Howie, Roslyn (2021) Strength in diversity: Investigating methods to determine genetic variability in a captive colony of small carnivorous marsupials, the fat-tailed dunnart Sminthopsis crassicaudata. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
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Text (Dissertation)
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Abstract
The importance of preserving genetic diversity is emerging as a critical issue in conservation. Loss of genetic diversity has serious implications for the fitness and viability of species, populations, ecosystems, and ecological processes. Advances in molecular monitoring tools and techniques are increasing their scope and application to a range of conservation management techniques. The aim of this project is to investigate methodologies for the examination of genetic variation within a captive colony of fat-tailed dunnarts (Sminthopsis crassicaudata), a small carnivorous marsupial of the order Dasyuromorphia. DNA was extracted from 100 preserved specimens from the captive colony and three preserved wild specimens. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify cytochrome c oxidase (COX), ω-globin, and D-Loop Control Region (CR) genes. DNA sequencing was conducted on the COX gene for 14 individuals to examine levels of variation at that locus. A draft fat-tailed dunnart genome was then examined in silico to identify perfect tri-nucleotide microsatellites and primers. Primers for 20 prospective microsatellite loci were synthesized and screened against a subset of the population. The DNA sequencing revealed no variation within the samples from the captive colony, and a high degree of homology (99%) to other fat-tailed dunnart genomes. The results of the microsatellite design and amplification successfully isolated a single microsatellite which was found to contain both polymorphism and heterozygosity. To our knowledge, this is the first time a microsatellite has been successfully isolated within the fat-tailed dunnart genome. The success of the methods trialed in this project will allow for the development of a suite of microsatellites within the fat-tailed dunnart genome that can be applied to population genetic studies of fat-tailed dunnarts and other marsupial species.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Sciences (6 Sep 2019 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Murray, Peter |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 28 Jun 2023 23:54 |
| Last Modified: | 28 Jun 2023 23:54 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Fat-tailed dunnart, Sminthopsis crassicaudata, captive breeding, founders, genetic variation, genetic diversity, phylogenetics, microsatellites. |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3105 Genetics > 310599 Genetics not elsewhere classified 31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3105 Genetics > 310509 Genomics |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/51762 |
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