Five polymorphic microsatellite markers for the Great Plains toad,Bufo cognatus

We characterize five polymorphic microsatellite loci for the Great Plains toad, Bufo cognatus, which are being used as markers in a study of the genetics and structure of toad populations inhabiting playa lakes on the Llano Estacado plateau of Texas. Observed heterozygosity (H_O) estimates for the toads ranged from 0.56 to 0.90, and expected heterozygosity (H_E) estimates ranged from 0.85 to 0.95.     

Isolation and characterization of six microsatellites in the Mexican beaded lizard Heloderma horridum

Six polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized in the threatened Mexican beaded lizard, Heloderma horridum. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to 12, with observed heterozygosity estimates ranging from 0.00 to 0.77, and expected heterozygosity estimates ranging from 0.00 to 0.73. These microsatellites will provide a valuable tool for the investigation of the genetic variation and structure of both wild and captive H. horridum populations.     

Microsatellite DNA markers for American shad (Alosa sapidissima) and cross‐species amplification within the family Clupeidae

Sixteen microsatellite loci were identified and characterized for American shad (Alosa sapidissima). The number of alleles per locus observed ranged from eight to 32 and averaged 15.4 alleles. Average observed heterozygosity was 81.1%. The markers were screened using four other species from the family Clupeidae. Amplification success among Alosa species was 79.2% with 81.6% polymorphism among those markers that amplified successfully. Amplification success was poor in Dorosoma (31.3%). Due to allelic diversity and estimates of heterozygosity, these markers can be useful in A. sapidissima for population level analyses, parentage assignment and broodstock management.     

Characterization of eight polymorphic microsatellite loci from the Bengalese finch (Lonchura striata var. domestica)

Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from the Bengalese finch (Lonchura striata var. domestica). In analyses of 25 individuals, the number of alleles ranged from two to four, and observed heterozygosity ranged between 0.05 and 0.73. At four loci, the observed heterozygosity of the Bengalese finches was significantly different from the expected heterozygosity. Primer sets were also tested in Javan munia (Lonchura leucogastroides), and the same eight loci were successfully amplified. In analyses of 20 unrelated individuals, the number of alleles ranged from one to seven, and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0 to 0.56. In Javan munia, the observed heterozygosity differed significantly from the expected heterozygosity in only one locus.     

Nineteen novel microsatellites in Chinese lake gudgeon Sarcocheilichthys sinensis Bleeker, 1971

Nineteen polymorphic microsatellites isolated from a partial genomic DNA library of Sarcocheilichthys sinensis enriched for CA repeats were developed. Variability was tested on 48 unrelated individuals collected from Jiangsu province, China. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.200 (Ss236) to 1.00 (Ss223, Ss224), whereas the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.213 (Ss232) to 0.939 (Ss224). Shannon's information index ranged from 0.405 (Ss236) to 2.988 (Ss224). Sixteen of the 19 microsatellites conformed to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. These microsatellites can be used for the evaluation of genetic parameters in populations to supply valuable information for conservation management.     

dbEST-derived SSR markers in sea urchin (Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus)

Sea urchin is an important model organism for evolutionary biology, embryology, and gene regulation study. We developed and evaluated simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers from expressed sequence tags (ESTs) of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus and Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus. Characteristics of nine EST-SSR loci were investigated using 41 Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus individuals. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to five. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.122 to 0.7805, while the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.4472 to 0.7696. These loci and markers will be useful for population genetics and systemic evolution among species of sea urchin.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the highland papaya Vasconcellea × heilbornii V. Badillo (Caricaceae)

Nine polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified in the tropical plant Vasconcellea ×heilbornii and used to estimate allelic diversity in two populations of southern Ecuador. Allelic richness ranged from two to five alleles, observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.150 to 0.947 and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.186 to 0.701. Most of these markers also amplified microsatellite loci in two other Vasconcellea species (Vasconcellea stipulata and Vasconcellea cundinamarcensis). Hence, these markers will be useful for population genetic analysis and the evaluation of genetic diversity and gene flow in these species.     

