Genetic diversity and heavy metal tolerance in populations of Silene paradoxa L. (Caryophyllaceae): a random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis

Metal-contaminated sites can occur naturally in serpentine outcrops or as consequence of anthropogenic activities, such as mining deposits, aerial fallout from smelters and industrial processes. Serpentine outcrops are characterized by high levels of nickel, cobalt and chromium and present a typical vegetation which includes endemisms and plants which also live in uncontaminated soils. These latter metal-tolerant populations provide the opportunity to investigate the first steps in the differentiation of plant populations under severe selection pressure and to select plants to be used in the phytoremediation of industrially contaminated soils. In this report eight populations of Silene paradoxa L. (Caryophyllaceae) growing in copper mine deposits, in serpentine outcrops or in noncontaminated soil in central Italy, were analysed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers to investigate the pattern of genetic variation. The genetic diversity observed in populations at copper mine deposits was found to be at least as high as that of the neighbouring serpentine populations. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) of the RAPD markers gave high statistical significance to the groupings of populations according: (i) with their geographical location; and (ii) with the metals present in the soil of origin (copper vs. nickel), indicating that RAPD markers detected a polymorphism related to the soil contamination by copper. Finally, two RAPD bands exclusive to copper-tolerant populations were identified.     

Isolation and characterization of highly polymorphic microsatellite loci in the bladder campion,Silene vulgaris (Caryophyllaceae)

This study reports the isolation and characterization of seven highly polymorphic microsatellite loci in Silene vulgaris (Caryophyllaceae). The loci were isolated from two libraries constructed from genomic DNA enriched for CA and GA repeats. These markers yielded nine to 40 alleles per locus (mean 22.1) in a survey of 45 individuals from a single population located in the western Swiss Alps. Average observed heterozygosity ranged from 16.2 to 77.4%. These microsatellite loci should be valuable tools for studying fine‐scale genetic structure.     

梵净山冷杉和元宝山冷杉的叶绿体微卫星遗传多样性分析

梵净山冷杉和元宝山冷杉是极度濒危的国家一级重点保护植物.应用叶绿体微卫星标记(cpSSR)研究它们的遗传多样性,并与同属的广布种岷江冷杉的一个种群进行比较.结果表明：3对 cpSSR 引物(Pt63718、Pt30204和Pt71936)在这3种冷杉的249个个体中共检测到21个等位基因,组成35种单倍型;它们的单倍型数和有效单倍型数分别为梵净山冷杉(No＝12,Ne＝3．92),元宝山冷杉(No＝9,Ne＝3．28),两者均低于广布种岷江冷杉(No＝14,Ne＝11．57);梵净山冷杉和元宝山冷杉的稀有单倍型较少,其频率最高的单倍型分别出现在该种群的46．0％和44．1％的个体中;梵净山冷杉(He＝0．75)和元宝山冷杉(He＝0．70)的单倍型多样性也低于岷江冷杉(He＝0．97).梵净山冷杉和元宝山冷杉的叶绿体微卫星遗传多样性水平低.     

合浦珠母贝三个养殖群体微卫星遗传多样性

以广东徐闻金碧公司养殖场、广西北海营盘镇养殖场和南海水产研究所海南实验基地3个合浦珠母贝养殖群体为对象,利用8个微卫星位点M1、M2、M3、M4、M5、M6、M7、M8的引物进行了遗传多样性分析.结果表明:8个微卫星标记位点在3个养殖群体中共检测到58个等位基因,观测等位基因数为2～9个,平均有效等位基因数3.72～5.06,平均观察杂合度0.41～0.56,平均期望杂合度0.67～0.75,3个群体的平均多态信息含量PIC值为0.62～0.70,全部为高度多态(PIC≥0.5),表明这几个合浦珠母贝养殖群体目前仍具有较高的遗传多样性,遗传信息丰富,遗传变异大,可以作为良好的育种材料;在这3个养殖群体中,南海水产研究所海南实验基地的养殖群体的遗传多样性最高,广西北海营盘镇养殖群体遗传多样性最低,这一结果可以为今后选择育种、种质保护提供可资借鉴的资料.

