The usefulness of amplified fragment length polymorphism markers for taxon discrimination across graduated fine evolutionary levels in Caribbean Anolis lizards

Fine-level taxon discrimination is important in biodiversity assessment and ecogeographical research. Genomic markers are often required for studies on closely related taxa, however, most existing mitochondrial and nuclear markers require prior knowledge of the genome and are impractical for use in small conservation projects. This study describes the application of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) to discriminate at four progressively finer evolutionary levels of Caribbean Anolis lizards from the central Lesser Antilles. AFLP is shown to be a rapid and effective method for discriminating between species. Separation increases with primer pair number and choice of primer combination appears to be noncritical. Initial population-level results show markedly less discriminatory power. A screening technique for the identification of population informative markers combining principal component and principal coordinate analyses is presented and assessed. Subsequent results show selected conspecific AFLP data to be remarkably congruent with those of mitochondrial DNA, microsatellite and morphological markers. The use of AFLP as a low-cost nuclear marker in species-level taxon discrimination is supported, whereas population level application demands further consideration.     

Development of an AFLP based linkage map of Ler, Col and Cvi Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes and construction of a Ler/Cvi recombinant inbred line population

An amplified fragment polymorphism (AFLP) based linkage map has been generated for a new Landsberg erecta/Cape Verde Islands (Ler/Cvi) recombinant inbred line (RIL) population. A total of 321 molecular PCR based markers and the erecta mutation were mapped. AFLP markers were also analysed in the Landsberg erecta/Columbia (Ler/Col) RIL population ( Lister & Dean 1993) and 395 AFLP markers have been integrated into the previous Arabidopsis molecular map of 122 RFLPs, CAPSs and SSLPs. This enabled the evaluation of the efficiency and robustness of AFLP technology for linkage analyses in Arabidopsis. AFLP markers were found throughout the linkage map. The two RIL maps could be integrated through 49 common markers which all mapped at similar positions. Comparison of both maps led to the conclusion that segregating bands from a common parent can be compared between different populations, and that AFLP bands of similar molecular size, amplified with the same primer combination in two different ecotypes, are likely to correspond to the same locus. AFLPs were found clustering around the centromeric regions, and the authors have established the map position of the centromere of chromosome 3 by a quantitative analysis of AFLP bands using trisomic plants. AFLP markers were also used to estimate the polymorphism rate among the three ecotypes. The larger polymorphism rate found between Ler and Cvi compared to Ler and Col will mean that the new RIL population will provide a useful material to map DNA polymorphisms and quantitative trait loci.     

Genetic diversity analysis in sorghum germplasm as estimated by AFLP, SSR and morpho-agronomical markers

A comparison of the different methods of the estimation of genetic diversity is important to evaluate their utility as a tool in germplasm conservation and plant breeding. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), microsatellites or SSR and morphological traits markers were used to evaluate 45 sorghum germplasm for genetic diversity assessment and discrimination power. The mean polymorphism information content (PIC) values were 0.65 (AFLPs) and 0.46 (SSRs). The average pairwise genetic distance estimates were 0.57 (morphological traits), 0.62 (AFLPs) and 0.60 (SSRs) markers data sets. The Shannon diversity index was higher for morphological traits (0.678) than AFLP (0.487) and SSR (0.539). The correlation coefficients obtained by the Mantel matrix correspondence test, which was used to compare the cophenetic matrices for the different markers, showed that estimated values of genetic relationship given for AFLP and SSR markers, as well as for morphological and SSR markers were significantly related (p <0.001). However, morphological and AFLP data showed non-significant correlation (p >0.05). Both data sets from AFLP and SSR allowed all accessions to be uniquely identified; two accessions could not be distinguished by the morphological data. In summary, AFLP and SSR markers proved to be efficient tools in assessing the genetic variability among sorghum genotypes. The patterns of variation appeared to be consistent for the three marker systems, and they can be used for designing breeding programmes, conservation of germplasm and management of sorghum genetic resources.     

