Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the polychaete tubeworm Hobsonia florida

Eight dinucleotide microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from Hobsonia florida, a tube‐dwelling ampharetid polychaete. The identified loci were highly polymorphic, with allelic diversity ranging from six to 11 alleles. Levels of expected heterozygosity were 0.52 or greater in all cases, averaging 0.78 across the complete set of loci. Cross‐species amplification was successful in three of the eight loci for one or both of the other species (Melinna cristata and Ampharete acutifrons) tested. Although these novel loci were designed for immediate utility in H. florida population‐level research, these results indicate they may prove useful in studies of other related taxa.     

Discrimination of wingbeat motion by bats,correlated with echolocation sound pattern

Summary Bats of the species Rhinolophus rouxi, Hipposideros lankadiva and Eptesicus fuscus were trained to discriminate between two simultaneously presented artificial insect wingbeat targets moving at different wingbeat rates. During the discrimination trials, R. rouxi, H. lankadiva and E. fuscus emitted long-CF/FM, short-CF/FM and FM echolocation sounds respectively. R. rouxi, H. lankadiva and E. fuscus were able to discriminate a difference in wingbeat rate of 2.7 Hz, 9.2 Hz and 15.8 Hz, respectively, between two simultaneously presented targets at an absolute wingbeat rate of 60 Hz, using a criterion of 75% correct responses.The performance of the different bat species is correlated with the echolocation signal design used by each species, particularly with the presence and relative duration of a narrowband component preceding a broadband FM component. These results provide behavioral evidence supporting the hypothesis that bats that use CF/FM echolocation sounds have adaptations for the perception of insect wingbeat motion and that long-CF/FM species are more specialized for this task than short-CF/FM species.Abbreviations CF constant frequency - FM frequency modulation     

Microsatellite markers for the heavily exploited canary (Sebastes pinniger) and other rockfish species

The isolation and characterization of nine polymorphic microsatellite loci (eight tetranucleotide and one dinucleotide) from the canary rockfish Sebastes pinniger are described. Polymorphism at these loci revealed from six to 28 alleles, with expected heterozygosities ranging between 0.42 and 0.88, enabling high‐resolution genetic population structure investigation for this overfished species in the northeastern Pacific. They also amplify in 13 other congeneric species, providing highly variable loci for research on other rockfishes.     

Microsatellite primers for Australian recreationally and commercially important estuarine fishes

Eight primer sets that amplify microsatellite DNA loci were developed for the estuarine fishes, dusky flathead Platycephalus fuscus and sand whiting Sillago ciliata, which are targets of recreational and commercial fishers on the east coast of Australia. Surveys across these loci revealed remarkably similar levels of genetic diversity within samples of c. 22 P. fuscus and S. ciliata from each of the two estuaries. These loci will be useful in determining the genetic stock structure of these two species.     

Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for a monoecious Ficus species,Ficus insipida,and cross‐species amplification among different sections of Ficus

The animal‐mediated pollination and seed‐dispersal mutualisms of Ficus species give them key roles in tropical ecosystems, but may make them vulnerable to habitat fragmentation. The development of highly polymorphic markers is needed to analyse their genetic diversity and investigate the effects of fragmentation on gene flow. Of thirteen microsatellite loci isolated from Ficus insipida, a monoecious species in French Guiana, eleven were polymorphic (two to six alleles each). High levels of variation were found among loci; expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.151 to 0.715. All markers revealed a broad cross‐species affinity when tested in 23 other Ficus species.     

Dinucleotide microsatellite markers from the Antarctic seals and their use in other Pinnipeds

Twenty‐four microsatellite loci were isolated from three species of Antarctic seals (Subfamily Monachinae, Tribe Lobodontini). Eleven loci were cloned from Weddell seal, Leptonychotes weddellii, seven from leopard seal, Hydrurga leptonyx, and six from crabeater seal, Lobodon carcinophagus. Variability was assessed in Weddell seals collected in McMurdo Sound, leopard seals from Bird Island, South Georgia, and crabeater seals sampled in the eastern Ross Sea. All loci were variable in the three species used for cloning and 22 of these loci amplified variable products in the Ross seal, Ommatophoca rossii. Cross‐species amplification was largely successful, with an average of 19 loci amplifying products in other phocids.     

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.     

Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci from Round Island Petrels (Pterodroma arminjoniana) and their utility in other seabird species

Six microsatellite loci were isolated from the petrels of Round Island, near Mauritius in the Indian Ocean (Pterodroma arminjoniana). Three loci were monomorphic in P. arminjoniana but were found to be polymorphic in other Procellariiforms. Cross-utility of all six loci was tested in 17 Procellariiform and 1 penguin species. In addition, 53 microsatellite loci developed for other species of birds were tested for cross-species amplification in P. arminjoniana. Six of these loci were found to be polymorphic.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from the orchid Serapias vomeracea (Orchidaceae) and cross‐priming to other Serapias species

In this paper we describe the isolation and characterization of six polymorphic microsatellite loci from the orchid Serapias vomeracea. This species is widely distributed in the Mediterranean region. Microsatellite loci were isolated from an enriched library and primer pairs were designed for 18 loci. Primer pairs for six loci amplified well and were tested on samples from southern Italy. Levels of genetic variability detected at these six loci are high, with numbers of alleles per locus ranging from 3 to 6, and observed heterozygosity (H_O) ranging from 0.35 to 0.86. All primer pairs tested amplified DNA from four other Serapias species, indicating that the primers are useful for population genetic studies throughout the genus.     

Isolation and characterisation of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the vulnerable spectacled flying fox, Pteropus conspicillatus

The spectacled flying fox, Pteropus conspicillatus, is listed as vulnerable in Australia and is under threat from numerous impacts. Primers to amplify eight co-dominant microsatellite loci were designed for Pteropus conspicillatus, based on an enriched genomic library. Four loci were monomorphic in this species while the remaining four loci were highly polymorphic with 16–23 alleles. Two of the four monomorphic loci were found to be polymorphic in Pteropus alecto, a closely related congener. All but one of the six polymorphic loci were in Hardy Weinberg equilibrium. Additionally, six microsatellite loci isolated for Pteropus rodricensis were tested against individuals of P. conspicillatus with all loci amplifying reliably. These loci will be used to investigate population genetic structure in the vulnerable spectacled flying fox.     

PCR primers for microsatellite loci in the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii,Testudinidae)

The desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii, is a threatened species native to the North American desert southwest and is recognized as having distinct Mojave and Sonoran populations. We identified six polymorphic microsatellite loci in the desert tortoise. All six loci were polymorphic in Sonoran samples. Five of the loci were variable in Mojave samples with varying degrees of amplification success. Two of the loci exhibited low allelic variation (2–3 alleles) while four were highly variable (8–27 alleles).     

Genetic and Ecological Characterisation of Colour Dimorphism in a Coral Reef Fish

Synopsis Many recognised species of coral reef fishes exhibit two or more colour variants, but it is unknown whether these represent genetically identical phenotypes, genetic polymorphisms or closely related species. We tested between these alternatives for two colour morphs of the coral reef fish, Pseudochromis fuscus, from Lizard Island (Great Barrier Reef). A molecular analysis using mtDNA did not detect any genetic differentiation between co-occurring ‘yellow’ and ‘brown’ colour morphs. A previous study proposed that these two colour morphs are aggressive mimics of yellow and brown damselfishes. Here, a manipulative field experiment was used to evaluate whether the colour dimorphism in P. fuscus is a phenotypic response to the presence of two different model species. Colonies of either yellow or brown damselfish species were established on different patch reefs, and each of the two different P. fuscus morphs was then placed on the different reefs. Contrary to expectations, all yellow individuals that stayed on the reefs changed to brown, regardless of the model species. No brown individuals changed to the yellow colouration. However, P. fuscus were more likely to emigrate from, or suffer higher mortality on, patch reefs where they were not matched with similarly coloured models. Clearly, yellow and brown P. fuscus are members of a single species with sufficient phenotypic plasticity to switch from yellow to brown colouration.     

Microsatellites for use in Nothofagus cunninghamii (Nothofagaceae) and related species

Nothofagus cunninghamii (myrtle) has a widespread distribution through the temperate rainforest of southeastern Australia with some disjunct populations existing in putative glacial refugia. Polymorphic nuclear markers are required to resolve the biogeographical history of the species and will also be useful for conservation and forestry applications in this and other species of Nothofagus. Fourteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from N. cunninghamii, with four to 10 alleles amplified in 15 individuals tested. Transferability to other species of Nothofagus was successful, with six loci transferring to all eight other species tested.     

Microsatellite primers for the African mole‐rat genus Cryptomys and cross‐species amplification within the family Bathyergidae

We report 11 microsatellite loci for the African mole‐rat genus Cryptomys (Rodentia: Bathyergidae), isolated from the Damaraland mole‐rat (Cryptomys damarensis) and the Common mole‐rat (C. hottentotus hottentotus). All loci are highly polymorphic in the source species, with between six and 13 alleles and observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.54 to 0.86. Two C. damarensis loci (DMR1 and 6) may be located on the X‐chromosome. Cross‐species amplification was investigated in 10 Bathyergid species, representative of the five genera. The majority of loci amplified polymorphic product in all Cryptomys species tested. Amplification was also widespread in the other genera, except in Heterocephalus.     

