Isolation and characterization of fifteen microsatellite loci from the endangered pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus, Cervidae)

Abstract

Ozotoceros bezoarticus is categorized as Threatened in Argentina. In this study, we report 15 microsatellite loci-in the Argentinian populations, 12 are polymorphic and 3 monomorphic-isolated from a dinucleotide enriched genomic library. Among 59 individuals sampled from the four remaining populations in Argentina, the mean number of alleles was 7. 58, the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0. 33 to 0. 88 and the observed heterozygosity from 0. 08 to 0. 83. Three loci showed deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Some of the loci showed linkage disequilibrium, although there was no coincident pattern for this parameter in all populations. The primers reported here constitute the first specific set for the species, and their use will be invaluable to generate the necessary information on genetic diversity in order to help conservation plans. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.