Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci for the study of Mexican howler monkeys, their natural hybrids, and other Neotropical primates

Here we present 26 microsatellite markers that can be used for the study of Alouatta palliata, A. pigra and their natural hybrids. Sixteen of these markers were isolated for other species of primates and some of these have been previously tested in A. palliata and/or A. pigra individuals. The other 10 loci were isolated from either A. palliata or A. pigra through enriched genomic libraries. Sixteen loci were polymorphic for A. palliata and 24 for A. pigra. To explore the potential use of these primers in other primate species, we attempted cross-amplification in six other Neotropical primate taxa. Twenty-five loci amplified for at least one other species of Neotropical primate.