Microsatellite characterisation and sex-typing in two invasive parakeet species, the monk parakeet, Myiopsitta monachus, and the ring-necked parakeet, Psittacula krameri.. Monk Parakeet Microsatellites

Abstract Objectives: Invasive species can have wide-ranging negative impacts in their new environments. Two such species are the monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) and the ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri). Understanding invasion processes and factors influencing invasion success is vital to determine management strategies, mitigate current impacts and predict range expansions in these species. Novel microsatellite loci isolated from the monk parakeet were characterised in both monk and ring-necked parakeet. Sex-typing markers were also assessed for these two monomorphic species. These markers will be used to enhance investigations into population genetic and social structure and the processes related to invasion success. Results: When twenty loci were assessed in 24 unrelated monk parakeet from Barcelona, 16 were polymorphic displaying between 2 and 14 alleles (mean = 8.06). Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.43 to 0.93 and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.23 to 0.96. Nine of these loci were polymorphic in the ring-necked parakeet, displaying between 2 and 10 alleles. Sex markers were identified and a Z-linked microsatellite locus identified. A multiplex set was developed for monk parakeet including two sex-typing markers. These novel microsatellite loci will facilitate fine and broad-scale population genetic analyses in two widespread invasive species. Keywords: Aves, invasive species, microsatellite loci, Psittacidae, monk parakeet, Myiopsitta monachus, parrot, ring-necked parakeet, Psittacula krameri.