Nineteen new microsatellite DNA polymorphisms in pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina)

Microsatellite loci known to be polymorphic in baboons (Papio hamadryas) and/or humans were tested in pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) from the Washington Regional Primate Research Center. Nineteen polymorphisms were identified in the macaques, with an average of 9.2 alleles per locus and an average heterozygosity of 0.76. Seven loci were analyzed using radiolabelled PCR primers and standard gel electrophoresis. Twelve loci were studied using fluorescently labelled primers and the Perkin-Elmer ABI 377 genotyping system. Of these 19 pigtailed macaque polymorphisms, 12 were used to perform paternity testing among captive animals. In a set of 15 infants, this panel of 12 genetic polymorphisms was sufficient to establish paternity in all cases. The number of alleles per locus in pigtailed macaques was compared with the number of alleles in a sample of baboons, and no significant correlation was observed. This indicates that population genetic processes such as genetic drift and recurrent mutation act rapidly enough on these loci to eliminate any relationship in levels of polymorphism across those two species. These 19 loci will be valuable for a range of genetic studies in pigtailed macaques, including paternity testing, analysis of population structure and differentiation among wild populations, and genetic linkage mapping.