Characterization of porcine polymorphic microsatellite loci

Twenty-seven (CA)_n and two (GA)_n microsatellite clones were isolated out of a size-selected genomic pig library. These were sequenced and the number of uninterrupted dinucleotides was found to range from 12 to 26. Flanking primers were chosen for 11 dinucleotide repeats and optimal conditions for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifications were established. Different microsatellite loci were amplified simultaneously by combining primer sets. Related and unrelated pigs were screened for length polymorphisms of the different microsatellite loci. The polymorphic information content (PIC) of these loci ranged between 0.62 and 0.83. Segregation studies in pig reference families established Mendelian inheritance. Locus S0022 was found to be X-linked.     

Characterization and PCR multiplexing of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the locust Locusta migratoria

Because of the scarcity of polymorphic genetic markers available in locust species, only a few population genetics studies have been carried out on this taxon. We isolated and characterized 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the pest locust Locusta migratoria capito, and described experimental conditions for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) multiplexing and simultaneously genotyping these loci. The number of alleles per locus ranged from six to 25, and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.431 to 0.957. Results of cross‐taxon amplification tests are reported in six other Locusta migratoria subspecies, six species of the Oedipodinae subfamily and two other pest locust species.     

Characterization and PCR multiplexing of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the invasive ant Wasmannia auropunctata

Highly polymorphic genetic markers provide a useful tool for estimating genetic parameters in studies of the evolution of sociality in insects. We isolated and characterized 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the invasive ant, Wasmannia auropunctata, and described experimental conditions for PCR (polymerase chain reaction) multiplexing and simultaneously genotyping these loci in two sets of five and seven markers. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 14 and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.233 to 0.967. Moreover, results of cross‐species amplification tests are reported in three other species of Wasmannia and in two species of the genus Allomerus.     

Twelve new polymorphic microsatellite loci and PCR multiplexing in the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci

Twelve new dinucleotide microsatellite loci of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, were obtained from enriched genomic libraries. Three polymerase chain reaction multiplex sets comprising three, five and four loci were optimized and characterized across 133 B. tabaci females from Israeli rearings and natural populations collected in four Mediterranean countries (Tunisia, France, Spain and Morocco). There were three to 24 alleles per locus and the observed heterozygosity was from 0.084 to 0.420. Deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was detected at four loci associated with significant heterozygote deficiencies due to null alleles and presence of subpopulations that were mostly in the Tunisian sample. The 12 loci carried independent information.     

Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the invasive monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)

Microsatellite loci were characterized for the monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) from a GT_n‐enriched genomic library. Twelve of 14 microsatellite loci were polymorphic, averaging 6.7 alleles per locus across the 20 individuals genotyped. Mean expected heterozygosity was 0.72, with locus‐specific values ranging from 0.53 to 0.90. An equally high multilocus probability of identity (2.48 × 10^?12) was revealed for this set of loci. In addition, all 12 loci were demonstrated to cross‐amplify to varying extents within three additional parrot genera suggesting their potential utility for population‐level studies in a broad range of Neotropical psittacines.     

Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Yucca filamentosa

Yuccas and their pollinator moths are a textbook example of mutualism, yet we lack sufficiently variable markers to properly study the population genetics of the plants. We characterized 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci for Yucca filamentosa by screening primers derived from an expressed sequence tag database. We found four to 13 alleles per locus and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.31 to 1. These markers will be useful in future ecological studies of Y. filamentosa.     

Isolation and characterization of six polymorphic microsatellite loci in the western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis (Insecta,Thysanoptera)

Highly polymorphic microsatellite markers can provide important demographic information on founder events and range expansion following initial introduction of invasive insect species. Six microsatellite loci were isolated from an enriched DNA library in order to study the invasion patterns of the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis. All loci tested were found to be polymorphic and successfully amplified in all individuals. The number of alleles per locus ranged from five to nine and heterozygosity ranged from 45 to 73%. Some of the loci were also successfully amplified in other thrips species.     

Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in cultivated and wildPanax ginseng

Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is one of the most important herbal remedies used in East Asia. The present study investigated six polymorphic microsatellite markers (PG29, PG281, PG287, PG668, PG1319, and PG1481) in samples of cultivated and wildP. ginseng collected in Korea. Total allelic number observed in this study was 27 (average allelic numbers per locus: 4.5). All examined loci exhibited deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and deficiency of heterozygosity in both cultivated and wild groups. Although the wild ginseng group exhibited slightly more polymorphic behavior (mean PIC=0.392, GD=0.454 and H_obs=0.129), compared with the cultivated group (mean PIC=0.383, GD=0.438 and H_obs=0.105), no significant differences of allele frequencies and genotype distributions were revealed. By combined analysis of six loci in 100 cultivated ginsengs, 71 different types were observed. The analyzed microsatellite loci in this study will be helpful for understanding genetic variation, QTL mapping and phylogenic studies inPanax species.     

Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci for the Australian plague locust, Chortoicetes terminifera

Few population genetics studies have been carried out on major locust species. In particular, an understanding of the population genetic structure of the Australian plague locust, Chortoicetes terminifera, is lacking. We isolated and characterized eight polymorphic microsatellite loci in C. terminifera, and described experimental conditions for polymerase chain reaction multiplexing and genotyping these loci. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 11 to 29 and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.797 to 0.977. One locus was found to be X-linked. Results of cross-taxon amplification tests are reported in four species of the Oedipodinae subfamily.     

Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the terrestrial isopod Porcellionides pruinosus

We developed a set of six polymorphic microsatellite loci for the woodlouse, Porcellionides pruinosus. We screened 43 individuals from three French populations and found that locus‐specific allelic diversity ranges from 3 to 17 alleles (mean = 9.8) and observed heterozygosity ranges from 0.51 to 0.89 (mean = 0.77). These are the first microsatellites loci reported from the woodlouse.     

Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare

The common pill bug, Armadillidium vulgare, is known to harbour two distinct strains of the feminizing proteobacteria Wolbachia. In order to study the effect of the presence of Wolbachia on the evolution of A. vulgare populations, we developed and characterized a set of nine polymorphic microsatellite loci from two microsatellite‐enriched genomic libraries. We screened 48 individuals from three French populations and found high genetic variation. Locus‐specific allelic diversity ranged from four to 28 and observed heterozygosity from 0.40 to 1.00, which indicates that these markers can be used to conduct population genetic studies in A. vulgare.     

Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the polychaete tubeworm Hobsonia florida

Eight dinucleotide microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from Hobsonia florida, a tube‐dwelling ampharetid polychaete. The identified loci were highly polymorphic, with allelic diversity ranging from six to 11 alleles. Levels of expected heterozygosity were 0.52 or greater in all cases, averaging 0.78 across the complete set of loci. Cross‐species amplification was successful in three of the eight loci for one or both of the other species (Melinna cristata and Ampharete acutifrons) tested. Although these novel loci were designed for immediate utility in H. florida population‐level research, these results indicate they may prove useful in studies of other related taxa.     

Characterization of 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the Japanese land leech

We developed 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci of the Japanese land leech (Haemadipsa japonica; Haemadipsidea) using an Illumina MiSeq sequencing approach. A total of 42,064 nuclear DNA contigs were filtered for microsatellite motifs, among which 30,873 simple sequence repeat loci were identified. From these sequences, we selected 30 primer sets, and 13 of these loci were successfully amplified. Polymorphism of the 13 loci was tested using 16 individuals sampled from sixteen populations across Japan. The number of alleles and polymorphism information content varied from 5 to 17 and 0.335 to 0.883, respectively, and observed and expected heterozygosity values ranged from 0.143 to 0.875 and 0.349 to 0.893, respectively, indicating that these loci are polymorphic. Furthermore, we established useful multiplex PCR using these loci. The 13 microsatellite loci described in this paper are the first nuclear microsatellite markers for a land leech species.     

Characterization of 16 polymorphic microsatellite loci in weathervane scallop Patinopecten caurinus

Discrete and commercially important patches of weathervane scallops (Patinopecten caurinus) are found in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. Little is known about weathervane scallop life history and population structure, but the species is vulnerable to overexploitation because of their large size and long lifespan. Here we describe 16 polymorphic microsatellite loci developed to study the relatedness of these discrete patches. All loci were polymorphic in the 32 individuals tested; the number of alleles range from four to 26 and heterozygosities ranged from 0.437 to 1.000.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the invasive plant Cytisus scoparius

Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) is a serious weed of natural and pastoral ecosystems and is invasive in many countries worldwide. Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed and characterized for this species. The number of alleles per locus ranged from five to 23. The range of observed heterozygosity was between 0.207 and 0.928. These microsatellite markers will be useful tools for studies of population genetics in the native and invasive range of this species.     

Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in a traditional Chinese medicinal plant,Gastrodia elata

Genetic characterization of germplasm resource is essential for the conservation and efficient utilization of a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, Gastrodia elata. Thirty‐two primer pairs flanking microsatellite repeats were designed and tested using 32 individuals from eight wild populations. A total of 13 microsatellite loci were found highly polymorphic, with three to 10 alleles per locus and gene diversity ranging from 0.400 to 0.841. These microsatellites have been directly applied to the ongoing population and conservation genetics studies.     

Boophilus microplus: digestion of hemoglobins by the engorged female tick

When the cattle tick Boophilus microplus, after dropping from its host, was maintained at 27 C, the digestion of hemoglobins in the gut proceeded at a steady rate and was virtually complete by the 13th day. The rate was essentially the same whether the ticks were strains susceptible (Yeerongpilly) or resistant (Biarra) to organophosphorous compounds or whether the hosts were British breed, Brahman or banteng cattle, or buffalo. Ferrihemoglobin appeared in the gut contents and hematin was deposited. About 10% of the hematin released from the hemoglobin was transferred to the eggs and from them to the larvae. Translucent ticks, sometimes found on heavily infested hosts and referred to as “serum” ticks, had about half the normal hemoglobin content.     

Characterization of microsatellite loci in Spartina species (Poaceae)

The cordgrasses in the genus Spartina have become model organisms for studying biological invasions from both ecological and genetic perspectives. Here we characterize 11 disomic loci in Spartina alterniflora that show promise for population studies and for studying hybridization events between S. alterniflora and S. foliosa. Comparisons among invasive and native S. alterniflora populations showed that levels of allelic variation are lower in invasive populations. In addition, nearly all loci that amplified in S. foliosa populations and in a swarm of S. alterniflora×foliosa hybrids were polymorphic. We also found that several loci amplified successfully in other Spartina species.