SNPs in ecological and conservation studies: a test in the Scandinavian wolf population.

摘要: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have the potential to become genetic marker of choice in studies ecology and conservation natural populations because their capacity access variability across genome. In this study, we provide one first demonstrations SNP discovery a wild population order address typical issues importance recolonized Scandinavian neighbouring Finnish wolf Canis lupus populations. Using end sequence from BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) clones specific for dogs, designed assays 24 loci, 20 sites which had previously been shown be polymorphic domestic dogs four were newly identified as wolves. Of assayed 22 SNPs found variable within and, importantly, these able distinguish individual wolves another (unbiased probability identity 4.33 x 10(-8)), providing equivalent results that derived 12 microsatellites genotyped same population. An assignment test shows differentiation between populations, although not all known immigrants are accurately identified. exploration misclassification rates identification relationships neither nor microsatellite loci discriminate single relationships. Despite remaining obstacle nonmodel organisms, use ecological is encouraged by advent large scale screening methods. Furthermore, ability amplify extremely small fragments makes particular monitoring, where faecal other noninvasive samples routinely used.