Loud calling, spacing, and cohesiveness in a nocturnal primate, the Milne Edwards' sportive lemur (Lepilemur edwardsi)

Dispersed pair-living primates provide a unique model for illuminating the evolution of mechanisms regulating spacing and cohesiveness in permanently cohesive groups. We present for the first time data on the spatiotemporal distribution and loud-calling behavior of the Milne Edwards' sportive lemur, known to forage solitarily during the night, but to form stable male-female sleeping groups during the day. Data include radio-tracking observations of sleeping associations, and focal follows of pair partners during dispersal in the evenings and reunions in the mornings. Male-female pairs forming stable sleeping associations during the day were pair-bonded. They used sleeping sites and home ranges exclusively, and exchanged loud calls at potentially restricted resources during dispersal in the evenings and during reunion in the mornings. Direct agonistic conflicts between pairs and others were rare. The acoustic analysis of loud calls revealed nine major call types. They carry signatures for sex and pair identity, and provide the substrate for signaling and the potential for recognizing pair ownership. Thus, pairs use loud call exchanges as a vocal display for signaling territory ownership, thus limiting direct aggressive encounters between neighbors and strangers. Altogether, our findings provide the first empirical evidence for the hypothesis that loud calling has evolved as a key mechanism for regulating space use and cohesiveness in dispersed pair-living primates.     

Isolation of highly polymorphic autosomal microsatellite loci and a sex‐linked locus from sugarbirds

We describe the isolation of six tetranucleotide microsatellites from the Cape sugarbird (Promerops cafer) using an enrichment protocol. All loci were highly variable with number of alleles ranging from nine to 26 and values of observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.534 to 0.931. All loci were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium with the exception of Pro66 and Pro86. Further analysis of Pro86 indicated it was Z‐linked. All loci amplified and were variable in the congeneric Gurneys sugarbird (Promerops gurneyi). These loci will be used in mating system and phylogeographic studies of Cape sugarbirds in South Africa.     

Infanticide by a Male Milne-Edwards' Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur edwardsi) in Ampijoroa,NW-Madagascar

During a long-term field study on the behavioral ecology and communication of a population of the monogamous Milne-Edwards' sportive lemur (Lepilemur edwardsi) in NW-Madagascar, we recorded for the first time an infanticide in a nocturnal lemur. A male newcomer killed the infant of a female whose male partner had left her recently. Both the social-pathology and the sexual-selection hypotheses may explain infanticidal behavior in Lepilemur edwardsi.     

Pair-specific usage of sleeping sites and their implications for social organization in a nocturnal Malagasy primate, the Milne Edwards' sportive lemur (Lepilemur edwardsi)

Safe sleeping sites may be a limited resource crucial for survival. In order to investigate their potential significance for social organization in nocturnal primates, we analyzed the spatial distribution of daily sleeping sites, their characteristics, their usage, and sleeping group compositions in the nocturnal Milne Edwards' sportive lemur during a 6-month field study in the dry deciduous forest of northwestern Madagascar. Sexes did not differ either in body size or in body mass. Sleeping sites were used almost exclusively by adult male-female pairs. Individuals showed a high sleeping-site fidelity limited to 2-3 different sleeping sites in close vicinity during the whole study period. Most females showed a higher fidelity to one distinct sleeping site than their male partners. Sleeping groups consisted of one adult male and one adult female and remained stable in composition over the whole study period. Exclusive pair-specific usage of sleeping sites suggests sleeping site related territoriality of male-female pairs, perhaps influenced by inter- and intrasexual resource competition. Results give first insights into the distribution patterns and social organization of this species. They imply dispersed monogamy for the Milne Edwards' sportive lemur, with sleeping sites as a potentially restricted and defendable resource.     

Characterization and screening of microsatellite loci in a wild lemur population (Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi).

