First microsatellite markers for the pine catkin sawfly Xyela concava (Hymenoptera, Xyelidae) and their application in phylogeography and population genetics

Microsatellites are widely used as powerful markers in population genetics because of their ability to access recent genetic variation and to resolve subtle population genetic structures. However, their development, especially for non-model organisms with no available genome-wide sequence data has been difficult and time-consuming. Here, a commercial high-throughput sequencing approach (HTS) was used for the very first identification of microsatellite motifs in the genome of Xyela concava and the design of primer pairs flanking those motifs. Sixteen of those primer pairs were selected and implemented successfully to answer questions on the phylogeography and population genetics of X. concava. The markers were characterized in three geographically distinct populations of X. concava and tested for cross-species amplification in two additional Xyela and one Pleroneura species (Xyelidae). All markers showed substantial polymorphism as well as revealing subtle genetic structures among the three genotyped populations. We also analyzed a fragment of the nuclear gene region of sodium/potassium-transporting ATPase subunit alpha (NaK) and a partial mitochondrial gene region coding for cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) to demonstrate different genetic resolutions and sex-biased patterns of these markers, and their potential for combined use in future studies on the phylogeography and population genetics of X. concava. Although a limited number of populations was analyzed, we nevertheless obtained new insights on the latter two topics. The microsatellites revealed a generally high gene flow between the populations, but also suggested a deep historical segregation into two genetic lineages. This deep genetic segregation was confirmed by NaK. While the high gene flow was unexpected, because of assumed restricted dispersal ability of X. concava and the discontinuous distribution of the host trees between the populations, the segregation of two lineages is comprehensible and could be explained by different refuge areas of the hosts during glacial times. The COI results showed a discordant strong genetic structure between all populations, which might be explained by the smaller effective population size of the mitochondrial genome. However, given the frequent evidence of a similar nature in recent studies on sawflies, we also consider and discuss mitochondrial introgression on population level as an alternative explanation.

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Population genetics of the blue crabCallinectes sapidus: modest population structuring in a background of high gene flow

Marine Biology ◽

10.1007/bf00699219 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 118 (1) ◽

pp. 53-65 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

Anne L. McMillen-Jackson ◽

Theresa M. Bert ◽

Philip Steele

Keyword(s):

Population Genetics ◽

Gene Flow ◽

High Gene Flow ◽

Population Structuring ◽

High Gene

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Using population genetic tools to develop a control strategy for feral cats (Felis catus) in Hawai'i

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr07043 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 34 (8) ◽

pp. 587 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Heidi Hansen ◽

Steven C. Hess ◽

David Cole ◽

Paul C. Banko

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Invasive Species ◽

Population Genetics ◽

Gene Flow ◽

Population Genetic ◽

Effective Control ◽

Feral Cats ◽

Genetic Tools ◽

High Gene Flow ◽

High Gene

Population genetics can provide information about the demographics and dynamics of invasive species that is beneficial for developing effective control strategies. We studied the population genetics of feral cats on Hawai‘i Island by microsatellite analysis to evaluate genetic diversity and population structure, assess gene flow and connectivity among three populations, identify potential source populations, characterise population dynamics, and evaluate sex-biased dispersal. High genetic diversity, low structure, and high number of migrants per generation supported high gene flow that was not limited spatially. Migration rates revealed that most migration occurred out of West Mauna Kea. Effective population size estimates indicated increasing cat populations despite control efforts. Despite high gene flow, relatedness estimates declined significantly with increased geographic distance and Bayesian assignment tests revealed the presence of three population clusters. Genetic structure and relatedness estimates indicated male-biased dispersal, primarily from Mauna Kea, suggesting that this population should be targeted for control. However, recolonisation seems likely, given the great dispersal ability that may not be inhibited by barriers such as lava flows. Genetic monitoring will be necessary to assess the effectiveness of future control efforts. Management of other invasive species may benefit by employing these population genetic tools.

