Microsatellite multiplex panels for population genetic analysis of red sea bream <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pagrus major</Emphasis>

In this study, multiplex PCR panels were developed to amplify 20 microsatellite markers for red sea bream, Pagrus major, with the aim of reducing labor and material costs associated with genetic analysis of this species. The usefulness of these panels was validated in 200 fish collected at five sampling locations. The occurrence of null alleles was suggested at five markers, which were dropped from further analysis. The remaining 15 microsatellite loci showed high levels of heterozygosity (H _E range 0.34–0.97, H _O range 0.32–1) and a wide range in the number of alleles per locus (A; range 5–46). Increasing the number of microsatellite loci from three to ten and 15 improved the performance of the panels for population differentiation (F _ST) and estimation of Nei’s (D _S) genetic distance. The results of this study confirm the usefulness of genotyping a large number of microsatellite DNA markers to expand our knowledge of red sea bream population genetics.     

Genetic variation of wild and cultured populations of the Kuruma prawn Marsupenaeus japonicus (Bate 1888) using microsatellites

The microsatellite DNA technique was used to detect the genetic variations between wild and cultured populations of Kuruma prawn Marsupenaeus japonicus Bate 1888. All the six microsatellite loci screened in this study showed high polymorphism for their PIC (0.6701–0.8989), which was much more than the standard value of 0.5. A total of 73 alleles were observed over six loci from 93 shrimps. The mean number of allele locus ranged from 9.83 (cultured) to 11.83 (wild). The number of effective alleles varied from 6.86 (cultured) to 8.58 (wild). The average of observed heterozygosity (H_o) of populations varied from 0.6935 (cultured) to 0.7370 (wild), and that of expected heterozygosity (He) was 0.8169 (wild) and 0.8209 (cultured). Tests of Hardy–Weinberg showed that these loci deviated significantly or highly significantly in one or both populations. Compared with the wild population, the cultured population showed little reduction in genetic variation. The total number of alleles (71, 59) was not significantly (P=0.296) different between wild and cultured populations. The paired‐samples t test of observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity implied that there was no significant difference (P=0.572 and 0.891 respectively) between wild and cultured populations. However, some rare allele loss might have occurred in the cultured population. A total of 14 unique alleles were found in the wild population, but only two unique alleles were observed in the cultured population. Therefore, there is a need to monitor genetic variability of cultured population, and to improve the hatchery program for the conservation of wild Kuruma prawn resources.     

Genetic analysis of Rutilus rutilus caspicus (Jakowlew 1870) populations in Iran by microsatellite markers

The Caspian roach (Rutilus rutilus caspicus) is regarded as one of the most important commercial species in the Caspian Sea. Despite the commercial and conservation importance of the species, information on genetic relationships and diversities at the molecular level in Rutilus rutilus caspicus is scarce. Six microsatellite loci were analysed to study the genetic variation in two major populations of Caspian roach in the Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea: the Anzali Wetland and Gorgan Bay. The F_st value between populations was 0.07, suggesting that the genetic differentiation was significant (P<0.01). Both the studied populations deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium proportions at a number of loci, mostly due to the deficiency of heterozygosities. The genetic distance between populations was 0.29, which indicates that the genetic difference among the studied populations is pronounced. The differences between both populations were not statistically significant (P>0.05), neither for average number of alleles per locus nor for observed heterozygosities. The data generated in this study provide useful information on the genetic variation and differentiation in populations of Caspian roach.     

Genetic variability of cultured populations of the Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai Ino) in China based on microsatellites

The genetic diversity of cultured populations of the Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai Ino) from northern China was analysed using seven microsatellite markers. The microsatellite loci were polymorphic for all the populations, with an average of 8.7 alleles per locus (range 8.0–9.4). The mean observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.547 (range 0.500–0.596) and 0.774 (range 0.754–0.787) respectively. The allelic diversity in terms of number of alleles per locus was considerably lower than that previously found in wild populations (range 21.8–23.0), indicating that bottleneck effects occurred when each population was founded. Significant genetic differentiation among the five cultured populations was shown using F_st and R_st values, and pairwise comparison based on allelic distribution. A neighbour‐joining analysis of the genetic distance did not show a consistent relationship between the geographic and the genetic distances, suggesting the existence of exchanges of breeds and eggs between the hatcheries. The results obtained in this study are useful for a number of areas of interest for fisheries management and the aquaculture industry, especially with regard to breeding programmes.     

