Characterization of 10 novel microsatellite loci and cross-amplification of two loci in the snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

We use 454 (shotgun) sequencing to obtain a partial genomic library for the snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina). We characterize ten microsatellite loci from these sequences and test cross-amplification of loci originally developed for the alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii). We genotype 127 individuals from Ontario at twelve loci. The number of alleles per locus ranges from 1 to 14; heterozygosity ranges from 0.157 to 0.850. These loci will be used to study population genetic structure in this long-lived reptile and may cross-amplify in two closely related species.