Eight SSR loci from Oyster Crassostrea gigas EST database and cross-species amplification in C. plicatula

Oyster (Crassostrea plicatula) is widely distributed in coastal areas of China. We developed and evaluated simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers from expressed sequence tags (ESTs) of Crassostrea gigas and to amplify EST-SSR in C. plicatula. Characteristics of eight EST-SSR loci were investigated using 37 wild-type C. plicatula individuals. The number of alleles per locus ranged from four to six. The observed heterozygosity (H _O) ranged from 0.1892 to 0.7027 (0.3919 on average) and the expected heterozygosity (H _E) ranged from 0.6068 to 0.7656 (0.7039 on average) (P < 0.05). The average observed heterozygosity was much lower than the average expected heterozygosity. All loci except C15 departed from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P < 0.05) significantly. Contribution of the eight EST-SSR primers presented here will provide necessary and powerful molecular tools for management and conservation studies on the species of oysters in the future.     

Development and optimization of microsatellite DNA primers for boreal owls (Aegolius funereus)

We developed 22 microsatellite loci for boreal owls (Aegolius funereus). We genotyped 275 unrelated boreal owls (Aegolius f. richardsoni) and 36 unrelated Tengmalm's owls (Aegolius f. funereus) using seven loci that were polymorphic and did not have detectable null alleles. Among North American and Scandinavian boreal owls, respectively, allelic diversity ranged from three to 11 alleles and from one to 11 alleles, observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.31 to 0.80 and from 0.00 to 0.81, and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.28 to 0.81 and from 0.00 to 0.81. These markers appeared to amplify DNA in six other Strigidae species.     

Isolation and characterization of eleven polymorphic microsatellite markers of sand lance (Ammodytes personatus)

Eleven polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed to delineate population structure of Ammodytes personatus. These markers had between 8 and 27 alleles. Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.818 to 0.965, whereas the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.441 to 0.886. Five of the eleven markers conformed to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. We believe the markers will be useful for genetic diversity study of A. personatus.     

Microsatellite primers for three Western Atlantic Farfantepenaeus prawn species

Microsatellite loci were identified for three closely related penaeid species, Farfantepenaeus subtilis, F. paulensis and F. sp., from genomic libraries enriched for CA repeats. Seven out of nine highly polymorphic loci detected were amplified across all three species. Between four and 64 alleles were recorded per locus (average = 36). The average observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.094 to 0.897 (mean = 0.613), while the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.091 to 0.985 (mean = 0.822).     

Inbreeding coefficient and heterozygosity–fitness correlations in unhatched and hatched song sparrow nestmates

Heterozygosity–fitness correlations use molecular measures of heterozygosity as proxy estimates of individual inbreeding coefficients (f) to examine relationships between inbreeding and fitness traits. Heterozygosity–fitness correlations partly depend on the assumption that individual heterozygosity and f are strongly and negatively correlated. Although theory predicts that this relationship will be strongest when mean f and variance in f are high, few studies of heterozygosity–fitness correlations include estimates of f based on pedigrees, which allow for more thorough examinations of the relationship between f, heterozygosity and fitness in nature. We examined relationships between pedigree‐based estimates of f, multilocus heterozygosity (MLH) and the probability of survival to hatch in song sparrow nestmates. f and MLH were weakly, but significantly negatively correlated. Inbreeding coefficient predicted the probability of survival to hatch. In contrast, MLH did not predict the probability of survival to hatch nor did it account for residual variation in survival to hatch after statistically controlling for the effects of f. These results are consistent with the expectation that heterozygosity–f correlations will be weak when mean and variance in f are low. Our results also provide empirical support for recent simulation studies, which show that variation in MLH among siblings with equal f can be large and may obscure MLH–fitness relationships.     