Microsatellite genetic variation in wild and hatchery populations of the sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus Selenka) from northern China

Farming of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) started 20 years ago and is still in rapid expansion in China. In order to assess the genetic status of both wild and cultivated stocks of this species, we used eight microsatellite markers to estimate the level of genetic diversity within five hatchery stocks and two wild populations of A. japonicus, and compared the degree of genetic differentiation between them. High levels of polymorphism were observed over all loci. The mean alleles and expected heterozygosities over the seven stocks were 10.4–12.3 and 0.735–0.783 respectively. The results of the microsatellite survey provide no evidence to show that hatchery practice of the sea cucumber in China to date has significantly affected the genetic variability of the cultured stocks. Significant differentiation was found between most pairs of the hatchery stocks and wild populations (F_st range: 0.008–0.036), and no obvious difference was detected between the wild populations (F_st=0.008). The information on the genetic variation and differentiation obtained in this study can be applied for future genetic monitoring of A. japonicus aquaculture stocks and will be useful for future genetic improvement by selective breeding, and for designing suitable management guidelines for these genetic materials.     

Polymorphic analysis of microsatellite DNA in wild populations of Chinese shrimp (Fenneropenaeus chinensis)

Primers were designed for eight microsatellite loci from Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis. Microsatellites were used to characterize three wild populations from the China coast of the Yellow and Bohai Seas (HB), and the west coast (KX) and south coast of the Korean Peninsula (KN). A total of sixty‐one alleles were obtained, and the average observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.660 to 0.756. Six of the 24 population‐locus cases showed a significant departure from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, three of them from population KN, two from KX and one from HB. The F_st values indicated that genetic variation was greater within populations than between populations. Analysis using unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean showed that the relationship between populations HB and KX was closer than between KN and the other two populations. Polymorphic information contents of the eight microsatellites ranged from 0.598 to 0.918. These results indicated that all eight microsatellite loci would be useful for the analysis of genetic variation in Chinese shrimp (F. chinensis) populations.     

棘头梅童鱼七个野生群体遗传多样性的微卫星分析

为研究中国沿海地区棘头梅童鱼群体的遗传多样性,利用微卫星标记技术,采用9对微卫星引物对中国连云港(LYG)、大丰(DF)、崇明(CM)、舟山(ZS)、温州(WZ)、宁德(ND)、厦门(XM)棘头梅童鱼7个野生群体的遗传多样性和遗传结构进行了分析。结果显示,实验检测到63个等位基因,各位点等位基因数为3~13个,有效等位基因数为1.7510~8.0317;各位点的观测杂合度(Ho)为0.3596~0.7854,期望杂合度(He)为0.4300~0.8780;多态信息含量(PIC)为0.3604~0.8631,其中有2个位点表现为中度多态(0.25PIC0.5),7个位点表现为高度多态(PIC0.5),具有较丰富的遗传多样性水平。Hardy-Weinber平衡分析显示,7个群体的大部分位点未偏离平衡。基于群体间Nei氏标准遗传距离构建的7个野生群体UPGMA系统进化树结果显示,ND和WZ群体遗传关系最近,ZS和WZ群体遗传关系最远,WZ和ND聚为一支,但总体上没有显著的遗传分化。     

Wild stock structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Girella punctata</Emphasis> in Japan revealed shallow genetic differentiation but subtle substructure in subsidiary distributions

Twelve populations of Girella punctata, from widespread locations of the species’ range in Japan and Korea, were screened for sequence variability within the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (n = 128) and at five polymorphic microsatellite loci (n = 547) to determine the genetic structure maintaining population integrity. mtDNA variability of 132 variable sites within a 334-bp region reveals shallow genetic differentiation across populations. The weak differentiation of G. punctata was partly supported by the screening of five polymorphic microsatellite loci. However, hierarchical analysis of molecular variance and principal component analysis on the basis of allele frequencies in microsatellite loci extracted a subtle substructure in a subsidiary population and in near-subsidiary populations in the semi-enclosed Seto Inland Sea.     

