Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026
12:01
A PCR-based Genotyping Method to Distinguish Between Wild-type and Ornamental Varieties of Imperata cylindrica
Published on: February 20, 2012
34.4K
Ribosomal DNA variations in Erianthus, a wild sugarcane relative (Andropogoneae-Saccharinae)
P Besse1, C L McIntyre, N Berding
1CSIRO Division of Tropical Crops and Pastures, 306 Carmody Road, 4067, St Lucia, Qld, Australia.
Summary
New ribosomal DNA markers distinguish Erianthus species and reveal evolutionary relationships within the Saccharum complex. These genetic markers aid in tracking gene introgression in sugarcane hybrids.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Plant Genetics
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Erianthus Michx. and Saccharum L. are important genera in the grass family.
- Understanding genetic diversity and relationships within Erianthus is crucial for crop improvement and evolutionary studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify genus-specific markers for Erianthus Michx. sect. Ripidium.
- To investigate ribosomal DNA (rDNA) variation within Erianthus species.
- To clarify evolutionary relationships among Erianthus species and their placement within the Saccharum complex.
Main Methods:
- Restriction digestion analysis of 18S+26S and 5S ribosomal DNA loci.
- Comparison of rDNA restriction patterns across 11 Erianthus species and 2 Saccharum species.
- Development of genus-specific markers for Erianthus sect. Ripidium.
Main Results:
- Genus-specific markers for Erianthus sect. Ripidium were identified, differentiating it from Saccharum by an additional BamHI site in rDNA units.
- Significant length and restriction-site differences in 5S rDNA units were observed between Erianthus and Saccharum.
- Distinct rDNA restriction patterns were found among different Erianthus species, including geographical variants and species with different chromosome numbers, aiding their differentiation.
- New World Erianthus species showed varied affinities to Erianthus sect. Ripidium, Miscanthus sinensis, and S. spontaneum.
- Comparative rDNA mapping revealed unexpected insights into the relationships within the Saccharum complex, including Erianthus, Saccharum, sorghum, and maize.
Conclusions:
- Ribosomal DNA markers provide valuable tools for distinguishing Erianthus species and monitoring introgression in Saccharum x Erianthus hybrids.
- The study offers novel insights into the evolutionary history and species relationships within the genus Erianthus.
- The findings challenge existing notions about the relationships between Erianthus and other genera within the Saccharum complex.
Related Concept Videos
02:54Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons
5.9K
Genome comparison is one of the excellent ways to interpret the evolutionary relationships between organisms. The basic principle of genome comparison is that if two species share a common feature, it is likely encoded by the DNA sequence conserved between both species. The advent of genome sequencing technologies in the late 20th century enabled scientists to understand the concept of conservation of domains between species and helped them to deduce evolutionary relationships across diverse...
5.9K
00:58Genomic DNA in Eukaryotes
46.0K
Eukaryotes have large genomes compared to prokaryotes. To fit their genomes into a cell, eukaryotic DNA is packaged extraordinarily tightly inside the nucleus. To achieve this, DNA is tightly wound around proteins called histones, which are packaged into nucleosomes that are joined by linker DNA and coil into chromatin fibers. Additional fibrous proteins further compact the chromatin, which is recognizable as chromosomes during certain phases of cell division.
46.0K
01:25Genetic Variation
1.7K
Genetic variation is the diversity in DNA sequences found among individuals of the same species. This diversity is crucial for a species' survival because it helps organisms adapt to environmental changes. Genetic variation begins with fertilization, where an egg and sperm cell merge. Each of these cells carries 23 chromosomes, up to 46 in the fertilized egg. Chromosomes are long DNA strands that contain genes, the basic units of heredity.
Genes exist in different versions called alleles,...
Genes exist in different versions called alleles,...
1.7K
02:05Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?
6.2K
The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
In contrast, regions which code...
In contrast, regions which code...
6.2K
03:21Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes
7.6K
While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.
7.6K
02:18Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms
24.8K
Genetic transfer occurs when genetic information is passed from one organism to another. It occurs via two mechanisms: vertical gene transfer and horizontal gene transfer. Vertical gene transfer occurs when genetic information is transferred from one generation to the next, which happens much more frequently than horizontal gene transfer. Both sexual and asexual reproduction are forms of vertical gene transfer, where one or more organisms pass some or all of their genome onto their progeny.
24.8K