title: Characterization of 15 tetranucleotide microsatellite markers in the ringtail (Bassariscus astutus).
abstract: We characterized 15 polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite markers for the ringtail, Bassariscus astutus. We tested these loci in 21 individuals captured in Arizona and Texas and found six to 19 alleles per locus. Observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.381 to 1.000 and from 0.381 to 0.941, respectively. All loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and none were in linkage disequilibrium. These markers may be used to investigate population genetics and mating patterns in this species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, 621 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, New Mexico State University, Knox Hall 132, 2980 South Espina, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA.
authors.forename: Rena M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Schweizer
authors.forename: Gary W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Roemer
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Pollinger
authors.forename: Robert K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Wayne