title: Characterization of microsatellite markers for the Restinga Antwren, Formicivora littoralis (Thamnophilidae), an endangered bird endemic to Brazil.
abstract: Molecular markers are important tools in determining parentage, gene flow, and the genetic structure of species. In the case of rare, endemic, and/or threatened species, these markers can be used to understand key ecological questions and support conservation actions. We developed seven microsatellite markers for the only bird endemic to the Restinga ecosystem. Microsatellite loci were isolated from a library that was based on 10 individuals (six males and four females). Primers were tested in 107 individuals of the same population. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 19, and the observed and expected heterozygosity varied from 0.15 to 0.84 and from 0.60 to 0.89, respectively. We expect that the polymorphic microsatellite loci we describe will be useful for other studies, particularly in the Tropics.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil flaviagchaves@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Chaves
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Vecchi
authors.affiliation: Neurobiology and Behavior Department, Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Webster
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: M A S
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Alves
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D056727:Endangered Species; D005260:Female; D056426:Genetic Loci; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics*; D046109:Passeriformes / Q000235:genetics*