Genetic diversity and mate selection in a reintroduced population of gray wolves

The genetic composition of an individual can markedly affect its survival, reproduction, and ultimately fitness. As some wildlife populations become smaller, conserving genetic diversity will be a conservation challenge. Many imperiled species are already supported through population augmentation efforts and we often do not know if or how genetic diversity is maintained in translocated species. As a case study for understanding the maintenance of genetic diversity in augmented populations, I wanted to know if genetic diversity (i.e., observed heterozygosity) remained high in a population of gray wolves in the Rocky Mountains of the U.S. > 20 years after reintroduction. Additionally, I wanted to know if a potential mechanism for such diversity was individuals with below average genetic diversity choosing mates with above average diversity. I also asked whether there was a preference for mating with unrelated individuals. Finally, I hypothesized that mated pairs with above average heterozygosity would have increased survival of young. Ultimately, I found that females with below average heterozygosity did not choose mates with above average heterozygosity and wolves chose mates randomly with respect to genetic relatedness. Pup survival was not higher for mated pairs with above average heterozygosity in my models. The dominant variables predicting pup survival were harvest rate during their first year of life and years pairs were mated. Ultimately, genetic diversity was relatively unchanged > 20 years after reintroduction. The mechanism for maintaining such diversity does not appear related to individuals preferentially choosing more genetically diverse mates. Inbreeding avoidance, however, appears to be at least one mechanism maintaining genetic diversity in this population.

​Body Size Traits and Association with the Genetic Polymorphism of Melatonin Receptor 1A (MTNR1A) Gene in Shuxuan Cattle

Background: Shuxuan cattle is one newly cultivated dual-purpose breed in Sichuan province, China, by crossing the indigenous Xuanhan cattle with external breeds. Body sizes have been widely regarded as the important breed characteristics in cattle. The current study was aimed to evaluate the body sizes and its molecular inherite marker for futhure herd improvement. Methods: In the present study, we first investigated a total of 11 body size traits and their overall distribution and pairwise relationships of 169 healthy Shuxuan cattle. Subsequently, the SNP c.A455G of melatonin receptor 1A (MTNR1A) gene were genotyped among 169 Shuxuan cattle and subjected to association analysis with body size traits. Result: We revealed that adult females have the mean withers height of 113.5 cm, body length of 131.8 cm, chest girth of 157.5 cm and hip height of 104.8 cm, respectively. Among all these traits, the highest correlation was observed in withers height and hip height with spearman’s coefficient of 0.85. We found that Shuxuan cattle had an average heterozygosity of 0.5008 and polymorphism information content of 0.3747. Accordingly to the very stringent criterion of Bonferroni multiple adjustments, only chest width was associated with different genotypes of this candidate SNP (P less than 0.05). The results provide an overall profile of the morphological and growth characteristics in Shuxuan cattle.

Molecular Phylogeny and Genetic Diversity of Domestic Yaks (Bos grunniens) in Pakistan based on Mitochondrial and Microsatellite Markers

The complete Cytchrome b gene and partial mtDNA control region were sequenced for the Pakistani domestic yak (Bos grunniens) within the Bovidae family. A total of 300 samples were genotyped using 27 bovine microsatellite markers from the Gilgit-Baltistan and Skardu regions of Pakistan. We identified a total of 35 mutations and 9 haplotypes based on D-loop sequences, with a haplotype and nucleotide diversity of 0.9640±0.051 and 0.02172±0.00224, respectively. For the Cyt b gene, a total of 23 variable sites and six different haplotypes were observed with 0.885±0.067 haplotype and 0.00989±0.003 nucleotide diversity. Phylogenetic analysis of D-loop and Cyt b gene suggested that domestic yak sequences cluster into two highly divergent maternal lineages (lineages I and II), while three haplogroups A, C, and D were identified of the six previously known haplogroups. Haplogroups A and C were dominant and widely distributed among all investigated yak samples. All microsatellites were polymorphic and a total of 138 alleles were observed, with average polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.56 indicating their effectiveness. The average heterozygosity was observed at 0.6071 with allele diversity of 5.1111 and gene diversity of 0.4830. The implications of these findings can be applied for yak conservation.

ASSESSMENT OF THE GENETIC VARIABILITY OF DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS OF SILVER AND BIGHEAD CARPS BY BIOCHEMICAL POLYMORPHISM

