Isolation and characterization of six microsatellite loci in the drywood termite Cryptotermes secundus (Kalotermitidae)

The Kalotermitidae is a family of lower termites and its species are ideal to study the evolution and maintenance of eusociality within the Isoptera. Co‐dominant genetic markers are an essential tool to elucidate the putatively complex colony and population structure. Six polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified in the drywood termite Cryptotermes secundus (Kalotermitidae). To test the variability of the markers, 18 colonies (n = 18) from Darwin (Australia) were assayed. We found two to eight alleles per locus with the level of observed heterozygosity at each locus ranging from 0.00 to 0.53. The significantly positive F_IT value suggests that some kind of inbreeding does occur in this population.     

Fifteen microsatellite loci for the jungle perch, Kuhlia rupestris

We developed and optimized 15 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the jungle perch, Kuhlia rupestris. Loci were screened in a single population (n = 24) from Fraser Island, Queensland, Australia. Number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 19 and observed heterozygosity from 0.25 to 1. No significant linkage disequilibrium was detected between any pair of loci. Genotype proportions for these loci in the population sampled were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium.     

Development of microsatellite markers for southern catfish (Silurus meriaionalis) and cross‐species amplification in northern sheatfish (Silurus soldatovi)

Forty microsatellite markers were developed from a (CA)_n enrichment library created from the DNA of southern catfish (Silurus meriaionalis). Also, the population structure of northern sheatfish (Silurus soldatovi) was examined by 24 microsatellite loci. They are polymorphic in at least one of the two geographically distant populations sampled from the Heilongjiang River and the Songhuajiang River in North China, respectively. Unbiased expected heterozygosity levels varied from 0.435 to 0.946 and number of alleles per locus varied from three to 20. Results indicated that these microsatellite loci were highly polymorphic and could be used as genetic markers.     

Low levels of genetic variation within introduced Javan rusa deer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cervus timorensis russa</Emphasis>) in Australia

Javan rusa deer (Cervus timorensis russa) is one of six introduced wild deer species in Australia. The largest population is located in the Royal National Park (RNP), New South Wales, Australia. Although the deer are considered a pest in certain areas, they are also commercially valuable. Using molecular markers we aimed to characterise the level of genetic diversity within the RNP population and identify a possible genetic bottleneck associated with the introduction of seven founding individuals. We also aimed to identify appropriate polymorphic microsatellite loci that could assist in commercial breeding programmes and wild population management in Australia. The results indicate that Javan rusa deer from the RNP (n=37) had an average (±SE) of only 2.29±0.095 alleles/locus, which is substantially lower than that reported in source populations from New Caledonia (7.60±0.933 alleles/locus). These data combined with the presence of genetic reduction signatures (P<0.001) indicate that this population has experienced a population bottleneck possibly at the time of establishment in Australia. Despite low allelic diversity, the large suite of identified polymorphic loci (n=24) shows promise for applications in population genetics, including parentage analysis (total parentage exclusion 0.944) within Australia. These data will contribute significantly to improving commercial breeding programmes and possibly to wild population management plans.     

Isolation of polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite markers in the satin bowerbird,Ptilonorhynchus violaceus

We isolated 13 polymorphic microsatellite markers from the satin bowerbird, Ptilonorhynchus violaceus from a genomic library enriched in (AAGG)_n repetitive elements and characterized them in 20 individuals. The number of alleles ranged from two to 18 per locus with the observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.15 to 1.00. These markers will be useful for analysing questions concerning parentage, population genetic structure and models of speciation.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellites in a sex‐reversal fish,rice field eel (Monopterus albus)

The rice field eel (Monopterus albus) is a fish of economic importance in China and some Asian countries. From a (GT)_n‐enriched genomic library, 30 microsatellites were developed by employing the fast isolation by AFLP of sequences containing repeats (FIASCO) protocol. Thirteen loci exhibited polymorphism with two to 13 alleles (mean 7.9 alleles/locus) in a test population and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.3125 to 0.9688 (mean 0.7140). These loci should provide sufficient level of genetic variation to study the fine‐scale population structure and reproductive ecology of the species.     

