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The sizes of Astyanax mexicanus blind cavefish populations of North-East Mexico are demographic parameters of great importance for investigating a variety of ecological, evolutionary, and conservation issues. However, few estimates have been obtained. For these mobile animals living in an environment difficult to explore as a whole, methods based on capture-mark-recapture are appropriate, but their feasibility and interpretation of results depend on several assumptions that must be carefully examined. Here, we provide evidence that minimally invasive genetic identification from captures at different time intervals (three days and three years) can give insights into cavefish population size dynamics as well as other important demographic parameters of interest. We also provide tools to calibrate sampling and genotyping efforts necessary to reach a given level of precision. Our results suggest that the El Pachón cave population is currently very small, of an order of magnitude of a few hundreds of individuals, and is distributed in a relatively isolated area. The probable decline in population size in the El Pachón cave since the last census in 1971 raises serious conservation issues.

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BACKGROUND: Protothecosis is a rare infectious disease caused by unicellular, achlorophyllous, microalgae of the genus Prototheca, ubiquitously distributed in nature. The algae are emerging pathogens, whose incidence is increasing in both human and animal populations and serious systemic infections related to this pathogen have been increasingly described in humans in recent years. After mastitis in dairy cows, canine protothecosis is the second most prevalent form of the protothecal disease in animals. Here, we report the first case of chronic cutaneous protothecosis due to P. wickerhamii in a dog in Brazil, successfully treated with a long-term therapy with itraconazole in pulse. CASE PRESENTATION: Upon clinical examination, exudative nasolabial plaque, ulcered, and painful lesions in central and digital pads and lymphadenitis were observed in a 2-year-old mixed-breed dog, with a 4-month history of cutaneous lesions and contact with sewage water. Histopathological examination revealed intense inflammatory reaction, with numerous spherical to oval, encapsulated structures stained with Periodic Acid Schiff, compatible with Prototheca morphology. Tissue culture on Sabouraud agar revealed yeast-like, greyish-white colonies after 48 h of incubation. The isolate was subjected to mass spectrometry profiling and PCR-sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (CYTB) gene marker, leading to identification of the pathogen as P. wickerhamii. The dog was initially treated with oral itraconazole at a dosage of 10 mg/kg once daily. After six months, the lesions resolved completely, yet recurred shortly after cessation of therapy. The dog was then treated with terbinafine at a dose of 30 mg/kg, once daily for 3 months, with no success. The resolution of clinical signs, with no recurrence over a 36-months follow-up period, was achieved after 3 months of treatment with itraconazole (20 mg/kg) in pulse intermittently on two consecutive days a week. CONCLUSIONS: This report highlights the refractoriness of skin infections by Prototheca wickerhamii with therapies proposed in the literature and suggests a new treatment option with oral itraconazole in pulse dosing for long-term disease control successfully performed in a dog with skin lesions.

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The Pacific coast of Colombia is characterized by mangrove ecosystems which play a crucial role as possible nurseries for juvenile sharks. However, trophic food webs from coastal ecosystems are heavily disturbed by increased fishing pressure, which affects numerous shark species. In this region of the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP), fisheries' data from coastal areas are scarce and unspecific, as most sharks from artisanal fisheries are landed decapitated and finless, making their morphological identification difficult. For the establishment and implementation of effective regional conservation and management policies, information on the diversity and population dynamics of shark species is crucial. We therefore sequenced the mitochondrial NADH2 gene of 696 samples taken from fishermen's landings of shark's bycatch along the Colombian north Pacific coast. We were able to identify 14 species of sharks, two of the most abundant species were Sphyrna lewini and Carcharhinus falciformis, both evaluated on IUCN the Red List of Threatened species (Critically Endangered and Vulnerable) and CITES regulated. We found low genetic diversity in the sampled area increasing the concern for both species in the region, even more considering that the majority of individuals were juveniles. Our results showed the importance of genetic markers for first population genetic insights as a complementary tool during the decision-making process in management plans. For this specific region, strategies such as the delimitation of conservation priority areas or the regulation of fishing gears could help improve the sustainability of shark populations in the Colombian Pacific.

