Polymorphic heterologous microsatellite loci for population genetics studies of the white-faced ibis Plegadis chihi (Vieillot, 1817) (Pelecaniformes, Threskiornithidae)

Abstract

We screened 44 heterologous microsatellites isolated in species of the families Threskiornithidae, Ciconiidae and Ardeidae for their use in a migratory waterbird, the white-faced ibis Plegadis chihi (Vieillot, 1817) (Threskiornithidae). Of the screened loci, 57% amplified successfully and 24% were polymorphic. In two breeding colonies from southern Brazil (N = 131) we detected 32 alleles (2–10 alleles/locus). Average He over all loci and colonies was 0.55, and the combined probability of excluding false parents, 98%. There was no departure from HWE in any loci or population. Eru6 and Eru4 loci were in non-random association in the Alvorada colony, and NnNF5 and Eru5 in both populations. AMOVA analysis indicated that most of the genetic diversity was contained within populations. Structure analysis suggested a single population, and FST value showed weak genetic structuring (FST = 0.009, p = 0.05). The two populations are apparently connected through gene-flow. The panel of six microsatellites optimized here was sufficiently informative for characterizing the genetic diversity and structure in these natural populations of the white-faced ibis. The information generated could be useful in future studies of genetic diversity, relatedness and the mating system in Plegadis chihi and related species.

Conspecific Brood Parasitism in the White‐faced Ibis Plegadis chihi (Aves: Pelecaniformes) Revealed by Microsatellites' Based Kinship‐Reconstruction

“…Given that species‐specific microsatellite loci are not available in the white‐faced ibis, we used heterologous markers. In a previous extensive screening of 44 heterologous microsatellites in this species, 6 primers produced consistent results and were polymorphic (Souza et al, ). However, preliminary analyses conducted in this study (data not shown) showed that locus NnF5 (Ji et al, ), polymorphic according to Souza et al (), was in linkage disequilibrium with another locus of the set; thus, it was not chosen for our relatedness analyses.…”

“…In a previous extensive screening of 44 heterologous microsatellites in this species, 6 primers produced consistent results and were polymorphic (Souza et al, ). However, preliminary analyses conducted in this study (data not shown) showed that locus NnF5 (Ji et al, ), polymorphic according to Souza et al (), was in linkage disequilibrium with another locus of the set; thus, it was not chosen for our relatedness analyses. All samples were genotyped at five loci (Aaju3, Sawyer and Benjamin, ; Eru2, Eru4, Eru5, and Eru6, Santos et al, ).…”

“…All samples were genotyped at five loci (Aaju3, Sawyer and Benjamin, ; Eru2, Eru4, Eru5, and Eru6, Santos et al, ). Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were carried out following Souza et al () in an Eppendorf Mastercycler Gradient® thermal cycler (Eppendorf AG, Hamburg, Germany). Genotyping was carried out in a MegaBACE™ 1000 (GE Healthcare, Piscataway, NY, USA) automatic sequencer and alleles were sized using Genetic Profiler Software Suite v2.2 (GE Healthcare) with ET 550‐R as size standard.…”