Low levels of genetic differentiation characterize Australian humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) populations

Humpback whales undertake long‐distance seasonal migrations between low latitude winter breeding grounds and high latitude summer feeding grounds. We report the first in‐depth population genetic study of the humpback whales that migrate to separate winter breeding grounds along the northwestern and northeastern coasts of Australia, but overlap on summer feeding grounds around Antarctica. Weak but significant differentiation between eastern and western Australia was detected across ten microsatellite loci (F_ST = 0.005, P = 0.001; D_EST = 0.031, P = 0.001, n = 364) and mitochondrial control region sequences (F_ST = 0.017 and Φ_ST = 0.069, P = 0.001, n = 364). Bayesian clustering analyses using microsatellite data could not resolve any population structure unless sampling location was provided as a prior. This study supports the emerging evidence that weak genetic differentiation is characteristic among neighboring Southern Hemisphere humpback whale breeding populations. This may be a consequence of relatively high gene flow facilitated by overlapping summer feeding areas in Antarctic waters.     

白条草蜥多态性微卫星位点的分离与鉴定

白条草蜥(Takydromus wolteri)是一种年产多窝卵的蜥蜴。为了对其婚配制度、同一雌性个体所产卵的窝内和窝间的父权状况、种群的遗传结构和物种的进化历史等研究内容进行探讨,本研究筛选出白条草蜥的9个具有高度多态性的微卫星位点。微卫星位点筛选自包含(AC)n和(ATAG)n重复片度的微卫星富集文库。在白条草蜥安徽滁州种群的16～32个个体中对上述位点进行检测后发现,上述座位的等位基因数目范围为12～20个,期望杂合度范围为0.894～0.955,观测杂合度范围0.565～0.938,表明这些微卫星标记具有良好的遗传多样性,它们将在白条草蜥的种群遗传结构、基因流水平、种群分化和婚配制度的研究中发挥重要作用。     

Isolation of additional polymorphic tri‐ and tetranucleotide microsatellite loci for the giant Australian cuttlefish (Sepia apama)

We isolated 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the giant Australian cuttlefish, Sepia apama, from a genomic library enriched for (AAC)_n and (AAAG)_n repetitive elements. In the nine loci that reliably amplified, the number of alleles ranged from four to 12 per locus with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.343 to 0.926. These and a previously developed set of six loci will be useful for analysis of genetic structure of populations and determining input to a massive seasonal breeding aggregation in northern Spencer Gulf, Australia.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci from Wilsonia backhousei (Convolvulaceae)

Wilsonia backhousei is a clonal saltmarsh plant restricted to the southern latitudes of Australasia and threatened in New South Wales. We have identified eight informative microsatellite loci in the species from (AG)_n‐ and (AC)_n‐enriched libraries. In 48 samples from two populations we detected an average of five alleles per locus (range 2–8, average H_E = 0.45), of which 72% were unique to one population or the other. Six of the eight loci were also amplifiable in Wilsonia rotundifolia under the same reaction conditions. The markers will be excellent tools for use in the management and conservation of both species.     

Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the invasive monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)

Microsatellite loci were characterized for the monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) from a GT_n‐enriched genomic library. Twelve of 14 microsatellite loci were polymorphic, averaging 6.7 alleles per locus across the 20 individuals genotyped. Mean expected heterozygosity was 0.72, with locus‐specific values ranging from 0.53 to 0.90. An equally high multilocus probability of identity (2.48 × 10^?12) was revealed for this set of loci. In addition, all 12 loci were demonstrated to cross‐amplify to varying extents within three additional parrot genera suggesting their potential utility for population‐level studies in a broad range of Neotropical psittacines.     

Isolation of polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite markers for the ornate nursery frog Cophixalus ornatus

We have isolated 18 polymorphic microsatellite loci for Cophixalus ornatus from genomic libraries enriched for (AAAG)_n, (AACC)_n and (AAGG)_n repetitive elements. The number of alleles ranges from five to 22 per locus with the observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.10 to 0.92. These markers will be useful for the analysis of population structure in C. ornatus and testing alternative models of speciation.     

Isolation of polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite markers for the streak‐necked flycatcher Mionectes striaticollis

We have isolated 11 polymorphic microsatellite markers for the streak‐necked flycatcher Mionectes striaticollis from genomic libraries enriched for either (AACC)_n, (AAGG)_n or (AAAG)_n repetitive elements. The number of alleles ranged from four to 14 per locus with the observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.38 to 1.00. These markers will be useful for analysis of questions concerning population genetic structure and models of speciation.     

