Isolation and characterization of microsatellite DNA loci from Ambystoma salamanders
Dean A. Croshaw1,2,* Nancy A. Schable1 Maureen B.
Peters 1 & Travis C. Glenn1,3
1Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia,
Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA;
2Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Orleans,
New Orleans, LA 70148, USA;
3Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina,
Columbia, SC 29208, USA
(*Corresponding author: Phone: +803-725-5873; Fax: +803-725-3309; E-mail:
croshaw@srel.edu)
Received 13 July 2004; accepted 26 July 2004
Key words: Ambystoma opacum, Ambystoma talpoideum, microsatellites,
PCR primers, STR
Amphibians are experiencing worldwide population declines and many species
are becoming extinct, endangered, or threatened (Pechmann and Wake 1997;
Alford and Richards 1999). Destruction, alteration, and fragmentation
of suitable habitat are likely major factors contributing to these declines
(e.g., Petranka et al. 1993; Delis et al. 1996; Hecnar and M'Closkey 1996;
Semlitsch and Bodie 1998; Vos and Chardon 1998). Assessing the impacts
of such changes in landscape ecology requires knowledge of population
genetic structure and metapopulation dynamics at a small geographic scale.
For example, it is important for conservation managers to understand patterns
of gene flow among populations and their relationship to landscape-level
habitat heterogeneity. Genetic markers may be used to detect population
subdivision and interconnection and can provide useful information for
theoretical population biologists and applied conservationists (e.g.,
Newman and Squire 2001).
SREL Reprint #2887
Croshaw, D. A., N. A. Schable, M. B. Peters and T. C. Glenn. 2005. Isolation and characterization of microsatellite DNA loci from Ambystoma salamanders. Conservation Genetics 6:473-479.