Application of fluorescence-based semi-automated AFLP analysis in barley and wheat

Genetic mapping and the selection of closely linked molecular markers for important agronomic traits require efficient, large-scale genotyping methods. A semi-automated multifluorophore technique was applied for genotyping AFLP marker loci in barley and wheat. In comparison to conventional ³³P-based AFLP analysis the technique showed a higher resolution of amplicons, thus increasing the number of distinguishable fragments. Automated sizing of the same fragment in different lanes or different gels showed high conformity, allowing subsequent unambigous allele-typing. Simultaneous electrophoresis of different AFLP samples in one lane (multimixing), as well as simultaneous amplification of AFLP fragments with different primer combinations in one reaction (multiplexing), displayed consistent results with respect to fragment number, polymorphic peaks and correct size-calling. The accuracy of semi-automated co-dominant analysis for hemizygous AFLP markers in an F₂ population was too low, proposing the use of dominant allele-typing defaults. Nevertheless, the efficiency of genetic mapping, especially of complex plant genomes, will be accelerated by combining the presented genotyping procedures. Received: 10 April 1999 / Accepted: 11 May 1999     

Comparison of four molecular markers for genetic analysis in Diospyros L. (Ebenaceae)

Four molecular markers, including inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphism (IRAP), retrotransposon-microsatellite amplified polymorphism (REMAP), sequence-specific amplified polymorphism (SSAP), and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), were compared in terms of their informativeness and efficiency for analysis of genetic relationships among 28 genotypes in the genus Diospyros. The results were as follows: (1) the highest level of detected polymorphism were observed for IRAP; (2) AFLP was the most efficient marker system due to the simultaneous detection of abundant polymorphism markers per single reaction; (3) the marker index (MI) value was lower for SSAP than for AFLP, but SSAP had a higher level of detected polymorphism than AFLP; (4) the correlation coefficients of similarity were statistically significant for all four marker systems; (5) the four molecular markers yielded similar phylogenetic trees. To our knowledge, this was the first detailed report of a comparison of performance among three retrotransposon-based molecular markers (IRAP, REMAP, SSAP) and the AFLP technique (DNA-based molecular marker) on a set of samples of Diospyros. The results provide guidance for future efficient use of these molecular methods in the genetic analysis of Diospyros.     

Impact of amplified fragment length polymorphism size homoplasy on the estimation of population genetic diversity and the detection of selective loci

AFLP markers are becoming one of the most popular tools for genetic analysis in the fields of evolutionary genetics and ecology and conservation of genetic resources. The technique combines a high-information content and fidelity with the possibility of carrying out genomewide scans. However, a potential problem with this technique is the lack of homology of bands with the same electrophoretic mobility, what is known as fragment-size homoplasy. We carried out a theoretical analysis aimed at quantifying the impact of AFLP homoplasy on the estimation of within- and between-neutral population genetic diversity in a model of a structured finite population with migration among subpopulations. We also investigated the performance of a currently used method (DFDIST software) to detect selective loci from the comparison between genetic differentiation and heterozygosis of dominant molecular markers, as well as the impact of AFLP homoplasy on its effectiveness. The results indicate that the biases produced by homoplasy are: (1) an overestimation of the frequency of the allele determining the presence of the band, (2) an underestimation of the degree of differentiation between subpopulations, and (3) an overestimation or underestimation of the heterozygosis, depending on the allele frequency of the markers. The impact of homoplasy is quickly diminished by reducing the number of fragments analyzed per primer combination. However, substantial biases on the expected heterozygosity (up to 15-25%) may occur with approximately 50-100 fragments per primer combination. The performance of the DFDIST software to detect selective loci from dominant markers is highly dependent on the number of selective loci in the genome and their average effects, the estimate of genetic differentiation chosen to be used in the analysis, and the critical bound probability used to detect outliers. Overall, the results indicate that the software should be used with caution. AFLP homoplasy can produce a reduction of up to 15% in the power to detect selective loci.     

AFLP Fingerprinting for Assessing Intraspecific Variation and Genome Mapping in Mites

Molecular genetic techniques have come a long way in the last decade. With the advent of PCR, genetic markers are now accessible for all organisms, including mites. However, there is usually a trade-off between the accuracy of the molecular technique or genetic marker and expediency. In mites, many molecular techniques are not applicable due to their small size. Here we describe a relatively new molecular fingerprinting technique, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), which is currently used widely in plant genomic research. We outline the AFLP procedure adapted for mites, show results using this technique from our own research and discuss the benefits and limitations of AFLPs for assessing genetic variation and for genome mapping. It is our intention to highlight the possible use of AFLPs as genetic markers with a broad application in acarological research.     

