Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the endangered lizard Gallotia bravoana and cross-species amplification in other Canarian Gallotia

Abstract

The Gallotia bravoana lizard, is an endangered species endemic to the Canary Island, entirely restricted to a very small area (similar to 1 Ha) in La Gomera. Here we report the isolation and characterization of fifteen microsatellite loci following an enrichment protocol. Although five loci were monomorphic, an average of 2.1 alleles per locus and an average observed heterozygosity of 0.423 were found (n = 33) for the remaining loci. The loci were tested for their ability to cross amplify in all Gallotia species. These microsatellites will be used to manage a captive breeding programme for this endangered species.