Maintenance Of Genetic Diversity Research Articles

No evidence for a loss of genetic diversity despite a strong decline in size of a European population of the CorncrakeCrex crex

SummaryThe preservation of genetic diversity is an important aspect of conservation biology. Low genetic diversity within a population can lead to inbreeding depression and a reduction in adaptive potential, which may increase extinction risk. Here we report changes in genetic diversity over 12 years in a declining population of the CorncrakeCrex crex, a grassland bird species of high conservation concern throughout Europe. Despite a twofold demographic decline during the same period, we found no evidence for a reduction of genetic diversity. The gradual genetic differentiation observed among populations of Corncrake across Europe suggests that genetic diversity is maintained in western populations by constant gene flow from the larger and more productive populations in eastern Europe and Asia. The maintenance of genetic diversity in this species is an opportunity that may help the implementation of effective conservation actions across the Corncrake’s European range.

Strong genetic isolation of the black-lipped pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera) in the Marquesas archipelago (French Polynesia)

The French Polynesian islands are internationally known for their black pearls, produced by culture of the black lipped pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera. The ongoing development of hatcheries for P. margaritifera in French Polynesia poses new challenges for the industry, particularly regarding the maintenance of genetic diversity in the hatchery stocks. This emphasizes the necessity to characterize the genetic diversity and differentiation within natural and exploited populations, to carefully select putative parental populations. The present study aimed at validating the phylogenetic status and investigating genetic attributes of populations from the only two non-exploited archipelagos of French Polynesia, the Marquesas archipelago, and the Australes archipelago, never analysed before. We found that individuals from both archipelagos belonged to P. margaritifera species. However, while the Australes population was genetically similar to non-exploited populations of the Tuamotu, the Marquesas populations were highly differentiated from the rest of the populations. This differentiation cannot not be only attributed to geographic distance and aquaculture status, but likely to hydrodynamic barriers allowing vicariant events to take place. Our results add up to other studies describing the Marquesas archipelago as a hotspot for biodiversity and differentiation, with some of the highest levels of endemism and vicariance found among marine species worldwide and provide precious information on available genetic resources for the implementation of P. margaritifera selective breeding and its genetic conservation in French Polynesia.

Changing pattern of the genetic diversities of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein-1 and merozoite surface protein-2 in Myanmar isolates

BackgroundPlasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein-1 (PfMSP-1) and -2 (PfMSP-2) are major blood-stage vaccine candidate antigens. Understanding the genetic diversity of the genes, pfmsp-1 and pfmsp-2, is important for recognizing the genetic structure of P. falciparum, and the development of an effective vaccine based on the antigens. In this study, the genetic diversities of pfmsp-1 and pfmsp-2 in the Myanmar P. falciparum were analysed.MethodsThe pfmsp-1 block 2 and pfmsp-2 block 3 regions were amplified by polymerase chain reaction from blood samples collected from Myanmar patients who were infected with P. falciparum in 2013–2015. The amplified gene fragments were cloned into a T&A vector, and sequenced. Sequence analysis of Myanmar pfmsp-1 block 2 and pfmsp-2 block 3 was performed to identify the genetic diversity of the regions. The temporal genetic changes of both pfmsp-1 and pfmsp-2 in the Myanmar P. falciparum population, as well as the polymorphic diversity in the publicly available global pfmsp-1 and pfmsp-2, were also comparatively analysed.ResultsHigh levels of genetic diversity of pfmsp-1 and pfmsp-2 were observed in the Myanmar P. falciparum isolates. Twenty-eight different alleles of pfmsp-1 (8 for K1 type, 14 for MAD20 type, and 6 for RO33 type) and 59 distinct alleles of pfmsp-2 (18 for FC27, and 41 for 3D7 type) were identified in the Myanmar P. falciparum population in amino acid level. Comparative analyses of the genetic diversity of the Myanmar pfmsp-1 and pfmsp-2 alleles in the recent (2013–2015) and past (2004–2006) Myanmar P. falciparum populations indicated the dynamic genetic expansion of the pfmsp-1 and pfmsp-2 in recent years, suggesting that a high level of genetic differentiation and recombination of the two genes may be maintained. Population genetic structure analysis of the global pfmsp-1 and pfmsp-2 also suggested that a high level of genetic diversity of the two genes was found in the global P. falciparum population.ConclusionDespite the recent remarkable decline of malaria cases, the Myanmar P. falciparum population still remains of sufficient size to allow the generation and maintenance of genetic diversity. The high level of genetic diversity of pfmsp-1 and pfmsp-2 in the global P. falciparum population emphasizes the necessity for continuous monitoring of the genetic diversity of the genes for better understanding of the genetic make-up and evolutionary aspect of the genes in the global P. falciparum population.

