陕西渭南地区汉族人群17个Y-STR基因座多态性及遗传关系分析

调查陕西渭南地区汉族群体17个Y-STR基因座的多态性,探讨其群体遗传学及法医学应用价值。应用Y-fi ler荧光标记复合扩增系统,对413名陕西渭南地区汉族无关男性个体17个Y-STR基因座进行复合扩增,用ABI3130遗传分析仪进行基因分型,计算各基因座的群体遗传学参数,并结合已经发表的其他10个群体相应基因座的单倍型资料,分析各群体间的遗传距离。413名陕西渭南汉族个体共检出405种单倍型,其中397种单倍型仅出现1次,单倍型多样性达0.9999,基因多样性(GD)为0.4130(DYS391)~0.9734(DYS385a/b),累计GD值为0.9999。遗传距离分析提示,陕西渭南汉族与辽宁满族的遗传距离最小(0.00110),与青海藏族的遗传距离最大(0.22333)。结果表明,17个Y-STR基因座在陕西渭南汉族群体中具有丰富的遗传多态性和较高的非父排除能力,在法医学和人类群体遗传学研究中具有重要价值。     

云南泸西汉族17个Y-STR基因座多态性及遗传关系分析

调查云南泸西县汉族群体17个Y-STR基因座的多态性分布, 探讨其群体遗传学及法医学应用价值。应用AmpF?STR?Yfiler荧光标记复合扩增系统扩增156名汉族无关男性个体的17个Y-STR基因座, 用ABI3100遗传分析仪进行基因检测, 计算等位基因及单倍型频率, 并结合已公开发表的国内外其他16个群体的遗传学资料, 分析各群体间的遗传距离。云南泸西汉族男性群体中, 共观察到154种单倍型, 其中152种为仅观察到1次的单倍型, 2种单倍型观察到2次, 单倍型多样性(HD)值为0.9998, 基因多样性(GD)值在0.3901(DYS437)—0.9632(DYS385a/b)。17个群体遗传距离分析提示, 国内人群云南泸西汉族与湖南汉族的遗传距离最小(0.005), 与闽南汉族的遗传距离最大(0.035); 在中国周边群体中,云南泸西汉族与新加坡华人的遗传距离最小(0.015), 与日本人和马来西亚印度人群的遗传距离最大(0.060)。结果表明, 17个Y-STR基因座在云南泸西汉族中具有较高的遗传多态性, 适用当地的法医学应用。与其他民族群体的遗传多样性比较, 对了解各群体的起源、迁徙及相互关系有重要意义。     

An extensive analysis of Y-chromosomal microsatellite haplotypes in globally dispersed human populations

The genetic variance at seven Y-chromosomal microsatellite loci (or short tandem repeats [STRs]) was studied among 986 male individuals from 20 globally dispersed human populations. A total of 598 different haplotypes were observed, of which 437 (73.1%) were each found in a single male only. Population-specific haplotype-diversity values were.86-.99. Analyses of haplotype diversity and population-specific haplotypes revealed marked population-structure differences between more-isolated indigenous populations (e.g., Central African Pygmies or Greenland Inuit) and more-admixed populations (e.g., Europeans or Surinamese). Furthermore, male individuals from isolated indigenous populations shared haplotypes mainly with male individuals from their own population. By analysis of molecular variance, we found that 76.8% of the total genetic variance present among these male individuals could be attributed to genetic differences between male individuals who were members of the same population. Haplotype sharing between populations, phi(ST) statistics, and phylogenetic analysis identified close genetic affinities among European populations and among New Guinean populations. Our data illustrate that Y-chromosomal STR haplotypes are an ideal tool for the study of the genetic affinities between groups of male subjects and for detection of population structure.     

HAPLORE: a program for haplotype reconstruction in general pedigrees without recombination

