Twenty-five microsatellites of red pandas identified by genome survey

Author of the article:Yang AL, Xie JJ, Shen FJ, Zhagn WP, Hou R, Zhang Z

Author's Workplace：Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology for Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding; Beijing Normal University,

Key Words：Ailurus fulgens, red panda, microsatellite, population analysis

Abstract：We developed 467 microsatellite loci from a microsatellite-enriched database for red panda (Ailurus fulgens) using the Roche454 Genome Sequencer Platform. From this database, we isolated and characterized 115 microsatellite loci and chose 25 to genotype in 42 red pandas, with repeat motif like (TAT), (GATA), (AAACA), (AAAACA) and so on. The number of observed alleles ranged from 3 to 10. Observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.143 to 0.929 and 0.136 to 0.869, respectively. The mean polymorphic information content was 0.128 to 0.843, and the loci were not deviated from expectation of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. We recommend that these markers be used in the systematic control of genetic management for red pandas. These markers could also be used as powerful tools applying in the population genetic research of Ailurus fulgens in the future.