An approach to genetic resources conservation of peripheral isolated plant populations: the case of an island narrow endemic species

This study reinforces the argument that forest genetic resources for peripheral isolated plant populations (PIPP) need to come under rationalistic assessment, for developing and proposing conservation strategies of forest genetic resources. Cedrus brevifolia is a narrow endemic island tree occurring in a sole population. Using biparentally and paternally inherited microsatellites, the genetic contribution and genetic variation patterns within sites (subpopulations) and within plantations of this species were assessed. The C. brevifolia population recorded uneven partition of genetic diversity at the site and at local scales; mirroring the demography and genetic evolutionary factors that occurred in long-term at the intra-species level. Results from the plantations imply that screening and rejection of unsuitable seedlings before plantation establishment did not influence the genetic divergence of planted trees from the general genetic pool of natural population. Based on these outcomes, numerous conservation measures are proposed, towards maintaining the species’ genetic resources. These measures need to ensure the dynamic processes within stands. Thus, this study argues that for PIPP which recorded high genetic diversity and non-uniform distribution of genetic viability (complex genetic patterns), the several small conservation units seem to be the most rationalistic conservation units. In such case, forest genetic micro-reserves (GMR) can be enacted, where on-the-point dynamic in situ conservation activities can be adopted, while the GMR could be used for ex situ conservation purposes. In conclusion, in PIPP the maintenance of genetic diversity should be regarded as one of the main prerequisites for sustainable management and long-term survival of the species.

Drawbacks and consequences of selective strategies in the design of semen banks: Case study of the Pura Raza Español horse breed

Genome resource banks (GRB) are valuable tools for the maintenance of genetic diversity, especially in endangered species or local breeds but also for mainstream breeds. Minimum coancestry criterion is commonly implemented to decide the actual donors contributing to the GRB. This is (more or less) clear for local breeds with a pure conservation emphasis. However, in breeds with a productive or commercial nature other considerations are also taken into account beyond the original objective of the bank. For instance, the breeding criteria used in the living population for the maintenance of the genetic progress could be also implemented in the design of the bank. Using data of the Pura Raza Español (PRE) horse breed (males between 3 and 20 years old) as a case study, we aimed to investigate the effect on genetic diversity of different criteria for the selection of the donors (stallions) in the design of a GRB (semen bank). Studied scenarios included (i) minimisation of the global average coancestry; (ii) maximisation of the mean estimated breeding values (EBVs) of the donors with a restriction on the levels of coancestry incurred. We used genealogical (281,052 animals; 138,059 males and 145,869 females) and molecular information (70,572 genotypes from PRE with reproductive capacity), as well as the EBVs for two productive traits (Dressage sport discipline of 9000 males and morphological linear traits of 2597 males). When the genealogical coancestry was the only criterion, increasing the number of donors resulted in continuous increase in diversity stored (for the different parameters used for comparison). When pedigree coancestry was replaced by molecular coancestry results were not so consistent. The inclusion of EBVs as additional selective criteria (searching for the most ‘valuable’ donors) led to an increased relatedness between donors (and, correspondingly, to a decrease in the diversity kept). In this scenario, the inclusion of individuals with low performance may be arguable depending on the time horizon the bank has been designed for. In any case, in parallel as it is recommended for the management of living populations, restrictions in the levels of genetic diversity (inbreeding) should be included when deciding the sampling scheme.

