Eleven new microsatellites of the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.)

Eleven polymorphic microsatellites were isolated from the sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, using a microsatellite enrichment protocol and selective hybridization with an (AC)₁₂ probe. The loci showed different variation patterns in 21 unrelated sea bass individuals, with a mean number of alleles of 8.6 and a mean observed heterozygosity of 0.68. These microsatellite markers should be useful for population genetic analysis and biodiversity studies of sea bass.     

Vntr Allele Frequency Distributions under the Stepwise Mutation Model: A Computer Simulation Approach

Variable numbers of tandem repeats (VNTRs) are a class of highly informative and widely dispersed genetic markers. Despite their wide application in biological science, little is known about their mutational mechanisms or population dynamics. The objective of this work was to investigate four summary measures of VNTR allele frequency distributions: number of alleles, number of modes, range in allele size and heterozygosity, using computer simulations of the one-step stepwise mutation model (SMM). We estimated these measures and their probability distributions for a wide range of mutation rates and compared the simulation results with predictions from analytical formulations of the one-step SMM. The average heterozygosity from the simulations agreed with the analytical expectation under the SMM. The average number of alleles, however, was larger in the simulations than the analytical expectation of the SMM. We then compared our simulation expectations with actual data reported in the literature. We used the sample size and observed heterozygosity to determine the expected value, 5th and 95th percentiles for the other three summary measures, allelic size range, number of modes and number of alleles. The loci analyzed were classified into three groups based on the size of the repeat unit: microsatellites (1-2 base pair (bp) repeat unit), short tandem repeats [(STR) 3-5 bp repeat unit], and minisatellites (15-70 bp repeat unit). In general, STR loci were most similar to the simulation results under the SMM for the three summary measures (number of alleles, number of modes and range in allele size), followed by the microsatellite loci and then by the minisatellite loci, which showed deviations in the direction of the infinite allele model (IAM). Based on these differences, we hypothesize that these three classes of loci are subject to different mutational forces.     

Twelve novel polymorphic microsatellites in a marine fish species,yellow croaker Larimichthys polyactis

We isolated 12 polymorphic microsatellites from an important marine food fish Larimichthys polyactis and characterized them in 32 unrelated individuals. Among the 12 microsatellites, four were tetranucleotide repeats and eight were dinucleotide repeats. The allele number ranged from five to 25 with an average of 15.4/locus; average expected heterozygosity was 0.81, ranging from 0.57 to 0.95, whereas the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.34 to 1.00 (average: 0.78). Nine of the 12 markers conformed to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and showed no sign of linkage. These microsatellites will be useful for population genetic studies and selective breeding programs of this species.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite DNA loci in sea bass,Lates calcarifer Bloch

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based isolation of microsatellite arrays (PIMA) technique was used to isolate seven polymorphic microsatellite loci in sea bass, Lates calcarifer Bloch. A total of 62 samples of wild and cultivated sea bass collected from a few populations within Peninsular Malaysia were used in the study. For seven polymorphic loci, the number of alleles ranged from four to nine and locus heterozygosities ranged from 0.710 to 1.000. The loci will be useful for studying population structure, genetic variability of wild and hatchery stocks of L. calcarifer and broodstock management purposes.     

Isolation and characterization of 17 polymorphic microsatellites in grass carp

Here we report the isolation and characterization of 17 polymorphic loci isolated from a partial genomic DNA library of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) enriched for CA repeats. We tested variability of these microsatellites on 24 unrelated individuals collected in China. All microsatellites were polymorphic. The average allele number was 7.9 per locus, ranging from four to 13. The observed heterozygosity was from 0.46 to 0.88 with an average of 0.71, whereas the average expected heterozygosity was 0.78. Sixteen of the 17 microsatellites conformed to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and inherited independently. These microsatellites can be used to study genetic diversity and population structure of wild populations, and facilitate selective breeding of cultured broodstocks.     