MOTIVATION: Haplotype reconstruction is an essential step in genetic linkage and association studies. Although many methods have been developed to estimate haplotype frequencies and reconstruct haplotypes for a sample of unrelated individuals, haplotype reconstruction in large pedigrees with a large number of genetic markers remains a challenging problem. METHODS: We have developed an efficient computer program, HAPLORE (HAPLOtype REconstruction), to identify all haplotype sets that are compatible with the observed genotypes in a pedigree for tightly linked genetic markers. HAPLORE consists of three steps that can serve different needs in applications. In the first step, a set of logic rules is used to reduce the number of compatible haplotypes of each individual in the pedigree as much as possible. After this step, the haplotypes of all individuals in the pedigree can be completely or partially determined. These logic rules are applicable to completely linked markers and they can be used to impute missing data and check genotyping errors. In the second step, a haplotype-elimination algorithm similar to the genotype-elimination algorithms used in linkage analysis is applied to delete incompatible haplotypes derived from the first step. All superfluous haplotypes of the pedigree members will be excluded after this step. In the third step, the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm combined with the partition and ligation technique is used to estimate haplotype frequencies based on the inferred haplotype configurations through the first two steps. Only compatible haplotype configurations with haplotypes having frequencies greater than a threshold are retained. RESULTS: We test the effectiveness and the efficiency of HAPLORE using both simulated and real datasets. Our results show that, the rule-based algorithm is very efficient for completely genotyped pedigree. In this case, almost all of the families have one unique haplotype configuration. In the presence of missing data, the number of compatible haplotypes can be substantially reduced by HAPLORE, and the program will provide all possible haplotype configurations of a pedigree under different circumstances, if such multiple configurations exist. These inferred haplotype configurations, as well as the haplotype frequencies estimated by the EM algorithm, can be used in genetic linkage and association studies. AVAILABILITY: The program can be downloaded from http://bioinformatics.med.yale.edu.     

辽宁满族11个Y-STR基因座多态性及遗传关系的分析

调查了辽宁满族群体11个Y-STR基因座的多态性分布, 探讨其群体遗传学及法医学应用价值。应用Powerplex Y System荧光标记复合扩增系统检测203名满族无关男性个体的11个Y-STR基因座, 用ABI310遗传分析仪进行基因分型, 计算等位基因和单倍型频率, 并结合已公开发表的国内其他16个群体相应基因座的遗传学资料, 分析其遗传距离和聚类关系。满族个体中共检出189种单倍型, 单倍型频率多样性0.9991, 基因多样性GD值在0.4594(DYS391)～0.9258(DYS385a/b); 从遗传距离分析发现, 满族和东北汉族的遗传距离最小(0.0015), 与维吾尔族的遗传距离最大(0.1485)。结果表明, 11个Y-STR基因座在满族群体中具有较好的遗传多态性, 适用于当地区的法医学应用。与其他民族群体遗传多样性的研究, 对了解满族的起源、迁移以及相互关系有重要意义。     

广东汉族22个Y-STR基因座遗传多态性及遗传关系分析

调查了广东汉族群体22个 Y-STR基因座的遗传多态性分布情况, 探讨其群体遗传学及法医学应用价值。通过自行建立的两组Y-STR荧光标记复合扩增体系(MultiplexⅠ: DYS505, DYS533, DYS576, DYS588, DYS634, DYS643; MultiplexⅡ: DYS461, DYS481, DYS504, DYS508, DYS607)和应用进口Powerplex Y System (DYS19, DYS389Ⅰ/Ⅱ, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS385, DYS437, DYS438, DYS439), 对广东汉族216 名无关男性个体进行22 个STR基因座的复合分型, 用ABI310基因分析仪对扩增产物进行检测, 统计22 个Y-STR基因座的群体遗传学参数, 并结合已公开发表的其他12 个群体“扩展单倍型”的数据资料, 分析广东汉族群体遗传距离和聚类关系。3 组复合扩增系统均可成功进行分型, 基因多样性GD值在0.3299(DYS634)~ 0.9425(DYS385); 22 个Y-STR基因座共同构成的单倍型214 种, 单倍型多样性为0.9999。广东汉族和潮汕汉族的遗传距离最近(-0.0030), 与东北汉族的遗传距离最远(0.0195)。22 个Y-STR基因座联合检测具有丰富的遗传多态性, 对建立Y染色体STR数据库, 研究群体遗传学和进行法医学应用有重要意义。     

Haplotype analysis of the polymorphic 17 YSTR markers in Kerala nontribal populations

