Identification and evaluation of 21 novel microsatellite markers from the autumnal moth (Epirrita autumnata) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

摘要

The autumnal moth (Epirrita autumnata) is a cyclically outbreaking forestLepidoptera with circumpolar distribution and substantial impact on Northern ecosystems.We have isolated 21 microsatellites from the species to facilitate population genetic studiesof population cycles, outbreaks, and crashes. First, PCR primers and PCR conditions weredeveloped to amplify 19 trinucleotide loci and two tetranucleotide loci in six multiplex PCRapproaches and then analyzed for species specificity, sensitivity and precision. Twelve ofthe loci showed simple tandem repeat array structures while nine loci showed imperfectrepeat structures, and repeat numbers varied in our material between six and 15. Theapplication in population genetics for all the 21 microsatellites were further validated in48 autumnal moths sampled from Northern Norway, and allelic variation was detected in19 loci. The detected numbers of alleles per locus ranged from two to 13, and the observedand expected heterozygosities varied from 0.04 to 0.69 and 0.04 to 0.79, respectively.Evidence for linkage disequilibrium was found for six loci as well as indication of one null allele. We find that these novel microsatellites and their multiplex-PCR assaysare suitable for further research on fine- and large-scale population-genetic studies ofEpirrita autumnata.tri- and tetranucleotide microsatellites; multiplex PCR; Lepidoptera;population genetics