The Asian box turtles of the Cuora galbinifrons complex (C. galbinifrons, C. bourreti, and C. picturata) rank among the most endangered chelonian species in the world. Despite several previous studies, the phylogenetic relation-ships and species boundaries of this complex remain a matter for dispute due to a shortage of field-collected samples for genetic validation, observed discordance between mitochondrial and nuclear markers, and reported intergradation zones combined with a strong tendency of hybridization in the genus. Here, we re-investigate the relationships and potential hy-bridization between the species of the C. galbinifrons complex based on the most comprehensive dataset to date consisting of 394 morphologically identified specimens (136 C. galbinifrons, 200 C. bourreti, 49 C. picturata, and nine individuals al-legedly from Hainan). The turtles mainly came from assurance colonies as well as from zoological and private collections across the USA and Europe. Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood analyses of a concatenated mitochondrial dataset (COI and ND4 plus adjacent tRNA genes) yielded almost identical topologies, supporting three major clades corresponding to C. galbinifrons, C. bourreti, and C. picturata, respectively. In accordance with previous studies, C. bourreti represented the sister clade to C. galbinifrons and these two clades together were sister to C. picturata. Haplotype networks revealed pro-nounced mitochondrial divergences between the taxa. STRUCTURE and PCA analyses using 12 microsatellite loci also confirmed three distinct clusters that are in agreement with the recognized species. Only a few specimens with admixed ancestry (hybrids) or mismatched mitochondrial identity were revealed, suggesting extremely limited gene flow among the three species. However, this pattern could also reflect the separate captive management of the individual taxa and an underrepresentation of geographic contact zones in our sampling.

In 2015, nearly 4000 critically endangered Palawan forest turtles (Siebenrockiella leytensis) were confiscated on their native island of Palawan in the Philippines after being illegally harvested for the international wildlife trade. Local conservation biologists and an international team of veterinary and husbandry personnel evaluated, treated, and repatriated the majority of turtles (88%) over a 3-mo period. Common pathologic findings included ophthalmic, dermatologic, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal lesions, including keratitis, osteomyelitis of the shell and digits, pododermatitis, and colonic nematodiasis. Hemogram results indicated severe leukocytosis in many individuals. Specimens for genetic analysis and molecular diagnostics were archived, and several intact carcasses were established as museum specimens. International collaboration may be required to ensure the confiscation and survival of illegally traded endangered wildlife, with ongoing efforts toward enhancing the law enforcement, husbandry, and veterinary capacity of range country personnel.

We isolated and characterized 30 microsatellite loci from the critically endangered Myanmar Roofed Turtle, Batagur trivittata. Loci were screened in 9 B. trivittata samples and in the congeners the Painted River Terrapin, Batagur borneoensis, with 22 of 30 amplifying, and the Southern River Terrapin, B. affinis, with 15 of 30 amplifying. In the B. trivittata samples, the number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 10 and the probability of identity values ranged from 0.031 to 0.354. These new loci will provide tools for captive management and reintroduction programs for B. trivittata and the other five species of Batagur, particularly B. affinis in Cambodia.

We isolated and characterized a total of 14 microsatellite loci from gopher frogs, Lithobates capito . This species is of conservation concern because most populations have gone locally extinct across the geographic distribution. Loci were screened for 21 individuals from a single population in Florida. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 7 to 17, observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.667 to 0.947, and the probability of identity values ranged from 0.011 to 0.077. These new loci provide tools for examining the genetic diversity and population structure of L . capito populations and addressing factors associated with their decline.

We isolated and characterized 12 microsatellite loci for the Dwarf Salamander, Eurycea quadridigitata. Loci were screened in 30 individuals of E. quadridigitata. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 9, observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.2 to 0.9, and the probability of identity values ranged from 0.034 to 0.689. These new loci can be used to study population genetic structure and potentially help determine cryptic species divergence.

We isolated and characterized 18 microsatellite loci for the Southern Leopard Frog, Rana sphenocephala. Loci were screened in 30 individuals of R. sphenocephala. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 5 to 21, observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.200 to 0.933, and the probability of identity values ranged from 0.008 to 0.299. These new loci are tools that can be used to study population genetic structure, genetic diversity, and gene flow across varying habitat types and scales.

We isolated and characterized a total of 12 microsatellite loci from the marbled salamander, Ambystoma opacum. Loci were screened in 24 individuals from a single location on the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 15, observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.167 to 0.917, and the probability of identity values ranged from 8.5 × 10−2 to 3.2 × 10−1. These new loci will provide tools for examining the genetic diversity, structure, and mating system of A. opacum populations.

Premise of the study: We isolated and characterized microsatellite markers in Polygonum cespitosum Blume, an herbaceous annual plant species introduced into North America from Asia that has recently become invasive.Methods and Results: A total of 12 polymorphic and 3 monomorphic loci were screened in 1-2 individuals from each of 20 populations from the introduced and native range, for a total of 24 samples. The number of alleles per locus in the polymorphic loci ranged from 3 to 9, and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.156 to 0.838.Conclusions: These new loci will provide tools for examining genetic relatedness among introduced and native populations of this and other related species.

Thirteen polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed in the North American ground skink, Scincella lateralis, for use in landscape and population genetic research. Loci were genotyped for a sample of 37 lizards from southeastern Louisiana. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 5 to 25 and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.23 to 0.97. The high levels of polymorphism observed in these loci will be useful for a variety of applications.

