A multiplex panel of microsatellite markers for widespread subsaharan rodents of the genus Mastomys

We isolated and characterized 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the sub-Saharan rodent Mastomys huberti. We tested cross-species amplification of all these loci in three closely related Mastomys species: M. coucha, M. erythroleucus and M. natalensis. Multiplex panels comprising 11 loci were developed and their application to a set of individuals in each species allowed clear and easy characterization of allele sizes. Statistics from 31 M. huberti coming from one locality in Mali showed no deviation from Hardy¿Weinberg equilibrium except for one locus, and no significant linkage disequilibria between loci