Development and cross‐species amplification of 18 microsatellite markers in the Sumatran tiger (<i>Panthera tigris sumatrae</i>)

Abstract

Abstract Eighteen polymorphic microsatellite loci from the highly endangered Sumatran tiger ( Panthera tigris sumatrae ) were isolated and characterized. Upon polymerase chain reaction amplification, 16 of these markers produced a single, sharp band in all three tiger and 10 non‐tiger felid species examined. Of the two remaining loci, 6HDZ057 and 6HDZ635 failed to amplify genomic DNA from puma ( Felis concolor ) and cheetah ( Acinonyx jubatus ), respectively. The amplification of these markers across four genera is an indication of their usefulness for population genetics studies and conservation work in a wide range of felid species.