Genome-wide survey and analysis of microsatellites in giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), with a focus on the applications of a novel microsatellite marker system

Background

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a critically endangered species endemic to China. Microsatellites have been preferred as the most popular molecular markers and proven effective in estimating population size, paternity test, genetic diversity for the critically endangered species. The availability of the giant panda complete genome sequences provided the opportunity to carry out genome-wide scans for all types of microsatellites markers, which now opens the way for the analysis and development of microsatellites in giant panda.

Results

By screening the whole genome sequence of giant panda in silico mining, we identified microsatellites in the genome of giant panda and analyzed their frequency and distribution in different genomic regions. Based on our search criteria, a repertoire of 855,058 SSRs was detected, with mono-nucleotides being the most abundant. SSRs were found in all genomic regions and were more abundant in non-coding regions than coding regions. A total of 160 primer pairs were designed to screen for polymorphic microsatellites using the selected tetranucleotide microsatellite sequences. The 51 novel polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite loci were discovered based on genotyping blood DNA from 22 captive giant pandas in this study. Finally, a total of 15 markers, which showed good polymorphism, stability, and repetition in faecal samples, were used to establish the novel microsatellite marker system for giant panda. Meanwhile, a genotyping database for Chengdu captive giant pandas (n = 57) were set up using this standardized system. What’s more, a universal individual identification method was established and the genetic diversity were analysed in this study as the applications of this marker system.

Conclusion

The microsatellite abundance and diversity were characterized in giant panda genomes. A total of 154,677 tetranucleotide microsatellites were identified and 15 of them were discovered as the polymorphic and stable loci. The individual identification method and the genetic diversity analysis method in this study provided adequate material for the future study of giant panda.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1268-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Thirty-three microsatellite loci for noninvasive genetic studies of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

Limited microsatellite markers useable in noninvasive genetic methods have hampered the studies of dispersal patterns and mating systems of giant pandas. Therefore, we describe in this paper the characterization of 15 novel microsatellite loci from genomic DNA-enriched libraries and 18 redesigned microsatellite loci from published papers on the giant panda. The number of alleles per locus in 60 individuals ranged from 2 to 13, the average observed heterozygosity per locus from 0.168 to 0.800, and the average expected heterozygosity per locus from 0.152 to 0.882. All loci followed Hardy-Weinberg expectations. Four pairs of significant linkage association were found among all these loci. Moreover, the 33 microsatellite loci showed high amplification successes rate in noninvasive samples, which indicated that these loci will be of use in studying dispersal patterns and mating systems of giant pandas using noninvasive genetic methods.     

粪样在大熊猫研究上的应用

大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)数量少,传统取样法难以实施,样品的缺乏给大熊猫研究带来很大困难。而采集大熊猫粪样对大熊猫自身无损伤,粪样易获得和保存。本文总结了应用粪样进行的大熊猫食性与消化吸收、种群与个体识别、类固醇激素、寄生虫与病原微生物等方面的研究进展,对大熊猫粪样的应用前景进行了展望。     

微卫星标记在大熊猫研究中的应用进展

大熊猫是我国保护最为成功、研究最为深入的珍稀动物之一,可以为其它珍稀濒危物种的保护研究工作提供参考。20世纪70年代末期借助无线电颈圈,大熊猫的生态学研究工作取得了突破性进展,近20年来微卫星标记和非损伤性遗传取样技术的联合使用,将大熊猫的保护研究工作提升到一个崭新的高度。本文在综合所有已发表大熊猫微卫星标记的基础上,梳理了微卫星标记在圈养大熊猫亲子鉴定与遗传管理,野生大熊猫个体识别与种群数量调查、遗传多样性评估、扩散和种群遗传结构研究中的应用情况,并着重介绍了其中29个重要的微卫星标记。同时指出目前微卫星标记的使用存在标记选择不统一、等位基因读数无统一规程等问题,并对应用前景进行了前瞻。     

Sixteen novel microsatellite loci developed for the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

