Hybridization with mountain hares increases the functional allelic repertoire in brown hares

Brown hares (Lepus europaeus Pallas) are able to hybridize with mountain hares (L. timidus Linnaeus) and produce fertile offspring, which results in cross-species gene flow. However, not much is known about the functional significance of this genetic introgression. Using targeted sequencing of candidate loci combined with mtDNA genotyping, we found the ancestral genetic diversity in the Finnish brown hare to be small, likely due to founder effect and range expansion, while gene flow from mountain hares constitutes an important source of functional genetic variability. Some of this variability, such as the alleles of the mountain hare thermogenin (uncoupling protein 1, UCP1), might have adaptive advantage for brown hares, whereas immunity-related MHC alleles are reciprocally exchanged and maintained via balancing selection. Our study offers a rare example where an expanding species can increase its allelic variability through hybridization with a congeneric native species, offering a route to shortcut evolutionary adaptation to the local environmental conditions.

Allelic polymorphism of microsatelite DNA locі of egg chikens

The analysis of allelic polymorphism of five industrial egg crosses of chickens by five microsatellite DNA loci (ADL0268, MCW216, LEI0094, ADL0278, and MCW248) was carried out. DNA loci were chosen according to the recommendations of the International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG). Based on the results of mathematical-statistical processing and data analysis, the spectra and frequencies of allelic variability, the peculiarities of allele pools, were identified, and unique alleles were identified. In general, the species Gallus gallus is characterized by a specific character of allelic spectra for all investigated microsatellite DNA loci (P <0.001). The highest rates of allelic variability were recorded in brown crosses "Lohmann brown" and "Hisex brown" (Na (LimNa)=(9.2 (5-17) and 7.4 (6-11), respectively). The studied crosses were characterized by a shift in allelic spectra towards a decrease in the fragment length. “Lohmann white” stands out among the birds of other crosses by high consolidation for individual alleles for all studied microsatellites (from ADL278114 – 0.343 and ADL268108 – 0.485 to LEI094259 – 0.720, MCW0248213 – 0.785 and MCW0216137 – 0.920). Unique alleles with the highest frequency were found in brown cross chickens, and in the “Hy-Line W-98” bird, they were not found. The number of unique alleles identified varied from 1 ("Hisex white") to 11 ("Lohmann brown"). Locus LEI094 turned out to be the most polymorphic in terms of the number of unique alleles – 10 such allelic variants were identified for it. No unique alleles were identified at the ADL0268 locus. The obtained estimates criterion χ2 of K. Pearson indicate significant differences in the frequency distribution of alleles for all studied loci. When using the MICROSATELLITE ANALYSER software, it was found that the nature of the variability of the studied microsatellite DNA loci in five industrial crosses of the egg chickens, both in the number of identified alleles and in the nature of their distribution, corresponded to the stepwise mutation model (SMM).

Genetic diversity of spring common barley varieties at hordein loci

Aim. The aim of the study was to investigate the varieties of hordein loci of spring barley suitable for cultivation in Ukraine. Methods. To identify the genotype by the loci of the hordein, we used the method of separating the hordeins in polyacrylamide gel (PAAG) in acidic medium by the Brzezinski method with modifications. Results. In 26 varieties of spring barley, genotypes were identified by the hordein loci of Hrd A, Hrd B and HrdF. Differences between alleles of storage protein loci were found in the frequency with which they were distributed among varieties. Conclusions. Found a high level of allelic variability. In barley varieties there is a tendency for the distribution of certain alleles of loci of hordein storage proteins of barley: Hrd A (A2,A4, A12,A18, A23, A32), Hrd B (B1, B5, B6, B8, B17, B19, B21,B29, B35,B67, B164, ), Hrd F (F1, F2, F3, F0). Keywords: Hordeum vulgare L., spring barley, storage proteins, hordeins, alleles.

Variabilidad genética y detección de error en filiación utilizando microsatélites en dos rebaños de alpacas Huacaya (Vicugna pacos)

Objetivo: Determinar la variabilidad genética y evaluar la utilidad de microsatélites (STR) en la determinación de paternidad en alpacas blancas huacaya, pertenecientes al Centro Piloto de Mejoramiento Genético Munay Paqocha y el Fundo Itita, de la Sociedad Peruana de Criadores de Alpacas y Llamas (SPAR) Puno. Realizar la genotipificación y selección de marcadores STR útiles para la asignación de paternidad y parentesco. Metodología: Se evaluaron 10 marcadores STR a partir de ADN aislado de sangre y de folículos pilosos de 183 individuos colectados al azar procedentes de dos rebaños. Resultados y Conclusiones: Se observó un alto nivel de variabilidad alélica en el total de individuos analizados, y la presencia de alelos exclusivos entre poblaciones, con frecuencias menores al 1,5% en los loci LCA37, LCA90, LCA5, VOLP92, YWLL36, YWLL44 y YWLL08. Se propone la incorporación de tres marcadores adicionales, VOLP92, LCA94 y LCA90 para los análisis de variabilidad genética en alpacas. Los valores de FIS (0,016), y FST (0,003) reflejaron bajo niveles de endogamia. El rebaño del Fundo Itita presentó una mayor Ho (0,858) respecto a la He (0,848), mientras que por el contrario el rebaño del Centro Munay Paqocha presentó un menor valor de la Ho (0,815) respecto a la He (0,848), con una tendencia al déficit de heterocigotos. Los 10 marcadores presentaron una probabilidad de exclusión de parentesco adecuada, con un valor superior al 99,9%, cuando se conoce el genotipo de ambos padres, y un poder de discriminación mayor a 0,90. Además, se alcanzó un valor PEC de 0,999 considerando solo los marcadores YWLL08, YWLL44, LCA37, YWLL36, LCA8; siendo YWLL08 el de mayor valor (0,885). La prueba de filiación permitió detectar mayores errores de asignación de maternidad (13,04%) y paternidad (30,4%) en el rebaño del Fundo Itita, en comparación a Munay Paqocha con errores de designación de maternidad de 7,69% y de paternidad de 17,95%, concluyendo que este centro posee un mejor registro de empadres. ABSTRACT:Aim: To determine the genetic variability and the selection of STR markers useful for the evaluation of inbreeding, assignment of paternity and kinship, and the genotyping of two breeding herds of white huacayas alpacas Vicugna pacos, from the Pilot Center for Genetic Improvement Munay Paqocha and Fundo Itita, in Puno Perú. Methodology: 10 STR markers were assessed in 183 individuals, randomly selected. Results and Conclusions: We observed a high level of allelic variability in the total individuals, and unique alleles among populations with frequencies lower than 1.5% in loci LCA37, LCA90, LCA5, VOLP92, YWLL36, YWLL44 and YWLL08. We propose the addition of three markers, VOLP92, LCA94 and LCA90 for the genetic variability analysis in alpacas. FIS (0.016) and FST (0.003) values reflected low levels of inbreeding. Fundo Itita herd showed higher Ho (0.858) than He (0.848), while the herd of Munay Paqocha showed lower Ho (0.815) respect to He (0.848), with trending heterozygote deficit. The 10 markers showed an appropriate exclusion relationship probability, with a value greater than 99.9% when the genotype of both parents was known, and a power of discrimination greater than 0.9. In addition, a PEC value of 0.999 was reached considering only markers YWLL08, YWLL44, LCA37, YWLL36, LCA8; YWLL08 being the highest value (0.885). Filiation test detected major errors of maternity (13.04%) and paternity (30.4%) in the herd Fundo Itita. In Munay Paqocha with respect to errors designation maternity 7.69% and paternity of 17.95%, concluding that Munay Paqocha had a better record of matings.