Genetic diversity of wild wintering red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) by microsatellite markers and mitochondrial Cyt B gene sequence in the Yancheng reserve

Abstract

The red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) is one of the most endangered cranes in the world, and its wild population is still declining. To characterize the genetic resources of East Asian migratory populations, we studied the genetic variation in wild red-crowned cranes at the Yancheng reserve. Based on a partial Cyt b gene sequence, 32 wild red-crowned crane samples were screened from 100 feathers with unknown sample information. Twelve haplotypes were detected using 32 wild red-crowned crane samples. Six pairs of published microsatellite primers were selected for genotyping. A total of 47 alleles were obtained, with an average of 7.8 alleles per locus. All microsatellite loci were highly polymorphic; the average polymorphic information content and expected heterozygosity were 0.721 ± 0.080 and 0.768 ± 0.071, respectively. These results show that the East Asian migratory population of wild red-crowned cranes exhibits high polymorphism. These data are useful for informing reintroduction efforts. The study results provide a basis for understanding the population genetic properties of an endangered crane.

Keywords:

• Red-crowned crane
• Cyt b gene
• microsatellite
• genetic diversity

Acknowledgments

We thank all the staff members at Jiangsu Yancheng Wetland National Nature Reserve for Rare Birds for supporting our field research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [No. 31670432; No. 31800453], the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province of China [No. BK20160927], and the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD).