Abstract
To investigate the potential for host-parasite coadaptation between bats and their wing mites, we developed microsatellite loci for two species of Spinturnix mites. For Spinturnix myoti, parasite of Myotis myotis, we were able to develop nine polymorphic loci and screened them in 100 mites from five bat colonies. For S. bechsteini, parasite of M. bechsteinii, we developed five polymorphic loci, which were also screened in 100 mites from five bat colonies. In both species, all markers were highly polymorphic (22-46 and 6-23 alleles per locus respectively). The majority of markers for both species exhibited departure from Hardy-Weinberg proportions (8 of 9 and 3 of 5, respectively). One marker pair in S. myoti showed evidence for linkage disequilibrium. As the observed departures from Hardy-Weinberg proportions are most likely a consequence of the biology of the mites, the described microsatellite loci should be useful in studying population genetics and host-parasite dynamics of Spinturnix myoti and Spinturnix bechsteini in relation to their bat hosts.
Highlights
Temperate-zone bats harbour a wide variety of parasites, which often exhibit strong patterns of cospeciation (Dick, 2007; Glover, 1962)
To date no microsatellite markers have been developed for Spinturnix, or any other bat ectoparasite
We report the development of polymorphic dinucleotide repeat microsatellites for two species of Spinturnix mites
Summary
Temperate-zone bats harbour a wide variety of parasites, which often exhibit strong patterns of cospeciation (Dick, 2007; Glover, 1962). To date no microsatellite markers have been developed for Spinturnix, or any other bat ectoparasite. We report the development of polymorphic dinucleotide repeat microsatellites for two species of Spinturnix mites.
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