title: Two distinct mtDNA lineages among captive African penguins in Japan.
abstract: The African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) is one of the world's most endangered seabirds. In Japan, although the number of African penguins in captivity continues to increase, genetic data have not been collected for either wild or captive populations. To reveal genetic diversity and characterization in captive African penguins, we analyzed the nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from a sample of 236 African penguins. Analysis of 433 bp of the control region and 1,140 bp of cytochrome b sequences revealed the existence of two mtDNA clades. Control region haplotypes were much more divergent (d=3.39%) between the two clades than within each clade. The divergence of these clades may reflect differences at the subspecies or geographical population level in African penguins. These findings suggest that at least two distinct maternal lineages exist in the wild populations of the African penguin.
authors: Laboratory of Molecular Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan.
authors: Michiko
authors: M
authors: Murata
authors: Masaru
authors: M
authors: Murakami
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D001483:Base Sequence; D045303:Cytochromes b / Q000235:genetics; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D056727:Endangered Species; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006239:Haplotypes / Q000235:genetics; D007564:Japan; D019901:Locus Control Region / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013045:Species Specificity; D046429:Spheniscidae / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D045303:Cytochromes b