Effect of historical factors on genetic variation in three terrestrial Cephalanthera species (Orchidaceae) with different breeding system on the Korean Peninsula

Previous studies have shown that levels of genetic diversity in species of the genus Cephalanthera covary with the breeding system. In the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, the three self‐compatible terrestrial orchids Cephalanthera erecta, C. falcata and C. longibracteata flower synchronously in sympatric populations. The food‐deceptive C. falcata with bright yellow flowers is predominantly outcrossing, whereas autogamy is the dominant strategy in both C. erecta and C. longibracteata, whose white flowers do not open fully. We examined genetic diversity (by means of allozymes) of the three species in sympatric populations (600 × 600 m area) in the Yeonwhasan Provincial Park (YPP) and in non‐sympatric populations outside YPP, South Korea. Thirteen out of 20 putative loci were variable across the three species, but there was a complete lack of allozyme variation within each species and we found no evidence of hybridisation. Our results suggest that historical factors, i.e. the Quaternary climate oscillations, have played a major role in determining levels of genetic diversity in the three Cephalanthera species. The Korean populations of C. erecta (a warm‐temperate/temperate element) and C. falcata (a warm‐temperate element) may have been established by a single introduction from a genetically depauperate ancestral population, likely located outside the Korean Peninsula. On the other hand, since C. longibracteata is a boreal/temperate element, it may have survived the Last Glacial Maximum in microrefugia located in low elevation regions within the Peninsula where it has been subjected to population bottlenecks reducing its genetic diversity.     

孑遗植物长苞铁杉(Tsuga longibracteata)分布格局对未来气候变化的响应

长苞铁杉(Tsuga longibracteata)是中国特有的珍贵树种,不仅对研究裸子植物的系统发育、古生态和古气候具有重要作用,而且该树种具有造林、用材和药用等方面的较高价值。研究长苞铁杉在气候变化下的分布格局变化是制定其保护和可持续利用的重要基础。采用最大熵模型(MaxEnt),结合不同时期(当前、2050年和2070年)和不同二氧化碳排放情境下(RCP2.6和RCP8.5)的气候因子变量,探讨气候变化与物种地理分布格局的关系,预测长苞铁杉的潜在分布区变迁。本研究考虑了空间约束对物种分布的限制作用,构建了气候因子预测模型(C)和气候+空间约束因子预测模型(C+S)分别进行潜在分布区预测,比较其结果差异。结果显示,最干月降水量和温度年较差是影响长苞铁杉地理分布的主导气候因子,空间约束因子对长苞铁杉未来的地理分布有重要影响。随时间年限增加,长苞铁杉总潜在适生区面积降低,特别是中高等级的适生区面积有不同程度地减少,分布范围总体向北移动,这些变化趋势在RCP8.5情境下更加突出。这一结果表明未来气候变化会导致长苞铁杉种群分布范围收缩和生境适宜度下降,加剧其受胁程度。加入空间约束因子后,C+S模型的预测精度更高,结果更符合长苞铁杉的迁移、扩散特性。长苞铁杉未来的核心分布区仍位于现存的湘、桂、黔结合部,表明其具有"原地避难"的特性,应进一步加强对现有野生资源的保护。渝、川、鄂结合部的大巴山等地区是未来气候变化下长苞铁杉的理论分布区域,可作为长苞铁杉应对未来气候变化的引种地区,应提早进行人工引种、栽培等前期研究。研究结果可为气候变化背景下长苞铁杉的保护、物种迁地保存和可持续管理提供科学依据,也可为准确预测濒危、珍稀植物的地理分布范围提供方法参考。     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Treichelia dodii</Emphasis> (Campanulaceae s.s.), a new name in an endemic genus from Western Cape,South Africa

Examination of herbarium specimens and field studies showed that an unnamed taxon collected from Malmesbury, Western Cape for phylogenetic studies in the Campanulaceae, is a distinct species within the monotypic genus Treichelia. This species previously described as Wahlenbergia depressa Wolley-Dod is resurrected as Treichelia dodii to replace a later homonym. The differences between Treichelia longibracteata (H. Buek) Vatke and W. depressa are explained. A key to the species and a distribution map are provided.     

Microsatellite loci in the Japanese subterranean termite,Reticulitermes speratus

Reticulitermes termites have such a cryptic life style and complex colony structure that polymorphic microsatellite markers are desired to investigate their population and colony structures. We successfully isolated seven microsatellite loci in R. speratus , the Japanese subterranean termite, five of which were polymorphic. These polymorphic loci had 2–8 alleles per locus and their observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.059 to 0.438. These five loci were also polymorphic in R . kanmonensis , distributed sympatrically with R. speratus in the Kanmon Region, western Japan; the number of alleles per locus was 2–5, and observed heterozygosity was 0.176–0.625.     