Why So Variable: Can Genetic Variance in Flowering Thresholds Be Maintained by Fluctuating Selection?

We use integral projection models (IPMs) and individual-based simulations to study the evolution of genetic variance in two monocarpic plant systems. Previous approaches combining IPMs with an adaptive dynamics-style invasion analysis predicted that genetic variability in the size threshold for flowering will not be maintained, which conflicts with empirical evidence. We ask whether this discrepancy can be resolved by making more realistic assumptions about the underlying genetic architecture, assuming a multilocus quantitative trait in an outcrossing diploid species. To do this, we embed the infinitesimal model of quantitative genetics into an IPM for a size-structured cosexual plant species. The resulting IPM describes the joint dynamics of individual size and breeding value of the evolving trait. We apply this general framework to the monocarpic perennials Oenothera glazioviana and Carlina vulgaris. The evolution of heritable variation in threshold size is explored in both individual-based models (IBMs) and IPMs, using a mutation rate modifier approach. In the Oenothera model, where the environment is constant, there is selection against producing genetically variable offspring. In the Carlina model, where the environment varies between years, genetically variable offspring provide a selective advantage, allowing the maintenance of genetic variability. The contrasting predictions of adaptive dynamics and quantitative genetics models for the same system suggest that fluctuating selection may be more effective at maintaining genetic variation than previously thought.

Multiple paternity and precocial breeding in wild Tasmanian devils, Sarcophilus harrisii (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae)

Abstract Polyandry, a common reproductive strategy in various animal species, has potential female benefits, which include enhanced offspring fitness. Benefits can be direct, such as reduced risk of male infanticide of offspring, or indirect, such as increased genetic diversity of offspring and the acquisition of ‘good genes’. Multiple paternity of litters has been recorded in numerous marsupial species but has not been reported in Tasmanian devils, Sarcophilus harrisii (Boitard). We investigated whether multiple paternity occurred in litters within a wild population of Tasmanian devils. Using major histocompatibility complex-linked and neutral microsatellite markers, the paternity of nine litters was analysed. We found multiple paternity in four out of nine litters and that yearling (> 1, < 2 years old) male devils were siring offspring. This is the first record of multiple paternity and of male precocial breeding in wild Tasmanian devils. To date, there are no data relating to the subsequent survival of devils from single- vs. multiple-sired litters; therefore, we do not know whether multiple paternity increases offspring survival in the wild. These results have implications for the Tasmanian devil captive insurance programme, because group housing can lead to multiple-sired litters, making the maintenance of genetic diversity over time difficult to manage.

Habituation underpins preference for mates with novel phenotypes in the guppy.

Populations harbour enormous genetic diversity in ecologically important traits. Understanding the processes that maintain this variation is a long-standing challenge in evolutionary biology. Recent evidence indicates that a mating preference for novel sexual signals can be a powerful force maintaining genetic diversity. However, the proximate underpinnings of this preference, and its generality, remain unclear. Here, we test the hypothesis that preference for novel sexual signals is underpinned by habituation, a nearly ubiquitous form of learning whereby individuals become less responsive to repetitive stimuli. We use the Trinidadian guppy ( Poecilia reticulata), in which male colour patterns are diverse yet heritable. We show that repeated exposure to males with a given colour pattern reduces female interest in males with that pattern, and that interest recovers following brief isolation. These results fulfil two core criteria of habituation: responsiveness decline and spontaneous recovery. To distinguish habituation from sensory adaptation and fatigue, we also demonstrate stimulus specificity and dishabituation. These results provide the first evidence that habituation causes a preference for novel sexual signals, addressing the mechanistic underpinnings of this mating preference. Given the pervasiveness of habituation among taxa and sensory contexts, our findings suggest that preference for novelty may play an underappreciated role in mate choice and the maintenance of genetic variation.

