Characterization of novel microsatellite markers from the Yesso scallop Mizuhopecten yessoensis

Twelve polymorphic and informative microsatellite markers were isolated and characterized for the Yesso scallop, Mizuhopecten yessoensis. We characterized these loci by genotyping 48 individuals; the number of alleles ranged from two to eight, and the values of observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity varied from 0 to 0.8333 and from 0.2546 to 0.8231, respectively. No significant linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci was found and three loci showed significant heterozygote deficiency from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. These markers are potential for studies of the population structure, individual or hybrid identification of the species.     

Microsatellite loci for population and behavioural studies of grey‐crowned babblers (Pomatostomus temporalis: Aves)

Sixteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated in the cooperatively breeding grey‐crowned babbler (Pomatostomus temporalis). The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to eight, and observed heterozygosity from 0.07 to 0.88. Two loci showed a significant heterozygote deficiency, one of which appears to be sex‐linked. The exclusion probability for eight unlinked loci was 0.9996 with the other parent known. These loci will be used to analyse population genetic structure and the mating system of this vulnerable species.     

Microsatellite DNA primers for the endangered vermilion darter,Etheostoma chermocki,and cross‐species amplification in other darters (Percidae: Etheostoma)

The endangered vermilion darter (Etheostoma chermocki) is endemic to the Black Warrior River system in the Mobile Basin in Alabama. Restoration and conservation of this species require an understanding of its population genetic structure, which can be characterized using microsatellite DNA. Nine microsatellite loci were developed; eight loci were polymorphic. Although observed heterozygosity was lower than expected heterozygosity in most polymorphic loci, only one locus showed significant deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. These nine markers were tested in an additional 24 species of Etheostoma and appear to have sufficient allelic variation to be useful in studies of population genetic structure.     

Isozyme variation in Desmodium nudiflorum

Five populations of Desmodium nudiflorum were assayed for genetic variability in eight enzyme systems encoding thirteen genetic loci. The proportion of polymorphic loci for the species as a whole is 46.2% while the proportion of polymorphic loci within populations averages 13.5%. Average individual heterozygosity is 2.3%. D. nudiflorum shows significant differences in gene frequencies between populations, and genotypic frequencies within populations conform to Hardy-Weinberg expectations.     

Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci markers for the barnacle Balanus amphitrite (syn. Amphibalanus amphitrite) Darwin 1854

Balanus amphitrite is a widespread species of barnacle. It is frequently studied, and of great importance to the marine coatings industry due to its significant abundance as a fouling organism on commercial shipping. We isolated and characterized eight highly polymorphic microsatellite loci, to aid in the determination of population genetic structure within this species. All loci showed considerable genetic variation with the number of alleles ranging from two to 14. Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.74 to 0.98.     

Development and characterization of 14 microsatellite loci in the Neotropical fish Geophagus brasiliensis (Perciformes,Cichlidae)

Fourteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized for the Neotropical cichlid Geophagus brasiliensis and tested on 30 individuals belonging to a single population. Among the 14 loci described, four showed potential presence of null alleles, inferred from the excess of homozygous genotypes, and three of these loci showed significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Fifty‐nine different alleles were detected (ranging from two to eight alleles per locus), with estimates of observed and expected heterozygosity ranging from 0·167 to 0·700 and from 0·269 to 0·825. Cross‐amplification of primers was successful in five other cichlid species.     

New polymorphic microsatellite loci for population studies in the European anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus (L.)

Eleven microsatellite loci were developed in the European anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus, and tested in samples from two geographically distant populations (Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea). Number of alleles ranged from eight to 28 and observed heterozygosity from 0.440 to 0.920. There was no evidence of linkage disequilibrium, although two loci are indeed linked. All loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, except for one locus in the Atlantic and two loci in the Mediterranean sample. These three loci plus two more showed evidence for null alleles.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in Polytremis nascens (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) and their cross-amplification in related species

Twelve polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from a Chinese endemic species Polytremis nascens Leech. The isolated loci in 53 individuals from six regional populations in China had 3–12 alleles. Analyses revealed that 53 individuals had different multilocus genotypes, with the expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.61 to 0.90 and observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.33 to 0.71. Eleven loci showed no deviation from Hardy–Weinberg proportions, and eight were amplified successfully in at least one of the eight related species. The described isolated markers will facilitate the study of population genetic structure and gene flow in P. nascens as well as in congeneric and related species.     

