Development of microsatellite loci for the western slimy salamander (Plethodon albagula) using 454 sequencing

Terrestrial salamanders of the genus Plethodon are closely tied to abiotic environmental habitat features and are particularly sensitive to land use and habitat change. To better understand the effects of land use and habitat fragmentation on population genetic characteristics, we screened 137 primers developed from 454 sequence libraries, and developed 27 microsatellite primers for the western slimy salamander, Plethodon albagula. Twenty-two of these primers cross-amplified in P. shermani. These new loci will be invaluable tools to study habitat variables affecting gene flow, population genetic structure, and genetic diversity across heterogeneous landscapes.