Temperature‐induced developmental plasticity in Plodia interpunctella: Reproductive behaviour and sperm length

In both plants and animals, male gametogenesis is particularly sensitive to heat stress, to the extent that a single hot or cold day can compromise crop productivity or population persistence. In animals, heat stress during development can impact a male's ability to secure copulations and/or his post-copulatory fertility. Despite such observations, relatively few studies have examined the consequences of developmental temperature on the reproductive behaviour and physiology of individuals. Here, we report for the first time the effects of developmental temperature on the phenotypic expression of both apyrene and eupyrene sperm and the copulatory behaviour of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella. We show that the length of both apyrene and eupyrene sperm decreases with increasing developmental temperature and that males are less likely to engage in copulation when reared at the highest and lowest temperatures. Where copulation occurred, the duration of copula decreased as male developmental temperature increased. We argue that identification of the mechanisms and consequences of reproductive failure in animals facing heat stress will help understand how wild and domesticated populations will respond to global climate change. We also contend that such studies will help elucidate long-standing evolutionary questions around the maintenance of genetic variation in traits highly relevant to fitness and the role of phenotypic plasticity in driving the evolution of novel traits.

Fast Estimation of Recombination Rates Using Topological Data Analysis.

Accurate estimation of recombination rates is critical for studying the origins and maintenance of genetic diversity. Because the inference of recombination rates under a full evolutionary model is computationally expensive, we developed an alternative approach using topological data analysis (TDA) on genome sequences. We find that this method can analyze datasets larger than what can be handled by any existing recombination inference software, and has accuracy comparable to commonly used model-based methods with significantly less processing time. Previous TDA methods used information contained solely in the first Betti number ([Formula: see text]) of a set of genomes, which aims to capture the number of loops that can be detected within a genealogy. These explorations have proven difficult to connect to the theory of the underlying biological process of recombination, and, consequently, have unpredictable behavior under perturbations of the data. We introduce a new topological feature, which we call ψ, with a natural connection to coalescent models, and present novel arguments relating [Formula: see text] to population genetic models. Using simulations, we show that ψ and [Formula: see text] are differentially affected by missing data, and package our approach as TREE (Topological Recombination Estimator). TREE's efficiency and accuracy make it well suited as a first-pass estimator of recombination rate heterogeneity or hotspots throughout the genome. Our work empirically and theoretically justifies the use of topological statistics as summaries of genome sequences and describes a new, unintuitive relationship between topological features of the distribution of sequence data and the footprint of recombination on genomes.

Guidelines for seed collection of Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze: A genetic, demographic and geographic approach

Restoration of degraded ecosystems is essential for the conservation of global biodiversity. In southern Brazil, the Araucaria forest is a highly reduced and fragmented ecosystem of the Atlantic Forest Biome, and restoration is recommended for the conservation of both Araucaria forest and Araucaria angustifolia, an endangered conifer of this ecosystem. Thus, knowledge about seed collection sites, criteria for the maintenance of genetic diversity, and adaptive potential of seeds is crucial to restoration success. Therefore, this study aimed to identify priority areas for seed collection of A. angustifolia based on its previously known genetic, demographic and geographic characteristics. To accomplish this, the density of reproductive individuals of A. angustifolia associated with a probability of reproduction (50% or 90%) was extrapolated to all the Araucaria forest fragments from Santa Catarina state (SC), Brazil. Then, we estimated which forest fragments would be suitable for seed collection based on average values of fine scale genetic structure (FSGS) and the number of sampled seed trees for which different effective population sizes (100 or 1000) could be retained. Despite high fragmentation, some forest fragments remain suitable as seed source for restoration. However, using strict criteria, only 4.1% of the fragments could be deemed suitable. Collectively, our results represent a starting point for policymakers concerned with identifying restoration areas for endangered species, in particular, the criteria for seed collection of A. angustifolia.

