Development of 22 Microsatellite Markers for Assessing Hybridization in the Genus Gekko (Squamata: Gekkonidae)

Abstract

Gekko yakuensis and G. tawaensis, both endemic to western Japan, are threatened by genetic introgression from G. hokouensis and G. japonicus, respectively. To know detailed situation of their hybridizations for planning relevant conservation measures, development of sensitive genetic markers is desired. We here developed microsatellite markers based on the sequences obtained from G. hokouensis using 454 GS Junior sequencer, and tested stability of PCR amplification and species-specificity of alleles at each locus using G. hokouensis, G. yakuensis, G. japonicus, and G. tawaensis. The results showed that 22 loci were almost constantly amplified in more than one species. We further confirmed that there were fixed or nearly fixed allelic displacement between G. hokouensis and G. yakuensis, and between G. japonicus and G. tawaensis at 14 loci. Thus, these 22 loci are considered to be useful for evaluation of hybridizations between these pairs of species.