Using next-generation sequencing methods to isolate and characterize 24 simple sequence repeat loci in mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx)

Mandrill is a vulnerable Old World primate living in the rain-forests of central Africa. This species is currently facing two major human encroachments: habitat destruction and bush-meat trade. The total population size remains unknown in the wild, but it is suspected to have recently declined. We developed and characterized 24 new polymorphic microsatellite markers from the next-generation sequencing data using 66 individuals from a wild population. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 9 and the observed heterozygosity from 0.12 to 0.92. Conveniently, the developed markers did not amplify human DNA avoiding cross-species contamination. These microsatellites will be especially useful for studies based on sensible DNA, including population genetics analyses to studies in behavioral ecology.