Microsatellite markers for Pseudoeurycea leprosa, a plethodontid salamander endemic to the Transmexican Neovolcanic Belt

Abstract

We isolated and characterized 11 polymorphic microsatellite markers for the plethodontid salamander Pseudoeurycea leprosa to obtain population genetic data necessary for the proper management of this threatened species endemic to Central México. We tested polymorphism of these loci among 50 individuals from two populations (Texcalyacac and Calpan) in the states of México and Puebla, across the Transmexican Neovolcanic Belt. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to 33 (mean; Na = 14.5). Observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.20 to 0.88 and 0.22 to 0.93, respectively. We found deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium expectations for both populations at two loci (Plt028 and Plt066) and for Calpan population at locus Plt009. Evidence of significant linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci was found only in one population. We found no evidence of large allele dropouts or stuttering, although null alleles could be present at loci Plt028 and Plt066, which showed significant excess of homozygotes. These markers will be useful for resolving fine-scale population genetic structure, gene flow, and population genetic diversity in Pseudoeurycea leprosa.