SREL Reprint #2887

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite DNA loci from Ambystoma salamanders

Dean A. Croshaw1,2, Nancy A. Schable1, Maureen B. Peters1, and Travis C. Glenn1,3

1Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
2Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70148, USA
3Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA

Abstract: Amphibians are experiencing worldwide population declines and many species are becoming extinct, endangered, or threatened (Pechmann and Wake 1997; Alford and Richards 1999). Destruction, alteration, and fragmentation of suitable habitat are likely major factors contributing to these declines (e.g., Petranka et al. 1993; Delis et al. 1996; Hecnar and M'Closkey 1996; Semlitsch and Bodie 1998; Vos and Chardon 1998). Assessing the impacts of such changes in landscape ecology requires knowledge of population genetic structure and metapopulation dynamics at a small geographic scale. For example, it is important for conservation managers to understand patterns of gene flow among populations and their relationship to landscape-level habitat heterogeneity. Genetic markers may be used to detect population subdivision and interconnection and can provide useful information for theoretical population biologists and applied conservationists (e.g., Newman and Squire 2001).

Key words: Ambystoma opacum, Ambystoma talpoideum, microsatellites, PCR primers, STR

SREL Reprint #2887

Croshaw, D. A., N. A. Schable, M. B. Peters, and T. C. Glenn. 2005. Isolation and characterization of microsatellite DNA loci from Ambystoma salamanders. Conservation Genetics 6:473-479.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).