Haplotype Diversity Values Research Articles

Polymorphism and Forensic Application Value of 71 Y-SNP Loci in Han Population of Northwest China.

To analyze the polymorphism of 71 SNP loci on Y chromosome in Han population of Northwest China, to assess its forensic application value, and to screen out Y-SNP loci for forensic examination of Han population in East, South, and Northwest China based on the integration of previous research results. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry （MALDI-TOF-MS） were performed on 71 Y-SNP loci of 202 unrelated Han male individuals in Northwest China. Gene diversity （GD） and haplotype diversity （HD） values were calculated, and then Y-SNP loci of Han population in East, South, and Northwest China were screened with the combination of data from previous research. Among the detected 71 loci, 67 loci were polymorphic in the Northwest Han male population, with GD values 0.010 0-0.502 2. There were 22 and 25 loci with a moderate （0.2≤GD<0.3） and high （GD≥0.3） amount of genetic information, respectively. There were 26 loci for the Han communities in Northwest, South, and East China. Y-SNP loci are potential in paternity testing and individual identification, as well as the judgement of population distribution and migration.

Variation in mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene in Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) from Argentina

AbstractHere, we examine the genetic diversity in the agricultural pest Nezara viridula (Linnaeus, ) from populations of Argentina using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences. The DNA sequence comparisons of 718 base pairs of the COI gene revealed seven haplotypes. The observed total haplotype diversity (Hd) value was of 0.138, and the nucleotide diversity was of 0.00039 and 0.00135 according to π and θW, respectively. Eight out of the 10 populations analysed, mostly from soya bean crops, only presented the more frequent haplotype, while 2 haplotypes were found in a mixed culture and 6 haplotypes in a peanut culture. Factors such as differential insecticide applications, as well as the surrounding habitat, and the host plant preference could be related to the genetic diversity differences observed among samples of N. viridula. The analysis of genetic diversity in samples collected in crops treated and non‐treated with insecticides, as well as in samples collected from different seasons, could help to clarify the role of the factors that led to the pattern of genetic diversity detected in this study. The result of a comparative analysis of COI gene sequences among populations from South America, Africa, Asia and Europe was consistent with the hypothesis of an African origin of N. viridula. On the other hand, the haplotypes of Europe were clustered with haplotypes from South America. In addition, specimens from Madeira (west of Europe) shared ancestry with South America and Europe. It has been suggested that a probable route of colonization of America could have been from Western Europe towards the eastern coasts of South America.

Genetic diversity and population structure of native mitten crab (Eriocheir sensu stricto) by microsatellite markers and mitochondrial COI gene sequence

Mitten crab (Eriocheir sensu stricto) is an indigenous and economically important species in East Asia. The genetic diversity and population structure of four wild native Eriocheir s. s. populations, from Yangtze (YZ), Oujiang (OJ), Minjiang (MJ), and Nanliujiang (NLJ) River basin, were studied. Genetic diversity of the four populations was evaluated by eight microsatellite and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunits I (COI) markers. The polymorphism information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.7827 to 0.8580 and Shannon Wiener index (I) values varied from 2.0722 to 2.4088 respectively, according to microsatellite markers analysis. The haplotype diversity (h) values ranged from 0.52101 to 0.87097, while the values of nucleotide diversity (π) varied from 0.00139 to 0.02796 based on mitochondrial COI gene sequence. Four wild Eriocheir s. s. populations all showed high genetic diversity. As microsatellite analysis results, pair-wise FST values of YZ, OJ, MJ and NLJ populations were 0.1347, 0.1103 and 0.0943 respectively, which indicated that they were in medium genetic differentiation (0.05 < FST < 0.15). This was consistent with mitochondrial COI gene's conclusion. The bottleneck analysis was a hint that Eriocheir s. s. experienced bottleneck effect under SMM models of Sign Test and Wilcoxon Sign-rank Test. Based on genetic structure, YZ, OJ and MJ populations were in the same cluster separated from NLJ population. In summary, by microsatellite and mitochondrial COI markers analysis, all four Eriocheir s. s. populations had high genetic diversity, and genetic differentiation was consistent with geographical distance. Populations OJ and MJ were closer to population YZ genetically, and they had large genetic distance with NLJ population. This study provides a particularly important basis for mitten crab resources conservation and utilization in south China.

