Twenty new microsatellite loci for population structure and parentage studies of Parnassius apollo nevadensis (Lepidoptera; Papilionidae)

We characterized 20 new microsatellite loci isolated from Parnassius apollo nevadensis. The 20 loci displayed 2–12 alleles and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.22 to 0.89; the markers were amplified in nine multiplex reactions. The combined non-exclusion probabilities of this set are 0.001084 and 0.000005 for the first and second parents, respectively. This set of markers will thus enable other studies on reproductive strategies and population genetics in this endangered and previously understudied species. We show, for the first time, evidence of multiple paternity and that females may successfully copulate with more than one male despite the presence of mating plugs. Future studies on this mating behavior and population genetics of the species using the 20 loci here presented will be very important to define its conservation status and management measures.