Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) is a powerful technique for measuring and evaluating gene expressions during different biological processes. To facilitate gene expression studies, normalization with respect to stable housekeeping genes (HKGs) is mandatory. T he western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), the main vector of Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), ...

Members of the Aedes genus of mosquitoes are widely recognized as vectors of viral diseases. Ae.albopictus is its most invasive species, and are known to carry viruses such as Dengue, Chikugunya and Zika. Its emerging importance puts Ae.albopictus on the forefront of genetic interaction and evolution studies. However, a panel of suitable reference genes specific for this insect is as of now und...

Cytoplasmic chloroplast DNA was explored to establish genetic relationships among Ficus carica cultivars and elucidate the molecular evolution of the species. The results suggest the occurrence of haplotype and nucleotide diversity. Conserved group I intron sequence motifs were detected and showed a common secondary structure, despite the presence of some mutations on their sequences. The neigh...

To determine the evolutionary relationships among all members of the genus Atractylodes (Compositae, Cardueae), we conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses of one nuclear DNA (nrDNA) region (internal transcribed spacer, ITS) and one chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) region (intergenic spacer region of trnL-F). In ITS and ITS + trnL-F trees, all members of Atractylodes form a monophyletic clade. Atractyl...

Phylogenetic relationships of Juncaceae and related families of Cyperales were investigated using DNA sequence data from the plastid rps16 intron, trnL intron, and trnL–F intergenic spacer. Results using parsimony analysis of the aligned matrices find Juncaceae and Cyperaceae to be monophyletic families, which form a clade sister to a monophyletic Thurniaceae that includes Prionium (Prioniaceae...

the genus ranunculus l., with a worldwide distribution, is the largest member of the ranunculaceae. here, nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (its) sequence data and chloroplast trnlf sequence data were used to analyze phylogenetic relationships among members of the annual and perennial (group praemorsa, group rhizomatosa, group grumosa and group non-grumosa) species of ranunculus...

A new species of the New Zealand endemic grass Simplicia, Simplicia felix is described. The new species is segregated from and compared with Simplicia buchananii and Simplicia laxa. Simplicia felix occurs mostly in lightly shaded areas of seasonally dry alluvial forest. A distribution map and an assessment of the conservation status of the new species are presented. Genetic variation in the gen...

Polyploidy plays a major role in the evolution of angiosperms with multiple paleopolyploid events having been suggested making it plausible that all angiosperms have a polyploid event in their history. Polyploidy can arise by genome duplication within a species (i.e., autopolyploidy), or whole genome duplication coupled with hybridization (i.e., allopolyploidy). Penstemon subsection Saccanthera...