Rodentia

Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Marmota himalayana (Rodentia: Sciuridae) and phylogenetic analysis within Rodentia

Q. J. Chao, Li, Y. D., Geng, X. X., Zhang, L., Dai, X., Zhang, X., Li, J., and Zhang, H. J., “Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Marmota himalayana (Rodentia: Sciuridae) and phylogenetic analysis within Rodentia”, vol. 13, pp. 2739-2751, 2014.

This is the first report of a complete mitochondrial genome sequence from Himalayan marmot (Marmota himalayana, class Marmota). We determined the M. himalayana mitochondrial (mt) genome sequence by using long-PCR methods and a primer-walking sequencing strategy with genus-specific primers. The complete mt genome of M. himalayana was 16,443 bp in length and comprised 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and a typical control region (CR).

High levels of polymorphism found through cross-amplification of microsatellite loci in a Ctenomys pearsoni (Rodentia, Ctenomyidae) population

N. Mannise, González, S., Maldonado, J. E., Izquierdo, G., Francescoli, G., and Cosse, M., “High levels of polymorphism found through cross-amplification of microsatellite loci in a Ctenomys pearsoni (Rodentia, Ctenomyidae) population”, vol. 12, pp. 887-891, 2013.

Ctenomys pearsoni (Pearson’s tuco-tuco) is a subterra­nean rodent native to Uruguay. We tested the amplification pattern of 12 microsatellite loci, designed for C. sociabilis and C. haigi in a C. pearsoni population. DNA extractions were made from hair samples, and PCR amplification products were run on an ABI 3100 microcapil­lary gel. Eight loci were selected to form a highly polymorphic panel that could be used to efficiently screen populations of this species.

Molecular evolution of the melanocortin 1-receptor pigmentation gene in rodents

G. L. Gonçalves, Paixão-Côrtes, V. R., and Freitas, T. R. O., “Molecular evolution of the melanocortin 1-receptor pigmentation gene in rodents”, vol. 12, pp. 3230-3245, 2013.

Adaptive variation in the melanocortin 1-receptor gene (MC1R), a key locus in melanogenesis, has been identified in some species of rodents. However, in others, MC1R has no causative role in pigmentation phenotypes despite their coat color variation. In this study, we characterized the rates and patterns of MC1R nucleotide and amino acid sequence evolution and, particularly, selective pressures in the separated domains of the protein using a comparative analysis of 43 species representing three major lineages of rodents with variable coat colors.

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