A European pest to control a new zealand weed: investigating the safety of heather beetle, Lochmaea suturalis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) for biological control of heather, Calluna vulgaris

Heather, Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull, is a serious invasive weed in the central North Island of New Zealand, especially in Tongariro National Park, a World Heritage Area. Heather beetle, Lochmaea suturalis (Thomson), is a foliage-feeding pest of Calluna in Europe, that was selected as the most promising biological control agent for introduction into New Zealand, because it causes high levels of damage to Calluna in Europe. Host-range tests indicated that L. suturalis poses a negligible threat to native New Zealand plants. Cultivars of Calluna grown as ornamentals are suitable food plants, but are unlikely to be severely affected because L. suturalis requires a damp understorey of moss or litter for successful oviposition and pupation, which is rarely present in gardens. However, mosses and litter occurring under Calluna stands in Tongariro National Park are suitable substrates for eggs and pupae. Lochmaea suturalis released in New Zealand has been freed of parasitoids and a microsporidian disease that attack the beetles in Europe.     

Microsatellite markers for the endangered root holoparasite Dactylanthus taylorii (Balanophoraceae) from 454 pyrosequencing

? Premise of the study: Microsatellite loci were isolated and developed as polymorphic markers for the New Zealand endemic root holoparasite Dactylanthus taylorii for use in population and conservation genetics studies. ? Methods and Results: Shotgun 454 pyrosequencing was performed on genomic DNA pooled from three individuals of D. taylorii. From 61709 individual sequence reads, primers for 753 microsatellite loci were developed in silico and 72 of these were tested for consistent amplification and variability. Ten microsatellite loci were found to be polymorphic and consistently scorable when screened in 44 individuals from five geographically distant populations. The number of alleles per locus ranged from four to 16 with an average of 9.7, and average observed heterozygosity per locus was between 0.182 and 0.634. ? Conclusions: These polymorphic microsatellite markers establish an important resource for ongoing conservation initiatives and planned population genetic studies of D. taylorii.     

Characterization of microsatellite loci in a seed chalcid,Megastigmus spermotrophus (Hymenoptera: Torymidae)

Highly polymorphic microsatellite markers can supply demographic information on founder events and range expansion following initial introduction of invasive insect species. Six microsatellite loci were isolated from a partial DNA library in order to study the invasion patterns of a seed chalcid, Megastigmus spermotrophus, introduced to Europe and New Zealand. Allelic diversity at all described loci was high, ranging from 17 to 30 alleles per locus. All six loci were successfully amplified in 15 congeneric species.     

Di‐ and trinucleotide repeat microsatellites for the parasitoid wasp,Aphidius transcaspicus

The Mediterranean parasitoid Aphidius transcaspicus is currently under investigation as a potential biological control agent for the mealy plum aphid, Hyalopterus pruni, in California. To better understand the biology of this parasitoid, including the potential existence of distinct strains or geographic races, we have developed a set of nine di‐ and trinucleotide repeat microsatellite markers. These markers were examined for variability in individuals from throughout the geographic distribution of A. transcaspicus, and we found between three and 19 alleles per locus. These are the first loci developed for A. transcaspicus and they will be of value in studying the population structure of this potential biocontrol agent and for future diagnostics.     

Genetic differentiation of starling (Sturnus vulgaris: Aves) populations in New Zealand and Great Britain

Several hundred starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) were introduced to New Zealand from Great Britain during1860–1880. Allozymic variation at 24 loci was analysed in winter populations sampled at six localities in each country. New Zealand samples had fewer alleles per locus but the same mean heterozygosity (3% per locus) and proportion of polymorphic loci as did British samples. Winter populations in Britain contain European migrants and were genetically homogeneous. Paradoxically, genetic distances among derived New Zealand populations, and between New Zealand and Great Britain were much greater, similar in magnitude to those observed among allopatric populations in other avian species. The geographical pattern of genetic variation in New Zealand suggests that reproductive isolation of populations and random drift have contributed to the development of population differentiation.     

Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for Lychnophora pinaster: a study for the conservation of a native medicinal plant

Lychnophora pinaster Mart. (Asteraceae) is a Brazilian medicinal plant, extensively employed in popular medicine as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic and healing agent. Thirteen polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed and optimized for L. pinaster from an enriched genomic library. The markers were used to analyse 37 plants from two native populations, generating an average number of 6.6 alleles per polymorphic locus. These loci are important tools for future studies of population genetics.     

Development of polymorphic microsatellite markers for the New Zealand black stilt (Himantopus novaezelandiae) and cross-amplification in the pied stilt (Himantopus himantopus leucocephalus)

Eight polymorphic microsatellite primer pairs were developed for the critically endangered New Zealand black stilt, Himantopus novaezelandiae, representing the first microsatellite markers available for birds in the family Recurvirostridae. The number of alleles ranged from two to four per locus. Observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.30 to 0.80 and from 0.37 to 0.70, respectively. All eight loci were polymorphic in the related species Himantopus himantopus leucocephalus, indicating these primer pairs may be useful for additional taxa in the globally distributed genus Himantopus.     

Polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers in the mudflat topshell Diloma subrostrata (Gastropoda,Trochidae)

Very little information is available on the intraspecific genetic structure of topshell populations. Here, we report the characterization of five polymorphic microsatellite loci in the New Zealand mudflat topshell, Diloma subrostrata. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 23, observed and expected heterozygosities did not deviate from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P < 0.05) and no linkage disequilibrium was detected between locus pairs (P < 0.05). We are currently using these markers to investigate genetic population structure of D. subrostrata in New Zealand.     

Factors affecting the cost of weed biocontrol programs in New Zealand

Many national schemes for setting priorities for invasive weed management have emphasized the current or future impacts of the weed more than the cost or feasibility of control, perhaps because the latter may be difficult to estimate. As part of a project to improve prioritization of weed biocontrol targets in New Zealand, we investigated factors that were hypothesized to influence the cost of conducting weed biological control, using data from New Zealand programs. Taxonomic isolation of the target weed, relative to commercially important plants and native flora was not a significant influence on program cost, although we present evidence that disease, which to date has only affected agents released against taxonomically isolated weed targets, has masked the importance of taxonomic isolation in New Zealand. Opposition to biocontrol has caused delays, but has not had a major influence on the cost of biocontrol in New Zealand, probably because weed species with the greatest potential for opposition were identified during feasibility studies and avoided, or because conflicts were resolved by conducting cost-benefit analyses that were minor components of the total program costs. Only two factors explained virtually all the variance in program cost: program type (repeat programs were cheaper than novel/pioneering programs); and the number of agent species released. The predicted cost of future weed biocontrol programs can now be incorporated into decision-making tools ranking New Zealand weed biocontrol targets. Efficiencies in future programs are most likely to be gained by better agent selection so that fewer agents are released. For repeat programs this could be achieved by waiting until monitoring has been conducted overseas, so that the best agents or combination of agents can be selected for any particular weed. This reiterates the need for better post-release evaluation of weed biocontrol agent effectiveness worldwide.     

Isolation and characterization of 10 polymorphic microsatellite markers from striped marlin, Tetrapturus audax

We present the isolation and characterization of 10 microsatellite loci for striped marlin, Tetrapturus audax. Thirty individuals from each of four locations revealed that all loci were polymorphic with two to 31 alleles per locus. Observed levels of heterozygosity ranged from 0.3000 to 0.9667. Significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were detected in two loci, TA105 in Hawaii and New Zealand and TA155 in Hawaii, and null alleles may be present in loci TA105 and TA155 in those locations, and in locus TA193 in Mexico. No significant linkage disequilibrium was detected in any pairwise-locus comparison.     

Microsatellite markers for woolly monkeys (Lagothrix lagotricha) and their amplification in other New World primates (Primates: Platyrrhini)

Seven polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified for woolly monkeys (Lagothrix lagotricha) from an ‘enriched’ genomic library. For a wild population of 66 animals, these markers averaged over 10 alleles per locus and provided a combined probability for excluding a random individual from parentage of over 98%. These loci were screened in up to 13 other genera of New World monkeys, and many were variable in multiple taxa. Few other platyrrhine‐specific microsatellite markers have been identified; thus, these loci should prove valuable for studying the population genetic structure and mating system not just of Lagothrix but also of other neotropical primates.     