Genetic diversity of the endangered species Sphyrna lewini (Griffith and Smith 1834) in Lombok based on mitochondrial DNA

Sphyrna lewini is a shark with a wide distribution and one of the most endangered species. Although The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified this species as endangered and the species was already protected by law in Indonesia, S. lewini are currently high exploited because of their high economic value. This study conducted to analyze the genetic diversity and phylogenetic reconstruction the S. lewini landed in Lombok (n = 30) using a molecular approach based on the mitochondrial DNA. DNA amplification with the CO1 gene successfully identified 30 individuals of S. lewini with an average 625-bp nucleotide length. The value of haplotype diversity in Lombok (Hd) = 0.40 and nu π = 0.0018. The results of phylogenetic analysis using Neighbor-Joining (NJ) by Kimura 2-parameter model with 1000 bootstrap showed the connectivity of S. lewini landed in Lombok in 1 clade of 5 haplotypes. This study showed that low genetic diversity and significant differences in genetic structure between populations made this species vulnerable to extinction in Indonesia and required special treatment.

Monitoring the genetic effects of broodstock enhancement of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) in middle Yangtze River based on cytb gene and D-loop sequences

In this study, we first evaluated the genetic effects of the stock enhancement program of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) on wild populations in the middle Yangtze River using the sequences of the mitochondrial Cytochrome b gene and control region (D-loop). 129 cytb individuals and 135 D-loop individuals were sequenced successfully, and the results obtained by two markers were similar. T test results showed that there was no significant difference in haplotype diversity (Hd) values and nucleotide diversity (Pi) values before and after release. The exact test result of population differentiation based on haplotype frequencies was consistent with no significant change in haplotype frequency after release. Pairwise genetic differentiation index (FST) and gene flow (Nm) revealed no genetic differentiation among four populations. Results of the Bayesian clustering analysis performed with STRUCTURE and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) confirmed that the genetic component did not change after release. In summary, there was no significant genetic effect of broodstock enhancement of silver carp on wild populations in the middle Yangtze River.

Genetic diversity and haplotype structure of 27 Y-STR loci in a Yanbian Korean population from Jilin Province, Northeast China.

In this study, 27 Y-STRs were analyzed in 347 male individuals from the Yanbian Korean population. Haplotype diversity (HD) and discrimination capacity (DC) values were calculated. Pairwise Rst values were evaluated in AMOVA analysis and visualized through multidimensional scaling (MDS). Yflier Plus system indicated higher Discrimination Power (DP), HD and DC which is 0.9969, 0.9998 and 0.9769. There is no significant genetic distance between Yanbian Koreans and South Koreans, however, there is a great distance from Chinese Han population. The present results may provide useful information for paternal lineages in forensic cases and increase our understanding of the genetic relationships between Yanbian Korean and other groups.

The white neck-ring of the Eurasian Teal Anas crecca: rare mutation or stable morph? A first genetic and heuristic analysis

