Characterization of microsatellite loci in the stick insects Bacillus rossius rossius,Bacillus rossius redtenbacheri and Bacillus whitei (Insecta: Phasmatodea)

Five microsatellite markers were obtained from a dinucleotide enriched genomic library of the stick insect Bacillus rossius rossius. The markers were tested in three species of Bacillus. All loci were polymorphic when tested across species. The number of alleles at each locus was low (maximum four alleles), but different allelic patters were observed among the species.     

Microsatellite isolation from four avian species comparing two isolation techniques

Microsatellites are continuing to increase in popularity for genetic studies. A major drawback, however, is they often need to be isolated de novo. The traditional method (shotgun cloning) generally results in thousands of recombinant clones, which are then screened by Southern hybridization. Results are typically around 2% positive for mammals, but less than 0.4% for birds. Shotgun cloning is therefore generally not an effective method for isolating microsatellites from avian genomes. Several alternative methods have been developed, but the decision as to which method to use is often arbitrary. Here we present results for two microsatellite isolation techniques from four avian species.     

Isolation and characterization of nine microsatellite markers for Brachypodium sylvaticum (Huds.) Beauv., a recently invasive grass species in Oregon

The patterns of genetic diversity caused by rapid range expansions following recent colonizations are best observed using highly polymorphic genetic markers. We characterized nine microsatellite markers for Brachypodium sylvaticum, a bunchgrass invasive in the Northwestern United States and native to Eurasia. Loci exhibited from two to 10 alleles, and generally had high F(IS) values. These loci will help identify sources of new populations in the region, and they will be useful for studying patterns of genetic diversity during rapid range expansions.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in Tripterygion delaisi

We isolated 49 microsatellite loci from a genomic library of Tripterygion delaisi×anthosoma enriched for CA and GA repeats. Ten loci were screened in 30 individuals with high numbers of alleles per locus (averaging 15.5 ± 2.86) and observed heterozygosity (averaging 0.765 ± 0.052). No deviations from Hardy–Weinberg expectations were detected. These highly polymorphic markers will be useful in determining the spatial patterns of genetic diversity between and within subspecies of Tripterygion delaisi.     

Transferability and genome specificity of a new set of microsatellite primers among Brassica species of the U triangle

We present a new set of 12 highly polymorphic simple sequence repeat primer sequences for use with Brassica species. These new primers, and four from A.K.S. SzewcMcFadden and colleagues, were tested in four Brassica species (B. rapa, B. napus, B. oleracea and B. nigra). Most primers successfully amplified products within all species and were polymorphic. Due to the risk of gene flow from GM oilseed rape to its wild relatives, hybrid formation in the Brassicaceae is of great interest. We identify six primer pairs as specific to the A, B or C genomes that could be used to identify such hybrids.     

Tetranucleotide microsatellite loci from eastern bluebirds Sialia sialis

We describe primers and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) conditions to amplify 18 tetranucleotide microsatellite DNA loci in eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis). The primers were tested using individuals from two study sites in Georgia and South Carolina. Among individuals from the Georgia population (n = 23), the primer pairs developed in this study yielded an average of 6.6 alleles per locus (range 2–12), an average observed heterozygosity of 0.56 (range 0.24–0.96) and an average polymorphic information content of 0.65 (range 0.3–0.86). Among individuals from the South Carolina population (n = 19), the primer pairs yielded an average of 5.8 alleles per locus (range 2–9), an average observed heterozygosity of 0.56 (range 0.05–0.86) and an average polymorphic information content of 0.63 (range 0.29–0.83).     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers for peacock wrasse (Symphodus tinca)

Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized for the peacock wrasse (Symphodus tinca), a labrid fish inhabiting the Mediterranean and Black seas. Characterization of 35 individuals from the western Mediterranean indicated a relatively high allelic diversity (mean = 12.4, range 9–17), and observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.65 to 0.91. We found no evidence of linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci. Two loci showed significant departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. These polymorphic markers can be useful in most basic population genetic applications.     

Polymorphic microsatellite loci isolated from the marine sponge Scopalina lophyropoda (Demospongiae: Halichondrida)

A total of seven microsatellites out of 88 isolated from a genomic library enriched for (CA)_n and (GA)_n repeats were characterized in the Mediterranean marine sponge Scopalina lophyropoda. The microsatellite motifs were large (34.81 ± 13.9 bp) and imperfect. The seven microsatellite loci were screened in 30 individuals collected from Blanes, northwestern Mediterranean. All of them were polymorphic (allele numbers and observed heterozygosities ranged from 3 to 6 and from 0.16 to 0.76, respectively). No significant linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci and no departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were found. These markers are therefore promising for studies of the population structure of the species.     

Isolation of polymorphic microsatellite markers from Hymeniacidon sinapium (Porifera: Demospongiae: Halichondrida)

Eight dinucleotide microsatellite markers were developed on Hymeniacidon sinapium (Porifera: Demospongiae), common littoral sponge around Japan, to investigate population genetic structure. Two to 10 alleles were identified in an analysis of 24 individuals of H. sinapium, with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.04 to 0.83. All loci did not deviate from the Hardy–Weinberg expectations; however, significant linkage disequilibrium between Sinp126 and Sinp142 was found.