Julie Sommer

Virgin birth in a hammerhead shark.

Parthenogenesis has been documented in all major jawed vertebrate lineages except mammals and cartilaginous fishes (class Chondrichthyes: sharks, batoids and chimeras). Reports of captive female sharks giving birth despite being held in the extended absence of males have generally been ascribed to prior matings coupled with long-term sperm storage by the females. Here, we provide the first genetic evidence for chondrichthyan parthenogenesis, involving a hammerhead shark (Sphyrna tiburo). This finding also broadens the known occurrence of a specific type of asexual development (automictic parthenogenesis) among vertebrates, extending recently raised concerns about the potential negative effect of this type of facultative parthenogenesis on the genetic diversity of threatened vertebrate species.

Revision of the Mouse Lemurs (Microcebus) of Eastern Madagascar

Phylogenetic analysis of ca. 4500 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA sequence data reveals further genetic diversity in mouse lemurs (Microcebus) on the eastern and western coasts of Madagascar. Molecular data and phylogenetic analyses revise the previously monotypic species of eastern Madagascar, Microcebus rufus, with the description of 3 new species. Three additional Microcebus species are proposed in eastern Madagascar, along with another Microcebus species in western Madagascar. Correlating the molecular data with previously generated sequence data, we present a tentative pattern of distribution along the east coast. We show that the general distribution of Microcebus is based on a traditional eastern/western division. The preliminary model appears strongly influenced by both rivers and altitudinal differences acting independently as barriers.

Specific Status of Propithecus spp.

Controversial taxonomic relationships within Propithecus have consistently made conservation and management decisions difficult. We present a multidisciplinary phylogenetic analysis of Propithecus supporting the elevation of 4 subspecies to specific status: P. diadema perrieri → P. perrieri, P. diadema candidus → P. candidus, P. diadema edwardsi → P. edwardsi, and P. verreauxi coquereli→P. coquereli; leaving P. diademadiadema as P. diadema and P. verreauxiverreauxi as P. verreauxi.

Characterization of 20 microsatellite marker loci in the west Indian rock iguana (Cyclura nubila)

Junghwa An1, Julie A. Sommer2, Gary D. Shore2, Janet E. Williamson2, Rick A. Brenneman2 & Edward E. Louis, Jr.2∗ 1Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, College of Veterinary Medicine and School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea; 2Henry Doorly Zoo, Center for Conservation and Research, 3701 South 10th Street, Omaha, NE 68107, USA (∗Corresponding author: Phone: (402) 738-2095; E-mail: edlo@omahazoo.com)

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the migratory freshwater fish Prochilodus lineatus (Characiformes: Prochilodontidae)

Thirteen new polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed and tested in 57 individuals from three locations along the Paraná River. All loci were polymorphic, with 2–22 alleles per locus. Cross-species amplifications were successful for all loci in four other Prochilodus species, suggesting that these microsatellites will be useful for investigation of genetic variation and structure in Prochilodus populations.

Isolation and characterization of eight polymorphic microsatellite markers for the migratory characiform fish, Salminus brasiliensis

Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized for the migratory freshwater fish Salminus brasiliensis (Characiformes) and tested on 67 individuals from nine geographically distant locations along the Paraná Basin. The number of alleles per locus ranged from four to 14, with observed heterozygosity estimates ranging from 0·15 to 0·79.

A core set of microsatellite markers for conservation genetics studies of Korean goral (Naemorhedus caudatus) and its cross-species amplification in Caprinae species

In order to screen microsatellites for conservation genetics studies of the species, a total of 23 microsatellite loci from Korean goral (Naemorhedus caudatus), including 15 previously developed loci and 8 new loci in this study, were tested. Eleven microsatellites were screened and subjected to cross-species amplification using a test panel of four Caprinae species, Japanese serows (Capricornis crispus), Chinese gorals (Naemorhedus goral), Northern chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) and domestic goats (Capra hircus). In addition, all eleven microsatellites (SY3A, SY12A, SY12B, SY48, SY58, SY71, SY76, SY84, SY84B, SY112, and SY129) satisfied the criteria to be a core set of microsatellites. This core set of microsatellites and cross-species amplification of Korean goral microsatellites were found to be helpful for high-resolution studies for conservation and management of Korean goral and other endangered Caprinae species.

Characterization of ten microsatellite marker loci in the Komodo Monitor ( Varanus komodoensis )

The Komodo monitor (Varanus komodoensis) is a classic example of a species that has been fragmented into small isolated populations over a limited range. This species, classified as endangered under Appendix I of the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species. We describe 10 novel species-specific microsatellite loci characterized in representatives from three of the endemic island populations. One locus, 12HDZ820 appears to be fixed in one population at an allele size not found in the other two. This microsatellite suite should be helpful in augmenting the marker selection currently available for Komodo Monitor population studies.