Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers in lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) and cross-amplification in common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)

Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni, is a colonial and migratory species breeding in part of the Mediterranean Basin and part of central Asia and north-east of China and Mongolia. This species is catalogued in IUCN red list category as vulnerable. Twenty microsatellite loci were selected from libraries enriched in AC or AG tandem repeats and specific PCR were devised from their flanking sequences. Most microsatellites (14) were found polymorphic among 30 individuals of F. naumanni representing 20 reproduction areas of the species in the region of Extremadura, Spain. Polymorphisms were detected by size variation of the amplified loci, which allele number and observed heterozygosity ranged from 3 to 20 and from 0.300 to 0.933, respectively. Cross-species amplification showed that 13 of selected loci were also found polymorphic in common kestrel species (Falco tinnunculus). Novel polymorphic microsatellites will serve to conservation studies in lesser kestrel.