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Population genetics of Anopheles arabiensis, the primary malaria vector in the Republic of Sudan

Malaria Journal ◽

10.1186/s12936-021-03994-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mashair Sir El Khatim Mustafa ◽

Zairi Jaal ◽

Sumia Abu Kashawa ◽

Siti Azizah Mohd Nor

Keyword(s):

Population Genetics ◽

Population Structure ◽

Gene Flow ◽

Malaria Vector ◽

Microsatellite Loci ◽

Anopheles Arabiensis ◽

Isolation By Distance ◽

Gene Pools ◽

High Gene Flow ◽

High Gene

Abstract Background Anopheles arabiensis is a member of Anopheles gambiae complex and the main malaria vector in Sudan. There is insufficient population genetics data available on An. arabiensis for an understanding of vector population structure and genetics, which are important for the malaria vector control programmes in this country. The objective of this investigation is to study the population structure, gene flow and isolation by distance among An. arabiensis populations for developing control strategies. Methods Mosquitoes were collected from six sites located in three different states in Sudan, Khartoum, Kassala and Sennar, using pyrethrum spray catch of indoor resting mosquitoes. Anopheline mosquitoes were identified morphologically and based on species specific nucleotide sequences in the ribosomal DNA intergenic spacers (IGS). Seven published An. gambiae microsatellite loci primers were used to amplify the DNA of An. arabiensis samples. Results PCR confirmed that An. arabiensis was the main malaria vector found in the six localities. Of the seven microsatellite loci utilized, six were found to be highly polymorphic across populations, with high allelic richness and heterozygosity with the remaining one being monomorphic. Deviation from Hardy–Weinberg expectations were found in 21 out of 42 tests in the six populations due to heterozygote deficiency. Bayesian clustering analysis revealed two gene pools, grouping samples into two population clusters; one includes four and the other includes two populations. The clusters were not grouped according to the three states but were instead an admixture. The genetic distances between pairs of populations ranged from 0.06 to 0.24. Significant FST was observed between all pairwise analyses of An. arabiensis populations. The Kassala state population indicated high genetic differentiation (FST ranged from 0.17 to 0.24) from other populations, including one which is also located in the same state. High gene flow (Nm = 1.6–8.2) was detected among populations within respective clusters but limited between clusters particularly with respect to Kassala state. There was evidence of a bottleneck event in one of the populations (Al Haj Yousif site). No isolation by distance pattern was detected among populations. Conclusions This study revealed low levels of population differentiation with high gene flow among the An. arabiensis populations investigated in Sudan, with the exception of Kassala state.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Locally adapted traits maintained in the face of high gene flow.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.725223126.793501360 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Ian Wang

Keyword(s):

Gene Flow ◽

High Gene Flow ◽

The Face ◽

High Gene

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Dispersal and Differentiation of Deep-Sea Mussels of the GenusBathymodiolus(Mytilidae, Bathymodiolinae)

Journal of Marine Biology ◽

10.1155/2009/625672 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 2009 ◽

pp. 1-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Akiko Kyuno ◽

Mifue Shintaku ◽

Yuko Fujita ◽

Hiroto Matsumoto ◽

Motoo Utsumi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Flow ◽

Genetic Differentiation ◽

Shallow Water ◽

Deep Sea ◽

Dispersal Ability ◽

Evolutionary Transition ◽

Significant Genetic Differentiation ◽

Evolutionary Processes ◽

High Dispersal ◽

High Gene

We sequenced the mitochondrial ND4 gene to elucidate the evolutionary processes ofBathymodiolusmussels and mytilid relatives. Mussels of the subfamily Bathymodiolinae from vents and seeps belonged to 3 groups and mytilid relatives from sunken wood and whale carcasses assumed the outgroup positions to bathymodioline mussels. Shallow water mytilid mussels were positioned more distantly relative to the vent/seep mussels, indicating an evolutionary transition from shallow to deep sea via sunken wood and whale carcasses.Bathymodiolus platifronsis distributed in the seeps and vents, which are approximately 1500 km away. There was no significant genetic differentiation between the populations. There existed high gene flow betweenB. septemdierumandB. breviorand low but not negligible gene flow betweenB. marisindicusandB. septemdierumorB. brevior, although their habitats are 5000–10 000 km away. These indicate a high adaptability to the abyssal environments and a high dispersal ability ofBathymodiolusmussels.

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