Abstract：

By using eight mierosatellite loci (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7 and MS), the genetic diversity of three Pinctada fucata populations from the pearl farms in Xuwen of Guang-dong and Beihai of Guangxi, and from the experimental base of South China Sea Fisheries Re-search Institute in Hainan was studied. A total of fifty eight alleles of these eight microsatellite lo-ci were detected, among which, the observed allele number was 2-9, average effective allele number was 3.72-5.06, average observed population heterozygosity was 0. 41-0. 56, and aver-age observed expected heterozygosity was 0. 67-0. 75. All the three populations had a polymor-phie information content (PIC) of 0. 62-0.70, suggesting their high polymorphism (PIC > 0. 5). Among the three populations, the cultured population from the experimental base of South China Sea Fisheries Institute had the highest polymorphism, and that from Beihai of Guangxi had the lowest one. These results provided useful information for the selective breeding and germplast conservation of P. Fucata.     

山羊群体遗传多样性的微卫星分析

为了保护和合理利用我国地方山羊品种遗传资源提供理论基础,本研究利用国际农粮组织和国际家畜研究所推荐的10对微卫星引物,结合荧光标记PCR,检测了中国9个地方山羊品种和1个引进山羊品种的遗传多样性。所研究的10个品种中7个呈现出高度多态,3个呈现出中度多态。并共检测到119个等位基因,有效等位基因数在1.4641~9.2911之间,座位平均杂合度在0.2618~0.7672之间,品种平均杂合度在0.5196~0.7024之间,其中SRCRSP23位点和河西绒山羊(HXR)平均杂合度最高。聚类关系(NJ和UPGMA)和主成分分析结果与其起源、育成历史及地理分布基本一致。     

鄱阳湖日本沼虾15个群体遗传多样性的微卫星分析

利用徽卫星分子标记研究鄱阳湖15个日本沼虾(Macrobrachium nipponense野生群体的遗传多样性.结果表明:10个微卫星位点呈高度多态性,共检测到129个多态性位点;每个群体中至少有5个位点显著偏离Hardy-Weinberg平衡,表现出杂合不足;15个日本沼虾群体均表现出较高的遗传多样性,其中大坝外群体和星池群体遗传多样性较高,万户和湖口群体相对较低.瓶颈效应和突变-漂移平衡分析表明,鄱阳湖日本沼虾群体近期没有经历过瓶颈效应,群体数量也没有下降.群体间F统计量及AMOVA分析显示,鄱阳湖日本沼虾群体存在极显著的遗传分化程度(FST=0.04709,P＜O.01).综上所述,鄱阳湖日本沼虾群体具有丰富的遗传多样性,可作为日本沼虾选育的基础群.     

Isolation and characterization of new microsatellite markers in shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn)

Vitellaria paradoxa is one of the major components of African parkland agroforestry systems. In order to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of this species, we isolated and characterized 14 polymorphic nuclear microsatellite loci. Primers developed to amplify these loci were used to analyse 200 individuals of a shea tree population in Mali. Loci have shown a high number of alleles ranging from four to 26, and display an observed level of heterozygosity between 0.37 and 0.85. These new very polymorphic microsatellite markers will be useful for genetic and ecological studies of V. paradoxa.     

The spatial distribution of chloroplast DNA and allozyme polymorphisms within A population of Silene alba (Caryophyllaceae)

Genetic structure within a population of Silene alba was studied using a chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) and six allozyme polymorphisms. A 20 × 65 m area was sampled by constructing a 5 × 5 m grid and determining the genotype of the plant nearest to each grid node. Analysis of the spatial distribution of genotypes by Moran's I and join-counts showed a significant degree of association of like cpDNA haplotypes (I = 0.52, S.N.D. = 2.55) but a random or slightly repulsed distribution of allozyme genotypes. A second sample was taken by collecting all individuals from within a 1-m wide transect established along the perimeter of the grid. Genotype and allele frequencies were calculated by grouping individuals from arbitrary 3-m intervals along the transect, and analyzed by Wright's F statistics. The F_st value calculated for cpDNA (0.875) differed markedly from that based on all allozymes (0.027). Taken together, the results suggest that in this population gene flow in the maternally inherited cpDNA is limited by restricted seed dispersal, whereas gene flow in the nuclear DNA based allozymes is more pervasive owing to the added effects of pollen dispersal. The utility of cpDNA polymorphism for the study of fine-scale gene flow is discussed.     

