Development of microsatellite markers for buffalograss (Buchloë dactyloides; Poaceae), a drought-tolerant turfgrass alternative.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Buchloë dactyloides (Poaceae) is an important component of Great Plains prairies and a popular drought-tolerant turfgrass alternative in North America. This species comprises an autopolyploid series, and microsatellite primers were developed to understand the distribution of genetic variation among cytotypes and across its large geographic range. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifteen microsatellite loci were designed and successfully amplified in six B. dactyloides populations. Within-population genetic diversity was comparatively high, consistent with B. dactyloides' life history. Allelic variation at 13 loci was consistent with the cytotype established in chromosome-counted samples. CONCLUSIONS: This variable, interpretable set of loci allows for the determination of multilocus genotype in B. dactyloides individuals of varying cytotype. Data such as these from a range-wide sample set can provide important insights for germplasm conservation and crop improvement in this ecologically and economically important species.

Characterization of microsatellite loci for an Australian epiphytic orchid, Dendrobium calamiforme, using Illumina sequencing.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Microsatellite loci were developed for the epiphytic pencil orchid Dendrobium calamiforme for population genetic and phylogeographic investigation of this Australian taxon. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nineteen microsatellite loci were identified from an Illumina paired-end shotgun library of D. calamiforme. Polymorphism and genetic diversity were assessed in 24 individuals from five populations separated by a maximum distance of ∼80 km. All loci were polymorphic with two to 14 alleles per locus, expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.486 to 0.902, and probability of identity values ranging from 0.018 to 0.380. CONCLUSIONS: These novel markers will serve as valuable tools for investigation of levels of genetic diversity as well as patterns of gene flow, genetic structure, and phylogeographic history.

Development and characterization of 33 novel polymorphic microsatellite markers for the brown tree snake Boiga irregularis.

BACKGROUND: Boiga irregularis is a widespread invasive species on Guam and has led to extirpation of most of the island's native avifauna. There are presently no microsatellite markers for this invasive species, hence we developed highly polymorphic microsatellite markers to allow for robust population genetic studies on Guam. FINDINGS: We isolated and characterized 33 microsatellite loci for the brown tree snake, B. irregularis. The loci were screened across 32 individuals from Guam. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to ten, with an average of 4.62. The expected (He) and observed heterozygosity (Ho) ranged from 0.294 to 0.856 and from 0.031 to 0.813, with an average of 0.648 and 0.524, respectively. Significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were detected at seven loci after Bonferoni correction. Probability of identity values ranged from 0.043 to 0.539. CONCLUSIONS: These genetic markers are useful for understanding a suite of post-invasion population genetic parameters, sources of invasions, and effectiveness of management strategies for this invasive species.