Rapid development of microsatellite markers for the critically endangered Saiga (Saiga tatarica) using IlluminaA® Miseq next generation sequencing technology

We developed 17 variable microsatellite markers for the threatened Saiga antelope. Using one Illumina Miseq lane resulted in 105,948 unique fragments containing a microsatellite motif. Eighty-one ordered primer pairs resulted in 26 analyzable fragments, of which 17 markers showed variability in at least one population from Kazakhstan. Number of alleles ranged from 2 to 11 and values of heterozygosity varied from 0.08 to 0.91 (H-O) and 0.08 to 0.88 (H-E). The markers are currently used to delineate conservation units and to help understanding annual migration dynamics in this species.