Microsatellite DNA markers for the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum

Microsatellite loci were isolated from enriched partial genomic libraries of Acyrthosiphon loti and Acyrthosiphon pisum. Twenty of those loci were characterized in A. pisum. Fifteen of those loci were polymorphic. Genetic diversity varied across loci, allele repeat number ranging from two to 15, and observed heterozygosity from 0.1 and 0.96. An additional eight microsatellite loci originally isolated from other aphids but cross‐priming with A. pisum showed polymorphism as well. Allele size ranged from three to 9 and observed heterozygosity from 0.43 to 0.84. Overall, we present 23 microsatellite loci that can be used to reveal polymorphism in pea aphids.     

Isolation and evaluation of 18 microsatellite markers in Siniperca chuatsi (Basilewsky)

Eighteen novel microsatellite markers were isolated in the Chinese perch Siniperca chuatsi (Basilewsky) using the FIASCO method, from (AC/TG)(n) , (AG/TC)(n) , (AT/TA)(n) , (GATA/CTAT)(n) and (GATT/CTAA)(n) repeat genomic libraries. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to eight in a sample of 30 individuals from a wild population. Observed heterozygosity was between 0.100 and 0.737. Seven loci showed significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, null alleles were suggested at nine loci but no linkage disequilibrium between loci was detected. These loci could be useful in the population genetic study of S. chuatsi.     

Isolation and characterization of eight polymorphic microsatellite markers in Aphanius fasciatus (Teleostei: Cyprinodontidae)

The first set of eight polymorphic microsatellites markers was successfully optimized from a partial genomic library enriched for an AC motif of the killifish Aphanius fasciatus Nardo, 1827 (Teleostei, Cyprinodontidae), a brackish‐water fish widely distributed along the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea. The developed loci proved to be polymorphic, displaying from two to six alleles per locus with expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.277 to 0.752. All loci were under Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, except Af8 that showed significant heterozygotes deficiency, and there was no evidence of linkage associations between any pair of loci. Markers reported here will be potentially useful in monitoring of genetic population structure in this species.     

Ten new microsatellite loci for analysis of genetic diversity in isolated populations of the Alpine land snail <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cylindrus obtusus</Emphasis>

In this study we characterized 10 polymorphic microsatellite markers for the land snail Cylindrus obtusus, an endemism of the Austrian Alps with a distribution in isolated populations above approximately 1,600 m. The microsatellite loci were analyzed in 44 individuals from two populations. Number of alleles per locus ranged between two and eight. Observed heterozygosity ranged between 0.00 and 1.00, and expected heterozygosity between 0.09 and 0.72. No significant linkage disequilibrium was found between pairs of loci. One of the sampled populations (Dachstein) showed no deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and no presence of null alleles, whereas the other one (Schneeberg) did. These diverging results probably reflect differences in population structure rather than characteristics of the microsatellite loci and underline the usefulness of these markers for studying genetic diversity, population structure and differentiation in C. obtusus.     

Microsatellites from kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa)

Microsatellite loci were identified from Cornus kousa'National'. Primer pairs for 86 loci were developed and of these, eight were optimized and screened using genomic DNA from 22 kousa cultivars. All optimized loci were polymorphic and the number of alleles per locus ranged from three to 17. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0 to 0.3 and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.38 to 0.91. These microsatellites will be useful in population studies, and a breeding programme for cultivar development of Cornus species.     

PERMANENT GENETIC RESOURCES: Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from the Arctic cisco (Coregonus autumnalis)

Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized for the Arctic cisco, Coregonus autumnalis. Loci were evaluated in 21 samples from the Colville River subsistence fishery. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 18. Observed heterozygosity of loci varied from 0.10 to 1.00, and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.09 to 0.92. All eight microsatellite markers were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The loci presented here will be useful in describing population structure and exploring populations of origin for Arctic cisco.     

Characterization of eight polymorphic microsatellite loci from the Bengalese finch (Lonchura striata var. domestica)

Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from the Bengalese finch (Lonchura striata var. domestica). In analyses of 25 individuals, the number of alleles ranged from two to four, and observed heterozygosity ranged between 0.05 and 0.73. At four loci, the observed heterozygosity of the Bengalese finches was significantly different from the expected heterozygosity. Primer sets were also tested in Javan munia (Lonchura leucogastroides), and the same eight loci were successfully amplified. In analyses of 20 unrelated individuals, the number of alleles ranged from one to seven, and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0 to 0.56. In Javan munia, the observed heterozygosity differed significantly from the expected heterozygosity in only one locus.     

