Comparative analysis of microsatellite variability in five macaw species (Psittaciformes, Psittacidae): application for conservation

Abstract

Cross-amplification was tested and variability in microsatellite primers (designed for Neotropical parrots) compared, in five macaw species, viz., three endangered blue macaws (Cyanopsitta spixii [extinct in the wild], Anodorhynchus leari [endangered] and Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus [vulnerable]), and two unthreatened red macaws (Ara chloropterus and Ara macao). Among the primers tested, 84.6% successfully amplified products in C. spixii, 83.3% in A. leari, 76.4% in A. hyacinthinus, 78.6% in A. chloropterus and 71.4% in A. macao. The mean expected heterozygosity estimated for each species, and based on loci analyzed in all the five, ranged from 0.33 (A. hyacinthinus) to 0.85 (A. macao). As expected, the results revealed lower levels of genetic variability in threatened macaw species than in unthreatened. The low combined probability of genetic identity and the moderate to high potential for paternity exclusion, indicate the utility of the microsatellite loci set selected for each macaw species in kinship and population studies, thus constituting an aid in planning in-situ and ex-situ conservation.

Genetic patterns and conservation of the Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) in Costa Rica

“…Measures of nuclear diversity reported for the species in Brazil [He = 0.741, A = 8.4; (Presti et al 2011)] and northern Central America [He = 0.696, A = 7.11; (Schmidt 2013)], using the same microsatellites as here, are very similar to our reported values, indicating high genetic variation may be an inherent characteristic of the scarlet macaw. This observation is consistent with other studies showing more widespread and generalist species exhibit higher genetic diversity relative to more restricted and specialized macaw species (Caparroz et al 2001;Presti et al 2011Presti et al , 2015.…”

A Multi-Platform Draft de novo Genome Assembly and Comparative Analysis for the Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao)

“…[21], Darwin’s finch ( Geospiza fortis ; http://gigadb.org/darwins-finch/), the Budgerigar http://aviangenomes.org/budgerigar-raw-reads/), and additional species of Psittacidae will provide substantial comparative and evolutionary insight into avian variation in traits such as longevity, body size, intelligence, and adaptability [4]–[7], [9], [12]–[13], [17]–[18]. Given ongoing conservation initiatives [22]–[24], natural history studies [24]–[26], and population genetics research [11], [27]–[28] for the scarlet macaw ( Ara macao ; Pscittacidae), we chose this species for genome sequencing, assembly and annotation, thus providing a new representative model for the genomic information content of large neotropical psittacines.…”

Non-invasive genetic sampling for molecular sexing and microsatellite genotyping of hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus)

“…Two pairs of heterologous microsatellite primers developed for Ara ararauna (Caparroz et al , 2003) and previously tested in hyacinth macaws (Presti et al , 2011) were used: UnaCT21 and UnaGT55 (Caparroz et al , 2003). Amplification reactions were performed in a final volume of 12 μL, with 7.2 μL of MilliQ water, 1.2 μL of buffer (10X), 1.0 μL of dNTPs (2 mM), 0.4 μL of MgCl 2 (25 mM), 0.3 μL of reverse primer (10 μM), 0.2 μL of M13 primer (10 μM) labeled with fluorescence (HEX and TET, Applied Biosystems), 0.1 μL of forward primer with a 5′M13 tail (10 μM), 0.1 μL of Taq polymerase (5 U/μL, GE Healthcare), and 1.5 μL of DNA (20–50 ng).…”