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The last military dictatorship in Argentina (1976-1983), committed egregious violations of human rights, including torture assassinations and disappearance of 30,000 political dissidents as well as friends and relatives. This included hundreds of pregnant women who were kept in clandestine detention centers and killed after delivering their babies in abject conditions. The succeeding democratic governments applied forensic genetics at the Banco Nacional de Datos Genéticos to identify the estimated 500 children stolen at birth and being reared by military families with suppression of their identity. The first genetic identification was in 1984 of a 6 years old, while the latest was in 2019 of a 44 years old, completing so far 130 identifications along 35 years of post-dictatorship. The ethical, legal, and psycho-social complexities of restoration of genetic identity after years of appropriation and suppression of identity in the Argentine context, is discussed at length. Evidence indicates that after initial psychological distress, most individuals that had their true genetic identity restored experienced relief by learning the truth and reuniting with their biological families. Many "recovered grandchildren" are socially and politically involved in progressive causes and express pride for the social activism of their disappeared parents. The role played by genetics in support of the right to identity in Argentina has set an example of social responsibility of science in defense of human rights.

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The systematics of many groups of organisms has been based on the adult stage. Morphological transformations that occur during development from the embryonic to the adult stage make it difficult (or impossible) to identify a juvenile (larval) stage in some species. Hydrachnidia (Acari, Actinotrichida, which inhabit mainly continental waters) are characterized by three main active stages-larval, deutonymph and adult-with intermediate dormant stages. Deutonymphs and adults may be identified through diagnostic morphological characters. Larvae that have not been tracked directly from a gravid female are difficult to identify to the species level. In this work, we compared the morphology of five water mite larvae and obtained the molecular sequences of that found on a pupa of the common mosquito Culex (Culex) pipiens with the sequences of 51 adults diagnosed as Arrenurus species and identified the undescribed larvae as Arrenurus (Micruracarus) novus. Further corroborating this finding, adult A. novus was found thriving in the same mosquito habitat. We established the identity of adult and deutonymph A. novus by morphology and by correlating COI and cytB sequences of the water mites at the larval, deutonymph and adult (both male and female) life stages in a particular case of 'reverse taxonomy'. In addition, we constructed the Arrenuridae phylogeny based on mitochondrial DNA, which supports the idea that three Arrenurus subgenera are 'natural': Arrenurus, Megaluracarus and Micruracarus, and the somewhat arbitrary distinction of the species assigned to the subgenus Truncaturus.

RESUMO

The morphological and genetic identification of hydrozoans collected in the reef patches of Santa Marta, Colombia was carried out. This study allows to present two new records of hydroids species for the Colombian Caribbean: Halopteris alternata and Dentitheca dendritica. A total of 11 species and 1 genus were found using morphological and genetic identification with partial sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. The order Leptothecata was the most abundant represented by 9 families: Aglaopheniidae, Clytiidae, Haleciidae, Halopterididae, Kirchenpaueriidae, Plumulariidae, Sertularellidae, Sertulariidae and Thyroscyphidae, while the order Anthoathecata was represented by 2 families: Eudendriidae and Pennariidae. Despite the lack of studies on this group of organisms in the country, the use of the 16S rRNA gene proved to be very useful to provide complementary evidence in our understanding of the biological diversity of hydrozoans in Colombia.

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Today, elasmobranchs are one the most threatened vertebrate groups worldwide. In fact, at least 90% of elasmobranch species are listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, while more than 40% are data-deficient. Although these vertebrates are mainly affected by unsustainable fishery activities, bycatch is also one of the major threats to sharks and batoids worldwide, and represents a challenge for both sustainable fishery management and for biodiversity and conservational efforts. Thus, in this study, DNA barcode methodology was used to identify the bycatch composition of batoid species from small-scale industrial fisheries in the southwest Atlantic and artisanal fisheries from southeast Brazil. A total of 228 individuals belonging to four Chondrichthyes orders, seven families, and at least 17 distinct batoid species were sequenced; among these individuals, 131 belonged to species protected in Brazil, 101 to globally threatened species, and some to species with trade restrictions provided by Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). These results highlight the impacts on marine biodiversity of bycatch by small-scale industrial and unmanaged artisanal fisheries from the southwest Atlantic, and support the implementation of DNA-based methodologies for species-specific identification in data-poor fisheries as a powerful tool for improving the quality of fisheries' catch statistics and for keeping precise bycatch records.

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Oysters of the genus Crassostrea Sacco, 1897 are widely distributed worldwide, being important extractive and cultivation resources in Brazil. Because they have high phenotypical plasticity and congeneric similarity, identifications based on shell morphology are not always safe. The goal of this study was to identify the oysters of the Bahia State, northeast Brazil, using the molecular tools Polymerase Chain Reaction, Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism, DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Oysters were collected at 12 sampling stations, from October 2014 to March 2015 and included samples of rhizomes (aerial roots)/stems of the red mangrove Rhizophorae mangle L. and in the sediment near to the underground roots of this one, on berths, natural rock outcrops near the mangrove swamp and in three oyster crops. It was confirmed the presence of two species of oysters: Crassostrea rhizophorae (Guilding, 1828) and C. gasar (Deshayes, 1830) and that the latter was genetically identical to C. brasiliana reported in previous studies on the Brazilian coast. There was no co-occurrence of the two species on the same substrate, but these were found in nearby environments at two sampling points. Crassostrea rhizophorae was observed on the rhizomes/stems of R. mangle, as well as on artificial concrete walls (berths). The semi-buried oysters near R. mangle’s subterranean roots and adhered to small rocks of a rocky outcrop were C.gasar, which was also the exclusive oyster of the crops.

As ostras do gênero Crassostrea Sacco, 1897 são amplamente distribuídas mundialmente, sendo importantes recursos extrativistas e de cultivo no Brasil. Por possuírem alta plasticidade fenotípica e semelhança congenérica, as identificações baseadas na morfologia da concha nem sempre são seguras. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar as ostras do estado da Bahia, nordeste do Brasil, utilizando as ferramentas moleculares Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase, Polimorfismo do Comprimento de Fragmentos de Restrição, sequenciamento de DNA e análise filogenética. As ostras foram coletadas em 12 estações amostrais, de outubro de 2014 a março de 2015 e incluíram coletas sobre rizomas (raízes aéreas)/caules do mangue vermelho Rhizophorae mangle L. e no sedimento próximo às raízes subterrâneas deste, em atracadouros, afloramentos rochosos naturais próximos ao manguezal e em três cultivos de ostras. Confirmou-se a presença de duas espécies de ostras: Crassostrea rhizophorae (Guilding, 1828) e C. gasar (Deshayes, 1830) e que esta última foi geneticamente idêntica à C. brasiliana, relatada em estudos anteriores na costa brasileira. Não houve co-ocorrência das duas espécies no mesmo substrato, mas em dois pontos amostrais estas foram encontradas em ambientes próximos. Crassostrea rhizophorae foi observada nos rizomas/caules de R. mangle, bem como em paredes artificiais de concreto (atracadouros). As ostras semi-enterradas perto das raízes subterrâneas de R. mangle e aderidas a pequenas rochas de um afloramento rochoso foram C. gasar, que também foi a ostra exclusiva nos cultivos.

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Oysters of the genus Crassostrea Sacco, 1897 are widely distributed worldwide, being important extractive and cultivation resources in Brazil. Because they have high phenotypical plasticity and congeneric similarity, identifications based on shell morphology are not always safe. The goal of this study was to identify the oysters of the Bahia State, northeast Brazil, using the molecular tools Polymerase Chain Reaction, Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism, DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Oysters were collected at 12 sampling stations, from October 2014 to March 2015 and included samples of rhizomes (aerial roots)/stems of the red mangrove Rhizophorae mangle L. and in the sediment near to the underground roots of this one, on berths, natural rock outcrops near the mangrove swamp and in three oyster crops. It was confirmed the presence of two species of oysters: Crassostrea rhizophorae (Guilding, 1828) and C. gasar (Deshayes, 1830) and that the latter was genetically identical to C. brasiliana reported in previous studies on the Brazilian coast. There was no co-occurrence of the two species on the same substrate, but these were found in nearby environments at two sampling points. Crassostrea rhizophorae was observed on the rhizomes/stems of R. mangle, as well as on artificial concrete walls (berths). The semi-buried oysters near R. mangles subterranean roots and adhered to small rocks of a rocky outcrop were C.gasar, which was also the exclusive oyster of the crops.(AU)

As ostras do gênero Crassostrea Sacco, 1897 são amplamente distribuídas mundialmente, sendo importantes recursos extrativistas e de cultivo no Brasil. Por possuírem alta plasticidade fenotípica e semelhança congenérica, as identificações baseadas na morfologia da concha nem sempre são seguras. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar as ostras do estado da Bahia, nordeste do Brasil, utilizando as ferramentas moleculares Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase, Polimorfismo do Comprimento de Fragmentos de Restrição, sequenciamento de DNA e análise filogenética. As ostras foram coletadas em 12 estações amostrais, de outubro de 2014 a março de 2015 e incluíram coletas sobre rizomas (raízes aéreas)/caules do mangue vermelho Rhizophorae mangle L. e no sedimento próximo às raízes subterrâneas deste, em atracadouros, afloramentos rochosos naturais próximos ao manguezal e em três cultivos de ostras. Confirmou-se a presença de duas espécies de ostras: Crassostrea rhizophorae (Guilding, 1828) e C. gasar (Deshayes, 1830) e que esta última foi geneticamente idêntica à C. brasiliana, relatada em estudos anteriores na costa brasileira. Não houve co-ocorrência das duas espécies no mesmo substrato, mas em dois pontos amostrais estas foram encontradas em ambientes próximos. Crassostrea rhizophorae foi observada nos rizomas/caules de R. mangle, bem como em paredes artificiais de concreto (atracadouros). As ostras semi-enterradas perto das raízes subterrâneas de R. mangle e aderidas a pequenas rochas de um afloramento rochoso foram C. gasar, que também foi a ostra exclusiva nos cultivos.(AU)

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OBJETIVO: Determinar la factibilidad de la identificación genética a un grupo de recién nacidos prove nientes de un hospital público de Lima-Perú. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Estudio descriptivo de corte trans versal, realizado por Registro de Identificación y Estado Civil de Perú, en recién nacidos vivos y sus respectivas madres, provenientes del Hospital Carlos Lanfranco La Hoz (Puente Piedra-Lima) du rante el mes de enero del 2015. Las muestras fueron colectadas en tarjetas FTA (Fast Technology for Analysis of nucleic acids) que permitieron un análisis directo por PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) y electroforesis capilar de 21 marcadores genéticos de tipo STR (Short Tandem Repeats), incluyendo el marcador amelogenina para la determinación del sexo. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron un total de 44 madres y 45 recién nacidos (existió un parto gemelar). La probabilidad de maternidad fue mayor al 99.9% en todos los casos. No se encontraron dificultades en la toma de muestra, ni en el transporte del material. El material biológico obtenido fue suficiente para la obtención de ADN para realizar la identificación del recién nacido. CONCLUSIONES: El procedimiento de identificación genética fue factible de realizar en este hospital. Se identificaron etapas del proceso que podrían mejorarse para la posible aplicación de este procedimiento a una mayor escala en el Perú.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of genetic identification in a group of newborns from a public hospital in Lima, Peru. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Descriptive cross-sectional study, carried out by the National Registry of Identification and Civil Status of Peru, on live newborns and their mothers, from the Carlos Lanfranco La Hoz Hospital (Puente Piedra, Lima) during January. 2015. The samples were collected in FTA (Fast Technology for Analysis of nucleic acids) cards that allowed a direct analysis by PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and capillary electrophoresis of 21 STR markers (Short Tandem Repeats), including the amelogenin marker for gender determination. RESULTS: 44 mothers and 45 newborns were included (there was a twin birth). The probability of maternity was higher than 99.9% in all cases. There were no difficulties in the sampling or in transporting the material. The obtained biological material was enough to collect DNA to identify the newborn. CONCLUSIONS: The genetic identification procedure was possible to perform in this hospital. Stages of the process that could be improved were identified for the eventual application of this procedure on a larger scale in Peru.

