Maternal androgens in eggs of communally breeding guira cuckoos (Guira guira)

Variation of maternal androgens in avian eggs may be a mechanism of maternal influence on offspring development, growth, and/or behavior. We studied yolk androgen concentrations in eggs of guira cuckoos (Guira guira) to understand how females might enhance the success of offspring in a complex communal breeding system. We measured concentrations of androstenedione, 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone, and testosterone in yolks and identified eggs and clutches of individuals in joint nests by yolk protein electrophoresis. Androstenedione had the highest yolk concentration, at least 10 times higher than that of testosterone and 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone. The first eggs of individual females that laid two or three eggs in a joint nest had lower androstenedione concentrations than their second and third eggs, the latter having a lower probability of being ejected from the nest. This implies that guira cuckoo females may influence offspring survival and competitiveness in communal nests by means of differential allocation of androstenedione and laying tactics. There was significant variation in yolk androstenedione among females, but the order in which females entered laying in the communal clutch had no effect on the concentrations. Androstenedione yolk concentrations increased with communal clutch size, which may indicate that higher levels of competition in larger groups lead to higher yolk androgen concentrations. Finally, androstenedione concentrations were higher in clutches in the later wetter periods of the rainy season than during the earlier drier period. This may be explained by the high frequency of large clutches in the later periods, with more females contributing to a joint clutch.     

Isolation and characterization of dinucleotide microsatellite loci in the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus)

The endangered Asian elephant is found today primarily in protected areas. We characterized 18 dinucleotide microsatellite loci in this species. Allelic diversity ranged from three to eight per locus, and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.200 to 0.842 in a wild population. All loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, but linkage disequilibrium was detected between two loci in the wild, but not in the zoo elephants. These loci will be useful for the population-level studies of this species.     

Isolation and characterization of eight polymorphic microsatellite loci in the rainforest canopy tree,Syzygium sayeri (Myrtaceae)

Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from the rainforest canopy tree, Syzygium sayeri, in order to study parentage and subsequently pollen dispersal among individuals in wild populations. Screening of one natural population (n = 64) mapped in a 500 × 500 m area at Cape Tribulation, north Queensland, Australia, yielded two to 11 alleles per locus with observed levels of heterozygosity ranging from 0.07 to 0.70. One locus was significantly out of Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction for multiple tests. These loci should provide a useful tool in further understanding the dispersal patterns of this species.     

Development and characterization of microsatellite loci in the eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus)

We isolated and characterized 16 microsatellite loci in the eastern chipmunk, Tamias striatus. The loci were screened across 25 individuals from one population and shown to be polymorphic with the number of alleles per locus ranging from two to 17. Polymorphic information content ranged from 0.212 to 0.887 and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.200 to 0.960. Only two loci (Chip 10 and Chip 25) deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium.     

Isolation and characterization of nine microsatellite loci for the tropical understory tree Miconia affinis Wurdack (Melastomataceae)

We isolated nine microsatellite loci from the Neotropical understorey tree Miconia affinis (Melastomataceae) and optimized them for research on gene flow and genetic structure. Loci screened in 43 individuals from a 2.26-km(2) region were shown to be unlinked and polymorphic, with 5 to 14 alleles per locus and observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.394 to 0.810.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber— Threskiornithidae‐Aves)

Here we presented 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci obtained from scarlet ibis through an enriched genomic library. The analysis of 45 individuals from three Brazilian natural populations showed allelic diversity ranged from three to 17 alleles, observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.03 to 0.92, and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.06 to 0.92. These highly variable microsatellite loci can provide means for assessing overall genetic variation in its remnant natural populations, which may help the development of effective conservation programs.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the Guanacaste tree, Enterolobium cyclocarpum

We isolated nine microsatellite loci from the Guanacaste tree (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) and optimized them for future research on breeding populations of this species. Loci were screened across 53 individuals from one population and were shown to be variable with the number of alleles per locus ranging from five to 15. Polymorphic information content ranged from 0.420 to 0.900 and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.547 to 0.906.     

Isolation and characterization of 16 microsatellite loci in the humbug damselfish, Dascyllus aruanus (family Pomacentridae)

Here we report on 16 microsatellite loci designed for the damselfish Dascyllus aruanus. All loci were tested on 98 individuals and were polymorphic (seven to 35 alleles). Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.705 to 0.942. Six loci showed Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium due to the occurrence of null alleles. Cross-species amplifications conducted within the genus Dascyllus (D. carneus, D. strasburgi, D. trimaculatus) lead to polymorphic fragments in 32 out of 48 tests. These 16 loci will enable future research into the behavioural ecology and population ecology of Dascyllus aruanus throughout the Indo-Pacific.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the northern flicker (Colaptes auratus; Aves)

To investigate the mating system of northern flickers (Colaptes auratus), we developed primers for 14 microsatellite loci and screened them in 68 unrelated adults and their offspring. All markers were highly polymorphic with 9 to +36 alleles per locus. One marker was Z‐chromosome linked; one marker exceeded the size standard range and could not be analysed further. We checked the other 12 markers for Mendelian inheritance in 36 broods for which the social parents were known. Seven markers showed evidence for the presence of null alleles, and three of those showed significant deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Markers were generally unlinked.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the ant Myrmica scabrinodis

Five polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for the ant Myrmica scabrinodis using a magnetic bead hybridization selection protocol. The number of alleles per locus varied between three and six. Cross‐species amplification of four of the loci yielded positive amplification products in four Myrmica species, suggesting their general suitability for microsatellite analysis within this taxonomic group.     

