Development of 16 forensically informative microsatellite loci to detect the illegal trade of broad headed snakes (Hoplocephalus bungaroides)

Abstract

One of Australia’s most threatened elapid snake species, the broad-headed snake (Hoplocephalus bungaroides), is under threat from habitat loss and the illegal collection of individuals from the wild for the pet trade. To curb the illegal collection of individuals, the species recovery program recommended genetic typing of all individuals in captivity to validate alleged pedigrees. Using 454 sequencing, 16 novel microsatellite loci were developed for this purpose, and individuals held in captivity genotyped. All loci were polymorphic with a mean of 8 (±0.79) alleles per loci. These new forensically informative markers improve the power of available molecular markers to identify the illegal movement of this species, and provide a useful tool for conservation management of this species, not only in captivity but also the wild.