Assessing population genetic structure and variability with RAPD data: Application to Vaccinium macrocarpon (American Cranberry)

A method for estimating and comparing population genetic variation using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiling is presented. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) is extended to accomodate phenotypic molecular data in diploid populations in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium or with an assumed degree of selfing. We present a two step strategy: 1) Estimate RAPD site frequencies without preliminary assumptions on the unknown population structure, then perform significance testing for population substructuring. 2) If population structure is evident from the first step, use this data to calculate better estimates for RAPD site frequencies and sub-population variance components. A nonparametric test for the homogeneity of molecular variance (HOMOVA) is also presented. This test was designed to statistically test for differences in intrapopulational molecular variances (heteroscedasticity among populations). These theoretical developments are applied to a RAPD data set in Vaccinium macrocarpon (American cranberry) using small sample sizes, where a gradient of molecular diversity is found between central and marginal populations. The AMOVA and HOMOVA methods provide flexible population analysis tools when using data from RAPD or other DNA methods that provide many polymorphic markers with or without direct allelic data.     

The structure of cross-cultural musical diversity

Human cultural traits, such as languages, musics, rituals and material objects, vary widely across cultures. However, the majority of comparative analyses of human cultural diversity focus on between-culture variation without consideration for within-culture variation. In contrast, biological approaches to genetic diversity, such as the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) framework, partition genetic diversity into both within- and between-population components. We attempt here for the first time to quantify both components of cultural diversity by applying the AMOVA model to music. By employing this approach with 421 traditional songs from 16 Austronesian-speaking populations, we show that the vast majority of musical variability is due to differences within populations rather than differences between. This demonstrates a striking parallel to the structure of genetic diversity in humans. A neighbour-net analysis of pairwise population musical divergence shows a large amount of reticulation, indicating the pervasive occurrence of borrowing and/or convergent evolution of musical features across populations.     

Extremely high cytoplasmic diversity in natural and breeding populations of Lolium (Poaceae)

Ten chloroplast microsatellite markers were used to characterise chloroplast genetic diversity at allelic and haplotypic level in 104 accessions of Lolium perenne, other Lolium species, Festuca species and x Festulolium cultivars. Furthermore, genetic relationships between the accessions and biogeographic distribution of haplotypes were investigated using a range of Nei's population genetic diversity measures and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). An extremely high number (511) of haplotypes was detected in 1575 individuals. Nei's gene diversity values among L. perenne accessions ranged between 0 and 0.333. Much of the L. perenne European ecotype diversity (61%), as calculated using AMOVA, could be attributed to within-population variance and this is likely caused by, and maintained by, high levels of natural and anthropogenic seed dispersal. Plastid gene pools and maternal lineages for L. perenne could be clearly identified. Evidence was found, using AMOVA, to show a likely migration route of L. perenne from Southern regions of Europe northwards.     

长江中上游银[鱼句]线粒体DNA遗传多样性分析

银[鱼句]（Squalidus argentatus）是长江常见小型鱼类,分布广泛于干支流,资源量较大。本研究采用线粒体DNA（mtDNA）细胞色素b基因序列对长江中上游干流江津、荆州、监利、洪湖、黄石江段及支流赤水河、湘江等7个江段共217尾银[鱼句]样品的遗传结构和遗传多样性进行了分析。结果显示,银[鱼句]群体Cyt b基因序列分别检出了81个变异位点和97个单倍型,平均单倍型多样性（Hd）和核苷酸多样性（Pi）分别为0.966和0.008 6。分子方差分析（AMOVA）显示,长江中上游银[鱼句]群体存在显著遗传分化。群体间两两比较分析发现,赤水河群体与其他群体基因交流程度低,遗传分化显著,其他群体间没有显著遗传分化。中性检验结果不支持银 历史上发生过群体扩张。     

Genetic diversity of Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis inermis): implications for conservation

The Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis inermis) is endemic to China. Historically, the species was widely distributed, but now, habitat loss and poaching have reduced its range and number drastically. In order to provide useful information for its conservation, we have investigated the genetic diversity and population structure of the Chinese water deer by analyzing the 403 bp fragment of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (D-loop). Eighteen different haplotypes were detected in 40 samples. Overall, Chinese water deer have a relatively high-genetic diversity compared to other rare cervid species, with a haplotype diversity of 0.923+/-0.025 and nucleotide diversity of 1.318 +/- 0.146%. No obvious phylogenetic structure among haplotypes was found for samples of different origin. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed significant differentiation between the Zhoushan and the mainland population (F(ST)= 0.088, P < 0.001; Phi( ST ) = 0.075, P = 0.043), which suggests that exchanges of individuals between Zhoushan and the mainland should be avoided. We also recommend that a breeding center be set up for the mainland population.     