Goal. The study aimed to analyze and assess the genetic variability of different age groups of silver and bighead carps by the polymorphism of protein and enzyme systems. Methods. Blood samples were taken from silver (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead (Aristichthys nobilis) carps of "Sunpoint Ukraine" LLC, Slobozhanske, Zmiiv district, Kharkiv region. Blood from the tail vein was collected from age-2 and age-3 fish in vivo and placed into tubes with an anticoagulant. Whole blood samples were separated into fractions by centrifugation and as a result plasma and erythrocytes were packed into separate tubes. The methods of vertical polyacrylamide and horizontal starch electrophoresis were used for the electrophoretic separation of proteins and enzymes of silver and bighead carps blood. Histochemical staining of the gel plates was carried out with t) and bighead he following genotyping of allelic variants of protein and enzyme systems. Biochemical systems such as loci of prealbumin (Pralb), esterase (EST, K.F. 3.1.1.1), malate dehydrogenase (MDH, K.F. 1.1.1.37), enzyme malic (ME, K.F. 1.1.1.40) and carbonic anhydrase (CA, K.F. 4.2.1.1) were investigated. Statistical processing of experimental data was performed using Biosys-1. Cluster analysis was carried out using MEGA-X. Results. Analysis of the peculiarities of the distribution of allele frequencies and the genotypic composition of Pralb, EST, MDH, ME, and CA loci was carried out in the age-2 and age-3 groups of silver and bighead carps. The prevalence of the frequency of the fast migrating allelic variant F was revealed in comparison with the slow migrating gene at EST locus in the age-3 group of silver carp (Est F = 0.620). The prevalence of the frequency of the fast allelic variant Pralb A in comparison with the slow Pralb B was observed in the silver carp groups (Pralb A = 0.812 in the age-2 and Pralb A = 0.726 in the age-3 groups. According to the genotypic composition of the studied loci, there was an excess of heterozygous individuals in the age-2 group of silver carp, which indicates their genetic imbalance. The formation of breeding stocks of silver and bighead carps requires control of the level of genetic variability of different age groups to monitor changes in the genetic structure and maintain the optimal level of heterozygosity in stocks. The highest level of average heterozygosity (79.4%) was found in the age-2 group of silver carp, which prevailed over the expected average heterozygosity with a value of 49.4%. In comparison with other studied groups, the age-2 group of bighead carp had the lowest level of average heterozygosity of 59.1% versus the theoretically calculated level of 45.5%. The age-2 and age-3 groups of bighead carp had the highest level of heterozygosity at Ca locus at the level of 82.8 and 78.6% respectively, in contrast to the expected heterozygosity at this locus at the level of 49.9 and 49.7%. A dendrogram of the genetic relationships of different age groups of silver carp was constructed based on the values of genetic distances. The formed clusters indicated the formation of the genetic structure of the silver and bighead carps by species affiliation. Conclusions. The analysis of the genetic structure of different age groups of the silver and bighead carps was performed by the polymorphism of protein and enzyme systems such as Pralb, EST, MDH, ME, CA loci. The study describes the features of the distribution of allelic frequencies and genotypic variants of the aforementioned loci. The level of average heterozygosity, observed and expected heterozygosity at loci in age-2 and age-3 groups of silver and bighead carps were determined. The high genetic variability of an age-2 group of silver carp at the level of 79.4% indicates the need to stabilize their genetic structure. As a result of the cluster analysis, it was determined that the formation of the genetic structure of the silver carp groups of the "Sunpoint Ukraine" farm in the Kharkiv region occurs by species affiliation. The study and use of biochemical markers will allow differentiating stocks of silver and bighead carps. As well as in complex analysis with other molecular genetic markers will allow them to develop a genetic passport.

GENETIC STRUCTURE OF THE KAZAKH FINE-WOOL SHEEP POPULATION BASED ON MOLECULAR GENETIC MARKERS OF DNA

The modern Kazakh population of sheep of the Kazakh fi newool breed is characterized by the following population-genetic indicators: the average number of alleles (N) – 9.5833, the average heterozygosity (expected, not) – 0.8090, the average heterozygosity (observed, but) – 0.6972, the total expected heterozygosity Ht – 0, 8177 and the individual fi xation index (Fis) – 0.1459. 115 alleles were identifi ed, including 89 typical alleles (with a frequency of more than 0.01), 26 private alleles (with a frequency of less than 0.01), and 68.9 eff ective alleles

Genetic diversity and geographical genetic diversity in Colombian accessions of Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Brown

Bushy matgrass (Lippia alba, Verbenaceae) is a promising plant genetic resource, by their active compounds. The present document studied the molecular genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure of two contrasting populations of L. alba in Colombia. Eight RAM, evaluated total DNA of 59 accessions of non-cultivated plants collected in two Colombia regions, Chicamocha and Sumapaz. The expected average heterozygosity (or average heterozygosity genetic diversity of Nei) for the sample had low value (0.0≤He=0.2467≤0.5). The values of molecular diversity (MD) indicated values in the range of 0.1219 to 0.3425 for seven RAM. The frequency of variants is based on an effective number of alleles [Ae] and expected heterozygosity [He], genetic diversity by locus (hj=1-p2-q2) had maximum values (near 0.5) in the primers ACA, AG, CGA, and CEC. RAM suitably analyzed Lippia alba as an endemic genetic resource. A DNA bank composed of 59 Colombian accessions from Lippia alba was set up. The analysis of the spatial global structure shows that the subpopulation Sumapaz is structured, whilst the subpopulation Chicamocha, is in the structuring process. The results suggest in all cases the need for implementing: a) exchange of gene-seed, (b) gene banks with maximum genetic variability and c) induce genetic diversity.

