Transcriptome Derived Microsatellites Demonstrate Strong Genetic Differentiation in Pacific White Sharks

Authors

Andrea Bernard, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Vincent P. Richards, Clemson University
Michael J. Stanhope, Cornell University
Mahmood S. Shivji, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-11-2018

Publication Title

Journal of Heredity

Keywords

Transcriptome, Microsatellite, White sharks, Population structure

ISSN

0022-1503

First Page

1

Last Page

32

Abstract

Recent advances in genome-scale sequencing technology have allowed the development of high resolution genetic markers for the study of non-model taxa. In particular, transcriptome sequencing has proven to be highly useful in generating genomic markers for use in population genetic studies, allowing for insight into species connectivity, as well as local adaptive processes as many transcriptome-derived markers are found within or associated with functional genes. Herein, we developed a set of 30 microsatellite markers from a heart transcriptome for the white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), a widely distributed and globally vulnerable marine predator. Using these markers as well as ten published anonymous genomic microsatellite loci, we provide (i) the first nuclear genetic assessment of the cross-Pacific connectivity of white sharks, and (ii) a comparison of the levels of inferred differentiation across microsatellite marker sets (i.e., transcriptome versus anonymous) to assess their respective utility to elucidate the population genetic dynamics of white sharks. Significant (F_ST = 0.083, P = 0.05; G”_ST = 0.200; P = 0.001) genetic differentiation was found between Southwestern Pacific (n = 19) and Northeastern Pacific (n = 20) white sharks, indicating restricted, cross Pacific gene flow in this species. Transcriptome-derived microsatellite marker sets identified much higher (up to 2X) levels of genetic differentiation than anonymous genomic markers, underscoring potential utility of transcriptome markers in identifying subtle population genetic differences within highly vagile, globally distributed marine species.

Comments

© The American Genetic Association 2018. All rights reserved.

NSUWorks Citation

Andrea Bernard, Vincent P. Richards, Michael J. Stanhope, and Mahmood S. Shivji. 2018. Transcriptome Derived Microsatellites Demonstrate Strong Genetic Differentiation in Pacific White Sharks .Journal of Heredity : 1 -32. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/occ_facarticles/949.

ResearcherID

G-4080-2013

DOI

10.1093/jhered/esy045