Characterization of Microsatellites in the IGF-2 and GH Genes of Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer)

Four microsatellites were identified by screening the DNA sequences of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) deposited to GenBank. Two markers each are located in the growth hormone gene (GH) and in the insulin-like growth factor II gene (IGF-2), respectively. The markers were characterized by genotyping 34 Asian seabass individuals. All 4 microsatellites showed polymorphism: the number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 11 (average, 5.0), while the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.51 to 0.85 (average, 0.63) at the 4 loci. Cross-priming with all 4 primer pairs was tested in species belonging to 5 different genera, but no bands were amplified. These microsatellites are the first genomic DNA markers characterized in L. calcarifer; thus they may be valuable for research and aquaculture production of this species. Received April 10, 2000; accepted July 13, 2000.     

Microsatellite DNA markers for parental assignment in hybrid striped bass (Morone saxatilis × Morone chrysops)

Development of nine polymorphic microsatellites from a genomic library of hybrid striped bass (female Morone chrysops × male Morone saxatilus) DNA is described. Breeding of hybrid striped bass for aquaculture is based largely on breeding wild fish. Molecular markers such as microsatellites will be useful tools for developing broodstock, estimating heritability for production traits, and selective breeding via marker‐assisted selection. The nine polymorphic microsatellites include six dinucleotide and three complex repeat motifs. The number of alleles detected among a sample of 10 individuals of each species was relatively low. All polymerase chain reaction primer pairs also amplified products in the sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax.     

花鲈群体的遗传变异

采用水平淀粉凝胶电泳技术对花鲈群体的遗传结构进行了研究 ,共检测了中国沿海花鲈 14 6尾和 40尾日本东京湾花鲈。其群体的多态位点比例为 0 2 667— 0 53 3 3 ,观测杂合度和预期杂合度分别为 0 0 2 11— 0 0 515和0 0 3 98— 0 0 797。中日花鲈在LDH ,GPI 1 ,GPI 2 基因位点上的等位基因接近完全置换。中国花鲈各群体之间的根井遗传距离为 0 0 0 0 4— 0 0 0 11,平均值约为 0 0 0 80 ;而中日花鲈间的根井遗传距离为 0 1870— 0 1954,平均值为 0 192 6。以上结果表明中国花鲈群体间遗传变异很小 ,中日花鲈间遗传变异远大于中国花鲈群体间的遗传距离。     

Microsatellite DNA polymorphism of Japanese sea bass (Laterolabrax japonicus) inhabiting Chinese and Japanese coasts

Twenty‐two microsatellite DNA markers were developed for Japanese sea bass (Laterolabrax japonicus), of which 19 were independent from each other and at Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium across the three populations of Japanese sea bass inhabiting Chinese coasts (defined as China group) and the five populations inhabiting Japanese coasts (defined as Japan group). These 19 markers were used to determine the number of alleles and the expected heterozygosity across the eight populations. The majority of individuals (93.8–98.8%) of the three populations of the pre‐defined China group were assigned to an inferred cluster, and 90.9–94.6% of the individuals of the five populations of the pre‐defined Japan group were assigned to the other. The average number of alleles across the 19 loci was significantly lower in the China group than in the Japan group (10.3 vs 15.4), however, the average expected heterozygosity across the 19 loci of the China group was similar to that of the Japan group (0.743 vs 0.750). An effective population size reduction (i.e. bottleneck effect) was detected in the China group (P = 0.00357), which may have resulted from either over‐catching or glaciations or both. The pairwise F_ST among populations of the China group (0.019–0.029) and among populations of the Japan group (0.003–0.021) were lower than those between the populations of the China group and the populations of the Japan group (0.076–0.101). The average pair‐wise F_ST between the populations of the China group and those of the Japan group reached 0.075, and the variation between the China group and the Japan group accounted for 7.16% of the total. Nei’s original measures of genetic distances among the populations of the China group and the Japan group ranged from 0.123 to 0.145 and from 0.055 to 0.123, respectively, while that between the populations of the China group and the populations of the Japan group ranged from 0.326 to 0.450. Japanese sea bass is able to disperse over a long distance; however, our observations demonstrated that it cannot migrate across a possible barrier existing between Chinese and Japanese coasts. Most individuals of the Zhoushan population of the China group were assigned to two inferred clusters, and most individuals of Ariake Sea, Tokyo Bay and Ishikawa populations of the Japan group were assigned to three inferred clusters, indicating that these locations were the gathering grounds of Japanese sea bass.     

