Variable microsatellite loci isolated from the azure damselfly, Coenagrion puella (L.) (Zygoptera; Coenagrionidae) (original) (raw)
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Freshwater Biology, 2006
1. Coenagrion mercuriale is one of Europe's most threatened damselflies. There is concern for the long-term persistence of many of its U.K. colonies because adult lifetime movement is limited, making isolated populations susceptible to extinction.2. Using 14 microsatellite loci we characterised levels of genetic diversity, evidence for a recent decline and the spatial genetic structure for C. mercuriale population in Wales, U.K.3. Spatial isolation is not an absolute predictor of low genetic diversity at either local or regional scales.4. One population inhabiting a remote, edge of range site is genetically impoverished with levels of variability (at microsatellite loci) among the lowest reported for any insect species.5. Agricultural land and high ground are physical barriers to dispersal by adults.6. Consistent with work from elsewhere, movement by mature C. mercuriale in Pembrokeshire is sufficient to prevent significant genetic differentiation throughout a habitat matrix of some 3–4 km if the suitable habitat sites are <2 km apart and lack barriers to movement. Even within a good habitat matrix, however, genetic isolation by distance develops within 10 km.
Molecular Ecology, 2004
Coenagrion mercuriale (Charpentier) (Odonata: Zygoptera) is one of Europe's most threatened damselflies and is listed in the European Habitats directive. We combined an intensive mark-release-recapture (MRR) study with a microsatellite-based genetic analysis for C. mercuriale from the Itchen Valley, UK, as part of an effort to understand the dispersal characteristics of this protected species. MRR data indicate that adult damselflies are highly sedentary, with only a low frequency of interpatch movement that is predominantly to neighbouring sites. This restricted dispersal leads to significant genetic differentiation throughout most of the Itchen Valley, except between areas of continuous habitat, and isolation by distance (IBD), even though the core populations are separated by less than 10 km. An urban area separating some sites had a strong effect on the spatial genetic structure. Average pairwise relatedness between individual damselflies is positive at short distances, reflecting fine-scale genetic clustering and IBD both within- and between-habitat patches. Damselflies from a fragmented habitat have higher average kinship than those from a large continuous population, probably because of poorer dispersal and localized breeding in the former. Although indirect estimates of gene flow must be interpreted with caution, it is encouraging that our results indicate that the spatial pattern of genetic variation matches closely with that expected from direct observations of movement. These data are further discussed with respect to possible barriers to dispersal within the study site and the ecology and conservation of C. mercuriale. To our knowledge, this is the first report of fine-scale genetic structuring in any zygopteran species.
2004
Coenagrion mercuriale (Charpentier) (Odonata: Zygoptera) is one of Europe's most threatened damselflies and is listed in the European Habitats directive. We combined an intensive mark-release-recapture (MRR) study with a microsatellite-based genetic analysis for C. mercuriale from the Itchen Valley, UK, as part of an effort to understand the dispersal characteristics of this protected species. MRR data indicate that adult damselflies are highly sedentary, with only a low frequency of interpatch movement that is predominantly to neighbouring sites. This restricted dispersal leads to significant genetic differentiation throughout most of the Itchen Valley, except between areas of continuous habitat, and isolation by distance (IBD), even though the core populations are separated by less than 10 km. An urban area separating some sites had a strong effect on the spatial genetic structure.
2006
One of the most widely distributed dragonfly species in Africa is the red-veined-dropwing Trithemis arteriosa. It is an indicator for permanent water bodies, which are freshwater ecosystems of high environmental value especially in arid regions. For studies to determine population structures, assess species viability and monitor environmental changes, a panel of 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci was developed. The number of alleles per locus ranged from four to 12, with an observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.149 to 0.843.
Molecular Ecology Notes, 2007
Odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) are important indicators for monitoring anthropogenic impacts on freshwater ecosystems. We developed a panel of microsatellite loci for the keeled skimmer Orthetrum coerulescens, a libellulid dragonfly inhabiting small streams. By using two different isolation techniques, nine microsatellite loci have been isolated. Screening of 209 individuals resulted in an overall number of 88 alleles, ranging from three to 19 alleles per locus. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.37 to 0.83. One locus showed significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
Conservation Genetics Resources, 2012
In this study we used Roche's 454 sequencing to develop genetic markers for Coenagrion scitulum, a Mediterranean damselfly currently expanding its range northward. With a modest amount of sequencing we detected 6,318 potential microsatellite markers and 832 putative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). From the potential microsatellite markers we developed thirteen novel microsatellite markers. Among other applications, these markers can be used to unravel the micro-evolutionary consequences of range expansion in this species.
2003
Five microsatellite DNA markers were isolated and used to quantify population genetic structure among a subset of UK populations of the Adonis blue (Polyommatus bellargus Rottemburg). Specifically, whether population size, degree of isolation or history of bottlenecking in 1976-1978 can explain current patterns of genetic variation. The butterfly is at its northern range limit in the UK, where it exists as a highly fragmented metapopulation on isolated pockets of calcareous grassland. Most populations were affected by a severe bottleneck in the late 1970s, when a drought caused the host plant (Hippocrepis comosa) to wilt. Mantel tests and spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated a significant effect of isolation by distance among the UK populations, a relationship that broke down at greater geographical scales (> 23.85 km), probably because of large areas of unsuitable habitat presenting barriers to gene flow. Similarly, AMOVA revealed that variation among geographical regions was almost double that observed within regions. Larger populations were found to support significantly higher levels of genetic diversity, suggesting that small populations may lose genetic diversity through drift. If, as in other butterfly species, low genetic diversity increases the probability of population extinction, then these populations are likely to be under threat. Neither isolation nor a history of bottlenecks appeared to influence genetic diversity. The results indicate that adequate population size a crucial factor in the conservation of genetic diversity in P. bellargus in the UK.