Pork quality is an economically important trait and one of the main selection criteria for breeding in the swine industry. In this genome-wide association study (GWAS), 455 pigs from a porcine Large White × Minzhu intercross population were genotyped using the Illumina PorcineSNP60K Beadchip, and phenotyped for intramuscular fat content (IMF), marbling, moisture, color L*, color a*, color b* and color score in the longissimus muscle (LM). Association tests between each trait and the SNPs were performed via the Genome Wide Rapid Association using the Mixed Model and Regression-Genomic Control (GRAMMAR-GC) approach. From the Ensembl porcine database, SNP annotation was implemented using Sus scrofa Build 9. A total of 45 SNPs showed significant association with one or multiple meat quality traits. Of the 45 SNPs, 36 were located on SSC12. These significantly associated SNPs aligned to or were in close approximation to previously reported quantitative trait loci (QTL) and some were located within introns of previously reported candidate genes. Two haplotype blocks ASGA0100525-ASGA0055225-ALGA0067099-MARC0004712-DIAS0000861, and ASGA0085522-H3GA0056170 were detected in the significant region. The first block contained the genes MYH1, MYH2 and MYH4. A SNP (ASGA0094812) within an intron of the USP43 gene was significantly associated with five meat quality traits. The present results effectively narrowed down the associated regions compared to previous QTL studies and revealed haplotypes and candidate genes on SSC12 for meat quality traits in pigs.

Bacterial community plays an important role in keeping the health status of the host. A study on the characteristics of gut bacterial community of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) not only helps improve the current aquaculture model, but promotes healthy and rapid development of the aquaculture industry as well. Therefore, taking pond‐cultured sea cucumber (A. japonicus) as the studying object, the metagenomic and 16S rRNA sequencing technology were used in this study to explore the characteristics of bacterial community in different parts of the gut of sea cucumber, as well as during gut regeneration after evisceration. The results showed that the compositions of bacterial community are different in varying parts of the gut of sea cucumber (A. japonicus). Specifically, bacterial community in the midgut and hindgut are highly similar, showing significantly diversified bacterial species compared to the foregut. GO annotation indicated that the foregut is associated with richer catalytic activity and binding than the midgut and the hindgut. According to the KEGG annotation, metabolism‐related genes are mainly concentrated in the foregut, while genes related to signal transduction and the immune system are mostly annotated in the midgut and hindgut. During the gut regeneration stage, the structure of bacterial community varied greatly in different stage of the regeneration stage, with significant differences between the earlier and later stage. The dominant bacteria in the earlier stage is Rubritalea, and that in the later stage is Arcobacter. Besides, there were Loktanella, Thalassobacter and Phaeobacter in the gut throughout the entire regeneration stage. Cupriavidus, Hellea, HTCC2207, Methylophaga, Methylotenera, Stenotrophomonas and Tenacibaculum were only present in the earlier stage, and gradually disappeared in the later stage due to improving gut functions. The abundance and diversity of bacteria in the gut were higher in the earlier regeneration stage than that in the later stage, with a peak between the 15th and 25th day of the regeneration stage. At 45th day, the abundance and diversity became stable.

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a b s t r a c tThis study aimed at assessing the bioavailability and toxicity of lead to Eisenia andrei in shooting range soils representing different land uses (forest, grassland, bullet plot). Soils contained 47e2398 mg Pb/kg dry weight (dw), but also had different pH-CaCl 2 (3.2e6.8) and organic matter contents (3.8e13%). Therefore artificial soils with different pH and organic matter contents and two natural soils were included as control soils. Earthworms were exposed for 28 days and toxicity and uptake of Pb were related to total, water and 0.01 M CaCl 2 extractable and porewater Pb concentrations as well as to soil characteristics. Pb uptake in the earthworms linearly increased with increasing soil concentrations. At >2000 mg Pb/kg dw and pH 3.3e3.5, high earthworm mortality with significant weight loss and complete inhibition of reproduction were recorded. At <1000 mg/kg dw, earthworm reproduction was more related to differences in pH and other soil characteristics than to Pb.