Development of microsatellite markers for the dwarf bamboo species Sasa cernua and Sasa kurilensis (Poaceae) in northern Japan

Ten polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated from the dwarf bamboo species Sasa cernua and Sasa kurilensis. The applicability of these markers was confirmed by genotyping of open‐pollinated seeds and leaf samples from natural populations. Genotypes of seeds from each culm shared at least one allele from the maternal parent without contradiction. All 10 loci were polymorphic in S. cernua with 2–15 alleles (average H_E = 0.532). Eight loci were polymorphic in S. kurilensis with 2–10 alleles (average H_E = 0.532). These markers will be useful in detailing the extent of clonal and sexual reproduction in these species.     

Polymorphic microsatellite loci for studies of bronze‐cuckoo species (Genus Chalcites: Aves)

A set of 17 microsatellite loci was shown to provide at least seven that were polymorphic in each of three bronze‐cuckoo species (Chalcites basalis, C. lucidus and C. minutillus) representing the taxonomic range of this genus. This set includes nine newly isolated loci from genomic libraries constructed from C. basalis and C. lucidus. For these three species, each had seven or more polymorphic loci that showed no significant linkage or Hardy–Weinberg disequilibrium with more than five alleles (mean 7.6–12.1) and expected heterozygosity greater than 0.5 (mean 0.78–0.85).     

Microsatellite markers characterized in the barn owl (Tyto alba) and of high utility in other owls (Strigiformes: AVES)

We have identified 15 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the barn owl (Tyto alba), five from testing published owl loci and 10 from testing non‐owl loci, including loci known to be of high utility in passerines and shorebirds. All 15 loci were sequenced in barn owl, and new primer sets were designed for eight loci. The 15 polymorphic loci displayed two to 26 alleles in 56–58 barn owls. When tested in 10 other owl species (n = 1–6 individuals), between four and nine loci were polymorphic per species. These loci are suitable for studies of population structure and parentage in owls.     

Characterization of microsatellite loci for five members of the minnow family Cyprinidae found in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta and its tributaries

Two microsatellite‐enriched libraries [(CAGA)_n, (TAGA)_n] were constructed using pooled DNA from three cyprinid species native to the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta of California: Sacramento splittail (Pogonichthys macrolepidotus); Sacramento pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus grandis); and tui chub (Siphateles bicolor). Primers were designed for 105 loci and tested for levels of polymorphism in five cyprinid species found in the Delta: Sacramento splittail, Sacramento pikeminnow, tui chub, hitch (Lavinia exilicauda), and Sacramento blackfish (Orthodon microlepidotus). Fifty‐one loci were polymorphic for at least one species and 31 loci were polymorphic for multiple species. The number of polymorphic loci per species ranged from 16 to 26.     

Isolation and characterization of highly polymorphic microsatellite loci in Schreibers’ long‐fingered bat,Miniopterus schreibersii (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

Five polymorphic, dinucleotide microsatellite loci have been identified and characterized in Schreibers’ long‐fingered bat, Miniopterus schreibersii (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae). These include three uninterrupted (CA)_n repeats, ranging in length from (CA)₁₇ to (CA)₁₉, one interrupted repeat (CA)₄(CG)₂(CA)₁₃, and one uninterrupted (GA)₂₇ repeat. All loci were highly polymorphic, with 17–20 alleles identified per locus. Observed heterozygosity levels (0.66–0.82) are lower than expected due to homozygote excess, probably caused by pooling of populations, resulting in population substructuring. All five polymorphic loci were also successfully amplified in the closely related M. fraterculus. Two pairs of primers additionally amplified polymorphic microsatellites in Chaerophon sp.     

PERMANENT GENETIC RESOURCES: Identification and characterization of 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the argasid tick Ornithodoros coriaceus

Fourteen polymorphic microsatellite loci (di, tetra and di‐tetra complexes) were developed for the argasid tick Ornithodoros coriaceus. Polymorphism was assessed for 56 individuals from two populations separated by ~95 km. All loci were polymorphic (X = 7, range 3–17 alleles). All loci were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium except for one locus (OrC 8) in a single population (P < 0.00119, after Bonferroni correction for multiple tests).     

Large scale development of selectively amplified microsatellite polymorphic loci (SAMPL) markers in spruce (Picea)

The spruce (Picea) species are ecologically and economically important in Canada. Highly informative markers with high multiplex ratios are needed to assist spruce genomics, genetics, and breeding programs. Selectively amplified microsatellite polymorphic loci (SAMPL) markers are highly suitable for these programs. We have developed, optimized, and characterized a set of 10 new SAMPL primers in combination with 16 MseI primers and resolved a large number of polymorphic SAMPL markers in spruce. The SAMPL primers were designed from the compound microsatellite repeats found in Norway spruce (Picea abies) and white spruce (Picea glauca). A total of 6313 polymorphic SAMPL makers were produced by 160 SAMPL–MseI primers combinations in eight progeny of a spruce mapping population.     

Characterization of microsatellite loci in the marine seaweeds,Fucus serratus and F. evanescens (Heterokontophyta; Fucaceae)

Fucus serratus and F. evanescens commonly occur on Northern European shores. Nine microsatellite loci were developed for F. serratus (8–22 alleles, observed heterozygosities = 0.367–0.850) and one for F. evanescens (seven alleles, observed heterozygosity = 0.804). Cross‐amplification was apparent, as five F. serratus loci were polymorphic in F. evanescens and 2–5 were polymorphic in F. vesiculosus, F. distichus, and F. spiralis.     