Isolation and characterization of five dinucleotide microsatellite loci in the sandbar shark,Carcharhinus plumbeus

Five dinucleotide markers were isolated and optimized from a microsatellite‐enriched genomic library obtained from the sandbar shark, Carcharhinus plumbeus. Genotypic distributions of all markers were found to be in conformance with the expectations of Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium with four to 39 alleles present per locus. We amplified these loci in two female sharks and their litters. A maternal allele was recovered at each locus in all progeny indicating reliable amplification. More than two paternal alleles were recovered across both litters indicating genetic polyandry. Additionally, these markers were amplified across 10 carcharhiniform species to examine their utility in other studies.     

Development and characterization of eight new microsatellite markers for the haremic sandperch,Parapercis cylindrica (family Pinguipedidae)

Eight di‐, tri‐ and tetranucleotide microsatellite markers were developed for the haremic sandperch Parapercis cylindrica using a linker‐ligated, magnetic bead enrichment protocol. Screening of at least 17 individuals showed these markers to be polymorphic with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.381 to 1.000 (mean = 0.742) and the numbers of alleles ranging from three to 18. The average polymorphic information content for these eight loci was 0.723. These markers may be used for parentage studies aimed at exploring the complex mating strategies employed by this haremic coral reef fish and will be valuable for population genetic studies.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the tapeworm Ligula intestinalis (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea)

Ligula intestinalis is a species with a complex biology. Several strains, distinct in the host specificity and biogeography, are supposed to exist; however, their morphological or molecular identification remains unresolved. We describe the isolation of 16 polymorphic microsatellite markers. The number of alleles ranged from four to 14 in a population of 21 L. intestinalis individuals. Loci showed amplification success across samples of worldwide distribution. A cross‐amplification of 14 markers in Digramma interrupta (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea) was observed.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci for storm-petrels

Primers were developed for 10 microsatellite loci for two species of Oceanodroma storm-petrels. Variability was tested in 27 O. castro and 22 O. monteiroi from the Azores, and 24 O. leucorhoa from Norway. At least six loci amplified reliably and were polymorphic in each species. The number of alleles per locus averaged 4.6, and observed heterozygosities averaged 0.41. Most primers also yielded polymerase chain reaction products in O. tethys, O. hornbyi and Pterodroma phaeopygia. These loci are being used to assay population genetic structure in storm-petrels.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from Weigela coraeensis (Caprifoliaceae)

Weigela coraeensis var. coraeensis is a deciduous shrub species distributed in Japan on the mainland, Honshu, whereas its variety W. coraeensis var. fragrans is endemic to the Izu Islands located south of Honshu. We isolated eight polymorphic microsatellite loci from the species and characterized these loci for 20 individuals from a population in Honshu. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 7 to 15 and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.60 to 0.90 and from 0.65 to 0.90, respectively. These eight polymorphic microsatellites will be useful for examining intraspecific genetic differentiation in W. coraeensis.     

Isolation and characterization of eight microsatellite loci for white hake (Urophycis tenuis)

Eight tetranucleotide microsatellite loci were characterized for white hake, Urophycis tenuis, a commercially exploited demersal gadoid fish distributed in the Northwest Atlantic. The eight loci are polymorphic with number of alleles and observed heterozygosities ranging from seven to 40 and from 0.544 to 0.978, respectively, in samples of between 39 and 47 individuals collected from throughout the species range. These loci were developed for population genetic studies.     

Isolation and characterization of 13 microsatellite loci in the plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae)

High quality jumping microsatellite libraries of the plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) were constructed; 231 out of the 288 clones contained microsatellite repeat motif and 120 pairs of primers were designed accordingly. Polymorphism was assessed for 48 individuals. Only 13 microsatellite loci were polymorphic with high polymorphism information content (PIC) ranging from 0.598 to 0.871, a condition probably resulting from individuals used for assessment being very closely related. This degree of polymorphism, however, is sufficient to conduct parentage analysis. Expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.219 to 0.935 and 0.659 to 0.890, respectively. One locus was in linkage disequilibrium. This information provides efficient tools to allow future parentage studies. Ke-xin Li and Jia-ning Geng contributed equally to this paper.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in red‐flanked bushrobin,Tarsiger cyanurus (Aves: Turdidae)

Microsatellite markers were isolated from red‐flanked bushrobin, Tarsiger cyanurus, for parentage analysis. From an enriched genomic library using the fast isolation by AFLP of sequences containing repeats (FIASCO) method, six polymorphic loci were obtained. Seven to 21 alleles were identified in an analysis of 19 red‐flanked bushrobin, with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.842 to 1.00. All loci showed Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and linkage equilibrium. Total exclusion probability using six loci was 0.998 for neither parent known, and 0.999 for one parent known. We also tested the utility of these loci on four species of Turdidae. Although one of the loci failed to amplify in any species, the other primers successfully amplified in at least two of the species we tested.