Tetranucleotide microsatellite markers for molecular testing in Thai domestic elephants (Elephas maximus indicus)

Abstract

Eleven microsatellite loci were evaluated for genetic profiles of Thai domestic elephants (Elephas maximus indicus) and their suitability as genetic markers for molecular testing. A total of 66 animals were tested. 10 out of 11 loci could be amplified and they demonstrated polymorphism with allelic numbers per locus ranging from 7 (LaT06) to 39 (LaT18). Values of expected heterozygosity (He) and Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) were between 0.6449 (LaT17) - 0.9593 (LaT05) and 0.5934 (LaT17) - 0.9578 (LaT05), respectively. Analysis of the ten microsatellite markers revealed Combined Exclusion Probability (CEP) of 99.99998783% or 1.2167 × 10-7 and 99.91% confident for individual verification, suggesting that using all these loci together as a set of genetic markers is an extremely powerful tool for the unique identification. In addition, this set of microsatellite markers provides a qualified system for fingerprinting purposes and parentage testing in Thai domestic elephants.