Genome-Wide Microsatellite Characterization and Molecular Marker Development of Himalayan Griffon (<i>Gyps himalayensis</i>)

The Himalayan griffon (<i>Gyps himalayensis</i>), an obligate scavenging bird in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, provides significant ecological services but is currently listed as near threatened. Despite their importance for conservation, genome-wide screening for microsatellites (or SSRs)...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Weibin Guo, Dianhua Ke, Changcao Wang, Haiying Fan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/10/1438
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Summary:The Himalayan griffon (<i>Gyps himalayensis</i>), an obligate scavenging bird in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, provides significant ecological services but is currently listed as near threatened. Despite their importance for conservation, genome-wide screening for microsatellites (or SSRs) in <i>G. himalayensis</i> and the development of corresponding molecular markers have been lacking. This study presents the first in-depth characterization of genome-wide microsatellites in <i>G. himalayensis</i> and the successful development of polymorphic SSR markers. A total of 240,741 microsatellite loci were detected in the <i>G. himalayensis</i> genome, with an average density of 202.2 SSRs per Mb, accounting for 0.44% of the genome. Mononucleotide repeats (53.2%) were the most prevalent among the different microsatellite motif types. Additionally, 100 primer pairs were initially identified, with 17 found to be polymorphic markers. These loci hold significant potential for revealing genotypic diversity in <i>G. himalayensis</i>, thereby laying a foundation for the conservation of this species.
ISSN:2076-2615