Fine mapping and SNP analysis of positional candidates at the preeclampsia susceptibility locus (PREG1) on chromosome 2

Genome scans in Icelandic, Australian and New Zealand, and Finnish families have localized putative susceptibility loci for preeclampsia/ eclampsia to chromosome 2. The locus mapped in the Australian and New Zealand study (designated PREG1) was thought to be the same locus as that identified in the Icelandic study. In both these studies, two distinct quantitative trait locus (QTL) regions were evident on chromosome 2. Here, we describe our fine mapping of the PREG1 locus and a genetic analysis of two positional candidate genes. Twenty-five additional microsatellite markers were genotyped within the 74-cM linkage region defined by the combined Icelandic and Australian and New Zealand genome scans. The overall position and shape of the localization evidence obtained using nonparametric multipoint analysis did not change from that seen previously in our 10-cM resolution genome scan; two peaks were displayed, one on chromosome 2p at marker D2S388 (107.46 cM) and the other on chromosome 2q at 151.5 cM at marker D2S2313. Using the robust two-point linkage analysis implemented in the Analyze program, all 25 markers gave positive LOD scores with significant evidence of linkage being seen at marker D2S2313 (151.5 cM), achieving a LOD score of 3.37 under a strict diagnostic model. Suggestive evidence of linkage was seen at marker D2S388 (107.46 cM) with a LOD score of 2.22 under the general diagnostic model. Two candidate genes beneath the peak on chromosome 2p were selected for further analysis using public single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within these genes. Maximum LOD scores were obtained for an SNP in TACR1 (LOD = 3.5) and for an SNP in TCF7L1 (LOD = 3.33), both achieving genome-wide significance. However, no evidence of association was seen with any of the markers tested. These data strongly support the presence of a susceptibility gene on chromosome 2p11-12 and substantiate the possibility of a second locus on chromosome 2q23.     

Microsatellite markers for the wood decay fungus Phlebiopsis gigantea

Nine polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for the wood-decay basidiomycete Phlebiopsis gigantea, which is used commercially as a biocontrol agent for annosum root disease on conifers. Microsatellite sequences were isolated from repeat-enriched genomic libraries. Primers flanking these sequences were screened on P. gigantea isolates from Europe and North America. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 5 to 15, and gene diversity ranged from 0.72 to 0.90. These markers should be useful for studies of P. gigantea natural population structure and for making predictions about the impact of P. gigantea application in conifer forests.     

Microsatellite markers isolated from polyploid wood‐sorrel Oxalis alpina (Oxalidaceae)

Twelve polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from polyploid alpine wood‐sorrel, Oxalis alpina (Oxalidaceae), and optimized for future studies of its breeding system. The loci were screened for variability among 72 individuals from Pinos Altos, New Mexico. The primers amplified loci with allele number ranging from two to 17 per locus and with estimates of Nei's genetic diversity varying from 0.10 to 0.99. These primers provide an opportunity to use polymorphic DNA markers to study the causes of breeding system variability in this species.     

New loci from New Zealand Black and New Zealand White mice on chromosomes 4 and 12 contribute to lupus-like disease in the context of BALB/c

New Zealand Black (NZB) and New Zealand White (NZW) mice are genetically predisposed to a lupus-like autoimmune syndrome. To further define the loci linked to disease traits in NZB and NZW mice in the context of the BALB/c genetic background, linkage analyses were conducted in two crosses: (NZW x BALB/c.H2(z))F(1) x NZB and (NZB x BALB/c)F(2). Novel loci linked to autoantibody production and glomerulonephritis, present in both NZB and NZW mice, were identified on proximal chromosomes 12 and 4. The chromosome 12 locus showed the strongest linkage to anti-nuclear Ab production. Additionally, a number of other novel loci linked to lupus traits derived from both the New Zealand and non-autoimmune BALB/c genomes were identified. Furthermore, we confirm the linkage of disease to a number of previously described lupus-associated loci, demonstrating that they are relatively background independent. These data provide a number of additional candidate gene regions in murine lupus, and highlight the powerful effect the non-autoimmune background strain has in influencing the genetic loci linked to disease.     