Rarity does not limit genetic variation or preclude subpopulation structure in the geographically restricted desert forb Astragalus lentiginosus var. piscinensis.

Characteristics of rare taxa include small population sizes and limited geographical ranges. The genetic consequences of rarity are poorly understood for most taxa. A small geographical range could result in reduced opportunity for isolation by distance or environment, thereby limiting genetic structure and variation, but few studies explore genetic structure at small spatial scales with sufficient resolution to test this hypothesis. Moreover, few comparative genetic studies exist among infrataxa differing in rarity. Here, we compare genetic variation among varieties of Astragalus lentiginosus differing in range size. Additionally, we ask if genetic structure exists in A. lentiginosus var. piscinensis, a rare taxon consisting of several thousand individuals that persist on ~8 km2 of alkaline soil. We compared genetic variation among 11 varieties of A. lentiginosus differing in range size using a genotyping by sequencing (GBS) approach, which generated 11,475 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We characterized genetic structure among subpopulations of A. lentiginosus var. piscinensis using a second GBS data set of 7274 SNPs and explored associations between genetic structure and environmental variation. We found no association between genetic variation and range size among varieties of A. lentiginosus. Additionally, despite the extremely small range of A. lentiginosus var. piscinensis, we report a well-defined genetic structure among subpopulations associated with microhabitat variation in soil composition. Our results suggest that fine scale genetic structure may exist within other rare Astragalus taxa and that rarity does not preclude the maintenance of genetic diversity in this genus.

Genetic variability is preserved among strongly differentiated and geographically diverse almond germplasm: an assessment by simple sequence repeat markers

Eighty-six almond accessions of diverse geographic origin, ranging from Central Asia to the USA, were genotyped in 15 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci to compare genetic diversity parameters, characterize genetic differentiation, and examine factors responsible for the maintenance of genetic diversity and population structure in almond. The mean allele number was 18.86 alleles per locus. All but one primer demonstrated polymorphic information content higher than 0.7. Almond genotypes clustered according to their pedigree and geographic origin. STRUCTURE analysis determined nine genetically distinct subgroups within the studied genotypes including the Kyrgyz, Akdamar, Bademli, Hungarian, Monor, Italian, Moroccan, and Californian accessions and wild species and an admixed group. An AMOVA analysis confirmed that considerable genetic variation occurred within populations (71.30%), and genetic variation among populations was also significant (28.70%). The mean values of the fixation index (FST) varied between 0.38 and 0.55, indicating marked genetic differentiation among the populations. The among-population genetic differentiation based on allele sizes (RST) was significantly higher than that based on allele identities (FST) between the most groups, suggesting that stepwise mutations have also contributed to genetic differentiation. A Mantel test and a neighbor-joining tree showed no significant correlation between the geographic distance and the genetic distance (Rxy = 0.173, P = 0.226) and indicated that geographic distance among the assessed populations has little influence on their genetic differentiation (Rxy = 0.248, P = 0.194). Our data show drift, mutations, and massive gene exchange between several wild species and cultivated P. dulcis as crucial components of genetic differentiation. Slight losses of genetic diversity are attributable to geographic isolation, human selection and not to the relatively recent occurrence of self-compatibility. There was no indication of a major decrease in genetic variability in almond germplasm from Asia to Europe. The present results reveal that almond domestication avoided the occurrence of a genetic bottleneck although its risk is present in many subpopulations.

