Human Microsatellites Applicable for Analysis of Genetic Variation in Apes and Old World Monkeys

Abstract

In studies of the genetics and social structure of primate populations there is a need to develop highly variable genetic markers for characterizing mating success and the nature of population movement or change through time. Because of their highly polymorphic nature, relatively simple amplification and typing, and the possibility of noninvasive sampling, microsatellites have become the molecular tool of choice in such studies. However, until recently it was assumed that many microsatellite loci, which are primarily situated in noncoding regions of the genome, evolve too rapidly to be applicable in evolutionarily divergent species. This has often resulted in the time-consuming process of cloning and sequencing microsatellites in new species. Here we describe the application of 11 human microsatellite primer pairs to a large group of primate species. The loci described are informative in all major groups of apes and Old World monkeys, although levels of allelic variability and heterozygosity differ across species. We confirm that with the use of appropriate universally applicable PCR conditions, a subset of human microsatellites are informative genetic markers in a wide range of divergent primate taxa.

Intracommunity relationships, dispersal pattern and paternity success in a wild living community of Bonobos (Pan paniscus) determined from DNA analysis of faecal samples

“…Five unlinked CA-microsatellite loci, originally described for humans (loci D1S207, D2S141, D6S271, D16S402 and D17S791; Gyapay et al 1994) and shown to be polymorphic in chimpanzees by Coote & Bruford (1996), proved to be polymorphic in bonobos as well (Gerlo¡ et al 1995). Since many extracts tended to yield poor ampli¢cation results, a prescreening procedure was routinely employed.…”

Remote collection of animal DNA and its applications in conservation management and understanding the population biology of rare and cryptic species

“…Although development of microsatellite primers is time-consuming they can be used in other closelyrelated species (usually within the same family) so that the process does not have to be repeated for every species (e.g. Coote and Bruford 1996;Engel et al 1996;Primmer et al 1996;Slate et al 1998;Zhang et al 2001;Zenger et al 2002). Importantly, because any given set of microsatellite PCR primers typically only amplify DNA from closely related species, contaminating DNA (either from bacteria or dietary components in the case of faeces) is unlikely to interfere with interpretation.…”

Dinucleotide microsatellite loci in a migratory wood warbler (Parulidae: Limnothlypis swainsonii) and amplification among other songbirds

“…Their evolutionary conservation allows for successful cross-species amplification in related species using the same primers and amplification conditions (Coote & Bruford 1996). Human polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers have been applied to several primate species (e.g.…”

“…Morin et al 1994), microsatellites are highly suited as Mendelian markers for pedigree and population analyses (e.g. Coote & Bruford 1996). Sequential typing of up to 12 such loci from 20 individuals can accurately characterize genetic variability within a population (Altmann et al 1996).…”