Isolation and characterization of fourteen polymorphic microsatellite markers in the viperine snake Natrix maura

Nineteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified and developed for Natrix maura. Polymorphism was assessed for 120 individuals sampled across four sampling sites from the French Pyrenees Mountains. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 15, and expected heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0.227 to 0.863. We tested for deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and linkage disequilibrium and assessed the presence of null alleles for all loci, resulting in a selection of 14 high‐quality polymorphic markers. These markers will be extremely useful in identifying fine‐scale genetic structures and providing insight into conservation management plans of this species.     

Development and characterization of eight polymorphic microsatellite loci from Pistacia lentiscus L. (Anacardiaceae)

We have developed a set of eight polymorphic nuclear microsatellite markers for the Mediterranean shrub Pistacia lentiscus by means of an enriched library method. Characterization for the eight loci was carried out on 42 individuals from two populations sampled in southern Spain. The overall number of alleles detected was 59, ranging from three to 13 per locus. Expected heterozygosity per locus and population ranged from 0.139 to 0.895. Two loci albeit only in one population (Seville) departed significantly from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium expectations and no linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci was detected. These markers will be used in studies of gene flow across a fragmented landscape.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the whale shark (Rhincodon typus)

In preparation for a study on population structure of the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), nine species-specific polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers were developed. An initial screening of 50 individuals from Holbox Island, Mexico found all nine loci to be polymorphic, with two to 17 alleles observed per locus. Observed and expected heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0.200 to 0.826 and from 0.213 to 0.857, respectively. Neither statistically significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg expectations nor statistically significant linkage disequilibrium between loci were observed. These microsatellite loci appear suitable for examining population structure, kinship assessment and other applications.     

Characterization of microsatellite DNA markers for a mahseer species,Tor tambroides (Cyprinidae) and cross‐amplification in four congeners

This study reports the isolation and characterization of microsatellite DNA markers in a mahseer species, Tor tambroides (Pisces, Cyprinidae). Of a total of 14 loci evaluated, 10 were polymorphic in T. tambroides samples, with an average of 2.86 alleles per locus. Deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were observed at one locus and there was no indication of linkage disequilibrium among loci. A high level of cross‐amplification among four congeners was achieved, with 12 loci successfully amplifying and 11 loci showing polymorphism in at least one other species. These markers will be a useful resource for population genetic studies and broodstock management of closely related mahseer species.     

The contribution of the DFNB1 locus to neurosensory deafness in a Caucasian population.

Classical studies have demonstrated genetic heterogeneity for nonsyndromic autosomal recessive congenital neurosensory deafness, with at least six loci postulated. Linkage analysis in two consanguineous Tunisian kindreds has demonstrated that one such deafness locus, DFNB1, maps near chromosome 13 markers D13S175, D13S143, and D13S115. We tested these markers for cosegregation with deafness in 18 New Zealand and 1 Australian nonconsanguineous kindreds, each of which included at least two siblings with nonsyndromic presumed congenital sensorineural deafness and that had a pedigree structure consistent with autosomal recessive inheritance. When all families were combined, a peak two-point lod score of 2.547 (theta = .1) was obtained for D13S175, 0.780 (theta = .2) for D13S143, and 0.664 (theta = .3) for D13S115. While there was no statistically significant evidence for heterogeneity at any of the three loci tested, nine families showed cosegregation of marker haplotypes with deafness. These observations suggest that the DFNB1 locus may make an important contribution to autosomal recessive neurosensory deafness in a Caucasian population. In the nine cosegregating families, phenotypic variation was observed both within sibships (in four families), which indicates that variable expressivity characterizes some genotypes at the DFNB1 locus, and between generations (in two families), which suggests allelic heterogeneity.