Characterisation of cross-amplified microsatellite markers in the red-breasted flycatcher Ficedula parva

We tested 24 microsatellite markers for the red-breasted flycatcher, Ficedula parva, using the primers for the PCR reaction described for other species from genus Ficedula. The amplification efficiency, specificity of the products, and polymorphism of cross-amplified microsatellites were determined based on the genotypes of 65 adult males from a natural population breeding in BialowieZa Forest (Eastern Poland). Based on obtained results, we identified 9 highly polymorphic microsatellites, consistently amplifying in majority of individuals. Among those markers between 4 and 26 alleles per locus (mean 15.4) were found and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.393 to 0.939. The majority of loci (except for Fhy350 and Fhy458) were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Accordingly, the values of F15 did not significantly differ from zero 0, except for the locus Fhy350. We suggest that this locus could be loaded with high frequency of null alleles. The polymorphic information content (PIC) for the selected loci set was high and in all cases exceeded 0.82. In addition, we calculated, for each locus, the probability of excluding an improper parent. In majority of loci this parameter distinctly exceeded 0.5. These results demonstrate that tested microsatellite markers can be used to estimate the genetic variability within- and between populations and to establish paternity and parenthood in red-breasted flycatcher populations.