Evaluation of allelic diversity at chloroplast microsatellite loci among common wheat and its ancestral species

Twenty four chloroplast microsatellite loci having more than ten mononucleotide repeats were identified from the entire chloroplast DNA sequence of common wheat, Triticum aestivum cv Chinese Spring. For each microsatellite, a pair of primers were designed to produce specific PCR products in the range of 100– 200 bp. The allelic diversity at the microsatellite loci was evaluated using 43 accessions from 11 Triticum and Aegilops species involved in wheat polyploid evolution. Polymorphic banding patterns were obtained at 21 out of 24 chloroplast microsatellite loci. The three monomorphic microsatellites were found to be located in coding regions. For the polymorphic microsatellites, the number of alleles per microsatellite ranged from 2 to 7 with an average of 4.33, and the diversity values (H) ranged from 0.05 to 0.72 with an average of 0.47. Significant correlations (P<0.01) were observed between the number of repeats and the number of alleles, and between the number of repeats and diversity value, respectively. The genetic diversity explained by chloroplast microsatellites and nuclear RFLP markers were compared using 22 tetraploid accessions. Although the number of alleles for nuclear RFLP markers was found to be higher than that for chloroplast microsatellites, similar diversity values were observed for both types of markers. Among common wheat and its ancestral species, the percentages of common chloroplast microsatellite alleles were calculated to examine their phylogenetic relationships. As a result, Timopheevi wheat species were clearly distinguished from other species, and Emmer and common wheat species were divided into two main groups, each consisting of a series of wild and cultivated species from tetraploid to hexaploid. This indicates that the two types of chloroplast genomes of common wheat might have independently originated from the corresponding types of wild and cultivated Emmer wheat species. Received: 6 October 2000 / Accepted: 13 March 2001     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides)

 We have identified, isolated, and characterized microsatellite/simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci in trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) by screening partial genomic libraries. We have also examined the compatibility and use of the P. tremuloides SSR primers to resolve microsatellites in other Populus species. Fourteen microsatellites were identified from 1600 clones screened. The TC/AG microsatellites were the most abundant. A total of 29 alleles were detected in 36 P. tremuloides individuals at the four SSR loci (two each of di- and tri-nucleotide repeats) characterized. The number of alleles at the SSR loci ranged from 5 to 11, with an average of 7.25 alleles per locus, and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.19 to 0.82, with a mean of 0.46 per locus. Although the highest polymorphism was observed for a dinucleotide SSR locus, the trinucleotide SSR loci showed substantial polymorphism. There were 34 unique multilocus genotypes among the 36 P. tremuloides individuals examined, and 89% of the individuals had unique multilocus genotypes. Two pairs of SSR primers were successful in PCR, amplifying genomic DNA and resolving microsatellites of comparable size from Populus deltoides, P. nigra, P.×canadensis, and P. maximowiczii. The microsatellite DNA markers developed could be used for clonal fingerprinting, certification of controlled crosses, genome mapping, marker-assisted early selection, genetic diversity assessments, and conservation and sustainable management of poplar genetic resources. Received: 14 November 1997 / Accepted: 17 November 1997     

Polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite loci in the Hwamei (Garrulax canorus canorus) (Timaliidae)

Eight polymorphic tetrarepeat (GATA)_n, microsatellite loci were isolated from a babbler, Hwamei (Garrulax canorus canorus). We evaluated the polymorphism of these microsatellite loci by genotyping 36–48 individuals from the Asian mainland. The number of alleles for each locus ranged from eight to 29. The heterozygosity was between 0.587 and 0.978. Except for one locus, genotype frequencies of these microsatellites did not significantly deviate from the Hardy–Weinberg expectation. These markers should be useful for monitoring potential hybridization between different Hwamei subspecies and provide new insights into the mating system and geographical differentiation of these birds.     