On-going on-farm microevolutionary processes in neighbouring cowpea landraces revealed by molecular markers

A knowledge of existing levels of diversity is fundamental for planning in situ (on-farm) conservation activities. Three neighbouring cowpea landraces (LRs) currently cultivated in central Italy were studied by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and selectively amplified microsatellite polymorphic locus (SAMPL) markers to determine the distribution of genetic variation within and among them. The three LRs studied, although relatively similar, are highly different from one another as shown by the significance of the Fisher exact test for the genic differentiation and the absence of genotype sharing among them. Data obtained from the AFLP and SAMPL markers separately and their combined data revealed a relatively high level of diversity still present within the LRs. The more efficient SAMPL technique was better at discriminating between the plants than the AFLP markers. The three LRs studied appear to be structured as a metapopulation in which a substantial differentiation is maintained at the subpopulation level. A complex interaction of factors (drift, LR isolation, farmer selection, migration within LRs) explains the observed pattern of diversity. The results suggest that the best strategy for maintaining diversity in the area is to preserve each of the LRs observed on the farms from which it came.     

AFLP-Based Genetic Diversity and Its Comparison with Diversity Based on SSR, SAMPL, and Phenotypic Traits in Bread Wheat

Data on AFLP (eight primer pairs) and 14 phenotypic traits, collected on 55 elite and exotic bread wheat genotypes, were utilized for estimations of genetic diversity. We earlier used these 55 genotypes for a similar study using SSRs and SAMPL. As many as 615 scorable AFLP bands visualized included 287 (46.6%) polymorphic bands. The phenotypic traits included yield and its component traits, as well as physiomorphological traits like flag leaf area. Dendrograms were prepared using cluster analysis based on Jaccard's similarity coefficients in case of AFLP and on squared Euclidean distances in case of phenotypic traits. PCA was conducted using AFLP data and a PCA plot was prepared, which was compared with clustering patterns in two dendrograms, one each for AFLP and phenotypic traits. The results were also compared with published results that included studies conducted elsewhere using entirely different wheat germplasm and our own SSR and SAMPL studies based on the same 55 genotypes used in the present study. It was shown that molecular markers are superior to phenotypic traits and that AFLP and SAMPL are superior to other molecular markers for estimation of genetic diversity. On the basis of AFLP analysis and keeping in view the yield performance and stability, a pair of genotypes (E3876 and E677) was recommended for hybridization in order to develop superior cultivars.     

Comparison of RAPD,ISSR, and AFLP Molecular Markers to Reveal and Classify Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) Germplasm Variations

Three different DNA-based techniques, Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD), Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) markers, were used for fingerprinting Dactylis glomerata genotypes and for detecting genetic variation between the three different subspecies. In this study, RAPD assays produced 97 bands, of which 40 were polymorphic (41.2%). The ISSR primers amplified 91 bands, and 54 showed polymorphism (59.3%). Finally, the AFLP showed 100 bands, of which 92 were polymorphic (92%). The fragments were scored as present (1) or absent (0), and those readings were entered in a computer file as a binary matrix (one for each marker). Three cluster analyses were performed to express–in the form of dendrograms–the relationships among the genotypes and the genetic variability detected. All DNA-based techniques used were able to amplify all of the genotypes. There were highly significant correlation coefficients between cophenetic matrices based on the genetic distance for the RAPD, ISSR, AFLP, and combined RAPD-ISSR-AFLP data (0.68, 0.78, 0.70, and 0.70, respectively). Two hypotheses were formulated to explain these results; both of them are in agreement with the results obtained using these three types of molecular markers. We conclude that when we study genotypes close related, the analysis of variability could require more than one DNA-based technique; in fact, the genetic variation present in different sources could interfere or combine with the more or less polymorphic ability, as our results showed for RAPD, ISSR and AFLP markers. Our results indicate that AFLP seemed to be the best-suited molecular assay for fingerprinting and assessing genetic relationship among genotypes of Dactylis glomerata.     

运用近等基因系（NIL）、AFLP、RFLP和SCAR标记对玉米S组育性恢复基因（Rf3）的研究

以1对近等基因系（NIL）及其回交群体（BC     

The use of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) in the isolation of sex-specific markers

Sex identification is a problem in research and conservation. It can often be solved using a DNA test but this is only an option if a sex-specific marker is available. Such markers can be identified using the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique. This is usually a taxonomic method, as it produces a DNA fingerprint of 50-100 PCR bands. However, if male and female AFLP products are compared, sex-specific markers are confined to the heterogametic sex and can rapidly be identified. Once a marker is found, AFLP can be used to sex organisms directly or the marker can be sequenced and a standard PCR test designed.     