Sixteen dinucleotide microsatellite loci were isolated from the genome of Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi. All loci were polymorphic when genotyped on a minimum of 16 animals. The number of alleles across these loci ranges from two to 11. Additionally, seven of these loci were genotyped across a minimum of 200 animals in order to estimate heterozygosity and their potential for parentage assignment in this population. Using these seven loci, the mean heterozygosity in this population is 0.705, and the combined probability of these seven loci to exclude a random individual from parentage, when one parent is known, is 0.996. These data suggest that these loci will be useful for estimating a variety of population genetic and genealogical parameters in P. v. verreauxi populations.     

Isolation of polymorphic microsatellite loci from the Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis)

Ten microsatellite loci were isolated from the Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis), using a partial genomic DNA library and an enrichment method. Fifty microsatellite repeats were screened from the library of 888 positive clones, 10 of which were polymorphic. These microsatellite loci developed here are another set of novel molecular markers for A. sinensis, and they will be suitable for population genetic studies as well as for kinship analysis.     

Isolation of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the genus Clusia (Clusiaceae)

Microsatellite flanking region sequences may provide phylogenetically useful information. We isolated 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci from two species, Clusia minor (five loci) and Clusia nemorosa (eight loci), to aid in the determination of phylogenetic relationships within the genus Clusia. Eleven loci amplified across all 17 Clusia species tested, while two loci amplified in 10 out of 17 species. The extensive cross‐species amplification suggests that these loci may be useful for an examination of phylogenetic relationships in this genus.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci from Wilsonia backhousei (Convolvulaceae)

Wilsonia backhousei is a clonal saltmarsh plant restricted to the southern latitudes of Australasia and threatened in New South Wales. We have identified eight informative microsatellite loci in the species from (AG)_n‐ and (AC)_n‐enriched libraries. In 48 samples from two populations we detected an average of five alleles per locus (range 2–8, average H_E = 0.45), of which 72% were unique to one population or the other. Six of the eight loci were also amplifiable in Wilsonia rotundifolia under the same reaction conditions. The markers will be excellent tools for use in the management and conservation of both species.     

Autosomal and sex-linked microsatellite loci in the green oak leaf roller Tortrix viridana L. (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae)

Eight microsatellite markers were developed for the lepidopteran species Tortrix viridana using an enrichment protocol. The loci were highly variable with number of alleles ranging from four to 38. Six of the eight loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The other two were linked to the Z-chromosome. Values of observed heterozygosity ranged for the autosomal loci from 0.510 to 0.957. All loci will be useful to study dispersal and the autosomal loci, as well for phylogeographical studies.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci from Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii)

Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci from Lasiopodomys brandtii have been isolated and characterized. Two to 11 alleles per locus were detected from 52 Brandt's voles samples collected from a single population. Expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.406 to 0.840. For the majority of loci observed heterozygosities were similar to or greater than the expected heterozygosity. One locus pair appeared to be in linkage disequilibrium. The microsatellite markers will enable the studies of genetic diversity, population structure and relatedness in this species, and perhaps in closely related species of vole.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite loci in the chestnut-crowned babbler (Pomatostomus ruficeps)

We describe 18 microsatellite markers isolated in the cooperatively breeding chestnut‐crowned babbler (Pomatostomus ruficeps). The number of alleles ranged from seven to 16 per locus (mean N_a = 10.4 ± 0.54 SE) and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.732 to 0.889 (mean H_E = 0.836 ± 0.01 SE). Three of the 18 loci exhibited significant heterozygote deficiency, but the remaining 15 will be used to analyse population genetic structure and the mating system of this highly social species.     