ABSTRACTCapsule: Individual Eurasian Teal Anas crecca with white neck-rings have been found in Italy and an extensive museum survey found this plumage character occurring with a low frequency, although no genetic difference was observed with respect to the normal phenotype.Aims: To estimate the relative frequency and distribution of this plumage variation and to provide a first genetic assessment to verify if this character could have a taxonomic basis or if it occurs by chance among populations.Methods: An extensive museum survey was conducted to check for the occurrence of white neck-ringed Eurasian Teals in preserved specimens from its distributional range. A genetic analysis was conducted at standard mitochondrial loci (D-loop and COI) of ten white neck-ringed Eurasian Teals from Venice lagoon, Italy. Haplotypes were compared with genetic data from Holarctic populations.Results: The museum survey uncovered additional cases of white neck-ringed Eurasian Teals in Italy and Europe. Moreover, this mutation has also been documented for the first time in the North American Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis. The white neck-ring was found to be variable in size and occurred in both sexes and in different age classes in about 1.5% of examined individuals. The genetic analysis did not show any significant lineage differentiation between them and the normal phenotype, but the Italian samples showed high values of haplotype diversity indicating a key role of northeast Italy in attracting different migratory populations in winter.Conclusions: While the same variation occurs in many other species of the tribe Anatini, none of these cases clearly suggested the occurrence of hybridization, progressive greying, environmental causation or another kind of locally frequent mutation. It is most likely this plumage trait is a form of leucism or the expression of an ancestral phenotype, possibly occurring in different populations within the species’ range.

Genetic Characterization ofParacentrotus lividus(Lamarck, 1816) Populations from Nw Spain and the Canary Islands

The sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus is the most commercially important sea urchin species harvested in the NE Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. To improve the management of P. lividus natural stock and its commercial exploitation, the population genetic structure of P. lividus in the Northeast Atlantic coast has been characterized. Populations from three regions of Spain: Asturias, Galicia, and the Canary Islands were sampled, and a 700-bp fragment of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) was sequenced. The obtained sequences were combined with previously available haplotypes coming from 127 sea urchins from the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts of Spain—they collapsed in 54 haplotypes with 43 polymorphic sites—and 13 of these haplotypes were provided for the obtained sequences. The haplotype network shows high haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity values in all the studied populations. The distribution of analyzed haplotypes shows a high genetic homogeneity among populations. With the obtained data, no significant genetic differentiation could be found among populations analyzed in Galicia, Asturias, and the Canary Islands, and the existence of a population structure in this geographical area could not be determined. Based on this study, there would be no loss of genetic variability if the shores of the Canary Islands were repopulated with urchins from the Iberian Peninsula, although it is recommended to repopulate overexploited areas with urchins from the same zone until the study is extended with other molecular markers.

Male individualization using 12 rapidly mutating Y-STRs in Araein ethnic group and shared paternal lineage of Pakistani population.

A multiplex assay has been developed with newly designed primer sets comprising high mutation rate 12 RM Y-STR markers (DYS570, DYF399S1, DYS547, DYS612, DYF387S1, DYS449, DYS576, DYS5626, DYF403S1 (a + b), DYS627, DYS526, and DYF404S1). Rapidly mutating Y-STRs were evaluated in 167 male individuals among 97 were unrelated from Araein ethnic group and 70 belonged to shared paternal lineage including 20 pairs of father-son and 15 pairs of brother-brother relationship collected from Punjabi population of Pakistan. Forensic competency parameters were implemented for each marker and exceptionally significant results found wherein polymorphism information content (PIC) was in range of 0.7494 (DYS576) to 0.8994 (DYS627). Samples were also analyzed with Y-filer kit for comparison and marked differentiations observed. Haplotype discrimination capacity was 100% as no haplotype shared among all the unrelated individuals of same ethnic group as compared to 17 Y-filer loci (78%). While in closely related males, discrimination capacity was 96.4% with haplotype diversity value of 0.98. Resulted high mutation rate 1 × 10-2 to 7.14 × 10-2 as compared to Y-filer (1 × 10-4 to 1 × 10-3) manifested the power of RM Y-STRs for considering absolute individualization of interrelated and unrelated male individuals. However, multiplex assay would be useful for male discrimination in mixed DNA specimen, azoospermic males, and multiple male DNA contributors in sexual assault cases and mass disasters victim's identification as well as anthropological studies.

Genetic analysis of 39 Y-STR loci in a Han population from Henan province, central China.

