Identification of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) using human primers: application to noninvasively collected hair samples

• Published in: Molecular ecology 1999-09, Vol.8 (9), p.1556-1558
• Main Authors: Clifford, S. L., Jeffrey, K., Bruford, M. W., Wickings, E. J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; DNA - blood; DNA - genetics; DNA Primers; gorilla; Gorilla gorilla - genetics; Gorilla gorilla gorilla; Hair - chemistry; Humans; microsatellite; Microsatellite Repeats - genetics; PCR; Polymerase Chain Reaction; polymorphism; Polymorphism, Genetic; primates
• ISSN: 0962-1083; 1365-294X
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-294X.1999.07184.x

Thousands of microsatellite loci have been identified as part of the Human Genome Programme. Their evolutionary conservation allows for successful cross-species amplification in related species using the same primers and amplification conditions (Coote & Bruford 1996). Human polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers have been applied to several primate species (e.g. Morin et al. 1994; Gerloff et al. 1995; Kayser et al. 1996). Similar degrees of polymorphism are found at the equivalent primate microsatellite loci, and they can be used to discriminate between individuals. As more than five alleles often segregate within a population (e.g. Morin et al. 1994), microsatellites are highly suited as Mendelian markers for pedigree and population analyses (e.g. Coote & Bruford 1996). Sequential typing of up to 12 such loci from 20 individuals can accurately characterize genetic variability within a population (Altmann et al. 1996). We report data about cross-species amplification in western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) for 32 human microsatellite markers. This work forms part of a population genetic study examining microsatellite variation throughout the lowland gorilla range using shed hairs as the DNA source material.