Genetic diversity of an Italian Rhizobium meliloti population from different Medicago sativa varieties.

We investigated the genetic diversity of 96 Rhizobium meliloti strains isolated from nodules of four Medicago sativa varieties from distinct geographic areas and planted in two different northern Italian soils. The 96 isolates, which were phenotypically indistinguishable, were analyzed for DNA polymorphism with the following three methods: (i) a randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method, (ii) a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the 16S-23S ribosomal operon spacer region, and (iii) an RFLP analysis of a 25-kb region of the pSym plasmid containing nod genes. Although the bacteria which were studied constituted a unique genetic population, a considerable level of genetic diversity was found. The new analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) method was used to estimate the variance among the RAPD patterns. The results indicated that there was significant genetic diversity among strains nodulating different varieties. The AMOVA method was confirmed to be a useful tool for investigating the genetic variation in an intraspecific population. Moreover, the data obtained with the two RFLP methods were consistent with the RAPD results. The genetic diversity of the population was found to reside on the whole bacterial genome, as suggested by the RAPD analysis results, and seemed to be distributed on both the chromosome and plasmid pSym.     

青藏高原高山流石滩特有植物绵参的谱系地理学研究

绵参(Eriophyton wallichii)是中国青藏高原地区高山流石滩特有植物.为探讨第四纪冰期气候波动对青藏高原高山流石滩植物居群遗传结构以及谱系历史的影响,检测了绵参20个居群187个个体的核糖体内转录间隔区(ITS)的序列变异,共发现19个单倍型,且结果表明大部分居群拥有独自的单倍型.AMOVA分析表明,居群间的变异占了总变异量的89.54％,居群遗传分化指数很高(GST=0.863,NST=0.957),但无明显的谱系结构.我们推测这种独特的谱系地理结构可能主要是由于高山流石滩独特的地形和环境及“孤岛效应”形成的,与先前研究过的青藏高原植物不同,绵参呈现出高度分化的遗传结构,常常呈现出“一个居群,一种单倍型”的模式,这可能是由于第四纪冰期及间冰期尽管绵参的分布范围有扩大和收缩,但始终由于特殊的高山生境和流石滩基质,导致了该物种长期以来居群间很少有基因交流并一直处于隔离状态,造成了现在这样的谱系地理结构.     

Genetic diversity in endangered Notopterygium forbesii Boissieu based on intraspecies sequence variation of chloroplast DNA and implications for conservation

A thorough understanding of the levels and partitioning of genetic variation across populations and geographical regions of endangered species is a prerequisite to ensure effective conservation and/or restoration activities. Here, we examined chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) trnH-psbA intergenic spacer sequences variation within Notopterygium forbesii, an endangered and endemic perennial herb in China. Sequence data obtained from 141 individuals in 14 populations revealed twenty-two haplotypes. A high level of haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.81) and low level of nucleotide diversity (Pi = 0.0047) were detected. Low genetic differentiation among populations and also among regions was consistently indicated by both hierarchical analyses of molecular variance (AMOVA) and the structure of a neighbor-joining tree. Low level of population differentiation between populations or between regions in cpDNA sequences may be due to effects of the abundance of ancestral haplotype sharing and the high number of private haplotypes fixed for each population. Based on our results, we proposed some conservation strategies.     

基于Cyt b基因的雅鲁藏布江下游墨脱江段及察隅河墨脱裂腹鱼的遗传多样性及种群历史动态分析

以线粒体Cyt b基因为分子标记, 对雅鲁藏布江下游墨脱江段及察隅河的墨脱裂腹鱼进行遗传多样性及种群历史动态分析。结果显示, 167尾墨脱裂腹鱼样本共检测到21个单倍型, 呈现较高的单倍型多样性(h=0.768)和较低的核苷酸多样性(π=0.00167)。基于单倍型构建的分子系统发育树及Network网络关系图表明, 所有来自墨脱江段及察隅河的单倍型不能按照地理分布各自聚类, 而是相互混杂聚在一起。不同地理种群间的遗传分化指数(F_ST)为–0.014—0.771, 其中金珠藏布(JZZB)与其他种群呈现出高度分化(F_ST: 0.372—0.771)。分子方差分析(AMOVA)显示当JZZB种群为一组, 剩余6个种群为一组时, 组间遗传差异最大, 表明JZZB种群与其他种群具有显著分化。相反, 虽然察隅河与墨脱江段的地理距离较远, 但是察隅河与墨脱江段其他种群之间(除了JZZB)的F_ST为0.093—0.169, 仅显示中等分化水平, 表明察隅河种群与雅鲁藏布江种群尚有少量的基因交流。中性检验、错配分析及BSP (Bayesian skyline plot)分析显示, 雅鲁藏布江下游墨脱江段及察隅河的墨脱裂腹鱼种群在末次间冰期(0—0.137 Ma)发生过种群扩张现象。     

