Publications

The genetic structure of 252 genotypes of 53 lentil Moroccan landraces from
different geographic origins was assessed using 19 microsatellites molecular
markers. According to STRUCTURE software based on Bayesian approach,
the best genetic structure model displays two gene pools (with the Evanno ad
hoc statistic ΔK=168.167) of contrasting sizes under the assignment
probability higher than 80%. A small set of landraces, mainly from ...

Little introduction is needed on the problems vultures are currently facing. Alongside devastating reports describing the ongoing massacre and the overall speed at which we are losing these natural scavengers, more positive signals are to be picked up from France, were vultures are taking up their important ecological role again. For Eurasian black vultures, assisted recolonization started 26 years ago. Alongside many other actions the idea to ...

Huge losses in biodiversity became a key feature to describe what happened during the last two centuries. At present, many species are indeed at the brink of extinction, which led to a rise in conservation initiatives. Reintroductions have gained importance in many of such initiatives. Not all restorations however seemed to be as efficient as originally planned. Largely driven by vast investments on the field, vulture reintroduction programs can ...

Starting from a cDNA library made from flowers of the Rhododendron simsii hybrid ‘Flamenco’, 200 cDNA fragments were randomly picked and sequenced. The putative functions of the cDNA fragments were determined by comparison of the sequences with EMBL accessions. Reliable homologies were found for 30 % of the fragments. Primers were developed on 87 cDNA fragments and used for PCR amplification on 6 different azalea cultivars and species. ...

Understanding connectivity among populations in fragmented landscapes is of paramount importance in species conservation because it determines their long-term viability and helps to identify and prioritize populations to conserve. Rare and sedentary species are particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation as they occupy narrow niches or restricted habitat ranges. Here, we assess contemporary inter-population connectedness of the threatened, ...

A genomic library was constructed from DNA of two azalea genotypes: a Belgian pot azalea R. simsii hybrid Mevr. Van Belie and a Chinese R. simsii from Daoxian. An enrichment of microsatellite containing sequences was performed as in Van de Wiel et nl. (1999). Fragments were sequenced and primers were designed that allow the amplification of the microsatellite repeat. About 220 microsatellite containing clones were selected from the enrichment ...

The genetic variation within and between wild apple samples (Malus sylvestris) and cultivated apple trees was investigated with amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) and microsatellite markers to develop a conservation genetics programme for the endangered wild apple in Belgium. In total, 76 putative wild apples (originating from Belgium and Germany), six presumed hybrids and 39 cultivars were typed at 12 simple sequence repeats (SSR) ...

Arabidopsis halleri, a close wild relative of A. thaliana, is a clonal, insect-pollinated herb tolerant to heavy metals (Zn, Pd, Cd) and a hyperaccumulator of Zn and Cd. It is of particular interest in the study of evolutionary processes and phytoremediation. However, little is known about its population gene flow patterns and the structure of its genetic diversity. We used five microsatellite loci to investigate the genetic structure at a fine ...

Populus nigra L. is a pioneer tree species of riparian ecosystems that is threatened with extinction because of the loss of its natural habitat. To evaluate the existing genetic diversity of P. nigra within ex-situ collections, we analyzed 675 P. nigra L. accessions from nine European gene banks with three amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and five microsatellite [or simple sequence repeat (SSR)] primer combinations, and 11 isozyme ...

To generate inexpensive and efficient DNA markers for addressing a number of population genetics problems and identification of wild hybrids in Vasconcellea, we have evaluated the use of simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers previously developed for other species. A set of 103 Vasconcellea accessions and some individuals of the related genera Carica and Jacaratia were analyzed with 10 primer pairs directing amplification of chloroplast ...