Disrupted phylogeographical microsatellite and chloroplast DNA patterns indicate a vicariance rather than long‐distance dispersal origin for the disjunct distribution of the Chilean endemic Dioscorea biloba (Dioscoreaceae) around the Atacama Desert

Aim The Chilean endemic Dioscorea biloba (Dioscoreaceae) is a dioecious geophyte that shows a remarkable 600 km north–south disjunction in the peripheral arid area of the Atacama Desert. Its restricted present‐day distribution and probable Neogene origin indicate that its populations have a history linked to that of the Atacama Desert, making this an ideal model species with which to investigate the biogeography of the region. Location Chile, Atacama Desert and peripheral arid area. Methods Two hundred and seventy‐five individuals from nine populations were genotyped for seven nuclear microsatellite loci, and plastid trnL–F and trnT–L sequences were obtained for a representative subset of these. Analyses included the estimation of genetic diversity and population structure through clustering, Bayesian and analysis of molecular variance analyses, and statistical parsimony networks of chloroplast haplotypes. Isolation by distance was tested against alternative dispersal hypotheses. Results Microsatellite markers revealed moderate to high levels of genetic diversity within populations, with those from the southern Limarí Valley showing the highest values and northern populations showing less exclusive alleles. Bayesian analysis of microsatellite data identified three genetic groups that corresponded to geographical ranges. Chloroplast phylogeography revealed no haplotypes shared between northern and southern ranges, and little haplotype sharing between the two neighbouring southern valleys. Dispersal models suggested the presence of extinct hypothetical populations between the southern and northern ranges. Main conclusions Our results are consistent with prolonged isolation of the northern and southern groups, mediated by the life‐history traits of the species. Significant isolation was revealed at both large and moderate distances as gene flow was not evident even between neighbouring valleys. Bayesian analyses of microsatellite and chloroplast haplotype diversity identified the southern area of Limarí as the probable area of origin of the species. Our data do not support recent dispersal of D. biloba from the southern range into Antofagasta, but indicate the fragmentation of an earlier wider range, concomitant with the Pliocene–Pleistocene climatic oscillations, with subsequent extinctions of the Atacama Desert populations and the divergence of the peripheral ones as a consequence of genetic drift.     

Characterization of twenty‐four microsatellite markers for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Twenty‐four new microsatellite markers were developed for genome mapping and population genetics studies in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The amount of polymorphism, percentage heterozygosity and ability of each marker to amplify genomic DNA from other salmonids were recorded. Seven markers were observed to be duplicated in the rainbow trout genome by containing more than one allele in homozygous (clonal) fish.     

Isolation of microsatellite loci in the Capricorn silvereye,Zosterops lateralis chlorocephalus (Aves: Zosteropidae)

The Capricorn silvereye (Zosterops lateralis chlorocephalus) is ideally suited to investigating the genetic basis of body size evolution. We have isolated and characterized a set of microsatellite markers for this species. Seven out of 11 loci were polymorphic. The number of alleles detected ranged from two to five and observed heterozygosities between 0.12 and 0.67. One locus, ZL49, was found to be sex‐linked. This moderate level of diversity is consistent with that expected in an isolated, island population.     

Highly polymorphic microsatellite loci in the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus)

We describe seven polymorphic, dinucleotide microsatellite loci isolated from bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus, Rodentia: Muridae) collected from the Wirral Peninsula, United Kingdom. Microsatellites were isolated as part of a long‐term study on the wider effects of host–pathogen interactions of an endemic viral disease. These microsatellites showed between five and 13 alleles per locus in these populations. Observed and expected heterozygosities varied between 0.275 to 0.777 and 0.487 to 0.794, respectively. These markers will allow us to investigate the structure of this bank vole population.     

Multiplex PCR system applied for analysing microsatellite loci of Schlegel's black rockfish,Sebastes schlegeli

Two multiplex PCR amplifications were performed to analyse six microsatellite loci of Schlegel's black rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli, an important commercial fish in the northern part of Japan and an important species for the stock enhancement program in this area. We analysed 67 wild samples from Yamada Bay, Iwate Prefecture, Japan. The observed genotype frequencies agreed with the Hardy–Weinberg expectations at all loci, and the observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.072 to 0.897.     

Characterization of microsatellite loci for the Argentine ant,Linepithema humile,and their potential for analysis of colony structure in invading Hawaiian populations

We developed primers for five polymorphic microsatellite loci to analyse the genetic structure of colonies in an invading Argentine ant population located in Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui, Hawaii. Microsatellite loci were isolated using both a polymerase chain reaction‐based and a cloning‐based method. With a range of 3–18 alleles and expected levels of heterozygosity of 0.46–0.77, these loci provide useful markers for the detection of colony and population structure in new or expanding populations of this species.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellites in European chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.)

Thirteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from Castanea sativa (Mill.). Six contained dinucleotide repeats, six contained trinucleotide repeats, and one contained a compound microsatellite of a trinucleotide and a tetranucleotide repeat. The loci were characterized using C. sativa trees from three populations in the UK and the parents and six seedlings from a Turkish mapping population. The number of alleles revealed varied from two to 14 (mean = 5.15) per loci. Eight loci were found to be useful in the mapping family.     

A Molecular and Fitness Evaluation of Commercially Available versus Locally Collected Blue Lupine Lupinus perennis L. Seeds for Use in Ecosystem Restoration Efforts

Dependence on wild seed sources is often impractical for large‐scale habitat restoration programs. Reliance on commercial seed supplies of unknown provenance and fitness is thereby warranted. Little consideration has been given, however, to how the large volumes of seed required should be sourced. We evaluated commercial and locally collected seed sources for potential use in a New York State‐based, landscape‐scale program for restoring blue lupine Lupinus perennis. Through analysis of microsatellite markers we determined that “native” lupine designations by some commercial suppliers were in fact interspecific hybrids and therefore unreliable; at least two commercial sources, however, were genetically as close to native New York populations as native New York populations were to one other. Common garden experiments revealed that seed source influenced first‐year overwintering survival and subsequent height growth of surviving plants; seed sources more closely related genetically to native New York populations survived better and produced more stems per individual in the field in the area targeted for restoration. We conclude that (1) commercial suppliers often but not always offer reliably characterized seed sources of sufficient genetic similarity to native populations to warrant their use in restoration projects and (2) genetic affinity of potential seed stock to native populations is positively related to its fitness in the environment targeted for restoration.