Endangered species

Development of novel microsatellite markers for conservation genetic studies of Vulpes vulpes (Canidae) by using next-generation sequencing method

J. - N. Yu, Chung, C. - U., Oh, K. H., Lee, B. - K., and Lim, C. E., “Development of novel microsatellite markers for conservation genetic studies of Vulpes vulpes (Canidae) by using next-generation sequencing method”, vol. 14. pp. 3980-3983, 2015.

The red fox, Vulpes vulpes (Canidae), is the most widely distributed terrestrial carnivore worldwide, but this species is classified as endangered in Korea. In this study, we developed 25 polymorphic microsatellite markers that included 3-13 (mean = 6.32) alleles per locus using 22 red fox individuals. The most polymorphic locus was FR(59)TG (13 alleles) and the least polymorphic loci were FR(70)TG and FR(182)AG (3 alleles each).

Mating system patterns of natural populations of Pinus koraiensis along its post-glacial colonization route in northeastern China

X. Sui, Feng, F. J., Zhao, D., Xing, M., Sun, X. Y., Han, S. J., and Li, M. H., “Mating system patterns of natural populations of Pinus koraiensis along its post-glacial colonization route in northeastern China”, vol. 14, pp. 4113-4124, 2015.

To understand the genetic mechanisms underlying the endangerment of Pinus koraiensis, we studied the mating system of 49 families of this species in 3 natural populations along its post-glacial colonization route across ~1500 km in northeastern China using the chloroplast simple sequence repeat technique. We analyzed 11 polymorphic loci with clear and repeating bands, and we calculated the multi-locus outcrossing rate (tm), single-locus outcrossing rate, inbreeding index, and fixation index (F).

Population structure and genetic variation of the endangered species Elaeagnus mollis Diels (Elaeagnaceae)

J. M. Zhang and Zhang, F., “Population structure and genetic variation of the endangered species Elaeagnus mollis Diels (Elaeagnaceae)”, vol. 14, pp. 5950-5957, 2015.

Elaeagnus mollis Diels is a group of shrubs and dwarf trees endemic to China and are endangered plants. However, the reason why these plants are endangered remains controversial. The current study aimed to explore the endangered status of E. mollis from a genetic perspective and to propose conservation strategies for this species. Using 16 polymorphic allozyme loci, the population genetic structure was investigated for three populations representing the taxa and variants.

Molecular characterization of bromeliads from northeast Brazil

S. D. Vieira, Rabbani, A. R. C., Santos, F., Silva-Mann, R., Arrigoni-Blank, M. F., Prata, A. P. N., Resende, L. V., Pasqual, M., and Blank, A. F., “Molecular characterization of bromeliads from northeast Brazil”, vol. 13, pp. 9851-9860, 2014.

Bromeliaceae is an important botany family that includes many species with economic value; demand for members of this family is increasing. However, illegal collection frequently occurs, drastically reducing the species populations; thus, it is necessary to collect and store Bromeliaceae genetic material. In this study, we identified and quantified genetic variability of the Bromeliad family using dominant markers to create the first Germplasm Bank in the northeast region of Brazil. Molecular tools were used to characterize the collected accessions.

Prospective molecular markers for the identification of illegally traded angelsharks (Squatina) and dolphin (Sotalia guianensis)

L. H. O. Falcão, Furtado-Neto, M. A. A., Maggioni, R., and Faria, V. V., “Prospective molecular markers for the identification of illegally traded angelsharks (Squatina) and dolphin (Sotalia guianensis)”, vol. 13, pp. 9710-9717, 2014.

Endangered angelsharks and a protected dolphin species are illegally traded in Brazil. In this study, we determined prospective molecular markers for detecting these species in the trade of angelshark carcasses and ‘dolphin’ eyeball amulets. We compiled publicly available as well as new and unpublished cytochrome b (cyt b) DNA sequences for species involved in these trades. These sequences were digested in silico using restriction enzymes.

Polymorphic microsatellite markers for the rare and endangered cactus Uebelmannia pectinifera (Cactaceae) and its congeneric species

E. M. Moraes, Cidade, F. W., Silva, G. A. R., and Machado, M. C., “Polymorphic microsatellite markers for the rare and endangered cactus Uebelmannia pectinifera (Cactaceae) and its congeneric species”, vol. 13, pp. 10359-10366, 2014.

The cactus genus Uebelmannia includes 3 narrow endemic species associated with rocky savanna habitats in eastern South America. Because of their rarity and illegal over-collection, all of these species are endangered. Taxonomic uncertainties resulting from dramatic local variation in morphology within Uebelmannia species preclude effective conservation efforts, such as the reintroduction or translocation of plants, to restore declining populations. In this study, we developed and characterized 18 perfect, dinucleotide simple-sequence repeat markers for U.

Optimization of DNA extraction from fresh leaf tissues of Melanoxylon brauna (Fabaceae)

D. B. Borges, Amorim, M. B., Waldschmidt, A. M., Mariano-Neto, E., Vivas, C. V., and Pereira, D. G., “Optimization of DNA extraction from fresh leaf tissues of Melanoxylon brauna (Fabaceae)”, vol. 11. pp. 1586-1591, 2012.

Melanoxylon brauna (Fabaceae - Caesalpinioideae) is an endemic and valuable hardwood tree species in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest; it is comparable to African ebony wood. We tested three protocols of DNA extraction based on the citrimonium bromide (CTAB) method and evaluated the quantity, purity and integrity of the DNA. We also determined whether these procedures interfere with PCR amplification in order to develop a protocol for M. brauna.

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.

Genetic diversity of the endangered scaly-sided merganser (Mergus squamatus) in the wintering habitat of central-southern China

Z. - Q. Zhang, Qin, C. - J., Fang, D. - A., Wang, A. - P., Luo, C. - H., and Liu, K., “Genetic diversity of the endangered scaly-sided merganser (Mergus squamatus) in the wintering habitat of central-southern China”, vol. 12, pp. 3103-3109, 2013.

The scaly-sided merganser (Mergus squamatus), found in temperate East Asia, has been reduced to a very small population. Central and southern China are its main wintering habitat. However, populations have declined greatly since the 1980s due to habitat loss and degradation, and poaching. To meet the urgent need for up-to-date conservation information, we examined RAPD DNA markers from 156 specimens in 6 populations in Jiangxi Province.

Conservation genetics of Annamocarya sinensis (Dode) Leroy, an endangered endemic species

Z. Y. Zhang, Pang, X. M., Han, J. W., Wang, Y., and Li, Y. Y., “Conservation genetics of Annamocarya sinensis (Dode) Leroy, an endangered endemic species”, vol. 12, pp. 3965-3974, 2013.

The endangered perennial plant Annamocarya sinensis (Dode) Leroy is a tertiary relict tree restricted to southeastern China and northern Vietnam. To explore endangerment mechanisms, develop protection strategies, and guide reintroduction efforts for this species, we investigated genetic diversity and population structure by surveying 70 individuals from three distinct populations using 12 polymorphic microsatellite markers. We found high genetic diversity for A.

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