Sixteen novel microsatellite DNA loci were developed from the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) using a magnetic-bead capture method. A total of 115 alleles were obtained for these markers, ranging from 4 to 12 alleles per locus (average 7.188). These loci exhibited high levels of polymorphic information content and expected heterozygosity, 0.558–0.855 (average 0.729) and 0.628–0.885 (average 0.778), respectively. Therefore, the allelic polymorphism and heterozygosity show that the giant pandas raised in China Research and Conservation Center possess abundant genetic variation. In addition, if the three markers showing null alleles were excluded, the remaining 13 microsatellite loci still presented extremely low non-exclusion probabilities of parentage (0.002), paternity (0.000) and identity (0.000). As a result, this new suit of microsatellite markers would be a very informative tool for the genetic and conservation studies of giant pandas.     

卧龙圈养大熊猫遗传多样性现状及预测,

以中国最大的大熊猫圈养种群—四川卧龙中国大熊猫保护中心的圈养种群为对象,以８个大熊猫微卫星位点为分子标记, 探讨了大熊猫圈养种群的遗传多样性, 并与邛崃野生种群及其他７个濒危物种进行比较。微卫星数据表明, 圈养种群的遗传多样性水平(A＝5.5, He ＝0.620, Ho＝0.574) 低于邛崃野生种群(A＝9.8,He＝0.779,Ho＝0.581),但高于其他7 个濒危物种的种群(He＝0.13~0.46)。在此数据的基础上对未来100个世代内圈养种群遗传多样性的变化情况做出了预测。结果表明假设种群数量比现在扩大一倍, 经历100个世代后也只会使平均等位基因数少减少0.4。因此继续增加野生个体对保持遗传多样性的意义已经不大, 建议该圈养种群的保护策略应将重点放到制定更有效的繁殖计划以避免近交上。     

适用于种群遗传管理的小熊猫微卫星亲子鉴定体系的建立

由于标记缺失、生产记录不详、亲权关系不明及部分个体来源不清等历史问题,中国小熊猫圈养种群存在谱系错漏、近亲繁殖等风险。近年来,随着小熊猫种群规模不断扩大,管理者们对谱系的准确性提出了更高的需求,亲子鉴定工作也成为了研究的重点。本文采用26个微卫星标记,对国内3个小熊猫圈养种群进行了亲缘关系运算,完成了相关谱系的查错与整理。26个位点多态性与稳定性良好,联合非亲排除概率达到0.9999以上,可解决国内小熊猫圈养种群的各类亲子鉴定需求。在单亲未知或双亲未知的情况下,8或11个位点组合可实现亲子鉴定。5个位点组合可进行个体识别。在小熊猫圈养管理过程中,应用一套亲子鉴定体系对小熊猫圈养的谱系进行查漏补缺,有利于制定科学的配对计划、避免近亲繁殖,对小熊猫种群保护有着重要意义。     

Genotyping faeces of red pandas (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ailurus fulgens</Emphasis>): implications for population estimation

The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is an endangered species distributed in the Himalaya and Hengduan Mountains and extremely difficult to monitor because it is elusive, wary and nocturnal. However, recent advances in noninvasive genetics are allowing conservationists to indirectly estimate population size of this animal. Here, we present a pilot study of individual identification of wild red pandas using DNA extracted from faeces. A chain of optimal steps in noninvasive studies were used to maximize genotyping success and minimize error rate across sampling, selection of microsatellite loci, DNA extraction and amplification and data checking. As a result, 18 individual red pandas were identified successfully from 33 faecal samples collected in the field using nine red panda-specific microsatellite loci with a low probability of identity of 1.249 × 10⁻³ for full siblings. Multiple methods of tracking genotyping error showed that the faecal genetic profiles possessed very few genotyping errors, with an overall error rate of 1.12 × 10⁻⁵. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility and reliability of using faeces as an effective source of DNA for estimating and monitoring wild red panda populations.     

