Study on genetic coadaptability of wild quail populations in China

Genetic coadaptability of wild Japanese quail, wild Common quail and Domestic quail populations in China was studied using 7 microsatellite DNA markers and Monte Carlo method to test genetic disequilibrium. The molecular effects of genetic coadaptability were analyzed through a new statistical model of neutral site. The results showed that genetic coadaptability dominated the genetic disequilibrium of the three quail populations, and totally 16.67%, 9.66% and 10.05% of non-allelic combinations were in the genetic disequilibrium in wild Japanese quail, wild Common quail and Domestic quail populations, respectively. Genetic coadaptability existed at almost all the tested sites. In the molecular point of view, genetic coadaptability plays an important role of keeping lots of polymorphisms in natural populations. Therefore, it is another key factor to the genetic disequilibrium in the population except for linkage. The results enrich the conceptions and connotations of genetic disequilibrium, and help us know more about genetic coadaptability and its effects, and lay a foundation of evaluation and protection of wild quail genetic resources in China.     

Protein polymorphism in two populations of the wild quail Coturnix coturnix japonica

To evaluate genetic variability in two populations of the wild quail Cofurnix coturnix japonica , proteins and enzymes were examined by starch gel electrophoresis.
Rare variants so far not observed in domestic quail were found in the following five enzymes; aspartate aminotransferase, acid phosphatase, pancreatic esterase, isocitrate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase. The proportion of polymorphic loci ( P _poly) and the expected average heterozygosity ( H ) in one of the two populations were estimated to be 0.484 (15/31) and 0.085, respectively. Those in another population were 0.433 (13/30) and 0.086, respectively. The genetic distance (Nei, 1975) between the two wild quail populations was D = 0.0074. D values of 0.0321 and 0.0189 were estimated between the laboratory quail population previously examined (Kimura et al., 1982) and each of these two wild populations.     

运用微卫星DNA标记分析我国野生鹌鹑遗传多样性

运用微卫星DNA标记对我国境内分布的两种野生鹌鹁（野生日本鸣鹁、野生普通鹌鹑）和家鹑群体的遗传多样性进行分析。通过计算反映群体变异的多态信息含量（PIC）、固定指数、平均杂合度、基因分化系数等相关指标,结果表明：野生普通鹌鹑群体遗传多样性更为丰富,每个座位平均检测出4．67个等位基因,群体多态信息含量和平均杂合度亦为最高,分别为0．5732和0．6621;家鹁最低,分别为0．5467和0．5933;野生日本鸣鹑介于两者之间;在3个鹌鹑群体中,野生日本鸣鹑与家鹑群体遗传多样性差异程度较小。以标准遗传距离为基础的模糊聚类分析发现：家鹑与野生日本鸣鹑群体模糊等价矩阵系数为0．937,而与野生普通鹌鹑的系数为0．738,这也表明家鹑与野生日本鸣鹁有更近的亲缘关系,进一步从分子水平上证实家鹑起源于野生日本鸣鹁。     

Genetic variability in a population of wild Japanese quail kept for 15 years in a domestic environment

Summary. To provide information on the extent to which domestication has altered the natural levels of genetic variability of the wild quail, electrophoretic variability at 32 loci was estimated in a quail population established by capturing wild quail and keeping them for 15 years in a domestic environment without any artificial selection. The gene frequencies of the domesticated quail population were very similar to those of the commercial and laboratory quail populations and different from those of the wild quail populations previously reported by Kimura et al . (1984).     

A first-generation microsatellite linkage map of the Japanese quail

A linkage map of the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) genome was constructed based upon segregation analysis of 72 microsatellite loci in 433 F(2) progeny of 10 half-sib families obtained from a cross between two quail lines of different genetic origins. One line was selected for long duration of tonic immobility, a behavioural trait related to fearfulness, while the other was selected based on early egg production. Fifty-eight of the markers were resolved into 12 autosomal linkage groups and a Z chromosome-specific linkage group, while the remaining 14 markers were unlinked. The linkage groups range from 8 cM (two markers) to 206 cM (16 markers) and cover a total map distance of 576 cM with an average spacing of 10 cM between loci. Through comparative mapping with chicken (Gallus gallus) using orthologous markers, we were able to assign linkage groups CJA01, CJA02, CJA05, CJA06, CJA14 and CJA27 to chromosomes. This map, which is the first in quail based solely on microsatellites, is a major step towards the development of a quality molecular genetic map for this valuable species. It will provide an important framework for further genetic mapping and the identification of quantitative trait loci controlling egg production and fear-related behavioural traits in quail.     