Minimal sharing of Y-chromosome STR haplotypes among five endogamous population groups from western and southwestern India

We attempt to address the issue of genetic variation and the pattern of male gene flow among and between five Indian population groups of two different geographic and linguistic affiliations using Y-chromosome markers. We studied 221 males at three Y-chromosome biallelic loci and 184 males for the five Y-chromosome STRs. We observed 111 Y-chromosome STR haplotypes. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) based on Y-chromosome STRs showed that the variation observed between the population groups belonging to two major regions (western and southwestern India) was 0.17%, which was significantly lower than the level of genetic variance among the five populations (0.59%) considered as a single group. Combined haplotype analysis of the five STRs and the biallelic locus 92R7 revealed minimal sharing of haplotypes among these five ethnic groups, irrespective of the similar origin of the linguistic and geographic affiliations; this minimal sharing indicates restricted male gene flow. As a consequence, most of the haplotypes were population specific. Network analysis showed that the haplotypes, which were shared between the populations, seem to have originated from different mutational pathways at different loci. Biallelic markers showed that all five ethnic groups have a similar ancestral origin despite their geographic and linguistic diversity.     

Phylogeography and population structure of the Dall's porpoise,Phocoenoides dalli,in Japanese waters revealed by mitochondrial DNA

We investigated genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships among three morphologically distinct populations of Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) in Japanese waters by analyzing mitochondrial DNA variation. These populations, the Sea of Japan-Okhotsk dalli-type population, the truei-type population and the standard dalli-type population in the northwestern North Pacific, are clearly discriminated from each other by differences in the size of their white flank patch. A total of 479 bp of the mitochondrial control region and flanking tRNA genes was sequenced for 103 individuals. Haplotypic diversity was high (h = 0.968), but these haplotypes differed by only a few nucleotides (pi = 0.0106). Although many haplotypes were shared between populations, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated genetic subdivision among the three populations (overall F (ST) = 0.023, P < 0.001; phi(ST) = 0.026, P = 0.029). Pairwise comparisons indicated a low but significant difference between the Sea of Japan-Okhotsk and the other two populations, whereas there was no significant difference between the latter. These results suggest that there is a close evolutionary relationship among these populations despite their consistent differences in coloration. This may reflect genetic polymorphism in the common ancestral population, which subsequently underwent a rapid divergence. The low genetic variability and haplotypic differentiation of the Sea of Japan-Okhotsk population suggest that it originated from a small population that colonized the Sea of Japan or that experienced population reduction when this Sea was isolated from the North Pacific in the last glacial period.     

Genetic diversity of heavy metal-tolerant populations in Silene paradoxa L. (Caryophyllaceae): a chloroplast microsatellite analysis

Eight populations of Silene paradoxa L. (Caryophyllaceae) growing in copper mine deposits, in serpentine outcrops or in uncontaminated soil in central Italy were studied. Genetic diversity was estimated using five polymorphic chloroplast microsatellite loci (cpSSR), identifying 27 different chloroplast haplotypes. The effective number of alleles, the haplotypic diversity and a stepwise mutational model-based parameter (DSH2) were computed. The effective number of alleles observed within populations from copper mine deposits was 20% that of the serpentine neighbouring populations, suggesting the occurrence of a founder effect. Moreover, 13 of the 27 different haplotypes scored were exclusive to only one population, indicating genetic isolation for all tolerant populations. Even the copper-tolerant populations appeared to have evolved independently. Finally, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) of the cpSSR markers gave statistical significance to the grouping of populations according to their geographical location. This study demonstrates that cpSSR markers could be a useful complementary tool to isoenzymes or random amplified polymorphic DNA markers for elucidating the pattern of genetic differentiation in heavy metal-tolerant populations.     