Genassemblage 2.0 software as a tool for maintaining genetic variation in human dependent fish populations

Genassemblage 2.0 software as a tool for maintaining genetic variation in human dependent fish populations

Sexual Reproduction of Kudzu (Pueraria montana [Lour.] Merr.) in Oklahoma

Non-native invasive plants pose major threats to biodiversity across the globe. In the southeastern United States, kudzu ( Pueraria montana [Lour.] Merr.) was introduced as a flowering, ornamental vine. In many areas, it quickly escaped cultivation and has caused major disruption to native ecosystems. Over the past two decades, kudzu has gradually spread north and west, being found as far north as Illinois and Indiana, and as far west as Kansas and Oklahoma. Only recently has the species distribution been thoroughly assessed in Oklahoma, and these studies have found its statewide range to be more extensive than previously thought. As a result of the species being understudied in the region, the reproductive ecology of kudzu in Oklahoma has gone largely unexamined. Our research provides evidence of sexual reproduction at two sites in southeastern Oklahoma. This is the first documentation of germination of kudzu in Oklahoma. While kudzu reproduces primarily through rhizomatous vegetative growth, the production of viable seeds is essential to the maintenance of genetic diversity and is often important at range limits. This research, coupled with further plant demographic research, could provide key details surrounding the potential further spread of kudzu in Oklahoma.

Wolbachia infection can bias estimates of intralocus sexual conflict.

Males and females share most of their genome and develop many of the same traits. However, each sex frequently has different optimal values for these shared traits, creating intralocus sexual conflict. This conflict has been observed in wild and laboratory populations of insects and affects important evolutionary processes such as sexual selection, the maintenance of genetic variation, and possibly even speciation. Given the broad impacts of intralocus conflict, accurately detecting and measuring it is important. A common way to detect intralocus sexual conflict is to calculate the intersexual genetic correlation for fitness, with negative values suggesting conflict. Here, we highlight a potential confounder of this measure—cytoplasmic incompatibility caused by the intracellular parasite Wolbachia. Infection with Wolbachia can generate negative intersexual genetic correlations for fitness in insects, suggestive of intralocus sexual conflict. This is because cytoplasmic incompatibility reduces the fitness of uninfected females mated to infected males, while uninfected males will not suffer reductions in fitness if they mate with infected females and may even be fitter than infected males. This can lead to strong negative intersexual genetic correlations for fitness, mimicking intralocus conflict. We illustrate this issue using simulations and then present Drosophila simulans data that show how reproductive incompatibilities caused by Wolbachia infection can generate signals of intralocus sexual conflict. Given that Wolbachia infection in insect populations is pervasive, but populations usually contain both infected and uninfected individuals providing scope for cytoplasmic incompatibility, this is an important consideration for sexual conflict research but one which, to date, has been largely underappreciated.

Sex-specific dominance reversal of genetic variation for fitness.

The maintenance of genetic variance in fitness represents one of the most longstanding enigmas in evolutionary biology. Sexually antagonistic (SA) selection may contribute substantially to maintaining genetic variance in fitness by maintaining alternative alleles with opposite fitness effects in the two sexes. This is especially likely if such SA loci exhibit sex-specific dominance reversal (SSDR)—wherein the allele that benefits a given sex is also dominant in that sex—which would generate balancing selection and maintain stable SA polymorphisms for fitness. However, direct empirical tests of SSDR for fitness are currently lacking. Here, we performed a full diallel cross among isogenic strains derived from a natural population of the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus that is known to exhibit SA genetic variance in fitness. We measured sex-specific competitive lifetime reproductive success (i.e., fitness) in >500 sex-by-genotype F1 combinations and found that segregating genetic variation in fitness exhibited pronounced contributions from dominance variance and sex-specific dominance variance. A closer inspection of the nature of dominance variance revealed that the fixed allelic variation captured within each strain tended to be dominant in one sex but recessive in the other, revealing genome-wide SSDR for SA polymorphisms underlying fitness. Our findings suggest that SA balancing selection could play an underappreciated role in maintaining fitness variance in natural populations.

Evolutionary Consequences of Sex-Specific Selection in Variable Environments: Four Simple Models Reveal Diverse Evolutionary Outcomes.

