title: Microsatellite loci for Euglossa annectans (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and their variability in other orchid bees.
abstract: Orchid or euglossine bees are conspicuous Hymenoptera of the Neotropics, where they pollinate numerous plants, including orchids. Allozyme-based analyses have suggested that their populations suffer from inbreeding, as evidenced by so-called diploid male production. We have developed nine polymorphic microsatellite loci for the widespread Euglossa annectans, with observed heterozygosities ranging from 0.143 to 0.952 and between 2 and 9 alleles per species. These loci will be useful for analysis of relatedness, population genetic structure and diploid male production in this and related species.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK. r.paxton@qub.ac.uk
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Paxton
authors.forename: Marion U
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: Zobel
authors.forename: Josefina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steiner
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zillikens