Abstract
Toll-like receptor (TLR) genes have recently been used to assess the adaptive genetic diversity under natural selection. Here, we newly developed a set of primer pairs for amplifying TLR genes (TLR1LB, TLR2A, TLR3, TLR4, TLR5, TLR7 and TLR15) in the vulnerable Chinese egret (Egretta eulophotes). The PCR products, ranged between 407 and 988 bp (an average of 762 bp), were successfully amplified by using this primer set. Sequence analyses of all these TLR genes indicated that there were 22–75 variable sites and 20–77 single nucleotide polymorphisms. This primer set was also confirmed useful for nine other ardeid species, including four members in ardeinae and five in botaurinae. The versatility of this primer set will provide a useful groundwork for the further studies on the TLR conservation genetics of this vulnerable egret and other ardeid birds.
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Acknowledgements
We thank Congran Gong, Doudou Chen and Site Luo who helped collect some samples for this study. This work was fund by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 41676123) and by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (Grant Nos. 2016YFC0502904).
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This research and all procedures involving collection of animal tissue in the wild were approved by the Administration Center for Wildlife Conservation in Fujian Province (FJWCA-1208). The scientific license for access to the study site was issued by the Administration Department of Xiamen Egret Natural Reserve (XMENR-1005). Feathers were plucked from nestlings (aged around 10 days) of the Chinese egret (Egretta eulophotes) or other ardeid species. The nestlings were immediately returned to the nest after stanching the wound with cotton. Collection of samples was conducted in the morning during the breeding season, and visits to a breeding colony were restricted to a maximum of two hours per day.
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Xu, W., Zhou, X., Fang, W. et al. Primer development of toll-like receptor genes in the vulnerable Chinese egret (Egretta eulophotes) and its applicability in Ardeidae. Conservation Genet Resour 13, 27–30 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12686-020-01179-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12686-020-01179-z