Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellites in Iris ensata (Iridaceae)

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed in Iris ensata (Iridaceae) to provide polymorphic markers for further studies into population genetics. • Methods and Results: Thirteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from I. ensata. These loci were successfully amplified in two natural populations of I. ensata from eastern China (Longwangshan, Zhejiang Province) and northeastern China (Jinchuan, Jilin Province). There was no significant linkage disequilibrium found for any pair of loci. These loci contained between two and 12 alleles per locus across all 48 individuals of I. ensata. The number of alleles per locus varied from two to 10 at the population level and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.167 to 0.958 and from 0.284 to 0.853, respectively. • Conclusions: These loci showed high levels of polymorphism and could be used to study the population genetic structure, genetic relationships, and phylogeography of I. ensata.     

Identification and characterization of microsatellites loci in Brycon opalinus (Cuvier, 1819) (Characiforme,Characidae, Bryconiae)

Brycon species are present in various basins in Brazil and were or still are part of commercial fisheries and aquaculture activities ( Ferreira et al. 1996 , Mendonça 1994 ). Despite the importance of this group of fish, natural populations of some Brycon species are endangered ( Lins et al. 1997 ). Here, we describe the characterization of seven microsatellite loci that will be useful for the genetic studies in natural and captive populations for these and other species of Brycon.     

Isolation and characterization of nine polymorphic microsatellite loci in the rock carp, Procypris rabaudi (Tchang)

Nine highly polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from AC- and GATA-repeat microsatellite enrichment DNA libraries in the rock carp, Procypris rabaudi (Tchang). The number of alleles for these loci ranged from eight to 18 in tested individuals. Polymorphism information content ranged from 0.712 to 0.908 with an average of 0.837. Average observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.719 and 0.870, respectively. These molecular markers will be useful for the assessment of genetic diversity and analysis of population structure in wild rock carp.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from Corydalis ambigua (Papaveraceae)

Primers for seven unlinked and highly polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for Corydalis ambigua to investigate its mating system and population genetics. This species can be used to explore the impact of an alien bumblebee on plant reproduction. Genetic diversity and other population genetic parameters were estimated in two populations with and without the alien bumblebee. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 20, and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.355 to 0.969. These markers can be applied to study mating systems and population genetics in C. ambigua.     

Somatic embryogenesis from styles of lemon (Citrus limon)

Lemon [Citrus limon (L.) Burm.] styles were treated with different growth regulators for induction of somatic embryos. Styles and stigmas were dissected from flowers and cultured on a Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 4.52 M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 13.3 M 6-benzyladenine. Callus was induced from the style base 2 weeks after the treatment initiation, and embryos appeared 2 months later.Abbreviations BA 6-benzyladenine - 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - MS Murashige & Skoog (1962) - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Wuchang bream (Megalobrama amblycephala)

Wuchang bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) is an economically important fish in China. From a (GT)₁₃‐enriched genomic library, 20 microsatellites were developed. Nine of these 20 loci were polymorphic in a test population with allele numbers ranging from two to four, and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.2609 to 0.7826 and from 0.3739 to 0.7546, respectively. In the cross‐species amplifications, six of these nine loci were also polymorphic in white amur bream (Parabramis pekinensis). These polymorphic microsatellite loci are potentially useful for population genetics of Wuchang bream and its closely related species.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in yellow perch (Perca flavescens)

A total of 45 microsatellite loci from yellow perch, Perca flavescens, were isolated and characterized. Among the 45 microsatellite loci, 32 had more than two alleles. A wild population of P. flavescens (n = 48) was used to examine the allele range of the microsatellite loci. Mendelian inheritance of alleles was confirmed by examining the amplified products in pair‐mated families. The number of alleles for the 32 polymorphic loci varied from two to 16, and observed heterozygosity ranged between 0.024 (YP79) and 0.979 (YP60). Cross‐species polymorphic amplification in four other Percidae species was successful for 22 loci.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the beaver (Castor canadensis)

We have isolated and characterized 10 microsatellite loci in the beaver (Castor canadensis). Sixty individuals from southern and central Illinois were screened at each locus. All loci exhibited moderate levels of polymorphism, ranging from five to 13 alleles per locus with average heterozygosity ranging from 0.317 to 0.867. Locus Cca5 deviated significantly from HWE (P < 0.001). The locus pair Cca4/Cca5 was shown to be in linkage disequilibrium in southern Illinois, but not in the central Illinois population. The remaining eight loci will be useful in investigations of mating and kinship patterns in beaver populations in Illinois.     

