Molecular markers for population genetic analyses in the family Psittacidae (Psittaciformes, Aves)

Abstract

The selection of molecular markers for population studies is an important tool for biodiversity conservation. The family Psittacidae contains many endangered and vulnerable species and we tested three kinds of molecular markers for their potential use in population studies of five psitacid species: 43 hyacinth macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus), 42 blue-and-yellow macaws (Ara ararauna), 23 red-and-green macaws (Ara chloroptera), 19 red-spectacled amazons (Amazona pretrei); and 18 red-tailed amazons (Amazona brasiliensis). We tested 21 clones from a genomic library of golden conure (Guarouba guarouba) minisatellites and 12 pairs of microsatellite primers developed for the domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) and A. hyacinthinus. We also tested seven tetranucleotide repeat primers for their ability to amplify regions between microsatellite loci (inter simple sequence repeats, ISSRs). We were able to select seven markers that were variable in different degrees for three species (A. hyacinthinus, A. chloroptera and A. ararauna). The mini and microsatellites produced more polymorphic patterns than the ISSRs. The genetic variability of the species studied seems to be correlated with their endangered status.

Genetic variation and population structure of the endangered Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus): implications for conservation

“…The DNA fragments were transferred onto a nylon membrane by Southern blotting (Sambrook et al 1989). The membranes were hybridized with two single locus minisatellite probes separately, selected in a previous work (for further details see Faria and Miyaki 2006). The probes were labeled with [a P 32 ] dCTP by random priming and hybridization was carried out at 65°C for 24 h (in a solution of Na 2 HPO 4 0.263 M; EDTA 1 mM; SDS 7% and BSA 1%).…”

“…To examine the genetic variability in parrot and macaw species and consequently help their conservation programs, several molecular markers for population genetic analyses of this group of birds were selected in a previous study (Faria and Miyaki 2006). So far, no information is available about the distribution of the genetic variation in Hyacinth Macaws and our work aimed to fill this gap.…”

Genetic variability in three Amazon parrot species

“…Birds are known to have lower gene variation when compared to other vertebrates (Ward et al, 1992). Considering only Amazon parrots studies, is noteworthy to observe the lack of genetic diversity reported by Faria and Miyaki (2006) on A. pretrei and A. brasiliensis analyses using highly polymorphic genetic markers. Although the vulnerable status of both species may explain the results, it shows how difficult is to find cross-species polymorphic genetic markers for population studies in this genus.…”

“…They demonstrated that the two subspecies of the Blue-fronted Amazon differed in levels of variability -A. a. aestiva (Linnaeus, 1758) was more variable than A. a. xanthopteryx (Berlepsch, 1896) -and these two races were more variable than the Orangewinged Amazon. Recently, Faria and Miyaki (2006) found no genetic variation in zoo and wild samples of two species of the Amazona genus (A. pretrei and A. brasiliensis) using heterologous probes of single locus minisatellites, ten pairs of heterologous microsatellite primers (8 from domestic chicken, Gallus gallus, and 2 from hyacinth macaw, Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus BIOSYS-1 program (Swofford and Selander, 1981), and were compared by chi-square (χ 2 ) values in a table with the absolute numbers of homozygotes and heterozygotes.…”

Genetic assessment of the Atlantic Forest bristle porcupine, Chaetomys subspinosus (Rodentia: Erethizontidae), an endemic species threatened with extinction

“…Population or species viability depends on stochastic and deterministic demographic, environmental and genetic events. Estimations of genetic diversity can be very important in programs for biodiversity conservation, but such data need to be used with caution (Faria and Miyaki, 2006).…”