乔氏新银鱼基于细胞色素b序列的种群遗传结构和种群历史

为促进乔氏新银鱼(Neosalanx jordani)种质资源的保护, 采集了长江流域和淮河流域5个乔氏新银鱼地理种群计129个样本, 利用线粒体细胞色素b基因(Cyt b)全序列作为分子标记, 初步分析了乔氏新银鱼种群的遗传多样性、遗传结构及种群历史动态。研究结果共检测到18个Cyt b单倍型, 发现和其他鱼类相比, 乔氏新银鱼具有较高的单倍型多样性(h, 0.590±0.047), 但核苷酸多样性较低(π, 0.00088±0.00011)。分子变异分析(AMOVA)表明, 乔氏新银鱼5个地理种群内个体间和流域内种群间均存在显著的遗传差异, 而长江流域与淮河流域之间遗传分化不明显, 显示乔氏新银鱼遗传分化与当前水系的分布格局不吻合。结果表明乔氏新银鱼目前的遗传格局主要是由于长距离独立的建群事件、基因流限制以及种群的持续扩张的共同作用而形成的。种群历史动态分析结果显示乔氏新银鱼种群为近期扩张种群, 其大部分变异发生在1.897万年之内, 与最后一次冰期全面消退、海平面上升、长江流域及淮河流域中下游大量湖泊(适宜生境)形成的时间相吻合。建议对现存的乔氏新银鱼种群, 特别是遗传多样性较高的那些种群(如鄱阳湖、太湖及洪泽湖种群)分别保护。     

Genetic Diversity of Chinese Water Deer (Hydropotes inermis inermis): Implications for Conservation

The Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis inermis) is endemic to China. Historically, the species was widely distributed, but now, habitat loss and poaching have reduced its range and number drastically. In order to provide useful information for its conservation, we have investigated the genetic diversity and population structure of the Chinese water deer by analyzing the 403 bp fragment of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (D-loop). Eighteen different haplotypes were detected in 40 samples. Overall, Chinese water deer have a relatively high-genetic diversity compared to other rare cervid species, with a haplotype diversity of 0.923±0.025 and nucleotide diversity of 1.318 ± 0.146%. No obvious phylogenetic structure among haplotypes was found for samples of different origin. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed significant differentiation between the Zhoushan and the mainland population (F_ST= 0.088, P < 0.001; Φ _ST = 0.075, P = 0.043), which suggests that exchanges of individuals between Zhoushan and the mainland should be avoided. We also recommend that a breeding center be set up for the mainland population.     

Genetic structure and diversity of the Diachasmimorpha longicaudata species complex in Thailand: SSCP analysis of mitochondrial 16S rDNA and COI DNA sequences

Genetic variation among 20 populations of Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Thailand was investigated using single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences. From a total 641 individual parasitoids, seven distinct haplotypes containing a total of 32 polymorphic sites were observed from cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences along with five distinct haplotypes containing a total 16 polymorphic sites from 16S rDNA sequences. Values obtained through pairwise F_ST comparisons and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated significant genetic differentiation among D. longicaudata populations in Thailand. Congruent relationships showing separation of these populations into three groups were obtained from Neighbor joining and Bayesian phylogenetic tree analyses along with the use of haplotype networks. This SSCP analysis of populations of the D. longicaudata species complex is the first report using molecular population genetic methods to analyze the structure of this parasitoid species in Thailand. This may provide useful information for release of parasitoid strains to maximize their benefit in biological control programs.     

Hierarchical structure of mitochondrial DNA gene flow among humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae, world-wide

The genetic structure of humpback whale populations and subpopulation divisions is described by restriction fragment length analysis of the mitochondrial (mt) DNA from samples of 230 whales collected by biopsy darting in 11 seasonal habitats representing six subpopulations, or 'stocks', world-wide. The hierarchical structure of mtDNA haplotype diversity among population subdivisions is described using the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) procedure, the analysis of gene identity, and the genealogical relationship of haplotypes as constructed by parsimony analysis and distance clustering. These analyses revealed: (i) significant partitioning of world-wide genetic variation among oceanic populations, among subpopulations or 'stocks' within oceanic populations and among seasonal habitats within stocks; (ii) fixed categorical segregation of haplotypes on the south-eastern Alaska and central California feeding grounds of the North Pacific; (iii) support for the division of the North Pacific population into a central stock which feeds in Alaska and winters in Hawaii, and an eastern or 'American' stock which feeds along the coast of California and winters near Mexico; (iv) evidence of genetic heterogeneity within the Gulf of Maine feeding grounds and among the sampled feeding and breeding grounds of the western North Atlantic; and (v) support for the historical division between the Group IV (Western Australia) and Group V (eastern Australia, New Zealand and Tonga) stocks in the Southern Oceans. Overall, our results demonstrate a striking degree of genetic structure both within and between oceanic populations of humpback whales, despite the nearly unlimited migratory potential of this species. We suggest that the humpback whale is a suitable demographic and genetic model for the management of less tractable species of baleen whales and for the general study of gene flow among long-lived, mobile vertebrates in the marine ecosystem.     