The origin of the Kerala non tribal population has been a matter of contention for centuries. While some claim that Negritos were the first inhabitants, some historians suggest a Dravidian origin for all Keralites. The aim of our study has been to provide sufficient scientific evidence based on Y chromosome short tandem repeat (Y STR) analysis for tracing the paternal lineage and also to create a database of the Y STR haplotype of the male population for future forensic analysis. Whole blood samples (n = 168) were collected from unrelated healthy men of the Kerala non-tribal population over a period of 2 years from October 2009. Genomic DNA was extracted by salting out method. All samples were genotyped for the 17 Y STR loci by the AmpFLSTR Y-filer PCR Amplification Kit. The haplotype and allele frequencies were determined by direct counting and analyzed using Arlequin 3.1 software, and molecular variance was calculated with the Y chromosome haplotype reference database online analysis tool, . Haplotype diversity was calculated using HaPYDive (). The majority of haplotypes were unique (149/168). The variant allele 17.1 was observed in DYS 385 loci in three samples. Fifteen samples (8.93%) showed the presence of alleles that are not within the established marker range denoted as outside marker range (OMR). The allele frequency of Kerala non tribal population ranged from 0.00003 to 0.5809. The most polymorphic single locus marker was DYS 458. The haplotype diversity value for Kerala non tribal population was 0.9978. The pairwise difference value ranged from 0.0531 to 0.0854 on comparison of the haplotypes of the Kerala non tribals with other Indian populations. The multi dimensional scaling plot depicted the proximity of Kerala non tribal population with Vasterbotten population (Swedish) and Paiwan, Patyal population of Taiwan, Thailand, and Zhuang population of China. The results of the study indicate towards a European paternal lineage in the non tribal Kerala population.     

High diversity of alpha-globin haplotypes in a Senegalese population, including many previously unreported variants.

RFLP haplotypes at the alpha-globin gene complex have been examined in 190 individuals from the Niokolo Mandenka population of Senegal: haplotypes were assigned unambiguously for 210 chromosomes. The Mandenka share with other African populations a sample size-independent haplotype diversity that is much greater than that in any non-African population: the number of haplotypes observed in the Mandenka is typically twice that seen in the non-African populations sampled to date. Of these haplotypes, 17.3% had not been observed in any previous surveys, and a further 19.1% have previously been reported only in African populations. The haplotype distribution shows clear differences between African and non-African peoples, but this is on the basis of population-specific haplotypes combined with haplotypes common to all. The relationship of the newly reported haplotypes to those previously recorded suggests that several mutation processes, particularly recombination as homologous exchange or gene conversion, have been involved in their production. A computer program based on the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm was used to obtain maximum-likelihood estimates of haplotype frequencies for the entire data set: good concordance between the unambiguous and EM-derived sets was seen for the overall haplotype frequencies. Some of the low-frequency haplotypes reported by the estimation algorithm differ greatly, in structure, from those haplotypes known to be present in human populations, and they may not represent haplotypes actually present in the sample.     

广西4个少数民族17个Y-STR基因座的多态性分析

应用Yfiler复合扩增试剂盒及基因分型技术, 调查了广西瑶、彝、京、壮4个少数民族人群17个Y-STR基因座的多态性分布, 计算等位基因频率和单体型多样性, 并结合国内其他4个群体相应基因座的遗传学资料, 分析其遗传距离和聚类关系。瑶族100名无关男性个体中检出61种单体型, 单体型多样性为0.9784; 彝族105名无关男性个体中检出67种单体型, 单体型多样性为0.9866; 京族103名无关男性个体中检出79种单体型, 单体型多样性为0.9911; 壮族107名无关男性个体中检出91种单体型, 单体型多样性为0.9956。在4个少数民族中, 京族和壮族的遗传距离最小(0.0391), 彝族和瑶族的遗传距离最大(0.3376)。结果表明, 该17个Y-STR基因座在广西4个少数民族人群中均具有较高的多态性, 在法医学、群体遗传学等方面有重要的应用价值。     

Statistical estimation and pedigree analysis of CCR2-CCR5 haplotypes

As more SNP marker data becomes available, researchers have used haplotypes of markers, rather than individual polymorphisms, for association analysis of candidate genes. In order to perform haplotype analysis in a population-based case-control study, haplotypes must be determined by estimation in the absence of family information or laboratory methods for establishing phase. Here, we test the accuracy of the Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm for estimating haplotype state and frequency in the CCR2-CCR5 gene region by comparison with haplotype state and frequency determined by pedigree analysis. To do this, we have characterized haplotypes comprising alleles at seven biallelic loci in the CCR2-CCR5 chemokine receptor gene region, a span of 20 kb on chromosome 3p21. Three-generation CEPH families (n=40), totaling 489 individuals, were genotyped by the 5'nuclease assay (TaqMan). Haplotype states and frequencies were compared in 103 grandparents who were assumed to have mated at random. Both pedigree analysis and the EM algorithm yielded the same small number of haplotypes for which linkage disequilibrium was nearly maximal. The haplotype frequencies generated by the two methods were nearly identical. These results suggest that the EM algorithm estimation of haplotype states, frequency, and linkage disequilibrium analysis will be an effective strategy in the CCR2-CCR5 gene region. For genetic epidemiology studies, CCR2-CCR5 allele and haplotype frequencies were determined in African-American (n=30), Hispanic (n=24) and European-American (n=34) populations.     

