Abstract
Applicability of seven primer sets, originally designed for polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) amplification of microsatellite DNA in the gray-sided vole, Clethrionomys rufocanus, was examined in other 12 microtine species from three genera (Clethrionomys, Eothenomys and Microtus). Of the primer sets used, one distinctly amplified PCR products in all the species examined. Three sets gave PCR products in all but one species. The remaining three sets failed to amplify any products in several species. Non-amplification occurred mostly in Microtus species, although two primer sets were not available for two Clethrionomys species. Since most amplified loci showed allelic variations, the present primers are useful for molecular ecological studies of related microtines, especially Clethrionomys and Eothenomys species.
