Identification of one X-linked and five autosomal microsatellite loci in Carabus violaceus (Coleoptera, Carabidae) and their applicability to related taxa

We characterize six microsatellite loci from the ground beetle Carabus violaceus. The polymorphism of the loci was assessed in 46 individuals from one population. The number of alleles ranges between three and eight, and the observed heterozygosities between 0.46 and 0.76. All males are homozygous for locus CV108106CMPG, whereas most females are heterozygous. This suggests that this locus is situated on the X chromosome. Tests in eight different species of ground beetles showed that four loci could be amplified in C. coriaceus and one each in C. glabratus, C. nemoralis, C. problematicus and Abax parallelepipedus.