A total of 39 Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (Y-STR) loci included in the advanced commercial six-dye multiplex system (AGCU Database Y30 kit) and a custom-designed four-dye multiplex system were investigated in 259 unrelated healthy Chinese males residing in Henan Province, central China. The haplotype diversity (HD) values were 0.99997 and 1.0000 for the six and four fluorescent-multiplex amplification systems, respectively. The discrimination capacity (DC) values were 0.9961 and 1.0000, respectively. When the 39 Y-STR loci were considered, 259 unique haplotypes were obtained in Henan Han individuals with both the haplotype diversity and discrimination capacity being 1.000. The gene diversity (GD) of 39 Y-STR loci in the studied group ranged from 0.3956 (DYS588) to 0.9990 (DYF403S1). Population comparisons between the Henan Han and 24 reference groups were performed. Both multidimensional scaling plots and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that significant genetic differences existed between Henan Han and reference ethnic minorities of China, particularly the Tibetan, Uighur, and Mongolian populations. Moreover, the results indicated that 39 Y-STRs included in the two fluorescent-multiplex amplification systems are highly polymorphic and informative in the studied populations and can be employed as complementary tools for forensic application and human genetics research.

Morphogenetic and population structure of two species marine bivalve (Ostreidae: Saccostrea cucullata and Crassostrea iredalei) in Aceh, Indonesia

Ramadhaniaty M, Setyobudiandi I, Madduppa HH. 2018. Morphogenetic and population structure of two species marine bivalve (Ostreidae: Saccostrea cucullata and Crassostrea iredalei) in Aceh, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: 978-988. Oysters (Family Ostreidae) are mollusks, with high levels of phenotypic plasticity and wide geographic distribution. Oysters are a challenging group for morphological identification and genetic populations study. Saccostrea cucullata and Crassostrea iredalei are oysters from bivalve class that lives in the intertidal area and mangrove ecosystem. To clarify the morphology, genetic diversity and population structure of the two forms of S. cucullata and C. iredalei, we collected and studied oysters from three locations along the coastal region of Aceh by using morphometric method and 16 S mtDNA sequences analysis. We also added more oysters sequences from China, Japan, and Thailand to determine the connectivity between all populations. Morphometric characteristics of the oyster showed a negative allometric growth pattern, which means the rate of length gain is faster than that of the weight gain. The genetic distance from S. cucullata was 0.003-0.004 (Fst = 0.708) and C. iredalei was 0.000 (Fst = 0.971). The long genetic distance and high fixation index (Fst) in the oysters population are caused by the close geographical distance of the species in the three populations. The haplotype diversity value from S. cucullata and C. iredalei were 20 and 3, respectively. The haplotype showed the connectivity among the oyster populations which indicated by the gene flow pattern. The gene flow was affected by geographical distance and environmental complexity.

Phylogeographic pattern of Liza affinis populations in Chinese coastal waters: estimation of larval dispersal potential

To examine phylogeographic pattern of Liza affinis populations in Chinese coastal waters, eight geographic populations were collected and analyzed using sequence analysis based on the first hypervariable region of mitochondrial control region. A total of 117 haplotypes from eight populations were obtained from 223 individuals and 22 of them were shared among different populations. High values of haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity were observed for eight populations. The topology of the NJ tree was shallow, and there were no significant genealogical branches or clusters corresponding to sampling localities. The values of pairwise Fst ranged from −0.009 to 0.171 and most of them were not statistically significant after sequential Bonferroni correction. The results of LAMARC also indicated no significant population genetic structure in L. affinis along the Chinese coast. The demographic history of Liza affinis examined by neutrality tests and mismatch distribution analysis suggested a population expansion event dating back to late Pleistocene. The potential larval dispersal ability coupled with the present ocean currents and the late Pleistocene environment should be responsible for the present phylogeographic pattern of Liza affinis.

