Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in vulnerable Chinese egret (Egretta eulophotes: Aves)

Abstract

Eighteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from the vulnerable Chinese egret Egretta eulophotes using the magnetic bead-based enrichment method, and were tested in a sample of 20 individuals from a Chinese egret population distributed in Fujian province of China. The number of alleles range from 2 to 9 per locus with the observed and expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.20 to 0.85 and 0.18 to 0.82, respectively. One locus deviated significantly from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and no pairs showed evidence of linkage disequilibrium after sequential bonferroni correction. These loci were also confirmed useful for the cross-amplifications in other five ardeid species. These new microsatellite markers will be useful for the further studies on the genetic structure, molecular evolution and conservation management of this vulnerable species and the other ardeid species.