SREL Reprint #3274

Development and characterization of microsatellite loci for two species of Beringian birds, rock sandpiper (Calidris ptilocnemis) and Pacific wren (Troglodytes pacificus)

Christin L. Pruett1, Cesili Whelan1, Angela Ricono1, Stacey L. Lance2, Travis Glenn3, Brant Faircloth4,
and Kevin Winker5

1Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA
2Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
3Department of Environmental Health Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
4Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
5University of Alaska Museum, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA

Abstract: Identification and assessment of small, endemic populations are priorities for conservation. We isolated and characterized 8 rrilcrosatellite loci from rock sandpiper (Calidris ptilocnemis) and 5 microsatellite loci from Pacific wren (Troglodytes pacificus), species with endemic populations of named subspecies that are of conservation concern. Eighteen to 20 individuals of each species from several locations in Alaska were screened for polymorphism. Loci for each species showed high polymorphism, with rock sandpiper ranging from 5 to 14 alleles per locus and 0.73-0.88 expected heterozygosity and Pacific wren ranging from 5 to 14 alleles per locus and 0.55-0.91 expected heterozygosity. Loci developed for rock sandpipers were also polymorphic in closely related taxa. These loci are the first developed for either species and will be used to identify and conserve endemic populations in the Bering Sea region.

Keywords: Troglodytes, Calidris, PCR primers, Microsatellite, Aleutian Islands, Pribilof Islands

SREL Reprint #3274

Pruett, C. L., C. Whelan, A. Ricono, S. L. Lance, T. Glenn, B. Faircloth, and K. Winker. 2014. Development and characterization of microsatellite loci for two species of Beringian birds, rock sandpiper (Calidris ptilocnemis) and Pacific wren (Troglodytes pacificus). Conservation Genetic Resources 6(1): 175-177.

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