A preliminary study of cross-amplified microsatellite loci using molted feathers from a near-threatened Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) population of north India as a DNA source

Abstract

ObjectiveIn continuation of an earlier study in which we reported the cross-amplification of Wood stork microsatellites on the DNA obtained from molted feathers of Painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala), here we investigated the nature of cross-amplified microsatellites and the effect of non-invasive samples on cross-amplification success. In a limited manner, we also addressed the genetic diversity and differentiation in a north Indian population of the Painted Stork examined over three nesting seasons.ResultsAmong the nine cross-amplified loci, only 5 were polymorphic. Three and 6 loci exhibited low (< 50%) and high amplification success rates (> 80), respectively. For 36 of 145 samples most of the loci failed to amplify. For genetic diversity, only 3 loci could be used since others exhibited low amplification and linkage disequilibrium. Probability of identity (0.034) was not low enough to develop a confidence that the similar genotypes originate from the same individual. Forty-two unique genotypes were identified. In 3 loci, a low to moderate level of genetic diversity (mean He = 0.435) was reported. Non-significant Fst (0.003, P = 0.230), G’stH (0.005, P = 0.247) and Dest (0.003, P = 0.250) values indicate a lack of structuring in temporally distributed populations of Delhi Zoo. The limitations and uniqueness of this study are discussed.

Perfect and Imperfect Microsatellite Markers in Determination of Genetic Status of Greater Adjutant Stork (Leptoptilos dubius Gmelin)

“…Therefore, it is speculated that the number of loci deviating from the HWE might be evident that these individuals are not the single breeding population group, possibly represent for many from different range within their distributional jurisdiction. The mean observed heterozygosity of the present study might be within the similar range with that of another stork group like Painted stork Mycteria leucocephala [49]. Recent studies on the genetic diversity of Asian woolly necked stork (Ciconia episcopus) in 66 individuals of population structure in captivity (Nakhon Ratchima Zoo, NRZ) using 13 microsatellite loci, allowed to infer that the deleterious genetic issues had been resulted out of captivity [51], though such experimentation and evaluation had not been possible for the Greater adjutant.…”

“…Lack of species-specific microsatellite markers, perhaps be one of the reason for no genetic variability investigation, yet certain attempts were made on the genetic variability using microsatellite markers in other birds [44,45] like oriental population of white stork [46], European white stork [47], white faced Ibis [48], Painted stork [49], Wood stork [50] and in Asian woolly necked stork [51]. Thus, the rapid decline of the Greater adjutant has drawn wider attention to this background.…”