Characterization of 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci developed for an Afrotherian species endemic to southern Africa, Elephantulus myurus (Macroscelidea : Macroscelididae)

Abstract

Fourteen microsatellite loci were developed for the eastern rock sengi, Elephantulus myurus Thomas & Schwann, 1906 by incorporating genetic diversity from across its range in South Africa. Sengis are small mammals belonging to the order Macroscelidea, which comprises 19 species, all of which are endemic to Africa. The loci were amplified in 66 individuals from six localities. An average of 10.5 alleles per locus were identified, with observed and expected heterozygosity values ranging from 0.081 – 0.909 and 0.484 – 0.885, respectively. We also investigated cross-species amplification within the family and found variation in amplification success for five different species. The preliminary results from these amplification efforts could aid further studies into aspects of species diversity and biology. The markers described here represent the first set of variable nuclear markers for the genus Elephantulus, and, together with a set of 8 recently developed markers for Rhynchocyon petersi, Bocage 1880, the first markers for the Order Macroscelidea.