Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the black rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta)

We obtained molecular markers useful for population level studies of the black rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta) by screening genomic DNA libraries enriched for dinucleotide, tetranucleotide, and pentanucleotide microsatellite repeats. Following sequencing of the positive clones, 11 pairs of primers were designed for polymorphic loci and their variability assessed in > 350 individuals from four populations in North America. The loci had between 9 and 40 alleles and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.071 to 0.87. Some of these pairs of primers also successfully amplified DNA from two other snake species.