Genetic characterization of naturalized populations of brown trout Salmo trutta L. in southern Chile using allozyme and microsatellite markers

This study describes the genetic structure of five naturalized populations of brown trout in southern Chile using allozyme and microsatellite markers to establish levels of intra‐ and interpopulation genetic variability and divergence. Fourteen enzymatic systems were used comprising 20 loci and three microsatellite loci specific to brown trout. The genetic variability values (allozymes, P=20–35%, average=27%, H_O=0.118–0.160, average=0.141; microsatellites, P=33.3–100%, average=66.66%, H_O=0.202–0.274, average=0.229) are similar to values described in other naturalized populations of brown trout present in Chile, but higher than those observed in European populations of this species. Values of total genetic diversity (H_T) (allozymes=0.1216 and microsatellites=0.3504) and relative genetic divergence (G_ST) (allozymes=9.5% and microsatellites=15%) were also similar to the results obtained in previous studies of Chilean populations of brown trout. These values, when compared with those obtained in Europe, proved to be similar for H_T but lower for G_ST. The low interpopulational genetic differentiation was in accordance with the small genetic distance observed between the populations analysed (D Nei=0.004–0.025). On the other hand, the high frequency of one of the two alternative alleles of the phylogeographic marker locus LDH‐5* in the populations analysed (LDH‐5*90>0.84) would indicate a European origin, in particular Atlantic as opposed to Mediterranean, for the brown trout introduced into Chile. The high levels of genetic variability suggest a mixed origin for the naturalized brown trout in Chile, which could have originated either before or during the introduction process. Nevertheless, the low level of genetic differentiation between populations could reflect the short lapse of time in evolutionary terms, during which populations introduced into Chile have been exposed to different evolutionary forces, and which has not been sufficiently long to produce greater genetic differentiation between populations.     

Daily change of genetic variability in hatchery offspring of red sea bream during spawning season

ABSTRACT:   In order to assess a daily change of genetic variability during spawning season, hatched larvae of red sea bream sampled on different dates were assayed by polymorphic markers such as microsatellite DNA (msDNA) and mitochondria DNA (mtDNA) control region. Based on the microsatellite loci, the average number of alleles per locus ranged between 13.7 and 18.3. The expected heterozygosities ranged between 0.843 and 0.919. A total of 23 mtDNA haplotypes were detected via digestion of mtDNA D-loop sequences with five endonucleases: Taq  I, Alu  I, Mbo  I, Rsa  I and Hinf  I. Significant fluctuation of genetic variability during spawning season was detected by both types of DNA markers. It was suggested that the genetic variability was maintained by pooling the seed fish collected on different spawning dates in a hatchery.     

Assessing the genetic structure of three Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) stocks by microsatellite markers

Ten highly variable microsatellite loci were used to investigate one common population and two selected hatchery populations of Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. All of the 10 microsatellite loci screened in this study showed marked polymorphism. A total of 76 different alleles were observed over all loci. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3.67 to 8.67. The average of observed (Ho) and expected heterozygosity (He) ranged from 0.610 to 1.000, and from 0.536 to 0.821, respectively. A total of 14 unique alleles were found in common population, and 3 unique alleles each were found in susceptible and resistant populations. The effective number of alleles varied from 2.14 for Po35 to 5.60 for Po91. The number of genotypes ranged from 5.33 for Po56 to 12.33 for Po1. Compared with the common population, the two selected hatchery populations, susceptible and resistant, showed significant genetic changes such as fewer alleles per locus, a smaller number of low-frequency alleles, and a small number of unique alleles and a small number of genotypes, all indicative of a reduction in genetic diversity. Intentional or accidental release of selected Japanese flounders into natural sea areas might result in disturbance of local gene pools and loss of genetic variability. So, it is needed to monitor genetic variability of selected hatchery populations for the conservation of natural Japanese flounder resources.     

基于SSR-seq技术评估中间球海胆多代选育群体和普通养殖群体的遗传多样性

为明确不同选育群体中间球海胆的遗传多样性和遗传结构,利用SSR-seq技术和15个微卫星位点,对1个家系选育群体(FP)、1个群体选育群体(IP)和1个未经选育的普通养殖群体(CP)的遗传多样性及遗传结构进行了分析。结果显示,15个微卫星位点共检测出112个等位基因,FP、IP、CP 3个群体的平均观测等位基因数(N_a)分别为5.077、5.133和6.133个,平均有效等位基因(N_e)分别为2.816、2.873和3.638个,平均观测杂合度(H_o)分别为0.522、0.441和0.501,平均期望杂合度(H_e)分别为0.595、0.599和0.667,平均多态性信息含量(PIC)分别为0.546、0.543和0.623。家系选育群体(FP) H_e与H_o的差值(0.073)低于IP (0.158)和CP (0.166),平均固定指数(F)(0.115)低于IP (0.248)和CP (0.246)。3个群体间遗传分化系数(F_st)介...     

