RAPD marker estimation of genetic structure among isolated northern leopard frog populations in the south-western USA

Genetic diversity and structure in Canadian northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens) populations: implications for reintroduction programs

The northern leopard frog ( Rana pipiens Schreber, 1782) underwent a large decline in the western portion of its range and only occurs in 20% of historically occupied sites in Alberta. Its absence may reflect an inability to disperse to these sites because of habitat fragmentation, and human-mediated translocation has been proposed. In this study, we used three criteria to examine the genetic suitability of potential translocation sources: diversity, similarity to area of reintroduction, and evolutionary history. We genotyped 187 samples and sequenced 812 bp of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase 1 gene from 14 Canadian northern leopard frog populations. Nuclear and mitochondrial diversity were highest in Manitoba and western Ontario and declined westward. There was no significant relationship between genetic and geographic distance, suggesting that genetic drift is a driving force affecting the genetic relationships between populations. Regions separated by more than ~50 km were quite differentiated. Therefore, source populations similar to the original inhabitants of an area for reintroduction may be uncommon. Mitochondrial analyses revealed that all populations share a close evolutionary history, belonging to the western haplotype group. While genetic criteria support the use of Manitoba and Ontario as sources, the desirability of environmental similarity to the reintroduction site suggests that ecologically exchangeable Alberta populations should also be considered.

Geographic variation, genetic structure, and conservation unit designation in the Larch Mountain salamander (Plethodon larselli)

The Larch Mountain salamander (Plethodon larselli Burns, 1954) is an endemic species in the Pacific northwestern United States facing threats related to habitat destruction. To facilitate development of conservation strategies, we used DNA sequences and RAPDs (random amplified polymorphic DNA) to examine differences among populations of this species. Phylogenetic analyses of cytochrome b revealed a clade of haplotypes from populations north of the Columbia River derived from a clade containing haplotypes from the river's southwestern region. Haplotypes from southeastern populations formed a separate clade. Nucleotide diversity was reduced in northern populations relative to southern populations. These results were corroborated by analyses of RAPD loci, which revealed similar patterns of clustering and diversity. Network analyses suggested that northern populations were colonized following a range expansion mediated by individuals from populations located southwest of the river. Changes in the Columbia River's location during the Pliocene and Pleistocene likely released distributional constraints on this species, permitting their northern range expansion. Based on the barrier presented by the Columbia River's present location and differences in haplotype diversity and population structure observed between northern and southern populations, we suggest that designation of separate management units encompassing each region may assist with mitigating different threats to this species.

Genetic variation in an endemic salamander, Salamandra atra, using amplified fragment length polymorphism

The pattern of genetic differentiation of the endemic alpine salamander, Salamandra atra, has been studied using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) from 11 populations throughout the range of the two currently recognized subspecies, atra and aurorae. Five different primer combinations produced 706 bands and were analyzed by constructing a phylogenetic tree using NJ and principal component analysis. Significant genetic variation was revealed by AFLP between and within populations but, our results show a lack of genetic structure. AFLP markers seems to be unsuitable to investigate complex and recent diversification.

PCR-detected genome polymorphism in malignant cell growth

In this chapter, we analyze the problem of genetic polymorphism in tumorigenesis, which determines basic capacities of tumors. The study of genome polymorphism with modified PCR methods allows the detection of various forms of polymorphism in tumor cells. This method has made it possible to determine association of DNA polymorphism with conditions of oncogenes, antioncogenes, and genes of apoptosis and with their allelic states. A special type of nonspecific DNA polymorphism that resulted from an increase in the mutation number in the cancer cell genome was discovered. This phenomenon was called the microsatellite mutator phenotype. Because the type of DNA polymorphism correlates with various biological capacities of malignant tumors and has an important prognostic significance, the analysis of DNA polymorphism in benign and malignant tumors of different histogenesis will play an important role both in theoretical studies of cancer and in oncological practice. A modified B1-PCR was used to study the genome polymorphism in the mouse tumor cells. The gain of the band 470 bp and the loss of the band 600 bp were revealed in the hepatoma cell line MH-22a as compared with liver cells of C3HA mice. The differentiation of teratocarcinoma EC F9 cells to endoderm-like cells was not accompanied by any changes in the B1-AF DNA fingerprint.

