Microsatellite markers for the endangered European mink ( Mustela lutreola ) and closely related mustelids

The European mink (Mustela lutreola L., 1761) is an endangered carnivore species whose populations suffered a severe decline during the last century. The genotyping of eight polymorphic microsatellite loci revealed a relatively low number of alleles per locus (two to eight), as well as low levels of polymorphism (observed and expected heterozygosity values per locus were 0.49 and 0.54, respectively). Cross-specific polymerase chain reaction amplifications were successful in seven closely related mustelid species suggesting that these loci may be useful not only for assessing genetic variability in European mink populations but also for determining potential hybridization events between M. lutreola and other mustelid species.This work received partial financial support from three LIFE projects (Conservación del visón europeo (Mustela lutreola) en Castilla León” LIFE 00/NAT/E7229, La Rioja LIFE 00/NAT/E7331 and ‘Álava’ LIFE 00/NAT/E7335), and a project from the Diputación Foral de Álava (Departamento de Urbanismo y Medio Ambiente) to BJGM, as well as a project of the MEC (REN2001-1514/GLO) to R.Z.Peer reviewe