Population differences in levels of linkage disequilibrium in the wild

Information about the levels of linkage disequilibrium (LD) in wild animal populations is still limited, and this is true particularly with respect to possible interpopulation variation in the levels of LD. We compared the levels and extent of LD at the genome‐wide scale in three Siberian jay (Perisoreus infaustus) populations, two of which (Kuusamo and Ylläs) represented outbred populations within the main distribution area of the species, whereas the third (Suupohja) was a semi‐isolated, partially inbred population at the margin of the species’ distribution area. Although extensive long‐range LD (>20 cM) was observed in all three populations, LD generally decayed to background levels at a distance of 1–5 cM or c. 200–600 kb. The degree and extent of LD differed markedly between populations but aligned closely with both observed levels of within‐population genetic variation and expectations based on population history. The levels of LD were highest in the most inbred population with strong population substructure (Suupohja), compared with the two outbred populations. Furthermore, the decay of LD with increasing distance was slower in Suupohja, compared with the other two populations. By demonstrating that levels of LD can vary greatly over relatively short geographical distances within a species, these results suggest that prospects for association mapping differ from population to population. In this example, the prospects are best in the Suupohja population, given that minimized marker genotyping and a minimum marker spacing of 1–5 cM (c. 200–600 kb) would be sufficient for a whole genome scan for detecting QTL.     

湘江野鲤养殖群体和自然群体遗传多样性的微卫星分析

采用微卫星技术,用17对微卫星引物对湘江野鲤养殖群体和自然群体的的遗传多样性进行分析.结果表明:有15对引物扩增出清晰的条带,其中13对引物在群体间呈现多态性;2个群体中,13对多态性引物分别扩增等位基因2～12个,共90个,其中35个等位基因为2群体共有,55个等位基因具有群体特异性,引物平均等位基因数为6.92个,等位基因频率为0.0667～0.8333;养殖群体和自然群体的平均遗传杂合度和平均多态信息含量分别为0.5688、0.5152,0.5860、0.5347;2个群体间遗传相似性指数为0.6762,遗传距离为0.3238,表明湘江野鲤养殖和自然群体遗传多样性均较为丰富,2个群体间遗传变异程度较高.     

Genetic variation in a population of the wild quail Coturnix coturnix japonica

To investigate genetic variation and to compare it with those of domestic quail populations, enzymatic and non-enzymatic proteins in a wild quail population were examined electrophoretically.
The wild quail population had a genetic variability considerably lower than those of domestic populations. The average heterozygosity estimated for 22 loci was 0.090 in the wild quail population.     

附子野生资源群体遗传多样性的RAPD分析

应用RAPD标记分析了分布在附子主栽区四川、重庆、陕西及湖北16个野生乌头种群的遗传变异。24个引物共检测到643个RAPD位点,多态位点602个,总的多态位点百分率达93．5％。Shannon多样性和Nei遗传分化结果一致显示重庆酉阳种群和重庆城口种群遗传多样性最高,四川盐源种群和陕西勉县种群的遗传多样性最低。Shannon指数测出的种群内的遗传变异（57．6％）略占优势,群体间的遗传分化达到42．4％;Nei基因分化系数（GST）达40．0％;分子方差分析（AMOVA）发现群体间遗传变异仅为25．37％;种群每代迁移数Nm为0．756。Nei相似性系数的UPGMA分析结果显示该地区的野生乌头分布上有一定的地域性,特别是同为附子道地产地江油供种的北川、安县和青川种群间遗传关系密切,说明种质资源在道地药材形成中具有重要作用。研究结果表明,附子主要栽培地区的乌头野生种群之间存在较大的遗传分化,遗传多样性较高,遗传种质资源较丰富,存在一定的特异性资源,为进一步开发利用乌头（川乌、附子）提供了丰富的种质资源。     

Elucidation of the genetic differences in Trialeurodes vaporariorum populations under vegetable greenhouse conditions by using the allozyme approach

Genetic differentiation of Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood 1856) populations was examined using biochemical and allozyme analysis. For biochemical analysis, general esterase and glutathion‐S‐transferase were tested. Allozyme genetic variability in 11 populations of T. vaporariorum was investigated using five loci from four enzyme systems. Although there are large variations between populations, T. vaporariorum is grouped into two populations with geographic barriers, based on Nei's genetic distance in the Baekdudaegan Mountains. Within these two groups, low migration and linkage disequilibrium reveal that populations tend to be influenced by gene drift rather than uniform selection pressures. The effect of genetic drift is greater than the effect of uniform selection by insecticides or host plant resistance, which is suggested by the F_ST estimates in this study. Based on this basic research, more effective whitefly control programs could be built in the future.     