The evolutionary trajectories of species with separate sexes depend on the effects of genetic variation on female and male traits as well as the direction and alignment of selection between the sexes. Classical theory has shown that evolution is equally responsive to selection on females and males, with natural selection increasing the product of the average relative fitness of each sex over time. This simple rule underlies several important predictions regarding the maintenance of genetic variation, the genetic basis of adaptation, and the dynamics of "sexually antagonistic" alleles. Nevertheless, theories of sex-specific selection overwhelmingly focus on evolution in constant environments, and it remains unclear whether they apply under changing conditions. We derived four simple models of sex-specific selection in variable environments and explored how conditions of population subdivision, the timing of dispersal, sex differences in dispersal, and the nature of environmental change mediate the evolutionary dynamics of sex-specific adaptation. We find that these dynamics are acutely sensitive to ecological, demographic, and life-history attributes that vary widely among species, with classical predictions breaking down in contexts of environmental heterogeneity. The evolutionary rules governing sex-specific adaptation may therefore differ between species, suggesting new avenues for research on the evolution of sexual dimorphism.

Development of a 12-plex of new microsatellite markers using a novel universal primer method to evaluate the genetic diversity of jaguars (Panthera onca) from North American zoological institutions

Maintenance of genetic diversity in both zoo-managed and wild animals is critical to population health. Jaguars are considered Near Threatened throughout their geographic range, and are Endangered in the United States. Genetic diversity of zoo-managed jaguar populations in North America using microsatellite markers has not been reported. To evaluate genetic diversity in jaguars housed in North American zoological institutions compared to wild and other zoo jaguar populations, we created a 12-plex of ten tetranucleotide (n = 10) and two pentanucleotide (n = 2) autosomal microsatellite loci that have not previously been described for use in jaguars, using a universal primer approach which minimizes cost and DNA quantity requirements. A subset of jaguars from North American zoological institutions (n = 35, approximately 28% of population) were genotyped using DNA extracted from whole blood. Microsatellite loci were polymorphic with a range of 3–10 alleles (average 6.42 alleles per locus), and expected heterozygosity (He) between 0.47 and 0.85. Overall population He was 0.73. Probability of identity of individuals (PI) and siblings (PIsibs) were 6.7 × 10− 13 and 2.1 × 10− 5, respectively, confirming that this panel can be used reliably to identify individuals. Using this novel multiplex microsatellite panel, we concluded that jaguars from the North American zoo population have high genetic diversity, comparable to reported wild and other zoo jaguar populations.

Pedigree analysis of Brazilian Morada Nova hair sheep

The aim of this study was to describe the population structure of Morada Nova sheep breed using pedigree analysis to support development strategies for conservation and breeding programs. Data was available on 10,015 Morada Nova animals born between 1973 and 2014, registered by ARCO (Brazilian Association of Sheep Breeders). The animals were divided into three categories: (1) Base: animals of unknown origin showing strong breed morphology; (2) Prov: animals with genealogy control for one (Prov I), two (Prov II) or three (Prov III) complete generations; (3) PO: animals with four or more complete generations of controlled genealogy. Data was analyzed using the ENDOG software v4.8 to determine individual inbreeding (F), effective population size (Ne), effective number of founders (fe), effective number of ancestors (fa) and number of founder genome equivalents (fg), generation intervals (Int) and genetic conservation index (GCI), of the Morada Nova sheep breed. The Base population (one or more unknown parents) contained 4,709 animals. Only 53.03% and 52.98% had known sire and dam, respectively. Most animals were found in the Brazilian Northeast, but in recent years numbers have increased in São Paulo State. Generation interval in this breed was approximately 3.6 years. Most farms buy rams or semen which helps maintain low inbreeding levels, as well as using their own rams. There is a need to increase registration beyond Base animals and use pedigree to avoid crosses between related animals. Nevertheless, no immediate problems were seen for maintenance of genetic diversity within the Morada Nova sheep breed.