Novel molecular markers of Chlamydia pecorum genetic diversity in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)

Essential oils extracted from basil (Ocimum spp.) by steam distillation are used to flavor foods, oral products, in fragrances, and in traditional medicines. The genus Ocimum contains around 30 species native to the tropics and subtropics, with some species naturalized and/or cultivated in temperate areas. Interand intraspecific hybridization have created significant confusion in the botanical systematics of this genus. Taxonomy of basil (O. basilicum) is also complicated by the existence of numerous varieties, cultivars, and chemotypes within the species that do not differ significantly in morphology. In this study we are using RAPD markers and volatile oil composition to characterize the genetic diversity among the most economically important Ocimum species. We hypothesize that the genetic similarity revealed by molecular markers will more accurately reflect the morphological and chemical differences in Ocimum than essential oil composition per se. Preliminary research using five Ocimum species, four undetermined species, and eight varieties of O. basilicum (a total of 19 accessions) generated 107 polymorphic fragments amplified with 19 primers. RAPDs are able to discriminate between Ocimum species, but show a high degree of similarity between O. basilicum varieties. The genetic distance between nine species and among 55 accessions within the species O. americanum, O. basilicum, O. campechianum, O. × citriodorum, O. gratissimum, O. kilimandscharium, O. minimum, O. selloi, and O. tenuiflorum will be analyzed by matrix of similarity and compared to the volatile oil profile. This research will for the first time apply molecular markers to characterize the genetic diversity of Ocimum associate with volatile oil constituent.

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Assessment of genetic diversity of pumpkins (Cucurbita spp.) from western Kenya using SSR molecular markers

Molecular Biology Reports ◽

10.1007/s11033-021-06245-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 48 (3) ◽

pp. 2253-2260

Author(s):

Lameck A. Nyabera ◽

Inosters W. Nzuki ◽

Steven M. Runo ◽

Peris W. Amwayi

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Molecular Markers ◽

Western Kenya

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Molecular markers and antioxidant activity in berry crops: Genetic diversity analysis

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps2011-240 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 92 (6) ◽

pp. 1121-1133 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

S. C. Debnath ◽

Y. L. Siow ◽

J. Petkau ◽

D. An ◽

N. V. Bykova

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Antioxidant Activity ◽

Molecular Markers ◽

Molecular Techniques ◽

Diversity Analysis ◽

Full Potential ◽

Genetic Diversity Analysis ◽

Wide Range ◽

Berry Crops ◽

Improvement Programs

Debnath, S. C., Siow, Y. L., Petkau, J., An, D. and Bykova, N. V. 2012. Molecular markers and antioxidant activity in berry crops: Genetic diversity analysis. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 1121–1133. An improved understanding of important roles of dietary fruits in maintaining human health has led to a dramatic increase of global berry crop production. Berry fruits contain relatively high levels of vitamin C, cellulose and pectin, and produce anthocyanins, which have important therapeutic values, including antitumor, antiulcer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. There is a need to develop reliable methods to identify berry germplasm and assess genetic diversity/relatedness for dietary properties in berry genotypes for practical breeding purposes through genotype selection in a breeding program for cultivar development, and proprietary-rights protection. The introduction of molecular biology techniques, such as DNA-based markers, allows direct comparison of different genetic materials independent of environmental influences. Significant progress has been made in diversity analysis of wild cranberry, lowbush blueberry, lingonberry and cloudberry germplasm, and in strawberry and raspberry cultivars and advanced breeding lines developed in Canada. Inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers detected an adequate degree of polymorphism to differentiate among berry genotypes, making this technology valuable for cultivar identification and for the more efficient choice of parents in the current berry improvement programs. Although multiple factors affect antioxidant activity, a wide range of genetic diversity has been reported in wild and cultivated berry crops. Diversity analysis based on molecular markers did not agree with those from antioxidant activity. The paper also discusses the issues that still need to be addressed to utilize the full potential of molecular techniques including expressed sequence tag-polymerase chain reaction (EST-PCR) analysis to develop improved environment-friendly berry cultivars suited to the changing needs of growers and consumers.

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Evaluation of genetic diversity among some genotypes of Kentucky bluegrass by RAPD molecular markers

Horticulture Environment and Biotechnology ◽

10.1007/s13580-012-0120-5 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 53 (4) ◽

pp. 298-303 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Javad Rezapour Fard ◽

Zabihollah Zamani ◽

Mohamad Reza Fattahi Moghaddam ◽

Mohsen Kafi

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Molecular Markers ◽

Kentucky Bluegrass

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Genetic diversity and population structure assessment of Chinese Senna obtusifolia L. by molecular markers and morphological traits of seed

Acta Physiologiae Plantarum ◽

10.1007/s11738-017-2586-3 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Renjun Mao ◽

Pengguo Xia ◽

Jingling Liu ◽

Xin Li ◽

Ruilian Han ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Population Structure ◽

Molecular Markers ◽

Morphological Traits ◽

Senna Obtusifolia ◽

Structure Assessment

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ISSR molecular markers for the study of the genetic diversity of Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia Benth.

Idesia (Arica) ◽

10.4067/s0718-34292016000300007 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 47-52 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Fernando dos Santos Araújo ◽

Mauro Vasconcelos Pacheco ◽

Fábio de Almeida Vieira ◽

Cibele dos Santos Ferrari ◽

Francival Cardoso Félix ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Molecular Markers ◽

Issr Molecular Markers

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Using non-invasive sampling methods to determine the prevalence and distribution of Chlamydia pecorum and koala retrovirus in a remnant koala population with conservation importance

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr17184 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 45 (4) ◽

pp. 366 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Faye Wedrowicz ◽

Jennifer Mosse ◽

Wendy Wright ◽

Fiona E. Hogan

Keyword(s):

Native Species ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

The South ◽

Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽

Urogenital Infection ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Chlamydia Pecorum ◽

Genetic Sampling ◽

Pathogen Prevalence ◽

Koala Retrovirus

Context Pathogenic infections are an important consideration for the conservation of native species, but obtaining such data from wild populations can be expensive and difficult. Two pathogens have been implicated in the decline of some koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations: urogenital infection with Chlamydia pecorum and koala retrovirus subgroup A (KoRV-A). Pathogen data for a wild koala population of conservation importance in South Gippsland, Victoria are essentially absent. Aims This study uses non-invasive sampling of koala scats to provide prevalence and genotype data for C. pecorum and KoRV-A in the South Gippsland koala population, and compares pathogen prevalence between wild koalas and koalas in rescue shelters. Methods C. pecorum and KoRV-A provirus were detected by PCR of DNA isolated from scats collected in the field. Pathogen genetic variation was investigated using DNA sequencing of the C. pecorum ompA and KoRV-A env genes. Key results C. pecorum and KoRV-A were detected in 61% and 27% of wild South Gippsland individuals tested, respectively. KoRV-A infection tended to be higher in shelter koalas compared with wild koalas. In contrast with other Victorian koala populations sampled, greater pathogen diversity was present in South Gippsland. Conclusions In the South Gippsland koala population, C. pecorum is widespread and common whereas KoRV appears less prevalent than previously thought. Further work exploring the dynamics of these pathogens in South Gippsland koalas is warranted and may help inform future conservation strategies for this important population. Implications Non-invasive genetic sampling from scats is a powerful method for obtaining data regarding pathogen prevalence and diversity in wildlife. The use of non-invasive methods for the study of pathogens may help fill research gaps in a way that would be difficult or expensive to achieve using traditional methods.

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