Mitochondrial signatures revealed panmixia in Lutjanus argentimaculatus (Forsskål 1775)

Mangrove red snapper, Lutjanus argentimaculatus is a commercially important fish. The genetic stock structure of L. argentimaculatus from Indian waters was identified using mitochondrial ATPase 6 and ATPase 8, and cytochrome b (Cytb) genes. A 842 bp region of ATPase 6/8 genes and 1105 bp region of Cytb gene were amplified in 120 samples from six different locations along the Indian coast and obtained 58 and 66 haplotypes, respectively. The high haplotype and low nucleotide diversity values along with mismatch distribution, Tajima's D and Fu's Fs analysis suggested a genetic bottleneck events or founder effect, with subsequent population expansion in L. argentimaculatus. Coefficient of genetic differentiation (FST) values was low and nonsignificant for both ATPase 6/8 gene and Cytb genes indicating low genetic differentiation in L. argentimaculatus which can be managed as a unit stock in Indian waters.

Genetic Diversity and Structure of Iranian Horses' Population Based on Mitochondrial Markers

The source and history of horse domestication have been studied for decades in biology and archeology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic structure and the genetic relationship between six breeds of native horses using mitochondrial D-loop region. Blood samples were collected from 96 horses. Total DNA was extracted, and 430 bp of D-Loop region (hyper variable) was amplified and sequenced using Sanger sequencing methods. The analysis of data led to identify 48 polymorphic sites that create 52 haplotypes. The plotted phylogenic tree for haplotypes of Iranian native horses is placed in the 11 haplogroups including A, B, C, E, G, I, L, M, N, P, and Q. Genetic and haplotype diversity values obtained were 0.0233 and 0.980, respectively. Nucleotide diversity (Pi) was observed between 0.0172 and 0.0242 in populations. In addition, the average number of nucleotide differences (k) ranged from 6.0 (Darehshori or Qashqai horse [DAH]) to 8.5 (Kord horse [KOH]) with an average value of 7.8. The highest and lowest genetic differentiates were observed between KOH and DAH (Fst = 0.193) and between North West native horse and horse riding club in North West (Fst = 0.003), respectively. Tajima D of 0.441 was obtained for all samples which was not significant (P > .01). The results indicate high genetic variety and numerous maternal lines in native horses of Iran.

Genetic analysis of the Hungarian draft horse population using partial mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequencing.

BackgroundThe Hungarian draft is a horse breed with a recent mixed ancestry created in the 1920s by crossing local mares with draught horses imported from France and Belgium. The interest in its conservation and characterization has increased over the last few years. The aim of this work is to contribute to the characterization of the endangered Hungarian heavy draft horse populations in order to obtain useful information to implement conservation strategies for these genetic stocks.MethodsTo genetically characterize the breed and to set up the basis for a conservation program, in the present study a hypervariable region of the mitochrondial DNA (D-loop) was used to assess genetic diversity in Hungarian draft horses. Two hundred and eighty five sequences obtained in our laboratory and 419 downloaded sequences available from Genbank were analyzed.ResultsOne hundred and sixty-four haplotypes and thirty-six polymorphic sites were observed. High haplotype and nucleotide diversity values (Hd = 0.954 ± 0.004; π = 0.028 ± 0.0004) were identified in Hungarian population, although they were higher within than among the different populations (Hd = 0.972 ± 0.002; π = 0.03097 ± 0.002). Fourteen of the previously observed seventeen haplogroups were detected.DiscussionOur samples showed a large intra- and interbreed variation. There was no clear clustering on the median joining network figure. The overall information collected in this work led us to consider that the genetic scenario observed for Hungarian draft breed is more likely the result of contributions from ‘ancestrally’ different genetic backgrounds. This study could contribute to the development of a breeding plan for Hungarian draft horses and help to formulate a genetic conservation plan, avoiding inbreeding while.

