Microclimatic conditions, meltwater moistening, and the distributional pattern of Buellia frigida on rock in a southern continental Antarctic habitat

The importance of snowmelt as a source of moisture for the crustose lichen Buellia frigida in the early austral summer was investigated at Cape Geology, Granite Harbour, southern Victoria Land (77°01′S, 162°32′E). Surface and air temperatures and irradiance were recorded on the surface of a slightly inclined granite boulder for 5 weeks. Observations were made of lichen thallus hydration during a 5-day period. The results confirmed the strong warming effect of high irradiance; the rock surface and hydrated lichen were up to 19K above air temperature and, overall, the rock surface averaged 5.5K warmer. Therefore water condensation on the rock surface (dew or hoarfrost) was not possible during that period. Thalli were moistened by meltwater from both a small area of snow pack and from occasional snowfalls. The distribution of lichen thalli on the rock surface can be explained by the frequency and duration of meltwater moistening. Despite the very high irradiance whilst moist, the lichens seem well adapted to the combination of hydration, low temperatures and strong light. Received: 22 April 1997 / Accepted: 17 August 1997     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in the bird-pollinated, autohexaploid, Eremophila glabra ssp. glabra (R.Br. (Ostenf.)) (Myoporaceae), an Australian endemic plant

Thirty-eight microsatellite loci were developed for the bird pollinated, autohexaploid, Eremophila glabra ssp. glabra. A genomic library was screened with dinucleotide and trinucleotide sequence repeats. Polymorphism ranged from one to 21 alleles per locus. Twenty-four loci exhibited null alleles, based on patterns of inheritance between maternal and progeny phenotypes. Cross-species amplification of nine Eremophila species was successful for most primers, indicating wide applicability across the genus. These microsatellites will be used to study the gene flow patterns of fragmented populations of E. glabra ssp. glabra.     

Revision of the Buellia epigaea -group (lichenized ascomycetes,Physciaceae) 2. The species in Australia

Abstract:Three species of the Buellia epigaea -group, Buellia dijiana Trinkaus,Buellia georgei Trinkaus, Mayrhofer & Elix, and Buellia lobata Trinkaus & Elix, are described as new from Australia. The taxonomy, morphology, anatomy, chemistry, biogeography, and ecology of the three taxa are discussed. Characters which distinguish these species from the corresponding taxa in the northern hemisphere include secondary compounds (presence of xanthones) and filiform conidia. An extended key is provided for the whole Buellia epigaea group as well as other terricolous species of the genus.     

Isolation and characterization of 10 microsatellite loci in Callicarpa subpubescens (Verbenaceae), an endemic species of the Bonin Islands

Ten microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized for Callicarpa subpubescens (Verbenaceae), an endemic tree species of the Bonin Islands. The observed number of alleles at each locus ranged from two to eight with an average of 4.9, and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.238 to 0.690 with an average of 0.483. All 10 loci were screened in cross-amplification tests for two other endemic Callicarpa species that also inhabit the Bonin Islands. All loci were successfully amplified in these species.     

Isolation and characterization of fifteen polymorphic microsatellite loci from Primula merrilliana (Primulaceae), an endemic from China

Primula merrilliana (Primulaceae) is an endangered plant endemic to south Anhui Province in China. In this study, we isolated fifteen polymorphic microsatellite loci from a population of 22 individuals using a modified biotin-capture method. Our isolated loci provided microsatellite markers with polymorphism of 3–11 alleles per locus. The expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.392 to 0.855 and from 0.136 to 1.000, respectively. These markers would be the useful tools for analyzing questions concerning population genetic structure and mating system of Primula merrilliana.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in Rattus rattus

We isolated and characterized 10 microsatellite loci in the black rat Rattus rattus (Muridae, Rodentia), a widespread invasive species largely known to cause serious problems in agriculture and human health. Polymorphism was studied in two populations, one from Madagascar and one from Senegal. It ranged from three to 12 alleles in Madagascar, and from two to five alleles in Senegal. Together with the loci previously adapted from Rattus norvegicus, this set of markers should allow the conduct of thorough studies on the genetic structure of natural populations of R. rattus.     

Diploicia africana comb. nov. (lichenized Ascomycetes, Physciaceae), an endemic species from the Cape Province (South Africa)

The saxicolous lichenized ascomycete Diploicia africana comb. nov. (Physciaceae) is endemic in the Cape Floral Kingdom (South Africa). Its taxonomy, morphology, chemistry, biogeography, and ecology is discussed. The most important characters of the genus Diploicia and the better known species of the genus are outlined.     

Development and characterization of microsatellites in Torreya jackii (Taxaceae), an endangered species in China

? Premise of the study: Polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed in Torreya jackii, an endangered species in China, to provide markers for further studies on the genetic diversity of this species. ? Methods and Results: Eight polymorphic loci and one monomorphic locus were developed and characterized in four T. jackii populations (Xianju, Songyang, Pujiang, and Tonglu) from Zhejiang Province, China. The number of alleles per locus ranged from one to eight across 80 T. jackii individuals. At the eight polymorphic loci, the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.150 to 1.000 and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.185 to 0.796. ? Conclusions: The microsatellite loci developed and characterized in this study will facilitate future analyses of the genetic diversity of T. jackii. Such information will aid in designing strategies to conserve this currently endangered species.     

