Development of microsatellite markers for blue duiker (Cephalophus monticola) using next-generation sequencing and cross-amplification in other duikers

We developed nine microsatellite markers for duikers by next-generation sequencing using a muscle tissue sample of blue duiker (Cephalophus monticola). For blue duikers, the number of alleles ranged from 4 to 14 (mean 9.4), and the observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.333-0.833 (mean 0.716) and 0.625-0.878 (mean 0.817), respectively. Cumulative probability of identity was low (1.5 × 10^-12), indicating that these markers are enough for individual discrimination. All nine markers were successfully amplified in three other duikers (C. dorsalis, C. ogilbyi and C. sylvicultor), and almost all loci were polymorphic. These markers will be useful for clarifying genetic structure of duikers.