Abstract
Polyandry is well documented as a female driven mating phenomena among several species in the animal kingdom. Further, this extends to a subset of species in the genus Ambystoma, though it does not include the marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum). In an attempt to help understand mating systems across this genus, this study aimed to characterize microsatellite DNA markers, originally developed for the spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum), for cross-species use and eventual parentage analysis in A. opacum. DNA was extracted from wild female adults who were found hovering egg masses. Moreover, the egg masses were harvested and DNA was also extracted from all embryos. 6 microsatellite markers were tested, and yielded limited success in amplification. A review and optimization of amplification methods and more markers would be paramount to the continuation of this preliminary research.
How to Cite
Adams, K., (2020) “Identification of Microsatellite DNA Markers for use in Parentage Analysis of Ambystoma opacum (Marbled Salamander)”, Capstone, The UNC Asheville Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship 33(2).
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