Microsatellite markers isolated from saltgrass (Distichlis spicata)

Twelve polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci were isolated from saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) and optimized for future studies of its breeding system. The loci were screened for variability among 24 individuals from two populations. The primers amplified loci with numbers of alleles ranging from four to 14 per locus and polymorphic information content from 0.481 to 0.951. Observed heterozygosity varied from 0.227 to 0.958.     

Microsatellite markers isolated from a polyploid saltbush, Atriplex nummularia Lindl. (Chenopodiaceae)

Atriplex nummularia is a polyploid Australian saltbush which has been identified as a suitable species for use in the rehabilitation of agricultural land affected by salinity. We isolated 12 polymorphic loci for a preliminary assessment of genetic variability and structure within the species as a basis for a breeding programme. Preliminary screening of loci in 40 individuals from two populations revealed multibanded genotypes consisting of up to seven alleles in a single individual, with up to 29 alleles observed at a single locus. The multibanded patterns are consistent with the polyploid status of this species.     

Microsatellite markers isolated from barn swallows (Hirundo rustica)

Fifteen polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci were isolated from barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) and optimized for future studies of radiation‐induced mutations in populations from Ukraine. The loci were screened for variability among 25 individuals from two populations. The primers amplified loci with relatively high numbers of alleles ranging from five to 32 alleles per locus and polymorphic information content from 0.481 to 0.951. Observed heterozygosity varied from 0.458 to 0.960. None of the loci showed deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in either population.     

Genetic basis of tristyly in tetraploid Oxalis alpina (Oxalidaceae)

The inheritance of style‐morphs was investigated in tetraploid populations of tristylous Oxalis alpina (Oxalidaceae) to determine if alleles controlling style‐morphs are expressed at duplicated loci. In tetraploid populations, a dominant S allele leads to expression of the short‐styled phenotype at the short/non‐short locus and is epistatic to the M allele at the mid/long locus. The M allele results in expression of the mid‐styled phenotype but only if the S allele is absent. Long‐styled morphs are homozygous recessive at the short and mid loci. Test crosses of many tetraploid short‐styled individuals resulted in segregations of short‐, mid‐ and long‐styled individuals which, because of linkage between the short and mid loci, can only occur with polyploidy and expression of alleles at duplicated loci. Segregation patterns from three crosses suggest the possibility of disomic inheritance via preferential pairing of chromosomes in tetraploid populations of O. alpina. Segregation patterns in the progeny of mid‐styled individuals indicated that only a few individuals had more than one copy of the M allele, despite the potential for accumulation of M alleles via self‐fertilization of partially self‐compatible mid‐styled morphs in some populations. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 179 , 308–318.     

Pollen and stigma size changes during the transition from tristyly to distyly in Oxalis alpina (Oxalidaceae)

• Pollen and stigma size have the potential to influence male fitness of hermaphroditic plants, particularly in species presenting floral polymorphisms characterised by marked differences in these traits among floral morphs. In this study, we take advantage of the evolutionary transition from tristyly to distyly experienced by Oxalis alpina (Oxalidaceae), and examined whether modifications in the ancillary traits (pollen and stigma size) respond to allometric changes in other floral traits. Also, we tested whether these modifications are in accordance with what would be expected under the hypothesis that novel competitive scenarios (as in distylous‐derived reproductive system) exert morph‐ and whorl‐specific selective pressures to match the available stigmas.
• We measure pollen and stigma size in five populations of O. alpina representing the tristyly–distyly transition.
• A general reduction in pollen and stigma size occurred along the tristyly–distyly transition, and pollen size from the two anther levels within each morph converged to a similar size that was characterised by whorl‐specific changes (increases or decreases) in pollen size of different anthers in each floral type.
• Overall, results from this study show that the evolution of distyly in this species is characterised not only by changes in sexual organ position and flower size, but also by morph‐specific changes in pollen and stigma size. This evidence supports the importance of selection on pollen and stigma size, which increase fitness of remaining morphs following the evolution of distyly, and raises questions to explore on the functional value of pollen size in heterostylous systems under pollen competition.

     

A new species of Oxalis section Corniculatae (Oxalidaceae) from the Balearic islands

A new species, Oxalis ferae Llorens, Gil & Cardona (Oxalidaceae) from the Balearic islands (Spain) is described and illustrated. It is considered to be endemic to Mallorca. The morphological differences between the more closely related taxa of Oxalis section Corniculatae are discussed. IUCN threatened category and observations on the ecology of the populations are noted.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 148 , 489–493.     