Microsatellite loci for Myrmica kotokui and their application in some congeneric ant species distributed in northern Japan

We developed seven polymorphic microsatellite loci for Myrmica kotokui from RAPD (rapid analysis of polymorphic DNA) fragments. These loci showed two to six alleles with expected and observed heterozygosity of 0.13–0.73 and 0.14–0.78, respectively. These loci are transferable to the congeneric species as Myrmica rubra, Myrmica luteola and Myrmica taediosa from northern Japan. These loci will allow analyses of genetic structure of Myrmica species at both the colony level and population levels.     

Characterization of microsatellite loci in village indigobirds Vidua chalybeata and cross‐species amplification in estrildid and ploceid finches

We characterized 11 microsatellite primer pairs for the village indigobird Vidua chalybeata. The loci were highly polymorphic, with 7–13 alleles per locus. Gene diversity, estimated as expected heterozygosity, ranged from 0.52 to 0.86, and was generally matched by levels of observed heterozygosity (0.49–0.91). Many of these primer pairs amplified polymorphic loci in cross‐species amplification trials with a variety of estrildid and ploceid finches and a sparrow, Passer griseus. These primers will be valuable for genetic analyses of the brood parasitic indigobirds and whydahs (genus Vidua) as well as other Old World finches.     

Tetranucleotide microsatellites for aquila and haliaeetus eagles

A unique community of four syntopic eagle species exists in north‐central Kazakhstan. Questions about behaviour and genetics in these four species would benefit from the development of microsatellite markers. We isolated eight polymorphic microsatellite repeats (AAAG)_n from the eastern imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca) genome using a hybridization enrichment technique. These loci revealed moderate diversity in a local population of eastern imperial eagles (observed heterozygosity 0.26–0.78), and were also polymorphic in steppe eagles (A. nipalensis) and white‐tailed sea eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla). These primers may be polymorphic in other species of Aquila and Haliaeetus eagles.     

Dinucleotide repeat microsatellite markers for buck’s‐horn plantain (Plantago coronopus)

Eleven polymorphic microsatellite loci were obtained from a GA enriched genomic library, constructed from DNA of buck’s‐horn plantain (Plantago coronopus). The microsatellite loci were tested on 24 genotypes. These plants were collected from meadows along the coast, located on 11 sites ranging from the southwest to the northeast of the Netherlands. In this set of plants the isolated microsatellites were highly polymorphic with 3–24 alleles per locus and a maximum observed heterozygosity of 0.91. Some of the microsatellite loci also showed amplification in two other plantain species (P. lanceolata and P. maritima).     

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).     

Characterization,multiplex conditions,and cross‐species utility of tetranucleotide microsatellite loci for Blanchard's cricket frog (Acris crepitans blanchardi)

We have isolated and characterized 17 tetranucleotide microsatellite loci for Blanchard's cricket frog (Acris crepitans blanchardi), an anuran common in the central USA. Sixteen loci were organized into four multiplex amplification reactions. These loci were highly polymorphic when screened in 55 individuals from two distant populations, with 11–48 alleles per locus (average = 24.8). Observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.18 to 0.97 and from 0.17 to 0.96, respectively. Nine loci were also polymorphic in Acris crepitans crepitans, with seven polymorphic in Acris gryllus. Five loci amplified in all three taxa. These loci will be useful for population‐ and species‐level investigations of this widespread group.     

西藏鸢尾兰属(兰科)植物5个新记录种

通过对西藏兰科鸢尾兰属植物进行的系统调查、标本采集、查阅、整理和鉴定,发现了西藏鸢尾兰属植物5个新记录种,分别为:长苞鸢尾兰(Oberonia longibracteata Lindl.)、短耳鸢尾兰(O. falconeri Hook. f.)、裂唇鸢尾兰(O. pyrulifera Lindl.)、条裂鸢尾兰(O. jenkinsiana Griff. ex Lindl.)和长裂鸢尾兰(O. anthropophora Lindl.),并附有这些新记录种的特征照片。凭证标本保存于西藏高原生态研究所标本室(XZE)。目前西藏鸢尾兰属植物共有14种,编写出西藏鸢尾兰属植物的分种检索表,以期达到对该区鸢尾兰属植物资源鉴定识别和有效保护的目的。     

Polymorphic microsatellite loci in peafowl (Pavo cristatus)

Understanding how the genetic characteristics of parents influence reproductive output is central to predicting the dynamics of small, endangered populations. We conducted a breeding experiment to look at the paternal genetic effects on offspring sex, fertility and growth in the peafowl (Pavo cristatus). Microsatellite loci were developed to allow maternity assignment and thus to allow us to separate maternal from paternal effects. We found 19 polymorphic loci in our inbred, captive population, six of which were only slightly polymorphic (H_E range: 0.04–0.70). The remaining 13 loci were polymorphic enough to determine maternity by exclusion in approximately 85% of offspring.