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Corner, S.; Yusbasiyan-Gurkan, V.; Agnew, D.; Venta, P.J.
Development of a 12-plex of new microsatellite markers using a novel universal primer method to evaluate the genetic diversity of jaguars (_Panthera onca_) from North American zoological institutions
2019  Conservation Genetics Resources (11): 487-497

Maintenance of genetic diversity in both zoo-managed and wild animals is critical to population health. Jaguars are considered Near Threatened throughout their geographic range, and are Endangered in the United States. Genetic diversity of zoo-managed jaguar populations in North America using microsatellite markers has not been reported. To evaluate genetic diversity in jaguars housed in North American zoological institutions compared to wild and other zoo jaguar populations, we created a 12-plex of ten tetranucleotide (n=10) and two pentanucleotide (n=2) autosomal microsatellite loci that have not previously been described for use in jaguars, using a universal primer approach which minimizes cost and DNA quantity requirements. A subset of jaguars from North American zoological institutions (n=35, approximately 28% of population) were genotyped using DNA extracted from whole blood. Microsatellite loci were polymorphic with a range of 3 -10 alleles (average 6.42 alleles per locus), and expected heterozygosity (He) between 0.47 and 0.85. Overall population He was 0.73. Probability of identity of individuals (PI) and siblings (PIsibs) were 6.7ž10-13 and 2.1ž10-5 , respectively, confirming that this panel can be used reliably to identify individuals. Using this novel multiplex microsatellite panel, we concluded that jaguars from the North American zoo population have high genetic diversity, comparable to reported wild and other zoo jaguar populations.

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