Molecular and quantitative genetic differentiation in European populations of Silene latifolia (Caryophyllaceae)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Among-population differentiation in phenotypic traits and allelic variation is expected as a consequence of isolation, drift, founder effects and local selection. Therefore, investigating molecular and quantitative genetic divergence is a pre-requisite for studies of local adaptation in response to selection under variable environmental conditions. METHODS: Among- and within-population variation were investigated in six geographically separated European populations of the white campion, Silene latifolia, both for molecular variation at six newly developed microsatellite loci and for quantitative variation in morphological and life-history traits. To avoid confounding effects of the maternal environment, phenotypic traits were measured on greenhouse-reared F(1) offspring. Tests were made for clinal variation, and the correlations among molecular, geographic and phenotypic distances were compared with Mantel tests. KEY RESULTS: The six populations of Silene latifolia investigated showed significant molecular and quantitative genetic differentiation. Geographic and phenotypic distances were significantly associated. Age at first flowering increased significantly with latitude and exhibited a Q(st) value of 0.17 in females and 0.10 in males, consistent with adaptation to local environmental conditions. By contrast, no evidence of isolation-by-distance and no significant association between molecular and phenotypic distances were found. CONCLUSIONS: Significant molecular genetic divergence among populations of Silene latifolia, from the European native range is consistent with known limited seed and pollen flow distances, while significant quantitative genetic divergence among populations and clinal variation for age at first flowering suggest local adaptation.     

Genetic diversity in Swiss goat breeds based on microsatellite analysis

Genetic diversity in eight Swiss goat breeds was estimated using PCR amplification of 20 bovine microsatellites on 20-40 unrelated animals per breed. In addition, the Creole breed from the Caribbean and samples of Ibex and Bezoar goat were included. A total of 352 animals were tested. The bovine microsatellites chosen amplified well in goat. The average heterozygosity within population was higher in domestic goat (0.51-0.58) than in Ibex (0.17) and Bezoar goat (0.19). Twenty-seven per cent of the genetic diversity in the total population could be attributed to differences between the populations. However, with the exclusion of Ibex from the total population, this proportion dropped to 17%. Principal component analysis showed that all Swiss goat breeds are closely related, whereas the Creole breed, Ibex and Bezoar goat are clearly distinct from all eight Swiss breeds.     

Fine-scale phylogeographical analysis of Mediterranean Anacamptis palustris (Orchidaceae) populations based on chloroplast minisatellite and microsatellite variation

The phylogeographical history of the rare marsh orchid Anacamptis palustris (Orchidaceae) was reconstructed using highly polymorphic chloroplast minisatellite and microsatellite loci. Allelic variation at chloroplast microsatellite loci was due to length variation in poly(A/T) repeats and was informative on a regional scale, but was not sufficient to unravel relationships among populations on a local geographical scale. The minisatellite locus, however, was found to be highly variable. Nine distinct repeat types were found and variation in repeat number occurred in five repeat types. The distribution of chloroplast haplotypes, combining microsatellite and minisatellite repeat type variation, provided a clear phylogeographical picture on a large geographical scale, whereas length variation in one highly polymorphic minisatellite repeat type provided fine-scale phylogeographical information. Mediterranean populations could be divided into four main lineages, a western European lineage, a northern and central Italian lineage, a well-isolated southern Italian (Apulian) lineage, and an eastern European lineage. Variation at the most variable minisatellite repeat type N revealed 19 alleles and allowed the study of seed-mediated gene flow and an estimation of the ratio of pollen to seed flow among neighbouring populations.     