Development of 25 Novel Microsatellite Loci and Genetic Variation Analysis in Breeding Populations of the Pearl Oyster,Pinctada fucata

In this study, we screened 103,050 gene sequences of Pinctada fucata and identified 1450 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) distributing in 1355 sequences, in which 97 have sufficient flanking sequences for primer design, and 25 novel microsatellite loci were stable and polymorphic with N_a which varied from 2 to 6. Six microsatellite loci were found in the open reading frame of their corresponding sequences. With the 25 SSR loci, five breeding populations and a wild population, a total of 240 individuals from wild population (W), three consecutive selected populations (G₁, G_2, and G₃), and two backcross populations (D_o, D_r) (40 individuals per population) were assayed. In these populations, we detected 108 alleles of 111 bp to 362 bp. Each population had mean H_o of 0.5718–0.7366 and mean H_e of 0.5830–0.6954. Except the F_st = 0.0697 (W vs. G₃), pairwise F_st values ranged from 0.0131 to 0.0473, the genetic identity coefficients varied from 0.8688 to 0.9663, and genetic distance ranged from 0.0343 to 0.1307, all of these suggested that the breeding populations had genetic differentiation but at a low level generally. Besides, all the genetic index values, backcross populations (D_o, D_r) were higher than corresponding G₃ values, indicating that backcross could make the offspring incline to the recurrent parents.     

Genetic diversity and structure of domesticated strains of red sea bream,Pagrus major,inferred from microsatellite DNA markers

The genetic diversity and structure of nine domesticated strains of red sea bream used in a private hatchery were studied and compared to a wild population. A total of 313 individuals were genotyped at eight microsatellite loci. Average number of alleles per locus ranged from 5.5 to 9.4 in domesticated strains, but that of the wild population was 28.4. Heterozygosity of domesticated strains (ranged 0.697–0.804) was also lower compared to the wild population (0.952). Estimated Ne also decreased in all domesticated strains (ranged 10.3–126.0) compared to the wild population (1422.5). The UPGMA tree and 3‐D FCA showed that there were two main clusters containing domesticated strains, and the wild population was at the middle of both of the domesticated clusters. The STRUCTURE analysis also supported the phylogenetic analysis, and revealed three sub‐clusters in the domesticated strains. Pairwise F_ST revealed that all domesticated strains were statistically different from the wild population, and also the differentiation between domesticated strains was all statistically significant. Information on genetic diversity and structure of domesticated strains of red sea bream obtained in this study will be useful for future broodstock management and selective breeding programmes.     

Genetic variation and population structure of the caramote prawn Penaeus kerathurus (Forskäl) from the eastern and western Mediterranean coasts in Tunisia

Ten populations of Penaeus kerathurus (Forskäl), a prawn of high commercial value, were sampled from the eastern and western Mediterranean coastal waters of Tunisia and screened electrophoretically for genetic variation at 13 allozyme loci. Four among the six polymorphic loci were out of Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (H–WE) in at least one population. In the same way, the multilocus test showed deviation from H–WE in six populations. These populations showed heterozygote deficiency whereas the average heterozygosity for the four remaining ones is quite similar to the expected levels. Genetic variability was low. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 1.2 to 1.5 (average=1.3), and the observed heterozygosity varied between 0.010 and 0.048 (average=0.021). Significant population differentiation (F_ST=0.076, P<0.05) in the total data set reflected the differentiation of the two populations, which were at the margins of the range sampled, from all the others (Pairwise F_ST values ranged from 0.035 to 0.208). Although there was no significant differentiation among the other populations (pairwise F_ST values ranged from ?0.006 to 0.201, P>0.05). Our data suggest a population structure consistent with separation by Mediterranean Sea basins that might reflect different local biogeographical zones.     