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The present study performed a genetic identification of pestiviruses contaminating batches of fetal bovine serum (FBS) produced in Brazil from 2006 to 2014. Seventy-three FBS lots were screened by a RT-PCR targeting the 5'untranslated region (UTR) of the pestivirus genome. Thirty-nine lots (53.4%) were positive for pestivirus RNA and one contained infectious virus. Nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 5'UTR revealed 34 lots (46.6%) containing RNA of bovine viral diarrhea virus type 1 (BVDV-1), being 23 BVDV-1a (5' UTR identity 90.8-98.7%), eight BVDV-1b (93.9-96.7%) and three BVDV-1d (96.2- 97.6%). Six lots (8.2%) contained BVDV-2 (90.3-100% UTR identity) being two BVDV-2a; three BVDV-2b and one undetermined. Four FBS batches (5.5%) were found contaminated with HoBi-like virus (98.3 to 100%). Five batches (6.8%) contained more than one pestivirus. The high frequency of contamination of FBS with pestivirus RNA reinforce the need for systematic and updated guidelines for monitoring this product to reduce the risk of contamination of biologicals and introduction of contaminating agents into free areas.(AU)

No presente estudo foi realizada a identificação genética de pestivírus contaminantes de lotes de soro fetal bovino (SFB) produzidos no Brasil de 2006 a 2014. Setenta e três lotes de SFB foram testados por RT-PCR para a região 5' não traduzida do genoma dos pestivírus. Trinta e nove lotes (53,4%) foram positivos para RNA de pestivírus e um continha vírus infeccioso. O sequenciamento de nucleotídeos e análise filogenética da região 5'UTR revelou que 34 lotes (46,6%) continham RNA do vírus da diarreia viral bovina tipo 1 (BVDV-1), sendo 23 BVDV-1a (identidade na 5' UTR de 90,8-98,7%), oito BVDV-1b (93,9 a 96,7%) e três BVDV-1d (96,2%-97,6%). Seis lotes (8,2%) continham BVDV-2 (90,3 a 100% de identidade), sendo dois BVDV-2a, três BVDV-2b e um de subgenótipo indeterminado. Quatro lotes de SFB (5,5%) estavam contaminados com o vírus HoBi-like (98,3 a 100%). Cinco lotes (6,8%) continham mais do que um pestivírus. A alta frequência de contaminação de SFB com RNA de pestivírus reforça a necessidade para diretrizes sistemáticas atualizadas para a monitoração deste produto com a finalidade de reduzir a contaminação de produtos biológicos e a introdução de agentes contaminantes em áreas livres.(AU)

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The present study performed a genetic identification of pestiviruses contaminating batches of fetal bovine serum (FBS) produced in Brazil from 2006 to 2014. Seventy-three FBS lots were screened by a RT-PCR targeting the 5'untranslated region (UTR) of the pestivirus genome. Thirty-nine lots (53.4%) were positive for pestivirus RNA and one contained infectious virus. Nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 5'UTR revealed 34 lots (46.6%) containing RNA of bovine viral diarrhea virus type 1 (BVDV-1), being 23 BVDV-1a (5' UTR identity 90.8-98.7%), eight BVDV-1b (93.9-96.7%) and three BVDV-1d (96.2- 97.6%). Six lots (8.2%) contained BVDV-2 (90.3-100% UTR identity) being two BVDV-2a; three BVDV-2b and one undetermined. Four FBS batches (5.5%) were found contaminated with HoBi-like virus (98.3 to 100%). Five batches (6.8%) contained more than one pestivirus. The high frequency of contamination of FBS with pestivirus RNA reinforce the need for systematic and updated guidelines for monitoring this product to reduce the risk of contamination of biologicals and introduction of contaminating agents into free areas.(AU)

No presente estudo foi realizada a identificação genética de pestivírus contaminantes de lotes de soro fetal bovino (SFB) produzidos no Brasil de 2006 a 2014. Setenta e três lotes de SFB foram testados por RT-PCR para a região 5' não traduzida do genoma dos pestivírus. Trinta e nove lotes (53,4%) foram positivos para RNA de pestivírus e um continha vírus infeccioso. O sequenciamento de nucleotídeos e análise filogenética da região 5'UTR revelou que 34 lotes (46,6%) continham RNA do vírus da diarreia viral bovina tipo 1 (BVDV-1), sendo 23 BVDV-1a (identidade na 5' UTR de 90,8-98,7%), oito BVDV-1b (93,9 a 96,7%) e três BVDV-1d (96,2%-97,6%). Seis lotes (8,2%) continham BVDV-2 (90,3 a 100% de identidade), sendo dois BVDV-2a, três BVDV-2b e um de subgenótipo indeterminado. Quatro lotes de SFB (5,5%) estavam contaminados com o vírus HoBi-like (98,3 a 100%). Cinco lotes (6,8%) continham mais do que um pestivírus. A alta frequência de contaminação de SFB com RNA de pestivírus reforça a necessidade para diretrizes sistemáticas atualizadas para a monitoração deste produto com a finalidade de reduzir a contaminação de produtos biológicos e a introdução de agentes contaminantes em áreas livres.(AU)

