conservation genetics

Genetic diversity of the Chinese traditional herb Blumea balsamifera (Asteraceae) based on AFLP markers

Y. X. Pang, Wang, W. Q., Zhang, Y. B., Yuan, Y., Yu, J. B., Zhu, M., and Chen, Y. Y., “Genetic diversity of the Chinese traditional herb Blumea balsamifera (Asteraceae) based on AFLP markers”, vol. 13, pp. 2718-2726, 2014.

Blumea balsamifera is a commercially important medicinal herb in China and other parts of Asia. It is used to produce borneol. This plant grows in the wild, but resources have diminished greatly in recent years. We examined the genetic diversity of this species to help develop conservation strategies; 35 plants from five provinces were analyzed using AFLPs. Eight AFLP primer combinations generated 1367 fragments, giving a mean of 172 fragments per primer combination.

Microsatellite markers for the Cabreúva tree, Myroxylon peruiferum (Fabaceae), an endangered medicinal species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

K. D. Schwarcz, Bajay, M. M., Macrini, C. M. T., Salazar, V. L. P., Souza, A. P., Pinheiro, J. B., Brancalion, P. H. S., Rodrigues, R. R., and Zucchi, M. I., “Microsatellite markers for the Cabreúva tree, Myroxylon peruiferum (Fabaceae), an endangered medicinal species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest”, vol. 13, pp. 6920-6925, 2014.

The Cabreúva tree, Myroxylon peruiferum, is an endangered tropical species from Brazil used in forest restoration projects. It is known for its medicinal properties. Eleven microsatellite markers were developed for this species, from a microsatellite-enriched library. Nine of these markers, characterized in 30 individuals from a semideciduous forest remnant population in southeast Brazil, were polymorphic, with allele numbers ranging from 2 to 8 per locus; expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.103 to 0.757 and 0.107 to 0.704, respectively.

Genetic and morphological diversity of Moenkhausia oligolepis (Characiformes: Characidae) populations in the tributaries of the Araguaia River, Brazil: implications for taxonomy and conservation

T. J. Domingos, Moraes, L. N., Moresco, R. M., Margarido, V. P., and Venere, P. C., “Genetic and morphological diversity of Moenkhausia oligolepis (Characiformes: Characidae) populations in the tributaries of the Araguaia River, Brazil: implications for taxonomy and conservation”, vol. 13, pp. 7979-7991, 2014.

Molecular genetic assessments that consider ecological information, in addition to endogamy levels, genetic diversity, and the genetic differentiation among species and populations, are particularly important for the conservation of biological diversity. Prime candidates for conservation genetic review are those subject to human use, including harvests for the ornamental fish trade. Colorful South American tetra, such as Moenkhausia oligolepis and M. forestii, are good examples of fish species that are widely collected and exported worldwide.

Genetic variability in local Brazilian horse lines using microsatellite markers

A. C. M. Silva, Paiva, S. R., Albuquerque, M. S. M., Egito, A. A., Santos, S. A., Lima, F. C., Castro, S. T., Mariante, A. S., Correa, P. S., and McManus, C. M., “Genetic variability in local Brazilian horse lines using microsatellite markers”, vol. 11, pp. 881-890, 2012.

Genetic variability at 11 microsatellite markers was analyzed in five naturalized/local Brazilian horse breeds or genetic groups. Blood samples were collected from 328 animals of the breeds Campeira (Santa Catarina State), Lavradeira (Roraima State), Pantaneira (Pantanal Mato-Grossense), Mangalarga Marchador (Minas Gerais State), as well as the genetic group Baixadeiro (Maranhão State), and the exotic breeds English Thoroughbred and Arab.

Fine-scale spatial genetic structure of an endangered marsh herb, Caldesia grandis (Alismataceae)

X. - L. Yue, Chen, J. - M., Guo, Y. - H., and Wang, Q. - F., “Fine-scale spatial genetic structure of an endangered marsh herb, Caldesia grandis (Alismataceae)”, vol. 11, pp. 2412-2421, 2012.

The endangered marsh herb, Caldesia grandis, is native to China. We investigated the spatial structure of the genetic variation of three populations of C. grandis using RAPD markers and spatial autocorrelation analysis, based on the method of equal distance interval. A total of 157 individuals were sampled from four patches collected from the region of Hunan and Yunnan Provinces, China.

Patterns of genetic diversity and population structure of the threatened Houbara and Macqueen’s bustards as revealed by microsatellite markers

A. Korrida, Jadallah, S., Chbel, F., Amin-Alami, A., Ahra, M., and Aggrey, S., “Patterns of genetic diversity and population structure of the threatened Houbara and Macqueen’s bustards as revealed by microsatellite markers”, vol. 11, pp. 3207-3221, 2012.

The Houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata) is a threatened avian species that is rapidly declining throughout its range, especially in North Africa, Asia and the Canary Islands. We examined the population structure and genetic variation for the three Houbara subspecies C. undulata undulata, C. u. fuertaventurae and C. u. macqueenii. A total of 266 birds from 10 populations were genotyped using seven polymorphic microsatellite markers. The analysis of microsatellite loci generated 1821 genotypes and 55 different alleles.

Development and characterization of DNA microsatellite primers for buriti (Mauritia flexuosa L.f.)

E. V. Menezes, Souto, W. F. S., Ciampi, A. Y., Azevedo, V. C. R., Valério, H. M., and Pimenta, M. A. S., “Development and characterization of DNA microsatellite primers for buriti (Mauritia flexuosa L.f.)”, vol. 11, pp. 4058-4062, 2012.

Mauritia flexuosa L. (Arecaceae) is a palm tree species known as buriti that occurs in the Cerrado biome. It is characteristic of the vereda, a typical ecosystem of central Brazil. In this phytophysiognomy, M. flexuosa and other groups of arboreal-herbaceous species develop in open fields with very humid soils. M. flexuosa can be found in forest borders and is a palm tree with a wide distribution in South America (Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, French Guyana Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia).

Characterization of eight novel microsatellite markers in the green-lipped mussel Perna viridis (Mytilidae)

Y. Y. Cao, Li, Z. B., Li, Q. H., Chen, X. J., Chen, L., and Dai, G., “Characterization of eight novel microsatellite markers in the green-lipped mussel Perna viridis (Mytilidae)”, vol. 12. pp. 344-347, 2013.

The green lipped mussel, also known as the Asian green mussel (Perna viridis) is a fast reproducing and valuable food source, but it is also considered an invasive species and can clog and damage pipes and marine equipment. Eight novel polymorphic microsatellite loci for P. viridis were isolated and characterized. Microsatellite polymorphism was evaluated in 30 individuals collected from Xiamen, China. The number of alleles per locus and the polymorphism information content ranged from 2 to 5 and from 0.3092 to 0.7031, respectively.

Mendelian inheritance, genetic linkage, and genotypic disequilibrium at nine microsatellite loci of Cariniana legalis (Mart.) O. Kuntze

E. V. Tambarussi, Vencovsky, R., Freitas, M. L. M., and Sebbenn, A. M., “Mendelian inheritance, genetic linkage, and genotypic disequilibrium at nine microsatellite loci of Cariniana legalis (Mart.) O. Kuntze”, vol. 12, pp. 5442-5457, 2013.

Cariniana legalis is one of the largest tropical trees with a wide distribution in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest. We investigated the Mendelian inheritance, genetic linkage, and genotypic disequilibrium at seven microsatellite loci specifically isolated for C. legalis, and at two previously developed heterologous microsatellite loci. Forty to 100 open-pollinated seeds were collected from 22 seed-trees in two populations.

Genetic differentiation in Aspidosperma polyneuron (Apocynaceae) over a short geographic distance as assessed by AFLP markers

J. O. Damasceno, Ruas, E. A., Rodrigues, L. A., Ruas, C. F., Bianchini, E., Pimenta, J. A., and Ruas, P. M., “Genetic differentiation in Aspidosperma polyneuron (Apocynaceae) over a short geographic distance as assessed by AFLP markers”, vol. 10, pp. 1180-1187, 2011.

Studies on intraspecific variation can contribute to the development of conservation strategies by identifying units of conservation for threatened species. Aspidosperma polyneuron is a tropical tree of seasonal semideciduous forests that is currently endangered and protected because it has been heavily logged for lumber, although it was once common in Brazil and neighboring countries. We investigated genetic structure in two samples of A. polyneuron collected from steep hillsides and from flat areas of a natural forest fragment in northern Paraná State, Brazil.

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