应用微卫星分型方法进行大熊猫父亲鉴定

1979年我们利用水稻花粉单倍体植株的 茎节、幼穗、叶鞘和叶片等组织进行离体培养, 诱导出二倍体植株。     

A new oligonucleotide probe for the giant panda

Quantifying genetic diversity in populations is one of the fundamental measures for species conservation. This is far more important for critically endangered species like giant pandas, where there are few individuals remaining in the population. However, previous multilocus probes could not identify homozygous loci resulting from inbreeding of giant pandas, and produced few polymorphic loci. As a result, we have prepared a new oligonucleotide probe, which had the highest paternity probability and succeeded in identifying the homozygous loci and in discriminating giant panda individuals.     

Microsatellite variability reveals the necessity for genetic input from wild giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) into the captive population

Recent success in breeding giant pandas in captivity has encouraged panda conservationists to believe that the ex situ population is ready to serve as a source for supporting the wild population. In this study, we used 11 microsatellite DNA markers to assess the amount and distribution of genetic variability present in the two largest captive populations (Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Sichuan Province and the China Research and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda at Wolong, Sichuan Province). The data were compared with those samples from wild pandas living in two key giant panda nature reserves (Baoxing Nature Reserve and Wanglang Nature Reserve). The results show that the captive populations have retained lower levels of allelic diversity and heterozygosity compared to isolated wild populations. However, low inbreeding coefficients indicate that captive populations are under careful genetic management. Excessive heterozygosity suggests that the two captive populations have experienced a genetic bottleneck, presumably caused by founder effects. Moreover, evidence of increased genetic divergence demonstrates restricted breeding options within facilities. Based on these results, we conclude that the genetic diversity in the captive populations is not optimal. Introduction of genetic materials from wild pandas and improved exchange of genetic materials among institutions will be necessary for the captive pandas to be representative of the wild populations.     

A study on giant panda recognition based on images of a large proportion of captive pandas

1. As a highly endangered species, the giant panda (panda) has attracted significant attention in the past decades. Considerable efforts have been put on panda conservation and reproduction, offering the promising outcome of maintaining the population size of pandas. To evaluate the effectiveness of conservation and management strategies, recognizing individual pandas is critical. However, it remains a challenging task because the existing methods, such as traditional tracking method, discrimination method based on footprint identification, and molecular biology method, are invasive, inaccurate, expensive, or challenging to perform. The advances of imaging technologies have led to the wide applications of digital images and videos in panda conservation and management, which makes it possible for individual panda recognition in a noninvasive manner by using image‐based panda face recognition method.
2. In recent years, deep learning has achieved great success in the field of computer vision and pattern recognition. For panda face recognition, a fully automatic deep learning algorithm which consists of a sequence of deep neural networks (DNNs) used for panda face detection, segmentation, alignment, and identity prediction is developed in this study. To develop and evaluate the algorithm, the largest panda image dataset containing 6,441 images from 218 different pandas, which is 39.78% of captive pandas in the world, is established.
3. The algorithm achieved 96.27% accuracy in panda recognition and 100% accuracy in detection.
4. This study shows that panda faces can be used for panda recognition. It enables the use of the cameras installed in their habitat for monitoring their population and behavior. This noninvasive approach is much more cost‐effective than the approaches used in the previous panda surveys.

     

Genetic evidence of recent population contraction in the southernmost population of giant pandas

Anthropogenic habitat loss and fragmentation have been implicated in the endangerment and extinction of many species. Here we assess genetic variation and demographic history in the southernmost population of giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) that continues to be threatened by habitat degradation and fragmentation, using noninvasive genetic sampling, mitochondrial control region sequence and 12 microsatellite loci. Compared to other giant panda populations, this population has medium-level genetic diversity based on the measure of both mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Mitochondrial DNA-based demographic analyses revealed that no historical population expansion or contraction has occurred, indicating a relatively stable population size. However, a Bayesian-coalescent method based on the observed allele distribution and allele frequencies of microsatellite clearly did detect, quantify and date a recent decrease in population size. Overall, the results indicate that a population contraction in the order of 95-96% has taken place over the last 910-999 years and is most likely due to anthropogenic habitat loss. These findings highlight the need for a greater focus on habitat protection and restoration for the long-term survival of this giant panda population.     

