Characterisation of 16 microsatellite markers via 454 sequencing, to aid ex-situ conservation of the scimitar-horned oryx, Oryx dammah.

摘要

Using 454 sequencing, we developed 16 novel microsatellite loci in the scimitar-horned oryx, Oryx dammah, a member of the Bovidae endemic to north Africa, now listed as 'Extinct in the Wild' and requiring intensive ex-situ management for species persistence. These loci were used to characterise diversity in a portion of the captive Australian population which has yet to be thoroughly investigated via molecular methods. Fourteen out of the 16 loci were polymorphic in the Australian population, with a mean of 2 (+or-0.23) alleles per loci. These new markers will be useful in determining genetically important individuals from the global O. dammah population for captive breeding programs.