Numerical analysis of infraspecific variation in European Silene alba and S. dioica(Caryophyllaceae)

Infraspecific variation among European populations of Silene alba and S. dioica was analysed by non-metric multidimensional scaling, which was applied to K-dissimilarity matrices based either on 16 seed characters or on 34 seed, flower and capsule characters. The material used for analysis consisted of 167 collections of wild seed, largely obtained from European botanic gardens, and 97 sets of mature greenhouse-grown progeny. S. alba was found to show topoclinal variation, primarily along an axis from the Iberian peninsula through central Europe to Romania. This pattern is not reflected in current taxonomic treatments. N. and N.W. European S. alba is morphologically heterogeneous and has probably been introduced from various southern sources. S. dioica shows less total variation between populations than S. alba , and consists of local ecogeographic races that intergrade at their margins. The two species are completely discriminated by seed, flower and capsule characters when used in combination, but S. alba populations from the eastern end of the cline closely approach S. dioica in seed morphology. This convergence is unlikely to be an effect of recent introgression.     

The analysis of genetic diversity and differentiation of six Chinese cattle populations using microsatellite markers

A total of 321 individuals from six cattle populations of four species in a bovine subfamily in China were studied using 12 pairs of microsatellite markers. The genetic diversities within and between populations were calculated. The phylogenetic trees were constructed by （δμ）^2 and DA distances, and the divergence times between populations were estimated by （δμ）^2. Altogether, 144 microsatellite alleles were detected including 24 private alleles and nine shared alleles. Chinese Holstein had the largest number of private alleles （10）, whereas Bohai black and Buffalo had the smallest number of private alleles （2）. Chinese Holstein showed the highest genetic variability. Its observed number of alleles （Na）, mean effective number of alleles （MNA）, and mean heterozygosity （He） were 7.7500, 4.9722, and 0.7719, respectively, whereas, the Buffalo and Yak showed low genetic variability. In the phylogenetic trees, Luxi and Holstein grouped first, followed by Bohai and Minnan. Yak branched next and buffalo emerged as the most divergent population from other cattle populations. Luxi and Bohai were estimated to have diverged 0.039-0.105 million years ago （MYA）, however, buffalo and Holstein diverged 0.501-1.337 MYA. The divergence time of Yak versus Minnan, Holstein and buffalo was 0.136-0.363, 0.273-0.729, and 0.326-0.600 MYA, respectively.     

Genetic diversity in Chinese modern wheat varieties revealed by microsatellite markers

Genetic diversity of 1680 modern varieties in Chinese candidate core collections was analyzed at 78 SSR loci by fluorescence detection system. A total of 1336 alleles were detected, of which 1253 alleles could be annotated into 71 loci. For these 71 loci, the alleles ranged from 4 to 44 with an average of 17.6, and the PIC values changed from 0.19 to 0.89 with an average of 0.69. (1) In the three genomes of wheat, the average genetic richness was B>A>D, and the genetic diversity indexes were B>D>A. (2) Among the seven homoeologous groups, the average genetic richness was 2=7>3>4>6>5>1, and the genetic diversity indexes were 7>3>2>4>6>5>1. As a whole, group 7 possessed the highest genetic diversity, while groups 1 and 5 were the lowest. (3) In the 21 wheat chromosomes, 7A, 3B and 2D possessed much higher genetic diversity, while 2A, 1B, 4D, 5D and 1D were the lowest. (4) The highest average genetic diversity index existed in varieties bred in the 1950s, and then it declined continually. However, the change tendency of genetic diversity among decades was not greatly sharp. This was further illustrated by changes of the average genetic distance between varieties. In the 1950s it was the largest (0.731). Since the 1960s, it has decreased gradually (0.711, 0.706, 0.696, 0.695). The genetic base of modern varieties is becoming narrower and narrower. This should be given enough attention by breeders and policy makers.     

微卫星标记分析罗非鱼群体的遗传潜力

利用25个微卫星标记,对奥利亚罗非鱼2个群体["夏奥1号"(ZA)、广西群体(GA)]和尼罗罗非鱼4个群体[埃及品系(ZN)、88品系(XN)、广西群体(GN)、美国品系(MN)]进行检测。共检测到7 775个扩增片段,长度在100~400 bp;等位基因数3~8个不等,共计143个等位基因;平均每个基因座扩增得到5.72个等位基因。各群体平均观测杂合度(H o)在0.7253~0.8160之间,平均期望杂合度(He)在0.5146~0.6834之间,平均多态信息含量(PIC)在0.4212~0.6105之间,平均有效等位基因数(A e)在2.20~3.23之间。ZA与GA遗传相似系数最高(0.9130),ZA与ZN遗传相似系数最低(0.4352)。总的说来,4个尼罗罗非鱼群体的遗传潜力较高,2个奥利亚罗非鱼群体的遗传潜力适中。     

