Conserved microsatellite markers of high cross-species utility for flying, ground and tree squirrels

Many squirrel species around the world are threatened by forest loss and fragmentation. To facilitate studies of squirrel biodiversity, particularly of flying squirrels in Southeast Asia, we identified Hylopetes, Menetes, Glaucomys and Sciurus squirrel microsatellite sequences with homologs in a second squirrel species (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus), designed 40 consensus markers and tested three squirrel species. When tested in four individuals per species, 26 markers were variable in Hylopetes phayrei, 25 markers in H. lepidus and 25 markers in Menetes berdmorei. Eleven markers were selected from 14 that were polymorphic in all three species. Cross-species utility was confirmed for these 11 markers in seven additional squirrel species, including: the flying squirrels H. phayrei, H. lepidus, H. spadiceus and Petaurista petaurista; a ground squirrel, M. berdmorei; and the tree squirrels, Callosciurus caniceps and C. finlaysoni. The other markers that were variable in one or multiple species are also useful for those specific species.