Characterization of twenty-six polymorphic microsatellite markers for the fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) and their utility in gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) and red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)

摘要

Twenty-six polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for the fox squirrel (Sciurus niger). The number of alleles ranged from 2 to 11 and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.037 to 0.815. Preliminary screening revealed that numerous loci also were polymorphic in other squirrel species: Sciurus carolinensis and Tamiasciurus hudsonicus. These loci should be useful tools for investigating the social structure, mating tactics and movement behavior of fox squirrels.