Cross-species testing and utility of microsatellite loci in Indirana frogs

Abhilash Nair,Sujith V Gopalan,Sanil George,K Santhosh Kumar,Juha Merilä

doi:10.1186/1756-0500-5-389

Abhilash Nair, Sujith V Gopalan + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-0500-5-389

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Abstract

BackgroundMicrosatellite loci are widely used in population and conservation genetic studies of amphibians, but the availability of such markers for tropical and subtropical taxa is currently very limited. In order to develop resources for conservation genetic studies in the genus Indirana, we tested amplification success and polymorphism in 62 previously developed microsatellite loci, in eight Indirana species - including new candidate species. Developing genomic resources for this amphibian taxon is particularly important as it is endemic to the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, and harbours several endangered species.FindingsThe cross-species amplification success rate varied from 11.3 % to 29.0 % depending on the species, with 29 - 80 % of the amplifying loci being polymorphic. A strong negative correlation between cross-species amplification success (and polymorphism) and genetic distance separating target from source species was observed.ConclusionsOur results provide additional genetic support for the existence of genetically divergent cryptic species within the genus Indirana. The tested markers should be useful for population and conservation genetic studies in this genus, and in particular, for species closely related to the source species, I. beddomii.

Highlights

Microsatellite loci are widely used in population and conservation genetic studies of amphibians, but the availability of such markers for tropical and subtropical taxa is currently very limited
The tested markers should be useful for population and conservation genetic studies in this genus, and in particular, for species closely related to the source species, I. beddomii
The fauna of the Indian Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot is well known for its diversity and high level of endemism [1]

Summary

Introduction

Microsatellite loci are widely used in population and conservation genetic studies of amphibians, but the availability of such markers for tropical and subtropical taxa is currently very limited. Developing genomic resources for this amphibian taxon is important as it is endemic to the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, and harbours several endangered species. The amphibian diversity in this region remains inadequately characterized [5]. This is reflected by numerous taxonomic uncertainties and ambiguities [6], and in the fact that many species still await proper taxonomic description [7]. Frogs belonging to the endemic genus Indirana (Ranixalidae; [8]) are among the poorly studied amphibian genera from the Western Ghats [9]. Information regarding their interspecific and intraspecific differentiation and variability across the diverse and fragmented habitats of Western Ghats is very limited [10]

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