Microsatellite variation within and among populations of Oryza officinalis (Poaceae), an endangered wild rice from China

Oryza officinalis Wall. ex Watt. is an agriculturally important but seriously endangered species of wild rice. To obtain more accurate estimates of population structure for improved conservation planning of the species, genetic variability at 14 microsatellite DNA loci was examined in population samples covering most of the species' range in China. Considerable genetic variability (overall Na = 1.886, P = 62%, HO = 0.056, HE = 0.216, and HS = 0.277) was detected at the 14 loci in 442 individuals of the 18 natural populations. The evaluation of partitioning of genetic variability (FST = 0.442) suggested high genetic differentiation among the Chinese O. officinalis populations. An overall value of Nm = 0.316 suggested limited gene flow occurred among the sampled populations. Most of the populations showed heterozygote deficits in tests of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and significantly positive FIS values. This could be due to some inbreeding occurring in this predominantly outcrossing species. For effective in situ conservation and restoration genetics, maintenance of significant historical processes is particularly important, including high outbreeding, considerable gene flow, and large population effective sizes. The high FST values detected among populations in this study are instructive for adopting a conservation plan that includes representative populations with the greatest genetic variation for either in situ conservation management or germplasm collection expeditions.     

Mapping of plumage colour and blood protein loci on the microsatellite linkage map of the Japanese quail

The objective of this work was to map classical markers (plumage colours and blood proteins) on the microsatellite linkage map of the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). The segregation data on two plumage colours and three blood proteins were obtained from 25 three-generation families (193 F2 birds). Linkage analysis was carried out for these five classical markers and 80 microsatellite markers. A total of 15 linkage groups that included the five classical loci and 69 of the 80 microsatellite markers were constructed. Using the BLAST homology search against the chicken genome sequence, three quail linkage groups, QL8, QL10 and QL13, were suggested to be homologous to chicken chromosomes GGA9, GGA20 and GGA24, respectively. Two plumage colour loci, black at hatch (Bh) and yellow (Y), and the three blood protein loci, transferrin (Tf), haemoglobin (Hb-1) and prealbumin-1 (Pa-1), were assigned to CJA01, QL10, QL8, CJA14 and QL13, respectively.     

湖羊结构基因座遗传共适应性分析

根据多座位电泳法检测的结构基因座上等位基因频率分析湖羊群体的遗传共适应性。结果发现, 在显隐性－显隐性模式中未发现座位间的遗传共适应现象, 显隐性－共显性模式中X-p-Cat组合座位以及共显性－共显性模式中Po-CA、Po-Cat组合座位均存在遗传共适应, 表明在湖羊群体中性结构基因座间存在遗传共适应, 而且起主要的作用, 维持着座位间的遗传平衡或者使座位间处于遗传不平衡状态。     

AFLP linkage map of the Japanese quail Coturnix japonica

The quail is a valuable farm and laboratory animal. Yet molecular information about this species remains scarce. We present here the first genetic linkage map of the Japanese quail. This comprehensive map is based solely on amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. These markers were developed and genotyped in an F2 progeny from a cross between two lines of quail differing in stress reactivity. A total of 432 polymorphic AFLP markers were detected with 24 TaqI/EcoRI primer combinations. On average, 18 markers were produced per primer combination. Two hundred and fifty eight of the polymorphic markers were assigned to 39 autosomal linkage groups plus the ZW sex chromosome linkage groups. The linkage groups range from 2 to 28 markers and from 0.0 to 195.5 cM. The AFLP map covers a total length of 1516 cM, with an average genetic distance between two consecutive markers of 7.6 cM. This AFLP map can be enriched with other marker types, especially mapped chicken genes that will enable to link the maps of both species and make use of the powerful comparative mapping approach. This AFLP map of the Japanese quail already provides an efficient tool for quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping.     

利用30个微卫星标记分析长江中下游鲢群体的遗传多样性

摘要: 利用30对微卫星分子标记对长江中下游5个鲢群体进行了遗传多样性分析。结果表明: 在30个基因座中, 共检测到144个等位基因, 每个座位检测到的等位基因数为1～10个, 其中有25个座位具有多态性, 多态位点百分率为83.33,5个群体的平均等位基因数A为4.0/4.1, 平均有效等位基因数Ne为2.4445～2.6332, 平均观察杂合度Ho为0.3233～0.3511, 平均期望杂合度He为0.4421～0.4704, 平均多态信息含量PIC为0.4068～0.4286。对数据进行F-检验, Fst值表明群体间的遗传分化程度中等, 并对基因型进行了基于Hardy-Weinberg平衡的卡方检验, 所得P值说明5个群体均一定程度上偏离了平衡。5个群体间的遗传相似系数为0.8466～0.9146,遗传距离为0.0893～0.1665, 并根据Nei氏标准遗传距离用UPGMA方法对5个鲢群体进行亲缘关系聚类。     

