Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in Santalum austrocaledonicum,Santalaceae

The forest tree Santalum austrocaledonicum is endemic to the archipelagos of New Caledonia and Vanuatu, and is threatened by the reduction of the populations due to exploitation. In order to investigate the genetic diversity and structure of this species, we developed eight pairs of primers for nuclear microsatellites. These loci were polymorphic in all the populations, with a mean of three to 33 alleles per locus.     

Noninvasive genetic tracking of the endangered Pyrenean brown bear population

Pyrenean brown bears Ursus arctos are threatened with extinction. Management efforts to preserve this population require a comprehensive knowledge of the number and sex of the remaining individuals and their respective home ranges. This goal has been achieved using a combination of noninvasive genetic sampling of hair and faeces collected in the field and corresponding track size data. Genotypic data were collected at 24 microsatellite loci using a rigorous multiple-tubes approach to avoid genotyping errors associated with low quantities of DNA. Based on field and genetic data, the Pyrenean population was shown to be composed at least of one yearling, three adult males, and one adult female. These data indicate that extinction of the Pyrenean brown bear population is imminent without population augmentation. To preserve the remaining Pyrenean gene pool and increase genetic diversity, we suggest that managers consider population augmentation using only females. This study demonstrates that comprehensive knowledge of endangered small populations of mammals can be obtained using noninvasive genetic sampling.     

End Product Inhibition of Serotonin Synthesis in the Rat Striatum

THE synthesis of serotonin (5-HT) in central serotoninergic neurones seems to depend on the intraneuronal concentrations of the amine. After acute or chronic treatment with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), which induced more than a three-fold increase in 5-HT concentrations, we observed a reduced formation of ³H-5-HT from ³H-tryptophan in the rat brain¹. More precisely, this effect could be seen by measuring the accumulation of ³H-5-HT in tissues 15 min after the intracisternal injection of ³H-tryptophan at various times after pheniprazine or pargyline treatments. The ³H-amine accumulation was much less after 3 h than 0.5 h after the MAOI injections. The existence of a 5-HT synthesis regulation by end product inhibition occurring at the first limiting step was proposed to explain these results¹.     

Characterization of microsatellite markers in the rosewood (Dalbergia monticola Bosser & R. Rabev.)

Dalbergia monticola is one of the major components of the oriental forest of Madagascar. This economically and ecologically important tree is threatened because of the dramatic decrease of the Madagascar forest. We have estimated the genetic diversity and structure of the species by studying nuclear microsatellites. We have developed eight pairs of primers to analyse 215 individuals distributed from the north to the south of the island. These markers will be useful for genetic and ecological studies of this species.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in Pterocarpus officinalis Jacq.

The leguminous Pterocarpus officinalis Jacq. is one of the dominant freshwater wetland tree species in the Caribbean basin. Anthromorphic factors threaten to reduce its population. In order to investigate the genetic diversity and structure of this species, we developed eight pairs of primers for nuclear microsatellites. One hundred ninety‐one individuals were analysed within nine Caribbean and continental populations. These loci were polymorphic in all the populations, with four to 20 alleles per locus. Significant Hardy–Weinberg deviation was detected and was interpreted as a result of Wahlund effect. These loci constitute a powerful tool to investigate the genetic patterns within populations of the swamp species P. officinalis.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in Santalum insulare,Santalaceae

The forest tree Santalum insulare is endemic to the archipelagos of eastern Polynesia and is threatened by important anthropic pressures. In order to investigate the genetic diversity and structure of this species, we developed eight pairs of primers for nuclear microsatellites. One hundred and sixty‐two individuals distributed in 10 islands were analysed. These loci were all polymorphic and displayed three to 15 alleles per locus. Significant Hardy–Weinberg deviation was detected and interpreted as a result of Wahlund effect. These markers constitute an efficient tool in investigating the genetic patterns of S. insulare populations.     

Characterization of microsatellite markers in the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C. F Gaertn) in Mali

In order to study the genetic diversity and structure in the population of Vitellaria paradoxa, we characterized eight polymorphic microsatellite loci. Primers to amplify these loci were tested on 169 individual trees representing a sample of the population of shea tree in Mali. The loci were all polymorphic with a number of alleles between three to nine and with observed level of heterozygosity ranging from 0.035 to 0.507. These markers will be useful for genetic and ecological studies of this species.     

Local and global multivariate analysis of geographical mitochondrial DNA variation in Leuciscus cephalus L. 1758 (Pisces: Cyprinidae) in the Balkan Peninsula

Geographical variation of cytochrome b mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in chub (Leuciscus cephalus L.) was analysed in 31 samples from 20 different river basins in the Balkan Peninsula and Danube catchment. Multivariate methods of ordination were used to analyse variation of the data sets. The results were interpreted in the context of the proposed ichthyogcographic districts separating the Balkan Peninsula into two main ichthyogeographic divisions (Eastern Greece/Ponto-Acgcan and Western Greece/South Adriatic-Ionian). Boundary detection supported these two ichthyogeographic districts for L. cephalus , revealing a boundary that ran from north to south through the Balkan Peninsula and the middle of Greece. The results also revealed the existence of a third division in Central Greece. The results of ordination techniques on homogeneous zones and analysis of the molecular variance confirmed the results obtained in studying local variability (boundaries). They also allowed us to test the existence of possible subdivisions proposed by different authors inside the two main ichthyogeographic districts. These subdivisions were not supported. The multivariate methods used in this study allowed us to propose a coherent picture of chub ichthyogeographic districts in terms of boundary detection and maximal autocorrelation between populations and to explain the patterns of chub mtDNA variation. A complete interpretation of results concerning L. cephalus requires careful consideration of both boundary analysis and autocorrelative approach. Results from an the autocorrclativc approach alone could lead to substantial misinterpretations.     

Sexing free-ranging brown bears Ursus arctos using hairs found in the field

As an aid to the management of the Pyrenean population of the brown bear Ursus arctos , a sexing method based on the amplification of a Y chromosome specific sequence has been developed, and tested using hairs found in the field as a source of DNA. This method involves a two-step polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which allows the detection of a very small amount of DNA, probably a single SRY gene molecule. The sex can reliably be identified using about 50pg of DNA extract as template. It is possible that this approach could, with adjustments, be used to identify the sex of other species of eutherian mammals.