Microsatellite variation in two species of the genus Marmota (Rodentia, Sciuridae) [Variation des microsatellites chez deux espèces du genre Marmota (Rodentia, Sciuridae)].

Résumé

Three new microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized in the Alpine marmot (Marmota marmota). Using these markers together with the previously published L-I microsatellite locus eight populations from Austria, Switzerland and Spain were analysed. In the autochthonous populations the expected heterozygosity values (H(c)) are rather similar (from 23.1 to 30.2), whereas the introduced populations show a much broader range (from 3.4 to 60.1). Only two of the introduced populations from Austria appear to be genetically deprived. Some of the introduced populations are even highly variable, e.g., the populations from the Pyrenees and from Turracher Hohe. The allele frequencies and the occurrence of particular alleles allow for the estimation of the origins of the introduced populations. The three primer pairs designed for M. marmota proved to be also applicable for cross species amplification of the microsatellites in the North American species Marmota vancouverensis. For the study of this highly endangered species, hair samples were used for DNA-extraction and microsatellite analysis. The results obtained for the three loci reveal a severe reduction of genetic variability.