Genetic relationships in the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) analysed by microsatellite DNA markers

Microsatellite DNA markers were developed from a peregrine falcon (Falco pe regrinus) and genetic relationships among peregrine falcons in southern Nor way were analysed using the markers. The genomic DNA library was screened f or the presence of dinucleotide microsatellite repeats. Twelve loci reveale d polymorphism through the initial analysis of 24 unrelated peregrine falco ns, and Mendelian inheritance was confirmed in two peregrine falcon familie s bred in captivity. The estimated mean probability of identical genotypes in two unrelated individuals was 3x10(-8), and the combined exclusion proba bility for parentage testing was 0.99 and 0.94 for one or both parents unkn own, respectively. The markers were used to investigate the parentage of pe regrine broods from the same nest site from different breeding seasons, and subsequently the nest-site fidelity of the breeding peregrines. High nest- site fidelity was found by studying pairwise comparisons of relatedness (r( xy)) estimates among chicks at six nest sites from three different breeding seasons. Cross-species amplifications showed that most loci also appeared to amplify polymorphic products in the gyrfalcon (F. rusticolus), merlin (E columbarius), hobby (E subbuteo) and kestrel (E tinnunculus), demonstratin g that the loci will provide powerful genetic markers in these falcons too.