Isolation of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Crossosoma californicum (Crossosomataceae)

Crossosoma californicum (Crossosomataceae) is a rare shrub species endemic to the California Channel Islands. Previous studies based on allozymes revealed little genetic variability in this plant species. We have isolated 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci from C. californicum. These loci show intermediate levels of variability, averaging 4.2 alleles per locus and expected heterozygosity of 0.376. Two loci did not fit Hardy–Weinberg expectations with significant deficits of heterozygous genotypes consistent with the presence of null alleles or population subdivision.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the raccoon (Procyon lotor)

We report the isolation and characterization of 17 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the North American raccoon (Procyon lotor). These loci exhibit high levels of allelic diversity, with between four and 13 alleles per locus, and heterozygosity, with observed values of 0.500-1.000 in a sample of 20 individuals. All genotypes conformed to Hardy-Weinberg expectations and there were no instances of linkage disequilibrium detected.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci from Octodon degus

Quantifying genetic kinship and parentage is critical to understanding the adaptive consequences of sociality. To measure fitness in a species with variable group structure, we isolated 14 microsatellite loci from Octodon degus, a semi-fossorial rodent endemic to Chile. The number of alleles per locus ranged from four to 14. Thirteen loci were in Hardy-Weinberg proportions, with values of observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.550 to 0.950. These markers provide the basis for future studies of the direct fitness consequences of sociality in O. degus.     

Isolation of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the ponerine ant Ectatomma tuberculatum

We report the development of 11 microsatellite markers by an enrichment protocol in the ponerine ant Ectatomma tuberculatum. Polymorphism was explored in two colonies collected from Mexico and two colonies from Brazil. From the 11 loci which amplified, seven loci showed intracolonial polymorphism in Mexican colonies and only six loci were variable in populations from Brazil. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.18 to 0.84. The other five loci exhibited different alleles between Mexico and Brazil but geographical variability was not investigated further. Cross‐amplification was tested in another species of the same Tribe (Gnamptogenys striatula) and one locus was revealed to be polymorphic.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Wuchang bream (Megalobrama amblycephala)

Wuchang bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) is an economically important fish in China. From a (GT)₁₃‐enriched genomic library, 20 microsatellites were developed. Nine of these 20 loci were polymorphic in a test population with allele numbers ranging from two to four, and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.2609 to 0.7826 and from 0.3739 to 0.7546, respectively. In the cross‐species amplifications, six of these nine loci were also polymorphic in white amur bream (Parabramis pekinensis). These polymorphic microsatellite loci are potentially useful for population genetics of Wuchang bream and its closely related species.     

Isolation of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Hemerocallis fulva and Hemerocallis citrina (Hemerocallidaceae)

Twenty microsatellite loci were isolated from a hybrid of two daylilies, Hemerocallis fulva and Hemerocallis citrina. We characterized individuals from two H. fulva populations and two H. citrina populations in Japan and observed three to 20 alleles per locus in H. fulva and one to 19 alleles per locus in H. citrina. Mean observed heterozygosity within populations ranged from 0.35 to 0.85 in H. fulva and from 0 to 0.95 in H. citrina. In about a half of the loci, the observed heterozygosity did not deviate from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. These loci are proved useful in studying gene flow and qualitative trait loci mapping using the two species.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in white truffle (Tuber magnatum)

Tuber spp. are fungi that establish symbiosis with several trees and shrubs. Some of these fungal species produce edible ascomata, also known as truffles, which are highly appreciated for their taste and odour. We isolated and characterized eight polymorphic microsatellite loci from Tuber magnatum, the finest white truffle species, and assessed their variability in 370 individuals collected from all over the species range of distribution. Although two to 18 alleles per locus were found, no heterozygous individuals were observed. The availability of simple sequence repeat loci provides valuable tools for assessment of the genetic structure and population dynamics in this species.     

Isolation of polymorphic microsatellite loci from the European anchovy,Engraulis encrasicolus

The European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus L., Engraulidae) is a widely spread fish resource which is overexploited along its area of distribution. A proper knowledge of the population genetic structure of this fish species is crucial to allow a sustainable management of fishery stocks. We developed five polymorphic microsatellite loci (expected heterozygosity per locus ranging from 0.46 to 0.97) for E. encrasicolus. These genetic markers can be applied to define the population genetic structure of European anchovy.