Polymorphic microsatellite markers for endangered spotted suslik, <i>Spermophilus suslicus</i>

Gondek, Aleksandra; Verduijn, M. H.; Wolff, Kirsten

doi:10.1111/j.1471-8286.2006.01233.x

Cited by 10 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 5 publications

(5 reference statements)

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“…This number of species linked to souslik dens (n = 12) is particularly relevant if we consider that all of these species are zoogeographically important or even localized and rare (Pittino 2004;Carpaneto et al 2000). Some ground squirrel species have experienced range reduction during the last decades (e.g., Lidicker 1985;Weddell 1991;Gondek et al 2006). The fact that souslik-linked dung beetle species show a clear preference for souslik dens suggests that the survival of these insects may depend on the conservation of their associated squirrels.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The most threatened ground squirrel populations inhabit the European steppes, e.g., the European souslik, Spermophilus citellus and the spotted souslik, Spermophilus suslicus. In Polish edge steppes, for instance, S. suslicus lost more than 90% of its populations and about 70% of its individuals over the last 50 years (Gondek et al 2006). In the European steppe of Russia, two species of souslik (S. citellus and S. pygmaeus) almost completely disappeared because of changes in both climate and land use that produced an increase of grass height in prairies, making these pastures unsuitable for them (Galushin et al 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Exploring co-extinction correlates: the effects of habitat, biogeography and anthropogenic factors on ground squirrels–dung beetles associations

Carpaneto

Mazziotta

Pittino³

et al. 2011

Biodivers Conserv

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Co-extinction is a recurring topic in conservation biology. Quantification of coextinction\ud has been generally restricted to parasite–host, predator–prey and herbivore–host\ud plant interactions. The loss of detritivorous insects upon the depletion of herbivore\ud mammals has been poorly explored. Here, we used rarefaction curves to predict co-decline\ud involving the decrease in scarab dung beetles diversity due to a reduction in the number of\ud dens of the Asia minor ground squirrel in the Turkish steppe biome. We also evaluated the\ud potential benefits provided by livestock in mitigating the decline of scarab beetle communities.\ud Rarefaction curves estimated that a 50% reduction in the number of sample units\ud where squirrel faecal pellets are the only available food resource accounts for a reduction\ud of 28% of all the scarab species, and of 24% of the squirrel-linked species. The current\ud decline of ground squirrels, mainly due to intensification of agriculture, may represent a\ud threat for biodiversity in steppic environments because it may affect the specialized\ud insects, and may produce a cascade effect also on their predators, i.e., saker falcon, buzzards,\ud eagles and mustelids. We also showed that the conservation of ground squirrels and\ud their affiliate scarab species may be ensured by a moderate livestock grazing, owing to the\ud higher ecological success of these rodents in the presence of large herbivores keeping low\ud the grass cover

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Exploring co-extinction correlates: the effects of habitat, biogeography and anthropogenic factors on ground squirrels–dung beetles associations

Carpaneto

Mazziotta

Pittino³

et al. 2011

Biodivers Conserv

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“…1). From these animals we obtained tissue by small clips of the tail tip and hair samples (see Hoffmann et al 2003a (Gondek et al 2006), IGS-1, IGS-6, IGS-110b, IGS-BP1, IGS-CK1 (May et al 1997), MS53, MS56, ST10 and SX (Hanslik and Kruckenhauser 2000).…”

Section: Samples and Molecular Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Dwindling genetic diversity in European ground squirrels?