Characterization of novel microsatellite markers for Eschscholzia californica (Papaveraceae), an invasive species in central Chile

? Premise of the study: We isolated and characterized microsatellite markers for the California poppy, Eschscholzia californica, which is an invasive species in central Chile. ? Methods and Results: A total of eight polymorphic and six monomorphic loci were developed for the species. Between one and 12 alleles were observed per locus. Polymorphic loci showed heterozygosity ranging from 0 to 0.875 in a sample of 96 individuals obtained from four populations. Only one locus showed significant departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium at all sites. ? Conclusions: The successful microsatellite amplification makes this set of primers an important tool for understanding the recent and future patterns of invasion and adaptation of E. californica into the new Chilean geographic area. The variation detected is currently being used in a more inclusive study that assesses population expansion in central Chile.     

蒙新区子午沙鼠种群的遗传多样性和遗传结构

为了探讨蒙新干旱区景观和环境因素对子午沙鼠种群遗传结构的影响,我们利用8 个多态性的微卫星位点,对子午沙鼠14 个局域种群的160 个个体进行了种群遗传多样性和遗传结构的分析。微卫星结果显示种群具有高的遗传多样性,微卫星位点的等位基因数(A)为22. 50 ±3.02 (19 ～ 28),多态信息含量(PIC)为0.912 ±0. 02 (0.872 ～ 0. 929);种群观测杂合度(HO )为0.68 ± 0. 19 (0. 52 ～0.85),期望杂合度(HE )为0.79 ± 0. 08(0. 71 ～ 0.85)。分子变异分析(AMOVA)结果显示,所得到的3 个组之间已发生显著的遗传分化(P < 0. 001)。
Mantel 检测结果表明,子午沙鼠种群遗传结构与地理距离无显著的相关性(P = 0.270 0),而在多元线性模型中,蒙新干旱区的海拔高度是影响种群遗传结构的关键因素。     

Isolation and characterization of novel polymorphic nuclear microsatellite markers from Ophrys fusca (Orchidaceae) and cross-species amplification

The present study reports the isolation and characterization of eight new polymorphic microsatellite loci from the sexually deceptive orchid Ophrys fusca. Microsatellites were isolated from two partially enriched genomic libraries using FIASCO (Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences COntaining repeats). Seventy-three loci were screened for primer design and primer pairs corresponding to eight different loci were selected for microsatellite characterization of two Portuguese populations. Total number of alleles per locus ranged from 10 to 32. All loci showed a high level of observed heterozygosity (H₀) ranging from 0.33 to 1 and were possible to amplify in 16 other species of Ophrys using the same primers. H. C. Cotrim and F. A. Monteiro have contributed equally to this work.     

Genetic diversity of Asian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): microsatellite variation and a comparison with protein-coding loci

Twenty-one microsatellite loci in 11 populations of Asian water buffalo (eight swamp, three river type) were analysed and, within and among populations, genetic variability was compared with results from 25 polymorphic protein-coding loci. Within-population mean heterozygosity ranged from 0·380–0·615, approximately twice that estimated from the protein-coding loci (0·184– 0·346). Only eight significant departures from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (involving four loci) were detected; global tests showed significant heterozygote deficiencies for these four loci. Non-amplifying alleles are likely to be segregating in some or all populations for one of these loci, and probably for the other three. There was significant differentiation between the swamp and river types of water buffalo, and among populations within each buffalo type. Estimates of θ (measure of population differentiation) for each locus for the eight swamp populations were all highly significant (mean θ = 0·168 ± 0·018). Mean θ for protein-coding loci was not significantly different (0·182 ± 0·041). The variance among protein-coding loci was significantly higher than among microsatellite loci, suggesting balancing selection affecting allele frequencies at some protein-coding loci. Genetic distances show clear separation of the swamp and river types, which were estimated to have diverged at least 10 000–15 000 years ago. The topology of the swamp populations’ microsatellite tree is consistent with their geographical distribution and their presumed spread through south-east Asia. By contrast, the tree based on the protein-coding loci distances is quite different, being clearly distorted by a bottleneck effect in one population, and possibly in at least two others. As many domestic livestock breeds are possibly descended from small numbers of founders, microsatellite-based trees are to be preferred in assessing breed genetic relationships.     

Polymorphic microsatellite loci in Lithophragma maximum (Saxifragaceae), an endemic plant of San Clemente Island

In this paper, we report the isolation of 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci from Lithophragma maximum (Saxifragaceae), a rare species restricted to San Clemente Island, California. We found moderate levels of allelic variation (mean N_A= 5.5) and high levels of expected heterozygosity (mean H_E= 0.531) across sampled individuals. However, eight loci showed a significant absence of heterozygous individuals, which we attribute to small population size and demographic history of the species.