Heterologous Amplification of Microsatellite Markers From Colubroid Snakes in European Natricines (Serpentes: Natricinae)

Abstract

Eighteen microsatellite loci developed for a range of snake species (New World natricines, elapids, crotalids) were tested against European natricines (Natrix natrix, N. maura, and N. tessellata) in cross-species amplification experiments. Five loci were polymorphic (average expected heterozygosity 0.749 for a population of N. natrix in Amsterdam, mean sample size 47.8) and three loci were monomorphic. The remainder could not be consistently scored or failed to amplify. Further tests on single individuals of a diverse set of eight species of colubroid snakes showed that 15 of the 18 loci could be cross-amplified in at least one of these species. We conclude that our results show promise for the utilization of these markers for experimental assessments of genetic variation in the phylogenetically closely related group of European natricine snakes with emphasis on N. natrix. The full suite of microsatellite markers now available for snakes may show additional potential for subsequent investigation across a broader range of colubroid snakes.

Cytogenetics and Molecular Data in Snakes: A Phylogenetic Approach

“…One important event in differentiation of snakes was the nonsynonymous mutations in the homeobox gene HOXA-13 that may be responsible for the absence of legs [Kohlsdorf et al, 2008]. One important genetic marker are microsatellites, which are not directly involved in the evolution of snakes, however useful for understanding the genetic processes [Hille et al, 2002;Lukoschek et al, 2008]. We cannot forget to add the Horizontal Gene Transfer to these genetic mechanisms.…”

Microsatellite in Coriander: A Cross Species Amplification within Apiaceae Family

“…Hille et al, (2002) reported that monomorphic loci observed in cross amplification could be due to null heterozygous condition. Four (GSSR-43, GSSR-96, GSSR-113 and BSSR-8) out of thirty nine SSR markers revealed polymorphic loci.…”

Successful artificial insemination in the corn snake, Elaphe gutatta, using fresh and cooled semen

“…Twenty-five microsatellite loci, derived from four species of snakes, were evaluated for the parentage test [Hb48, Hb65, and Hb70: Hoplocephalus bungaroides [Burns and Houlden, 1999]; Eobm1-4, Eobm10, Eobm13, Eobm16, Eobm34, Eobm358, Eobm366, and Eobm373: Elaphe obsoleta [Blouin-Demers and Gibbs, 2003]; Nsm2-4, Nsm6-8 and Nsm9b: Nerodia sipedon sipedon [Prosser et al, 1999;Hille et al, 2002]; Ts1-4: Thamnophis sirtalis [McCracken et al, 1999;Hille et al, 2002] (IDT Coralville, IA)]. Despite the use of 25 microsatellites, less than half (Eobm1, Eobm3, Eobm10, Eobm13, Eobm16, Eobm34, Eobm366, and Eobm373) were used for paternity exclusion analysis [Groot et al, 2003;King and Withler, 2005].…”