Abstract
We document the isolation and characterization of 17 tri- and tetra-nucleotide microsatellite DNA markers in the Holmgren milk-vetch (Astragalus holmgreniorum) surveyed among plants from three critical habitat units (CHUs) located in southern Utah and northern Arizona, USA. These markers displayed moderate to high levels of allelic diversity (averaging 19.5 alleles/locus) and heterozygosity (averaging 75.1%). No deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and limited (1.8%) linkage disequilibrium were observed. A series of analyses identified significant population differentiation among the three CHUs. Demographic analyses suggested that each collection has achieved mutation-drift equilibrium. The microsatellite markers developed for A. holmgreniorum yielded sufficient genetic diversity to: (1) distinguish individuals and delineate kinship; (2) elucidate population structure; (3) define management units; and (4) provide unique demographic perspectives for recovery efforts.
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Acknowledgments
This research was funded by the US Geological Survey’s Leetown Science Center (USGS-LSC) and the USGS and US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Science Support Program. The following scientists assisted in tissue collection for marker development and subsequent genetic surveys: Daniela Roth (US Fish and Wildlife Service), Bob Douglas (Bureau of Land Management), Timothy Croissant (Bureau of Land Management), Heather Barnes (formerly of the US Fish and Wildlife Service), and Shane Mower. Michael Eackles (USGS-LSC) assisted with microsatellite DNA screening.
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This information is distributed solely for the purpose of pre-dissemination peer review under applicable information quality guidelines. This information has not been formally disseminated by the U.S. Geological Survey and is not for public dissemination. This information does not represent and should not be construed to represent any agency determination or policy.
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King, T.L., Springmann, M.J. & Young, J.A. Tri- and tetra-nucleotide microsatellite DNA markers for assessing genetic diversity, population structure, and demographics in the Holmgren milk-vetch (Astragalus holmgreniorum). Conservation Genet Resour 4, 39–42 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12686-011-9468-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12686-011-9468-6