novel microsatellite multiplex assay for the endangered Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi)

The Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi) is endemic to the Hawaiian archipelago and is among the most endangered marine mammal species in the world. Prior studies used mitochondrial and microsatellite markers to investigate broad scale conservation questions about genetic diversity and population differentiation. As Hawaiian monk seal population numbers continue to decline, outstanding fine-scale genetic questions require enhanced genotyping capacity of a rich archive of specimens. Here we integrate 24 novel polymorphic microsatellite markers into three multiplex polymerase chain reactions and provide summary statistics. The mean number of alleles was 2.625; mean expected and observed heterozygosities were 0.3586 and 0.3489, respectively; and mean polymorphic information content was 0.027. This multiplex assay contributes additional analytical power to further investigate genetic questions related to population recovery of an iconic endangered species.