Novel Jefferson salamander, Ambystoma jeffersonianum, microsatellite DNA markers detect population structure and hybrid complexes

Twenty polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers were isolated and characterized in Ambystoma jeffersonianum collected from three vernal pools in the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. These markers revealed a high degree of genetic diversity (7-23 alleles per locus), heterozygosity (46.7% to 100%), and allelic heterogeneity (96% of comparisons were statistically significant). Genetic distances were greatest in comparisons between collections, intermediate within collections, and least among sibling pairs. Six markers were trisomic in A. jeffersonianum-A. laterale hybrids. These microsatellite DNA loci should allow delineation of genetic structure within and among populations of the diploid A. jeffersonianum and provide an effective method for identification of triploid hybrid individuals.