Development of 34 new and multiplexing of seven existing microsatellite loci for Zootoca vivipara (Squamata: Lacertidae)

Abstract

Development of 34 new and multiplexing of seven existing microsatellite loci for Zootoca vivipara (Squamata: Lacertidae). Few microsatellite loci exist for the European common lizard Zootoca vivipara, a widely used model species for studying population dynamics, sexual selection, population genetics, parity evolution, and physiology. The existing primers did not amplify in all lineages, and multiplexes were not optimised. In this work, a total of 34 new polymorphic microsatellite markers have been developed for this species and tested in 64 specimens belonging to oviparous and viviparous clades (B and D). The microsatellites were combined into seven different multiplexes. Results showed that all but one loci successfully amplified in all samples and both clades. The number of alleles detected per locus ranged from seven to 22 alleles and the effective number from 1.58 to 7.82. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.312 to 0.930, showing that all loci were highly variable. Oviparous and viviparous clades exhibited significant genetic differences (in FST). In addition to these new markers, the 7 previously published and widely used microsatellite loci have been multiplexed and tested in oviparous clades. All these innovations will allow for time-saving and robust analyses in Zootoca vivipara, boosting evolutionary and population studies and easing paternity analyses.