Murray State University
Microsatellite Analysis of a Polymorphic Population of Tiger Salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum
Institution
Murray State University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Howard Whiteman; Nicole Gerlanc
Abstract
The ultimate goal of this study is to assess fitness trade-offs in a polymorphic population of Tiger Salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum, using six microsatellite sequences as genetic markers to assign parentage. Using known parent/offspring combinations, we hope to gain an understanding of why a polymorphism is maintained in a particular population and not others. Once an understanding of why a polymorphism is maintained, it may be possible to predict under which environmental conditions each morphology is favored. Sexually mature male and female salamanders were placed in mesh "clutch bags" during the breeding seasons of 2005 and 2006 at the Mexican Cut Nature Preserve in Colorado and allowed to breed. Tissue samples from the known mother and presumed father, and a portion of the eggs laid in the "clutch bags" were then collected. Twenty-five clutches from both metamorphic and paedomorphic individuals were used in the analysis. To date, we have extracted DNA from 99 individuals and assessed the allelic variation for 6 primers.
Microsatellite Analysis of a Polymorphic Population of Tiger Salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum
The ultimate goal of this study is to assess fitness trade-offs in a polymorphic population of Tiger Salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum, using six microsatellite sequences as genetic markers to assign parentage. Using known parent/offspring combinations, we hope to gain an understanding of why a polymorphism is maintained in a particular population and not others. Once an understanding of why a polymorphism is maintained, it may be possible to predict under which environmental conditions each morphology is favored. Sexually mature male and female salamanders were placed in mesh "clutch bags" during the breeding seasons of 2005 and 2006 at the Mexican Cut Nature Preserve in Colorado and allowed to breed. Tissue samples from the known mother and presumed father, and a portion of the eggs laid in the "clutch bags" were then collected. Twenty-five clutches from both metamorphic and paedomorphic individuals were used in the analysis. To date, we have extracted DNA from 99 individuals and assessed the allelic variation for 6 primers.