A core set of microsatellite loci for yellow-throated marten, Martes flavigula: a case of inferences of family relationships.

BACKGROUND: Microsatellite markers are an ideal molecular marker for population genetic studies such as population structure, pedigree, and kinship. The yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula) is widely distributed in coniferous and deciduous forests of eastern Asia and plays the role of an indicator and umbrella species in South Korea, given the absence of top predators such as tiger and leopard. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to establish a core set of microsatellite markers that could be used for a population genetics study on M. flavigula. METHODS: We characterized 21 di-motif microsatellites for M. flavigula by Illumina next-generation sequencing. We evaluated them for a population genetics study against five established criteria together with 33 previously developed microsatellites. We calculated relatedness values between individual yellow-throated martens in two groups that were suspected to be siblings using the selected core set of markers to confirm applicability. RESULTS: Twenty-three loci were determined as the core set of microsatellite markers. The probability of identity P(ID) and probability of identity between siblings P(ID)sib of the core set was estimated as 2-15 and 2.2-7, respectively. Relatedness values between individuals in the two groups of M. flavigula revealed that one of the pairs was sisters, confirming that the core set can be applied to kinship studies. CONCLUSION: The developed microsatellite core set in this study is expected to contribute to studies on molecular ecology and population structure of M. flavigula.

Biogeography of Korea's top predator, the yellow-throated Marten: evolutionary history and population dynamics.

BACKGROUND: Peninsulas often harvest high genetic diversity through repeated southward migrations of species during glacial maxima. Studies addressing within-species evolutionary responses to climate fluctuations in northeast Asia are limited compared to other regions of the world, and more so in the Korean Peninsula. In this study, we conducted the first population-level study of the yellow-throated marten, Martes flavigula, from the Korean Peninsula, Russian, Taiwanese and Chinese localities in a biogeographic framework using mitochondrial (cyt-b, nd2, cr) and nuclear gene sequencing (ghr). RESULTS: Bayesian analyses revealed a rather young population, with a split from the most recent common ancestor at around 125 kya. Martes flavigula likely colonized the Korean Peninsula from Mainland China through the Yellow Sea twice, ca. 60 kya and 20 kya. Korean martens diversified during the Late Pleistocene with at least two dispersal events out of Korea, towards the southwest to Taiwan (ca. 80 kya) and towards the North into Russia and eastern China; most likely after the Last Glacial Maxima (ca. 20 kya). We argue that the lack of population structure and mixed populations is possibly a consequence of the high dispersal capability of the species. The Bayesian skyline plot revealed a population decline within the last 5000 years, suggesting potential negative biotic and anthropogenic effects in the area. We find that local populations are not genetically differentiated, therefore no perceptible population structure within Korea was found. CONCLUSIONS: The topography and geography of the Korean Peninsula has played a pivotal role in its colonization. Connections between the Korean Peninsula and the Mainland through sea-level drops of the Yellow Sea at times of glacial maxima and the high dispersal capability of M. flavigula adds to the lack of geographical structure in this species and the paraphyly of Korean lineages.