Microsatellite polymorphisms in Bolivian squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis)

Two different approaches were used to identify new microsatellite polymorph isms among captive Bolivian squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis). In the first case, PCR primers for published human microsatellite loci were screen ed using genomic DNA from squirrel monkeys. Six polymorphic loci were ident ified using DNA samples from 19 unrelated individuals. The average heterozy gosity among these six loci is 0.73. In the second set of experiments, a DN A library was created from Saimiri genomic DNA, and clones were selected fr om that library by screening with probes containing di-, tri-, and tetranuc leotide repeats. Six novel microsatellites were identified this way, with a n average heterozygosity of 0.59. Primer pairs for these six cloned microsa tellites were also screened using a series of DNA samples from ten other pl atyrrhine species to assess the potential utility of these loci in other ta xa. This study provides 12 new DNA polymorphisms that will be useful for va rious studies of this genus and demonstrates that both approaches can be us ed to develop new DNA polymorphisms in platyrrhine primates. (C) 1999 Wiley -Liss, Inc.