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis of genetic variation in Moringa oleifera Lam

Moringa oleifera is an important multipurpose tree introduced to Africa from India at the turn of this century. Despite limited knowledge of the levels of genetic diversity and relatedness of introduced populations, their utilization as a source of seed for planting is widespread. In order to facilitate reasoned scientific decisions on its management and conservation and prepare for a selective breeding programme, genetic analysis of seven populations was performed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. The four pairs of AFLP primers ( Pst I/ Mse I) generated a total of 236 amplification products of which 157 (66.5%) were polymorphic between or within populations. Analysis of molecular variance ( AMOVA ) revealed significant differences between regions and populations, even though outcrossing perennial plants are expected to maintain most variation within populations. A phenetic tree illustrating relationships between populations suggested at least two sources of germplasm introductions to Kenya. The high levels of population differentiation detected suggest that provenance source is an important factor in the conservation and exploitation of M. oleifera genetic resources.     

Comparative Assessment of SSR and AFLP Markers for Evaluation of Genetic Diversity and Conservation of Fig, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ficus carica</Emphasis> L., Genetic Resources in Tunisia

This study characterises the genetic variability of fig, Ficus carica L., using simple sequence repeat (SSR) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. It compares the efficiency and utility of the two techniques in detecting variation and establishing genetic relationships among Tunisian fig cultivars. Our results show that using both marker systems, the Tunisian fig germ plasm is characterised by having a large genetic diversity at the deoxyribonucleic acid level, as most of AFLP bands were detected and all SSR markers were polymorphic. In fact, 351 (342 polymorphic) and 57 (57 polymorphic) bands were detected using AFLP and SSR primers, respectively. SSR markers were the most polymorphic with an average polymorphic information content value of 0.94, while AFLP markers showed the highest effective multiplex ratio (56.9) and marker index (45.2). The effective marker index was recorded highest (4.19) for AFLP markers and lowest (0.70) for the SSR ones. Our results demonstrate that (1) independent as well as combined analyses of cluster analyses of SSR and AFLP fragments showed that cultivars are clustered independently from their geographical origin, horticultural classifications and tree sex; (2) the analysis of molecular variance allowed the partitioning of genetic variation within and among fig groups and showed greater variation within groups and (3) AFLP and SSR markers datasets showed positive correlation. This study suggests the SSR and AFLP markers are suitable for diversity analysis and cultivars fingerprinting. An understanding of the genetic diversity and population structure of F. carica in Tunisia can also provide insight into the conservation and management of this species.     

AFLP标记在研究家蚕遗传多态性方面的应用

AFLP是一种多态检出效率很高的分子标记技术,在构建遗传图谱,遗传多态性研究,重建分子系统演化树,品种鉴定,基因克隆等众多研究领域有着其它分子标记技术不可比拟的优势。本文在前人用AFLP技术对植物多态性研究的基础上,将AFLP用于家蚕的遗传多态性研究,结果发现在家蚕中同样具有丰富的AFLP标记的多态性。由此暗示AFLP技术亦适合研究家蚕等昆虫类动物的遗传多态性,构建遗传图谱,或用于其分子生态学,分子进化和分类等方面的研究。此外本文还探讨了适合于家蚕等昆虫的AFLP分析的实验条件。     

双孢蘑菇遗传多样性分析

应用AFLP指纹技术对双孢蘑菇的20个野生菌株和5个栽培品种的遗传多样性进行了研究。AFLP指纹揭示出20个野生异核体菌株所固的基因型。5个商业品种表现出比较一致的AFLP指纹,但也显示出它们之间的一些差别。由单孢分离获得的同核体菌株携带着部分异核体菌株的AFLP指纹;由同一子实体分离得到的大部分单孢菌株是异核体菌株,它们具有与其亲本一致的AFLP指纹。UPGMA分析揭示出2个与地理分布（美洲、欧洲）和相对应的组。研究结果表明：（1）在野生菌株之间存在着明显的遗传差异;（2）大多数单孢分离的菌株具有与母本一致的遗传物质;（3）野生菌株间的遗传变异大于栽培品种间的变异;（4）在双孢蘑菇的遗传多样性分析中,AFLP技术是非常有效的工具。     

AFLP studies on downy-mildew-resistant and downy-mildew-susceptible genotypes of opium poppy