Polymorphic microsatellites in the African freshwater snail,Bulinus forskalii (Gastropoda,Pulmonata)

Eleven microsatellites were isolated in the freshwater snail Bulinus forskalii, intermediate host for the medically important trematode Schistosoma intercalatum. Characterization in 60 snails from three populations of B. forskalii from Cameroon revealed 4 to 18 alleles per locus. Low observed heterozygosity but higher expected heterozygosity, high F_IS estimates, significant departures from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and genotypic linkage disequilibria all indicate that B. forskalii is a preferential selfer. High F_ST estimates suggest that effective dispersal is limited and genetic drift is an important determinant of genetic structure. The potential utility of the microsatellite primers in other closely related Bulinus species was explored.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for the heavily exploited rockfish Sebastes schlegeli, and cross-species amplification in four related Sebastes spp.

Here we report development and characterization of 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci from Sebastes schlegel. Polymorphism at these loci revealed from 3 to 23 alleles. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.34 to 1.00, and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.31 to 0.95. No linkage disequibrium was found. Two loci were significantly deviated from HWE (P < 0.01). The 14 loci were also surveyed in four other Sebastes species and 12 loci successfully amplified, where allelic diversity ranged from highly polymorphic to monomorphic. These results demonstrate these microsatellite markers can be used for the study of intra- and inter-specific genetic diversity.     

Development and characterization of 10 novel polymorphic microsatellite loci in Homatula potanini (Günther, 1896)

Homatula potanini is a genus Paracobitis which belongs to the family Cobitidae, subfamily Nemacheilinae. We first isolated ten novel microsatellite DNA loci using the FIASCO protocol. The number of observed alleles per locus ranged from 5 to 14. The observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.3750 to 0.9375 and 0.4028 to 0.8819 respectively. The polymorphic information content ranged from 0.3515 to 0.8556 (M = 0.6170). No significant linkage disequilibrium was detected among the loci. In the present study, we have identified 10 new markers for H.  potanini. These loci should provide sufficient levels in the evaluation of genetic diversity and designing effective conservation programs of H.  potanini.     

Development and characterization of microsatellite loci for lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)

This paper reports the development of microsatellite primers for Nelumbo nucifera Gaerten. By screening genomic libraries enriched with 10 kinds of probes, Seventeen polymorphic loci were isolated and primers were designed. Polymorphism of these 17 loci was assessed in 24 individuals. All the 17 loci are polymorphic and the number of alleles ranged from two to seven. Observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.0000 to 0.9176 and from 0.2837 to 0.7917 respectively. These microsatellite loci should be useful for studying the genetic diversity of N. nucifera.     

Development and characterization of microsatellites in Vanda varieties

The orchid genus Vanda includes more than 70 monopodial species and numerous hybrids. The aim of this study was to develop microsatellite markers for this horticultural valuable genus. Thirteen polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated from the variety Vanda Miss Joaquim and were characterized in four Vanda species, 11 Vanda hybrids, and one Aranda intergenus hybrid. Populations from three species were also analysed. Number of alleles ranged from two to 19. For the V. sumatrana population, the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0 to 0.76 (mean 0.31) and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0 to 1 (mean 0.36). All the varieties tested were distinct from one another (similarity index < 0.8). These microsatellites could be used for studying genetic diversity and population structure of wild populations within the orchid genus Vanda, as well as for distinguishing cultured Vanda varieties.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite DNA markers for spinner dolphin (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Stenella longirostris</Emphasis>)

Practically no studies on the population genetics of the spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) exist. Seventeen pairs of DNA primers, cloned from an Mbo I digestion of S. longirostris liver DNA, were selected from a total of 288 sequences. Eight polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers were selected from the 17 primer pairs following amplification of DNA from skin samples of 65 spinner dolphins. Characterization of the polymorphisms revealed between three and nine alleles per loci. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0 to 0.6032, while the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.5834 to 0.73. Seven of the eight designed primer pairs amplified DNA from three other delphinid species. There was a marked low observed heterozygosity in the spinner dolphin suggesting a high level of inbreeding within this species in the southern Atlantic.