Challenges and prospects of population genetic studies in terns(Charadriiformes, Aves)

Sooty Tern (Sterna fuscata) Science Article 8

abstract

Little information is available about the population structure of communally nesting terns (Sternidae) and skimmers(Rynchopidae) throughout the world. In order to fill this gap, a survey of molecular markers was carried out for sixspecies of terns (Anous stolidus, Sterna hirundinacea, S. fuscata, S. superciliaris, Thalasseus maximus andPhaetusa simplex) and one species of skimmer (Rynchops niger). First, we describe the results of the construction ofgenomic DNA libraries and document problems encountered during this procedure. Secondly, we tested thecross-amplification of 18 microsatellite loci previously described for related species (the number of polymorphic lociranged from three to seven). Thirdly, we tested the usefulness of mtDNA (control region, ND2, Cytochrome b andATPase 6/8) for phylogeographic studies in this group of birds.

Patricia J. Faria, Erika Baus, Joao S. Morgante and Michael W. Bruford, Genetics and Molecular Biology, 30, 3, 681-689 (2007)

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