Isolation and characterization of 22 polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers of Japanese sea bass (Laterolabrax japonicus)

Japanese sea bass (Laterolabrax japonicus) inhabits the coast of East Asia and is cage‐cultured currently in China as well. Twenty‐two microsatellite DNA markers were developed and used to type 35 individuals collected along the Chinese coast. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to 23. The expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.111 to 0.938, while the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.114 to 0.914. All 22 loci are neutral and independent of each other; two deviated significantly from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. These microsatellite DNA markers are moderately informative, which will certainly facilitate the management and exploitation of the genetic resource of L. japonicus.     

大口黑鲈生长性状的微卫星DNA标记筛选

本研究在人工养殖的大口黑鲈（Micropterus salmoides L.）群体中对40个微卫星位点进行扩增, 运用卡方检验分析微卫星位点在极端大个体组和极端小个体组中的基因型分布差异, 选择差异显著的16个微卫星位点对大口黑鲈随机群体进行基因型与性状的关联分析, 同时分析群体的遗传多样性。结果表明: 关联分析得到7个微卫星位点(JZL60、JZL67、JZL72、JZL124、MiSaTPW76、MiSaTPW117和MiSaTPW173)与体重、体长和体高显著或极显著相关(P<0.05或P<0.01), 同时对差异显著的位点进行不同基因型间与生长性状的多重比较, 找到了与体重、体长和体高性状相关的最有利基因型为JZL60位点的AA、JZL67位点的BB、JZL72位点的AC、MiSaTPW76位点的BB和MiSaTPW117位点的BC。应用这16个微卫星位点对随机群体进行遗传多样性分析, 共检测到47个等位基因,平均等位基因2.938个,每个位点检测到的等位基因数为2~5个、群体的平均观测杂合度、平均期望杂合度和平均多态信息含量分别为0.515、0.500和0.445, 表明该群体遗传多样性处于中等水平。     

Polymorphic microsatellite loci isolated from the Atlanto‐Mediterranean colonial ascidian Pycnoclavella sp. (Ascidiacea,Tunicata)

Eight microsatellite loci were characterized in the colonial ascidian Pycnoclavella sp. from an enriched library of genomic DNA. Most microsatellites were large and compound. Allelic variation was assessed in 30 individuals collected from Cerro Gordo (SW Mediterranean Sea). The number of alleles per locus ranged from one to nine, observed heterozygosity from 0.05 to 0.29 and expected heterozygosity from 0.15 to 0.39. No significant linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci was detected, but five loci showed significant heterozygote deficiency that may be explained either by inbreeding, population substructure or the presence of null alleles.     

Microsatellites assessment of Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis Gray) genetic variability

Four microsatellites were used to examine the genetic variability of the spawning stocks of Chinese sturgeon, Acipenser sinensis, from the Yangtze River sampled over a 3‐year period (1999–2001). Within 60 individuals, a total of 28 alleles were detected over four polymorphic microsatellite loci. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 15, with an average allele number of 7. The number of genotypes per locus ranged from 6 to 41. The genetic diversity of four microsatellite loci varied from 0.34 to 0.67, with an average value of 0.54. For the four microsatellite loci, the deviation from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was mainly due to null alleles. The mean number of alleles per locus and the mean heterozygosity were lower than the average values known for anadromous fishes. Fish were clustered according to their microsatellite characteristics using an unsupervised ‘Artificial Neural Networks’ method entitled ‘Self‐organizing Map’. The results revealed no significant genetic differentiation considering genetic distance among samples collected during different years. Lack of heterogeneity among different annual groups of spawning stocks was explained by the complex age structure (from 8 to 27 years for males and 12 to 35 years for females) of Chinese sturgeon, leading to formulate an hypothesis about the maintenance of genetic diversity and stability in long‐lived animals.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellites in a sex‐reversal fish,rice field eel (Monopterus albus)

The rice field eel (Monopterus albus) is a fish of economic importance in China and some Asian countries. From a (GT)_n‐enriched genomic library, 30 microsatellites were developed by employing the fast isolation by AFLP of sequences containing repeats (FIASCO) protocol. Thirteen loci exhibited polymorphism with two to 13 alleles (mean 7.9 alleles/locus) in a test population and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.3125 to 0.9688 (mean 0.7140). These loci should provide sufficient level of genetic variation to study the fine‐scale population structure and reproductive ecology of the species.     

