Abstract:
We used a next generation sequencing (NGS)
approach to screen for genome-wide nuclear microsatellite
loci in the common (Indian) myna, Acridotheres tristis. In
addition, markers previously developed for other Sturnidae
species were tested for cross-amplification in A. tristis. In
total, we identified 20 loci from NGS data and tested 26
loci for cross-amplification. Out of all loci (NGS developed
and cross-amplified), 16 unlinked loci showed polymorphism,
ranging from 2 to 9 alleles per locus. Test individuals
were obtained from the invasive ranges of common
myna in South Africa. Overall, expected and observed
heterozygosities ranged from 0.089 to 0.802 and from
0.094 to 0.906, respectively. These markers will be used to shed light on invasion genetics and landscape-scale
dynamics of invasive A. tristis in South Africa.
