A Core Set of Microsatellite Loci for Yellow-throated Marten, Martes Flavigula: a Case of Inferences of Family Relationships

Background: Microsatellite markers are an ideal molecular marker for population genetic studies such as population structure, pedigree, and kinship. The yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula) is widely distributed in coniferous and deciduous forests of eastern Asia and plays the role of an indicator and umbrella species in South Korea, given the absence of top predators such as tiger and leopard.

Objective: The aim of our study was to establish a core set of microsatellite markers that could be used for a population genetics study on M. flavigula.

Methods: We characterized 21 di-motif microsatellites for M. flavigula by Illumina next-generation sequencing. We evaluated them for a population genetics study against five established criteria together with 33 previously developed microsatellites. We calculated relatedness values between individual yellow-throated martens in two groups that were suspected to be siblings using the selected core set of markers to confirm applicability.

Results: Twenty-three loci were determined as the core set of microsatellite markers. The probability of identity P) and probability of identity between siblings P of the core set was estimated as 2 and 2.2, respectively. Relatedness values between individuals in the two groups of M. flavigula revealed that one of the pairs was sisters, confirming that the core set can be applied to kinship studies.

Conclusion: The developed microsatellite core set in this study is expected to contribute to studies on molecular ecology and population structure of M. flavigula.