Abstract
Microsatellite loci are highly variable regions of eukaryotic DNA that consist of tandemly repeated sequences of one to six nucleotides in length. The use of microsatellites and the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) are powerful tools for quantifying genetic variation within and among individual populations. Recently, we have developed primers for caribou that amplify 4 microsatellite loci. These microsatellite loci were used to survey the genetic variation in populations of Barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus), Peary caribou (R.t. pearyi) and Woodland caribou (R.t. caribou) of Canada. The four loci examined were all polymorphic, revealing high levels of heterozygosity (> 0.74) in all of the study populations.
Highlights
D N A fingerprinting was first introduced i n 1985 by Jeffreys et al, which involved the analysis of highly variable regions of D N A
T h e use of D N A fingerprinting has provided valuable information i n the analysis of genetic diseases, forensics and ecological genetics (Jarman & Wells, 1989)
Random segments o f caribou genomic D N A were cloned into M13mpl8, and the resulting library was screened with a biotin¬ labeled oligonucleotide which would hybridize to a microsatellite repeat [AC]
Summary
D N A fingerprinting was first introduced i n 1985 by Jeffreys et al, which involved the analysis of highly variable regions of D N A (tandem-repetitive 'minisatellite' regions of 10-50 bases) Variation observed at these regions arises very rapidly relative to other types of D N A and the high levels of heterozygosity at these regions have been utilized to identify relatively unique genotypes in individuals, dubbed ' D N A fingerprints'. T h e use of D N A fingerprinting has provided valuable information i n the analysis of genetic diseases, forensics and ecological genetics (Jarman & Wells, 1989) This technique has been applied to study genetic variation i n wildlife populations. The large number of microsatellite loci combined with their high variability make them ideal markers for genetic analyses at the level of populations. W e report data from the analysis o f four microsatelhte loci i n populations of Peary caribou (Rangifer tarandus pearyi - Western Queen Elizabeth Islands), Barren-ground caribou (R.t. groenlandicus Beverly and Bathurst herds) and Woodland caribou (R.t. caribou - George River herd and Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks)
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