Isolation and characterization of 15 new microsatellite markers for the globally endangered Lear's macaw...

A set of 16 microsatellite markers was characterized for Lear's macaw (Anodorhynchus leari) using DNA samples from captive individuals. Extending this molecular toolkit, including the use of samples from wild individuals, is expected to provide the required power of resolution for pedigree inference of both wild and captive individuals, and could support research on the genetic structure of wild populations. We characterize a set of 15 microsatellite markers optimized for the Lear's macaw, developed from a microsatellite-enriched library in a three-step procedure. Primer pairs were initially designed for 62 microsatellites with > 7 tandem repetitions. After amplification of DNA of five wild individuals from different localities, 22 loci seemed to be polymorphic and were further tested on 12 wild nestling samples. Fifteen unlinked loci showed unambiguous peaks and low to moderate polymorphism levels. The combination of the four most polymorphic markers allowed individual identification even of putative sibs.These markers complement previously described microsatellites developed for A. leari and constitute a fundamental genetic toolkit for the investigation of the genetics of both wild and captive populations, thus assisting integrated management plans for the conservation of this globally endangered species.