Conservation Genetics of the Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix in Poland — Distribution of Genetic Diversity Among the Last Populations

BackgroundResearch into the protection of rare and endangered plant species involves genetic analyses to determine their genetic variation and genetic structure. Various categories of genetic markers are used for this purpose. Microsatellites, also known as simple sequence repeats (SSR), are the most popular category of markers in population genetics research. In most cases, microsatellites account for a large part of the noncoding DNA and exert a neutral effect on the genome. Neutrality is a desirable feature in evaluations of genetic differences between populations, but it does not support analyses of a population’s ability to adapt to a given environment or its evolutionary potential. Despite the numerous advantages of microsatellites, non-neutral markers may supply important information in conservation genetics research. They are used to evaluate adaptation to specific environmental conditions and a population’s adaptive potential. The aim of this study was to compare the level of genetic variation inPulsatilla patenspopulations revealed by neutral SSR markers and putatively adaptive ISJ markers (intron-exon splice junction).MethodsThe experiment was conducted on 14 Polish populations ofP. patensand threeP. patenspopulations from the nearby region of Vitebsk in Belarus. A total of 345 individuals were examined. Analyses were performed with the use of eight SSR primers specific toP. patensand three ISJ primers.ResultsSSR markers revealed a higher level of genetic variation than ISJ markers (He= 0.609,He= 0.145, respectively). An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that, the overall genetic diversity between the analyzed populations defined by parametersFSTand ΦPTfor SSR (20%) and ΦPTfor ISJ (21%) markers was similar. Analysis conducted in theStructureprogram divided analyzed populations into two groups (SSR loci) and three groups (ISJ markers). Mantel test revealed correlations between the geographic distance and genetic diversity of Polish populations ofP. patensfor ISJ markers, but not for SSR markers.ConclusionsThe results of the present study suggest that ISJ markers can complement the analyses based on SSRs. However, neutral and adaptive markers should not be alternatively applied. Neutral microsatellite markers cannot depict the full range of genetic variation in a population because they do not enable to analyze functional variation. Although ISJ markers are less polymorphic, they can contribute to the reliability of analyses based on SSRs.

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Forest Conservation Genetics

10.1071/9780643101029 ◽

2000 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Andrew Young ◽

David Boshier ◽

Timothy Boyle

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Conservation Genetics ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Sustainable Management ◽

Forest Conservation ◽

Production Systems ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Management Policy ◽

Tropical Regions ◽

Logical Sequence

Forest management must be sustainable not only in ecological, economic and social, but also genetic terms. Many forest managers are advocating and developing management strategies that give priority to conserving genetic diversity within production systems, or that recognise the importance of genetic considerations in achieving sustainable management. Forest Conservation Genetics draws together much previously uncollected information relevant to managing and conserving forests. The content emphasises the importance of conserving genetic diversity in achieving sustainable management. Each chapter is written by a leading expert and has been peer reviewed. Readers without a background in genetics will find the logical sequence of topics allows easy understanding of the principles involved and how those principles may impact on day-to-day forest planning and management decisions. The book is primarily aimed at undergraduate students of biology, ecology, forestry, and graduate students of forest genetics, resource management policy and/or conservation biology. It will prove useful for those teaching courses in these fields and as such help to increase the awareness of genetic factors in conservation and sustainable management, in both temperate and tropical regions.

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