Microsatellite markers for the large blue butterflies <i>Maculinea nausithous</i> and <i>Maculinea alcon</i> (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) and their amplification in other <i>Maculinea</i> species

Abstract

Abstract We developed microsatellite markers for Maculinea nausithous and Maculinea alcon, two of five species of endangered large blue butterflies found in Europe. Two separate microsatellite libraries were constructed. Eleven markers were developed for M. nausithous and one for M. alcon . The primers were tested on both species as well as on the three other European Maculinea species. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 14. These markers will be useful tools for population genetic studies of Maculinea species.