Characterisation and cross-species utility of 20 microsatellite markers for population and forensic applications in the endangered Carnaby’s Black-cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus latirostris

Abstract

We characterise 20 microsatellite loci identified from the endangered Carnaby’s Black-cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris). The primers were tested across 40 individuals from the southwest of Western Australia and displayed between 4 and 11 alleles per locus with expected heterozygosities ranging from 53 to 87% and exclusion probabilities of ≥0.999. These loci will be useful in population genetic studies to facilitate conservation management decisions in addition to wildlife enforcement applications for the endangered Carnaby’s Black-cockatoo. We also tested the markers in 12 high profile and smuggled species from five genera, Cacatua, Callocephalon, Calyptorhynchus, Nymphicus and Probosciger. These species detected between 2 and 19 alleles per locus with 50–100% amplification success.