Phylogeography of the tailed frog (Ascaphus truei) in British Columbia

The tailed frog (Ascaphus truei) is highly philopatric, with naturally disjunct populations. To infer the historical pattern of range expansion and contraction in A. truei of British Columbia (B.C.), we conducted a randomly ampli fied polymorphic DNA (RAPD) survey, using 16 primers, of 469 individuals sampled from 22 populations in four regions. Genetic distances, based on 169 putative RAPD loci, clustered populations into three clear groups: mid/north-coastal B.C., south-coastal B.C., and interior B.C. The interior populations were the most distinct group, but their genetic distance from other groups equals that expected from isolation by physical distance alone, as opposed to taxonomic differentiation. FST values within coastal regions were moderately low (0.02-0.05) but were high in the interior (0.12) and across all populations (0.18). Within the mid/north-coastal and south-coastal regions, genetic distance showed no relationship with physical distance, while among regions and within the interior region there was a strong relationship. Gene diversity varied significantly among regions, with both the interior and south-coastal populations showing about 25% less diversity than the mid/north-coastal populations. These data indicate a complex history of geographic restrictions to multiple refugia, followed by various types of range expansion. The implications of these results for conservation efforts in this species are discussed.

Effects of laboratory ultraviolet radiation and natural sunlight on survival and development of Rana pipiens

Changes in solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation have been proposed as a possible factor contributing to seeming increases in hind-limb malformations in anuran amphibians in North America. One purpose of this study was to reproduce results from an earlier experiment (G.T. Ankley, J.E. Tietge, D.L. DeFoe, K.M. Jensen, G.W. Holcombe, E.J. Durhan, and S.A. Diamond. 1998. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 17: 2530–2542) in which Rana pipiens (northern leopard frog) developed hind-limb ectromelia and ectrodactyly when exposed to an artificial source of UV radiation in the laboratory. Additionally, we sought to assess the effects of natural sunlight on survival and development in this species. Animals exposed to UV radiation in the laboratory from stage 25–26 (just prior to hind-limb development) through forelimb emergence exhibited a dose-dependent elevation of hind-limb dysmorphogenesis. The observed malformations usually were bilateral and typically symmetrical, and consisted primarily of missing and reduced digits. Exposure of animals at this life stage to full intensity natural sunlight caused significant mortality, while exposure to screened sunlight (ca. 50–60% of ambient) resulted in an elevated incidence of abnormal hind limb pathology (ectromelia, ectrodactyly) identical to that observed in organisms exposed to UV radiation in the laboratory. Owing to uncertainties in dose extrapolation, for example, in the context of animal behavior, the potential significance of our results in terms of explaining adverse effects in amphibians from the field is as yet unclear.

Genetic analysis of an endangered pine marten (Martes americana) population from Newfoundland using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA markers

The genetic diversity of an endangered pine marten (Martes americana) population from western Newfoundland was analysed using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers and compared with values obtained for three other Canadian populations. Seven different primers generated a total of 12 polymorphic markers. The average heterozygosity (Hj) within each population varied between 0.026 and 0.226 and was calculated at 0.121 (±0.053 SE) for the Newfoundland population. The estimate of genetic differentiation (theta) between the Newfoundland and Labrador populations was 0.520 ± 0.119 (SE), suggesting substantial genetic divergence. Estimates of Nei's genetic distance (Djk) ranged from 0.086 (±0.008) to 1.44 (±0.349) and placed the four populations into two distinct groups: the three populations east of the Canadian Rockies comprising a group that is genetically distant from a population in southwestern British Columbia. These results are consistent with a previous analysis based on comparisons of the nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrially encoded cytochrome b gene. Their implication with regard to the management of an endangered population is discussed. The RAPD approach proved to be an efficient, low cost means for obtaining genetic information using noninvasive tissue sampling.