The Genetic Integrity of the Ex Situ Population of the European Wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) Is Seriously Threatened by Introgression from Domestic Cats (Felis silvestris catus)

Studies on the genetic diversity and relatedness of zoo populations are crucial for implementing successful breeding programmes. The European wildcat, Felis s. silvestris, is subject to intensive conservation measures, including captive breeding and reintroduction. We here present the first systematic genetic analysis of the captive population of Felis s. silvestris in comparison with a natural wild population. We used microsatellites and mtDNA sequencing to assess genetic diversity, structure and integrity of the ex situ population. Our results show that the ex situ population of the European wildcat is highly structured and that it has a higher genetic diversity than the studied wild population. Some genetic clusters matched the breeding lines of certain zoos or groups of zoos that often exchanged individuals. Two mitochondrial haplotype groups were detected in the in situ populations, one of which was closely related to the most common haplotype found in domestic cats, suggesting past introgression in the wild. Although native haplotypes were also found in the captive population, the majority (68%) of captive individuals shared a common mtDNA haplotype with the domestic cat (Felis s. catus). Only six captive individuals (7.7%) were assigned as wildcats in the STRUCTURE analysis (at K = 2), two of which had domestic cat mtDNA haplotypes and only two captive individuals were assigned as purebred wildcats by NewHybrids. These results suggest that the high genetic diversity of the captive population has been caused by admixture with domestic cats. Therefore, the captive population cannot be recommended for further breeding and reintroduction.     

Linked vs unlinked markers: multilocus microsatellite haplotype-sharing as a tool to estimate gene flow and introgression

We have explored the use of multilocus microsatellite haplotypes to study introgression from cultivated (Malus domestica) into wild apple (Malus sylvestris), and to study gene flow among remnant populations of M. sylvestris. A haplotype consisted of alleles at microsatellite loci along one chromosome. As destruction of haplotypes through recombination occurs much faster than loss of alleles due to genetic drift, the lifespan of a multilocus haplotype is much shorter than that of the underlying alleles. When different populations share the same haplotype, this may indicate recent gene flow between populations. Similarly, haplotypes shared between two species would be a strong signal for introgression. As the expected lifespan of a haplotype depends on the strength of the linkage, the length [in centiMorgans (cM)] of the haplotype shared contains information on the number of generations passed. This application of shared haplotypes is distinct from using haplotype-sharing to detect association between markers and a certain trait. We inferred haplotypes for four to eight microsatellite loci on Linkage Group 10 of apple from genotype data using the program phase, and then identified those haplotypes shared between populations and species. Compared with a Bayesian analysis of unlinked microsatellite loci using the program structure, haplotype-sharing detected a partially different set of putative hybrids. Cultivated haplotypes present in M. sylvestris were short (< 1.5 cM), indicating that introgression had taken place many generations ago, except for two Belgian plants that contained a haplotype of 47.1 cM, indicating recent introgression. In the estimation of gene flow, F(ST) based on unlinked loci indicated small (0.032-0.058) but statistically significant differentiation between some populations only. However, various M. sylvestris haplotypes were shared in nearly all pairwise comparisons of populations, and their length indicated recent gene flow. Hence, all Dutch populations should be considered as one conservation unit. The added value of using sharing of multilocus microsatellite haplotypes as a source of population genetic information is discussed.     

Abundant mitochondrial genome diversity,population differentiation and convergent evolution in pines.

We examined mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms via the analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms in three closely related species of pines from western North America: knobcone (Pinus attenuata Lemm.), Monterey (P. radiata D. Don), and bishop (P. muricata D. Don). A total of 343 trees derived from 13 populations were analyzed using 13 homologous mitochondrial gene probes amplified from three species by polymerase chain reaction. Twenty-eight distinct mitochondrial DNA haplotypes were detected and no common haplotypes were found among the species. All three species showed limited variability within populations, but strong differentiation among populations. Based on haplotype frequencies, genetic diversity within populations (HS) averaged 0.22, and population differentiation (GST and theta) exceeded 0.78. Analysis of molecular variance also revealed that >90% of the variation resided among populations. For the purposes of genetic conservation and breeding programs, species and populations could be readily distinguished by unique haplotypes, often using the combination of only a few probes. Neighbor-joining phenograms, however, strongly disagreed with those based on allozymes, chloroplast DNA, and morphological traits. Thus, despite its diagnostic haplotypes, the genome appears to evolve via the rearrangement of multiple, convergent subgenomic domains.     

