SREL Reprint #3116

Development and characterization of microsatellite loci in the American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)

Caleb R. Hickman1, Maureen B. Peters1, Nicholas G. Crawford1, Cris Hagen1,
Travis C. Glenn1,2, and Christopher M. Somers3

1Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
2Department of Environmental Health Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
3Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada S4S 0A2

Abstract: We isolated and characterized nine microsatellite loci from the American white pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos. The loci were screened in 23 individuals from the eastern and western populations of North America and were polymorphic, with the number of alleles per locus ranging from two to eight. Polymorphic information content ranged from 0.185 to 0.820 and observed heterozygosity from 0.217 to 0.957. These new loci will provide tools for studies of population structure in this species, thereby aiding conservation planning.

Key words: American white pelican, microsatellites, PCR, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos, population structure, primers

SREL Reprint #3116

Hickman, C. R., M. B. Peters, N. G. Crawford, C. Hagen, T. C. Glenn, and C. M. Somers. 2008. Development and characterization of microsatellite loci in the American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos). Molecular Ecology Resources 8(2008): 1439-1441.

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