Isolation and characterization of 13 microsatellite loci from Incarvillea mairei (Bignoniaceae), an endemic species to the Himalaya-Hengduan mountains region

Incarvillea mairei (H. Léveillé) Grierson (Bignoniaceae) is an endemic species to the Himalaya-Hengduan Mountains region. Here, we developed 13 microsatellite markers from I. mairei using a modified biotin-streptavidin capture method. Number of alleles per locus (NA) ranged from 3 to 7 with an average of 4.615. The observed (H _O) and expected (H _E) heterozygosities were from 0.050 to 0.800 and from 0.249 to 0.815, respectively. Additionally, among the 13 identified microsatellite markers, 12 of them were successfully amplified in other three congeneric species, and most of them showed polymorphic. Obtained evidences suggest that these markers provide a useful tool for further study of the population genetic structure and the breeding system in this species or/and infra-generic species.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellites loci in the lemon (Citrus limon)

This study reports the isolation and characterization of seven polymorphic microsatellite loci in Citrus. The loci were isolated from two libraries constructed from genomic DNA nonenriched for TC and AC repeats and enriched for AC repeats. These markers yielded four to nine alleles per locus (mean 6.14) in a survey of 32 Citrus cultivars. Average observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.43 to 0.72. The levels of polymorphism found in this study suggest that these microsatellite loci can become an important tool for genetic studies in Citrus.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in lane snapper (Lutjanus synagris), mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis), and yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus)

Polymerase chain reaction primer pairs for a total of 25 nuclear‐encoded microsatellites (loci) were developed from genomic DNA libraries of lane snapper (Lutjanus synagris), mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis), and yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus). The microsatellites include 24 perfect (21 dinucleotide and three trinucleotide) and one imperfect (combination tetranucleotide/tetranucleotide) repeat motifs. A total of 32 individuals of each species were assayed for allelic variation at all 25 microsatellites; reliable amplification products were generated for lane snapper (25 loci), mutton snapper (21 loci), and yellowtail snapper (24 loci). Significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg expectations, following Bonferroni corrections, were found for one microsatellite in lane and yellowtail snappers, and for three microsatellites in mutton snapper. All pairwise comparisons of microsatellites (all three species) did not deviate significantly from genotypic equilibrium.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in the bryozoan Crisia denticulata

Cyclostomata bryozoa are thought to reproduce via polyembryony, a clonal replication of a fertilized egg. To test this hypothesis and to assess the impact of their reproductive strategy on the structure of populations, we isolated microsatellite markers in Crisia denticulata (Cyclostomata, Stenolemata), using an initial enrichment step with random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers. A total of nine microsatellites, one tetra‐ and eight dinucleotides repeats were isolated; seven were found to be polymorphic in a test sample of 30 individuals, with allele numbers/locus varying from 2 to 6. The tetranucleotide locus showed heterozygote deficiency. These primers did not amplify the DNA of Crisia eburnea.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in the Adriatic sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii)

We isolated and characterized seven polymorphic microsatellite loci from a partial genomic library of the Adriatic sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii) enriched for GATA repeats. Variability was tested in 20 specimens of this endangered species. Our data support the tetraploid condition for A. naccarii and will be useful for the investigation of the remnant genetic variability of this species as well as for genetic tagging studies.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in Psilopeganum sinense Hemsl (Rutaceae), an endangered herb endemic to Yangtze River valley

Twenty-nine primer pairs flanking microsatellite repeats were designed from an AC-enriched genomic library of Psilopeganum sinense and tested using 24 individuals derived from a natural population. A total of 11 microsatellite loci were found polymorphic. The number of alleles per locus varied from two to eight, with an average value of 3.7. The ranges of observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.000-0.750 and 0.365-0.800, respectively. These microsatellite loci have been directly applied to the ongoing conservation genetic studies of P. sinense.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides)

 We have identified, isolated, and characterized microsatellite/simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci in trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) by screening partial genomic libraries. We have also examined the compatibility and use of the P. tremuloides SSR primers to resolve microsatellites in other Populus species. Fourteen microsatellites were identified from 1600 clones screened. The TC/AG microsatellites were the most abundant. A total of 29 alleles were detected in 36 P. tremuloides individuals at the four SSR loci (two each of di- and tri-nucleotide repeats) characterized. The number of alleles at the SSR loci ranged from 5 to 11, with an average of 7.25 alleles per locus, and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.19 to 0.82, with a mean of 0.46 per locus. Although the highest polymorphism was observed for a dinucleotide SSR locus, the trinucleotide SSR loci showed substantial polymorphism. There were 34 unique multilocus genotypes among the 36 P. tremuloides individuals examined, and 89% of the individuals had unique multilocus genotypes. Two pairs of SSR primers were successful in PCR, amplifying genomic DNA and resolving microsatellites of comparable size from Populus deltoides, P. nigra, P.×canadensis, and P. maximowiczii. The microsatellite DNA markers developed could be used for clonal fingerprinting, certification of controlled crosses, genome mapping, marker-assisted early selection, genetic diversity assessments, and conservation and sustainable management of poplar genetic resources. Received: 14 November 1997 / Accepted: 17 November 1997