Characterisation of microsatellite loci in the rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris, Acanthisittidae, AVES) and their predicted genome locations

Thirty-seven unique polymorphic microsatellite loci were characterised in 24 unrelated rifleman individuals ( Acanthisitta chloris ) sampled from a population located at Kowhai Bush, Kaikoura, New Zealand. Thirty of these loci were newly isolated from a rifleman genomic library enriched for microsatellite motifs, and seven were identified from the testing of markers of known high-cross species utility. Sequence homology to the assembled zebra finch ( Taeniopygia guttata ) genome was successfully used to predict the chromosome locations for 33 of these polymorphic loci. Three of the loci were found to be Z-linked based a lack of heterozygotes in females and sequence homology. These loci will be of utility for population and parentage studies in the rifleman. A proportion of these loci are expected be useful in the related species, such as the endangered rock wren ( Xenicus gilviventris ).