Genetic diversity and differentiation of guanaco populations from Argentina inferred from microsatellite data

Genotype data from 14 microsatellite markers were used to assess the genetic diversity and differentiation of four guanaco populations from Argentine Patagonia. These animals were recently captured in the wild and maintained in semi-captivity for fibre production. Considerable genetic diversity in these populations was suggested by the finding of a total of 162 alleles, an average mean number of alleles per locus ranging from 6.50 to 8.19, and H(e) values ranging from 0.66 to 0.74. Assessment of population differentiation showed moderate but significant values of F(ST)=0.071 (P=0.000) and R(ST)=0.083 (P=0.000). An amova test showed that the genetic variation among populations was 5.6% while within populations it was 94.4%. A number of 6.6 migrants per generation may support these results. Unambiguous individual assignment to original populations was obtained for the Pilcaniyeu, Las Heras and La Esperanza populations. The erroneous assignment of 18.75% Rio Mayo individuals to the Las Heras population can be explained by the low genetic differentiation found between these two populations. Thirty-nine of 56 loci per population combinations were in Hardy--Weinberg disequilibrium because of guanaco heterozygote deficiency, which may be explained by population subdivision. The high level of genetic diversity of the guanacos analysed here indicates that the Patagonian guanaco constitutes an important genetic resource for conservation or economic utilization programmes.     

Genetic diversity in Dactylorhiza majalis subsp. majalis populations (Orchidaceae) of northern Poland

We analysed 16 populations of Dactylorhiza majalis subsp. majalis from northern Poland, simultaneously utilizing both morphological and molecular data. Genetic differentiation was examined using five microsatellite loci, and morphological variation was assessed for 23 characters. At the species level, our results showed a moderate level of genetic diversity (A = 6.00; A_e = 1.86; H_o = 0.387; F_IS = 0.139) which varied between the studied populations (A = 2.60–4.20; A_e = 1.68–2.39; H_o = 0.270–0.523; F_IS = ?0.064–0.355). A significant excess of homozygotes was detected in five population, while excess of heterozygotes was observed in four populations, but the latter values were statistically insignificant. Moderate, but clear between population genetic differentiation was found (F_ST = 0.101; p < 0.001). Considering pairwise‐F_ST and number of migrants among populations, we recognized three population groups (I, II, III), where the first could be further divided into two subgroups (Ia, Ib). These three groups differed with respect to gene flow values (N_m = 0.39–1.12). The highest number of migrants per generation was noticed among populations of subgroup Ia (8.58), indicative of a central panmictic population with free gene flow surrounded by peripatric local populations (Ib) with more limited gene flow. Geographic isolation, habitat fragmentation and limited seed dispersal are inferred to have caused limitations to gene flow among the three indicated population groups. There was a significant correlation between the morphological and genetic distance matrices. A weak but significant pattern of isolation by distance was also observed (r = 0.351; p < 0.05).     

Genetic diversity of north-east Asian cattle based on microsatellite data

In order to assess the genetic variability and population structure of north-east Asian cattle, 13 microsatellite loci were analysed for a total of 200 individuals including Korean, Chinese, Japanese Black and European Holstein cattle. Observed and expected heterozygosity, two estimators (F(ST) and G(ST)) of gene differentiation, and Nei's DA distance were evaluated. Based on expected mean heterozygosity, the lowest genetic diversity was exhibited in Japanese Black cattle (H(E)=0.471), and the highest in Chinese cattle (H(E)=0.744). Korean cattle revealed a relatively high degree of genetic diversity (H(E)=0.728). Average proportion of genetic variation because of interpopulation subdivision among north-east Asian cattle varied between 10.9 and 9.9%, depending on the estimator used. N-J tree based on Nei's DA genetic distance showed that Korean and Chinese cattle are closely related, whereas Japanese Black cattle are clearly distinct from the other two populations, forming a north-east Asian outgroup.