Development and characterization of seventeen microsatellite loci for the Peter’s tent-roosting bat (Uroderma bilobatum)

Abstract

In the Neotropics, Peter’s tent-roosting bat (Uroderma bilobatum) is an important keystone species. U. bilobatum promotes plant community diversity and secondary succession, and is becoming more abundant in human-modified habitats where it roosts in non-native plants. Although this change in roosting preferences can have detrimental consequences to their populations, to date, no study has quantified this phenomenon from a population genetic perspective. To investigate effect of human-modified habitats on group cohesion, population structure, and genetic diversity, we developed and characterized 17 microsatellite loci. Primer pairs were screened on 187 individuals from 12 different social groups. Levels of polymorphism ranged from 3 to 14 alleles. Of the 17 loci, 3 revealed significant departures from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and evidence of null alleles. Use of these markers will allow researchers to understand effects to population genetic structure and diversity due to changes in habitat use, which is important information to form the best correct management strategy and to ensure perpetuity of an important seed disperser.