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The initial developmental stages of Contracaecum multipapillatum (von Drasche, 1882) Lucker, 1941 sensu lato were studied using eggs obtained from the uteri of female nematodes (genetically identified) found in a brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis from Bahía de La Paz (Gulf of California, Mexico). Optical microscopy revealed a smooth or slightly rough surface to the eggs. Egg dimensions were approximately 53 × 43 µm, although after the larvae had developed inside, egg size increased to 66 × 55 µm. Hatching and survival of the larvae were greater at 15°C than at 24°C, and increased salinity resulted in a slight increase in hatching but seemed to reduce survival at 24°C, but not at 15°C. The recently hatched larvae measured 261 × 16 µm within their sheath. When placed in culture medium, the larvae grew within their sheath, and a small percentage (~2%) exsheathed completely (314 × 19 µm). The larvae continued to grow and develop once they had exsheathed, attaining mean dimensions of 333 × 22 µm. Although they did not moult during culture, optical microscopy revealed a morphology typical of third-stage larvae. Finally, the genetic identity between the larval parasites collected from mullet Mugil curema and adult female parasites collected from the brown pelican suggests a life cycle of C. multipapillatum in which the mullet are involved as intermediate/paratenic hosts and the brown pelicans as final hosts in the geographical area of Bahía de La Paz.

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Bonefish leptocephali of the genus Albula are difficult to identify to the species level due to morphological similarities between two different species present in the Northeastern Pacific Ocean, A. esuncula and A. gilberti. In this study, 22 bonefish leptocephali (premetamorphic and early metamorphic), collected from two locations in the southern Gulf of California were identified as Albula gilberti by comparing 459 bp of their mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences to those of four other species of bonefish. The characteristics of these A. gilberti leptocephali were compared to those of previously described bonefish leptocephali in the region. No distinctive morphological characteristics (meristic and pigmentation) were found that differentiate premetamorphic leptocephali of A. gilberti from those of other Albula species, making species identification by molecular-genetics a necessity. In early metamorphic leptocephali some differences in horizontal eye diameter-head length ratio, number of rays of pelvic and anal fins and myomere of pelvic-fin origin may help to differentiate A. gilberti from A. esuncula.

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Reliably marking larvae and reidentifying them after metamorphosis is a challenge that has hampered studies on recruitment, dispersal, migration and survivorship of amphibians for a long time, as conventional tags are not reliably retained through metamorphosis. Molecular methods allow unique genetic fingerprints to be established for individuals. Although microsatellite markers have successfully been applied in mark-recapture studies on several animal species, they have never been previously used in amphibians to follow individuals across different life cycle stages. Here, we evaluate microsatellites for genetic across-stages mark-recapture studies in amphibians and test the suitability of available software packages for genotype matching. We sampled tadpoles of the dendrobatid frog Allobates femoralis, which we introduced on a river island in the Nature Reserve 'Les Nouragues' in French Guiana. In two subsequent recapture sessions, we searched for surviving juveniles and adults, respectively. All individuals were genotyped at 14 highly variable microsatellite loci, which yielded unique genetic fingerprints for all individuals. We found large differences in the identification success of the programs tested. The pairwise-relatedness-based approach, conducted with the programs kingroup or ML-Relate, performed best with our data set. Matching ventral patterns of juveniles and adult individuals acted as a control for the reliability of the genetic identification. Our results demonstrate that microsatellite markers are a highly powerful tool for studying amphibian populations on an individual basis. The ability to individually track amphibian tadpoles throughout metamorphosis until adulthood will be of substantial value for future studies on amphibian population ecology and evolution.

