocarp cells, and oil content were detected among cultivars. Our results suggested that the rearrangement of the traits studied led to an improved progeny compared to the parents. FS-17 exhibited an oil storage efficiency higher than Frantoio. Don Carlo showed fruit traits and oil content almost intermediate between the parents, making it a dual-purpose cultivar. Full article