Geographical variability in life‐history traits of a midslope dogfish: the brier shark Deania calcea

Deania calcea (n = 420) were collected from the catch of deep‐water trawlers in the southern and eastern scalefish and shark fishery in southern Australia during the years 2008–2011. The total length (L_T) range varied between sexes, females being larger (n = 264; 280–1530 mm) than males (n = 156; 310–921 mm). The reproductive cycle in this population is non‐continuous and asynchronous. The estimated L_T at which 50% of males are mature is 807 mm and is 914 mm for females. Populations of D. calcea in higher latitudes appear to mature at a larger size than conspecifics in lower latitudes, in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Litters ranged from three to 10 embryos with a 1:1 sex ratio, but litter size does not increase with maternal L_T. Deania calcea shows geographical variability in its biological parameters and gathering information on life‐history traits of populations is vital to understand the trade‐offs made by this species in response to environmental conditions and to predict intraspecific spatial differences. Such information is a basis for specific spatial management to protect populations from excessive fishing.     

Characterization of seven genomic and one dbEST-derived microsatellite loci in the river mangrove<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Aegiceras corniculatum</Emphasis> (Myrsinaceae)

We developed seven microsatellite markers from the genome of Aegiceras corniculatum using the FIASCO protocol and one dbEST-derived microsatellite marker. Polymorphism of each locus was assessed in 45 individuals from China, Thailand and Australia. The average allele number of these microsatellites was 4.4 per locus, ranging from 2 to 8. The observed (H _O ) and expected (H _E ) heterozygosity were from 0.178 to 1.000 and from 0.164 to 0.828, respectively. These microsatellite markers would provide a useful tool for genetic and conservation studies of A. corniculatum.     

Isolation of polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite markers for the skink Mabuya affinis

We isolated 10 polymorphic microsatellite markers for the skink Mabuya affinis from genomic libraries enriched for (AAGG)_n and (AAAG)_n repetitive elements. The number of alleles ranged from eight to 13 per locus with the observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.60 to 0.92. These markers will be useful for analysis of questions concerning population genetic structure and models of speciation.     

RAPID GENETIC DIFFERENTIATION AND FOUNDER EFFECT IN COLONIZING POPULATIONS OF COMMON MYNAS (ACRIDOTHERES TRISTIS)

Populations of common mynas introduced to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, and South Africa from India during the last century were compared genetically with the extant native population using isozyme electrophoresis of 39 presumptive loci. Average heterozygosity, mean number of alleles/locus, and the percentage of polymorphic loci are lower in the introduced populations, and the 18% loss of alleles involves only alleles that are rare in the native population. The native population is only weakly subdivided genetically (F_ST = 0.032) whereas the introduced populations are much more differentiated (F_ST = 0.123), and the mean genetic distance among them is significantly greater than among native samples. The reduction in mean number of alleles/locus and average heterozygosity is greatest in the South African population, consistent with a very small effective size in the founder population. In the introduced populations, random drift is implicated by the different subsets of polymorphic loci they possess, by their greater variance in allele frequencies, and by shifts either side of the native means. It is concluded that in the evolutionarily short period of 100–120 years, bottlenecks and random drift have promoted genetic shifts equal to those between different subspecies of birds.     

Isolation of polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite markers for the green‐eyed tree frog (Litoria genimaculata)

We have isolated 16 polymorphic microsatellite markers for the green‐eyed tree frog, Litoria genimaculata, from genomic libraries enriched for (AAGG)_n and (AAAG)_n repetitive elements. The number of alleles ranges from four to 14 per locus with the observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.36 to 1.00. These markers will be useful for analysis of questions concerning population genetic structure and speciation.     

Isolation of polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite markers for the pygmy kingfisher Ceyx picta

We have isolated 13 polymorphic microsatellite markers for the pygmy kingfisher, Ceyx picta, from genomic libraries enriched for either (AAGG)_n or (AACC)_n repetitive elements. The number of alleles range from three to 15 per locus with an observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.46 to 1.00. These markers will be useful for analysis of questions concerning population genetic structure and models of speciation.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the Australian smelt,Retropinna semoni

Five polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from the Australian smelt, Retropinna semoni, in order to study levels of connectivity among populations at various spatial scales. Screening of one natural population (n = 30) from central Victoria, southeastern Australia, yielded nine to 14 alleles per locus with observed levels of heterozygosity ranging from 0.40 to 0.80. All loci were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction for multiple tests. These loci should provide a useful tool in further understanding the population genetics of this species.