Population manipulations such as translocation are becoming increasingly important tools in the management of rare and declining species. Evaluating the effectiveness of such manipulations requires comprehensive monitoring of population processes, including dispersal, survivorship, and reproduction. We investigated the mating system of a translocated population of gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) established through multiple releases, which occurred primarily during 1987–1994. During 2006–2007, we sampled and genotyped 27 candidate males (candidate sires), 34 candidate females (candidate dams), and 121 offspring from 19 clutches at five polymorphic microsatellite loci to determine the relative frequency of multiple paternity and to estimate individual reproductive success. Multiple paternity was detected in 57% of clutches genotyped, and females of single-sire clutches and females of multiple-sire clutches were of similar size. Reproductive success varied among male tortoises, and successful sires were significantly larger than males to which no offspring were attributed. Among successful sires, previously established males sired a disproportionate number of the offspring sampled, despite being significantly smaller than subsequently released males. The high variance in individual reproductive success and the apparent reproductive advantage associated with prior residence observed in this gopher tortoise population has important implications for the design of future translocation projects.

We isolated and characterized a total of 10 microsatellite loci from the Yellowtail flounder, Limanda ferruginea. Loci were screened in 24 individuals, 8 each, from the Georges Bank, Southern New England/Mid Atlantic, and Cape Cod/Gulf of Maine, management areas. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 5 to 23, observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.375 to 0.875, and the probability of identity values ranged from 0.102 to 0.505. These new loci will provide tools for examining existing management stock designations and for determining levels of gene flow between these stocks.

We isolated and characterized 17 microsatellite loci from kangaroo mice, Microdipodops megacephalus and M. pallidus. Loci were screened in 24 individuals from 21 general localities across their distributional range in the Great Basin Desert. In total, the number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 16, observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.333 to 1, and the probability of identity values ranged from 0.013 to 1. These loci provide new tools for examining the biogeographic history and population dynamics of Microdipodops in the context of molecular ecology.

Mercury contamination threatens many ecosystems worldwide. Methylmercury bioaccumulates at each trophic level, and biomagnifies within individuals over time. Long-lived turtles often occupy high trophic positions and are likely to accumulate mercury in contaminated habitats. Millions of turtles worldwide are sold in Asia for human consumption, and consumers may be at risk if turtles contain high levels of mercury. The authors dissected 71 turtles from 14 food trade species and analyzed their tissues (liver, kidneys, muscle, claws, and scutes) for total mercury content. Mercury was generally highest in carnivores, and lowest in herbivores. Liver and scutes had the highest concentrations. The authors compared mercury concentrations with consumption limits developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration to evaluate mercury in fish tissue. Several samples exceeded the recommended 1,900 parts per billion (ppb) consumption threshold, indicating that consumers who eat certain turtle species frequently may be at risk for mercury-related health problems.

Bithynia tentaculata (Linnaeus, 1758), a snail native to Europe, was introduced into the US Great Lakes in the 1870’s and has spread to rivers throughout the Northeastern US and Upper Mississippi River (UMR). Trematode parasites, for which B. tentaculata is a host, have also been introduced and are causing widespread waterfowl mortality in the UMR. Waterfowl mortality is caused by ingestion of trematode-infected B. tentaculata or insects infected with parasites released from the snails. We isolated and characterized 17 microsatellite loci from the invasive faucet snail, B. tentaculata (Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda: Bithyniidae). Loci were screened in 24 individuals of B. tentaculata . The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 6, observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.050 to 0.783, and the probability of identity values ranged from 0.10 to 0.91. These new loci provide tools for examining the origin and spread of invasive populations in the US and management activities to prevent waterfowl mortality.

We isolated and characterized 16 microsatellite loci from the Louisiana pine snake, Pituophis ruthveni. Loci were screened in 24 individuals from locations throughout its distribution in Louisiana and Texas. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 12, observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.200 to 0.875, and the probability of identity ranged from 0.043 to 0.298. We examined cross-species amplification at these loci in P. catenifer (bullsnakes and gopher snakes) and P. melanoleucus (pine snakes). These new markers provide tools for examining the conservation genetics of this species complex. Louisiana pine snakes face numerous threats: population densities are extremely low and their natural habitat has been severely altered and fragmented. In southern Canada, P. catenifer is at the northern extreme of its range and limited by the availability of suitable over-wintering sites. Hence, for these two species reduction of heterozygosity, potential for inbreeding, and increased effects of genetic drift are all of considerable conservation concern.

We characterized 15 microsatellite loci from the decollate snail, Rumina decollata . Loci were screened in 21 individuals and several individuals of the congener Rumina saharica . There was ample allelic diversity (6–12 alleles per locus) but observed heterozygosity values were extremely low (0–0.421). This was expected given the high self-fertilization rate in this species. Ten of the 15 loci were successfully amplified in R. saharica . These loci provide tools for examining the population genetics and taxomomic boundaries in R. decollata and its allies.

We isolated and characterized 10 microsatellite loci from the eastern spadefoot toad, Scaphiopus holbrookii . Loci were screened in 24 individuals from two schools of tadpoles in a single isolated wetland in South Carolina, USA. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 12, observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.200 to 0.875, and the probability of identity values ranged from 0.043 to 0.298. These new loci provide tools for examining the landscape genetics of a species facing continued destruction of its breeding habitat (small isolated wetlands) as well as fragmentation of upland life zones.

Mice of the genus Peromyscus, including several endangered subspecies, occur throughout North America and have been important models for conservation research. We describe 526 primer pairs that amplify microsatellite DNA loci for Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii, 467 of which also amplify in Peromyscus polionotus subgriseus. For 12 of these loci, we report diversity data from a natural population. These markers will be an important resource for future genomic studies of Peromyscus evolution and mammalian conservation.