基于双模型融合的大熊猫头部图像分割

在大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)的迁地保护和种群饲养管理中,及时、快速地进行个体识别和行为监测,对其健康管理具有至关重要的作用。圈养大熊猫健康状况通常由专门的饲养人员肉眼观测,人力成本高、效率低并且缺乏时效性。基于图像的动物个体识别与行为分析技术效率高、时间成本低,已经成为新的监测发展趋势。已有研究提出,通过大熊猫面部图像的检测和分析,可实现个体识别和行为分类。但该方法依然存在检测精度不足导致识别准确率难以提升的问题。本文提出一种基于YOLOv3和Mask R-CNN的双模型融合方法,实现了大熊猫头部图像分割和精准检测。包含3个部分：YOLOv3完成头部检测,Mask R-CNN完成大熊猫轮廓分割,然后将两个模型的输出进行交并比融合。结果显示,头部检测准确率为82.6%,大熊猫轮廓分割准确率为95.2%,总体头部轮廓分割准确率为87.1%。该方法对大熊猫头部图像的识别率和分割准确率高,为大熊猫的个体识别、性别分类提供了帮助,为行为分析提供了技术参考。     

应用微卫星分型进行小熊猫亲子鉴定

小熊猫栖息于喜马拉雅与横断山脉,是亚洲濒危物种。中国的小熊猫谱系已登记圈养小熊猫个体９６８ 只,现有存活个体３５５ 只（２０１３ 年）,然而,现有谱系中存在部分信息不明确的问题。为此,我们选择１９ 对小熊猫特异性引物对４１ 只圈养小熊猫进行微卫星扩增,并分析其亲缘关系。将获取的亲子鉴定结果,结合种群原始记录信息,利用Pedigraph 软件构建福州圈养小熊猫的种群遗传谱系图。结果表明：在母子关系确实的情况下,１９个基因座位的联合父权排除概率为０. ９９９９９９６８;利用６ 个已知双亲的后代检验１９ 个基因座位的可信度,后代与双亲的基因型完全符合孟德尔遗传定律,表明１９个基因座位能有效确认小熊猫的亲权关系。应用１９ 个微卫星标记成功地为１５ 个后代找到了生物学父亲。尽管一些雌性个体在繁殖期有多重交配的行为,亲子鉴定的结果显示同一窝小熊猫均来自单一父权。基因型比对结果表明７ 对双胞胎均属于异卵双生子。福州种群的后代中除＃９２０和＃９２１ 外,其余均源于＃４８７ 或＃８９８ 两只雄性,表明不同个体参与繁殖的机会不均等。因此,利用现代繁殖技术,加强濒危野动物种群管理,科学制定繁殖计划具有积极的现实意义。     

圈养大熊猫群体间的基因流状况分析

圈养群体的遗传管理一个非常重要的手段就是实现不同群体间的基因交流.为了全面评估大熊猫圈养群体间的基因流状况,本研究以卧龙中国大熊猫保护中心的31只圈养大熊猫(简称卧龙群体)和成都大熊猫繁育研究基地与楼观台陕西省珍稀野生动物抢救饲养研究中心的37只圈养大熊猫(简称成都群体,其中楼观台1只)为研究对象,以7个大熊猫微卫星位点为分子标记,发现卧龙群体和成都群体间的遗传分化水平很低(Fst=0.041,P=0.001);尽管整个圈养群体的近交程度较低(Fis=0.026),但是成都群体的近交系数(Fis=0.045)远高于卧龙群体的近交系数(Fis=0.002);谱系分析、贝叶斯分析和系统进化法分析均显示,这两个群体间存在着基因流,但是这种基因流是单向的.此结果提示各个大熊猫饲养单位之间必须实现更多的合作,将大熊猫群体作为一个管理单元进行管理,从而实现更多的基因流.     