德州汉族人群37个Y⁃STR基因座遗传多态性分析

调查德州汉族人群598名男性无关个体37个Y-STR基因座的遗传多态性,分析其在法医学和群体遗传学方面的应用价值,用AGCU Y37荧光检测试剂盒对德州汉族群体的37个Y-STR基因座进行扩增,用3500xL基因分析仪对其进行检测。用MEGA 7.0软件,通过邻接法（neighbor-joining, NJ）构建德州汉族群体和其他15个参考群体的系统发生树,探索群体间的遗传关系。结果共检出593种单倍型,基因多样性（genetic diversity, GD）值为0.113 9（DYS645）～0.971 4（DYS385a/b）,单倍型多样性（haplotype diversity, HD）和识别能力（discriminative capacity, DC）分别为0.999 971 989和0.991 6。结果表明,这37个Y-STR基因座在德州汉族人群中有较高的多态性分布。群体遗传分析中,遗传距离、多维尺度分析( multi-dimensional scaling,MDS) 和系统发生树分析结果表明,德州汉族与其他地区的汉族群体遗传距离更近。不同群体的遗传特征与语系划分、历史形成、地理分布等方面具有一致性。研究结果可为德州汉族人群的法庭科学和群体遗传学研究提供基础数据支持。     

Genetic diversity of Y-chromosome microsatellites in the Fujian Han and the Sichuan Han populations of China

Y-chromosome short tandem repeats (STRs) are potentially useful for forensic, anthropological and evolutionary studies. In this study we chose the loci DYS 19, DYS 388, DYS 389 I, DYS 389 II, DYS 390, DYS 391, DYS 392, DYS 393, DYS 425 and DYS 426. Blood samples were taken from 46 unrelated male individuals from Fujian Han and 43 unrelated males from Sichuan Han in China. DNA was extracted by conventional chelex extraction procedure. PCR was carried out in two multiplex reactions. Fragment analysis was conducted on an ABI PRISM 310 Genetic Analyzer. Allele frequency distributions and discrimination indices were calculated, and the two populations were tested for genetic differences by means of analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). Here we obtained 75 Y-STR haplotypes and the haplotype diversity for the complete haplotype was 0.9884 in Fujian Han and 0.9967 in Sichuan Han. A larger genetic difference became apparent between the two populations that belong to the Sino-Tibetan speaking populations.     

Recurrence of the R408W Mutation in the Phenylalanine Hydroxylase Locus in Europeans

The relative frequency of the common phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) mutation R408W and its associations with polymorphic RFLP, VNTR, and short-tandem-repeat (STR) sites in the PAH gene were examined in many European populations and one representative North American population of defined European descent. This mutation was found to cluster in two regions: in northwest Europe among Irish and Scottish peoples, and in eastern Europe, including the Commonwealth of Independent States. This allele was significantly less frequent in intervening populations. In eastern European populations, the R408W mutation is strongly associated with RFLP haplotype 2, the three-copy VNTR allele (VNTR 3), and the 240-bp STR allele. In northwestern European populations, it is strongly associated with RFLP haplotype 1, the VNTR allele containing eight repeats (VNTR 8), and the 244-bp STR allele. An examination of the linkage between the R408W mutation and highly polymorphic RFLP, VNTR, and STR haplotypes suggests that recurrence is the most likely mechanism to account for the two different major haplotype associations of R408W in Europe.     

Genetic structure of the killifish Aphanius fasciatus, Nardo 1827 (Teleostei, Cyprinodontidae), results of mitochondrial DNA analysis

Aphanius fasciatus is a cyprinodont distributed in the salty coastal water of the central and eastern Mediterranean Sea and occasionally in internal fresh water. In this work, the authors have investigated the genetic structure of eight populations of the killifish A. fasciatus from Sardinia and Sicily. The comparison of the mtDNA control region of 237 individuals revealed a total of 49 haplotypes. Several unique haplotypes were present in each population, and no common haplotype was found among Sicilian and Sardinian populations. Almost all Sardinian populations shared a common haplotype, and indeed the four Sicilian populations examined did not share any as determined by the parsimony network analysis. The analysis of molecular variance showed that the percentage of variation among populations is much higher than within each population of A. fasciatus . The overall F _ST value is very high (0·78) and supports an extensive genetic structure of the populations. The observed genetic differentiations of A. fasciatus populations were discussed taking into account the palaeogeographic and palaeoclimatic events that interested the Mediterranean area from Miocenic to Pleistocenic age. The results provide new insight into the knowledge of the pattern of genetic structure and of evolutionary processes occurring in this species.     