Origins of domestication and polyploidy in oca (Oxalis tuberosa : Oxalidaceae): nrDNA ITS data

As part of a study aimed at elucidating the origins of the octoploid tuber crop "oca," Oxalis tuberosa, DNA sequences of the internal trancribed spacer of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA ITS) were determined for oca and several wild Oxalis species, mostly from Bolivia. Phylogenetic analysis of these data supports a group of these species as being close relatives of oca, in agreement with morphology and cytology, but at odds with traditional infrageneric taxonomy. Variation in ITS sequences within this group is quite low (0-7 substitutions in the entire ITS region), contrasting with the highly divergent (unalignable in some cases) sequences within the genus overall. Some groups of morphologically differentiated species were found to have identical sequences, notably a group that includes oca, wild populations of Oxalis that bear small tubers, and several other clearly distinct species. The presence of a second, minor sequence type in at least some oca accessions suggests a possible contribution from a second genome donor, also from within this same species group. ITS data lack sufficient variation to elucidate the origins of oca precisely, but have identified a pool of candidate species and so can be used as a tool to screen yet unsampled species for possible progenitors.     

Microsatellite markers isolated from Drosophila hydei

We isolated and characterized 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci in Drosophila hydei. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 8 (N = 23 individuals). Polymorphic information content ranged from 0.316 to 0.750 and observed heterozygosity from 0.261 to 0.913. These markers will be valuable in studies of sexual selection and parental investment in D. hydei.     

Microsatellite markers for Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass)

Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass) is a flourishing invasive weed in the western United States. The objective of our study is to characterize its genetic diversity. We made a B. tectorum genomic library in lambda phage and screened approximately 4000 clones for poly CA and poly CT dinucleotide repeats. Of 38 sequences with dinucleotide repeats isolated from the library, we designed primer sets for 18 loci. A preliminary screen of 40 individuals from four populations indicated that seven loci were polymorphic. These loci will be valuable for elucidation of cheatgrass genetic diversity and population structure.     

Microsatellite loci isolated from narrow‐leaved cattail Typha angustifolia

We present 11 dinucleotide microsatellite DNA loci isolated from the narrow‐leaved cattail (Typha angustifolia) and describe conditions for their amplification. The PCR primers were tested on at least 20 individuals of Typha angustifolia and T. latifolia from two Ukrainian populations per species. The primers amplify loci with relatively high numbers of alleles (averaging 7.22 and 4.95 alleles per locus in T. angustifolia and T. latifolia, respectively), and polymorphic information content (averaging 0.61 and 0.46 in T. angustifolia and T. latifolia, respectively).     

Microsatellite DNA loci from the Diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin)

We describe polymerase chain recation (PCR) primers and conditions to amplify one dinucleotide and five tetranucleotide microsatellite DNA loci isolated from the Diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin). The PCR primers were tested on 21 terrapins from Cape Romain, SC, USA. The microsatellite primers developed yielded a high number of alleles (8–14) and high observed heterozygosities (0.57–1.0).     

Microsatellite markers in soil‐feeding termites (Cubitermes subarquatus,Isoptera, Termitidae,Termitinae)

Seven microsatellite markers were isolated from Cubitermes subarquatus belonging to the soil‐feeding termite trophic group that plays a key role in tropical rain forests. A variability study performed by using a population of C. subarquatus (n = 73) sampled in the La Lopé forest reserve (Gabon) from 42 nests revealed from 4 to 12 alleles per locus and an heterozygosity from 0.28 to 0.84. Tests for cross‐species amplification realized in the sympatric C. intercalatus and in eight other sympatric termite genera indicated a wider application of the primers isolated from Cubitermes in soil‐feeding termites.     

Development and multiplexing of microsatellite markers in the polyploid perennial herb, Menyanthes trifoliata (Menyanthaceae)

• Premise of the study: We developed microsatellite primers to investigate genetic diversity and population genetic structure of the endangered herb Menyanthes trifoliata. • Methods and Results: Using the microsatellite-enriched library method, we identified 10 primer pairs in M. trifoliata. The primers amplified nine di- and one tri-nucleotide repeats with 4–13 alleles per locus in two Belgian populations. • Conclusions: The results indicate that these markers offer an appropriate amount of variation to investigate genetic diversity, pollen dispersal (through paternity inference), and other conservation issues.     

Microsatellite markers for paternity testing in fork‐marked lemurs (Phaner furcifer)

We report the development of three new microsatellites and four transferred across‐species for fork‐marked lemurs (Phaner furcifer). Two markers were isolated from Cheirogaleus medius and one from Microcebus murinus. The transferred markers also originate from Cheirogaleus medius and Microcebus murinus. The seven markers were tested on 30 individuals of Phaner furcifer and have proven to be useful for inclusion and exclusion of potential parents. The markers presented here are the first published for application on Phaner furcifer.     

Microsatellite markers from a commercially important South‐east Asian cyprinid,the silver barb (Barbodes gonionotus Bleeker)

Barbodes gonionotus (Puntius gonionotus/javanicus, Bleeker) is a cyprinid fish, endemic to South‐east Asia and is of great importance in both wild fisheries and in aquaculture in the region. It is a common to dominant species in the middle and lower stretches of medium and large rivers. Five highly polymorphic microsatellite loci are described (H_O = 0.7–0.9, number of alleles per locus = 10–37), which will be of use both in population genetic studies and for the assessment of true effective breeding population sizes in aquaculture stocks.