Isolation and characterization of highly polymorphic microsatellites in tea (Camellia sinensis)

Relatively little is known about the diversity and origins of tea. The highest value tea products are sold on the basis of their region of origin but there are currently no methods available to verify the claims made on packages. We have developed 15 microsatellite loci for tea. These have been evaluated for polymorphism in a set of tea clones to determine their usefulness for authentication purposes. The majority of the microsatellites developed proved to be highly polymorphic both between and within different geographical origins and offer the potential to investigate the population genetics and genetic origins of tea.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Hemibarbus labeo (Cyprinidae) using PCR‐based isolation of microsatellite arrays (PIMA)

A total of 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci from Hemibarbus labeo were isolated and characterized using an optimized protocol to construct a microsatellite‐enriched genomic library. The analysis of variability was performed in 24 specimens of mainland China. The mean number of alleles across loci was 3.10 ± 1.10 and the level of expected heterozygosity varied from 0.0417 to 0.7482. Frequencies of null alleles of the 10 loci are not significantly greater than zero. No linkage disequilibrium was detected between loci in either population. Five primer pairs cross‐amplify the microsatellites in other species, indicating transportability of the markers within the family Cyprinidae.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the raccoon (Procyon lotor)

We report the isolation and characterization of 17 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the North American raccoon (Procyon lotor). These loci exhibit high levels of allelic diversity, with between four and 13 alleles per locus, and heterozygosity, with observed values of 0.500-1.000 in a sample of 20 individuals. All genotypes conformed to Hardy-Weinberg expectations and there were no instances of linkage disequilibrium detected.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in Rattus rattus

We isolated and characterized 10 microsatellite loci in the black rat Rattus rattus (Muridae, Rodentia), a widespread invasive species largely known to cause serious problems in agriculture and human health. Polymorphism was studied in two populations, one from Madagascar and one from Senegal. It ranged from three to 12 alleles in Madagascar, and from two to five alleles in Senegal. Together with the loci previously adapted from Rattus norvegicus, this set of markers should allow the conduct of thorough studies on the genetic structure of natural populations of R. rattus.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides)

Eight dinucleotide microsatellite loci were isolated from the finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides). Analysis of 30 individuals showed the number of alleles ranged from four to 21 with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.300 to 0.833, and expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.437 to 0.932. Cross‐species amplification was tested in four other cetacean species. These microsatellite markers would be valuable tools for population genetic studies of finless porpoises and other cetacean species.     

Isolation and characterization of variable microsatellite loci in Lilium philadelphicum (Liliaceae)

Here we describe the characterization of six polymorphic microsatellite loci for Lilium philadelphicum (Liliaceae). Polymorphism levels ranged from 7 to 30 alleles per locus with a mean number of 15 alleles per locus. Observed heterozygosity (H_O) ranged from 0.17 to 0.82 and did not deviate from Hardy–Weinberg expectations in the three western Montana populations included in the analysis. These loci are proving useful in studying gene flow between populations of this species distributed across its range in North America.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci for the red panda,Ailurus fulgens

We report on the isolation and characterization of 10 microsatellites in the red panda Ailurus fulgens from genomic DNA‐enriched libraries. Twenty‐one microsatellites were screened from the libraries, and 10 of the screened microsatellites were polymorphic. The number of observed alleles for each locus in 24 individuals ranged from three to 12, and the expected and observed heterozygosity was 0.60–0.90 and 0.50–1.00, respectively. These markers should prove a useful tool for the study of genetic variation in red panda in the future.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellites from red coral grouper (Plectropomus maculatus)

The red coral grouper, Plectropomus maculatus, is a high value marine food fish species. We isolated the first set of 10 polymorphic microsatellites and examined their polymorphism in two related species: the Malabar grouper Epinephelus malabaricus and the brown‐marbled grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus. The average allele number of these 10 microsatellite DNA loci is 9.1/locus with a range of four to 17, whereas the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.18 to 0.94, averaging 0.76. Five of the 10 markers amplified polymorphic and specific products in E. malabaricus, whereas only four were amplified in E. fuscoguttatus. These microsatellites could be applicable to captive breeding and to the studies on genetic diversity and population structure of grouper wild stocks.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in European alpine marmots (Marmota marmota)

For future investigations of the mating system of a highly social mammal (Marmota marmota), we identified 16 new microsatellites using an enrichment protocol. Five loci were revealed to be polymorphic. The polymorphism was rather low (two to six alleles among 24 individuals). However, these markers, added to the other six published microsatellites for M. marmota and Spermophilus citellus, will help to assess dispersal patterns and test for genetic monogamy in alpine marmots from the European Alps.