Downy mildew (DM) caused by Peronospora arborescens, is a serious disease in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), which has a world-wide spread. The establishment of DM-resistant cultivars appears to be a sustainable way to control the disease. In this paper, we present the results of a study aimed at the identification of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers for DM-resistance in opium poppy. Three opium poppy genotypes (inbred over about 10 years): Pps-1 (DM-resistant), Jawahar-16 (DM-susceptible) and H-9 (DM-susceptible) were crossed in a diallel manner and the F1 progeny along with the parents were subjected to AFLP analysis of chloroplast (cp) and nuclear DNA with seven and nine EcoRI / MseI primer combinations, respectively. cpDNA AFLP analysis identified 24 Pps-1 (DM-resistant)-specific unique fragments that were found to be maternally inherited in both the crosses, Pps-1 × Jawahar-16 and Pps-1 × H-9. In the case of nuclear DNA AFLP analysis, it was found that 17 fragments inherited from Pps-1 were common to the reciprocal crosses of both (i) Pps-1 and Jawahar-16 as well as (ii) Pps-1 and H-9. This is the first molecular investigation on the identification of polymorphism between DM-resistant and DM-susceptible opium poppy genotypes and development of DM-resistant opium poppy genotype-specific AFLP markers. These AFLP markers could be used in future genetic studies for analysis of linkage to the downy mildew resistance trait.     

淋球菌AFLP基因分型的初步研究

采用扩增片段长度多态性技术(AFLP)对奈瑟氏淋球菌菌株进行基因分型研究。以EcoRI和MesI酶切26株淋球菌临床分离株基因组,并进行AFLP分析。同一地区的淋球菌分离株之间存在相当大的DNA多态性。AFLP是鉴别淋球菌临床分离株有用而敏感的基因分型技术,有助于了解流行淋球菌菌株的来源、流行菌株之间的克隆相关性,以及抗生素耐药性菌株的传播情况。     

Analysis of genetic stability of in vitro propagated potato microtubers using DNA markers

The genetic stability of in vitro propagated potato microtubers was assessed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR), simple sequence repeat (SSR) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Microtubers were developed through in vitro from potato microplants using standardized protocols. The microtubers were conserved for 1 year under three different culture media and consequently microplants were regenerated for the DNA analyses. During the study, a total of 38 (10 RAPD, 11 ISSR, 12 SSR and 5 AFLP) primers produced a total of 407 (58 RAPD, 56 ISSR, 96 SSR and 197 AFLP) clear, distinct and reproducible amplicons. Cluster analysis revealed 100 % genetic similarity among the mother plant and its derivatives within the clusters by SSR, ISSR and RAPD analyses, whereas AFLP analysis revealed from 85 to 100 % genetic similarity. Dendrogram analysis based on the Jaccard’s coefficient classified the genotypes into five clusters (I–V), each cluster consisting of mother plant and its derivatives. Principal component analysis (PCA) also plotted mother plant and its genotypes of each cluster together. Based on our results, it is concluded that AFLP is the best method followed by SSR, ISSR and RAPD to detect genetic stability of in vitro conserved potato microtubers. The in vitro conservation medium (T2) is a safe method for conservation of potato microtubers to produce true-to-type plans.     

Application of AFLP markers to genome mapping in poultry

The amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique has been used to enhance marker density in the East Lansing reference chicken genome map, using a backcross family derived from a Red Jungle Fowl by White Leghorn mating with White Leghorn as the recurrent parent. To date, 204 AFLP markers have been added, expanding overall map coverage by about 25%. To the limits of our resolution, AFLP markers are distributed relatively evenly across the EL reference map. AFLP are about 60% as frequent in a cross within White Leghorns (line 7(2) x 6(3)) in comparison to the more divergent reference map population. Based on apparent identity of size, about 40% of the 7(2) x 6(3) cross AFLP fragments were also polymorphic in the reference map cross. Primer pairs in which one primer contains 3' extensions of three selective nucleotides and the other has two selective nucleotides successfully generated AFLP from chicken DNA, but such pairs appeared to amplify only a subset of those fragments to which they have an exact sequence match. Three different restriction enzymes with 4 bp recognition sites (TaqI, HinP1I and MspI) were found to work well with EcoRI as the rarer of the two AFLP restriction enzymes used, with HinP1I being the most effective of the three. AFLP markers are likely to provide an economical method with which to enhance framework linkage maps of chicken and probably other avian genomes.