深圳无偿献血人群中李姓、王姓和张姓无关男性个体Y-STR单倍型遗传多态性

为研究姓氏群体Y染色体特异STR单倍型的遗传多态性, 采用PCR复合扩增和ABI PrismTM 3100基因测序仪荧光检测方法对DYS426等9个Y-STR基因座进行基因分型, 检测深圳地区李姓无关男性个体血样139份、王姓无关男性个体118份、张姓无关男性个体119份。结果在139份李姓群体中, 共检出126种单倍型, 其中118种单倍型仅出现1次, 检出频率最高的1种单倍型出现6次, 单倍型多样性为0.9974; 118份王姓无关男性样本中, 共检出105种单倍型, 其中94种单倍型仅出现1次, 检出频率最高的1种单倍型出现4次, 单倍型多样性为0.9953; 张姓无关男性样本中, 共检出101种单倍型, 其中88种单倍型仅出现1次, 检出频率最高的1种单倍型出现4次, 单倍型多样性为0.9964。结果表明: 深圳地区李、王、张姓氏无关男性个体Y-STR单倍型的遗传多态性丰富, 与以往的汉族无关男性群体遗传资料相比较, 差异不显著。     

Analysis of 12 X-STR loci in the population of south Croatia

The aim of the study was to assess forensic pertinence of 12 short tandem repeats (STRs) on X-chromosome in south Croatia population. Investigator^® Argus X-12 kit was used to co-amplify 12 STR loci belonging to four linkage groups (LGs) on X-chromosome in 99 male and 98 female DNA samples of unrelated donors. PCR products were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis. Population genetic and forensic parameters were calculated by the Arlequin and POPTREE2 software, and an on-line tool available at ChrX-STR.org. Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was confirmed for all X-STR markers in female samples. Biallelic patterns at DXS10079 locus were detected in four male samples. Polymorphism information content for the most (DXS10135) and the least (DXS8378) informative markers was 0.9212 and 0.6347, respectively. In both male and female samples, combined power of discrimination exceeded 0.999999999. As confirmed by linkage disequilibrium test, significant association of marker pair DXS10074-DXS10079 (P?=?0.0004) within LG2 and marker pair DXS10101-DXS10103 (P?=?0.0003) within LG3 was found only in male samples. Number of observed haplotypes in our sample pool amounted 3.01, 7.53, 5 and 3.25% of the number of possible haplotypes for LG1, LG2, LG3 and LG4, respectively. According to haplotype diversity value of 0.9981, LG1 was the most informative. In comparison of south Croatia with 26 world populations, pair-wise \({{\text{F}}_{\text{ST}}}^{\text{*}}\) values increase in parallel with geographical distance. Overall statistical assessment confirmed suitability of Investigator^® Argus X-12 kit for forensic casework in both identification and familial testing in the population of south Croatia.     

Genetic variation of mitochondrial DNA in Chinese populations of Pectinophora gossypiella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

The pink bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella is an invasive pest insect that has successfully established populations in many cotton growing regions around the world. In this study, the genetic diversity and population structure of Chinese populations of P. gossypiella were evaluated using mitochondrial DNA sequence data (COII and Nad4). For comparison, individuals of Pakistan and America were also sequenced at the same two mtDNA regions. Extremely low genetic variation was observed in the two mitochondrial regions among all populations examined. Most of the populations harbored only one to two haplotypes. Although the Nad4 region showed relatively high haplotype diversity and nucleotide variation, ranging from 0.363 to 0.591 and from 0.00078 to 0.00140, respectively, there were only three haplotypes observed in this region. COII and Nad4 haplotype networks shaved one or two common haplotype(s) forming the center of a star-shaped phylogeny. Pairwise tests showed that most of the populations were not significantly differentiated from each other. The Chinese populations were differentiated from the Pakistani and American populations in the Nad4 region. The low level of population genetic variation of P. gossypiella is attributed to invasion bottlenecks, which may have been subsequently strengthened by its nonmigratory biology and the mosaic pattern of agricultural activities.