Habitat associations of bats in a working rangeland landscape

Land‐use change has resulted in rangeland loss and degradation globally. These changes include conversion of native grasslands for row‐crop agriculture as well as degradation of remaining rangeland due to fragmentation and changing disturbance regimes. Understanding how these and other factors influence wildlife use of rangelands is important for conservation and management of wildlife populations. We investigated bat habitat associations in a working rangeland in southeastern North Dakota. We used Petterson d500x acoustic detectors to systematically sample bat activity across the study area on a 1‐km point grid. We identified calls using Sonobat autoclassification software. We detected five species using this working rangeland, which included Lasionycteris noctivagans (2,722 detections), Lasiurus cinereus (2,055 detections), Eptesicus fuscus (749 detections), Lasiurus borealis (62 detections), and Myotis lucifugus (1 detection). We developed generalized linear mixed‐effects models for the four most frequently detected species based on their ecology. The activity of three bat species increased with higher tree cover. While the scale of selection varied between the four species, all three investigated scales were explanatory for at least one bat species. The broad importance of trees to bats in rangelands may put their conservation needs at odds with those of obligate grassland species. Focusing rangeland bat conservation on areas that were treed prior to European settlement, such as riparian forests, can provide important areas for bat conservation while minimizing negative impacts on grassland species.     

Isolation and characterization of highly polymorphic microsatellite markers in Hypochaeris radicata (Asteraceae)

We developed five highly polymorphic dinucleotide microsatellite loci for the grassland species Hypochaeris radicata (Asteraceae). Polymorphism of these markers was examined in six populations in the Netherlands. All loci were polymorphic in all populations. The number of alleles per locus varied between 18 and 43. Expected heterozygosity was between 0.86 and 0.91. Cross‐species amplification was tested in six Hypochaeris species and was successful for three different loci in four species. These microsatellites are a useful tool in population genetic, dispersal and metapopulation studies or in testing levels of inbreeding.     

Microsatellite loci for Australian agamid lizards

We characterize 15 microsatellite loci from two microsatellite libraries developed from the Australian agamid lizards Amphibolurus muricatus and Ctenophorus pictus. All loci were tested for amplification in four other agamids: Ctenophorus fordi, Ctenophorus decresii, Chlamydosaurus kingii, and Physignathus lesueurii. These loci were highly polymorphic within and across species, with nine to 12 loci amplifying for each species tested.     

Microsatellite primers for fungus‐growing ants

We isolated five polymorphic microsatellite loci from a library of two thousand recombinant clones of two fungus‐growing ant species, Cyphomyrmex longiscapus and Trachymyrmex cf. zeteki. Amplification and heterozygosity were tested in five species of higher attine ants using both the newly developed primers and earlier published primers that were developed for fungus‐growing ants. A total of 20 variable microsatellite loci, developed for six different species of fungus‐growing ants, are now available for studying the population genetics and colony kin‐structure of these ants.     

Plasma leptin decreases during lactation in insectivorous bats

We previously demonstrated high leptin levels during late pregnancy in little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus). We now extend these observations to a second species, the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus), and also report that leptin increases after the first trimester of pregnancy. Leptin decreased to baseline 1 week following parturition, with a half-time decay of 2 days. During lactation, leptin was significantly correlated with body mass in E. fuscus, but not in M. lucifugus. No circadian pattern of leptin was observed in M. lucifugus. The decrease in post-partum leptin in bats may be partly explained by loss of putative placental leptin. The continued decrease may reflect depletion of body fat during this energy demanding period, at least in Eptesicus. Changes in leptin during lactation appeared to be independent of circadian effects and time of sampling. Our study provides additional evidence that leptin increases during pregnancy and declines during lactation in a free-ranging mammal, supporting the hypothesis that leptin plays important but yet undetermined roles in reproduction. Accepted: 4 October 1998     

Characterization of microsatellite loci in White‐chinned Petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis) and cross‐amplification in six other procellariiform species

Six polymorphic dinucleotide microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from the White‐chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis, using a degenerate primer and PCR‐based technique to construct and screen an enriched genomic library. Preliminary data on three populations show heterozygosity levels ranging from 0.22 to 0.67 and allele numbers from three to nine. Preliminary data also suggest genetic distance between these three populations (F_ST 0.088). Cross‐species amplification of these six microsatellite loci and one further locus were tested in six other procellariiform species of the genus Procellaria, Macronectes, Thalassarche and Diomedea.