Development, Characterization and Genetic Diversity of New Microsatellite Markers for Dipteryx Alata Vogel, A Species with Multiple Uses in the Brazilian Cerrado

Baru tree (Dipteryx alata) is an arboreal, fruitful plant native to the Cerrado Biome with an important socioeconomic impact. This study aimed to identify and characterize new microsatellite loci for D. alata. From the development of a genomic library enriched in microsatellites, ten pairs of primers were synthesized. Of these, seven were polymorphic, providing a total of 49 alleles, with an average of 5 to 5.57 alleles per locus. A significant content of polymorphic information was obtained, as indicated by the average expected heterozygosity (uHE), with a total average of 0.58 to 0.65 per locus. The average value of the observed heterozygosity (Ho) was also high, with a total average of 0.73 to 0.85 per locus. Some of the loci are in linkage disequilibrium, such as (Dalat G6 with Dalat B3, H3 and B4), in addition to (Dalat B4 with B5). The estimate of the combined loci for the probability of paternity exclusion obtained an average value of 1.00 for all loci, and the average combined probability of identity, the values were (1.210^−5) to (4.410^−6). The results obtained here show that the markers developed for D. alata are informative and suitable for studies on genetic diversity and population structure, aiming at the conservation and management of the species.

Electric eels galore: microsatellite markers for population studies

Fourteen novel microsatellite loci are described and characterized in two species of electric eels, Electrophorus variiand E. voltaifrom floodplains and rivers of the Amazon rainforest. These loci are polymorphic, highly informative, and have the capacity to detect reliable levels of genetic diversity. Likewise, the high combined probability of paternity exclusion value and low combined probability of genetic identity value obtained demonstrate that the new set of loci displays suitability for paternity studies on electric eels. In addition, the cross-amplification of electric eel species implies that it may also be useful in the study of the closely related E. electricus, and to other Neotropical electric fishes (Gymnotiformes) species as tested herein.

Population Genetic Data of 21 Autosomal Loci in Guangdong Han Population

Samples from 196 unrelated Guangdong Han individuals are typed with the EX22 kit (CSF1PO,D10S1248,D12S391,D13S317,D16S539,D18S51,D19S433,D21S11,D2S1338,D2S441,D3S1358,D5S818,D6S1043,D7S820,D8S1179,FGA,Penta D,Penta E,TH01,TPOX,vWA and amelogenin) and their allele frequencies are determined. Results show that the total discrimination power (TDP) of the multiplex system is 0.999 999 999, cumulative probability of paternity exclusion (CPE) for triplet cases is 0.999 999 997, indicating a high potential of differentiating between individuald in this population.

Development and characterization of microsatellite loci of Microglanis cottoides (Siluriformes: Pseudopimelodidae) and cross-species amplification

Thirteen microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized in Microglanis cottoides. Of these, two were monomorphic and 11 were polymorphic. These polymorphic loci tested on 24 individuals from a wild population produced a total of 108 different alleles, with levels of variability high, ranging from 2 to 20, with an average of 8.3 alleles per locus. The observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.125 to 0.958 and from 0.119 to 0.931, respectively. A high combined probability of paternity exclusion value and a low probability combined genetic identity value obtained show that the set of loci described herein displays good suitability for paternity studies and differentiation of M. cottoides. Additionally, all thirteen microsatellite primers developed for M. cottoides were tested in four other Pseudopimelodidae species and successful cross-species amplification was achieved for the majority of loci.

Development of interspecific hybrids of cassava and paternity analysis with molecular markers

SUMMARYThe present paper demonstrates the development of interspecific hybrids between Manihot esculenta Crantz ssp. esculenta (Mee) and M. esculenta Crantz ssp. flabellifolia (Mef) and paternity analysis using microsatellite markers [simple sequence repeat (SSR)]. Three Mef accessions (FLA005, FLA025V and FLA029V) were used for crosses with varieties of Mee: Saracura, Aipim Bravo, COL 1725, Aipim Rosa, Abóbora, Paraná and PER334. The paternity of the interspecific hybrids was investigated using 24 SSRs. The observed heterozygosity (Ho), polymorphic information content (PIC), probability of identity (PI) and paternity exclusion (PE) were evaluated. The rate of breeding success varied from 17 to 92%, and an average of two pollinations were required for each generated hybrid plant. The Ho value ranged from 0·11 to 0·92, and the PIC value ranged from 0·12 to 0·59. The uneven distribution of allele frequencies was accompanied by a high PI average (0·56). However, the combined PE for 21 loci was 0·99, which allows for the determination of the paternity of the hybrids with good discriminatory power. Of the 74 hybrids evaluated, 0·82 had their paternity confirmed using microsatellite markers. Discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) indicated the presence of eight clusters, of which, one was composed of only Mef varieties and the supposed hybrid Fla52Sar-H7, which was a product of apomixis. The parent Mee and hybrids were allocated in the other seven clusters. The data obtained demonstrate that SSR markers can be routinely used in breeding programmes to verify the paternity of interspecific crosses of cassava.