title: Development of polymorphic microsatellite markers for the New Zealand black stilt (Himantopus novaezelandiae) and cross-amplification in the pied stilt (Himantopus himantopus leucocephalus).
abstract: Eight polymorphic microsatellite primer pairs were developed for the critically endangered New Zealand black stilt, Himantopus novaezelandiae, representing the first microsatellite markers available for birds in the family Recurvirostridae. The number of alleles ranged from two to four per locus. Observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.30 to 0.80 and from 0.37 to 0.70, respectively. All eight loci were polymorphic in the related species Himantopus himantopus leucocephalus, indicating these primer pairs may be useful for additional taxa in the globally distributed genus Himantopus.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Tammy E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Steeves
authors.forename: Marie L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Hale
authors.forename: Neil J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Gemmell