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Isolation and characterization of SNP markers for African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus)

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Abstract

We report the characterization of 30 new single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for an endangered species, the African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus), based on screening of a random genomic library. The polymorphisms of these SNP loci were assessed using a captive population comprising 34 individuals. The minor allele frequency ranged from 2.17 to 42.65 and the observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.1 to 0.6897 and from 0.0435 to 0.4965, respectively. None of the loci deviated significantly from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. These SNP markers will provide a necessary addition to the genetic tools employed for understanding population structure and for developing a conservation management strategy for this endangered species.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Society, Ecosystems and Change (SEAChange) research programme of the National Research Foundation (NRF).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Genetics Department, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa

    Christiaan Labuschagne, Desiré L. Dalton & Antoinette Kotzé

  2. National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa

    Desiré L. Dalton & Antoinette Kotzé

  3. Inqaba Biotechnical Industries (Pty) Ltd, P.O. Box 14356, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa

    Christiaan Labuschagne

Authors
  1. Christiaan Labuschagne
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  2. Desiré L. Dalton
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  3. Antoinette Kotzé
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Correspondence to Desiré L. Dalton.

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Labuschagne, C., Dalton, D.L. & Kotzé, A. Isolation and characterization of SNP markers for African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus). Conservation Genet Resour 4, 1067–1069 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12686-012-9708-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12686-012-9708-4

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