Isolation and development of microsatellite loci in an African Woodpecker (Campethera nivosa) using polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing

BACKGROUND: The Buff-spotted Woodpecker (Campethera nivosa) is a resident bird species that is distributed in lowland rainforest habitats from western to eastern Africa. We developed species-specific microsatellite markers to examine the population genetics of this species. FINDINGS: Twenty-one microsatellite loci were isolated from C. nivosa. Of these, 15 were found to amplify consistently. These loci were then tested for variability in 15 individuals from different lowland forest localities. The number of alleles ranged from 3 to 13 per locus, with observed and expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.100 to 0.917 and 0.485 to 0.901, respectively. Four loci exhibited significant heterozygote deficiency while one had an excess of heterozygotes. None of the loci exhibited linkage disequilibrium. CONCLUSION: These polymorphic microsatellite markers will be used to study genetic variability in populations of C. nivosa across either sides of the Congo River to evaluate the effect of the river as a barrier to gene flow.