Slimen¹,

Gedeon²,

Hoffmann³

et al. 2012

Mammalian Biology

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a b s t r a c tThe European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) is endangered and in decline. Populations are increasingly fragmented, and only a coordinated conservation effort at the European level may guarantee its long-term survival. To obtain a general population genetic picture on a larger geographic scale, we screened 117 individuals from seven local populations in Hungary, Romania, and Austria for allelic variation at eleven microsatellite loci. We found a high (23.4%) proportion of private alleles, and a moderate to somewhat elevated level (15.27%) of partitioning of genetic diversity among populations, compared to that found in many other terrestrial mammals. Genetic variability was significantly higher than in earlier studied Czech populations that are considered genetically depleted, but significantly lower than in undisturbed populations of S. suslicus and S. brunneus, that are similar to the European ground squirrel in their ecological requirements, reproductive biology, and social organization. Genetic diversity was also lower than in most presumably "undisturbed" populations of other Sciurid species. This, together with the observed level and pattern of genetic differentiation among populations, such as no significant increase of genetic differentiation with geographic distance and similar variance of genetic differentiation between populations independent of geographic distance, indicated the prevalence of relatively strong drift effects for all populations. A Bayesian STRUCTURE analysis and a factorial correspondence analysis concordantly revealed a fairly complex genetic composition of local populations, but no major geographic trend in the pattern of the genetic composition. Overall, the results suggest disintegration of local colonies that might earlier have been more connected genetically. The STRUCTURE analysis also suggested anthropogenic translocations among single Hungarian populations. Our data on genetic diversity and its distribution do not object to such conservation measures. Translocation of individuals particularly from nearby populations may increase the chances of survival of small and isolated populations and counteract inbreeding at low densities.

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“…All PCR reactions were performed in a 10 l volume containing 1× PCR buffer with (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 (Fermentas), 2.0 mM MgCl 2 , 0.2 mM of each dNTP, 2 pmol of each primer, 0.5 U of Taq polymerase (Fermentas) and 5 ng of template DNA. PCR conditions are described in Gondek et al (2006). Amplifications were carried out in two multiplex reactions: (1) Spsu5 and Spsu7; (2) Spsu1, Spsu3, Spsu8 and Spsu13.…”

Section: Molecular Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…All samples were also genotyped at 9 microsatellite loci described in Gondek et al (2006). All PCR reactions were performed in a 10 l volume containing 1× PCR buffer with (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 (Fermentas), 2.0 mM MgCl 2 , 0.2 mM of each dNTP, 2 pmol of each primer, 0.5 U of Taq polymerase (Fermentas) and 5 ng of template DNA.…”

Section: Molecular Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Major histocompatibility complex DRB genes and blood parasite loads in fragmented populations of the spotted suslik Spermophilus suslicus

et al. 2011

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a b s t r a c tMajor histocompatibility complex (MHC) variability is believed to be maintained by balancing selection, whereby the major selective force is a wide range of pathogens interacting with their hosts. Pathogendriven selection can be mediated through heterozygous advantage, frequency-dependent selection and/or fluctuating selection. There is growing evidence that MHC alleles are associated with resistance or susceptibility to infections among mammals, but for endangered populations such data are scarce.Here we investigated the associations between MHC class II DRB alleles and the load of blood parasites in fragmented populations of the endangered spotted suslik Spermophilus suslicus.Heterozygosity at DRB alleles did not affect parasite prevalence or infection intensity, but we found evidence that specific DRB alleles are related to infection by the most common of blood parasites infecting this species, Haembartonella sp. There was an interaction between the Spsu-DRB*03 allele and population in their effects on the prevalence and intensity of infection. In some populations the frequencies of DRB alleles deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, suggesting that selection is acting on the MHC locus.Overall, our data suggest that MHC DRB is an important determinant of the parasite load in endangered spotted suslik populations.

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Polymorphic microsatellite markers for endangered spotted suslik, Spermophilus suslicus

Cited by 10 publications

References 5 publications

Exploring co-extinction correlates: the effects of habitat, biogeography and anthropogenic factors on ground squirrels–dung beetles associations

Exploring co-extinction correlates: the effects of habitat, biogeography and anthropogenic factors on ground squirrels–dung beetles associations

Dwindling genetic diversity in European ground squirrels?

Major histocompatibility complex DRB genes and blood parasite loads in fragmented populations of the spotted suslik Spermophilus suslicus

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