Polymorphic Microsatellite Loci and Low-invasive DNA Sampling in Macaca cyclopis

Polymorphic genetic markers and methods for DNA sampling in the field are the basic requirements for studies on population and conservation genetics of wild Macaca cyclopis. In this paper we screened microsatellites for their polymorphism and accessed the validity in paternity identification and gene typing of DNA samples from various sources. Among the 36 primer sets tested, 21 are polymorphic with an average observed heterozygosity 0.56. All the eight loci examined for a parent-offspring triad followed Medelian inheritance. Application of the two most polymorphic loci in paternity identification of a captive group showed that the top-ranking male sired all the juveniles. DNA samples from wound and menstrual bleeding, or from ejaculates and hairs produced concordant microsatellite banding patterns for specific individuals. The success in DNA extraction from samples collected low-invasively and the polymorphic loci screened in this study can be applied in future studies on population and conservation genetics of natural primate populations.