Development of 12 new microsatellite markers for the naked mole-rat, Heterocephalus glaber

Abstract

Twelve novel microsatellite markers were developed for the naked mole-rat, Heterocephalus glaber, a species characterized by a social structure analogous to that seen in eusocial insects. All but one locus (Hglab01) were found to be polymorphic across the 33 samples screened, with the number of alleles ranging from one to seven (average 3.58). Average observed and expected estimates of heterozygosity were 0.328 and 0.533, respectively. These are the first microsatellites developed for H. glaber and provide a useful tool for further population and mating system studies.