MICROSATELLITE DIVERSITY OF CROSSBRED HORSES RAISED IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

The focus of this study was microsatellite diversity of crossbred horses raised in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples of 20 individuals (KBA group – 7 individuals, crosses between Bosnian and Herzegovinian mountain horse and Arabian horse; KBR group – 9 individuals, crosses between Bosnian and Herzegovinian mountain and Belgian horses, crosses between Bosnian and Herzegovinian mountain horses and Holstein, crosses between Bosnian and Herzegovinian mountain and Lipizzaner horses and KBN group – 4 individuals, crosses between Bosnian and Herzegovinian mountain horse with an unknown origin of the other parent). The samples were profiled using 17 microsatellite markers. This method consisted of multiplex PCR procedure and generated reasonable amplification across all the loci. All samples were genotyped successfully. Considering all the observed parameters, VHL20 locus showed the highest microsatellite diversity. Locus HMS7 was the least variable in KBR group, while HMS1 locus was the least diverse in KBN group. The highest microsatellite diversity in KBA group was found at AHT5 locus while HTG6 locus was the least diverse. Obtained results suggest that the investigated populations of crossbred horses from Bosnia and Herzegovina are not affected by substantial loss of genetic diversity, as indicated by the presence of reasonably high level of genetic variation. An increase in the inbreeding coefficient and sufficient heterogenity in KBN group indicate occurrence of consanguineous mating. The present research contributes to the knowledge of current status of genetic structure of the investigated crossbred horses.

Microsatellite diversity in the populations of Ukrainian local chicken breeds

The article considers the questions about microsatellite diversity in the populations of Birkivska Barvista (line A), White Plymouth Rock (line G-2), Poltava clay (line 14) and Rhode Island Red (line 38) chicken breeds. Using the classical PCR method, populations polymorphism was studied for 14 microsatellite loci (LEI0094, LEI0166, LEI0192, ADL0268, ADL0278, MCW0034, MCW0081, MCW0104, MCW0123, MCW0330, MCW0245, MCW0257, MCW0282, MCW0288). For all microsatellite loci 66 alleles were detected. For the population of White Plymouth Rock chicken breed, the number of individual alleles in all the loci was 64; for Birkivska Barvista – 50; for Rhode Island Red – 50; for Poltava clay – 52. By the values of the polymorphism information content (PIC), the number of highly informative markers was ~ 45% of the total. According to the results of the research, it was revealed that the biggest genetic differences were between the White Plymouth Rock and Rhode Island Red chicken breeds (65.9% of differences), the smallest were between White Plymouth Rock and Poltava clay chicken breeds (32.3%). Between lines 14 and 38 (the egg-meat direction of productivity), 35.9% of the differences were observed. By comparison of the population of Borkovskaya Barvistaya chicken breed (line A), the maximum differences were found with the Rhode Island Red (58.8%), while the G-2 and 14 lines showed similar differences (32.8 and 37.9%). According to Wright's F-statistics analysis, 19.5% of detected genetic variability was between populations that indicating a significant divergence of the experimental chicken lines. Among all studied loci, the average level of divergence (the value of Fst was within the range of 0.06–0.15) is characteristic for 29% of the total number of microsatellite markers; strongly expressed divergence (0.16–0.25) for 57% and very strong (> 0.25) for 14% (locus MCW0257 and MCW0288). By averaged values of Fis, negative values (excess of heterozygotes) were shown only for 3 from all studied loci. The average Fit value indicates a significant (27.5%) excess of homozygous individuals what indicates the high level of inbreeding in experimental chicken populations and reaches its maximum value in the MCW0245 and MCW0257 loci.

Tracking and tracing central Queensland’s Macroderma – determining the size of the Mount Etna ghost bat population and potential threats

The ghost bat, Macroderma gigas, colony at Mount Etna was at the centre of Australia’s longest-running conservation campaign. To protect the colony the Queensland Government removed recreational facilities and gated caves. The size and genetic diversity of the Mount Etna M. gigas population were estimated using cave searches, direct captures and molecular analysis to determine whether these actions have benefitted the species. In addition, telemetry was undertaken and red fox, Vulpes vulpes, scats analysed to identify possible threats. Results suggest that the population has declined by 79% since the late 1990s, has low microsatellite diversity, low effective population size (Ne) and is undergoing a population bottleneck. VHF- and GPS-collared animals were found to forage over agricultural land up to 11.8 km from their daytime roost, suggesting that poor land management and barbed-wire fences could be potential threats. No ghost bat remains were found in fox scats. We recommend that compliance be increased around Johansen’s Cave to reduce disturbance during the maternity season and landholders be encouraged to undertake management that is sympathetic to ghost bats.