Polymorphism of Myostatin Gene and its Association with Body Weight of Iraqi Local Ducks

Myostatin, or growth and differentiation factor-8(GDF-8) is a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß superfamily. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between genetic polymorphism of the myostatin gene with the body-weight of Iraqi local ducks by DNA sequence analysis. The results of DNA sequence showed nitrogen base change (G?A) at 129 base pair sites of the exon1 of MSTN gene. Therefore, two alleles, G and A and two patterns of genotypes, GG, AG were observed. The observed numbers of GG and AG genotypes were 25 and 6, respectively. The G allele was of the highest frequency (0.9) while A allele showed the lowest frequency (0.1). The GG genotype showed the highest frequency (80.65%) and AG genotype showed the lowest frequency (19.35%). Additionally, the percentages of observed and expected heterozygosity were 0.19 and 0.17 respectively. Moreover, the percentages of observed and expected homozygosity were 0.80 and 0.82, respectively. The average heterozygosity was 0.17. The results revealed no significant (P?0.05) effect of the MSTN gene on body weight.

Analysis of the polymorphism of expressed sequencetag-Simple sequence repeat in quail

Aiming at accelerating the application of molecular markers in the genetic improvement of quails, six EST-SSR markers were successfully developed using a bioinformatics method. Polymorphisms of three quail populations (Chinese yellow, China black and Korean quail) were detected. The results showed that there were 2-6 alleles in six EST-SSR markers. The mean polymorphism information contents of Chinese yellow , China blackand Korean quail were 0.5451, 0.4962 and 0.4937, respectively. The average heterozygosity values were 0.6134, 0.5759 and 0.5613. Among the six EST-SSR markers, three were highly polymorphicand the others were moderately polymorphic. The newly-developed six EST-SSR markers may be used to determine the genetic diversity of quails. The six EST-SSR markers identified were related to carbohydrate metabolism and melanin synthesis, but the specific mechanisms need to be further analyzed.

Microsatellite assessment of walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) stocks in Canada

Walruses in Canada are currently subdivided into seven stocks based on summering areas; Western Jones Sound (WJS), Baffin Bay (BB), Penny Strait-Lancaster Sound (PS-LS), North Foxe Basin (N-FB), Central Foxe Basin (C-FB), Hudson Bay Davis Strait (HB-DS) and Southern and Eastern Hudson Bay (SE-HB). In this study, walrus were sampled from six of the seven stocks (SE-HB samples were not available) and genotyped at 10 microsatellite loci. All stocks were genetically diverse (average heterozygosity of 0.58) with no evidence of inbreeding (average FIS of 0.03). We detected significant genetic differentiation among the stocks and a pattern of genetic spatial autocorrelation that suggests a moderate effect of geographic distance on gene flow among stocks. Bayesian clustering suggested the six recognized stocks were elements of two larger genetic clusters - a northern Arctic population (containing BB, WJS, and PS-LS stocks) and a central Arctic population (containing C-FB, N-FB, and HB-DS stocks). These populations are moderately differentiated (FST = 0.07), but based on evidence of contemporary movement from assignment tests, are not completely isolated. There was support for maintaining the WJS stock and a combined BB+PS-LS stock, although the latter conclusion is based on a small sample size. Similarly, there was some evidence suggesting separation of the Foxe Basin stocks from the HB-DS but not the N-FB from the C-FB stock. However, given that there are morphological and chemical differences between N-FB and C-FB stocks, there is currently insufficient evidence to support a revision of the current stock designations.

Selection in the genetic resource: genetic variation of the linear described type traits in the Old Kladrub horse

The structure of the breed in 2003 was: 39 sires and 350 dams. The breed was closed against immigration in 1992. In 1993 and 2003 coefficients of inbreeding (Fx) were calculated from 5 parental generations for sires and dams in the whole breed and white and black variety. From 1993 to 2003 decreased the Fx (%) in the breed for stallions from 5.65 to 5.57 and for mares from 7.75 to 4.88. The effective population size was in 1993 Ne=114.00 and 2003 Ne=140.36. The increment of Ne during the 10-year period was 26.36 animals. The average heterozygosity estimated on the frequencies of blood types, biochemical markers and microsatellites was enough large and was connected with a low coefficient of inbreeding. Linear type evolutions of 494 horses of the Old Kladrub breed for 32 traits were used to analyse the effect of variety and stud. The data were used for the estimation of population parameters and heritability coefficients. The specific properties and variation of the Old Kladrub horse in its current state were characterized by the overall mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, number of utilized scores and heritabilities. The highest coefficient of variation showed the forelimbs-side view (40.14 %), chest girth (36.25 %) and height at withers (30.97 %). The 8 traits showed heritabilities within the interval of 0.20 to 0.68. These traits are candidates as selection criteria. Significant differences between both varieties were found in 13 from 32 traits. Significant differences were found in 12 of 32 traits between the Kladruby stud and the private studs.