Analysis of genetic diversity in common loon Gavia immer using RAPD and mitochondrial RFLP techniques |
| |
| Authors: | A K Dhar M A Pokras D K Garcia D C Evers Z J Gordon & A Alcivar-Warren |
| |
| Institution: | Department of Comparative Medicine,;Department of Environmental Studies, Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA,;Department of Biology, California State University, San Marcos, CA 92096, USA,;Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, University of Minnesota, 200 Hodson Hall, 1980 Folwell Avenue, St Paul, MN 55108, USA |
| |
| Abstract: | We used random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) of mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b ) gene to evaluate the genetic diversity in common loon Gavia immer populations from two regions in the United States: New England (NE) and Michigan (MI). RAPD analysis with 18 primers showed 74% polymorphism in NE and 50% in MI loons (similarity coefficient F = 0.92). Although no population-specific markers were found, the frequencies of some RAPD bands varied between the two populations suggesting geographical differences. RFLP analyses with Bam HI enzyme and a 307-bp mitochondrial cyt b gene showed four haplotypes in the NE loon samples and two in the MI samples. The mtDNA haplotype diversity was 0.74 for NE and 0.51 for MI loons, supporting the RAPD data that NE loons have greater genetic diversity than MI loons. |
| |
| Keywords: | Gavia immer cytochrome b genetic diversity RAPD RFLP |
|
|