Chicken microsatellite primers are not efficient markers for Japanese quail

Domestic fowl or chicken (Gallus gallus) and Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) belong to the family Phasianidae. The exchange of marker information between chicken and quail is an important step towards the construction of a high-resolution comparative genetic map in Phasianidae, which includes several poultry species of agricultural importance. We tested chicken microsatellite markers to see if they would be suitable as genetic linkage markers in Japanese quail. Twenty-six per cent (31/120) of chicken primers amplified individual loci in Japanese quail and 65% (20/31) of the amplified loci were found to be polymorphic. Eleven of the polymorphic loci were excluded as uninformative because of the lack of amplification in some individuals or high frequency of nonspecific amplification. The sequence information of the remaining nine loci revealed six of them to contain microsatellites that were nearly identical with those of the orthologous regions in chicken. For these six loci, allele frequencies were estimated in 50 unrelated quails. Although the very few chicken markers that do work well in quail could be used as anchor points for a comparative mapping, most chicken markers are not useful for studies in quail. Therefore, more effort should be committed to developing quail-specific markers rather than attempting to adapt chicken markers for work in quail.     

海南岛海菖蒲种群克隆多样性和遗传结构

海草是生长在潮间带和潮下带的单子叶植物,由海草植物组成的海草床是生态系统服务价值最高的生态系统之一.然而,近几十年人类活动干扰、全球气候变化等因素导致海草床衰退严重.海菖蒲是分布于热带、体型最大的雌雄异株海草,我国位于该物种的分布北缘,本文对其克隆多样性和遗传结构进行研究,以期为该海草的保护提供参考.采用4对多态微卫星标记对采自海南岛4个地点的现存海菖蒲种群的样品进行基因型分型.结果表明:海菖蒲种群克隆多样性和遗传多样性较低,这与所研究种群处于分布区北缘有关;种群间遗传分化值范围较大(0.073~0.309),这可能是由于分布于不同港湾的种群间距离范围较大以及局域绝灭/再拓殖的遗传漂变效应所致;各种群未发现近期经历种群瓶颈的信号,很可能是由于种群内遗传多样性已经很低,种群减小未能导致遗传多样性明显降低.根据种群遗传特征,提出了重点保护种群的建议,鉴于目前我国海菖蒲等海草快速衰退的局面,应强化海草保护并实施海草床生态恢复.     

Use of Ecotilling as an efficient SNP discovery tool to survey genetic variation in wild populations of Populus trichocarpa

Abstract Ecotilling was used as a simple nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) discovery tool to examine DNA variation in natural populations of the western black cottonwood, Populus trichocarpa, and was found to be more efficient than sequencing for large-scale studies of genetic variation in this tree. A publicly available, live reference collection of P. trichocarpa from the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden was used in this study to survey variation in nine different genes among individuals from 41 different populations. A large amount of genetic variation was detected, but the level of variation appears to be less than in the related species, Populus tremula, based on reported statistics for that tree. Genes examined varied considerably in their level of variation, from PoptrTB1 which had a single SNP, to PoptrLFY which had more than 23 in the 1000-bp region examined. Overall nucleotide diversity, measured as (Total), was relatively low at 0.00184. Linkage disequilibrium, on the other hand, was higher than reported for some woody plant species, with mean r2 equal to 0.34. This study reveals the potential of Ecotilling as a rapid genotype discovery method to explore and utilize the large pool of genetic variation in tree species.     

A standardized genetic differentiation measure

Interpretation of genetic differentiation values is often problematic because of their dependence on the level of genetic variation. For example, the maximum level of GST is less than the average within population homozygosity so that for highly variable loci, even when no alleles are shared between subpopulations, GST may be low. To remedy this difficulty, a standardized measure of genetic differentiation is introduced here, one which has the same range, 0-1, for all levels of genetic variation. With this measure, the magnitude is the proportion of the maximum differentiation possible for the level of subpopulation homozygosity observed. This is particularly important for situations in which the mutation rate is of the same magnitude or higher than the rate of gene flow. The standardized measure allows comparison between loci with different levels of genetic variation, such as allozymes and microsatellite loci, or mtDNA and Y-chromosome genes, and for genetic differentiation for organisms with different effective population sizes.