Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci for white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari) and cross-amplification in collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu)

White-lipped peccaries, Tayassu pecari, are neotropical ungulates whose populations have been declining in numerous locations within their geographical distribution. Here we describe 16 microsatellite loci isolated from T. pecari and their cross-amplification in collared peccaries, Pecari tajacu. In 30 individuals of T. pecari, a total of 32 alleles were found in ten polymorphic loci, ranging from 2 to 8 alleles per locus with a mean of 3.2. The expected and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.143 to 0.802 and from 0 to 0.704, respectively. Two loci deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. In P. tajacu, nine loci were polymorphic with a mean of 3.2 alleles per locus. These molecular markers will be useful to study the genetic status of peccary populations and, consequently, to help their conservation.

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

FAPESP[BIOTA 2007/03392-6]

UNIDERP

UNIDERP

FMB

FMB

IBC

IBC

Earthwatch Institute

Earthwatch Institute

WCS Brazil

WCS Brazil

CI

CI

CNPq

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

CAPES

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)