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Short tandem repeats (STR)s have been the eligible markers for forensic animal genetics, despite single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP)s became acceptable. The technology, the type, and amount of markers could limit the investigation in degraded forensic samples. The performance of a 32-SNP panel genotyped through OpenArrays(TM) (real-time PCR based) was evaluated to resolve cattle-specific forensic cases. DNA from different biological sources was used, including samples from an alleged instance of cattle rustling. SNPs and STRs performance and repeatability were compared. SNP call rate was variable among sample type (average = 80.18%), while forensic samples showed the lowest value (70.94%). The repeatability obtained (98.7%) supports the used technology. SNPs had better call rates than STRs in 12 of 20 casework samples, while forensic index values were similar for both panels. In conclusion, the 32-SNPs used are as informative as the standard bovine STR battery and hence are suitable to resolve cattle rustling investigations.

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During the last decade, microsatellites (short tandem repeats or STRs) have been successfully used for animal genetic identification, traceability and paternity, although in recent year single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been increasingly used for this purpose. An efficient SNP identification system requires a marker set with enough power to identify individuals and their parents. Genetic diagnostics generally include the analysis of related animals. In this work, the degree of information provided by SNPs for a consanguineous herd of cattle was compared with that provided by STRs. Thirty-six closely related Angus cattle were genotyped for 18 STRs and 116 SNPs. Cumulative SNPs exclusion power values (Q) for paternity and sample matching probability (MP) yielded values greater than 0.9998 and 4.32E(-42), respectively. Generally 2-3 SNPs per STR were needed to obtain an equivalent Q value. The MP showed that 24 SNPs were equivalent to the ISAG (International Society for Animal Genetics) minimal recommended set of 12 STRs (MP ∼ 10(-11)). These results provide valuable genetic data that support the consensus SNP panel for bovine genetic identification developed by the Parentage Recording Working Group of ICAR (International Committee for Animal Recording).

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Oysters (Ostreidae) manifest a high degree of phenotypic plasticity, whereby morphology is of limited value for species identification and taxonomy. By using molecular data, the aim was to genetically characterize the species of Crassostrea occurring along the Brazilian coast, and phylogenetically relate these to other Crassostrea from different parts of the world. Sequencing of the partial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I gene (COI), revealed a total of three species of Crassostrea at 16 locations along the Brazilian coast. C. gasar was found from Curuçá (Pará state) to Santos (São Paulo state), and C. rhizophorae from Fortim (Ceará state) to Florianópolis (Santa Catarina state), although small individuals of the latter species were also found at Ajuruteua beach (municipality of Bragança, Pará state). An unidentified Crassostrea species was found only on Canela Island, Bragança. Crassostrea gasar and C. rhizophorae grouped with C. virginica, thereby forming a monophyletic Atlantic group, whereas Crassostrea sp. from Canela Island was shown to be more similar to Indo-Pacific oysters, and either arrived in the Atlantic Ocean before the convergence of the Isthmus of Panama or was accidentally brought to Brazil by ship.

RESUMO

Oysters (Ostreidae) manifest a high degree of phenotypic plasticity, whereby morphology is of limited value for species identification and taxonomy. By using molecular data, the aim was to genetically characterize the species of Crassostrea occurring along the Brazilian coast, and phylogenetically relate these to other Crassostrea from different parts of the world. Sequencing of the partial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I gene (COI), revealed a total of three species of Crassostrea at 16 locations along the Brazilian coast. C. gasar was found from Curuçá (Pará state) to Santos (São Paulo state), and C. rhizophorae from Fortim (Ceará state) to Florianópolis (Santa Catarina state), although small individuals of the latter species were also found at Ajuruteua beach (municipality of Bragança, Pará state). An unidentified Crassostrea species was found only on Canela Island, Bragança. Crassostrea gasar and C. rhizophorae grouped with C. virginica, thereby forming a monophyletic Atlantic group, whereas Crassostrea sp. from Canela Island was shown to be more similar to Indo-Pacific oysters, and either arrived in the Atlantic Ocean before the convergence of the Isthmus of Panama or was accidentally brought to Brazil by ship.

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