PCR primers for microsatellite loci in a Madagascan waterbird, the Sakalava Rail (Amaurornis olivieri)

We isolated 76 microsatellite loci from the Sakalava rail (Amaurornis olivieri) genome. These were tested in 30 individuals from six sites (in three regions) across the species' range in Madagascar. Thirty-four of the 76 loci produced unambiguous polymorphic markers, with mean H-e = 0.544 (range 0.0678-0.885), mean H-o = 0.430 (range 0.0400-0.767) and mean N-a = 4.59 (range 2-10). In addition, we tested all primers for amplification in the Wood rail, Canirallus kioloides (N = 3) and the Bemaraha rail, Canirallus sp. nov (N = 3). Twelve of the loci produced successful amplification with eight loci showing polymorphism.