野生大熊猫现状、面临的挑战及展望

截至2003年底,我国野生大熊猫种群数量达1596只,分布在陕西、四川和甘肃3省的45个县境内,总栖息地面积达2304991hm^2。与第2次大熊猫调查相比,野生大熊猫生存状况已得到改善,分布范围扩大、栖息地面积增加、种群数量进一步增长。本文在第3次大熊猫调查的基础上,就野生大熊猫种群及栖息地现状进行了分析,指出未来保护大熊猫所面临的3个方面的挑战,即来自物种自身生物学特性的挑战、栖息地破碎化及隔离小种群未来命运的挑战以及大熊猫保护与社区经济发展需求相冲突的挑战。作者还就我国大熊猫保护前景进行了展望,即自然保护区数量将进一步增加,栖息地状况将进一步改善;种群数量在总体保持稳定的基础上将逐步增长,但局部小种群灭绝风险将加剧;圈养种群将形成能自我维持的种群,圈养个体通过培训将逐步放归到隔离野生小种群中以改变其命运。     

Di‐, tri‐ and tetranucleotide microsatellite loci for the giant panda,Ailuropoda melanoleuca

We describe 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the giant panda, Ailuropoda melanoleuca. Microsatellite sequences were isolated from three partial genomic libraries of giant panda DNA that were enriched for (i) (GT), (ii) (GAA) & (CAA), and (iii) (GATA) repeat sequences. The markers were tested for polymorphism in up to 82 pandas. Number of alleles at each locus varied between four and 11, and the observed and expected heterozygosities varied between 0.267 and 0.732, and between 0.601 and 0.799, respectively.     

Major histocompatibility complex class II variation in the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

Habitat destruction and human activity have greatly impacted the natural history of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). Although the genetic diversity of neutral markers has been examined in this endangered species, no previous work has examined adaptive molecular polymorphisms in the giant panda. Here, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II DRB locus was investigated in the giant panda, using single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and sequence analysis. Comparisons of DNA samples extracted from faecal and blood samples from the same individual revealed that the two materials yielded similar quantities and qualities of DNA, as well as identical SSCP patterns and allelic sequences, demonstrating the reliability of DNA isolation from panda faeces. Analysis of faecal samples from 60 giant pandas revealed relatively low number of alleles: seven alleles. However, the alleles were quite divergent, varying from each other by a range of 7-47 nucleotide substitutions (4-25 amino acid substitutions). Construction of a neighbour-joining tree and comparisons among DRB alleles from other species revealed that both similar and highly divergent alleles survived in the bottlenecked panda populations. Despite species-specific primers used and excellent faecal DNA isolated, a lower level of heterozygosity than expected was still observed due to inbreeding. There were three types of evidence supporting the presence of balancing selection in the giant panda: (i) an obvious excess of nonsynonymous substitutions over synonymous at the antigen-binding positions; (ii) trans-species evolution of two alleles between the giant panda and other felids; and (iii) a more even distribution of alleles than expected from neutrality.     

Spatial genetic structure and dispersal of giant pandas on a mountain-range scale

Understanding the spatial genetic structure of populations can provide insight into the ecological or evolutionary processes of the species, and enable wise conservation decisions. We examined the spatial genetic structure of a giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) population in a heterogeneous mountainous landscape using noninvasive genetic sampling and 12 microsatellite loci. Nonrandom genetic structure was detected through spatial autocorrelation analysis, demonstrating a significantly positive autocorrelation over closer distances. Additional spatial analyses showed significantly positive genetic correlation among spatially-proximate males, and no correlation among females and among male–female pairs. These findings suggest a female-biased dispersal pattern and cryptic family grouping among giant pandas on a large mountain-range scale. The spatial extent of genetic structure occurred within 12.5 km, measured by a least-cost path distance model integrating information of habitat quality and habitat preferences of this species. Using the bearing analysis of PASSAGE, we found that directional genetic autocorrelations were in agreement with habitat structure, and habitat heterogeneity may affect the direction of giant panda dispersal. The characterization of spatial genetic structure can provide potentially valuable information for the conservation and management of giant pandas and their habitat.