Genetic and morphological divergences between wild and captive‐bred populations of Salmo trutta abanticus

Salmo trutta abanticus is a non‐anadromous trout species native to Lake Abant and Seven Lakes in Turkey. A restocking programme by captive breeding was initiated in 1999 to support S. trutta abanticus population. Reared 2‐year‐old juveniles from randomly caught wild parental individuals in Maçka breeding farm were introduced into Lake Abant. We aimed to compare genetic and morphological divergences between wild‐ and captive‐bred populations using seven microsatellite loci and geometric morphometric measurements. A significant genetic and morphological divergences were detected between all population in F_st and canonical variate analysis based on geometric morphometric with 10 homolog landmark. Eighty‐six microsatellites alleles were recorded across loci. Number of private alleles, observed alleles and observed heterozygosity are statistically significant higher in Maçka captive‐bred population than Lake Abant and Seven Lakes populations. Of 42 tests, three departures from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were detected in all populations after Bonferroni correction. Two pairs of loci (Ssa85 – Str73 and Str73‐Str543) in Maçka, one pairs of loci (Ssa85‐Str73) in Abant and two pairs of loci (Ssa85‐Str60 and Str73‐Str543) in Seven Lakes populations show linkage disequilibrium. Population structure analysed with Structure software showed three genetic groups (?K = 3) in our studied populations. Relatedness estimates show higher mean relatedness values (r = 0.220 ± 0.230) for Maçka captive‐breed population than wild populations of Abant Lake and Seven Lakes (r = 0.140 ± 0.210 and r = 0.170 ± 0.200 respectively).     

Microsatellite loci in tench: isolation and variability in a test population

Because of their high variability and rapid evolution, microsatellites became increasingly important in genetic research, e.g. population structure and differentiation studies, gene mapping and parentage analysis. However, such loci have not been isolated in tench so far. Applying a PCR based method of generating microsatellite enriched DNA fragment libraries we were able to identify nine loci (MTT-1 to MTT-9). The variability of these microsatellite loci was determined in 50 tench individuals originating from a wild population of Lake Döllnsee, Germany. Three loci were found to be monomorphic. The remaining six loci segregated for two to nine alleles. The observed heterozygosities at polymorphic loci were high (0.500–0.959) with only one exception: locus MTT-8 (0.167). These polymorphic microsatellite loci showed a much higher level of genetic variability than the allozyme loci previously studied in the same individuals. Thus, they seem to be more suitable for genetic studies of tench. On the other hand, it remains to be checked in other populations if the three loci that did not show any variation in this population are generally monomorphic in this species.     

Microsatellite markers reveal population structure in gilthead sea bream Sparus auratus from the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea

ABSTRACT:   This study was carried out to investigate the genetic variability and the population genetics of Sparus auratus. In fact, despite its importance in Mediterranean fisheries and aquaculture, very little it is known concerning its population structure. Samples of wild gilthead sea bream were collected in seven different localities along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts and were genetically characterized by means of microsatellite markers. Genotyping at four microsatellite loci revealed high polymorphism (7–38 alleles/locus) and expected heterozygosities, which ranged from 0.80 to 0.85. A slight but significant population structure was found ( F _ST = 0.010). In fact, at least three populations of gilthead sea bream within the Western Mediterranean Sea were identified (Sardinian Sea, Sardinian Channel and Central Tyrrhenian Sea), which are also genetically differentiated from those of the Atlantic Ocean and the Adriatic Sea.     

Survey of genetic variation at three microsatellite loci in captive populations of endangered Japanese minnow <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphyocypris chinensis</Emphasis> with implications for reduction of inbreeding

The Japanese population of the cyprinid minnow Aphyocypris chinensis is nearing extinction in the wild. The genetic diversity of three microsatellite loci in five captive populations was investigated, and an effective breeding strategy to reduce inbreeding from pairwise relatedness (R _xy ) between each captive line is discussed. The average number of alleles ranged 2.33–4.67 and the average heterozygosity ranged 0.283–0.602. The pairwise relatedness observed in most combinations showed a significant decrease between the populations. It is suggested that exchange of individuals between different breeding lines should effectively stop inbreeding. Studies show that the effective population size (N _e ) estimated from the number of parental individuals was 8.54 in one captive population, which is insufficient to maintain genetic diversity. It is recommended that more parental individuals should be used, and to exchange fish in a rotating mating mode between institutions participating in captive breeding of A. chinensis.