虾夷扇贝（Patinopecten yessoensis）5个群体的遗传多样性

虾夷扇贝为20世纪80年代初从日本引入我国并逐渐开展养殖的双壳贝类,目前已在我国北方地区大面积养殖。实验采用微卫星分子遗传标记技术对大连獐子岛底播增殖放流群体（CC）、黄海北部海区采集的野生群体（HQ）、日本青森养殖群体（JX）、俄罗斯远东日本海沿岸养殖群体（RX）及大连大长山岛养殖上壳白化群体（ZB）等5个虾夷扇贝群体的遗传多样性进行研究。其中HQ群体为本课题组2005年在黄海北部采集的野生群体,本研究筛选出一个该群体的特异性遗传标记。用8个微卫星位点进行扩增,共获得45个等位基因,每个位点的等位基因数处于3—9之间,大小为100—340bp,平均有效等位基因数为3．1535,基因型数为3—21个,PIC（PolymorphismInformationContent）值处于0．0322-0．5944之间。5个群体的平均观测杂合度分别为0．3292、0．3048、0．3167、0．2708、0．3042,平均期望杂合度分别为0．4595、0．4002、0．3838、0．3620、0．3885,群体间的多态性差异不显著。根据群体间遗传相似性系数、遗传距离及UPGMA聚类分析发现,CC和HQ群体亲缘关系最近,JX和RX群体的亲缘关系较近,ZB群体与JX和RX群体的亲缘关系较近。通过Hardy—Weinberg平衡及F-检验发现,5个群体都不同程度的偏离平衡,表明各群体基因频率和基因型频率的稳定性较低,且5个群体均处于不同程度的杂合子缺失状态,群体间的遗传分化程度较高,但遗传变异主要来自群体内的个体间。     

Characterization of 18 new microsatellite loci in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.)

Eighteen new microsatellite loci consisting of 10 di‐, 5 tri‐, 2 tetra‐ and 1 heptanucleotide repeats are introduced for the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.). All loci were co‐amplified in two polymerase chain reactions (plus two previously published microsatellites) and all products were typed clearly. The number of alleles per locus ranged from six (PGmo130) to 45 (PGmo76) and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.356 (PGmo130) to 0.957 (PGmo95). All loci except one followed Hardy–Weinberg expectations. Genetic linkage disequilibrium analysis between all pairs of loci did not yield any significant values.     

Power of microsatellite markers for fingerprinting and parentage analysis in Eucalyptus grandis breeding populations

We report the genetic analysis of 192 unrelated individuals of an elite breeding population of Eucalyptus grandis (Hill ex Maiden) with a selected set of six highly polymorphic microsatellite markers developed for species of the genus Eucalyptus. A full characterization of this set of six loci was carried out generating allele frequency distributions that were used to estimate parameters of genetic information content of these loci, including expected heterozygosity, polymorphism information content (PIC), power of exclusion, and probability of identity. The number of detected alleles per locus ranged from 6 to 33, with an average of 19.8 +/- 9.2. The average expected heterozygosity was 0.86 +/- 0.11 and the average PIC was 0.83 +/- 0.16. Using only three loci, it was possible to discriminate all 192 individuals. The overall probability of identity considering all six EMBRA microsatellite markers combined was lower than 1 in 2 billion. An analysis of the sample size necessary to estimate expected heterozygosity with minimum variance indicated that at least 64 individuals have to be genotyped to characterize this parameter with adequate accuracy for most microsatellites in Eucalyptus. The high degree of multiallelism and the clear and simple codominant Mendelian inheritance of the set of microsatellites used provide an extremely powerful system for the unique identification of Eucalyptus individuals for fingerprinting purposes and parentage testing.