Environmental calcium and mitochondrial DNA polymorphism among local populations of Gammarus fossarum (Crustacea, Amphipoda)

Mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis was used to investigate genetic diversity and phylogeographic population structure among geographically isolated alpine populations of the amphipod Gammarus fossarum. This study was performed across a region with an important glacial history and substantial geographical variations in calcium levels, in order to evaluate the relative impact on the genetic diversity of the population history and this environmental factor known to be associated with local adaptation and population growth. Analysis of the nucleotide sequences for a 376-bp segment of the cytochrome c oxidase I gene in 84 specimens from seven different populations revealed 20 different haplotypes distributed into five major lineages that are not geographically structured. Analysis of molecular variance indicates that the populations from the crystalline massif are less diverse than those living on limestone, suggesting a global correlation between genetic diversity and calcium concentration of the water. However, the role of this environmental factor appears to be indirect, with smaller population size leading to lower genetic diversity.     

基于线粒体COI基因序列的黄胫小车蝗不同地理种群的遗传分化及基因流分析

黄胫小车蝗Oedaleus infernalis Saussure是一种在我国分布广泛、 对农牧业生产危害严重的经济害虫。本文对黄胫小车蝗10个地理种群的线粒体COI基因序列进行测序和分析, 利用DnaSP 5.0和Arlequin 3.5.1.2软件对该蝗虫种群间的遗传多样性、 遗传分化程度、 基因流水平及分子变异进行了分析, 建立了单倍型贝叶斯系统发育进化树和单倍型网络图。结果表明： 在所分析的144个序列样本中, 共检测到21种单倍型, 其中1种单倍型为10个地理种群所共享。总群体的单倍型多样性指数为0.653, 各地理种群单倍型多样度范围在0.423~0.790之间。总群体和各种群的Tajima’s D检验结果皆不显著, 说明该种害虫在较近的历史上未经历群体扩张。总群体的遗传分化系数Gst为0.04436, 固定系数Fst为0.05255, 基因流Nm为9.01。AMOVA分子方差分析结果表明, 黄胫小车蝗的遗传分化主要来自种群内部, 种群间的遗传变异水平较低。各地理种群的遗传距离的大小与其地理距离间没有显著的相关性。贝叶斯系统发育进化树与单倍型网络图显示, 黄胫小车蝗各地理种群中的单倍型散布在不同的分布群中, 分布格局较为混杂, 未形成明显的系统地理结构。研究结果揭示, 黄胫小车蝗各种群间的基因交流并未受到地理距离的影响。     

Genetic structure and differentiation of four populations of Afghan Pika (Ochotona rufescens) in Iran based on mitochondrial cytochrome b gene

The population genetics of the Afghan Pika (Ochotona rufescens) was studied in Northern Khorasan Province, Iran. For prediction of the genetic differentiation of four populations, the DNA of mitochondrial cytochrome b of 32 individuals from four areas was sequenced and a Bayesian analysis based on the HKY model was constructed. In total, 15 polymorphic sites, 1125 conserved sites (98.7%) and 14 different haplotypes were found. The phylogenetic tree resulting from the Bayesian analysis and network analysis showed that all samples were clustered in two major groups and the haplotypes of the four populations did not separate geographically. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that a large majority of the genetic variance was due to the variance within populations. The results of fixation indices showed significant genetic structure among populations in both methods. The pairwise F_st revealed that two northern populations have a significant genetic differentiation from two southern populations, but no significance pairwise F_st value was demonstrated between the closed populations. Nei's genetic distances between closed populations were not significant, while significant values occurred between distant populations. It seems that there is not a major discontinuity between populations of Afghan Pika based on cyt-b mitochondrial gene. However, phylogenetic analysis did not separate populations and a large majority of the genetic variance was found within populations. However, AMOVA analysis showed a significant level of genetic structure among populations (p?<?0.001) and between groups (p?<?0.5). It seems that these results suggest shallow genetic differentiation between populations of different geographic groups.