Genetic homogeneity between populations of cotton bollworm from Xinjiang, China

We studied the population structure of cotton bollworm (CBW), Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in Xinjiang, the largest cotton-growing region in China, using a fragment of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Alignments of all 192 COI sequences revealed 28 haplotypes including 23 in southern Xinjiang, 5 in eastern Xinjiang and 13 in northern Xinjiang. Negative and significant values of neutrality tests for the Tajima's D and Fu's FS parameters, combined with the high values of haplotype diversity (Hd), low values of nucleotide diversity (π) and a high number of low frequency haplotypes indicated a recent demographic expansion of Xinjiang CBW populations. Analysis of molecular variation (AMOVA) indicated low and non-significant genetic structure, regardless of geographical scale or crop, with most of genetic variation occurring within local CBW populations. Pairwise FST analyses also indicated low genetic differentiation. This demographic event and high gene flow could be responsible for the low genetic structure currently found. CBW populations in Xinjiang need to be considered as one panmictic unit in its management, especially for the design of refuges to delay the development of resistance by this migratory pest to transgenic Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) cotton.

Variasi nukleotida gen COI pada Burung Sempidan (Genus Lophura)

ABSTRACT Gallopheasant birds (Genus Lophura) belonging to Phasianidae family. L. inornata and L.ignita were 2 of 5 species in Indonesia. This study was aimed to determine the genetic variation and diversity of those two bird species based on DNA sequences of COI gene. Total genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples and wet meat from 5 individuals (4 individuals L.inornata hoogerwerfi and 1 individual L. Ignita). Amplification of COI gene by PCR produced a single fragment of about 860 bp. The 785 bp of DNA sequence data from 5 birds were analyzed to determine its genetic variation and diversity, both of at intra and inter-species levels using MEGA 5 software. Genetic distance between individual bird (intraspecific) of L.i. hoogerwerfii ranged from 0.00 to 0.0013 ± 0.0012, whereas between 2 species (L. hoogerwerfii vs L. ignita) ranged from 0.0467 ± 0.0078 to 0.0481 ± 0.0080. Three individuals of L. i. hoogerwerfii have the same DNA sequence haplotype (HLh1) and one individual has one haplotype that was very different from the other 3 individuals (HLh2), so from 4 indi-vidual birds there were only 2 haplotypes with 0.400 ± 0.237 haplotype diversity (Hd) value. Nucleotide substi-tution / differences occured in 4 nucleotide sites (site 320, 711, 738, and 779) and nucleotide diversity (Pi) was 0.00204 ± 0.00121. Between two species (L.i.hoogerwerfii and L. ignita) occured 39 - 404 nucleotide subsitu-tion sites. The average number of codon encoding amino acid was 261 with a value of codon bias was 0.314. The existence of a nucleotide substitution indicated that there were genetic variations in both intraspecies and interspesies levels. Genetic variation and diversity of L.i. hoogerwerfii were low. Information from this re-search is useful for conservation of this bird. Keywords: DNA sequence, COI, genetic variation, Lophura inornata hoogerwerfii, L. ignita.

Forensic characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of two Han populations from the southern coastal regions of China using 27 Y-STR loci

Currently, the largest national database within the Y-STR Haplotype Reference Database (YHRD, https://yhrd.org, release 55) is China, which has a very large Y-STR haplotype profiles. However, no haplotype data was available for Hainan province, the smallest and southernmost province of China. Herein, 280 unrelated male Chinese Han individuals residing in Hainan province were recruited and genotyped with 27 Y-STR loci. Moreover, 136 Han individuals from Shenzhen, the largest migrant city in China, also investigated. 279 distinct haplotypes were obtained in the Hainan Han individuals with the overall haplotype diversity (HD) and discrimination capacity (DC) were 0.999974 and 0.9964, respectively. 136 unique haplotypes were observed in the Shenzhen individuals, and thus both of the related HD and DC values were 1.0. The two multi-copy loci (DYS385a/b and DYF387S1a/b) and rapidly mutating Y-STRs (RM Y-STRs, DYS449, DYS518, DYS570, DYS576, DYS627) exhibited high genetic diversity (GD) values (GD>0.7) in two Han populations. Furthermore, genetic relationships along Chinese administrative and ethnic divisions were analyzed, and we also combined our data with existing datasets of non-Chinese groups to explore the genetic variance. Genetic differentiations were observed between Northern and Southern Han nationality, and genetic differences existed between the two Han populations and some ethnic groups, most prominently for the Tibetans and Kazakhs, as well as non-Chinese groups, especially African groups.

