Thirty polymorphic microsatellite loci from the critically endangered kakapo (Strigops habroptilus)

Thirty polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed from the critically endangered kakapo (Strigops habroptilus), using an enriched genomic library. Characterization of loci using 90 kakapo revealed an average of 3.3 alleles per locus (range: 2-5) and an average expected heterozygosity of 0.47 (range: 0.17-0.70). The probability of identity (7.2 x 10⁻¹⁵) and probability of exclusion (0.999999) demonstrate that these loci are a highly informative marker set that can aid the genetic management of the kakapo.