Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for funnel-eared bats Natalus mexicanus (Chiroptera: Natalidae) and cross-amplification using next-generation sequencing

• Ten new microsatellite markers were developed for funnel-eared bat.
• The moderately high level of polymorphism of these loci was observed in 32 individuals from two funnel-eared bat populations.
• 2–8 markers cross-amplified in two another natalid species.
• The new microsatellite loci will be suitable for ecological, evolutionary and behavioral studies of funnel-eared bat.

This study presents the characterization of a series of 10 microsatellite loci developed for the funnel-eared bat Natalus mexicanus. A total of 35 pairs of primers, in 32 exemplars of N. mexicanus collected at two localities in Mexico, were selected by pyrosequencing for testing via cross-amplification in other bat species (Corynorhinus townsendii, Natalus major, Natalus tumidirostris, Nyctinomops laticaudatus and Tadarida brasiliensis). All 10 loci of this species amplified positively with medium and high resolution of genetic variation (2–15 alleles per locus, mean HE 0.7217, mean HO 0.6074). We consider that these polymorphic loci will be useful in genetic studies of this species as well as that of other bat families.