Genetic diversity of the ghost-faced bat Mormoops megalophylla Peters, 1864 (Chiroptera: Mormoopidae) in Ecuador; implications for its conservation

Mormoops megalophylla is a cave-dwelling bat distributed from southern United States across Central America to northern Peru. Its conservation status at a global level is of Least Concern, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; in Ecuador, however, it is included under the Vulnerable category due to the threats faced by the only two viable populations known. Individuals from each locality (Carchi and Pichincha) were captured and marked. The D-loop of the mitochondrial control region was obtained from wing membrane tissue samples, in order to analyze the geographic distribution of nucleotide and haplotype diversity of the populations, as well as gene flow between them. The molecular variation within and between populations was evaluated through a molecular variance analysis. A high haplotype diversity and a low nucleotide diversity were observed. The gene-flow estimator revealed that Carchi and Pichincha make up a single population coming from a single lineage. The network of haplotypes indicated that those with the highest frequency are shared in both localities; the largest number of unique haplotypes, however, was observed in Pichincha. The high haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity values in Ecuador are due to the fact that the ghost-faced bat populations may have experienced a fast-growing period from a low effective population size, with sufficient time to accumulate haplotype diversity, but insufficient to increase nucleotide diversity. The low genetic variability between both localities indicates the existence of a panmictic population that may have been split by factors such as habitat transformation, leading to isolated colonies. The preservation of this vulnerable species will depend on conservation efforts and studies that seek to supplement the analysis of genetic variability with other molecular markers, a continued monitoring of migratory processes, and inventorying of intermediate sites and localities with historical records.

Phylogeography, genetic variability and structure of Acanthamoeba metapopulations in Iran inferred by 18S ribosomal RNA sequences: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To verify phylogeography and genetic structure of Acanthamoeba populations among the Iranian clinical isolates and natural/artificial environments distributed in various regions of the country. We searched electronic databases including Medline, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Google Scholar from 2005 to 2016. To explore the genetic variability of Acanthamoeba sp, 205 sequences were retrieved from keratitis patients, immunosuppressed cases and environmental sources as of various geographies of Iran. T4 genotype was the predominant strain in Iran, and the rare genotypes belonged to T2, T3, T5 (Acanthamoeba lenticulata), T6, T9, T11, T13 and T15 (Acanthamoeba jacobsi). A total of 47 unique haplotypes of T4 were identified. A parsimonious network of the sequence haplotypes demonstrated star-like feature containing haplogroups IR6 (34.1%) and IR7 (31.2%) as the most common haplotypes. In accordance with the analysis of molecular variance, the high value of haplotype diversity (0.612-0.848) of Acanthamoeba T4 represented genetic variability within populations. Neutrality indices of the 18S ribosomal RNA demonstrated negative values in all populations which represented a considerable divergence from neutrality. The majority of genetic diversity belonged to the infected contact lens and dust samples in immunodeficiency and ophthalmology wards, which indicated potential routes for exposure to a pathogenic Acanthamoeba sp. in at-risk individuals. A pairwise fixation index (FST) was from low to high values (0.02433-0.41892). The statistically FST points out that T4 is genetically differentiated between north-west, north-south and central-south metapopulations, but not differentiated between west-central, west-south, central-south, and north-central isolates. An occurrence of IR6 and IR7 displays that possibly a gene flow of Acanthamoeba T4 occurred after the founder effect or bottleneck experience through ecological changes or host mobility. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis providing new approaches into gene migration and transmission patterns of Acanthamoeba sp, and targeting at the high-risk individuals/sources among the various regions of Iran.